bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zwei Praxisbeispiele zur Querkrafttragfähigkeit von Brückenplatten aus Textilbeton
Authors: Bielak Jan , Will Norbert , Hegger Josef
Published: June 2020

Textilbewehrter Beton (TRC) bei Neubauteilen kombiniert Hochleistungstextilien mit einer neuen Generation hochfester Betone. Aufgrund der Korrosionsbeständigkeit der nichtmetallischen Bewehrung ist der Einsatz von TRC für Außenbauteile insbesondere bei Frost‐Tausalzbelastung vielversprechend. So können die Betondeckung und das Eigengewicht reduziert werden und die Herstellung schlanker Bauelemente sowie dünner Platten ohne zusätzliche Abdichtung oder Schutzbeläge ist möglich. Bei der Planung mehrerer Brücken im Remstal und in Ottenhöfen wurden theoretische Modelle und Erfahrungen aus Forschungsprojekten genutzt, um TRC‐Platten ohne Querkraftbewehrung einzusetzen. Begleitend zur Bauausführung wurden experimentelle Untersuchungen zur Querkrafttragfähigkeit durchgeführt, um die Qualität der Ausführung zu überprüfen und die Annahmen zu validieren. Der vorliegende Beitrag zeigt die Anwendungspotenziale sowie Herausforderungen für den Einsatz von TRC in Ingenieurbauwerken auf.
Scale‐Free Biology: Integrating Evolutionary and Developmental Thinking
Authors: Fields Chris , Levin Michael
Published: June 2020

When the history of life on earth is viewed as a history of cell division, all of life becomes a single cell lineage. The growth and differentiation of this lineage in reciprocal interaction with its environment can be viewed as a developmental process; hence the evolution of life on earth can also be seen as the development of life on earth. Here, in reviewing this field, some potentially fruitful research directions suggested by this change in perspective are highlighted. Variation and selection become, for example, bidirectional information flows between scales, while the notions of “cooperation” and “competition” become scale relative. The language of communication, inference, and information processing becomes more useful than the language of causation to describe the interactions of both homogeneous and heterogeneous living systems at any scale. Emerging scale‐free theoretical frameworks such as predictive coding and active inference provide conceptual tools for reconceptualizing biology as the study of a unified, multiscale dynamical system.
Compound optimal allocations for survival clinical trials
Authors: Baldi Antognini Alessandro , Novelli Marco , Zagoraiou Maroussa , Vagheggini Alessandro
Published: June 2020

The aim of the present paper is to provide optimal allocations for comparative clinical trials with survival outcomes. The suggested targets are derived adopting a compound optimization strategy based on a subjective weighting of the relative importance of inferential demands and ethical concerns. The ensuing compound optimal targets are continuous functions of the treatment effects, so we provide the conditions under which they can be approached by standard response‐adaptive randomization procedures, also guaranteeing the applicability of the classical asymptotic inference. The operating characteristics of the suggested methodology are verified both theoretically and by simulation, including the robustness to model misspecification. With respect to the other available proposals, our strategy always assigns more patients to the best treatment without compromising inference, taking into account estimation efficiency and power as well. We illustrate our procedure by redesigning two real oncological trials.
Simultaneous quantitative determination of liraglutide and insulin degludec in rat plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method and its application
Authors: Zhai Jianping , Li Li , Dong Lihou , Dong Kelly , Xiang Shensi , Gui Luolan , Zhang Jiaying , Song Haifeng , Ge Zhiqiang
Published: June 2020

A simple, fast and high‐throughput LC–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated to simultaneously measure liraglutide and insulin degludec in rat plasma. After protein precipitation, plasma samples were subjected to gradient elution using an InertSustain Bio C18 column with 1000/20/1 water/acetonitrile/formic acid (v/v/v) and 1000/1 acetonitrile/formic acid (v/v) as the mobile phase. The method was validated from 1.00 to 500 ng/mL of liraglutide and insulin degludec. Further, the extraction recovery from the plasma was 41.8%–49.2% for liraglutide and 56.5%–69.7% for insulin degludec. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision of liraglutide was 3.5%–9.4% and 8.4%–9.8%, respectively, whereas its accuracy was between −12.6% and −1.3%. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision of insulin degludec was 5.2%–13.6% and 11.8%–19.1%, respectively, showing an accuracy between −3.0% and 9.9%. As a result, the method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetics study of liraglutide and insulin degludec following a single‐dose subcutaneous administration to rats.
Identifying potential serum biomarkers of breast cancer through targeted free fatty acid profiles screening based on a GC–MS platform
Authors: Tan Binbin , Zhang Ying , Zhang Tiantian , He Jinsong , Luo Xueying , Bian Xiqing , Wu Jianlin , Zou Chang , Wang Yangzhi , Fu Li
Published: June 2020

Recent advances suggest that abnormal fatty acid metabolism highly correlates with breast cancer, which provide clues to discover potential biomarkers of breast cancer. This study aims to identify serum free fatty acid (FFA) metabolic profiles and screen potential biomarkers for breast cancer diagnosis. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and our in‐house fatty acid methyl ester standard substances library were combined to accurately identify FFA profiles in serum samples of breast cancer patients and breast adenosis patients (as controls). Potential biomarkers were screened by applying statistical analysis. A total of 18 FFAs were accurately identified in serum sample. Two groups of patients were correctly discriminated by the orthogonal partial least squares–discriminant analysis model based on FFA profiles. Seven FFA levels were significantly higher in serum from breast cancer patients than that in controls, and exhibited positive correlation with malignant degrees of disease. Furthermore, five candidates (palmitic acid, oleic acid, cis‐8,11,14‐eicosatrienoic acid, docosanoic acid and the ratio of oleic acid to stearic acid) were selected as potential serum biomarkers for differential diagnosis of breast cancer. Our study will help to reveal the metabolic signature of FFAs in breast cancer patients, and provides valuable information for facilitating clinical noninvasive diagnosis.
Differences in the preferential location and invasiveness of diffuse low‐grade gliomas and their impact on outcome
Authors: Latini Francesco , Fahlström Markus , Hesselager Göran , Zetterling Maria , Ryttlefors Mats
Published: June 2020

Background

Low‐grade gliomas (LGGs) are primary diffuse slow‐growing brain tumors derived from glial cells. The management of these tumors is dependent on their location, which often harbors eloquent areas. We retrospectively recorded the location of diffuse gliomas to identify whether specific differences exist between the histological types.

Methods

We analyzed 102 patients with previous histological diagnosis of WHO‐II astrocytomas (62) and WHO‐II oligodendrogliomas (40) according to WHO‐2016 classification. MRI sequences (T2‐FLAIR) were used for tumor volume segmentation and to create a frequency map of their locations within the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) space. The Brain‐Grid (BG) system (standardized radiological tool of intersected lines according to anatomical landmarks) was created and merged with a tractography atlas for infiltration analysis.

Results

Astrocytomas frequently infiltrated association and projection white matter pathways within fronto‐temporo‐insular regions on the left side. Oligodendrogliomas infiltrated larger white matter networks (association‐commissural‐projection) of the frontal lobe bilaterally. A critical number of infiltrated BG voxels (7 for astrocytomas, 10 for oligodendrogliomas) significantly predicted shorter overall survival (OS) in both groups. Bilateral tumor extension in astrocytomas and preoperative tumor volume in oligodendrogliomas were independent prognostic factors for shorter OS.

Conclusions

Astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas differ in preferential location, and this has an impact on the type and the extent of white matter involvement. The number of BG voxels infiltrated reflected different tumor invasiveness and its impact on OS in both groups. All this new information may be valuable in neurosurgical oncology to classify and plan treatment for patients with diffuse gliomas.
Transcatheter cerebral embolic protection during WATCHMAN procedure in two patients with persistent left atrial appendage thrombus: Case report with review of the literature
Authors: Tan Bryan E‐Xin , Depta Jeremiah P.
Published: June 2020

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has been increasingly used in patients with atrial fibrillation who are poor candidates for long‐term oral anticoagulation. The presence of a left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus is a contraindication for percutaneous LAAC. Despite oral anticoagulation, persistent thrombus is not uncommon. We describe the use of transcatheter cerebral embolic protection with the Sentinel cerebral protection system during LAAC using WATCHMAN in two atrial fibrillation patients who had persistent LAA thrombus despite oral anticoagulation.
Reduced Graphene Oxide Supported Ag Nanoparticles: An Efficient Catalyst for CO2 Conversion at Ambient Conditions
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Chen Kai‐Hong , Zhou Zhi‐Hua , He Liang‐Nian
Published: June 2020

A highly efficient carboxylative cyclization of propargylic alcohols with CO2 under atmospheric pressure catalyzed by silver (0) nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide (Ag‐rGO) is reported. Ag‐rGO was fully characterized by scanning electron microscope spectra (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra, Raman spectra and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Notably, Ag‐rGO can be also applied to the construction of other value‐added chemicals (β‐oxopropylcarbamates and 2‐oxazolidinones) from CO2 at ambient conditions. In addition, Ag‐rGO is stable and reusable, which shows the potential for the practical application for CO2 capture and utilization (CCU).
Vacuum Electrochemistry Approach to Investigate Electrical Double‐Layer Capacitances of Ionic Liquid for Epitaxial Thin‐Film Electrodes of TiO2 and SrO on Niobium‐Doped (001)SrTiO3
Authors: Takahashi Chika , Kanai Mariko , Maruyama Shingo , Matsumoto Yuji
Published: June 2020

Niobium‐doped (001)SrTiO3 (Nb:STO) single crystal, and epitaxial anatase (001)TiO2 and (001)SrO films, which were subsequently deposited on the Nb:STO by pulsed laser deposition, were electrochemically investigated with ionic liquid (IL) in a vacuum. After being prepared by cleaning and/or depositing the films, the electrode surfaces were characterized by observing the reflection of high‐energy electron diffraction, prior to the electrochemical measurements. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry were then performed, and the electrical double‐layer (EDL) capacitance at their interfaces with the IL were successfully evaluated. The EDL capacitance of IL was several μF cm−2 for Nb:STO and gradually increased to over 10 μF cm−2 with an increase of the thickness of the deposited TiO2 films. In contrast, as SrO was being deposited, the EDL capacitance gradually decreased, approaching a constant value of about 1.4 μF cm−2, which was significantly smaller than those values achieved for TiO2 films and single‐crystal Nb:STO. For different oxide/IL interfaces, a possible correlation between their measured EDL capacitance and the ionicity of the oxides is discussed.
Polyaniline/Copper Composite Anode Current Collectors Prepared through Electrochemical Polymerization for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Yunyan , Xiao Rengui , Liao Xia , Ma Zhiming , Huang Yu , Li Qianqian
Published: June 2020

Herein, a new type of composite anode with a Cu foil current collector modified with polyaniline (PANI) was prepared (PANI/Cu). SEM manifests that the PANI layer is 1.8 μm thick and composed of PANI particles with a diameter of 50 nm nanometers, which provides a large contact surface area to enhance the strength of adhesion to the electrode material. FTIR and UV/Vis analysis confirmed that the PANI layer existed in the emeraldine (conductive) form. Half‐cells were assembled by using PANI/Cu and bare/Cu (both coated with Li4Ti5O12 electrode material) as the working electrode, and Li wafers as the counter electrode. Cycling performance tests demonstrated that, after cycling for 500 cycles at 1 C, the discharge capacity was 155.0 mAh g−1 and 137.6 mAh g−1 for PANI/Cu battery and bare/Cu battery, respectively. Electrochemical impedance revealed the impedance of the PANI/Cu battery is decreased effectively by the PANI layer.
Sodium‐Ion Selectivity Study of a Crown‐Ether‐Functionalized PEDOT Analog
Authors: Salinas Gerardo , Villarroel Marquez Ariana , Idir Maël , Shinde Shekhar , Frontana‐Uribe Bernardo A. , Raoux Matthieu , Lang Jochen , Cloutet Eric , Kuhn Alexander
Published: June 2020

An electropolymerized ion‐selective poly‐3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) analog is presented in this Communication. Poly‐(2‐phenyl‐15crown‐5‐(3,4‐ethylene‐dioxythiophene)‐amine) (PEDOT‐Crown15) showed excellent electrochemical stability with a fast electron transfer (ΔEp=50 mV). In comparison with unmodified PEDOT, a faster change from isolating to conducting state was observed. This is attributed to the formation of a well‐ordered internal polymer matrix, caused by the aniline‐Crown15 moiety. In situ electrochemical conductance measurements in the presence of different monovalent cations showed high affinity for Na+ ions, as evidenced by the decrease in the conductance of the polymer in comparison with K+ and Li+. This selectivity is attributed to a limitation of the charge hopping conductance.
Influences of soil amendments on alfalfa production and soil properties
Authors: DeSutter T. M. , Breker M. , Chatterjee A. , O'Brien P. L. , Wick A.
Published: June 2020

Millions of acres of agricultural soils in the Northern Great Plains have excessive levels of sodium (Na) which reduces their productivity potentials. Soil function in Na‐affected soils may be improved by soil amendments, but the effectiveness of these amendments is dependent on many site‐specific characteristics. This study investigated how three amendments (with three application rates), gypsum, spent lime (5, 15, and 30 ton ac−1), and potassium‐magnesium sulfate (1, 2.5, 5 ton ac−1), affected alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) production and soil parameters at a site with subsurface tile drainage and a site without tile drainage over 4 yr. Notably, over the course of the study, none of the amendments affected alfalfa production or quality at either site, although the highest rate of potassium‐magnesium sulfate reduced biomass production by about 10%. After 4 yr within the 0‐ to 6‐ in depth, the amendments lowered electrical conductivity (EC) and %Na at the tiled site compared to the control but not at the nontiled site. Moreover, the higher rates of each amendment decreased %Na compared to initial conditions, but after 4 yr, these treatments were not different from the control (alfalfa only). This study determined that the use of a perennial crop, such as alfalfa, may be as effective as amendments in reducing the negative effects of Na on soil properties.
Tyrosine Conjugation Methods for Protein Labelling
Authors: Alvarez Dorta Dimitri , Deniaud David , Mével Mathieu , Gouin Sébastien G.
Published: June 2020

Over the last two decades, the development of chemical biology and the need for more defined protein conjugates have fostered active research on new bioconjugation techniques. In particular, a wide range of biorthogonal labelling strategies have been reported to functionalise the phenol side chain of tyrosines (Tyr). Tyr occur at medium frequency and are partially buried at the protein surface, offering interesting opportunities for site‐selective labelling of the most reactive residues. Tyr‐targeting has proved effective for designing a wide range of important biomolecules including antibody–drug conjugates, fluorescent or radioactive protein probes, glycovaccines, protein aggregates, and PEG conjugates. Innovative methods have also been reported for site‐specific labelling with ligand‐directed anchors and for the specific affinity capture of proteins. This review will present and discuss these promising alternatives to the conventional labelling of the nucleophilic lysine and cysteine residues.
Borate Hydrides as a New Material Class: Structure, Computational Studies, and Spectroscopic Investigations on Sr5(BO3)3H and Sr5(11BO3)3D
Authors: Wylezich Thomas , Valois Renaud , Suta Markus , Mutschke Alexander , Ritter Clemens , Meijerink Andries , Karttunen Antti J. , Kunkel Nathalie
Published: June 2020

The unprecedented borate hydride Sr5(BO3)3H and deuteride Sr5(11BO3)3D crystallizing in an apatite‐related structure are reported. Despite the presence of hydride anions, the compound decomposes only slowly in air. Doped with Eu2+, it shows broad‐band orange‐red emission under violet excitation owing to the 4f65d–4f7transition of Eu2+. The observed1H NMR chemical shift is in good agreement with previously reported1H chemical shifts of ionic metal hydrides as well as with quantum chemical calculations and very different from1H chemical shifts usually found for hydroxide ions in similar materials. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy of different samples containing1H,2H,natB, and11B combined with calculations unambiguously prove the absence of hydroxide ions and the sole incorporation of hydride ions into the borate. The orange‐red emission obtained by doping with Eu2+shows that the new compound class might be a promising host material for optical applications.
Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Heterocyclic Vicinal Fluoroamines by Using Asymmetric Protonation: Method Development and Mechanistic Study
Authors: Ashford Matthew W. , Xu Chao , Molloy John J. , Carpenter‐Warren Cameron , Slawin Alexandra M. Z. , Leach Andrew G. , Watson Allan J. B.
Published: June 2020

A catalytic enantioselective synthesis of heterocyclic vicinal fluoroamines is reported. A chiral Brønsted acid promotes aza‐Michael addition to fluoroalkenyl heterocycles to give a prochiral enamine intermediate that undergoes asymmetric protonation upon rearomatization. The reaction accommodates a range of azaheterocycles and nucleophiles, generating the C−F stereocentre in high enantioselectivity, and is also amenable to stereogenic C−CF3 bonds. Extensive DFT calculations provided evidence for stereocontrolled proton transfer from catalyst to substrate as the rate‐determining step, and showed the importance of steric interactions from the catalyst's alkyl groups in enforcing the high enantioselectivity. Crystal structure data show the dominance of noncovalent interactions in the core structure conformation, enabling modulation of the conformational landscape. Ramachandran‐type analysis of conformer distribution and Protein Data Bank mining indicated that benzylic fluorination by this approach has the potential to improve the potency of several marketed drugs.
Functions of Phytic Acid in Fabricating Metal‐Free Carbocatalyst for Oxidative Coupling of Benzylamines†
Authors: Zhao Chuanchuan , Gao Yongjun , Zhang Ziyi , Ma Ding
Published: June 2020

Summary of main observation and conclusion

Sustainable phytic acid and cellulose are selected as precursors to fabricate P‐doped carbon material (C‐P‐500), which possesses the high surface area and exhibits excellent catalytic activity and stability in the oxidative coupling of benzylamines (conversion > 95%, yield > 95%). During the carbonization of cellulose in the muffle furnace, phytic acid can efficiently prevent the cellulose‐derived carbon from combustion and create micro/meso porous structure because of its special function of fire retardation. Control experiments and characterizations demonstrate that P‐containing groups anchoring on C‐P‐500 improve the catalytic performance of carbocatalyst in the oxidation of benzylamines to imines. The excellent catalytic activity of C‐P‐500 should be contributed collectively by carbonyl and P=O(OH)2 groups. Due to the sustainable property of precursors and simple methodology for fabricating P‐doped carbocatalyst, along with the moderate reaction conditions, it is a green catalytic system for the oxidative coupling of benzylamines to imines.
Aryl DiazoniumSalt‐TriggeredCyclization and Cycloaddition Reactions: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Zhang Fa‐Guang , Chen Zhen , Cheung Chi Wai , Ma Jun‐An
Published: June 2020

Aryl diazonium salts occupy a privileged role in synthetic chemistry owing to their ready availability and versatile reactivity. While their applications in accessing diversely functionalized arene derivatives via denitrogenation‐coupling and reduction/addition reactions have been well recognized by practitioners in both academia and industry, recent renaissance in chemical transformations of retaining the key N2‐unit has emerged as a powerful technique to construct variousN‐heterocycles. This review covers the history and latest advances in cyclization and cycloaddition reactions using aryl diazonium salts as N2‐annulation synthons. The scope, applications, and opportunities in exploring new chemical space by this sustainable strategy are summarized and discussed.
Ensuring transparency and traceability of food local products: A blockchain application to a Smart Tourism Region
Authors: Baralla Gavina , Pinna Andrea , Tonelli Roberto , Marchesi Michele , Ibba Simona
Published: June 2020

This article proposes a blockchain oriented platform to guarantee the origin and provenance of food items in a Smart Tourism Region context. Local food and beverage, in fact, can become a good combination to attract tourist and to promote the area provided that their provenance is clearly certified. We designed and developed a blockchain‐based system to manage an agri‐food supply chain for tracking food items. By using smart contracts the platform guarantees transparency, efficiency and trustworthiness. Our system is particularly suitable to manage cold chain since the system interfaces with IoT network devices providing detailed information about data monitoring food such as storage temperature, environment humidity, and GPS data. All involved actors can share data and information in a more efficient, transparent, and tamper proof way than traditional systems. The final consumer can access with transparency to all the agri‐food chain of the purchased product and verify provenance by retrieving all detailed information registered in the blockchain public ledger. The proposed system has been designed according to the ABCDE method, an agile development process recently conceived, to obtain a higher software quality to design a general blockchain system by means software engineering practices. A real case study applied to local products from Sardinia, Italy, is proposed at the end of the article.
In Vitro Evaluation of Toxicant Influences on the Immune System
Authors: Kasten‐Jolly Jane , Lawrence David A.
Published: June 2020

Culture of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) still remains a convenient and sensitive method for measurement of a person's immune system health. Basic elements of the process, namely PBMC purification and culture medium formulation, were first reported in the late 1960s, and the utility of the method for clinical application was reported in the 1970s. Clinically, the approach can provide information about the ability of an individual's immune system to fight off attacks by various pathogens. Over the years, the method has undergone many improvements, which have been aided by advancements made in flow cytometry technology and the development of fluorescent reagents. The protocols presented here describe flow cytometry–based techniques for PBMC culture that can be employed to determine the impact of various environmental toxicants on the immune system. A major advantage of these procedures is that they will provide information about a toxicant or drug through in vitro methods. As the relationship between exposures to certain toxicants and an individual's response to vaccinations has been of concern, one of the protocols described shows how to test an environmental toxicant for potential modification of the immune response to vaccine antigen(s). © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Measurement of cell proliferation

Support Protocol 1: Blood cell counting

Support Protocol 2: Measurement of cell viability after culturing

Basic Protocol 2: Identification of affected naïve/memory cell subsets
Comparative phenomics of annual grain legume root architecture
Authors: Burridge James D. , Rangarajan Harini , Lynch Jonathan P.
Published: June 2020

Suboptimal water and P availability are primary limitations to grain legume production. Root architecture influences water and P acquisition, but tradeoffs need to be better understood and mitigated. We hypothesized that tradeoffs in root class investment and resource acquisition strategy would be observable in a variety of grain legumes. Diversity panels of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray), cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), and single accessions of other legumes were phenotyped in the field. We identified inverse relationships among investments in different root classes in most species, and between indicators of deep and shallow exploration in all species. Bean and tepary bean showed particularly strong tradeoffs in investment patterns among root classes, whereas chickpea and groundnut show less pronounced tradeoffs. We found that legume root architectural phenotypes can be placed on a root system architecture (RSA) spectrum, and that root phenotypes of epigeal and hypogeal taxa present distinct adaptive mechanisms. These life strategies integrating resource acquisition, use, and phenology are exemplified by contrasting chickpea, with many root axes, to tepary bean with few root axes and a contrasting water use strategy. We propose several RSA ideotypes and highlight how dimorphic root architecture may co‐optimize resource acquisition.
Boosting Transport Kinetics of Cobalt Sulfides Yolk–Shell Spheres by Anion Doping for Advanced Lithium and Sodium Storage
Authors: Wang Bo , Cheng Yafei , Su Hao , Cheng Min , Li Yan , Geng Hongbo , Dai Zhengfei
Published: June 2020

Cobalt sulfides have been popularly used in energy storage because of their high theoretical capacity and abundant redox reactions. However, poor reaction kinetics, rapid capacity decay, and severe polarization owing to volume changes during electrochemical reaction are still huge challenges for cobalt sulfides in practical applications. Herein, cobalt sulfide yolk–shell spheres were synthesized by phosphorus doping (P‐CoS) to stabilize the structure of cobalt sulfides and improve their electronic/ion conductivity. Kinetic tests and density functional theory calculations confirm that the introduction of phosphorus into cobalt sulfides greatly reduces the diffusion barrier of Li+ in the intrinsic structure, thereby improving the reaction kinetics of electrode materials during the Li+ insertion/extraction process. In consequence, the P‐CoS electrode delivers a high lithium storage capacity (781 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 A g−1), excellent rate capability (489 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1), and outstanding cycling stability (no significant capacity decay over 4000 cycles at 5 A g−1). Especially for sodium‐ion battery application, the P‐CoS electrode expresses a striking capacity of approximately 260 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1 after 900 cycles.
An alternative method for smear preparation of fine‐needle aspiration cytology of cystic thyroid lesions: Evaluation of sample adequacy
Authors: Xavier‐Júnior José Cândido Caldeira , Zogheib Rodrigo José Pizzello , Camilo‐Júnior Deolino João , D'ávilla Solange Correa Garcia Pires , Mattar Neivio José
Published: June 2020

Background

Cystic thyroid lesions represent one of the most common causes of unsatisfactory fine‐needle aspiration sampling. Thus, it is important to access the maximum number of follicular cells from cystic fluid in order to reduce unsatisfactory rates. We compared the traditional method of smearing with an alternative one.

Methods

For each thyroid nodule, two smears were collected. Each smear was prepared using a distinct approach: either using the traditional technique or the alternative. Clinical data were taken from cytopathological request forms. The cytological aspects of the smears (eg, adequacy and number of cells) were observed during microscopy analysis. No cases were found to be suspicious for malignancy during ultrasound analysis (categories TR1 or TR2 according to ACR TI‐RADS).

Results

Thirty‐five cases were analyzed. For smears prepared using both the traditional and the alternative techniques, 20 and 4 cases, respectively, were unsatisfactory. In the 20 unsatisfactory traditional smear cases, 9 (45%) showed enough cells for diagnosis in cytospin and/or cell block samples; the four unsatisfactory alternative method cases showed the same. There was a statistical difference between the two methods of collecting a smear concerning sample adequacy (P < .001), but there was no statistical difference regarding the cellularity (P = .842).

Conclusion

In our data, the alternative method of using only one slide and the needle tip had higher rates of adequate sampling. Since it is cost effective and does not change the cytological analysis, this proposed alternative method can be useful in cases of cystic thyroid lesions.
Fluid preservation causes minimal reduction of parasite detectability in fish specimens: A new approach for reconstructing parasite communities of the past?
Authors: Fiorenza Evan A. , Leslie Katie L. , Torchin Mark E. , Maslenikov Katherine P. , Tornabene Luke , Wood Chelsea L.
Published: June 2020

Long‐term datasets are needed to evaluate temporal patterns in wildlife disease burdens, but historical data on parasite abundance are extremely rare. For more than a century, natural history collections have been accumulating fluid‐preserved specimens, which should contain the parasites infecting the host at the time of its preservation. However, before this unique data source can be exploited, we must identify the artifacts that are introduced by the preservation process. Here, we experimentally address whether the preservation process alters the degree to which metazoan parasites are detectable in fluid‐preserved fish specimens when using visual parasite detection techniques. We randomly assigned fish of three species (Gadus chalcogrammus, Thaleichthys pacificus, and Parophrys vetulus) to two treatments. In the first treatment, fish were preserved according to the standard procedures used in ichthyological collections. Immediately after the fluid‐preservation process was complete, we performed parasitological dissection on those specimens. The second treatment was a control, in which fish were dissected without being subjected to the fluid‐preservation process. We compared parasite abundance between the two treatments. Across 298 fish individuals and 59 host–parasite pairs, we found few differences between treatments, with 24 of 27 host–parasite pairs equally abundant between the two treatments. Of these, one pair was significantly more abundant in the preservation treatment than in the control group, and two pairs were significantly less abundant in the preservation treatment than in the control group. Our data suggest that the fluid‐preservation process does not have a substantial effect on the detectability of metazoan parasites. This study addresses only the effects of the fixation and preservation process; long‐term experiments are needed to address whether parasite detectability remains unchanged in the months, years, and decades of storage following preservation. If so, ecologists will be able to reconstruct novel, long‐term datasets on parasite diversity and abundance over the past century or more using fluid‐preserved specimens from natural history collections.
Permafrost thaw stimulates primary producers but has a moderate effect on primary consumers in subarctic ponds
Authors: Wauthy Maxime , Rautio Milla
Published: June 2020

Frozen tundra soils hold one of the Earth's largest pools of organic carbon. Climate warming and the associated permafrost thaw release a large fraction of this carbon into circumpolar lakes, inducing extreme browning that fuels the heterotrophic microbial food web. How this permafrost carbon affects organisms higher in the food chain remains unknown. Using dissolved organic matter properties, total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, fatty acids, and stable isotopes, we investigated the influence of thawing permafrost on primary producers and primary consumers of the planktonic food web. We sampled four subarctic thaw ponds that were affected by permafrost carbon and another four ponds that were not. Our results highlight the stimulating influence of eroding and degrading ice‐rich permafrost on nutrients and planktonic algae. Relative to the non‐thaw ponds, the permafrost thaw‐influenced freshwaters had higher total phosphorus concentrations (14.8 vs. 70.4 µg/L, respectively). This in turn led to a higher chlorophyll a (2.7 vs. 45.2 µg/L) and seston omega‐3 fatty acid concentrations (7.3 vs. 53.5 µg/L) despite significantly reduced light for primary production. Differences between the thaw and non‐thaw ponds were less marked at the primary consumer level. Daphnia pulex, which dominated the crustacean zooplankton community, did not respond to the higher omega‐3 availability in the thaw ponds but rather assimilated the high‐quality fatty acids equally in all ponds, possibly because their metabolic needs were already saturated. However, some lower quality terrestrial carbon compounds from permafrost ended up in the D. pulex body mass, resulting in a median allochthony of 18% based on fatty acid mixing model; non‐thaw ponds had median allochthony mixing model estimates of 8%. The high availability of algal resources seemed to prevent extensive zooplankton allochthony in subarctic thaw ponds.
Efficacy and safety of sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibition according to left ventricular ejection fraction in DAPA‐HF
Authors: Dewan Pooja , Solomon Scott D. , Jhund Pardeep S. , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Køber Lars , Kosiborod Mikhail N. , Martinez Felipe A. , Ponikowski Piotr , DeMets David L. , Sabatine Marc S. , Bengtsson Olof , Sjöstrand Mikaela , Langkilde Anna Maria , Anand Inder S. , Bělohlávek Jan , Chopra Vijay K. , Dukát Andrej , Kitakaze Masafumi , Merkely Béla , O'Meara Eileen , Schou Morten , Vinh Pham Nguyen , McMurray John J.V. ,   DAPA‐HF Investigators and Committees
Published: June 2020

Aims

The aim of this study was to examine whether left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) modified efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin 10 mg compared with placebo in the 4744 patients with LVEF ≤40% randomized in the Dapagliflozin And Prevention of Adverse‐outcomes in Heart Failure trial (DAPA‐HF).

Methods and results

We examined whether LVEF, analysed categorically or continuously, modified the effect of dapagliflozin. The primary efficacy outcome was the composite of a worsening heart failure (HF) event (unplanned HF hospitalization/an urgent HF visit requiring intravenous therapy) or cardiovascular death. Mean LVEF was 31.1% and LVEF categories analysed were: <26% (n = 1143), 26–30% (n = 1018), 31–35% (n = 1187), and >35% (n = 1396). Each 5% decrease in LVEF was associated with a higher risk of the primary outcome [hazard ratio (HR) 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–1.24]. The benefit of dapagliflozin was consistent across the spectrum of LVEF: the dapagliflozin vs. placebo HR was 0.75 (95% CI 0.59–0.95) for LVEF <26%, 0.75 (0.57–0.98) for LVEF 26–30%, 0.67 (0.51–0.89) for LVEF 31–35%, and 0.83 (0.63–1.09) for LVEF >35% (P for interaction = 0.762). Similarly, the effect of dapagliflozin on the components of the primary endpoint was not modified by baseline LVEF (P for interaction for cardiovascular death = 0.974, and for worsening HF = 0.161). Safety of dapagliflozin was also consistent across the range of LVEF and neither efficacy nor safety were modified by diabetes status.

Conclusion

Left ventricular ejection fraction was a significant predictor of hospitalization and mortality in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction but did not modify the beneficial effect of dapagliflozin, overall or separately, in patients with and without diabetes.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03036124
Site‐Specific N2‐dG DNA Adducts: Formation, Synthesis, and TLS Polymerase‐Mediated Bypass
Authors: Ghodke Pratibha P. , Pradeepkumar Pushpangadan I.
Published: June 2020

The N2‐position of deoxyguanosine (dG) in DNA is susceptible to modification by various damaging agents. These modifications (lesions or adducts) can stall the DNA replication by replicative polymerases, and if the common DNA repair pathways do not remove them, it can result in genomic instability. This generally leads to the death or oncogenic transformation of the cell. An important mechanism to deal with this problem is Translesion synthesis (TLS), a bypass mechanism, which involves the tolerance of DNA damage by low‐fidelity DNA polymerases (TLS polymerases). To understand the accuracy of TLS polymerases, a chemical biology approach is required. In this review, we discuss the reliable methods to synthesize specific N2‐dG DNA adducts and how they are tolerated by bacterial TLS polymerase Pol IV and its mammalian orthologue hpol κ. Molecular insights on the accurate bypass of these adducts emerge from the primer extension assays, X‐ray crystallographic, and molecular modeling studies are reviewed here.
Efficient Multigram Approach to Acetylenes and CF3‐ynones Starting from Dichloroalkenes Prepared by Catalytic Olefination Reaction (COR)
Authors: Muzalevskiy Vasiliy M. , Sizova Zoia A. , Diusenov Arstan I. , Shastin Alexey V. , Nenajdenko Valentine G.
Published: June 2020

A novel approach to terminal acetylenes based on catalytic olefination reaction COR of arylaldehydes to form dichloroalkenes followed by treatment with nBuLi was elaborated. This method is atom economical and displays high yields and effectivity. The corresponding alkynes can be prepared in up to 97 % yield. One pot procedure towards CF3‐ynones was elaborated to provide these products in up to 87 % yield starting from dichloroalkenes.
Facile Synthetic Route to [3.n]Thiacyclophanes through Ring‐Closing Metathesis and their Structural Studies
Authors: Kotha Sambasivarao , Gupta Naveen Kumar , Ansari Saima
Published: June 2020

We report a useful synthetic strategy to assemble constrained [3.n] thiacyclophanes using Grignard reaction and Ti(OiPr)4 assisted ring‐closing metathesis (RCM). This method is viable to access para, metapara, and meta isomers of thiacyclophanes. The structures of thiacyclophanes were confirmed unambiguously by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies and compared with computationally optimized structures. It is implied that out of four methods (ab initio and DFT), MP2/6‐31G (d,p) is reasonably a better method for predicting structural parameters for this class of thiacyclophanes.
Tapered stem geometry provides superior initial fixation stability to cylindrical stem geometry in the setting of severe bone loss: A finite element analysis
Authors: Kosmopoulos Victor , Russell Robert D. , Rodrigues Danieli C. , Bucci Gabriella , Huo Michael H.
Published: June 2020

Initial stability of cementless stems used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) is critical for subsequent osseointegration at the bone/implant interface. In the setting of revision THA, there is frequently less intact femoral bone available for fixation of the new stem. This study aims to compare the initial fixation stability between a cylindrical and tapered stem, designed for diaphyseal fixation in a revision THA setting, with increasing bone defect severity. Using finite element analysis, severe Paprosky Type III femoral bone defects were simulated. The cylindrical stem had a 13.3% higher construct stiffness as compared to the tapered stem for the least severe bone defect modeled. In contrast, for the most severe bone defect, the tapered stem showed a 12.3% higher construct stiffness than the cylindrical stem. At the bone/implant interface, the tapered design resulted in less than 20 μm of maximum tangential micromotion for all the bone defect models, whereas the cylindrical stem exceeded 20 μm for all and was as high as 70 μm in the most severe case. Given the limitations of the models presented, the results suggest the tapered stem obtained superior initial fixation as compared to cylindrical stem with increasing bone defect severity.
Imposing accurate wall boundary conditions in corrective‐matrix‐based moving particle semi‐implicit method for free surface flow
Authors: Duan Guangtao , Matsunaga Takuya , Yamaji Akifumi , Koshizuka Seiichi , Sakai Mikio
Published: June 2020

Corrective matrix that is derived to restore consistency of discretization schemes can significantly enhance accuracy for the inside particles in the Moving Particle Semi‐implicit method. In this situation, the error due to free surface and wall boundaries becomes dominant. Based on the recent study on Neumann boundary condition (Matsunaga et al, CMAME, 2020), the corrective matrix schemes in MPS are generalized to straightforwardly and accurately impose Neumann boundary condition. However, the new schemes can still easily trigger instability at free surface because of the biased error caused by the incomplete/biased neighbor support. Therefore, the existing stable schemes based on virtual particles and conservative gradient models are applied to free surface and nearby particles to produce a stable transitional layer at free surface. The new corrective matrix schemes are only applied to the particles under the stable transitional layer for improving the wall boundary conditions. Three numerical examples of free surface flows demonstrate that the proposed method can help to reduce the pressure/velocity fluctuations and hence enhance accuracy further.
Platysma skin flap: Laryngeal repair material to produce phonatory flap vibrational wave
Authors: Chen Ling , Chen Renhui , Guan Zhong , Lin Peiliang , Liang Faya , Han Ping , Yang Jinshan , Zhu Wenying , Cai Qian
Published: June 2020

The platysma skin flap was used for laryngeal reconstruction after vertical partial laryngectomy to improve the postoperative voice quality of patients with T2 and T3 glottic laryngeal carcinoma. Sixty‐nine patients with unilateral T2 and T3 glottic laryngeal carcinoma were included. Forty‐six patients received vertical partial laryngectomy, and a platysma skin flap was used for laryngeal reconstruction. The other 23 patients underwent transoral laser microsurgery. Subjective and objective examinations were performed to evaluate laryngeal morphology after the surgery. Acceptable voice quality was achieved for 46 patients who underwent vertical partial laryngectomy. Flap vibrational waves occurred in 19 cases (41.3%). The platysma skin flap is an ideal tissue for the reconstruction of articulation structure in open surgery of T2 and T3 unilateral glottic laryngeal carcinoma.
A Mystery Tale: Nickel Is Fickle When Snails Fail—Investigating the Variability in Ni Toxicity to the Great Pond Snail
Authors: Crémazy Anne , Brix Kevin V , Smith D Scott , Chen Weibin , Grosell Martin , Schlekat Christian E , Garman Emily R , Middleton Elizabeth T , Wood Chris M
Published: June 2020

Dissolved Ni concentrations inhibiting the growth of juvenile great pond snails (Lymnaea stagnalis) have been documented to vary from about 1 to 200 µg L−1 Ni. This variability makes L. stagnalis either a moderately sensitive or the most sensitive freshwater species to chronic Ni exposure tested to date. Given the role of sensitive species in environmental risk assessment frameworks, it is particularly important to understand this variability, i.e., to characterize the factors that modulate Ni toxicity and that may confound toxicity test outcomes when uncontrolled. In the present study, we tested if this variability was due to analytical (growth calculation: biomass versus growth rate), environmental (water quality), lab-specific practices, and/or snail population differences among earlier studies. Specifically, we reanalyzed previously published Ni toxicity data and conducted additional measurements of Ni aqueous speciation, short-term Ni uptake, and chronic Ni toxicity with test waters and snail cultures used in previous studies. Corrections for Ni bioavailability and growth calculations explained a large degree of variability in the published literature. However, a residual 16-fold difference remained puzzling between 2 studies: Niyogi et al. (2014) (low ECxs) and Crémazy et al. (2018) (high ECxs). Indeed, differences in metal bioavailability due to water chemistry, lab-specific practices, and snail population sensitivity could not explain the large variation in Ni toxicity in these 2 very similar studies. Other potentially important toxicity-modifying factors were not directly evaluated in the present work: test duration, diet, snail holding conditions, and snail age at onset of testing. The present analysis highlights the need for further studies to elucidate 1) the mechanisms of growth inhibition in Ni-exposed L. stagnalis and 2) the important abiotic and biotic factors affecting this biological response. Until these processes are understood, substantial uncertainties will remain about inclusion of this species in Ni environmental risk assessment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:983–997. © 2020 SETAC
Assessment of the preparedness of obstetrics and gynecology healthcare systems during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Libya
Authors: Elhadi Muhammed , Msherghi Ahmed , Elgzairi Moutaz , Alsuyihili Ali , Elkhafeefi Fatimah , Bouhuwaish Ahmad , Biala Marwa
Published: June 2020

An adequate strategy is urgently required during the COVID‐19 pandemic for screening pregnant women and newborns, increasing infection control measures, and supplying personal protective equipment and hospital equipment.
Enabling accurate indoor localization for different platforms for smart cities using a transfer learning algorithm
Authors: Maghdid Halgurd S. , Ghafoor Kayhan Zrar , Al‐Talabani Abdulbasit , Sadiq Ali Safaa , Singh Pranav Kumar , Rawat Danda B.
Published: June 2020

Indoor localization algorithms in smart cities often use Wi‐Fi fingerprints as a database of Received Signal Strength (RSS) and its corresponding position coordinate for position estimation. However, the issue of fingerprinting is the use of different platform‐devices. To this end, we propose a Long Short‐Term Memory (LSTM)‐based novel indoor positioning mechanism in smart city environment. We used LSTM, a type of recurrent neural network to process sequential data of users trajectory in indoor buildings. The proposed approach first utilizes a database of normalizing fingerprint landmarks to calculate WiFi Access Points (WAPs) RSS values to mitigate the fluctuation issue and then apply the normalization parameters on the RSS values during the online phase. Afterwards, we constructed a transfer model to adapt the RSS values during the offline phase and then applying it on the RSS values from the different smartphones during the online phase. Thorough simulation results confirm that the proposed approach can obtain 1.5 to 2 meters positioning accuracy for indoor environments, which is 60% higher than traditional approaches.