bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial navigation ability predicts progression of dementia symptomatology
Authors: Levine Taylor F. , Allison Samantha L. , Stojanovic Marta , Fagan Anne M. , Morris John C. , Head Denise
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Spatial navigation deficits are observed in Alzheimer's disease cross‐sectionally, but prediction of longitudinal clinical decline has been less examined.

Methods

Cognitive mapping (CM) was assessed in 95 participants and route learning (RL) was assessed in 65 participants at baseline. Clinical progression over an average of 4 to 5 years was assessed using the clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale. Relative predictive ability was compared to episodic memory, hippocampus, and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers (phosphorylated tau/amyloid β 42 (ptau181/Aβ42) ratio).

Results

CM and RL were predictors of clinical progression (P’s < 0.032). All measures, except RL‐Learning remained predictors with episodic memory in models (P’s < 0.048). Only RL‐Retrieval remained a predictor when ptau181/Aβ42 was included (P < 0.001). CM interacted with hippocampus and ptau181/Aβ42 in prediction (P’s < 0.013). CM, RL, and episodic memory evidenced strong diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.894, 0.794, and 0.735, respectively); CM tended to perform better than episodic memory (P = 0.056).

Discussion

Baseline spatial navigation performance may be appropriate for assessing risk of clinical progression.
Tighter Bound of Entropic Uncertainty under the Unruh Effect
Authors: He Juan , Ding Zhi Yong , Shi Jia Dong , Liu Cheng Cheng , Wu Tao
Published: February 2020

The uncertainty principle limits the ability to simultaneously predict measurement outcomes for two non‐commuting observables of a quantum particle. However, the uncertainty can be violated by considering a particle as a quantum memory correlated with the primary particle. By modeling an Unruh–Dewitt detector coupled to a massless scalar field, it is explored how the Unruh effect affects the entropic uncertainty and the tighter lower bound for a pair of entangled detectors is probed when one of them is accelerated. It is found that Unruh thermal noise really gives rise to an increase of entropic uncertainty for the given conditions since the correlation between quantum memory and the measured system is decreased. It is shown that the bound of the entropic uncertainty relations, in the presence of memory, can be formulated by introducing the Holevo quantity and mutual information. It is also noticed that Adabi's lower bound is tighter than that of Berta, and just the optimal bound under the Unruh effect. Moreover, it is shown that Berta's lower bound is unrelated to the choice of complementary observables, while the optimal Adabi's lower bound is dependent on the measurement choice. It is worth mentioning that the investigations may offer a better understanding of the entropic uncertainty in a relativistic motion.
Programming the Nucleation of DNA Brick Self‐Assembly with a Seeding Strand
Authors: Zhang Yingwei , Reinhardt Aleks , Wang Pengfei , Song Jie , Ke Yonggang
Published: February 2020

Recently, the DNA brick strategy has provided a highly modular and scalable approach for the construction of complex structures, which can be used as nanoscale pegboards for the precise organization of molecules and nanoparticles for many applications. Despite the dramatic increase of structural complexity provided by the DNA brick method, the assembly pathways are still poorly understood. Herein, we introduce a “seed” strand to control the crucial nucleation and assembly pathway in DNA brick assembly. Through experimental studies and computer simulations, we successfully demonstrate that the regulation of the assembly pathways through seeded growth can accelerate the assembly kinetics and increase the optimal temperature by circa 4–7 °C for isothermal assembly. By improving our understanding of the assembly pathways, we provide new guidelines for the design of programmable pathways to improve the self‐assembly of DNA nanostructures.
Chasing Synthetic Life: A Tale of Forms, Chemical Fossils, and Biomorphs
Authors: Cintas Pedro
Published: February 2020

This Essay focuses briefly on early studies elaborated by natural and chemical philosophers, and the once‐called synthetic biologists, who postulated the transition from inanimate to animate matter and even foresaw the possibility of creating artificial life on the basis of physical and chemical principles only. Such ideas and speculations, ranging from soundness to weirdness, paved however the way to current developments in areas like abiotic pattern formation, cell compartmentalization, biomineralization, or the origin of life itself. In particular, the generation of biomorphs and their relationship to microfossils represents an active research domain and seems to be the logical way to bring the historical work up to the future, as some scientists are trying to make artificial cells. The last sections of this essay will also highlight modern science aimed at understanding what life is and, whether or not, it can be redefined in chemical terms.
Charge‐Tagged DNA Radicals in the Gas Phase Characterized by UV/Vis Photodissociation Action Spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Yue , Dang Andy , Urban Jan , Tureček František
Published: February 2020

Adenosine radicals tagged with a fixed‐charge group were generated in the gas phase and structurally characterized by tandem mass spectrometry, deuterium labeling, and UV/Vis action spectroscopy. Experimental results in combination with Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics, ab initio, and excited‐state calculations led to unambiguous assignment of adenosine radicals as N‐7 hydrogen atom adducts. The charge‐tagged radicals were found to be electronically equivalent to natural DNA nucleoside radicals.
Bidentate Chiral Bis(imidazolium)‐Based Halogen‐Bond Donors: Synthesis and Applications in Enantioselective Recognition and Catalysis
Authors: Sutar Revannath L. , Engelage Elric , Stoll Raphael , Huber Stefan M.
Published: February 2020

Even though halogen bonding—the noncovalent interaction between electrophilic halogen substituents and Lewis bases—has now been established in molecular recognition and catalysis, its use in enantioselective processes is still very rarely explored. Herein, we present the synthesis of chiral bidentate halogen‐bond donors based on two iodoimidazolium units with rigidly attached chiral sidearms. With these Lewis acids, chiral recognition of a racemic diamine is achieved in NMR studies. DFT calculations support a 1:1 interaction of the halogen‐bond donor with both enantiomers and indicate that the chiral recognition is based on a different spatial orientation of the Lewis bases in the halogen‐bonded complexes. In addition, moderate enantioselectivity is achieved in a Mukaiyama aldol reaction with a preorganized variant of the chiral halogen‐bond donor. This represents the first case in which asymmetric induction was realized with a pure halogen‐bond donor lacking any additional active functional groups.
Synthesis of Carbazoles and Related Heterocycles from Sulfilimines by Intramolecular C−H Aminations
Authors: Tian Xianhai , Song Lina , Hashmi A. Stephen K.
Published: February 2020

While direct nitrene insertions into C−H bonds have become an important tool for building C−N bonds in modern organic chemistry, the generation of nitrene intermediates always requires transition metals, high temperatures, ultraviolet or laser light. We report a mild synthesis of carbazoles and related building blocks through a visible light‐induced intramolecular C−H amination reaction. A striking advantage of this new method is the use of more reactive aryl sulfilimines instead of the corresponding hazardous azides. Different catalysts and divergent light sources were tested. The reaction scope is broad and the product yield is generally high. An efficient gram‐scale synthesis of Clausine C demonstrates the applicability and scalability of this new method.
In situ Synthesis of Biomimetic Silica Nanofibrous Aerogels with Temperature‐Invariant Superelasticity over One Million Compressions
Authors: Wang Fei , Dou Lvye , Dai Jianwu , Li Yuyao , Huang Liqian , Si Yang , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: February 2020

Resilient and compressible three‐dimensional nanomaterials comprising polymers, carbon, and metals have been prepared in diverse forms. However, the creation of thermostable elastic ceramic aerogels remains an enormous challenge. We demonstrate an in situ synthesis strategy to develop biomimetic silica nanofibrous (SNF) aerogels with superelasticity by integrating flexible electrospun silica nanofibers and rubber‐like Si−O−Si bonding networks. The stable bonding structure among nanofibers is in situ constructed along with a fibrous freeze‐shaping process. The resultant SNF aerogels exhibit integrated properties of ultralow density (>0.25 mg cm−3), temperature‐invariant superelasticity up to 1100 °C, and robust fatigue resistance over one million compressions. The ceramic nature also endows the aerogels with fire resistance and ultralow thermal conductivity. The successful synthesis of the SNF aerogels opens new pathways for the design of superelastic ceramic aerogels in a structurally adaptive and scalable form.
Polyamidoamines based on castor oil‐styrene co‐oligomer/triethylenetetramine as curing agents in high‐performance epoxy coatings
Authors: Mirmohseni Abdolreza , Pourtaghi‐Zahed Hamid
Published: February 2020

Polyamidoamines (PAMAMs) based on castor oil‐styrene co‐oligomer and triethylenetetramine (TETA) or benzylated TETA were synthesized and diluted with an amide‐like diluent (EFA). The intermediates and products structures were characterized using FT‐IR, 1H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, and scanning electron microscopy. The diluted PAMAMs types were used as the curing agents of the epoxy resin to produce the modified coatings. The mechanical, chemical, and visual properties of the epoxy coatings obtained by commercial hardeners compared to the modified coatings. The modified coatings were transparent, and had humidity resistance higher than the commercial coatings, at 15°C and 80% relative humidity. The modified coatings were obtained with the lowest surface defects and improved mechanical properties such as Izod impact resistance, tensile strength, and the pull‐off adhesion (3.3–4.8 kJ m−2, 42.2–54.5 MPa and 3.0–3.5 MPa) relative to the commercial coatings (1.1–3.0 kJ m−2, 28.7–39.9 MPa and 1.4–2.1 MPa), respectively. Moreover, in spite of the commercial coatings, the modified coatings were cost‐effective and showed the behaviors of appropriate self‐healing and chemical resistance.
A new approach to generate a catalogue of potential historical novae
Authors: Hoffmann Susanne M. , Vogt Nikolaus , Protte Philipp
Published: February 2020

Ancient Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese observers left us records of celestial sightings, the so‐called “guest stars” dated up to ∼2500 years ago. Their identification with modern observable targets could open interesting insights into the long‐term behavior of astronomical objects, as shown by the successful identification of eight galactic supernovae. Here, we evaluate the possibility to identify ancient classical novae with presently known cataclysmic variables (CVs). For this purpose, we have developed a method which reconsiders in detail positions and sizes of ancient asterisms, in order to define areas on the sky that should be used for a search of modern counterparts. These areas range from a few to several 100 square degrees, depending on the details given in ancient texts; they should replace the single coordinate values given by previous authors. Any appropriate target (CVs, X‐ray binaries etc.) within these areas can be considered as a valid candidate for identification with the corresponding ancient event. Based on the original descriptions of several 100 old events, we selected those without movement and without a tail (to exclude comets) and which was not only visible within a certain hour (to exclude meteors). This way, we present a shortlist of 24 most promising events which could refer to classical nova eruptions. Our method is checked by applying it to the known SN identifications, leading to a margin of error between 0 and 4.5 degrees, meaning that some SN remnants lay exactly inside the areas given by the historical reports while in some other cases they are laying at considerable distances.
The Mental and Physical Health of Older Adults With a Genetic Predisposition for Autism
Authors: Stewart Gavin R. , Corbett Anne , Ballard Clive , Creese Byron , Aarsland Dag , Hampshire Adam , Charlton Rebecca A. , Happé Francesca
Published: February 2020

Autism commonly aggregates in families, with twin studies estimating heritability to be around 80%. Subclinical autism‐like characteristics have also been found at elevated rates in relatives of autistic probands. Physical and psychiatric conditions have been reported at elevated rates in autistic children and adults, and also in their relatives. However, to date, there has been no exploration of how aging may affect this pattern. This study examined cross‐sectional data from the ongoing online PROTECT study. A total of 20,220 adults aged 50 years and older reported whether they have an autistic first‐degree relative. In total, 739 older adults reported having an autistic first‐degree relative (AFDR group) and 11,666 were identified as having no family history of any neurodevelopmental disorder (NFD group). The AFDR group demonstrated significantly higher frequencies of self‐reported psychiatric diagnoses and a greater total number of co‐occurring psychiatric diagnoses than the NFD group. Furthermore, the AFDR group reported elevated current self‐report symptoms of depression, anxiety, traumatic experience, and post‐traumatic stress than the NFD group. By contrast, few differences between AFDR and NFD groups were observed in physical health conditions, and no differences were observed in the total number of co‐occurring physical health diagnoses. These findings suggest that adults who have an AFDR may be at greater risk of poor mental, but not physical, health in later life. Older adults with autistic relatives may benefit from close monitoring to mitigate this susceptibility and to provide timely intervention.Autism Res2020, 13: 641–654. © 2020 The Authors.Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Researchpublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Children and adults with an autistic relative have been found to experience more psychiatric difficulties than those with no family links to autism. However, a few studies have explored what happens when these individuals get older. Examining over 20,000 adults age 50+, we found that older adults with an autistic relative experienced elevated rates of most psychiatric conditions but not physical conditions. Older adults with autistic relatives may benefit from close monitoring to mitigate this susceptibility and to provide timely intervention.
Flexibility of the CueR Metal Site Probed by Instantaneous Change of Element and Oxidation State from AgI to CdII
Authors: Balogh Ria K. , Gyurcsik Béla , Jensen Mikael , Thulstrup Peter W. , Köster Ulli , Christensen Niels Johan , Mørch Frederik J. , Jensen Marianne L. , Jancsó Attila , Hemmingsen Lars
Published: February 2020

Selectivity for monovalent metal ions is an important facet of the function of the metalloregulatory protein CueR. 111Ag perturbed angular correlation of γ‐rays (PAC) spectroscopy probes the metal site structure and the relaxation accompanying the instantaneous change from AgI to CdII upon 111Ag radioactive decay. That is, a change from AgI, which activates transcription, to CdII, which does not. In the frozen state (−196 °C) two nuclear quadrupole interactions (NQIs) are observed; one (NQI1) agrees well with two coordinating thiolates and an additional longer contact to the S77 backbone carbonyl, and the other (NQI2) reflects that CdII has attracted additional ligand(s). At 1 °C only NQI2 is observed, demonstrating that relaxation to this structure occurs within ≈10 ns of the decay of 111Ag. Thus, transformation from AgI to CdII rapidly disrupts the functional linear bis(thiolato)AgI metal site structure. This inherent metal site flexibility may be central to CueR function, leading to remodelling into a non‐functional structure upon binding of non‐cognate metal ions. In a broader perspective, 111Ag PAC spectroscopy may be applied to probe the flexibility of protein metal sites.
Aluminiumhydroxychlorid‐Flockungsmittel aus dem Kupferrecycling aus Abfällen der Leiterplattenproduktion
Authors: Kononchuk Olga O. , Hippmann Sebastian , Bertau Martin , Alexeev Alexey I.
Published: February 2020

Bei der Leiterplattenproduktion nach dem Druckverfahren fallen erhebliche Mengen kupferhaltiger Ätzlösungen an. Die Kupferrückgewinnung aus den ammoniakalischen Ätzbädern erfolgt über eine Zementation mit Aluminiumschrott mit Ausbringungsraten ≥ 99 % Cu. Anstelle der bis dato üblichen Deponierung wird die dabei anfallende aluminiumhaltige Lösung zu einem Koagulationsmittel für die Behandlung von Bergbautailings und Abwasser aufbereitet. Das hergestellte Flockungsmittel wurde eingehend charakterisiert und die Wirksamkeit als Koagulant für feindisperse Systeme im Jar‐Test untersucht und bestätigt.
Relationship between genetic variability of flowering traits andFusariummycotoxin contamination in oats
Authors: Herrmann Matthias Heinrich , Hautsalo Juho , Georgieva Paulina , Bund Adalbert , Winter Mark , Beuch Steffen
Published: February 2020

Over the last three decades,Fusariuminfections and related mycotoxin contamination have caused significant economic losses in oats (Avena sativaL.). Breeding for resistance is highly prioritized in oats, but infection processes and resistance components againstFusariumspecies are not fully identified. In this study, the genetic variation for flowering traits and its impact on mycotoxin accumulation in oats is described. The first experiment of this paper was focused on flowering traits in 50 oat genotypes (Panel 1) to identify cleistogamic oats. Then, two separateFusarium‐inoculated experiments in three (Panel 2 with 25 genotypes) and two environments (Panel 3 with 16 genotypes) were conducted to assess the relationship between the degree of anther retention (AR) and resistance toFusariuminfestation and mycotoxin accumulation in oats. Panel 2 was inoculated withFusarium culmorum,F. langsethiae, andF. sporotrichioides, and Panel 3 was inoculated with eitherF.graminearumorF. culmorum. The assessment of open flowering score and AR displayed a continuous variation from dominating chasmogamy to complete cleistogamy. Significant differences for deoxynivalenol and T‐2 were found, with a modest correlation between both mycotoxins. The lowest mycotoxin levels were found in two old and one modern cultivar, and the highest levels were found in a dwarf oat cultivar. Compared with plant height, AR was a rather ambiguous factor for the mycotoxin content, and it interfered with effects of other traits displaying high ranges such as earliness, lodging, or hull content. To unravel components of resistance toFusariumin oats more precisely, specific populations with lower ranges in plant height and heading date should be studied.
Ion‐Enhanced Conversion of CO2 into Formate on Porous Dendritic Bismuth Electrodes with High Efficiency and Durability
Authors: Piao Guangxia , Yoon Sun Hee , Han Dong Suk , Park Hyunwoong
Published: February 2020

Invited for this month′s cover is the group of Prof. Hyunwoong Park at the Kyungpook National University. The image shows the high‐efficiency CO2 conversion to formate using multilayered porous dendrite Bi electrocatalysts. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201902581.
Experimental investigation of PV based modified SEPIC converter fed hybrid electric vehicle (PV‐HEV)
Authors: Natchimuthu Selvarani , Chinnusamy Muniraj , Mark Arul Prasanna
Published: February 2020

This paper presents a high gain modified three‐port dual boost single‐ended primary‐inductor converter (SEPIC) converter operated hybrid photovoltaic (PV)/battery electric vehicle to improve the power transfer capability and efficiency of the power conversion stage. The proposed three‐port dual boost high gain SEPIC converter accepts wide voltage range of input then the conventional single stage SEPIC converter. The three‐winding high frequency coupling transformer integrates the two input sources and step‐up the input voltage. The theoretical and experimental analyses are presented to validate the performance of the proposed modified SEPIC converter in boosting the wide range of input voltage. A 6 kW, 12 to 600 V of experimental model has been developed and tested. The efficiency obtained from the designed model is around 94.11%.
Energy‐efficient resource allocation for device‐to‐device communication through noncooperative game theory
Authors: Noor Mohammed Vali Mohamad , Sreenivasan Prithvi Mothi , Ravishankar Tharrun , Hariharan Subramaniyam , Lakshmanan Muthukaruppan
Published: February 2020

Wireless network with high data rate applications has seen a rapid growth in recent years. This improved quality of service (QoS) leads to huge energy consumption in wireless network. Therefore, in order to have an energy‐efficient resource allocation in cellular system, a device‐to‐device (D2D) communication is the key component to improve the QoS. In this paper, we propose a noncooperative game (NCG) theory approach for resource allocation to improve energy efficiency (EE) of D2D pair. A three‐tier network with macrocell base station (MBS), femtocell base station (FBS), and D2D pair is considered, which shares the uplink resource block. A resource allocation strategy with constraints is arrived, which maintains minimum throughput for each user in the network. The proposed resource allocation strategy optimizes the EE of D2D pair in the three‐tier network, which achieves Nash equilibrium (NE) and Pareto optimality (PO). Simulation results validate that EE is uniform and optimum for all D2D pair, which converges to NE when channel is static and it converges to PO when the channel is dynamic.
Bauakustische Bemessung von Mehrgeschossbauten mit monolithischen Ziegelaußenwänden
Authors: Naumann Kai
Published: February 2020

Für Gebäude in Massivbauweise mit monolithischen, hochwärmedämmenden Ziegel‐Außenwänden war nach Beiblatt 1 zu DIN 4109:1989 praktisch keine normative schalltechnische Bemessung möglich. Daher wurde in 2010 ein zulassungsgeregeltes Bemessungsverfahren eingeführt, mit dem bauakustische Berechnungen mit hoher Prognosesicherheit geführt werden können. Dieses Verfahren wurde in die vollständig überarbeitete Normenreihe DIN 4109:2016/2018 ‚Schallschutz im Hochbau‘ übernommen.

Grundlage für die Anwendung dieser Methode ist die Kenntnis individueller Schalldämm‐Maße und Stoßstellendämm‐Maße der jeweils verwendeten Ziegel‐Produkte bzw. Produktkombinationen. Zur Vereinfachung der Nachweisführung für Gebäude in Ziegelbauweise stellt die Ziegelindustrie die Bauphysiksoftware ‚Modul Schall 4.0‘ zur Verfügung, in der die maßgebenden schalltechnischen Parameter von Außenwandprodukten zahlreicher Ziegelhersteller in einer Datenbank hinterlegt sind. In diesem Bericht werden Erfahrungen in der Anwendung des Bemessungsverfahrens für Gebäude in Ziegelbauweise vorgestellt. Es zeigt sich eine hohe Übereinstimmung von Prognosen und Prüfungen an ausgeführten Gebäuden.
Failing to caption state legislative proceedings may create liability for state universities
Authors: Charmatz Marc
Published: February 2020

The United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit held that the State of Florida, the Florida Senate, the Florida House of Representatives, the Board of Trustees of Florida State University, and state officials may be liable for compensatory damages pursuant to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12131–65, for failing to caption legislative hearings (see National Association of the Deaf and Eddie Sierra v. State of Florida, The Florida Senate, The Florida House of Representatives, Florida State University Board of Trustees, et al., No. 18‐12786, 11th Cir. Jan. 3. 2020).
The presumption of heteronormativity among postsecondary disability services offices
Authors: LoGiudice Joseph A.
Published: February 2020

Postsecondary institutions appear to be in an age of paying attention to the meaning and implications of intersectionality — but I contend these efforts have fallen drastically short in the area of sexual identity. In the 13 years I have worked in postsecondary disability services, proudly identifying as a gay man with a learning disability, my sexual identity has been silenced by staff and faculty. We operate from the cultural framework of heterosexuality and assume that students, staff, and faculty are the same sexual identity.
Study finds technology accessibility for students needs improvement
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: February 2020

Only half of students with physical and/or learning disabilities who need accessible technology or accommodations positively rated their institution's support in providing those accommodations or availability of accessible technology, according to a study by EDUCAUSE. The EDUCAUSE Center for Analysis and Research Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology, 2019, reviewed survey data from more than 40,000 students across 112 institutions.
Covalent binding of molecules to plasma immersion ion implantation‐activated microparticles for delivery into cells
Authors: Kruse Hedi V. , Tran Clara T. H. , van Zandwijk Nico , Suchowerska Natalka , McKenzie David R. , Reid Glen
Published: February 2020

Delivery of biomolecules to target cells is an essential step in gene therapy, targeted drug delivery, and cell imaging, and can be achieved by encapsulation or conjugation to micro‐ or nanoparticles. For successful systemic delivery, these complexes must be stable under physiological conditions and prevent leakage of the cargo. Covalent binding of the active agent to a carrier is one‐way to facilitate this stability but frequently requires several steps. Here we show that plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) treatment can activate the surface of paramagnetic polystyrene microparticles (MPs), increasing autofluorescence and allowing conjugation of biological molecules in a single‐step. Using PIII‐activated MPs, we demonstrate covalent binding of therapeutically relevant payloads including antibodies (Abs) and small‐interfering RNAs (siRNAs). The PIII‐activated magnetic particles were actively taken up by the cells, were nontoxic, and could be visualized due to increased autofluorescence induced by the PIII treatment. Ab and siRNA were effectively conjugated simultaneously to the active surface, and these functionalized MPs were also taken up by cells. This simple PIII‐based activation system has the potential to be applied to many different therapeutic approaches.
Application research of a prestressed anchor cable‐pile‐slab wall supporting structure for multistage high fill slopes
Authors: Zhu Yan‐peng , Wei Zhen‐hong , Zhu Qiao‐hong
Published: February 2020

When carrying out engineering constructions in a mountainous area with complex geological conditions, high fill slopes commonly need to be strengthened. At present, several of the main supporting structures have unique defects and shortcomings when used in the reinforcement of high fill slopes. Therefore, this paper proposes to apply a prestressed anchor cable‐pile‐slab wall structure to high fill slope support engineering, relying on the long‐term monitoring results of an actual project and using the finite difference finite element software FLAC3D to model the supporting structure. The displacement of the slope, the earth pressure behind the pile, the internal force of the supporting structure and the distribution of the anchor cable force are analyzed comprehensively and systematically. The analysis and study show that the prestressed anchor cable‐pile‐slab wall supporting structure can effectively strengthen a filled slope and control its horizontal displacement to improve its overall stability. The analysis results are used to optimize and improve this approach, which provides a new direction for the reinforcement of high fill slopes, and the results can provide a better reference for the reinforcement and design of fill slopes.
Discretization limits of lattice‐Boltzmann methods for studying immiscible two‐phase flow in porous media
Authors: Li Zhe , McClure James E. , Middleton Jill , Varslot Trond , Sheppard Adrian P.
Published: February 2020

Digital images of porous media often include features approaching the image resolution length scale. The behavior of numerical methods at low resolution is therefore important even for well‐resolved systems. We study the behavior of the Shan‐Chen (SC) and Rothman‐Keller (RK) multicomponent lattice‐Boltzmann models in situations where the fluid‐fluid interfacial radius of curvature and/or the feature size of the medium approaches the discrete unit size of the computational grid. Various simple, small‐scale test geometries are considered, and a drainage test is also performed in a Bentheimer sandstone sample. We find that both RK and SC models show very high ultimate limits: in ideal conditions the models can simulate static fluid configuration with acceptable accuracy in tubes as small as three lattice units across for RK model (six lattice units for SC model) and with an interfacial radius of curvature of two lattice units for RK and SC models. However, the stability of the models is affected when operating in these extreme discrete limits: in certain circumstances the models exhibit behaviors ranging from loss of accuracy to numerical instability. We discuss the circumstances where these behaviors occur and the ramifications for larger‐scale fluid displacement simulations in porous media, along with strategies to mitigate the most severe effects. Overall we find that the RK model, with modern enhancements, exhibits fewer instabilities and is more suitable for systems of low fluid‐fluid miscibility. The shortcomings of the SC model seem to arise predominantly from the high, strongly pressure‐dependent miscibility of the two fluid components.
Formaldehyde Electro‐catalytic Oxidation onto Carbon Paste Electrode Modified by MIL‐101(Cr) Nanoparticles
Authors: Gheytani S. , Hassaninejad‐Darzi S. K. , Taherimehr M.
Published: February 2020

In this paper, MIL‐101(Cr) metal‐organic framework (MOF) has been rapidly synthesized via microwave heating and fully characterized using powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm. FESEM image of MIL‐101(Cr) MOF displays spherical particles with a uniform morphology and particle size under 100 nm. The BET surface area and average pore diameter of synthesized MIL‐101(Cr) MOF were obtained to be 7.266 × 102 m2 g−1 and 3.28 nm, respectively. Nickel hydroxide dispersed onto MIL‐101(Cr) nanoparticles modified carbon paste electrode (Ni(OH)2‐MIL/CPE) was employed for electro‐catalytic oxidation of formaldehyde (CH2O) in the alkaline medium. The mean value of electron‐transfer coefficient, charge‐transfer rate constant and surface coverage of the Ni(OH)2‐MIL/CPE are found to be 0.517, 0.0058 s−1 and 7.88 × 10−8 mol cm−2, respectively. Also, the mean value of catalytic rate constant and diffusion coefficient of CH2O in the modified electrode surface are calculated to be 2.37 × 102 cm3 mol−1 s−1 and 1.288 × 10−6 cm2 s−1, respectively. The results indicate that Ni(OH)2‐MIL/CPE displays good electrocatalytic activity to the CH2O oxidation owing to porous structure and the large surface area of MIL‐101(Cr) MOF.
Decarbonizing Industrial Thermal Energy Usage
Authors: Gardiner David
Published: February 2020

The industrial sector is a large source of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Much of these industrial emissions result from the energy used to produce heat for the manufacturing production process. In industrial manufacturing, thermal energy delivers process and nonprocess heating and cooling, as well as building space heating and cooling. Across the globe, industrial heat makes up two‐thirds of industrial energy demand and almost one‐fifth of total energy consumption. In the United States, GHG emissions associated with industrial heat account for 32 percent of all industrial‐sector emissions and 7 percent of total US emissions. These emissions are concentrated in six energy‐intensive basic material manufacturing sectors—steel, chemicals, cement, pulp and paper, aluminum, and oil refining—that produce more than 77 percent of global industrial emissions. Climate solutions must include approaches to reduce emissions associated with heat production.
Anatomical region segmentation method from dermoscopic images of pigmented skin lesions
Authors: Chakkaravarthy A. Prabhu , Chandrasekar A.
Published: February 2020

Melanoma tumor can cause a serious life threatening problem in humans, if left untreated for a long time without early diagnosis. For early diagnosis of melanoma, it is more significant to develop novel methods based on biophysics analyses, molecular targets recognitions, and new image analysis criteria. In this article, anatomical region segmentation and diameter identification is proposed to detect melanoma from dermoscopic images. Four main steps of the proposed system are as follows: In the first step, the preprocessing is performed to smooth the melanoma extraction process. The region segmentation is done in the second step using watershed segmentation and Sobel operator. In the third step, the postprocessing procedures like as morphological open, canny edge detection also applied to improve the region of interest. Finally, the melanoma region is identified using color symmetry features. The proposed method is tested with two data sets to prove the performance proposed method. The proposed method achieved an accuracy of 95.31% and specificity of 98.3%, which is better than other methods. Experimental results show that the effectiveness of the proposed method and illustrate viability of real‐time clinical applications.
Circular RNA circ‐Ttc3 protects HaCaT cells from hypoxic injury by downregulation of miR‐449a
Authors: Yu Lingling , Wang Qiaoyan , Liu Ning , Zhao Jun , Yu Jingjing , Tao Shujun
Published: February 2020

Background

Pressure ulcer (PU) is a common complication of acute and long‐time hospitalization, especially in elderly patients. The incidence and prevalence of PU are swiftly fortifying. Currently, our purpose was to investigate the functional impacts of circ‐Ttc3 on PU.

Methods

HaCaT cells were pretreated under hypoxia condition. Cell counting kit 8 assay and flow cytometry were utilized to test HaCaT cell viability and apoptosis. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was utilized to determine circ‐Ttc3 and miR‐449a expression. Western blot was performed to examine apoptosis‐associated proteins expression. Subsequently, the above‐described investigations were reperformed after miR‐449a upregulation.

Results

Hypoxia induced apoptosis and declined viability in HaCaT cells. Circ‐Ttc3 expression was enhanced after transfection with circ‐Ttc3 expressing vector. Overexpressing circ‐Ttc3 raised viability and reduced apoptosis in HaCaT cells. Moreover, miR‐449a expression was elevated by hypoxia and reversed by overexpressing circ‐Ttc3. And circ‐Ttc3 exerted its effect via downregulating miR‐449a. Finally, overexpressing circ‐Ttc3 activated nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB) and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathways via downregulating miR‐449a.

Conclusion

Our data suggested that circ‐Ttc3 alleviated hypoxic injury and activated NF‐κB and PI3K/AKT pathways by downregulating miR‐449a in HaCaT cells.
Novel Schiff bases–based thiophenes: Design, synthesis and biological evaluation
Authors: Puthran Divyaraj , Poojary Boja , Nayak Soukhyarani G. , Purushotham Nikil , Bhat Manjunath , Hedge Hemant
Published: February 2020

2‐amino‐5‐(3‐fluoro‐4‐methoxyphenyl)thiophene‐3‐carbonitrile derivatives have been synthesized from 1‐(3‐fluoro‐4‐methoxyphenyl)ethanone, malononitrile, mild base, and sulfur powder using the Gewald method through a multistep reaction sequence. The structures of newly synthesized compounds were established on the basis of their elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectral data, and then synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity. Among them, derivatives 3b (thiphene), 3f (pyrazole), and 3d (halogen) showed good activity and remaining derivatives exhibited moderate activity.
Discharge or reuse? Comparative sustainability assessment of anaerobic and aerobic membrane bioreactors
Authors: Xu Xiaofan , Dao Hang , Bair Robert , Uman Ahmet E. , Yeh Daniel , Zhang Qiong
Published: February 2020

Water reuse is believed to be a sustainable solution to overcome the scarcity of freshwater. Aerobic and anaerobic membrane bioreactors are becoming an effective technology for wastewater treatment and reuse. Aerobic membrane bioreactors show good nutrient removal, whereas those that are anaerobic have nutrient‐rich effluent, enabling the direct agricultural use of the effluent. As a result, the end use will dictate the potential environmental impacts of the bioreactor's application. Therefore, with the consideration of the end use (i.e., discharge or reuse) of the effluent, this study aimed to compare the environmental and economic impacts associated with full‐scale aerobic and anaerobic membrane bioreactors for municipal wastewater treatment under different end use scenarios using life cycle assessment and cost analysis. The results of these analyses show that anaerobic bioreactors have greater environmental impacts and life cycle cost than aerobic bioreactors in the discharge scenario due to the incorporation of a biological nutrient removal system. In the reuse scenario, anaerobic membrane bioreactors have lower impacts that are attributable to the offset of the nutrients required for crops, and the potential benefits vary depending on the types of crops receiving the reclaimed water. Integrating anaerobic membrane bioreactors with agricultural fertigation resulted in effluent water nitrate concentrations (after crop uptake and soil treatment) of <2 mg L−1 in most U.S. states. This indicated that the use of the anaerobic membrane bioreactors effluent for fertigation could be a win‐win solution to both irrigation water shortage and high environmental impact associated with nutrient removal.
Direct Comparison of PI‐RADS Version 2 and 2.1 in Transition Zone Lesions for Detection of Prostate Cancer: Preliminary Experience
Authors: Byun Jieun , Park Kye Jin , Kim Mi‐hyun , Kim Jeong Kon
Published: February 2020

Background

There appears to be less agreement in the identification of cancers in the transition zone (TZ), which is not as reliable as those in peripheral zone when using the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) version 2 (v2). In response to such shortcomings, the updated version 2.1 was introduced, which incorporated diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) into category 2 and clarified lexicons.

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic performance for the detection of clinically significant TZ prostate cancers (csPCa) and interreader agreement between PI‐RADS v2.1 and v2.

Study Type

Retrospective study.

Population

In all, 142 patients, 201 TZ lesions.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0T; T2‐weighted image and DWI.

Assessment

Lesions were scored by three independent readers using PI‐RADS v2 and v2.1.

Statistical Tests

The sensitivity and specificity at category ≥3 were compared between v2 and v2.1 using the generalized estimating equation model. Detection rates for csPCa of upgraded and downgraded lesions in the use of PI‐RADS v2.1 from v2 were assessed. Interreader agreement was assessed using κ statistics.

Results

PI‐RADS v2.1 showed a higher sensitivity and specificity (94.5% and 60.9%) than v2 (91.8% and 56.3%) for category ≥3 lesions in the detection of csPCa, although not significantly. Of eight upgraded lesions from category 2 to 3 (2 + 1) with an incorporated DWI, 50% (4/8) were csPCa. This was significantly higher than category 2 lesions (4.4%; P = 0.003). No csPCa was detected among the 22.8% (46/201) downgraded lesions. There was a moderate interreader agreement for scores ≥3 (κ = 0.565) in v2.1, which was slightly higher than that for v2 (κ = 0.534), although not significantly.

Data Conclusion

PI‐RADS v2.1 provides moderate and comparable interreader agreement at category ≥3 than v2 in the TZ lesions. Upgraded lesions from category 2 to 3 demonstrated a higher detection rate of csPCa than category 2 lesions in v2.1.

Level of Evidence

4

Technical Efficacy Stage

2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:577–586.
MRI‐Based Machine Learning for Differentiating Borderline From Malignant Epithelial Ovarian Tumors: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Li Yong'ai , Jian Junming , Pickhardt Perry J. , Ma Fenghua , Xia Wei , Li Haiming , Zhang Rui , Zhao Shuhui , Cai Songqi , Zhao Xingyu , Zhang Jiayi , Zhang Guofu , Jiang Jingxuan , Zhang Yan , Wang Keying , Lin Guangwu , Feng Feng , Lu Jing , Deng Lin , Wu Xiaodong , Qiang Jinwei , Gao Xin
Published: February 2020

Background

Preoperative differentiation of borderline from malignant epithelial ovarian tumors (BEOT from MEOT) can impact surgical management. MRI has improved this assessment but subjective interpretation by radiologists may lead to inconsistent results.

Purpose

To develop and validate an objective MRI‐based machine‐learning (ML) assessment model for differentiating BEOT from MEOT, and compare the performance against radiologists' interpretation.

Study Type

Retrospective study of eight clinical centers.

Population

In all, 501 women with histopathologically‐confirmed BEOT (n = 165) or MEOT (n = 336) from 2010 to 2018 were enrolled. Three cohorts were constructed: a training cohort (n = 250), an internal validation cohort (n = 92), and an external validation cohort (n = 159).

Field Strength/Sequence

Preoperative MRI within 2 weeks of surgery. Single‐ and multiparameter (MP) machine‐learning assessment models were built utilizing the following four MRI sequences: T2‐weighted imaging (T2WI), fat saturation (FS), diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and contrast‐enhanced (CE)‐T1WI.

Assessment

Diagnostic performance of the models was assessed for both whole tumor (WT) and solid tumor (ST) components. Assessment of the performance of the model in discriminating BEOT vs. early‐stage MEOT was made. Six radiologists of varying experience also interpreted the MR images.

Statistical Tests

Mann–Whitney U‐test: significance of the clinical characteristics; chi‐square test: difference of label; DeLong test: difference of receiver operating characteristic (ROC).

Results

The MP‐ST model performed better than the MP‐WT model for both the internal validation cohort (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.932 vs. 0.917) and external validation cohort (AUC = 0.902 vs. 0.767). The model showed capability in discriminating BEOT vs. early‐stage MEOT, with AUCs of 0.909 and 0.920, respectively. Radiologist performance was considerably poorer than both the internal (mean AUC = 0.792; range, 0.679–0.924) and external (mean AUC = 0.797; range, 0.744–0.867) validation cohorts.

Data Conclusion

Performance of the MRI‐based ML model was robust and superior to subjective assessment of radiologists. If our approach can be implemented in clinical practice, improved preoperative prediction could potentially lead to preserved ovarian function and fertility for some women.

Level of Evidence

Level 4.

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:897–904.
Comparison between observations and gridded data sets over complex terrain in the Chilean Andes: Precipitation and temperature
Authors: Schumacher Vanúcia , Justino Flávio , Fernández Alfonso , Meseguer‐Ruiz Oliver , Sarricolea Pablo , Comin Alcimoni , Peroni Venancio Luan , Althoff Daniel
Published: February 2020

This study describes the performance of five gridded data sets in reproducing precipitation and/or temperature over the complex terrain in the high Chilean Andes. The relationship of instrumental observations and the gridded data sets with climate modes of variability and the trends of indices of climate extremes are also explored between the period 1980–2015. The mismatches between gridded data sets are larger in northern and southern regions in relation to precipitation, while for temperature, disagreement is higher in central region. However, better results are delivered by the Climatic Research Unit and Global Precipitation Climatology Centre followed by Re‐Analysis Interim Project. The El Niño Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation indices are well correlated with precipitation in North and South Chile. Additional, trend analyses reveal a significant downward (upward) tendency for precipitation (temperature), especially in central region, delivered by observed and the majority of gridded data sets. Furthermore, the consecutive number of dry days is increasing in all regions at the annual scale. This study allows a better understanding of the capacity of global data sets and thus contributes to further climate research within this Andean region.
Independent and joint influences of eastern Pacific El Niño–southern oscillation and quasi‐biennial oscillation on Northern Hemispheric stratospheric ozone
Authors: Xie Fei , Zhang Jiankai , Li Xiaoting , Li Juan , Wang Tao , Xu Mian
Published: February 2020

Using ozone observations, reanalysis data, and climate model simulations, this study investigates in detail the independent and joint influences of the eastern Pacific (EP) El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO) on stratospheric ozone in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) during winter. Statistically, the stratospheric ozone in the NH in winter increases during El Niño events but decreases during La Niña events. Stratospheric ozone increases in the east wind phases of the QBO (EQBO) and decreases in the west wind phases of the QBO (WQBO). The stratospheric ozone anomalies in the middle and high latitudes caused by ENSO activities are clearly larger than those related to the QBO phase. Since the phases of wave‐1 and wave‐2 planetary waves anomalies related to ENSO activities are broadly similar to those of QBO phases, the joint effect of ENSO and QBO on stratospheric ozone is approximately equal to the linear superposition of their independent impacts. This means that during EQBO phases, the stratospheric ozone anomalies are increased during El Niño events but reduced during La Niña events, and vice versa during WQBO phases. Numerical sensitivity experiments are performed to further investigate the independent and joint influences of EP ENSO and QBO on stratospheric ozone in the NH during winter. The results from simulations agree well with the results from statistical analysis.