bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corrosion resistance of the nickel‐free high‐nitrogen steel FeCrMnMoN0.9 under simulated inflammatory conditions
Authors: Radice Simona , Impergre Amandine , Fischer Alfons , Wimmer Markus A.
Published: November 2020

Nickel‐free, high‐nitrogen austenitic steels (AHNS) have been introduced for biomedical applications, with encouraging results in terms of mechanical and corrosion properties. Here, we tested the corrosion resistance of a nickel‐free high nitrogen steel (FeCrMnMoN0.9) in bovine serum solutions containing 0 or 3 g/L hyaluronic acid (HA), and 0, 3, or 30 mM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) simulating no, moderate, or strong inflammatory conditions, respectively. Nondestructive electrochemical measurements (open circuit potential [OCP], linear polarization resistance “RP”, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) were run in triplicate over 10 hr. The presence of HA had no significant effect either on the stabilized OCP values, or on the corrosion resistance of FeCrMnMoN0.9. Increasing H2O2 concentrations shifted the OCP to more electropositive values; the corrosion resistance decreased only at a 30 mM H2O2. Final RP values at 0, 3, and 30 mM H2O2 resulted in 1598 ± 276, 1746 ± 308, and 439 ± 47 kΩ cm2, respectively. These values were 4–14 times higher, than the RP values measured on LC‐CoCrMo in our previous study, conducted under identical conditions. While these findings are encouraging, future studies need to focus on tribocorrosive properties of the AHNS to evaluate its applicability in joint replacement.
Quantum chemical investigation of structure and stability conformers (R)‐4‐menthen‐3‐one
Authors: Vakulin Ivan V. , Latipova Elvira R. , Rafikova Anna A. , Belkina Nadegda V. , Yakupov Iskander Sh. , Talipov Rifkat F. , Ishmuratov Gumer U.
Published: November 2020

In this work, we study the structure and ratio of (R)‐4‐menthen‐3‐one conformers using ab initio methods. It was shown that the methyl group in (R)‐4‐menthen‐3‐one preferred an equatorial position. In the most stable conformer of the (R)‐4‐menthen‐3‐one, the methyl radical of the i‐Pr group is oriented to C=C double bond, so this group has a more steric hindrance effect on double bond. The ratio of conformers in solvents increases in favor of the most stable conformer.
Comparative efficacy and safety of bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTd) without and with daratumumab (D‐VTd) in CASSIOPEIA versus VTd in PETHEMA/GEM in transplant‐eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, using propensity score matching
Authors: Moreau Philippe , Hulin Cyrille , Zweegman Sonja , Hashim Mahmoud , Hu Yannan , Heeg Bart , de Boer Carla , Vanquickelberghe Veronique , Kampfenkel Tobias , He Jianming , Lam Annette , Cote Sarah , Sonneveld Pieter
Published: November 2020

Background

Traditional bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTd) regimens for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) include doses of thalidomide up to 200 mg/day (VTd‐label). Clinical practice has evolved to use a lower dose (100 mg/day) to reduce toxicity (VTd‐mod), which was evaluated in the phase III CASSIOPEIA study, without or with daratumumab (D‐VTd; an anti‐CD38 monoclonal antibody). We used propensity score matching to compare efficacy and safety for VTd‐mod and D‐VTd with VTd‐label.

Methods

Patient‐level data for VTd‐mod and D‐VTd from CASSIOPEIA (NCT02541383) and data for VTd‐label from the PETHEMA/GEM study (NCT00461747) were analyzed. Propensity scores were estimated using logistic regression, and nearest‐neighbor matching procedure was used. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), time to progression (TTP), postinduction and posttransplant responses, as well as rate of treatment discontinuation and grade 3/4 peripheral neuropathy.

Results

VTd‐mod was noninferior to VTd‐label for OS, PFS, TTP, postinduction very good partial response or better (≥VGPR) and overall response rate (ORR). VTd‐mod was significantly better for posttransplant ≥VGPR and ORR versus VTd‐label. VTd‐mod safety was not superior to VTd‐label despite the lower thalidomide dose. D‐VTd was significantly better than VTd‐label for OS, PFS, TTP, postinduction and posttransplant ≥VGPR and ORR, and was noninferior to VTd‐label for safety outcomes.

Conclusions

In transplant‐eligible patients with NDMM, D‐VTd had superior efficacy compared with VTd‐label. Despite a lower dose of thalidomide, VTd‐mod was noninferior to VTd‐label for safety and was significantly better for posttransplant ≥VGPR/ORR. These data further support the first‐line use of daratumumab plus VTd.
Applying the criminal narrative experience framework to missing children
Authors: Hunt Daniel
Published: November 2020

Over 320,000 missing persons are estimated to go missing annually in United Kingdom due to a variety of intentional and unintentional factors. This article aims to investigate whether the criminal narrative experience framework can be applied to missing persons to acquire a deeper insight into the psychological differences between missing children. Sixty‐one previously missing persons completed a missing experience survey, narrative roles questionnaire, and emotions questionnaire. Data were content analysed and subjected to a non‐metric, multi‐dimensional scaling procedure in the form of smallest space analysis. The results identified four distinct behavioural themes as follows: depressed throwaway victim, distressed pushaway revenger, calm runaway professional and elated fallaway hero. Following a stringent criterion, 88.50% of the sample could be differentiated into one dominant behavioural theme with the remaining 11.50% identified as a hybrid theme. Due to the exploratory nature of the study, additional exploration of the applicability of the framework is required.
Influences of acid and ethanol stresses on Oenococcus oeniSD‐2a and its proteomic and transcriptional responses
Authors: Yang Kun , Dai Xianjun , Fan Mingtao , Zhang Guoqiang
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

During winemaking, malolactic fermentation (MLF) is usually induced by Oenococcus oeni owing to its high resistance to wine stress factors. To ensure a controlled and efficient MLF process, starter cultures are inoculated in wine. In previous studies, O. oeni strains with sub‐lethal acid or ethanol stresses showed higher freeze‐drying vitality and better MLF performance. To explore the mechanisms involved, influences of acid and ethanol stresses on O. oeni SD‐2a were investigated in this study to gain a better understanding of the cross‐protection responses.

RESULTS

The results showed that acid and ethanol stresses both caused damage to cell membranes and decreased cellular adenosine triphosphate concentration. At the same time, acid stress increased the uptake of glutathione, while ethanol stress led to cell depolarization. The results of comparative proteomic analysis highlighted that heat shock protein was induced with almost all acid and ethanol stresses. In addition, the expression of stress‐relevant genes (hsp20, clpP, trxA, ctsR, recO, usp) increased greatly with ethanol and acid stress treatments. Finally, the viability of O. oeni was improved with acid and ethanol pretreatments after freeze‐drying.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that acid and ethanol stresses had mixed influences on O. oeni SD‐2a. Some physiological and molecular changes would contribute to a more stress‐tolerant state of O. oeni, thereby improving the viability of lyophilized cells. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Usefulness of Lung Ultrasound Follow‐up in Patients Who Have Recovered From Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Tung‐Chen Yale , Martí de Gracia Milagros , Parra‐Gordo Maria Luz , Díez‐Tascón Aurea , Agudo‐Fernández Sergio , Ossaba‐Vélez Silvia
Published: November 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, which tends to be mild. Even in these cases, our understanding is still incomplete, particularly regarding its sequelae and long‐term outcomes. We describe 3 recovered patients who had coronavirus disease 2019, with long‐persisting symptoms after recovery, in whom chest computed tomographic and concurrent lung ultrasound examinations were performed. It is possible to correlate the findings from lung ultrasound with the symptoms and the fibrosis or residual abnormalities present on chest computed tomography. Lung ultrasound, which is easy to use, without side effects or radiation, helps monitor the disease resolution or assess early progression to lung fibrosis, as exemplified in the cases reported.
Scalar Translocation Comparison Between Lateral Wall and Perimodiolar Cochlear Implant Arrays ‐ A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Jwair Saad , Prins Adrianus , Wegner Inge , Stokroos Robert J. , Versnel Huib , Thomeer Hans G. X. M.
Published: November 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Two types of electrode arrays for cochlear implants (CIs) are distinguished: lateral wall and perimodiolar. Scalar translocation of the array can lead to intracochlear trauma by penetrating from the scala tympani into the scala vestibuli or scala media, potentially negatively affecting hearing performance of CI users. This systematic review compares the lateral wall and perimodiolar arrays with respect to scalar translocation.

Study Design

Systematic review.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were reviewed for studies published within the last 11 years. No other limitations were set. All studies with original data that evaluated the occurrence of scalar translocation or tip fold‐over (TF) with postoperative computed tomography (CT) following primary cochlear implantation in bilateral sensorineuronal hearing loss patients were considered to be eligible. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers.

Results

We included 33 studies, of which none were randomized controlled trials. Meta‐analysis of five cohort studies comparing scalar translocation between lateral wall and perimodiolar arrays showed that lateral wall arrays have significantly lower translocation rates (7% vs. 43%; pooled odds ratio = 0.12). Translocation was negatively associated with speech perception scores (weighted mean 41% vs. 55%). Tip fold‐over of the array was more frequent with perimodiolar arrays (X2 = 6.8, P < .01).

Conclusions

Scalar translocation and tip fold‐overs occurred more frequently with perimodiolar arrays than with lateral wall arrays. In addition, translocation of the array negatively affects hearing with the cochlear implant. Therefore, if one aims to minimize clinically relevant intracochlear trauma, lateral wall arrays would be the preferred option for cochlear implantation. Laryngoscope, 131:1358–1368, 2021
Expanded CAG Repeats in ATXN1, ATXN2, ATXN3, and HTT in the 1000 Genomes Project
Authors: Akçimen Fulya , Ross Jay P. , Liao Calwing , Spiegelman Dan , Dion Patrick A. , Rouleau Guy A.
Published: November 2020

Background

Spinocerebellar ataxia types 1, 2, 3 and Huntington disease are neurodegenerative disorders caused by expanded CAG repeats.

Methods

We performed an in‐silico analysis of CAG repeats in ATXN1, ATXN2, ATXN3, and HTT using 30× whole‐=genome sequencing data of 2504 samples from the 1000 Genomes Project.

Results

Seven HTT‐positive, 3 ATXN2‐positive, 1 ATXN3‐positive, and 6 possibly ATXN1‐positive samples were identified. No correlation was found between the repeat sizes of the different genes. The distribution of CAG alleles varied by ethnicity.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that there may be asymptomatic small expanded repeats in almost 0.5% of these populations. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Reversal of Temporal Discrimination in Cervical Dystonia after Low‐Frequency Sensory Stimulation
Authors: Erro Roberto , Antelmi Elena , Bhatia Kailash P. , Latorre Anna , Tinazzi Michele , Berardelli Alfredo , Rothwell John C. , Rocchi Lorenzo
Published: November 2020

Background

Somatosensory temporal discrimination is abnormal in dystonia and reflects reduced somatosensory inhibition. In healthy individuals, both the latter are enhanced by high‐frequency repetitive somatosensory stimulation, whereas opposite effects are observed in patients with cervical dystonia.

Objectives

We tested whether low‐frequency repetitive sensory stimulation, which in healthy individuals worsens discrimination, might have the opposite effect in patients with cervical dystonia at the physiological level and, in turn, improve their perceptual performance.

Methods

Somatosensory temporal discrimination and several electrophysiological measures of sensorimotor inhibition were collected before and after 45 minutes of low‐frequency repetitive sensory stimulation.

Results

As predicted, and opposite to what happened in controls, low‐frequency repetitive sensory stimulation in patients enhanced sensorimotor inhibition and normalized somatosensory temporal discrimination.

Conclusions

Patients with cervical dystonia have an abnormal response to repetitive sensory stimulation, which we hypothesize is attributed to abnormally sensitive homeostatic mechanisms of inhibitory circuitry in both sensory and motor systems. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Hybrid ferrofluid along with MWCNT for augmentation of thermal behavior of fluid during natural convection in a cavity
Authors: Chu Yu‐Ming , Bilal Sardar , Hajizadeh Mohammed Reza
Published: November 2020

Current pagination concerns with exploration regarding thermal characteristics induced by hybridization of Fe3O4 with MWCNT in a permeable tank filled with viscous fluid with magnetization. Roseland approximation is obliged to configure radiative heat flux aspects. Modeling and structuring of considered problem is established in partial differential setup. CVFEM is implemented to seek out solution of constructed differential layout. Data establishing properties of Fe3O4 with MWCNTs is disclosed in tabular format. Impression of sundry variables in view of isotherm and stream pattern is divulged. Local convective thermal rate against involved variables in 3D snapshots is captured. Test about grid independence and comparison with conducted work to get assurance of present finding is explicated. It is deduced that heat transfer along walls enhances verses Rayleigh and Darcy parameters whereas delineates against mounting effect of magnetic field parameter.
Sufficient condition for logarithmic nonlinearity in nonlinear evolution equations
Authors: Ha Tae Gab
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the author establishes a sufficient condition for logarithmic nonlinearity in nonlinear evolution equations. Lian et al. (Nonlinear Anal. 184, 2019, 239–257) proved the existence and blow‐up of solution for the hyperbolic equations with logarithmic nonlinearity. However, there is a critical error in proving the local existence of the solutions. For this previous result to be correct, logarithmic nonlinearity needs additional conditions. We establish a sufficient condition for logarithmic nonlinearity in Lian et al. Moreover, we also give the condition of logarithmic nonlinearity to the parabolic equations.
Towards real‐time free‐hand biopsy navigation
Authors: Beitone Clément , Fiard Gaëlle , Troccaz Jocelyne
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Performing a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) prostate biopsy is at the heart of the current prostate cancer detection procedure. With today's two‐dimensional (2D) live ultrasound (US) imaging equipment, this task remains complex due to the poor visibility of cancerous tissue on TRUS images and the limited anatomical context available in the 2D TRUS plane. This paper presents a rigid 2D/3DUS registration method for navigated prostate biopsy. This allows continuous localization of the biopsy trajectory during the procedure.

Methods

We proposed an organ‐based approach to achieve real‐time rigid registration without the need for any probe localization device. The registration method combines image similarity and geometric proximity of detected features. Additions to our previous work include a multi‐level approach and the use of a rejection rate favouring the best matches. Their aim is to increase the accuracy and time performances. These modifications and their in‐depth evaluation on real clinical cases and comparison to this previous work are described. We performed static and dynamic evaluations along biopsy trajectories on a very large amount of data acquired under uncontrolled routine conditions. The computed transforms are compared to a ground truth obtained either from corresponding manually detected fiducials or from an already evaluated registration method.

Results

All results show that the current method outperforms its previous version, both in terms of accuracy (the average error reported here is 12 to 17% smaller depending on the experiment) and processing time (from 20 to 60 times faster compared to the previous implementation). The dynamic registration experiment demonstrates that the method can be successfully used for continuous tracking of the biopsy location w.r.t the prostate at a rate that varies between 5 and 15 Hz.

Conclusions

This work shows that on the fly 2D/3DUS registration can be performed very efficiently on biopsy trajectories. This allows us to plan further improvements in prostate navigation and a clinical transfer.
Validation of the mobile verbal learning test: Illustration of its use for age and disease‐related cognitive deficits
Authors: Moore Raeanne C. , Paolillo Emily W. , Sundermann Erin E. , Campbell Laura M. , Delgadillo Jeremy , Heaton Anne , Swendsen Joel , Depp Colin A.
Published: November 2020

Objective

We developed a mobile cognitive test of verbal learning and memory, the mobile verbal learning test (mVLT), to allow for brief, repeated and portable delivery of a 12‐item list learning test through a smartphone. This study examined the psychometric properties of the mVLT among older persons with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Methods

Sixty‐eight persons with HIV and 36 HIV‐negative individuals (aged 50–74) completed three trials of the mVLT on a smartphone once daily for 14 days. A different word list was administered each day.

Results

Participants completed 80% of the 14 mVLT administrations, equating to 1166 valid and complete mVLTs. Neither adherence nor mean mVLT total score (number correct in 3 recall trials) differed by HIV status. No practice effects from repeated mVLT administration were observed, and there were moderately strong correlations of mVLT performance with performance on the in‐lab version of the task and with traditional cognitive assessments of cognitive processes contributing to memory. We found evidence of within‐person learning across mVLT trials, with persons with HIV demonstrating less learning from trials 1 to 3 compared to HIV‐negative participants.

Conclusions

The mVLT is a valid method to assess learning in the real world in older adults with and without HIV.
3D phase‐resolved functional lung ventilation MR imaging in healthy volunteers and patients with chronic pulmonary disease
Authors: Klimeš Filip , Voskrebenzev Andreas , Gutberlet Marcel , Kern Agilo Luitger , Behrendt Lea , Grimm Robert , Suhling Hendrik , Crisosto Cristian Gonzales , Kaireit Till Frederick , Pöhler Gesa Helen , Glandorf Julian , Wacker Frank , Vogel‐Claussen Jens
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To test the feasibility of 3D phase‐resolved functional lung (PREFUL) MRI in healthy volunteers and patients with chronic pulmonary disease, to compare 3D to 2D PREFUL, and to investigate the required temporal resolution to obtain stable 3D PREFUL measurement.

Methods

Sixteen participants underwent MRI using 2D and 3D PREFUL. Retrospectively, the spatial resolution of 3D PREFUL (4 × 4 × 4 mm3) was decreased to match the spatial resolution of 2D PREFUL (4 × 4 × 15 mm3), abbreviated as 3Dlowres. In addition to regional ventilation (RVent), flow‐volume loops were computed and rated by a cross‐correlation (CC). Ventilation defect percentage (VDP) maps were obtained. RVent, CC, VDPRVent, and VDPCC were compared for systematic differences between 2D, 3Dlowres, and 3D PREFUL. Dividing the 3D PREFUL data into 4‐ (≈ 20 phases), 8‐ (≈ 40 phases), and 12‐min (≈ 60 phases) acquisition pieces, the ventilation parameter maps, including the heterogeneity of ventilation time to peak, were tested regarding the required temporal resolution.

Results

RVent, CC, VDPRVent, and VDPCC presented significant correlations between 2D and 3D PREFUL (r = 0.64‐0.94). CC and VDPCC of 2D and 3Dlowres PREFUL were significantly different (P < .0113). Comparing 3Dlowres and 3D PREFUL, all parameters were found to be statistically different (P < .0045).

Conclusion

3D PREFUL MRI depicts the whole lung volume and breathing cycle with superior image resolution and with likely more precision compared to 2D PREFUL. Furthermore, 3D PREFUL is more sensitive to detect regions of hypoventilation and ventilation heterogeneity compared to 3Dlowres PREFUL, which is important for early detection and improved monitoring of patients with chronic lung disease.
High‐order finite difference/spectral‐Galerkin approximations for the nonlinear time–space fractional Ginzburg–Landau equation
Authors: Zaky Mahmoud A. , Hendy Ahmed S. , Macías‐Díaz Jorge E.
Published: November 2020

This paper proposes and analyzes a high‐order difference/Galerkin spectral scheme for the time–space fractional Ginzburg–Landau equation. For the time discretization, theL2 ‐ 1σdifferentiation formula is used to approximate the Caputo fractional derivative. While for the space discretization, the Legendre–Galerkin spectral method is used to approximate the Riesz fractional derivative. It is shown that the scheme is efficiently applied with spectral accuracy in space and second‐order in time. The error estimates of the solution are established by applying a fractional Grönwall inequality and its discrete form. In addition, a detailed implementation of the numerical algorithm is provided. Furthermore, numerical experiments are presented to confirm the theoretical claims. As an application of the proposed method, the effect of fractional‐order parameters on the pattern formation of time–space fractional Ginzburg–Landau equation is discussed.
Basal microvilli define the metabolic capacity and lethal phenotype of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Han Xu , Ma Lixiang , Gu Jichun , Wang Dansong , Li Ji , Lou Wenhui , Saiyin Hexige , Fu Deliang
Published: November 2020

Apical microvilli of polarized epithelial cells govern the absorption of metabolites and the transport of fluid in tissues. Previously, we reported that tall and dense basal microvilli present on the endothelial cells of pancreatic cancers, a lethal malignancy with a high metabolism and unusual hypomicrovascularity, contain nutrient trafficking vesicles and glucose; their length and density were related to the glucose uptake of pancreatic cancers in a small‐scale analysis. However, the implications of basal microvilli on pancreatic cancers are unknown. Here, we evaluated the clinical implications of basal microvilli in 106 pancreatic cancers. We found that basal microvilli are a dominant change in pancreatic cancers. The presence of longer and denser basal microvilli on the microvessels in pancreatic cancer tissues positively correlated with increased glucose uptake and higher metastatic (or invasive) and proliferative potentials of neoplastic cells and vice versa. Clinically, postoperative patients with longer and denser basal microvilli were more prone to unfavorable pathological characteristics and dismal prognoses. They were even more refractory to adjuvant therapy than those with shorter and thinner basal microvilli were. Our findings show that basal microvilli define the metabolic capacity and lethal phenotype of pancreatic cancers. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Optimization of anionic conductivity through the coexistence of ionomer cluster and backbone‐backbone morphologies in anion exchange membranes
Authors: Nwosu Chinomso , Pandey Tara P. , Herring Andrew M. , Seifert Soenke , Coughlin E. Bryan
Published: November 2020

Random copolymers of poly(4‐vinylpyridine) and polyisoprene were synthesized, and subsequently quaternized with 1‐alkylbromides. The number of carbons on the pendant side‐chain of the resultant comb‐shaped polymer, n, ranged from 2–8. The comb‐shaped polymers were crosslinked employing thiol‐ene chemistry to give mechanically robust ion conducting membranes. Analysis by wide and medium‐angle X‐ray scattering show three morphology regimes that are dependent on the number of carbons on the pendant side‐chains. When n = 2, ionomer cluster morphology was dominant, when n = 8 backbone‐backbone morphology was dominant, and when n = 3–6, the membrane showed a coexistence of both ionomer cluster and backbone‐backbone morphologies. Evaluation of the water uptake of the membranes showed a maximum water uptake per cation of 9.5 when n = 5 at 95% relative humidity (RH) and 60°C. Conductivity of the samples characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed bromide conductivity as high as 110 mS/cm when n = 3 at 95% RH and 90°C.
High‐performance hybrid polymer based on bis(alkoxy) ortho‐substituted para‐phenylene
Authors: Ming Shouli , Zhang Hui , Lin Kaiwen , Jiang Fengxing , Li Zhiyuan , Liu Peipei , Xu Jingkun , Nie Guangming , Duan Xuemin
Published: November 2020

Compared to bis(alkoxy) group para‐substituted para‐phenylene (p‐phenylene) widely used as spacer, the isomer ortho‐substituted p‐phenylene is rarely studied in constructing organic optoelectronic materials. In this manuscript, bis(hexyloxy) group ortho‐substituted p‐phenylene was used to construct hybrid thienylene‐phenylene polymer poly(EDOT‐o‐BE). The density functional theory study indicated the dihedral angles between thienylene and phenylene are 15° for ortho‐substituted EDOT‐o‐BE and 10° for para‐substituted EDOT‐p‐BE. Poly(EDOT‐o‐BE) exhibits the little potential difference between cathodic (0.61 V) and anodic (0.65 V) peaks even at the high potential scan rate, different from bis(alkoxy) para‐substituted control polymer poly(EDOT‐p‐BE). Moreover, the free‐standing poly(EDOT‐o‐BE) film displays better stability than poly(EDOT‐p‐BE) due to the little degradation of molecular chains. Compared to poly(EDOT‐p‐BE), poly(EDOT‐o‐BE) possesses higher ionic transport and different molecular aggregation. These results indicate the positions of side chains have important influence on the properties of conjugated polymer, including molecular configuration, aggregation state, film quality, electrochemical behavior and optical absorption.
Quantum mechanical insight into the Li‐ion conduction mechanism for solid polymer electrolytes
Authors: Zhou He , Zhao Rongmei , Xiao Yao , Feng Li , Yang Yibin , Bao Lixia , Wang Jiliang
Published: November 2020

Ion transport in polymeric electrolytes (PEs) has been studied for approximately a half century, yet the ion conduction mechanism in the PEs is not fully understood. Herein, we report a new approach to understand the ion migration process in poly (ethylene oxide)/Lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulphonyl) imide (PEO/LiTFSI) and poly (ethylene oxide)/Lithium bis(oxalate) borate (PEO/LiBOB) electrolytes based on quantum mechanics. The results show that the coefficient of determination (R2) obtained from the new model exceeds 0.99 for all the PEs, which is far higher than these obtained from the well‐known Arrhenius and Vogel‐Tammann‐Fulcher (VTF) equations. The wavelength (λLi+) of Li‐ion migrations or the distance between the occupied site and the neighboring partially‐occupied site is the most crucial factor to affect the ionic conductivity of PEs. The higher the λLi+, the better the ionic conductivity. The maximum λLi+ value of the PEs approximates angstrom order of magnitude. The developed ion conduction model opens an avenue to design PEs with a higher ionic conductivity.
Conservation biological control research is strongly uneven across trophic levels and economic measures
Authors: Johnson Anne C , Liu Jian , Reynolds Olivia , Furlong Michael J , Mo Jianhua , Rizvi Syed , Gurr Geoff M
Published: November 2020

Conservation biological control suppresses pests by promoting established rather than inoculative or mass released natural enemies. Research in this approach has expanded rapidly this century but uptake remains limited. Why? Most of the 150 peer reviewed papers reporting field experiments include results on natural enemies and/or pests. Only a minority report effects on crop damage levels or yield, and very few consider economic consequences. This is despite evidence for potential benefits across this full spectrum of response variables. We argue that the limited scope of work to date constrains the development of a compelling evidence base to demonstrate the field effectiveness of conservation biological control, hampering its uptake so encourage researchers to include the assessment of economic impact in future studies of conservation biological control. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Age of the oldest child and internal migration of immigrant families: A study using administrative data from immigrant landing and tax files
Authors: Choi Kate H. , Ramaj Sagi , Haan Michael
Published: November 2020

Immigrant parents report better opportunities for their children as the rationale for moving internationally. Residential mobility is associated with poorer outcomes for school‐age children. Many immigrant families prioritise child opportunities in their mobility decisions, especially those with school‐age children. These families may refrain from moving within the destination country to avoid such outcomes. Whether or not this is true is unknown because researchers have not examined how children's age shapes immigrant families' decisions to move within the host country. We link administrative immigration and income tax files with census data to examine how the age of the oldest child influences immigrant families' decisions to move after they immigrate. Immigrant families with school‐age children are less likely to move than those with younger children. Although the presence of older children deters migration for all immigrant families, those in immigrant gateways are more likely to move relative to those living in nongateways.
Contact and Bulk Resistivity Screening for Advanced Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell Concepts by an Economical and Reliable Transfer Length Measurement Method Based on Laser Micro‐Patterning
Authors: Lange Stefan , Hensel Stephan , Hähnel Angelika , Naumann Volker , Urban Tobias , Müller Matthias , Hagendorf Christian
Published: November 2020

Herein, test structures for transfer length measurements (TLMs) are prepared by means of a femtosecond laser micro‐machining process for quick and easy measurements of contact resistance and bulk resistivity in thin‐film multilayer stacks for advanced high‐efficiency silicon solar cells. In particular, silicon heterostructure layer systems composed of tin‐doped indium oxide (ITO)/n‐doped amorphous silicon (a‐Si) on crystalline silicon (c‐Si) substrates are used. To study the reliability of this novel laser‐based TLM test structure preparation method, measured data from laser structured TLM patterns are compared with conventional structures based on micro‐lithography. For small TLM test structures with contact distances between 100 and 1000 μm, the results suggest a significant dependence of the measured contact resistance values on the size of the laser prepared structures. This may be attributed to redeposited material during the laser ablation procedure at the flanks of the contact pads and insufficient mesa structuring. However, the laser and lithography‐based preparation methods yield comparable results when larger structures (contact distances between 200 and 2200 μm) are implemented. Herein, size effects can be neglected. For both methods, the specific contact resistance values of ITO/n‐doped a‐Si/c‐Si heterostructures are calculated from 8 to 45 mΩ cm2 for various samples from the same batch.
Characterization of Ultrathin Fully Depleted Silicon‐on‐Insulator Devices Using Subthreshold Slope Method
Authors: Mchedlidze Teimuraz , Erben Elke
Published: November 2020

The subthreshold current–voltage (subthreshold slope) characteristic of a fully depleted silicon‐on‐insulator high‐k dielectric‐metal gate field‐effect transistor is applied for evaluation of the interface traps located at both the front and back channels. The proposed characterization method allows an estimation of averaged trap densities separately for the front and back interfaces of the channel. Performing subthreshold slope measurements at several temperatures allows the extraction of the energy distributions of the interface trap densities for both interfaces and obtaining essential characteristics of the stack.
Bioactive compounds of Aegle marmelos L., medicinal values and its food applications: A critical review
Authors: Venthodika Anshid , Chhikara Navnidhi , Mann Sandeep , Garg Mukesh Kumar , Sofi Sajad Ahmad , Panghal Anil
Published: November 2020

Aegle marmelos L. (bael) is a fruit tree of Rutaceae family, widely grown all over the world. This plant is gaining popularity because of its nutrient‐rich fruits and immense traditional medicinal usage and pharmacological properties. The health promotive and protective effect of bael fruit is accounted by fibers, carotenoids, phenolics, terpenoids, coumarins, flavonoids, and alkaloids. The curative relevance of these compounds has been assessed by various in vivo and in vitro studies. Fruit shows numerous possible health benefits, namely, radio‐protective effects, peroxidation, antibacterial, inhibition of lipid, antidiarrheal, gastroprotective, antiviral, antidiabetic, anti‐ulcerative colitis, cardioprotective, free‐radical scavenging (antioxidant) and hepatoprotective effects. The health benefits of bael are not only limited to edible portion (fruit), but it also extends to nonedible portion (root, trunk, bark, leaf, flower and seed) having comparable biologically active compounds. Increasing awareness about the role of diet among health‐conscious consumers for human well‐being has increased the interest in functional foods thereby exploration of the functional attributes of various underutilized plants is being reaffirmed and various sources are emerged out as suitable food material for processing industry. The various scientific reports collected from different bibliometric sources suggested that A. marmelos and its bioactive constituents could play a vital role in the prevention of several chronic and degenerative diseases associated with oxidation stress. This review emphasis on recent scientific evidences on nutrition and bioactive profile of A. marmelos, health benefits along with clinical and nonclinical trials of various phytoconstituents and A. marmelos potential in food processing industry for various food products. Our study suggests that this plant does indeed have pharmacological properties of interest, however, further extensive research is needed to establish a potential strategy that can balance the pharmacological and toxic effects of bael.
A pharmacology‐based comprehensive review on medicinal plants and phytoactive constituents possibly effective in the management of COVID‐19
Authors: Jalali Atefeh , Dabaghian Farid , Akbrialiabad Hossein , Foroughinia Farzaneh , Zarshenas Mohammad M.
Published: November 2020

Arisen in China, COVID‐19 (SARS‐CoV‐II) is a novel coronavirus that has been expanding fast worldwide. Till now, no definite remedial drug or vaccine has been identified for COVID‐19 treatment. Still, for a majority of infected patients, supportive therapy is the cornerstone of the management plan. To the importance of managing the COVID‐19 pandemic, this article proposed to collecting capable medicinal plants and bioactive components in both treat and supportive therapy of this novel viral infection. Clinical points in the pathogenesis, symptoms, and complications of COVID‐19 were considered. The effective plants and bioactives that may play a role in supportive therapy/management of COVID‐19 were searched, collected through the “Scopus” database and listed in three sections. Numerous medicinal plants such as Citrus Spp., Camellia sinensis, and Glycyrrhiza glabra can interference with COVID‐19 pathogenesis via inhibition of virus replication and entry to its host cells. Also, some anti‐inflammatory herbal medicine such as Andrographis paniculata, Citrus spp., and Cuminum cyminum can relieve fever and cough in COVID‐19 patients. Medicinal plants such as G. glabra, Thymus vulgaris, Allium sativum, Althea officinalis, and Panax ginseng may modulate the immune system and possess prevention and supportive therapy. However, more clinical data are required to confirm these hypotheses.
Exponential random graph modeling for diagnosis of out‐of‐control signals in social network surveillance: Signal interpretation in social networks with ERG modeling
Authors: Sharifnia S. Golshid , Saghaei Abbas
Published: November 2020

Monitoring of the social networks for detecting anomalous behavior could be vital for the system's survival. This anomalous behavior could raise from any changes in behavior or attributes of a particular individual or groups of individuals in the network and causes structural changes. Multivariate statistical process control charts are effective tools for this purpose while Exponential Random Graph Models are used to model highly interdependent data of the network. So after selecting a model for specific network, T2 control charts are used for monitoring the network data to detect any anomalous behavior. Then the Mason, Tracy, and Young method is utilized for interpreting an out‐of‐control condition. Finally, some real‐world examples are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed diagnosis approach. Since complicated dependency in a social network makes different choices in model selection for Exponential Random Graph Models and this causes various results in the evaluation study, if the impact of diagnosis result is not seen in model selection, the appropriate model will not be necessarily selected and this will affect the effectiveness of the whole system. So, in this paper for improving the performance of diagnosis, two indices are introduced and added to model selection criteria and then the appropriate model could be selected based on the decision‐maker's preferences.
Reliability‐based fault analysis models with industrial applications: A systematic literature review
Authors: Ahmed Qadeer , Raza Syed Asif , Al‐Anazi Dahham M.
Published: November 2020

Effective and early fault detection and diagnosis techniques have tremendously enhanced over the years to ensure continuous operations of contemporary complex systems, control cost, and enhance safety in assets‐intensive industries, including oil and gas, process, and power generation. The objective of this work is to understand the development of different fault detection and diagnosis methods, their applications, and benefits to the industry. This paper presents a contemporary state‐of‐the‐art systematic literature survey focusing on a comprehensive review of the models for fault detection and their industrial applications. This study uses advanced tools from bibliometric analysis to systematically analyze over 500 peer‐reviewed articles on focus areas published since 2010. We first present an exploratory analysis and identify the influential contributions to the field, authors, and countries, among other key indicators.  A network analysis is presented to unveil and visualize the clusters of the distinguishable areas using a co‐citation network analysis. Later, a detailed content analysis of the top‐100 most‐cited papers is carried out to understand the progression of fault detection and artificial intelligence–based algorithms in different industrial applications. The findings of this paper allow us to comprehend the development of reliability‐based fault analysis techniques over time, and the use of smart algorithms and their success. This work helps to make a unique contribution toward revealing the future avenues and setting up a prospective research road map for asset‐intensive industry, researchers, and policymakers.
The effectiveness of non‐contact thermal screening as a means of identifying cases of Covid‐19: a rapid review of the evidence
Authors: Cardwell Karen , Jordan Karen , Byrne Paula , Smith Susan M. , Harrington Patricia , Ryan Mairin , O'Neill Michelle
Published: November 2020

The aim of this rapid review is to summarise the evidence on non‐contact thermal screening as a method through which to identify cases and reduce the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid‐19). The rapid review was conducted in accordance with Cochrane guidelines, with a systematic search of published peer‐reviewed articles and non‐peer‐reviewed pre‐prints undertaken from 1 January 2000 up to 7 October 2020. Eleven studies were included. One observational study and two mathematical modelling studies were conducted in the context of the Covid‐19 pandemic; the remaining studies were conducted during the influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (n = 7) or middle east respiratory syndrome (n = 1) pandemics. One systematic review and three rapid reviews were identified and screened for relevant studies. Evidence on the effectiveness of thermal screening contained within this review was limited to points of entry (i.e., airports); thus the applicability to other community settings is uncertain. Thermal screening, implemented as part of a composite of screening measures (self‐report of relevant symptoms, contact/travel history), was ineffective in identifying infectious individuals and limiting the spread of disease. Based on limited, low certainty evidence, non‐contact thermal screening is ineffective in limiting the spread of Covid‐19.
Observer design via interconnections of second‐order mixed sliding‐mode/linear differentiators
Authors: Andrieu Vincent , Astolfi Daniele , Bernard Pauline
Published: November 2020

High‐gain observers and sliding mode observers are two of the most common techniques to design observers (or differentiators) for lower triangular nonlinear dynamics. While sliding mode observers can handle globally bounded nonlinearities, high‐gain linear techniques can deal with globally Lipschitz nonlinearities. To gain in generality and avoid the usual assumption that the plant's solutions are bounded with known bound, we propose here to mix both designs in the more general case where the nonlinearities satisfy a global incremental affine bound. We inspire from the recently developed low‐power high‐gain observer technique, which relies on the interconnection of several second‐order high‐gain observers. Adding sliding‐mode correction terms into this low‐power structure enables to guarantee global convergence of the estimation error in finite‐time with gains depending only on the parameters of the incremental affine bound of the nonlinearities. The estimation error is also proved to be uniformly stable along solutions starting from any compact sets of initial conditions.
Time‐lapse imaging of soil moisture using electromagnetic conductivity imaging: Wetting phase
Authors: Zare Ehsan , Li Nan , Arshad Maryam , Nachimuthu Gunasekhar , Triantafilis John
Published: November 2020

The Vertosols of the lower Namoi valley in New South Wales, Australia, have been extensively developed for irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production. However, there are competing demands for water from mining, environmental needs, and agriculture, with climate change forecasts suggesting reduced rainfall and hotter climates. This means irrigators need to improve water efficiency, which requires methods to monitor the soil volumetric water content (θ, m3 m–3). The aim of this study is to assess if a multicoil electromagnetic instrument (DUALEM‐421), which measures soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa, mS m–1), can be used to value add to limited measurements of θ and allow extrapolation along a uniformly heavy clay irrigation furrow. Specifically, we seek to invert ECa using EM4Soil software to generate electromagnetic conductivity images, whereby the estimates of soil true electrical conductivity (σ, mS m–1) in the topsoil, subsurface, and subsoil are correlated with θ measured by Decagon GS3 sensors installed at the same depths. We also compared the usefulness of inversion of different combinations of DUALEM ECa: DUALEM‐1, DUALEM‐2, and DUALEM‐21. We found estimated σ from inversion of DUALEM‐421 ECa had good agreement (i.e., Lin's concordance = .84) with measured soil bulk electrical conductivity (σb, mS m–1). We explored the relationship between DUALEM‐421 estimated σ and θ using an artificial neural network. The predictions showed the model had good coefficient of determination (R2 = .74) with good accuracy (RMSE = 0.04 m3 m–3) and demonstrated good agreement between measured and predicted θ (Lin's = .84).
A new statistical test for latent class in censored data due to detection limit
Authors: Zou Yuhan , Peng Zuoxiang , Cornell Jerry , Ye Peng , He Hua
Published: November 2020

Biomarkers of interest in urine, serum, or other biological matrices often have an assay limit of detection. When concentration levels of the biomarkers for some subjects fall below the limit, the measures for those subjects are censored. Censored data due to detection limits are very common in public health and medical research. If censored data from a single exposure group follow a normal distribution or follow a normal distribution after some transformations, Tobit regression models can be applied. Given a Tobit regression model and a detection limit, the proportion of censored data can be determined. However, in practice, it is common that the data can exhibit excessive censored observations beyond what would be expected under a Tobit regression model. One common cause is heterogeneity of the study population, that is, there exists a subpopulation who lack such biomarkers and their values are always under the detection limit, and hence are censored. In this article, we develop a new test for testing such latent class under a Tobit regression model by directly comparing the amount of observed censored data with what would be expected under the Tobit regression model. A closed form of the test statistic as well as its asymptotic properties are derived based on estimating equations. Simulation studies are conducted to investigate the performance of the new test and compare the new one with the existing ones including the Wald test, likelihood ratio test, and score test. Two real data examples are also included for illustrative purpose.
Probabilistic cause‐of‐disease assignment using case‐control diagnostic tests: A latent variable regression approach
Authors: Wu Zhenke , Chen Irena
Published: November 2020

Optimal prevention and treatment strategies for a disease of multiple causes, such as pneumonia, must be informed by the population distribution of causes among cases, or cause‐specific case fractions (CSCFs). CSCFs may further depend on additional explanatory variables. Existing methodological literature in disease etiology research does not fully address the regression problem, particularly under a case‐control design. Based on multivariate binary non‐gold‐standard diagnostic data and additional covariate information, this article proposes a novel and unified regression modeling framework for estimating covariate‐dependent CSCF functions in case‐control disease etiology studies. The model leverages critical control data for valid probabilistic cause assignment for cases. We derive an efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm for flexible posterior inference. We illustrate the inference of CSCF functions using extensive simulations and show that the proposed model produces less biased estimates and more valid inference of the overall CSCFs than analyses that omit covariates. A regression analysis of pediatric pneumonia data reveals the dependence of CSCFs upon season, age, human immunodeficiency virus status and disease severity. The article concludes with a brief discussion on model extensions that may further enhance the utility of the regression model in broader disease etiology research.