bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Host neighborhood shapes bacterial community assembly and specialization on tree species across a latitudinal gradient
Authors: Lajoie Geneviève , Kembel Steven W.
Published: November 2020

Phyllosphere bacterial diversity is shaped through interactions between hosts and microbes. Most studies having focused on pairwise associations between host taxa and their symbionts, little is yet understood about the influence of the host community as a whole in shaping these interactions. Envisioning phyllosphere bacterial communities as a spatially structured network of communities linked by dispersal (i.e., metacommunities) can help us better understand the relative importance of species sorting among host populations and species versus dispersal from the neighboring host community for bacterial community assembly in forest ecosystems. Here we investigate drivers of metacommunity structure of epiphytic bacteria of the phyllosphere among 33 tree host species distributed across a large‐scale transition from deciduous to boreal forest. We expect the identity and traits of hosts to play an important role in determining phyllosphere bacterial composition. We further hypothesize that bacterial dispersal from neighboring host species will modulate the match between a focal host species and its microbiota, and shape opportunities for host specialization of phyllosphere bacteria at local and regional scales. We defined specialization as the level of phylogenetic similarity among hosts that a bacterial symbiont associates with. We found that host taxonomic identity and traits were important drivers of bacterial community turnover and variation in host specialization across the landscape. Dispersal from neighboring communities further played a role in homogenizing bacterial communities. The microbiota of focal hosts such as sugar maple was thus increasingly similar to that of neighboring host species along the transition from deciduous to boreal forest. Specialization of bacterial taxa on sugar maple was further positively correlated with the relative abundance of this host in the landscape, revealing a role for the host community context in shaping evolutionary relationships between phyllosphere bacteria and their tree hosts. These results overall suggest that the dispersal of phyllosphere bacteria from the dominant tree community members may be constraining the match between tree species and their symbionts, particularly at their range limits. We also demonstrate that considering host‐associated microbial communities as part of metacommunities within the host landscape is a promising tool for improving our understanding of host‐symbiont matching.
Appropriateness rating for the application of optimal medical therapy and multidisciplinary care among heart failure patients
Authors: Shoji Satoshi , Kohsaka Shun , Shiraishi Yasuyuki , Oishi Shogo , Kato Mahoto , Shiota Shigehito , Takada Yasuko , Mizuno Atsushi , Yumino Dai , Yokoyama Hiroyuki , Watanabe Noboru , Isobe Mitsuaki
Published: November 2020

Aims

Clinical guidelines for improving the patients' quality of care vary in clinical practice, particularly in super‐aging societies, like in Japan. We aimed to develop a set of appropriate‐use criteria (AUC) for contemporary heart failure (HF) management to assist physicians in decision making.

Methods and results

With the use of the RAND methodology, a multidisciplinary writing group developed patient‐based clinical scenarios in 10 selected key topics, stratified mainly by HF stage, age, and renal function. Nine nationally recognized expert panellists independently rated the clinical scenario appropriateness twice on a scale of 1–9, as ‘appropriate’ (7–9), ‘may be appropriate’ (4–6), or ‘rarely appropriate’ (1–3). Decisions were based on clinical evidence and professional opinions in the context of available resource use and costs. An interactive round‐table discussion was held between the first and second ratings; the median score of the nine experts was then assigned to an appropriate‐use category. Most clinical scenarios without strong evidence were evaluated as ‘may be appropriate’. Frailty assessments in elderly patients (age ≥ 75 years), regardless of the HF stage, and advanced care planning in patients with stage C/D HF, regardless of age, were considered ‘appropriate’. For HF with reduced ejection fraction, beta‐blocker administration in elderly patients (age ≥ 75 years) with heart rate < 50 b.p.m. and mineral corticosteroid receptor antagonist use in elderly patients (age ≥ 75 years) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 were considered ‘rarely appropriate’.

Conclusions

The HF management AUC provide a practical guide for physicians regarding scenarios commonly encountered in daily practice.
The Current Developments and Perspectives of V2O5 as Cathode for Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Wenwei , Zuo Chunli , Tang Chen , Tang Wen , Lan Binxu , Fu Xudong , Dong Shijie , Luo Ping
Published: November 2020

In recent years, zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) with near neutral (pH ≈ 4–6) Zn2+‐containing aqueous electrolyte have received extensive research due to their advantages of high safety, low production cost, suitable anode zinc, and environmental friendliness, etc. At present, one of the key challenges of aqueous ZIBs is the development of cathode materials with stable structure, rapid kinetics, and high capacity, etc. Compared with other cathode materials, V2O5 has an important potential application because of its high theoretical specific capacity (589 mA h g−1) based on two electron transfers, relatively low production cost, and suitable layered structure that facilitates zinc ion insertion/extraction. Herein, the following sections are proposed: 1) An understanding of the structure and energy storage mechanism of V2O5; 2) The recent development on the aqueous Zn/V2O5 battery from properties of V2O5 cathode and composition optimization of battery structure; 3) The application of V2O5 cathode in flexible ZIBs; and 4) The outlook and development trends in the future.
Assessing the correlation between fatty acid composition of biodiesel with the fuel property using artificial intelligence and optimization
Authors: Singh Sunita , Lahiri Sandip Kumar , Chakrabarty Jitamanyu
Published: November 2020

This work explores the underlying correlation between fatty acid composition and biodiesel fuel properties using artificial neural network (ANN) and establishes the complex non‐linear relationship between the fuel parameters and the significant fatty acids present in the composition of biodiesel. Six physico‐chemical properties of biodiesel, that is, specific gravity, oAPI, aniline point, cetane number, flash point, and calorific value have been assessed and a modeling framework has been developed. High value of R2 and low value of RMSE signify that ANN model captures the inherent relationship. Results demonstrate that with 1% change in arachidic acid, an increment of 21.74 MJ/Kg in heating value and a decrease of 7.17 in cetane number of biodiesel fuel take place, respectively. This suggests that the presence of a regulated amount of arachidic acid in biodiesel composition would assist in obtaining desired heat value and diesel index of biodiesel that would ultimately aid in improving fuel quality and hence, would help in obtaining higher grade biodiesel fuel. Furthermore, ANN‐based stochastic optimization techniques, genetic algorithm, and particle swarm optimization have been used to predict the maximum possible biodiesel blend that can be used in diesel engines retaining the fuel qualities.
Stable four‐membered cyclosilylenes at theoretical levels
Authors: Ayoubi‐Chianeh Mojgan , Kassaee Mohamad Z.
Published: November 2020

We aim to develop novel four‐membered cyclosilylenes that contain one (1 and 2), two (3), three (4), and four (5) numbers of Si atoms at the M06/6–311 + G*, B3LYP/aug‐cc‐PVTZ, and MP2/3–21G levels of theory. These structures show high stability and turn out as minima on their energy surfaces for showing no imaginary frequency. Structural and thermodynamic parameters, including bond length, divalent bond angle, singlet‐triplet energy gap (ΔES‐T), highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy gap (ΔEH‐L), proton affinity (PA), complexation energy (ΔECom) with CO molecule, nucleophilicity (N), chemical potential (μ), and natural charges, are assessed. The final order of singlet stability appears in the order 1 > 2 > 3 > 4 > 5 at three levels of theory.
Dose‐ and time‐dependent effects of an immune challenge on fish across biological levels
Authors: Petitjean Quentin , Jacquin Lisa , LeHénaff Michel , Perrault Annie , Cousseau Myriam , Laffaille Pascal , Jean Séverine
Published: November 2020

Due to global changes, fish are increasingly exposed to immune challenges associated with disease outbreaks in aquatic ecosystems. Adjustments in physiology and behavior are generally critical to maintaining homeostasis after an immune challenge, but there is limited knowledge on the specific thresholds and dynamics of responses across levels of biological organization in fish. In this study, we tested how different concentrations of an antigens mixture (phytohemagglutinin and lipopolysaccharide) affected innate immunity with potential consequences on oxidative stress, energy reserves, body condition, and behavior across time, using the common gudgeon (Gobio sp.) as model species. The immune challenge induced a transitory increase in lytic enzyme activity (i.e., lysozyme) and local immune response (i.e., skin swelling) 2 days after the antigen injection. The available energy stored in muscle was also reduced 4 days after injection, without inducing oxidative stress at the cellular level. Overall, the immune challenge induced limited costs at the molecular and cellular levels but had strong effects at the whole organism level, especially on behavior. Indeed, fish swimming activity and sociability were affected in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. These results suggest that immune challenges have dose‐dependent effects across levels of biological organization and that behavior is a key response trait to cope with pathogen‐induced immune costs in the wild, although fitness consequences remain to be tested.
Doing history that matters: Going public and activating voices as a form of historical activism
Authors: Dyck Erika
Published: November 2020

For many of us academics, doing community‐engaged research means coming to terms with the significant gaps in experience, privilege, and power, and overall access to knowledge. We are trained to learn through texts, not through direct experience. In some ways, we are even conditioned to tune out experience, or anecdote, to dilute personal subjectivities in favor of a critical analysis informed by a combination of methods and sources, and a reliance on text‐based forms of evidence. Whereas for most community members, evidence is experiential. This dynamic also underscores the tremendous power and responsibility we have as historians to shape identities and legacies through the stories we tell. In the end, I believe the risks are worth the rewards.
Genetic characterization of the Albanian Gaucher disease patient population
Authors: Cullufi Paskal , Tabaku Mirela , Velmishi Virtut , Gjikopulli Agim , Tomori Sonila , Dervishi Ermira , Tako Aferdita , Leubauer Anika , Westenberger Ana , Cozma Claudia , Beetz Christian , Bauer Peter , Wirth Stefan , Rolfs Arndt
Published: November 2020

Gaucher disease (GD) is a recessive metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency of the GBA gene‐encoded enzyme β‐glucocerebrosidase. We characterized a cohort of 36 Albanian GD patients, 31 with GD type 1 and 5 affected by GD types 2, 3, and an intermediate GD phenotype between type 2 and type 3. Of the 12 different GBA alleles that we detected, the most frequently observed was p.Asn409Ser, followed by p.[Asp448His;His294Gln]. The prevalence of the p.Leu483Pro allele was approximately 10‐fold lower than reported in other populations. We identified a novel pathogenic missense variant (c.1129G>A; p.Ala377Thr). All five of our non‐type 1 patients had genotypes consisting of the p.[Asp448His;His294Gln] allele in combination with another severe GBA allele. The median Lyso‐Gb1 level of treated patients carrying the p.[Asp448His;His294Gln] and no p.Asn409Ser allele was significantly higher than that of treated individuals homozygous or compound heterozygous for the p.Asn409Ser allele. In conclusion, the most important distinguishing features of the Albanian GD patient population are the underrepresentation of the p.Leu483Pro allele and an unusually high number of p.[Asp448His;His294Gln] alleles originating from a common Balkan founder event. The presence of at least one p.Asn409Ser allele is associated with mild disease and low Lyso‐Gb1 biomarker levels, while compound heterozygosity involving p.[Asp448His;His294Gln] and no p.Asn409Ser entails severe phenotypes and high Lyso‐Gb1 levels.
Otologic dysfunction in patients with COVID‐19: A systematic review
Authors: Maharaj Shivesh , Bello Alvarez Martha , Mungul Sheetal , Hari Kapila
Published: November 2020

Objective

To describe otologic dysfunction in patients with the novel SARS‐CoV‐2.

Review Methods

Search strategies acquired for each database included keywords. The keywords use were—Otologic OR Vestibular OR Audiologic and COVID‐19 OR Coronavirus OR SARS‐CoV‐2. Resulting articles were imported into a systematic review software and screened for appropriateness.

To be eligible for inclusion in the analysis, the studies and case reports should have met the following criteria:

Description of otologic dysfunction in COVID‐19 patients

peer review

Studies were excluded if:

the description of the specific dysfunction was inadequate

there were no original case descriptions

Data that met the inclusion criteria was extracted and analyzed.

Results

A total of 62 articles were identified and screened, seven articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The articles were mainly case reports (5) with 2 case series. There were 28 patients in total identified with the largest study comprising 20 patients. All patients presented with hearing loss, 27 of whom had audiometry. Three patients had associated vestibular symptoms (vertigo, otalgia, and tinnitus).

Conclusion

SARS‐CoV‐2 is a probable cause of middle ear infections and sensorineural hearing loss, secondary to spread of the novel virus into the middle ear and related neural structures.
Associations between tissue‐based CD3+ T‐lymphocyte count and colorectal cancer survival in a prospective cohort of older women
Authors: Oyenuga Mosunmoluwa , Vierkant Robert A. , Lynch Charles F. , Pengo Thomas , Tillmans Lori S. , Cerhan James R. , Church Timothy R. , Lazovich DeAnn , Anderson Kristin E. , Limburg Paul J. , Prizment Anna E.
Published: November 2020

Tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes in colorectal cancer (CRC) predict better survival. However, associations between T‐lymphocyte count in histologically normal tissues from patients with CRC and survival remain uncertain. We examined associations of CD3+ T‐cells in colorectal tumor and histologically normal tissues with CRC‐specific and all‐cause mortality in the prospective Iowa Women's Health Study. Tissue microarrays were constructed using paraffin‐embedded colorectal tissue samples from 464 women with tumor tissues and 314 women with histologically normal tissues (55–69 years at baseline) diagnosed with incident CRC from 1986 to 2002 and followed through 2014 (median follow‐up 20.5 years). Three tumor and two histologically normal tissue cores for each patient were immunostained using CD3+ antibody and quantified, and the counts were averaged across the cores in each tissue. Cox proportional hazards regression estimated hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for CRC‐specific and all‐cause mortality. After adjustment for age at diagnosis, body mass index, smoking status, tumor grade, and stage, HRs (95% CI) for the highest versus lowest tertile of tumor CD3+ score were 0.59 (0.38–0.89) for CRC‐specific mortality and 0.82 (0.63–1.05) for all‐cause mortality; for histologically normal CD3+ score, the corresponding HRs (95% CI) were 0.47 (0.19–1.17) and 0.50 (0.27–0.90), respectively. The CD3+ score combining the tumor and histologically normal scores was inversely associated with CRC‐specific and all‐cause mortality. Although the association between tumor CD3+ score and all‐cause mortality was not significant, both higher CD3+ T‐lymphocyte counts in tumor and histologically normal scores tended to be associated with lower CRC‐specific and all‐cause mortality.
From iPS Cells to Rodents and Nonhuman Primates: Filling Gaps in Modeling Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Outeiro Tiago F. , Heutink Peter , Bezard Erwan , Cenci Angela M.
Published: November 2020

Parkinson's disease (PD) is primarily known as a movement disorder because of typical clinical manifestations associated with the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. However, it is now widely recognized that PD is a much more complex condition, with multiple and severe nonmotor features implicating additional brain areas and organs in the disease process. Pathologically, typical forms of PD are characterized by the accumulation of α‐synuclein‐rich protein inclusions known as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, although other types of protein inclusions are also often present in the brain. Familial forms of PD have provided a wealth of information about molecular pathways leading to neurodegeneration, but only to add to the complexity of the problem and uncover new knowledge gaps. Therefore, modeling PD in the laboratory has become increasingly challenging. Here, we discuss knowledge gaps and challenges in the use of laboratory models for the study of a disease that is clinically heterogeneous and multifactorial. We propose that the combined use of patient‐derived cells and animal models, along with current technological tools, will not only expand our molecular and pathophysiological understanding of PD, but also assist in the identification of therapeutic strategies targeting relevant pathogenic pathways. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson Movement Disorder Society.
Ground state solutions for a class of nonlocal regional Schrödinger equation with nonperiodic potentials
Authors: Ledesma César T. , Gutiérrez Hernán C.
Published: November 2020

In this article, we deal with the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with nonlocal regional diffusion

where 0 < α < 1, n ≥ 2, and
is a continuous function. The operator
is a variational version of the nonlocal regional Laplacian defined as

where
be a positive function. Considering that ρ, V, and f(· , t) are periodic or asymptotically periodic at infinity, we prove the existence of ground state solution of (1) by using Nehari manifold and comparison method. Furthermore, in the periodic case, by combining deformation‐type arguments and Lusternik–Schnirelmann theory, we prove that problem (1) admits infinitely many geometrically distinct solutions.
Bringing Colloidal Quantum Dots to Detector Technologies
Authors: Ackerman Matthew M.
Published: November 2020

Although colloidal quantum dots have a ways to go before they can match the performance of state‐of‐the‐art infrared detector technologies, rapid innovations are advancing their commercialization for low‐cost, high‐resolution infrared sensing and imaging.
Facile strategy to improve thermal conductivity of anisotropic poly(butylene succinate) phosphorus‐containing ionomer films via compression molding
Authors: Ru Ke , Chen Anfu , Jiang Guo , Zhang Shuidong
Published: November 2020

One of the defect for polymers based film is the low thermal conductivity which restricts their application. In this study, an effective strategy in improving the thermal conductivity of poly(butylene succinate) phosphorus‐containing ionomer [phosphorus‐containing ionic group (PCIG) content was 1wt%, denoted as PBSI1‐K] by compression molding was proposed. PBSI1‐K films with anisotropic thermal transport were fabricated by thermal compression molding with different compression molding pressure (2000, 2500, 3000, and 3500 psi). The relationships between the compression molding pressure and properties, including thermal conductivity, crystallization behavior and chain orientation degree of PBSI1‐K films were investigated. Strikingly, PBSI1‐K film fabricated at 2500 psi pressure, denoted as PBSI1‐K‐2500, achieved 5‐fold increase in in‐plane thermal conductivity when PBS was used as the contrast. The impressive improved thermal conductivity (542 mW m−1 K−1) in horizontal direction are ascribed to the fact that PBSI1‐K‐2500 obtained the large spherulite diameter (517 um) and high chain orientation degree (1.90). Furthermore, we introduced graphene into PBSI1‐K and the thermal conductivity of GNS/PBSI1‐K composites have also been discussed. We hence showcase compression molding here as a facile strategy to prepare ionomer film with improved thermal conductivity. The prepared PBSI1‐K‐2500 can serve as biodegradable films to replace petroleum‐based plastic materials and remedy the pollution of “microplastics.”
Chromate ion removal by water‐soluble functionalized chitosan
Authors: Palacio Daniel A. , Vásquez Valentina , Rivas Bernabé L.
Published: November 2020

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a highly toxic metal that has been accused to be carcinogen with prolonged inhalation by humans and is toxic to aquatic life even at low concentrations. The objective of this work was to use water‐soluble functionalized chitosan in the removal of chromate ions in aqueous solution. Functionalized chitosan was obtained by grafting molecules with quaternary ammonium groups in a heterogeneous process under alkaline conditions. Chitosan modified was characterized by FTIR, 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, and TGA. The retention tests were carried out using the liquid‐phase polymer‐based retention technique (LPR) by means of the washing method, studying the effects of the variation of pH, interfering ions, and variations of hydrodynamic flow. The results showed 94.0% retention with regard to the modification of chitosan. For the removal studies, a trend in the retention percentages was presented as the pH increased, obtaining a maximum retention of 92.0% at pH 9.0. In studies of interfering ions, a decrease was found as the concentrations of interferent increased, obtaining the highest retention >70.0%. In conclusion, the functionalization of chitosan with quaternary ammonium groups in conjunction with the LPR technique is a great alternative in the removal of chromate ions and is friendly to the environment.
Electrical percolation and electromagnetic properties of polydimethylsiloxane composites filled with Ag nanoparticles of different sizes
Authors: Palaimiene Edita , Schaefer Sebastien , Macutkevic Jan , Banys Juras , Selskis Algirdas , Fierro Vanessa , Celzard Alain
Published: November 2020

This paper deals with the electrical properties of polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites filled with Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) of different sizes. The measurements were carried out over a very broad range of frequencies (20 Hz‐40 GHz), and the results showed that the percolation threshold in the composites is close to 20 vol% and that it is almost independent of particle size. The observed critical exponents reasonably agree with the theoretical values. Above the percolation threshold, the values of dielectric permittivity and electrical conductivity are quite high, ε′ ≈ 107 and σ ≈ 1 S/cm at room temperature and frequency of 129 Hz (which is close to our low frequency limit). The dielectric permittivity of composites decreases strongly with frequency, especially in the microwave range, while the frequency behavior of conductivity strongly depends on the concentration of nanoparticles. Nevertheless, the electrical conductivity and the dielectric permittivity remain high at microwaves (0.1 S/m and 10, respectively), for composites with AgNPs of size 80 to 100 nm at a concentration of 30 vol%.
Small peptides inhibit gut trypsin‐like proteases and impairAnticarsia gemmatalis(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) survival and development
Authors: de Almeida Barros Rafael , Meriño‐Cabrera Yaremis , Vital Camilo E , da Silva Júnior Neilier R , de Oliveira Cauê N , Lessa Barbosa Samuel , Marques Gonçalves Assis João V , Ramos Humberto JO , de Almeida Oliveira Maria G
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Anticarsia gemmatalislarvae are key defoliating pests of soybean plants. Inorganic insecticides, harmful to the environment and human health, are the main molecules used in the control of this pest. To apply more sustainable management methods, organic molecules with high specificities, such as proteinaceous protease inhibitors, have been sought. Thus, molecular docking studies, kinetics assays, and biological tests were performed to evaluate the inhibitory activity of two peptides (GORE1 and GORE2) rationally designed to inhibit trypsin‐like enzymes, which are the main proteases ofA. gemmatalismidgut.

RESULTS

The molecular docking simulations revealed critical hydrogen bonding patterns of the peptides with key active site residues of trypsin‐like proteases ofA. gemmatalisand other Lepidopteran insects. The negative values of binding energy indicate that hydrogen bonds potentiate the tight binding of the peptides with trypsin‐like proteases, predicting an effective inhibition. The inhibition's rate constants (Ki) were 0.49 and 0.10 mM for GORE1 and GORE2, resulting in effective inhibition of the activity trypsin on the L‐BApNA substrate in thein vitrotests, indicating that the peptide GORE2 has higher inhibitory capacity on theA. gemmatalistrypsins. In addition, the two peptides were determined to be reversible competitive inhibitors. Thein vivotest demonstrated that the peptides harm the survival and development ofA. gemmatalislarvae.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that these peptides are potential candidates in the management ofA. gemmatalislarvae and provide baseline information for the design of new trypsin‐like inhibitors based on peptidomimetic tools. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Simulation of Phase‐Change‐Memory and Thermoelectric Materials using Machine‐Learned Interatomic Potentials: Sb2Te3
Authors: Konstantinou Konstantinos , Mavračić Juraj , Mocanu Felix C. , Elliott Stephen R.
Published: November 2020

Density‐functional‐theory (DFT)‐based, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations of amorphous materials generally suffer from three computer‐resource‐related limitations due to their O(N3) cubic scaling with model system size, N. They are limited to a maximum model size of N ≈500 atoms; they are limited to time scales <1 ns; and, usually, only a single model can be simulated in any one investigation. This article discusses a machine‐learned, linear‐scaling (O(N)), DFT‐accurate interatomic potential (a Gaussian approximation potential, GAP), originally developed by Mocanu et al. [J. Phys. Chem. B 2018, 122, 8998] using a Gaussian process regression method for the ternary phase‐change‐memory material Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST). The chemical transferability of this GAP potential is explored in an application to the case of simulating amorphous models of the phase‐change‐memory and thermoelectric material Sb2Te3, an end‐member of the GST compositional tie‐line GeTe–Sb2Te3. The GAP‐model results are compared with those obtained from conventional DFT‐based AIMD simulations.
Effects of Frustration and Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya Interaction on the Spin‐1/2 Anisotropic Heisenberg Antiferromagnet with the Application to La2CuO4
Authors: Rutonjski Milica S. , Pantić Milan R. , Pavkov-Hrvojević Milica V.
Published: November 2020

The magnetic properties of the 2D anisotropic antiferromagnetic spin‐1/2 Heisenberg model with Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction and in‐plane frustration are studied. The method of spin Green's functions within the framework of Tyablikov's random‐phase‐approximation decoupling scheme is used to derive expressions for the spin‐wave spectrum, sublattice magnetization, and transition temperature. Based on these expressions, a detailed analysis of the influence of varying values of model parameters on their magnetic properties is conducted. The model is also applied to the high‐Tc superconducting parent compound La2CuO4 and the results compared with available experimental data.
On the robustness of distributed proportional‐integral consensus protocols under channel uncertainties
Authors: Rong Lina , Jiang Guo‐Ping , Xu Shengyuan
Published: November 2020

This article studies the robust consensus problem for uncertain multiagent systems under distributed proportional‐integral (PI) protocols. For both continuous‐time and discrete‐time multiagent systems, we allow additive channel uncertainties that are stable and bounded in norm. By exploiting the generalized network complementary sensitivity function (GNCSF), necessary and sufficient conditions under which the robust consensus with distributed PI protocols can be guaranteed are derived. For the continuous‐time case, it is shown that the robust consensus can be reached if and only if the uncertainty radius and the norm of the GNCSF satisfy certain constraint. For the discrete‐time case, it is shown that the robust consensus can be preserved under both the constraints on the parameters of the PI protocols and the relationship of the uncertainty radius and the norm of the GNCSF. Finally, numerical examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
A Novel Regulation Strategy of Solid Electrolyte Interphase Based on Anion‐Solvent Coordination for Magnesium Metal Anode
Authors: Tang Kun , Du Aobing , Du Xiaofan , Dong Shanmu , Lu Chenglong , Cui Zili , Li Longshan , Ding Guoliang , Chen Fengxian , Zhou Xinhong , Cui Guanglei
Published: November 2020

Magnesium (Mg) metal anode is a highly desirable candidate among various high energy density metal anodes, possessing higher volumetric capacity and better safety characteristic compared to lithium metal. However, most Mg salts in conventional Mg electrolytes easily react with Mg metal to form blocking layers, leading to inferior reversibility of Mg plating/stripping. Here, a stable Mg2+‐conducting solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is successfully constructed on Mg metal anode by regulating the molecular‐orbital‐energy‐level toward an aluminum(III)‐centered anion Mg salt through anion‐solvent coordination. Of which, the LUMO energy level of perfluorinated pinacolatoaluminate (Al(O2C2(CF3)4)2−, abbreviated as FPA) anion has been adjusted by coordinating with solvent molecule (tetrahydrofuran) for facilitating the formation of advantageous SEI. The existence of SEI formed by FPA anion greatly improves the reversibility and long‐term stability of Mg plating/stripping process. More importantly, based on this aluminum(III)‐centered Mg electrolyte, the Mo6S8/Mg batteries can achieve a fantastic cycle performance of 9000 cycles, proving the beneficial effect of SEI on the cycling stability of Mg battery system. These findings open up a promising avenue to construct stable and compatible SEI on Mg metal anode, and lay significant foundations for the successful development of rechargeable Mg metal batteries.
Energy Transfer‐Induced Photoelectrochemical Improvement from Porous Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐Decorated BiVO4 Photoelectrodes
Authors: Ahn Cheol Hyoun , Deshpande Nishad G. , Lee Ho Seong , Cho Hyung Koun
Published: November 2020

BiVO4, which is a representative photoanode material for photoelectrochemical water splitting, intrinsically restricts high conversion efficiency, owing to faster recombination, low electron mobility, and short electron diffusion length. While the photocurrent density of typical BiVO4 corresponds to only 21.3% of the maximum photocurrent density (4.68 mA cm−2), decoration of the BiVO4 photoanode with zeolitic imidazolate framework‐67 (ZIF‐67) exhibits a synergetic effect to raise the overall photocatalytic ability at the BiVO4 surface region to a higher level via the energy‐transfer process from BiVO4 to ZIF‐67. The hybrid ZIF‐67/BiVO4 photoanode follows two convenient photoelectrochemical pathways: 1) energy‐transfer‐induced water oxidation reaction in ZIF‐67 and 2) water oxidation reaction by direct contact between the BiVO4 surface and electrolytes. Compared to the moderate photocurrent density (≈1 mA cm−2) of single‐layer BiVO4, the proposed ZIF‐67/BiVO4 photoanodes show a remarkably high photocurrent (2.25 mA cm−2) with high stability, despite the lack of hole scavengers in the electrolyte. Furthermore, the absorbed photon‐to‐current efficiency of the ZIF‐67/BiVO4 photoanode is ≈2.5 times greater than that of BiVO4. This work proposes a promising solution for efficient water oxidation that overcomes the intrinsic material limitations of BiVO4 photoelectrodes by using energy transfer‐induced photon recycling and the decoration of porous ZIFs.
Correction to: hPSC-derived organoids: models of human development and disease
Authors: Frum Tristan , Spence Jason R.
Published: November 2020

The article hPSC-derived organoids: models of human development and disease, written by Tristan Frum and Jason R. Spence, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal on 28 August 2020 without open access.
The triple-isotope calibration approach: a universal and standard-free calibration approach for obtaining absolute isotope ratios of multi-isotopic elements
Authors: Vogl Jochen
Published: November 2020

The theory of a new calibration approach for obtaining absolute isotope ratios of multi-isotopic elements without the use of any standard has been developed. The calibration approach basically uses the difference in the instrumental isotope fractionation of two different types of mass spectrometers, leading to two different fractionation lines in a three-isotope diagram. When measuring the same sample with both mass spectrometers, the different fractionation lines have one point in common: this is the ‘true’ logarithmized isotope ratio pair of the sample. Thus, the intersection of both fractionation lines provides us with the absolute isotope ratios of the sample. This theory has been tested in practice by measuring Cd and of Pb isotope ratios in the certified reference materials BAM-I012 and NIST SRM 981 by thermal ionization mass spectrometry and by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry while varying the ionization conditions for both mass spectrometers. With this experiment, the theory could be verified, and absolute isotope ratios were obtained, which were metrologically compatible with the certified isotope ratios. The so-obtained absolute isotope ratios are biased by − 0.5 % in average, which should be improved with further developments of the method. This calibration approach is universal, as it can be applied to all elements with three or more isotopes and it is not limited to the type of mass spectrometers applied; it can be applied as well to secondary ion mass spectrometry or others. Additionally, this approach provides information on the fractionation process itself via the triple-isotope fractionation exponent θ.
Serum 4β-hydroxycholesterol increases during fluconazole treatment
Authors: Lütjohann Dieter , Stellaard Frans , Kerksiek Anja , Lötsch Jörn , Oertel Bruno G
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The antifungal drugs ketoconazole and itraconazole reduce serum concentrations of 4β-hydroxycholesterol, which is a validated marker for hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 activity. We tested the effect of another antifungal triazole agent, fluconazole, on serum concentrations of different sterols and oxysterols within the cholesterol metabolism to see if this inhibitory reaction is a general side effect of azole antifungal agents.

Methods

In a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover design, we studied 17 healthy subjects (nine men, eight women) who received 400 mg fluconazole or placebo daily for 8 days. On day 1 before treatment and on day 8 after the last dose, fasting blood samples were collected. Serum cholesterol precursors and oxysterols were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selected ion monitoring and expressed as the ratio to cholesterol (R_sterol).

Results

Under fluconazole treatment, serum R_lanosterol and R_24,25-dihydrolanosterol increased significantly without affecting serum cholesterol or metabolic downstream markers of hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Serum R_4β-, R_24S-, and R_27-hydroxycholesterol increased significantly.

Conclusion

Fluconazole inhibits the 14α-demethylation of lanosterol and 24,25-dihydrolanosterol, regulated by CYP51A1, without reduction of total cholesterol synthesis. The increased serum level of R_4β-hydroxycholesterol under fluconazole treatment is in contrast to the reductions observed under ketoconazole and itraconazole treatments. The question, whether this increase is caused by induction of CYP3A4 or by inhibition of the catabolism of 4β-hydroxycholesterol, must be answered by mechanistic in vitro and in vivo studies comparing effects of various azole antifungal agents on hepatic CYP3A4 activity.
Do skeletal Mg/Ca ratios of Arctic rhodoliths reflect atmospheric CO2 concentrations?
Authors: Teichert Sebastian , Voigt Nora , Wisshak Max
Published: November 2020

The rhodolith-forming coralline red algal species Lithothamnion glaciale is the key ecosystem engineer of rhodolith beds on the coast of Svalbard. Because it significantly increases local biodiversity in this high-Arctic environment, we investigate the potential impact of changing environmental parameters on its calcite skeleton. Using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and environmental data from the Norwegian government’s environmental monitoring, we show that the magnesium concentration within an analysed algal calcite skeleton decreases linearly and significantly over a 40-year time span (R2 = 0.267, pperm < 0.001). Mg/Ca ratios show the most significant correlation with atmospheric CO2 concentrations (R2 = 0.614, p < 0.001), and lower correlations to sea ice cover and seawater temperature. This raises the question of whether the Mg/Ca in the rhodolith skeleton is reflecting an increase in aqueous pCO2 that drives ongoing ocean acidification. Since such a change in geochemistry may alter the stability of the calcite skeleton, our results could imply an impact on the future role of the rhodoliths as ecosystem engineers and consequently on Arctic biodiversity.
Stellungnahme der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie e. V. (DGRh) zur Anwendung der Videosprechstunde in der Rheumatologie
Authors: Aries P. , Welcker M. , Callhoff J. , Chehab G. , Krusche M. , Schneider M. , Specker C. , Richter J. G.
Published: November 2020

Die Durchführung von Videosprechstunden wird seit mehreren Jahren als ergänzende Form der medizinischen Versorgung in Ergänzung zu einem persönlichen Arzt-Patienten-Kontakt angesehen und teilweise auch gefördert. Die COVID-19-Pandemie hat der Nutzung von Videosprechstunden ungeahnte Aktualität und Aufmerksamkeit verschafft. Die Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung beschloss Sonderregelungen im Rahmen der COVID-19-Pandemie, die bisherige Hindernisse für den Einsatz von Telemedizin und Videosprechstunden (und auch teilweise der herkömmlichen Telefonie) reduziert. Die vorliegende Stellungnahme der DGRh zum Einsatz von Videosprechstunden soll einen Überblick darüber geben, in welcher Form und mit welchen Limitierungen die Videosprechstunde in der Rheumatologie in Deutschland anwendbar ist. Die Stellungnahme skizziert einen Ausblick, wie die Videosprechstunde welche Funktionen zukünftig in der rheumatologischen Versorgung übernehmen kann.
The first case of autochthonous subcutaneous dirofilariasis (Dirofilaria repens) in a dog from Białowieża (NE Poland) and possible threat posed to inhabitants of Białowieża Primeval Forest area
Authors: Kołodziej-Sobocińska Marta , Miniuk Mariusz , Tokarska Małgorzata
Published: November 2020

We present the first case of dirofilariasis in a dog from Białowieża village located in the primeval European forest—Białowieża Primeval Forest (NE Poland). Molecular analysis of adult nematode specimens isolated from subcutaneous tissue confirmed the infection with Dirofilaria repens. An adult male dog has not travelled out of the Białowieża village for at least five years; therefore, we assume this is the autochthonous case of the disease. We discuss possible inter- and intra-species transmission routes of dirofilariasis on this territory, which is inhabited by diverse community of wild carnivores, domestic animals, and humans. We also discuss the likely sources of the disease in this, highly biodiverse unique European forest complex. We underline the lack of attention to this problem and its importance for veterinary, wildlife, and human health safety.
Investigation of the motion of magnetic nanoparticles in microfluidics with a micro domain model
Authors: Pálovics Péter , Rencz Márta
Published: November 2020

In this paper the magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) dynamics in a microfluidic device is investigated in the presence of an external magnetic field. The nanoparticles are used for enzyme-substrate reaction measurements, where the enzyme is immobilized to the surface of the nanoparticles. During the measurements the microreactors, called microchambers are filled up with the MNPs where the distribution of the nanoparticles significantly influences the results of the further reaction measurements. In this paper the procedure of the nanoparticle aggregation is investigated numerically in the microchamber in a micro domain simulation space. First the acting forces on the MNPs are examined from the different phenomena. An in-house numerical model is presented where the dynamics of several MNPs are simulated in the micro-size domain. This model is also embedded in the open source CFD software OpenFOAM. The theoretical calculations and the simulations show that the particle-particle interaction due to magnetization plays an important role during the aggregation procedure. The particles in the magnetic field cluster over the time into chains, which phenomenon is in good agreement with the literature. A theoretical model of the chain dynamics is also established, which is compared to the simulation results. The presented micro domain model was later used to improve an Eulerian-Eulerian based two-phase CFD model and solver, which is able to model the complete MNP aggregation procedure in the magnetic field in macroscopic domains.
An overview of cryptographic primitives for possible use in 5G and beyond
Authors: Yang Jing , Johansson Thomas
Published: November 2020

This survey overviews the potential use of cryptographic primitives in the fifth-generation mobile communications system (aka 5G) and beyond. It discusses the new security challenges that come with 5G and presents the upcoming security architecture. It shows the use of current cryptographic algorithms and discusses new algorithms or modifications of existing ones, that can be relevant. It also discusses the need for lightweight algorithms to meet the new use cases as well as the general demand for algorithms secure even when large quantum computers are available.
Contraccezione ormonale e funzione tiroidea
Authors: Torre Francesco , Calogero Aldo E. , Condorelli Rosita A. , Cannarella Rossella , Aversa Antonio , La Vignera Sandro
Published: November 2020

Sommario

Le disfunzioni della ghiandola tiroidea rappresentano un gruppo di patologie rilevanti sotto il profilo epidemiologico, specie nel sesso femminile. La terapia ormonale contraccettiva è capace di influenzare la funzione tiroidea modulando i livelli di TBG e SHBG e, sebbene frequentemente prescritta, esistono poche evidenze riassuntive circa i limiti prescrittivi nelle donne con disfunzione tiroidea. Lo scopo di questo articolo è quello di rivedere gli effetti del trattamento con levo-tiroxina (LT4) nelle donne in terapia ormonale contraccettiva e come quest’ultima influenzi la funzione tiroidea. La componente estrogenica è responsabile dell’aumento di TBG, SHBG e dei fattori di coagulazione. Per contro, la componente progestinica, attraverso l’azione anti-androgenica, è utile per mantenere basso il rischio tromboembolico e cardiovascolare. Ciò assume particolare rilevanza nelle donne affette da ipotiroidismo subclinico e in quelle trattate con LT4. Infatti, l’ipotiroidismo subclinico è associato a un aumentato volume piastrinico medio, il quale aumenta, a sua volta, il rischio cardiovascolare a causa dell’iperattività piastrinica dovuta alla incompleta maturazione megacariocitica.
Semi-fast convergent sequences and k-sums of central Cantor sets
Authors: Bartoszewicz Artur , Filipczak Małgorzata , Prus-Wiśniowski Franciszek
Published: November 2020

We study k-sums of central Cantor sets and present a full characterization of the case of positive measure for such k-sums. This generalizes the celebrated Sannami’s counterexample for the Palis hypothesis. Moreover, we find a characterization of all semi-fast convergent sequences generating central Cantor sets.
Evaluation of chipping and impregnation of Scots pine heartwood with sulfite cooking liquor
Authors: Gard Timmerfors Jessica , Gandla Madhavi Latha , Sjölund Torbjörn , Jönsson Leif J.
Published: November 2020

Heartwood and sapwood of Scots pine were procured and chipped using a newly developed pilot drum chipper, which for the heartwood resulted in a combined fraction of pin chips and fines of ~ 3%. Heartwood wood chips were processed using a set of 15 different reaction conditions that differed with respect to impregnation and cooking procedures. The result was evaluated with regard to absorption of impregnation liquid, pulp yield, fraction of reject, viscosity, kappa number, brightness, fiber properties, and chemical composition measured using two different techniques (compositional analysis using two-step hydrolysis with sulfuric acid and Py-GC/MS). The chemical analyses provided detailed information about how all main organic constituents of the wood, cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin, were affected by operational parameters. Inclusion of a pressurized (9 bar) impregnation step resulted in a more efficient cook, but the duration of the impregnation step (five minutes and four hours were compared) was not decisive for the outcome. Omission of the impregnation step or using low-pressure impregnation resulted in high fractions of reject, poor delignification, and, with a cooking time of two hours, no advantages with regard to fiber length and fraction of fines. The results indicate that the conditions used during impregnation, such as pressure, temperature, and acidity of impregnation liquid, warrant further attention in future studies.
The great Millennials’ trouble: leading or confused green generation? An Italian insight
Authors: Bonera Michelle , Codini Anna Paola , Miniero Giulia
Published: November 2020

The paper purpose is to investigate the green consumption behaviour of the Millennials generation. The paper aims to understand if all Italian Millennials are similar in terms of green consumption and if there are differences in adopting and consuming green products. As Millennials are considered the driving generation of the sustainable movement, thanks to their lifestyle and behaviours, our study tries to comprehend whether these consumers can be considered the leading “Green Generation”. We performed a cluster analysis, using the non-hierarchical method by applying the k-medium algorithm, segmenting Millennials. The segmentation was performed according to the reasons underlying and against green consumption. Then, green values and green consumer behaviour of the segments were analyzed. The results of our research reveal the existence of different clusters of Millennial consumers in terms of green attitude. Some confusion about green issues in the Millennials generation emerges, contrasting with the literature. Our results do not necessarily imply a negative attitude towards green values by Millennials, but different green attitudes among the clusters.