bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The three second time window in poems and language processing in general: Complementarity of discrete timing and temporal continuity
Authors: Yu Xinchi , Bao Yan
Published: September 2020

The existence of discrete time windows has triggered the search for permanence and continuity for artists (including poets) in multiple cultures throughout history. In this article, we argue that there exists a 3‐s window in the temporal structure of poems as well as in the aesthetic appreciation of poetry by reviewing previous literature on the temporal aspects of poems. This 3‐s window can also be considered to be a general temporal machinery underlying human behavior, including language production and perception in general. The reafference principle has provided us a unique frame for understanding cognitive processes. However, “time” was absent in the original two‐stage reafference principle. Therefore, we propose a three‐stage cycling model of language perception, taking into account time and time windows. We also inspect the possible neural implementations of the three stages: the generation, maintenance, and comparison of predictions (as well as the integration of predictions into the representational context). These three stages are embedded in a temporal window of ~3 s and are repeated in a cycling mode, resulting in the representational context being continuously updated. Thus, it is possible that “semantics” could be carried forward across different time windows, being a “glue” linking the discrete time windows and thus achieving the subjective feeling of temporal continuity. Candidates of such “semantic glue” could include semantic and syntactic structures as well as identity and emotion.
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias risk: Comparing users of non‐selective and M3‐selective bladder antimuscarinic drugs
Authors: Barthold Douglas , Marcum Zachary A. , Gray Shelly L. , Zissimopoulos Julie
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Bladder antimuscarinic (BAM) drug use is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). It is hypothesized that BAMs with non‐selective receptor binding may increase ADRD risk more than M3‐selective BAMs. This study compared ADRD risk for users of non‐selective and M3‐selective BAMs and examines ADRD risk associated with overall BAM use.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of Medicare claims for 71 688 individuals who used BAM drugs during 2007‐2009 without an ADRD diagnosis. We compared ADRD incidence (2011‐2016) between non‐selective BAM users (fesoterodine, flavoxate, oxybutynin, tolterodine, trospium) and M3‐selective BAM users (darifenacin, solifenacin). Logistic regressions compared individuals using target drugs in the same category of total standardized daily doses (TSDD) as a standardized measure of drug exposure, and adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, healthcare utilization, other medication use, socioeconomic status, and comorbidities. Secondary analyses compared ADRD risk associated with different doses of BAMs overall.

Results

Non‐selective BAM use (compared to M3‐selective) was not significantly associated with ADRD incidence. Odds ratios for non‐selective use were 0.97 (CI: 0.89‐1.04) for 1‐364 TSDD, 0.94 (CI: 0.83‐1.06) for 365‐729, 1.00 (CI: 0.87‐1.16) for 730‐1094, and 1.03 (CI: 0.88‐1.20) for >1094. Higher TSDD of BAMs overall (combining both non‐selective and M3‐selective BAMs), when compared to 1‐364 TSDD, were associated with increased ADRD incidence (OR = 1.05 (CI: 0.99‐1.10) for 365‐729, OR = 1.11 (CI: 1.05‐1.17) for 730‐1094, and OR = 1.10 (CI: 1.04‐1.15) for >1094).

Conclusions

Non‐selective and M3‐selective BAM users had similar odds of ADRD incidence, and BAM use overall was significantly associated with ADRD incidence.
Hybrid bacterial cellulose‐collagen membranes production in culture media enriched with antioxidant compounds from plant extracts
Authors: Fernandes Isabela de Andrade Arruda , Maciel Giselle Maria , de Oliveira Anna Lou Mucharski Strafit , Miorim Avany Judith Ferraro , Fontana Jose Domingos , Ribeiro Valéria Rampazzo , Haminiuk Charles Windson Isidoro
Published: September 2020

Bioactive, structural, and mechanical properties were measured of a cellulose biopolymer produced by Gluconacetobacter xylinus using hydrolyzed collagen and phenolic compounds from teas and grape pomace (GP) in an optimized culture medium. Biopolymers were impregnated with an antibiotic to investigate possible antibacterial activities. Hybrid bacterial cellulose (BC)‐collagen membranes obtained from cultures with green tea and a ternary mixture (TM) of teas with GP presented a high concentration of phenolic compounds (879.7 and 1312.8 mg gallic acid equivalent per liter) and antioxidant activity (973.3 and 575.9 mmol/g), respectively. BC membranes included a nanodimensional network of microfibrils, and the addition of hydrolyzed collagen in the TM of teas in situ resulted in thicker structures with improved mechanical properties. BC‐collagen membranes pretreated with cephalexin exhibited significant inhibition against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The enrichment of the culture media with plant phenolic compounds and collagen resulted in the formation of hybrid BC membranes in a shorter time when compared to those produced without these components. Membranes modified with bioactive compounds in situ and antibiotics ex situ can be turned into potential products for application in biomaterials with antioxidant activity.
Videoanalyse von Fallbewegungen mit NewtonDV
Authors: Hengel Christian , Wilhelm Thomas , Kuhn Jochen
Published: September 2020

Mit eigens für die Videoanalyse geschaffenen Apps lassen sich komplexe Bewegungsabläufe mit Smartphone oder Tablet schnell und bequem „out‐of‐the‐box“ analysieren. Ein Beispiel dafür ist die im Folgenden vorgestellte iPad‐App NewtonDV.
Mary Shelley: Frankenstein oder der moderne Prometheus
Authors: Heydenreich Aura
Published: September 2020

Der Roman macht sich die Doppeldeutigkeit der prometheischen Überlieferung zu eigen und führt die Verschränkung zwischen Erleuchtung und Verblendung vor. Vor diesem Hintergrund verhandelt er die Kontroversen um den Vitalismus und den Galvanismus um 1800.
Registration of ‘S14‐15138GT’ soybean as a high‐yielding RR1/STS cultivar with broad disease resistance and adaptation
Authors: Chen P. , Shannon G. , Crisel M. , Smothers S. , Clubb M. , Vieira C. C. , Ali M. L. , Selves S. , Lee D. H. , Scaboo A. , Usovsky M. , Nguyen H. T. , Mitchum M. G. , Meinhardt C. , Li Z. , Bond J. , Robbins R. T. , Li S. , Smith J. R. , Mengistu A.
Published: September 2020

‘S14‐15138GT’ (Reg. no. CV‐537, PI 693754) is a late maturity group IV (relative maturity 4.8) indeterminate high‐yielding soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr.] cultivar with glyphosate and sulfonylurea tolerance developed and released in 2017 by the University of Missouri–Fisher Delta Research Center soybean breeding program. S14‐15138GT is an F4 plant selection from the cross ‘S09‐10871’ × ‘S08‐9727RR1’. S14‐15138GT was tested in 83 environments across 11 states and showed high yield potential and wide adaptation in Missouri and other southern states. In the University of Missouri yield trials, S14‐15138GT yielded, on average, 110% of the tests mean across 19 locations in 4 yr (2015–2018). Plants of S14‐15138GT are 84 cm tall and have white flower color, tawny pubescence, and tan pod walls. On average, S14‐15138GT seed contains 406 g kg−1 protein and 221 g kg−1 oil on a dry seed weight basis. S14‐15138GT has a broad disease resistance package including resistance to soybean cyst nematode races 3 and 14 (HG Type 5.7 and Type 1.3.6.7), stem canker, frogeye leaf spot, sudden death syndrome, and phomopsis seed decay. In addition to its high yield potential, strong disease resistance package, and broad adaptation, S14‐15138GT is a suitable alternative for farmers who want to grow and save seed of glyphosate‐tolerant soybean cultivars.
‘Butta 12’, a two‐rowed malting barley adapted to the California Central Valley with proven floor‐malting success and craft brewer acceptance
Authors: Gallagher Lynn W. , Silberstein Ron , Prato Linda , Vogt Herb
Published: September 2020

‘Butta 12’ (Reg. no. CV‐371, PI 692639) is the first malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) released by the University of California to complete plant‐scale malting evaluation and to be brewed successfully by scores of craft brewers. In cooperation with Admiral Maltings, Alameda, CA, Butta 12 has been malted and marketed primarily under the names Gallagher's Best, Feldblume, and Admiral Pils for all‐malt brewing and distilling. Butta 12 combines good malting quality, adequate disease resistance, and good agronomic performance to provide a local maltster with a grower‐accepted local source of malting barley. Kilning variables produced a wide range of flavors. Additionally, Butta 12 and a related malting cultivar ‘UC Tahoe’ are nonproducers of glycosidic nitrile, which is an advantage for their use by distillers. With no initial California two‐rowed malting barley germplasm as a starting point, it took over 20 yr of breeding work to combine favorable alleles for malting quality from the Oregon State University barley improvement program with increased disease resistance from the barley breeding program of International Center for the Improvement of Agriculture in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)/International Center for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT), Mexico. The focus on disease resistance was necessary because several barley diseases in California prevent the direct introduction of malting cultivars into California's Central Valley from the northern tier of U.S. states and Canada.
Synthesis of glycerol‐thiophene nanoparticles, a suitable sensing platform for voltammetric determination of guaifenesin
Authors: Hatamvand Roshanak , Adeli Mohsen , Yari Abdollah
Published: September 2020

Boronic acid functionalized materials have gained much attention in both chemistry and biology fields due to their multivalent covalent interactions with cis‐diol containing (macro) molecules. The remarkable progress in this field has resulted in the development of their biomedical applications, such as, biosensors and nanocarriers. In this study, the spherical nanoparticles consisting of glycerol and 2,5‐thiophenediylbisboronic acid were synthesized by one‐pot ring opening copolymerization of a mixture of glycidol and 2,5‐thiophenediylbisboronic acid. The synthesized nanoparticles were used for the modification of the glassy carbon electrode and the determination of Guaifenesin. The synthesized polymeric nanoparticles were characterized by different spectroscopic and microscopic methods including UV–vis, IR, NMR, DLS, and SEM. Additionally, the electrochemical behavior of the fabricated electrode toward Guaifenesin was investigated with cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
‘Steeling’ effects in the association between psychological resilience and cancer treatment in prostate cancer patients
Authors: Sharpley Christopher F. , Christie David R. H. , Bitsika Vicki
Published: September 2020

Objective

To test the ‘buffering’ effect of psychological resilience (PR) upon depression in prostate cancer patients and to also investigate any effects that past or current treatment may have had upon patients' PR as a test of the ‘steeling’ hypothesis of past adversity upon future resilience.

Methods

A total of 576 volunteer prostate cancer patients completed questionnaires about their demographic and treatment variables, and their psychological resilience and depression. Factor analysis was used to identify the underlying components of the resilience measure.

Results

PR was confirmed as an inverse correlate of depression in these men. Additionally, some past and current treatments were found to be significantly associated with patients' psychological resilience in a way suggestive of ‘steeling’ effects.

Conclusion

These data provide support for the model of PR as being influenced by past experiences of adversity and demonstrate that association for prostate cancer patients.
Inactivation of biofilms in endotracheal tube by cold atmospheric plasma treatment for control and prevention of ventilator‐associated pneumonia
Authors: İbiş Fatma , Ercan Utku K.
Published: September 2020

Ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) is a type of hospital‐acquired infection with high mortality and morbidity rates that is seen in critically ill patients who are connected to mechanical ventilators in intensive care units. Conventional infection control measures may remain insufficient for control and prevention of VAP. In the present study, biofilms of most common pathogens, which are responsible for VAP, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, were grown in the lumen of endotracheal tubes (ETs) under low shear to mimic the biofilm formation in clinical settings using the drip flow reactor system. Antibiofilm efficacies of two different plasma treatment methods were tested on the biofilms that were grown in ETs. In the first method, deionized water (DIW), phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) solution, and N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) solution were treated with air dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma and then nebulized on the biofilms. In the second method, air plasma afterglow (APA), which was generated using a DBD jet electrode, was flown through the lumen of ETs. Effects of two different plasma treatment methods on biofilms were evaluated using colony‐counting and XTT assays. The quantity of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) was evaluated with the safranin assay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize the effect of various plasma treatment methods on biofilms. Cytotoxic effects of two different plasma treatment methods were tested on the human tracheal epithelial cell line. Our results suggest that the nebulized plasma‐treated NAC solution had a superior antibiofilm effect as compared with DIW and PBS. Two different plasma treatment methods used effectively inactivated biofilms and significantly reduced the quantity of EPS without a significant damage to the human tracheal epithelial cell line. Furthermore, SEM images showed the inactivation of microbial cells mainly through membrane damage.
Associations of TNF‐α ‐238G/A, TNF‐α ‐308G/A, and IL‐6 ‐174G/C polymorphisms with the risk of asthma: Evidence from a meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhu Qin , Zhang Hanghu , Wang Jing , Wu Yinxia , Chen Xiaohong
Published: September 2020

Background

Previously, many genetic epidemiological studies have investigated associations between Th1‐related cytokine polymorphisms and the risk of asthma, with inconsistent results. Accordingly, we carried out a meta‐analysis to more precisely estimate associations between Th1‐related cytokine polymorphisms and the risk of asthma.

Methods

Systematic literature searching of Medline, Embase, Wanfang, VIP, and CNKI was conducted by the authors to identify eligible publications, and 69 genetic epidemiological studies were finally found to be eligible for quantitative analyses.

Results

We found that genotypic frequencies of TNF‐α ‐238G/A (dominant comparison: odds ratio [OR] = 0.47, P = .006; overdominant comparison: OR = 1.87, P = .03; allele comparison: OR = 0.50, P = .004), TNF‐α ‐308G/A (dominant comparison: OR = 0.76, P = .001; overdominant comparison: OR = 1.29, P = .002; allele comparison: OR = 0.81, P = .0009) and IL‐6 ‐174G/C (dominant comparison: OR = 0.55, P = .0008) polymorphisms among patients with asthma and control subjects were significantly different. However, we did not detect such a genotypic distribution difference for the IL‐1B−511C/T polymorphism.

Conclusions

The present meta‐analysis shows that TNF‐α ‐238G/A, TNF‐α ‐308G/A, and IL‐6 ‐174G/C polymorphisms may influence the risk of asthma.
Crystal structure of a S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine‐dependent O‐methyltransferase‐like enzyme from Aspergillus flavus
Authors: Liao Lijing , Zhou Yuanze , Peng Ting , Guo Yan , Zhao Yucheng , Zeng Zhixiong
Published: September 2020

S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine (SAM)‐dependent methyltransferases (MTases) are widely distributed among almost all organisms and often characterized with conserved Rossmann fold, TIM barrel, and D×G×G×G motif. However, some MTases show no methyltransferase activity. In the present study, the crystal structure of LepI, one MTase‐like enzyme isolated from A. flavus that catalyzes pericyclic reactions, was investigated to determine its structure‐function relationship. The overall structure of LepI in complex with the SAM mimic S‐adenosyl‐L‐homocysteine (SAH) (PDB ID: 6IV7) indicated that LepI is a tetramer in solution. The residues His133, Arg197, Arg295, and Asp296 located near the active site can form hydrogen bonds with the substrate, thus participating in catalytic reactions. The binding of SAH in LepI is almost identical to that in other resolved MTases; however, the location of catalytic residues differs significantly. Phylogenetic trials suggest that LepI proteins share a common ancestor in plants and algae, which may explain the conserved SAM‐binding site. However, the accelerated evolution of A. flavus has introduced both functional and structural changes in LepI. More importantly, the residue Arg295, which is unique to LepI, might be a key determinant for the altered enzymatic behavior. Collectively, the differences in the composition of catalytic residues, as well as the unique tetrameric form of LepI, define its unique enzymatic behavior. The present work provides an additional understanding of the structure‐function relationship of MTases and MTase‐like enzymes.
A rod conformation of the Pyrococcus furiosus Rad50 coiled coil
Authors: Soh Young‐Min , Basquin Jerome , Gruber Stephan
Published: September 2020

The Rad50‐Mre11 nuclease complex plays a vital role in DNA repair in all domains of life. It recognizes and processes DNA double‐strand breaks. Rad50 proteins fold into an extended structure with a 20 to 60 nm long coiled coil connecting a globular ABC ATPase domain with a zinc hook dimerization domain. A published structure of an archaeal Rad50 zinc hook shows coiled coils pointing away from each other. Here we present the crystal structure of an alternate conformation displaying co‐aligned coiled coils. Archaeal Rad50 may thus switch between rod‐shaped and ring‐like conformations as recently proposed for a bacterial homolog.
Fabrication and Characterization of (100)‐Oriented Single‐Crystal Diamond p–i–n Junction Ultraviolet Detector
Authors: Liu Zhangcheng , Lin Fang , Zhao Dan , Min Tai , Wang Hongxing
Published: September 2020

A (001)‐oriented single‐crystal diamond p–i–n junction ultraviolet (UV) detector is fabricated and its optoelectronic properties are investigated. The detector exhibits a clear rectifying I–V characteristic with a rectification ratio of 223 at ±5 V. At a reverse bias of 5 V, the responsivity is 1.69 A W−1 under an irradiation of 210 nm light, and the 210 nm/400 nm UV‐to‐visible rejection ratio reaches 103. The time response characteristic shows a long rise time and decay time, which are mainly caused by the carrier trapping in the n‐type diamond layer.
Structural, Morphological, Optical, and Electrical Properties of Sol–Gel Derived Sb‐Doped ZnO Thin Films Annealed Under Different Atmospheres
Authors: Sinornate Wuttichai , Mimura Hidenori , Pecharapa Wisanu
Published: September 2020

Herein, undoped and antimony (Sb)‐doped zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films are prepared by a sol–gel spin‐coating method. The influence of different annealing atmospheres including nitrogen and argon on pertinent properties of the prepared films is scrutinized. Structural, optical, morphological, and electrical properties of all annealed films are investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and current–voltage measurement. The XRD results exhibit that the films possess ZnO hexagonal wurtzite without impurity. The deterioration in the crystallinity of the film is highly influenced by Sb dopant and annealing atmosphere exhibiting the decrease in nanoparticle size after annealing in nitrogen, argon atmosphere, and upon doping. XPS results confirm that Sb3+ is well incorporated in ZnO lattice and the shift of XPS spectra in the films annealed in nitrogen atmosphere indicates nitrogen bonding with zinc. The PL spectra exhibit blueshift of near band edge emission due to the Sb dopant substituting in Zn site in ZnO lattice and red‐infrared emission induced by Sb dopant. The decrease in electrical resistance of ZnO film can be obtained by Sb doping and annealing in nitrogen atmosphere.
Adsorption Mechanism and High‐Performance Metal‐Ion Batteries Anode Material for Semimetal Carbon Honeycomb
Authors: Zhang Jide , Wang Shuaiwei , Luo Xiangyi
Published: September 2020

Herein, first‐principles calculations are used to investigate the potential application of semimetal carbon honeycomb (Cmcm‐CHC) as an anode material for Li‐/Na‐ion batteries. It is found that the adsorption energies of Li and Na are about −1.55 and −0.51 eV, respectively, which is large enough for its stability during the lithiation process. The high theoretical capacity is 558/310 mA h g−1 for the Li‐/Na‐ion batteries, which is larger than that of commercial graphite (372 mA h g−1) for Li‐ion batteries. More excitingly, the diffusion barrier is only 20.6/1.1 meV for Li‐/Na‐ion batteries, which is lower than most of other 3D carbon base materials. This founding indicates that the charge–discharge time can be reduced as an anode material showing the advantages of Cmcm‐CHC as the anode material. Moreover, the strain effect on the diffusion barrier is investigated. It is found that both the interlayer slab space and environment dependent on the diffusion barrier. In addition, the space effect also plays a crucial role in the adsorption capacity in 3D carbon materials. These outstanding properties make Cmcm‐CHC a highly versatile material for innovative applications in metal‐ion batteries.
Thermally Tunable Frequency‐Selective Surface Based on VO2 Thin Film
Authors: Polozov Viktor , Maklakov Sergey S. , Maklakov Sergey A. , Mishin Alexey , Petrov Dmitry , Baskov Konstantin , Politiko Alexey , Chistyaev Vladimir , Semenenko Vladimir , Kisel Vladimir
Published: September 2020

An approach to a design of tunable frequency‐selective surfaces (FSSs) for radio frequency (RF) domain based on vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films is proposed. As an example, a thermally tunable annular slot FSS with integrated VO2 switchable elements for C‐band of the RF domain is described. Switching is based on abrupt change of conductivity of the VO2 film, initiated by heating from room temperature to a temperature of the metal–insulator phase transition of 44 °C. A tuning mechanism of the FSS allows continuous change of frequency response from room temperature state, where the FSS acts as a band‐pass filter, to high‐temperature state, where the FSS works as a reflector. In the process of tuning, a reflection coefficient at a central frequency of the filter can be increased from −26.4 dB up to −2.2 dB. The proposed approach can be used for the design of tunable FSS for applications that allow thermal control of the frequency response.
Dielectric Relaxation and Charge Transfer in Amorphous MoS2 Thin Films
Authors: Kononov Aleksei A. , Castro Rene A. , Glavnaya Diana D. , Anisimova Nadezhda I. , Bordovsky Gennady A. , Kolobov Alexander V. , Saito Yuta , Fons Paul
Published: September 2020

The results of a study on dielectric relaxation and charge transfer in thin layers of amorphous MoS2 using dielectric spectroscopy are presented. Both dipole‐relaxation polarization and hopping charge transfer have been observed. The activation energies of the relaxation process Ea and conductivity Eσ have been calculated and found to be approximately equal; therefore, it is assumed that the two processes are based on the same underlying charge transfer mechanism.
Observation of Cluster Glass and Griffiths‐like Phase in Fe3O4Nanostructures
Authors: Revathy Ramany , Varma Manoj Raama , Surendran Kuzhichalil Peethambharan
Published: September 2020

In the present investigation, the rare occurrence of Griffiths‐like phase (GP) in Fe3O4(magnetite) nanostructures is observed for the first time. Initially, Fe3O4monodispersed nanoparticles and an intercalated ensemble of nanoparticles and nanorods are successfully synthesized by a facile one‐step synthesis. The magnetization, as a function of the applied field, confirms the absence of superparamagnetism in both samples. The thermomagnetic data at cryogenic temperatures show glassy nature, and the alternating current (AC) susceptibility measurements confirm the existence of cluster glass. The low‐field direct current (DC) magnetization measurements of Fe3O4nanostructures show an anomalous magnetic behavior, which indicates the presence of GP above its Curie temperature. This unusual behavior is attributed to the presence of short‐range magnetic correlations and ferromagnetic clusters present in the system due to the size reduction.
Rapid Quantification of Nanosphere Lithography Packing Defects Using Scanning Electron Microscopy Edge Effects
Authors: Bekeris Michael , Truong Takara , Carron Stephen , Karimi Zahra , Feng Haidong , Nze Ugochukwu , Beeman Michael , Sochol Ryan D. , Warren Roseanne
Published: September 2020

Nanosphere lithography (NSL) is a bottom‐up, self‐assembly approach that enables rapid, low‐cost patterning of nanoscale features. The practical application and scalability of NSL relies on the ability to achieve defect‐free nanosphere self‐assembly over large substrate areas. Self‐assembly methods for single‐layer nanosphere templates are typically evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging, with literature reports focusing on maximum area of continuous nanosphere coverage. An alternative performance metric—namely, the percentage of nanospheres exhibiting perfect hexagonal close‐packing (%HCP)—is uniquely critical to NSL precision and repeatability. To enhance current methods of evaluating nanosphere self‐assembly, this work presents an SEM image analysis approach for rapidly quantifying packing defects in single‐layer nanospheres to determine %HCP. The method uses variations in SEM edge effect brightness to distinguish spheres with perfect packing from those in defect configurations or along edges. Comparison of image analysis program results with manual counting of nanospheres indicates that the program has a high degree of accuracy, with a mean error on the %HCP metric of +8.6% (absolute error). The results suggest that the present strategy offers a promising pathway to rapid evaluation of nanosphere self‐assembly for high‐precision NSL applications such as surface‐enhanced Raman scattering, photovoltaic cells, and nanogap electrodes.
Insights into the convective evolution of Mediterranean tropical‐like cyclones
Authors: Dafis Stavros , Claud Chantal , Kotroni Vassiliki , Lagouvardos Konstantinos , Rysman Jean‐François
Published: September 2020

This study aims at understanding how deep convection is organized and contributes to the intensification of nine Mediterranean tropical‐like cyclones which developed between 2005 and 2018. Through a multi‐satellite approach, a combination of infrared and microwave diagnostics provides insights into the temporal and spatial evolution of deep convection. ERA5 reanalysis complements the remote‐sensing observations and is used to compute the vertical wind shear and vortex tilt to investigate their interactions with deep convection. Results show that vertical wind shear and topography have an important impact on the organization of deep convection and the symmetry of the cyclones. Only a fraction of these cyclones experienced intense convective activity close to their centres and we show that persistent deep convection in the upshear quadrants led to intensification periods. Convective activity solely in the downshear quadrants was not linked to intensification periods, while short‐lived hurricane‐like structures develop only during symmetric convective activity, leading to cyclone intensification in some of the cases. Finally, a classification of the Mediterranean tropical‐like cyclones is proposed based on the evolution of deep convection and their intensification periods.
Demonstration of Spin Current Switch across Ferro‐Antiferromagnetic Transition
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Hui , Weng Ting‐Wei , Chuang Tsao‐Chi , Qu Danru , Huang Ssu‐Yen
Published: September 2020

The first‐order magnetic phase transition between antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic (FM) states around room temperature is one of the unique features in FeRh. More fascinating is that the phase‐transition temperature (Ttr) can be readily modulated by the magnetic field. In this work, a spin current valve is isothermally demonstrated by electrically and thermally probing the spin channel during the phase transition. When switching between the AFM and FM states, a large magnetoresistance ratio of 50% is obtained. Meanwhile, the on/off ratio for the magnetospin‐polarized thermal voltage associated with the magnonic spin current can be nearly infinite. It is shown that the significantly modulated Ttr and switching critical field in FeRh advance its potential applications for the spin current switch devices.
Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analytical determination of gabapentin transformation products by heterogeneous photocatalysis and environmental evaluation
Authors: Dal Bello Federica , Medana Claudio , Zorzi Michael , Kuck Bertram , Fabbri Debora , Calza Paola
Published: September 2020

Rationale

Gabapentin is a drug used to treat epilepsy and peripheral neuropathic pain. It is an analog of gamma‐aminobutyric acid, and it is a selective blocker of voltage‐gated calcium channels. The drug is excreted unmetabolized; it is stable in the environment and is classified as a persistent mobile organic contaminant. Because wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not completely efficient, some bioactive molecules may be released unaltered into the environment. The aim of this study was to provide information about degradation pathways of gabapentin in water by studying its photoinduced transformation products (TPs) through laboratory simulation experiments. Gabapentin and its TPs were monitored in influent and effluent water samples from WWTPs in Germany and Italy.

Methods

The laboratory simulation used heterogeneous photodegradation mediated by titanium dioxide (TiO2). Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C18 reverse‐phase column, and the structural identification of TPs was performed using high‐resolution electrospray ionization high‐resolution mass spectrometry (ESI‐HRMS) and multistage MSn experiments.

Results

Several TPs were observed during TiO2 photodegradation. Nine new compounds were detected, and potential structures were assigned by studying the fragmentation pathways of the [M + H]+ ions of these TPs and gabapentin. Gabapentin and some of the newly identified TPs were found in environmental samples from WWTPs.

Conclusions

The developed high‐performance liquid chromatography/high‐resolution mass spectrometry method was used to identify TPs from gabapentin. It was then successfully applied to real environmental samples to monitor the TPs as potential environmental pollutants.
Probing for the presence of doping agents in exhaled breath using chromatographic/mass spectrometric approaches
Authors: Garzinsky Ann‐Marie , Thomas Andreas , Krug Oliver , Thevis Mario
Published: September 2020

Rationale

Exhaled breath (EB) has been demonstrated to be a promising alternative matrix in sports drug testing due to its non‐invasive and non‐intrusive nature compared with urine and blood collection protocols. In this study, a pilot‐test system was employed to create drug‐containing aerosols simulating EB in support of the analytical characterization of EB sampling procedures, and the used analytical method was extended to include a broad spectrum of prohibited substances.

Methods

Artificial and authentic EB samples were collected using sampling devices containing an electret filter, and doping agents were detected by means of liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry with unispray ionization. The analytical approach was characterized with regard to specificity, limits of detection, carry‐over, recovery and matrix effects, and the potential applicability to routine doping controls was shown using authentic EB samples collected after single oral dose applications of glucocorticoids and stimulants.

Results

The analytical method was found to be specific for a total of 49 model substances relevant in sports drug testing, with detection limits ranging from 1 to 500 pg per cartridge. Both ion suppression (−62%) and ion enhancement (+301%) effects were observed, and all model compounds applied to EB sampling devices were still detected after 28 days of storage at room temperature. Authentic EB samples collected after the oral administration of 10 mg of prednisolone resulted in prednisolone findings in specimens obtained from 3 out of 6 participants up to 2 h. In octodrine, dimethylamylamine (DMAA) and isopropylnorsynephrine post‐administration EB samples, the drugs were detected over a period of 50, 48, and 8 h, respectively.

Conclusions

With the analytical approach developed within this study, the identification of a broad spectrum of prohibited doping agents in EB samples was accomplished. Application studies and stability tests provided information to characterize EB as a potential matrix in sports drug testing.
Survival outcomes after surgical management of endometrial cancer: Analysis after the first 10‐year experience of robotic surgery in a single center
Authors: Siesto Gabriele , Romano Fabrizio , Iedà Nicoletta Palma , Vitobello Domenico
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To report the 5‐year survival rates of patients undergone surgery for endometrial cancer, within a 10‐year study.

Methods

Single institution series with a minimum 2‐year follow‐up. The 5‐year survival outcomes of patients managed by robotics, laparoscopy and open surgery during the same period were compared. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors.

Results

Three hundred and sixty‐three consecutive patients were analysed. Open surgery showed a higher rate of abdominal recurrences (17.2% vs. 3.3%; p < 0.001); no differences were recorded in terms of vaginal, nodal or distant recurrences between open and minimally invasive surgery. At multivariable analyses, type II histology, peritoneal cytology and lympho‐vascular space invasion were independent predictors for survival. Based on each FIGO (The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage, no differences were found in terms of 5‐year disease‐free survival and overall survival between the approaches.

Conclusions

The surgical route does not affect the 5‐year survival in patients with endometrial cancer. Both robotics and laparoscopy are confirmed as viable options.
easyEndo robotic endoscopy system: Development and usability test in a randomized controlled trial with novices and physicians
Authors: Lee Dong‐Ho , Cheon Byungsik , Kim Joonhwan , Kwon Dong‐Soo
Published: September 2020

Background

Some difficulties are common when using endoscopes. Steering is not intuitive, the endoscope weight is a physical burden to physicians and communication problems often occur between operators.

Method

To overcome these, we developed a robotic endoscopy system and conducted a usability test to compare conventional and robotic manipulation. Nine novices and eighteen physicians participated with the physicians being divided into intermediate and expert groups. The participants performed endoscope insertion into a simulator (physicians) or lesion marking on a testbed (novices) and simulate biopsies.

Result

Novices completed the tasks faster and with a lower workload when using robotic manipulation, whereas the experts showed the opposite trend. Still, the intermediates showed no significant difference as trials proceeded. Nevertheless, the learning curve analysis showed that the learning rate in all groups is greater for robotic manipulation (21.02% on average) than for conventional manipulation (13.75%) and predicted that physicians can reach manual performance.

Conclusion

The proposed robotic endoscopy system may allow solo‐manipulation using one controller and may be more intuitive and convenient to use than conventional manipulation.
Autonomous platooning of multiple ground vehicles in rough terrain
Authors: Shin Jongho , Kwak Dong Jun , Kim Jun
Published: September 2020

This study proposes an autonomous platooning algorithm, composed of velocity, and path planning systems, of multiple ground vehicles in rough terrain. The velocity planning system aims to maintain desired distance between preceding and rear vehicles, and the path planning system generates reliable path to make the vehicles move safely under the given rough environment. To supply a reliable velocity command for the maintenance of the predefined distance, a disturbance observer (DOB)‐based control method is employed. An uncertainty‐free longitudinal kinematic model is first utilized for a nominal velocity generator and the DOB is added to the nominal velocity planner for handling various uncertainties generated during the autonomous platooning. On the other hand, the path planning method is developed by employing a passivity‐based model predictive control method. With a derived passivity constraint, the stability of the platooning architecture, that is, the platooning performance, is improved. In addition, the proposed path planning method utilizes dynamic and kinematic models of the ground vehicle as equality constraints, and limited range of states and control input as inequality constraints, and perception result about the vehicle's own neighborhood is employed for generation of the path only in traversable region. Its solution is obtained using the particle swarm optimization method. Then, to follow the generated velocity and path commands, a well developed driving controller, commercially obtainable, is utilized. Finally, field tests are conducted to validate the performance of the proposed algorithm.
Consequences of curricular adaptation strategies for implementation at scale
Authors: Drayton Brian , Bernstein Debra , Schunn Christian , McKenney Susan
Published: September 2020

This study examines and compares how developers designed two primary science curricula to support teacher adaptation and enable use of innovative materials at scale. The two cases—Literacy Science (a science and literacy curriculum for grades 2–5) and Science as Inquiry (a curriculum focused on matter for grades 3–5)—were selected because the curricula shared many key features, yet the designers undertook the challenge of designing for adaptation in substantially different ways. Data sources for analysis included interviews with design team members, the curriculum materials, and a range of project documentation. A comparative case study approach was chosen to enable an examination of key contrasting features within the context of each curriculum. Both curricula provide teachers with supports to enact an inquiry‐based curriculum in ways that honor science epistemologies. However, one designer team designed explicitly for adaptation by providing worked examples that described a range of possible classroom and learner contingencies, along with alternative solutions. By contrast, the other design 9team sought to build teachers' pedagogical capacity by providing access to content and explanations from the cognitive and natural sciences. The paper examines how these design stances informed materials developed to support teachers' content knowledge, as well as students' scientific inquiry and classroom discourse. These approaches represent different points on a continuum of design for adaptation, each with its own consequences for enactment and the design of written materials. The cases provide models for designers seeking to support teachers at scale.
Detained settlements: The infrastructures and temporalities of digital financial transactions between the United States and Cuba
Authors: Tankha Mrinalini
Published: September 2020

In this article, I trace how payment and money transfer systems in Cuba have expanded from underground courier services to digital platforms such as Airbnb and Bitcoin wallets. I focus here on payments being halted and deferred because of U.S. embargo restrictions that prevent correspondent relationships with Cuban retail banks and constantly flag transactions initiated in Cuba. Cubans and visitors to Cuba operating on these digital platforms are therefore exposed to new risks and forms of precarity. In the absence of a robust payment infrastructure, electronic transactions between the two countries have to be propped up and secured by networks of cash circulation. A social infrastructure of trust and informal networks emerges through which digital payment rails get repurposed to settle accounts, particularly when electronic payments get detained. This complicates the premise that cashless futures make payments more inclusive, efficient, secure, or in some cases decentralized, by showing how the histories of U.S. sanctions impede and cripple the ways electronic payment infrastructures work in practice, creating forms of exclusion for those located in “prohibited” regions of the globe.
Efficient estimation of human immunodeficiency virus incidence rate using a pooled cross‐sectional cohort study design
Authors: Molebatsi Kesaobaka , Gabaitiri Lesego , Mokgatlhe Lucky , Moyo Sikhulile , Gaseitsiwe Simani , Wirth Kathleen E. , DeGruttola Victor , Tchetgen Tchetgen Eric
Published: September 2020

Development of methods to accurately estimate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence rate remains a challenge. Ideally, one would follow a random sample of HIV‐negative individuals under a longitudinal study design and identify incident cases as they arise. Such designs can be prohibitively resource intensive and therefore alternative designs may be preferable. We propose such a simple, less resource‐intensive study design and develop a weighted log likelihood approach which simultaneously accounts for selection bias and outcome misclassification error. The design is based on a cross‐sectional survey which queries individuals' time since last HIV‐negative test, validates their test results with formal documentation whenever possible, and tests all persons who do not have documentation of being HIV‐positive. To gain efficiency, we update the weighted log likelihood function with potentially misclassified self‐reports from individuals who could not produce documentation of a prior HIV‐negative test and investigate large sample properties of validated sub‐sample only versus pooled sample estimators through extensive Monte Carlo simulations. We illustrate our method by estimating incidence rate for individuals who tested HIV‐negative within 1.5 and 5 years prior to Botswana Combination Prevention Project enrolment. This article establishes that accurate estimates of HIV incidence rate can be obtained from individuals' history of testing in a cross‐sectional cohort study design by appropriately accounting for selection bias and misclassification error. Moreover, this approach is notably less resource‐intensive compared to longitudinal and laboratory‐based methods.
Partially linear monotone methods with automatic variable selection and monotonicity direction discovery
Authors: Engebretsen Solveig , Glad Ingrid K.
Published: September 2020

In many statistical regression and prediction problems, it is reasonable to assume monotone relationships between certain predictor variables and the outcome. Genomic effects on phenotypes are, for instance, often assumed to be monotone. However, in some settings, it may be reasonable to assume a partially linear model, where some of the covariates can be assumed to have a linear effect. One example is a prediction model using both high‐dimensional gene expression data, and low‐dimensional clinical data, or when combining continuous and categorical covariates. We study methods for fitting the partially linear monotone model, where some covariates are assumed to have a linear effect on the response, and some are assumed to have a monotone (potentially nonlinear) effect. Most existing methods in the literature for fitting such models are subject to the limitation that they have to be provided the monotonicity directions a priori for the different monotone effects. We here present methods for fitting partially linear monotone models which perform both automatic variable selection, and monotonicity direction discovery. The proposed methods perform comparably to, or better than, existing methods, in terms of estimation, prediction, and variable selection performance, in simulation experiments in both classical and high‐dimensional data settings.
On the relationship between association and surrogacy when both the surrogate and true endpoint are binary outcomes
Authors: Meyvisch Paul , Alonso Ariel , Van der Elst Wim , Molenberghs Geert
Published: September 2020

The relationship between association and surrogacy has been the focus of much debate in the surrogate marker literature. Recently, the individual causal association (ICA) has been introduced as a metric of surrogacy in the causal inference framework, when both the surrogate and the true endpoint are normally distributed and when both are binary. Earlier work on the normal case has demonstrated that, although the ICA and the adjusted association are related metrics, their relationship strongly depends on unidentifiable parameters and, consequently, the association between both endpoints conveys little information on the validity of the surrogate. In addition, in the normal setting, the magnitude of the ICA does not depend on the mean of the outcomes. The latter implies that identifiable parameters such as mean responses and treatment effects provide no information on the validity of the surrogate. In the present work it is shown that this is fundamentally different in the binary case. We demonstrate that the observed association between the outcomes as well as the success rates in both treatment groups are quite predictive for the ICA. It is shown that finding a good surrogate will be more likely when the association between the endpoints is large, there are sizeable treatment effects and the success rates for both endpoints are similar in both treatment groups. These results are demonstrated using extensive simulations and illustrated on a case study in multi‐drug resistant tuberculosis.