bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revitalizing theBSCthrough knowledge management: The mediating role of intellectual capital
Authors: Karasneh Abed Al‐Fatah
Published: September 2020

There has been growing interest in the relationship between knowledge management (KM) and intellectual capital (IC) as well as KM and organizational performance, in addition to IC and organizational performance. Yet, the crucial challenge for an organization is to integrate a well‐designed performance measure based on KM, intellectual capital (IC), and organizational performance through balanced scorecard (BSC). In this research, the association among KM, IC, and BSC based performance is investigated. The results from knowledge‐intensive firms disclosed a positive relationship between both KM and IC and between KM and BSC. Moreover, empirical results revealed the presence of partial evidence to support the relationship between KM and BSC. Thus, a suitable application of IC indicates the necessity to implement KM leading to organizational performance based on BSC.
Economic reforms and agriculture in India: A state‐wise analysis of post‐reforms period
Authors: Khan Waseem , Ansari Saghir Ahmad , Ali Tabassum
Published: September 2020

This study analyses the performance of agriculture sector including the dynamics of gross and net cropped area, cropping intensity, yield of major crops, cropping pattern, use of consumable and durable agricultural inputs, and institutional credit at state and overall India level since the economic reforms by collecting data from published sources. Post‐reforms period has been divided into two phases: The first phase from 1990–1991 to 2000–2001 and the second phase from 2000–2001 to 2014–2015. Findings of the study show acceleration in the growth of most of the states in the second phase (TE 2003–2004 to TE 2014–2015), particularly in those states that showed a decline in their growth rates in the first phase. Moreover, the use of durable and consumable inputs has increased in the second phase with a moderate level of diversification towards non‐food crops in some states.
The maturation of ecosystem services: Social and policy research expands, but whither biophysically informed valuation?
Authors: Chan Kai M. A. , Satterfield Terre
Published: September 2020

The concept of ecosystem services (ES) has risen to prominence based on its promise to vastly improve environmental decision‐making and to represent nature's many benefits to people. Yet the field has continued to be plagued by fundamental concerns, leading some to believe that the field of ES must mature or be replaced.

In this paper, we quantitatively survey a stratified random sample of more than 1,000 articles addressing ES across three decades of scholarship. Our purpose is to examine the field's attention to common critiques regarding insufficient credible valuations of realistic changes to services; an unjustified preoccupation with monetary valuation; and too little social and policy research (e.g. questions of access to and demand for services).

We found that very little of the ES literature includesvaluation of biophysicalchange (2.4%), despite manybiophysicalstudies of services (24%). An initially small but substantially rising number of papers address crucialpolicy(14%) andsocialdimensions, including access, demand and the social consequences of change (5.8%). As well, recent years have seen a significant increase in non‐monetary valuation (from 0% to 2.5%).

Ecosystem service research has, we summarize, evolved in meaningful ways. But some of its goals remain unmet, despite the promise to improve environmental decisions, in part because of a continued pre‐occupation with numerical valuation often without appropriate biophysical grounding. Here we call for a next generation of research: Integrative biophysical‐social research that characterizes ES change, and is coupled with multi‐metric and qualitative valuation, and context‐appropriate decision‐making.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Biodegradable super porous inulin cryogels as potential drug carrier
Authors: Ari Betul , Sahiner Nurettin
Published: September 2020

Here, chemically crosslinked super porous inulin cryogels were synthesized by the cryogelation method using divinyl sulfone (DVS) at various mol ratios of 75% to 150% inulin repeating units. Inulin cryogel prepared at 75 mol% DVS crosslinking showed a maximum swelling capacity of 1842 ± 159% in phosphate buffer saline (PBS, pH 7.4). The hydrolytic degradation of inulin cryogels prepared at different ratios were investigated at 37.5 °Cat pH 1, 7.4, and 9. Depending on the degree of crosslinking, it was found that inulin cryogels were completely degraded in 1 to 6 days at pH 1, and the degradation continued at pH 7.4 and 9 for up to 21 days. Inulin cryogel with 75 mol% crosslinker had 61% ± 7% and 45% ± 2% weight losses at pH 7.4 and pH 9, respectively, at end of 21 days. Also, 75% crosslinked inulin cryogel was conjugated with amoxicillin trihydrate (AMX) drug and released 65.15 ± 5.35 mg/g of AMX at pH 1 at end of 24 hours. At pH 7.4 and 9, the AMX released amount were determined as 64.83 ± 6.19 and 55.57 ± 4.00 mg/g, respectively, in 120 hours. Furthermore, inulin cryogels were determined to be blood compatible materials via hemolytic tests with hemolysis ratio of 1.08% ± 0.14% and a blood clotting index of 80.67% ± 1.86%.
Thermosensitive N‐isopropylacrylamide ‐CO‐2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate hydrogels interactions with poly(acrylic acid) and surfactants
Authors: Nakan Ulantay , Mun Grigoriy A , Rakhmetullayeva Raikhan K , Tolkyn Balgyn , Bieerkehazhi Shayahati , Yeligbayeva Gulzhakhan Zh , Negim El‐Sayed
Published: September 2020

Thermosensitive hydrogels based on N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and 2‐hydroxyl ethyl acrylate (2‐HEA) were synthesized with different composition ratios at 50:50 and 70:30 mol% using ammonium persulfate as free radical initiation system. The hydrogel was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The interpolymer complex between hydrogels and linear with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) with different molecular weight was studied. The effect of pH, molecular weights, inorganic salt (NaCl) as well as surfactants concentrations on the complexation was investigated. The swelling behavior of the thermosensitive hydrogels in PAA solutions went up with increasing pH and molecular weight of PAA. However, the decreasing the concentration of surfactants sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) increased the swelling behavior of hydrogels.
Computational Analysis of Phosphoproteomics Data in Multi‐Omics Cancer Studies
Authors: Mantini Giulia , Pham Thang V. , Piersma Sander R. , Jimenez Connie R.
Published: September 2020

Multiple types of molecular data for the same set of clinical samples are increasingly available and may be analyzed jointly in an integrative analysis to maximize comprehensive biological insight. This analysis is important as separate analyses of individual omics data types usually do not fully explain disease phenotypes. An increasing number of studies have now been focusing on multi‐omics data integration, yet not many studies have included phosphoproteomics data, an important layer for understanding signaling pathways. Multi‐omics integration methods with phosphoproteomics data are reviewed in the context of cancer research as well as multi‐omics methods papers that would be promising to apply to phosphoproteomics data. Analysis of individual data types is still the major approach even in large cohort proteogenomics studies. Hence, a section is dedicated on possible integrative methods for multi‐omics and phosphoproteomics data. In summary, this review provides the readers with both currently used integrative methods previously applied to phosphoproteomics and multi‐omics data integration and other algorithms for multi‐omics data integration promising for future application to phosphoproteomics data.
Triton X‐114 Fractionated Subcellular Proteome of Leptospira interrogans Shows Selective Enrichment of Pathogenic and Outer Membrane Proteins in the Detergent Fraction
Authors: Thoduvayil Sikha , Dhandapani Gunasekaran , Brahma Rahul , Devasahayam Arokia Balaya Rex , Mangalaparthi Kiran K. , Patel Krishna , Kumar Manish , Tennyson Jebasingh , Satheeshkumar P. K. , Kulkarni Mahesh J. , Pinto Sneha M. , Prasad T. S. Keshava , Madanan Madathiparambil G.
Published: September 2020

The Triton X‐114‐based solubilization and temperature‐dependent phase separation of proteins is used for subcellular fractionation where, aqueous, detergent, and pellet fractions represents cytoplasmic, outer membrane (OM), and inner membrane proteins, respectively. Mass spectrometry‐based proteomic analysis of Triton X‐114 fractions of proteomic analysis of Leptospira interrogans identified 2957 unique proteins distributed across the fractions. The results are compared with bioinformatics predictions on their subcellular localization and pathogenic nature. Analysis of the distribution of proteins across the Triton X‐114 fractions with the predicted characteristics is performed based on “number” of unique type of proteins, and “quantity” which represents the amount of unique protein. The highest number of predicted outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and pathogenic proteins are found in aqueous and pellet fractions, whereas detergent fraction representing the OM has the highest quantity of OMPs and pathogenic proteins though lower in number than the aqueous and pellet fractions. This leaves the possibility of an upsurge in pathogenic proteins and OMPs on the OM under pathogenic conditions suggesting their potential use to combat leptospirosis. Further, the Triton X‐114 subcellular fractions are more correlated to enrichment of pathogenic proteins predicted by MP3 software than predicted localization.
Cryogenic wedges and cryoturbations on the Ordos Plateau in North China since 50 ka BP and their paleoenvironmental implications
Authors: He Ruixia , Jin Huijun , French Hugh M. , Vandenberghe Jef , Li Xiaoying , Li Fang , Jiang Guanli , Zhang Ze , Chen Xuemei , Serban Raul D. , Wang Shaoling , Guo Dongxin
Published: September 2020

During the last 50 ka, cryogenic wedges on the Ordos Plateau formed during three major periods: (i) early local Last Glaciation, ca. 50 ka BP; (iii) local Last Permafrost Maximum(local LPM), 25–19 ka BP; and (v) post‐local LPM, 16–9 ka BP. Cryoturbations mainly formed in the following periods: (ii) pre‐local LPM, 45–30 ka BP and (iv) ~ 20 ka BP. The coldest periods with well‐developed permafrost (i and iii) were most conducive for forming cryogenic wedges. The following periods of warming climate and degrading permafrost favored the formation of cryoturbations. During the local LPM, sand wedges and polygons were well developed and widely distributed on the Ordos Plateau when mean annual air temperatures (MAATs) were approximately 12°C lower than that at present. At ~30 ka BP, MAAT was 6–7°C lower than that at present. Paleoclimate conditions on the Ordos Plateau were reconstructed since 50 ka BP as follows: cold (ca. 50 ka BP) → cool (45–30 ka BP) → very cold (25–19 ka BP) → cool (19–9 ka BP) → intermittent warming until the present day. The amount of precipitation fluctuated, but with a general trend of drying since 50 ka BP. Under the next generally warming climate (after 9 ka BP), permafrost gradually degraded and eventually disappeared from the Ordos Plateau.
Impact of pharmacy technicians as part of an integrated health‐system pharmacy team on improvement of medication access in the care of cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Zobell Jeffery T. , Moss Justin , Heuser Stephanie M. , Asfour Fadi
Published: September 2020

Background

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease requiring patients to take multiple medications per day. Multiple barriers exist affecting access and adherence. Studies have demonstrated the positive outcomes of pharmacist involvement in CF care. The purpose of this study is to characterize the impact of pharmacy technicians on medication access in the care of CF patients.

Methods

A retrospective review and analysis of patient medication profiles for patients followed by the integrated pharmacy care process model was performed. Two electronic prescription pathways with pharmacy technician involvement were analyzed. One pathway using a specialty pharmacy CF pharmacy technician (SP technician) examined CF specialty medication delivery times. The other pathway examined the impact of the clinic‐based CF pharmacy technician (CB technician) on the number of filling pharmacies for patients.

Results

One‐hundred and fifty‐three patients met inclusion criteria in the CF specialty medication delivery analysis, and 56 patients met inclusion criteria filling pharmacy analysis. The median delivery time for dornase alfa decreased from 8 days to 3 days, p < .00001. The number of patients utilizing one filling pharmacy increased from 8 (14%) to 21 (38%) (p = .005); and utilizing three filling pharmacies decreased from 14 (25%) to 1 (2%) (p = .003).

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that pharmacy technicians as part of an integrated health‐system pharmacy care process model improve medication access in the care of CF patients.
High resolution electron tomography and segmentation‐by‐modeling interpretation in Bsoft
Authors: Heymann J. Bernard
Published: September 2020

Bsoft offers many tools for the processing of tomographic tilt series and the interpretation of tomograms. Since I introduced tomography into Bsoft almost two decades ago, the field has advanced significantly, requiring refinement of old algorithms and development of new ones. The current direct detectors allow us to collect data more efficiently and with better quality, progressing towards automation. The goal is then to also automate alignment of tilt series and reconstruction. I added an estimation of the specimen thickness as well as fiducialless alignment, to augment the existing fiducial‐based alignment. High‐resolution work requires correction for the contrast transfer function, in tomography complicated by the tilted specimen. For this, I developed a method to generate a power spectrum using the whole micrograph, compensating for tilting. This is followed by routine determination of the contrast transfer function, and correction for it during reconstruction. The next steps involve interpretation of the tomogram, either by subtomogram averaging where possible, or by segmentation and modeling otherwise. Such interpretation actually constitutes the main time‐consuming part of tomography and is less amenable to automation compared to the initial reconstruction.
Inflammatory infiltration is associated with AR expression and poor prognosis in hormone naïve prostate cancer
Authors: McAllister Milly , Constâncio Vera , Patek Samantha , Gan Hao W.G. , Bailey Peter , Wheadon Helen , Underwood Mark , Leung Hing , Edwards Joanne
Published: September 2020

Background

Tumor microenvironment inflammatory infiltration is proposed as a protumorigenic mechanism for prostate cancer with proinflammatory cytokines stimulating androgen receptor (AR) activity. However, association with patient prognosis remains unclear. This study derives an inflammatory gene signature associated with AR expression and investigates CD3+ and CD8+ T‐lymphocyte infiltration association with AR and prognosis.

Methods

Gene profiling of inflammatory related genes was performed on 71 prostate biopsies. Immunohistochemistry on 243 hormone‐naïve prostate cancers was performed for CD3, CD8, AR, and phosphorylated AR tumor expression.

Results

Multiple proinflammatory genes were differentially expressed in association with high AR expression compared with low AR expression including PI3KCA and MAKP8 (adjusted P < .05). High CD3+ and high CD8+ infiltration associated with reduced cancer‐specific survival (P = .018 and P = .020, respectively). High CD3+ infiltration correlated with high tumor cytoplasmic AR expression and if assessed together, they associated with reduced cancer‐specific and 5‐year survival from 90% to 56% (P = .000179). High CD8+ cytotoxic infiltration associated with high androgen‐independent tumor nuclear AR serine 213 phosphorylation (correlation coefficient = 0.227; P = .003) and when assessed together associated with poor clinico‐pathological features including perineural invasion (P = .001). Multiple genes involved in proinflammatory signaling pathways are upregulated in high AR expressing prostate samples.

Conclusion

T‐lymphocyte infiltration in hormone‐naïve disease associates with androgen‐independent driven disease and provides possible therapeutic targets to reduce transformation from hormone‐naïve to castrate‐resistant disease.
Diamond p–i–n Diode with Nitrogen Containing Intrinsic Region for the Study of Nitrogen‐Vacancy Center Electroluminescence
Authors: Lobaev Mikhail Aleksandrovich , Radishev Dmitry Borisovich , Bogdanov Sergey Aleksandrovich , Vikharev Anatoly Leontievich , Gorbachev Alexey Mikhailovich , Isaev Vladimir Aleksandrovich , Kraev Stanislav Alekseevich , Okhapkin Andrey Igorevich , Arhipova Ekaterina Aleksandrovna , Drozdov Mikhail Nikolaevich , Shashkin Vladimir Ivanovich
Published: September 2020

The results of a study of diamond p–i–n diode with a nitrogen‐doped intrinsic region on a substrate with the (001) orientation are presented. When the forward voltage is applied to the diode, a high current density of about 103 A cm−2 is obtained. Two narrow lines are detected in the electroluminescence spectrum of the p–i–n diode: one at a wavelength of 575 nm corresponding to the emission of the NV center (nitrogen‐vacancy color center) in a neutral charge state, and the second narrow line, which previously has not been observed in the electroluminescence spectra, at a wavelength of 533 nm. The line widths at room temperature are about 7 and 3 nm, respectively. By comparing the emission intensities of NV centers using the same optical registration system for electroluminescence and photoluminescence, the emission rate of NV centers during electroluminescence is estimated to be about 106 photon s−1, which allows to consider a diode of such design as a possible candidate to create single‐photon sources.
Normal internal coordinates, force fields, and vibrational study of species derived from antiviral adamantadine
Authors: Brandán Silvia Antonia
Published: September 2020

Complete vibrational assignments have been performed for free base, cationic, and hydrochloride species derived from antiviral adamantadine by a combination of hybrid B3LYP with the 6‐31G* and 6‐311++G** basis sets and the scaled quantum force field methodology. Normal internal coordinates and scaling factors were used to obtain the harmonic force fields and scaled force constants of three species in gas phase and in aqueous solution. Bond lengths and angles of cationic and hydrochloride species show very good concordances with experimental amantadinium azide. The cationic species reveals a higher solvation energy value compared with antiviral agents; however, brincidofovir, the antiviral used for Ebola disease, presents a higher reactivity in contrast to adamantadine. A positive value of Mulliken charge on N1 of hydrochloride species in solution could justify the ionic character of the H29···Cl30 bond as it is possible to observe by bond order and atoms in molecules calculations. The hydrochloride species is the most reactive in both media, while the cationic species is the least reactive. High electrophilicity and nucleophilicity indices of cationic species in both media justify its higher hydration. Good concordances were observed between experimental and predicted1H and13C NMR and electronic spectra. In solution, the three species are present as demonstrated by the experimental ultraviolet‐visible spectrum of hydrochloride amantadine.
Human prorenin determination by hybrid immunocapture liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry: A mixed‐solvent‐triggered digestion utilizing D‐optimal design
Authors: Burdman Ilja , Burckhardt Bjoern B.
Published: September 2020

Rationale

Human prorenin, representing the precursor of mature renin, has been discussed as a potential biomarker, e.g. in diagnosing primary hyperaldosteronism or diabetes‐induced nephropathy. Currently, only immunoassays are available for prorenin quantification. As the similarity of prorenin to active renin impedes its accurate determination by immunoassay, mass spectrometry appears as an accurate alternative for differentiation of that protein.

Methods

Immunoaffinity purification plus a mixed‐solvent‐triggered digestion was combined with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) to enable a fast, sensitive, and less laboratory‐intensive approach to the quantification of prorenin. Statistical experimental planning, which is known as Design of Experiments (DOE), was used to identify the optimal conditions for the generation of the signature peptides within a manageable number of experiments. The efficiency of the mixed‐solvent‐triggered digestion by trypsin was investigated using four different organic solvents: acetonitrile, acetone, tetrahydrofuran and methanol.

Results

By utilizing a D‐optimal design, we found that the optimal mixed‐solvent type for the generation of both signature peptides was acetonitrile at a concentration of 84% and an incubation temperature of 16°C. Using the mixed‐solvent‐triggered digestion, the procedure time allowed a fast analysis of active renin and prorenin with a short digestion time of 98 min. This optimized mixed‐solvent‐triggered digestion procedure was applied to detect renin and prorenin successfully in human plasma by the newly developed hybrid approach.

Conclusions

The identification of unique surrogates for human prorenin enabled the mass spectrometric differentiation between the two similar proteins. The novel hybrid approach successfully proved its ability to purify, detect and distinguish between prorenin and active renin in human plasma.
The influence of different types of reactant ions on the ionization behavior of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Son Chae Eun , Choi Sung‐Seen
Published: September 2020

Rationale

Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered to be cancer‐causing chemicals, and ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is used for on‐site detection of such hazardous chemicals. In IMS, the ionization behavior of analytes is affected by the types of reactant ions (RIs). In the present work, the influence of different types of RIs on the ionization behaviors of PAHs in an ion mobility spectrometer equipped with a corona discharge ionization source was investigated using various RIs.

Methods

Selected PAHs were dissolved in anisole, fluorobenzene, chlorobenzene, or bromobenzene. The IMS analysis procedure was performed as follows: (a) the PAH solution was dropped onto the smear matrix; (b) the smear matrix was immediately inserted into the sample inlet to minimize evaporation of the solvent; and (c) the IMS analysis was performed. The lowest amount studied was 10 ng. Variations in the IMS spectra with time were investigated.

Results

PAHs were not ionized by RIs of protonated molecules ([M + H]+) such as air/moisture and acetone, but they were ionized by charge transfer reactions with RIs of molecular ions (M•+) of solvents such as anisole, fluorobenzene, chlorobenzene, and bromobenzene. The PAH ions were detected following a time delay of ~1–5 s after the sample introduction, and the times at which the maximum intensities for the PAHs were observed were different. The detection limits of PAHs in chlorobenzene were on the whole better than those in other solvents, whereas those in fluorobenzene were worse. The detection limits of pyrene and benzo[a]anthracene were better than those of the other PAHs irrespective of the solvent used.

Conclusions

PAH molecules were ionized by charge transfer reactions with RIs of the solvents, and their ions were detected ~1–5 s after sample introduction. The order of the ionization efficiency was chlorobenzene > anisole > bromobenzene > fluorobenzene.
In‐depth gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry fragmentation analysis of formestane and evaluation of mass spectral discrimination of isomeric 3‐keto‐4‐ene hydroxy steroids
Authors: Kollmeier Annette Sophie , de la Torre Xavier , Müller Christian , Botrè Francesco , Parr Maria Kristina
Published: September 2020

Rationale

The aromatase inhibitor formestane (4‐hydroxyandrost‐4‐ene‐3,17‐dione) is included in the World Anti‐Doping Agency's List of Prohibited Substances in Sport. However, it also occurs endogenously as do its 2‐, 6‐ and 11‐hydroxy isomers. The aim of this study is to distinguish the different isomers using gas chromatography/electron ionization mass spectrometry (GC/EI‐MS) for enhanced confidence in detection and selectivity for determination.

Methods

Established derivatization protocols to introduce [2H9]TMS were followed to generate perdeuterotrimethylsilylated and mixed deuterated derivatives for nine different hydroxy steroids, all with 3‐keto‐4‐ene structure. Formestane was additionally labelled with H218O to obtain derivatives doubly labelled with [2H9]TMS and 18O. GC/EI‐MS spectra of labelled and unlabelled TMS derivatives were compared. Proposals for the generation of fragment ions were substantiated by high‐resolution MS (GC/QTOFMS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments.

Results

Subclass‐specific fragment ions include m/z 319 for the 6‐hydroxy and m/z 219 for the 11‐hydroxy compounds. Ions at m/z 415, 356, 341, 313, 269 and 267 were indicative for the 2‐ and 4‐hydroxy compounds. For their discrimination the transition m/z 503 → 269 was selective for formestane. In 2‐, 4‐ and 6‐hydroxy steroids loss of a TMSO radical takes place as cleavage of a TMS‐derived methyl radical and a neutral loss of (CH3)2SiO. Further common fragments were also elucidated.

Conclusions

With the help of stable isotope labelling, the structures of postulated diagnostic fragment ions for the different steroidal subclasses were elucidated. 18O‐labelling of the other compounds will be addressed in future studies to substantiate the obtained findings. To increase method sensitivity MS3 may be suitable in future bioanalytical applications requiring discrimination of the 2‐ and 4‐hydroxy compounds.
Reachable set estimation and decentralized control synthesis of large‐scale switched systems under mixed switching
Authors: Wang Tao , Wang Xuehai , Xiang Weiming
Published: September 2020

The article studies the reachable set estimation problem for large‐scale switched systems with multimodes that have mixed switching signals consisting of both dwell time switching and arbitrary switching. First, based on a novel decentralized time‐scheduled Lyapunov function method, the method of the reachable set estimation of large‐scale switched systems is developed. By means of the novel Lyapunov function especially constructed for large‐scale switched systems, a sufficient condition is derived to ensure that the systems state is constrained in the prescribed set under the mixed dwell time switching and arbitrary switching. The concept of a decentralized control synthesis is then introduced and a time‐varying decentralized state feedback controller is developed to ensure the state trajectories of closed‐loop large systems are confined in a prescribed set. Finally, some examples are provided to illustrate our results.
Dwell‐time‐based event‐triggered adaptive control for switched strict‐feedback nonlinear systems
Authors: Wang Fenglan , Long Lijun
Published: September 2020

This article presents a novel event‐triggered adaptive control approach to solve the stabilization problem of a class of switched strict‐feedback nonlinear systems with parameter uncertainties. The proposed approach achieves that subsystem controllers and switched update laws of subsystems are both event‐triggered under a dwell‐time. Also, the proposed approach effectively handles the asynchronous switching between the candidate controllers of subsystems and subsystems when the switching occurs in consecutive triggering interval. By exploiting the backstepping technique and the common Lyapunov function method, the subsystem controllers and the switched update laws of subsystems and their event‐triggered mechanism are designed to guarantee asymptotic stability of the switched closed‐loop systems. Also, compared with the existing literature on event‐triggered control of switched systems, the ISS assumption with respect to the measurement error is removed in this article. The existence of strict positive lower bound on inter‐event time is proved to exclude Zeno phenomenon of sampling, which is an undesirable behavior in practical systems. Finally, a numerical example and a mass‐spring‐damper system are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Six‐way decomposition of causal effects: Unifying mediation and mechanistic interaction
Authors: Huang Yen‐Tsung , Tai An‐Shun , Chou Meng‐Ying , Lin Geng‐Xian , Lin Sheng‐Hsuan
Published: September 2020

The sufficient component cause (SCC) model and counterfactual model are two common methods for causal inference, each with their own advantages: the SCC model allows the mechanistic interaction to be detailed, whereas the counterfactual model features a systemic framework for quantifying causal effects. Hence, integrating the SCC and counterfactual models may facilitate the conceptualization of causation. Based on the marginal SCC (mSCC) model, we propose a novel counterfactual mSCC framework that includes the steps of definition, identification, and estimation. We further propose a six‐way effect decomposition for assessing mediation and the mechanistic interaction. The results demonstrate that when all variables are binary, the six‐way decomposition is an extension of four‐way decomposition and that without agonism, the six‐way decomposition is reduced to four‐way decomposition. To illustrate the utility of the proposed decomposition, we apply it to a Taiwanese cohort to examine the mechanism of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with liver inflammation measured by alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as a mediator. Among the HCV‐induced HCC cases, 62.27% are not explained by either mediation or interaction in relation to ALT; 9.32% are purely mediated by ALT; 16.53% are caused by the synergistic effect of HCV and ALT; and 9.31% are due to the mediated synergistic effect of HCV and ALT. In summary, we introduce an SCC model framework based on counterfactual theory and detail the required identification assumptions and estimation procedures; we also propose a six‐way effect decomposition to unify mediation and mechanistic interaction analyses.
Nonadditive Transport in Multi‐Channel Single‐Molecule Circuits
Authors: Chen Li‐Chuan , Zheng Jueting , Liu Junyang , Gong Xiao‐Ting , Chen Zi‐Zhen , Guo Rui‐Xue , Huang Xiaoyan , Zhang Yu‐Peng , Zhang Lei , Li Ruihao , Shao Xiangfeng , Hong Wenjing , Zhang Hao‐Li
Published: September 2020

As stated in the classic Kirchhoff's circuit laws, the total conductance of two parallel channels in an electronic circuit is the sum of the individual conductance. However, in molecular circuits, the quantum interference (QI) between the individual channels may lead to apparent invalidity of Kirchhoff's laws. Such an effect can be very significant in single‐molecule circuits consisting of partially overlapped multiple transport channels. Herein, an investigation on how the molecular circuit conductance correlates to the individual channels is conducted in the presence of QI. It is found that the conductance of multi‐channel circuit consisting of both constructive and destructive QI is significantly smaller than the addition of individual ones due to the interference between channels. In contrast, the circuit consisting of destructive QI channels exhibits an additive transport. These investigations provide a new cognition of transport mechanism and manipulation of transport in multi‐channel molecular circuits.
Bromide Ions Triggered Synthesis of Noble Metal–Based Intermetallic Nanocrystals
Authors: Wang An‐Liang , Zhu Lijie , Yun Qinbai , Han Sumei , Zeng Li , Cao Wenbin , Meng Xiangmin , Xia Jing , Lu Qipeng
Published: September 2020

Ordered intermetallic nanomaterials with a well‐defined crystal structure and fixed stoichiometry facilitate the predictable control of their electronic structure and catalytic performance. To obtain the thermodynamically stable intermetallic structures, the conventional approaches with high‐temperature annealing are still far from satisfactory, because of annealing‐induced aggregation and sintering of nanomaterials. Herein, a general wet‐chemical method is developed to synthesize a series of noble metal–based intermetallic nanocrystals, including hexagonal close‐packed (hcp) PtBi nanoplates, face‐centered cubic (fcc) Pd3Pb nanocubes, and hcp Pd2.5Bi1.5 nanoparticles. During the synthetic process, Br− ions play two important roles for the formation of ordered intermetallic structures: i) Br− ions can coordinate with the metal ions to decrease their reduction potentials thus slowing down the reduction kinetics. ii) Br− ions can combine with molecular oxygen to generate an oxidative etching effect, hence reconstructing the atom arrangement, which is beneficial for the formation of the intermetallic structure. As a proof‐of‐concept application, Pd3Pb nanocubes are used as electrocatalysts for ethanol and methanol oxidation reactions, which exhibit significantly improved electrochemical performance compared with the commercial Pd black catalyst.
Multi‐Responsive Bottlebrush‐Like Unimolecules Self‐Assembled Nano‐Riceball for Synergistic Sono‐Chemotherapy
Authors: Shi Xiaoxiao , Zhang Yang , Tian Ye , Xu Shuyu , Ren En , Bai Shuang , Chen Xiaoyuan , Chu Chengchao , Xu Zhigang , Liu Gang
Published: September 2020

Improved drug loading content, bioavailability, and controlled release in targeted tissue have been major bottlenecks in the design of precision nanomedicine. Herein, a tumor‐specific and multiple‐stimuli responsive nano‐riceball is proposed and validated for enhanced sono‐chemotherapy. The nano‐riceball (NGR@DDP) possesses a well‐designed core‐shell structure, formed by an inner core assembly that contains ultrasound/H2O2 responsive bottlebrush‐like unimolecular dextran‐POEGMA9‐b‐PMTEMA22 (DOS) with co‐loaded doxorubicin and Purpurin 18. This inner core of NGR@DDP is further buried by a “striffen” of NGR (Asn‐Gly‐Arg)‐modified RBC‐membrane derived from CRISPR‐engineered mice. As a result, nano‐riceball NGR@DDP is featured with high drug stuffing content (30.3 wt%), low critical micelle concentration (5.93 µg mL−1), and intelligent exogenous ultrasound/endogenous H2O2 stimuli‐triggered precise drug release at tumor site. Under fluorescence/photoacoustic imaging guidance, combined sonodynamic therapy and chemotherapy exhibit excellent synergistic effect, and dramatically inhibit the growth of orthotopic HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma with negligible side effects. This nano‐riceball strategy provides a facile way to achieve function hybridization for personalized nanomedicine.
Stabilizing P3‐Type Oxides as Cathodes for High‐Rate and Long‐Life Sodium Ion Batteries by Disordered Distribution of Transition Metals
Authors: Zhang Li , Wang Jun , Schuck Götz , Xi Fanxing , Du Leilei , Winter Martin , Schumacher Gerhard , Li Jie
Published: September 2020

As potential cathodes for sodium ion batteries, layered NaxTMO2 (0.44 ≤ x ≤ 1, TM = transition metal) materials show high specific capacities but poor cycling and rate performance. In layered NaxTMO2, the distribution of TM at crystal sites determines the electrostatic interaction between TM and the coordinated atoms and affects the electrochemical behavior. Herein, the cycling performance of P3‐type Na0.67Mn0.67Ni0.33O2 materials with ordered and disordered arrangement of TMs is investigated at different rates. Unlike the TM‐ordered material, the disordered one can be cycled at 2000 mA g−1 for 1500 cycles with 89% capacity retention. X‐ray absorption spectroscopy is performed to elucidate the reason for long cycle life of the TM‐disordered P3‐type Na0.67Mn0.67Ni0.33O2 from the sight of local structural changes around Mn and Ni. The experimental results show that the structural stability of NiO6 units in the TM‐disordered material is responsible for its better cycling performance in comparison with that of the TM‐ordered material.
A Review of Carbon‐Supported Nonprecious Metals as Energy‐Related Electrocatalysts
Authors: Wang Jian , Kim Juwon , Choi Subin , Wang Hongsheng , Lim Jongwoo
Published: September 2020

The development of sustainable energy conversion and storage devices, such as fuel cells, metal–air batteries, and electrolyzers is highly dependent on the catalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR). Carbon‐supported nonprecious metals (C@NPMs) with variable metal sizes (single atom, cluster, and nanoparticle) are attracting significant interest for catalyzing these reactions. Therefore, a systematic summary of the recent advances in this field is necessary; however, C@NPMs have seldom been comprehensively reviewed. Herein, the most recent progress (in the years 2015–2020) of C@NPMs for ORR/OER/HER/CO2RR catalysis are reviewed. The review begins with the introduction of various synthesis methods for C@NPMs. Next, promising design strategies to modulate the electrochemical properties of C@NPMs are elaborated, including defect engineering, porosity fabrication, metal size modulation, carbon shell tuning, and multimetal coupling. Subsequently, the recent advances in C@NPMs for ORR, OER, HER, and CO2RR catalysis are analyzed, covering the fundamentals (elemental steps, performance metrics, and catalytic mechanisms) of these reactions. This review not only analyzes the progress in the field but also conveys methods and provides insights, which can guide the future development and practical applications of C@NPMs.
Characterization of leachate produced by a landfill and its influence on a sewage treatment plant
Authors: Destro Guilherme E. , Junior Sergio S. Braga , Tadayozzi Yasmin S. , Almeida Alaor A. , Chaves Andrea R. , Forti Juliane C.
Published: September 2020

Although landfills are generally an environmentally safe option for the disposal of solid waste, the treatment and management of landfill leachate are still critical. The aim of this work was to study through physical‐chemical analyses the effects of leachate on the effluent of the sewage treatment plant to which it is disposed on both study sites. The results were compared with those of existing studies, current legislation, municipal waste management practices, and landfill operations. Ethinylestradiol analyses were also performed on the influent and effluent from the sewage treatment plant. The results showed that the landfill leachate has a polluting potential, being found parameters above the allowed value, such as chemical oxygen demand (3,510.33 mg L−1), chloride (3,631.78 mg L−1), and manganese (21.61 mg L−1). The properties of the leachate indicated that the landfill was still in the acid formation phase and did not influence the influent that reached the sewage treatment plant in any way. Ultimately, the quality of the discharged wastewater met all of the predischarge regulatory criteria for materials being sent to a receiving water body, except for the chloride parameter that is not being treated at all.
Interorgan communication in development and cancer
Authors: Alvarez‐Ochoa Edel , Froldi Francesca , Cheng Louise Y.
Published: September 2020

Studies in model organisms have demonstrated that extensive communication occurs between distant organs both during development and in diseases such as cancer. Organs communicate with each other to coordinate growth and reach the correct size, while the fate of tumor cells depend on the outcome of their interaction with the immune system and peripheral tissues. In this review, we outline recent studies in Drosophila, which have enabled an improved understanding of the complex crosstalk between organs in the context of both organismal and tumor growth. We argue that Drosophila is a powerful model organism for studying these interactions, and these studies have the potential for improving our understanding of signaling pathways and candidate factors that mediate this conserved interorgan crosstalk.

This article is categorized under:

Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Regulation of Size, Proportion, and Timing

Early Embryonic Development > Development to the Basic Body Plan

Invertebrate Organogenesis > Flies
Synthesis and Thermally and Light Driven Cleavage of an N‐Heterocyclic Diphosphine with Inorganic Backbone
Authors: Blum Markus , Feil Christoph M. , Nieger Martin , Gudat Dietrich
Published: September 2020

A diphosphine with an unsupported PP bond connecting two carbon‐free “inorganic” 1,3,2,4,5‐diazaphosphadisilolidine rings was prepared by reductive coupling of a P‐chloro‐substituted monocyclic precursor molecule. VT‐EPR studies revealed that the diphosphine exists in solution, like other compounds of this kind, in dynamic equilibrium with the corresponding phosphinyl radicals. Determination of the radical concentration from the EPR spectra permitted to calculate thermochemical parameters for the homolytic PP bond fission. The results disclose that both the enthalpy and entropy of dissociation are higher than in topologically related bi(diazaphospholidines). The impact of the entropy term allows explaining that, regardless of the presence of an energetically rather stable PP bond, the onset of dissociation is observable even at ambient temperature. Irradiation experiments showed that radical formation cannot only be induced thermally, but also by photolysis.
Open giant magnons suspended between dual giant gravitons in $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM
Authors: Berenstein David , Holguin Adolfo
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We study classical solutions to the Nambu-Goto string on AdS2× S1 and AdS3× S1 corresponding to strings stretched between wrapped branes extending in AdS. The solutions are obtained by analytic continuation of giant magnon solutions, cut at the position of the branes. These solutions carry one or two SO(2, 4) charges and a single SO(6) charge. We compute their energies and show their relation to $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

-BPS geometries. Their relevance to the SL(2) sector of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM is also discussed.
Chirurgische Therapie des Ösophaguskarzinoms – Qualitätsindikatoren für Diagnostik und Therapie
Authors: Hoeppner Jens , Plum Patrick Sven , Buhr Heinz , Gockel Ines , Lorenz Dietmar , Ghadimi Michael , Bruns Christiane ,   Qualitätskommission der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie
Published: September 2020

Hintergrund

Im Rahmen der Qualitätsinitiative der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie (DGAV) wurde eine Übersichtsarbeit auf der Grundlage einer systematischen Literatursuche verfasst und Empfehlungen für die aktuelle Diagnostik und Therapie des Ösophaguskarzinoms erarbeitet.

Methoden

Die systematische Literatursuche erfolgte gemäß den PRISMA-Kriterien unter Verwendung der MEDLINE-Datenbank und wurde im März 2019 durchgeführt. Die Empfehlungen wurden auf der Grundlage von Abstimmungen in der DGAV formuliert.

Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerung

Operationen unterhalb der derzeit gültigen Mindestmenge sollten nicht mehr durchgeführt werden. Es spricht vieles dafür, die Mindestmenge in Deutschland auf ≥20 Resektionen/Jahr/Krankenhaus anzuheben, um die Qualität flächendeckend zu verbessern. Prähabilitationsprogramme mit Ausdauer‑, Kraft- und intensivem Atemtraining und Ernährungstherapie verbessern das Patientenoutcome. Die aktuelle Therapie des Ösophaguskarzinoms erfolgt stadienabhängig und umfasst die endoskopische Resektion bei (sub‑)mukosalen Low-risk-Tumoren (T1m1–3 bzw. T1sm1 „low risk“), die primäre Ösophagektomie bei submukosalen High-risk-Tumoren (T1a), Submukosakarzinomen (T1sm2–3) und T2N0-Tumoren, die multimodale Therapie mittels neoadjuvanter Radiochemotherapie bzw. perioperativer Chemotherapie und Operation bei fortgeschrittenen Befunden. Die Ösophagektomie wird gegenwärtig einzeitig als sog. Hybridverfahren (Laparoskopie und muskelschonende Thorakotomie) oder als total minimal-invasive Operation (Laparoskopie und Thorakoskopie) durchgeführt.
Apremilast in der Therapie der palmoplantaren Pustulose
Authors: Frischhut Nina , Ratzinger Gudrun
Published: September 2020

Es handelt sich um eine Fallserie von insgesamt 8 Patienten mit palmoplantarer Pustulose. Diese Patienten waren an unserer Psoriasisambulanz der dermatologischen Abteilung der Uniklinik Innsbruck mit dem Phosphodiesterase-4-Inhibitor Apremilast für zumindest 2 Monate behandelt worden. Das klinische Ansprechen wurde mit einem IGA(Investigator’s Global Assessment)-Score über die Dauer der Therapie bzw. mehrere Monate hin verglichen und dokumentiert. Die palmoplantare Pustulose zeichnet sich durch ihren starken negativen Einfluss auf die Lebensqualität der Betroffenen sowie durch ihre Therapieresistenz und Rezidivfreudigkeit aus. Therapieoptionen sind relativ rar bzw. nicht zugelassen. Apremilast ist eine gute und sichere Therapieoption bei palmoplantarer Pustulose.
Lateral variations in the Unit 7–8 boundary zone of the Rum Eastern Layered Intrusion, NW Scotland: implications for the origin and timing of Cr-spinel seam formation
Authors: Kaufmann Felix E. D. , O’Driscoll Brian , Hecht Lutz
Published: September 2020

The Rum Layered Suite, NW Scotland, hosts Cr-spinel seams at the bases of peridotite–troctolite macro-rhythmic units in the eastern portion of the intrusion. Here, we present detailed field observations together with microstructural and mineral chemical analyses for the Unit 7–8 Cr-spinel seam and associated cumulates in the Eastern Layered Intrusion. Detailed mapping and sampling reveal significant lateral variations in the structural characteristics and mineral compositions of the Unit 7–8 boundary zone rocks. Although the Cr-spinel seam is laterally continuous over ~ 3 km, it is absent towards the centre and the margins of the intrusion. The compositional characteristics of Cr-spinel and plagioclase vary systematically along strike, exhibiting a chemical evolution towards more differentiated compositions with increasing distance from the main feeder conduit of the Rum intrusion; the Long Loch Fault. On the basis of our combined datasets, we propose that the upper part of the troctolite, the anorthosite layer underlying the Cr-spinel seam and the seam itself formed during a multi-stage magma replenishment event. The stages can be summarised as follows: (1) peridotite schlieren and anorthosite autoliths formed following melt infiltration and cumulate assimilation in the crystal mush of the Unit 7 troctolite. (2) The anorthosite layer then formed from the Unit 7 troctolite crystal mush by thermal erosion and dissolution due to infiltrating magma. (3) Subsequent dissolution of the anorthosite layer by new replenishing magma led to peritectic in situ crystallisation of the Unit 7–8 Cr-spinel seam, with (4) continued magma input eventually producing the overlying Unit 8 peridotite. In the central part of the Rum Layered Suite, the aforementioned assimilation of the troctolitic footwall formed the anorthosite layer. However, the absence of anorthosite in close proximity to the Long Loch Fault can be explained by enhanced thermochemical erosion close to the feeder zone, and its absence close to the margins of the intrusion, at maximum distance from the Long Loch Fault, may be due to cooling of the magma and loss of erosion potential. In line with other recent studies on PGE-bearing chromitites in layered intrusions, we highlight the importance of multi-stage intrusive magma replenishment to the formation of spatially coupled anorthosite and Cr-spinel seams, as well as the lateral mineral chemical variations observed in the Unit 7–8 boundary zone cumulates.