bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Evolution of Antifungal Resistance in Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Bermas Arianne , Shapiro Rebecca S. , Geddes‐McAlister Jennifer
Published: September 2020

Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic yeast‐like fungal pathogen, has demonstrated resistance to all major classes of antifungals used to treat cryptococcal meningitis. However, combatting this fungal disease is an ongoing challenge among clinicians due to the evolution of antifungal‐resistant strains. The limited availability of clinically approved antifungals has heightened the urgency to investigate the molecular mechanisms underscoring resistance. Studying how a fungal pathogen evolves to an antifungal drug in vitro using experimental evolution provides a simple, yet powerful approach to study the mechanisms of antifungal resistance. Experimental evolution involves the serial passaging of microbial populations under laboratory conditions, such that adaptive mutations can occur and be monitored in real time. This technique plays a key role in investigating the mechanisms of antifungal resistance in C. neoformans, and this can help in developing novel strategies to combat the emergence of resistance. Here, we outline how to make overnight cultures of C. neoformans and how to perform experimental evolution, and we present a spectrophotometric analysis to evaluate the evolution of antifungal resistance. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Growth and sample preparation of Cryptococcus neoformans

Basic Protocol 2: Experimental evolution of antifungal resistance

Basic Protocol 3: Analyzing the evolution of antifungal resistance

Basic Protocol 4: Glycerol stock preparation
Integrating anthropometric and cardiometabolic health methods in stress, early experiences, and development (SEED) science
Authors: Doom Jenalee R. , Reid Brie M. , Nagel Emily , Gahagan Sheila , Demerath Ellen W. , Lumeng Julie C.
Published: September 2020

Within Stress, Early Experiences, and Development (SEED) science, there is a growing body of research demonstrating complex associations not only between stress, development, and psychopathology, but also with chronic disease risk factors. We argue that it is important for SEED researchers to consider including child anthropometric and physical health measures to more comprehensively capture processes of risk and resilience. Broader adoption of harmonized anthropometry and health measures in SEED research will facilitate collaborations, yielding larger datasets for research in high‐risk populations, and greater opportunity to replicate existing findings. In this review, we identify optimal anthropometric and cardiometabolic health measurement methods used from infancy through adolescence, including those that are low‐burden and inexpensive. Methods covered include: waist, hip, and head circumference, height, length, weight, pubertal development, body composition, blood pressure, arterial stiffness, carotid intima media thickness, and serum measures of cardiometabolic risk and inflammation. We provide resources for SEED researchers to integrate these methods into projects or to better understand these methods when reading the literature as well as where to find collaborators for more in‐depth studies incorporating these measures. With broader integration of psychological and physical health measures in SEED research, we can better inform theory and interventions to promote health and resilience in individuals who have experienced early stress.
Genetic integrity is still maintained in natural populations of the indigenous wild apple species Malus sylvestris (Mill.) in Saxony as demonstrated with nuclear SSR and chloroplast DNA markers
Authors: Reim Stefanie , Lochschmidt Frank , Proft Anke , Höfer Monika
Published: September 2020

Malus sylvestris (Mill.) is the only indigenous wild apple species in Central Europe. Agriculture, forestry, and urbanization increasingly endanger Malus sylvestris natural habitats. In addition, the risks of cross‐hybridization associated with increase in the cultivation of the domesticated apple Malus × domestica (Borkh.) threaten the genetic integrity of M. sylvestris. The present study investigated the number of hybrids, genetic diversity, and genetic structure of 292 putative M. sylvestris that originate from five different natural M. sylvestris populations in Saxony, Germany. All samples were genetically analyzed using nine nuclear microsatellite markers (ncSSR) and four maternally inherited chloroplast markers (cpDNA) along with 56 apple cultivars commonly cultivated in Saxony. Eighty‐seven percent of the wild apple accessions were identified as pure M. sylvestris. The cpDNA analysis showed six private haplotypes for M. sylvestris, whereas three haplotypes were present in M. sylvestris and M. × domestica. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) resulted in a moderate (ncSSR) and great (cpDNA) variation among pure M. sylvestris and M. × domestica individuals indicating a low gene flow between both species. The genetic diversity within the pure M. sylvestris populations was high with a weak genetic structure between the M. sylvestris populations indicating an unrestricted genetic exchange between these M. sylvestris populations. The clear distinguishing of M. sylvestris and M. ×domestica confirms our expectation of the existence of pure M. sylvestris accessions in this area and supports the argument for the implementation of preservation measures to protect the M. sylvestris populations in Saxony.
Influence of discharge regime on the movement and refuge use of a freshwater fish in a drying temperate region
Authors: Storer Timothy , Bannister Jo , Bennett Katherine , Byrnes Evan , Crook David A. , Morgan David L. , Gleiss Adrian , Beatty Stephen J.
Published: September 2020

Understanding how the movement and habitat use of fishes are influenced by flow regimes is important in sustainably managing river ecosystems, particularly in regions undergoing drying due to climate change. Here, we aimed to determine how the movement of a freshwater fish from refuge pools is influenced by discharge and environmental variables in south‐western Australia, a region that has suffered an ~50% reduction in surface flows since the 1970s. We quantified the movement patterns of the freshwater plotosid Tandanus bostocki using acoustic telemetry in two rivers that had different flow regimes and habitat characteristics. We hypothesized that its movements would be positively influenced by discharge and it would also display a high degree of site fidelity. Fifty fish were tagged and monitored across both rivers for a 1‐year period. There was an overall significant positive relationship between daily movements from the monitored refuge pools with both discharge and solar irradiation in both rivers. However, there was a greater probability of movement at a lower magnitude of discharge in the regulated Harvey River, which was attributed to the influence of river gradient and prevalence of instream barriers moderating the effect of flow on movements in the Brunswick River. The species demonstrated a considerable degree of site fidelity and also displayed homing behaviour. The study suggests that the maintenance of key refuge pools during baseflow, and ensuring river connectivity during the key movement periods, would help maintain the viability of the species as river discharge continues to decline due to climate change.
Adaptive energy saving algorithms for Internet of Things devices integrating end and edge strategies
Authors: Wang Yang , Yang Kun , Wan Weixiang , Mei Haibo
Published: September 2020

By taking into account not only the node specifics but also the benefits of mobile edge computing, an integrated strategy for energy saving of Internet of Things (IoT) devices is proposed in this article. This strategy consists of two algorithms at both the end and the edge. Considering the changeable battery level and downlink communication traffic of the battery‐powered wireless nodes, an energy efficient automatic mode switching algorithm is designed at the end. Three different kinds of working modes are designed based on the features of the end nodes and the various application requirements. This algorithm tends to enable the end nodes to automatically select and switch to the proper working mode according to the actual conditions. At the edge server with much stronger processing and computing capabilities which belongs to a higher layer, the dynamic sampling rate adjustment algorithm is designed. It can adaptively adjust the sampling frequencies of the end nodes and thus reduce their working durations. The proposed integrated solution aims to decrease the energy consumption of IoT devices as much as possible and thus prolong their battery lives. The simulation results have shown both the effectiveness and the efficiency of the proposed end and edge integrated strategy in terms of energy consumption.
Study of carbonyl compounds in white wine production
Authors: Herzan Jakub , Prokes Kamil , Baron Mojmir , Kumsta Michal , Pavlousek Pavel , Sochor Jiri
Published: September 2020

Carbonyl compounds, especially acetaldehyde in white wines which have a detrimental effect on the aroma and overall stability of wine, were studied.. Seven wine samples of Grüner Veltliner were produced of one input raw material of grapes, all with different dosage of SO2. The sulfur dioxide was maintained at a fixed level during the maturation process and sampled at six months. The grapes were processed, fermented, aged for three months in stainless steel tanks, prepared for bottling, bottled, and then aged in the bottle. In the samples taken, the volume of acetaldehyde, pyruvate, 2‐oxoglutarate, diacetyl, and acetoin was determined by HPLC with diode array detection. Individual forms of SO2 were determined by iodometric titration. The wine that was matured on the lees and without the addition of SO2 (variant (0/0/0)) contained the lowest amount of all compounds measured. For example, the volume of acetaldehyde for this wine was 2.7 mg/L at the end of the experiment. The results of the sensory analysis showed that such wine could compete with wines with higher SO2 content without any problems.
Diet supplemented with fermented okara improved growth performance, meat quality, and amino acid profiles in growing pigs
Authors: Tian Zhimei , Deng Dun , Cui Yiyan , Chen Weidong , Yu Miao , Ma Xianyong
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of fermented okara on performance and meat quality, and to explore the feasibility of its partial substitution for corn‐soybean meal in pig production. A total of 48 pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with an average body weight of 58.60 ± 0.65 kg were randomly assigned to 2 groups, Control group and Fermented okara (FO) group. There were 8 replicate pens each with 3 pigs per treatment. Control pigs were fed a corn‐soybean meal basal diet, treatment pigs were fed a basal diet supplemented with FO throughout the 55‐d experimental period. Results showed that fermentation of okara using probiotics increased its microporous structure, polysaccharides, lactic acid, and free amino acids (FAA) by 46.06%, 150%, and 66.45% compared with unfermented okara, respectively (p < .05). The diet supplemented with FO significantly improved average daily gain (ADG) by 8.70% (p < .01), but decreased the feed gain ratio (F/G) by 5.56% of growing pigs compared to the control diet (p < .05). Furthermore, dietary FO improve meat color, FAA, and the activity of total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX) in the serum and muscles (p < .05). Collectively, probiotics‐fermented okara improved growth performance, meat quality and antioxidant capacity, and it can be used to substitute partial corn‐soybean meal in pig industry.
Worries, strategies, and confidence of older Chinese adults during the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak
Authors: Jiang Wenwen , Sun Fei , Prieto Lucas , Fang Yuan , Gao Yining , Yue Ling , Lin Xiang , Zhao Lu , Dang Jin , Qiu Jianyin , Li Xia
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Since the novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) outbreak started in late 2019, the older population has accounted for a large proportion of severe and fatal cases. This study investigated the mental state and attitudes of older Chinese adults during this epidemic.

Design

Cross‐sectional online surveys on a convenience sample of China's general population at two different time points. Online surveys were disseminated through popular Chinese social media applications. Adults 18 or older living in China during the initial (N = 1148) and second stages (N = 470) were included in the survey. The Worries, Strategies, and Confidence Questionnaire was created to assess worries and awareness of the disease.

Results

Combined responses (N = 1618), 76.1% were female and about 7.0% were 60 years or above. In the first wave, older adults were found less likely to worry about being infected by COVID‐19 (p < 0.05) and reported less attention paid to protective measures (p = 0.004) than young adults. However, as the disease evolved, older participants in the second wave were more worried than young adults (p = 0.027) and older adults in the first wave (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

During the epidemic of COVID‐19, watchfulness of the epidemic among older Chinese adults fluctuated over time. Initially, they were slow to respond proactively, but their worries gradually increased. Health care and social service professionals need to address the vulnerabilities of older adults to this public health crisis.
Differential photon waves imaging
Authors: Kazanci Huseyin Ozgur
Published: September 2020

Imaging philosophy was simulated for well‐known biomedical diffuse optical imaging (DOI) methodology. It runs based on the differential photon waves. The underlying philosophy of imaging methodology takes its origin from the distance of the same molecule types. Inherently, each type of biological molecules has different molecular structure, size, and binding distance. Molecules might be water, oxy‐hemoglobin, deoxyhemoglobin, ATP, pepsin, cholesterol, protein, fats or lipids, hydroxyapatite, carbohydrates, glucose, glycogen, DNA, etc. These molecules need to be grouped for biomedical photon imaging purposes such as in hair, skull, scalp, cortex, dermis, epidermis, cerebrospinal fluid, cerebellar gray and white matter for neuroimaging; or skin, fat, water for breast imaging; optic nerve, humor aqueous for eye imaging; bones and joints for skeletal system imaging; liver, muscle, fibroadenoma breast, mucous tissue, nodule, bowel, heart, kidneys, lung, stomach, whole blood vascular system for inner organs. Among these different types of molecular structures, each type has different characteristic photon absorption and scattering coefficients for corresponding wavelength. Researchers have been using these characteristic wavelengths to reconstruct the images. They have focused on either absorption or scattering maximums of specific wavelengths for each tissue type. This is right when the molecules are investigated first, but it is a dead‐end when it goes deep tissue, since low‐power laser photons scatter randomly when they penetrate inside the tissue, immediately. Novel approach uses phase‐shifted group photon waves corresponding to the molecular distances. Single photon wavelength can be used to investigate the molecules inside the imaging media.
Mobile edge computing based video surveillance model for improving the performance of extended training
Authors: Sun Longtao , Zou Yuehui
Published: September 2020

The extended training is a global campaign and the video surveillance plays an important role during the process of extended training since it has the considerably requirement on the real‐time benefit. The traditional video surveillance system model faces some limitations, such as high resource overhead, serious bandwidth pressure and unwarranted timeliness. Given this, this letter takes full advantages of mobile edge computing to design the video surveillance model, improving the performance of extended training, named MSET. The proposed MSET framework consists of the rich roles, that is, cloud center, wireless base station, edge computing devices and mobile wearables. Driven by the real experiments, the proposed MSET is feasible and outperforms the traditional methods. In particular, the proposed frame filtering algorithm can greatly decrease the process delay.
Optimal design of urban cloud transportation planning based on information retrieval and social IoT
Authors: Zhang Gang , Zhang Na
Published: September 2020

Optimal design of urban cloud transportation planning based on information retrieval and social IoT is proposed in this manuscript. Transportation is a necessary part of the human society's production, life and economic development. With the development of the times and advancement of science and technology, people are strongly dependent on transportation and at the same time, they have put forward more demands on transportation. In this paper, based on the omnidirectional and complex road conditions of vehicle nodes in the urban road network environment, and the road environment has blocking and superimposed interference effects on wireless signals, combined with the intelligent driving model, this paper analyzes and studies the propagation of network worms and builds a stable and reliable system. The experimental results have proven the performance, and the future research directions have been pointed out.
Percutaneous absorption of chemicals from fabric (textile)
Authors: Bormann Jordan L. , Filiz Acipayam Ayse Sermin , Maibach Howard I.
Published: September 2020

Percutaneous penetration of chemicals from clothing can result in both acute and chronic toxicities. Although personal protective equipment composed of nonwoven material can provide thorough protection, it is often uncomfortable under normal occupational conditions. Certain everyday textiles are often utilized as protective clothing due to their cost, comfort, and convenience. Although common textiles may cover most skin, certain regions remain exposed by such outfits. The body areas covered by the fabric are at risk for fabric permeation and percutaneous penetration of chemical, either immediately or over time, dependent on the fabric composition and the characteristics of the chemical used. in vitro and in vivo publications studied percutaneous penetration of chemicals from contaminated fabric and show that everyday textiles are superior to bare skin. The increased protection offered can be attributed to properties of the fabric such as weave, thickness, fabric finish, absorbency, and the overall barrier provided. Although common textiles do offer some protection, they remain inferior to nonwoven personal protective equipment. Much remains unknown regarding percutaneous penetration and protection offered by everyday textiles.
Divalent NI Compounds: Identifying new Carbocyclic Carbenes to Design Nitreones using Quantum Chemical Methods
Authors: Patel Neha , Arfeen Minhajul , Singh Tejender , Bhagat Shweta , Sakhare Ajay , Bharatam Prasad V.
Published: September 2020

Nitreones are compounds with oxidation state 1 at the nitrogen, these compounds carry formal positive charge as well as two lone pairs of electrons at nitrogen center. These compounds are also known as divalent NI compounds and can be represented with the general formula L → N+ ← L, where L is an electron donating ligand. In the recent past, several divalent NI compounds have been reported with L = N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC), remote N‐heterocyclic carbene (rNHC), carbocyclic carbene (CCC) and diaminocarbene. Recently, our group reported that a novel six‐membered CCC (cyclohexa‐2,5‐diene‐4‐[diaminomethynyl]‐1‐ylidene) can stabilize N+ center in nitreones. As an independent carbene, this species is very unstable. In this work, modulation of this CCC using (a) annulation, (b) heterocyclic ring modification, (c) substitutions adjacent to the carbenic carbon, (d) exocyclic double bond insertion and (e) ring contraction, has been reported. These modulations and quantum chemical analyses helped in the identification of five new six‐membered CCCs which carry improved donation and stability properties. Further, these CCCs were employed in the design of new divalent NI compounds (nitreones) which carry coordination bonds between ligands and N+ center. The molecular and electronic structure properties, and the donor→acceptor coordination interactions present in the resultant low oxidation state divalent NI compounds have been explored.
Material deprivation, parenting practices, and children's psychological health and wellbeing in China
Authors: Wu Yichao , Qi Di
Published: September 2020

This paper examined the extent and risk factors of child subjective wellbeing and psychological health empirically using China Family Panel Studies data set. Child subjective wellbeing was measured in this paper using six indicators including the frequency in feelings of depression, nervousness, restlessness, hopelessness, helplessness, and meaninglessness. Risk factors of child subjective wellbeing have also been examined in particular to the domains of household multidimensional material deprivation, parenting practices, and children's personal health conditions. The results of this paper implied that providing adequate nutrition and ensuring children's access to basic water and sanitation facilities were important strategies for promoting children's psychological health and wellbeing. Also important factor for child wellbeing is parenting styles and practices, that is, how parents interact with children in daily lives and how they behave as parents.
Population Pharmacokinetics and Bayesian Estimation of the Area Under the Concentration‐Time Curve for Ganciclovir in Adult Chinese Renal Allograft Recipients After Valganciclovir Administration
Authors: Chen Bing , Hu Shan‐Shan , Rui Wen‐Bin , An Hui‐Min , Zhai Xiao‐Hui , Wang Xi‐Han , Lu Jia‐Qian , Shao Kun , Zhou Pei‐Jun
Published: September 2020

Valganciclovir (VGCV) is the prodrug of ganciclovir (GCV). The objective of this study was to establish a population pharmacokinetic model (PPK) of GCV to investigate the PK characteristics of GCV after administration of VGCV in adult Chinese renal allograft recipients. Seventy Chinese renal allograft recipients were given 450 mg (n = 41) or 900 mg (n = 29) VGCV daily. Blood samples were drawn 0‐24 hours after 5 days’ therapy, and GCV plasma levels were determined. The PPK model was constructed using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling, and the Bayesian estimation of AUC0‐24h was constructed for an individual patient based on limited plasma samples. The PK of GCV was best described by a 2‐compartment model with a first‐order absorption process. The CL/F, V2/F, Q/F, V3/F, Ka, and lag time of GCV were 15.8 ± 0.71 L/h, 10.9 ± 2.38 L, 3.98 ± 0.40 L/h, 167 ± 44.0 L, 0.23 ± 0.0078 1/h, and 0.93 ± 0.017 hours, respectively. Clearance of creatinine was found to have a significant impact on the CL/F of GCV (P < .01). Sampling strategies consisted of plasma concentrations 0 and 2 and 0, 2, and 4 hours after VGCV administration were shown to be suitable for the estimation of the GCV AUC0‐24h. The PPK model was acceptable and can describe the PK of GCV in Chinese renal transplant patients administered VGCV. The AUC0‐24h of GCV in Chinese renal transplant patients can be calculated by a limited sampling strategy method.
Ultrasound‐guided aspiration of anterior cruciate ligament mucinous cysts in the posterior intercondylar notch: Technique and short‐term outcomes
Authors: Geannette Christian , Warren Russell F. , Miller Theodore T.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

To describe our technique of aspirating symptomatic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) mucinous cysts in the posterior intercondylar notch with ultrasound guidance, and to detail short‐term patient outcomes.

Methods

We identified 13 patients from February 2008 to May 2020 who underwent ultrasound‐guided aspiration of symptomatic ACL mucinous cysts in the posterior intercondylar notch. Post‐procedural imaging was reviewed to evaluate the degree of cyst decompression. Needle size was noted. Post‐procedural symptomatology was also assessed.

Results

No or minimal fluid was initially aspirated in 11/13 (84.6%) patients. For the two patients in which the cysts were aspirated completely with initial needle placement, with no need for lavage, a 13‐gauge trocar was utilized. Of the remaining cysts, 10/11 were aspirated with an 18‐gauge needle and one with a 20‐gauge needle. Subsequent lavage was performed in 10 of the remaining 11 patients. After lavage, in eight there was a reduction of at least 50% volume by retrospective image interpretation; of 25% to 50% volume in one patient and of less than 25% volume in one patient. Five of the 13 patients reported immediate post‐procedural symptomatic relief. In the other patients, immediate efficacy or post‐procedural symptomatology was not documented.

Conclusion

Aspiration of symptomatic ACL mucinous cysts is a safe procedure and can provide symptomatic relief that may be temporary, but useful clinically. We recommend needles larger than 18 gauge for the best chance of successful aspiration.
Use of bacteria community analysis to distinguish groundwater recharge sources to shallow wells
Authors: Higgins Mark A. , Robbins Gary A. , Maas Kendra R. , Binkhorst Gordon K.
Published: September 2020

In this study, bacteria community analysis was performed to supplement a preexisting evaluation of nitrate contamination in drinking water wells at a coastal site in Old Lyme, CT. Given well usage and coastal hydrogeologic conditions, the source(s) of nitrate contamination in domestic wells could not be discerned between local septic systems or a nearby farm where organic fertilizers were used. Groundwater bacteria communities are known to be sensitive to a variety of environmental conditions. As such, they are potentially useful in distinguishing groundwater recharge sources. Groundwater samples collected from wells were analyzed using polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and 16S rRNA sequencing to determine the bacteria distributions in each well. The biostatistical analysis of the data using Bray–Curtis nonmetric multidimensional scaling and permutational multivariate analysis of variance revealed three distinct bacteria community distributions that coincided with three different areas on the site. Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) of the water quality data revealed that wells with similar bacteria shared similar water quality, all of which was indicative of local recharge. These findings suggested that the domestic well nitrate contamination was derived from local septic systems rather than the farm. Septic indicator analysis using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry determined the presence of caffeine in domestic wells, which was consistent with the conclusions from the bacteria analysis, PCA, and the known hydrogeologic conditions. The low cost, ease of sample collection, and growing availability of bioinformatics laboratory services and software are conducive to the application of microbial community analysis as a supplemental tool for groundwater investigations.
Short‐term legacy effects of feedlot manure application on soil mesofauna
Authors: Miller J. J. , Owen M. L. , Battigelli J. P. , Drury C. F. , Chanasyk D. S.
Published: September 2020

Little research exists on short‐term legacy effects of feedlot manure application on soil mesofauna. This long‐term (since 1998) study was on an irrigated clay loam soil in southern Alberta cropped to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). We sampled the soil 3–4 yr (2017–2018) into the legacy period following 17 annual manure applications (1998–2014). The selected treatments sampled were stockpiled feedlot manure containing straw bedding applied at 0, 13, 39, and 77 Mg ha−1 (dry wt.). Intact soil cores were taken at three depth intervals (0–3, 3–6, and 6–9 cm) in the fall over 2 yr to determine the densities of Acari (mites) suborders and Collembola (springtails) families. Significant (P ≤ .05) application rate effects occurred on Oribatida and Astigmata after 3 yr (but not after 4 yr) into the legacy phase, whereas Prostigmata were unaffected. Densities of Astigmata after 3 yr were 3.2‐ to 4.1‐fold greater at the 77 Mg ha−1 rate compared with three lower rates. Significant application rate effects occurred on Entomobryidae, Isotomidae, and Onychiuridae after 4 yr (but not after 3 yr), with no treatment effects on Neelidae. Densities of mesofauna were generally greater at higher than at lower rates, except for Entomobryidae in 2018, where the reverse trend occurred. Significant application rate effects were attributed to lower soil bulk density and greater volumetric soil water content and soil organic carbon. Therefore, legacy effects of feedlot manure application generally persisted on soil mesofauna 3–4 yr into the legacy phase but depended on mesofauna type, year, and depth.
A nonlinear feed‐forward memory‐less model to fast prediction of threshold voltage in junction‐less double‐gate MOSFETs
Authors: Annabestani Mohsen , Nasserian Mahshid , Hasanzadeh Fatemeh , Taherzadeh‐Sani Mohammad , Hassanzadeh Alireza
Published: September 2020

Decreasing Drain‐Induced‐Barrier‐Lowering (DIBL) is one of the nondesirable short‐channel effects, causes the threshold voltage of the transistor to be reduced by increasing the drain voltage. DIBL makes it impossible for engineers to consider VT as a constant, and it is necessary to calculate VT as a function of the drain voltage. Therefore, to consider the DIBL effect in the design of ICs, a large computational burden is imposed on the system, which slows down the simulation process in circuit‐level simulators. Accordingly, a Nonlinear Feed‐Forward Memory‐Less (NFFML) model using the Gram‐Schmidt orthogonalization approach is proposed, which calculates the VT of the new generation of MOSFETs, that is, Junctionless Double‐Gate MOSFETs (JL‐DG‐MOSFETs), with high precision and a significant speed‐up in the computation of the model. It is shown that the proposed numerical method is 313 times faster than the state‐of‐the‐art analytical model. The normalized MSE is 0.435% on average, showing that the proposed approach can be a fast and accurate candidate for replacing the analytical modeling.
Kriging metamodels and design re‐utilization for fast parameter tuning of antenna structures
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Pietrenko‐Dabrowska Anna
Published: September 2020

The paper addresses the problem of computationally efficient electromagnetic (EM)‐driven design closure of antenna structures. The foundations of the presented approach are fast kriging interpolation metamodels, utilized for two purposes: (a) producing a good starting point for further parameter tuning, and (b) yielding a reasonable Jacobian matrix estimate to jump‐start the optimization procedure. The models are rendered using available designs, for example, obtained from the previous design work with the same antenna structure. The low cost of design closure is ensured by employing Broyden‐based trust‐region gradient search along with the aforementioned Jacobian initialization. Our methodology is demonstrated using two planar antennas, a dual‐band uniplanar dipole and a quasi‐Yagi with a parabolic reflector, both optimized within wide ranges of operating conditions (center frequencies, the dielectric permittivity of the antenna substrate). The re‐design process requires only a handful of EM analyses of the respective structure. The presented framework can be viewed as a convenient algorithmic tool that capitalizes on the existing information on the structure at hand to enable warm‐start parameter tuning.
Soil temperature change and its regional differences under different vegetation regions across China
Authors: Wang Xiqiang , Chen Rensheng , Han Chuntan , Yang Yong , Liu Junfeng , Liu Zhangwen , Guo Shuhai , Song Yaoxuan
Published: September 2020

Changes in soil temperature will exert an important influence on the management and utilization of vegetation and agricultural production, whereas the spatiotemporal variations in soil temperature under different vegetation regions across China remain largely unknown. The shallow soil temperatures (0–20 cm) during the growing season (May–September) from 1965 to 2014 across China were analysed, and the findings showed that the spatial distribution of shallow soil temperature was determined primarily by latitude in eastern China (east of 110°E), and by altitude in western China (west of 110°E) with some high (low) temperature centres. The vegetation regions with relatively low soil temperatures are mainly concentrated in high altitude and high latitude areas, which have relatively large differences in soil temperature at different depths and relatively high soil warming rates. Over the past 50 years, shallow soil temperatures increased greatly during the growing season at the site, vegetation region and nation scales, but the warming rate and its relationship with climate change varied greatly. The soil temperature variables were affected substantially by air temperature and precipitation in the subtropical forest and tropical forest regions but were affected primarily by air temperature in the other vegetation regions. This difference may be due to the spatial difference in precipitation amounts across China, which affected the soil temperature via soil moisture feedback. Further study indicated that the warming rate in shallow soil was higher in stations (vegetation regions) with less precipitation than in those with more precipitation.
Four Text‐Mining Methods for Measuring Elaboration
Authors: Dumas Denis , Organisciak Peter , Maio Shannon , Doherty Michael
Published: September 2020

When individuals engage in divergent thinking, they vary on their Elaboration, or the degree to which they explain and embellish their responses. Although Elaboration has been considered relevant to creativity research for decades, its measurement has remained under‐developed. Here, we leverage technical and methodological perspectives from the text‐mining literature to posit four methods for quantifying elaboration: Unweighted Word Count, Stoplisted Inclusion, Part of Speech Inclusion, and Inverse Frequency Weighting. Although the Unweighted Word Count method is becoming typical in the field, more complex weighting methods appear to better fit the conceptualization of Elaboration. We explain the benefits of each of the included methods and demonstrate their application to responses from the Alternate Uses Task: showing that all four of these text‐mining methods produced Elaboration scores with high levels of reliability, but the Stoplisted Inclusion method appeared to maximize the score validity both in terms of criteria correlations and power to discriminate among creative experts and non‐experts. We offer an open‐access module for creativity researchers to apply these methods to their own data via our laboratory website [https://openscoring.du.edu/].
Validation in a Brazilian population of gene markers of periodontitis previously investigated by GWAS and bioinformatic studies
Authors: Cirelli Thamiris , Nepomuceno Rafael , Orrico Silvana R. P. , Rossa Carlos , Cirelli Joni A. , North Kari E. , Graff Mariaelisa , Barros Silvana P. , Scarel‐Caminaga Raquel M.
Published: September 2020

Background

Bioinformatic tools and genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have led to comprehensive identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with periodontitis in diverse populations. Here we aimed to detect and validate the association of seven SNPs as genetic markers of susceptibility to periodontitis in a Brazilian population.

Methods

This case‐control study assessed complete periodontal parameters of 714 subjects with periodontal status classified as healthy/mild periodontitis (n = 356) and moderate/severe periodontitis (n = 358). Genotyping for rs187238, rs352140, rs1360573, rs2521634, rs3811046, rs3826782, and rs7762544 SNPs were evaluated. Genetic‐phenotype associations, and sex or smoking effects of SNPs on periodontitis were tested using multiple logistic regressions adjusted for covariates.

Results

The rs2521634‐AA (close to NPY gene) presented increased risk for severe periodontitis (OR = 2.34; 95% CI = 1.19–4.59). The rs3811046‐GG (IL37 gene) demonstrated increased risk for moderate periodontitis (OR = 2.58; 95% CI = 1.28–5.18). Higher risk for moderate periodontitis was found in male with rs7762544‐AG close to NCR2 gene. The rs352140‐TT in the TLR9 gene proved to be associated with lower risk to severe periodontitis in men. The rs2521634‐AA was associated with higher percentage of interproximal probing pocket depth (P = .004).

Conclusions

This is the first evidence of validation in a Brazilian population of genetic markers of periodontitis previously investigated by GWAS and bioinformatics studies. SNPs in the NPY, IL37, and NCR2 genes were associated with susceptibility to moderate or severe periodontitis; whereas the TLR9 marker was associated with lower chance to develop severe periodontitis. Those SNPs had sex‐ and smoking‐habit‐specific effects on periodontitis; reinforcing the genetic profile predisposing to periodontitis.
Mobilizing farmers to stop land degradation: A different discourse from Burundi
Authors: Kessler Aad , van Reemst Laurie , Beun Micael , Slingerland Erik , Pol Laura , De Winne Ruben
Published: September 2020

Stopping land degradation is one of the biggest challenges worldwide and particularly in Burundi, with its unprecedented rates of soil loss and growing food insecurity. This article proposes a different discourse on how to engage people in stopping land degradation, and presents results and lessons learned from a bottom‐up inclusive approach implemented since 2014 in Burundi: the integrated farm planning (PIP) approach. The PIP approach aims to build a solid foundation for sustainable change toward enhanced food production and good land stewardship, based on three foundation principles (motivation, stewardship, and resilience) and three guiding principles (empowerment, integration, and collaboration). This article is based on two studies undertaken in 2018: an impact study among 202 households and a qualitative study using the most significant change methodology with 30 households. Findings from both studies provide initial support that the PIP approach generates considerable changes at household, farm, and village level. Based on a vision and a plan for their farm, motivated PIP households are currently investing in the resilience of their farms and applying a diversity of conservation practices, while in all PIP villages concrete collective action is undertaken for sustainable land stewardship. Given its rapid upscaling in Burundi and the potential of the PIP approach to mobilize farmers for motivated action, the article concludes with a reflection on the core elements of a different discourse to stop land degradation.
Lineage diversity and gene introgression in freshwater cladoceran crustaceans of the Chydorus sphaericus species complex
Authors: Wang Jinhui , Ni Yijun , Hu Wei , Yin Mingbo
Published: September 2020

There is increasing interest in the genetic diversity and phylogeography of aquatic invertebrate zooplankton in the Eastern Palearctic, yet these topics remain largely unexplored in China. Here, we investigated the lineage diversity and phylogeography of an important cladoceran taxon, the Chydorus sphaericus (Crustacea: Cladocera) species complex, which is common in various aquatic habitats. We found populations of this species complex in 30 of 154 waterbodies across China. Analysis of DNA sequences from a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene placed these populations in three lineages, one of them not previously recognized. There was a clear geographical separation of C. sphaericus lineages: lineage A2‐1 was the only lineage detected on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, whereas lineages A3‐1 and A3‐2 were present elsewhere in China. Several lineages (and even individual haplotypes) were widespread in Eurasia, suggesting an ability to disperse over long distances. Phylogenies based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer fragments (both ITS‐1 and ITS‐2) recognized two distinct C. sphaericus clades in China. Interestingly, one specimen possessing mtDNA of lineage A3‐2 was found unexpectedly to have an ITS‐1 allele normally associated with mitochondrial lineage A2‐1, and ITS‐2 alleles consistent with this. This discordance between mtDNA and nuclear phylogenies is indicative of interspecific hybridization and gene introgression between different members of the species complex. This study contributes to an understanding of the genetic diversity of the C. sphaericus species complex in a Eurasian context.
Massive silicon utilization facilitated by a benthic‐pelagic coupled feedback sustains deep‐sea sponge aggregations
Authors: Maldonado Manuel , Beazley Lindsay , López‐Acosta María , Kenchington Ellen , Casault Benoit , Hanz Ulrike , Mienis Furu
Published: September 2020

Biogeochemical cycling of silicon (Si), largely affected by biological drivers, is pivotal to the ecological functioning of the ocean. Most knowledge regarding biological utilization of Si derives from research on phototrophic organisms circumscribed to the photic ocean (i.e., diatoms). Utilization of Si in the aphotic ocean, where heterotrophic silicifiers become relevant Si users, remains poorly investigated. Here we quantify the flux rates and stocks characterizing Si cycling across dense aggregations of the hexactinellid sponge Vazella pourtalesii established in the aphotic zone of the central Scotian Shelf, Nova Scotia, Canada. Although individual rates of silicic acid consumption were low compared to other sponge species and diatoms, the large abundance of individuals (6.5 million) over the extension of these sponge grounds (2105 km2) leads to massive annual silicic acid consumption, invested in producing their siliceous skeletons of biogenic silica. This sponge activity accumulates large biogenic silica stocks both in the living population and in the sediments. Skeletal pieces in sediment revealed that a good portion of biogenic silica deposited to the bottom after sponge death recycles as silicic acid before being permanently buried. This biogenic silica–silicic acid turnover, facilitated by an unconventional silicification pattern that favors delamination and dissolution of V. pourtalesii spicules, causes silicic acid enrichment at oceanographic dimensions in the bottom water of the central Scotian Shelf. Silicic acid efflux from the bottom sustains a feedback mechanism that fulfills sponge needs for silicic acid and facilitates the persistence of sponge aggregations in the long term.
Design and Synthesis of Core–Shell Microgels with One‐Step Clickable Crosslinked Cores and Ultralow Crosslinked Shells
Authors: Islam Molla R. , Nguy Chelsey , Pandit Sanika , Lyon Louis Andrew
Published: September 2020

The present study is conducted to explore the engineering of core–shell microgels such that the core can be rapidly labeled with a variety of fluorophores, while the shell retains the softness needed in specific biomedical applications. Azide containing crosslinked core particles based on a crosslinked poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) particle, using a one‐pot, multistep polymerization is synthesized. A core–shell microgel is then synthesized by growing a crosslinker‐free poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐co‐acrylic acid (ULC10AAc) shell through a two‐step seed and feed polymerization. A simple “click” reaction between the azide present on the core and dibenzocyclooctyne containing fluorophores to make dyed core–shell microgels is further demonstrated. This approach toward dyed core–shell microgels eliminates the difficulty of crossreactivity between shell‐localized chemoligation sites and the core‐localized functionalities. The use of strained‐ring systems to achieve the click reaction eliminates the use of cytotoxic catalysts common in traditional click chemistry. This approach allows not only to label the microgel core with different fluorophores but also to synthesize multiprobe core–shell microgel by simultaneously labeling a microgel core with multiple different fluorophores.
Failure of Stretchable Organic Solar Cells under Monotonic and Cyclic Loading
Authors: Oyewole Oluwaseun , Oyewole Deborah , Oyelade Omolara , Adeniji Sharafadeen , Koech Richard , Asare Joseph , Agyei‐Tuffour Benjamin , Soboyejo Winston
Published: September 2020

Results of experimental and computational studies of failure of stretchable organic solar cells (SOSCs) are presented here. The SOSCs are produced by the deposition of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) anodic layers on prestretched poly(dimethyl‐siloxane) (PDMS) substrates. This is followed by the deposition of active organic bulk heterojunction layers and cathodic eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn). Wrinkled structures are then formed by releasing the prestretched PDMS. The underlying failure associated with the formation of the wrinkled films is discussed, along with the subsequent mechanisms of deformation and cracking under monotonic and cyclic loading. Effects of monotonic and cyclic loading on the optical transmittance of the PEDOT:PSS layer and photoconversion efficiencies of the multilayered SOSC structures are also examined. An increase in the transmittance is observed as strain is applied to flatten the wrinkled structures. This enhances the power conversion efficiencies of the SOSCs as the strains increase from 0% to 32%. However, beyond this initial strain regime, the onset of overstretching decreases the optical transmittance and photoconversion efficiencies. The fatigue lifetimes of the layered SOSCs also decrease with increasing fatigue strain ranges between 10% and 25%. The decrease in the fatigue lifetimes is associated with a higher incidence of cracking and delamination.
The Spectrum of Repetitive Behaviors Associated With Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis
Authors: Pandey Sanjay , Shukla Tanvi , Mishra Anumeha
Published: September 2020

Background

Repetitive behaviors refer to a broad class of responses ranging from stereotypic body movements to impulsive/compulsive behaviors. They may be associated with neurological disorders.

Methods

This is a case series of six subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) patients who presented with a wide spectrum of repetitive motor behaviors and vocalizations.

Results

Repetitive motor behaviors involved the upper limbs in all patients and lower limbs in 3 patients. The repetitive movements in the upper limbs were clapping, finger‐clicking, hand rubbing, flailing, and dystonic posturing. In the lower limbs, the repetitive movements were rubbing with the heel, pelvic thrusting with flexion extension of the leg, and foot tapping. The spectrum of vocalizations included palilalia, whistling, grunting with spitting, and pathological crying. Repetitive behaviors were the presenting features in 2 patients.

Conclusions

This case series expands the spectrum of repetitive behaviors seen in neurological disorders associated with brain infections. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society