bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sprouting improves the bread‐making performance of whole wheat flour (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Cardone Gaetano , D'Incecco Paolo , Pagani Maria Ambrogina , Marti Alessandra
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Pre‐harvest sprouting of wheat is viewed negatively because of the high level of enzymatic activity, which leads to a deterioration in the bread‐making performance of the related flours. On the other hand, improvements in bread properties (i.e. volume and crumb softness) are reported when sprouted wheat under controlled conditions is used in mixtures with a conventional unsprouted flour. However, knowledge about the effects of sprouting on gluten functionality and its relationship with bread features is still limited, especially in the case of whole wheat flour.

RESULTS

Under the conditions applied in this study (48 h, 20 °C and 90% relative humidity), proteins of sprouted wheat were still able to aggregate, even if changes in gluten aggregation kinetics suggested gluten weakening. On the other hand, sprouting led to an increase in gluten stretching ability, suggesting an increase in dough extensibility. In the dough system, sprouting was responsible for a decrease in water absorption, development time, and stability during mixing. However, when the values for development time and water absorption indicated by the Farinograph® were followed carefully, sprouting improved bread height (~20%), specific volume (~15%), and crumb softness (~200% after 24 h of storage), even when whole wheat flour was used.

CONCLUSION

It is possible to produce bread with improved volume and crumb softness using whole wheat flour from sprouted kernels. Thus, sprouting can be exploited as a pre‐treatment to improve the bread‐making performance of fiber‐enriched systems. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
The forb, Ajania tenuifolia, uses soil nitrogen efficiently, allowing it to be dominant over sedges and Graminae in extremely degraded grasslands: Implications for grassland restoration and development on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Rui , Degen A. Allan , Bai Yanfu , Zhang Tao , Wang Ximing , Zhao Xueyong , Shang Zhanhuan
Published: January 2020

Plant growth is mainly N‐limited in the alpine grasslands because of slow mineralization of soil organic matter due to low air temperature. Different plant species dominate in soils of different N concentrations. For example, more forbs occur in severely degraded alpine meadows than do sedges and Gramineae. We hypothesized that a more efficient uptake of low soil N by forbs than by sedges and Gramineae was the mechanism that allowed forbs to dominate. The amount and rate of soil N uptake and N allocation were determined in seven dominant alpine plant species using 15N isotope tracer. The plants, which included one forb, Ajania tenuifolia, three sedges, Kobresia humilis, Carex scabrirostris, and Carex enervis, and three Gramineae, Elymus nutans, Festuca sinensis, and Stipa purpurea, were maintained in pots with four different N concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha−1). The forb had the highest efficiency of N utilization (N uptake rate, 60.4%) in low N soil concentration, the Gramineae had intermediate efficiencies (27.9–47.9%), and the sedges had the lowest efficiencies (5.2–34.9%), and, consequently, our hypothesis was supported. N utilization of the seven species decreased with an increase in soil N concentration, from 32.1% at N50 to 18.0% at N150, which indicated that soil N uptake by plants was affected by soil N concentration. The mechanism used by forbs to be the dominant species in severely degraded alpine meadows was a more efficient utilization of soil N than Gramineae and sedges in conditions of low soil N. We concluded that plant species have different efficiencies in soil N uptake and utilization, which allow them to adapt and survive in habitats of different soil nutrition levels. These results implied that forbs should be reduced, and that Gramineae and sedges should be planted and N be added during the restoration and development of severely degraded grasslands on the Tibetan plateau when the soil N content is low.
Factors affecting journal submission numbers: Impact factor and peer review reputation
Authors: Gaston Thomas E. , Ounsworth Francesca , Senders Tessa , Ritchie Sarah , Jones Emma
Published: January 2020

Previous research has found that researchers rank journal reputation and impact factor (IF) amongst the key selection criteria when choosing where to submit. We explored the actual effect upon submission numbers of several possible factors. We retrieved 10 years of submission data from over a thousand journals, as well as data on IF, retractions, and other factors. We performed statistical analysis and identified correlations. We also undertook case study research on the 55 most significant submission decreases. We found a statistically significant correlation between changes in IF, ISI percentage ranking, and changes in submissions numbers in subsequent years. We also found a statistically significant effect on submission numbers in the year following the publication of a retraction. Our case studies identified other factors, including negative feedback on the peer review process. Our findings regarding IF confirm previous indications about the significance of IF on submissions. We explain the correlation with retractions through the concept of ‘peer review reputation’. These results indicate that editors and publishers need to focus on a journal's peer review practices, as well as a journal's IF, if they are to maintain and grow submissions.
Practical Evaluation and Management of Insomnia in Parkinson's Disease: A Review
Authors: Wallace Douglas M. , Wohlgemuth William K. , Trotti Lynn Marie , Amara Amy W. , Malaty Irene A. , Factor Stewart A. , Nallu Sagarika , Wittine Lara , Hauser Robert A.
Published: January 2020

Background

Insomnia is one of the most common nonmotor features of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, there are few practical guidelines for providers on how to best evaluate and treat this problem.

Methods and Findings

This review was developed to provide clinicians with a pragmatic approach to assessing and managing insomnia in PD. Recommendations were based on literature review and expert opinion. We addressed the following topics in this review: prevalence of insomnia in PD, sleep–wake mechanisms, theoretical models of insomnia, risk factors, assessment, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments. Insomnia treatment choices may be guided by PD severity, comorbidities, and patient preference. However, there is limited evidence supporting pharmacotherapy and nonpharmacologic treatments of insomnia in PD.

Conclusions

We provide a pragmatic algorithm for evaluating and treating insomnia in PD based on the literature and our clinical experience. We propose personalized insomnia treatment approaches based on age and other issues. Gaps in the existing literature and future directions in the treatment of insomnia in PD are also highlighted.
Incorporating peptide aptamers into resistive pulse sensing
Authors: Maugi Rhushabh , Salkenova Zarina , Platt Mark
Published: January 2020

The use of nanocarriers within resistive pulse sensing, RPS, aids the detection and quantification of analytes. In the absence of convection, the signal strength and frequency can dependent upon the electrophoretic mobility of the nanocarrier/analyte. Here, we have developed a simple strategy to incorporate peptide aptamers onto RPS assays with enhanced electrophoretic signals. Using a hybrid DNA–Peptide nanocarrier, an existing peptide was incorporated into a rapid assay without having to engineer or modify the peptide sequence. The surface of a nanocarrier is coated with a mixture of peptide aptamers and a non‐binding DNA. The binding of the target to the peptide creates an “analyte corona” which shields the phosphate groups of the underlying DNA. This results in a change in electrophoretic mobility of the nanocarrier. The signal is concentration‐dependent and is illustrated using a peptide to a key biomarker of infection, C‐reactive protein, CRP. As a comparison, we also show the binding of the CRP to a DNA aptamer. This universal approach can be easily adapted to other peptides without the peptide itself to undergo any chemical modifications opening new opportunities and applications in RPS strategies.
Novel sensor to investigate microstructural contributions to corrosion of high‐palladium dental alloys
Authors: Sun Desheng , Brantley William A. , Heshmati Reza H. , Johnston William M.
Published: January 2020

There is incomplete understanding of corrosion mechanisms for high‐palladium dental alloys used for metal‐ceramic restorations. This investigation employed two complementary techniques as a novel sensor for an initial investigation of corrosion tendencies for phases in representative high‐Pd alloys with Pd–Cu–Ga and Pd–Ga compositions. After the initial oxidation step and simulated porcelain‐firing cycles, specimens were polished for examination by Scanning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy to evaluate the Volta potential difference across the surfaces and correlate potential differences with microstructural phases. The Ru‐rich phase, present in high‐Pd alloys from use of Ru as a grain‐refining element, was clearly more noble than the Pd solid solution matrix in the Pd–Cu–Ga alloys but had much less Volta potential difference than the matrix in the Pd–Ga alloy. Other precipitates in the alloy microstructures had minimal observable differences in Volta potential compared to the matrix. While high‐Pd alloys have been found previously to show excellent overall in vitro corrosion resistance, the Ru‐rich phase may cause localized galvanic corrosion in Pd–Cu–Ga alloys leading to potentially problematic Pd ion release, but have less effect on corrosion in Pd–Ga alloys.
A de novo TOP2B variant associated with global developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Hiraide Takuya , Watanabe Seiji , Matsubayashi Tomoko , Yanagi Kumiko , Nakashima Mitsuko , Ogata Tsutomu , Saitsu Hirotomo
Published: January 2020

Background

TOP2B encodes type II topoisomerase beta, which controls topological changes during DNA transcription. TOP2B is expressed in the developing nervous system and is involved in brain development and neural differentiation. Recently, a de novo missense TOP2B variant (c.187C>T) has been identified in an individual with neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD). However, the association between TOP2B variants and NDDs remains uncertain.

Methods

Trio‐based whole‐exome sequencing was performed on a 7‐year‐old girl, presenting muscle hypotonia, stereotypic hand movements, epilepsy, global developmental delay, and autism spectrum disorder. Brain magnetic resonance images were normal. She was unable to walk independently and spoke no meaningful words.

Results

We found a de novo variant in TOP2B (NM_001330700.1:c.187C>T, p.(His63Tyr)), which is identical to the previous case. The clinical features of the two individuals with the c.187C>T variant overlapped.

Conclusion

Our study supports the finding that TOP2B variants may cause NDDs.
Elliptic variational problems with mixed nonlinearities
Authors: Han Qi
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we study the existence and multiplicity results of nontrivial positive solutions to a quasilinear elliptic equation in RN, when N ≥ 2, as

Here, h(x),k(x)>0 are Lebesgue measurable functions, 1
0 is a parameter.
A fractional order HIV‐TB coinfection model with nonsingular Mittag‐Leffler Law
Authors: Khan Hasib , Gómez‐Aguilar J.F. , Alkhazzan Abdulwasea , Khan Aziz
Published: January 2020

The biological models for the study of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its advanced stage acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been widely studied in last two decades. HIV virus can be transmitted by different means including blood, semen, preseminal fluid, rectal fluid, breast milk, and many more. Therefore, initiating HIV treatment with the TB treatment development has some advantages including less HIV‐related losses and an inferior risk of HIV spread also having difficulties including incidence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) because of a large pill encumbrance. It has been analyzed that patients with HIV have more weaker immune system and are susceptible to infections, for example, tuberculosis (TB). Keeping the importance of the HIV models, we are interested to consider an analysis of HIV‐TB coinfected model in the Atangana‐Baleanu fractional differential form. The model is studied for the existence, uniqueness of solution, Hyers‐Ulam (HU) stability and numerical simulations with assumption of specific parameters.
A novel anthropomorphic multimodality phantom for MRI‐based radiotherapy quality assurance testing
Authors: Singhrao Kamal , Fu Jie , Wu Holden H. , Hu Peng , Kishan Amar U. , Chin Robert K. , Lewis John H.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Increased utilization of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in radiotherapy has caused a growing need for phantoms that provide tissue‐like contrast in both computed tomography (CT) and MRI images. Such phantoms can be used to compare MRI‐based processes with CT‐based clinical standards. Here, we develop and demonstrate the clinical utility of a three‐dimensional (3D)‐printed anthropomorphic pelvis phantom containing materials capable of T1, T2, and electron density matching for a clinically relevant set of soft tissues and bone.

Methods

The phantom design was based on a male pelvic anatomy template with thin boundaries separating tissue types. Slots were included to allow insertion of various dosimeters. The phantom structure was created using a 3D printer. The tissue compartments were filled with carrageenan‐based materials designed to match the T1 and T2 relaxation times and electron densities of the corresponding tissues. CT and MRI images of the phantom were acquired and used to compare phantom T1 and T2 relaxation times and electron densities to literature‐reported values for human tissue. To demonstrate clinical utility, the phantom was used for end‐to‐end testing of an MRI‐only treatment simulation and planning workflow. Based on a T2‐weighted MRI image, synthetic CT (sCT) images were created using a statistical decomposition algorithm (MRIPlanner, Spectronic Research AB, Sweden) and used for dose calculation of volumetric‐modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and seven‐field intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) prostate plans. The plans were delivered on a Truebeam STX (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA), with film and a 0.3 cc ion chamber used to measure the delivered dose. Doses calculated on the CT and sCTs were compared using common dose volume histogram metrics.

Results

T1 and T2 relaxation time and electron density measurements for the muscle, prostate, and bone agreed well with literature‐reported in vivo measurements. Film analysis resulted in a 99.7% gamma pass rate (3.0%, 3.0 mm) for both plans. The ion chamber‐measured dose discrepancies at the isocenter were 0.36% and 1.67% for the IMRT and VMAT plans, respectively. The differences in PTV D98% and D95% between plans calculated on the CT and 1.5T/3.0 T‐derived sCT images were under 3%.

Conclusion

The developed phantom provides tissue‐like contrast on MRI and CT and can be used to validate MRI‐based processes through comparison with standard CT‐based processes.
Quantitative muscle MRI study of patients with sporadic inclusion body myositis
Authors: Ansari Behnaz , Salort‐Campana Emmanuelle , Ogier Augustin , Le Troter PhD Arnaud , De Sainte Marie Benjamin , Guye Maxime , Delmont Emilien , Grapperon Aude‐Marie , Verschueren Annie , Bendahan David , Attarian Shahram
Published: January 2020

Background

Fat infiltration in individual muscles of sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) patients has rarely been assessed.

Methods

Sixteen sIBM patients were assessed using MRI of the thighs and lower legs (LL). The severity of fat infiltration, proximal‐to‐distal and side asymmetries, and the correlations with clinical and functional parameters were investigated.

Results

All the patients had fat‐infiltrated muscles, and thighs were more severely affected than LL. A proximal‐to‐distal gradient of fat infiltration was mainly observed for adductors, quadriceps, sartorius, and medial gastrocnemius muscles. A strong negative correlation was observed between the whole muscle fat fraction in the thighs and LL and the Inclusion Body Myositis Functional Rating Scale and Medical Research Council scores for the lower limbs.

Conclusions

Fat infiltration in individual muscles of sIBM patients is heterogeneous in terms of proximal‐to‐distal gradient and severity was correlated with clinical scores. These results should be considered for both natural history investigation and clinical trials.
Band gap engineered ternary semiconductor PbxCd1−xS: Nanoparticle‐sensitized solar cells with an efficiency of 8.5% under 1% sun—A combined theoretical and experimental study
Authors: Boon‐on Patsorn , Lien Shang‐Wei , Chang Tay‐Rong , Shi Jen‐Bin , Lee Ming‐Way
Published: January 2020

We report the synthesis and photovoltaic properties of a ternary metal sulfide alloyed semiconductor PbxCd1−xS prepared by the two‐stage sequential ionic layer adsorption reaction. The synthesized PbxCd1−xS nanoparticles (NPs) retain the hexagonal structure of the CdS host with Pb substituting a fraction of the Cd atom (x = 0‐0.17). Band structures of PbxCd1−xS with various Pb contents x were calculated using the complementary density functional theory (DFT) method. Optical, quantum efficiency, cyclic voltammetry measurements, and band structure calculation revealed that the band gap of PbxCd1−xS decreased with increasing x, resulting in an increased optical absorption band from 500 to 720 nm (1.73‐2.44 eV) for x = 0 to 0.17. Solid‐state PbxCd1−xS semiconductor nanoparticle‐sensitized solar cells (NSSCs) were fabricated from the synthesized NPs using spiro‐OMeTAD as the hole‐transporting material. The best Pb0.05Cd0.95S cell yielded a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.67%, a Voc of 0.70 V, and a fill factor (FF) of 62.8% under 1 sun. The PCE increased to 5.93% under a reduced light intensity of 0.1 sun and further increased to 8.48% under 0.01 sun. The external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectrum covers the spectral range of 300 to 730 nm with a maximal EQE of 82% at λ = 580 nm. The PCE over 8% can be categorized into a high‐efficiency NSSCs. In addition, the Voc of 0.70 V is a relatively high Voc among all NSSCs. The high PCE and Voc suggest that PbxCd1−xS has potential to be an efficient solar absorber.
Academic hardiness as a mediator for the relationship between school belonging and academic stress
Authors: Abdollahi Abbas , Panahipour Sana , Akhavan Tafti Mahnaz , Allen Kelly A.
Published: January 2020

Academic stress is a commonly reported affective state by high school students that can be accompanied by unwanted and unhelpful short‐ and long‐term implications including a low sense of school belonging. Understanding how academic stress may be alleviated or managed by students is an essential consideration for all schools concerned with student well‐being. This study aimed to examine the relationship between academic stress and sense of school belonging, as well as the mediation effect of academic hardiness. Four hundred and five high school students from six schools in Tehran (Iran) were recruited in the study. Data analyses with Structural Equation Modeling revealed that a sense of belonging to school (β = −.38, p < .01) and academic hardiness (β = −.40, p < .01) were significant predictors of academic stress. Bootstrapping analysis showed that academic hardiness acted as a mediator between a sense of belonging to school and academic stress. The findings elucidate the underlying mechanism in how low school belonging may lead to academic stress in high school students. Creating a culture of school belonging and teaching and supporting skills related to academic hardiness should be key considerations for all schools seeking to reduce academic stress experienced by their students.
Orthobiologics for the Hip Region: A Narrative Review
Authors: McInnis Kelly C. , Chen Eric T. , Finnoff Jonathan T. , Roh Eugene Y. , Borg Stein Joanne
Published: January 2020

Management of hip region disorders is challenging. Orthobiologic treatments including platelet rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cells, and amniotic injectables have gained popularity as promising treatments despite a lack of robust evidence for their effectiveness. We review rationale and current evidence for orthobiologics for three common hip region conditions: hip osteoarthritis, gluteal tendinopathy, and proximal hamstring tendinopathy. Overall, the current state of evidence is extremely limited for orthobiologic treatments and is predominantly relevant to PRP injections. There is currently a lack of data to support the use of mesenchymal stem cells or amniotic injectables in these conditions of the hip.
Individualized OnabotulinumtoxinA Treatment for Upper Limb Spasticity Resulted in High Clinician‐ and Patient‐Reported Satisfaction: Long‐Term Observational Results from the ASPIRE Study
Authors: Francisco Gerard E. , Jost Wolfgang H. , Bavikatte Ganesh , Bandari Daniel S. , Tang Simon F.T. , Munin Michael C. , Largent Joan , Adams Aubrey M. , Zuzek Aleksej , Esquenazi Alberto
Published: January 2020

Introduction

OnabotulinumtoxinA treatment for spasticity is dependent on numerous factors and varies according to selected treatment goals.

Objective

To examine real‐world onabotulinumtoxinA treatment utilization and effectiveness in patients with upper limb spasticity over 2 years from the Adult Spasticity International Registry (ASPIRE) study.

Design

Multicenter, prospective, observational registry (NCT01930786).

Setting

Fifty‐four international clinical sites in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Patients

Adults (naïve or non‐naïve to botulinum toxins for spasticity) with upper limb focal spasticity related to upper motor neuron syndrome across multiple etiologies.

Interventions

OnabotulinumtoxinA administered at clinician's discretion.

Main Outcome Measures

OnabotulinumtoxinA utilization, clinician and patient satisfaction.

Results

Four hundred eighty‐four patients received ≥1 treatment of onabotulinumtoxinA for upper limb spasticity. Patients were on average 55.1 years old, 50.8% male, predominantly Caucasian (72.3%), and 38.6% were naïve to botulinum toxins. Stroke was the most frequently reported underlying etiology (74.0%). Most patients (81.2%) had moderate to severe spasticity at baseline. The most commonly treated upper limb clinical presentation was clenched fist (79.1% of patients). Across all presentations, onabotulinumtoxinA doses ranged between 5‐600U. Electromyography (EMG) was most often utilized to localize muscles (≥57.0% of treatment sessions). Clinicians (92.9% of treatment sessions) and patients (85.7%) reported being extremely satisfied/satisfied that treatment helped manage spasticity, and clinicians (98.6%) and patients (92.2%) would definitely/probably continue onabotulinumtoxinA treatment. One hundred seventy‐nine patients (37.0%) reported 563 adverse events (AEs); 15 AEs in 14 patients (2.9%) were considered treatment related. Sixty‐nine patients (14.3%) reported 137 serious AEs; 3 serious AEs in 2 patients (0.4%) were considered treatment related. No new safety signals were identified.

Conclusions

ASPIRE captured the real‐world individualized nature of onabotulinumtoxinA utilization for upper limb spasticity over 2 years, with consistently high clinician‐ and patient‐reported satisfaction. Data in this primary analysis will guide clinical use of onabotulinumtoxinA, as well as provide insights to improve educational programs on spasticity management.
Novel tetrazol‐5‐germavinylidenes with triplet monomeric, normal, and abnormal forms studied using DFT method
Authors: Ashenagar Samaneh , Kassaee Mohamad Z. , Khorshidvand Neda
Published: January 2020

Triplet ground state‐monomeric 1,4‐disubstituted‐tetrazole‐5‐germavinylidenes (normal, 1R) and their corresponding 1,3‐disubstituted‐tetrazole‐5‐germavinylidenes (abnormal, 2R) are computed and compared at B3LYP/6‐311++G** level, with R = H, CN, CF3, SH, NH2, OMe, and OH. Every triplet germavinylidene is more stable than its corresponding singlet form (except for 1CF3). Likewise, every triplet abnormal isomer (2R) emerges more stable than its corresponding normal isomer (1R). The most stable triplet monomeric species are 1H and 2H. All abnormal 2R isomers show higher nucleophilicity (N) and smaller band gaps (ΔEHOMO‐LUMO) than their corresponding normal 1R isomers. Electron‐donating species increase N in both 1R and 2R (R = H > NH2 > SH > OCH3 > OH > CF3 > CN). The nuclear independent chemical shift (NICS) results indicate that every 1R is more aromatic than its corresponding 2R.
Series of blue phospho‐iridium complexes with m‐filled phenyl imidazole ligands studied by density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory
Authors: Song Ming‐Xing , Chi Hao‐Yuan , Xi Guo‐Qing , Lü Peng , He Ke‐Chuan , Qin Zheng‐Kun , Zhang Yong‐Ling , Lü Shi‐Quan , Zhang Hong‐Jie
Published: January 2020

A series of blue phosphorescent heteroleptic cyclometalated Ir (III) complexes with mesitylphenyl‐imidazole ligands for organic light‐emitting devices are investigated theoretically to explore their electronic structures, spectroscopic properties, and application value for organic light‐emitting devices. FCNIr, (FCN)2Ir(tpip), (FCN)2Ir(acac), (CN)2Ir(tpip), (CN)2Ir(acac), and CNIr are investigated with density functional theory approaches, where, for (FCN)2Ir(acac), FCN denotes 2,4‐difluorobiphenyl3‐carbonitrile and acac denotes acetylacetonate; for (FCN)2Ir(tpip), tpip denotes tetraphenylimido‐diphosphonate); and for (CN)2Ir(acac) and (CN)2Ir(tpip), CN denotes biphenyl‐3‐carbonitrile.
A rapid and convenient derivatization method for quantitation of short‐chain fatty acids in human feces by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Fu Huan , Zhang Qing‐li , Huang Xiao‐wu , Ma Zheng‐hua , Zheng Xiao‐li , Li Shi‐lin , Duan Hao‐nan , Sun Xiao‐chu , Lin Fei‐fei , Zhao Li‐juan , Teng Guo‐sheng , Liu Jia
Published: January 2020

Rationale

Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are associated with intestinal microbiota and diseases in humans. SCFAs have a low response in mass spectrometry, and in order to increase sensitivity, reduce sample consumption, shorten analysis time, and simplify sample preparation steps, a derivatization method was developed.

Methods

We converted seven SCFAs into amide derivatives with 4‐aminomethylquinoline. The reaction occurred for 20 min at room temperature. The analytes were separated on a reversed‐phase C18 column and quantitated in the positive ion electrospray ionization mode using multiple reaction monitoring. Acetic acid‐d4 was used as the stable‐isotope‐labeled surrogate analyte for acetic acid in the working solutions, while the other stable‐isotope‐labeled standards were used as internal standards (ISs).

Results

Method validation showed that the intra‐day and inter‐day precision of quantitation for the seven SCFAs over the whole concentration range was ≤3.8% (n = 6). The quantitation accuracy ranged from 85.5% to 104.3% (n = 6). Most important, the collected feces were vortexed immediately with ethanol.

Conclusions

This study provides a new derivatization method for a precise, accurate, and rapid quantitation of SCFAs in human feces using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. This method successfully determined the concentration of SCFAs in human feces and could assist in the exploration of intestinal microbiota and diseases.
Developing and evaluating national soil moisture percentile maps
Authors: Zhao Chen , Quiring Steven M. , Yuan Shanshui , McRoberts Douglas Brent , Zhang Ning , Leasor Zachary
Published: January 2020

Soil moisture is an integral part of the climate system. There are numerous monitoring networks operated by state and federal agencies that provide real‐time soil moisture measurements in the United States. These measurements have value for a variety of applications, such as operational drought monitoring. This paper describes the methods that are used to collect and quality control soil moisture measurements from multiple networks, to convert volumetric water content to soil moisture percentiles, and to interpolate these data to a national 4‐km grid in the contiguous United States. The accuracy of three interpolation methods (inverse distance weighting [IDW], ordinary kriging [OK], and regression kriging [RK]) is evaluated, and we conclude that RK provides the most accurate approach for producing national soil moisture percentile maps. At 5 cm, the 12‐yr mean absolute error (MAE) for RK of the soil moisture percentiles is 0.17, followed by OK (0.19) and IDW (0.27). At 20 cm, the MAEs for RK, OK, and IDW are 0.18, 0.19 and 0.26, respectively. Two case studies, the 2011 drought and the 2015 summer floods in Oklahoma and West Texas, were used to demonstrate the utility of these soil moisture percentile maps.
All Green Solvents for Fabrication of CsPbBr3 Films for Efficient Solar Cells Guided by the Hansen Solubility Theory
Authors: Cao Xiaobing , Zhang Guoshuai , Cai Yifan , Jiang Long , He Xin , Zeng Qingguang , Wei Jinquan , Jia Yi , Xing Guichuan , Huang Wei
Published: January 2020

Toxic solvents used in the fabrication of perovskite solar cells are an obstacle for their commercialization. Replacing those toxic solvents with green solvents is very important for both ecological environment safety and the health of operators working in manufactory and labs. CsPbBr3‐based solar cells have attracted increasing attention due to its high stability. Herein, high‐quality CsPbBr3 films are prepared using all green solvents based on a two‐step spin‐coating method. In the first step, a green solvent system of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with the addition of γ‐butyrolactone is used for preparing PbBr2 solutions by matching the Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) between PbBr2 and the mixed solvent system. By optimizing the HSPs and viscosity, a new complex of PbBr2·(PEG) is formed by spin‐coating from the PbBr2 solution, followed by acetic acid dropping while spinning. In the second step, green water is used to dissolve CsBr to prepare a high concentration CsBr/H2O solution. High‐quality CsPbBr3 films with full coverage are obtained by spin‐coating CsBr/H2O solution onto the PbBr2·(PEG) films after annealing. As a result, a solar cell with configuration of fluorine‐doped tin oxide/TiO2/CsPbBr3/carbon exhibits a power conversion efficiency of 8.11% due to its high‐quality harvest layer.
Microstructure and Interface Fracture Characteristics of Hot‐Rolled Stainless Steel Clad Plates by Adding Different Interlayers
Authors: Wang Shuai , Liu BaoXi , Zhang Xin , Chen CuiXin , Fang Wei , Ji PuGuang , Feng JianHang , Jiang YanFei , Yin FuXing
Published: January 2020

Series of 316L/Q235 stainless steel clad plates are successfully fabricated by hot rolling with different interlayers of ferrum (Fe), nickel (Ni), and niobium (Nb) foils. The interface microstructure, interfacial characteristics, shear performance, tensile properties, and fracture morphologies of clad plates are investigated using optical microscope (OM), ultra‐depth microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and universal testing in detail. It is observed that the addition of Fe interlayer has rare effect on the interface element diffusion. Clad plate with Fe interlayer can only obtain poor tensile and shear properties, which is attributed to severe oxidation at the clad interface. On the contrary, the addition of Ni and Nb interlayers can both effectively inhibit the diffusion behavior of interface carbon element and remarkably reduce interfacial weak areas of carburized and decarburized layers. This is due to that Ni interlayer can sharply slow down the carbon diffusion velocity, and Nb interlayer can suppress interface carbon diffusion by reacting with carbon element and forming niobium carbide phase. After adding Ni or Nb interlayers, stainless steel clad plates can obtain superior interfacial bonding strength, tensile strength, and fracture elongation, eventually achieving the purpose toward strengthening and toughening the interface.
Use of Moringa oleifera leaves in broiler production chain. 1 ‐ Effect on Sasso breeder hens performances, internal quality of hatching eggs and serum lipids
Authors: N'nanle Oumbortime , Tété‐Bénissan Amivi , Nideou Dassidi , Onagbesan Okanlawon M. , Tona Kokou
Published: January 2020

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) on breeder hen performance, hatching egg quality and blood parameters. A total of 180 Sasso broiler breeder hens were used for the study. They were allotted to two groups each containing 3 replicates of 30 hens of 18 weeks of age. Dietary treatments were a control diet (basal diet without moringa leaves) and a diet containing 10g of moringa leaves in 1kg of control diet (1% w/w). The experiment lasted 40 weeks. The following production parameters; feed intake, egg weight, laying rate and feed conversion ratio were measured for the whole experimental period while egg quality and blood parameters were assessed at different ages. Results showed that laying rate and hatching egg weight were improved by moringa meal diet for the whole experimental period. Feed intake and feed conversation ratio were decreased (p < .05) by incorporation of moringa leaves. Differences (p < .01) were observed in albumen and yolk ratio at 55th week of age. Yolk colour was (p < .001) improved by moringa meal at 31st, 43rd and 55th week of age. At the end of the experiment, serum concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic index were decreased (p < .05) while high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was unaffected (p > .05) by incorporation of moringa in the diet. It was concluded that the use of moringa leaves as feed additive in Sasso breeders diet improved productivity and quality of hatching eggs.
Sensor‐mediated granular sludge reactor for nitrogen removal and reduced aeration demand using a dilute wastewater
Authors: Bekele Zerihun A. , Delgado Vela Jeseth , Bott Charles B. , Love Nancy G.
Published: January 2020

A sensor‐mediated strategy was applied to a laboratory‐scale granular sludge reactor (GSR) to demonstrate that energy‐efficient inorganic nitrogen removal is possible with a dilute mainstream wastewater. The GSR was fed a dilute wastewater designed to simulate an A‐stage mainstream anaerobic treatment process. DO, pH, and ammonia/nitrate sensors measured water quality as part of a real‐time control strategy that resulted in low‐energy nitrogen removal. At a low COD (0.2 kg m−3 day−1) and ammonia (0.1 kg‐N m−3 day−1) load, the average degree of ammonia oxidation was 86.2 ± 3.2% and total inorganic nitrogen removal was 56.7 ± 2.9% over the entire reactor operation. Aeration was controlled using a DO setpoint, with and without residual ammonia control. Under both strategies, maintaining a low bulk oxygen level (0.5 mg/L) and alternating aerobic/anoxic cycles resulted in a higher level of nitrite accumulation and supported shortcut inorganic nitrogen removal by suppressing nitrite oxidizing bacteria. Furthermore, coupling a DO setpoint aeration strategy with residual ammonia control resulted in more stable nitritation and improved aeration efficiency. The results show that sensor‐mediated controls, especially coupled with a DO setpoint and residual ammonia controls, are beneficial for maintaining stable aerobic granular sludge.

Practitioner points

Tight sensor‐mediated aeration control is need for better PN/A.

Low DO intermittent aeration with minimum ammonium residual results in a stable N removal.

Low DO aeration results in a stable NOB suppression.

Using sensor‐mediated aeration control in a granular sludge reactor reduces aeration cost.
All-order differential equations for one-loop closed-string integrals and modular graph forms
Authors: Gerken Jan E. , Kleinschmidt Axel , Schlotterer Oliver
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We investigate generating functions for the integrals over world-sheet tori appearing in closed-string one-loop amplitudes of bosonic, heterotic and type-II theories. These closed-string integrals are shown to obey homogeneous and linear differential equations in the modular parameter of the torus. We spell out the first-order Cauchy-Riemann and second-order Laplace equations for the generating functions for any number of external states. The low-energy expansion of such torus integrals introduces infinite families of non-holomorphic modular forms known as modular graph forms. Our results generate homogeneous first- and second-order differential equations for arbitrary such modular graph forms and can be viewed as a step towards all-order low-energy expansions of closed-string integrals.
A Mellin space approach to cosmological correlators
Authors: Sleight Charlotte
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We propose a Mellin space approach to the evaluation of late-time momentum-space correlation functions of quantum fields in (d + 1)-dimensional de Sitter space. The Mellin-Barnes representation makes manifest the analytic structure of late-time correlators and, more generally, provides a convenient general d framework for the study of conformal correlators in momentum space. In this work we focus on tree-level correlation functions of general scalars as a prototype, including n-point contact diagrams and 4-point exchanges. For generic scalars, both the contact and exchange diagrams are given by (generalised) Hypergeometric functions, which reduce to existing expressions available in the literature for d = 3 and external scalars which are either simultaneously conformally coupled or massless. This approach can also be used for the perturbative bulk evaluation of momentum space boundary correlators in (d + 1)-dimensional anti-de Sitter space (Witten diagrams).
Collider phenomenology of a gluino continuum
Authors: Gao Christina , Shirazi Ali Shayegan , Terning John
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Continuum supersymmetry is a class of models in which the supersymmetric partners together with part of the standard model come from a conformal sector, broken in the IR near the TeV scale. Such models not only open new doors for addressing the problems of the standard model, but also have unique signatures at hadron colliders, which might explain why we have not yet seen any superpartners at the LHC. Here we use gauge- gravity duality to model the conformal sector, generate collider simulations, and finally analyze continuum gluino signatures at the LHC. Due to the increase in the number of jets produced the bounds are weaker than for the minimal supersymmetric standard model with the same gluino mass threshold.
Safe use of jet pull
Authors: Larkoski Andrew , Marzani Simone , Wu Chang
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Jet pull is an observable designed to probe colour flow between jets. Thus far, a particular projection of the pull vector, the pull angle, has been employed to distinguish colour flow between jets produced by a colour singlet or an octet decay. This is of particular importance in order to separate the decay of a Higgs boson to a pair of bottom quarks from the QCD background. However, the pull angle is not infra-red and collinear (IRC) safe. In this paper we introduce IRC safe projections of the pull vector that exhibit good sensitivity to colour flow, while maintaining calculability. We calculate these distributions to next-to- leading logarithmic accuracy, in the context of the hadronic decay of a Higgs boson, and compare these results to Monte Carlo simulations. This study allows us to define an IRC safe version of the pull angle in terms of asymmetry distributions. Furthermore, because of their sensitivity to wide-angle soft radiation, we anticipate that these asymmetries can play an important role in assessing subleading colour correlations and their modelling in general-purpose Monte Carlo parton showers.
Dynamics of phase separation from holography
Authors: Attems Maximilian , Bea Yago , Casalderrey-Solana Jorge , Mateos David , Zilhão Miguel
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We use holography to develop a physical picture of the real-time evolution of the spinodal instability of a four-dimensional, strongly-coupled gauge theory with a first-order, thermal phase transition. We numerically solve Einstein’s equations to follow the evolution, in which we identify four generic stages: a first, linear stage in which the instability grows exponentially; a second, non-linear stage in which peaks and/or phase domains are formed; a third stage in which these structures merge; and a fourth stage in which the system finally relaxes to a static, phase-separated configuration. On the gravity side the latter is described by a static, stable, inhomogeneous horizon. We conjecture and provide evidence that all static, non-phase separated configurations in large enough boxes are dynamically unstable. We show that all four stages are well described by the constitutive relations of second-order hydrodynamics that include all second-order gradients that are purely spatial in the local rest frame. In contrast, a Müller-Israel-Stewart-type formulation of hydrodynamics fails to provide a good description for two reasons. First, it misses some large, purely-spatial gradient corrections. Second, several second-order transport coefficients in this formulation, including the relaxation times τ

π
and τ
Π, diverge at the points where the speed of sound vanishes.
Excitations in strict 2-group higher gauge models of topological phases
Authors: Bullivant Alex , Delcamp Clement
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We consider an exactly solvable model for topological phases in (3+1) d whose input data is a strict 2-group. This model, which has a higher gauge theory interpretation, provides a lattice Hamiltonian realisation of the Yetter homotopy 2-type topological quantum field theory. The Hamiltonian yields bulk flux and charge composite excitations that are either point-like or loop-like. Applying a generalised tube algebra approach, we reveal the algebraic structure underlying these excitations and derive the irreducible modules of this algebra, which in turn classify the elementary excitations of the model. As a further application of the tube algebra approach, we demonstrate that the ground state subspace of the three-torus is described by the central subalgebra of the tube algebra for torus boundary, demonstrating the ground state degeneracy is given by the number of elementary loop-like excitations.
On a derivation of the Goldstein–Einhorn probability weighting functions
Authors: Chudziak Jacek
Published: January 2020

The well known Goldstein–Einhorn probability weighting functions have been characterized by Gonzalez and Wu using the linear in log odds preference condition. We provide an alternative way of deriving this class of functions. It is based on the concept of indifference prices.
D’Alembert’s and Wilson’s equations on semigroups
Authors: Łukasik Radosław
Published: January 2020

In this paper we consider a generalization of d’Alembert’s equation and Wilson’s equation on commutative semigroups using only the semigroup operation, ie. we consider the functional equation$$\begin{aligned}&h(x+2y)+h(x)=2f(y)h(x+y),\ x,y\in S, \end{aligned}$$h(x+2y)+h(x)=2f(y)h(x+y),x,y∈S,where$$f,h:S\rightarrow \mathbb {K}$$f,h:S→K,$$(S,+)$$(S,+)is a commutative semigroup,$$\mathbb {K}$$Kis a quadratically closed field,$$\text {char}\,\mathbb {K}\ne 2$$charK≠2.
Anoxic cell rupture of Prevotella bryantii by high-pressure homogenization protects the Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase from oxidative damage
Authors: Schleicher Lena , Fritz Günter , Seifert Jana , Steuber Julia
Published: January 2020

Respiratory NADH oxidation in the rumen bacterium Prevotella bryantii is catalyzed by the Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (NQR). A method for cell disruption and membrane isolation of P. bryantii under anoxic conditions using the EmulisFlex-C3 homogenizer is described. We compared NQR activity and protein yield after oxic and anoxic cell disruption by the EmulsiFlex, by ultrasonication, and by glass beads treatment. With an overall membrane protein yield of 50 mg L–1 culture and a NADH oxidation activity of 0.8 µmol min−1 mg−1, the EmulsiFlex was the most efficient method. Anoxic preparation yielded fourfold higher NQR activity compared to oxic preparation. P. bryantii lacks genes coding for superoxide dismutases and cell extracts do not exhibit superoxide dismutase activity. We propose that inactivation of NQR during oxic cell rupture is caused by superoxide, which accumulates in P. bryantii extracts exposed to air. Anoxic cell rupture is indispensable for the preparation of redox-active proteins and enzymes such as NQR from P. bryantii.
Preparation, characterization, and physical stability of cocoa butter and tristearin nanoparticles containing β-carotene
Authors: Salminen Hanna , Stübler Anna-Sophie , Weiss Jochen
Published: January 2020

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) have emerged as a potential delivery system for bioactive ingredients, as they are associated with improving the stability of incorporated bioactive components by preventing their diffusion to the particle surface. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of carrier lipid composition and surfactant type on the physical stability and thermal behavior of SLN containing β-carotene. As carrier lipids we used cocoa butter and/or tristearin and as surfactants we used Quillaja saponin extract in a combination with high- or low-melting lecithin. All the ingredients were food-grade. The results showed that all the SLN were physically stable and had a particle diameter < 200 nm, except for SLN containing only tristearin as carrier lipid and Quillaja saponins and low-melting lecithin as emulsifier, which showed slightly increased particle sizes during storage due to polymorphic transition. In general, this study indicated that the introduction of heterogenous lipids can improve the physical stability of the SLN due to the more random crystal structures formed. Moreover, the polymorphic stability is dependent on the surfactants applied. These results are of interest for manufacturers in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and personal care industries using cocoa butter or any lipid blend to enrich their products with bioactive components.