bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation the correlation between chemical structure and swelling, thermal and flocculation properties of carboxymethylcellulose hydrogels
Authors: Erceg Tamara , Stupar Alena , Cvetinov Miroslav , Vasić Vesna , Ristić Ivan
Published: November 2020

Hydrophilic polymer networks (hydrogels) based on sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) and polycarboxylic acids (oxalic, succinic, citric and adipic) as cross‐linking agents are synthesized by esterification reaction; one series of NaCMC hydrogels cross‐linked with citric acid is prepared with acrylamide and acrylic acid (Aam/Aac) copolymers using the design of semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks (semi‐IPN), in order to increase their potential application for flocculation purposes. The Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of hydrogels confirms the esterification reaction between NaCMC and cross‐linking agents. Results of swelling measurements show that citric acid in the amount of 15 wt% gives the hydrogels with the best absorption capacity. The results of Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) show no significant difference in thermal properties of neat and semi‐interpenetrating NaCMC hydrogels. The amorphous nature of hydrogels is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The results of flocculation study show that combination of NaCMC network and Aam/Aac copolymer with initial mass ratio of 10/90 creates a theoretical platform for the production of flocculant which could show high efficacy in purifying of water dominated by positively charged particles.
Influences of in‐stream habitat and upstream land‐use on site occupancy of the Kanawha darter (Etheostoma kanawhae): A narrowly distributed species from the New River (Upper Kanawha Basin)
Authors: Pugh M. Worth , Pandolfi Gary , Franklin Thomas , Gangloff Michael M.
Published: November 2020

Freshwater communities are threatened by the conversion of natural landscapes for urban and agricultural purposes. Changes to land use may disrupt stream nutrient and geomorphological processes and reduce water quality, increase sedimentation, and decrease habitat heterogeneity eventually leading to species loss and decreases in ecosystem productivity. Endemic species are frequently at greater risk of habitat‐mediated fragmentation and extirpation due to their constrained distributions.

The Kanawha darter (Etheostoma kanawhae) is an understudied fish endemic to the New River Drainage in North Carolina and Virginia, USA. To investigate the potential effect(s) of land‐use change on Kanawha darters, naïve occupancy was modelled using instream habitat characteristics and upstream forest cover.

Generalized linear models revealed that instream habitat and forest cover are reliable predictors of Kanawha darter site occupancy. Specifically, models demonstrated that occupancy increased in reaches with reduced stream width, velocity, and bedrock substrate but higher concentrations of coarse woody material. Kanawha darter occupancy was also positively associated with the extent of forest cover in upstream catchments.

Although Kanawha darters are not currently considered imperilled, most populations occurred in isolated reaches separated by large sections of unoccupied habitat. Continuing ex‐urban development in riparian zones is likely to be the primary threat to Kanawha darters and other endemic species in this catchment. Resource managers and stakeholders should preserve forest cover in headwaters and occupied tributaries and protect or restore riparian zones along the main‐stem South and North Forks of the New River to preserve high‐quality habitat and enhance connectivity among isolated Kanawha darter populations.

As human populations in montane regions continue to grow, there is a need to understand how land‐use change affects endemic freshwater species. This study further supports the importance of retaining forest cover as an effective strategy for protecting and restoring populations of endemic fishes in high‐gradient streams.
Rocker jaw: Global context for a Polynesian characteristic
Authors: Scott George Richard , Stull Kyra E. , Sbei Andrea N. , McKinney Mason , Boling Scarlett R. , Irish Joel D.
Published: November 2020

Our goal is to describe the global distribution of the “rocker jaw” variant in human populations. Rocker jaw refers to mandibles that lack the antegonial notch, making them unstable on a flat surface. Data were collected by C.G. Turner II on 9,207 individuals from Asia, Europe, the Pacific, and the Americas, and by J.D. Irish on 3,526 individuals from North and South Africa. With a focus on Polynesia, where the trait is most common, frequencies are presented for subdivisions of Oceania, Australasia, Eurasia, the Americas, and Africa. While the rocker jaw is a Polynesian characteristic, the trait is found throughout the world. Within major geographic regions, there are interesting contrasts, for example, (a) the similarity of Jomon and Ainu and their difference from modern Japanese; (b) Aleuts and Northwest Coast Indians are similar and both are distinct from the Inuit and other Native Americans; and (c) North and Sub‐Saharan Africans show a regional difference that parallels genetic and dental distinctions. Skeletons in South America that exhibit the rocker jaw have been interpreted as Polynesian voyagers who ventured to the west coast of South America. The rarity of rocker jaw in South American natives supports this view. The rocker jaw can be attributed to the unique basicranium morphology and large upper facial height of Polynesians, which highlights the integrated growth of a functional module (i.e., mastication) of the craniofacial complex. The unusually high frequency of the trait in Polynesians is a product of both function and founder effect/genetic drift.
The competitive loss‐averse newsvendor problem with quantity‐oriented reference point
Authors: Xie Kun , Guo Yongjiang
Published: November 2020

We study a two‐newsvendor competition problem in which both newsvendors are loss‐averse and have adaptive quantity‐oriented reference points. Each newsvendor faces stochastic demand determined by some demand reallocation rule and aims to choose an optimal inventory level to maximize her expected utility. Since the demand reallocation rule indicates that one newsvendor's demand affects the inventory level of the other newsvendor, this problem can be formulated as a two‐person game. We prove that this competitive newsvendor problem exhibits a unique symmetric Nash equilibrium. We also show that the optimal inventory level decreases in the loss aversion degree and reference level, and increases in the competition intensity. Unlike conventional findings in the integrated risk‐neutral supply chain, we find that a low (high) reference level leads to inventory overstocking (understocking), which is illustrated jointly by the loss aversion degree, reference level, and competition intensity. Finally, we conduct numerical experiments to provide engineering confirmations of our theoretical findings and to generate additional insights.
City of Hamilton Signs Climate Change Emergency Declaration, Reduces Energy Consumption in Water System
Authors: Sucharda Peter , Gimson Mark
Published: November 2020

Key Takeaways

The City of Hamilton, Ont., signed a climate change emergency declaration, with the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

As part this plan, Hamilton Water is seeking a more efficient water distribution system that reduces water loss and electricity consumption.

A pilot project demonstrated that Hamilton could achieve significant energy savings and reduce water loss using anti‐stagnation valve technology in its pressure district zones.

Hamilton aims to expand the installation of anti‐stagnation valves, which is estimated to result in substantial annual cost savings.
Examining the Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Trigger Level
Authors: Masters Sheldon V. , Bartrand Timothy A. , Seidel Chad J.
Published: November 2020

Key Takeaways

Draft revisions to the US Environmental Protection Agency's Lead and Copper Rule propose creating a 10 μg/L trigger level of lead concentration in addition to the action level.

Although the trigger level might help identify and improve systems operating with marginal corrosion control, it duplicates available regulatory options at the cost of adding a regulatory level.

The trigger level could have the unintended consequence of reducing compliance data analysis by systems or regulators that elect to comply with the Lead and Copper Rule when following the minimum regulatory requirements.
Domain‐specific risk attitudes and aging—A systematic review
Authors: König Adriana N.
Published: November 2020

Risk attitudes have a significant impact on human decision making. In contrast to the conventional assumption of stable, universal risk attitudes, previous research has found domain‐specific and age‐related differences in risk attitudes. For this reason, a systematic review including 19 studies was conducted to evaluate the relationship between self‐reported risk attitudes and aging in different domains of decision making. The results suggest a negative relationship between aging and self‐reported risk attitudes. Age‐related differences in risk attitudes also vary between different domains. Nine studies examined general risk attitudes, with eight finding a negative relationship with aging. Eight out of 11 studies found a negative relationship in the financial domain. All nine studies in the health domain identified a negative association as well. The seven studies included in the social domain showed mixed results. All six studies in the recreational domain identified a negative association. Four out of five studies in the ethical domain found a negative relationship. The three studies included in the driving and career domain also showed negative relationships between risk attitudes and aging. Potential policy implications are discussed.
Simultaneous determination of asarinin, β‐eudesmol, and wogonin in rats using ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and its application to pharmacokinetic studies following administration of standards and Gumiganghwal‐tang
Authors: Jeong Seung‐Hyun , Jang Ji‐Hun , Cho Hea‐Young , Lee Yong‐Bok
Published: November 2020

Asarinin, β‐eudesmol, and wogonin have common antiangiogenic activities and have the potential for use in chemotherapy. Besides, they are multivalent substances that are combined in various herbal medicines. The purpose of this study was to develop a method for simultaneous analysis of asarinin, β‐eudesmol, and wogonin, which are representative pharmacological components of Asarum heterotropoides, Atractylodes lancea, and Scutellaria baicalensis, respectively, in rat biosamples using ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The three components were separated using 5 mm aqueous ammonium acetate containing 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as a mobile phase, equipped with a KINETEX core‐shell C18 column. The analysis was quantitated on a triple‐quadrupole mass‐spectrometer employing electrospray ionization, and operated in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The chromatograms showed high resolution, sensitivity, and selectivity with no interference with plasma, urine, and feces constituents. The developed analytical method satisfied international guidance criteria and could be successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic (PK) studies evaluating oral bioavailability of asarinin, β‐eudesmol, and wogonin after oral and intravenous administration and their urinary and fecal excretion ratios after oral administration to rats. Furthermore, the analysis was extended to PK studies following oral administration of Gumiganghwal‐tang. This study was the first simultaneous analysis of the aforesaid three constituents in rat plasma, urine, and feces that also determined their PK parameters.
Development and validation of an innovative UPLC method to quantify lacosamide, oxcarbazepine, and lamotrigine in the serum of children with epilepsy in China
Authors: Zhao Ting , Yu Lu‐hai , Wang Ting‐ting , Feng Jie , Ma Long , Yu Jing , Sun Li , Li Hong‐jian , Sun Yan
Published: November 2020

This study has developed and validated a novel UPLC method to quantify lacosamide (LCM), oxcarbazepine (OXC), and lamotrigine (LTG) in children with epilepsy in Xinjiang, China. Phenytoin sodium was used as the internal standard. The mobile phase contained ammonium dihydrogen phosphate solution (10 mmol/L, pH = 4.0) and methanol (55:45, v/v). The flow rate, injection volume, column temperature, and detection wavelength were 0.2 mL/min, 2 μL, 30°C, and 240 nm, respectively. The method was linear within 0.5–40, 2.5–80, and 2.5–40 μg/mL for LCM, 10‐hydroxycarbazepine (MHD), and LTG, respectively (r2 ≥ 0.998). The intra‐ and inter‐day precision as measured by the relative standard deviation values was between 1.36 and 4.50, 0.54 and 1.91, and 0.58 and 1.56%. Recovery ranged from 96.58 to 106.22%. All serum samples could be maintained for up to 3 h at ambient temperature, 24 h at 4°C, 30 days at −30°C, and after successive freeze–thaw cycles (24 h per cycle) in the absence of significant degradation.
Facial palsy during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Codeluppi Luca , Venturelli Francesco , Rossi Jessica , Fasano Antonio , Toschi Giulia , Pacillo Francesca , Cavallieri Francesco , Giorgi Rossi Paolo , Valzania Franco
Published: November 2020

Objective

To compare the incidence and clinical features of individuals presenting in emergency rooms (ER) with facial palsy during the Italian COVID‐19 outbreak and in the same period of 2019.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records for all accesses to the six ER in the province of Reggio Emilia, Italy, during the first phase of the COVID‐19 pandemic (27 February‐3 May 2020) to identify all cases of diagnosed facial palsy. Clinical information was retrieved for each patient and compared with that of facial palsy cases presenting in 2019.

Result

Between 27 February and 3 May 2020, 38 patients presented to provincial ERs for facial palsy; in 2019, there were 22 cases, for an incidence rate ratio of 1.73 (95% CI 1.02–2.92) for the 2020 cohort. Of the 2020 cohort, eight patients (21%) presented with active or recent symptoms consistent with COVID‐19 infection, compared with 2 (9%) in 2019 (p = .299); one was tested and resulted positive for SARS‐CoV‐2. Moreover, patients were younger (−11 years, p = .037) than those of the previous year and manifested a longer lag (+1.1 days, p = .001) between symptoms onset and ER presentation.

Conclusion

We observed a higher occurrence of facial palsy during the COVID‐19 outbreak compared to the same period of the previous year; 21% of patients presenting with facial palsy had active or recent symptoms consistent with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, suggesting an excess risk of facial palsy during or after COVID‐19. These patients searched for medical attention later, probably because of the fear of contracting COVID‐19 during assistance.
Reevaluating waste as a resource under a circular economy approach from a system perspective: Findings from a case study
Authors: Puntillo Pina , Gulluscio Carmela , Huisingh Donald , Veltri Stefania
Published: November 2020

The circular economy (CE), definable as a system focused on the reorganization of material, information, and energy flows to achieve greater resource efficiency through the reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling of materials, is a concept widely discussed by practitioners and scientists of many disciplines. Waste recycling is integral to the CE, but there are still few articles focused on waste, and only few studies shed light on CE implementation at the company level. This paper focuses on a particular type of waste, that is, absorbent hygiene products (AHPs), which represents a nonnegligible fraction of municipal solid waste, considered an increasingly serious global challenge. We conducted our analysis on FaterSMART, an Italian firm that developed a unique worldwide technology able to totally convert AHP raw material wastes into recyclable materials, under a CE approach. The case study findings are based upon semi‐structured interviews, direct observations, and analysis of FaterSMART's archival documents and are analyzed according to a framework developed for the research and focused on the place of waste from a linear economy, in which waste is considered a burden to CE, in which waste is considered a resource. The latter case is what we found that happens at FaterSMART. FaterSMART's findings could contribute to open up new management scenarios and stimulate further research into how this and similar types of technology will help societies to change from the “use‐it‐once‐and‐throw‐it away” mentality of linear business models to the sustainable CE model that fully conceptualize waste as a resource for the system.
Characteristics and risk factors for microbial infections during cancer immune checkpoint therapy
Authors: Kanjanapan Yada , Yip Desmond
Published: November 2020

The risk of infection in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is not well understood. Immune‐related adverse events requiring immunosuppressive therapy may impact infection risk. ICIs may induce an exaggerated immune response to latent infection. We assessed the incidence and risk factors for infections during cancer ICI therapy. A retrospective chart review of solid tumor patients treated with ICIs was conducted. Infectious episodes were defined as those where a microbial organism was cultured or identified through polymerase chain reaction. Infections which occurred during and up to 1 year following ICI therapy were considered “post‐ICI” infections. Of 327 patients, 47% had melanoma and 36% had non‐small cell lung cancer. The majority (77%) received single agent anti‐PD(L)1 antibody, 14% received combination anti‐PD(L)1 and anti‐CTLA4 antibody, and 9% single agent anti‐CTLA4 antibody. Infections occurred in 89 (27%) in the post‐ICI compared with 111 (34%) patients in the pre‐ICI period (p = 0.57). The most common types of infection were respiratory, genitourinary, and cutaneous infections. On multivariate analysis, only age over 67 years significantly predicted for development of infection on ICI (HR 1.73, p = 0.04). We did not find receipt of corticosteroids, combination ICI therapy, diabetes, or gender to significantly impact on infection risk. The rate of microbial infections among solid tumor patients receiving ICI therapy was 27%, comparable to the infection rate of 34% in the same cohort of patients in the period pre‐ICI therapy. Age over 67 years was significantly associated with infection post‐ICI.
Awake ECMO without anticoagulation for nearly completely obstructive squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea
Authors: Klug Theodore D. , Craig John , Shires Courtney B.
Published: November 2020

Awake veno‐venous ECMO without anticoagulation is a safe and successful way to remove a significantly obstructive malignancy in the trachea.
Virginal breast hypertrophy in a 14‐year‐old girl: A case report
Authors: Pokhrel Biraj , Gautam Sandesh , Sharma Samit , Pokhrel Nishan Babu , Bhatta Naveen Chandra , Rayamajhi Sangam , Shrestha Jayan Man
Published: November 2020

Reduction mammoplasty with free nipple graft can be a good choice for early pubertal patients requiring massive reduction given its low recurrence and greater patient satisfaction.
Dynamic process monitoring using dynamic latent‐variable and canonical correlation analysis model
Authors: Lou Siwei , Wu Ping , Guo Lingling , He Jiajun , Zhang Xujie , Gao Jinfeng
Published: November 2020

Dynamic latent‐variable (DLV) modelling is a very effective method for dynamic process monitoring. However, the DLV method only focuses on auto‐correlation in process data but ignores the cross‐correlation between inputs and outputs. To overcome this shortcoming, a novel dynamic process monitoring method using dynamic‐latent variable and canonical correlation analysis (DLV‐CCA) is proposed. Considering the dynamics in the process data, the proposed DLV‐CCA method first utilizes the DLV method to decompose the input space into input dynamic and static subspaces. The output space is also decomposed into output dynamic and static subspaces by DLV. Then, canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is used to explore the cross‐correlation between the dynamic subspaces (including input dynamic and output dynamic subspaces) and the static subspaces (including input static and output static subspaces). According to the CCA results, residual signals are generated and corresponding Hotelling's T2 statistics are established to detect variations in these residual signals. A numerical example and a closed‐loop continuous stirred‐tank reactor (CSTR) are employed to demonstrate the superior performance of the DLV‐CCA based process monitoring compared with other relevant methods.
Awakening Sleeping Beauty: Vinyl Esters for Macrolactonization
Authors: Song Qi , Kong Luyao , Zhu Lili , Hong Ran , Huang Sha‐Hua
Published: November 2020

Macrolactones play a critical role in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Numerous efforts have been devoted to developing synthetic methods for them. We highlighted a recent progress for building macrocycles (≥ 12‐membered) via bench‐stable vinyl ester (VE) intermediates, which have been underdeveloped for half century. These methods are mild and racemization‐free and warrant wide recognition in macrocyclization as the key step in complex molecule synthesis.
Incorporation of Gadolinium Oxide and Gadolinium Oxysulfide Microspheres: MRI/CT Monitoring and Promotion of Osteogenic/Chondrogenic Differentiation for Bone Implants
Authors: Huang Jing , Tang Zhaoyun , Guo Min , Wang Yu , Wang Zongliang , Wu Zhenxu , Zhang Peibiao
Published: November 2020

The current biodegradable polymer materials, as orthopedic implants, can not be traced timely by using the existing medical imaging techniques due to low density and lack of relaxed hydrogen proton ability. Considering the paramagnetism of gadolinium and the particularity of micro/nano materials, we synthesized inorganic gadolinium oxide and gadolinium oxysulfide microspheres with regular morphology and uniform size without doped rare earth. After incorporation into biodegradable polymer of poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid), their effects on signals of MRI, CT and osteogenic/chondrogenic differentiation were investigated to acquisition of multifunctional micro/nano composites for bone implants. At the studied concentrations, gadolinium oxide microspheres showed higher signal than gadolinium oxysulfide microspheres on T1‐weighted imaging. Both of them were of fine biocompatibility and did not show their negative effect on adhesion and proliferation in the concentration of 0.4% (w/w, Gd/PLGA). Meanwhile, the osteogenic/chondrogenic differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 preosteoblasts, including ALP activity, calcium deposition and expression of Runx2, OPN, OCN, COL I and COL II in mRNA and protain, were stimulated at different level, which indicated that moderate use the inorganic gadolinium oxide and gadolinium oxysulfide microspheres could realize the function of tracing the polymer bone implants by MRI/CT and inducing the osteogenic/chondrogenic differentiation simultaneously.
A Guide to Using ClinTAD for Interpretation of DNA Copy Number Variants in the Context of Topologically Associated Domains
Authors: Spector Jacob D. , Wiita Arun P.
Published: November 2020

DNA copy number variants (CNVs) are routinely evaluated as part of clinical diagnosis in both the prenatal and postnatal genetic settings. Current guidelines for interpreting the potential clinical significance of these CNVs, typically identified by chromosomal microarray, focus entirely on genes localized within the CNV region. However, recent work has suggested that some CNVs can actually produce clinical impacts by influencing transcription of genes outside the CNV region. These alterations of transcription appear to occur by disrupting the composition of DNA topologically associated domains (TADs), which strongly influence contacts between gene promoters and their associated enhancers. Here we present a set of detailed protocols for the use of the free software tool ClinTAD (https://www.clintad.com). This decision‐support software allows for prediction as to whether a given CNV may potentially disrupt a TAD boundary, and offers phenotype matching to genes near, but not within the CNV region, whose expression could be influenced by altered TAD architecture and that have phenotypic impacts related to that reported in a given patient. Our protocols here provide specific examples of how to implement these tools. In addition, the software has the capability to impact genomic research by evaluating multiple cases in parallel. We propose that this decision‐support tool can benefit and improve genetic diagnosis. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Evaluating a single case using ClinTAD

Basic Protocol 2: Evaluating a single case with multiple variants using ClinTAD

Basic Protocol 3: Evaluating multiple cases using ClinTAD

Basic Protocol 4: Creating tracks with custom data
Step toward repurposing drug discovery for COVID‐19 therapeutics through in silico approach
Authors: Marak Brilliant N. , Dowarah Jayanta , Khiangte Laldingluaia , Singh Ved Prakash
Published: November 2020

The outbreak of SARS‐CoV‐2 has become a threat to global health and has led to a global economic crisis. Although the researchers worldwide are putting tremendous effort toward gaining more insights into this zoonotic virus and developing vaccines and therapeutic drugs, no vaccine or drug is yet available to combat COVID‐19 effectively. Drug discovery is often a laborious, time‐consuming, and expensive task. In this time of crisis, employing computational methods could provide a feasible alternative approach that can potentially be used for drug discovery. Therefore, a library of several antiparasitic and anti‐inflammatory drugs was virtually screened against SARS‐CoV‐2 proteases to identify potential inhibitors. The identified inhibitory drugs were further analyzed to confirm their activities against SARS‐CoV‐2. Our results could prove to be helpful in repurposing the drug discovery approach, which could substantially reduce the expenses, time, and resources required.
Metabolism and excretion of the benzodiazepine analogue etizolam in the horse
Authors: Johnson Erin , van Heemst Jasper , Benavides Jeshurun , Gray Bobby
Published: November 2020

Etizolam is a benzodiazepine analogue that is approved for use in Japan, Italy and India but has recently appeared as a nonapproved product on the illicit drug market in Europe and North America. Etizolam was identified in a crystalline material seized at a Kentucky racetrack, raising concerns that this drug may have been used in racing. The aim of this study was to characterize the metabolism and excretion of etizolam in horses to generate information on its disposition and to incorporate the correct urinary and serum target analytes into anti‐doping screening procedures. Etizolam was administered both intravenous and orally at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg of body weight to three horses using a two‐way crossover design. Pre‐administration and post‐administration serum and urine samples were collected and experiments conducted to identify potential metabolites in these samples. Additionally, in vitro metabolism studies using horse liver S9 were undertaken to complement the in vivo metabolism studies. Numerous metabolites were id1entified in both serum and urine in additional to parent drug, with α‐hydroxy‐etizolam producing the most abundant analytical signal (in terms of signal intensity and duration of detection) of the identified metabolites in both matrices. Therefore, α‐hydroxy‐etizolam is considered to be the most appropriate analyte for detection for anti‐doping purposes. Analytical methods were developed and validated and then applied to post‐administration samples to generate concentrations of etizolam and its major metabolites in serum and urine, resulting in excretion profiles that can be used to guide approaches to detecting the use of the drug.
Natural regeneration in urban forests is limited by early‐establishment dynamics: implications for management
Authors: Piana Max R. , Hallett Richard A. , Aronson Myla F. J. , Conway Emily , Handel Steven N.
Published: November 2020

Urban forested natural areas are valuable ecological and social resources, but long‐term sustainability of these habitats is challenged by environmental and social factors associated with urban ecosystems. Advances in city‐scale assessments of urban forests have increased the resolution of forest community types and conditions, allowing for improved understanding of ecological function, such as natural regeneration, in these urban habitats. By applying metrics of tree regeneration that are commonly used for the management of rural forests, urban ecologists can test the potential for traditional forest management strategies within our cities. In this study, we compare urban and rural oak–hickory forest composition and structure and the capacity for natural regeneration in the New York metropolitan area. Specifically, we use two metrics of advance regeneration that describe the abundance of seedlings and saplings at different size classes to test whether this management for natural regeneration is a viable option. We found differences in recruitment dynamics between urban and rural forests that have implications for the sustainability of these forests and new management strategies. First, after controlling for forest community type, species composition in urban and rural sites was significantly different across multiple strata and within the seed bank. Species‐specific capacity for natural regeneration was different in urban and rural sites, signaling the possibility of divergent successional trajectories. Second, while differences in species composition exist, both urban and rural sites were dominated by native species across all forest strata except for urban seed banks. Third, despite finding significantly lower average annual seedling abundance in urban (1.9 seedlings/m2) compared to rural (7.1 seedlings/m2) sites, we observed greater density of saplings in urban forests, and no significant difference in stocking index between sites. These findings suggest that early‐establishment barriers to recruitment are greater in urban forest sites. However, once established, seedling transition into advance regeneration stages may not be different between site types, and advance regeneration may, in some cases, be more viable in urban forested natural areas. These results highlight functional differences between urban and rural forest recruitment dynamics that may impact on the future community composition of oak–hickory forests in the two landscape settings.
In a comfort zone and beyond—Ecological plasticity of key marine mediators
Authors: Trudnowska Emilia , Balazy Kaja , Stoń‐Egiert Joanna , Smolina Irina , Brown Thomas , Gluchowska Marta
Published: November 2020

Copepods of the genus Calanus are the key components of zooplankton. Understanding their response to a changing climate is crucial to predict the functioning of future warmer high‐latitude ecosystems. Although specific Calanus species are morphologically very similar, they have different life strategies and roles in ecosystems. In this study, C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis were thoroughly studied with regard to their plasticity in morphology and ecology both in their preferred original water mass (Atlantic vs. Arctic side of the Polar Front) and in suboptimal conditions (due to, e.g., temperature, turbidity, and competition in Hornsund fjord). Our observations show that “at the same place and time,” both species can reach different sizes, take on different pigmentation, be in different states of population development, utilize different reproductive versus lipid accumulation strategies, and thrive on different foods. Size was proven to be a very mutable morphological trait, especially with regard to reduced length of C. glacialis. Both species exhibited pronounced red pigmentation when inhabiting their preferred water mass. In other domains, C. finmarchicus individuals tended to be paler than C. glacialis individuals. Gonad maturation and population development indicated mixed reproductive strategies, although a surprisingly similar population age structure of the two co‐occurring species in the fjord was observed. Lipid accumulation was high and not species‐specific, and its variability was due to diet differences of the populations. According to the stable isotope composition, both species had a more herbivorous diatom‐based diet in their original water masses. While the diet of C. glacialis was rather consistent among the domains studied, C. finmarchicus exhibited much higher variability in its feeding history (based on lipid composition). Our results show that the plasticity of both Calanus species is indeed impressive and may be regulated differently, depending on whether they live in their “comfort zone” or beyond it.
Imeglimin preserves islet β‐cell mass in Type 2 diabetic ZDF rats
Authors: Hallakou‐Bozec Sophie , Kergoat Micheline , Moller David E. , Bolze Sébastien
Published: November 2020

Objectives

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is driven by progressive dysfunction and loss of pancreatic β‐cell mass. Imeglimin is a first‐in‐class novel drug candidate that improves glycaemia and glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in preclinical models and patients. Given evidence that imeglimin can attenuate β‐cell dysfunction and protect β cells in vitro, we postulated that imeglimin could also exert longer term effects to prevent pancreatic β‐cell death and preserve functional β‐cell mass in vivo.

Methods

Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) male rats were treated by oral gavage with imeglimin at a standard dose of 150 mg/kg or vehicle, twice daily for five weeks. At treatment completion, oral glucose tolerance tests were performed in fasted animals before a thorough histomorphometry and immunohistochemical analysis was conducted on pancreas tissue slices to assess cellular composition and disease status.

Results

Imeglimin treatment significantly improved glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (augmentation of the insulinogenic index) and improved glycaemia. Both basal insulinaemia and pancreatic insulin content were also increased by imeglimin. In ZDF control rats, islet structure was disordered with few β‐cells; after imeglimin treatment, islets appeared healthier with more normal morphology in association with a significant increase in insulin‐positive β‐cells. The increase in β‐cell mass was associated with a greater degree of β‐cell proliferation in the presence of reduced apoptosis. Unexpectedly, a decrease in as a α‐cell mass was also documented due to an apparent antiproliferative effect of imeglimin on this cell type.

Conclusion

In male ZDF rats, chronic imeglimin treatment corrects a paramount component of type 2 diabetes progression: progressive loss of functional β‐cell mass. In addition, imeglimin may also moderate a‐cell turnover to further ameliorate hyperglycaemia. Cumulatively, these cellular effects suggest that imeglimin may provide for disease modifying effects to preserve functional β‐cell mass.
Heart failure epidemiology and treatment in primary care: a retrospective cross‐sectional study
Authors: Rachamin Yael , Meier Rahel , Rosemann Thomas , Flammer Andreas J. , Chmiel Corinne
Published: November 2020

Aims

Heart failure is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but little is known on heart failure epidemiology and treatment in primary care. This study described patients with heart failure treated by general practitioners, with focus on drug prescriptions and especially on the only specific treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, namely sacubitril/valsartan.

Methods and results

This was a retrospective cross‐sectional study using data from an electronic medical record database of Swiss general practitioners from 2016 to 2019. Multilevel logistic regression was used to find determinants of sacubitril/valsartan prescription; odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. We identified 1288 heart failure patients (48.5% women; age: median 85 years, interquartile range 77–90 years) by means of diagnosis code, representing 0.5% of patients consulting a general practitioner during the observation period. About 73.6% received a renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitor, 67.8% a beta‐blocker, 34.6% a calcium channel blocker, 86.1% a diuretic, and 40.1% another cardiac drug. Sacubitril/valsartan was prescribed in 6% predominantly male patients (OR 2.10, CI 1.25–3.84), of younger age (OR 0.59 per increase in 10 years, CI 0.49–0.71), with diabetes mellitus (OR 1.76, CI 1.07–2.90). The recommended starting dose for sacubitril/valsartan was achieved in 67.1% and the target dose in 28.6% of patients.

Conclusions

Prevalence of heart failure among patients treated by general practitioners was low. Considering the disease burden and association with multimorbidity, awareness of heart failure in primary care should be increased, with the aim to optimize heart failure therapy.
Recent advances in nanomaterial‐assisted detection coupled with capillary and microchip electrophoresis
Authors: Meng Zhao , Bi Junmin , Zhang Qianqian , Ren Hang , Qin Weidong
Published: November 2020

Nanomaterials have drawn much attention because of their unique properties enabling them to play important roles in various applications in different areas. This review covers literature data in the Web of Science from January 2017 to August 2020, focusing on the applications of nanomaterials (nanoparticles, quantum dots, nanotubes, and graphene) in CE and MCE to achieve enhanced sensitivity of several detection techniques: fluorescence, colorimetry, amperometry, and chemiluminescence /electrochemiluminescence. For the articles surveyed, the types of nanomaterials used, detection mechanisms, analytical performance, and applications are presented and discussed.
Diffusion profiles in L. lactis biofilms under different conditions
Authors: Chodorski Jonas , Hauth Jan , Strieth Dorina , Wirsen Andreas , Ulber Roland
Published: November 2020

Despite being an important topic in biofilm research, we still know little about diffusion in biofilms. Emerging biofilms of Lactococcus lactis growing in custom‐made flow‐cells were monitored and diffusion constants across the height of the biofilms recorded. The biofilms showed different diffusional behavior with regard to flow rate and pH variations, despite growing to similar thickness. At a higher flow rate, the biofilm exhibits slower diffusion compared to the reference cultivation at lower flow rate. By increasing pH, the biofilm exhibited fast growth and little difference in diffusion compared to the reference cultivation. Furthermore, the diffusion inside of the biofilms differed depending on the position in the flow‐cell. The present study reveals new insights in how external factors can affect structure and density of biofilms. The method can be reliably used for L. lactis biofilms with a thickness up to 120 μm.
A selection strategy for enhancing exoelectrogenic consortium towards improved power generation in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Aiyer Kartik S. , Vijayakumar B.S.
Published: November 2020

A selection method to develop an electrogenic consortium for improved power generation in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is described. Raw domestic sewage was inoculated in a nutrient medium with Fe(III) hydroxide as the electron acceptor and subculturing was done. Subcultures were tested for Fe(III) reduction using ferrozine assay, microbial electron transfer activity using the Dye Reduction‐based Electron‐transfer Activity Monitoring (DREAM) assay and power generation in a MFC. Subcultures grown with Fe(III) demonstrated improvements in electron transfer activity and power generating ability, while cultures grown without Fe(III) did not exhibit these properties. The enriched Fe(III) subculture generated a maximum power density of 129.25 ± 7 mW/m2, while the subculture grown without Fe(III) generated only 81.54 ± 8 mW/m2. A high correlation was observed between DREAM assay and power generation (r = +0.963). Cyclic voltammetry corroborated the high electrochemical activity of the Fe‐enriched subculture. This method offers a simple and efficient way to enrich an electrogenic consortium for improved performance from routinely used inocula.
Criterion analysis and experimental study of combustion mechanisms in a bidirectional swirling flow and their relationship with pollutants emission
Authors: Guryanov Alexander I. , Evdokimov Oleg A. , Guryanova Marina M. , Veretennikov Sergey V.
Published: November 2020

This paper reports on the theoretical and experimental studies of combustion in a bidirectional swirling flow to develop its criterion base. Based on considering known aero‐thermochemical similarity criteria, turbulent combustion numbers were calculated for the bidirectional vortex combustor for the first time. Theoretical assessment and experimental studies of the probability of the known combustion mechanisms' implementation in a limited bidirectional swirling flow, containing the secondary flows and separation phenomena, were performed. This gave us a possibility to provide the new correlation of combustion mechanisms with emission dependencies. A joint review of these data allowed us to establish that the greatest environmental efficiency is observed in the range of the air‐fuel equivalence ratio of 1.5 < λ < 1.9. At the same time, it was defined that stable combustion of liquid fuel in the bidirectional swirling flow is available up to the value λ = 22. Moreover, criterion equations for lean and rich limits of stable combustion were obtained.
Network security situation prediction based on combining associated entropy and deep recurrent neural network
Authors: Yu Haiyun , Yang Xincun , Wang Liang
Published: November 2020

The existing network security situation prediction algorithm cannot deal with the subjective attitude deviation of multi‐experts, and the traditional sequential machine learning model cannot deal with the problem of deviation accumulation in time period. In this paper, an algorithm of network security situation prediction combining entropy correlation and deep time series network model is proposed. First, the expert fuzzy evaluation index is constructed by trigonometric fuzzy function, and the modified weighted dempster–shafer (DS) evidence reasoning correction index is used, then the loss and possibility matrix features are created, and finally the information security is evaluated by deep time series network. The simulation experiments are carried out on MIT dataset. The experiments analyze whether the features can cope with multi‐expert conflicts, and evaluate the accuracy, robustness, and time efficiency of the algorithm. The experimental results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper has stronger fuzzy evaluation ability, stronger ability to deal with conflict opinions among experts, more accurate prediction of network security situation in time sequence, and higher robustness, but the efficiency of the algorithm has been maintained.
Genomic divergence landscape in recurrently hybridizingChironomussister taxa suggests stable steady state between mutual gene flow and isolation
Authors: Schreiber Dennis , Pfenninger Markus
Published: November 2020

Divergence is mostly viewed as a progressive process often initiated by selection targeting individual loci, ultimately resulting in ever increasing genomic isolation due to linkage. However, recent studies show that this process may stall at intermediate stable equilibrium states without achieving complete genomic isolation. We tested the extent of genomic isolation between two recurrently hybridizing nonbiting midge sister taxa, Chironomus riparius and Chironomus piger, by analyzing the divergence landscape. Using a principal component-based method, we estimated that only about 28.44% of the genomes were mutually isolated, whereas the rest was still exchanged. The divergence landscape was fragmented into isolated regions of on average 30 kb, distributed throughout the genome. Selection and divergence time strongly influenced lengths of isolated regions, whereas local recombination rate only had minor impact. Comparison of divergence time distributions obtained from several coalescence-simulated divergence scenarios with the observed divergence time estimates in an approximate Bayesian computation framework favored a short and concluded divergence event in the past. Most divergence happened during a short time span about 4.5 million generations ago, followed by a stable equilibrium between mutual gene flow through ongoing hybridization for the larger part of the genome and isolation in some regions due to rapid purifying selection of introgression, supported by high effective population sizes and recombination rates.
Forecasting volatility with outliers in Realized GARCH models
Authors: Cai Guanghui , Wu Zhimin , Peng Lei
Published: November 2020

The Realized generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) model proposed by Hansen is often applied to forecast volatility in high‐frequency financial data. It is frequently found, however, that the distribution of the estimated residuals from Realized GARCH models has peak fat‐tail characteristics. Considering this feature may be a result of neglected additive outliers (AOs) and innovative outliers (IOs), this paper proposes the Realized GARCH model with additive outlier and innovative outlier (Realized GARCH‐AI model) for forecasting volatility. This model can detect and correct abnormal returns and realized volatility by estimating the coefficients of volatility models and calculating the outlier test statistics. In the process of simulation, this paper considers different outlier cases in the GARCH model and the Realized GARCH model, and evaluates the performance of the proposed procedure through the accuracy of parameter estimation under different critical values. We find that the critical values will affect the results of outlier detection and correction. When the value is in a suitable range, the proposed procedure based on high‐frequency data can obtain unbiased parameter estimation, and the estimation result is close to those of the intervention model containing outlier information. Finally, we use the MCS test proposed by Hansen et al. (Econometrica, 2011,79(2), 453–497) to study the volatility prediction accuracy, value at risk, and expected shortfall prediction ability of the new model. The empirical analysis demonstrates that the proposed model produces better prediction effects than the traditional Realized GARCH model.