bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proposing the 3‐tier staging system for improving prognostication in Stage I uterine leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Matsuo Koji , Matsuzaki Shinya , Nusbaum David J. , Nagase Yoshikazu , Hur Elizabeth Y. , Klar Maximilian , Roman Lynda D.
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives

To examine the utility of a 3‐tier schema (≤5 cm, 5.1–10 cm, and > 10 cm) in determining characteristics and survival in Stage I uterine leiomyosarcoma.

Methods

This retrospective observational study queried the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result Program from 1988 to 2016. Surgically treated stage I uterine leiomyosarcomas with known tumor size were examined (N = 2217). Trends, characteristics, and survival were assessed based on tumor size.

Results

The most common tumor size was 5.1–10 cm (45.7%) followed by >10 cm (35.0%) and ≤5 cm (19.4%). Tumor size‐shift occurred during the study period; the percentage of tumor size >10 cm increased from 12.9% to 44.5% and the groups with smaller tumor sizes decreased (p < .001). In weighted models, 5‐year overall survival rates ranged from 49.9% to 71.6% in the 3‐tier system and 55.2%–70.6% in the 2‐tier system: the absolute difference was larger in the 3‐tier system (21.7% vs. 15.4%). In the 3‐tier system, all‐cause mortality risk of tumor size >10 cm versus ≤5 cm nearly doubled (hazard ratio 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.78–2.16).

Conclusion

In the past decades, tumors of stage I uterine leiomyosarcoma have become larger. Our study suggests that a tumor size‐based 3‐tier staging system may be useful to differentiate survival in stage I uterine leiomyosarcoma.
Thermal and kinetic study of hydroxyapatite formation by solid‐state reaction
Authors: Javadinejad Hamid Reza , Ebrahimi‐Kahrizsangi Reza
Published: December 2020

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is one of the most attractive calcium phosphates which is used for different applications. While HAP has been mostly synthesized using wet methods, recently solid‐state synthesis methods have attracted more attention. Many efforts have been made to better understand the solid‐state synthesis mechanism. In this study, the kinetics of the solid‐state reaction between hydroxide calcium (Ca(OH)2) and phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) was studied under nonisothermal conditions using isoconversional methods. The phase analysis revealed that HAP is the main product of this process with no impurity. Thermogravimetric (TG) curves were recorded at four heating rates (β = 5, 10, 12 and 15°C⋅min−1) and analyzed by several well‐known isoconversional methods. Activation energy values were determined for each extent of reaction, which varied from ∼139 to 100 kJ/mol at the reaction extent of 0.1–0.9. Comparison between activation energy values obtained by isoconversional methods revealed that Flynn–Ozawa–Wall and Vyazovkin's method are more accurate than other. The preexponential factor and the reaction model were determined through model‐free methods. The obtained results indicated that the reaction mechanism was chemically controlled or ordered‐based model. Furthermore, the results showed that formation of HAP does not depend on the heating rate; however, it proceeds with increasing temperature.
The effectiveness of selected vegetation communities in regulating runoff and soil loss from regraded gully banks in the Mollisol region of Northeast China
Authors: Yan Yue , Zhang Xingyi , Liu Jielin , Li Jianye , Ding Chao , Qi Zhi , Shen Qingsong , Guo Mingming
Published: December 2020

The steep slopes of actively developed gullies are extremely sensitive to erosion in the Mollisol region of Northeast China; however, decision making on the optimal configuration for gully bank protection is under discussion. Here, five vegetation communities were established on regraded gully banks with bare slopes as the control to identify their controlling effects on flow hydraulics and soil erosion through in situ scouring experiments. A hydraulic flume experiment was conducted to clarify the ability of roots to reduce erosion. For vegetated slopes, flow velocity, stream power, and unit stream power decreased by 42–67%, 0–18%, and 44–68%, respectively, while flow depth, shear stress, the Darcy–Weisbach friction coefficient, and Manning coefficient increased by 55–150%, 69–156%, 5–22‐times and 2–5‐times, respectively. Changes in the seven flow hydraulic parameters were significantly influenced by vegetation coverage, aboveground biomass, root mass density and litter biomass (p < .05). Consequently, the five vegetation communities experienced decreased runoff and soil loss by 19–30% and 78–97%, respectively. Vegetation with tap‐roots and rich roots of 1.0–2.0 mm in diameter was more effective in controlling gully bank erosion. Thus, the vegetation community consisting of Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea, Uraria crinita and Medicago sativa (25:25:25:25) is perfectly acceptable for gully bank protection in the Mollisol region of Northeast China. The results provide a scientific reference for selecting optimal vegetation configuration for gully bank rehabilitation.
Breathable Materials and Hybrid Nanocomposites with Antimicrobial Activity Based on Porous Poly(ε‐Caprolactone) Obtained via Environmental Crazing
Authors: Yarysheva Alena , Khavpachev Mukhamed , Bagrov Dmitry , Bakirov Artem , Efimov Aleksander , Trofimchuk Elena , Chvalun Sergey
Published: December 2020

Structural modification of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) allows the fabrication of new functional materials obtained via the PCL films/fibers stretching in ethanol by the crazing mechanism. Atomic force microscopy, X‐ray scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry are employed to study the evolution of PCL structure. It is shown that ethanol plasticizes the polymer being deformed, and the stretching of PCL films/fibers occurs with formation of a fibrillar‐porous structure in the interlamellar space. The obtained porous matrices have pore size below 50 nm and bulk porosities of 28% and 48% for fibers and films, respectively. Thermal stabilization of the PCL films’ porous structure made it possible to obtain breathable materials with a vapor permeability of 625–652 g m−2 per day. The resulting porous PCL fibers and films can be used as matrices for the incorporation of useful additives and preparation of functional nanocomposites (NCs), biodegradable surgical suture, packaging, covering, and textile vapor‐permeable materials. Hybrid NCs with antibacterial and fungicidal activities are obtained on the basis of the porous PCL matrices and functional components (5% silver, 1% brilliant green, 28% Betadine, etc.) incorporated into them.
Assessing demand reduction measures for rhino horn consumption
Authors: Chaudhry Peggy E.
Published: December 2020

A review of studies that segmented consumers based on their willingness to consume rhino horn are given to identify the various motivational drivers and deterrents of illegal wildlife consumption in China and Vietnam. Medicinal motivations are the most significant stimuli for both Vietnamese and Chinese consumers who believe that the horn treats ailments. A review of campaigns that were developed to generate an awareness of the plight of this endangered species is conducted to highlight the problems of the celebrity‐product degree of fit and eclipsing in the advertisements. We recommend that additional consumer behavior research on demand‐reduction strategies for rhino horn should examine gateway behaviors that initiate consumption; evaluate the viability of diverting demand to substitute products (e.g., synthetic alternatives); investigate the counterfeit market for rhino horn and draw analogies from anticounterfeiting messages to decrease demand for an illicit product; and employ benchmarks to implement and assess the validity of campaigns targeted at Asian consumers to decrease demand. A few research methods are suggested based on the recommendations for future research.
Wildlife trafficking: Focusing on the entire supply chain
Authors: Nataraajan Arthi Shri
Published: December 2020

Fueled by her first‐hand experiences with caring for wildlife, and the realization that efforts at fighting crimes against wildlife have hitherto been focused mainly on the supply side of wildlife trafficking, the author makes a case for a renewed focus on both the supply and the demand sides as well as the intervening link between them that facilitates such trafficking. After an engaging introduction, she discusses each of the above three parts in detail and concludes that a strategy involving the same intense focus on each of the three parts is sorely needed to eradicate crimes against wildlife. In the process, she argues that the adoption of the “carrot” approach would be far superior to the “stick” approach in achieving long‐term success, and offers specific tactics pertaining to each of the three parts as actionable recommendations.
Thermal Stability of Bio‐Based Aliphatic‐Semiaromatic Copolyester for Melt‐Spun Fibers with Excellent Mechanical Properties
Authors: Zhou Jialiang , Zhu Qingqing , Pan Weinan , Xiang, Hengxue , Hu Zexu , Zhu Meifang
Published: December 2020

Flexible aliphatic poly(lactic acid) is introduced into polyethylene terephthalate through copolymerization to prepare biodegradable copolyester, which aims to solve the non‐degradability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and realize the greening of raw materials. In this work, poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐lactic acid) random copolyesters (PETLAs) of lactic acid composition from 10 to 50% is synthesized via one‐pot method. The chemical structure and composition, thermal property, and crystallization property of prepared PETLAs resin are characterized. The results shows that the introduction of LA segment forms random copolyester, and the flexible LA segment results in slight decrease in the glass transition temperatures (Tg), melting point (Tm), and crystallinity (Xc) of the copolyesters. The thermal stability of PETLAs is better, and the initial decomposition temperature of PETLA‐10 can reach 394 °C. The PETLAs resin exhibits good processability, and PETLAs fibers are prepared by melt spinning. The strength of PETLA‐10 fiber can reach 260 MPa after drawing treatment, and the elongation at break can reach 130%. Taking advantage of their features, PETLAs as an innovative bio‐based polymer are expected to achieve ecofriendly applications in the fields of fiber, plastic, and film.
Mechanical properties of small structures built by selective laser melting 316 L stainless steel – a phenomenological approach to improve component design
Authors: Wiesent L. , Schultheiß U. , Lulla P. , Nonn A. , Noster U.
Published: December 2020

Experimental investigations are conducted to quantify the influence of specimen thickness and orientation on the mechanical properties of selective laser melted stainless steel 316 L. The results indicate that the mechanical strength and ductility increase with increasing specimen thickness until a saturation value is reached from a specimen thickness of about 2 mm. Specimen orientation dependency is pronounced for thin specimens (<1.5 mm), whereas only small deviations in strength are observed for thicker specimens with orientations of 30°, 45° and 90° to build direction. The mechanical properties of the specimen orientation of 0° to build direction shows great deviation to the other orientations and the smallest overall strength. A reliable design of selective laser melted components should account for specimen thickness and orientation, e. g. by a correction factor. Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid loads vertical (90°) and parallel (0°) to build direction to guarantee higher ductility and strength.
Research on corrosion performance of 6061 aluminum alloy in salt spray environment
Authors: Wang G. , Tuo X. , Kou L. , Zhao W. , Zhu X.
Published: December 2020

Salt spray corrosion test was carried out on 6061 aluminum alloy, and quasi‐static tensile test at room temperature was carried out on the sample with universal testing machine. The effect of salt spray corrosion on the mechanical properties of 6061 aluminum alloy was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and electrochemistry. The corrosion rate of 6061 aluminum alloy was quantitatively characterized by different corrosion parameters. It was found that local corrosion of 6061 aluminum alloy occurred in salt spray environment, mainly pitting corrosion and intergranular corrosion. With the increase of corrosion time, the polarization resistance of 6061 aluminum alloy decreases, and the corrosion rate significantly increases. The average corrosion rate
and the maximum corrosion rate
of 6061 aluminum alloy were characterized by corrosion weight loss and corrosion pit depth. And they can be transformed into each other. The mechanical properties of 6061 aluminum alloy were mainly affected by the depth of corrosion pit. With the increase of corrosion time, the tensile strength and fracture strain decreased, resulting in poor plasticity of the sample. At the same time, the change of elongation of 6061 aluminum alloy can be accurately predicted by the depth of corrosion pit.
The dynamic slack‐performance relationship from an efficiency perspective
Authors: Agustí María , Velasco Francisco , Galán José L.
Published: December 2020

The article aims to analyse the behaviour of firms in terms of managing their slack resources from the perspective of efficiency when faced with a generalised crisis. From a sample of 419 Spanish companies in 2006, 2010 and 2014, a cluster analysis was carried out to identify their position in relation to slack resources (whether there was an excess or a deficiency). Taking this position into account, a data envelopment analysis was carried out which allowed the efficiency frontier to be analysed with respect to the different performances of the company. The results show firstly how companies' resource endowment is affected as a result of adaptation to the crisis and, in turn, how said adaptations accentuate the efficiency of the companies. The management of capacity and resources is an element that companies have failed to prioritise. The recent financial crisis and the current crisis underline the importance of maintaining and managing these resources beyond the vision of simply reducing slack as shown by many companies. The study has two particularities. First, it analyses the changes before, during and after one of the most important crises. Second, the complexity of the phenomenon means that a multiple methodology must be adopted.
Treacher Collins syndrome: Clinical report and retrospective analysis of Chinese patients
Authors: Pan Zhaoyu , Xu Hongen , Chen Bei , Tian Yongan , Zhang Linlin , Zhang Sen , Liu Danhua , Liu Huanfei , Li Ruijun , Hu Xinxin , Guan Jingyuan , Tang Wenxue , Lu Wei
Published: December 2020

Background

Treacher Collins syndrome‐1 (TCS1; OMIM# 154500) is a rare autosomal dominant disease that is defined by congenital craniofacial dysplasia. Here, we report four sporadic and one familial case of TCS1 in Chinese patients with clinical features presenting as hypoplasia of the zygomatic complex and mandible, downslanting palpebral fissures, coloboma of the lower eyelids, and conductive hearing loss.

Materials and Methods

Audiological, radiological, and physical examinations were performed. Targeted next‐generation sequencing (NGS) was performed to examine the genetics of this disease in five probands, and Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the identified variants. A literature review discusses the pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of TCS1.

Results

We identified a novel insertion of c.939_940insA (p.Gly314Argfs*35; NM_001135243.1), a novel deletion of c.1766delC (p.Pro589Leufs*7), two previously reported insertions of c.1999_2000insC (p.Arg667Profs*31) and c.4218_4219insG (p.Ser1407Valfs*23), and one previously reported deletion of c.4369_4373delAAGAA (p.Lys1457Glufs*12) in the TCOF1 gene. All five cases exhibited a degree of interfamilial and intrafamilial phenotypic variability. A review of the literature revealed no clear evidence of a genotype–phenotype correlation in TCS1.

Conclusion

Our results expand the variant spectrum of TCOF1 and highlight that NGS is essential for the diagnosis of TCS and that genetic counseling is beneficial for guiding prevention.
Chimeric profunda artery perforator ‐ gracilis flap: A computed tomographic angiography study and case report
Authors: Heredero Susana , Falguera‐Uceda María Isabel , Sanjuan‐Sanjuan Alba , Dean Alicia , Solivera Juan
Published: December 2020

Background

The possibility of harvesting the profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap in a chimeric configuration together with the innervated gracilis muscle may be a good option for dynamic reconstruction following total glossectomies. In this paper, we present a retrospective radiological study, which evaluates the presence and characteristics of the anatomical variation of the chimeric PAP – gracilis flap.

Methods

The study sample comprised 66 patients (132 legs), 38 men, and 28 women with an average age of 56 ± 2 years old, who underwent head and neck reconstruction with a free flap. Preoperative computed tomographic angiography (CTA) was used for morphologic analysis. We present a case report of a patient with a total glossectomy reconstructed with this flap.

Results

A perforator in the PAP area joining with the main pedicle of the gracilis muscle was found in 38 legs (28.8%). Mean length of the pedicle from the profunda femoral artery to the point where the perforator in the PAP area and the pedicle of the gracilis joined was 3.0 ± 0.3 cm. Differences in the existence of this vascular configuration were not significant comparing groups by sex, BMI, height, side or source vessel. Motion of the new tongue was documented clinically and with electromyography. The patient achieved an intelligible speech and normal diet.

Conclusions

Preoperative evaluation is necessary to assess the existence of a perforator in the PAP area joining with the main pedicle of the gracilis muscle. This chimeric flap has been demonstrated useful for dynamic reconstruction of a patient with a total glossectomy.
Transcriptomic responses of porcine cumulus cells to heat exposure during oocytes in vitro maturation
Authors: Liu Jie , He Bin , Yin Chao , Chang Zhanglin , Zhao Ruqian
Published: December 2020

The oocyte is vulnerable to various environmental stressors, including heat exposure. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) comprise functional units for oocytes in vitro maturation, and the cumulus cells provide essential supports and protect the oocyte from environmental insults. Heat exposure results in varied consequences in oocyte, presumably due to different responses of cumulus cells to heat exposure. In this study, we examined whether heat exposure of different duration affects porcine oocytes quality differently, and how such effects, if any, relate to transcriptomic profiles of cumulus cells. COCs were heat‐exposed for 4 h (20–24 h, COC4) and 24 h (0–24 h, COC24), respectively, and the quality of oocytes in COC24 group showed significantly impaired with disrupted cumulus expansion and extracellular matrix (ECM) structure. The transcriptomic analysis identified 749 and 1238 differential expression genes (DEGs) in COC4 and COC24, respectively. Moreover, 852 DEGs were found when COC24 was compared with COC4, and the downregulated DEGs were mainly associated with Gene Ontology terms linked with ECM and cell proliferation. In the protein‐protein interaction network, HSPE1, TNFAIP6, COL12A1, and COL18A1 were identified as hub genes playing important roles in heat‐induced transcriptomic responses. These results indicate that impaired cumulus proliferation and ECM structure are responsible for heat‐induced damage in oocytes quality.
Follicular microenvironment: Oxidative stress and adiponectin correlated with steroids hormones in women undergoing in vitro fertilization
Authors: Luti Simone , Fiaschi Tania , Magherini Francesca , Modesti Pietro A. , Piomboni Paola , Semplici Bianca , Morgante Giuseppe , Amoresano Angela , Illiano Anna , Pinto Gabriella , Modesti Alessandra , Gamberi Tania
Published: December 2020

Research has been focused on determining the follicular microenviroment produced by the theca and granulosa cells since the molecular characterisation of this body fluid could lead to the understanding of several fertility problems. Oxidative stress may be one of the factors involved in female infertility since it plays a key role in the modulation of oocyte maturation and finally pregnancy. An increase in oxidative stress is correlated with inflammation and intense research was developed to understand the interaction between inflammation and adiponectin, based on the fact that many adipokines are inflammation related proteins linked to reactive oxygen species production. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between total adiponectin levels and oxidative stress amount in the serum and follicular fluid (FF) of women who undergone in vitro fertilization. Moreover we verified the expression of adiponectin in granulosa and cumulus cells. To clarify the predictive value of steroid hormones in human assisted reproduction, twelve steroid hormones in FF and serum, were quantified in a single run liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, by using a multiple reaction monitoring mode and we related the serum and follicular fluids adiponectin levels with the concentration of the investigated steroid hormones.
An artificial neural network‐based method for the optimal control problem governed by the fractional parabolic equation
Authors: Darehmiraki Majid , Rezazadeh Arezou , Ahmadian Ali
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we propose an artificial neural network model (ANN) to solve a partial differential equation (PDE) constrained optimization problem. Here, the discretize then optimize approach is used. At first, the Legendre polynomials are used to discretize the optimization problem and transform it into a quadratic optimization problem with linear constraint. Then an ANN model is proposed to solve the obtained quadratic optimization problem. Finally, several examples are presented to illustrate the abilities and efficiency of the proposed approach.
Evidence of permafrost in the Paleoproterozoic (c. 1.9 Ga) of Central Sweden
Authors: Vandenberghe Jef , Kuipers Gerrit , Beunk Frank F. , Yi Keewook , van der Wateren Frederik M.
Published: December 2020

This paper reports on an ice‐wedge pseudomorph that formed and is preserved in metavolcanic host material that was later transformed to metamorphic solid bedrock. It has been dated to 1,895 ± 5 Ma by U–Pb geochronology of zircon in the bedrock, an Early Proterozoic age. Detailed observation of the deformation structures of the wedge points to an ice‐wedge pseudomorph based on typical downbending around the wedge and vertical lamination in the inner part of the wedge due to slumping into the wedge after the ice melted, along with a few remains of lateral pressure structures (such as folds and upturned strata) in the adjacent host sediment. The interpretation of the wedge structure as an ice‐wedge pseudomorph confirms previous work on this topic. This ice‐wedge pseudomorph demonstrates for the first time the existence of permafrost atc. 1.9 Ga. It indicates that permafrost and associated conditions were present in lowlands at low latitude at discrete time intervals early in Earth’s history. Although some caution should be applied, mean annual air temperature appears to have been slightly below the freezing point at that time.
Sedation for bronchoscopy in children: A prospective randomized double‐blinded trial
Authors: Tschiedel Eva , Eckerland Maximilian , Felderhoff‐Mueser Ursula , Dohna‐Schwake Christian , Stehling Florian
Published: December 2020

Introduction

In pediatric patients, flexible bronchoscopy requires deep sedation. Different sedation regimes are common, but only some of them include opioids. Due to their antitussive effect, the use of short‐acting opioids may be beneficial for this particular indication, but additional respiratory depression may lead to an increase in adverse events. Here, we systematically compared sedation regimes in children undergoing flexible bronchoscopy with either propofol alone, or a combination of propofol and remifentanil. The primary outcome parameter was the frequency of coughing episodes during the intervention. Secondary outcome parameters were frequency and types of complications, patient satisfaction, examiner satisfaction, and recovery time after finishing the sedation.

Methods

Fifty children aged 1–17 years undergoing flexible bronchoscopy under deep sedation with propofol were randomly assigned to two groups: PR receiving propofol and remifentanil and PP receiving propofol only. Sedation depth was predefined as Comfort Score 10–13.

Results

We found significantly less coughing episodes ([med (IQR)] PR: 0.73 (0.28–2.45)/min; PP: 1.98 (1.26–3.12)/min; p = .010) and shorter recovery time in Group PR (PR: 13.5 (8–17.5) min; PP: 21.0 (14–27) min; p = .011). Examiner's satisfaction was higher in Group PR (PR: 10 (8–10); PP: 9 (7–9); p = .012). The number of adverse events, patient satisfaction, and required propofol dose during the intervention did not differ between groups.

Conclusion

We suggest the combination of propofol with remifentanil instead of using propofol alone in pediatric procedural sedation for flexible bronchoscopy.
Promoting cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and glycolysis: Glycometabolism‐related genes act as prognostic signatures for prostate cancer
Authors: Zhang Yao , Mou Yanhua , Liang Chao , Zhu Shenhao , Liu Shouyong , Shao Pengfei , Li Jie , Wang Zengjun
Published: December 2020

Background

The Warburg effect seen in most solid tumors occurs only in the late stages of prostate cancer (PCa). Currently, the management of patients with low‐risk localized PCa and patients after radical therapy remains a challenge. Our objective here was to evaluate glycometabolism‐related genes as prognostic signatures for PCa.

Methods

The International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases and glycometabolism‐related gene sets were obtained online. Glycometabolic prognostic signatures were identified and validated in a TCGA cohort and tested in an ICGC cohort. We used the gene set enrichment analysis to reveal biological processes associated with the glycometabolism‐related signatures. Novel glycometabolism‐related genes were selected for verifying their oncogenic phenotypes in vitro.

Results

Two glycometabolic prognostic signatures were applied respectively to construct risk score formulas for PCa. Survival and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to detect the value of these prognostic signatures. We performed univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses in the TCGA cohort, demonstrating the independence of the prognostic signatures. Three glycometabolism‐related genes were found to be novel PCa‐associated genes. These were shown to affect proliferation, cell cycle progression, and glycolysis of DU145 and PC3 cells in different degrees.

Conclusion

The present research represents the first glycometabolic and high‐throughput investigation on PCa, revealing potential biomarkers and treatment targets. We confirm the vital role of glycometabolism in PCa and provide essential resources for future exploration of metabolism in PCa.
Dexmedetomidine ameliorates high‐fat diet‐induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by targeting SCD1 in obesity mice
Authors: Tao Linfen , Guo Xiaolong , Xu Min , Wang Yumeng , Xie Wenhua , Chen Hong , Ma Mengyao , Li Xi
Published: December 2020

Fatty liver disease is one of the main hepatic complications associated with obesity. To date, there are no therapeutic drugs approved for this pathology. Insulin resistance (IR) is implicated both in pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and in disease progression from steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In this study, we have characterized effects of an α2‐adrenoceptor agonist, dexmedetomidine (DEX), which can alleviate IR in hepatocytes in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced NAFLD mice. The NAFLD mice received a daily intraperitoneal administration of DEX (100 μg·kg‐1) after 16 days exhibited lower body weight, fewer and smaller fat droplets in the liver, markedly reduced the plasma triglyceride levels, accompanied by improvement of liver damage. This inhibition of lipid accumulation activity in obese mice was associated with a robust reduction in the mRNA and protein expression of the lipogenic enzyme stearyl‐coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1), which was probably mediated by the inhibition of C/EBP β, PPAR γ and C/EBP α through suppressing α2A‐adrenoceptor (α2A‐AR) via negative feedback. Additionally, DEX can also improve IR and inflammation by inhibiting the mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa beta (NFκB) signaling pathway in vivo. Our findings implicate that DEX may act as a potential anti‐steatotic drug which ameliorates obesity‐associated fatty liver and improves IR and inflammation, probably by suppressing the expression of SCD1 and the inhibition of MAPK/NFκB pathway and suggest the potential adjuvant use for the treatment of NAFLD.
Resistance of Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (Q‐biotype) to pymetrozine: resistance risk assessment, cross‐resistance to six other insecticides and detoxification enzyme assay
Authors: Wang Fan , Liu Jin , Shuai Shuai , Miao Chunli , Chi Baojie , Chen Peng , Wang Kai , Li Hongyang , Liu Yongjie
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is a severe pest that affects many field and glasshouse crops worldwide and has developed resistance to insecticides in most chemical classes. Pymetrozine, a neuroactive pyridine azomethine, is selective towards piercing‐sucking pests in Hemiptera. The aim of this study was to assess the resistance of B. tabaci Mediterranean (MED) to pymetrozine in the laboratory.

RESULTS

After successive selection of 18 generations of MED in the presence of using pymetrozine, there was an 11.28‐fold increase in the median lethal concentration (LC50). When the realized heritability (h2) of B. tabaci to pymetrozine in the field was assumed to be the value estimated in the laboratory (h2 = 0.1360) and the mortality was 70–90%, only 7.2–15.9 generations were estimated to be needed to obtain a ten‐fold increase in resistance to pymetrozine. Compared with the susceptible populations (G0), the Pyme‐SEL strain (G18) showed a low level of cross‐resistance to neonicotinoids (nitenpyram, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiamethoxam) and no cross‐resistance to chlorpyrifos or abamectin. With the G0 and the Pyme‐SEL strains (G11 and G18) as test strains, the activity of multifunctional oxidase exhibited the greatest increase during selection, while the activities of carboxylesterase and glutathione‐S‐transferase did not change significantly.

CONCLUSION

This study show that a potential risk of development of resistance to pymetrozine exists in B. tabaci after continuous application. During the application of pymetrozine to control B. tabaci in the field, the frequency of its use in combination with neonicotinoids should be used with caution. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Assimilation of radar reflectivity volumes in a pre‐operational framework
Authors: Gastaldo Thomas , Poli Virginia , Marsigli Chiara , Cesari Davide , Alberoni Pier Paolo , Paccagnella Tiziana
Published: December 2020

The assimilation of radar reflectivity data is of great interest for numerical weather prediction (NWP) models at the convective scale since these observations are very dense both in space and time and they are related to microphysical prognostic variables. So far, the assimilation of reflectivity in operational frameworks has been limited to derived products, like precipitation rates and humidity profiles. This approach is also adopted at ARPAE‐SIMC, the Hydro‐Meteo‐Climate Structure of the Regional Agency for Prevention, Environment and Energy of Emilia‐Romagna region in Italy, where latent heat nudging (LHN) is employed to assimilate precipitation rates in the COSMO‐2I model, the convection‐permitting version of the regional model developed by the COnsortium for Small‐scale MOdelling (COSMO) which is run operationally to provide high‐resolution forecasts over Italy. However, to fully exploit the information contained in these observations, the whole reflectivity volume should be directly assimilated. Nevertheless, despite several promising studies, its implementation in an operational framework has not yet been achieved. In this study, a set‐up designed to assimilate reflectivities operationally in the COSMO‐2I model through a local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF) has been evaluated over 37 days in 2018 and performed 303 forecasts. The comparison with the current operational set‐up based on LHN reveals an average improvement in quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) up to 7 hr, even if the impact on convective cases is much stronger than that observed in conditions of stratiform precipitation. Moreover, a small but positive impact is noticed for the RMSE of upper‐air variables, while the impact on bias is mixed. Mixed results are also obtained when considering surface variables. In the light of the results of this study, a pre‐operational parallel system in which COSMO‐2I analyses are generated replacing LHN by the direct assimilation of reflectivity volumes was implemented in April 2020.
Scaling characteristics of modelled tropical oceanic rain clusters
Authors: Teo Chee‐Kiat , Koh Tieh‐Yong , Cheung Kevin K. W. , Legras Bernard , Huynh Hoai‐Nguyen , Chew Lock‐Yue , Norford Leslie
Published: December 2020

The scaling exponents of the distributions of cluster rain amount,R, and cluster size,A, for oceanic rain clusters over the Indian and Pacific warm pools, and the intertropical convergence zones over the eastern Pacific and the tropical Atlantic, were obtained from a set of regional climate model downscaling products. The main aim of the investigation is to compare the model cluster's scaling characteristics with those obtained from observations that have been reported previously. The scaling exponents for the model were found to be different across the ocean basins indicating the lack of universality in the modelled rain cluster distributions. The scaling exponent for the conditional mean ofRgivenA = a, E(R|a), was found to be the same across the different ocean basins, and the estimated value of the exponent agrees with that obtained from satellite‐observed rain clusters. However, no crossover in the scaling of E(R|a) in the model for cluster size larger than mesoscale was seen, unlike those reported elsewhere based on observations. The implication is that in the model the intensification of rain with cluster size continues up to synoptic scale. Through simple scaling arguments it is believed that before the break in scaling that has been identified from an observational study elsewhere, the model simulates the fundamental mesoscale dynamics well and thus estimated the E(R|a) in agreement with observations. Whether such a difference in transition of scaling between the modelled and observed rain cluster scaling behaviour depends on the model details, for example the convection parametrization, needs further clarification.
An application of WKBJ theory for triad interactions of internal gravity waves in varying background flows
Authors: Voelker Georg S. , Akylas T. R. , Achatz Ulrich
Published: December 2020

Motivated by the question of whether and how wave–wave interactions should be implemented into atmospheric gravity‐wave parametrizations, the modulation of triadic gravity‐wave interactions by a slowly varying and vertically sheared mean flow is considered for a non‐rotating Boussinesq fluid with constant stratification. An analysis using a multiple‐scale WKBJ (Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin–Jeffreys) expansion identifies two distinct scaling regimes, a linear off‐resonance regime, and a nonlinear near‐resonance regime. Simplifying the near‐resonance interaction equations allows for the construction of a parametrization for the triadic energy exchange which has been implemented into a one‐dimensional WKBJ ray‐tracing code. Theory and numerical implementation are validated for test cases where two wave trains generate a third wave train while spectrally passing through resonance. In various settings, of interacting vertical wavenumbers, mean‐flow shear, and initial wave amplitudes, the WKBJ simulations are generally in good agreement with wave‐resolving simulations. Both stronger mean‐flow shear and smaller wave amplitudes suppress the energy exchange among a resonantly interacting triad. Experiments with mean‐flow shear as strong as in the vicinity of atmospheric jets suggest that internal gravity‐wave dynamics are dominated in such regions by wave modulation. However, triadic gravity‐wave interactions are likely to be relevant in weakly sheared regions of the atmosphere.
Adaptive finite‐time fault‐tolerant control for interconnected nonlinear systems
Authors: Fan Yanli , Li Yongming , Tong Shaocheng
Published: December 2020

This paper addresses the adaptive finite‐time output tracking control problem for nonlinear large‐scale systems whose power‐exponentials are positive odd rational numbers. The considered systems contain actuator loss‐of‐effectiveness and bias fault, which can be addressed by fault‐tolerant control technique. The intelligent approximator is presented to approximate the unknown nonlinear function. Meanwhile, the technique named adding a power integrator is used, which validly overcomes the problem of the system with power‐exponentials. A finite‐time fault‐tolerant controller is proposed based on the finite‐time Lyapunov stability theory and backstepping algorithm. Moreover, the tracking errors can converge to a small neighborhood of the origin in finite time. Finally, a simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive finite‐time control strategies.
The performance of diatom indices in assessing temporal changes in water quality in a large lowland river ecosystem
Authors: Tan Xiang , Liu Yan , Burford Michele A. , Zhang Quanfa
Published: December 2020

Benthic diatoms are often included in bioassessment programs of river health as sensitive indicators of nutrient status and pollution. Many diatom‐based indices have been developed and are frequently used to infer conditions in water quality. However, concerns have been raised regarding the robustness of these indices in riverine systems that have natural variability in environmental conditions, including seasonal change of water quality parameters, especially in terms of physical and chemical characteristics of water, which also influence diatom community composition. Here, we used three diatom‐based indices (Diatom‐based eutrophication/pollution index, EPI‐D; Biological Diatom Index, IBD; Watanabe's Index, WAT), which have previously been validated as robust for water quality assessment in China, to explore their response to temporal changes in water quality and diatom community structure in a riverine network over time. Concentrations of total nitrogen (TN), nitrate nitrogen (NO3‐N), total phosphorus (TP), temperature (t), and turbidity in April 2010 were significantly higher than in November 2007. The 141 diatom taxa we found in April 2010 were fewer than the 194 taxa we found in November 2007. On both occasions, the three diatom indices responded to same water quality variables (phosphorus and chloride or nitrogen) as reported in previous studies. Of the three diatom indices tested, EPI‐D provided the most robust measure of natural seasonal changes in water quality and indicated the phosphorus and chloride. Our study confirms that these three diatom indices are effective for evaluating long‐term water quality in large rivers.
Industry, science education, and teacher agency: A discourse analysis of teachers' evaluations of industry‐produced teaching resources
Authors: Andrée Maria , Hansson Lena
Published: December 2020

This study examines teachers' evaluations of teaching resources produced by industry to support science and technology teaching. The aim is to contribute to an understanding of how teachers negotiate the usability of industrial school initiatives for compulsory school science and technology. These evaluations are conceptualized in terms of teacher agency and educational governance. The collected data consist of focus group interviews where Swedish lower secondary school teachers discuss the usability of industry‐produced teaching resources. A discourse analysis was conducted and five discourses discerned regarding teachers' practical evaluations of industry‐produced teaching resources: (1) the curriculum discourse, (2) the educational design discourse, (3) the practical discourse, (4) the correct science content discourse, and (5) the partiality and bias discourse. The teachers draw on the different discourses to different degrees, and the teacher agency achieved in specific situations will vary. Based on the results a tool aimed at strengthening teacher agency in the practical evaluations of teaching resources from the industry is proposed. The study also contributes to a critical discussion on the influence of industry on the local education policy arena and suggests directions for strengthening teacher agency in situations where teachers evaluate and make decisions about the use of industry‐produced teaching resources.
Assessing environmental epidemiology questions in practice with a causal inference pipeline: An investigation of the air pollution‐multiple sclerosis relapses relationship
Authors: Sommer Alice J. , Leray Emmanuelle , Lee Young , Bind Marie‐Abèle C.
Published: December 2020

When addressing environmental health‐related questions, most often, only observational data are collected for ethical or practical reasons. However, the lack of randomized exposure often prevents the comparison of similar groups of exposed and unexposed units. This design barrier leads the environmental epidemiology field to mainly estimate associations between environmental exposures and health outcomes. A recently developed causal inference pipeline was developed to guide researchers interested in estimating the effects of plausible hypothetical interventions for policy recommendations. This article illustrates how this multistaged pipeline can help environmental epidemiologists reconstruct and analyze hypothetical randomized experiments by investigating whether an air pollution reduction intervention decreases the risk of multiple sclerosis relapses in Alsace region, France. The epidemiology literature reports conflicted findings on the relationship between air pollution and multiple sclerosis. Some studies found significant associations, whereas others did not. Two case‐crossover studies reported significant associations between the risk of multiple sclerosis relapses and the exposure to air pollutants in the Alsace region. We use the same study population as these epidemiological studies to illustrate how appealing this causal inference approach is to estimate the effects of hypothetical, but plausible, environmental interventions.
Flame Synthesized Blue TiO2−x with Tunable Oxygen Vacancies from Surface to Grain Boundary to Bulk
Authors: Wu Shuyang , Manuputty Manoel Y. , Sheng Yuan , Wang Haojing , Yan Yong , Kraft Markus , Xu Rong
Published: December 2020

Fabrication of nonstoichiometric metal oxides containing oxygen vacancies (OVs) has been an effective strategy to modulate their (photo)catalytic or (photo)electrochemical performances which are all affected by charge transfer at the interface and in the bulk. Considerable efforts are still needed to achieve tunability of OVs, as well as their quantitative characterization. Herein, a one‐step flame synthesis method is reported for the first time for fast fabrication of blue TiO2−x with controllable defect content and location. Temperature‐programmed oxidation (TPO) analysis is applied for the first time and found to be an excellent technique in both differentiating and quantifying OVs at the surface, grain boundary (GB), and bulk of TiO2−x. The results indicate that a moderate level of OVs can greatly enhance the charge transfer. Importantly, the OVs locked at GBs due to the thermal sintering of nanoparticles during the synthesis can facilitate the anchoring and reduction of Pt species.
Programmable Local Orientation of Micropores by Mold‐Assisted Ice Templating
Authors: Zhou Xiaohong , Yin Liang , Yang Baisong , Chen Chuyang , Chen Wenhui , Xie Yu , Yang Xichen , Pham Jonathan T. , Liu Sheng , Xue Longjian
Published: December 2020

Pore geometry plays a crucial role in determining the properties and functions of porous materials. Various methods have been developed to prepare porous materials that have randomly distributed or well‐aligned pores. However, a technique capable of fine regulation of local pore orientation is still highly desired but difficult to attain. A technique, termed mold‐assisted ice templating (MIT), is reported to control and program the local orientation of micropores. MIT employs a copper mold of a particular shape (for instance a circle, square, hexagon, or star) and a cold finger to regulate the 3D orientation of a local temperature gradient, which directs the growth of ice crystals; this approach results in the formation of finely regulated patterns of lamellar pore structures. Moreover, the lamellar thickness and spacing can be tuned by controlling the solution concentration.
Multilayer Ratiometric Fluorescent Nanomachines for Imaging mRNA in Live Cells
Authors: Chang Jianqiao , Zhang Yu , Li Yike , Han Ziwei , Tian Fei , Liu Chao , Feng Qiang , Wang Yuguang , Sun Jiashu , Zhang Lu
Published: December 2020

Detection of mRNA expression in live cells during treatment is a challenging task, despite its importance in tumor biology and potential therapeutic leads. Here a multilayer ratiometric fluorescent nanomachine for live‐cell perturbation and imaging of mRNA at single cell resolution is reported. The nanomachines fabricated by microfluidic approaches consist of fluorescent polymeric cores and multiple lipid layers, which can efficiently deliver siRNA and molecular beacons (MBs) to cytosol and then release the cargo in a sequential way. The siRNA molecules released from the outer lipid layers lead to silencing of multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene, and the MBs from the middle lipid layers detect the presence of MDR1 mRNA. The fluorescent ratio of MBs to fluorescent polymeric cores positively correlates with the expression level of MDR1 mRNA in MCF‐7/ADR cells during siRNA treatment. The nanomachines provide comparable results with traditional qPCR for quantifying mRNA, showing great potential for modulation and imaging of intratumoral mRNA in vitro and in vivo.
{Cyclopentadienyl/Fluorenyl}‐Group 4 ansa‐Metallocene Catalysts for Production of Tailor‐Made Polyolefins
Authors: Kirillov Evgueni , Carpentier Jean‐François
Published: December 2020

The development of new metallocene‐based polymerization catalysts and innovative processes derived thereof still constitutes a challenge for the manufacturing of polyolefinic materials with tailored properties (e. g. particular microstructure or topology, ultra‐high molecular weight, high melting transition, and their combinations) for contemporary commercial applications. This personal account summarizes our continuing endeavors to advance the family of industry‐relevant stereoselective propylene polymerization catalysts based on C1‐symmetric group 4 ansa‐metallocenes incorporating multi‐substituted fluorenyl−cyclopentadienyl {Cp/Flu} ligands. Within the framework of this project, valuable structural and catalytic data, harvested both for neutral metallocenes and for metallocenium ion‐pairs, have been used for rational design of more efficient catalytic systems, reluctant towards side reactions, and for providing new stereoregular value‐added polymer materials.