bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liquid‐Metal Synthesized Ultrathin SnS Layers for High‐Performance Broadband Photodetectors
Authors: Krishnamurthi Vaishnavi , Khan Hareem , Ahmed Taimur , Zavabeti Ali , Tawfik Sherif Abdulkader , Jain Shubhendra Kumar , Spencer Michelle J. S. , Balendhran Sivacarendran , Crozier Kenneth B , Li Ziyuan , Fu Lan , Mohiuddin Md , Low Mei Xian , Shabbir Babar , Boes Andreas , Mitchell Arnan , McConville Christopher F. , Li Yongxiang , Kalantar‐Zadeh Kourosh , Mahmood Nasir , Walia Sumeet
Published: September 2020

Atomically thin materials face an ongoing challenge of scalability, hampering practical deployment despite their fascinating properties. Tin monosulfide (SnS), a low‐cost, naturally abundant layered material with a tunable bandgap, displays properties of superior carrier mobility and large absorption coefficient at atomic thicknesses, making it attractive for electronics and optoelectronics. However, the lack of successful synthesis techniques to prepare large‐area and stoichiometric atomically thin SnS layers (mainly due to the strong interlayer interactions) has prevented exploration of these properties for versatile applications. Here, SnS layers are printed with thicknesses varying from a single unit cell (0.8 nm) to multiple stacked unit cells (≈1.8 nm) synthesized from metallic liquid tin, with lateral dimensions on the millimeter scale. It is reveal that these large‐area SnS layers exhibit a broadband spectral response ranging from deep‐ultraviolet (UV) to near‐infrared (NIR) wavelengths (i.e., 280–850 nm) with fast photodetection capabilities. For single‐unit‐cell‐thick layered SnS, the photodetectors show upto three orders of magnitude higher responsivity (927 A W−1) than commercial photodetectors at a room‐temperature operating wavelength of 660 nm. This study opens a new pathway to synthesize reproduceable nanosheets of large lateral sizes for broadband, high‐performance photodetectors. It also provides important technological implications for scalable applications in integrated optoelectronic circuits, sensing, and biomedical imaging.
Prediction of mean weight diameter of soil using machine learning approaches
Authors: Bhattacharya Priya , Maity Pragati Pramanik , Ray Mrinmoy , Mridha Nilimesh
Published: September 2020

Even though research shows that aggregate stability and mean weight diameter (MWD) are critical components of soil health, it is not routinely measured. An alternative approach to the physical measurement is to calculate these values based on routinely measured soil parameters. Therefore, the objective was to compare two artificial intelligence (AI)‐based machine learning approaches, that is, support vector machine (SVM) and artificial neural network (ANN) models in prediction of soil wet aggregate stability (quantified by MWD). Soil samples (120) from the Indo‐Gangetic Alluvium major soil group, that are characterized as Ustifluvents were used in the study. These samples were analyzed for sand, silt, clay, bulk density (BD), organic carbon (OC), and MWD. The correlation coefficient (r) was highest in case of SVM model with a percentage increase of 16.92 and 2.70 when compared with MLR and ANN respectively. The SVM and ANN models showed 6.36 and 2.12% decrease in RMSE in training dataset while a 14.28% decrease was found for SVM in testing dataset when compared to the multi‐linear regression (MLR) model. Results showed that ANN with two neurons (building blocks of ANN) in hidden layer had better performance in predicting MWD than MLR, whereas the radial basis Kernel function based SVM was found to be best for training and testing data of MWD. Soil texture, OC, and BD can be used to predict soil structural stability effectively using SVM. However, additional work is needed to confirm these findings with other soils.
An outbreak of relapsing fever unmasked by microbial paleoserology, 16th century, France
Authors: Oumarou Hama Hamadou , Barbieri Rémi , Guirou Jacqueline , Chenal Thomas , Mayer Aurélie , Ardagna Yann , Signoli Michel , Aboudharam Gérard , Raoult Didier , Drancourt Michel
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Depicting past epidemics currently relies on DNA‐based detection of pathogens, an approach limited to pathogens with well‐preserved DNA sequences. We used paleoserology as a complementary approach detecting specific antibodies under a mini line‐blot format including positive and negative control antigens.

Methods

Mini line blot assay incorporated skim milk as negative control, Staphylococcus aureus as positive control, and antigens prepared from lice‐borne pathogens Rickettsia prowazekii, Borrelia recurrentis, Bartonella quintana, and Yersinia pestis. Paleoserums were extracted from rehydrated dental pulp recovered from buried individuals. Mini line blots observed with the naked eye, were quantified using a scanner and appropriate software. Paleoserology was applied to the indirect detection of lice‐borne pathogens in seven skeletons exhumed from a 16th–17th century suspected military burial site (Auxi‐le‐Château); and 14 civils exhumed from a 5th–13th century burial site (Saint‐Mont). Direct detection of pathogens was performed using quantitative real‐time PCR.

Results

In Auxi‐le‐Château, paleoserology yielded 7/7 interpretable paleoserums including 7/7 positives for B. recurrentis including one also positive for B. quintana. In Saint‐Mont, paleoserology yielded 8/14 interpretable paleoserums and none reacted against any of the four pathogens. Antibodies against R. prowazekii and Y. pestis were not detected. The seroprevalence was significantly higher in the military burial site of Auxi‐le‐Château than in the civil burial site of Saint‐Mont. Real‐time PCR detection of B. quintana yielded 5/21 positive (3 at Saint‐Mont and 2 at Auxi‐le‐Château) whereas B. recurrentis was not detected.

Conclusions

Paleoserology unmasked an outbreak of relapsing B. recurrentis fever in one 16th – 17th century military garrison, missed by real‐time PCR. Paleoserology offers a new tool for investigating past epidemics, in complement to DNA sequence‐based approaches.
Sulfonic acid‐functionalized Fe3O4‐supported magnetized graphene oxide quantum dots: A novel organic‐inorganic nanocomposite as an efficient and recyclable nanocatalyst for the synthesis of dihydropyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazole and 4H‐chromene derivatives
Authors: Khaleghi Abbasabadi Masoud , Azarifar Davood , Esmaili Zand Hamid Reza
Published: September 2020

In this research, the main emphasis has been focused on the preparation of a novel Fe3O4‐supported propane‐1‐sulfonic acid‐grafted graphene oxide quantum dots (Fe3O4@GOQD‐O‐(propane‐1‐sulfonic acid)) that it was readily synthesized via a five‐step procedure as a hitherto unreported magnetic nanocatalyst. This newly prepared Fe3O4@GOQD‐O‐(propane‐1‐sulfonic acid) nanocomposite was structurally well‐established by different analytical techniques including Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), field emission gun‐scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analyses. The high catalytic performance of this nanocomposite was exhibited in one‐pot synthesis of dihydropyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazole and 4H‐chromene derivatives under mild conditions. Low reaction times, excellent yields of the products, benignity of the catalyst, easy reaction work‐up and magnetic recyclability of the catalyst are the main advantages of the present protocol. Also, our research indicated that the Fe3O4@GOQD‐O‐(propane‐1‐sulfonic acid) could be reused up to five times without considerable loss of catalytic activity.
PrestructuredMXenefillers with uniform channels to enhanceCO2selective permeation in mixed matrix membranes
Authors: Guan Weixin , Yang Xiaochen , Dong Chenyuan , Yan Xiaoming , Zheng Wenji , Xi Yuan , Ruan Xuehua , Dai Yan , He Gaohong
Published: September 2020

The packing pattern of two‐dimensional (2D) sheet‐like fillers in membranes is relatively random, leading to the unfavorable permeability from tortuous diffusion pathway. A new strategy that using prestructured materials with uniform channels as fillers was proposed. In this work, Ti3AlC2is etched to prepare multilayered MXene (m‐MXene), the channels aggregate as a whole unit, ensure the impossibility of ineffective packing compared with traditional individual sheets, largely facilitating the selective permeation. Then, the m‐MXene/Poly (amide‐6‐b‐ethylene oxide) (Pebax) MMMs are synthesized. SEM images demonstrate the accordion shaped structure of filler, which is the multi‐channels laminates. Furthermore, the results of gas permeation test exhibit enhanced performance of m‐MXene/Pebax MMMs. MMM with 0.5 wt.% m‐MXene behaved best, CO2permeability of 86.22 Barrer as well as CO2/N2selectivity of 104.85, transcending the Robeson upper bound (2008). Having distinct enhancement for CO2separation, the m‐MXene/Pebax MMMs in this work offer prospective practical applications.
Second‐order predefined‐time sliding‐mode control of fractional‐order systems
Authors: Muñoz‐Vázquez Aldo Jonathan , Sánchez‐Torres Juan Diego , Defoort Michael
Published: September 2020

This paper presents a predefined‐time control of fractional‐order linear system subject to a large class of continuous but not necessarily integer‐order differentiable disturbances. The dynamical system is based on the Caputo derivative and has an order that lies in (1,2). The proposed controller, based on a dynamic extension, induces an integer‐order reaching phase, such that an invariant second‐order sliding mode is enforced in predefined‐time, that is, the solution of the fractional‐order system and its integer‐order derivative converge to the origin within a time that is prescribed as a tunable control parameter. The controller is continuous and able to compensate for unknown continuous disturbances. A simulation study is carried out in order to show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
The study of the fractal basins of convergence linked with equilibrium points in the perturbed (N+ 1)‐body ring problem
Authors: Suraj Md Sanam , Aggarwal Rajiv , Mittal Amit , Meena Om Prakash , Asique Md Chand
Published: September 2020

The fractal basins of convergence (BoC) linked with the equilibrium points are explored in the(N + 1)−body ring problem under the effect of small perturbations in the Coriolis and centrifugal forces when the bodies are sources of radiation. The evolution of the positions and the stability of the libration points and the possible regions of motion are determined as the function of mass parameter, the Coriolis, and centrifugal and radiation parameters. In addition, the parametric variation of the effect of the small perturbations in the Coriolis and centrifugal forces on the stability of the equilibrium points are also illustrated numerically. The multivariate version of the Newton–Raphson(NR) iterative method is used to analyze the effect of the radiation parameters and mass parameter on the topology of the BoC.
Developmental Predictors of Cognitive and Adaptive Outcomes in Genetic Subtypes of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Arnett Anne B. , Beighley Jennifer S. , Kurtz‐Nelson Evangeline C. , Hoekzema Kendra , Wang Tianyun , Bernier Raphe A. , Eichler Evan E.
Published: September 2020

Approximately one‐fourth of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cases are associated with a disruptive genetic variant. Many of these ASD genotypes have been described previously, and are characterized by unique constellations of medical, psychiatric, developmental, and behavioral features. Development of precision medicine care for affected individuals has been challenging due to the phenotypic heterogeneity that exists even within each genetic subtype. In the present study, we identify developmental milestones that predict cognitive and adaptive outcomes for five of the most common ASD genotypes. Sixty‐five youth with a known pathogenic variant involving ADNP, CHD8, DYRK1A, GRIN2B, or SCN2A genes participated in cognitive and adaptive testing. Exploratory linear regressions were used to identify developmental milestones that predicted cognitive and adaptive outcomes within each gene group. We hypothesized that the earliest and most predictive milestones would vary across gene groups, but would be consistent across outcomes within each genetic subtype. Within the ADNP group, age of walking predicted cognitive outcomes, while age of first words predicted adaptive behaviors. Age of phrases predicted adaptive functioning in the CHD8 group, but cognitive outcomes were not clearly associated with early developmental milestones. Verbal milestones were the strongest predictors of cognitive and adaptive outcomes for individuals with mutations to DYRK1A, GRIN2B, or SCN2A. These trends inform decisions about treatment planning and long‐term expectations for affected individuals, and they add to the growing body of research linking molecular genetic function to brain development and phenotypic outcomes.

Lay Summary

Researchers have found many genetic causes of autism including mutations to ADNP, CHD8, DYRK1A, GRIN2B, and SCN2A genes. We found that each genetic cause had different early developmental milestones that explained the overall functioning of the children when they were older. Depending on the genetic cause, the age that a child first starts walking and/or talking may help to better understand and support a child's development who has a mutation to one of the above genes. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1659–1669. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC
Production, characterization, and immobilization of protease from the yeast Rhodotorula oryzicola
Authors: de Oliveira Juliana Mota , Fernandes Pedro , Benevides Raquel Guimarães , de Assis Sandra Aparecida
Published: September 2020

The protease was produced extracellularly in submerged fermentation by the yeast Rhodotorula oryzicola using different sources of nitrogen and maximum activity (6.54 × 10−3 U/mg) was obtained in medium containing 2% casein (w/v). Purification of the protease by gel filtration chromatography resulted in a 3.07‐fold increase of specific protease activity. The optimal pH and temperature for enzyme activity were 6.51 and 63.04 °C, respectively. Incubation in the presence of some salts enhanced enzyme activity, which peaked under 0.01 M BaCl2. The enzyme retained about 90% of enzymatic activity at temperatures 50–60 °C. The commercially available enzyme carriers evaluated, silica gel, Celite 545, and chitosan effectively immobilized the protease. The enzyme immobilized in Celite 545 retained 73.53% of the initial activity after 15 reuse cycles. These results are quite promising for large‐scale production and immobilization of protease from R. oryzicola, as the high operational stability of the immobilized enzyme lowers production costs in biotechnological applications that require high enzymatic activity and stability under high temperatures.
Local recurrence after local excision of early rectal cancer: a meta-analysis of completion TME, adjuvant (chemo)radiation, or no additional treatment
Authors: van Oostendorp S E , Smits L J H , Vroom Y , Detering R , Heymans M W , Moons L M G , Tanis P J , de Graaf E J R , Cunningham C , Denost Q , Kusters M , Tuynman J B
Published: September 2020

Background

The risks of local recurrence and treatment-related morbidity need to be balanced after local excision of early rectal cancer. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine oncological outcomes after local excision of pT1–2 rectal cancer followed by no additional treatment (NAT), completion total mesorectal excision (cTME) or adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy (aCRT).

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library. The primary outcome was local recurrence. Statistical analysis included calculation of the weighted average of proportions.

Results

Some 73 studies comprising 4674 patients were included in the analysis. Sixty-two evaluated NAT, 13 cTME and 28 aCRT. The local recurrence rate for NAT among low-risk pT1 tumours was 6·7 (95 per cent c.i. 4·8 to 9·3) per cent. There were no local recurrences of low-risk pT1 tumours after cTME or aCRT. The local recurrence rate for high-risk pT1 tumours was 13·6 (8·0 to 22·0) per cent for local excision only, 4·1 (1·7 to 9·4) per cent for cTME and 3·9 (2·0 to 7·5) per cent for aCRT. Local recurrence rates for pT2 tumours were 28·9 (22·3 to 36·4) per cent with NAT, 4 (1 to 13) per cent after cTME and 14·7 (11·2 to 19·0) per cent after aCRT.

Conclusion

There is a substantial risk of local recurrence in patients who receive no additional treatment after local excision, especially those with high-risk pT1 and pT2 rectal cancer. The lowest recurrence risk is provided by cTME; aCRT has outcomes comparable to those of cTME for high-risk pT1 tumours, but shows a higher risk for pT2 tumours.
Metabolic profile of curcumin self‐emulsifying drug delivery system in rats determined by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Xu Liangyu , Tang Xiaojiao , Zhang Guozhe , Yang Li , Yuan Dan
Published: September 2020

Curcumin (Cur) is a natural anticancer pigment, but its poor absorption and extensive metabolism limit its clinical applications. In this study, an ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method was employed to investigate the metabolic profiles of a Cur self‐emulsifying drug delivery system (C‐SEDDS) in rat plasma, urine, bile and feces after oral administration at 100 mg/kg. Protein precipitation, solid‐phase and ultrasonic extractions were used to prepare different biosamples. A total of 34 metabolites were identified using available reference standards, or tentatively identified based on the mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns and the chromatographic elution order. Nine metabolites of Cur were found for the first time in vivo. Glucuronidation, sulfation, reduction, dehydroxylation, demethylation, demethoxylation and methylation were its possible metabolic reactions. Moreover, the differences were compared in terms of plasma metabolites found in C‐SEDDS‐treated, Cur suspension‐treated and rats treated with a commercial curcuminoid phospholipid complex administered at the same oral dose. Dihydrocurcumin (DHC), DHC glucuronide and methylated DHC were found only in the metabolic profile of C‐SEDDS‐treated rat plasma, suggesting that different drug delivery systems may cause a change in Cur metabolic pathways. This study provides a sensitive and rapid method for the identification of Cur metabolites in biosamples.
The relationship between epilepsy and cognitive function in benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes
Authors: Li Yihan , Sun Yulei , Zhang Tingting , Shi Qi , Sun Jintao , Xiang Jing , Chen Qiqi , Hu Zheng , Wang Xiaoshan
Published: September 2020

Introduction

This study was aimed to explore the relationship between neural network changes in newly diagnosed children with Benign Childhood Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes (BECTS) and cognitive impairment.

Methods

Children's cognition was evaluated using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children‐Fourth Edition (WISC‐IV). Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) data of 18 healthy children and 22 BECTS patients were recorded in order to construct a functional connectivity (FC) network, which was quantified by graph theory (GT).

Results

The mean age of the control group was 7.94 ± 1.89 years, and the mean age of BECTS patients was 8.14 ± 1.73 years. Our results show that the WISC‐IV index scores in the BECTS group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Besides, the FC network pattern of BECTS patients changed significantly in the 12–30, 30–80, and 250–500 Hz frequency band. The local functional connections between posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and frontal lobe varied significantly in 12–30, 80–250, and 250–500 Hz. Our GT analysis shows that the connection strength of BECTS patients increases significantly in the 12–30 Hz frequency band, the path length decreases significantly in the 12–30 Hz and 30–80 Hz frequency bands, with the clustering coefficient decreasing significantly in the 12–30 Hz, 30–80 Hz, and 250–500 Hz frequency bands. Correlation analysis showed that the full‐scale IQ (FSIQ) was positively correlated with the 12–30 Hz clustering coefficient, verbal comprehension index (VCI) was positively correlated with the 250–500 Hz clustering coefficient, perceptual reasoning index (PRI) was positively correlated with the 12–30 Hz clustering coefficient, and perceptual reasoning index (PSI) was negatively correlated with the 12–30 Hz path length.

Conclusion

There is a trend of cognitive impairment in patients with early BECTS. This trend of cognitive impairment in early BECTS children may be related to the changes in the FC network pattern.
Rate differences between first and second primary cancers may outline immune dysfunction as a key risk factor
Authors: Zheng Guoqiao , Sundquist Kristina , Sundquist Jan , Försti Asta , Hemminki Akseli , Hemminki Kari
Published: September 2020

Background

Many cancers are increased in immunosuppressed patients and evidence is accumulating that immune dysfunction may be a contributing risk factor for second primary cancers (SPCs). The aim of this study was to explore the potential influence of immune mechanisms in SPC.

Methods

We used the Swedish Cancer Registry (1990‐2015) to select 13 male and 14 female first primary cancers (FPCs) that are known to be related to immune suppression. We assessed relative risks (RRs) for any of these as concordant (same first and second cancer) and discordant FPC‐SPC pairs. Hierarchical clustering of significant RRs was performed for cancers as FPC and SPC.

Results

Concordant risks for SPCs were excessive in men and women for nasal (RRs 59.3 for men and 150.6 for women), tongue/mouth (51.7 and 100.8), and lip (32.4 and 61.2) cancers. Heatmaps showed that some cancers, such as skin cancer, tongue/mouth cancers, and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma had multiple bidirectional associations as FPC and SPC. Nasal cancer and chronic lymphocytic leukemia had associations mainly as FPC while liver and kidney cancers showed most associations as SPC.

Conclusions

Immune dysfunction may be a plausible contributing factor for most of the associations, which calls for experimental verification.
Trimodal therapy in T2‐4aN0M0 bladder cancer––How to select the best candidate?
Authors: Gofrit Ofer N. , Meirovitz Amichay , Frank Stephen , Rabinovich Igal , Luwisch Hemda , Yutkin Vladimir , Neuman Tzahi , Hidas Guy , Duvdevani Mordechai , Wygoda Marc
Published: September 2020

The reported results of trimodal treatment (TMT) in muscle‐invasive bladder cancer vary widely. We attempted to characterize the profile of ideal candidates for this approach. Between 2000 and 2019, 105 patients (median age 78 years) with T2‐4aN0M0 bladder cancer were treated with TMT and analyzed retrospectively. Mean radiotherapy dose was 62 Gy (SD 8.4). Ten pretreatment prognostic parameters were evaluated including tumor diameter on pre‐TURBT CT. Multivariate analyses was performed and combination of parameters was studied. After a median follow‐up of 29 months, 53 patients (50.5%) developed recurrence and 70 patients (67.7%) died. Death was disease‐specific in 46 patients (65.7%). Tumor diameter was the most significant prognostic parameter with p < 0.0001 for overall, disease‐specific and recurrence‐free survivals. For every 1 cm increase in tumor diameter, the risk of disease‐specific mortality increased by 1.57. Age, cisplatin eligibility and the Charlson Comorbidity Index were significant predictors of overall survival but not of disease‐specific or recurrence‐free survival. Patients who were cisplatin‐eligible with a tumor diameter ≤3 cm had a 5‐year disease‐specific survival rate of 79.2% as opposed to 33.9% in patients without one of these features (p < 0.001). When tumor diameter exceeded 5 cm (irrelevant of all other parameters), 5‐year disease‐specific survival rate was only 28.2%. Patient profiles can accurately predict response to TMT. In cisplatin‐eligible patients with a tumor diameter ≤3 cm, TMT provides an excellent disease‐specific survival rate. In patients with a tumor diameter >5 cm TMT renders unacceptably poor treatment outcomes.
The impact of using negative versus positive Karma framing in donation appeals at grocery checkouts on the facilitating store's outcomes
Authors: Sharma Nazuk
Published: September 2020

There has been an increasing trend of soliciting donations for a store's charity partner by cashiers at grocery checkouts. A number of such charity appeals use the philosophical concept of Karma, which suggests equivalent outcomes to an individual's actions. Even though this concept is inherently neutral in stating the corresponding outcomes to both types of actions (i.e., good or bad), a majority of donation appeals use Karma's negative tenant alone (e.g., “when you don't donate, someone in your neighborhood goes without food”). Where previous message‐framing research has mainly focused on donation outcomes (e.g., pledged‐dollars), this research is a first of its kind to not only investigate the impact of using Karma's negative (vs. positive) tenants in prosocial messaging separately, but to also assess its effects on the largely‐ignored but critical store outcomes of purchase satisfaction and revisit intentions. Results from four scenario‐based experiments demonstrate that using a negative (vs. positive) Karma connotation in donation appeals at grocery checkouts significantly lowers consumers' purchase satisfaction at the store as well as their intentions to revisit the store in the future (with no major impact on the donation outcomes). Following established research on negativity bias, affect and moral consciousness, this research also shows that instead of emotions, lowered consumer mood mediates these effects. Furthermore, it evidences that the negative effect of using Karma's negative (vs. positive) connotation in checkout donation solicitations on the store outcomes attenuates when consumers' grocery basket consists of more hedonic (vs. utilitarian) products based on the former's mood‐uplifting properties.
Nitric Oxide Inhibitory Carbazole Alkaloids from the Folk Medicine Murraya tetramera C.C. Huang
Authors: Lyu Hai‐Ning , Zhou Ying , Wen Ran , Tu Peng‐Fei , Jiang Yong
Published: September 2020

The phytochemical investigation of the leaves and stems of Murraya tetramera C.C. Huang, a traditional folk medicine used as an anti‐inflammatory agent, yielded 19 simple carbazole alkaloids, two of which (1‐ethoxy‐3‐methyl‐9H‐carbazol‐2‐ol (1) and 7‐hydroxy‐2,8‐dimethoxy‐6‐methyl‐9H‐carbazole‐1‐carbaldehyde (2)) are new ones. The structures of the new compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis including NMR and HR‐EI‐MS experiments, as well as comparison with the reported data. Most of the isolates showed potent inhibitory effects on NO production in LPS‐stimulated BV‐2 microglial cells with IC50 values ranging from 5.1 to 15.1 μM.
Vapor Liquid Equilibria for Ionic Liquid/Ethanol/Water Systems and the Effect of Anion Hydrolysis
Authors: Faghihi Erfaneh , Mokhtarani Babak , Mortaheb Hamid Reza , Heydar Kourosh Tabar , Mirzaei Mojtaba , Sharifi Ali
Published: September 2020

The performance of two tetrafluoroborate‐based ionic liquids (ILs) as entrainers in the dehydration of water/ethanol azeotropic mixtures was evaluated. Isobaric vapor‐liquid equilibrium (VLE) data were measured for the systems ethanol/water/1‐butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate and ethanol/water /n‐butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate including the azeotropic region. VLE data for the ethanol/water, ethanol/IL, and water/IL binary mixtures were obtained at 100 kPa. The hydrolysis of the tetrafluoroborate anion was studied for both types of ILs by 19F NMR analysis. The hydrolysis of the tetrafluoroborate anion does not have much effect on the ethanol/water VLE. The 19F NMR analysis indicated that hydrolysis occurred at high mole fractions of water.
Results of an early safety analysis of a study of the combination of pembrolizumab and pelvic chemoradiation in locally advanced cervical cancer
Authors: Duska Linda R. , Scalici Jennifer M. , Temkin Sarah M. , Schwarz Julie K. , Crane Erin K. , Moxley Katherine M. , Hamilton Chad A. , Wethington Stephanie L. , Petroni Gina R. , Varhegyi Nikole E. , Clift Sheena H. , Bullock Timothy N. J. , Showalter Timothy N.
Published: September 2020

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are being considered for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) together with standard‐of‐care pelvic chemoradiation (CRT). However, the safety of the combination and its optimal schedule are unknown. Defining the safety of the combination is a primary objective of a study examining concurrent and sequential schedules. This article presents a safety analysis that was fully accrued and met reporting requirements.

Methods

Pembrolizumab was given after CRT (arm 1) or during CRT (arm 2) according to a randomized phase 2 design. Patients who were 18 years old or older and had LACC (stages IB‐IVA according to the 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics system) were randomized 1:1 to the treatment regimens. The CRT was identical in the 2 arms. Pembrolizumab was administered every 3 weeks for 3 doses; no maintenance was allowed. All patients receiving any treatment were evaluated for safety. Safety assessments included the incidence and severity of adverse events (AEs) and the occurrence of protocol‐defined dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) through 30 days after the last pembrolizumab infusion.

Results

As of August 2019, 52 of the 88 planned patients had completed treatment and were evaluable for toxicity. Treatment‐related grade 2 or higher toxicity was experienced by 88%; 11 had at least 1 grade 4 AE, and another 23 had at least 1 grade 3 AE. Grade 1 or higher diarrhea was reported in 34 patients (65%; 50% of these were grade 1), and there was no difference between arms (63% in arm 1 vs 68% in arm 2). Two patients experienced 3 DLTs. Most patients completed cisplatin (100% in arm 1 vs 82% in arm 2); 83% in both arms completed all pembrolizumab.

Conclusions

Preliminary results support the safety and feasibility of adding pembrolizumab to pelvic CRT concurrently or sequentially.

Lay Summary

Pembrolizumab is a humanized antibody against programmed cell death protein 1 that is used in cancer immunotherapy.

Preliminary data suggest that pembrolizumab can be safely combined with chemotherapy and pelvic radiation in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer.

Future studies of the addition of immunotherapy to traditional chemoradiation are planned to determine the best way to deliver the treatment and whether any improvement is seen with the addition of immunotherapy to traditional therapy.
Phytochemistry divergence among guarana genotypes as a function of agro‐industrial characters
Authors: Nina Natasha Veruska dos Santos , Schimpl Flávia Camila , Nascimento Filho Firmino José do , Atroch André Luiz
Published: September 2020

Guarana [Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke] is a typical South American plant, native to the Amazon, with subspontaneous occurrence in Maués, Amazonas, Brazil, where it was domesticated and cultivated by the Sateré‐Mawé indigenous community. Guarana is an original Brazilian product with great economic and industrial potential owing to the energetic, antioxidant, and medicinal properties of its seeds. In spite of its importance, there is still a gap in knowledge about genetic diversity and adaptations that might improve agro‐industrial uses of guarana seeds. This study was aimed at estimating phytochemical diversity, classification, and typology of guarana genotypes. Agro‐industrial potential among eight genotypes was estimated based on phytochemical characters (theobromine, caffeine, catechin, and epicatechin content, quantified by high performance liquid chromatography) and yield in three locations from harvests between 2015 and 2016. Phytochemical divergence was assessed by the mean Euclidean distance. Grouping was performed by the unweighted pair‐group method using arithmetic averages. Metabolite content varied considerably between genotypes (e.g., among caffeine [3.23–7.35%], catechin [0.20–3.57%], and epicatechin [0.09–4.22%]), and dry seed yield was the character with the greatest variation (0.048–5.13 kg plant−1). The metabolic profile variations of the genotypes were clustered into three chemotypes: energetic and antioxidant guarana (genotypes CIR815, CIR904, and CMA498); antioxidant guarana (genotypes BRS‐Maués and CMU874); and energetic guarana (genotypes CMA831, CMU952, and BRS‐CG372). Genotypes CIR815, CIR904, and CMU874 have the potential to be future commercial cultivars, providing quality raw material for soft drinks, energy drinks, and pharmaceutical products.
Potential‐ and Buffer‐Dependent Catalyst Decomposition during Nickel‐Based Water Oxidation Catalysis
Authors: Hessels Joeri , Yu Fengshou , Detz Remko J. , Reek Joost N. H.
Published: September 2020

The production of hydrogen by water electrolysis benefits from the development of water oxidation catalysts. This development process can be aided by the postulation of design rules for catalytic systems. The analysis of the reactivity of molecular complexes can be complicated by their decomposition under catalytic conditions into nanoparticles that may also be active. Such a misinterpretation can lead to incorrect design rules. In this study, the nickel‐based water oxidation catalyst [NiII(meso‐L)](ClO4)2, which was previously thought to operate as a molecular catalyst, is found to decompose to form a NiOx layer in a pH 7.0 phosphate buffer under prolonged catalytic conditions, as indicated by controlled potential electrolysis, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. Interestingly, the formed NiOx layer desorbs from the surface of the electrode under less anodic potentials. Therefore, no nickel species can be detected on the electrode after electrolysis. Catalyst decomposition is strongly dependent on the pH and buffer, as there is no indication of NiOx layer formation at pH 6.5 in phosphate buffer nor in a pH 7.0 acetate buffer. Under these conditions, the activity stems from a molecular species, but currents are much lower. This study demonstrates the importance of in situ characterization methods for catalyst decomposition and metal oxide layer formation, and previously proposed design elements for nickel‐based catalysts need to be revised.
Modeling and stability analysis of dynamic oscillation behaviors in double‐input Buck/Buck‐Boost DC‐DC converters using frequency selective approach
Authors: Zhang Hao , Liu Wei , Ding Honghui , Meng Yongpeng , Cui Donggang
Published: September 2020

Different from single‐input single‐output converters, stronger nonlinearity and coupling effect become ones of the most salient characteristics in the multiport DC‐DC converters (MPCs). Therefore, the MPCs can exhibit a great variety of more complex oscillation behaviors in different frequency regimes and seriously endanger system stability. In this paper, a frequency‐selective averaging model is proposed to investigate the low‐ and high‐frequency stability problem in the double‐input Buck/Buck‐Boost DC‐DC converter. At first, to characterize both low‐ and high‐frequency regime dynamics in one unified frame, the short‐time Fourier transform will be applied to obtain a frequency‐selective averaging model. Based on the proposed model, theoretical analysis is performed to identify subharmonic oscillation and low‐frequency oscillation by the movement of the eigenvalue loci. In particular, the underlying mechanism of the subharmonic oscillation and low‐frequency oscillation is uncovered deeply by participation analysis. It shows that period‐doubling bifurcation and Hopf bifurcation result in the subharmonic oscillation and low‐frequency oscillation, respectively. Moreover, some stability boundaries show the influence of varying parameters on system stability thoroughly, which is important to guide system stability enhancement. Finally, some circuit experiments are presented to verify the above theoretical and numerical results.
Reliable identification and quantification of anabolic androgenic steroids in dietary supplements by using gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry
Authors: Micalizzi Giuseppe , Huszti Katalin , Pálinkás Zoltán , Mandolfino Filippo , Martos Éva , Dugo Paola , Mondello Luigi , Utczás Margita
Published: September 2020

The aim of the present research was the identification and quantification of specific anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) and other sterane structured compounds in dietary supplements (DSs). The adulteration of DSs by these compounds is of a particular concern in athletes, because it might lead to a positive doping result. The research was focused on the optimization of a highly sensitive and selective GC‐based analytical strategy using triple quadrupole MS as detector. Chromatographic method and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions of 28 target compounds were optimized. Sample clean‐up was carried out by using a solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure, while the derivatization of AASs was performed by using N‐methyl‐N‐(trimethylsilyl)‐trifluoroacetamide (MSTFA). The method was validated, and the following parameters were investigated: linearity range, limit of detection, accuracy, and precision expressed in terms of intra‐day precision. The calibration curves were evaluated by using regression model and resulting in a good determination coefficients (R2 ≥ 0.9912). The residuals were scattered randomly around zero. The limits of detection (LODs) were lower than 7.0 ng g−1 or ng ml−1. The accuracy assessment was evaluated in different forms of DSs characterized by high sample‐to‐sample variability (liquid, powder, tablet, capsule, protein, and herbal‐based). Intra‐day assay precision was in all cases lower than 20%. The developed analytical method was successfully applied to the analysis of 67 commercially available dietary supplements. In five cases, one or more steroid‐type compounds were found in the concentration of 5 ng g−1–100 μg g−1, which might result adverse analytical findings in athletes.
Elimination profiles of microdosed ostarine mimicking contaminated products ingestion
Authors: Walpurgis Katja , Rubio Ana , Wagener Felicitas , Krug Oliver , Knoop Andre , Görgens Christian , Guddat Sven , Thevis Mario
Published: September 2020

The possibility of nutritional supplement contamination with minute amounts of the selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) ostarine has become a major concern for athletes and result managing authorities. In case of an adverse analytical finding (AAF), affected athletes need to provide conclusive information, demonstrating that the test result originates from a contamination scenario rather than doping. The aim of this research project was to study the elimination profiles of microdosed ostarine and characterize the time‐dependent urinary excretion of the drug and selected metabolites. Single‐ and multi‐dose administration studies with 1, 10, and 50 μg of ostarine were conducted, and collected urine samples were analyzed by LC‐MS/MS following solid‐phase extraction or enzymatic hydrolysis combined with liquid‐liquid extraction.

In the post‐administration samples, both the maximum urine concentrations/abundance ratios and detection times of ostarine and its phase‐I and phase‐II metabolites were found to correlate with the administered drug dose. With regard to the observed maximum levels of ostarine, the time points of peak urinary concentrations/abundance ratios, and detection windows, a high inter‐individual variation was observed. However, the study demonstrated that a single oral dose of as little as 1 μg can be detected for up to 9 (5) days by monitoring ostarine (glucuronide), and hydroxylated metabolites (especially M1a) appear to offer a considerably shorter detection window.

The obtained data on ostarine (metabolite) detection times and urinary concentrations following different administration schemes support the interpretation of AAFs, in particular when scenarios of proven supplement contamination are discussed and supplement administration protocols exist.
Unidirectional response to bidirectional selection on body size. I. Phenotypic, life‐history, and endocrine responses
Authors: Renneville Clémentine , Millot Alexis , Agostini Simon , Carmignac David , Maugars Gersende , Dufour Sylvie , Le Rouzic Arnaud , Edeline Eric
Published: September 2020

Anthropogenic perturbations such as harvesting often select against a large body size and are predicted to induce rapid evolution toward smaller body sizes and earlier maturation. However, body‐size evolvability and, hence, adaptability to anthropogenic perturbations remain seldom evaluated in wild populations. Here, we use a laboratory experiment over 6 generations to measure the ability of wild‐caught medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) to evolve in response to bidirectional size‐dependent selection mimicking opposite harvest regimes. Specifically, we imposed selection against a small body size (Large line), against a large body size (Small line) or random selection (Control line), and measured correlated responses across multiple phenotypic, life‐history, and endocrine traits. As expected, the Large line evolved faster somatic growth and delayed maturation, but also evolved smaller body sizes at hatch, with no change in average levels of pituitary gene expressions of luteinizing, follicle‐stimulating, or growth hormones (GH). In contrast, the Small medaka line was unable to evolve smaller body sizes or earlier maturation, but evolved smaller body sizes at hatch and showed marginally significant signs of increased reproductive investment, including larger egg sizes and elevated pituitary GH production. Natural selection on medaka body size was too weak to significantly hinder the effect of artificial selection, indicating that the asymmetric body‐size response to size‐dependent selection reflected an asymmetry in body‐size evolvability. Our results show that trait evolvability may be contingent upon the direction of selection and that a detailed knowledge of trait evolutionary potential is needed to forecast population response to anthropogenic change.
Escape from natural enemies depends on the enemies, the invader, and competition
Authors: Lucero Jacob E. , Arab Nafiseh Mahdavi , Meyer Sebastian T. , Pal Robert W. , Fletcher Rebecca A. , Nagy David U. , Callaway Ragan M. , Weisser Wolfgang W.
Published: September 2020

The enemy release hypothesis (ERH) attributes the success of some exotic plant species to reduced top‐down effects of natural enemies in the non‐native range relative to the native range. Many studies have tested this idea, but very few have considered the simultaneous effects of multiple kinds of enemies on more than one invasive species in both the native and non‐native ranges. Here, we examined the effects of two important groups of natural enemies–insect herbivores and soil biota–on the performance of Tanacetum vulgare (native to Europe but invasive in the USA) and Solidago canadensis (native to the USA but invasive in Europe) in their native and non‐native ranges, and in the presence and absence of competition.

In the field, we replicated full‐factorial experiments that crossed insecticide, T. vulgare–S. canadensis competition, and biogeographic range (Europe vs. USA) treatments. In greenhouses, we replicated full‐factorial experiments that crossed soil sterilization, plant–soil feedback, and biogeographic range treatments. We evaluated the effects of experimental treatments on T. vulgare and S. canadensis biomass.

The effects of natural enemies were idiosyncratic. In the non‐native range and relative to populations in the native range, T. vulgare escaped the negative effects of insect herbivores but not soil biota, depending upon the presence of S. canadensis; and S. canadensis escaped the negative effects of soil biota but not insect herbivores, regardless of competition. Thus, biogeographic escape from natural enemies depended upon the enemies, the invader, and competition.

Synthesis: By explicitly testing the ERH in terms of more than one kind of enemy, more than one invader, and more than one continent, this study enhances our nuanced perspective of how natural enemies can influence the performance of invasive species in their native and non‐native ranges.
Exploring the contours of climate governance: An interdisciplinary systematic literature review from a southern perspective
Authors: Sapiains Rodolfo , Ibarra Cecilia , Jiménez Guadalupe , O'Ryan Raúl , Blanco Gustavo , Moraga Pilar , Rojas Maisa
Published: September 2020

Dealing with climate change is one of this century's most difficult challenges demanding new strategies to steer societies towards common transformational goals. A growing literature involving “climate governance” is evolving and should advance the discussion on transformations and the involvement of different actors in climate action. However, it is unclear that the Global South's particularities are being integrated. This study has a three‐fold goal: (a) identify the different approaches to climate governance found in the mainstream literature, (b) explore the degree of integration of the Global South in those approaches, and (c) contribute to the ongoing discussion on this issue from a southern perspective. A systematic literature review on “climate governance” was conducted, distinguishing different approaches and their significance for the Global South. Results clustered in six groups use the characterizations: multi‐level, global, adaptive, transnational, polycentric, and experimental/transformative. These terms account for different levels of decision‐making, emerging values, and the importance of non‐State and sub‐national actors. Approaches vary, in relation to change and participation, from an incremental improvement focus to a more transformative perspective and from the promotion of community influence to processes based on traditional institutions. In the Global South, multi‐level, multi‐actor climate governance occurs in a context of deep inequality and asymmetric power relations, rising environmental conflicts, and a lack of adequate mechanisms for community participation. Addressing climate change here will require, acknowledging the State alone cannot solve the issue, that different views must be considered and that contextualized perspectives from the Global South must be integrated.
A truncation error analysis of third‐order MUSCL scheme for nonlinear conservation laws
Authors: Nishikawa Hiroaki
Published: September 2020

This article is a rebuttal to the claim found in the literature that the monotonic upstream‐centered scheme for conservation laws (MUSCL) cannot be third‐order accurate for nonlinear conservation laws. We provide a rigorous proof for third‐order accuracy of the MUSCL scheme based on a careful and detailed truncation error analysis. Throughout the analysis, the distinction between the cell average and the point value will be strictly made for the numerical solution as well as for the target operator. It is shown that the average of the solutions reconstructed at a face by Van Leer's ‐scheme recovers a cubic solution exactly with , the same is true for the average of the nonlinear fluxes evaluated by the reconstructed solutions, and a dissipation term is already sufficiently small with a third‐order truncation error. Finally, noting that the target spatial operator is a cell‐averaged flux derivative, we prove that the leading truncation error of the MUSCL finite‐volume scheme is third‐order with . The importance of the diffusion scheme is also discussed: third‐order accuracy will be lost when the third‐order MUSLC scheme is used with an incompatible fourth‐order diffusion scheme for convection‐diffusion problems. Third‐order accuracy is verified by thorough numerical experiments for both steady and unsteady problems. This article is intended to serve as a reference to clarify confusions about third‐order accuracy of the MUSCL scheme, as a guide to correctly analyze and verify the MUSCL scheme for nonlinear equations, and eventually as the basis for clarifying high‐order unstructured‐grid schemes in a subsequent article.