bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Primer on Weyl Semimetals: Down the Discovery of Topological Phases
Authors: Kar Satyaki , Jayannavar Arun M.
Published: February 2021

Recently discovered Weyl semimetals (WSM) have found special place in topological condensed matter studies for they represent first example of massless Weyl fermions found in electronic condensed matter systems. A WSM shows gapless bulk energy spectra with Dirac-like point degeneracies, famously called Weyl nodes, which carry with themselves well defined chiralities and topologically protected chiral charges. One finds the Berry curvature of the Bloch bands to become singular, like in a magnetic monopole, at these Weyl nodes. Moreover, these systems feature topological surface states in the form of open Fermi arcs. In this review, we undergo a concise journey from graphene based Dirac physics to Weyl semimetals: the underlying Hamiltonians, their basic features and their unique response to external electric and magnetic fields in order to provide a basic walk-through of how the Weyl physics unfolded with time starting from the discovery of Graphene.
Performance of WRF’S Microphysics Options to Increase the Medium Range Rainfall Forecast Accuracy in Tamil Nadu Cauvery Delta Zone
Authors: Selvi S. Poorani , Dheebakaran G. A. , Kokilavani S. , Geethalakshmi V.
Published: February 2021

Weather plays a significant role in agricultural sector and the favourable weather enhance the opportunities and sustainability for crop production. Agriculture oriented Medium Range Weather Forecasts (3 – 10 days), particularly rainfall information in a week advance helps the farmers to overcome the aberrant weather conditions, reduces both input and output loss, thereby warranted higher benefit – cost ratio and net income. An attempt was made to improve the accuracy of medium range rainfall forecast (6 days) at Cauvery Delta Zone, the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu state, during South West Monsoon (June – Sep. 2020) and North East Monsoon (Oct. – Dec. 2020). The performance study of four microphysics schemes in WRF viz., Kessler, WSM3, WSM5 and WSM6 concluded that the WSM3 scheme produced more accurate forecast in Tamil Nadu's Cauvery Delta Zone (CDZ) during both the South West Monsoon (SWM) and North East Monsoon (NEM). The 2nd better choice was the Kessler scheme, where the WSM5 and WSM6 were bad performers in CDZ. The forecast usability was decreased with increasing lead time, irrespective of season and microphysics. Among the seasons forecast accuracy and usability were higher in NEM than SWM.
Mitochondrial clearance: mechanisms and roles in cellular fitness
Authors: Onishi Mashun , Okamoto Koji
Published: February 2021

Mitophagy is one of the selective autophagy pathways that catabolizes dysfunctional or superfluous mitochondria. Under mitophagy‐inducing conditions, mitochondria are labeled with specific molecular landmarks that recruit the autophagy machinery to the surface of mitochondria, enclosed into autophagosomes, and delivered to lysosomes (vacuoles in yeast) for degradation. As damaged mitochondria are the major sources of reactive oxygen species, mitophagy is critical for mitochondrial quality control and cellular health. Moreover, appropriate control of mitochondrial quantity via mitophagy is vital for the energy supply‐demand balance in cells and whole organisms, cell differentiation, and developmental programs. Thus, it seems conceivable that defects in mitophagy could elicit pleiotropic pathologies such as excess inflammation, tissue injury, neurodegeneration, and aging. In this review, we will focus on the molecular basis and physiological relevance of mitophagy, and potential of mitophagy as a therapeutic target to overcome such disorders.
Myxobolus cerebralis Causes Presporogonic Mortality in Juvenile Mountain Whitefish
Authors: Americus Benjamin , Schisler George J. , Bartholomew Jerri L. , Atkinson Stephen D.
Published: February 2021

Recent range expansions of whirling disease impelled us to understand the impacts of its causative agent, the myxozoan parasite Myxobolus cerebralis, on lesser-studied fish hosts. Mountain Whitefish Prosopium williamsoni overlap broadly with M. cerebralis across the western United States and Canada, and populations have experienced widespread declines since the 1990s. To evaluate effects of the parasite on Mountain Whitefish, we revisit formerly unpublished work of the Colorado Division of Wildlife (now Colorado Parks and Wildlife), comparing infection in age-matched Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, and Brown Trout Salmo trutta. To complement the original report, we reanalyze mortality data and include additional SEM imagery. Infection of M. cerebralis in juvenile Mountain Whitefish was characterized by a brief but heavy period of mortality in the first 2 weeks after exposure, with limited pathology. This clinical effect is unique among the known salmonid hosts of M. cerebralis.
Excellent Intrinsic Long‐Term Thermal Stability of Co‐Evaporated MAPbI3 Solar Cells at 85 °C
Authors: Dewi Herlina Arianita , Li Jia , Wang Hao , Chaudhary Bhumika , Mathews Nripan , Mhaisalkar Subodh , Bruno Annalisa
Published: February 2021

Thermal stability is a critical criterion for assessing the long‐term stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, it is shown that un‐encapsulated co‐evaporated MAPbI3 (TE_MAPbI3) PSCs demonstrate remarkable thermal stability even in an n‐i‐p structure that employs Spiro‐OMeTAD as hole transport material (HTM). TE_MAPbI3 PSCs maintain over ≈95% and ≈80% of their initial power conversion efficiency (PCE) after 1000 and 3600 h respectively under continuous thermal aging at 85 °C. TE_MAPbI3 PSCs demonstrate remarkable structural robustness, absence of pinholes, or significant variation in grain sizes, and intact interfaces with the HTM, upon prolonged thermal aging. Here, the main factors driving TE_MAPbI3 stability are assessed. It is demonstrated that the excellent TE_MAPbI3 thermal stability is related to the perovskite growth process leading to a compact and almost strain‐stress‐free film. On the other hand, un‐encapsulated PSCs with the same architecture, but incorporating solution‐processed MAPbI3 or Cs0.05(MA0.17FA0.83)0.95Pb(I0.83Br0.17)3 as active layers, show a complete PCE degradation after 500 h under the same thermal aging condition. These results highlight that the control of the perovskite growth process can substantially enhance the PSCs thermal stability, besides the chemical composition. The TE_MAPbI3 impressive long‐term thermal stability features the potential for field‐operating conditions.
An MOF‐Based Luminescent Sensor Array for Pattern Recognition and Quantification of Metal Ions
Authors: Guan Lingling , Jiang Ziwei , Cui Yuanjing , Yang Yu , Yang Deren , Qian Guodong
Published: February 2021

The development of a convenient method for the discrimination of typically quenching metal ions such as Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Fe3+ is of great interest but still a challenge. By simultaneously incorporating Eu3+ and organic dye 3,3′‐diethyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DOC) into a metal‐organic framework, MOF‐253, a luminescent sensor array MOF‐253⊃Eu3++DOC with three emission centers is generated. Utilizing the diversity of quenching responses of metal ions to the different emission centers, five metal ions including Ag+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Co2+ and Ni2+ can be well distinguished with a discrimination accuracy of 100% at a concentration as low as 60 µm. Subsequently, the binary and ternary mixtures of three metal ions (Fe3+, Co2+, and Ni2+) can also be discriminated successfully. Furthermore, taking Cu2+ and Ag+ as examples, this MOF‐based sensor array can quantify the ion concentration at a low range from 0 to 15 µm. Most probably, this is the first case of simultaneous recognition and quantitation of metal ions in an aqueous solution using an MOF‐based luminescent sensor array. Since a variety of luminescent species including organic dyes and lanthanide ions can be introduced into MOFs to generate multiple‐dimensional luminescence, such strategy will open a new avenue for luminescent sensor assays.
How product attributes and consumer attitudes affect purchase prices of japonica rice in China
Authors: Wu Wenhao , Zhou Lin , Chien Hsiaoping
Published: February 2021

This study focuses on japonica rice (Oryza sativa L. ssp. japonica) and examines how product attributes, consumer attitudes, consumer demographics, and regional differences influence different categories of the daily purchase prices of japonica rice in China. Online questionnaires were distributed to 492 respondents from the inland, coastal, and northern regions of China. The study applied an ordered logit regression and a multinomial logit regression to analyze the survey data and understand the differences among various categories based on purchase prices. Consumers with high income and educational levels, who are more concerned with the environment and their health and have greater trust in government supervision of rice quality, as well as inland consumers, are more likely to purchase high‐priced japonica rice, whereas the price factor has a negative relationship with such purchases. The results provide sufficient information to the japonica rice industry to expand its market and improve its profitability.
Regulating Fe2(MoO4)3 by Au Nanoparticles for Efficient N2 Electroreduction under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Yao Jiaxin , Zhou Yitong , Yan Jun‐Min , Jiang Qing
Published: February 2021

Ammonia, as an important chemical, has played an indispensable role in the fields of fertilizer precursors, fuel, and energy carriers over time. The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) has attracted extensive attention due to the potential availability of clean energy under mild conditions, while electrochemical catalysts still need further optimization and exploration restricted by the strong chemical bonds of NN. In this work, it is proposed that a small amount of noble metal (Au) modified Fe2(MoO4)3 can serve as active sites in eNRR. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the interaction of Au with Fe2(MoO4)3 reduces the reaction energy of the rate determining step and inhibits the hydrogen evolution reaction, which increase the eNRR activity and selectivity of Au/Fe2(MoO4)3. As expected, according to the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance measurement as the exclusive quantitative detection approach, the as‐prepared Au/Fe2(MoO4)3 achieves outstanding eNRR performance with 7.61 µg h−1 mg−1cat. NH3 production rate and 18.79% Faradaic efficiency at −0.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode in 0.2 m Na2SO4 under ambient conditions.
Boosting the catalytic performance of zinc linked amino acid complex as an eco‐friendly for synthesis of novel pyrimidines in aqueous medium
Authors: Ahmed Eman A. , Soliman Ahmed M.M. , Ali Ali M. , Ali El‐Remaily Mahmoud Abd El Aleem Ali
Published: February 2021

Zinc linked amino acid complex, Zn(l‐proline)2, is considered as a green catalyst for the synthesis of novel series of pyrimidine derivatives5a–q.The pyrimidines5a–qwere prepared via two pathways: the first is a one‐pot reaction of guanidines3a–cwith aromatic aldehyde1and acetophenones2; and the second one is the reaction of guanidines3a–cwith different chalcones4a–jin aqueous medium. The simplicity of the operation, the short reaction time, and the high efficiency (97%) are the main advantages of this protocol. Furthermore, the green aspects of this synthetic protocol were further investigated by examining the reusability of Zn(l‐proline)2complex throughout five consecutive cycles without a significant loss of catalytic activity. This new procedure has presented remarkable advantages in terms of safety, simplicity, stability, mild conditions, a short reaction time, excellent yields, and high purities without using any organic solvents.
A rainbow of acridinium chemiluminescence
Authors: Best Quinn A. , Haack Richard A. , Swift Kerry M. , Bax Brian M. , Tetin Sergey Y. , Hershberger Stefan J.
Published: February 2021

Multicolor chemiluminescent acridinium derivatives were synthesized by attaching various common fluorophores to the N10‐acridinium position through a piperazine linker. Triggering of each acridinium derivative using alkaline hydrogen peroxide resulted in a chemiluminescence spectrum dominated by a strong emission (>95%) from the attached fluorophore. The highly quenched emission from the triggered acridinium, acting as a donor, points to a highly efficient intramolecular energy transfer in acridinium‐based chemiluminophore‐fluorophore tandems. A variable, and in many cases minimal, spectral overlap between the donor emission and the acceptor absorption may indicate that in such tandems the energy transfer follows the Dexter electron exchange mechanism. Moreover, fluorophores affixed through the acridinium 9‐position produce a typical acridinium emission profile, demonstrating the need for close distances and favorable intramolecular orientation of the donor and acceptor moieties for the energy transfer to occur. A family of red‐shifted chemiluminescent labels, all sharing a uniform triggering method, will find immediate application in multicolor ligand‐receptor assays. Along with the multiplexing capabilities, the red‐shifted chemiluminescent detection offers a higher tolerance to green‐colored biological interferences and will therefore benefit many screening and diagnostic clinical tests.
Construction of a Quinoline‐based Sequential Functioning Chromogenic Sensor for Copper(II) Ion and Biothiols: Its Application to Test Strips
Authors: So Haeri , Park Soyoung , Kim Cheal
Published: February 2021

A new compound BQ ((1E,1'E)‐N,N'‐((1,3‐phenylenebis(oxy))bis(3,1‐phenylene))bis(1‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)methanimine)) containing quinoline moiety has been developed as a sequential functioning chromogenic sensor for copper(II) ion and biological thiols (GSH, Cys, and Hcy). BQ had a clear chromogenic response toward only copper ion with a red‐shifted absorption. Detection limit for copper(II) ion was calculated to be 1.20 μM. Its application was successfully conducted in test strips. The resultant BQ‐Cu2+ complex could detect the biological thiols, showing the color change and blue‐shifted absorption via the demetallation of copper(II) ion. The possible binding mechanisms of BQ to copper(II) ion and of BQ‐Cu2+ to biological thiols were understood by UV–vis titrations, Job plot, ESI‐MS, and 1H NMR titrations.
Molecular structure, gene expression and functional role of WFDC1 in angiogenesis and cancer
Authors: Zhu Sipin , Ye Lin , Bennett Samuel , Xu Huazi , He Dengwei , Xu Jiake
Published: February 2021

Whey acidic proteins (WAP) perform a diverse range of important biological functions, including proteinase activity, calcium transport and bacterial growth. The WAP four‐disulphide core domain protein 1 (WFDC1) gene (also called PS20), encodes the 20 kDa prostate stromal protein (ps20), which is a member of the WAP‐type four‐disulphide core domain family of proteins, and exhibits characteristics of serine protease inhibitors, such as elafin and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor. Molecular structural analysis reveals that ps20 consists of four‐disulphide bonds formed by eight cysteine residues located at the carboxyl terminus of the protein. Wfdc1‐null mice were found to display no overt developmental phenotype, suggesting a dispensable role in organ growth and development. However, WFDC1 was able to mediate endothelial cell migration and pericyte stabilization, which are vital for the formation of functional vascular structures. WFDC1 was also found to be downregulated in cancers and exhibited a regulatory effect on cell proliferation. In addition, it was involved in the modulation of memory T cells during human immunodeficiency virus infection. Gaining a solid understanding of the mechanisms by which WFDC1 regulates tissue homeostasis and disease processes, in a tissue specific manner, will be an important move towards the development of WFDC1/ps20 as potential therapeutic targets.
Application of Neuron‐Selective Fluorescent Probe, NeuA, To Identify Mouse Retinal Degeneration
Authors: Park Sung‐Jin , Woon Queenie Tan Shu , Er Jun Cheng , Wong Bernice H. , Liu Xiao , Kang Nam‐Young , Barathi Veluchamy A. , Silver David L. , Chang Young‐Tae
Published: February 2021

The retina is part of the central nerve system (CNS) and has various interneurons and sensory neurons such as photoreceptor cells. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited condition that is characterized by photoreceptor degeneration. Herein, we developed a fluorescent probe‐NeuA‐for detecting retinal neuronal cells and applied NeuA to discriminate between healthy and RP retinas. The staining pattern of NeuA in the retinas of healthy and RP mouse models was examined in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo using confocal microscopy, the fluorescent fundus microscopy and optical coherent tomography (OCT). NeuA strongly stained the outer segment layer of photoreceptor cells and some bipolar cells in the healthy retina, but there was only weak staining in the photoreceptor degenerated retinas. Therefore, NeuA probe can be used as the detecting RP tools in the preclinical conditions.
Oral lichen nitidus case report
Authors: Dobson Marianne L. , Brown Alyson , Theaker Elizabeth D. , White Sharon J.
Published: February 2021

Key Clinical Message

This case report aims to increase awareness that lichen nitidus may affect the mouth and therefore supports multidisciplinary management, particularly between dermatologists and dental professionals.
Synergism on Electronic Structures and Active Edges of Metallic Vanadium Disulfide Nanosheets via Co Doping for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Seawater
Authors: Zhao Mengxuan , Yang Mingyang , Huang Weijie , Liao Wenchao , Bian Haidong , Chen Dazhu , Wang Lei , Tang Jiaoning , Liu Chen
Published: February 2021

Seawater electrolysis with clean hydrogen energy has bright prospects due to the abundant reserves of seawater on our planet. However, the highly desirable direct seawater splitting with efficient electrocatalyst is still lacking. Herein, Co‐doped metallic VS2 nanosheets with modulated electronic structures and numerous exposed edges were proposed and evaluated as superior catalysts for hydrogen evolution from seawater. The enlarged number of edges through reducing nanosheet size and enriching sulfur defects by Co doping contribute to numerous active sites exposed, leading to desirable catalytic performances. The Co‐doped VS2 nanosheets with 10 % V substituted by Co exhibit excellent catalytic performance in simulated seawater with an onset potential of 196 mV and possesses long‐term stability without obvious current decay after 12‐h test. Moreover, this sample also delivers lower overpotentials of 234 mV at −10 mA cm−2 in acid media. The study can further broaden the development of vanadium chalcogenides in seawater catalysis.
The impact of corporate social responsibility on innovation in small and medium‐sized enterprises: The mediating role of debt terms and human capital
Authors: Santos‐Jaén José Manuel , Madrid‐Guijarro Antonia , García‐Pérez‐de‐Lema Domingo
Published: February 2021

The aim of this paper is to study the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) over small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) innovation and the effect of two mediating variables, debt terms and human capital. Based on a sample of 2825 Spanish SMEs and applying a structural equations modeling, the results demonstrate that the effect of CSR on innovation is mediated by debt terms and by good human resource practices. Part of the positive effect of CSR on innovation occurs through these two variables, which, alone, positively and significantly affect innovation in SMEs. Consequently, the positive effect of CSR practices on debt terms through a decrease in asymmetric information goes further, also having repercussions on innovation. Additionally, the suitable development of human resource practices based on strategies oriented toward CSR allow companies to carry out greater and more efficient innovative activities. This paper contributes to the CSR literature considering the human resource management and the debt access in the relationship between CSR and innovation. The findings reveal important implications for policy makers and managers. For the former, the results show that it would be interesting to carry out actions aimed at assisting SMEs, especially those with fewer resources available, to implement a suitable CSR strategy, supporting sustainable development in SMEs. And, for the latter, CSR‐oriented innovation has proven to be a valuable strategy for more efficient SMEs management because of the multiple competitive advantages it generates.
A trust‐based mechanism in multipath routing using Biogeography‐Shun Optimization
Authors: Govindaraj Mahalakshmi , Arumugam Suresh
Published: February 2021

In mobile ad hoc network, a group of mobile nodes interconnect with each other in an ad hoc manner without any centralized administration. Various applications are based on integrating mobile ad hoc network and cloud computing to enhance the processing and storing of mobile nodes. Cloud service providers provide mobile ad hoc network users access to applications and other mobile ad hoc network users. Implementing security mechanism for ad hoc routing can be a daunting task owing it its unique network traits. Blackhole attack found in the mobile ad hoc network takes place when malicious nodes attract data packets using a fresh destination route and drop the packets. In this work, a trust‐based routing that has a probability of a new packet forwarding is proposed to mitigate blackhole attacks. The ad hoc on‐demand multipath distance vector routing protocol is used in this work, which is based on the trust model that measures the trust of nodes and composes a decision, respectively. A novel optimization technique that has its basis in the Biogeography‐Shun Optimization algorithm is suggested for enhancing the multipath routing. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed method attains better performance by enhancing lifetime of network and packet delivery ratio and reducing end‐to‐end delay.
Fault detection of energy‐aware grid systems in big data environment
Authors: Fan Zheyuan
Published: February 2021

Grid technology based on parallel theory is used to study a large amount of data processing. This research mainly discusses the fault detection of grid dynamic system in a big data environment. In order to verify the communication efficiency between different security nodes of the ZSS system under different operating system conditions, this study will use four physical computers and VM Ware software to establish a simulated communication environment, using GlobusToolkit (GT)'s existing deployment mechanism to realize the overall grid dynamic deployment architecture. Using Web service technology remotely calls the monitoring module interface of resource nodes in the domain and uses standard protocols to send monitoring data. At the same time, in order for the management node to save the monitoring data in the local standardized form of XML, the administrator can use the saved historical data to process system failures, analyze, and predict system performance. In order to solve the problem of information explosion, a fault detector is used to precisely control the cost of message detection and the state distribution of the detection result and the time of message delay. Under special circumstances, it takes 60 min to execute a 30‐min job, and the fault detection point consumes an average of 54.33 min. The research results show that the fault‐tolerant strategy can improve the performance of resource consumption in the fault‐tolerant tracking system. Adopting the method of dynamically adjustable detection interval can effectively reduce the overhead of the grid dynamic system. The detection method used in this study can meet the application requirements of the grid.
Studies of electrical and optical properties of cadmium‐doped zinc oxide for energy conversion devices
Authors: Zahra Marriam , Ali Amjad , Khalil Arif , Rehman Saif Ur , Mushtaq Naveed , Akbar Muhammad , Raza Rizwan
Published: February 2021

In this modern era, energy devices have become an important part of our daily life. Various types of energy conversion devices have been developed to meet the current energy demands. Semiconductor anode (CdZnO) has been synthesized by the sol‐gel method and lattice constants and the band gap results have been compared experimentally and theoretically. XRD results show that Cd‐doped ZnO shifts the peaks toward the lower angles, increases the lattice parameters, and decreases the crystallite size (48 nm). Microstructure of Cd‐doped ZnO shows the agglomerations of particles, found in the shape of cubes, hexagons, and dumbbell shapes with diameter in the range of 2–7 µm. The experimentally obtained conductivity of CdZnO is 0.142 S/cm at 550°C. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows the decreased resistance with an increase in temperature. The doped system shows a maximum open circuit voltage of 0.95 V and performance of 0.52 W/cm2 at 550°C.
Recent Advances on Nanomaterials to COVID‐19 Management: A Systematic Review on Antiviral/Virucidal Agents and Mechanisms of SARS‐CoV‐2 Inhibition/Inactivation
Authors: Carvalho Anna Paula A. , Conte‐Junior Carlos A.
Published: February 2021

The current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is recognized as a public health emergency of worldwide concern. Nanomaterials can be effectively used to detect, capture/inactivate or inhibit coronavirus cell entry/replication in the human host cell, preventing infection. Their potential for nanovaccines, immunoengineering, diagnosis, repurposing medication, and disinfectant surfaces targeting the novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) is highlighted. In this systematic review the aim is to present an unbiased view of which and how nanomaterials can reduce the spread of COVID‐19. Herein, the focus is on SARS‐CoV‐2, analyzing 46 articles retrieved before December 31, 2020. The interface between nanomaterials is described, and the main mechanisms to inhibit SARS‐CoV‐2 pathogenesis and viral inactivation are also discussed. Nanocarbons, biopolymeric, copper, and silver nanoparticles are potential antiviral and virucidal agents toward self‐cleaning and reusable filter media and surfaces (e.g., facial masks), drug administration, vaccines, and immunodiagnostic assays. Trends in toxicology research and safety tests can help fill the main gaps in the literature and overcome health surveillance's challenges. Phytochemicals delivery by nanocarriers also stand out as candidates to target and bio‐friendly therapy. Nanocellulose might fill in the gaps. Future research using nanomaterials targeting novel therapies/prophylaxis measures to COVID‐19 and future outbreaks is discussed.
Bosutinib in the real‐life treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia patients aged >65 years resistant/intolerant to previous tyrosine‐kinase inhibitors
Authors: Latagliata Roberto , Attolico Immacolata , Trawinska Malgorzata Monika , Capodanno Isabella , Annunziata Mario , Elena Chiara , Luciano Luigiana , Crugnola Monica , Bergamaschi Micaela , Bonifacio Massimiliano , Baratè Claudia , Mauro Endri , Binotto Gianni , Sgherza Nicola , Aguzzi Chiara , Monteleone Barbara , Sorà Federica , Caocci Giovanni , Luzi Debora , Mariggiò Elena , Scaffidi Luigi , Cattaneo Daniele , Gozzini Antonella , Di Veroli Ambra , Abruzzese Elisabetta , Galimberti Sara , Iurlo Alessandra , Specchia Giorgina , Breccia Massimo
Published: February 2021

To evaluate the role of bosutinib in elderly patients aged >65 years with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a real‐life cohort of 101 chronic‐phase CML patients followed up in 23 Italian centers and treated with bosutinib in second or a subsequent line was retrospectively evaluated. Starting dose of bosutinib was 500 mg/day in 25 patients (24.8%), 400 mg/day in 7 patients (6.9%), 300 mg/day in 33 patients (32.7%), 200 mg/day in 34 patients (33.6%), and 100 mg/day in 2 patients (2.0%). Grade 3/4 hematological toxicity occurred in 7/101 patients (6.9%) and grade 3/4 extra‐hematological toxicity in 19/101 patients (18.8%). Permanent bosutinib discontinuation due to toxicity was needed in 12 patients (11.9%). Among the 96 patients evaluable for response, 74 (77.0%) achieved a complete cytogenetic response (CCyR), while 64 of these 74 patients in CCyR (66.6% of all 96 evaluable patients) also achieved a molecular response (MR) (major MR [MR 3.0] in 21 [21.8%], deep MR [MR 4.0/4.5] in 43 [44.8%]). The 3‐year event‐free survival and overall survival of the whole patients' cohort from bosutinib start were 60.9% (CI 95% 49.3–72.5) and 86.4% (CI 95% 77.2–95.6), respectively. Our real‐life data show that bosutinib is effective, with a favorable safety profile, also in elderly patients with important comorbidities and resistance and/or intolerance to previous tyrosine‐kinase inhibitor treatments. As a consequence, it could play a significant role in current clinical practice for frail patients.
A numerical study of flow behavior in the shell and helical finned‐tube heat exchanger
Authors: Dehghani Hamed , Farhadi Mousa , Darzi A. Ali Rabienataj , Kardgar Amin
Published: February 2021

Extended surfaces mostly aim to improve the heat transfer upon increasing the area of heat transfer. In this paper, the influence of using fins on flow behaviors and the heat transfer of the shell and tube heat exchanger has been investigated. In this regard, the present results are verified with available experimental data in the literature for a helical tube without fins. The effects of fin density (fin per inch), its height, and material have been studied on the heat transfer rate. In addition, the effects of radial pitch and the number of coil loops are studied. The results indicate that implementing extended surfaces significantly increases the heat transfer rate. The increase of fin density from 8 to 12 and the height from 11.5 to 13.5 mm enhances heat transfer up to 48% and 43% depending on Dean number, respectively. The rise of coil pitch augments the overall heat transfer, and it is more efficient at lower Dean numbers. The predicted results also show that the fin material does not have any significant effect on heat transfer.
To the fast calculation of the solvation free energy. Combining expanded ensembles with L2MC
Authors: Nikitin Alexei , Milchevskaya Vladislava , Lyubartsev Alexander
Published: February 2021

A more efficient version of the Expanded Ensembles method for calculation of free energy in molecular‐mechanical simulations is proposed. The method is based on the Horowitz L2MC approach to accelerate movement along the “alchemical” coordinate. It is possible to achieve the same efficiency of the algorithm both with the optimal number of “windows” and with a larger number of them compared to the original algorithm. Since the optimal number of windows is unknown a priory, the proposed algorithm is more robust than the traditional one. We can choose the number of windows in excess and do not worry about the loss of efficiency. We illustrate the method's efficiency with the computation of the hydration free energies of pyridine and water.
The low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase promotes adipogenesis and subcutaneous adipocyte hypertrophy
Authors: Stanford Stephanie M. , Collins Meghan , Diaz Michael A. , Holmes Zachary J. , Gries Paul , Bliss Matthew R. , Lodi Alessia , Zhang Vida , Tiziani Stefano , Bottini Nunzio
Published: February 2021

Obesity is a major contributing factor to the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes. Multiple human genetics studies suggest that high activity of the low molecular weight protein tyrosine phosphatase (LMPTP) promotes metabolic syndrome in obesity. We reported that LMPTP is a critical promoter of insulin resistance in obesity by regulating liver insulin receptor signaling and that inhibition of LMPTP reverses obesity‐associated diabetes in mice. Since LMPTP is expressed in adipose tissue but little is known about its function, here we examined the role of LMPTP in adipocyte biology. Using conditional knockout mice, we found that selective deletion of LMPTP in adipocytes impaired obesity‐induced subcutaneous adipocyte hypertrophy. We assessed the role of LMPTP in adipogenesis in vitro, and found that LMPTP deletion or knockdown substantially impaired differentiation of primary preadipocytes and 3T3‐L1 cells into adipocytes, respectively. Inhibition of LMPTP in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes also reduced adipogenesis and expression of proadipogenic transcription factors peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein alpha. Inhibition of LMPTP increased basal phosphorylation of platelet‐derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) on activation motif residue Y849 in 3T3‐L1, resulting in increased activation of the mitogen‐associated protein kinases p38 and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and increased PPARγ phosphorylation on inhibitory residue S82. Analysis of the metabolome of differentiating 3T3‐L1 cells suggested that LMPTP inhibition decreased cell glucose utilization while enhancing mitochondrial respiration and nucleotide synthesis. In summary, we report a novel role for LMPTP as a key driver of adipocyte differentiation via control of PDGFRα signaling.
High performance of a novel antigen detection test on nasopharyngeal specimens for diagnosing SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Courtellemont L. , Guinard J. , Guillaume C. , Giaché S. , Rzepecki V. , Seve A. , Gubavu C. , Baud K. , Le Helloco C. , Cassuto G. N. , Pialoux G. , Hocqueloux L. , Prazuck T.
Published: February 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) pandemic has become a major public health issue worldwide. Developing and evaluating rapid and easy‐to‐perform diagnostic tests is a high priority. The current study was designed to assess the diagnostic performance of an antigen‐based rapid detection test (COVID‐VIRO®) in a real‐life setting. Two nasopharyngeal specimens of symptomatic or asymptomatic adult patients hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Department or voluntarily accessing the COVID‐19 Screening Department of the Regional Hospital of Orléans, France, were concurrently collected. The diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of COVID VIRO® results were compared to those of real‐time reverse‐transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) results. A subset of patients underwent an additional oropharyngeal and/or saliva swab for rapid testing. A total of 121 patients confirmed to be infected and 127 patients having no evidence of recent or ongoing infection were enrolled for a total of 248 nasopharyngeal swab specimens. Overall, the COVID‐VIRO® sensitivity was 96.7% (CI, 93.5%–99.9%). In asymptomatic patients, symptomatic patients having symptoms for more than 4 days and those with an RT‐qPCR cycle threshold value ≥ 32, the sensitivities were 100%, 95.8%, and 91.9%, respectively. The concordance between RT‐qPCR and COVID VIRO® rapid test results was 100% for the 127 patients with no SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The COVID‐VIRO® test had 100% specificity and sensitivity greater than 95%, which are better than the recommendations set forth by the WHO (specificity ≥ 97%–100%, sensitivity ≥ 80%). These rapid tests may be particularly useful for large‐scale screening in emergency departments, low‐resource settings, and airports.
Overexpression of the ascorbate peroxidase through enhancer‐trapped pSB111 bar vector for alleviating drought stress in rice
Authors: Gorripati Srinivas , Konka Rajasekhar , Panditi Shravana Kumar , Velagapudi Kavitha , Jeevigunta Naveena Lavanya Latha
Published: February 2021

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant growth and productivity is adversely affected by various stress factors. Overexpression of drought tolerance‐related genes is one of the best approaches for developing drought‐resistant transgenics. Agrobacterium tumefaciens has been widely used in generating transgenic plants through plasmid vector to obtain desired characteristics and to know the specific expression profiles of genes in the plant. The enhancer trap method was developed to know the specific expression of genes at different stages of growth by entrapping the genes of an organism. In the present study, we designed a vector molecule with a feature of promoting the expression of a specific gene more than four times than its normal expression and it is useful for efficient transformation to higher plants by utilizing the trans configuration of vir genes of the plasmid A. tumefaciens, to transfer right and left sequence bordered of transferred DNA (T‐DNA) into the nuclear genome of plants. We developed a binary vector consisting of 1.8‐kb green fluorescent protein (GFP) cassette as a reporter gene and 1.4‐kb tetramer of CaMv35S enhancer (4XEn) were cloned at HindIII site of pSB11 bar intermediate vector to tag and know the genes and their expression profiles, then mobilized into A. tumefaciens to produce a super‐binary vector pSB111‐bar‐4XEn‐GFP. The resultant construct was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction digestion methods. Finally, we discuss the role of overexpressed ascorbate peroxidase in drought stress.
Climatological characterization of tropical cyclones detected in the regional climate simulations over the CORDEX‐SEA domain
Authors: Tibay Jennifer , Cruz Faye , Tangang Fredolin , Juneng Liew , Ngo‐Duc Thanh , Phan‐Van Tan , Santisirisomboon Jerasorn , Singhruck Patama , Gunawan Dodo , Aldrian Edvin , Narisma Gemma Teresa
Published: February 2021

In this study, a subset of the downscaled simulations of the Southeast Asia Regional Climate Downscaling/Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment—Southeast Asia (SEACLID/CORDEX‐SEA) was analysed to examine the representation of tropical cyclone (TC) climatology over Southeast Asia, in terms of pattern, intensity, frequency, and lifetime. A modified vortex tracking algorithm is used to detect TCs over the SEACLID/CORDEX‐SEA domain in the historical simulations from 1986 to 2005. Sensitivity tests for the detection method criteria, including vorticity, outer core wind strength, sea level pressure anomaly, and temperature anomaly at 300, 500, 700, and 850 hPa, were conducted to determine the optimum threshold configuration for each SEACLID/CORDEX‐SEA simulation used in the study. Comparison with the best track data of the Joint Typhoon Warning Center showed that model simulations underestimated the total number of TCs east of the Philippines for the 1986–2005 period but captured the annual cycle of the total number of TCs. This underestimation of TCs is possibly due to the domain used, which does not extend further east to cover most of the TC genesis area in the Western North Pacific. The structure of a typical TC from the regional climate model simulation is comparable to observed TC structure. However, results indicate that the resolution of the simulations is still not sufficient to capture the fine details of the observed TC structure, which could explain in part the lower intensification rate of TCs in the model output.
Exploring the extent to which fluctuations in ice‐rafted debris reflect mass changes in the source ice sheet: a model–observation comparison using the last British–Irish Ice Sheet
Authors: Wilton David J. , Bigg Grant R. , Scourse James D. , Ely Jeremy C. , Clark Chris D.
Published: February 2021

The British and Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS) was highly dynamic during the Late Quaternary, with considerable regional differences in the timing and extent of its change. This was reflected in equally variable offshore ice‐rafted debris (IRD) records. Here we reconcile these two records using the FRUGAL intermediate complexity iceberg–climate model, with varying BIIS catchment‐level iceberg fluxes, to simulate change in IRD origin and magnitude along the western European margin at 1000‐year time steps during the height of the last BIIS glaciation (31–6 ka bp). This modelled IRD variability is compared with existing IRD records from the deep ocean at five cores along this margin. There is general agreement of the temporal and spatial IRD variability between observations and model through this period. The Porcupine Bank off northwestern Ireland was confirmed by the modelling as a major dividing line between sites possessing exclusively northern or southern source regions for offshore IRD. During Heinrich events 1 and 2, the cores show evidence of a proportion of North American IRD, more particularly to the south of the British Isles. Modelling supports this southern bias for likely Heinrich impact, but also suggests North American IRD will only reach the British margin in unusual circumstances.
A process‐based soil erosion model ensemble to assess model uncertainty in climate‐change impact assessments
Authors: Eekhout Joris P.C. , Millares‐Valenzuela Agustín , Martínez‐Salvador Alberto , García‐Lorenzo Rafael , Pérez‐Cutillas Pedro , Conesa‐García Carmelo , de Vente Joris
Published: February 2021

The impact of climate change on future soil loss is commonly assessed with soil erosion models, which are suggested to be an important source of uncertainty. Here, we present a novel soil erosion model ensemble to assess model uncertainty in climate‐change impact assessments. The model ensemble consists of five continuous process‐based soil erosion models that run at a daily time step (i.e., DHSVM, HSPF, INCA, MMF, SHETRAN). The models were implemented in the SPHY hydrological model and simulate detachment by raindrop impact, detachment by runoff, and immediate deposition. The soil erosion model ensemble was applied in a semiarid catchment in the southeast of Spain. We applied three future climate scenarios based on global mean temperature rise (+1.5, +2 and +3°C). Data from two contrasting regional climate models were used to assess how an increase and a decrease in projected extreme precipitation affect model uncertainty. Soil loss is projected to increase (up to 95%) and decrease (up to −30%) under climate change, mostly reflecting the change in extreme precipitation. Model uncertainty is found to increase with increasing slope, extreme precipitation and runoff, which reveals some inherent differences in model assumptions among the five models. Moreover, the model uncertainty increases in all climate change scenarios, independent of the projected change in annual precipitation and extreme precipitation. This stresses the importance to consider model uncertainty through model ensembles of climate, hydrology, and soil erosion in climate‐change impact assessments.
Self‐Healing Polyurethane Elastomer Based on Crosslinked‐Linear Interpenetrating Structure: Preparation, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Li Shaonan , Liu Mengyue , Zhou Xing , Dong Yanmao , Li Jihang
Published: February 2021

Despite tremendous advances in the preparation of self‐healing flexible strain sensor devices, it remains a great challenge to large‐area synthesis, relatively high mechanical strength, and sensitive sensing properties into one self‐healing materials system, which have received increasing interests because of their many potential applications. Herein, the design and synthesis of a crosslinked‐linear interpenetrating structure polymer containing disulfide and hydrogen bonds is reported to address this conundrum. The resulting self‐healable polymer is highly stretchable (up to 551.7%) with a high tensile strength (4.14 MPa) and excellent healing efficiency of similar to 90% at mild temperature without using any external reagents. Furthermore, a novel method for fabricating flexible sensor is also proposed to endow the resulted sensor with large‐area (20 cm × 12 cm), low cost, and outstanding sensitivity to strain, which makes it very suitable for human motion monitoring applications. This work will provide afflatus on future design, fabrication, and application of self‐healing flexible strain sensor devices.
Local well‐posedness for an isentropic compressible Ginzburg–Landau–Navier–Stokes with vacuum
Authors: Fan Jishan , Hu Yuxi , Nakamura Gen
Published: February 2021

In this work, we prove the local well‐posedness of local strong solutions to an isentropic compressible Ginzburg–Landau–Navier–Stokes system with vacuum in a bounded domain .
Four‐dimensional gradient almost Ricci solitons with harmonic Weyl curvature
Authors: Kim Jongsu
Published: February 2021

In this article we make a classification of four‐dimensional gradient almost Ricci solitons with harmonic Weyl curvature. We prove first that any four‐dimensional (not necessarily complete) gradient almost Ricci soliton with harmonic Weyl curvature has less than four distinct Ricci‐eigenvalues at each point. If it has three distinct Ricci‐eigenvalues at each point, then is locally a warped product with 2‐dimensional base in explicit form, and if g is complete in addition, the underlying smooth manifold is or . Here is a smooth surface admitting a complete Riemannian metric with constant curvature k. If has less than three distinct Ricci‐eigenvalues at each point, it is either locally conformally flat or locally isometric to the Riemannian product , , where has the Euclidean metric and is a 2‐dimensional Riemannian manifold with constant curvature λ. We also make a complete description of four‐dimensional gradient almost Ricci solitons with harmonic curvature.
Synthesis and characterization of chemically crosslinked gelatin and chitosan to produce hydrogels for biomedical applications
Authors: Joshi Prutha , Ahmed Md Shakir Uddin , Vig Komal , Vega Erramuspe Iris Beatriz , Auad Maria L.
Published: February 2021

Gelatin and chitosan polysaccharides were chemically modified to get methacrylate functionality to obtain biocompatible hydrogels for use as tissue engineering scaffolds. The methacrylation reaction was verified by 1H‐NMR. The degree of methacrylation was varied from 7% to 40% by changing the molar ratio of polysaccharide to methacrylic anhydride and the type of polysaccharide utilized. After the modification, polysaccharide‐based hydrogels were prepared by free‐radical polymerization in the presence of UV light and Irgacure 184 as a photoinitiator. The physical, chemical, and mechanical performances of the hydrogels were further characterized. Also, the biodegradability and the viability of the polysaccharide hydrogels were investigated using fibroblast cells. These cells were seeded directly onto the hydrogel surface, populated the entirety of the hydrogel, and remained viable for up to 1 week. Altogether, the modified polysaccharides exhibit the properties which make them crucial for applications in the field of regenerative medicine.
Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane hybrided with DOPO and phenylboronic acid for flame‐retarded epoxy resin
Authors: Birong Zeng , Ruirui Zhou , Xianghong Zheng , Jianyu Ye , Jinmei Chen , Yiting Xu , Conghui Yuan , Lizong Dai
Published: February 2021

A new polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) derivate bearing phenylboronic acid group and 6H‐dibenzo[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphinine‐6‐oxide (DOPO) unit was synthesized and applied in flame retardant epoxy resin (EP). Compared to pure EP, EP/POSS‐DOPO‐(phenylboronic acid) composites had good transparency and better thermal stability. Micro‐scale combustion calorimetry results showed that the addition of POSS‐DOPO‐(phenylboronic acid) hybrid could greatly reduce the PHRR and THR of EP/POSS‐DOPO‐(phenylboronic acid) composite. Simultaneously, the UL‐94 of EP composite with 7% POSS‐DOPO‐(phenylboronic acid) achieved V‐0 grade and the LOI value increased from 19.4% (neat EP) to 28.6%. Raman spectra results suggested that POSS‐DOPO‐(phenylboronic acid) hybrid enhanced the formation of residual char with graphitic structure during combustion. Besides, SEM characterization showed that the char of EP/POSS‐DOPO‐(phenylboronic acid) composite was much more continuous and compact in comparison with that of control samples. Moreover, the mechanical and dielectric properties of EP/POSS‐DOPO‐(phenylboronic acid) composites have been greatly improved for a better application.