bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental Influences on Dall's Sheep Survival
Authors: Van de Kerk Madelon , Arthur Stephen , Bertram Mark , Borg Bridget , Herriges Jim , Lawler James , Mangipane Buck , Lambert Koizumi Catherine , Wendling Brad , Prugh Laura
Published: April 2020

Understanding how species respond to environmental conditions can assist with conservation strategies and harvest management, especially in arctic and boreal regions that are experiencing rapid climate change. Although climatic influences on species distributions have been studied, broad‐scale effects of climate on survival are less well known. We examined the interactive effects of meteorological and remotely sensed environmental variables on survival of Dall's sheep (Ovis dalli dalli) lambs and adults by synthesizing radio‐telemetry data across their range. We used data from 9 studies of adult sheep and 2 studies of lambs that were conducted between 1997 and 2012 at sites spanning the species' range in Alaska, USA, and northwestern Canada. We obtained environmental variables throughout the range of Dall's sheep, including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from optical remote sensing, freeze‐thaw frequency (FTF) from passive microwave remote sensing, and gridded climate variables such as snow water equivalent, temperature, and precipitation. We used Cox proportional hazard regression to investigate the effects of environmental variables recorded during summer, winter, and the previous winter on annual survival rates of Dall's sheep lambs and adults. Summer NDVI was the most influential environmental factor affecting lamb survival, with improved lamb survival occurring in years with a high maximum NDVI. Also, lamb predation by coyotes (Canis latrans) and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) decreased substantially with increasing NDVI. The previous winter FTF had the strongest effect on adult survival, with decreased survival occurring after winters with high FTF. In addition, these remotely sensed environmental factors interacted with meteorological factors to affect survival, such that effects of winter temperature depended on summer NDVI and winter FTF. Warm winters increased lamb survival only when preceded by summers with high NDVI, and warm winters increased adult survival only when winter FTF was low. Thus, potential benefits of climate warming may be counteracted if wintertime freeze‐thaw events markedly increase. Correlations among environmental variables across sites were low, and regional climate cycles such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) had weak effects, indicating substantial local variability in climatic conditions experienced by Dall's sheep across their range. These findings can help managers anticipate how Dall's sheep populations will respond to changes in local environmental conditions. Our results also highlight the utility of multiple remotely sensed environmental conditions for ungulate management, especially passive microwave products that provide valuable information on winter icing events. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
The Value of Oxygen Desaturation Index for Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rashid Nur HA , Zaghi Soroush , Scapuccin Marcelo , Camacho Macario , Certal Victor , Capasso Robson
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Intermittent hypoxemia is a risk factor for developing complications in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. The objective of this systematic review was to identify articles evaluating the accuracy of the oxygen desaturation index (ODI) as compared with the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) and then provide possible values to use as a cutoff for diagnosing adult OSA.

Study Design

Systematic Review of Literature.

Methods

PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS databases were searched through November 2019.

Results

Eight studies (1,924 patients) met criteria (age range: 28–70.9 years, body mass index range: 21.9–37 kg/m2, and AHI range: 0.5–62 events/hour). Five studies compared ODI and AHI simultaneously, and three had a week to months between assessments. Sensitivities ranged from 32% to 98.5%, whereas specificities ranged from 47.7% to 98%. Significant heterogeneity was present; however, for studies reporting data for a 4% ODI ≥ 15 events/hour, the specificity for diagnosing OSA ranged from 75% to 98%, and only one study reported the positive predictive value, which was 97%. Direct ODI and AHI comparisons were not made because of different hypopnea scoring, different oxygen desaturation categories, and different criteria for grading OSA severity.

Conclusion

Significant heterogeneity exists in studies comparing ODI and AHI. Based on currently published studies, consideration should be given for diagnosing adult OSA with a 4% ODI of ≥ 15 events/hour and for recommending further evaluation for diagnosing OSA with a 4% ODI ≥ 10 events/hour. Screening with oximetry may be indicated for the detection of OSA in select patients. Further study is needed before a definitive recommendation can be made. Laryngoscope, 131:440–447, 2021
Fencing decreases microbial diversity but increases abundance in grassland soils on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Fan Dandan , Kong Weidong , Wang Fei , Yue Linyan , Li Xiangzhen
Published: April 2020

Fencing usually increases soil organic carbon and nutrients and eventually enhances soil microbial diversity; however with different or even conflicting results, the mechanisms underlying the diversity reduction remain unclear. Aiming to reveal the mechanism of diversity reduction, we explored the soil microbial diversity and community structure in fenced areas (5‐and 10‐years enclosure) and grazing during a growing season in arid and semiarid steppe, using Illumina sequencing of 16S and 18S rRNA genes. The results revealed that fencing and season both substantially increased soil total organic carbon (TOC), while the enhancing TOC substantially reduced soil pH. Fencing significantly increased soil bacterial and eukaryotic abundance due to the enhancing TOC, which was indicated by positive correlation (p < .05). Contrastingly, fencing significantly decreased soil bacterial and eukaryotic diversity. Our results further revealed that fencing‐ and season‐driven change in soil water content and soil pH played key roles in reducing the bacterial and eukaryotic diversity, respectively. Distance‐based linear model demonstrated that fencing dominantly drove the soil bacterial and eukaryotic community variations by explaining 15.64 and 24.88%, respectively, and redundancy analysis showed that the fencing effect was dependent on growing months. Bacteria were dominated by Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria, and eukaryotes were dominated by Streptophyta, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Cyanobacteria relative abundance remained stable from May to September in fencing but substantially increased in grazing. Our findings offer a new insight into the mechanism of the soil microbial diversity reduction, and reveal the season‐dependency of fencing effect in arid and semiarid grasslands.
Central memory phenotype drives success of checkpoint inhibition in combination with CAR T cells
Authors: Toews Karin , Grunewald Laura , Schwiebert Silke , Klaus Anika , Winkler Annika , Ali Solin , Zirngibl Felix , Astrahantseff Kathy , Wagner Dimitrios L. , Henssen Anton G. , Deubzer Hedwig E. , Schulte Johannes H. , Ochsenreither Sebastian , Eggert Angelika , Künkele Annette
Published: April 2020

The immunosuppressive microenvironment in solid tumors is thought to form a barrier to the entry and efficacy of cell‐based therapies such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Combining CAR T cell therapy with checkpoint inhibitors has been demonstrated to oppose immune escape mechanisms in solid tumors and augment antitumor efficacy. We evaluated PD‐1/PD‐L1 signaling capacity and the impact of an inhibitor of this checkpoint axis in an in vitro system for cancer cell challenge, the coculture of L1CAM‐specific CAR T cells with neuroblastoma cell lines. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting‐based analyses and luciferase reporter assays were used to assess PD‐1/PD‐L1 expression on CAR T and tumor cells as well as CAR T cell ability to kill neuroblastoma cells. Coculturing neuroblastoma cell lines with L1CAM‐CAR T cells upregulated PD‐L1 expression on neuroblastoma cells, confirming adaptive immune resistance. Exposure to neuroblastoma cells also upregulated the expression of the PD‐1/PD‐L1 axis in CAR T cells. The checkpoint inhibitor, nivolumab, enhanced L1CAM‐CAR T cell‐directed killing. However, nivolumab‐enhanced L1CAM‐CAR T cell killing did not strictly correlate with PD‐L1 expression on neuroblastoma cells. In fact, checkpoint inhibitor success relied on strong PD‐1/PD‐L1 axis expression in the CAR T cells, which in turn depended on costimulatory domains within the CAR construct, and more importantly, on the subset of T cells selected for CAR T cell generation. Thus, T cell subset selection for CAR T cell generation and CAR T cell prescreening for PD‐1/PD‐L1 expression could help determine when combination therapy with checkpoint inhibitors could improve treatment efficacy.
Myeloid derived suppressor cells in cancer, premalignancy and inflammation: A roadmap to cancer immunoprevention
Authors: Sivagnanalingam Umayal , Beatty Pamela L. , Finn Olivera J.
Published: April 2020

The ultimate success of any form of cancer therapy or cancer prevention depends on its ability to engage the power of the immune system to completely eliminate a growing tumor, lower the life‐time tumor risk and establish long‐term memory to prevent recurrence or future tumors. For that reason, all therapies but especially immunotherapies depend on the immune health (immunocompetence) of each treated individual. Cancer and chronic illnesses, combined with a usually more advanced age of cancer patients or those at risk for cancer are known to severely suppress multiple antitumor functions of the immune system. Understanding the critical mechanisms controlling and mediating immune suppression can lead to additional therapies to alleviate the effects of those mechanisms and improve the outcome of cancer therapy and prevention. We introduce and review here a highly immunosuppressive cell population found in cancer, precancer, and chronic inflammatory diseases, myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC). First described in the setting of advanced cancer, their presence and immunosuppressive activity has been seen more recently in early premalignant lesions and in chronic inflammatory diseases leading to cancer. We describe the detrimental effects of their presence on cancer immunotherapy, immunosurveillance and immunoprevention and review early attempts to develop drugs to eliminate them or reduce their negative impact.
Sutureless repair of a partially transected median nerve using Tisseel glue and Axoguard nerve protector: A case report
Authors: Suryavanshi Joash R. , Cox Cameron , Osemwengie Bradley O. , Jones Hunter B. , MacKay Brendan J.
Published: April 2020

Peripheral nerve injuries in which the nerve is not completely severed often result in neuromas‐in‐continuity. These can cause sensory and functional deficits and must be resected and reconstructed. In defects greater than 5 mm in length, nerve graft is indicated, and suture neurorrhaphy is typically used to secure the nerve ends. However, sutures may negatively impact nerve regeneration. Fibrin glue has recently been used to mitigate the inflammatory response associated with suture neurorrhaphy. Most of the literature regarding fibrin glue covers animal models and supports its use for nerve reconstruction. Tisseel, a fibrin sealant developed as an adjunct to hemostasis, has recently shown utility in peripheral nerve repair by increasing tensile strength without additional sutures. We present the successful use of Tisseel sealant in a neuroma resection and reconstruction. In this case, a 35‐year‐old female presented with persistent neuropathic pain and neurologic dysfunction related to the median nerve in her hand with a history of distal forearm laceration and prior carpal tunnel release. Upon exploration, a neuroma‐in‐continuity involving 75% of the nerve was identified, resected, and reconstructed using processed human nerve allograft, as well as Tisseel sealant and Axoguard nerve protector to secure the repair and offload tension. At 1‐year follow‐up, pain was resolved, with ≤8 mm static 2‐point discrimination in the median nerve distribution, and excellent improvement in hand strength compared with preoperative conditions. The outcome of this case indicates that fibrin glue may be useful to avoid excess sutures in cases of neuroma‐in‐continuity not involving the entire cross‐section of the nerve.
A web‐based brain metastases segmentation and labeling platform for stereotactic radiosurgery
Authors: Yang Zi , Liu Hui , Liu Yan , Stojadinovic Strahinja , Timmerman Robert , Nedzi Lucien , Dan Tu , Wardak Zabi , Lu Weiguo , Gu Xuejun
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has become a standard of care for patients' with brain metastases (BMs). However, the manual multiple BMs delineation can be time‐consuming and could create an efficiency bottleneck in SRS workflow. There is a clinical need for automatic delineation and quantitative evaluation tools. In this study, building on our previous developed deep learning‐based segmentation algorithms, we developed a web‐based automated BMs segmentation and labeling platform to assist the SRS clinical workflow.

Method

This platform was developed based on the Django framework, including a web client and a back‐end server. The web client enables interactions as database access, data import, and image viewing. The server performs the segmentation and labeling tasks including: skull stripping; deep learning‐based BMs segmentation; and affine registration‐based BMs labeling. Additionally, the client can display BMs contours with corresponding atlas labels, and allows further postprocessing tasks including: (a) adjusting window levels; (b) displaying/hiding specific contours; (c) removing false‐positive contours; (d) exporting contours as DICOM RTStruct files; etc.

Results

We evaluated this platform on 10 clinical cases with BMs number varied from 12‐81 per case. The overall operation took about 4–5 min per patient. The segmentation accuracy was evaluated between the manual contour and automatic segmentation with several metrics. The averaged center of mass shift was 1.55 ± 0.36 mm, the Hausdorff distance was 2.98 ± 0.63 mm, the mean of surface‐to‐surface distance (SSD) was 1.06 ± 0.31 mm, and the standard deviation of SSD was 0.80 ± 0.16 mm. In addition, the initial averaged false‐positive over union (FPoU) and false‐negative rate (FNR) were 0.43 ± 0.19 and 0.15 ± 0.10 respectively. After case‐specific postprocessing, the averaged FPoU and FNR were 0.19 ± 0.10 and 0.15 ± 0.10 respectively.

Conclusion

The evaluated web‐based BMs segmentation and labeling platform can substantially improve the clinical efficiency compared to manual contouring. This platform can be a useful tool for assisting SRS treatment planning and treatment follow‐up.
Feasibility and correlations of smartphone meta‐data toward dynamic understanding of depression and suicide risk in schizophrenia
Authors: Henson Philip , Torous John
Published: April 2020

Objectives

We investigate whether meta‐data, specifically duration of responses to smartphone‐delivered surveys, is correlated to elevated scores on the depression assessment PHQ‐9 as well as the specific item around self‐harm (item 9).

Methods

In this observational study, we recruited 92 smartphone‐owning adults (≥ 18) with schizophrenia (45) and healthy controls (43). We installed an open‐source smartphone app called mindLAMP to collect survey results and latencies (response times) over a period of 3 months. Surveys were scheduled for twice a week, but participants were instructed to take the surveys naturally as much or as little as they wanted. A total of 1,218 PHQ‐9 surveys were completed across all participants over 3 months.

Results

A total of 75 participants (39 with schizophrenia and 36 healthy controls) completed both the initial visit and follow‐up, as well as provided at least one self‐reported PHQ‐9 survey through the app. We found that depression symptom severity and response latencies were correlated for both individuals with schizophrenia (Spearman's ρ = .22, p = .037) and healthy controls (Spearman's ρ = .58, p < .001). Participants with schizophrenia scored higher (more severe) and took longer for every item of the PHQ‐9 when compared to controls (p < .05 for each item). Item 9 response value and latency was slightly correlated for participants with schizophrenia (Spearman's ρ = .086, p = .035) but was not significant for controls (Spearman's ρ = .036, p = .37).

Conclusions

Meta‐data revealed group differences between individuals with schizophrenia and healthy controls based on individual depression symptoms completed on a smartphone. Correlation between suicide specific question latency and severity for participants with schizophrenia but not for controls indicates the clinical potential and need for further research.
Mapping hepatocyte size in vivo using temporal diffusion spectroscopy MRI
Authors: Jiang Xiaoyu , Xu Junzhong , Gore John C.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The goal of this study is to implement a noninvasive method for in vivo mapping of hepatocyte size. This method will have a broad range of clinical and preclinical applications, as pathological changes in hepatocyte sizes are relevant for the accurate diagnosis and assessments of treatment response of liver diseases.

Methods

Building on the concepts of temporal diffusion spectroscopy in MRI, a clinically feasible imaging protocol named IMPULSED (Imaging Microstructural Parameters Using Limited Spectrally Edited Diffusion) has been developed, which is able to report measurements of cell sizes noninvasively. This protocol acquires a selected set of diffusion imaging data and fits them to a model of water compartments in tissues to derive robust estimates of the cellular structures that restrict free diffusion. Here, we adapt and further develop this approach to measure hepatocyte sizes in vivo. We validated IMPULSED in livers of mice and rats and implemented it to image healthy human subjects using a clinical 3T MRI scanner.

Results

The IMPULSED‐derived mean hepatocyte sizes for rats and mice are about 15‐20 µm and agree well with histological findings. Maps of mean hepatocyte size for humans can be achieved in less than 15 minutes, a clinically feasible scan time.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that this method has potential to overcome major limitations of liver biopsy and provide noninvasive mapping of hepatocyte sizes in clinical applications.
Discrepancies in Wechsler Adult Intelligent Scale III profile in adult with and without attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Takeda Toshinobu , Nakashima Youta , Tsuji Yui
Published: April 2020

Aim

The Wechsler Adult Intelligent Scale (WAIS) is the most frequently administered cognitive assessment for adult Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); therefore, identifying discrepancies in WAIS profile in patients and comparing with matched controls would be clinically and diagnostically beneficial.

Methods

The WAIS‐III profiles of 50 adults with ADHD were compared to an age‐matched typical development (TD) group.

Results

The adult ADHD group exhibited significantly lower WAIS‐III working memory (WM) and processing speed (PS) indices. However, these differences disappeared when intelligence quotient (IQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score, or Autism Quotient (AQ) score was included as a covariate. The adult ADHD group also demonstrated significantly lower scores in several WM‐ and PS‐domain subscales, while crystallized abilities were comparatively preserved. Additionally, only a small portion of participants in both groups lacked any significant gaps between WAIS‐III verbal and performance IQ scores (VIQ–PIQ) or associated indices.

Discussion

This study confirms previous findings that adult ADHD patients have deficits in WM and PS. However, it is highly likely that comorbidities such as depression and autism spectrum disorder contribute to lower WM and PS scores in adult ADHD. Unexpectedly, a “flat profile” is uncommon even in TD adults. Therefore, clinician should assess how WAIS deficits affect daily life rather than merely considering an uneven WAIS profile when diagnosing and treating adult ADHD.
A case of oral metastasis of rectal adenocarcinoma with KRAS mutation in patient with synchronous lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yamori Masashi , Kurosawa Manabu
Published: April 2020

Detecting the origin of the primary cancer that metastasizes in the oral cavity in patients with multiple primary cancers is challenging because of its rarity and complexity. We present an unusual case of an 86‐year‐old women with a maxillary gingival tumor that was histologically proven to be adenocarcinoma; she had been diagnosed with rectal and lung adenocarcinoma. A multidisciplinary approach involving complementary molecular analysis of KRAS gene mutation helped in the diagnosis of metastatic gingival tumor from rectal cancer.
Pregestational diabetes in pregnancy: Complications, management, surveillance, and mechanisms of disease—A review
Authors: Shub Alexis , Lappas Martha
Published: April 2020

Diabetes is an increasingly common diagnosis among pregnant women. Pregestational diabetes is associated with an increase in many adverse pregnancy outcomes, which impact both on the woman and her fetus. The models of pregnancy care for women with diabetes are based largely on observational data or consensus opinion. Strategies for aneuploidy screening and monitoring for fetal well‐being should be modified in women with diabetes. There is an increasing understanding of the mechanisms by which congenital anomalies and disorders of fetal growth occur, involving epigenetic modifications, changes in gene expression in critical developmental pathways, and oxidative stress. This knowledge may lead to pathways for improved care for these high‐risk pregnancies.
Synthesis of norbornene/divinylbenzene copolymers catalyzed by anilinonaphthoquinone‐ligated nickel complexes and their applications for the synthesis of graft polymers
Authors: Chowdhury Samiul Islam , Tanaka Ryo , Nakayama Yuushou , Shiono Takeshi
Published: April 2020

The copolymerization of norbornene (NB) and divinylbenzene (DVB) was carried out using anilinonaphthoquinone‐ligated nickel complexes of the type [Ni(C10H5O2NAr)(Ph)(PPh3)] (1a: Ar = C6H3‐2,6‐
iPr; 1b: Ar = C6H2‐2,4,6‐Me; 1c: Ar = C6H5) with modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst. The DVB content was varied (5–25 mol%) and the resulting copolymers exhibited number‐average molecular weights (Mn) of 40,000–69,000 g/mol with polydispersities (PDI = 1.5–1.8). The styryl group of the NB/DVB copolymer was used for grafting poly(methyl methacrylate) by reverse atom transfer radical polymerization using azobisisobutyronitrile in the presence of copper chloride and bipyridine.
Plant segmentation by supervised machine learning methods
Authors: Adams Jason , Qiu Yumou , Xu Yuhang , Schnable James C.
Published: April 2020

High‐throughput phenotyping systems provide abundant data for statistical analysis through plant imaging. Before usable data can be obtained, image processing must take place. In this study, we used supervised learning methods to segment plants from the background in such images and compared them with commonly used thresholding methods. Because obtaining accurate training data is a major obstacle to using supervised learning methods for segmentation, a novel approach to producing accurate labels was developed. We demonstrated that, with careful selection of training data through such an approach, supervised learning methods, and neural networks in particular, can outperform thresholding methods at segmentation.
Immunogenicity and safety of a proposed pegfilgrastim biosimilar MSB11455 versus the reference pegfilgrastim Neulasta® in healthy subjects: A randomized, double‐blind trial
Authors: Wynne Chris , Schwabe Christian , Vincent Emmanuelle , Schueler Armin , Ryding Janka , Ullmann Martin , Ghori Vishal , Kanceva Radmila , Stahl Michael
Published: April 2020

MSB11455 is a proposed biosimilar to the currently licensed reference pegfilgrastim (Neulasta®). This study was designed primarily to compare the immunogenicity of MSB11455 and Neulasta®. As secondary objectives, the safety and tolerability of MSB11455 and Neulasta® were also compared. Healthy adult subjects were randomized to either MSB11455 or Neulasta®, stratified by antipolyethylene glycol (PEG) antibody status at screening and study site. Subjects received a single subcutaneous dose of MSB11455 or Neulasta® (both 6 mg/0.6 mL) on day 1 of each of two study periods (same product in both periods), separated by a washout of 28‐35 days. Immunogenicity samples were taken predose and up to day 84 post–first dose. Noninferiority was confirmed if the upper limit of the exact one‐sided adjusted 95% confidence interval (CI) for the difference in antidrug antibody (ADA)‐positive rates was < 10%. Safety was assessed throughout the study. Overall, 336 subjects were randomized and treated (N = 168 in each group). Noninferiority of MSB11455 over Neulasta® was demonstrated for immunogenicity; the difference in confirmed treatment‐induced ADA‐positive rate between MSB11455 and Neulasta® was −0.6% (upper limit of the exact one‐sided adjusted 95% CI: 6.25%). ADAs were mostly directed against the PEG moiety of pegfilgrastim. No filgrastim‐specific neutralizing antibodies were detected in either treatment group. Safety and tolerability were as expected for pegfilgrastim, and comparable between treatments. This study supports and strengthens the available evidence for the biosimilarity of MSB11455 to Neulasta®.
Inaccessibility to double‐stranded RNAs in plastids restricts RNA interference in Bemisia tabaci (whitefly)
Authors: Dong Yi , Yang Yong , Wang Zican , Wu Mengting , Fu Jinqiu , Guo Jianyang , Chang Ling , Zhang Jiang
Published: April 2020

Background

RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising technology for insect pest control. Because of the accumulation of high levels of long double‐stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) in plastids, it was previously shown that expression of dsRNAs from plastid genome led to higher mortality of some insect pests with chewing mouthparts than dsRNAs expression from nuclear genome. However, whether plastid‐expressed dsRNAs have effects on phloem sap‐sucking pests is unknown. In this study, we compared the RNAi effects of nuclear transgenic and transplastomic plants on the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, a serious sap‐sucking pest.

Results

Nuclear transgenic and transplastomic tobacco plants were developed for the expression of dsRNA against BtACTB gene of Bemisia tabaci, respectively. Feeding nuclear transgenic plants to Bemisia tabaci resulted in reduced gene expression of BtACTB and survival rate, and impaired fecundity of Bemisia tabaci. We did not observe any effects of transplastomic plants on Bemisia tabaci fitness. Furthermore, we found that the inability of B. tabaci to obtain dsRNAs from plastids might restrict its RNAi responses.

Conclusion

Our study indicated that the expression of dsRNAs in nuclear transgenic plants was more effective than that in transplastomic plants for the control of Bemisia tabaci. The inaccessibility of Bemisia tabaci to plastids contributes to the inefficiency of plastid‐mediated RNAi. Our findings are of great significance to future optimization of transgenically delivered RNAi approaches for efficient controlling of sap‐sucking pests. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Laser Reduction of Graphene Oxide/Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Nanocomposites as a One‐Step Process for Supercapacitor Fabrication
Authors: dos Anjos Júnior Afonso Gabriel , de Freitas Cardoso Gabriel Pimenta , Paterno Leonardo Giordano , Marti Ceschin Artemis
Published: April 2020

Herein, the laser reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnONP) nanocomposite films is proposed as a one‐step process for supercapacitor fabrication. The films, deposited by casting onto a flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) substrate coated with indium‐doped tin oxide (ITO), are subjected to laser irradiation (5 mW, 405 nm) to reduce the GO phase and produce laser‐reduced GO (LRGO). Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersion spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), micro‐Raman spectroscopy, and current versus voltage (I × V) analyses show a partial reduction of GO to LRGO, forming several conductor‐insulating (LRGO/GO) microporous interfaces, and thereby favoring the formation of a supercapacitor structure. Moreover, the topmost LRGO film layer is extensively reduced, making it sufficiently conducting to work as the counter electrode as well. However, the reduction process is less effective when ZnONPs are introduced into the GO matrix because ZnONPs get clustered and scatter the incident laser before reaching the GO phase. The capacitive behavior, assessed by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements, reveals the following specific capacitances: 2.68 F g−1 (GO/LRGO) and 1.44 F g−1 (GO/LRGO/ZnONP). The method proposed herein is advantageous because it produces the microcapacitor structures and LRGO counter electrode in a single laser reduction step.
Progress, Challenges, and Rewards in Probing Melt Dynamics, Configurational Entropy Change, and Topological Phases of Group V‐ and Group IV‐Based Multicomponent Sulfide Glasses
Authors: Chakravarty Soumendu , Almutairi Badriah S. , Chbeir Ralph , Chakraborty Shibalik , Bauchy Mathieu , Micoulaut Matthieu , Boolchand Punit
Published: April 2020

The observation of reversibility windows (RWs) in binary GexS100−x, AsxS100−x and ternary GexAsxS100−2x glass systems permits constructing a global topological phase diagram in the GeAsS composition triangle. The RW denotes glass compositions for which the enthalpy of relaxation at Tg vanishes, leading to thermally reversing glass transitions. The phase diagram permits delineating glass compositions that are in the flexible phase (FP), intermediate phase (IP), and the stressed rigid phase (SRP) for all ternary GexAsxS100−2x glass compositions. For the IP compositions examined, a general lowering of the molar volumes, Vm, is observed in relation to those for non‐IP compositions, giving rise to a volumetric window. Melt dynamics of IP compositions reveal a fragility index, m < 20, lower than that for non‐IP melts for which m > 20 displays a fragility window, underscoring in part the reason for the delayed homogenization of melts in these sulfide glasses. The observations of the three types of window characteristics of IP compositions are feasible only when the homogeneous bulk glasses are synthesized, in which the variance ⟨Δx⟩ in As and Ge concentrations, x, across batch compositions is less than 0.01%. This is established by Fourier transform–Raman profiling of each batch of composition that is synthesized.
Air‐Stable Wide‐Bandgap 2D Semiconductor ZnIn2S4
Authors: Weng Shirui , Zhen Weili , Li Yaodong , Yan Xiu , Han Hui , Huang Hui , Pi Li , Zhu Wenka , Li Hui , Zhang Changjin
Published: April 2020

The search for new 2D semiconductors with large electronic bandgap and high optoelectronic performance is pivotal for fundamental research, as such materials may lead to the scalable fabrication of optoelectronics devices. However, air‐stable 2D semiconductors with superior optoelectronic performance remain elusive at present. Herein, the discovery of ZnIn2S4 2D semiconductor is reported, which demonstrates an attractive thickness‐dependent direct bandgap of about 2 eV. ZnIn2S4 also exhibits excellent air stability and good optoelectronic performance, making it a promising material base for investigation of new quantum phenomena as well as for applications in the semiconductor industry.
Tuning the Topological Bandgap of Bilayer‐Bi(111) Supported on Graphene
Authors: Li Zhongyao , Zhang Zhongyuan
Published: April 2020

Based on first‐principles calculations, the electronic structures of the van der Waals heterostructures formed by bilayer‐Bi(111) and graphene are systematically studied. Although the Bi–graphene spacing is larger than 3 Å, the topological bandgap (TBG) of bilayer‐Bi(111) can be tuned by the weak Bi–graphene interaction and the stacking pattern between Bi and graphene. In the zigzag–zigzag stacking pattern, the TBG can be enlarged by reducing the Bi–graphene spacing or the buckling of bilayer‐Bi(111). Interestingly, in the zigzag–armchair stacking pattern, there is a new hybridization gap in a bilayer‐Bi(111) near Fermi level. Meanwhile, the TBG of bilayer‐Bi(111) can also be modified in the heterostructures. However, a large bandgap (more than 100 meV) can be realized in graphene by tuning the Bi–graphene spacing. The calculations suggest the importance of stacking pattern and hybridization on the electronic structures.
Addressing the causes of large‐scale circulation error in the Met Office Unified Model
Authors: Williams K. D. , van Niekerk A. , Best M. J. , Lock A. P. , Brooke J. K. , Carvalho M. J. , Derbyshire S. H. , Dunstan T. D. , Rumbold H. S. , Sandu I. , Sexton D. M. H.
Published: April 2020

The Met Office Unified Model develops a systematic error consisting of a large high‐pressure bias over the North Pole. The error begins to develop early in numerical weather prediction forecasts and is the leading large‐scale circulation error in the model's climatological mean, with implications for principle circulation regimes and blocking. The cause of the error is investigated using a variety of diagnostic techniques, including analysis of a perturbed parameter ensemble for the model, evaluation of changes in both weather and climate simulations to minimise the risk of introducing compensating errors, and detailed comparisons with another model. A reduction in this systematic error is achieved through an overall reduction in the near‐surface drag; however, to accomplish this without affecting forecast predictability adversely, a redistribution of the drag is required between the roughness from vegetation in the land‐surface scheme, the near‐surface drag from the orographic gravity‐wave drag scheme, the turbulent orographic form drag, and the resolved drag (through changing the orographic filtering). A modest reduction in the climatological bias is achieved, along with a reduction in bias and improved predictability of near‐surface winds.
Shannon entropy and Fisher information for screened Kratzer potential
Authors: Amadi Precious O. , Ikot Akpan N. , Ngiangia Alalibo T. , Okorie Uduakobong S. , Rampho Gaotsiwe J. , Abdullah Hewa Y.
Published: April 2020

In this paper, Shannon entropy and Fisher information is studied for the screened Kratzer potential model and compared with the screened Coulomb in three dimensions. Our results showed similar higher‐order characteristic behavior for position and momentum space. Our numerical results showed that increases in the accuracy of predicting particle location occurred in the position space. Our result shows that the sum of the position and momentum entropies satisfies the lower‐bound Berkner, Bialynicki‐Birula, and Mycieslki inequality. The Stam‐Cramer‐Rao inequalities relation for Fisher information and the expectation values were also satisfied for the different eigenstates.
Revealing 35 years of landcover dynamics in floodplains of trained lowland rivers using satellite data
Authors: Harezlak Valesca , Geerling Gertjan W. , Rogers Christine K. , Penning W. Ellis , Augustijn Denie C. M. , Hulscher Suzanne J. M. H.
Published: April 2020

Lacking substantial erosive and sedimentation forces, regulated rivers allow their floodplains to become overgrown with forest, increasing the flood risk of the hinterland. In the Netherlands, floodplains have therefore been subjected to interventions, like clear cutting, lowering and creation of side channels, and management, consisting of grazing and mowing. However, the comprehension of how those activities influence landcover dynamics is lacking. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate long‐term landcover dynamics of a regulated river system through the lens of remote sensing. What transitions between landcover classes can be observed? And how (if) do management and interventions impact succession and retrogression of landcover classes? The study area comprised the upstream part of the Dutch Rhine River, its three branches and five adjacent floodplains. Satellite data (LandSat 5 and 8), encompassing a 35‐year period (1984–2018), were used for studying landcover dynamics. Landcover classification was based on seven classes: water, built‐up area, bare substrate, grass, herbaceous vegetation, shrubs and forest. Retrogression was highest for the landcover classes obstructing water flow (shrubs, forest and herbaceous vegetation), succession was most frequent on bare substrate, and water and grass were the most stable landcover classes. The regulated nature of the system became apparent from the spatial and temporal cacophony of landcover dynamics which differ from those of natural meandering rivers. This study showed that satellite data are useful for analyzing the impact of human activities within floodplains of regulated rivers and may assist in floodplain management aimed at combining water safety and nature policies.
Automated Tool‐Path Generation for Rapid Manufacturing of Additive Manufacturing Directed Energy Deposition Geometries
Authors: Biegler Max , Wang Jiahan , Kaiser Lukas , Rethmeier Michael
Published: April 2020

In additive manufacturing (AM) directed energy deposition (DED), parts are built by welding layers of powder or wire feedstock onto a substrate with applications for steel powders in the fields of forging tools, spare parts, and structural components for various industries. For large and bulky parts, the choice of tool‐paths influences the build rate, the mechanical performance, and the distortions in a highly geometry‐dependent manner. With weld‐path lengths in the range of hundreds of meters, a reliable, automated tool‐path generation is essential for the usability of DED processes. This contribution presents automated tool‐path generation approaches and discusses the results for arbitrary geometries. So‐called “zig‐zag” and “contour‐parallel” processing strategies are investigated and the tool‐paths are automatically formatted into machine‐readable g‐code for experimental validation to build sample geometries. The results are discussed in regard to volume‐fill, microstructure, and porosity in dependence of the path planning according to photographs and metallographic cross‐sections.
Oral exposure of titanium oxide nanoparticles induce ileum physical barrier dysfunction via Th1/Th2 imbalance
Authors: Yao Liyang , Tang Yizhou , Chen Bolu , Hong Wuding , Xu Xinyue , Liu Yang , Aguilar Zoraida P. , Xu Hengyi
Published: April 2020

In this work, we aimed to evaluate the adverse effects and the mechanism of intestinal barrier caused by titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs). Here, the effects of two different dosages (300 and 1200 mg/kg) of TiO2 NPs on female mice (n = 5) were investigated. After 28‐day oral exposure, the results of Ti content were significantly increased in the ileum in comparison with the control. The histopathological structure index of the ileum was significantly changed after TiO2 NPs exposure; villi height and crypt depth were decreased and increased, respectively. Meanwhile, TiO2 NPs treatment also significantly altered the transcription levels of genes. First, the GATA‐3 and STAT‐4 were upregulation and downregulation, respectively. Second, gene expressions of the Zonula Occludens‐1, claudin (CLDN)‐12, occludin, and myosin light chain kinase were significantly upregulated, while the CLDN‐3 was decreased. Finally, the caspase‐3, caspase‐9, and caspase‐12 were upregulated. The results of TUNEL staining indicated apoptosis in the ileum. In general, TiO2 NPs treatment significantly changed the intestine physical barrier in a dose‐dependent manner. The toxicity of TiO2 NPs could be through the imbalance in the Th1/Th2.
Be aware of how COVID‐19 could impact international students
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: April 2020

The spread of COVID‐19 has impacted every aspect of college and university operations — and life in general. As you look ahead, consider ways the pandemic could impact your current and potential international students so you can implement plans to address the challenges.
Keep your community safe while COVID‐19 spreads globally
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: April 2020

The spread of COVID‐19 globally has caused a high rate of sickness, death, and uncertainty, leading many U.S. colleges and universities to move instruction online. When the global pandemic hit the United States, institutions struggled to quickly make decisions about how to deal with international students on campus, as well as how and when to pull American students studying abroad out of programs and bring them back to campus, without potentially spreading the disease through a healthy student population — and with how best to monitor and advise students in the wake of a global emergency.
Adapt to student needs by honoring chosen names, pronouns
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: April 2020

Labels. Regardless of age, people don't want to be labeled with words they don't identify with — especially when it comes to their chosen names and pronouns.
Symmetries of supergravity backgrounds and supersymmetric field theory
Authors: Kuzenko Sergei M. , Raptakis Emmanouil S.N.
Published: April 2020

Abstract

In four spacetime dimensions, all

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 supergravity-matter systems can be formulated in the so-called U(1) superspace proposed by Howe in 1981. This paper is devoted to the study of those geometric structures which characterise a background U(1) superspace and are important in the context of supersymmetric field theory in curved space. We introduce (conformal) Killing tensor superfields

$$ {\mathrm{\ell}}_{\left({\alpha}_1\dots {\alpha}_m\right)\left({\overset{\cdot }{\alpha}}_1\dots {\overset{\cdot }{\alpha}}_n\right)} $$

ℓ

α
1

…

α
m

α
⋅

1

…

α
⋅

n

, with m and n non-negative integers, m + n > 0, and elaborate on their significance in the following cases: (i) m = n = 1; (ii) m − 1 = n = 0; and (iii) m = n > 1. The (conformal) Killing vector superfields

$$ {\mathrm{\ell}}_{\alpha \overset{\cdot }{\alpha }} $$

ℓ

α

α
⋅

generate the (conformal) isometries of curved superspace, which are symmetries of every (conformal) supersymmetric field theory. The (conformal) Killing spinor superfields ℓ

α
generate extended (conformal) supersymmetry transformations. The (conformal) Killing tensor superfields with m = n > 1 prove to generate all higher symmetries of the (massless) massive Wess-Zumino operator.
Massive vector fields in Kerr-Newman and Kerr-Sen black hole spacetimes
Authors: Cayuso Ramiro , Dias Oscar J.C. , Gray Finnian , Kubizňák David , Margalit Aoibheann , Santos Jorge E. , Souza Renato Gomes , Thiele Leander
Published: April 2020

Abstract

The superradiant instability modes of ultralight massive vector bosons are studied for weakly charged rotating black holes in Einstein-Maxwell gravity (the Kerr- Newman solution) and low-energy heterotic string theory (the Kerr-Sen black hole). We show that in both these cases, the corresponding massive vector (Proca) equations can be fully separated, exploiting the hidden symmetry present in these spacetimes. The resultant ordinary differential equations are solved numerically to find the most unstable modes of the Proca field in the two backgrounds and compared to the vacuum (Kerr black hole) case.
Renormalons in integrable field theories
Authors: Mariño Marcos , Reis Tomás
Published: April 2020

Abstract

In integrable field theories in two dimensions, the Bethe ansatz can be used to compute exactly the ground state energy in the presence of an external field coupled to a conserved charge. We generalize previous results by Volin and we extract analytic results for the perturbative expansion of this observable, up to very high order, in various asymptotically free theories: the non-linear sigma model and its supersymmetric extension, the Gross-Neveu model, and the principal chiral field. We study the large order behavior of these perturbative series and we give strong evidence that, as expected, it is controlled by renormalons. Our analysis is sensitive to the next-to-leading correction to the asymptotics, which involves the first two coefficients of the beta function. We also show that, in the supersymmetric non-linear sigma model, there is no contribution from the first IR renormalon, in agreement with general arguments.
Supersymmetric Wilson loops via integral forms
Authors: Cremonini C.A. , Grassi P.A. , Penati S.
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We study supersymmetric Wilson loops from a geometrical perspective. To this end, we propose a new formulation of these operators in terms of an integral form associated to the immersion of the loop into a supermanifold. This approach provides a unifying description of Wilson loops preserving different sets of supercharges, and clarifies the flow between them. Moreover, it allows to exploit the powerful techniques of super- differential calculus for investigating their symmetries. As remarkable examples, we discuss supersymmetry and kappa-symmetry invariance.
Singlet night in Feynman-ville: one-loop matching of a real scalar
Authors: Haisch Ulrich , Ruhdorfer Maximilian , Salvioni Ennio , Venturini Elena , Weiler Andreas
Published: April 2020

Abstract

A complete one-loop matching calculation for real singlet scalar extensions of the Standard Model to the Standard Model effective field theory (SMEFT) of dimension- six operators is presented. We compare our analytic results obtained by using Feynman diagrams to the expressions derived in the literature by a combination of the universal one-loop effective action (UOLEA) approach and Feynman calculus. After identifying contributions that have been overlooked in the existing calculations, we find that the pure diagrammatic approach and the mixed method lead to identical results. We highlight some of the subtleties involved in computing one-loop matching corrections in SMEFT.
Muon g − 2 vs LHC Run 2 in supersymmetric models
Authors: Endo Motoi , Hamaguchi Koichi , Iwamoto Sho , Kitahara Teppei
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Supersymmetric models with sub-TeV charginos and sleptons have been a candidate for the origin of the long-standing discrepancy in the muon anomalous magnetic moment (g − 2). By gathering all the available LHC Run 2 results, we investigate the latest LHC constraints on models that explain the anomaly by their chargino contribution to the muon g − 2. It is shown that the parameter regions where sleptons are lighter than charginos are strongly disfavored. In contrast, we find that the models with

$$ {m}_{{\tilde{\mu}}_{\mathrm{L}}}\underset{\sim }{>}{m}_{{\tilde{\chi}}_1^{\pm }} $$

m

μ
˜

L

>
~

m

χ
˜

1
±

are still widely allowed, where the lighter chargino dominantly decays into a W-boson and a neutralino.
Isolated photon and photon+jet production at NNLO QCD accuracy
Authors: Chen Xuan , Gehrmann Thomas , Glover Nigel , Höfer Marius , Huss Alexander
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We describe the calculation of the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections to isolated photon and photon-plus-jet production, and discuss how the experimental hadron-level photon definition and isolation criteria can be approximated in the theoretical parton-level calculation. The NNLO corrections lead to a considerable reduction of the theory uncertainty on the predictions, typically to less than five per cent, and enable an improved description of experimental measurements from ATLAS and CMS.