bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skipping sex: A nonrecombinant genomic assemblage of complementary reproductive modules
Authors: Hojsgaard Diego , Schartl Manfred
Published: November 2020

The unusual occurrence and developmental diversity of asexual eukaryotes remain a puzzle. De novo formation of a functioning asexual genome requires a unique assembly of sets of genes or gene states to disrupt cellular mechanisms of meiosis and gametogenesis, and to affect discrete components of sexuality and produce clonal or hemiclonal offspring. We highlight two usually overlooked but essential conditions to understand the molecular nature of clonal organisms, that is, a nonrecombinant genomic assemblage retaining modifiers of the sexual program, and a complementation between altered reproductive components. These subtle conditions are the basis for physiologically viable and genetically balanced transitions between generations. Genomic and developmental evidence from asexual animals and plants indicates the lack of complementation of molecular changes in the sexual reproductive program is likely the main cause of asexuals' rarity, and can provide an explanatory frame for the developmental diversity and lability of developmental patterns in some asexuals as well as for the discordant time to extinction estimations.
How Boards & Board Members Can Leverage Social Media to Promote their Organization's Mission
Authors: Dyak Kristin
Published: November 2020

Kristin Dyak is digital marketing director at The Cyphers Agency, an integrated marketing and PR firm based outside of Washington, D.C. In this article, she discusses how board members can not only ensure their organization is effectively promoting its mission on social media, but also to do so themselves.
Tissue distribution and molecular docking research on the active components of Bidens bipinnata L. against hyperlipidemia
Authors: Zhuang Guo , Wang Yu‐Qing , Li Shu‐Jiao , Jiang Xu , Wang Xiao‐Yu
Published: November 2020

Bidens bipinnata L. is a folk medicinal plant in China that shows significant antihyperlipidemia effectiveness. However, studies of the underlying mechanism study are lacking. In order to explore the potential action sites and the underlying mechanism of treating hyperlipidemic, this work undertook tissue distribution and molecular docking research on the markers of B. bipinnata L., which were obtained through serum pharmacochemistry and network database retrieval. The results showed that seven compounds (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, rutin, hyperoside, bipinnate polyacetylenicloside, luteolin and quercetin) were screened out as markers. Owing to the diversity of chemical structures, they exhibited an inconsistent trend in tissue distribution. However, all of them had high levels in the liver and no specific distribution in other tissues. More interestingly, seven proteins—HMGCR (1HWK), NR3C1 (4P6W), CYP1A2 (2HI4), RXRA (4PP3), CES1 (1MX1), HSD11B1 (2RBE) and CYP1A1 (4I8V)—showed significant binding affinity with three or more markers, suggesting that they may be the target proteins of B. bipinnata L. This study preliminarily sheds light on the tissue distribution and targets of B. bipinnata L., providing some useful information on the underlying mechanisms of the antihyperlipidemia effect.
Metabolic profiling of Chinese hamster ovary cell cultures at different working volumes and agitation speeds using spin tube reactors
Authors: Torres Mauro , Elvin Mark , Betts Zeynep , Place Svetlana , Gaffney Claire , Dickson Alan J.
Published: November 2020

Culture systems based on spin tube reactors have been consolidated in the development of manufacturing processes based on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Despite their widespread use, there is little information about the consequences of varying operational setting parameters on the culture performance of recombinant CHO cell lines. Here, we investigated the effect of varying working volumes and agitation speeds on cell growth, protein production, and cell metabolism of two clonally derived CHO cell lines (expressing an IgG1 and a “difficult‐to‐express” fusion protein). Interestingly, low culture volumes increased recombinant protein production and decreased cell growth, while high culture volumes had the opposite effect. Altering agitation speeds exacerbated or moderated the differences observed due to culture volume changes. Combining low agitation rates with high culture volumes suppressed growth and recombinant protein production in CHO cells. Meanwhile, high agitation rates narrowed the differences in culture performance between low and high working volumes. These differences were also reflected in cell metabolism, where low culture volumes enhanced oxidative metabolism (linked to a productive phenotype) and high culture volume generated a metabolic profile that was predominately glycolytic (linked to a proliferative phenotype). Our findings indicate that the culture volume influence on metabolism modulates the balance between cell growth and protein production, a key feature that may be useful to adjust CHO cells toward a more productive phenotype.
Protection of human induced pluripotent stem cells against shear stress in suspension culture by Bingham plastic fluid
Authors: Horiguchi Ikki , Torizal Fuad Gandhi , Nagate Hotaka , Inose Haruka , Inamura Kousuke , Hirata Osamu , Hayashi Hisato , Horikawa Masato , Sakai Yasuyuki
Published: November 2020

Suspension culture is an important method used in the industrial preparation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), for regenerative therapy and drug screening. Generally, a suspension culture requires agitation to keep PSC aggregates suspended and to promote mass transfer, but agitation also causes cell damage. In this study, we investigated the use of a Bingham plastic fluid, supplemented with a polysaccharide‐based polymer, to preserve PSCs from cell damage in suspension culture. Rheometric analysis showed that the culture medium gained yield stress and became a Bingham plastic fluid, after supplementation with the polymer FP003. A growth/death analysis revealed that 2 days of aggregate formation and 2 days of suspension in the Bingham plastic medium improved cell growth and prevented cell death. After the initial aggregation step, whereas strong agitation (120 rpm) of a conventional culture medium resulted in massive cell death, in the Bingham plastic fluid we obtained the same growth as the normal culture with optimal agitation (90 rpm). This indicates that Bingham plastic fluid protected cells from shear stress in suspension culture and could be used to enhance their robustness when developing a large‐scale.
Partnering a Three‐Coordinate Gallium Cation with a Hydroborate Counter‐Ion for the Catalytic Hydrosilylation of CO2
Authors: Caise Alexa , Hicks Jamie , Ángeles Fuentes M. , Goicoechea Jose M. , Aldridge Simon
Published: November 2020

A novel β‐diketiminate stabilized gallium hydride, (DippL)Ga(Ad)H (where (DippL)={HC(MeCDippN)2}, Dipp=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl and Ad=1‐adamantyl), has been synthesized and shown to undergo insertion of carbon dioxide into the Ga−H bond under mild conditions. In this case, treatment of the resulting κ1‐formate complex with triethylsilane does not lead to regeneration of the hydride precursor. However, when combined with B(C6F5)3, (DippL)Ga(Ad)H catalyses the reductive hydrosilylation of CO2. Under stoichiometric conditions, the addition of one equivalent of B(C6F5)3 to (DippL)Ga(Ad)H leads to the formation of a 3‐coordinate cationic gallane complex, partnered with a hydroborate anion, [(DippL)Ga(Ad)][HB(C6F5)3]. This complex rapidly hydrometallates carbon dioxide and catalyses the selective reduction of CO2 to the formaldehyde oxidation level at 60 °C in the presence of Et3SiH (yielding H2C(OSiEt3)2). When catalysis is undertaken in the presence of excess B(C6F5)3, appreciable enhancement of activity is observed, with a corresponding reduction in selectivity: the product distribution includes H2C(OSiEt3)2, CH4 and O(SiEt3)2. While this system represents proof‐of‐concept in CO2 hydrosilylation by a gallium hydride system, the TOF values obtained are relatively modest (max. 10 h−1). This is attributed to the strength of binding of the formatoborate anion to the gallium centre in the catalytic intermediate (DippL)Ga(Ad){OC(H)OB(C6F5)3}, and the correspondingly slow rate of the turnover‐limiting hydrosilylation step. In turn, this strength of binding can be related to the relatively high Lewis acidity measured for the [(DippL)Ga(Ad)]+ cation (AN=69.8).
Synergetic Effect of Mo6 Clusters and Gold Nanoparticles on the Photophysical Properties of Both Components
Authors: Novikova Evgeniya D. , Vorotnikov Yuri A. , Nikolaev Nazar A. , Tsygankova Alphiya R. , Shestopalov Michael A. , Efremova Olga A.
Published: November 2020

Photodynamic and photothermal therapies (PDT, and PTT, respectively) are promising candidates for multimodal anticancer therapies (i.e., combinations of therapies), since their action is based on mechanisms that generally cannot be resisted by cancer cells, that is, generation of highly oxidizing oxygen species and high temperature, respectively. Herein, hybrid materials that combine octahedral molybdenum clusters as potential PDT agents and plasmonic spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as PTT agents are reported. Partial overlap of the photoemission spectrum of the cluster and the surface plasmon resonance band of the AuNPs facilitates energy transfer between the photoactive components, which resulted in synergetic enhancement of their photophysical properties. Specifically, by careful selection of the spacing between the cluster and the gold nanoparticle, a significant increase in luminescence and photosensitizing properties of the cluster was achieved in comparison with similar, but gold‐free, particles. On the other hand, the cluster complex facilitated energy conversion to heat by gold particles and hence increased the heating rate under laser irradiation.
An Aldehyde Responsive, Cleavable Linker for Glucose Responsive Insulins
Authors: Mannerstedt Karin , Mishra Narendra Kumar , Engholm Ebbe , Lundh Morten , Madsen Charlotte S. , Pedersen Philip J. , Le‐Huu Priska , Pedersen Søren L. , Buch‐Månson Nina , Borgström Björn , Brimert Thomas , Fink Lisbeth N. , Fosgerau Keld , Vrang Niels , Jensen Knud J.
Published: November 2020

A glucose responsive insulin (GRI) that responds to changes in blood glucose concentrations has remained an elusive goal. Here we describe the development of glucose cleavable linkers based on hydrazone and thiazolidine structures. We developed linkers with low levels of spontaneous hydrolysis but increased level of hydrolysis with rising concentrations of glucose, which demonstrated their glucose responsiveness in vitro. Lipidated hydrazones and thiazolidines were conjugated to the LysB29 side‐chain of HI by pH‐controlled acylations providing GRIs with glucose responsiveness confirmed in vitro for thiazolidines. Clamp studies showed increased glucose infusion at hyperglycemic conditions for one GRI indicative of a true glucose response. The glucose responsive cleavable linker in these GRIs allow changes in glucose levels to drive the release of active insulin from a circulating depot. We have demonstrated an unprecedented, chemically responsive linker concept for biopharmaceuticals.
Copper‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidative Cleavage of Unstrained Carbon‐Carbon Bonds of 1,1‐Disubstituted Alkenes with Sulfonyl Hydrazides
Authors: Yi Dong , He Linying , Qi Zhongyu , Zhang Zhijie , Li Mengshun , Lu Ji , Wei Jun , Du Xi , Fu Qiang , Wei Siping
Published: November 2020

Main observation and conclusion

Alkoxy radical‐mediated carbon‐carbon bond cleavages have emerged as a powerful strategy to complement traditional ionic‐type transformations. However, carbon‐carbon cleavage reaction triggered by alkoxy radical intermediate derived from the combination of alkyl radical and dioxygen, is scarce and underdeveloped. Herein, we report alkoxy radical, which was generated from alkyl radical and dioxygen, mediated selective cleavage of unstrained carbon‐carbon bond for the oxysulfonylation of 1,1‐disubstituted alkenes, providing facile access to a variety of valuable β‐keto sulfones. Mechanistic experiments indicated alkoxy radical intermediate that underwent subsequent regioselective β‐scission might be involved in the reaction and preliminary computational studies were conducted to provide a detailed explanation on the regioselectivity of the C—C bond cleavage. Notably, the strategy was successfully applied for constructing uneasily obtained architecturally intriguing molecules.
White appearance of virtual stimuli produced by augmented reality
Authors: Huang Hsin‐Pou , Wei Minchen , Chen Siyuan
Published: November 2020

Augmented reality superimposes virtual objects onto a real environment, allowing humans to simultaneously see virtual objects and real environment. Such a viewing condition and the luminance relationship between virtual objects and real environments introduce new challenges in color appearance characterization. In this study, an augmented reality simulator was built and the human observers adjusted the color appearance of a virtual stimulus to the whitest under different real environments. The general differences between the chromaticities for producing the whitest appearance under different adapting correlated color temperature (CCT) and adapting luminance were similar to those in the past studies investigating surface colors and self‐luminous displays, but the effect of adapting CCT was found smaller. It suggested a lower degree of chromatic adaptation when viewing stimuli produced by an augmented reality graphic.
Using community photography to investigate phenology: A case study of coat molt in the mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) with missing data
Authors: Nowak Katarzyna , Berger Joel , Panikowski Amy , Reid Donald G. , Jacob Aerin L. , Newman Greg , Young Nicholas E. , Beckmann Jon P. , Richards Shane A.
Published: November 2020

Participatory approaches, such as community photography, can engage the public in questions of societal and scientific interest while helping advance understanding of ecological patterns and processes. We combined data extracted from community‐sourced, spatially explicit photographs with research findings from 2018 fieldwork in the Yukon, Canada, to evaluate winter coat molt patterns and phenology in mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus), a cold‐adapted, alpine mammal. Leveraging the community science portals iNaturalist and CitSci, in less than a year we amassed a database of almost seven hundred unique photographs spanning some 4,500 km between latitudes 37.6°N and 61.1°N from 0 to 4,333 m elevation. Using statistical methods accounting for incomplete data, a common issue in community science datasets, we identified the effects of intrinsic (sex and presence of offspring) and broad environmental (latitude and elevation) factors on molt onset and rate and compared our findings with published data. Shedding occurred over a 3‐month period between 29 May and 6 September. Effects of sex and offspring on the timing of molt were consistent between the community‐sourced and our Yukon data and with findings on wild mountain goats at a long‐term research site in west‐central Alberta, Canada. Males molted first, followed by females without offspring (4.4 days later in the coarse‐grained, geographically wide community science sample; 29.2 days later in our fine‐grained Yukon sample) and lastly females with new kids (6.2; 21.2 days later, respectively). Shedding was later at higher elevations and faster at northern latitudes. Our findings establish a basis for employing community photography to examine broad‐scale questions about the timing of ecological events, as well as sex differences in response to possible climate drivers. In addition, community photography can help inspire public participation in environmental and outdoor activities specifically with reference to iconic wildlife.
Effects of maternal genotypic identity and genetic diversity of the red mangroveRhizophora mangleon associated soil bacterial communities: A field‐based experiment
Authors: Craig Hayley , Kennedy John Paul , Devlin Donna J. , Bardgett Richard D. , Rowntree Jennifer K.
Published: November 2020

Loss of plant biodiversity can result in reduced abundance and diversity of associated species with implications for ecosystem functioning. In ecosystems low in plant species diversity, such as Neotropical mangrove forests, it is thought that genetic diversity within the dominant plant species could play an important role in shaping associated communities. Here, we used a manipulative field experiment to study the effects of maternal genotypic identity and genetic diversity of the red mangroveRhizophora mangleon the composition and richness of associated soil bacterial communities. Using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) community fingerprinting, we found that bacterial community composition differed amongR. manglematernal genotypes but not with genetic diversity. Bacterial taxa richness, total soil nitrogen, and total soil carbon were not significantly affected by maternal genotypic identity or genetic diversity ofR. mangle. Our findings show that genotype selection in reforestation projects could influence soil bacterial community composition. Further research is needed to determine what impact these bacterial community differences might have on ecosystem processes, such as carbon and nitrogen cycling.
Asymmetric effects of litter accumulation on soil temperature and dominant plant species in fenced grasslands
Authors: Hou Dongjie , Liu Changcheng , Qiao Xianguo , Guo Ke
Published: November 2020

Excess litter accumulates on the soil surface of fenced grasslands and alters the abiotic environment and plant population dynamics. However, little is known about the effect of litter accumulation on the interaction between environmental factors and plant population characteristics in fenced grasslands, especially over different time scales. We applied a three‐year litter removal experiment to two kinds of fenced grasslands in Inner Mongolia, China. We measured soil temperature in situ and plant phenology and population characteristics of three dominant species (Stipa grandis, S. krylovii, and Leymus chinensis). During the growing season, litter accumulation (i.e., the control) significantly decreased soil temperature, with a larger effect in the daytime than at night. The diurnal negative effect gradually weakened across the growing season, whereas the negative effect in the nighttime shifted to a positive effect on soil temperature in the late growing season. The decreased soil temperature delayed plant phenology, with longer delays in S. grandis and S. krylovii than L. chinensis. Litter accumulation also significantly increased the height, cover, root biomass, and relative dominance of L. chinensis but decreased cover, density, root biomass, and relative dominance of both Stipa, driving replacement of S. grandis or S. krylovii by L. chinensis in two grasslands. Our findings emphasize the critical function of litter in grassland management and provide a new insight to elucidating the mechanism of how litter accumulation regulates the abiotic environment, community composition and structure, and successional change in fenced grasslands.
Fast computation method of static voltage stability using geometric parameter adjustment for the continuation power flow
Authors: Kuroda Eisuke , Watanabe Masahiro , Kato Daichi , Saito Nao , Yatsu Masahiro
Published: November 2020

This paper presents a fast computation method of static voltage stability using geometric parameter adjustment for the continuation power flow. The conventional method has the following problems: voltage stability assessment (VSA) is high accuracy but there is much total convergence calculation number of times. The features of the proposed method are following: (1) to change the step size of a geometric parameter in prediction part, (2) to adjust a geometric parameter using temporary maximum loading point (MLP) by Look‐Ahead method. The proposed method has an advantage of being able to maintain high accuracy for VSA and to calculate less total convergence calculation number of times than conventional methods in IEEE test case of 118 and 300 bus systems.
Comparable outcomes between genders in patients undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction for ischaemic heart failure
Authors: Castelvecchio Serenella , Milani Valentina , Volpe Marianna , Citarella Michele , Ambrogi Federico , Boveri Sara , Saitto Guglielmo , Garatti Andrea , Menicanti Lorenzo
Published: November 2020

Aims

Female sex and heart failure (HF) are considered poor prognostic factors for surgery. We aimed to investigate the association between sex and surgical outcomes in patients with ischaemic HF undergoing surgical ventricular reconstruction and coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods and results

From July 2001 to June 2017, 648 patients [111 women (17%) and 537 men (83%)] were referred to our centre. Follow‐up continued through June 2018. All patients underwent surgical ventricular reconstruction; coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 582 patients (90%). Primary outcome was defined as all‐cause mortality. Secondary outcome included all‐cause mortality or all‐cause hospitalization. Women were older (70 vs. 65 years, P < 0.0001) with lower body surface area (1.70 vs. 1.86 m2, P < 0.0001). Women had more diabetes (36% vs. 24%, P = 0.005) and a higher New York Heart Association classification (Class III/IV 65.7% vs. 47.8%, P = 0.0006), without any significant difference in medical therapy except for a higher use of oral antidiabetic agents in women (P = 0.029). At baseline, the left ventricular (LV) end‐diastolic volume index was significantly lower in women [median 107.06 (80.6–127.81) vs. 113. 04 (94.33–135.52) mL/m2, P = 0.0078] but not the LV end‐systolic volume index (ESVI) [median 73.45 (51.93–96.79) vs. 77.03 (60.33–95.71) mL/m2, P = 0.1393] and the ejection fraction (median 31% vs. 32%, P = 0.150). Women had a higher rate of anterior remodelling (90.9% vs. 79.1%, P = 0.0129), without evidence of differences in mitral valve insufficiency (P = 0.761 for Grade 0 to 4) and mitral surgery (P = 0.810). After surgery, the percentage of reduction in LV ESVI was higher in women than in men (median ΔLV ESVI −42.06 vs. −31.99, P = 0.0003). Mortality within 30 days occurred in 43 patients (6.64%): 12 women (10.81%) and 31 men (5.77%, P = 0.0522). Over a median follow‐up of 9.8 years, all‐cause mortality occurred in 269 patients (41.64%), without significant difference between women (45.9%) and men (40.7%). There was no evidence of difference of all‐cause death between sexes (log‐rank = 0.2441). When considering mortality and first hospitalization as competing events, Gray's test showed no difference of cumulative incidence functions (all‐cause hospitalization, all‐cause death, and combined endpoint) according to sex (P = 0.909, P = 0.445, and P = 0.429, respectively).

Conclusions

In this study, long‐term outcomes for women and men with ischaemic HF undergoing complex cardiac surgery were equivalent. Albeit older and more symptomatic, women should not be denied this type of cardiac surgery.
Clinical, psychological and quality of life differences in fibromyalgia patients from secondary and tertiary healthcare
Authors: Campos Ricardo Pereira , Vázquez Isabel , Vilhena Estela
Published: November 2020

Background

The ‘funnel effect’ of Fibromyalgia (FM) assumes that as patients access healthcare services, they present greater severity and a more complex clinical situation than individuals with FM from the general population, but the studies comparing patients treated in different levels of healthcare are scarce. The aim of this study was to analyse the ‘funnel effect’ hypothesis by comparing patients from secondary and tertiary healthcare services.

Methods

A cross‐sectional sample of female patients was selected in secondary (rheumatology practices ‐ RP) and in tertiary healthcare (chronic pain clinics ‐ CPC). Information about sociodemographic, clinical and psychological characteristics was collected and health related quality of life (HRQL) was assessed.

Results

In total, 55 patients from RP and 60 patients from CPC were included in the comparison. Patients from CPC revealed a worst clinical status (higher number of tender points, medical visits and comorbidity), more somatic symptoms (pain and daytime dysfunction levels) and worst emotional status (more anxiety) than patients from RP. Patients attending CPC also revealed a worst HRQL than RP patients although this difference was mediated by the differences in clinical and psychological variables.

Conclusions

Our study supports the ‘funnel effect’ hypothesis among patients of different healthcare levels, with patients from tertiary healthcare services revealing worst clinical status, more somatic and psychological symptoms, and worst HRQL than patients from secondary healthcare services.

Significance

The worst clinical and psychological status and poorer quality of life in the patients from tertiary healthcare (chronic pain clinics) in relation to the patients from secondary healthcare (rheumatology practices) must be taken into account to design studies that assess any of these aspects, to a proper analysis and interpretation of the data, and to define the scope of its generalization, as data from different clinical settings are not directly comparable.
Predicting long‐term postsurgical pain by examining the evolution of acute pain
Authors: Smith Cameron R. , Baharloo Raheleh , Nickerson Paul , Wallace Margaret , Zou Baiming , Fillingim Roger B. , Crispen Paul , Parvataneni Hari , Gray Chancellor , Prieto Hernan , Machuca Tiago , Hughes Steven , Murad Gregory , Rashidi Parisa , Tighe Patrick J.
Published: November 2020

Background

Increased acute postoperative pain intensity has been associated with the development of persistent postsurgical pain (PPP) in mechanistic and clinical investigations, but it remains unclear which aspects of acute pain explain this linkage.

Methods

We analysed clinical postoperative pain intensity assessments using symbolic aggregate approximations (SAX), a graphical way of representing changes between pain states from one patient evaluation to the next, to visualize and understand how pain intensity changes across sequential assessments are associated with the intensity of postoperative pain at 1 (M1) and 6 (M6) months after surgery. SAX‐based acute pain transition patterns were compared using cosine similarity, which indicates the degree to which patterns mirror each other.

Results

This single‐centre prospective cohort study included 364 subjects. Patterns of acute postoperative pain sequential transitions differed between the ‘None’ and ‘Severe’ outcomes at M1 (cosine similarity 0.44) and M6 (cosine similarity 0.49). Stratifications of M6 outcomes by preoperative pain intensity, sex, age group, surgery type and catastrophising showed significant heterogeneity of pain transition patterns within and across strata. Severe‐to‐severe acute pain transitions were common, but not exclusive, in patients with moderate or severe pain intensity at M6.

Conclusions

Clinically, these results suggest that individual pain‐state transitions, even within patient or procedural strata associated with PPP, may not alone offer good predictive information regarding PPP. Longitudinal observation in the immediate postoperative period and consideration of patient‐ and surgery‐specific factors may help indicate which patients are at increased risk of PPP.

Significance

Symbolic aggregate approximations of clinically obtained, acute postoperative pain intraday time series identify different motifs in patients suffering moderate to severe pain 6 months after surgery.
Capillary electromigration methods for fatty acids determination in vegetable and marine oils: A review
Authors: Amorim Tatiane Lima , Duarte Lucas Mattos , da Silva Erick Mendes , de Oliveira Marcone Augusto Leal
Published: November 2020

Fatty acids determination is of paramount importance for quality control and suitable labeling of edible oils, required by regulatory agencies in several countries, and fast methods for this determination are worldly desired. This review article aimed to explore the available analytical methods for vegetable and marine oils analyses employing CE, which can be a straightforward and faster alternative than GC methods for fatty acid determination, considering some purposes. CE usually offers the possibility of a rapid analysis with a simple preparation of the sample, without requiring specific columns, which are inherent advantages of the technique. Instrumental conditions and the key points about fatty acids determination employing the technique are highlighted, and the main challenges and perspectives are also approached. Potential use of CE for edible oil analyses has been demonstrated for research and routine, which can be of interest for industries, regulatory agencies, and edible oil researchers. Therefore, we have explored the analytical approaches described in the last decades, intending to spread the interest of CE methods for fatty acid monitoring, label accuracy assessment, and food authenticity evaluation of edible oils.
Earthquake input and state estimation for buildings using absolute floor accelerations
Authors: Taher Sdiq Anwar , Li Jian , Fang Huazhen
Published: November 2020

After earthquakes, structural response such as interstory drift is critical for accurate structural assessment for buildings. Typically, direct integration of absolute floor accelerations does not yield reliable floor displacements due to the long‐period drifts caused by noise, a widely acknowledged challenge. In this case, model‐based estimation strategies can be employed, which often require the ground input for better accuracy. However, in many cases the ground input may not be available for lack of instrumentation or even be unmeasurable due to soil‐structure interaction, hence needs to be estimated. Earthquake input estimation in this case is particularly challenging due to the lack of direct feedthrough term, leading to low observability of system input. As a result, input estimation is sensitive to modeling error, measurement noise, and incomplete measurements. To address this challenge, a hybrid strategy is proposed to estimate earthquake input, states, and acceleration response at unmeasured floors using limited absolute floor acceleration measurements. First, the earthquake input is estimated through a maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation method, and then the estimated input is combined with Kalman filter to further estimate states and unmeasured responses. A comprehensive assessment was performed through a series of numerical and experimental tests including a comparative study with a popular online model‐based method. While the online method demonstrated certain sensitivity to modeling error and measurement noise due to weak observability, the proposed strategy showed robustness and accuracy under realistic and challenging conditions. Further verification is also performed using a real‐world building structure that experienced earthquake events.
Elucidating the role of lattice thermal conductivity in π‐phases of IV‐VI monochalcogenides for highly efficient thermoelectric performance
Authors: Rehman Sajid Ur , Butt Faheem K. , Tariq Zeeshan , Zhang Xiaoming , Zheng Jun , Naydenov Genadi , Ul Haq Bakhtiar , Li Chuanbo
Published: November 2020

Recently, an emerging new class of cubic π‐polymorphs are being pursued as cost‐effective and relatively less toxic materials for thermoelectric, photovoltaic, and optoelectronic applications. Using density functional formalism and semiclassical Boltzmann transport theory, we have systematically studied the thermoelectric performance of π‐polymorphs. Hybrid functional (HSE03) is employed to realize accurate energy bandgaps, which helps to predict more accurate thermoelectric properties. The thermodynamic stability is observed by binding energies and phonon dispersions. It is observed that the Seebeck coefficients (S) are decreasing and electrical conductivities (σ) are increasing with carrier concentration. However, thermal conductivities are showing decreasing trends which lead to ultimately increased ZT. π‐GeSe shows a high power factor ~16.50 mW/mK2 among all π‐polymorphs. The figure of merit, ZT value, of π‐SnS, π‐SnSe, π‐GeS, and π‐GeSe are found to be 0.83, 1.20, 1.28, and 1.63 with optimal carrier concentration at 800 K. The present work highlights the potential of newly discovered cubic π‐polymorphs of chalcogenides for highly efficient thermoelectric materials.
Effects of vitamin D on neonatal sepsis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Workneh Bitew Zebenay , Worku Teshager , Alemu Ayinalem
Published: November 2020

Vitamin D deficiency is a major public health concern of pregnant women and neonates worldwide, affecting more than half of neonates. Studies report inconsistent and inconclusive effects of vitamin D treatment on neonatal sepsis. This study aimed to provide conclusive evidence regarding the effect of maternal and cord blood vitamin D levels on neonatal sepsis. Data were retrieved from the electronic database (Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL [EBSCOhost], ProQuest, EMBASE [Ovid], PubMed, Emcare, MEDLINE [Ovid], and gray literature sources [World cat, Mednar, Google scholar and Google]). Joanna Briggs Institute quality assessment tool was utilized for quality assessment while analysis was performed using Open Meta‐analyst, Comprehensive Meta‐analysis version 3.3.070, and Review Manager version 5.3 software. From the 18 studies included in the study, the overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among neonates was 61% (95% CI: 44.3, 77.7); 79.4% (95% CI: 71.6, 87.3) of neonates with sepsis were vitamin D deficient as were 43.7% (23.4, 63.9) of sepsis‐free neonates. Neonates born from mothers with low vitamin D levels were at greater risk of developing neonatal sepsis with a weighed mean difference of −8.57 ng/ml (95% CI: −13.09, −4.05). Similarly, neonates with low cord vitamin D levels were at risk for neonatal sepsis with a mean difference of −8.78 ng/ml (95% CI:‐11.58, −5.99). The incidence of EONS in full‐term newborns was significantly associated with low maternal and cord blood vitamin D levels with weighed mean differences of −11.55ng/ml (95% CI: −17.63, −5.46) & −11.59 ng/ml (95% CI:‐16.65, −6.53), respectively. Low levels of vitamin D both in the cord blood and maternal blood were significantly associated with neonatal sepsis. Hence, vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women and newborns could decrease neonatal sepsis.
Estimation of stochastic volatility and option prices
Authors: Byun Suk Joon , Hyun Jung‐Soon , Sung Woon Jun
Published: November 2020

This study suggests a method to estimate a stochastic volatility model incorporating both information on high/low prices and the leverage effect. The likelihood‐based inference of Markov Chain Monte Carlo is conducted to estimate parameters and volatility. Simulation reveals that our method improves estimation and pricing options. We also find that the information on high/low prices is more likely to contribute to the improvement than the leverage effect.
The traders' rule and long‐term options
Authors: Kim Sol , Song In Jung
Published: November 2020

Studies show that option traders prefer using the traders' rule to price short‐term options over more mathematically sophisticated models. This study uses Standard & Poor's 500 index option data to determine whether the traders' rule also outperforms mathematically more sophisticated models in pricing long‐term options. The results show that, while the traders' rule still enjoys smaller pricing errors for short‐term options, more mathematically sophisticated models perform better for long‐term options. This result may reflect the greater liquidity of short‐term options, which are far more actively traded than longer‐term options.
Hedging operating and financing risk with financial derivatives during the global financial crisis
Authors: Bae Sung C. , Kwon Taek Ho
Published: November 2020

We investigate whether firms properly protect values from sudden exchange rate changes using financial derivatives. Sampling Korean firms, we compare firms experiencing significant changes in exchange rate exposures to firms experiencing no such changes surrounding the global financial crisis. We find that the former outnumbers the latter, uses more derivatives for hedging, and has lower firm values. We further show that the lower firm values are more pronounced for firms hedging financing risk than firms hedging operating risk with derivatives, indicating more difficulty of hedging financing risk in the face of a sharp depreciation of local currency during the crisis.
Jurassic post‐collisional extension in the Songpan–Ganze Terrane, eastern Tibetan Plateau: Evidence from weakly peraluminous A‐type granites within the Zheduo–Gongga Massif
Authors: Wu Chan , Ji Shaocheng , Cao Hui , Dong Hanwen , Chen Xijie
Published: November 2020

The Mesozoic–Cenozoic Zheduo–Gongga Massif, eastern Songpan–Ganze Terrane, can provide important clues for the crustal evolution in response to syn‐ and post‐orogeny. Here, we document petrological and geochemical characteristics of Early Jurassic granites (181.0 ± 2.2 Ma) within the massif along the Xianshuihe Fault in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. The granites have high contents of SiO2, Na2O + K2O, FeOT/MgO, 10,000 × Ga/Al, REE (except Eu) and HFSE (e.g., Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf), low CaO, TiO2, P2O5 and negative Eu, Sr, and Ba anomalies. Zircon REE shows a similar pattern with the whole‐rock REE. Our new data demonstrate weakly peraluminous A‐type affinity with A/CNK >1.0 and alkali‐calcic, ferroan features. Zircon saturation temperatures and geochemical features (e.g., high SiO2 and low MgO contents, high Rb/Ba and Rb/Sr ratios) indicate that the granites resulted from high‐temperature (>800°C) partial melting of Triassic flysch rocks in relatively shallow crust (<500 MPa or <20 km). Zircon εHf(t) values range from 0.55 to 2.91 and the corresponding two‐stage TDMC are older than the neighbouring Kangding complex and Yangtze margin, implying possible contribution of mantle materials to the parent magma. Considering the tectonic events and the regional geology, the magma was generated in a post‐collisional setting, which was possibly driven by the upwelling of hot mid–lower crustal materials due to the break‐off of subducted Palaeo‐Tethys Ocean slab. Under this situation, the magma may move upwardly into the pre‐existing Xianshuihe Fault during the post‐collisional extension of the thickened crust. Thus, slab break‐off played a key role in the genesis of the Zheduo–Gongga Massif studied herein.
Speed modulation of hippocampal theta frequency and amplitude predicts water maze learning
Authors: Young Calvin K. , Ruan Ming , McNaughton Neil
Published: November 2020

Theta oscillations in the hippocampus have many behavioral correlates, with the magnitude and vigor of ongoing movement being the most salient. Many consider correlates of locomotion with hippocampal theta to be a confound in delineating theta contributions to cognitive processes. Theory and empirical experiments suggest theta‐movement relationships are important if spatial navigation is to support higher cognitive processes. In the current study, we tested if variations in speed modulation of hippocampal theta can predict spatial learning rates in the water maze. Using multi‐step regression, we find that the magnitude and robustness of hippocampal theta frequency versus speed scaling can predict water maze learning rates. Using a generalized linear model, we also demonstrate that speed and water maze learning are the best predictors of hippocampal theta frequency and amplitude. Our findings suggest movement‐speed correlations with hippocampal theta frequency may be actively used in spatial learning.
A prognostic risk model based on immune‐related genes predicts overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Pan Banglun , Liu Lin , Li Wei
Published: November 2020

Background and aims

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common heterogeneous tumors that occurs after chronic liver diseases and hepatitis virus infection. Immune‐related genes (IRGs) and their ligands regulate the homeostasis of tumor microenvironment, which is essential for the treatment of HCC and its prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the clinical value of IRGs in predicting the prognosis of HCC.

Methods

We downloaded RNA‐seq data and clinical information from TCGA database. Samples were randomly divided into training cohort and testing cohort. The “limma” R package was performed to identify differentially expressed IRGs (DEIRGs) between HCC group and normal group. Prognostic DEIRGs (PDEIRGs) were obtained by univariate Cox analysis. LASSO and multivariate Cox analysis were used, and a prognostic risk model was constructed. In order to better demonstrate the clinical value of our model in predicting overall survival rate, a nomogram was constructed. To further investigate the molecular mechanism of our model, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed.

Results

Compared with the low‐risk group, the high‐risk group had a significantly worse prognosis. Moreover, our prognostic risk model can accurately stratify tumor grade and TNM stage. Importantly, in our model, not only immune checkpoint genes were well predicted, but also human leucocyte antigen‐I molecules were revealed. GSEA suggested that “MAPK signaling pathway,” “mTOR signaling pathway,” “NOD like receptor signaling pathway,” “Toll like receptor signaling pathway,” “VEGF signaling pathway,” “WNT signaling pathway” had significant correlations with the high‐risk group.

Conclusion

Overall, our study showed that our prognostic risk model can be used to assess prognosis of HCC, which may provide a certain basis for the survival rate of patients with HCC.
Experimental performance of cooling photovoltaic panels using geothermal energy in an arid climate
Authors: Kadhim Arwa Mahmood , Aljubury Issam Mohammed Ali
Published: November 2020

In this study, an experimental prototype was built to examine the use of an underground water tank as a heat exchange medium with the soil to reduce photovoltaic (PV) panel operation temperatures and simultaneously improve PV efficiency. Three PV systems were evaluated: a benchmark PV panel without cooling (panel A); a PV panel with water spray cooling (panel B); and a PV panel with evaporative cooling (panel C). The cooling techniques in modules (B) and (C) were used to investigate the effects of underground water on the performance of PV panels in arid conditions. Four cases were devised as follows: spray panel back cooling (I), spray front and back cooling (II), spray front and back cooling using an Arduino controller (III), and repeating case III with different water flow rates (IV). Readings were taken from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm from May to August. The experimental results showed that the use of underground water spray cooling led to reductions in the temperature of PV panel B, 14°C, 17.6°C, 18.8°C, and 22.7°C for cases I, II, III, and IV, respectively, when compared with the uncooled panel, and efficiency improved by 3.5%, 4.8%, 18%, and 23.1%, respectively.
Effect of sub‐cloud evaporation on precipitation in the Tianshan Mountains (Central Asia) under the influence of global warming
Authors: Chen Haiyan , Chen Yaning , Li Dalong , Li Weihong
Published: November 2020

It is crucial for accurately describing the precipitation patterns and their underlying mechanisms to optimise the hydro‐climatic model parameters and improve the accuracy of precipitation forecasting. Based on 212 precipitation samples collected during August 2015 to July 2016 in the mid‐mountain region of the Manasi River Basin in the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, we estimated the effect of sub‐cloud evaporation on precipitation, analysed the factors that influence the sub‐cloud evaporation, and modelled the response of sub‐cloud evaporation to global warming. The mean remaining raindrop mass fraction after evaporation (f) in this region is 94.39%. The mean deviation between d‐excess (Δd) of ground precipitation and raindrops under cloud is −4.22‰. The intensity of sub‐cloud evaporation is the highest in summer. There is a significant positive correlation between f and Δd (0.72‰/%). The relative humidity and diameter of raindrops were observed to have a direct influence on the intensity of sub‐cloud evaporation. The temperature was observed to influence the intensity of sub‐cloud evaporation indirectly by influencing the relative humidity and diameter of raindrops. Global warming will increase the intensity of sub‐cloud evaporation in the Tianshan Mountains, especially for small precipitation events.
Solution to the outstanding case of the spouse‐loving variant of the Oberwolfach problem with uniform cycle length
Authors: Shanmuga Vadivu Andiyappan , Panneerselvam Lakshmanan , Muthusamy Appu
Published: November 2020

Let denote the complete graph of even order with a 1‐factor duplicated. The spouse‐loving variant of the Oberwolfach Problem, denoted , asks for the existence of a 2‐factorization of in which each 2‐factor consists of cycles of length , for all , such that . If , then the problem is denoted by . In this paper, we construct a solution to when is an odd integer. This completes the proof of the conjecture posed by Bolohan et al. In addition, we find a solution to when is an odd integer.
Association of social participation, perception of neighborhood social cohesion, and social media use with happiness: Evidence of trade‐off (JCOP‐20‐277)
Authors: Bekalu Mesfin A. , McCloud Rachel F. , Minsky Sara , Viswanath Kasisomayajula
Published: November 2020

Social participation and neighborhood social cohesion are positively associated with health and wellbeing. Given that in‐person social interactions have generally dwindled over the past several decades at least in Western countries and social media use has become more common, in this study, we examined whether and how social media use interacts with social participation and neighborhood social cohesion in influencing happiness. Data were gathered from a representative sample of adults in Massachusetts, USA. General linear model was used to estimate the main and interaction effects of social participation, perception of neighborhood social cohesion and social media use on happiness, controlling for sociodemographics, marital status, employment, and self‐rated health. Results indicated that both social participation and perception of neighborhood social cohesion were positively associated with happiness whereas social media use was not. However, there was a significant interaction effect of social media use and perception of neighborhood social cohesion on happiness. Compared with people with a high perception of neighborhood social cohesion, those with low perception were more likely to be happy as their social media use increased, suggesting that social media use may be helpful to promote happiness among people who perceive their neighborhoods as less supportive, trustworthy, and close‐knit.