bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Development of a Compact Rat-Race Coupler
Authors: Ahirwar S. , Ramakrishna D. , Pandharipande V. M.
Published: September 2019

In this paper, design and development of compact Rat- Race coupler is presented. The device is designed with commercially available semi rigid coaxial cable. The semi rigid coaxial is modified for desired impedance to suit the requirement of Rat- race hybrid coupler. The physical structure of the coupler is in rectangular form instead of the conventional ring form. With this structure, all the ports are available in line on the same side. This eases the integration of the device with other modules or devices in the system. The total area occupied the coupler is reduced drastically by meandering the transmission line. The shielded transmission line provides better port isolation and less  radiation loss. Design, implementation and measured results are presented.
Triple Band Fractal Antenna for Radio Navigation and Fixed Satellite Services using Dragonfly Optimization
Authors: Kumar A. , Pharwaha A. P. S.
Published: September 2019

This study reports the design of a coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed triple band fractal antenna for radio navigation and fixed satellite services. Reported antenna has low profile, multiband and wideband performance which make it suitable for the radio navigation and fixed satellite services in S band, C bandand X band. Proposed antenna resonates at 2.6GHz, 4.4GHz, and 8.7 GHz having bandwidth of 0.2457GHz, 0.700GHz, and 4.1980 GHz respectively. Maximumgain for the resonating bands is 3.6 dB, 5.5 dB, and 7.3 dB respectively. Simulated performance parameter of proposed antenna is verified experimentally by testing the fabricated antenna. Measured and simulated results are in good agreement
On the Development of a Modified Triangular Patch Antenna Array for 4.9 GHz Public Safety WLAN
Authors: Singh G. , Singh A. P.
Published: September 2019

The present paper reports on the development of a Novel Patch Antenna Array for 4.9 GHz Public Safety WLAN applications. In today’s era of advanced technology, high speed video surveillance is very crucial from security point of view. Public safety surveillance services below 1 GHz are mainly used in voice surveillance services, whereas 4.9 GHz Public Safety WLAN is used for video surveillance services. Accordingly, in this work, 2×2 element antenna array is designed on FR4 substrate using modified triangular patch antenna element with improved gain to the tune of 6.69 dBi. In this research work, biologically inspired Whale Optimization method is used in combination with polynomial curve-fitting technique for the optimization of three different geometrical dimensions of the patch antenna element. The optimized element is further modified geometrically by corner rounding and cut in feed to improve its performance including gain. The proposed antenna array resonates at 4.9 GHz covering 120 MHz bandwidth with an achievement of -15.87 dB reflection coefficient and high gain. Results of simulation study are validated with measured results. The uniqueness of the proposed design lies in the achievement of a large gain using simple patch antenna array designed on readily available low cost FR4 substrate making very easy fabrication. Such an attempt has been rarely reported in the literature. However, the results of present investigations are quite convincing.
Polarizability Extraction of Above-Half-Space Transversal Dipole Scatterers Using a Fast Waveguide-Based Approach
Authors: Bigdeli Y. , Dehmollaian M.
Published: September 2019

We present a semi-analytical method to extract transverse polarizability parameters of an arbitrary bi-anisotropic sub-wavelength scatterer both in homogeneous medium and placed at the boundary of two simple (homogeneous, isotropic, and linear) media. Using this technique, polarizability parameters of various dielectric and/or metallic scatterers are obtained, effectively. In this method, a scatterer is placed at the middle of a rectangular waveguide which in general is filled by two different simple media in either sides of the scatterer. The waveguide is designed so that the two TE10 and TE01 fundamental modes are propagating in a given frequency band. All 16 transverse polarizabilities are fast obtained having 16 different generalized scattering parameters (S-parameters). The S-parameters are associated with excitations at two different ports of the waveguide and the two different modes (TE10 and TE01). Comparing to existing polarizability extraction methods, the presented waveguide method is easy to run, fast and almost accurate. In order to validate the method, we present three examples including omega particle and magneto-dielectric sphere in free-space and an electric resonance particle, placed on top of a dielectric half-space.
Monitoring public awareness about the endangered northern bald ibis: a case study involving primary school children as citizen scientists
Authors: Frigerio Didone , Puehringer-Sturmayr Verena , Neuböck-Hubinger Brigitte , Gegendorfer Gudrun , Kotrschal Kurt , Hirschenhauser Katharina
Published: September 2019

Background

Citizen science has evolved over the past decades by motivating members of the public to interact with scientists and actively participate in scientific research and monitoring. For this purpose, a proficient communication is mandatory in order to efficiently convey messages and reduce the gap of knowledge between scientists and lay people. In the present study, we aimed at evaluating the multiplying effect of children, who were trained to communicate their knowledge on an endangered bird species in order to engage the local community in the long-term ornithological monitoring of the free flying and individually marked colony of northern bald ibis (NBI,Geronticus eremita), which was established at the research station in 1997.

Methods

Pupils of the local primary schools were in regular contact with researchers, enjoyed outdoor encounters with the birds, and were invited to talk about their experience with as many people as possible. Later on, they acted as surveyors to assess the knowledge of the public on (i) the general knowledge about the species, (ii) specific knowledge about the local colony, and (iii) attitudes towards science. In two different years of evaluation (2012 and 2016) a total number of 387 persons were surveyed. The questions were generated together with the pupils and their teachers and the questionnaires were similar for both years of evaluation. All queries were in a closed format.

Results

Our results show an increase in the proportion of correct answers provided by the surveyed persons between the two years of evaluation. Education-based activities may encourage children to effectively act as multipliers of information and attitudes. This has the potential to induce sustainable changes with respect to attitude towards science, at least among local communities. Furthermore, the study suggests caution with the quality of some information reported by citizen scientists, which might be solved by more careful training actions and more specific information about local particularities. Even though the study would have gained more informative power with some additional precautions than in its current form, our findings recommend the empowerment of pupils as multipliers of scientific knowledge.
Genome-wide identification, characterization and expression pattern analysis of APYRASE family members in response to abiotic and biotic stresses in wheat
Authors: Liu Wenbo , Ni Jun , Shah Faheem Afzal , Ye Kaiqin , Hu Hao , Wang Qiaojian , Wang Dongdong , Yao Yuanyuan , Huang Shengwei , Hou Jinyan , Liu Chenghong , Wu Lifang
Published: September 2019

APYRASEs, which directly regulate intra- and extra-cellular ATP homeostasis, play a pivotal role in the regulation of various stress adaptations in mammals, bacteria and plants. In the present study, we identified and characterized wheat APYRASE family members at the genomic level in wheat. The results identified a total of nine APY homologs with conserved ACR domains. The sequence alignments, phylogenetic relations and conserved motifs of wheat APYs were bioinformatically analyzed. Although they share highly conserved secondary and tertiary structures, the wheat APYs could be mainly categorized into three groups, according to phylogenetic and structural analysis. Additionally, these APYs exhibited similar expression patterns in the root and shoot, among which TaAPY3-1, TaAPY3-3 and TaAPY3-4 had the highest expression levels. The time-course expression patterns of the eight APYs in response to biotic and abiotic stress in the wheat seedlings were also investigated. TaAPY3-2, TaAPY3-3, TaAPY3-4 and TaAPY6 exhibited strong sensitivity to all kinds of stresses in the leaves. Some APYs showed specific expression responses, such as TaAPY6 to heavy metal stress, and TaAPY7 to heat and salt stress. These results suggest that the stress-inducible APYs could have potential roles in the regulation of environmental stress adaptations. Moreover, the catalytic activity of TaAPY3-1 was further analyzed in the in vitro system. The results showed that TaAPY3-1 protein exhibited high catalytic activity in the degradation of ATP and ADP, but with low activity in degradation of TTP and GTP. It also has an extensive range of temperature adaptability, but preferred relatively acidic pH conditions. In this study, the genome-wide identification and characterization of APYs in wheat were suggested to be useful for further genetic modifications in the generation of high-stress-tolerant wheat cultivars.
Evaluation of Morphological and Biochemical Characteristics of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench] Varieties in Response Salinity Stress
Authors: Mbinda Wilton , Kimtai Musa
Published: September 2019

Salinity is among the most severe and widespread environmental constrains to global crop production, especially in arid and semi-arid climates and negatively affecting productivity of salt sensitive crop species. Breeding and selection of salt tolerant crop varieties is therefore necessary for sustainable plant productivity. Given that germination and seeding phases are the most critical phase in the plant life cycle, this study aimed to evaluate seed germination potential and associated traits under salt stress conditions as a simple approach to identify salt tolerant sorghum varieties [Gadam, Sc Sila and Serena] which are adaptated to various agroecological regions. Salinity stress was applied by addition of NaCl at three different levels of stress [100, 200 and 300 mM NaCl], while plants irrigated with water were used as control. Evaluation of tolerance was performed on the basis of germination percentage, shoot and seed water absorbance, shoot and root length, leave water content, seedling total chlorophyll content and morphologic abnormality. Our results showed that salinity stress significantly impacts all features associated with germination and early development of seedlings. Our results indicated that salinity stress substantially affects all traits associated with germination and early seedling growth, with the effect of salinity being dependent on the variety used and level of salinity stress applied. Among the tested sorghum varieties, Gadam was established to the most salt tolerant variety, suggesting its potential use for cultivation under salinity stress conditions as well as its suitability for use as germplasm material in future sorghum breeding programmes. For a greater insight into comprehensive mechanisms of salinity tolerance in sorghum, we suggest further research on genomic and molecular analysis.
Getting out of mitosis: spatial and temporal control of mitotic exit and cytokinesis by PP1 and PP2A
Authors: Holder James , Poser Elena , Barr Francis A.
Published: September 2019

Here, we will review the evidence showing that mitotic exit is initiated by regulated proteolysis and then driven by the PPP family of phosphoserine/threonine phosphatases. Rapid APC/CCDC20 and ubiquitin‐dependent proteolysis of cyclin B and securin initiates sister chromatid separation, the first step of mitotic exit. Because proteolysis of Aurora and Polo family kinases dependent on APC/CCDH1 is relatively slow, this creates a new regulatory state, anaphase, different to G2 and M‐phase. We will discuss how the CDK1‐counteracting phosphatases PP1 and PP2A‐B55, together with Aurora and Polo kinases, contribute to the temporal regulation and order of events in the different stages of mitotic exit from anaphase to cytokinesis. For PP2A‐B55, these timing properties are created by the ENSA‐dependent inhibitory pathway and differential recognition of phosphoserine and phosphothreonine. Finally, we will discuss how Aurora B and PP2A‐B56 are needed for the spatial regulation of anaphase spindle formation and how APC/C‐dependent destruction of PLK1 acts as a timer for abscission, the final event of cytokinesis.
N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase I promotes glioma cell proliferation and migration through increasing the stability of the glucose transporter GLUT1
Authors: Li Yinan , Liu Yingchao , Zhu Hongda , Chen Xiaoning , Tian Mi , Wei Yuanyan , Gong Ye , Jiang Jianhai
Published: September 2019

Abnormal alteration of N‐glycosylation structure contributes to glioma progression. N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase I (MGAT1) plays an essential role in the conversion of processed high‐mannose cores into complex or hybrid N‐linked oligosaccharide structures. The function of MGAT1 in glioma development remains largely unknown. Here, we found that the expression of MGAT1 is higher in glioblastoma compared to normal brain tissues. Inhibition of EGFR signalling pathway or serum starvation reduces MGAT1 expression. Knockdown of MGAT1 inhibits glioma cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, MGAT1 promotes complex N‐glycosylation of glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) and increases Glut1 protein levels. In summary, our findings indicate that MGAT1 is highly expressed in glioblastoma and promotes glioma cells at least partly through upregulation of Glut1 protein.
High‐throughput proteomic analysis of FFPE tissue samples facilitates tumor stratification
Authors: Zhu Yi , Weiss Tobias , Zhang Qiushi , Sun Rui , Wang Bo , Yi Xiao , Wu Zhicheng , Gao Huanhuan , Cai Xue , Ruan Guan , Zhu Tiansheng , Xu Chao , Lou Sai , Yu Xiaoyan , Gillet Ludovic , Blattmann Peter , Saba Karim , Fankhauser Christian D. , Schmid Michael B. , Rutishauser Dorothea , Ljubicic Jelena , Christiansen Ailsa , Fritz Christine , Rupp Niels J. , Poyet Cedric , Rushing Elisabeth , Weller Michael , Roth Patrick , Haralambieva Eugenia , Hofer Silvia , Chen Chen , Jochum Wolfram , Gao Xiaofei , Teng Xiaodong , Chen Lirong , Zhong Qing , Wild Peter J. , Aebersold Ruedi , Guo Tiannan
Published: September 2019

Formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded (FFPE), biobanked tissue samples offer an invaluable resource for clinical and biomarker research. Here, we developed a pressure cycling technology (PCT)‐SWATH mass spectrometry workflow to analyze FFPE tissue proteomes and applied it to the stratification of prostate cancer (PCa) and diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) samples. We show that the proteome patterns of FFPE PCa tissue samples and their analogous fresh‐frozen (FF) counterparts have a high degree of similarity and we confirmed multiple proteins consistently regulated in PCa tissues in an independent sample cohort. We further demonstrate temporal stability of proteome patterns from FFPE samples that were stored between 1 and 15 years in a biobank and show a high degree of the proteome pattern similarity between two types of histological regions in small FFPE samples, that is, punched tissue biopsies and thin tissue sections of micrometer thickness, despite the existence of a certain degree of biological variations. Applying the method to two independent DLBCL cohorts, we identified myeloperoxidase, a peroxidase enzyme, as a novel prognostic marker. In summary, this study presents a robust proteomic method to analyze bulk and biopsy FFPE tissues and reports the first systematic comparison of proteome maps generated from FFPE and FF samples. Our data demonstrate the practicality and superiority of FFPE over FF samples for proteome in biomarker discovery. Promising biomarker candidates for PCa and DLBCL have been discovered.
5‐ALA/SFC enhances HO‐1 expression through the MAPK/Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and attenuates murine tubular epithelial cell apoptosis
Authors: Liu Chi , Fujino Masayuki , Zhu Shuoji , Isaka Yoshitaka , Ito Hidenori , Takahashi Kiwamu , Nakajima Motowo , Tanaka Tohru , Zhu Ping , Li Xiao‐Kang
Published: September 2019

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a common immunosuppressant, but its use is limited as it can cause chronic kidney injury. Oxidative stress and apoptosis play a key role in CsA‐induced nephrotoxicity. This study investigated the protective effect of 5‐aminolevulinic acid and iron (5‐ALA/SFC) on CsA‐induced injury in murine proximal tubular epithelial cells (mProx24). 5‐ALA/SFC significantly inhibited apoptosis in CsA‐treated mProx24 cells with increases in heme oxygenase (HO)‐1, nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), and p38, and Erk‐1/2 phosphorylation. Moreover, 5‐ALA/SFC suppressed production of reactive oxygen species in CsA‐exposed cells and inhibition of HO‐1 suppressed the protective effects of 5‐ALA/SFC. In summary, 5‐ALA/SFC may have potential for development into a treatment for the anti‐nephrotoxic/apoptotic effects of CsA.
Sequential Cross‐Coupling/Annulation of ortho‐Vinyl Bromobenzenes with Aromatic Bromides for the Synthesis of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds
Authors: Wei Dong , Li Meng‐Yao , Zhu Bin‐Bin , Yang Xiao‐Di , Zhang Fang , Feng Chen‐Guo , Lin Guo‐Qiang
Published: September 2019

A sequential cross‐coupling/annulation of ortho‐vinyl bromobenzenes with aromatic bromides was realized, providing a direct and modular approach to access polycyclic aromatic compounds. A vinyl‐coordinated palladacycle was proposed as the key intermediate for this sequential process. Excellent chemoselectivity and regioselectivity were observed in this transformation. The practicability of this method is highlighted by its broad substrate scope, excellent functional group tolerance, and rich transformations associated with the obtained products.
Phosphorus‐based Schiff bases and their complexes as nontoxic antioxidants: Structure–activity relationship and mechanism of action
Authors: Al Zoubi Wail , Kim Min Jun , Salih Al‐Hamdani Abbas Ali , Kim Yang Gon , Ko Young Gun
Published: September 2019

Phosphorus‐based Schiff base were synthesized by treating bis{3‐[2‐(4‐amino‐1.5‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐pyrazol‐3‐ylideneamino)ethyl]‐indol‐1‐ylmethyl}‐phosphinic acid with paraformaldehyde and characterized as a novel antioxidant. Its corresponding complexes [(VO)2L(SO4)2], [Ni2LCl4], [Co2LCl4], [Cu2LCl4], [Zn2LCl4], [Cd2LCl4], [Hg2LCl4], [Pd2LCl4], and [PtLCl]Cl2 were analyzed by Fourier transform‐infrared, (1H and 13C) nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Experimental data showed that the ligand coordinated with the metal ions via donor atoms such as nitrogen to form an octahedral arrangement of the Schiff base around the central transition‐metal atom. The nature of these complexes was identified using the molar ratio and Job's methods, with the results agreeing with a metal‐to‐ligand (M:L) molar ratio of 2:1, expect for Pt, whose M:L was 1:1. Thermodynamic activation parameters such as ∆E*, ∆H*, ∆S*, ∆G*, and K were determined from the thermogravimetric analysis curve using the Coats–Redfern method. The antioxidant activities of the prepared compounds were assessed by using 1.1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl as the free radical, and the results show that the complex Schiff bases were found to possess potent antioxidant activity. The structure–activity relationship of the ligand and its complexes indicates that the presence of electron‐donating moieties, such as Co(II) and Ni(II), in the chemical structure increases the antioxidant activity, whereas the Pt(IV) and Pd(II) complexes diminished the antioxidant activity, indicating the superior activity of the hydroxyl radical (OH·) over the superoxide radical.
One‐pot acid‐free ferrocenylalkylation of azoles with α‐ferrocenyl alcohols: ferrocene‐based plant growth regulators and herbicide safeners
Authors: Shevaldina Ekaterina V. , Opredelennova Ksenia A. , Chichvarina Olga A. , Spiridonov Yury Ya. , Smol'yakov Alexandr F. , Dorovatovskii Pavel V. , Moiseev Sergey K.
Published: September 2019

α‐Ferrocenylalkylation of azoles or S‐nucleophiles with FcCH(R)OH (Fc = ferrocenyl) can be accomplished under acid‐free conditions as one‐pot process via an intermediate formation of the α‐ferrocenylalkyl carbonates FcCH(R)OC(O)OEt. The reaction allows the alkylation of acid sensitive substrates like imidazole derivatives or sodium N,N‐diethyldithiocarbamate. The reaction with ambident azoles proceeds as the N‐alkylation. Some α‐ferrocenylalkyl azoles were found to exhibit plant growth stimulating or herbicidal effects on corn seeds or act as the herbicide safeners against sulfonylurea herbicides.
A triazole‐based fluorescence probe for detecting Hg2+ ions and its biological application
Authors: Liu Rong Qiang , Ding Guo Hua , Li Jian Ling , Feng Hua Jie , He Wen Ying , Wu Lu Yong
Published: September 2019

A new compound, ethyl 5‐phenyl‐2‐(p‐tolyl)‐2H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carboxylate was successfully introduced and synthesized as a novel rhodamine B derivative named REPPC, and characterized by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). It showed an obvious fluorescence and UV–visible light absorption enhancement towards Hg2+ ion without interference from common metal ions in N,N‐dimethylformamide–H2O (pH 7.4). The spirolactam ring moiety of rhodamine in REPPC was converted to the open‐ring form generating a 1:1 complex with the intervention of a mercury ion, verified by electrospray ionization‐mass spectroscopy testing and density functional theory calculation. REPPC was used to visualize the level of mercury ions in living HeLa cells with encouraging results.
Biochemical and technological characterization of two C4 gluten‐free cereals: Sorghum bicolor and Eragrostis tef
Authors: Galassi Elena , Taddei Federica , Ciccoritti Roberto , Nocente Francesca , Gazza Laura
Published: September 2019

Background and objectives

Most commonly used gluten‐free cereals, as rice and corn, are reputed to be inferior in their nutritional value, particularly regarding dietary fiber and proteins content. The use of minor cereals has been limited also because of their reduced technological and sensory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate five food‐grade sorghum hybrids and three teff genotypes (brown and white grain), for their technological, biochemical, and nutritional characteristics, and to test their suitability for the formulation of innovative wholegrain, gluten‐free products of high nutritional value.

Findings

Both sorghum and teff revealed a protein and total dietary fiber content of 9%–12% (w/w), and good technological properties.

Conclusions

The present study indicated that these niche cereals manifest their technological and nutritional potential, also in Italian pedo‐climatic conditions, constituting promising raw materials for enhancing the diversification in nutrition, contributing to the development of healthier foods and sustainable agriculture.

Significance and novelty

Sorghum and teff could meet the need of gluten‐intolerants and health‐conscious consumers and encourage the use of niche crops also in Western Countries.
The variational multiscale formulation for the fully‐implicit log‐morphology equation as a tensor‐based blood damage model
Authors: Haßler Stefan , Pauli Lutz , Behr Marek
Published: September 2019

We derive a variational multiscale (VMS) finite element formulation for a viscoelastic, tensor‐based blood damage model. The tensor equation is numerically stabilized by a logarithmic shape tensor description that prevents unphysical, negative eigenvalues. The resulting VMS stabilization terms for this so‐called log‐morph equation are presented together with their special numerical treatment. Results for a 2D rotating stirrer test case obtained from log‐morph simulations with both SUPG and VMS stabilization show significantly improved numerical behavior if compared with Galerkin/least squares (GLS) stabilized untransformed morphology simulation results. The newly proposed method is also successfully applied to a state‐of‐the‐art centrifugal ventricular assist device (VAD), and clear advantages of the VMS stabilization compared with the SUPG‐stabilized formulation are presented.
Branched Bio‐Lubricant Base Oil Production through Aldol Condensation
Authors: Norton Angela M. , Liu Sibao , Saha Basudeb , Vlachos Dionisios G.
Published: September 2019

Currently, lubricant base oils are derived from petroleum, a nonrenewable feedstock that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Bioderived, renewable lubricant base oils can mitigate environmental challenges and offer superior cold flow properties by incorporating branches to the base oil's hydrocarbon backbone with an appropriate synthetic strategy. A strategy was developed to synthesize branched alkanes for lubricant base oil in two steps from 12‐tricosanone, obtained from bioderived fatty acids, and furfural, obtained from lignocellulosic biomass. The reaction pathway involves carbon–carbon coupling through aldol condensation followed by hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). Various solvents (non‐polar, aprotic and polar, protic) and reaction conditions were screened to achieve a maximum yield of 94.3 % of aldol condensation products, containing the majority of a C33 furan (79.5 %) followed by a C28 furan (14.8 %). Subsequent HDO of aldol condensation products over an Ir‐ReOx/SiO2 catalyst produced lubricant‐ranged branched alkanes (C28 and C33) with 61.4 % yield and small fractions (<11 %) of alkanes with carbon numbers between C15 and C10. The viscous properties of the produced bio‐lubricant base oil were comparable to commercial petroleum‐derived Group III and Group IV base oils. This approach serves as a potential stepping‐stone to replace petroleumderived base oils and, in turn, reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with current lubricant production.
Physiological measures of mother–infant interactional synchrony
Authors: McFarland David H. , Fortin Annie Joëlle , Polka Linda
Published: September 2019

Mother–infant interactional synchrony has been hypothesized to be crucial for the development of many key neurodevelopmental behaviors in infants, including speech and language. Assessing synchrony is challenging because many interactive behaviors may be subtlety, if at all, observable in overt behaviors. Physiological measures, therefore, may provide valuable physiological/biological markers of mother–infant synchrony. We have developed a multilevel measurement platform to assess physiological synchrony, attention, and vocal congruency during dynamic face‐to‐face mother–infant interactions. The present investigation was designed to provide preliminary data on its application in a group of 10 mother–infant dyads (20 subjects) ranging in age from 7 to 8.5 months at the time of the experimentation. Respiratory kinematics, heart rate, and vocalization were recorded simultaneously from mothers and infants during nonstructured, face‐to‐face interactions. Novel statistical methods were used to identify reliable moments of synchrony from cross‐correlated, mother–infant respiration and to tag infant attention from heart rate deceleration. Results revealed that attention, vocal contingency, and respiratory synchrony are temporally clustered within the dyad interaction. This temporal alignment is consistent with the notion that biological synchrony provides a supportive platform for infant attention and mother–infant contingent vocalization.
Edge effects reduce α‐diversity but not β‐diversity during community assembly in a human‐modified tropical forest
Authors: Krishnadas Meghna , Kumar Arun N. , Comita Liza S.
Published: September 2019

Edge effects can alter the spatial organization of diversity in fragmented habitats. For tropical forests, however, there has been large variation in the strength and direction of such effects reported by different studies. For long‐lived organisms like trees, one reason for inconsistent patterns might be due to most studies having examined patterns of diversity and compositional variation in older life stages that bear the legacy of a forest past. Younger life stages can reveal ongoing processes of assembly, but multi‐stage examinations are rare. For seedling, sapling, and adult life stages of trees in a human‐modified wet tropical forest in the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot (India), we examined how proximity to forest edges (edge influence) modified the spatial organization of diversity. Specifically, for each life stage we tested whether edge influence led to loss of α‐ and γ‐diversity and decreased β‐diversity in this landscape. We found lower α‐ and γ‐diversity closer to forest edges, but only for seedlings. Seedling composition at 90–100 m from forest edges diverged from composition of sites within 60 m, suggesting that edge influence restricted the recruitment of some species to interior sites. In contrast, β‐diversity was greater near edges than interior forest for all life stages and most prominently for seedlings. Furthermore, β‐diversity at edges was primarily driven by species turnover, suggesting either marked species–environment associations or dispersal limitation. Low turnover at 90–100 m implies that β‐diversity arose from stochastic fluctuations in occurrences and abundances of the same species set. Overall, we find that high β‐diversity structured spatial patterns of diversity near edges, but recruitment bottlenecks are likely to reduce alpha diversity of forest fragments. Our results also corroborate the need to maintain sufficiently large areas of tropical forest free from edge effects to avoid the loss of interior forest species. To improve landscape‐scale diversity of fragmented landscapes, restoration efforts should focus on recovery of species that are unable to regenerate near forest edges.
Assessment of the role of Wolbachia in mtDNA paraphyly and the evolution of unisexuality in Calligrapha (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Gómez‐Zurita Jesús
Published: September 2019

Calligrapha is a New World leaf beetle genus that includes several unisexual species in northeastern North America. Each unisexual species had an independent hybrid origin involving different combinations of bisexual species. However, surprisingly, they all cluster in a single mtDNA clade and with some individuals of their parental species, which are in turn deeply polyphyletic for mtDNA. This pattern is suggestive of a selective sweep which, together with mtDNA taxonomic incongruence and occurrence of unisexuality in Calligrapha, led to hypothesize that Wolbachia might be responsible. I tested this hypothesis studying the correlation between diversity of Wolbachia and well‐established mtDNA lineages in >500 specimens of two bisexual species of Calligrapha and their derived unisexual species. Wolbachia appears highly prevalent (83.4%), and fifteen new supergroup‐A strains of the bacteria are characterized, belonging to three main classes: wCallA, occupying the whole species ranges, and wCallB and wCallC, narrowly parapatric, infecting beetles with highly divergent mtDNAs where they coexist. Most beetles (71.6%) carried double infections of wCallA with another sequence class. Bayesian inference of ancestral character states and association tests between bacterial diversity and the mtDNA genealogy show that each mtDNA lineage of Calligrapha has specific types of infection. Moreover, shifts can be explained by horizontal or vertical transfer from local populations to an expanding lineage and cytoplasmic incompatibility between wCallB and wCallC types, suggesting that the symbionts hitchhike with the host and are not responsible for selective mtDNA sweeps. Lack of evidence for sweeps and the fact that individuals in the unisexual clade are uninfected or infected by the widespread wCallA type indicate that Wolbachia does not induce unisexuality in Calligrapha, although they may manipulate host reproduction through cytoplasmic incompatibility.
Landscape connectivity explains interaction network patterns at multiple scales
Authors: Santos Micaela , Cagnolo Luciano , Roslin Tomas , Marrero Hugo J. , Vázquez Diego P.
Published: September 2019

Under a metacommunity framework, the spatial configuration of habitat fragments could determine local community structure. Yet, quantifying fragment connectivity is challenging, as it depends on multiple variables at several geographical scales. We assessed the extent to which fragment connectivity and area explain patterns in interaction structure among four herbivore guilds and their host plants in a metacommunity. We propose an integrative connectivity metric including geographic distance, neighboring fragment area and similarity in resource composition as an extension of Hanski's classic metric. We then used nonlinear models to assess whether fragment connectivity and area predicted link richness and similarity in link composition. We found that link richness was always negatively related to connectivity but at different geographic scales depending on the herbivore guild. In contrast, while link composition was also related to connectivity, the direction and strength of this relationship varied among herbivore guilds and type of link composition (qualitative or quantitative). Furthermore, focal fragment area was not an important determinant of interaction diversity in local communities. Our findings emphasize resource similarity as a novel dimension of fragment connectivity relevant in explaining interaction diversity patterns in natural trophic networks.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a lupus patient: a case of hydroxychloroquine cardiotoxicity
Authors: Chang Amanda , Stolin Gabriel , Fan Judith , Larreta Boris R. , Fishbein Gregory A. , Wallace William Dean , Baas Arnold S. , Cruz Daniel , Wang Jessica
Published: September 2019

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a well‐established and effective immunomodulatory therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases. While retinal toxicity is a well‐recognized complication, cardiotoxicity is lesser known. This case consists of a 63‐year‐old Filipina on chronic HCQ treatment that led to severe biventricular hypertrophy, increased filling pressure, systemic and pulmonary hypertension, and elevated brain natriuretic peptide. Genetic testing ruled out lysosomal storage disorders but revealed five rare variants of uncertain significance, including one that was temporarily re‐classified as likely pathogenic. Endomyocardial biopsy demonstrated myeloid bodies admixed with curvilinear bodies, most consistent with a diagnosis of HCQ toxicity. This case illustrates the importance of clinical integration of multiple causes of cardiomyopathy, recognition of HCQ cardiotoxicity, and increased uncertainty in genetic test findings among racial minorities.
The COX‐2 inhibitor etoricoxib reduces experimental osteoarthritis and nociception in rats: The roles of TGF‐β1 and NGF expressions in chondrocytes
Authors: Wen Zhi‐Hong , Lin Yen‐You , Chang Yi‐Chen , Tang Chi‐Chieh , Hsieh Shih‐Peng , Lee Hsin‐Pai , Sung Chun‐Sung , Chen Wu‐Fu , Lee Chian‐Her , Hsuan Jean Yen
Published: September 2019

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, especially affecting the knee joint. Etoricoxib, a highly selective cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 inhibitor which can reduce postoperative pain after orthopaedic surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of oral etoricoxib on the development of OA and to examine concomitant changes in the nociceptive behaviour of rats.

Method

OA was induced in wistar rats by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) of the right knee. The ACLT + etoricoxib groups received 6.7 or 33.3 mg/kg of oral etoricoxib three times a week for 12 consecutive weeks, starting at week 8 after ACLT. Nociceptive behaviours and changes in knee joint width during OA development were analyzed. Histopathological studies were then performed on the cartilage. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to examine the effect of etoricoxib on the expression of transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in articular cartilage chondrocytes.

Results

OA rats receiving etoricoxib showed a significantly lower degree of cartilage degeneration than the rats receiving placebo. Nociceptive behaviour studies showed significant improvement in the ACLT + etoricoxib groups compared to that in the ACLT group. Moreover, etoricoxib attenuated NGF expression, but increased TGF‐β expression, in OA‐affected cartilage.

Conclusions

Oral etoricoxib in a rat OA model (a) attenuates the development of OA, (b) concomitantly reduces nociception, and (c) modulates chondrocyte metabolism, possibly by inhibiting NGF expression and increasing TGF‐β expression.

Significance

Oral administration of etoricoxib can attenuate the development of OA, with an associated attenuation of nociceptive behaviour in an experimental rat OA model. Moreover, etoricoxib attenuated NGF expression, but enhanced TGF‐β expression in OA‐affected chondrocytes. These findings may pave the way for further investigations of etoricoxib as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of the inflammatory component in OA.
Stabilizing the Structure of Nickel‐Rich Lithiated Oxides via Cr Doping as Cathode with Boosted High‐Voltage/Temperature Cycling Performance for Li‐Ion Battery
Authors: Xu Ya-Di , Zhang Jun , Wu Zhen-Guo , Xu Chun-Liu , Li Yong-Chun , Xiang Wei , Wang Yuan , Zhong Yan-Jun , Guo Xiao-Dong , Chen Hong
Published: September 2019

Structural degradation is a crucial issue, accounting for capacity fading and safety concerns of Ni‐rich cathodes, especially at high temperature and high cutoff cell potential. Herein, Cr3+ is used as a dopant to stabilize the structure, as well as enhance the cycling life, of LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2. The effective bulk Cr3+ doping is confirmed via various analysis characterizations. Results demonstrate that a moderate amount of Cr3+ can not only expand pathways for Li‐ion insertion and extraction, but also suppress cation mixing. Electrochemical test results show that the electrochemical performance of the moderate amount of Cr3+‐doped material is remarkably improved, especially under harsh conditions. In the cell potential range of 2.7–4.3 V, the 1 mol% Cr‐doped LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 exhibits 100.6  g−1 after 200 cycles at 10 C, corresponding to 93.1% of the initial cycle. In the cell potential range of 2.7–4.5 V, the cathode still exhibits 166.8 mAh g−1 and keeps 75.0% of the initial value at the 200th cycle at 3 C and 50 °C, whereas the discharge capacity of pristine LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 quickly decreases to 31.5 mAh g−1.
Effect of Vapor Carbon Coating on the Surface Structure and Sodium Storage Performance of Hard Carbon Spheres
Authors: Zhang Yuqi , Zhang Nan , Chen Weilun , Rao Zhixiang , Wu Jiajie , Xue Lihong , Zhang Wuxing
Published: September 2019

Hard carbons have received considerable attention as anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). However, it is still a challenge to improve the plateau capacity and initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) of hard carbons. Herein, a facile vapor carbon‐coating method is used to modify the surface structure of carbon spheres (CS) via the pyrolysis of polypropylene (PP), aiming to seal the exposed pores through a high‐quality carbon layer. CS@2%PP exhibits highly improved sodium storage performance compared to that of the pristine CS, which delivers a plateau capacity of 220 m Ah g−1 and an ICE of 81%. Further investigations show that the improved sodium storage performance of CS@2%PP can be mainly attributed to the reduced structural defects on the surface, lower specific surface area (11.5 m2 g−1), and increased closed pores (12.5%) via carbon coating. The results prove that the surface vapor carbon coating is a facile route to improve the plateau capacity and ICE of hard carbon anodes in SIBs.
Modelling of the Calendering Process of NMC‐622 Cathodes in Battery Production Analyzing Machine/Material–Process–Structure Correlations
Authors: Schreiner David , Oguntke Maximilian , Günther Till , Reinhart Gunther
Published: September 2019

The shift in the transport sector from internal combustion engines to battery‐powered electric vehicles and the continued demand for portable applications increases the need for batteries in the coming years. To optimize battery technologies, it is essential to fully understand the production process and the associated parameters as well as their influence on the chemical processes within the cell. At the Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb), extensive knowledge of the calendering process is gathered including the investigation of the displacement behavior for both the calender rolls and the bearing, as well as the adhesion strength. The process parameters such as roll temperature and velocity, structure parameters (e. g., coating thickness, adhesion strength), and machine behavior parameters (displacement and bending line) are investigated using three calender models. The achieved porosities are verified via porosity consistency measurements. Based on the collected data, qualitative machine/material–process–structure models are built up. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy support the relations made. In addition, a connection between vertical displacement and line load is established.
3D Exfoliated Carbon Paper toward Highly Loaded Aqueous Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Song Yu , Duan Sicong , Yang Duo , Dong Ran , Guo Di , Sun Xiaoqi , Liu Xiao-Xia
Published: September 2019

Commercial electrodes need high mass loadings to realize superior energy and power densities. However, good electrochemical properties are usually achieved in the electrodes with ultrathin active materials (e.g., <1 mg cm−2). Good performance and high mass loading are often mutually exclusive characteristics. Herein, a unique 3D exfoliated carbon paper (EC) is demonstrated using a facile electrochemical method to support high mass loading MnO2 materials. The 3D‐interconnected graphene/graphite network, highly porous structure, as well as the strong interaction between the active materials and the substrate, allow efficient charge transport in the composite electrode, addressing the traditional limitations in high mass loading electrodes. The deposited MnO2 (mass loading: 9.5–10 mg cm−2) achieves a remarkable capacitive performance with high areal and gravimetric capacitances of 5.1 F cm−2 and 537 F g−1, respectively. A Zn–MnO2 battery is also assembled using MnO2/EC as the cathode. An excellent specific capacity of 368 mAh g−1 is also delivered. This MnO2/EC outperforms most of the reported MnO2‐based electrodes with similar loadings for capacitive and Zn‐ion battery applications, highlighting the great application potential of the 3D carbon paper support in electrochemical energy storage.
Different Dimensional Nanostructured Silicon Materials: From Synthesis Methodology to Application in High‐Energy Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Sun Lin , Xie Jie , Jin Zhong
Published: September 2019

Nanostructured silicon is regarded as one of the most promising next‐generation anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high capacity and proper working voltage. However, the complexity in preparing nanostructured silicon and the large volume change in silicon during lithiation and delithiation impedes its commercial application. Herein, the recent progresses relating to nanostructured Si‐based anode materials are reviewed. The preparation of nanostructured silicon from dimensionality and methodology is mainly focused on, and the impactful works on silicon‐based anodes, as well as the recent research directions in this field, are outlined. Finally, key lessons from the successes so far are reviewed, and further perspectives to enable the application of silicon‐based anodes in practical LIBs are offered.
An appraisal of methodology reporting in lifestyle interventions among people with psychosis: A systematic review
Authors: Mucheru Doreen , Hanlon Mary‐Claire , McEvoy Mark , MacDonald‐Wicks Lesley
Published: September 2019

Issue addressed

Lifestyle interventions use nutrition and physical activity behaviour modification techniques to decrease obesity and cardio‐metabolic risk in people with psychosis. Evidence on the specific behaviour modification strategies applied to decrease obesity is weakened by inadequate methodology reporting of lifestyle interventions. A systematic review that we conducted earlier highlighted a possible deficiency in reporting; hence we aim to critically appraise lifestyle intervention studies that target weight outcomes for people with psychosis against the methods component of the CONSORT statement for randomised trials of nonpharmacologic treatments.

Methods component

We considered randomised controlled studies which delivered lifestyle interventions to community‐dwelling adults with psychotic disorders, and included those with the following outcomes of interest: weight, body mass index, waist circumference and waist‐to‐hip ratio. The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE/PREMEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus and PsycINFO were searched for English publications between 1985 and 2018. Methodology and reporting of studies were evaluated using the CONSORT statement for randomised trials of nonpharmacologic treatments.

Results

Thirty‐two studies met the inclusion criteria. Critical appraisals revealed that reporting of lifestyle intervention studies was generally incomplete. Fewer than 50% provided the recommended information on trial design, participant characteristics, detail of interventions, outcomes, sample size, randomisation, blinding and statistical methods.

Conclusions

Application of guidelines, like the CONSORT statement, in future publications of lifestyle interventions for people with psychosis will improve accuracy of reporting.

So what?

Enhanced reporting in lifestyle intervention studies for people with psychosis will promote guideline creation and translation of research, which is likely to positively impact physical health outcomes.
180° congenital penile torsion with distal hypospadias mistaken for an epispadias: Optimal outcome with tubularized incised plate urethroplasty and dartos flap rotation
Authors: Cassell Ayun , Jalloh Mohamed , Mbodji Mouhamadou M , Ndoye Medina , Labou Issa , Niang Lamine , Diallo Yoro , Diallo Abdourahmane , Gueye Serigne M
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Severe penile torsion of 180° associated with hypospadias is a rare entity. Knowledge of penile anatomy and pathology are necessary as the diagnosis could be missed.

Case presentation

We report a case of severe 180° penile torsion with distal hypospadias that was mistaken for an epispadias which was corrected with surgery.

Conclusion

Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty and dartos flap rotation provided satisfactory result for this association.
Manufacture of organic transistors on large‐area flexible substrate using direct imaging exposure system by wet process suitable for roll‐to‐roll production
Authors: Koizumi Shohei , Hori Masakazu , Hayashida Yosuke , Naito Kazuo , Kawabata Seiji , Ishigaki Yudai , Kito Yoshiaki
Published: September 2019

Organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs) can be fabricated via a wet process and have exceptionally high flexibility. Therefore, production using the roll‐to‐roll (RtoR) method is expected. We succeeded in developing a new OTFT wet fabrication process adaptable to the RtoR process. Utilizing the electroless plating method for wiring formation, all materials can be formed in a wet process and can be patterned using the photolithography process. In addition, we succeeded in fabricating OTFT on an A4‐type flexible substrate using RtoR direct imaging exposure system.