bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute Pancreatitis: Exploring Nutrition Implications
Authors: Murphy Amy E. , Codner Panna A.
Published: March 2020

Diseases of the pancreas vary by type, etiology, pathophysiology, and outcomes. One of the principle therapeutic considerations in all types of pancreatic diseases is nutrition. This review will consider acute pancreatitis (AP). Choice of patient, type and composition of nutrition, and timing of initiation will be discussed as components for achieving the maximum benefits of nutrition therapy in AP. The paradigm of nutrition therapy in AP has shifted to early enteral and/or oral nutrition based on disease severity to help mitigate the underlying inflammatory cascade of events leading to AP, beginning with anatomic and functional intestinal changes. Additionally, newer research investigating the inflammatory changes that instigate, maintain, and propagate AP will be discussed in terms of the nutrition effects on systemic inflammation. Nutrition therapy can mitigate the inflammatory changes in the intestinal tract and help with intestinal motility, bacterial overgrowth and translocation. It can help maintain intestinal bacterial composition and abundance similar to predisease levels. This review will also discuss the changes in the intestinal microbiome and effects of probiotics in AP.
Reprocessing of high‐resolution seismic data for imaging of shallow groundwater resources in glacial deposits, SE Sweden
Authors: Sun Ruixue , Kaslilar Ayse , Juhlin Christopher
Published: March 2020

Reprocessing of high‐resolution seismic reflection data over groundwater‐bearing glacial deposits near Heby, southeastern Sweden, improved the images of near‐surface structure at this site. Post‐stack time migration and pre‐stack depth migration were tested and compared to determine the improvements on imaging an undulating bedrock surface. The pre‐stack depth migration image displays better continuity of the dipping structures within the glacial sediments and provides a more detailed topography of the bedrock reflector. First‐arrival picks were used to define an initial model for input into tomographic inversion. The tomography result then formed the basis for building the migration velocity model. The final pre‐stack depth migration image shows a strong reflection at around 35 m elevation (about 9 m below the surface) that can be correlated to a thin (0.2 m) hard silt layer. The upper 20 m of overburden is interpreted to consist of clay, and the seismic images show weaker sub‐horizontal reflections within this unit, except for the strong silt reflection, consistent with our modelling results. Below 20 m, sand/gravel sediments are present and overlay the bedrock. Forward modelling based on the pre‐stack depth migration image and subsequent processing shows that pre‐stack depth migration provides a higher resolution image compared with post‐stack time migration. Our study shows that pre‐stack depth migration is preferable to post‐stack time migration even for the shallow near‐surface seismic data acquired at Heby, and that integrating tomography, migration, modelling and geological information provides a better understanding of the structure which these groundwater resources are contained in.
Evaluation of doped and undoped poly (o‐anisidine) as sensing materials for a sensor array for volatile organic compounds
Authors: Stewart Katherine M. E. , Scott Alison J. , Penlidis Alexander
Published: March 2020

Poly (o‐anisidine) (PoANI) and PoANI doped with nickel oxide and zinc oxide were evaluated as sensing materials for four gas analytes (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and benzene). The sensing materials had high sensitivity (showing an affinity towards the target analytes even at low concentrations, in the range of 1‐5 ppm), but rather poor selectivity, especially when the gas analytes were in a mixture. To exploit the poor selectivity, the three sensing materials were combined into a sensor array using principal component analysis (PCA) as a sensing algorithm. It was found that using a sensor array, the four individual gases could be separated. However, when all four gases were present (in analyte mixtures), there was too much overlap in the responses to distinguish between individual gas analytes and their related mixtures.
Population screening for gestational hypertensive disorders using maternal, fetal and placental characteristics: A population‐based prospective cohort study
Authors: Erkamp Jan S. , Jaddoe Vincent W.V. , Duijts Liesbeth , Reiss Irwin K.M. , Mulders Annemarie G.M.G.J. , Steegers Eric A.P. , Gaillard Romy
Published: March 2020

Objective

To determine screening performance of maternal, fetal and placental characteristics for selecting pregnancies at risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia in a low‐risk multi‐ethnic population.

Method

In a prospective population‐based cohort among 7124 pregnant women, we collected maternal characteristics including body mass index, ethnicity, parity, smoking and blood pressure in early‐pregnancy. Fetal characteristics included second and third trimester estimated fetal weight and sex determined by ultrasound. Placental characteristics included first and second trimester placental growth factor concentrations and second and third trimester uterine artery resistance indices.

Results

Maternal characteristics provided the best screening result for gestational hypertension (area‐under‐the‐curve [AUC] 0.79 [95% Confidence interval {CI} 0.76‐0.81]) with 40% sensitivity at 90% specificity. For preeclampsia, the maternal characteristics model led to a screening performance of AUC 0.74 (95% CI 0.70‐0.78) with 33% sensitivity at 90% specificity. Addition of second and third trimester placental ultrasound characteristics only improved screening performance for preeclampsia (AUC 0.78 [95% CI 0.75‐0.82], with 48% sensitivity at 90% specificity).

Conclusion

Routinely measured maternal characteristics, known at the start of pregnancy, can be used in screening for pregnancies at risk of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia within a low‐risk multi‐ethnic population. Addition of combined second and third trimester placental ultrasound characteristics only improved screening for preeclampsia.
Efficacy and safety of octreotide treatment for diazoxide‐unresponsive congenital hyperinsulinism in China
Authors: Cao Bingyan , Di Wu , Su Chang , Chen Jiajia , Liang Xuejun , Liu Min , Li Wenjing , Li Xiaoqiao , Gong Chunxiu
Published: March 2020

Importance

Octreotide is an off‐label medicine for congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI), but is currently widely used for treatment of patients with CHI. Thus far, variable efficacy and adverse effects have been reported for octreotide.

Objective

The present study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a subcutaneous octreotide injection for treatment of diazoxide‐unresponsive CHI in China.

Methods

This study was a retrospective review of children with diazoxide‐unresponsive CHI who were treated with a subcutaneous octreotide injection. The efficacy and side effects of the treatment were assessed.

Results

Twenty‐five Chinese children (15 boys) were involved in the study. Their median age at diagnosis was 8 weeks (range, 1–24 weeks) and median age at the final follow‐up was 1.8 years (range, 0.3–3.3 years). Octreotide therapy effectively increased blood glucose levels in all patients. The intravenous glucose infusion rate was reduced in all patients. Twenty‐one patients gradually discontinued the intravenous glucose infusion while receiving octreotide combined with frequent carbohydrate/glucose‐rich feeding. Among patients with a monoallelic ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channel mutation, 50.0% showed gradual remission during follow up, indicating that the octreotide treatment may be a feasible alternative to surgery, especially for patients with monoallelic KATP‐channel mutations. Transient elevation of liver enzymes occurred in 20.0% of patients, while asymptomatic gallbladder pathology occurred in one patient. The growth rates of these patients were normal (height standard deviation score was 0.3 ± 1.5 at the final follow‐up).

Interpretation

Octreotide was a well‐tolerated, effective therapy for most children with diazoxide‐unresponsive CHI.
Single‐Cell RNA Sequencing in Hematological Diseases
Authors: Zhu Yue , Huang Yaohui , Tan Yun , Zhao Weili , Tian Qiang
Published: March 2020

Hematological diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, are characterized by high heterogeneity with diverse cellular subpopulations. Single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq), a transformational technology, provides deep insights into cell‐to‐cell variation in tumor and microenvironment, allows high‐resolution dissection of the pathogenic mechanisms of diseases, and affords potential clinical utilities. Recent developments in single‐cell transcriptomics and associated technologies and their applications in hematological disorders for unraveling cellular subpopulations, disease pathogenesis, patient stratification, and therapeutic responses are summarized.
Metal Nanoparticle–Microbe Interactions: Synthesis and Antimicrobial Effects
Authors: Khan Mujeebur R. , Fromm Katharina M. , Rizvi Tanveer F. , Giese Bernd , Ahamad Faheem , Turner Raymond J. , Füeg Michael , Marsili Enrico
Published: March 2020

Metal nanoparticles (NPs), chalcogenides, and carbon quantum dots can be easily synthesized from whole microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) and cell‐free sterile filtered spent medium. The particle size distribution and the biosynthesis time can be somewhat controlled through the biomass/metal solution ratio. The biosynthetic mechanism can be explained through the ion‐reduction theory and UV photoconversion theory. Formation of biosynthetic NPs is part of the detoxification strategy employed by microorganisms, either in planktonic or biofilm form, to reduce the chemical toxicity of metal ions. In fact, most reports on NP biosynthesis show extracellular metal ion reduction. This is important for environmental and industrial applications, particularly in biofilms, as it allows in principle high biosynthetic rates. The antimicrobial and antifungal effect on biosynthetic NPs can be explained in terms of reactive oxygen species and can be enhanced by the capping agents attached to the NP during the biosynthesis process. Industrial applications of NP biosynthesis are still lagging, due to the difficulty of controlling NP size and low titer. Further, the environmental assessment of biosynthetic NPs has not yet been carried out. It is expected that further advancements in biosynthetic NP research will lead to applications, particularly in environmental biotechnology.
Controllable Patterning of Hybrid Silicon Nanowire and Nanohole Arrays by Laser Interference Lithography
Authors: Guo Xudong , Li Songhao , Lei Zecheng , Liu Ri , Li Li , Wang Lu , Dong Litong , Peng Kuiqing , Wang Zuobin
Published: March 2020

Metal‐assisted chemical etching (MACE) is a cost‐effective method to fabricate Si nanostructures including silicon nanowires (SiNWs) and silicon nanoholes (SiNHs). However, the preparation of metallic template for MACE would require complex experimental conditions including strict cleaning process and multiple steps. Herein, superlens‐enhanced laser interference lithography is applied to directly fabricate complicated metallic patterns and then MACE is used to obtain hybrid SiNW and SiNH arrays. Ag films are first deposited on Si substrates, and then a 1064 nm high power laser source is utilized to generate two‐beam interference electric fields. Because Ag molecules are very sensitive to any input energy change, they tend to break up or aggregate and form different Ag patterns which have a specific energy threshold to lower its free energy. By manipulating the distribution of input electric field, complicated metallic patterns and their corresponding Si nanostructures with feature sizes that range from tens of nanometers to several micrometers are obtained.
Supply of bank loans and business debts: A view from historical bankruptcy cases
Authors: Xie Dongping , Hansen Mary Eschelbach
Published: March 2020

As bank loans fell in the 2008 crisis, business bankruptcy increased. To study how bank loans affect business balance sheets and bankruptcy, we use new data on bankrupt businesses in Missouri between 1898 and 1942. We confirm that when banks curtail loans, courts see more bankruptcies among businesses with high exposure to bank debt. To reduce real volatility, policy‐makers can set tough bank liquidity requirements in the upswing of business cycle but allow weaker requirements in the downswing. We also find that between 1914 and 1933, businesses in St. Louis were more sensitive to changes in bank loans than businesses in Kansas City, probably due to the tight monetary policy conducted by the conservative St. Louis Fed. The Glass‐Steagall Act weakened the relationship between bank loans and business debt structure. The takeaway is that lender‐of‐last‐resort practices stabilize both the financial sector and the real economy.
Margin practices and requirements during the National Banking Era: An early example of macro‐prudential regulation
Authors: McSherry Bernard , Wilson Berry K.
Published: March 2020

The New York stock market was plagued by a series of financial crises during the National Banking Era, culminating in the Panic of 1907. The traditional view holds that the crises were rooted in structural flaws related to trade settlement as well as excessive and indiscriminate margin lending that remained unaddressed until the formation of the Federal Reserve Bank. An examination of the historical record, however, shows that brokers sought to control contagion and spillover effects through reform of the settlement process and by modulating margin lending rates and maintenance requirements according to macroeconomic conditions, counterparty credit‐worthiness and market volatility. Using newly gathered archival data, we show that the New York Stock Exchange enacted macro‐prudential regulations that may have reduced the severity of crises during this period. By providing early evidence of private sector responses to rising systemic risk, the paper addresses an important aspect of early market microstructure.
Anticipating independence, no premonition of partition. The lessons of bank branch expansion on the Indian subcontinent, 1939 to 1946
Authors: Nguyen Viet , Wolcott Susan
Published: March 2020

We examine investment in bank branches on the Indian subcontinent in 1939 and 1946. In 1947, the states of India and Pakistan were created from the erstwhile colony of British India. Partition was destabilizing to both economies. We use branch expansion as a proxy for entrepreneur's pre‐partition predictions of the future of these regions. Our results indicate there were no premonitions of economic dislocation. Banks tended to deepen their presence in regions which were already developed. But controlling for the level of 1931 development, branch placement was highest in exactly those regions, Bengal and the Punjab, which were to experience the greatest negative consequences from political division. After 1947, multiple banks failed; most failing banks were registered in the Punjab or Bengal region. In United India, businessmen saw as much promise in regions which were to become Pakistan as in regions which were to become India. After partition, the Pakistan regions were immediately more economically fragile. This event provides a general lesson. Economic integration had intensified over the years of British rule. The abrupt stop to integration harmed especially the smaller, less diversified region. Politicians should be wary of politically dividing regions which have evolved to function as integrated economic units.
Post‐financial crisis changes in financial system structure: An examination of the J.P. Morgan & Co. Syndicates after the 1907 Panic
Authors: Rodgers Mary T. , Payne James E.
Published: March 2020

In the post‐2008 crisis period, policy makers debate the implications of banking system concentration. To shed light on this debate, we study a postcrisis period in which less banking regulation existed than in the present period, reasoning that an examination of a less regulated market might reveal useful insights about present day market agents' postcrisis actions. The years immediately following the Panic of 1907 merit study because the period shares important features with the post‐2008 crisis financial system: increasing interconnectedness, the growing complexity accompanying the rise of new industries, the rapid deployment of new communications technologies, and substantial innovation in financial instruments. Because the 1907 crisis preceded the Clayton Anti‐Trust Act of 1914, it also provides a window into studying market agents' behavior before legislation was enacted to discourage banking system concentration. We find evidence that the market share of corporate bond underwritings at J.P. Morgan & Co. increased in the post‐1907 crisis period. We suggest a mechanism by which market share increased: a more concentrated configuration of corporate bond underwriting syndicates. We also indicate that Morgan's increased share may have been a proxy for increased certification value of underwriter reputation because of systemic knowledge Morgan gained during the resolution of the Panic of 1907 rather than for increasing bargaining power. We do not find evidence that Morgan used market power to extract rents from issuers despite increased market share and more concentrated syndicate organization. While our results must be interpreted cautiously due to data limitations, possible lessons for present‐day policy makers are that consolidations in the financial system after a financial crisis are complex. Some consolidations may come about from information and reputational gains produced during the crisis. Others may be moves by some firms to concentrate market power and still others from efforts to improve efficiencies in intermediation.
Risk factors of subclinical hypothyroidism and the potential contribution to miscarriage: A review
Authors: So Shuhei , Tawara Fumiko
Published: March 2020

Background

There is no clear cutoff value for thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) level that defines subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Moreover, TSH levels can be affected by numerous factors. Although mild SCH has been implicated in miscarriage, the relationship between TSH levels and miscarriage remains unelucidated.

Methods

We reviewed nine known risk factors affecting TSH levels and 28 studies investigating the potential association between mild SCH and miscarriage, examining whether these factors were considered.

Main findings

Among 28 studies that examined whether mild SCH (TSH > 2.5 mIU/L) contributed to miscarriage, thyroid antibodies were measured in only 15. TSH measurement methods were described in 18 studies. Although the iodinated contrast medium used in hysterosalpingography (HSG) is stored in the body for a long time and is a risk factor for mild SCH, only one study described its potential impact on TSH levels. Nine studies, which concluded that mild SCH contributed to miscarriage, had thyroid status evaluated only after the onset of pregnancy, but not before.

Conclusion

TSH levels can be significantly affected by patient demographics and health history, country of origin, and fertility treatment. It is important to consider these factors while evaluating mild SCH. It remains unclear how mild SCH contributes to miscarriage.
Functional restoration of ex vivo model of pylorus: Co-injection of neural progenitor cells and interstitial cells of Cajal
Authors: Dadhich Prabhash , Bitar Khalil N.
Published: March 2020

Transplantation of neural stem cells is a promising approach in treatment of intestinal dysfunctionality. The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are also critical in conditions such as pyloric dysfunctionality and gastroparesis. The objective of this study was to replenish neurons and ICCs in a dysfunctional pylorus as cell-based therapy to restore functionality. ICCs and enteric neural progenitor cells (NPCs) were isolated from rat duodenum and transduced with fluorescent proteins. Rat pylorus was harvested, and an ex-vivo neuromuscular dysfunctional model was developed by selective ablation of neurons and ICCs via chemical treatments. Cellular repopulation and restoration of motility were assessed by immunohistochemistry, qPCR, and functional analysis after delivery of fluorescently tagged cells. Chemical treatment of pylorus resulted in significant depletion of ICCs (67%, P = .0024; n = 3) and neural cells (83%, P = .0012; n = 3). Delivered ICCs and NPCs survived and integrated with host muscle layers. Co-injection of ICCs with NPCs exhibited 34.4% (P = .0004; n = 3) and 61.0% (P = .0003; n = 3) upregulation of ANO1 and βIII tubulin, respectively. This regeneration resulted in the restoration of agonist-induced excitatory contraction (82%) and neuron evoked relaxation (83%). The functional studies with specific neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase blocker confirmed that restoration of relaxation was NO mediated and neuronally derived. The simultaneous delivery of ICCs observed 35.7% higher neuronal differentiation and functional restoration compared with injection of NPCs alone. Injected NPCs and ICCs integrated into the dysfunctional ex vivo pylorus tissues and restored neuromuscular functionality. The co-transplantation of NPCs and ICCs can be used to treat neurodegenerative disorders of the pylorus.

Significance statement In regenerative medicine, it is possible to use the patient’s own interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to be injected into the pylorus as cellular therapy. The functional ex vivo diseased model of the pylorus was developed, and ICCs and NPCs delivered as treatments for neuromuscular dysfunctionality. Detailed quantitative and qualitative analysis confirmed reinstatement and restoration of functionality. The current preliminary study with the ex vivo diseased model proposed the next level of cell therapy for the treatment of gastroparesis.
Spectroscopic, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, and Molecular Docking Studies on Potent Anti‐Inflammatory and Analgesic Activity Methyl 3‐methyl‐2‐((pyridin‐2‐ylcarbonyl)amino)Benzoate
Authors: Eşme Aslı
Published: March 2020

The spectral analysis of methyl 3‐methyl‐2‐((pyridin‐2‐ylcarbonyl)amino)benzoate (L1) is investigated using the FT‐IR, 1H and 13C NMR and UV‐Vis analysis using the DFT methods (B3LYP and PBEPBE) with the 6‐311+G(d,p) basis set. The Hirshfeld and fingerprint analyses were used to investigate the intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure. The vibrational wavenumbers were fulfilled in the form of potential energy distribution. The absorption wavelengths, excitation energies, and oscillator strengths for the UV‐Vis were performed by the TD‐DFT calculations in the gas phase and DMSO, chloroform solvents with the major contributions to the electronic transitions. The chemical shifts values of the NMR in CDCl3 solvent were computed using the gauge independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method and compared with the experimental data. The NLO properties such as mean polarizability, the anisotropy of the polarizability and the mean first‐order hyperpolarizability were computed by using the finite field method. The high β values (2.617×10−30 and 6.481×10−30 esu using the B3LYP and PBEPBE) indicate that a title compound is an attractive object for NLO properties. Reduced density gradient was also given to study the weak interaction, strong attraction, and strong repulsion interactions of the molecule. Molecular docking studies with different receptors (3IX3, 3UW8, and 1P93) have been performed to demonstrate that L1 has good anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activity.
Scalable Synthesis of Micron Size Crystals of CH3NH3PbI3 at Room Temperature in Acetonitrile via Rapid Reactive Crystallization
Authors: Berhe Taame A. , Su Wei‐Nien , Cheng Ju‐Hsiang , Lin Ming‐Hsien , Ibrahim Kassa B. , Kahsay Amaha W. , Lin Li Chia , Tripathi Alok M. , Tang Mau‐Tsu , Hwang Bing‐Joe
Published: March 2020

From application point of view, scalable, facile and rapid synthesis method for mass production of a homogeneous and phase pure CH3NH3PbI3 micron size crystal at the industry level is still highly required, although it has been claimed that the CH3NH3PbI3 crystals can be prepared by solution‐annealing the precursors at elevated temperature or prolonged reaction time. Herein, polycrystalline CH3NH3PbI3 micron size crystals can be prepared by reactive crystallization of PbI2 and CH3NH3I in a stoichiometric ratio at room temperature. TXM (Transmission X‐ray Microscopy), optical microscope, TEM and TEM‐EDX analysis were used to confirm the nature of the CH3NH3PbI3 product. Moreover, Ostwald ripening of iodide ion into PbI2 is proposed as the key step to form 3D PbI3−, followed by the intercalation of CH3NH3+ for this reactive crystallization. Interestingly, this result suggests that industry level mass production of micron CH3NH3PbI3 crystals is possible with this novel synthesis method.
Thermally Conductive and Shape‐Stabilized Polyethylene Glycol/Carbon Foam Phase‐Change Composites for Thermal Energy Storage
Authors: Lin Fankai , Zhang Weiyi , Shi Tengteng , Lv Zhenfei , Min Xin , Fang Minghao , Wu Xiaowen , Liu Yan'gai , Huang Zhaohui
Published: March 2020

Phase‐change materials (PCMs) have been widely investigated as candidates for thermal energy storage and solar thermal energy conversion. However, low thermal conductivity and poor shape stability during phase transition processes are detrimental to their practical applications. In this study, we designed composite PCMs based on carbon foam (CF) via the vacuum impregnation method to overcome these problems. CF with 3D interconnected microporous structures and good compressive strength was fabricated from phenolic resin (PF) using a combined process of carbonization and sacrificial template techniques. The developer material is considered a promising support material for PCMs. The as‐prepared polyethylene glycol/CF composite (PCC) exhibited a high energy‐storage density with a melting enthalpy of 135.7 J/g, and the thermal conductivity was enhanced by 109.8% compared to that of pure polyethylene glycol. In addition, the PCC showed excellent thermal stability and leakage‐proof performance after 100 heating/cooling cycles and good compressive strength. Because of the simple preparation process and low cost, PCC is a promising material for various thermal energy storage applications, especially in building energy storage systems.
Exploring Metal Ion Adsorption and Antifungal Properties of Carbon‐Coated Magnetite Composite
Authors: Malik Lateef A. , Bashir Arshid , Ahmad Nusrat , Qureashi Aaliya , Pandith Altaf H.
Published: March 2020

Nanoparticles have earned huge research interest due to their well known characteristics such as high specific surface, minimal environmental impact, ease in surface modification and low solubility in water. As a result, such materials have been used effectively to remove toxic metal ions from wastewater. Their adsorption potential has been further improved by modifying their surfaces by various means. In one such attempt, we have successfully synthesized magnetite and modified its surface by carbon while using glucose carbonization method. The as‐synthesized carbon coated magnetite (Mag@C) composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and the results were further supported by Energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (EDX), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Zetastudies and X‐ray diffraction crystallography (XRD) like techniques. The Adsorption properties of Mag@C were explored for the removal of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions where a promising adsorption performance towards these metal ions with maximum adsorption capacities of 127.3 mg/g and 103 mg/g for Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions, respectively, was obtained. The material was also examined for its antifungal properties towards Aspergillus niger and Penicillium notatum, two toxic species of fungi and a good fungicidal property of the composite material was observed. Adual application of Mag@C makes it as a useful material in the process of waste water treatment.
Shewanella oneidensis Assisted Biosynthesis of Pd/Reductive‐Graphene‐Oxide Nanocomposites for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Wang Wei , Mi Jian‐Li , Shen Qian‐Cen , Yong Yang‐Chun
Published: March 2020

Biological synthesis of green nanomaterials holds great promise for sustainable catalysis with versatile applications. Herein, Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 is used to develop a green method to synthesize Pd/reductive graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites without the addition of toxic reducing agents. It was found that S. oneidensis MR‐1 cells could efficiently reduce graphene oxide to rGO and synthesize Pd nanoparticles that uniformly dispersed on the rGO nanosheets. More strikingly, the addition of GO greatly increases the recovery rate of Pd from 37.8 % to 90.4 %. After carbonization, the biosynthesized Pd/rGO nanocomposites exhibits promising catalytic activities toward oxygen reduction reaction with an onset potential of 0.92 V, a half‐wave potential of 0.81 V, and a limiting current density of 5.2 mA cm−2 in 0.1 M KOH electrolyte. This work provides a simple, “green”, and cost‐effective method for the preparation of graphene supported nanocomposites with extended applications.
Associations among patient care workers' schedule control, sleep, job satisfaction and turnover intentions
Authors: Brossoit Rebecca M. , Crain Tori L. , Hammer Leslie B. , Lee Soomi , Bodner Todd E. , Buxton Orfeu M.
Published: March 2020

Healthcare is the fastest growing occupational sector in America, yet patient care workers experience low job satisfaction, high turnover, and susceptibility to poor sleep compared to workers in other jobs and industries. Increasing schedule control may be one way to help mitigate these issues. Drawing from conservation of resources theory, we evaluate associations among schedule control (i.e. a contextual resource), employee sleep duration and quality (i.e. personal resources), job satisfaction, and turnover intentions. Patient care workers who reported having more schedule control at baseline reported greater sleep duration and sleep quality 6 months later, as well as higher job satisfaction and lower turnover intentions 12 months later. Workers who experienced greater sleep sufficiency (i.e. feeling well‐rested) reported higher job satisfaction 6 months later, and workers who experienced fewer insomnia symptoms (i.e. trouble falling and staying asleep) reported lower turnover intentions 6 months later. The association between schedule control and job satisfaction was partially mediated by greater sleep sufficiency, though this effect was small. Providing patient care workers with greater control over their work schedules and opportunities for improved sleep may improve their job attitudes. Results were not replicated when different analytical approaches were performed, so findings should be interpreted provisionally.
Precise determination of αs from relativistic quarkonium sum rules
Authors: Boito Diogo , Mateu Vicent
Published: March 2020

Abstract

We determine the strong coupling αs(mZ ) from dimensionless ratios of roots of moments of the charm- and bottom-quark vector and charm pseudo-scalar correlators, dubbed $$ {R}_q^{X,n}\equiv \left({M}_q^{X,n}\right)\frac{1}{n}/{\left({M}_q^{X,n+1}\right)}^{\frac{1}{n+1}}, $$

R
q

X
,
n

≡

M
q

X
,
n

1
n

/

M
q

X
,
n
+
1

1

n
+
1

,
with X = V, P , as well as from the 0-th moment of the charm pseudo-scalar correlator, $$ {M}_c^{P,0}. $$

M
c

P
,
0

.
In the quantities we use, the mass dependence is very weak, entering only logarithmically, starting at 𝒪$$ \left({\alpha}_s^2\right). $$

α
s
2

.
We carefully study all sources of uncertainties, paying special attention to truncation errors, and making sure that order-by-order convergence is maintained by our choice of renormalization scale variation. In the computation of the experimental uncertainty for the moment ratios, the correlations among individual moments are properly taken into account. Additionally, in the perturbative contributions to experimental vector-current moments, αs(mZ) is kept as a free parameter such that our extraction of the strong coupling is unbiased and based only on experimental data. The most precise extraction of αs from vector correlators comes from the ratio of the charm-quark moments $$ {R}_c^{V,2} $$

R
c

V
,
2

and reads αs(mZ) = 0.1168±0.0019, as we have recently discussed in a companion letter. From bottom moments, using the ratio $$ {R}_c^{V,2} $$

R
c

V
,
2

, we find αs (mZ) = 0.1186±0.0048. Our results from the lattice pseudo-scalar charm correlator agree with the central values of previous determinations, but have larger uncertainties due to our more conservative study of the perturbative error. Averaging the results obtained from various lattice inputs for the n = 0 moment we find αs(mZ) = 0.1177±0.0020. Combining experimental and lattice information on charm correlators into a single fit we obtain αs(mZ) = 0.1170±0.0014, which is the main result of this article.
Examining two sets of introgression lines across multiple environments reveals background-independent and stably expressed quantitative trait loci of fiber quality in cotton
Authors: Shi Yuzhen , Liu Aiying , Li Junwen , Zhang Jinfa , Li Shaoqi , Zhang Jinfeng , Ma Liujun , He Rui , Song Weiwu , Guo Lixue , Lu Quanwei , Xiang Xianghui , Gong Wankui , Gong Juwu , Ge Qun , Shang Haihong , Deng Xiaoying , Pan Jingtao , Yuan Youlu
Published: March 2020

Key message

Background-independent (BI) and stably expressed (SE) quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified using two sets of introgression lines across multiple environments. Genetic background more greatly affected fiber quality traits than environmental factors. Sixty-one SE-QTLs, including two BI-QTLs, were novel and 48 SE-QTLs, including seven BI-QTLs, were previously reported.

Cotton fiber quality traits are controlled by QTLs and are susceptible to environmental influence. Fiber quality improvement is an essential goal in cotton breeding but is hindered by limited knowledge of the genetic basis of fiber quality traits. In this study, two sets of introgression lines ofGossypium hirsutum × G. barbadensewere used to dissect the QTL stability of three fiber quality traits (fiber length, strength and micronaire) across environments using 551 simple sequence repeat markers selected from our high-density genetic map. A total of 76 and 120 QTLs were detected in the CCRI36 and CCRI45 backgrounds, respectively. Nine BI-QTLs were found, and 78 (41.71%) of the detected QTLs were reported previously. Thirty-nine and 79 QTLs were SE-QTLs in at least two environments in the CCRI36 and CCRI45 backgrounds, respectively. Forty-eight SE-QTLs, including seven BI-QTLs, were confirmed in previous reports, and 61 SE-QTLs, including two BI-QTLs, were considered novel. These results indicate that genetic background more strongly impacts on fiber quality traits than environmental factors. Twenty-three clusters with BI- and/or SE-QTLs were identified, 19 of which harbored favorable alleles fromG. barbadensefor two or three fiber quality traits. This study is the first report using two sets of introgression lines to identify fiber quality QTLs across environments in cotton, providing insights into the effect of genetic backgrounds and environments on the QTL expression of fiber quality and important information for the genetic basis underlying fiber quality traits toward QTL cloning and molecular breeding.
Epigenetic modulation in chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Dandri Maura
Published: March 2020

The human hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small-enveloped DNA virus causing acute and chronic hepatitis. Despite the existence of an effective prophylactic vaccine and the strong capacity of approved antiviral drugs to suppress viral replication, chronic HBV infection (CHB) continues to be a major health burden worldwide. Both the inability of the immune system to resolve CHB and the unique replication strategy employed by HBV, which forms a stable viral covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) minichromosome in the hepatocyte nucleus, enable infection persistence. Knowledge of the complex network of interactions that HBV engages with its host is still limited but accumulating evidence indicates that epigenetic modifications occurring both on the cccDNA and on the host genome in the course of infection are essential to modulate viral activity and likely contribute to pathogenesis and cancer development. Thus, a deeper understanding of epigenetic regulatory processes may open new venues to control and eventually cure CHB. This review summarizes major findings in HBV epigenetic research, focusing on the epigenetic mechanisms regulating cccDNA activity and the modifications determined in infected host cells and tumor liver tissues.
Complex microsurgical perineal reconstruction after resection of a giant verrucous carcinoma associated with anal fistulas in Crohn’s disease—a unique case report
Authors: Ehrl Denis , Rentsch Markus , Moellhoff Nicholas , Wachtel Nikolaus
Published: March 2020

Background

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder which leads to anorectal fistulas. In rare cases, patients develop anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) within these lesions. There is limited literature regarding ASCC in patients with CD. Here, we report on a unique case of advanced verrucous carcinoma (VC), a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma, developing on the grounds of extensive chronic anorectal fistulas in CD.

Methods and results

A 54-year-old male patient with a 20-year history of CD presented with a large inflammatory tumor at the perineal region with multiple discharging perianal fistulas. Histopathological analysis of the perineal mass revealed a VC. Subsequent surgery with radical tumor resection and terminal colostomy resulted in a large perineal cavity and a partially exposed sacrum. The defect extended to a total of 35 × 25 × 25 cm. Reconstruction was achieved through a two-step approach. A first surgical step established an arteriovenous (AV) loop in the upper thigh. Subsequently, a free latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous flap was harvested and anastomosed with the AV loop, allowing for satisfactory closure of the defect and reconstruction of the perianal and perineal region.

Conclusion

Radical surgical excision with negative margins is the therapy of choice for VC. This case report demonstrates a curative treatment option with special emphasis on the reconstructive possibilities of a unique case of extended perianal and perineal VC associated with chronic anorectal fistulas in CD.
EO-MTRNN: evolutionary optimization of hyperparameters for a neuro-inspired computational model of spatiotemporal learning
Authors: Wieser Erhard , Cheng Gordon
Published: March 2020

For spatiotemporal learning with neural networks, hyperparameters are often set manually by a human expert. This is especially the case with multiple timescale networks that require a careful setting of the values of timescales in order to learn spatiotemporal data. However, this implies a cumbersome trial-and-error process until suitable parameters are found and it reduces the long-term autonomy of artificial agents, such as robots that are controlled by multiple timescale networks. To solve the problem, we propose theevolutionary optimized multiple timescale recurrent neural network(EO-MTRNN) that is inspired by the neural plasticity of the human cortex. Our proposed network uses a method of evolutionary optimization to adjust its timescales and to rewire itself in terms of number of neurons and synapses. Moreover, it does not require additional neural networks for pre- and postprocessing input–output data. We validate our EO-MTRNN by applying it to a proposed benchmark training dataset with single and multiple sequence training cases, as well as by applying it to sensory-motor data from a robot. We compare different configuration modes of the network, and we compare the learning performance between a network configuration with manually set hyperparameters and a configuration with automatically estimated hyperparameters. The results show that automatically estimated hyperparameters yield approximately 43% better performance than manually estimated ones, without overfitting the given teaching data. We also validate the generalization ability by successfully learning data that were not included in the hyperparameter estimation process.
Treffpunkt Gaststätte – warum sich Kommunen stärker um ihre Kneipen und Restaurants kümmern sollten
Authors: Franz Martin
Published: March 2020

Der Struktur‑, Format- und Standortwandel von Gaststätten in Deutschland wird bislang in der wissenschaftlichen Diskussion ebenso weitgehend vernachlässigt wie in der praktischen Arbeit in Wirtschaftsförderung, Stadtmarketing und Stadtentwicklung. Dabei haben z. B. der Rückzug von Unternehmen der Gastronomie aus der Fläche, die Ausbreitung von Gaststätten in den Fußgängerzonen und die Zunahme der Systemgastronomie durchaus einen prägenden Einfluss auf die Stadtentwicklung und die Attraktivität von Standorten für Unternehmen und Bewohnerschaft. Der Artikel stellt den Wandel der Gaststätten in Deutschland dar und identifiziert verschiedene Aspekte der Bedeutung von Gaststätten für die Entwicklung von Innenstädten und Stadtteilen. Dies beinhaltet die Bedeutung für Kommunikation, Identifikation, Image und sozialen Zusammenhalt ebenso wie direkte und indirekte wirtschaftliche Effekte. Es wird argumentiert, dass sich Wirtschaftsförderung, Stadtmarketing und Stadtentwicklung stärker mit der Entwicklung der Gaststätten beschäftigen sollten. Grundlagen des Artikels sind eine Literaturauswertung und qualitative Interviews mit verschiedenen Akteuren der Gastronomiebranche sowie aus Wirtschaftsförderung und Stadtmarketing.
Summer temperature extremes in Europe: how does the definition affect the results?
Authors: Sulikowska Agnieszka , Wypych Agnieszka
Published: March 2020

Nearly every study dealing with temperature extremes underscores the lack of a universal and broadly used method of identifying such events. The most popular are relative methods, which are based on the empirical distribution of temperature at each location (i.e., percentiles). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the various percentile-based methods of defining hot days on the analysis of their frequency of occurrence, trends, and geographic patterns in summer in Europe. The basis for the research consists of daily maximum (TX) and minimum (TN) values of air temperature for 1961–2017 for Europe obtained from the E-OBS database. A hot day occurs when air temperature exceeds the 90th percentile–based threshold. These thresholds are determined using the following: (I) various temperature metrics (TX and TN), (II) various baseline periods (1961–1990, 1971–2000, 1981–2010), and (III) different timeframes within the year that the percentile is calculated for (summer season, separate summer months, and each calendar day). Our results indicate that the use of different variants of the percentile-based definition leads to differences in the geographic patterns of frequencies of and trends in summer hot days in Europe. The differences are especially substantial within the results obtained using various temperature metrics and baseline periods, and they are relatively small when different timeframes within the year that the percentile is calculated for are considered. On the example of the case study, we also show how the use of different research approaches may affect the intensity and spatial extent of an extreme temperature event.
CoHEARence of audible shapes—a qualitative user study for coherent visual audio design with resynthesized shapes
Authors: Engeln Lars , Groh Rainer
Published: March 2020

One way to achieve an intuitive sound design are visual approaches for synthesis and sound collages. Therefore, during spectral synthesis and editing, the sound is designed in a visualization of the frequency domain. In order to create a coherent workflow between visuals and the resulting audio, the stimuli should be matched to each other. In this work, a qualitative user study is presented, which is supposed to show the intuitive understanding from the shape to the sound. The shape is hereby the spectral envelope. The general aim is to find out whether there is a connection between the visual shape and the subsequent auditory impression.
Effects of training on truck drivers’ interaction with cyclists in a right turn
Authors: Kircher Katja , Ahlström Christer , Ihlström Jonas , Ljokkoi Tatu , Culshaw John
Published: March 2020

With encounters between trucks and cyclists still being a major safety issue and physical as well as technological improvements far from ubiquitous implementation, training truck drivers in anticipatory driving to improve their interaction with cyclists may be a way forward. After a baseline drive in an urban environment, truck drivers inexperienced with urban driving received a dedicated training on anticipatory driving, followed by another drive along the same route several weeks later. The drivers were also interviewed about their opinion about the training. The drivers’ behaviour changed from before to after training, resulting in a better speed management in general, and a more intensive monitoring of the cyclists. There were also some improvements with respect to the placement in relation to the cyclist, but this effect was limited mainly because truck drivers performed well already before the training. The observed results correspond well to the opinions and feelings about the training that were reported by the drivers in the interview. Thus, driver training can possibly be one contributor to an increase in safety in urban areas.
Persistence of avian carcasses on sandy beaches and marsh edges in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Varela Veronica W. , Zimmerman Guthrie S.
Published: March 2020

As part of the natural resource damage assessment for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a mathematical model was used to estimate the total number of bird carcasses deposited on shorelines based on the number of carcasses collected and adjustment factors such as detection probability and carcass persistence. Studies of carcass persistence occurred along sandy beaches and marsh edges in the northern Gulf of Mexico to obtain site-specific inputs for the model. We estimated persistence rates for these habitat types and evaluated the influence on persistence of carcass size, location of the carcass on the beach, dominant vegetation type in the marsh, carcass distance into marsh vegetation, and length of time a carcass was stranded on a shoreline. The length of time stranded had the greatest influence on persistence in both habitat types, with persistence initially relatively low and increasing logarithmically. Carcass size and position were weakly influential on sandy beaches. Carcass size had stronger influences along marsh edges, and marsh habitat type also affected persistence. We found evidence of a positive relationship between distance into the marsh and persistence during the first 24 h after carcass deployment.