bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomics and Phenotypical Characterization of Two New Lytic Bacteriophages for Biocontrol of Salmonella enterica
Authors: Pottker Emanuele Serro , Webber Bruna , Cibulski Samuel , Zanella Ricardo , Girardi Viviane , Núncio Adriana Souto Pereira , Santos Luciana Ruschel dos , Nascimento Vladimir Pinheiro do , Rodrigues Laura Beatriz
Published: January 2021

Aims: To perform the isolation, characterization and sequencing of the bacteriophages. To demonstrate that the bacteriophages can be used for biocontrol of different Salmonella enterica serovars.

Study Design: This study was an experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Bacteriology and Mycology Laboratory in the Veterinary Hospital at the Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine of the University of Passo Fundo (FAMV/UPF), Biotechnology Center (CBiotec) of the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Center for Microscopy and Microanalysis at the Faculty of Veterinary of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), between January – September 2016.

Methodology: Twelve Salmonella enterica serovars (S. Anatum, S. Agona, S. Brandenburg, S. Bredeney, S. Infantis, S. Lexington, S. Panama, S. Rissen, S. Schwarzengrund, S. Tennessee, S. Enteritidis ATCC 13076 and S. Typhimurium ATCC 14028) were selected to be the hosts. We isolate, purify, produce and determine the bacteriophage titers to verify the potential for lysis of these phages against the hosts. Having determined the action of the phages against the hosts, we performed the sequencing of the bacteriophages on the Illumina Mi-Seq platform and the morphology was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results: We isolated, characterized and sequenced the genome of two new bacteriophages, Salmonella phage UPF_BP1, belonging to the family Podoviridae and Salmonella phage UPF_BP2, family Myoviridae. UPF_BP1 has lytic action against seven tested Salmonella enterica serovars, while UPF_BP2 has action against the twelve tested serovars.

Conclusion: The two new bacteriophages have a lytic action against different Salmonella enterica serovars, feeding our expectations for the development of alternatives for the use of antimicrobials, being possible candidates for use as a biocontrol of Salmonella enterica in food, animals and the environment.
Hindsight bias in judgments of the predictability of flash floods: An experimental study for testimony at a court trial and legal decision making
Authors: Yama Hiroshi , Akita Masashi , Kawasaki Takuya
Published: January 2021

As part of the first author's expert testimony at a court trial, we investigated hindsight bias in perceptions of the predictability of a real flash flood. Participants were presented with pictures taken before the flash flood and asked to rate the muddiness of the water and judge the likelihood of flooding in Experiment 1. Participants who were informed that a flash flood had occurred perceived the river as muddier and judged a flood to be more likely than control participants. Their judgment was biased by hindsight. The results of Experiment 2 revealed that when the causality from muddiness to flooding was instructed, participants judged the river as muddier. These results were interpreted as top‐down perception being implicitly adjusted by outcome information and causality information. The judges decided that the defendants had no responsibility to predict the flash flood, taking the hindsight bias into consideration.
Step‐By‐Step Atomic Insights into Structural Reordering from 2D to 3D MoS2
Authors: Inani Heena , Shin Dong Hoon , Madsen Jacob , Jeong HyunJeong , Kwon Min Hee , McEvoy Niall , Susi Toma , Mangler Clemens , Lee Sang Wook , Mustonen Kimmo , Kotakoski Jani
Published: January 2021

Vertically stacked low‐dimensional heterostructures are outstanding systems both for exploring fundamental physics and creating new devices. Due to nanometer‐scale building blocks, atomic scale phenomena become for them of fundamental importance, including during device operation. These can be accessed in situ in aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) experiments. Here, the dynamics of a graphene‐MoS2 heterostructure are studied under Joule heating, where the graphene serves as a high temperature atomically thin and electron transparent “hot plate” for the MoS2. Structural dynamics and evolution of the system are shown at the atomic scale, demonstrating that at the highest temperatures (estimated to exceed 2000 K), the continuous 2D MoS2 transforms into separated 3D nanocrystals, initiated by sulfur vacancy creation and migration followed by formation of voids and clustering at their edges. The resulting nanocrystals exhibit predominantly hexagonal shapes with the 2H and hybrid (2H/3R, 3R/TZ) polytypes. The observed morphology of the crystals is further discussed during and after the transformation, as well as their different edge configurations and stability under electron irradiation. These observations of MoS2 at extreme temperatures provide insights into the operation of devices based on graphene/MoS2 heterostructures and ultimately may help device fabrication techniques to create MoS2‐based nanostructures, for example, in hydrogen evolution reaction applications.
Amorphous Dual‐Layer Coating: Enabling High Li‐Ion Conductivity of Non‐Sintered Garnet‐Type Solid Electrolyte
Authors: Gao Yuan , Sun Shuyang , Zhang Xin , Liu Yongfeng , Hu Jianjiang , Huang Zhenguo , Gao Mingxia , Pan Hongge
Published: January 2021

Garnet‐type oxide Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO) has attracted considerable attention as a highly promising solid state electrolyte. However, its high ionic conductivity is achievable only after high temperature sintering (≈1200 °C) to form dense pellets but with detrimental brittleness and poor contact with electrodes. Herein, a novel strategy to achieve high Li+ ion conductivity of LLZTO without sintering is demonstrated. This is realized by ball milling LLZTO together with LiBH4, which results in a LLZTO composite with unique amorphous dual coating: LiBO2 as the inner layer and LiBH4 as the outer layer. After cold pressing the LLZTO composite powders under 300 MPa to form electrolyte pellets, a high Li+ ion conductivity of 8.02 × 10–5 S cm–1 is obtained at 30 °C, which is four orders of magnitude higher than that of the non‐sintered pristine LLZTO pellets (4.17 × 10–9 S cm–1). The composite electrolyte displays an ultrahigh Li+ transference number of 0.9999 and enables symmetric Li–Li cells to be cycled for 1000 h at 60 °C and 300 h at 30 °C. The significant improvements are attributed to the continuous ionic conductive network among LLZTO particles facilitated by LiBH4 that is chemically compatible and electrochemically stable with Li metal electrode.
Time‐Modulated Metasurface‐Assisted Measurements
Authors: Ghasemi Sepideh , Rajabalipanah Hamid , Tayarani Majid , Abdolali Ali , Baharian Mohammad
Published: January 2021

This paper explores time‐modulated metasurface‐assisted waveguide setups for the unique and accurate permittivity and permeability extraction of lossy dispersive samples with phase‐less measurements. It is theoretically demonstrated that when the position of the short‐circuit termination is dynamically modulated in a predefined way, the phase information of the reflection S‐parameter manifests itself into the amplitude level of the emerging harmonics. Being insensitive to the calibration plane shifts and phase uncertainties in reflection measurements while bypassing a priori knowledge about the material under test (MUT) and also the transmission information, can be regarded as the main advantages of the proposed time‐modulated material characterization approach. Using a simple post‐processing step, several illustrative examples are presented to numerically verify the validity of the proposed approach for some applicable and practical types of homogeneous materials. Two possible realization schemes based on mechanical actuation and electrical phase control are comprehensively discussed. An uncertainty analysis to examine how realization tolerances can affect the accuracy of results is also performed. The effectiveness of the proposed method is further experimentally demonstrated using a programmable phase‐agile metasurface. By involving the temporal dimension, the proposed strategy takes a great step forward in the phase‐less reconstruction of electromagnetic parameters.
Ultrahigh Detectivity in Spatially Separated Hole/Electron Dual Traps Based Near‐Infrared Organic Phototransistor
Authors: Shou Meihua , Zhang Qinglei , Li Hao , Xiong Shicheng , Hu Bangyao , Zhou Jiadong , Zheng Nan , Xie Zengqi , Ying Lei , Liu Linlin
Published: January 2021

In phototransistors, the photovoltaic‐induced current is proportional to the turn‐on voltage shift and the total number of trapped charges. However, it is challenging to obtain a high turn‐on voltage shift simply by using minority carrier trap sites because high‐concentration carrier trap sites introduce strong current traps and carrier recombination. In this study, spatially separated, hole/electron, dual traps are introduced into a phototransistor, demonstrating the possibility of combining hole and electron traps without and with illumination, respectively, to obtain a large turn‐on voltage shift. The near‐infrared phototransistor demonstrates a high light‐to‐dark current ratio (1 × 106) alongside a turn‐on voltage shift of 28 V. The current quenching of the charge trap is effectively compensated by the threshold voltage shift, resulting in an increase of the drain–source current. The dual traps induce a low‐noise current and a high photoresponsivity (5.26 × 103 A W–1) under the same gate voltage (Vg = 0 V), exhibiting an ultrahigh detectivity ( = 1.88 × 1015 Jones; = 8.21 × 1016 Jones).
Self‐Calibrated, Sensitive, and Flexible Temperature Sensor Based on 3D Chemically Modified Graphene Hydrogel
Authors: Wu Jin , Huang Wenxi , Liang Yuning , Wu Zixuan , Zhong Bizhang , Zhou Zijing , Ye Jindong , Tao Kai , Zhou Yubin , Xie Xi
Published: January 2021

During the long‐term operation of temperature sensors, periodical calibration is required to achieve accurate readings, which usually requires bulky and costly heating facilities for calibration. Herein, a new kind of self‐calibrated thermistors using embedded microheaters as a self‐heating platform are proposed for in situ, convenient, cost‐effective, and fast self‐calibration. Furthermore, the thermal sensing properties of 3D reduced graphene oxide hydrogel (RGOH) is explored for the first time based on this microheater platform. It is found that the a 3D sulfonated RGOH (S‐RGOH) based thermistor displays high sensitivity (2.04% K−1), extraordinary resolution (0.2 °C), a broad detection range (26–101 °C), good repeatability, and stability. The thermal sensitivity of S‐RGOH is far superior to that of pristine RGOH, revealing the remarkable role of chemical modification in enhancing temperature sensing performance. In addition to self‐calibration, the microheaters are also used for characterizing temperature‐dependent properties and thermal annealing of S‐RGOH in situ. The thermal sensing mechanism is proposed and the high sensitivity is discussed by considering the abundant functional groups, defects, and 3D porous structure of S‐RGOH. The flexible S‐RGOH thermistor fabricated on a liquid crystal polymer substrate is immune to mechanical flexion, allowing for various practical applications in future wearable electronics.
Rice yield potential as a function of sowing date in southern Brazil
Authors: Duarte Ary Jose , Streck Nereu Augusto , Zanon Alencar Junior , Ribas Giovana Ghisleni , da Silva Michel Rocha , Cera Jossana Ceolin , do Nascimento Moises de Freitas , Pilecco Isabela Bulegon , Puntel Simone
Published: January 2021

Most studies about yield potential (Yp) of modern rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties have been grown under tropical conditions of Asia, and little is known about the rice Yp in the subtropics of Brazil, the biggest rice producer outside Asia. Playing a key role in the global rice production, it is necessary to estimate the amount of rice that Brazil can potentially produce. The objective of this study is to provide estimations of Yp in southern Brazil by using the SimulArroz v1.1 and ORYZA v3 models. Models were calibrated and evaluated with data collected from five growing seasons across Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state in Brazil, where the cultivar IRGA 424 RI was sown from September to December. Both models presented similar performance in simulating phenology, with root mean square error (RMSE) of 9 d for ORYZA and 11 d for SimulArroz. For grain yield, the RMSE was 1.0 and 0.9 t ha−1 for ORYZA and SimulArroz, respectively. Using the SimulArroz model, yield potential maps were drawn, which ranged from <6 t ha−1 to >14 t ha−1, according to the region and sowing date. The penalty in Yp caused by the delay in sowing date is 0.03 t ha day−1 from 1 September to 13 October, 0.08 t ha day−1 from 14 October to 21 December, and 0.29 t ha day−1 after 21 December. SimulArroz model is a suitable model for studies on rice Yp in the Brazilian subtropics.
Characterization and expression profile analysis of the 3‐phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase family in rice
Authors: Wang Baoxiang , Guo Tao , Wang Haifeng , Li Jingfang , Sun Zhiguang , Liu Yan , Xing Yungao , Xu Bo , Yang Bo , Li Jian , Chi Ming , Liu Jinbo , Chen Tingmu , Xu Dayong , Zhu Guanglong
Published: January 2021

The plastidial 3‐phosphoglycerate (3‐PGA) pathway plays an important role in supplying serine in non‐photosynthetic tissues in plants under environmental stresses. Synthesis of serine in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is intangible, but little kinetic and structural information for enzymes is available. In this study, a comprehensive characterization and analysis of phylogenetic variable was carried out on three 3‐phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PGDH) members in rice, in addition to an analysis of their whole‐life expression patterns. All of the Oryza sativa phosphoglycerate dehydrogenases (OsPGDHs) have three highly conserved motifs. The three genes were detected in all tissues and development stages in (Oryza sativa, ssp. japonica Nipponbare) by quatitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Under abiotic stresses, such as salt, drought, oxidative and low temperature, the expressions of all these OsPGDHs were significantly altered. These results highlighted the importance of the OsPGDH family in phosphorylated serine biosynthesis pathway in rice.
Probing the binding interaction of zinc (II) Schiff bases with bovine serum albumin: A spectroscopic and molecular docking study
Authors: Sen Chowdhury Megha , Sarkar Anwita , Rai Sristi Raj , Dasgupta Sanchari , Majumder Ishani , Bhattacharya Abir , Das Debasis , Bose Debosreeta , Mukhopadhyay Jayanta , Mukhopadhyay Madhumita
Published: January 2021

Entrapping of potent Schiff base with biomimetic environment using fluorescence properties enables better understanding of their interaction for drug‐based application. A detailed photophysical study of zinc (II) Schiff bases, 2,6‐bis((E)‐((2‐(dimethylamino) ethyl)imino)methyl)‐4‐R‐phenol, where R = methyl/tertiary butyl/chloro is reported by utilizing bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the bio membrane. Steady state absorption and emission studies of Schiff base‐protein system have been found to get altered by change in the compartmental ligand. Alternation of polarity caused by such compartmental ligands is reported by comparing the fluorescence behavior of the probes in microheterogeneous environment in a mixture of dioxane and water of varying composition. Hildebrand equation accounts for negative binding constants among BSA with Schiff base with Cl (‐I) group as the compartmental ligand in contrast to the positive magnitudes with ligands exhibiting +I effect. Functionality of such compartmental ligands (intra interactions studied using Hirshfeld analyses) upon binding with the protein is also studied in terms of quenching and denaturation studies. Schiff base with Me is found to be the most favorable ligand that bound to BSA as corroborated from the binding, quenching, micropolarity, and docking studies. Molecular docking studies predict the affinity energies for suitable binding conformations to be ~ − 6 kcal mol−1 for BSA‐Schiff base (with Me ligand).
Design, synthesis, structural inspection of Pd2+, VO2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+chelates incorporating ferrocenyl thiophenol ligand: DNA interaction and pharmaceutical studies
Authors: Aljohani Enas T. , Shehata Mohamed R. , Abu‐Dief Ahmed M.
Published: January 2021

Some new transition metal chelates ([M(FSH)2] and [M(FSH) (CH3COO−or NO3−)], where M = Pd2+, VO2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, and cations) incorporating ferrocenyl thiophenol imine ligand (FSH) were prepared. Various spectral and physicochemical studies were performed to elucidate the geometric structure of the investigated compounds. The spectral data of FSH imine ligand and its metal chelates were explained concerning the structural changes due to complex formation. From the electronic spectra and the magnetic moments, the information about geometric structures can be concluded. The activation thermodynamic parameters of the thermal degradation for FSH complexes were calculated utilizing the method of Coats–Redfern. Correlation of all physicochemical tools employed in the investigation and DFT calculation, FSH imine ligand acts as a bidentate ligand and coordinates to Mn2+in octahedral geometry, VO2+in square pyramidal geometry, Pd2+in square planner geometry and Zn2+in distorted octahedral geometry. in vitro antimicrobial, anticancer and antioxidant activities of FSH ligand and its complexes were checked. All complexes exhibited superiority on the free ligand in successful treatment, specifically the FSHPd complex. The new complexes were subjected to study their DNA binding via various methods such as spectrophotometry, viscosity and gel electrophoresis. Their binding feature to ctDNA was proposed to be electrostatic, intercalation or replacement mode. Finally, the molecular docking studies were performed to understand the essence of the protein synthesized compounds' binding and binding affinity (PDB:3hb5).
Study on CO2 gasification properties of coal gasification wastewater slurry
Authors: Liu Jianzhong , Li Dedi , Wang Jianbin , Chen Zhi , Cheng Jun , Cen Kefa
Published: January 2021

Coal water slurry technology and gasification technology are used to simultaneously treat wastewater and CO2; coal water slurry is prepared from fixed‐bed coal gasification wastewater; and then, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier‐transform infrared spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectrometry, and X‐ray diffraction are used to analyze the characteristic parameters of CO2 gasification and the products that formed. The results reveal the following: (a) compared with coal water slurry, coal gasification wastewater slurry shows decreases in the gasification start temperature, gasification weight loss peak temperature, and gasification end temperature of 12°C, 22°C, and 17°C, respectively, and shows increases in the maximum and average reaction rates. In addition, the reactivity index for coal gasification wastewater slurry is found to be 14.29% higher than that for ordinary coal water slurry. (b) Coal gasification wastewater slurry produces more methane and other aliphatic hydrocarbon gases in the pyrolysis stage and more CO in the coke gasification stage than coal water slurry. (c) Coal gasification wastewater slurry contains many small particles and flocs on the surface of the coal and a high Na content (up to 8.07%) in the microarea. In addition, a richer pore structure exists on the surface of the gasification residue of the coal gasification wastewater slurry. (d) The components of the gasification residue for coal gasification wastewater slurry show relatively larger changes. Moreover, the catalytic effect of alkali metal may be weakened due to the reaction of the minerals in the coal to form a complex.
On the behavior of the black hole candidate 1E 1740.7‐2942's corona based on long‐term INTEGRAL database
Authors: Stecchini Paulo Eduardo , Leão Jurandi , Castro Manuel , D'Amico Flavio
Published: January 2021

One of the most straightforward ways to explain the hard X‐ray spectra observed in X‐ray binaries is to assume that comptonization of soft photons from the accretion disk is occurring. The region where this process takes place, called the corona, is characterized by only two parameters: its thermal energy kT and its optical depth τ. Hard X‐ray spectra analysis is, thus, an imperative tool in diagnosing the behavior of these parameters. The lack of consistency in obtaining/analyzing long‐term databases, however, may have been hindering this kind of characterization from being attained. With the aim of better understanding the corona behavior in the black hole candidate 1E 1740.7‐2942, we performed a homogeneous analysis for a large hard X‐ray data set from the ISGRI telescope on‐board the INTEGRAL satellite. Results from modeling the spectra show that, for most of our sample, unsaturated thermal comptonization is the main mechanism responsible for the hard X‐ray spectra observed in 1E 1740.7‐2942. Moreover, such extensive database allowed us to produce what is probably the longest hard X‐ray light curve of 1E 1740.7‐2942 and whose units—due to recent findings regarding dynamical quantities of the system—could be expressed in % of Eddington's luminosity.
Designing a Zn(BF4)2‐Based Ionic Liquid Electrolyte to Realize Superior Energy Density in a Carbon‐Based Zinc‐Ion Hybrid Capacitor
Authors: Zhang Li , Wang Gaowei , Feng Jianze , Ma Quanhu , Liu Ziqiang , Yan Xingbin
Published: January 2021

Carbon‐based zinc‐ion hybrid capacitors (C‐ZIHCs), inheriting the merits from supercapacitors and batteries, exhibit promise in energy‐storage technologies. However, unsatisfactory energy density still hinders their practical applications for most reported C‐ZIHCs. We report a novel Zn(BF4)2/[EMIM]BF4 electrolyte to construct C‐ZIHCs with a high energy density. The Zn(BF4)2/[EMIM]BF4 electrolyte features high reductive/oxidative stability, which guarantees no significant dendrites and side reactions to corrode the Zn anode during the charging/discharging process, and achieves ultrafast Zn plating/stripping with a high coulombic efficiency (>99 %) and unprecedented cycling stability (over 1200 h). By virtue of the excellent properties of the electrolyte, C‐ZIHCs is built to exhibit a high average output voltage (1.9 V), a high energy/power density (220 Wh kg−1/9.5 KW kg−1), and a long cycle life (95 % capacity retention after 20000 cycles). Herein, we report the use of Zn salt‐based ionic liquid as an electrolyte to construct C‐ZIHCs, which provides a new opportunity for the development of C‐ZIHCs with excellent comprehensive performance.
Cobalt‐Catalyzed C—H Allylation of Arenes with Allylic Amines
Authors: Yan Rui , Yu Hang , Wang Zhong‐Xia
Published: January 2021

Main observation and conclusion

[Cp*Co(CO)I2] effectively catalyzes pyridyl‐directed C—H allylation of arenes with allylic amines in the presence of AgOAc and CF3COOAg. The reaction features ortho‐position monoallylation of 2‐pyridylarenes, giving the allylated arenes in moderate to high yields. A range of functional groups including OMe, Me, Ph, F, Cl, Br, CF3, C(O)Me, COOEt, and COOH groups are tolerated. Pyrimidyl‐directed C—H allylation of arenes were also performed under the same conditions. Reaction of 2‐phenylpyrimidine, 2‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)pyrimidine, and 2‐(3‐fluorophenyl)pyrimidine leads to a mixture of ortho‐position mono‐ and bisallylation products. Reaction of other 2‐(substituted aryl)pyrimidines resulted in ortho‐position monoallylation products.
Kinetics and energetics of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Fleischer Holger , Greiner Gerhard , Horlacher Bernhard , Maier Heike , Öttinger Markus
Published: January 2021

Die durch Mangan(IV)‐oxid katalysierte Disproportionierung von Wasserstoffperoxid zu Wasser und Sauerstoff wird für die experimentelle Erschließung von Themen im Chemieunterricht der Sekundarstufe 2 verwendet. Anhand einfacher Experimente wird verdeutlicht, dass die Mangan‐Ionen in der Reaktion zwischen zwei Oxidationsstufen „pendeln“, worauf das Konzept des katalytischen Zyklus aufgebaut wird. Zur Durchführung kalorimetrischer und kinetischer Experimente wurde eine pneumatische Apparatur entwickelt. In ihr wird der Umsatzgrad des Wasserstoffperoxids über die Masse von Wasser bestimmt, das vom entstehenden Sauerstoff verdrängt wird. Diese Methode ermöglicht einerseits eine größere Genauigkeit als die Messung des Gasvolumens, andererseits können die Daten der Waage über ein Messwerterfassungssystem auf einem Computer gespeichert und verarbeitet werden. Mit der Apparatur ergab sich für die Reaktionswärme der Disproportionierung von einem Mol Wasserstoffperoxid ein Wert von 96 kJ, in guter Übereinstimmung mit anderen Arbeiten. Mit einer leicht abgewandelten Apparatur wurde die Kinetik der Reaktion untersucht. Die Daten ergaben eine Reaktion erster Ordnung, in Übereinstimmung mit Angaben aus der Literatur.
Collaborative Platform Trials to Fight COVID‐19: Methodological and Regulatory Considerations for a Better Societal Outcome
Authors: Collignon Olivier , Burman Carl‐Fredrik , Posch Martin , Schiel Anja
Published: January 2021

For the development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) drugs during the ongoing pandemic, speed is of essence whereas quality of evidence is of paramount importance. Although thousands of COVID‐19 trials were rapidly started, many are unlikely to provide robust statistical evidence and meet regulatory standards (e.g., because of lack of randomization or insufficient power). This has led to an inefficient use of time and resources. With more coordination, the sheer number of patients in these trials might have generated convincing data for several investigational treatments. Collaborative platform trials, comparing several drugs to a shared control arm, are an attractive solution. Those trials can utilize a variety of adaptive design features in order to accelerate the finding of life‐saving treatments. In this paper, we discuss several possible designs, illustrate them via simulations, and also discuss challenges, such as the heterogeneity of the target population, time‐varying standard of care, and the potentially high number of false hypothesis rejections in phase II and phase III trials. We provide corresponding regulatory perspectives on approval and reimbursement, and note that the optimal design of a platform trial will differ with our societal objective and by stakeholder. Hasty approvals may delay the development of better alternatives, whereas searching relentlessly for the single most efficacious treatment may indirectly diminish the number of lives saved as time is lost. We point out the need for incentivizing developers to participate in collaborative evidence‐generation initiatives when a positive return on investment is not met.
Simple and hardware‐efficient row‐based direct‐mapping estimators in fixed‐width modified Booth multipliers
Authors: Li Chung‐Yi , Chen Yuan‐Ho , Lai Lu‐An , Ye Wen‐Chi , Yang Jun
Published: January 2021

The great demand of high‐performance fixed‐width two's‐complement modified Booth multipliers (FWBM) arises because of the wide applications of approximate computing. In this paper, a row‐based direct‐mapping (RDM) method for designing error estimators in FWBM is proposed. The proposed closed form is derived from probability summation of each entire row to avoid the long setup time of exhaustive simulations. Consequently, a simple and systematic procedure by the Karnaugh map can be utilized to design low‐error and hardware‐efficient compensation circuits for various widths of FWBMs. By checking the leading column of the truncation part, the extendable design principle can be easily applied to different lengths and different columns inspected. We use Synopsys Design Compiler and TSMC 90 nm standard cell library to synthesize the register transfer language (RTL) design of our proposed estimators. In addition, the RDM is synthesized using the Xilinx Vivado tool with Xilinx Kintex‐7 XC7K325T‐2FFG900C FPGA. Results of software simulation, hardware synthesis, and implementation experiment validate the high accuracy, hardware saving, and power efficiency of the proposed RDM estimators.
Effects of relativistic and ponderomotive nonlinearities on the interaction of high‐power laser beam with an inhomogeneous warm plasma
Authors: Fallah Reza , Khooniki Reza , Khorashadizadeh Seyed Mohammad , Niknam Ali Reza
Published: January 2021

The influence of relativistic‐ponderomotive nonlinearities and the plasma inhomogeneity on the nonlinear interaction between a high‐power laser beam and a warm underdense plasma are studied. It is clear that the relativistic ponderomotive force and the electron temperature modify the electron density distribution and consequently change the dielectric permittivity of the plasma. Therefore, by presenting the modified electron density and the nonlinear dielectric permittivity of the warm plasma, the electromagnetic wave equation for the propagation of intense laser beam through the plasma is derived. This nonlinear equation is numerically solved and the distributions of electromagnetic fields in the plasma, the variations of electron density, and plasma refractive index are investigated for two different background electron density profiles. The results show that the amplitude of the electric field and electron density oscillations gradually increase and decrease, during propagation in the inhomogeneous warm plasma with linear and exponential density profiles, respectively, and the distribution of electron density becomes extremely sharp in the presence of intense laser beam. It is also indicated that the electron temperature and initial electron density have an impact on the propagation of the laser beam in the plasma and change the plasma refractive index and the oscillations' amplitude and frequency. The obtained results indicate the importance of a proper choice of laser and plasma parameters on the electromagnetic field distributions, density steepening, and plasma refractive index variations in the interaction of an intense laser beam with an inhomogeneous warm plasma.
Trophic divergence of Lake Kivu cichlid fishes along a pelagic versus littoral habitat axis
Authors: Munyandamutsa Philippe S. , Jere Wilson L. , Kassam Daud , Mtethiwa Austin
Published: January 2021

Local adaptation to the littoral and pelagic zones in two cichlid haplochromine fish species from Lake Kivu was investigated using morphometrics. Cranial variation and inferred jaw mechanics in both sexes of the two species across the two habitat types were quantified and compared. Comparisons of littoral versus pelagic populations revealed habitat‐specific differences in the shape of the feeding apparatus. Also, kinematic transmission of the anterior jaw four‐bar linkage that promotes greater jaw protrusion was higher in the pelagic zone than in the littoral zone for both species. Inferred bite force was likewise higher in pelagic zone fish. There were also sex‐specific differences in craniofacial morphology as males exhibited longer heads than females in both habitats. As has been described for other cichlids in the East African Great Lakes, local adaptation to trophic resources in the littoral and pelagic habitats characterizes these two Lake Kivu cichlids. Similar studies involving other types of the Lake Kivu fishes are recommended to test the evidence of the observed trophic patterns and their genetic basis of divergences.
Globally, plant‐soil feedbacks are weak predictors of plant abundance
Authors: Reinhart Kurt O. , Bauer Jonathan T. , McCarthy‐Neumann Sarah , MacDougall Andrew S. , Hierro José L. , Chiuffo Mariana C. , Mangan Scott A. , Heinze Johannes , Bergmann Joana , Joshi Jasmin , Duncan Richard P. , Diez Jeff M. , Kardol Paul , Rutten Gemma , Fischer Markus , van der Putten Wim H. , Bezemer Thiemo Martijn , Klironomos John
Published: January 2021

Plant‐soil feedbacks (PSFs) have been shown to strongly affect plant performance under controlled conditions, and PSFs are thought to have far reaching consequences for plant population dynamics and the structuring of plant communities. However, thus far the relationship between PSF and plant species abundance in the field is not consistent. Here, we synthesize PSF experiments from tropical forests to semiarid grasslands, and test for a positive relationship between plant abundance in the field and PSFs estimated from controlled bioassays. We meta‐analyzed results from 22 PSF experiments and found an overall positive correlation (0.12 ≤  ≤ 0.32) between plant abundance in the field and PSFs across plant functional types (herbaceous and woody plants) but also variation by plant functional type. Thus, our analysis provides quantitative support that plant abundance has a general albeit weak positive relationship with PSFs across ecosystems. Overall, our results suggest that harmful soil biota tend to accumulate around and disproportionately impact species that are rare. However, data for the herbaceous species, which are most common in the literature, had no significant abundance‐PSFs relationship. Therefore, we conclude that further work is needed within and across biomes, succession stages and plant types, both under controlled and field conditions, while separating PSF effects from other drivers (e.g., herbivory, competition, disturbance) of plant abundance to tease apart the role of soil biota in causing patterns of plant rarity versus commonness.
Fire threatens the diversity and structure of tropical gallery forests
Authors: Armenteras Dolors , Meza María Constanza , González Tania Marisol , Oliveras Immaculada , Balch Jennifer K. , Retana Javier
Published: January 2021

Gallery forests are widespread in most tropical savanna landscapes creating a mosaic of grass‐dominated systems with tree components and forest patches. Interactions among water, nutrient availability, and wildfires have influenced the structure, patterns, and processes of these landscape systems and have shaped today’s biodiversity in the savanna–forest transitions of the Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela. However, savanna fires have become larger and more frequent in these areas. In order to investigate the impacts of fire on gallery forests, we established 18 forest plots of 0.1 ha within three different fire exposures: (1) fire affected forests along the edge (<100 m) from open savanna to gallery forest (burned edge), (2) fire affected closed forests (burned interior; >100 m from the edge), and (3) no evidence of fire (unburned). We identified responses of the vegetation to fire (through natural regeneration) by analyzing the compositional and structural changes and quantifying fire‐related functional traits for the most abundant tree species. We surveyed 128 species, corresponding to 77 genera and 35 families. Tree height is over 10.70 m (± 2.72) in unburnt forests. Dead tree presence in burnt edges (21.76% ± 24.3) almost doubles that of burnt interior (13.08% ± 15.73). The aboveground biomass (AGB) of unburnt forests (176.9 Mg/ha) was more than double that of the interior burnt forests (74.4 Mg/ha) and four times higher that AGB in the edge burnt sites (41.3 Mg/ha). Of the most abundant species, 62% were classified as fire‐sensitive species, 14% were fire survivors and 24% were resistant to fires and mostly present in communities with lower diversity. Although fire‐tolerant species in general presented thicker barks, higher wood densities, and higher leaf dry matter content, no clear pattern of fire response was associated only with functional traits. Thus, overall fire is resulting in strong compositional changes, with more fire‐resistant species, which are species that establish in disturbed areas and encouraging grasses, resulting in savanna encroachment into gallery forests. Consequences on the long‐term should be monitored.
Directional Oxygen Functionalization by Defect in Different Metamorphic‐Grade Coal‐Derived Carbon Materials for Sodium Storage
Authors: Zhao Hanqing , Zhao Dan , Ye Jianqi , Wang Pengfei , Chai Maosheng , Li Zhong
Published: January 2021

As the limiting factor for an energy storage technique from lab‐scale to industrial‐scale, cost means not only the price of raw materials but also the simplicity of processing technics. In this work, the oxygen functionalized carbon materials were obtained from three representative different metamorphic‐grade coals, that is, lignite, bitumite, anthracite. Oxygen functional groups like quinones, carboxylic anhydrides, and lactones are easier to form near defects according to the thermogravimetric‐mass spectrometry measurements and density functional theory calculation. Considering the highest amount of defects and C=O contained functional groups, the low metamorphic‐grade lignite derived carbon exhibits a reversible capacity of 259.7 mA h g−1 after 50 cycles at 0.03 A g−1, best among these micron sized coal‐based carbons. The surface active sites contribute highly stable and majority of sodium storage capacity evidenced by in situ Raman spectra and cyclic voltammetry curves at different scan rates. The coal‐based carbon materials in this work offer options for industrial applications of sodium‐ion battery anode materials.
Oil Diffusion in Fat Crystal Matrices: Characterization by NMR Relaxometry and Diffusometry
Authors: Nelis Veronique , De Neve Lorenz , Danthine Sabine , Dewettinck Koen , Martins José C. , Van der Meeren Paul
Published: January 2021

A novel technique based on high resolution (HR)‐NMR diffusometry is presented to investigate oil diffusion on the (sub)‐micron scale level in fat crystal networks in situ and in a non‐destructive way. The use of a high‐gradient probe enables the observation of the time (Δ)‐dependent diffusion behavior in fat blends (FBs) of different solid fat content (SFC), as obtained by mixing soft palm mid fraction and high‐oleic sunflower oil. Hereby, the NMR‐diffusion data are analyzed using CONTIN to obtain a continuous distribution of diffusion coefficients. As such, the hindrance of the oil diffusion by the fat crystal network is examined. The characterization of the lipid matrices is completed with 1H‐LR‐NMR relaxometry, X‐ray diffraction, and microstructural visualization. For the investigated FBs, the average diffusion coefficient D(Δ) decreased with increasing SFC, indicating an increased tortuosity of the diffusive path due to an increasing density of the fat crystal networks as observed by polarized light microscopy. This is also supported by an increase in crystal surface area which is indicated by T2‐relaxation analysis. This study shows that NMR diffusometry is a promising technique for investigation of structure‐function relationships in fat systems.

Practical Applications: The study shows that NMR diffusometry is a promising technique for investigation of structure‐function relationships in fat systems. For the first time, oil diffusion in fat crystal networks has been studied by HR‐NMR diffusometry with high gradients to collect the diffusional echo signals, while CONTIN‐analysis has been used for the first time to process the data.
A novel defoamer for processing nuclear waste: Testing and performance
Authors: Lambert Dan P. , Nikolov Alex D. , Wasan Darsh T. , Williams Matthew S. , Howe Anthony M. , Woodham Wesley H.
Published: January 2021

Legacy radioactive waste from nuclear weapons material processing is the biggest environmental challenge in the state of South Carolina, and one of the biggest in the United States. Although substantial progress has been made in processing and vitrifying high‐level radioactive waste at the Savannah River site, approximately 35 million gallons remains to be treated and dispositioned. In this article, we show the development of a new defoamer for use in the processing of high‐level radioactive waste. The application of the new defoamer is not only more effective at controlling foam but will shorten the batch processing time leading to safer and more efficient processing. This has the potential to help shorten the overall site mission lifetime, saving the federal government hundreds of millions of dollars. The novel aspect of the new defoamer is its effectiveness and stability in the harsh conditions needed for processing high‐level radioactive waste: high temperatures, pH 4–13, strong oxidizing and reducing agents, and numerous metal catalysts. The defoamer will replace an existing antifoam agent that decomposes to form multiple flammable gases. Because the existing antifoam agent decomposes quickly, processing changes increased processing time.

Statement of novelty

We demonstrate that a new defoamer has been developed for use in processing high‐level radioactive waste. This novel defoamer is effective and stable in the harsh processing conditions with no detectable flammable by‐products. Because the existing antifoam agent decomposes quickly, processing changes, including lowering acid addition rates and evaporation rates, increased processing time. The new defoamer is not only more effective at controlling foam but will shorten the batch processing time and lead to safer and more efficient processing by eliminating the production of flammable gases.

Statement of industrial relevance

Foaming is of great concern in many industrial processes involving three‐phase gas/liquid/fine‐solids systems, like in water evaporation, mineral floatation, air sparging in situ remediation techniques, and in those found in the paper industry.
Highlighting the cathodic contribution of an electrooxidation pretreatment study on waste activated sludge disintegration
Authors: Sari Erkan Hanife , Bakaraki Turan Nouha , Onkal Engin Guleda
Published: January 2021

In this study, the effect of the cathodic contribution in the performance of electro‐oxidation (EO) pretreatment of waste activated sludge (WAS) was investigated using different electrode pairs, namely titanium dioxide (TiO2)/TiO2, TiO2/TiO2 coated Platine (Pt) and TiO2/TiO2 coated ruthenium dioxide (RuO2) and main operational parameters such as dosage of electrolyte solution (Na2SO4), initial pH, applied current, and electrolysis time were optimized. Disintegration degree (DD) in terms of soluble chemical oxygen demand (CODs) increased with an increase in initial pH of WAS, applied current, and electrolysis time for all pairs of electrodes. Under the optimized conditions (5 g/L Na2SO4, pH 10, 3 A of current, and 100 min of e time), a maximum DD value of 23.93 and 14.26% was obtained using TiO2/RuO2 and Pt/TiO2 electrodes, respectively. However, lower DDCOD value of 12.85% was obtained for TiO2/TiO2 electrodes at similar conditions except for 4 A current. Soluble extracellular polymeric substances analysis and their protein and polysaccharide concentrations confirmed the disintegration of WAS flocs by the EO process. The operational cost (OC) of applied processes was also calculated and OC values were found in the following order: TiO2/RuO2 (46.54 €/m3) > TiO2/TiO2 (41.77 €/m3) > TiO2/Pt (32.99.54 €/m3) from the point of energy consumption.
Consumer acceptance of egg white partially substituted with mushrooms and mushroom–egg white flavor pairing
Authors: Du Xiaofen , Muniz Adriana , Sissons Joanna , Wang Wanyi , Juma Shanil
Published: January 2021

Mushroom possesses a distinctive sensory quality and unique nutrients. Its pairing with egg white and consumer acceptance has never been investigated. In this study, formulated mushroom–egg white patty prototypes (white and crimini mushrooms at 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, either oven roasted or steamed) were evaluated by 380 participants for acceptance and intensity of nine sensory attributes. Mushroom–egg white patty prototypes received positive hedonic scores for overall acceptance and the likeability of overall flavor, mushroom flavor, meaty flavor, egg white flavor, overall texture, and firmness. Consumer overall acceptance was most strongly and positively correlated with overall flavor liking, followed by overall appearance and overall texture likeability. Additionally, the likeability of flavor pairing between mushroom and egg white was rated positively across all 16 patties, indicating a good flavor match of mushroom and egg white. Consumer hedonic levels toward mushroom patties were significantly (p ≤ .05) impacted by cooking method, mushroom type, and mushroom level. The addition of mushroom was acceptable up to 20%, with steam method and crimini mushroom most preferred. The results provided new insights into consumer attitudes and potentially important sensory factors affecting the acceptability of mushroom–egg white patties, consequently increasing the utilization and consumption of mushrooms and mushroom‐blended products.
Transoral robotic submandibular gland transposition to reconstruct radical tonsillar resection defects
Authors: Young Allen , Bigcas Jo‐Lawrence , Yang Albert , Reeve Nathaniel , Kim Yuna , Wang Robert C.
Published: January 2021

Significant dysphagia, pain, and risk of bleeding occur after transoral robotic surgery (TORS) radical tonsillectomy. We present a novel surgical technique utilizing robotically assisted submandibular gland transposition (SMGT) to reconstruct the radical tonsillar defect. A 48‐year‐old male with p16+ tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma underwent deep TORS radical tonsillectomy, contralateral tonsillectomy, ipsilateral neck dissection, and TORS‐assisted reconstruction of the radical defect with ipsilateral SMGT. Postoperatively, the patient experienced minimal pain and was discharged on postoperative day (POD) 3 tolerating a soft diet. There were no episodes of postoperative bleeding. This procedure was performed in five other cases as well. Transoral robotic SMGT can be used successfully to repair deep TORS radical tonsillectomy defects and may theoretically reduce dysphagia, pain, and the risk of hemorrhage.
The ex‐post impact of agricultural technology adoption on poverty: Evidence from north Shewa zone of Amhara region, Ethiopia
Authors: Belay Mesele , Mengiste Markew
Published: January 2021

This study investigates the impact of agricultural technology adoption on poverty reduction in north Shewa zone of Amhara region of Ethiopia in 2020. Using the selection model, this study finds that farm household's decision to adopt agricultural technologies are mainly influenced by sex of the household head, credit access, saving, extension visit, farm cooperatives and distance from market. Using an endogenous switching regression model, this study finds that adopters of agricultural technologies have higher food consumption expenditure per adult. Moreover, the significant difference in food consumption expenditure per adult equivalent between the actual and counterfactual scenario is very high. The result of the study confirmed that adoption of agricultural technology has a direct and significant impact on increasing household's consumption expenditure while also reducing household poverty. The findings of the study suggest that increasing the access and adoptions of agricultural technologies significantly improves the welfare of farm households.