bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐Uniformity Threshold Switching HfO2‐Based Selectors with Patterned Ag Nanodots
Authors: Li Yujia , Tang Jianshi , Gao Bin , Sun Wen , Hua Qilin , Zhang Wenbin , Li Xinyi , Zhang Wanrong , Qian He , Wu Huaqiang
Published: October 2020

High‐performance selector devices are essential for emerging nonvolatile memories to implement high‐density memory storage and large‐scale neuromorphic computing. Device uniformity is one of the key challenges which limit the practical applications of threshold switching selectors. Here, high‐uniformity threshold switching HfO2‐based selectors are fabricated by using e‐beam lithography to pattern controllable Ag nanodots (NDs) with high order and uniform size in the cross‐point region. The selectors exhibit excellent bidirectional threshold switching performance, including low leakage current (<1 pA), high on/off ratio (>108), high endurance (>108 cycles), and fast switching speed (≈75 ns). The patterned Ag NDs in the selector help control the number of Ag atoms diffusing into HfO2 and confine the positions to form reproducible filaments. According to the statistical analysis, the Ag NDs selectors show much smaller cycle‐to‐cycle and device‐to‐device variations (CV < 10%) compared to control samples with nonpatterned Ag thin film. Furthermore, when integrating the Ag NDs selector with resistive switching memory in one‐selector‐one‐resistor (1S1R) structure, the reduced selector variation helps significantly reduce the bit error rate in 1S1R crossbar array. The high‐uniformity Ag NDs selectors offer great potential in the fabrication of large‐scale 1S1R crossbar arrays for future memory and neuromorphic computing applications.
Modulation of Electrical Properties with Controllable Local Doping in Multilayer MoTe2 Transistors
Authors: Ke Yuxuan , Song Xuefen , Qi Dianyu , Liu Jidong , Hao Qiaoyan , Wang Zhuo , Tang Sisi , Zhang Wenjing
Published: October 2020

It has been found that substitutional atoms, surface modification, electrostatic gating, and contact electrode engineering can induce doping effects in 2D materials. However, the doping level, area, position, and pattern shape are not well controlled; thus, it is hard to generate high‐performance, multifunctional devices and logic circuits with these doping approaches. Here, it is found that a damage‐free, highly controllable, local doping in multilayer molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) flakes can be realized with highly controllable laser beam scanning irradiation. The doping level, area, position, and pattern shape are well controlled by adjusting parameters of the scanning laser beam. With the controllable doping, the subthreshold swing of MoTe2‐based transistors can be decreased by one order of magnitude, well‐matched p‐type and n‐type transports can be formed, and threshold voltages can be modulated, then a complementary inverter with ultra‐high gain ≈242 is realized, which is the highest in all reported inverters based on 2D materials. It is also found that a stable negative transconductance behavior can be created for the MoTe2 transistor by controlling doping position, then a frequency doubler is successfully demonstrated. Therefore, it is proposed that the position‐controlled local doping in multilayer MoTe2 may offer exciting application potentials in future nanoelectronics.
Introduction of Interfacial Load Polymeric Layer to Organic Flexible Memristor for Regulating Conductive Filament Growth
Authors: Park Hea‐Lim , Kim Min‐Hoi , Lee Sin‐Hyung
Published: October 2020

In flexible neuromorphic electronics, solution‐processed organic memristors are important elements to perform memory functions. Despite considerable development for improving performances of organic memristors, the devices still exhibit the poor reliability and uniformity due to the stochastic characteristics of the conductive filament (CF) growth. Herein, the effective concept of introducing the interfacial load polymer (ILP) layers that control the CF growth in flexible organic memristors is demonstrated. In the flexible organic memristor, the ILP serves as an internal load resistor that regulates the CF growth in the electrolyte medium and the electron blocking layer, hence realizing self‐rectifying characteristics. In particular, the ILP provides the self‐compliance current of the device, which delicately limits the overgrowth of CFs. The flexible device delivers higher electrical performance (better reliability, uniformity, and the switching currents) than conventional devices without the ILP. Moreover, the device operates stably under repeated bending–straightening deformations. This unprecedented concept of achieving the capabilities of self‐compliance current and self‐rectifying property in a single memristor will provide a practical platform for constructing and realizing next‐generation flexible neuromorphic systems.
Prospects of Terahertz Transistors with the Topological Semimetal Cadmium Arsenide
Authors: Shoron Omor F. , Goyal Manik , Guo Binghao , Kealhofer David A. , Schumann Timo , Stemmer Susanne
Published: October 2020

Electronic devices that operate at terahertz frequencies will require new materials that exhibit higher carrier velocities than traditional semiconductors. Calculations show that cadmium arsenide, a 3D topological (Dirac) semimetal, is an excellent candidate for field effect transistors that operate at frequencies above 1 THz. Moreover, such transistors have unique advantages that are enabled by the properties of Dirac electrons. These include predictions of an unprecedented linearity of the transconductance and cutoff frequencies over a large operating range and cutoff frequencies that remain above 1 THz at carrier densities as low as 1011 cm−2. The calculations are underpinned by measurements of devices with cadmium arsenide channels. Extremely low contact resistances (<2 × 10−9 Ω cm2), high electron velocities (>7 × 105 m s−1), and unprecedentedly large current densities (up to 10 A mm−1) are demonstrated. Current modulation (>50%) and transconductance already achieved in the early transistors show the potential for large (>10 ×) improvements by reducing interface trap densities. The results demonstrate the significant potential of topological semimetals for high‐speed transistors operating in the THz regime and open up new opportunities for next‐generation RF circuits.
Donor–Acceptor Metallopolymers Containing Ferrocene for Brain Inspired Memristive Devices
Authors: Zhang Miaocheng , Ma Chenxi , Du Dawei , Xiang Jing , Yao Suhao , Hu Ertao , Liu Shujuan , Tong Yi , Wong Wai‐Yeung , Zhao Qiang
Published: October 2020

To realize brain‐inspired devices and systems, memristor is one of the significant alternatives in breaking through the infrastructure restrictions of present logic and memory devices. Organic materials have become popular to fabricate memristive devices due to their unique properties of low cost, mechanical flexibility, and compatibility with complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor technology. Metallopolymer is a new kind of promising organic materials functioning as the resistive‐switching layers of memristive devices due to the unique donor–acceptor type structure, which performs good ability of tuning electron concentration to boost the migration of inner ions. Herein, a new metallopolymer MP1 containing ferrocene and triphenylamine is designed and synthesized, which is utilized as a resistive‐switching layer of memristor with active and inert electrodes of Ag and Pt, respectively. Process flow of devices is fully developed and MP1 is found to act as metal‐ions‐accommodation site with the great potential to boost the formation of conductive filaments in the active region. More interestingly, the conductance of Ag/MP1/Pt memristor can be modulated under various voltage pulses exhibiting distinguished electrical properties. Additionally, synaptic functions are successfully emulated using such MP1‐based memristors. This work will greatly expand the further development of organic memristors for flexible brain‐inspired systems.
Severe ulcerative esophagitis and colitis induced by crizotinib therapy: A case report
Authors: Su Wei‐Wen , Hsu Hui‐Ting , Hsu Po‐Ke
Published: October 2020

The expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), a target of tyrosine kinase is altered in several kinds of cancer, including in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). For this reason, the use of crizotinib to treat locally advanced or metastatic ALK‐positive NSCLC was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2011. The reported adverse events during clinical trials with crizotinib included esophageal disorders in 11% of the patients, although none of them experienced severe events. Drug‐induced esophagitis or more severe ulcerations are considerably rare according to the available case reports. We report a patient who presented with severe esophageal ulcers after 2‐year treatment with crizotinib for metastatic, ALK‐positive NSCLC. These clinical conditions improved after education on proper eating habits and an additional prescription of a proton pump inhibitor. Several months later, the patient developed colitis with severe diarrhea, which was successfully controlled with mesalazine without reductions in the dosage of crizotinib. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published case of successfully treated, consecutive esophageal and colonic ulcers related to crizotinib use. Crizotinib is a widely used targeted therapy for locally advanced or metastatic ALK‐positive NSCLC, and clinicians should keep in mind its severe drug‐related adverse effects such as esophagitis and colitis. Treatment with mesalazine, esomeprazole, and slightly decreasing the dose of crizotinib to 200 mg twice daily will be effective.
Self‐reported obstructive sleep apnea, amyloid and tau burden, and Alzheimer's disease time‐dependent progression
Authors: Bubu Omonigho M. , Umasabor‐Bubu Ogie Q. , Turner Arlener D , Parekh Ankit , Mullins Anna E. , Kam Korey , Birckbichler Madeline K. , Mukhtar Fahad , Mbah Alfred K , Williams Natasha J. , Rapoport David M. , de Leon Mony , Jean‐Louis Girardin , Ayappa Indu , Varga Andrew W. , Osorio Ricardo S. ,   and Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers in cognitively normal (CN) and mild cognitive impaired (MCI) participants. However, independent and combined effects of OSA, amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau‐accumulation on AD time‐dependent progression risk is unclear.

Methods

Study participants grouped by biomarker profile, as described by the A/T/N scheme, where “A” refers to aggregated Aβ, “T” aggregated tau, and “N” to neurodegeneration, included 258 CN (OSA‐positive [OSA+] [A+TN+ n = 10, A+/TN− n = 6, A−/TN+ n = 10, A−/TN− n = 6 and OSA‐negative [OSA‐] [A+TN+ n = 84, A+/TN− n = 11, A−/TN+ n = 96, A−/TN− n = 36]) and 785 MCI (OSA+ [A+TN+ n = 35, A+/TN− n = 15, A−/TN+ n = 25, A−/TN− n = 16] and OSA− [A+TN+ n = 388, A+/TN− n = 28, A−/TN+ n = 164, A−/TN− n = 114]) older‐adults from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort. Cox proportional hazards regression models estimated the relative hazard of progression from CN‐to‐MCI and MCI‐to‐AD, among baseline OSA CN and MCI patients, respectively. Multi‐level logistic mixed‐effects models with random intercept and slope investigated the synergistic associations of self‐reported OSA, Aβ, and tau burden with prospective cognitive decline.

Results

Independent of TN‐status (CN and MCI), OSA+/Aβ+ participants were approximately two to four times more likely to progress to MCI/AD (P < .001) and progressed 6 to 18 months earlier (P < .001), compared to other participants combined (ie, OSA+/Aβ−, OSA−/Aβ+, and OSA−/Aβ−). Notably, OSA+/Aβ− versus OSA−/Aβ− (CN and MCI) and OSA+/TN− versus OSA−/TN− (CN) participants showed no difference in the risk and time‐to‐MCI/AD progression. Mixed effects models demonstrated OSA synergism with Aβ (CN and MCI [β = 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.74 to 1.52, and β = 1.18, 95%CI, 0.82 to 1.54]) respectively, and with tau (MCI [β = 1.31, 95% CI, 0.87 to 1.47]), P < .001 for all.

Discussion

OSA acts in synergism with Aβ and with tau, and all three acting together result in synergistic neurodegenerative mechanisms especially as Aβ and tau accumulation becomes increasingly abnormal, thus leading to shorter progression time to MCI/AD in CN and MCI‐OSA patients, respectively.
Graphene/polypropylene nanocomposites with improved thermal and mechanical properties
Authors: Abuoudah Carmen K. , Greish Yaser E. , Abu‐Jdayil Basim , El‐said Ehab M. , Iqbal Muhammad Z.
Published: October 2020

Small amount of large surface area graphene (G) is expected to significantly alter functional properties of polymers. The property enhancement is a function of degree of exfoliation and dispersion of G as well as its compatibility with base polymer. However, nonpolar nature of polyolefins such as polypropylene (PP) restricts homogeneous dispersion of G, leading to significant agglomeration and properties reduction. In this work, two compatibilizers, poly (ethylene‐co‐butyl acrylate) (EBA) (new compatibilizer) and PP‐grafted‐maleic anhydride (MA‐PP) (conventional compatibilizer) were compared to enhance the dispersion efficacy of G in PP. The EBA‐compatibilized nanocomposites exhibited 44% increase in the Young's modulus compared to 32% increment in MA‐PP‐compatibilized nanocomposites. Higher elongation at break for EBA‐compatibilized nanocomposites is attributed to lower degree of crystallinity in these nanocomposites. On the other hand, EBA‐compatibilized nanocomposites showed significantly improved thermal stability compared to MA‐PP‐compatibilized nanocomposites. The results indicate that EBA may act as a potential compatibilizer for G/PP nanocomposites.
Torsionstragverhalten von Betonhohlquerschnitten in geschlossenen und klaffenden Segmentfugen
Authors: Loh Lutz , Garg Andreas
Published: October 2020

Beim Bau von besonders hohen Windenergieanlagen und auch im Brückenbau werden Betonfertigteile bevorzugt mit trockener Fuge gestoßen und einer Längsvorspannung überdrückt. Schubkräfte infolge Torsion und Querkraft können in der Segmentfuge lediglich über Reibung abgetragen werden, d. h. die Torsions‐ und Querkrafttragfähigkeit ist direkt mit dem Reibwiderstand der Fuge gekoppelt. Unter einer Biegebeanspruchung ist dieser Reibwiderstand über den Querschnitt veränderlich. Gleichzeitig kann es zu einer klaffenden Fuge im GZT kommen. Die vorherrschenden Bemessungsansätze haben es bisher nicht geschafft, eine stringente Lösung zur Torsionstragfähigkeit in Kombination mit Biegung darzulegen. Ein Ansatz gemäß Elastizitätstheorie soll hier auf das wahre Tragverhalten aufmerksam machen.
Carbo[n]helicenes Restricted to Enantiomerize: An Insight into the Design Process of Configurationally Stable Functional Chiral PAHs
Authors: Ravat Prince
Published: October 2020

The most important stereodynamic feature of carbo[n]helicenes is the interconversion of their enantiomers. The Gibbs activation energy (ΔG≠(T)) of this process, which determines the rate of enantiomerization, dictates the configurational stability of [n]helicenes. High values of ΔG≠(T) are required for applications of functional chiral molecules incorporating [n]helicenes or helicene substructures. This minireview provides an overview of the mechanism, recent developments, and factors affecting the enantiomerization of [n]helicenes, which will accelerate the design process of configurationally stable functional chiral molecules based on helicene substructures. Additionally, this minireview addresses the misconception and irregularities in the recent literature on how the terms “racemization” and “enantiomerization” are used as well as how the activation parameters are calculated for [n]helicenes and related compounds.
Filterauswahl leicht gemacht
Authors: Wilbertz Gina ,   Amedes, für Stauff
Published: October 2020

Mit dem neuen Online‐Konfigurator auf der Stauff‐Homepage kann der Hydraulikkonstrukteur in wenigen, intuitiv nachvollziehbaren Arbeitsschritten den passenden Hydraulikfilter für sein aktuelles Projekt auswählen.
Pumpenstillstände vermeiden
Authors: van Dorp Annette ,   AvD für Paul Bungartz
Published: October 2020

Pumpenstillstände vermeiden Eigensichere und energieeffiziente Lösung für die Praxis Bezogen auf den Einsatz von Pumpen wurde der Begriff Eigensicherheit erstmalig für die Kreiselpumpen aus dem Hause Bungartz benutzt.
Schütten und Verdichten
Authors: Schaaf Susan ,   Rapp Advertising, für Flexicon Europe
Published: October 2020

Eine neue mobile Sackschütte mit flexiblem Spiralförderer und Sackverdichter ermöglicht Transfer von Schüttgut aus Handsäcken, Eimern und Kisten in erhöhte Lagerbehälter.
Spermine Derivatives of Indole‐3‐carboxylic Acid, Indole‐3‐acetic Acid and Indole‐3‐acrylic Acid as Gram‐Negative Antibiotic Adjuvants
Authors: Cadelis Melissa M. , Li Steven A. , Bourguet‐Kondracki Marie‐Lise , Blanchet Marine , Douafer Hana , Brunel Jean Michel , Copp Brent R.
Published: October 2020

The discovery of new antibiotic adjuvants is an attractive option for overcoming antimicrobial resistance. We have previously reported the discovery of a bis‐6‐bromoindolglyoxylamide derivative of spermine as being able to enhance the action of antibiotics against Gram‐negative bacteria but suffers from being cytotoxic and red‐blood cell haemolytic. A series of analogues was prepared exploring variation of the indolglyoxylamide unit, to include indole‐3‐acrylic, indole‐3‐acetic and indole‐3‐carboxylate units, and evaluated for antibiotic enhancing properties against a range of Gram‐negative bacteria, and for intrinsic antimicrobial, cytotoxic and haemolytic properties. Two spermine derivatives, bearing 5‐bromo‐indole‐3‐acetic acid (17) and 5‐methoxy‐indole‐3‐acrylic acid (14) end groups were found to exhibit good to moderate antibiotic adjuvant activities for doxycycline towards the Gram‐negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, but with more modest intrinsic antimicrobial activity and greatly reduced cytotoxic and haemolytic properties. The mechanism of action of the latter derivative identified its ability to disrupt the outer membranes of bacteria and to inhibit the AcrAB‐TolC efflux pump directly or by inhibiting the proton gradient.
A Ligand‐Directed Nitrophenol Carbonate for Transient in situ Bioconjugation and Drug Delivery
Authors: Burt Anthony J. , Ahmadvand Parvaneh , Opp Larissa K. , Ryan Austin T. , Kang ChulHee , Mancini Rock J.
Published: October 2020

Here we report the first use of ligand‐directed proximity accelerated bioconjugation chemistry in the tandem delivery and release of a therapeutic payload. To do this, we designed a nitrophenol carbonate for ligand‐directed in situ bioconjugation of a prodrug payload to a protein. The transient nature of our conjugation chemistry renders the protein a depot for time‐dependent release of active drug following hydrolysis and self‐immolation. In our model system, using an immunostimulant prodrug, biotin ligand, and avidin protein, we observe release of bioavailable immunostimulant both spectroscopically and with an immune cell line over 48 h. Avidin co‐crystalized with the nitrophenolate directing group verified the binding pose of the ligand and offered insight into the mechanism of in situ bioconjugation. Overall, this scaffold warrants further investigation for the time‐dependent delivery of therapeutics and use in protein ligand pairs beyond biotin and avidin used for this work.
Should “suspicious for high‐grade urothelial carcinoma” and “positive for high‐grade urothelial carcinoma” remain separate categories?
Authors: Nguyen Luan , Nilforoushan Neshat , Krane Jeffrey F. , Bose Shikha , Bakkar Rania
Published: October 2020

Background

The Paris System (TPS) for Reporting Urinary Cytology aims to standardize urine cytology reporting. Per TPS, the diagnosis of “suspicious for high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (SHGUC)” is applied in cases that have few urothelial cells with severe atypia but are quantitatively insufficient for a diagnosis of “high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC).” In our study, we compared the diagnostic accuracy and risk of malignancy (ROM) of these 2 categories to assess whether they could be combined in clinical practice to perhaps improve overall interobserver variability.

Methods

All urine specimens with a diagnosis of either SHGUC or HGUC from January 2016 to July 2019 were retrieved from the pathology database of 2 large academic institutions. Only cases with follow‐up biopsies within 6 months were included.

Results

One hundred eighty‐nine cases met the study criteria. Of these, 122 had a cytologic diagnosis of SHGUC, and 67 had a diagnosis of HGUC. Ninety‐five (78%) cases from the SHGUC group and 64 (96%) cases from the HGUC group had biopsy‐proven HGUC. The majority of cases with discordance had a history of treatment with either intravesical bacillus Calmette‐Guérin or mitomycin. The difference in the rate of biopsy‐proven HGUC between the SHGUC category and the HGUC category (95/122 vs 64/67, respectively) was statistically significant (P < .001).

Conclusions

The difference in ROM between SHGUC and HGUC was statistically significant in our study cohort. Intravesical chemotherapy was frequently observed in negative biopsy cases in both groups. Our preliminary findings suggest that the 2 TPS categories should remain separate.
An efficient nonlinear polynomial color characterization method based on interrelations of color spaces
Authors: Ji Jing , Fang Suping , Shi Zhengyuan , Xia Qing , Li Yibao
Published: October 2020

A well‐known color characterization method is to take an image of a color chart and then to find the mapping matrix from the digital RGBs to the corresponding known CIEXYZs. However, the prediction errors are generally large in CIELAB color space because of the nonlinear transformation from CIEXYZs to CIELABs. In this article, we propose an efficient and simple nonlinear method for the color characterization of input devices. The approach for deriving a colorimetric mapping between digital RGB signals and CIELAB tristimulus values uses the polynomial modeling by considering the interrelations among the standard CIE color spaces. Furthermore, to improve the accuracy of solution, we take the polynomial root terms extension. Our algorithm is simple to implement because only a least‐squares mapping should be solved. Various computational results are given to demonstrate the efficiency and capability of the proposed method.
Exploration of OpenCL Heterogeneous Programming for Porting Solidification Modeling to CPU‐GPU Platforms
Authors: Halbiniak Kamil , Szustak Lukasz , Olas Tomasz , Wyrzykowski Roman , Gepner Pawel
Published: October 2020

This article provides a comprehensive study of OpenCL heterogeneous programming for porting applications to CPU–GPU computing platforms, with a real‐life application for the solidification modeling. The aim is to achieve a flexible workload distribution between available CPU–GPU resources and optimize application performance. Considering the solidification application as a use case, we explore the necessary steps required for (i) adaptation of an application to CPU–GPU platforms, and (ii) mapping the application workload onto the OpenCL programming model. The adaptation is based on a reformulation of steps developed previously for CPU–MIC architectures. The mapping process allows us to utilize OpenCL for harnessing CPU and GPU cores using data parallelism, as well as for the management of available compute devices with task parallelism. The resulting OpenCL code's performance and energy efficiency is experimentally studied for two platforms with powerful GPUs of various generations (with Kepler and Volta architectures). The experiments confirm the performance advantage of using computing resources of both GPUs and CPUs. The achieved benefit depends on the relationship between the computing power of CPUs and GPUs. Moreover, this gain entails the growth of the average power that increases the energy consumed during the application execution.
Tissue‐specific analysis of Fgf18 gene function in palate development
Authors: Yue Minghui , Lan Yu , Liu Han , Wu Zhaoming , Imamura Toru , Jiang Rulang
Published: October 2020

Background

Previous studies showed that mice lacking Fgf18 function had cleft palate defects and that the FGF18 locus was associated with cleft lip and palate in humans, but what specific roles Fgf18 plays during palatogenesis are unclear.

Results

We show that Fgf18 exhibits regionally restricted expression in developing palatal shelves, mandible, and tongue, during palatal outgrowth and fusion in mouse embryos. Tissue‐specific inactivation of Fgf18 throughout neural crest‐derived craniofacial mesenchyme caused shortened mandible and reduction in ossification of the frontal, nasal, and anterior cranial base skeletal elements in Fgf18c/c;Wnt1‐Cre mutant mice. About 64% of Fgf18c/c;Wnt1‐Cre mice exhibited cleft palate. Whereas palatal shelf elevation was impaired in many Fgf18c/c;Wnt1‐Cre embryos, no significant difference in palatal cell proliferation was detected between Fgf18c/c;Wnt1‐Cre embryos and their control littermates. Embryonic maxillary explants from Fgf18c/c;Wnt1‐Cre embryos showed successful palatal shelf elevation and fusion in organ culture similar to the maxillary explants from control embryos. Furthermore, tissue‐specific inactivation of Fgf18 in the early palatal mesenchyme did not cause cleft palate.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate a critical role for Fgf18 expression in the neural crest‐derived mesenchyme for the development of the mandible and multiple craniofacial bones but Fgf18 expression in the palatal mesenchyme is dispensable for palatogenesis.
Scientist Spotlights: Online assignments to promote inclusion in Ecology and Evolution
Authors: Brandt Samantha , Cotner Sehoya , Koth Zoe , McGaugh Suzanne
Published: October 2020

Scientific disciplines face large diversity challenges, with the fields of ecology and evolution being among the most homogeneous—specifically with respect to race and ethnicity. These problems have been recently compounded by large‐scale racial unrest, highlighting some of the underlying disparities that have led to these diversity challenges, and a global pandemic, which, by moving instruction online, has created new challenges for inclusive teaching. Among the inclusive‐teaching techniques that can be implemented during remote instruction are Scientist Spotlights—role‐model interventions that use available online materials to highlight the work of scientists representing multiple axes of diversity. We report here on the implementation of Scientist Spotlights in two courses, both of which emphasize ecology and evolution. We conclude with sample resources and suggestions for adopters.
Unaltered soil microbial community composition, but decreased metabolic activity in a semiarid grassland after two years of passive experimental warming
Authors: Fang Chao , Ke Wenbin , Campioli Matteo , Pei Jiuying , Yuan Ziqiang , Song Xin , Ye Jian‐Sheng , Li Fengmin , Janssens Ivan A.
Published: October 2020

Soil microbial communities regulate soil carbon feedbacks to climate warming through microbial respiration (i.e., metabolic rate). A thorough understanding of the responses of composition, biomass, and metabolic rate of soil microbial community to warming is crucial to predict soil carbon stocks in a future warmer climate. Therefore, we conducted a field manipulative experiment in a semiarid grassland on the Loess Plateau of China to evaluate the responses of the soil microbial community to increased temperature from April 2015 to December 2017. Soil temperature was 2.0°C higher relative to the ambient when open‐top chambers (OTCs) were used. Warming did not affect microbial biomass or the composition of microbial functional groups. However, warming significantly decreased microbial respiration, directly resulting from soil pH decrease driven by the comediation of aboveground biomass increase, inorganic nitrogen increase, and moisture decrease. These findings highlight that the soil microbial community structure of semiarid grasslands resisted the short‐term warming by 2°C, although its metabolic rate declined.
Overexpression of endothelial β3‐adrenergic receptor induces diastolic dysfunction in rats
Authors: Dhot Justine , Ferron Marine , Prat Valentine , Persello Antoine , Roul David , Stévant David , Guijarro Damien , Piriou Nicolas , Aillerie Virginie , Erraud Angélique , Toumaniantz Gilles , Erfanian Morteza , Tesse Angela , Grabherr Amandine , Tesson Laurent , Menoret Séverine , Anegon Ignacio , Trochu Jean‐Noël , Steenman Marja , De Waard Michel , Rozec Bertrand , Lauzier Benjamin , Gauthier Chantal
Published: October 2020

Aims

Diastolic dysfunction is common in cardiovascular diseases, particularly in the case of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The challenge is to develop adequate animal models to envision human therapies in the future. It has been hypothesized that this diastolic dysfunction is linked to alterations in the nitric oxide (•NO) pathway. To investigate this issue further, we investigated the cardiac functions of a transgenic rat model (Tgβ3) that overexpresses the human β3‐adrenoceptor (hβ3‐AR) in the endothelium with the underlying rationale that the •NO pathway should be stimulated in the endothelium.

Methods and results

Transgenic rats (Tgβ3) that express hβ3‐AR under the control of intercellular adhesion molecule 2 promoter were developed for a specific expression in endothelial cells. Transcriptomic analyses were performed on left ventricular tissue from 45‐week‐old rats. Among all altered genes, we focus on •NO synthase expression and endothelial function with arterial reactivity and evaluation of •NO and O2•− production. Cardiac function was characterized by echocardiography, invasive haemodynamic studies, and working heart studies. Transcriptome analyses illustrate that several key genes are regulated by the hβ3‐AR overexpression. Overexpression of hβ3‐AR leads to a reduction of Nos3 mRNA expression (−72%; P < 0.05) associated with a decrease in protein expression (−19%; P < 0.05). Concentration‐dependent vasodilation to isoproterenol was significantly reduced in Tgβ3 aorta (−10%; P < 0.05), while •NO and O2•− production was increased. In the same time, Tgβ3 rats display progressively increasing diastolic dysfunction with age, as shown by an increase in the E/A filing ratio [1.15 ± 0.01 (wild type, WT) vs. 1.33 ± 0.04 (Tgβ3); P < 0.05] and in left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure [5.57 ± 1.23 mmHg (WT) vs. 11.68 ± 1.11 mmHg (Tgβ3); P < 0.05]. In isolated working hearts, diastolic stress using increasing preload levels led to a 20% decrease in aortic flow [55.4 ± 1.9 mL/min (WT) vs. 45.8 ± 2.5 mL/min (Tgβ3); P < 0.05].

Conclusions

The Tgβ3 rat model displays the expected increase in •NO production upon ageing and develops diastolic dysfunction. These findings provide a further link between endothelial and cardiac dysfunction. This rat model should be valuable for future preclinical evaluation of candidate drugs aimed at correcting diastolic dysfunction.
A novel procedure combining computational fluid dynamics and evolutionary approach to minimize parasitic power loss in air cooling of Li‐ion battery for thermal management system design
Authors: Jishnu A.K. , Garg Akhil , Shaosen Su , Su Yan , Panigrahi Bijaya Ketan
Published: October 2020

Air‐cooling‐based battery thermal management system (BTMS) is a research hotspot for electric vehicles because of lower cost and simpler design. Past research works have immensely concentrated on the enhancement of heat removal from Li‐ion battery, but the minimum consideration has been given to minimize the parasitic power. In this paper, a novel procedure is proposed to predict the operating parameters (inlet velocity, working time of fan, and range of heat generation rates) of air‐cooling design for minimizing parasitic power and ensuring the battery temperature do not exceed the upper threshold limit simultaneously. Based on findings via computational fluid dynamics analysis, an empirical model of air‐cooling BTMS is further developed using an evolutionary approach of model selection criteria approximated genetic programming (MSC‐GP). The model is then optimized to determine operating parameters of air cooling which causes minimum parasitic power while keeping the average temperature of battery cells within the limit. Further, sensitivity analysis and parameter interaction (2D and 3D) analysis is also performed to study the effect and identify the contribution of various operating parameters on parasitic power. Operating time of fan has 49% influence on final temperature while inlet velocity has 36% influence only. However parasitic power is more sensitive to inlet velocity (77%) while operating time has 23% influence only. Finally, the optimal values of operating parameters for various heat generation rate per cell (function of discharge rate) are obtained. The optimized parasitic power was observed to be nonlinearly increasing with heat generation rate. Operating time of fan has 49% influence on final temperature while inlet velocity has 36% influence only. However, parasitic power is more sensitive to inlet velocity (77%) while operating time has 23% influence only.
Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook. f. & Thomson (Menispermaceae): a new record for Nepal
Authors: Paudel Hem Raj , Bhattarai Shandesh , Kunwar Ripu Mardhan
Published: October 2020

Tinospora crispa (L.) Hook.f. & Thomson is recorded for the first time for Nepal, where it is restricted to disturbed forests and shrublands of Tanahun district, in the central region. It is distinguished from T. sinensis (Lour.) Merr., the other species known from Nepal, by its glabrous branches and leaves and the numerous prominent blunt tubercles on old stems. A description and illustrations of T. crispa and a key to the Nepalese species are provided.
Leaf essential oil from Ivorian Isolona dewevrei (Annonaceae): Chemical composition and structure elucidation of four new natural sesquiterpenes
Authors: Kambiré Didjour Albert , Boti Jean Brice , Ouattara Zana Adama , Yapi Thierry Acafou , Bighelli Ange , Tomi Félix , Casanova Joseph
Published: October 2020

This work is a contribution to the characterization of aromatic and medicinal plants from Côte d’Ivoire. To date, no phytochemical investigation was reported on Isolona dewevrei. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate for the first time, the chemical composition of the leaf essential oil from I dewevrei. Two essential oil samples (S1, S2) were analysed by combination of chromatographic [GC(FID) and GC(RI)] and spectroscopic [MS, 13C‐NMR] techniques. As several compounds remained unidentified, particularly in sample S1, this oil was fractionated on silica gel column, leading to the isolation and structural elucidation of four new natural compounds by QTOF‐MS, 1D and 2D‐NMR analyses. These new natural sesquiterpenes were identified as (5αH,10βMe)‐6,12‐oxido‐elema‐1,3,6,11(12)‐tetraene, 6,12‐oxido‐germacra‐1(10),4,6,11(12)‐tetraene, (1βH,5βH)‐6,12‐oxido‐guaia‐6,10(14),11(12)‐trien‐4α‐ol and germacra‐1(10),4,7(11)‐trien‐6,12‐γ‐lactone. Finally, sixty‐eight constituents were identified in both investigated essential oil samples. They accounted for 96.1 and 97.3%, respectively, of the whole chemical composition of S1 and S2. Leaf essential oil from Idewevrei is very rich in sesquiterpenes. Indeed, its majority compounds were germacrene B (20.8 and 24.8%), (5αH,10βMe)‐6,12‐oxido‐elema‐1,3,6,11(12)‐tetraene (10.3 and 0.3%, new compound), germacrene D (7.5 and 17.8%), (Z)‐β‐ocimene (7.8 and 9.7%),γ‐elemene (6.9 and 7.5%) and (E)‐β‐caryophyllene (6.8 and 3.5%). The contents of thermolabile components were assessed by combination of GC(FID) and 13C‐NMR.
Crude Oil Price Fluctuation Analysis Under Considering Emergency and Network Search Data
Authors: Dai Wan‐qiang , Pan Wei , Shi Yongdong , Hu Cheng , Pan Wulin , Huang Ge
Published: October 2020

With the rapid development of the global economy, crude oil is becoming more and more prominent in terms of national stability. However, oil prices dramatically fluctuate during emergencies. Meanwhile, network search data have been widely used for prediction during the era of big data. Herein, a suggestion is introduced for improving the traditional case analysis. An autoregressive distributed lag model is established, considering emergency and network search data. Moreover, a network attention index of specific emergencies is used to explain fluctuations of the oil price and the influence of this attention is analyzed. Results show: 1) major emergencies have a significant short‐term impact on the international oil market and a remarkable influence on the cumulative abnormal return of an event window, and 2) market attention can aggravate fluctuations of oil prices. It is found that the individual network attention paid to each of four emergencies has a significant impact on oil prices. The network attention related to Hurricane Katrina and the Libyan war has positive effects on oil prices. However, the effects of network attention paid to the subprime crisis and the Mexico oil spill of 2010 are negative. The attention paid to the subprime crisis has both the greatest and the longest lasting impact.
HR ambidexterity and absorptive capacities: A paradox‐based approach to HRM capabilities and practice adoption in MNC subsidiaries
Authors: Beletskiy Anton , Fey Carl F.
Published: October 2020

This article examines the relationship between the capabilities of HR departments and the level of adoption of corporate HRM practices in MNC subsidiaries. To explain this relationship, we leverage paradox theorizing, still rare but gaining increasing attention in HRM research, and integrate the studies of practice transfer, organizational ambidexterity, and absorptive capacity. First, we establish the conceptual linkages between the implementation and internalization dimensions of practice adoption and the potential and realized absorptive capacities of HR departments. Second, we re‐define the operational and strategic activities of HR departments in terms of the learning paradox of exploitation and exploration. Third, we introduce the concept of HR ambidexterity to describe HR departments that possess high levels of capabilities in both operational (exploitative) and strategic (explorative) task‐domains. Finally, we hypothesize that ambidextrous HR departments are more adept at adopting corporate HRM practices. An analysis of the survey data from 105 foreign subsidiaries of 12 MNCs supports this single hypothesis. The main contribution of this research is in leveraging paradox theorizing to explain the nature of HRM capabilities and their role in the adoption of HRM practices.
Freeze–thaw processes degrade post‐fire water repellency in wet soils
Authors: Rakhmatulina Ekaterina , Thompson Sally
Published: October 2020

Wildfires are a cause of soil water repellency (hydrophobicity), which reduces infiltration whilst increasing erosion and flooding from post‐fire rainfall. Post‐fire soil water repellency degrades over time, often in response to repeated wetting and drying of the soil. However, in mountainous fire‐prone forests such as those in the Western USA, the fire season often terminates in a cold and wet winter, during which soils not only wet and dry, but also freeze and thaw. Little is known about the effect of repeated freezing and thawing of soil on the breakdown of post‐fire hydrophobicity. This study characterized the changes in hydrophobicity of Sierra Nevada mountain soils exposed to different combinations of wet–dry and freeze–thaw cycling. Following each cycle, hydrophobicity was measured using the Molarity of Ethanol test. Hydrophobicity declined similarly across all experiments that included a wetting cycle. Repeated freezing and thawing of dry soil did not degrade soil water repellency, but freeze–thaw cycles decreased hydrophobicity in wet soils. Total soil organic matter content was not different between soils of contrasting hydrophobicity. Macroscopic changes such as fissures and cracks were observed to form as soil hydrophobicity decayed. Microscopic changes revealed by scanning electron microscope imagery suggest different levels of soil aggregation occurred in samples with distinct hydrophobicities, although the size of aggregates was not clearly correlated to the change in water repellency due to wet–dry and freeze–thaw cycling. A 9‐year climate and soil moisture record from Providence Critical Zone Observatory was combined with the laboratory results to estimate that hydrophobicity would persist an average of 144 days post‐fire at this well‐characterized, typical mid‐elevation Sierra Nevada site. Most of the breakdown in soil water repellency (79%) under these climate conditions would be attributable to freeze–thaw cycling, underscoring the importance of this process in soil recovery from fire in the Sierra Nevada.
Thyroid and androgen receptor signaling are antagonized by μ‐Crystallin in prostate cancer
Authors: Aksoy Osman , Pencik Jan , Hartenbach Markus , Moazzami Ali A. , Schlederer Michaela , Balber Theresa , Varady Adam , Philippe Cecile , Baltzer Pascal A. , Mazumder Bismoy , Whitchurch Jonathan B. , Roberts Christopher J. , Haitel Andrea , Herac Merima , Susani Martin , Mitterhauser Markus , Marculescu Rodrig , Stangl‐Kremser Judith , Hassler Melanie R. , Kramer Gero , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Turner Suzanne D. , Tichy Boris , Oppelt Jan , Pospisilova Sarka , Hartenbach Sabrina , Tangermann Simone , Egger Gerda , Neubauer Heidi A. , Moriggl Richard , Culig Zoran , Greiner Georg , Hoermann Gregor , Hacker Marcus , Heery David M. , Merkel Olaf , Kenner Lukas
Published: October 2020

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains a key approach in the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). However, PCa inevitably relapses and becomes ADT resistant. Besides androgens, there is evidence that thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) and its active form 3,5,3′‐triiodo‐L‐thyronine (T3) are involved in the progression of PCa. Epidemiologic evidences show a higher incidence of PCa in men with elevated thyroid hormone levels. The thyroid hormone binding protein μ‐Crystallin (CRYM) mediates intracellular thyroid hormone action by sequestering T3 and blocks its binding to cognate receptors (TRα/TRβ) in target tissues. We show in our study that low CRYM expression levels in PCa patients are associated with early biochemical recurrence and poor prognosis. Moreover, we found a disease stage‐specific expression of CRYM in PCa. CRYM counteracted thyroid and androgen signaling and blocked intracellular choline uptake. CRYM inversely correlated with [18F]fluoromethylcholine (FMC) levels in positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging of PCa patients. Our data suggest CRYM as a novel antagonist of T3‐ and androgen‐mediated signaling in PCa. The role of CRYM could therefore be an essential control mechanism for the prevention of aggressive PCa growth.
The Feldstein–Horioka hypothesis for African countries: Evidence from recent panel error‐correction modelling
Authors: Murthy Vasudeva N.R. , Ketenci Natalya
Published: October 2020

This paper, by applying the recent panel data error‐correction modelling developed by Gengenbach et al., Panel error correction testing with global stochastic trends, 2008 University of Maastricht, Working Paper, RM/08/051:1–51 and Gengenbach et al., Journal of Applied Econometrics, 2016, 31, 982–1004 tests the validity of the Feldstein–Horioka puzzle (1980) in a panel of 27 African countries for the period 1965–2015. Unlike the existing studies in the literature, this paper, for the first time, addresses several important panel data econometric issues such as slope heterogeneity, cross‐section dependence, unobservable common factors, non‐stationarity and endogeneity that would yield inconsistent and biased estimates of the parameters of interest. Unlike the previous residual‐based error‐correction modelling that has low power, the Gengenbach et al., Panel error correction testing with global stochastic trends, 2008, University of Maastricht, Working Paper, RM/08/051:1–51 and Gengenbach et al., Journal of Applied Econometrics, 2016, 31, 982–1004 estimator explicitly considers structural dynamics in modelling a cointegrated panel that allows for the presence of non‐stationary unobserved common factors. As the GUW modelling depends on the Pesaran Common Correlated Effects Mean Group Estimator (CCEMG; 2006) and the Chudik and Pesaran Dynamic Common Correlated Effects Mean Group Estimator (DCCEMG; 2015), we report the results based on these estimators. The econometric exercises performed in the paper show that slope heterogeneity; cross‐section dependence and non‐stationarity are present in the panel data sample used in the estimation. Estimations yield a relatively low magnitude of the savings retention coefficient for the panel members included in the study with a negative error‐correction term that is statistically significant at the individual and panel levels. The empirical evidence rejects the presence of the Feldstein–Horioka puzzle in the panel of 27 African countries studied.
Co‐infection of malaria and dengue in pregnant women with SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Mahajan Niraj N. , Kesarwani Shweta N. , Shinde Snehal S. , Nayak Anurupa , Modi Deepak N. , Mahale Smita D. , Gajbhiye Rahul K.
Published: October 2020

Physicians and obstetricians should be vigilant so that they can swiftly identify co‐infections of malaria and dengue in pregnant women with COVID‐19.
Assessment of fish scale biosorbent in the treatment of seafood processing plant wastewater
Authors: Subhashree Devasena S , Padmavathy P , Manimekalai D , Jeya Shakila R
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Wastewater generated from seafood processing plants poses a serious threat to the draining environments. In addition, huge amount of fish scales are discarded as solid waste from seafood processing plants and fish markets. These biowastes can be used as biosorbent in the treatment of wastewaters. In the present work, waste fish scales were employed as biosorbent in order to explore the adsorption capacity of several pollutant parameters such as nutrients, ammonia, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the treatment of seafood processing plant wastewater. The experiment was carried out as batch work under varying biosorbent dosage levels and contact times.

RESULTS

The biosorbent treatment showed >70% removal of nitrite, phosphate and BOD. The ammonia and COD were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced with >95% removal at the end of treatment process. Based on the results, the treatment showed best adsorption at 90 min contact time with a biosorbent dosage of 1 g/100 mL in the removal of BOD, COD and ammonia. Other parameters showed maximum reduction at 180 min contact time. Experimental data fitted well with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models (R2 values ranging between 0.84 and 0.99). All of the data were statistically tested using SPSS v25 software.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study showed that waste fish scales can be effectively reused as biosorbent in the treatment of organic pollutants from seafood processing plant wastewater. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)