bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probing Heterogeneous Degradation of Catalyst in PEM Fuel Cells under Realistic Automotive Conditions with Multi‐Modal Techniques
Authors: Khedekar Kaustubh , Rezaei Talarposhti Morteza , Besli Münir M. , Kuppan Saravanan , Perego Andrea , Chen Yechuan , Metzger Michael , Stewart Sarah , Atanassov Plamen , Tamura Nobumichi , Craig Nathan , Cheng Lei , Johnston Christina M. , Zenyuk Iryna V.
Published: July 2021

The heterogeneity of polymer electrolyte fuel cell catalyst degradation is studied under varied relative humidity and types of feed gas. Accelerated stress tests (ASTs) are performed on four membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) under wet and dry conditions in an air or nitrogen environment for 30 000 square voltage cycles. The largest electrochemically active area loss is observed for MEA under wet conditions in a nitrogen gas environment AST due to constant upper potential limit of 0.95 V and significant water content. The mean Pt particle size is larger for the ASTs under wet conditions compared to dry conditions, and the Pt particle size under land is generally larger than under the channel. Observations from ASTs in both conditions and gas environments indicate that water content promotes Pt particle size growth. ASTs under wet conditions and an air environment show the largest difference in Pt particle size growth for inlet versus outlet and channel versus land, which can be attributed to larger water content at outlet and under land compared to inlet and under channel. From X‐ray fluorescence experiments Pt particle size increase is a local phenomenon as Pt loading remains relatively uniform across the MEA.
Nitrogen forms and irrigation regimes interact to affect rice yield by regulating the source and sink characteristics
Authors: Xu Guowei , Zhao Xihui , Jiang Mengmeng , Lu Dake , Chen Mingcan
Published: July 2021

The interaction betweennitrogen management and irrigation regimes plays important roles in regulating the rice (Oryza sativa L.) source, sink characteristic, and grain yield. However, if and how nitrogen forms could synergistically interact with irrigation methods in rice remain unclear. Herein, a soil‐grown experiment was conducted with three nitrogen forms, namely, ammonium nitrogen (AN), ammonium, nitrate mixed (ANM), and nitrate nitrogen (NN), as well as three irrigation regimes, namely, submerged irrigation (0 kPa), alternate wetting and moderate drying (−20 kPa), and alternate wetting and severe drying (−40 kPa). Results demonstrated that grain yield was the highest in the ammonium nitrate and alternate wetting and moderate drying irrigation. Nitrate nitrogen application decreased grain yield in each irrigation regime. The alternate wetting and moderate drying and ammonium nitrate treatment had higher chlorophyll content, leaf nitrogen content, leaf area index (LAI), photosynthesis rate, and chlorophyll fluorescence, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and sucrose‐synthase activity and decreased leaf malondialdehyd (MDA) content than the other treatments at mid‐tillering, panicle initiation, heading, and maturity stages. By contrast, AN treatment exhibited very small difference between AN and ANM treatment in submerged irrigation. Besides, grain yield was positively correlated with chlorophyll content, leaf nitrogen content, LAI, photosynthesis rate, antioxidant enzymes, and sucrose‐synthase activity at main growth stages. Therefore, the adoption of ANM and alternate wetting and moderate drying can synergistically increase grain yield by promoting the leaf‐source and grain‐sink activity of rice. Results of the present investigation provided new ideas for increasing grain yield by nitrogen forms management in alternate wetting and drying irrigation.
Multi‐center analysis of practice patterns and outcomes of younger and older patients with mantle cell lymphoma in the rituximab era
Authors: Karmali Reem , Switchenko Jeffrey M. , Goyal Subir , Shanmugasundaram Krithika , Churnetski Michael C. , Kolla Bhaskar , Bachanova Veronika , Gerson James N. , Barta Stefan K. , Gordon Max J. , Danilov Alexey V. , Grover Natalie S. , Epperla Narendranath , Mathews Stephanie , Burkart Madelyn , Sawalha Yazeed , Hill Brian T. , Ghosh Nilanjan , Park Steven I. , Bond David A. , Maddocks Kami J. , Badar Talha , Fenske Timothy S. , Hamadani Mehdi , Guo Jin , Malecek Mary , Kahl Brad S. , Martin Peter , Blum Kristie A. , Flowers Christopher R. , Cohen Jonathon B.
Published: July 2021

Clinical outcomes and predictors of survival in patients with newly diagnosed mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) treated in the rituximab era (2000–2015) at 12 US academic centers were assessed to identify determinants of survival across age groups. Objectives were to characterize and compare practice patterns, outcomes and prognostic factors for survival in younger patients (age < 65) and older patients (age ≥ 65 years). Among 1162 patients included, 697 were younger and 465 were older. In younger patients, 2‐year progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 79% and 92% respectively; blastoid histology, ECOG ≥ 2, and lack of maintenance rituximab (MR) remained statistically relevant to poor OS on univariate analysis (UVA) and multivariate analysis (MVA). In older patients, 2‐year PFS and OS rates were 67% and 86% respectively; lack of maintenance rituximab remained significantly associated with inferior PFS and OS on UVA and MVA (p < 0.001). Two‐year PFS rates were 79%, and 67% and 2‐year OS rates were 92% and 86% for ages < 65 and ≥ 65 respectively (p < 0.001). First‐line high‐dose cytarabine exposure and/or MR lessened the negative impact of age on survival. Taken collectively, survival outcomes for older patients remain inferior to those of younger patients in the rituximab era. However, maintenance rituximab and potentially high‐dose cytarabine‐based induction can mitigate the negative impact of age on survival.
Autophagic defects observed in fibroblasts from a patient with β‐propeller protein‐associated neurodegeneration
Authors: Lee Jae‐Hyeok , Nam Sang Ook , Kim Eun Kyoung , Shin Jin‐Hong , Oh Seung Hwan , Ryu Dongryeol , Lee Hye Eun , Mun Ji Young
Published: July 2021

Beta‐propeller protein‐associated neurodegeneration (BPAN) is associated with mutations in the autophagy gene WDR45. The aim of this study was to demonstrate autophagic defects in a patient with BPAN. We assayed autophagic markers using western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry and applied transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to visualize the autophagic structures in fibroblasts from a 7‐year‐old Korean female with WDR45 splice‐site mutation (c.977‐1G>A; NM_007075.3). The protein and mRNA expression levels of WDR45 gene were decreased in the patient‐derived fibroblasts. The amount of increase in LC3‐II upon treatment with an autophagy inducer and inhibitor was reduced in mutant cells compared to control cells, suggesting decreased autophagic flux. TEM showed the accumulation of large vacuoles in mutant cells with a decrease of autophagosomes. Our study demonstrated that the WDR45 mutation in this patient impaired autophagy and provided additional insight into ultrastructural changes of autophagic structures.
Findings of unacceptable risk – A comment on Webb et al.'s analysis of child sexual abuse allegations in the Family Court of Australia
Authors: Parkinson Patrick
Published: July 2021

Webb et al.'s study of Family Court judgements involving allegations of child sexual abuse has yielded much valuable statistical data. It demonstrates that only 12 per cent of fully contested cases where an allegation of sexual abuse is made result in a finding that a child is exposed to an unacceptable risk of sexual abuse. This commentary seeks to explain this low percentage by reference to the cohort of cases that fall for judicial determination in the Family Court. The fully contested cases are disproportionately those in which police, child protection department staff or independent evaluators have been unable to reach a clear view. Typically, these cases involve children under 7 years old. The Family Court is the “too hard basket” of the child protection system, and so the low level of findings of unacceptable risk is not necessarily indicative of systemic failure.
NIR‐Triggered Intracellular H+ Transients for Lamellipodia‐Collapsed Antimetastasis and Enhanced Chemodynamic Therapy
Authors: Chen Xiaoyan , Chen Yang , Wang Chaochao , Jiang Yaqin , Chu Xu , Wu Fan , Wu Yelin , Cai Xuechao , Cao Yi , Liu Yanyan , Bu Wenbo
Published: July 2021

In solid tumors, tumor invasion and metastasis account for 90 % of cancer‐related deaths. Cell migration is steered by the lamellipodia formed at the leading edge. These lamellipodia can drive the cell body forward by its mechanical deformation regulated by cofilin. Inhibiting cofilin activity can cause significant defects in directional lamellipodia formation and the locomotory capacity of cell invasion, thus contributing to antimetastatic treatment. Herein, a near infrared light (NIR)‐controlled nanoscale proton supplier was designed with upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as a core coated in MIL‐88B for interior photoacids loading; this photoacids loading can boost H+ transients in cells, which converts the cofilin to an inactive form. Strikingly, inactive cofilin loses the ability to mediate lamellipodia deformation for cell migration. Additionally, the iron, which serves as a catalyticaly active center in MIL‐88B, initiates an enhanced Fenton reaction due to the increased H+ in the tumor, ultimately achieving intensive chemodynamic therapy (CDT). This work provides new insight into H+ transients in cells, which not only regulates cofilin protonation for antimetastatic treatment but also improves chemodynamic therapy.
Electrochemical Synthesis of Glycine from Oxalic Acid and Nitrate
Authors: Kim Jeong Eun , Jang Jun Ho , Lee Kyu Min , Balamurugan Mani , Jo Young In , Lee Moo Young , Choi Seungwoo , Im Sang Won , Nam Ki Tae
Published: July 2021

In manufacturing C−N bond‐containing compounds, it is an important challenge to alternate the conventional methodologies that utilize reactive substrates, toxic reagents, and organic solvents. In this study, we developed an electrochemical method to synthesize a C−N bond‐containing molecule avoiding the use of cyanides and amines by harnessing nitrate (NO3−) as a nitrogen source in an aqueous electrolyte. In addition, we utilized oxalic acid as a carbon source, which can be obtained from electrochemical conversion of CO2. Thus, our approach can provide a route for the utilization of anthropogenic CO2 and nitrate wastes, which cause serious environmental problems including global warming and eutrophication. Interestingly, the coreduction of oxalic acid and nitrate generated reactive intermediates, which led to C−N bond formation followed by further reduction to an amino acid, namely, glycine. By carefully controlling this multireduction process with a fabricated Cu–Hg electrode, we demonstrated the efficient production of glycine with a faradaic efficiency (F.E.) of up to 43.1 % at −1.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl (current density≈90 mA cm−2).
Surprising Condensation Reactions of the Azadithiolate Cofactor
Authors: Zhang Fanjun , Richers Casseday P. , Woods Toby J. , Rauchfuss Thomas B.
Published: July 2021

Azadithiolate, a cofactor found in all [FeFe]‐hydrogenases, is shown to undergo acid‐catalyzed rearrangement. Fe2[(SCH2)2NH](CO)6 self‐condenses to give Fe6[(SCH2)3N]2(CO)17. The reaction, which is driven by loss of NH4+, illustrates the exchange of the amine group. X‐ray crystallography reveals that three Fe2(SR)2(CO)x butterfly subunits interconnected by the aminotrithiolate [N(CH2S)3]3−. Mechanistic studies reveal that Fe2[(SCH2)2NR](CO)6 participate in a range of amine exchange reactions, enabling new methodologies for modifying the adt cofactor. Ru2[(SCH2)2NH](CO)6 also rearranges, but proceeds further to give derivatives with Ru‐alkyl bonds Ru6[(SCH2)3N][(SCH2)2NCH2]S(CO)17 and [Ru2[(SCH2)2NCH2](CO)5]2S.
New poly(lactic acid) composites produced from coffee beverage wastes
Authors: Gama Nuno , Ferreira Artur , Evtuguin Dmitry V.
Published: July 2021

In this study, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of plastics, new composite materials containing recycled fibers from used paper coffee cups and oil extracted from spent coffee grounds (SCG) were produced. Accordingly, the cellulose fibers were chemically modified using lactic acid to be used as poly(lactic acid) filler reinforcement. The obtained results revealed that its addition improved the mechanical properties of the ensuing composites. The addition of 30% wt/wt of unmodified and modified fibers increased the Young modulus by 53% and 72%, respectively. In addition, enhanced biodegradability was obtained due to higher water absorption (up to 4% wt/wt). In parallel, coffee oil was used as a plasticizer and the affinity between the plasticizer and polymer matrix was confirmed by the lack of phase separation, by the improved flexibility of derived materials (the addition of 40% wt/wt of plasticizer increased the elongation at break by 86%) and by the better processability of the ensuing materials (the addition of 30% wt/wt of plasticizer increased the MFI by 205%). Overall, the results suggest that the use of modified cellulose fibers and the addition of SCG oil‐based plasticizer can be promising routes to produce eco‐friendly plastics.
Neutral Nitrogen Donor Ligand‐based MOFs for Sensing Applications
Authors: Sharma Shivani , Dutta Subhajit , Dam Gourab K. , Ghosh Sujit K.
Published: July 2021

Neutral nitrogen donor (N‐donor) ligand‐based MOFs, with their enticing features inclusive of facile synthesis, labile metal‐ligand bond, framework flexibility, atomic level tunability renders them appealing in molecular recognition‐based studies. Intriguingly, the flexibility in such systems (owing to weaker metal‐nitrogen bonds) promote maximization of host‐analyte interactions, which is critical for the manifestation of a signaling response. Such host‐analyte interactions can be tapped by discerning any change in the physical properties associated with the system, such as optical, fluorometric, chemiresistive, magnetic, dielectric constant, mass. This minireview presents a brief discussion on the various types of signal transduction pathways unveiled hitherto using neutral N‐donor ligand‐based MOFs and the fundamental insight into the signal‘s origin. Moreover, an elaborate compilation of the recent examples in this field has been presented. Also, the untapped prospects have been highlighted, which may serve as a beacon to drive future research.
Coexpression of the discoidin domain receptor 1 gene with oligodendrocyte‐related and schizophrenia risk genes in the developing and adult human brain
Authors: Muntané Gerard , Chillida Marc , Aranda Selena , Navarro Arcadi , Vilella Elisabet
Published: July 2021

Background

Discoidin domain receptor tyrosine kinase 1 (DDR1) is present in multiple types of epithelial cells and is highly expressed in the nervous system. Previous studies have revealed that DDR1 is involved in schizophrenia (SCZ). Although the expression of DDR1 in oligodendrocytes has been described, its role in brain myelination is not well understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the coexpression network of DDR1 in the human brain and to compare the list of DDR1 coexpressing genes with the list of genes containing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with SCZ.

Materials and Methods

We used a weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) of a dataset from four brain areas (the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, primary motor cortex, hippocampus, and striatum) and from four different intervals (I) of life (I‐1 = 10–38 weeks postconception, I‐2 ≥0 to < 6 years, I‐3 ≥ 6 to < 40 years, and I‐4 ≥ 40 years of age). We compared the list of genes that are associated with SCZ in the GWAS Catalog with the list of genes coexpressing with DDR1 in each interval.

Results

Our study revealed that DDR1 was coexpressed with oligodendrocyte‐related genes mainly in I‐2 (adjP = 5.66e‐24) and I‐3 (adjP = 2.8e‐114), which coincided with the coexpression of DDR1 with myelination‐related genes (adjP = 9.04e‐03 and 2.51e‐08, respectively). DDR1 was also coexpressed with astrocyte‐related genes in I‐1 (adjP = 1.11e‐71), I‐2 (adjP = 2.12e‐20) and I‐4 (adjP = 9.93e‐52) and with type 2 microglia‐related genes in I‐1 (adjP = 2.84e‐08), I‐2 (adjP = 5.68e‐16) and I‐4 (adjP = 3.66e‐10). Moreover, we observed significant enrichment of SCZ susceptibility genes within the coexpression modules containing DDR1 in I‐1 and I‐4 (P = 1e‐04 and 0.0037, respectively), during which the DDR1 module showed the highest association with the astrocytes.

Conclusions

Our study confirmed that DDR1 is coexpressed with oligodendrocyte‐ and myelin‐related genes in the human brain but suggests that DDR1 may contribute mainly to SCZ risk through its role in other glial cell types, such as astrocytes.
Chemical Constituents from a Mangrove‐Derived Actinobacteria Isoptericola chiayiensis BCRC 16888 and Evaluation of Their Anti‐NO Activity
Authors: Su Yung‐Shun , Cheng Ming‐Jen , Wu Ming‐Der , Chai Chee‐Yin , Kwan Aij‐Lie , Su Sheng‐Han , Kuo Yueh‐Hsiung
Published: July 2021

Cultivation of the actinobacteria strain Isoptericola chiayiensis, a mangrove‐derived actinobacteria that was isolated from a mangrove soil collected in Chiayi County, resulted in the isolation of one new 2‐furanone derivative, isopterfuranone (1), one new sesquiterpenoid, isopterchiayione (2), one new benzenoid derivative, isopterinoid (3), five new flavonoids, chiayiflavans A−E (4–8), and 4 metabolites isolated for the first time from nature source, methyl 3‐(4‐methyl‐2,5‐dioxopyrrolidin‐3‐yl)propanoate (9), 3‐ethyl‐4‐methylpyrrolidine‐2,5‐dione (10), chiayiensol (11) and chiayiensic acid (12). Their structures were determined through in‐depth spectroscopic and mass‐spectrometric analyses. Most of the isolates showed potent inhibitory effects on NO production in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages cells with IC50 values ranging from 9.36 to 40.02 μM. Of these isolates, 4 and 5 showed NO inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 17.14 and 9.36 μM, stronger than the positive control quercetin (IC50=36.95 μM). This is the first report on flavan metabolites from the genus Isoptericola.
Comprehensive Review on Biodiesel Production from Palm Oil Mill Effluent
Authors: Zulqarnain  , Yusoff Mohd Hizami Mohd , Ayoub Muhammad , Hamza Nazir Muhammad , Zahid Imtisal , Ameen Mariam , Abbas Wajahat , Shoparwe Noor Fazliani , Abbas Nadir
Published: July 2021

Biodiesel synthesis processes including pyrolysis, direct blending, transesterification, and advanced technologies such as microwave‐ and ultrasound‐assisted and supercritical processes from palm oil mill effluent (POME) are reviewed to highlight the significance and advances in terms of process sustainability and cost. POME as the most contaminated waste can be effectively utilized for biodiesel production. Supercritical transesterification offers more advantages over the other processes including higher reaction rate, without catalyst constraint, producing pure glycerol, and simple product separation process. The addition of co‐solvents like CO2should be investigated for supercritical biodiesel production from POME. Although POME is an inexpensive source to synthesize biodiesel, innovative processes are needed to maximize the oil recovery from POME. Optimization of transesterification parameters is required for high production yields and sustainable processing.
Organophotoredox‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative N‐Alkylation of Sulfonamides
Authors: Nakagawa Masanari , Nagao Kazunori , Ikeda Zenichi , Reynolds Matthew , Ibáñez Ignacio , Wang Junsi , Tokunaga Norihito , Sasaki Yusuke , Ohmiya Hirohisa
Published: July 2021

We developed an organophotoredox‐catalyzed reaction for N‐alkylation of sulfonamides with aliphatic carboxylic acid‐derived redox active esters as alkylating reagents. Under mild and transition metal‐free conditions, a series of functionalized N‐alkylated sulfonamides were prepared. This protocol also enabled the functionalization of pharmaceutical drugs bearing a sulfonamide or carboxylic acid moiety. This radical‐mediated process allowed the assembly of three components including sulfonamides, redox active esters, and alkenes to yield complex sulfonamides in a one‐pot manner.
Engineering Active Sites in Three‐Dimensional Hierarchically Porous Graphene‐Like Carbon with Co and N‐Doped Carbon for High‐Performance Zinc‐Air Battery
Authors: Bera Raj Kumar , Park Hongjun , Ryoo Ryong
Published: July 2021

The design of active sites plays an important role in developing highly active oxygen electrocatalysts in Zn‐air batteries (ZnABs). Here, we report the formation of cobalt (Co) nanoparticles and thin graphitic N‐doped carbon (NC) supported on three‐dimensional hierarchically porous graphene‐like carbon (Co‐NC/3DHPGC) to maximize the accessibility of Co‐NC active sites for oxygen reduction/evolution reactions (ORR/OER). The produced Co‐NC/3DHPGC exhibits a broad size distribution (5–30 nm) of Co nanoparticles dispersed on the external surface of 3DHPGC and coated with NC to a thickness of ∼2 nm. We attributed the formation of Co nanoparticles with broad size distribution to the hierarchical porosity of 3DHPGC, which served as a cage to stabilize the Co nanoparticles and increase the metal dispersion; the produced Co nanoparticles catalyze the formation of graphitic NC. Compared with commercial Pt/C and RuO2 catalysts, the resultant Co‐NC/3DHPGC exhibits excellent bifunctional ORR/OER electrocatalytic activity and high durability. The high electrocatalytic performance is ascribed to the accessibility of highly active Co‐NC sites through mesopores of 3DHPGC. The ZnAB assembled with Co‐NC/3DHPGC exhibits high energy density and efficiency. This systematic engineering and rational synthesis strategy may provide new insight into the development of high‐performance oxygen electrocatalysts for metal‐air batteries and fuel cell technology.
Jump‐robust testing of volatility functions in continuous time models
Authors: Chen Qiang , Xu Wanzi , Gong Yuting
Published: July 2021

In this article, we develop new tests for the parametric volatility function of jump‐diffusion processes. Our tests are of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Cramer–von Mises types, and are based on marked empirical processes coupled with a threshold bipower approach. The tests impose no restrictions on the functional form of the drift function and are robust to jumps. Monte Carlo simulations show that the tests have satisfactory size and good power under processes with or without jumps. Application to a real dataset shows that our jump‐robust volatility tests give more reasonable results than the existing non‐robust volatility tests.
Environmental risk indicators disclosure and value relevance: An empirical analysis of Italian listed companies after the implementation of the Legislative Decree 254/2016
Authors: Paolone Francesco , Granà Fabrizio , Martiniello Laura , Tiscini Riccardo
Published: July 2021

In response to EU Directive 95/2014, many companies headquartered in Europe have strengthened their non‐financial disclosure on environmental strategies and risks. In particular, the Directive was applied by Italian law, with the Legislative Decree 254/2016, requiring the largest Italian companies (exceeding 500 employees) to provide detailed information on their social and environmental disclosures. In this paper, we aim to analyze the value relevance of financial and environmental information provided by the Italian, non‐financial listed companies after the implementation of the Legislative Decree 254/2016. By building on the signaling theory, we set a pooled regression analysis to test the relationship between environmental disclosure and value relevance for the period 2017–2018. We contribute to the literature by arguing that Italian companies' market value depends on both their financial and environmental disclosures. More specifically, we argue that accounting information is not sufficiently capable to explain the value relevance and it needs to be integrated by a set of environmental information. Our contribution aims at demonstrating that the higher the levels of environmental risk indicators disclosure, the greater a company's market performance.
Hollow Hydrangea‐Like CoRu/Co Architecture as an Excellent Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Chen Qian , Yang Dandan , Wang Yi , Long Yan , Fan Guangyin
Published: July 2021

Developing low‐cost but efficient electrocatalysts to promote the sluggish kinetics of oxygen evolution from water splitting is essential for hydrogen production. In this study, a hierarchical hollow hydrangea‐like CoRu/Co superstructure is constructed through a self‐templating method by morphology‐controlled pyrolysis of flower‐like Ru‐doped Co‐based layered double hydroxides (LDH). The anchoring of Ru into Co−LDH is the key to the formation of well‐defined hydrangea‐like three‐dimensional superstructure composed of CoRu/Co. The optimized CoRu/Co−M‐350 with a low Ru loading of 3.0 wt% exhibits excellent catalytic performances in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with low overpotential (η10=192 mV) and excellent stability for 100 h at 100 mA cm−2 in alkaline media, outperforming the benchmark RuO2 and most reported electrocatalysts. The superior morphology and structural features of CoRu/Co−M‐350 provide not only abundant accessible surface sites but also fast mass and electron transfer, thereby promoting OER catalysis. The present study provides a new synthetic route for preparing highly active OER electrocatalysts.
Ecohydrological interactions in a boreal fen–swamp complex, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Elmes Matthew C. , Davidson Scott J. , Price Jonathan S.
Published: July 2021

The Western Boreal Plain (WBP) comprises a diverse array of wetland types; however, swamps are understudied in the WBP relative to other wetlands, despite their ubiquity. We apply an ecohydrological and GIS‐based research approach at a fen–swamp complex in the WBP to characterize the ecohydrological properties of the varying wetland types and relate these interactions to the hydrologic function of the watershed. In this study, we evaluate 3 years of hydrological monitoring data, with additional hydrochemical, vegetation and remote sensing data. In our analyses, we identified five land types: fen, flat peat swamp and peat margin swamp (peatlands), mineral swamp and upland. Flat peat swamp was distinguished from fen using Ducks Unlimited criteria, stating fens cannot have trees >10 m in height. Little difference in water table variability, groundwater connectivity, vegetation composition and water chemistry were found between flat peat swamp and fen, suggesting that for all practical purposes, they can be considered a single unit and tree height alone cannot be used to differentiate these peatland types. In contrast, peat margin swamps exhibited lower and more variable water tables and consistent downward hydraulic gradients and comprised a mixture of peatland and upland vegetation. Peat margin swamps, however, exhibited similar porewater pH, electrical conductivity and base cation concentrations as upland, flat peat swamp and fen, suggesting that they are well connected hydrologically. Peat margin swamps were also found to modulate subsurface water movement between fen and upland (via reduced transmissivity from lower water tables) and therefore act as distinct ecohydrological units.
Temperature‐Field Sparse‐Reconstruction of Lithium‐Ion Battery Pack Based on Artificial Neural Network and Virtual Thermal Sensor Technology
Authors: Fang Zheng , Wang Mengyi , Hu Weifeng , Chang Kejing , Zhang Bijiao
Published: July 2021

To monitor the temperature of lithium‐ion battery packs more accurately with as few sensors as possible, a temperature‐field sparse‐reconstruction technique based on an artificial neural network (ANN) and a virtual thermal sensor (VTS) is proposed herein. 64 uniformly distributed temperature points of lithium‐ion battery packs in seven discharge cycles are measured by a thermometer, and the 64 sensors are further divided into real thermal sensors (RTS) and VTSs according to a certain number and spatial position relationship. In addition, the sensor compression rate (SCR) is defined, herein, to quantitatively measure the impact of the RTS number on temperature‐field sparse‐reconstruction. ANN is built and compared with linear regression (LR). The results show that the temperature‐field sparse‐reconstruction based on ANN and VTS can provide accurate and robust prediction; the maximum mean absolute error (MAE) of ANN is less than 0.1873 °C (SCR = 1.56%) in the experiment. ANN obtains better accuracy with fewer RTS compared with LR. In addition, the proposed principle of sensor layout design is effective. Herein, the temperature‐field sparse‐reconstruction of battery pack is realized without any knowledge of battery thermal properties, heat generation, or thermal boundary conditions, and the optimal number of RTS under given accuracy requirements are obtained.
Direct Recycling of Blended Cathode Materials by Froth Flotation
Authors: Folayan Tinu-Ololade , Lipson Albert L. , Durham Jessica L. , Pinegar Haruka , Liu Donghao , Pan Lei
Published: July 2021

Direct Li‐ion battery recycling involves separating cathode active materials in the solid phase while preserving their electrochemical performance. To reuse the recycled ones in new batteries, it is necessary to separate individual cathode components, which would typically occur prior to the rejuvenation and any compositional reformulation processes. Herein, a froth flotation process is developed to separate pristine lithium nickel–manganese–cobalt oxide (LiNi0.333Mn0.333Co0.333O2, NMC111) and lithium manganese oxide (LMO) materials. The flotation results show that with multiple stages of the separation processes, a satisfactory separation is achieved with 95% grade or above of NMC111 in the froth product and 95% grade of LMO in the tailing product. The electrochemistry results show that the flotation chemicals have negligible impact on the electrochemical performance of recycled active materials, whereas the NMC111 exhibits a minor capacity fade after being in contact with deionized water at 2% solid concentration. An improvement in both the rate and cycling performance is achieved at 10% solid concentration or higher. It is found that there is little compositional and structural change to the aqueous recycled NMC111 powders. An effective and low‐cost separation method for direct recycling mixed cathode compositions is demonstrated.
Toward the incorporation of temporal interaction analysis techniques in modeling and understanding sociotechnical systems
Authors: David Lida Z. , Schraagen Jan Maarten , Endedijk Maaike
Published: July 2021

The increased complexity of modern sociotechnical systems (STS) necessitates the need for a manageable representation of their attributes, to augment our understanding and enable the development of ways through which we can increase their effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. Although many of the methodologies developed in the Human Factors domain map and investigate system properties and network structures, the inclusion of the temporal dimension in the analysis of STS remains limited. In this paper we present how modeling and visualization of STS can be augmented with the incorporation of temporal interaction analysis techniques that enable a micro‐level, fine‐grained analysis of data. We provide an overview of temporal analysis techniques by breaking down their main function, requirements, types of research questions they can address, and the visualization properties they offer, attempting to enhance their use in system analysis. This overview can assist researchers in selecting an analysis technique, enabling the incorporation of temporality in STS analysis, and helping towards the design of improved and safer systems and interventions.
Is cystectomy an option as conservative surgery for young patients with borderline ovarian tumor? A multi‐institutional retrospective study
Authors: Ikeda Yoshiki , Yoshihara Masato , Yoshikawa Nobuhisa , Tamauchi Satoshi , Yokoi Akira , Nishino Kimihiro , Niimi Kaoru , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: July 2021

Objective

To investigate the impact of cystectomy for borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) on tumor recurrence compared with salpingo‐oophorectomy using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW).

Methods

A central pathologic review and a search of the medical records from 14 collaborating institutions from 1986 to 2017 identified 4708 women with a malignant ovarian neoplasm. Data for young women with Stage I BOT were extracted. To compare recurrence‐free survival between the surgery groups, Cox regression analyses and the IPTW‐adjusted Kaplan‐Meier method were employed.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 62.0 (1.2–270.4) months, 10 of the 285 patients identified (3.5%) developed recurrence. In multivariate analysis, the practice of cystectomy was not a significant prognostic indicator of recurrence‐free survival (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.276 [0.150–10.864]; P = 0.823). In the IPTW‐adjusted cohort, the 5‐year recurrence‐free survival rates were 95.8% and 96.0% in patients receiving cystectomy and salpingo‐oophorectomy, respectively (P = 0.378).

Conclusion

If patients are selected appropriately, cystectomy in itself may not increase tumor recurrence in young women with early‐stage BOT. A large‐scale prospective clinical study is necessary to validate this finding.
Influence of captivity and selection on limb long bone cross‐sectional morphology of reindeer
Authors: Pelletier Maxime , Niinimäki Sirpa , Salmi Anna‐Kaisa
Published: July 2021

The emergence of pastoralism and animal husbandry has been a critical point in the history of human evolution. Beyond profound behavioural changes in domesticated animals compared to wild ones, characterising the morphological changes associated with domestication process remains challenging. Because reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) can be considered to still be in the early phases of the domestication process, the study of modern populations provides a unique opportunity to examine the impact of captivity and selective breeding on skeletal changes. In this work, we investigated the morphological changes in long limb bone cross‐sections using 137 wild and domestic reindeer individuals bred in free‐range, in captivity or used for racing and pulling. The shape and shaft cortical thickness of the six long limb bones (i.e., humerus, radioulna, metacarpal, femur, tibia and metatarsal) were measured using a 2D‐geometric morphometrics approach taking into account subspecies, sex, body mass and lifestyle differences. These bones are important to understanding functional morphological changes because they can provide information on feeding and locomotor behaviours, as well as on body propulsion and weight bearing. Apart from the effects of taxonomy, etho‐ecology and sex, we have found that captivity and selection induced important variations in the size and body mass of modern reindeer. Our results also showed that patterns of variation in cortical bone thickness of long limb bone cross‐sections were strongly impacted by body mass and human‐imposed restrictions in roaming. This demonstrates that bone cross‐sections can provide information on changes in locomotor, reproductive and feeding behaviours induced by the domestication process. These results are valuable not only for (paleo) biologists studying the impact of captivity and selection in ungulates but also for archaeologists exploring the origins of domestication and early herding strategies.
Deep learning‐based segmentation of knee MRI for fully automatic subregional morphological assessment of cartilage tissues: Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Panfilov Egor , Tiulpin Aleksei , Nieminen Miika T. , Saarakkala Simo , Casula Victor
Published: July 2021

Morphological changes in knee cartilage subregions are valuable imaging‐based biomarkers for understanding progression of osteoarthritis, and they are typically detected from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). So far, accurate segmentation of cartilage has been done manually. Deep learning approaches show high promise in automating the task; however, they lack clinically relevant evaluation. We introduce a fully automatic method for segmentation and subregional assessment of articular cartilage, and evaluate its predictive power in context of radiographic osteoarthritis progression. Two data sets of 3D double‐echo steady‐state (DESS) MRI derived from the Osteoarthritis Initiative were used: first, n = 88; second, n = 600, 0‐/12‐/24‐month visits. Our method performed deep learning‐based segmentation of knee cartilage tissues, their subregional division via multi‐atlas registration, and extraction of subregional volume and thickness. The segmentation model was developed and assessed on the first data set. Subsequently, on the second data set, the morphological measurements from our and the prior methods were analyzed in correlation and agreement, and, eventually, by their discriminative power of radiographic osteoarthritis progression over 12 and 24 months, retrospectively. The segmentation model showed very high correlation (r > 0.934) and agreement (mean difference < 116 mm3) in volumetric measurements with the reference segmentations. Comparison of our and manual segmentation methods yielded r = 0.845–0.973 and mean differences = 262–501 mm3 for weight‐bearing cartilage volume, and r = 0.770–0.962 and mean differences = 0.513–1.138 mm for subregional cartilage thickness. With regard to osteoarthritis progression, our method found most of the significant associations identified using the manual segmentation method, for both 12‐ and 24‐month subregional cartilage changes. The method may be effectively applied in osteoarthritis progression studies to extract cartilage‐related imaging biomarkers.
Numerical simulation of the influence of pillar strength on the internal synergy relationship in the backfill‐pillar system
Authors: Sun Guanghua , Feng Yufan , Xu Xiaodong , Yao Xulong , Liu Chenyang , Wang Yue
Published: July 2021

The influence of the strength of the pillar on the bearing characteristics of the backfill‐pillar system (BPS) based on the mechanism of backfill. Quantitative synergy relationships between backfill and pillar were defined and pointed out. There are four kinds of quantitative synergy relationships in the bearing process of the system. To verify the relationship, systems with different strengths of the pillar were selected to carry out numerical simulation experiments, and a mathematical calculation method to quantify synergy relationship in the BPS was designed. The results show that the system under the low strength of the pillar presents the overall increase in bearing characteristics, while the system under the high strength of the pillar presents “N”‐type bearing features. Four kinds of quantitative synergy relationships able to characterise the action mechanism between backfill and pillar in each stage of the bearing of the system. Through analysis and discussion, it was concluded that the essential reason for the difference in bearing characteristics is that the effect of displacement restraint, joint support, and passive compressive weaken with the increase of the strength of pillar. The effect of pillar strength on the internal synergy of BPS is well verified by numerical simulation test.
White rot fungal impact on the evolution of simple phenols during decay of silver fir wood by UHPLC‐HQOMS
Authors: Di Lella Stefania , La Porta Nicola , Tognetti Roberto , Lombardi Fabio , Nardin Tiziana , Larcher Roberto
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is one of the most valuable conifer wood species in Europe. Among the main opportunistic pathogens that cause root and butt rot on silver fir are Armillaria ostoyae and Heterobasidion abietinum. Due to the different enzymatic pools of these wood‐decay fungi, different strategies in metabolizing the phenols were available.

Objective

This work explores the changes in phenolic compounds during silver fir wood degradation.

Methodology

Phenols were analyzed before and after fungus inoculation in silver fir macerated wood after 2, 4 and 6 months. All samples were analyzed using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to a hybrid quadrupole‐orbitrap mass spectrometer.

Results

Thirteen compounds, including simple phenols, alkylphenyl alcohols, hydroxybenzoketones, hydroxycinnamaldehydes, hydroxybenzaldehydes, hydroxyphenylacetic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids and hydroxycoumarins, were detected. Pyrocatechol, coniferyl alcohol, acetovanillone, vanillin, benzoic acid, 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid and vanillic acid contents decreased during the degradation process. Methyl vanillate, ferulic acid and p‐coumaric were initially produced and then degraded. Scopoletin was accumulated. Pyrocatechol, acetovanillone and methyl vanillate were found for the first time in both degrading and non‐degrading wood of silver fir.

Conclusions

Despite differences in the enzymatic pool, both fungi caused a significant decrease in the amounts of phenolic compounds with the accumulation of the only scopoletin. Principal component analysis revealed an initial differentiation between the degradation activity of the two fungal species during degradation, but similar phenolic contents at the end of wood degradation.
Gender context modulation on the self‐enhancement effect of vocal attractiveness evaluation
Authors: Peng Zhikang , Hu Zhiguo , Wang Xinyu , Jiao Tiantian , Li Hanxiaoran , Liu Hongyan
Published: July 2021

People evaluated their own voices as sounding more attractive than others rated their voices (i.e., self‐enhancement effect from the perspective of the rater, termed “SE_rater”), and people also rated their own voices as more attractive than the voices of others (i.e., self‐enhancement effect from the perspective of the voice, termed “SE_voice”). The aim of the present study is to explore whether the gender context (i.e., same‐sex and opposite‐sex rating context) could influence the SE effect of voice attractiveness evaluation. Male and female participants were asked to rate the attractiveness of their own voices and other participants' voices, either in a same‐sex session or an opposite‐sex session. The results demonstrated both the SE_rater and SE_voice effect in the same‐sex and opposite‐sex contexts, for both male and female. More importantly, we found that the SE_rater for the male voices was significantly greater than that for the female voices in the same‐sex context whereas no such difference was found in the opposite‐sex context. In addition, the SE_voice effect in men was larger in the same‐sex context than that in the opposite‐sex context whereas the SE_voice in women was smaller in the same‐sex context than that in the opposite‐sex context. These findings indicated that the self‐enhancement effect of vocal attractiveness was modulated by the gender context.
Chylothorax in the neonate—A stepwise approach algorithm
Authors: Rocha Gustavo , Arnet Vanessa , Soares Paulo , Gomes Ana Cristina , Costa Sandra , Guerra Paula , Casanova Jorge , Azevedo Inês
Published: July 2021

Background

Chylothorax in neonates results from leakage of lymph from thoracic lymphatic ducts and is mainly congenital or posttraumatic. The clinical course of the effusion is heterogeneous, and consensus on treatment, timing, and modalities of measures has not yet been established. This review aims to present, along with levels of evidence and recommendation grades, all current therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of chylothorax in neonates.

Methods

An extensive search of publications between 1970 and 2020 was performed in the PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and UpToDate databases. A stepwise approach algorithm was proposed for both congenital and traumatic conditions to guide the clinician in a rational and systematic way for approaching the treatment of neonates with chylothorax.

Discussion and Conclusion

The treatment strategy for neonatal chylothorax generally involves supportive care and includes drainage and procedures to reduce chyle flow. A stepwise approach starting with the least invasive method is advocated. Progression in the invasiveness of treatment options is determined by the response to previous treatments. A practical stepwise approach algorithm is proposed for both, congenital and traumatic chylothoraces.
Protein oligomer modeling guided by predicted interchain contacts in CASP14
Authors: Baek Minkyung , Anishchenko Ivan , Park Hahnbeom , Humphreys Ian R. , Baker David
Published: July 2021

For CASP14, we developed deep learning‐based methods for predicting homo‐oligomeric and hetero‐oligomeric contacts and used them for oligomer modeling. To build structure models, we developed an oligomer structure generation method that utilizes predicted interchain contacts to guide iterative restrained minimization from random backbone structures. We supplemented this gradient‐based fold‐and‐dock method with template‐based and ab initio docking approaches using deep learning‐based subunit predictions on 29 assembly targets. These methods produced oligomer models with summed Z‐scores 5.5 units higher than the next best group, with the fold‐and‐dock method having the best relative performance. Over the eight targets for which this method was used, the best of the five submitted models had average oligomer TM‐score of 0.71 (average oligomer TM‐score of the next best group: 0.64), and explicit modeling of inter‐subunit interactions improved modeling of six out of 40 individual domains (ΔGDT‐TS > 2.0).
Bandgap Engineering through Halide Double‐Perovskite Alloys: A High‐Throughput First‐Principles Study
Authors: Zhang Tao , Wu Yu-Ning , Chen Shiyou
Published: July 2021

Halide double perovskites are a new category of semiconductors that have shown promising optoelectronic properties. Their performance can be further improved by band engineering through alloying. Herein, based on the previous high‐throughput first‐principles study that predicts 118 thermodynamically stable halide double perovskites, 273 halide double‐perovskite pairs with lattice mismatch less than 1% and bandgap difference larger than 0.5 eV are filtered. Low lattice mismatch favors high miscibility and coherent interfaces if made into heterostructures, and large‐bandgap difference means wide tuning range. Further study on bandgap alignments shows that almost all halide double‐perovskite pairs show type‐I alignment, which favors high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) if made into heterostructures. The study not only provides a list of candidate halide double‐perovskite alloys for wide‐range bandgap engineering and heterostructures with coherent interfaces, but also gives insights into developing new optoelectronic materials based on halide double perovskites and their alloys.
Rapid growing mediastinal ectopic pancreas within ruptured thymic cyst treated using video‐assisted thoracic surgery
Authors: Sugata Kazuki , Kajiura Koichiro , Taniguchi Haruki , Kuda Tomoya , Matsuzaki Akiko , Fukumoto Taizo
Published: July 2021

Ectopic pancreas (EP) is typically found within other gastrointestinal organs. Its discovery in other parts of the body, especially in the mediastinum, is exceedingly rare. This paper presents a case of a 17‐year‐old female patient with EP in a large, rapidly growing thymic cyst. She presented to our institution with persistent chest pain. Video‐assisted thoracic surgery revealed a mediastinal mass in the setting of pleural effusion. Analysis of the fluid contents of the mass and the pleural effusion demonstrated high levels of pancreatic amylase, which supported the presence of pancreatic tissue within the mass. This is the first reported case of EP in a thymic cyst with an active pancreatic exocrine function. It is also the first reported case of mediastinal EP rupture secondary to autodigestion by amylase.