bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing precipitation in high altitudes of the western Tibetan plateau with a focus on major glacier areas
Authors: Li Duo , Yang Kun , Tang Wenjun , Li Xin , Zhou Xu , Guo Donglin
Published: February 2020

Solid water resources such as glaciers and snow cover are widely distributed in the western Tibetan plateau (WTP), and precipitation is the key supply of them. However, the characteristics of precipitation over the WTP remain unclear due to sparse observations. Using observation‐based gridded data (APHRODITE, GPCC), satellite products (TRMM, GPM), reanalysis data (ERA5, ERA‐Interim, JRA‐55) and weather research and forecasting model (WRF)‐simulation data (HAR10, HAR30), this study investigated the precipitation characteristics in high mountain areas (altitude >2,500 m a.s.l.) of the WTP (26–44°N, 70–85°E) from 2001 to 2013. Results show that annual GPM precipitation (336 mm) is much lower than that of other data sets (570–800 mm) for the WTP and appears to be an outlier; meanwhile, the other data sets show increasing precipitation as grid resolution decreases (becomes coarser). In contrast, high spatial resolution WRF simulations (HAR10, HAR30) yielded considerably higher precipitation in four strongly glacierized alpine areas (Western Himalaya, Karakorum, Tajikistan, and west Kunlun) than the other data sets. When compared to precipitation estimated using the water balance in nine glacierized catchments of the Upper Indus River Basin, the HAR data sets more reasonably represent the amount of precipitation in high mountain areas than the other data sets. The surface albedo, snow cover extent, and snow cover duration observed by satellites further indicate that the HAR data sets yield reasonable spatial variability of precipitation. This implies that the commonly used data sets (such as observation data and satellite products) underestimate the precipitation in high mountain areas. According to the HAR10 data, the four major glacierized areas on the WTP have similar precipitation amounts in summer and autumn, and the winter–spring contribution to annual precipitation is at least 70% in three of these areas (Western Himalaya, Karakorum, and Tajikistan). This pattern indicates that precipitation over the high‐altitude areas in WTP is mainly controlled by the mid‐latitude westerlies. The annual precipitation in these areas is over 1,000 mm, which is comparable to that of the southeast TP but much larger than that on the central plateau. Therefore, the spatial precipitation pattern across the TP is ‘wet east and west, dry middle’.
Selection of tomato landraces with high fruit yield and nutritional quality under elevated temperatures
Authors: Scarano Aurelia , Olivieri Fabrizio , Gerardi Carmela , Liso Marina , Chiesa Maurizio , Chieppa Marcello , Frusciante Luigi , Barone Amalia , Santino Angelo , Rigano Maria Manuela
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Global warming and extreme or adverse events induced by climatic fluctuations are an important threat for plants growth and agricultural production. Adaptability to environmental changes prevalently derives from a large set of genetic traits affecting physiological and agronomic parameters. Therefore, the identification of genotypes that are good yield performer at high temperatures is becoming increasingly necessary for future breeding programs. Here, we analyzed the performances of different tomato landraces grown under elevated temperatures in terms of yield and nutritional quality of the fruit. Finally, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities of fruit extracts from the tomato landraces selected.

RESULTS

The tomato landraces analyzed here in a hot climate differed in terms of yield performance, physicochemical parameters of fruit (pH, titratable acidity, degrees Brix, firmness), bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and polyphenols), and anti‐inflammatory potential. Three of these landraces (named E30, E94, and PDVIT) showed higher fruit quality and nutritional value. An estimated evaluation index allowed identification of PDVIT as the best performer in terms of yield and fruit quality under high temperatures.

CONCLUSION

The analyses performed here highlight the possibility to identify new landraces that can combine good yield performances and fruit nutritional quality at high temperatures, information that is useful for future breeding programs. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Oncoplastic mammaplasty with geometric compensation: Evolution of the technique, outcomes and follow‐up in a multicentre retrospective cohort
Authors: Resende Paulinelli Régis , de Oliveira Vilmar Marques , Bagnoli Fábio , Letzkus Berríos Jaime , Cézar Chade Milca , Bragatto Picoli Larissa , Dias Santos Thauana , Bastos de Carvalho Ana Paula , Jubé Ribeiro Luiz Fernando , Freitas‐Junior Ruffo
Published: February 2020

Background and Objectives

To report on the outcomes and evolution of an oncoplastic mammaplasty referred to as geometric compensation mammaplasty.

Methods

Seventy‐three patients with malignant tumours were operated on and followed up in five centres in two countries. Preoperative markings were performed using a Wise pattern. The resection of affected skin was geometrically compensated using another area of preserved skin.

Results

Mean pathological tumour size was 30.42 ± 21.98 mm. Twenty tumours (30.77%) were locally advanced and 15 (20.55%) were multicentric. Twenty‐two patients (34.38%) were submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Cosmetic results were considered good or excellent in 59 cases (80.82%). Margins were positive in two cases (2.74%). Complications were partial wound dehiscence (n = 11; 15.07%), fat necrosis (n = 9; 12.33%), skin necrosis (n = 5; 6.85%), seromas (n = 5; 6.85%), enlarged scars (n = 7; 9.59%) and infection (n = 2; 2.74%). There were three cases of local recurrence (4.29%), two of bone metastasis (2.86%) and three of metachronous contralateral breast cancer (4.35%). No deaths were recorded within a mean follow‐up of 35.33 ± 28.21 months.

Conclusions

The technique allowed breast conservation in situations requiring a large resection of skin in difficult positions, with a high rate of free margins, correction of ptosis, satisfactory symmetry and few complications.
The moderating role of leisure participation in work–leisure conflict for the reduction of burnout in hotels and travel agencies
Authors: Elbaz Ahmed M. , Salem Islam , Elsetouhi Ahmed , Abdelhamied Hany H. S.
Published: February 2020

This study investigates the influence of work–leisure conflict (WLC) on the performance of employees in Egyptian hotels and travel agencies through the mediating role of employee burnout related to emotional exhaustion, cynicism and professional efficacy. In addition, this study examines how leisure participation moderates the effects of WLC on both employee burnout and performance. Data used for this study were collected from 788 hotel and travel agencies operating in Egypt. Given the purpose of the study, a nonlinear partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) was used to analyse the data. The findings support the proposed model and thus indicated that WLC has a negative influence on the performance of employees. Moreover, it has also been determined that leisure participation plays an important role in decreasing the negative influence of WLC on emotional exhaustion, cynicism and reduced professional efficacy of employees in hotels and travel agencies. These findings hold important implications for tourism and hospitality firms.
Optimizing Settings for Office‐Based Endoscopic CO2 Laser Surgery Using an Experimental Vocal Cord Model
Authors: Schimberg Anouk S. , Klabbers Tim M. , Wellenstein David J. , Heutink Floris , Honings Jimmie , van Engen‐Van Grunsven Ilse , Verdaasdonk Rudolf M. , Takes Robert P. , van den Broek Guido B.
Published: February 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

To provide insight in the thermal effects of individual laser settings in target tissues to optimize flexible endoscopic CO2 laser surgery treatment.

Study Design

Experimental laboratory study.

Methods

Thermal effects of the CO2 laser using a fiber delivery system were visualized using the color Schlieren technique in combination with a polyacrylamide gel tissue model. Variable settings were used for emission mode, power, laser fiber distance, and laser duration, which were evaluated in every possible combination. Collateral thermal expansion and incision depth were measured. To validate the model, the results were compared to histology after CO2 laser irradiation of ex vivo human vocal cords, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated. Thermal damage and incision depth were measured by a blinded pathologist.

Results

Of all parameters studied, duration of laser irradiation had the greatest effect on thermal expansion. Increased distance between laser tip and target tissue resulted in significantly reduced incision depth and increased thermal expansion. Pulsed emission modes led to increased incision depths. The intraclass correlation coefficient for consistency between the model setup and the ex vivo human vocal cords was classified as “fair.”

Conclusions

By using high‐intensity pulsed lasers at minimal distance to the target tissue, exposure times and subsequent damage to surrounding tissue can be reduced. If an evaporation technique is used, lower power in continuous wave at a larger distance to the target tissue will lead to superficial but broader thermal effects. The model setup used in this study is a valid model to investigate laser‐induced thermal effects in vocal cord tissue.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:E680–E685, 2020
Comprehensive benefits evaluation and its spatial simulation for well‐facilitated farmland projects in the Huang‐Huai‐Hai Region of China
Authors: Wang Xiaoqing , Shi Wenjiao , Sun Xiaofang , Wang Meng
Published: February 2020

The establishment of well‐facilitated farmland in recent years has played a key role in addressing the issues of land fragmentation and food security in China. However, few researches focused on the spatially explicit simulation of comprehensive benefit levels (CBL) of well‐facilitated farmland projects in each 1 km × 1 km grid. Here, we analyzed the CBL of well‐facilitated farmland projects in the Huang‐Huai‐Hai Region (HHHR) of China during the 12th Five‐Year Plan period (2011–2015) using 568 questionnaires. Furthermore, we proposed a method based on a logistic regression model to analyze the CBL‐affecting factors and predicted the probability of high, middle, and low CBL in each 1 km × 1 km grid. The results showed that there were significant regional and interprovincial differences in the comprehensive benefits evaluation results. The projects with medium and high comprehensive benefits values were mainly located in southern Hebei Province, western Shandong Province, and southeastern Henan Province. The economic and social benefits of the projects in the plain areas contributed greatly to the increase in the comprehensive benefits of farmland. In contrast, the ecological benefits were greater for the projects in mountainous and hilly areas. The spatial prediction results indicated that 42.5% (22.5 million ha) of the HHHR, mainly distributed in plain areas, was predicted to have a high CBL with a probability of more than 0.5. Our findings are essential for governments to examine the construction benefit in this period, and the spatially predicted CBL probabilities can be used as a reference for well‐facilitated farmland layouts and future planning.
Narrow‐leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) β‐conglutin: A multifunctional family of proteins with roles in plant defence, human health benefits, and potential uses as functional food
Authors: Jimenez‐Lopez Jose C.
Published: February 2020

Lupinus angustifolius or narrow‐leafed lupin (NLL) is an important Pulse world‐wide and an outstanding alternative source of high quality proteins. NLL β‐conglutin (vicilin or 7S acid globulin), a multigene family of proteins, is the main representative protein in NLL seeds exhibiting multifunctional properties and benefits recently discovered. These functions may result from specific structural features of NLL β‐conglutins in comparison with most legume vicilin proteins. From the agricultural side, NLL β‐conglutin proteins (1a) exert antifungal properties promoting enhanced plant resistance to necrotrophic oomycete pathogens and (1b) displaying functional interplay between storage protein mobilization and seed oxidative metabolism as a functional regulatory and signalling crossroad for the control of physiological underlying processes of the seed dormancy breakage and release, during germination, and seedling growth. NLL β‐conglutins benefits go beyond nutritional properties because displayed nutraceutical functions make them an outstanding source of innovative ingredients for functional food. They have antioxidant activity and anti‐inflammatory properties, which are able to improve inflammatory‐related diseases such as type 2 diabetes through (a) regulation of insulin signalling pathway, (b) improving insulin sensitivity, (c) facilitating glucose uptake by cells, (d) together with their capacity for balancing the oxidative homeostasis, metabolic, and signalling pathways (e) while reducing reactive oxygen specie production and increase cellular oxidative defence capacity. Interestingly, NLL β‐conglutins also display anti‐nutritional properties as proteins capable to elicit allergic responses in sensitized individuals. This review outlines newly discovered knowledge of the narrow‐leafed lupin β‐conglutin proteins drawing on information gained from structure‐functional properties, agriculture benefits, as well as nutraceutics and molecular allergy point of views.
Kerker‐Type Intensity‐Gradient Force of Light
Authors: Xu Xiaohao , Nieto‐Vesperinas Manuel , Qiu Cheng‐Wei , Liu Xiaoshuai , Gao Dongliang , Zhang Yao , Li Baojun
Published: February 2020

The intensity gradient of light represents the most important property for optical tweezers to manipulate small particles, which is known to produce a conservative optical force that is either attractive or repulsive. Here, it is shown that Kerker interference, the interplay between electric and magnetic dipoles induced in nanoparticles, permits the intensity gradient to exert a nonconservative optical force, in the case of a standard optical trap created with linearly or elliptically polarized Gaussian beams. The Kerker‐type intensity‐gradient force has an “anisotropic” directionality, and it tends to repel particles away from the beam axis. Such repulsive effects can greatly sensitize the particle trapping behavior of optical tweezers to the particle size. Utilizing these peculiar properties, all‐optical sorting of Si nanoparticles is theoretically demonstrated, with tunable size‐selection criterion and accuracy.
Whole exome sequencing establishes diagnosis of Charcot–Marie–Tooth 4J, 1C, and X1 subtypes
Authors: Michaelidou Kleita , Tsiverdis Ioannis , Erimaki Sophia , Papadimitriou Dimitra , Amoiridis Georgios , Papadimitriou Alexandros , Mitsias Panayiotis , Zaganas Ioannis
Published: February 2020

Background

Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) hereditary polyneuropathies pose a diagnostic challenge. Our aim here is to describe CMT patients diagnosed by whole exome sequencing (WES) following years of fruitless testing.

Methods/Results

Three patients with polyneuropathy suspected to be genetic in origin, but not harboring PMP22 gene deletion/duplication, were offered WES. The first patient, a 66‐year‐old man, had been suffering from progressive weakness and atrophies in the lower and upper extremities for 20 years. Due to ambiguous electrophysiological findings, immune therapies were administered to no avail. Twelve years after PMP22 deletion/duplication testing, WES revealed two pathogenic variants in the FIG4 gene (p.Ile41Thr and p.Phe598fs, respectively), as a cause of CMT 4J. The second patient, a 19‐year‐old man, had been suffering from hearing and gait impairment since at least his infancy, and recently presented with weakness and dystonia of the lower extremities. In this patient, WES identified the p.Leu122Val LITAF gene variant in heterozygous state, suggesting the diagnosis of CMT 1C, several years after initial genetic analyses. The third patient, a 44‐year‐old man, presented with progressive weakness and atrophies of the lower and upper extremities since the age of 17 years old. In this patient, WES identified the hemizygous p.Arg164Gln pathogenic variant in the GJB1 gene, establishing the diagnosis of CMT X1, 8 years after testing for PMP22 deletion/duplication.

Conclusion

Novel diagnostic techniques, such as WES, offer the possibility to decipher the cause of CMT subtypes, ending the diagnostic Odyssey of the patients and sparing them from unnecessary and potentially harmful treatments.
Genome sequencing identifies a homozygous inversion disrupting QDPR as a cause for dihydropteridine reductase deficiency
Authors: Lilleväli Hardo , Pajusalu Sander , Wojcik Monica H. , Goodrich Julia , Collins Ryan L. , Murumets Ülle , Tammur Pille , Blau Nenad , Lilleväli Kersti , Õunap Katrin
Published: February 2020

Background

Dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) is one of the key enzymes for maintaining in the organism the supply of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor for aromatic amino acid hydroxylases. Its dysfunction causes the condition of hyperphenylalaninemia together with the lack of neurotransmitters.

Methods

We report a patient with biochemically diagnosed DHPR deficiency, with extensive molecular investigations undertaken to detect variations in quinoid dihydropteridine reductase (QDPR) gene. Sanger sequencing of QDPR coding regions, exome sequencing, QDPR mRNA PCR, and karyotyping were followed by trio genome sequencing.

Results

Short‐read genome sequencing revealed a homozygous 9‐Mb inversion disrupting QDPR. Structural variant breakpoints in chromosome 4 were located to intron 2 of QDPR at Chr4(GRCh38):g.17505522 and in intron 8 of the ACOX3 gene, Chr4(GRCh38):g.8398067). Both nonrelated parents carried the variant in heterozygous state. The inversion was not present in gnomAD structural variant database.

Conclusion

Identification of the exact breakpoints now allows further straightforward molecular genetic testing of potential carriers of the inversion. This study extends the pathogenic variant spectrum of DHPR deficiency and highlights the role of structural variants in recessive metabolic disorders. To our knowledge, this is the first report on a large, canonical (rather than complex) homozygous pathogenic inversion detected by genome sequencing.
Multi‐peak solutions of Kirchhoff equations involving subcritical or critical Sobolev exponents
Authors: Wang Zhuangzhuang , Zeng Xiaoyu , Zhang Yimin
Published: February 2020

We study the following Kirchhoff equation:

where
is critical or subcritical growth. By introducing suitable scalings,
is transformed into a semilinear elliptic equation coupled with an algebraic equation of the scaling parameter. Upon which, we prove the existence of multi‐peak solutions of
concentrating around the critical points of
or
. Moreover, we prove that
has only trivial solution if
and
is suitably large.
Local well‐posedness and blow‐up for an inhomogeneous nonlinear heat equation
Authors: Alessa Rasha , Alshehri Aisha , Altamimi Haya , Majdoub Mohamed
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we consider the nonlinear heat equation with inhomogeneous nonlinearity
where
having either a polynomial growth or exponential growth, and
is a function satisfying some assumptions to be stated later. We first prove the local well‐posedness in suitable Lebesgue spaces when
belongs to some Lebesgue space and
has polynomial growth. We also obtain some blow‐up results.
Transgenerational Inheritance of Betaine‐Induced Epigenetic Alterations in Estrogen‐Responsive IGF‐2/IGFBP2 Genes in Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Yang Yang , Jiang Wenduo , Yang Shu , Qi Fulei , Zhao Ruqian
Published: February 2020

Scope

Betaine serves as a methyl donor for DNA methylation. Here, the effects of betaine on hippocampal expression of neurogenesis genes and their DNA methylation status across three generations are investigated.

Methods and Results

Pregnant rats (F0) are fed control and betaine‐supplemented diets throughout gestation and lactation. Female F1 and F2 offspring at weaning, together with the F0 dams, are used in the study. Hippocampal expression of aromatase, estrogen receptor α, and estrogen‐related receptor β is downregulated in F1, together with the estrogen‐responsive insulin‐like growth factor 2/insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGF‐2/IGFBP2) genes. However, all these genes are upregulated in F2, which follows the same pattern of F0. In agreement with changes in mRNA expression, the imprinting control region (ICR) of IGF‐2 gene is hypomethylated in F1 but hypermethylated in F2 and F0. In contrast, the promoter DNA methylation status of all the affected genes is hypermethylated in F1 but hypomethylated in F2 and F0. Methyl transfer enzymes, such as betaine homocysteine methyltransferase and DNA methyltransferase 1, follow the same pattern of transgenerational inheritance.

Conclusion

These results indicate that betaine exerts a transgenerational effect on hippocampal expression of estrogen‐responsive genes in rat offspring, which is associated with corresponding alterations in DNA methylation on ICR of IGF‐2 gene and the promoter of affected genes.
Evaluation of Organically Modified Layered Double Hydroxides as Fillers for the Preparation of Polymer Nanocomposites in Miniemulsion Polymerization
Authors: Silva Rodrigo Duarte , Lona Liliane Maria Ferrareso , Dubé Marc Arnold
Published: February 2020

Latexes of poly(n‐butyl acrylate‐co‐methyl methacrylate) [P(BA‐co‐MMA)] filled with magnesium–aluminum layered double hydroxides (MgAl‐LDHs) are synthesized using miniemulsion polymerization. Three commercial LDHs organically modified with different types of anions are used as fillers (Perkalite F100S, Perkalite A100, and Perkalite AF50) and three different types of surfactants are tested to stabilize the miniemulsions including a cationic, an anionic, and a nonionic one. Stable LDH‐containing miniemulsions are prepared with a mixture of sodium dodecyl sulfate and Triton X‐405 and the polymerizable co‐stabilizer octadecyl acrylate. They are then polymerized to yield nanocomposite latexes. Depending on the type of LDH used, the presence of the inorganic material in the reaction medium affects the polymerization kinetics. X‐ray diffraction analysis of the resulting nanocomposite films suggests exfoliation of the inorganic material. The glass transition temperature of the nanocomposites is not affected by the LDHs and the decomposition temperature of the nanocomposites determined by thermogravimetric analysis is greater than that of the pure polymer.
Modelling of localized ductile fracture with volumetric locking‐free tetrahedral elements
Authors: Xu Yanjie , Biswas Raja , Poh Leong Hien
Published: February 2020

Finite element analysis of ductile fracture with tetrahedral elements faces two numerical issues: volumetric locking and mesh sensitivity. In this paper, two widely adopted remedies for volumetric locking (F‐bar and mixed field) are evaluated, and the superior performance of the mixed field method is demonstrated. Building on the mixed field formulation, a gradient enhancement is further incorporated to resolve the mesh sensitivity. It is shown that a localizing gradient enhancement can avoid a spurious spreading of damage induced by the conventional gradient approach. A locking‐free, regularized ductile fracture is first presented via a uniformly tapering plate example. Finally, a shear plate test on ferrite‐bainite steel is considered. Numerical results obtained with the proposed approach are shown to capture the rapid strain softening and localized shear fracture phenomenon observed experimentally.
8‐node hexahedral unsymmetric element with rotation degrees of freedom for modified couple stress elasticity
Authors: Shang Yan , Li Chen‐Feng , Jia Kang‐Yu
Published: February 2020

A new C0 8‐node 48‐DOF hexahedral element is developed for analysis of size‐dependent problems in the context of the modified couple stress theory by extending the methodology proposed in our recent work (Shang et al., Int J Numer Methods Eng 119(9): 807‐825, 2019) to the three‐dimensional (3D) cases. There are two major innovations in the present formulation. First, the independent nodal rotation degrees of freedom (DOFs) are employed to enhance the standard 3D isoparametric interpolation for obtaining the displacement and strain test functions, as well as to approximatively design the physical rotation field for deriving the curvature test function. Second, the equilibrium stress functions instead of the analytical functions are used to formulate the stress trial function whilst the couple stress trial function is directly obtained from the curvature test function by using the constitutive relationship. Besides, the penalty function is introduced into the virtual work principle for enforcing the C1 continuity condition in weak sense. Several benchmark examples are examined and the numerical results demonstrate that the element can simulate the size‐dependent mechanical behaviors well, exhibiting satisfactory accuracy and low susceptibility to mesh distortion.
A contact algorithm for cohesive cracks in the extended finite element method
Authors: Fang Huangcheng , Zhang Dingli , Zhou Mozhen , Fang Qian , Wen Ming
Published: February 2020

Cracks with quasibrittle behavior are extremely common in engineering structures. The modeling of cohesive cracks involves strong nonlinearity in the contact, material, and complex transition between contact and cohesive forces. In this article, we propose a novel contact algorithm for cohesive cracks in the framework of the extended finite element method. A cohesive‐contact constitutive model is introduced to characterize the complex mechanical behavior of the fracture process zone. To avoid the stress oscillations and ill‐conditioned system matrix that often occur in the conventional contact approach, the proposed algorithm employs a special dual Lagrange multiplier to impose the contact constraint. This Lagrange multiplier is constructed by means of the area‐weighted average and biorthogonality conditions at the element level. The system matrix can be condensed into a positive definite matrix with an unchanged size at a very low computational cost. In addition, we illustrate solving the cohesive crack contact problem using a novel iteration strategy. Several numerical experiments are performed to illustrate the efficiency and high‐quality results of our method in contact analysis of cohesive cracks.
Development of the Interpersonal Processes of Care Survey–Japanese version
Authors: Shiozawa Takuma , Yamaguchi Sosei , Matsunaga Asami , Sawada Utako , Fujii Chiyo
Published: February 2020

Aims

In the past two decades, there has been growing interest in patient‐doctor communication in psychiatry, and several treatment options have been established. This study aimed to develop the Interpersonal Processes of Care Survey–Japanese version (IPC‐J), which measures multidimensional communication and the relationship between doctors and patients in Japanese psychiatry.

Method

We conducted a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey at one psychiatric hospital and two psychiatric clinics in Japan and investigated the factor validity, convergent validity, internal consistency, and test‐retest reliability of the IPC‐J.

Result

Overall, 148 eligible patients participated in the study and were included in the analyses. Data from 16 participants were used to examine test‐retest reliability. An exploratory factor analysis using 23 items from the IPC scale was performed to clarify the factor structure in a Japanese psychiatric setting. The final IPC‐J contained 22 items and a two‐factor structural model. High internal consistency (α > .8) and moderate test‐retest reliability (interclass correlation > .65) were observed. Regarding convergent validity, the factor 1 “Doctor's communication‐related attitudes and skills” was significantly correlated with service satisfaction, empowerment, and medication adherence, whereas the factor 2 “Consideration for the patient's to promote own treatment decisions” was correlated with service satisfaction and medication adherence.

Conclusion

The IPC‐J appears to be a useful tool for assessing patient views on interpersonal communication with doctors in a Japanese psychiatric setting. While the analysis suggested utilizing an IPC‐J with 22 items, the full IPC‐J can be used in cross‐cultural studies.
Planting Roots, Making Place: Urban Autochthony in Port Vila Vanuatu
Authors: Kraemer Daniela
Published: February 2020

A contentious issue for Pacific Islanders, as well as researchers of the Pacific Islands, is ni‐Vanuatu notions of ‘belonging’ to urban centres. Previous research in Vanuatu has shown that despite generations of people born and raised in Port Vila, the nation's capital, the urban centre is not generally perceived as a ‘place’ to which urban migrants can say they are from. For many, exclaiming that one is ‘from’ town is tantamount to admitting one has ‘no place’. This paper, based on fieldwork among a group of urban young men in Freswota, a residential community of Port Vila, argues that in contrast to this, Freswota young men are generating a new locative identity. Their urban community rather than their parents' home island places is emerging as their primary location of belonging and the source of their sense of self, personhood and social identification. As such, these young men are the urban autochthones of the country.
Domestic cats and their impacts on biodiversity: A blind spot in the application of nature conservation law
Authors: Trouwborst Arie , McCormack Phillipa C. , Martínez Camacho Elvira
Published: February 2020

Free‐ranging domestic cats Felis catus, from owned pets to feral cats, impact biodiversity through predation, fear effects, competition, disease and hybridization. Scientific knowledge regarding these impacts has recently increased, making it timely to assess the role of nature conservation legislation in this connection. We do so with particular regard to the obligations of governments around the world under international wildlife law.

First, we provide an overview of current knowledge, based on a literature review, concerning the ways in which domestic cats impact wildlife; the resulting effects on native species’ populations and ecosystems; and available strategies for addressing these issues. In light of this knowledge, using standard legal research methodology, we then identify and interpret relevant legal instruments, with a particular focus on international wildlife treaties. Lastly, we identify and assess factors that may influence the implementation of relevant obligations.

The outcomes of this analysis indicate that numerous legal obligations of relevance to free‐ranging domestic cats already apply under global treaties such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on Migratory Species and World Heritage Convention, and a range of regional legal instruments for biodiversity conservation. Of particular significance are obligations concerning (a) invasive alien species; (b) protected areas and (c) protected species.

Many national authorities around the world are currently required, under international law, to adopt and implement policies aimed at preventing, reducing or eliminating the biodiversity impacts of free‐ranging domestic cats, in particular by (a) removing feral and other unowned cats from the landscape to the greatest extent possible and (b) restricting the outdoor access of owned cats.

Factors that can influence or impair the application of these obligations include considerations of feasibility, scientific uncertainty, the interests of cat owners and the (perceived) interests of domestic cats themselves. Even if such factors may to some extent explain why many authorities have hitherto failed to take effective action to address the threats posed by free‐ranging domestic cats, from a legal perspective these factors provide little ground for justifying non‐compliance with international wildlife law.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Micromechanics analysis of carbon fiber/epoxy microdroplet composite under UV light irradiation by micro‐Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Fu Xiu , Yi Danqing , Tan Chengyu , Wang Bin
Published: February 2020

Evaluation of the surface morphology, chemical groups, interfacial microstructure, and mechanical properties of carbon fiber/epoxy resin microdroplet composites during ultraviolet photodegradation was carried out. The axial stress distribution and interfacial shear stress (ISS) distribution of the carbon fiber/microdroplet composite at 0.25% and 0.62% strains with different UV irradiation times were obtained using micro‐Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that after 40 hours of UV irradiation, tiny particles appeared on the surface of the carbon fiber/microdroplet sample, and with prolonged irradiation, the tiny particles grew larger and more in number. Benzyl methyl ketone was observed after 40 hours of UV irradiation, and the formation of the quinone methide structure, which causes the discoloration of composite, appeared after 300 hours of UV irradiation, and the tiny particles formed on the composite might be benzyl methyl ketone. The maximum axial stress reduced to 53% and 37%, and maximum shear stress reduced to 67% and 66%, for the 0.25% and 0.62% strain samples, respectively, when the UV irradiation time was extended to 940 hours. A power‐law function of ISS with irradiation times was proposed and is represented by τ0.25 = 66.78 ‑ 8.296 × 10–6 t2.26 and τ0.62 = 81.24 ‑ 2.20 × 10–6 t2.49. It was further determined that the loss of mechanical properties was slow during the first 300 hours of UV irradiation. This work provides a new approach for studying the influence of UV irradiation on the interfacial properties of fiber/polymer composite.
Preparation and properties of chitosan/organic‐modified attapulgite composite proton exchange membranes for fuel cell applications
Authors: Hu Fuqiang , Zhong Fei , Wen Sheng , Zheng Genwen , Gong Chunli , Qin Caiqin , Liu Hai
Published: February 2020

The chitosan (CS) matrix‐based composite proton exchange membranes (CS/QATP) were prepared by the incorporation of organic‐modified attapulgite (QATP) into CS, through an organic‐inorganic composite synthesis method. The QATP was obtained by the modification with silane coupling agent (octadecyldimethyl [3‐trimethoxysilylpropyl] ammonium chloride). The morphology, crystallinity, thermal and mechanical property, dimensional stability, and proton conductivity of CS/QATP composite membranes were investigated. The compatibility and dispersibility of QATP in CS matrix were significantly improved with enhanced interfacial interaction. The dimensional and thermal stability of the CS/QATP composite membranes were improved compared with pure CS film, owing to good dispersion and lower water uptake. Especially, the composite membrane with 2 wt% QATP (CS/QATP‐2) exhibits the highest mechanical strength and proton conductivity, which is much higher than pure CS film. These results indicated that CS/QATP composite membranes have a great potential for proton exchange membranes applications.
Cinnamic acid derivatives from welsh onion (Allium fistulosum) and their antibacterial and cytotoxic activities
Authors: Zolfaghari Behzad , Yazdiniapour Zeinab , Sadeghi Masoud , Akbari Mahtab , Troiano Raffaele , Lanzotti Virginia
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Cinnamic acids are a class of compounds based on phenyl propanoid backbone (C6‐C3) isolated from plants and microorganisms, exhibiting interesting biological activities.

Objective

To characterise cinnamic acids through the phytochemical study of welsh onion, Allium fistulosum, and to evaluate their antibacterial and cytotoxic properties.

Material and methods

The phytochemical study of A. fistulosum was performed through chromatographic techniques, including reversed phase medium‐pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC) and high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Preliminary analysis of crude chromatographic fractions from the organic extracts was carried out by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR) in order to prioritise the study of those having phenyl propanoid skeleton. The structural identification of the isolated compounds was performed through analysis of spectroscopic data, mainly one‐dimensional (1D) and two‐dimensional (2D) NMR. The antibacterial activity was assessed against gram negative (Escherichia coli) and gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria while the cytotoxic property was evaluated on breast cancer cell line (MCF‐7).

Results

The 1H‐NMR study of crude fractions and application of a straightforward method to purify the phenyl propanoid compounds by reversed phase MPLC and HPLC, allowed the effortless isolation of several cinnamic acids, including two new rare phenolic imidates (1 and 2). The use of an entirely NMR approach for structural elucidation of the isolated metabolites allowed the isolated material to be kept for further pharmacological tests.

Conclusion

These results corroborate the importance of the use of 1D and 2D NMR to the identification of new phenyl propanoids, potential lead compounds against bacteria and cancer cells.
Uncovering the Motivational Core of Traits: The Case of Conscientiousness
Authors: Costantini Giulio , Saraulli Daniele , Perugini Marco
Published: February 2020

Knowledge of the motivational bases of conscientiousness would be crucial for disentangling competing explanations about the processes underlying this trait. Thereby, building on the results of a previous investigation identifying 21 goal classes connected to conscientiousness, we performed three studies aimed at clarifying the full spectrum of goals and motives underlying this trait. In Study 1 ( N = 299), we conceptually replicated the original associations between goal classes and conscientiousness poles, and we identified nine goal classes that individuals ascribe to conscientious profiles more than to other profiles. In Study 2 ( N = 329), we examined the associations between the subjective importance of conscientious and unconscientious goal classes and personality traits, as well as the role of goals for the desire to change one's conscientiousness. In Study 3 ( N = 432), we developed a 72–item assessment of nine goal classes and explored their connections with the most important facets of conscientiousness, self–control, future orientation, and the consideration of future consequences, using network analysis. We discuss the relevance of our results for research on conscientiousness and its underlying processes. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology
Dynamic management needs for long‐lived, sporadically recruiting plant species in human‐dominated landscapes
Authors: Schweiger Andreas H. , Irl Severin D. H. , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Higgins Steven I.
Published: February 2020

Societal Impact Statement

Long‐lived, iconic plant species like the baobab, welwitschia, the saguaro cactus or the dragon's blood tree are perceived to be everlasting landscape features due to their pronounced longevity. However, these species are exceptional because new reproductive generations of these plants are infrequently incorporated into existing populations. A strong mismatch exists between the timescale at which these species provide services to society and ecosystems, and the timescale at which their reproductive stages and population development occurs. Here, we draw attention to these mismatches and their relevance for nature conservation and restoration. We argue that more dynamic management programs are necessary to preserve these iconic species for future generations.

Summary

Plants inhabiting variable environments have to adapt their physiology or demography to maintain fitness and, thus, long‐term population viability. Demographic storage through long‐lived seeds, juveniles, or adults help to overcome periods where unfavorable environmental conditions preclude successful recruitment into reproductive stages. Such storage components can foster long‐term population viability of sporadic recruiters, defined here as species with infrequent recruitment caused by a sporadic release from otherwise prevailing resource limitation. However, the beneficial effect of environmental variation reaches a limit when the species' physiological limits are exceeded or the demographic storage components are not sufficient to overcome periods of unfavorable environmental conditions. This can threaten species' long‐term population viability in an increasingly variable, human‐dominated world. At the same time, long‐lived, sporadically recruiting species provide numerous cultural, socio‐economic, and ecological services by being part of local myths and beliefs, or by providing habitat, food, wood, fiber, cosmetic, or medical products. In this contribution, we seek to raise awareness of what we call the ‘syndrome of long‐lived sporadic recruiters’ and the relevance of this syndrome for nature conservation and restoration. We outline key demographic features and highlight the main environmental threats for these plants, exemplified for a set of globally distributed charismatic plant species. We propose that fostering the long‐term population viability of long‐lived, sporadically recruiting plants will require the adaptive implementation of a dynamic management scheme where management actions, monitoring objectives, public outreach and research on the key demographic features of the species are coordinated.
A Giant Bulk‐Type Dresselhaus Splitting with 3D Chiral Spin Texture in IrBiSe
Authors: Liu Zhonghao , Thirupathaiah Setti , Yaresko Alexander N. , Kushwaha Satya , Gibson Quinn , Xia Wei , Guo Yanfeng , Shen Dawei , Cava Robert J. , Borisenko Sergey V.
Published: February 2020

Materials with giant spin splitting are desired for spintronic applications. The fabrications of spintronic devices from half metals with one spin direction are often hampered, however, by stray magnetic fields, domain walls, short spin coherence times, scattering on magnetic atoms or magnetically active interfaces, and other characteristics that come along with the magnetism. The surfaces of topological insulators, or Dirac/Weyl semimetals, could be an alternative, but production of high‐quality thin films without the presence of the bulk states at the Fermi energy remains very challenging. Here, by utilizing angle‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy, a record‐high Dresselhaus spin–orbit splitting of the bulk state in the nonmagnetic IrBiSe is found. The band structure calculations indicate that the splitting band is fully spin‐polarized with 3D chiral spin texture. As a source of spin‐polarized electrons, lightly doped IrBiSe is expected to generate electric‐field‐controlled spin‐polarized currents, free from back scattering, and could host triplet and Fulde–Ferrel–Larkin–Ovchinnikov (FFLO) superconductivity.
Medicinal plants used in the treatment of Malaria: A key emphasis to Artemisia, Cinchona, Cryptolepis, and Tabebuia genera
Authors: Mohammadi Samin , Jafari Behzad , Asgharian Parina , Martorell Miquel , Sharifi‐Rad Javad
Published: February 2020

Malaria is one of the life‐threatening parasitic diseases that is endemic in tropical areas. The increased prevalence of malaria due to drug resistance leads to a high incidence of mortality. Drug discovery based on natural products and secondary metabolites is considered as alternative approaches for antimalarial therapy. Herbal medicines have advantages over modern medicines, including fewer side effects, cost‐effectiveness, and affordability encouraging the herbal‐based drug discovery. Several naturally occurring, semisynthetic, and synthetic antimalarial medications are on the market. For example, chloroquine is a synthetic medication for antimalarial therapy derived from quinine. Moreover, artemisinin, and its derivative, artesunate with sesquiterpene lactone backbone, is an antimalarial agent originated from Artemisia annua L. A. annua traditionally has been used to detoxify blood and eliminate fever in China. Although the artemisinin‐based combination therapy against malaria has shown exceptional responses, the limited medicinal options demand novel therapeutics. Furthermore, drug resistance is the cause in most cases, and new medications are proposed to overcome the resistance. In addition to conventional therapeutics, this review covers some important genera in this area, including Artemisia, Cinchona, Cryptolepis, and Tabebuia, whose antimalarial activities are finely verified.
Dynamical systems theory sheds new light on compound climate extremes in Europe and Eastern North America
Authors: De Luca P. , Messori G. , Pons F. M. E. , Faranda D.
Published: February 2020

We propose a novel approach to the study of compound extremes, grounded in dynamical systems theory. Specifically, we present the co‐recurrence ratio (α), which elucidates the dependence structure between variables by quantifying their joint recurrences. This approach is applied to daily climate extremes, derived from the ERA‐Interim reanalysis over the 1979–2018 period. The analysis focuses on concurrent (i.e., same‐day) wet (total precipitation) and windy (10 m wind gusts) extremes in Europe and concurrent cold (2 m temperature) extremes in Eastern North America and wet extremes in Europe. Results for wet and windy extremes in Europe, which we use as a test‐bed for our methodology, show that α peaks during boreal winter. High α values correspond to wet and windy extremes in northwestern Europe, and to large‐scale conditions resembling the positive phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). This confirms earlier findings which link the positive NAO to a heightened frequency of extratropical cyclones impacting northwestern Europe. For the Eastern North America–Europe case, α extremes once again reflect concurrent climate extremes – in this case cold extremes over North America and wet extremes over Europe. Our analysis provides detailed spatial information on regional hotspots for these compound extreme occurrences, and encapsulates information on their spatial footprint which is typically not included in a conventional co‐occurrence analysis. We conclude that α successfully characterises compound extremes by reflecting the evolution of the associated meteorological maps. This approach is entirely general, and may be applied to different types of compound extremes and geographical regions.