bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of fatty acid salts on fermentation characteristics, bacterial diversity and aerobic stability of mixed silage prepared with alfalfa, rice straw and wheat bran
Authors: Mu Lin , Wang Qinglan , Cao Xin , Zhang Zhifei
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

The objective was to determine effects of potassium diformate (PD), sodium diacetate (SD) and calcium propionate (CAP) on dynamics of microbial community, fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability of silage comprised of a mixture of alfalfa (AF), rice straw (RS) and wheat bran (MF). Treatments included control (C), PD [5.5 g kg–1 fresh weight (FW)], SD (7 g kg–1 FW), and CAP (10 g kg–1 FW), which were ensiled for 1, 3, 5, 7, 15, 30 and 45 days in vacuum‐sealed polythene bags.

RESULTS

After day 1 of ensiling, the most dominant bacterial species in all silages was Weissella cibaria, whereas Lactobacillus parabrevis, L. nodensis, L. plantarum and L. paralimentarius were dominant species after 5 and 15 days of ensiling, and ultimately Pseudomonas putida and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia became dominant after 45 days. The positive correlation between PD and L. plantarum supported the lowest pH, butyric acid, ammonia nitrogen, neutral and acid detergent fiber, and hemicellulose content, and high water‐soluble carbohydrates and crude protein content in PD silage. In addition, SD and CAP enriched the abundance of L. parabrevis and mainly increased lactic acid (LA) and acetic acid (AA). CAP increased abundance of L. acetotolerans after 45 days of ensiling with more LA and AA than other treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

The succession of the bacterial community of mixed silage was modulated by the three fatty acid salts; furthermore, PD and CAP further improved fermentation quality by accelerating the decrease in pH and the increase in LA. The chemical additives prolonged the aerobic stability more than 16 days. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Degradation of lignocellulosic matrix of oilseed cakes by solid‐state fermentation: fungi screening for enzymes production and antioxidants release
Authors: Sousa Daniel , Salgado José M , Cambra‐López Maria , Dias Alberto CP , Belo Isabel
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

Vegetable oils are yearly produced in large amounts generating solid by‐products, the oilseed cake (OC). OCs are lignocellulosic materials that have been used for animal feed with some limitations due to high fibre content from the plant cell walls. Biotechnological processes can help to overcome these limitations and contribute to up‐grading such by‐products, enhancing their nutritional value as feed ingredients.

RESULTS

All fungal species were able to decrease neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre in all by‐products. Additionally, relevant enzymes were produced by the three fungi studied resulting in an improved antioxidant capacity of all fermented OCs. Aspergillus niger led to the highest activity of cellulase (109 U g−1), xylanase (692 U g−1) and protease (157 U g−1) per dry OC matter and to the recovery of an extract rich in antioxidants, with the highest scavenging potential of free radicals and superoxide anion, iron chelation ability and reducing power. Rhyzopus oryzae produced the highest activity of β‐glucosidase (503 U g−1) and led to the highest liberation of total phenolic content (TPC). Principal components analysis showed that extracts with high antioxidant potential were obtained in solid‐state fermentation (SSF) with high enzymatic activity. A positive correlation was established between the action of β‐glucosidase and TPC.

CONCLUSION

Within the same bioprocess it was possible to improve the nutritional value of OCs and to obtain relevant bioactive compounds such as lignocellulosic enzymes and phenolic compounds with antioxidant potential, resulting in a significant improvement of already valuable by‐products with commercial interest for animal feed. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Misused terms in analytical chemistry with emphasis on ultrasound application
Authors: Luque de Castro María Dolores
Published: August 2021

A wide number of analytical terms have been applied erroneously for many years by analytical chemists, and they apply at present yet, by considering the time makes their use correct. The question is, may precedents validate the present use of incorrect scientific terms? Misused terms are found along the analytical process, starting with giving the name of the sample to the exiguous fraction of the original sample that reaches the detector or the high‐resolution equipment after sample pretreatment and sample preparation. All the steps of the analytical process are considered in this article, with special emphasis on sample preparation and, within this, on the use of ultrasound, mainly for assisting extraction more unequivocally named as leaching or lixiviation. A call of attention in this respect is considered by the author to be of help to the analytical community.
Utility of Telemedicine for Diagnosis and Management of Laryngology‐Related Complaints during COVID‐19
Authors: Choi Janet S. , Yin Victoria , Wu Franklin , Bhatt Neel K. , O'Dell Karla , Johns Michael
Published: August 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate the concordance in diagnosis and management between initial telemedicine visits and subsequent in‐person visits with laryngoscopy for laryngology‐related complaints during COVID‐19.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Patients who presented to a tertiary care center with laryngology‐related complaints (voice, swallowing, airway, general throat complaints and others) and completed initial telemedicine visits and subsequent in‐person visits with laryngoscopy between March and October 2020 were included (n = 250). Preliminary diagnoses and managements provided during initial telemedicine visits were compared with the diagnoses and managements during subsequent in‐person visits with laryngoscopy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to compare concordance rates in diagnosis and management by chief complaint categories after adjusting for relevant demographic and clinical factors.

Results

Overall concordance rates in diagnosis and management between the initial telemedicine visit and subsequent laryngoscopy exam were 86.1% and 93.7%, respectively. Mean (standard deviation) days until laryngoscopy from the initial visit were 21.2 (23.0). Concordance rates were not associated with patient's age, gender, preferred language, provider, telemedicine visit duration, or days until laryngoscopy. Management concordance rate was relatively lower among patients with general throat complaints in comparison with voice‐related complaints (odds ratio: 0.27; 95% confidence interval: 0.08–0.90). Management changes after laryngoscopy included need for further imaging, procedures, voice therapy, and referral to other specialists.

Conclusion

Concordance rates in diagnosis and management remained high between the initial telemedicine visit and subsequent in‐person visit with laryngoscopy for new patients presenting with laryngology‐related complaints during the COVID‐19 pandemic. While laryngoscopy is still essential to confirm diagnosis and provide appropriate management, telemedicine may be a feasible alternative to provide suitable empiric therapy until laryngoscopy can be safely performed.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 132:831–837, 2022
Nutrient co‐limitation in the subtropical Northwest Pacific
Authors: Browning Thomas J. , Liu Xin , Zhang Ruifeng , Wen Zuozhu , Liu Jing , Zhou Yaqian , Xu Feipeng , Cai Yihua , Zhou Kuanbo , Cao Zhimian , Zhu Yuanli , Shi Dalin , Achterberg Eric P. , Dai Minhan
Published: August 2021

Nutrients limiting phytoplankton growth in the ocean are a critical control on ocean productivity and can underpin predicted responses to climate change. The extensive western subtropical North Pacific is assumed to be under strong nitrogen limitation, but this is not well supported by experimental evidence. Here, we report the results of 14 factorial nitrogen–phosphorus–iron addition experiments through the Philippine Sea, which demonstrate a gradient from nitrogen limitation in the north to nitrogen–iron co‐limitation in the south. While nitrogen limited sites responded weakly to nutrient supply, co‐limited sites bloomed with up to ~60‐fold increases in chlorophyll a biomass that was dominated by initially undetectable diatoms. The transition in limiting nutrients and phytoplankton growth capacity was driven by a gradient in deep water nutrient supply, which was undetectable in surface concentration fields. We hypothesize that this large‐scale phytoplankton response gradient is both climate sensitive and potentially important for regulating the distribution of predatory fish.
Operators on anti‐dual pairs: Generalized Krein–von Neumann extension
Authors: Tarcsay Zsigmond , Titkos Tamás
Published: August 2021

The main aim of this paper is to generalize the classical concept of a positive operator, and to develop a general extension theory, which overcomes not only the lack of a Hilbert space structure, but also the lack of a normable topology. The concept of anti‐duality carries an adequate structure to define positivity in a natural way, and is still general enough to cover numerous important areas where the Hilbert space theory cannot be applied. Our running example – illustrating the applicability of the general setting to spaces bearing poor geometrical features – comes from noncommutative integration theory. Namely, representable extension of linear functionals of involutive algebras will be governed by their induced operators. The main theorem, to which the vast majority of the results is built, gives a complete and constructive characterization of those operators that admit a continuous positive extension to the whole space. Various properties such as commutation, or minimality and maximality of special extensions will be studied in detail.
Influence of different electron beam surface pre‐treatments on the results of subsequent boriding‐part I
Authors: Buchwalder A. , Thronicke J. , Jung A. , Hengst P. , Hunger R. , Hartwig S. , Zenker R.
Published: August 2021

Boriding produce thick hard layers on cast iron components, which can improve their wear and corrosion behaviour. However, this potential cannot be fully exploited by a simple boriding due to the material specific presence of graphite. In that context, this paper presents results of two fundamentally different electron beam liquid surface treatments (remelting, cladding with nickel‐based additive) and their possibilities and limitations regarding subsequent boriding. The boriding behaviour under conventional high temperatures (760 °C–860 °C), and experiments on low‐temperature boriding (600 °C–700 °C) were investigated. Under identical treatment conditions, the compound layer thicknesses generated on the unalloyed surfaces (remelting) were approx. 50 %–75 % greater than those of the alloyed surfaces (cladding). A two‐layered boride layer structure were generated, though with different phase compositions. Nevertheless, the hardness of all borided layers were comparable. Surface hardness measurements revealed that the supporting effect of substrates plays a decisive role up to a boride layer thickness of approx. 57 μm. In this layer‐thickness range, the compound hardness of the alloyed substrates is higher than that of the unalloyed substrates. This knowledge should prove decisive for the selection of layer composites for corrosive and/or tribologically stressed components.
Influence of different pre‐surface treatments using electron beam and subsequent boriding on tribological and corrosive load behaviour – Part II
Authors: Buchwalder A. , Thronicke J. , Jung A. , Hengst P. , Hunger R. , Hartwig S. , Zenker R.
Published: August 2021

In order to make cast iron usable for highly stressed components or tools, the duplex treatment of electron beam (EB) remelting or cladding using a nickel‐based additive (a supporting layer without graphite) and boriding (a functional layer) is considered to have extraordinarily high potential for realizing the necessary division of functions. Due to the high process temperatures during boriding, the electron beam‐treated layers should have sufficient thermal resistance to fulfil the required supporting function for the boride layers. However, this could only be confirmed for the cladded layers. This paper deals with comparative investigations on the effects of single and combination treatments performed on the cast iron surface on the material's wear (dry pin‐on‐disc tests) and corrosion behaviour (potentiodynamic measurements in an aerated sodium chloride solution and in sulphuric acid). After testing, and in particular in terms of corrosion resistance, the duplex treatment of electron beam cladding+boriding showed a clear improvement over single treatment. With regard to wear performance, however, only a marginal improvement could be determined. This was highly dependent on the boride layer thickness and the loading conditions.
Experimental investigation and process optimization of the ultrasonic welding applied to papers
Authors: Charlier Q. , Viguié J. , Harthong B. , Toni J.‐B. , Terrien M. , Imbault D. , Peyroux R.
Published: August 2021

Ultrasonic welding is a serious candidate in the development of methods to assemble papers and paperboards without using additional substances. However, the ultrasonic welding of papers remains a technological challenge considering the low weldability of lignocellulosic materials. This study aims to investigate on the ultrasonic welding process applied to papers in order to identify the processing conditions which favor the formation of strong welded joints. To reach such purpose, an experimental strategy was developed by combining the characterization of welded materials and the monitoring of process parameters. Experimentations were performed using a reference paper displaying a good weldability to specifically highlight the contribution of process parameters. Results indicate that the process is highly sensitive to vibration amplitude, power supplied by the high frequency generator, and sample thickness. Power seems to be a reliable indicator of the severity of the process. A strong decrease in the strength of the welded joints is observed when working with low thicknesses. It seems that the layers coated on top of papers are the main part of the material contributing in the development of adhesion at the welding joint. Overall, instrumenting the device has led to a better understanding of the ultrasonic welding of papers.
Solidification and microstructure characterizations of eutectic aluminum‐silicon casting alloy with the addition of tin
Authors: Khatibi K. , Asmael M.B.A. , Safaei B. , Zeeshan Q.
Published: August 2021

The effects of tin (Sn) addition on aluminum‐silicon and α‐aluminum phase solidification parameters as well as eutectic aluminum‐silicon casting alloy microstructure are systematically investigated. In this research, these characteristic parameters are examined by using computer‐aided cooling curve thermal analyses. The results of microstructure analyses and cooling curves show that tin alters silicon structure. By increasing the amount of tin up to 1 wt.%, α‐aluminum phase nucleation temperature, aluminum‐silicon phase growth temperature, and last phase solidus temperature increase. The mean area of silicon particles decreases when 0.1 wt.% tin is added but by its further increasing up to 1 wt.%, silicon particle mean area increases. It means that increase of tin content does not lead to silicon structure modification in this type of aluminum‐silicon alloy. Besides, by increasing the amount of tin, the reaction temperature of the last phase is increased by the formation of intermetallic compounds such as ternary compounds (Al−Si−Sn).
Dynamics of diversification and banks' risk‐taking and stability: Empirical analysis of commercial banks
Authors: Abbas Faisal , Ali Shoaib
Published: August 2021

This study examines the impact of asset, income, and funding diversification on the risk and stability of US commercial banks ranges from 2002 to 2019 by using two‐stage instrumental variables and GMM technique. The findings reveal that funding and asset (income) diversification decreases (increases) the banks' risks. The results indicated that income diversification has a significantly detrimental impact on the banks' stability, whereas funding and assets diversification positively contributes to banks' stability. The impact of diversification on risk‐taking and stability is heterogeneous for various categories and crisis period. Our study provides useful insights to policymakers and bank regulators.
Reconstructing the wave speed and the source
Authors: Boumenir Amin , Kim Tuan Vu
Published: August 2021

We are concerned with the inverse problem of recovering the unknown wave speed and also the source in a multidimensional wave equation. We show that the wave speed coefficient can be reconstructed from the observations of the solution taken at a single point. For the source, we may need a sequence of observation points due to the presence of multiple spectrum and nodal lines. This new method, based on spectral estimation techniques, leads to a simple procedure that delivers both uniqueness and reconstruction of the coefficients at the same time.
The unboundedness of Hausdorff operators on quasi‐Banach spaces
Authors: Guo Weichao , Ruan Jianmiao , Zhao Guoping
Published: August 2021

In this note, for a large family of quasi‐Banach spaces, including local Hardy space hp and some inhomogeneous function spaces, we show that the Hausdorff operator HΦ is unbounded unless it is a zero operator.
A continual backward‐to‐forward beam scanning periodic microstrip leaky‐wave antenna with highly stable gain
Authors: Zhang Mingyu , Zhang Chaoqun , Zhou Song
Published: August 2021

A limitation of the traditional periodic leaky‐wave antennas (P‐LWAs) is the existence of the open‐stopband (OSB) with the antenna gain greatly reduced at broadside. In this paper, a novel periodic microstrip LWA with highly stable gain is proposed and the OSB is eliminated, realizing continual backward‐to‐forward beam scanning. The unit cell of the proposed antenna consists of a transversal slot, a narrow transversal slot and two intersecting oblique slots, as well as a metallic via. By adding a narrow transversal slot and adjusting the inclination of the oblique slots, the antenna gain keeps stable while it is operating. A prototype is proposed and analyzed, achieving continual backward‐to‐forward main‐beam scanning from 8 to 10.2 GHz. The main‐beam scans from −35° to +30° with the maximum gain of 11.36 dBi, and the antenna gain of 11.05 dBi is obtained at broadside at 9.3 GHz with no significant degradation. The variation value of the gain is less than 0.66 dB while the main‐beam is scanning from −28° to +15° near the broadside, indicating that the antenna gain is highly stable.
Decoupled modified characteristic finite element method for the time‐dependent Navier–Stokes/Biot problem
Authors: Guo Liming , Chen Wenbin
Published: August 2021

In this article, a decoupled modified characteristic finite element method is proposed for the time‐dependent Navier–Stokes/Biot problem. In the numerical scheme, the implicit backward Euler scheme is used for the time discretization, whereas the coupling terms are treated explicitly. At each time step, we only need to solve two decoupled problems, one is the Navier–Stokes equations solved by the modified characteristic finite element method, and the other is Biot equations. The stability and the error estimates are established for the proposed fully discrete scheme. Numerical experiments are provided to illustrate the theory.
Dynamic regional alterations in mouse brain neuronal activity following short‐term changes in energy balance
Authors: Kakall Zohra Mohtat , Gopalasingam Gopana , Herzog Herbert , Zhang Lei
Published: August 2021

Objective

Knowledge of the functional contribution to energy homeostatic control by different brain areas is limited. This study employed a systematic approach to identify brain regions specifically influenced by a positive energy balance.

Methods

The c‐fos expression was mapped throughout the mouse brain after varying durations (24 hours to up to 14 days) of high‐fat diet (HFD) exposure or after reversal from a 7‐day HFD to a chow diet. In parallel, the metabolic and behavioral impacts of these treatments were examined.

Results

A HFD elicited rapid and pronounced compensatory responses which were, however, insufficient to overcome the impact of the positive energy balance. Rapid and dynamic responses of c‐fos expression throughout the brain were seen over the course of HFD exposure, with some regions showing linear‐like responses and some regions exhibiting biphasic responses. The switch from HFD to chow resulted in metabolic compensations mitigating the effects of the negative energy balance and a heightened preference for sweet taste. Interestingly, this diet switch led to a significant c‐fos activation in the lateral hypothalamus, an area unresponsive to HFD intervention.

Conclusions

Plasticity exists in the extended brain networks facilitating rapid adaptations dependent on energy availability. Knowledge of these critical control points may provide novel antiobesity treatment targets.
NTRK oncogenic fusions are exclusively associated with the serrated neoplasia pathway in the colorectum and begin to occur in sessile serrated lesions
Authors: Kim Jung Ho , Hong Jeong Hoon , Choi Yoon‐La , Lee Ji Ae , Seo Mi‐kyoung , Lee Mi‐Sook , An Sung Bin , Sung Min Jung , Cho Nam‐Yun , Kim Sung‐Su , Shin Young Kee , Kim Sangwoo , Kang Gyeong Hoon
Published: August 2021

Neurotrophic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions are emerging tissue‐agnostic drug targets in malignancies including colorectal carcinomas (CRCs), but their detailed landscape in the context of various colorectal carcinogenesis pathways remains to be investigated. In this study, pan‐tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in retrospectively collected colorectal epithelial tumor tissues, including 441 CRCs [133 microsatellite instability‐high (MSI‐high) and 308 microsatellite stable (MSS)] and 595 premalignant colorectal lesions (330 serrated lesions and 265 conventional adenomas). TRK‐positive cases were then subjected to next‐generation sequencing and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization to confirm NTRK rearrangements. TRK IHC positivity was not observed in any of the MSS CRCs, conventional adenomas, traditional serrated adenomas, or hyperplastic polyps, whereas TRK positivity was observed in 11 of 58 (19%) MLH1‐methylated MSI‐high CRCs, 4 of 23 (17%) sessile serrated lesions with dysplasia (SSLDs), and 5 of 132 (4%) sessile serrated lesions (SSLs). The 11 TRK‐positive MSI‐high CRCs commonly harbored CpG island methylator phenotype‐high (CIMP‐high), MLH1 methylation, BRAF/KRAS wild‐type, and NTRK1 or NTRK3 fusion (TPM3–NTRK1, TPR–NTRK1, LMNA–NTRK1, SFPQ–NTRK1, ETV6–NTRK3, or EML4–NTRK3). Both NTRK1 or NTRK3 rearrangement and BRAF/KRAS wild‐type were detected in all nine TRK‐positive SSL(D)s, seven of which demonstrated MSS and/or CIMP‐low. TRK expression was selectively observed in distorted serrated crypts within SSLs and was occasionally localized at the base of serrated crypts. NTRK fusions were detected only in SSLs of patients aged ≥50 years, whereas BRAF mutation was found in younger age‐onset SSLs. In conclusion, NTRK‐rearranged colorectal tumors develop exclusively through the serrated neoplasia pathway and can be initiated from non‐dysplastic SSLs without BRAF/KRAS mutations prior to full occurrence of MSI‐high/CIMP‐high. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of uncertainty‐dependent residential mobility on loss aversion
Authors: Yu Meihua , Duan Qin , Wu Xiaoshu , Luo Siyang
Published: August 2021

The current research aimed to examine the relationship between residential mobility and loss aversion, a ubiquitous decision‐making bias conceptualized in prospect theory. Combining correlational, experimental, and electroencephalography approaches, we tested the hypothesis that residential mobility may increase loss aversion. The results revealed a positive correlation between residential mobility and loss aversion (Study 1). These effects were moderated by individuals' residential mobility/stability mindsets. Behaviorally, we observed a positive association between residential mobility history and loss aversion among individuals with a high (vs. low) subjective uncertainty after manipulating their residential mobility mindset by priming them with a mobile or stable lifestyle (Study 2). On the neural level, we found that the mindset of residential mobility (vs. stability) enhanced the differential feedback‐related negativity (FRN) modulations between the large‐win and large‐loss conditions among Chinese participants with a high subjective uncertainty (Study 3). In conclusion, residential mobility elevated loss aversion by enhancing feelings of subjective uncertainty. Our findings provide novel insights into how changes in the socioecological environment shape individuals' decision‐making bias.
The impact of parents' home‐ and school‐based involvement on adolescents' intrinsic motivation and anxiety in math
Authors: Rubach Charlott , Bonanati Sabrina
Published: August 2021

Parents experience difficulty helping their children with math at home. Math teachers can provide guidance or materials to parents. Little is known about whether this help from math teachers has benefits for parental support at home and thus contributes to students' academic development in math. The current study examines longitudinal associations between parents' perceived support from math teachers, parental academic support at home (reported from parents and students), and changes in students' intrinsic motivation and anxiety in math. Data stem from ninth and tenth graders (Mage = 14.49, SD = 0.93, 13 public schools, 56.5% girls) and their parents (N = 157 parent–child dyads). The latent structural equation model demonstrated no association between parents' perceived support from math teachers and their academic support at home. Parents' reported academic support at home was cross‐sectionally and positively related to students' perceived parental academic support at home and students' intrinsic motivation. In addition, students' perceived parental academic support at home was associated with positive change in students' intrinsic motivation over the academic year. Furthermore, higher student intrinsic motivation leads to a decrease in their anxiety in math over the academic year.
Antibacterial ultrafiltration membrane with silver nanoparticle impregnation by interfacial polymerization for ballast water
Authors: Zhu Jianhua , Lua Aik Chong
Published: August 2021

Interfacial polymerization technology was employed to immobilize silver (Ag) nanoparticles on the surface of commercial polyethersulfone (PES) membrane to develop antibacterial and antifouling ultrafiltration membrane. Ag nanoparticles were prepared from the reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO3) by sodium borohydride in the presence of polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the stabilizer. The encapsulated Ag nanoparticles in the PEI solution were embedded into the PEI membrane when trimesoyl chloride solution was used to crosslink the PEI solution with the PES membrane, forming Ag‐polyamide (PA) networks through the interfacial polymerization reaction. Experimental results showed that the membrane prepared with 50 mmol/L of AgNO3 and 20 mmol/L of PEI had the optimized antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli. Bacterial concentration and species were also investigated. Exiguobacterium aestuarii and Staphylococcus aureus which are gram‐positive bacteria, needed significantly more time for the Ag‐PA/PES membrane to kill the bacteria completely when compared to E.coli and Vibrio coralliilyticus which are gram‐negative bacteria. This study showed that Ag nanoparticles impregnated in membrane surfaces were 100% effective in killing various types of marine bacteria and bacteria in the seawater collected off Sentosa Island in Singapore. These membranes exhibit excellent antibacterial and antifouling properties which can be used to kill bacteria in ballast water and seawater.
Realizing fast photoinduced recovery with polyfluorene‐block‐poly(vinylphenyl oxadiazole) block copolymers as electret in photonic transistor memory devices
Authors: Ercan Ender , Lin Yan‐Cheng , Chen Chun‐Kai , Fang Yi‐Kai , Yang Wei‐Chen , Yang Yun‐Fang , Chen Wen‐Chang
Published: August 2021

Photonic field‐effect transistor (FET) memory devices offer unique advantages owing to their solution processability, low cost production, and their lightweight and structural flexibility. Despite the plethora of research demonstrated the photon based programming process, limited reports are available for photoinduced recovery mechanism in such devices. To investigate the influence of polymer electret design on photonic memory performance, poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) (PFO)–block–poly (vinylphenyl oxadiazole) (POXD) conjugated block copolymers were employed to a photonic FET memory with n‐type semiconducting channel. The studied device exhibited bistable ON/OFF current states after electrical programming and photoinduced recovery (erasing) processes. The device operating mechanism was elaborated by comparing the device performance with respective electrets of PFO‐b‐POXD and PFO‐b‐polystyrene (PS) and PFO homopolymer. We found that PFO‐b‐POXD can efficiently generate photoexciton under UV illumination to neutralize the trapped hole, and assuage the hole trapping propensity of PFO segment, simultaneously. By optimizing the POXD content in the block copolymer, a decent memory ratio (ION/IOFF) of ~105 was achieved after 104 s, indicating its superior long‐term stability and data discernibility. This research shows the judicious strategy to design polymer electret for photonic memory, and it opens up the possibility of developing photonic memory, human perception and futuristic communication systems using simple, convenient and reliable optoelectronic technique.
Preparation of hydrophilic poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane by in‐situ grafting of N‐vinyl pyrrolidone via a reactive vapor induced phase separation procedure
Authors: Wang Rongrong , Duan Yidan , Xiong Xiaopeng
Published: August 2021

Increasing hydrophilicity of hydrophobic membrane is one of the strategies to improve its antifouling performance. Herein we report a procedure of reactive‐vapor induced phase separation to prepare an N‐vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane to improve its hydrophilicity. PVDF solution containing NVP monomer was cast in ammonia water vapor atmosphere to prepare the modified membrane. During the process, PVDF was dehydrofluorinated by the reactive vapor of ammonia water to generate double bond of FC═CH, and then NVP was grafted. The degree of grafting modification and the microstructure evolution of the membrane were studied by adjusting the amount of NVP addition. A possible mechanism of membrane formation from crystallization gelling to non‐crystallization gelling has been proposed to understand the morphology change from nodular sphere to bi‐continuous microstructure with fibril matrix. It has been found that rising the degree of modification has changed the polymorph of PVDF from β to α crystalline phase, as well as turned the hydrophobic PVDF membrane into hydrophilic. Moreover, the modified membrane displayed obvious reduction in bovine serum albumin adsorption, suggesting improvement in anti‐fouling performance. Therefore, our work provides an easy strategy to prepare hydrophilic PVDF membrane, which may have promising potential applications.
Perceptions of BELONG as a supportive e‐platform used by women with gynecologic cancers
Authors: Ahmed Saima , Gotlieb Walter H. , Erez Guy , Loiselle Carmen G.
Published: August 2021

Key points

The unmet needs of women with gynecologic cancers (GCs) can be readily addressed using high quality e‐platforms

This pilot study documents women with GC perceptions of BELONG (https://belong.life/)—a cancer navigation and support Application (or App) connecting patients diagnosed with various types of cancers

Women (N = 25), with GCs (stages I to IV), used the App for 8 weeks and completed the user Mobile Application Rating Scale

Ratings of BELONG in domains of engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information were high, with Ask an Oncologist, Ovarian Cancer Community, Clinical Trials, Treatment Information, and Support Resources representing the most frequently accessed topics

As e‐platforms are developed at a rapid pace, users' input and evaluation of platform quality and utility should be prioritized
Studies of Structural, Electrical, and Magnetic Characteristics of Double Perovskite Ceramic: La2FeMnO6
Authors: Das Rutuparna , Alagarsamy Perumal , Choudhary Ram Naresh Prasad
Published: August 2021

Herein, detailed studies of structural, electrical, and magnetic characteristics of a double perovskite lanthanum iron manganate (La2FeMnO6) are reported. From the Rietveld analysis of X‐ray diffraction data and pattern, the orthorhombic structure of the compound is determined. The least‐squares refined lattice parameters of the compound are: a = 5.5370 Å, b = 7.7988 Å, and c = 5.5069 Å. The frequency–temperature dependence of the dielectric parameters is explained by the Maxwell–Wagner model to provide the polarization mechanism. Analysis of temperature dependence of impedance and modulus data of different frequency has shown the contributions of grains and grain boundaries in the electrical characteristics of the material. This analysis also shows the semiconductor characteristics, through a negative temperature coefficient of resistance nature. Based on both impedance and modulus spectroscopy, the dielectric relaxation process is found to be of a non‐Debye type. The study of scaling behavior of impedance and modulus data suggests that relaxation phenomena are nearly independent of temperature. Detailed analysis of the frequency dependence of conductivity data of different temperatures using the Jonscher's power law has shown the existence of different types of conduction mechanisms in the material. The nature of the current–voltage (I–V) curves suggests that the material behaves as a semiconductor diode type to be used for the rectifying purpose. The conduction mechanism follows the space charge‐limited conduction (SCLC) process which is obtained from leakage current analysis. The study of magnetic hysteresis of the material suggests that the material exhibits soft ferromagnetic ordering.
Effects of hydropeaking on the behaviour, fine‐scale movements and habitat selection of an Iberian cyprinid fish
Authors: Rato Ana Sofia , Alexandre Carlos Manuel , de Almeida Pedro Raposo , Costa José Lino , Quintella Bernardo Ruivo
Published: August 2021

Hydropeaking is widely known for changing the quantity and quality of the available habitat downstream of hydroelectric facilities, thus affecting all stages of fish life cycles. Hydropeaking impacts on salmonids are widely studied, but knowledge of its effects on cyprinids, which are dominant in Mediterranean areas, is scarce. In this study, 11 Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei, Steindachner 1864) were tagged with radio transmitters equipped with ElectroMyoGram (EMG) sensors, aiming: to (a) assess the behaviour, fine‐scale movements and habitat selection of the target species in response to periods of artificial and abrupt flow variations (i.e., hydropeaking); and (b) identify, which environmental variables and, in particular, flow components can influence the species behaviour. Results from the six barbel that provided analysable data indicate that fish were more active during the day and in periods of ecological flow. Moreover, during hydropeaking, especially during the increase in flow magnitude, fish activity decreased with the tagged fish showing a refuge‐seeking behaviour. This information can be used to minimize the changes caused in the aquatic habitat and fish communities occurring downstream of hydroelectric dams.
Facile Preparation of Cu2S/Cu Mesh For High‐performance Solar Water Evaporation
Authors: Gu Yanran , Li Xin , Li Xuejian , Yao Zhongping , Lu Songtao , Wu Xiaohong
Published: August 2021

Solar vapor generation has attracted tremendous attention as one of the most efficient ways of utilizing solar energy. Compared with bulk heating, interfacial solar steam generation efficiency is high, and the heat loss to the surrounding environment is minimal, which is an eco‐friendly and energy‐efficient way of harvesting solar energy for desalination and wastewater treatment. So it is highly desirable to develop low‐cost and high‐efficiency solar absorbers for practical applications of interfacial solar steam generation. In this work, Cu2S/Cu mesh was prepared by depositing Cu2S nanoparticles on copper mesh by one‐step hydrothermal method, which was used as photothermal conversion material for solar interfacial evaporation. This material owns a high solar absorptivity of 84.01 % within the wavelength range of 0.25–2.5 μm. Under one sun illumination, the evaporation rate is 1.55 kg m−2 h−1 and the solar thermal conversion efficiency reaches 96.9 %. The cycle stability tests showed that the evaporation rate decreased firstly and then was balanced at 1.34 kg m−2 h−1 in 10 cycles. Furthermore, this material can maintain a stable performance of interfacial solar steam generation during desalination of seawater and purification of dye wastewater containing Rhodamine B and Methyl Orange, respectively. This work provides a low‐cost, simple, and efficient preparation method for synthesizing an efficient Cu2S/Cu mesh solar steam evaporation material.
Suppression of bisphenol A‐induced oxidative stress by taurine promotes neuroprotection and restores altered neurobehavioral response in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Pradhan Lilesh Kumar , Sahoo Pradyumna Kumar , Aparna Sai , Sargam Meghana , Biswal Amit Kumar , Polai Omkar , Chauhan Nishant Ranjan , Das Saroj Kumar
Published: August 2021

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been documented as a mediator for a number of health effects, including inflammation, oxidative stress, carcinogenicity, and mood dysfunction. The literature on the role of BPA in inducing altered neurobehavioral response and brain morphology and plausible neuroprotective role of taurine against BPA induced oxidative stress mediated neurotoxicity is limited. Therefore, the present experimental paradigm was set for 21 days to expound the neuroprotective efficacy of taurine against BPA‐induced neurotoxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) following waterborne exposure. Neurobehavioral studies were conducted by light–dark preference test (LDPT) and novel tank diving test (NTDT). To validate that the neuroprotective efficacy of taurine against BPA‐induced neurotoxicity is associated with the modulation of the antioxidant defense system, we have conducted biochemical studies in zebrafish brain. Changes in brain morphology leading to neurobehavioral variations following co‐supplementation of BPA and taurine were evaluated by Hoechst staining and cresyl violet staining (CVS) in periventricular gray zone (PGZ) of zebrafish brain. Our findings show that taurine co‐supplementation significantly improved the BPA‐induced altered scototaxis and explorative behavior of zebrafish. Further, BPA‐induced augmented oxidative stress was considerably ameliorated by taurine co‐supplementation. Subsequently, our observation also points toward the neuroprotective role of taurine against BPA‐induced neuronal pyknosis and chromatin condensation in PGZ of zebrafish brain. In a nutshell, the findings of the current study show the neuroprotective efficacy of taurine against BPA‐induced oxidative stress‐mediated neurotoxicity. Elucidation of the underlying signaling mechanism of taurine‐mediated neuroprotection would provide novel strategies for the prevention/treatment of BPA‐persuaded serious neurological consequences.
β‐Endosulfan‐mediated induction of pro‐fibrotic markers in renal (HK‐2) cells in vitro: A new insight in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology
Authors: Ghosh Rishila , Siddarth Manushi , Kare Pawan Kumar , Banerjee Basu Dev , Kalra Om Prakash , Tripathi Ashok Kumar
Published: August 2021

Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu), manifested clinically as tubulo interstitial fibrosis, has emerged as the second major cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the Indian subcontinent and various agrochemicals have been implicated in its occurance. Among the agrochemicals organochlorine pesticides particularly endosulfan is well known for its toxicity and recent residue analysis have shown its presence in the blood samples of general population. In this present study, we have investigated the consequences of endosulfan exposure at a concentration (0.01 μM) equivalent to their highest reported presence in human blood sample of some CKDu patients, to human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK‐2) cell line with regard to ROS generation and expression of profibrotic and epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) markers in order to find out endosulfan's ability to induce profibrotic changes in renal cell. We demonstrated a significant increase in intracellular ROS generation and increased expression of TGF‐β1 when cells were incubated with β‐endosulfan (0.01 μM) indicating occurrence of oxidative stress and fibrotic process. Again, decreased expression of epithelial marker E‐cadherin and increase in the expression of mesenchymal marker α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) suggest possible onset of EMT process. Pre‐treatment with 5 mM concentration of anti‐oxidant N‐acetyl cysteine partially attenuated the above process. In conclusion, these findings suggest possible involvement of β‐endosulfan in the development of CKDu through oxidative stress and profibrotic signaling.
Sentinel behavior in captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta)
Authors: Huels Florian D. , Stoeger Angela S.
Published: August 2021

The social and cooperative behavior of meerkats (Suricata suricatta), specifically their sentinel behavior, has been intensively studied in free‐ranging populations. This study focuses on whether guarding in captive meerkats exhibits a pattern similar to that described for wild groups. Sentinel behavior in captivity has been somewhat neglected because predation is usually not a critical factor. Nonetheless, observations in captivity might reveal whether individual or group experience influences this specific behavior pattern. We observed three captive meerkat groups (in outdoor as well as indoor enclosures) and analyzed the duration of guarding sequences, the number of established guards, the guard posture, and the individual guard positions. We also conducted playback experiments to investigate the reaction of the sentinel and the group to bird calls (songbird vs. predatory bird species). The results demonstrated that captive groups behave much the same as wild groups. Certain individuals performed the guard job more often than other group members. Accordingly, the “super sentinels” observed in the wild also exist in captive groups. Playbacks showed that the sentinels reacted more strongly to the calls of predatory bird species, indicating that captive meerkats are able to categorize bird calls. We also documented major differences in behavioral responses to the calls of specific predatory bird species. Our observations underline that sentinel behavior is probably a combination of an innate, imprinted pattern that is further affected by the experience. Future studies might further investigate this influence of experience, beyond innate behavior, on the group‐specific sentinel behavior pattern in captive meerkats.
Probing neutrino magnetic moment at the Jinping neutrino experiment
Authors: Yue Baobiao , Liao Jiajun , Ling Jiajie
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Neutrino magnetic moment (νMM) is an important property of massive neutrinos. The recent anomalous excess at few keV electronic recoils observed by the XENON1T collaboration might indicate a ∼ 2.2 × 10−11μB effective neutrino magnetic moment ($$ {\mu}_{\nu}^{\mathrm{eff}} $$

μ
ν
eff

) from solar neutrinos. Therefore, it is essential to carry out the νMM searches at a different experiment to confirm or exclude such a hypothesis. We study the feasibility of doing νMM measurement with 4 kton fiducial mass at Jinping neutrino experiment (Jinping) using electron recoil data from both natural and artificial neutrino sources. The sensitivity of $$ {\mu}_{\nu}^{\mathrm{eff}} $$

μ
ν
eff

can reach < 1.2 × 10−11μB at 90% C.L. with 10-year data taking of solar neutrinos. Besides the abundance of the intrinsic low energy background 14C and 85Kr in the liquid scintillator, we find the sensitivity to νMM is highly correlated with the systematic uncertainties of pp and 85Kr. Reducing systematic uncertainties (pp and 85Kr) and the intrinsic background (14C and 85Kr) can help to improve sensitivities below these levels and reach the region of astrophysical interest. With a 3 mega-Curie (MCi) artificial neutrino source 51Cr installed at Jinping neutrino detector for 55 days, it could give us a sensitivity to the electron neutrino magnetic moment ($$ {\mu}_{\nu_e} $$

μ

ν
e

) with < 1.1 × 10−11μB at 90% C.L. . With the combination of those two measurements, the flavor structure of the neutrino magnetic moment can be also probed at Jinping.
Search for low-mass leptoquarks using the llqq final states in Pb-Pb ultra-peripheral collisions
Authors: Xia Li-Gang
Published: August 2021

Abstract

After a review over past experiments and theoretical requirements from low-energy flavour physics, we argue that the possibility of low-mass leptoquarks (LQ) cannot be fully excluded due to the assumptions made in the measurements. Therefore we propose to search for the pair production of low-mass leptoquarks in Pb-Pb ultra-peripheral collisions with the least model dependence (assuming a small coupling constant ≲ 0.1). There are a couple of advantages: 1) high photon flux provides high production rate for low mass LQs; 2) the background contamination is much lower than that in p-p collisions. The analysis strategy permits a leptoquark to decay to all possible lepton-plus-quark modes. Taking the scalar LQ, S3, with an electric charge $$ \left|q\right|=\frac{4}{3}e $$

q

=

4
3

e
, as example, the mass point of 100 GeV can be excluded at the 95% confidence level using a dataset of 4 pb−1 Pb-Pb ultra-peripheral collisions at $$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

= 5.02 TeV and the performance of the ATLAS detector in Run 2. The proposed method also applies to searching for high-mass LQs in p-p collisions as long as the LQ pair production mechanism dominates.
Neuroserpin: structure, function, physiology and pathology
Authors: D’Acunto Emanuela , Fra Annamaria , Visentin Cristina , Manno Mauro , Ricagno Stefano , Galliciotti Giovanna , Miranda Elena
Published: August 2021

Neuroserpin is a serine protease inhibitor identified in a search for proteins implicated in neuronal axon growth and synapse formation. Since its discovery over 30 years ago, it has been the focus of active research. Many efforts have concentrated in elucidating its neuroprotective role in brain ischemic lesions, the structural bases of neuroserpin conformational change and the effects of neuroserpin polymers that underlie the neurodegenerative disease FENIB (familial encephalopathy with neuroserpin inclusion bodies), but the investigation of the physiological roles of neuroserpin has increased over the last years. In this review, we present an updated and critical revision of the current literature dealing with neuroserpin, covering all aspects of research including the expression and physiological roles of neuroserpin, both inside and outside the nervous system; its inhibitory and non-inhibitory mechanisms of action; the molecular structure of the monomeric and polymeric conformations of neuroserpin, including a detailed description of the polymerisation mechanism; and the involvement of neuroserpin in human disease, with particular emphasis on FENIB. Finally, we briefly discuss the identification by genome-wide screening of novel neuroserpin variants and their possible pathogenicity.