bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical tide gauge sea‐level observations in Alicante and Santander (Spain) since the 19th century
Authors: Marcos Marta , Puyol Bernat , Amores Angel , Pérez Gómez Begoña , Fraile María Ángeles , Talke Stefan Andreas
Published: January 2021

A set of historical tide gauge sea‐level records from two locations in Santander (Northern Spain) and Alicante (Spanish Mediterranean coast) have been recovered from logbooks stored in national archives. Sea‐level measurements have been digitized, quality‐controlled and merged into three consistent sea‐level time series (two in Alicante and one in Santander) using high‐precision levelling information. The historical sea‐level record in Santander consists of a daily time series spanning the period 1876‐1924 and it is further connected to the record from the modern tide gauge station nearby, ensuring datum continuity up to the present. The sea‐level recording in Alicante started in 1870, with daily averaged values until the 1920s and hourly afterwards, and the tide gauges at the two Alicante sites are still operating, thereby providing one of the longest tide gauge sea‐level time series in the Mediterranean Sea. The long‐term consistency and reliability of the new records are discussed based on comparison with nearby tide gauge time series.
Microglial recruitment and mechanisms involved in the disruption of afferent synaptic terminals on spinal cord motor neurons after acute peripheral nerve injury
Authors: Salvany Sara , Casanovas Anna , Piedrafita Lídia , Tarabal Olga , Hernández Sara , Calderó Jordi , Esquerda Josep E.
Published: January 2021

Peripheral nerve section with subsequent disconnection of motor neuron (MN) cell bodies from their skeletal muscle targets leads to a rapid reactive response involving the recruitment and activation of microglia. In addition, the loss of afferent synapses on MNs occurs in concomitance with microglial reaction by a process described as synaptic stripping. However, the way in which postaxotomy‐activated microglia adjacent to MNs are involved in synaptic removal is less defined. Here, we used confocal and electron microscopy to examine interactions between recruited microglial cells and presynaptic terminals in axotomized MNs between 1 and 15 days after sciatic nerve transection in mice. We did not observe any bulk engulfment of synaptic boutons by microglia. Instead, microglial cells internalized small membranous‐vesicular fragments which originated from the acute disruption of synaptic terminals involving the activation of the necroptotic pathway. The presence of abundant extracellular vesicles in the perineuronal space after axotomy, together with the increased expression of phospho‐mixed lineage kinase domain‐like protein and, later, of extracellular vesicle markers, such as CD9, CD63, and flotillin, indicate that the vesicles mainly originated in synapses and were transferred to microglia. The upregulation of Rab7 and Rab10 in microglia interacting with injured MNs, indicated the activation of endocytosis. As activated microglia and synaptic boutons displayed positive C1q immunoreactivity, a complement‐mediated opsonization may also contribute to microglial‐mediated synaptic disruption. In addition to the relevance of our data in the context of neuroinflammation and MN disease, they should also be taken into account for understanding functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury.
Heat and mass transfer of magnetohydrodynamic Casson fluid flow over a wedge with thermal radiation and chemical reaction
Authors: Sulochana Chalavadi , Aparna S. R. , Sandeep Naramgari
Published: January 2021

A numerical computation to analyze the heat and mass transfer mechanism of a magnetohydrodynamic radiative Casson fluid flow over a wedge in the presence of Joule heating, viscous dissipation, and chemical reaction is carried out in this study. The flow‐governing partial differential equations are transformed as ordinary differential equations by relevant similarity transformations and subsequently resolved by Runge–Kutta numerical approach with a shooting technique. The characteristics of momentum, thermal, and concentration border layers due to various influencing parameters are graphically outlined and numerically computed by MATLAB software. We present comparative solutions to construe the relative outcomes of Casson fluid versus Newtonian fluid. Computational outcomes of friction factor and Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are tabulated with suitable interpretations. An increase in skin friction values is noted due to an increment in the thermal Grashof number, whereas a decrease is observed due to the chemical reaction parameter. The Casson fluid displays a superior heat transfer mechanism than the Newtonian fluid. Obtained outcomes are in good agreement with the prevailing literature in the limiting case.
Seasonal connections between meteoric water and streamflow generation along a mountain headwater stream
Authors: Leuthold Sam J. , Ewing Stephanie A. , Payn Robert A. , Miller Florence R. , Custer Stephan G.
Published: January 2021

In snowmelt‐driven mountain watersheds, the hydrologic connectivity between meteoric waters and stream flow generation varies strongly with the season, reflecting variable connection to soil and groundwater storage within the watershed. This variable connectivity regulates how streamflow generation mechanisms transform the seasonal and elevational variation in oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition (δ18O and δD) of meteoric precipitation. Thus, water isotopes in stream flow can signal immediate connectivity or more prolonged mixing, especially in high‐relief mountainous catchments. We characterized δ18O and δD values in stream water along an elevational gradient in a mountain headwater catchment in southwestern Montana. Stream water isotopic compositions related most strongly to elevation between February and March, exhibiting higher δ18O and δD values with decreasing elevation. These elevational isotopic lapse rates likely reflect increased connection between stream flow and proximal snow‐derived water sources heavily subject to elevational isotopic effects. These patterns disappeared during summer sampling, when consistently lower δ18O and δD values of stream water reflected contributions from snowmelt or colder rainfall, despite much higher δ18O and δD values expected in warmer seasonal rainfall. The consistently low isotopic values and absence of a trend with elevation during summer suggest lower connectivity between summer precipitation and stream flow generation as a consequence of drier soils and greater transpiration. As further evidence of intermittent seasonal connectivity between the stream and adjacent groundwaters, we observed a late‐winter flush of nitrate into the stream at higher elevations, consistent with increased connection to accumulating mineralized nitrogen in riparian wetlands. This pattern was distinct from mid‐summer patterns of nitrate loading at lower elevations that suggested heightened human recreational activity along the stream corridor. These observations provide insights linking stream flow generation and seasonal water storage in high elevation mountainous watersheds. Greater understanding of the connections between surface water, soil water and groundwater in these environments will help predict how the quality and quantity of mountain runoff will respond to changing climate and allow better informed water management decisions.
Long‐term research catchments to investigate shrub encroachment in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts: Santa Rita and Jornada experimental ranges
Authors: Vivoni Enrique R. , Pérez‐Ruiz Eli R. , Keller Zachary T. , Escoto Eric A. , Templeton Ryan C. , Templeton Nolie P. , Anderson Cody A. , Schreiner‐McGraw Adam P. , Méndez‐Barroso Luis A. , Robles‐Morua Agustin , Scott Russell L. , Archer Steven R. , Peters Debra P. C.
Published: January 2021

Woody plant encroachment is a global phenomenon whereby shrubs or trees replace grasses. The hydrological consequences of this ecological shift are of broad interest in ecohydrology, yet little is known of how plant and intercanopy patch dynamics, distributions, and connectivity influence catchment‐scale responses. To address this gap, we established research catchments in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts (near Green Valley, Arizona and near Las Cruces, New Mexico, respectively) that represent shrub encroachment in contrasting arid climates. Our main goals in the coordinated observations were to: (a) independently measure the components of the catchment water balance, (b) deploy sensors to quantify the spatial patterns of ecohydrological processes, (c) use novel methods for characterizing catchment properties, and (d) assess shrub encroachment impacts on ecohydrological processes through modelling studies. Datasets on meteorological variables; energy, radiation, and CO2 fluxes; evapotranspiration; soil moisture and temperature; and runoff at various scales now extend to nearly 10 years of observations at each site, including both wet and dry periods. Here, we provide a brief overview of data collection efforts and offer suggestions for how the coordinated datasets can be exploited for ecohydrological inferences and modelling studies. Given the representative nature of the catchments, the available databases can be used to generalize findings to other catchments in desert landscapes.
A dynamic prediction model for time‐to‐peak
Authors: Langridge Mistaya , McBean Ed , Bonakdari Hossein , Gharabaghi Bahram
Published: January 2021

A simplified empirical equation is developed for widespread prediction of dynamic catchment response time. This model allows for time‐to‐peak prediction to evolve from static, lumped models, thereby providing a single value for any storm within a given catchment, using a single set of input parameters, that can be applied to a dynamic model, thus accounting for the variability between storm sizes and catchment moisture conditions. These dynamic prediction methods are translated to North America for the first time. This allows the concepts and prediction methods for catchment response time prediction previously established for the United Kingdom (UK), to be translated to a simple empirical equation for use in North America, through the use of selected study areas in Canada and the United States. This reconfigured model is statistically successful in both the UK and North America and allows for a straightforward implementation of dynamic time‐to‐peak prediction. Further, the reconfigured model introduces the use of a runoff coefficient (Rc) to encompass historical catchment wetness, increasing the ease of incorporating antecedent moisture condition into predictions.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a novel bioresorbable magnesium scaffold with different surface modifications
Authors: Menze Roman , Wittchow Eric
Published: January 2021

The novel Resoloy® rare earth magnesium alloy was developed for bioresorbable vascular implant application, as an alternative to the WE43 used in Biotronik's Magmaris scaffold, which received CE approval in 2016. Initially, the Magmaris showed very promising preclinical and clinical results, but the formation of an unexpected conversion product and a too fast loss of integrity has proven to be a flaw. The safety and efficacy of Resoloy, which is intended to be bioresorbed without any remnants, has been investigated in an in vitro degradation study and a porcine coronary animal model. Four different groups of scaffolds composed of Resoloy (Res) as the backbone material and additionally equipped with a fluoride passivation layer (Res‐F), a polyester topcoat (Res‐P), or a duplex layer composed of a fluoride passivation layer and a polymeric topcoat (Res‐PF) were compared to a Magmaris scaffold in an in vitro degradation test. Preclinical safety and efficacy of Res‐F and Res‐PF were subsequently evaluated in a coronary porcine model for 12 and 28 days. Scanning electron microscope, quantitative coronary angiography, micro‐computed tomography, histopathology, and histomorphometry analyses were conducted to evaluate preclinical parameters and degradation behavior of the scaffolds. Res‐PF with a duplex layer shows the slowest degradation and the longest supporting force of all test groups. The in vitro data are confirmed by the results of the in vivo study, in which Res‐PF exhibited a longer supporting force than Res‐F, but also caused higher neointima formation. Both studied groups showed excellent biocompatibility. A starter colonization of the strut area with cells during bioresorption was observed. The in vitro degradation test shows that a combination of MgF2 passivation and a PLLA topcoat on a Resoloy magnesium backbone (Res‐PF) leads to a much slower degradation and a longer support time than a Magmaris control group. In a preclinical study, the safety and efficacy of this duplex layer could be demonstrated. The beginning colonization of the degraded strut area by macrophages can be seen as clear indications that the resorption of the intermediate degradation product takes a different course than that of the Magmaris scaffold.
Characterization of dental pulp stem cells isolated from a patient diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome
Authors: Torii Daisuke , Kobayashi Tomoko , Horie Tetsuro , Tsutsui Takeo W.
Published: January 2021

Stem cells isolated from patients with rare diseases are important to elucidate their pathogeny and mechanisms to enable regenerative therapy. However, the mechanisms underlying tissue regeneration using patient‐derived dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are unclear. In this study, we investigated the levels of mRNA and protein expression related to cellular differentiation of Crouzon syndrome patient‐derived DPSCs (CS‐DPSCs) with a Gly338Arg fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 mutation. Multipotency‐related gene expression levels were equivalent in both healthy donor DPSCs and CS‐DPSCs. CS‐DPSCs showed higher osteocalcin (OCN) expression than healthy donor DPSCs. CS‐DPSCs showed a lower increase in the rate of OCN expression among phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA)‐treated cells than healthy donor DPSCs compared with untreated control cells. CS‐DPSCs showed a lower phosphorylation rate of p38 and p44/42 in PMA‐treated cells than healthy donor DPSCs compared with untreated control cells. These results demonstrate that CS‐DPSCs have higher OCN expression and lower PMA stimulation‐responsiveness than healthy donor DPSCs.
Phylogenetic analysis and evolutionary dynamics of H3N2 canine and feline influenza virus strains from 2006 to 2019
Authors: Shen Hai‐Xiao , Li Xin , Yang De‐Quan , Ju Hou‐Bin , Ge Fei‐Fei , Wang Jian , Zhao Hong‐jin
Published: January 2021

H3N2 feline influenza virus (FIV) and canine influenza virus (CIV) are very common in cats and dogs. Due to the ability of the influenza virus to spread across hosts and frequent contact between pets and people, there exist huge public health problems. In this study, we collected H3N2 CIV and FIV genomes from 2006 to 2019 from NCBI and analyzed the evolutionary dynamics and molecular variation using a series of phylogenetic analysis methods. Results indicated that H3N2 FIVs were closely related to CIVs with high posterior probability and CIVs and FIVs have certain regional characteristics. However, compared with previous studies, the significance of geographical structure correlation decreased. Furthermore, we also found that the intrasubtypic reassortment between FIVs and CIVs were common during epidemics. The integrated analysis was also performed for different selection pressure acting on HA (566 codons), NA (469 codons), M1 (252 codons), and M2 (97 codons) proteins. One HA, two NA, three M1, and two M2 sites were found under positive selection. We subsequently performed the evolutionary dynamics of H3N2 CIV. The results indicated that the time of the most recent common ancestor of CIV H3N2 may have occurred earlier than indicated in a previous study. The Bayesian skyline plot analysis in this study showed the period of divergence of major H3N2 CIVs segments occurred between 2008 and 2010. Notably, according to our research, the PB1 has experienced two divergence periods (2006–2008 and 2009–2011).
SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid protein intranasal inoculation induces local and systemic T cell responses in mice
Authors: He Jia , Huang Jing‐Ru , Zhang Yao‐Lin , Zhang Jiyan
Published: January 2021

SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleocapsid (N) protein has been proposed as a good vaccine target. N‐specific T cells were observed in SARS‐CoV‐2 N immunized mice and COVID‐19 convalescents. It is of importance to identify the T cell responses triggered by SARS‐CoV‐2 N protein. Intradermal immunization with SARS‐CoV N protein was demonstrated to elicit non‐protective T cell responses which may be avoided by intranasal vaccination. Therefore, we conducted intranasal vaccination of BALB/c mice with recombinant adenovirus type‐5 expressing SARS‐CoV‐2 N protein. Such procedure induced CD8 T cell responses in the lung. Meanwhile CD4 T cell responses were observed in the spleen, which was associated with robust antibody production. Our study further supports the notion that SARS‐CoV‐2 N protein can work as a target for vaccine development.
Molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of norovirus infection in children with acute gastroenteritis in Bangladesh, 2014–2019
Authors: Dey Shuvra Kanti , Sharif Nadim , Billah Baki , Siddique Tanjir Tarek Ibn , Islam Tarequl , Parvez Anowar Khasru , Talukder Ali Azam , Phan Tung , Ushijima Hiroshi
Published: January 2021

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is one of the most common diseases in children, and it continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Norovirus is one of the major enteropathogens associated with both sporadic diarrhea and outbreaks of gastroenteritis. This study aims to investigate genotype diversity and molecular epidemiology of norovirus in Bangladesh. A total of 466 fecal specimens were collected from January 2014 to January 2019 from children below 5 years old with AGE in Bangladesh. All samples were analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to detect norovirus, and sequence analysis was conducted if found positive. Norovirus was detected in 5.1% (24 of 466) fecal specimens. Norovirus genotype GII.7 was predominant (62.5%, 15 of 24), followed by GII.3 (37.5%, 9 of 24). Coinfection between rotavirus and norovirus was found in 7 of 24 positive cases. Diarrhea (93.7%) and dehydration (89%) were the most common symptoms in children with AGE. About 80% of the positive cases were detected in children aged under 24 months. One seasonal peak (87.5% infection) was detected in the winter. This study suggests that norovirus continues to be one of the major etiologies of children AGE in Bangladesh. This study will provide a guideline to assess the burden of norovirus infection in Bangladesh, which will assist to combat against AGE.
Unlocking and closing the gender gap in creative performance: A multilevel model
Authors: Hora Snehal , Lemoine G. James , Xu Ning , Shalley Christina E.
Published: January 2021

Building upon and extending the interactionist perspective of creativity, social role theory, and role congruity theory, we develop an integrated multilevel model to examine gender differences in creative self‐efficacy and determine how the contextual factor of team psychological safety shapes employees' creative self‐efficacy and, through this motivational mechanism, influences their creative performance. Using data from a sample of 335 employees from a large food manufacturer collected over three time periods, we theorize and demonstrate the pivotal role of creative self‐efficacy in explaining gender differences in creative performance. Our findings indicate that women may have lower creative self‐efficacy than men in organizational contexts. However, team psychological safety restores parity between men and women through a cross‐level moderated mediation, such that psychological safety has a stronger effect on women's creative self‐efficacy than that of men, resulting in increased creative performance for women. These findings offer interesting implications for research on gender differences in creative performance and for human resources by pinpointing methods of bridging the existent differences in the creative self‐efficacy of men and women in organizations.
Entering an upward spiral: Investigating how and when supervisors' talking about abuse leads to subsequent abusive supervision
Authors: Chen Chen , Qin Xin , Johnson Russell E. , Huang Mingpeng , Yang Mengyun , Liu Shengming
Published: January 2021

Research on abusive supervision that adopts an actor‐centric perspective has found that abusive acts have immediate cognitive and affective consequences for supervisors. Less immediate consequences are also possible when perpetrators engage in later sensemaking by talking with others about their actions that violated interpersonal norms. In this research, we explore whether, how, and when abusive supervision talk may affect supervisors' subsequent abusive supervision toward subordinates. Drawing upon cognitive‐motivational‐relational theory, we propose that abusive supervision talk enhances supervisors' hostility toward the abused subordinate, which in turn increases their subsequent abusive supervisory behavior toward the subordinate. We also propose that person‐centered responses by listeners (i.e., supervisors' coworkers) strengthen the positive indirect effect of abusive supervision talk on subsequent abusive supervisory behavior via hostility. Results from an experiment and a multi‐source, multi‐wave field study lend support to these predictions. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings and directions for future research.
Comparisons of the different definitions of the western Pacific pattern and associated winter climate anomalies in Eurasia and North America
Authors: Aru Hasi , Chen Shangfeng , Chen Wen
Published: January 2021

The western Pacific pattern (WP), characterized by a meridional dipole structure in geopotential height anomalies centred at approximately 50°N over the North Pacific, is one of the most prominent teleconnection patterns over the Northern Hemisphere (NH) in boreal winter. Several methods to identify the WP exist in the literature. Based on eight WP indices defined by different methods, this study analyses their dominant frequencies, spatial structures, climatic impacts, and relations to the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The correlation coefficients of the eight WP indices show a considerable spread, but most of them are statistically significant. Most of the WPIs capture a pronounced power peak at approximately 5 years. The meridional dipole structure of the WP can be captured by all the WPIs, but it shows a large spread in the location of the centre. Several WPIs are significantly correlated with the winter AO, with marked signals of atmospheric anomalies over the Arctic region. The connections of the WP with the simultaneous winter ENSO depend largely on their definitions. The impacts of the WP on the surface air temperature over many parts of Eurasia and North America are also sensitive to its definition. Differences in surface air temperature anomalies are related to differences in the spatial structure of the WP as captured by the range of WPIs.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers on the use of oral rehydration salts in children with diarrhoea: a cross‐sectional survey in Malaysia
Authors: Dujaili Juman Abdulelah , Blebil Ali Qais , Jayasinghe Dilhara , Sivanandan Nathiya
Published: January 2021

Background

The present study aimed to assess maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the use of oral rehydration salts (ORS) in the treatment of childhood diarrhoea in Malaysia.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted between 20 November and 20 December 2018. Mothers in different public places across Kuala Lumpur and Selangor were approached to complete a questionnaire. A non‐probability sampling method was used to collect data.

Results

A total of 400 mothers participated in the study. All mothers had received a formal education, with 80.2% having a tertiary education. 79.0% of participants managed to correctly define childhood diarrhoea, whereas 24.5% and 61.0% correctly identified all diarrhoea symptoms and the preventive approaches, respectively. However, only 49.0% knew that only treated or boiled water can be used to prepare ORS, while 78.8% were aware of the appropriate indication of ORS. The majority of respondents practice good hygiene when managing a child with diarrhoea.

Conclusion

Although mothers are equipped with reasonable knowledge regarding diarrhoea and ORS, certain issues identified in the study are disconcerting, namely the use of untreated water for ORS solution preparation, the inappropriate storage of ORS solution, and a lack of understanding regarding the urgency of ORS use. Hence, education interventions could prove useful in overcoming these false perceptions.
Pipette tip micro‐solid phase extraction (octyl‐functionalized hybrid silica monolith) and ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry to determine cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol in plasma samples
Authors: Cruz Jonas Carneiro , Miranda Luís Felippe Cabral , Queiroz Maria Eugênia Costa
Published: January 2021

This manuscript describes the development of an innovative method to determine cannabinoids (cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol) in human plasma samples by pipette tip micro‐solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry/mass spectromtery. An octyl‐functionalized hybrid silica monolith, which had been synthesized and characterized, was used as a selective stationary phase. The octyl‐functionalized hybrid silica monoliths presented high permeability and adequate mechanical strength. The micro‐solid phase extraction variables (sample pH, draw‐eject cycles, solvent for phase clean‐up, and desorption conditions) were investigated to improve not only the selectivity but also the sorption capacity. The method was linear at concentrations ranging from the lower limit of quantification (10.00 ng/mL) to the upper limit of quantification (150.0 ng/mL). The lack of fit and homoscedasticity tests, as well as the determination coefficients (r2 greater than 0.995), certified that linearity was adequate. The precision assays presented coefficient of variation values lower than 15%, and the accuracy tests provided relative error values ranging from 3.2 to 14%. Neither significant carry‐over nor matrix effects were detected. Therefore, the pipette tip micro‐solid phase extraction/liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method has demonstrated to be adequate to determine cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol simultaneously in plasma samples for therapeutic drug monitoring of patients undergoing treatment with cannabinoids.
Impact of long‐term sub‐soiling tillage on soil porosity and soil physical properties in the soil profile
Authors: Yang Yonghui , Wu Jicheng , Zhao Shiwei , Mao Yongping , Zhang Jiemei , Pan Xiaoying , He Fang , van der Ploeg Martine
Published: January 2021

Long‐term conventional tillage leads to soil compaction and formation of a plough layer, which affects soil physical properties, transport of water, and growth of crop roots toward deeper soil, resulting in soil degradation and a decline in crop productivity. Long‐term sub‐soiling tillage has proven to be an effective measure for remediating the plough layer and improving the structure and physical properties of the soil. In this study, we experimentally investigated the effects of long‐term sub‐soiling tillage in an arid region of Henan Province, China, along a deep soil (0–100 cm) profile over 8 years of sub‐soiling tillage at a depth of 30 cm and compared the results against conventional tillage at a depth of 15 cm. We measured soil pore distributions of macropores (> 1 mm in diameter), mesopores (0.16–1.0 mm), and total pores (> 0.16 mm) measured by X‐ray computed tomography (CT), soil total porosity (ϕ) and > 0.16 mm equivalent porosity measured by conventional methods, soil bulk density (ρs), soil organic carbon content (SOC), the proportion of macroaggregates (> 0.25 mm) (PMA), soil field moisture capacity (fc), available moisture content, and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat). The results indicate that long‐term sub‐soiling tillage increased soil pore numbers at 0–35 cm depth (macropores, mesopores, and total pores), improved pore shape, and significantly increased porosity at 0–20 cm depth (macropores, mesopores, and total pores; p < 0.05) compared to conventional tillage. In addition, ϕ and > 0.16 mm equivalent porosity were increased by 10.4 and 87.1% at depths of 0–60 cm under sub‐soiling tillage, respectively. SOC (0–55 cm depth), fc (0–45 cm depth), available moisture content (0–40 cm depth), Ksat (0–40 cm depth), and PMA (0–50 cm depth) were increased by 16.7, 14.3, 23.8, 471.5, and 98.3%, respectively, and ρs (0–60 cm depth) was reduced by 8.6%. Observed correlations between SOC, soil pore parameters, and soil physical properties suggest that soil pore parameters and soil physical properties can be improved by increasing SOC. These correlations are stronger under sub‐soiling than that under conventional tillage. Therefore, sub‐soiling is an effective technique for improving soil pore characteristics and physical properties while preventing soil degradation.
Enhancing distributed feedback‐standard single mode fiber‐radio over fiber links performance by neural network digital predistortion
Authors: Hadi Muhammad Usman , Murtaza Ghulam
Published: January 2021

This letter presents a novel neural network (NN) based digital predistortion (DPD) technique to obliterate the signal impairments and nonlinearities in radio over fiber (RoF) systems. DPD is generally performed with volterra based procedures that utilizes indirect learning architecture (ILA) that can become complex and expensive computationally. The proposed method using NNs evades issues associated with ILA and utilizes a NN to first model the RoF link and then training a NN based predistorter by backpropagating through the RoF NN model. Furthermore, the experimental evaluation is carried out for long term evolution 20‐MHz 256‐QAM modulation signal using 1310 nm distributed feedback laser, and standard single‐mode fiber to establish a comparison between NN based RoF link and volterra based generalized memory polynomial using ILA. The efficacy of the DPD is examined by reporting adjacent channel power ratio, mean square error, and error vector magnitude. The experimental findings imply that NN‐DPD convincingly learns the RoF nonlinearities which may not suit a volterra based model, and hence may offer a favorable trade‐off in terms of computational overhead and DPD performance.
A static and dynamic NMR study of 10‐hydrazino‐BODIPY
Authors: Reviriego Felipe , Peña‐Cabrera Eduardo , Kokate Siddhant V. , Alkorta Ibon , Elguero José
Published: January 2021

10‐Hydrazino‐BODIPY, BoNHNH2, presents slow rotation about the C10–NH bond that results in anisochronous 1H and 13C NMR signals. The assignment of the different signals has been made using traditional two‐dimensional methods as well as spin–spin coupling constants and confirmed by DFT calculations (B3LYP) using the 6‐311++G(d,p) basis set. The rotational barrier has been determined in three pairs of proton signals and compared with the calculated barrier.
Alterations of macrophage and neutrophil content in skeletal muscle of aged versus young mice
Authors: Kawanishi Noriaki , Machida Shuichi
Published: January 2021

Background

Skeletal muscle inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with aging‐related loss of muscle mass and may be attributable to alterations in the number and types of leukocytes in skeletal muscle. Here, we tested the hypothesis that aging changes the number and composition of leukocyte subsets in skeletal muscle tissue.

Methods

Skeletal muscle was sampled from 4‐mo‐old (young) and 27‐mo‐old (old) C57BL/6J mice. Mononuclear cells of the gastrocnemius muscle were isolated, and flow cytometry was used to characterize the number and types of immune cells.

Results

The number of neutrophils and Ly‐6C+ inflammatory macrophages in the skeletal muscle was significantly higher in old mice than in young mice. Inflammation and oxidative stress (measured using the markers phosphorylated JNK and nitrotyrosine) were also higher in the skeletal muscle of old mice than in that of young mice.

Conclusions

Increasing age promotes skeletal muscle inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as infiltration of inflammatory macrophages and neutrophils.
Scatterer identification in a 2D geophysical medium using an augmented computational time reversal method
Authors: Rabinovich Daniel , Givoli Dan , Bielak Jacobo , Turkel Eli
Published: January 2021

The problem of identifying an obstacle (scatterer) in the form of a cavity in a 2D geophysical medium is considered. This is posed as an inverse wave problem, where the location of the cavity is sought based on measurements of the elastic waves recorded by sensors located at certain points in the domain. The sensor measurements are noisy, and are generated synthetically as a first step. The inverse problem is solved by seeking the minimum of a specially designed cost functional, based on a computational time reversal (TR) procedure, where waves are radiated back in time from the sensors. The cost functional is defined to measure, for each scatterer candidate in the search space, the quality of the refocusing of the backward‐propagating waves on the given wave source at the end of the TR process. While the basic idea has appeared in previous publications, here it is applied to a 2D heterogeneous geophysical model (albeit a relatively simple one), and is enhanced by using several auxiliary techniques. These include (a) an “augmentation” technique, which is used to strengthen the coherent information (and thus to weaken the noncoherent information) by solving an elliptic problem at each time step; (b) experimentation with both instantaneous (impact) sources and time‐harmonic sources of finite duration; (c) combining the identification results of several sources and several source wavelengths to enhance identification; (d) reducing the size of the search space by a special “zooming in” technique; and (e) defining a performance index to assess the method's success and to provide a measure of confidence in the identification result in each specific case. Several numerical experiments are presented that demonstrate the performance of the proposed schemes. The sensitivity of the identification process to various parameters of the scatterer, the measurements, and the medium is investigated.
Association between intensive care unit delirium and delusional memory after critical care in mechanically ventilated patients
Authors: Yoshino Yasuyo , Unoki Takeshi , Sakuramoto Hideaki , Ouchi Akira , Hoshino Haruhiko , Matsuishi Yujiro , Mizutani Taro
Published: January 2021

Aim

To determine the relationship between the delirium of patients with mechanical ventilation during intensive care unit (ICU) stay and delusional memory after ICU discharge.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

Delirium in adult patients who received mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hr was assessed twice daily using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU. Delusional memories were evaluated using the ICU Memory Tool 5–10 days after ICU discharge. The associations between the presence of delirium during the ICU stay and delusional memories were evaluated.

Results

Of 60 enrolled patients, 62% had delirium during their ICU stay, and 68% experienced delusional memories 5–10 days after discharge. Delirium during ICU stay was an independent factor to experience delusional memories following discharge. Preventing delirium during ICU stay might reduce delusional memory. We recommend that patients with delirium during their ICU stay should be carefully followed up after discharge from the ICU.
Strengthening tRansparent reporting of reseArch on uNfinished nursing CARE: The RANCARE guideline
Authors: Blatter Catherine , Hamilton Patti , Bachnick Stefanie , Zúñiga Franziska , Ausserhofer Dietmar , Simon Michael ,   for the RANCARE Consortium
Published: January 2021

Unfinished, rationed, missed, or otherwise undone nursing care is a phenomenon observed across health‐care settings worldwide. Irrespective of differing terminology, it has repeatedly been linked to adverse outcomes for both patients and nursing staff. With growing numbers of publications on the topic, scholars have acknowledged persistent barriers to meaningful comparison across studies, settings, and health‐care systems. The aim of this study was thus to develop a guideline to strengthen transparent reporting in research on unfinished nursing care. An international four‐person steering group led a consensus process including a two‐round online Delphi survey and a workshop with 38 international experts. The study was embedded in the RANCARE COST Action: Rationing Missed Nursing Care: An international and multidimensional Problem. Participation was voluntary. The resulting 40‐item RANCARE guideline provides recommendations for transparent and comprehensive reporting on unfinished nursing care regarding conceptualization, measurement, contextual information, and data analyses. By increasing the transparency and comprehensiveness in reporting of studies on unfinished nursing care, the RANCARE guideline supports efficient use of the research results, for example, allowing researchers and nurses to take purposeful actions, with the goal of improving the safety and quality of health‐care services.
Perinatal characteristics and early childhood follow up after ex‐utero intrapartum treatment for head and neck teratomas by prenatal diagnosis
Authors: Shamshirsaz Alireza A. , Aalipour Soroush , Stewart Kelsey A. , Nassr Ahmed A. , Furtun Betul Y. , Erfani Hadi , Sundgren Nathan C. , Cortes Magdalena S. , Donepudi Roopali V. , Lee Timothy C. , Mehta Deepak K. , Kravitz Elizabeth S. , Asl Nazli M. , Espinoza Jimmy , Belfort Michael A.
Published: January 2021

Background

Ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) is utilized for safe delivery when a baby has a compromised airway. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the indications and outcomes of 11 children presenting with airway occluding oropharyngeal and cervical teratomas.

Methods

Study of all children with an airway occluding teratoma delivered via EXIT (2001–2018) in our unit. Primary outcomes included survival and tracheostomy at discharge. Data are reported using descriptive statistics as median (range) and rate (%).

Results

We performed 45 EXIT procedure performed between January 2001 and April 2018. Of these, eleven were for cervical and/or upper airway teratoma. Ten (91%) cases had associated polyhydramnios, two (18%) developed nonimmune hydrops, and eight (72%) delivered preterm. Six (45.5%) were performed as an emergency. Estimated blood loss was 1000 ml (500, 1000). The neonatal mortality rate was 18% (2/11) and 33% (3/9) of the survivors were discharged with a tracheostomy.

Conclusion

EXIT is a reasonable option for delivery of babies with an occlusive upper airway mass. Neonatal survival depends on individualized factors but may be as high as 82% in those with teratoma.
An overview of the recent advances in polylactide‐based sustainable nanocomposites
Authors: Banerjee Ritima , Ray Suprakas Sinha
Published: January 2021

The article reports recent advances in reference to the existing literature and presents a knowledge gap and potential solution ideas for polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites as sustainable materials. Various types of nanoparticles have been used for the development of PLA nanocomposites; however, this work focuses on PLA nanocomposites of nanoclay, nanocelluloses, carbon nanotube, and graphene. By providing a wholistic overview of the fundamental knowledge pertaining to PLA, and covering all critical aspects related to processing, characterization, and applications of PLA nanocomposites, this review provides a direction for future developments in the field of PLA nanocomposites suitable for various advanced applications, which is still scarce in the literature, including review articles. Moreover, the effects of dispersion/distribution of various types of nanoparticles on the degradation characteristics and special properties, such as cytocompatibility, electrical conductivity, and antimicrobial properties, of PLA nanocomposites are critically reviewed with regard to the nature of nanoparticles used for nanocomposite formation. In summary, this review provides new insight into the design and formulation of advanced PLA nanocomposites for a wide range of applications as sustainable materials.
Improvement in nano‐pattern replication of injection molding by polyamide/dendrimer blend
Authors: Kang Donghoon , Kim Hyung‐Il
Published: January 2021

In general, lower viscosity of materials leads to desirable nano‐pattern replication characteristics in injection molding processes. However, such materials do not meet the properties required for manufacturable products owing to their poor mechanical properties. In this study, we blended a small amount of dendrimer with high‐viscosity polyamide 6 to lower viscosity and enhance flowability of the polymer blend while maintaining desirable mechanical properties. It was observed that the flowability of the polyamide 6/dendrimer blend increased significantly with an increase in dendrimer content without affecting the mechanical properties of high‐viscosity polyamide 6. To investigate the nano‐pattern replication characteristics of the blend, injection molding process and the mold of metal stamp were used to manufacture a nano‐pattern specimen. Blending more than 0.6 wt% of dendrimer with high‐viscosity polyamide 6 significantly improved its nano‐pattern replication characteristics and flowability.
Study of the interfacial adhesive strength of a heat‐shrinkable multilayer film
Authors: Nishitsuji Shotaro , Shinozaki Chie , Miyata Ken , Yamada Shinya , Yoshida Jun
Published: January 2021

A heat‐shrinkable multilayer film is widely employed as labels of plastic bottles. A new heat‐shrinkable multilayer film without an adhesive layer was designed in this study. The interfacial adhesive strength between the layers was controlled to avoid layer separation. We assumed a polyethylene terephthalate glycol‐modified (PETG)/styrene‐co‐butadiene block copolymer/PETG shrinkable film substitute as the general poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/polystyrene/PET shrinkable film. The interlayer adhesive strength between the layers was retained for industrial utilization even after drawing. Additional polybutadiene (PB) infiltrated the butadiene layer in the microphase‐separated structure. Further addition of PB could not infiltrate the butadiene layer. The excessive PB contents coexisted with the interface between the layers, as observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The segregated PB enhanced the interfacial adhesive strength. We concluded that the selective distribution of adhesive functional materials along the interface could appropriately retain its adhesive strength.
Behavior of axially loaded plain and fiber‐reinforced geopolymer concrete columns with glass fiber‐reinforced polymer cages
Authors: Ali Shehroze , Sheikh M. Neaz , N. S. Hadi Muhammad
Published: January 2021

In this study, the behavior of axially loaded plain and fiber‐reinforced geopolymer concrete columns reinforced with glass fiber‐reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars and helices was investigated. Ten ambient‐cured geopolymer concrete columns of 160 mm diameter and 640 mm height were cast and tested under concentric axial loads. The behavior of the columns was investigated under the effect of the type of reinforcement (steel vs. GFRP), pitch of the GFRP helices (40, 75, 100 mm), and addition of nonmetallic fibers, that is, glass fiber and polypropylene fiber. It was found that GFRP bar reinforced geopolymer concrete column achieved less axial load, confinement efficiency, and ductility compared to the geopolymer concrete column reinforced with the same amount of the steel reinforcement. Overall, the reduction in the pitch of the GFRP helices enhanced the confinement efficiency, post‐peak behavior, and ductility of the plain and fiber‐reinforced geopolymer concrete columns. Also, the addition of fibers significantly improved the ductility of the GFRP bar reinforced geopolymer concrete columns.
Re: ISUOG Practice Guidelines (updated): sonographic examination of the fetal central nervous system. Part 1: performance of screening examination and indications for targeted neurosonography
Authors: Yagel S. , Valsky D. V.
Published: January 2021

Linked article: This Correspondence comments on Malinger et al. Click here to view the article.
[3.2.1] and [4.1.1] isomers of Lehn's [2.2.2] Cryptand: Prediction of ion selectivity by quantum chemical calculations XV**
Authors: Ćoćić Dušan , Manaa Aliya , Siegl Selina , Puchta Ralph , van Eldik Rudi
Published: January 2021

Selective alkaline and earth alkaline metal ion encapsulation by two different Lehn‐type cryptands, noted as [3.2.1] and [4.1.1], was predicted and between them compared on the DFT (B3LYP/LANL2DZp) basis set. Since these cryptands are isomers to the well‐known [2.2.2] cryptand, the cation encapsulation selectivity of all three cages were compared. The ion selectivity and ability of the host to adjust their structure to successfully accommodate the metal ions, were based on energy and geometric criteria. Different lengths of O‐Et‐O‐bridging arms provide an unsymmetrical cryptand host with great flexibility to accommodate large alkali and alkaline earth metal cations.
Characteristic cohomology and observables in higher spin gravity
Authors: Sharapov Alexey , Skvortsov Evgeny
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We give a complete classification of dynamical invariants in 3dand 4dHigher Spin Gravity models, with some comments on arbitraryd. These include holographic correlation functions, interaction vertices, on-shell actions, conserved currents, surface charges, and some others. Surprisingly, there are a good many conservedp-form currents with variousp. The last fact, being in tension with ‘no nontrivial conserved currents in quantum gravity’ and similar statements, gives an indication of hidden integrability of the models. Our results rely on a systematic computation of Hochschild, cyclic, and Chevalley-Eilenberg cohomology for the corresponding higher spin algebras. A new invariant in Chern-Simons theory with the Weyl algebra as gauge algebra is also presented.
Holographic superconductors in 4D Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity
Authors: Qiao Xiongying , OuYang Liang , Wang Dong , Pan Qiyuan , Jing Jiliang
Published: January 2021

Abstract

We investigate the neutral AdS black-hole solution in the consistent D → 4 Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity proposed in [K. Aoki, M.A. Gorji, and S. Mukohyama, Phys. Lett. B810 (2020) 135843] and construct the gravity duals of (2 + 1)-dimensional superconductors with Gauss-Bonnet corrections in the probe limit. We find that the curvature correction has a more subtle effect on the scalar condensates in the s-wave superconductor in (2 + 1)-dimensions, which is different from the finding in the higher-dimensional superconductors that the higher curvature correction makes the scalar hair more difficult to be developed in the full parameter space. However, in the p-wave case, we observe that the higher curvature correction always makes it harder for the vector condensates to form in various dimensions. Moreover, we note that the higher curvature correction results in the larger deviation from the expected relation in the gap frequency ωg/Tc ≈ 8 in both (2 + 1)-dimensional s-wave and p-wave models.