bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensors based on conductive polymers and their composites: a review
Authors: Wang Yanmin , Liu Aiping , Han Yongqin , Li Tingxi
Published: August 2019

Conductive polymers (CPs) for sensors present numerous advantages such as high sensitivity, short response time, room temperature operation, and the possibility of tuning both chemical and physical properties by using different substituents. Therefore, sensors based on CPs and their composites have attracted much attention from researchers. The CPs used for sensors mainly consist of polyaniline, polypyrrole and poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) etc. In this review, the fabrication, sensing performance, mechanism and perspectives of sensors based on CPs and their composites are thoroughly summarized. The CPs and their thin films were prepared under different polymerization conditions and used as various sensors. CP composites combine the advantages of CPs and other sensing materials such as carbonaceous materials, metal oxides, metals etc., and their sensors demonstrate a high sensing performance due to the synergistic effect of the components. Finally, the perspectives and development trends of sensors based on CPs and their composites are introduced. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Population pharmacokinetics of amikacin in patients with pediatric cystic fibrosis
Authors: Caceres Guido Paulo , Perez Mariel , Halac Alicia , Ferrari Mariela , Ibarra Manuel , Licciardone Nieves , Castaños Claudio , Gravina Luis P. , Jimenez Cristina , Garcia Bournissen Facundo , Schaiquevich Paula
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Amikacin is commonly used in patients with pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) for the treatment of pulmonary exacerbations. Amikacin efficacy is related to maximum plasma concentration/minimum inhibitory concentration (Cmax/MIC) ratio >8. Pharmacokinetic data in patients with pediatric CF are scarce. The aim of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model describing amikacin disposition in patients with pediatric CF.

Methods

CF patients under 18 years of age with pulmonary exacerbation who received amikacin were enrolled. Patients received different amikacin regimens (30 mg−1 kg−1 day−1every 8, 12, or 24 hours) depending on the patient's status and hospital protocols. Amikacin serum levels were obtained for therapeutic drug monitoring. PopPK model was developed using MONOLIX Suite‐2018R1 (Lixoft).

Results

A total of 39 patients (114 amikacin concentrations) were included in this study. Population estimates for the elimination rate constant (k) and the volume of distribution (V) were 0.541 hours−1and 0.451 L/kg, respectively. Between‐subject and between‐occasion variability were 53% and 16.5% for k and 31% and 22% for V, respectively. Bodyweight was a significant covariate associated with V. Based on simulations, almost 70% of the patients receiving 30 mg−1 kg−1 day−1every 24 hours would achieve a Cmax/MIC ratio >8 which is an appropriate therapeutic goal while no patient in the other two groups (Q8 and Q12) would achieve that objective.

Conclusions

The regimen of 30  mg−1 kg−1 day−1every 24 hours more adequately fulfilled the therapeutic target for amikacin. Although all our patients had good clinical results and a good adverse‐events profile, further studies are necessary to redefine the optimal treatment strategy.
Interaction of convective organization with monsoon precipitation, atmosphere, surface and sea: The 2016 INCOMPASS field campaign in India
Authors: Turner A. G. , Bhat G. S. , Martin G. M. , Parker D. J. , Taylor C. M. , Mitra A. K. , Tripathi S. N. , Milton S. , Rajagopal E. N. , Evans J. G. , Morrison R. , Pattnaik S. , Sekhar M. , Bhattacharya B. K. , Madan R. , Govindankutty Mrudula , Fletcher J. K. , Willetts P. D. , Menon A. , Marsham J. H. ,   and the INCOMPASS team, Hunt K. M. R. , Chakraborty T. , George G. , Krishnan M. , Sarangi C. , Belušić D. , Garcia‐Carreras L. , Brooks M. , Webster S. , Brooke J. K. , Fox C. , Harlow R. C. , Langridge J. M. , Jayakumar A. , Böing S. J. , Halliday O. , Bowles J. , Kent J. , O'Sullivan D. , Wilson A. , Woods C. , Rogers S. , Smout‐Day R. , Tiddeman D. , Desai D. , Nigam R. , Paleri S. , Sattar A. , Smith M. , Anderson D. , Bauguitte S. , Carling R. , Chan C. , Devereau S. , Gratton G. , MacLeod D. , Nott G. , Pickering M. , Price H. , Rastall S. , Reed C. , Trembath J. , Woolley A. , Volonté A. , New B.
Published: August 2019

The INCOMPASS field campaign combines airborne and ground measurements of the 2016 Indian monsoon, towards the ultimate goal of better predicting monsoon rainfall. The monsoon supplies the majority of water in South Asia, but forecasting from days to the season ahead is limited by large, rapidly developing errors in model parametrizations. The lack of detailed observations prevents thorough understanding of the monsoon circulation and its interaction with the land surface: a process governed by boundary‐layer and convective‐cloud dynamics. INCOMPASS used the UK Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) BAe‐146 aircraft for the first project of this scale in India, to accrue almost 100 h of observations in June and July 2016. Flights from Lucknow in the northern plains sampled the dramatic contrast in surface and boundary‐layer structures between dry desert air in the west and the humid environment over the northern Bay of Bengal. These flights were repeated in pre‐monsoon and monsoon conditions. Flights from a second base at Bengaluru in southern India measured atmospheric contrasts from the Arabian Sea, over the Western Ghats mountains, to the rain shadow of southeast India and the south Bay of Bengal. Flight planning was aided by forecasts from bespoke 4 km convection‐permitting limited‐area models at the Met Office and India's NCMRWF. On the ground, INCOMPASS installed eddy‐covariance flux towers on a range of surface types, to provide detailed measurements of surface fluxes and their modulation by diurnal and seasonal cycles. These data will be used to better quantify the impacts of the atmosphere on the land surface, and vice versa. INCOMPASS also installed ground instrumentation supersites at Kanpur and Bhubaneswar. Here we motivate and describe the INCOMPASS field campaign. We use examples from two flights to illustrate contrasts in atmospheric structure, in particular the retreating mid‐level dry intrusion during the monsoon onset.
New Complex of Copper on Boehmite Nanoparticles as Highly Efficient and Reusable Nanocatalyst for Synthesis of Sulfides and Ethers
Authors: Ghorbani‐Choghamarani Arash , Heidarnezhad Zahra , Tahmasbi Bahman
Published: August 2019

Boehmite is a cubic orthorhombic structure of aluminum oxide hydroxide, which prepared via addition of sodium hydroxide solution to an aluminum nitrate solution at room temperature. In this work, the surface of boehmite nanoparticles (BNPs) modified by 3‐choloropropyltrimtoxysilane (3‐CPTMS), then reacted with N,N,N′,N′‐tetraethyldiethylentriamine (TEDETA). Eventually, CuI immobilized on modified boehmite (CuI‐TEDETA@BNPs). Structure of this catalyst was characterized using FT‐IR, TEM, SEM, EDS, TGA, and AAS techniques. Finally, the catalytic activity of CuI‐TEDETA@BNPs was studied for the synthesis of ethers and sulfides. All ethers and sulfides were obtained in high yields, which reveals the high activity of described catalyst. This catalyst was reused for several times without significant loss of its catalytic efficiency. Recovered catalyst was characterized by SEM and FT‐IR techniques, which shown a good agreement with fresh catalyst. Also, heterogeneity and stability of CuI‐TEDETA@BNPs confirmed by hot filtration test.
Ultrasound‐Assisted Conversion of Biomass Turpentine into α‐Terpineol
Authors: Murakami Vanessa T. , Marques Isabel O. , Cella Rodrigo
Published: August 2019

Biomass is an alternative and renewable carbon feedstock for fossil fuel in chemical industry. An important pathway for biomass conversion is the conversion of turpentine oil into different chemical intermediates. Herein we described the hydration of turpentine assisted by ultrasound waves in the presence of an inorganic acid. The desired product α‐terpineol was obtained up to 60% of selectivity after 100% of conversion of the turpentine oil, and short reaction times were needed (15 minutes to 1 hour).
Assessment of the Efficiency of a Nanospherical Gallic Acid Dendrimer for Long‐Term Preservation of Essential Oils: An Integrated Chemometric‐Assisted FTIR Study
Authors: Alfei Silvana , Oliveri Paolo , Malegori Cristina
Published: August 2019

Essential oils (EOs) are volatile chemicals very popular in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry as aromas, fragrances and alternative therapeutic devices. EOs are susceptible to oxidative degradation, loss of quality and alterations of sensory and pharmacological properties with production of smelly or harmful compounds, responsible for allergic reactions. For preventing EOs’ spoilage, synthetic preservatives are adopted, but with poor efficiency and danger of health diseases. Natural polyphenols as gallic acid (GA) are proposed as safer alternatives, but the low compatibility with oils limits their efficacy. In this study, a hydrophobic, GA‐enriched antioxidant dendrimer (GAD), is advised as an innovative preservative, after due evaluations. Besides oxidation chemical indexes, the desired information was obtained by FTIR spectroscopy assisted by multivariate analysis. For further confirmation, FTIR data were interpreted by considering the area of some selected bands. Iodometric titration, was performed to determine peroxide value (PV), selected as chemical index. GAD showed a preservative power extraordinary better than that of GA and no pro‐oxidant action.
Aryl‐Aryl Coupling of Salicylic Aldehydes through Oxidative CH‐activation in Nickel Salen Derivatives
Authors: Yankin Andrei N. , Lukyanov Daniil A. , Beletskii Evgenii V. , Bakulina Olga Yu. , Vlasov Petr S. , Levin Oleg V.
Published: August 2019

The preparative electrosynthetic procedure for gram‐scale preparation of symmetric 4,4′‐dihydroxy‐3,3′‐diformylbiphenyls from salicylic aldehydes via the intermediate formation of ethylene‐bridged bis((2‐hydroxybenzylidene)imino)nickel (II) complexes is reported for the first time. This procedure represents a practical route to the variety of rare bisphenol derivatives. The electrochemical aryl‐aryl coupling via an oxidative CH – activation in NiSalens is exploited for facile and selective C−C bond formation.
Bioinspired Metamaterials: Multibands Electromagnetic Wave Adaptability and Hydrophobic Characteristics
Authors: Huang Lingxi , Duan Yuping , Dai Xuhao , Zeng Yuansong , Ma Guojia , Liu Yi , Gao Shaohua , Zhang Weiping
Published: August 2019

Although various photonic devices inspired by natural materials have been developed, there is no research focusing on multibands adaptability, which is not conducive to the advancement of materials science. Herein, inspired by the moth eye surface model, state‐of‐the‐art hierarchical metamaterials (MMs) used as tunable devices in multispectral electromagnetic‐waves (EMWs) frequency range, from microwave to ultraviolet (UV), are designed and prepared. Experimentally, the robust broad bandwidth of microwave absorption greater than 90% (reflection loss (RL) < −10 dB) covering almost entire X and Ku bands (8.04–17.88 GHz) under a deep sub‐wavelength thickness (1 mm) is demonstrated. The infrared emissivity is reduced and does not affect the microwave absorption simultaneously, further realizing anti‐reflection and camouflage via the strong visible light scattering by the microstructure, and can prevent degradation by reducing the transmittance to less than 10% over the whole near UV band, as well as having hydrophobic abilities. The mechanism explored via simulation model is that topological effects are found in the bio‐structure. This discovery points to a pathway for using natural models to overcome physical limits of MMs and has promising prospect in novel photonic materials.
Highly Ordered N‐Doped Carbon Dots Photosensitizer on Metal–Organic Framework‐Decorated ZnO Nanotubes for Improved Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Han Hyungkyu , Karlicky Frantisek , Pitchaimuthu Sudhagar , Shin Sun Hae Ra , Chen Aiping
Published: August 2019

In spite of having several advantages such as low cost, high chemical stability, and environmentally safe and benign synthetic as well as operational procedures, the full potential of carbon dots (CDs) is yet to be explored as photosensitizers due to the challenges associated with the fabrication of well‐arrayed CDs with many other photocatalytic heterostructures. In the present study, a unique combination of metal–organic framework (MOF)‐decorated zinc oxide (ZnO) 1D nanostructures as host and CDs as guest species are explored on account of their potential application in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting performance. The synthetic strategy to incorporate well‐defined nitrogen‐doped carbon dots (N‐CDs) arrays onto a zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) anchored on ZnO 1D nanostructures allows a facile unification of different components which subsequently plays a decisive role in improving the material's PEC water splitting performance. Simple extension of such strategies is expected to offer significant advantages for the preparation of CD‐based heterostructures for photo(electro)catalytics and other related applications.
Integrating Flexible Electrochemical Sensor into Microfluidic Chip for Simulating and Monitoring Vascular Mechanotransduction
Authors: Jin Zi‐He , Liu Yan‐Ling , Fan Wen‐Ting , Huang Wei‐Hua
Published: August 2019

As an interface between the blood flow and vessel wall, endothelial cells (ECs) are exposed to hemodynamic forces, and the biochemical molecules released from ECs–blood flow interaction are important determinants of vascular homeostasis. Versatile microfluidic chips have been designed to simulate the biological and physiological parameters of the human vascular system, but in situ and real‐time monitoring of the mechanical force–triggered signals during vascular mechanotransduction still remains a significant challenge. Here, such challenge is fulfilled for the first time, by preparation of a flexible and stretchable electrochemical sensor and its incorporation into a microfluidic vascular chip. This allows simulating of in vivo physiological and biomechanical parameters of blood vessels, and simultaneously monitoring the mechanically induced biochemical signals in real time. Specifically, the cyclic circumferential stretch that is actually exerted on endothelium but is hard to reproduce in vitro is successfully recapitulated, and nitric oxide signals under normal blood pressure, as well as reactive oxygen species signals under hypertensive states, are well documented. Here, the first integration of a flexible electrochemical sensor into a microfluidic chip is reported, therefore paving a way to evaluate in vitro organs by built‐in flexible sensors.
A self‐learning fuzzy approach for proactive resource provisioning in cloud environment
Authors: Khorsand Reihaneh , Ghobaei‐Arani Mostafa , Ramezanpour Mohammadreza
Published: August 2019

The development of a communication infrastructure has made possible the expansion of the popular massively multiplayer online games. In these games, players all over the world can interact with one another in a virtual environment. The arrival rate of new players to the game environment causes fluctuations and players always expect services to be available and offer an acceptable service‐level agreement (SLA), especially in terms of response time and cost. Cloud computing emerged in the recent years as a scalable alternative to respond to the dynamic changes of the workload. In massively multiplayer online games applications, players are allowed to lease resources from a cloud provider in an on‐demand basis model. Proactive management of cloud resources in the face of workload fluctuations and dynamism upon the arrival of players are challenging issues. This paper presents a self‐learning fuzzy approach for proactive resource provisioning in cloud environment, where key is to predict parameters of the probability distribution of the incoming players in each period. In addition, we propose a self‐learning fuzzy autoscaling decision‐maker algorithm to compute the proper number of resources to be allocated to each tier in the massively multiplayer online games by applying the predicted workload and user SLA. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach under real and synthetic workloads. The experimental results indicate that the proposed approach is able to allocate resources more efficiently than other approaches.
An Exploratory Analysis of Fecal Immunochemical Test Performance for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Nigeria
Authors: Knapp Gregory C. , Sharma Avinash , Olopade Bolatito , Alatise Olusegun I. , Olasehinde Olalekan , Arije Olujide O. , Castle Philip E. , Kingham T. Peter
Published: August 2019

Introduction

The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) for hemoglobin is recommended for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in resource‐limited environments. However, there are several unique variables that may alter FIT performance in this setting, including endemic intestinal parasites and high ambient temperature. This prospective study evaluated the performance of FIT in asymptomatic, average‐risk individuals of screening age in rural Nigeria.

Methods

Three hundred and twenty‐four community volunteers completed a questionnaire and provided stool specimens for parasitology and microbiome analysis. Specimens were frozen and stored at −80 °C. Of 324 subjects, 139 met criteria for average‐risk CRC screening and had a stool sample for analysis. These were thawed and tested with a qualitative FIT. Specimens positive for occult blood were retested every two days to evaluate the impact of time and temperature on test performance.

Results

Of 139 individuals, 69 (49.6%) were positive for intestinal parasites and 10 (7.2%) were positive for occult blood. The most common pathogen was Cryptosporidium (40.6%). Among patients with intestinal parasites, 10.1% (7/69) had a positive FIT. Only 4.3% (3/70) of patients without parasites had a positive FIT (p = 0.208). On bivariate analysis, sociodemographic variables were not associated with a positive FIT result. Thirty percent (3/10) of the FIT‐positive specimens became FIT‐negative with routine storage.

Conclusion

Although a positive FIT result was more common in those with parasitic infection, the relationship was not significant in this small cohort. The impact of high ambient temperature on test positivity may necessitate shorter processing time guidelines for equatorial countries. Additional prospective studies are needed to validate FIT performance in Nigeria.
Preoperative Clinical Factors Associated with Short‐Stay Laparoscopic Appendectomy
Authors: Vuagniaux Aurélie , Gié Olivier , Butti Fabio , Marques‐Vidal Pedro Manuel , Demartines Nicolas , Mantziari Styliani
Published: August 2019

Background

Outpatient appendectomy for acute appendicitis is a feasible, yet not widely performed procedure, as there are no universally accepted criteria for patient selection. The aim of this study was to assess preoperative clinical factors associated with successful short‐stay appendectomy (SSA) and establish a predictive score to help with patient selection.

Methods

All consecutive laparoscopic appendectomies performed in our institution between January 2013 and June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Several preoperative clinical and biological variables were compared between patients with SSA, defined as a postoperative stay <24 h, and those needing inpatient care. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables independently associated with SSA, and these variables were then used to create a predictive score.

Results

A total of 578 patients were included, 303 (53%) in the SSA group and 275 (48%) in the long‐stay appendectomy (LSA) group. In multivariate analysis, male gender (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.12–2.31, p = 0.010), ASA class I–II (OR 9.52, 95% CI 1.65–180.69, p = 0.037), absence of generalized guarding (OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.30–11.41, p = 0.019), C‐reactive protein <100 mg/dl (OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.81–5.42, p < 0.001) and leukocyte count <20 g/l (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.02–4.30, p = 0.046) were independently associated with SSA. These five parameters were used to construct a predictive score, whereby ≥17 (range 0–21) was defined as the optimal threshold to predict SSA with a high sensitivity (95.6%) and negative predictive value (82.2%).

Conclusions

A purely clinical predictive score based on five widely used preoperative parameters can be used to identify eligible patients for short‐stay appendectomy.
Estimating Children’s Household Instability Between Birth and Age 18 Using Longitudinal Household Roster Data
Authors: Raley R. Kelly , Weiss Inbar , Reynolds Robert , Cavanagh Shannon E.
Published: August 2019

Previous descriptions of the composition and stability of children’s households have focused on the presence of parents and the stability of mothers’ marital and cohabiting relationships. We use data available in the 2008 Survey of Income and Program Participation to expand the description of children’s household composition and stability. We find that one in five children lives with nonnuclear household members. These other household members are a source of substantial household instability. In addition, during the period of observation (2008–2013), children experienced considerable residential instability. Thus, children’s experience of household instability is much more common and frequent than previously documented. Moreover, levels of both residential and compositional instability are higher for children with less-educated mothers and for racial/ethnic minorities.
Introducing health technology assessment in Tanzania
Authors: Surgey Gavin , Chalkidou Kalipso , Reuben William , Suleman Fatima , Miot Jacqui , Hofman Karen
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Health technology assessment (HTA) is a cost-effective resource allocation tool in healthcare decision-making processes; however, its use is limited in low-income settings where countries fall short on both absorptive and technical capacity. This paper describes the journey of the introduction of HTA into decision-making processes through a case study revising the National Essential Medicines List (NEMLIT) in Tanzania. It draws lessons on establishing and strengthening transparent priority-setting processes, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

The concept of HTA was introduced in Tanzania through revision of the NEMLIT by identifying a process for using HTA criteria and evidence-informed decision making. Training was given on using economic evidence for decision making, which was then put into practice for medicine selection for the NEMLIT. During the revision process, capacity-building workshops were held with reinforcing messages on HTA.

Results

Between the period 2014 and 2018, HTA was introduced in Tanzania with a formal HTA committee being established and inaugurated followed by the successful completion and adoption of HTA into the NEMLIT revision process by the end of 2017. Consequently, the country is in the process of institutionalizing HTA for decision making and priority setting.

Conclusion

While the introduction of HTA process is country-specific, key lessons emerge that can provide an example to stakeholders in other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) wishing to introduce priority-setting processes into health decision making.
AN EXCEPTIONAL SAGE AND THE NEED FOR THE MESSENGER: THE POLITICS OF FIṬRA IN A 12TH-CENTURY TALE
Authors: von Doetinchem de Rande Raissa A.
Published: August 2019

This paper argues that Ibn Ṭufayl (d. 1185) in his Ḥayy ibn Yaqẓān offers a surprisingly intellectual reading of the term fiṭra (pl. fiṭar) and one that has significant consequences for our understanding of the story. We will see that at crucial junctures in the text, fiṭra emerges solely in an intellectual context, implying a gulf amongst humanity that defies common understandings of the term as egalitarian. This gulf, I argue, illuminates the political implications of the tale. For while he emphasizes the broad compatibility of the more established, revealed and the philosophical path recently arrived in Andalusia, Ibn Ṭufayl, with the help of fiṭra, shows that the philosophical life is one for the very few. Attention to Ibn Ṭufayl's use of fiṭra might thus explain one of his reasons for writing this tale for the court. Its overall message heightens the role of religion and tempers the political significance of philosophy in two ways: by arguing that only select individuals have the capacity to access truth independently from revelation; and by denying these exceptionally gifted the ability to communicate their findings to the masses.
Weak Dust Activity Near a Geologically Young Surface Revealed by Chang'E‐3 Mission
Authors: Yan Qi , Zhang Xiaoping , Xie Lianghai , Guo Dawei , Li Yong , Xu Yi , Xiao Zhiyong , Di Kaichang , Xiao Long
Published: August 2019

In spite of great scientific and engineering interests in lunar exploration, natural dust activity near the Moon surface remains unclear. According to distinct reflectance features of lunar rocks and regolith observed by Chang'E‐3 mission, long‐term dust activity near a young surface is quantified with a new method. We found that a dust deposition upper line on rocks is about 28 cm above the ground. Below this line, the quantity of dust deposits becomes smaller as the altitude ascends, whereas above the line, no visible or only negligible amount of dust is distributed on the rocks. This dust distribution pattern could be explained by dust electrostatic levitation process. The results indicate distinctively weak long‐term dust activity near the young surface and suggest possible selection of geologically young regions as landing sites or lunar bases to minimize the effect of dust grains.
First Evidence for Multiple‐Harmonic Standing Alfvén Waves in Jupiter's Equatorial Plasma Sheet
Authors: Manners H. , Masters A.
Published: August 2019

Quasiperiodic pulsations in the ultralow‐frequency band are ubiquitously observed in the Jovian magnetosphere, but their source and distribution have until now been a mystery. Standing Alfvén waves on magnetic field lines have been proposed to explain these pulsations and their large range in observed periods. However, in situ evidence in support of this mechanism has been scarce. Here we use magnetometer data from the Galileo spacecraft to report first evidence of a multiple‐harmonic ultralow‐frequency event in Jupiter's equatorial plasma sheet. The harmonic periods lie in the 4‐ to 22‐min range, and the nodal structure is confined to the plasma sheet. Polarization analysis reveals several elliptically polarized odd harmonics and no presence of even harmonics. The harmonic periods, their polarization, and the confinement of the wave to the plasma sheet are strong evidence supporting the standing Alfvén wave model. Multiple‐harmonic waves therefore potentially explain the full range of periods in quasiperiodic pulsations in Jupiter's magnetosphere.
Unified Parameterization of Convective Boundary Layer Transport and Clouds With the Thermal Plume Model
Authors: Hourdin Frédéric , Jam Arnaud , Rio Catherine , Couvreux Fleur , Sandu Irina , Lefebvre Marie‐Pierre , Brient Florent , Idelkadi Abderrahmane
Published: August 2019

The representation of stratocumulus clouds, and of the stratocumulus to cumulus transitions which are ubiquitous features of marine boundary layer clouds, remains a challenge for climate models. We show how a mass flux representation of boundary layer convective structures combined with an eddy diffusivity scheme, the “thermal plume model,” first developed to represent cumulus clouds, can also adequately simulate stratocumulus and the stratocumulus to cumulus transition in a climate model. To achieve this, the detrainment formulation, in which detrainment increases for increasing negative buoyancy, has to be slightly modified: the buoyancy of a thermal plume parcel of air is computed by comparing the virtual potential temperature θv,th of the parcel with that of the surrounding environment θv,env at a given distance above instead of at the same level. This is consistent with the picture of detrained air parcels that experience some overshoot and reach a final destination at a level lower than the one at which they effectively leave the cloud or organized convective plume. The impacts of this modification are documented both for selected cases of stratocumulus, in comparison with large‐eddy simulations, and in full 3‐D climate simulations, in comparison with satellite observations of cloud cover. The modified scheme provides a uniform treatment of the dry convective boundary layer, of cumulus clouds, of stratocumulus, and of the transition from stratocumulus to cumulus. It is included in the most recent version of the LMDZ atmospheric general circulation model.
Author Correction: Linc-DYNC2H1-4 promotes EMT and CSC phenotypes by acting as a sponge of miR-145 in pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Gao Yuran , Zhang Zhicheng , Li Kai , Gong Liying , Yang Qingzhu , Huang Xuemei , Hong Chengcheng , Ding Mingfeng , Yang Huanjie
Published: August 2019

After publication of this article, the below errors were noticed:

1. The SOX2 primer is incorrect in Table S2.

2. The Poly(T) adaptor sequence of reverse transcription for miR-145 detection is missing in Table S2.

This error did not impact the conclusions of the article. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience to the readers.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Publisher Correction: Chip-scale atomic diffractive optical elements
Authors: Stern Liron , Bopp Douglas G. , Schima Susan A. , Maurice Vincent N. , Kitching John E.
Published: August 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Magnetic field-temperature phase diagram of multiferroic (NH4)2FeCl5·H2O
Authors: Clune Amanda J. , Nam Jisoo , Lee Minseong , Hughey Kendall D. , Tian Wei , Fernandez-Baca Jaime A. , Fishman Randy S. , Singleton John , Lee Jun Hee , Musfeldt Janice L.
Published: August 2019

Owing to their overall low energy scales, flexible molecular architectures, and ease of chemical substitution, molecule-based multiferroics are extraordinarily responsive to external stimuli and exhibit remarkably rich phase diagrams. Even so, the stability and microscopic properties of various magnetic states in close proximity to quantum critical points are highly under-explored in these materials. Inspired by these opportunities, we combined pulsed-field magnetization, first-principles calculations, and numerical simulations to reveal the magnetic field–temperature (B–T) phase diagram of multiferroic (NH4)2FeCl5⋅H2O. In this system, a network of intermolecular hydrogen and halogen bonds creates a competing set of exchange interactions that generates additional structure in the phase diagram—both in the vicinity of the spin flop and near the 30 T transition to the fully saturated state. Consequently, the phase diagrams of (NH4)2FeCl5⋅H2O and its deuterated analog are much more complex than those of other molecule-based multiferroics. The entire series of coupled electric and magnetic transitions can be accessed with a powered magnet, opening the door to exploration and control of properties in this and related materials.
Characterization and its implication of a novel taste receptor detecting nutrients in the honey bee, Apis mellifera
Authors: Lim Sooho , Jung Jewon , Yunusbaev Ural , Ilyasov Rustem , Kwon Hyung Wook
Published: August 2019

Umami taste perception indicates the presence of amino acids, which are essential nutrients. Although the physiology of umami perception has been described in mammals, how insects detect amino acids remains unknown except in Drosophila melanogaster. We functionally characterized a gustatory receptor responding to L-amino acids in the western honey bee, Apis mellifera. Using a calcium-imaging assay and two-voltage clamp recording, we found that one of the honey bee’s gustatory receptors, AmGr10, functions as a broadly tuned amino acid receptor responding to glutamate, aspartate, asparagine, arginine, lysine, and glutamine, but not to other sweet or bitter compounds. Furthermore, the sensitivity of AmGr10 to these L-amino acids was dramatically enhanced by purine ribonucleotides, like inosine-5′-monophosphate (IMP). Contact sensory hairs in the mouthpart of the honey bee responded strongly to glutamate and aspartate, which house gustatory receptor neurons expressing AmGr10. Interestingly, AmGr10 protein is highly conserved among hymenopterans but not other insects, implying unique functions in eusocial insects.
Recent pace of change in human impact on the world’s ocean
Authors: Halpern Benjamin S. , Frazier Melanie , Afflerbach Jamie , Lowndes Julia S. , Micheli Fiorenza , O’Hara Casey , Scarborough Courtney , Selkoe Kimberly A.
Published: August 2019

Humans interact with the oceans in diverse and profound ways. The scope, magnitude, footprint and ultimate cumulative impacts of human activities can threaten ocean ecosystems and have changed over time, resulting in new challenges and threats to marine ecosystems. A fundamental gap in understanding how humanity is affecting the oceans is our limited knowledge about the pace of change in cumulative impact on ocean ecosystems from expanding human activities – and the patterns, locations and drivers of most significant change. To help address this, we combined high resolution, annual data on the intensity of 14 human stressors and their impact on 21 marine ecosystems over 11 years (2003–2013) to assess pace of change in cumulative impacts on global oceans, where and how much that pace differs across the ocean, and which stressors and their impacts contribute most to those changes. We found that most of the ocean (59%) is experiencing significantly increasing cumulative impact, in particular due to climate change but also from fishing, land-based pollution and shipping. Nearly all countries saw increases in cumulative impacts in their coastal waters, as did all ecosystems, with coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves at most risk. Mitigation of stressors most contributing to increases in overall cumulative impacts is urgently needed to sustain healthy oceans.
Direct test of the FLRW metric from strongly lensed gravitational wave observations
Authors: Cao Shuo , Qi Jingzhao , Cao Zhoujian , Biesiada Marek , Li Jin , Pan Yu , Zhu Zong-Hong
Published: August 2019

The assumptions of large-scale homogeneity and isotropy underly the familiar Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) metric that appears to be an accurate description of our Universe. In this paper, we propose a new strategy of testing the validity of the FLRW metric, based on the galactic-scale lensing systems where strongly lensed gravitational waves and their electromagnetic counterparts can be simultaneously detected. Each strong lensing system creates opportunity to infer the curvature parameter of the Universe. Consequently, combined analysis of many such systems will provide a model-independent tool to test the validity of the FLRW metric. Our study demonstrates that the third-generation ground based GW detectors, like the Einstein Telescope (ET) and space-based detectors, like the Big Bang Observer (BBO), are promising concerning determination of the curvature parameter or possible detection of deviation from the FLRW metric. Such accurate measurements of the FLRW metric can become a milestone in precision GW cosmology.
Role of Hydrogen Bonding in Green Fluorescent Protein-like Chromophore Emission
Authors: Yang Li , Nian Shifeng , Zhang Guozhen , Sharman Edward , Miao Hui , Zhang Xuepeng , Chen Xiaofeng , Luo Yi , Jiang Jun
Published: August 2019

The fluorescence emission from green fluorescent protein (GFP) is known to be heavily influenced by hydrogen bonding between the core fluorophore and the surrounding side chains or water molecules. Yet how to utilize this feature for modulating the fluorescence of GFP chromophore or GFP-like fluorophore still remains elusive. Here we present theoretical calculations to predict how hydrogen bonding could influence the excited states of the GFP-like fluorophores. These studies provide both a new perspective for understanding the photophysical properties of GFP as well as a solid basis for the rational design of GFP-based fluorophores.
Neutrophil extracellular traps and dsDNA predict outcomes among patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Liu Jing , Yang Dandan , Wang Xiqiang , Zhu Zhonghai , Wang Tingzhong , Ma Aiqun , Liu Ping
Published: August 2019

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) which have a potential role in noninfectious diseases, may play an important role in patients with acute coronary syndrome. The goal of this study was to investigate the association of NETs and in-hospital major adverse cardiac events among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Using immunofluorescence staining, ELISA, and fluorescent enzyme standard instrument, we assessed NETs and NETs-related factors. Multivariate analyses were performed after univariate analyses to investigate which variables were independently associated with major adverse cardiac events. Compared with peripheral arteries, we observed neutrophils obtained from infarct-related artery (IRA) releasing NETs. The dsDNA levels, NET-specific marker myeloperoxidase/deoxyribonucleic acid (MPO/DNA) complexes and NETs-related factor tissue factor were significantly higher in coronary plasma samples. Multivariate analysis that white cell counts and coronary dsDNA were independently associated with in-hospital major adverse cardiac events. ROC curve for coronary dsDNA showed sensitivity of 78.0% and specificity of 53% for the cut-off value of 0.39ug/ml. Conclusion, these results provide evidences indicating NETs were associated with STIM, and occurrence of adverse cardiac events.
Matrix Metalloproteinase Expressions Play Important role in Prediction of Ovarian Cancer Outcome
Authors: Wang Shujie , Jia Jia , Liu Dongyan , Wang Meng , Wang Zhen , Li Xueling , Wang Hongzhi , Rui Yong , Liu Zhirong , Guo Wei , Nie Jinfu , Dai Haiming
Published: August 2019

Ovarian cancer has a high death rate and is often not detected until late stages. While some studies found high expressions of MMPs correlated with cancer invasion, metastasis, and poor prognosis, however, several other studies indicated MMPs might inhibit cancer rather than promote cancer in certain situations. Thus, the role of different MMPs in different cancer types needs a systematic re-evaluation. In this study, we used RNA-Seq and corresponding clinical data downloaded from TCGA and analyzed the correlations between MMP expressions and the clinicopathologic characteristics and outcome in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OSC) patients. Among the MMPs investigated, MMP-3 was significantly increased in high-grade and high-stage tumors compared with low-grade and low-stage ones. Using univariate analysis and multivariate Cox model, high expressions of MMP-19 and -20 were found to associate with poor overall survival independent of clinicopathologic characteristics. Moreover, using in vitro studies, we found ovarian cancer cell lines with higher MMP-19 and -20 protein expressing levels were associated with anti-cancer drugs resistance, while knockdown of MMP-19 or -20 increased ovarian cancer cell sensitivities to several clinical using chemotherapy agents. Finally, knockdown of MMP-19 or -20 also decreased the invasion abilities of several ovarian cancer cell lines. These in vitro studies provided potential mechanisms of high MMP-19 and -20 expressions in the poor prognosis of ovarian cancer.
Distribution and relative age of endemism across islands worldwide
Authors: Veron Simon , Haevermans Thomas , Govaerts Rafaël , Mouchet Maud , Pellens Roseli
Published: August 2019

Islands have remarkable levels of endemism and contribute greatly to global biodiversity. Establishing the age of island endemics is important to gain insights into the processes that have shaped the biodiversity patterns of island biota. We investigated the relative age of monocots across islands worldwide, using different measures of phylogenetic endemism tested against null models. We compiled a species occurrence dataset across 4,306 islands, and identified 142 sites with neo-, paleo-, mixed and super-endemism. These sites were distributed across the world, although they tended to be more common at low latitudes. The most frequent types of endemism were mixed and super-endemism, which suggests that present-day island biodiversity has frequently been shaped by processes that took place at different points in times. We also identified the environmental factors that contributed most to different types of endemism; we found that latitude, habitat availability and climate stability had a significant impact on the persistence of ancient taxa and on recent diversification events. The islands identified here are irreplaceable both for the uniqueness and the evolutionary history of their flora, and because they are a source of “option values” and evolutionary potential. Therefore, our findings will help guide biodiversity conservation on a global scale.
Fecal microbiome and metabolome of infants fed bovine MFGM supplemented formula or standard formula with breast-fed infants as reference: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: He Xuan , Parenti Mariana , Grip Tove , Lönnerdal Bo , Timby Niklas , Domellöf Magnus , Hernell Olle , Slupsky Carolyn M.
Published: August 2019

Human milk delivers an array of bioactive components that safeguard infant growth and development and maintain healthy gut microbiota. Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) is a biologically functional fraction of milk increasingly linked to beneficial outcomes in infants through protection from pathogens, modulation of the immune system and improved neurodevelopment. In the present study, we characterized the fecal microbiome and metabolome of infants fed a bovine MFGM supplemented experimental formula (EF) and compared to infants fed standard formula (SF) and a breast-fed reference group. The impact of MFGM on the fecal microbiome was moderate; however, the fecal metabolome of EF-fed infants showed a significant reduction of several metabolites including lactate, succinate, amino acids and their derivatives from that of infants fed SF. Introduction of weaning food with either human milk or infant formula reduces the distinct characteristics of breast-fed- or formula-fed- like infant fecal microbiome and metabolome profiles. Our findings support the hypothesis that higher levels of protein in infant formula and the lack of human milk oligosaccharides promote a shift toward amino acid fermentation in the gut. MFGM may play a role in shaping gut microbial activity and function.
Molecular marker dissection of stem rust resistance in Nebraska bread wheat germplasm
Authors: Mourad Amira M. I. , Sallam Ahmed , Belamkar Vikas , Wegulo Stephen , Bai Guihua , Mahdy Ezzat , Bakheit Bahy , Abo El-Wafa Atif , Jin Yue , Baenziger P. Stephen
Published: August 2019

Stem rust (caused byPuccinia graminisf. sp.tritici) is a major disease of wheat. To understand the genetic basis of stem rust resistance in Nebraska winter wheat, a set of 330 genotypes representing two nurseries (DUP2015 and TRP2015) were evaluated for resistance to a Nebraska stem rust race (QFCSC) in two replications. The TRP2015 nursery was also evaluated for its resistance to an additional 13 stem rust races. The analysis of variance revealed significant variation among genotypes in both populations for stem rust resistance. Nine stem rust genes,Sr6,Sr31,Sr1RSAmigo,Sr24,Sr36,SrTmp,Sr7b,Sr9b, andSr38, were expected and genotyped using gene-specific markers. The results of genetic analysis confirmed the presence of seven stem rust resistance genes. One genotype (NE15680) contained targetalleles for five stem rust resistance genes and had a high level of stem rust resistance against different races. Single marker analysis indicated thatSr24andSr38were highly significantly associated with stem rust resistance in the DUP2015 and TRP2015 nurseries, respectively. Linkage disequilibrium analysis identified the presence of 17 SNPs in high linkage with theSr38-specific marker. These SNPs potentially tagging theSr38gene could be used in marker-assisted selection after validating them in additional genetic backgrounds.
Genomic approaches to identify hybrids and estimate admixture times in European wildcat populations
Authors: Mattucci Federica , Galaverni Marco , Lyons Leslie A. , Alves Paulo C. , Randi Ettore , Velli Edoardo , Pagani Luca , Caniglia Romolo
Published: August 2019

The survival of indigenous European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) populations can be locally threatened by introgressive hybridization with free-ranging domestic cats. Identifying pure wildcats and investigating the ancestry of admixed individuals becomes thus a conservation priority. We analyzed 63k cat Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) with multivariate, Bayesian and gene-search tools to better evaluate admixture levels between domestic and wild cats collected in Europe, timing and ancestry proportions of their hybrids and backcrosses, and track the origin (wild or domestic) of the genomic blocks carried by admixed cats, also looking for possible deviations from neutrality in their inheritance patterns. Small domestic ancestry blocks were detected in the genomes of most admixed cats, which likely originated from hybridization events occurring from 6 to 22 generations in the past. We identified about 1,900 outlier coding genes with excess of wild or domestic ancestry compared to random expectations in the admixed individuals. More than 600 outlier genes were significantly enriched for Gene Ontology (GO) categories mainly related to social behavior, functional and metabolic adaptive processes (wild-like genes), involved in cognition and neural crest development (domestic-like genes), or associated with immune system functions and lipid metabolism (parental-like genes). These kinds of genomic ancestry analyses could be reliably applied to unravel the admixture dynamics in European wildcats, as well as in other hybridizing populations, in order to design more efficient conservation plans.
iW-Net: an automatic and minimalistic interactive lung nodule segmentation deep network
Authors: Aresta Guilherme , Jacobs Colin , Araújo Teresa , Cunha António , Ramos Isabel , van Ginneken Bram , Campilho Aurélio
Published: August 2019

We propose iW-Net, a deep learning model that allows for both automatic and interactive segmentation of lung nodules in computed tomography images. iW-Net is composed of two blocks: the first one provides an automatic segmentation and the second one allows to correct it by analyzing 2 points introduced by the user in the nodule’s boundary. For this purpose, a physics inspired weight map that takes the user input into account is proposed, which is used both as a feature map and in the system’s loss function. Our approach is extensively evaluated on the public LIDC-IDRI dataset, where we achieve a state-of-the-art performance of 0.55 intersection over union vs the 0.59 inter-observer agreement. Also, we show that iW-Net allows to correct the segmentation of small nodules, essential for proper patient referral decision, as well as improve the segmentation of the challenging non-solid nodules and thus may be an important tool for increasing the early diagnosis of lung cancer.