bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Earning information content changes based on accrual measures and quality measures: Evidences from member countries of Asia Pacific trade agreement
Authors: Shoaib Adnan , Siddiqui Muhammad A.
Published: September 2020

The primary purpose of the study to identify the impact of accruals measures and quality measures on the earning information content that effects market value, while keeping in view the measures of Dechow, Sloan, and Sweeney (1996); Kothari, Leone, and Wasley (2005) and Barton and Simko (2002). The results from 802 companies selected from member countries of APTA indicated that, in all countries except Bangladesh, the earning management is not performed for improving earning informativeness in market and rather it is done for achieving manager's personal benefit. The specific behaviour is seen in India and Sri Lanka in which the higher accrual quality reduces the pricing of earning in market. This behaviour is due to the fact that investors are uninformed. Moreover, this behaviour is due to information asymmetry. The earning quality also has negative influence on earning informativeness towards market value in case of India and Bangladesh, which suggest that overstatement of beginning net operating assets have negative effect on earning information content as this overstatement reduces returns on asset due to overstated denominator, rather it restricts managers from biased earnings. However, in other countries it works in a way suggested by Barton and Simko (2002). The market value measure of India has greater dependency on interaction term as compared to China and Pakistan due to lower price synchronicity. China also has greater influence of interaction term on its company's market values than Pakistan.
Macroeconomic determinants of credit risk: Evidence from the Eurozone
Authors: Carvalho Paulo V. , Curto José D. , Primor Rodrigo
Published: September 2020

We propose and estimate several models controlling for firm‐specific information, to examine the relation of macroeconomic variables with the probability of default of firms in the Eurozone. The novelty of our approach consists in capturing the informational value of macroeconomic factors on credit default prediction by using data from firms spanning 11 European countries; our panel data set covers 534 thousand firm‐year observations. The results we obtain confirm that macroeconomic information strengthens the accuracy of models forecasting credit default of non‐financial firms. With a negative effect on the probability of default, GDP growth stands out among the key macroeconomic predictors of default. Yet, we find compelling evidence that asymmetries exist within the Eurozone regarding the benign effects of GDP growth over credit risk; the reduction of the probability of default due to economic growth mostly occurs in economies more exposed to conditions of financial stress.
Phasepy: A Python based framework for fluid phase equilibria and interfacial properties computation
Authors: Chaparro Gustavo , Mejía Andrés
Published: September 2020

Phasepy is a Python based package for fluid phase equilibria and interfacial properties calculation from equation of state (EoS). Phasepy uses several tools (i.e., NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, Matplotlib) allowing use Phasepy under Jupyter Notebooks. Phasepy models phase equilibria with the traditional ϕ–γ and ϕ–ϕ approaches, where ϕ (fugacity coefficient) can be modeled as a perfect gas, virial gas or EoS fluid, whereas γ (activity coefficient) can be described by conventional models (NRTL, Wilson, Redlich‐Kister expansion, and the group contribution modified‐UNIFAC). Interfacial properties are based on the square gradient theory couple to ϕ–ϕ approach. The available EoSs are the cubic EoS family extended to mixtures through the quadratic, modified‐Huron‐Vidal, and Wong‐Sandler mixing rules. Phasepy allows to analyze phase stability, compute phase equilibria, interfacial properties, and optimize their parameters for vapor–liquid, liquid–liquid, and vapor–liquid–liquid equilibria for multicomponent mixtures. Phasepy implementation, and robustness are illustrated for binary and ternary mixtures.
The impact of pre‐analytical variations on biochemical analytes stability: A systematic review
Authors: Hedayati Mehdi , Razavi S. Adeleh , Boroomand Seti , Kheradmand Kia Sima
Published: September 2020

Objective

A common problem in clinical laboratories is maintaining the stability of analytes during pre‐analytical processes. The aim of this study was to systematically summarize the results of a set of studies about the biochemical analytes stability.

Methods

A literature search was performed on the Advanced search field of PubMed using the keywords: “(stability) AND (analytes OR laboratory analytes OR laboratory tests OR biochemical analytes OR biochemical tests OR biochemical laboratory tests).” A total of 56 entries were obtained. After applying the selection criteria, 20 articles were included in the study.

Results

In the 20 included references, up to 123 different analytes were assessed. The 34 analytes in order of the most frequently studied analytes were evaluated: Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, potassium, triglyceride, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, total cholesterol, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, sodium, calcium, γ‐glutamyltransferase, total bilirubin, urea, creatine kinase, inorganic phosphate, total protein, uric acid, amylase, chloride, high‐density lipoprotein, magnesium, glucose, C‐reactive protein, bicarbonate, ferritin, iron, lipase, transferrin, cobalamin, cortisol, folate, free thyroxine, and thyroid‐stimulating hormone. Stable test results could be varied between 2 hours and 1 week according to the type of samples and/or type of blood collection tubes on a basic classification set as refrigerated or room temperature.

Conclusions

Biochemical analytes stability could be improved if the best pre‐analytical approaches are used.
Effects of polishing with paste containing surface pre‐reacted glass‐ionomer fillers on enamel remineralization after orthodontic bracket debonding
Authors: Nagasaki Ryota , Ishikawa Rina , Ito Shuich , Saito Takashi , Iijima Masahiro
Published: September 2020

Surface pre‐reacted glass‐ionomer (S‐PRG) technology allows for the release of multiple ions. This study was performed to investigate the remineralization of etched enamel after removal of the bracket using a novel paste containing S‐PRG filler. Surfaces of polished enamel were etched with phosphoric acid and then subdivided into two regions. Bracket bonding resin was thinly applied to one region. After 24‐hr immersion in artificial saliva, the bonding resin on the enamel surfaces was removed by grinding with tungsten carbide bur at low‐speed, followed by polishing with one of four different polishing systems: (a) nonfluoridated paste (NF); (b) fluoridated paste (F); (c) S‐PRG filler‐containing paste (S‐PRG); or (d) nonfluoridated plus S‐PRG filler‐containing paste (NF + S‐PRG) (n = 15). The polished specimens were then immersed in an artificial saliva solution for 7 days. Nanoindentation testing of enamel surfaces was performed and their mechanical properties were compared. Representative specimens were examined with scanning electron microscope. In all specimens, the mechanical properties of the enamel surfaces were markedly degraded by acid etching. However, the mechanical properties of both regions (etched and resin‐infiltrated enamels) showed recovery after polishing and 7‐day immersion. Polishing with NF + S‐PRG paste led to significant recovery of mechanical properties compared to polishing with NF or S‐PRG paste alone, and remineralization was equivalent to that seen with F paste. Porous etched enamel surfaces were filled with a remineralization layer after each polishing procedure and 7‐day immersion in all polishing groups. Polishing using NF + S‐PRG paste can facilitate enamel remineralization after bracket removal.
Altered Dynamic Functional Connectivity in Patients With Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathy With Lactic Acidosis and Stroke‐Like Episodes (MELAS) at Acute and Chronic Stages: Shared and Specific Brain Connectivity Abnormalities
Authors: Wang Rong , Sun Chong , Lin Jie , Chen Ne , Hu Bin , Liu Xueling , Geng Daoying , Yang Liqin , Li Yuxin
Published: September 2020

Background

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke‐like episodes (MELAS) is a rare maternally inherited genetic disease; however, little is known about its underlying brain basis. Furthermore, the dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) of brain networks in MELAS has not been explored.

Purpose

To investigate the abnormalities of dFC in patients with MELAS at the acute and chronic stages, and to determine the possible relations between dynamic connectivity alterations and volumes of stroke‐like lesions (SLLs).

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

Twenty‐two MELAS patients at the acute stage, 23 MELAS patients at the chronic stage, and 22 healthy controls.

Field Strength/Sequence

Single‐shot gradient‐recalled echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence at 3T.

Assessment

Dynamic FC states were estimated using the sliding window approach and k‐means clustering analyses. Combined with graph theory, the topological properties of the dFC network were also accessed.

Statistical Tests

Permutation test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and false discovery rate correction.

Results

We identified four dFC states and found that MELAS patients (especially at the acute stage) spent more time in a state with weaker connectivity (state 1) and less time in states with stronger connectivity. In addition, volumes of acute SLLs were positively correlated with mean dwell time in state 1 (r = 0.539, P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with the number of transitions (r = −0.520, P < 0.05). Furthermore, MELAS patients at the acute stage exhibited significantly increased global efficiency (P < 0.01) and decreased local efficiency (P < 0.001) compared to the controls and the patients at the chronic stage. Patients at the chronic stage only showed significantly (P < 0.001) decreased local efficiency compared to the controls.

Data Conclusion

Our findings suggest similar and distinct dFC alterations in MELAS patents at the acute and chronic stages, providing novel insights for understanding the neuropathological mechanisms of MELAS.

Level of Evidence 2

Technical Efficacy Stage Stage 2

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2021;53:427–436.
Efficient removal of ginkgotoxin from Ginkgo biloba seed powder by combining endogenous enzymatic hydrolysis with resin adsorption
Authors: Zhang Wen , Zou Minmin , Wu Rong , Jiang Huijuan , Cao Fuliang , Su Erzheng
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Ginkgotoxin including 4′‐O‐methylpyridoxine (MPN) and MPN‐5′‐glucoside (MPNG) is responsible for Ginkgo seed food poisoning. The purpose of the work reported was to prepare detoxified Ginkgo seed powder and at the same time to retain the nutritional and functional components of Ginkgo seed powder to the maximum extent.

RESULTS

Resin adsorption technology was firstly employed to remove ginkgotoxin from water extract of Ginkgo seed powder. Under optimal conditions, the adsorption efficiency of the optimal resin for MPN could reach 100%, and that for MPNG could only reach 85.4 ± 0.93%. Resin adsorption alone could not effectively remove MPN and MPNG simultaneously. Endogenous enzymatic hydrolysis was next attempted to transform MPNG to MPN. MPNG could be completely hydrolyzed to MPN by endogenous enzyme(s) at 40 °C and pH 5.0 in 180 min. Ginkgotoxin only in the form of MPN in the enzymatic hydrolysate was then adsorbed with resin and the conditions were statistically optimized. The adsorption efficiency of MPN reached 98.89 ± 0.99% under the optimized conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Removal of ginkgotoxin by combining endogenous enzymatic hydrolysis with resin adsorption could preserve the main nutritional and functional components of Ginkgo seed powder to the most extent, and did not change its main characteristics. The ginkgotoxin removal method developed in this work is a relatively simple and efficient approach. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Piscivorous Bird Use of Aquaculture and Natural Water Bodies in Mississippi
Authors: Burr Paul C. , Avery Jimmy L. , Street Garrett M. , Strickland Bronson K. , Dorr Brian S.
Published: September 2020

Double‐crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) and great egrets (Ardea alba) have an extensive history of human‐wildlife conflict with the aquaculture industry of western Mississippi, USA, due to their depredation of cultured catfish (Ictalurusspp.). Although aquaculture is abundant, western Mississippi also contains naturally occurring water bodies that offer alternative forage opportunities to these species. How cormorants or egrets distribute themselves among these 2 foraging options is unknown, but it has been generally assumed each species uses aquaculture disproportionately more because of the high density of available prey. To test this assumption, we surveyed these species on aquaculture and naturally occurring water bodies using aerial surveys from October through April of 2015–2016, 2016–2017, and 2017–2018. We modeled the proportion of each species on aquaculture as a function of year, date, and weather‐related variables using quasi‐binomial generalized linear models. Egrets used aquaculture consistently more than what was proportionally available to them and use was not influenced by any of the variables we measured. Proportional use of aquaculture by cormorants was lowest during October through January but steadily increased through April, indicating a distribution shift toward aquaculture in the months immediately prior to their migration. The highest proportional use of aquaculture by cormorants occurred in 2016, a year when lethal control measures were not allowed against cormorants. Conversely, the least proportion of cormorants on aquaculture was in 2015 when cormorants could be lethally controlled under authority of an Aquaculture Depredation Order. This trend highlights the potential influence of changes in mortality risk, caused by changes in policy regarding lethal take of cormorants, on cormorant distribution between foraging options. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Inferior Meatus Mucosal Flap for Septal Reconstruction and Resurfacing After Nasoseptal Flap Harvest
Authors: Ruffner Randall , Pereira Marcelo Charles , Patel Varun , Peris‐Celda Maria , Pinheiro‐Neto Carlos D.
Published: September 2020

View Video S1
Genome‐wide association study of café‐au‐lait macule number in neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Sung Heejong , Hyland Paula L. , Pemov Alexander , Sabourin Jeremy A. , Baldwin Andrea M. , Bass Sara , Teshome Kedest , Luo Wen ,   Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Widemann Brigitte C. , Stewart Douglas R. , Wilson Alexander F.
Published: September 2020

Background

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a tumor‐predisposition disorder that arises due to pathogenic variants in tumor suppressor NF1. NF1 has variable expressivity that may be due, at least in part, from heritable elements such as modifier genes; however, few genetic modifiers have been identified to date.

Methods

In this study, we performed a genome‐wide association analysis of the number of café‐au‐lait macules (CALM) that are considered a tumor‐like trait as a clinical phenotype modifying NF1.

Results

A borderline genome‐wide significant association was identified in the discovery cohort (CALM1, N = 112) between CALM number and rs12190451 (and rs3799603, r2 = 1.0; p = 7.4 × 10−8) in the intronic region of RPS6KA2. Although, this association was not replicated in the second cohort (CALM2, N = 59) and a meta‐analysis did not show significantly associated variants in this region, a significant corroboration score (0.72) was obtained for the RPS6KA2 signal in the discovery cohort (CALM1) using Complementary Pairs Stability Selection for Genome‐Wide Association Studies (ComPaSS‐GWAS) analysis, suggesting that the lack of replication may be due to heterogeneity of the cohorts rather than type I error.

Conclusion

rs12190451 is located in a melanocyte‐specific enhancer and may influence RPS6KA2 expression in melanocytes—warranting further functional studies.
Neurodevelopmental trajectory and modifiers of 16p11.2 microdeletion: A follow‐up study of four Chinese children carriers
Authors: Xie Hua , Liu Fang , Zhang Yu , Chen Qian , Shangguan Shaofang , Gao Zhijie , Wu Nan , Wang Jian , Cui Xiaodai , Wang Lin , Chen Xiaoli
Published: September 2020

Background

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a group of disorders with high genetic and phenotypic heterogeneities. The 16p11.2 microdeletion has been implicated as an important genetic risk factor for NDDs.

Methods

Multiple genetic tests were used to detect the 16p11.2 microdeletion from 918 Chinese children with NDDs. Targeted sequencing of genes in the 16p11.2 interval was performed in all carriers of the 16p11.2 microdeletion, and whole‐genome expression profiling analysis was performed for the patient carriers and normal carriers in their intra‐family.

Results

Three patients carrying the 16p11.2 microdeletion were screened out, indicating a frequency of 0.33% for the 16p11.2 microdeletion in this cohort. We reviewed the neurodevelopmental trajectories of the 16p11.2 microdeletion carriers from childhood to puberty and confirmed that this microdeletion was associated with abnormal neurodevelopment, with varied neurodevelopmental phenotypes. A differential PRRT2 genotype (rs10204, T>C) was identified between patients and normal carriers of the 16p11.2 microdeletion. Moreover, the determination of differential whole‐genome expression profiling demonstrated the destruction of the top‐ranked network in neurogenesis and accounted for observation of abnormal neurodevelopmental phenotypes in the 16p11.2 microdeletion carriers.

Conclusions

We have provided the frequency of the 16p11.2 microdeletion in a Chinese pediatric NDD cohort with a variable NDD phenotype from childhood to puberty, which is useful for Chinese geneticists/pediatricians to conduct the 16p11.2 microdeletion testing in children with NDDs.
Polymere: Die Kunst der Kreisläufe
Authors: Glöckner Patrick , Hellmann Birgit , Neumair Claudia , Simon Joachim , Witt Michael
Published: September 2020

Wenn alle Teilnehmer der Wertschöpfungskette – vom Hersteller über den Verarbeiter bis zum Endverbraucher – mitmachen, lassen sich Polymere immer wieder verwenden. Dafür entwickeln Chemieunternehmen Additive, Verfahren zum mechanischen und chemischen Recycling sowie neue Konzepte.
Double shadow masking sample preparation method for in‐situ TEM characterization
Authors: Alphonse Carmel Mary Esther , Garlapati Mohan Muralikrishna , Hilke Sven , Wilde Gerhard
Published: September 2020

A novel double mechanical masking‐based sample preparation method is introduced for in‐situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterizations. In the current study amorphous vanadium pentoxide thin film deposition is carried out by using the developed double mask on a transparent window of TEM chip on precisely selected spots by a reactive sputtering technique. The prepared sample is less damaged since it is not subjected to ion beam exposure. And the probability of achieving a viable TEM sample is also enhanced compared to classical preparation methods. In‐situ temperature‐based electron diffraction pattern sequences are recorded for amorphous vanadium pentoxide in the temperature region of 25 to 500˚C. This allowed observing the crystallization temperature at ∼416˚C. The pre‐ and post‐heat‐treated microstructure and electron diffraction pattern of the vanadium pentoxide thin film showed the formation of a mixed crystalline and amorphous film. Thus, a most reliable, reusable and cost effective TEM sample preparation method was demonstrated.
A cost‐efficient QoS‐aware analytical model of future software content delivery networks
Authors: Otero Beatriz , Rodríguez Eva , Rojas Otilio , Verdú Javier , Costa Juan José , Alejandro Pajuelo Manuel , Canal Ramón
Published: September 2020

Freelance, part‐time, work‐at‐home, and other flexible jobs are changing the concept of workplace and bringing information and content exchange problems to companies. Geographically, spread corporations may use remote distribution of software and data to attend employees' demands, by exploiting emerging delivery technologies. In this context, cost‐efficient software distribution is crucial to allow business evolution and make IT infrastructures more agile. On the other hand, container‐based virtualization technology is shaping the new trends of software deployment and infrastructure design. We envision current and future enterprise IT management trends evolving towards container‐based software delivery over hybrid content delivery networks (CDNs). This paper presents a novel cost‐efficient QoS‐aware analytical model and a hybrid CDN–peer‐to‐peer (P2P) architecture for enterprise software distribution. The model would allow delivery cost minimization for a wide range of companies, from big multinationals to SMEs, using CDN–P2P distribution under various industrial hypothetical scenarios. Model constraints guarantee acceptable deployment times and keep interchanged content amounts below the bandwidth and storage network limits in our scenarios. Indeed, key model parameters account for network bandwidth, storage limits, and rental prices, which are empirically determined from their offered values by the commercial delivery networks KeyCDN, MaxCDN, CDN77, and BunnyCDN. This preliminary study indicates that MaxCDN offers the best cost‐QoS trade‐off. The model is implemented in the network simulation tool PeerSim and then applied to diverse testing scenarios by varying company types, number and profile (either, technical or administrative) of employees, and the number and size of content requests. Hybrid simulation results show overall economic savings between 5% and 20%, compared to just hiring resources from a commercial CDN, while guaranteeing satisfactory QoS levels in terms of deployment times and number of served requests.
Computational Study of a Novel 2D Ferromagnetic Metal: the Ce2C Monolayer
Authors: Zhang Lifu , Pan Jinbo , Yan Qimin , Hu Zhenpeng
Published: September 2020

Based on the first‐principles calculations, a novel 2D Ce2C monolayer with ferromagnetic behavior is designed. Ce2C monolayer has an antisite structure of the 1 T‐MoS2 sheet, where carbon atoms are hexagonally coordinated by neighboring Ce atoms. Both calculations of phonon dispersion and molecular dynamics show that the Ce2C monolayer has good stability. The Curie temperature of Ce2C monolayer is predicted to be about 72 K based on the Heisenberg model. Due to a strong spin–orbit coupling, the magnetic anisotropy energy of the Ce2C monolayer is larger than those of pure metals, such as Fe, Co, and Ni. These characteristics suggest the 2D Ce2C sheet may have potential applications as a functional material in nanoscale spintronic devices.
Effectiveness of Scutellaria barbata water extract on inhibiting colon tumor growth and metastasis in tumor‐bearing mice
Authors: Yue Grace Gar‐Lee , Chan Yuk‐Yu , Liu Wenjing , Gao Si , Wong Chun‐Wai , Lee Julia Kin‐Ming , Lau Kit‐Man , Lau Clara Bik‐San
Published: September 2020

The plant Scutellaria barbata (SB) is commonly used as herbal medicines for treating cancer. The present pre‐clinical study aimed to validate the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (CP) recommended dosages of SB water extract (SBW) in treating colon tumors. The content of chemical marker scutellarin in SBW was quantified using UPLC. Mice bearing human HCT116 xenografts or murine colon26 tumors received oral administration of SBW or scutellarin for 4 weeks. Results showed that SBW (615 and 1,230 mg/kg) and scutellarin (7 mg/kg) treatments significantly reduced human xenograft weights by 28.7, 36.9 and 28.8%, respectively. Lung metastasis area could be ameliorated after SBW (615 mg/kg) and scutellarin (7 mg/kg) treatments by 23.4 and 29.5%, respectively. Expressions of colon cancer metastasis‐related proteins E‐cadherin, Tspan 8 and CXCR4, as well as Src kinase in tumors were first shown to be regulated by SBW. Furthermore, in murine colon26 tumor‐bearing mice, SBW (615 mg/kg) and scutellarin (7 mg/kg) treatments reduced the orthotopic tumor burden by 94.7% and lung metastatic tumor burden by 94.1%, respectively. Our findings provided evidences that SBW (at the mouse equivalent dosages to clinical dosages recommended by CP) could exert anti‐tumor and anti‐metastatic effects in colon cancer animal models.
Simple and useful statistical control charts for monitoring count data
Authors: Bourguignon Marcelo , Medeiros Rodrigo M.R. , Fernandes Fidel Henrique , Lee Ho Linda
Published: September 2020

This paper studies control charts based on the BerG (which is a sum of Bernoulli and geometric random variables) process to deal with the cases of equidispersion, overdispersion, underdispersion, or zero inflation (or deflation). Its probability distribution function can be expressed in terms of the mean parameter and its cumulative distribution has a closed form, thus the construction of an
control chart to monitor the mean can be made easily. Additionally, we call attention that the asymptotic control limits for
control chart by central limit theorem (CLT) may lead to a serious erroneous decision. We present guidelines for practitioners about the minimum sample size needed to match out‐of‐control average run length (ARL1) with the exact and asymptotic control limits in function of the shape parameter after an extensive simulation study. The proposed schemes are applied to monitoring the BerG mean parameter.
Preparation of Fluorine‐Free and Superhydrophobic SiO2 Film with High Transmittance
Authors: Wang Yong , Liu Juncheng , Nie Lifang
Published: September 2020

Superhydrophobic film has broad application prospect in daily life. Herein, superhydrophobic SiO2 film was prepared with chemical modification reducing the film's surface energy and sol mixing increasing its surface roughness. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) was used as precursor, trimethylethoxysilane (TMES) was used as modifier. Both the modified SiO2 film and the mixed SiO2 film were obtained with dip‐coating. With the increase of TMES addition, the characteristic peak intensity of hydrophilic hydroxyl group in Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR) decreased, and that of the hydrophobic methyl group increased; the modified SiO2 film surface was relatively smooth and its root‐mean‐square (RMS) roughness ranged 1.86‐5.41 nm, while that of the mixed SiO2 film increased from 11.20 nm to 42.60 nm; the contact angle of the modified SiO2 film increased from 19.08° to 127.37°, while that of the mixed SiO2 film increased from 129.47° to 158.47°; the average transmittance of the modified SiO2 film first decreased from 94.86 % to 94.14 % and then increased to 94.43 %, while that of the mixed SiO2 film decreased gradually from 96.99 % to 94.84 %. Finally, the fluorine‐free superhydrophobic SiO2 film with the average contact angle of 158.47° and the average transmittance of 94.84 % was obtained.
Recent Developments in Graphene and Graphene Oxide: Properties, Synthesis, and Modifications: A Review
Authors: Farjadian Fatemeh , Abbaspour Somayeh , Sadatlu Mohamad Amin Abdolahi , Mirkiani Soroush , Ghasemi Amir , Hoseini‐Ghahfarokhi Mojtaba , Mozaffari Naeimeh , Karimi Mahdi , Hamblin Michael R.
Published: September 2020

Graphene was first discovered as a sheet structure mechanically exfoliated from a block of graphite, but in recent years researchers have extended their investigations into this two‐dimensional carbon nanostructure. Various applications of graphene‐based materials have included electronics, photonics, optoelectronics, sensors, and drug / gene delivery systems. These single atom carbon layers have the potential to be formed in different morphologies e. g., quantum dots, nanosheets, and nanoparticles, which can be tailored to achieve new breakthrough innovations. Nowadays, the utilization of graphene‐based nanomaterials in medicine is a hot research topic. This review discusses the structure, properties, methods of synthesis, and surface modifications of graphene and graphene oxide divided into covalent and non‐covalent approaches.
Preparation of Pentacyclo‐[8.2.1.14,702,903,8] ‐tetradecane‐5,6,11,12‐tetracarboxylic Dianhydride Combined with Gaussian Calculation
Authors: Lu Jianqiang , Jin Yan , Dong Jingjing , Wang Tielin , Zhang Hexing , Song Zhanqian , Feng Baicheng
Published: September 2020

The pentacyclic‐[8.2.1.14,702,903,8]‐tetradecane‐5,6,11,12‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride was prepared by norbornene dianhydrides as raw material and acetone as a solvent in a self‐made vertical photo reactor with single wavelength ultraviolet light. Based on the Gaussian Calculation combine with experiments, we studied the optimum wavelength of ultraviolet light and the stable conformation of the target product. The structure of the target compound was determined by HPLC‐MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and X‐ray diffraction. The results showed that the yield of pentacyclic‐[8.2.1.14,702,903,8]‐tetradecane‐5,6,11,12‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride could reach 50.5 %, the reaction temperature was 20 °C, the initial concentration of reactant was 0.15 g/mL, the flow rate of the substrate was 5 mL/min, and the reaction time was 4 h.
Navigating the Synthesis of Quinoline Hybrid Molecules as Promising Anticancer Agents
Authors: Panda Pravati , Chakroborty Subhendu
Published: September 2020

The emergence of drug resistance and low specificity with side effects are the significant challenges in pharmaceutical sectors for control of cancer nowadays. Notwithstanding, this is an imperative prerequisite to develop novel anticancer agents through mainstream medicinal chemistry approaches. The intriguing quinoline and its derivatives have demonstrated as significant building blocks for the locating of new promising anticancer agents. Consequently, quinoline moiety with the addition of suitable congeners would offer a strategy for the development of potential drug candidates. This present review article summarizes the recent advances (2018‐2020) of quinoline hybrids and their anticancer activity. The mechanism action and plausible structure‐activity relationship have discussed.
Spatially Resolved Electrochemical Strain of Solid‐State Electrolytes via High Resolution Sequential Excitation and Its Implication on Grain Boundary Impedance
Authors: Yu Junxi , Duan Shanshan , Huang Boyuan , Jin Hongyun , Xie Shuhong , Li Jiangyu
Published: September 2020

Solid‐state electrolytes have great potential in solving the intrinsic safety issues of conventional lithium‐ion batteries utilizing liquid electrolytes, and there is a tremendous effort in developing solid‐state electrolytes with improved ionic conductivity via microstructure engineering spanning multiple length scales. Nevertheless, there still lacks an effective method to probe the local ionic conductivity at the nanoscale with sufficient resolution, and thus how the microstructure impacts macroscopic ionic conductivity of solid‐state electrolytes remains inadequately understood. Here, the newly developed sequential excitation (SE) electrochemical strain microscopy is applied to spatially resolve local electrochemical processes at the nanoscale, unraveling the ionic dynamics of grain boundary in Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 solid‐state electrolytes that correlate well with macroscopic impedance analysis. The high‐conductivity sample possesses comparable ionic dynamics at grain boundary and within grain interior, while low‐conductivity sample exhibits much higher resistance at the grain boundary, even though the conductivity of its grain interior is comparable to high‐conductivity sample. The study thus provides direct experimental evidence on the bottlenecking grain boundaries in ionic conduction, and offers a powerful tool to study local ionic dynamics at the nanoscale in one‐to‐one correspondence to the microstructure features.
Near‐Infrared‐Transparent Perovskite Solar Cells and Perovskite‐Based Tandem Photovoltaics
Authors: Kothandaraman Radha K. , Jiang Yan , Feurer Thomas , Tiwari Ayodhya N. , Fu Fan
Published: September 2020

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have gained tremendous attention due to their high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and potential for low‐cost manufacturing. Their wide and tunable bandgap makes perovskites an ideal candidate for tandem solar cells (TSCs) with well‐established narrow bandgap photovoltaic technologies, such as crystalline silicon and Cu(In,Ga)Se2, to boost the PCEs beyond the Shockley–Queisser limit at affordable additional cost. Although perovskite‐based TSCs have shown rapid progress over the past few years, they are far from reaching their practical efficiency limit. In addition, technology commercialization needs to overcome several challenges such as processing upscalability and long‐term operational stability of solar modules. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the recent progress of perovskite‐based TSCs is provided and the key challenges in the field are discussed. First, the structural and optoelectronic properties of metal halide perovskite materials and preparation methods of metal halide perovskite layers are introduced. Next, the important constituents of near‐infrared (NIR) transparent PSCs for achieving high efficiency along with high NIR transmittance are highlighted. Then the developments in perovskite‐based TSCs are reviewed, the limiting factors are outlined, and strategies to boost the efficiencies well beyond 30% are provided. Finally, the review is concluded by highlighting the bottlenecks for commercialization and providing an outlook for technology advancement.
Ultra‐Long Van Der Waals CdBr2 Micro/Nanobelts
Authors: Wang Fei , Jia Lemin , Ding Ying , Cai Haihuai , Zheng Wei , Huang Feng
Published: September 2020

Recently, 1D van der Waals materials with appealing optoelectronic properties different from 2D layered materials have attracted widespread attention. However, the existing methods are incapable of growing the high‐quality and large‐size 1D van der Waals materials to a certain extent. Here, a new method of organic liquid phase synthesis followed by annealing is proposed, which overcomes the crystal size limitation caused by chemical vapor deposition and successfully synthesizes the high‐quality ultra‐long (millimeter level) van der Waals CdBr2 micro/nanobelts without being limited by substrate matching. The Raman tensor of CdBr2 with extremely high anisotropy is extracted, revealing the structure and physical properties of this van der Waals crystal. What is more, based on this material, the photodetectors with high responsivity are manufactured. Methodologically, compared with current methods, this work indicates the advantages of liquid phase synthesis in growing high‐quality, large‐size 1D van der Waals materials. It is believed that the method proposed in this paper can provide a noble perspective for the study of 1D van der Waals materials and arouse a lot of interest in the field of optoelectronics.
Firms’ heterogeneity, demand accumulating, and exchange rate pass‐through
Authors: Tan Yong , Zhao Chen Carol
Published: September 2020

In this article, we study how the export behaviors of new and incumbent exporters differentially respond to exchange rate shocks. We establish a dynamic model, in which new exporters strategically charge a lower price than incumbent exporters to grow their customer base and increase future sales. The model predicts that new exporters adjust their prices more aggressively relative to their incumbent counterparts in response to exchange rate fluctuations. Using a transaction‐level data set containing all Chinese exporters during the 2000–2009 period, we find supporting evidence for the model's predictions: new exporters adjust their price 1.5 times more than incumbent exporters. This, in turn, results in export quantities being less responsive to exchange rate shocks among new exporters. The result holds for a series of robustness checks. The findings imply that there are different degrees of exchange rate pass‐through among new and incumbent exporters.
The Heat Transfer Model of Oriented Silicon Steel Coil in Annular Furnace during the Heating Stage of High‐Temperature Annealing
Authors: Xia Tian , He Zhu , Luo Zhonghan
Published: September 2020

A 2D numerical model is built to simulate the heat transfer across the oriented silicon steel coil in annular furnace during the heating stage of high‐temperature annealing. A new method is proposed to calculate the view factors in the radiation submodel. The numerical result is verified through the comparison with the results of in situ experiments. For a coil with 1710 mm outside and 510 mm inside diameters, the heat absorbed by the outer surface of the coil is the highest, but the heat flux density along the axial direction of the coil is larger than the radial direction. The heat flux density of the outer surface shows an 86% rise depending on the increase in radial thermal conductivity after 75% H2 and 25% N2 is applied as the protective atmosphere at a heating time of 37 h. The temperature difference inside the coil ranges from 143 to 476 °C till the furnace reaches its designate temperature at 58 h, but the heating rate is nearly the same across the coil above 700 °C. The difference of property inside the coil is probably related to the difference of heating rate during the first soaking.
Influence of Deer Hunting and Residual Stand Structure on Tree Regeneration in Deciduous Forests
Authors: Ward Jeffrey S. , Williams Scott C.
Published: September 2020

Chronically overabundant white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations have made it difficult to regenerate desirable woody species throughout much of their range in the eastern United States and southern Canada. Neither silvicultural prescriptions nor deer management alone have resulted in successful forest regeneration. We tallied woody stems (≥1 m tall, <10 cm diameter) on 62 hunted and 46 nonhunted forest stands throughout Connecticut, USA, during autumn 2015 to spring 2018; all stands had a timber regeneration harvest from 2–12 years prior to our study (2003–2016). Our objective was to examine the influence of the combination of deer management and residual stand structure on woody regeneration diversity, density, and composition. After accounting for the influence of stand structures over a range of residual basal areas from 0–23 m2/ha, we found that deer had a negative effect on regeneration diversity, density, and species composition. Moreover, we found that the combination of state‐regulated deer hunting and forest‐overstory removal resulted in greater woody‐plant regeneration rates with increased diversity. Stem densities of oak–hickory (Quercusspp.–Caryaspp.), maple (Acerspp.), and minor species, as well as combined species, were greater in hunted versus nonhunted stands, and in clearcuts as opposed to 2‐aged and shelterwood stands. American beech (Fagus grandifolia) and shrub species did not differ in stem density regardless of hunting or treatment prescription. Our study indicates that for properties where the management goal is to create dense vegetation with high tree, shrub, and herbaceous species diversity, managers should both encourage hunting to reduce pressure on browse‐sensitive species and leave as few postharvest residual trees as possible to maximize growing space for regeneration. A lack of deer harvest and overstory removal in southern New England resulted in low diversity vegetation dominated by lesser preferred species such as birch (Betulaspp.) or American beech. The use of hunting as a tool to relieve browsing pressure will improve both woody and herbaceous plant regeneration where light is not limited. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Was leisten ambulante Pflegehaushalte? Eine Befragung zu Eigenleistungen und finanziellen Aufwänden
Authors: Räker Miriam , Schwinger Antje , Klauber Jürgen
Published: September 2020

Die Mehrzahl der Pflegebedürftigen wird auch heute in der eigenen Häuslichkeit unter Einbindung unterschiedlicher Hilfen versorgt. Mit Hilfe einer Online-Befragung wurden rund 1.100 Hauptpflegepersonen zu den aufgebrachten finanziellen und zeitlichen Eigenleistungen befragt. Die Analysen zeigen auf, dass die ambulante Pflege maßgeblich durch die Hauptpflegeperson und weitere in die Pflege eingebundene Personen getragen wird. Es zeigt sich ein deutlicher Zusammenhang zwischen Belastungsfaktoren bezogen auf das Vorliegen einer Demenz sowie der Pflegeschwere und der selbst geleisteten Pflege und Betreuung. Privat aufgewendete finanzielle Mittel werden nur von jedem Vierten der Befragten angegeben. Diese privaten Aufwendungen sind ebenfalls bei Haushalten mit demenziell Erkrankten überdurchschnittlich hoch und steigen mit dem Pflegegrad an. Einkommen, Bildung oder Erwerbstätigkeit hingegen haben keinen signifikanten Einfluss auf die privat aufgewendeten finanziellen Mittel. Wenn auch die Mehrzahl der Pflegehaushalte die Situation bewältigen kann, zeigen bis zu einem Viertel der Haushalte hohe Belastungswerte. Die Erhebung rückt damit Fragen nach gezielter Unterstützung und einem differenzierten Leistungszuschnitt in den Fokus.
The planar limit of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 superconformal quiver theories
Authors: Fiol Bartomeu , Martfnez-Montoya Jairo , Fukelman Alan Rios
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We compute the planar limit of both the free energy and the expectation value of the 1/2 BPS wilson loop for four dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 superconformal quiver theories, with a product of SU(N)s as gauge group and hi-fundamental matter. Supersymmetric localization reduces the problem to a multi-matrix model, that we rewrite in the zero­ instanton sector as an effective action involving an infinite number of double-trace terms, determined by the relevant extended Cartan matrix. We find that the results, as in the case of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 SCFTs with a simple gauge group, can be written as sums over tree graphs. For the $$ \hat{A_1} $$

A
1

̂

case, we find that the contribution of each tree can be interpreted as the partition function of a generalized Ising model defined on the tree; we conjecture that the partition functions of these models defined on trees satisfy the Lee-Yang property, i.e. all their zeros lie on the unit circle.
Erratum to: Hints of unitarity at large N in the O(N)3 tensor field theory
Authors: Benedetti Dario , Gurau Razvan , Harribey Sabine , Suzuki Kenta
Published: September 2020

The measure in equation (2.11) contains a wrong normalization factor, and it should be multiplied by 21−dΓ(d − 1)/Γ(d/2)2.
Higher-derivative corrections to entropy and the weak gravity conjecture in Anti-de Sitter space
Authors: Cremonini Sera , Jones Callum R.T. , Liu James T. , McPeak Brian
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We compute the four-derivative corrections to the geometry, extremality bound, and thermodynamic quantities of AdS-Reissner-Nordström black holes for general dimensions and horizon geometries. We confirm the universal relationship between the extremality shift at fixed charge and the shift of the microcanonical entropy, and discuss the consequences of this relation for the Weak Gravity Conjecture in AdS. The thermodynamic corrections are calculated using two different methods: first by explicitly solving the higher-derivative equations of motion and second, by evaluating the higher-derivative Euclidean on-shell action on the leading-order solution. In both cases we find agreement, up to the addition of a Casimir energy in odd dimensions. We derive the bounds on the four-derivative Wilson coefficients implied by the conjectured positivity of the leading corrections to the microcanonical entropy of thermodynamically stable black holes. These include the requirement that the coefficient of Riemann-squared is positive, meaning that the positivity of the entropy shift is related to the condition that c − a is positive in the dual CFT. We discuss implications for the deviation of η/s from its universal value and a potential lower bound.
Seeding Structures for a Community of Practice Focused on Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Implementing Across Disciplines and Waves
Authors: Penney Lauren S. , Homoya Barbara J. , Damush Teresa M. , Rattray Nicholas A. , Miech Edward J. , Myers Laura J. , Baird Sean , Cheatham Ariel , Bravata Dawn M.
Published: September 2020

Background

The Community of Practice (CoP) model represents one approach to address knowledge management to support effective implementation of best practices.

Objective

We sought to identify CoP developmental strategies within the context of a national quality improvement project focused on improving the quality for patients receiving acute transient ischemic attack (TIA) care.

Design

Stepped wedge trial.

Participants

Multidisciplinary staff at six Veterans Affairs medical facilities.

Interventions

To encourage site implementation of a multi-component quality improvement intervention, the trial included strategies to improve the development of a CoP: site kickoff meetings, CoP conference calls, and an interactive website (the “Hub”).

Approach

Mixed-methods evaluation included data collected through a CoP attendance log; semi-structured interviews with site participants at 6 months (n = 32) and 12 months (n = 30), and CoP call facilitators (n = 2); and 22 CoP call debriefings.

Key Results

The critical seeding structures that supported the cultivation of the CoP were the kickoffs which fostered relationships (key to the community element of CoPs) and provided the evidence base relevant to TIA care (key to the domain element of CoPs). The Hub provided the forum for sharing quality improvement plans and other tools which were further highlighted during the CoP calls (key to the practice element of CoPs). CoP calls were curated to create a positive context around participants’ work by recognizing team successes. In addition to improving care at their local facilities, the community created a shared set of tools which built on their collective knowledge and could be shared within and outside the group.

Conclusions

The PREVENT CoP advanced the mission of the learning healthcare system by successfully providing a forum for shared learning. The CoP was grown through seeding structures that included kickoffs, CoP calls, and the Hub. A CoP expands upon the learning collaborative implementation strategy as an effective implementation practice.