bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2‐hydroxyethilammonium oleate protic ionic liquid as corrosion inhibitor for aluminum in neutral medium
Authors: Ortega Vega Maria R. , Mattedi Silvana , Schroeder Roberto M. , de Fraga Malfatti Célia
Published: August 2020

Protic ionic liquid (PIL) 2‐hydroxyethylammonium oleate (2HEAOl) proved to be a good lubricant for aluminum‐forming processes. However, with the aim of keeping the formed component integrity, it is interesting that the same substance employed during forming does not need to be removed and works out as corrosion inhibitor. Then, the aim of this study was to test the performance of 2HEAOl as corrosion inhibitor for aluminum in neutral 0.5 mol/L NaCl medium by electrochemical characterization. Results showed that the concentration of 5 × 10−4 mol/L was a suitable concentration to promote corrosion inhibition until 72 h at the high chloride concentration studied. The PIL worked out as mixed‐type organic corrosion inhibitor, as it promoted the diminution of the oxygen reduction reaction rate and, in consequence, the pit initiation by its adsorption on the metal surface.
Influence of pickling time on electroless Ni–P coating on magnesium alloy
Authors: Yuan Jing , Li Pei , Yuan Rui , Mao Duolu , Zhao Suqin , Feng Tao
Published: August 2020

In this study, a simple pickling process in H3PO4 and NH4HF2 solution was used for electroless Ni–P plating on AZ61 magnesium alloy. It is found that the corrosion rate of magnesium alloy during pickling significantly decreased because NH4HF2 was added into H3PO4 pickling solution. Ni–P coating plated only with pickling process shows poor adhesion because of the low F/O ratio of the substrate surface. However, F/O ratio, adhesion, and corrosion resistance of Ni–P coating are obviously enhanced after pickling followed by activation. The optimal pretreatment process is pickling for 120 s and activation for 4 min, under which the Ni–P coating has an optimum F/O ratio of 1.8 and the coating gets a dense structure, better adhesion, and higher corrosion resistance.
On a transmission problem for equation and dynamic boundary condition of Cahn–Hilliard type with nonsmooth potentials
Authors: Colli Pierluigi , Fukao Takeshi , Wu Hao
Published: August 2020

This paper is concerned with well‐posedness of the Cahn–Hilliard equation subject to a class of new dynamic boundary conditions. The system was recently derived in Liu–Wu (Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 233 (2019), 167–247) via an energetic variational approach and it naturally fulfils three physical constraints such as mass conservation, energy dissipation and force balance. The target problem examined in this paper can be viewed as a transmission problem that consists of Cahn–Hilliard type equations both in the bulk and on the boundary. In our approach, we are able to deal with a general class of potentials with double‐well structure, including the physically relevant logarithmic potential and the non‐smooth double‐obstacle potential. Existence, uniqueness and continuous dependence of global weak solutions are established. The proof is based on a novel time‐discretization scheme for the approximation of the continuous problem. Besides, a regularity result is shown with the aim of obtaining a strong solution to the system.
Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Upper Limb Dystonia
Authors: Norris Scott A. , Jinnah Hyder A. , Klein Christine , Jankovic Joseph , Berman Brian D. , Roze Emmanuel , Mahajan Abhimanyu , Espay Alberto J. , Murthy Avinash V. , Fung Victor S.C. , LeDoux Mark S. , Chang Florence C.F. , Vidailhet Marie , Testa Claudia , Barbano Richard , Malaty Irene A. , Bäumer Tobias , Loens Sebastian , Wright Laura J. , Perlmutter Joel S.
Published: August 2020

Background

Knowledge of characteristics in upper limb dystonia remains limited, derived primarily from small, single‐site studies.

Objective

The objective of this study was to characterize demographic and clinical characteristics of upper limb dystonia from the Dystonia Coalition data set, a large, international, multicenter resource.

Methods

We evaluated clinical and demographic characteristics of 367 participants with upper limb dystonia from onset, comparing across subcategories of focal (with and without dystonia spread) versus nonfocal onset.

Results

Focal onset occurred in 80%; 67% remained focal without spread. Task specificity was most frequent in this subgroup, most often writer's cramp and affecting the dominant limb (83%). Focal onset with spread was more frequent in young onset (<21 years). Focal onset occurred equally in women and men; nonfocal onset affected women disproportionately.

Conclusions

Upper limb dystonia distribution, focality, and task specificity relate to onset age and likelihood of regional spread. Observations may inform clinical counseling and design, execution, and interpretation of future studies. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
COVID‐19 drug repurposing: A review of computational screening methods, clinical trials, and protein interaction assays
Authors: Wang Xueqing , Guan Yuanfang
Published: August 2020

The situation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is rapidly evolving, and medical researchers around the globe are dedicated to finding cures for the disease. Drug repurposing, as an efficient way for drug development, has received a lot of attention. However, the huge amount of studies makes it challenging to keep up to date with the literature on COVID‐19 therapeutic development. This review addresses this challenge by grouping the COVID‐19 drug repurposing research into three large groups, including clinical trials, computational research, and in vitro protein‐binding experiments. Particularly, to facilitate future drug discovery and the creation of effective drug combinations, drugs are organized by their mechanisms of action and reviewed by their efficacy measured by clinical trials. Providing this subtyping information, we hope this review would serve the scientists, clinicians, and the pharmaceutical industry who are looking at the new therapeutics for COVID‐19 treatment.
A compactMIMO DRAwith simultaneous frequency and isolation reconfiguration
Authors: Aqeel Sajid , Khan Shehryar , Khan Aftab Ahmad , Owais Owais , Saleem Jawad , Qureshi Muhammad Bilal
Published: August 2020

The frequency and an isolation reconfigurable multiple input multiple output (MIMO) dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) is presented in this communication. The design employs a low‐profile rectangular DR element with ground plane having cross shape slots. The slots resonance is effectively combined with the DR‐resonance for size miniaturization. Moreover, the slot responds as defected ground structure (DGS) for the DR element upon placement of PIN diodes. Switching amalgam of diodes results in frequency, isolation reconfigurability and resonates the structure in three distinct configurations covering PCS 1900 MHz, Wimax 2.3 GHz, and LTE 2500‐2700 MHz bands. A thorough parametric study was performed to study the effects of cross shape DGS on the antenna parameters. The prototype of the proposed MIMO antenna is fabricated and results were measured to certify the simulated results. Few parameters of MIMO such like diversity gain (DG), envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), and mean effective gain (MEG) are provided to verify the MIMO performance.
A modified two dimensional Maliuzhinets' diffraction coefficient for modeling snow or vegetation covered dielectric wedges
Authors: Majumdar Shuvodip , Bhattacharya Amitabha
Published: August 2020

A new diffraction coefficient, obtained by modifying the Maliuzhinets' diffraction coefficient, has been proposed here in this article for a double‐layered dielectric wedge which can be considered as an approximated version of a snow or vegetation‐covered dielectric wedge in a practical propagation channel modeling scenario. An experiment was conducted with an artificially created double‐layered wedge for validating the response from the proposed coefficient in a real‐life scenario. The same environment was modeled and simulated using gprMax simulator, which further verified the experimental result and the effectiveness of the newly developed coefficient.
Domestication modulates the expression of genes involved in neurogenesis in high‐quality eggs of Sander lucioperca
Authors: Żarski Daniel , Le Cam Aurelie , Nynca Joanna , Klopp Christophe , Ciesielski Sławomir , Sarosiek Beata , Montfort Jerome , Król Jarosław , Fontaine Pascal , Ciereszko Andrzej , Bobe Julien
Published: August 2020

Pikeperch, Sander lucioperca, is a species of high interest to the aquaculture. The expansion of its production can only be achieved by furthering domestication level. However, the mechanisms driving the domestication process in finfishes are poorly understood. Transcriptome profiling of eggs was found to be a useful tool allowing understanding of the domestication process in teleosts. In this study, using next‐generation sequencing, the first pikeperch transcriptome has been generated as well as pikeperch‐specific microarray comprising 35,343 unique probes. Next, we performed transcriptome profiling of eggs obtained from wild and domesticated populations. We found 710 differentially expressed genes that were linked mostly to nervous system development. These results provide new insights into processes that are directly involved in the domestication of finfishes. It can be suggested that all the identified processes were predetermined by the maternally derived set of genes contained in the unfertilized eggs. This allows us to suggest that fish behavior, along with many other processes, can be predetermined at the cellular level and may have significant implications on the adaptation of cultured fish to the natural environment. This also allows to suggest that fish behavior should be considered as a very important pikeperch aquaculture selection trait.
A novel method to measure T1‐relaxation times of macromolecules and quantification of the macromolecular resonances
Authors: Murali‐Manohar Saipavitra , Wright Andrew Martin , Borbath Tamas , Avdievich Nikolai I. , Henning Anke
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Macromolecular peaks underlying metabolite spectra influence the quantification of metabolites. Therefore, it is important to understand the extent of contribution from macromolecules (MMs) in metabolite quantification. However, to model MMs more accurately in spectral fitting, differences in T1 relaxation times among individual MM peaks must be considered. Characterization of T1‐relaxation times for all individual MM peaks using a single inversion recovery technique is difficult due to eventual contributions from metabolites. On the contrary, a double inversion recovery (DIR) technique provided flexibility to acquire MM spectra spanning a range of longitudinal magnetizations with minimal metabolite influence. Thus, a novel method to determine T1‐relaxation times of individual MM peaks is reported in this work.

Methods

Extensive Bloch simulations were performed to determine inversion time combinations for a DIR technique that yielded adequate MM signal with varying longitudinal magnetizations while minimizing metabolite contributions. MM spectra were acquired using DIR‐metabolite‐cycled semi‐LASER sequence. LCModel concentrations were fitted to the DIR signal equation to calculate T1‐relaxation times.

Results

T1‐relaxation times of MMs range from 204 to 510 ms and 253 to 564 ms in gray‐ and white‐matter rich voxels respectively at 9.4T. Additionally, concentrations of 13 MM peaks are reported.

Conclusion

A novel DIR method is reported in this work to calculate T1‐relaxation times of MMs in the human brain. T1‐relaxation times and relaxation time corrected concentrations of individual MMs are reported in gray‐ and white‐matter rich voxels for the first time at 9.4T.
A low‐potential electrochemical method for fast development of latent fingerprints on brass cartridge cases by electrodeposition of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)
Authors: Costa Cristiane V. , Assis Alexandro M. L. , Freitas Johnnatan D. , Tonholo Josealdo , Ribeiro Adriana S.
Published: August 2020

The electrodeposition of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) for development of latent fingerprints on brass cartridge cases may be successfully performed, even though the simultaneous corrosion process of copper and zinc from the brass surface occurs. PEDOT is electrodeposited by direct oxidation of the monomer in aqueous LiClO4 solution using chronoamperometry (potentiostatic method) with experimental conditions set at 0.90 V versus Ag/AgCl and 180 seconds. Such strategy is interesting for application in forensic biometrics for development of latent fingerprints on brass cartridge cases, since it affords images with high definition, allowing a clear visualization of the ridge patterns and singular points, besides to be useful for confrontation in fingerprint databases. Therefore, this is a simple, efficient, fast, low‐potential, and low‐cost methodology for the processing of cartridge cases.
Intradetrusor botulinum toxin injections (300 units) for the treatment of poorly compliant bladders in patients with adult neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction
Authors: O'Connor R. Corey , Johnson Dane P. , Guralnick Michael L.
Published: August 2020

Aims

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of intradetrusor onabotulinum toxin A (BTX) injections in patients with adult neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (ANLUTD) and medically refractory poorly compliant bladders.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated patients with urodynamic studies (UDS)‐proven, medically refractory impaired bladder compliance (≤20 mL/cm H2O) secondary to spinal myelopathy treated with 300 units of BTX cystoscopically injected into the detrusor muscle. Objective improvement in compliance was defined as an increase ≥5 mL/cm H2O on repeat urodynamics. Characteristics were compared between patients who demonstrated symptomatic and objective improvement following treatment versus those without.

Results

Seventy‐one individuals were included in the final analysis. Mean patient age was 37.2 years (range: 18‐78) and ANLUTD duration was 14.5 years (range: 1‐34). Average pre‐injection bladder compliance was 9.2 mL/cm H2O (range: 3.0‐16.7). After treatment with BTX, 37 of 71 (52%) patients reported subjective reductions in lower urinary tract symptoms. Repeat UDS demonstrated objective bladder compliance improvements in 22 of 71 (31%). Individuals with shorter time intervals since neurologic injury responded better to BTX than those with longer durations (P = .032).

Conclusion

BTX injections significantly improved symptoms and bladder compliance in 31% of ANLUTD patients with medical refractory poorly compliant bladders.
Reliability and validity of Turkish versions of the interstitial cystitis symptom index and interstitial cystitis problem index
Authors: Esen Barış , Obaid Khaled , Süer Evren , Gökçe Mehmet İlker , Gökmen Derya , Bedük Yaşar , Gülpınar Ömer
Published: August 2020

Aim

To validate the Turkish versions of the interstitial cystitis symptom index (ICSI) and interstitial cystitis problem index (ICPI) for use in Turkish speaking patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC).

Methods

After translation of the original ICSI and ICPI into the Turkish language, Turkish versions of ICSI and ICPI were self‐administered to all participants. Test‐retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient) was evaluated at 2 weeks intervals in the BPS/IC group. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha. Scores of ICSI and ICPI was compared between BPS/IC and control groups to examine discriminant validity. Criterion validity was examined via investigating the correlations between bladder diary data (24‐hour frequency and nocturia), visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, and results to the corresponding questions in ICSI and ICPI.

Results

Results of 79 patients with BPS/IC and 50 control patients were analyzed. Both indices showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's α for ICSI and ICPI was 0.879 and 0.923, respectively). The test‐retest reliability of ICSI and ICPI was high for total scores and subdomains of both indices (intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.722 for ICSI and 0.777 for ICPI). Scores of both indices were significantly higher in BPS/IC group than the control group (P < .001). Statistically significant correlations were found between 24‐hour frequency, nocturia, VAS scores, and corresponding questions in the indices. A statistically significant and strong correlation was observed between ICSI and ICPI scores (P < .001, rS = .632).

Conclusion

Turkish versions of ICSI and ICPI are reliable, consistent, and valid instruments to evaluate symptoms of Turkish speaking patients with BPS/IC.
The dynamic change of the anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus under Valsalva maneuver at term and labor outcome
Authors: Brunelli Elena , Del Prete Biancamaria , Casadio Paolo , Pilu Gianluigi , Youssef Aly
Published: August 2020

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between the proportional change of anteroposterior diameter (APD) of levator hiatus from rest to maximum Valsalva maneuver in nulliparous women at term and labor outcome.

Methods

We prospectively recruited nulliparous women at term before the onset of labor. Women underwent a two‐dimensional transperineal ultrasound, measuring the APD of the levator hiatus at rest and under maximum Valsalva's maneuver. APD change from rest to maximum Valsalva was described both in terms of absolute figures and proportional change. Correlation of APD change with the mode of delivery and with labor durations was assessed.

Results

Overall, 486 women were included in the analysis. No significant association between change in APD and the mode of delivery. We found a significant negative correlation between change of APD from rest to Valsalva and the duration of active second stage both in terms of absolute change (Pearson's r = −0.138, P = .009) and in terms of proportional change (Pearson's r = −0.154, P = .004). Survival outcomes based on Cox‐regression model showed that APD was independently associated with the duration of active second stage of labor after adjusting for epidural analgesia, maternal age and body mass index (hazard ratio, 1.008; 95% confidence interval, 1.001‐1.016; P = .04)

Conclusion

Women with higher increase of the anteroposterior diameter of the levator hiatus from rest to Valsalva have a shorter active second stage of labor.
On undirected two‐commodity integral flow, disjoint paths and strict terminal connection problems
Authors: de Melo Alexsander A. , de Figueiredo Celina M. H. , Souza Uéverton dos Santos
Published: August 2020

Even, Itai, and Shamir (1976) proved simple two‐commodity integral flow is NP‐complete both in the directed and undirected cases. In particular, the directed case was shown to be NP‐complete even if one demand is unitary, which was improved by Fortune, Hopcroft and Wyllie (1980) who proved the problem is still NP‐complete if both demands are unitary. The undirected case, on the other hand, was proved by Robertson and Seymour (1995) to be polynomial‐time solvable if both demands are constant. Nevertheless, the complexity of the undirected case with exactly one constant demand has remained unknown. We close this 40‐year complexity gap, by showing the undirected case is NP‐complete even if exactly one demand is unitary. As a by product, we obtain the NP‐completeness of determining whether a graph contains 1 + d pairwise vertex‐disjoint paths, such that one path is between a given pair of vertices and d paths are between a second given pair of vertices. Additionally, we investigate the complexity of another related network design problem called strict terminal connection.
Adherence trajectories in oral therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia: Overview of a research protocol
Authors: Yeager Katherine A. , Waldrop‐Valverde Drenna , Paul Sudeshna , Bruner Deborah Watkins , Klisovic Rebecca , Burns Emily , Mason Tamara A. , Patel Nisha , Jennings Bonnie Mowinski
Published: August 2020

Over a quarter of chemotherapy regimens now include oral agents. Individuals living with cancer are now responsible for administering this lifesaving therapy at home by taking every dose as prescribed. One type of oral chemotherapy, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), is the current recommended treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia. This targeted therapy has markedly improved survival but comes with significant side effects and financial costs. In the study described in this protocol, the investigators seek to understand the dynamic nature of TKI adherence experienced by individuals diagnosed with CML. Using a mixed‐method approach in this prospective observational study, funded by the National Cancer Institute, we seek to describe subjects' adherence trajectories over 1 year. We aim to characterize adherence trajectories in individuals taking TKIs using model‐based cluster analysis. Next, we will determine how side effects and financial toxicity influence adherence trajectories. Then we will examine the influence of TKI adherence trajectories on disease outcomes. Additionally, we will explore the experience of patients taking TKIs by interviewing a subset of participants in different adherence trajectories. The projected sample includes 120 individuals taking TKIs who we will assess monthly for 12 months, measuring adherence with an objective measure (Medication Event Monitoring System). Identifying differential trajectories of adherence for TKIs is important for detecting subgroups at the highest risk of nonadherence and will support designing targeted interventions. Results from this study can potentially translate to other oral agents to improve care across different types of cancer.
Drivers underpinning the malignant transformation of giant cell tumour of bone
Authors: Fittall Matthew W , Lyskjær Iben , Ellery Peter , Lombard Patrick , Ijaz Jannat , Strobl Anna‐Christina , Oukrif Dahmane , Tarabichi Maxime , Sill Martin , Koelsche Christian , Mechtersheimer Gunhild , Demeulemeester Jonas , Tirabosco Roberto , Amary Fernanda , Campbell Peter J , Pfister Stefan M , Jones David TW , Pillay Nischalan , Van Loo Peter , Behjati Sam , Flanagan Adrienne M
Published: August 2020

The rare benign giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB) is defined by an almost unique mutation in the H3.3 family of histone genes H3‐3A or H3‐3B; however, the same mutation is occasionally found in primary malignant bone tumours which share many features with the benign variant. Moreover, lung metastases can occur despite the absence of malignant histological features in either the primary or metastatic lesions. Herein we investigated the genetic events of 17 GCTBs including benign and malignant variants and the methylation profiles of 122 bone tumour samples including GCTBs. Benign GCTBs possessed few somatic alterations and no other known drivers besides the H3.3 mutation, whereas all malignant tumours harboured at least one additional driver mutation and exhibited genomic features resembling osteosarcomas, including high mutational burden, additional driver event(s), and a high degree of aneuploidy. The H3.3 mutation was found to predate the development of aneuploidy. In contrast to osteosarcomas, malignant H3.3‐mutated tumours were enriched for a variety of alterations involving TERT, other than amplification, suggesting telomere dysfunction in the transformation of benign to malignant GCTB. DNA sequencing of the benign metastasising GCTB revealed no additional driver alterations; polyclonal seeding in the lung was identified, implying that the metastatic lesions represent an embolic event. Unsupervised clustering of DNA methylation profiles revealed that malignant H3.3‐mutated tumours are distinct from their benign counterpart, and other bone tumours. Differential methylation analysis identified CCND1, encoding cyclin D1, as a plausible cancer driver gene in these tumours because hypermethylation of the CCND1 promoter was specific for GCTBs. We report here the genomic and methylation patterns underlying the rare clinical phenomena of benign metastasising and malignant transformation of GCTB and show how the combination of genomic and epigenomic findings could potentially distinguish benign from malignant GCTBs, thereby predicting aggressive behaviour in challenging diagnostic cases. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Increased toxicities in children with Burkitt lymphoma treated with rituximab: Experience from a tertiary cancer center in India
Authors: Srinivasan Shyam , Roy Moulik Nirmalya , KC Anand , Narula Gaurav , Sankaran Hari , Prasad Maya , Dhamne Chetan , Cheriyalinkal Parambil Badira , Shah Sneha , Shet Tanuja , Sridhar Epari , Gujral Sumeet , Banavali Shripad
Published: August 2020

Background

Even though rituximab has emerged as standard of care for the management of high‐risk pediatric Burkitt lymphoma (BL), its safety in children from the low–middle‐income countries (LMICs) remains to be proven. We herein report our experience of using rituximab in children with BL.

Methods

All patients diagnosed with BL between January 2015 and December 2017 were treated in a risk‐stratified manner with either the modified MCP‐842 or modified LMB protocol. Patients with poor response to MCP‐842 were switched to the LMB‐salvage regimen. In addition, rituximab was given to selected high‐risk patients.

Result

Forty‐two (49.4%) of 85 patients with BL received rituximab. The incidence of febrile neutropenia (90.5% vs 67.4%; P = 0.02), pneumonia (38.1% vs 11.6%; P = 0.005), intensive care unit admissions (54.5% vs 17.6%; P = 0.002), and toxic deaths (26.2% vs 9.3%; P = 0.04) was higher among BL patients who received rituximab. Pneumonia was fatal in 11 of 16 (69%) patients who received rituximab. On multivariate analysis, rituximab continued to be significantly associated with toxic deaths ( OR: 11.45 [95% CI: 1.87‐70.07; P = 0.008]). The addition of rituximab to intensive chemotherapy resulted in an inferior one‐year event‐free survival (49.4% ± 8.1% vs 79.3% ± 6.5%; P = 0.025) and one‐year overall survival (63.1% ± 8.5% vs 91.8% ± 4.5%; P = 0.007) with no improvement in one‐year relapse‐free survival (78.3% ± 7.3% vs 83.9% ± 6.0%; P = 0.817).

Conclusion

Rituximab was associated with increased toxicities and toxic deaths in our patients. The potential immunomodulatory effect of rituximab and increased susceptibility to infections in patients from LMICs have to be carefully considered while choosing this drug in the treatment of BL in resource‐constrained settings.
Enhanced electrical insulating properties of polyethylene by incorporating polyethylene‐g‐polystyrene graft copolymers
Authors: Sun Xiaopeng , Yang Fanghong , Yao Zhanhai
Published: August 2020

Aiming at utilizing the electron energy absorption characteristic of the benzene ring in polystyrene (PS) to enhance the electrical properties of insulation, here linear low density polyethylene grafted PS graft copolymers (LLDPE‐g‐PS) have been synthesized by pre‐irradiation and suspension grafting technology. Then, LLDPE‐g‐PS was added in LLDPE to prepare LLDPE/LLDPE‐g‐PS blends, of which the microstructure and thermal, rheological, electrical and mechanical properties were systematically investigated. Scanning electron microscopy showed that no interfacial debonding occurred in the blends. Rheological measurements showed that the viscoelastic properties of the blends were roughly the same as those of LLDPE. In terms of electrical properties, as LLDPE‐g‐PS was added, the injection of space charges was markedly suppressed. Meanwhile, all blends presented higher DC breakdown strength and the maximum was 1.45 times higher than that of LLDPE. Besides, blends exhibited little change in mechanical properties compared with LLDPE when PS contents were lower than 10 wt%. This investigation proposes an efficient method to improve the electrical properties of insulating materials. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry
Perspectives of patients with multiple myeloma on accepting their prognosis—A qualitative interview study
Authors: Hermann Myriel , Kühne Franziska , Rohrmoser Amy , Preisler Martina , Goerling Ute , Letsch Anne
Published: August 2020

Objective

Prognostic awareness is essential for making treatment decisions in malignant diseases. Being confronted with a poor prognosis, however, can affect patients' mental health. Therefore, it is important to study coping in the context of malignant diseases. Acceptance is an adaptive coping strategy associated with less psychological distress. This study sought to explore the facilitators and barriers for prognostic acceptance in a sample in which both hope and uncertainty regarding prognosis are pronounced: multiple myeloma patients.

Methods

In a German university hospital, 20 multiple myeloma patients participated in semistructured interviews. Following thematic content analysis by Kuckartz, the interview transcripts were coded for facilitators and barriers for prognostic acceptance. Additionally, patients completed questionnaires on prognostic awareness and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

Patients described the following facilitators for prognostic acceptance: social support, positive thinking, focusing on the Here and Now, proactive confrontation, having little to no symptoms, and being there for others. The indicated barriers were distressing physical symptoms and restricted functioning, social distress, and additional distress from other areas of life.

Conclusions

Patients reported a variety of factors—related to the social realm, symptom burden, and specific attitudes—that help or hinder them in accepting their prognosis. Oncologists and psycho‐oncologists may support prognostic acceptance by encouraging patients to both actively deal with realistic information as well as enjoy pleasant and meaningful moments in the present during which the disease and its prognosis recedes into the background.
Dielectrophoretically Modulated Optical Spectroscopy of Colloidal Nanoparticle Solutions in Microfluidic Channels
Authors: Midelet Clyde , Werts Martinus H. V.
Published: August 2020

Optical spectroscopic techniques (e.g., extinction, scattering, and fluorescence spectroscopies) are important for the analysis of colloidal solutions of nanoparticles (NPs). They are routinely applied to plasmonic and quantum‐dot NP samples assuming that these contain a single population of particles with modest size and shape dispersity. However, these spectroscopic techniques become less effective when the sample is a mixture of particles with different sizes, shapes, or composition. Here, an original microfluidic method is proposed for the optical spectroscopic analysis of colloidal NP solutions that combines periodic trapping of NPs by dielectrophoresis (DEP) with in situ optical extinction spectroscopy. The periodic trapping leads to modulation of the continuously monitored optical spectrum depending on the DEP properties of the NPs. DEP‐modulated spectroscopy is demonstrated using colloidal gold NPs as small as 40 nm diameter. It is found that the DEP modulation is significantly enhanced when employing suitable microfluidic flow over a multielectrode array. Finally, it is shown that the method can identify and characterize the NP species simultaneously present in a mixture of 40 and 80 nm gold NPs, opening the way toward optical spectroscopic analysis of higher complexity NP mixtures through the combination of the DEP‐modulated spectroscopy with chemometric methods.
Functional analysis of an upregulated calmodulin gene related to the acaricidal activity of curcumin against Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval)
Authors: Zhou Hong , Guo Fuyou , Luo Jinxiang , Zhang Yongqiang , Liu Jinlin , Zhang Yanchun , Zheng Xinyu , Wan Fenglin , Ding Wei
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Curcumin is a promising botanical acaricidal compound with activity against Tetranychus cinnabarinus. Calmodulin (CaM) is a key calcium ion (Ca2+) sensor that plays a vital role in calcium signaling. Overexpression of the CaM gene with inducible character occurs in curcumin‐treated mites, but its functional role remains to be further analyzed by RNA interference (RNAi) and protein expression.

RESULTS

A CaM gene was cloned from T. cinnabarinus (designated TcCaM). TcCaM was upregulated and the protein was activated in mites by curcumin. The susceptibility of mites to curcumin was decreased after inhibiting CaM function with anti‐CaM drug trifluoperazine (TFP) and silencing CaM transcription with RNAi, suggesting that the CaM gene is involved in the acaricidal activity of curcumin against mites. Moreover, the TFP pre‐treated Sf9 cells were resistant to curcumin‐mediated increase in [Ca2+]i levels, indicating that CaM‐mediated Ca2+ homeostasis was disturbed by curcumin. TcCaM was then re‐engineered for heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. Strikingly, our results showed that the recombinant CaM protein was directly activated by curcumin via inducing its conformational changes, its half‐maximal effective concentration (EC50) value is 0.3 μmol L‐1 in vitro, which is similar to curcumin against CaM‐expressing Sf9 cells (0.76 μmol L‐1) in vivo.

CONCLUSION

These results confirm that the overexpressed CaM gene is involved in the acaricidal activity of curcumin, and the mode of action of curcumin may be via activating CaM function, and thereby disrupting Ca2+ homeostasis in T. cinnabarinus. This study highlights the novel target mechanism of new acaricides, promoting our understanding of the molecular mechanism of CaM‐mediated acaricide targets in mites.
Preliminary exploration of robotic complete mesocolic excision for colon cancer with the domestically produced Chinese minimally invasive Micro Hand S surgical robot system
Authors: Li Jianmin , Zhu Shaihong , Juan Jiang , Yi Bo
Published: August 2020

Objective

To summarize our initial experience with robot‐assisted complete mesocolic excision (R‐CME) using a domestically produced Chinese surgical robot by a short‐term evaluation.

Methods

From March 2018 to December 2018, 25 patients with colon cancer underwent Micro Hand S R‐CME. The operative findings, morbidities and oncological findings were analysed.

Result

The median operative duration was 210 (range, 180–235) min, and the median estimated blood loss volume was 55 (range, 25–125) ml. The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 42 (range, 21–77), and the median length of hospital stay after the operation was 7 (range, 5–9) days. There were no severe complications except for seven cases of grade I complications and five cases of grade II complications. The conversion rate was 0%. There were no cases of 30‐day readmission or 30‐day mortality.

Conclusion

R‐CME using a domestically produced surgical robot for selected colon cancer patients is technically feasible and safe.
The Science of Learning to Read Words: A Case for Systematic Phonics Instruction
Authors: Ehri Linnea C.
Published: August 2020

The author reviews theory and research by Ehri and her colleagues to document how a scientific approach has been applied over the years to conduct controlled studies whose findings reveal how beginners learn to read words in and out of text. Words may be read by decoding letters into blended sounds or by predicting words from context, but the way that contributes most to reading and comprehending text is reading words automatically from memory by sight. The evidence shows that words are read from memory when graphemes are connected to phonemes. This bonds spellings of individual words to their pronunciations along with their meanings in memory. Readers must know grapheme–phoneme relations and have decoding skill to form connections, and must read words in text to associate spellings with meanings. Readers move through four developmental phases as they acquire knowledge about the alphabetic writing system and apply it to read and write words and build their sight vocabularies. Grapheme–phoneme knowledge and phonemic segmentation are key foundational skills that launch development followed subsequently by knowledge of syllabic and morphemic spelling–sound units. Findings show that when spellings attach to pronunciations and meanings in memory, they enhance memory for vocabulary words. This research underscores the importance of systematic phonics instruction that teaches students the knowledge and skills that are essential in acquiring word‐reading skill.
The potential of induced pluripotent stem cells for discriminating neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Stock Ricarda , Jeckel Pauline , Kraushaar Udo , Wüst Richard , Fallgatter Andreas , Volkmer Hansjürgen
Published: August 2020

Studying human disease-specific processes and mechanisms in vitro is limited by a lack of valid human test systems. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) evolve as an important and promising tool to better understand the molecular pathology of neurodevelopmental disorders. Patient-derived iPSCs enable analysis of unique disease mechanisms and may also serve for preclinical drug development. Here, we review the current knowledge on iPSC models for schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders with emphasis on the discrimination between them. It appears that transcriptomic analyses and functional read-outs are the most promising approaches to uncover specific disease mechanisms in vitro.
Comparison between Lacunary and Saturated Keggin Polyoxometalates as Steel Corrosion Inhibitors in Chloride Solution: Contribution of the Lacuna in the Inhibition Mechanism
Authors: Romaric Wamba Tchio Odilon , Pengou Martin , Baumier Cédric , Franger Sylvain , Teillout Anne‐Lucie , Martyr Mbomekallé Israël , De Oliveira Pedro , Péguy Nanseu‐Njiki Charles , Ngameni Emmanuel
Published: August 2020

The effect of two lacunary Keggin polyoxometalates (K7[PW11O39].14H2O and K9[AlW11O39].15H2O) on the corrosion inhibition of XC38 steel in 0.1 M NaCl was investigated. Electrochemical methods (polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) showed that the presence of controlled amounts of these compounds improved protection of the steel against corrosion. These results were supported by surface analysis, where only a minor amount of rust was produced on metal surface in the presence of polyoxometalates (POMs). The lacunary POMs were more efficient compared to their saturated species, highlighting the key role played by the lacuna on the inhibition process. Efficiency of POMs (both saturated and lacunary) was explained by their ability to increase the Fe(II)/Fe(III) molar ratio in greenish protective oxide layer formed upon steel oxidation. The mechanism proposed clearly explains the higher efficiency observed with lacunary POMs, in relation to their ability to react with free Fe(III) to yield a substituted structure.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Rambutan‐like ZnO@SrTiO3/TiO2 Microsphere
Authors: Zhao Wei , Guo Jingjing , Wang Hongxing
Published: August 2020

Designing gradient energy levels is an effective method to improve the photocatalytic performance of the semiconductor materials. In this work, we propose a core‐shell structured material with micro‐sized spherical SrTiO3/TiO2 (abbreviated as SrT) as the core material, and the rod‐shaped ZnO shell attaching on the surface of SrT, which forms a hierarchical spherical composite with rambutan‐like shape. During the synthesis process, ZnO seeds are coated on the surface of SrT microspheres firstly, and then they transfer to nanorods with a diameter of 60–70 nm and a length of less than 100 nm under the growth solution medium at 90 °C with the volume ratio of zinc nitrate to hexamethylenetetramine (abbreviated as HMT) is 1 : 1 and the concentration is 0.05 mol/L. This structure may further facilitate the separation of the photo‐generated electron‐hole pairs and widen the photocatalytic applications of perovskite structured SrTiO3 or anatase structured TiO2 with visible excitation response.
High Performance Magnetically Separable G‐C3N4/γ‐Fe2O3/TiO2 Nanocomposite with Boosted Photocatalytic Capability towards the Cefixime Trihydrate Degradation under Visible‐Light
Authors: Jahanshahi Roya , Sobhani Sara , Sansano José Miguel
Published: August 2020

A magnetically separable g‐C3N4/γ‐Fe2O3/TiO2 nanocomposite is synthesized as an intensely effectual visible‐light‐driven photocatalyst. It is fully characterized by FT‐IR, XPS, XRD, VSM, DRS, SEM, TEM, BET, EDS, and elemental mapping techniques. Based on the Tauc plot of (αhν)2 vs. hυ, the value of band gap energy for g‐C3N4/γ‐Fe2O3/TiO2 is estimated to be 2.6 eV, which proves the high capability of the catalyst to enhance the photoinduced electron‐holes separation and improves its visible‐light photocatalytic performance. The high photocatalytic activity of this catalyst towards the cefixime trihydrate (CEF) degradation, under visible‐light radiation can be ascribed to the synergistic optical effects between g‐C3N4, γ‐Fe2O3, and TiO2. Using central composite design (CCD) based on response surface methodology (RSM), the maximum degradation efficiency of about 98 % was obtained at the optimal conditions comprising the CEF amount of 20 mg/L, photocatalyst value of 0.04 g/L, irradiation intensity of 9 W/m2, and pH of 5.5, at 90 min. Utilizing an innocuous visible‐light source, almost complete mineralization of CEF (based on TOC analysis), using a very low amount of photocatalyst, applying air as the oxidant, and convenient magnetic separation of the catalyst from the reaction media and its ease of recycling for at least seven consecutive runs are the major highlights of this protocol.
Electronic Structure Tuning of 2D Metal (Hydr)oxides Nanosheets for Electrocatalysis
Authors: Song Yanhui , Xu Bingshe , Liao Ting , Guo Junjie , Wu Yucheng , Sun Ziqi
Published: August 2020

2D metal (hydr)oxide nanosheets have captured increasing interest in electrocatalytic applications aroused by their high specific surface areas, enriched chemically active sites, tunable physiochemical properties, etc. In particular, the electrocatalytic reactivities of materials greatly rely on their surface electronic structures. Generally speaking, the electronic structures of catalysts can be well adjusted via controlling their morphologies, defects, and heterostructures. In this Review, the latest advances in 2D metal (hydr)oxide nanosheets are first reviewed, including the applications in electrocatalysis for the hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, and oxygen evolution reaction. Then, the electronic structure–property relationships of 2D metal (hydr)oxide nanosheets are discussed to draw a picture of enhancing the electrocatalysis performances through a series of electronic structure tuning strategies. Finally, perspectives on the current challenges and the trends for the future design of 2D metal (hydr)oxide electrocatalysts with prominent catalytic activity are outlined. It is expected that this Review can shed some light on the design of next generation electrocatalysts.
Lead‐halides Perovskite Visible Light Photoredox Catalysts for Organic Synthesis
Authors: Murugesh V. , Singh Surya Prakash
Published: August 2020

Lead‐halide perovskites has grabbed great attention in recent years due to its unique photophysical and electrical properties. It has open new window in organic solar cell application for commercial point. Research has extended its application further towards visible light photoredox catalysts for organic synthesis. Due to intrinsic redox properties, sharp absorption and emissions patterns makes lead‐halide perovskites as promising photoredox catalyst. In the presence of light, perovskite absorbs light, generates electrons/holes, which can reduce or oxidize species at reactive centres of organic molecule, leads to organic transformation. Lead‐halide perovskites are used as heterogeneous catalysts for small molecules activations like CO, CH4 and NO, also suitable photocatalysts for organic bond formations, oxidations, reductions, polymerizations and dimerization transformations. Recent literatures have set another milestone for perovskite materials in organic synthesis. This review provides information on lead‐halides perovskite in visible‐light photoredox catalysis such as C−C, C−X (X‐halo, hetero atom) bond formations C−H arylation.
CaCO3 as a new member of high solar‐reflective filler on the cooling property in polymer composites
Authors: Tao Yiyi , Mao Zepeng , Yang Zhangbin , Zhang Jun
Published: August 2020

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is the most commonly used inorganic filler in polymer materials to improve the mechanical properties and reduce the costs. However, there are few reports on the preparation of cooling materials using CaCO3. In this study, CaCO3 was introduced into the polymer matrix as a solar reflective filler to prepare passive cooling materials. Specifically, the influences of CaCO3 content on the structure and performances of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/CaCO3 composite films were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), contact angle test, surface roughness and glossiness, solar reflectivity, thermal emissivity, temperature test and mechanical property characterization. When the volume fraction of CaCO3 reaches 67%, the total solar reflectance of PVC/CaCO3 composite films is 80.8%, which is 351.4% higher than that of PVC films. CaCO3 powder has little influence on the thermal emissivity of the atmospheric window (3‐5 μm and 8‐13 μm) of the composite films, which remains at a high level about 0.86. In temperature test, the final temperature of sample 67 v% is only 26.8°C, which is only 2.8°C higher than the room temperature and 22.2°C lower than that of PVC films. For comparison, the cooling performance of PVC/titanium dioxide (TiO2) composite films with 10 v% TiO2 was also measured, and the final temperature is 29.1°C, even 2.3°C higher than that of PVC/CaCO3 composite films with 67 v% CaCO3. In this study, the cost‐effective and solar‐reflective PVC/CaCO3 composites have potential application in cooling material field.
Hazardous wastes treatment technologies
Authors: Yu Yu Han , Su Jenn Fang , Shih Yujen , Wang Jianmin , Wang Po Yen , Huang Chin Pao
Published: August 2020

A review of the literature published in 2019 on topics related to hazardous waste management in water, soils, sediments, and air. The review covered treatment technologies applying physical, chemical, and biological principles for the remediation of contaminated water, soils, sediments, and air.

Practical points

This report provides a review of technologies for the management of waters, wastewaters, air, sediments, and soils contaminated by various hazardous chemicals including inorganic (e.g., oxyanions, salts, and heavy metals), organic (e.g., halogenated, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, pesticides, and persistent organic chemicals) in three scientific areas of physical, chemical, and biological methods.

Physical methods for the management of hazardous wastes including general adsorption, sand filtration, coagulation/flocculation, electrodialysis, electrokinetics, electro‐sorption ( capacitive deionization, CDI), membrane (RO, NF, MF), photocatalysis, photoelectrochemical oxidation, sonochemical, non‐thermal plasma, supercritical fluid, electrochemical oxidation, and electrochemical reduction processes were reviewed.

Chemical methods including ozone‐based, hydrogen peroxide‐based, potassium permanganate processes, and Fenton and Fenton‐like process were reviewed.

Biological methods such as aerobic, anoxic, anaerobic, bioreactors, constructed wetlands, soil bioremediation and biofilter processes for the management of hazardous wastes, in mode of consortium and pure culture were reviewed.

Case histories were reviewed in four areas including contaminated sediments, contaminated soils, mixed industrial solid wastes and radioactive wastes.