bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anion–Cation Synergetic Contribution to High Capacity, Structurally Stable Cathode Materials for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xu Hang , Cheng Chen , Chu Shiyong , Zhang Xueping , Wu Jianghua , Zhang Liang , Guo Shaohua , Zhou Haoshen
Published: September 2020

Layered transition metal oxides as promising cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries have been extensively studied to obtain superior electrochemical properties. Since the cationic redox materials have almost reached the theoretical capacity limits accompanied by the migration and disproportionation of transition metals, anionic redox counterparts have been extensively explored to obtain extra capacity. In this work, P2‐type Na0.67[Li0.21Mn0.59Ti0.2]O2 is introduced, where manganese and oxygen synergistically undergo redox reaction reversibly. In situ X‐ray diffraction (XRD) experiments indicate a highly stable lattice structure with an extremely small volume strain of 0.7% during cycles with no sign of phase transitions. The stable crystal structure demonstrates the suppression of manganese disproportionation which is common in the layered Mn‐based cathode materials. Thanks to both cationic and anionic redox, this material can deliver a reversible capacity of 231 mA g−1 in the voltage range of 1.5–4.5 V and the high‐voltage plateau can be maintained during subsequent cycles with splendid cycling stability.
Retracted: Emerging 2D MXene/Organic Heterostructures for Future Nanodevices
Authors: Neupane Guru Prakash , Yildirim Tanju , Zhang Linglong , Lu Yuerui
Published: September 2020

MXenes are a rapidly growing family of 2D materials. Their unique combination of metallic conductivity, hydrophilicity, and highly charged surfaces endow them with excellent electrochemical performance. Appropriate surface functional groups determine their semiconducting properties. The wide selection of various MXene structures and surface functional groups enable tunable work functions and bandgaps, making them prime candidates for many optoelectronic applications. In addition, the discovery of 2D organic semiconductors having single molecular thickness has also greatly attracted research attention due to their optical, electronic, optoelectronic, and mechatronic properties. Moreover, the formation of MXenes/organic 2D heterostructures enables many interesting phenomena in the 2D quantum limit to be observed. This review aims to increase motivation toward the investigation of newly emerging MXenes, 2D organic materials, and their combinational heterostructures. It overviews recent progress in the fundamental investigations of the optical, electronic, and optoelectronic properties in isolated 2D MXenes and organic materials; then, highlights the major importance of 2D MXene/organic heterostructures for applications in exciton–polariton lasers, light emitting devices, wearable electronics, and spintronic devices. The review aims outlines a future roadmap for 2D MXenes, organic materials, and their heterostructures for advanced nanotechnology applications.
Injectable and Self‐Healing Hydrogel with Anti‐Bacterial and Anti‐Inflammatory Properties for Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis with Micro Invasive Treatment
Authors: Chen Zhengming , Cai Zhengwei , Zhu Chengjing , Song Xianmin , Qin Yanghua , Zhu Minhui , Zhang Tao , Cui Wenguo , Tang Haihong , Zheng Hongliang
Published: September 2020

Systemic antibiotic therapy is the main treatment for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS). However, this treatment often causes side effects of dizziness, diarrhea, and drug resistance. In this study, a new polyethylene glycol hydrogel (PEG‐H) treatment model is developed to achieve sustained release of drugs at the locality while avoiding those adverse effects. The PEG‐H is composed of 4‐arm‐PEG‐SH and silver ions through a high affinity and dynamic reversible coordination bond between the thiol and silver ion. In the initial test, PEG‐H is loaded with Clarithromycin (CAM‐Lips@Hydrogel) or Clarithromycin and Budesonide liposomes (CAM+BUD‐Lips@Hydrogel). The results show that PEG‐H maintains the characteristics of self‐healing, biodegradability, moderate swelling rate, injectibility and sustained drug release. In in vivo studies, the hydrogel is injected into the maxillary sinus of ABRS rabbit models. In both a single or combined load, the hydrogel not only plays an effective role as an anti‐bacterial, but also inhibits inflammatory response of local sinus mucosa. In addition, no other side effects are observed in the ABRS rabbit model through behavioral observation and drug sensitivity tests. Therefore, the injectable self‐healing hydrogel with anti‐bacterial and anti‐inflammatory properties provides a new micro invasive therapeutic method for the clinical treatment of ABRS.
Biocompliant Composite Au/pHEMA Plasmonic Scaffolds for 3D Cell Culture and Noninvasive Sensing of Cellular Metabolites
Authors: Lehman Sean E. , McCracken Joselle M. , Miller Lou Ann , Jayalath Sanjaya , Nuzzo Ralph G.
Published: September 2020

The field of 3D printing is an area of active research, with a substantial focus given to the design and construction of customized tools for applications in technology. There exists a particular need in these developing areas of opportunity for new multi‐functional soft materials that are biologically compatible for the growth and directed culturing of cells. Herein, a composite material consisting of gold nanoparticles with useful plasmonic properties embedded within a highly hydrophilic poly‐2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate matrix is described and characterized. This composite material serves dual functions as both host framework scaffold for cell lines such as pre‐osteoblasts as well as a plasmonic biosensor for in situ measurements of living cells. The plasmonic properties of this system are characterized as a function of the material properties and related to compositional features of the material through a proposed light‐directed mechanism. This chemistry provides a tunable, 3D printable plasmonic composite material of encapsulated gold nanoparticles in a biologically‐compliant, acrylate‐based hydrogel matrix. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering studies of 3D‐microcultures supported by the scaffolds are carried out and the strong influence of perm‐selective molecular diffusion in its analytical responses is established. Most notably, specific, largely hydrophilic, cellular metabolites are detected within the supported live cultures.
Combating Implant Infections: Shifting Focus from Bacteria to Host
Authors: Amin Yavari Saber , Castenmiller Suzanne M. , van Strijp Jos A. G. , Croes Michiel
Published: September 2020

The widespread use of biomaterials to support or replace body parts is increasingly threatened by the risk of implant‐associated infections. In the quest for finding novel anti‐infective biomaterials, there generally has been a one‐sided focus on biomaterials with direct antibacterial properties, which leads to excessive use of antibacterial agents, compromised host responses, and unpredictable effectiveness in vivo. This review sheds light on how host immunomodulation, rather than only targeting bacteria, can endow biomaterials with improved anti‐infective properties. How antibacterial surface treatments are at risk to be undermined by biomaterial features that dysregulate the protection normally provided by critical immune cell subsets, namely, neutrophils and macrophages, is discussed. Accordingly, how the precise modification of biomaterial surface biophysical cues, or the incorporation of immunomodulatory drug delivery systems, can render biomaterials with the necessary immune‐compatible and immune‐protective properties to potentiate the host defense mechanisms is reviewed. Within this context, the protective role of host defense peptides, metallic particles, quorum sensing inhibitors, and therapeutic adjuvants is discussed. The highlighted immunomodulatory strategies may lay a foundation to develop anti‐infective biomaterials, while mitigating the increasing threat of antibacterial drug resistance.
Multioperation‐Mode Light‐Emitting Field‐Effect Transistors Based on van der Waals Heterostructure
Authors: Kwon Junyoung , Shin June‐Chul , Ryu Huije , Lee Jae Yoon , Seo Dongjea , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Kim Young Duck , Hone James , Lee Chul‐Ho , Lee Gwan‐Hyoung
Published: September 2020

2D semiconductors have shown great potential for application to electrically tunable optoelectronics. Despite the strong excitonic photoluminescence (PL) of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), their efficient electroluminescence (EL) has not been achieved due to the low efficiency of charge injection and electron–hole recombination. Here, multioperation‐mode light‐emitting field‐effect transistors (LEFETs) consisting of a monolayer WSe2 channel and graphene contacts coupled with two top gates for selective and balanced injection of charge carriers are demonstrated. Visibly observable EL is achieved with the high external quantum efficiency of ≈6% at room temperature due to efficient recombination of injected electrons and holes in a confined 2D channel. Further, electrical tunability of both the channel and contacts enables multioperation modes, such as antiambipolar, depletion,and unipolar regions, which can be utilized for polarity‐tunable field‐effect transistors and photodetectors. The work exhibits great potential for use in 2D semiconductor LEFETs for novel optoelectronics capable of high efficiency, multifunctions, and heterointegration.
Facile Proton Transport in Ammonium Borosulfate—An Unhumidified Solid Acid Polyelectrolyte for Intermediate Temperatures
Authors: Ward Matthew D. , Chaloux Brian L. , Johannes Michelle D. , Epshteyn Albert
Published: September 2020

High proton conductivity is reported for unhumidified ammonium borosulfate, NH4[B(SO4)2], a solid acid coordination polymer that contains 1D, hydrogen‐bonded NH4+···1∞[B(SO4)4/2]− chains. NH4[B(SO4)2] is thermally stable to 320 °C and is amenable to sintering into monolithic, polycrystalline discs at 200 °C and about 300 MPa of uniaxial pressure. Impedance spectroscopy measurements reveal ionic conductivities for sintered ammonium borosulfate of 0.1 mS cm−1 at 25 °C and up to 10 mS cm−1 at 180 °C in ambient air. No superprotonic transition is observed in the temperature range of 25–180 °C. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations show these high conductivities are aided by free rotation of the NH4+ units and significant gyrational mobility of the SO4 tetrahedra, which, in turn, provide facile pathways for proton locomotion. High conductivities, a wide operational temperature window, and tolerance to both ambient and anhydrous conditions make NH4[B(SO4)]2 an attractive candidate electrolyte for intermediate‐temperature hydrogen fuel cells that may enable operation at temperatures as high as 300 °C without active humidification.
A Continuously Tunable Solid‐Like Convective Thermal Metadevice on the Reciprocal Line
Authors: Li Jiaxin , Li Ying , Cao Pei‐Chao , Yang Tianzhi , Zhu Xue‐Feng , Wang Wuyi , Qiu Cheng‐Wei
Published: September 2020

The emerging thermal metamaterials and metadevices demonstrate significant potential to transform thermal conduction. However, the thermal conductivities of existing devices are all restricted at fixed values if the configuration or constituent materials are static. Thermal convection provides an additional tool to boost and flexibly modify the heat transfer in moving matter, but it is essentially distinct from thermal conduction since the Onsager reciprocity is generally broken in the former but preserved in the latter. Therefore, it is difficult to use convective components for sophisticated control of conductive heat. Here, it is shown that a convective system can be made undistinguishable from a conductive one in principle, by discovering and operating on the reciprocal line of mechanically rotating systems. The realized thermal metadevice can thus mimic a solid‐like material whose thermal conductivity dynamically covers a wide range. It offers great possibilities of real‐time smooth control over heat transfer for broad applications.
Highly Mobile Levitating Soft Actuator Driven by Multistimuli‐Responses
Authors: Kim Ji Hun , Pyo Jae‐Bum , Kim Taek‐Soo
Published: September 2020

Soft actuators exhibit activeness and flexibility and are widely used as next‐generation intelligent devices. However, their locomotion depends on friction with contact surfaces that restrict their movement. To overcome this limitation, a noncontact‐type multiresponsive soft actuator that levitates in a magnetic field is proposed. This soft actuator can respond to humidity, heat, and diamagnetic repulsion force stimuli, resulting in high degrees of freedom and multiple motions. The soft actuator is fabricated by coating a highly hygroscopic membrane onto a diamagnetic graphite film, which enables the actuator to levitate in the magnetic field. Bending actuation is induced by the swelling mismatch between the two layers via the hygrothermal response. The translational force driven by local concentrated heating of the actuator leads to the realization of high‐speed linear and curvilinear motions. Frictionless rotational motion is also realized remotely with broad heating of an asymmetrically bent soft actuator, generating nonzero torque acting on the floating soft actuator. The proposed levitating soft actuators are applied to a fast and reliable capsule‐delivery gripper and a remotely controllable levitated motor. The soft actuator exhibits the potential to be applied in a wide range of applications, such as soft robotics and smart mechanical devices.
Stretchable Textile Rechargeable Zn Batteries Enabled by a Wax Dyeing Method
Authors: Guo Zi Hao , Liu Mengmeng , Cong Zifeng , Guo Wenbin , Zhang Panpan , Hu Weiguo , Pu Xiong
Published: September 2020

The development of smart electronic textiles faces one challenge that the power devices should be as comfortable, lightweight, and flexible as that of common fabrics. Herein, a stretchable textile‐based rechargeable Zn microbattery fabricated through a method analogous to Chinese traditional Batik wax dyeing is reported. Conductive metal coatings (Ni and Cu) in arbitrary patterns are prepared on a variety of fabrics, either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. The resistance of a knitted conductive textile is fully recoverable and extremely stable even after 1000 cycles of stretching to 50% tensile strain, due to the absence of damage in the conformal metal coatings. An in‐plane rechargeable alkaline Zn microbattery is then fabricated on the conductive textile using Zn as the anode and NiCo bimetallic oxyhydroxide as the cathode, achieving an areal capacity about 0.45 mAh cm−2. Stable stretchability of the textile Zn microbattery is also demonstrated. The stretchable textile conductors and rechargeable Zn microbatteries suggest great potentials in stretchable electronics or electronic textiles.
Synthesis of Dichlorocyanomethyl‐Functionalized Oxindoles by Cascade Reactions Initiated by Copper(I)‐Catalytically Generated Dichlorocyanomethyl Radical
Authors: Che Fengrui , Zhong Jiangbin , Yu Linhan , Ma Chaopeng , Yu Chunzheng , Wang Maorong , Hou Zhichen , Zhang Yuexia
Published: September 2020

An efficient and convenient protocol for synthesis of dichlorocyanomethyl‐functionalized oxindoles through the cascade reactions of dichlorocyanomethyl radical with N‐arylacrylamides is reported. The electrophilic dichlorocyanomethyl radical, which is generated from readily available trichloroacetonitrile via a copper‐catalyzed single‐electron transfer (SET) process, undergoes radical addition with the electron‐deficient C=C bonds of N‐arylacrylamides, followed by intramolecular cyclization, to provide dichlorocyanomethyl‐functionalized oxindoles. No external oxidant is needed in this transformation.

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Probing the Effective Young's Modulus of ‘Magic Angle’ Inspired Multi‐Functional Twisted Nano‐Heterostructures
Authors: Mukhopadhyay T. , Mahata A. , Naskar S. , Adhikari S.
Published: September 2020

Two‐dimensional (2D) materials are crucially important nanomaterials because of their exciting multi‐functional properties. However, a single layer of 2D materials may not have a certain property adequately, or multiple application‐specific properties simultaneously to the desired and optimal level. For mitigating this lacuna, a new trend has emerged recently to develop nano‐scale engineered heterostructures by stacking multiple layers of different 2D materials, wherein each of the layers could also be twisted. The vast advantage of combining single layers of different 2D materials with different twisting angles has dramatically expanded this research field well beyond the scope of considering a 2D material mono‐layer, leading to a set of multifunctional physical properties corresponding to each possible combination of number of layers, different 2D materials therein, stacking sequence and the twisting angle of each layer. Effective mechanical properties such as Young's moduli are generally of utmost importance for analyzing the viability of such engineered nano‐heterostructures in various nanoelectromechanical applications. Efficient closed‐form generic formulae are proposed for the effective Young's moduli of twisted multi‐layer heterostructures. Based on this physics‐based analytical approach, a wide range of insightful new results are presented for twisted heterostructures, covering mono‐planar and multi‐planar configurations with homogeneous and heterogeneous atomic distributions.
Hybrid Color Filters for Multispectral Imaging
Authors: He Xin , Liu Yajing , Beckett Paul , Uddin Md Hemayet , Nirmalathas Ampalavanapillai , Unnithan Ranjith Rajasekharan
Published: September 2020

Multispectral cameras capture images in multiple wavelengths in narrow spectral bands. They offer advanced sensing well beyond normal cameras and many single‐sensor‐based multispectral cameras are commercialized aimed at a broad range of applications, such as agroforestry research, medical analysis, and so on. However, the existing single‐sensor‐based multispectral cameras require accurate alignment to overlay each filter on image sensor pixels, which makes their fabrication very complex, especially when the number of bands is large. This paper demonstrates a new filter technology using a hybrid combination of single plasmonic layer and dielectric layers by computational simulations. A filter mosaic of various bands with narrow spectral width can be achieved with single run manufacturing processes (i.e., exposure, development, deposition, and other minor steps) regardless of the number of bands.
Tunable Electronic Properties and Potential Applications of BSe/XS2 (X=Mo, W) van der Waals Heterostructures
Authors: Zhang Dingbo , Gao Qiang , Chen Yuanzheng , Xia Yudong , Wang Hui , Wang Hongyan , Ni Yuxiang
Published: September 2020

Constructing van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures by using different 2D materials is an effective strategy to overcome the shortcoming of single 2D materials. Recently, a novel 2D material boron selenide (BSe) has been predicted, holding a hexagonal structure similar to 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). In this paper, the MoS2/BSe, and WS2/BSe heterostructures are therefore constructed, finding that they are type‐II band alignment semiconductors with bandgaps of 1.46 and 1.73 eV, respectively. Moreover, an indirect‐to‐direct bandgap transition, and a band alignment transition can be achieved by applying the perpendicular external electric fields to the vdW heterostructures. In addition, the two built heterostructures have a good optical absorption (104), a broad optical absorption, and one competitive power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). The results also show that the PCE of the MoS2/BSe heterostructures can be improved by increasing the number of BSe layers (11.63% for MoS2–2BSe and 13.55% for MoS2–3BSe). This study provides a practical way for BSe/TMDs vdW heterostructures in optoelectronic applications.
Holding water with capacity to target porosity
Authors: Franzluebbers Alan J.
Published: September 2020

Optimizing soil microbial activity requires an equal balance between water‐ and air‐filled porosity, that is, 50% water‐filled pore space (WFPS). However, many soil biological investigations report water as some fraction of water‐holding capacity (WHC). This study was conducted to fill a quantitative gap between WFPS and WHC. Soil samples (n = 198) from 10 eastern U.S. states and one state in Brazil provided a wide distribution of clay (0.064–0.487 kg kg−1) and soil organic C (SOC, 5.2–52.0 g kg−1) concentrations (5–95% range). Gravimetric soil water content (SWC) was determined at WHC and at saturation. Both clay and SOC concentrations strongly influenced SWC; the effect of SOC was strongest and nonlinear. To achieve 50% WFPS, gravimetric SWC was 0.69 ± 0.10 times that of WHC and 0.59 ± 0.03 times that of saturation. For soil biological assays, 50% WFPS could be accurately and simply achieved with calculations using gravimetric SWC at saturation multiplied by 0.59.
Spontaneous Generation of Carrier Electrons at the Interface between Polycrystalline ZnO and Amorphous InGaZnO4
Authors: Krahl Fabian , Wu Yuzhang , Cho Hai Jun , Karppinen Maarit , Ohta Hiromichi
Published: September 2020

The interface between two materials can be expected to show exotic optical, electrical, and thermal transport properties due to the difference in chemical bonding and chemical potential. However, in conventional material systems, the volume fraction of the interface is small compared to bulk, and interfacial properties are thus difficult to utilize. In this regard, multilayered films are essential to increase the volume fraction of interfaces and functionalize their properties. Here it is shown that carrier electrons can be generated spontaneously at the interface between polycrystalline ZnO and amorphous (a‐) InGaZnO4. The electron transport properties are measured of multilayered films composed of c‐axis oriented polycrystalline ZnO and a‐InGaZnO4 with varying interface density (d−1). Although the carrier concentrations of both ZnO and a‐InGaZnO4 are less than 5 × 1019 cm−3, the n increases with d−1 and exceedes 1020 cm−3. The relatively large interface thermal resistance between ZnO and a‐InGaZnO4 (1.35 m2 K GW−1) indicates the existence of a large difference in the chemical bonding and the chemical potential and thus conduction electrons would accumulate at the interface.
Tailoring the Switching Dynamics in Yttrium Oxide‐Based RRAM Devices by Oxygen Engineering: From Digital to Multi‐Level Quantization toward Analog Switching
Authors: Petzold Stefan , Piros Eszter , Eilhardt Robert , Zintler Alexander , Vogel Tobias , Kaiser Nico , Radetinac Aldin , Komissinskiy Philipp , Jalaguier Eric , Nolot Emmanuel , Charpin‐Nicolle Christelle , Wenger Christian , Molina‐Luna Leopoldo , Miranda Enrique , Alff Lambert
Published: September 2020

This work investigates the transition from digital to gradual or analog resistive switching in yttrium oxide‐based resistive random‐access memory devices. It is shown that this transition is determined by the amount of oxygen in the functional layer. A homogeneous reduction of the oxygen content not only reduces the electroforming voltage, allowing for forming‐free devices, but also decreases the voltage operation window of switching, thereby reducing intra‐device variability. The most important effect as the dielectric becomes substoichiometric by oxygen engineering is that more intermediate (quantized) conduction states are accessible. A key factor for this reproducibly controllable behavior is the reduced local heat dissipation in the filament region due to the increased thermal conductivity of the oxygen depleted layer. The improved accessibility of quantized resistance states results in a semi‐gradual switching both for the set and reset processes, as strongly desired for multi‐bit storage and for an accurate definition of the synaptic weights in neuromorphic systems. A theoretical model based on the physics of mesoscopic structures describing current transport through a nano‐constriction including asymmetric potential drops at the electrodes and non‐linear conductance quantization is provided. The results contribute to a deeper understanding on how to tailor materials properties for novel memristive functionalities.
Spontaneous Antiferromagnetic Ordering in a Single Layer of (BETS)2GaCl4 Organic Superconductor
Authors: Hassanien Abdou , Zhou Biao , Kobayashi Akiko
Published: September 2020

Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy are presented to study the interplay between superconductivity and magnetism in a single‐layer organic d‐wave superconductor (BETS)2GaCl4 on Ag(111). Antiferromagnetic molecular chains of GaCl4 are spontaneously formed within (BETS)2GaCl4 superconducting single layer due to shortages of BETS dimers. Below transition temperature of 7 K, the superconducting order masks the antiferromagnetic order and dominates the electronic properties, showing a ubiquitous gap over the entire island with proximity effect across the island/Ag(111) interface. These features gradually decay with the rise in temperature giving way to a Kondo dip on GaCl4 chains, with additional inelastic vibronic features on (BETS)2GaCl4 stripes. The concurrent absence of these signals below Tc may be related to a renormalization process where both phonon and antiferromagnetic fluctuation exhibit a cooperative existence to mediate superconductivity in such d‐wave superconductors.
Detachable Flexible ISFET‐Based pH Sensor Array with a Flexible Connector
Authors: Honda Satoko , Shiomi Mao , Yamaguchi Takafumi , Fujita Yusuke , Arie Takayuki , Akita Seiji , Takei Kuniharu
Published: September 2020

Flexible sensors that can detect different types of stimuli simultaneously from any surface are attractive in many fields, including the Internet of Things. An important function of a flexible sensor sheet is multiple sensing without sacrificing mechanical flexibility, conformability, and device cost on the macroscale. This study proposes a macroscale detachable pH sensor array consisting of a disposable pH sensitive membrane sheet and a reusable flexible transistor array via a flexible electrical connector. Mechanical flexibility and stable electrical connection are realized by a soft Ag electrode and sticky polydimethylsiloxane/polyethylenimine layer for the connector. After laminating the two sheets, a fundamental study reveals a sensitivity of about 66.5 mV per pH. Although a small potential change in the pH membrane is observed as the temperature changes, the pH value can be monitored using the detachable flexible transistor‐based pH sensor sheet with a sufficient resolution. As a proof‐of‐concept for solution diffusion monitoring using the pH change, a 5 × 5 array sensor sheet is successfully demonstrated. The sensor array can measure the pH distribution with a different pH diffuses into a solution bath within a few seconds.
Alternate wetting and drying reduces aquifer withdrawal in Mississippi rice production systems
Authors: Atwill R. Lee , Krutz L. Jason , Bond Jason A. , Golden Bobby R. , Spencer G. Dave , Bryant Corey J. , Mills Brian E. , Gore Jeff
Published: September 2020

Water level declines in the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer (MRVAA) are attributed largely to withdrawals for rice (Oryza sativa L.) irrigation. This study was performed to determine if alternative irrigation strategies for rice could reduce withdrawal from the MRVAA without having an adverse effect on yield and profitability. Research was conducted at 19 on‐farm locations across the Delta region of Mississippi from 2014 through 2016 to determine the effects of irrigation water management practice, i.e., conventional flood via cascade (CONV), multiple side inlet (MSI), and MSI coupled with alternate wetting and drying (AWD), on aquifer withdrawal, rough rice grain yield, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and net returns above irrigation costs. Compared to CONV and MSI, up to 39% less water was applied to AWD (P ˂ .0001). Rice grain yield for AWD was not different from either CONV or MSI (P = .1343), despite substantial reductions in water use. Relative to standard irrigation strategies, AWD maintained or increased net returns up to $238 ha−1 for pumping depths from 5.5 m to 122 m and diesel prices from $0.42 L−1 to $0.98 L−1 (P ≤ .0003). Irrigation water use efficiency was up to 59% greater for AWD relative to conventional systems due to the positive effects of the former on water use while maintaining yield (P = .0034). These data demonstrate that AWD can reduce withdrawal from the MRVAA while maintaining or improving yield and net returns relative to irrigation strategies currently employed across the midsouthern USA rice belt.
Quick and easy? Respondent evaluations of the Becker–DeGroot–Marschak and multiple price list valuation mechanisms
Authors: Asioli Daniele , Mignani Adriana , Alfnes Frode
Published: September 2020

This article is the first to investigate respondents' ease of understanding and answering valuation questions related to the Becker–DeGroot–Marschak (BDM) and multiple price list mechanisms. Using a between‐subjects design, we elicit willingness to pay (WTP) for healthy snack bars using two mechanisms, ask questions about ease of understanding and answering the valuation questions, and record the response times to the valuation questions. We do not find significant differences in estimated WTP and response times between the two methods. However, the respondents in the multiple price list (MPL) sessions found it easier to understand this mechanism and decide on a response than those in the BDM sessions. As a result of our findings, we recommend that MPL is adopted over BDM when there is limited opportunity to explain or learn the method before the valuation or when one is concerned that a complicated design can affect the willingness to participate and thereby create selection bias. Both concerns will often apply when small and medium size agribusinesses conduct market testing of their products in stores or field markets. [EconLit Citations: C18, C19, D44, Q13].
Surgical treatment for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Eto Kojiro , Yoshida Naoya , Iwagami Shiro , Iwatsuki Masaaki , Baba Hideo
Published: September 2020

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare neoplasms, with an estimated annual incidence of 6.9/100 000. They arise from cells of the diffuse endocrine system, which are mainly dispersed throughout the gastrointestinal (GI), pancreatic, and respiratory tracts. The incidence of GI‐NETs has recently begun to show a steady increase. According to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, 53% of patients with NETs present with localized disease, 20% with locoregional disease, and 27% with distant metastases at the time of diagnosis. Surgery is the mainstay for the treatment of locoregional GI‐NETs. Endoscopic resection is an option for well‐differentiated early GI‐NETs, which are thought to very rarely metastasize to lymph nodes. A lesion that is technically difficult to resect via endoscopy is an indication for local resection (partial resection without lymph node dissection). GI‐NETs with possible lymph node metastasis is an indication for enterectomy with lymph node dissection. For NETs with metastatic lesions, cytoreduction surgery can control hormonal hypersecretion and alleviate symptoms; therefore, cytoreduction surgery is recommended. The indications for surgery vary and are based on the organ where the NET arose; therefore, an understanding of the patient's clinical state and individualized treatment that is based on the characteristics of the patient's GI‐NET is needed. This review summarizes surgical treatments of GI‐NETs in each organ.
State function‐based flash specifications for open systems in the absence or presence of chemical reactions
Authors: de Azevedo Medeiros Fernando , Stenby Erling Halfdan , Yan Wei
Published: September 2020

Diverse engineering fields require flash calculations like isothermal flash, isenthalpic flash, and isentropic flash. They can be cast as minimization of a thermodynamic state function and solved by Michelsen's Q‐function approach. Flash calculations for open systems, that is, systems where chemical potentials are specified instead of the mole numbers for some components, also belong to this scope. By analyzing the construction of Q‐functions through Legendre transforms, we extend this approach to the flash for open systems in the absence or presence of chemical reactions, resulting in general formulations for various specifications. For systems without reactions, the classical framework using mole numbers as independent variables is employed; for those with reactions, the modified‐RAND framework is employed. We present examples for open systems at constant temperature and pressure. Using the Q‐function minimization, we can solve multicomponent nonreactive or reactive systems at a specified chemical potential with quadratic convergence over a wide range of conditions.
Heat exchanger network synthesis with detailed exchanger designs: Part 1. A discretized differential algebraic equation model for shell and tube heat exchanger design
Authors: Kazi Saif R. , Short Michael , Biegler Lorenz T.
Published: September 2020

A new method for the detailed design of shell and tube heat exchangers is presented through the formulation of coupled differential heat equations, along with algebraic equations for design variables. Heat exchanger design components (tube passes, baffles, and shells) are used to discretize the differential equations and are solved simultaneously with the algebraic design equations. The coupled differential algebraic equation (DAE) system is suitable for numerical optimization as it replaces the nonsmooth log mean temperature difference (LMTD) term. Discrete decisions regarding the number of shells, fluid allocation, tube sizes, and number of baffles are determined by solving an LMTD‐based method iteratively. The resulting heat exchanger topology is then used to discretize the detailed DAE model, which is solved as a nonlinear programming model to obtain the detailed exchanger design by minimizing an economic objective function through varying the tube length. The DAE model also provides the stream temperature profiles inside the exchanger simultaneously with the detailed design. It is observed that the DAE model results are almost equal to the LMTD‐based design model for one‐shell heat exchangers with constant stream properties but shows significant differences when streams properties are allowed to vary with temperature or the number of shells are increased. The accuracy of the solutions and the required computational costs show that the model is well suited for solving heat exchanger network synthesis problems combined with detailed exchanger designs, which is demonstrated in Part 2 of the paper.
Phylogenetic structure in the Sphagnum recurvum complex (Bryophyta) in relation to taxonomy and geography
Authors: Duffy Aaron M. , Aguero Blanka , Stenøien Hans K. , Flatberg Kjell Ivar , Ignatov Michael S. , Hassel Kristian , Shaw A. Jonathan
Published: September 2020

Premise

The Sphagnum recurvum complex comprises a group of closely related peat mosses that are dominant components of many northern wetland ecosystems. Taxonomic hypotheses for the group range from interpreting the whole complex as one polymorphic species to distinguishing 6–10 species. The complex occurs throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and some of the putative species have intercontinental ranges. Our goals were to delimit the complex and assess its phylogenetic structure in relation to morphologically defined species and intercontinental geography.

Methods

RADseq analyses were applied to a sample of 384 collections from Europe, North America, and Asia. The data were subjected to maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses and analyses of genetic structure using the software STRUCTURE and multivariate ordination approaches.

Results

The S. recurvum complex includes S. angustifolium, S. fallax, S. flexuosum, S. pacificum, and S. recurvum as clades with little evidence of admixture. We also resolved an unnamed clade that is referred to here as S. “pseudopacificum.” We confirm that S. balticum and S. obtusum are nested within the complex. Species with bluntly acute to obtuse stem leaf apices are sister to those with acute to apiculate leaves. Most of the species exhibit some differentiation between intraspecific population systems disjunct on different continents.

Conclusions

We recognize seven species in the amended S. recurvum complex, including S. balticum and S. obtusum, in addition to the informal clade S. “pseudopacificum.” Although we detected some geographically correlated phylogenetic structure within widespread morphospecies, our RADseq data support the interpretation that these species have intercontinental geographic ranges.
Plasma marker for systemic inflammation is increased in Mexican Tarahumara following ultra‐distance running
Authors: Skottrup Peter Durand , Kallemose Thomas , Espino Diana , Infante‐Ramirez Rocio , Brage Soren , Terzic Dijana , Goetze Jens Peter , Kjaergaard Jesper , Christensen Dirk Lund
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Previous studies have suggested that acute exercise‐induced cardiac and kidney damage following ultra‐distance running is low in Mexican Tarahumara even though C‐reactive protein (CRP) remained elevated 24 hours post‐race. We aimed to study if the plasma biomarker, soluble urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), could replace or complement CRP as a systemic inflammation biomarker in Tarahumara men and women following ultra‐distance running.

Methods

Plasma samples were collected pre‐race and at three to six different time points post‐race in Mexican Tarahumara competing in three independent ultramarathons; men running 78 km (GroupI, n = 9), women running 52 km (GroupII, n = 3), and men running 63 km (GroupIII, n = 10). Baseline anthropometry, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, and hemoglobin were measured, aerobic fitness was estimated by submaximal step test, absolute and relative running intensity assessed using combined heart rate and accelerometry. Plasma was collected pre‐ and post‐race to analyze concentrations of suPAR, and—for women only—a panel of inflammatory, cardiac and kidney plasma biomarkers. Mixed‐effect models were used to evaluate the effect of ultramarathon running on plasma suPAR concentrations.

Results

Compared to pre‐race values, suPAR was significantly elevated in plasma <5 minutes after the three ultramarathon races (70%‐109% increase of the mean for the three groups). Furthermore, plasma suPAR remained significantly elevated up to 6 hours post‐race for all three groups of runners independent of running intensity.

Conclusions

The results suggest that suPAR can complement, but not replace CRP following ultra‐distance running in Tarahumara men and women.
Causes of death among Federal Black Lung Benefits Program beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, 1999–2016
Authors: Kurth Laura , Halldin Cara , Laney A. Scott , Blackley David J.
Published: September 2020

Background

Coal miners with totally disabling pneumoconiosis are eligible for benefits through the Federal Black Lung Benefits Program (FBLP). We identify the causes of death among Medicare beneficiaries with a claim for which the FBLP was the primary payer and compare these causes of death to all deceased Medicare beneficiaries to better understand elevated death and disease among miners with occupational respiratory exposures.

Methods

From 1999 to 2016 Medicare data, we extracted beneficiary and National Death Index data for 28,003 beneficiaries with an FBLP primary payer claim. We summarized the International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification 10th revision‐coded underlying causes of death and entity‐axis multiple causes of death for 22,242 deceased Medicare beneficiaries with an FBLP primary payer Medicare claim and compared their causes of death to the deceased Medicare beneficiary population.

Results

Among deceased FBLP beneficiaries, the three leading underlying causes of death were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified (J44.9, 10.1%), atherosclerotic heart disease (I25.1, 9.3%), and coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) (J60, 9.2%). All diseases of the respiratory system combined (J00–J99) were the underlying cause of death for 29.1% of all beneficiaries, with pneumoconioses (J60–J64) as the underlying cause for 11.0% of all beneficiaries.

Conclusions

Coal miners enrolled in Medicare with an FBLP primary payer claim were more likely to have specific respiratory and cardiovascular diseases listed as a cause of death than deceased Medicare beneficiaries overall, and were also more likely to die from CWP or any pneumoconioses.
Uninvestigated fatal workplace injuries in the United States
Authors: Boggess Bethany , Pompeii Lisa
Published: September 2020

Background

Approximately 5000 people are killed by an injury at work every year, but the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) only investigates 25%–35% of these deaths. The aim of this study was to identify industry, geographic, and worker demographic disparities in the proportion of fatal workplace injuries that are investigated by OSHA.

Methods

This cross‐sectional analysis drew from 2 years of public data (2014–2015) from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries and investigation data from OSHA. Differences by worker age and sex, geographic region, industry, and State Plan‐ versus Federal Plan‐state were examined.

Results

Nationally, OSHA investigated about one in four (27.5%) of the 9657 fatal workplace injuries that occurred. Higher odds of uninvestigated fatalities were observed for female workers compared to male workers (odds ratio, 2.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.89, 2.93), for workers over age 65 compared to those aged 18–24 (3.05; 2.44, 3.82), for worker deaths occurring in State Plan states compared to Federal Plan states (1.64; 1.49, 1.79), among other differences.

Conclusions

Although some of the disparities could be explained by OSHA jurisdiction restrictions, other areas of potential reform were identified, such as investigating a greater number of workplace violence deaths and increasing focus in industries with a low proportion of investigations but a high number of fatalities, such as transportation and warehousing. Consideration should be given to adapt policies, expand OSHA jurisdiction, and to increase OSHA resources for conducting both fatality investigations and proactive investigations that can identify and abate hazards before a worker is injured.
Prevalence rates study of selected isolatednon‐Mendeliancongenital anomalies in the Hutterite population of Alberta, 1980–2016
Authors: Lowry R. Brian , Bedard Tanya , Crawford Susan , Grevers Xin , Bernier François P. , Thomas Mary Ann
Published: September 2020

A study of the prevalence rates for selected isolated non‐Mendelian congenital anomalies in the Hutterite Brethren of Alberta, Canada was undertaken to further examine longitudinal data in this isolated community that was last reported in 1985 (Lowry et al., 1985), although there are numerous publications on recessive disorders (Boycott et al., 2008; Triggs‐Raine et al., 2016). Cases were ascertained from the Alberta Congenital Anomaly Surveillance System for the years 1997–2016. Since our initial results showed some surprising findings in the Hutterite Brethren, such as zero cases of spina bifida, cleft lip and palate, gastroschisis, and omphalocele, and a significant excess of cases with hypospadias, we extended the study to prior years (1980–1996) for selected anomalies. For the extended study period (1980–2016), there was a significant increased prevalence of hypospadias, tetralogy of Fallot and tricuspid atresia in the Hutterite population, and although not statistically significant, zero cases of cleft lip with cleft palate, gastroschisis and omphalocele were confirmed. Further research is needed to determine the precise effects of rural environmental exposures, lifestyle factors, and genetic associations for selected multifactorial congenital anomalies.
Recessive MYH3 variants cause “Contractures, pterygia, and variable skeletal fusions syndrome 1B” mimicking Escobar variant multiple pterygium syndrome
Authors: Hakonen Anna H. , Lehtonen Johanna , Kivirikko Sirpa , Keski‐Filppula Riikka , Moilanen Jukka , Kivisaari Reetta , Almusa Henrikki , Jakkula Eveliina , Saarela Janna , Avela Kristiina , Aittomäki Kristiina
Published: September 2020

The multiple pterygium syndromes (MPS) are rare disorders with disease severity ranging from lethal to milder forms. The nonlethal Escobar variant MPS (EVMPS) is characterized by multiple pterygia and arthrogryposis, as well as various additional features including congenital anomalies. The genetic etiology of EVMPS is heterogeneous and the diagnosis has been based either on the detection of pathogenic CHRNG variants (~23% of patients), or suggestive clinical features. We describe four patients with a clinical suspicion of EVMPS who manifested with multiple pterygia, mild flexion contractures of several joints, and vertebral anomalies. We revealed recessively inherited MYH3 variants as the underlying cause in all patients: two novel variants, c.1053C>G, p.(Tyr351Ter) and c.3102+5G>C, as compound heterozygous with the hypomorphic MYH3 variant c.‐9+1G>A. Recessive MYH3 variants have been previously associated with spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome. Our findings now highlight multiple pterygia as an important feature in patients with recessive MYH3 variants. Based on all patients with recessive MYH3 variants reported up to date, we consider that this disease entity should be designated as “Contractures, pterygia, and variable skeletal fusions syndrome 1B,” as recently suggested by OMIM. Our findings underline the importance of analyzing MYH3 in the differential diagnosis of EVMPS, particularly as the hypomorphic MYH3 variant might remain undetected by routine exome sequencing.
The first reported case of Loeys‐Dietz syndrome in a patient with biallelic SMAD3 variants
Authors: Baskin Stephanie M. , Morris Shaine A. , Vara Autumn , Hecht Jacqueline T. , Farach Laura S.
Published: September 2020

Loeys‐Dietz syndrome (LDS), a connective tissue disorder characterized by its vascular, skeletal, craniofacial, and cutaneous manifestations is caused by mutations in one of six genes (TGFBR1, TGFBR2, SMAD2, SMAD3, TGFB2, and TGFB3). Until recently, all reported cases of LDS have been attributed to heterozygous pathogenic variants in these genes. Here, we report the first case of Loeys‐Dietz syndrome due to SMAD3 biallelic likely pathogenic variants in a 15‐year‐old male with classic Loeys‐Dietz features, including dysmorphic facial features, significant scoliosis, and pectus excavatum, arachnodactyly, severe aortic root dilation, and diffuse arterial tortuosity. His parents are each heterozygous for the likely pathogenic variant and are more mildly affected. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported case of biallelic SMAD3‐related Loeys‐Dietz syndrome and the third case in the literature of biallelic LDS, indicating that there are multiple genetic modes of inheritance underlying this disorder.
Novel NEXMIF gene pathogenic variant in a female patient with refractory epilepsy and intellectual disability
Authors: Wu Dengchang , Ji Caihong , Chen Zhongqin , Wang Kang
Published: September 2020

We identified a novel nonsense de novo pathogenic variant of the NEXMIF gene in a 29 year‐old female patient with refractory epilepsy and mild intellectual disability. The patient presented with episodic atypical absence status (AS), the longest duration of her seizures was approximately 36 hr. She also had occasional eyelid myoclonia during absence seizure. EEG highlighted a photosensitivity phenomenon and generalized epileptiform discharges that were induced by eye closure. Whole exome sequencing revealed a novel nonsense pathogenic variant c.1063delC (p.L355*) in exon 3 of the NEXMIF gene. The mRNA expression of NEXMIF in this female patient was below −2 SD from the mean of control group. In addition to adding a novel pathogenic variant type to the NEXMIF variant database and conducting mRNA studies, this report also describes a unique phenotype in a patient with atypical AS associated with a NEXMIF variant. We discuss implications for medication management in similar patients.