bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marsupialia (Marsupials)
Authors: Croft David B
Published: March 2021

There are around 359 species of marsupials found predominantly in Australia and South America. Many are convergent in form to placental mammals, but they differ in reproduction, physiology and behaviour, offering an alternative view on mammalian adaptation and lifestyles to their more diverse placental counterparts. The distinctive characteristics of marsupials are the extremely small size of the neonate, born in a pouch (the marsupium) and undergoing major development supported by the maternal milk supply. The phylogeny of marsupials has undergone significant revision in recent years with advancement in molecular and morphometric analysis and more fossil finds. The Marsupialia is the crown clade of the Metatheria emerging about 66 Ma. They have diversified into most terrestrial habitats including arboreal and scansorial species but not fully aquatic species.

Key Concepts

The Marsupialia arose in Gondwana about 66 Ma and represent the crown clade of the Metatheria that diverged from the Eutheria in Laurasia around 160–125 Ma.

The distinguishing features of the Marsupialia are (1) a pouch (marsupium), which is variable from indistinct to a large sack with a ventral or dorsal opening, (2) an extremely small neonate whose major development is supported by lactation in the pouch and (3) a unique anatomy of the female reproductive tract.

The Marsupialia are found in South America (with one species in the south‐east of North America) and Australia, New Guinea and Wallacea. The Australasian fauna is more diverse, and the two faunas are linked by the Microbiotheridae through Antarctica.

The Australasian marsupial fauna dominates the placental fauna and occupies all available terrestrial habitats, but there is no aquatic species. The South American marsupial fauna is about 30% of mammals and is typically found in forests and is most diverse in the tropics and includes a semiaquatic opossum. Large carnivores in both faunas are extinct.

The conservation status of marsupials is dire with nearly half the Australasian fauna under threat. Protection is token; abundant species are commodified and exploited or suppressed and conservation policies are often ineffectual and subservient to other exploitative enterprises.

The marsupial and placental faunas are often convergent in shared niches, but the marsupials have unique adaptations through their reliance on lactation in reproduction (e.g. overlapping generations) and their lower basal metabolic rate (e.g. high metabolic scope) that compensate for these presumed limitations relative to placental counterparts.
Novel SPTBN2 gene mutation and first intragenic deletion in early onset spinocerebellar ataxia type 5
Authors: Romaniello Romina , Citterio Andrea , Panzeri Elena , Arrigoni Filippo , De Rinaldis Marta , Trabacca Antonio , Bassi Maria Teresa
Published: March 2021

In the present study, we describe two novel cases of SCA5 with early onset. The first one, carrying a novel heterozygous de novo missense mutation in SPTBN2 gene, showed a striking very severe cerebellar atrophy and reduction of volume of the pons at a very young age (16 months). The latter, carrying the first de novo intragenic deletion so far reported in SPTBN2 gene, showed a mild cerebellar atrophy involving the hemispheres and a later onset. In both cases, for the first time, a hyperintense signal of the dentate nuclei was observed.
Milestones and signposts in the science of investigative interviewing
Authors: Kleinman Steven M.
Published: March 2021

Constructive changes in the practice of investigative interviewing have emerged as a direct result of an unprecedented and robust collaboration between behavioral science researchers and professionals in the field. At the same time, an ever‐increasing number of experienced practitioners have shown a willingness to adopt science‐based methods in the course of their work. This has highlighted the unique role science plays in this context. Empirical research has been integral to the process of weeding out the pseudoscience that continues to shape training in many corners, while the feedback practitioners can offer scientists as strategies are examined in field conditions helps to refine and focus the research as it moves from basic to applied. Not to be overlooked, science has also been irreplaceable in both the critical examination of past practices (especially as it involves high performers) and in charting the path toward future practices that can supplement and even replace current methodologies.
Act, Talk, Reflect, Then Act: The Role of Natural Mentors in The Critical Consciousness of Ethnically/Racially Diverse College Students
Authors: Monjaras‐Gaytan Lidia Y. , Sánchez Bernadette , Anderson Amy J. , Garcia‐Murillo Yesenia , McGarity‐Palmer Rebecca , de los Reyes Wendy , Catlett Beth S. , Liao C. Lynn
Published: March 2021

The current mixed‐method study examined the role of natural mentors in the cyclical process of college students’ sociopolitical development, particularly their critical consciousness. College students (N = 145) completed surveys at two time points over a one‐year period. Path analyses indicated that critical action and perceived inequalities were significantly associated with more social justice conversations with mentors and that having more social justice conversations with mentors was significantly associated with more critical action and perceived inequality. Further, mentoring conversations and sociopolitical efficacy helped to explain the positive role of perceived inequality and action on later attitudes around perceived inequalities and critical action. Qualitative one‐on‐one interviews of a subset of participants (n = 30) expanded findings from the quantitative data and revealed detailed information about how mentors supported youth critical consciousness. Specifically, mentors engaged in 1) dialogue and reflection, 2) information and resource sharing, 3) nonjudgmental, comfortable conversations, and 4) role modeling. Findings inform the iterative nature of critical consciousness and on how older adolescents leverage support from natural mentors in this process.
The generalized linear model‐based exponentially weighted moving average and cumulative sum charts for the monitoring of high‐quality processes
Authors: Mahmood Tahir , Balakrishnan Narayanaswamy , Xie Min
Published: March 2021

In this industry 4.0 revolution, most of the manufacturing processes are equipped with the digital devices which are continuously recording the data. To monitor the quality of a manufacturing system, variable about number of conforming or nonconforming items is usually used and statistical analysis based on it is further utilized for developing the policies. In this era of sophisticated and modern technology, most of the manufacturing systems are producing near zero‐defect items. Such processes are known as high‐quality processes, and their dataset consists of excess number of zeros. Generally, the zero excess or near zero‐defect dataset is well fitted by the zero‐inflated distributions, and the zero‐inflated Poisson (ZIP) and zero‐inflated Negative Binomial (ZINB) distributions are the most common models. Most of the time, in high‐quality processes, few covariates are also measured along with defect counts. Hence, to model such processes, generalized linear model (GLM) based on ZIP and ZINB distributions are used to fit the data. In monitoring perspective, data‐based control charts are designed to monitor high‐quality datasets while the GLM‐based control charts based on the residuals of the GLM models are used to monitor a change in the mean of the zero excess datasets. In this study, we have developed memory‐type data‐based and GLM‐based control charts (i.e., exponentially weighted moving average and cumulative sum) to monitor the increasing average defect counts in a high‐quality process. Further, the proposed methods are evaluated using run‐length properties and compared with its competitive charts. Furthermore, to highlight the importance of the study, the proposed methods are implemented on a dataset concerning the number of flight delays between Atlanta and Orlando airports.
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of Hexahydro‐1,3,5‐triazine Derivatives through Ring Condensation
Authors: Bae Song Mi , Kang Sung Young , Song Ju Hyun
Published: March 2021

As a part of a research program for pharmacologically interacting sym‐triazine derivatives with hexahydrotriazine ring, novel hexahydrotriazine derivatives (1−13) were successfully synthesized. The synthesis of hexahydrotriazines was carried out from the assembly of three molecules of various amines and three molecules of formaldehyde by “1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1” cycloaddition. The synthesis mechanism is probably passes through imines, which trimerizes to give the hexahydrotriazine ring. All synthesized hexahydrotriazines (1–13) were screened for their cytotoxic activity by cancer cells. As a result, compound 1–9 reduced the viability of T98G cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. At a concentration of 100 μM, compound 9 exhibited the greatest cytotoxicity at 94.6%. The reason is that compound 9 is C5H5N that has a resonance hybrid structure and exhibits aromaticity. It is considered to be active because it has a structure that is a raw material for pyridine derivatives as mainly medicines and pesticides.
A beginner's guideline for low‐cost 3D printing of macromolecules usable for teaching and demonstration
Authors: Mihasan Marius
Published: March 2021

The structure and function of biomolecules relationship is the hallmark of biochemistry, molecular biology, and life sciences in general. Physical models of macromolecules give students the possibility to manipulate these structures in three dimensions, developing a sense of spatiality and a better understanding of key aspects such as atom size and shape, bond lengths and symmetry. Several molecular model systems were developed specifically to represent particular classes or groups of molecules and hence lack the flexibility of a universal solution. Three‐dimensional printing could nevertheless provide such a universal solution, as it can be used to create physical models of biomolecular structures based on the teacher's or demonstrator's needs and requirements. Here, insulin was used as a model molecule and several depiction and printing parameters were tested in order to highlight the technical limitations of the approach. In the end, a set of settings that worked is provided which could serve as a starting point for anyone wishing to print his or her own custom macromolecular model on the cheap.
Paying Homage to the Lifetime Achievements of Prof. Dr.‐Ing. Jens Weitkamp
Authors: Stöcker Michael
Published: March 2021

The lifetime achievements of Prof. Dr.‐Ing. Jens Weitkamp are honored covering his education and career, his outstanding scientific contributions related to the fields of catalysis and porous materials, his scientific recognitions and services in a number of academic offices as well as his strong engagement with respect to the promotion of science and engineering.
The Agglomeration of Niacin Crystals in the Cooling Crystallization Process
Authors: Wang Lei , Su Min
Published: March 2021

Crystal agglomeration is an important factor that can affect the purity and crystal habit of crystalline products. Agglomeration of niacin crystals in its cooling crystallization and its mechanism is investigated using both experimental and molecular dynamics simulation methods. The magnitude of the interaction energy which is mainly contributed by the hydrogen bond and π–π stacking between the (0 1 1) crystal face and (1 1 −1) crystal face that have both the pyridine and carboxyl groups is the main factor determining the extent of agglomeration of niacin crystal. Besides, the interaction energy increases with the crystallization temperature and the supersaturation of the solution, and hence the agglomeration is more severe. The change of solvent species has minimal effect on the agglomeration of crystals. Besides, the agglomeration situation of carbamazepine and acetaminophen that with similar structures to niacin is also verified using molecular dynamics simulations. The findings in this work can be used to predict, control the agglomeration phenomenon, and optimize the crystallization process of niacin and other substances with similar chemical structure.
Primary immunodeficiency‐related genes in neonatal intensive care unit patients with various genetic immune abnormalities: a multicentre study in China
Authors: Zhu Tianwen , Gong Xiaohui , Bei Fei , Ma Li , Sun Jingjing , Wang Jian , Qiu Gang , Sun Jianhua , Sun Yu , Zhang Yongjun
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The present phenotype‐based disease classification causes ambiguity in diagnosing and determining timely, effective treatment options for primary immunodeficiency (PID). In this study, we aimed to examine the characteristics of early‐onset PID and proposed a JAK‐STATopathy subgroup based on their molecular defects.

Methods

We reviewed 72 patients (< 100 days) retrospectively. These patients exhibited various immune‐related phenotypes and received a definitive molecular diagnosis by next‐generation sequencing (NGS)‐based tests. We evaluated the PID‐causing genes and clinical parameters. We assessed the genes that shared the JAK‐STAT signalling pathway. We also examined the potential high risks related to the 180‐day death rate.

Results

We identified PID disorders in 25 patients (34.72%, 25/72). The 180‐day mortality was 26.39% (19/72). Early onset of disease (cut‐off value of 3.5 days of age) was associated with a high 180‐day death rate (P = 0.009). Combined immunodeficiency with associated or syndromic features comprised the most common PID class (60.00%, 15/25). Patients who presented life‐threatening infections were most likely to exhibit PID (odds ratio [OR] = 2.864; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.047‐7.836). Twelve out of 72 patients shared JAK‐STAT pathway defects. Seven JAK‐STATopathy patients were categorised as PID. They were admitted to NICUs as immunological emergencies. Most of them experienced severe infections and thrombocytopenia, with 4 succumbing to an early death.

Conclusions

This study confirmed that NGS can be utilised as an aetiological diagnostic method of complex immune‐related conditions in early life. Through the classification of PID as pathway‐based subtypes, we see an opportunity to dissect the heterogeneity and to direct targeted therapies.
Positive selection drives the evolution of a primate bitter taste receptor gene
Authors: Dong Xiaoyan , Liang Qiufang , Li Jiaping , Feng Ping
Published: March 2021

Bitter taste perception is important in food choice of animals, and it is mediated by bitter taste receptor (T2R) containing three regions: extracellular regions (ECs), transmembrane regions (TMs), and intracellular regions (ICs). It is hypothesized that ECs, TMs, and ICs are under different selective pressures, with ECs being unstable while TMs and ICs being constrained. To test this hypothesis, we examined the selective pressures on one of the bitter taste receptor genes‐T2R1 and its different areas from 35 primates and found that T2R1 was under neutral evolution but with some positively selected sites in it. Further analyses suggested that TMs, ICs, and the concatenated transmembrane region TM1237 were under purifying selection; in contrast, extracellular regions, the first and second extracellular loop (EL1, EL2), were subject to positive selection with several positively selected sites in them. Therefore, this study supported the above‐mentioned hypothesis. The reason why EL1 and EL2 of T2R1 have positively selected sites is probably due to their participation in forming the cap‐like structure involved in ligand binding. Positive selection acts as a driving force of the T2R1 functional differentiation and confers the ability to discern various bitter substances for primates, which could help them to adapt to the changing environment during the evolutionary course.
Capturing the legacy of the U.S.‐China EcoPartnerships program
Authors: Szum Carolyn
Published: March 2021

Under the Ten Year Framework for Cooperation on Energy and Environment between the Governments of the United States and China, the two countries implemented a highly successful U.S.‐China EcoPartnerships program . The program helped to grow 45 U.S.‐China subnational partnerships and accelerate breakthroughs in technology and policy to achieve shared goals in clean air, clean water, and waste reduction. With the culmination of the U.S.‐China EcoPartnerships program in January 2021, this article captures the legacy of this impressive program by providing insights into its unique structure; the diverse set of projects that comprised U.S.‐China EcoPartnerships; its commercial and environmental impacts; and the lessons that can be applied to future bilateral and multilateral subnational environmental programs.
Performance improvement of data transmission using a hybrid underwater and terrestrial system
Authors: Ramadan Khalil F. , Ramadan Khaled , Taha Taha E. , Dessouky Moawad I. , Abd El‐Samie Fathi E.
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we investigate and enhance the performance of data transmission using a hybrid underwater and terrestrial system with low‐complexity linear equalization. Due to the low speed, salinity, water depth, pH degree, and water temperature variations, underwater acoustic communication has become one of the most challenging technologies in the world. The most common linear equalizers are the Linear Zero Forcing (LZF), and Linear Minimum Mean Square Error (LMMSE) equalizers. The LZF equalizer suffers from the noise enhancement problem, while the LMMSE equalizer requires the value of the operating Signal‐to‐Noise Ratio (SNR) to work, correctly, which increases the computational complexity. In addition, this paper presents a low‐complexity equalization scheme to overcome the drawbacks associated with the LZF, and LMMSE equalizers. The proposed equalizer is called the Joint Low‐Complexity Regularized LZF equalizer, which depends on a fixed regularization parameter to minimize the noise enhancement phenomenon caused by the LZF equalizer. The proposed equalizer does not need the estimation of the SNR, and the computational complexity is reduced due to the utilization of the banded‐matrix approximation. The proposed equalizer is implemented based on the Single‐Input‐Single‐Output configuration for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) using the Discrete Cosine Transform. The obtained simulation results show that the proposed equalizer outperforms different equalizers for the same channel conditions.
Prediction of protein‐protein interactions using stacked auto‐encoder
Authors: Jha Kanchan , Saha Sriparna , Tanveer M.
Published: March 2021

Protein‐protein interactions (PPIs) play essential roles in understanding the protein functions and the corresponding pathways which are involved in various biological processes, as well as help in understanding the cause and growth of diseases. Several computational methods such as Support Vector Machine and decision tree are popularly used along with the experimental methods to address the PPIs problem. Such algorithms consider different protein features, including protein sequence, genomes, protein structure, function, topology of the PPIs network, and those that combine multiple aspects. Nowadays, Deep learning (DL) algorithms are successfully used in solving problems in different domains. So, in this paper, we have used stacked auto‐encoder as one of the DL methods in solving the problem of PPIs. This model takes the input 92‐length feature vector, which is the integration of features extracted from the protein sequence using different methods. The feature vector consists of evolutionary features obtained by PSI‐BLAST algorithm, predicted structural properties obtained by SPIDER2, and seven physicochemical properties of amino acids. The key novelty of the current study lies in extracting useful features to solve the PPI problem. The results obtained by our method of feature extraction are compared with those obtained by other feature extraction methods such as Autocovariance and Conjoint‐triad, and our proposed feature extraction method is found to be relatively more accurate.
Reduced network integration in default mode and executive networks is associated with social and personal optimism biases
Authors: Moser Dominik Andreas , Dricu Mihai , Kotikalapudi Raviteja , Doucet Gaelle Eve , Aue Tatjana
Published: March 2021

An optimism bias refers to the belief in good things happening to oneself in the future with a higher likelihood than is justified. Social optimism biases extend this concept to groups that one identifies with. Previous literature has found that both personal and social optimism biases are linked to brain structure and task‐related brain function. Less is known about whether optimism biases are also expressed in resting‐state functional connectivity (RSFC). Forty‐two participants completed questionnaires on dispositional personal optimism (which is not necessarily unjustified) and comparative optimism (i.e., whether we see our own future as being rosier than a comparison person's future) and underwent a resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan. They further undertook an imaginative soccer task in order to assess both their personal and social optimism bias. We tested associations of these data with RSFC within and between 13 networks, using sparse canonical correlation analyses (sCCAs). We found that the primary sCCA component was positively connected to personal and social optimism bias and negatively connected to dispositional personal pessimism. This component was associated with (a) reduced integration of the default mode network, (b) reduced integration of the central executive and salience networks, and (c) reduced segregation between the default mode network and the central executive network. Our finding that optimism biases are linked to RSFC indicates that they may be rooted in neurobiology that exists outside of concurrent tasks. This poses questions as to what the limits of the malleability of such biases may be.
Sub‐pulmonic stenosis caused by a right ventricular outflow tract vegetation in a children with restricted ventricular septal defect
Authors: Halder Vikram , Gourav Krishna Prasad , Negi Sunder , Biswas Indranil , Azmeera Sreenivas
Published: March 2021

Infective endocarditis involving the right heart is rarely observed in the pediatric population. Echocardiography plays an important role in its diagnosis, and surgery is indicated in patients with heart failure and persistent sepsis not responding to medical treatment. Here, we report a rare case of restricted ventricular septal defect complicated by a vegetation developed in the right ventricular outflow tract and causing sub‐pulmonic stenosis in a 3‐year‐old male child.
Early sunshine duration and cloud cover records in Coimbra (Portugal) for the period 1891–1950
Authors: Montero‐Martín Javier , Antón Manuel , Vaquero José Manuel , Neto Jorge , Sanchez‐Lorenzo Arturo
Published: March 2021

The recovery of early sunshine duration (SD) records is crucial to improve knowledge of the long‐term evolution of incoming solar radiation at the Earth's surface. This work analyses daily SD data digitized from the Meteorological Observatory of Coimbra (Portugal) during 1891–1950. The Coimbra SD records are the earliest series in Portugal and the second one in the whole Iberian Peninsula (i.e., the first being in Madrid, Spain). The analysis shows that SD time series is homogenous except for a break in 1937–1938, which may be likely related to a change of the SD recorder (i.e., Jordan device replaced by a Campbell‐Stokes recorder). Once the temporal inhomogeneity has been corrected, a slightly negative trend of −0.09 ± 0.06 hr per decade is found for the whole 1891–1950 period. It must be highlighted the marked decrease in SD records of −0.51 ± 0.32 hr per decade observed from the beginning of the time series until the 1910s (‘early dimming’) in line with other studies available in the literature. Both trends (whole and ‘early dimming’ periods) are statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. By contrast, from 1920s until 1950 no statistically significant long‐term changes in SD records are found. Additionally, cloud cover data in Coimbra have been also digitized and analysed for the common period. A positive statistically significant trend of 0.13 ± 0.06 tenths per decade is found for the 1891–1950 period which may explain the negative trend of SD records in this same period. Nevertheless, the analysis of SD long‐term trends under cloudless conditions suggests that other atmospheric factors such as the aerosol load could likely also play a relevant role on the SD evolution. The SD and cloud cover data from 1891 to 1950 is made available for the scientific community in digital form.
Identification and inter‐comparison of appropriate long‐term precipitation datasets using decision tree model and statistical matrix over China
Authors: Faiz Muhammad Abrar , Zhang Yongqiang , Baig Faisal , Wrzesiński Dariusz , Naz Farah
Published: March 2021

The reliability of long‐term precipitation estimates is vital for climatology and hydrometeorology applications. Different climatic zones and high rain gauge network (more than 800) of China are a suitable topography for performance evaluation of different long‐term precipitation datasets. In this study, seven long‐term precipitation datasets are tested against in situ observations at different time scales (1981–2016) at 813 grid points. Well‐known statistical indicators and Fast‐frugal tree (FFt) decision model are employed to identify the best long‐term datasets. Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks Climate Data Record is the only datasets that did not perform well in the study area. Asian Precipitation‐Highly‐Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation (APHRODITE), Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC), and Climate Prediction Center (CPC‐Global) estimates are comparable with in situ observations. Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS), National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP2) overestimate the precipitation extremes in the region. There exists a difference of 100–250 mm among precipitation datasets at an annual scale. All of the seven long‐term datasets underestimate the rxdays across China. The minimum range of rxdays (maximum precipitation amount in under defined days: 1 day or 5 days) captured by datasets is comparable except PERSIANN‐CDR. The maximum range calculated with PERSIANN‐CDR is 55.01 (rx1day), and 129.67 (rx5day), much less than the in situ rxdays. This analysis shows that datasets failed to capture maximum precipitation intensity in the region as well. FFt decision model results show that APHRODITE ranked first based on calculated consecutive dry days among all six other datasets in the most climatic zones. Overall, results indicate that data assimilation, the spatial coverage of ground stations, and interpolation techniques used to develop the datasets may limit the reliability of precipitation datasets in the study area.
Theoretical modeling study of the reaction H + CF4 → HF + CF3
Authors: Cobos Carlos J. , Knight Gary , Marshall Paul , Troe Jürgen
Published: March 2021

The high‐temperature hydrogenation of CF4 in mixtures of CF4 and H2 is assumed to involve the reaction H + CF4 → HF + CF3. The hydrogen atoms here are either formed by the reaction of F and CF3 (i.e., the products of the thermal dissociation of CF4) with H2, or by the thermal dissociation of H2. In the former case, a complicated chain process is started, while the reaction proceeds in a more direct way in the latter. This article determines the rate constant of the reaction H + CF4 → HF + CF3, characterizing its transition state by quantum‐chemical methods. Over the temperature range 1000–3000 K, the most accurate results for the rate constant can be represented in the form 1.64 × 1014 (T/1000 K)1.95 exp(−178.8 kJ mol–1/RT) cm3 mol–1 s–1, based on coupled cluster theory extrapolated to the complete basis set limit, and incorporating vibrational anharmonicity, electron correlation through CCSDT(Q), and relativistic and non‐Born–Oppenheimer effects.
Cannabidiol for Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder
Authors: de Almeida Carlos M.O. , Brito Manuelina M.C. , Bosaipo Nayanne B. , Pimentel Angela V. , Tumas Vitor , Zuardi Antonio W. , Crippa Jose A.S. , Hallak Jaime E.C. , Eckeli Alan L.
Published: March 2021

Background

REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a common non‐motor feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main non‐psychoactive components of Cannabis sativa and may represent an alternative route for treating RBD.

Objective

This study assessed the efficacy and safety of CBD for RBD in PD.

Methods

We conducted a phase II/III, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial in 33 patients with RBD and PD. Patients were randomized 1:1 to CBD in doses of 75 to 300mg or matched capsules placebo and were followed up for 14 weeks. The primary outcomes were the frequency of nights with RBD, CGI‐I, and CGI‐S.

Results

CBD showed no difference to placebo for primary outcomes. Regarding secondary outcomes, we observed a significant improvement in average sleep satisfaction from the 4th to 8th week in the CBD versus placebo group with P = 0.049 and P = 0.038, respectively.

Conclusion

CBD, as an adjunct therapy, showed no reduction in RBD manifestations in PD patients. A transient improvement in sleep satisfaction with a dose of 300mg has been noted. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Quantitative validation of MRI mapping of cerebral venous oxygenation with direct blood sampling: A graded‐O2 study in piglets
Authors: Jiang Dengrong , Koehler Raymond C. , Liu Xiuyun , Kulikowicz Ewa , Lee Jennifer K. , Lu Hanzhang , Liu Peiying
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To validate two neonatal cerebral venous oxygenation (Yv) MRI techniques, T2 relaxation under phase contrast (TRUPC) and accelerated TRUPC (aTRUPC) MRI, with oxygenation measured with direct blood sampling.

Methods

In vivo experiments were performed on seven healthy newborn piglets. For each piglet, a catheter was placed in the superior sagittal sinus to obtain venous blood samples for blood gas oximetry measurement as a gold standard. During the MRI experiment, three to five venous oxygenation levels were achieved in each piglet by varying inhaled O2 content and breathing rate. Under each condition, Yv values of the superior sagittal sinus measured by TRUPC, aTRUPC, and blood gas oximetry were obtained. The Yv quantification in TRUPC and aTRUPC used a standard bovine blood calibration model. The aTRUPC scan was repeated twice to assess its reproducibility. Agreements among TRUPC Yv, aTRUPC Yv, and blood gas oximetry were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and paired Student’s t‐test.

Results

The mean hematocrit was 23.6 ± 6.5% among the piglets. Across all measurements, Yv values were 51.9 ± 21.3%, 54.1 ± 18.8%, and 53.7 ± 19.2% for blood gas oximetry, TRUPC and aTRUPC, respectively, showing no significant difference between any two methods (P > .3). There were good correlations between TRUPC and blood gas Yv (ICC = 0.801; P < .0001), between aTRUPC and blood gas Yv (ICC = 0.809; P < .0001), and between aTRUPC and TRUPC Yv (ICC = 0.887; P < .0001). The coefficient of variation of aTRUPC Yv was 8.1 ± 9.9%.

Conclusion

The values of Yv measured by TRUPC and aTRUPC were in good agreement with blood gas oximetry. These findings suggest that TRUPC and aTRUPC can provide accurate quantifications of Yv in major cerebral veins.
Adventure‐based training to enhance resilience and reduce depressive symptoms among juveniles: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chung Joyce O. K. , Li William H. C. , Ho K. Y. , Lam Katherine K. W. , Cheung Ankie T. , Ho Laurie L. K. , Lin Jessie J. , Lopez Violeta
Published: March 2021

There is growing concern about mental health problems among juveniles. Evidence shows that adventure‐based training can reduce depressive symptoms in school children. However, a rigorous empirical investigation of the effectiveness of such training in enhancing resilience among juveniles has not yet been performed. In this study, a randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effectiveness of adventure‐based training in enhancing resilience and self‐esteem and reducing depressive symptoms among juveniles. Secondary school students from grades 7 to 9 (aged 12–16 years) who attended the Integrated Children and Youth Services Centre in a large public housing estate in Hong Kong from December 20, 2018 to November 25, 2019 were invited to participate in this study. We randomly assigned 228 eligible adolescents to an experimental group (n = 115) that received a 2‐day/1‐night adventure‐based training or a placebo control group (n = 113) that received 2 days of leisure activities organized by the Integrated Children and Youth Services Centre. Data were collected at baseline and 3 and 6 months after the corresponding interventions. The primary outcome was resilience at 6 months. The secondary outcomes were depressive symptoms and self‐esteem at 6 months. Compared with the placebo control group, the experimental group showed significantly higher resilience (p = 0.001) and fewer depressive symptoms (p = 0.02) at 6 months, and significantly higher self‐esteem at 3 months (p = 0.04), but not at 6 months (p = 0.12). However, the generalizability of the findings is limited as we used a convenience sample.
Poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) grafted gellan gum for potential application in transmucosal drug delivery
Authors: Lavikainen Janni , Dauletbekova Moldir , Toleutay Gaukhar , Kaliva Maria , Chatzinikolaidou Maria , Kudaibergenov Sarkyt E. , Tenkovtsev Andrey , Khutoryanskiy Vitaliy V. , Vamvakaki Maria , Aseyev Vladimir
Published: March 2021

Gellan gum (GG) has been used to prepare polymeric carriers with prolonged retention on the eye surface for topical ocular drug delivery. In this work, GG was chemically modified with short poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PEtOx) chains that were expected to have minimal adhesion to mucosal tissues (mucoadhesion). The choice of synthetic procedure, solvents, and reagents has been dictated by biocompatibility of the materials and possible application in drug delivery. The grafts were synthesized via cationic ring‐opening polymerization and their living chains were attached onto deprotonated gellan backbone. The derivatives with three degrees of grafting were prepared by varying the in‐feed mass ratio of PEtOx grafts over GG. NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis, and SEC evidenced that the grafting had actually taken place. However, a greater diffusion coefficient determined for the copolymer, using diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (NMR), in relation to the diffusion of the unmodified GG, suggested either partial degradation of the backbone or a more compact structure of the copolymer. GG and its graft copolymers (GG‐g‐PEtOx) were found to be highly biocompatible with cells cultured under their induction at concentration of 1, 0.1 and 0.01 mg/mL demonstrated a physiological morphology, as well as an increase in viability and proliferation.
Long‐term outcomes of pediatric and young adult patients receiving radiotherapy for nonmalignant vascular anomalies
Authors: Liu Kevin X. , Lamba Nayan , Marcus Karen J. , Sandler Eric S. , Gold Stuart H. , Margolin Judith F. , Haas‐Kogan Daphne A. , Adams Denise M.
Published: March 2021

Background

Nonmalignant vascular anomalies (VA) comprise a heterogeneous spectrum of conditions characterized by aberrant growth or development of blood and/or lymphatic vessels and can cause significant morbidity. Little is known about outcomes after radiotherapy in pediatric and young adult patients with nonmalignant VA.

Methods

Thirty patients who were diagnosed with nonmalignant VA and treated with radiotherapy prior to 2017 and before the age of 30 were identified. Clinical and treatment characteristics and outcomes were recorded.

Results

Median age at first radiotherapy was 15 years (range 0.02–27). Median follow‐up from completion of first radiotherapy was 9.8 years (range 0.02–67.4). Lymphatic malformations (33%), kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (17%), and venous malformations (17%) were the most common diagnoses. The most common indication for first radiotherapy was progression despite standard therapy and/or urgent palliation for symptoms (57%). After first radiotherapy, 14 patients (47%) had a complete response or partial response, defined as decrease in size of treated lesion or symptomatic improvement. After first radiotherapy, 27 (90%) required additional treatment for progression or recurrence. Long‐term complications included telangiectasias, fibrosis, xerophthalmia, radiation pneumonitis, ovarian failure, and central hypothyroidism. No patient developed secondary malignancies. At last follow‐up, three patients (10%) were without evidence of disease, 26 (87%) with disease, and one died of complications (3.3%).

Conclusions

A small group of pediatric and young adult patients with nonmalignant, high‐risk VA experienced clinical benefit from radiotherapy with expected toxicity; however, most experienced progression. Prospective studies are needed to characterize indications for radiotherapy in VA refractory to medical therapy, including targeted inhibitors.
An efficient colorimetric inspection of ammonia using silver nanoparticles synthesized by 3‐(1‐(2‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)hydrazono)ethyl)‐1H‐indole as chemo‐sensors in water environment
Authors: Elsharkawy Rehab G. , Ghoneim Amira A.
Published: March 2021

We synthesized 3‐(1‐(2‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)hydrazono)ethyl)‐1H‐indole by condensed of 3‐acetylindole with 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazine used as chemo sensor for ammonia. Silver nanoparticles were prepared using a straightforward strategy technique of chemical reduction process by hydrazine derivative (HD) at room temperature. HD has been utilized as a reducing and stabilizer; that is, no other capping agent needed to guide the anisotropic formation of Ag‐NPs. UV/Vis spectroscopy was used to evaluate the formation of silver nanoparticles where the maximum LSPR was recorded at 440 nm at various stirring time. It is noticed that the amplitude of UV/vis band increased with increasing stirring reaction time. Chemically prepared AgNPs employed in colorimetric tests to track ammonia in solution that is dependent on color shift of a chemochromic agent embedded in a porous matrix. Ammonia influences the characteristics of the nanoparticles synthesized in a concentration‐dependent condition as established by localized surface plasmon resonance. The designed novel detectors are efficient at room temperature, showing quick rebuttal times in a broad array of sensing rates.
A network analysis approach in multidimensional poverty
Authors: García‐Vélez Diego , Nuñez Velázquez José J.
Published: March 2021

This paper applies a network analysis approach to weight the dimensions of multidimensional poverty. Weights are allocated according to the interaction of the deprivations to eliminate arbitrary value judgments used in equitable weighting. The approach is applied to a developing country. The results indicate that some dimensions are more relevant than others and measures of poverty show significant differences when changing the weighting approach.
The predictive value of impulse oscillometry for asthma exacerbations in childhood: A systematic review and meta‐analyses
Authors: Ling Yaoyao , Si Minghui , Niu Yufan , Han Yuqi , Xu Yongsheng
Published: March 2021

Objective

Several studies have explored the predictive value of impulse oscillometry (IOS) for asthma exacerbations in childhood, but its specific parameters are still unclear. Therefore, we designed this meta‐analysis to determine the related indicators of acute asthma attacks.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed on July 9, 2020 based on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science database. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were calculated using fixed‐ or random‐effects models.

Results

A total of 615 patients from six trials were included in this analysis. IOS may be a useful tool to predict asthma exacerbations. And the results showed that R5 (WMD = −1.21, 95% CI: −1.55 to −0.87, p < .001), Fres (WMD = −1.34, 95% CI: −2.03 to −0.65, p = .018), and AX (WMD = −7.35, 95% CI: −9.94 to −4.76, p < .001) had significant correlation with asthma exacerbations. In addition, X5 may also predict the acute attack of asthma (WMD = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.56 to 1.01, p < .001).

Conclusions

R5, AX, Fres, and X5 may be able to identify the risk of an acute attack of asthma. Besides, our research further demonstrated that peripheral airway injury may play an important role in the acute attack of asthma.
Drug formularies and repeat prescriptions ‘Down Under’
Authors: Thompson Angus
Published: March 2021

In the final article in this three‐part series, Angus Thompson completes his reflections on some of the differences in prescribing and medicines management between Australia and the UK, this time looking at formularies, the primary‐secondary care interface and repeat prescriptions.
Changes in atmospheric latent energy transport into the Arctic: Planetary versus synoptic scales
Authors: Rydsaa J. H. , Graversen R. G. , Heiskanen T. I. H. , Stoll P. J.
Published: March 2021

Atmospheric meridional energy transport into the Arctic plays an important role in Arctic weather and climate. The transport of latent energy in the form of water vapour strongly influences the Arctic atmosphere. The transport is achieved by circulation mechanisms on various scales and is largely comprised of extreme transport events. Here, we use a Fourier‐based method of dividing the latent energy transport into spatial scales and investigate the extent to which extreme events in latent energy transport on planetary and synoptic scales have changed over the past four decades, and how they influence the Arctic winter temperatures. We find that wintertime extreme transport events on planetary scales are associated with warm temperature anomalies across the entire Arctic, while the extreme events on synoptic scales have less impact on the Arctic temperatures. We show that over the past four decades, there has been a significant increase in the wintertime latent energy transport by planetary‐scale systems, and a decrease in synoptic‐scale transport. This shift may have contributed to the amplified warming observed in the Arctic winter over the past decades.
Arsenene, antimonene and bismuthene as anchoring materials for lithium‐sulfur batteries: A computational study
Authors: Mao Xiaotong , Zhu Lin , Fu Aiping
Published: March 2021

Finding effective anchoring materials for the immobilization of soluble lithium polysulfides to suppress the shuttling effect has become the key to large‐scale application of lithium‐sulfur (Li–S) batteries. In this work, the potentials of group‐VA two‐dimensional (2D) materials including arsenene, antimonene and bismuthene (As, Sb and Bi monolayers) as Li‐S battery cathode anchoring materials were systematically investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The adsorption energies of sulfur (S8) and various lithium polysulfides (Li2Sn, n = 8, 6, 4, 2, 1), as well as the diffusion energy barriers for long‐chain Li2S4 and Li2S6 on these three monolayers were studied in detail. The calculated moderate adsorption energies of these monolayers to all polysulfides imply that they can effectively inhibit the shuttling effect. The favorable diffusion barriers for Li2S4 and Li2S6 ensure the efficient diffusion of polysulfides on monolayer surface. In addition, these 2D materials can keep a balance between binding strength and the structural integrity of polysulfides. The presented merits demonstrate that As, Sb and Bi monolayers can be the promising cathode anchoring materials to improve performance of Li‐S batteries.
A novel linear matrix inequality‐based robust event‐triggered model predictive control for a class of discrete‐time linear systems
Authors: Hu Yingjie , Fan Ding , Peng Kai , Iu Herbert Ho‐Ching , Zhang Xinan
Published: March 2021

This paper studies a linear matrix inequality (LMI)‐based robust event‐triggered model predictive control (ET‐MPC) for a class of discrete linear time‐invariant systems subject to bounded disturbances. In the presented robust event‐triggered MPC, the event‐triggered mechanism is first set by the deviation between the optimal state and actual state. In addition, the Lyapunov‐based stability condition is employed in the constraints for simplifying parameters and enhancing the universality. Subsequently, a novel design framework that involves LMIs approach is developed. In such a framework, the Lyapunov weight matrix is predesigned by solving a convex optimization problem with LMIs and the infinite horizon MPC optimization problem is also transformed as LMIs such that the computational complexity is significantly reduced. To guarantee robust constraint satisfaction, a dual‐mode control strategy is adopted. In this way, the proposed robust ET‐MPC has the ability to deal with the constrained system. Furthermore, the theoretical analysis of the recursive feasibility and stability is provided. The numerical simulations and comparison studies demonstrate that the proposed robust ET‐MPC not only has satisfying control performance but also significantly reduces the computational burden.
Successful treatment of occult hyperadrenocorticism with mitotane but not trilostane in a dog
Authors: Park Su‐Min , Kim Kyeong‐Bo , Song Woo‐Jin , Youn Hwa‐Young
Published: March 2021

Background

Occult (or atypical) hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) shows clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities similar to classic hyperadrenocorticism, but normal signs in routine screening tests such as the corticotropin (ACTH) stimulation test and low‐dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST). Here, we describe a case of occult HAC in a Yorkshire terrier treated with mitotane.

Case

An 11‐year‐old spayed female presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University because of respiratory distress symptoms, polyphagia, and polydipsia, suggestive of HAC. In abdominal sonography, enlargement of the caudal pole of the left adrenal gland was found, but the cortisol level of post‐ACTH stimulation test was below the cut‐off value, and LDDST was negative. To finalise the diagnosis of occult HAC, 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (17‐OHP) was examined. The concentrations of 17‐OHP (pre‐ and post‐ACTH stimulation) were found to be elevated. As occult HAC was highly suspected, we prescribed trilostane for trial therapy. At first, the clinical signs improved, but they later worsened. We changed medication as trilostane to mitotane, and the symptoms were relieved after mitotane administration.

Conclusion

This is a unique case of occult HAC in which the response to mitotane was better than trilostane.
Large eddy simulation: A study of clearings in forest and their effect on wind turbines
Authors: Matsfelt Johanna , Davidson Lars
Published: March 2021

In this article, the Ryningsnäs site in Sweden is investigated using large eddy simulation with three different clearing setups: a homogeneous forest, that is, no clearing, the current clearing, that is, the existing clearing at the location, and an extended clearing. Neutral stratification is simulated, and the wind turbines are modelled by a two‐way‐coupled actuator line model. From the simulations, the electrical generator power was found to be the highest for the current clearing. But the fatigue loads were both higher and lower than the homogeneous forest depending on which part of the wind turbine that was investigated. The extended clearing nearly always had the lowest fatigue loads but unfortunately also the lowest electrical generator power. Further optimization of the clearings and the wind turbine locations in relation to them is needed to find the sweet spot where the fatigue loads are lower and the electrical generator power is higher.