bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of thermal and water equilibrium and desulfurization efficiency after waste heat recovered from a wet flue gas desulfurization system
Authors: Jiang Jun , Yang Houwen , Liu Feng , Zhang Xianfu , Wei Hongyuan
Published: January 2020

Waste heat recovery for wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) system is quite necessary so that both heat and water consumption can be saved. However, formerly, there existed no clear concept about the upper limit quantity of waste heat that can be recovered for a target WFGD system, and where the final operation status of WFGD system after waste heat recovered will be located is also absent. Therefore, in the current paper, a methodology is developed first to simulate the magnesium method desulfurization system with circulating water considered using Aspen Plus V8.4. After validation, the methodology with slight modification is then used to investigate the theoretical maximal quantity of waste heat that can be recovered under different conditions and study the corresponding variation tendencies of updated thermal and water equilibrium states. Desulfurization efficiency is also discussed qualitatively. Results indicate that there exist maximal 1.41 to 2.27 MW heat that can be recovered at WFGD system for an 80 t/hr coal‐fired boiler, equivalent to save standard coal from about 1,385 to 2,230 t/a. All the streams temperature are reduced after recovering waste heat, but different streams behave different variation tendency. Water consumption and desulfurization efficiency also could get improved.
Monitoring Polysulfide Solubility and Diffusion in Fluorinated Ether‐Based Electrolytes by Operando Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Bouchal Roza , Boulaoued Athmane , Johansson Patrik
Published: January 2020

Polysulfide (PS) solubility is a key property of Li−S battery electrolytes for the conversion reaction(s) at the electrolyte‐electrode interface. When PSs shuttle between the composite C/S cathode and the lithium metal anode, however, this leads to a continuous loss of active material and thus rapid capacity fading. In order to restrict the shuttle effect, fluorinated ethers have recently been proposed as a remedy; by only sparsely dissolving PSs they physically block the diffusion. We show here how the diffusion of PSs in fluorinated ethers, as monitored by operando Raman spectroscopy, is selective and that only short‐chain PS (
) are soluble and diffuse. This fundamental observation can be used to further leverage the practical performance of Li−S batteries by novel electrolyte design.
Impact of bariatric surgery on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Singh P , Subramanian A , Adderley N , Gokhale K , Singhal R , Bellary S , Nirantharakumar K , Tahrani A A
Published: January 2020

Background

Cohort studies have shown that bariatric surgery may reduce the incidence of and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD), but studies using real-world data are limited. This study examined the impact of bariatric surgery on incident CVD, hypertension and atrial fibrillation, and all-cause mortality.

Methods

A retrospective, matched, controlled cohort study of The Health Improvement Network primary care database (from 1 January 1990 to 31 January 2018) was performed (approximately 6 per cent of the UK population). Adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or above who did not have gastric cancer were included as the exposed group. Each exposed patient, who had undergone bariatric surgery, was matched for age, sex, BMI and presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with two controls who had not had bariatric surgery.

Results

A total of 5170 exposed and 9995 control participants were included; their mean(s.d.) age was 45·3(10·5) years and 21·5 per cent (3265 of 15 165 participants) had T2DM. Median follow-up was 3·9 (i.q.r. 1·8– 6·4) years. Mean(s.d.) percentage weight loss was 20·0(13·2) and 0·8(9·5) per cent in exposed and control groups respectively. Overall, bariatric surgery was not associated with a significantly lower CVD risk (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0·80; 95 per cent c.i. 0·62 to 1·02; P = 0·074). Only in the gastric bypass group was a significant impact on CVD observed (HR 0·53, 0·34 to 0·81; P = 0·003). Bariatric surgery was associated with significant reduction in all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 0·70, 0·55 to 0·89; P = 0·004), hypertension (adjusted HR 0·41, 0·34 to 0·50; P < 0·001) and heart failure (adjusted HR 0·57, 0·34 to 0·96; P = 0·033). Outcomes were similar in patients with and those without T2DM (exposed versus controls), except for incident atrial fibrillation, which was reduced in the T2DM group.

Conclusion

Bariatric surgery is associated with a reduced risk of hypertension, heart failure and mortality, compared with routine care. Gastric bypass was associated with reduced risk of CVD compared to routine care.
Initial results of a novel technique of clipped node localization in breast cancer patients postneoadjuvant chemotherapy: Skin Mark clipped Axillary nodes Removal Technique (SMART trial)
Authors: Lim Geok Hoon , Teo Sze Yiun , Gudi Mihir , Ng Ruey Pyng , Pang Jinnie , Tan Yia Swam , Lee Yien Sien , Allen John C. , Leong Lester Chee Hao
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Removal of clipped nodes can improve sentinel node biopsy accuracy in breast cancer patients post neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). However, the current methods of clipped node localization have limitations. We evaluated the feasibility of a novel clipped node localization and removal technique by preoperative skin marking of clipped nodes and removal by the Skin Mark clipped Axillary nodes Removal Technique (SMART), with the secondary aim of assessing the ultrasound visibility of the various clips in the axillary nodes after NACT.

Methods

Invasive breast cancer patients with histologically metastatic axillary nodes, going for NACT, and ≤3 sonographically abnormal axillary nodes were recruited. All abnormal nodes had clips inserted. Patients with M1 disease were excluded. Post‐NACT, patients underwent SMART and axillary lymph node dissection. Specimen radiography and pathological analyses were performed to confirm the clipped node presence. Success, complication rates of SMART, and ultrasound visibility of the various clips were assessed.

Results

Twenty‐five clipped nodes in 14 patients underwent SMART without complications. The UltraCor Twirl, hydroMARK, UltraClip Dual Trigger, and UltraClip were removed in 13/13 (100%), 7/9 (77.8%), 1/2 (50.0%), and 0/1 (0%), respectively (P = .0103) with UltraCor Twirl having the best ultrasound visibility and removal rate. Removal of three clipped nodes in the same patient (P = .0010) and deeply seated clipped nodes (P = .0167) were associated with SMART failure.

Conclusion

Skin Mark clipped Axillary nodes Removal Technique is feasible for removing clipped nodes post‐NACT, with 100% observed success rate, using the UltraCor Twirl marker in patients with <3 not deeply seated clipped nodes. Larger studies are needed for validation.
Relevance and prognostic ability of Twist, Slug and tumor spread through air spaces in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Ao , Sun Xiao , Xu Jin , Xuan Yunpeng , Zhao Yandong , Qiu Tong , Hou Feng , Qin Yi , Wang Yuanyong , Lu Tong , Wo Yang , Li Yujun , Xing Xiaoming , Jiao Wenjie
Published: January 2020

Background

Tumor spread through air spaces (STAS) is a novel pathologic characteristic in lung adenocarcinomas that indicates invasive tumor behavior. We aimed to explore the relationship between Twist, Slug and STAS in lung adenocarcinoma and to investigate the potential relationship between epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and STAS.

Materials and methods

Our study retrospectively analyzed 115 patients with resected lung adenocarcinomas to evaluate the relationship between Twist, Slug and STAS. STAS was diagnosed using hematoxylin‐eosin (H&E) staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression levels of Slug and Twist.

Results

In this study, 56 (48.7%) patients had STAS, 40 (34.8%) patients had Slug overexpression, and 28 (24.3%) patients had Twist overexpression. Patients with either STAS or Slug and Twist overexpression experienced poor recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). There were significant associations between Twist overexpression, Slug overexpression and the presence of STAS. The logistic model further revealed that pathological stage, Twist overexpression and Slug overexpression were independent risk factors for STAS. A multivariate analysis that contained Twist, Slug, pathologic stage and STAS, showed that pathologic stage and STAS were independent prognostic factors for poor RFS and OS. Another multivariate model that contained Twist, Slug and pathologic stage, showed that pathologic stage, Twist overexpression and Slug overexpression were independent risk factors for poor RFS and OS. In the cohort with STAS, the multivariate analysis showed that pathologic stage and Twist overexpression were independent risk factors for poor survival. The subgroup analysis showed that patients with both Slug overexpression and Twist overexpression with STAS received a poor prognosis.

Conclusions

STAS, Slug and Twist were correlated with poor RFS and OS in resected lung adenocarcinomas. Additionally, STAS was correlated with the overexpression of Twist and Slug, which could potentially provide information on the mechanism of STAS.
Ni‐Catalyzed Chelation‐AssistedDirect Functionalization of Inert C—H Bonds
Authors: Liu Yan‐Hua , Xia Yu‐Nong , Shi Bing‐Feng
Published: January 2020

During the last two decades, impressive advancements have been achieved in transition metal‐catalyzed chelation‐assisted C—H functionalization reaction. While reactions in this field are still dominated by precious 4d or 5d metals (e.g., Pd, Rh, Ir), the 3d base metals (e.g., Ni, Co, Cu, Fe) have made significant headway partially due to their relatively large abundance, low cost, low toxicity as well as their occasionally occurred novel reactivity when compared to their noble cousins. This review will give a comprehensive summary on Ni‐catalyzed functionalization of inert C—H bonds assisted by chelation groups. For clarity, the content is classified by the newly formed chemical bonds, namely C—C, C—N, C—chalcogen and C—halogen bond formation.
Intermediate filaments in developing neurons: Beyond structure
Authors: Bott Christopher J. , Winckler Bettina
Published: January 2020

Neuronal development relies on a highly choreographed progression of dynamic cellular processes by which newborn neurons migrate, extend axons and dendrites, innervate their targets, and make functional synapses. Many of these dynamic processes require coordinated changes in morphology, powered by the cell's cytoskeleton. Intermediate filaments (IFs) are the third major cytoskeletal elements in vertebrate cells, but are rarely considered when it comes to understanding axon and dendrite growth, pathfinding and synapse formation. In this review, we first introduce the many new and exciting concepts of IF function, discovered mostly in non‐neuronal cells. These roles include dynamic rearrangements, crosstalk with microtubules and actin filaments, mechano‐sensing and ‐transduction, and regulation of signaling cascades. We then discuss the understudied roles of neuronally expressed IFs, with a particular focus on IFs expressed during development, such as nestin, vimentin and α‐internexin. Lastly, we illustrate how signaling modulation by the unconventional IF nestin shapes neuronal morphogenesis in unexpected and novel ways. Even though the first IF knockout mice were made over 20 years ago, the study of the cell biological functions of IFs in the brain still has much room for exciting new discoveries.
Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Food Effects on TAC‐302 in Healthy Participants: Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled, Single‐Dose and Multiple‐Dose Studies
Authors: Sesoko Shogo , Huang Jinhong , Okayama Takashige , Nishida Erika , Miyoshi Kazuhisa
Published: January 2020

TAC‐302 stimulates neurite outgrowth activity and is expected to restore urinary function in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction. We conducted 2 phase 1, randomized, placebo‐controlled studies to confirm the safety and pharmacokinetics (PK) of TAC‐302 in healthy adult Japanese male volunteers. In the first‐in‐human single‐dose study (n = 60), TAC‐302 was administered at doses from 100 to 1200 mg after an overnight fast. The effects of a meal on the PK of TAC‐302 400 mg were also examined. A multiple‐dose study (n = 36) evaluated the effects of meal fat content on the PK of single doses of TAC‐302 (100, 200, or 400 mg) and multiple doses of TAC‐302 administered for 5 days (100, 200, and 400 mg twice daily). TAC‐302 showed linear PK up to doses of 1200 mg in the fasting state, and across the dose range of 100–400 mg in the fed state. No accumulation of TAC‐302 was observed. Food, particularly with high fat content, increased TAC‐302 plasma concentrations. No differences were observed in the adverse event incidence between the TAC‐302 and placebo groups in either study. TAC‐302 showed a wide safety margin.
Impact of donor QTL on grain yield and gray leaf spot of four recombinant inbred lines of maize
Authors: Jiang Fuyan , Li Zi Wei , Yin XingFu , Zhang Yudong , Guo Ruijia , Kang Manjit S. , Fan Xingming
Published: January 2020

Improved maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids must possess both high grain yield (GY) and disease resistance for commercial production. Four recombinant inbred lines (RILs) with resistance to a gray leaf spot (GLS, caused by Cercospora zeae‐maydis Tehon & E. Y. Daniels) were developed from a cross between YML32 (resistant) and Q11 (susceptible). Three RILs (RL1_1, RL1_2, and RL2_1) contained a resistance‐carrying DNA segment (RDNAS); the fourth RIL (RL2_2) did not possess RDNAS. Five testers (four RILs and Q11, male) were crossed with 13 maize lines (female) of three known heterotic groups and tested in 2016 (2016 experiment; results published in 2018). In the current study, we crossed the 21 lines (female, 13 previous lines plus eight new lines, 2018 experiment) with the same five testers (male). The objectives were (a) to determine if GY of the testcrosses, especially with RIL2_2, and GY heterosis were improved over the testcrosses with Q11, and (b) to compare the results of the 2018 and 2016 experiments to know if different years and/or additional maize lines affected GY. The GY of the crosses with the four RILs and the GY heterosis of testcrosses were improved over the crosses with Q11 in the 2018 experiment, mainly because of low GLS score. RIL2_2, lacking the RDNAS, possessed GLS resistance genes different from those in the three RDNAS‐carrying RILs. We concluded that at least 20 lines representing different heterotic groups should be crossed with new RILs and that a second year of testing would be desirable to obtain reliable estimates of GY of the new RILs and to identify new high‐yielding hybrids.
Direct evidence using a controlled greenhouse study for threshold effects of soil organic matter on crop growth
Authors: Oldfield Emily E. , Wood Stephen A. , Bradford Mark A.
Published: January 2020

Soil organic matter (SOM) is a key indicator of soil fertility, and building SOM is assumed to decrease reliance on external inputs and ensure stable crop production. Recent syntheses of field data support this assumption with positive SOM–productivity relationships that asymptote at ~4% SOM. Teasing out the directionality of this relationship—the extent to which SOM increases crop growth vs. greater growth leading to higher SOM concentrations—requires controlled experimentation. To disentangle this causative pathway, we conducted a greenhouse experiment whereby we manipulated SOM concentrations from 1% to 9% and evaluated whether the SOM–productivity relationship differed for spring wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) under nitrogen fertilization crossed with irrigation due to the expectation that SOM buffers the effects of reduced fertilization and/or irrigation. We found that higher concentrations of SOM led to greater productivity (measured as aboveground biomass) up to a threshold of 5% SOM, after which productivity declined across all treatments. These declines occurred despite the fact that indicators of soil health (water‐holding capacity, microbial biomass, and bulk density) improved linearly with increasing SOM concentrations. That is, improvements in soil properties did not translate to gains in productivity at the highest SOM levels. Nitrogen fertilization led to greater productivity across all treatments, but to a greater relative extent at lower SOM levels, where we found that productivity on unfertilized soils with 4% SOM matched that of fertilized soils with 2% SOM. Differences in productivity on unfertilized soils due to irrigation emerged at higher SOM levels (>5%), highlighting SOM's role in water retention. Our results demonstrate that building SOM leads to improved growth of a globally important crop; however, our results also indicated a pronounced SOM threshold, after which crop growth declined. This underscores the need to develop optimal SOM targets for desired agricultural and environmental outcomes.
Vegetation management for urban park visitors: a mixed methods approach in Portland, Oregon
Authors: Talal Michelle L. , Santelmann Mary V.
Published: January 2020

Urban park managers are tasked with maintaining ecological function and quality of parks while also meeting visitor preferences. The purpose of this study was to better understand how managers currently manage vegetation in parks of Portland, Oregon. Twenty‐one urban park manager interviews were completed regarding 15 parks, which included natural‐passive use, recreational‐active use, and multi‐use park types. Responses were coded for themes and patterns of meaning. Mixed methods were used to evaluate the urban park manager interview data in the context of visitor interview and plant community composition data collected at the same parks. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordinations were used to identify urban park manager and visitor perspectives correlated with different park types and their vegetation. Across park types, managers discussed maintenance as a favorite aspect of plant management, while ecosystem management was often described by managers of natural‐passive use parks. Some managers indicated that they would make no changes to plant management, but the majority provided detailed recommendations such as enhancing maintenance, increasing staffing, adding plants, updating infrastructure, and improving plant species selection. There are opportunities to better meet the preferences of both managers and visitors by continuing to maintain large trees and trail/path vegetation for accessibility, removing invasive/harmful plants, and improving plant selection to include those that are heartier, more colorful, produce flowers, and are disease resistant, climate adapted, and provide habitat for a variety of species. While urban park managers discussed how they incorporated visitor preferences and accessibility in plant management, they also described limitations such as funding, staff resources, and undesirable visitor behaviors. Increased communication and collaboration among governmental agencies, non‐profit organizations, and community members, as well as continued investment in park management and interdisciplinary mixed methods research have the potential to enhance the many ecological and social benefits of urban parks.
Optimization of leaf morphology in relation to leaf water status: A theory
Authors: Ding Junyan , Johnson Edward A. , Martin Yvonne E.
Published: January 2020

The leaf economic traits such as leaf area, maximum carbon assimilation rate, and venation are all correlated and related to water availability. Furthermore, leaves are often broad and large in humid areas and narrower in arid/semiarid and hot and cold areas. We use optimization theory to explain these patterns. We have created a constrained optimization leaf model linking leaf shape to vein structure that is integrated into coupled transpiration and carbon assimilation processes. The model maximizes net leaf carbon gain (NPPleaf) over the loss of xylem water potential. Modeled relations between leaf traits are consistent with empirically observed patterns. As the results of the leaf shape–venation relation, our model further predicts that a broadleaf has overall higher NPPleaf compared to a narrowleaf. In addition, a broadleaf has a lower stomatal resistance compared to a narrowleaf under the same level of constraint. With the same leaf area, a broadleaf will have, on average, larger conduits and lower total leaf xylem resistance and thus be more efficient in water transportation but less resistant to cavitation. By linking venation structure to leaf shape and using water potential as the constraint, our model provides a physical explanation for the general pattern of the covariance of leaf traits through the safety–efficiency trade‐off of leaf hydraulic design.
A Cole‐Cole Dielectric Relaxation Analysis of Albumin and γ‐Globulins for Protein Quantification by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Sifuna Martin Wekesa , Baidillah Marlin Ramadhan , Sapkota Achyut , Takei Masahiro
Published: January 2020

Optimal serum protein concentrations are vital for normal body functioning. Affordable while accurate protein quantification methods with minimum processing requirements are needed for diagnosis of related diseases. The standard automated chemistry analyzer is limited by high installation and maintenance costs. This study proposes the use of electrical impedimetric spectroscopy (EIS) as an alternative to current methods. Its practical applicability was tested using albumin and γ‐globulin or their miscellanea in three different media; water, serum and tissue‐mimicking phantoms at 25 °C. Impedance measurements were taken between frequencyf=0.10 MHz to 300 MHz by an impedance analyzer. A Cole‐Cole analysis was used to elucidate the stepwise variations in the dielectric parameters of the protein medium so as to obtain empirical dielectric parameter‐protein concentration relationships and their correlation coefficientsR2. From the results, linear relationships between parameters and protein concentrations with high correlation coefficients overR2=0.90 were observed. Resistance to charge transferRctand characteristic frequencyfcwere significantly altered by changing protein concentrations as compared to bulk solution resistanceRs, relaxation time constantτand shape factorα. The relationships developed would aid in monitoring changes in body fluid protein concentrations by EIS.
Effect of winglet geometry on horizontal axis wind turbine performance
Authors: Mourad Mina G. , Shahin Ibrahim , Ayad Samir S. , Abdellatif Osama E. , Mekhail Tarek A.
Published: January 2020

Winglets (WLs) have recently been used to improve the performance of horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT). The WL geometry is a key parameter for diverging blade tip vortices away from turbine blades and reducing induced drag. The present study focuses on the effect of winglet height (H) and toe angle (αw) on the turbine performance. The performance of a three‐bladed rotor of 1 m diameter with SD8000 aerofoil is numerically investigated using ANSYS 17.2 CFD on a polyhedral mesh. The model is hence validated by comparing results for power coefficient (Cpw) with experimental values available in the literature. Four different values of H are considered while keeping αw constant at 0°. H of 0.8%R is proved to be the best height for performance enhancement. It increases Cpw by 2.4% at tip speed ratio λ = 7. The toe angle effect is studied for upwind and downwind WLs. The results show that Cpw increases as αw increases up to αw = +20° at all values of λ. Cpw increases by 6% at λ = 7. Downwind WL always reduces Cpw. The present results are well explained by the resulting vectors map near the blade tip. Using WL with the optimum H and αw, causes 6% increase in Cpw as compared to rotor without WL.
Evaluation of closed gob methane sweet spots: A case study of the Tiefa mining area
Authors: Wang Bo , Huang Huazhou , Sang Shuxun , Zhou Xiaozhi , Jia Zhichao , Zhang Huajun
Published: January 2020

The coal seam gas development in closed gob zone is still in the exploratory stage in China, and potential evaluation and sweet spots selection are the key issues. This paper establishes a complete evaluation system for selecting sweet spots for closed gob methane extraction with surface wells in the Tiefa mining area to reduce the blindness of area selection. The one‐vote veto system, the comprehensive evaluation index system, and the AHP‐entropy combined weight model are used to screen and evaluate the closed gob zones in the Tiefa mining area. A total of twenty evaluation units are evaluated and the development potential of which is classified as three levels by the optimal segmentation method. The relationship between the results of the assessment and the closed gob methane resource is also discussed, as well as the combined weight distribution coefficient. The results show that the development potential of the block cannot be estimated simply by the closed gob methane resource because the consistency between the comprehensive evaluation value and the closed gob methane resource is poor. The size of the combined weight distribution coefficient has little effect on the comprehensive evaluation values and only affects the ranking of evaluation units in a small range.
Smart firefighting construction in China: Status, problems, and reflections
Authors: Guowei Zhang , Su Yan , Guoqing Zhu , Pengyue Feng , Boyan Jia
Published: January 2020

“Smart firefighting” construction as a part of the “smart city” has been a concern of the public security and fire agencies at all levels. In this study, the status, problems, and reflections of “smart firefighting” construction in China are discussed. A recent survey indicates that China has launched its smart firefighting construction and initially created a new perspective on its regional smart firefighting work based on three main aspects: intelligent disaster perception by Internet of Things (IoT) construction, intelligent disaster prevention by big data construction, and intelligent disaster disposal by emergency rescue platform construction. However, the current smart firefighting construction in China still has some prominent problems such as the data interconnectivity and normalized management of various platforms, the extensibility of smart firefighting platforms, and the intelligent level of smart firefighting researches, which need to be solved urgently. Therefore, we argue that smart firefighting construction in China should establish data interconnectivity, industrial normalized management, 2D/3D geographic information interaction and extension, high‐integration fire protection theory, and many other aspects in the near future and truly realize firefighting visualization and efficient data applications for 4D time space. This study could provide valuable reference for smart firefighting and smart city construction.
Development of 1 kW‐class Ammonia‐fueled Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack
Authors: Kishimoto M. , Muroyama H. , Suzuki S. , Saito M. , Koide T. , Takahashi Y. , Horiuchi T. , Yamasaki H. , Matsumoto S. , Kubo H. , Takahashi N. , Okabe A. , Ueguchi S. , Jun M. , Tateno A. , Matsuo T. , Matsui T. , Iwai H. , Yoshida H. , Eguchi K.
Published: January 2020

Power generation performance and long‐term durability of ammonia‐fueled solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems are investigated with SOFC stacks consisting of 30 planar anode‐supported cells. SOFC systems with three different operation modes are employed: direct ammonia, external decomposition and autothermal decomposition. A novel BaO/Ni/Sm2O3/MgO catalyst is newly developed for the external ammonia cracker, whereas a Co‐Ce‐Zr composite oxide catalyst is used for the autothermal ammonia cracker. Initial performance measurement and 1,000 h long‐term durability test of the stacks are conducted. The stack fueled with direct ammonia achieves 1 kW power output with 52% direct current (DC) electrical efficiency; a slight decrease in its performance compared with the stack with the mixture fuel of hydrogen and nitrogen is attributed to the decrease in the stack temperature caused by the endothermic ammonia decomposition reaction. The external ammonia cracker helps to maintain the stack temperature, improving the initial performance of the stack. The stack performance with the autothermal ammonia cracker is also comparable to those with the other operation modes. It is also demonstrated that the stacks fueled with ammonia have excellent stability during the long‐term tests and 57% energy conversion efficiency at ca. 700 W electrical output is achieved with the external ammonia cracker.
Family formation and the demand for health insurance
Authors: Doiron Denise , Kettlewell Nathan
Published: January 2020

We study how demand for health insurance responds to family formation using a unique panel of young Australian women. Our data allow us to simultaneously control for the influence of state dependence and unobserved heterogeneity and detailed information on children and child aspirations. We find evidence that women purchase insurance in preparation for pregnancy but then transition out of insurance once they have finished family building. Children have a large, negative impact on demand for insurance, although this effect is smaller for those on higher incomes. We also find that state dependence has a large impact on insurance demand. Our results are robust to a variety of alternative modelling strategies.
Phosphatidic acid metabolism regulates neuroendocrine secretion but is not under the direct control of lipins
Authors: Baneux Claire , Tanguy Emeline , Thahouly Tamou , Vitale Alessio , Chasserot‐Golaz Sylvette , Bader Marie‐France , Gasman Stéphane , Vitale Nicolas
Published: January 2020

Phosphatidic acid (PA) produced by phospholipase D1 has been shown to contribute to secretory vesicle exocytosis in a large number of cell models. Among various hypotheses, PA may contribute to recruit and/or activate at the exocytotic site a set of proteins from the molecular machinery dedicated to secretion, but also directly influence membrane curvature thereby favoring membrane rearrangements required for membrane fusion. The release of informative molecules by regulated exocytosis is a tightly controlled process. It is thus expected that PA produced to trigger membrane fusion should be rapidly metabolized and converted in a lipid that does not present similar characteristics. PA‐phosphatases of the lipin family are possible candidates as they convert PA into diacylglycerol. We show here that lipin 1 and lipin 2 are expressed in neuroendocrine cells where they are cytosolic, but also partially associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. Silencing of lipin 1 or 2 did not affect significantly either basal or evoked secretion from PC12 cells, suggesting that it is unlikely that conversion of PA into a secondary lipid by lipins might represent a regulatory step in exocytosis in neurosecretory cells. However, in agreement with a model in which PA‐metabolism could contribute to prevent entering into exocytosis of additional secretory vesicles, ectopic expression of lipin1B‐GFP in bovine chromaffin cells reduced the number of exocytotic events as revealed by carbon fiber amperometry recording. Furthermore, individual spike parameters reflecting fusion pore dynamics were also modified by lipin1B‐GFP, suggesting that a tight control of PA levels represents an important regulatory step of the number and kinetic of exocytotic events.
Hemolytic specimens in complete blood cell count: Red cell parameters could be revised by plasma free hemoglobin
Authors: Peng Zhaoyang , Xiang Wenqing , Zhou Jianming , Cao Jiajia , Li Zhe , Gao Hui , Zhang Junfeng , Shen Hongqiang
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Hemolysis is the main cause of unqualified clinical samples. In this study, we established a method for detecting and evaluating hemolysis in whole blood test. We used a mathematical formula for correcting the influence of hemolysis on complete blood cell count (CBC) so as to avoid re‐venipuncture and obtain more accurate parameters of red blood cell detection, reduce the burden of patients, and improve the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment.

Methods

Hemolytic samples were selected and then corrected using the new formula. Plasma free hemoglobin (fHB) was used as the criterion to determine the degree of hemolysis; the uncertainty of measurement is acceptable as the limit value of deviation between the measured value and the revised value. Hemolysis simulation analysis in vitro and continuous monitoring of clinical patients were used to verify the correction effect.

Results

A total of 83 clinical samples with hemolysis were collected and analyzed; fHB 1.4 g/L was selected as the unacceptable value for clinical hemolysis detection. In hemolytic samples, the red blood cell parameters corrected by formula are significantly different from those uncorrected and had a good consistency with those before hemolysis.

Conclusion

The results show that the hemolysis phenomenon of CBC has a significant impact on routine blood testing. By using the new formula, the influence of hemolysis on erythrocyte and related parameters can be quickly and easily corrected, thus avoiding venipuncture again for re‐examination, reducing diagnostic errors, and saving medical resources.
New insights into the structure and function of chemokine receptor:chemokine complexes from an experimental perspective
Authors: Gustavsson Martin
Published: January 2020

Chemokines are small soluble proteins that drive cell migration through the formation of concentration gradients. Chemokine binding to G protein-coupled chemokine receptors in the cell membrane activates intracellular signaling pathways and is a fundamental process involved in numerous physiological and pathophysiological functions. In the past few years, significant experimental developments have made it possible to characterize complexes between chemokine receptors and chemokines at a molecular level. Here, I review these developments from an experimental perspective, focusing on how the ability to express, purify, and stabilize receptor:chemokine complexes have made studies by X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and other methods possible. I give examples of how these studies have advanced our understanding of the architecture of receptor:chemokine complexes as well as the mechanisms involved in complex formation. Finally, I discuss some of the many remaining questions and challenges that will require studies of more receptors and chemokines as well as further development of experimental methods.
Pitfalls in the characterization of circulating and tissue-resident human γδ T cells
Authors: Beucke Nicola , Wesch Daniela , Oberg Hans-Heinrich , Peters Christian , Bochem Jonas , Weide Benjamin , Garbe Claus , Pawelec Graham , Sebens Susanne , Röcken Christoph , Hashimoto Hisayoshi , Löffler Markus W. , Nocerino Paola , Kordasti Shahram , Kabelitz Dieter , Schilbach Karin , Wistuba-Hamprecht Kilian
Published: January 2020

Dissection of the role and function of human γδ T cells and their heterogeneous subsets in cancer, inflammation, and auto-immune diseases is a growing and dynamic research field of increasing interest to the scientific community. Therefore, harmonization and standardization of techniques for the characterization of peripheral and tissue-resident γδ T cells is crucial to facilitate comparability between published and emerging research. The application of commercially available reagents to classify γδ T cells, in particular the combination of multiple Abs, is not always trouble-free, posing major demands on researchers entering this field. Occasionally, even entire γδ T cell subsets may remain undetected when certain Abs are combined in flow cytometric analysis with multicolor Ab panels, or might be lost during cell isolation procedures. Here, based on the recent literature and our own experience, we provide an overview of methods commonly employed for the phenotypic and functional characterization of human γδ T cells including advanced polychromatic flow cytometry, mass cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and magnetic cell isolation. We highlight potential pitfalls and discuss how to circumvent these obstacles.
Expressing forgiveness after interpersonal mistreatment: Power and status of forgivers influence transgressors' relationship restoration efforts
Authors: Zheng Michelle Xue , van Dijke Marius
Published: January 2020

One adverse consequence of interpersonal mistreatment is that it damages the relationship between the victim and the transgressor. Scholars have promoted forgiveness of such mistreatment as a victim response that can motivate transgressors to work towards relationship restoration. Building on social exchange theory and the social perception literature, we provide an account of when transgressors are less (vs. more) willing to restore their relationship with the victim in response to forgiveness. Specifically, we argue that transgressors perceive forgiveness from a victim who has high (vs. low) power, relative to the transgressor, as insincere, making transgressors less willing to restore the relationship. We further argue that this effect of high (vs. low) victim power is pronounced especially when the victim also has low (vs. high) status. Two experiments and two field studies support these predictions. These findings highlight the relevance of studying how contextual conditions color transgressors' perceptions of victims' behavior to understand relationship restoration after interpersonal mistreatment.
Skilful two‐month‐leading hybrid climate prediction for winter temperature over China
Authors: Dai Haixia , Fan Ke
Published: January 2020

Two skilful 2‐month‐leading hybrid downscaling prediction schemes in October for winter surface air temperature (SAT) over China are proposed in this paper. The schemes are based on the year‐to‐year increment approach and the coupled climate patterns between the winter SAT over China and its predictors. Observed North Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) from the preceding July to September, Arctic sea ice concentration (SIC) in the preceding August and winter sea level pressure (SLP) over pan Eurasia from version 2 of the Climate Forecast System (CFSv2) are selected as the predictors based on the fundamental physics. Individual‐predictor schemes (IP‐schemes), that is, SLP‐scheme, SST‐scheme, SIC‐scheme, indicate that these predictors exhibit prediction skills in different regions. Multi‐predictor scheme I (MP‐schemeI) is developed by combining three predictors. However, MP‐schemeI shows limited skill in predicting SAT over Northeast China (NECTA), due to the limited skill of CFSv2 over the extratropics. Thus, MP‐schemeII is established, in which a hybrid downscaling model for NECTA is constructed. These two MP‐schemes have comparable prediction skill over China, but MP‐schemeII outperforms MP‐schemeI over NEC. The temporal (spatial) anomaly correlation coefficient (ACC) increases from 0.23 (0.15) in MP‐schemeI to 0.36 (0.21) in MP‐schemeII, and the ratio of the same sign of anomalous years (Anomalous‐RSS) improves from 39.1% to 56.5% over NEC. For the winter SAT over China, the MP‐schemes greatly enhance the prediction compared with CFSv2 outputs and the IP‐schemes. The temporal (spatial) ACC increases from 0.29 (0.05) in CFSv2 to 0.52 (0.29) in the MP‐schemes, and the station‐average root‐mean‐square error decreases by about 48.0% compared with CFSv2. Moreover, the RSS (Anomalous‐RSS) of the winter SAT over China is 55.9% (47.4%) in CFSv2 and 64.7% (63.2%) in the MP‐schemes. This indicates that the MP‐schemes perform better in predicting anomalous winters.
An algebraic alternative for the accurate simulation of CO2 Raman spectra
Authors: Bermúdez‐Montaña Marisol , Carvajal Miguel , Pérez‐Bernal Francisco , Lemus Renato
Published: January 2020

We present an accurate simulation of the Raman spectrum of the carbon dioxide molecule in the 1150–1500 cm−1 spectral range, comparing the results obtained using the three polyad schemes found in the literature of this molecule. The description of the molecule with the algebraic U1(2)×U(3)×U2(2) local model encompasses both stretching and bending degrees of freedom. A detailed analysis of the Hamiltonian interactions for the three polyad schemes provides fittings with root mean square deviations in the range 0.14–0.20 cm−1, involving 19 parameters taking into account the 178 experimental term energies found in the literature. Using a limited subset of 9 experimental transition moments, we optimize 5 partial derivatives of the mean polarizability and simulate the Raman spectrum of CO2 for the three polyad schemes. Comparing the calculated results with the experimental spectrum, we obtain an overall good agreement for the three polyads. However, an inspection in detail of the spectrum seems to show a slight preference for polyad P212 albeit not due to the interaction characterizing the polyad but due to anharmonic effects and energy distribution. Finally, we assess the effect of the Fermi resonance over CO2 Raman line intensities.
Micro‐by‐micro interactions: How microorganisms influence the fate of marine microplastics
Authors: Rogers Kelsey L. , Carreres‐Calabuig Joan A. , Gorokhova Elena , Posth Nicole R.
Published: January 2020

Microorganisms drive the biogeochemical cycles that link abiotic and biotic processes in the aqueous environment and are intricately associated with plastic debris. The presence of microplastics in water and sediment introduces new concerns as small particle size allows for increased pathways of microplastics in the food web and element cycles. In this review, we present the current state of knowledge on microbe‐plastic interactions and summarize the potential impact of biogeochemical processes on plastic distribution, cycling, transport, and sedimentation. We explore how microbe‐plastic interactions influence the exposure of consumers to microplastics and plastic degradation products. Key methods used to elucidate biofilm development, microbial biodegradation, and microplastic detection in the aqueous environment are discussed. Finally, we comment on potential future questions and research directions needed to further define the role of microorganisms in the environmental fate of microplastics.
NYX‐458 Improves Cognitive Performance in a Primate Parkinson's Disease Model
Authors: Barth A.L , Schneider J.S. , Johnston T.H. , Hill M.P. , Brotchie J.M. , Moskal J.R. , Cearley Cassia N.
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

NYX‐458 is a N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) modulator that enhances synaptic plasticity. Dopaminergic cell loss in Parkinson's disease (PD) leads to NMDAR dysregulation in the cortico‐striato‐pallidal‐thalmo‐cortical network and altered plasticity in brain regions important to cognitive function. We hypothesize that targeting the NMDAR may be an efficacious approach to treating cognitive impairment in PD.

OBJECTIVES

NYX‐458 was evaluated in 2 nonhuman primate models of PD. The first, a chronic low‐dose 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)–administration model, was used to assess the effects of NYX‐458 on cognitive domains impacted early in PD including attention, working memory, executive function, and visuospatial learning. The second, a high‐dose MPTP‐administration model, was used to assess potential for NYX‐458 induced change in motor symptoms.

METHODS

NYX‐458 was evaluated in the chronic low‐dose MPTP model using the variable delayed response measure to assess attention and working memory and simple discrimination reversal to assess executive function. NYX‐458 was also assessed in the high‐dose MPTP model as a monotherapy and in combination with low‐dose or high‐dose levodopa to assess potential impact on motor symptoms.

RESULTS

NYX‐458 administration resulted in rapid and long‐lasting improvement in cognitive function across the domains of attention, working memory, and executive function. Dose levels effective in improving cognitive performance had no effect on PD motor symptoms, the antiparkinsonian benefit of levodopa, or dyskinesia.

CONCLUSIONS

NYX‐458 provides benefit in specific domains known to be impaired in PD in a dopamine depletion model of PD‐like cognitive impairment. These data support the continued evaluation of NYX‐458 as a potential therapeutic for cognitive decline in PD. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Retracted: Resveratrol Derivative, Trans‐3, 5, 4′‐Trimethoxystilbene, Prevents the Developing of Atherosclerotic Lesions and Attenuates Cholesterol Accumulation in Macrophage Foam Cells
Authors: Hong Ming , Li Jinke , Li Siying , Almutairi Mohammed M.
Published: January 2020

Scope

Recent studies have demonstrated that trans‐3, 5, 4′‐Trimethoxystilbene (TMS), a novel derivative of resveratrol, may suppress the foam cells formation and restrain atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo. Herein, the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of TMS against atherosclerosis are further delineated.

Methods and Results

In the present study, the cholesterol‐lowering effects of TMS in macrophage‐derived foam cell by animal studies, Oil Red O staining, and lipid uptake as well as efflux analysis, are explored. Real‐time PCR, western blotting analysis, luciferase reporter assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and immunofluorescent staining are applied for investigating the mechanism involved in atherosclerosis prevention by TMS. Herein, it is revealed that TMS, at a dosage of 10 mg kg−1 day−1, may suppress atherosclerotic plaques within the aorta and arterial intima in apolipoprotein Edeficient mice (ApoE)−/− mice by reducing cholesterol level and macrophages content. Exposure of macrophages to TMS (10 µM) can suppress foam cells formation via regulating oxidized low density lipoprotein and cholesterol content in human macrophages through inhibiting scavenger receptors expression and activator protein‐1(AP‐1) activity. In addition, TMS can activate ERK/Nrf2/HO‐1 signaling which increases the expression of ATP‐binding cassette transporters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, TMS may inhibit the progress of atherosclerosis through regulating cholesterol homeostasis and inhibiting macrophage‐derived foam cells formation.
Compact filtering power divider based on corrugated third‐mode circular SIW cavities
Authors: Moznebi Ali‐Reza , Afrooz Kambiz , Danaeian Mostafa , Mousavi Pedram
Published: January 2020

In this article, a compact single‐layer filtering power divider based on third‐mode circular substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavities is proposed. The third‐mode SIW technique is introduced to divide an SIW cavity into three cavities and get 66% size reduction. The proposed power divider is composed of three third‐mode circular SIW cavities within a circuit with the size of a circular SIW cavity. The power is coupled from the input cavity to two output cavities through the electric coupling, separately. To achieve a more size reduction, the designed cavities are corrugated along the cutting planes. By increasing the length of the corrugated edges, the center frequency can be easily shifted to lower frequencies. In order to prove the proposed design procedure, the presented power divider with a second‐order bandpass filtering response is designed and fabricated. Reasonable agreements between the measured and simulated results are found. The measured results show that the power divider achieves an insertion loss of 1.2 dB at 5.61 GHz, return loss of higher than 14 dB, and 3‐dB fractional bandwidth of 7.8%. The results show that this power divider has the advantages of the compact size, high selectivity, and single‐layer structure.