bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CO2 Fixation into Cyclic Carbonates by a Zn‐Salen Based Conjugated Microporous Polymer
Authors: Zhou Fuyu , Deng Qiwen , Huang Nianyu , Zhou Wei , Deng Weiqiao
Published: September 2020

Conjugated microporous Polymers (CMPs) are an emerging porous material with a high specific surface area, which has a wide range of applications in heterogeneous catalysis and gas separation etc. Here we report a new class of Zn‐salen based conjugated microporous polymer (Zn‐salen‐CMP) by Sonogashira‐Hagihara coupling reaction from the Zn‐salen compound and 1,3,5‐tris[4′‐(ethynyl)phenyl]benzene. The Zn‐salen‐CMP has extraordinary ability to capture and convert CO2 into cyclic carbonates for up to 8 times repeated experiments without any influence on activity.
Synergistic Effect of In Doped ZnO/rGO Anode Material for Rechargeable Zn‐Ni Secondary Battery with High Specific Capacity
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Gai Liyan , Cai Kedi , Wang Erdong
Published: September 2020

Zn−Ni secondary battery is a promising candidate as next generation of energy storage battery. However, suffering from the poor cycle performance, its commercialization remains rather challenging. The severe dendrite growth of Zn anode and the rapid capacity decay caused by its uncontrollable dissolution and poor electronic conductivity of ZnO are the main factors. Herein, we report a novel Indium (In) doped ZnO/rGO anode material to inhibit ZnO dissolution through the generated C−O−Zn bond between ZnO and graphene. Meanwhile, the capacity decay decline due to the enhanced electronic conductivity of ZnO by the In doping and combination of graphene. As a result, In doped ZnO/rGO anode material delivers a high specific capacity of 643.4 mAh g−1 (coulombic efficiency 97.63 %) and remains 531.3 mAh g−1 after 125 cycles at 0.5 C, which are significantly higher than bare ZnO.
Allylic Selenocyanates as Antifungal Agents Against Pathogenic Candida Species
Authors: Bazana Luana C. G. , Carvalho Ânderson R. , Silveira Gustavo P. , S. de Oliveira Luis Flávio , Teixeira Mário L. , Lopes William , Vainstein Marilene H. , Barbosa Flavio A. R. , Russo Theo V. C. , Sá Marcus M. , Canto Rômulo F. S. , Fuentefria Alexandre M.
Published: September 2020

Candida is a genus that causes the highest number of fungal infections on people around the world, responsible for high mortality rates in critical and immunocompromised patients. Even though several antifungals are commercially available, most of these have side effects or are only available for intravenous administration. In view of this aspect, the susceptibility of twelve allylic selenocyanate (AS) compounds, five of them novel, were tested against 36 Candida strains. The AS were active for all Candida strains reaching minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in the order of ng mL−1 (0.39–50 μg mL−1). The sorbitol and ergosterol assay show that these compounds do not act on the cell wall and fungal membrane, suggesting a different mechanism of action. Cytotoxicity and irritability tests showed that only three molecules already studied (2 b, 2 j and 2 i) for this series manifested damage to the leukocyte cell and chorioallantoic membrane, but at higher concentrations than the MICs. Considering the susceptibility results and parameters of Lipinski, molecules 2 c (0.39–12.5 μg mL−1) and 2 d (0.78–6.2 μg mL−1) look promising for the development of a new antifungal agent against Candida infections.
Potential Antitumor Effect of Newly Synthesized Dinuclear1,5‐Naphthyridine‐Bridging Palladium(II) Complexes
Authors: Bošković Miladin , Franich Andjela A. , Rajković Snežana , Jovanović Marina , Jurisević Milena , Gajović Nevena , Jovanović Marina , Arsenijević Nebojša , Jovanović Ivan , Živković Marija D.
Published: September 2020

Five new dinuclear palladium(II) complexes with general formula, [{Pt(L)Cl}2(μ‐1,5‐nphe)](NO3)2 (L is ethylenediamine (en), (±)‐1,2‐propylenediamine (1,2‐pn), trans‐(±)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane (dach), 1,3‐propylenediamine (1,3‐pd), (±)‐1,3‐pentanediamine (1,3‐pnd) and 1,5‐nphe is bridging 1,5‐naphthyridine ligand) were synthesised and spectroscopically characterized. In vitro cytotoxic activity of these complexes was evaluated against mouse mammary carcinoma (4T1), colon (CT26), lung cancer cells (LLC1) and melanoma (B16‐F10) as well as human lung adenocarcinoma (A549), mammary carcinoma (MDA‐MB‐468), and colon cancer (HCT 116). The investigated complexes reduced viability of tumor cells in dose dependent manner. Dinuclear Pd(II) complexes act less cytotoxic toward tumor cells, compare to cisplatin, but also have greater selectivity toward mesenchymal stem cells. The potential mechanism of cell death of tumor cells treated with palladium(II) 1,5‐naphthyridine dinuclear complexes is enhanced apoptosis, facilitated by down‐regulation of anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 and up‐regulation of pro‐apoptotic Caspase‐3.
A Direct One‐Pot Modification of β‐Cyclodextrin via the Ugi‐Five‐Component Reaction
Authors: Schneider Rebekka V. , Sehlinger Ansgar , Meier Michael A. R.
Published: September 2020

Starch‐derived β‐cyclodextrins (β‐CDs) are used in pharmacy or the food and cosmetic industry as drug deliverers, separating agents, catalysts, detergents, or viscosity modifiers. However, solubility issues often restrict their potential applications. Here, we report a straightforward and direct one‐pot synthesis for the modification of β‐CDs based on the Ugi‐five‐component reaction (Ugi‐5CR). The Ugi‐5CR requires to react an amine, an aldehyde, an isocyanide, carbon dioxide and the β‐CD, which serves as alcohol component. Overall, five modified β‐CDs containing carbamate moieties were synthesized at room temperature in a high pressure reactor (10 bar) within 24 hours. The successful modifications are verified by mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared spectroscopy, indicating one to three reacted primary hydroxyl groups per β‐CD. Additionally, we report altered solubility behavior of two of the five modified β‐CDs.
A Perspective on Synthesis and Applications of Fluorenones
Authors: Patel Sagarkumar , Rathod Bhagyashri , Regu Siddulu , Chak Shivam , Shard Amit
Published: September 2020

Fluorenones are important constituents in material, medical and chemical sciences with potential applications in various domains. The key factors responsible for the diverse usage of fluorenones in material sciences are their intriguing and tunable photo, as well as physico‐chemical properties. Besides this, the presence of conjugated poly‐(en)ynes in the fluorenones makes them molecules of interest in material sciences. Fluorenones show various biological activities like antibiotics, anticancer, antiviral, and neuromodulatory, etc. Organic chemists are developing various protocols for the synthesis of fluorenones. Despite several protocols developed for their synthesis since 1931, there is no review covering their entire synthetic protocols. This review includes several classical and novel synthetic approaches for the synthesis of fluorenones. Furthermore, we delineated the mechanism by which they have been synthesized.
Maghnite‐H+ Catalytic Synthesis and Characterization of Polyindenes and Oxidized Derivatives
Authors: Marref Mohamed , Berenguer Raúl , Morallón Emilia , Meghabar Rachid
Published: September 2020

This work presents a comprehensive study on the physico‐chemical and electrochemical properties of polyindenes (PIns) synthesized by Maghnite‐H+‐catalysed polymerization of indene (benzocyclopentadiene) in CH2Cl2 at different temperatures, and their oxidative derivatives by subsequent treatment with FeCl3. The polymers are characterized by TG, FT‐IR, XPS and UV‐vis spectroscopies, as well as electrical conductivity and voltammetric measurements, analysing the influence of synthesis temperature and post‐oxidation. Results show that the PIns synthesized at different temperatures present quite similar thermogravimetric behavior and UV spectra. Nevertheless, FTIR and XPS reveal significant differences in chemical composition and polymer structure depending on this temperature. At higher temperatures, indenyl coupling proceeds via 1,2 carbon atoms to obtain more compact and less defective PIns with higher yields. At lower temperatures, polymerization through 1,3 carbon atoms may also occur, leading to polymers with a larger number of defects and oxygen functionalities and lower yields. FeCl3 treatment causes the introduction of some oxygen functionalities in the compact PIn60 and PIn80 polymers, without significantly affecting their molecular structure and electrical conductivity. Finally, cyclic voltammetry demonstrates that, despite not electro‐active, these partially oxidized PIns show enough electrical conductivity for different applications.
Importance of Chloride Addition on Arsenite Removal by Aluminium Electrocoagulation
Authors: Syam Babu Davuluri , Kadaverugu Rakesh , Veetil Nidheesh Puthiya , Suresh Kumar Manukonda
Published: September 2020

Effect of chloride addition on arsenite removal by electrocoagulation process was carried out in this study. Electrocoagulation experiments were executed in a 5 L capacity rectangular tank equipped with 7 anodes and 7 cathodes. Addition of chloride significantly enhanced the arsenite removal efficiency of electrocoagulation process and the removal is purely by the separation process, rather than the oxidation of arsenite to arsenate by electrolytically generated active chlorine. 250 mg L−1 of chloride was found as optimal, and more than 99 % of arsenite were removed from its initial concentration of 1 mg L−1 at pH 6, applied voltage of 5 V, and 60 min of electrolysis. Sludge produced after electrocoagulation treatment was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) / energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDAX), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) techniques.
Synthesis and Evaluation of New 2‐Mercaptomethyl Benzimidazole Scaffolds as Potential Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Agents
Authors: Khalifa Mohamed E.
Published: September 2020

Novel series of benzimidazole derivatives are developed based on the key compound 2‐mercaptomethyl benzimidazole 1. The reactivity of the precursor compound 1 towards nucleophilic reagents enabled us to produce new series with expected bioactivity. The synthesized benzimidazole scaffolds are structurally authenticated and fully characterized by their spectral properties. They exhibit antimicrobial efficiency against selected pathogenic bacteria strains (Gram +ve & ‐ve bacteria) using disc diffusion method, the inhibition clear zones (mm) and MIC are recorded as well. The compounds are also assessed for their cytotoxicity, antioxidant and antitumor activity against HEP−G2 human hepatoma cell line, showing gradient efficiencies related to the chemical structure.
Tunable Surface Selenization on MoO2‐Based Carbon Substrate for Notably Enhanced Sodium‐Ion Storage Properties
Authors: Zeng Fanyan , Yu Maohui , Cheng Wanting , He Wenxiu , Pan Yang , Qu Yaohui , Yuan Cailei
Published: September 2020

Transition metal chalcogenides with high theoretical capacity are promising conversion‐type anode materials for sodium ion batteries (SIBs), but often suffer from unsatisfied cycling stability (hundreds of cycles) caused by structural collapse and agglomerate. Herein, a rational strategy of tunable surface selenization on highly crystalline MoO2‐based carbon substrate is designed, where the sheet‐like MoSe2 can be coated on the surface of bundle‐like N‐doped carbon/granular MoO2 substrate, realizing partial transformation from MoO2 to MoSe2, and creating b‐NC/g‐MoO2@s‐MoSe2‐10 with robust hierarchical MoO2@MoSe2 heterostructures and strong chemical couplings (MoC and MoN). Such well‐designed architecture can provide signally improved reaction kinetics and reinforced structural integrity for fast and stable sodium‐ion storage, as confirmed by the ex situ results and kinetic analyses as well as the density functional theory calculations. As expected, the b‐NC/g‐MoO2@s‐MoSe2‐10 delivers splendid rate capability and ultralong cycling stability (254.2 mAh g−1 reversible capacity at 5.0 A g−1 after 6000 cycles with ≈89.0% capacity retention). Therefore, the tunable surface strategy can provide new insights for designing and constructing heterostructures of transition metal chalcogenides toward high‐performance SIBs.
Achieving High‐Performance Perovskite Photovoltaic by Morphology Engineering of Low‐Temperature Processed Zn‐Doped TiO2 Electron Transport Layer
Authors: Wu Ming‐Chung , Lin Yen‐Tung , Chen Shih‐Hsuan , Jao Meng‐Huan , Chang Yin‐Hsuan , Lee Kun‐Mu , Lai Chao‐Sung , Chen Yang‐Fang , Su Wei‐Fang
Published: September 2020

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become one of the most promising renewable energy converting devices. However, in order to reach a sufficiently high power conversion efficiency (PCE), the PSCs typically require a high‐temperature sintering process to prepare mesostructured TiO2 as an efficient electron transport layer (ETL), which prohibits the PSCs from commercialization in the future. This work investigates a low‐temperature synthesis of TiO2 nanocrystals and introduces a two‐fluid spray coating process to produce a nanostructured ETL for the following deposition of perovskite layer. The temperature during the whole deposition process can be maintained under 150 °C. Compared to the typical planar TiO2 layer, the perovskite layer fabricated on a nanostructured TiO2 layer shows uniform compactness, preferred orientation, and high crystallinity, leading to reproducible and promising device performance. The detail mechanisms are revealed by the contact angle test, morphology characterization, grazing incident wide angle X‐Ray scattering measurement, and space charge limited currents analysis. Finally, optimized device performance can be achieved through adequate Zn doping in the TiO2 layer, demonstrating an average PCE of 19.87% with champion PCE of 21.36%. The efficiency can maintain over 80% of its original value after 3000 h storage in ambient atmosphere. This study suggests a promising approach to offer high‐efficiency PSCs using the low‐temperature process.
Engineering a Rapid Charge Transfer Pathway for Enhanced Photocatalytic Removal Efficiency of Hexavalent Chromium over C3N4/NH2–UIO‐66 Compounds
Authors: Xu Zhenmin , Deng Xiaoming , Chen Yao , Wen Jieya , Shi Liyi , Bian Zhenfeng
Published: September 2020

Designing high‐efficiency photocatalysts with high charge separation and rapid charge transfer still a challenge. Herein, highly effective g‐C3N4/NH2–UIO‐66 (CNU) hybrids are developed using an engineered ZrN bond between the two components. The formation of the ZrN bond provides an electron transfer pathway between the conduction band (CB) of g‐C3N4 (CN) and Zr centers, which shortens the carrier migration distance, greatly enhancing the separation efficiency of photogeneration carriers. The as‐prepared CNU shows an outstanding performance for photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) under visible light irradiation due to the rapid charge carrier interfacial transfer. This work provides a promising strategy for the design of efficient photocatalysts and helps to establish an effective and sustainable method for removing Cr(VI) under ambient conditions.
Viscosity Prediction Model for Blast Furnace Slag with High Al2O3
Authors: Zheng Haiyan , Ding Yaqiang , Zhou Shifa , Wen Qiulin , Jiang Xin , Gao Qiangjian , Shen Fengman
Published: September 2020

Based on the theory of fluid dynamics, an improved Urbain model (IUM) for predicting viscosity of blast furnace (BF) slag with high Al2O3 slag is proposed by introducing two model parameters, R4 (the ratio of (X(CaO) + X(MgO))/(2X(SiO2)  + 3X(Al2O3))) and N (the ratio of X(MgO)/(3X(Al2O3))). Experimental results indicate that the IUM is highly precise and more suitable for BF slag. Isoviscosity contours for CaO–SiO2–15%Al2O3–MgO melts at 1500oC are plotted using the data obtained from the IUM, which show that the slag viscosity centers at the line of Rw2 (the ratio of w(CaO)/w(SiO2)) = 0.92–1.36 (w(SiO2) = 35.66%–38.55%) and Nw (the ratio of w(MgO)/w(Al2O3)) = 0.05–0.76, the viscosity at the center line is 0.3 Pa s, and the viscosity increases in the process of diffusion from the center line to the periphery. Slag viscosity increases generally with increase in the value of Nw(N), decreases slightly with increase in the value of Rw2(R4) when Nw is lower than 0.55, whereas increases with increase in the value of Rw2(R4) when Nw is greater than or equal to 0.55, indicating that the stability of the slag caused by the change in composition becomes poor when Nw is high.
Influence of nano silica on compressive strength, durability, and microstructure of high‐volume slag and high‐volume slag–fly ash blended concretes
Authors: Hosan Anwar , Shaikh Faiz Uddin Ahmed
Published: September 2020

This study investigated the influence of nano silica (NS) addition on the early‐ and later‐age compressive strengths and durability properties such as sorptivity, drying shrinkage, volume of permeable voids, and rapid chloride permeability, along with microstructural changes, of high‐volume slag (HVS) and high‐volume slag–fly ash (HVS‐FA) blended concrete. The results showed that the addition of NS improved the early‐age (3 days) compressive strength of HVS and HVS‐FA concretes significantly by 34 and 45%, respectively. In addition, the HVS concrete containing 78% blast furnace slag (BFS) gained considerable compressive strengths at later age due to the addition of 2% NS than the control HVS concrete with 80% BFS and showed comparable compressive strengths to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete. On the other hand, the compressive strengths of HVS‐FA concrete containing 67% BFS‐FA blend and 3% NS surpassed OPC concrete at 28 days and exhibited superior strengths at later ages than the OPC concrete. Significant reduction in sorptivity of both HVS and HVS‐FA concretes is observed at 28 and 91 days, respectively, due to the addition of NS. Similar substantial reduction of drying shrinkage, chloride ion permeability, and volume of permeable voids are also witnessed in both HVS and HVS‐FA concretes due to the inclusion of NS than their respective control concretes without NS, and these exhibited better performance than control OPC concrete on most occasions. A denser and compacted interfacial transition zone (ITZ) is also found in the HVS and HVS‐FA concretes due to the addition of a small amount of NS.
Computational techniques for parameter estimation of gravitational wave signals
Authors: Meyer Renate , Edwards Matthew C. , Maturana‐Russel Patricio , Christensen Nelson
Published: September 2020

Since the very first detection of gravitational waves from the coalescence of two black holes in 2015, Bayesian statistical methods have been routinely applied by LIGO and Virgo to extract the signal out of noisy interferometric measurements, obtain point estimates of the physical parameters responsible for producing the signal, and rigorously quantify their uncertainties. Different computational techniques have been devised depending on the source of the gravitational radiation and the gravitational waveform model used. Prominent sources of gravitational waves are binary black hole or neutron star mergers, the only objects that have been observed by detectors to date. But also gravitational waves from core‐collapse supernovae, rapidly rotating neutron stars, and the stochastic gravitational‐wave background are in the sensitivity band of the ground‐based interferometers and expected to be observable in future observation runs. As nonlinearities of the complex waveforms and the high‐dimensional parameter spaces preclude analytic evaluation of the posterior distribution, posterior inference for all these sources relies on computer‐intensive simulation techniques such as Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. A review of state‐of‐the‐art Bayesian statistical parameter estimation methods will be given for researchers in this cross‐disciplinary area of gravitational wave data analysis.

This article is categorized under:

Applications of Computational Statistics > Signal and Image Processing and Coding

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC)

Statistical Models > Time Series Models
The clinical characterization of the adult patient with depression aimed at personalization of management
Authors: Maj Mario , Stein Dan J. , Parker Gordon , Zimmerman Mark , Fava Giovanni A. , De Hert Marc , Demyttenaere Koen , McIntyre Roger S. , Widiger Thomas , Wittchen Hans‐Ulrich
Published: September 2020

Depression is widely acknowledged to be a heterogeneous entity, and the need to further characterize the individual patient who has received this diagnosis in order to personalize the management plan has been repeatedly emphasized. However, the research evidence that should guide this personalization is at present fragmentary, and the selection of treatment is usually based on the clinician's and/or the patient's preference and on safety issues, in a trial‐and‐error fashion, paying little attention to the particular features of the specific case. This may be one of the reasons why the majority of patients with a diagnosis of depression do not achieve remission with the first treatment they receive. The predominant pessimism about the actual feasibility of the personalization of treatment of depression in routine clinical practice has recently been tempered by some secondary analyses of databases from clinical trials, using approaches such as individual patient data meta‐analysis and machine learning, which indicate that some variables may indeed contribute to the identification of patients who are likely to respond differently to various antidepressant drugs or to antidepressant medication vs. specific psychotherapies. The need to develop decision support tools guiding the personalization of treatment of depression has been recently reaffirmed, and the point made that these tools should be developed through large observational studies using a comprehensive battery of self‐report and clinical measures. The present paper aims to describe systematically the salient domains that should be considered in this effort to personalize depression treatment. For each domain, the available research evidence is summarized, and the relevant assessment instruments are reviewed, with special attention to their suitability for use in routine clinical practice, also in view of their possible inclusion in the above‐mentioned comprehensive battery of measures. The main unmet needs that research should address in this area are emphasized. Where the available evidence allows providing the clinician with specific advice that can already be used today to make the management of depression more personalized, this advice is highlighted. Indeed, some sections of the paper, such as those on neurocognition and on physical comorbidities, indicate that the modern management of depression is becoming increasingly complex, with several components other than simply the choice of an antidepressant and/or a psychotherapy, some of which can already be reliably personalized.
Testing structural models of psychopathology at the genomic level
Authors: Waldman Irwin D. , Poore Holly E. , Luningham Justin M. , Yang Jingjing
Published: September 2020

Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed hundreds of genetic loci associated with the vulnerability to major psychiatric disorders, and post‐GWAS analyses have shown substantial genetic correlations among these disorders. This evidence supports the existence of a higher‐order structure of psychopathology at both the genetic and phenotypic levels. Despite recent efforts by collaborative consortia such as the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP), this structure remains unclear. In this study, we tested multiple alternative structural models of psychopathology at the genomic level, using the genetic correlations among fourteen psychiatric disorders and related psychological traits estimated from GWAS summary statistics. The best‐fitting model included four correlated higher‐order factors – externalizing, internalizing, thought problems, and neurodevelopmental disorders – which showed distinct patterns of genetic correlations with external validity variables and accounted for substantial genetic variance in their constituent disorders. A bifactor model including a general factor of psychopathology as well as the four specific factors fit worse than the above model. Several model modifications were tested to explore the placement of some disorders – such as bipolar disorder, obsessive‐compulsive disorder, and eating disorders – within the broader psychopathology structure. The best‐fitting model indicated that eating disorders and obsessive‐compulsive disorder, on the one hand, and bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, on the other, load together on the same thought problems factor. These findings provide support for several of the HiTOP higher‐order dimensions and suggest a similar structure of psychopathology at the genomic and phenotypic levels.
Adaptation of evidence‐based suicide prevention strategies during and after theCOVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Wasserman Danuta , Iosue Miriam , Wuestefeld Anika , Carli Vladimir
Published: September 2020

Suicide is preventable. Nevertheless, each year 800,000 people die of suicide in the world. While there is evidence indicating that suicide rates de‐crease during times of crises, they are expected to increase once the immediate crisis has passed. The COVID‐19 pandemic affects risk and pro‐tective factors for suicide at each level of the socio‐ecological model. Economic downturn, augmented barriers to accessing health care, increased access to suicidal means, inappropriate media reporting at the societal level; deprioritization of mental health and preventive activities at the community level; interpersonal conflicts, neglect and violence at the relationship level; unemployment, poverty, loneliness and hopelessness at the individual level: all these variables contribute to an increase of depression, anxiety, post‐traumatic stress disorder, harmful use of alcohol, substance abuse, and ultimately suicide risk. Suicide should be prevented by strengthening universal strategies directed to the entire population, including mitigation of unemployment, poverty and inequalities; prioritization of access to mental health care; responsible media reporting, with information about available support; prevention of increased alcohol intake; and restriction of access to lethal means of suicide. Selective interventions should continue to target known vulnerable groups who are socio‐economically disadvantaged, but also new ones such as first responders and health care staff, and the bereaved by COVID‐19 who have been deprived of the final contact with loved ones and funerals. Indicated preventive strategies targeting individuals who display suicidal behaviour should focus on available pharmacological and psychological treatments of mental disorders, ensuring proper follow‐up and chain of care by increased use of telemedicine and other digital means. The scientific community, health care professionals, politicians and decision‐makers will find in this paper a systematic description of the effects of the pandemic on suicide risk at the society, community, family and individual levels, and an overview of how evidence‐based suicide preventive interventions should be adapted. Research is needed to investigate which adaptations are effective and in which con‐texts.
Zoo‐housed mammals do not avoid giving birth on weekends
Authors: Hosey Geoff , Ward Samantha J. , Ferguson Amanda , Jenkins Hannah , Hill Sonya P.
Published: September 2020

There is evidence that zoo visitor presence can influence the behaviour and, in some cases, adrenal response of zoo animals, and can sometimes compromise animal welfare. In some laboratory studies, significantly more primate births have been reported on weekends, when fewer people are working there, compared with weekdays when staffing levels are at their highest. Here, we investigate whether there is evidence of a “weekend effect” on births in zoo animals as a result of visitor numbers. Unlike laboratories, zoos are typically busier with visitors on weekends than on weekdays, although staffing levels remain fairly consistent across days of the week. If zoo animal parturition is sensitive to human presence, then fewer births would be expected on weekends compared with weekdays. We tested this using birth data and visitor numbers on the entrance gate from zoo records across 16 species representing artiodactyls, perissodactyls, carnivores and primates at four British zoos, to see whether there is an association between mean daily birth rates and average visitor numbers. We predict that, if there is a visitor effect, daily births should be lower on weekends than weekdays and should correlate with mean daily visitor numbers. Results showed that births for all 16 species were randomly distributed through the week, and there was no significant decline in births on weekends. We conclude that the “weekend effect”, if such a thing exists, does not appear to be a feature of zoo births, suggesting that elevated weekend visitor numbers are not sufficiently stressful to trigger delayed parturition.
Improving the surface quality of friction stir welds using reinforcement learning and Bayesian optimization
Authors: Hartl R. , Hansjakob J. , Zaeh M. F.
Published: September 2020

Friction stir welding is an advanced joining technology that is particularly suitable for aluminum alloys. Various studies have shown a significant dependence of the welding quality on the welding speed and the rotational speed of the tool. Frequently, an inappropriate setting of these parameters can be detected through an examination of the resulting surface defects, such as increased flash formation or surface galling. In this work, two different learning-based algorithms were applied to improve the surface topography of friction stir welds. For this purpose, the surface topographies of 262 welds, which were performed as part of ten studies, were evaluated offline. The aim was to use reinforcement learning and Bayesian optimization approaches to determine the most appropriate settings for the welding speed and the rotational speed of the tool. The optimization problem was solved using reinforcement learning, specifically value iteration. However, the value iteration algorithm was not efficient, since all actions and states had to be iterated over, i.e., each possible parameter combination had to be evaluated, to find the best policy. Instead, it was better to solve the optimization problem directly using the Bayesian optimization. Two approaches were applied: both an approach in which the information from the other studies was not used and an approach in which the information from the other studies was used. On average, both the Bayesian optimization approaches found suitable welding parameters significantly faster than a random search algorithm, and the latter approach improved the result even further compared with the former approach. Future research will aim to show that optimization of the surface topography also leads to an increase in the ultimate tensile strength.
An approach for performance evaluation of SBS/RS with shuttle vehicles serving multiple tiers of multiple-deep storage rack
Authors: Eder Michael
Published: September 2020

This paper presents a method for determining the performance of shuttle-based storage and retrieval systems (SBS/RS) with tier-captive, single-aisle shuttles serving various numbers of tiers of multiple-deep storage. The use of this approach takes place in the design process of SBS/RS. The proposed approach considers the real operating characteristics of the shuttle and lifts. The basis of this calculation method is a continuous-time, open-queueing system with limited capacity. The cycle times of the lifts and shuttles, determined by a spatial value approach, can be used directly in the presented method with an assumed uniform distribution of storage locations and a probability-based model of storage depth. This approach is validated by a comparison with a discrete-event simulation. Finally, an example based on a system provided by a European material handling provider is presented to outline how this calculation model can be used for designing SBS/RS that fulfill predefined requirements. The result of this example is a decrease in the needed ground space with an increasing number of tiers served by each shuttle and with increasing storage depth.
Mercury in traditionally foraged species of fungi (macromycetes) from the karst area across Yunnan province in China
Authors: Falandysz Jerzy , Mędyk Małgorzata , Saba Martyna , Zhang Ji , Wang Yuanzhong , Li Tao
Published: September 2020

The objective of this study is to better quantify the occurrence, intake, and potential risk from Hg in fungi traditionally foraged in SW China. The concentrations and intakes of Hg were measured from 42 species including a “hard” flesh type polypore fungi and a” soft” flesh type edible species that are used in traditional herbal medicine, collected during the period 2011–2017. Three profiles of forest topsoil from the Zhenyuan site in 2015 and Changning and Dulong sites in 2016 were also investigated. The concentrations of Hg in composite samples of polypore fungi were usually below 0.1 mg kg−1 dry weight (dw) but higher levels, 0.11 ± 0.01 and 0.24 ± 0.00 mg kg−1 dw, were noted in Ganoderma applanatum and Amauroderma niger respectively, both from the Nujiang site near the town of Lanping in NW Yunnan. Hg concentrations in Boletaceae species were usually well above 1.0 mg kg−1 dw and as high as 10 mg kg−1 dw. The quality of the mushrooms in this study in view of contamination with Hg showed a complex picture. The “worst case” estimations showed probable intake of Hg from 0.006 μg kg−1 body mass (bm) (“hard” type flesh) to 0.25 μg kg−1 bm (“soft” flesh) on a daily basis for capsulated products, from 17 to 83 μg kg−1 bm (“soft” flesh) in a meal (“hard” type flesh mushrooms are not cooked while used in traditional herbal medicine after processing), and from 0.042 to 1.7 and 120 to 580 μg kg−1 bm on a weekly basis, respectively.

Graphical abstract

Key points

• Polypore species were slightly contaminated with Hg.

• Hg maximal content in the polypore was < 0.25 mg kg−1dry weight.

• Many species from Boletaceae family in Yunnan showed elevated Hg.

• Locals who often eat Boletus may take Hg at a dose above the daily reference dose.
Three-dimensional analysis of the heart function and effect cholinergic agonists in the cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa
Authors: Claros-Guzmán Alfonso , Rodríguez Martín G. , Heredia-Rivera Birmania , González-Segovia Rodolfo
Published: September 2020

Many relevant aspects of mammal’s cardiac physiology have been mainly investigated in insect models such as Drosophila melanogaster and Periplaneta americana. Cardiac function has been poorly studied in the cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa, which has some advantages for experimental purposes such as an easier culture, bigger organs and a robust physiology. On the other hand, the study of cardiac physiology in insects has been largely improved since the arrival of digital imaging technologies for recording purposes. In the present work, we introduce a methodology of video recording coupled to an isotonic transducer for a three-dimensional analysis of the heart and intracardiac valves of G. portentosa. We used this methodology for assessing the physiological responses of the cockroach heart upon the application of different cholinergic neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, nicotine and muscarine). We recorded in detail the relationship between intracardiac valves movement, hemolymph flow, diastole and systole. Acetylcholine and nicotine induced a biphasic effect on the cardiac frequency. Acetylcholine increased the diastolic opening. Nicotine at high concentration caused paralysis. Muscarine induced no major effects. These findings suggest a combined action of cholinergic agonists for a finely tuned the cardiac frequency, intracardiac valves function and cardiac cycle.
TRPV4 and TRPM8 as putative targets for chronic low back pain alleviation
Authors: Fozzato Stefania , Baranzini Nicolò , Bossi Elena , Cinquetti Raffaella , Grimaldi Annalisa , Campomenosi Paola , Surace Michele Francesco
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the presence of nervous fibers and expression of TRP channels in samples harvested during decompressive/fusion spine surgeries from patients affected by chronic low back pain (CLBP). The aim was to understand if members of this family of receptors played a role in detection and processing of painful stimuli, to eventually define them as potential targets for CLBP alleviation. Expression of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels (A1, V1, V2, V4, and M8) was evaluated in samples from different periarticular sites of 6 patients affected by CLBP, at both protein and transcript levels. The capsular connective pathological tissue appeared infiltrated by sensitive unmyelinated nervous fibers. An increase in TRP channel mRNAs and proteins was observed in the pathological capsule compared with tissues collected from the non-symptomatic area in five of the six analyzed patients, independently by the location and number of affected sites. In particular, TRPV4 and TRPM8 were consistently upregulated in pathological tissues. Interestingly, the only patient showing a different pattern of expression also had a different clinical history. TRPV4 and TRPM8 channels may play a role in CLBP and warrant further investigations as possible therapeutic targets.
Stromal categorization in early oral tongue cancer
Authors: Almangush Alhadi , Bello Ibrahim O. , Heikkinen Ilkka , Hagström Jaana , Haglund Caj , Kowalski Luiz Paulo , Nieminen Pentti , Coletta Ricardo D. , Mäkitie Antti A. , Salo Tuula , Leivo Ilmo
Published: September 2020

Stromal categorization has been used to classify many epithelial cancer types. We assessed the desmoplastic reaction and compared its significance with other stromal characteristics in early (cT1-2N0) oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC). In this multi-institutional study, we included 308 cases treated for early OTSCC at five Finnish university hospitals or at the A.C. Camargo Cancer Center in São Paulo, Brazil. The desmoplastic reaction was classified as immature, intermediate, or mature based on the amount of hyalinized keloid-like collagen and myxoid stroma. We compared the prognostic value of the desmoplastic reaction with a stromal grading system based on tumor-stroma ratio and stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. We found that a high amount of stroma with a weak infiltration of lymphocytes was associated statistically significantly with a worse disease-free survival with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.68 (95% CI 1.26–5.69), worse overall survival (HR 2.95, 95% CI 1.69–5.15), and poor disease-specific survival (HR 2.66, 95% CI 1.11–6.33). Tumors having a high amount of stroma with a weak infiltration of lymphocytes were also significantly associated with a high rate of local recurrence (HR 4.13, 95% CI 1.67–10.24), but no significant association was found with lymph node metastasis (HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.37–4.35). Categorization of the stroma based on desmoplastic reaction (immature, intermediate, mature) showed a low prognostic value for early OTSCC in all survival analyses (P > 0.05). In conclusion, categorization of the stroma based on the amount of stroma and its infiltrating lymphocytes shows clinical relevance in early OTSCC superior to categorization based on the maturity of stroma.
Navigating cancer treatment and care when living with comorbid dementia: an ethnographic study
Authors: Surr Claire , Griffiths Alys W. , Kelley Rachael , Ashley Laura , Cowdell Fiona , Henry Ann , Inman Hayley , Collinson Michelle , Mason Ellen , Farrin Amanda
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The risks of developing cancer and dementia increase as we age; however, this comorbidity remains relatively under-researched. This study reports on the challenges that people affected by comorbid cancer and dementia face when navigating engagement with cancer treatment within secondary care.

Materials and methods

An ethnographic study recruiting 17 people with cancer and dementia, 22 relatives and 19 oncology staff in two UK National Health Service Trusts. Observations (46 h) and informal conversations were conducted during oncology appointments involving people with dementia. Semi-structured interviews (n = 37) with people living with cancer and dementia, their relatives and staff working in various roles across oncology services were also carried out. Data were analysed using ethnographically informed thematic analysis.

Results

People with cancer and dementia experienced challenges across three areas of navigating cancer treatment and care: navigating through multiple services, appointments and layers of often complex information; repeatedly navigating transport to and from hospital; and navigating non-dementia-friendly hospital outpatient environments alongside the cognitive problems associated with dementia.

Conclusions

Dementia impacts patients’ abilities to navigate the many practical aspects of attending hospital for cancer treatment and care. This study indicates the importance of addressing ways to improve the experience of travelling to and from the hospital, alongside extending the ongoing efforts to develop ‘dementia-friendly’ hospital in-patient areas and practices, to outpatient departments. Such steps will serve to improve hospital-based cancer treatment and care and more broadly outpatient appointment experiences for people with dementia and their families.
Relationship between the thermal condition of the Tibetan Plateau and precipitation over the region from eastern Ukraine to North Caucasus during summer
Authors: Chen Junming , Yue Xiaoyuan , Liu Ge , Nan Sulan
Published: September 2020

Remarkable climate anomalies occurred in Europe in recent years, but the reasons are not entirely disclosed. This entails further exploring the physical mechanism of anomalous climate variability over Europe on the basis of previous studies. Using NCEP-NCAR reanalysis and CMAP precipitation datasets, we investigated the relationship between the thermal condition of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and precipitation over Europe during summer and related mechanisms behind through observational analyses and simulation experiments. The results show that the summer TP surface air temperature (SAT) is significantly correlated with the simultaneous precipitation over the region from eastern Ukraine to the North Caucasus (EUNC; 43°–51° N, 34°–46° E) during the period 1979–2017. The effect of anomalous TP heating plays, to some extent, an active role in linking the summer TP SAT with EUNC precipitation. The variability of the TP SAT is a result of the anomalous TP heating, but it can reflect the variability in temperature of a thick tropospheric air column over the TP well. Corresponding to higher (lower) TP SAT, the higher (lower) temperature anomaly appears over the TP and extends westwards through the transport of anomalous temperature fluxes from the TP to the EUNC regions in the upper troposphere, resulting in the expansion (withdrawal) of the South Asian high (SAH) and associated less (more) precipitation over the EUNC region. Numerical simulations basically reproduce the above-mentioned physical process, which confirms that, through stimulating the variability of upper-tropospheric temperatures over the TP and a larger area to its west and associated upstream large-scale atmospheric circulation, the summer TP’s thermal condition can modulate and expand the impact of the SAH to the EUNC region and therefore affect the concurrent precipitation in situ. This study implies an importance of the thermal anomaly of the TP to the variability of EUNC precipitation during summer.
Obedience and Disobedience in Plato’s Crito and the Apology: Anticipating the Democratic Turn of Civil Disobedience
Authors: Marcou Andreas
Published: September 2020

Faced with a choice between escaping without consequences and submitting to a democratic decision, Socrates chooses the latter. So immense is Socrates’ duty to obey law, we are led to believe, that even the threat of death is insufficient to abrogate it.Critoproposes several arguments purporting to ground Socrates’ strong duty to obey, with the appeal to the Athenian system’s democratic credentials carrying most of the normative weight. A careful reading of the dialogue, in conjunction with the ‘Apology’, reveals, however, a more complex picture. IfCritosets the conditions that render a regime legitimate, and therefore warranting of obedience, theApologyreveals a legal system’s shortcomings that justify disobedience. This article substantiates this position by delineating circumstances that can justify resistance. Contemporary forms of political resistance can also rely on similar conditions. Plato’s texts anticipate the current democratic turn of civil disobedience.
Feasibility, Acceptance, and Safety of Metacognitive Training for Problem and Pathological Gamblers (Gambling-MCT): A Pilot Study
Authors: Gehlenborg Josefine , Bücker Lara , Berthold Mira , Miegel Franziska , Moritz Steffen
Published: September 2020

Approximately 90% of problem and pathological gamblers remain untreated. This treatment gap may be diminished by the implementation of low-threshold treatment programs. As cognitive distortions play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of gambling problems, interventions targeting gambling-related biases may be particularly effective. The aim of the present study was to examine the feasibility, acceptance, and safety of a novel metacognitive training for individuals with gambling problems (Gambling-MCT). Twenty-five participants were included in an uncontrolled pilot trial with two assessment points (intervention). The intervention comprised eight training modules targeting gambling-specific cognitive distortions. At baseline and post assessment, symptom severity, as measured with the PG-YBOCS, and gambling-related cognitive distortions, as measured with the GABS, were assessed. In addition, interim assessments measuring session-specific changes were conducted. Subjective appraisal was examined after each module and also post treatment. On average, participants took part in 4.16 (SD = 2.84) training sessions. Both intent-to-treat and per protocol analyses showed significant improvements on the PG-YBOCS and the GABS (dz = 0.37–1.37). After Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, linear mixed models for the analysis of session-specific changes showed no deterioration in participants’ mental state after any of the modules. Subjective appraisal of Gambling-MCT was good. The present pilot study provides first evidence for the feasibility, acceptance, and safety of Gambling-MCT. Recruitment of participants remains challenging, emphasizing the importance of overcoming patient-related treatment barriers. Future studies need to investigate the efficacy of Gambling-MCT in randomized controlled trials.