bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Approaching High‐Performance Supercapacitors via Enhancing Pseudocapacitive Nickel Oxide‐Based Materials
Authors: Yi Ting Feng , Wei Ting Ting , Mei Jie , Zhang Wenchao , Zhu Yanrong , Liu Yan Guo , Luo Shaohua , Liu Haiping , Lu Yan , Guo Zaiping
Published: February 2020

Nickel oxide, as a typical pseudocapacitive material, holds great promise for boosting the energy storage capability of supercapacitors (SCs) owing to its great advantages, such as high theoretical capacitance value, low‐cost, good stability, and environmentally benign nature. Nevertheless, many obstacles, including low intrinsic conductivity and limited surfice electrochemically active sites, need to be overcome before its practical implementation. In this review, the recent advances on nickel oxide‐based electrode materials are outlined with particular attention paid to strategies for enhancing their SC performance. To begin, an introduction to the physical and chemical properties of nickel oxide and its charge storage mechanisms is presented, followed by a discussion of the obstacles to its widespread implementation and the corresponding strategies for constructing high‐performance nickel oxide‐based electrode materials. After that, recent progress in the use of organic electrolyte systems to achieve improvements in integrated device performance is highlighted. To conclude, a detailed discussion on future trends and opportunities associated with NiO‐based electrode materials for future SCs is provided.
Thermosensitive Polypeptide Hydrogels Co‐Loaded with Two Anti‐Tumor Agents to Reduce Multi‐Drug Resistance and Enhance Local Tumor Treatment
Authors: Lv Qiang , Yu Shuangjiang , Quan Fenli , He Chaoliang , Chen Xuesi
Published: February 2020

Localized tumor treatment with hydrogels co‐loaded with two or more drugs is an emerging approach offering superior anti‐tumor efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity. Nevertheless, the development of multi‐drug resistance (MDR) during sustained local treatment with hydrogel depots has not been studied. In this study, a strategy is developed for local tumor combination therapy using a polypeptide hydrogel co‐loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and cisplatin (CDDP) for evaluation in both drug‐sensitive A549 and CDDP‐resistant A549 (A549/CDDP) tumor models. It is found that the combination of DOX and CDDP synergistically inhibits both A549 and A549/CDDP cells in vitro, accompanying increased inhibition of the expression of the MDR and anti‐apoptosis B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2) genes. After a single peritumoral injection into nude mice bearing A549 or A549/CDDP xenografts, the DOX/CDDP co‐loaded hydrogels exhibit remarkably high anti‐tumor efficiency, compared with a dual‐drug solution or single drug‐loaded hydrogels. The development of MDR genes in both tumor models is inhibited by the hydrogel‐based combination therapy. This study presents an efficient strategy for long‐acting treatment of both drug‐sensitive and drug‐resistant tumors.
Potential Zika Vaccine: Encapsulated Nanocomplex Promotes Both TH1/TH2 Responses in Mice
Authors: Wu Yan‐Wei , Chen Mei‐Chin , Chen Yu‐Hung
Published: February 2020

The concept of vaccination originated from the discovery that cowpox inoculation can prevent infection from the smallpox virus. Subsequent studies have addressed the roles of lymphocytes in induction, education, and memory of host immunity targeting foreign antigens. However, antigens alone stimulate poor immunogenicity, requiring an immunological adjuvant. Common adjuvants include inactivated toxins from bacteria or aluminium hydroxide/phosphate. Although several new adjuvants are being developed, polarized immunity and safety are still of concern. To address these limitations, in the present study, two biodegradable polymers are utilized, chitosan and γ‐polyglutamic acid (γ‐PGA), to encapsulate inactivated Zika virus (iZV) as a nanocomplex (iZV‐NC) vaccine by the electro‐kinetic approach. iZV‐NC vaccine elicited both anti‐ZV IgG1/2a antibodies, correcting to T helper (TH) 2/1 responses in BALB/c mice. Further, these antibodies have the ability to neutralize ZV infection. Additionally, CD4/8 T cells are shown to be activated by ex vivo treatment of iZV, showing established immunity against ZV. Taken together, these results suggest that iZV‐NC can produce balanced TH1/2 responses compared to the aluminum adjuvant, thereby providing novel insights into the immune mechanism through which NC acts against infectious diseases in humans.
The Assembly of MXenes from 2D to 3D
Authors: Wu Zhitan , Shang Tongxin , Deng Yaqian , Tao Ying , Yang Quan‐Hong
Published: February 2020

Since their discovery in 2011, transition metal carbides or nitrides (MXenes) have attracted a wide range of attention due to their unique properties and promise for use in a variety of applications. However, the low accessible surface area and poor processability of MXene nanosheets caused by their restacking have severely hindered their practical use, and this is expected to be solved by integrating them into macroscopic assemblies. Here, recent progress in the construction of MXene assemblies from 2D to 3D at the macro and/or microlevel is summarized. The mechanisms of their assembly are also discussed to better understand the relationship between performance and assembled structure. The possible uses of MXene assemblies in energy conversion and storage, electromagnetic interference shielding and absorption, and other applications are summarized.
Z‐Scheme Photocatalytic Systems for Solar Water Splitting
Authors: Ng Boon‐Junn , Putri Lutfi Kurnianditia , Kong Xin Ying , Teh Yee Wen , Pasbakhsh Pooria , Chai Siang‐Piao
Published: February 2020

As the world decides on the next giant step for the renewable energy revolution, scientists have begun to reinforce their headlong dives into the exploitation of solar energy. Hitherto, numerous attempts are made to imitate the natural photosynthesis of plants by converting solar energy into chemical fuels which resembles the “Z‐scheme” process. A recreation of this system is witnessed in artificial Z‐scheme photocatalytic water splitting to generate hydrogen (H2). This work outlines the recent significant implication of the Z‐scheme system in photocatalytic water splitting, particularly in the role of electron mediator and the key factors that improve the photocatalytic performance. The Review begins with the fundamental rationales in Z‐scheme water splitting, followed by a survey on the development roadmap of three different generations of Z‐scheme system: 1) PS‐A/D‐PS (first generation), 2) PS‐C‐PS (second generation), and 3) PS‐PS (third generation). Focus is also placed on the scaling up of the “leaf‐to‐tree” challenge of Z‐scheme water splitting system, which is also known as Z‐scheme photocatalyst sheet. A detailed investigation of the Z‐scheme system for achieving H2 evolution from past to present accompanied with in‐depth discussion on the key challenges in the area of Z‐scheme photocatalytic water splitting are provided.
Unconventional Ferroelectric Switching via Local Domain Wall Motion in Multiferroic ε‐Fe2O3 Films
Authors: Guan Xiangxiang , Yao Lide , Rushchanskii Konstantin Z. , Inkinen Sampo , Yu Richeng , Ležaić Marjana , Sánchez Florencio , Gich Martí , van Dijken Sebastiaan
Published: February 2020

Deterministic polarization reversal in ferroelectric and multiferroic films is critical for their exploitation in nanoelectronic devices. While ferroelectricity has been studied for nearly a century, major discrepancies in the reported values of coercive fields and saturation polarization persist in literature for many materials. This raises questions about the atomic‐scale mechanisms behind polarization reversal. Unconventional ferroelectric switching in ε‐Fe2O3 films, a material that combines ferrimagnetism and ferroelectricity at room temperature, is reported. High‐resolution in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy experiments and first‐principles calculations demonstrate that polarization reversal in ε‐Fe2O3 occurs around pre‐existing domain walls only, triggering local domain wall motion in moderate electric fields of 250–500 kV cm−1. Calculations indicate that the activation barrier for switching at domain walls is nearly a quarter of that corresponding to the most likely transition paths inside ε‐Fe2O3 domains. Moreover, domain walls provide symmetry lowering of the polar structure near the domain boundary, which is shown to be necessary for ferroelectric switching in ε‐Fe2O3. Local polarization reversal in ε‐Fe2O3 limits the macroscopic ferroelectric response and offers important hints on how to tailor ferroelectric properties by domain structure design in other relevant ferroelectric materials.
Association of the sinonasal bacterial microbiome with clinical outcomes in chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review
Authors: Wang James C. , Moore Charles A. , Epperson Madison V. , Sedaghat Ahmad R.
Published: February 2020

Background

The association between sinonasal microbiome and clinical outcomes of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is unclear. We performed a systematic review of prior studies evaluating the CRS microbiome in relation to clinical outcomes.

Methods

Computerized searches of PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, and EMBASE were updated through October 2019 revealing a total of 9 studies including 244 CRS patients. A systematic review of the literature was performed, including data extraction focusing on sample region, sequencing platforms, predominant organisms, and outcomes measures.

Results

Nine criterion‐meeting studies included 244 CRS patients, with varied results. Eight studies used 16s–ribosomal RNA (16s‐rRNA) gene sequencing to assess the sinonasal microbiome and 1 used 16s‐rRNA PhyloChip analysis. Seven studies used Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test scores, 1 applied another CRS symptom metric, and 1 used need for additional procedures/antibiotics as the primary clinical outcome. Three studies suggest that baseline abundance of phylum Actinobacteria (specifically genus Corynebacterium) was predictive of better surgical outcome. One study found C. tuberculostearicum was positively correlated with symptom severity. Another study revealed genus Escherichia was overrepresented in CRS and had positive correlation with increased symptom scores. In addition, 1 study identified Acinetobacter johnsonii to be associated with improvement in symptom scores while supporting Pseudomonas aeruginosa as having a negative impact on quality of life.

Conclusion

Microbiome data are varied in their association with clinical outcomes of CRS patients. Further research is required to identify if predominance of certain microbes within the microbiome is predictive of CRS patients’ outcomes.
Deep Learning Unravels a Dynamic Hierarchy While Empowering Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Fernández Ariel
Published: February 2020

Molecular dynamics (MD) provide predictive understanding of the behavior of condensed matter. However, its true potential remains largely untested because relevant timescales are often inaccessible, limited portions of conformation space get sampled, and infrequent events are usually irreproducible. A culprit is the huge informational burden required to iterate integration steps. To address the problem, deep learning is applied to encode the dynamics into a shorthand embodiment retaining only essential topological features of the vector field that steers MD integration. The flow is simplified via an equivalence relation that identifies conformations within basins of attraction in potential energy and encodes the dynamics onto a modulo‐basin “quotient space” where fast motions are averaged out. The quotient space projection enables coverage of realistic timescales while unraveling the underlying dynamic hierarchy. Deep learning is exploited to propagate the simplified trajectory beyond MD‐accessible timescales and to reconstruct it at atomistic level. As shown, the quotient‐encoding‐propagating‐decoding scheme generates within a few hours protein folding pathways with experimentally verified outcomes. By contrast, MD computations covering comparable timespans would take over a hundred days on special‐purpose supercomputers. Thus, quotient space constitutes a model for hierarchical understanding of MD simulation while enabling access to realistic timescales.
Hybrid 2D nanofibers based on poly(ethylene oxide)/polystyrene matrix and poly(ferrocenylphosphinoboranes) as functional agents
Authors: Nirwan Viraj P. , Pandey Souvik , Hey‐Hawkins Evamarie , Fahmi Amir
Published: February 2020

Template smart inorganic polymers within an organic polymeric matrix to form hybrid nanostructured materials are a unique approach to induce novel multifunctionality. In particular, the fabrication of one‐dimensional materials via electrospinning is an advanced tool, which has gained success in fulfilling the purpose to fabricate two‐dimensional nanostructured materials. We have explored the formation of novel hybrid nanofibers by co‐spinning of poly(ferrocenylphosphinoboranes) Fe A [{Fe(C5H5)(C5H4CH2PHBH2)}
n] and Fe B [{Fe(C5H5)(C5H4PHBH2)}
n] with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and polystyrene (PS). Fe A and Fe B contain main‐group elements and a ferrocene moiety as pendent group and have different properties compared to their only carbon‐containing counterparts. The use of PEO and polystyrene provided a matrix to spin those inorganic polymers as hybrid nanofibers which were collected in the form of a nonwoven mat. They were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and IR spectroscopy. Thermal properties of the polymers have been checked by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). 1H, 31P, and 11B NMR and IR spectroscopy revealed the nature and types of interactions of the components after co‐spinning. The SEM micrographs identify the underlying unidirectional morphology of the generated hybrid nanofibers. Nonetheless, the DSC and TGA confirmed the significant boost toward the thermal stability of the resultant multifunctional fibers. It is believed that these unique types of multifunctional electrospun nanofibers will open new avenues toward the next generation of miniaturized devices.
Longer migration not necessarily the costliest strategy for migrating humpback whales
Authors: Riekkola Leena , Andrews‐Goff Virginia , Friedlaender Ari , Zerbini Alexandre N. , Constantine Rochelle
Published: February 2020

Long‐distance migration is a demanding physical activity, and how well animals manage the associated costs will have important implications for their fitness.

The Oceania humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) population is recovering from past exploitation markedly slower than the neighbouring east Australian whales. The reasons for this are unknown, although higher energetic costs of longer migratory distances could be a possible explanation. Due to their fully aquatic lives, studying the energy expenditure of these large animals requires methods that do not rely on capturing the animal, such as bioenergetic models.

A state‐space model was fitted to satellite data to infer behavioural states for southern migrating whales. Travel speeds and behavioural states were used in a bioenergetic model to estimate the energetic cost of the migration phase. Relative differences in average duration, distance, and energetic costs were compared between migratory routes and distances.

Total energy used during migration was a trade‐off between cost of transport (determined by travel speed) and daily maintenance (determined by daily basal metabolic costs). Oceania whales migrating to the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas travelled fastest and furthest, 15 and 21% further than whales migrating to the d'Urville Sea (east Australian whales) and Ross Sea, respectively. Therefore, they had the highest cost of transport, 25 and 85% higher than for d'Urville Sea and Ross Sea whales, respectively. However, energy saved in terms of daily maintenance by using fewer days to complete a longer migration resulted in only a 6–7% increase in total energetic cost.

The results highlight that travelling further does not necessarily translate into an increase in total energy expenditure for migratory whales, since they can compensate for longer distance by travelling faster. Further research on the energetics of different whale populations could provide insight into the productivity of Southern Ocean feeding regions and help understand the environmental and anthropogenic effects on the whales' energy budgets.
Simultaneous Delamination and Rutile Formation on the Surface of Ti3C2Tx MXene for Copper Adsorption
Authors: Elumalai Satheeshkumar , Yoshimura Masahiro , Ogawa Makoto
Published: February 2020

In this work, we studied the formation of the rutile phase of titanium dioxide (TiO2) on delaminated MXene (d‐Ti3C2Tx) flakes by the reaction of Ti3C2Tx with amino acids in water. Three types of amino acids with varied side‐chain polarity were used to delaminate Ti3C2Tx. d‐Ti3C2Tx flakes formed stable colloidal solutions due to the negative surface charges of chemisorbed amino acids on the d‐Ti3C2Tx. Rutile formed on d‐Ti3C2Tx at room temperature upon the intercalation of aromatic amino acids and subsequent sonication of the solution, while flakes intercalated with aliphatic amino acids did not oxidize. X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy revealed the nanosize rutile formation on the surface of Ti3C2Tx flakes. The XPS results indicated the surface functionalization of histidine on d‐Ti3C2Tx flakes. As‐synthesized histidine functionalized rutile TiO2@d‐Ti3C2Tx hybrid was used for adsorption of Cu2+ ions from aqueous solution with a maximum uptake of 95 mg g−1.
Metacognitive Monitoring and Control of Eyewitness Memory Reports in Autism
Authors: Maras Katie , Norris Jade Eloise , Brewer Neil
Published: February 2020

Providing eyewitness testimony involves monitoring one's memory to provide a detailed and accurate account: reporting details likely to be accurate and withholding potentially inaccurate details. Autistic individuals reportedly experience difficulties in both retrieving episodic memories and monitoring their accuracy, which has important implications for eyewitness testimony. Thirty autistic and 33 IQ‐matched typically developing (TD) participants viewed a video of a mock bank robbery followed by three phases of questions (with judgments of confidence). In Phase 1, participants freely generated the granularity of their responses (i.e., fine‐ or coarse‐grained). In Phase 2, participants answered the same questions but provided both a fine‐ and a coarse‐grained answer. In Phase 3, participants were instructed to maximize accuracy over informativeness by selecting one of their Phase 2 answers as their final answer. They either received the questions socially (from the experimenter) or answered them online. There were no group differences in accuracy or metacognitive monitoring, with both autistic and TD witnesses demonstrating: (a) a strong preference for reporting fine‐grained details at the expense of accuracy; (b) improved though still suboptimal grain size reporting when instructed to maximize accuracy over informativeness; (c) effective accuracy monitoring; and (d) higher overall accuracy when questions were delivered socially. There was, however, a subtle difference in metacognitive control, with autistic witnesses performing more poorly than TD witnesses when questions were delivered socially, but not when they were delivered online. These findings contrast with evidence suggesting that autism is marked by impairments in episodic memory and metacognitive monitoring and control. Autism Res 2020, 13: 2017‐2029. © 2020 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Autistic people have been reported to experience subtle difficulties in monitoring and regulating their information reporting, which has important implications for providing eyewitness testimony. We found that autistic witnesses' testimony comprised a similar level of detail and accuracy as non‐autistic witnesses' accounts. However, autistic people found it difficult to optimize their testimony when the questions were delivered socially—but not when they answered the questions online. © 2020 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Do institutional investors drive corporate transparency regarding business contribution to the sustainable development goals?
Authors: García‐Sánchez Isabel‐María , Rodríguez‐Ariza Lázaro , Aibar‐Guzmán Beatriz , Aibar‐Guzmán Cristina
Published: February 2020

Institutional investors show increasing interest in how companies align their corporate social responsibility strategies with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations (UN). The information disclosed in this regard is essential to know and monitor business contribution to the 2030 Agenda. In this paper, we analyze the influence that institutional investors have on the adoption of the disclosure strategy established by UN and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)—GRI‐SDG Compass. The results obtained for a sample of 989 international companies, which prepare their sustainability reports following the GRI guidelines, show that ownership by foreign investors, pension funds, and “other” investors boosts the relevance of the information disclosed in relation to the 2030 Agenda. On the contrary, government, financial institutions, and cross holdings have no impact on the information systems developed.
Alternating Current Voltammetry at a Bipolar Electrode with Smartphone Luminescence Imaging for Point‐of‐Need Sensing
Authors: Rahn Kira L. , Rhoades Tyler D. , Anand Robbyn K.
Published: February 2020

Bipolar electrochemistry allows for facile arraying of tens to thousands of electrochemical sensors that can be controlled by a single pair of driving electrodes. While bipolar electrodes (BPEs) have been applied to many sensing motifs, their sensitivity and specificity are limited by the lack of diversity in voltammetric methods that have been developed for these wireless electrodes. In this study, electrochemiluminescence (ECL) from the co‐oxidation of Ru(bpy)32+ and tripropylamine (TPA) is evaluated as a reporting reaction for alternating current voltammetry (ACV) on a BPE at frequencies of 1.0 Hz and 5.0 Hz. We observe sinusoidal alternating luminescence that follows a similar trend to that of the simultaneously monitored current – a plot of the amplitude versus potential approximates a bell‐shaped curve. Notably, the luminescent response to the current is detected with a smartphone, which underscores the portability of this method. The fidelity of the transduced signal is determined both in a traditional 3‐electrode configuration and at a BPE. These experimental results indicate that the alternating luminescence follows the current sufficiently for quantitative sensing but is diminished at higher frequencies and peaks at a shifted potential. These results are significant because they demonstrate the potential for application of ACV at BPE arrays for multiplexed point‐of‐need sensors and provide guidance for the selection of reporting reactions in this context.
Elucidation of an Allosteric Mode of Action for a Thienopyrazole RORγt Inverse Agonist
Authors: de Vries Rens M. J. M. , Doveston Richard G. , Meijer Femke A. , Brunsveld Luc
Published: February 2020

The demand for allosteric targeting of nuclear receptors is high, but examples are limited, and structural information is scarce. The retinoic acid‐related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) is an important transcriptional regulator for the differentiation of T helper 17 cells for which the first, and some of the most promising, examples of allosteric nuclear receptor modulation have been reported and structurally proven. In a 2015 patent, filed by the pharmaceutical company Glenmark, a new class of small molecules was reported that act as potent inverse agonists for RORγt. A compound library around the central thienopyrazole scaffold captured a clear structure‐activity relationship, but the binding mechanism of this new class of RORγt modulators has not been elucidated. Using a combination of biochemical and X‐ray crystallography studies, here the allosteric mechanism for the inverse agonism for the most potent compound, classified in the patent as “example 13”, is reported, providing a strongly desired additional example of allosteric nuclear receptor targeting.
A Two‐Sequence, Four‐Period, Crossover, Replicate Study to Demonstrate Bioequivalence of Warfarin Sodium Tablet in Healthy Chinese Subjects Under Fasting and Fed Conditions
Authors: Hu Chaoying , Chen Xiaoping , Zhao Zirun , Gao Dan , Gong Shili , Zhang Lizhi , Xu Yongpeng , Li Lin , Zhang Lan
Published: February 2020

Warfarin is a narrow therapeutic index anticoagulant drug, and several generic formulations have been approved worldwide. However, there has been no report evaluating the bioequivalence of warfarin sodium according to US Food and Drug Administration draft guidance. We designed a 2‐sequence and 4‐period crossover study to compare the pharmacokinetic profile and assess bioequivalence between the test warfarin sodium tablet and reference product Coumadin (2.5 mg) in 56 healthy Chinese subjects under fasting and fed conditions. The plasma concentration of warfarin was analyzed by a validated liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry assay, and the reference‐scaled procedure was used to determine bioequivalence for the pharmacokinetics parameters. The results showed that the point estimate of geometric mean ratios of Cmax and AUC0‐t for warfarin were 103.21% and 99.31%, respectively, in the fasting condition and 100.62% and 98.98%, respectively, in the fed condition, and the 90% confidence intervals were all within the range of 90.00%‐111.11%. The upper limit of the 90% confidence interval of estimated within‐subject variation ratios of the test and reference products was 1.33 for Cmax and 2.22 for AUC0‐t under the fasting condition and 1.68 for Cmax and 2.15 for AUC0‐t under the fed condition. Overall, bioequivalence of the 2 warfarin sodium products was demonstrated.
Numerical Simulation of Heat Transfer and Convection for CaF2 Crystal Growth by Vertical Bridgman Growth Method
Authors: Li Xiaohui , Jiang Dapeng , Wang Jingya , Qian Xiaobo , Liu Rongrong , Wu Qinghui , Zhang Zhonghan , Su Liangbi
Published: February 2020

Herein, simulations of heat transfer and convection for CaF2 crystal growth are performed. Effects of internal radiation of the crystal and the melt are investigated, indicating that the temperature and flow field near the crystal–melt interface are the most affected. The temperature gradient and flow intensity near the interface have a significant change as the absorption coefficient of crystal and melt changes. Simulations at different growth stages for Nd:CaF2 crystal are also conducted to study the evolution of the temperature field and flow field. The interface is slightly convex to the melt during the entire constant‐diameter growth stage, which coincides with the actual crystal growth result. The flow intensity is extremely strong at the top and bottom of the melt, and three different vortexes exist during the entire growth process.
Solution Growth and Performance Study of Cs2AgBiBr6 Single Crystal
Authors: Su Jing , Huang Yi‐qiang , Chen Han , Huang Jing
Published: February 2020

Cs2AgBiBr6 high purity polycrystalline powders are synthesized by solution method. The millimeter‐sized Cs2AgBiBr6 crystals are obtained by cooling method with hydrobromic acid as solvent. Powder X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the crystal is of cubic structure and its lattice constant is a=b=c=11.2562 Å. Optical absorption property is tested by ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) spectrophotometer. The results show that the absorption edge of the Cs2AgBiBr6 crystal is at about 593 nm and the band gap value is 2.12 eV. In addition, the thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) curves of Cs2AgBiBr6 crystal at 20–800 °C are measured. The thermal decomposition mechanism of Cs2AgBiBr6 crystal is analyzed. The results show that Cs2AgBiBr6 crystal with high quality can be prepared by solution method, and it has potential application advantages in the field of photoelectric devices.
Investigations into the analysis of intact drug conjugates in animal sport doping control – Development and assessment of a rapid and economical approach for screening greyhound urine
Authors: Gray Bob , Tuckley Lisa , Cutler Charlotte , Biddle Simon , Hudson Simon , Gower Simon , Vanhaecke Lynn
Published: February 2020

Animal sport doping control laboratories are constantly reviewing ways in which they can improve their service offering whilst ensuring that they remain economically viable. This paper describes the development and assessment of a rapid and economical method for the detection of intact glucuronide conjugates of three anabolic steroids and their metabolites along with three corticosteroids in canine urine. The analysis of intact drug conjugates for animal sport doping control is generally not performed routinely as it presents a number of analytical challenges, not least of which is the lack of availability of appropriate reference standards. Here, we report the development of a UHPLC–MS/MS method using APCI in the negative ion mode for the detection of intact phase II conjugates, including the importance of in vitro incubations in order to provide appropriate reference materials. Cross‐validation of the developed method demonstrated that the detection capability of the intact phase II conjugates of stanozolol, boldenone, nandrolone, and their metabolites along with the corticosteroids dexamethasone and methylprednisolone was equivalent to that achieved in routine race‐day screens. The new process has been in operation for approximately 2 years and has been used to analyze in excess of 13500 canine urine samples, resulting in a number of positive screening findings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported use of a routine screen for intact drug conjugates within animal sport doping control.
Factors affecting the persistence of endangered Ganges River dolphins (Platanista gangetica gangetica)
Authors: Paudel Shambhu , Koprowski John L.
Published: February 2020

The Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna and Karnaphuli (GBMK) River Basin in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh is among the world's most biodiverse river basins. However, human‐induced habitat modification processes threaten the ecological structure of this river basin. Among the GBMK’s diverse flora and fauna of this freshwater ecosystem, the endemic Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica; GRD) is one of the most charismatic species in this freshwater ecosystem. Though a >50% population size reduction has occurred since 1957, researchers and decision‐makers often overlook the persistence (or evolutionary potential) of this species in the highly fragmented GBMK. We define the evolutionary potential as the ability of species/populations to adapt in a changing environment by maintaining their genetic diversity. Here, we review how evolutionary trap mechanisms affect the dynamics and viability of the GRD (hereafter Ganges dolphin) populations after rapid declines in their population size and distribution. We detected six potential trap mechanisms that might affect the Ganges dolphin populations discretely or in combination: (a) habitat modification; (b) occurrence of finite and geographically restricted local populations; (c) ratio of effective to estimate population size; (d) increasing risk of inbreeding depression in genetically isolated groups; (e) at‐risk behavioral attributes; and (f) direct fisheries–dolphin interactions. Because evolutionary traps appear most significant during low water season, they adversely affect demographic parameters, which reduce evolutionary potential. These traps have already caused local extirpation events; therefore, we recommend translocation among populations, including restoring and preserving essential habitats as immediate conservation strategies. Integrative evolutionary potential information based on demographic, genetic, and environmental data is still lacking. Thus, we identify gaps in the knowledge and suggest integrative approaches to understand the future of Ganges dolphins in South Asian waterways.
Analysis of the water‐filling process for crude oil pipelines with a large drop in height
Authors: Liu Enbin , Guo Bingyan , Wang Mingjun , Ma Xi , Peng Yong
Published: February 2020

To explore the problem of the slack flow and waterhead having a huge impact on the low point of a pipeline during the water‐filling process of a large‐drop pipeline, the crossing section of the Nujiang China‐Myanmar crude oil pipeline (for which the maximum height difference is 1480 m) is taken as an actual case, and water filling of an oil pipe segment with a large drop is simulated based on an OLGA multiphase flow transient simulation. The maximum velocity, pressure, and corresponding liquid holdup at different low points of the pipeline are studied, and the variations of water flow velocity, pressure, and liquid holdup with time at different low points under different load conditions are obtained. A stress analysis of the pipeline is performed through CAESAR II. The results showed that, when the volume flow rate was 900‐2000 m3/h, the probability of slug flow in pipe could be reduced by 57%. Meanwhile, the tube pressure fluctuation and damage to the pipeline and equipment are reduced and pipeline transportation efficiency is improved, thereby providing an effective basis for engineering practice.
Channel mobility drives a diverse stratigraphic architecture in the dryland Mojave River (California, USA)
Authors: Ielpi Alessandro , Lapôtre Mathieu G.A. , Finotello Alvise , Ghinassi Massimiliano , D'Alpaos Andrea
Published: February 2020

The links between flood frequency and rates of channel migration are poorly defined in the ephemeral rivers typical of arid regions. Exploring these links in desert fluvial landscapes would augment our understanding of watershed biogeochemistry and river morphogenesis on early Earth (i.e. prior to the greening of landmasses). Accordingly, we analyse the Mojave River (California), one of the largest watercourses in the Great Basin of the western United States. We integrate discharge records with channel‐migration rates derived from dynamic time‐warping analysis and chronologically calibrated subsidence rates, thereby constraining the river's formative conditions. Our results reveal a slight downstream decrease in bankfull discharge on the Mojave River, rather than the downstream increase typically exhibited by perennial streams. Yet, the number of days per year during which the channel experiences bankfull or higher stages is roughly maintained along the river's length. Analysis of historical peak flood records suggests that the incidence of channel‐formative events responds to modulation in watershed runoff due to the precipitation in the river's headwaters over decades to centuries. Our integrated analysis finally suggests that, while maintaining hydraulic geometries that are fully comparable with many other rivers worldwide, ephemeral desert rivers akin to the Mojave are capable of generating a surprisingly wide range of depositional geometries in the stratigraphic record. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Summer‐born struggle: The effect of school starting age on health, education, and work
Authors: Balestra Simone , Eugster Beatrix , Liebert Helge
Published: February 2020

Children starting school older consistently exhibit better educational outcomes. In this paper, we underscore child development as a mechanism driving this effect. Using unique administrative data on health examinations, we study the causal effect of school starting age (SSA) on a child's probability of being diagnosed with special educational needs in early grades. Results show that children with higher SSA are less likely to develop behavioral problems and speech impediments, whereas learning disabilities, ADHD, and dyslexia/dyscalculia remain unaffected. Importantly, these effects only arise after primary school entry and are not due to preexisting health conditions. We also find that teachers tend to over‐refer relatively young children to special needs services, but this over‐referring behavior is not driving the results, which are based on psychologists' diagnoses. The SSA effect persists throughout compulsory schooling, resulting in higher test scores and better quality vocational training contracts. However, SSA does not affect employment, earnings, or disability insurance benefits at labor market entry.
Final analysis of a phase 1/2b study of ibrutinib combined with carfilzomib/dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
Authors: Chari Ajai , Cornell Robert F. , Gasparetto Cristina , Karanes Chatchada , Matous Jeffrey V. , Niesvizky Ruben , Lunning Matthew , Usmani Saad Z. , Anderson Larry D. , Chhabra Saurabh , Girnius Saulius , Shustik Chaim , Stuart Robert , Lee Yihua , Salman Zeena , Liu Emily , Valent Jason
Published: February 2020

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) inevitably relapse on initial treatment regimens, and novel combination therapies are needed. Ibrutinib is a first‐in‐class, once‐daily inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase, an enzyme implicated in growth and survival of MM cells. Preclinical data suggest supra‐additivity or synergy between ibrutinib and proteasome inhibitors (PIs) against MM. This phase 1/2b study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ibrutinib plus the PI carfilzomib and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM). In this final analysis, we report results in patients who received the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D; ibrutinib 840 mg and carfilzomib 36 mg/m2 with dexamethasone), which was determined in phase 1. The primary efficacy endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Fifty‐nine patients with RRMM received the RP2D (18 in phase 1 and 41 in phase 2b). These patients had received a median of three prior lines of therapy; 69% were refractory to bortezomib, and 90% were refractory to their last treatment. ORR in the RP2D population was 71% (stringent complete response and complete response: 3% each). Median duration of clinical benefit and median duration of response were both 6.5 months. Median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 7.4 months, and median overall survival (OS) was 35.9 months. High‐risk patients had comparable ORR and median PFS (67% and 7.7 months, respectively) to non–high‐risk patients, whose ORR was 73% and median PFS was 6.9 months, whereas median OS in high‐risk patients was 13.9 months and not reached in non–high‐risk patients. The most common grade ≥3 hematologic treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were anemia and thrombocytopenia (17% each); the most common grade ≥3 non‐hematologic TEAE was hypertension (19%). In patients with RRMM treated with multiple previous lines of therapy, ibrutinib plus carfilzomib demonstrated anticancer activity within the expected efficacy range. No new safety signals were identified and the combination was well‐tolerated.
Sex differences in the prevalence and clinical correlates of hyperhomocysteinemia in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Mu Li , Lin Yezhe , Huang Xingbing , Ning Yuping , Wu Fengchun , Zhang Xiang Yang
Published: February 2020

Objective

Sex differences in bipolar disorder are well recognized but little attention has been paid to sex differences in homocysteine or hyperhomocysteinemia in bipolar patients. This study compared gender differences in homocysteine levels and rates of hyperhomocysteinemia in Chinese inpatients with bipolar disorder.

Methods

A total of 198 BD patients and 84 healthy controls were enrolled. The Young Mania Rating Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and the Clinical Global Impressions–Severity scale were used to assess the affective symptomatology. Fasting plasma Hcy levels were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Results

Men had higher homocysteine levels than women and the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in male patients was approximately twice that in female patients. Logistic regression analyses showed that HHcy was associated with less frequent use of valproate in males and being overweight in females. Further correlation analysis and multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that Hcy levels were inversely correlated with valproate treatment in men and positively associated with overweight in women.

Conclusions

In bipolar patients, there are significant differences between sexes in the levels of homocysteine and prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia. This appears to be associated with lower prevalence of valproate prescribing in men and with being overweight in women.
Revised (2018) FIGO stage IIB cervical cancer and prognostication in low‐resource settings
Authors: Lawal Ishak Kayode , Abdullahi Habiba Ibrahim , Obiokonkwo Augustus Chiemeze
Published: February 2020

There is a need to subclassify stage IIb cervical cancer to reflect reality in low‐resource settings.
Feeling the burn? A systematic review of burnout in pharmacists
Authors: McQuade Brianna M. , Reed Brent N. , DiDomenico Robert J. , Baker William L. , Shipper Andrea G. , Jarrett Jennie B.
Published: February 2020

Burnout is high among health care professionals. In physicians, burnout is linked to suboptimal well‐being and patient care, but the overall landscape of pharmacist burnout is unknown. Synthesis of available data regarding pharmacist burnout is needed to better understand its effects on well‐being and professional practice. This systematic review sought to determine the prevalence and intensity of burnout in pharmacists. The aim of the study was the systematic review of articles on pharmacist burnout. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PsycINFO were searched for articles through February 13, 2019. Search strategies combined terms for pharmacists and burnout (including job satisfaction, stress, and resilience). The primary outcome was the proportion of pharmacists who met criteria for burnout. Secondary outcomes included the mean scores for Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) subscales, difference between pharmacist practice settings, and factors contributing to burnout. Raw scores and threshold proportions were pooled using a Hartung‐Knapp random‐effects model. Five articles reported the proportion of high emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalization (DP) and low personal accomplishment (PA), and nine articles reported individual MBI subscale scores, which were included for quantitative analysis. The proportion values of pharmacists with MBI subscale scores consistent with burnout were 41% (95% CI 27%‐54%), 20% (95% CI 7%‐32%), and 32% (95% 14%‐50%) for high EE, high DP, and low PA, respectively. Mean MBI subscales scores were 23.53 (95% CI 21.68‐25.39), 7.07 (95% CI 6.22‐7.92), and 36.51 (95% CI 34.34‐38.67) for EE, DP, and PA, respectively. Substantial heterogeneity was observed. The burnout prevalence among pharmacists is lower than previously reported, but notable. The average MBI subscale scores for high EE or DP or low PA in pharmacists did not meet criteria for burnout.
Gas6 negatively regulates the Staphylococcus aureus‐induced inflammatory response via TLR signaling in the mouse mammary gland
Authors: Zahoor Arshad , Yang Yaping , Yang Chao , Akhtar Muhammad , Guo Yingfang , Shaukat Aftab , Guo Meng‐yao , Deng Ganzhen
Published: February 2020

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)‐induced mastitis is the most frequent, pathogenic, and prevalent infection of the mammary gland. The ligand growth arrest‐specific 6 (Gas6) is a secretory protein that binds to and activates Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK receptors. This study explored the role of Gas6 in S. aureus‐induced mastitis. Our results revealed that TLR receptors initiate the innate immune response in mammary gland tissues and epithelial cells and that introducing S. aureus activates TLR2 and TLR6 to drive multiple intracellular mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB) pathways. Moreover, S. aureus also induces Gas6, which then activates the TAM receptor kinase pathway, which is related to the inhibition of TLR2‐ and TLR6‐mediated inflammatory pathways through SOCS1 and SOCS3 induction. Gas6 absence alone was found to be involved in the downregulation of TAM receptor‐mediated anti‐inflammatory effects by inducing significantly prominent expression of TRAF6 and low protein and messenger RNA expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3. S. aureus‐induced MAPK and NF‐ĸB p65 phosphorylation were also dependent on Gas6, which negatively regulated the production of Pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α) in S. aureus‐treated mammary tissues and mammary epithelial cells. Our in vivo and in vitro study uncovered the Gas6‐mediated negative feedback mechanism, which inhibits TLR2‐ and TLR6‐mediated MAPK and NF‐ĸB signaling by activating TAM receptor kinase (MerTK, Axl, and Tyro3) through the induction of SOCS1/SOCS3 proteins.
Altering chromatin methylation patterns and the transcriptional network involved in regulation of hematopoietic stem cell fate
Authors: Shokouhian Mohammad , Bagheri Marziye , Poopak Behzad , Chegeni Rouzbeh , Davari Nader , Saki Najmaldin
Published: February 2020

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are quiescent cells with self‐renewal capacity and potential multilineage development. Various molecular regulatory mechanisms such as epigenetic modifications and transcription factor (TF) networks play crucial roles in establishing a balance between self‐renewal and differentiation of HSCs. Histone/DNA methylations are important epigenetic modifications involved in transcriptional regulation of specific lineage HSCs via controlling chromatin structure and accessibility of DNA. Also, TFs contribute to either facilitation or inhibition of gene expression through binding to enhancer or promoter regions of DNA. As a result, epigenetic factors and TFs regulate the activation or repression of HSCs genes, playing a central role in normal hematopoiesis. Given the importance of histone/DNA methylation and TFs in gene expression regulation, their aberrations, including changes in HSCs‐related methylation of histone/DNA and TFs (e.g., CCAAT‐enhancer‐binding protein α, phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on the chromosome 10, Runt‐related transcription factor 1, signal transducers and activators of transcription, and RAS family proteins) could disrupt HSCs fate. Herewith, we summarize how dysregulations in the expression of genes related to self‐renewal, proliferation, and differentiation of HSCs caused by changes in epigenetic modifications and transcriptional networks lead to clonal expansion and leukemic transformation.