bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of deterministically positioned single‐bond surface‐enhanced Raman scattering from DNA origami assembled in plasmonic nanogaps
Authors: Chikkaraddy Rohit , Turek Vladimir A , Lin Qianqi , Griffiths Jack , de Nijs Bart , Keyser Ulrich F , Baumberg Jeremy J
Published: September 2020

We study the dynamics of single bonds through the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from single SERS‐marker molecules containing a distinctive single alkyl bond. Assembly of the nanogaps and positioning of single molecules inside the electromagnetic hotspot are precisely controlled using DNA origami constructs. The observed SERS intensities and their spectral wandering, together with electromagnetic simulations, all confirm the role of picocavities in this nanogap geometry in allowing observation of SERS signatures from individual vibrating bonds. The strong electromagnetic field around each picocavity and the transient binding of the SERS‐marker molecule reveal significant modifications to bond vibrations and selection rules over time.
Traveller‐generated destination image: Analysing Flickr photos of 193 countries worldwide
Authors: Taecharungroj Viriya , Mathayomchan Boonyanit
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this research is to introduce a method that utilises a combination of Google Cloud Vision AI's label detection and a topic‐modelling algorithm, latent Dirichlet allocation, to identify common destination images and to compare destinations worldwide. The study analyses 283,912 photos of 193 countries from Flickr.com, and 16 cognitive image attributes (CIAs) are identified. Subsequent hotspot analyses indicate the exact locations of these CIAs in three sample countries: France, the US, and Thailand. Destination marketing organisations (DMOs) can use this method to more effectively analyse and promote destinations during and after the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Sphingomyelin with N‐α‐Hydroxy Fatty Acyl Residue in Mouse Tissues
Authors: Ali Hanif , Yamashita Ryouhei , Morishige Jun‐ichi , Morito Katsuya , Kakiuchi Naoya , Hayashi Junji , Aihara Mutsumi , Kawakami Ryushi , Tsuchiya Koichiro , Tanaka Tamotsu
Published: September 2020

Sphingomyelin (SM) with N‐α‐hydroxy fatty acyl residues (hSM) has been shown to occur in mammalian skin and digestive epithelia. However, the metabolism and physiological relevance of this characteristic SM species have not been fully elucidated yet. Here, we show methods for mass spectrometric characterization and quantification of hSM. The hSM in mouse skin was isolated by TLC. The hydroxy hexadecanoyl residue was confirmed by electron impact ionization‐induced fragmentation in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Mass shift analysis of acetylated hSM by time of flight mass spectrometry revealed the number of hydroxyl groups in the molecule. After correcting the difference in detection efficacy, hSM in mouse skin and intestinal mucosa were quantified by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and found to be 16.5 ± 2.0 and 0.8 ± 0.4 nmol/μmol phospholipid, respectively. The methods described here are applicable to biological experiments on hSM in epithelia of the body surface and digestive tract.
Evaluation of endemic Chilean plant‐based Chañar extract (Geoffroea decorticans) as an inhibitor of corrosion for A36 steel under a saline environment
Authors: Díaz‐Gómez Andrés , Vera Rosa , Chacón Alexandra , Aguilar Luis F.
Published: September 2020

The use of inhibitors is one of the most practical modern methods in preventing and protecting against metal and alloy pipe corrosion. Exploring such additional inhibitors, particularly of natural origins, has become a key area of research. The present work, thus, evaluates the extract of a desert plant fruit, endemic to northern Chile, called Chañar (Geoffroea decorticans), as an inhibitor for the corrosion of A36 steel under a saline environment. Extract inhibition efficiency was evaluated by mass loss, polarization curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and surface morphology of the steel after assays was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Results showed the formation of a smooth surface on the steel in the presence of the extract and a rough surface in the absence of the extract; also, polarization curves indicated an inhibition efficiency of approximately 82% at a concentration of 200ppm extract, corroborated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The adsorption of the extract on the steel surface follows Langmuir's isotherm model, for which thermodynamic parameters suggest a physisorption mechanism.
RECOGNITION AND AVOIDANCE OF ION SOURCE‐GENERATED ARTIFACTS IN LIPIDOMICS ANALYSIS
Authors: Hu Changfeng , Luo Wenqing , Xu Jie , Han Xianlin
Published: September 2020

Lipid research is attracting more and more attention as various key roles and novel biological functions of lipids have been demonstrated and discovered in the organism. Mass spectrometry (MS)‐based lipidomics approaches are the most powerful and effective tools for analysis of cellular lipidomes with very high sensitivity and specificity. However, the artifacts generated from in‐source fragmentation are always present in all kinds of ion sources, even soft ionization techniques (i.e., electrospray ionization and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization [MALDI]). These artifacts can cause many problems for lipidomics, especially when the fragment ions correspond to/are isomeric species of other endogenous lipid species in complex biological samples. These commonly observed artifacts could lead to misannotation, false identification, and consequently, incorrect attribution of phenotypes, and will have negative impact on any MS‐based lipidomics research including but not limited to biomarker discovery, drug development, etc. Liquid chromatography‐MS, shotgun lipidomics, and MALDI‐MS imaging are three representative lipidomics approaches in which ion source‐generated artifacts are all manifested and are comprehensively summarized in this article. The strategies on how to avoid/reduce the artifacts of in‐source fragmentation on lipidomics analysis are also discussed in detail. We believe that with the recognition and avoidance of ion source‐generated artifacts, MS‐based lipidomics approaches will provide better accuracy on comprehensive analysis of biological samples and will make greater contribution to the research on metabolism and translational/precision medicine (collectively termed functional lipidomics). © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Mass Spec Rev
LC/ICP‐MS AND COMPLEMENTARY TECHNIQUES IN BESPOKE AND NONTARGETED SPECIATION ANALYSIS OF ELEMENTS IN FOOD SAMPLES
Authors: Lorenc Wiktor , Hanć Anetta , Sajnóg Adam , Barałkiewicz Danuta
Published: September 2020

Chemical elements speciation analysis of food samples has been among the most important scientific topics over the last decades. Food samples are comprised of high variety of chemical compounds, from which many can interact with metals and metalloids, forming complex elemental species with various influence on the human body. It is particularly important not only to determine the amount of certain chemical element in food sample but also to identify the form in which given element occurs in given sample. Employment of bespoke and nontargeted speciation methods, with the use of liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC/ICP‐MS) and complementary techniques, provides more complete picture on the metals and metalloids speciation in food. This review discusses issues concerning speciation analysis of metals and metalloids in food samples with the use of LC/ICP‐MS as a leading technique in elemental speciation nowadays and a complimentary technique intended for their identification. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Mass Spec Rev
Treatment Responsiveness of Parkinsonism in Atypical Pantothenate Kinase‐Associated Neurodegeneration
Authors: Feuerstein Jeanne , Olvera Caroline , Fullard Michelle
Published: September 2020

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Paroxysmal Tremor and Vertical Nystagmus Associated with Hypomagnesemia
Authors: Marse Claire , Druesne Vincent , Giordana Caroline
Published: September 2020

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Longstanding Paroxysmal Dyskinesia in GLUT1 Deficiency Syndrome
Authors: Coleman Juliana , Dean Marissa
Published: September 2020

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SMARTS.plus – A Toolbox for Chemical Pattern Design
Authors: Ehrt Christiane , Krause Bennet , Schmidt Robert , Ehmki Emanuel S. R. , Rarey Matthias
Published: September 2020

The number of publications concerning Pan‐Assay Interference Compounds and related problematic structural motifs in screening libraries is constantly growing. In consequence, filter collections are merged, extended but also critically discussed. Due to the complexity of the chemical pattern language SMARTS, an easy‐to‐use toolbox enabling every chemist to understand, design and modify chemical patterns is urgently needed. Over the past decade, we developed a series of software tools for visualizing, editing, creating, and analysing chemical patterns. Herein, we highlight how most of these tools can now be easily used as part of the novel SMARTS.plus web server (https://smarts.plus/). As a showcase, we demonstrate how researchers can apply the web server tools within minutes to derive novel SMARTS patterns for the filtering of frequent hitters from their screening libraries with only a little experience with the SMARTS language.
How Microbial Food Fermentation Supports a Tolerant Gut
Authors: Poppe Jonas , van Baarle Lies , Matteoli Gianluca , Verbeke Kristin
Published: September 2020

The gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex resident microbial ecosystem, comprising over 500 species, spanning commensals, mutualist, opportunistic, and professional pathogens thriving on undigested food components originating from the diet and endogenous secretions. Despite this high concentration of food and bacterial antigens, a healthy gut has a near absent level of inflammation, a status called intestinal immune homeostasis. This immune homeostasis is built and maintained in the presence, and interestingly, with cooperation of the microbiota. The microbiota ferments undigested food components into a wide variety of metabolites, some of which interact with the intestinal immune system. In particular short‐chain fatty acids, aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands, and bile acid metabolites have been involved in the induction of intestinal immune homeostasis. The production of these metabolites is influenced by the microbial load and community structure, as well as the availability of substrates and the gut environment which are directly or indirectly modulated by food intake. In this manuscript, the factors that influence the production of these metabolites and their interaction with the immune cells that play key roles in maintaining intestinal immune homeostasis in the healthy gut are reviewed.
A Combination of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms is Associated with the Interindividual Variability of Cholesterol Bioavailability in Healthy Adult Males
Authors: Desmarchelier Charles , Wolff Estelle , Defoort Catherine , Nowicki Marion , Morange Pierre‐Emmanuel , Alessi Marie‐Christine , Valéro René , Nicolay Alain , Lairon Denis , Borel Patrick
Published: September 2020

Scope

Cholesterol bioavailability displays a high interindividual variability, partly due to genetic factors. Existing studies have focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) analyzed individually, which only explained a minor fraction of the variability of this complex phenotype. The aim is to identify a combination of SNPs associated with a significant part of the variability in cholesterol bioavailability.

Methods and results

Thirty‐nine healthy adult males are given a standard test snack containing 80 mg heptadeuterated (D7) cholesterol. The plasma D7‐cholesterol concentration is measured at equilibrium 40 h after test snack intake. The D7‐cholesterol response (D7‐cholesterol/total cholesterol concentration) exhibits a relatively high interindividual variability (CV = 32%). The association of exonic SNPs in candidate genes (188 genes involved in or related to cholesterol metabolism) with the plasma D7‐cholesterol response is assessed by univariate statistics followed by partial least squares regression. A significant model (p‐value after cross‐validation ANOVA = 1.64 × 10−7) that includes 8 SNPs (SOAT2‐rs9658625, DNAH11‐rs11768670, LIPC‐rs690, MVK‐rs2287218, GPAM‐rs10787428, APOE‐rs7412, CBS‐rs234706, and WRN‐rs1801196) explains 59.7% of the variance in cholesterol bioavailability (adjusted R²).

Conclusion

Here a combination of SNPs is significantly associated with the variability in dietary cholesterol bioavailability in healthy adult males.
A Novel LC‐MS Based Targeted Metabolomic Approach to Study the Biomarkers of Food Intake
Authors: Tang Yao , Zhu Yingdong , Sang Shengmin
Published: September 2020

Scope

In this work, an integrated strategy is developed for rapid discovery, precise identification, and automated quantification for the biomarkers of food intake (BFIs) for specific food exposure using an ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography‐high‐resolution mass spectrometry (MS) based targeted metabolomics approach.

Methods and results

Using whole grain (WG) wheat intake as an example, the combination of paired mass distance networking and parallel reaction monitoring analysis is applied to selectively extract and identify WG metabolites in human urine samples. As a result, a total of 76 wheat phytochemical‐derived metabolites, including 17 alkylresorcinol metabolites, 20 benzoxazinoid derivatives, and 39 phenolic acid metabolites are identified. Subsequently, a MS spectral database consisting of the identified metabolites is created by mzVault. The characteristics of identified metabolites from the database are incorporated into the TraceFinder software to establish a quantification platform. Using a standardized urine sample, the authors are able to simultaneously quantify both free and conjugated (sulfate and glucuronide) WG wheat metabolites in real samples without further enzymatic hydrolysis, which is validated by using authentic standards to quantify these metabolites.

Conclusion

This novel strategy opens the window to study the biomarkers of specific food intake and make it feasible to validate the BFIs in large‐scale human studies.
3D printed coaxial microwave resonator sensor for dielectric measurements of liquid
Authors: Mohammed Ali Musa , Wang Yi , Lancaster Michael J.
Published: September 2020

This paper presents a coaxial resonator for dielectric measurements of low and medium loss liquids at multiple resonance frequencies up to 8 GHz with the fundamental transverse electromagnetic (TEM) resonant mode at 2 GHz. The measurement is by filling the entire resonator cavity with the material under test and the permittivity of the material is readily extracted using simple equations. This technique provides an easy and accurate extraction method of dielectric properties without any analytical approximation and dedicated software algorithm as used in broadband open coaxial probes or the complex perturbation formula in resonator‐based methods. This significantly reduces the risk of systematic errors from the model approximation. The measured quality factor of the resonator is 2650 to 3500 depending on the resonant mode. This allows for the measurement of samples with loss tangents up to 0.05 (Acetone taken as a reference). The device was made by 3D printing and verified by measurements of several common solvents at all four resonance frequencies. The results obtained agree well with values reported in literature. Further measurements of crude oil samples were carried out and results confirmed with values obtained using other techniques.
Experimental evaluation of the dosimetric impact of intrafraction prostate rotation using film measurement with a 6DoF robotic arm
Authors: Shi Kehuan , Dipuglia Andrew , Booth Jeremy , Alnaghy Saree , Kyme Andre , Keall Paul , Nguyen Doan Trang
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Tumor motion during radiotherapy can cause a reduction in target dose coverage and an increase in healthy tissue exposure. Tumor motion is not strictly translational and often exhibits complex six degree‐of‐freedom (6DoF) translational and rotational motion. Although the dosimetric impact of prostate tumor translational motion is well investigated, the dosimetric impact of 6DoF motion has only been studied with simulations or dose reconstruction. This study aims to experimentally quantify the dose error caused by 6DoF motion. The experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that 6DoF motion would cause larger dose errors than translational motion alone through gamma analyses of two‐dimensional film measurements.

Methods

Four patient‐measured intrafraction prostate motion traces and four VMAT 7.25 Gy/Fx SBRT treatment plans were selected for the experiment. The traces represented typical motion patterns, including small‐angle rotations (<4°), transient movement, persistent excursion, and erratic rotations (>6°). Gafchromic film was placed inside a custom‐designed phantom, held by a high‐precision 6DoF robotic arm for dose measurements in the coronal plane during treatment delivery. For each combination of the motion trace and treatment plan, two film measurements were made, one with 6DoF motion and the other with the three‐dimensional (3D) translation components of the same trace. A gamma pass rate criteria of 2% relative dose/2 mm distance‐to‐agreement was used in this study and evaluated for each measurement with respect to the static reference film. Two test thresholds, 90% and 50% of the reference dose, were applied to investigate the difference in dose coverage for the PTV region and surrounding areas, respectively. The hypothesis was tested using a Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.

Results

For each of the 16 plan and motion trace pairs, a reduction in the gamma pass rate was observed for 6DoF motion compared with 3D translational motion. With 90% gamma‐test threshold, the reduction was 5.8% ± 7.1% (P < 0.01). With 50% gamma‐test threshold, the reduction was 4.1% ± 4.8% (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

For the first time, the dosimetric impact of intrafraction prostate rotation during SBRT treatment was measured experimentally. The experimental results support the hypothesis that 6DoF tumor motion causes higher dose error than translation motion alone.
Differential involvement of myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers in painful diabetic polyneuropathy
Authors: Galosi Eleonora , Di Pietro Giuseppe , La Cesa Silvia , Di Stefano Giulia , Leone Caterina , Fasolino Alessandra , Di Lionardo Andrea , Leonetti Frida , Buzzetti Raffaella , Mollica Cristina , Cruccu Giorgio , Truini Andrea
Published: September 2020

Background

We aimed at evaluating the differential involvement of large myelinated Aβ‐, small myelinated Aδ‐, and unmyelinated C‐fibers in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy and how they contribute to neuropathic pain.

Methods

We collected clinical and diagnostic test variables in 133 consecutive patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. All patients underwent Aβ‐fiber mediated nerve conduction study, Aδ‐fiber mediated laser‐evoked potentials and skin biopsy mainly assessing unmyelinated C‐fibers.

Results

Pure large‐fiber and small‐fiber polyneuropathy were relatively uncommon; conversely mixed‐fiber polyneuropathy was the most common type of diabetic polyneuropathy (74%). The frequency of neuropathic pain was similar in the three different polyneuropathies. Ongoing burning pain and dynamic mechanical allodynia were similarly associated with specific small‐fiber related variables.

Conclusions

Diabetic polyneuropathy mainly manifests as a mixed‐fiber polyneuropathy, simultaneously involving Aβ‐, Aδ‐, and C‐fibers. In most patients, neuropathic pain is distinctly associated with small‐fiber damage. The evidence that the frequency of neuropathic pain does not differ across pure large‐, pure small‐, and mixed‐fiber polyneuropathy, raises the possibility that in patients with pure large‐fiber polyneuropathy nociceptive nerve terminal involvement might be undetected by standard diagnostic techniques.
Appropriate window width for the “clustering index method” in the tibialis anterior muscle
Authors: Sonoo Masahiro , Uesugi Haruo , Ogawa Go , Hokkoku Keiichi , Kanbayashi Takamichi , Higashihara Mana , Stålberg Stefan , Stålberg Erik
Published: September 2020

We previously reported a new quantitative analysis of single‐channel surface electromyography (EMG), the “clustering index method” (CI method), in the tibialis anterior muscle, which achieved sufficiently good sensitivity to detect neurogenic or myogenic abnormalities. The window width is a fundamental parameter of the CI method, and was arbitrarily set at 15 ms in that study. In this study, we searched for the most appropriate window width using expanded patient data. The data from our previous study were reanalyzed, and new patients were enrolled. Window width in the CI method was changed from 5 to 27.5 ms with a step of 2.5 ms. For each window width, Z‐score values of individual subjects were calculated and the diagnostic yield was investigated. We enrolled 67 controls, 29 subjects with neurogenic disorders, and 39 with myogenic disorders. When the window width was set at 22.5 ms, the highest sensitivity was achieved both for neurogenic (97%) and myogenic (72%) disorders, with a specificity of 97%. Seven of 10 patients with inclusion body myositis were also abnormal. Reliable results were obtained by collecting 15 epochs per subject. There are two conflicting effects that appear to be best balanced at a window width of 22.5 ms: a wider width decreases the chance that a motor unit potential (MUP) is divided into two adjacent windows, and a narrower width reduces the possibility that an MUP firing at a low‐frequency is counted twice by the differential sequences. CI is promising as a non‐invasive method to diagnose neuromuscular disorders.
Antifouling membrane based on sodium alginate coated polyamide thin film composite for desalination of brackish water
Authors: Kancherla Ravichand , Vadeghar Ramesh Kumar , Ginuga Prabhaker Reddy , Sridhar Sundergopal
Published: September 2020

Sodium alginate coated polyamide thin film composite (SA/PA‐TFC) membranes were synthesized for the desalination of brackish water through reverse osmosis. Membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, AFM, thermogravimetry, and universal testing machine for structural analysis, crystallinity, morphological, compositional, thermal, and mechanical properties, respectively. The effect of feed pressure on water flux and % salt rejection was quantified. Simulation results generated using the commercial process simulator PRO/II were in good agreement with the experimental data. Case studies using simulator were performed for brackish water with different salinity to optimize operating pressure based on product unit cost (PUC) by varying the feed pressure and membrane area. The calculated PUCs were found to be 0.9 and 0.3 $/m3 for corresponding feed total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations of 5000 and 500 mg/L at an optimum pressure of 10 bar, to achieve a salt rejection of 98% using a membrane area of 335 m2. We believe these membranes are a prospective solution for brackish water desalination.
Recent advances and attempts in synthesis of conjugated nanobelts
Authors: Chen Han , Miao Qian
Published: September 2020

Conjugated nanobelts are attractive molecules of esthetic appeal, synthetic challenges, unique properties, interesting applications, and potential impacts. The recent years have witnessed significant progress in the synthesis of carbon nanobelts and approaches to a new type of conjugated nanobelts. This review emphasizes two general synthetic strategies to approach conjugated nanobelts, and briefly covers structurally related nanobelts that are not fully conjugated, and finally provides an outlook for new directions in the field.
Plasma agriculture: Review from the perspective of the plant and its ecosystem
Authors: Ranieri Pietro , Sponsel Nicholas , Kizer Jon , Rojas‐Pierce Marcela , Hernández Ricardo , Gatiboni Luciano , Grunden Amy , Stapelmann Katharina
Published: September 2020

Plasma agriculture details the role of nonthermal plasma in the development of plants from seeds to crops. Several publications reported enhanced plant growth, improved stress tolerance, and antimicrobial effects of plasma treatment and plasma‐treated water. In this review, we present an overview of the recent plasma agriculture literature and put it in the context of the plant needs and the effects on the plant ecosystem. We will discuss key developmental stages of plants and their needs, the different growth environments from hydroponics to soilless and soil substrates, and the plant microbiome. This review provides the context to design plasma‐based fertilization strategies to address the needs of plants and their ecosystem.
Arenaria kansuensis attenuates pulmonary fibrosis in mice via the activation of Nrf2 pathway and the inhibition of NF‐kB/TGF‐beta1/Smad2/3 pathway
Authors: Cui Yulei , Xin Huawei , Tao Yanduo , Mei Lijuan , Wang Zhen
Published: September 2020

Pulmonary fibrosis is a key feature of COVID‐19, Chinese herbal medicine Arenaria kansuensis has been used for curing pulmonary disease and antivirus for a long time and it has the potential against COVID‐19. In this work, protective effect of A. kansuensis ethanol extract (AE) on pulmonary fibrosis was evaluated through paraquat (PQ)‐induced pulmonary fibrosis animal model. Results showed that AE could significantly improve the survival rate, increase the body weight and reduce the lung index of mice at the raw drug doses of 700 and 350 mg/kg. Histopathological observation results showed that the destruction degree of lung tissue structure in mice was significantly improved with the increase of AE dosage. Collagen deposition in lung interstitium was significantly reduced. The marker protein alpha‐SMA involved in PF were significantly inhibited through repressing TGF‐beta1/Smads pathway. The degree of inflammatory infiltration was significantly reduced and inflammatory cytokines were significantly inhibited in mice through inhibiting the NF‐kB‐p65. Besides, oxidant stress level including upregulated ROS and down‐regulated SOD and GSH was efficiently improved by AE through upregulation of Nrf2 and downregulation of NOX4. In summary, this study firstly showed that the protective effect of AE on pulmonary fibrosis was partly due to activation of Nrf2 pathway and the inhibition of NF‐kB/TGF‐beta1/Smad2/3 pathway.
A review on disease burden and epidemiology of childhood parainfluenza virus infections in Asian countries
Authors: Rafeek Rukshan A. M. , Divarathna Maduja V. M. , Noordeen Faseeha
Published: September 2020

Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are an important cause of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) in children less than 5 years, second only to human respiratory syncytial viruses (HRSVs). Generally, patients infected with HPIVs are treated in outpatient clinics, yet also contribute to ARTI‐associated hospitalization in children. Although HPIV infections are well studied in developed countries, these infections remain under‐investigated and not considered in the routine laboratory diagnosis of childhood ARTI in many developing countries in Asia. We performed an extensive literature search on the prevalence, epidemiology, and burden of HPIV infections in children less than 5 years in Asia using PubMed and PubMed Central search engines. Based on the literature, the prevalence of HPIV infection in Asia ranges from 1% to 66%. According to many studies, HPIV‐3 is the major virus circulating among children; however, several studies failed to detect HPIV‐4 due to unavailability of diagnostic tools. In Asian countries, HPIV contributes a substantial disease burden in children. The data in this review should assist researchers and public health authorities to plan preventive measures, including accelerating research on vaccines and antiviral drugs.
An integral extension technique for continuous homogeneous state‐feedback control laws preserving nominal performance
Authors: Seeber Richard , Moreno Jaime A.
Published: September 2020

This paper proposes a technique to extend a nominal homogeneous state‐feedback control law by continuous or discontinuous integral terms. Compared to pure state feedback, this permits to suppress non‐vanishing perturbations that are either constant or Lipschitz continuous with respect to time. The proposed technique seeks to do this while maintaining nominal performance in the sense that the nominal control signal and closed‐loop behavior is not modified in the unperturbed case. The class of controllers thus obtained is shown to include the well‐known super‐twisting algorithm as a special case. Simulations comparing the technique to other approaches demonstrate its intuitive tuning and show a performance preserving effect also in the perturbed case.
Remote sensing data fusion as a tool for biomass prediction in extensive grasslands invaded by L. polyphyllus
Authors: Schulze‐Brüninghoff Damian , Wachendorf Michael , Astor Thomas
Published: September 2020

Remote sensing data fusion is a powerful tool to gain information of quantitative and qualitative vegetation properties on field level. The aim of this study was to develop prediction models from sensor data fusion for fresh and dry matter yield (FMY/DMY) in extensively managed grasslands with variable degree of invasion by Lupinus polyphyllus. Therefore, a terrestrial 3d laser scanner (TLS) and a drone‐based hyperspectral camera was used to collect high resolution 3d point clouds and hyperspectral aerial orthomosaics of four extremely heterogenous grasslands. From 3d point clouds multiple features (vegetation height, sum of voxel, point density and surface structure) were extracted and combined with hyperspectral data to develop an optimized biomass model from random forest regression algorithm to predict FMY and DMY (ntrain = 130, ntest = 33). Models from hyperspectral data solitarily had the lowest prediction performance (FMY: R2 = 0.61, nRMSEr = 17.14; DMY: R2 = 0.59, nRMSEr = 19.37). Higher performance was gained by models derived from 3d laser data (FMY: R2 = 0. 76, nRMSEr = 13.3; DMY: R2 = 0. 74, nRMSEr = 15.1). A fusion of both sensor systems increased the FMY prediction performance up to R2 = 0.8; nRMSEr = 12.02 and the DMY prediction performance to R2 = 0.81 and nRMSEr = 12.06. The fusion of complementary sensor systems can increase the power to predict biomass yields of heterogenous and extensively managed grasslands. It is a novel alternative to labour‐intensive, traditional biomass prediction methods and to remote sensing methods using only single sensor data.
Evaluation of a microplate spectrophotometer for soil organic carbon determination in south‐central Idaho
Authors: Bierer Andrew M. , Leytem April B. , Rogers Christopher W. , Dungan Robert S.
Published: September 2020

Determination of soil organic carbon (SOC) is highly desirable for assessing fertility and carbon sequestration; however, numerous methods of determination warrant study of method agreement. Recently, a novel method was developed following dichromate oxidation using a microplate spectrophotometer. This novel method was compared with (a) total C by dry combustion − soil inorganic carbon (DCw/o pretreatment–pressure calcimater [Pcal]); (b) traditional Walkley–Black titration (WBTIT) and (c) loss on ignition (LOI360°C) in calcareous soils of south‐central Idaho (n = 75) in conjunction with North American Proficiency Testing program soils (n = 10). A two‐way ANOVA was fit with soils as a blocking factor to identify any difference between methods; means were separated using Tukey's honestly significant difference test (α = .05). Additional comparisons were made for all soils (n = 85) and for soils in the lower 75th percentile of SOC determined by WBTIT (n = 56) using regression analysis. Only the WBTIT and LOI360°C methods were statistically equivalent nevertheless there was high agreement (Lin's concordance coefficients > .90) between all methods (n = 85). Under low SOC soils (n = 56) the agreement between all methods decreased, but the Walkley–Black spectrophotometric method (WBSPEC) method fit other methods comparatively well r2 = .71, .74, and .78 for LOI360°C, DCw/o pretreatment–Pcal, and WBTIT respectively. The WBSPEC method provided estimates of SOC between the methods currently used in the region while reducing hazardous waste generation over traditional WBTIT and sample handling over LOI360°C and DCw/o pretreatment–Pcal methods, positioning it as a sensible option for SOC determination in low SOC calcareous soils of south‐central Idaho.
Efficient Slantwise Aligned Dion–Jacobson Phase Perovskite Solar Cells Based on Trans‐1,4‐Cyclohexanediamine
Authors: Wang Han , Qin Zhaotong , Xie Jiangsheng , Zhao Shenghe , Liu Kuan , Guo Xinlu , Li Gang , Lu Xinhui , Yan Keyou , Xu Jianbin
Published: September 2020

The crystalline orientation and phase distribution are two important parameters for high‐performance 2D perovskite solar cells. Therefore, it is essential to understand how the structure of spacer ligands influences the orientation and phase distribution of resulting 2D perovskite films. In this work, a new member of Dion–Jacobson (DJ) phase 2D perovskites based on trans‐1,4‐cyclohexanediamine (CHDA) is demonstrated and it is found that the crystalline orientation is self‐aligned spontaneously, which is different from the well‐known graded distribution in controlled sample with its isomer 1,6‐diaminohexane (HDA) as spacer ligand. Grazing incident X‐ray scattering suggests that the exact alignment is strongly slantwise to the substrate while it is still beneficial for charge transfer along the vertical structure of devices. The devices can achieve high efficiency up to 15.01% for (CHDA)MA3Pb4I13 (n = 4), one of the highest efficiencies reported by now. The encapsulated (CHDA)MA3Pb4I13 (n = 4) devices can retain 80.7% efficiency for 270 min under continuous maximum power point tracking. (CHDA)MA3Pb4I13 (n = 4) devices can retain 96.5% efficiency under 60 °C and 74.4% efficiency under 70 °C heating for 68 h. The results demonstrate the slantwise aligned DJ phase perovskite solar cells with excellent stability.
Air Retention under Water by the Floating Fern Salvinia: The Crucial Role of a Trapped Air Layer as a Pneumatic Spring
Authors: Gandyra Daniel , Walheim Stefan , Gorb Stanislav , Ditsche Petra , Barthlott Wilhelm , Schimmel Thomas
Published: September 2020

The ability of floating ferns Salvinia to keep a permanent layer of air under water is of great interest, e.g., for drag‐reducing ship coatings. The air‐retaining hairs are superhydrophobic, but have hydrophilic tips at their ends, pinning the air–water interface. Here, experimental and theoretical approaches are used to examine the contribution of this pinning effect for air‐layer stability under pressure changes. By applying the capillary adhesion technique, the adhesion forces of individual hairs to the water surface is determined to be about 20 µN per hair. Using confocal microscopy and fluorescence labeling, it is found that the leaves maintain a stable air layer up to an underpressure of 65 mbar. Combining both results, overall pinning forces are obtained, which account for only about 1% of the total air‐retaining force. It is suggested that the restoring force of the entrapped air layer is responsible for the remaining 99%. This model of the entrapped air acting is verified as a pneumatic spring (“air‐spring”) by an experiment shortcircuiting the air layer, which results in immediate air loss. Thus, the plant enhances its air‐layer stability against pressure fluctuations by a factor of 100 by utilizing the entrapped air volume as an elastic spring.
Restoring the Nitrogen Cycle by Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrate: Progress and Prospects
Authors: Zeng Yachao , Priest Cameron , Wang Guofeng , Wu Gang
Published: September 2020

The increasing amount of anthropogenic nitrogen has resulted in alarming levels of nitrate in bodies of water and caused a cascade of damage to the environment and human health. Electrochemical nitrate reduction is an efficient strategy ancillary to biological nitrogen cycle management, which utilizes electrons as green reductants and rebalances the N2 cycle. In this review, the fundamental principles and implementation of electrochemical nitrate reduction are described to lay the foundation for the eventual large‐scale application in the remediation of nitrate‐laden wastewaters. Factors that influence the activity and selectivity of electrochemical nitrate reduction are also discussed. Moreover, electrolytic cell design and construction are discussed via a rational choice of critical components and assembly. Finally, a roadmap for the development of highly selective nitrate reduction catalysts is proposed. This review attempts to provide a practical strategy for electrochemical nitrogen cycle management and aims to stimulate future research for final implementation.
Wage discrimination in the NBA: Evidence using free agent signings
Authors: Johnson Candon , Minuci Eduardo
Published: September 2020

This article takes a step toward understanding potential causes of wage discrimination in an economy highly dependent on the service industry. Traditionally categorized within the service industry, professional sport leagues such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) provides a unique setting to examine the potential impact of race on salary. We analyze free agency contract signings, which allow us to better capture the determinants of players' wages, from 2011 to 2017 to investigate the prominence of wage discrimination in the NBA. Using weighted linear regression models and the Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition, we find that Black athletes are paid significantly less than their counterparts. In addition, we also identify the presence of consumer discrimination after controlling the exposure of a player to the audience, which is observed through the interaction term between the share of MSA population which is White and an identifier for whether a player is Black.
The Rise of Prussian Blue Analogs: Challenges and Opportunities for High‐Performance Cathode Materials in Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhao Shuoqing , Guo Ziqi , Yan Kang , Guo Xin , Wan Shuwei , He Fengrong , Sun Bing , Wang Guoxiu
Published: September 2020

Potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) are emerging as one of the potential alternatives to lithium‐ion batteries for next‐generation rechargeable battery systems. Nevertheless, the lack of suitable cathode materials with high capacity hinders their practical applications. Recently, Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) cathode materials stand out as promising candidates for PIBs. Their unique crystal structure with open 3D frameworks and large interstitial voids favors fast K+ intercalation without causing drastic volume expansion, which is the prerequisite for high‐rate and long‐term battery operation. Herein, a fundamental review on the development and advance of PBAs cathode materials is presented for PIBs with in‐depth elucidation of their crystal structures, chemical compositions, and electrochemical performances. Particularly, the unique and prominent advantages of PBAs in both aqueous and nonaqueous PIBs are highlighted. In addition, to bridge the current gap from the laboratory to future commercialization, potential improvement strategies are proposed to overcome the present drawbacks. Finally, perspectives and new insights are provided for further exploration and research in PBAs for better PIBs.
Self‐Assembly of ZnII/CdII/PbII Coordination Polymers with a Tripodal Ligand Derived from Aromatase Inhibitor Letrozole Derivative
Authors: Si Jin‐Ping , Wang Wen‐Jing , Chang Jun , Huang Kun‐Lin , Zhang Zhi‐Hui , Chen Sheng‐Chun , He Ming‐Yang , Chen Qun
Published: September 2020

Reactions of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole derivative 4,4'‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)methylene‐bis(benzonic acid) (H2tzmb) with ZnII, CdII, or PbII salts under similar conditions resulted in the generation of three coordination polymers, namely, {[Zn(tzmb)(H2tzmb)]·H2O}n (1), [Cd(tzmb)(H2O)2]n (2), and {[Pb(tzmb)(H2O)]·DMF}n (3), respectively. Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analyses. Complex 1 features a twofold 2D → 2D interpenetrated network based on corrugated 63‐hcb layers, and complex 2 exhibits a flat 2D 4.82‐fes network, whereas complex 3 presents a 3D hex net based on infinite rod‐shaped secondary building units. The remarkable structural diversity may illustrate the powerful effect of metal ions on coordination assemblies. The spectroscopic, thermal, and photoluminescent properties of complexes 1–3 were investigated. In addition, the catalytic activity of 1 in the solvent‐free ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone was also discussed.
Gradual transitivity in orthogonality spaces of finite rank
Authors: Vetterlein Thomas
Published: September 2020

An orthogonality space is a set together with a symmetric and irreflexive binary relation. Any linear space equipped with a reflexive and anisotropic inner product provides an example: the set of one-dimensional subspaces together with the usual orthogonality relation is an orthogonality space. We present simple conditions to characterise the orthogonality spaces that arise in this way from finite-dimensional Hermitian spaces. Moreover, we investigate the consequences of the hypothesis that an orthogonality space allows gradual transitions between any pair of its elements. More precisely, given elements e and f, we require a homomorphism from a divisible subgroup of the circle group to the automorphism group of the orthogonality space to exist such that one of the automorphisms maps e to f, and any of the automorphisms leaves the elements orthogonal to e and f fixed. We show that our hypothesis leads us to positive definite quadratic spaces. By adding a certain simplicity condition, we furthermore find that the field of scalars is Archimedean and hence a subfield of the reals.
Anatomic reduction of the sacroiliac joint in unstable pelvic ring injuries and its correlation with functional outcome
Authors: Jäckle Katharina , Spering Christopher , Seitz Mark-Tilmann , Höller Sebastian , Meier Marc-Pascal , Hahn Franziska Melanie , Acharya Mehool R. , Lehmann Wolfgang
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Reduction and percutaneous screw fixation of sacroiliac joint disruptions and sacral fractures are surgical procedures for stabilizing the posterior pelvic ring. It is unknown, however, whether smaller irregularities or the inability to achieve an anatomic reduction of the joint and the posterior pelvic ring affects the functional outcome. Here, the long-term well-being of patients with and without anatomic reduction of the posterior pelvis after sacroiliac joint disruptions is described.

Methods

Between 2011 and 2017, 155 patients with pelvic injuries underwent surgical treatment. Of these, 39 patients with sacroiliac joint disruption were examined by radiological images and computer tomography (CT) diagnostics and classified according to Tile. The functional outcome of the different surgical treatments was assessed using the short form health survey-36 (SF-36) and the Majeed pelvic score.

Results

Complete data sets were available for 31 patients, including 14 Tile type C and 17 type B injuries. Of those, 26 patients received an anatomic reduction, 5 patients obtained a shift up to 10 mm (range 5–10 mm). The SF-36 survey showed that the anatomic reduction was significantly better in restoring the patient’s well being (vitality, bodily pain, general mental health and emotional well-being). Patients without this treatment reported a decrease in their general health status.

Conclusions

Anatomic reduction was achieved in over 80% of patients in this study. When comparing the long-term well-being of patients with and without anatomic reduction of the posterior pelvis after sacroiliac joint disruptions, the results suggest that anatomical restoration of the joint is beneficial for the patients.
Differential gene expression of tumor-infiltrating CD33+ myeloid cells in advanced- versus early-stage colorectal cancer
Authors: Toor Salman M. , Taha Rowaida Z. , Sasidharan Nair Varun , Saleh Reem , Murshed Khaled , Abu Nada Mohamed , Elkord Eyad
Published: September 2020

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has high mortality rates, especially in patients with advanced disease stages, who often do not respond to therapy. The cellular components of the tumor microenvironment are essentially responsible for dictating disease progression and response to therapy. Expansion of different myeloid cell subsets in CRC tumors has been reported previously. However, tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells have both pro- and anti-tumor roles in disease progression. In this study, we performed transcriptomic profiling of cells of myeloid lineage (CD33+) from bulk CRC tumors at varying disease stages. We identified differentially expressed genes and pathways between CRC patients with advanced stage and early stages. We found that pro-angiogenic and hypoxia-related genes were upregulated, while genes related to immune and inflammatory responses were downregulated in CD33+ myeloid cells from patients with advanced stages, implying that immune cell recruitment and activation could be compromised in advanced disease stages. Moreover, we identified a unique “poor prognosis CD33+ gene signature” by aligning top upregulated and downregulated genes in tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells from our analyses with data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Our results showed that this gene signature is an independent prognostic indicator for disease-specific survival in CRC patients, potentially reflecting its clinical importance.
The Interaction Effect of Drought and Exogenous Application of Zearalenone on the Physiological, Biochemical Parameters and Yield of Legumes
Authors: Dziurka Michał , Maksymowicz Anna , Ostrowska Agnieszka , Biesaga-Kościelniak Jolanta
Published: September 2020

The effectiveness of exogenously applied zearalenone (ZEN) in alleviating water deficiency stress of pea (Pisum sativum L.) and yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus L.) was analyzed in the pot experiment. ZEN was applied in the form of spraying in the flowering phase on the first day of induced drought. The effectiveness of ZEN was evaluated based on physiological (electrolyte leakage, greenness, and photosystem II activity) and biochemical (protein, proline, ascorbic acid contents, and antioxidant enzyme activity) parameters after 14 days of drought. The yield and yield quality defined as yield components, total protein, fats, sugars, and antioxidants (tocopherols and β-carotene) were measured in newly formed seeds. ZEN residue in the seeds was analyzed employing UHPLC-MS/MS to exclude its accumulation. The results showed the possibility of reducing the effects of drought stress through the use of ZEN. It was manifested by increased cell membranes stability and antioxidant enzyme activity and above all ZEN increased crop yield, compared to untreated plants. ZEN modified seed composition by inducing the accumulation of fats and antioxidants. There was no accumulation of exogenous ZEN in seeds.