bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raltitrexed versus 5‐fluorouracil with cisplatin and concurrent radiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: An open labeled, randomized, controlled, and multicenter clinical trial
Authors: Yan Pengwei , Yin Haitao , Guo Wenjie , Sun Xiangdong , Li Feng , Huang Shengfu , Bian Xiuhua , Wang Feijiang , Zhang Fuzheng , Wang Buhai , Zhou Hongping , Zhou Chong , Yin Li , Jiang Xuesong , Jiang Ning , Wu Jianfeng , Liu Juying , Song Dan , He Xia
Published: July 2020

Background

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and toxicity of raltitrexed (Saiweijian®) plus cisplatin (SP regimen) and 5‐fluorouracil plus cisplatin (FP regimen) as concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA‐NPC).

Methods

Eligible patients (N = 135) were allocated randomly in a ratio of 1:1 to receive CCRT with either SP or FP. At least 2 cycles of chemotherapy was administrated during radiotherapy. Progression free survival (PFS) was primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), loco‐regional relapse free survival (LRRFS), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) and toxicity.

Results

In this study, 68 patients received SP as CCRT, and 67 received FP. Objective responses were noted in 97.1% of the patients in the SP group and in 97.0% of the patients in the FP group (P = 1.00). At the end of a median 36 months follow‐up period, the estimated 3‐year PFS rates were 70.1% for SP and 66.6% for FP, respectively. The 3‐year LRRFS, DMFS and OS rates were 88.9%, 74.7% and 84.0%, respectively, for the SP group, and 92.3%, 71.0% and 73.7%, respectively, for the FP group. Overall, there was no difference between treatment groups with regard to response or survival. The most frequent acute toxicities monitored in both groups were bone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal side effects and oral mucositis (OM). The overall incidence of grade 3‐4 OM in the FP group (47.8%) was higher than in the SP group (11.8%). However, the incidence of other adverse effects observed in both groups was similar (P > .05).

Conclusions

These data indicate that SP and FP therapies have similar efficacy in treating LA‐NPC. The SP regimen showed a tolerable safety profile along with a lower frequency of severe OM and therefore, an improved life quality. In conclusion, SP was a well tolerated, effective, regimen for LA‐NPC treatment.
Importance of doctor‐initiated management of the balance between work and treatment for lung cancer patients: Results of a nationwide survey by the Japan Lung Cancer Society
Authors: Ikeda Satoshi , Ozawa Yuichi , Harada Ken , Hasegawa Kazuo , Shimizu Naomi , Seki Takako , Hasegawa Yoshinori , Mitsudomi Tetsuya
Published: July 2020

Backgrounds

Since the recent development of molecular targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors has improved lung cancer treatment options and outcomes, supporting patients in balancing work and pharmacotherapy have become even more important in the field of lung cancer treatment. This study sought to identify the current status and roles of doctors in balancing work and treatment for lung cancer patients.

Methods

Patients and doctors were recruited to complete a web‐based questionnaire survey by the Japan Lung Cancer Society.

Results

About 287 lung cancer patients and 381 doctors were included in the analysis. About 42.9% of patients responded that “there was no discussion” about their working conditions or work before the initiation of pharmacotherapy, while 22.6% responded that “there was an inquiry from a doctor/health care provider and a discussion that included the doctor was held.” About 45.3% of patients took leave or resigned from work at the time of diagnosis. The most common reasons for patients to resign before or during pharmacotherapy were “poor physical condition due to side effects of treatment or illness” and “concern about causing problems in the workplace.” To assist in balancing work and pharmacotherapy, patients desired “increased opportunities to consult about work” (36.9%) and “provision of treatment options with few adverse events” (28.9%).

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of doctor‐initiated management of the balance between work and treatment for lung cancer patients. An important first step is for doctors themselves to take an interest in their patients' professions and initiate discussions of work‐related topics with their patients.
Antibacterial Flavonoids and Other Compounds from the Aerial Parts of Vernonia guineensis Benth. (Asteraceae)
Authors: Collins Njonte Wouamba Steven , Mouthé Happi Gervais , Nguiam Pouofo Michel , Tchamgoue Joseph , Jouda Jean‐Bosco , Longo Frida , Ndjakou Lenta Bruno , Sewald Norbert , Fogue Kouam Simeon
Published: July 2020

An extensive phytochemical study of the aerial parts of Vernonia guineensis Benth. (Asteraceae) led to the isolation of a new flavone, vernoguinoflavone and a naturally isolated glycerol ester, eicosanoic acid 2‐hydroxy‐1,3‐propanediyl ester, together with eighteen known secondary metabolites including quercetin, luteolin, vernopicrin, vernomelitensin, β‐amyrin, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, lupeol, betulinic acid, β‐carotene, a mixture of stigmasterol and β‐sitosterol, β‐sitosterol‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucoside, 2,3‐dihydroxypropyl heptacosanoate, pentacosanoic acid, docosan‐1‐ol, tritriacontan‐1‐ol, and heptatriacontan‐1‐ol. Eleven compounds are reported herein for the first time from this species. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, particularly 1D and 2D NMR, and HR‐ESI‐MS and by comparison of their data with those reported in the literature. The crude extract, fractions and some isolated compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative bacteria: Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Shigella flexineri (NR 518), Salmonella muenchen, Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella typhi (ATCC 19430). All the tested compounds demonstrated inhibitory activities against the tested enteric bacteria with MIC values ranging from 3.12 to 100 μg/ml. Three flavonoids isolated from the most active fraction demonstrated the best bioactivities against Escherichia coli, Salmonella muenchen and Salmonella typhimurium with MIC values ranging from 3.12 to 25 μg/mL.
Transformations of bio‐sourced 4‐hydroxyphenylpropanoids based on olefin metathesis
Authors: Bilel Hallouma , Hamdi Naceur , Fischmeister Cédric , Bruneau Christian
Published: July 2020

4‐Hydroxyphenylpropanoids represent an important class of natural products directly extracted from plants or derived from lignocelullosic materials. They are phenol derivatives equipped with a terminal propenyl group, which is perfectly suited for applications involving olefin metathesis processes. In this review, we show that conditions have been found to achieve their self‐metathesis, cross metathesis as well as some sequential transformations with metathesis as a key step with high yields and controlled stereoselectivities. Some applications in multi‐step synthesis of biological relevant natural products involving metathetic transformations of 4‐hydroxyphenylpropanoids are also reported.
Understanding the Synergistic Effects Observed When Using Tethered Dual Catalysts for Heat and Light Activated Catalysis
Authors: Wang Danfeng , Pernik Indrek , Keaveney Sinead T. , Messerle Barbara A.
Published: July 2020

Dual catalysis, where two different catalysts work cooperatively to promote a chemical reaction, is an important synthetic approach as it can allow a wide range of unique reactivity to be accessed. Whilst most dual catalysis strategies utilise separate catalysts in the reaction mixture, there is a growing interest in using tethered dual catalysts to increase cooperativity between the catalytic centres. In this current work we sought to determine the origin of the catalytic synergy observed for a series of Ir(I) based complexes tethered to a BODIPY type photocatalyst through different tethering modes. Kinetic analyses revealed that the tethered dual catalysts were more effective at promoting heat activated intermolecular hydroamination than the un‐tethered analogues. The tethering mode had a significant influence on the magnitude of this synergistic enhancement observed for the hydroamination reaction, likely due to a combination of steric and electronic ligand effects. Investigations into the effect of the tethered dual catalysts on the light activated oxidation of thioanisole demonstrated that chemical tethering leads to substantial increases in photocatalytic activity, which was once again impacted by the tethering mode. The origin of the observed enhancement was found to be due to both increased singlet oxygen generation through the heavy atom effect, as well as direct involvement of the Ir centre in the oxidation reaction pathway.
Sorption of aqueous amino acid species on sulphidic mineral surfaces—DFT study and insights on biosourced‐reagent mineral flotation
Authors: Azizi Dariush , Larachi Faïçal , Garnier Alain , Lagüe Patrick , Levasseur Benoît
Published: July 2020

The interaction between the 20 natural amino acids and the surfaces of sphalerite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite was examined in the light of density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The electronic properties of the active functional groups and the equilibrium geometries of the sorbed amino acid species were characterized as a function the 65 species resulting from their (de)protonations. Covalent bonds are predicted between the surface metallic atoms and the carboxyl groups and, though to a lesser extent, with the side and main amino groups. Chemisorption as a determining factor in the uptake of amino acid species was assessed in terms of sorption affinities for the mineral surfaces. The largest affinities result from the carboxyl groups of the deprotonated species at intermediate pH, whereas the fully protonated amino acids in acidic media predict the lowest affinities. Affinity of amino acids towards the mineral surfaces followed the trend: pyrite >> chalcopyrite > sphalerite with speciation‐dependent decreasing sequence: ∼2.5 < pH < ∼9.5; pH > ∼9.5; pH < ∼2.5. By targeting the most suitable amino acid building blocks in bio‐sourced collectors, either high collecting powers or superior selectivities can be aimed at depending on pH for improved separation of sulphidic minerals in flotation processes.
Effective Oral Administration of an Antitumorigenic Nanoformulated Titanium Complex
Authors: Nahari Gilad , Braitbard Ori , Larush Liraz , Hochman Jacob , Tshuva Edit Y.
Published: July 2020

Abstract: Orally administered anticancer drugs facilitate treatment, but the acidic conditions in the stomach often challenge their availability. PhenolaTi is a TiIV‐based nontoxic anticancer drug with marked in‐vivo efficacy. We report that nanoformulation protects phenolaTi from decomposition in stomach‐like conditions. This is evidenced by similar NMR characteristics and similar in‐vitro cytotoxicity toward murine (CT‐26) and human (HT‐29) colon cancer cells before and after incubation of nanoformulated phenolaTi (phenolaTi‐F) at pH 2, unlike results with the unformulated form of the complex. Furthermore, administration of phenolaTi‐F in animal drinking water revealed a notable inhibition of tumor growth in Balb/c and immune‐deficient (Nude) mice inoculated with CT‐26 and HT‐29 cells, respectively. In‐vivo efficacy was at least similar to that of the corresponding intraperitoneal treatment with phenolaTi‐F and the clinically employed oral drug, capecitabine. No body weight loss or clinical signs of toxicity were evident in the phenolaTi‐F‐treated animals. These findings demonstrate a new convenient mode of cancer treatment through oral administration by safe titanium‐based drugs.
Polysialic acid in the rat brainstem and thoracolumbar spinal cord: Distribution, cellular location, and comparison with mouse
Authors: Shahbazian Shila , Bokiniec Phillip , Berning Britt A. , McMullan Simon , Goodchild Ann K.
Published: July 2020

Polysialic acid (polySia), a homopolymer of α2,8‐linked glycans, is a posttranslational modification on a few glycoproteins, most commonly in the brain, on the neural cell adhesion molecule. Most research in the adult central nervous system has focused on its expression in higher brain regions, where its distribution coincides with regions known to exhibit high levels of synaptic plasticity. In contrast, scant attention has been paid to the expression of polySia in the hindbrain. The main aims of the study were to examine the distribution of polySia immunoreactivity in the brainstem and thoracolumbar spinal cord, to compare the distribution of polySia revealed by two commercial antibodies commonly used for its investigation, and to compare labeling in the rat and mouse. We present a comprehensive atlas of polySia immunoreactivity: we report that polySia labeling is particularly dense in the dorsal tegmentum, medial vestibular nuclei and lateral parabrachial nucleus, and in brainstem regions associated with autonomic function, including the dorsal vagal complex, A5, rostral ventral medulla, A1, and midline raphe, as well as sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the spinal cord and central targets of primary sensory afferents (nucleus of the solitary tract, spinal trigeminal nucleus, and dorsal horn [DH]). Ultrastructural examination showed labeling was present predominantly on the plasma membrane/within the extracellular space/in or on astrocytes. Labeling throughout the brainstem and spinal cord were very similar for the two antibodies and was eliminated by the polySia‐specific sialidase, Endo‐NF. Similar patterns of distribution were found in rat and mouse brainstem with differences evident in DH.
Mapping of the excitatory, inhibitory, and modulatory afferent projections to the anatomically defined active expiratory oscillator in adult male rats
Authors: Biancardi Vivian , Saini Jashan , Pageni Anileen , Prashaad M. Hema , Funk Gregory D. , Pagliardini Silvia
Published: July 2020

The lateral parafacial region (pFL; which encompasses the parafacial respiratory group, pFRG) is a conditional oscillator that drives active expiration during periods of high respiratory demand, and increases ventilation through the recruitment of expiratory muscles. The pFLactivity is highly modulated, and systematic analysis of its afferent projections is required to understand its connectivity and modulatory control. We combined a viral retrograde tracing approach to map direct brainstem projections to the putative location of pFL, with RNAScope and immunofluorescence to identify the neurochemical phenotype of the projecting neurons. Within the medulla, retrogradely‐labeled, glutamatergic, glycinergic and GABAergic neurons were found in the ventral respiratory column (Bötzinger and preBötzinger Complex [preBötC], ventral respiratory group, ventral parafacial region [pFV] and pFL), nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), reticular formation (RF), pontine and midbrain vestibular nuclei, and medullary raphe. In the pons and midbrain, retrogradely‐labeled neurons of the same phenotypes were found in the Kölliker‐Fuse and parabrachial nuclei, periaqueductal gray, pedunculopontine nucleus (PPT) and laterodorsal tegmentum (LDT). We also identified somatostatin‐expressing neurons in the preBötC and PHOX2B immunopositive cells in the pFV, NTS, and part of the RF. Surprisingly, we found no catecholaminergic neurons in the NTS, A5 orLocus Coeruleus, no serotoninergic raphe neurons nor any cholinergic neurons in the PPT and LDT that projected to the pFL. Our results indicate that pFLneurons receive extensive excitatory and inhibitory inputs from several respiratory and nonrespiratory related brainstem regions that could contribute to the complex modulation of the conditional pFLoscillator for active expiration.
A 3D‐1D coupled blood flow and oxygen transport model to generate microvascular networks
Authors: Köppl Tobias , Vidotto Ettore , Wohlmuth Barbara
Published: July 2020

In this work, we introduce an algorithmic approach to generate microvascular networks starting from larger vessels that can be reconstructed without noticeable segmentation errors. Contrary to larger vessels, the reconstruction of fine‐scale components of microvascular networks shows significant segmentation errors, and an accurate mapping is time and cost intense. Thus there is a need for fast and reliable reconstruction algorithms yielding surrogate networks having similar stochastic properties as the original ones. The microvascular networks are constructed in a marching way by adding vessels to the outlets of the vascular tree from the previous step. To optimise the structure of the vascular trees, we use Murray's law to determine the radii of the vessels and bifurcation angles. In each step, we compute the local gradient of the partial pressure of oxygen and adapt the orientation of the new vessels to this gradient. At the same time, we use the partial pressure of oxygen to check whether the considered tissue block is supplied sufficiently with oxygen. Computing the partial pressure of oxygen, we use a 3D‐1D coupled model for blood flow and oxygen transport. To decrease the complexity of a fully coupled 3D model, we reduce the blood vessel network to a 1D graph structure and use a bi‐directional coupling with the tissue which is described by a 3D homogeneous porous medium. The resulting surrogate networks are analysed with respect to morphological and physiological aspects.
Morphology Regulation of Monosodium Urate Monohydrate Crystals via Fabricated Uniform Hydrogel Slices
Authors: Xia Zeqiu , Wang Lin , He Gaohong , Jiang Xiaobin
Published: July 2020

Crystal morphology control is a common concern for the crystal engineering and relevant applications. For example, urate crystallization is important for the study of the hyperuricemia induced gout. Herein, biomimetic hydrogel material with uniform surface and vertical structure is fabricated, which possesses hybrid pH‐temperature responsibility for high‐efficiency interfacial nucleation and concentration regulation functions. The developed hydrogel layers are prepared to slice type as a functional microplatform and then added into the uric acid dihydrate (UAD) crystal solution to induce monosodium urate monohydrate (MSUM) crystallization. With different dosage of the hydrogel slices (HGS) in the solution, diverse crystal morphologies can be obtained in an efficient manner, such as “flower,” “sphere,” “sticky spheres,” which entirely distinguishes from the one prepared via no‐HGS. This work explores a new path for revealing the relevant crystallization mechanism and developing crystal morphology control technology with hydrogel interfacial materials.
Graphitic Carbon Nitride‐Based Materials as Catalysts for the Upgrading of Lignocellulosic Biomass‐Derived Molecules
Authors: de Almeida Ribeiro Ruan Stevan , Monteiro Ferreira Luanne Ester , Rossa Vinicius , Lima Carolina G. S. , Paixão Márcio W. , Varma Rajender S. , de Melo Lima Thiago
Published: July 2020

The use of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4)‐based catalysts in the upgrading of lignocellulosic biomass significantly contributes to the greener production of biofuels, polymer precursors, and building blocks. In recent years, several catalysts based on g‐C3N4 have been developed and applied in both photocatalyzed and non‐photocatalyzed (thermal) reactions. This Review provides an overview on the upgrading of lignocellulosic biomass deploying several compositions of g‐C3N4‐based catalysts.
Electrochemical Conversion of CO2 to CO by a Competent FeI Intermediate Bearing a Schiff Base Ligand
Authors: Bonetto Ruggero , Altieri Roberto , Tagliapietra Mirko , Barbon Antonio , Bonchio Marcella , Robert Marc , Sartorel Andrea
Published: July 2020

Iron complexes with a N2O2‐type N,N′‐bis(salicylaldehyde)‐1,2‐phenylenediamine salophen ligand catalyze the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO in acetonitrile with phenol as the proton donor, giving rise to 90–99 % selectivity, faradaic efficiency up to 58 %, and turnover frequency up to 103 s−1 at an overpotential of 0.65 V. This novel class of molecular catalyst for CO2 reduction operate through a mononuclear FeI intermediate, with phenol being involved in the process with first‐order kinetics. The molecular nature of the catalyst and the low cost, easy synthesis and functionalization of the salophen ligand paves the way for catalyst engineering and optimization. Competitive electrodeposition of the coordination complex at the electrode surface results in the formation of iron‐based nanoparticles, which are active towards heterogeneous electrocatalytic processes mainly leading to proton reduction to hydrogen (faradaic efficiency up to 80 %) but also to the direct reduction of CO2 to methane with a faradaic efficiency of 1–2 %.
TWIRLS, a knowledge‐mining technology, suggests a possible mechanism for the pathological changes in the human host after coronavirus infection via ACE2
Authors: Ji Xiaoyang , Tan Wenting , Zhang Chunming , Zhai Yubo , Hsueh Yiching , Zhang Zhonghai , Zhang Chunli , Lu Yanqiu , Duan Bo , Tan Guangming , Na Renhua , Deng Guohong , Niu Gang
Published: July 2020

Faced with the current large‐scale public health emergency, collecting, sorting, and analyzing biomedical information related to the “SARS‐CoV‐2” should be done as quickly as possible to gain a global perspective, which is a basic requirement for strengthening epidemic control capacity. However, for human researchers studying viruses and hosts, the vast amount of information available cannot be processed effectively and in a timely manner, particularly if our scientific understanding is also limited, which further lowers the information processing efficiency. We present TWIRLS (Topic‐wise inference engine of massive biomedical literatures), a method that can deal with various scientific problems, such as liver cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, and so forth, which can automatically acquire, organize, and classify information. Additionally, this information can be combined with independent functional data sources to build an inference system via a machine‐based approach, which can provide relevant knowledge to help human researchers quickly establish subject cognition and to make more effective decisions. Using TWIRLS, we automatically analyzed more than three million words in more than 14,000 literature articles in only 4 hr. We found that an important regulatory factor angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) may be involved in host pathological changes on binding to the coronavirus after infection. On triggering functional changes in ACE2/AT2R, the cytokine homeostasis regulation axis becomes imbalanced via the Renin‐Angiotensin System and IP‐10, leading to a cytokine storm. Through a preliminary analysis of blood indices of COVID‐19 patients with a history of hypertension, we found that non‐ARB (Angiotensin II receptor blockers) users had more symptoms of severe illness than ARB users. This suggests ARBs could potentially be used to treat acute lung injury caused by coronavirus infection.
Preparation and evaluation of amphipathic lipopeptide‐loaded PLGA microspheres as sustained‐release system for AIDS prevention
Authors: Jin Huijuan , Chong Huihui , Zhu Yuanmei , Zhang Mengqiu , Li Xun , Bazybek Nardana , Wei Yi , Gong Fangling , He Yuxian , Ma Guanghui
Published: July 2020

At present, AIDS drugs are typical inhibitors that cannot achieve permanent effects. Therefore, the research of blocking HIV infection is essential. Especially for people in the high‐risk environment, long‐term prevention is important, because HIV can easily infect cells once the drug is interrupted. However, there is still no long‐acting AIDS prevention drug approved. Hence, the purpose of this study is to prepare a fusion inhibitor loaded poly(d, l‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres as a sustained‐release system for long‐term AIDS prevention. As the HIV membrane fusion inhibitor (LP‐98) used in this research is amphiphilic lipopeptide, W1/O/W2 double‐emulsion method was chosen, and premix membrane emulsification technique was used for controlling the uniformity of particle size. Several process parameters that can impact drug loading efficiency were summarized: the concentration of LP‐98 and PLGA, and the preparation condition of primary emulsion. Finally, the microspheres with high loading efficiency (>8%) and encapsulation efficiency (>90%) were successfully prepared under optimum conditions. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that LP‐98‐loaded microspheres were capable to continuously release for 24 days in rats. This research can promote the application of sustained‐release microspheres in AIDS prevention, and the embedding technique used in this study can also provide references for the loading of other amphipathic drugs.
Effect of offshore waves and vegetation on the sediment budget in the Virginia Coast Reserve (VA)
Authors: Nardin William , Lera Sara , Nienhuis Jaap
Published: July 2020

The potential for rapid coastline modification in the face of sea‐level rise or other stressors is alarming, since coasts are often densely populated and support valuable infrastructure. In addition to coastal submergence, nutrient‐related water pollution is a growing concern for coastal wetlands. Previous studies found that the Suspended Sediment Concentration (SSC) of coastal wetlands acts as a first‐order control of their sustainability, but SSC dynamics are poorly understood. Our study focuses on the Virginia Coast Reserve (VCR) Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site, a shallow multiple tidal inlet system in the USA. We apply numerical modelling (Delft3D‐SWAN) and subsequent analyses to determine SSC dynamics within the VCR. In particular, we consider two important controls on SSC in the system: vegetation (seagrass and salt marsh) and offshore waves. Our results show that vegetation colonies and increased wave energy lengthen water residence time. The reduction in the tidal prism decreases SSC export from the bay via tidal inlets, leading to increased sediment retention in the bay. We found that alongshore currents can enhance lagoon SSC by importing fine sediments from an adjacent inlet along the coastline. Our numerical experiments on vegetation seasonality can improve the understanding of wave climate impact on coastal bay sediment budget. Offshore waves increase sediment export from coastal bays, particularly during winter seasons with low vegetation density. Therefore, our study can help managers and stakeholders to understand how to implement restoration strategies for the VCR. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental study on vertical temperature profile of EPS external thermal insulation composite systems masonery façade fire according to JIS A 1310 method
Authors: Zhou Biao , Yoshioka Hideki , Noguchi Takafumi , Wang Kai
Published: July 2020

Thermoplastic Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) has caused serious results due to the ravages of frequent fire disasters. The fire propagation over EPS ETICS surface was observed to be very fast. High temperature threatens the safety of exterior building wall. However, vertical temperature distribution of EPS ETICS façade fire (without cavity) is not available until now. Presently, a quantitative correlation was investigated through a series of theory derivation and experiment tests, which involves vertical temperature distribution of EPS ETICS façade surface, window fire intensity, thermal parameters and fire propagation potentials of EPS ETICS specimen. The theory consists of three parts, window‐spilled fire model, thermal parameters and fire propagation index (FPI) method. In JIS A 1310 standard tests, widow fire intensity changes from 600 to 1100 kW, thermal response parameter differs from 163.9 to 276.8 kW · s2/m2 and FPI varied from 17.1 to 28.9 (m/s1/2)/(kW/m)2/3. Finally, an adequate approximation for vertical temperature in the form of a dimensionless temperature is proposed based on test results. It provides a potential correlation to obtain vertical temperature distribution prior to the intermediate‐scale test.
Inclusion of microbial inoculants with straw mulch enhances grain yields from rice fields in central China
Authors: Wang Lei , Qin Tao , Liu Tianqi , Guo Lijin , Li Chengfang , Zhai Zhongbing
Published: July 2020

Slow decomposition of crop straws under field conditions affects sowing and emergence of rice. Microbial inoculants can be used to promote crop straw decomposition for solving these problems and thus have been adopted for rice cultivation in China. However, its effect on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and grain yields remains unclear. Here, a two‐year field experiment was conducted to assess the effects of different straw returning methods (no straw, preceding crop straw mulch on the soil or incorporation into the soil, and straw mulch with microbial inoculants or straw incorporation with microbial inoculants) on GHG emissions and grain yields from rice fields in central China. Straw returning treatments significantly enhanced higher CH4 emissions by 21.1%–39.6% relative to no straw treatment, but did not affect N2O emissions. Compared with straw mulch treatments, straw incorporation treatments significantly increased higher dissolved organic C (DOC) content by 20.0%–30.4% and mcrA abundance by 28.01%–37.3%; significant relationships of CH4 emissions with DOC content and mcrA abundance were observed. These resulted in 13.2%–16.0% higher CH4 emissions under straw incorporation treatments. Straw incorporation did not affect N2O emissions relative to straw mulch due to similar mineral N contents. The application of inoculants showed no effects on CH4 and N2O emissions, whereas it significantly enhanced the grain yields by 6.0%–9.1% and thus decreased GHG intensity (GHGI) by 4.3%–11.87%. Straw mulch with decomposing inoculants treatment resulted in the lowest global warming potential (GWP) and GHGI and the highest grain yield among all straw returning treatments. Taken together, our results indicate that mulch of straws with microbial inoculants on the soil is an effective measure to achieve a balance between the mitigation of GWP and the increase in grain yields from rice fields in central China.
Implicit linearization scheme for nonstandard two‐phase flow in porous media
Authors: Kassa Abay Molla , Kumar Kundan , Gasda Sarah E. , Radu Florin A.
Published: July 2020

In this article, we consider a nonlocal (in time) two‐phase flow model. The nonlocality is introduced through the wettability alteration induced dynamic capillary pressure function. We present a monotone fixed‐point iterative linearization scheme for the resulting nonstandard model. The scheme treats the dynamic capillary pressure functions semiimplicitly and introduces an L‐scheme type stabilization term in the pressure as well as the transport equations. We prove the convergence of the proposed scheme theoretically under physically acceptable assumptions, and verify the theoretical analysis with numerical simulations. The scheme is implemented and tested for a variety of reservoir heterogeneities in addition to the dynamic change of the capillary pressure function. The proposed scheme satisfies the predefined stopping criterion within a few number of iterations. We also compared the performance of the proposed scheme against the iterative implicit pressure explicit saturation scheme.
Sunshine duration data in San Fernando (South of Spain) during 1880s: The impact of Krakatoa volcanic eruption
Authors: Obregón María Angeles , Gallego María Cruz , Antón Manuel , Vaquero José Manuel
Published: July 2020

This article presents the evolution of daily sunshine duration (SD) records at the San Fernando Observatory, a coastal place located in southern Iberian Peninsula, during the period 1881–1890. This period is of great interest because in August 1883, the Krakatoa volcano erupted injecting into the stratosphere large amount of gases and solid aerosol particles. The analysis of these daily SD records shows a considerable reduction in the maximum values of each month from the year 1883, obtaining the minimum values in 1884. In addition, the annual SD values in San Fernando fell around 400–500 hr/year during several years after the eruption. This strong reduction in SD records may be mainly associated with the scattering effects of the injected particles to the atmosphere which remains there for a long time. It must be noted that the signal of the Krakatoa eruption over the SD and, therefore, over the incoming solar radiation is extremely complicated to register due to the limited number of sites with records extending back into the 19th century worldwide. To our knowledge, the results shown in this work are the first evidence of the 1883 Krakatoa eruption effects over SD records.
Dietary fat exacerbates postprandial hypothalamic inflammation involving glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive cells and microglia in male mice
Authors: Cansell Céline , Stobbe Katharina , Sanchez Clara , Le Thuc Ophélia , Mosser Coralie‐Anne , Ben‐Fradj Selma , Leredde Joris , Lebeaupin Cynthia , Debayle Delphine , Fleuriot Lucile , Brau Frédéric , Devaux Nadège , Benani Alexandre , Audinat Etienne , Blondeau Nicolas , Nahon Jean‐Louis , Rovère Carole
Published: July 2020

In humans, obesity is associated with brain inflammation, glial reactivity, and immune cells infiltration. Studies in rodents have shown that glial reactivity occurs within 24 hr of high‐fat diet (HFD) consumption, long before obesity development, and takes place mainly in the hypothalamus (HT), a crucial brain structure for controlling body weight. Here, we sought to characterize the postprandial HT inflammatory response to 1, 3, and 6 hr of exposure to either a standard diet (SD) or HFD. HFD exposure increased gene expression of astrocyte and microglial markers (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP] and Iba1, respectively) compared to SD‐treated mice and induced morphological modifications of microglial cells in HT. This remodeling was associated with higher expression of inflammatory genes and differential regulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides involved in energy balance regulation. DREADD and PLX5622 technologies, used to modulate GFAP‐positive or microglial cells activity, respectively, showed that both glial cell types are involved in hypothalamic postprandial inflammation, with their own specific kinetics and reactiveness to ingested foods. Thus, recurrent exacerbated postprandial inflammation in the brain might promote obesity and needs to be characterized to address this worldwide crisis.
Different brain profiles in children with prenatal alcohol exposure with or without early adverse exposures
Authors: Andre Quinn R. , McMorris Carly A. , Kar Preeti , Ritter Chantel , Gibbard W. Ben , Tortorelli Christina , Lebel Catherine
Published: July 2020

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can alter brain development and impact mental health outcomes, and often occurs in conjunction with postnatal adversity (e.g., maltreatment). However, it is unclear how postnatal adverse exposures may moderate mental health and brain outcomes in children with PAE. T1‐weighted and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging were obtained from 66 participants aged 7–16 years. Twenty‐one participants had PAE and adverse postnatal exposures (PAE+), 12 had PAE without adverse postnatal exposures (PAE−), and 33 were age‐ and gender‐matched controls unexposed to either prenatal alcohol or postnatal adversity. Internalizing and externalizing mental health symptoms were assessed using the Behavioral Assessment System for Children II, Parent‐Rating Scale. ANCOVAs were used to compare mental health symptoms, limbic and prefrontal cortical volumes, and diffusion parameters of cortico‐limbic white matter tracts between groups, and to assess brain‐mental health relationships. Both PAE groups had worse externalizing behavior (higher scores) than controls. The PAE− group had lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the bilateral cingulum and left uncinate fasciculus, and smaller volumes in the left anterior cingulate cortex than controls and the PAE+ group. The PAE− group also had higher mean diffusivity (MD) in the left uncinate than the PAE+ group, and smaller right anterior cingulate and superior frontal gyrus volumes than controls. These findings show different brain structure and mental health symptom profiles in children with PAE with and without postnatal adversity, highlighting the need to consider adverse postnatal exposures in individuals with PAE.
Strategic white matter injury associated with long‐term information processing speed deficits in mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Bai Lijun , Bai Guanghui , Wang Shan , Yang Xuefei , Gan Shuoqiu , Jia Xiaoyan , Yin Bo , Yan Zhihan
Published: July 2020

Deficits in information processing speed (IPS) are among the earliest and most prominent cognitive manifestations in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). We investigated the impact of white matter fiber location on IPS outcome in an individual basis assessment. A total of 112 acute mild TBI with all CT negative underwent brain DTI and blood sampling for inflammation cytokines within 7 days postinjury and 72 age‐ and sex matched healthy controls with same assessments were enrolled. IPS outcome was assessed by the trail making test at 6–12 month postinjury in mild TBI. Fractional anisotropy (FA) features were extracted using a novel lesion‐load analytical strategy to capture spatially heterogeneous white matter injuries and minimize implicit assumptions of uniform injury across diverse clinical presentations. Acute mild TBI exhibited a general pattern of increased and decreased FA in specific white matter tracts. The power of acute FA measures to identify patients developing IPS deficits with 92% accuracy and further improved to 96% accuracy by adding inflammation cytokines. The classifiers predicted individual's IPS and working memory ratings (r = .74 and .80, respectively, p < .001). The thalamo‐cortical circuits and commissural tracts projecting or connecting frontal regions became important predictors. This prognostic model was also verified by an independent replicate sample. Our findings highlighted damage to frontal interhemispheric and thalamic projection fiber tracts harboring frontal‐subcortical neuronal circuits as a predictor for processing speed performance in mild TBI.
Germline pathogenic variant spectrum in 25 cancer susceptibility genes in Turkish breast and colorectal cancer patients and elderly controls
Authors: Akcay Izzet Mehmet , Celik Elifnaz , Agaoglu Nihat Bugra , Alkurt Gizem , Kizilboga Akgun Tugba , Yildiz Jale , Enc Feruze , Kir Gozde , Canbek Sezin , Kilic Ali , Zemheri Ebru , Ezberci Fikret , Ozcelik Melike , Dinler Doganay Gizem , Doganay Levent
Published: July 2020

Inherited pathogenic variants account for 5% to 10% of all breast cancer (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) cases. Here, we sought to profile the pathogenic variants in 25 cancer susceptibility genes in Turkish population. Germline pathogenic variants were screened in 732 BC patients, 189 CRC patients and 490 cancer‐free elderly controls, using next‐generation sequencing‐based multigene panel testing and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification testing. Pathogenic variants were detected in 17.2% of high‐risk BC patients and 26.4% of high‐risk CRC patients. More than 95% of these variants were clinically actionable. BRCA1/2 and mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6) accounted for two‐thirds of all pathogenic variants detected in high‐risk BC and CRC patients, respectively. Pathogenic variants in PALB2, CHEK2, ATM and TP53 were also prevalent in high‐risk BC patients (4.5%). BRCA1 exons 17‐18 deletion and CHEK2 c.592+3A>T were the most common variants predisposing to BC, and they are likely to be founder variants. Three frequent MUTYH pathogenic variants (c.884C>T, c.1437_1439delGGA and c.1187G>A) were responsible for all MUTYH biallelic cases (4.4% of high‐risk CRC patients). The total pathogenic variant frequency was very low in controls (2.4%) and in low‐risk BC (3.9%) and CRC (6.1%) patients. Our study depicts the pathogenic variant spectrum and prevalence in Turkish BC and CRC patients, guiding clinicians and health authorities for genetic testing applications and variant classification in Turkish population.
Pre‐gestational diabetes during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Bergamo, Italy
Authors: Dodesini Alessandro Roberto , Galliani Silvia , Ciriello Elena , Bellante Rosalia , Trevisan Roberto
Published: July 2020

Effective enforcement of lockdown measures, use of technology, and implementation of telemedicine may have significantly reduced the number of diabetic pregnant women who tested positive for COVID‐19 in Bergamo, Italy.
Attachment and stress regulation in socioeconomically disadvantaged children: Can public childcare compensate?
Authors: Eckstein‐Madry Tina , Piskernik Bernhard , Ahnert Lieselotte
Published: July 2020

Children growing up in families experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage (SED) are at greater risk for deficits in attachment and stress regulation as compared to peers in families with more socioeconomic resources. The present study hypothesized that care providers in out‐of‐home care might help these children to compensate. We therefore investigated 60 children (n = 30 from SED, n = 30 matched counterparts from middle class) and assessed children's Attachment Q‐Sort (AQS) toward the mother and the primary care provider in childcare centers. Moreover, children's diurnal cortisol rhythm was measured based on 12 saliva samples taken across three days a week.

The disadvantaged children showed lower AQS scores with their mothers than their care providers. Compared to their counterparts, disadvantaged children also displayed heightened cortisol release and flatter cortisol profiles reflecting overall high hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenocortical activities and lower capacities to regulate stress. Most notably however, multilevel path modeling linked higher care provider AQS scores to decreasing cortisol release throughout the week.
Progress in wearable electronics/photonics—Moving toward the era of artificial intelligence and internet of things
Authors: Shi Qiongfeng , Dong Bowei , He Tianyiyi , Sun Zhongda , Zhu Jianxiong , Zhang Zixuan , Lee Chengkuo
Published: July 2020

The past few years have witnessed the significant impacts of wearable electronics/photonics on various aspects of our daily life, for example, healthcare monitoring and treatment, ambient monitoring, soft robotics, prosthetics, flexible display, communication, human‐machine interactions, and so on. According to the development in recent years, the next‐generation wearable electronics and photonics are advancing rapidly toward the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT), to achieve a higher level of comfort, convenience, connection, and intelligence. Herein, this review provides an opportune overview of the recent progress in wearable electronics, photonics, and systems, in terms of emerging materials, transducing mechanisms, structural configurations, applications, and their further integration with other technologies. First, development of general wearable electronics and photonics is summarized for the applications of physical sensing, chemical sensing, human‐machine interaction, display, communication, and so on. Then self‐sustainable wearable electronics/photonics and systems are discussed based on system integration with energy harvesting and storage technologies. Next, technology fusion of wearable systems and AI is reviewed, showing the emergence and rapid development of intelligent/smart systems. In the last section of this review, perspectives about the future development trends of the next‐generation wearable electronics/photonics are provided, that is, toward multifunctional, self‐sustainable, and intelligent wearable systems in the AI/IoT era.

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Mobile edge computation induced caching strategy for huge online education with college teachers and students
Authors: Du Baiquan
Published: July 2020

Via wireless network, mobile edge computation (MEC) provides computation ability to make user feel better. However, caching strategy restricts the performance of MEC. For instance, MEC requires to decide which course should be cached in huge asynchronous online education with college teachers and students. In order to solve the caching problem in asynchronous online education, we put the computation ability to network edge, then make the access points can analysis independently. In access points, we use a reduced support vector regression (rSVR) model to predict the popularity of local data. The popularity is used to improve the hit rate of the caching files. The rSVR model is learnt offline. Different SVR, rSVR is learnt on a small retained subset. Thus, learning rSVR is much faster and the rSVR's model is smaller than SVR's, which is helpful to improve the caching process. A real‐world asynchronous online learning dataset is used to verify effectiveness of our framework. The experimental results show that rSVR predicts popularity for local data is better than previous ones and our caching framework only requires near 50% storage space to maintain the same cache hit rate.
Pro‐inflammatory role of cell‐free mitochondrial DNA in cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Nie Shu , Lu Junying , Wang Lina , Gao Man
Published: July 2020

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of CVD. Circulating cell‐free mitochondrial DNA (ccf‐mtDNA) is that mtDNA fragments are released outside the cell and into the circulation by cell necrosis and secretion. The levels of ccf‐mtDNA are increased in CVD and associated risk conditions, including hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, and arterial hypertension. MtDNA containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and can trigger inflammation that aggravates tissue injury by activating toll‐like receptor 9, inflammasomes, and the stimulator of interferon genes pathway. Here, we review the expanding field of ccf‐mtDNA‐mediated inflammation and its role in the progression of CVD.
Theoretical study on endocrine disrupting effects of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins using molecular docking simulation
Authors: Akinola Lukman K. , Uzairu Adamu , Shallangwa Gideon A. , Abechi Stephen E.
Published: July 2020

Polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs) are hypothesized to exert their toxic effects in wildlife and humans via endocrine disruption. However, very scanty information is available on the underlying molecular interactions that trigger this disruption. In this study, molecular docking simulation was used to predict the susceptibility of 12 nuclear receptors to disruption via PCDD bindings. Findings revealed that androgen (AR and AR an), estrogen (ER α and ER β), glucocorticoid (GR) and thyroid hormone (TR α and TR β) receptors are the most probable protein targets that bind to PCDDs. Further molecular docking analyses showed that PCDD molecules mimic the modes of interaction observed for the co‐crystallized ligands of the affected receptors, resulting in the formation of ligand‐receptor complexes that were stabilized through electrostatic, van der Waals, pi‐effect and hydrophobic interactions with 18, 17, 17, 16, 18, eight and four amino acid residues in the active sites of AR, AR an, ER α, ER β, GR, TR α and TR β respectively. The commonalities of these interacting amino acid residues with those utilized by dihydrotestosterone in AR, bicalutamide in AR an, 17β‐estradiol in ER α, 17β‐estradiol in ER β, cortisol in GR, thyromimetic GC‐1 in TR α and thyromimetic GC‐1 in TR β are 86%, 74%, 94%, 80%, 82%, 50% and 43% respectively. The results obtained in this study provide supporting evidence that PCDD molecules may interfere with the endocrine system via binding interactions with some vital amino acid residues in the binding pockets of AR, ERs, GRs and TRs.