bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One‐ and Two‐Photon Phototherapeutic Effects of RuII Polypyridine Complexes in the Hypoxic Centre of Large Multicellular Tumor Spheroids and Tumor‐Bearing Mice**
Authors: Karges Johannes , Kuang Shi , Ong Yih Ching , Chao Hui , Gasser Gilles
Published: July 2020

During the last decades, photodynamic therapy (PDT), an approved medical technique, has received increasing attention to treat certain types of cancer. Despite recent improvements, the treatment of large tumors remains a major clinical challenge due to the low ability of the photosensitizer (PS) to penetrate a 3D cellular architecture and the low oxygen concentrations present in the tumor center. To mimic the conditions found in clinical tumors, exceptionally large 3D multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs) with a diameter of 800 μm were used in this work to test a series of new RuII polypyridine complexes as one‐photon and two‐photon PSs. These metal complexes were found to fully penetrate the 3D cellular architecture and to generate singlet oxygen in the hypoxic center upon light irradiation. While having no observed dark toxicity, the lead compound of this study showed an impressive phototoxicity upon clinically relevant one‐photon (595 nm) or two‐photon (800 nm) excitation with a full eradication of the hypoxic center of the MCTSs. Importantly, this efficacy was also demonstrated on mice bearing an adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial tumor.
Toward autothermal and hydrogen‐producing sorbent regeneration for calcium‐looping
Authors: Ebneyamini Arian , Grace John , Ellis Naoko , Lim Choon Jim
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a simulation study on the kinetic performance of combined methane combustion, steam/dry reforming, and limestone calcination for autothermal, hydrogen‐producing, and rapid sorbent regeneration in turbulent fluidized bed reactors. The effects of key operational factors are investigated at reactor pressures of 1 bar to 5 bars, including reactor temperature, CaCO3/total gas molar feed ratio, and sorbent residence time. The results are compared to those for conventional steam calciners, demonstrating the potential for superior performance of this novel sorbent regeneration technology under certain circumstances. A simple, but effective, design methodology is then suggested to determine the proper range of operating conditions and/or reactor dimensions for limestone calcination using this process.
Pharmacokinetics and Safety of the Selective Progesterone Receptor Modulator Vilaprisan in Chinese Healthy Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Liu Hongzhong , Jiang Ji , Chen Zhaozhao , Zhang Yunhui , Li Jinyi , Hoechel Joachim , Rohde Beate , Zimmermann Torsten , Schultze‐Mosgau Marcus‐Hillert
Published: July 2020

Vilaprisan is a novel selective progesterone receptor modulator for the long‐term treatment of uterine fibroids and endometriosis. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of vilaprisan in healthy Chinese postmenopausal women. Twelve participants received multiple doses of vilaprisan once daily over 14 days as a 2‐mg tablet. Plasma vilaprisan concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of vilaprisan were assessed with noncompartmental analysis, including maximum observed concentration (Cmax), systemic exposure (area under the plasma concentration–time curve), time to reach Cmax and terminal half‐life. Safety assessments include the documentation of adverse events, measurement of clinical/anthropometric parameters and vital signs, electrocardiogram, and physical and gynecologic examination. The participants had a mean age of 53.3 (± 4.2) years and a body mass index of 23.8 ± 2.8 kg/m2. Median time to reach Cmax was 1.5 hours after both single and multiple vilaprisan administration. Mean Cmax values obtained after multiple dosing (23.3 μg/L [standard deviation (SD) = 6.73]) were 1.92‐fold (SD = 0.554) higher compared to single dosing (12.5 μg/L [SD = 3.04]). Mean area under the plasma concentration–time curve in the dosing interval increased with an accumulation factor of 2.98 (SD = 0.767) between single (91.3 μg · h/L [SD = 20.4]) and multiple dosing (276 μg · h/L [SD = 109]). The mean terminal half‐life of vilaprisan was 44.5 hours (SD = 10.3) after multiple dosing. Mild to moderate adverse events were observed similar to previous studies. Overall, daily oral administration of the therapeutic dose of 2 mg of vilaprisan over 14 days was safe and well tolerated by all participants.
Accurate Modelling of Group Electrostatic Potential and Distributed Polarizability in Dipeptides
Authors: Jabłuszewska Angelika , Krawczuk Anna , Dos Santos Leonardo H. R. , Macchi Piero
Published: July 2020

Within the scope of accurate structure‐property correlations in biomolecules, this work investigates how conformations and electronic configurations of biologically relevant macromolecules affect their intermolecular potentials. With the purpose of testing the suitability of a simple and universal model, the dipeptides are made from the assembly of their building blocks, namely the amino acid residuals or, more finely tuned, the individual functional groups. The model makes use of functional‐group electrostatic potentials (GEP) and distributed polarizabilities (GDP), which enable an in depth analysis of the correlation between structural features and property build‐up. GEPs and GDPs are calculated for various conformers and protonation states of L‐alanyl‐L‐alanine, glycyl‐L‐alanine, L‐alanylglycine, and glycylglycine, which are prototypic molecules to model the pertinent functional groups. The model provides GEPs that reproduce the exact potential to an average accuracy of ca. 0.05 au. The good agreement between the properties estimated with the simple model and those calculated with state‐of‐the‐art quantum chemical methods encourages further testing of the predictive power of this model, simulating for example interaction energies and optoelectronic properties.
Ni, Ti, and NiTi laser ablation in vacuum and in water to deposit thin films or to generate nanoparticles in solution
Authors: Torrisi Lorenzo , Torrisi Alfio
Published: July 2020

An ns Nd:YAG pulsed laser was used to deposit thin films in a vacuum and to generate nanoparticles in the water of Ni, Ti, and NiTi alloys. Laser ablation was measured in terms of removing mass per laser pulse. The laser‐generated plasma in vacuum was characterized in terms of temperature and energy of emitted particles. The ablation in water produces nanoparticles with dimensions of the order of 25 nm and solutions with concentrations of the order of some mg/ml. The NiTi alloy stoichiometry is well reported in the deposited thin film and in the composition of the produced nanoparticles.
Differential and dynamic water regulation responses to El Niño for monospecific and mixed species planted forests
Authors: Sinacore Katherine , Asbjornsen Heidi , Hernandez‐Santana Virginia , Hall Jefferson S.
Published: July 2020

Many tropical planted forests are being subjected to drier conditions due to climate change, but the interaction between drought and species diversity on species' response to drought is poorly understood. We took advantage of a historic El Niño drought in Central Panama to test drought responses of two species—Terminalia amazonia and Dalbergia retusa—in simplified, planted forests. We asked whether and how species adjust strategies when grown in monocultures and mixtures with reduced precipitation. We collected sap flux density, volumetric water content, litterfall, leaf physiology traits and leaf water potential before and during the drought. The main drivers of sap flux density (Js) in monocultures and mixtures changed from radiation, vapour pressure deficit (VPD) and air temperature to volumetric water content or precipitation towards the end of the drought. The exception was for D. retusa in the mixtures, where VPD was the main driver (0.73–0.77) of Js during the normal year and switched to precipitation during the drought year (0.47–0.72). Increasing VPD led to increases in Js until air temperature exceeded 32°C, at which point Js declined for D. retusa and stabilized for T. amazonia. T. amazonia's litterfall doubled during the drought, whereas D. retusa's litterfall peaked at the start of the dry seasons and was unaffected by the drought. D. retusa, however, delayed leaf flush until the drought ended, whereas T. amazonia transitioned through a series of water‐conserving strategies until prematurely shedding leaves prior to the peak of the drought.
Role of climatic factors in the incidence of Takotsubo syndrome: A nationwide study from 2012 to 2016
Authors: Kanaoka Koshiro , Okayama Satoshi , Terasaki Satoshi , Nakano Tomoya , Ishii Masanobu , Nakai Michikazu , Onoue Kenji , Nishimura Kunihiro , Yasuda Satoshi , Tsujita Kenichi , Kawakami Rika , Miyamoto Yoshihiro , Tsutsui Hiroyuki , Komuro Issei , Ogawa Hisao , Saito Yoshihiko
Published: July 2020

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the influence of climatic factors on the onset of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS).

Methods and results

We performed a retrospective nationwide study among patients registered in the Japanese Registry of All Cardiac and Vascular Diseases and Diagnosis Procedure Combination (JROAD–DPC) discharge database, between 2012 and 2016. Before the analysis, a multicentre validation study was conducted for assessing the accuracy of the JROAD–DPC classification for TTS. First, we investigated the seasonal variation of incidences of TTS. Second, we analysed the associations between the incidence of TTS and climatic factors using the hierarchical Poisson regression modelling, and we also investigated the associations between typhoon landfalls and hospitalization for TTS, using the fixed‐effects conditional Poisson regression model. The sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis were 83% and 100%, respectively. Then we analysed 5643 patients with TTS. The mean patient age was 74 (standard deviation ± 11) years; 79% were female. TTS was diagnosed significantly more frequently in the summer and early autumn. The incidence of TTS was related to higher temperatures; adjusted incidence rate ratios were 1.46 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33–1.60, P < 0.01] and 1.47 (95% CI: 1.34–1.62, P < 0.01) for temperatures of 20–25°C and >25°C, respectively. The incidence rate ratio for the first 2 days after a typhoon landfall was 1.85 (95% CI: 1.07–3.19; P = 0.03).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates distinct patterns of seasonal variation in the incidence of TTS, as well as a significant association between its onset and climatic factors, including typhoon landfalls.
Aromatic β‐Diketone as a Novel Anchoring Ligand in Iridium(III) Complexes for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Bezzubov Stanislav I. , Zharinova Irina S. , Khusyainova Alfiya A. , Kiselev Yuri M. , Taydakov Ilya V. , Varaksina Evgenia A. , Metlin Mikhail T. , Tobohova Aiyyna S. , Korshunov Vladislav M. , Kozyukhin Sergei A. , Dolzhenko Vladimir D.
Published: July 2020

A novel β‐diketone ligand bearing a thiophene moiety and an anchoring Ph‐COOCH3 unit has been designed, prepared and used in synthesis of cyclometalated benzimidazole‐based iridium(III) complexes for application in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The replacement of traditional 4,4'‐dicarboxy‐2,2'‐bipyridine by this aromatic β‐diketone results in excellent tuning the redox potentials and excited state properties of these IrIII complexes, one of which exhibits good efficiency when used as a dye in DSSC. All the complexes demonstrate reversible redox behavior, with oxidation potentials (Ir4+/Ir3+) strongly depending on the electron‐donor/withdrawing nature of the substituents in the cyclometalated ligands. Surprisingly, the latter has just a little effect on their luminescence spectra, in which structured emission bands are observed. Time‐resolved spectroscopic studies in combination with DFT calculations show that the complexes emit light by mixed 3MLCT–3LC excited states predominantly composed of the diketone ligand‐centered triplet state.
Leveraging mist and fog for big data analytics in IoT environment
Authors: El‐Hasnony Ibrahim M. , Mostafa Reham R. , Elhoseny Mohamed , Barakat Sherif I.
Published: July 2020

Internet of Things (IoT) emerged as one of the leading technological advancements of our days. IoT generates enormous quantities of valuable data that need on time processing, resulting in reliable, and accurate decisions based on the Internet of Things vision. The quality of the generated data is inadequate, incomplete, uncertain, and produced from multiple sources. Although cloud servers can analyze and store enormous data, they need a lot of time to send full‐size data for storage and analysis as well as the high overhead they have that not satisfactory in many applications. This article provides a systematic way to review the IoT environment according to big data analytics together with limitations and challenges. Moreover, a cloud‐fog‐mist combination for handling IoT data concerning centralized and distributed data mining is explained. A proposed hybrid real‐time remote patient monitoring framework introduced that consists of the integration among the mist, fog, and cloud for healthcare treatment, which remote‐monitors patients continuously. In addition, Reduced‐Error Pruning tree (REPtree), MultiLayer Perceptron, naïve Bayes, and Sequential Minimal Optimization algorithms have applied to “Gas sensors for home activity monitoring” dataset to demonstrate the feasibility of traditional data mining algorithms to IoT data. The results showed that the REPtree algorithm achieved better accuracy against others with accuracy ranged between 90.66% and 93.6% according to the size of the data used in the study. Still, for the time metric, naive Bayes outperformed them with the lowest time between 1 and 18 seconds for building the model.
How many sea scallops are there and why does it matter?
Authors: Stokesbury Kevin DE , Bethoney N David
Published: July 2020

Oceanic conditions along the Atlantic Coast of North America are changing rapidly. Surface water temperatures in the Gulf of Maine have increased faster than 99% of the global oceans, and major infrastructure projects, including the largest windfarm in the world, are under development along this seaboard. In Canada and the US, the Atlantic sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) supports lucrative fisheries, which were originally founded on an extensive scientific framework focusing on stock assessment. The sea scallop is an ideal sentinel species, as it is highly sensitive to changes in marine conditions. We used a drop camera system to estimate the number and size of scallops, as well as the distribution of their reproductive potential, over 70,000 km2 of the continental shelf in 2016–2018, an area that nearly covers the entire range of this species. In total, we estimated that there were 34 billion individual scallops (95% confidence limits: 22–46 billion) within the species’ range. In this paper, we examine the role of the sea scallop as a baseline sentinel species that can be used to measure the impacts of environmental change and anthropogenic developments.
Jurassic continental coal accumulation linked to changes in palaeoclimate and tectonics in a fault‐depression superimposed basin, Qaidam Basin, NW China
Authors: Lu Jing , Zhou Kai , Yang Minfang , Shao Longyi
Published: July 2020

The Middle Jurassic Aalenian–Bajocian stages represent the tectonic transition period for the group of Jurassic sedimentary basins in northwestern China and include accumulation of the most important recoverable coal seams. Geological data from borehole cores, well loggings and rock‐mineral determination in the Aalenian to Bajocian‐aged Dameigou Formation in the Yuqia coalfield, Northern Qaidam Basin were employed to unveil the relationship between coal accumulation and changes in palaeoclimates and provenance tectonic activity. The results identify six kinds of lithofacies from fluvial and lacustrine sedimentary systems, and allow the Dameigou Formation to be divided into two third‐order sequences (SIII1–SIII2) and their corresponding system tracts by regional unconformity surfaces, forced regression surfaces and their correlative conformity surfaces, and the abrupt shift surfaces of depositional facies. The main coals, the #7 and #6 seams, were deposited in a lake and swamp environments during lake transgression system tracts of SIII1 and SIII2, respectively. The varying trend of the Tectonic Index values indicate that the source area experienced strong tectonic activity from the SIII1 to the lowstand system tract of SIII2, and then gradually stabilized. The Mineral Alteration Index reveals that the climate during SIII1 was from dry‐hot to humid‐warm, and there is a climate cycle from dry‐hot to humid‐warm then a return to dry‐hot in SIII2. During the faulting stage, the occurrence and termination of coal accumulation was in response to weakening and strengthening periods of tectonic activity respectively, while during the depression stage it was in response to the humid‐warm and dry‐hot climate respectively.
A kernel fuzzy twin SVM model for early warning systems of extreme financial risks
Authors: Huang Xun , Guo Fanyong
Published: July 2020

It is an important component of risk management in financial markets to develop an early warning systems (EWS) for extreme financial risk. In this paper, we establish a novel EWS called kernel fuzzy twin support vector machine (KFT‐SVM). Unlike T‐SVM, KFT‐SVM can deal with the noises and outliners in dataset and the fuzzy dataset with a lot of potential uncertain but important factors in financial markets by introducing the fuzzy approach. More importantly, the introduced kernel method can aid the fuzzy approach to achieve more valuable fuzzy memberships by transporting dataset from the input space to the kernel space and further improve the generalization performance of T‐SVM. Computational comparisons of KFT‐SVM against SVM, T‐SVM and FT‐SVM indicate the significant superiority of our proposed KFT‐SVM. Furthermore, we have investigated the favourable ability of KFT‐SVM for overcoming the class imbalance problem by comparison with that combined with the resampling method of the synthetic minority over‐sampling technique (SMOTE). The experimental result shows that our proposed KFT‐SVM can effectively overcome the class imbalance problem.
Estimating expected shortfall using a quantile function model
Authors: Cai Yuzhi
Published: July 2020

Distribution of financial returns defined by the existing GARCH models usually focus on the overall features such as the location, scale, skewness and kurtosis of the distribution. When using such GARCH models for expected shortfall (ES) estimation, it is difficult to consider specific information about the tails (such as the shape of the tails of the distribution), resulting in possible bias in ES estimation. We propose a quantile function threshold GARCH model to overcome some of the limitations of existing models. The model allows us to use the information including the skewness and tail shape of the distribution and the structure changes in the volatility of financial returns to obtain ES estimates. Our results show that the proposed model outperforms the benchmark models, confirming that tail shape of the distribution also plays an important role in ES estimation.
High‐frequency trading order cancellations and market quality: Is stricter regulation the answer?
Authors: Manahov Viktor
Published: July 2020

High‐frequency traders (HFTs) frequently submit, cancel and resubmit trading orders in an attempt to stay in front of the queue. This study shows that HFTs cancel a large number of limit orders within 50 ms in order to create arbitrage opportunities in the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). We find that HFTs generate substantial profits after transaction costs and are capable of extending their strong profitability generating record in the future. Our empirical results indicate that institutional investors lacking speed are more likely to experience higher execution costs. We propose the introduction of batch auctions, one per 50 ms of trading, to impose a queuing risk for HFTs leading to positive market quality effects.
Detection of types of HPV among HIV‐infected and HIV‐uninfected Kenyan women undergoing cryotherapy or loop electrosurgical excision procedure
Authors: Orang’o Elkanah O. , Emont Jordan P. , Ermel Aaron C. , Liu Tao , Omodi Victor , Tong Yan , Itsura Peter M. , Tonui Philip K. , Maina Titus , Ong’echa John M. , Muthoka Kapten , Kiptoo Stephen , Moormann Ann , Hogan Joseph , Loehrer Patrick J. , Brown Darron , Cu‐Uvin Susan
Published: July 2020

Objective

To assess the baseline types of HPV infection among HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative women in western Kenya undergoing cryotherapy or loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted of baseline HPV characteristics of women undergoing visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and cryotherapy or LEEP. After a positive VIA in HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative women, data on demographics, CD4 count, and use of antiretroviral therapy and a cervical swab were collected. HPV typing was performed using the Roche Linear Array.

Results

Of 175 participants, 86 (49.1%) were HIV‐positive and had a higher prevalence of low‐risk HPV types (odds ratio [OR] 5.28, P=0.005) compared with HIV‐negative women. The most common high‐risk (HR)‐HPV types in HIV‐positive women were HPV 16 (13.9%) and HPV 18 (11.1%). HIV‐positive women requiring LEEP were more likely to have HR‐HPV types (OR 6.67, P=0.012) and to be infected with multiple HR‐HPV types (OR 7.79, P=0.024) compared to those undergoing cryotherapy.

Conclusion

HIV‐positive women requiring LEEP versus cryotherapy had a higher prevalence of any HR‐HPV type and multiple HR‐HPV types. There were no such differences in HPV types identified among HIV‐negative women.
Value‐added weather advisories for small‐scale farmers in South Africa delivered via mobile apps*
Authors: Walker Sue
Published: July 2020

Maize, the staple crop of Southern Africa, is dependent on the highly variable summer rainfall, especially the start of the rainy season. Every growing season, farmers decide about when to plant their crops. Agrometeorologists use climate and weather information to assist such decisions and engage farmers and other stakeholders to fill gaps in the relevant information. Modern electronic communication technologies can distribute real‐time information pertinent to the farmers' current situation. The Rain for Africa consortium developed a mobile phone app, AgriCloud, giving updated information on a daily basis to extensionists and small‐scale farmers. AgriCloud advisories are for a specific location in a selected local language on an android phone. AgriCloud has enabled farmers to use rainfall in a more sustainable way as they plan land preparation and planting according to weather forecasts for their own farm. Advantages are that users eagerly obtain daily updates with farming‐relevant advice, in their own local language on their own phone in their hands. AgriCloud includes the unique aspect of crowdsourcing to collect qualitative weather observations from users. AgriCloud mobile app is used to access integrated information from current short‐term forecasts regarding maize planting recommendations by farmers for their specific farm location.
Laboratory investigation of the discharge coefficient of triangular labyrinth weirs with and without slots and comparing them with piano key weirs*
Authors: Ariyamanesh Atiye , Heidarnejad Mohammad
Published: July 2020

With an increase of the length of a crest in a given width, labyrinth weirs lead to an increase in flow transition capacity over the weir. This study was performed on a laboratory flume with a length of 12.5 m, width of 0.3 m and a height of 0.4 m, using triangular labyrinth weirs (with and without slots), each having single‐ and two‐cycle models. First, their hydraulic performance was examined, and then it was compared with that of a piano key weir (single‐cycle, two‐cycle). The results showed that the increase in crest length through a slot in single‐ and two‐cycle weirs cannot be an effective factor. The presence of a slot in single‐ and two‐cycle triangular weirs led to a decrease in the discharge coefficient of these weirs up to 35 and 33% respectively, compared to weirs without any slot. This is due to energy loss, local submergence and flow interference in the nose slot even at low flows. However, the flow's index weir (triangular weir slot, one slot) compared to single‐ and two‐cycle piano key weirs dropped by 40 and 26% respectively.
Response to comment on “genetic variants and source of introduction of SARS‐CoV‐2 in South America”
Authors: Poterico Julio A. , Mestanza Orson
Published: July 2020

During a pandemic, science needs data to generate helpful evidence, and researchers assume this responsibility despite the risk of potential bias. This is the response to the comment made by Pedro Romero, who argued that our manuscript did not use reassembling and mapping strategies for corroborating mutations, and lacked bootstrap support in the phylogenetic analysis.
CNTFETbased classABcurrent conveyorII: Design, analysis and waveform generator applications
Authors: Jogad Seema , Loan Sajad A. , Afzal Neelofer , Alharbi Abdullah G.
Published: July 2020

In this work, we design and simulate a new class AB second generation current conveyor (CCII) employing 32 nm technology node carbon nanotube field effect transistors (CNTFET). The performance of the proposed CNTFET based class AB CCII (CNTFET‐CCII) has been optimized by altering the number of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (N), CNT pitch (S), and CNT diameter (DCNT). The proposed CCII has been compared with the conventional CMOS‐based class AB CCII (CMOS‐CCII). The simulation study has revealed that in the proposed CCII, the voltage and current bandwidth (BW) have enhanced by two orders, terminal X resistance is ~31% less, Y resistance has increased by two orders, total harmonic distortion and power consumption have got reduced by ~62% and ~56% respectively in comparison to the conventional CMOS‐CCII. The proposed CNTFET‐CCII has been used to realize square/triangular waveform generators for the first time. It has been observed that the proposed CCII‐based waveform generators give distortion less output and temperature insensitive behavior with a very wide frequency range from ~161 KHz down to 0.79 Hz. Furthermore, seven times reduced power is achieved in the proposed CCII‐based waveform generator in comparison the conventional CMOS‐based wave generator.
Mid‐latitude leading double‐dip La Niña
Authors: Park Jae‐Heung , An Soon‐Il , Kug Jong‐Seong , Yang Young‐Min , Li Tim , Jo Hyun‐Su
Published: July 2020

Understanding the evolution asymmetry between El Niño and La Niña events is challenging. Unlike El Niño, most La Niña events are characterised by a double‐dip cooling (a.k.a. multi‐year La Niña). Herein, we examined how single‐ and multi‐year La Niña events differ by analysing observational and climate‐model data sets. Single‐year La Niña events tend to develop narrowly within the tropics from a central Pacific‐type El Niño (Niño‐4 > Niño‐3), whereas multi‐year La Niña events tend to originate from an eastern Pacific‐type El Niño (Niño‐3 > Niño‐4) and are well‐connected to mid‐latitudes through the Pacific meridional mode, which leads to a meridionally wider response of the off‐equatorial low‐level atmospheric anti‐cyclonic circulation. As the anti‐cyclonic circulation controls the amount of equatorial upper‐ocean heat recharge through Sverdrup transport, for single‐year La Niña, efficient ocean recharging due to a narrower anti‐cyclonic circulation causes a fast transition to an El Niño or a fast termination of a La Niña. In contrast, for multi‐year La Niña, a weaker recharging causes surface cooling to persist, leading to another La Niña in the following year.
Regionalization of evapotranspiration in India using fuzzy dynamic clustering approach. Part 2: Applications of regions
Authors: Masanta Swapan Kumar , Srinivas Vemavarapu Venkata
Published: July 2020

Accurate estimation of ET0, and determination of its trend/variability and sensitivity to changes in climate variables is essential at regional scale for different applications. These are attempted for India by considering 18 homogeneous ET0 regions formed in companion paper. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommends Penman–Monteith (PM) equation for ET0 estimation, which requires information on several climate variables. The equation cannot be used in data‐sparse areas where information/forecasts on one or more required climate variables is unavailable/unreliable. To address this, relevance vector regression (RVR) relationships are developed in this paper for the 18 homogeneous regions to arrive at FAO‐PM estimate of ET0 from subsets of its predictor climate variables, which could be typically expected in data‐sparse areas. The developed relationships are shown to be better in arriving at ET0 estimates when compared to multiple linear regression (MLR) relationships and three widely used empirical equations (Hargreaves, Mcguinness–Bordne, Priestly–Taylor). Regional trend analysis revealed that ET0 is significantly decreasing (increasing) in most regions located in north (south) India. Sensitivity of ET0 and surface runoff to changes in their predictor climate variables is determined for each region by considering third‐order Taylor series approximation of their functional relationships. Key climate variable(s) that govern ET0 changes in each region are identified. Results indicate that at annual scale solar radiation and relative humidity govern ET0 changes in regions located in south and north‐east India, whereas wind speed followed by relative humidity mostly influence the ET0 changes over other regions. Existence of evaporation paradox in four regions and validity of Bouchet's complementary relationship between ET0, actual evapotranspiration (ETa), and precipitation in 11 regions is also established. Significant divergence in trend of ET0 and ETa was evident in north‐east India.
Proteomic Characterization of Circulating Molecular Perturbations Associated With Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Following Intravenous ω‐3 Fatty Acid and Gemcitabine Administration: A Pilot Study
Authors: Runau Franscois , Arshad Ali , Isherwood John D. , Sandhu Jatinderpal K. , Ng Leong L. , Dennison Ashley R. , Jones Donald J. L.
Published: July 2020

Background: Administration of intravenous ω‐3 fatty acid (ω‐3FA) in advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients receiving gemcitabine chemotherapy shows disease stabilization and improved progression‐free survival. Using high‐definition plasma proteomics, the underlying biological mechanisms responsible for these clinical effects are investigated. Methods and Results: A pilot study involving plasma that was collected at baseline from 13 patients with histologically confirmed, unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (baseline group) after 1‐month treatment with intravenous gemcitabine and ω‐3FA (treatment group) and intravenous gemcitabine only (control group) and was prepared for proteomic analysis. A 2‐arm study comparing baseline vs treatment and treatment vs control was performed. Proteins were isolated from plasma with extensive immunodepletion, then digested and labeled with isobaric tandem mass tag peptide tags. Samples were then combined, fractionated, and injected into a QExactive‐Orbitrap Mass‐Spectrometer and analyzed on Proteome Discoverer and Scaffold with ensuing bioinformatics analysis. Selective reaction monitoring analysis was performed for verification. In total, 3476 proteins were identified. Anti‐inflammatory markers (C‐reactive protein, haptoglobin, and serum amyloid‐A1) were reduced in the treatment group. Enrichment analysis showed angiogenesis downregulation, complement immune systems upregulation, and epigenetic modifications on histones. Pathway analysis identified direct action via the Pi3K‐AKT pathway. Serum amyloid‐A1 significantly reduced (P < .001) as a potential biomarker of efficacy for ω‐3FA. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates administration of ω‐3FA has potential anti‐inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and proapoptotic effects via direct interaction with cancer‐signaling pathways in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Further studies in a larger sample size is required to validate the clinical correlation found in this preliminary study.
Raman and infrared spectra to monitor the phase transition of natural kyanite under static compression
Authors: Gao Jing , Wu Wanghua , Jia Lihui , Wang Ching‐Pao , Liu Yingxin , Xu Chaowen , Chen Fei , Fei Chenhui , Su Wen
Published: July 2020

The stability of kyanite Al2SiO5 at high pressure is of significance in understanding the fate of the subducted crust and how they recycle within the Earth. Thus, in situ high‐pressure vibrational spectra of natural kyanite are presented. The shift amplitudes of the measured modes dependent on pressure manifest the contraction of the AlO bond bears the most compression of kyanite. At 9.7 GPa, a first‐order phase transition to kyanite‐II occurs, which is distinguished by changes occurred in the entire spectral region, including the pressure dependences of the modes, the wavenumber jumps of some peaks, the splitting of a SiO symmetric stretching band, and the emergence of new modes. A Raman mapping image is collected illustrating kyanite and kyanite‐II in coexistence at 10.0 GPa. Emphasize that, as is revealed by the infrared spectra, a part of HO···O distance becomes elongated after the transformation. At higher pressure up to 18.6 GPa, the Raman spectra disclose little effects associated with further transformations. Finally, releasing pressure to ambient leads to recovery of pure kyanite. Our results mark a lowest pressure limit of the change in the intermolecular and intramolecular bonding of kyanite and shed new lights on the crystal chemistry of aluminosilicate under mantle pressures.
Management of the Acute Loss of a Free Flap to the Head and Neck—A Multi‐institutional Review
Authors: Bender‐Heine Adam , Sweeny Larissa , Curry Joseph M. , Petrisor Daniel , Young Gavin , Hyzer Jeffrey , Cave Taylor , Li Ryan , Cannady Steven , Miles Brett , Wax Mark K.
Published: July 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

To review the management of failed free tissue transfers among four large institutions over a 13‐year period to provide data and analysis for a logical, algorithmic, experience‐based approach to the management of failed free flaps.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

A multi‐institutional retrospective chart review of free tissue transfers to the head and neck region between 2006 and 2019 was performed. Patients with a failed free flap during their hospitalization after surgery to the head and neck were identified and reviewed. Patient age, co‐morbidities, risk factors, flap characteristics, tumor specifics, and length of hospital stay were reviewed, collected, and analyzed.

Results

One hundred eighteen flap failures met criteria. The most common failed flap in this review was the osteocutaneous flap 52/118 (44%). The recipient site of the initial free flap (P < .001) was the only statistically significant parameter strongly correlated with management. Osteocutaneous flap failures, fasciocutaneous, bowel, and muscle‐only flaps tended to be managed most commonly with a second free flap. Myocutaneous flap failures were managed equally with either a second free flap or a regional flap.

Conclusions

The most important factor in management of a failed free flap is the recipient site. A second free flap is often the preferred treatment, but in the acute setting, local or regional flaps may be viable options depending on the recipient site, circumstances of flap loss, and patient‐ specific comorbidities. An algorithm for management of the acute flap loss is presented in this review.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:518–524, 2021
3D Printed Cutting Rig for Creating Silicone Carving Templates for Medialization Laryngoplasty
Authors: Silvia Nathaniel , Lim Chantelle , Aguirre Abril , Guisado Gabriel , Schneider Glenn T.
Published: July 2020

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A Systematic Review of Nonautologous Graft Materials Used in Human Tympanoplasty
Authors: Ghanad Iman , Polanik Marc D. , Trakimas Danielle R. , Knoll Renata M. , Castillo‐Bustamante Melissa , Black Nicole L. , Kozin Elliott D. , Remenschneider Aaron K.
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Nonautologous graft materials may solve several dilemmas in tympanoplasty by obviating the need for graft harvest, facilitating consistent wound healing, and permitting graft placement in the clinical setting. Prior studies of nonautologous grafts in humans have shown variable outcomes. In this systematic review, we aim to 1) summarize clinical outcomes and 2) discuss limitations in the literature regarding nonautologous grafts for tympanoplasty in humans.

Methods

A literature review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. The study size, etiology and duration of perforation, type of nonautologous graft, and postoperative closure rate were assessed.

Results

The PRISMA approach yielded 61 articles, including 3,247 ears that met inclusion criteria. Studies evaluated nonautologous grafts including paper patch, gelatin sponge, growth factors, porcine small‐intestinal submucosa, among others. Traumatic perforations (62.3%) were most commonly studied, whereas postinfectious perforations (31.9%) and other etiologies (5.8%) comprised a minority of cases. Acute perforations of <8 weeks duration constituted just over half of all treated ears. Overall closure rate was 82.1%, with significantly higher closure rates in acute (89.9%) versus chronic perforations (64.9%, P < .01), regardless of material. A median postoperative air‐bone gap of 5.6 dB was found in the 23% of studies reporting this metric.

Conclusions

The majority of publications reviewing nonautologous materials in tympanoplasty evaluate acute or traumatic perforations, and few rigorously report hearing outcomes. Given available data, porcine submucosa and basic fibroblast growth factor may hold promise for chronic perforation closure. Future studies should report closure rates and hearing outcomes in perforations >8 weeks duration. Laryngoscope, 131:392–400, 2021
Broadband Detection of Multiple Spin and Orbital Angular Momenta via Dielectric Metasurface
Authors: Zhang Si , Huo Pengcheng , Zhu Wenqi , Zhang Cheng , Chen Peng , Liu Mingze , Chen Lu , Lezec Henri J. , Agrawal Amit , Lu Yanqing , Xu Ting
Published: July 2020

Light beams carrying spin angular momentum (SAM) and orbital angular momentum (OAM) have created novel opportunities in the areas of optical communications, imaging, micromanipulation, and quantum optics. However, complex optical setups are required to simultaneously manipulate, measure, and analyze these states, which significantly limit system integration. Here, a detection approach is introduced for measuring multiple SAM and OAM modes simultaneously through a planar nanophotonic demultiplexer based on an all‐dielectric metasurface. Coaxial light beams carrying multiple SAM and OAM states of light upon transmission through the demultiplexer are spatially separated into a range of vortex beams with different topological charge, each propagating along a specific wavevector. The broadband response and momentum conservation further enable the demultiplexer to achieve wavelength demultiplexing. The ultracompact multifunctional architecture is envisioned to enable simultaneous manipulation and measurement of polarization and spin encoded photon states with applications in integrated quantum optics and optical communications.
BROADER SPECTRUMS OF HIERARCHY: NEW ANIMATED ORGANIZATION CHARTS
Authors: Johansen Bob
Published: July 2020

This article looks beyond categories to full‐spectrum thinking, the ability to seek patterns and clarity across gradients of possibility—outside, across, beyond, or maybe even without any boxes or categories—while resisting false certainty. In particular, it examines the animated organization charts of the future. The Army is prototyping a future where hierarchies are no longer static; they will be animated. Command‐and‐control only works in predictable slow‐moving environments, and there aren't very many of those any more. The Army now practices what they call “commander's intent,” “mission command,” or “flexive command.” At Electronic Arts, one of the world's most successful video game publishing companies, their commander's intent is “we exist to inspire the world to play.” Distributed‐authority networks will mean fluid hierarchies that require constant reassessment of who is in the best position to make which decision at what time. Individuals will need to learn how to lead when they cannot control. Organizations will need to learn how to flex rapidly while retaining clarity of direction. Societies will need to create commons that benefit everyone, shared assets, and a decision‐making process that helps people decide what they choose to do together.
Epoxy‐Polypyrrole‐Cotton Tertiary Composite with Electro‐Tunable Stiffness
Authors: Chaturvedi Ranjan , Tyagi Prashant
Published: July 2020

In this work, a tertiary epoxy composite reinforced with polypyrrole (PPy) coated cotton fabric layers exhibiting electrical voltage induced thermally tunable stiffness is reported. The thin coating of PPy over cotton fabric is accomplished via oxidative vapor phase polymerization that allows creation of an active thin layer over the fibers without affecting their mechanical properties. Six such functional layers are stacked within an epoxy matrix to prepare the composite that shows in‐plane electrical insulator behavior (volume resistivity > 109 Ω cm) but considerably reduced resistivity by an order of 103 across the cross‐sections. The presence of conductive layers enables the composite to heat via Joule's effect when an electrical voltage is applied across two ends. This causes softening of matrix near the matrix‐reinforcement interface and thereby changing composite's stiffness. On application of variable voltage, a non‐linear decrease of 91% in composite stiffness is observed (6371.2 N m−1 at 0 V to 566.4 N m−1 at 63 V). A stable and tunable mechanical performance of the composite is further demonstrated by cyclic changes in stiffness due to voltage change with recovery up to 95% of original stiffness after 14 continuous cycles.
Aluthge transforms of unbounded weighted composition operators in L2‐spaces
Authors: Benhida Chafiq , Budzyński Piotr , Trepkowski Jacek
Published: July 2020

We describe the Aluthge transform of an unbounded weighted composition operator acting in an L2‐space. We show that its closure is also a weighted composition operator with the same symbol and a modified weight function. We investigate its dense definiteness. We characterize p‐hyponormality of unbounded weighted composition operators and provide results on how it is affected by the Aluthge transformation. We show that the only fixed points of the Aluthge transformation on weighted composition operators are quasinormal ones.
Genetic testing and employer‐sponsored wellness programs: An overview of current vendors, products, and practices
Authors: McDonald Whitney S. , Wagner Jennifer K. , Deverka Patricia A. , Woods Laura A. , Peterson Josh F. , Williams Marc S.
Published: July 2020

Background

Employer‐sponsored corporate wellness programs have spread despite limited evidence of effectiveness in improving health or reducing costs. Some programs have offered genetic testing as a benefit to employees, but little is known about this practice.

Methods

In December 2019, we conducted a systematic Google search to identify vendors offering corporate wellness programs involving genetics. We performed qualitative content analysis of publicly available information about the vendors’ products and practices disclosed on their websites.

Results

Fifteen vendors were identified. Details regarding genetic testing offered within wellness programs were difficult to decipher from vendors’ websites, including which specific products were included. No evidence was provided to support vendor claimed improvements in employer costs, employee health, and job performance. Only half offered health and genetic counseling services. Most vendors were ambiguous regarding data sharing. Disclaimer language was included in vendors’ stated risks and limitations, ostensibly to avoid oversight and liability.

Conclusion

We found a lack of transparency among corporate wellness program vendors, underscoring challenges that stakeholders encounter when trying to assess (a) how such programs are using genetics, (b) the potential benefits of such applications, and (c) the adequacy of protections to ensure scientific evidence support any health claims and genetic nondiscrimination.
Compact different‐/same‐frequency power combining circuit with high isolation and high frequency selectivity
Authors: Yan Yuchen , Song Kaijun , Fan Yong
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a novel different‐/same‐frequency power combining circuit with high isolation and high frequency selectivity. The proposed design is implemented by integrating the diplexer and the power dividers with simple structure, which consists of a microstrip‐line T‐junction, two bandpass filter with different center frequency, and two pairs of three‐line parallel coupling lines. Source‐load cross coupling is introduced to improve the frequency selectivity of the passband. For demonstration, the proposed different‐/same‐frequency power combining circuit is simulated, fabricated and measured. Simulated and measured results are presented and show good agreement. The measured results show an excellent performance in the frequency selectivity, insertion loss, impedance matching at all ports and isolation between output ports.
Reaction Calorimetry for Studying Kinetics in Bulk Phase Polymerization of Propene
Authors: Kettner Joana , Valaei Sina , Bartke Michael
Published: July 2020

Polypropylene is one of the commercially most important polymers and is produced via coordinative polymerization with supported metal‐organic catalysts in different processes. While kinetic measurements for slurry and gas‐phase polymerization of propene are well‐established, for bulk phase polymerization of propene, often the only kinetic information obtained from an experiment is the yield. In this paper, two calorimetric methods and their application for measurement of kinetics of bulk phase polymerization of propene are discussed. On the one hand a special calibration‐free heat flow calorimeter and on the other hand power compensation calorimetry coupled with a software sensor for online baseline correction.
Is monetary policy safeguarding financial stability in India?
Authors: Padha Vimarsh , Jena Pabitra K. , Mishra Bikash R. , Mahalik Mantu K.
Published: July 2020

Over the years, there has been an increasing debate over the role of the Central Bank in targeting the policy objectives and the extent to which the targets can anchor the expectations. The present study seeks to identify the linkage between monetary policy and financial stability in India. The study, based on quarterly data from January 2001 to July 2018, finds that the financial sector allied variables (BSE SENSEX index, Exchange Rate and Index of Industrial Production) have shown significant response to shocks in the policy rate, that is, reverse repo rate, except for exchange rate variable that was taken as a proxy for external sector stability. Also in the short‐run, when a shock is imparted to the policy rate, the response of the exchange rate is insignificant. Other than that, the corporate sector along with real output growth and banking sector variables induces a significant change in policy rate when a shock is introduced. With variables responding in the ideal direction to shock in the policy rate, it is inferred that the movement is in line with what ideally should hold over time. This leads us to conclude that the monetary policy safeguards financial stability in India.