bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward the global magnetic field of the planet‐hosting red giant eps Tau
Authors: Plachinda Sergei Ivanovich , Butkovskaya Varvara Vladimirovna , Pankov Nikolai Fedorovich
Published: March 2021

We present the results of a search for the magnetic field inhomogeneity for the red giant ϵ Tau. This research is based on observations obtained over 10 nights in 2008–2010 with the ESPaDOnS CFHT spectropolarimeter. We found a previously undescribed instrumental effect in the ESPaDOnS spectra, consisting of random polarization outliers. Therefore, to measure the magnetic field from the unblended individual lines, we preliminarily cleared the initial array of spectral lines from the lines distorted by polarization outliers. On only one date from 10, the magnetic field of ϵ Tau was found to exceed 3σ. We also revealed that during two nights the time series of the magnetic field values shows a distribution that is different from the normal distribution. A hypothesis was put forward that this may be due to the inhomogeneity of the magnetic field of this star.
The seesaw between normal function and protein aggregation: How functional interactions may increase protein solubility
Authors: Temussi Piero Andrea , Tartaglia Gian Gaetano , Pastore Annalisa
Published: March 2021

Protein aggregation has been studied for at least 3 decades, and many of the principles that regulate this event are relatively well understood. Here, however, we present a different perspective to explain why proteins aggregate: we argue that aggregation may occur as a side‐effect of the lack of one or more natural partners that, under physiologic conditions, would act as chaperones. This would explain why the same surfaces that have evolved for functional purposes are also those that favour aggregation. In the course of reviewing this field, we substantiate our hypothesis with three paradigmatic examples that argue for the generality of our proposal. An obvious corollary of this hypothesis is, of course, that targeting the physiological partners of a protein could be the most direct and specific approach to designing anti‐aggregation molecules. Our analysis may thus inform a different strategy for combating diseases of protein aggregation and misfolding.
Comparative pharmacokinetic and bioavailability study of lobetyolin in rats after administration of lobetyolin and Codonopsis pilosula extract by ultra‐performance LC–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Dong Jiajia , Cheng Ming , Xue Rong , Deng Chang , Liu Huanhuan , Zhang Ting , Lu Tulin , Mao Chunqin , Xiao Shuxian , Li Lin , Pi Wenxia
Published: March 2021

Codonopsis pilosula (CP) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to invigorate spleen, replenish lung, nourish blood and engender fluid. A rapid, selective and sensitive ultra‐performance LC–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated to determine lobetyolin in rat plasma. The calibration curve showed good linearity over a concentration range of 0.46–1000 ng/mL for lobetyolin. The extraction recovery ranged from 72.5% to 89.1% with matrix effects of 81.6%–107.8%. The intra‐ and inter‐batch precision and accuracy were 0.02–14.4% and −13.9% to −1.36%, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the bioavailability study of lobetyolin in rats after oral administration of pure lobetyolin and CP extract. Results showed that the elimination half‐time (t1/2) and the area under the concentration–time curve from zero to infinity of lobetyolin in CP extract were statistically different from those of the pure monomer (P < 0.05). However, the time to reach the maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) and the maximum concentration (Cmax) showed no significant differences between the two treatments. Furthermore, the bioavailability of lobetyolin in the experimental group was only 3.90%, significantly lower than that of the CP extract group (6.97%). The low bioavailability indicated that this component may be absorbed poorly or metabolized extensively in rats. Our results will provide useful information for further preclinical studies and formulation preparation of lobetyolin.
Working memory in schizophrenia: The role of the locus coeruleus and its relation to functional brain networks
Authors: Suttkus Stefanie , Schumann Andy , de la Cruz Feliberto , Bär Karl‐Jürgen
Published: March 2021

Evidence suggests functional brain networks, especially the executive control network (ECN) and default mode network (DMN), to be abnormal in schizophrenia. Dysfunctions within the locus coeruleus (LC)‐noradrenaline (NE) system, which is supposed to be pivotal to modulate neuronal network activation during executive control (e.g., working memory function), are also considered to play a vital role in the occurrence of positive (e.g., hallucinatory) or negative (e.g., inattentive) symptoms in these patients. In the present study, we sought to shed further light on the role of the LC‐NE system in patients with schizophrenia. More specifically, we wanted to improve our understanding of the relationship and possible disturbances of the ECN and DMN during a working memory task in patients. A total of 58 healthy control subjects and 40 medicated patients with schizophrenia were investigated using a working memory 3‐back task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Main findings of our present study were differential dynamics of ECN and DMN blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) activations with increasing task demands in both patients and controls. Moreover, we found increased BOLD activation in the LC in patients compared to controls in the interaction contrast between groups and conditions. LC BOLD activation significantly correlated with both, the main hub of the ECN, that is, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and of the DMN, that is, the posterior cingulate cortex. Thus, the LC‐NE system seems to be crucial in modulating neuronal network activity in a 3‐back working memory task and might significantly contribute to cognitive impairments in schizophrenia.
Dual aortic aneurysms with coronary artery and multiple cerebrovascular stenoses
Authors: Hashimoto Masafumi , Mogi Kenji , Sakurai Manabu , Tani Kengo , Ito Shuntaro , Takahara Yoshiharu
Published: March 2021

Total debranching thoracic endovascular aortic repair is useful for avoiding neurological complications in cases where cardiopulmonary bypass is difficult and for devising an intraoperative cervical branch reconstruction method.
Quantized Electrodes: Atomic Palladium and Gold in Polyaniline
Authors: McDaniel Jesse G. , Josowicz Mira , Janata Jiří
Published: March 2021

Electrochemically deposited PdmAun metal clusters on a polyaniline‐coated Pt electrode have been shown to exhibit an “ordering effect”, in which the catalytic activity for n‐propanol oxidation depends sensitively on the precise order that the metal atoms are deposited. For example, tri‐atomic Pd2Au clusters exhibit different catalytic activity for electrodeposition order Pd−Pd−Au compared to Pd−Au−Pd on the polyaniline (PANI)/Pt matrix. In this work, we utilize density functional theory (DFT) to elucidate the structure and energetics of tri‐atomic PdmAun clusters attached to a model PANI support. We provide a rationale for the experimentally observed “ordering effect” in terms of specific covalent interactions between the metal atoms and PANI framework that alter the net stability of the metal catalyst. We find that hydroxyl radical binding energies computed for the model catalytic systems provide a good descriptor for the experimentally measured catalytic activity for n‐propanol oxidation. In addition, the good correlation between experiment/theory serves as additional confirmation of our proposed catalytic structures and rationale of the previously unexplained “ordering effect”. Our study highlights the important role of the PANI support in determining the activity of uniquely‐defined, atomic metal catalysts.
Sustainable and Robust Graphene Cellulose Paper Decorated with Lithiophilic Au Nanoparticles to Enable Dendrite‐free and High‐Power Lithium Metal Anode
Authors: Diao Wan‐Yue , Xie Dan , Li Yan‐Fei , Jiang Ru , Tao Fang‐Yu , Sun Hai‐Zhu , Wu Xing‐Long , Zhang Xiao‐Ying , Zhang Jing‐Ping
Published: March 2021

Lithium metal anodes (LMAs) with high energy density have recently captured increasing attention for development of next‐generation batteries. However, practical viability of LMAs is hindered by the uncontrolled Li dendrite growth and infinite dimension change. Even though constructing 3D conductive skeleton has been regarded as a reliable strategy to prepare stable and low volume stress LMAs, engineering the renewable and lithiophilic conductive scaffold is still a challenge. Herein, a robust conductive scaffold derived from renewable cellulose paper, which is coated with reduced graphene oxide and decorated with lithiophilic Au nanoparticles, is engineered for LMAs. The graphene cellulose fibres with high surface area can reduce the local current density, while the well‐dispersed Au nanoparticles can serve as lithiophilic nanoseeds to lower the nucleation overpotential of Li plating. The coupled relationship can guarantee uniform Li nucleation and unique spherical Li growth into 3D carbon matrix. Moreover, the natural cellulose paper possesses outstanding mechanical strength to tolerate the volume stress. In virtue of the modulated deposition behaviour and near‐zero volume change, the hybrid LMAs can achieve reversible Li plating/stripping even at an ultrahigh current density of 10 mA cm−2 as evidenced by high Coulombic efficiency (97.2 % after 60 cycles) and ultralong lifespan (1000 cycles) together with ultralow overpotential (25 mV). Therefore, this strategy sheds light on a scalable approach to multiscale design versatile Li host, promising highly stable Li metal batteries to be feasible and practical.
Controlled Synthesis of Large Single Crystals of Metal‐Organic Framework CPO‐27‐Ni Prepared by a Modulation Approach: In situ Single‐Crystal X‐ray Diffraction Studies
Authors: Vornholt Simon M. , Elliott Caroline G. , Rice Cameron M. , Russell Samantha E. , Kerr Peter J. , Rainer Daniel N. , Mazur Michal , Warren Mark R. , Wheatley Paul S. , Morris Russell E.
Published: March 2021

The size of single crystals of the metal‐organic framework CPO‐27‐Ni was incrementally increased through a series of modulated syntheses. A novel linker modulated synthesis using 2,5‐dihydroxyterephthalic acid and the isomeric ligand 4,6‐dihydroxyisophthalic acid yielded large single crystals of CPO‐27‐Ni (∼70 μm). All materials were shown to have high crystallinity and phase purity through powder X‐ray diffraction, electron microscopy methods, thermogravimetry, and compositional analysis. For the first time single‐crystal structure analyses were carried out on CPO‐27‐Ni. High BET surface areas and nitric oxide (NO) release efficiencies were recorded for all materials. Large single crystals of CPO‐27‐Ni showed a prolonged NO release and proved suitable for in situ single‐crystal diffraction experiments to follow the NO adsorption. An efficient activation protocol was developed, leading to a dehydrated structure after just 4 h, which subsequently was NO‐loaded, leading to a first NO loaded single‐crystal structural model of CPO‐27‐Ni.
Easy Access to Versatile Catalytic Systems for C−H Activation and Reductive Amination Based on Tetrahydrofluorenyl Rhodium(III) Complexes
Authors: Kharitonov Vladimir B. , Runikhina Sofiya A. , Nelyubina Yulia V. , Muratov Dmitry V. , Chusov Denis , Loginov Dmitry A.
Published: March 2021

On the basis of the 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydrofluorenyl ligand, a simple approach was developed to new effective rhodium catalysts for the construction of C−C and C−N bonds. The halide compounds [(η5‐tetrahydrofluorenyl)RhX2]2 (2 a: X=Br; 2 b: X=I) were synthesized by treatment of the bis(ethylene) derivative (η5‐tetrahydrofluorenyl)Rh(C2H4)2 (1 a) with halogens. An analogous reaction of the cyclooctadiene complex (η5‐tetrahydrofluorenyl)Rh(cod) (1 b) with I2 is complicated by the side formation of [(cod)RhI]2. The reaction of 2 b with 2,2′‐bipyridyl leads to cation [(η5‐tetrahydrofluorenyl)Rh(2,2′‐bipyridyl)I]+ (3). The halide abstraction from 2 a,b with thallium or silver salts allowed us to prepare sandwich compounds with incoming cyclopentadienyl, dicarbollide and mesityleneligands [(η5‐tetrahydrofluorenyl)RhCp]+ (4), (η5‐tetrahydrofluorenyl)Rh(η‐7,8‐C2B9H11) (5), and [(η5‐tetrahydrofluorenyl)Rh(η‐mesitylene)]2+ (6). The structures of 1 b, 2 b ⋅ 2I2, 3PF6, 4TlI4, 5, and [(cod)RhI]2 were determined by X‐ray diffraction. Compounds 2 a,b efficiently catalyze the oxidative coupling of benzoic acids with alkynes to selectively give isocoumarins or naphthalenes, depending on the reaction temperature. Moreover, they showed moderate catalytic activity in other annulations of alkynes with aromatic compounds (such as benzamide, acetanilide, etc.) which proceed through CH activation. Compound 2 b also effectively catalyzes the reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones in the presence of carbon monoxide and water via water‐gas shift reaction, giving amines in high yields (67–99 %).
Clinical characteristics, medical service utilization, and expenditure for colorectal cancer in China, 2005 to 2014: Overall design and results from a multicenter retrospective epidemiologic survey
Authors: Shi Ju‐Fang , Wang Le , Ran Jian‐Chao , Wang Hong , Liu Cheng‐Cheng , Zhang Hai‐Zeng , Yang Lin , Shi Su‐Sheng , Jiang Li‐Ming , Fan Jin‐Hu , Zhang Yue‐Ming , Wang Wei‐Hu , Ren Jian‐Song , Zhu Lin , Zheng Zhao‐Xu , Sun Yong‐Kun , Zou Shuang‐Mei , Jiang Jun , Chen Bo , Chen Hong‐Da , Liu Guo‐Xiang , Yang Li , Huang Yun‐Chao , Guo Lan‐Wei , Wang De‐Bin , Zhang Yong‐Zhen , Mao A‐Yan , Wang Jia‐Lin , Gong Ji‐Yong , Wei Dong‐Hua , Qiu Wu‐Qi , Song Bing‐Bing , Zhang Kai , Li Ni , Feletto Eleonora , Lew Jie‐Bin , Qiao You‐Lin , Chen Wan‐Qing , Dai Min , He Jie
Published: March 2021

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in China, however, publicly available, descriptive information on the clinical epidemiology of CRC is limited.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with primary CRC during 2005 through 2014 were sampled from 13 tertiary hospitals in 9 provinces across China. Data related to sociodemographic characteristics, the use of diagnostic technology, treatment adoption, and expenditure were extracted from individual medical records.

Results

In the full cohort of 8465 patients, the mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 59.3 ± 12.8 years, 57.2% were men, and 58.7% had rectal cancer. On average, 14.4% of patients were diagnosed with stage IV disease, and this proportion increased from 13.5% in 2005 to 20.5% in 2014 (P value for trend < .05). For diagnostic techniques, along with less use of x‐rays (average, 81.6%; decreased from 90.0% to 65.7%), there were increases in the use of computed tomography (average, 70.4%; increased from 4.5% to 90.5%) and magnetic resonance imaging (average, 8.8%; increased from 0.1% to 20.4%) over the study period from 2005 to 2014. With regard to treatment, surgery alone was the most common (average, 50.1%), but its use decreased from 51.3% to 39.8% during 2005 through 2014; and the use of other treatments increased simultaneously, such as chemotherapy alone (average, 4.1%; increased from 4.1% to 11.9%). The average medical expenditure per patient was 66,291 Chinese Yuan (2014 value) and increased from 47,259 to 86,709 Chinese Yuan.

Conclusions

The increasing proportion of late‐stage diagnoses presents a challenge for CRC control in China. Changes in diagnostic and treatment options and increased expenditures are clearly illustrated in this study. Coupled with the recent introduction of screening initiatives, these data provide an understanding of changes over time and may form a benchmark for future related evaluations of CRC interventions in China.
CPU overheating prediction in HPC systems
Authors: Platini Marc , Ropars Thomas , Pelletier Benoit , De Palma Noel
Published: March 2021

With the increase in size of supercomputers, also increases the number of abnormal events. CPU overheating is one such event that decreases the system efficiency: when a CPU overheats, it reduces its frequency. This paper presents a machine learning solution to predict such events. The proposed algorithm is based on dynamic time warping for feature extraction and on a machine learning algorithm for classification. It predicts overheating events solely by analyzing the trends of the temperature of the CPUs and can deal with very low temperature sampling rates while having a negligible computational cost in practice. Our evaluation, using data coming from a production supercomputer, shows that the proposed solution can make predictions a few minutes in advance with a good accuracy. Furthermore, considering two simple preventive actions to avoid CPU overheating events, we present an analytical study that shows that our predictive solution is good enough to allow a significant reduction of the cost of overheating events.
Research on intelligent design mechanism of landscape lamp with regional cultural value based on interactive genetic algorithm
Authors: Wei Zhen , Nie Jinghuan
Published: March 2021

This article aims to study the design mechanism of landscape lamp modeling based on regional cultural characteristics by using intelligent design methods. Big data technology is used to mine regional cultural level factors from four dimensions: regional, cultural, artistic, and functional. The weight values of all these factors are ranked by analytic hierarchy process (AHP) evaluation system. Meanwhile, the objective fitness of interactive genetic algorithm (IGA) is constructed according to the weight values. Design rules are added to constrain individuals to influence the iteration and output of design process by intelligent means. The intelligent design mechanism of landscape lamp with regional cultural value is constructed by IGA. The intelligent design mechanism based on AHP‐IGA is helpful to improve the iterative efficiency of interactive process and reduce project development cost.
Isomer‐Specific Vibrational Spectroscopy of Microhydrated Lithium Dichloride Anions: Spectral Fingerprint of Solvent‐Shared Ion Pairs
Authors: Chakraborty Arghya , Schmahl Sonja , Asmis Knut R.
Published: March 2021

The vibrational spectroscopy of lithium dichloride anions microhydrated with one to three water molecules, [LiCl2(H2O)1–3]−, is studied in the OH stretching region (3800–2800 cm−1) using isomer‐specific IR/IR double‐resonance population labelling experiments. The spectroscopic fingerprints of individual isomers can only be unambiguously assigned after anharmonic effects are considered, but then yield molecular level insight into the onset of salt dissolution in these gas phase model systems. Based on the extent of the observed frequency shifts ΔνOH of the hydrogen‐bonded OH stretching oscillators solvent‐shared ion pair motifs (<3200 cm−1) can be distinguished from intact‐core structures (>3200 cm−1). The characteristic fingerprint of a water molecule trapped directly in‐between two ions of opposite charge provides an alternative route to evaluate the extent of ion pairing in aqueous electrolyte solutions.
Numerical Simulation of the Hydrodynamics and Mass Transfer in the Cuboid KDP Crystal Growth under the Jet‐Rotating Crystal Method
Authors: Liu Hang , Li Mingwei , Yin Huawei , Chen Duanyang , Qi Hongji
Published: March 2021

A novel method of crystal growth by introducing jet flow to the pyramidal‐restriction long‐seed growth system of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4, KDP) in rotating crystal method, namely, the jet‐rotating crystal method, is proposed. To evaluate the prospect of this new method, three‐dimensional (3D) time‐dependent numerical simulations of flow and mass transfer involved in the jet‐rotating crystal method are conducted. Compared with the rotating crystal method, the jet‐rotating crystal method can improve the magnitude and distribution homogeneity of the prismatic face supersaturation and obtain high‐quality KDP crystals. The supersaturation on the prismatic face as a function of rotation rate, jet velocity, and crystal size is investigated. The effects of solution flow on mass transfer are analyzed in detail. A further improvement in the magnitude and distribution homogeneity of the prismatic face supersaturation can be observed through designing the jet flow pipes to swing periodically in vertical plane. Besides, the role of natural and forced convection in mass transport is discussed, which indicates that the effects of natural convection can be neglected when the jet velocity is equal to or greater than 0.6 m s–1.
Co‐development of a framework for circular economy assessment in organisations: Learnings from the public sector
Authors: Droege Hinrika , Raggi Andrea , Ramos Tomás B.
Published: March 2021

To seize the potential of Circular Economy (CE) organisations need to evaluate and communicate their progress moving away from the non‐sustainable paradigm of ‘take‐make‐dispose’ towards circularity. Existing CE assessments for organisations focus on companies. Although the need for CE assessment is recognised in both public and private sectors, little progress has been made towards developing an approach for public sector organisations. CE assessment in public sector organisations is particularly important due to their role model, agenda setting and economic function. Therefore, this article co‐develops a CE assessment framework for public sector organisations. Portuguese public sector organisations were involved as a participatory case study. The result is a framework that covers the following components: (i) a system definition; (ii) a definition of 35 CE assessment elements; (iii) CE assessment targets; and (iv) CE indicators. The framework contributes to the understanding of circularity from a public sector perspective considering three key aspects: resources, operations and processes as well as social and employee related activities. Implications for CE assessments in the public and private sector encompass the importance for an early involvement of stakeholders to get a sector specific perspective, the need to address user‐friendliness and the requirement for continuous testing of CE assessments.
Bi–Sn Oxides for Highly Selective CO2Electroreduction to Formate in a Wide Potential Window
Authors: Tian Jianjian , Wang Rongyan , Shen Meng , Ma Xia , Yao Heliang , Hua Zile , Zhang Lingxia
Published: March 2021

The electroreduction of CO2into the highly value‐added fuel formic acid (HCOOH) has been considered an ideal approach to convert renewable energy and mitigate environmental crisis. SnO2electrode is one of the promising candidates to electrocatalytically convert CO2to HCOOH, but its poor stability limits its future development and application. In this study, highly stable SnO2/Bi2O3oxide catalysts are obtained by distributing SnO2nanoparticles on the surface of Bi2O3sheets. The XPS spectra revealed an interfacial electronic transportation from Bi2O3sheets to SnO2nanoparticles, which made SnO2rich of electrons. The strong interfacial interaction protected the active sites of SnO2from self‐reduction in CO2electroreduction reaction (CO2RR), stabilizing SnO2species in the composite catalyst even after long‐term usage. Calculations based on density functional theory signified that the presence of Bi2O3favored the adsorption of HCOO* intermediate, improved the CO2conversion into HCOOH on SnO2/Bi2O3interface. As a result, the SnO2/Bi2O3catalyst attained high performance on CO2RR (the highest FEvalue of 90 % at −1.0 V vs. RHE), suppressing H2evolution reaction (HER) at high potentials. In particular, the selectivity of HCOOH remained above 76 % in a wide potential window (from −1.0 to −1.4 V vs. RHE) and a long duration (12 h).
Optimized seamless handover scheme with information and decision server‐assisted partially distributed mobility management in heterogeneous 5th generation wireless networks
Authors: Parasuraman Sankaranarayanan , Rajaraman Gayathri
Published: March 2021

Existing mobile network architectures are flatter and employ a centralized mobility management (CMM) scheme, where the entire intelligence is focused on the single‐end, which leads to low scalability, lack of dynamic mobility support, suboptimal routing, and insufficiency to support large volumes of data. The fifth‐generation (5G) networks demand high‐speed seamless connections to the best‐connected network irrespective of user position and connectivity. Further, seamless handover has to be carried out between wireless local area network (WLAN), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), and long‐term evolution (LTE). This paper aims to propose a distributed mobility management (DMM) solution in order to bring the mobility anchor point nearer to the mobile node (MN) to support the acceptable quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) provision to end users. An information and decision server (IDS)‐based partial DMM scheme (IDS‐PDMM) is suggested to support optimized handover in internet protocol (IP)‐based heterogeneous architecture. The IDS estimates the nearest candidate network for MN during handover and thus provides a seamless connection for delay‐sensitive applications. The performance of the presented approach is compared with the existing CMM scheme and the simulation results prove that the IDS‐PDMM efficiently minimizes the handover delay and packet loss rate with guaranteed QoS provision.
Startle to neutral, not negative stimuli: A neurophysiological correlate of behavioral inhibition in young children
Authors: Premo Julie E. , Mannella Kristin A. , Duval Elizabeth R. , Liu Yanni , Morrison Claire L. , Moser Jason S. , Muzik Maria , Rosenblum Katherine L. , Fitzgerald Kate D.
Published: March 2021

A putative biomarker of anxiety risk, the startle response is typically enhanced by negative compared to neutral emotion modulation in adults, but remains understudied in children. To determine the extent to which neutral, negative, and positively valenced emotional conditions modulate startle response in early life, a child‐friendly film paradigm was used to vary emotion across these conditions during startle induction in sixty‐four 4‐ to 7‐year‐old children. Association of emotion‐modulated startle with parent‐reported anxiety symptom severity and child behavioral inhibition, a risk factor for anxiety problems, were assessed. Analyses revealed no difference in startle magnitude during negative compared to neutral film clips. By contrast, startle during both negative and neutral conditions was greater than startle during the positive condition. Larger startle magnitude during the neutral condition associated with higher levels of child behavioral inhibition (BI). These results are consistent with possible immaturity of startle response in young children, and suggest that startle amplitude in more emotionally ambiguous, neutral conditions could serve as an early biomarker for anxiety risk.
Is color data from citizen science photographs reliable for biodiversity research?
Authors: Laitly Alexandra , Callaghan Corey T. , Delhey Kaspar , Cornwell William K.
Published: March 2021

Color research continuously demands better methods and larger sample sizes. Citizen science (CS) projects are producing an ever‐growing geo‐ and time‐referenced set of photographs of organisms. These datasets have the potential to make a huge contribution to color research, but the reliability of these data need to be tested before widespread implementation.

We compared the difference between color extracted from CS photographs with that of color extracted from controlled lighting conditions (i.e., the current gold standard in spectrometry) for both birds and plants. First, we tested the ability of CS photographs to quantify interspecific variability by assessing > 9,000 CS photographs of 537 Australian bird species with controlled museum spectrometry data. Second, we tested the ability of CS photographs to quantify intraspecific variability by measuring petal color data for two plant species using seven methods/sources with varying levels of control.

For interspecific questions, we found that by averaging out variability through a large sample size, CS photographs capture a large proportion of across species variation in plumage color within the visual part of the spectrum (R2 = 0.68–0.71 for RGB space and 0.72–0.77 for CIE‐LAB space). Between 12 and 14 photographs per species are necessary to achieve this averaging effect for interspecific studies. Unsurprisingly, the CS photographs taken with commercial cameras failed to capture information in the UV part of the spectrum. For intraspecific questions, decreasing levels of control increase the color variation but averaging larger sample sizes can partially mitigate this, aside from particular issues related to saturation and irregularities in light capture.

CS photographs offer a very large sample size across space and time which offers statistical power for many color research questions. This study shows that CS photographs contain data that lines up closely with controlled measurements within the visual spectrum if the sample size is large enough, highlighting the potential of CS photographs for both interspecific and intraspecific ecological or biological questions. With regard to analyzing color in CS photographs, we suggest, as a starting point, to measure multiple random points within the ROI of each photograph for both patterned and unpatterned patches and approach the recommended sample size of 12–14 photographs per species for interspecific studies. Overall, this study provides groundwork in analyzing the reliability of a novel method, which can propel the field of studying color forward.
Capture method affects survival estimates and subsequent interpretation of ecological covariates for a long‐lived cervid
Authors: Brackel Katherine L. , Michel Eric S. , Gullikson Bailey S. , Jenks Jonathan A. , Jensen William F.
Published: March 2021

Understanding what variables affect ungulate neonate survival is imperative to successful conservation and management of the species. Predation is commonly cited as a cause‐specific source of mortality, and ecological covariates often influence neonate survival. However, variation in survival estimates related to capture methodology has been documented with opportunistically captured neonates generally displaying greater survival than those captured via aid of vaginal implant transmitters (VITs), likely because of increased left truncation observed in the opportunistically captured datasets. Our goal was to assess whether 3‐ and 6‐month survival estimates varied by capture method while simultaneously assessing whether capture method affected model selection and interpretation of ecological covariates for white‐tailed deer neonates captured from three study sites from 2014 to 2015 in North Dakota and South Dakota, USA. We found survival varied by capture method for 3‐month neonate survival with opportunistically captured neonates displaying up to 26% greater survival than their counterparts captured via VITs; however, this relationship was not present for 6‐month survival. We also found model selection and subsequent interpretation of ecological covariates varied when analyzing datasets comprised of neonates captured via VITs, neonates captured opportunistically, and all neonates combined regardless of capture method. When interpreting results from our VIT‐only analysis for 3‐month survival, we found survival varied by three time intervals and was lowest in the first two weeks of life. Capture method did not affect 6‐month survival, which was most influenced by total precipitation occurring during 3 – 8 weeks of a neonate's life and percent canopy cover found at a neonate's capture site. Our results support previous research that capture method must be accounted for when deriving survival estimates for ungulate neonates as it can impact derived estimates and subsequent interpretation of results.
Stable isotopes of amino acids indicate that soil decomposer microarthropods predominantly feed on saprotrophic fungi
Authors: Pollierer Melanie M. , Scheu Stefan
Published: March 2021

Soil microarthropods are essential for nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems as they are integral components of decomposer food webs. They channel carbon and nutrients from leaf litter and roots to higher trophic levels; however, knowledge on the relative importance of different channels and on their variation with forest type is lacking. Although the importance of root‐derived inputs for sustaining soil food webs is increasingly recognized, the pathways by which they are channeled to higher trophic levels are little understood. For the channeling, ectomycorrhizal fungi may play a significant role, but until now methods allowing to separate the contribution of ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi to the nutrition of soil animal communities are lacking. Using dual analysis of 15N and 13C in amino acids (AAs), we investigated trophic positions and basal resources of two major groups of soil microarthropods, Collembola and Oribatida, in beech and spruce forests in Germany. By applying a 13C fingerprinting approach and Bayesian mixing models, we separated in a first step the relative contribution of bacteria, fungi, and plants to the nutrition of soil microarthropods. As fungi were identified as the major food source, in a second step we attempted to separate the contribution of ectomycorrhizal vs. saprotrophic fungi. For the first time, we provide direct evidence that soil microarthropods mainly rely on saprotrophic fungi, whereas ectomycorrhizal fungi are consumed by only few species. While trophic niches of Collembola and Oribatida species generally varied little between beech and spruce forests, plant detritus as basal resource of soil microarthropods was somewhat more important in beech forests, whereas in spruce forests microbial resources dominated. Overall, the dual analysis of carbon and nitrogen in AAs provided insight into food web structure of soil microarthropods in unprecedented detail, and for the first time allowed to estimate the relative importance of mycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi for soil food web nutrition, a long‐standing riddle in soil food web ecology. The technique provides the perspective for a comprehensive understanding of the trophic structure and energy channeling in soil food webs.
Highly Efficient Photothermocatalytic CO2 Reduction in Ni/Mg‐Doped Al2O3 with High Fuel Production Rate, Large Light‐to‐Fuel Efficiency, and Good Durability
Authors: Tan Xin , Wu Shaowen , Li Yuanzhi , Zhang Qian , Hu Qianqian , Wu Jichun , Zhang An , Zhang Yongdi
Published: March 2021

A novel nanocomposite of Ni nanoparticles loaded on Mg‐doped Al2O3 (Ni/Mg‐Al2O3) was prepared. By photothermocatalytic CO2 reduction with methane (CRM) merely using focused UV‐vis‐IR illumination on Ni/Mg‐Al2O3, high production rates of H2 (, 69.71 mmol min−1 g−1) and CO (rCO, 74.57 mmol min−1 g−1) and an extremely large light‐to‐fuel efficiency (η, 32.9%) are acquired. High and rCO (51.07 and 59.66 mmol min−1 g−1) and a large η (32.5%) are acquired even by using focused λ > 560 nm vis‐IR illumination. Ni/Mg‐Al2O3 shows good durability for photothermocatalytic CRM due to the side reaction of carbon deposition being enormously inhibited in comparison with a reference catalyst of Ni nanoparticles loaded on Al2O3. The enormous carbon deposition inhibition is ascribed to the presence of a fence of CO2 molecules (strongly adsorbed on Mg‐doped Al2O3) around Ni nanoparticles, which block the polymerization and growth of carbon species to nanofibers by promoting the oxidation of carbon species formed by CH4 dissociation. The high photothermocatalytic activity of Ni/Mg‐Al2O3 arises from efficient light‐driven thermocatalytic CRM. A photoactivation is found to considerably raise the photothermocatalytic activity of Ni/Mg‐Al2O3 because of the apparent activation energy (Ea) being substantially decreased upon focused illumination. The Ea reduction is associated with the rate‐determining steps of CRM (e.g., CH4 dissociation and the oxidation of carbon species) being accelerated upon focused illumination.
Synthetic Access to Pentacene‐Silylene Adducts via Dehydrogenative Silylation of a 5,14‐Dihydropentacene with a Stable Silylene
Authors: Koike Taichi , Iwamoto Takeaki
Published: March 2021

Utility of a thermally stable divalent silicon species (silylene) toward the dehydroaromatization of a dihydropentacene is demonstrated. The reaction of a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)silylene with 6,13‐dipropyl‐5,14‐dihydropentacene afforded the corresponding pentacene‐silylene adducts. The reaction likely proceeds through a combination of 1,4‐dehydrogenation and (1+4) cycloaddition of the silylene towards the dihydropentacene.
Certified to Evaluate: Exploring Administrator Accuracy and Beliefs in Teacher Observation
Authors: Jones Nathan , Bell Courtney , Qi Yi , Lewis Jennifer , Kirui David , Stickler Leslie , Redash Amanda
Published: March 2021

The observation systems being used in all 50 states require administrators to learn to accurately and reliably score their teachers' instruction using standardized observation systems. Although the literature on observation systems is growing, relatively few studies have examined the outcomes of trainings focused on developing administrators' accuracy using observation systems and the administrators' perceptions of that training. Therefore, the focus of this study is on examining administrators' efforts to become accurate and reliable within the context of a comprehensive teacher evaluation reform. This study was conducted during the year‐long training and implementation of a new observation system in the context of a large urban district's teacher evaluation reform. The study brings together data on the outcomes of the district training—results on a certification exercise from all administrators in the district—with two sources of data on administrators' perceptions and beliefs. Specifically, we collected fall and spring survey data from nearly 300 administrators and longitudinal interview data from a subsample of 24 administrators. Taken together, these data allowed us to investigate administrators' responses to training and low‐stakes practice using the observation process over 1 year. At the end of initial training, administrators reported high levels of learning, particularly in domains aligned with the focus of training. Over the year, administrators reported increased facility with the routines of conducting observations, but they still expressed learning needs, many related to the content of the observation framework. However, results from the training certification test suggested lower than desired levels of accuracy and reliability; administrators regularly did not agree with each other or with master raters. The certification test results suggested that even with a significant investment in administrator learning, there was more to be learned and mastered. If we hope for teacher evaluation to lead to the types of changes in teaching and learning that reformers have envisioned, policymakers and practitioners alike will need to devote time and resources to supporting administrator learning in initial training and throughout administrator use in practice.
Localization analysis of essential oils in perilla herb (Perilla frutescens var. crispa) using derivatized mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Taira Shu , Kiriake‐Yoshinaga Aya , Shikano Hitomi , Ikeda Ryuzoh , Kobayashi Shoko , Yoshinaga Kazuaki
Published: March 2021

The localization of essential oils, including flavor components, in perilla herb (Perilla frutescens var. crispa) were visually determined using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) imaging. The surface of a perilla leaf was peeled using a cyanoacrylate adhesion compound and contained oil glands that retained their morphology and chemical properties. We imaged the three essential oils perillaldehyde, β‐caryophyllene, and rosmarinic acid (RA). Perillaldehyde was derivatized using glycine to prevent evaporation and allow its detection and imaging while localized in oil glands. β‐caryophyllene also localized in the oil glands and not in the epidermis region. RA was detected throughout the leaf, including the oil glands. Quantitative data for the three essential oils were obtained by gas chromatography‐ or liquid chromatography‐MS. The concentrations of perillaldehyde, β‐caryophyllene, and RA were 12.6 ± 0.62, 0.27 ± 0.02, and 0.16 ± 0.02 [mg/g] in the paste sample of perilla herb. Peeling using a cyanoacrylate adhesion compound, and derivatization of a target such as an aroma component have great potential for mass spectrometry imaging for multiple essential oils.
The effect of composite enzyme catalysis whey protein cross‐linking on filtration performance
Authors: Wen‐qiong Wang , Ji‐yang Zhou , Qian Yu , Jianju Li
Published: March 2021

In this study, enzymatic cross‐linked whey protein coupling ultrafiltration was used to reduce membrane fouling and increase whey protein recovery rate. The filtration efficiency and protein interaction with the membrane surface were investigated. The results showed that the protein recovery rate and relative flux of transglutaminase catalysis protein followed by tyrosinase each increased by approximately 30% during ultrafiltration. The total membrane resistance was reduced by approximately 20%. The shape of the transglutaminase and tyrosinase cross‐linked protein had somewhat spherical and cylindrical structure similar to an elongated shape based on fluorescence microscopy imaging, which indicated membrane resistance reduction. Fluorescence excitation–emission matrix spectroscopy (EEM) showed that the permeation peak intensities of transglutaminase followed by tyrosinase catalysis protein decreased sharply in the tryptophan and aromatic‐like protein fields, indicating that most protein was rejected after ultrafiltration. The repulsive interaction energy was increased between the cross‐linked proteins and membrane based on extended Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (XDLVO) analysis.
Energy subsidy reform evaluation research – reviews in Iran
Authors: Solaymani Saeed
Published: March 2021

This paper provides an ex post evaluation of Iran's energy subsidy reform of main law, definitions, its aims and scope, its effectiveness, and problems. Based on an assessment of policy reports, actual data, peer‐reviewed studies, and regression models, this study suggests evidence that the removal of energy subsidies in Iran was effective in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions only in the first 2 years of policy implementation. But, over the next years, the demand for energy commodities increased because of the incomplete implementation of the policy. Besides some local and international economic, social, and political challenges, the policy was not completed in the subsequent years because the government did not prepare its preliminary theoretical framework and requirements in the three stages of legislation and transparency – implementation and management, control, and adjustment of the negative policy impacts. Moreover, the decline in environmental emissions occurred mainly due to fuel switching, as natural gas consumption in power plants, industries, and transport, and rather the use of renewable energies, increased substantially. Likewise, at the time of removal of energy subsidies, the government introduced a cash transfer scheme until the present. This compensation scheme has had significant burdens on the government budget and reaches the trillions of rials each year, while in the first year of the policy, it improved the socioeconomic welfare. The econometric results showed that removing energy subsidies is an effective policy in reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions in Iran. This study provides important policy recommendations for sustainable energy security and economic development in Iran. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early–Middle Cenomanian foraminifera and ostracods from BB‐80‐1 well, Gulf of Suez, Egypt: Biostratigraphy, palaeoecology, and palaeobiogeographic significance
Authors: Shahin Abdalla , El Baz Sherif M.
Published: March 2021

The present study concentrates on the foraminiferal and ostracod assemblages recorded from the subsurface Galala Formation in the northern part of the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. This investigation yielded 37 foraminiferal species (belonging to 26 genera, 10 superfamilies, and 14 families) and 25 ostracod species (belonging to 14 genera, 6 families, and 2 superfamilies). The foraminiferal assemblage is characterized by the dominance of typical Cenomanian agglutinated species with some planktonic species. The integration between benthic and planktonic foraminiferal species has led to the recognition of five proposed local biozones namely: Flabellammina alexanderi–Daxia cenomana Zone, Thomasinella fragmentaria Zone, Ismailia neumannae Zone, Nezzazata simplex–Trochospira avnemelichi Zone, and Hedbergella delrioensis–Praeglobotruncana delrioensis Zone. On the other hand, the stratigraphic distribution of the recorded ostracods resulted in the identification of four local biozones, involving Glenocythere reticulata Zone, Veeniacythereis streblolophata Zone, Spinoleberis yotvataensis Zone, and Cytherella–Ovocytheridea Zone. The recorded foraminifera are classified into five morphogroups and submorphogroups. Based on these morphogroups and other palaeoecological factors, five ecozones covering the Cenomanian are also distinguished. The palaeobiogeographical outline of the studied ostracod assemblages was carried out with the assistance of multivariate analyses (principal component analysis and Q‐mode cluster analysis). The results point out that, there are two distinguished groups; one of them represents the South Tethyan Province (STP), including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt. The second group represents the Middle East Province (MEP), including Oman, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iran. The strong affinity between the two provinces indicates a direct communication along the Southern Tethyan margin during the Cenomanian and enhanced marine faunal exchange.
Some Lives Matter: The Dirty Little Secret of the U.S. Health Care System
Authors: Fleck Leonard M.
Published: March 2021

Our health care system in the United States reflects the inequities that are part of the larger society, which is why our system for financing access to needed and effective health care is so complicated and unfair.
“Reproductive Negligence”: A Necessary and Sufficient Remedy?
Authors: Zacharias Rachel L.
Published: March 2021

This book review essay discusses Birth Rights and Wrongs: How Medicine and Technology Are Remaking Reproduction and the Law (2019), by Dov Fox.
When Following the Rules Feels Wrong
Authors: Tate Tyler
Published: March 2021

The Covid‐19 pandemic has created a clinical environment in which health care practitioners are experiencing moral distress in numerous and novel ways. In this narrative reflection, a pediatric palliative care physician explores how his hospital's strict visitation policy set the stage for moral distress when, in the early months of the pandemic, it prevented two parents from being together at the bedside of their dying child.