bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile Two‐Phase Catalysis: From Dimethoxymethane and Monomeric Formaldehyde towards Oxymethylene Ethers (OMEs)
Authors: Peter Andreas , Stebens Gilles , Baumgärtner Julian F. , Jacob Eberhard , Mantei Franz K. , Ouda Mohamed , Krossing Ingo
Published: February 2020

An efficient, biphasic route towards oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OMEs) allowing for catalyst recycling and reuse is presented (OMEs=CH3(−OCH2−)nO−CH3, n=3–5). OMEs are an interesting novel class of non‐toxic, diesel‐like synthetic fuels with soot‐free combustion properties. A solution of commercial OMe3+BF4− in the ionic liquid (IL) 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimadazolium tetrafluoroborate acts as the immobilized catalyst. Upon addition of dimethoxymethane (OME1) and anhydrous formaldehyde (FA) very pure OMEs form in the upper phase of the biphasic mixture. In the lower IL‐phase, the catalyst remains immobilized. After phase separation and removal of the top OME layer, the catalytically active IL‐phase is reusable for at least ten times without loss of activity and selectivity.
Kinetics of Palladium(0)‐Allyl Interactions in the Tsuji‐Trost Reaction, derived from Single‐Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Menges Johannes A. , Grandjean Alexander , Clasen Anne , Jung Gregor
Published: February 2020

Single‐molecule (SM) chemistry is devoted to unravel reaction steps which are hidden in cuvette experiments. Controversies about the substrate activation during the Tsuji‐Trost deallylation motivated us to study, on the single‐molecule level, the kinetics of the catalyst precursor Pd(PPh3)4 with our recently designed two‐color fluorescent probes. Photochemical, metal‐free bypass reactions were found and taken into account by the combination of spectrally separated single‐molecule TIRF‐microscopy and state‐of‐the art analysis procedures. Unselective π‐complex formation (KD≈103 M−1) precedes the insertion of the active catalyst into the C−OR bond (RO−=leaving group), indicated by the lacking immediate change of fluorescence color. The formed intermediate then decomposes on a time scale of≥2 – 3 s to the deallylated product.
Design, Synthesis, and Dual Evaluation of Quinoline and Quinolinium Iodide Salt Derivatives as Potential Anticancer and Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Jin Guofan , Xiao Fuyan , Li Zhenwang , Qi Xueyong , Zhao Lei , Sun Xianyu
Published: February 2020

A series of novel quinoline and quinolinium iodide derivatives were designed and synthesized to discover potential anticancer and antibacterial agents. With regard to anticancer properties, in vitro cytotoxicities against three human cancer cell lines (A‐549, HeLa and SGC‐7901) were evaluated. The antibacterial properties against two strains,Escherichia coli(ATCC 29213) andStaphylococcus aureus(ATCC 8739), along with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were evaluated. The target alkyliodine substituted compounds exhibited significant antitumor and antibacterial activity, of which compound 8‐((4‐(benzyloxy)phenyl)amino)‐7‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐5‐propyl‐[1,3]dioxolo[4,5‐g]quinolin‐5‐ium (12) was found to be the most potent derivative with IC50values of 4.45±0.88, 4.74±0.42, 14.54±1.96, and 32.12±3.66 against A‐549, HeLa, SGC‐7901, and L‐02 cells, respectively, stronger than the positive controls 5‐FU and MTX. Furthermore, compound12had the most potent bacterial inhibitory activity. The MIC of this compound against bothE. coliandS. aureuswas 3.125 nmol ⋅ mL−1, which was smaller than that against the reference agents amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin.
Natural ink production and printability studies for smart food packaging
Authors: Ozcan Arif , Arman Kandirmaz Emine
Published: February 2020

Versatile smart packages provide information on the freshness of the content and help protect the content from microorganisms. In this sense, in this study both natural antimicrobial properties and pH sensitive natural dyes were obtained from red beet. Inks were prepared and printed using this dye and their suitability for smart packaging was investigated. For this purpose, red beet was cut into small sizes and mixed separately in ethanol and water (1:2) at 200 rpm. The betaine dye was taken up in solvent. These solvents were removed with evaporator and precipitated with centrifugation and dried in a vacuum oven. The chemical structure of the obtained dye was illuminated by Attenuated Total Reflection‐Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR). The color character was determined by UV spectroscopy. Pink colored natural ink was produced by using ink varnish with carboxymethyl cellulose polymer and solid dye. Screen printing was made with this ink and the color, gloss, and lightfastness characters of prints were examined. Antimicrobial effects of the obtained prints were measured against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Mordanting studies were performed with (KAl[SO4]2.12H2O) and change in color character was measured. The prints produced using the red beet extract have a yellow‐orange color in the basic state; in acid cases it was determined to have a pink‐purple color. In addition, it has been found that the ink prints obtained from red beet have antimicrobial properties against bacteria. Results prove that produced samples have good antimicrobial, pH indicator, and printability properties. This colorant can be used in smart food packaging.
Bismuth Vanadate/Bilirubin Oxidase Photo(bio)electrochemical Cells for Unbiased, Light‐Triggered Electrical Power Generation
Authors: Mukha Dina , Cohen Yifat , Yehezkeli Omer
Published: February 2020

The construction of bias‐ and donor‐free photobioelectrochemical cells for the generation of light‐triggered electrical power is presented. The developed oxygen reduction biocathodes are based on bilirubin oxidase (BOD) that originates fromMyrothecium verrucaria(MvBOD) and a thermophilicBacillus pumilus(BpBOD). Methods to entrap the BOD with 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) redox molecules in a polydopamine layer are presented. A pH‐independent, positively charged pyrenebetaine linker was synthesized, utilized, and led to a threefold improvement to the bioelectrocatalytic current. Both the developed polydopamine/ABTS/MvBOD and the pyrenebetaine/BpBOD biocathodes were further coupled with BiVO4/cobalt phosphate water‐oxidation photoanodes to construct biotic/abiotic photobioelectrochemical cells, which generated power outputs of 0.74 and 0.85 mW cm−2, respectively. The presented methods are versatile, show the strength of biotic/abiotic hybrids, and can be further used to couple different redox enzymes with electrodes.
Assessment methods for electric and magnetic fields in low and intermediate frequencies related to human exposures and the status of their standardization
Authors: Yamazaki Kenichi
Published: February 2020

Protection of human from exposures to electric and magnetic fields has received public concerns for decades. Methods to assess physical quantities related to the exposure, such as artificially generated electric and magnetic fields, electric fields inside human body caused by the exposures, and contact currents, have been investigated and established in relation to compliance assessment against exposure guidelines. In addition, some of the methods have been standardized internationally to facilitate mutual authentication by standard methods. This article reviews the methods to assess the human exposure to electric and magnetic fields, mainly focusing of low and intermediate frequencies (approximately below 100 kHz), and the status of their standardization.
Efficiency of crustacean zooplankton in transferring allochthonous carbon in a boreal lake
Authors: Grosbois Guillaume , Vachon Dominic , del Giorgio Paul A. , Rautio Milla
Published: February 2020

Increased incorporation of terrestrial organic matter (t‐OM) into consumer biomass (allochthony) is believed to reduce growth capacity. In this study, we examined the relationship between crustacean zooplankton allochthony and production in a boreal lake that displays strong seasonal variability in t‐OM inputs. Contrary to our hypotheses, we found no effect of allochthony on production at the community and the species levels. The high‐frequency seasonal sampling (time‐for‐space) allowed for estimating the efficiency of zooplankton in converting this external carbon source to growth. From the daily t‐OM inputs in the lake (57–3,027 kg C/d), the zooplankton community transferred 0.2% into biomass (0.01–2.36 kg C/d); this level was of the same magnitude as the carbon transfer efficiency for algal‐derived carbon (0.4%). In the context of the boundless carbon cycle, which integrates inland waters as a biologically active component of the terrestrial landscape, the use of the time‐for‐space approach for the quantifying of t‐OM trophic transfer efficiency by zooplankton is a critical step toward a better understanding of the effects of increasing external carbon fluxes on pelagic food webs.
Community size can affect the signals of ecological drift and niche selection on biodiversity
Authors: Siqueira Tadeu , Saito Victor S. , Bini Luis M. , Melo Adriano S. , Petsch Danielle K. , Landeiro Victor L. , Tolonen Kimmo T. , Jyrkänkallio‐Mikkola Jenny , Soininen Janne , Heino Jani
Published: February 2020

Ecological drift can override the effects of deterministic niche selection on small populations and drive the assembly of some ecological communities. We tested this hypothesis with a unique data set sampled identically in 200 streams in two regions (tropical Brazil and boreal Finland) that differ in macroinvertebrate community size by fivefold. Null models allowed us to estimate the magnitude to which β‐diversity deviates from the expectation under a random assembly process while taking differences in richness and relative abundance into account, i.e., β‐deviation. We found that both abundance‐ and incidence‐based β‐diversity was negatively related to community size only in Brazil. Also, β‐diversity of small tropical communities was closer to stochastic expectations compared with β‐diversity of large communities. We suggest that ecological drift may drive variation in some small communities by changing the expected outcome of niche selection, increasing the chances of species with low abundance and narrow distribution to occur in some communities. Habitat destruction, overexploitation, pollution, and reductions in connectivity have been reducing the size of biological communities. These environmental pressures might make smaller communities more vulnerable to novel conditions and render community dynamics more unpredictable. Incorporation of community size into ecological models should provide conceptual and applied insights into a better understanding of the processes driving biodiversity.
Fibroblast transdifferentiation promotes conversion of M1 macrophages and replenishment of cardiac resident macrophages following cardiac injury in mice
Authors: Lu Hongxiang , Chen Rong , Barnie Prince Amoah , Tian Yu , Zhang Shiqing , Xu Huaxi , Chakrabarti Subrata , Su Zhaoliang
Published: February 2020

Resident cardiac macrophages play important roles in homeostasis, maintenance of cardiac function, and tissue repair. After cardiac injury, monocytes infiltrate the tissue, undergo phenotypic and functional changes, and are involved in inflammatory injury and functional remodelling. However, the fate of cardiac infiltrating/polarized macrophages and the relationship between these cells and resident cardiac macrophage replenishment following injury remain unclear. Our results showed that angiotensin II induces cardiac fibroblast transdifferentiation into cardiac myofibroblasts (MFBs). In cocultures with MFBs and murine macrophages, the MFBs promoted macrophage polarization to M1 phenotype, followed by selective apoptosis, which was associated with TNF/TNFR1 axis and independent of NO production. Surprisingly, after 36 h of coculture, the surviving macrophages were converted to M2 phenotype and settled in heart, which was dependent on leptin produced by MFBs or polarized macrophages via the PI3K or Akt pathway. CCR2+CD45.2+ cells adoptively transferred into CD45.1+ mice with viral myocarditis, differentiated into CD45.2+CCR2+CX3CR1+ M2 cells during the resolution of inflammation and settled within the heart. Our data highlight a novel mechanism related to the renewal or replenishment of cardiac resident macrophages following cardiac injury; and suggest that transdifferentiation of cardiac fibroblasts may promote the resolution of inflammation.
The how and the when of the social cure: A conceptual model of group‐ and individual‐level mechanisms linking social identity to health and well‐being
Authors: Häusser Jan A. , Junker Nina M. , van Dick Rolf
Published: February 2020

In this article, we aim at theoretical specification and integration of mechanisms proposed within the Social Identity Approach to Health and Well‐being. We differentiate group‐level and individual‐level effects of shared social identity by distinguishing three different aspects: individual identification, group identification, and individually perceived group identification. We discuss specific group‐level mechanisms (i.e., mutual social support and collective self‐efficacy) and individual level‐mechanisms (i.e., attribution and appraisal processes regarding stressors and resources) for each of the three aspects. A core conclusion is that the positive effects of shared social identity on health and well‐being crucially depend on its close relationship with social support, and that although social support is an interindividual phenomenon, it is intraindividual mechanisms—attribution and appraisal—that shape the psychological partnership between social identity and social support. Therefore, we put special emphasis on cross‐level interactions between group‐ and individual‐level mechanisms, which have been widely neglected in earlier research.
Interaction of glutathione‐s‐transferase genotypes with environmental risk factors in determining susceptibility to head and neck cancer and treatment response and survival outcome
Authors: Katiyar Tridiv , Yadav Vinay , Maurya Shailendra S. , Ruwali Munindra , Singh Madhu , Hasan Feza , Pandey Rahul , Mehrotra Divya , Singh Sudhir , Mishra Shambhavi , Hadi Rahat , Bhatt Madan L. B. , Parmar Devendra
Published: February 2020

The present case‐control study aimed to investigate the role of interaction of glutathione‐s‐transferase (GST) genotypes with environmental risk factors in determining susceptibility to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) involving 1,250 cases and equal number of healthy controls. An increase in the risk of HNSCC and its subsites (larynx, pharynx, and oral cavity) was observed among the cases with null genotypes of GSTM1 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87) or GSTT1 (OR = 1.39) while reduced risk (OR = 0.81) was observed the cases with variant genotype of GSTP1. Tobacco use in the form of smoking or chewing interacted multiplicatively with GSTM1 or GSTT1 to increase the risk several folds (3–10 folds) in HNSCC and its subsites. Alcohol use also increased the risk (2–3 folds) to HNSCC and its subsites in cases with null or variant genotypes of GSTs, though this risk was of lesser magnitude when compared to the tobacco users. A synergistic effect of both, tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking, led to several folds (25‐folds) increased risk to HNSCC among the cases with null genotype of GSTM1 and GSTT1 when compared to nonsmokers and nondrinkers with wild genotype of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in controls. Furthermore, cases with variant genotypes of GSTP1 (Val/Val) showed superior treatment response with improved survival rate and lower risk of death when compared to the patients with wild type genotype (Ile/Ile). The data suggest that though polymorphism in GSTs may be a modest risk factor for determining HNSCC risk, gene‐environment interactions significantly modify the susceptibility to HNSCC by several folds.
Moisture migration analysis of Chinese naked oat during different storage conditions by sorption isotherm model and low‐field NMR
Authors: Cao Lifang , Li Bowen , Zhao Nan , Li Huan , Wang Yanfeng , Yu Xing , Huang Xin
Published: February 2020

Moisture migration is considered to be one of the most important influencer on crop quality during storage, which is easily affected by storage conditions, such as ambient humidity and temperature. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of storage condition on moisture content of Chinese naked oat by simulating 9 equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) and 5 temperatures. The equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of dry sample was achieved by adsorption, while EMC of wet one was achieved by desorption. EMC of oat increased with the increase in ERH and decreased when temperature increased. The sorption isotherm was a typical “S” shape and fitted using current EMC/ERH models. Modified Chung–Pfost (MCPE) model was the most suitable for describing the dynamic sorption process of Chinese naked oat during storage with a ERH range from 10% to 90%. There was an obvious hysteresis between adsorption and desorption isotherms, whose range decreased with the increase of temperature. High temperature accelerated moisture migration by increasing the hydrophilicity of oat surface. Moreover, dynamic moisture migration was imaged by low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), showing that moisture migrated between ambient environment and oat mainly through endosperm where most moisture accumulated. During sorption, free water migrated firstly, followed by bound water and the change in content of bound water was more stable than that of free water. The results of this study can provide a useful information for future work on quality control of oat during storage.
Geologically controlled intermittent gas eruption and its impact on bottom water temperature and chemosynthetic communities—A case study in the “HaiMa” cold seeps, South China Sea
Authors: Wei Jiangong , Li Jiwei , Wu Tingting , Zhang Wei , Li Jiangtao , Wang Jiliang , Tao Jun , Chen Zongheng , Wu Zijun , Chen Wanli
Published: February 2020

In 2018, the Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering investigated the “HaiMa” cold seeps in the northwestern part of the South China Sea using R/V “TanSuoYiHao” with manned submersible “ShenHaiYongShi.” Ten dives were conducted to make seafloor observations at six cold seeps (HM‐1 to HM‐6). By combining multibeam echosounder data and seismic profiles, a systematic study was made to understand fluid migration, accumulation, and eruption and their impact on the ecosystem. Location of gas flares observed in the multibeam echosounder data obtained in 2016 and 2018 is different, indicating a year‐level spatiotemporal variation of the cold seep activities. Seafloor observation shows that massive carbonates occur in HM‐1 and HM‐5, indicating two long‐term existed cold seeps (several thousands of years). Mussels covered large areas of HM‐2, HM‐3, and HM‐6, suggesting young active seeps. Elevated seabed with broken edges, mud cones, clay pools, and sudden increased water turbidity and temperature was encountered in multiple areas, which are inferred to be associated with shallow gas accumulation and eruption. Methane content of the headspace gas from shallow sediment at HM‐2 is higher than 99.5% with δ13C‐CH4 of −71.5‰ to 72.3‰, indicating a biogenic gas origin. It is inferred that the gas is sourced by reservoirs at ~1,280 mbsf, which are characterized by low frequency in the seismic profiles. Gas migrates from the gas reservoir to the top of the Basel uplift along the slope. High‐angle faults are widely developed between 800 and 240 mbsf, facilitating gas migration from the top of the Basel uplift to the shallow sediment. Most of the faults did not reach the seafloor; therefore, gas accumulated at shallow depth exhibits bright spots in the seismic profiles. When the pore pressure overcomes the overburden sediment, fractures will be created for gas entering the water column. Gas emission provides a pressure release mechanism; therefore, most fractures did not reach the seafloor as observed in the seismic profiles. However, it is speculated that gas emission will stop with growth of gas hydrates and authigenic carbonates, which continuously decrease the permeability of the original fractures. Pressure will be built up, and new fractures will be generated, leading to the formation of new seeps. This mechanism is inferred to result in the spatiotemporal variation of cold seep activity and affects the development of the cold seep ecosystem.
High Hopes for “Deep Medicine”? AI, Economics, and the Future of Care
Authors: Sparrow Robert , Hatherley Joshua
Published: February 2020

In the much‐celebrated book Deep Medicine, Eric Topol argues that the development of artificial intelligence for health care will lead to a dramatic shift in the culture and practice of medicine. In the next several decades, he suggests, AI will become sophisticated enough that many of the everyday tasks of physicians could be delegated to it. Topol is perhaps the most articulate advocate of the benefits of AI in medicine, but he is hardly alone in spruiking its potential to allow physicians to dedicate more of their time and attention to providing empathetic care for their patients in the future. Unfortunately, several factors suggest a radically different picture for the future of health care. Far from facilitating a return to a time of closer doctor‐patient relationships, the use of medical AI seems likely to further erode therapeutic relationships and threaten professional and patient satisfaction.
Trust in American Medicine: A Call to Action for Health Care Professionals
Authors: Mohottige Dinushika , Boulware L. Ebony
Published: February 2020

Medical mistrust has a well‐documented harmful impact on a range of patients’ health behaviors and outcomes. It can have such egregious downstream effects on so many aspects of medicine—from clinical trial participation to health care use, timely screening, organ donation, and treatment adherence—that it is sometimes described as one of the social determinants of health. In the article “Trust, Risk, and Race in American Medicine,” Laura Specker Sullivan makes the compelling case that trust is essential to building a therapeutic alliance in which effective, high‐quality health care can be delivered and received. As a complement to her suggestion that health care providers take an active role in mitigating mistrust by demonstrating “not only their capacity to be honest and forthright but also their ability to respond to the potential truster's needs,” we recommend that key health care professionals commit to five actions.
Earning Patient Trust: More Than a Question of Signaling
Authors: Elbaum Alan
Published: February 2020

Laura Specker Sullivan's article “Trust, Risk, and Race in American Medicine” is a philosophically grounded and highly practical call for medical professionals to take on the task of comprehending the sources of patients’ mistrust. This is not only a clinical competence but also a moral obligation, in particular, when mistrust is warranted—as with African American patients who rely on medical institutions that have breached and continue to breach the trust of their communities. While Specker Sullivan focuses on how clinicians can signal comprehension once it has already been attained, I wish to step back and examine the nature of the efforts to gain knowledge. The effort to comprehend requires, at a minimum, the following actions: educating oneself about medical racism, examining one's implicit biases, and engaging, with empathic curiosity, with the patient or family members in the clinical encounter at hand.
Two cases of oligometastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer detected by diffusion‐weighted whole‐body imaging with background body signal suppression
Authors: Shimizu Yuki , Nakajima Nobuyuki , Nagao Kentaro , Nitta Masahiro , Hasegawa Masanori , Kawamura Yoshiaki , Kazama Toshiki , Shoji Sunao , Takahara Taro , Miyajima Akira
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Treatment for oligometastasis in prostate cancer has changed from systemic therapy to metastatic lesion‐targeted therapy. Early detection of metastatic lesions and assessment of the treatment response have become very important. Therefore, we started to perfume assessments with whole‐body magnetic resonance imaging, especially diffusion‐weighted imaging with background body signal suppression, as a modality to detect metastasis in patients with prostate cancer.

Case presentation

We encountered two cases of castration‐resistant prostate cancer in which oligometastasis was detected by diffusion‐weighted imaging with background body signal suppression. Metastasis‐directed therapy was initiated for to treat the lesions in each case. The treatment was effective for disease control and symptom relief. Diffusion‐weighted imaging with background body signal suppression could detect new lesions at an early phase and delineate changes in lesions immediately after therapy.

Conclusion

Diffusion‐weighted imaging with background body signal suppression enables early decision‐making for metastasis‐directed therapy compared with conventional imaging modalities. Further, metastasis‐directed therapy targeting oligometastatic lesions detected by diffusion‐weighted imaging with background body signal suppression may improve patients’ overall survival and quality of life.
Field studies of pollutant removal from nursery and greenhouse runoff by constructed wetlands
Authors: McMaine John T. , Vogel Jason R. , Belden Jason B. , Schnelle Mike A. , Morrison Shane A. , Brown Glenn O.
Published: February 2020

Plant nursery runoff commonly contains pesticides and nutrients that often threaten aquatic ecosystems. Constructed wetlands could be a tool to remove pesticides and nutrients from nursery runoff but have not been extensively studied in this setting. Two field‐scale constructed wetlands (one subsurface‐flow constructed wetland [SFCW] and one free‐surface constructed wetland [FSCW]) were implemented and monitored for water quality improvement. The SFCW demonstrated significant mass reduction of 78% or greater for nitrate, orthophosphate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total suspended solids. The SFCW also demonstrated significant mass reduction of 79% or greater for 10 of the 12 pesticide compounds detected in over half of the collected samples. The FSCW demonstrated significant mass reduction of 46% or greater for all nonpesticide analytes except total nitrogen. Loading rate and actual storage volume compared with inflow volume likely affected performance. Reduced size and increased loading rate of the FSCW likely reduced its ability to effectively reduce pesticides. Results from this study indicate that constructed wetlands are likely an effective tool for nursery runoff management. When designing and implementing constructed wetlands, it is important for practitioners to consider the tradeoff between system size (additional cost and land otherwise dedicated to production) and performance.
Wind waves in the Adriatic Sea under a severe climate change scenario and implications for the coasts
Authors: Bonaldo Davide , Bucchignani Edoardo , Pomaro Angela , Ricchi Antonio , Sclavo Mauro , Carniel Sandro
Published: February 2020

Wave climate projections at global scales are often of little direct use for local or regional coastal applications, where bathymetric gradients and coastal geometry dominate onshore wave propagation and transformation. In such systems, and even more in the case of semi‐enclosed basins where coastal orography can play a major role in wind modulation, wave climate assessments require a specific effort, with particularly strict prescriptions in terms of model resolution and quality of the wind forcing. In this work, we provide a numerical modelling estimate of the expected variations of wave regime in the Adriatic Sea (a semi‐enclosed basin of the Mediterranean Sea) under an IPCC RCP 8.5 climate change scenario at the end of the current century, focusing on the implications for energy modulation in the coastal regions. Results tend to confirm the evolution towards an overall decrease of wave storminess in the basin, as suggested by previous studies, but show that some regions might experience a local increase in the severity of the sea states impacting the coast. The model resolution and the unprecedented directional skills of the climatological wind forcings allow to ascribe this behaviour to a shift in the directional wind regime that can be related to a northward translation of the Mediterranean cyclones trajectory. Although in the absence of a quantitative assessment of the uncertainty associated with the choice of the climate model, our results give an account of the possible extent of the spatial variability of the response of coastal dynamics to mid‐latitude storm tracks modification induced by climate change.
Hyphenation of field‐amplified sample injection and transient isotachophoresis in CE for the determination of sotalol and metoprolol in human urine samples
Authors: Xu Lei , Meng Weiqi , Lu Jing , Cui Fengjuan , Gao Lidi , Chen Lin , Xin Yang
Published: February 2020

A sensitive approach of capillary electrophoresis coupled with field‐amplified sample injection and transient isotachophoresis was developed for the simultaneous determination of two β‐blockers: sotalol and metoprolol. In this dual focusing technique, the samples were prepared via only dissolution in ultrapure water and then injected electrokinetically. Phosphate acted as both the background electrolyte and the leading electrolyte. Its optimized concentration was 80 mM. A total of 25 mM of glycine was used as the terminating electrolyte. Under optimum conditions, good separation of sotalol and metoprolol was achieved within 10 min. In comparison with the conventional method, the sensitivity enhancement factors were up to 1031 and 919 for sotalol and metoprolol, respectively. The proposed method was employed in the determination of sotalol and metoprolol in spiked human urine samples. The limits of detection and limits of quantitation obtained via ultraviolet detection were 5 and 12 ng/mL, respectively, for sotalol, and 10 and 25 ng/mL, respectively, for metoprolol. The intraday repeatability values were lower than 2.7 and 1.7% for peak area and migration time, respectively. The assay is a simple and efficient strategy with potential for application in clinical and biochemical laboratories for monitoring sotalol and metoprolol.
Documentation of farmer perceptions and site‐specific properties to improve soil management on smallholder farms in Tanzania
Authors: Nord Alison , Snapp Sieglinde
Published: February 2020

Identifying sustainable land management practices within smallholder agriculture is a challenge. This is partly driven by the challenge of documenting farmers' perspectives and practices in an integrated manner with site‐specific scientific soil assessment. Smartphone applications such as LandPKS provide new approaches to quantify site‐specific soil degradation and fertility but are untested with African farm management. We surveyed 578 households in rain‐fed maize (Zea mays) production areas of Tanzania using a stratified sampling frame to encompass a wide range of soils and agroecologies. A socio‐economic survey and simultaneous sampling in focal plots documented farmer characteristics, perspectives, and management practices, along with soil properties and crop yields. For a subsample of 58 households, we additionally assessed site‐specific field status with the LandPKS application. Farmer perceptions of change in soil fertility status were consistent with soil properties, for example, a field perceived to be declining in fertility was also likely to have low SOC (1.8% relative to 2.7% for increasing fertility). LandPKS provided additional novel insights into soil limitations such as identifying poor water infiltration areas consistently associated with farmer use of erosion control practices (water infiltration of 4 mm hr−1 vs 20 all other plots). This charts a way forward to address soil fertility and land degradation challenges through the use of smartphone applications to capture site‐specific conditions and farmer concerns as the basis for land management recommendations that are highly relevant and address local conditions.
Templateless Electrodeposition of Conducting Polymer Nanotubes on Mesh Substrates
Authors: Fradin Caroline , Celestini Franck , Guittard Frédéric , Darmanin Thierry
Published: February 2020

Creating homogeneous nanostructures of complex substrates such as meshes remains a real challenge for practical applications. Here, a templateless elecropolymerization method is used to create conducting polymer nanotubes. Using thieno[3,4‐b]thiophene‐based monomers, nanotubes are obtained especially using dichloromethane saturated in water (CH2Cl2 + H2O) in order to release a high amount of O2 and H2 bubbles. Two strategies are used by direct electropolymerization or posttreatment by simple esterification reaction. By direct electropolymerization, the surface morphology is highly dependent on the used monomer. By contrast, by posttreatment it is possible to obtain the same structure and to change the surface energy during the posttreatment. With the last strategy, it is possible to reach superhydrophobic mesh with ultra‐low water adhesion and high oleophobic properties, even with short fluorinated chains (C4F9).
Spatiotemporally Controlled Plasticity and Elasticity in 3D Multi‐Shape Memory Structures Enabled by Elemental Sulfur‐Derived Polysulfide Networks with Intrinsic NIR Responsiveness
Authors: Lee Ji Mok , Choi Yong‐Seok , Noh Guk Yun , Lee Woohwa , Yoo Youngjae , Kim Dong‐Gyun , Yoon Ho Gyu , Kim Yong Seok
Published: February 2020

Thermadapt shape memory polymers (SMPs), utilizing a variety of dynamic covalent bond exchange mechanisms, have been extensively studied in recent years but it is still challenging to address several constraints in terms of limited accuracy and complexity for constructing 3D shape memory structures. Here, an effective and facile preparation of thermadapt SMPs based on elemental sulfur‐derived poly(phenylene polysulfide) networks (PSNs) is presented. These SMPs possess intrinsic near‐infrared (NIR)‐induced photothermal conversion properties for spatiotemporal control of their plasticity and elasticity. The NIR‐controllable plasticity and elasticity of the PSNs enable versatile shape manipulation of 3D multi‐shape memory structures, including building block assembly, reconfiguration, shape fixing/recovery, and repair.
Monopsony and two‐part tariffs
Authors: Blair Roger D. , DePasquale Christina
Published: February 2020

We adapt the traditional model of two‐part tariffs by a monopolist to the case of monopsony. We show that the resulting offer is that the seller pays its producer surplus as an access fee in exchange for the buyer's promise to buy everything that the seller wants to sell when price equals marginal cost. In addition, we show that this is equivalent to the surplus that the buyer captures with first‐degree price discrimination as well as an all‐or‐nothing offer. We also extend this analysis to the case of uncertainty for a risk‐averse monopsonist.
The inverse conductivity problem via the calculus of functions of bounded variation
Authors: Charalambopoulos Antonios , Markaki Vanessa , Kourounis Drosos
Published: February 2020

In this work, a novel approach for the solution of the inverse conductivity problem from one and multiple boundary measurements has been developed on the basis of the implication of the framework of
functions. The space of the functions of bounded variation is recommended here as the most appropriate functional space hosting the conductivity profile under reconstruction. For the numerical investigation of the inversion of the inclusion problem, we propose and implement a suitable minimization scheme of an enriched—constructed herein—functional, by exploiting the inner structure of
space. Finally, we validate and illustrate our theoretical results with numerical experiments.
Solutions of a non‐local aggregation equation: Universal bounds, concavity changes, and efficient numerical solutions
Authors: Fellner Klemens , Hughes Barry D.
Published: February 2020

We consider a one‐dimensional aggregation equation for a non‐negative density
associated with a quartic potential
(
,
). We show that for the case of symmetric initial data [
], the solution of the aggregation equation can be expressed in terms of an explicit function of
,
, and
, where the functions
and
are determined by an ordinary differential equation initial value problem, the numerical solution of which is relatively straightforward. The function
, which can be interpreted as an upper bound for the radius of the support of
, is finite for all
, even if the support of
is unbounded, while
is a potential related to the time integral of the second spatial moment
of
. We develop various bounds on
and
and a number of results concerning convexity and monotonicity that require no knowledge of
other than its symmetry. We show that many, but not all, of these results persist if the assumption of symmetry is relaxed. Our general results are tested against numerical solutions for two examples of symmetric
. We also exhibit some counterintuitive behaviour of the model, by finding conditions under which
as
, even if we start with
and take
, which ensures ultimate collapse to a single Dirac component at the origin.
Marine system dynamical response to a changing climate in frame of power law, exponential decay, and Mittag‐Leffler kernel
Authors: Sekerci Yadigar , Ozarslan Ramazan
Published: February 2020

The increase of sea surface temperature in ocean changes the photosynthetic production rate of phytoplankton. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the relation between temperature and phytoplanktons photosynthesis to deal the extinction caused by excessive increase in temperature. It is worth observing that temperature is one of the most principal limiting factors for phytoplanktons production due to photosynthetic enzymes work at their optimum temperature levels. In this study, the fractional oxygen‐phytoplankton‐zooplankton model is considered by singular and nonsingular fractional operators within Caputo, Caputo‐Fabrizio, and Atangana‐Baleanu in Caputo sense. The rate of oxygen production is considered by a function of temperature account for the sea surface warming. At first, the temperature function is constant and then it starts to increase, after a certain time of increase, before the oxygen depletion begins, the temperature is set to a higher secure value. With this temperature function choice, detailed numerical simulations are carried out to provide details of the internal structure of the system. We observe that the species are more sustainable in Caputo model than its corresponding integer‐order model.
Accuracy and precision of statistical descriptors obtained from multidimensional diffusion signal inversion algorithms
Authors: Reymbaut Alexis , Mezzani Paolo , de Almeida Martins João P. , Topgaard Daniel
Published: February 2020

In biological tissues, typical MRI voxels comprise multiple microscopic environments, the local organization of which can be captured by microscopic diffusion tensors. The measured diffusion MRI signal can, therefore, be written as the multidimensional Laplace transform of an intravoxel diffusion tensor distribution (DTD). Tensor‐valued diffusion encoding schemes have been designed to probe specific features of the DTD, and several algorithms have been introduced to invert such data and estimate statistical descriptors of the DTD, such as the mean diffusivity, the variance of isotropic diffusivities, and the mean squared diffusion anisotropy. However, the accuracy and precision of these estimations have not been assessed systematically and compared across methods. In this article, we perform and compare such estimations in silico for a one‐dimensional Gamma fit, a generalized two‐term cumulant approach, and two‐dimensional and four‐dimensional Monte‐Carlo‐based inversion techniques, using a clinically feasible tensor‐valued acquisition scheme. In particular, we compare their performance at different signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) for voxel contents varying in terms of the aforementioned statistical descriptors, orientational order, and fractions of isotropic and anisotropic components. We find that all inversion techniques share similar precision (except for a lower precision of the two‐dimensional Monte Carlo inversion) but differ in terms of accuracy. While the Gamma fit exhibits infinite‐SNR biases when the signal deviates strongly from monoexponentiality and is unaffected by orientational order, the generalized cumulant approach shows infinite‐SNR biases when this deviation originates from the variance in isotropic diffusivities or from the low orientational order of anisotropic diffusion components. The two‐dimensional Monte Carlo inversion shows remarkable accuracy in all systems studied, given that the acquisition scheme possesses enough directions to yield a rotationally invariant powder average. The four‐dimensional Monte Carlo inversion presents no infinite‐SNR bias, but suffers significantly from noise in the data, while preserving good contrast in most systems investigated.
The influence of organizational social responsibility on involvement behavior in community sport membership associations
Authors: Misener Katie , Morrison Kristen , Shier Micheal , Babiak Kathy
Published: February 2020

Membership‐based associations are critical to their local communities and the overall social impact of the nonprofit sector. This study examines how organizational social responsibility within nonprofit membership associations influences positive member involvement behaviors, including volunteering, speaking positively about the club, and member loyalty. Self‐administered online questionnaires were completed by 735 members within seven grassroots membership associations in Ontario, Canada offering community‐based sport programs. Results show that members are somewhat aware of and felt positively about their organization's socially responsible efforts. Awareness of these efforts had a positive direct effect on the involvement behaviors of members, including intention to stay involved with their club and speaking positively about their club to others (i.e., word of mouth). Members' level of social consciousness was found to have a positive direct effect on word of mouth. Furthermore, members' positive evaluation of sport clubs' socially responsible initiatives was found to partially mediate the positive relationship between social consciousness and involvement behavior, as well as partially mediate the positive relationship between awareness of those efforts and involvement behavior. Results of this research provide grassroots membership associations with an in‐depth understanding of how their organization's efforts toward social responsibility influence member perceptions and behaviors, which may help them focus their efforts and more effectively manage their social change agenda moving forward.
A systematic review of illness representation clusters in chronic conditions
Authors: Rivera Eleanor , Corte Colleen , DeVon Holli A. , Collins Eileen G. , Steffen Alana
Published: February 2020

A person's beliefs about their chronic condition (illness representations) influence health and treatment outcomes. Recently, researchers have used clustering approaches to identify subgroups with different patterns of beliefs about their illness, with some subgroups having more favorable health outcomes than others. To date, these findings have not been synthesized. The purpose of this systematic review of the literature was to synthesize results of studies that used clustering approaches to analyze illness representation in chronic disease populations, in order to characterize the clusters and their relationship to health outcomes. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines we searched CINAHL, PsycInfo, and PubMed. To be included, studies had to be (a) peer reviewed, (b) in English, (c) performing a cluster analysis (CA), latent class analysis (LCA), or latent profile analysis (LPA), (d) using only illness representation (IR) subscales to form clusters, (e) measuring illness representation with the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ‐R), (f) in a chronic condition sample, and (g) measuring health‐related outcomes. Twelve studies were included. Across studies, the number of clusters found ranged from two to three. In all studies, an association was found between illness representation group and at least one of their health outcomes. Illness representation clusters associated with favorable outcomes usually included lower disease‐related consequences, fewer symptoms, less negative emotion, and a more stable disease pattern. The results of this review indicate that the relationship between the patterns of the illness representation profiles and health outcomes transcend diseases. Additionally, some dimensions of illness representation may be more important drivers of group membership than others.
Nonlinear predictive control applied to a biped walker with adjustable step length using a passive walking‐based reference generator
Authors: Negri Gabriel H. , Rosa Lucas K. H. , Cavalca Mariana S. M. , Celiberto Luiz A. , de Figueiredo Elisandra B.
Published: February 2020

This paper presents the use of passive dynamics to generate the sagittal plane references for a biped walker. In order to achieve an adjustable gait width, a neural network reference generator, trained with passive walking data on different slopes, was applied. The control algorithm was implemented with an Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) strategy, in order to perform multiple‐input multiple‐output reference tracking while maintaining balance. The main contributions of the present work are using a kneed passive walker model for reference generation, which creates gait profiles that are more natural than the compass gait model, presenting a low computational cost, since only the forward kinematic model is used, and enabling adjustable gait width, due to the use of a neural network trained with data from the passive walker. Simulation results using V‐REP (Virtual Robot Experimentation Platform) are presented, using a sagittal kneed walker with a torso and arms, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Robust finite‐time control and estimation for uncertain time‐delayed switched systems by observer‐based sliding mode technique
Authors: Nie Rong , Ai Qilong , He Shuping , Yan Zhiguo , Luan Xiaoli , Liu Fei
Published: February 2020

This article investigates the robust estimation and observer‐based finite time sliding mode control problems for a class of switched systems with time‐delays and uncertainties. For the studied system model, a common sliding surface related to the estimated states is initially constructed. Then, a suitable sliding mode control law is designed to ensure the accessibility of sliding surface. By selecting the appropriate Lyapunov function and using the average dwell time method and the partition strategy lemma, sufficient conditions of finite time boundedness of system are given. The observer gain is obtained by solving a couple of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, a practical water quality control system is given to show the effectiveness of the design methods.
Registration of ‘Dagmar’ hard red spring wheat
Authors: Heo H.‐Y. , Lanning S. P. , Lamb P. F. , Nash D. , Wichman D. M. , Eberly J. , Carr P. , Kephart K. D. , Stougaard R. N. , Torrion J. , Miller J. , Chen C. , Holen D. , Blake N. K. , Talbert L. E.
Published: February 2020

‘Dagmar’ hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (Reg. no. CV‐1158, PI 690450) was released by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station because of its excellent yield potential in dryland areas of Montana, solid stems, and superior end‐use quality. Dagmar was a selection from the cross MT1133/MT1148 and was tested as experimental line MT1621. Dagmar has similar grain yield potential to ‘Vida’, the most widely grown cultivar in Montana. Stems of Dagmar are more solid than those of Vida, suggesting increased resistance to the wheat stem sawfly (Cephus cinctus Norton). Dagmar has higher grain protein and stronger gluten than Vida. Thus, Dagmar should be useful in Montana and adjoining states facing drought and wheat stem sawfly pressure.