bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Structural Characteristics on the Mechanical Properties of FDM Printed PLA Material
Authors: Szczepanik Stefan , Nikiel Piotr
Published: July 2020

The present study reports on the influence of printing process parameters, architecture, raster, infill orientation and filling on the density, macrostructure, and mechanical properties, including impact resistance, of biodegradable polymer parts fabricated in polylactide (PLA) on a desktop printer. It complements and considers phenomenologically the results of recently published similar studies, including the use of recycled filament. In our study, complex mechanical properties for the samples printed at the same time on a Replicator 2 printer were investigated. Three samples were printed for each test. Full mechanical characteristics (tensile, compression and bend strengths and impact resistance) of the printed PLA material are reported. This is the novelty in comparison to other studies, where the samples test were printed individually or in a series for each test. The shape and thickness of the layered macrostructure, the presence of holes inside the layers, the number of shell perimeters and the fill density all influenced the tensile properties of the printed materials. These results show the possibility of printing with a 0.3, i.e. shorter printing time than 0.1, 0.15 and 0.18 mm layer thicknesses also reported, without significant decrease in mechanical properties. It is interesting to note that the compressive strengths, the yield of 70–80 MPa and a UTS 113–120 MPa for the printed material with a fill density of 94–96% are comparable with those of aluminum.
A single point mutation in the Plasmodium falciparum FtsH1 metalloprotease confers actinonin resistance
Authors: Goodman Christopher D , Uddin Taher , Spillman Natalie J , McFadden Geoffrey I
Published: July 2020

The antibiotic actinonin kills malaria parasites (Plasmodium falciparum) by interfering with apicoplast function. Early evidence suggested that actinonin inhibited prokaryote-like post-translational modification in the apicoplast; mimicking its activity against bacteria. However, Amberg Johnson et al. (2017) identified the metalloprotease TgFtsH1 as the target of actinonin in the related parasite Toxoplasma gondii and implicated P. falciparum FtsH1 as a likely target in malaria parasites. The authors were not, however, able to recover actinonin resistant malaria parasites, leaving the specific target of actinonin uncertain. We generated actinonin resistant P. falciparum by in vitro selection and identified a specific sequence change in PfFtsH1 associated with resistance. Introduction of this point mutation using CRISPr-Cas9 allelic replacement was sufficient to confer actinonin resistance in P. falciparum. Our data unequivocally identify PfFtsH1 as the target of actinonin and suggests that actinonin should not be included in the highly valuable collection of ‘irresistible’ drugs for combatting malaria.
Evaluation of the chemopreventive potentials of ezetimibe and aspirin in a novel mouse model of gallbladder preneoplasia
Authors: Rosa Lorena , Lobos‐González Lorena , Muñoz‐Durango Natalia , García Patricia , Bizama Carolina , Gómez Natalia , González Ximena , Wichmann Ignacio A. , Saavedra Nicolás , Guevara Francisca , Villegas Jaime , Arrese Marco , Ferreccio Catterina , Kalergis Alexis M. , Miquel Juan Francisco , Espinoza Jaime A. , Roa Juan C.
Published: July 2020

Gallbladder stones (cholecystolithiasis) are the main risk factor for gallbladder cancer (GBC), a lethal biliary malignancy with poor survival rates worldwide. Gallbladder stones are thought to damage the gallbladder epithelium and trigger chronic inflammation. Preneoplastic lesions that arise in such an inflammatory microenvironment can eventually develop into invasive carcinoma, through mechanisms that are not fully understood. Here, we developed a novel gallbladder preneoplasia mouse model through the administration of two lithogenic diets (a low‐ or a high‐cholesterol diet) in wild‐type C57BL/6 mice over a period of 9 months. Additionally, we evaluated the chemopreventive potentials of the anti‐inflammatory drug aspirin and the cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe. Both lithogenic diets induced early formation of gallbladder stones, together with extensive inflammatory changes and widespread induction of metaplasia, an epithelial adaptation to tissue injury. Dysplastic lesions were presented only in mice fed with high‐cholesterol diet (62.5%) in late stages (9th month), and no invasive carcinoma was observed at any stage. The cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe inhibited gallbladder stone formation and completely prevented the onset of metaplasia and dysplasia in both lithogenic diets, whereas aspirin partially reduced metaplasia development only in the low‐cholesterol diet setting. This model recapitulates several of the structural and inflammatory findings observed in human cholecystolithiasic gallbladders, making it relevant for the study of gallbladder carcinogenesis. In addition, our results suggest that the use of cholesterol absorption inhibitors and anti‐inflammatory drugs can be evaluated as chemopreventive strategies to reduce the burden of GBC among high‐risk populations.
Accelerated Modeling of Lithium Diffusion in Solid State Electrolytes using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Rao Karun K. , Yao Yan , Grabow Lars C.
Published: July 2020

Previous efforts to understand structure‐function relationships in high ionic conductivity materials for solid state batteries have predominantly relied on density functional theory (DFT‐) based ab initio molecular dynamics (MD). Such simulations, however, are computationally demanding and cannot be reasonably applied to large systems containing more than a hundred atoms. Here, an artificial neural network (ANN) is trained to accelerate the calculation of high accuracy atomic forces and energies used during such MD simulations. After carefully training a robust ANN for four and five element systems, nearly identical lithium ion diffusivities are obtained for Li10GeP2S12 (LGPS) when benchmarking the ANN‐MD results with DFT‐MD. Applying the ANN‐MD approach, the effect of chlorine doping on the lithium diffusivity is calculated in an LGPS‐like structure and it is found that a dopant concentration of 1.3% maximizes ionic conductivity. The optimal concentration balances the competing consequences of effective atomic radii and dielectric constants on lithium diffusion and agrees with the experimental composition. Performing simulations at the resolution necessary to model experimentally relevant and optimal concentrations would be infeasible with traditional DFT‐MD. Systems that require a large number of simulated atoms can be studied more efficiently while maintaining high accuracy with the proposed ANN‐MD framework.
Retracted: Combined Printing of Highly Aligned Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Thin Films with Liquid Metal for Direct Fabrication of Functional Electronic Devices
Authors: Li Qian , Liu Jing
Published: July 2020

Latest progress in research and development of advanced materials containing single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has considerably improved their wide‐spread and large‐scale practical applications in cutting‐edge electronic devices. One difficult challenge lies in the controllable fabrication of large arrays of very well aligned SWCNTs with a predetermined direction and density. Here, a printing technique that precisely implements accurate long‐range SWCNT self‐assembly on SiO2/Si substrates modified with octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) is introduced. The process is performed using a potential microflow inside SWCNT suspensions on a smooth hydrophobic OTS‐treated surface. Such printing strategy can be further developed to align and assemble other various nanotubes and nanowires. In particular, the CNT array and the newly emerging room‐temperature liquid metal (LM) with intrinsically excellent conductivity and enormous bendability are successfully combined for the first time. This enabled direct making of the first ever printed high‐performance LM–aligned SWCNT solar cells, transistors, and optoelectronic devices with excellent flexibility. In addition, the realized devices are rather uniform over large areas, which is one of the most important requirements for mass production. The present achievement suggests an important way toward low cost and large‐scale manufacturing of next generation flexible electronic devices, and also will significantly advance LM integrated functional electronics.
Yield, persistence, forage nutritive value, and preference of perennial ryegrass under grazing
Authors: Catalano D. N. , Sheaffer C. C. , Wiering N. P. , Grev A. M. , Ehlke N. J. , Mousel E. , Martinson K. L.
Published: July 2020

Perennial ryegrass (PR) is a quality and high yielding forage that tends to lack winter hardiness to persist in the upper Midwest. The objective was to evaluate yield, stand persistence, forage nutritive value, and preference of experimental populations of winter hardy PR grown in monoculture and in mixture with white clover under livestock grazing. Research was conducted in St. Paul and Grand Rapids, MN. Meadow fescue (MF), tall fescue (TF), orchardgrass (OG), a reference PR, and two experimental populations of PR were grazed every 32 days by either horses (St. Paul) or cow‐calf pairs (Grand Rapids). Prior to grazing, forage yield and quality samples were collected, and post‐grazing, fields were visually assessed for the percentage of forage removal to determine preference. Yields of all PR (6.9 to 7.6 Mg ha−1) were similar, but lower compared to other cool‐season grasses (CSG). Persistence was similar among all CSG in St. Paul; however, it was lower for all PR in Grand Rapids compared to other CSG. All PR were highly preferred by both horses (≥74% removal) and cattle (≥70% removal) and were consistently among the highest for crude protein (CP; 200 g kg−1), equine digestible energy (DE; 2.35 Mcal kg−1) and bovine metabolizable energy (ME; 2.6 Mcal kg−1), moderate for nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC; 136 g kg−1), and among the lowest for neutral detergent fiber (NDF; 518 g kg−1). Experimental populations of PR produced forage of high nutritive value, but yield and stand persistence may be less compared to other CSG at some locations.
Sotos syndrome in two children from India
Authors: Panigrahi Inusha , Chaudhry Chakshu
Published: July 2020

Sotos syndrome is one of the overgrowth syndromes, and can present with intellectual disability, behavioral problems and tall stature. In some cases, seizures, pectus deformity, cardiac and renal anomalies may be identified. Here we report two Indian children with Sotos syndrome whose initial presentation was macrocephaly and behavioral problems, respectively. The pathogenic variants in NSD1 gene were confirmed by next generation sequencing. The gene variants in the two children, one male and one female; were NSD1: c.2362C>T and NSD1: c.5474dup, respectively, leading to premature termination of protein formation.
Preparation and characterization of copper/polysulfonamide complex immobilized on geraphene oxide as a novel catalyst for the synthesis of pyrimido[1,2‐a]benzimidazoles
Authors: Shekarlab Nayereh , Ghorbani‐Vaghei Ramin , Alavinia Sedigheh
Published: July 2020

Copper–polysulfonamide complex immobilized on geraphene oxide as a novel heterogeneous catalyst (GO@PSA‐Cu) was synthesized and the structure and morphology of catalyst were characterized with various analytical techniques such as Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray, N2 isotherms, elemental mapping, inductively coupled plasma–MS, and thermogravimetric analysis. The GO@PSA‐Cu catalyst demonstrated good to excellent yields for the synthesis new derivatives of pyrimido[1,2‐a]benzimidazoles via one‐pot three‐component condensation reaction of various aromatic aldehydes, 2‐aminobenzimidazole, and ethyl acetoacetate in ethanol. The method presented herein has several prominent advantages such as cost‐effectiveness, operational simplicity, short reaction times, high yields, and reusability of the catalyst even after six consecutive runs.
Delayed yielding of oil/water emulsions in presence of stabilizing biopolymer
Authors: El Asjadi Saida , Lakshminarayanan Vasudevan , Besseling Nicolaas A. M. , Picken Stephen J. , Mendes Eduardo
Published: July 2020

This study investigates the stabilization of oil/water emulsions as a function of addition of a biopolymer (scleroglucan) which acts as an emulsion stabilizer. Rheological characterization in the form of controlled stress creep measurements has been carried out and it reveals the colloidal gel exhibiting a delayed yielding in a certain applied stress window. The delay time and stresses that an emulsion can withstand depend strongly on the concentration of added scleroglucan. Increasing polymer concentration, however, is limited to a maximum value, above which a limited effect on the delay time is observed. Investigating of the emulsion under study was visualized by means of cryo transmission electron microscopy which shows adsorption of scleroglucan onto the surface of the oil particles and a gel‐like structure that connects the oil phases. The results mentioned in this study support that scleroglucan‐surfactant interactions play a key role in the stabilization of the oil/water emulsion.
Development of an accurate model to predict the phenology of Atlantic salmon smolt spring migration
Authors: Teichert Nils , Benitez Jean‐Philippe , Dierckx Arnaud , Tétard Stéphane , de Oliveira Eric , Trancart Thomas , Feunteun Eric , Ovidio Michaël
Published: July 2020

Changes in migration timing, resulting from the alteration in river continuity or the effect of climate change, can have major consequences on the population dynamics of diadromous fish. Forecasting the phenology of fish migration is thus critically important to implement management actions aimed at protecting fish during their migration.

In this study, an 11‐year monitoring survey of Atlantic salmon smolts (Salmo salar) from the Ourthe River, Belgium, was analysed within a European Special Area of Conservation to improve the understanding of environment‐induced spring migration. A logistic model was fitted to forecast smolt migration and to calculate phenological indicators for management, i.e. the onset, end, and duration of migration, while accounting for the influence of photoperiod, water temperature, and hydrological conditions.

The results indicated that the photo‐thermal units accumulated by smolts above a 7°C temperature threshold was a relevant proxy to reflect the synergistic effect between temperature and photoperiod on smolt migration. After integrating the effect of river flow pulses, the model accurately explained the inter‐annual changes in migration timing (R2 = 0.95). The model predictions provide decisive management information to identify sensitive periods during which mitigation measures (e.g. hydropower turbine shutdown, river discharge management) should be conducted to promote smolt survival.

The model was used to predict phenological characteristics under future scenarios of climate change. The results suggest a joint effect of hydrological alterations and water warming. Temperature increases of 1–4°C were associated with earlier initiation of migration, 6–51 days earlier, and spring flood events greatly influenced the duration of the migration period. Accordingly, the combined effects of human‐induced modifications of the hydrological regimes and increasing temperatures could result in a mismatch between the smolt and favourable survival conditions in the marine environment.
Parkin is the most common causative gene in a cohort of mainland Chinese patients with sporadic early‐onset Parkinson's disease
Authors: Jiang Yanyan , Yu Meng , Chen Jing , Zhou Hong , Sun Wei , Sun Yunchuang , Li Fan , Wei Luhua , Pinkhardt Elmar H. , Zhang Lin , Yuan Yun , Wang Zhaoxia
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Genetic mutations associated with early‐onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) vary widely among different ethnicities. We detected the genes associated with EOPD in a Chinese cohort using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) combined with multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and analyzed the phenotypic characteristics of the mutation carriers.

Methods

Cohort of 23 sporadic EOPD patients (onset age ≤ 45 years) were recruited. Genetic causes were identified by a targeted NGS panel containing 136 known extrapyramidal disease‐causative genes. Multiplications or deletions of PD‐causing genes were detected using the MLPA method. Demographic and clinical data were obtained, analyzed, and compared between patients with and those without Parkin gene variants.

Results

We identified 14 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (12 in Parkin, 1 in LRRK2, and 1 in VPS13C) in 10 patients (43.5%) and 8 rare variants of uncertain significance in 9 patients (39.1%). Parkin (34.8%) was the most common causative gene among our patients cohort, and exon deletion (62.5%) was the main type of variant. Patients with Parkin mutations had a younger age of onset, longer delay in diagnosis, slower disease progression, higher frequency of hyperreflexia, fatigue, and less hyposmia compared to patients without Parkin mutations.

Conclusion

Our results revealed a higher prevalence of Parkin mutations in Chinese sporadic EOPD patients, and notably, exon deletion was the most common type of mutation. EOPD patients with Parkin mutations showed unique clinical characteristics.
How circular is the circular economy? Analysing the implementation of circular economy in organisations
Authors: Barreiro‐Gen Maria , Lozano Rodrigo
Published: July 2020

Circular economy (CE) has become one of the most recent ways to address environmental sustainability. CE activities focus exclusively on one of three levels (macro level, meso level and micro level). The majority of CE research has focused on the macro and meso levels, whereas research on the micro level has been limited. This paper focuses on the latter by analysing how organisations have implemented the four Rs (reduction, repairing, remanufacturing and recycling). A survey was sent to a database of 5,299 contacts from different organisations, from whom 256 complete responses were obtained. The results show that organisations focus on reducing and recycling more than repairing and remanufacturing and in particular on internal CE efforts. Some organisations that engage with the 4Rs do not do it under the CE umbrella, whereas some that claim to apply CE have low levels of engagement with the 4Rs. The results indicate that organisations are using the 4Rs to contribute to CE, but not all of them are aware that they are applying CE principles. The paper highlights that organisations need to improve their 4Rs efforts to contribute more to CE by better linking its theory with practice. CE also has to be implemented outside the organisations, in a more holistic way, for example, through better collaboration with stakeholders on CE efforts and activities. This research stresses that the gap between CE theory and practice needs to be closed to make CE circular.
Tripartite motif containing 24 regulates cell proliferation in colorectal cancer through YAP signaling
Authors: Xie Wenlin , Zhang Yingqiang , Wang Bingyang , Hu Yuting , Zhan Bohui , Wei Fangqiang , Tang Jianming , Lian Jiayan
Published: July 2020

The protein, tripartite motif containing 24 (TRIM24) is a member of the TRIM protein family, and acts as a critical co‐regulator of multiple nuclear receptors. TRIM24 is dysregulated in many cancers, including colorectal carcinoma. However, its biological functions and molecular mechanisms with respect to colorectal carcinoma are still largely unknown. In the current study, we found that TRIM24 promotes YAP signaling for driving cell proliferation in colorectal cancer. TRIM24 was significantly upregulated in colorectal carcinoma, and its expression was negatively correlated with the survival of patients. Depletion of TRIM24 impaired the ability of the cancer cells to proliferate and form colonies. Furthermore, this study also revealed the mechanism underlying the recruitment of TRIM24 by the DANCR/KAT6A complex, which is bound to acetylated lysine 23 of histone H3 (H3K23), resulting in binding to the YAP promoter and activation of YAP transcription that ultimately enhances the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells. Our results revealed a novel mechanism involving TRIM24‐YAP signaling for the regulation of colorectal cancer. We also identified TRIM24 as a potential therapeutic molecule for targeting colorectal cancer.
Mechanistic Insights for Aniline‐Catalyzed Halogenation Reactions
Authors: Qu Zheng‐Wang , Zhu Hui , Grimme Stefan
Published: July 2020

Lewis base catalyzed electrophilic aromatic halogenation using N‐halosuccinimides (NsX; X=Cl, Br, I) under mild conditions has attracted much attention, but the detailed mechanism remains elusive. Using the aniline MesNH2 and anisole PhOMe as the typical base catalyst and aromatic substrate, respectively, a novel mechanism is revealed by extensive DFT calculations. The autogenic protonation of imine XMes=NH (via Mes=NH+ mediated dimerization of MesNH2) is crucial to initialize the electrophilic halonium X+ transfer to nucleophilic substrates. It is shown that the aniline MesNH2 and more basic imine XMes=NH may act as efficient halonium X+ and proton H+ shuttles, respectively, connected by the arenium XMesNH2+. Non‐coordinating MesNH3+ salts are suggested as efficient catalyst for electrophilic iodination. Without suitable stabilization of the highly basic anion Ns−, the generally accepted concept of Lewis base catalyst as simple X+ shuttle will never work efficiently due to a high thermodynamic barrier. In general, autogenic or additional acid additives should be used for more efficient Lewis base catalyzed halogenation.
Engineering Hierarchical‐Dimensional Co(OH)F into CoP Superstructure for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Shang Fanfan , Wan Shanhong , Gao Xueqing , Zhang Wei , Cao Rui
Published: July 2020

Multi‐dimensional materials can combine the advantages of fast mass diffusion of high dimensional structures and advanced intrinsic properties of low dimensional substructures. In specific, superstructures are widely prepared from assembling low dimensional materials into arrays by complicated methods. We recently proposed the concept of hierarchical‐dimensional material (HDM), in which superstructure is composed of low dimensional substructures from simple wet chemical method. Herein, we report the synthesis of a CoP HDM from the engineering of the hierarchical‐dimensional Co(OH)F precursor by successive phosphorization and acid etching. The resulting CoP superstructure is built by porous CoP rod substructure. The rods weave together to form 2D mesh plates and the 2D mesh plates stack together to form the 3D superstructure. Thus, a very interesting structure is generated with 0D, 1D, 2D and 3D features. The CoP material displayed outstanding electrocatalytic activity for both HER and OER in alkaline solutions. The overpotentials required to drive a HER and OER current density of 10 mA/cm2 were 94 mV and 295 mV, respectively. The superior performance is believed to be associated with the unique structure from phosphorus‐based engineering of nanostructure.
Conservation soybean production systems in the mid‐southern USA: II. Replacing subsoiling with cover crops
Authors: Bryant C.J. , Krutz L.J. , Reynolds D.B. , Locke M.A. , Golden B.R. , Irby T. , Steinriede R.W. , Spencer G.D. , Mills B.E. , Wood C.W.
Published: July 2020

The adoption of cover crop production systems is lagging in the mid‐southern United States due to concerns over yield stability and on‐farm profitability. This research was conducted to determine if the inclusion of a cover crop in conservation tillage systems improves yield, profitability, and water use efficiency. The effects of replacing subsoiling with a cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) or tillage radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. longipinnatus) cover crop on soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] grain yield, net returns above specified costs, and water use efficiency were evaluated in a conservation tillage system, that is, surface residue ≥30% at planting, on a Dubbs silt loam (Fine‐silty, mixed, active, thermic Typic Hapludalfs) from 2016 to 2018 near Stoneville, MS. Relative to the conservation tillage system with subsoiling, the replacement of subsoiling with a tillage radish cover crop reduced soybean grain yield, net returns above specified costs, and water use efficiency by up to 41% (P ≤ 0.0266). Conversely, the replacement of subsoiling with a cereal rye cover crop had no effect on soybean grain yield or water use efficiency but reduced net returns above specified costs by 28% (P ≤ .0266). In the mid‐southern United States, a cereal rye cover crop can maintain soybean grain yield and water use efficiency relative to the regional standard, but widespread adoption of this production system is unlikely due to reduced profitability associated with additional seed and planting costs.
Organocatalytic Enantioselective 1,3‐Dipolar [6+4] Cycloadditions of Tropone
Authors: Bertuzzi Giulio , McLeod David , Mohr Lisa‐Marie , Jørgensen Karl Anker
Published: July 2020

A highly stereoselective 1,3‐dipolar [6+4] cycloaddition towards bridged azabicyclo[4.3.1]decane scaffolds has been developed, reacting aldehydes, 2‐aminomalonates and tropone under mild conditions in the presence of a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst. The scope is demonstrated for a series of aldehydes and 2‐aminomalonates, and the reaction proceeds in high yields, >95:5 d.r. and up to 99 % ee. A series of transformations, as well as a mechanistic proposal, are presented.
Location and arrangement of campaniform sensilla in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Dinges Gesa F. , Chockley Alexander S. , Bockemühl Till , Ito Kei , Blanke Alexander , Büschges Ansgar
Published: July 2020

Sensory systems provide input to motor networks on the state of the body and environment. One such sensory system in insects is the campaniform sensilla (CS), which detect deformations of the exoskeleton arising from resisted movements or external perturbations. When physical strain is applied to the cuticle, CS external structures are compressed, leading to transduction in an internal sensory neuron. In Drosophila melanogaster, the distribution of CS on the exoskeleton has not been comprehensively described. To investigate CS number, location, spatial arrangement, and potential differences between individuals, we compared the front, middle, and hind legs of multiple flies using scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, we imaged the entire body surface to confirm known CS locations. On the legs, the number and relative arrangement of CS varied between individuals, and single CS of corresponding segments showed characteristic differences between legs. This knowledge is fundamental for studying the relevance of cuticular strain information within the complex neuromuscular networks controlling posture and movement. This comprehensive account of all D. melanogaster CS helps set the stage for experimental investigations into their responsivity, sensitivity, and roles in sensory acquisition and motor control in a light‐weight model organism.
Speed breeding and early panicle harvest accelerates oat (Avena sativa L.) breeding cycles
Authors: González‐Barrios Pablo , Bhatta Madhav , Halley Madalene , Sandro Pablo , Gutiérrez Lucía
Published: July 2020

Increasing the response to selection in plant breeding programs by reducing the time required to complete a generation of inbreeding can significantly shorten the time to release a cultivar. Recently, ‘speed breeding’ strategies that manage temperature, photoperiod, and micronutrients showed a significant reduction in time to inbreeding in several crops. The goal of this study was to determine if the speed breeding system can be effectively applied to oat (Avena sativa L.) for a single‐seed descent breeding scheme and to determine if seeds can be harvested early with acceptable germination for breeding purposes. Two systems were evaluated using eight genetically diverse oat genotypes under speed breeding (22‐h photoperiod) and normal growing conditions (16 h) in a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement of treatments and three replications. Our results indicated a significant reduction in time for all the phenological stages evaluated when speed breeding was used, compared with normal growing conditions. In particular, the reduction in time to flowering date was 11 d (62 vs. 51 d on average). Germination evaluations indicated that by 21 d after flowering, it was possible to obtain acceptable germination levels for all genotypes evaluated. This should be of great importance in breeding systems where single‐seed descent can be used.
A Ladder‐like Dopant‐free Hole‐Transporting Polymer for Hysteresis‐less High‐Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells with High Ambient Stability
Authors: Chawanpunyawat Thanyarat , Funchien Patteera , Wongkaew Praweena , Henjongchom Nakorn , Ariyarit Atthaporn , Ittisanronnachai Somlak , Namuangruk Supawadee , Cheacharoen Rongrong , Sudyoadsuk Taweesak , Goubard Fabrice , Promarak Vinich
Published: July 2020

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have received high attention in the past few years due to their terrific photovoltaic performance and potentially low production cost. However, the use of hole transport materials (HTMs) with hygroscopic dopants, which cause the inevitable instability of device performance, has hampered commercialization. Herein, a dopant‐free polymeric HTM with functional aromatic rings was used to optimize the HTM/perovskite interface and employed in a planar n‐i‐p configuration. Poly(1,4‐(2,5‐bis((2‐butyloctyloxy)phenylene)‐2,7‐(5,5,10,10‐tetrakis(4‐hexylphenyl)‐5,10‐dihydro‐s‐indaceno[2,1‐b:6,5‐b′]dithiophene)) (IDTB) co‐polymer constructed with indaceno[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]dithiophene and bis(alkyloxy)benzene units adopts an S⋅⋅⋅O intramolecular bond linked ladder‐like planar conjugated polymer backbone. Without any dopant, the hole mobility of IDTB is in the same order of magnitude as a doped 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis[N,N‐di(4‐methoxyphenyl)amino]‐9,9′‐spirobifluorene (spiro‐OMeTAD). Also, the hydrophobic nature of IDTB facilitated the long‐term stability of the perovskite underneath. The unencapsulated PSC devices made of IDTB‐based HTM achieved a power conversion efficiency of 19.38 % with a high moisture stability, retaining above 80 % of initial power conversion efficiency at 65 % relative humidity for more than 10 days. The superior passivation effect to perovskite surface made a hysteresis of 0.44 % was almost the least reported for regular planar undoped polymer HTM PSCs.
Individual dietary specialization in a generalist predator: A stable isotope analysis of urban and rural red foxes
Authors: Scholz Carolin , Firozpoor Jasmin , Kramer‐Schadt Stephanie , Gras Pierre , Schulze Christoph , Kimmig Sophia E. , Voigt Christian C. , Ortmann Sylvia
Published: July 2020

Some carnivores are known to survive well in urban habitats, yet the underlying behavioral tactics are poorly understood. One likely explanation for the success in urban habitats might be that carnivores are generalist consumers. However, urban populations of carnivores could as well consist of specialist feeders. Here, we compared the isotopic specialization of red foxes in urban and rural environments, using both a population and an individual level perspective. We measured stable isotope ratios in increments of red fox whiskers and potential food sources. Our results reveal that red foxes have a broad isotopic dietary niche and a large variation in resource use. Despite this large variation, we found significant differences between the variance of the urban and rural population for δ13C as well as δ15N values, suggesting a habitat‐specific foraging behavior. Although urban regions are more heterogeneous regarding land cover (based on the Shannon index) than rural regions, the dietary range of urban foxes was smaller compared with that of rural conspecifics. Moreover, the higher δ13C values and lower δ15N values of urban foxes suggest a relatively high input of anthropogenic food sources. The diet of most individuals remained largely constant over a longer period. The low intraindividual variability of urban and rural red foxes suggests a relatively constant proportion of food items consumed by individuals. Urban and rural foxes utilized a small proportion of the potentially available isotopic dietary niche as indicated by the low within‐individual variation compared to the between‐individual variation. We conclude that generalist fox populations consist of individual food specialists in urban and rural populations at least over those periods covered by our study.
The Environmental Degradation and Distribution of Saflufenacil, a Fluorinated Protoporphyrinogen IX Oxidase–Inhibiting Herbicide, on a Canadian Winter Wheat Field
Authors: Gauthier Jeremy R. , Mabury Scott A.
Published: July 2020

Saflufenacil when applied to a field is susceptible to transport, degradation, and transformation. We used a laboratory-based approach to model the fate of saflufenacil in the environment, the results of which are compared directly with those observed in a field study where saflufenacil was applied to a crop of winter wheat at a standard rate of 63 g of active ingredient/hectare. The water solubility of 2.1 g/L for saflufenacil allows for vertical transport through soil at a rate of 4.3 cm/mL of rainwater, and a soil adsorption coefficient KOC of 28.8 suggests that some of the herbicide will absorb to the soil. Of the saflufenacil in the soil, 78 ± 2.1% (n = 18) partitioned into plants, including nontargeted crop species, where it was found primarily in leaves (78 ± 2.1%, n = 18) and roots (22 ± 1.7%, n = 18). The saflufenacil that does not partition into plants or undergo vertical transport followed a degradation pathway into 3 metabolites: a uracil-ring N-demethylated metabolite (Saf-µCH3), a doubly N-demethylated metabolite (Saf-2CH3), and a ring-cleavage metabolite (Saf-RC), identified using nontargeted mass spectrometry. In the field, saflufenacil was observed to degrade over 212 d to the persistent metabolite Saf-RC. This metabolite was found at a concentration that was 1/10th of that applied to the field, suggesting that the majority of saflufenacil had undergone transport through the soil, or uptake into the winter wheat crop. Field samples were further examined using F-19 nuclear magnetic resonance and nontargeted mass spectrometry to rule out the potential of other degradation products. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1918–1928. © 2020 SETAC
Faster leaf senescence after flowering in wet direct‐seeded rice was mainly regulated by decrease in cytokinin content as compared with transplanted‐flooded rice
Authors: Liu Hongyan , He Aibin , Jiang Guanglei , Hussain Saddam , Wang Weiqin , Sun Huijuan , Jiang Min , Nie Lixiao
Published: July 2020

Wet direct‐seeded rice (WDSR) is considered as a practicable substitute to transplanted‐flooded rice (TFR) because it copes with labor and water shortages, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. However, the differences between WDSR and TFR in leaf senescence after flowering and the associated mechanisms have rarely been identified. In this study, the growth dynamics, SPAD value of flag leaf, dry matter accumulation and translocation, and the contents of plant hormones (ABA, CTKs, and GA3) in WDSR and TFR rice flag leaves after flowering were compared during the rice‐growing seasons of 2013, 2014, and 2018. The results showed that leaf senescence after flowering in WDSR was faster in comparison with TFR. The amount of dry matter acquired after flowering (ΔW) in WDSR was significantly lower and might be related to the faster leaf senescence after flowering in WDSR compared with TFR. The CTK content in flag leaves after flowering was lower in WDSR than in TFR, and CTK content declined earlier than SPAD value, which implied that decrease in CTK content could be a possible reason for the early leaf senescence in WDSR. In conclusion, faster leaf senescence after flowering in WDSR was mainly attributed to the decline in leaf CTK content.
Soluble transferrin receptor level, inflammation markers, malaria, alpha‐thalassemia and selenium status are the major predictors of hemoglobin in children 6–23 months in Malawi
Authors: Gebremedhin Samson
Published: July 2020

In sub‐Saharan Africa, nearly three‐fourths of children 6–23 months are anemic. Yet, the underlying causes had not been sufficiently explored. This study, based on data (n = 348) extracted from the Malawi Micronutrient Survey–2015/2016 dataset, evaluated the contribution of multiple factors to the hemoglobin status of children 6–23 months. The association between hemoglobin and 19 predictors was assessed using multiple linear regression analysis, and the relative contribution of the covariates was determined based on delta‐R2 value. The study found that 43.9% of children were anemic and 76.9% had elevated soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels. Unit changes in serum ferritin (µg/L) and sTfR (mg/L) were associated with 0.01 g/dl rise (p = .041) and 0.05 g/dl decline (p < .001) in hemoglobin, respectively. Each 1 ng/ml increase in plasma selenium was met with 0.007 g/dl (p = .02) rise in hemoglobin. Hemoglobin showed negative relationships with α‐1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP) (β = −.339, p = .007) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) (β = −.014, p = .004) and positive association with child's age in months (β = .038, p = .003) and altitude in meters (β = .001, p = .015). Children affected by α‐thalassemia (β = −.75, p < .001), malaria (β = −.43, p = .029), and fever (β = −.39, p = .008) had significantly lower hemoglobin levels. On the contrary, nine variables including serum zinc and retinol binding protein were not significant predictors of hemoglobin. sTfR had the highest delta‐R2 contribution (9.1%) to hemoglobin variations, followed by inflammation (5.2%), α‐thalassemia (2.5%), age (2.1%), fever (1.9%), and malaria (1.5%). The analysis suggested iron status, inflammation, and malaria were the major predictors of hemoglobin among Malawian infants and young children.
Gene fusions characterize a subset of uterine cellular leiomyomas
Authors: Hodgson Anjelica , Swanson David , Tang Shangguo , Dickson Brendan C. , Turashvili Gulisa
Published: July 2020

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign tumor of the female genital tract. Previous studies have shown that conventional leiomyomas often harbor‐specific alterations including rearrangements involving HMGA2. Cellular leiomyomas are a variant of uterine leiomyoma that are less well‐studied from a genomic point of view. Morphologically and immunohistochemically, cellular leiomyomas may be confused with low‐grade endometrial stromal neoplasms, a group of tumors which frequently harbor a number of recurrent gene fusions. Ancillary molecular testing may be used to investigate tumors where low‐grade endometrial stromal neoplasms enter into the differential diagnosis. At our institution, we identified a uterine cellular leiomyoma harboring a HMGA2‐TRAF3IP2 fusion. After a retrospective review 11 additional tumors were identified. All included cases were reviewed and evaluated for immunohistochemical expression of smooth muscle actin, desmin, h‐caldesmon, CD10, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor. RNA sequencing using the TruSight RNA Fusion Panel was performed on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue samples. In addition to the index case, two other cases harbored fusions: HMGA2‐NAA11 and TPCN2‐YAP1, of which the latter is novel and was confirmed with reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. In conclusion, a subset of cellular leiomyomas harbor rearrangements involving HMGA2, suggesting molecular kinship with conventional uterine leiomyomas. In addition, the prevalence of the novel TPCN2‐YAP1 gene fusion in cellular leiomyomas requires further study. The fusions reported here, when identified, may be useful when the diagnosis of cellular leiomyoma is in question.
Dueling Definitions of Abortifacient: How Cultural, Political, and Religious Values Affect Language in the Contraception Debate
Authors: Horner Claire , Campo‐Engelstein Lisa
Published: July 2020

Contraception works by preventing fertilization of an egg or preventing implantation of a fertilized embryo. For those who believe pregnancy begins at implantation, contraceptives preventing implantation are not abortifacient. However, for those who assert that pregnancy begins at fertilization, any agent causing the intentional loss of an embryo, even prior to implantation, is abortifacient, both morally and for lack of a different term to describe the postfertilization, preimplantation loss. In the debate on this topic, much of the discourse on both sides wrongly focuses on the opposing side's perceived ignorance in denying scientifically proven definitions rather than on the substance of the conflict. Indeed, both sides accuse the other of prioritizing its “subjective” views over “objective” facts. In this essay, we unpack the scientific, cultural, and religious factors that underlie this debate. We argue that the only way to move forward is to clarify our terminology and engage with the substance of the argument, rather than merely the rhetoric.
Regulatory role of transcription factor HBP1 in anticancer efficacy of EGFR inhibitor erlotinib in HNSCC
Authors: Chan Chien‐Yi , Chang Chin‐Ming , Chen Yuan‐Hong , Sheu Jim Jinn‐Chyuan , Lin Tzu‐Yuan , Huang Chun‐Yin
Published: July 2020

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is often hyperactivated in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, its downstream mediators are not fully identified. Here, we investigate the role of transcription factor HBP1 in the anticancer efficacy of EGFR inhibitor erlotinib in HNSCC.

Methods

The effect of erlotinib and HBP1 on cell proliferation and invasion was examined by flow cytometric analysis and a Matrigel invasion assay, respectively. Oral tumor specimens were used to evaluate the association between the expression level of EGFR and HBP1, and metastatic potential.

Results

Erlotinib caused cell growth arrest in the G1 phase and sluggish invasion with a concomitant increase in HBP1 and p27 expression. The erlotinib effect was attenuated upon HBP1 knockdown. Analysis of oral tumor specimens revealed that the low HBP1/high EGFR status can predict metastatic potential.

Conclusions

Our data support HBP1 as a crucial mediator of EGFR‐targeting inhibitors in HNSCC.
“A community system”: A critical foundation for the epidemic prevention and control of SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Yang Shiyu
Published: July 2020

In response to COVID‐19 that has constituted a global pandemic, countries around the world have successively adopted a myriad of prevention and control measures. As the first country with the COVID‐19 outbreak, the Chinese government has adopted a series of timely and strict prevention and control measures against the spread of the SARS‐CoV‐2, which has effectively slowed down the spread of the SARS‐CoV‐2 and created a valuable window for the international community to overcome the epidemic. China's experience in combating the COVID‐19 has shown that building a community prevention and control system is essential to control the spread of coronavirus. As the backbone of the epidemic prevention and control system, the community prevention and control system plays an important role in improving the pattern of disorderly medical treatment, screening suspected patients, preventing the input of pathogens, ensuring residents' medical needs, stabilizing public sentiment, reducing disease fear, and maintaining residents' national security. At the same time, it also exposed the problems of the community prevention and control epidemic system in terms of infrastructure, human resources, and internal systems. Based on this, this article suggests that we should improve the hardware facilities of community, improve the internal mechanism of the community, strengthen the stability of the community talent team, improve the level of linkage between the community and other departments to prevent and control the spread of SARS‐CoV‐2, effectively use information technology and actively mobilize social forces to help community prevention and control COVID‐19.
Impact of pneumococcal vaccine response on asthma exacerbation frequency in young children
Authors: Eisenlohr Claudia P. , Chartrand Esther M. , Barzaga Marta R. , Lanz Miguel J.
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Chronic asthma is a heterogeneous disease, and increased eosinophils have been shown to predict increased asthma exacerbations, especially in adults. Recent recommendations suggest the need for supplemental PPV‐23 vaccination in older children with chronic asthma.

Methods

To investigate differences in preschool asthma, our case‐cohort study comprised of 127 children, mean age 47 months (32‐65), with a history of asthma exacerbations requiring more than three courses of systemic steroid bursts and more than six antibiotics courses in the previous year.

Results

At baseline, mean antibody titer response to Streptococcus pneumoniae was decreased at 2.6 ± 2 out of 14 serotypes, despite prior complete pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) vaccinations. All children were readministered pneumococcal vaccinations with PCV‐13 booster and/or PPSV‐23. Mean postvaccination pneumococcal vaccine (PV) titer response was 16 ± 5 out of 23 serotypes. After contacting 91 parents/caretakers, 75 responded with less frequency of corticosteroids and antibiotic use for asthma exacerbations after PV. This group had baseline eosinophil counts of 211 ± 36/µL, while those without improvement were significantly higher at 371 ± 123/µL,*P < .05. There were no significant differences (P > .05) between the two groups from other baseline measures including demography or atopic status.

Conclusions

This subset of children with exacerbation‐prone asthma had poor antibody titer response to Streptococcus pneumoniae, even with prior complete PCV‐13 immunization. Identification of low antibody responses to PV serotypes may provide a targeted therapeutic approach to reduce wheezing exacerbations in a precise asthma phenotype in children.
Early triglyceride and glucose index as a risk marker for gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Sánchez‐García Adriana , Rodríguez‐Gutiérrez René , Saldívar‐Rodríguez Donato , Guzmán‐López Abel , Mancillas‐Adame Leonardo , González‐Nava Victoria , Santos‐Santillana Karla , González‐González José G.
Published: July 2020

Objective

To assess the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) according to the triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index values during the first trimester of pregnancy in Latin American women.

Methods

Pregnant women were enrolled at their first prenatal visit at the Obstetric Division in the University Hospital “Dr. José E. González”. Triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were collected to determine the TyG index. GDM diagnosis was performed by a single‐step 2‐hour 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test. Generalized linear models were used to determine risk ratios; pregnancy outcomes at delivery were collected from the hospital medical records.

Results

A total of 164 pregnant women were included. GDM was present in 29 (17.7%) women. No significant differences in age, first‐trimester body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters), family history of diabetes, and TyG index were observed between GDM cases and the reference group without GDM. The adjusted analysis showed no association between TyG and GDM (risk ratio [RR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57–1.88]). Higher TyG index values between women with and without a diagnosis of GDM in the second trimester were observed. No significant differences were identified in pregnancy outcomes, although a trend was observed for hyperbilirubinemia in women with first‐trimester TyG index values greater than 8.7.

Conclusions

Our findings do not support the use of the TyG index for GDM prediction in Latin American women.