bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Thermoelectric Properties of Ag0.366Sb0.558Te
Authors: Liu Hongxia , Li Wen , Shen Hongwei , Zhang Xinyue , Lin Siqi , Pei Yanzhong
Published: March 2020

Ternary AgSbTe2 materials are frequently reported to show a promising thermoelectric performance, due to the intrinsically low lattice thermal conductivity and complex valence band structure. However, stoichiometric AgSbTe2 is found to be thermodynamically unstable and would partially decompose into Ag2Te and Sb2Te3 during thermal cycling. Instead, Ag0.366Sb0.558Te is the composition for stabilizing the single‐phase according to the Ag2Te‐Sb2Te3 phase diagram, while the thermoelectric transport properties have rarely been reported and are the focus of this work. Sn/Sb substitution is found to effectively increase not only the carrier concentration from ≈5 × 1019 cm−3 to ≈4 × 1021 cm−3, but also the density‐of‐states effective mass, leading to an enhanced Seebeck coefficient along with a decreased carrier mobility. Single parabolic band (SPB) model with acoustic phonon scattering enables a good understanding on the charge transport. The increased carrier concentration effectively suppresses the bipolar effect at high temperatures. As a result, a peak zT of ≈1.3 and an average of ≈0.9 are achieved.
C‐H‐Bindungsaktivierung durch einen Imidocobalt(III)‐ und den resultierenden Amidocobalt(II)‐Komplex
Authors: Reckziegel Alexander , Pietzonka Clemens , Kraus Florian , Werncke C. Gunnar
Published: March 2020

Der 3d‐Metall‐vermittelte Nitrentransfer ist Gegenstand intensiver Forschung aufgrund seines Potentials als atomökonomischer und umweltfreundlicher Ansatz zur direkten Aminierung (un)funktionalisierter C‐H‐Bindungen. Wir berichten nun über die Isolierung und Charakterisierung eines selten trigonalen Imidocobalt(III)‐Komplexes mit einer sehr langen Cobalt‐Imid‐Bindung. Er kann auf intermolekularer Weise, präzedenzlos für Imidocobaltkomplexe, starke C‐H‐Bindungen mit einer Bindungsdissoziationsenergie von bis zu 92 kcal mol−1 spalten. Dies resultiert in dem Amidocobalt(II)‐Komplex [Co(hmds)2(NHtBu)]−. Kinetische Studien diesbezüglich deuten auf einen H‐Atomtransfer‐Mechanismus. Erstaunlicherweise ist das Cobalt(II)amid in Abhängigkeit des Substrats auch in der Lage, die H‐Atomabstraktion oder einen schrittweisen Protonen‐/Elektronentransfer durchzuführen. Eine cobaltkatalysierte Substratdehydrogenierung unter Verwendung eines Organoazids wird gezeigt.
Preparation and properties of Styrene‐Butyl Acrylate resin co‐encapsulated Pigment Red 48:2 and Oxidized Polyethylene wax composite nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Kui , Ye Mingquan , Han Aijun , Chen Xin
Published: February 2020

In this study, the Pigment Red 48:2 (PR48:2) and oxidized polyethylene (OPE) wax were evenly dispersed in the aqueous phase by ball‐milling method, and then the composite nanoparticles of styrene‐butyl acrylate (P(St/BA)) resin co‐encapsulated PR48:2 and OPE wax were prepared via in‐situ emulsion polymerization. The morphology, size distribution, composition, thermal properties, colorimetric performance, acid–alkaline resistance, and anti UV‐aging ability of the encapsulated nanoparticles were characterized by different analytical techniques. When the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) concentration was 0.01 mol/L, the average size of encapsulated nanoparticles was about 120 nm, the particle dispersion index (PDI) was 0.132, and composite nanoparticles owned narrow size distribution and clear core–shell structure. Compared with original pigment, the encapsulated nanoparticles have better anti UV‐aging property and acid–alkaline resistance. When the PR48:2 content was 0.5 g, the color changes of the encapsulated nanoparticles after soaking in alkaline solution for 30 days and UV light exposure for 60 days were only 1.70 and 6.59, respectively, indicating that the encapsulated nanoparticles have excellent color stability.
Trends and spatial analysis of temperature and rainfall patterns on rice yields in Nigeria
Authors: Akinbile Christopher O. , Ogunmola Olabanji O. , Abolude Akintayo T. , Akande Samuel O.
Published: March 2020

Trends and spatial analysis of temperature and rainfall on rice yield in Nigeria was carried out. Forty year of past trends (1970–2010) was conducted with climate data obtained from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria while upland rice yield data were obtained from the Food and Agriculture Organization. Six cities, one in each of the six agro‐ecological zones which were Calabar, Enugu, Ikeja, Ilorin, Kaduna, and Maiduguri were selected. Geographic information systems mapping for spatial analysis of temperature and rainfall over Nigeria was carried out. Mann–Kendall, Sens' tests, Pettitt's, and Buishand's tests and multiple linear regressions were used as statistical tools for analysis. Increasing rainfall trends in Enugu, Calabar, and Ikeja but decreasing trends were observed in Ilorin Kaduna and Maiduguri while temperature showed increasing trends in all the cities in the last four decades. Statistically significant positive trends of rice yield, rainfall, and temperature were observed in Ikeja and Maiduguri in the last four decades. Mann–Kendall tests showed that rice yield and temperature had generally statistically significant positive trends in Calabar Ilorin Kaduna, and Enugu while rainfall and yield were significant in Calabar Enugu but not significant in Ilorin and Maiduguri adaptation strategies to genetically modify rice varieties and effective water use strategies in areas of rainfall deficit are recommended to ensure food security.
An evaluation of tropical cyclone forecast in the Southwest Indian Ocean basin with AROME‐Indian Ocean convection‐permitting numerical weather predicting system
Authors: Bousquet Olivier , Barbary David , Bielli Soline , Kebir Selim , Raynaud Laure , Malardel Sylvie , Faure Ghislain
Published: March 2020

In order to contribute to ongoing efforts on tropical cyclone (TC) forecasting, a new, convection‐permitting, limited‐area coupled model called AROME‐Indian Ocean (AROME‐IO) was deployed in the Southwest Indian Ocean basin (SWIO) in April 2016. The skill of this numerical weather predicting system for TC prediction is evaluated against its coupling model (European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting‐Integrated Forecasting System [ECMWF‐IFS]) using 120‐hr reforecasts of 11 major storms that developed in this area over TC seasons 2017–2018 and 2018–2019. Results show that AROME‐IO generally provides significantly better performance than IFS for intensity (maximum wind) and structure (wind extensions, radius of maximum wind) forecasts at all lead times, with similar performance in terms of trajectories. The performance of a prototype, 12‐member ensemble prediction system (EPS), of AROME‐IO is also evaluated on the case of TC Fakir (April 2018), a storm characterized by an extremely low predictability in global deterministic and ensemble models. AROME‐IO EPS is shown to significantly improve the predictability of the system with two scenarios being produced: a most probable one (~66%), which follows the prediction of AROME‐IO, and a second one (~33%) that closely matches reality.
Genetic counseling of high‐risk isolated populations: A worldwide challenge
Authors: Sagi‐Dain Lena , Weissman Irith , Cohen‐Kfir Nehama , Kalfon Limor , Edri Nurit , Shasha Lavski Hadas , Peleg Amir , Falik‐Zaccai Tzipora C.
Published: March 2020

Background

Isolated populations with high rates of consanguinity and genetic disorders can be found in most parts of the world. The aim of our paper was to highlight the unique challenges faced in genetic counseling for such patients and to discuss the ways to facilitate the difficulties, with an emphasis on the crucial role of electronic medical records (EMR).

Case

We report a couple presenting with elevated maternal alpha‐fetoprotein in three pregnancies, in which an erroneous diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa was established in the past and carried along through several years. The live born proband had no evidence of skin disease; however, soon after birth she was diagnosed with congenital nephrotic syndrome. Sequencing of NPHS1 gene yielded a homozygous likely pathogenic genetic variant c.2104G > A (p.Gly702Arg). Population screening performed in the village of residence revealed a carrier frequency of 1–47. This high frequency justified including testing for the founder genetic variant in the national program for population screening.

Conclusions

Our report highlights the caution, suspicion and time investment which should be practiced and addressed in genetic counseling of high‐risk isolated populations. Using EMR may facilitate reaching the correct diagnosis, enable accurate genetic counseling and provide information for decision‐making to the couples, as well as “save” a large community from devastating diseases.
Determination of free clindamycin, flucloxacillin or tedizolid in plasma: Pay attention to physiological conditions when using ultrafiltration
Authors: Dorn Christoph , Schießer Selina , Wulkersdorfer Beatrix , Hitzenbichler Florian , Kees Martin G. , Zeitlinger Markus
Published: March 2020

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic indices of anti‐infective drugs should be referenced to free drug concentrations. In the present study, clindamycin, flucloxacillin and tedizolid have been determined in human plasma by HPLC–UV. The drugs were separated isocratically within 3–6 min on a C18 column using mixtures of phosphate buffer–acetonitrile of pH 7.1–7.2. Sample treatment for the determination of total drug concentrations in plasma included extraction/back‐extraction (clindamycin) or protein precipitation (flucloxacillin, tedizolid). The free drug concentrations were determined after ultrafiltration. An ultrafiltration device with a membrane consisting of regenerated cellulose proved to be suitable for all drugs. Maintaining a physiological pH was crucial for clindamycin, whereas maintaining body temperature was essential for tedizolid. The methods were applied to the analysis of total and free drug concentrations in clinical samples and were sufficiently sensitive for pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring.
Comparative study on efficiency of nutmeg microencapsulation (freeze‐drying method) using native and OSA sorghum starch as wall materials in combination with gum arabic
Authors: Arshad Hira , Ali Tahira Mohsin , Hasnain Abid
Published: March 2020

Background and objectives

Nutmeg oleoresin (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) is used widely in the culinary, medicine, and ornamental products and is known for significant antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, and pharmacological properties. Quality of nutmeg oleoresin can be retained through encapsulation techniques which suppresses the degradation of flavoring ingredients. The main objective of this research was to estimate the suitability and feasibility of sorghum starch (native and octenyl succinic anhydride) as shell material in combination with gum arabic.

Findings

Most of the emulsion formulations showed better stability after 24 hr. The freeze‐dried nutmeg microcapsules had excellent flow properties. The freeze‐dried powdered samples showed flake‐shaped microgranules with various sizes with no apparent cracks and holes on external surfaces. The studied wall matrices comprising 1 portion of sorghum starch with 2 portions of gum arabic resulted in high oil retention (99.4%), while GA:OSA showed the highest encapsulation efficiency (92.87%). The sample composed of 1:2 ratio of gum arabic with OSA starch resulted in the lowest peroxide value after 60 days of storage.

Conclusion

In the current study, coating materials arabic gum, sorghum native starch, and modified OSA starch worked as potential source to encapsulate nutmeg oleoresin by freeze‐drying. The highest encapsulation efficiency of 92.87% with lower surface oil (0.33 g/10 g) was obtained by gum arabic and native starch in a ratio of 1:3.

Novelty and significance

The research introduces the sorghum starch (native and OSA‐modified form) as innovative wall material for microencapsulation of nutmeg oleoresin using freeze‐drying method with remarkable encapsulation efficiency.
Enhancement of the chiroptical response of α‐amino acids via N‐substitution for molecular structure determination using vibrational circular dichroism
Authors: Polavarapu Prasad L. , Santoro Ernesto , Covington Cody L. , Raghavan Vijay
Published: March 2020

The chiroptical response in the form of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) in the midinfrared region is found to be enhanced when a hydrogen of amino group of l‐tryptophan is substituted with acetyl, acryloyl, or maleyl group. The order of preference for VCD enhancement is found to be acryloyl > acetyl > maleyl group. The resulting experimental VCD spectra are also found to be satisfactorily reproduced by the quantum mechanical (QM) predicted spectra. The QM predicted spectra were simulated using the conformer populations, (a) predicted by Gibbs energies and (b) optimized to maximize the similarity between experimental and predicted VCD spectra. It is found that the conformer populations predicted by Gibbs energies do not yield the maximum possible similarity between experimental and the QM predicted spectra. This work identifies the N‐substitution of α‐amino acids and determining the conformer populations that best reproduce the experimental spectra as two new approaches for molecular structure determination.
High‐Strength and Tough Crystalline Polysaccharide‐Based Materials†
Authors: Wei Pingdong , Cai Jie , Zhang Lina
Published: March 2020

Due to the increasing public awareness of environmental issues and the shortage of resources, the focus on products made from renewable sources to fulfill the sustainable development of modern society has intensified. Natural crystalline polysaccharides have been studied for a long time and are among the most abundant renewable resources in the world. High‐performance materials have been fabricated using crystalline polysaccharides such as cellulose and chitin. For practical applications, the mechanical performance of polysaccharide‐based materials is critical. In this review, we focus on the methods for constructing high‐strength and high‐toughness crystalline polysaccharide‐based materials. This review elucidates the three approaches of aggregate structure regulation, bioinspiration and mineralization, and the use of crystalline polysaccharides as matrices for reinforcing the mechanical properties of nanocomposites.
The relationship between early maladaptive schemas and interpersonal problems: A meta‐analytic review
Authors: Janovsky Thomas , Rock Adam J. , Thorsteinsson Einar B. , Clark Gavin I. , Murray Clara V.
Published: February 2020

Early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) have been hypothesized to be associated with interpersonal problems. Furthermore, a stronger contention is that EMSs impact negatively on, or cause, interpersonal problems. The aims of this meta‐analysis were (a) to assess the strength of the association between EMSs and interpersonal problems, (b) clarify which EMSs are most strongly associated with interpersonal problems, (c) examine any possible moderators on the relationship between EMSs and interpersonal problems, and (d) examine whether any empirical evidence exists supporting a causal relationship between EMSs and interpersonal problems. A comprehensive systematic literature search and meta‐analysis were conducted using the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. A total of 49 empirical studies were reviewed investigating EMSs and interpersonal problems. EMSs were found to have a moderate positive association with interpersonal problems with different EMSs having small to moderate effect sizes. To date, there has been limited evidence supporting a causal effect of EMSs on interpersonal problems. Possible limitations and avenues for future research were discussed.
MASTER KEY Project: Powering Clinical Development for Rare Cancers Through a Platform Trial
Authors: Okuma Hitomi S. , Yonemori Kan , Narita Shoko N. , Sukigara Tamie , Hirakawa Akihiro , Shimizu Toshio , Shibata Taro , Kawai Akira , Yamamoto Noboru , Nakamura Kenichi , Nishida Toshiro , Fujiwara Yasuhiro
Published: February 2020

For rare cancers, challenges in establishing standard therapies are greater than those for major cancers, and effective methods are needed. MASTER KEY Project is a multicenter study based in Japan, with two main parts: prospective registry study and multiple clinical trials. Advanced rare cancers, cancers of unknown primary origin, and those with rare tissue subtypes of common cancers are targeted. The registry study accumulates highly reliable consecutive data that can be used for future drug development. The multiple trials are conducted simultaneously, targeting either a specific biomarker or a rare tumor type of interest. The first interim data set from the registry part presented here shows the prevalence of genetic abnormalities, response rates, survival rates, and clinical trial enrollment rates. From May 2017 to April 2019, 560 patients (mean age = 53) were enrolled in the project. Frequent cancer types included soft tissue sarcomas, neuroendocrine tumors, and central nervous system tumors. Among the 528 patients with assessable data, 69% (364/528) had next‐generation sequencing tests, with 48% (176/364) harboring an “actionable” alteration. Seventy‐one (13%) patients have been enrolled in one of the clinical trials, with an accrual rate of 3.94 patients/month. A descriptive analysis of biomarker‐directed or non‐biomarker‐directed treatment survival was performed. This project is expected to accelerate development of treatments for rare cancers and show that comprehensive platform trials are an advantageous strategy.
Functional‐Group Modification of Kraft Lignin for Enhanced Supercapacitors
Authors: Zhou Bingjie , Li Jing , Liu Wei , Jiang Hanmei , Li Shaobo , Tan Luxi , Dong Lichun , She Lan , Wei Zidong
Published: March 2020

Recent efforts to improve the capacitances of Kraft lignin (KL) in supercapacitors have mainly focused on screening KL substrates, which could either compensate the poor conductivity of KL or directly contribute to the capacitance. However, increasing the pseudocapacitance contributed by KL itself, through hydroquinone/quinone redox cycles, remains a challenge, owing to the roughly fixed content of hydroquinone species in natural KL. In this study, the capacitance of KL is greatly improved by using a functional‐group modification strategy in which methoxy groups in KL are selectively converted into phenolic hydroxy groups, which facilitate the formation of additional hydroquinone moieties and thus lead to higher pseudocapacitances. The oxidized KL materials show up to 25.6 % enhancement of the phenolic hydroxy content in comparison to raw KL, which results in 21.9 % capacitance improvement from 322 to 390 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 in an acidic system.
Valorization of Technical Lignin for the Production of Desirable Resins with High Substitution Rate and Controllable Viscosity
Authors: Pang Bo , Lam Su Shiung , Shen Xiao‐Jun , Cao Xue‐Fei , Liu Shi‐Jie , Yuan Tong‐Qi , Sun Run‐Cang
Published: March 2020

The valorization of lignin to replace phenol is significant in the production of phenolic resins. However, a great challenge is to produce lignin‐based resin (LR) with a suitable viscosity and high substitution rate of lignin to phenol. In this study, LRs were produced using hardwood technical lignin derived from the pulping industry. Structural analysis of the LRs indicated that the unsubstitutedparaandorthocarbon atoms of the aromatic ring influenced the curing temperature and activation energy of the resins. The curing kinetics and thermal decomposition study implied that urea and methylene groups in cured LRs were significant factors that affected the thermal stability negatively. The prepared LRs showed desirable features if used as adhesives to make plywood. This is the first approach in which a substitution rate of up to 65 % is achieved for low‐reactive‐site hardwood lignin, which provides a solution to the challenge of the simultaneous realization of the high addition of lignin and the adaptive viscosity of resins.
Determination of nitrites and nitrates in plasma‐activated deionized water by microchip capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Moravský Ladislav , Troška Peter , Klas Matej , Masár Marián , Matejčík Štefan
Published: February 2020

In this work, we present the application of a fast and sensitive microanalytical method, microchip capillary electrophoresis (MCE), for the determination of NO2− and NO3− ions in deionized water treated by atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ). The MCE technique consisted of an online combination of isotachophoresis with zone electrophoresis, both performed on the microchip. The argon plasma has been characterized by optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). OES confirmed the presence of argon excited species (Ar I) emission (4p → 4s) lines, N2 emission bands (second positive system C3Πu → B3Πg), and OH band (A2∑+ → X2Π Δv = 0), as well as the presence of NO and excited NO2. The presence of NO2 molecules was also confirmed by FTIR absorption spectroscopy. The performance of the developed MCE method was evaluated for linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, precision, and accuracy, and the concentration of NO2− and NO3− in the water as a function of the water treatment time was monitored.
Cell‐block as ancillary tool for the diagnosis of cystic and cyst‐like jaw lesions
Authors: Melo Gilberto , Mello Fernanda Weber , Mesquita Ricardo Alves , Grando Liliane Janete , Rivero Elena Riet Correa
Published: February 2020

Background

The cell‐block technique is a cytological diagnostic method that decreases cellular dispersion; however, its usefulness regarding intraosseous lesions is underexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the diagnostic usefulness of cell‐block for cystic and cyst‐like jaw lesions.

Methods

Individuals with cystic or cyst‐like jaw lesions who underwent aspiration biopsy were considered eligible. Aspiration of luminal content was prepared and processed by the cell‐block technique. Cytological evaluations were blindly performed by two trained PhD students (in a single evaluation) and one oral and maxillofacial pathologist (OMP). Cohen's kappa statistic was used to measure inter‐rater agreement.

Results

The sample was composed of 52 lesions, represented by 25 radicular cysts (RC), 17 odontogenic keratocysts (OKC), 5 idiopathic bone cavities (IBC), and 5 unicystic ameloblastomas (UA). The kappa coefficient of cell‐block compared to histopathological diagnosis was 0.390 (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.195‐0.585) for PhD students and 0.612 (95%CI, 0.433‐0.791) for the OMP. The highest concordance rates between cell‐block and histopathological diagnosis were observed for RC (PhD = 76.0%; OMP = 80.0%) and OKC (PhD = 58.8%; OMP = 76.5%). Conflicting results were found regarding IBC (PhD = 40.0%; OMP = 80.0%) and UA, that presented the overall lowest concordance rates (PhD = 20.0%; OMP = 40.0%).

Conclusion

The cell‐block technique presented a high diagnostic usefulness for detecting RC and OKC and, if associated with clinical and radiographic characteristics, might be sufficient for final diagnosis of these diseases. Regarding IBC and UA, an analysis with a higher number of cases is recommended to determine the true usefulness of the cell‐block as ancillary tool for the diagnosis of these lesions.
The right trait in the right place at the right time: Matching traits to environment improves restoration outcomes
Authors: Balazs Kathleen R. , Kramer Andrea T. , Munson Seth M. , Talkington Nora , Still Shannon , Butterfield Bradley J.
Published: March 2020

The challenges of restoration in dryland ecosystems are growing due to a rise in anthropogenic disturbance and increasing aridity. Plant functional traits are often used to predict plant performance and can offer a window into potential outcomes of restoration efforts across environmental gradients. We analyzed a database including 15 yr of seeding outcomes across 150 sites on the Colorado Plateau, a cold desert ecoregion in the western United States, and analyzed the independent and interactive effects of functional traits (seed mass, height, and specific leaf area) and local biologically relevant climate variables on seeding success. We predicted that the best models would include an interaction between plant traits and climate, indicating a need to match the right trait value to the right climate conditions to maximize seeding success. Indeed, we found that both plant height and seed size significantly interacted with temperature seasonality, with larger seeds and taller plants performing better in more seasonal environments. We also determined that these trait–environment patterns are not influenced by whether a species is native or nonnative. Our results inform the selection of seed mixes for restoring areas with specific climatic conditions, while also demonstrating the strong influence of temperature seasonality on seeding success in the Colorado Plateau region.
Regrowth strategies of Leymus chinensis in response to different grazing intensities
Authors: Zhang Zihe , Gong Jirui , Wang Biao , Li Xiaobing , Ding Yong , Yang Bo , Zhu Chenchen , Liu Min , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2020

In temperate grassland ecosystems, grazing can affect plant growth by foraging, trampling, and excretion. The ability of dominant plant species to regrow after grazing is critical, since it allows the regeneration of photosynthetic tissues to support growth. We conducted a field experiment to evaluate the effects of different grazing intensities (control, light, medium, and heavy) on the physiological and biochemical responses of Leymus chinensis and the carbon (C) sources utilized during regrowth. Light grazing promoted regrowth and photoassimilate storage of L. chinensis, by increasing the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), photosynthetic quenching, light interception, sugar accumulation, sucrose synthase activities, and fructose supply from stems. At medium grazing intensity, L. chinensis had low Pn, light interception, and sugar accumulation, but higher expression of a sucrose transporter gene (LcSUT1) and water‐use efficiency, which reflected a tendency to store C in belowground to promote survival. This strategy was associated with regulation by abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonate, and salicylic acid (SA) signaling. However, L. chinensis tolerated heavy grazing by increased ABA and jasmonate‐induced promotion of C assimilation and osmotic adjustment, combined with photoprotection against photo‐oxidation, suggesting a strategy based on regrowth. In addition, stems were the main C source organs and energy supply rather than roots. Simultaneously, SA represented a weaker defense than ABA and jasmonate. Therefore, L. chinensis adopted different strategies for regrowth under different grazing intensities, and light grazing promoted regrowth the most. Our results demonstrate the regulation of C reserves utilization by phytohormones, and this regulation provides an explanation for recent results about grazing responses.
Biological soil crusts increase stability and invasion resistance of desert revegetation communities in northern China
Authors: Song Guang , Li Xinrong , Hui Rong
Published: March 2020

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) in arid region provide critical ecosystem services. However, most previous studies on BSC–plant topic have had a narrow spatiotemporal and taxonomic focus, so context dependency concerning exotic plant responses to BSCs remains poorly understood. In this study, using a series of manipulative experiments under greenhouse conditions, we investigated the influence of BSCs in the Tengger Desert in northern China on seed germination and seedling growth of an exotic grass species, Stipa glareosa P. Smirn., with or without two native plants species, Eragrostis poaeoides Beauv. and Artemisia capillaris Thunb., both of whose ontogeny differs from that of the exotic species. BSC treatments included intact crusts, disturbed crusts, and bare soil. Compared to bare soil, the presence of BSCs reduced the germination of E. poaeoides and A. capillaris by 78% and 74%, respectively. For the exotic species, BSCs reduced the germination percentage by as much as 90%. With gradual increases in soil nutrients such as organic carbon, available phosphorus, and available nitrogen, the shoot biomass of the three plants increased along the sequence from bare soil to lichens and mosses. Shoot biomass of the two native plant species was reduced by the exotic species S. glareosa. The percent germination and shoot biomass of S. glareosa on the disturbed crusts were greater than those on the intact crusts and bare soils. Overall, the presence of BSCs on stabilized sand dunes can reduce the germination of these three plant species, but compared with native plant species, BSCs have a stronger inhibitory effect on the seed germination of the exotic plant species. However, the disturbance may weaken the inhibition of the seed germination of the exotic grass S. glareosa and may provide more nutrients for the exotic grass S. glareosa to establish a revegetation region. We concluded that compared with the absence of BSCs, BSCs in this desert ecosystem can provide more nutrients and a suitable environment for native vascular plants and exert an inhibitory effect on the exotic plants.
Radial growth response of two oaks to climate at their disparate distribution limits in semiarid areas, Beijing, China
Authors: Gao Wen‐Qiang , Lei Xiang‐Dong , Fu Li‐Yong , Duan Guang‐Shuang , Zhou Meng‐Li , Cao Jian
Published: March 2020

Impending climate warming is expected to influence plant growth and distribution, and the distribution range limit of tree species is extremely sensitive to climate change. However, synchronous comparisons of responses of different tree species with overlapping ecological niches to climate at their distribution range limit in the same region have received little attention. In the present study, we assessed the discrepancy in radial growth responses of two dominant oak species to climate at their distribution range limit (southern range limit forQuercus mongolica, northern range limit forQuercus variabilis) in Beijing, China. Furthermore, growth–climate relationships were examined using linear mixed‐effects models, and growth trends up to the year 2100 were forecast based on future climate scenarios (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5). Our results indicated that there were no significant differences in the growth response to climate betweenQ. variabilisat its northern limit andQ. mongolicaat its southern limit, and the growth of the two tree species was positively correlated with the minimum temperature and negatively correlated with the climatic moisture deficit of autumn. However, the growth response to climate variables varied at different sites. Additionally, the model forecast showed an increase in radial growth ofQ. variabilisat its northern limit andQ. mongolicaat its southern limit up to the end of the present century.
Antioxidant Effect of Nanoemulsions Based on Citrus Peel Essential Oils: Prevention of Lipid Oxidation in Trout
Authors: Uçar Yılmaz
Published: February 2020

The antioxidant effects of oil‐in‐water nanoemulsion based on edible citrus peel essential oils on the fatty acid composition of rainbow trout fillets stored at 4 ± 2 °C are investigated. Fish fillets are treated with nanoemulsion and stored for 16 days. Lipid samples are converted into fatty acid methyl esters which are then detected by gas chromatagrophy (GC). The results show that palmitic acid (C16:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1), stearic acid (C18:0), vaccenic acid (C18:1ɷ‐7), oleic acid (C18:1ɷ9), eicosenoic acid (C20:1ɷ9), linoleic acid (C18:2ɷ6), linolenic acid (C18:3ɷ3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (C20:5ɷ3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (C22:6ɷ3) are the most important fatty acids in fish meat. While polyene index and hypocholesterolemic:hypercholesterolaemic fatty acid ratios decrease in trout fillets during cold storage, thrombogenicity index and atherogenicity index generally increase (especially in control and Tween 80 groups). The concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are higher in the treatment groups and the saturated fatty acids (SFAs) are lower in all groups compared to those of the control group. Application of nanoemulsion based on citrus essential oils prevents oxidation of PUFA especially EPA and DHA, thus has potential as a preservative for fish oil.

Practical Applications: In recent years, nanotechnological applications have been increasingly applied to the protection of food. Similarly, natural essential oils are used to increase the shelf life of foods. This study demonstrates the combined effect of a new method of nanoemulsions and essential oils on the safety of foods.
Molecularly Imprinted Impedimetric Sensor for Determination of Mycotoxin Zearalenone
Authors: Radi Abd‐Elgawad , Eissa Alsayed , Wahdan Tarek
Published: March 2020

The mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEA) prompts reproductive toxicity due to its strong estrogenic effects. In this work, an electrochemical sensor for determination of ZEA was developed by electropolymerization of a molecularly imprinted poly (o‐phenylenediamine) (PPD) film on screen‐printed gold electrode (SPGE) surface. The sensor was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) using K3[Fe(CN)6]/K4[Fe(CN)6] as redox probe. The molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor showed a wide determination range from 2.50 to 200.00 ngmL−1 for ZEA. The Limit of detection (LOD) was calculated to be 0.20 ngmL−1, based on the signal to noise (S/N) ratio equal to 3.0. The sensor displayed good repeatability, with RSD values≤4.6 %, and maintained 93.2 % of its initial response after storage for 10 days in air at room temperature. The developed method was successfully applied for the determination of ZEA in corn flakes with mean recoveries ranged from 96.2 % to 103.8 % and RSDs within the interval of 2.1 % to 3.8 %.
Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid and a Simple Mixture of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid and Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)
Authors: Dennis Nicole M. , Karnjanapiboonwong Adcharee , Subbiah Seenivasan , Rewerts Justin N. , Field Jennifer A. , McCarthy Chris , Salice Christopher J. , Anderson Todd A.
Published: February 2020

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of environmentally persistent chemicals that include thousands of potentially toxic synthetic organic molecules. Some PFAS have been shown to cause adverse health effects including decreased total cholesterol, birth weight, and reproductive success in laboratory animals; however, a lack of chronic toxicity data exists for PFAS in avian ecological receptors. The present study reports on the chronic toxicity of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and a mixture of PFOS and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) to northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) via oral exposure from drinking water. Female weight gain was adversely affected at an average daily intake (ADI) of 3.10 × 10−3 ± 0.15 × 10−3 mg PFOS:PFHxS (1.2:1) mixture × kg−1 body weight × d−1. Successful liberation from the shell once pipped was adversely affected at an ADI of 2.45 × 10−3 ± 0.01 × 10−3 mg PFOS x kg−1 body weight × d−1. These values are comparatively much lower than the current dietary avian toxicity reference value (TRV) derived from birds that were exposed via feed, suggesting the need for updated avian TRVs. Relationships between test chemical (PFOS) and test substance (PFOS:PFHxS) showed that PFOS and PFHxS have possible interacting effects in avian receptors and likely differing mechanisms of toxicity depending on chemical co-occurrence and dose. Both the single-chemical and mixture exposures produced similar and possibly additive toxicity values. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1101–1111. © 2020 SETAC
Regional and Long-Term Analyses of Stable Isotopes of Fish and Invertebrates Show Evidence of the Closure of a Pulp Mill and the Influence of Additional Stressors
Authors: McMahon Heather M. , Arciszewski Tim J. , Munkittrick Kelly R. , Kidd Karen A.
Published: February 2020

A bleached kraft pulp mill discharging effluent to the Mattagami River in northern Ontario, Canada, closed after almost 90 yr of operation. During its operation, effluent from the mill influenced biota in the downstream areas. To assess shifts in the reliance of biota from mill-derived nutrients, the isotopic composition (δ13C and δ15N) of white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) muscle and whole mayflies (Hexagenia sp.) were compared before (1990s) and after the pulp mill's closure (2012–2014). To better understand other potential sources of spatial and temporal change, samples from 3 other tributaries in the basin with dams, ongoing pulp mill operations, sites receiving sewage, and at several reference sites were collected and compared. Irrespective of time period, biota collected at sites downstream of both dams and active pulp mills tended to have elevated δ13C values, but variable changes in δ15N (negligible in most cases) when compared with upstream samples. The isotopic composition of mayflies varied at reference sites over time, with decreasing values of δ13C and δ15N (mayflies only) with increasing depth, and there was evidence of lower δ13C in fish after the pulp mill closure. Overall, these results suggest the importance of long-term, regional-scale measurements for documenting the effects of stressors on nutrient use by aquatic species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1207–1218. © 2020 SETAC
Structured analysis/synthesis compressive sensing‐based channel estimation in wideband mmWave large‐scale multiple input multiple output systems
Authors: Mejri Ameni , Hajjaj Moufida , Hasnaoui Salem
Published: March 2020

The hybrid architecture still be the most attractive solution for the analog‐digital beamforming in millimeter wave (mmWave) large‐scale multiple input multiple output (LS‐MIMO) systems, since it provides the best trade‐off between the achievable rate and the power consumption. When maximizing performance metrics, channel knowledge is required to optimally design the hybrid beamforming. The channel estimation (CE) is essential for wideband mmWave LS‐MIMO to substantially enhance data rates, however, is a challenging task. Practically, the antenna number and the bandwidth for such communications are very large. Therefore, the CE scheme should account for the frequency‐dependence of the array response vectors and thereby the beam squint effect. In the first part, this article addresses a structured analysis compressive sensing (CS) for CE in a frequency selective mmWave LS‐MIMO system without neglecting the beam squint effect. Compared to sparse mmWave CE approach that mostly uses on‐grid dictionaries, our proposed approach considers continually distributed angles of arrival and departure. In the second part, we show that the frequency‐selective mmWave MIMO channels share a common sparsity structure within the same subcarrier‐group. Then, we propose a block‐sparsity‐based CS approach that uses the simultaneous orthogonal matching pursuit method to estimate the mmWave channel. Moreover, we prove the partial sparsity structure shared between all the subcarrier‐groups. Hence, we develop our proposed joint subcarrier‐block‐based CE scheme exploiting these two block‐sparsity structures. Numerical results evaluate the performances in terms of normalized mean‐squared error and spectral efficiency to select the most accurate channel estimator with lower overhead.
An extended travelling fire method framework for performance‐based structural design
Authors: Dai Xu , Welch Stephen , Vassart Olivier , Cábová Kamila , Jiang Liming , Maclean Jamie , Clifton George Charles , Usmani Asif
Published: March 2020

This paper presents the extended travelling fire method (ETFM) framework, which considers both energy and mass conservation for the fire design of large compartments. To identify its capabilities and limitations, the framework is demonstrated in representing the travelling fire scenario in the Veselí Travelling Fire Test. The comparison between the framework and the test is achieved through performing a numerical investigation of the thermal response of the structural elements. The framework provides good characterization of maximum steel temperatures and the relative timing of thermal response curves along the travelling fire trajectory, though it does not currently address a non‐uniform fire spread rate. The test conditions are then generalized for parametric studies, which are used to quantify the impact of other design parameters, including member emissivity, convective heat transfer coefficient, total/radiative heat loss fractions, fire spread rate, fire load density, and various compartment opening dimension parameters. Within the constraints of this study, the inverse opening factor and total heat loss prove to be the most critical parameters for structural fire design.
A large‐scale parallel hybrid grid generation technique for realistic complex geometry
Authors: Zhao Zhong , Zhang Yang , He Lei , Chang Xinghua , Zhang Laiping
Published: February 2020

High‐Performance Computing (HPC) systems and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) have made significant progress in recent years; however, as the basis of the large‐scale parallel computing, the massive grid generation of billions of cells has become a bottleneck problem. In this study, a parallel grid generation technique is proposed to generate large‐scale mixed grids with arbitrary cell types and scales. The basic idea of our method is analogous to the global mesh refinement technique. An initial coarse grid with arbitrary cell types is regarded as a background mesh which is partitioned into subzones, and subzones are assigned onto different CPU cores. After the cells and faces in each subzone are split, the inserted new points of the solid wall are projected onto the original CAD entities to preserve the geometry accurately. Finally, the tangled cells caused by the projection in the boundary layer are untangled by a local Radial Basis Function mesh deformation technique. Furthermore, a parallel partition approach and an efficient wall distance computing technique for massive grids are developed also to shorten the preprocessing time. The tests show that the preprocessing efficiency has been increased by two or three orders compared with traditional methods. Billions of grids are generated for the AIAA JSM high‐lift model and the Chinese CHN‐T1 transport model to test the ability of the parallel grid generation technique. The maximum scale up to 19 billion mixed elements is generated using 16 384 CPU cores in parallel, and the mesh quality is acceptable for CFD simulations.
Climatological summaries of Thomas Hughes’ meteorological data, for Stroud, UK (1775–1813)
Authors: Harrison Richard Giles , Harrison Barry C.
Published: February 2020

Thomas Hughes (1742–1813) kept a daily diary of weather and geoscience phenomena at Stroud in Gloucestershire, in the southern UK, between 1775 and 1813, following a short period of similar records made nearby from 1771. Data from the diary have previously been used in compiling the Central England Temperature series and to corroborate aurora sightings elsewhere in Europe. Recent historical research now confirms the suspected authorship of the diaries beyond doubt and strongly suggests that the pre‐Stroud records were made in south Gloucestershire. Here, summary tables of monthly data between 1771 and 1813 are presented for thunderstorm days, snow days, rain days, rainfall, surface air pressure and auroral nights. Consistency checks, both between the different measurements contained and with other contemporary measurements, provide confidence in the reliability of the meteorological and geophysical data which spans part of the Dalton Minimum in solar activity.
CD200 maintains the region‐specific phenotype of microglia in the midbrain and its role in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Wang Le , Gong Xiaoli , Liu Yang , Du Tianshu , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Ting , Wang Xiaomin
Published: February 2020

Microglia are a specialized population of tissue macrophages in the mammalian brain. Microglial phenotype is tightly regulated by local environmental factors, although little is known about these factors and their region‐preferred roles in regulating local neuroinflammatory responses. We hypothesized that microglia in different brain regions respond differently to neuroinflammatory stimulation and that CD200, an anti‐inflammatory protein mainly originated from neurons, acts as a local cue inhibiting microglia activation in the midbrain. We utilized a CD200‐deficient mouse line to analyze the phenotypic role of CD200 in the regulation of normal neuron–microglia homeostasis in the midbrain and in the dopaminergic degeneration in an α‐synuclein overexpression model of PD. We found that systemic administration of an endotoxin lipopolysaccharide induced a region‐preferred change in CD200 expression in the midbrain. Similarly, CD200−/− mice showed a regional preference in an enhancement of microglia activation and baseline inflammatory levels in the midbrain and dopamine neuron loss in the substantia nigra (SN). In a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD) induced by rAAV‐hSYN injection into the SN, CD200−/− mice showed more dopamine neuron loss in the SN than wild type mice. Activation of CD200 receptors with a CD200 fusion protein alleviated the neuroinflammation and neuronal death in the SN of PD mice. These findings demonstrate that CD200 is essential for the midbrain homeostasis and acts as a critical local regulator in controlling microglial properties related to the PD pathogenesis.
An alternative mechanism of early nodal clustering and myelination onset in GABAergic neurons of the central nervous system
Authors: Thetiot Melina , Freeman Sean A. , Roux Thomas , Dubessy Anne‐Laure , Aigrot Marie‐Stéphane , Rappeneau Quentin , Lejeune François‐Xavier , Tailleur Julien , Sol‐Foulon Nathalie , Lubetzki Catherine , Desmazieres Anne
Published: March 2020

In vertebrates, fast saltatory conduction along myelinated axons relies on the node of Ranvier. How nodes assemble on CNS neurons is not yet fully understood. We previously described that node‐like clusters can form prior to myelin deposition in hippocampal GABAergic neurons and are associated with increased conduction velocity. Here, we used a live imaging approach to characterize the intrinsic mechanisms underlying the assembly of these clusters prior to myelination. We first demonstrated that their components can partially preassemble prior to membrane targeting and determined the molecular motors involved in their trafficking. We then demonstrated the key role of the protein β2Nav for node‐like clustering initiation. We further assessed the fate of these clusters when myelination proceeds. Our results shed light on the intrinsic mechanisms involved in node‐like clustering prior to myelination and unravel a potential role of these clusters in node of Ranvier formation and in guiding myelination onset.