bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Molecular Rectangles Constructed from Functionalized Nitronyl‐Nitroxide Ligands and Lanthanide(III) Ions
Authors: Calancea Sergiu , Carrella Luca , Mocanu Teodora , Sadohin Vladimir , Raduca Mihai , Gutu Iacob , da Rocha Julio C. , Vaz Maria G. F. , Rentschler Eva , Andruh Marius
Published: December 2020

Five binuclear complexes with rectangular topology have been synthesized using a nitronyl‐nitroxide ligand (L) functionalized with a pyrazole coordinating group: [Ln2(hfac)2L2], with Ln=Eu (1), Gd (2 a, 2 b), Tb (3), Dy (4), Tm (5). The EuIII and TmIII complexes crystallize in the P21/n space group, while the GdIII, TbIII, and DyIII derivatives crystalize in P‐1 space group. The crystal structures for compounds 2 a, 3, 4, and 5 have been fully solved, while for compounds 1 and 2 b, the unit cell parameters have been measured and compared with crystals 3 and 5. Crystals 2 a (P21/n) and 2 b (P‐1) are polymorphic forms. In these complexes the nitronyl‐nitroxide ligand bridges two metal ions through one aminoxyl group and the pyrazole fragment. In the five complexes the LnIII ions show a coordination number of eight with a triangular dodecahedron geometry. The magnetic properties of all five complexes have been investigated. For compounds 2, 3, and 4 the LnIII‐Rad interaction was found to be ferromagnetic: JGdRad=2.09(1) cm−1 [H=‐2JGdRad(SGd1SRad1+SGd2SRad2], JTbRad=1.93(14) cm−1, JDyRad=1.72(14) cm−1. The TmIII‐Rad coupling is antiferromagnetic (JTmRad=−0.53(1) cm−1). For the TbIII, DyIII, and TmIII complexes the effects of the crystal field have been taken into account in the fitting procedure.
Sulfur Tuning of [1,3]‐Dioxolo[4.5‐f]benzodioxole (DBD) Fluorescent Dyes
Authors: Wessig Pablo , John Leonard , Sperlich Eric , Kelling Alexandra
Published: December 2020

The replacement of oxygen by sulfur atoms of [1,3]‐dioxolo[4.5‐f]benzodioxole (DBD) fluorescent dyes is an efficient way to adjust the photophysical properties (sulfur tuning). While previously developed S4‐DBD dyes exhibit considerably red‐shifted absorption and emission wavelength, the heavy atom effect of four sulfur atoms cause low fluorescence quantum yields and short fluorescence lifetimes. Herein, we demonstrate that the replacement of less than four sulfur atoms (S1‐DBD, 1,2‐S2‐DBD, and 1,4‐S2‐DBD dyes) permits a fine‐tuning of the photophysical properties. In some cases, a similar influence on the wavelength without the detrimental effect on the quantum yields and lifetimes is observed. Furthermore, the synthetic accessibility of S1‐ and S2‐DBD dyes is improved, compared with S4‐DBD dyes. For coupling with biomolecules a series of reactive derivatives of the new dyes were developed (azides, OSu esters, alkynes, maleimides).
C−H Activation and Cross‐Coupling of Acyclic Aldonitrone
Authors: Brześkiewicz Jakub , Stańska Barbara , Dąbrowski Piotr , Loska Rafał
Published: December 2020

Palladium‐catalyzed activation of C(sp2)−H bond in a readily E,Z‐isomerizable aldonitrone, bearing an ester group at the C terminus, enabled its cross‐coupling with a variety of aryl and heteroaryl bromides to give ketonitrones, including products with functional groups not compatible with the classical nitrone synthesis via condensation with hydroxylamines. The reactions proceeded with very high (usually complete) E selectivity. The key to obtaining good yields of the cross‐coupling products was the use of sterically hindered carboxylic acid as additive and non‐polar solvent (toluene), in which the starting nitrone exists mainly as E isomer. Further use of the obtained ketonitrones in dipolar cycloaddition or nucleophilic addition has also been demonstrated.
Triboelectric nanogenerator based on degradable materials
Authors: Chao Shengyu , Ouyang Han , Jiang Dongjie , Fan Yubo , Li Zhou
Published: December 2020

Green and eco‐friendly energy technology are crucial to reduce environmental pollution caused by fossil fuels. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), as an emergency green energy technology, which can get the energy from the surrounding environment and organism. The development of TENG based on degradable materials strongly promote the next‐generation green energy technologies that will effectively avoid pollution and hazards caused by metal and hardly degradable plastic materials. In this review, we summarize the TENG based on degradable materials and its applications. The typical degradable materials for TENG are animal‐based degradable material, plant‐based degradable material, and artificial degradable material. We provide perspectives on the challenges and potential solutions associated with the next‐generation degradable TENG. Beyond the material issue, we highlight the full biodegradable devices that show the healthcare function in vivo.

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Injectivity index: a powerful tool for characterizing CO2 storage reservoirs—a technical note
Authors: Valluri Manoj , Mishra Srikanta , Ravi Ganesh Priya
Published: December 2020

Injectivity index is a powerful tool that can be easily calculated from field injection and pressure data. Theoretically, injectivity index is linked to reservoir properties such as permeability, thickness of pay, and size of the reservoir. Consequently, injectivity index data can serve as a powerful tool to assess changes in reservoir quality and performance. In this article, we have looked at field data from notable global carbon sequestration projects in order to identify a correlation between injectivity index (J) and the product of reservoir permeability and thickness (kh). Results suggested that there is a linear relationship between J and kh with field data confirming to lower and upper bounds of J = 0.03×kh and J = 0.23×kh respectively. Average trend was calculated to be J = 0.08×kh. This correlative approach can be extremely beneficial when there is a need to estimate pressure buildup corresponding to a target injection or vice versa. The approach can also be used to understand reservoir flowability and performance at a broader scale prior to the need for expensive or time consuming flow and pressure transient testing. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ambient assisted living technology‐mediated interventions for older people and their informal carers in the context of healthy ageing: A scoping review
Authors: Nilsson Maria Y. , Andersson Stefan , Magnusson Lennart , Hanson Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Background and aims

There is a growing demand for health and social care services to provide technology‐mediated interventions that promote the health and well‐being of older people with health or care needs and of their informal carers. The objectives of this study were to scope and review the nature and extent of prior intervention studies involving ambient assisted living technology‐mediated interventions for older people and their informal carers, and how and in what ways (if any) the goals and aims of these interventions reflected the domains of the World Health Organization framework for healthy ageing.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review. Data were collected between June and October 2018 with an updated search in October 2020. A total of 85 articles were eligible for inclusion.

Results

Nine categories described the aims and content of the included studies. The healthy ageing domain “Ability to meet basic needs” was mirrored in four categories, whereas “Ability to contribute to society” was not addressed at all.

Conclusion

The ways in which domains of healthy ageing are mirrored suggest that there is an emphasis on individual factors and individual responsibility, and a lack of attention given to broader, environmental factors affecting healthy ageing. Only a few of the studies used a dyadic approach when assessing health outcomes concerning older people and their informal carers.
Stories of My Journeys Through Valence Bond Theory, DFT, MD and their Applications to Complex Objects
Authors: Shaik Sason
Published: December 2020

This Rosarium Philosophorum essay tells the story of the author's “conversion” to a theorist, and then the events which led him to stumble over valence bond (VB) theory, and his developments of “VB diagrams” as conceptual tools which enable one to describe all chemical reactions. The story continues to the adventure with the enzyme Cytochrome P450, and how this interest led eventually the author to treat the reactivity of this enzyme using VB diagrams. And finally, the essay describes the author's struggle with complexity through molecular dynamics of these enzymes. This is also a story of interactions between individuals who seek insight and wisdom and how they influence one another through friendships and teacher‐disciples relations. This is the key wisdom one garners through scientific life.
Testing to extreme: An application of reverse stress testing engineering on mortgages of commercial banks in China
Authors: Liu Chang , Tang Lin , Lin Dongtao , Guo Jiayi
Published: December 2020

The real estate market has been booming in China for the past 10 years. Highly leveraged on banks' credit, it has aroused regulators' attention because of the potential catastrophic consequence, and it may produce on the whole financial system if the housing price boom bursts and massive defaults on mortgages occur. In this article, reverse stress testing engineering has been employed to study the factors impacting significantly on the mortgages' defaults and their implicit transition mechanism under different simulated scenarios. This work, which produces more precise snapshots of the financial institutes' risk tolerances by pushing the risk factors to their limits, could be used by regulators for formulating housing price control policies and by banking management for implementing the credit default risk warning system.
Integration of choline geranate into electrospun protein scaffolds affords antimicrobial activity to biomaterials used for cutaneous wound healing
Authors: Bardsley Tatum A. , Evans Charlotte L. , Greene Joshua R. , Audet Robert , Harrison Mackenzie J. , Zimmerman Maxwell , Nieto Nathan C. , Del Sesto Rico E. , Koppisch Andrew T. , Kellar Robert S.
Published: December 2020

Wound healing attempts to maintain homeostasis in the wound while minimizing the risk of infection to the tissue by foreign agents, such as opportunistic bacterial pathogens. Biofilms established by these pathogens are a common cause of chronic infections that slow the healing process. Preparation of skin wound healing devices comprised of electrospun proteins associated with skin have been shown to accelerate the healing process relative to conventional wound dressings. In this work, we have developed electrospinning methods to incorporate the antimicrobial ionic liquid/deep eutectic solvent choline geranate (CAGE) into these devices. Integration of CAGE into the dressing material was verified via 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, and the effect on the material property of the resultant devices were assessed using scanning electron microscopy. CAGE‐containing devices demonstrate a concentration‐dependent inactivation of exogenously applied solutions of both gram‐positive and gram‐negative pathogens (Enterococcus sp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively), but maintain their ability to serve as a compatible platform for proliferation of human dermal neonatal fibroblasts.
Low‐cost multi‐criteria design optimization of compact microwave passives using constrained surrogates and dimensionality reduction
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Pietrenko‐Dabrowska Anna , Al‐Hasan Muath
Published: December 2020

Design of contemporary microwave circuits is a challenging task. Typically, it has to take into account several performance requirements and constraints. The design objectives are often conflicting and their simultaneous improvement may not be possible; instead, compromise solutions are to be sought. Representative examples are miniaturized microwave passives where reduction of the circuit size has a detrimental effect on its electrical characteristics. Acquiring information about the best possible design trade‐offs is invaluable for the designer, yet it entails computationally expensive multi‐objective optimization (MO). MO is typically conducted using population‐based metaheuristic algorithms, the cost of which might be extremely high. If the circuit performance is evaluated using full‐wave electromagnetic (EM) analysis, this cost is often prohibitive. A workaround is the employment of fast surrogate models, and a number of surrogate‐assisted frameworks have been proposed in the literature. Unfortunately, a construction of reliable surrogates is hindered in higher dimensional parameter spaces. The recently proposed constrained modeling mitigates this issue to a certain extent by restricting the modeling process to the region containing the Pareto front to be found. This work proposes a novel surrogate‐based MO technique that involves constrained modeling and explicit reduction of the surrogate domain dimensionality. The latter is achieved through the spectral analysis of the extreme Pareto‐optimal design set obtained by local search routines. Our methodology is validated using a 15‐parameter impedance‐matching transformer with the Pareto set identified at the cost of a few hundred EM analyses of the circuit. The numerical experiments also demonstrate a significant reduction of the optimization cost as compared to the state‐of‐the‐art surrogate‐assisted MO methods.
“Knowledge management is not dead. It has changed its appearance. And it will continue to change”
Authors: Nakash Maayan , Bouhnik Dan
Published: December 2020

This study aims to examine the place and future of the Knowledge Management (KM) discipline, in view of the claims of its decline. In doing so, we explored the meanings attributed by international KM experts regarding statements made about the death of the discipline, or at the very least, its illness. A case method was chosen. The study was conducted through fifteen semi‐structured in‐depth interviews, as part of the qualitative research paradigm. The findings provide evidence not only of the vitality of the field, but also of its significant growth and impressive evolutionary development since it was founded. The Findings section presents a snapshot of KM experts' perception of the source of the pessimistic statements about the discipline and offer significant insights into the question of where this field is going. We find that the future of KM lies in developing automated mechanisms for knowledge flow that rely on machine learning tools, artificial intelligence, and advanced cognitive capabilities. Furthermore, we ponder the possibility of a rebranding of KM, given the experts' feeling that narrow, partial, or misconceived conceptions about it are prevalent. The importance of this pioneering research is reflected in the adoption of a critical‐skeptical approach, which is almost completely absent from the KM literature. The uniqueness of this research is also reflected in the voices of KM professionals. In addition to the theoretical contribution, this study has implications on the practical level regarding the necessity of the KM profession and the necessity for further empirical research in the field.
Impacts of land‐use changes on soil fertility in Okomu Forest Reserve, Southern Nigeria
Authors: Enaruvbe Glory O. , Osewole Afolabi O. , Mamudu Ozien P. , Rodrigo‐Comino Jesús
Published: December 2020

This study assessed changes in soil properties and soil fertility resulting from land‐use conversion from rainforest to oil palm and rubber plantations in Okomu Forest Reserve, Southern Nigeria. We collected 315 soil samples at 0–15, 15–30, and 30–60 cm and analyzed soil physicochemical properties. In addition, soil fertility index (SFI) was computed using the analytical hierarchical process. Our results showed that soil organic carbon declined by 40% and 60% (0–15 cm), 32% and 57% (15–30 cm) and 33% and 57% (30–60 cm) in oil palm and rubber plantations, respectively. Similarly, total nitrogen also declined by 43% and 56% (0–15 cm), 34% and 36% (15–30 cm), and 36% and 41% (30–60 cm) in oil palm and rubber plantations and was significantly lower in plantation soil than in the rainforest soil. Soil organic carbon and total nitrogen were, however, higher under oil palm than rubber plantations. In contrast, available phosphorus was higher under rubber plantations than oil palm plantations. The mean values of soil exchangeable potassium and sodium are significantly lower in the rainforest samples. Generally, SFI ranged from 7.30 to 20.46 in the rainforest, 4.16–13.21 in oil palm and 5.15–8.03 in rubber plantations. We conclude that soil degradation is more severe in oil palm plantations than in the rubber plantations. This implies that in addition to site‐specific management, species‐specific management strategy must also be developed to ensure sustainable utilization of soil resources in deforested rainforests.
Taxonomic and nutrient controls on phytoplankton iron quotas in the ocean
Authors: Twining Benjamin S. , Antipova Olga , Chappell P. Dreux , Cohen Natalie R. , Jacquot Jeremy E. , Mann Elizabeth L. , Marchetti Adrian , Ohnemus Daniel C. , Rauschenberg Sara , Tagliabue Alessandro
Published: December 2020

Phytoplankton iron contents (i.e., quotas) directly link biogeochemical cycles of iron and carbon and drive patterns of nutrient limitation, recycling, and export. Ocean biogeochemical models typically assume that iron quotas are either static or controlled by dissolved iron availability. We measured iron quotas in phytoplankton communities across nutrient gradients in the Pacific Ocean and found that quotas diverged significantly in taxon‐specific ways from laboratory‐derived predictions. Iron quotas varied 40‐fold across nutrient gradients, and nitrogen‐limitation allowed diatoms to accumulate fivefold more iron than co‐occurring flagellates even under low iron availability. Modeling indicates such “luxury” uptake is common in large regions of the low‐iron Pacific Ocean. Among diatoms, both pennate and centric genera accumulated luxury iron, but the cosmopolitan pennate genus Pseudo‐nitzschia maintained iron quotas 10‐fold higher than co‐occurring centric diatoms, likely due to enhanced iron storage. Biogeochemical models should account for taxonomic and macronutrient controls on phytoplankton iron quotas.
Photonic Topological States Mediated by Staggered Bianisotropy
Authors: Bobylev Daniel A. , Smirnova Daria A. , Gorlach Maxim A.
Published: December 2020

Photonic topological structures supporting spin‐momentum locked topological states underpin a plethora of prospects and applications for disorder‐robust routing of light. One of the cornerstone ideas to realize such states is to exploit uniform bianisotropic response in periodic structures with appropriate lattice symmetries, which together enable the topological bandgap. Here, it is demonstrated that staggered bianisotropic response gives rise to the topological states even in a simple lattice geometry whose counterpart with uniform bianisotropy is topologically trivial. The reason behind this intriguing behavior is in the difference in the effective coupling between the resonant elements with the same and with the opposite signs of bianisotropy. Based on this insight, a one‐dimensional (1D) equidistant array is designed, which consists of high‐index all‐dielectric particles with alternating signs of bianisotropic response. The array possesses chiral symmetry and hosts topologically protected edge states pinned to the frequencies of hybrid magneto‐electric modes. These results pave a way toward flexible engineering of topologically robust light localization and propagation by encoding spatially varying bianisotropy patterns in photonic structures.
Externally Pumped Photonic Chip‐Based Ultrafast Raman Soliton Source
Authors: Li Zhao , Du Qingyang , Wang Chaopeng , Zou Jinhai , Du Tuanjie , Richardson Kathleen A. , Cai Zhiping , Hu Juejun , Luo Zhengqian
Published: December 2020

The advantages of low cost, compact size, and reduced power consumption makes a photonic chip‐based ultrafast laser source an appealing technology for diverse applications such as all‐optical signal processing, frequency metrology, spectroscopy, and sensing. To date, on‐chip ultrafast sources are typically generated by microresonator‐based Kerr‐comb solitons, which require precise phase tuning and frequency agile lasers to access the soliton state. Here, this work reports the first experimental demonstration of an externally pumped on‐chip ultrafast soliton laser source based on Raman soliton self‐frequency shift. By capitalizing on strong optical nonlinearity and versatile dispersion control in Ge28Sb12Se60 chalcogenide glass waveguides, 185 fs duration Raman soliton generation has been demonstrated, possessing continuous wavelength tunability from 1589 to 1807 nm with signal‐to‐noise ratios consistently exceeding 65 dB. The source operates with pump pulse energies as low as 1.08 pJ, representing over three orders of magnitude improvement compared to fiber‐based Raman soliton sources. In addition, the generated solitons exhibit excellent spectral purity and stability free from parasitic sidebands. These experimental results are further validated by theoretical analysis, revealing insights into the soliton dynamics and critical device design guidelines. This work therefore enables a new class of broadly tunable, energy‐efficient, compact, and potentially cost‐effective on‐chip ultrafast laser sources.
Alewife and Blueback Herring Captured by Intertidal Weirs of the Inner Bay of Fundy, Canada, Display Seasonal Demographics that Suggest Multiple Migrating Stocks
Authors: Rulifson Roger A. , Dadswell Michael J.
Published: December 2020

Little information is available concerning the seasonal demographics of marine migrating Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus and Blueback Herring A. aestivalis, reported in commercial fisheries as “gaspereau” in Canada and “river herring” in the USA. Once adults and age-0 juveniles depart from coastal spawning rivers, they migrate along the North American Atlantic coast and are difficult to access for scientific analysis. During June–October 1985, a total of 3,785 Alewife and 2,343 Blueback Herring were examined for length, sex, and gonadal stage from commercial intertidal fishing weirs in Minas Basin and Cobequid Bay, Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia. Of these, 999 adults were subsampled for total weight and body cavity fat deposits. Both species first appeared in the weirs during June, when Blueback Herring generally dominated catches. By July, catches were evenly divided between the two species, and Alewife dominated after mid-August. Most adults were mature, and there was no discernable sex ratio pattern during the sampling period. Sampled fish exhibited abrupt changes in length, gonadal stage, condition factor, and abdominal wall and visceral mesentery fat deposits in relation to season (week), moon phase, and time of low tide. Sudden shifts in average lengths and fat deposits suggested that migrating Alewife were from different stocks. For Blueback Herring, the condition and status of fat deposits during June suggested that they were probably long-distance adult migrators. Blueback Herring in Cobequid Bay weirs during July were probably from local stocks. Results from a total of 12,422 tagged adults that were released in Minas Basin and Cobequid Bay during 1985 supported these findings. We propose that shifts in condition and fat deposits can be used to estimate migration distance, discriminating among local, regional, and long-distance movements.
Degree of approximation of signals in certain Lipschitz classes by the Zweier–Euler product summability method of Fourier series
Authors: Das Shilpa , Dutta Hemen
Published: December 2020

The paper introduces the notion of a new product summability method, which is obtained by superimposing the Zweier method on the Euler method. This method is applied to obtain the degree of approximation of Fourier series of signals (functions) belonging to certain Lipschitz classes.
Comments on “Interpretation of entropy generation in Williamson fluid flow with nonlinear thermal radiation and first‐order velocity slip”
Authors: Awad Mohamed M.
Published: December 2020

The Darcy‐Forchheimer number (Fr) is dimensional.
Anti‐cN1A antibodies do not correlate with specific clinical, electromyographic, or pathological findings in sporadic inclusion body myositis
Authors: Paul Pritikanta , Liewluck Teerin , Ernste Floranne C , Mandrekar Jay , Milone Margherita
Published: December 2020

Background

Anti‐cytosolic 5′‐nucleotidase 1A (cN1A) antibodies are commonly detected in patients with sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM). However, their pathogenic role has not been established. Moreover, efforts toward identifying sIBM distinct clinicopathologic characteristics associated with these antibodies have yielded conflicting results.

Methods

We first searched for patients, seen in our clinics, tested for anti‐cN1A antibodies between December 2015 and December 2019. We identified 92 patients who were diagnosed with sIBM, according to the 2011 ENMC or Griggs et al criteria. Thereafter, we reviewed and compared the clinical and investigational findings of these patients in relation to their antibody status.

Results

Anti‐cN1A antibodies were present in 47/92 (51%) patients with sIBM. Comparison of seropositive and seronegative cohorts yielded no significant difference in clinical features, including facial weakness, oropharyngeal and respiratory involvement, or disease severity. The antibody titer did not correlate with the clinical phenotype, CK value, or presence of myotonic discharges on EMG. Anti‐cN1A antibody positive patients appeared to have more frequent auto‐aggressive inflammation on muscle biopsy but not as an isolated myopathological feature.

Conclusions

Our study showed that anti‐cN1A antibody positive and negative sIBM patients have similar clinical features and disease severity. Anti‐cN1A antibodies in our sIBM cohort did not correlate with any studied clinical or laboratory parameter and, therefore, were of limited value in the patient's assessment.
Research development of 2D materials based photodetectors towards mid‐infrared regime
Authors: An Junru , Wang Bin , Shu Chang , Wu Wenming , Sun Baoquan , Zhang Zhiyu , Li Dabing , Li Shaojuan
Published: December 2020

High performance mid‐infrared photodetectors play an irreplaceable role in optical communication, security monitoring, biological, and medical imaging and so on. Two‐dimensional (2D) materials have demonstrated great potential for infrared photodetection application. In recent years, the research on 2D materials based mid‐infrared photodetectors has underwent a fast growth. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the 2D materials based photodetectors, with an emphasis on mid‐infrared photodetection. In the first section, we start with a brief discussion on the potential advantages of 2D materials for mid‐infrared photodetection. Next, we focus on the development of 2D mid‐infrared photodetectors, and then discuss the challenges of this rapidly‐growing field. Following this, we review the solutions for improving the device performances and point out the issues remained to be solved. Finally, the future directions in this area are discussed and general advices are provided for the future development of high‐performance mid‐infrared photodetectors based on 2D materials.
Numerical study and chaotic oscillations for aerodynamic model of wind turbine via fractal and fractional differential operators
Authors: Abro Kashif Ali
Published: December 2020

The aeroelastic analysis has become important for aerodynamical model of wind turbine in predicting the wind turbine; such phenomenon is based on aerodynamic performance to have accuracy and feasibility through modeling of fractal and fractional differential techniques. In this context, the mathematical modeling is developed based on fractal and fractional differential techniques for three‐dimensional nonautonomous model of a permanent magnet synchronous generator. The fractal and fractional differential techniques so called Caputo, Caputo–Fabrizio and Atangana–Baleanu differential operators have been invoked for the controllability of the stability of system. Numerical schemes for the mathematical model of wind turbine have been established via Adams–Bashforth–Moulton method. The comparative analysis of mathematical model of wind turbine is tackled by means of classical, fractal, fractional and fractal–fractional techniques through chaotic behavior. The role of chaotic oscillations has been depicted on the basis of parametric study of tip speed ratio, pitch angle, drag coefficients, power coefficient, air density and rotor angular speed.
Computing the weighted neighbor isolated tenacity of interval graphs in polynomial time
Authors: Aslan Ersin , Tosun Mehmet A.
Published: December 2020

Weighted graphs in graph theory are created by weighing different values depending on the importance of connections or centers in a graph model. Networks can be modeled with graphs such that the devices and centers correspond to the vertices and connections correspond to the edges. In these networks, weight can be assigned to the vertices for the workload and importance of the devices and centers, so that planning such as security and cost can be made in advance in the design of the network. Network reliability and security is an important issue in the computing area. There are several parameters for vulnerability measurement values of these networks modeled with graphs. We recommend the weighted conversion of the neighbor isolated tenacity parameter for this topic. It is known that tenacity, which is the basis of this parameter, is NP‐hard. But polynomial solutions can be created in interval graphs, which is a special graph from the perfect graph class. In this article, polynomial time algorithm is given to calculate weighted neighbor isolated tenacity of the interval graphs.
Safety and efficacy of programmed cell death‐1 antibody SHR‐1210 combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy to treat locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a study protocol for an exploratory single‐arm phase Ib trial
Authors: Wei Xiaoying , Guo Zhoubo , Zhang Wencheng , Zhang Tian , Chen Xi , Dong Jie , Han Dong , Lei Tongda , Du Qingwu , Pang Qingsong , Wang Ping
Published: December 2020

Objective

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common pathological pattern in China, with poor prognosis due to its early and frequent metastasis. Definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for inoperable locally advanced ESCC. Studies have shown promising efficacy of immune‐checkpoint inhibitors in ESCC. This study explores the safety and efficacy of immunotherapy combined with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced ESCC.

Method

This study was an exploratory, open, single‐arm clinical trial involving 20 untreated patients with locally advanced ESCC. The patients were treated with eight cycles (4 weeks per cycle) of SHR‐1210 concurrently combined with 6 weeks of radiotherapy, and 4 weeks of chemotherapy and apatinib beginning from 4 weeks after the completion of radiotherapy to the end of treatment. Primary end‐points were treatment‐related adverse events, serious adverse events, and patients’ quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ)‐C30 and QLQ‐OES18). Secondary end‐points were the objective response rate, progression‐free survival, and overall survival.

Discussion

This phase Ib study evaluates the tolerability and efficacy of programmed cell death‐1 antibody along with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy in treating locally advanced ESCC. This novel combination is expected to yield fewer side‐effects and better survival.
Area‐Selective Atomic Layer Deposition of MoS2 using Simultaneous Deposition and Etching Characteristics of MoCl5
Authors: Ahn Wonsik , Lee Hyangsook , Kim Hoijoon , Leem Mirine , Lee Heesoo , Park Taejin , Lee Eunha , Kim Hyoungsub
Published: December 2020

A novel selective atomic layer deposition (ALD) process for depositing MoS2 using MoCl5 and H2S precursors is proposed. On the surface of SiO2, the prolonged introduction of MoCl5 vapor by increasing the MoCl5 pulsing time rapidly suppresses the subsequent MoS2 growth due to the intense self‐etching effect of MoCl5, that is, the detachment of weakly bonded surface adsorbates (MoClx*). In contrast, the surface of Al allows more facile adsorption of MoCl5 than in the case of the SiO2 surface, and thus effectively compensates for the reduced deposition rate. By optimizing the MoCl5 pulsing time, the self‐aligned growth of MoS2 on predefined Al (5 nm) patterns (circular and letter patterns) on a SiO2 substrate with a negligible selectivity loss is demonstrated.
Wrapping and anchoring effects on CFRP strengthened reinforced concrete arches subjected to blast loads
Authors: Zhao Chengjie , Liu Yang , Wang Peng , Jiang Meirong , Zhou Jiannan , Kong Xinli , Chen Yishun , Jin Fengnian
Published: December 2020

This paper studies the effectiveness of bonding carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) with additional wraps or anchors to strengthen reinforced concrete (RC) arches resisting blast loads, which is of great significance to optimize the CFRP strengthening methods. To improve the anti‐explosion behavior, RC arches are bonded with CFRP sheets in longitudinal and transverse directions, and anti‐explosion behaviors were investigated through experiments. The performance of strengthened arches is discussed in terms of damage degrees in contrast to the un‐strengthened arch. Under explosive loading, the resistance of composite arches to spalling, shearing, and bending is much better than that of control arch. The results show that the anti‐explosion effect of wrapping or anchoring, which can prevent CFRP debonding or peeling‐off, is much better than only bonding CFRP in the longitudinal direction. Besides, simplified analysis models are proposed to assess the blast‐resistant capacity of CFRP strengthened RC arches, which show good agreement with the experiment.
Molecular systematics of the tribe Prismatomerideae (Rubiaceae) and its taxonomic consequences, with notes on the importance of the inflorescence morphology for species‐group recognition in Rennellia
Authors: Razafimandimbison Sylvain G. , Wong Khoon‐Meng , Rydin Catarina
Published: December 2020

Tropical Asia is one of the centers of species diversity of flowering plants, in particular the coffee family (Rubiaceae). Prismatomerideae (the Psychotrieae alliance, subfamily Rubioideae) are a mostly Southeast Asian tribe encompassing four genera of shrubs and small trees (monospecific Gentingia and Motleyia, Prismatomeris with 16 spp., Rennellia with 4–5 spp.). We conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses of this group based on the nuclear and plastid sequence data from six markers and using Bayesian inference. The main goal was to produce a robust phylogeny of the tribe, which was subsequently used to (1) reassess its monophyly and phylogenetic position within the Psychotrieae alliance; (2) rigorously test the monophyly of Prismatomeris and Rennellia; (3) assess the phylogenetic relationships between the genera; and (4) evaluate the phylogenetic value of the inflorescence type currently used for species recognition in Rennellia. Motleyia was not sequenced due to the lack of material, and therefore its affinity with the other genera was assessed based on morphology. The tribe was supported as monophyletic and resolved as sister to the (Gaertnereae (Mitchelleae‐Morindeae)) clade. The monophyly of Prismatomeris sensu Johansson was strongly supported, but we argue for the merging of the monospecific genus Motleyia into Prismatomeris based on their strong morphological similarities coupled with the paraphyly of Prismatomeris with respect to Motleyia. Rennellia was strongly supported as paraphyletic with respect to Gentingia. We propose the transfer of the monospecific genus Gentingia to Rennellia, also consistent with their strong morphological resemblance. Prismatomerideae were resolved in two major sister lineages, the Prismatomeris and Rennellia clades, corresponding to our broadly delimited Prismatomeris and Rennellia. Three well‐supported and morphologically distinct subclades were identified within Rennellia s.l., of which one was represented by Rennellia subsessilis, with sessile and reduced umbel‐like inflorescences bearing two to four flowers. The other two subclades have compound spike‐like (or sub‐raceme‐like) and raceme‐like inflorescences, an important distinction in species‐group recognition. We conclude that inflorescence type shows a strong phylogenetic signal and is, therefore, a reliable feature for recognizing groups of species in Rennellia. Additional taxonomic characters are, however, needed for teasing apart closely related species with the same inflorescence types. Subsequent to our taxonomic revision, the tribe Prismatomerideae comprises two genera: Prismatomeris and Rennellia. One and two new combinations, respectively, are presented, bringing the total number of species in the tribe to 25, of which 17 are in Prismatomeris and 8 in Rennellia. A new species key to Rennellia s.l. is presented.
Genetic diversity, population structure, and ancestry estimation in the Antennaria rosea (Asteraceae: Gnaphalieae) polyploid agamic complex
Authors: Thapa Ramhari , Bayer Randall J. , Mandel Jennifer R.
Published: December 2020

Antennaria rosea, a polyploid agamic complex, originated from hybridization, polyploidization, and introgression of as many as eight diploid/tetraploid sexual Antennaria species in the Rocky Mountains of North America. The species shows tremendous variation within and among populations including phyllary coloration, number and arrangement of heads per flowering stalk, and leaf size/shape leading to the enumeration of many microspecies and a taxonomic challenge. A comprehensive evolutionary study of these populations would clarify the origins and evolution of A. rosea as a polyploid agamic complex. Using genetic markers developed for Antennaria species, genetic diversity, population structure, and ancestry estimation of 18 A. rosea populations distributed in the Rocky Mountains of the U.S.A. were studied. Comparatively, A. rosea populations distributed in the Northern Rocky Mountain region had higher levels of genetic diversity than the populations in the southern Rocky Mountain region. Antennaria rosea populations were divided into three genetically distinct clusters, and populations within each genetic cluster showed high correlations regarding geographic distribution and ancestry. Two of the putative parents, A. microphylla and A. umbrinella, were the major sources of parentage for A. rosea populations, and notably, these species were widely distributed and sympatric with most of the A. rosea populations from this study. A novel finding of this study was that each of the A. rosea populations had its origins from different sexual progenitors and, although A. microphylla and A. umbrinella were the major contributors to the parentage of most of the A. rosea clones sampled, the other six sexual species also contributed to a lesser degree to their origins. Our study also indicated that sympatry of parents contributes substantially to the origination of polyploid populations of A. rosea.
Near conformal perturbation theory in SYK type models
Authors: Das Sumit R. , Ghosh Animik , Jevicki Antal , Suzuki Kenta
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We present a systematic procedure to extract the dynamics of the low energy soft mode in SYK type models with a single energy scale J and emergent reparametrization symmetry in the IR. This is given in the framework of the perturbative scheme of arXiv:1608.07567 based on a specific (off-shell) breaking of conformal invariance in the UV, adjusted to yield the exact large-N saddle point. While this breaking term formally vanishes on-shell, it has a non-trivial effect on correlation functions and the effective action. In particular, it leads to the Schwarzian action with a specific coupling to bi-local matter. The method is applied to the evaluation of O(1) corrections to the correlation function of bi-locals. As a byproduct we confirm precise agreement with the explicit, symmetry breaking procedure. We provide a verification in the large q limit (Liouville theory), where the correlators can be calculated exactly at all length scales. In this case, our scheme illuminates how the enhanced O(J) and the subleading O(1) contributions originate from the Schwarzian dynamics of the soft mode and its interaction with h = 2 (bi-local) matter.
B vitamin blood concentrations and one-carbon metabolism polymorphisms in a sample of Italian women and men attending a unit of transfusion medicine: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Bortolus Renata , Filippini Francesca , Udali Silvia , Rinaldi Marianna , Genesini Sabrina , Gandini Giorgio , Montagnana Martina , Chiaffarino Francesca , Lippi Giuseppe , Pattini Patrizia , De Grandi Gelinda , Olivieri Oliviero , Parazzini Fabio , Friso Simonetta
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To define blood status of folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, homocysteine, and major one-carbon metabolism-related polymorphisms in healthy, males and females blood donors, aged 18–65 years were evaluated. General characteristics and lifestyle factors were also investigated.

Methods

An explorative cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate a sample of blood donors attending the Unit of Transfusion Medicine of the Verona University Hospital, Italy. From April 2016 to May 2018, 499 subjects were enrolled (255 men, 244 women of whom 155 of childbearing age). Major clinical characteristics including lifestyle and dietary habits, B vitamins and homocysteine were analyzed. The MTHFR 677 C>T, cSHMT 1420 C>T, DHFR 19 bp ins/del, RFC1 80 G>A polymorphisms were also determined.

Results

Mean plasma concentrations of folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and homocysteine were 14.2 nmol/L (95% CI 13.7–14.8), 271.9 pmol/L (95% CI 262.6–281.5), 51.0 nmol/L (95% CI 48.7–53.4) and 13.5 µmol/L (95% CI 13.1–14.0), respectively. Plasma folate, was adequate (> 15 nmol/L) in 44.7% of all subjects, 39.0% of males and 42.5% of women < 45 years. Similarly, vitamin B12 was adequate (> 350 pmol/L) in 25.1% of all subjects and in 20.3% of men ≥ 45 years. The rare allele frequencies were 0.21 for MTHFR 677TT, 0.11 for cSHMT 1420TT, 0.18 for DHFR 19 bp del/del, 0.20 for RFC1 80AA, and a gene–nutrient interaction was confirmed for folate concentrations according to MTHFR 677C>T and DHFR 19 bp del/del.

Conclusion

An Italian sample of healthy blood donors shows that an adequate concentration of plasma folate and vitamin B12 is reached only in a limited percentage of subjects, thus encouraging consideration for specific public health strategies.
Health services research in colorectal cancer: a quasi-experimental interventional pilot study on in- and outpatient oncology
Authors: Reiter Margarete , Gerken Michael , Lindberg-Scharf Patricia , Fuerst Alois , Liebig-Hörl Gudrun , Ortmann Olaf , Eberl Ingeborg , Bartholomeyczik Sabine
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Due to frequent treatment side effects and weight loss, colorectal cancer patients require oncologic care and nutritional counseling both during and after hospitalization. The current study evaluated differences in discharge and side effects management and nutritional behavior between colorectal cancer patients of a control group without systematic counseling and of an intervention group with access to structured in- and outpatient oncology nurse and nutritional counseling.

Methods

The presented explorative, quantitative, single-center, interventional pilot study is a health services research project with a quasi-experimental design. Using a self-designed standardized questionnaire, data were collected from the control group (n = 75) before and from the intervention group (n = 114) after the introduction of in- and outpatient oncology nurse and structured systematic nutritional counseling. The in- and outpatient counseling services were developed and evaluated in the form of a structured nurse-led counseling concept.

Results

Intervention group patients profited significantly from inpatient oncology nurse counseling in seven different areas of discharge management. No differences were observed concerning patient-reported general and gastrointestinal side effects except for xerostomia and dysphagia, but of the patients participating in both in- and outpatient oncology nurse counseling, 90.0% were better able to cope with general side effects of treatment. Patients with in- and outpatient structured systematic nutritional counseling more frequently received nutritional information (p = 0.001), were better at gauging food intolerances (p = 0.023), and followed the dietician's advice in cases of gastrointestinal side effects significantly more often (p = 0.003) than control patients. Counselor-reported outcomes concerning gastrointestinal side effects showed improvement in most of the patients taking part in systematic in- and outpatient nutritional counseling, except for weight loss in 4 patients.

Conclusion

In- and outpatient counseling in discharge and side effects management and nutrition improve the outcomes of colorectal cancer patients. Outpatient counseling should be further developed and evaluated in future studies.
Dynamic parameter estimation and prediction over consecutive scales, based on moving horizon estimation: applied to an industrial cell culture seed train
Authors: Hernández Rodríguez Tanja , Posch Christoph , Pörtner Ralf , Frahm Björn
Published: December 2020

Bioprocess modeling has become a useful tool for prediction of the process future with the aim to deduce operating decisions (e.g. transfer or feeds). Due to variabilities, which often occur between and within batches, updating (re-estimation) of model parameters is required at certain time intervals (dynamic parameter estimation) to obtain reliable predictions. This can be challenging in the presence of low sampling frequencies (e.g. every 24 h), different consecutive scales and large measurement errors, as in the case of cell culture seed trains. This contribution presents an iterative learning workflow which generates and incorporates knowledge concerning cell growth during the process by using a moving horizon estimation (MHE) approach for updating of model parameters. This estimation technique is compared to a classical weighted least squares estimation (WLSE) approach in the context of model updating over three consecutive cultivation scales (40–2160 L) of an industrial cell culture seed train. Both techniques were investigated regarding robustness concerning the aforementioned challenges and the required amount of experimental data (estimation horizon). It is shown how the proposed MHE can deal with the aforementioned difficulties by the integration of prior knowledge, even if only data at two sampling points are available, outperforming the classical WLSE approach. This workflow allows to adequately integrate current process behavior into the model and can therefore be a suitable component of a digital twin.
A new variational approach for the thermodynamic topology optimization of hyperelastic structures
Authors: Junker Philipp , Balzani Daniel
Published: December 2020

We present a novel approach to topology optimization based on thermodynamic extremal principles. This approach comprises three advantages: (1) it is valid for arbitrary hyperelastic material formulations while avoiding artificial procedures that were necessary in our previous approaches for topology optimization based on thermodynamic principles; (2) the important constraints of bounded relative density and total structure volume are fulfilled analytically which simplifies the numerical implementation significantly; (3) it possesses a mathematical structure that allows for a variety of numerical procedures to solve the problem of topology optimization without distinct optimization routines. We present a detailed model derivation including the chosen numerical discretization and show the validity of the approach by simulating two boundary value problems with large deformations.