bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Versatile Wood Cellulose for Biodegradable Electronics
Authors: Fang Zhiqiang , Zhang Huilong , Qiu Shuoyang , Kuang Yudi , Zhou Jie , Lan Yu , Sun Chuan , Li Guanhui , Gong Shaoqin , Ma Zhenqiang
Published: January 2021

Versatile wood cellulose, the most prototypical abundant polymer on earth, is considered a promising natural material for the fabrication of biodegradable electronics. The development of biodegradable electronics may help alleviate the adverse environmental impact caused by the fast‐growing electronic waste (e‐waste). The focus of this review is to discuss recent major advances in biodegradable electronics with versatile wood cellulose in terms of supporting substrates and functional components. First, the biological biodegradation and structural hierarchy of versatile wood cellulose is briefly introduced, followed by highlighting three types of cellulose substrates (opaque and hazy cellulose paper, transparent and clear cellulose film, and transparent and hazy cellulose film) for biodegradable electronics. Then, recent progress and research achievements in the use of versatile wood cellulose with multiscale dimensions in biodegradable electronics as a functional component (e.g., advanced light management layer, high capacitance dielectric, and ionic conductor) or even smart materials (e.g., mechanochromic layer, humidity sensing layer, adaptable adhesive layer, and piezoelectric component) are summarized in detail. Finally, an overview of challenges and perspectives for biodegradable electronics with versatile cellulose is provided.
Advances in Transparent Planar Optics: Enabling Large Aperture, Ultrathin Lenses
Authors: Tabiryan Nelson V. , Roberts David E. , Liao Zhi , Hwang Jeoung‐Yeon , Moran Mark , Ouskova Olena , Pshenichnyi Andrii , Sigley Justin , Tabirian Anna , Vergara Rafael , De Sio Luciano , Kimball Brian R. , Steeves Diane M. , Slagle Jonathan , McConney Michael E. , Bunning Timothy J.
Published: January 2021

Unlike electronics, optics do not follow Moore's law. This statement, expressed by Microsoft's Bernard Kress, refers to the hard challenges to solve in augmented reality hardware. While light sources have undergone numerous revolutions from candles to light emitting diodes, the evolution in transparent optics has been much slower. For transparent materials, variation of the shape, bulk refractive index, and/or its distribution leads to control of the transmitted beam in an optical system. An alternative, the control of the optical axis orientation in an anisotropic material in transparent micrometer‐thin films on a variety of substrates, is explored here. In contrast to metamaterials, these diffractive waveplates have a continuous structure allowing multilayer/multifunctional planar optical systems with close to 100% efficiency across broad bands of wavelengths (ultraviolet to infrared) with customizable spectra. The low‐cost and fast fabrication technology of this fourth generation of optics is scalable to very large aperture sizes. In addition to wearable adaptive optics, the technology enables thin and compact non‐mechanical fast beam steering systems for light detection and ultralight space telescopes. This review will first serve as an introduction to these unique transparent, planar optical films, and then recent advances enabled by specific optical designs will be presented.
Sustainable and Multifunctional Composites of Graphene‐Based Natural Jute Fibers
Authors: Karim Nazmul , Sarker Forkan , Afroj Shaila , Zhang Minglonghai , Potluri Prasad , Novoselov Kostya S.
Published: January 2021

Smart and sustainable natural fiber‐based composites are of great interest due to their biodegradability, recyclability, and environmental benefits over synthetic fiber composites. In addition, the environmental impact of plastics and synthetic fibers are widespread and substantial, as they can stay in the environment for hundreds of years and contribute significantly to global carbon emissions. Natural fibers such as jute can potentially replace synthetic fibers to manufacture environmentally sustainable, biodegradable, and lightweight composites with improved properties, good thermal and acoustic insulation, and a smaller carbon footprint. However, natural jute fiber‐based composites suffer not only from poor mechanical properties but also being inherently electrically insulating, which limits their applications as multifunctional composites. Here multi‐functional and environmentally sustainable smart composites of graphene‐based natural jute fibers with excellent tensile and interfacial properties are reported. The reduced graphene oxide‐based natural jute fiber enhance the Young's modulus of the composites by ≈450%, and tensile strength by ≈183% after physical and chemical treatment. Such high‐performance composites can also be used as multifunctional smart composites, as demonstrated by effective electro‐magnetic interference shielding performance. This may lead to manufacturing of next generation smart, strong, and sustainable natural fiber composites for high performance engineering applications without conferring environmental problems.
Highly Selective Non‐Covalent On‐Chip Functionalization of Layered Materials
Authors: Tilmann Rita , Weiß Corinna , Cullen Conor P. , Peters Lisanne , Hartwig Oliver , Höltgen Laura , Stimpel‐Lindner Tanja , Knirsch Kathrin C. , McEvoy Niall , Hirsch Andreas , Duesberg Georg S.
Published: January 2021

Non‐covalent functionalization of layered 2D materials is an essential tool to modify and fully harness their optical, electrical, and chemical properties. Herein, a facile method enabling the selective formation of self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of perylene bisimide (PBI) on transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), directly on the growth substrate (on‐chip), is presented. Laterally‐resolved infrared atomic force microscopy (AFM‐IR) and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS) are applied as superior techniques to gain detailed information beyond traditional surface analysis techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy and AFM, on TMD/PBI structures. The highly selective functionalization conducted in organic solution on MoS2 and WSe2 opens up a pathway to controllable, versatile functionalization of layered materials, which is highly sought after for its potential in passivation, tuning of properties and applications in optics, electronics, and (bio‐) sensing.
Recent Progress in 2D Catalysts for Photocatalytic and Electrocatalytic Artificial Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia
Authors: Zhang Guoqiang , Li Yongliang , He Chuanxin , Ren Xiangzhong , Zhang Peixin , Mi Hongwei
Published: January 2021

Photocatalytic and electrocatalytic N2 reduction reactions (N2RR) for NH3 synthesis from abundant N2, H2O, solar energy, and renewable electricity is very attractive. 2D catalysts, including photocatalysts (TiO2, Bismuth‐based materials, layered double hydroxides (LDHs), carbon nitride, Fe@Graphene, MoS2 et al.) and electrocatalysts (metal, graphene, carbon, boron nitride (BN), boron carbide (B4C), black phosphorus (BP), boron, transition‐metal oxide/sulfide/nitride/phosphide), have emerged as promising candidates for N2RR due to their unique physical, chemical and electronic properties. Compared with their bulk counterparts, 2D catalysts usually possess the shortened carrier diffusion pathways, higher specific surface areas and conductivity, more vacancy‐type defects as well as exposed edge sites, which is beneficial to the separation of photogenerated carriers, and the adsorption and activation of N2 molecules. This review highlights the recent progress and developments in 2D catalysts for photocatalytic and electrocatalytic N2RR for the first time. First, the prospects for photocatalytic and electrocatalytic N2RR for NH3 synthesis, and the advantages of 2D catalysts are briefly introduced. Second, the application of 2D catalysts for N2 photoreduction and electroreduction is systematically summarized. Finally, the major challenges and future outlook of this burgeoning area are provided.
Interfacial Chemical Bond‐Modulated Z‐Scheme Charge Transfer for Efficient Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Xu Weiwei , Tian Wei , Meng Linxing , Cao Fengren , Li Liang
Published: January 2021

The Z‐scheme heterojunction has great potential in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting due to its unique charge‐carrier migration pathway, superior carrier separation efficiency, and high redox capacity, but how to regulate the Z‐scheme charge transfer at the nanometric interface of heterostructures still remains a big challenge. Herein, InOCd bond is rationally introduced at the interface between ZnIn2S4 nanosheets and CdS nanoparticles through a facile cation exchange reaction, which successfully converts the previously reported type II band structure to a direct Z‐scheme heterojunction (ZnIn2S4/CdS) as confirmed by various characterizations. Density functional theory calculation reveals that the InOCd interfacial chemical bond significantly uplifts the Fermi level of ZnIn2S4 and CdS, inverts the interfacial band bending direction, thus resulting in the formation of Z‐scheme heterojunction. Moreover, an amorphous ZnO overlayer is deposited to eliminate the surface defects and accelerate the surface reaction kinetics. Benefiting from the superior charge separation efficiency and high redox ability originating from the Z‐scheme structure, the optimum ZnIn2S4/CdS/ZnO photoanode exhibits a dramatically enhanced PEC performance with low onset potential (−0.03 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode, VRHE) and large photocurrent of 3.48 mA cm−2 at 1.23 VRHE, which is about 21.75 times that of pristine ZnIn2S4.
Modulation of Morphological, Mechanical, and Photovoltaic Properties of Ternary Organic Photovoltaic Blends for Optimum Operation
Authors: Peng Zhongxiang , Jiang Kui , Qin Yunpeng , Li Miaomiao , Balar Nrup , O'Connor Brendan T. , Ade Harald , Ye Long , Geng Yanhou
Published: January 2021

Ternary solar cells comprising both fullerene and nonfullerene acceptors have shown a rapid increase in power conversion efficiency, which holds promise in commercial applications. Despite the rapid progress, there is still a lack of fundamental understanding of the relations between microstructure and (photovoltaic/mechanical) properties in these ternary blend systems. In this work, the dependence of molecular packing, phase separation, mechanical properties, and photovoltaic performance on acceptor composition of a recently certificated ternary system is thoroughly investigated by combined scattering and microscopy characterizations. It is demonstrated that incorporating a small amount (20% by weight) PC71BM to the PM6:N3 binary blend can afford the best device efficiency and the highest ductility simultaneously. This maximum performance is due to the optimized molecular order, orientational texture, and phase separation. Additionally, increasing the amount of PC71BM results in higher elastic modulus, as probed by two distinct methods. A more crucial observation is that the elastic modulus of ternary blends can be well captured by an extended Halpin–Tsai model. This finding is expected to enable the prediction of the elastic modulus of various kinds of ternary blends that are widely used in solar cells and other electronics.
Breaking through permeability–selectivity trade‐off of thin‐film composite membranes assisted with crown ethers
Authors: Shen Liang , Yi Ming , Japip Susilo , Han Chao , Tian Lian , Lau Cher Hon , Wang Yan
Published: January 2021

In this study, we deployed a modified interfacial polymerization process to incorporate multifunctional crown ethers (CEs) into thin‐film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes. CE additives acted as both the phase‐transfer catalyst and co‐solvent to facilitate the diffusion of amine monomers into the organic phase via interacting with amine monomers (form the host‐guest inclusion complex), and enhanced the free volume content of the selective layer, therefore facilitating water transport and inhibiting the diffusion of salt ions. Various characterization techniques were employed to elucidate the modification mechanism as a function of CE chemical and physical properties on the microstructure of resultant TFC membranes and consequently separation performances. Compared to TFC membranes produced from traditional interfacial polymerization method, CE‐modified membranes exhibited a 146% water flux enhancement and 59% lower reverse salt fluxes with a suitable draw solution. CE‐modified membranes also showed the improved antifouling behavior and chemical stability in various harsh conditions.
Phylogenetic signatures of ecological divergence and leapfrog adaptive radiation inEspeletia
Authors: Pouchon Charles , Lavergne Sébastien , Fernández Ángel , Alberti Adriana , Aubert Serge , Mavárez Jesús
Published: January 2021

PREMISE

Events of accelerated species diversification represent one of Earth’s most celebrated evolutionary outcomes. Northern Andean high‐elevation ecosystems, or páramos, host some plant lineages that have experienced the fastest diversification rates, likely triggered by ecological opportunities created by mountain uplifts, local climate shifts, and key trait innovations. However, the mechanisms behind rapid speciation into the new adaptive zone provided by these opportunities have long remained unclear.

METHODS

We address this issue by studying the Venezuelan clade ofEspeletia, a species‐rich group of páramo‐endemics showing a dazzling ecological and morphological diversity. We performed several comparative analyses to study both lineage and trait diversification, using an updated molecular phylogeny of this plant group.

RESULTS

We showed that sets of either vegetative or reproductive traits have conjointly diversified inEspeletiaalong different vegetation belts, leading to adaptive syndromes. Diversification in vegetative traits occurred earlier than in reproductive ones. The rate of species and morphological diversification showed a tendency to slow down over time, probably due to diversity dependence. We also found that closely related species exhibit significantly more overlap in their geographic distributions than distantly related taxa, suggesting that most events of ecological divergence occurred at close geographic proximity within páramos.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide compelling support for a scenario of small‐scale ecological divergence along multiple ecological niche dimensions, possibly driven by competitive interactions between species, and acting sequentially over time in a leapfrog pattern.
SCYL1 disease and liver transplantation diagnosed by reanalysis of exome sequencing and deletion/duplication analysis of SCYL1
Authors: McNiven Vanda , Gattini Daniela , Siddiqui Iram , Pelletier Stephane , Brill Herbert , Avitzur Yaron , Mercimek‐Andrews Saadet
Published: January 2021

SCYL1 disease results from biallelic pathogenic variants in SCYL1. We report two new patients with severe hepatic phenotype requiring liver transplantation. Patient charts reviewed. DNA samples and skin fibroblasts were utilized. Literature was reviewed. 13‐year‐old boy and 9‐year‐old girl siblings had acute liver insufficiency and underwent living related donor liver transplantation in infancy with no genetic diagnosis. Both had tremor, global developmental delay, and cognitive dysfunction during their follow‐up in the medical genetic clinic for diagnostic investigations after their liver transplantation. Exome sequencing identified a likely pathogenic variant (c.399delC; p.Asn133Lysfs*136) in SCYL1. Deletion/duplication analysis of SCYL1 identified deletions of exons 7–8 in Patient 1. Both variants were confirmed in Patient 2 and the diagnosis of SCYL1 disease was confirmed in both patients at the age of 13 and 9 years, respectively. SCYL1 protein was not expressed in both patients' fibroblast using western blot analysis. Sixteen patients with SCYL1 disease reported in the literature. Liver phenotype (n = 16), neurological phenotype (n = 13) and skeletal phenotype (n = 11) were present. Both siblings required liver transplantation in infancy and had variable phenotypes. Exome sequencing may miss the diagnosis and phenotyping of patients can help to diagnose patients.
Computational fluid dynamics simulation wall model predicting air temperature of the nasal passage for nonhuman primates
Authors: Mori Futoshi , Kaneko Akihisa , Matsuzawa Teruo , Nishimura Takeshi
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Nasal passages adjust the temperature of inhaled air to reach the required body temperature for the lungs. The nasal regions of primates including humans are believed to have experienced anatomical modifications that are adaptive to effective conditioning of the atmospheric air in the habitat for a given species. Measurements of the nasal temperature are required to understand the air‐conditioning performance for a given species. Unfortunately, repeated direct measurements within the nasal passage have been technically precluded in most nonhuman primates.

Materials and methods

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is a potential approach for examining the temperature profile in the nasal passage without any direct measurements. The CFD simulation model mainly comprises a computational model to simulate physiological mechanisms and a wall model to simulate the nasal passage's anatomical and physical properties. We used a computational model developed for humans and examined corrections for the developed wall model based on human properties for predicting its performance in Japanese macaques.

Results

This study confirmed that the epithelium layer thickness of the wall model affects the accuracy of the predictions for macaques. A convenient correction of the thickness based on body mass allows us to simulate the actual air temperature profile in macaques' nasal passage.

Discussion

The CFD simulations of the wall model corrected with body mass can be applied to other nonhuman primates and mammals. This convenient corrective approach allows us to examine the functional contributions of a specific morphology to the air‐conditioning performance without any direct measurements to improve our understanding of primates' functional morphology and physical adaptations to the temperature environment in their habitat.
Synthese und Hydrierung schwerer Homologe eines Rhodium‐Carbins: [(Me3P)2(Ph3P)Rh≡E‐Ar*] (E=Sn, Pb)
Authors: Widemann Max , Eichele Klaus , Schubert Hartmut , Sindlinger Christian P. , Klenner Steffen , Pöttgen Rainer , Wesemann Lars
Published: January 2021

Die Tetrylidine [(Me3P)2(Ph3P)Rh≡SnAr*] (10) und [(Me3P)2(Ph3P)Rh≡PbAr*] (11) wurden erstmalig über eine Dehydrierung der Dihydride [(Ph3P)2RhH2SnAr*] (3) und [(Ph3P)2RhH2PbAr*] (7) (Ar*=2,6‐Trip2C6H3, Trip=2,4,6‐Triisopropylphenyl) erhalten. Das Zinn‐Dihydrid 3 wurde entweder durch eine Reaktion des Dihydrostannats [Ar*SnH2]− mit [(Ph3P)3RhCl] oder durch Reaktion zwischen den Hydriden [(Ph3P)3RhH] und
 [(Ar*SnH)2] synthetisiert. Das homologe Bleihydrid [(Ph3P)2RhH2PbAr*] (7) war analog aus [(Ph3P)3RhH] und
 [(Ar*PbH)2] zugänglich. Die Eliminierung von Wasserstoff aus 3 und 7 mittels Styrol und anschließende Addition von Trimethylphosphan liefert die Tetrylidine 10 und 11. Das Stannylidin 10 wurde auch durch 119Sn‐Mössbauer‐Spektroskopie charakterisiert. Die Hydrierung dieser Dreifachbindungen mit überstöchiometrischen Mengen Wasserstoff bei Raumtemperatur liefert das cis‐Dihydrid [(Me3P)2(Ph3P)RhH2PbAr*] (12) und das Tetrahydrid [(Me3P)2(Ph3P)RhH2SnH2Ar*] (14). Komplex 14 eliminiert bei Raumtemperatur spontan ein Äquivalent Wasserstoff unter Bildung des Dihydrids [(Me3P)2(Ph3P)RhH2SnAr*] (13). Die Wasserstoffaddition und ‐eliminierung am Stannylen‐Zinnatom zwischen Komplex 13 und 14 ist bei Raumtemperatur reversibel.
Kupplung von Reformatsky‐Reagenzien und Arylchloriden ermöglicht durch Ylid‐funktionalisierte Phosphanliganden
Authors: Hu Zhiyong , Wei Xiao‐Jing , Handelmann Jens , Seitz Ann‐Katrin , Rodstein Ilja , Gessner Viktoria H. , Gooßen Lukas J.
Published: January 2021

Die Kupplung von Arylchloriden mit Reformatsky‐Reagenzien ist eine erfolgversprechende, aber auch herausfordernde Strategie für die Synthese von α‐Arylestern. So schränken diverse Nebenreaktionen ihre Anwendungsbreite erheblich ein. Die Limitierungen wurden nun durch die Anpassung von Ylid‐funktionalisierten Phosphanen speziell auf die Anforderungen solcher Negishi‐Kupplungen überwunden. Durch Verwendung eines Cyclohexyl‐YPhos‐Liganden, der einen ortho‐Tolyl‐Substituenten am Ylid‐Grundgerüst trägt, wurden Rekordaktivitäten bei Palladium‐katalysierten Arylierungen von Organozink‐Reagenzien mit Arylelektrophilen erzielt. Dieser sehr elektronenreiche, sterisch anspruchsvolle Ligand ermöglicht die Verwendung von Arylchloriden in Kupplungen mit Reformatsky‐Reagenzien bei Raumtemperatur. Die Anwendungsbreite umfasst vielfältig funktionalisierte Arylessig‐ und Arylpropionsäurederivate. Arylbromide und ‐chloride können selektiv gegenüber Triflat‐Elektrophilen umgesetzt werden, was konsekutive Kupplungsstrategien ermöglicht.
Na3SO4H – ein erster Vertreter der Materialklasse der Sulfathydride
Authors: Mutschke Alexander , Bernard Guy M. , Bertmer Marko , Karttunen Antti J. , Ritter Clemens , Michaelis Vladimir K. , Kunkel Nathalie
Published: January 2021

Die ersten Vertreter einer neuen Klasse gemischt‐anionischer Verbindungen, das Sulfathydrid Na3SO4H und das entsprechende Deuterid Na3SO4D, werden durch die Festkörperreaktion von NaH bzw. NaD mit trockenem Na2SO4 erhalten. Hierfür wird eine genaue Reaktionskontrolle benötigt, da zu harsche Reaktionsbedingungen zur Reduktion des Sulfats zum Sulfid führen. Eine kombinierte Auswertung von Röntgen‐ und Neutronendiffraktometrie zeigt, dass die Verbindung tetragonal mit der Raumgruppe P4/nmm und den Zellparametern a=7.0034(2) Å and c=4.8569(2) Å kristallisiert. Die alleinige Anwesenheit von Hydridionen und die Abwesenheit von Hydroxidionen wird durch Schwingungsspektroskopie im Vergleich zu Spektren, erhalten durch quantenchemische Berechnungen, bewiesen. 1H‐ und 23Na‐Festkörper‐NMR‐Spektren entsprechen der Struktur von Na3SO4H: ein 1H‐Signal bei 2.9 ppm sowie zwei Signale bei 15.0 und 6.2 ppm für zwei ungleiche 23Na‐Positionen. Zusätzlich stützen Elementaranalyse und quantenchemische Berechnungen die experimentellen Befunde.
Australian sperm whales from different whaling stocks belong to the same population
Authors: Day Joanna , Power David , Gales Rosemary , Bannister John , Piggott Maxine P. , Bilgmann Kerstin , Harcourt Robert , Beheregaray Luciano B. , Möller Luciana M.
Published: January 2021

Understanding the factors driving population structure in marine mammals is needed to evaluate the impacts of previous exploitation, current anthropogenic threats, conservation status, and success of population recovery efforts.

Sperm whales are characterized by a worldwide distribution, low genetic diversity, complex patterns of social and genetic structure that differ significantly within and between ocean basins, and a long history of being commercially whaled. In Australia, sperm whales from the (International Whaling Commission assigned) southern hemisphere ‘Division 5’ stock were very heavily exploited by whaling.

The present study assessed the potential effects of whaling on the genetic diversity of sperm whales in Australia and the population genetic structure of these whales within a global context. A combination of historical and contemporary sperm whale samples (n = 157) were analysed across six regions, from south‐eastern Australia (‘Division 6’ stock in the Pacific Ocean) to south‐western Australia (‘Division 5’ stock in the Indian Ocean).

Sperm whales sampled from the ‘Division 5’ and ‘Division 6’ stocks belong to the same population based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analyses. Four novel sperm whale mtDNA haplotypes were identified in animals from Australian waters. Levels of genetic diversity were low in Australian sperm whales but were similar to those previously reported for populations in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Given the genetic distinctiveness of sperm whales in Australian waters from other regions in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and the lack of recovery in population numbers, further scientific studies are needed to increase our understanding of population dynamics and the effectiveness of threat management strategies in this species.
The so‐called foramen singulare in cetacean periotics is actually the superior vestibular area
Authors: Ichishima Hiroto , Kawabe Soichiro , Sawamura Hiroshi
Published: January 2021

It is nearly 100 years ago that the “foramen singulare” was first identified in cetacean periotics. Since then, the “foramen singulare” has been recognized in periotics of many cetacean species, extant or extinct. Surprisingly, however, it has never been confirmed if the foramen singulare in cetacean periotics is really homologous to that in other mammals. It is known that in mammals including humans the posterior ampullary nerve, which innervates the posterior semicircular duct, passes through the foramen singulare. We use an X‐ray micro‐CT scan to examine endocasts of the bony labyrinth of the inner ear of cetacean periotics, showing that the osseous canal extending from the so‐called foramen singulare goes toward the anterior bony ampulla, meaning that the alleged foramen singulare in cetacean periotics is really the superior vestibular area, through which the utriculoampullary nerve enters. The transverse crest is quite significant to identify each quadrant of the fundus of the internal acoustic meatus, but in many cetacean species the transverse crest is poorly developed, almost imperceptible in some species, and this could have brought confusion into the interpretation over the superior vestibular area and the foramen singulare. The bony septum separating the cerebral aperture of the facial canal from the foramen singulare is not the transverse crest, but the perpendicular crest. The foramen singulare is not a distinct foramen separated from the inferior vestibular area. Instead, the true foramen singulare opens near the inferior vestibular area in the internal acoustic meatus in cetacean periotics.
Machine learning techniques in nested stochastic simulations for life insurance
Authors: Castellani Gilberto , Fiore Ugo , Marino Zelda , Passalacqua Luca , Perla Francesca , Scognamiglio Salvatore , Zanetti Paolo
Published: January 2021

The insurance regulatory regime introduced in the European Union by the “Solvency II” Directive 2009/138, that has become applicable on 1 January 2016, is aimed to safeguard policyholders and beneficiaries by requiring insurance undertakings to hold own funds able to cover losses, in excess to the expected ones, at the 99.5% confidence level, over a 1‐year period. In order to assess risks and evaluate the regulatory Solvency Capital Requirement, undertakings should compute the probability distribution of the Net Asset Value over a 1‐year period, with a financially inspiredmarket consistentapproach. In life insurance, given the peculiarities of the contracts, the valuation of the Net Asset Value distribution requires anested Monte Carlosimulation, which is extremely time‐consuming. Machine learning techniques are considered a promising candidate to reduce the computational burden of nested simulations. This work investigates the potential of well‐established methods, such asdeep learning networksandsupport vector regressors, when applied to the valuation of the Solvency Capital Requirement ofparticipating life insurance policies, by empirically assessing their effectiveness and by comparing their efficiency and accuracy, also w.r.t. the “traditional”least squares Monte Carlotechnique. The work aims also to contribute to the global process of renewal of the European insurance industry, where Solvency II has made the board of directors fully responsible of the choice of evaluation techniques and algorithmic processes, under the periodic monitoring of national supervisory authorities.
Fluorouracil uptake in triple‐negative breast cancer cells: Negligible contribution of equilibrative nucleoside transporters 1 and 2
Authors: Noguchi Saki , Takagi Akinori , Tanaka Takahiro , Takahashi Yu , Pan Xiaole , Kibayashi Yuka , Mizokami Ryo , Nishimura Tomohiro , Tomi Masatoshi
Published: January 2021

Equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) 1 and 2 reportedly accept fluorouracil as a substrate. Here, we evaluated ENT1/2 expression at the messenger RNA (mRNA), protein, and functional levels in a panel of four triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, BT‐549, Hs578T, MDA‐MB‐231, and MDA‐MB‐435, and we examined the relationship of the observed profiles to fluorouracil sensitivity. Nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR) at 0.1 μM inhibits only ENT1, while dipyridamole at 10 μM or NBMPR at 100 μM inhibits both ENT1 and ENT2. We found that the uptake of [3H]uridine, a typical substrate of ENT1 and ENT2, was decreased to approximately 40% by 0.1 μM NBMPR. At 100 μM, NBMPR almost completely blocked the saturable uptake of [3H]uridine, but this does not imply a functional role of ENT2, because 10 μM dipyridamole showed similar inhibition to 0.1 μM NBMPR. Expression of ENT1 mRNA was almost 1 order of magnitude higher than that of ENT2 in all TNBC cell lines. Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry(LC‐MS/MS) LC‐MS/MS‐based targeted protein quantification showed that ENT1 protein levels were in the range of 9.3–30 fmol/μg protein in plasma membrane fraction of TNBC cell lines, whereas ENT2 protein was below the detection limit. [3H]Fluorouracil uptake was insensitive to 0.1 μM NBMPR and 10 μM dipyridamole, suggesting a negligible contribution of ENT1 and ENT2 to fluorouracil uptake. The levels of ENT1 mRNA, ENT1 protein, ENT2 mRNA, and ENT1‐mediated [3H]uridine uptake in the four TNBC cell lines showed no correlation with fluorouracil sensitivity. These results indicate that neither ENT1 nor ENT2 contributes significantly to the fluorouracil sensitivity of TNBC cell lines.
Toward Conceptualizing Student Outcomes in Undergraduate Field Programs and Employer Expectations for Field Positions
Authors: Alwin Ajisha , Geleta Yostina , Mourad Teresa
Published: January 2021

A key outcome of an effective undergraduate experience is for students to gain disciplinary knowledge and develop a range of skills and habits of mind that prepare them for career success. In 2018, the Ecological Society of America (ESA) entered into an agreement with the US Geological Survey (USGS) to recruit students and recent graduates and place them into field ecology/biology internship positions at research sites across the United States. This paper focuses on field research jobs and presents a literature review to gain an understanding of workforce development issues and preliminary perspectives on critical skills in which employers might be interested. This paper is based on a case study of one employer (USGS) and investigates the potential alignment between employer expectations, field training, and perceived student outcomes. To conceptualize new graduates’ readiness and employer expectations, we identified a set of skill categories sought by field research sites. We did this by analyzing the job descriptions available through the 2019 ESA/USGS Cooperative Summer Internship Program and prior literature. These categories were incorporated into a new post‐internship student survey that was used to collect data from students. We found a potential gap in some transferable skills in both fieldwork and office work expected by employers and those offered by undergraduate field training programs. This could be explored in future studies involving a more extensive set of employers who seek to hire students with field ecology/biology skills.
Mapping the orbitofrontal cortex using temporal fluctuations in cerebral blood flow
Authors: Petersen Kalen J. , Donahue Manus J. , Claassen Daniel O.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is involved in diverse cognitive and behavioral processes including incentive valuation, decision‐making, and reinforcement learning. Anatomic and cytoarchitectonic studies divide the OFC along both medial‐lateral and rostral‐caudal axes. OFC regions diverge in structure and function, assessed in vivo using white matter tractography and blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) MRI, respectively. However, interpretation of T2*‐weighted BOLD is limited by susceptibility artifacts in the inferior frontal lobes, with the spatial pattern of these artifacts frequently assuming the geometry of OFC organization. Here, we utilize a novel perfusion‐weighted arterial spin labeling (ASL) functional connectivity approach, which is minimally susceptibility‐weighted, to test the hypothesis that OFC topology reflects correlated temporal hemodynamic activity.

Methods

In healthy participants (n = 20; age = 29.5 ± 7.3), 3D ASL scans were acquired (TR/TE = 3,900/13 ms; spatial resolution = 3.8 mm isotropic). To evaluate reproducibility, follow‐up scanning on a separate day was performed on a participant subset (n = 8). ASL‐based connectivity was modeled for gray matter OFC voxels, and k‐means clustering (k = 2–8) applied to correlation statistics.

Results

These approaches revealed both medial‐lateral and rostral‐caudal OFC divisions, confirming our hypothesis. Longitudinal reproducibility testing revealed 84% voxel clustering agreement between sessions for the k = 2 solution.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this constitutes the first in vivo cortical parcellation based on perfusion fluctuations. Our approach confirms functional OFC subdivisions predicted from anatomy using a less susceptibility‐sensitive method than the conventional approach.
Relation of retinal and hippocampal thickness in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and healthy controls
Authors: Donix Markus , Wittig Dierk , Hermann Wiebke , Haussmann Robert , Dittmer Maren , Bienert Franziska , Buthut Maria , Jacobi Liane , Werner Annett , Linn Jennifer , Ziemssen Tjalf , Brandt Moritz D.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Investigating retinal thickness may complement existing biological markers for dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Although retinal thinning is predictive for cognitive decline, it remains to be investigated if and how this feature aligns with neurodegeneration elsewhere in the brain, specifically in early disease stages.

Methods

Using optical coherence tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, we examined retinal thickness as well as hippocampal structure in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and healthy controls.

Results

The groups did not differ in hippocampal and retinal thickness measures. However, we detected a correlation of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and hippocampal thickness in healthy people but not in cognitively impaired patients. The ratio of hippocampus to retina thickness was significantly smaller in patients with mild cognitive impairment and correlated positively with cognitive performance.

Conclusions

Different temporal trajectories of neurodegeneration may disrupt transregional brain structure associations in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
Temporomandibular joint anatomy: Ultrasonographic appearances and sexual dimorphism
Authors: Thirunavukarasu Arun J. , Ferro Ashley , Sardesai Anand , Biyani Ghansham , Dubb Sukhpreet Singh , Brassett Cecilia , Hamilton Duncan L.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is common, with a greater prevalence in females. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used for clinical investigation, ultrasonography represents a potential alternative in some clinical scenarios. We designed a protocol for ultrasonographic evaluation of the TMJ and assessed its reliability. Presentation was compared between the sexes to establish whether an anatomical dichotomy underlies the female preponderance of TMJ dysfunction.

Materials and methods

Ultrasound imaging of the TMJ was carried out in the longitudinal and oblique planes. Standard images were produced using model skulls and healthy volunteers. Measurements were made between the temporal bone, mandibular condyle, joint capsule and overlying skin, as well as of condylar translation during mouth opening. Both joints were scanned in 50 healthy volunteers. Measurements were repeated to evaluate reliability. A novel classification system was used to assess lateral condylar morphology.

Results

The protocol facilitated reliable visualization of key anatomical features of the TMJ (average intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.75,  = 5.4E‐03). Distribution of condylar morphology differed between the sexes. The capsular‐cutaneous distance (‘joint depth’) and condylar‐temporal bone distance (‘interarticular distance’) were significantly greater in males than in females.

Conclusions

Ultrasonography provides reliable views of the TMJ in two planes: longitudinal and oblique. Observed sexual dimorphism in TMJ anatomy might be associated with the female preponderance of dysfunction. With a standardized scanning protocol, ultrasound could provide a rapid, cost‐effective alternative to MRI as a point‐of‐care imaging tool in TMJ clinics.
Significant elevation of free itraconazole concentration at onset of adverse effects: A case report
Authors: Tanaka Ryota , Suzuki Yosuke , Matsumoto Hiroyuki , Yamasue Mari , Umeki Kenji , Hashinaga Kazuhiko , Tatsuta Ryosuke , Hiramatsu Kazufumi , Kamei Katsuhiko , Kadota Jun‐ichi , Itoh Hiroki
Published: January 2021

Free itraconazole and hydroxyitraconazole concentrations were markedly elevated despite almost no changes in total concentrations when itraconazole was discontinued due to adverse effects. Elevated free itraconazole concentration may have a causal relationship with the development of adverse effects.
Robo‐advisors and the growth of index‐fund governance
Authors: Musto David K.
Published: January 2021

The votes that come with equities barely figure in retail investment decisions, especially the decisions aided by robo‐advisors. This low profile is consistent with the tiny effect a retail investor's votes would have, if she took them seriously. But despite this disinterest in voting implications, or possibly because of it, recent trends in retail investment decisions are reshaping the corporate‐governance landscape by creating new and different blocks of voting power. In this paper I review the relevant trends and consider the implications for public corporations.
Reversible Speed Regulation of Self‐Propelled Janus Micromotors via Thermoresponsive Bottle‐Brush Polymers
Authors: Fiedler Christine , Ulbricht Christoph , Truglas Tia , Wielend Dominik , Bednorz Mateusz , Groiss Heiko , Brüggemann Oliver , Teasdale Ian , Salinas Yolanda
Published: January 2021

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Ian Teasdale and Yolanda Salinas at the Johannes Kepler University Linz. The image depicts the self‐propelled Janus micromotors reported in this work. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202004792.
Prediction of Spin Density, Baird‐Antiaromaticity, and Singlet–Triplet Energy Gap in Triplet‐State Polybenzenoid Systems from Simple Structural Motifs
Authors: Markert Greta , Paenurk Eno , Gershoni‐Poranne Renana
Published: January 2021

Triplet‐state aromaticity has been recently proposed as a strategy for designing functional organic electronic compounds, many of which are polycyclic aromatic systems. However, in many cases, the aromatic nature of the triplet state cannot be easily predicted. Moreover, it is often unclear how specific structural manipulations affect the electronic properties of the excited‐state compounds. Herein, the relationship between the structure of polybenzenoid hydrocarbons (PBHs) and their spin‐density distribution and aromatic character in the first triplet excited state is studied. Although a direct link is not immediately visible, classifying the PBHs according to their annulation sequence reveals regularities. Based on these, a set of guidelines is defined to qualitatively predict the location of spin and paratropicity and the singlet–triplet energy gap in larger PBHs, using only their smaller tri‐ and tetracyclic components, and subsequently tested on larger systems.
Synthetic Approaches to Triarylboranes from 1885 to 2020
Authors: Berger Sarina M. , Ferger Matthias , Marder Todd B.
Published: January 2021

In recent years, research in the fields of optoelectronics, anion sensors and bioimaging agents have been greatly influenced by novel compounds containing triarylborane motifs. Such compounds possess an empty p‐orbital at boron which results in useful optical and electronic properties. Such a diversity of applications was not expected when the first triarylborane was reported in 1885. Synthetic approaches to triarylboranes underwent various changes over the following century, some of which are still used in the present day, such as the generally applicable routes developed by Krause et al. in 1922, or by Grisdale et al. in 1972 at Eastman Kodak. Some other developments were not pursued further after their initial reports, such as the synthesis of two triarylboranes bearing three different aromatic groups by Mikhailov et al. in 1958. This review summarizes the development of synthetic approaches to triarylboranes from their first report nearly 135 years ago to the present.
Lithocarpins E—G, Potent Anti‐Tumor Tenellone‐Macrolides from the Deep‐Sea Fungus Phomopsis lithocarpusFS508
Authors: Xu Jianlin , Chen Yuchan , Liu Zhaoming , Li Saini , Wang Yong , Ren Yuhong , Liu Hongxin , Zhang Weimin
Published: January 2021

Main observation and conclusion

Lithocarpins E—G, featuring a rare naturally‐occurring highly oxygenated tenellone‐macrolide skeleton, were isolated from the culture extract of a marine‐derived fungus Phomopsis lithocarpus FS508. Their structures were fully elucidated by NMR and MS spectroscopic analyses and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compounds 1—3 were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicities against HepG2, MCF‐7, SF‐268, as well as A549 cell lines, among which, compound 1 exhibited inhibitory activity against HepG2 cells with an IC50 value of 6.3 μmol/L. The further mechanistic investigation demonstrated that lithocarpin E could cause the apoptosis of HepG2 cells through activation of p‐ERK, Bax, and caspase‐3 gene expressions.
Adult‐type granulosa cell tumor of the ovary: a FOXL2‐centric disease
Authors: Pilsworth Jessica A , Cochrane Dawn R , Neilson Samantha J , Moussavi Bahar H , Lai Daniel , Munzur Aslı D , Senz Janine , Wang Yi Kan , Zareian Sina , Bashashati Ali , Wong Adele , Keul Jacqueline , Staebler Annette , van Meurs Hannah S , Horlings Hugo M , Kommoss Stefan , Kommoss Friedrich , Oliva Esther , Färkkilä Anniina EM , Gilks Blake , Huntsman David G
Published: January 2021

Adult‐type granulosa cell tumors (aGCTs) account for 90% of malignant ovarian sex cord‐stromal tumors and 2–5% of all ovarian cancers. These tumors are usually diagnosed at an early stage and are treated with surgery. However, one‐third of patients relapse between 4 and 8 years after initial diagnosis, and there are currently no effective treatments other than surgery for these relapsed patients. As the majority of aGCTs (>95%) harbor a somatic mutation in FOXL2 (c.C402G; p.C134W), the aim of this study was to identify genetic mutations besides FOXL2 C402G in aGCTs that could explain the clinical diversity of this disease. Whole‐genome sequencing of 10 aGCTs and their matched normal blood was performed to identify somatic mutations. From this analysis, a custom amplicon‐based panel was designed to sequence 39 genes of interest in a validation cohort of 83 aGCTs collected internationally. KMT2D inactivating mutations were present in 10 of 93 aGCTs (10.8%), and the frequency of these mutations was similar between primary and recurrent aGCTs. Inactivating mutations, including a splice site mutation in candidate tumor suppressor WNK2 and nonsense mutations in PIK3R1 and NLRC5, were identified at a low frequency in our cohort. Missense mutations were identified in cell cycle‐related genes TP53, CDKN2D, and CDK1. From these data, we conclude that aGCTs are comparatively a homogeneous group of tumors that arise from a limited set of genetic events and are characterized by the FOXL2 C402G mutation. Secondary mutations occur in a subset of patients but do not explain the diverse clinical behavior of this disease. As the FOXL2 C402G mutation remains the main driver of this disease, progress in the development of therapeutics for aGCT would likely come from understanding the functional consequences of the FOXL2 C402G mutation.
Alternate medium for improved wet milling of TiO2 suspensions in vertical sand mills
Authors: George John , PK Manikuttan , Babu Suresh , Sreekumar Sreenish
Published: January 2021

The article focuses on wet‐milling of TiO2 in a vertical sand mill using naturally occurring zirconium silicate sand. The milling efficiency has been determined and compared for continuous wet‐milling experimental runs with zirconium silicate over silica sand. The particle size distribution and morphology of the milled TiO2 were evaluated. The properties and performance of zirconium silicate and silica sand processed finished TiO2 in a potential end‐application was assessed.
Energy‐aware andSLA‐guaranteed optimal virtual machine swap and migrate system in cloud‐Internet of Things
Authors: Karthikeyan Ramamoorthy , Balamurugan Venkatachalam
Published: January 2021

An emerging cloud‐Internet of Things (IoT) is a novel paradigm that brings potential benefits over a variety of applications. The pervasive use of IoT devices often struggle to meet resource requirements in cloud environment. The abundant wastage or inappropriate usage of resources leads to consume larger amount of energy and delayed response. Optimization algorithms are more popular for optimal selection, the algorithms as ant colony optimization, particle swarm optimization, genetic algorithm were majorly concentrated for the purpose of load balancing. However workload is balanced in many previous research works, however it failed to mitigate SLA violations and limitations of energy consumption. In this paper, we address both energy‐aware load balancing and satisfaction of SLA constraints. First, IoT devices submit tasks which are segregated into queues using policy‐based SLA by taking in account of SLA constraints. Second, the tasks are allocated in accordance to dynamic threshold predicting fuzzy followed by Analytical Hierarchical Process. Third, the workload is employed for energy minimization which decides whether to perform swap or migrate virtual machines (VMs). Swapping between VMs is held by novel map and consolidates processes. Then combination of fruit fly and bird swarm hybrid optimization algorithm is enabled to select an optimal VM for workload balancing. Also, the idle physical machines (PMs) are supposed to be in OFF state for diminishing unnecessary energy consumption. The outcomes of this cloud‐IoT system is experimentally evaluated and compared in terms of energy consumption, number of migrations, resource utilization, and execution time.