bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative planting geometries reduce production risk in corn and sorghum in water‐limited environments
Authors: Thapa Sushil , Xue Qingwu , Stewart Bob A.
Published: July 2020

Conserving soil water and making it available to plants, especially during reproduction and grain‐filling periods, is one of the most challenging aspects of crop production in water‐limited areas. In such areas, adoption of suitable planting geometry may play a key role in determining plant growth and yield. We reviewed the effect of different planting geometries, namely evenly spaced planting (ESP), clump (three plants close together), cluster (five plants close together), and skip‐row (one row planted, one row skipped) in corn (Zea mays L.) and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in different agro‐ecological environments and crop management practices. All other planting geometries are called “alternative planting geometries” in this paper. Most studies were conducted in the U.S. Southern Great Plains region, where annual precipitation is less than the potential evapotranspiration and the summer season is usually hot and dry. Results clearly showed the potential benefits of alternative planting geometries, such as reduced canopy temperature, improved microclimate within the crop canopy, less vegetative growth, comparable or greater grain yield, and higher harvest index compared with standard ESP. However, there is much to learn about the feasibility, other benefits, and risks associated with alternative planting geometries for sustainable dryland farming. More studies on weed dynamics, soil evaporation, root penetration, soil water extraction, and water use efficiency are required to complement the existing knowledge on alternative planting geometries.
Combining species distribution modeling and distance sampling to assess wildlife population size: A case study with the northern yellow‐cheeked gibbon (Nomascus annamensis)
Authors: Tran Dung Van , Vu Thinh Tien
Published: July 2020

Population size and distribution data for wildlife species play an important role in conservation and management, especially for endangered species. However, scientists seriously lack data on the population status of many species. The northern yellow‐cheeked gibbon (Nomascus annamensis) is found in southern Lao PDR, central Vietnam, and northeastern Cambodia. The population of the species has significantly declined due to hunting, habitat loss, and the wildlife trade. To examine the population size and distribution ofN. annamensis, we conducted a field survey in Song Thanh Nature Reserve, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam from February to April 2019 using the audio point count method. We combined Distance Sampling and Ecological Niche Modeling to estimate the population of the gibbons. Results showed that the total suitable area for the gibbons was about 302.32 km2, with the two most important variables of the habitat model being the distance‐to‐villages and forest type. We detected 36 gibbon groups through field surveys and estimated 443 (95% CI, 278–707) gibbon groups in Song Thanh Nature Reserve. Our results indicate that the gibbon population in Song Thanh Nature Reserve is the largest known population ofN. annamensisin Vietnam. In addition, our study was the first to combine species distribution modeling with distance sampling to estimate gibbon density and population size. This approach might be useful in surveying and monitoring gibbon populations because it takes imperfect detection probability into account in estimating gibbon population density while estimating the area of potential habitat using environmental variables.
Angiography versus colonoscopy in patients with severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a nation‐wide observational study
Authors: Miyakuni Yasuhiko , Nakajima Mikio , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Sasabuchi Yusuke , Kaszynski Richard H. , Ishimaru Miho , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yamaguchi Yoshihiro , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: July 2020

Aim

Clinical guidelines for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) recommend non‐endoscopic treatment when endoscopic treatment is difficult or the patient is hemodynamically unstable. The aim of this study was to investigate whether angiography should be prioritized as initial treatment for severe LGIB patients over colonoscopy.

Methods

We undertook a retrospective cohort study using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database. We compared adult patients who underwent colonoscopy or angiography within 1 day of admission for severe LGIB from 2010 to 2017. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included surgery carried out within 1 day after admission and surgery carried out between 2 and 7 days of admission. Propensity score‐matched analyses were undertaken to adjust for confounders.

Results

We identified 6,546 eligible patients. The patients were divided into the colonoscopy group (n = 5,737) and angiography group (n = 809). After one‐to‐four propensity score matching, we compared 3,220 and 805 patients who underwent colonoscopy and angiography, respectively. The angiography group was not significantly associated with reduced in‐hospital mortality compared with the colonoscopy group. In contrast, the number of patients who underwent surgery within 1 day of admission was significantly lower in the angiography group than in the colonoscopy group.

Conclusions

The present study revealed that in‐hospital mortality did not significantly differ between colonoscopy and angiography, even in severe LGIB patients. Although this study was unable to identify which subgroups should undergo angiography for primary hemostasis, angiography might be a better option than colonoscopy for initial hemostasis in more severe cases of LGIB.
Interplay between Spin and Orbital Angular Momenta in Tightly Focused Higher‐Order Poincaré Sphere Beams
Authors: Yu Panpan , Liu Yifan , Wang Ziqiang , Li Yinmei , Gong Lei
Published: July 2020

Spin‐orbit interactions (SOIs) of light in tight focusing systems have gained much attention due to the potential applications in optical trapping and microscopy. SOI effects strongly affect the distributions and properties of focal fields, which are determined by the polarization and spatial degrees of freedom of incoming light. Remarkably, structured light fields exhibit SOI phenomena with complex behaviors. Here the SOIs in the tightly focused higher‐order Poincaré sphere beams that simultaneously contain vortex phase front and higher polarization orders are theoretically studied. The interplay between spin and orbital angular momenta in the focused field is revealed, and the amount of spin‐orbit conversion is found to be determined by the angular momentum of the incident field and the focusing system. In particular, based on the superposition of two circular polarization vortex bases, a general description of the interplay between spin and orbital parties is provided, paving a way to arbitrarily controlling the SOIs in nonparaxial fields. The findings are expected to deepen the understanding of SOIs that play a critical role in classical and quantum optics.
Polymer Transformers: Interdigitating Reaction Networks of Fueled Monomer Species to Reconfigure Functional Polymer States
Authors: Sun Mo , Deng Jie , Walther Andreas
Published: July 2020

Adaptivity is an essential trait of life. One type of adaptivity is the reconfiguration of a functional system states by correlating sensory inputs. We report polymer transformers, which can adaptively reconfigure their composition from a state of a mixed copolymer to being enriched in either monomer A or B. This is achieved by embedding and hierarchically interconnecting two chemically fueled activation/deactivation enzymatic reaction networks for both monomers via a joint activation pathway (network level) and an AB linker monomer reactive to both A and B (species level). The ratio of enzymes governing the individual deactivation pathways (our external signals) control the enrichment behavior in the dynamic state. The method shows high programmability of the reconfigured state, rejuvenation of transformation cycles, and quick in situ adaptation. As a proof‐of‐concept, we showcase this dynamic reconfiguration for colloidal surface functionalities.
A study of a newly synthesized ligand and its metal complexes in bulk and nano size and metal uptake efficiency
Authors: Taha Rania H. , El‐Shafiey Zienab A. , Salman Aida A. , Mansour Mai M.
Published: July 2020

A newly synthesized ligand derived from 2‐amino thiophenol and benzoic anhydride and its Co(II), Cd(II), La(III) (in bulk and nano size), and Gd(III) complexes was investigated and characterized. The maximum elimination capacity of the newly synthesized ligand was investigated towards the removal of Co(II), Cd(II), La(III), and Gd(III) ions from aqueous solutions. It was found that the ligand has the best removal ability for Cd(II) metal of 98.66% at a concentration of 0.03 mg/L.
Synthesis, characterization, duplex‐DNA interactions, and anticancer activities of novel octahedral [Ni(phen)2(dppz‐idzo)]2+ and [Co(phen)2(dppz‐idzo)]3+ complexes
Authors: Abulhasanov Bahrouz , Yıldız Ufuk , Akkoç Senem , Coban Burak
Published: July 2020

Two new octahedral [Ni(phen)2(dppz‐idzo)]2+ and [Co(phen)2(dppz‐idzo)]3+ complexes have been synthesized and characterized by CHN analysis, electrospray ionization‐MS, nuclear magnetic resonance, and UV–Vis spectra. The DNA‐binding ability of these complexes was spectrophotometrically, hydrodynamically, and electrophoretically evaluated which indicated that they strongly intercalate into the DNA double helix, and that both induced severe DNA damage in the presence of peroxide. The complexes also showed strong antiproliferative effect against HepG2 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. By contrast, they were found to be inactive against the MCF‐7 cell line. The ligand itself was found to be inactive against the cells tested.
Enhancing the Photo and Biomedical Activity of ZnO by Incorporation with Zinc Silicate Nanocomposites
Authors: El‐Shafey H.M. , Saif M. , Aly M.H. , Hafez H.S.
Published: July 2020

Highly active and non‐toxic ZnO incorporated with zinc silicate (zinc silicate/ZnO) nanocomposites are synthesized via a simple and low‐cost hydrothermal method followed by heat treatment. Different molar ratios from Si to Zn [1:20], [1:10], [1:8] and [1:6] are used to prepare different zinc silicate/ZnO nano composite materials which are assigned to ZS1, ZS2, ZS3 and ZS4 samples, respectively. The effect of calcination times and temperatures have been investigated on the crystallographic and morphological properties of the synthesized nano composite materials. The XRD analysis show that at very low molar ratios, zincite (ZnO) is the most predominant phase. However, at higher molar ratios, there are two phases coexist; hemimorphite (Zn4Si4O7) and zincite. The TEM images show a uniform nanoplate‐like shaped morphology from ZnO with well dispersed Zn2SiO4 nanoparticles.

The SBET is remarkably increased from 18.14 to 176.5 m2.g−1 by calcination up to 400 °C and then decreased to 72.2 m2. g−1 by further increasing in the calcinations temp up to 1,000 °C. The bio and photocatalytic activities of the composite nanomaterials have been investigated.

Compared with the pure ZnO, the nano composites have been demonstrated as better photocatalysts for the degradation of Levafex golden yellow (LGY) dye as a model of organic dye pollutant under simulated sunlight irradiation. Moreover, the nano composites were evidenced to possess better and non‐toxic antitumor activity towards hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines with (IC50 = 11.2 μg.ml−1 and LD50 ˃ 50 mg. Kg−1).
Hybrid hydrogel based on stereocomplex PDLA/PLLA and gelatin for bone regeneration
Authors: Wang Hecheng , Wang Enhui , Huang Yubin , Li Xiaoyuan
Published: July 2020

Natural bone is a perfect combination of dense shell cortical bone and porous core spongiosa. Inspired by this gradient structure, we prepared a double‐layered hydrogel with stereocomplex PDLA‐PEG‐PDLA and PLLA‐PEG‐PLLA as the inner porous core and gelatin/nano hydroxyapitite as the outer strengthen shell. Crosslinking of gelatin with natural crosslinker genipin made the shell available for early supporting and the inner physical hydrogel facilitated new bone formation. Successful synthesis of PDLA‐PEG‐PDLA (or PLLA‐PEG‐PLLA) was confirmed by 1H NMR (stands for nuclear magnetic resonance) spectra. The procedure of composite scaffold was monitored with scanning electron microscopy and fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. In vitro test with mouse preosteoblast MC3T3‐E1 cells found that the obtained hybrid hydrogels could improve cell adhesion, proliferation, calcium deposition, and upregulate osteogenesis‐related gene expression. Further in vivo experiment on rat calvarial defects also confirmed the capacity of the as‐prepared scaffold to accelerate new bone formation. The above data suggested that this core‐shell hydrogel helpful for nutrient transportation, bony bridging, and osteoconductivity. But how to control the degradation process of the hydrogel and match with new bone formation still remained challenging.
Multiagent therapy with pomalidomide, bortezomib, doxorubicin, dexamethasone, and daratumumab (“Pom‐PAD‐Dara”) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: Zhou Xiang , Steinhardt Maximilian J. , Grathwohl Denise , Meckel Katharina , Nickel Katharina , Leicht Hans‐Benno , Krummenast Franziska , Einsele Hermann , Rasche Leo , Kortüm Klaus M.
Published: July 2020

Background

Even in the era of novel immunotherapies for multiple myeloma (MM), treatment of late‐stage relapsed/refractory (RR) patients remains challenging. The aim of our study was to analyze the efficacy and safety of the five‐drug combination pomalidomide, bortezomib, doxorubicin, dexamethasone, and daratumumab (“Pom‐PAD‐Dara”) in RRMM.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data of 56 patients with RRMM who received Pom‐PAD‐Dara between September 2016 and May 2019.

Results

Patients were heavily pretreated with a median of four prior lines of therapy, including autologous and allogenic stem cell transplant in 50 (89%) and six (11%) patients, respectively. The overall response rate (ORR) was 78% and we observed partial remission, very good partial remission, and complete remission in 27 (48%), 13 (23%) and four (7%) patients, respectively. Median progression‐free survival was 7 months (95% CI, 3.3‐10.7) and the median overall survival was not reached at 24 months. Adverse events grade ≥ 3 were observed 41 (73%) patients and included neutropenia (n = 28, 50%), anemia (n = 22, 39%), thrombocytopenia (n = 21, 38%), and pneumonia (n = 6, 11%).

Conclusion

Pom‐PAD‐Dara represents a promising multiagent regimen in heavily pretreated RRMM patients with high ORR and an acceptable safety profile.
On the Structure and Chiral Aggregation of Liquid Crystalline Star‐Shaped Triazines H‐Bonded to Benzoic Acids
Authors: Feringán Beatriz , Cerdá Jesús , Diosdado Beatriz , Aragó Juan , Ortí Enrique , Giménez Raquel , Sierra Teresa
Published: July 2020

The ability of a star‐shaped tris(triazolyl)triazine derivative to hierarchically build supramolecular chiral columnar organizations through the formation of H‐bonded complexes with benzoic acids was studied from a theoretical and experimental point of view. The combined study has been done at three different levels including the study of the structure of the triazine core, the association with benzoic acids in stoichiometry 1:3, and the assembly of 1:3 complexes in helical aggregates. Although the star‐shaped triazine core crystallizes in a non‐C3 conformation, the C3‐symmetric conformation is theoretically predicted to be more stable and gives rise to a favorable C3 supramolecular 1:3 complex upon the interaction with three benzoic acids in their voids. In addition, calculations at different levels (DFT, PM7, and MM3) for the 1:3 host‐guest complex predict the formation of large stable columnar helical aggregates stabilized by the compact packing of the interstitial acids by π–π and CH⋅⋅⋅π interactions. The acids restrict the movement of the the star‐shaped triazine cores along the stacking axis causing a template effect in the self‐assembly of the complex. Theoretical predictions correlate with experimental results, since the interaction with achiral or chiral 3,4,5‐(4‐alkoxybenzyloxy)benzoic acids gives rise to supramolecular complexes that organize in bulk hexagonal columnar mesophases stable at room temperature with intracolumnar order. The existence of supramolecular chirality in the mesophase was determined for complexes formed by acids derived from (S)‐2‐octanol. Chiral aggregation was also evidenced for complexes formed in dodecane.
Electron‐Transfer‐Induced Self‐Assembly of a Molecular Tweezer Platform
Authors: Thakur Khushabu , Wang Denan , Mirzaei Saber , Rathore Rajendra
Published: July 2020

The design and synthesis of a new molecular tweezer (T‐tmp) with electron‐rich pincers are reported. The stable monocationic radicals and self‐assembled dimeric radicals of this molecular tweezer platform were prepared by chemical oxidative titration. With the aid of DFT calculations, it was found that the dimeric radicals with syn‐syn‐syn conformer has the most stable structure, with the hole primarily delocalized between parallel stacked pyrenyl groups.
Tuning the Cell Uptake and Subcellular Distribution in BODIPY–Carboranyl Dyads: An Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Labra‐Vázquez Pablo , Flores‐Cruz Ricardo , Galindo‐Hernández Aylin , Cabrera‐González Justo , Guzmán‐Cedillo Cristian , Jiménez‐Sánchez Arturo , Lacroix Pascal G. , Santillan Rosa , Farfán Norberto , Núñez Rosario
Published: July 2020

A set of BODIPY‐carboranyl dyads synthesized by a Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction, where different C‐substituted ortho‐ and meta‐carboranyl fragments have been linked to a BODIPY fluorophore is described. Chemical, photophysical and physicochemical analyses are presented, including NMR and single XRD experiments, optical absorption/emission studies and partition coefficient (log P) measurements. These studies, supported by DFT computations (M06‐2X/6‐31G**), provide an explanation to the largely divergent cell income that these fluorescent carboranyl‐based fluorophores display, for which a structural or physicochemical explanation remains elusive. By studying the cell uptake efficiency and subcellular localization for our set of dyads on living HeLa cells, we tracked the origins of these differences to significant variations in their static dipole moments and partition coefficients, which tune their ability to interact with lipophilic microenvironments in cells. Remarkably, m‐carboranyl‐BODIPY derivatives with a higher lipophilicity are much better internalised by cells than their homologous with o‐carborane, suggesting that m‐isomers are potentially better theranostic agents for in vitro bioimaging and boron carriers for boron neutron capture therapy.
Using Native Chemical Ligation for Site‐Specific Synthesis of Hetero‐bis‐lanthanide Peptide Conjugates: Application to Ratiometric Visible or Near‐Infrared Detection of Zn2+
Authors: Cepeda Céline , Raibaut Laurent , Fremy Guillaume , Eliseeva Svetlana V. , Romieu Anthony , Pécaut Jacques , Boturyn Didier , Petoud Stéphane , Sénèque Olivier
Published: July 2020

The interest in ratiometric luminescent probes that detect and quantify a specific analyte is growing. Owing to their special luminescence properties, lanthanide(III) cations offer attractive opportunities for the design of dual‐color ratiometric probes. Here, the design principle of hetero‐bis‐lanthanide peptide conjugates by using native chemical ligation is described for perfect control of the localization of each lanthanide cation within the molecule. Two zinc‐responsive probes, r‐LZF1Tb|Cs124|Eu and r‐LZF1Eu|Cs124|Tb are described on the basis of a zinc finger peptide and two DOTA (DOTA=1,4,7,10‐tetraaza‐cyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetic acid) complexes of terbium and europium. Both display dual‐color ratiometric emission in response to the presence of Zn2+. By using a screening approach, anthracene was identified for the sensitization of the luminescence of two near‐infrared‐emitting lanthanides, Yb3+ and Nd3+. Thus, two novel zinc‐responsive hetero‐bis‐lanthanide probes, r‐LZF3Yb|Anthra|Nd and r‐LZF3Nd|Anthra|Yb were assembled, the former offering a neat ratiometric response to Zn2+ with emission in the near‐infrared around 1000 nm, which is unprecedented.
A new image encryption algorithm based on optimized Lorenz chaotic system
Authors: Li Tu , Yan Wang , Chi Zhang
Published: July 2020

In this article, an improved Lorenz system was constructed, in the first stage, a nonlinear term in general Lorenz system was replaced by the sum of term of exponential function and term of the square of single variable, then the dynamic characteristics of the improved Lorenz system were analyzed through the analysis on the phase diagrams and its Lyapunov exponents, and it is proved that the new system has good chaotic characteristics. In the second stage, to improve the security and anti‐attack ability of image encryption algorithm, a new image encryption algorithm was proposed based on this improved Lorenz chaotic system, which was used to generate two groups of key sequences which were used in scrambling encryption and alternative encryption. In the scrambling encryption stage, the gray values of image pixels were sorted in ascending order, and combining with the sequence of scrambled encryption key, the pixel position scrambling was realized. In the phase of the pixel value replacement encryption stage, the gray values of the pixels were changed by the method of cipher text feedback. In the third stage, the quantitative analysis of the effect of encryption was carried out by using histogram, information entropy, correlation coefficient of adjacent pixels. The experimental results show that the improved Lorenz formula is a nonlinear chaotic system, the encrypted algorithm based on this chaotic system can effectively resist chosen plaintext attack, in the encrypted image, the grey value shave random‐like distribution behavior and the adjacent pixels have zero correlation. The algorithm has a 299 bit key space and it is very sensitive to the key.
Relationship between oral function and mandibular anterior crowding in early mixed dentition
Authors: Ohno Yoma , Fujita Yuko , Ohno Keirato , Maki Kenshi
Published: July 2020

The position of the dentition is considered to be determined by a combination of forces exerted by the perioral muscles and tongue. We hypothesized that mandibular anterior crowding may be related to abnormalities in the development of oral function. To determine the relationship between oral function and mandibular anterior crowding in early mixed dentition. A total of 61 children (30 boys, 31 girls) with early mixed dentition were included in this study. Height, body weight, maximum occlusal force, lip‐closing strength, and maximum tongue pressure were measured in all participants, and their dental casts and lateral cephalograms were evaluated. Little's irregularity index (LII), evaluated by dental casts, was used as an indicator of mandibular anterior crowding. Maximum occlusal force and lip‐closing strength were not significantly correlated with the LII, although they were positively correlated with maximum tongue pressure, mandibular intercanine perimeter distance, and upper central incisor (U1)‐to‐NL angle (p < .05). Maximum tongue pressure was negatively correlated with LII (p < .05). Maximum tongue pressure and LII were significantly positively correlated with the mandibular intercanine perimeter distance and U1/NL angle, and negatively correlated with the interincisal angle (p < .05 for all). Crowding of the mandibular anterior teeth was directly correlated with tongue pressure function and indirectly correlated with maximum occlusal force and lip‐closing strength.
Assessing biotic and abiotic effects on forest productivity in three temperate forests
Authors: Yue Qingmin , Hao Minhui , Li Xiaoyu , Zhang Chunyu , von Gadow Klaus , Zhao Xiuhai
Published: July 2020

It is well understood that biotic and abiotic variables influence forest productivity. However, in regard to temperate forests, the relative contributions of the aforementioned drivers to biomass demographic processes (i.e., the growth rates of the survivors and recruits) have not received a great deal of attention. Thus, this study focused on the identification of the relative influencing effects of biotic and abiotic variables in the demographic biomass processes of temperate forests.

This study was conducted in the Changbai Mountain Nature Reserve, in northeastern China. Based on the observational data collected from three 5.2‐hectare forest plots, the annual above‐ground biomass (AGB) increment (productivity) of the surviving trees, recruits, and the total tree community (survivors + recruits) were estimated. Then, the changes in the forest productivity in response to biotic variables (including species diversity, structural diversity, and density variables) along with abiotic variables (including topographic and soil variables) were evaluated using linear mixed‐effect models.

This study determined that the biotic variables regulated the variabilities in productivity. Density variables were the most critical drivers of the annual AGB increments of the surviving trees and total tree community. Structural diversity enhanced the annual AGB increments of the recruits, but diminished the annual AGB increments of the surviving trees and the total tree community. Species diversity and abiotic variables did not have impacts on the productivity in the examined forest plots.

The results highlighted the important roles of forest density and structural diversity in the biomass demographic processes of temperate forests. The surviving and recruit trees were found to respond differently to the biotic variables, which suggested that the asymmetric competition had shaped the productivity dynamics in forests. Therefore, the findings emphasized the need to consider the demographic processes of forest productivity to better understand the functions of forests.
Characterizing pain flares in adolescent inflammatory and non‐inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders: A qualitative study using an interpretative phenomenological approach
Authors: Khanom Sonia , McDonagh Janet E. , Briggs Michelle , McBeth John
Published: July 2020

Background

Adolescents with musculoskeletal disorders experience acute exacerbations in pain, colloquially called “pain flares” in adult literature. This study aimed to explore adolescents' lived experience of pain flares, including what pain flares are, why they occur, how they are managed and what lasting effects they have on adolescents.

Methods

A sample of 10 adolescents diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis or chronic idiopathic pain syndrome were recruited from a tertiary hospital in the UK. Data were collected using semi‐structured interviews and visual aids, and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Results

Four broad themes were identified which describe as a journey of change from participants: (a) daily life with pain, where adolescents report a level of pain that is “normal” for them which they can tolerate and continue their daily routines around; (b) pre‐flare period, where adolescents begin to notice pain increasing beyond normal levels and employ preventative strategies to reduce the risk of symptoms developing into a flare; (c) flare period, where adolescents describe the symptoms, frequency, duration, impact and their attempts to manage flares; to their (d) post‐flare period, where symptoms begin to return to baseline levels and adolescents take actions to regain the level of normality experienced in daily life.

Conclusion

This study has identified a number of components of the pain flare experience. Findings show that pain flares are more than an increase in pain intensity; they are multi‐layered and require other features to change. These findings help to differentiate pain flares from typical fluctuations in pain.
Expression of recombinant classical swine fever virus E2 glycoprotein by endogenous Txnip promoter in stable transgenic CHO cells
Authors: Feng Lei , Chen Li , Yun Junwen , Cao Xinglin
Published: July 2020

As the main immunogen that could stimulate neutralized antibody in pigs, recombinant E2 protein of CSFV was expressed in CHO‐dhfr−cells driven by endogenous Txnip promoter from Chinese hamster. Different fragments of Txnip promoter were amplified by PCR from isolated genomic DNA of CHO cells and cloned into different expression vectors. Compared with CMV promoter, CHO‐pTxnip‐4‐rE2 (F12) cell clone with the highest yield of rE2 protein was established by random insertion of the expression cassette driven by 860 bp sequences of Txnip promoter. In combination with treatment of 800 nM MTX for copy amplification of inserted expression cassette, the dynamic expression profile of rE2 protein was observed. Then inducible expression strategy of balance between viable cell density and product yield was conducted by mixed addition of 0.1 mM NADH and 0.1 mM ATP in culture medium at day 3 of batch‐wise culture. It could be concluded that Txnip promoter would be a promising alternative promoter for recombinant antigen protein expression in transgenic cells.
The lateral and vertical growth of laterite weathering profiles, Hawaiian Islands, USA
Authors: Nelson S.T. , Barton B. , Burnett M.W. , McBride J.H. , Brown L. , Spring I.
Published: July 2020

The Hawaiian Islands permit investigation of tropical chemical weathering rates and processes on a single rock type, basalt. Chronosequences are investigated as a function of rainfall due to the varying age of each island, including Kauai (~4 Ma), Oahu (~2 Ma), and Hawaii's Kohala Peninsula (~0.3 to 0.17 Ma). Understanding tropical critical zone (CZ) development is vital given the large populations in developing countries that rely on it.

HVSR (horizontal‐to‐vertical spectral ratio) seismic soundings on Kauai indicate that ~60% of the variability in laterite thickness is due to gradients in precipitation, with errors in erosion corrections and variability in the original permeability structure of the volcanic sequence playing important roles. Basalts have higher horizontal than vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kh > Kv), and local variability in
likely drives much of the remaining differences in laterite thickness.

HVSR is well suited for estimating laterite thickness as it has been shown to reliably detect the base of the weathering profile, is rapid (20 min/sounding), highly portable, and occupies a very small footprint.

Comparison of Kauai and Oahu weathering profiles suggests that the Oahu laterites are fully or nearly fully formed, despite being half the age of Kauai. By contrast, the young laterites on Kohala (~170 to ~300 ka) exhibit greatly contrasting thicknesses, where coastal laterites are thick and interior laterites are thin, suggesting that early weathering on shield volcanoes produces wedge‐shaped laterites near the coast.

With time, the thick (coastal) end of the wedge propagates upslope such that a fully developed, constant‐thickness laterite carapace can form in ~2 Ma or less. The development of thickened coastal laterites on young substrates depends on greater water–rock ratios as vertically infiltrating water upslope is diverted laterally. This view of laterite development is very different compared to endmember models of continental weathering and CZ development. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“Falling through the cracks”; Stakeholders' views around the concept and diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and their understanding of dementia prevention
Authors: Poppe Michaela , Mansour Hassan , Rapaport Penny , Palomo Marina , Burton Alexandra , Morgan‐Trimmer Sarah , Carter Christine , Roche Moïse , Higgs Paul , Walker Zuzana , Aguirre Elisa , Bass Nicholas , Huntley Jonathan , Wenborn Jennifer , Cooper Claudia
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Many people live with an awareness of mild cognitive changes that increase their dementia risk. Previous authors describe the uncertainties of this liminal state, between cognitive health and dementia, where being “at risk” can itself be an illness. We ask how services respond to people with memory concerns currently, and how a future, effective and inclusive dementia prevention intervention might be structured for people with memory concerns.

Methods/Design

We conducted qualitative interviews with 18 people aged 60+ years with subjective or objective memory problems, six family members, 10 health and social care professionals and 11 third sector workers. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed and analysed using an inductive thematic approach.

Results

Three main themes were identified: (1) acknowledging the liminal state, compounded by current, discordant health service responses: medicalising memory concerns yet situating responsibilities for their management with patients and families; (2) enabling change in challenging contexts of physical and cognitive frailty and social disengagement and (3) building on existing values, cultures and routines.

Conclusions

Effective dementia prevention must empower individuals to make lifestyle changes within challenging contexts. Programmes must be evidence based yet sufficiently flexible to allow new activities to be fitted into people's current lives; and mindful of the risks of pathologising memory concerns. Most current memory services are neither commissioned, financially or clinically resourced to support people with memory concerns without dementia. Effective, large scale dementia prevention will require a broad societal response.
“Central Road” cystoscopic finding: The road to worsened incontinence following laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy
Authors: Kato Kumiko , Yoshimura Yasukuni , Narushima Masahiro , Suzuki Shoji , Hattori Ryohei
Published: July 2020

Introduction

This paper presents the “Central Road” cystoscopic finding accompanied by magnified mixed urinary incontinence following laparoscopic sacrocolopopexy.

Case presentation

A 70‐year‐old female experienced severe mixed urinary incontinence upon completing laparoscopic sacrocolopopexy. The cystoscopy showed a cord‐like appearance in the center of the bladder trigon and posterior wall. Videourodynamics confirmed stress urinary incontinence, and chain cystourethrography indicated that the proximal urethra was open and the posterior vesicourethral angle was atypically widened. After implanting a midurethral sling, mixed urinary incontinence was cured subjectively and objectively without medication.

Conclusion

The “Central Road” cystoscopic finding can be a signpost pointing to laparoscopic sacrocolopopexy mesh overtensioning, which can cause dekinking of the bladder neck, exacerbate stress urinary incontinence, and possibly lead to stress‐induced instability. A midurethral sling successfully relieved mixed urinary incontinence in this case, but it might be necessary to loosen the laparoscopic sacrocolopopexy mesh in some other cases.
Indium oxide nanoparticles induce lung intercellular toxicity between bronchial epithelial cells and macrophages
Authors: Li Huilin , Chen Zhaofang , Li Jinxia , Liu Ru , Zhao Feng , Liu Ran
Published: July 2020

Concerns have been raised over the safety and health of industrial workers exposed to indium oxide nanoparticles (IO‐NPs) when working. IO‐NPs were previously shown in vitro and in vivo to be cytotoxic, but the mechanism of pathogenesis was unclear. In this study, the effects of IO‐NPs on lung cells associated with respiratory and immune barriers and the toxic effects of intercellular cascades were studied. Here IO‐NPs had acute toxicity to Wistar rats over a time course (5 days post‐intratracheal instillation). Following treatment epithelial cells (16HBE) or macrophages (RAW264.7) with IO‐NPs or IO fine particles (IO‐FPs), the damage of 16HBE cells caused by IO‐NPs was serious, mainly in the mitochondrial and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The lactate dehydrogenase level also showed that cytotoxicity in vitro was more serious for IO‐NPs compared with IO‐FPs. The level of In3+ (examined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) in 16HBE cells was 10 times higher than that in RAW cells. In3+, releasing from IO‐NPs absorbed by 16HBE cells, could not only significantly inhibit the phagocytosis and migration of macrophages (P < .0001), but also stimulate RAW cells to secrete high levels of inflammatory cytokines. IO‐NPs can directly damage pulmonary epithelial cells. The In3+ released by epithelial cells affect the phagocytosis and migration of macrophages, which may be a new point for the decrease in the clearance of alveolar surfactants and the development of IO‐related pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
Towards quantitative assessment of burn based on photoacoustic and optical coherence tomography
Authors: Liu Kang , Chen Zhongjiang , Zhou Wangting , Xing Da
Published: July 2020

Accurate and timely assessment of the severity of burn is essential for the treatment of burns. Currently, although most first‐degree and third‐degree burns are easily diagnosed through visual inspection or auxiliary diagnostic methods, the second‐degree burn is still difficult to distinguish due to the ambiguity boundaries of second‐degree with first‐degree and third‐degree burns. In this study, we proposed a non‐invasive technique by combing photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) to multi‐parameter quantitatively assess the burns. The feasibility and capacity of the dual‐mode PAT/OCT for assessing the burns was first testified by tissue‐mimicking phantom and burn wounds in mouse pinna in vivo. The further experiments conducted on the back of rats showed that the changes in skin scattering structure, vascular morphology and blood flow provided by the dual‐mode PAI/OCT system can determine distinct boundaries and depth of the burns. The experimental results prove that combined PAI/OCT as a novel method can be used to assess the severity of burn, which has the potential to diagnose the burns in clinic.
Acid bone lysates reduce bone regeneration in rat calvaria defects
Authors: Strauss Franz‐Josef , Kuchler Ulrike , Kobatake Reiko , Heimel Patrick , Tangl Stefan , Gruber Reinhard
Published: July 2020

Acid bone lysates (ABLs) represent the growth factors and other molecules released during autologous graft resorption. However, the impact of these bone‐derived growth factors on the healing of bone defects has not yet been investigated. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to examine the impact of ABLs adsorbed to collagen membranes on bone regeneration. To this end, in 16 female Sprague Dawley rats, a standardized 5‐mm‐diameter critical size defect on the calvarial bone was created. The defects were covered with collagen membranes that had been soaked either in serum‐free media or ABLs followed by lyophilization. After a healing period of 4 weeks, micro‐computed tomography (μCT) and histological analyses by means of undecalcified thin ground sections were performed. μCT analysis of the inner 4 mm of the calvaria defect showed a greater bone defect coverage in the control group when compared to ABL group, 29.8% (confidence interval [CI]: 17.7–50.3) versus 5.6% (CI: 1.0–29.8, p = .03), respectively. Moreover, we found significantly more absolute bone volume (BV) in the control group when compared to ABL group, 0.59 mm3 (CI: 0.27–1.25) versus 0.07 mm3 (CI: 0.06–0.59, p = .04), respectively. Histomorphometry confirmed these findings with a relative BV in the central compartment of 14.1% (CI: 8.4–20.6) versus 5.6% (CI: 3.4–7.9, p = .004), respectively. These findings indicate that bone‐derived growth factors contained in ABLs are able to attenuate bone regeneration within collagen membranes.
Reliance on Numerical Precision: Compatibility between Accuracy versus Efficiency Goals and Numerical Precision Level Influence Attribute Weighting in Two‐Stage Decisions
Authors: Pena‐Marin Jorge , Yan Dengfeng
Published: July 2020

This research examines how the weighting of an attribute is jointly affected by attribute precision and decision stage. Building on prior work suggesting (a) that less (more) precise numerical values are easier to process (more accurate), (b) that decision‐makers' motivation to be efficient (accurate) is greater when creating a consideration set (making a final choice), and (c) that decision‐makers tend to overweight information that is compatible with their goals, we hypothesize that when creating a consideration set (making a choice) participants tend to assign greater weight to less (more) precise attributes. Five studies (two of them reported in the Appendix S1) offer triangulating evidence for these predictions. Overall, this work contributes to research on numerical cognition, efficiency versus accuracy trade‐offs, attribute weighting, and two‐stage decisions.
One‐pot multicomponent synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of novel tricyclic indenopyrimidine‐2‐amines
Authors: Kaur Navjot , Singh Pratibha , Kaur Pawandeep , Yadav Ajar Nath , Singh Karan
Published: July 2020

The synthesis of novel tricyclic indenopyrimidine‐2‐amines from 3,3‐dimethyl‐/3‐methyl‐2H‐indanones has achieved by base‐catalyzed one‐pot three‐component reaction. The desired products are formed within 10 hours after addition at reflux temperature. This multicomponent approach offers a viable protocol for the construction of indenopyrimidine‐2‐amines in single‐step without the isolation of the intermediates 3,3‐dimethyl/3‐methyl‐2‐(4‐substituted benzylidene)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐inden‐1‐ones. All the synthesized compounds have been screened for antimicrobial activity and some of the derivatives show comparable activity against bacterial and fungal isolates.
Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of the novel heteroannulated furo[3′,2′:6,7]chromeno[2,3‐b]pyridines: Part 1
Authors: Ibrahim Magdy A. , Al‐Harbi Sami A. , Allehyani Esam S.
Published: July 2020

The chemical behavior of 4,9‐dimethoxy‐5‐oxo‐5H‐furo[3,2‐g]chromene‐6‐carbonitrile (1) was investigated toward some acyclic and cyclic active methylene ketones namely acetylacetone, ethyl acetoacetate, ethyl benzoylacetate, acetoacetanilide, dimedone, indanedione, pyrazolidine‐3,5‐dione and 5‐methyl‐2‐phenyl‐2,4‐dihydro‐3H‐pyrazol‐3‐one, barbituric acid and 1‐allylthiobarbituric acid, and hippuric acid. A variety of novel heteroannulated furochromenopyridines were efficiently synthesized through a cascade reactions between 4,9‐dimethoxy‐5‐oxo‐5H‐furo[3,2‐g]chromene‐6‐carbonitrile (1) and the carbon nucleophilic reagents. Structures of the new products were inferred based on their analytical and spectral data.
Gendered Intra‐Household Decision‐Making Dynamics in Agricultural Innovation Processes: Assets, Norms and Bargaining Power
Authors: Shibata Rieko , Cardey Sarah , Dorward Peter
Published: July 2020

This article explores intra‐household decision‐making in smallholder farmers' innovation uptake and use of outputs within a bargaining framework. Research was conducted in selected locations representing contrasting economic, social and agroclimatic environments in Uganda using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods (including a survey of 531 farmers). Decision‐making in innovation processes was highly gendered and shaped by intra‐household allocation of production assets as well as social norms. The findings highlight the male capture of decision‐making regarding innovation uptake and use of outputs, especially for income‐generating crops, and that this can both reflect and reinforce gender inequalities in asset ownership. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of International Development published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
An energy‐efficient data‐dependent low‐power 10T SRAM cell design for LiFi enabled smart street lighting system application
Authors: Gupta Neha , Sharma Vishal , Shah Ambika P. , Khan Sajid , Huebner Michael , Vishvakarma Santosh K.
Published: July 2020

The LiFi enabled smart street lighting system requires the adaptive SoC to save huge amount of power/energy for data storage, which plays an important role for any urban area development. For the above application, an energy‐efficient data‐dependent power supplied 10T SRAM cell with half‐select free read‐decoupled circuit is designed to boost stability while stacking effect controls the leakage current against the process‐voltage‐temperature variations. CMOS 65 nm technology node is used for the implementation and comparison of various SRAM cells. The proposed cell offers 4×, 1.15×, and 1.66× higher read, hold, and write stability, respectively, as compared with the 6T cell at 0.4 V supply voltage. The improvement of write, read, and leakage power of the proposed 10T cell are 98.03%, 56.25%, and 91.07%, respectively, as compared with the 6T cell at 0.2 V supply. It is also observed that the proposed 10T cell has 88.88% and 85.71% write 0 and write 1 energy, respectively, as compared with the 6T cell at 0.2 V supply voltage. To better assess the cell, we introduced the figure of merit (FOM) and observed that the FOM of the proposed cell is 125× higher as compared with the 6T cell at 0.4 V supply voltage.
Rapidtolerance‐awaredesign of miniaturized microwave passives by means ofconfined‐domainsurrogates
Authors: Pietrenko‐Dabrowska Anna
Published: July 2020

The effects of uncertainties, primarily manufacturing tolerances but also incomplete information about operating conditions or material parameters, can be detrimental to the performance of microwave components. Quantification of such effects is essential to ensure a meaningful evaluation of the structure, in particular, its reliability under imperfect fabrication procedures. The improvement of the circuit robustness can be achieved by reducing sensitivity to geometry/material parameter deviations, which requires optimization of suitably chosen statistical performance metrics such as the yield. The prerequisite for the latter is statistical analysis. In the case of compact circuits, it is executed through full‐wave electromagnetic (EM) analysis. The fundamental difficulty, that is, the high CPU cost, can be alleviated by the employment of fast surrogate models, which is the method of choice for the majority of contemporary approaches. Despite its advantages, a practical challenge of surrogate‐assisted design is the initial computational overhead related to metamodel construction. As a workaround, this work proposes the employment of a recently introduced concept of constrained modelling, where the surrogate domain is confined only to contain the essential subsets of the parameter space. In the context of yield optimization, the domain needs to correspond to directions featuring maximum variability of the circuit responses (particularly the parts thereof that affect the yield value in the most significant way) with respect to its geometry parameters. The small volume of the domain spanned by such directions permits setting up an accurate model using a fraction of training data samples required by conventional methods. The proposed technique is demonstrated using a miniaturized microstrip rat‐race coupler with its yield optimized at the cost of just a few dozen of EM simulations of the circuit. EM‐based Monte Carlo simulations corroborate the reliability of the approach.