bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of treelike and rodlike carboxymethylated nanocellulose and their effect on carboxymethyl cellulose films
Authors: Wei Jie , Jia Shuai , Zhang Lu , Zhou Yi , Lv Yanyan , Zhang Xinfang , Shao Ziqiang
Published: November 2020

In this work, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with low substitution degree, followed by different posttreatments, was applied to prepare treelike CMC nanofibrils (CMCNFs) and rodlike CMC nanocrystals (CMCNCs), and their performance in CMC composite film was evaluated simultaneously. From transmission electron microscopy results, it was found that the treelike CMCNCFs exhibited a lager aspect ratio compared to the rodlike CMCNCs. As for reinforcing CMC film, 4 wt% was the best adding amount, at this time, the tensile strength of CMC/CMCNFs and CMC/CMCNCs composite films was increased by 72.1% and 47.3%, respectively. Moreover, adding these nanofillers to CMC also could enhance the thermal stability of composite films slightly, while the transmittance of composite films was reduced at the same time. In addition, CMC/CMCNFs film was designed as a packaging box to determine its performance. Therefore, this study could reveal the differences of properties for composites with different types of nanocellulose and provide a foundation for further application of nanocellulose.
Nanomechanical study of polycarbonate/boehmite nanoparticles/epoxy ternary composite and their interphases
Authors: Cano Murillo Natalia , Ghasem Zadeh Khorasani Media , Silbernagl Dorothee , Hahn Marc Benjamin , Hodoroaba Vasile‐Dan , Sturm Heinz
Published: November 2020

Thermoplastic modified thermosets are of great interest especially due to their improved fracture toughness. Comparable enhancements have been achieved by adding different nanofillers including inorganic particles such as nanosized boehmite. Here, we present a nanomechanical study of two composite systems, the first comprising a polycarbonate (PC) layer in contact with epoxy resin (EP) and the second consisting of a PC layer containing boehmite nanoparticles (BNP) which is also in contact with an EP layer. The interaction between PC and EP monomer is tested by in situ Fourier transformed infrared (FT‐IR) analysis, from which a reaction induced phase separation of the PC phase is inferred. Both systems are explored by atomic force microscopy (AFM) force spectroscopy. AFM force‐distance curves (FDC) show no alteration of the mechanical properties of EP at the interface to PC. However, when a PC phase loaded with BNP is put in contact with an epoxy system during curing, a considerable mechanical improvement exceeding the rule of mixture was detected. The trend of BNP to agglomerate preferentially around EP dominated regions and the stiffening effect of BNP on EP shown by spatial resolved measurements of Young's modulus, suggest the effective presence of BNP within the EP phase.
Curing of epoxidized linseed oil: Investigation of the curing reaction with different hardener types
Authors: Todorovic Andrea , Resch‐Fauster Katharina , Mahendran Arunjunai Raj , Oreski Gernot , Kern Wolfgang
Published: November 2020

The effect of the hardener type and amount on the curing reaction and the resulting thermal and mechanical performance characteristics of epoxidized linseed oil are studied in detail. The analysis of the curing mechanism reveals that due to steric hindrance, side reactions and/or fast gelation, the optimal mixing ratio of bio‐based epoxy resins and hardeners has to be determined experimentally and cannot be calculated. The investigated thermosets exhibit a glass transition temperature of 12, 54, and 145°C after curing. The overall mechanical performance of the resulting resin ranges from soft and flexible to stiff and rigid, depending on the hardener type applied, which can be utilized in the formation of epoxy composites and coatings.
An investigation on wear behavior of UHMWPE/carbide composites at elevated temperatures
Authors: Gürgen Selim , Sert Abdullah , Kuşhan Melih Cemal
Published: November 2020

Ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is extensively used in frictional applications due to its advanced wear resistance. This advanced polymer is reinforced with hard particulate fillers for further developments against wear conditions. Since elevated temperatures prevail in the service conditions, wear behavior of UHMWPE composites is an important issue for the engineering applications. In the present work, UHMWPE‐based composites including silicon carbide (SiC) fillers were fabricated in a compression molding chamber. In the specimen preparation stage, molding pressure, filler amount, and filler particle size were varied to investigate the influence of these variables. Upon deciding the optimum parameters from the wear tests conducted at room temperature, the wear experiments were repeated for the optimum specimen at elevated temperatures, such as 40 and 60°C. According to the results, the wear behavior of the SiC/UHMWPE composites is heavily changed by the effect of elevated temperature. Adhesive effect is pronounced at elevated temperatures while the wear characteristics possess the abrasive effect in the sliding path. In addition, the composites exhibit an accelerated material loss as temperature increases during the frictional system.
Analysis of carbon fiber structure based on dynamic laser Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Sun Zhulin , Lu Yonggen , Wang Ruiqi , Yang Changling
Published: November 2020

The in‐plane modulus and inter layer shear modulus are the intrinsic properties determining the carbon fiber's characterization, but could not be gotten for a single sample. With the addition of dynamic Raman spectra, the parameters are obtained from five carbon fibers individually, which interpret perfectly that the Young's modulus and conductivities are not consistent according to the normal views. The mesophase pitch‐based graphitized carbon fiber has thermal conductivity of 635 Wm−1 K−1, much higher than 78 Wm−1 K−1 of the polyacrylonitrile graphitized carbon fiber, even the modulus of the latter is higher than the former. The Young's modulus of polyacrylonitrile carbon fiber and rayon‐based graphitized carbon fiber are 260 and 140 GPa; however, their thermal conductivities are lower than 1.0 Wm−1 K−1. With these two intrinsic properties, the structure of a carbon fiber can be understood clearly, so that the properties can be enhanced accordingly.
Water Distribution System Modeling: Past & Present
Authors:   AWWA Engineering Modeling Applications Committee
Published: November 2020

Key Takeaways

Modeling water distribution networks involves equations that are difficult to compute by hand, so early systems relied on simplifications and rules of thumb.

Early computers were limiting but opened the door to quicker and less expensive calculations; modern computing has allowed more complex simulations.

The future of water distribution system modeling may involve cloud‐based applications and integration of supervisory control and data acquisition, geographic information systems, and artificial intelligence.
Research Sheds Light on Age‐Old Problem of Meter and Service Line Sizing
Authors: Mayer Peter W. , Buchberger Steven G. , Davis Steve , Douglas Christopher J.
Published: November 2020

Key Takeaways

A study by The Water Research Foundation (WRF) measured high‐resolution water demands in US buildings to reexamine and offer guidance on meter sizing approaches and building plumbing.

Incorrectly sized meters have significant implications for water quality and resource management in a time of reduced water demand resulting from long‐standing water efficiency programs.

The WRF study's actual measured peak flows indicate that all design curves currently used in practice, including those in AWWA Manual M22, predict flows that are likely to be higher than actual peak water demands.
Prognose von Messdaten beim Bauwerksmonitoring mithilfe von Machine Learning
Authors: Wedel Frederik , Marx Steffen
Published: November 2020

In diesem Aufsatz wird der nichtlineare bzw. instationäre Zusammenhang zwischen Luft‐ und Bauwerkstemperatur über ein Machine‐Learning‐Modell abgebildet. Anhand dieser Problemstellung werden verschiedene Anwendungsfälle für Methoden des maschinellen Lernens (Regression) auf Monitoringdaten dargestellt, die aus in der Praxis aufgetretenen Fragestellungen resultieren. Dazu wird auf neuronale Netze als Methode des Machine Learnings spezifisch eingegangen, die im Kontext von Langzeitmonitoringdaten an Talbrücken der VDE 8 angewandt werden. Es wird bspw. gezeigt, dass mithilfe dieser Methoden Messfehler erkannt und kompensiert werden können oder das Bauwerksverhalten vorhergesagt werden kann. Im Ergebnis wird festgehalten, dass diese Methoden ein großes Potenzial für die automatisierte Auswertung großer Datenmengen aufweisen, da keine komplexen physikalischen Modelle benötigt werden. Der Aufsatz legt dabei den Fokus stärker auf die Anwendung von KI‐Methoden als auf den mathematischen bzw. theoretischen Hintergrund der Methoden.
High‐Performing Li‐Ion Battery with “Two Cathodes in One” of Sulfur and LiFePO4 by Strategies of Mitigation of Polysulfide Shuttling
Authors: Garay‐Marín Juan David , Quiroga‐González Enrique , Garza‐Tovar Lorena Leticia , Reuter Florian , Kensy Christian , Althues Holger , Kaskel Stefan
Published: November 2020

This work reports on further development of the concept “two cathodes in one” for lithium‐ion batteries. The cathodes are composed of LiFePO4 (high power) and sulfur (high gravimetric capacity), allowing high discharging rates as well as high gravimetric capacities, which are especially attractive for numerous existing applications. In this study, different strategies have been tested to reduce polysulfide shuttling in batteries with these cathodes, greatly improving their performance. Batteries which were assembled with electrolyte mixtures of tetramethylsulfone and 1,1,2,2‐tetrafluoroethyl‐2,2,3,3‐tetrafluoropropyl ether (TMS/TTE) show significantly better performance than with the typical electrolyte composition used for Li−S batteries. Moreover, various carbons with different pore size distributions in the C/S composite were mixed with LiFePO4 in an electrode reaching high discharge capacities (72 % of the theorical composite capacity) and stable Coulombic efficiency of 99 %. As a result, an improved active material utilization is observed, confirming its possible application as a commercial battery cathode.
Trimethyl Lock Quinone‐Functionalized Coumarin for Real‐time Monitoring of NQO1 Activity in the Live Cells
Authors: Park Sun Young , Yoon Shin A , Lee Min Hee
Published: November 2020

We developed trimethyl lock quinone‐functionalized coumarin (probe 1) as a small fluorescent probe for the imaging of NQO1 activity in the live cells. NQO1 is highly expressed in most cancer cells and it is considered as a potential biomarker of NQO1‐related cancer. Probe 1 showed the high selectivity and rapid fluorescence response to the NQO1 activity. In addition, the probe is biocompatible and easily penetrates living cells. It was found that probe 1 provided relatively strong fluorescence in NQO1‐positive A549 cells, unlike NQO1‐negative NIH‐3T3 and MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Therefore, we demonstrated that probe 1 can detect NQO1 activity in real time in living cells and it can also distinguish different levels of NQO1 activity in various pathological cells.
Stability‐indicating ultra performance liquid chromatography method development and validation for simultaneous estimation of metformin, linagliptin, and empagliflozin in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form
Authors: Vankalapati Krishna Rao , Alegete Pallavi , Boodida Sathyanarayana
Published: November 2020

A rapid stability‐indicating reversed phase‐ultrapure liquid chromatography (RP‐UPLC) was developed and validated for the estimation of metformin (MET), linagliptin (LIN), and empagliflozin (EMP) combination in bulk and tablet dosage form using Kromasil C18column (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.8 μm) as a stationary phase and a mixture solution of 40% phosphate buffer (pH = 3) and 60% acetonitrile as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. The detection was performed at 248 nm using a photodiode array detector. The linearity, sensitivity, selectivity, robustness, specificity, precision, and accuracy were determined. The peak area response–concentration curve was rectilinear over the range of 50–150 (MET), 5–15 (LIN), and 10–30 μg/mL (EMP) with quantitation limits of 0.042 (MET), 0.023 (LIN), and 0.059 μg/mL (EMP). The proposed method was successfully validated for the determination of MET, LIN, and EMP simultaneously in combined tablet dosage form. The performance of the proposed method was compared with reported RP‐UPLC methods and found to be rapid and economical. The developed and validated stability‐indicating RP‐UPLC method was appropriate for the quality control and drug analysis.
Which features of postural sway are effective in distinguishing Parkinson's disease from controls? A systematic review
Authors: Ge Wenbo , Lueck Christian J. , Apthorp Deborah , Suominen Hanna
Published: November 2020

Background

Postural sway may be useful as an objective measure of Parkinson's disease (PD). Existing studies have analyzed many different features of sway using different experimental paradigms. We aimed to determine what features have been used to measure sway and then to assess which feature(s) best differentiate PD patients from controls. We also aimed to determine whether any refinements might improve discriminative power and so assist in standardizing experimental conditions and analysis of data.

Methods

In this systematic review of the literature, effect size (ES) was calculated for every feature reported by each article and then collapsed across articles where appropriate. The influence of clinical medication status, visual state, and sampling rate on ES was also assessed.

Results

Four hundred and forty‐three papers were retrieved. 25 contained enough information for further analysis. The most commonly used features were not the most effective (e.g., PathLength, used 14 times, had ES of 0.47, while TotalEnergy, used only once, had ES of 1.78). Increased sampling rate was associated with increased ES (PathLength ES increased to 1.12 at 100 Hz from 0.40 at 10 Hz). Measurement during “OFF” clinical status was associated with increased ES (PathLength ES was 0.83 OFF compared to 0.21 ON).

Conclusions

This review identified promising features for analysis of postural sway in PD, recommending a sampling rate of 100 Hz and studying patients when OFF to maximize ES. ES complements statistical significance as it is clinically relevant and is easily compared across experiments. We suggest that machine learning is a promising tool for the future analysis of postural sway in PD.
Do independent, female and specialist directors promote eco‐innovation and eco‐design in agri‐food firms?
Authors: García‐Sánchez Isabel‐María , Gallego‐Álvarez Isabel , Zafra‐Gómez José‐Luis
Published: November 2020

Eco‐innovation and eco‐design strategies are associated with firms' innovation capabilities. Moreover, they may impact on access to public subsidies and on financial performance. In this respect, the agri‐food industry is especially vulnerable, because in general, this sector has less experience of technological innovation, and managers are more likely to be averse to such projects. On the other hand, the board may promote a proactive environmental approach to defend the interests of investors and other stakeholders, taking the view that these strategies reduce the environmental impact of the firm's products and its production processes and are therefore beneficial. Our study aim is to identify the profile of directors who may be favourable to eco‐design and eco‐innovation strategies, focusing on the traits of independence, gender diversity and environmental specialisation. The results obtained, from a dependence model based on panel data supplied by 321 agri‐food companies for the period 2002–2017 (unbalanced panel data with 4878 observations), show that independent directors play a crucial role in implementing eco‐innovation and eco‐design projects. However, neither the diversity nor the specialisation of directors is a significant factor in this regard.
High Volumetric Energy Density Asymmetric Fibrous Supercapacitors with Coaxial Structure Based on Graphene/MnO2 Hybrid Fibers
Authors: Wu Guiqing , Yang Xinyu , Hou Chengyi , Li Yaogang , Zhang Qinghong , Wang Hongzhi
Published: November 2020

In order to improve the performance of the fibrous supercapacitors to be more suitable for practical application, we prepared graphene/MnO2 hybrid fibers by doping MnO2 nanorods into graphene fibers through a simple wet spinning method, in which MnO2 act as the pseudocapacitive materials. This hybrid fiber electrode shows a wide potential window of −0.2–1 V and a high volume specific capacitance of 473 F cm−3. Based on these hybrid fibers, we fabricated asymmetric fibrous supercapacitors with coaxial structure. In the coaxial device, the internal electrode is graphene/MnO2 hybrid fiber, while the external electrode is graphene coated by dip coating method. The volume specific capacitance and the volumetric energy density of the coaxial device reaches up to 24 F cm−3 and 8.44 mWh cm−3, respectively, 200 % higher than these of the twisting device. The coaxial structure had not only decreased the charge transfer resistance between the two electrodes, but also increased the volume utilization rate of the devices. Therefore, this type of high volumetric energy density asymmetric fibrous supercapacitors has a wide range of applications in portable and flexible electronics and intelligent fabrics.
Predicting risk of multiple levels of recurrence and progression after initial diagnosis of nonmuscle‐invasive bladder cancer in a multisite, community‐based cohort
Authors: Garg Tullika , McMullen Carmit K. , Leo Michael C. , O’Keeffe‐Rosetti Maureen C. , Weinmann Sheila , Nielsen Matthew E.
Published: November 2020

Background

Nonmuscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) has heterogeneous recurrence and progression outcomes. Available risk calculators estimate recurrence and progression but do not predict the recurrence stage or grade, which may influence downstream treatment. The objective of this study was to predict risk‐stratified NMIBC recurrence and progression based on recurrence tumor classification and grade.

Methods

In total, 2956 patients with NMIBC (<T2) who were diagnosed at Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Geisinger from 1994 to 2015 were identified. Recurrences were annotated for tumor classification and grade. Four risk‐stratified outcomes were created based on the tumor classification and grade of the recurrence: 1) any recurrence, 2) intermediate‐risk recurrence (Ta high grade, carcinoma in situ, T1 low grade) or higher, 3) high‐risk recurrence (T1 high grade) or progression (clinical T2), and 4) progression. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to compute 1‐year and 5‐year risk estimates for each outcome based on initial tumor classification and grade.

Results

Over a median follow‐up of 29.4 months, there were 1062 recurrences (35.9%), including 111 progressions (3.8%). The adjusted hazard of high‐risk recurrence or progression increased, depending on initial tumor classification and grade: The adjusted hazard ratio was 2.60 (95% CI, 1.62‐4.15) for Ta high‐grade tumors, 4.74 (95% CI, 3.01‐7.47) for tumor in situ or Ta with carcinoma in situ, and 7.14 (95% CI, 4.97‐10.26) T1 high‐grade tumors. Using Ta high‐grade tumors as an example, the 1‐year and 5‐year predicted rates of adjusted risk of a high‐risk recurrence or progression were 4.4% and 7.9%, respectively.

Conclusions

The 1‐year and 5‐year predicted risk of high‐risk recurrences and progression increased with higher tumor classification and grade at diagnosis. These granular risk estimates may further inform risk‐stratified treatment and surveillance for patients with NMIBC.
Minimal Surfaces in Hyperbolic 3‐Manifolds
Authors: Coskunuzer Baris
Published: November 2020

We show the existence of smoothly embedded closed minimal surfaces in infinite volume hyperbolic 3‐manifolds except for some special cases. © 2020Wiley Periodicals LLC
Coated Latex Beads as Artificial Cells for Quantitative Investigations of Receptor/Ligand Interactions
Authors: Urlaub Doris , Watzl Carsten
Published: November 2020

Cellular interactions are often essential to regulate immune cell activities during an immune response. To understand the details of this process, it is necessary to study individual receptor/ligand interactions in a quantitative fashion. However, this is often very difficult or even impossible when using real cells for stimulation. Here, we present a method to use cell‐sized latex beads for such studies. These beads can be coated with agonistic antibodies or specific ligands in a defined and quantifiable fashion. This creates the possibility of titrating the strength of the stimulation for a specific receptor in a three‐dimensional system. Using natural killer (NK) cells as an example, we demonstrate how these beads can be used to stimulate NK cell responses. © 2020 The Authors.

Basic Protocol 1: Covalent coating of latex beads with antibodies

Basic Protocol 2: Quantification of the amount of antibodies on the beads with the QIFIKIT®

Alternate Protocol 1: Covalent coating of latex beads with streptavidin to bind biotinylated proteins

Alternate Protocol 2: Quantification of the amount of protein on the beads with the QIFIKIT®

Support Protocol: Functional testing of the beads in a natural killer cell degranulation assay
Nitrogen uptake and utilization in advanced fresh‐market red potato breeding lines
Authors: Jones Colin R. , Michaels Thomas E. , Schmitz Carley Cari , Rosen Carl J. , Shannon Laura M.
Published: November 2020

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production on sandy soils requires added N. Only 40–60% of the applied N is acquired by the crop. Increased N use efficiency (NUE) and its components, N utilization efficiency (NUtE) and N uptake efficiency (NUpE), could reduce fertilizer rates and environmental losses. We compared N efficiency in fresh‐market red potato varieties, in terms of yield and quality traits, and examined potential mechanisms for that efficiency including uptake, utilization, and increased root growth. We grew selections from a red potato breeding population and commercial varieties under two N rates: 101 and 202 kg N ha−1. We compared NUE, NUpE, and NUtE in low and high N. We compared root phenotypes at tuber initiation and yield and skin quality metrics at harvest. Values for NUtE correlated with NUE and yield in low N and NUpE correlated with NUE and yield in high N. Low‐N conditions produced smaller tubers, while high N resulted primarily in medium tubers. Nitrogen did not affect skinning and redness but low N did result in slightly lighter skin color. Total root mass 45 d after planting (DAP) correlated with final yield and NUE but did not correlate with measures of N uptake across treatments. Larger roots correlated with NUpE only in the high‐N treatment. Selection under low N may reveal NUE and expose more stable representations of the genetic components of skin quality phenotypes. While skinning and skin color were more variable among varieties in low N, within variety they exhibited year‐to‐year consistency.
Microporous Organic Polymers: A Synthetic Platform for Engineering Heterogeneous Carbocatalysts
Authors: Ji Kim Hea , Bong Choi Go , Wee Jae‐Hyung , Hong Seungki , Park Jieun , Ahm Kim Yoong , Kim Hyungwoo
Published: November 2020

The conceptual, bottom‐up design of functional carbon materials from microporous organic polymers was investigated. Owing to their structural rigidity and synthetic flexibility, the porous polymers streamlined the thermal carbonization process while excluding the need for exogenous additives or extra synthesis procedures and allowed for simultaneous elemental engineering of the resultant carbonaceous materials. As designed, heteroatoms such as nitrogen and sulfur could be uniformly incorporated into the carbon matrices from the microporous polymers during thermal carbonization with a concomitant change in the macroscopic properties of the materials. In particular, doping with sulfur atoms could provide reactive sites, thereby conferring superior catalytic performance to the carbon materials. This study demonstrates expansion of the capability of microporous polymers as a functional carbon source and advances the synthetic concept for carbonaceous materials.
Preschoolers’ dynamic respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) change during a challenging parent‐child interactive task: Relations with preschoolers’ socioemotional health
Authors: West Kara B. , Shaffer Anne , Wickrama Kandauda. A. S. , Han Zhuo Rachel , Suveg Cynthia
Published: November 2020

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is a biomarker of physiological functioning that has been implicated in self‐regulatory processes and shown to relate to children's socioemotional health. RSA is a dynamic process reflecting an individual's response to their environment; thus, temporally sensitive methods are critical to better understanding this self‐regulatory process in different contexts. Prior work has studied young children's RSA change in the context of emotion clips and interactions with a stranger. The present study meaningfully expanded upon this work by examining: (a) preschoolers’ dynamic RSA change during a challenging task with their mothers, and (b) factors that may explain variability in children's dynamic RSA change. Preschoolers (N = 108; Mage = 3.56 years) and their mothers from diverse backgrounds completed a challenging activity together while children's physiological activity was monitored. Mothers reported on children's positive affect, parent emotional support, and family cohesion and indicators of socioemotional health. Children's positive affect and family cohesion explained variability in children's dynamic RSA change, which concurrently related to better socioemotional health. This study advances research and theory on biological correlates implicated in the development of children's self‐regulation and furthers our understanding of factors that may support children's developing self‐regulation at the physiological level.
Biotic and abiotic effects on density, body size, sex ratio, and survival in immature stages of the European woodwasp, Sirex noctilio
Authors: Garnas Jeff R. , Vann Katie E. , Hurley Brett P.
Published: November 2020

Resource quality can have direct or indirect effects on female oviposition choice, offspring growth and survival, and ultimately on body size and sex ratio. We examined these patterns in Sirex noctilio Fabricus, the globally invasive European pine woodwasp, in South African Pinus patula plantations. We studied how tree position as well as natural variation in biotic and abiotic factors influenced sex‐specific density, larval size, tunnel length, male proportion, and survival across development. Twenty infested trees divided into top, middle, and bottom sections were sampled at three time points during larval development. We measured moisture content, bluestain fungal colonization, and co‐occurring insect density and counted, measured, and sexed all immature wasps. A subset of larval tunnels was measured to assess tunnel length and resource use efficiency (tunnel length as a function of immature wasp size). Wasp density increased from the bottoms to the tops of trees for both males and females. However, the largest individuals and the longest tunnels were found in bottom sections. Male bias was strong (~10:1) and likewise differed among sections, with the highest proportion in the middle and top sections. Sex ratios became more strongly male biased due to high female mortality, especially in top and middle sections. Biotic and abiotic factors such as colonization by Diplodia sapinea, weevil (Pissodes sp.) density, and wood moisture explained modest residual variation in our primary mixed effects models (0%–22%). These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of sex‐specific resource quality for S. noctilio and of how variation in key biotic and abiotic factors can influence body size, sex ratio, and survival in this economically important woodwasp.
Cross‐domain bearing fault diagnosis with refined composite multiscale fuzzy entropy and the self organizing fuzzy classifier
Authors: Gituku Esther W. , Kimotho James K. , Njiri Jackson G.
Published: November 2020

In this article, the use of refined composite multiscale fuzzy entropy (RCMFE) for cross‐domain diagnosis of bearings is introduced and verified with two publicly available datasets of varying operating conditions, a factor that challenges the diagnostic ability of trained models. For classification, the self organizing fuzzy (SOF) classifier is used. The diagnostic framework which primarily only involves extracting RCMFE feature and training the SOF classifier, is able to detect and isolate faults with over 97% accuracy when the classes are comprised of a single fault type and size. Compared to related works, the proposed approach does not require deep learning for feature extraction nor any domain adaptation technique as the RCMFE feature is robust against changing operating conditions. Furthermore, the method does not need target domain data during training. With regard to fault isolation, when the classes in the training data contain all the available fault sizes instead of a single size, the classifier can distinguish inner race faults from outer race and ball fault with an average accuracy of 96%. However, the accuracy for differentiating ball and outer race faults falls slightly to an average of 86%. Thus even for the latter arrangement which poses a tougher transfer learning problem, the proposed approach still performs very well.
An enhanced multi‐objective differential evolution algorithm for dynamic environmental economic dispatch of power system with wind power
Authors: Bai Yingjie , Wu Xuedong , Xia Aiming
Published: November 2020

Dynamic environmental economic dispatch (DEED) with wind power is an important extension of the classical environmental economic dispatch (EED) problem, which could provide reasonable scheduling scheme to minimize the pollution emission and economic cost at the same time. In this study, the combined dynamic scheduling of thermal power and wind power is carried out with pollutant emission and economic cost as optimization objectives; meanwhile, the valve‐point effect, power balance, ramp rate, and other constraints are taken into consideration. In order to solve the DEED problem, an enhanced multi‐objective differential evolution algorithm (EMODE) is proposed, which adopts the superiority of feasible solution (SF) and nondominated sorting (NDS) two selection strategies to improve the optimization effect. The suggested algorithm combines the total constraint violation and penalty function to deal with various constraints, due to different constraint techniques could be effective during different stages of searching process, and this method could ensure that each individual in the Pareto front (PF) is feasible. The results show that the proposed algorithm can deal with DEED problem with wind power effectively, and provide better dynamic scheduling scheme for power system.
Maize‐based intercropping systems achieve higher productivity and profitability with lesser environmental footprint in a water‐scarce region of northwest China
Authors: Sun Tao , Zhao Cai , Feng Xiaomin , Yin Wen , Gou Zhiwen , Lal Rattan , Deng Aixing , Chai Qiang , Song Zhenwei , Zhang Weijian
Published: November 2020

Global agriculture is facing multiple challenges to meet the food demands, optimize resource utilization, and mitigate the climate change. A field study, combined with the life cycle assessment (LCA), was conducted to select the effective and sustainable cropping systems in northwestern China. The study compared four maize‐based intercropping and corresponding monoculture systems on crop yield, evapotranspiration (ET), water use efficiency (WUE), profitability, and carbon footprint (CF). Maize/wheat intercropping had the highest energy yield (532.5 GJ/ha, on average) and maize equivalent energy yield (MEEY) (522.3 G/ha, on average), followed by those from the maize/rape intercropping system, and the lowest by the sole potato system. The WUE of maize equivalent energy yield (WUEMEEY) was the highest (1.06 GJ ha−1 mm−1) for sole rape system, followed by those for the maize/wheat and maize/rape intercropping systems. Maize/potato intercropping had the highest benefit: cost ratio at 3.30, followed by those for the maize/wheat intercropping (2.58), sole potato (2.57), and maize/rape intercropping (2.53). Lower CF and higher net ecosystem economic budget (NEEB) were observed in maize‐based intercropping systems. The maize/wheat intercropping system had the lowest CF per maize equivalent energy yield (CFm) (10.7 kg CO2‐eq GJ−1 year−1), and the maize/potato intercropping system had the lowest CF per unit economic output (CFe) (0.14 kg CO2‐eq US$−1 year−1), and the highest NEEB (7,352.8 US$/ha). The data presented indicate that maize‐based intercropping system may be a viable practice for the synthesized goals of higher productivity and profitability while lesser environmental footprint in a water‐scarce region of northwest China.
Innovation, aging, and health care: Unraveling “silver” from “red” herrings?
Authors: Costa‐Font Joan , Levaggi Rosella
Published: November 2020

This perspective paper argues that a sustainable health system design encompasses identifying opportunities and incentives for innovation, alongside an analysis of its effect on expenditure. Although aging alone is not a powerful cost driver, the combined effect of costly innovation, personalized care, and the rise of chronic conditions is. We identify an increasing role of prevention, the reduction of the prevalence of chronic conditions, re‐organisation of incentives in health care markerts, including a closer scrutiny of the appropriateness of new treatments.
Sediment particle selectivity and its response to overland flow hydraulics within grass strips
Authors: Luo Mingjie , Pan Chengzhong , Cui Yongsheng , Wu Yun , Liu Chunlei
Published: November 2020

Particle selectivity plays an important role in clarifying sediment transport processes in vegetative filter strips (VFS). 10‐m long grass strips at slopes of 5° and 15° were subjected to a series of sediment‐laden inflows experiments with different particle sizes to investigate the sediment transport and its response to overland flow hydraulics. The inflow sediments came from local soil, river‐bed sand, and mixed, with median particle size d50 of 39.9, 207.9 and 77.4 μm, respectively. Three independent repeated experiments were carried for each treatment. The results show that when the sediment trapping lasted for a certain length of time, the re‐entrainment of some small‐sized particles was greater than the deposition; that is, net loss occurred, which was not erosion of the original soil. Net loss of particles is mainly determined by the particle diameter. The coarser the inflow sediment particles and/or the steeper the slope, the coarser the particles can be net lost. Deposited sediment causes the VFS bed surface to become smooth and hydraulic resistance decrease exponentially. Unit stream power P is more suitable than shear stress τ of overland flow to be used to describe the process of sediment particle transport in VFS. The relationship between P and d50 of outflow sediment is very consistent with the form of power function with a constant term. These results are helpful to understand the physical process of sediment transport on vegetation hillslopes.
Plasma cytomegalovirus DNA load predicts outcomes in liver transplant recipients
Authors: Hung Hao‐Chien , Hsu Po‐Jung , Lee Jin‐Chiao , Wang Yu‐Chao , Cheng Chih‐Hsien , Wu Tsung‐Han , Wu Ting‐Jung , Chou Hong‐Shiue , Chan Kun‐Ming , Lee Wei‐Chen , Lee Chen‐Fang
Published: November 2020

Objective

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has a significant negative impact on liver transplant (LT) recipients. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of real‐time DNA quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in the early detection of CMV and predicting post‐transplant outcomes.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective study that enrolled a total of 49 adult LT recipients between December 2016 and October 2019. Serial CMV qPCR were tested weekly. We used operating characteristic curve analysis to quantify qPCR replication numbers to decide the optimal threshold to predict posttransplant complications and overall survival.

Results

The optimal cut‐off value of 180 copies/ml (=164 IU/ml) was determined. We had 40 patients in the low qPCR group (<180 copies/ml) and nine patients in the high qPCR group (≥180 copies/ml). Higher qPCR was associated with more severe CMV disease, early allograft dysfunction, major posttransplant complications, longer ICU stays, and lower 2‐year overall survival (OS; all p < .05). In the univariate logistic regression model, persistent DNAemia ≥ 4 weeks after anti‐CMV treatment, coexisted bacterial and/or fungal infection, and high CMV qPCR ≥ 180 copies/ml with p < .100. High CMV qPCR ≥ 180 copies/ml (p = .016; hazard ratio [HR] = 19.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.73–219.49) remained to be the only independent risk factors for major complication by the multivariate analysis. The overall 2‐year OS rates were 92.5% and 66.7% in the low and the high qPCR group, respectively (p = .030).

Conclusion

Our findings support evidence that qPCR is effective in detecting CMV infection provides an objective perspective in predicting posttransplant outcomes. High plasma CMV DNA load (defined as CMV qPCR ≥ 180 copies/ml or 164 IU/ml) not only indicates a hazard in developing major posttransplant complications but also associates with prolonged and refractory treatment courses.
Opportunistic Screening Using Low-Dose CT and the Prevalence of Osteoporosis in China: A Nationwide, Multicenter Study
Authors: Cheng Xiaoguang , Zhao Kaiping , Zha Xiaojuan , Du Xia , Li Yongli , Chen Shuang , Wu Yan , Li Shaolin , Lu Yong , Zhang Yuqin , Xiao Xigang , Li YueHua , Ma Xiao , Gong Xiangyang , Chen Wei , Yang Yingying , Jiao Jun , Chen Bairu , Lv Yinru , Gao Jianbo , Hong GuoBin , Pan Yaling , Yan Yan , Qi Huijuan , Ran Limei , Zhai Jian , Wang Ling , Li Kai , Fu Haihong , Wu Jing , Liu Shiwei , Blake Glen M , Pickhardt Perry J , Ma Yuanzheng , Fu Xiaoxia , Dong Shengyong , Zeng Qiang , Guo Zhiping , Hind Karen , Engelke Klaus , Tian Wei ,   For the China Health Big Data (China Biobank) project investigators
Published: November 2020

Opportunistic screening for osteoporosis can be performed using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) imaging obtained for other clinical indications. In this study we explored the CT-derived bone mineral density (BMD) and prevalence of osteoporosis from thoracic LDCT in a large population cohort of Chinese men and women. A total of 69,095 adults (40,733 men and 28,362 women) received a thoracic LDCT scan for the purpose of lung cancer screening between 2018 and 2019, and data were obtained for analysis from the China Biobank Project, a prospective nationwide multicenter population study. Lumbar spine (L1–L2) trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) was derived from these scans using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) software and the American College of Radiology QCT diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis were applied. Geographic regional differences in the prevalence of osteoporosis were assessed and the age-standardized, population prevalence of osteoporosis in Chinese men and women was estimated from the 2010 China census. The prevalence of osteoporosis by QCT for the Chinese population aged >50 years was 29.0% for women and 13.5% for men, equating to 49.0 million and 22.8 million, respectively. In women, this rate is comparable to estimates from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), but in men, the prevalence is double. Prevalence varied geographically across China, with higher rates in the southwest and lower rates in the northeast. Trabecular vBMD decreased with age in both men and women. Women had higher peak trabecular vBMD (185.4 mg/cm3) than men (176.6 mg/cm3) at age 30 to 34 years, but older women had lower trabecular vBMD (62.4 mg/cm3) than men (92.1 mg/cm3) at age 80 years. We show that LDCT-based opportunistic screening could identify large numbers of patients with low lumbar vBMD, and that future cohort studies are now required to evaluate the clinical utility of such screening in terms of fracture prevention and supporting national health economic analyses. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)..
Prospective case‐control study of enterovirus detection differences in children’s cerebrospinal fluid between multiplex PCR and real‐time RT‐PCR assay
Authors: You Dianping , Chen Fang , Li Jingjie , Zeng Xianping , Wang Weijian , Guo Yinghui , Yang Fan , Sun Suzhen , Wang Le
Published: November 2020

Background

Viral encephalitis is common in childhood. It is an acute brain parenchymal inflammation caused by a variety of viral infection, and enterovirus accounts for the majority. Due to atypical clinical manifestations, pathogenic testing is important for assisting clinical diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the multiplex PCR assay compared with quantitative real‐time PCR for enterovirus detection.

Methods

A prospective case‐control study was performed involving 103 pediatric patients suspected for viral encephalitis and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected and tested for 9 pathogens using multiplex PCR assay during April to November in 2018. In parallel, an aliquot of samples was tested for enterovirus infection by real‐time PCR assay.

Results

There were 85.4% children were confirmed as viral encephalitis on discharge, the remaining ones were diagnosed as other CNS diseases, such as epilepsy. The specificity of the two methods was the same as that of the clinical diagnosis, but the sensitivity and consistency with clinical diagnosis of multiplex PCR were both higher than the real‐time PCR. Besides of enterovirus, multiplex PCR could also detect coinfection of enterovirus with Epstein‐Barr virus and mumps virus.

Conclusion

Results of multiplex PCR method are more consistent with the clinical diagnosis and are superior to real‐time PCR for detecting enterovirus in CSF.
Identification and external validation of the optimal FIB‐4 and APRI thresholds for ruling in chronic hepatitis B related liver fibrosis in tertiary care settings
Authors: Liu Kecheng , Qin Mengbin , Tao Kunlin , Liang Zhihai , Cai Fuqing , Zhao Liebin , Peng Peng , Liu Shiquan , Zou Jun , Huang Jiean
Published: November 2020

Background

With the initially defined thresholds, the most widely used serum biomarkers for staging liver fibrosis (ie, APRI and FIB‐4 scores) proved to be ineffective among patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB). Whether optimizing the FIB‐4 and APRI thresholds could improve their diagnostic accuracy requires further research.

Methods

Using data of treat‐naïve CHB patients from three tertiary hospitals, we explored the optimal FIB‐4 and APRI thresholds to rule in liver fibrosis accurately. Subsequently, we validated the applicability of the newly defined thresholds to the CHB patients from another two tertiary hospitals.

Results

The fibrosis stages between discovery cohort (n = 433) and the external validation cohort (n = 568) were statistically different (P < .001). When ruling in significant fibrosis and advanced fibrosis by the newly defined FIB‐4 thresholds (2.25 and 3.00, respectively), 24.0% and 14.3% of patients, respectively, could be classified with excellent accuracy (PPVs of 91.3% and 80.6%, respectively; misdiagnosis rates of 6.0% and 5.4%, respectively), supported by the internal and external validation tests. Regrettably, the more accurate and robust thresholds of APRI score for ruling in significant fibrosis and advanced fibrosis could not be found. Besides, the FIB‐4 and APRI scores should not be recommended for ruling in cirrhosis because of poor clinical diagnostic performance.

Conclusion

The newly defined FIB‐4 thresholds for ruling in significant fibrosis and advanced fibrosis showed superior and reproducible clinical diagnostic accuracy. The well‐validated threshold (≥2.25) of FIB‐4 score could aid in antiviral treatment decisions for treat‐naïve adult CHB patients by accurately ruling in significant fibrosis in tertiary care settings.
Mesenchymal stem cells induce PD‐L1 expression through the secretion of CCL5 in breast cancer cells
Authors: Aboulkheyr Es Hamidreza , Bigdeli Bahareh , Zhand Sareh , Aref Amir R. , Thiery Jean P. , Warkiani Majid E.
Published: November 2020

Various factors in the tumor microenvironment (TME) regulate the expression of PD‐L1 in cancer cells. In TME, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a crucial role in tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. Emerging evidence suggests that MSCs can modulate the immune‐suppression capacity of TME through the stimulation of PD‐L1 expression in various cancers; nonetheless, their role in the induction of PD‐L1 in breast cancer remained elusive. Here, we assessed the potential of MSCs in the stimulation of PD‐L1 expression in a low PD‐L1 breast cancer cell line and explored its associated cytokine. We assessed the expression of MSCs‐related genes and their correlation with PD‐L1 across 1826 breast cancer patients from the METABRIC cohort. After culturing an ER+/differentiated/low PD‐L1 breast cancer cells with MSCs conditioned‐medium (MSC‐CM) in a microfluidic device, a variety of in‐vitro assays was carried out to determine the role of MSC‐CM in breast cancer cells' phenotype plasticity, invasion, and its effects on induction of PD‐L1 expression. In‐silico analysis showed a positive association between MSCs‐related genes and PD‐L1 expression in various types of breast cancer. Through functional assays, we revealed that MSC‐CM not only prompts a phenotype switch but also stimulates PD‐L1 expression at the protein level through secretion of various cytokines, especially CCL5. Treatment of MSCs with cytokine inhibitor pirfenidone showed a significant reduction in the secretion of CCL5 and consequently, expression of PD‐L1 in breast cancer cells. We concluded that MSCs‐derived CCL5 may act as a PD‐L1 stimulator in breast cancer.