bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benthic Suffocation of Invasive Lake Trout Embryos by Fish Carcasses and Sedimentation in Yellowstone Lake
Authors: Poole Alex S. , Koel Todd M. , Thomas Nathan A. , Zale Alexander V.
Published: July 2020

Introduced Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush threaten native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, where gill nets have been used to suppress subadult and adult Lake Trout since 1995. However, survival of embryonic and larval life history stages can have profound effects on the population dynamics of Lake Trout. Inducing additional mortality at those stages, especially if used in concert with intensive gillnetting of older fish, could enhance overall suppression efforts. Therefore, we conducted controlled field experiments at Yellowstone Lake to systematically evaluate the effects of sediment deposition and ground Lake Trout carcass deposition on Lake Trout embryos in pre-positioned incubators. Sediment deposition caused dissolved oxygen concentrations to decline below lethal levels for a prolonged overwinter period (92 d). Embryo mortality among overwintering incubators varied from 97.0 ± 5.3% (mean ± SE) at the substrate surface to 100.0 ± 0.0% at 20 cm below the substrate surface. Decomposition of ground carcass material on spawning sites caused dissolved oxygen concentrations to decline to lethal levels (<3.4 mg/L) for about 9 d after biomass application rates of 14 and 28 kg/m2 in treatment plots. Exposure to ground carcass material resulted in 100.0 ± 0.0% embryo mortality at the substrate surface and within interstices 20 cm below the surface in 14- and 28-kg/m2 biomass treatments. Embryo mortality was probably caused by hypoxic conditions within substrates in both experiments. The deposition of sediment and ground Lake Trout carcass material on Lake Trout spawning sites in Yellowstone Lake could provide an additional source of mortality in ongoing Lake Trout suppression efforts. These methods may also be beneficial in other systems when incorporated in an integrated pest management approach targeting multiple life history stages of invasive freshwater fish.
First metacarpal fractures from Chalcolithic Cyprus: A fall or a fist?
Authors: Lorentz Kirsi O. , Casa Bianca
Published: July 2020

Hand fractures are frequently observed in archaeological human skeletal remains. Despite this, there is an absence of human bioarchaeological studies presenting adequate description, differential diagnoses and aetiologies of first metacarpal (MCI) fractures. This study aims to characterise MCI trauma from the Middle Chalcolithic (ca. 3000 bc) cemetery of Souskiou‐Laona in south‐western Cyprus, an island in the Eastern Mediterranean. Fifty‐eight out of 67 MCIs were complete enough for the assessment of fractures. A total of eight MCI fractures are displayed by six individuals: four adult males discovered as articulated skeletons and two individuals from commingled contexts. These traumas were assessed macroscopically, metrically and radiographically. Differential diagnoses of these fractures identified four extra‐articular fractures of the diaphysis of the MCI. Three intra‐articular fractures of Bennett's type were observed: one in combination with a Colles' fracture of the distal radius and one in combination with an extra‐articular fracture of the diaphysis of the MCI. One fracture involving the distal end (head) of MCI was identified, in combination with an extra‐articular fracture. Clinical literature associates such MCI fractures with accidents where the first digit is held in a particular position (e.g., when holding a steering wheel, bicycle bar and horse reigns) or with interpersonal violence, with the first digit in flexed position. Therefore, we suggest that these archaeological MCI fractures may have been caused by accidents (falling onto an outstretched hand) or by interpersonal violence in the form of fist fighting. The occurrence of these fractures in males in their 20s to 40s, of substantial stature, could reflect an association with fist fighting or with sex differential activity exposing individuals of certain sex and age range to more frequent accidents. In the case that the MCI fractures observed within the Souskiou‐Laona assemblage reflect interpersonal violence, this has implications to our current understandings of society in Chalcolithic Cyprus.
A comprehensive review on mechanical, electromagnetic radiation shielding, and thermal conductivity of fibers/inorganic fillers reinforced hybrid polymer composites
Authors: Hemath Mohit , Mavinkere Rangappa Sanjay , Kushvaha Vinod , Dhakal Hom Nath , Siengchin Suchart
Published: July 2020

Peripheral such as aerospace, armor, sensors, heat exchanger, automobile, storage, and any other electronic equipment are frequently subjected to varying mechanical and thermal stress, which substantially influence their reliability, life cycle, and performance. The aerospace sector, for example, is in constant research for the decrement in mass to achieve higher fuel efficiency through light weighting approach. It is due to the specific parameters that advanced polymer composites exhibit, there are growing research interests in heat management schemes, where both higher thermal characteristics and strength with significantly lower density are simultaneously essential. In the same manner, nanohybrid particles are commonly utilized as reinforcement fillers to enhance mechanical, electromagnetic shielding efficiency, and thermal characteristics of any polymer matrices. This survey discusses the polymer‐based nanocomposites incorporated with hybrid nanoparticles for applications in high‐performance materials. The subsequent interaction between the selected polymer matrix and hybrid nanofillers, which affects the characteristics of the polymer‐based nanocomposites: mechanical, electromagnetic radiation shielding efficiency as well as thermal conductivity have been critically reviewed. The hybrid nanoparticles' synergy facilitates effective dispersion without damaging the structures of the nanofillers tend to optimized electrical properties, thermal conductivity, and higher overall functionality of the fabricated nanocomposites.
Exome sequencing improves genetic diagnosis of fetal increased nuchal translucency
Authors: Yang Xin , Huang Lv‐Yin , Pan Min , Xu Li‐Li , Zhen Li , Han Jin , Li Dong‐Zhi
Published: July 2020

Objective

The aim of this retrospective study is to determine the monogenic syndromes in fetuses with isolated first‐trimester increased nuchal translucency (NT) in order to provide more accurate parental counseling.

Methods

Medical trio exome sequencing (ES) was performed on DNA extracted from chorionic villi in 73 fetuses with isolated first‐trimester increased NT (≥3.5 mm) and normal chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). This testing targets coding exons for 4200 clinically relevant disease‐causing genes. The interpretation of variants was performed according to the American College of Medical Genetics guidelines.

Results

Pathogenic variants were detected in four cases in which phenotypes and genotypes correlate well. Medical trio ES offered a 5.5% (4/73) increase in diagnostic rate over CMA in cases with isolated increased NT. Three of four cases with pathogenic variants developed structural anomalies on ultrasound at mid pregnancy, leading to the pregnancy termination. Only one case with a pathogenic variant demonstrated normal ultrasound throughout pregnancy.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that after a normal CMA, fetuses with isolated first‐trimester increased NT have a 1.4% (1/73) risk of significant childhood genetic syndromes caused by known disease‐causing variants, which will not be detectable on prenatal ultrasound. This information may be useful in parental counseling.
Real‐world on‐treatment and initial treatment absolute risk differences for dabigatran vs warfarin in older US adults
Authors: Webster‐Clark Michael , Stürmer Til , Edwards Jessie K. , Poole Charles , Simpson Ross J. , Lund Jennifer L.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Trials and past observational work compared dabigatran and warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation, but few reported estimates of absolute harm and benefit under real‐world adherence patterns, particularly in older adults that may have differing benefit‐harm profiles. We aimed to estimate risk differences for ischemic stroke, death, and gastrointestinal bleeding after initiating dabigatran and warfarin in older adults (a) when patients adhere to treatment and (b) under real‐world adherence patterns.

Methods

In a 20% sample of nationwide Medicare claims from 2010 to 2015, we identified beneficiaries aged 66 years and older initiating warfarin and dabigatran. We followed individuals from initiation until death or October 2015 (initial treatment, IT) and separately censored individuals' follow‐up after drug switches and gaps in supply (on‐treatment, OT). We applied inverse probability of treatment and standardized morbidity ratio weights, as well as inverse probability of censoring weights, to estimate two‐year risk differences (RDs) for dabigatran vs warfarin.

Results

We identified 10,717 dabigatran and 74,891 warfarin initiators. Weighted OT RDs suggested decreased ischemic stroke risk for dabigatran vs warfarin; IT RDs indicated increased or no change in ischemic stroke risk. Regardless of follow‐up approach and weighting strategy, risk of death appeared lower and risk of gastrointestinal bleeding appeared higher when comparing dabigatran vs warfarin.

Conclusions

Dabigatran use was associated with lower risks of mortality and ischemic stroke in routine care when older adults stayed on treatment. IT analyses suggested that these benefits may be diminished under real‐world patterns of switching and discontinuation.
Developmental pathways of preadolescents' intrinsic and extrinsic values: The role of basic psychological needs satisfaction
Authors: Ahn Jiseul Sophia , Reeve Johnmarshall
Published: July 2020

The purpose of the study was to examine longitudinally how intrinsic and extrinsic values develop during preadolescence within a mother-child context by comparing three different developmental pathways—direct value transmission, indirect value transmission, and value origination. Two hundred and thirty-three Korean mother—child dyads of late elementary students (Mage = 11.4 years; 55% girls) participated in a year-long online questionnaire survey. A longitudinal structural equation modelling analysis revealed two contrasting developmental pathways for intrinsic and extrinsic values in preadolescents. Intrinsic values developed via value origination, while extrinsic values developed via direct transmission. In other words, intrinsic values originated from the child's own inner psychological experiences and developed in accordance with changes in psychological needs satisfaction, whereas extrinsic values were transmitted from mothers in accordance with the degree to which they endorsed extrinsic values.
Complementarity of Different SDS‐PAGE Gel Staining Methods for the Identification of Short Open Reading Frame‐Encoded Peptides
Authors: Kaulich Philipp T. , Cassidy Liam , Weidenbach Katrin , Schmitz Ruth A. , Tholey Andreas
Published: July 2020

Short open reading frame‐encoded peptides (SEP) have been identified across all domains of life and are predicted to be involved in many biochemical processes, however, for the vast majority of SEP their biological function is still unknown. Optimized methodologies have to be used for the mass spectrometric analysis of SEP, because traditional methods of bottom‐up proteomics show a bias against small proteins. Here, different staining methods for SDS‐PAGE gels prior in‐gel digestion following LC‐MS/MS analysis for the identification of SEP in the archaeon Methanosarcina mazei are investigated. In total, 45 SEP with at least one high confidence (FDR <1%) unique peptide and five consecutive b‐ or y‐ions in the MS2 spectrum are identified. The staining methods provide complementary data. The highest number of SEP are identified in the samples stained with Coomassie brilliant blue. However, the highest quality of the identified SEP is achieved in the samples without staining. These comprehensive data sets demonstrate that in‐gel digestion is well suited for the identification of SEP.
Toward Uniform Optical Properties of Carbon Dots
Authors: Noun Farah , Manioudakis John , Naccache Rafik
Published: July 2020

Carbon dots possess versatile optical properties that have prompted their investigation in applications including photocatalysis, photovoltaics, imaging, and drug delivery, among others. However, the preparation of these nanodots is accompanied by the formation of fluorophores and intermediates, which can be difficult to separate. In the absence of thorough purification protocols, the reported optical properties are often heterogeneous, which hinders understanding of their physicochemical and optical properties and concrete application development. Here, two hydrophilic carbon dot systems starting with citric acid and diethylenetriamine are prepared. The impact of purification, including dialysis, ultrafiltration, and organic washes, on the properties of the dots is demonstrated. It is shown that monitoring the purification endpoint using near‐infrared, fluorescence, and absorbance spectroscopies is possible. Moreover, it is demonstrated that fluorescence quantum yields can be a reliable tool to determine the purification endpoint. This work shows that even carbon dots derived from the same chemical precursors can have different purification profiles and purification requirements. However, the developed approach can be used to determine the proper purification procedure and endpoint for any carbon dot system regardless of the starting materials. Finally, it is envisioned that this work can be easily extended toward the purification of other hydrophilic nanomaterials.
Conserved internal hydration motifs in protein kinases
Authors: Setny Piotr
Published: July 2020

Crystal structures of diverse protein kinase catalytic subunits reveal a number of water molecules whose positions within the protein core are better preserved than amino acid types in many functionally important locations. It remains unknown whether they play any particular role, and whether their removal, disturbing local interaction patterns to no smaller degree than amino acid mutations, can affect kinase stability and function. In this study, we apply an array of computational approaches to characterize hydration of kinase catalytic subunits. First, we systematically screen multiple crystal structures with the use of a simplified hydration model in order to determine the distribution of internal solvent and the degree of its conservation. Second, we analyze water structure, dynamics and binding affinity to buried hydration sites in a number of kinases, also taking into account their variable functional state. We find that a large portion of buried solvent is dynamic, possibly contributing to kinase conformational changes related to the activation process. In turn, binding free energies of some of tightly bound conserved water molecules to different kinases tend to shift in a similar manner following the change of their functional state. This finding highlights the likely specific role of internal solvent in fine tuning local protein plasticity.
"Apples and Oranges": On comparing simulated historic near‐surface temperature changes with observations
Authors: Jones Gareth S.
Published: July 2020

Simulated historic near‐surface air temperature variations are often compared with observations of land air temperatures blended with sea surface temperatures. This study investigates claims that this is not a “true like‐with‐like” comparison, which may cause small biases in simulated twentieth century temperature changes, with implications for different climate attribution and projection studies. A more appropriate analysis, it is claimed, should use simulated sea surface temperatures blended with land air temperatures; an apparent discrepancy with observed trends is then reduced. As the temperature of the uppermost level in a model's ocean is used to represent simulated sea surface temperatures, that models have inconsistent ways of representing land, and that simulations have differing sea ice coverages, the claim of an idealised analysis approach is challenged. An examination of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project simulations, compared with an observational dataset of near‐surface temperatures, suggests there is a bias in simulated historic trends when upper‐ocean temperatures are used instead of marine air temperatures, but this bias is small compared to other model and observational uncertainties and the impact of analysis choices. The results indicate that it is generally appropriate to use global near‐surface air temperature diagnostics to compare simulated historic climate change with observed temperature changes. Alternative model diagnostics are not necessarily superior to those used in standard approaches, and the emphasis of model and observational discrepancies may be based on overconfident reasoning.
A multiscale study on photophysical properties of a novel fluorescent probe for imaging amyloid‐β in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Zhang Yujin , Leng Jiancai , Hu Wei
Published: July 2020

Detection of amyloid‐β deposition in the brain region is of significant importance for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the last few decades, the fluorescent imaging technique has been considered an effective tool for detecting amyloid‐β plaques due to its safety, sensitivity, and operability. Thus, numerous fluorescent probes for amyloid‐β have been developed. The design of a probe with high selectivity and improved sensing performance requires knowledge about the potential binding sites for the probe in amyloid‐β and local microstructure of the probe in different sites. In this study, amyloid‐β‐specific photophysical properties of a novel fluorescent probe (cis‐PAD‐1) are theoretically investigated by using multiscale simulations, including molecular docking and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations. Binding profile of cis‐PAD‐1 in amyloid‐β has been simulated, and binding affinity of the probe in various sites is calculated. An excited‐state property study on cis‐PAD‐1 illustrates that the probe shows remarkable fluorescence enhancement in amyloid‐β due to the influence of the microenvironment, which is consistent with the experimental observation. Most importantly, two‐photon absorption cross section of the probe is greatly increased in the near‐infrared region when targeting with amyloid‐β owing to the enhanced transition dipole moment. Therefore, one can propose the usage of cis‐PAD‐1 as an excellent candidate in two‐photon fluorescent imaging for amyloid‐β. The detailed investigations provide information on the development and design strategy of a new fluorescent probe for amyloid‐β imaging in AD.
Immunoaffinity microflow liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry for the quantitation of PD1 and PD‐L1 in human tumor tissues
Authors: Zhu Yongxin , Zalaznick Jacob , Sleczka Bogdan , Parrish Karen , Yang Zheng , Olah Timothy , Shipkova Petia
Published: July 2020

Rationale

High tumor expression of programmed cell death protein (PD1) and programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) is thought to be associated with positive clinical outcomes after treatment with anti‐PD1 or anti‐PD‐L1 agents. Several sensitive methods based on immunohistochemistry, ligand binding assay (LBA), and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry involving the measurement of PD1 and PD‐L1 expression have been reported. Here, we expand on the characterization of different tumor types using a highly specific, sensitive, and robust immunoaffinity liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (IA‐LC/MS/MS)‐based method for the simultaneous quantitation of PD1 and PD‐L1 in tumor tissues.

Methods

Human tumor tissue samples were homogenized using a Precellys Evolution homogenizer. The samples were incubated with anti‐PD1 and anti‐PD‐L1 capture polyclonal antibodies, which were bound to magnetic beads. Following enrichment, samples were digested with trypsin. A Waters iKEY HSS T3 1.8 um (150 μm × 100 mm) column with a gradient flow rate of 3 μL/min was used for chromatographic separation, and a Waters TQ‐S triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was used for detection. Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions with unit resolution for precursor/product ion masses were optimized for PD1 and PD‐L1 surrogate peptides.

Results

The surrogate peptides LAAFPEDR for PD1 and FTVTVPK for PD‐L1 yielded the most intense SRM transitions at m/z 459.7 > 516.2 and m/z 396.2 > 543.3, respectively, and thus were selected for the quantitation of PD1 and PD‐L1. The lower limit of quantitation for PD1 and PD‐L1 was 0.062 ng/mL with an assay range up to 10 ng/mL. Using this method, human PD1 and PD‐L1 were detected and quantified from four different types of tumor tissues. The data show that PD1 expression level was highly correlated with that of PD‐L1 in all tumor tissues analyzed here.

Conclusions

A highly specific and sensitive immunoaffinity microflow LC/MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of PD1 and PD‐L1 in tumor tissues was developed and implemented. This method combines the advantage of immuno‐capture for analyte enrichment with the high specificity of detection of multiple surrogate peptides by LC/MS/MS. The quantification of PD1 and PD‐L1 co‐expression in tumor could help evaluate their role in assessing tumor type selection and patient stratification.
Pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with adrenal oligorecurrence successfully treated by adrenalectomy
Authors: Sato Hiroki , Tachihara Motoko , Kiriu Tatsunori , Yamamoto Masatsugu , Tanaka Yugo , Nishimura Yoshihiro
Published: July 2020

A 63‐year‐old man suspected of having lung cancer underwent right upper lobectomy and was diagnosed with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). Eleven months after surgery, he developed an oligorecurrence in the adrenal gland and underwent left adrenalectomy. The specimen revealed LCNEC metastasis. Forty‐one months after surgery, enlargement of a lesion near the surgical site was seen. Biopsy showed LCNEC metastasis and he is currently undergoing radiotherapy for the recurrent lesion. We report a case of LCNEC with adrenal gland oligorecurrence treated by adrenalectomy, which led to long‐term survival.
Resolution of refractory chylothorax with a combination of talc pleurodesis and CPAP
Authors: Ng Boon Hau , Nik Abeed Nik Nuratiqah , Abdul Hamid Mohamed Faisal , Soo Chun Ian , Low Hsueh Jing , Ban Andrea Yu‐Lin
Published: July 2020

Chylothorax is an uncommon cause of pleural effusion. Recurrent chylous effusions are often resistant to conservative treatment and many need surgical intervention. We report a 69‐year‐old woman with refractory idiopathic chylothorax resistant to medium‐chain triglyceride diet and intermittent thoracentesis. Lymphangiography and lymphoscintigraphy failed to identify the site of leakage. We initiated continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) 12 h before and 48 hours after talc pleurodesis. Chest drain was removed at day 3 and she was discharged at day 5. To our knowledge, this is the first case of successful resolution of idiopathic refractory chylothorax with CPAP ventilation used in tandem with talc pleurodesis.
Two‐stage auxiliary model gradient‐based iterative algorithm for the input nonlinear controlled autoregressive system with variable‐gain nonlinearity
Authors: Fan Yamin , Liu Ximei
Published: July 2020

This article focuses on the parameter estimation problem of the input nonlinear system where an input variable‐gain nonlinear block is followed by a linear controlled autoregressive subsystem. The variable‐gain nonlinearity is described analytical by using an appropriate switching function. According to the gradient search technique and the auxiliary model identification idea, an auxiliary model‐based stochastic gradient algorithm with a forgetting factor is presented. For the sake of improving the parameter estimation accuracy, an auxiliary model gradient‐based iterative algorithm is proposed by utilizing the iterative identification theory. To further optimize the performance of the algorithm, we decompose the identification model of the system into two submodels and derive a two‐stage auxiliary model gradient‐based iterative (2S‐AM‐GI) algorithm by using the hierarchical identification principle. The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms and show that the 2S‐AM‐GI algorithm has higher identification efficiency compared with the other two algorithms.
The effect of data augmentation and network simplification on the image‐based detection of broccoli heads with Mask R‐CNN
Authors: Blok Pieter M. , van Evert Frits K. , Tielen Antonius P. M. , van Henten Eldert J. , Kootstra Gert
Published: July 2020

In current practice, broccoli heads are selectively harvested by hand. The goal of our work is to develop a robot that can selectively harvest broccoli heads, thereby reducing labor costs. An essential element of such a robot is an image‐processing algorithm that can detect broccoli heads. In this study, we developed a deep learning algorithm for this purpose, using the Mask Region‐based Convolutional Neural Network. To be applied on a robot, the algorithm must detect broccoli heads from any cultivar, meaning that it can generalize on the broccoli images. We hypothesized that our algorithm can be generalized through network simplification and data augmentation. We found that network simplification decreased the generalization performance, whereas data augmentation increased the generalization performance. In data augmentation, the geometric transformations (rotation, cropping, and scaling) led to a better image generalization than the photometric transformations (light, color, and texture). Furthermore, the algorithm was generalized on a broccoli cultivar when 5% of the training images were images of that cultivar. Our algorithm detected 229 of the 232 harvestable broccoli heads from three cultivars. We also tested our algorithm on an online broccoli data set, which our algorithm was not previously trained on. On this data set, our algorithm detected 175 of the 176 harvestable broccoli heads, proving that the algorithm was successfully generalized. Finally, we performed a cost‐benefit analysis for a robot equipped with our algorithm. We concluded that the robot was more profitable than the human harvest and that our algorithm provided a sufficient basis for robot commercialization.
Statistical inference for decision curve analysis, with applications to cataract diagnosis
Authors: Sande Sumaiya Z. , Li Jialiang , D'Agostino Ralph , Yin Wong Tien , Cheng Ching‐Yu
Published: July 2020

Statistical learning methods are widely used in medical literature for the purpose of diagnosis or prediction. Conventional accuracy assessment via sensitivity, specificity, and ROC curves does not fully account for clinical utility of a specific model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) becomes a novel complement as it incorporates a clinical judgment of the relative value of benefits (treating a true positive case) and harms (treating a false positive case) associated with prediction models. The preference of a patient or a policy‐maker is formulated statistically as the underlying threshold probability, above which the patient would choose to be treated. Net benefit is then calculated for possible threshold probability, which places benefits and harms on the same scale. We consider the inference problems for DCA in this paper. Interval estimation procedure and inference methodology are provided after we derive the relevant asymptotic properties. Our formulation can accommodate the classification problems with multiple categories. We carry out numerical studies to assess the performance of the proposed methods. An eye disease dataset is analyzed to illustrate our proposals.
Preparation and Properties of Cu2O/TiO2 Heterojunction Nanocomposite for Rhodamine B Degradation under Visible Light
Authors: Nie Junkun , Yu Xiaojiao , Hu Dexiu , Wang Ting , Liu Zongbin , Zhao Ningning , Li Junpeng , Yao Binghua
Published: July 2020

Cu2O/TiO2 heterojunction nanocomposite particles were prepared through hydrothermal method. X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), static nitrogen adsorption apparatus, DelsaNano C particle analyzer, SEM, TEM, ultraviolet visible light spectrophotometer (UV‐Vis) were employed to characterize and reveal the microcosmic characteristics, surface micromorphology and optical features of the Cu2O/TiO2 heterojunction nanocomposite particles. The photocatalytic degradation regularity of rhodamine B utilizing Cu2O/TiO2 heterojunction nanocomposite was optimized via the response surface methodology (RSM), and the quadratic regression equation of the degradation rate and coding of experimental variables were constructed. First principle calculation was applied through density function theory (DFT), the binding energies of the heterojunction of multiple Cu2O crystal surfaces and TiO2 were computed by Vienna Ab‐Initio Simulation Package. The results showed that the prepared Cu2O/TiO2 heterojunction nanocomposite crystal nanoparticles had high purity with a Cu2O crystallization preferential orientation of (111) plane. TiO2 doped Cu2O nanocomposite increased the forbidden band width, specific surface, dispersibility and absorbance efficiency in the visible light range. R2 value of the constructed quadratic regression equation was 0.9233, showing the constructed regression model was available and the photocatalytic process and the established model had good fitness. The optimum conditions for the rhodamine B degradation were obtained as follows: the photocatalytic time was 3 h, the amount of catalyst was 40 mg/L and the solution pH value was 3. The experimental degradation rate of rhodamine B was predicted to be 91.8% and the relative error between the theoretical value and the experimental value was 2.8%. All the calculated binding energies of Cu2O/TiO2 heterojunction nanocomposites were positive and Cu2O (111)/TiO2 heterojunction nanocomposites were most likely to present high catalytic activity. The photocatalytic degradation mechanism, transfer and separation laws of photogenerated carriers of Cu2O/TiO2 p‐n heterojuncion were explored and revealed.
Synergistic Catalytic Effect of Hollow Carbon Nanosphere and Silver Nanoparticles for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Guo Zhongqin , Zhang Haizhou , Ma Xiaochun , Zhou Xiaoming , Liang Dong , Mao Jianfeng , Fang Hengyi , Yu Jiemei , Sun Yue , Huang Taizhong
Published: July 2020

Developing low‐cost and high‐performance catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is critical for fuel cell applications. In this study, hollow carbon nano‐spheres (HCNS) are synthesized by a hydrothermal method and used as the support for silver nano‐particles (Ag@HCNS) as the ORR catalyst. The morphology of Ag@HCNS is investigated by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and other methodologies. Results show that the silver nanoparticles with a diameter from 3 to 6 nm are evenly distributed on the surface of HCNS. The catalytic performances of the HCNS and Ag@HCNS for ORR are investigated by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweeping voltammetry, rotating disc and rotating ring disc electrode tests. The synergistic effect between HCNS and Ag nanoparticles plays the major role on the high catalytic activity of Ag@HCNS for ORR. The onset potential of Ag@HCNS (0.82 V v.s. RHE) catalyzed ORR is close to that of Pt/C catalyst. In addition, the reaction kinetics study shows that the Ag@HCNS catalyzed ORR major proceeds through 4‐electron style. This paper promotes the understanding of the happening mechanism of ORR on the surface of novel carbon supported metal nanoparticles.
Selective Turn‐On Aluminium Ions Detection of NBD(+) Appended Schiff‐Base Fluorophore
Authors: Balagurusamy Balajothi , Ilayaperumal Pradeep , Zorlu Yunus , Chellaiah Raja
Published: July 2020

The Al3+ sensor, 7‐nitrobenz‐2‐oxa‐1, 3‐diazole (NBD) derived fluorescent probe 2‐((E)‐(4‐(phenylamino)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazol‐7‐ylimino)methyl) phenol (3) was synthesized and characterized by various spectral methods and crystallography. The compound (3) exhibits dual channel (fluorometric and colorimetric) sensor behaviour. It has high selectivity for Al3+ detection, produced significant fluorescence enhancement in the presence of Al3+ ion. It shows ‘‘turn off–on’’ fluorescent responses toward Al3+ in semi aqueous medium. Here, the correlative the properties of a photo sensor (NBD based schiff‘s base 3 with normal NBD derivatives 1, 2) towards Al3+ was studied. The solvent effect and cation sensing properties were investigated from ultraviolet spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopic methods. The facile synthetic probe 3 will alternative and open new opportunities in bio‐imaging of Al3+ in various cell lines. This will certainly be helpful in understanding the fundamental mechanism of aluminium‐induced human diseases.
Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of O‐Pentyne Substituted Diphenylpyrimidines as Monoamine Oxidase and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
Authors: Kumar Vijay , Kumar Bhupinder , Ranjan Dwivedi Ashish , Mehta Devashish , Kumar Naveen , Bajaj Beenu , Arora Tania , Prashar Vikash , Parkash Jyoti , Kumar Vinod
Published: July 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurological disorder and single target directed drugs have been found ineffective in the retardation or reversal of disease state. In last few years, multi‐targeting agents are being explored as drug strategy for the effective treatment of AD. A series of (4‐(pent‐4‐yn‐1‐yloxy)phenyl)‐2‐phenylpyrimidine derivatives has been synthesized and evaluated against monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzymes. Most of the synthesized compounds were found to be potent inhibitors of MAO−A, MAO−B and AChE enzymes with IC50 values in low micromolar range. In the series, BD‐13 and BD‐14 were found to be the most potent dual inhibitors of MAO−A and AChE enzymes. BD‐13 showed MAO−A and AChE inhibition with IC50 values of 0.78±0.12 μM and 2.84±0.19 μM, respectively. Similarly, BD‐14 showed potent inhibition activities against MAO−A and AChE enzymes with IC50 values of 0.75±0.04 μM and 2.19±0.06 μM, respectively. In reversibility studies, BD‐13 and BD‐14 were found to be reversible inhibitors of both MAO−A and AChE enzymes. In the cytotoxicity studies, BD‐13 and BD‐14 were found to be non‐toxic to the SH‐SY5Y cells. In the molecular dynamic simulation studies of 30 ns, both the potent compounds were found to be thermodynamically stable in the active sites of MAO−A and AChE. Thus, BD‐13 and BD‐14 can be used as lead compounds for the development of more potent compounds for the effective treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Room‐Temperature‐Processed Fullerene/TiO2 Nanocomposite Electron Transporting Layer for High‐Efficiency Rigid and Flexible Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Ping-Cheng , Govindan Venkatesan , Chiang Chien-Hung , Wu Chun-Guey
Published: July 2020

Room‐temperature‐processed TiO2 (R‐Lt‐TiO2) electron transporting layers (ETLs) possess low conductivity and connectivity, resulting in poor photovoltaic performance. Herein, an ethanol (EtOH)‐soluble, highly conducting fullerene derivative, C60RT6, was used as an additive for Lt‐TiO2 ETLs. Room‐temperature processed nanocomposite ETL (R‐Fu/Lt‐TiO2) is prepared simply by spin coating a C60RT6 and G‐TiO2 NPs (TiO2 nanoparticle prepared by grinding the bulk TiO2 powder) mixture. R‐Fu/Lt‐TiO2 has better aligned with the frontier orbitals of the FAxMA1−xPbI3, better continuity, conductivity, flatness, and higher surface hydrophilicity compared to Lt‐TiO2 ETL. Perovskite films spin coated on R‐Fu/Lt‐TiO2 ETLs also have slightly larger grains and thickness compared to those deposited on Lt‐TiO2. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) based on a R‐Fu/Lt‐TiO2 ETL possess higher power conversion efficiency (PCE, up to 20% on glass substrate), less (negligible) current hysteresis, and better long‐term stability compared to those using R‐Lt‐TiO2 as an ETL. The flexible PSC (used indium tin oxide/polyethylene terephthalate (ITO/PET) as a substrate) with a R‐Fu/Lt‐TiO2 ETL achieves a PCE of 18.06% and retains 90% of the initial PCE after 500 bending cycles with a bending radius of 6 mm. The PCE of the flexible cell with a Lt‐TiO2 ETL is only 8.2%, and loses 60% of the initial value after 500 bending cycles.
Granular hydrogels for 3D bioprinting applications
Authors: Cheng Wei , Zhang Jing , Liu Ji , Yu Ziyi
Published: July 2020

Granular hydrogels are the conglomerations of micrometer‐sized hydrogel particles that have recently become promising in tissue growth and three‐dimensional (3D) bioprinting. Recent advances in the use of jamming transition of granular hydrogels represent a potential paradigm shift in the extrusion‐based 3D bioprinting. These dynamic granular hydrogels are shear thinning and self‐healing, enable higher printing performance, and the creation of better physiological conditions for heterocellular constructs. Here, we review the current efforts to explore materials to produce granular hydrogels with novel functional properties, focusing on the granular hydrogels that can be used for supporting baths and bioinks in the extrusion‐based 3D bioprinting. The recent advances, benefits, and challenges in this emerging area are highlighted.
Residuals, sludge, and biosolids: Advancements in the field
Authors: Brisolara Kari B. , Gentile Bailey , Puszykowski Kate , Bourgeois John
Published: July 2020

Advancements in the field of residuals, sludge, and biosolids have been made in 2019. This review outlines the major contributions of researchers that have been published in peer‐reviewed journals and conference proceedings throughout 2019 and includes brief summaries from over 125 articles. The review is organized in sections including life cycle and risk assessments; characteristics, quality, and measurement including micropollutants, nanoparticles, pathogens, and metals; sludge treatment technologies including dewatering, digestion, composting, and wetlands; disposal and reuse including adsorbents, land application and agricultural uses, nutrient recovery, and innovative uses; odor and air emissions; and energy issues.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Tetranuclear Molybdenum(II) Silylamido Cluster
Authors: Morgenstern Uwe , Wagner Christoph , Merzweiler Kurt
Published: July 2020

Treatment of molybdenum(II) chloride with the difunctional silylamide Li2Me2Si(NPh)2 led to the formation of the tetranuclear cluster compound [Mo4{Me2Si(NPh)2}4]. According to the X‐ray crystal structure determination, the central core of the cluster consists of four molybdenum atoms in a nearly rectangular arrangement. There are two μ4‐κ‐N,N,N',N'‐Me2Si(NPh)22– ligands capping the Mo4 rectangle and two μ2‐Me2Si(NPh)22– ligands located at opposite edges. The alternating Mo–Mo distances of 218.1(1) and 279.5(1) pm indicate the presence of a cyclobutadiyne type cluster with alternating Mo–Mo triple and single bonds.
Scalable haloscopes for axion dark matter detection in the 30 μeV range with RADES
Authors: Melcón A. Álvarez , Cuendis S. Arguedas , Cogollos C. , Díaz-Morcillo A. , Döbrich B. , Gallego J. D. , Barceló J. M. García , Gimeno B. , Golm J. , Irastorza I. G. , Lozano-Guerrero A. J. , Malbrunot C. , Millar A. , Navarro P. , Garay C. Peña , Redondo J. , Wuensch W.
Published: July 2020

Abstract

RADES (Relic Axion Detector Exploratory Setup) is a project with the goal of directly searching for axion dark matter above the 30μeV scale employing custom-made microwave filters in magnetic dipole fields. Currently RADES is taking data at the LHC dipole of the CAST experiment. In the long term, the RADES cavities are envisioned to take data in the BabyIAXO magnet. In this article we report on the modelling, building and characterisation of an optimised microwave-filter design with alternating irises that exploits maximal coupling to axions while being scalable in length without suffering from mode-mixing. We develop the mathematical formalism and theoretical study which justifies the performance of the chosen design. We also point towards the applicability of this formalism to optimise the MADMAX dielectric haloscopes.
A singular way to search for heavy resonances in missing energy events
Authors: Park Chan Beom
Published: July 2020

The phase space of visible particles in missing energy events may have singularity structures. The singularity variables are devised to capture the singularities effectively for given event topology. They can greatly improve the discovery potential of new physics signals as well as to extract the mass spectrum information at hadron colliders. Focusing on the antler decay topology of resonance, we derive a novel singularity variable whose distribution has endpoints directly correlated with the resonance mass. As a practical application, we examine the applicability of the singularity variable to the searches for heavy neutral Higgs bosons in the two-Higgs doublet model.
Holographic complexity bounds
Authors: Liu Hai-Shan , Lü H. , Ma Liang , Tan Wen-Di
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We study the action growth rate in the Wheeler-DeWitt (WDW) patch for a variety of D ≥ 4 black holes in Einstein gravity that are asymptotic to the anti-de Sitter spacetime, with spherical, toric and hyperbolic horizons, corresponding to the topological parameter k = 1, 0, −1 respectively. We find a lower bound inequality $$ {\left.\frac{1}{T}\frac{\partial {\overset{\cdot }{I}}_{\mathrm{WDW}}}{\partial S}\right|}_{Q,{P}_{\mathrm{th}}}>C $$

1
T

∂

I
⋅

WDW

∂
S

Q
,

P
th

>
C
for k = 0, 1, where C is some order-one numerical constant. The lowest number in our examples is C = (D − 3)/(D − 2). We also find that the quantity $$ \left({\overset{\cdot }{I}}_{\mathrm{WDW}}-2{P}_{\mathrm{th}}\Delta {V}_{\mathrm{th}}\right) $$

I
⋅

WDW

−
2

P
th

Δ

V
th

is greater than, equal to, or less than zero, for k = 1, 0, −1 respectively. For black holes with two horizons, ∆Vth = $$ {V}_{\mathrm{th}}^{+} $$

V
th
+

−$$ {V}_{\mathrm{th}}^{-} $$

V
th
−

, i.e. the difference between the thermodynamical volumes of the outer and inner horizons. For black holes with only one horizon, we introduce a new concept of the volume $$ {V}_{\mathrm{th}}^0 $$

V
th
0

of the black hole singularity, and define $$ \Delta {V}_{\mathrm{th}}={V}_{\mathrm{th}}^{+}-{V}_{\mathrm{th}}^0 $$
Δ

V
th

=

V
th
+

−

V
th
0

. The volume $$ {V}_{\mathrm{th}}^0 $$

V
th
0

vanishes for the Schwarzschild black hole, but in general it can be positive, negative or even divergent. For black holes with single horizon, we find a relation between $$ {\overset{\cdot }{I}}_{\mathrm{WDW}} $$

I
⋅

WDW

and $$ {V}_{\mathrm{th}}^0 $$

V
th
0

, which implies that the holographic complexity preserves the Lloyd’s bound for positive or vanishing $$ {V}_{\mathrm{th}}^0 $$

V
th
0

, but the bound is violated when $$ {V}_{\mathrm{th}}^0 $$

V
th
0

becomes negative. We also find explicit black hole examples where $$ {V}_{\mathrm{th}}^0 $$

V
th
0

and hence $$ {\overset{\cdot }{I}}_{\mathrm{WDW}} $$

I
⋅

WDW

are divergent.
Holographic Abrikosov lattices
Authors: Donos Aristomenis , Gauntlett Jerome P. , Pantelidou Christiana
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We study black hole solutions of D = 4 Einstein-Maxwell theory coupled to a charged scalar field that are holographically dual to a d = 3 conformal field theory with a non-vanishing chemical potential and constant magnetic field. We numerically construct black hole solutions that are dual to a superfluid phase with a periodic lattice of vortices. For the specific model we investigate, we find that the thermodynamically preferred con- figuration is given by a triangular lattice and moreover the vortices are associated with the lowest Landau level. We also construct black holes describing a lattice of vortices associated with the next to lowest Landau level and while these are not thermodynamically preferred they exhibit some interesting features that could be realised for other holographic models.
D3-brane loop amplitudes from M5-brane tree amplitudes
Authors: Wen Congkao , Zhang Shun-Qing
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We study loop corrections to scattering amplitudes in the world-volume theory of a probe D3-brane, which is described by the supersymmetric Dirac-Born-Infeld theory. We show that the D3-brane loop superamplitudes can be obtained from the tree-level superamplitudes in the world-volume theory of a probe M5-brane (or D5-brane). The M5-brane theory describes self-interactions of an abelian tensor supermultiplet with (2, 0) supersymmetry, and the tree-level superamplitudes are given by a twistor formula. We apply the construction to the maximally-helicity-violating (MHV) amplitudes in the D3- brane theory at one-loop order, which are purely rational terms (except for the four-point amplitude). The results are further confirmed by generalised unitarity methods. Through a supersymmetry reduction on the M5-brane tree-level superamplitudes, we also construct one-loop corrections to the non-supersymmetric D3-brane amplitudes, which agree with the known results in the literature.
Stabilizability in optimal control
Authors: Lai Anna Chiara , Motta Monica
Published: July 2020

We extend the classical concepts of sampling and Euler solutions for control systems associated to discontinuous feedbacks by considering also the corresponding costs. In particular, we introduce the notions of Sample and Euler stabilizability to a closed target set$$\mathbf{C}$$Cwith$$({p_{0}},W)$$(p0,W)-regulated cost, for some continuous, state-dependent functionWand some constant$${p_{0}}>0$$p0>0: it roughly means that we require the existence of a stabilizing feedbackKsuch that all the corresponding sampling and Euler solutions starting from a pointzhavesuitably definedfinite costs, bounded above by$$W(z)/{p_{0}}$$W(z)/p0. Then, we show how the existence of a special, semiconcave Control Lyapunov FunctionW, called$${p_{0}}$$p0-Minimum Restraint Function, allows us to construct explicitly such a feedbackK. When dynamics and Lagrangian are Lipschitz continuous in the state variable, we prove thatKas above can be still obtained if there exists a$${p_{0}}$$p0-Minimum Restraint Function which is merely Lipschitz continuous. An example on the stabilizability with$$({p_{0}},W)$$(p0,W)-regulated cost of the nonholonomic integrator control system associated toany costwith bounded Lagrangian illustrates the results.