bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Item response function in antagonistic situations
Authors: Turetsky Vladimir , Steinberg David M. , Bashkansky Emil
Published: May 2020

The main characteristic of a binary test is the item response function (IRF) expressing the probability P (d, a) of an object under test (OUT), possessing ability a, to successfully overcome the test item (TI) of difficulty d. Each specific test requires its own definitions of TI difficulty and OUT ability and has its own P (d, a) describing the probability of “success” mentioned above. This is demonstrated on the basis of several examples taken from different areas of statistical engineering. A common feature is that they all relate to “antagonistic” situations, in which the “success” of one side may formally be considered as a “loss” to the opposite side. For such situations ability and difficulty are two interchangeable sides of the same coin and the corresponding IRFs are complementary, that is, P (d, a) = 1 − P(a, d), with all consequences and restrictions imposed by this property. A study shows that the family of feasible IRFs is limited and has a number of interesting properties, which are discussed in the article. The analysis provided should facilitate avoiding errors in decisions about an IRF adequately describing the studied test.
Compositional Effects of Gel Polymer Electrolyte and Battery Design for Zinc‐Air Batteries
Authors: Tran Thuy Nguyen Thanh , Aasen Drew , Zhalmuratova Dinara , Labbe Matthew , Chung Hyun‐Joong , Ivey Douglas G.
Published: May 2020

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) is a promising polymer host to support alkaline electrolytes in Zn‐air batteries. Herein, precursors containing different concentrations of monomers, crosslinkers and additives such as zinc oxide in alkaline solution are polymerized to fabricate gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) via one‐pot synthesis. The compositional effects of the GPEs on battery performance are evaluated and a more efficient cell design is demonstrated. With a vertical double air electrode configuration, ZABs using PAA‐based electrolytes show unprecedented performance including high specific energy (913 Wh kgZn−1), excellent cycling stability (at least 160 cycles at 2×10 mA cm−2) and high power density output (2×135 mW cm−2). The study represents a viable option to replace aqueous electrolytes for high performing ZABs.
Korrosionsbedingte Kosten an Ingenieurbauwerken im Schweizer Straßennetz
Authors: Yilmaz Deniz , Angst Ueli
Published: May 2020

Ein Großteil der Schäden an Ingenieurbauwerken wird durch Korrosion verursacht. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden repräsentative Erhaltungsprojekte von Ingenieurbauwerken in der Schweiz detailliert analysiert. In den untersuchten Fällen zeigte sich, dass 56 % der Instandsetzungskosten (± 11 %) direkt durch die Korrosion verursacht werden. Bei Ingenieurbauwerken im Straßennetz der Schweiz liegen die direkt durch Korrosion versursachten Kosten somit schätzungsweise bei 260 bis 510 Mio. CHF pro Jahr, also gegen 1 000 CHF pro Minute. Dies entspricht 0,08 % des Bruttoinlandprodukts. Nebst dem Straßennetz werden Korrosionskosten auch an anderen Ingenieurbauwerken erwartet, etwa an der Bahninfrastruktur, im Energiesektor oder bei Wohn‐ und Bürobauten. Diese wurden hier nicht berücksichtigt; ebenso wurden die indirekten Kosten (Staus, Umweltbelastung, etc.) nicht quantifiziert. Die hier ermittelten direkten Kosten durch Korrosion an Ingenieurbauwerken im Straßennetz der Schweiz stimmen in der Größenordnung mit den für die USA vorliegenden Daten überein und können daher möglicherweise auch auf andere industrialisierte Länder angewandt werden. Aufgrund dieser volkswirtschaftlichen Bedeutung ist es zentral, das Korrosionsphänomen bestmöglich unter Kontrolle zu haben. Dies bedingt dringend technologische Innovationen und eine zeitgemäße Ausbildung von Fachkräften im Bauwesen.
A weighted FDR procedure under discrete and heterogeneous null distributions
Authors: Chen Xiongzhi , Doerge R. W. , Sarkar Sanat K.
Published: May 2020

Multiple testing (MT) with false discovery rate (FDR) control has been widely conducted in the “discrete paradigm” wherep‐values have discrete and heterogeneous null distributions. However, in this scenario existing FDR procedures often lose some power and may yield unreliable inference, and for this scenario there does not seem to be an FDR procedure that partitions hypotheses into groups, employs data‐adaptive weights and is nonasymptotically conservative. We propose a weightedp‐value‐based FDR procedure, “weighted FDR (wFDR) procedure” for short, for MT in the discrete paradigm that efficiently adapts to both heterogeneity and discreteness ofp‐value distributions. We theoretically justify the nonasymptotic conservativeness of the wFDR procedure under independence, and show via simulation studies that, for MT based onp‐values of binomial test or Fisher's exact test, it is more powerful than six other procedures. The wFDR procedure is applied to two examples based on discrete data, a drug safety study, and a differential methylation study, where it makes more discoveries than two existing methods.
Simulation of the conformational flexibility of the mycodextran under external forces
Authors: Brzyska Agnieszka , Woliński Krzysztof
Published: May 2020

Mycodextran—also known as nigeran—is an unbranched polysaccharide made of α‐d‐glucopyranose units alternatively connected by (1 → 3) and (1 → 4) glycosidic linkages produced intracellularly by Aspergillus niger and Penicillium crustosum. In this work we examine possible enforced conformational transitions in the glucopyranose rings in the nigeran oligosaccharide chains. In order to simulate such structural changes we used the Enforced Geometry Optimization (EGO) method.
Rewiring central carbon metabolism for tyrosol and salidroside production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Guo Wei , Huang Qiulan , Feng Yuhui , Tan Taicong , Niu Suhao , Hou Shaoli , Chen Zhigang , Du Zhi‐Qiang , Shen Yu , Fang Xu
Published: May 2020

Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for high‐level production of aromatic chemicals has received increasing attention in recent years. Tyrosol production from glucose by S. cerevisiae is considered an environmentally sustainable and safe approach. However, the production of tyrosol and salidroside by engineered S. cerevisiae has been reported to be lower than 2 g/L to date. In this study, S. cerevisiae was engineered with a push‐pull‐restrain strategy to efficiently produce tyrosol and salidroside from glucose. The biosynthetic pathways of ethanol, phenylalanine, and tryptophan were restrained by disrupting PDC1, PHA2, and TRP3. Subsequently, tyrosol biosynthesis was enhanced with a metabolic pull strategy of introducing PcAAS and EcTyrAM53I/A354V. Moreover, a metabolic push strategy was implemented with the heterologous expression of phosphoketolase (Xfpk), and then erythrose 4‐phosphate was synthesized simultaneously by two pathways, the Xfpk‐based pathway and the pentose phosphate pathway, in S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, the heterologous expression of Xfpk alone in S. cerevisiae efficiently improved tyrosol production compared with the coexpression of Xfpk and phosphotransacetylase. Finally, the tyrosol yield increased by approximately 135‐folds, compared with that of parent strain. The total amount of tyrosol and salidroside with glucose fed‐batch fermentation was over 10 g/L and reached levels suitable for large‐scale production.
Amino acid supplementation for enhancing recombinant protein production in E. coli
Authors: Kumar Jashwant , Chauhan Ashish S. , Shah Rohan L. , Gupta Jaya A. , Rathore Anurag S.
Published: May 2020

Recombinant protein production (RPP) in Escherichia coli (E. coli) often induces metabolic burden to the cells that compromise their overall growth and productivity. Amino acid starvation due to RPP is a major contributor of the metabolic burden on the cells and induces global stress response known as a stringent‐like response. In this study, the effect of amino acid supplementation in a chemically defined medium on cellular growth and recombinant pramlintide production was investigated. Based on the consumption profile, few amino acids were categorized as growth‐promoting (GP1) and protein production promoting (GP2). Feeding strategies of GP1 and GP2 were tested in shake flasks followed by scale up into the bioreactor. A 40% increase in the recombinant pramlintide (rPramlintide) production (protein concentration of 3.09 ± 0.12 g/L and yield of 227.69 ± 19.72 mg pramlintide per gram dry cell weight) was realized. Furthermore, transcriptomics data indicated the downregulation of several genes associated with global stress response and genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis in test culture, supported by proteomics analysis. These results signify that the external supply of critical amino acids decreases cellular stress during RPP and improves process productivity.
Engineered human FcγRIIa fusion: A novel strategy to extend serum half‐life of therapeutic proteins
Authors: Jo Migyeong , Ko Sanghwan , Hwang Bora , Min Sung‐Won , Ha Ji Yeon , Lee Ji Chul , Jang Se‐Eun , Jung Sang Taek
Published: May 2020

The immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecule has a long circulating serum half‐life (~3 weeks) through pH‐ dependent FcRn binding‐mediated recycling. To hijack the intracellular trafficking and recycling mechanism of IgG as a way to extend serum persistence of non‐antibody therapeutic proteins, we have evolved the ectodomain of a low‐affinity human FcγRIIa for enhanced binding to the lower hinge and upper CH2 region of IgG, which is very far from the FcRn binding site (CH2–CH3 interface). High‐throughput library screening enabled isolation of an FcγRIIa variant (2A45.1) with 32‐fold increased binding affinity to human IgG1 Fc (equilibrium dissociation constant: 9.04 × 10−7 M for wild type FcγRIIa and 2.82 × 10−8 M for 2A45.1) and significantly improved affinity to mouse serum IgG compared to wild type human FcγRIIa. The in vivo pharmacokinetic profile of PD‐L1 fused with engineered FcγRIIa (PD‐L1–2A45.1) was compared with that of PD‐L1 fused with wild type FcγRIIa (PD‐L1–wild type FcγRIIa) and human PD‐L1 in mice. PD‐L1–2A45.1 showed 11.7‐ and 9.7‐fold prolonged circulating half‐life (t1/2) compared to PD‐L1 when administered intravenously and intraperitoneally, respectively. In addition, the AUCinf of PD‐L1–2A45.1 was two‐fold higher compared to that of PD‐L1–wild type FcγRIIa. These results demonstrate that engineered FcγRIIa fusion offers a novel and successful strategy for prolonging serum half‐life of therapeutic proteins.
A liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole–time‐of‐flight–mass spectrometry (LC–QTOF–MS) method for identification analysis of saponins from Quillaja saponaria bark extracts in foot‐and‐mouth disease vaccines: Development, validation and applicability
Authors: de Andrade Diego Fontana , Jank Louise , Rego Vitor Breda , Minozzo Roberto , Sfoggia Marcus Vinícius Burgel , Bavaresco Álvaro , Barreto Fabiano
Published: May 2020

Saponins from Quillaja saponaria have been commonly used as immunomodulatory adjuvants in foot‐and‐mouth disease vaccines (FMDVs). However, due to the lack of consensus over the possible exacerbation of local inflammatory responses in cattle and its economic impacts, their use has been discouraged by Brazilian authorities. A qualitative method intended to determine the presence of saponins from Q. saponaria bark extracts in FMDVs was developed and validated. Instrumental analysis was performed using an liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to a quadrupole–time‐of‐flight–mass spectrometry (TOF‐MS) system. The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization Harmonized Tripartite Guideline Q2 (R1) and Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply Analytical Quality Assurance Guidelines. Validation parameters were determined and considered suitable to the established criteria. The validated method has been applied in routine analysis in the National Agricultural Laboratory at Rio Grande do Sul (LANAGRO‐RS). All results obtained were in agreement with the vaccine's composition described by the manufacturer. The method is easy and adequate for analysis in routine laboratories. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a method which intends to investigate the presence of saponins from Q. saponaria bark extracts in veterinary vaccines.
Enantioselective analysis of venlafaxine and its active metabolites: A review on the separation methodologies
Authors: Hancu Gabriel , Lupu Daniela , Milan Andreea , Budău Monica , Barabás‐Hajdu Enikő
Published: May 2020

Venlafaxine (VFX) is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor chiral drug used in therapy as an antidepressant in the form of a racemate consisting ofR‐ andS‐VFX. The two enantiomers of VFX exhibit different pharmacological activities:R‐VFX inhibits both norepinephrine and serotonin synaptic reuptake, whereasS‐VFX inhibits only the serotonin one.R‐ andS‐VFX are metabolized in the liver to the respectiveR‐ andS‐O‐desmethylvenlafaxine (ODVFX),R‐ andS‐N‐desmethylvenlafaxine (NDVFX), andR‐ andS‐N,O‐didesmethylvenlafaxine (NODVFX). The pharmacological profile of ODVFX is close to that of VFX, whereas the other two chiral metabolites (NDVFX and NODVFX) have lower affinity for the receptor sites. The pharmacokinetics of the VFX enantiomers appear stereoselective, including the metabolism process. In the past 20 years, several studies describing the enantioselective analysis ofR‐ andS‐VFX in pharmaceutical formulations and its chiral metabolites in biological matrices were published. These methods encompass liquid chromatography coupled with UV detection, mass spectrometry, or tandem mass spectrometry, and capillary electrophoresis. This paper reviews the published methods used for the determination of the individual enantiomers of VFX and its chiral metabolites in different matrices.
Different hemispheric specialization for face/word recognition: A high‐density ERP study with hemifield visual stimulation
Authors: Takamiya Naomi , Maekawa Toshihiko , Yamasaki Takao , Ogata Katsuya , Yamada Emi , Tanaka Mutsuhide , Tobimatsu Shozo
Published: May 2020

Introduction

The right fusiform face area (FFA) is important for face recognition, whereas the left visual word fusiform area (VWFA) is critical for word processing. Nevertheless, the early stages of unconscious and conscious face and word processing have not been studied systematically.

Materials and Methods

To explore hemispheric differences for face and word recognition, we manipulated the visual field (left vs. right) and stimulus duration (subliminal [17 ms] versus supraliminal [300 ms]). We recorded P100 and N170 peaks with high‐density ERPs in response to faces/objects or Japanese words/scrambled words in 18 healthy young subjects.

Results

Contralateral P100 was larger than ipsilateral P100 for all stimulus types in the supraliminal, but not subliminal condition. The face‐ and word‐N170s were not evoked in the subliminal condition. The N170 amplitude for the supraliminal face stimuli was significantly larger than that for the objects, and right hemispheric specialization was found for face recognition, irrespective of stimulus visual hemifield. Conversely, the supraliminal word‐N170 amplitude was not significantly modulated by stimulus type, visual field, or hemisphere.

Conclusions

These results suggest that visual awareness is crucial for face and word recognition. Our study using hemifield stimulus presentation further demonstrates the robust right FFA for face recognition but not the left VWFA for word recognition in the Japanese brain.
Sub‐Periosteal Peri‐Implant Augmented Layer Technique to Treat Peri‐Implantitis Lesions
Authors: Trombelli Leonardo , Severi Mattia , Farina Roberto , Simonelli Anna
Published: May 2020

Introduction

The efficacy of surgical regenerative procedures to treat peri‐implantitis lesions has been extensively reviewed. Regenerative treatment showed a variable rate of success, in terms of pocket reduction, gain in bone support, and elimination of signs of infection/inflammation. The aim of the present case report is to illustrate the use of the sub‐periosteal peri‐implant augmented layer (SPAL) technique to correct peri‐implantitis defects

Case Presentation

Surgical treatment of three class Ib and one class Ic peri‐implantitis lesions in three patients was performed by means of the SPAL technique. A partial‐thickness flap was elevated, leaving the periosteal layer on the buccal cortical bone plate. The periosteal layer was in turn elevated to create a pouch, which was used to stabilize a bovine‐derived xenograft (deproteinized bovine bone mineral) at the peri‐implant buccal bone defect. No barrier membrane was used. In case of insufficient dimensions of peri‐implant mucosa, a connective tissue graft (CTG) was buccally positioned at the most coronal portion of the implant. Treatment resulted in substantial reconstruction of peri‐implant support associated with reduced probing depth and absence of inflammation.

Conclusions

SPAL technique with or without additional CTG may be a suitable option to obtain clinical remission of peri‐implantitis defects associated with buccal bone dehiscence.
Structure‐Activity Relationships and Potent Cytotoxic Activities of Terphenyllin Derivatives from a Small Compound Library
Authors: Haider Waqas , Xu Wei‐Feng , Liu Min , Wu Yan‐Wei , Tang Yan‐Fei , Wei Mei‐Yan , Wang Chang‐Yun , Lu Ling , Shao Chang‐Lun
Published: May 2020

A small library of 120 compounds was established with seventy new alkylated derivatives of the natural product terphenyllin, together with 45 previous reported derivatives and four natural p‐terphenyl analogs. The 70 new derivatives were semi‐synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activities against four cancer cell lines. Interestingly, 2′,4′′‐diethoxyterphenyllin, 2′,4,4′′‐triisopropoxyterphenyllin, and 2′,4′′‐bis(cyclopentyloxy)terphenyllin showed potent activities with IC50 values in a range from 0.13 to 5.51 μM, which were similar to those of the positive control, adriamycin. The preliminary structure–activity relationships indicated that the introduction of alkyl substituents including ethyl, allyl, propargyl, isopropyl, bromopropyl, isopentenyl, cyclopropylmethyl, and cyclopentylmethyl are important for improving the cytotoxicity.
miR‐16 exhibits protective function in LPS‐treated cardiomyocytes by targeting DOCK2 to repress cell apoptosis and exert anti‐inflammatory effect
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhang Yangyang , Zhu Guangfu , Ma Yuncong , Zuo Huan , Tian Xia
Published: May 2020

This study aims to investigate the effects of microRNA (miR)‐16/dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2) on myocarditis. The differences in the expression of genes in acute myocarditis were filtered out across Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Myocarditis cell model was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in cardiomyocytes. The association between miR‐16 and DOCK2 was predicted by bioinformatics software and confirmed by dual‐luciferase assay. Polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were employed to assess the expression levels of miR‐16 and DOCK2 under different conditions. Cells viability, apoptosis, and inflammatory reaction were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit‐8, flow cytometry, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. miR‐16, as an upstream regulator of DOCK2, exhibited lower expression in LPS‐induced myocarditis model. More importantly, we revealed that a marked augmentation of miR‐16 promoted the growth of LPS‐stimulated cardiomyocytes, and attenuated cell apoptosis and inflammatory response. However, an increasing expression of DOCK2 inhibited the remission of LPS‐induced myocardial injury caused by miR‐16 mimic. Herein, our results highlighted that upregulation of miR‐16 resulted in the protective effects on LPS‐induced myocardial injury by reducing DOCK2 expression, affording a pair of novel target molecules for ameliorating the symptoms of myocarditis.
A case of metachronous peripheral T‐Cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma following chemotherapy for Hodgkin disease successfully treated with brentuximab vedotin
Authors: Meconi Federico , Provenzano Ida , Nasso Daniela , Mariotti Benedetta , Pupo Livio , Secchi Roberto , Cerretti Raffaella , Lucia Anemona , Arcese William , Cantonetti Maria
Published: May 2020

Occasionally, non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) occur simultaneously or subsequently to Hodgkin disease. We report on a case of a woman with Hodgkin lymphoma treated with ABVD, who developed 4 years later T‐cell NHL with both nodal and extranodal involvement. Brentuximab vedotin could be an effective choice in treating metachronous T‐cell NHL.
Incisionless facial resection for Kadish stage C olfactory neuroblastoma: Transcaruncular approach with combined endonasal and skull base surgery
Authors: Ogawa Tetsuya , Nishimura Kunihiro , Takahashi Yasuhiro , Iwami Kenichiro , Yasumura Tsuneo , Yo Kinga , Okamoto Hiroki , Inukai Daisuke , Sano Rui , Watanabe Tadashi , Kakizaki Hirohiko
Published: May 2020

This case report describes resection without facial incision for aggressive Kadish stage C olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB). We performed resection via transcaruncular approach with combined endonasal and skull base surgery. This multidisciplinary team surgical approach is expected to lead to a new strategy for this type of tumor in the future.
An unusual polypoid lesion in the cecum
Authors: Laskaratos Faidon‐Marios , El‐Mileik Hanan
Published: May 2020

The inverted appendix or appendiceal stump is a rare finding that may be identified at colonoscopy. This may cause diagnostic confusion and be misinterpreted as a polyp with a risk of peritonitis if excised endoscopically.
Dry matter yield and nutritive value of early‐ or late‐maturing spring wheat, spring barley, and oat cultivars planted in late summer
Authors: Coblentz Wayne K. , Akins Matthew S. , Cavadini Jason S.
Published: May 2020

The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate early‐ and late‐maturing cultivars of oat (Avena sativa L.), spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for autumn forage production and nutritive value. Early‐ and late‐maturing cultivars evaluated were ‘Newport’ and ‘Hays’ barley, ‘Select’ and ‘Iguacu’ wheat, and ‘Ogle’ and ‘ForagePlus’ oat. Field plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with six replications (blocks) each year for 72 plots across the 2‐yr trial. For 2016, yields of dry matter (DM) were greatest for the barley cultivars (mean = 6,828 lb DM acre–1); all the other cultivars exhibited similar yields (P > 0.05; mean = 5,597 lb DM acre–1). For 2017, the yield responses for Newport barley (4,422 lb DM acre–1) were greater than all other cultivars, which did not differ from each other (P > 0.05; mean = 2,712 lb DM acre–1). Generally, wheat and oat cultivars differed by early‐ or late‐maturing designation for most measures of nutritive value; however, barley cultivars differed only for whole‐plant ash. Total digestible nutrients were similar (P > 0.05) for early‐maturing Newport barley and all late‐maturing cultivars (mean = 66.0%); collectively, their energy densities were greater than those observed for early‐maturing Select wheat (62.8%) or Ogle oat (61.3%). Within species, in vitro disappearance of DM and fiber were greatest for the late‐maturing cultivars, with ForagePlus exhibiting the greatest disappearance. Spring wheat or barley are viable choices for emergency autumn forage in the north‐central United States.
Unlocking the 5‐exo Pathway with the AuI‐Catalyzed Alkoxycyclization of 1,3‐Dien‐5‐ynes
Authors: Virumbrales Cintia , Suárez‐Pantiga Samuel , Marín‐Luna Marta , Silva López Carlos , Sanz Roberto
Published: May 2020

The first general regio‐ and stereoselective 5‐exo gold(I)‐catalyzed alkoxycyclization of a specific class of 1,5‐enynes such as 1,3‐dien‐5‐ynes has been described, despite 1,5‐enynes being known to almost invariably proceed via endo cyclizations under gold‐catalysis. The configuration of the terminal alkene in the starting 1,3‐dien‐5‐yne plays a crucial role on the regiochemical outcome of the reaction. A wide variety of interesting alkoxy‐functionalized alkylidenecyclopentenes have been synthesized from 1‐monosubstituted (E)‐1,3‐dien‐5‐ynes. On the contrary, the corresponding Z isomers evolve affording formal 6‐endo cyclization products. In addition, mechanistic exploration supports a highly stabilized carbocation as a key intermediate instead of a highly constrained cyclopropyl gold carbene from E isomers, and also accounts for the well differentiated reactivity observed between both E/Z geometrical isomers as well as for the stereochemical outcome of the reaction.
Impact of Chirality on Hydrogen‐Bonded Supramolecular Assemblies and Photoconductivity of Diketopyrrolopyrrole Derivatives
Authors: Militzer Swann , Nishimura Nozomi , Ávila‐Rovelo Nelson Ricardo , Matsuda Wakana , Schwaller Duncan , Mésini Philippe J. , Seki Shu , Ruiz‐Carretero Amparo
Published: May 2020

Hydrogen bonds can efficiently guide the self‐assembly of organic materials, enabling to tune the properties of the aggregation processes. In the case of π‐conjugated materials, several parameters such as temperature, concentration and solvent can be used to modify the aggregation state while tuning the optoelectronic properties. Chirality can be included within the impacting parameters due to the differences in molecular packing. Here, chiral and achiral thiophene‐capped diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives were designed and synthesized containing amide bonds, with the aim to study the interplay between chiral assemblies and their stabilization through hydrogen‐bonding. Differences in aggregation properties were observed with spectroscopy and microscopy, and a contactless microwave‐based technique was used to study their intrinsic charge carrier mobility. The positive role of hydrogen‐bonding has been highlighted and the differences between chiral and achiral compounds have been elucidated.
Spiropyran Meets Guanine Quadruplexes: Isomerization Mechanism and DNA Binding Modes of Quinolizidine‐Substituted Spiropyran Probes
Authors: Avagliano Davide , Sánchez‐Murcia Pedro A. , González Leticia
Published: May 2020

The recent delivery of a fluorescent quinolizidine‐substituted spiropyran, which is able to switch in vivo and bind to guanine quadruplexes (G4) at physiological pH values, urged us to elucidate its molecular switching and binding mechanism. Combining multiscale dynamical studies and accurate quantum chemical calculations, we show that, both in water and in the G4 environment, the switching of the spiropyran ring is not promoted by an initial protonation event—as expected by the effect of low pH solutions—but that the deprotonated merocyanine form is an intermediate of the reaction leading to the protonated open species. Additionally, we investigate the binding of both deprotonated and protonated open forms of merocyanine to c‐MYC G4s. Both species bind to G4s albeit with different hydrogen‐bond patterns and provide distinct rotamers around the exocyclic double bond of the merocyanine forms. Altogether, our study sheds light on the pharmacophoric points for the binding of these probes to DNA, and thereby, contributes to future developments of new G4 binders of the remarkable family of quinolizidine‐substituted spiropyrans.
SaaS software performance issue diagnosis using independent component analysis and restricted Boltzmann machine
Authors: Wang Rui , Ying Shi
Published: May 2020

SaaS software performance issue diagnosis aims to classify the type of the performance records. Deep classification method has gained much attention as a way to construct hierarchical representations from a small amount of labeled data. However, there are few researches on how to solve the classification problem of performance issues by using the deep classification method. In addition, shallow classification methods exist some problems, such as the training sample is large and the ability to fit complex functions is weak. In this article, we proposed a deep performance issue classification method based on Independent Component Analysis (ICA) and Restricted Boltzmann Machine (RBM). ICA is used to extract the features, after this process, the classification feature is obtained as RBM input, and the extracted information about performance issue is transformed into identifiable information for the classifier via visible structure of input; Hidden layer for RBM is built to realize the data transmission between hidden structure, keeping the key information; And the classification algorithm is implemented to solve our performance issue diagnosis problem of SaaS software. Experiments show that the performance of our approach is superior to the classical shallow classification algorithm, and it also meet the efficiency requirement.
A virtualized data center energy‐saving mechanism based on switching operating mode of physical servers and reserving virtual machines
Authors: Yin Chunxia , Liu Jian , Jin Shunfu
Published: May 2020

The energy consumption of virtualized data centers has grown very fast in last several years. Because a large number of hosts are running in an idle state, virtualized data centers waste a large amount of electric energy. To save more energy for virtualized data centers, an energy‐saving mechanism is proposed based on switching operating mode of physical servers and reserving virtual machines (VMs). The main idea is that when the amount of idle VMs reaches twice of a specified threshold, half of these idle VMs are reserved to process the new task that is about to arrive, and the physical server which hosts the other half of the idle VMs is switched to the sleep mode. From the perspective of task arrival rate and sleep parameters, we use two‐dimensional Markov processes to analyze the proposed energy‐saving mechanisms. By using matrix geometry solutions, we theoretically estimate energy consumption and response performance. According to the numerical experiments, the proposed energy‐saving mechanism obviously cut down electric energy consumption and ensures response performance. Finally, the specified threshold for the amount of VMs is optimized by building a cost function.
A self‐stabilizing algorithm for constructing a maximal (σ,τ)‐directed acyclic mixed graph
Authors: Kim Yonghwan , Katayama Yoshiaki , Masuzawa Toshimitsu
Published: May 2020

A (σ,τ)‐directed acyclic mixed graph (DAMG) is a mixed graph, which allows both arcs (or directed edges) and (undirected) edges such that there exist exactly σ source nodes and τ sink nodes, but there exists no directed cycle (consisting of only arcs). Each source (resp. sink) node has at least one outgoing (resp. incoming) arc, but no incoming (resp. outgoing) arc. Moreover any other node is neither a source nor a sink node; it has no incident arc or both outgoing and incoming arcs. This article considers maximal (σ,τ)‐DAMG constructions: when an arbitrary undirected connected graph G=(V,E) and two distinct subsets S and T of node set V, where |S|=σ and |T|=τ, are given, construct a maximal (σ,τ)‐DAMG with source node set S and sink node set T by assigning directions to as many edges as possible (ie, by changing edges into arcs). The maximality implies that changing any more edges to arcs violates the conditions of a (σ,τ)‐DAMG (eg, a sink node has an outgoing arc or a directed cycle is created). As a previous work, a self‐stabilizing algorithm for constructing a maximal (1,1)‐DAMG in an arbitrary undirected connected graph is proposed for the case of σ=τ=1. In this article, we consider construction of a maximal (σ,τ)‐DAMG for any σ and τ. First, we introduce a self‐stabilizing algorithm for a maximal (1,2)‐DAMG construction in any connected graph (with few constraints), which is based on the previous work. Concerning generalization of σ and τ to arbitrary values, we first clarify the necessary and sufficient condition under which a (σ,τ)‐DAMG can be constructed in which a source and a sink node sets are given. Then, we propose a generalized self‐stabilizing algorithm that constructs a (σ,τ)‐DAMG when a given graph with a source and a sink node sets satisfies the above condition.
Genetic studies of extra‐early provitamin‐A maize inbred lines and their hybrids in multiple environments
Authors: Badu‐Apraku B. , Fakorede M.A.B. , Talabi A.O. , Oyekunle M. , Aderounmu M. , Lum A.F. , Ribeiro P.F. , Adu G.B. , Toyinbo J.O.
Published: May 2020

Vitamin A deficiency, drought, low soil nitrogen (low‐N), andStriga hermonthicaparasitism of maize (Zea maysL.) cause malnutrition and food insecurity in sub‐Saharan Africa. The objectives of this study were to determine combining abilities of extra‐early provitamin A (PVA) lines, classify them into heterotic groups (HGs), identify testers, and determine yield stability of hybrids under contrasting environments in two trials. In Trial 1, 190 F1hybrids plus six checks were tested underStriga‐infested, drought, and stress‐free environments in Nigeria from 2015–2017. In Trial 2, 35 extra‐early yellow hybrids were evaluated under low‐N,Striga‐infested, and stress‐free environments in 2018. TZEEIOR 202 and TZEEIOR 205 had PVA concentrations of 23.98 and 22.56 μg g−1. TZEEIOR 197 × TZEEIOR 205 (20.1 μg g−1) and TZEEIOR 202 × TZEEIOR 205 (22.7 μg g−1) contained about double the PVA level of the commercial check, TZEEI 58 × TZEE‐Y Pop STR C5 (11.4 μg g−1). Both general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining ability variances were significant for most agronomic traits, although GCA was larger than SCA effects, indicating GCA effects primarily controlled the inheritance of those traits. TZEEIOR 97 and TZEEIOR 197 were identified as inbred testers. TZEEIOR 197 × TZEEIOR 205 was identified as a single‐cross tester and the most stable and highest‐yielding hybrid across environments. TZEEIOR 202 and TZEEIOR 205 should be invaluable resources for breeding for high PVA. Provitamin A level was independent of hybrid yield potential, indicating that selection of superior hybrids with elevated PVA levels should be feasible.
“Cycling of amino‐nitrogen and other nutrients between shoots and roots in cereals—A possible mechanism integrating shoot and root in the regulation of nutrient uptake” by H.D. Cooper and D.T. Clarkson, Journal of Experimental Botany (1989) 40:753–762
Authors: Rufty Thomas W. , Sinclair Thomas R.
Published: May 2020

This article is part of a series of brief commentaries to highlight papers that have resulted in important and distinctly new perspectives in crop science. A criterion for selection of papers is that they must have been published at least 20 yr ago to allow for a long‐range perspective in assessment of the papers. The current article briefly reviews the paper by H.D. Cooper and D.T. Clarkson published in 1989 that offered an original analysis of internal movement of nitrogen in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Using 15NO3− fed to a split‐root system, they found that a large fraction of absorbed nitrogen was rapidly cycled around the plant as a result of exchanges between the xylem and phloem. They concluded that cycling in the plant ensured tissues had access to a common pool of soluble nitrogen from which nitrogen could be removed and incorporated into protein depending on the demands of tissue growth. The cycling pool of nitrogen also provided a possible whole‐plant signaling mechanism that coordinates growth activities with the feedback control system regulating nitrate uptake by the root.
Priming effects of phytometabolites and hormones on rooting characteristics in tall fescue exposed to water stress
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhang Juming , Huang Bingru
Published: May 2020

Extensive rooting is a key factor regulating plant growth. The objectives of this study were (a) to determine how priming of plants with phytometabolites and hormones, including trehalose (Tre), glycine betaine (GB), spermidine (Spd), brassinolide (BR), and strigolactone (SL), affect rooting characteristics in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) exposed to water stress, and (b) to identify the effective concentration for each compound affecting root elongation and lateral root proliferation. Roots of seedlings were incubated for 12 h in solutions containing four concentrations of each compound (Tre, GB, Spd, BR, or GR24 [a synthetic analog of SL]) and grown in nutrient solution containing polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG) solution to induce water stress (−0.5 MPa osmotic potential). Priming of plants with all compounds stimulated root growth under PEG‐induced water stress, and the effects were dose dependent. Glycine betaine at 10 mM and GR24 at 1 μM mainly enhanced main root elongation. Spermidine at 0.1 mM was promotive to main root formation and elongation. Trehalose at 0.3 mM increased main root length, lateral root length and number. Brassinolide at 0.1 nM was effective in stimulating elongation and formation of both main roots and lateral roots. Trehalose, GB, Spd, BR, and SL promoted root growth, but differentially regulated lateral root proliferation or main root elongation in tall fescue exposed to water stress. Future research may investigate whether these compounds may synergistically or coordinately regulate root growth and underlying mechanisms for the differential regulation of main roots and lateral branching by each compound individually or interactively.
The search for alignment of board gender diversity, the adoption of environmental management systems, and the association with firm performance in Asian firms
Authors: Rehman Saif , Orij René , Khan Hashim
Published: May 2020

This study examines how board gender diversity can address the challenges to adopt environment management systems (EMS) to improve firm performance. Firstly, drawing on gender socialization and diversity theories, higher board gender diversity motivates firms to adopt EMS. Empirical evidence shows that firms with gender diverse boards are greener. Secondly, the study investigates the maxim that green pays to be green. The empirical findings highlight a positive and statistically significant but economically modest link between EMS and firm financial performance. However, the inclusion of board gender diversity as moderator significantly improves the relationship between EMS and firm performance. In addition, CEO gender is linked to better performance only in firms with low female board diversity. The findings strongly recommend higher board gender diversity as a mechanism to address the challenges of EMS and firm performance simultaneously. The findings are robust to controlling for propensity score matching technique and are different in different approaches.
Introduction of sacubitril/valsartan in primary care follow‐up of heart failure: a prospective observational study (THESEUS)
Authors: Dieterle Thomas , Schaefer Stefan , Meyer Ina , Ackermann Gabriele , Ahmed Kashan , Hullin Roger
Published: May 2020

Aims

Switch from angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor treatment to sacubitril/valsartan (sac/val) is associated with benefit in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Reports on management of this switch are largely based on randomized controlled trials, retrospective analyses, and hospital‐based care, while patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are frequently followed‐up in primary care. The THESEUS study aimed to characterize the transition to sac/val and early maintenance period of HFrEF in primary care.

Method and results

THESEUS was a prospective, observational, non‐interventional study, performed at primary care sites throughout Switzerland. Patient characteristics, sac/val transition, and maintenance were reported at study enrolment and approximately 3 and 6 months after sac/val initiation. The primary endpoint was achievement of 200 mg BID sac/val with maintenance for ≥12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included dosing regimens, healthcare utilization in the 6 months prior to sac/val initiation and during the study, patient well‐being, safety, and tolerability. Fifty‐eight patients with CHF were enrolled from 45 primary care centres. Six patients were excluded, and 19 achieved the primary endpoint (36.5%, Achievers). Non‐Achievers underwent fewer titration steps than Achievers (1.9 ± 0.9 vs. 3.1 ± 1.4). In both groups, patient well‐being improved and the percentage of New York Heart Association III patients decreased. Healthcare utilization decreased (19% vs. 30.8% in the 6 months pre‐enrolment period). The most frequent reasons for target dose non‐achievement were asymptomatic and symptomatic hypotension (15.3% and 12.1%, respectively).

Conclusions

Results from THESEUS suggest that transition to sac/val is manageable in primary care, with a safety profile corresponding to reports from specialized heart failure care.
Influence of Temperature and Nickel on Algal Biofilm Fatty Acid Composition
Authors: Fadhlaoui Mariem , Laderriere Vincent , Lavoie Isabelle , Fortin Claude
Published: May 2020

Freshwater biofilms play an important role in aquatic ecosystems and are widely used to evaluate environmental conditions. Little is known about the effects of temperature and metals on biofilm fatty acid composition. In the present study, we exposed a natural biofilm cultured in mesocosms to a gradient of nickel (Ni) concentrations at 15 and 21 °C for 28 d. Metal bioaccumulation, algal taxonomic composition, and biofilm fatty acid profiles were determined. At both temperatures, bioaccumulated Ni increased with Ni exposure concentration and reached the highest values at 25 µM Ni, followed by a decrease at 55 and 105 µM Ni. In control biofilms, palmitic acid (16:0), palmitoleic acid (16:1n7), oleic acid (18:1n9), linoleic acid (18:2n6), and linolenic acid (18:3n3) were the dominant fatty acids at 15 and 21 °C. This composition suggests a dominance of cyanobacteria and green algae, which was subsequently confirmed by microscopic observations. The increase in temperature resulted in a decrease in the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids, which is considered to be an adaptive response to temperature variation. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) tended to decrease along the Ni gradient, as opposed to saturated fatty acids which increased with Ni concentrations. Temperature and Ni affected differently the estimated desaturase and elongase activities (product/precursor ratios). The increase in PUFAs at 15 °C was concomitant to an increase in Δ9-desaturase (D9D). The estimated activities of D9D, Δ12-desaturase, and Δ15-desaturase decreased along the Ni gradient and reflected a decline in PUFAs. The elevated estimated elongase activity reflected the observed increase in saturated fatty acids at the highest Ni exposure concentration (105 µM). Our results suggest that fatty acids could be used as an endpoint to evaluate environmental perturbations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1566–1577. © 2020 SETAC

Abstract

The increase in temperature was accompanied by a decrease in the degree of unsaturation. Exposure to nickel also induced a decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The response of biofilms thus revealed and additive effect of the two stressors. Our results highlighted the pertinence of using fatty acids as an endpoint to evaluate environmental perturbations. PUFA = polyunsaturated fatty acid; SFA = saturated fatty acid; UFA = unsaturated fatty acid.
Ibuprofen: Fish Short-Term Reproduction Assay with Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Based on an Extended OECD 229 Protocol
Authors: Constantine Lisa A. , Green John W. , Schneider Suzanne Z.
Published: May 2020

A study was conducted to understand the potential for ibuprofen to impact the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal endocrine axis resulting in disruption of fish reproduction. The Good Laboratory Practice study was conducted according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 229 Protocol, Fish Short-Term Reproduction Assay, and extended an additional 4 d to evaluate hatching success in the F1 generation. Test organisms were exposed to nominal test concentrations of 0.5, 2.4, 11.5, 55.3, and 265.4 µg ibuprofen/L and a negative control (dilution water). To strengthen the statistical power of the study, twice the number of replicates were used in the negative control versus individual treatment levels. A 21-d pre-exposure to identify groups of actively spawning fish was immediately followed by a 36-d exposure. Results for apical endpoints of survival, growth, and reproduction (fecundity and fertility), as well as the biomarker vitellogenin in the F0 generation and time to hatch and hatching success in the F1 generation are presented. Based on mean measured exposure concentrations and effects on fecundity in the F0 generation and hatching success in the F1 generation, overall no-observed-effect concentration and lowest-observed-effect concentration for the present study were 55.2 and 265.9 µg ibuprofen/L, respectively. Results from the present study indicate a lack of endocrine-mediated reproductive effects in zebrafish at environmentally relevant concentrations of ibuprofen. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1534–1545. © 2020 SETAC
A smart energy‐based source location privacy preservation model for Internet of Things‐based vehicular ad hoc networks
Authors: Abizar   , Farman Haleem , Jan Bilal , Khan Zahid , Koubaa Anis
Published: May 2020

Vehicle‐to‐vehicle (V2V) communication aims to improve road safety by periodic exchange of Hello messages. Nowadays, the Internet of Things (IoT) is widely used to solve city transportation problems by employing multihop‐based V2V communication. In IoT‐based vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), devices are interconnected with various hardware and software, so the privacy of data, temporal, and location will be at risk due to unauthorized manipulation, especially at intersections in congested urban areas. To address these concerns in IoT‐based VANETs, we proposed a smart energy‐based source location privacy preservation (SESLPP) technique for sustainable urban city roads (ie, intersections). The proposed SESLPP protects the source location privacy while maintaining an accurate reputation based on specific parameters such as trust, speed, distance, and acceleration. A selected node based on these parameters forwards messages and acts as a phantom node to improve the source location privacy within their communication range. The selection of a phantom node is based on a set of parameters, which makes it a multicriteria decision problem. In this article, a multicriteria decision tool known as analytical network process has been used for optimal phantom node selection that improves the source location privacy in an urban scenario by considering intersections. We considered the same parameters (trust, speed, distance, and acceleration) that was used for highway scenario with proper adjustment of their values for an urban area (crossroad intersection point). The proposed SESLPP provides an optimal platform for smart city communication networks.
Sex‐specific differences in patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer of the pinna
Authors: Moser Ulrich , Andrianakis Alexandros , Pondorfer Prisca , Wolf Axel , Graupp Matthias , Weiland Thomas , Holzmeister Clemens , Wild Dominik , Thurnher Dietmar
Published: May 2020

Background

Generally, it is known that men are affected more frequently by nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) than women. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of sex on the characteristics of NMSCs of the pinna at the population that our center serves and to compare it with the international data.

Methods

We analyzed retrospectively the data of 225 patients with NMSC of the pinna. Sex‐specific differences were investigated for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) subgroups.

Results

The ratio of BCC to cSCC was determined in male patients at 1:1.3, in contrast in females it was identified at 4:1 (P = .001).

Conclusion

In our study, a new aspect of the sex‐dependent distribution of cSCC and BCC of the pinna was demonstrated. Women are affected four times more frequently by BCC than by cSCC, whereas in men this ratio is approximately equal.