bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Global Garden project: Imagining plant science
Authors: Lee Nicholas M. , Hodgson Hannah E. , Hann Chris , O’Driscoll Mike , Stebbings Samantha , Matthewman Colette , Kent Miriam , Rant Jenni , Osbourn Anne
Published: September 2020

Social Impact Statement

Plants are rich sources of drugs and other high‐value chemicals that are used by humans. Many of the plant species that produce important molecules grow in remote locations and have extensive histories of indigenous use. Global concerns about sustainable supply have in some cases led to the development of alternative methods for production using biotechnological approaches. Consideration of responsible stewardship and use of the world's plants and associated traditional knowledge for the greater human good are at the heart of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the recently implemented Nagoya Protocol. The development of fora that enable open discussion and exploration of issues relating to these aspects will be critical in endeavors to protect and preserve both the environment and present and future generations.

Here, we investigate the application of cross‐disciplinary approaches to explore societal perceptions of plants and their uses, focusing on high‐value chemicals. The Global Garden project engages the public, researchers, and regulators in day‐long workshops that combine science, poetry, and visual arts practice to foster participants’ skill in imagining and re‐imagining relationships between high‐value plant products, biotechnology, and social and ethical aspects of these. The project represents an intervention into discussions of science communications and public engagement, addressing the uses and benefits of arts‐based approaches to foster imaginative engagement with plant science. The workshop reported here began with real plant case studies and a discussion of the aims of scientists using them. Participants were invited to respond to the issues of relationships among plants, chemicals, and people raised by the case studies through poetry and visual artwork. The poems and artwork that were produced show variation in the participants’ imaginings of plant science. They present distinctive visions of research and innovation and of the associated ethical and social implications. This type of forum, based on creative immersion, opens up opportunities for engaging with and exploring complex relations between plant biotechnology, society, and ethics. This article offers a reflection on the uses, challenges, and implications of arts‐based approaches to research communications and public engagement that disrupts traditional knowledge transfer structures. In doing so, we frame the project within science communication pedagogies and consider public engagement a form of pedagogy.
Burning Phenomena of a Polymeric Fuel Containing Expandable Graphite
Authors: Muller Gabriele T. , Gany Alon
Published: September 2020

This research aims at studying experimentally the surface processes occurring during burning of a solid polymeric fuel containing a small fraction of expandable graphite (EG) particles/flakes (nominal size 150 μm). Solid polymeric fuels burning in oxidizer or air streams are found in propulsion devices such as hybrid rocket motors or solid fuel ramjets. It was revealed that the inclusion of EG particles in the fuel may increase its burning (regression) rate. Expandable graphite is a specific type of intercalated graphite, which, at elevated temperatures, tends to swell and form worm‐like strings several folds longer than the original particles. The behavior of these strings and the dynamic phenomena at the fuel surface subjected to a flame at atmospheric conditions have been visualized using high‐speed (1000 pictures per second) video photography. Formation and growth of the EG strings have been observed revealing characteristic times of tens of milliseconds and a typical length in a millimeter range. Individual EG strings emit from the surface and are eventually entrained by the gas flow without causing crumbling or detachment of layers from the fuel surface.
Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting by Surface Modified Electrodeposited n‐Cu2O Thin Films
Authors: Kafi Fathima Sheneela Bishrul , Wijesundera Ruwan Palitha , Siripala Withana
Published: September 2020

A surface modification technique is developed for electrodeposited n‐cuprous oxide (Cu2O) thin film electrodes to enhance water splitting in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell. For this, Cu2O films are modified using ammonium sulfide vapor with a unique exposure condition to produce ultrathin sulfided surface layers. To ascertain the effect of surface modification, films are investigated in a PEC cell containing 0.1 m sodium acetate aqueous electrolyte using current–voltage, spectral response, and capacitance–voltage measurements. It is revealed that as a result of the surface modification, high photocurrents are produced by the surface‐modified electrodes. Also, it is revealed that the Fermi level pinning presents at the Cu2O/electrolyte interface can be removed and the flat band potential can be shifted negatively by the surface modification. The experimental evidences support the idea that the surface modification can change the surface states present at the n‐Cu2O/electrolyte interface. The enhancement of photocurrent may be attributed to the increase in depletion layer thickness and reduction of surface recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. The surface modification technique developed in this study for n‐Cu2O films enables to produce an enhanced solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion efficiency of 1.47% at the bias potential of 0.553 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode.
Monolithic Integrated AlGaN/GaN Power Converter Topologies on High‐Voltage AlN/GaN Superlattice Buffer
Authors: Moench Stefan , Müller Stefan , Reiner Richard , Waltereit Patrick , Czap Heiko , Basler Michael , Hückelheim Jan , Kirste Lutz , Kallfass Ingmar , Quay Rüdiger , Ambacher Oliver
Published: September 2020

A high‐voltage AlN/GaN superlattice (SL) buffer for monolithic AlGaN/GaN power circuits is experimentally compared with a step‐graded AlGaN/GaN buffer. The SL as part of a 5.1 μm epitaxial stack withstands over 1.3 kV. Although the step‐graded buffer is sufficient for low‐side circuits, the operation voltage of monolithic topologies such as a half‐bridge is limited: static negative back gating at −200 V depletes the lateral channel completely. Asymmetrical buffer leakage at a positive substrate voltage of +250 V limits the operation voltage further. The SL buffer mitigates both effects: a negative substrate voltage of −200 V reduced the lateral channel current only by 25%. However, this condition is not required for half‐bridge operation on the SL, because low symmetrical vertical buffer leakage at substrate voltages of ±500 V allows operation of power topologies with positive substrate bias. High‐electron‐mobility transistors (HEMTs) on the graded buffer show excessive threshold voltage shift at negative substrate bias. On the SL buffer, the threshold voltage is shifted only +1 V from negative substrate biases, which allows monolithic high‐voltage power topology operation. 98.8% efficient operation of a 6 × 4 mm2 GaN‐on‐Si power integrated circuit with a monolithic half bridge, freewheeling diodes, and drivers is demonstrated on the SL.
CO2 Conversion on Ligand‐Protected Au25 Nanoparticle: The Role of Structural Inhomogeneity in the Promotion of the Electrocatalytic Process
Authors: Alfonso Dominic R.
Published: September 2020

The possibility of direct integration with renewable electric sources adds more potential to the electrochemical method as a promising route for CO2 conversion. Previous experimental breakthrough reveals that Au25(SR)18− nanoclusters having 25 gold atoms and 18 protecting thiolate ligands can be utilized as catalysts for CO2 electroreduction to CO. The reason for its observed activity toward CO2 conversion is of fundamental importance that needs to be explained. Herein, the progress made in the first‐principles mechanistic studies of the reduction process is described. Contrary to long‐standing assumptions, the fully ligand protected version is not the active catalyst because of the weak adsorption of the relevant intermediates. Instead, the calculations based on computational hydrogen electrode method reveal that the reduction process is facilitated by a thermodynamically stable yet structurally inhomogeneous active site. This reaction center binds the intermediates in such a way that the process can occur at low overpotentials. The results point to the role of inhomogeneity in the surface region for this class of materials as a critical factor promoting the CO2 conversion process under electrochemical environment.
Sample size calculation for logrank test and prediction of number of events over time
Authors: Lu Kaifeng
Published: September 2020

Abtract

We review and compare existing methods for sample size calculation based on the logrank statistic and recommend the method of Lakatos for its accuracy and flexibility in allowing time‐dependent rates of event, loss to follow‐up, and noncompliance. We extend the Lakatos method to allow a general follow‐up scheme, to handle non‐inferiority tests, and to predict the number of events over calendar time. We apply the Lakatos method to the simple nonproportional hazard situation of delayed treatment effect to facilitate the comparison of different weighting methods and to evaluate the performance of the maximum combination tests. We use simulation studies to confirm the validity of the Lakatos method and its extensions.
Diabetes and plant‐derived natural products: From ethnopharmacological approaches to their potential for modern drug discovery and development
Authors: Jugran Arun K. , Rawat Sandeep , Devkota Hari P. , Bhatt Indra D. , Rawal Ranbeer S.
Published: September 2020

Diabetes is a disease of serious concern faced by the health care industry today. Primary diabetes mellitus and its complications are still costly to manage with modern drugs. Extensive research on the screening of anti‐diabetic agents in past decades established natural products as one of the major potential sources of drug discovery. However, only a few drugs of plant origin have been scientifically validated. Therefore, the development of new anti‐diabetic drugs is of great demand. Hence, natural products could be explored as potential anti‐diabetic drugs. Natural plants derived extracts and molecules like berberine, ginsenosides, curcumin, stevioside, gingerols, capsaicin, catechins, simple phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, resveratrol, genistein and hesperidin obtained from different species are used for curing diabetes and found to possess different action mechanisms. In this review, the importance of medicinal plants and their active constituents for anti‐diabetic agents are described. The present study also emphasized the importance of diabetes control, reduction in its complications and use of the anti‐diabetic agents. The detailed action mechanism of these extracts/compounds for their activities are also described. However, the anti‐diabetic drugs from plant origin require scientific validation through animal and clinical studies to exploit in terms of modern commercial medicines.
Thermochemical spin‐orbit corrections for platinum cation (Pt+)
Authors: Irikura Karl K.
Published: September 2020

In quantum thermochemistry, many atoms require spin‐orbit corrections to compensate for the lack of spin‐orbit coupling in most calculations. When terms or configurations are strongly mixed, as they are in Pt+, naïve averaging of experimental data produces erroneous corrections. Here, spin‐orbit calculations provide the composition of observed energy levels in LS (Russell‐Saunders) terms. The compositional data are combined with the experimental energy levels to obtain averaged term energies for Pt+, including the ground‐term spin‐orbit correction. For ground‐state Pt+, a correction of (−4251 ± 136) cm−1 or (−50.8 ± 1.6) kJ mol−1 is recommended. The recommended value for the 2D‐4F excitation energy, which represents the nominal 5d‐6s promotion energy, is (7112 ± 225) cm−1. For anionic Pt−, simple J‐averaging is appropriate, and the ground‐state spin‐orbit correction is (−3896.4 ± 0.2) cm−1 or (−46.611 ± 0.002) kJ mol−1.
A rare case of lung squamous cell carcinoma coexisting with pulmonary MALT lymphoma presenting as a progressive pGGN
Authors: Yang Li , Wang Ting , Ge Mingjian , Zhang Min , Cao Youde , Guo Shuliang
Published: September 2020

Pulmonary extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of the mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) presenting as a progressive pure ground‐glass nodule (GGN) coexisting with lung squamous cell carcinoma has not been reported. A 65‐year‐old male presented with a progressive lung GGN in the left upper lobe identified six and a half years ago but showed no symptoms. The patient had a history of tuberculosis, squamous cell carcinoma, and stomach MALT lymphoma. The patient was diagnosed with lung squamous cell carcinoma coexisting with pulmonary MALT lymphoma through computed tomography (CT)‐guided lung biopsy. A progressive lung GGN presenting in a patient with squamous cell carcinoma does not always indicate multiple primary lung adenocarcinoma, especially when given a specific medical history. The development of MALT lymphoma in the lung presenting as GGNs suggests a possible association between these two entities.
Worsening respiratory failure in an adult hydrocephalic patient with a ventriculo‐pleural shunt
Authors: Wong Edmond , Jeganathan Vishnu , Wreghitt Samuel , Davis Gavin , Wimaleswaran Hari , Howard Mark E
Published: September 2020

Ventriculo‐pleural (VPL) shunt insertion is performed in hydrocephalic patients when alternative sites of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion are contraindicated. These include patients with peritoneal complications from ventriculo‐peritoneal shunts. Despite its utility, VPL shunts are uncommon. Hydrothoraces should be considered as a potential cause of dyspnoea in the setting of a VPL shunt. We present a case of worsening respiratory failure in the setting of a massive CSF hydrothorax in a hydrocephalic patient with a VPL shunt to highlight this potential complication of pleural CSF diversion, and present a potential management strategy in patients with premorbid underlying lung pathology. In this case, the hydrothorax was drained and the shunt was converted to ventriculo‐atrial (VA) shunt.
Gendering human capital development in Western Alaska
Authors: Lowe Marie E. , Sharp Suzanne
Published: September 2020

This article posits that conventional human capital development theory as applied to economic development lacks a consideration of cultural context. In developing regions of the world, life decisions at the postsecondary educational level are often less driven by individual choices and “rational” cost–benefit analyses and more by the continuing importance of family, community, and place‐based values. Results from an examination of postsecondary educational outcomes among rural, coastal peoples of Western Alaska demonstrate how human capital development stimulated through a regional economic development program is gendered: More women than men are pursuing higher education. They are often motivated by a desire to “give back” to both their families and their communities. The study also finds a lack of participation in formal vocational training programs despite the applicability of vocational skills to resource extraction–based industries in rural Alaska. Policy recommendations include economic development organizations creating value in postsecondary educational pathways that most benefit Bering Sea communities, such as those both in caring labor and in the skilled trades. This focus could help validate rural Alaskan commitments to family, community, and sense of place.
Poisson item count techniques with noncompliance
Authors: Wu Qin , Tang Man‐Lai , Fung Derrick Wing‐Hong , Tian Guo‐Liang
Published: September 2020

ThePoisson item count technique(PICT) is a survey method that was recently developed to elicit respondents' truthful answers to sensitive questions. It simplifies the well‐known item count technique (ICT) by replacing a list of independent innocuous questions in known proportions with a single innocuous counting question. However, ICT and PICT both rely on the strong “no design effect assumption” (ie, respondents give the same answers to the innocuous items regardless of the absence or presence of the sensitive item in the list) and “no liar” (ie, all respondents give truthful answers) assumptions. To address the problem of self‐protective behavior and provide more reliable analyses, we introduced a noncompliance parameter into the existing PICT. Based on the survey design of PICT, we considered more practical model assumptions and developed the corresponding statistical inferences. Simulation studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of our method. Finally, a real example of automobile insurance fraud was used to demonstrate our method.
Ultra‐Stable Freestanding Lipid Membrane Array: Direct Visualization of Dynamic Membrane Remodeling with Cholesterol Transport and Enzymatic Reactions
Authors: Lee Hyun‐Ro , Lee Yohan , Oh Seung Soo , Choi Siyoung Q.
Published: September 2020

Cell membranes actively change their local compositions, serving essential biological processes such as cellular signaling and endocytosis. Although membrane dynamics is vital in the cellular functions, the complexity of natural membranes has made its fundamental understanding and systematic assessment difficult. Here, a powerful artificial membrane system is developed for real‐time visualization of the spatiotemporal dynamics of membrane remodeling. Through well‐defined air/oil/water interfaces on grid holes, tens of planar lipid bilayer membranes are easily created, and their reproducibility, controllability, and generality are highlighted. The freestanding membranes are large but also highly stable, facilitating direct long‐term monitoring of dynamic membrane reconstitution caused by external stimuli. As an example to demonstrate the superiority of this membrane system, the effect of cholesterol trafficking, which significantly affects biophysical properties of cell membranes, is investigated at different membrane compositions. Cholesterol transport into and out of the membranes at different rates causes anomalous lipid arrangements through cholesterol‐mediated phase transitions and decomposition, which have never been witnessed before. Furthermore, enzyme‐induced membrane dynamics is successfully shown in this platform; sphingomyelinases locally generate asymmetry between two membrane leaflets. This technique is broadly applicable for exploring the membrane heterogeneity under various membrane‐based reactions, providing valuable insight into the membrane dynamics.
Ethanol Electrooxidation on Rhodium–Lead Catalysts in Alkaline Media: High Mass Activity, Long‐Term Durability, and Considerable CO2 Selectivity
Authors: Lan Bing , Huang Min , Wei Rui‐Lin , Wang Chao‐Nan , Wang Qiong‐Lan , Yang Yao‐Yue
Published: September 2020

Rhodium (Rh)‐based catalysts may solve the long‐standing inefficient oxidation of ethanol for direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs); however, the performance of ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) on existing Rh‐based catalysts are far limited. Herein, the Rh–Pb catalysts are synthesized by building Pb and Pb oxide around Rh nanodomain, which shows highly efficient splitting CC bond and facile further oxidation of as‐generated C1 intermediates (COad and CHx fragments). It exhibits an ever‐highest EOR peak mass activity of ≈2636 mA mg−1Rh among Rh‐based catalysts in alkaline media. Meanwhile, its anodic current remains ≈50% even after a 4 h durability test at 0.53 V versus RHE. As for the C1‐pathway selectivity, in situ infrared adsorption spectral (IRAS) results demonstrate that it could significantly improve the production of CO2. More directly, the apparent faraday efficiency of EOR C1 pathway is estimated to be as high as 20% (at 0.53 V versus RHE). This Rh–Pb catalyst could hold great promise for developing the commercial DEFCs.
An anti‐phishing enterprise environ model using feed‐forward backpropagation and Levenberg‐Marquardt method
Authors: Sankhwar Shweta , Pandey Dhirendra , Khan Raees Ahmad , Mohanty Sachi Nandan
Published: September 2020

Phishing in an enterprise is serious issue rising in wide scale and complexity, as phishers use email phishing via obfuscated, malicious or phished URLs and continuously adapt or innovate their strategies to lure victims for identity theft for financial benefits. To gain victim's trust and confidence phishers have started using visceral factors and familiarity cues. Phishing is not always money centric; phisher defame the user's goodwill and character. Defamation in enterprise could be much more traumatic than being embarrassed at a social networking site. It is a challenging task to address this issue. It is evident through literature review that single phishing detection filter approaches are insufficient to detect phishing in enterprise environ. Therefore, a novel anti‐phishing model for enterprise using artificial neural network is proposed. In addition, this model effectively identifies whether the phishing email is known phishing or unknown phishing to reduce the trust and familiarity‐based email phishing enterprise environ. The feed‐forward backpropagation and Levenberg‐Marquart methods of ANN are adopted to enhance the URL classification process and with Fuzzy Inference System to get result with imprecise data of social features. The proposed model can accurately classify the known and unknown email phishing via URLs.
Analytical Approach to Failure Determination of Advanced High‐Strength Steel in Stretch‐Bending Mode
Authors: Lee Jae-wook , Barlat Frédéric
Published: September 2020

Experimental and analytical studies on the stretch‐bending characteristics of advanced high‐strength steel sheets, primarily used in the automotive industry, are conducted. Herein, the stretch‐bending test, in which a specimen fixed at both ends is bent at its center with sharp punches until failure occurs, is conducted. Assuming that the failure of the material occurred at the maximum tensile force, a relationship between applied force and forming height is derived. Nine steels including high‐strength low‐alloy, dual‐phase, and transformation‐induced plasticity steels are tested, and the calculated results are compared with experimental limit‐forming heights. Finally, a failure criterion based on process variables and tensile properties of the material is proposed based on the deformation in the sheet thickness direction.
Vertically Aligned Graphene for Thermal Interface Materials
Authors: Xu Shichen , Zhang Jin
Published: September 2020

With the rapidly increasing power density and integration level in electronic devices, the development of the next generation of thermal interface materials (TIMs) with substantially high thermal conductivity is essential for various device technologies. Graphene, exhibiting ultrahigh in‐plane thermal conductivity, is investigated intensely for improving the heat dissipation performance. To satisfy the requirements of high vertical thermal conductivity of TIMs, numerous efforts have been made toward the development of the assembly method of graphene sheets extending the intrinsic properties of graphene to macro graphene‐based TIMs. A successful approach that erects graphene sheets to construct a vertical structure of graphene material has been widely demonstrated to significantly increase the thermal conductivity of graphene‐based TIMs. In this review, the latest advances in the rational design and controllable fabrication of vertical graphene structures by means of top‐down and bottom‐up methods are summarized. Moreover, the state‐of‐the‐art progress on graphene‐based TIMs is discussed from the viewpoint of material fabrication, structure design, and property optimization. Finally, the existing advantages, challenges, and perspectives of high‐thermal‐conductivity graphene‐based TIMs are presented and highlighted.
Die neue Experimenta in Heilbronn
Authors: Werwigk Michael , Böhling Stefan
Published: September 2020

In Heilbronn entstand bis 2019 der Erweiterungsbau des Experimenta Science Center. Das geometrisch höchst anspruchsvolle Gebäude besteht aus fünf Geschossen, die einen pentagonalen Grundriss aufweisen und zueinander verdreht und übereinandergestapelt sind. Das in Stahlverbundbauweise entwickelte Tragwerk wird von einem zentralen Stahlbetonkern ausgesteift, von dem sich die Holorib‐Verbunddecken auf die raumhohen Stahlfachwerkwände spannen, die in ihren Überschneidungspunkten die Lasten abtragen.

Nachfolgender Bericht erläutert den Tragwerksentwurf und die planerische Umsetzung hinsichtlich eines effizienten Bauablaufs. Aus Firmensicht wird zudem über die Werkstattplanung, Fertigung und Montage berichtet.
Stahlbaubetriebe in der DDR am Beispiel des Metallleichtbaukombinats
Authors: Johne Hans
Published: September 2020

Stahlbau in der DDR

Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird ein kurzer Überblick über die Entwicklung der Stahlbaubetriebe in der DDR im Zeitraum 1945–1997 am Beispiel des Metallleichtbaukombinats gegeben. Die Entstehung, Entwicklung und Profilierung des Kombinats, realisierte Vorhaben und Auslandsaktivitäten, die Wende und der gemeinsame deutsche Markt sowie die Arbeit im Deutschen Stahlbau‐Verband DSTV werden aus der Sicht des Zeitzeugen beschrieben.
Experiment and time‐varying characteristics of steel corrosion in magnesium oxychloride cement
Authors: Gong Wei , Wang Nan , Zhang Na , Chen Guangfeng
Published: September 2020

The steel corrosion in magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) restrains the application and popularization of MOC products. However, MOC is a green cementitious material. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the steel corrosion in MOC. Aiming at this issue, firstly, the Stern–Geary constant (B) applied to the steel corrosion in MOC was calculated and verified. Secondly, the influence of different steel and mineral admixtures on the steel corrosion in MOC was studied by electrochemical method. Thirdly, the time‐varying models of steel corrosion were given. Fourthly, the life of the steel‐MOC system was calculated based on the time‐varying model. Finally, the time‐varying characteristics of steel corrosion in MOC was proposed. The results show that B of 25 mV is suitable for the corroded steel, whereas B of 40 mV is appropriate for uncorroded steel, in MOC. In addition, the type of steel has a significant effect on steel corrosion in MOC. The anticorrosive effect of metakaolin is less than that of fly ash. The anticorrosive effect of MOC with single admixture is better than that with compound admixture. Besides, the development process of steel corrosion in MOC can be divided into three stages: the descending phase conforming to the exponential time‐varying model in the early stage, the ascending phase conforming to the logarithmic time‐varying model in the middle stage, and the descending phase conforming to the exponential time‐varying model in later stage.
Eccentric punching strength of continuous flat slabs—Analysis of different experimental setups
Authors: Secci Lorenzo , Lapi Massimo , Teoni Emanuele , Pinho Ramos Antonio , Orlando Maurizio
Published: September 2020

This paper analyses the performance of the experimental setups to assess the punching strength of slab‐column connections in continuous flat slabs under vertical and horizontal loading. In the last years, several experimental campaigns have been performed to investigate the punching strength of slab‐column connections, but most of the experimental tests concerned isolated slab‐column connections. Among the few setups aimed at reproducing the eccentric punching failure in continuous flat slabs, the setup developed at the NOVA School of Science and Technology in Lisbon is considered in this paper. The performance of the Lisbon setup is assessed through nonlinear finite element analyses, calibrated on experimental data, by comparison with numerical results of a theoretical continuous setup. Then, the performance of the isolated setups, used in many researches and at the base of some international codes, is also evaluated through the same finite element model. Numerical analyses highlight that the setup developed in Lisbon could provide reliable ultimate rotations of continuous flat slab connections, but it underestimates the punching strength. Despite isolated setups lead to similar results when compared with the Lisbon setup, the latter seems to provide a better representation of a continuous slab‐column connection. The numerical analyses presented in this paper have been performed assuming monotonic lateral loading.
Current analysis of grid‐connected Inverter with VSG controller under voltage dip and recovery
Authors: Koiwa Kenta , Inoo Koyo , Liu Kang‐Zhi , Zanma Tadanao
Published: September 2020

Virtual synchronous generators composed of an inverter are affected by an over‐current caused by voltage dip and recovery. This letter addresses the current analysis under a symmetrical voltage dip and recovery. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Miconazole induces protective autophagy in bladder cancer cells
Authors: Ho Chao‐Yen , Chang An‐Chen , Hsu Chung‐Hua , Tsai Te‐Fu , Lin Yi‐Chia , Chou Kuang‐Yu , Chen Hung‐En , Lin Ji‐Fan , Chen Po‐Chun , Hwang Thomas I‐Sheng
Published: September 2020

Autophagy plays a dual function in cancer progression; autophagy activation can support cancer cell survival or contribute to cell death. Miconazole, a Food and Drug Administration‐approved antifungal drug, has been implicated in oncology research recently. Miconazole was found to exert antitumor effects in various tumors, including bladder cancer (BC). However, whether it provokes protective autophagy has been never discussed. We provide evidence that miconazole induces protective autophagy in BC for the first time. The results indicated that 1A/1B‐light chain 3 (LC3)‐II processing and p62 expression were elevated after miconazole exposure. Also, adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase phosphorylation was increased after miconazole treatment. We also confirmed the autophagy‐promoting effect of miconazole in the presence of bafilomycin A1 (Baf A1). The result indicates that a combination treatment of miconazole and Baf A1 improved LC3‐II processing, confirming that miconazole promoted autophagic flux. The acridine orange, Lysotracker, and cathepsin D staining results indicate that miconazole increased lysosome formation, revealing its autophagy‐promoting function. Finally, miconazole and autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyladenine cotreatment further reduced the cell viability and induced apoptosis in BC cells, proving that miconazole provokes protective autophagy in BC cells. Our findings approve that miconazole has an antitumor effect in promoting cell apoptosis; however, its function of protective autophagy is needed to be concerned in cancer treatment.
Cross‐modality and in‐vivo validation of 4D flow MRI evaluation of uterine artery blood flow in human pregnancy
Authors: Hwuang E. , Wu P. H. , Rodriguez‐Soto A. , Langham M. , Wehrli F. W. , Vidorreta M. , Moon B. , Kochar K. , Parameshwaran S. , Koelper N. , Tisdall M. D. , Detre J. A. , Witschey W. , Schwartz N.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Clinical assessment of uterine artery (UtA) hemodynamics is currently limited to Doppler ultrasound (US) velocimetry. We have demonstrated previously the feasibility of applying four‐dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate UtA hemodynamics during pregnancy, allowing flow quantification of the entire course of the vessel. In this study, we sought to further validate the physiological relevance of 4D flow MRI measurement of UtA blood flow by exploring its association with pregnancy outcome relative to US‐based metrics.

Methods

Recruited into this prospective, cross‐sectional study were 87 women with a singleton pregnancy who underwent 4D flow MRI between May 2016 and April 2019 to measure the UtA pulsatility index (MRI‐PI) and blood flow rate (MRI‐flow, in mL/min). UtA‐PI was also measured using US (US‐PI). The primary outcome was a composite (COMP) of pre‐eclampsia (PE) and/or small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) neonate, and secondary outcomes were PE and SGA neonate individually. We assessed the ability of MRI‐flow, MRI‐PI and US‐PI to distinguish between outcomes, and evaluated whether MRI‐flow changed as gestation progressed.

Results

Following 4D flow postprocessing and exclusions from the analysis, 74 women had 4D flow MRI data analyzed for both UtAs. Of these, 18 developed a COMP outcome: three developed PE only, 11 had a SGA neonate only and four had both. A comparison of the COMP group vs the no‐COMP group found no differences in maternal age, body mass index, nulliparity, gravidity or race. For 66 of the 74 subjects, US data were also available. In these subjects, both median MRI‐PI (0.95 vs 0.70; P < 0.01) and median US‐PI (0.95 vs 0.73; P < 0.01) were significantly increased in subjects in the COMP group compared with those in the no‐COMP group. The UtA blood‐flow rate, as measured by MRI, did not increase significantly from the second to the third trimester (median flow (interquartile range (IQR)), 543 (419–698) vs 575 (440–746) mL/min; P = 0.77), but it was significantly lower overall in the COMP compared with the no‐COMP group (median flow (IQR), 486 (366–598) vs 624 (457–749) mL/min; P = 0.04). The areas under the receiver‐operating‐characteristics curves for MRI‐flow, MRI‐PI and US‐PI in predicting COMP were not significantly different (0.694, 0.737 and 0.731, respectively; P = 0.87).

Conclusions

4D flow MRI can yield physiological measures of UtA blood‐flow rate and PI that are associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. This may open up new avenues in the future to expand the potential of this technique as a robust tool with which to evaluate UtA hemodynamics in pregnancy. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Synthesis of Ferrocene‐based Esters as Burning Rate Catalysts and their Anti‐migration Study
Authors: Ul Amin Bilal , Yu Haojie , Wang Li , Nazir Ahsan , Fahad Shah , Haq Fazal , Mahmood Sahid , Uddin Md Alim , Elshaarani Tarig , Shen Di
Published: September 2020

Ferrocene‐based (Fc‐based) burning rate catalysts (BRCs) play an essential role in the solid rocket propellants. However, the migration problem during curing and storage limits their applications. To retard the migration problems of Fc‐based BRCs and to increase the burning rate (BR) of AP‐based propellants, Fc‐based esters compounds (Es‐Fcs) were synthesized. The synthesized Es‐Fcs were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR),13C NMR and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviors of Es‐Fcs were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The BR catalytic activity of Es‐Fcs on thermal decomposition of AP were examined by thermogravimetry (TG). Thermal analysis results showed that these Es‐Fcs had good BR catalytic effects on thermal decomposition of AP. It was found that the anti‐migration performance of Es‐Fcs were better than catocene and Fc.
RETRACTED: Bending, buckling and vibration analyses of FG porous nanobeams resting on Pasternak foundation incorporating surface effects
Authors: Enayat Shahzad , Hashemian Mohammad , Toghraie Davood , Jaberzadeh Erfan
Published: September 2020

In the current paper, size‐dependent mechanical analysis of functionally graded porous (FGP) nanobeams resting on Pasternak foundation in thermal environment is presented based on nonlocal strain gradient theory and Gurtin‐Murdoch surface elasticity theory. The nanobeam is modeled based on Euler‐Bernoulli beam theory, Timoshenko beam theory and Reddy's third‐order shear deformation theory and the set of the governing equations are solved for a clamped‐clamped FGP nanobeam using generalized differential quadrature method. Numerical results show that as porosity parameter increases, static deflection increases and critical buckling load decreases, but its effect on the fundamental frequency strongly depends on the porosity distribution pattern. It was revealed that among all studied porosity distribution patterns, the minimum value of the static deflection and maximum values of critical buckling load and fundamental frequency can be achieved using symmetric distribution pattern of pores. It is concluded that tensional residual stress reduces static deflection and increases both critical buckling load and fundamental frequency and temperature rise has reverse effects.
Closed sets of finitary functions between finite fields of coprime order
Authors: Fioravanti Stefano
Published: September 2020

We investigate the finitary functions from a finite field $$\mathbb {F}_q$$

F
q

to the finite field $$\mathbb {F}_p$$

F
p

, where p and q are powers of different primes. An $$(\mathbb {F}_p,\mathbb {F}_q)$$

(

F
p

,

F
q

)

-linearly closed clonoid is a subset of these functions which is closed under composition from the right and from the left with linear mappings. We give a characterization of these subsets of functions through the invariant subspaces of the vector space $$\mathbb {F}_p^{\mathbb {F}_q\backslash \{0\}}$$

F
p

F
q

\

{
0
}

with respect to a certain linear transformation with minimal polynomial $$x^{q-1} - 1$$

x

q
-
1

-
1

. Furthermore we prove that each of these subsets of functions is generated by one unary function.
Wheel shape optimization approaches to reduce railway rolling noise
Authors: Garcia-Andrés X. , Gutiérrez-Gil J. , Martínez-Casas J. , Denia F. D.
Published: September 2020

A wheel shape optimization of a railway wheel cross section by means of Genetic Algorithms (GAs) is presented with the aim of minimizing rolling noise radiation. Two different approaches have been implemented with this purpose, one centred on direct Sound poWer Level (SWL) minimization, calculated using TWINS methodology, and another one emphasizing computational efficiency, focused on natural frequencies maximization. Numerical simulations are carried out with a Finite Element Method (FEM) model using general axisymmetric elements. The design space is defined by a geometric parametrization of the wheel cross section with four parameters: wheel radius, a web thickness factor, fillet radius and web offset. For all wheel candidates, a high-cycle fatigue analysis has been performed according to actual standards, in order to assure structural feasibility. Rolling noise reductions have been achieved, with a decrease of up to 5 dB(A) when considering the wheel component. Response surfaces have been also computed to study the dependency of the objective functions on the geometric parameters and to test the adequacy of the optimization algorithm applied.
Influence of cycling profile, depth of discharge and temperature on commercial LFP/C cell ageing: post-mortem material analysis of structure, morphology and chemical composition
Authors: Simolka M. , Heger J. -F. , Kaess H. , Biswas I. , Friedrich K. A.
Published: September 2020

The paper presents post-mortem analysis of commercial LiFePO4 battery cells, which are aged at 55 °C and − 20 °C using dynamic current profiles and different depth of discharges (DOD). Post-mortem analysis focuses on the structure of the electrodes using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the chemical composition changes using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that ageing at lower DOD results in higher capacity fading compared to higher DOD cycling. The anode surface aged at 55 °C forms a dense cover on the graphite flakes, while at the anode surface aged at − 20 °C lithium plating and LiF crystals are observed. As expected, Fe dissolution from the cathode and deposition on the anode are observed for the ageing performed at 55 °C, while Fe dissolution and deposition are not observed at − 20 °C. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), the surface conductivity is examined, which shows only minor degradation for the cathodes aged at − 20 °C. The cathodes aged at 55 °C exhibit micrometer size agglomerates of nanometer particles on the cathode surface. The results indicate that cycling at higher SOC ranges is more detrimental and low temperature cycling mainly affects the anode by the formation of plated Li.

Graphic abstract
Simultaneous impact of atorvastatin and mesenchymal stem cells for glioblastoma multiform suppression in rat glioblastoma multiform model
Authors: Goodarzi Arash , Khanmohammadi Mehdi , Ai Arman , Khodayari Hamid , Ai Armin , Farahani Morteza Sagharjoghi , Khodayari Saeed , Ebrahimi-Barough Somayeh , Mohandesnezhad Sanam , Ai Jafar
Published: September 2020

Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is known as an aggressive glial neoplasm. Recently incorporation of mesenchymal stem cells with anti-tumor drugs have been used due to lack of immunological responses and their easy accessibility. In this study, we have investigated the anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity of atorvastatin (Ator) in combination of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on GBM cells in vitro and in vivo. The MSCs isolated from rats and characterized for their multi-potency features. The anti-proliferative and migration inhibition of Ator and MSCs were evaluated by MTT and scratch migration assays. The annexin/PI percentage and cell cycle arrest of treated C6 cells were evaluated until 72 h incubation. The animal model was established via injection of C6 cells in the brain of rats and subsequent injection of Ator each 3 days and single injection of MSCs until 12 days. The growth rate, migrational phenotype and cell cycle progression of C6 cells decreased and inhibited by the interplay of different factors in the presence of Ator and MSCs. The effect of Ator and MSCs on animal models displayed a significant reduction in tumor size and weight. Furthermore, histopathology evaluation proved low hypercellularity and mitosis index as well as mild invasive tumor cells for perivascular cuffing without pseudopalisading necrosis and small delicate vessels in Ator + MSCs condition. In summary, Ator and MSCs delivery to GBM model provides an effective strategy for targeted therapy of brain tumor.
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery does not alter the copy number aberration profile in sporadic vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Håvik Aril Løge , Bruland Ove , Dhayalan Dhanushan , Lund-Johansen Morten , Knappskog Per-Morten
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Ionizing radiation is a known etiologic factor in tumorigenesis and its role in inducing malignancy in the treatment of vestibular schwannoma has been debated. The purpose of this study was to identify a copy number aberration (CNA) profile or specific CNAs associated with radiation exposure which could either implicate an increased risk of malignancy or elucidate a mechanism of treatment resistance.

Methods

55 sporadic VS, including 18 treated with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery (GKRS), were subjected to DNA whole-genome microarray and/or whole-exome sequencing. CNAs were called and statistical tests were performed to identify any association with radiation exposure. Hierarchical clustering was used to identify CNA profiles associated with radiation exposure.

Results

A median of 7 (0–58) CNAs were identified across the 55 VS. Chromosome 22 aberration was the only recurrent event. A median aberrant cell fraction of 0.59 (0.25–0.94) was observed, indicating several genetic clones in VS. No CNA or CNA profile was associated with GKRS.

Conclusion

GKRS is not associated with an increase in CNAs or alteration of the CNA profile in VS, lending support to its low risk. This also implies that there is no major issue with GKRS treatment failure being due to CNAs. In agreement with previous studies, chromosome 22 aberration is the only recurrent CNA. VS consist of several genetic clones, addressing the need for further studies on the composition of cells in this tumor.
Cardiac injury and mortality in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): insights from a mediation analysis
Authors: Cipriani Alberto , Capone Federico , Donato Filippo , Molinari Leonardo , Ceccato Davide , Saller Alois , Previato Lorenzo , Pesavento Raffaele , Sarais Cristiano , Fioretto Paola , Iliceto Sabino , Gregori Dario , Avogaro Angelo , Vettor Roberto
Published: September 2020

Backgrounds

Patients at greatest risk of severe clinical conditions from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and death are elderly and comorbid patients. Increased levels of cardiac troponins identify patients with poor outcome. The present study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of a cohort of Italian inpatients, admitted to a medical COVID-19 Unit, and to investigate the relative role of cardiac injury on in-hospital mortality.

Methods and results

We analyzed all consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 referred to our dedicated medical Unit between February 26th and March 31st 2020. Patients’ clinical data including comorbidities, laboratory values, and outcomes were collected. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were investigated. A mediation analysis was performed to identify the potential mediators in the relationship between cardiac injury and mortality. A total of 109 COVID-19 inpatients (female 36%, median age 71 years) were included. During in-hospital stay, 20 patients (18%) died and, compared with survivors, these patients were older, had more comorbidities defined by Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 3(65% vs 24%, p = 0.001), and higher levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (Hs-cTnI), both at first evaluation and peak levels. A dose–response curve between Hs-cTnI and in-hospital mortality risk up to 200 ng/L was detected. Hs-cTnI, chronic kidney disease, and chronic coronary artery disease mediated most of the risk of in-hospital death, with Hs-cTnI mediating 25% of such effect. Smaller effects were observed for age, lactic dehydrogenase, and d-dimer.

Conclusions

In this cohort of elderly and comorbid COVID-19 patients, elevated Hs-cTnI levels were the most important and independent mediators of in-hospital mortality.
OpenAltimetry - rapid analysis and visualization of Spaceborne altimeter data
Authors: Khalsa Siri Jodha S. , Borsa Adrian , Nandigam Viswanath , Phan Minh , Lin Kai , Crosby Christopher , Fricker Helen , Baru Chaitan , Lopez Luis
Published: September 2020

NASA’s Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) carries a laser altimeter that fires 10,000 pulses per second towards Earth and records the travel time of individual photons to measure the elevation of the surface below. The volume of data produced by ICESat-2, nearly a TB per day, presents significant challenges for users wishing to efficiently explore the dataset. NASA’s National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC), which is responsible for archiving and distributing ICESat-2 data, provides search and subsetting services on mission data products, but providing interactive data discovery and visualization tools needed to assess data coverage and quality in a given area of interest is outside of NSIDC’s mandate. The OpenAltimetry project, a NASA-funded collaboration between NSIDC, UNAVCO and the University of California San Diego, has developed a web-based cyberinfrastructure platform that allows users to locate, visualize, and download ICESat-2 surface elevation data and photon clouds for any location on Earth, on demand. OpenAltimetry also provides access to elevations and waveforms for ICESat (the predecessor mission to ICESat-2). In addition, OpenAltimetry enables data access via APIs, opening opportunities for rapid access, experimentation, and computation via third party applications like Jupyter notebooks. OpenAltimetry emphasizes ease-of-use for new users and rapid access to entire altimetry datasets for experts and has been successful in meeting the needs of different user groups. In this paper we describe the principles that guided the design and development of the OpenAltimetry platform and provide a high-level overview of the cyberinfrastructure components of the system.