bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrological management strategies for the control of algal blooms in regulated lowland rivers
Authors: Li Jian , Yin Wei , Jia Haiyan , Xin Xiaokang
Published: April 2021

Reservoirs of lowland floodplain rivers with eutrophic backgrounds cause variations in the hydrological and hydraulic conditions of estuaries and low‐dam reservoir areas, which can promote planktonic algae to proliferate and algal bloom outbreaks. Understanding the ecological effects of variations in hydrological and hydraulic processes in lowland rivers is important for algal bloom control. In this study, the middle and lower reaches of the Han River, China, a typical regulated lowland river with a eutrophic background, are selected. Based on the effect of hydrological and hydraulic variability on algal blooms, a hydrological management strategy for river algal bloom control is proposed. The results showed that (a) differences in river morphology and background nutrient levels cause significant differences in the critical threshold flow velocities for algal bloom outbreaks between natural river and low‐dam reservoir sections; there is no uniform threshold flow velocity for algal bloom control. (b) There are significant differences in the river hydrological/hydraulic conditions between years with and without algal blooms. The average river flow, water level and velocity in years with algal blooms are significantly lower than those in years without algal blooms. (c) For different river sections where algal blooms occur and to meet the threshold flow velocities, the joint operation of cascade reservoirs and diversion projects is an effective method to prevent and control algal blooms in regulated lowland rivers. This study is expected to deepen our understanding of the ecological significance of special hydrological processes and guide algal bloom management in regulated lowland rivers.
Introduction to ‘A tribute to Edward P. Glenn (1947–2017): A legacy of scientific environmental assessment and applications in hydrological processes’
Authors: Nagler Pamela L. , Hultine Kevin R.
Published: April 2021

This special issue (SI) ‘A Tribute to Edward P. Glenn (1947‐2017): A legacy of Scientific Environmental Assessment and Applications in Hydrological Processes’ is a celebration of the extensive work of Dr. Ed Glenn that was instrumental across multiple sub‐disciplines of hydrology. The SI highlights four primary areas of hydrological processes that are cornerstones of Ed Glenn's over four decades of research. These contributions cover the following specialties: (i) Hydrology in the Colorado River Delta; (ii) Riparian ecosystem water use; (iii) Riparian Plant ecophysiology and ecohydrology; and (iv) Methods and models to characterize evapotranspiration. Since Ed was passionate about the dryland delta at the end of the Colorado River, we begin with four research studies that focus on this special region on the U.S.–Mexico border which encompasses four states (Baja and Sonora in Mexico and California and Arizona in United States) as well as tribal communities in the transboundary area. The Colorado River delta reaches the Northern Gulf of California in the Sea of Cortez which has been designated as a UNESCO international biosphere reserve (‘Reserva de la Biosfera El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar’), which includes the Upper Gulf of California and Delta of the Colorado River (‘Reserva de la Biosfera Alto Golfo de California y Delta del Río Colorado’). Ed spent the majority of his last three decades on water balance studies and on ground‐based transpiration quantification for validation of satellite and airborne remote sensing methods. We wrap up the special issue with contributions related to improving satellite and airborne remote sensing estimation of actual evapotranspiration. It is our pleasure to summarize the 16 research studies contributed to the special issue to honour Ed Glenn's research interests.
Immune cytopenias as a continuum in inborn errors of immunity: An in‐depth clinical and immunological exploration
Authors: Zama Daniele , Conti Francesca , Moratti Mattia , Cantarini Maria E. , Facchini Elena , Rivalta Beatrice , Rondelli Roberto , Prete Arcangelo , Ferrari Simona , Seri Marco , Pession Andrea
Published: April 2021

Background

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), and autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) are disorders characterized by immune‐mediated destruction of hematopoietic cell lineages. A link between pediatric immune cytopenias and inborn errors of immunity (IEI) was established in particular in the combined and chronic forms.

Objective

Aim of this study is to provide clinical‐immunological parameters to hematologists useful for a prompt identification of children with immune cytopenias deserving a deeper immunological and genetic evaluation.

Methods

We retrospectively collected 47 pediatric patients with at least one hematological disorder among which persistent/chronic ITP, AIHA, and AIN, aged 0–18 years at onset of immune cytopenias and/or immune‐dysregulation. The cohort was divided into two groups (IEI+ and IEI−), based on the presence/absence of underlying IEI diagnosis. IEI+ group, formed by 19/47 individuals, included: common variable immune deficiency (CVID; 9/19), autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS; 4/19), DiGeorge syndrome (1/19), and unclassified IEI (5/19).

Results

IEI prevalence among patients with ITP, AIHA, AIN, and Evans Syndrome was respectively of 42%, 64%, 36%, and 62%. In IEI+ group the extended immunophenotyping identified the presence of statistically significant (p < .05) specific characteristics, namely T/B lymphopenia, decrease in naїve T‐cells%, switched memory B‐cells%, plasmablasts%, and/or immunoglobulins, increase in effector/central memory T‐cells% and CD21low B‐cells%. Except for DiGeorge and three ALPS patients, only 2/9 CVID patients had a molecular diagnosis for IEI: one carrying the pathogenic variant CR2:c.826delT, the likely pathogenic variant PRF1:c.272C> and the compound heterozygous TNFRSF13B variants p.Ser144Ter (pathogenic) and p.Cys193Arg (variant of uncertain significance), the other one carrying the likely pathogenic monoallelic variant TNFRSF13B:p.Ile87Asn.

Conclusion

The synergy between hematologists and immunologists can improve and fasten diagnosis and management of patients with immune cytopenias through a wide focused clinical/immunophenotypical characterization, which identifies children worthy of IEI‐related molecular analysis, favouring a genetic IEI diagnosis and potentially unveiling new targeted‐gene variants responsible for IEI phenotype.
Retracted: Family planning services use: A shared responsibility between men and women of reproductive age in Hubei province, China
Authors: Kuete Martin , Li CuiLing , Yang Fan , Huang Qiao , Yuan HongFang , Ngueye Sipeuwou Christiane Hilary , Ma XiuLan , Founou Carrel Raspail , Zhao Kai , Xiong ChengLiang , Zhang HuiPing
Published: April 2021

Objective

Effective use of family planning (FP) services significantly improves sexual and reproductive health of both women and men. Recently, the Chinese government has launched the two‐child policy allowing families to have an additional child. This study aimed to explore the population's interest for FP services, unmet needs, and expectations.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study using stratified random sampling was conducted in 102 counties of Hubei province and 17 555 randomized individuals from rural, transitional, and urban areas were interviewed through a guided semi‐structured questionnaire.

Results

The Han ethnicity dominated our population and number of living children per family ranged from zero to six. Although 81% reported FP services and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) as a shared responsibility, the contraceptives used excluding condoms, were mainly intrauterine devices (76%), tubal ligation (16%), and vasectomy (8%). Although 24% of participants had a history of contraceptive failure, effective contraceptive use after failure among men remained lower (6% for tubal ligation and vasectomy) and 74% of naive contraceptive users strongly rejected vasectomy. Demographic factors, awareness of FP services/SRH, discussing and making joint decisions, and gender discrepancies were strongly associated with unmet FP services/SRH needs (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Family planning services use roughly varied with the population's unmet needs and expectations, which should be considered to sustain the strategies.
Role of the support and chloride during the purification of 1‐pentene in alkyne/alkene streams over Pd catalysts
Authors: Cordoba Misael , Betti Carolina , Martínez Bovier Luciana , García Lina , Coloma‐Pascual Fernando , Ramírez Alfonso , Quiroga Mónica E , Lederhos Cecilia R
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Pd nanoparticles over different supports were evaluated during the alkyne selective hydrogenation of medium chain (C7 and C5) and the 1‐pentene purification at mild operational conditions (150 kPa and 303 K). The role of support and chloride was investigated; γ‐Al2O3, γ‐Al2O3 modified with Mg, CaCO3 and activated carbon were used as supports, and PdCl2 as precursor salt. The classical Lindlar catalyst was used as reference.

RESULTS

Surface acidity of supports, active sites dispersion and surface species (MgO, PdxClyOz and/or functional groups) can favor or disfavor the desorption of 1‐alkene during the purification of 1‐pentene stream. The smallest particle sizes (3.8–10.0 nm) favor the dissociative adsorption of hydrogen over Pd° active sites, promoting good catalytic behavior. The best synthesized catalysts are Pd/Al–Mg and Pd/Ca, and their high selectivity (≥90%) is favored by the presence of superficial acidic Lewis sites. On the contrary, lower selectivity (74–80%) is assessed on catalysts with Brönsted acidic sites (Pd/Al and Pd/RX3) that favored the undesired overhydrogenation or isomerization reactions.

CONCLUSION

The geometric and electronic properties of the support have a major influence on the activity and selectivity of the catalysts. Low loaded Pd catalysts supported on Al2O3‐Mg and CaCO3 (Pd/Al‐Mg, Pd/Ca) can be used for the purification of medium or large terminal alkenes at mild reaction conditions as an alternative to the toxic Lindlar commercial catalyst. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Extreme temperature indices in Eurasia in a CMIP6 multi‐model ensemble: Evaluation and projection
Authors: Zhao Yimin , Qian Cheng , Zhang Wenjun , He Dong , Qi Yajie
Published: April 2021

It is important to project the changes in extreme temperature in Eurasia, where more than two‐thirds of the world's population reside. Employing Phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) simulations and extreme temperature indices defined by the expert team on climate change detection and Indices, we firstly evaluate the performance of the CMIP6 models, and then project the spatial patterns of changes in extreme temperature in different periods under shared social‐economic Pathway scenarios and at different global warming levels. The results show that the performance of the CMIP6 models in simulating the indices of the coldest day (TXn), the coldest night (TNn), summer days (SU), tropical nights (TR) and frost days (FD) are good. Therefore, these five indices were selected for projection. Overall, TXn, TNn, SU and TR show an increasing trend and FD a decreasing trend, consistent with global warming in the future. The responses to global warming tend to be strongest in high latitudes for TXn and TNn, in high latitudes and high‐altitude areas for FD, and in some low‐latitude areas for SU and TR. At the local scale over Eurasia, where the change is larger than the regional median level, the changes in extreme temperature indices at 1.5°C of global warming above pre‐industrial levels are projected to be reduced by 30–55% and 55–85%, respectively, compared with the situation at 2.0°C and 3.0 warming. If global warming could be controlled to within 2.0°C, the changes in extreme temperature indices over Eurasia would be reduced by up to 60% compared with the situation at 3.0°C warming. Therefore, if global warming can be controlled to within a low warming target, the risk of extreme temperature change will be greatly reduced in these regions.
Southern African temperature responses to major volcanic eruptions since 1883: Simulated by CMIP5 models
Authors: Harvey Pamela J. , Grab Stefan W.
Published: April 2021

Although volcanic forcing impacts on climate have gained much international attention during recent years, focus has largely been at hemispheric scale, and most particularly on the Northern Hemisphere (NH). Here we investigate the impact of major volcanic eruptions since 1883 on southern African climate, with a view to establishing potential sub‐regional differences across a variety of temporal scales. To this end, we use historical simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, Phase 5 (CMIP5) to study near‐surface temperature responses to four major eruptions (Krakatau, 1883; Santa Maria, 1902; Agung, 1963; Pinatubo, 1991) over six sub‐regions of southern Africa. Results show significant cooling across all sub‐regions after each eruption. However, we detect considerable sub‐regional differences in the amplitude, timing and duration of responses. For instance, stronger temperature departures occur in northern rather than southern sub‐regions where diurnal and annual temperature ranges are normally greater. While significant responses occur within the first year after each eruption, there is a more delayed response in three of the sub‐regions (southwestern coast and central southern Africa) following the Santa Maria eruption. Strongest responses follow the Krakatau eruption in all sub‐regions, while the weakest response follows the Santa Maria eruption in western sub‐regions and the Agung eruption in eastern sub‐regions. Most regions experience the strongest temperature departures during austral autumn and winter (MAM and JJA), and weakest during spring (SON).
Partial‐film mulch returns the same gains in yield and water use efficiency as full‐film mulch with reduced cost and lower pollution: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Lei Tong , Luo Caixia , Zhang Runze , Hu Changlu , Xu Jiaxing , Sadras Victor , Yang Xueyun , Zhang Shulan
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Plastic film mulch is widely used to improve crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE, yield per unit evapotranspiration) in semi‐arid regions. It is commonly applied as partial‐film mulch (PM: at least 50% soil cover) or full‐film mulch (FM: complete soil cover). The PM has lower economic and environmental cost; hence it would be a superior technology provided it delivers similar gains in yield and WUE in relation to FM.

RESULTS

To solve contradictory results from individual studies, we compared FM and PM in a meta‐analysis of 100 studies with 1881 comparisons (685 for wheat; 1196 for maize). Compared with bare ground, FM and PM both increased yield of wheat (20–26%) and maize (37–52%), and WUE of wheat (16–20%) and maize (38–48%), with statistically undistinguishable differences between PM and FM. The increases in crop yield and WUE were stronger at elevation > 1000 m, with annual precipitation<400 mm, and on loess soil, especially for maize.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that partial‐film mulch could replace full‐film mulch to return similar yield and WUE improvement, with reduced cost and environmental pollution. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Differences Between Infectious Disease Events in First Liver Transplant Versus Retransplantation in the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study
Authors: Kusejko Katharina , Neofytos Dionysios , Hirsch Hans H. , Meylan Pascal , Boggian Katia , Hirzel Cedric , Garzoni Christian , Kouyos Roger D. , Mueller Nicolas J. , Schreiber Peter W. ,   the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study
Published: April 2021

Retransplantation after graft failure is increasingly performed, and inferior graft survival, patient survival, and quality of life has been reported. The role of infectious disease (ID) events in this less favorable outcome is unknown. We analyzed ID events after first liver transplantation (FLTpx) and retransplantation (reLTpx) in the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study. Clinical factors were compared after FLTpx and reLTpx, and survival analysis was applied to compare the time to ID events after FLTpx and after reLTpx, adjusted for age, sex, Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score, donor type, liver transplant type (whole versus split liver), and duration of transplant surgery. In total, 60 patients were included (65.0% male, median age of 56 years). Overall, 343 ID events were observed: 204 (59.5%) after the FLTpx and 139 (40.5%) after reLTpx. Bacterial infections were most frequent (193/343, 56.3%), followed by viral (43/343, 12.5%) and fungal (28/343, 8.2%) infections, with less infections by Candida spp. but more by Aspergillus spp. after reLTpx (P = 0.01). The most frequent infection site was bloodstream infection (86, 21.3%), followed by liver and biliary tract (83, 20.5%) and intraabdominal (63, 15.6%) infections. After reLTpx, more respiratory tract and surgical site infections were observed (P < 0.001). The time to first infection was shorter after FLTpx (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.5; 95%‐confidence interval [CI], 0.3‐1.0; P = 0.04). Reduced hazards for ID events after reLTpx were also observed when modelling recurrent events (adjusted HR, 0.5; CI, 0.3‐0.8; P = 0.003). The number of infections was comparable after FLTpx and reLTpx; however, differences regarding infection sites and fungal species were observed. Hazards were reduced for infection after reLTpx.
Paths academic scientists take to entrepreneurship: Disaggregating direct and indirect influences
Authors: Dohse Dirk , Goel Rajeev K. , Göktepe‐Hultén Devrim
Published: April 2021

Based on information from a large sample of German researchers and using business ownership and nascent entrepreneurship as alternative indicators of academic entrepreneurship, we use mediation analysis to analyze the direct effects of researchers' entrepreneurship attitudes, age, gender, and citizenship as well as the related indirect influences. Industrial cooperation, industry consulting, and patenting are used as alternative mediator variables. Focusing first on the overall drivers of academic entrepreneurship, the results show differences in the drivers of business ownership and nascent entrepreneurship. With regard to age, we find positive and significant indirect effects; they are negative for females; and positive for German citizens. The identification of direct and indirect channels of influence on academic entrepreneurship is the main contribution of this work.
On the binomial transforms of the Horadam quaternion sequences
Authors: Kaplan Faruk , Özkoç Öztürk Arzu
Published: April 2021

The main object of the present paper is to consider the binomial transforms for Horadam quaternion sequences. We gave new formulas for recurrence relation, generating function, Binet formula and some basic identities for the binomial sequence of Horadam quaternions. Working with Horadam quaternions, we have found the most general formula that includes all binomial transforms with recurrence relation from the second order. In the last part, we determined the recurrence relation for this new type of quaternion by working with the iterated binomial transform, which is a different type of binomial transform.
Biexponential fitting for noisy data with error propagation
Authors: Lecca Paola , Lecca Michela , Maestri Cecilia Ada , Scarpa Marina
Published: April 2021

Biexponential time‐series models commonly find use in biophysics, biochemistry and pharmacokinetics. Indeed, reactions that are described by biexponential functions are typical for many biological processes. The kinetics of these reactions are modelled by transcendental irrational equations interconnecting the reagent concentrations, time and rate constants. The biexponential is apparently a case of nonlinear regression, and as such, very often the estimate of its parameters is obtained with methods and software tools performing nonlinear fits. The first problem that the user encounters when using these techniques consists in having to provide the software with a not too inaccurate estimate of the intervals within which the parameters can vary. Providing arbitrary initial guesses on the parameter ranges to the nonlinear fit procedure causes its nonconvergence. The second problem is the need to obtain an estimate of the parameters with an error interval due to the propagation of the experimental error that affects the measurements of the dependent variable. In this study, we propose an extension of a well‐established mathematical method based on linearization techniques of integral equations for the efficient and unsupervised estimation of the parameters of a biexponential function. Our extension consists in the integration of a model of error propagation from the measurements of the dependent variable to the parameter estimates. There are three main innovative contributions of this work: (1) having made the unsupervised regression method available in experimental practical applications; (2) having provided methods for error propagation in complex operations, such as integration, matrix inversion and multiplication; (3) the calibration of the biexponential dynamics of (i) water desorption of a small ligand from a surface where two types of binding sites are present and (ii) of the decrease of a determinant of viability of organs sustaining ischaemic injury before transplantation.
Cell lines of the same anatomic site and histologic type show large variability in intrinsic radiosensitivity and relative biological effectiveness to protons and carbon ions
Authors: Flint David B. , Bright Scott J. , McFadden Conor H. , Konishi Teruaki , Ohsawa Daisuke , Turner Broderick , Lin Steven H. , Grosshans David R. , Chiu Hua‐Sheng , Sumazin Pavel , Shaitelman Simona F. , Sawakuchi Gabriel O.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To show that intrinsic radiosensitivity varies greatly for protons and carbon (C) ions in addition to photons, and that DNA repair capacity remains important in governing this variability.

Methods

We measured or obtained from the literature clonogenic survival data for a number of human cancer cell lines exposed to photons, protons (9.9 keV/μm), and C‐ions (13.3–77.1 keV/μm). We characterized their intrinsic radiosensitivity by the dose for 10% or 50% survival (D10% or D50%), and quantified the variability at each radiation quality by the coefficient of variation (COV) in D10% and D50%. We also treated cells with DNA repair inhibitors prior to irradiation to assess how DNA repair capacity affects their variability.

Results

We found no statistically significant differences in the COVs of D10% or D50% between any of the radiation qualities investigated. The same was true regardless of whether the cells were treated with DNA repair inhibitors, or whether they were stratified into histologic subsets. Even within histologic subsets, we found remarkable differences in radiosensitivity for high LET C‐ions that were often greater than the variations in RBE, with brain cancer cells varying in D10% (D50%) up to 100% (131%) for 77.1 keV/μm C‐ions, and non‐small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer cell lines varying up to 55% (76%) and 51% (78%), respectively, for 60.5 keV/μm C‐ions. The cell lines with modulated DNA repair capacity had greater variability in intrinsic radiosensitivity across all radiation qualities.

Conclusions

Even for cell lines of the same histologic type, there are remarkable variations in intrinsic radiosensitivity, and these variations do not differ significantly between photon, proton or C‐ion radiation. The importance of DNA repair capacity in governing the variability in intrinsic radiosensitivity is not significantly diminished for higher LET radiation.
Effect of inhaled oxygen concentration on 129Xe chemical shift of red blood cells in rat lungs
Authors: Friedlander Yonni , Zanette Brandon , Lindenmaier Andras A. , Fliss Jordan , Li Daniel , Emami Kiarash , Jankov Robert P. , Kassner Andrea , Santyr Giles
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To investigate the dependence of dissolved 129Xe chemical shift on the fraction of inhaled oxygen, FiO2, in the lungs of healthy rats.

Methods

The chemical shifts of 129Xe dissolved in red blood cells, δRBC, and blood plasma and/or tissue, δPlasma, were measured using MRS in 12 Sprague Dawley rats mechanically ventilated at FiO2 values of 0.14, 0.19, and 0.22. Regional effects on the chemical shifts were controlled using a chemical shift saturation recovery sequence with a fixed delay time. MRS was also performed at an FiCO2 value of 0.085 to investigate the potential effect of the vascular response on δRBC and δPlasma.

Results

δRBC increased with decreasing FiO2 (P = .0002), and δPlasma showed no dependence on FiO2 (P = .23). δRBC at FiCO2 = 0 (210.7 ppm ± 0.1) and at FiCO2 = 0.085 (210.6 ppm ± 0.2) were not significantly different (P = .67). δPlasma at FiCO2 = 0 (196.9 ppm ± 0.3) and at FiCO2 = 0.085 (197.0 ppm ± 0.1) were also not significantly different (P = .81).

Conclusion

Rat lung δRBC showed an inverse relationship to FiO2, opposite to the relationship previously demonstrated for in vitro human blood. Rat lung δRBC did not depend on FiCO2.
Effects of tamoxifen on cognition and language in women with breast cancer: A systematic search and a scoping review
Authors: Jebahi Fatima , Sharma Saryu , Bloss Jamie E. , Wright Heather H.
Published: April 2021

Objective

Breast cancer treatments bring adverse consequences that interfere with everyday functioning. Importantly, some of these treatments are associated with cognitive and language changes. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator and is a common endocrine therapy treatment for breast cancer. The current review examines the specific domains of cognition and language affected by the use of tamoxifen in women with breast cancer.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search that examined cognitive and/or language functions in chemotherapy‐naïve women with breast cancer taking tamoxifen. PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Grey Literature Report (greylit.org) were searched. Covidence Systematic Review software (covidence.org) was used to manage the screening process of study titles and abstracts as well as full texts. A total of 17 studies were included in the review.

Results

A range of cognitive and language domains were reported. These were grouped into seven broad domains: attention, memory, speed, executive functioning, verbal abilities, visual abilities, and language abilities. Results showed that there is compelling evidence that specific domains of memory and speed are negatively affected by the use of tamoxifen. In addition, there was a pattern of change in domains of executive functions and verbal abilities.

Conclusions

Tamoxifen affects specific cognitive and language domains. Language domains beyond semantics have not been studied and thus conclusions related to these domains, and language in general, could not be made. Studies exploring the effects of tamoxifen on the different domains of language are recommended.
Identification of ABCG transporter genes associated with chlorantraniliprole resistance in Plutella xylostella (L.)
Authors: Shan Jinqiong , Sun Xi , Li Ran , Zhu Bin , Liang Pei , Gao Xiwu
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Plutella xylostella (L.) is a serious worldwide pest that feeds on cruciferous plants and has evolved resistance to different classes of insecticides used for its control, including chlorantraniliprole. ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters, constituting the largest transport family in organisms, are involved in phase III of the detoxification process and may play important roles in insecticide resistance.

RESULTS

A total of 15 ABC transporter transcripts from subfamily G were identified in P. xylostella based on the latest DBM genome. Synergism studies showed that treatment with verapamil, a potent inhibitor of ABC transporters, significantly increased the toxicity of chlorantraniliprole against larvae of two chlorantraniliprole‐resistant P. xylostella populations (NIL and BL). ABCG2, ABCG5, ABCG6, ABCG9, ABCG11, ABCG14 and ABCG15 were significantly overexpressed in NIL and BL compared with the susceptible population (SS), and ABCG1, ABCG6, ABCG8, ABCG9, ABCG14 and ABCG15 were significantly upregulated after treatment with the LC50 of chlorantraniliprole in SS. Subsequently, ABCG6, ABCG9 and ABCG14, which were overexpressed in both NIL and BL and could be induced in SS, were chosen for functional study. RNAi‐mediated knockdown of each of the three ABCGs significantly increased the sensitivity of larvae to chlorantraniliprole. These results confirmed that overexpression of ABCG6, ABCG9 and ABCG14 may contribute to chlorantraniliprole resistance in P. xylostella.

CONCLUSION

Overexpression of some genes in the ABCG subfamily is involved in P. xylostella resistance to chlorantraniliprole. These results may help to establish a foundation for further studies investigating the role played by ABC transporters in chlorantraniliprole resistance in P. xylostella or other insect pests. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Zoxamide accumulation and retention evaluation after nanosuspension technology application in tomato plant
Authors: Corrias Francesco , Melis Anna , Atzei Alessandro , Marceddu Salvatore , Dedola Fabrizio , Sirigu Antonella , Pireddu Rosa , Lai Francesco , Angioni Alberto
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Low water solubility of pesticide requires formulations with high levels of stabilizers and organic solvents. Moreover, only 0.1% of the applied pesticides formulation reaches the target, while 99.9% spreads in the surrounding environment. Therefore, there is the need for more efficient and environmentally sustainable alternatives.

RESULTS

Zoxamide (ZO) nanosuspension was prepared through a media milling technique by using the stabilizer polysorbate 80. The thin and acicular crystals obtained, showed particle size of 227 nm, polydispersion index of 0.247 and zeta potential of −28 mV. Dimensional data and morphology of ZO nanocrystals alone, on tomato leaves and berries, were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The reduction in size for ZO crystals obtained after the milling process increased pesticide water solubility till 39.6 mg L−1, about 1.6 the solubility obtained with a conventional commercial formulation. Field and dip contamination trials performed on tomato plants showed the nanosuspension's ability to increase ZO deposition and accumulation versus a coarse ZO suspension and commercial formulation, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The nanoformulation proposed, resulted in low cost and was easy to make. Moreover, the organic solvent‐free composition together with a low surfactant addition assured a minor environmental impact. Finally, the increased retention and deposition of the fungicide can reduce the amounts of ZO formulation applied to tomatoes. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Synthesis and biological activity of novel Pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐one derivatives as potent antifungal agent
Authors: Wang Wei , Cheng Xiang , Cui Xue , Xia Dongguo , Wang Ziqing , Lv Xianhai
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

To promote the discovery and development of new fungicide with novel scaffolds or modes of action, a series of novel 5‐(2‐chloroethyl)‐1‐phenyl‐6‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,5‐dihydro‐4H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐one derivatives were synthesized, and evaluated for their antifungal activities.

RESULTS

The bioassay data showed that compound 8IIId (EC50 = 1.93 mg L−1) is superior to boscalid (EC50 = 6.71 mg L−1) against Valsa mali. We introduced chiral groups on the structure of 8IIId, and two chiral configurations were respectively synthesized, which are 8Vc and 8Vd. Surprisingly, 8Vc showed significant antifungal activities against Valsa mali and Physalospora piricola with EC50 values of 0.22 and 0.55 mg L−1. Physiological and biochemical studies showed that the primary action mechanism of compound 8Vc on Valsa mali may involve changing mycelial morphology and increasing cell membrane permeability.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrated that 8Vc could be further modified as fungicide and provided a valuable reference for antifungal agents with pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐one skeleton. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Performance matching between the surface structure of cucumber powdery mildew in different growth stages and the properties of surfactant solution
Authors: He Lifei , Ding Lei , Waterhouse Geoffrey I N , Li Beixing , Liu Feng , Li Peiqiang
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Understanding performance matching of pesticide droplets on the surface of cucumber leaves modified by powdery mildew is of practical importance for the agricultural sector. Here, the surface texture and wettability of cucumber leaves covered by powdery mildew were systematically examined using parameters such as micromorphology, physicochemical properties, and liquid droplet contact angle measurements.

RESULTS

Our results show that powdery mildew growth can be divided into four distinct stages according to the surface texture characteristics of the diseased cucumber leaves. The three‐dimensional (3D) surface structures of powdery mildew layers on cucumber leaves had individual characteristics at different mildew growth stages, among which powdery mildew was more easily spread in the last growth stage, and powdery mildew height was greatest in the NO. 2 growth stage (Sa = 425.35 μm). Surface free energy values, static contact angle, and contact angle hysteresis all correlated strongly with the surface characteristics of powdery mildew layers at different growth stages. When the concentration of surfactant reached the critical micelle concentration, the wetting state of AEO‐5 solution droplets on the surface of cucumber powdery mildew leaves reached the Wenzel state more easily. The wettability of a droplet on the leaf surface depends on the state of the monomer and micelle in the surfactant solution and the surface characteristics of the powdery mildew‐covered leaf.

CONCLUSION

The 3D structure and relative dielectric constant of powdery mildew‐covered leaves influenced surface texture characteristics, which in turn controlled the wetting and matching ability of surfactant droplets on diseased leaves. This work provides valuable new insights into the matching of the structure of powdery mildew‐covered plant leaves with the properties of surfactant solutions. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
An Antibacterial Nanorobotic Approach for the Specific Targeting and Removal of Multiple Drug‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Batool Nayab , Yoon Seokyoung , Imdad Saba , Kong Minsuk , Kim Hun , Ryu Sangryeol , Lee Jung Heon , Chaurasia Akhilesh Kumar , Kim Kyeong Kyu
Published: April 2021

Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causes diseases ranging from skin infections to lethal sepsis and has become a serious threat to human health due to multiple‐drug resistance (MDR). Therefore, a resistance‐free antibacterial therapy is necessary to overcome MDR MRSA infections. In this study, an antibacterial nanorobot (Ab‐nanobot) is developed wherein a cell wall‐binding domain (CBD)‐endolysin, acting as a sensor, is covalently conjugated with an actuator consisting of an iron oxide/silica core–shell. The CBD‐endolysin sensor shows an excellent specificity to detect, bind, and accumulate on the S. aureus USA300 cell surface even in a bacterial consortium, and in host cell infections. Ab‐nanobot specifically captures and kills MRSA in response to medically approved radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic stimulation (EMS) signal. When Ab‐nanobot receives the RF‐EMS signal on the cell surface, actuator induces cell death in MRSA with 99.999% removal within 20 min by cell‐wall damage via generation of localized heat and reactive oxygen species. The in vivo efficacy of Ab‐nanobot is proven using a mice subcutaneous skin infection model. Collectively, this study offers a nanomedical resistance‐free strategy to overcome MDR MRSA infections by providing a highly specific nanorobot for S. aureus.
Bevel Structure Based XPS Analysis as a Non‐Destructive Chemical Probe for Complex Interfacial Structures of Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Yun Dong‐Jin , Lee Seunghyup , Kim Seong Heon , Jung Changhoon , Kim Yong Su , Chung Jae Gwan , Heo Sung , Kwon Young‐Nam , Lee Eunha , Kim Ji‐Seon , Ko Dong‐Su , Kim Se Yun
Published: April 2021

The bevel structure of organic multilayers produced by finely controlled Ar gas cluster ion beam sputtering preserves both the molecular distribution and chemical states. Nevertheless, there is still an important question of whether this method can be applicable to organic multilayer structures composed of complex or ambiguous interfaces used in real organic optoelectronic devices. Herein, various bevel structures are fabricated from different types of organic semiconductors using a solution‐based deposition technique: complicatedly intermixed electron‐donor and electron‐acceptor bulk heterojunction structure, thin film structure with an internal donor‐acceptor concentration gradient, and multi‐layered structure with more than three layers. For these organic material combinations listed above, the bevel structure is fabricated with finely tuned Ar gas cluster ion beam sputtering. The location‐dependent X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results obtained for each bevel structure exactly correspond to the XPS depth profiles. This result demonstrates that the bevel structure analysis is a powerful method to distinguish subtle differences in chemical component distributions and chemical states of organic semiconductors even with complex or ambiguous interfaces. Ultimately, due to its reliability as verified by this study, the proposed bevel structure analysis is expected to greatly expand other analytical techniques with a limited spatial or depth resolution.
Study on the Capillary Interaction Between Particles on the Surface of High‐Temperature Melts
Authors: Wang Linzhu , Yang Shufeng , Li Junqi , Chen Chaoyi , Li Changrong , Li Xiang
Published: April 2021

The aggregation behavior of particles affects the melting process and performance of metallic materials. The capillary interaction between particles on the surface of melts is studied based on Kralchevsky–Paunov model and simulation of contact line profile around particle. The calculated capillary force based on Kralchevsky–Paunov model indicates that the tendency for affecting the aggregation behavior is particle–melt contact angle > particle radius > distance between particle pairs > particle density > surface energy of melts. The chemical compositions of liquid steel superposition effect on the capillary force is great, and it is found that the capillary force between Al2O3 particle pair decreases with increasing O content, but increases with increasing S content. The capillary force between MgAl2O4 particle pair increases with increasing O and S contents. The calculated results are compared with the experimental results. It is found that the change trends of calculated capillary force and attraction force are same, but a majority of calculated capillary force is smaller than the observed one. The discrepancy between them is analyzed systematically in terms of selective attraction based on a simulation of the contact line profile for unwettable particles.
The Significant Impact of Ti Addition on the Hot Deformation Behavior of Medium‐Manganese Microalloyed Steel
Authors: Dong Ying , Zhang Bin , Du Yu , Du Lin-Xiu , Misra Raja Devesh Kumar
Published: April 2021

The constitutive analysis and microstructural characteristics of Ti microalloyed medium‐Mn steel are studied here by hot deformation test in the temperature range of 1123–1473 K and at the strain rates from 0.01 to 10 s−1 based on thermal simulation. Furthermore, the effect of Ti addition on hot deformation behavior is elucidated. The results indicate that the fluctuation of flow stress, which is sensitive to deformation conditions, is a result of dynamic equilibrium between strain hardening and thermally activated work softening. Flow stress constitutive equations for low Ti and high Ti content steels are developed with an average deformation activation energy Q of 456.1 and 350.9 kJ mol−1, respectively. The morphologies of prior austenite grain (PAG) and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) behavior are dramatically influenced by the compression parameters and the Ti content. The PAG size decreases with the increase in the Ti content, which can accelerate the progress in the DRX process. As a result, the refined martensite lath is obtained in the steel with high Ti content.
Local bond behavior of bundled bars: Experimental investigation
Authors: Metelli Giovanni , Cairns John , Conforti Antonio , Plizzari Giovanni A.
Published: April 2021

The use of bundled bars in highly loaded concrete members instead of individual bars can reduce or even avoid reinforcement congestion, allowing easier placing and compaction of concrete, since bundles (with two or more side‐by‐side bars) are less obstructive to fresh‐concrete flow. However, there is still a lack in knowledge of the fundamental phenomena related to the bond behavior of bars in bundles. Therefore, design code rules for anchorages and splices differ significantly among International Standards (Eurocode 2, fib Model Code 2010, and ACI 318–19). The present paper reports the results of more than 100 pullout tests with short embedded length with the aim of comparing the local bond behavior of bundles with that of corresponding notional individual bars. Among the three criteria usually introduced to compare bundled and individual bars, based on the concepts of “equivalent sectional area,” and “minimum or maximum sectional perimeter,” the first and the second are introduced in this paper. Experimental results show that both criteria are suitable methods for evaluating the bearing capacity of bundled bar anchorages, even if equivalent area criterion seems to be slightly more conservative. The experimental results provide also information on the bursting forces generated by the wedge action of the ribs which clearly increases with bar diameter. Finally, experimental results are compared with design rules for anchorage strength of bundled bars as prescribed by fib‐Model Code 2010.
Improving antibacterial, biocompatible, and reusable properties of polyvinyl chloride via the addition of aluminum alkoxides
Authors: Zhang Manqi , Li Degang , Dong Tianbao , Hou Xiaoxiao , Zhang Xiao , Liu Hongliang , Liu Lihong , Tang Shouyu , Liu Shaomin
Published: April 2021

Global bacterial infections associated with conventional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) medical devices place a heavy burden on healthcare systems and thus it will be desirable if medical devices are made from antimicrobial PVC. There are numerous studies focusing on polymer surface modifications to either leach antimicrobial agents or kill pathogenic microbes upon direct contact. In this work, mannitol fumarate ester‐based aluminum metal alkoxide (MFE‐Al) additive was developed to confer simultaneously improved antibacterial property and enhanced high temperature sterilization resistance of the resultant PVC. Data obtained confirm that the MFE‐Al stabilized PVC sheets significantly inhibit 98% bacterial growth. They also show biocompatibility with cultured H9C2 cardiomyocytes and hemocompatibility in vitro. Dry heat sterilization is generally not suitable for PVC medical wares due to their poor thermal compatibility. Surprisingly, our antimicrobial‐biocompatible PVC can maintain stability at 180°C for 90 min. Such a high thermal stability indicates the MFE‐Al stabilized PVC can endure 90 cycles of dry‐heat sterilization without significant damage. This study may provide a solution to reduce PVC medical waste for a maximum benefit without compromising human health or the environment.
Non-Riemannian isometries from double field theory
Authors: Blair Chris D. A. , Oling Gerben , Park Jeong-Hyuck
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We explore the notion of isometries in non-Riemannian geometries. Such geometries include and generalise the backgrounds of non-relativistic string theory, and they can be naturally described using the formalism of double field theory. Adopting this approach, we first solve the corresponding Killing equations for constant flat non-Riemannian backgrounds and show that they admit an infinite-dimensional algebra of isometries which includes a particular type of supertranslations. These symmetries correspond to known worldsheet Noether symmetries of the Gomis-Ooguri non-relativistic string, which we now interpret as isometries of its non-Riemannian doubled background. We further consider the extension to supersymmetric double field theory and show that the corresponding Killing spinors can depend arbitrarily on the non-Riemannian directions, leading to “supersupersymmetries” that square to supertranslations.
AdS superprojectors
Authors: Buchbinder E. I. , Hutchings D. , Kuzenko S. M. , Ponds M.
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Within the framework of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 anti-de Sitter (AdS) supersymmetry in four dimensions, we derive superspin projection operators (or superprojectors). For a tensor superfield $$ {\mathfrak{V}}_{\alpha (m)\overset{\cdot }{\alpha }(n)}:= {\mathfrak{V}}_{\left(\alpha 1\dots \alpha m\right)\left({\overset{\cdot }{\alpha}}_1\dots {\overset{\cdot }{\alpha}}_n\right)} $$

V

α

m

α
⋅

n

≔

V

α
1
…
αm

α
⋅

1

…

α
⋅

n

on AdS superspace, with m and n non-negative integers, the corresponding superprojector turns $$ {\mathfrak{V}}_{\alpha (m)\overset{\cdot }{\alpha }(n)} $$

V

α

m

α
⋅

n

into a multiplet with the properties of a conserved conformal supercurrent. It is demonstrated that the poles of such superprojectors correspond to (partially) massless multiplets, and the associated gauge transformations are derived. We give a systematic discussion of how to realise the unitary and the partially massless representations of the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 AdS4 superalgebra $$ \mathfrak{osp} $$
osp
(1|4) in terms of on-shell superfields. As an example, we present an off-shell model for the massive gravitino multiplet in AdS4. We also prove that the gauge-invariant actions for superconformal higher-spin multiplets factorise into products of minimal second-order differential operators.
Discovery potential of FASERν with contained vertex and through-going events
Authors: Bakhti Pouya , Farzan Yasaman , Pascoli Silvia
Published: April 2021

Abstract

FASERν is a newly proposed detector whose main mission is to detect the neutrino flux from the collision of the proton beams at the ATLAS Interaction Point (IP) during the run III of the LHC in 2022–2024. We show that this detector can also test certain beyond standard model scenarios, especially the ones in which the neutrino interaction with matter fields can produce new unstable particles decaying back into charged leptons. Models of this kind are motivated by the MiniBooNE anomaly. We show that, if the new physics involves multi-muon production by neutrinos scattering off matter fields, including the neutrino flux interactions in the rock before the detector in the analysis (i.e., accounting for the through-going muon pairs) can significantly increase the effective detector mass and its sensitivity to new physics. We propose a concrete model that can give rise to such a multi-muon signal.