bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delivery of Acetate to the Peripheral Blood after Consumption of Foods High in Short‐Chain Fatty Acids
Authors: Gill Paul A. , Bogatyrev Alexander , van Zelm Menno C. , Gibson Peter R. , Muir Jane G.
Published: December 2020

Scope

To promote local and systemic benefits of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA), methods of increasing their delivery to the gastrointestinal tract are needed. SCFA in foods and beverages represents a poorly characterized source. Main aims of this study are: 1) quantify SCFA in commonly consumed foods and beverages, and 2) explore the pharmacokinetics of consuming oral SCFA from dietary sources.

Methods and results

Gas‐chromatography coupled to flame ionization detection is used measure SCFA in 38 commonly consumed foods and beverages. Acetate is the most abundant SCFA detected, with kombucha and vinegar found to provide >1000 mg of acetate per serve. An acute pharmacokinetic study is conducted in 10 participants. Acetate is stable across the 2‐h sampling period after consumption of a control drink, with consumption of a vinegar drink containing 25 mmol acetate significantly increasing plasma acetate concentration after 60 min and increasing acetate delivery to the blood upon assessment of the area under the pharmacokinetic curve.

Conclusion

Fermented foods and beverages are a natural source of dietary SCFA that acutely deliver SCFA to the blood. If systemic delivery is needed for immunological and metabolic effects to occur, these may be achieved if delivered over a longer period of time.
Enteral Medication for the Tube‐Fed Patient: Making This Route Safe and Effective
Authors: Boullata Joseph I.
Published: December 2020

The administration of medication through an enteral access device requires important forethought. Meeting a patient's therapeutic needs requires achieving expected drug bioavailability without increasing the risk for toxicity, therapeutic failure, or feeding tube occlusion. Superimposing gut dysfunction, critical illness, or enteral nutrition–drug interaction further increases the need for a systematic approach to prescribing, evaluating, and preparing a drug for administration through an enteral access device. This review will explain the fundamental factors involved in drug bioavailability through the gut, address the influencing considerations for the enterally fed patient, and describe best practices for enteral drug preparation and administration.
Unconditionally optimal error estimates of BDF2 Galerkin method for semilinear parabolic equation
Authors: Yang Huaijun , Shi Dongyang , Zhang Li‐Tao
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a 2‐step backward differentiation formula (BDF2) Galerkin method is investigated for semilinear parabolic equation. More precisely, the second‐order time‐stepping scheme is used for time discretization and the piecewise linear continuous Galerkin method is employed for spatial discretization, respectively. Optimal error estimates in L2 and H1‐norms are obtained without any restriction on the time‐step size, while previous works always require certain conditions on time step‐size. The key to our analysis is to derive a uniform boundness of the numerical solution in energy norm so as to avoid the inverse inequality used in the usual convergence analysis of the finite element methods. Numerical experiments are carried out to confirm the theoretical analysis.
Significance of bioconvection in flow of Williamson nano‐material confined by a porous radioactive Riga surface with convective Nield constrains
Authors: Ahmad Iftikhar , Aziz Samaira , Ali Nasir , Khan Sami Ullah
Published: December 2020

The improved thermal assessment of nano‐particles in presence of magnetic force, thermal radiation and activation energy involve dynamic applications in thermal engineering, industrial processes, and modern technologies. The bioconvection pattern in various nanoparticles attributes novel bio‐technology applications like bio‐fuels petroleum engineering, enzymes, bio‐sensors, and many more. On this end, present theoretical analysis endeavors to examine the thermal characteristics of time dependent Williamson nanofluid confined by an unsteady stretched radioactive Riga plate. Here, nanofluid bioconvection is developed by the combined aspects of buoyancy forces and magnetic field with collaboration of motile microorganisms and nanoparticles. Present analysis is further carried out in presence of activation energy, nonlinear thermal radiation and chemical reaction. The whole exploration is exposed to convective Nield constraints on boundary. The dimensionless form of formulated nonlinear system is achieved with utilization of apposite transformations and then approximate solution is elucidated by shooting technique. The graphical interpretation for numerous relevant parameters on velocity, concentration, temperature and motile microorganism profiles are displayed. The results reveal that an increasing variation in velocity is noticed with modified Hartmann. An increasing nanofluid temperature is associated with Williamson parameter and temperature ratio constant. Moreover, the motile microorganism distribution enhances with bioconvected Lewis and mixed convection constant.
Synthesis and factor affecting on the conductivity of polypyrrole: a short review
Authors: Pang Ai Ling , Arsad Agus , Ahmadipour Mohsen
Published: December 2020

Polypyrrole (PPy) has unique features such as easy synthesis, environmental stability, and high electrical conductivity (approximately 105 S/cm and even >380 S/cm) for bulk and thin‐film materials. Thus, PPy is applied in numerous well‐established applications, such as in sensors, supercapacitors, and resonators. These applications take advantage of the unique properties achieved through the structure and properties of PPy. This article comprehensively elaborates the methods used to synthesize conductive PPy, along with the important factors affecting its conductivity. Emphasis is given to versatile and basic approaches that enable control of the microstructural features that eventually determine PPy conductivity. Despite the intensive research in this area, no previous study has presented all possible relevant information about PPy fabrication and the important factors influencing its electrical conductivity.
Experimental investigations on process parameters for manufacturing of antenna reflectors using vacuum infusion process
Authors: Gajjar Tushar , Shah Dhaval B. , Joshi Shashikant J. , Patel Kaushik M.
Published: December 2020

Carbon fiber reinforcement polymers (CFRPs) are commonly used in aerospace, automobile, and sports industries due to its superior properties compared to conventional metal and alloys. Vacuum infusion process (VIP) is one of the more versatile open mold composite manufacturing techniques because of its economic viability. This paper describes the fabrication of CFRP antenna reflectors used in space communication applications using VIP. Number of layers and pressure gradient were considered as process parameters to evaluate dimensional accuracy. Non‐contact 3D scanning has been used to measure the deviation from fabricated reflector and theoretical CAD model of reflector. Subsequent spring‐back deformation has also been obtained for each reflector. Part thickness at various locations along the length has been measured, whereas the fiber volume fraction has been calculated for each reflector. ANSYS Fluent software has been utilized to acquire pressure drop throughout the reflector, and the calculated pressure drop was validated by relating compaction pressure and volume fraction. The mold filling time has also been measured during the manufacturing process for different laminate thicknesses.
Validation of a Spanish version of the Sleep‐Related Breathing Disorder scale of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire in children living in a high‐altitude city
Authors: Villalobos‐Aguirre Maria C. , Restrepo‐Gualteros Sonia M. , Peña‐Valenzuela Alberto , Sossa‐Briceño Monica P. , Rodriguez‐Martinez Carlos E.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

We aimed to validate a Spanish version of the Sleep‐Related Breathing Disorder scale of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (SRBD‐PSQ) in children living in a high‐altitude Colombian city.

Methods

In a prospective cohort validation study, patients aged between 2 and 17 years who attended the Ear, Nose, and Throat pediatric department of our institution for symptoms related to sleep‐related breathing disorders had a baseline visit at enrollment, a second visit the day scheduled for the surgical intervention, and a follow‐up visit at least 3 months after the surgical intervention. In these three visits, we gathered the necessary data for assessing the criterion validity, construct validity, test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and sensitivity to change of the Spanish version of the SRBD‐PSQ.

Results

In total, 121 patients were included in the analyses. The exploratory factor analysis (generalized least squares method, varimax rotation) yielded a four‐factor structure, explaining 65.93% of the cumulative variance. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the measurements was 0.887 (95% CI: 0.809–0.934), and the Lin concordance correlation coefficient was 0.882 (95% CI, 0.821–0.943). SRBD‐PSQ scores at baseline were significantly higher than those obtained after adenotonsillectomy surgery (median [IQR] 11.0 [9.0– 14.0] vs. 4.00 [1.50–7.0]; p < 0.0001). Cronbach's α was 0.7055 for the questionnaire as a whole.

Conclusions

The Spanish version of the SRBD‐PSQ has acceptable construct validity, excellent test–retest reliability and sensitivity to change, and adequate internal consistency‐reliability when used in pediatric patients living at high altitude with symptoms related to sleep‐related breathing disorders.
Impact of Topological Edge Defects on Spin Transport Properties of Zigzag Graphene Nanoribbons
Authors: Sharifian Mahmoodreza , Ghasemifard Alireza , Taghizadeh Narges , Faizabadi Edris
Published: December 2020

Herein, the spin‐dependent transport properties of a zigzag graphene nanoribbon (zGNR) with edges decorated with a fluoranthene group are studied. Atomically perfect zigzag edge, including phenyl‐edge functionalization, was synthesized by Ruffieux et al. in a bottom‐up chemical technique. By performing nearest‐neighbor tight‐binding model in combination with Landauer formalism and Green's function approach, as well as considering Coulomb electronic interaction computed both with density functional calculations and mean‐field approximation of the Hubbard model, the magnetic and spin‐resolved transmissions are studied. Both the model Hamiltonian and density functional theory (DFT) descriptions yield very similar results. Importantly, by generating a special supercell, three different antiferromagnetic alignments for phenyl‐edge zGNR have been calculated, which was not developed in previous studies. The results show that by adding pentagon rings on both sides of the zGNR, the conductance loses its step‐like behavior. Our structure of interest is a semiconductor with a transport gap of 0.56 eV. This kind of defective structure will enable the spin‐feature characteristic, such as spin filtering, and add the spin degree of freedom to graphene‐based logic devices.
Efficient reliability analysis of dynamic k‐out‐of‐n phase‐AND mission systems
Authors: Wang Chaonan , Hu Yuliang , Xing Liudong , Guan Quanlong , Yang Chunhui , Yu Min
Published: December 2020

Motivated by real‐world applications of satellites and wireless sensor networks, this paper models and evaluates a dynamic k‐out‐of‐n phase‐AND mission system (k/n‐PAMS). The mission task conducted by a k/n‐PAMS involves multiple consecutive phases; the mission is successful as long as the task is successful in any of the phases. Due to factors, such as scheduled maintenance, location changes in task execution during different phases, and resource sharing with other tasks, the total number of available components n for the considered mission task and the required number of working components k may change from phase to phase. In addition, due to varying load and working environments, component failure time distributions are also phase dependent. This paper proposes an analytical modeling approach based on multivalued decision diagrams (MDDs) for assessing reliability of the considered k/n‐PAMS. The approach encompasses a new and fast MDD model generation algorithm that considers behaviors of all the mission phases simultaneously based on node labeling. As demonstrated through empirical studies on k/n‐PAMSs with different sizes (different numbers of phases and different numbers of system components), the proposed algorithm is more efficient than the traditional phase‐by‐phase model generation method.
A sealed‐tube method for offline δ13C analysis of CO2 via a Gas Bench II continuous‐flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer
Authors: Walker Brett D. , Beaupré Steven R. , Griffin Sheila , Walker Jennifer , Druffel Ellen , Xu Xiaomei
Published: December 2020

Rationale

The isotopic measurement of environmental sample CO2 via isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) can present many analytical challenges. In many offline applications, exceedingly few samples can be prepared per day. In such applications, long‐term storage (months) of sample CO2 is desirable, in order to accumulate enough samples to warrant a day of isotopic measurements. Conversely, traditional sample tube cracker systems for dual‐inlet IRMS offer a capacity for only 6–8 tubes and thus limit throughput. Here we present a simple method to alleviate these concerns using a Gas Bench II gas handling device coupled with continuous‐flow IRMS.

Methods

Sample preparation entails the cryogenic purification and quantification of CO2 on a vacuum line. Sample CO2 splits are expanded from a known volume to several sample ports and allowed to isotopically equilibrate (homogenize). Equilibrated CO2 splits are frozen into 3 mm outer diameter Pyrex break‐seals and sealed under vacuum with a torch to a length of 5.5 cm. Sample break‐seals are scored, placed into 12 mL Labco Exetainer® vials, purged with ultrahigh‐purity helium, cracked inside the capped helium‐flushed vials and subsequently measured via a Gas Bench equipped IRMS instrument using a CTC Analytics PAL autosampler.

Results

Our δ13C results from NIST and internal isotopic standards, measured over a time period of several years, indicate that the sealed‐tube method produces accurate δ13C values to a precision of ±0.1‰ for samples containing 10–35 μgC. The tube cracking technique within Exetainer vials has been optimized over a period of 10 years, resulting in decreased sample failure rates from 5–10% to <1%.

Conclusions

This technique offers an alternative method for δ13C analyses of CO2 where offline isolation and long‐term storage are desired. The method features a much higher sample throughput than traditional dual‐inlet IRMS cracker setups at similar precision (±0.1‰).
A Self‐Jet Vapor‐Phase Growth of 3D FeNi@NCNT Clusters as Efficient Oxygen Electrocatalysts for Zinc‐Air Batteries
Authors: Zheng Xiangjun , Cao Xuecheng , Zeng Kai , Yan Jin , Sun Zhihui , Rümmeli Mark H , Yang Ruizhi
Published: December 2020

Development of highly active, robust electrocatalysts to accelerate the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial and challenging for the practical application of metal‐air batteries. In this effort, a novel and facile self‐jet vapor‐phase growth approach is developed, from which highly dispersive FeNi alloy nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated in N‐doped carbon nanotubes (NCNT) grown on a cotton pad (FeNi@NCNT‐CP) can be fabricated. The as‐prepared FeNi@NCNT‐CP clusters exhibit superior bifunctional catalytic activity, with a high half‐wave potential of 0.85 V toward ORR and a low potential of 1.59 V at 10 mA cm−2 toward OER. Specifically, owing to the synergistic effects of FeNi alloy NPs and NCNT, FeNi@NCNT‐CP clusters deliver excellent stability, demonstrating a small potential gap of 0.73 V between ORR and OER after operation for 10 000 cycles. Furthermore, FeNi@NCNT‐CP serves as a cost‐effective, superior catalyst for the cathode of a rechargeable Zn‐air battery, outperforming a catalyst mixture of expensive Pt/C and IrO2. FeNi@NCNT‐CP provides a maximum power density of 200 mW cm−2 and a cycling stability of up to 250 h. This contribution provides new prospects to prepare non‐noble electrocatalysts for metal‐air battery cathodes.
Antiblocking Heterostructure to Accelerate Kinetic Process for Na‐Ion Storage
Authors: Sun Dianding , Liu Kunhong , Hu Junping , Zhou Jisheng
Published: December 2020

Heterostructures are attracting increasing attention in the field of sodium‐ion batteries. However, it is still unclear whether any two monophase components can be used to construct a high‐performance heterostructure for sodium‐ion batteries, as well as the kind of heterostructures that can boost electrochemical performances. In this study, based on classical semiconductor theories on antiblocking and blocking interfaces, attempts are made to answer the abovementioned queries. For this purpose, NiTe2–ZnTe antiblocking and CoTe2–ZnTe blocking heterostructures are synthesized through a bimetal‐hexamine framework‐derived strategy. The NiTe2–ZnTe antiblocking heterostructure exhibits excellent high‐rate and cycling performances, while the CoTe2–ZnTe blocking heterostructure performs poorly, even compared to their monophase components. Further, kinetic measurements and theoretical calculation confirm that antiblocking heterointerfaces can boost Na‐ion diffusion efficiency and decrease the diffusion barrier, which can be attributed to the highly conductive antiblocking heterointerfaces generated due to electron transfer from NiTe2 to ZnTe. Therefore, this study provides a new perspective to design heterostructures more efficiently, with significantly better Na‐ion storage performance.
Crystal engineering of porous coordination networks for C3 hydrocarbon separation
Authors: Gao Mei‐Yan , Song Bai‐Qiao , Sensharma Debobroto , Zaworotko Michael J.
Published: December 2020

C3 hydrocarbons (HCs), especially propylene and propane, are high‐volume products of the chemical industry as they are utilized for the production of fuels, polymers, and chemical commodities. Demand for C3 HCs as chemical building blocks is increasing but obtaining them in sufficient purity (>99.95%) for polymer and chemical processes requires economically and energetically costly methods such as cryogenic distillation. Adsorptive separations using porous coordination networks (PCNs) could offer an energy‐efficient alternative to current technologies for C3 HC purification because of the lower energy footprint of sorbent separations for recycling versus alternatives such as distillation, solvent extraction, and chemical transformation. In this review, we address how the structural modularity of porous PCNs makes them amenable to crystal engineering that in turn enables control over pore size, shape, and chemistry. We detail how control over pore structure has enabled PCN sorbents to offer benchmark performance for C3 separations thanks to several distinct mechanisms, each of which is highlighted. We also discuss the major challenges and opportunities that remain to be addressed before the commercial development of PCNs as advanced sorbents for C3 separation becomes viable.
All the World's a Con: Frontstage, Backstage, and the Blurred Boundaries of Cosplay
Authors: Masi de Casanova Erynn , Brenner‐Levoy Jeremy , Weirich Cole
Published: December 2020

Through participant observation and interviews with cosplayers in the midwestern United States, we analyze the boundaries between frontstage and backstage and between self and persona (character) in cosplay spaces, where fans dress up as fictional characters. We find that back and front regions bleed into each other without causing the conflict or tension that dramaturgical theorists would predict, and that cosplayers engage in varying degrees of theatrical performance when in costume. This blurring of boundaries between front/back and self/character is part of what makes cosplay pleasurable. We argue that the body—not just as a “personal front,” but as cosplayers experience it—is important for understanding what cosplayers mean when they talk about “becoming someone else.”
Spin-locality of η2 and $$ {\overline{\eta}}^2 $$ quartic higher-spin vertices
Authors: Didenko V. E. , Gelfond O. A. , Korybut A. V. , Vasiliev M. A.
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Higher-spin theory contains a complex coupling parameter η. Different higher-spin vertices are associated with different powers of η and its complex conjugate $$ \overline{\eta} $$

η
¯

. Using Z-dominance Lemma of [1], that controls spin-locality of the higher-spin equations, we show that the third-order contribution to the zero-form B(Z; Y; K) admits a Z-dominated form that leads to spin-local vertices in the η2 and $$ {\overline{\eta}}^2 $$

η
¯

2

sectors of the higher-spin equations. These vertices include, in particular, the η2 and $$ {\overline{\eta}}^2 $$

η
¯

2

parts of the ϕ4 scalar field vertex.
Relations between elliptic modular graphs
Authors: Basu Anirban
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We consider certain elliptic modular graph functions that arise in the asymptotic expansion around the non-separating node of genus two string invariants that appear in the integrand of the D8ℛ4 interaction in the low momentum expansion of the four graviton amplitude in type II superstring theory. These elliptic modular graphs have links given by the Green function, as well its holomorphic and anti-holomorphic derivatives. Using appropriate auxiliary graphs at various intermediate stages of the analysis, we show that each graph can be expressed solely in terms of graphs with links given only by the Green function and not its derivatives. This results in a reduction in the number of basis elements in the space of elliptic modular graphs.
Ferumoxytol-enhanced MR imaging for differentiating intrapancreatic splenules from other tumors
Authors: Muehler M. R. , Rendell V. R. , Bergmann L. L. , Winslow E. R. , Reeder S. B.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Ferumoxytol is an ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) agent that is taken up by splenic tissue. This study describes our initial institutional experience of ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI (feMRI) for differentiating intrapancreatic splenules (IPS) from other pancreatic lesions.

Methods

In this retrospective study, patients with computed tomographic imaging that identified small enhancing lesions in the tail of the pancreas subsequently underwent feMRI for further characterization. The feMRI protocol included T2-weighted (T2w) imaging with and without fat suppression (FS), R2* mapping, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and T1-weighted (T1w) imaging with FS, prior to contrast injection. Immediately after slow intravenous infusion with 3 mg/kg body weight ferumoxytol, T1w was repeated. Delayed imaging with all sequences were obtained 24–72 h after ferumoxytol administration.

Results

Seven patients underwent feMRI. In two patients, the pancreatic lesions were presumed as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) from feMRI and in the remaining 5 IPS. One of the two patients with PNET was symptomatic for NET. In another symptomatic patient with pathologically proven duodenal NET and suspected PNET, the pancreatic lesion was proven to be an IPS on feMRI. IPS demonstrated strong negative enhancement in feMRI on T2w and increased R2* values consistent with splenic tissue, while the presumed PNETs did not enhance. T2w FS was helpful on the pre-contrast images to identify IPS, while R2* did on post-contrast images. Neither DWI nor T1w contributed to differentiating PNETs from IPS.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the potential utility of feMRI as a helpful adjunct diagnostic tool for differentiating IPS from other pancreatic lesions. Further studies in larger patient cohorts are needed.
Improving the trustworthiness of findings from nutrition evidence syntheses: assessing risk of bias and rating the certainty of evidence
Authors: Schwingshackl Lukas , Schünemann Holger J. , Meerpohl Joerg J.
Published: December 2020

Suboptimal diet is recognized as a leading modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Non-randomized studies (NRSs) with patient relevant outcomes provide many insights into diet–disease relationships. Dietary guidelines are based predominantly on findings from systematic reviews of NRSs—mostly prospective observational studies, despite that these have been repeatedly criticized for yielding potentially less trustworthy results than randomized controlled trials (RCTs). It is assumed that these are a result of bias due to prevalent-user designs, inappropriate comparators, residual confounding, and measurement error. In this article, we aim to highlight the importance of applying risk of bias (RoB) assessments in nutritional studies to improve the credibility of evidence of systematic reviews. First, we discuss the importance and challenges of dietary RCTs and NRSs, and provide reasons for potentially less trustworthy results of dietary studies. We describe currently used tools for RoB assessment (Cochrane RoB, and ROBINS-I), describe the importance of rigorous RoB assessment in dietary studies and provide examples that further the understanding of the key issues to overcome in nutrition research. We then illustrate, by comparing the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach with current approaches used by United States Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the World Cancer Research Fund, how to establish trust in dietary recommendations. Our overview shows that the GRADE approach provides more transparency about the single domains for grading the certainty of the evidence and the strength of recommendations. Despite not increasing the certainty of evidence itself, we expect that the rigorous application of the Cochrane RoB and the ROBINS-I tools within systematic reviews of both RCTs and NRSs and their integration within the GRADE approach will strengthen the credibility of dietary recommendations.
Diversity and sexual dimorphism in the head lateral line system in North Sea populations of threespine sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus (Teleostei: Gasterosteidae)
Authors: Ahnelt Harald , Ramler David , Madsen Maria Ø. , Jensen Lasse F. , Windhager Sonja
Published: December 2020

The mechanosensory lateral line of fishes is a flow sensing system and supports a number of behaviors, e.g. prey detection, schooling or position holding in water currents. Differences in the neuromast pattern of this sensory system reflect adaptation to divergent ecological constraints. The threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, is known for its ecological plasticity resulting in three major ecotypes, a marine type, a migrating anadromous type and a resident freshwater type. We provide the first comparative study of the pattern of the head lateral line system of North Sea populations representing these three ecotypes including a brackish spawning population. We found no distinct difference in the pattern of the head lateral line system between the three ecotypes but significant differences in neuromast numbers. The anadromous and the brackish populations had distinctly less neuromasts than their freshwater and marine conspecifics. This difference in neuromast number between marine and anadromous threespine stickleback points to differences in swimming behavior. We also found sexual dimorphism in neuromast number with males having more neuromasts than females in the anadromous, brackish and the freshwater populations. But no such dimorphism occurred in the marine population. Our results suggest that the head lateral line of the three ecotypes is under divergent hydrodynamic constraints. Additionally, sexual dimorphism points to divergent niche partitioning of males and females in the anadromous and freshwater but not in the marine populations. Our findings imply careful sampling as an important prerequisite to discern especially between anadromous and marine threespine sticklebacks.
Preparation and spectroscopic characterization of lyophilized Mo nitrogenase
Authors: Van Stappen Casey , Decamps Laure , DeBeer Serena
Published: December 2020

Mo nitrogenase is the primary source of biologically fixed nitrogen, making this system highly interesting for developing new, energy efficient ways of ammonia production. Although heavily investigated, studies of the active site of this enzyme have generally been limited to spectroscopic methods that are compatible with the presence of water and relatively low protein concentrations. One method of overcoming this limitation is through lyophilization, which allows for measurements to be performed on solvent free, high concentration samples. This method also has the potential for allowing efficient protein storage and solvent exchange. To investigate the viability of this preparatory method with Mo nitrogenase, we employ a combination of electron paramagnetic resonance, Mo and Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and acetylene reduction assays. Our results show that while some small distortions in the metallocofactors occur, oxidation and spin states are maintained through the lyophilization process and that reconstitution of either lyophilized protein component into buffer restores acetylene reducing activity.

Graphic abstract
A Performance Evaluation of Classic Convolutional Neural Networks for 2D and 3D Palmprint and Palm Vein Recognition
Authors: Jia Wei , Gao Jian , Xia Wei , Zhao Yang , Min Hai , Lu Jing-Ting
Published: December 2020

Palmprint recognition and palm vein recognition are two emerging biometrics technologies. In the past two decades, many traditional methods have been proposed for palmprint recognition and palm vein recognition, and have achieved impressive results. However, the research on deep learning-based palmprint recognition and palm vein recognition is still very preliminary. In this paper, in order to investigate the problem of deep learning based 2D and 3D palmprint recognition and palm vein recognition in-depth, we conduct performance evaluation of seventeen representative and classic convolutional neural networks (CNNs) on one 3D palmprint database, five 2D palmprint databases and two palm vein databases. A lot of experiments have been carried out in the conditions of different network structures, different learning rates, and different numbers of network layers. We have also conducted experiments on both separate data mode and mixed data mode. Experimental results show that these classic CNNs can achieve promising recognition results, and the recognition performance of recently proposed CNNs is better. Particularly, among classic CNNs, one of the recently proposed classic CNNs, i.e., EfficientNet achieves the best recognition accuracy. However, the recognition performance of classic CNNs is still slightly worse than that of some traditional recognition methods.
Effects of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone on Lipid Isoprenoid and Rho Protein Levels in Brains of Aged C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Ötzkan Sarah , Muller Walter E. , Gibson Wood W. , Eckert Gunter P.
Published: December 2020

Synaptic impairment may be the main cause of cognitive dysfunction in brain aging that is probably due to a reduction in synaptic contact between the axonal buttons and dendritic spines. Rho proteins including the small GTPase Rac1 have become key regulators of neuronal morphogenesis that supports synaptic plasticity. Small Rho- and Ras-GTPases are post-translationally modified by the isoprenoids geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) and farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), respectively. For all GTPases, anchoring in the plasma membrane is essential for their activation by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Rac1-specific GEFs include the protein T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (Tiam1). Tiam1 interacts with the TrkB receptor to mediate the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-induced activation of Rac1, resulting in cytoskeletal rearrangement and changes in cellular morphology. The flavonoid 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) acts as a highly affine-selective TrkB receptor agonist and causes the dimerization and autophosphorylation of the TrkB receptor and thus the activation of downstream signaling pathways. In the current study, we investigated the effects of 7,8-DHF on cerebral lipid isoprenoid and Rho protein levels in male C57BL/6 mice aged 3 and 23 months. Aged mice were daily treated with 100 mg/kg b.w. 7,8-DHF by oral gavage for 21 days. FPP, GGPP, and cholesterol levels were determined in brain tissue. In the same tissue, the protein content of Tiam1 and TrkB in was measured. The cellular localization of the small Rho-GTPase Rac1 and small Rab-GTPase Rab3A was studied in total brain homogenates and membrane preparations. We report the novel finding that 7,8-DHF restored levels of the Rho proteins Rac1 and Rab3A in membrane preparations isolated from brains of treated aged mice. The selective TrkB agonist 7,8-DHF did not affect BDNF and TrkB levels, but restored Tiam1 levels that were found to be reduced in brains of aged mice. FPP, GGPP, and cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in brains of aged mice but not changed by 7,8-DHF treatment. Hence, 7,8-DHF may be useful as pharmacological tool to treat age-related cognitive dysfunction although the underlying mechanisms need to be elucidated in detail.
On the controllability and stabilization of the Benjamin equation on a periodic domain
Authors: Panthee M. , Vielma Leal F.
Published: December 2020

The aim of this paper is to study the controllability and stabilization for the Benjamin equation on a periodic domain

\mathbb{T}

. We show that the Benjamin equation is globally exactly controllable and globally exponentially stabilizable in

H_{p}^{s}(\mathbb{T})

, with

s \geq 0

. The global exponential stabilizability corresponding to a natural feedback law is first established with the aid of certain properties of solution, viz., propagation of compactness and propagation of regularity in Bourgain's spaces. The global exponential stability of the system combined with a local controllability result yields the global controllability as well. Using a different feedback law, the resulting closed-loop system is shown to be locally exponentially stable with an arbitrarily large decay rate. A time-varying feedback law is further designed to ensure a global exponential stability with an arbitrary large decay rate. The results obtained here extend the ones we proved for the linearized Benjamin equation in [32].
Efficacy of Magnetic Sphincter Augmentation Across the Spectrum of GERD Disease Severity
Authors: Schwameis Katrin , Ayazi Shahin , Zheng Ping , Grubic Andrew D. , Salvitti Madison , Hoppo Toshitaka , Jobe Blair A.
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND:

The performance and durability of various types of fundoplication are variable when stratified by disease severity. To date, magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) has not been evaluated in this context. We designed this study to determine the efficacy of MSA in the treatment of severe GERD.

STUDY DESIGN:

Guided by previous studies, a DeMeester score (DMS) ≥ 50 was used as a cutoff point to define severe reflux disease. Subjects were divided into 2 groups using this cutoff, and outcomes of severe cases were compared with those with less severe disease (DMS < 50).

RESULTS:

A total of 334 patients underwent MSA. Patients with severe disease had a higher mean preoperative DMS compared with those with mild to moderate GERD (79.2 [53.2] vs 22.8 [13.7], p < 0.0001). At a mean postoperative follow-up of 13.6 (10.4) months, there was no difference between the mean GERD Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) total scores in patients with severe disease compared with those with less severe GERD (8.8 [10] vs 9.2 [10.8], p = 0.9204). Postoperative mean DMS was not different between groups (17.3[23.0] vs 14.1[33.9], p = 0.71), and there was no difference in the prevalence of esophagitis (p = 0.52). Patients with severe disease were less likely to be free from use of proton pump inhibitors after surgery (85% vs 93.1%, p = 0.041). There were similar rates of postoperative dysphagia (10% vs 14%, p = 0.42) and need for device removal (3% vs 5%, p = 0.7463).

CONCLUSIONS:

MSA is an effective treatment in patients with severe GERD and leads to significant clinical improvement across the spectrum of disease severity, with few objective outcomes being superior in patients with mild-to-moderate reflux disease.
Questioning the Native American Population Rebound in the Horseshoe Lake Watershed from AD 1500 to AD 1700
Authors: Skousen B. Jacob , Aiuvalasit Michael
Published: December 2020

White and colleagues (2020) have argued that after Cahokia's AD 1400 decline, the native population in the Horseshoe Lake Watershed rebounded beginning in AD 1500 and peaked around 1650, and that the native groups populating the area were members of the Illinois Confederation. These arguments are based on a population reconstruction obtained from fecal stanol concentrations from Horseshoe Lake sediment cores and regional historical, archaeological, and environmental data. We argue that their interpretations are problematic because they discount extensive regional archaeological and historical datasets and do not consider alternative hypotheses that could explain high levels of fecal stanol concentrations in lake sediments.
Holland House: Architecture in an Elite Society
Authors: Cooper Nicholas
Published: December 2020

Holland House in Kensington, then on the western fringes of London, was built in 1603–05. Its builder, Walter Cope (?1553–1614), rose as an administrator by exploiting his close association with leading statesmen. The article suggests that the building's remarkable plan and appearance may have had more complex sources than previously proposed. The house was inherited by Cope's son-in-law, the first Earl of Holland (1590–1649), and newly discovered documents throw light on the extensive architectural and decorative changes carried out for him between 1630 and 1640. It is argued that, for both owners, the house was instrumental in their social and political ambitions.
Discovering the Byzantine Art of Building: Lectures at the RIBA, the Royal Academy and the London Architectural Society, 1843–58
Authors: Karydis Nikolaos
Published: December 2020

Although British architects played a major role in the rediscovery of the Byzantine monuments of Greece in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, earlier interest in the subject has remained obscure. Four lectures, read at the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Royal Academy and the London Architectural Society from 1843 to 1857, reflect a lively interest in Byzantine church architecture in the mid-nineteenth century. Delivered by Charles Robert Cockerell (1843), Edwin Nash (1847), Thomas Leverton Donaldson (1853) and John Louis Petit (1858), these lectures constitute some of the earliest attempts in England to explore both well-known monuments such as Hagia Sophia and lesser-known churches in Greece, Turkey and elsewhere. The manuscript records of these lectures show that influential British architects were not only familiar with Byzantine monuments, but were also able to look at them from the viewpoint of the designer and the builder. Emphasising the potential of Byzantine architecture to inform new design, they paved the way for the Byzantine revival, half a century later, and for the systematic investigation of Byzantine architecture from the late nineteenth century onwards.
Gouvernementalité extractive et autodétermination au Canada. Écosystèmes normatifs et charge critique de l’inter-normativité
Authors: Roy Grégoire Étienne
Published: December 2020

La relativisation de la souveraineté est à la fois au cœur de la critique du pluralisme juridique et le résultat concret de la globalisation néolibérale. Cet article propose ainsi la notion d’écosystème normatif comme milieu pour la structuration des communautés politiques. Il énonce trois hypothèses concernant la configuration de l’écosystème normatif extractif canadien : 1) des enjeux constitutionnels y sont traités par le biais de relations contractuelles entre entreprises et communautés autochtones; 2) la responsabilité sociale des entreprises y fait office de régime de véridiction; et 3) l’impératif d’efficacité y prend préséance sur les visées téléologiques en présence. Ces hypothèses configurent une gouvernementalité moralisante peu amène aux communautés politiques. Cet article propose donc de renouveler la charge critique du pluralisme juridique en insistant sur l’hétéronomie de la norme comme condition de possibilité de la liberté politique.
Life as an Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Prisoner: Poems of Grief, Trauma, Hope, and Resistance
Authors: Marchetti Elena , Bargallie Debbie
Published: December 2020

For Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, writing is predominantly about articulating their cultural belonging and identity. Published creative writing, which is a relatively new art form among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners, has not been used as an outlet to the same extent as other forms of art. This is, however, changing as more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rappers and story-writers emerge, and as creative writing is used as a way to express Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander empowerment and resistance against discriminatory and oppressive government policies. This article explores the use of poetry and stories written by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male prisoners in a correctional facility located in southern New South Wales, Australia, to understand how justice is perceived by people who are (and have been) surrounded by hardships, discrimination, racism, and grief over the loss of their culture, families, and freedom.
Utilisation of early intervention services in infants with congenital heart disease following open-heart surgery
Authors: West Caroline , Yu Sunkyung , Lowery Ray , Goldberg Caren S. , Uzark Karen
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To examine the use of early intervention services in infants with CHD after open-heart surgery and identify factors associated with receipt of services.

Study design:

Surveys were administered to caregivers of infants who underwent open-heart surgery before 1 year of age at a single institution between July, 2017 and July, 2018. Information regarding the infant’s use of early intervention services and the caregiver’s experience with the programme was obtained. Clinical data were retrieved from the medical record review. Logistic regression identified factors associated with receipt of services.

Results:

The study included 158 eligible infants. Ninety-eight caregivers (62%) completed the surveys. Of those surveyed, 53.1% of infants were currently or previously enrolled in early intervention services. Infants most frequently received physical therapy (76.9%). The majority of caregivers found services to be moderately/very helpful (92.3%) and sufficient for their child (76.9%). In the univariate analysis, single-ventricle disease, known syndrome/genetic abnormality, extracardiac anomaly, and longer intensive care and hospital length of stay were associated with receipt of services. Single-ventricle disease (p = 0.004) and known syndrome/genetic abnormality (p < 0.0001) remained independently associated with receipt of services in the multivariable analysis.

Conclusion:

Amongst infants at risk for neurodevelopmental deficits, approximately half received services after open-heart surgery. Caregivers expressed satisfaction with the programme. While infants with single-ventricle disease and a known syndrome/genetic abnormality were more likely to receive early intervention services, many at-risk infants with CHD failed to receive services. Further research is needed to identify barriers to early intervention services and promote developmental outcomes.
Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement in an adolescent
Authors: Boroni Grazioli Simona , Hitz Marc-Philip , Voges Inga
Published: December 2020

A 17-year-old boy with a history of dyspnea attacks and chest pain was referred to our paediatric cardiology department. Electrocardiogram at presentation showed T-wave inversion in the inferior leads. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging revealed the rare diagnosis of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement, missed by echocardiography.
Juvenile Eastern Oysters More Resilient to Extreme Ocean Acidification than Their Mud Crab Predators
Authors: Dodd L. F. , Grabowski J. H. , Piehler M. F. , Westfield I. , Ries Justin B.
Published: December 2020

Ocean acidification is predicted to impair marine calcifiers' abilities to produce shells and skeletons. We conducted laboratory experiments investigating the impacts of CO2‐induced ocean acidification (pCO2 = 478–519, 734–835, 8,980–9,567; Ωcalcite = 7.3–5.7, 5.6–4.3, 0.6–0.7) on calcification rates of two estuarine calcifiers involved in a classic predator‐prey model system: adultPanopeus herbstii(Atlantic mud crab) and juvenileCrassostrea virginica(eastern oyster). Both oyster and crab calcification rates significantly decreased at the highestpCO2level. Notably, however, oysters maintained positive net calcification rates in the highest pCO2treatment that was undersaturated with respect to calcite, while mud crabs exhibited net dissolution (i.e., net loss of shell mass) in calcite‐undersaturated conditions. Secondary electron imaging of oyster shells revealed minor microstructural alterations in the moderate‐pCO2treatment, and major microstructural and macrostructural changes (including shell dissolution, delamination of periostracum) in the high‐pCO2treatment. These results underscore the threat that ocean acidification poses for marine organisms that produce calcium carbonate shells, illustrate the strong biological control that some marine calcifiers exert over their shell‐building process, and shows that ocean acidification differentially impacts the crab and oyster species involved in this classical predator‐prey model system.
Nonlinear Modeling of Subsidence From a Decade of InSAR Time Series
Authors: Park Seo‐Woo , Hong Sang‐Hoon
Published: December 2020

We present a model of ground subsidence due to soil consolidation within coastal reclaimed land constructed in early 2001, in Busan, South Korea. We estimate 42 cm of maximum subsidence during the period of interferometric synthetic aperture radar observations, and a maximum of 1 m or more subsidence, since the end of the construction phase of the reclamation project. A hyperbolic model was used to relate the three independent time series and to estimate the nonlinear behavior of subsidence. The model estimates a maximum subsidence rate and acceleration of −5.7 cm/year and 1.1 cm/year2, respectively. The decomposition of vertical and east‐west horizontal motion using the Sentinel‐1 dataset indicates relatively weak partial horizontal displacement as well as substantial vertical deformation overall. The long‐term time series analysis indicates ongoing ground subsidence, although almost two decades have passed since the completion of reclamation.