bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy estimation of explosion sound source based on atmospheric sound propagation theory
Authors: Cheng Wei , Teng Peng-Xiao , Lü Jun , Ji Pei-Feng , Dai Yi-Jing ,   Key Laboratory of Noise and Vibration Research, Institute of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,   University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
Published: August 2021

A method of estimating the explosion sound source energy is proposed by combining atmospheric sound field simulation with mid- and short-range overpressure amplitude attenuation model. Aiming at the problem that the traditional sound source energy estimation formula fails to make full use of the atmospheric parameters and the estimation error is too large, through numerically simulating the propagation loss in the atmosphere, the correction effectiveness of the atmospheric parameters to the sound source energy estimation is greatly improved and the estimation accuracy of the sound source energy is enhanced. In the surface chemical explosion experiment, the infrasound is used to receive the signal from 300 km to 2500 km away. A comparison of energy estimation effectiveness between the traditional energy estimation formula and the energy estimation method based on atmospheric sound field simulation of the explosion sound source is made. The experimental results indicate that this method is effective in improving the robustness of yield estimation in comparison with the traditional yield estimation method.
Estimation of \begin{document}${\boldsymbol{C_n^2}}$\end{document} profile of troposphere over the sea
Authors: Xu Zi-Qiang , Wu Xiao-Qing , Xu Man-Man , Bi Cui-Cui , Han Yong , Shao Shi-Yong ,   Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Optics, Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China,   University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China,   School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
Published: August 2021

The problem of turbulence has been puzzling relevant researchers for more than 300 years. Although some feasible solutions and models have been proposed, the turbulence still brings trouble in the foreseeable future. Turbulence is caused mainly by buoyant thermal bubbles and wind shear, which transports matter and energy between the earth surface and the atmosphere. Based on the analysis of the measured data obtained from the Sea Monsoon Experiment-II (SMEX-II), carried out on the ‘Shenkuo’ scientific research ship, the vertical spatial distribution of meteorological data overseas was explored when the air sounding balloons were released at relatively fixed times during June 2019. Through the Tatarski model, the main influencing factors of fitting turbulence profile over the sea and the turbulence evolution of boundary layer top and tropopause are discussed. Meanwhile, the effect of offshore distance of the scientific research ship on the vertical profile of optical turbulence strength is analyzed. The results show that the outer scale plays a decisive role in the distribution of turbulence over the seas. The inverse growth section between the boundary layer top and the tropopause depends on the sudden change of temperature gradient. The underlying land surface has a significant influence on the inverse growth section to the boundary layer top, while the underlying sea surface has a more pronounced influence on the inverse growth section of the tropopause. Based on the obtained data and corresponding analysis, the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of optical turbulence overseas are grasped, which provides necessary references for selecting the astronomical observation sites, atmospheric laser transmission, and satellite remote sensing observations over the sea.
Genomic Citizenship
Authors: McGonigle Ian
Published: August 2021

An anthropological study based on ethnographic work in Israel and Qatar explores the relationship between science, particularly genetics, and national identity.

Based on ethnographic work in Israel and Qatar, two small Middle Eastern ethnonations with significant biomedical resources, Genomic Citizenship explores the relationship between science and identity. Ian McGonigle, originally trained as a biochemist, draws on anthropological theory, STS, intellectual history, critical theory, Middle Eastern studies, cultural studies, and critical legal studies. He connects biomedical research on ethnic populations to the political, economic, legal, and historical context of the state; to global trends in genetic medicine; and to the politics of identity in the context of global biomedical research.

Genomic Citizenship is more an anthropology of scientific objects than an anthropology of scientists or an ethnography of the laboratory. McGonigle bases his untraditional project on traditional anthropological methods, including participant observation. Some of the most persuasive data in the book are from public records, legal and historical sources, published scientific papers, institutional reports, websites, and brochures.

McGonigle discusses biological understandings of Jewishness, especially in relation to the intellectual history of Zionism and Jewish political thought, and considers the possibility of a novel application of genetics in assigning Israeli citizenship. He also describes developments in genetic medicine in Qatar and analyzes the Qatari Biobank in the context of Qatari nationalism and state-building projects. Considering possible consequences of findings on the diverse origins of the Qatari population for tribal identities, he argues that the nation cannot be defined as either a purely natural or biological entity. Rather, it is reified, reinscribed, and refracted through genomic research and discourse.

The open access edition of this book was made possible by generous funding from Arcadia – a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin.
Endothelial junctional membrane protrusions serve as hotspots for neutrophil transmigration
Authors: Arts Janine JG , Mahlandt Eike K , Grönloh Max LB , Schimmel Lilian , Noordstra Ivar , Gordon Emma , van Steen Abraham CI , Tol Simon , Walzog Barbara , van Rijssel Jos , Nolte Martijn A , Postma Marten , Khuon Satya , Heddleston John M , Wait Eric , Chew Teng Leong , Winter Mark , Montanez Eloi , Goedhart Joachim , van Buul Jaap D
Published: August 2021

Upon inflammation, leukocytes rapidly transmigrate across the endothelium to enter the inflamed tissue. Evidence accumulates that leukocytes use preferred exit sites, alhough it is not yet clear how these hotspots in the endothelium are defined and how they are recognized by the leukocyte. Using lattice light sheet microscopy, we discovered that leukocytes prefer endothelial membrane protrusions at cell junctions for transmigration. Phenotypically, these junctional membrane protrusions are present in an asymmetric manner, meaning that one endothelial cell shows the protrusion and the adjacent one does not. Consequently, leukocytes cross the junction by migrating underneath the protruding endothelial cell. These protrusions depend on Rac1 activity and by using a photo-activatable Rac1 probe, we could artificially generate local exit-sites for leukocytes. Overall, we have discovered a new mechanism that uses local induced junctional membrane protrusions to facilitate/steer the leukocyte escape/exit from inflamed vessel walls.
Nonlinear Thermoelectric Transport Will Open a New and Exotic Way to Detect Topological Nature of Dirac Electrons in Solids
Authors: Ogata Masao
Published: August 2021

Recently, it was proposed that a novel nonlinear anomalous Ettingshausen effect enabled a new and exotic approach to observe topological nature of Dirac electrons in solids using thermoelectric properties.
Artificial intelligence maturity model: a systematic literature review
Authors: Sadiq Raghad Baker , Safie Nurhizam , Abd Rahman Abdul Hadi , Goudarzi Shidrokh
Published: August 2021

Organizations in various industries have widely developed the artificial intelligence (AI) maturity model as a systematic approach. This study aims to review state-of-the-art studies related to AI maturity models systematically. It allows a deeper understanding of the methodological issues relevant to maturity models, especially in terms of the objectives, methods employed to develop and validate the models, and the scope and characteristics of maturity model development. Our analysis reveals that most works concentrate on developing maturity models with or without their empirical validation. It shows that the most significant proportion of models were designed for specific domains and purposes. Maturity model development typically uses a bottom-up design approach, and most of the models have a descriptive characteristic. Besides that, maturity grid and continuous representation with five levels are currently trending in maturity model development. Six out of 13 studies (46%) on AI maturity pertain to assess the technology aspect, even in specific domains. It confirms that organizations still require an improvement in their AI capability and in strengthening AI maturity. This review provides an essential contribution to the evolution of organizations using AI to explain the concepts, approaches, and elements of maturity models.
Importance of experimental information (metadata) for archived sequence data: case of specific gene bias due to lag time between sample harvest and RNA protection in RNA sequencing
Authors: Matsuda Tomoko
Published: August 2021

Large volumes of high-throughput sequencing data have been submitted to the Sequencing Read Archive (SRA). The lack of experimental metadata associated with the data makes reuse and understanding data quality very difficult. In the case of RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), which reveals the presence and quantity of RNA in a biological sample at any moment, it is necessary to consider that gene expression responds over a short time interval (several seconds to a few minutes) in many organisms. Therefore, to isolate RNA that accurately reflects the transcriptome at the point of harvest, raw biological samples should be processed by freezing in liquid nitrogen, immersing in RNA stabilization reagent or lysing and homogenizing in RNA lysis buffer containing guanidine thiocyanate as soon as possible. As the number of samples handled simultaneously increases, the time until the RNA is protected can increase. Here, to evaluate the effect of different lag times in RNA protection on RNA-Seq data, we harvested CHO-S cells after 3, 5, 6, and 7 days of cultivation, added RNA lysis buffer in a time course of 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after harvest, and conducted RNA-Seq. These RNA samples showed high RNA integrity number (RIN) values indicating non-degraded RNA, and sequence data from libraries prepared with these RNA samples was of high quality according to FastQC. We observed that, at the same cultivation day, global trends of gene expression were similar across the time course of addition of RNA lysis buffer; however, the expression of some genes was significantly different between the time-course samples of the same cultivation day; most of these differentially expressed genes were related to apoptosis. We conclude that the time lag between sample harvest and RNA protection influences gene expression of specific genes. It is, therefore, necessary to know not only RIN values of RNA and the quality of the sequence data but also how the experiment was performed when acquiring RNA-Seq data from the database.
Assessment of Agricultural Technology Information Centre of Assam Agricultural University on Personal and Economic Empowerment of Farmers in Jorhat, Assam
Authors: Dutta Chiranjeeta , Borah Debajit , Das Pallabi
Published: August 2021

The present study was carried out with the objective to assess Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) of Assam Agricultural University (AAU) on personal and economic empowerment of farmers in Jorhat district of Assam. A random, purposive cum snowball sampling technique was followed to conduct the study. 8 villages of Jorhat district which are located within the radius of 50 kilometre from ATIC were selected on random basis. From the 8 villages, 120 respondents were selected purposively by using snowball sampling technique. The collected data were systematically arranged, classified, tabulated and analyzed with the help of different statistical techniques and tests namely frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, weighted mean score, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, test of significance of correlation coefficient and chi-square test. The findings of the study revealed that 17.50 per cent respondents had low, 60.83 per cent respondents had medium and 21.67 per cent respondents had high level of overall personal and economic empowerment. The study indicated that age had negative and significant relationship, whereas operational land holding and annual family income of the respondents had positive and significant relationship with personal and economic empowerment of the respondents. It was found from the study that caste, education, occupation and social participation of the respondents had significant association with personal and economic empowerment of the respondents. From the study it can be concluded and recommended that various extension strategies like market led extension, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) led extension and agrepreneurship led extension should be implemented in integrated approach to enhance the empowerment of farmers.
The Dependency of Kinetic Parameters as a Function of Initial Solute Concentration: New Insight from Adsorption of Dye and Heavy Metals onto Humic-Like Modified Adsorbents
Authors: Basuki Rahmat , Rusdiarso Bambang , Santosa Sri Juari , Siswanta Dwi
Published: August 2021

Kinetics parameters are the essential issue in the design of water treatment systems for pollutants uptake. Though numerous studies have identified the boundary conditions that exert influence on the kinetics parameters, the influence of the dynamic initial solute concentration (C0) to the kinetic parameters generated from fitting kinetics model to experimental data has not been investigated thoroughly. This study revealed a change in the kinetics parameter value due to changes in the adsorption mechanism as an effect of dynamic C0. It was observed that at higher C0 the adsorbed solute at equilibrium (qe) increases and it takes longer time to reach equilibrium. As a result, the kinetics rate constant (k) calculated from adsorption reaction model (Lagergren, Ho, Santosa, and RBS) was decreased. In general, Ho model exhibit higher correlation coefficient value (R2) among the other model at low C0. At high C0, Ho’s R2 tend to decrease while the Lagergren and RBS’s R2 was increased. The amendment mechanism from external mass transport to intra-particle diffusion as a rate limiting step was evidenced by Boyd and Weber-Morris kinetics model. Further, the physicochemical properties of the adsorbent used in this work: chitin and Fe3O4 modified horse dung humic acid (HDHA-Fe3O4 and HDHA-Ch, respectively) with the solute: Pb(II), Methylene Blue (MB), and Ni(II) was deeply discussed in this paper. The outcomes of this work are of prime significance for effective and optimum design for pollutant uptake by adsorption equipment. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Smoothing the Sodium‐Metal Anode with a Self‐Regulating Alloy Interface for High‐Energy and Sustainable Sodium‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Wang Lei , Shang Jian , Huang Qiyao , Hu Hong , Zhang Yuqi , Xie Chuan , Luo Yufeng , Gao Yuan , Wang Huixin , Zheng Zijian
Published: August 2021

Because of the large abundance of sodium (Na) as a source material and the easy fabrication of Na‐containing compounds, the sodium (Na) battery is a more environmentally friendly and sustainable technology than the lithium‐ion battery (LIB). Na‐metal batteries (SMBs) are considered promising to realize a high energy density to overtake the cost effectiveness of LIBs, which is critically important in large‐scale applications such as grid energy storage. However, the cycling stability of the Na‐metal anode faces significant challenges particularly under high cycling capacities, due to the complex failure models caused by the formation of Na dendrites. Here, a universal surface strategy, based on a self‐regulating alloy interface of the current collector, to inhibit the formation of Na dendrites is reported. High‐capacity (10 mAh cm−2) Na‐metal anodes can achieve stable cycling for over 1000 h with a low overpotential of 35 mV. When paired with a high‐capacity Na3V2(PO4)2F3 cathode (7 mAh cm−2), the SMB delivers an unprecedented energy density (calculated based on all the cell components) over 200 Wh kg−1 with flooded electrolyte, or over 230 Wh kg−1 with lean electrolyte. The dendrite‐free SMB also shows high cycling stability with a capacity retention per cycle over 99.9% and an ultrahigh energy efficiency of 95.8%.
Monte Carlo Simulations Reveal New Design Principles for Efficient Nanoradiosensitizers Based on Nanoscale Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Xu Ziwan , Ni Kaiyuan , Mao Jianming , Luo Taokun , Lin Wenbin
Published: August 2021

Nanoscale metal–organic frameworks (nMOFs) have recently been shown to provide better radiosensitization than solid nanoparticles (NPs) when excited with X‐rays. Here, a Monte Carlo simulation of different radiosensitization effects by NPs and nMOFs using a lattice model consisting of 3D arrays of nanoscale secondary building units (SBUs) is reported. The simulation results reveal that lattices outperform solid NPs regardless of radiation sources or particle sizes via enhanced scatterings of photons and electrons within the lattices. Optimum dose enhancement can be achieved by tuning SBU size and inter‐SBU distance.
Weyl Semiconductor Te/Sb2Se3 Heterostructure for Broadband Photodetection and Its Binary Photoresponse by C60 as Charge‐Regulation Medium
Authors: Zhang Xingchao , Yang Yunkun , Li Zihan , Liu Xianchao , Zhang Chaoyi , Peng Silu , Han Jiayue , Zhou Hongxi , Gou Jun , Xiu Faxian , Wang Jun
Published: August 2021

Recently, elemental semiconductor Tellurium (Te) has been proven as a novel Weyl semiconductor with nontrivial Weyl fermion nature, indicating wonderful application prospect in future topological optoelectronic devices. Herein, large‐area photodetectors (PDs) of Te/Sb2Se3 and Te/C60/Sb2Se3 heterostructure are fabricated based on a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)‐grown Te film, which is theoretically equivalent to parallel‐connection circuit due to special device architecture. The constructed Te/Sb2Se3 PD exhibits high‐sensitivity and broad spectral detection region from visible (405 nm) to mid‐infrared (4500 nm) wavelengths benefited from efficient synergistic multi‐mechanism including photoconductive and photo‐thermoelectric effects, achieving outstanding performance parameters such as high peak of responsivity (Ri) of 110.8 A W−1, detectivity (D*) of 2.09 × 1013 Jones, and fast rise time about 31 ms at 808 nm, respectively. Furthermore, by depositing C60 between Te and Sb2Se3 as charge‐regulation medium, the novel binary photocurrent signal output phenomenon depending on wavelengths and optical power densities is observed in Te/C60/Sb2Se3 ternary system, for which related mechanism is also investigated combined with spectral absorption characteristics, energy‐band arrangement, and light regulation experiment. This work provides a new pathway to fabricate superior multifunctional Te‐based PD, indicating promising prospects applied to next‐generation broadband optoelectronic devices with light‐controlled logic signal recognition function.
A DNA Nanoflower‐Assisted Separation‐Free Nucleic Acid Detection Platform with a Commercial Pregnancy Test Strip
Authors: Qi Lijuan , Yang Meiting , Chang Dingran , Zhao Wenjing , Zhang Sicai , Du Yan , Li Yingfu
Published: August 2021

There is a constant drive for affordable point‐of‐care testing (POCT) technologies for the detection of infectious human diseases. Herein, we report a simple platform for DNA detection that takes advantage of four techniques: commercially available pregnancy test strips (PTS), amplicon generation via loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), toehold‐mediated strand displacement, and noncovalent immobilization of DNA on paper surface with DNA nanoflowers. This simple, separation‐free platform is highly specific, as demonstrated with the detection of rtL180M, a single‐nucleotide polymorphism observed in hepatitis B virus (HBV) associated with antiviral drug resistance. It is very sensitive, capable of detecting the targeted mutation at 2 copies μL−1. It is able to correctly identify the unmutated and rtL180M genome types of HBV in clinical samples. Given its wide adaptability, we expect this platform can be easily modified for the detection of genetic variations associated with various pathogens and human diseases.
Atomic‐Strain Mapping of High‐Index Facets in Late‐Transition‐Metal Nanoparticles for Electrocatalysis
Authors: Wu Tong , Sun Mingzi , Huang Bolong
Published: August 2021

Although high‐index facets (HIF) endows excellent catalytic activity through undercoordinated sites with strain effect, current characterizations techniques still cannot unravel the detailed strain distributions to understand the origins of electroactivity. Nevertheless, theoretical principles to quantify the structural features and their effects on catalytic activity improvements on HIFs are still lacking, which renders the experimental efforts laborious. In this work, we explore the quantification of surface structural features and establish a database of atomic strain distributions for the late‐transition metal HIF nanoparticle models. The surface reactivities of the nanoparticles have been examined by adsorption energy calculations and their correlations with structural features are observed. Our proposed theoretical principles on surface characterizations of high‐index facets nanomaterials will promote the design and synthesis of efficient transition metal based electrocatalysts.
Catalytic Carbochlorocarbonylation of Unsaturated Hydrocarbons via C−COCl Bond Cleavage**
Authors: Denton Elliott H. , Lee Yong Ho , Roediger Sven , Boehm Philip , Fellert Maximilian , Morandi Bill
Published: August 2021

Here we report a palladium‐catalysed difunctionalisation of unsaturated C−C bonds with acid chlorides. Formally, the C−COCl bond of an acid chloride is cleaved and added, with complete atom economy, across either strained alkenes or a tethered alkyne to generate new acid chlorides. The transformation does not require exogenous carbon monoxide, operates under mild conditions, shows a good functional group tolerance, and gives the isolated products with excellent stereoselectivity. The intermolecular reaction tolerates both aryl‐ and alkenyl‐substituted acid chlorides and is successful when carboxylic acids are transformed to the acid chloride in situ. The reaction also shows an example of temperature‐dependent stereodivergence which, together with plausible mechanistic pathways, is investigated by DFT calculations. Moreover, we show that benzofurans can be formed in an intramolecular variant of the reaction. Finally, derivatisation of the products from the intermolecular reaction provides a highly stereoselective approach for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted cyclopentanes.
Intragenomic Decarboxylation of 5‐Carboxy‐2′‐deoxycytidine
Authors: Kamińska Ewelina , Korytiaková Eva , Reichl Andreas , Müller Markus , Carell Thomas
Published: August 2021

Cellular DNA is composed of four canonical nucleosides (dA, dC, dG and T), which form two Watson–Crick base pairs. In addition, 5‐methylcytosine (mdC) may be present. The methylation of dC to mdC is known to regulate transcriptional activity. Next to these five nucleosides, the genome, particularly of stem cells, contains three additional dC derivatives, which are formed by stepwise oxidation of the methyl group of mdC with the help of Tet enzymes. These are 5‐hydroxymethyl‐dC (hmdC), 5‐formyl‐dC (fdC), and 5‐carboxy‐dC (cadC). It is believed that fdC and cadC are converted back into dC, which establishes an epigenetic control cycle that starts with methylation of dC to mdC, followed by oxidation and removal of fdC and cadC. While fdC was shown to undergo intragenomic deformylation to give dC directly, a similar decarboxylation of cadC was postulated but not yet observed on the genomic level. By using metabolic labelling, we show here that cadC decarboxylates in several cell types, which confirms that both fdC and cadC are nucleosides that are directly converted back to dC within the genome by C−C bond cleavage.
Polydopamine nanofilms for high‐performance paper‐based electrochemical devices
Authors: Hasimoto Leonardo H. , Corrêa Cátia C. , Costa Carlos A. R. , Santhiago Murilo
Published: August 2021

Since the discovery of polydopamine (PDA), there has been a lot of progress on using this substance to functionalize many different surfaces. However, little attention has been given to prepare functionalized surfaces for the preparation of flexible electrochemical paper‐based devices. After fabricating the electrodes on paper substrates, we formed PDA on the surface of the working electrode using a chemical polymerization route. PDA nanofilms on carbon were characterized by contact angle (CA) experiments, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (topography and electrical measurements) and electrochemical techniques. We observed that PDA introduces chemical functionalities (RNH2 and RC═O) that decrease the CA of the electrode. Moreover, PDA nanofilms did not block the heterogeneous electron transfer. In fact, we observed one of the highest standard heterogeneous rate constants (ks) for electrochemical paper‐based electrodes (2.5 ± 0.1) × 10−3 cm s−1, which is an essential parameter to obtain larger currents. In addition, our results suggest that carbonyl functionalities are ascribed for the redox activity of the nanofilms. As a proof‐of‐concept, the electrooxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide showed remarkable features, such as, lower oxidation potential, electrocatalytic peak currents more than 30 times higher when compared to unmodified paper‐based electrodes and electrocatalytic rate constant (kobs) of (8.2 ± 0.6) × 102 L mol−1 s−1.
Protective Effect ofNigella sativaandNigella damascenaFixed Oils Against Aflatoxin Induced Mutagenicity in the Classical and Modified Ames Test
Authors: Helvacıoğlu Sinem , Charehsaz Mohammad , Güzelmeriç Etil , Oçkun Mehmet Ali , Ayran İrem , Kırmızıbekmez Hasan , Kan Yüksel , Aydın Ahmet , Yeşilada Erdem
Published: August 2021

The antioxidant and mutagenic/antimutagenic activities of the fixed oils fromNigella sativa(NSO) andNigella damascena(NDO) seeds, obtained by cold press‐extraction from the cultivar samples, were comparatively investigated for the first time. The antimutagenicity test was carried out using classical and modified Ames tests. The fatty acid composition of the fixed oils was characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) while the quantification of thymoquinone in the fixed oils was determined by UPC2. The main components of the NSO and NDO were found to be linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. The results of the Ames test confirmed the safety of NSO and NDO from the viewpoint of mutagenicity. The results of the three antioxidant test methods were correlated with each other, indicating NDO as having a superior antioxidant activity, when compared to the NSO. Both NSO and NDO exhibited a significant protective effect against the mutagenicity induced by aflatoxin B1 inSalmonella typhimuriumTA98 and TA100 strains. When microsomal metabolism was terminated after metabolic activation of the mycotoxin, a significant increase in antimutagenic activity was observed, suggesting that the degradation of aflatoxin B1 epoxides by these oils may be a possible antimutagenic mechanism. It is worthy to note that this is the first study to assess the mutagenicity of NSO and NDO according to the OECD 471 guideline and to investigate antimutagenicity of NDO in comparison to NSO against aflatoxin.
Clinician's commentary: Atypia in salivary gland fine needle aspiration
Authors: Mydlarz Wojciech K.
Published: August 2021

Due to the heterogenicity and morphological overlap among the broad spectrum of benign and malignant salivary gland lesions, cytopathology result interpretations can be challenging and variable even among the most experienced head and neck pathologist. There was no standardization of cytopathology result reporting until the recently proposed “Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytopathology” (MSRSGC). MSRSGC may offer more clarity and help minimize ambiguity, but surgeons, as part of multidisciplinary teams, do not only rely on the tiered stratification and risk of malignancy assessment. With only the MSRSGC reported, there may be critical information missing from the overall diagnostic evaluation of salivary gland masses. Cytopathologist evaluation, description of findings, and expert interpretation of the fine‐needle aspiration cytology along with differential diagnosis can be critical pieces of information, that is, utilized in management discussions with patients and their families. This information needs to be included in every cytopathology interpretation in addition to the MSRSGC classification. In clinical practice, decisions concerning salivary gland tumor management are not based on single examinations but incorporate information from multiple sources including patient histories, clinical symptoms and signs, physical examinations, imaging studies, and when available, cytopathology. Additional cytopathology information will likely help to improve the utility and predictive power of MSRSGC, similar to Bethesda Classification and the predictive importance of nuclear atypia in indeterminate thyroid biopsy material for thyroid neoplasms.
Integrating demography and distribution modeling for the iconic Leontopodium alpinum Colm. in the Romanian Carpathians
Authors: Maghiar Lăcrămioara M. , Stoica Ilie A. , Tanentzap Andrew J.
Published: August 2021

Both climate change and human exploitation are major threats to plant life in mountain environments. One species that may be particularly sensitive to both of these stressors is the iconic alpine flower edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Colm.). Its populations have declined across Europe due to over‐collection for its highly prized flowers. Edelweiss is still subject to harvesting across the Romanian Carpathians, but no study has measured to what extent populations are vulnerable to anthropogenic change.

Here, we estimated the effects of climate and human disturbance on the fitness of edelweiss. We combined demographic measurements with predictions of future range distribution under climate change to assess the viability of populations across Romania.

We found that per capita and per‐area seed number and seed mass were similarly promoted by both favorable environmental conditions, represented by rugged landscapes with relatively cold winters and wet summers, and reduced exposure to harvesting, represented by the distance of plants from hiking trails. Modeling these responses under future climate scenarios suggested a slight increase in per‐area fitness. However, we found plant ranges contracted by between 14% and 35% by 2050, with plants pushed into high elevation sites.

Synthesis. Both total seed number and seed mass are expected to decline across Romania despite individual edelweiss fitness benefiting from a warmer and wetter climate. More generally, our approach of coupling species distribution models with demographic measurements may better inform conservation strategies of ways to protect alpine life in a changing world.
Effects of Electronic and Electrical Waste–Contaminated Soils on Growth and Reproduction of Earthworm (Alma nilotica)
Authors: Nfor Brian , Fai Patricia Bi Asanga , Fobil Julius N. , Basu Niladri
Published: August 2021

Informal recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) contaminates local environments with metals and other organic compounds. The adverse effects on native earthworm populations are poorly understood. The objective of the present study was to determine metal concentrations in soils from e-waste activity sites in Douala (Cameroon) and assess the effects of these soils on the growth and reproduction of the local earthworm, Alma nilotica. Concentrations of nine metals (arsenic [As], cadmium [Cd], cobalt [Co], chromium [Cr], copper [Cu], mercury [Hg], nickel [Ni], lead [Pb], and zinc [Zn]) were measured in soil samples collected from eight e-waste activity and two non–e-waste sites. Earthworms were then exposed to these soils in the laboratory following test guidelines of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Metal concentrations in the e-waste–contaminated soils were significantly higher than in the non–e-waste soils. The e-waste soils were found to have a different soil metal profile (Cu > Pb > Zn > Cr > Ni > Co > As > Cd > Hg) from that of the non–e-waste soils (Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > As > Cd > Co > Hg). Earthworm growth and reproduction were significantly inhibited in organisms exposed to soils from e-waste sites. Reproduction was particularly affected, with a mean of 8 ± 5.6 offspring/10 worms in the e-waste–exposed worm groups compared with 90.5 ± 0.7 in non–e-waste soil worms. Notably, earthworm growth recovered during depuration in clean soil, indicating the possibility of remediation activities. The results demonstrate that soils at e-waste sites can affect the health of resident worm populations, which may be more sensitive than temperate species. They also highlight the potential of a bioassay-based approach in monitoring risks at e-waste sites. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:287–297. © 2021 SETAC

Abstract

Growth and reproduction of earthworms (Alma nilotica) in e-waste–contaminated soils.
Spatiotemporal Distribution of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants in Spiked-Sediment Toxicity Tests: Measuring Total and Freely Dissolved Concentrations in Porewater and Overlying Water
Authors: Hiki Kyoshiro , Fischer Fabian Christoph , Nishimori Takahiro , Watanabe Haruna , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Endo Satoshi
Published: August 2021

The sediment–water interface of spiked-sediment toxicity tests is a complex exposure system, where multiple uptake pathways exist for benthic organisms. The freely dissolved concentration (Cfree) in sediment porewater has been proposed as a relevant exposure metric to hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) in this system. However, Cfree has rarely been measured in spiked-sediment toxicity tests. We first developed a direct immersion solid-phase microextraction method for measuring Cfree in overlying water and porewater in a sediment test using polydimethylsiloxane-coated glass fibers, resulting in sensitive and repeatable in situ measurements of HOCs. Then, we measured Cfree and total dissolved concentrations (Cdiss) in the sediment test systems with the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca and thoroughly evaluated the temporal and spatial profiles of four HOCs (phenanthrene, pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, and chlorpyrifos). Furthermore, we examined the relationship between the measured concentrations and the lethality of H. azteca. We found that the test system was far from an equilibrium state for all four chemicals tested, where Cdiss in overlying water changed over the test duration and a vertical Cfree gradient existed at the sediment–water interface. In porewater Cdiss was larger than Cfree by a factor of 170 to 220 for benzo[a]pyrene because of the strong binding to dissolved organic carbon. Comparison of the median lethal concentrations of chlorpyrifos in the sediment test and those in water-only tests indicates that Cfree in porewater was the most representative indicator for toxicity of this chemical. The method and findings presented in the present study warrant further research on the chemical transport mechanisms and the actual exposure in sediment tests using different chemicals, sediments, and test species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3148–3158. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Effects of enzymatic hydrolysis on physicochemical property and antioxidant activity of mulberry (Morus atropurpurea Roxb.) leaf protein
Authors: Sun Chongzhen , Shan Yangwei , Tang Xin , Han Duo , Wu Xiyang , Wu Hui , Hosseininezhad Marzieh
Published: August 2021

To improve the antioxidant efficiency of mulberry leaf protein (MLP), alcalase, protamex, papain, flavourzyme, neutrase, and trypsin were used to hydrolyze MLP. The yield of soluble peptides, secondary structures, molecular weight distributions, and antioxidant activities of MLP hydrolysates (MLPHs) were investigated. Results showed that the native MLP was rich in the fraction above 6.5 kDa and was mainly composed of β‐sheets, while MLPHs were abundant in the fractions of 0.3–0.6 kDa and 0.6–6.5 kDa and were mainly composed of disordered coils and β‐folds. Limited hydrolysis of MLP could lead to better antioxidant activity than extensive hydrolysis. After enzymatic hydrolysis, the content of total sugar and total phenol in MLP increased significantly. MLP hydrolysates prepared with neutrase, alcalase, and protamex were preferable to other enzymes. Meanwhile, an enzyme to substrate level of 1% and a hydrolysis time of 2 hr were the optimum conditions to obtain higher antioxidant hydrolysates using neutrase.
Effects of bariatric surgery on functional connectivity of the reward and default mode network: A pre‐registered analysis
Authors: Heinrichs Hannah S. , Beyer Frauke , Medawar Evelyn , Prehn Kristin , Ordemann Jürgen , Flöel Agnes , Witte A. Veronica
Published: August 2021

Obesity imposes serious health risks and involves alterations in resting‐state functional connectivity of brain networks involved in eating behavior. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment, but its effects on functional connectivity are still under debate. In this pre‐registered study, we aimed to determine the effects of bariatric surgery on major resting‐state brain networks (reward and default mode network) in a longitudinal controlled design. Thirty‐three bariatric surgery patients and 15 obese waiting‐list control patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging at baseline, after 6 and 12 months. We conducted a pre‐registered whole‐brain time‐by‐group interaction analysis, and a time‐by‐group interaction analysis on within‐network connectivity. In exploratory analyses, we investigated the effects of weight loss and head motion. Bariatric surgery compared to waiting did not significantly affect functional connectivity of the reward network and the default mode network (FWE‐corrected p > .05), neither whole‐brain nor within‐network. In exploratory analyses, surgery‐related BMI decrease (FWE‐corrected p = .041) and higher average head motion (FWE‐corrected p = .021) resulted in significantly stronger connectivity of the reward network with medial posterior frontal regions. This pre‐registered well‐controlled study did not support a strong effect of bariatric surgery, compared to waiting, on major resting‐state brain networks after 6 months. Exploratory analyses indicated that head motion might have confounded the effects. Data pooling and more rigorous control of within‐scanner head motion during data acquisition are needed to substantiate effects of bariatric surgery on brain organization.
MRD abnormal expression predict poor outcomes for refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Hao Qi , Liu Xinyue , Zhang Yongping , Zhang Dongmei , Li Boran , Wang Jingbo
Published: August 2021

We retrospectively analyzed data from 197 patients with refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (r/rAML) who underwent allo‐HCT between January 2013 and February 2020 in our center (patients with promyelocytic leukemia were excluded). Of all patients, 86 achieved a complete morphological remission (CR) before transplant, while 111 failed to do so (NR). In the CR group, 32 patients displayed minimal residual disease (MRD‐positive). According to their immunophenotype pre‐HCT, we divided the MRD‐positive group and NR group into three subgroups: MRD 0+ group (without any antigen abnormal expression of CD7+, CD56+, CD38−, or HLA‐DR−) 28 patients, MRD 1+ group (with one abnormal antigen expression of CD7+, CD56+, CD38−, or HLA‐DR−) 63 patients, MRD 2+ group (with two or more abnormal antigens expression of CD7+, CD56+, CD38‐, or HLA‐DR‐) 52 patients. 3‐year estimates of disease‐free survival (DFS) for MRD 0+, MRD 1+ and MRD 2+ patients were 59.5 ± 9.5%, 29.9 ± 6.1%, and 9.4 ± 5.1%, and 3‐year estimates of overall survival (OS) were 59.5 ± 9.5%, 34.5 ± 6.3%, and 14.5 ± 10.8%, respectively. Multivariate analysis adjusted for genetic risk, blast cell level, secondary disease, age, sex, and donor relationship pre‐HCT, the hazard ratios of abnormal expression of CD7+, CD56+, HLA‐DR−, and CD38‐ were 6.69 (range 2.08–21.52; p = 0.001) for DFS, 2.24 (range 1.21–4.14; p = 0.010) for OS, and 7.18 (range 2.23–23.10; p = 0.001) for relapse compared with CD7−, CD56−, HLA‐DR+, and CD38+ patients. Our finding suggested that abnormal expression of CD7+, CD56+, HLA‐DR−, and CD38− is associated with poor outcomes, and the more number of abnormal antigens expression predict worse outcomes.
Bounding the mim‐width of hereditary graph classes
Authors: Brettell Nick , Horsfield Jake , Munaro Andrea , Paesani Giacomo , Paulusma Daniël
Published: August 2021

A large number of ‐hard graph problems are solvable in time when parameterized by some width parameter. Hence, when solving problems on special graph classes, it is helpful to know if the graph class under consideration has bounded width. In this paper we consider maximum‐induced matching width (mim‐width), a particularly general width parameter that has a number of algorithmic applications whenever a decomposition is “quickly computable” for the graph class under consideration. We start by extending the toolkit for proving (un)boundedness of mim‐width of graph classes. By combining our new techniques with known ones we then initiate a systematic study into bounding mim‐width from the perspective of hereditary graph classes, and make a comparison with clique‐width, a more restrictive width parameter that has been well studied. We prove that for a given graph , the class of ‐free graphs has bounded mim‐width if and only if it has bounded clique‐width. We show that the same is not true for ‐free graphs. We identify several general classes of ‐free graphs having unbounded clique‐width, but bounded mim‐width; moreover, we show that a branch decomposition of constant mim‐width can be found in polynomial time for these classes. Hence, these results have algorithmic implications: when the input is restricted to such a class of ‐free graphs, many problems become polynomial‐time solvable, including classical problems, such as ‐
Colouring and
Independent Set, domination‐type problems known as Locally Checkable Vertex Subset and Vertex Partitioning (LC‐VSVP) problems, and distance versions of LC‐VSVP problems, to name just a few. We also prove a number of new results showing that, for certain and , the class of ‐free graphs has unbounded mim‐width. Boundedness of clique‐width implies boundedness of mim‐width. By combining our results with the known bounded cases for clique‐width, we present summary theorems of the current state of the art for the boundedness of mim‐width for ‐free graphs. In particular, we classify the mim‐width of ‐free graphs for all pairs with . When and are connected graphs, we classify all pairs except for one remaining infinite family and a few isolated cases.
Population Genetics of a Translocated Population of Mottled Ducks and Allies
Authors: Lavretsky Philip , Duenez Esmeralda , Kneece Molly , Kaminski Richard M.
Published: August 2021

Translocating species is an important management tool to establish or expand the range of species. Success of translocations requires an understanding of potential consequences, including whether a sufficient number of individuals were used to minimize founder effects and if interspecific hybridization poses a threat. We provide an updated and comprehensive genetic assessment of a 1970s–1980s translocation and now established mottled duck (Anas fulvigula) population in South Carolina, USA. In addition to examining the population genetics of these mottled ducks, we simulated expected genetic assignments for generational hybrids (F1–F10), permitting formal purity assignment across samples to identify true hybrids and establish hybridization rates. In addition to wild mallards (A. platyrhynchos), we tested for presence of hybrids with migrant American black ducks (A. rubripes) and released domestic game‐farm mallards (A. p. domesticus). We used wild reference populations of North American mallard‐like ducks and sampled game‐farm mallards from 2 sites in South Carolina that could potentially interbreed with mottled ducks. Despite 2 different subspecies of mottled duck (Florida [A. f. fulvigula] and the Western Gulf Coast [A. f. maculatlus]) used in original translocations, we determined the gene pool of the Western Gulf Coast mottled duck was overwhelmingly represented in South Carolina's current population. We found no evidence of founder effects or inbreeding and concluded the original translocation of 1,285 mottled ducks was sufficient to maintain current genetic diversity. We identified 7 hybrids, including an F1 and 3 late‐staged (i.e., F2–F3 backcrosses) mottled duck × black duck hybrids, 1 F2‐mottled duck backcrossed with a wild mallard, and 2 F3‐mottled ducks introgressed with game‐farm mallard. We estimated a 15% hybridization rate in our mottled duck dataset; however, the general lack of F1 and intermediate hybrids were inconsistent with scenarios of high hybridization rates or presence of a hybrid swarm. Instead, our results suggested a scenario of infrequent interspecific hybridization between South Carolina's mottled ducks and congeners. We concluded that South Carolina's mottled duck population is sufficiently large now to absorb current hybridization rates because 85% of sampled mottled ducks were pure. These results demonstrate the importance in managing and maintaining large parental populations to counter hybridization. As such, future population management of mottled ducks in South Carolina will benefit from increased geographical and continued sampling to monitor hybridization rates with closely related congeners. We also suggest that any future translocations of mottled ducks to coastal South Carolina should originate from the Western Gulf Coast. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Direction‐of‐arrival estimation using estimator banks in low‐angle tracking for S‐band radar
Authors: Xu Saiqin , Chen Baixiao , Xiang Houhong
Published: August 2021

Tracking low‐angle targets over an uneven surface are challenging because of the highly correlated, complicated, and volatile multipath signals encountered in radar. Especially, in the context of irregular reflector modulated by rough sea, which results in performance depravation of the existing direction‐of‐arrival (DOA) estimation methods. An effective DOA estimation approach is based on maximum likelihood (ML) estimator which is referred to as optimal synthetic vector maximum likelihood (OSVML) method. The approach is essentially different, multipath signals are present that without known prior information of ideal model. The optimal projection space in estimator banks is spanned with direct subspace and indirect subspace to match the signals received by S‐band radar. Then, the performance of the proposed method is evaluated by simulations in terms of the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and snapshot. Finally, field data sets acquired from S‐band radar are carried out to verify the practicability of the proposed method in a naval environment.