bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulated rhizosphere deposits induce microbial N‐mining that may accelerate shrubification in the subarctic
Authors: Hicks Lettice C. , Leizeaga Ainara , Rousk Kathrin , Michelsen Anders , Rousk Johannes
Published: May 2020

Climate change is exposing high‐latitude systems to warming and a shift towards more shrub‐dominated plant communities, resulting in increased leaf‐litter inputs at the soil surface, and more labile root‐derived organic matter (OM) input in the soil profile. Labile OM can stimulate the mineralization of soil organic matter (SOM); a phenomenon termed “priming.” In N‐poor subarctic soils, it is hypothesized that microorganisms may “prime” SOM in order to acquire N (microbial N‐mining). Increased leaf‐litter inputs with a high C/N ratio might further exacerbate microbial N demand, and increase the susceptibility of N‐poor soils to N‐mining. We investigated the N‐control of SOM mineralization by amending soils from climate change–simulation treatments in the subarctic (+1.1°C warming, birch litter addition, willow litter addition, and fungal sporocarp addition) with labile OM either in the form of glucose (labile C; equivalent to 400 µg C/g fresh [fwt] soil) or alanine (labile C + N; equivalent to 400 µg C and 157 µg N/g fwt soil), to simulate rhizosphere inputs. Surprisingly, we found that despite 5 yr of simulated climate change treatments, there were no significant effects of the field‐treatments on microbial process rates, community structure or responses to labile OM. Glucose primed the mineralization of both C and N from SOM, but gross mineralization of N was stimulated more than that of C, suggesting that microbial SOM use increased in magnitude and shifted to components richer in N (i.e., selective microbial N‐mining). The addition of alanine also resulted in priming of both C and N mineralization, but the N mineralization stimulated by alanine was greater than that stimulated by glucose, indicating strong N‐mining even when a source of labile OM including N was supplied. Microbial carbon use efficiency was reduced in response to both labile OM inputs. Overall, these findings suggest that shrub expansion could fundamentally alter biogeochemical cycling in the subarctic, yielding more N available for plant uptake in these N‐limited soils, thus driving positive plant–soil feedbacks.
Masking effects on subjective annoyance to aircraft flyover noise: An fMRI study
Authors: Yu Nishuai , Cai Jun , Xu Xuanyue , Yang Yining , Sun Junfeng
Published: May 2020

Sound masking, a new noise control technology, has been applied to improve subjective perception of noise in recent years. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this technology are still unclear. In this study, 18 healthy subjects were recurited to take subjective annoyance assessments and fMRI scanning with the aircraft noise and the masked aircraft noise. The results showed that the noise annoyance was associated with deficient functional connectivity between anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and prefrontal cortex and exceeded brain activation in ACC, which might be explained as compensation. The sound masking led to significantly strong activation in the left medial frontal cortex and right medial orbital frontal cortex, which were associated with happy emotion induced by sound masking. This study offered new insights on the underlying neural mechanisms of sound masking effects.
Synthesis of Ahod Moiety of Ralstonin A Using Amino Acid Schiff Base Ni(II)‐Complex Chemistry
Authors: Oyama Kie , Han Jianlin , Moriwaki Hiroki , Soloshonok Vadim A. , Konno Hiroyuki
Published: May 2020

Reported here is the asymmetric synthesis of N‐Boc‐protected (2S,3S)‐3‐amino‐2‐hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, a component of ralstonin A and ralstoamide A. Key synthetic steps include alkylation of chiral Ni(II) complex of glycine Schiff base, conversion of COOH to keto acid (CO−COOH) and reduction of the carbonyl group to generate α‐hydroxy functionality. The structure and absolute configuration of (2S,3S)‐N‐Boc‐3‐amino‐2‐hydroxyoctadecanoic acid was shown to be identical to that of the naturally occurring compound.
The Post: A token woman leader's transformation
Authors: Cho Yonjoo
Published: May 2020

In this precarious time of staying at home due to the Covid‐19 pandemic, people often ask around what movies are worth watching. I recommend the movie, The Post, directed by Steven Spielberg in 2017. In this review, I am going to provide a rationale for why I keep returning to the movie: it gave me opportunities to ponder what it means to be a token woman leader who began as a housewife and became a transformational leader in U.S. history. I present here select notable scenes that are memorable and inspiring. To that end, I capture the scenes first and then add my own reviews from the lens of women's leadership. My conclusion: we need to hear more transformational women leaders' voices that will help inspire women in the next generation.
Subjective power and emotions in everyday interpersonal interactions: Counterparts' constrictive posture as moderator
Authors: Liang Li , Ma Tsz Wah , Hou Wai Kai
Published: May 2020

Power is one of the vital components embedded within interpersonal interactions, but few studies have studied it in everyday life context. This experience sampling study examined the associations of subjective power with emotional well‐being and investigated the moderating effects of counterpart' postures in the associations. Our results demonstrated that individuals reported higher positive emotions and lower negative emotions when they perceived higher subjective power. Their positive emotions were positively correlated with counterparts' expansive postures while negative emotions were positively correlated with counterparts' constrictive postures. The subjective power‐negative emotion associations were stronger when counterparts displayed higher level of constrictive posture. Our findings provide an evidence base for a comprehensive understanding on the role of subjective power and perception of counterparts' power‐related posture in dyadic communications in emotional well‐being.
Alteration of the morphology of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane by incorporatingMOF‐199 nanomaterials for improving water permeation with antifouling and antibacterial property
Authors: Wang Hai‐Tao , Ao De , Lu Mei‐Chan , Chang Na
Published: May 2020

MOF‐199@PVDF composite membranes are prepared by blending with different amounts of ultrasonic synthesized MOF‐199 nanomaterials for improving the pure water flux (PWF) and achieving better antifouling and antibacterial performance. The membrane morphology, elemental composition, and surface properties are analyzed by various means of characterizations, including scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and water contact angle measurements. The performance of the modified membranes is also determined from the perspective of the PWF, bovine serum albumin rejection, as well as antifouling and antibacterial properties. Due to the variation in the viscosity of dope solution, the composite membranes possess remarkably different morphology, and the M5 membrane, which exhibited a sponge‐like structure, the largest surface pore size, and the highest porosity, shows the highest PWF, reaching up to 185.05 L/m2h. Moreover, with the incorporation of MOF‐199 nanocrystals, the antifouling property, together with the antibacterial property, toward both gram‐negative bacteria and gram‐positive bacteria, based on M5 and M7 membranes, increases dramatically compared with the pristine polyvinylidene fluoride membrane. In addition, the long‐term permeation performance and copper leakage of the membrane are investigated. As a result, the composite membrane, M5, shows great potential in real water treatment.
Sequential extraction of lutein and β‐carotene from wet microalgal biomass
Authors: Di Caprio Fabrizio , Altimari Pietro , Pagnanelli Francesca
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Microalgae are a promising resource to produce carotenoids for food/feed applications. However, energy‐intensive pre‐treatments such as drying and cell destruction can hinder the sustainability of the process. Direct extraction from wet biomass may reduce energy consumption, but the residual water can reduce the effectiveness of the organic solvents used for the extraction. In this work, the extraction of lutein and β‐carotene from wet untreated microalgal biomass is investigated. The process includes a sequence of successive extraction stages with methanol.

RESULTS

We show that the sequential extraction can effectively overcome the reduced extraction efficiency induced by the residual water in the biomass. The biomass was dehydrated during the first extraction stage, which increased the efficiency starting from the second stage. This allowed an extraction yield of >95% to be attained for both lutein and β‐carotene after five extraction stages. A mathematical model was developed by coupling mass balances with a linear equilibrium model, satisfactorily describing the partition of the two carotenoids between the solid and the solvent phase. By fitting the model to the data obtained by the first extraction stage, liquid–solid partition coefficients (Kd) equal to 2.0 × 10−3 and 1.1 × 10−4 were estimated for lutein and β‐carotene, respectively. The Kd of both carotenoids increased to ≈10−2 during the six subsequent extraction stages without water.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct solvent extraction from wet untreated microalgal biomass is a promising strategy to produce carotenoids. The described model can provide guidelines to design industrial processes. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Microwave‐assisted synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrazole‐4‐carbonitriles as antimicrobial agents
Authors: Sood Sumit , Kumari Poonam , Yadav Ajar Nath , Kumar Anil , Singh Karan
Published: May 2020

An efficient microwave‐assisted method of synthesis of pyrazole‐4‐carbonitriles has been developed. Condensation of pyrazole‐4‐carbaldehydes with hydroxylamine hydrochloride followed by reaction of the resulting oximes with the Vilsmeier‐Haack reagent pre‐formed from phthaloyl dichloride and dimethylformamide under microwave irradiation afforded the corresponding pyrazole‐4‐carbonitriles in 73% to 91% yield. The operational simplicity, avoidance of toxic reagents such as POCl3, shorter reaction time, higher yield compared to the classical version, easy work up, and the use of the by‐product in the regeneration of phthaloyl dichloride are the advantages of this methodology. All the target compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus; Gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Yersinia enterocolitica, and the fungal species Candida albicans.
Revisiting the trustworthiness–trust relationship: Exploring the differential predictors of cognition‐ and affect‐based trust
Authors: Tomlinson Edward C. , Schnackenberg Andrew K. , Dawley David , Ash Steven R.
Published: May 2020

We seek to develop a better understanding of interpersonal trust by bridging the gap between two heretofore distinct paradigms of trust. One paradigm views trust in terms of two dimensions: cognition‐ and affect‐based. The other paradigm views trust as being distinct from trustworthiness, which has four dimensions: ability, behavioral integrity, benevolence, and values congruence. Currently, theoretical consensus is lacking about the antecedents of cognition‐ and affect‐based trust in the first paradigm that incorporates insights from research on trustworthiness in the second paradigm. We show that this lack of consensus is problematic for internal knowledge development and external knowledge expansion. Thus, we join both paradigms by theorizing that ability and behavioral integrity are the most important predictors of cognition‐based trust, whereas benevolence and values congruence are the most important predictors of affect‐based trust. Across two samples, we found that our predictions were largely supported. Based on relative weights analysis, ability and behavioral integrity were more important than values congruence in predicting cognition‐based trust, and benevolence was more important than ability in predicting affect‐based trust. Furthermore, we found evidence that these relationships were largely robust to changes in the referent of analysis.
Identification of a functional dddD‐Rh for dimethyl sulfide production in the Antarctic Rhodococcus sp. NJ‐530
Authors: Wang Wenyu , Qu Changfeng , Wang Xixi , Gao Xuxu , Zhang Honghai , Miao Jinlai
Published: May 2020

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is widespread in the oceans, and its biological metabolite, dimethyl sulfide (DMS), plays an important role in the atmosphere. The Antarctic region has become a hotspot in DMS studies due to the high spatial and temporal variability in DMS(P) concentration, but the level of bacterial DMS production remains unclear. In this study, a bacterium isolated from Antarctic floating ice, Rhodococcus sp. NJ‐530, was found to metabolize DMSP into DMS, and the rate of DMS production was measured as 3.96 pmol·mg protein−1·h−1. Rhodococcus sp. NJ‐530 had a DddD‐Rh enzyme containing two CaiB domains, which belonged to the CoA‐transferase III superfamily. However, the DddD‐Rh had a molecular weight of 73.21 kDa, which was very different from previously characterized DddD enzymes in sequence and evolution. In vitro assays showed that DddD‐Rh was functional in the presence of acetyl‐CoA. This was the first functional DddD from Gram‐positive Actinobacteria. Moreover, a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed that high temperature facilitated the expression of dddD‐Rh, and changes of salinity had little effect on it. This study adds new evidence to the bacterial DMS production in the Southern Ocean and provides a basis for investigating the metabolic mechanism of DMSP in extreme environments.
Study on the characteristics and mechanisms of nicosulfuron biodegradation by Bacillus velezensis CF57
Authors: Zhang Chenfang , Chen Lai , Si Helong , Gao Wei , Liu Peng , Zhang Jinlin
Published: May 2020

Nicosulfuron is one of the main sulfonylurea herbicides that have been widely used to protect maize crops. A total of 10 nicosulfuron‐degrading strains were isolated from the intestine tract of earthworm Eisenia foetida. Among them, Bacillus velezensis CF57 with the highest degradation efficiency was selected and studied in detail. The degradation characteristics of CF57 showed that it was able to effectively degrade nicosulfuron in a wide range of temperature, pH, and a low inoculation amount, and the response surface analysis revealed that the optimum degradation conditions were 30.8 °C, pH 6.31, and inoculation amount 3.04%. Meanwhile, CF57 could degrade high‐concentration nicosulfuron efficiently and posed a broad degradation spectrum of other sulfonylurea herbicides. Furthermore, the localization of degradation enzyme indicated that the nicosulfuron‐degrading enzyme was an extracellular fraction. By analyzing the metabolites of nicosulfuron, it could be further determined that the degradation of nicosulfuron by strain CF57 was mainly through the extracellular enzyme, and its possible degradation pathway was mainly derived from the cleavage of the C–N bond of the sulfonylurea bridge. These results may provide new insights into bioremediation of nicosulfuron‐contaminated environments and enrich the resources of degrading bacteria of sulfonylurea herbicides.
Effect of storage on metabolites of brown rice
Authors: Wang Changyuan , Feng Yuchao , Fu Tianxin , Sheng Yanan , Zhang Shu , Zhang Yiwei , Jiang Yingjun , Yu Miao , Zhang Dongjie
Published: May 2020

Background

Storage is an essential part of brown rice circulation. During the storage process, the metabolic activity of brown rice is still ongoing, and long‐term storage leads to the deterioration of brown rice. Metabolomics analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry to investigate the changes in metabolites of brown rice after storage at 18 °C for 12 months.

Results

In terms of quantity, sugar, fatty acids, and other metabolites in brown rice decreased after storage, and alcohols, aldehydes, phenols, and amines increased. A total of 34 differential metabolites were screened. In terms of contents, carbohydrates, amino acids, and fatty acids of brown rice decreased after storage, while those of sugar alcohol, amines, and aldehydes increased after storage. Cluster analysis of the samples at zero storage time revealed that the metabolites expressed least became highly expressed after storage and those expressed highly became low after storage. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that storage significantly influenced the lipid metabolism in brown rice. Palmitoleic acid, cholesterol, linoleic acid, and lauric acid are four key metabolites in lipid metabolism during storage of brown rice.

Conclusion

Significant changes occurred in quantity and type of brown rice metabolites after storage. Storage has the greatest effect on lipids. Storage caused a ‘reverse change’ in the metabolites content of brown rice. The results obtained may help in understanding the changes in metabolites profile and delaying of the quality deterioration of brown rice during storage.
Methyl jasmonate induces the resistance of postharvest blueberry to gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Wang Hanbo , Kou Xiaohong , Wu Caie , Fan Gongjian , Li Tingting
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

The effects of postharvest methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment (50 μmol L–1) on the control of gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea in blueberry fruit were evaluated by analyzing (i) the levels of disease resistance signals; (ii) the activity of enzymes involved in antioxidant system, disease resistance and phenylpropanoid pathway, and (iii) the secondary metabolite content.

RESULTS

The results indicated that MeJA treatment significantly restrained the development of gray mold decay in blueberries. The treatment induced a nitric oxide (NO) burst and increased the endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content in the earlier period of storage. The enhanced NO and H2O2 generation by MeJA treatment might serve as a signal to induce resistance against B. cinerea infection. Furthermore, in inoculated fruit, MeJA treatment significantly promoted antioxidant enzymes and defense‐related enzyme activity, which included superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, chitinase, and β‐1,3‐glucanase, and the degree of membrane lipid peroxidation was reduced. The MeJA treatment enhanced the phenylpropanoid pathway by provoking phenylalanine ammonialyase, cinnamate 4‐hydroxylase, and 4‐coumarate CoA ligase activity, which was accompanied by elevated levels of phenolics and flavonoids in blueberry fruit.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that MeJA could induce the disease resistance of blueberries against B. cinerea by regulating the antioxidant enzymes, defense‐related enzymes, and the phenylpropanoid pathway through the activation of signaling molecules.
Effect of dietary fiber fermentation on short‐chain fatty acid production and microbial composition in vitro
Authors: Bai Yu , Zhao Jin‐biao , Tao Shi‐yu , Zhou Xing‐jian , Pi Yu , Gerrits Walter JJ , Johnston Lee J , Zhang Shi‐yi , Yang Hong‐jian , Liu Ling , Zhang Shuai , Wang Jun‐jun
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

The efficient utilization of fiber‐rich co‐products is important for optimizing feed resource utilization and animal health. This study was conducted to evaluate the fermentation characteristics of fiber‐rich co‐products, which had equal quantities of total dietary fiber (TDF), at different time points using batch in vitro methods. It considered their gas production, short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and microbial composition.

RESULTS

The fermentation of wheat bran (WB) and oat bran (OB) showed higher and faster (P < 0.05) gas and SCFA production than corn bran (CB), sugar beet pulp (SBP), and soybean hulls (SH). The α‐diversity was higher in the CB, SBP, and SH groups than in the WB and OB groups (P < 0.05). At the phylum level, OB and WB fermentation showed lower (P < 0.05) relative abundance of Actinobacteria than the CB, SBP, and SH groups. At the genus level, OB and WB fermentation increased the Enterococcus population in comparison with the CB, SBP, and SH groups, whereas CB and SBP fermentation improved the relative abundance of the Christensenellaceae R‐7 group more than the WB, OB, and SH groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Overall, WB and OB were rapidly fermented by fecal microbiota, in contrast with SBP, SH, and CB. Fermentation of different fiber‐rich co‐products with an equal TDF content gives different responses in terms of microbial composition and SCFA production due to variations in their physicochemical properties and molecular structure. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Intervertebral disc herniation effects on multifidus muscle composition and resident stem cell populations
Authors: Agha Obiajulu , Mueller‐Immergluck Andreas , Liu Mengyao , Zhang He , Theologis Alekos A. , Clark Aaron , Kim Hubert T. , Liu Xuhui , Feeley Brian T. , Bailey Jeannie F.
Published: May 2020

Absract

Background

Paraspinal muscles are crucial for vertebral stabilization and movement. These muscles are prone to develop fatty infiltration (FI), fibrosis, and atrophy in many spine conditions. Fibro‐adipogenic progenitors (FAPs), a resident muscle stem cell population, are the main contributors of muscle fibrosis and FI. FAPs are involved in a complex interplay with satellite cells (SCs), the primary myogenic progenitor cells within muscle. Little is known about the stem cell composition of the multifidus. The aim of this study is to examine FAPs and SCs in the multifidus in disc herniation patients. Multifidus muscle samples were collected from 10 patients undergoing decompressive spine surgery for lumbar disc herniation. Hamstring muscle was collected from four patients undergoing hamstring autograft ACL reconstruction as an appendicular control. Multifidus tissue was analyzed for FI and fibrosis using Oil‐Red‐O and Masson's trichrome staining. FAPs and SCs were visualized using immunostaining and quantified with fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) sorting. Gene expression of these cells from the multifidus were analyzed with reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and compared to those from hamstring muscle. FI and fibrosis accounted for 14.2%± 7.4% and 14.8%±4.2% of multifidus muscle, respectively. The multifidus contained more FAPs (11.7%±1.9% vs 1.4%±0.2%; P<.001) and more SCs (3.4%±1.6% vs 0.08%±0.02%; P=.002) than the hamstring. FAPs had greater α Smooth Muscle Actin (αSMA) and adipogenic gene expression than FAPs from the hamstring. SCs from the multifidus displayed upregulated expression of stem, proliferation, and differentiation genes.

Conclusion

The multifidus in patients with disc herniation contains large percentages of FAPs and SCs with different gene expression profiles compared to those in the hamstring. These results may help explain the tendency for the multifidus to atrophy and form FI and fibrosis as well as elucidate potential approaches for mitigating these degenerative changes by leveraging these muscle stem cell populations.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a Stronger Predictor of Long‐Term Neurobehavioral Outcomes Than Traumatic Brain Injury Severity
Authors: Lange Rael T. , French Louis M. , Lippa Sara M. , Bailie Jason M. , Brickell Tracey A.
Published: May 2020

Concurrent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common in military populations. The purpose of this study was to examine long‐term neurobehavioral outcomes in service members and veterans (SMVs) with versus without PTSD symptoms following TBI of all severities. Participants were 536 SMVs prospectively enrolled from three military medical treatment facilities who were recruited into three experimental groups: TBI, injured controls (IC), and noninjured controls (NIC). Participants completed the PTSD Checklist, Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, and the TBI–Quality of Life (TBI‐QOL) and were divided into six subgroups based on the three experimental categories, two PTSD categories (i.e., present vs. absent), and two broad TBI severity categories (unMTBI, which included uncomplicated mild TBI; and smcTBI, which included severe TBI, moderate TBI, and complicated mild TBI): (a) NIC/PTSD‐absent, (b) IC/PTSD‐absent, (c) unMTBI/PTSD‐absent, (d) unMTBI/PTSD‐present, (e) smcTBI/PTSD‐absent, and (f) smcTBI/PTSD‐present. There were significant main effects across the six groups for all TBI‐QOL measures, ps < .001. Select pairwise comparisons revealed significantly lower scores, p < .001, on all TBI‐QOL measures in the PTSD‐present groups when compared to the PTSD‐absent groups within the same TBI severity classification, ds = 0.90–2.11. In contrast, when controlling for PTSD, there were no significant differences among the TBI severity groups for any TBI‐QOL measures. These results provide support for the strong influence of PTSD but not TBI severity on neurobehavioral outcomes following TBI. Concurrent PTSD and TBI of all severities should be considered a risk factor for poor long‐term neurobehavioral outcomes that require ongoing monitoring.
Retrograde fiberoptic endoscopy evaluation for patients with laryngeal edema
Authors: Alfaris Abdullah Mohammed , Bawazir Samir Mohammed , Al Awaji Nisreen Naser
Published: May 2020

Background

Airway and swallowing evaluation is a crucial step before weaning the patient from a tracheostomy tube. Different evaluation procedures can be used successfully in many patients, but sometimes, this can be difficult or impossible for patients who have laryngeal edema as the existence of edema tends to block the view of true vocal folds. Thus, a new approach using retrograde fiberoptic endoscopy evaluation of swallowing (FEES) has been suggested to help visualize the vocal folds clearly. This study was performed to evaluate the impact of such a modification to the standard FEES.

Methodology

Thirty‐six patients were referred for swallowing and airway evaluation. They were examined via nasopharyngolaryngobronchoscopy and FEES; nine of them had laryngeal edema and fit the inclusion criteria.

Results

Four out of the nine patients who had laryngeal edema could immediately swallow after evaluation with retrograde FEES.

Conclusions

Retrograde FEES is suggested to be an effective way to evaluate swallowing and is a valuable tool for research in this area.

Level of evidence

Level 4 (case series).
Super‐Tough, Self‐Healing Polyurethane Based on Diels‐Alder Bonds and Dynamic Zinc–Ligand Interactions
Authors: Ouyang Chunfa , Zhao Chao , Li Wei , Wu Xiuchun , Le Xiaoxia , Chen Tao , Huang Wei , Gao Qun , Shan Xiaoqian , Zhg Rei , Zhang Weiping
Published: May 2020

Self‐healing polymer materials have attracted extensive attention and have been explored due to their ability of crack repairing in materials. This paper aims to develop a novel polyurethane‐based material with high self‐healing efficiency and excellent mechanical properties under 80 °C on the basis of reversible Diels–Alder bonds as well as zinc–ligand structure (DA‐ZN‐PU). By integrating DA bonds and zinc–ligand structure, as‐prepared DA‐ZN‐PU samples reach the maximum tensile strength as much as 28.45 MPa. After self‐healing, the tensile strength is 25.85 MPa, leading to the high self‐healing efficiency of 90.8%. In addition, by introducing carbonyl iron powder (CIP), a new polyurethane containing carbonyl iron powder (DA‐ZN‐CIP‐PU) can be achieved, exhibiting microwave‐assisted self‐healing property. And the self‐healing efficiency can be reached to 92.6% in 3 min. Due to high self‐healing efficiency and excellent mechanical properties of the prepared novel polyurethane, it has application attributes in crack repair of functional composite materials.
Chronic Stress Potentiates High Fructose–Induced Lipogenesis in Rat Liver and Kidney
Authors: Milutinović Danijela Vojnović , Brkljačić Jelena , Teofilović Ana , Bursać Biljana , Nikolić Marina , Gligorovska Ljupka , Kovačević Sanja , Djordjevic Ana , Preitner Frederic , Tappy Luc , Matić Gordana , Veličković Nataša
Published: May 2020

Scope

Intake of fructose‐sweetened beverages and chronic stress (CS) both increase risk of cardiometabolic diseases. The aim is to investigate whether these factors synergistically perturb lipid metabolism in rat liver and kidney.

Methods and results

Fractional de novo lipogenesis (fDNL), intrahepatic‐ and intrarenal‐triglycerides (IHTG and IRTG), de novo palmitate (DNPalm) content, FA composition, VLDL‐TGs kinetics, and key metabolic gene expression at the end of the feeding and non‐feeding phases in rats exposed to standard chow diet, chow diet + CS, 20% liquid high‐fructose supplementation (HFr), or HFr+CS are measured. HFr induces hypertriglyceridemia, up‐regulates fructose‐metabolism and gluconeogenic enzymes, increases IHTG and DNPalm content in IHTG and IRTG, and augments fDNL at the end of the feeding phase. These changes are diminished after the non‐feeding phase. CS does not exert such effects, but when combined with HFr, it reduces IHTG and visceral adiposity, enhances lipogenic gene expression and fDNL, and increases VLDL‐DNPalm secretion.

Conclusion

Liquid high‐fructose supplementation increases IHTG and VLDL‐TG secretion after the feeding phase, the latter being the result of stimulated hepatic and renal DNL. Chronic stress potentiates the effects of high fructose on fDNL and export of newly synthesized VLDL‐TGs, and decreases fructose‐induced intrahepatic TG accumulation after the feeding phase.
Dual‐band broadside radiation antenna via near‐field electric and magnetic couplings of nested metamaterial resonators
Authors: Han Yajuan , Wang Jiafu , Gong Shuhong , Li Yongfeng , Zhang Jieqiu , Qu Shaobo
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we propose a method of designing broadside radiation antennas using metamaterial resonators. The antenna consists of a feeding probe and a nested metamaterial resonator (MR), where the latter is located in the near‐field zone of the former and both of them stand on the metallic ground. The nested MR, where a finite‐length comb structure (CS) is circled by a broadside‐coupled split‐ring resonator (BC‐SRR), is used as the radiator. Excited by the tilted electric fields around the feeding probe, even‐mode spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) can be excited on the comb structure, forming standing wave, and leading to broadside radiation at the half‐wavelength frequency. The BC‐SRR is excited by the magnetic fields penetrating through it, leading to broadside radiation at its resonant frequency. A prototype working at 5.4 GHz and 7.0 GHz was designed, fabricated and measured. The measured and simulated results agree well and verify our design.
How large a 3JHCCH coupling can be? Prediction of giant vicinal couplings in quinonoid systems
Authors: Navarro‐Vázquez Armando
Published: May 2020

Second‐order polarization propagator approximation (SOPPA) and density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP computations revealed the presence of giant 3JHCCH couplings, up to more than 60 Hz, in conjugated quinonoid systems, very far above the typical limit of ~15 Hz. Strong hyperconjugative interactions of the C–H σ orbitals with the quinonoid 8‐e− π system, which allows effective propagation of the spin polarization, seem to be responsible for those extraordinarily large couplings. Computation on several model systems showed the additive nature of the contributions from the available coupling paths to the total coupling.
Automated detection of left ventricle in arterial input function images for inline perfusion mapping using deep learning: A study of 15,000 patients
Authors: Xue Hui , Tseng Ethan , Knott Kristopher D. , Kotecha Tushar , Brown Louise , Plein Sven , Fontana Marianna , Moon James C. , Kellman Peter
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Quantification of myocardial perfusion has the potential to improve the detection of regional and global flow reduction. Significant effort has been made to automate the workflow, where one essential step is the arterial input function (AIF) extraction. Failure to accurately identify the left ventricle (LV) prevents AIF estimation required for quantification, therefore high detection accuracy is required. This study presents a robust LV detection method using the convolutional neural network (CNN).

Methods

CNN models were trained by assembling 25,027 scans (N = 12,984 patients) from three hospitals, seven scanners. Performance was evaluated using a hold‐out test set of 5721 scans (N = 2805 patients). Model inputs were a time series of AIF images (2D+T). Two variations were investigated: (1) two classes (2CS) for background and foreground (LV mask), and (2) three classes (3CS) for background, LV, and RV. The final model was deployed on MRI scanners using the Gadgetron reconstruction software framework.

Results

Model loading on the MRI scanner took ~340 ms and applying the model took ~180 ms. The 3CS model successfully detected the LV in 99.98% of all test cases (1 failure out of 5721). The mean Dice ratio for 3CS was 0.87 ± 0.08 with 92.0% of all cases having Dice >0.75. The 2CS model gave a lower Dice ratio of 0.82 ± 0.22 (P < 1e−5). There was no significant difference in foot‐time, peak‐time, first‐pass duration, peak value, and area‐under‐curve (P > .2) comparing automatically extracted AIF signals with signals from manually drawn contours.

Conclusions

A CNN‐based solution to detect the LV blood pool from the arterial input function image series was developed, validated, and deployed. A high LV detection accuracy of 99.98% was achieved.
Mathematical analysis of an optimal control problem for the predator‐prey model with disease in prey
Authors: Sowndarrajan Puthur Thangaraj , Nyamoradi Nemat , Shangerganesh Lingeshwaran , Manimaran Jeyaraj
Published: May 2020

This article deals with an optimal control problem governed by a system that models the dynamics of predator‐prey interactions. We study the minimization of the infective prey density. Furthermore, our purpose is here to establish the existence of weak solutions and derive some optimality conditions. Finally, the impact of the control terms are studied to get an insight of the predator‐prey model adopting various numerical simulations.
Partnership for Safe Water Celebrates 25 Years of Excellence
Authors: Brewer Todd F. , Linder Kevin D.
Published: May 2020

The Partnership for Safe Water program will celebrate a major milestone in 2020 with its 25th anniversary! The original program, launched in 1995, was dedicated to providing self‐assessment resources to help water utilities continuously improve and optimize treatment processes and water quality at their surface water treatment plants. The program's ultimate goal is to maximize public health protection.
Expanded Wireless Networking Options Benefit Water Treatment Plants
Authors: Capano Daniel
Published: May 2020

Advances in radio frequency technology can boost productivity, increase efficiency, and save money for water and wastewater utilities. Wi‐Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular have great potential for remote process monitoring and control.
Support First‐Responder Training at Closed Sites
Authors: Waterhouse Keith B.
Published: May 2020

Public water utility assets are integrated into the fabric of society. Tanks, structures, and vaults are positioned across communities, doing their part to serve local water needs. These assets are generational and built to last. Yet, like all man‐made structures, they have a life expectancy. When slated for retirement, these assets are demolished or end up as ground‐up rehabilitation projects. Before razing, water utilities should consider a community outreach approach and engage local emergency services for unique training opportunities.
Preparation and study of fireproof materials with high‐waterproof performance
Authors: Wang Xuejiao , Shao Donghai , Ejeromedoghene Onome , Qian Kun , Kandawa‐Schulz Martha , Song Wei , Wang Yihong
Published: May 2020

A new high waterproof and flame‐retardant material was developed by using polylactic acid as a binder. Fireproof composite materials have excellent physical, mechanical, and flame‐retardant properties. The water resistance property of fireproof composites increases as the polylactic acid doping ratio increases. Also, the mechanical performance test showed that the flexural strength of the composite materials reached 14.75 MPa a polylactic acid amount of 25 wt%. More so, the surface of the inorganic materials (magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide), were uniformly covered by the polylactic acid providing good interfacial compatibility between the inorganic materials and polylactic acid. The results of scanning electron microscopy showed that the fracture cross‐section of the composites was smooth and dense. Thermogravimetric analysis and fire resistance testing further confirmed that the fireproof materials have good thermal stability. The as‐prepared composite materials with improved physical and mechanical properties could be utilized to partitions in public buildings, non‐load bearing walls, and a sandwich for fire doors.
Pharmacokinetics of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim During Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report
Authors: Dhanani Jayesh A. , Lipman Jeffrey , Pincus Jason , Townsend Shane , Livermore Amelia , Wallis Steven C. , Pandey Saurabh , Abdul‐Aziz Mohd H. , Roberts Jason A.
Published: May 2020

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy could affect drug concentrations via adsorption onto the oxygenator and/or associated circuit. We describe a case of a 33‐year‐old man with severe respiratory failure due to Pneumocystis jirovecii infection on a background of recently diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus infection. He required venovenous ECMO therapy for refractory respiratory failure. Intravenous sulfamethoxazole‐trimethoprim (100 and 20 mg/kg/day) was administered in a dosing regimen every 6 hours. Pre‐oxygenator, post‐oxygenator, and arterial blood samples were collected after antibiotic administration and were analyzed for total sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim concentrations. The peak sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim concentrations were 122 mg/L and 5.3 mg/L, respectively. The volume of distribution for sulfamethoxazole was 0.37 and 2.30 L/kg for trimethoprim. The clearance for sulfamethoxazole was 0.35 ml/minute/kg and for trimethoprim was 1.64 ml/minute/kg. The pharmacokinetics of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim appear not to be affected by ECMO therapy, and dosing adjustment may not be required.
‘Ace’ forage cowpea
Authors: Smith G. R. , Rouquette F. M. , DeLaune P.
Published: May 2020

‘Ace’ (Reg. no. CV‐329, PI 691530) is a small‐seeded cultivar of forage cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] that was developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Research at Overton, TX. Ace is intended for use in wildlife supplemental plantings, cover cropping systems, and hay production systems. Forage cowpeas are widely used in Texas and the U.S. southern region as supplemental plantings for white‐tailed deer, but seed production of late‐flowering forage cowpeas is restricted in northern Texas due to freeze kill prior to seed maturity. Mass selection within two highly variable plant introduction lines was used to develop Ace. Seed from five plants with very similar phenotypes, including first bloom in late August, was bulked and tested as experimental forage cowpea. Biomass production of Ace (experimental designation TX‐3) at Overton was 2.8 and 4.7 Mg ha−1 in 2013 and 2015, respectively. Biomass production of Ace at Vernon, TX, in 2015, 2016, and 2017 was 3.9, 5.9, and 6.7 Mg dry matter ha−1, respectively. Protein content of Ace biomass at Vernon in 2015 and 2016 was 16.5 and 16.4, respectively. Seed production of Ace at Vernon ranged from 106 to 670 kg ha−1. The seed size of Ace, expressed as seed weight, was 5.1 g 100 seeds−1, compared with Iron & Clay at 10.6 g 100 seeds−1. Average days to first bloom at Overton for Ace and Iron & Clay are 87 and 114, respectively. Root galling of Ace by southern root‐knot nematode (Meloidgyne incognita Race 3) is very low, and nematode reproduction is low, relative to southern root‐knot nematode–susceptible cowpea lines. Greenhouse seed germination studies indicate about 25% of Ace seed would survive after 2 mo of simulated field conditions and that all seed would be germinated after 3 mo. The reseeding potential of Ace needs further study.
Encapsulation of thiabendazole in hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin nanofibers via polymer‐free electrospinning and its characterization
Authors: Gao Shuang , Liu Yanyan , Jiang Jingyu , Li Xiaoming , Zhao Lixia , Fu Ying , Ye Fei
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Thiabendazole (TBZ) is a poorly water‐soluble benzimidazole fungicide. However, the water solubility of TBZ can be significantly enhanced by inclusion complexation with cyclodextrins. In this study, a thiabendazole/hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (TBZ/HPβCD) complex was synthesized and electrospinning was performed to produce a TBZ/HPβCD nanofibrous (TBZ/HPβCD‐NF) complex that improved water solubility and antifungal activity.

RESULTS

The formation of TBZ/HPβCD‐NF was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and nuclear magnetic resonance. The morphology of TBZ/HPβCD‐NF was studied by scanning electron microscopy. A phase solubility experiment showed that HPβCD exerted a great solubilization effect on TBZ, and TBZ/HPβCD‐NF had better antifungal activity compared to that of TBZ alone.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the solid fungicidal nanodispersion prepared in the present study is a new type of formulation that can enhance the water solubility of TBZ. This formulation, which demonstrated potential as a new fast dissolving formulation type with increased efficacy, is expected to be conducive to the sustainable development of agriculture. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Tight bounds for popping algorithms
Authors: Guo Heng , He Kun
Published: May 2020

We sharpen run‐time analysis for algorithms under the partial rejection sampling framework. Our method yields improved bounds for: the cluster‐popping algorithm for approximating all‐terminal network reliability; the cycle‐popping algorithm for sampling rooted spanning trees; and the sink‐popping algorithm for sampling sink‐free orientations. In all three applications, our bounds are not only tight in order, but also optimal in30 constants.
A Bayesian hierarchical approach for multiple outcomes in routinely collected healthcare data
Authors: Carragher Raymond , Mueller Tanja , Bennie Marion , Robertson Chris
Published: May 2020

Clinical trials are the standard approach for evaluating new treatments, but may lack the power to assess rare outcomes. Trial results are also necessarily restricted to the population considered in the study. The availability of routinely collected healthcare data provides a source of information on the performance of treatments beyond that offered by clinical trials, but the analysis of this type of data presents a number of challenges. Hierarchical methods, which take advantage of known relationships between clinical outcomes, while accounting for bias, may be a suitable statistical approach for the analysis of this data. A study of direct oral anticoagulants in Scotland is discussed and used to motivate a modeling approach. A Bayesian hierarchical model, which allows a stratification of the population into clusters with similar characteristics, is proposed and applied to the direct oral anticoagulant study data. A simulation study is used to assess its performance in terms of outcome detection and error rates.
An Ultrasensitive ECL Sensor Based on Conducting Polymer/Electrochemically Reduced Graphene Oxide for Non‐Enzymatic Detection in Biological Samples
Authors: Sobhanie E. , Faridbod F. , Hosseini M. , Ganjali M. R.
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we will introduce an enzyme‐free solid‐state electrochemiluminescent (ECL) sensor for ultrasensitive detection of Hydrogen peroxide (
), as a significant molecule in many fundamental biological processes. It was fabricated based on the electro immobilization of poly (Luminol/Aniline) (PLA) nanocomposite on the surface of electrochemically reduced Graphene oxide (ERGO)/Ce
/GCE modified electrode. We applied electrochemical technique as a controllable, rapid and simple method for the electro copolymerization of Luminol and Aniline and also the electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO). The oxygen functional groups in ERGO were mostly eliminated. The properties of the ERGO/Ce
/PLA modified electrode were also studied by FE‐SEM, Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. Under the optimal conditions, this proposed ECL sensor exhibits high sensitivity and wide linear dynamic range for
determination from 0.8 pmol
to 8 mmol
with the low detection limit of 0.36 p mol
(S/N=3) and RSD 1.89 %. The results demonstrate that this enzyme‐free solid‐state ECL sensor offers a promising candidate for quantification of
concentration in biological fluids such as human urineIntroduction
Chemoselective Carbenoid Reactions of Furan/Thiophene/Pyrrole Ring Containing Carbonyl and Conjugated Carbonyl at Their 2‐Positions
Authors: Seyma Gungor Fusun , Merey Gokce , Anac Olcay
Published: May 2020

Several furyl/thiophenyl/N‐methylpyrrolyl cores having aldehyde/ketone/ene‐biscarbonyl/diene‐biscarbonyl functions at their 2‐positions were reacted with diazocarbonyl compounds in the presence of metal catalysts. Between the two possible reaction pathways which may take place either on the 2‐substituent of hetaryl or on the core structure, only one of them was dominant for each reaction depending on substituents. Accordingly, in the reaction of thiophene‐2‐carbaldehyde with diazo compounds we obtained epoxy derivatives. On the other hand, dimethyl diazomalonate and furyl‐ene‐diketo/N‐methylpyrrolyl‐ene‐diester yielded only novel dihydrofuran derivatives via [1,5]‐electrocyclic ring closure. However, the reactions of 2‐ene/diene‐diester functionalized furans with dimethyl diazomalonate resulted polymethoxycarboxylate‐substituted oxo‐polyenes chemo‐specifically in good yields.
Autonomous Biohybrid Urchin‐Like Microperforator for Intracellular Payload Delivery
Authors: Sun Mengmeng , Liu Qi , Fan Xinjian , Wang Yuefei , Chen Weinan , Tian Chenyao , Sun Lining , Xie Hui
Published: May 2020

A magnetic urchin‐like microswimmer based on sunflower pollen grain (SPG) that can pierce the cancer cell membrane and actively deliver therapeutic drugs is reported. These drug loaded microperforators are fabricated on a large scale by sequentially treating the natural SPGs with acidolysis, sputtering, and vacuum loading. The microswimmers exhibit precise autonomous navigation and obstacle avoidance in complex environments via association with artificial intelligence. Assemblies of microswimmers can further enhance individual motion performance and adaptability to complicated environments. Additionally, the experimental results demonstrate that microswimmers with nanospikes can accomplish single‐cell perforation for direct delivery under an external rotating magnetic field. Drugs encapsulated in the inner cavity of the microperforators can be accurately delivered to a specific site via remote control. These dual‐action microswimmers demonstrate good biocompatibility, high intelligence, precision in single‐cell targeting, and sufficient drug loading, presenting a promising avenue for many varieties of biomedical applications.