bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enteroatmospheric fistula repair in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV: a novel management technique using ABRA device
Authors: Zubair Omar , Slater Kellee
Published: September 2020

A 35-year-old man with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV (EDS IV) underwent surgical repair of an enteroatmospheric fistula. Despite the substantially increased operative risk, repair was undertaken in view of his poor quality of life and severe nutritional deficits. Dense adhesions and extremely fragile bowel and vasculature characteristic of EDS IV were encountered intraoperatively. Multiple traction enterotomies and faecal matter leaking from suture holes necessitated leaving the abdomen open for a prolonged period. An Abdominal Reapproximation Anchor device was applied to prevent lateral retraction of the abdominal wall during this time. At relook on day 6, no leak was found, and the abdomen was closed. Two years postoperatively, the patient has an intact abdominal wall, with a vastly improved quality of life. This case illustrates the challenges of operating on patients with EDS IV, and presents a novel technique in managing fistulas in these patients.
Engaging culture and context in mhGAP implementation: fostering reflexive deliberation in practice
Authors: Gómez-Carrillo Ana , Lencucha Raphael , Faregh Neda , Veissière Samuel , Kirmayer Laurence J
Published: September 2020

In 2002, WHO launched the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) as a strategy to help member states scale up services to address the growing burden of mental, neurological and substance use disorders globally, especially in countries with limited resources. Since then, the mhGAP program has been widely implemented but also criticised for insufficient attention to cultural and social context and ethical issues. To address this issue and help overcome related barriers to scale-up, we outline a framework of questions exploring key cultural and ethical dimensions of mhGAP planning, adaptation, training, and implementation. This framework is meant to guide mhGAP activity taking place around the world. Our approach is informed by recent research on cultural formulation and adaptation, and aligned with key components of the WHO implementation research guide (Peters, D. H., Tran, N. T., & Adam, T. (2013). Implementation research in health: a practical guide.Implementation research in health: a practical guide.). The framework covers three broad domains: (1)Concepts of wellness and illness—how to examine cultural norms, knowledge, values and attitudes in relation to the “culture of the mhGAP”; (2)Systems of care—identifying formal and informal systems of care in the cultural context of practice.; and (3)Ethical space: examining issues related to power dynamics, communication, and decision-making. Systematic consideration of these issues can guide integration of cultural knowledge, structural competence, and ethics in implementation efforts.
Sexuality post gynaecological cancer treatment: a qualitative study with South African women
Authors: Pitcher Sorrel , Fakie Nazia , Adams Tracey , Denny Lynette , Moodley Jennifer
Published: September 2020

Objectives

This study investigated women’s experiences of their sexuality post gynaecological cancer treatment. Using a holistic sexuality framework, the study explored how women felt their sexual functioning, sexual relationships and sexual identity had been affected by treatment.

Design

The study was qualitative in nature and made use of an interpretive descriptive design. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Setting

Data collection took place at a follow-up clinic within the gynaeoncology unit at a public-sector tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

Participants

Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants, and the final sample consisted of 34 women aged 29–70 (x´=52). All women had received a gynaecological cancer diagnosis and had been treated with either surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of these. On average, the participants were between 12 and 30 months post treatment.

Results

Women expressed how their sexual functioning post treatment was both nuanced and complex, how heteronormative gender expectations influenced their intimate relationships, and how they experienced a re-embodiment of their sexual subjectivity post treatment. Participants felt that more sexual functioning information from healthcare providers, as well as peer support groups, would assist them in navigating the sexuality changes they experienced.

Conclusions

The findings of this study broaden conceptualisations of sexuality post treatment by detailing the ways that it is complex, nuanced, relational and ever shifting. More research is needed about how to incorporate holistic psychosexual support post treatment into the public healthcare system in South Africa.
Upper respiratory viral load in asymptomatic individuals and mildly symptomatic patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Ra Sang Hyun , Lim Joon Seo , Kim Gwang-un , Kim Min Jae , Jung Jiwon , Kim Sung-Han
Published: September 2020

Background

Asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection have viable viral loads and have been linked to several transmission cases. However, data on the viral loads in such individuals are lacking. We assessed the viral loads in asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection in comparison with those in symptomatic patients with COVID-19.

Methods

Study participants were recruited from a community facility designated for the isolation of patients with mild COVID-19 in South Korea. The presence of symptoms was evaluated with a questionnaire-based survey. Viral loads in the upper respiratory tract were measured with real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) targeting theE,RdRpandNgenes of SARS-CoV-2, with a cycle threshold (Ct) value of 40 for determining positivity.

Results

In 213 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, 41 (19%) had remained asymptomatic from potential exposure to laboratory confirmation and admission; of them, 39 (95%) underwent follow-up RT-PCR testing after a median 13 days. In 172 symptomatic patients, 144 (84%) underwent follow-up RT-PCR testing. Twenty-one (54%) asymptomatic individuals and 92 (64%) symptomatic patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at follow-up. Asymptomatic individuals and symptomatic patients did not show any significant differences in the mean Ct values of theE(31.15 vs 31.43; p>0.99),RdRp(32.26 vs 32.93; p=0.92) andN(33.05 vs 33.28; p>0.99) genes.

Conclusion

Approximately one-fifth of the individuals without severe symptoms were asymptomatic, and their viral loads were comparable to those in symptomatic patients. A large proportion of mildly symptomatic patients with COVID-19 or asymptomatic individuals with SARS-CoV-2 showed persistent positive upper respiratory RT-PCR results at follow-up.
Intrathoracic gastric torsion following surgical management of a type IV hiatal hernia
Authors: Hernon Tom , Chanoit Guillaume , Meakin Lee B
Published: September 2020

A five‐month‐old French bulldog was referred for assessment and management of regurgitation. Investigations suggested a type IV hiatal hernia, with the stomach and spleen found to be within the thorax. This was surgically managed with a phrenoplasty and fundic gastropexy. The dog recovered well and was free from clinical signs for four months, at which point he presented with sudden onset tachypnoea and increased respiratory effort. Radiographs identified a distended stomach within the thorax. An emergency coeliotomy identified that the stomach had torsed 180° around the gastropexy and herniated, along with the spleen, through the oesophageal hiatus. A sternotomy was required to decompress and subsequently reduce the stomach and spleen into the abdomen. The gastric torsion was corrected, and a right‐sided gastropexy, a phrenoplasty and oesophagopexy were performed. The dog was doing well with no evidence of regurgitation four months following surgery.
3‐T MRI of protothecosis encephalic lesions in a Scottish shepherd dog
Authors: Cocchetto Aurora , Briola Chiara , Furlanello Tommaso , Danesi Patrizia , Cirla Alessandro , Menchetti Marika
Published: September 2020

A four‐year‐old Scottish Shepherd dog was referred for acute onset of disorientation, blindness and chronic diarrhoea. The neurological examination was consistent with a multifocal neurolocalisation involving the prosencephalon and the brainstem. The ophthalmological exam showed bilateral chorioretinitis with retinal detachment. The brain MRI showed periventricular and left caudate nucleus lesions, increased thickness of the left III, IV, VI and opthalmic branch of V cranial nerves and bilateral multifocal lesions in the temporal and masseter muscles. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed mild mixed pleocytosis. Faecal and urine cultures were positive for Prototheca zopfii genotype 2. Despite starting itraconazole therapy, the dog's conditions deteriorated and the owner elected euthanasia. Protothecosis should be suspected in young dogs with multifocal neurological signs, blindness and chronic diarrhoea.

MRI study of the central nervous system (CNS), together with blood exam, cytology and cultures, is a useful tool to evaluate the CNS in disseminated form of Prototheca infection.
Charmed and bottomed hadronic cross sections from a statistical model
Authors: Balassa Gábor , Wolf György
Published: September 2020

In this work, we extended our statistical model with charmed and bottomed hadrons, and fit the quark creational probabilities for the heavy quarks, using low energy inclusive charmonium and bottomonium data. With the finalized fit for all the relevant types of quarks (up, down, strange, charm, bottom) at the energy range from a few GeV up to a few tens of GeV’s, the model is now considered complete. Some examples are also given for proton–proton, pion–proton, and proton–antiproton collisions with charmonium, bottomonium, and open charm hadrons in the final state.
Semi-continuity of the Diederich–Fornaess and Steinness indices
Authors: Choi Young-Jun , Yum Jihun
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we prove the semi-continuity theorem of Diederich–Fornaess index and Steinness index under a smooth deformation of pseudoconvex domains in Stein manifolds.
Numerical simulation of higher-order diffusion-wave equations of variable coefficients using the meshless spectral method
Authors: Hussain Manzoor , Haq Sirajul
Published: September 2020

In this paper, meshless spectral interpolation technique using implicit time stepping scheme is proposed for the numerical simulations of time-fractional higher-order diffusion wave equations (TFHODWEs) of variable coefficients. Meshless shape functions, obtained from radial basis functions (RBFs) and point interpolation method (PIM), are used for spatial approximation. Central differences coupled with quadrature rule of [Formula: see text] are employed for fractional temporal approximation. For advancement of solution, an implicit time stepping scheme is then invoked. Simulations performed for different benchmark test problems feature good agreement with exact solutions. Stability analysis of the proposed method is theoretically discussed and computationally validated to support the analysis. Accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are assessed via [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] error norms as well as number of nodes [Formula: see text] and time step-size [Formula: see text].
Infrared Target Tracking Based on Improved Particle Filtering
Authors: Hu Zhiwei , Su Yixin
Published: September 2020

Infrared target tracking technology is one of the core technologies in infrared imaging guidance systems and is also a hot research topic. The problem of particle degradation could be always found in traditional particle filtering, and a large number of particles are additionally required for accurate estimation. It is difficult to meet the requirements of a modern infrared imaging guidance system for accurate target tracking. To solve the problem of particle degradation and improve the performance of infrared target tracking, the extended Kalman filter and genetic algorithm are introduced into particle filtering, and an improved algorithm for infrared target tracking is proposed in this paper. In the framework of a particle filter algorithm, the Gaussian distribution for each particle is generated and propagated by a separate extended Kalman filter to improve the sampling accuracy and effectiveness of the probability density function of particles. Genetic algorithm is used to perform a resampling process to solve particle degradation and ensure the diversity of particle states in particle swarm. Simulation results show that the improved tracking algorithm based on improved particle filtering proposed in this paper can effectively solve the phenomenon of particle degradation and track the infrared target.
Joint Learning for Pneumonia Classification and Segmentation on Medical Images
Authors: Liu Shaobo , Zhong Xin , Shih Frank Y.
Published: September 2020

Chest X-ray images are notoriously difficult to analyze due to the noisy nature. Automatic identification of pneumonia on medical images has attracted intensive study recently. In this paper, a novel joint-task architecture that can learn pneumonia classification and segmentation simultaneously is presented. Two modules, including an image preprocessing module and an attention module, are developed to improve both the classification and segmentation accuracies. Results from the experiments performed on the massive dataset of the Radiology Society of North America have confirmed its superiority over the other existing methods. The classification test accuracy is improved from 0.89 to 0.95, and the segmentation model achieves an improved mean precision result of 0.58–0.78. Finally, two weakly supervised learning methods, class-saliency map and Grad-CAM, are used to highlight the corresponding pixels or areas which have significant influence on the classification model, such that the refined segmentation can focus on the correct areas with high confidence.
Halogenated derivatives of cytidine: Structural analysis and binding affinity
Authors: Ghamsari Parnia Abyar , Samadizadeh Marjaneh , Mirzaei Mahmoud
Published: September 2020

Cytidine is a well-known inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase (MTN) enzyme for preventing cancer cells growth. Based on therapeutic benefits, it could be considered as a “lead compound” to be optimized through structural modification for arising better binding affinity in this case. Halogenated derivatives of cytidine were investigated in this work to examine structural and biological features employing in silico approach. To this aim, geometries of the original cytidine and four of its halogenated derivatives were minimized to prepare ligands for interacting with MTN enzyme target in molecular docking simulations. The results for singular ligand structures introduced I-cytidine as an optimized lead compound for contributing to proper interactions with MTN enzyme; the trend was confirmed by molecular docking simulations. As a final remark, I-cytidine could be considered as better ligand for complexation with the MTN enzyme in comparison with the original cytidine.
EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF THE INFORMAL SECTOR ON THE GROWTH OF FORMAL SECTOR ENTERPRISES: LESSONS FROM ITALY
Authors: KOSTA BRUNILDA , WILLIAMS COLIN C
Published: September 2020

This paper evaluates the effect of unregistered and informal sector business ventures on the growth of formal sector enterprises. The hypotheses tested is that formal sector enterprises that have to compete against unregistered or informal sector business ventures suffer from lower levels of performance, measured by annual sales growth, annual employment growth and annual productivity growth. To evaluate this thesis, data is reported from a World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) of 760 enterprises in Italy collected in 2019. The finding is that formal sector enterprises that report competing against unregistered or informal sector business ventures have significantly lower annual sales growth and annual productivity growth than enterprises that do not. The paper concludes by discussing the theoretical and policy implications, along with the limitations of the study and future research required.
Automatic discovery of irrationality proofs and irrationality measures
Authors: Zeilberger Doron , Zudilin Wadim
Published: September 2020

We illustrate the power of Experimental Mathematics and Symbolic Computation to suggest irrationality proofs of natural constants, and the determination of their irrationality measures. Sometimes such proofs can be fully automated, but sometimes there is still need for a human touch.
Proof of a rational Ramanujan-type series for 1/π. The fastest one in level 3
Authors: Guillera Jesús
Published: September 2020

Using a modular equation of level [Formula: see text] and degree [Formula: see text] due to Chan and Liaw, we prove the fastest known (conjectured to be the fastest one) convergent rational Ramanujan-type series for [Formula: see text] of level [Formula: see text].
Fields generated by finite rank subgroups of ℚ¯∗
Authors: Pottmeyer Lukas
Published: September 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite rank subgroup of [Formula: see text]. We prove that the multiplicative group of the field generated by all elements in the divisible hull of [Formula: see text] is free abelian modulo this divisible hull. This proves that a necessary condition for Rémond’s generalized Lehmer conjecture is satisfied.
The degree of Kummer extensions of number fields
Authors: Perucca Antonella , Sgobba Pietro , Tronto Sebastiano
Published: September 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a number field, and let [Formula: see text] be elements of [Formula: see text] which generate a subgroup of [Formula: see text] of rank [Formula: see text]. Consider the cyclotomic-Kummer extensions of [Formula: see text] given by [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] divides [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text]. There is an integer [Formula: see text] such that these extensions have maximal degree over [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We prove that the constant [Formula: see text] is computable. This result reduces to finitely many cases the computation of the degrees of the extensions [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text].
Magnetic and Ferromagnetic Resonance Studies in Amorphous Co–Zr Films
Authors: Charkaoui A. , Moubah R. , Abid M. , Lassri H.
Published: September 2020

The magnetic properties of amorphous Co[Formula: see text]Zrx films prepared by co-evaporation have been studied by means of vibrating sample magnetometry and ferromagnetic resonance. The temperature dependence of spontaneous magnetization [Formula: see text] in the low temperature range can be described using Bloch’s law. In addition, the spin wave stiffness constant, the distance between nearest magnetic atoms and the exchange interaction between cobalt and its nearest neighbors were calculated from the experimental results for [Formula: see text]. Spin-wave resonance modes were obtained and the change of the resonant field as a function of the mode number [Formula: see text] obeys the so-called [Formula: see text] law perpendicular to the film plane at 300[Formula: see text]K.
Farmer Behavior Under Groundwater Management Scenarios: Implications for Groundwater Conservation in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain
Authors: Alhassan Mustapha , Pindilli Emily J. , Lawrence Collin B.
Published: September 2020

Concern about sustained availability of fresh groundwater for agricultural use in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP) mounts as groundwater levels decline. We evaluate the elasticities of demand for groundwater and other agricultural inputs, as well as the overall and output-specific economies of scale for four major irrigated commodities (rice, corn, soybeans, and cotton) in the MAP region. Additionally, we investigate the impacts of two groundwater management policy scenarios, including increasing pumping cost and groundwater use restrictions, on irrigation behavior. The results show price elasticity of demand for groundwater to be [Formula: see text], indicating that it is inelastic, and an increased cost of pumping will not significantly decrease the relative demand for groundwater in the region. Even with policy scenarios that either increase the costs of pumping significantly or restrict groundwater use in the region, groundwater demand still appears to be inelastic. We also document significant overall economies of scale in the region. Our findings have implications for potential policy options aimed at reducing groundwater use. Efficient management practices are important to increase aquifer recharge, and considering human behavior via economic analysis will improve projections of groundwater availability in the MAP region.
Geoethics as a common thread that can bind a geoscience department together
Authors: Cronin Vincent S.
Published: September 2020

As ethics is a fundamental part of science, so too is geoethics at the centre of geoscience. Many university geoscience departments have not incorporated considerations of ethics or geoethics into their routine operations, strategies for student development, curriculum or research efforts. Starting to emphasize ethics within a departmental community takes an ongoing commitment to learn the vocabulary of ethics, engage in open and continuing conversations with all persons in the department and promote a shared understanding that ethics – geoethics – is an essential part of everything we do as geoscientists. Geoethics can be a common thread that helps to bind a geoscience department together.
From ‘good’ intentions to principled practices and beyond: ethical issues in risk communication
Authors: Cerase Andrea
Published: September 2020

Ethical issues emerge whenever a decision or action has the potential to affect another person (Sellnow
et al.
2008: 147)

This chapter summarizes and critically addresses the evolution of risk communication approaches through the lens of ethical issues. The growth and the consolidation of risk communication as an independent, cross-cutting discipline appear to be strictly connected to the growing concern for both public's and individual recipients’ needs and rights.
Geoethics in groundwater management: the geoethical dilemma in La Galera aquifer, Spain
Authors: Bellaubi Francesc , Arasa Alvaro
Published: September 2020

Groundwater management is a major challenge in natural resources governance because of the uncertainty of the nature of the resource in estimating the reserve, the complexity of water dynamics and evolution and the irreversibility of exploitation, including possible contamination. Furthermore, from a political ecology point of view, discourses of power between involved social actors shape institutional frameworks, economic incentives and access to technology, which determine who gets water in practice and define the groundwater management as a common pool resource in terms of excludability and rivalry. Underlying cultural values in groundwater management are usually dismissed whilst they sustain traditional ways of living related to territorial identities and values that, in turn, may play a role in groundwater management and protection. Considering La Galera aquifer (Ebro River Basin, Spain) as a case study, the paper presents a geoethical dilemma as a method to explore the underlying conflicting values that may explain current management practices and a way forward to reverse current trends.
Geoethics as global ethics to face grand challenges for humanity
Authors: Peppoloni Silvia , Di Capua Giuseppe
Published: September 2020

Geoethics is not simply professional ethics. Originally, it was developed in the context of geosciences to increase the awareness of geoscientists to their cultural and social role, but over time expanded to define a way in which humans can rethink their relationship with the Earth system in the light of principles and values that can provide a healthy and safe life in respect for geo-ecosystems. The theoretical framework of geoethics has now consolidated, and it has become the proposal on which to base a global ethics for the new millennium. This chapter outlines the scientific and cultural reference framework in which geoethics developed; the theoretical foundations of geoethics and its main characteristics; global anthropogenic issues under a geoethical perspective; ethical and social aspects related to two potential human activities respectively to combat global warming (geoengineering); and to provide for the growing demand for georesources (deep-sea/ocean mining). The authors highlight the importance of sharing values and actions among planetary human communities to manage global changes and threats. One wonders if the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic can suggest or confirm reflections on geoethical thinking. Finally, a charter for a responsible course of human development, articulated in nine principles and actions, is proposed.
Ethics in climate change: a climate scientist's perspective
Authors: Wuebbles Donald J.
Published: September 2020

There are many dimensions to a look at ethics in climate change, the underlying science and the responses to societal challenges. The rapid changes occurring in the Earth's climate are impacting every part of our lives, economically, culturally and physically, and these are driving concerns about vulnerability, equity and justice. The good news is that the science is providing a clear message – climate change is one of the most important issues facing humanity and our planet. There is basically no debate about this conclusion any longer within the science community; this understanding is data-driven, based on extensive observations and associated analyses using many different research tools. Science shows that human influence has been the dominant cause of observed warming and other major changes in the Earth's climate since at least the mid-twentieth century. However, that doesn't keep misinformation and overstatement of remaining uncertainties from appearing in the news, social media or in various blogs, but to do so requires distortions and misrepresentations of the science, or refutation of the underlying premises for basic physics. Denial of climate change and why it is occurring adds its own ethical dimension. Finally, there are major ethical dilemmas complicating the debate of how to respond to the continuing changes in climate. How do we balance the rights and responsibilities of the developed and developing nations of our planet? How do we sort out the possible use of geoengineering approaches that are being proposed to reduce or reverse climate change and/or its adverse societal impacts? How do we assess our responsibility to future generations for the actions we take today and the resulting changes in climate they must live with? These are complex considerations requiring solutions that meet the needs of humanity across its many dimensions.
Responsible vulnerability disclosure in cryptocurrencies
Authors: Böhme Rainer , Eckey Lisa , Moore Tyler , Narula Neha , Ruffing Tim , Zohar Aviv
Published: September 2020

Software weaknesses in cryptocurrencies create unique challenges in responsible revelations.
A decade of social bot detection
Authors: Cresci Stefano
Published: September 2020

Bots increasingly tamper with political elections and economic discussions. Tracing trends in detection strategies and key suggestions on how to win the fight.
Self-driving vehicle technology
Authors: Cusumano Michael A.
Published: September 2020

Seeking the answer to the elusive question, 'Are we there yet'?
Advancing Undergraduate Laboratory Education Using Non-Model Insect Species
Authors: Beck Christopher W. , Blumer Lawrence S.
Published: September 2020

Over the past decade, laboratory courses have made a fundamental shift to inquiry-based modules and authentic research experiences. In many cases, these research experiences emphasize addressing novel research questions. Insects are ideal for inquiry-based undergraduate laboratory courses because research on insects is not limited by regulatory, economic, and logistical constraints to the same degree as research on vertebrates. While novel research questions could be pursued with model insect species (e.g., Drosophila, Tribolium), the opportunities presented by non-model insects are much greater, as less is known about non-model species. We review the literature on the use of non-model insect species in laboratory education to provide a resource for faculty interested in developing new authentic inquiry-based laboratory modules using insects. Broader use of insects in undergraduate laboratory education will support the pedagogical goals of increased inquiry and resesarch experiences while at the same time fostering increased interest and research in entomology.
Roles of Regulatory RNAs in Nutritional Control
Authors: McNeill Elizabeth M. , Hirschi Kendal D.
Published: September 2020

Small RNAs (sRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), are noncoding RNA (ncRNA) molecules involved in gene regulation. sRNAs play important roles in development; however, their significance in nutritional control and as metabolic modulators is still emerging. The mechanisms by which diet impacts metabolic genes through miRNAs remain an important area of inquiry. Recent work has established how miRNAs are transported in body fluids often within exosomes, which are small cell-derived vesicles that function in intercellular communication. The abundance of other recently identified ncRNAs and new insights regarding ncRNAs as dietary bioactive compounds could remodel our understanding about how foods impact gene expression. Although controversial, some groups have shown that dietary RNAs from plants and animals (i.e., milk) are functional in consumers. In the future, regulating sRNAs either directly through dietary delivery or indirectly by altered expression of endogenous sRNA may be part of nutritional interventions for regulating metabolism.
Store-Operated Ca2+ Channels: Mechanism, Function, Pharmacology, and Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Bakowski Daniel , Murray Fraser , Parekh Anant B.
Published: September 2020

Calcium (Ca2+) release–activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels are a major route for Ca2+ entry in eukaryotic cells. These channels are store operated, opening when the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is depleted of Ca2+, and are composed of the ER Ca2+ sensor protein STIM and the pore-forming plasma membrane subunit Orai. Recent years have heralded major strides in our understanding of the structure, gating, and function of the channels. Loss-of-function and gain-of-function mutants combined with RNAi knockdown strategies have revealed important roles for the channel in numerous human diseases, making the channel a clinically relevant target. Drugs targeting the channels generally lack specificity or exhibit poor efficacy in animal models. However, the landscape is changing, and CRAC channel blockers are now entering clinical trials. Here, we describe the key molecular and biological features of CRAC channels, consider various diseases associated with aberrant channel activity, and discuss targeting of the channels from a therapeutic perspective.
Effects of Solvent Composition on Viscosity and Dispersion Structure of PEFC Catalyst Ink
Authors: Iida Kaname , Sasabe Takashi , Sakai Katsunori , Uemura Suguru , Shinohara Kazuhiko , Hirai Shuichiro
Published: September 2020

Structure and performance of PEFC catalyst layer (CL) is greatly influenced by dispersion structure of catalyst ink. Though the solvent composition of the catalyst ink affects the CL performance, correlation between solvent composition, CL structure, and performance has not been fully understood. The purpose of this study was to understand the effects of solvent compositions of the catalyst ink on the dispersion structure, the viscosity characteristics, and the CL structure. Four catalyst inks with different water/ethanol ratio were prepared, and the viscosity characteristics under different shear rate and the particle size distributions were measured without dilution. It was observed that the catalyst ink with higher ethanol ratio had higher viscosity and larger particle size, and it was suggested that decomposition product of ethanol by platinum catalyst affect the viscosity and the dispersion structure of the catalyst ink. Because the aggregates with in the catalyst ink strongly affect the CL structure, it is important to choose the solvent composition.
Factors Affecting ORR Activity of Nb-Added TiOx Catalyst Using Carbon Support for PEFC
Authors: Adachi Yoshinori , Nagai Takaaki , Kuroda Yoshiyuki , Ohgi Yoshiro , Matsuzawa Koichi , Mitsushima Shigenori , Ota Ken-ichiro , Ishihara Akimitsu
Published: September 2020

Cup-stacked carbon nanotubes (CSCNTs) were covered with niobium-added titanium oxide by hydrolysis method to increase effective surface area of the oxides. In addition, reductive heat-treatment was performed to produce the active sites for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The use of CSCNTs as supports was found to be effective to form the electron conductive path. The ORR currents of the Nb-added titanium oxide supported by CSCNTs significantly larger than those of Nb-added titanium oxide powder mixed with Ketjenblack. On the other hand, the ORR current at 0.6 V had maximum at the heat-treatment temperature of 800°C. We focused on the ratio of Ti3+ of the catalysts and found that the positive correlation between the ratio of Ti3+ and the ORR current density at 0.6 V. Therefore, it was found that the formation of the oxygen vacancies on the oxide surface strongly affected the ORR activity.
Highly Active Fe-N/C Oxygen Electrocatalysts Based on Silicon Carbide Derived Carbon
Authors: Teppor Patrick , Jäger Rutha , Hints Johanna , Volobujeva Olga , Valk Peeter , Koppel Miriam , Lust Enn
Published: September 2020

In this work oxygen reduction catalysts were synthesized by modifying silicon carbide derived carbon with Fe and N through ball milling. The presence of a process control agent and grinding ball diameter in the milling step were varied in order to study their effect on both the physical and electrochemical characteristics of the catalysts prepared. It was established that the ball diameter and process control agent can noticeably impact the surface morphology, particle size distribution, and specific surface area of the materials. Despite these differences, similar high half-wave potential values of 0.85 V vs RHE in alkaline media were established for all the catalysts. However, the electrochemical performance of the materials varied considerably in a PEMFC experiment. More specifically, particle size distribution and specific surface area appear to be important parameters when studying non-platinum group metal catalysts in single cell setups.
Paraffin Removal in the Synthesis of Novel Janus Carbon Nano-Onions
Authors: Del Valle-Perez Angelica , Rivera-Rivera Lineris , Gonzalez-Sanchez Osvaldo E , Cunci Lisandro
Published: September 2020

Recent research has demonstrated that Janus nanoparticles provide a novel strategy to prepare catalysts and biomaterials. This is because of the versatility of being able to modify both sides of a particle with different properties. Carbon nano-onions are an excellent material as a support for different applications, such as metal nanoparticles, due to their unique structure and good conductivity. Because of their physical and chemical properties, carbon nano-onions are an ideal material to create Janus nanoparticles for further amphiphillic modifications. This article aims to show a preparatory process to ensure the removal of paraffin efficiently. The main method to be able to create these particles is employing the Pickering emulsion process. Paraffin wax is used as the hydrophobic part of this mixture and serves to block one side of the CNOs to facilitate their modification only on one side. Therefore, its removal is essential to obtain this catalytic nanoparticle.
Methods of Redox Control and Measurement in Molten NaCl-CaCl2-UCl3
Authors: Newton Matthew Laughlin , Hamilton David Ethan , Simpson Michael Forrest
Published: September 2020

One problematic issue with molten salt reactors (MSRs) is the tendency for the salt’s redox potential to increase with irradiation, causing greater corrosivity. U and Zr were identified as redox buffer candidates in a NaCl-CaCl2-UCl3 salt. Uranium and zirconium are attractive redox buffers since they should not reduce the redox potential below sustainable operating conditions for MSRs. Redox potentials—represented by open circuit potential (OCP)—were measured at a tungsten working electrode vs. a Ag/AgCl reference electrode housed in a mullite tube. Continuous OCP measurements were taken at 600°C, while NiCl2 was added to the molten salt to replicate irradiation effects on redox potential. OCP rose by 0.23 V with the addition of 0.1 wt% NiCl2. A zirconium rod was then submerged in the salt, causing an OCP drop of -0.63 V over a 100 min period. The potential drop for a U rod was -0.5 V over 160 min.
Developing Polyionic Biocomposite Materials through Natural Fiber Welding
Authors: Durkin David P. , Hoffman Christian E. , Cosby Tyler , Aiello Ashlee , Mcfarland Julia A. , De Long Hugh C. , Woodcock Jeremiah W. , Trulove Paul C.
Published: September 2020

This study presents our progress on using imidazolium-based polymerizable ionic liquids (Poly-ILs) in the NFW process to prepare polyionic biocomposites. Two novel Poly-ILs containing the 1-alkyl-3-vinylimidazolium cation and an alkylphosphonate anion were synthesized and subsequently characterized using NMR. Each Poly-IL was evaluated for its ability to (i) polymerize and (ii) solubilize a biopolymer (cellulose) matrix, and optimized parameters yielded polyionic biocomposite materials whose physicochemical properties were evaluated using ATR-FTIR, RAMAN, and SEM.
Charge Transport and Dynamics in Imidazolium Chloroaluminate Ionic Liquids
Authors: Cosby Tyler , Durkin David P. , Mantz Robert A , Trulove Paul C.
Published: September 2020

Ion dynamics and charge transport in 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloroaluminate ionic liquids were investigated over broad temperature and frequency ranges by broadband dielectric spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The timescale of ion dynamics, as captured by the imaginary component of the complex dielectric modulus as well as the calorimetric glass transition temperature (Tg), is strongly composition-dependent, with the fastest dynamics, lowest Tg, and highest fragility observed for the Lewis acidic 67 mol% AlCl3 + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride composition. The DC ionic conductivity scales directly by the ion dynamics for all compositions indicating the primary effect of ion speciation is an alteration of the underlying ion mobility. The fragility (m) of the 67 mol% AlCl3 + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid, m=148, is among the highest reported fragilities for a glass-forming liquid.
Limited Ionicity in Protic Ionic Liquids: Organic Acid/Trialkylamine Mixtures
Authors: Klapatiuk Devin Oscar , Johnson Keith Edward , East Allan L. L.
Published: September 2020

The nature of the ions present in mixtures of trialkylamines (B) with carboxylic acids (HA) is discussed. New ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations of mixtures of triethylamine (TEA) with acids here reveal the same cation type, the large complex [B(HA)nHB]+, as seen earlier with pyridine (PYR). Since this indicates that the ionization equilibrium reaction 2 B(HA)n ⇄ B(HA)nHB+ + A(HA)n-1
− is perhaps more general than for pyridine systems, a new analysis derives ∆G for this equilibrium reaction from experimental conductivities, viscosities, and densities, as a function of xB (mole fraction of B in the acid/base mixture). The results show that large Walden constant values, which might be indicative of Grotthuss H+ conductivity mechanisms, are not needed except for formic-acid-rich mixtures.
(Invited) Electrodeposition of Aluminium Containing Alloys from Molten Fluoride Electrolytes Containing Metal Oxides
Authors: Haarberg Geir Martin
Published: September 2020

Aluminium is produced by the Hall-Heroult process by electrowinning in a molten fluoride electrolyte with dissolved alumina at ~955oC. Several metallic impurities typically end up in the produced metal due to the fact that most metals are more noble than aluminium. Such co-deposition of metals may be utilized to form aluminium alloys. Another advantage is that many metal oxides are readily soluble in molten cryolite based electrolytes. The more noble metals will deposit at the limiting current density. The alloy composition is essentially determined by the bath concentration of the dissolved cations of the alloying element. Therefore it is possible to produce alloys of certain compositions by controlled addition of metal oxides. Interesting candidate alloying elements are silicon, iron, titanium, and manganese, but also exotic elements such as scandium are possible. Electrochemical studies were carried out in laboratory experiments and the behaviour of dissolved metal oxides was studied in industrial cells. High current efficiencies for the codeposition of the alloying elements Si, Fe, Ti, and Mn were confirmed. Significant savings for producing alloys by this method are expected.
(Invited) Electroplating of Bright Aluminum on the ABS Resin Substrate Covered with Cu Film in EmImCl-AlCl3 Ionic Liquid
Authors: Ueda Mikito
Published: September 2020

To form bright and uniform Al electroplating film on Cu substrate, additive for electrolyte and support electrode were investigated in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (EmImCl) and AlCl3 mixture ionic liquid. Al electroplating film from the ionic liquid containing the additive formed bright surface depend on rotation rate of ionic liquid electrolyte. By arranging the supporting electrodes, current concentration on the substrate was dispersed. An Al electroplated film having a uniform thickness was formed on the Cu substrate or ABS resin substrate covered with Cu plating. The electroplated film formed on the ABS substrate was anodized and showed pink, blue, and orange.
Optimization of Electrolysis Conditions for Ti Film Electrodeposition from LiF – LiCl Eutectic Molten Salt
Authors: Unoki Makoto , Norikawa Yutaro , Yasuda Kouji , Nohira Toshiyuki
Published: September 2020

The optimum conditions for electrodepositing compact, smooth, and adherent Ti films in LiF–LiCl–Li3TiF6 at 823 K were investigated. The Li3TiF6 was formed in-situ in the melt via comproportionation reaction between Li2TiF6 and Ti powder. The solubility of Li3TiF6 was confirmed to be higher than 7.1 mol% by cyclic voltammetry and ICP-AES measurement. Galvanostatic electrolysis was conducted on Ni plate substrates at various concentrations of Li3TiF6 (0.55, 2.6, 7.1 mol%) and cathodic current density (50–1200 mA cm−2). Ti films with smoother surface were obtained at higher Li3TiF6 concentration and lower current density. In the present study, Ti films having the smoothest surface were obtained at 7.1 mol% of Li3TiF6 and 50 mA cm−2.
Aluminum Ion Species Transport in Pure and Additive Modulated Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) Electrolytes
Authors: Paterno Domenec , Suarez Sophia
Published: September 2020

The effect of additives on the aluminum species transports in varying molar ratios of AlCl3 deep eutectic solvents (DES) was studied using EIS conductivity measurements. The amides studied were acetamide, propionamide, and butyramide and the molar ratios ranged from 1:1 -1.7:1 for each AlCl3:amide DES. The additives studied were propylene carbonate (PC) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) in 5wt%. While FEC generally lowered the conductivities, PC appears to shift the reaction equilibrium towards lower AlCl3 concentration. It is possible the fluorine atom on the FEC interacts with the [AlCl2(amide)n]+ species, creating stronger interactions that lowers the conductivity. The data displayed non-Arrhenius behavior and were fitted using the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann equation to reveal dynamic behaviors similar to some pure ILs where the effective inter-conversion between the trans and cis conformations of the anion facilitated faster ion dynamics. These results can be helpful in modifying DES and similar aluminum solvents for electrolyte applications.
Electrochemical Behavior of the SmF3 in Alkali Chloride Melts
Authors: Stulov Yuriy V. , Kuznetsov Sergey A.
Published: September 2020

Electrochemical studies of the redox couple Sm(III)/Sm(II) were carried out in NaCl-KCl, KCl, and CsCl melts in a temperature range of 973-1173 K by cyclic voltammetry. Diffusion coefficients (D) of Sm(III) in these melts were determined using Randels–Shevchik equation. The diffusion coefficients decrease with a change in the composition of the second coordination sphere from sodium to cesium. It is associated with a decrease in the counter-polarizing effect during the transition from Na to Cs, which in turn causes a decrease the metal–ligand bond length in the complexes. The standard rate constants of charge transfer (k
s) of the redox couple Sm(III)/Sm(II) were determined by cyclic voltammetry in the all studied melts using the Nicholson’s equation, which is valid for quasi-reversible processes. The following series of the standard charge transfer constants was found k
s(CsCl)<k
s(KCl)<k
s(NaCl–KCl).
Ammonium·18-crown-6 bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide
Authors: Kawata Kio , Kitada Atsushi , Fukami Kazuhiro , Murase Kuniaki
Published: September 2020

We report synthesis and characterization of an ammonium-based molten salt, ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide-18-crown-6 (1/1), i.e. [NH4
+·18C6][Tf2N–] (Tf = SO2CF3). Raman spectra shows [NH4
+·18C6][Tf2N–] consists of NH4
+ ion encapsulated by 18C6 and Tf2N– anion. The melting point of [NH4
+·18C6][Tf2N–] was around 100°C. At 140°C, the viscosity of [NH4
+·18C6][Tf2N–] was 14.7 mPa s, the conductivity was 8.0 mS cm–1, and the density was 1.23 g cm–3. These properties were comparable to those of common ionic liquids.
(Invited) Domain Adaptation for the Semantic Segmentation of the Unmanned Surface Vehicle
Authors: Zhan Wenqiang , Xiao Changshi , Haiwen Yuan , Zou Xiong , Chen Qianqian , Yang Tiantian
Published: September 2020

Recently, deep learning has great development and is applied in various fields. But the performance of the network depends on a large amount of label data training. After training in a specific domain, a network model can have a good performance. But it may have a poor performance when transferred into a new domain. This paper addresses the visual semantic segmentation model transfer for the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) system. An adaptive cross-domain incremental learning method is proposed, which enables USV adaptive to navigate in unknown new environments. In our work, the knowledge of the trained segmentation network model and the feature information of the input image is used for the network incremental learning. First, the trained semantic segmentation network is used to classify each pixel of the input image. Then, pixels with high prediction probability are selected as seed points. At the same time, a convolution network for feature extraction is used to obtain the embedded feature space vector of each pixel. A mask centered on the seed point is generated based on the similarity between pixels in the feature space. The mask is labeled based on the segmentation network prediction. Multiple masks are fused to generate the label of the input image. Finally, the automatically generated labels are used to update the network to realize the adaptability of the network in the new environment.