bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of root canal transportation of 2Shape and ProTaper gold in mandibular molar mesial canals: A micro–computed tomographic study
Authors: Nehme Walid , Araji Stephanie , Michetti Jérôme , Zogheib Carla , Naaman Alfred , Khalil Issam , Pages Raphaël , Basarab Adrian , Mallet Jean Philippe , Diemer Franck
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to compare shaping abilities of Protaper Gold® (PTG) and 2Shape® (TS) by using a new automatic process and micro‐computed tomography (Micro‐CT). 32 first mandibular molars with two separate mesial canals were selected. Only mesial roots were prepared with PTG and TS. Pre‐ and post‐operative scans were performed using Micro‐CT to provide volumes with a voxel size of 20 μm. Volumes, non‐instrumented area, amount of transportation and centering ability in coronal, middle and apical third shaping time and procedural errors were recorded. TS and PTG increased the endodontic volume of 2.98 mm3 (±1.56) and 3.21 mm3 (±1.78) respectively with no statistical difference (p = .168) and no procedural errors. No significant difference was found concerning canal transportation among groups but only within the same group PTG (p value < .001) and TS (p value < .001). The mean centering ratio was significantly different only between the section levels for PTG (p value < .001) and TS (p value = .01); it was significantly reduced in the cervical third. The percentage of untouched canal walls ranged between 29.78% (±15.145) and 36.60% (±11.968) respectively for PTG and TS with no statistical difference among groups (p value = .168). TS and PTG with post machining heat treatment were able to produce centered preparations with no significant difference or procedural errors. TS system provided a shorter preparation time than PTG files.
Morphological description of the white grub Melolontha incana (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae: Melolonthini)
Authors: Jia Zhi‐Chao , Fang Hong , Jiang Lu
Published: November 2020

Melolonthinae are the largest subfamily of Scarabaeidae, considered as serious pests for their larvae attacking plant roots and tubers. The edaphic larvae are difficult to be identified because the study on larval taxonomy is far from satisfactory. In this study, multivoltine white grubs Melolontha incana (Motschulsky, 1853) were investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy, in order to provide more morphological characters for the pest identification. The white grubs are atypical for the epipharynx bearing 14 heli arranged in two rows; the mandible is furnished with a patch of minute granules; the maxilla is equipped with 18 acute stridulatory teeth arranged in line; each femur and tibiotarsus is furnished ventrally with a cluster of fossorial setae. The morphological comparisons with the other melolonthine species were provided. The adaptative relationship between the morphological feature and the multivoltine life history were briefly discussed.
Climatological conditions of the Black Sea‐effect snowfall events in Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Baltaci Hakki , da Silva Maria Cristina Lemos , Gomes Helber Barros
Published: November 2020

A climatological analysis and overlying synoptic conditions of Black Sea‐effect snowfall events were investigated for Istanbul, Turkey, during the 1971–2006 winter (DJF) periods. Using the synoptic climatological approach, the Lamb Weather Type (LWT) method was applied to NCEP/NCAR daily mean sea level pressure data. Basically, northwesterly (NW), northerly (N), and northeasterly (NE) circulation types (CTs), which blow from the Black Sea (BS), were thought to be important for sea‐effect snowfall events to occur. Wind speeds and flows at 850‐hPa, directional shear, and temperature difference between sea surface and 850‐hPa level (SST‐T850) thresholds were applied to these three CTs in order to find suitable snowfall cases originating from the Black‐Sea. The results showed that 4, 14, and 111 snowfall episodes occurred during NW, N, and NE circulation types over Istanbul with the 2.8, 4.1, and 3.5 cm daily mean snow cover depths (DMSCD), respectively. In particular, it was found that interaction between a surface high located over continental Europe and a low pressure located over the central Black Sea, and a relatively warm sea surface temperature (SST), and cold temperature anomaly at the low level of the atmosphere (SST‐T850 > 17°C) are a favourable environment for the development of intense Black Sea‐effect snowstorms (DMSCD > 10 cm) sourced by NE cases. A statistically significant positive relation between snow cover depths and SST‐Tmax (daily maximum temperature) under NE cases (r = 0.28, p < .05) indicated that we observe intense daily snow accumulation when land‐sea temperature contrast increases (>7°C) in the region.
What Good is Charitable Giving for the Giver? The Combined Effect of Charitable Giving and Construal Level on Giver Creativity
Authors: Shin Yunchul , Lee Sujin
Published: November 2020

What good is charitable giving for the giver? While previous research has examined ways of increasing charitable donations of money and their associated emotional benefits, extant studies have overlooked the cognitive consequences of giving for the giver. The present research examines the causal relationship between charitable donation of money and giver creativity. Data from a laboratory experiment support our hypothesis that charitable giving improves the giver’s creativity when the consequences of the giving are not specific and the giver in question has a high‐level construal (thinks of the outcome of giving rather than means). Charitable giving behavior with non‐specific consequences appears to motivate givers with a high‐level construal to imagine novel ways in which their money will be useful for others and thus activates creative cognition. Indeed, we observe the creativity‐boosting effect of charitable giving only when givers contemplated the unknown consequences of their charitable behavior.
Effects of nitrogen fertilization and drought on hydrocyanic acid accumulation and morpho‐physiological parameters of sorghums
Authors: Shehab ABD EL SALAM ABD EL , Guo Yanjun
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

Nitrogen fertilization can increase sorghum yield and quality and the hydrocyanic acid (HCN) accumulation in plants, increasing the risk of animal toxicity, particularly under drought conditions. In this study, plants of three sorghum genotypes (sweet sorghum, sudangrass and hybrid sorghum) were supplemented with nitrogen (0, 60, 90 and 120 kg N ha−1) under well‐watered and drought‐stressed conditions, aiming to investigate the responses of morpho‐physiological parameters and HCN accumulation to drought and nitrogen fertilization.

RESULTS

Drought caused a decline in growth and photosynthesis. Average HCN content increased by 27.85% in drought‐stressed plants when compared with those in well‐watered plants. Drought increased the proline and soluble protein content, the content of O2−, H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in leaves of all three genotypes. Maximum plant growth and higher plant nutrient content (nitrogen and phosphorus) were observed at 120 kg N ha−1, followed by 90 and 60 kg N ha−1. However, a sharp increase in HCN content and a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities were observed when nitrogen rates increased from 90 to 120 kg N ha−1, suggesting that 90 kg N ha−1 might be better for sorghums under drought conditions.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that optimum nitrogen application on sorghum under drought conditions could achieve a balance between plant defense and food safety, attributed to the reduced MDA, O2− and H2O2 accumulation, the improvement in photosynthesis parameters, the increase in soluble protein and proline content, and the increase in antioxidant enzyme activities. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Reflective mulch increases fruit yield of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. cv. Darrow) grown in a northern maritime environment while maintaining key fruit quality traits
Authors: Petridis Antonios , van der Kaay Jeroen , Archibald Iain W , McCallum Susan , Graham Julie , Hancock Robert D
Published: November 2020

BACKGROUND

In maritime growing environments, blueberry yield often exhibits excessive season‐to‐season variation, associated with poorly adapted photosynthetic responses to low light conditions. It is therefore necessary to develop methods that stabilise yield while maintaining or improving fruit quality. Here, we placed reflective mulch alongside plants at the early green fruit stage, to test the hypothesis that increasing the available seasonal light integral could enhance blueberry yield. We further determined several quality characteristics to ensure fruit marketability.

RESULTS

Placement of mulch alongside plants reflected up to five times more light compared with bare ground, enhancing the amount of light reaching the canopy. This led to an adaptive increase of light saturated maximal photosynthetic rate of mulch‐treated plants, resulting in a twofold increase in yield compared with control plants. Analysis of fruit quality characteristics showed that total soluble solids, sugars and organic acids were similar between treatments. Likewise, antioxidant capacity, total anthocyanin content and the content of individual anthocyanins did not change in response to reflective mulch treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of reflective mulch should be explored by industry as a cost‐effective method for enhancing blueberry yield while maintaining fruit quality in maritime environments. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Frailty Is a Risk Factor for Postoperative Mortality in Patients With Cirrhosis Undergoing Diverse Major Surgeries
Authors: Mahmud Nadim , Kaplan David E. , Taddei Tamar H. , Goldberg David S.
Published: November 2020

With a rising burden of cirrhosis surgeries, understanding risk factors for postoperative mortality is more salient than ever. The role of baseline frailty has not been assessed in this context. We evaluated the association between patient frailty and postoperative risk among diverse patients with cirrhosis and determined if frailty improves prognostication of cirrhosis surgical risk scores. This was a retrospective cohort study of U.S. veterans with cirrhosis identified between 2008 and 2016 who underwent nontransplant major surgery. Frailty was ascertained using the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS). Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the impact of patient frailty on postoperative mortality. Logistic regression was used to identify incremental changes in discrimination for postoperative mortality when frailty was added to the risk prediction models, including the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD), MELD–sodium (MELD‐Na), Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh (CTP), Mayo Risk Score (MRS), and Veterans Outcomes and Costs Associated With Liver Disease (VOCAL)–Penn. A total of 804 cirrhosis surgeries were identified. The majority of patients (48.5%) had high‐risk frailty at baseline (HFRS >15). In adjusted Cox regression models, categories of increasing frailty scores were associated with poorer postoperative survival. For example, intermediate‐risk frailty (HFRS 5‐15) conferred a 1.77‐fold increased hazard relative to low‐risk frailty (HFRS, <5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06‐2.95; P = 0.03). High‐risk frailty demonstrated a similarly increased hazard (hazard ratio, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.05‐2.88; P = 0.03), suggesting a threshold effect of frailty on postoperative mortality. The incorporation of frailty improved discrimination of MELD, MELD‐Na, and CTP for postoperative mortality, but did not do so for the MRS or VOCAL‐Penn score. Patient frailty was an additional important predictor of cirrhosis surgical risk. The incorporation of preoperative frailty assessments may help to risk stratify patients, especially in settings where the MELD‐Na and CTP are commonly applied.
Elucidating the Topology and Physical Properties of Triblock Copolymers Using Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Frerichs Niklas , Joswig Moritz , Fischer Taija Lena , Oevermann Yan Steffen , Vana Philipp
Published: November 2020

A combination of electrospray ionization (ESI) and ion mobility mass spectrometry (IMMS) is used to successfully determine the characteristic ratio (Cn) of homopolymers and triblock copolymers. Two different copolymer systems are analyzed: a poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(propylene glycol) (PEG/PPG) and a poly(methyl acrylate)/poly(butyl acrylate) (PMA/PBA) based system. The monomer composition within the copolymers is chosen to be constant while changing the block sequence along the main chain, in order to ensure a reliable determination of the influence of the topology on the physical properties. It can be demonstrated that the block structure has a significant influence on Cn and therefore on the physical properties of the block copolymers. For both systems, the inner block dominates the overall physical properties.
Skin and stinger bacterial communities in two critically endangered rays from the South Atlantic in natural and aquarium settings
Authors: Gonçalves e Silva Fernanda , dos Santos Henrique Fragoso , de Assis Leite Deborah Catharine , Lutfi Daniela Silva , Vianna Marcelo , Rosado Alexandre Soares
Published: November 2020

Bacterial communities of two critically endangered rays from the South Atlantic, the butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela) and the groovebelly ray (Dasyatis hypostigma), were described using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. The study characterized the bacterial communities associated with (i) G. altavela in natural (in situ) and aquarium (ex situ) settings, (ii) skin and stinger of G. altavela, and D. hypostigma in aquaria, and (iii) newborns and adults of D. hypostigma. The results revealed potentially antibiotic‐producing bacterial groups on the skin of rays from the natural environment, and some taxa with the potential to benefit ray health, mainly in rays from the natural environment, as well as possible pathogens to other animals, including fish and humans. Differences were observed between the G. altavela and D. hypostigma bacteria composition, as well as between the skin and stinger bacterial composition. The bacterial community associated with D. hypostigma changed with the age of the ray. The aquarium environment severely impacted the G. altavela bacteria composition, which changed from a complex bacterial community to one dominated almost exclusively by two taxa, Oceanimonas sp. and Sediminibacterium sp. on the skin and stinger, respectively.
Habit formation and wage determination
Authors: Goerke Laszlo
Published: November 2020

We analyse the implications of habit formation relating to wages in a multiperiod efficiency‐wage model. If employees have such preferences, their existence provides firms with incentives to raise wages and reduce employment over time. Greater intensity does not necessarily have the same consequences, because wage adjustments counteract the initial level impact. The firm's response additionally depends on the wage dependency of dismissal costs, because such costs make an increasing wage profile over time more attractive and mitigate the effects of greater intensity of habit formation. We further show that short‐lived productivity shocks have long‐lasting wage and employment consequences. Moreover, habit concerns by firm owners reduce wages.
Improving FLAIR SAR efficiency at 7T by adaptive tailoring of adiabatic pulse power through deep learning estimation
Authors: Abbasi‐Rad Shahrokh , O’Brien Kieran , Kelly Samuel , Vegh Viktor , Rodell Anders , Tesiram Yasvir , Jin Jin , Barth Markus , Bollmann Steffen
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate a method for specific absorption rate (SAR) reduction for 2D T2‐FLAIR MRI sequences at 7 T by predicting the required adiabatic radiofrequency (RF) pulse power and scaling the RF amplitude in a slice‐wise fashion.

Methods

We used a time‐resampled frequency‐offset corrected inversion (TR‐FOCI) adiabatic pulse for spin inversion in a T2‐FLAIR sequence to improve homogeneity and calculated the pulse power required for adiabaticity slice‐by‐slice to minimize the SAR. Drawing on the implicit inhomogeneity in a standard localizer scan, we acquired 3D AutoAlign localizers and SA2RAGE maps in 28 volunteers. Then, we trained a convolutional neural network (CNN) to estimate the profile from the localizers and calculated pulse scale factors for each slice. We assessed the predicted profiles and the effect of scaled pulse amplitudes on the FLAIR inversion efficiency in oblique transverse, sagittal, and coronal orientations.

Results

The predicted amplitude maps matched the measured ones with a mean difference of 9.5% across all slices and participants. The slice‐by‐slice scaling of the TR‐FOCI inversion pulse was most effective in oblique transverse orientation and resulted in a 1 min and 30 s reduction in SAR induced delay time while delivering identical image quality.

Conclusion

We propose a SAR reduction technique based on the estimation of profiles from standard localizer scans using a CNN and show that scaling the inversion pulse power slice‐by‐slice for FLAIR sequences at 7T reduces SAR and scan time without compromising image quality.
Constructing lattice‐mismatched upconversion luminescence heterojunctions via light welding in seconds
Authors: Gao Dangli , Wang Peng , Wu Jialing , Gao Jie , Xiao Guoqing , Cai Anjiang , Ma Kaiwei
Published: November 2020

Heterostructures are an important class of materials with desirable size, morphology, and functionality because of their promising applications in biosensor and photonic communication device. However, no such technology of synthesizing heterojunctions is as convenient as electric welding. Particularly, synthesizing heterojunctions with large lattice‐mismatch has been subjected to a great challenge. Herein, the hybrid heterojunction structures are obtained by in situ chemical transformation from fluoride to oxyfluoride via a laser irradiation‐welding approach (LIWA). Single NaYbF4:Ho3+@YbOF:Ho3+ heterojunctions with unique morphologies including hollow spheres, lollipops and sponge‐like plates, are successfully prepared by deliberate control over precursor particles and light welding parameters. These unique luminescent heterojunctions can not only integrate distinctive properties of fluoride and oxide, but also exhibit the unprecedented convenience for color tunability. This work provides an ultrafast LIWA for the fabrication of lattice‐mismatched heterojunctions in seconds, and LIWA allows tunable laser parameters to control the microstructures and characteristics of heterojunctions for widespread applications.
The Gross–Saccoman conjecture is true
Authors: Romero Pablo
Published: November 2020

Consider a graph with perfect nodes but independent edge failures with identical probability ρ. The reliability is the connectedness probability of the random graph. A graph with n nodes and e edges is uniformly optimally reliable (UOR) if it has the greatest reliability among all graphs with the same number of nodes and edges, for all values of ρ. In 1997, Gross and Saccoman proved that the simple UOR graphs for e = n, e = n + 1 and e = n + 2 are also optimal when the classes are extended to include multigraphs. The authors conjectured that the UOR simple graphs for e = n + 3 are optimal in multigraphs as well. A proof of the Gross–Saccoman conjecture is introduced.
Correlation of Telomere Length in Adipose Tissue and Leukocytes and its Association with Postsurgical Weight Loss
Authors: Gurung Resham L. , M Yiamunaa , Moh Angela Mei Chung , Dorajoo Rajkumar , Liu Sylvia , Liu Jian‐Jun , Shabbir Asim , So Jimmy Bok Yan , Tan Chun Hai , Cheng Anton Kui Sing , Lim Su Chi
Published: November 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between telomere length (TL) in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), visceral adipose tissues (VAT), and leukocytes, as well as to examine the associations of TL in these tissues with postsurgical weight loss in Asians with severe obesity.

Methods

Presurgery TL was measured in leukocytes, SAT, and VAT of 91 patients who underwent weight loss surgery. Correlation between TL in multiple tissues was assessed using Pearson correlation. The association of presurgery TL and postsurgical weight loss at 6 or 12 months, expressed as a percentage of weight loss, was determined using linear regression in 70 patients.

Results

Telomeres were longer in VAT compared with those in leukocytes and SAT (P < 0.001) but were highly correlated between tissues. The strongest correlation was observed between TL in VAT and leukocytes (r = 0.739, P = 6.22 × 10−17). Compared with individuals in the highest tertile, those in the lowest tertile of VAT TL showed greater weight loss (β = 6.23, SE = 3.10, P = 0.044) independent of age, sex, ethnicity, types of surgery, diabetes condition, preoperative BMI, and follow‐up period.

Conclusions

Among patients with severe obesity, TL in leukocytes and adipose tissue was highly correlated. However, there was variability in the association of TL in these tissues with weight loss after surgery.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Management of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Older Patients
Authors: Di Mengyang , Huntington Scott F , Olszewski Adam J.
Published: November 2020

Most patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are diagnosed at age 60 years or older. Challenges to effective therapy among older individuals include unfavorable biologic features of DLBCL, geriatric vulnerabilities, suboptimal treatment selection, and toxicities of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Wider application of geriatric assessments may help identify fit older patients who benefit from standard immunochemotherapy without unnecessary dose reductions. Conversely, attenuated regimens may provide a better balance of risk and benefit for selected unfit or frail patients. Supportive care with the use of corticosteroid-based prephase, prophylactic growth factors, and early institution of supportive and palliative care can help maximize treatment tolerance. Several novel or emerging therapies have demonstrated favorable toxicity profiles, thus facilitating effective treatment for elderly patients. In the relapsed or refractory setting, patients who are not candidates for stem cell transplantation can benefit from newly approved options including polatuzumab vedotin-based combinations or tafasitamab plus lenalidomide, which may have higher efficacy and/or lower toxicity than historical chemotherapy regimens. Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy has been successfully applied to older patients outside of clinical trials. In the first-line setting, emerging immunotherapy options (bispecific antibodies) and targeted therapies (anti-CD20 antibodies combined with lenalidomide and/or B-cell receptor inhibitors) may provide chemotherapy-free approaches for DLBCL. Enrolling older patients in clinical trials will be paramount to fully examine potential efficacy and toxicity of these strategies. In this review, we discuss recent advances in fitness stratification and therapy that have expanded curative options for older patients, as well as future opportunities to improve outcomes in this population.

Implications for Practice

Management of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in older patients poses challenges due to aggressive disease biology and geriatric vulnerability. Although R-CHOP remains standard first-line treatment, geriatric assessment may help evaluate patients' fitness for immunochemotherapy. Corticosteroid prephase, prophylactic growth factors, and early palliative care can improve tolerance of treatment. Novel salvage options (polatuzumab vedotin-based combinations, tafasitamab plus lenalidomide) or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy should be considered in the relapsed or refractory setting for patients ineligible for stem cell transplantation. Emerging immunotherapies (bispecific antibodies) and targeted therapies provide potential first-line chemotherapy-free approaches, which need to be rigorously assessed in clinical trials that involve geriatric patients.
Parents’ responses to prognostic disclosure at diagnosis of a child with a high‐risk brain tumor: Analysis of clinician‐parent interactions and implications for clinical practice
Authors: Bluebond‐Langner Myra , Hall Nicolas , Vincent Katherine , Henderson Ellen M. , Russell Jessica , Beecham Emma , Bryan Gemma , Gains Jennifer E. , Gaze Mark N. , Slater Olga , Langner Richard W. , Hargrave Darren
Published: November 2020

Background

Previous studies have found that parents of children with cancer desire more prognostic information than is often given even when prognosis is poor. We explored in audio‐recorded consultations the kinds of information they seek.

Methods

Ethnographic study including observation and audio recording of consultations at diagnosis. Consultations were transcribed and analyzed using an interactionist perspective including tools drawn from conversation and discourse analysis.

Results

Enrolled 21 parents and 12 clinicians in 13 cases of children diagnosed with a high‐risk brain tumor (HRBT) over 20 months at a tertiary pediatric oncology center. Clinicians presented prognostic information in all cases. Through their questions, parents revealed what further information they desired. Clinicians made clear that no one could be absolutely certain what the future held for an individual child. Explicit communication about prognosis did not satisfy parents’ desire for information about their own child. Parents tried to personalize prognostic information and to apply it to their own situation. Parents moved beyond prognostic information presented and drew conclusions, which could change over time. Parents who were present in the same consultations could form different views of their child's prognosis.

Conclusion

Population level prognostic information left parents uncertain about their child's future. The need parents revealed was not for more such information but rather how to use the information given and how to apply it to their child in the face of such uncertainty. Further research is needed on how best to help parents deal with uncertainty and make prognostic information actionable.
Axial and lateral buckling analysis of kevlar/epoxy fiber‐reinforced composite laminates incorporating silica nanoparticles
Authors: Özbek Özkan
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to experimentally determine the effect of silica nanoparticles (NS) on the buckling characteristics of Kevlar/epoxy fiber reinforced composite laminates. The composite samples with different weight fractions of NS particles, namely 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.5 wt%, were prepared by vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) and subjected to axial and lateral buckling tests. Additionally, the buckling tests were performed on the samples with different lengths (125, 150, 175, 200 and 225 mm) to analyze in more detail the influence of NS fractions on axial and lateral buckling performances. Morphology and failure mechanisms of the samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy images of critical regions of each sample. The results showed that the incorporation of NS particles led to higher critical buckling load values for both axial and lateral buckling. The highest critical buckling load values for both axial and lateral buckling events were observed for 1.5 wt% NS particle content in Kevlar/epoxy composite laminates. Further increasing of NS resulted with the decrements in critical buckling loads because of poor interfacial bonding between NS particles and epoxy resin, primarily due to onset of agglomeration. As it is expected the decreases in length of samples resulted with significant increases in both the axial and lateral buckling characteristics. The results of this research can be used to design composites with high buckling resistance, especially for applications where loading may compromise structural stability and functionality, such as tall buildings, structural bridges and roofs, rail tracks.
Structural insights into a C2 domain protein specifically found in tardigrades
Authors: Fukuda Yohta , Inoue Tsuyoshi
Published: November 2020

Some tardigrades can survive extremely desiccated conditions through transition into a state called anhydrobiosis. Anhydrobiotic tardigrades have proteins unique to them and they are thought to be keys to the understanding of unusual desiccation resistance. In fact, previous transcriptome data show that several tardigrade‐specific proteins are significantly upregulated under desiccated conditions. However, their physiological roles and chemical properties have been ambiguous because they show low or no similarity of amino acid sequences to proteins found in other organisms. Here, we report a crystal structure of one of such proteins. This protein shows a β‐sandwich structure composed of 8 β‐strands, three Ca2+‐binding sites, and hydrophobic residues on Ca2+‐binding (CBD) loops, which resemble characteristics of C2 domain proteins. We therefore conveniently describe this protein as tardigrade C2 domain protein (TC2P). Because the C2 domain functions as a Ca2+‐mediated membrane docking module, which is related to signal transduction or membrane trafficking, TC2Ps may play a role in Ca2+‐triggered phenomenon under desiccated situations. Our finding provides not only structural insights into a newly discovered desiccation‐related protein family but also insights into the evolution and diversity of C2 domain proteins.
Geostrophic drag law for conventionally neutral atmospheric boundary layers revisited
Authors: Liu Luoqin , Gadde Srinidhi N. , Stevens Richard J.A.M.
Published: November 2020

The geostrophic drag law (GDL), which predicts the geostrophic drag coefficient and the cross‐isobaric angle, is relevant for meteorological applications such as wind energy. For conventionally neutral atmospheric boundary layers (CNBLs) capped by an inversion, the GDL coefficients A and B are affected by the inversion strength and latitude, expressible via the ratio of the Brunt–Väisälä frequency (N) to the Coriolis parameter (f). We present large‐eddy simulations (LES) covering a wider range of N/|f| than considered previously, and show that A and B obtained from carefully performed LES collapse to a single curve when plotted against N/|f|. This verifies the GDL for CNBLs over an extended range of N/|f| within LES. Additionally, in agreement with atmospheric observations, we show that using A = 1.9 and B = 4.4 accurately predicts the geostrophic drag coefficient in the limit of weak inversion strength or high latitude (). However, due to the strong dependence of B on N/|f|, corresponding predictions for the cross‐isobaric angle are less accurate. As we find significant deviations between the LES results and the original parameterization of the GDL for CNBLs, we update the corresponding model coefficients.
Mechanisms for N3 formation in radiated solid nitrogen: Computational predictions including excited electronic states
Authors: Silva Mateus Xavier , Belchior Jadson Cláudio , Galvão Breno Rodrigues Lamaghere
Published: November 2020

A computational investigation of the azide radical formation from two N2 molecules was carried out employing the CASSCF and MRCI electronic structure methods. Potential energy curves were built considering various electronic excited states along proposed reaction coordinates. Reaction paths with C2v and Cs symmetries were considered and energy barriers were estimated, as well as intersections between key electronic states were found. A possible reaction mechanism is suggested involving a nitrogen atom abstraction to produce linear N3. The distinction between N3 formed by UV radiated ices and other sources of energy is presented and rationalized. Among other results, we predict that the N3 radical can react barrierlessly with N(2D) atoms, yielding N2 + N2 products.
A robust culture system to generate neural progenitors with gliogenic competence from clinically relevant induced pluripotent stem cells for treatment of spinal cord injury
Authors: Kamata Yasuhiro , Isoda Miho , Sanosaka Tsukasa , Shibata Reo , Ito Shuhei , Okubo Toshiki , Shinozaki Munehisa , Inoue Mitsuhiro , Koya Ikuko , Shibata Shinsuke , Shindo Tomoko , Matsumoto Morio , Nakamura Masaya , Okano Hideyuki , Nagoshi Narihito , Kohyama Jun
Published: November 2020

Cell-based therapy targeting spinal cord injury (SCI) is an attractive approach to promote functional recovery by replacing damaged tissue. We and other groups have reported the effectiveness of transplanting neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in SCI animal models for neuronal replacement. Glial replacement is an additional approach for tissue repair; however, the lack of robust procedures to drive iPSCs into NS/PCs which can produce glial cells has hindered the development of glial cell transplantation for the restoration of neuronal functions after SCI. Here, we established a method to generate NS/PCs with gliogenic competence (gNS/PCs) optimized for clinical relevance and utilized them as a source of therapeutic NS/PCs for SCI. We could successfully generate gNS/PCs from clinically relevant hiPSCs, which efficiently produced astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in vitro. We also performed comparison between gNS/PCs and neurogenic NS/PCs based on single cell RNA-seq analysis and found that gNS/PCs were distinguished by expression of several transcription factors including HEY2 and NFIB. After gNS/PC transplantation, the graft did not exhibit tumor-like tissue formation, indicating the safety of them as a source of cell therapy. Importantly, the gNS/PCs triggered functional recovery in an SCI animal model, with remyelination of demyelinated axons and improved motor function. Given the inherent safety of gNS/PCs and favorable outcomes observed after their transplantation, cell-based medicine using the gNS/PCs-induction procedure described here together with clinically relevant iPSCs is realistic and would be beneficial for SCI patients.
Linkages between sanitation and the sustainable development goals: A case study of Brazil
Authors: Diep Loan , Martins Flavio Pinheiro , Campos Luiza C. , Hofmann Pascale , Tomei Julia , Lakhanpaul Monica , Parikh Priti
Published: November 2020

This paper identifies opportunities from targeted and integrated sanitation action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is contextualised to the case of Brazil through a systematic approach applied to the sanitation sector that considers the range of infrastructure, management services and people involved in different phases of the service chain, from municipal wastewater containment to safe disposal or re‐use. Articulating the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sanitation, this study analyses their links with each of the 169 SDG targets. We demonstrate that 87 targets across 16 goals require action in Brazil's sanitation sector to achieve the SDGs. Furthermore, we identify synergies between sanitation and 124 targets in four domains: basic services for resilience building, equity and empowerment, pollution reduction and waste reuse and economic well‐being. Key results include the need for Brazil to invest in closed‐loop systems that valorise waste as a resource and the need to multiply efforts in the integrated provision of basic services in low‐income areas most affected by the lack of access to adequate sanitation. The links identified are supported by the compiled evidence of published research. The analysis of linkages through this structured approach aims to highlight opportunities for strategic governance action to support policy harmonisation and partnerships across Brazil's sanitation sector and beyond. With this research, we show that establishing linkages among the SDGs provides an adaptable framework that can support policy‐makers and practitioners seeking to deliver on the 2030 Agenda.
The psychological distance and construal level perspectives of sustainable value creation in SMEs
Authors: Mzembe Andrew
Published: November 2020

This article examinesinternal organizational factors and external antecedents of sustainable value creation by small medium enterprises (SMEs) and constructs a framework that integrates, at both levels, the theories of psychological distance and construal level from the field of psychology. This research provides an explanation as to why sustainable value creation remains a complex issue, and why many SMEs' engage with sustainable value creation to varying degrees. This paper particularly highlights how owner/managers of SME may construe different dimensions of psychological distance and apply their understanding to their response to different antecedents of sustainable value creation. Finally, by adopting the psychological distance perspective, this paper highlights the conditions under which internal and external organizational and factors can affect SMEs' propensity to create sustainable value. It further concludes by highlighting areas for further research.
Light Paraffinic Naphtha to BTX Aromatics over Metal‐Modified Pt/ZSM‐5
Authors: Ellouh Mohammed , Qureshi Ziyauddin S. , Aitani Abdullah , Akhtar Muhammad Naseem , Jin Yaming , Koseoglu Omer , Alasiri Hassan
Published: November 2020

We investigated the conversion of light paraffinic naphtha (C5‐C6) into BTX (benzene, toluene, and xylenes) aromatics using 1.0 wt % Pt‐M/ZSM‐5 (modifier M=1 wt% Zn, 2 wt % of Fe, La, Ga) prepared using wet‐impregnation method. The effects of Pt and modifier on light naphtha conversion, yield and aromatic selectivity (benzene, toluene, xylene, C9+ aromatics) were studied in fixed‐bed flow reactor in atmospheric pressure, at 550 °C, and WHSV 1.0 h−1. Catalytic efficiency of modified Pt or Pt‐M ZSM‐5 catalysts has been equated to conventional ZSM‐5 [Si/Al2=30] catalyst. While the yield of total aromatics was slightly increased over Pt/ZSM‐5 comparison to parent ZSM‐5 from 32 wt % to 37 wt %, the value for in situ formed mesoporous Pt‐Ga/ZSM‐5 was significantly improved reaching 60 wt %. The higher selectivity to aromatics is attributed to the induced mesoporous volumes and dehydrogenation activity of Ga species. These species associated with Pt were effective in the conversion of light naphtha to olefins, which later converted into aromatics by secondary reactions: cracking, isomerization and dimerization. The Pt‐Ga/ZSM‐5 showed good stability toward the selective production of aromatics at a low toluene/benzene ratio ∼0.5 due to Pt component.
Laser Writable Multifunctional van der Waals Heterostructures
Authors: Su Bao‐Wang , Zhang Xi‐Lin , Yao Bin‐Wei , Guo Hao‐Wei , Li De‐Kang , Chen Xu‐Dong , Liu Zhi‐Bo , Tian Jian‐Guo
Published: November 2020

Achieving multifunctional van der Waals nanoelectronic devices on one structure is essential for the integration of 2D materials; however, it involves complex architectural designs and manufacturing processes. Herein, a facile, fast, and versatile laser direct write micro/nanoprocessing to fabricate diode, NPN (PNP) bipolar junction transistor (BJT) simultaneously based on a pre‐fabricated black phosphorus/molybdenum disulfide heterostructure is demonstrated. The PN junctions exhibit good diode rectification behavior. Due to different carrier concentrations of BP and MoS2, the NPN BJT, with a narrower base width, renders better performance than the PNP BJT. Furthermore, the current gain can be modulated efficiently through laser writing tunable base width WB, which is consistent with the theoretical results. The maximum gain for NPN and PNP is found to be ≈41 (@WB≈600 nm) and ≈12 (@WB≈600 nm), respectively. In addition, this laser write processing technique also can be utilized to realize multifunctional WSe2/MoS2 heterostructure device. The current work demonstrates a novel, cost‐effective, and universal method to fabricate multifunctional nanoelectronic devices. The proposed approach exhibits promise for large‐scale integrated circuits based on 2D heterostructures.
High‐Resolution Printable and Elastomeric Conductors from Strain‐Adaptive Assemblies of Metallic Nanoparticles with Low Aspect Ratios
Authors: Kang Yu , Wang Guoqi , Zhao Sanchuan , Li Jiaye , Di Lu , Feng Yang , Yin Jun , Zhu Jian
Published: November 2020

Stretchable conductors capable of precise micropatterning are imperative for applications in various wearable technologies. Metallic nanoparticles with low aspect ratios and miniscule sizes are preferred over metallic nanowires or nanoflakes for such applications. However, nanoparticles tend to lose mutual contact during stretching. Therefore, they are rarely used alone in stretchable conductors. In this study, electronic inks comprising silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for the high‐resolution printing of stretchable conductors are reported. AgNPs are synthesized using aqueous polyurethane micelles, which are subsequently disentangled into polymeric chains in isopropanol to stabilize the inks. The ink rheology can be arbitrarily tuned to allow direct‐write printing with a minimum feature width of 3 µm. Owing to the absence of extra surfactants, direct drying of such inks at room temperature provides the stretchable conductors with an initial conductivity of 8846 S cm−1 and conductivity of 1305 S cm−1 at 100% strain. This enhanced performance is attributed to the conductive percolations through assemblies of AgNPs adapting to the strain and is equivalent to those of stretchable conductors filled with Ag nanowires or flakes. These inks are promising for the scalable fabrication of highly integrated stretchable electronics.
Nanoscale Imaging and Control of Volatile and Non‐Volatile Resistive Switching in VO2
Authors: Shabalin Anatoly G. , del Valle Javier , Hua Nelson , Cherukara Mathew J. , Holt Martin V. , Schuller Ivan K. , Shpyrko Oleg G.
Published: November 2020

Control of the metal‐insulator phase transition is vital for emerging neuromorphic and memristive technologies. The ability to alter the electrically driven transition between volatile and non‐volatile states is particularly important for quantum‐materials‐based emulation of neurons and synapses. The major challenge of this implementation is to understand and control the nanoscale mechanisms behind these two fundamental switching modalities. Here, in situ X‐ray nanoimaging is used to follow the evolution of the nanostructure and disorder in the archetypal Mott insulator VO2 during an electrically driven transition. Our findings demonstrate selective and reversible stabilization of either the insulating or metallic phases achieved by manipulating the defect concentration. This mechanism enables us to alter the local switching response between volatile and persistent regimes and demonstrates a new possibility for nanoscale control of the resistive switching in Mott materials.
Unexpected Photoinduced Room Temperature Magnetization in Bi2WO6 Nanosheets
Authors: Wei Jing , Xia Yuguo , Qayum Abdul , Jiao Xiuling , Chen Dairong , Wang Ting
Published: November 2020

The current investigation in magnetism in 2D materials offers new opportunities for studying spintronics at low dimensions. Here, reversible photoinduced room temperature magnetization in 2D Bi2WO6 nanosheets is reported for the first time. Compared with the original state, the ultraviolet (UV)‐illuminated Bi2WO6 nanosheets show a yellow‐green color change and significantly enhanced magnetic signals (saturated magnetization (Ms) increased from 0.002 to 0.12 emu g−1). X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show unexpected W reduction (W6+ to W5+/W4+) and Bi oxidation (Bi3+ to Bi5+) upon UV illumination for the Bi2WO6 nanosheets, indicating a photoexcited Bi to W charge transfer. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate spontaneous spin polarization of the Bi2WO6 nanosheets in the excited metastable state. Meanwhile, thicker Bi2WO6 nanoplates or nanoparticles show no enhanced magnetic signals upon UV illumination. UV illumination of the thin Bi2WO6 nanosheets can induce the formation of internal electric field (polarization), leading to structural deformation/lattice distortion (photostriction). The photoexcited electrons are trapped in the WO6 layers while the photogenerated holes are trapped in the Bi2O2 layers, leading to spin polarization and enhance the magnetization. The research may bring some new insights in tuning the magnetic properties of 2D nanostructures.
Advances in Multidimensional Cardiac Biosensing Technologies: From Electrophysiology to Mechanical Motion and Contractile Force
Authors: Wei Xinwei , Zhuang Liujing , Li Hongbo , He Chuanjiang , Wan Hao , Hu Ning , Wang Ping
Published: November 2020

Cardiovascular disease is currently a leading killer to human, while drug‐induced cardiotoxicity remains the main cause of the withdrawal and attrition of drugs. Taking clinical correlation and throughput into account, cardiomyocyte is perfect as in vitro cardiac model for heart disease modeling, drug discovery, and cardiotoxicity assessment by accurately measuring the physiological multiparameters of cardiomyocytes. Remarkably, cardiomyocytes present both electrophysiological and biomechanical characteristics due to the unique excitation–contraction coupling, which plays a significant role in studying the cardiomyocytes. This review mainly focuses on the recent advances of biosensing technologies for the 2D and 3D cardiac models with three special properties: electrophysiology, mechanical motion, and contractile force. These high‐performance multidimensional cardiac models are popular and effective to rebuild and mimic the heart in vitro. To help understand the high‐quality and accurate physiologies, related detection techniques are highly demanded, from microtechnology to nanotechnology, from extracellular to intracellular recording, from multiple cells to single cell, and from planar to 3D models. Furthermore, the characteristics, advantages, limitations, and applications of these cardiac biosensing technologies, as well as the future development prospects should contribute to the systematization and expansion of knowledge.
Modernizing k‐nearest neighbors
Authors: Elizabeth Yancey Robin , Xin Bochao , Matloff Norm
Published: November 2020

The k‐nearest neighbors (k‐NN) method is one of the oldest statistical/machine learning techniques. It is included in virtually every major package, such as caret, parsnip, mlr3 and scikit‐learn. Yet those packages do not go beyond the basics. With today's high‐speed computation capability, k‐NN can be made much more powerful. Here, we present directions in which that can be done.
Hosting a data science hackathon with limited resources
Authors: Kuter Kristin , Wedrychowicz Christopher
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we will detail our experiences developing and organizing an annual machine learning competition at Saint Mary's College. We will detail our process of collecting data for the competition as well as the logistical challenges faced when hosting such an event at a small liberal arts college. We believe that this report will be of interest to colleagues teaching data science at institutions with a profile comparable to our own who would like to organize a similar event.