bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Valued Added Tax (VAT) Impact on Economic and Societal Well-Beings (Pre-and Post COVID19): A Perception Study From Saudi Arabia
Authors: Shukeri Siti Norwahida , Alfordy Faisal D
Published: December 2020

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has realized that merely relying on oil reserves, as the main income source will stop the country from achieving sustainable economic growth due to the instability of world oil market prices and its uncertainties. Hence, the first Value Added Tax (VAT) has been introduced in KSA in 2018 following to the urge by International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, VAT implementation in the Kingdom is not free from criticisms since its citizens, particularly younger generation, have been used to tax-free livings. In addition, the global health pandemic of COVID19 has hit major economies worldwide. In correspondence, KSA has decided to increase its VAT rate to 15% from 5% by the 1st of July 2020, which may suggest a different pattern of consumption behaviour since the rate has been drastically increased. Therefore, this study aims to examine the perception of Saudi younger generation on the acceptance of VAT based on five categorical factors underlying Saudi younger generation’s level of acceptance or rejection of VAT, namely; tax system effectiveness (TSE), income generation sources (IGS), income inequality (II), system knowledge (SK) and global practice (GP). The study also is set to examine the impact of VAT on Saudi younger generation’s consumption behaviour.  Using a sample of 460 respondents, the findings reveal that most of the respondents (89.6%) are aware of VAT implementation. However, the negative perceptions found from the analysis shows that VAT is not an efficient tax system to be implemented (average TSE = 45.6% less favourable) as the VAT system does not provide income inequality among citizens (average II= 45.3 percent less favourable). Moreover, the results also show that VAT implementation does not affect the consumption behaviour, suggesting that Saudi younger generation still spends regardless of VAT. Limited studies among the GCC academics on VAT has motivated this research to be among the first attempt to document such impact and to consider it in lights of new legislative changes due to COVID-19. Hence, this study is both timely and relevant to provide new understandings to responsible authorities regarding its VAT system, its acceptance and impacts on consumption behaviour in lights of COVID-19.
Protection of fundamental rights in the private law of the European Union
Authors: Josipović Tatjana
Published: December 2020

The paper considers and comments on the instruments of protection of the fundamental rights of the Union in private law relationships that are in the scope of applicable EU law. Special attention is paid to the influence of fundamental rights of the Union on private autonomy and the freedom of contract in private law relationships depending on whether fundamental rights are protected by national law harmonized with EU law, or by horizontal effects of the Charter of general principles. The goal of the paper is to determine the method in private law relationships that can attain the optimal balance between the protection of fundamental rights of the Union and the principle of private autonomy and the freedom of contract regulated by national law of a member state. The author favors the protection of fundamental rights in private law relationships by applying adequate measures that create indirect horizontal effects of the provisions of EU law on fundamental rights. These concern national measures that can also secure adequate protection of fundamental rights via interpretation and application of national law in line with EU law in private law relationships.
Does generation benefit learning for narrative and expository texts? A direct replication attempt
Authors: Schindler Julia , Richter Tobias , Mar Raymond
Published: December 2020

Generated information is better recognized and recalled than information that is read. This so‐calledgeneration effecthas been replicated several times for different types of material, including texts. Perhaps the most influential demonstration was by McDaniel et al. (1986,Journal of Memory and Language,25, 645–656; henceforth MEDC). This group tested whether the generation effect occurs only if the generation task stimulates cognitive processes not already stimulated by the text. Numerous studies, however, report difficulties replicating this text by generation‐task interaction, which suggests that the effect might only be found under conditions closer to the original method of MEDC. To test this assumption, we will closely replicate MEDC's Experiment 2 in German and English‐speaking samples. Replicating the effect would suggest that it can be reproduced, at least under limited conditions, which will provide the necessary foundation for future investigations into the boundary conditions of this effect, with an eye towards its utility in applied contexts.
Nitrogen fertilizer needs of first‐year small grain forages following alfalfa
Authors: Pound Collin A. , Yost Matt A. , Creech J. Earl , Cardon Grant E. , Gale Jody , Heaton Kevin , Price Steven , Pace Michael , Wilde Trent , Kitchen Boyd
Published: December 2020

Small grain forages are commonly grown following alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) in Utah and the Intermountain West, especially during drought years as small grains require less irrigation than corn (Zea maysL.). Several studies have shown that corn following alfalfa rarely needs nitrogen (N) fertilizer, yet few have evaluated N needs of small grains grown for forage. Objectives of this research were to determine whether N fertilizer is needed to economically optimize the yield and quality of first‐year small grain forages following alfalfa, and whether spring soil nitrate tests can predict N responsiveness. Fertilizer trials (four replications of six N rates) were conducted on 11 first‐year small grain forage sites in Utah during 2018 and 2019. Results indicated that N fertilizer was not needed to economically increase small grain forage yield at most (91%) site‐years. The one responsive site‐year followed an old and thinning alfalfa stand (9‐yr old) and required only 67 kg N ha−1. In contrast, forage quality improved with average N fertilizer applications ranging from 101 to 142 kg N ha−1at all but one site‐year. Soil nitrate concentration was able to separate yield and forage quality response to N in 73 and 53% of the cases, respectively, suggesting it may be a viable prediction test for yield and some aspects of quality response in this rotation. Results indicate that growers often do not need to apply fertilizer N to first‐year small grain forages unless compensation for forage quality improvement outweighs fertilizer costs.
Experimental plan for tests with pea
Authors: Tartaglia Francieli de Lima , Lúcio Alessandro Dal'Col , Diel Maria Inês , Tischler André Luís , Krysczun Dionatan Ketzer , Zemolin João Alberto , Marques Lucas Encarnação
Published: December 2020

Correct experimental planning is important to obtain more reliable data with high experimental precision. In this way, the results obtained and the technical recommendations generated are more reliable and representative. Thus, the objective of this work is to estimate the plot and sample sizes and the number of repetitions for the variables (a) number of pods per plant and (b) mass of pods per plant for pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivation. Uniformity tests were carried in the years 2016, 2017, and 2018 in the experimental area of the Crop Science Department at Federal University of Santa Maria. The cultivar used was Pea Grain 40, which has an indeterminate growth habit, with a cycle of 75–90 d and a cylindrical pod. The plot size for evaluating the number of pods per plant and the mass of pods per plant for pea cultivation is eight and nine plants, respectively. The sample size for evaluating the number of pods per plant and the mass of pods per plant is eight plants in the direction of the line with a half‐width of the 20% confidence interval of the mean. For the variables number of pods per plant and pod mass per pea plant, 10 and 12 repetitions are required, respectively, to evaluate up to 20 treatments in a randomized block design and in the incomplete blocks design with up to 100 treatments for significant differences of 35% between treatment averages.
Luteolin as a modulator of skin aging and inflammation
Authors: Gendrisch Fabian , Esser Philipp R. , Schempp Christoph M. , Wölfle Ute
Published: December 2020

Luteolin belongs to the group of flavonoids and can be found in flowers, herbs, vegetables and spices. It plays an important role in defending plants, for example against UV radiation by partially absorbing UVA and UVB radiation. Thus, luteolin can also decrease adverse photobiological effects in the skin by acting as a first line of defense. Furthermore, anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory activities of luteolin were described on keratinocytes and fibroblasts as well as on several immune cells (e.g., macrophages, mast cell, neutrophils, dendritic cells and T cells). Luteolin can suppress proinflammatory mediators (e.g., IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐17, IL‐22, TNF‐α and COX‐2) and regulate various signaling pathway (e.g., the NF‐κB, JAK–STAT as well as TLR signaling pathway). In this way, luteolin modulates many inflammatory processes of the skin. The present review summarizes the recent in vitro and in vivo research on luteolin in the field of skin aging and skin cancer, wound healing as well as inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis, contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. In conclusion, luteolin might be a promising molecule for the development of topic formulations and systemic agents against inflammatory skin diseases.
Streamlining process characterization efforts using the high throughput ambr® crossflow system for ultrafiltration and diafiltration processing of monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Fernandez‐Cerezo Lara , Benner Steven W. , Pollard Jennifer M.
Published: December 2020

Commercial process development for biopharmaceuticals often involves process characterization (PC) studies to gain process knowledge and understanding in preparation for process validation. One common approach to conduct PC activities is by using design‐of‐experiment, which can help determine the impact process parameter deviations may have on product quality attributes. Qualified scale‐down systems are typically used to conduct these studies. For an ultrafiltration/diafiltration (UF/DF) application, however, a traditional scale‐down still requires hundreds of milliliters of material per run and can only conduct one experiment at a time. This poses a challenge in resources as there could be 20+ experiments required for a typical UF/DF PC study. One solution to circumvent this is the use of high‐throughput systems, which enable parallel experimentation by only using a fraction of the resources. Sartorius Stedim Biotech has recently commercialized the ambr® crossflow high‐throughput system to meet this need. In this study, the performance of this system during a monoclonal antibody UF/DF step was first compared with a pilot‐ and a manufacturing‐scale tangential flow filtration (TFF) system at a single operating condition. Due to material limitations, it was then compared to only the pilot‐scale TFF system across wider ranges of transmembrane pressure; crossflow rate; and diafiltration concentration in a PC study. Permeate flux, aggregate content, process yield, pH/conductivity traces, retentate concentration, axial pressure drop, and turbidity values were measured at both scales. A good agreement was attained across scales, further supporting its potential use as a scale‐down system.
Class I histone deacetylase inhibition promotes CD8 T cell activation in ovarian cancer
Authors: McCaw Tyler R. , Goel Nidhi , Brooke Dewey J. , Katre Ashwini A. , Londoño Angelina I. , Smith Haller J. , Randall Troy D. , Arend Rebecca C.
Published: December 2020

Objective

Patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) typically present with late‐stage disease, posing a significant challenge to treatment. Although taxane and platinum‐based chemotherapy plus surgical debulking are initially effective, EOC is marked by frequent recurrence with resistant disease. Immunotherapy represents an appealing treatment paradigm given the ability of immune cells to engage metastatic sites and impede recurrence; however, response rates to checkpoint blockade in ovarian cancer have been disappointing. Here, we tested whether class I HDAC inhibition can promote anti‐tumor T cell responses in a spontaneous and nonspontaneous murine model of EOC.

Methods

We used the spontaneous Tg‐MISIIR‐Tag and nonspontaneous ID8 models of murine ovarian cancer to test this hypothesis. Whole tumor transcriptional changes were assessed using the nCounter PanCancer Mouse Immune Profiling Panel. Changes in select protein expression of regulatory and effector T cells were measured by flow cytometry.

Results

We found that treatment with the class I HDAC inhibitor entinostat upregulated pathways and genes associated with CD8 T cell cytotoxic function, while downregulating myeloid derived suppressor cell chemoattractants. Suppressive capacity of regulatory T cells within tumors and associated ascites was significantly reduced, reversing the CD8‐Treg ratio.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest class I HDAC inhibition can promote activation of intratumoral CD8 T cells, potentially by compromising suppressive networks within the EOC tumor microenvironment. In this manner, class I HDAC inhibition might render advanced‐stage EOC susceptible to immunotherapeutic treatment modalities.
The neuropathic itch: Don't scratch your head too hard!
Authors: Patnaik Soumya , Imms John Brady , Varadi Gabor
Published: December 2020

Postherpetic complications can sometimes result in significant debility. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial in deciding the appropriate treatment strategy in these patients.
Short‐term effects of NTI‐tss and Michigan splint on nocturnal jaw muscle activity: A pilot study
Authors: Lukic Nenad , Saxer Timo , Hou Mei‐Yin , Zumbrunn Wojczyńska Aleksandra , Gallo Luigi M. , Colombo Vera
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Sleep bruxism is mostly assessed by reporting of tooth‐grinding or clenching during sleep and by clinical signs (tooth wear, cracks, or fractures). Parafunctional tooth damage is usually prevented by employing occlusal appliances mainly of the full arch covering type (Michigan splint) and of the partial type covering only central incisors (NTI‐tss). To date, the effects of occlusal appliances on sleep bruxism or jaw muscle activity during sleep are still controversial. The present study is a randomized controlled clinical trial that evaluated the effects of two different splint designs on jaw muscle activity in sleep bruxers otherwise healthy.

Material and Methods

Ten patients from a private dental practice were treated by a single operator. A Michigan splint and an NTI‐tss device were manufactured individually and used at random order. Electromyographic jaw muscle activity was recorded for four consecutive nights in the first, fourth, and seventh week with and without splint. Participants reported on splint comfort and side effects.

Results

Muscle activity decreased only while wearing the NTI‐tss device. Most patients preferred though the Michigan splint due to its greater wearing comfort.

Conclusions

NTI‐tss devices proved more effective for the reduction of jaw muscle activity during sleep. The main advantage of the prefabricated NTI‐tss is its prompt availability in an acute phase of temporomandibular disorders associated with sleep bruxism. In long‐term therapies, patients should be informed of the possible risk of irreversible occlusal changes. Subjective preferences, wearing comfort, and costs should also be considered.
Effects of dapagliflozin in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an analysis of DAPA‐HF
Authors: Dewan Pooja , Docherty Kieran F. , Bengtsson Olof , de Boer Rudolf A. , Desai Akshay S. , Drozdz Jaroslaw , Hawkins Nathaniel M. , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Kitakaze Masafumi , Køber Lars , Kosiborod Mikail N. , Langkilde Anna Maria , Lindholm Daniel , Martinez Felipe A. , Merkely Béla , Petrie Mark C. , Ponikowski Piotr , Sabatine Marc S. , Schou Morten , Sjöstrand Mikaela , Solomon Scott D. , Verma Subodh , Jhund Pardeep S. , McMurray John J.V.
Published: December 2020

Aims

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important comorbidity in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), associated with worse outcomes and often suboptimal treatment because of under‐prescription of beta‐blockers. Consequently, additional effective therapies are especially relevant in patients with COPD. The aim of this study was to examine outcomes related to COPD in a post hoc analysis of the Dapagliflozin And Prevention of Adverse‐outcomes in Heart Failure (DAPA‐HF) trial.

Methods and results

We examined whether the effects of dapagliflozin in DAPA‐HF were modified by COPD status. The primary outcome was the composite of an episode of worsening HF or cardiovascular death. Overall, 585 (12.3%) of the 4744 patients randomized had a history of COPD. Patients with COPD were more likely to be older men with a history of smoking, worse renal function, and higher baseline N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide, and less likely to be treated with a beta‐blocker or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. The incidence of the primary outcome was higher in patients with COPD than in those without [18.9 (95% confidence interval 16.0–22.2) vs. 13.0 (12.1–14.0) per 100 person‐years; hazard ratio (HR) for COPD vs. no COPD 1.44 (1.21–1.72); P < 0.001]. The effect of dapagliflozin, compared with placebo, on the primary outcome, was consistent in patients with [HR 0.67 (95% confidence interval 0.48–0.93)] and without COPD [0.76 (0.65–0.87); interaction P‐value 0.47].

Conclusions

In DAPA‐HF, one in eight patients with HFrEF had concomitant COPD. Participants with COPD had a higher risk of the primary outcome. The benefit of dapagliflozin on all pre‐specified outcomes was consistent in patients with and without COPD.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03036124.
Effects of orange peel powder on rheological properties of wheat dough and bread aging
Authors: Han Lihong , Zhang Jiajia , Cao Xiaohong
Published: December 2020

Orange peels, the major byproduct of orange fruit processing, are a good material for functional food production because of their excellent physiological and health function. The effects of orange peel powder (OPP) on the rheological and reho‐fermentation properties of high‐gluten wheat dough and bread staling were investigated. The results showed that OPP significantly modified wheat dough characteristics and bread quality for its fiber, pectin and polyphenol content. Incorporation of OPP in wheat dough mainly caused competitive water absorption. It improved dough water absorption from 59.70% to 66.82% by increasing the development time (from 1.40 min to 4.51 min) and decreasing the retrogradation degree (from 1.01% to 0.68%) at a low content (no more than 5%) but showed adverse effects at higher content because of stronger gluten‐dilution action than excessive water sequestration of OPP. It strengthened the dough elasticity by increasing the value of storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of dough samples at all contents, G′ and G″ value of dough sample containing 7% OPP was more than twice that of the wheat dough. Alveograph and rheofermentographic parameters confirmed that OPP improved the total volume of CO2 production from 1774.11 ml (wheat dough) to 2,458.30 ml (dough sample containing 7% OPP) but reduced the gas retention coefficient from 71.86% to 66.52% during fermentation accordingly. Additionally, no remarkable deterioration of the bread staling was observed. These results contributed to the interpretation of the action mechanism of OPP modification on the wheat dough structure and further guided the application of OPP on cereal product development.
Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and PET Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (PERCIST) for response evaluation of the neck after chemoradiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kishikawa Toshihiro , Suzuki Motoyuki , Takemoto Norihiko , Fukusumi Takahito , Michiba Takahiro , Hanamoto Atsushi , Tanaka Hidenori , Tatsumi Mitsuaki , Isohashi Fumiaki , Seo Yuji , Tamari Keisuke , Ogawa Kazuhiko , Inohara Hidenori
Published: December 2020

Background

An optimal approach to imaging assessment of neck after chemoradiotherapy must be established to avoid unnecessary neck dissection.

Methods

We retrospectively examined 101 patients and compared between Response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST), PET response criteria in solid tumors (PERCIST), and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) qualitative assessment.

Results

PERCIST was superior to RECIST in positive predictive value (PPV; 47% vs. 36%), with equivalent negative predictive value (NPV; 78%). Only 3 of 15 patients with incomplete responses on either RECIST or PERCIST alone had regional treatment failure, and the combination of RECIST and PERCIST improved PPV (55%) without reducing NPV. This combination yielded the highest hazard ratio of regional treatment failure. The combination of RECIST and PET/CT qualitative assessment also improved PPV (50%). In human papillomavirus (HPV)–related oropharyngeal cancer, NPV was 100% across the imaging assessments, while PPV was poor (14%–33%).

Conclusions

Combining RECIST and PERCIST might optimize decision making in neck management after chemoradiotherapy. HPV status would affect the accuracy of response evaluation.
Overexpression of Mothers Against Decapentaplegic Homolog 7 Activates the Yes‐Associated Protein/NOTCH Cascade and Promotes Liver Carcinogenesis in Mice and Humans
Authors: Wang Haichuan , Song Xinhua , Liao Haotian , Wang Pan , Zhang Yi , Che Li , Zhang Jie , Zhou Yi , Cigliano Antonio , Ament Cindy , Superville Daphne , Ribback Silvia , Reeves Melissa , Pes Giovanni M. , Liang Binyong , Wu Hong , Evert Matthias , Calvisi Diego F. , Zeng Yong , Chen Xin
Published: December 2020

Background and Aims

Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 7 is an antagonist of TGF‐β signaling. In the present investigation, we sought to determine the relevance of SMAD7 in liver carcinogenesis using in vitro and in vivo approaches.

Approach and Results

We found that SMAD7 is up‐regulated in a subset of human HCC samples with poor prognosis. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that SMAD7 expression correlates with activated yes‐associated protein (YAP)/NOTCH pathway and cholangiocellular signature genes in HCCs. These findings were substantiated in human HCC cell lines. In vivo, overexpression of Smad7 alone was unable to initiate HCC development, but it significantly accelerated c‐Myc/myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1)–induced mouse HCC formation. Consistent with human HCC data, c‐Myc/MCL1/Smad7 liver tumors exhibited an increased cholangiocellular gene expression along with Yap/Notch activation and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). Intriguingly, blocking of the Notch signaling did not affect c‐Myc/MCL1/Smad7‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis while preventing cholangiocellular signature expression and EMT, whereas ablation of Yap abolished c‐Myc/MCL1/Smad7‐driven HCC formation. In mice overexpressing a myristoylated/activated form of AKT, coexpression of SMAD7 accelerated carcinogenesis and switched the phenotype from HCC to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) lesions. In human iCCA, SMAD7 expression was robustly up‐regulated, especially in the most aggressive tumors, and directly correlated with the levels of YAP/NOTCH targets as well as cholangiocellular and EMT markers.

Conclusions

The present data indicate that SMAD7 contributes to liver carcinogenesis by activating the YAP/NOTCH signaling cascade and inducing a cholangiocellular and EMT signature.
Stillbirths and the COVID‐19 pandemic: Looking beyond SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Kumar Manisha , Puri Manju , Yadav Reena , Biswas Ratna , Singh Meenakshi , Chaudhary Vidhi , Jaiswal Nishtha , Meena Deepika
Published: December 2020

Objective

To study the impact of the COVID‐19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown on the incidence, associated causes, and modifiable factors of stillbirth.

Methods

An analytical case‐control study was performed comparing stillbirths from March to September 2020 (cases) and March to September 2019 (controls) in a tertiary care center in India. Modifiable factors were observed as level‐I, level‐II, and level‐III delays.

Results

A significant difference in the rate of stillbirths was found among cases (37.4/1000) and controls (29.9/1000) (P = 0.045). Abruption in normotensive women was significantly higher in cases compared to controls (P = 0.03). Modifiable factors or preventable causes were noted in 76.1% of cases and 59.6% of controls; the difference was highly significant (P < 0.001, relative risk [RR] 1.8). Level‐II delays or delays in reaching the hospital for delivery due to lack of transport were observed in 12.7% of cases compared to none in controls (P < 0.006, RR 47.7). Level‐III delays or delays in providing care at the facility were observed in 31.3% of cases and 11.5% of controls (P < 0.001, RR 2.7).

Conclusion

Although there was no difference in causes of stillbirth between cases and controls, level‐II and level‐III delays were significantly impacted by the pandemic, leading to a higher rate of preventable stillbirths in pregnant women not infected with COVID‐19.
The nucleotide prodrug CERC‐913 improves mtDNA content in primary hepatocytes from DGUOK‐deficient rats
Authors: Vanden Avond Mark A. , Meng Hui , Beatka Margaret J. , Helbling Daniel C. , Prom Mariah J. , Sutton Jessica L. , Slick Rebecca A. , Dimmock David P. , Pertusati Fabrizio , Serpi Michaela , Pileggi Elisa , Crutcher Patrick , Thomas Stephen , Lawlor Michael W.
Published: December 2020

Loss‐of‐function mutations in the deoxyguanosine kinase (DGUOK) gene result in a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion syndrome. DGUOK plays an important role in converting deoxyribonucleosides to deoxyribonucleoside monophosphates via the salvage pathway for mtDNA synthesis. DGUOK deficiency manifests predominantly in the liver; the most common cause of death is liver failure within the first year of life and no therapeutic options are currently available. in vitro supplementation with deoxyguanosine or deoxyguanosine monophosphate (dGMP) were reported to rescue mtDNA depletion in DGUOK‐deficient, patient‐derived fibroblasts and myoblasts. CERC‐913, a novel ProTide prodrug of dGMP, was designed to bypass defective DGUOK while improving permeability and stability relative to nucleoside monophosphates. To evaluate CERC‐913 for its ability to rescue mtDNA depletion, we developed a primary hepatocyte culture model using liver tissue from DGUOK‐deficient rats. DGUOK knockout rat hepatocyte cultures exhibit severely reduced mtDNA copy number (~10%) relative to wild type by qPCR and mtDNA content remains stable for up to 8 days in culture. CERC‐913 increased mtDNA content in DGUOK‐deficient hepatocytes up to 2.4‐fold after 4 days of treatment in a dose‐dependent fashion, which was significantly more effective than dGMP at similar concentrations. These early results suggest primary hepatocyte culture is a useful model for the study of mtDNA depletion syndromes and that CERC‐913 treatment can improve mtDNA content in this model.
Miniaturize four‐port UWB‐MIMO antenna with tri‐notched band characteristics
Authors: Pannu Preeti , Sharma Devendra Kumar
Published: December 2020

In this article, a compact and high performance 4‐port ultra‐wideband multiple‐input multiple‐output antenna is presented. The proposed antenna is designed by using a novel technology which includes integration of four orthogonal octad‐shaped radiators, four D‐shaped ground planes, multi‐stub techniques and slot techniques. The overall size of the design is effectively miniaturized and the ultra‐wideband characteristics are achieved through feed line tapering and by inserting slot in the D‐shape ground structure. Moreover, tri‐band notch characteristics are achieved in the proposed design by embedding L‐shaped stubs in the octad radiating elements. This results in impedance bandwidth of 2.6‐12.2GHz with notched characteristics at bands ranging from 3‐3.7GHz, 5‐6GHz and 7.9‐8.3GHz. In addition, the antenna shows high isolation and good diversity performance in terms of Envelop Correlation coefficient, Diversity gain and Total active reflection coefficient. A good trade‐off of performance has achieved from the proposed design makes it best candidate for wireless communication applications.
Endometrial carcinoma: molecular subtypes, precursors and the role of pathology in early diagnosis
Authors: Huvila Jutta , Pors Jennifer , Thompson Emily F , Gilks C Blake
Published: December 2020

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is classified into a wide range of morphological variants; this list has expanded over the past decade with the inclusion of mesonephric‐like and dedifferentiated carcinoma as EC variants in the fifth edition of the WHO Classification of Female Genital Tumours, and recognition that carcinosarcoma is a biphasic carcinoma rather than a sarcoma. Each EC variant has distinct molecular abnormalities, including TCGA‐based molecular subtypes, allowing further subclassification and adding complexity. In contrast to this rapid progress in understanding EC, there are only two recognized EC precursor lesions: endometrial atypical hyperplasia/endometrioid intraepithelial neoplasia (EAH/EIN) and serous intraepithelial carcinoma, a situation that has not changed for many years. Diagnosis of EC precursors is a cornerstone of surgical pathology practice, with early diagnosis contributing to the relatively favorable prognosis of EC. In this review we relate the precursor lesions to each of the EC morphological variants and molecular subtypes, discuss how successful early diagnosis is for each variant/molecular subtype and how it might be improved, and identify knowledge gaps where there is insufficient understanding of EC histogenesis. © 2020 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of a strain sensor based on polymer/silver nanowires nanocomposite for medical applications: Siloxane based versus urethane based nanocomposites
Authors: Hashemi Pegah , Mehranpour Milad , Ghasemi Ismail
Published: December 2020

In the current study, strain sensors based on two polymer matrixes of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and conductive nanomaterials of the silver nanowires (AgNWs) were fabricated. The sensors were arranged with a sandwich like morphology in which AgNWs layer(s) were embedded with polymeric layers of PDMS or TPU. The effect of the polymer matrix type and the number of the conductive layers on sensor properties has been evaluated. Morphology and electromechanical properties of the sensors including electrical resistance (R), sensitivity of the resistance change to strain, linearity of the resistance change with strain and repeatability of the sensor response to cyclic loading were analyzed. The experimental results corroborated that with increasing conductive layers from one to three, the resistance decreased by 53% and 61% in respective PDMS and TPU based sensors. Moreover, the sensitivity decreased by 78% and 77% in PDMS and TPU based sensors, respectively. The calculation of the relative SD (RSD) of the maximum ΔR/R0 values substantiated that sensors were able to represent a repeatable response to the sequential loading/unloading cycles. The repeatability was decreased with increasing conductive layers from one to two, and then augmented with further increase in conductive layers. With respect to polymer type, the resistance and repeatability of the TPU based sensors was higher than the PDMS counterparts, whereas the sensitivity of the TPU based sensors was lower than the PDMS ones.
A longitudinal Bayesian mixed effects model with hurdle Conway‐Maxwell‐Poisson distribution
Authors: Kang Tong , Gaskins Jeremy , Levy Steven , Datta Somnath
Published: December 2020

Dental caries (i.e., cavities) is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases and may continue to progress throughout a person's lifetime. The Iowa Fluoride Study (IFS) was designed to investigate the effects of various fluoride, dietary and nondietary factors on the progression of dental caries among a cohort of Iowa school children. We develop a mixed effects model to perform a comprehensive analysis of the longitudinal clustered data of IFS at ages 5, 9, 13, and 17. We combine a Bayesian hurdle framework with the Conway‐Maxwell‐Poisson regression model, which can account for both excessive zeros and various levels of dispersion. A hierarchical shrinkage prior distribution is used to share the temporal information for predictors in the fixed‐effects model. The dependence among teeth of each individual child is modeled through a sparse covariance structure of the random effects across time. Moreover, we obtain the parameter estimates and credible intervals from a Gibbs sampler. Simulation studies are conducted to assess the accuracy and effectiveness of our statistical methodology. The results of this article provide novel tools to statistical practitioners and offer fresh insights to dental researchers on effects of various risk and protective factors on caries progression.
On the interplay of microstructure and residual stress in LPBF IN718
Authors: Serrano-Munoz Itziar , Fritsch Tobias , Mishurova Tatiana , Trofimov Anton , Apel Daniel , Ulbricht Alexander , Kromm Arne , Hesse René , Evans Alexander , Bruno Giovanni
Published: December 2020

The relationship between residual stresses and microstructure associated with a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) IN718 alloy has been investigated on specimens produced with three different scanning strategies (unidirectional Y-scan, 90° XY-scan, and 67° Rot-scan). Synchrotron X-ray energy-dispersive diffraction (EDXRD) combined with optical profilometry was used to study residual stress (RS) distribution and distortion upon removal of the specimens from the baseplate. The microstructural characterization of both the bulk and the near-surface regions was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). On the top surfaces of the specimens, the highest RS values are observed in the Y-scan specimen and the lowest in the Rot-scan specimen, while the tendency is inversed on the side lateral surfaces. A considerable amount of RS remains in the specimens after their removal from the baseplate, especially in the Y- and Z-direction (short specimen dimension and building direction (BD), respectively). The distortion measured on the top surface following baseplate thinning and subsequent removal is mainly attributed to the amount of RS released in the build direction. Importantly, it is observed that the additive manufacturing microstructures challenge the use of classic theoretical models for the calculation of diffraction elastic constants (DEC) required for diffraction-based RS analysis. It is found that when the Reuß model is used for the calculation of RS for different crystal planes, as opposed to the conventionally used Kröner model, the results exhibit lower scatter. This is discussed in context of experimental measurements of DEC available in the literature for conventional and additively manufactured Ni-base alloys.
Ultra-thin membrane is capable of producing more energy from sea water than ones currently used
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: December 2020

This article briefly describes the development of a nanoporous carbon membrane that is similar to graphene. The scientists behind the research done at Leiden University, in The Netherlands, say that this ultra-thin material, which is only 2 nm thick, is capable of producing about a hundred times more power from sea water than the best membranes used today.
Evonik works to close carbon dioxide cycle through “artificial photosynthesis” and aims to make green hydrogen more affordable
Authors: Atkinson Simon
Published: December 2020

We recently reported that Germany’s Evonik Industries AG is continuing to strengthen its position as one of the leading companies in the field of C4 chemistry by playing a pivotal role in the ‘Membranes and Catalysts Beyond Economic and Technological Hurdles’ (MACBETH) project (Membrane Technology, October 2020, page 6). In the article that appears here we look at another project in which Evonik is involved, which aims to develop a climate-friendly process based on what is referred to as “artificial photosynthesis”. This uses carbon dioxide and hydrogen as raw materials for the sustainable production of chemicals. Separately, we also explain how the company, in another venture, is turning to membrane technology to help it make green hydrogen more affordable.
Longitudinal Variation of Postsunset Plasma Depletions From the Global‐Scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) Mission
Authors: Martinis C. , Daniell R. , Eastes R. , Norrell J. , Smith J. , Klenzing J. , Solomon S. , Burns A.
Published: December 2020

The Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission, launched in 2018, aims to investigate the low latitude ionosphere from a geostationary orbit at 47.5°W. It uses two identical spectrometers measuring the wavelength range from 134.0 to 163.0 nm. The configuration of the Earth's magnetic field shows that the largest offset between geographic and geomagnetic equators occurs in the longitude sectors sampled by GOLD. In an attempt to investigate the longitude dependence of the occurrence rate and time of onset of plasma bubbles, or plasma depletions, GOLD data were separated in three sectors: 65°‐55°W, 50°‐40°W, and 10°W–0°. Observations of the nighttime emissions in 135.6 nm on November 2018 and March 2019 show plasma depletions occurring very frequently at these longitudes. The growth rate of the Rayleigh‐Taylor instability was computed at these longitudes under similar low solar activity conditions, assuming an empirical model of upward plasma drifts. The time and value of the maximum growth rates obtained cannot always explain the observations. On average, the observed occurrence rate of plasma depletions is high, with a maximum of 73% (observed during November 2018 at ∼45°W). Most of the depletions observed in November at 45°W and 60°W occur within 1 h after sunset. When compared with the November 2018 observations, depletions in March 2019 occur at later times.
The Tilt of Mean Dynamic Topography and its Seasonality Along the Coast of the Chinese Mainland
Authors: Lin Wenqiang , Lin Hongyang , Hu Jianyu
Published: December 2020

Tilt of coastal mean dynamic topography (MDT) has recently been investigated in many regions, but few studies have examined the seasonality of the MDT along the coast of the Chinese mainland. The China seas are relatively unique as they experience prominent seasonal changes in monsoons and the China Coastal Currents, which are supposed to affect the coastal MDT significantly. This study investigates the Chinese coastal MDT tilt and its seasonality based on the geodetic and ocean approaches. The two independent approaches show a good agreement in their respective estimates. The Chinese coastal MDT presents an overall northward drop and undergoes an evident seasonality with steeper slopes in winter and flatter ones in summer. A dynamical analysis based on alongshore momentum equation suggests that the alongshore MDT along the coast of the Chinese mainland is a counter balance of contributions from the alongshore wind and the coastal current‐induced bottom friction, with both of them having prominent seasonality. The overall northward drop is in fact induced primarily by the strong alongshore wind stress in winter and by coastal currents in summer, in particular for the segment between Xiamen and Zhapo. The wintertime coastal MDT is well predicted by the arrested topographic wave model, which however could not reproduce the summertime tilt. The summertime MDT is more likely affected by the open‐ocean forcing (i.e., the latitudinal difference of the Kuroshio strength) and a return flow caused by flattening the coastal tilt piled up by the previous winter monsoon.
Modeling the Accumulation and Transport of Microplastics by Sea Ice
Authors: Mountford A. S. , Morales Maqueda M. A.
Published: December 2020

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous within the marine environment. Despite increasing public and scientific attention to the issue, there still remain gaps in the knowledge of the full global extent of the distribution of this microplastic pollution. The presence and transportation of microplastics in sea ice is an emerging area of research, particularly with regards to sea ice in the Southern Ocean. This study uses numerical modeling to explore the accumulation and transport of positively and neutrally buoyant microplastics in both Arctic and Southern Ocean sea ice. In general, sea ice may be an important seasonal sink for microplastics pollution in both the Arctic and the Antarctic. Positively buoyant microplastics dominate in Arctic sea ice, whereas in the Southern Ocean, neutrally buoyant plastics, which arrive in the region through deep‐water transport, appear to be dominant. The overall distribution of microplastics in the Arctic is in keeping with the current literature, although direct comparisons between the results of this model and observational data should be made with caution. There is a clear need for further observational data in the Southern Ocean to elucidate both the transport mechanisms and accumulation of microplastics in Southern Ocean sea ice.
Numerical Modeling of Two‐Dimensional Hydrodynamics in a Highly Curving and Actively Evolving Neck Cutoff Under Different Hydrologic Conditions
Authors: Turnipseed Christopher , Konsoer Kory , Richards Derek , Willson Clinton
Published: December 2020

Neck cutoffs are a common morphologic feature of meandering rivers though their occurrence on natural rivers is intermittent. Morphologic adjustments following cutoff initiation are typically rapid making detailed field investigations of the interactions between flow and form challenging. However, numerical models can offer insights into the hydrodynamic characteristics within the early stages of cutoff evolution. Field measurements of channel bathymetry and three‐dimensional velocities were collected during the first two years of morphologic change for a neck cutoff on the White River in Arkansas, USA. These data were used to calibrate a two‐dimensional numerical model to investigate the influence of hydrologic variability on the hydrodynamic characteristics of neck cutoffs during the early stages morphologic adjustment. The modeling results reveal complex patterns of the two‐dimensional flow field, including multiple regions of flow separation and recirculation related to strong redirection of the flow nearly 180 degrees through the cutoff. These regions of recirculation are also shown to vary depending on discharge conditions and affect hydrologic connectivity between the main channel and abandoned bend. Model results for the initial cutoff morphology show a substantial portion of discharge still conveyed by the original bend for all three discharge scenarios, resulting in a shear layer within the downstream limb of the site that limits advection of high‐momentum fluid against the bank opposite of the cutoff. The findings from this investigation are among the first detailed flow structure studies during the initiation of a neck cutoff and are used to improve conceptual models for cutoff dynamics.
Physics‐Informed Neural Networks With Monotonicity Constraints for Richardson‐Richards Equation: Estimation of Constitutive Relationships and Soil Water Flux Density From Volumetric Water Content Measurements
Authors: Bandai Toshiyuki , Ghezzehei Teamrat A.
Published: December 2020

Water retention curves (WRCs) and hydraulic conductivity functions (HCFs) are critical soil‐specific characteristics necessary for modeling the movement of water in soils using the Richardson‐Richards equation (RRE). Well‐established laboratory measurement methods of WRCs and HCFs are not usually suitable for simulating field‐scale soil moisture dynamics because of the scale mismatch. Hence, the inverse solution of the RRE must be used to estimate WRCs and HCFs from field measured data. Here, we propose a physics‐informed neural network (PINN) framework for the inverse solution of the RRE and the estimation of WRCs and HCFs from only volumetric water content (VWC) measurements. The proposed framework does not need initial and boundary conditions, which are rarely available in real applications. The PINNs consist of three linked feedforward neural networks, two of which were constrained to be monotonic functions to reflect the monotonicity of WRCs and HCFs. Alternatively, we also tested PINNs without monotonicity constraints. We trained the PINNs using synthetic VWC data with artificial noise, derived by a numerical solution of the RRE for three soil textures. The monotonicity constraints regularized the inverse problem. The PINNs were able to reconstruct the true VWC dynamics. We demonstrated that the PINNs could recover the underlying WRCs and HCFs in nonparametric form. However, the reconstructed WRCs and HCFs at wet and dry ends were unsatisfactory because of the strong nonlinearity. We additionally showed that the trained PINNs could estimate soil water flux density with a broader range of estimation than the currently available methods.
How Effective is Model Predictive Control in Real‐Time Water Quality Regulation? State‐Space Modeling and Scalable Control
Authors: Wang Shen , Taha Ahmad F. , Abokifa Ahmed A.
Published: December 2020

Real‐time water quality control (WQC) in water distribution networks (WDN), the problem of regulating disinfectant levels, is challenging due to lack of (i) a proper control‐oriented modeling considering complicated components (junctions, reservoirs, tanks, pipes, pumps, and valves) for water quality modeling in WDN and (ii) a corresponding scalable control algorithm that performs real‐time water quality regulation. In this paper, we solve the WQC problem by (a) proposing a novel state‐space representation of the WQC problem that provides an explicit relationship between inputs (chlorine dosage at booster stations) and states/outputs (chlorine concentrations in the entire network) and (b) designing a highly scalable model predictive control (MPC) algorithm that showcases fast response time and resilience against some sources of uncertainty.
An uncoordinated tertiary nitrogen based tricarboxylate calcium network with Lewis acid–base dual catalytic sites for cyanosilylation of aldehydes
Authors: Wang Ying-Xia , Wang Hui-Min , Meng Pan , Song Dong-Xia , Hou Juan-Juan , Zhang Xian-Ming
Published: December 2020

An uncoordinatedly tertiary nitrogen based tricarboxylate calcium network with Lewis acid–base dual catalytic sites have been designed and synthesized for cyanosilylation of aldehydes.