bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A calibration and sampling technique for quantifying the chemical structure in fires using GC/MSD analysis
Authors: Falkenstein‐Smith Ryan , Harris Kimberly , Sung Kunhyuk , Liang Tianshui , Hamins Anthony
Published: January 2021

This work presents an approach to measure, calibrate, and verify local concentrations of combustion products in pool fires steadily burning in a quiescent environment. This study describes a method that can be used to measure and verify the chemical species present in a fire. Such information is needed to assist in the development and validation of the chemistry subroutines in computational fluid dynamic fire models. Samples are extracted along the centerline of pool fires using a thermal quenching probe. Gas species volume fractions are analyzed using a custom Agilent 5977E Series gas chromatograph fitted with a permanent gas dual‐column comprised of a Molsieve 5 Å and PoraBOND Q capillary columns in parallel flowing into mass selective and thermal conductivity detector. The system can identify and quantify a variety of stable reactant, intermediate, and product species collected from the fire, including several condensable species (eg, water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone). The time‐weighted average soot mass fraction is determined using a gravimetric sampling method. In order to solidify the legitimacy of the measured gas composition, the results are verified by implementing different techniques, including the determination of the carbon to hydrogen ratio, calculating the argon to nitrogen ratio, and comparing the total moles estimated from the chromatogram peaks to the total moles of the injected sample.
Development of camel and cow's milk, low‐fat frozen yoghurt incorporated with Qodume Shahri (Lepidium perfoliatum) and cress seeds (Lepidium sativum) gum: Flow behavior, textural, and sensory attributes' assessment
Authors: Azari‐Anpar Mojtaba , Khomeiri Morteza , Daraei Garmakhany Amir , Lotfi‐Shirazi Sorour
Published: January 2021

In this study, the effect of different concentrations (0.2%, 0.1%, and 0%) of some plant seed gums (Qodume Shahri (Lepidium perfoliatum) and cress (Lepidium sativum)) as the stabilizer on the flow behavior, textural, and sensory properties of frozen yoghurt produced from camel and cow's milk was investigated. The results showed that plant seed gums significantly affected the viscosity, overrun and melting rate, textural, and sensory properties of frozen yoghurt samples prepared from camel and cow's milk. Also, no significant differences were observed in pH and acidity of the samples. The highest overrun value was observed in the control sample. Frozen yoghurt containing 0.2% Qodume Shahri seed gum (QSSG) had the highest viscosity and the longest first dripping time. This is an indication that frozen yoghurt mixes are non‐Newtonian at all added concentrations. Finally, Herschel–Bulkley model well described the rheological behavior of frozen yoghurt mixtures due to the higher correlation coefficient. In general, cow's frozen yoghurts containing 0.2% cress seed gum (CSG) and 0.1% QSSG were more acceptable among panelists than camel frozen yoghurt sample.
Integration of community health workers into the health system in Tanzania: Examining the process and contextual factors
Authors: Mgawe Peter , Maluka Stephen O.
Published: January 2021

Integration of community health workers (CHWs) into the health systems has become a global concern. Recently, the Government of Tanzania through the then Ministry of Health and Social Welfare initiated different strategies that aimed at integrating CHWs into the health system. This paper discusses the process and factors that influence the integration of CHWs into the health system in Tanzania. The study employed qualitative case study design using in‐depth interviews (n = 37). In addition, various documents including health policies, Community‐based Health Policy, community health workers guideline and Community health workers training curriculum were reviewed. Data were analysed by using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that potential CHWs were selected based on the National Council for Technical Education standards that required an applicant to have four (4) passes in the ordinary level examination. None of the CHWs who had undergone training had been employed by the government. This differed from what was prescribed in the CHWs guidelines. Integration of CHWs into health system in Tanzania has not been optimal because of inadequate preparations in terms of stakeholders engagement, infrastructure, legal and policy frameworks, technical expertise and financial resources. Effective integration of CHWs into the health system requires working with different actors to communicate objectives, achieve ownership of the stakeholders, manage conflict and cooperation, and sustain changes.
A detailed energy budget analysis of river supercooling and the importance of accurately quantifying net radiation to predict ice formation
Authors: McFarlane Vincent , Clark Shawn P.
Published: January 2021

River supercooling and ice formation is a regular occurrence throughout the winter in northern countries. The resulting frazil ice production can obstruct the flow through intakes along the river, causing major problems for hydropower and water treatment facilities, among others. Therefore, river ice modellers attempt to calculate the river energy budget and predict when supercooling will occur in order to anticipate and mitigate the effects of potential intake blockages. Despite this, very few energy budget studies have taken place during freeze‐up, and none have specifically analysed individual supercooling events. To improve our understanding of the freeze‐up energy budget detailed measurements of air temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, short‐ and longwave radiation, and water temperature were made on the Dauphin River in Manitoba. During the river freeze‐up period of late October to early November 2019, a total of six supercooling events were recorded. Analysis of the energy budget throughout the supercooling period revealed that the most significant heat source was net shortwave radiation, reaching up to 298 W/m2, while the most significant heat loss was net longwave radiation, accounting for losses of up to 135 W/m2. Longwave radiation was also the most significant heat flux overall during the individual supercooling events, accounting for up to 84% of the total heat flux irrespective of flux direction, highlighting the importance of properly quantifying this flux during energy budget calculations. Five different sensible (Qh) and latent (Qe) heat flux calculations were also compared, using the bulk aerodynamic method as the baseline. It was found that the Priestley and Taylor method most‐closely matched the bulk aerodynamic method on a daily timescale with an average offset of 8.5 W/m2 for Qh and 10.1 W/m2 for Qe, while a Dalton‐type equation provided by Webb and Zhang was the most similar on a sub‐daily timescale with average offsets of 20.0 and 14.7 W/m2 for Qh and Qe, respectively.
Dietary exposure to bisphenol A affects memory function and neuroimmune biomarkers in allergic asthmatic mice
Authors: Win‐Shwe Tin‐Tin , Yanagisawa Rie , Koike Eiko , Takano Hirohisa
Published: January 2021

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a raw material of polycarbonate and epoxy resin. It is used for various household electrical appliances, electronic equipment, office automation equipment, medical equipment, mobile phones, paints for automobiles, internal surface coating of cans, and adhesives for civil engineering and construction. BPA is a well‐known endocrine‐disrupting chemical, and it was reported that BPA has an adverse effect on the nervous and immune systems. However, BPA‐induced memory impairment and changes in neuroimmune biomarkers in the allergic asthmatic subject are not known yet. We aim to investigate the dietary exposure effect of BPA on brain function and biomarkers using allergic an asthmatic mouse model. Five‐week‐old male C3H/HeJSlc mice were fed two doses of BPA [0.901, 9.01 μg/kg/day] contained chow diet from 5 to 11 weeks old and ovalbumin (OVA) was given by intratracheal instillation every 2 weeks. Memory function was determined by a novel object recognition test. Genes related to memory and immune markers in the hippocampus were investigated with the real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) method. In this study, impaired novel object recognition occurred in BPA‐exposed mice in the presence of an allergen. Moreover, upregulation of expression level of neuroimmune biomarkers such as N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor, tumor necrosis factor‐α, ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule‐1, cyclooxygenase‐2, and heme oxygenase‐1 in the hippocampus was observed in BPA‐exposed allergic asthmatic mice. These findings show that BPA exposure can induce neuroinflammation and which triggers impairment of memory function in mice with allergic asthma. Our study indicated that dietary exposure to BPA may affect higher brain functions by modulating neuroimmune biomarkers in allergic asthmatic subjects.
Association of ISL1 polymorphisms and eosinophilic levels among otitis media patients
Authors: Kondyarpu Abhishek , Ray Chinmay Sundar , Panda Khirod Chandra , Biswal Narayan Chandra , Ramchander Puppala Venkat
Published: January 2021

Background

Otitis media (OM) is a middle ear inflammatory complex disorder involving genetic and environmental factors. It onsets during childhood and often recurs and perplexes in genetically susceptible patients. Previously, murine models had shown the association of ISL LIM homeobox 1 (ISL1) gene with otitis media with effusion.

Aim

To investigate the association of ISL1 genetic variants with otitis media.

Subjects and methods

A total of 285 cases and 277 controls were recruited for the study. The entire coding region of ISL1 gene was genotyped using Sanger sequencing or single‐strand conformation polymorphism methods. Genotype, haplotype, in silico analysis, and linkage disequilibrium analysis were performed.

Results

The variants rs2303751 (c.504A>G) and rs121913540 (c.513G>A) were associated with OM, and the OR (95%CI) was 0.74 (0.57–0.95) and 0.43 (0.20–0.91), respectively. Besides, the rs2303751 AA genotype was associated with elevated eosinophil numbers in OM when compared to controls. The 5 SNP haplotype analysis of SNPs c.‐492A>G, c.504A>G, c.513G>A, c.576C>T, and c.*651A>T revealed A‐A‐G‐C‐A to be a risk haplotype in females whereas the 3 SNP haplotype analysis of SNPs c.504A>G, c.513G>A, and c.567C>T suggested G‐A‐C as protective and A‐G‐C to be a risk haplotype for otitis media.

Conclusion

Ours is the first report which shows a significant association of ISL1 variants (rs2303751 and rs121913540) with hearing‐related disorder like otitis media in humans. These results implicate the possible role of ISL1 gene in the etiopathology of otitis media. The replication of the study in other ethnic populations may strengthen our findings.
Evaluating a preparation of malathion‐tolerant Aspergillus niger MRU01 for accelerated removal of four organophosphorus insecticides
Authors: Mohapatra Debasish , Rath Sakti K , Mohapatra Pradipta K
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Microbial degradation of organophosphorus (OP) insecticides has emerged as an efficient and cost‐effective technology for removal of pesticide residues from soil. Malathion‐tolerant Aspergillus (Aspergillus niger MRU01) was developed, mass cultured, harvested, mixed with coir pith at 3% on dry weight basis, shade‐dried aseptically to a 5% moisture level and stored for 60 days. The growth, metabolic activity and insecticide removal efficiencies of the preparation were evaluated at 15‐day intervals.

RESULTS

No significant change in the growth performance was observed up to 45 days of storage, after which viability decreased. The activities of carbohydrate enzymes (cellulase, invertase and amylase) and protein and carbohydrate contents of the preparation, however, did not significantly change during the experimental period. The preparation showed accelerated activities of esterases and phosphatases after treatment with malathion (500 μmol L−1), parathion (470 μmol L−1), chlorpyrifos (260 μmol L−1) and dimethoate (680 μmol L−1). The highest activity of the esterase and phosphatase enzymes was observed with malathion and the minimum with parathion treatment. Nearly 70% of the applied malathion was removed from the medium by the preparation during 5 days of incubation followed by dimethoate (68%), chlorpyrifos (58%) and parathion (54%).

CONCLUSIONS

The fungal preparation was highly effective in removing malathion as well as the other three OP insecticides. A storage period of 45 days may be considered ideal for maintaining the preparation in the active state, and is recommended for field application after evaluating its efficacy under field conditions. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Modes of exploitation of atmospheric water resources in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau
Authors: Li Fang‐Fang , Zhao Kang , Lu Hou‐Liang , Wang Guang‐Qian , Qiu Jun
Published: January 2021

Known as “China's Water Tower,” the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) becomes warm and humid in the short term but faces drought in the long term because of global climate change. Atmospheric water resources seem to be the only choice in the QTP region to alleviate drought conditions. Analysis of water vapour distribution and evaluation of exploitation modes of atmospheric water resources are carried out in this study. Different exploitation modes of atmospheric water resources including routine, selective, and emergency‐oriented exploitation are distinguished using water vapour budget and its distribution entropy. Zoning of the QTP indicates that routine exploitation, that is, long‐term, continuous, and fixed‐point exploitation, can only be carried out in its eastern part, while the middle and western parts are suitable for selective exploitation. Such entropy‐based assessment and zoning can be used as a reference for the exploitation of atmospheric water in the QTP in the future. Furthermore, the proposed zoning criteria can be used to estimate the exploitability of atmospheric water resources.
Water productivity, yield and agronomic attributes of maize crop in response to varied irrigation levels and biochar–compost application
Authors: Zahra Misbah B , Aftab Zill‐E‐Huma , Haider Muhammad S
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Due to the rapid increase in world population, the demand for freshwater is increasing day by day. There is also immense pressure on the agriculture sector to produce more food with limited supplies of water. About 75% of freshwater is used in crop production out of which 63% is lost due to poor farm practices and evapotranspiration. Enhancement of crop water productivity for sustainable agriculture production especially in areas having water scarcity plausibly contributes towards the solution of water scarcity.

RESULTS

The combined application of biochar and compost has a highly significant impact on maize yield with increased grain production, i.e. 6.44 and 6.52 t ha−1 at 60% irrigation level with combined application of biochar and compost as compared with control at 6.39 and 6.44 t ha−1 at 100% irrigation level in autumn and spring seasons, respectively, by saving 40% of water. Furthermore, the highest value of water productivity (1.51 and 1.16 kg m−3) was achieved at 60% irrigation level with combined application of soil amendments. Also, cost–benefit analysis has shown highest values of net benefit with soil organic amendments.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that addition of biochar and compost to soil has the potential to increase crop yield and growth even at low irrigation levels by enhancing water use efficiency. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Complex wall materials of polysaccharide and protein effectively protected numb‐taste substance degradation of Zanthoxylum bungeanum
Authors: Meng Fan‐Bing , Li Jia‐Jia , Zhang Qian , Li Yun‐Cheng , Liu Da‐Yu , Chen Wei‐Jun , Zhang Yin
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Hydroxyl‐sanshools are mainly responsible for the numb taste and biological activities of Zanthoxylum bungeanum, but they show low water solubility, high volatility and easy degradation, which limit their application in the catering and food industries. Thus microcapsules of Z. bungeanum essential oil (ZBEO) were prepared to prevent numb‐taste substance attenuation.

RESULTS

The complex effects of hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HPCD) with other materials, such as konjac glucomannan octenyl succinate (KGOS), octenyl succinic anhydride‐modified starch (OSAS), soy protein isolate (SPI) and gum arabic (GA), on the protection of the main numb‐taste substance of ZBEO were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that ZBEO was successfully encapsulated in the complex wall materials. X‐ray diffraction indicated that the loaded essential oil did not affect the crystalline form of the wall material. The stability of the numb‐taste substance α‐sanshool in the microcapsules prepared with the complex microcapsule wall materials was higher than that in single‐wall microcapsules. Storage stability evaluation indicated that microcapsules prepared with a combination of HPCD and SPI showed the greatest effect in maintaining the stability of the main numb‐taste substance α‐sanshool in ZBEO at room temperature, low pH and in high‐salt conditions.

CONCLUSION

Complex wall materials of polysaccharide and protein could effectively protect the numb‐taste substance degradation of Z. bungeanum during processing and storage. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantitative evaluation of Danqi tablet by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry integrated with bioassay
Authors: Fu Rui‐Jia , Wang Wen‐Xiao , Tao Hui‐Juan , Wang Mei , Chen Yan‐Yan , Gao Huan , Yue Shi‐Jun , Tang Yu‐Ping
Published: January 2021

Danqi tablet composed of the dried roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Panax notoginseng is a well‐known Chinese patent medicine commonly used for the treatment of cardio‐cerebrovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and myocardial ischemia. Numerous chemical constituents belonging to S. miltiorrhiza and P. notoginseng were detectable in Danqi tablet. Here, we established and validated a rapid and sensitive ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method for simultaneous quantification of 23 components in Danqi tablet and then successfully applied to assay 12 batches of samples from ten manufacturers. Our results demonstrated that the contents of 23 components in 12 batches of Danqi tablets varied significantly and their quality indeed existed differently based on the principal component analysis. According to the quantitative data and the loading plot of principal component analysis, five abundant compounds in Danqi tablet were selected as characteristic chemical markers possibly responsible for the quality assessment. Among them, salvianolic acid B and ginsenoside Rg1 were further chosen to be combined at 2:5 ratio to evaluate the anti‐thrombotic activity on phenylhydrazine‐induced zebrafish heart thrombosis model. Expectedly, this component combination increased the heart red blood cells intensity compared with the model group and the median effective concentration was 123.4 µg/mL, suggestive of its well anti‑thrombotic effect. This study contributed to the quantitative evaluation of Danqi tablet and indicated the combination of salvianolic acid B and ginsenoside Rg1 may be capable of reflecting the effect of Danqi tablet, thereby providing a reference for further investigations on the improvement of quality control and clinical application of Danqi tablet.
Microbiomics of irrigation with xylitol or Lactococcus lactis in chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Lambert Paul A. , Gill Ann L. , Gill Steven R. , Allen Paul D. , Man Li‐Xing
Published: January 2021

Objective

Topical sinonasal rinse therapies may alter the local microbiome and improve disease control in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The objective of this study was to examine microbiome changes in post‐surgical CRS patients when rinsing with commercially available products containing xylitol or Lactococcus lactis.

Methods

A crossover‐type protocol with a washout period was designed. Swab samples from anterior ethmoid cavities of CRS patients were collected prospectively at baseline. Subjects were provided packets containing either L. lactis W136 or xylitol in non‐blinded fashion and instructed to add it to their rinse bottles daily for 28 days, after which another swab was taken. A saline wash‐out period was completed and a third swab taken. A final 28‐day regimen of the opposite product was followed by a final swab. DNA extraction and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene allowed for global microbiome analysis.

Results

We enrolled 25 subjects with CRS and 10 controls resulting in 70 adequate samples. Increased detection of Lactococcus was observed after use of L. lactis. No significant trends in alpha or beta diversity as a result of treatment were observed. SNOT‐22 score did not change significantly following treatment with xylitol, L. lactis, or saline.

Conclusion

We did not detect any major clinical or microbiome‐level effect due to treatment with two topical rinse products. Further research is needed to elucidate their clinical utility and possible probiotic effect.

Level of Evidence

3.
A Clinical Perspective on the Automated Analysis of Reflectance Confocal Microscopy in Dermatology
Authors: Mehrabi Joseph N. , Baugh Erica G. , Fast Alexander , Lentsch Griffin , Balu Mihaela , Lee Bonnie A. , Kelly Kristen M.
Published: January 2021

Background and Objectives

Non‐invasive optical imaging has the potential to provide a diagnosis without the need for biopsy. One such technology is reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), which uses low power, near‐infrared laser light to enable real‐timein vivovisualization of superficial human skin from the epidermis down to the papillary dermis. Although RCM has great potential as a diagnostic tool, there is a need for the development of reliable image analysis programs, as acquired grayscale images can be difficult and time‐consuming to visually assess. The purpose of this review is to provide a clinical perspective on the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) for the analysis and diagnostic utility of RCM imaging.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

A systematic PubMed search was conducted with additional relevant literature obtained from reference lists.

Results

Algorithms used for skin stratification, classification of pigmented lesions, and the quantification of photoaging were reviewed. Image segmentation, statistical methods, and machine learning techniques are among the most common methods used to analyze RCM image stacks. The poor visual contrast within RCM images and difficulty navigating image stacks were mediated by machine learning algorithms, which allowed the identification of specific skin layers.

Conclusions

AI analysis of RCM images has the potential to increase the clinical utility of this emerging technology. A number of different techniques have been utilized but further refinements are necessary to allow consistent accurate assessments for diagnosis. The automated detection of skin cancers requires more development, but future applications are truly boundless, and it is compelling to envision the role that AI will have in the practice of dermatology. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Does the Time of Onset of Urinary Symptoms Affect Microablative Fractional CO2 Laser Efficacy in Postmenopausal Women?
Authors: Ruffolo Alessandro F. , Casiraghi Arianna , Marotta Elena , Degliuomini Rebecca , Parma Marta , Athanasiou Stavros , Benini Vittoria , Candiani Massimo , Salvatore Stefano
Published: January 2021

Background and Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transvaginal fractional microablative CO2 laser therapy (MLT) on urinary symptoms in postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in relation to the timing of their onset; if prior to or after menopause. Secondary, the efficacy of MLT on vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA)‐related symptoms.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Postmenopausal women affected by at least one urinary symptom (urinary frequency, urgency incontinence, stress urinary incontinence) and VVA symptom each (dryness, dyspareunia, itching, burning) were enrolled. Our population was divided into two groups in relation to the onset of urinary symptoms, prior to or after menopause. Women were treated with three CO2 MLT laser sessions, administered at a 4‐week interval. For urinary symptoms evaluation, we used the following disease‐specific questionnaires previously validated in Italy: the Urogenital Distress Inventory score (UDI‐6) and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form (ICIQ‐SF). For each single VVA symptom, we assessed patient's severity perception with a 10‐point visual analog scale. Time points of the study were at entry (T0) and at 16 weeks since the first treatment (T1). Collected data were analyzed with the Pearson χ
2 test for categorical variables and the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test (for non‐normally distributed data), and statistical significance was defined with a P‐value <0.05.

Results

Sixty‐one women were enrolled in this study. Overall, at T1 MLT brought to a significant improvement in urinary symptoms (P < 0.05) in women with urinary symptoms started after the menopause (Group B), contrary to the ones with urinary symptoms started before the menopause (Group A). Specifically, urinary frequency significantly improved only in Group B (P < 0.05), while urgency incontinence, significantly reduced in both groups (P < 0.05). Stress urinary incontinence did not significantly improve in both groups (P > 0.05). Secondary, all VVA symptoms showed a statistically significant improvement (P < 0.05) at 16 weeks from baseline; no differences were registered between groups. No adverse events were recorded.

Conclusion

This study confirms the safety and efficacy of CO2 MLT for GSM symptoms. When urinary symptoms are considered, it seems that MLT might have a higher efficacy when symptoms started after menopause, in particular when they are part of the OAB syndrome. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Nanocomposites of PEDOT:PSS with Graphene and its Derivatives for Flexible Electronic Applications: A Review
Authors: Adekoya Gbolahan Joseph , Sadiku Rotimi Emmanuel , Ray Suprakas Sinha
Published: January 2021

Rapid technological advancements in flexible nanoelectronics have fueled the need for high‐performance materials with advanced structural architectures and superior properties. In this regard, conducting polymer nanocomposites are at the forefront of current innovative research owing to their excellent properties. Among these sets of unique materials, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) nanocomposites continue to pave the way in several applications including those entailing thermoelectricity, transparent electrodes, photovoltaics, technical coatings, lighting, sensing, bioelectronics, hole transport layers, interconnectors, electroactive layers, and motion‐sensing conductors. The versatility and intriguing properties of these composites, particularly with 2D nanomaterials, have garnered significant attention from academia as well as industry. Therefore, in this review, the latest developments in PEDOT:PSS nanocomposites with graphene and its derivatives are focused on. First, the synthesis and fabrication of PEDOT:PSS nanocomposites with emphasis on recent techniques developed to overcome the challenges associated with direct production is discussed. Thereafter, the characterization and thermoelectric properties of the materials are explained. This provides detailed insights into the characteristic features of various nanocomposites and the influence of individual nanoparticles in the PEDOT:PSS matrix. Then, a conclusion, including a critical summary of the extensive applications of the PEDOT:PSS/graphene nanocomposites for electrochemical, electrostatic, optoelectronic, and thermoelectric devices, is provided.
Transition probability estimates for subordinate random walks
Authors: Cygan Wojciech , Šebek Stjepan
Published: January 2021

Let be a symmetric simple random walk on the integer lattice . For a Bernstein function ϕ we consider a random walk which is subordinated to . Under a certain assumption on the behaviour of ϕ at zero we establish global estimates for the transition probabilities of the random walk . The main tools that we apply are a parabolic Harnack inequality and appropriate bounds for the transition kernel of the corresponding continuous time random walk.
Construction of a risk map to understand the vulnerability of various types of cancer patients to COVID‐19 infection
Authors: He Jian , Yang Xufang , Wang Hui
Published: January 2021

COVID‐19 is leading to a global pandemic and invades human cells via ACE2. ACE2 was found to be abundantly expressed in many organs and cells. However, there is no evidence about the potential risk of various types of cancer patients vulnerable to the infection of COVID‐19. To obtain a risk map that indicates the novel coronavirus vulnerability of different types of cancer, we analyzed in this work the RNA sequencing datasets of cancer patients. By interrogating the datasets, we not only identified the cancer types vulnerable to COVID‐19 attacks, but also we reported that variations in the mRNA expression level of ACE2 correlate to various prognosis phenomenon in different types of cancer cohorts, and illustrated the underlying mechanism involved or may be related to lymphocytes infiltration. From these discoveries, we constructed an infection risk map, which indicates the vulnerability of different types of cancer to COVID‐19 infection, also elucidated the correlationship between ACE2 and the prognosis of cancer. We found that high ACE2 expression levels lead to high risk of COVID‐19 infection and poor prognosis of breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA), while better prognosis in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OV) patient cohorts. Moreover, our study demonstrated that this different pattern may correlate with the immune infiltration level.
Identification of voids and interlaminar shear strengths of polymer‐matrix composites by optical microscopy experiment and deep learning methodology
Authors: Luo Ling , Zhang Boming , Lei Yongpeng , Zhang Guowei , Zhang Zhenchong , Meng Bangke , Liu Zhen
Published: January 2021

The internal void defects induced during the manufacturing process of polymer‐matrix composites can significantly degrade the mechanical properties of the composite, particularly the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). In this study, we developed an innovative integrated methodology based on a deep learning semantic segmentation algorithm, named DeepLabV3+, and a theoretically driven equation to automatically identify voids in optical images and investigate the relationship between the microscopic voids and macroscopic ILSS parameters of the composite laminates. Results suggest that for the best fine‐tuned DeepLabV3+ framework, the corresponding mean pixel accuracy and intersection over union scores on the testing set were 99.84% and 90.82%, respectively, thereby indicating the potential of the generalized trained model. In addition, detailed experiments revealed that the proposed method can successfully obtain the ILSS values of laminates with different void contents. In addition, the ILSS values of the carbon/epoxy laminates decreased by approximately 27% with an increase in the void content from 0.07% to 3.14%.
(Nano)Fibrillar morphology development in biobased poly(butylenesuccinate‐co‐adipate)/poly(amide‐11) blown films
Authors: Dadouche Tarek , Yousfi Mohamed , Samuel Cédric , Lacrampe Marie‐France , Soulestin Jérémie
Published: January 2021

Thin films with (nano)fibrillar morphologies were successfully obtained in fully‐biobased poly(butylene succinate‐co‐adipate)/poly(amide‐11) blends (PBSA/PA11, 85/15 wt/wt) using an extrusion‐blowing process. Impacts of PA11 grade and take‐up ratio on the morphology of PBSA/PA11 were particularly highlighted. Scanning electron microscopy analyses indicated that PA11 with high melt volume‐flow rates are beneficial to the development of (nano)fibrillar morphologies in PBSA/PA11 blown film. On the contrary, unstable film blowing processing without fibrillar morphologies was attested for PA11 with low melt volume‐flow rates. Increasing the take‐up ratio during extrusion‐blowing of PBSA/PA11 clearly generates finer PA11 (nano)fibrils into PBSA. Fibril diameters down to 300 nm could be reached with an optimal PA11 grade promoting enhanced mechanical properties (higher ductility and toughness). The formation of stable PA11 (nano)fibrils into PBSA is discussed via rheological assessments of viscosity/elasticity ratio. A specific attention was finally paid to the PBSA strain‐hardening behavior in PBSA/PA11 using elongational rheological tests. PA11 (nano)fibrillation helps maintaining the strong PBSA strain‐hardening and thus play a major role on the processability of PBSA/PA11 blends by extrusion blowing. As a conclusion, the PA11 grade represents a crucial parameter to control the production of PBSA/PA11 blown films with refined (nano)fibrillar structures and enhanced physico‐chemical properties.
Flexible poly(dimethyl siloxane) composites enhanced with 3D porous interconnected three‐component nanofiller framework for absorption‐dominated electromagnetic shielding
Authors: Mandal Avinandan , Zheng Yuanyuan , Cui Jian , Yan Yehai
Published: January 2021

A new poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) composite was developed based on the 3D porous interconnected framework that is fabricated from reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Dy2O3 decorated single‐walled carbon nanotube (Dy2O3@SWNT). Despite merely containing ~0.6 wt% fillers, the composite prepared by backfilling 3D framework (3D‐Dy2O3@SWNT‐rGO) with PDMS prepolymer acquires as high as 32.9 dB of absorption‐dominated (92.3%–96.9%) electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness in X‐band, and up to 47% and 52% increments of respective compressive strength and modulus at 50% strain relative to PDMS. These performances result from the excellent combination of electrical conductivity (up to 0.317 S cm−1), magnetism (up to 7.1 × 10−5 emu g−1 of susceptibility), and mechanical toughness (complete recovery after 80% compression) in a single three‐component filler system of 3D‐Dy2O3@SWNT‐rGO. Moreover, the organic integration of mechanical flexibility of PDMS with shape‐tunable ability of 3D‐Dy2O3@SWNT‐rGO enables PDMS composites developed here to EMI‐shield any shape surfaces.
The antidepressant‐like effects of Shen Yuan: Dependence on hippocampal BDNF–TrkB signaling activation in chronic social defeat depression‐like mice
Authors: Jiang Ning , Huang Hong , Wang Haixia , Lv Jingwei , Zeng Guirong , Wang Qiong , Bao Yu , Chen Ying , Liu Xin‐Min
Published: January 2021

The Shen Yuan prescription (SY) comprises Panax ginseng (GT) and Polygala tenuifolia (YT), elicited superior antidepressant activity compared with that of GT or YT alone. The aim of this paper is to elucidate the effects of SY treatment on chronic social defeat stress (CSDS)‐induced depression‐like symptoms and the related mechanism. Our results indicated that SY treatment reverses the depressive‐like behaviors induced by CSDS as measured by the social interaction test, sucrose preference test, forced swim test, and tail suspension test. SY decreased the serum levels of CORT and increased hippocampal neurotransmitters (5‐HT, DA, and NE) in CSDS mice. Meanwhile, SY upregulated the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway and reversed the decreased hippocampal neurogenesis caused by CSDS. In addition, we found that the TrkB antagonist K252a fully blocked the SY effects on behavioral improvement and eliminated the promoting effects of SY on hippocampal neurogenesis and BDNF–TrkB signaling (including the downstream ERK and Akt pathways) activation, thus further demonstrating that BDNF–TrkB signaling was necessary for the SY effects. In conclusion, our study showed that SY acted as an antidepressant in mice exhibiting CSDS‐induced depression‐like symptoms, and its effect was facilitated by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis and BDNF signaling pathway activation.
Ensemble Kalman filter for nonconservative moving mesh solvers with a joint physics and mesh location update
Authors: Sampson Christian , Carrassi Alberto , Aydoğdu Ali , Jones Chris K.R.T
Published: January 2021

Numerical solvers using adaptive meshes can focus computational power on important regions of a model domain capturing important or unresolved physics. The adaptation can be informed by the model state or external information, or made to depend on the model physics. In this latter case, one can think of the mesh configuration as part of the model state. If observational data are to be assimilated into the model, the question of updating the mesh configuration with the physical values arises. Adaptive meshes present significant challenges when using popular ensemble data assimilation (DA) methods. We develop a novel strategy for ensemble‐based DA, for which the adaptive mesh is updated along with the physical values. This involves including the node locations as a part of the model state itself, allowing them to be updated automatically at the analysis step. This poses a number of challenges, which we resolve to produce an effective approach that promises to apply with some generality. We evaluate our strategy with two testbed models in one dimension (1‐d), comparing them with a strategy we previously developed that does not update the mesh configuration. We find that updating the mesh improves the fidelity and convergence of the filter. An extensive analysis on the performance of our scheme beyond just the root‐mean‐squared error (RMSE) is also presented.
Authenticating bioplastics using carbon and hydrogen stable isotopes – An alternative analytical approach
Authors: Rogers Karyne M. , Turnbull Jocelyn C. , Dahl Jenny , Phillips Andy , Bridson Jamie H. , Raymond Laura G. , Liu Zhi , Yuan Yuwei , Hill Stefan J.
Published: January 2021

Rationale

A combination of stable carbon (δ13C) and hydrogen (δ2H) isotope ratios and carbon content (% C) was evaluated as a rapid, low‐cost analytical approach to authenticate bioplastics, complementing existing radiocarbon (14C) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analytical methods.

Methods

Petroleum‐ and bio‐based precursor materials and in‐market plastics were analysed and their δ13C, δ2H and % C values were used to establish isotope criteria to evaluate plastic claims, and the source and biocontent of the samples. 14C was used to confirm the findings of the isotope approach and FTIR analysis was used to vertify the plastic type of the in‐market plastics.

Results

Distinctive carbon and hydrogen stable isotope ratios were found for authentic bio‐based and petroleum‐based precursor plastics, and it was possible to classify in‐market plastics according to their source materials (petroleum, C3, C4, and mixed sources). An estimation of C4 biocontent was possible from a C4‐petroleum isotope mixing model using δ13C which was well correlated (R2 = 0.98) to 14C. It was not possible to establish a C3‐petroleum isotope mixing model due to δ13C isotopic overlap with petroleum plastics; however, the addition of δ2H and % C was useful to evaluate if petroleum‐bioplastic mixes contained C3 bioplastics, and PLS‐DA modelling reliably clustered each plastic type.

Conclusions

A combined dual stable isotope and carbon content approach was found to rapidly and accurately identify C3 and C4 bio‐based products from their petroleum counterparts, and identify instances of petroleum and bio‐based mixes frequently found in mislabelled bioplastics. Out of 37 in‐market products labelled as bioplastic, 19 were found to contain varying amounts of petroleum‐based plastic and did not meet their bio‐based claims.
Internal standard application strategies in mass spectrometry imaging by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Perez Consuelo J. , Ifa Demian R.
Published: January 2021

Rationale

We developed a model case study to evaluate three internal standard (IS) application strategies (methods I–III) using the psycholeptic phenobarbital (PB) and the isotopically labelled IS phenobarbital‐D5 (PB‐D5) from in vitro dosed tissues of the golden apple snail (Pomacea diffusa) by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI‐MSI).

Methods

In method I, the IS was deposited as microspots on top of 10 μm thick snail tissues; in method II, a thin IS film was applied; and in method III, the IS was spiked into the DESI solvent spray. DESI‐MSI analyses were performed using a Thermo LTQ mass spectrometer equipped with a custom‐built DESI source and two‐dimensional moving stage. PB (m/z 231) and PB‐D5 (m/z 236) were monitored in selected ion monitoring mode between m/z 227 and 239.

Results

The analytical performance of two IS strategies (methods I and II) in DESI‐MSI was evaluated based on an intra‐ and inter‐day precision assay, an accuracy assessment, and statistical analysis. In the inter‐day DESI‐MSI assay, method I exhibited better precision (6.5%–7.4%) than method II (10.7%–17.6%) between 10 and 100 ng/μL. In the accuracy assessment, PB quality controls of 75 ng/μL were back‐calculated as 71 ± 4 and 83 ± 9 ng/μL, resulting in relative errors of −5% and 11% for methods I and II, respectively. Method III did not work under the experimental design and was not evaluated.

Conclusions

Three IS application strategies were investigated and compared for a routine quantitative DESI‐MSI approach. Methods I and II were not statistically significantly different as shown by a Bland–Altman plot, suggesting that these two methods can be used interchangeably. However, method III requires further research for future quantitative DESI‐MSI analyses.
Conditional adaptive Bayesian spectral analysis of replicated multivariate time series
Authors: Li Zeda , Bruce Scott A. , Wutzke Clinton J. , Long Yang
Published: January 2021

This article introduces a flexible nonparametric approach for analyzing the association between covariates and power spectra of multivariate time series observed across multiple subjects, which we refer to as multivariate conditional adaptive Bayesian power spectrum analysis (MultiCABS). The proposed procedure adaptively collects time series with similar covariate values into an unknown number of groups and nonparametrically estimates group‐specific power spectra through penalized splines. A fully Bayesian framework is developed in which the number of groups and the covariate partition defining the groups are random and fit using Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques. MultiCABS offers accurate estimation and inference on power spectra of multivariate time series with both smooth and abrupt dynamics across covariate by averaging over the distribution of covariate partitions. Performance of the proposed method compared with existing methods is evaluated in simulation studies. The proposed methodology is used to analyze the association between fear of falling and power spectra of center‐of‐pressure trajectories of postural control while standing in people with Parkinson's disease.
Novel 1‐Triazolylpyranopyrazoles as Highly Potent Anticancer Agents Obtained via MW‐Assisted Synthesis
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Yadav Neha , Leekha Ankita , Bawa Rashim , Gahlyan Parveen , Bhandari Mamta , Arora Ritu , Kamra Verma Anita , Kakkar Rita
Published: January 2021

A series of novel 1‐triazolylpyranopyrazole derivatives has been designed and synthesized using microwave irradiation, with the purpose of obtaining repositioned pharmaceutics. The newly synthesized 1‐triazolylpyranopyrazoles (7 a–7 n), along with their precursor alkyne (5), have been screened for their in‐vitro anti‐tumor activity against Hep3B and HEK cell lines. The majority of triazolylpyranopyrazoles elicited outstanding anti‐cancer activity on Hep3B cell lines even at concentrations as low as 25μg/mL. Further, molecular docking of these active compounds against Topoisomerase IIa substantiated a plausible target site for the compounds inhibiting Hep3B cells effectively. The biological assay results for the triazolylpyranopyrazole even surpassed the activity of the reference drug i. e. Doxorubicin, thereby appearing to be potent anticancer agents.
Nonlinear Optical and Spectroscopical Properties of Functionalized Oligoanilines
Authors: De A. Machado Ana E. , Da Silva Juliana A. B. , De Almeida Wagner B. , Dos Santos Hélio F.
Published: January 2021

Functionalized octamers of polyaniline neutral forms (leucoemeraldine, emeraldine, pernigraniline) were studied in order to optimize the first hyperpolarizabilities (β). Remarkable static β values were found for the pernigraniline and emeraldine derivatives by using the coupled perturbed Kohn‐Sham (CPKS) approach at the PBE1PBE/6‐31G** level. The enhanced nonlinear response was achieved through the introduction of donor (D) and/or acceptor (A) groups into the oligoanilines structures. The nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the octamers missing the substituent groups were also investigated. The largest β values were obtained for the pernigraniline and emeraldine derivatives having the tert‐butyl (D) and dicyanoethenyl (A) substituents at opposite ends, as well as the ones with only the acceptor group. These oligomers show charge transfer transitions with large oscillator strengths according to the time dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT). Predicted β values for the majority of functionalized oligoanilines strongly indicate them as potential building blocks for molecular‐based nonlinear materials with second‐order response.
Synergistically Converting Carbon Dioxide into Cyclic Carbonates by Metalloporphyrin‐Based Cationic Polymers with Imidazolium Functionality
Authors: Liu Xiangying , Zhou Farong , Chen Min , Xu Wei , Liu Hongbo , Zhong Jianjiao , Luo Rongchang
Published: January 2021

Considering to the synergistic activation behavior in the cycloaddition reaction of CO2 to epoxides, the integration of metalloporphyrins and nucleophilic halide anions to afford functional organic polymers is one of the most important approaches and still remains challenging. Herein, a class of novel porphyrin‐based cationic polymer (Por‐CP) has been successfully prepared through a one‐pot and atom‐efficient polycondensation of pyrrole and tailorable imidazolium‐based ionic liquid bearing trialdehyde groups in refluxed propanoic acid. Subsequently, a direct metalation of Por‐CP with zinc acetate resulted in the formation of a zinc porphyrin‐based cationic polymer (ZnPor‐CP). The rigid and charged ZnPor‐CP having spatially‐separated active Zn‐porphyrin sites and abundant imidazolium functionalities in the covalently‐linked skeletons can cooperatively promote the reaction under mild conditions, thereby achieving an efficient unification of high activity and good recyclability.
Lithium Ion Conduction in Diblock Polymer Electrolyte with Tethered Anion
Authors: He Yubin , Liu Nian , Kohl Paul A.
Published: January 2021

Solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) may provide a path for next generation high‐performance, hazard‐free lithium ion batteries. However, the low lithium ion transference number (tLi+) and electrolyte conductivity limit device performance. In this study, a diblock copolymer with a polycarbonate first block and poly(sulfonated styrene) second block has been synthesized and characterized for conductivity and shows improved tLi+. The low dissociation of lithium salts from the tethered sulfonate anion was overcome by incorporating plasticizers. The diblock SPE material had room temperature conductivity of up to 1.95 ⋅ 10−6 S/cm, and lithium transference number of up to 0.83 with the tethered sulfonate anion.