bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Happy emotion cognition of bimodal audiovisual stimuli optimizes the performance of the P300 speller
Authors: Lu Zhaohua , Li Qi , Gao Ning , Yang Jingjing , Bai Ou
Published: November 2019

Objective

Prior studies of emotional cognition have found that emotion‐based bimodal face and voice stimuli can elicit larger event‐related potential (ERP) amplitudes and enhance neural responses compared with visual‐only emotional face stimuli. Recent studies on brain–computer interface have shown that emotional face stimuli have significantly improved the performance of the traditional P300 speller system, but its performance needs to be further improved for practical applications. Therefore, we herein propose a novel audiovisual P300 speller based on bimodal emotional cognition to further improve the performance of the P300 system.

Methods

The audiovisual P300 speller we proposed is based on happy emotions, with visual and auditory stimuli that consist of several pairs of smiling faces and audible chuckles (E‐AV spelling paradigm) of different ages and sexes. The control paradigm was the visual‐only emotional face P300 speller (E‐V spelling paradigm).

Results

We compared the ERP amplitudes, accuracy, and raw bit rate between the E‐AV and E‐V spelling paradigms. The target stimuli elicited significantly increased P300 amplitudes (p < .05) and P600 amplitudes (p < .05) in the E‐AV spelling paradigm compared with those in the E‐V paradigm. The E‐AV spelling paradigm also significantly improved the spelling accuracy and the raw bit rate compared with those in the E‐V paradigm at one superposition (p < .05) and at two superpositions (p < .05).

Significance

The proposed emotion‐based audiovisual spelling paradigm not only significantly improves the performance of the P300 speller, but also provides a basis for the development of various bimodal P300 speller systems, which is a step forward in the clinical application of brain–computer interfaces.
Self‐assembled Polydiacetylene Nanoribbons for Semi‐heterogeneous and Enantioselective Organocatalysis of Aldol Reactions in Water
Authors: Hoang Minh‐Duc , Kumar Ramar Arun , Buisson David A. , Ling Wai Li , Gravel Edmond , Doris Eric
Published: November 2019

We report the synthesis, characterization, and supra‐molecular assembly of novel diacetylene amphiphilic units bearing a chiral proline‐derived head group. In water, these amphiphiles self‐assemble into twisted ribbons that are photo‐polymerized to afford stable nanostructures. The nanoribbons were valorized in the semi‐heterogeneous and enantioselective catalysis of aldol reactions in water. The system is active on a variety of substrates, operates under sustainable conditions (room temperature, air atmosphere, low catalyst loading), and provides access to the target compounds with high enantiomeric excess. Moreover, the organocatalyst can be recycled over several runs with no loss in activity.
Bi‐enzymatic Conversion of Cinnamic Acids to 2‐Arylethylamines
Authors: Weise Nicholas J. , Thapa Prasansa , Ahmed Syed T. , Heath Rachel S. , Parmeggiani Fabio , Turner Nicholas J. , Flitsch Sabine L.
Published: November 2019

The conversion of carboxylic acids, such as acrylic acids, to amines is a transformation that remains challenging in synthetic organic chemistry. Despite the ubiquity of similar moieties in natural metabolic pathways, biocatalytic routes seem to have been overlooked for this purpose. Herein we present the conception and optimisation of a two‐enzyme system, allowing the synthesis of β‐phenylethylamine derivatives from readily‐available ring‐substituted cinnamic acids. After characterisation of both parts of the reaction in a two‐step approach, a set of conditions allowing the one‐pot biotransformation was optimised. This combination of a reversible deaminating and irreversible decarboxylating enzyme, both specific for the amino acid intermediate in tandem, represents a general method by which new strategies for the conversion of carboxylic acids to amines could be designed.
Fabrication of a Lateral Gradient Rugate in Porous Silicon for a Miniature Spectrometer Application
Authors: Wang Joanna , Sailor Michael J. , Chang Byoung‐Yong
Published: November 2019

Here, we report on an application of bipolar electrochemistry utilizing an interfacial potential gradient that is distributed on a silicon electrode to generate a porous silicon film, which behaves as an optical rugate filter with a stop‐band that varies in wavelength across the film surface. While the electrode employed is not bipolar because only oxidation is required to etch the silicon wafer, the fundamental concept of bipolar electrochemistry is exploited to generate the anodic current gradient on the silicon anode. When imaged with a smartphone camera and analyzed with the appropriate image processing algorithm, the gradient filter acts as a rudimentary spectrometer. Test spectra are obtained and benchmarked to a conventional CCD spectrometer.
Clostridium Acetobutylicum’s Connecting World: Cell Appendage Formation in Bioelectrochemical Systems
Authors: Engel Mareike , Gemünde André , Holtmann Dirk , Müller‐Renno Christine , Ziegler Christiane , Tippkötter Nils , Ulber Roland
Published: November 2019

Bacterial cell appendix formation supports cell‐cell interaction, cell adhesion and cell movement. Additionally, in bioelectrochemical systems (BES), cell appendages have been shown to participate in extracellular electron transfer. In this work, the cell appendix formation of Clostridium acetobutylicum in biofilms of a BES are imaged and compared with conventional biofilms. Under all observed conditions, the cells possess filamentous appendages with a higher number and density in the BES. Differences in the amount of extracellular polymeric substance in the biofilms of the electrodes lead to the conclusion that the cathode can be used as electron donor and the anode as electron acceptor by C. acetobutylicum. When using conductive atomic force microscopy, a current response of about 15 nA is found for the cell appendages from the BES. This is the first report of conductivity for clostridial cell appendices and represents the basis for further studies on their role for biofilm formation and electron transfer.
Enhanced Metallophilicity in Metal–Carbene Systems: Stronger Character of Aurophilic Interactions in Solution
Authors: Vellé Alba , Rodríguez‐Santiago Luis , Sodupe Mariona , Sanz Miguel Pablo J.
Published: November 2019

Metallophilicity is an essential concept that builds upon the attraction between closed shell metal ions. We report on the [M2(bisNHC)2]2+ (M=AuI, AgI; NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) systems, which display almost identical features in the solid state. However, in solution the Au2 cation exhibits a significantly higher degree of rigidity owed to the stronger character of the aurophilic interactions. Both Au2 and Ag2 cationic constructs are able to accommodate Ag+ ions via M–M interactions, despite their inherent Coulombic repulsion. When electrostatic repulsion between host and guest is partially diminished, M–M distances are substantially shortened. Quantum chemical calculations estimate intermetallic bond orders up to 0.2. Although at the limit of (or beyond) the van der Waals radii, metallophilic interactions are responsible for their behavior in solution.
Impact of age on thromboembolic events in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Kim Yun Gi , Choi Jong‐Il , Boo Ki Yung , Kim Do Young , Hong Yeji , Kim Min Sun , Lee Kwang‐No , Shim Jaemin , Kim Jin Seok , Kim Young‐Hoon
Published: November 2019

Background

Age is a well‐established risk factor for thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the mechanism underlying the association between age and thromboembolic events in AF remains unknown.

Methods

The prognostic value of age as a risk factor for thromboembolic events was analyzed using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). In a large‐scale single‐center registry, cardiac hemodynamic parameters were examined to elucidate the cause of increased risk of thromboembolic events in older patients.

Results

NHIS sample cohort data including 5896 patients with AF revealed that the risk of thromboembolic complication differed significantly according to age despite equal CHA2DS2‐VASc score. In the registry of 2801 patients, age showed significant correlations with left atrium (LA) diameter, LA volume, E/e′, pulmonary artery pressure, and LA appendage flow velocity. Older patients had a significantly higher prevalence of spontaneous echocontrast (odds ratio [OR] = 1.030; P < .001). Age (OR = 1.031; P < .001), E/e′ (OR = 1.065; P = .004), and LA appendage flow velocity (OR = .988; P = .009) were significant predictors for thromboembolic events in multivariate analyses. In data from the NHIS, CHA2DS2‐VASc score did not outperform age to predict thromboembolic events.

Conclusions

Age is a significant risk factor for thromboembolic events in patients with AF, and old age is associated with adverse cardiac hemodynamics. This study suggests that older patients with AF are at high risk of thromboembolic events regardless of CHA2DS2‐VASc score.
Synthesis of Photothermally Stable Triangular Silver Nanoplates for SERS Applications, Photokilling of Bacteria
Authors: Fan Ranran , Yang Yushan , Xue Jin , Zhang Fang , Sun Jie , Xu Hui , Jiang Tingting
Published: November 2019

We developed a facile seeded‐growth strategy to synthesize triangular silver nanoplates with enhanced photothermal stability, in which zwitterionic buffers, hydroquinone (HQ) served as shape‐directing, reducing agents, respectively. Compared to the Ag nanoplates synthesized by the thermal methods reported before, the Ag nanoplates prepared in this study still retained the sharp tips of nanoplates, maintained excellent near infra‐red (NIR) surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties after repeated NIR irradiation. The enhanced photothermal stability could enable the as‐prepared Ag nanoplates serve as stable substrates for bacterial surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications. Meanwhile, the Ag nanoplates synthesized in this study also yielded a steady‐state photothermal conversion efficiency up to 40%, giving effective photothermal therapy (PTT) towards antibiotic resistant bacteria.
A Zirconium Indazole Carboxylate Coordination Polymer as an Efficient Catalyst for Dehydrogenation‐Cyclization and Oxidative Coupling Reactions
Authors: Sang Xinxin , Hu Xinyu , Tao Rong , Zhang Yilin , Zhu Haiyan , Wang Dawei
Published: November 2019

Rational ligand design is crucial for achieving widespread applications of coordination polymers. The preparation, structural characterisation, and catalytic applications of zirconium (IV) coordination polymer (Zr‐IDA), which was derived from 1‐(carboxymethyl)‐1H‐indazole‐5‐carboxylic acid are reported. The Zr‐IDA catalyst contains porous and highly crystalline particles with a quasi‐spherical morphology around 100 nm in size, and Zr was coordinated with both O and N as shown by FT‐IR and XPS measurements. Importantly, the Zr‐IDA catalyst shows great activity, selectivity and stability in the oxidative coupling of benzyl cyanides with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide to afford tert‐butyl peresters, and the dehydrogenation cyclization of o‐phenylenediamines with aromatic alcohols to afford 1,2‐disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives. Mechanistic investigations were carried out to study these reactions and the developed catalytic system in more detail.
Top‐Down Extraction of Silk Protein Nanofibers by Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents and Application in Dispersion of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Wearable Sensing
Authors: Tan Xingxing , Wang Yaqing , Du Weihong , Mu Tiancheng
Published: November 2019

With typical nanofibrous structure, silks spun by silkworms and spiders are the representative fibrous proteins that embody excellent mechanical properties and biological functions. However, it is still a challenge to directly extract silk nanofibers (SNFs) from natural silk fibers, to retain their nanostructures and properties, by a human‐ and environment‐friendly approach for practical applications. Here, an all‐natural strategy for simple, green, and scalable extraction of silkworm and spider silk protein nanofibers in natural deep eutectic solvents has been developed. The liquid‐exfoliated SNFs have adjustable diameters from 20 nm (at the single SNF scale) to 100 nm and could be dispersed in water and organic solvents, enabling the production of useful macroscopic biomaterials. The free‐standing SNF membranes made from silkworm silk nanofibers (SSNFs) exhibited cytocompatibility, flexibility, and excellent mechanical performance, providing the ability to fabricate sustainable materials for tissue engineering and green electronics. Moreover, the SSNF could be used as a green and efficient dispersant of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and the SSNFs/MWCNTs nanocomposite membranes could be used in wearable devices to monitor human activities.
Dual‐collaborative DoS/DDoS mitigation approach in information‐centric mobile Internet
Authors: Chen Jia , Jia Haiyu , Liu Qi
Published: November 2019

The amount of wireless traffic is increasing at an overwhelming speed. Information‐centric networking (ICN) has been proposed as a promising Future Internet Architecture, which can reduce network traffic by putting data objects toward the edge. It is expected that in information‐centric mobile Internet (ICMI), the wireless traffic can be significantly reduced. Yet, DoS/DDoS attack becomes a critical issue in ICMI by causing wireless gateway blockade. To tackle the problem, we propose a dual‐collaborative DoS/DDoS mitigation approach (DCMA) and advanced DCMA to protect wireless gateways. In the algorithm, the attackers' visiting information including international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) and data object name (DON) are analyzed jointly to accurately identify potential attackers through the collaboration between the Internet and mobile network. In addition, the attacker's behaviors are analyzed centrally, and security strategies are applied distributively throughout wireless edge through the collaboration between wireless core network (CN) and radio access network (RAN). Extensive simulations are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. The results demonstrate that advanced DCMA can achieve high DDoS and attacker detection probability and small false positive probability.
Buildings provide vital habitat for little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) in a high‐elevation landscape
Authors: Johnson Joseph S. , Treanor John J. , Slusher Alexandra C. , Lacki Michael J.
Published: November 2019

Bats in North America are currently experiencing dramatic population declines due to the disease white‐nose syndrome. The long‐term viability of vulnerable species requires recognition of critical habitats, including those also occupied by humans. Our study aimed to quantify the importance of buildings to little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) in Yellowstone National Park, a high‐elevation landscape with relatively few human structures and abundant alternative roosting habitat. We measured roost preferences and thermoregulation in adult male and female bats roosting in buildings, trees, and rocks using temperature‐sensitive radio‐transmitters. We also studied microclimates within each roost type for comparison to roost preferences. We found reproductive females roosting in building attics on 84% of all possible days, while males roosted exclusively in rock crevices or in trees. This dichotomous roosting pattern reflected differences in roost microclimates. All roost types buffered bats from daily minimum ambient temperatures; however, buildings were more insulated from low ambient temperatures during the middle of the maternity season. Male bats roosting in rocks and trees predominantly thermoconformed to roost temperatures, while females roosting in buildings sustained higher body temperatures than males throughout the day. Pregnant and lactating females also used torpor frequently, with skin temperatures reaching <10°C, and a gestation period lasting 49–89 d. These results show that cool summer temperatures at high elevations present an energetic challenge to little brown myotis. Buildings provide critical habitat for reproductive females and likely allow for larger populations than would be possible in their absence, making these roosts a priority for long‐term conservation of this declining species.
The rise of a native sun coral species on southern Caribbean coral reefs
Authors: Hoeksema Bert W. , Hiemstra Auke‐Florian , Vermeij Mark J. A.
Published: November 2019

In contrast with a general decline of Caribbean reef corals, a previously rare sun coral is increasing in abundance within shallow coral communities on Curaçao. This azooxanthellate scleractinian was identified as Cladopsammia manuelensis, which has an amphi‐Atlantic distribution. Over the last decade, C. manuelensis has increased abundance along the leeward coast of Curaçao (southern Caribbean) between depths of 4 and 30 m. This species was initially not noticed because it resembles the invasive coral Tubastraea coccinea, which was introduced to Curaçao from the Indo‐Pacific around 1940. However, in contrast to T. coccinea, C. manuelensis was previously only present on deeper reef sections (>70 m) of Caribbean reefs. Our observations illustrate how the sudden increase in abundance of a previously unnoticed, apparently cryptogenic species could result from natural dynamics on present‐day reefs, but also could easily be mistaken for an invasive species. The finding that deep reef sections can harbor species capable of colonizing shallower reef zones highlights the importance of thorough inventories of reef communities across large depth ranges, which can help us to discriminate between range increases of native species and the arrival of invasives.
Geographic isolation, pollination syndromes, and pollinator generalization in HimalayanRoscoeaspp. (Zingiberaceae)
Authors: Paudel Babu Ram , Kessler André , Shrestha Mani , Zhao Jian Li , Li Qing‐Jun
Published: November 2019

The pollination syndromes have been widely used to predict effective pollinators of plant species and provide the mechanistic explanation of floral diversity. However, in recent years, the predictive applicability of pollination syndromes has been frequently questioned. The accuracy of the syndromes among the closely related plant species may vary temporally and spatially. This suggests the need for the standardized, comprehensive evaluation of factors influencing the matching of a pollination syndrome of a plant species to the predominant pollinator community. We studied the pollination biology of three geographically/phenologically isolated alpine gingers (Roscoea auriculata,Roscoea capitata, andRoscoea tumjensis) exhibiting the correlated suites of floral traits that suggest long‐tongued insects as major pollinators, to test for the predictive power of the respective pollination syndrome. We also tested if geographical and temporal isolation affects interspecies breeding system and extent of pollinator generalization. We demonstrate that the threeRoscoeaspecies are self‐compatible but lack autonomous selfing, and thus completely rely on pollinators for pollination success. Five years of observations demonstrate that only diurnal insect visitors foraged on the flowers of the threeRoscoeaspecies. Estimates of the pollinator importance (pollen deposition) of the observed floral visitors indicate that morphologically mismatched bumblebees contribute more than 90% of pollination service in all the threeRoscoeaspecies, while long‐tongued butterflies and moths function as nectar robbers. We found that geographical isolation and temporal variation in flowering period does not affect the breeding system and pollinator generalization in the threeRoscoeaspecies. The three geographically and phenologically isolated HimalayanRoscoeaspp., with long‐tongued insect pollination syndrome, exhibit generalized pollination system and primarily rely on the morphologically mismatchedBombusspecies for pollination success. While, for threeRoscoeaspp., our result suggests that pollination syndromes are a weak predictor of efficient contemporary pollinator community, it also substantiates the role of non‐pollinator agents for the evolution of floral traits. The evolution ofBombuspollination in these alpine gingers suggests how the mismatch between plant and pollinator phenology can lead to the emergence of novel reproductive strategies among the congeners, which ultimately seems to play a key role for the speciation and diversification of the genusRoscoeain the Himalayas.
Stability Issue of Perovskite Solar Cells under Real‐World Operating Conditions
Authors: Wu Mian , Haji Ladi Najib , Yi Zijun , Li Hao , Shen Yan , Wang Mingkui
Published: November 2019

Organic–inorganic lead halide perovskites solar cells (PSCs) show great potential in the photovoltaic system, reaching overall power conversion efficiencies (PCE) up to 25.2%. The rapid increase of PCE in PSCs has made them the rising star of the photovoltaics world, with great interest to the academic community. Long‐term stability under working environments remains a significant challenge for the commercialization of PSCs, particularly those using inorganic–organic halide lead perovskite absorbers. In this regard, only the devices that can maintain long‐term stability under conditions of temperature, humidity, and UV irradiation can be called stable solar cells. This Review highlights the sources for the chemical instability problems in conventional CH3NH3PbI3‐based perovskite solar cells from humidity instability, phase instability, thermal instability, and ion migration. In pursuit of highly stable PSCs, this article also discusses the strategies to stabilize PSCs through both external and internal aspects without sacrificing the PCE, specifically including additive engineering with surface passivation and composition engineering.
A stabilized mixed method applied to Stokes system with nonhomogeneous source terms: The stationary case Dedicated to Prof. R. Rodríguez, on the occasion of his 65th birthday
Authors: Barrios Tomás P. , Behrens Edwin M. , Bustinza Rommel
Published: November 2019

This article is concerned with the Stokes system with nonhomogeneous source terms and nonhomogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition. First, we reformulate the problem in its dual mixed form, and then, we study its corresponding well‐posedness. Next, in order to circumvent the well‐known Babuška‐Brezzi condition, we analyze a stabilized formulation of the resulting approach. Additionally, we endow the scheme with an a posteriori error estimator that is reliable and efficient. Finally, we provide numerical experiments that illustrate the performance of the corresponding adaptive algorithm and support its use in practice.
Beer‐spoilage characteristics of Staphylococcus xylosus newly isolated from craft beer and its potential to influence beer quality
Authors: Yu Zhimin , Luo Qiuying , Xiao Li , Sun Yumei , Li Rong , Sun Zhen , Li Xianzhen
Published: November 2019

To meet demands for fresh flavor and unique taste from beer consumer, there is an increase in the popularity of craft beer, which is more susceptible to microbial contamination than the industry beer. A beer‐spoilage strain was isolated from craft beer and identified as Staphylococcus xylosus strain BS7. The isolate BS7 showed that high beer‐spoilage ability at low temperature (4°C), low pH (4.0) and high ethanol concentration (7.0%, v/v). Compared with the other known strains of S. xylosus, strain BS7 was resistant to hop compounds and had an evolutionary stability in hop resistance. Strain BS7 was able to grow quickly and utilizes nutrients in commercial beer, produces organic acids and biogenic amines, and changes beer flavor profile. These results suggest that S. xylosus strain BS7 is a beer‐spoilage strain with the danger, which can lead to the beer‐spoilage issues during craft beer production.
Upper Palaeocene–lower Eocene succession of the Kharga Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt: Foraminiferal biostratigraphy and sequence stratigraphy
Authors: Hewaidy Abdel Galil A. , Farouk Sherif , Bazeen Youssef S.
Published: November 2019

The present study provides a better understanding of the nature of the upper Palaeocene–lower Eocene succession within the framework of the sequence stratigraphy. It is based on the qualitative and quantitative analyses of the foraminiferal assemblages of the Esna and El‐Rufuf formations at the Kharga Oasis, Western Desert. Seven planktonic foraminiferal zones were recognized; P4c and P5 zones of the late Palaeocene (Thanetian) age and E1–E5 zones of the early Eocene (Ypresian) age. The Palaeocene/Eocene (P/E) boundary is recorded at the base of the Dababiya Quarry Member of the Esna Formation that coincides with the P5/E1 zonal boundary. A minor hiatus has been documented across this boundary equivalent to the missing lowermost part of the Dababiya Quarry Member. The foraminiferal investigations (e.g., planktonic percentage, benthic foraminifera cluster analyses, diversity, and abundance) as well as field work and the lithofacies examination have been integrated to subdivide the studied succession into five third‐order depositional sequences separated by five sequence boundaries. These sequences are primarily formed in response to the greater impact of the global sea‐level oscillations, as well as the partial effect of the regional tectonics, which may be related to the influence of the Syrian Arc system. The regional tectonics led to occasional discrepancies in the timing and extent of some changes in the relative sea‐level and mismatching of some boundaries.
Getting into sync: Data‐driven analyses reveal patterns of neural coupling that distinguish among different social exchanges
Authors: Špiláková Beáta , Shaw Daniel J. , Czekóová Kristína , Mareček Radek , Brázdil Milan
Published: November 2019

In social interactions, each individual's brain drives an action that, in turn, elicits systematic neural responses in their partner that drive a reaction. Consequently, the brain responses of both interactants become temporally contingent upon one another through the actions they generate, and different interaction dynamics will be underpinned by distinct forms of between‐brain coupling. In this study, we investigated this by “performing functional magnetic resonance imaging on two individuals simultaneously (dual‐fMRI) while they competed or cooperated with one another in a turn‐based or concurrent fashion.” To assess whether distinct patterns of neural coupling were associated with these different interactions, we combined two data‐driven, model‐free analytical techniques: group‐independent component analysis and inter‐subject correlation. This revealed four distinct patterns of brain responses that were temporally aligned between interactants: one emerged during co‐operative exchanges and encompassed brain regions involved in social cognitive processing, such as the temporo‐parietal cortex. The other three were associated with competitive exchanges and comprised brain systems implicated in visuo‐motor processing and social decision‐making, including the cerebellum and anterior cingulate cortex. Interestingly, neural coupling was significantly stronger in concurrent relative to turn‐based exchanges. These results demonstrate the utility of data‐driven approaches applied to “dual‐fMRI” data in elucidating the interpersonal neural processes that give rise to the two‐in‐one dynamic characterizing social interaction.
Cerebellar‐hippocampal processing in passive perception of visuospatial change: An ego‐ and allocentric axis?
Authors: Hauser Maximilian F. A. , Heba Stefanie , Schmidt‐Wilcke Tobias , Tegenthoff Martin , Manahan‐Vaughan Denise
Published: November 2019

In addition to its role in visuospatial navigation and the generation of spatial representations, in recent years, the hippocampus has been proposed to support perceptual processes. This is especially the case where high‐resolution details, in the form of fine‐grained relationships between features such as angles between components of a visual scene, are involved. An unresolved question is how, in the visual domain, perspective‐changes are differentiated from allocentric changes to these perceived feature relationships, both of which may be argued to involve the hippocampus. We conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain response (corroborated through separate event‐related potential source‐localization) in a passive visuospatial oddball‐paradigm to examine to what extent the hippocampus and other brain regions process changes in perspective, or configuration of abstract, three‐dimensional structures. We observed activation of the left superior parietal cortex during perspective shifts, and right anterior hippocampus in configuration‐changes. Strikingly, we also found the cerebellum to differentiate between the two, in a way that appeared tightly coupled to hippocampal processing. These results point toward a relationship between the cerebellum and the hippocampus that occurs during perception of changes in visuospatial information that has previously only been reported with regard to visuospatial navigation.
Materials Modelling of π‐Phase Monochalcogenides
Authors: Segev Elad , Argaman Uri , Makov Guy
Published: November 2019

The π‐phase monochalcogenides are a recently discovered new family of cubic semiconductors with band gaps in the infrared. Unusually, they consist of a low‐symmetry, non‐centrosymmetric 64 atom simple cubic unit cell and thus may be expected to present exceptional physical properties. Furthermore, they have been obtained only in nanometric form, which raises questions concerning their thermodynamic stability. In a series of studies over the last three years, the authors and others have attempted to unravel the nature and properties of this family of materials through ab‐initio materials modelling. An integrated overview of these works is presented here.
Determinants of financial crises—An early warning system based on panel logit regression
Authors: Jemović Mirjana , Marinković Srđan
Published: November 2019

Despite the fact that different types of financial crises are rooted in similar weaknesses of economy or may have common determinants, the very transmission mechanism may determine one category as leading or lagging behind others. We are focused on financial crises that necessarily have the features of systemic banking crises and assess econometric early warning system of 64 systemic banking crises that occurred in the period from 1977 to 2013. The paper employs two different procedures, based on panel logit regression. The dynamic discrete‐choice (binary) early warning model clearly outperformed the static model. The set of significant explanatory variables changed relative to the findings of the static model. The most significant predictor of the crises in the better performing model is deposit insurance system, followed by international reserves, M2‐to‐international reserves ratio, M2 multiplier, bank deposits, and bank reserves ratio. The statistical significance of the lagged variable confirmed the necessity to take the effect of crisis persistence into account.
Marital quality in arranged and couple‐initiated marriages: The role of perceived influence over partner selection
Authors: Flicker Sharon M. , Sancier‐Barbosa Flavia , Afroz Farhana , Saif Sumaiya N. , Mohsin Faeqa
Published: November 2019

Previous comparisons of relationship quality between individuals in couple‐initiated and arranged marriage have yielded inconsistent findings. One factor which may help to explain this inconsistency is variability in the way in which arranged and couple‐initiated marriages are practiced. To test this, we recruited 116 Bangladeshi women engaged to be married or within the first 3 years of couple‐initiated and arranged marriages. We tested to see which of three models (type of marriage only, perceived influence over partner selection only, and a model that included both relationship type and influence over partner selection) best accounted for variance in self‐reported intimacy, passion, commitment as well as positive and negative relationship quality. Results suggest that influence over partner selection is a better predictor of these outcomes than marriage type, with marriage type offering little if any information beyond that provided by perceived influence. Regardless of marriage type, women with greater influence over their partner selection reported higher levels of intimacy, passion, commitment and positive marital quality. Negative marital quality was unrelated. Future research may benefit from reconceptualising the arranged/couple‐initiated marriage dichotomy as a continuum.
Expediting redox kinetics of sulfur species by atomic‐scale electrocatalysts in lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Li Bo‐Quan , Kong Long , Zhao Chang‐Xin , Jin Qi , Chen Xiao , Peng Hong‐Jie , Qin Jin‐Lei , Chen Jin‐Xiu , Yuan Hong , Zhang Qiang , Huang Jia‐Qi
Published: November 2019

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have extremely high theoretical energy density that make them as promising systems toward vast practical applications. Expediting redox kinetics of sulfur species is a decisive task to break the kinetic limitation of insulating lithium sulfide/disulfide precipitation/dissolution. Herein, we proposed a porphyrin‐derived atomic electrocatalyst to exert atomic‐efficient electrocatalytic effects on polysulfide intermediates. Quantifying electrocatalytic efficiency of liquid/solid conversion through a potentiostatic intermittent titration technique measurement presents a kinetic understanding of specific phase evolutions imparted by the atomic electrocatalyst. Benefiting from atomically dispersed “lithiophilic” and “sulfiphilic” sites on conductive substrates, the finely designed atomic electrocatalyst endows Li–S cells with remarkable cycling stablity (cyclic decay rate of 0.10% in 300 cycles), excellent rate capability (1035 mAh g−1 at 2 C), and impressive areal capacity (10.9 mAh cm−2 at a sulfur loading of 11.3 mg cm−2). The present work expands atomic electrocatalysts to the Li–S chemistry, deepens kinetic understanding of sulfur species evolution, and encourages application of emerging electrocatalysis in other multielectron/multiphase reaction energy systems.
Effects of combined administration of calcium, iron, zinc, chrysanthemum flavonoids, and DMSA on the treatment of lead intoxication in mice
Authors: Huali Tang , Honglei Peng , Feng Wang , Shaokang Wang , Ligang Yang , Jianghong Liu , Guiju Sun
Published: November 2019

The effect of combined administration of calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), chrysanthemum flavonoids, and meso‐2,3‐dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) on the treatment of lead (Pb) intoxication in mice was studied. One hundred ninety female mice (SPF level, aged 18‐22 days) were randomly divided into two groups as experimental animals. Mice in group I (10 mice) served as normal control animals, and were administered deionized water containing 12.5 μL/L acetate acid for 6 weeks, whereas mice in group II (180 mice) were exposed to 0.1% (wt/vol) of lead acetate in deionized water for 6 weeks and served as experimental animals. After 6 weeks of successful modeling, 180 mice from group II (lead‐exposed) were divided into 18 groups of 10 mice each, 16 of which were treated by the combined administration of Ca, Fe, Zn, chrysanthemum flavonoids, and DMSA by L16 (215) orthogonal design. The remaining two groups were given treatment with low and high doses of DMSA, respectively. After three weeks of intervention (ig), the optimal treatment group was identified according to its blood lead level, as well as some antioxidant indices in the blood, liver, and hippocampus. The results indicated that the combined administration of Fe, Zn, chrysanthemum flavonoids, and DMSA with low dosage had the most significant effect on increasing the activities of blood delta‐aminolevulinic acid dehydratase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), hepatic SOD and hippocampus nitric oxide synthase while decreasing the blood lead level, the content of hepatic malondialdehyde and hippocampus nitric oxide; this was considered the optimal treatment group. There was no difference in the level of blood hemoglobin between the optimal treatment group and the model control group (the first group of the orthogonal experiment). The activities of blood glutathione (GSH), hepatic GSH and glutathione peroxidase of the optimal treatment group were the same as other groups’, and the recovery of the related indexes in the optimal effect group closely resembled the high dosage DMSA group. It can be concluded that the coadministration of Fe, Zn, and chrysanthemum flavonoids along with a low‐dose DMSA effectively reduces Pb poisoning and lead‐induced oxidative damage in lead‐exposed mice; the result may provide a theoretical reference for the treatment of Pb poisoning.
Potential of a sensitive uric acid biosensor fabricated using hydroxyapatite nanowire/reduced graphene oxide/gold nanoparticle
Authors: Chen Yao , Zhou Wencui , Ma Jiahui , Ruan Feixia , Qi Xuezhen , Cai Yurong
Published: November 2019

In this study, a ternary nanocomposite consisting of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanowires, and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is synthesized by a simple one‐step hydrothermal method, which is used to modify glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for detecting uric acid. The nanocomposite is characterized through various methods such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. Electrochemical measurements of the modified GCE are performed in a conventional three‐electrode system. Experimental results show that the obtained HAP nanowire and rGO are mixed homogeneously, and the AuNPs are deposited into this matrix. The GCE modified by the nanocomposites have superior electrocatalytic activities for uric acid. The peak current intensities of UAO (uricase)/HAP‐rGO/AuNPs sensing system linearly increase as the uric acid concentration increases substantially in a range of 1.95 × 10−5 to 6.0 × 10−3 M (R2 = .9943), with a detection limit of 3.9 × 10−6 M (S/N = 3) and analytical sensitivity of 13.86 mA/M. The biosensor performs well in determining uric acid concentration in human urine samples.
Synthesis of novel Mannich bases and hybrid Mannich bases related to isoindolin‐1,3‐dione
Authors: Afsah Elsayed M. , Kandil Ez‐el‐Din M. , Abdelmageed Soha M. , Elbarhmtoushi Fatma T.
Published: November 2019

Treatment of isoindolin‐1,3‐dione (1) with formalin and the appropriate amine or diamine afforded new N‐Mannich bases and bis‐(Mannich bases) 2 to 6. The use of the appropriate hydrazide or dihydrazide as the amine component in the Mannich reaction with 1 led to Mannich bases and bis‐(Mannich bases) incorporating a hydrazide moiety. The synthetic potential of sec‐Mannich bases as precursors in synthesis of hybrid Mannich bases incorporating 1 was described. The N‐alkylation of 1 with ketonic Mannich bases was investigated.
Introducing a Model of Transformational Prosocial Leadership
Authors: Tintoré Mireia
Published: November 2019

Transformational leadership is one of the most dominant and debated leadership theories in the last three decades. The current article introduces the concept of prosocial transformational leadership and distinguishes it from charismatic‐transformational leadership and transactional leadership. A review of the literature is made examining the three leadership styles (transactional, charismatic‐transformational, and prosocial transformational), and relating them to some organizational constructs such as motivation, followership, communication, decision‐making style, job satisfaction, emotional intelligence, and organizational culture. As a result of the analysis, theoretical models presenting the relationships of the different leadership styles with the organizational constructs are built. The models show that, depending on the style of leadership, organizational culture is developed differently, and it seems that the prosocial transformational model can contribute to building more individual and collective capacity. Prosocial transformational leadership develops a new insight of transformational leadership and, at the same time, has a lot in common with other kinds of leadership (e.g., positive leadership, authentic leadership, or transcendent leadership) and can contribute to the integration of similar leadership theories.
Label‐free detection of wild mushrooms DNA based on surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Xiong Yang , Zhang Deqing , Hao Yanping , Liu Yan , Si Minzhen
Published: November 2019

Direct and label‐free detection of unmodified DNA has always been a great challenge for DNA analyses. Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can provide structural fingerprinting of analytes with single‐molecules sensitivity, so it could be the best candidate for label‐free detection of DNA. Wild mushrooms, a very nutritious and delicious food in our lives, are widely distributed in Yunnan province. Herein, a simple and reliable method, based on SERS, was developed for label‐free detection of DNA from six wild mushrooms and three common edible mushrooms. Concentrated Ag colloid prepared by microwave heating method with high SERS activity was used to obtain high reproducible SERS spectra. SERS signatures and spectroscopic band assignments of these mushrooms DNA were analyzed. Principal component analysis was used to distinguish these nine mushrooms. This experiment provides a simple and reliable method to detect mushrooms DNA, which is useful for the study of mushrooms DNA. Also, this approach has great potential for species identification of wild mushrooms and provides a basis for learning the interaction between DNA and small molecules. To our best knowledge, it is the first SERS study on DNA from wild mushrooms.
Method to suppress speckle noise using time multiplexing in phase‐only holographic display
Authors: Xin Ling , Xiao Dan , Wang Qiong‐Hua
Published: November 2019

In holographic display, the reconstructed image suffers from speckle noise severely. In this paper, we propose a method to suppress speckle noise using time multiplexing in phase‐only holographic display. Adjacent pixels of the recorded object are separated into object point groups firstly. Particularly, the pixel interval of each object point group is larger compared with the conventional pixel separation method. And then, sub‐computer–generated holograms (sub‐CGHs) are calculated by the modified Gerchberg–Saxton (GS) algorithm with different initial random phases. Finally, the final integrated image is reconstructed with low speckle noise using time multiplexing technique. Both numerical and optical experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility with our proposed method.
Temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter mineralization decreases with long‐term N fertilization: Evidence from four Q10 estimation approaches
Authors: Zang Huadong , Blagodatskaya Evgenia , Wen Yuan , Shi Lingling , Cheng Fei , Chen Haiqing , Zhao Bingqiang , Zhang Fusuo , Fan Mingsheng , Kuzyakov Yakov
Published: November 2019

Climate warming and anthropogenic nitrogen (N) loads are two major global change components interactively affecting carbon cycling. However, the effects of N forms and amounts on temperature sensitivity (Q10) of soil organic matter (SOM) mineralization remain incomplete. With this goal, soil was sampled after 23 years of mineral and (or) organic N fertilization, and then incubated for one year at 10, 20, and 30°C. For the first time, we compared four approaches (Equal time, Equal C, 1‐C pool, and 2‐C pool model) to evaluate the Q10 of SOM mineralization. All approaches showed that the Q10 decreased by more than one third with N fertilization compared to unfertilized control at low temperatures. The '1‐C pool model' was not adequate for Q10 estimation with various C availability. The Q10 estimated by '2‐C pool model' was strongly depended on incubation duration. The 'Equal C' approach was more powerful for separating SOM pools and it revealed the decreased Q10 of the recalcitrant pool at high N rates. The impact of N fertilization on Q10 was more evident at high N than at low N. Notably, the Q10 decreased more by mineral N compared to organic fertilizers (~60% vs. ~40% decreased in Q10) at 10–20oC. The added benefit of N fertilization in protecting SOM under climate warming was demonstrated by decreased Q10. Such one‐third reduction of temperature sensitivity by N fertilization is large enough to be considered in predictions of global SOM stocks under warming and anthropogenic N loads.
Resveratrol Downregulates miR‐31 to Promote T Regulatory Cells during Prevention of TNBS‐Induced Colitis
Authors: Alrafas Haider Rasheed , Busbee Philip B. , Nagarkatti Mitzi , Nagarkatti Prakash S.
Published: November 2019

Scope

Colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease, is associated with aberrant regulation of the colonic mucosal immune system. Resveratrol, a natural plant product, has been found to exert anti‐inflammatory properties and attenuate the development of murine colitis. In the current study, the role of microRNA (miR) in the ability of resveratrol to suppress colonic inflammation is examined.

Methods and results

BALB/C mice with 2,4,6‐Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid solution (TNBS)‐induced colitis, when treated with resveratrol, show improved clinical outcomes and reduce induction of inflammatory T cells (Th17 and Th1) while increasing CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) and IL‐10‐producing CD4+ T cells. miR microarray analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) validation from CD4+ T cells show treatment with resveratrol decreases the expression of several miRs (miR‐31, Let7a, miR‐132) that targets cytokines and transcription factors involved in anti‐inflammatory T cell responses (Foxp3 and TGF‐β). Transfection studies with miR‐31 confirm that this miR directly regulates the expression of Foxp3. Lastly, analysis of public data from human patients with ulcerative colitis reveals that miR‐31 expression is significantly increased when compared to controls.

Conclusion

Together, the current study demonstrates that resveratrol‐mediated attenuation of colitis may be regulated by miR‐31 through induction of Tregs and miR‐31 may serve as a therapeutic target for human colitis.
Contours of saturated and unsaturated overhanging slopes at limiting equilibrium condition
Authors: Vo Thanh , Russell Adrian R.
Published: November 2019

Overhangs are frequently observed in riverbanks, coastal headlands, and rock formations. The geometry of an overhang is an input into most slope stability analyses and is often idealised or back‐calculated from empirical data. This study investigates the geometries of overhang slopes, which exist while in limiting conditions satisfying static equilibrium with soil strength governed by the Mohr‐Coulomb failure criterion. The overhanging contour is formulated as the unknown in a boundary value problem and solved for using the slip line theory. Analyses consider nonhomogeneous soils, where cohesion and, if unsaturated, the contribution of suction to the effective stress vary linearly with depth. The solutions are presented in general dimensionless charts. Applications of the charts are illustrated via examples. It has been observed that soil with varying amounts of friction and cohesion could develop overhanging arches of different sizes and shapes. This study shows that the curvature of an overhang becomes more pronounced for small values of φ′. It is also demonstrated that changing the contribution of suction to the effective stress has a direct impact on the size of an unsaturated soil overhang. Overhanging slope shapes observed in reality may be different from the idealised subset studied in this paper since real slopes are not necessarily at impending failure. The real shapes may be influenced by various physical processes such as weathering, stress variations caused by cycles of wetting‐drying. Even so, the results presented in the paper indicated how key soil properties influence slope shapes, albeit it while in limiting conditions.