bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrostatic dust‐acoustic envelope solitons in an electron‐depleted plasma
Authors: Shikha R.K. , Chowdhury N.A. , Mannan A. , Mamun A.A.
Published: January 2021

A standard nonlinear Schrödinger equation has been established by using the reductive perturbation method to investigate the propagation of electrostatic dust‐acoustic waves, and their modulational instability as well as the formation of localized electrostatic envelope solitons in an electron‐depleted unmagnetized dusty plasma system comprising opposite polarity dust grains and super‐thermal positive ions. The relevant physical plasma parameters (viz., charge, mass, number density of positive and negative dust grains, and super‐thermality of the positive ions, etc.) have rigorous impact to recognize the stability conditions of dust‐acoustic waves. The present study is useful for understanding the mechanism of the formation of dust‐acoustic envelope solitons associated with dust‐acoustic waves in the laboratory and space environments.
Earlier than previously thought: Yawn contagion in preschool children
Authors: Cordoni Giada , Favilli Eleonora , Palagi Elisabetta
Published: January 2021

Yawning is a primitive and stereotyped motor action involving orofacial, laryngeal, pharyngeal, thoracic and abdominal muscles. Contagious yawning, an involuntarily action induced by viewing or listening to others' yawns, has been demonstrated in human and several non‐human species. Previous studies with humans showed that infants and preschool children, socially separated during video experiments, were not infected by others' yawns. Here, we tested the occurrence of yawn contagion in 129 preschool children (ranging from 2.5 to 5.5 years) belonging to five different classes by video recording them in their classrooms during the ordinary school activities. As it occurs in adult humans, children of all ages were infected by others' yawns within the 2 min after the perception of the stimulus. The yawn contagion occurred earlier than previously thought. For children, it appears that the natural social setting is more conducive to yawn contagion than the inherently artificial experimental approach. Moreover, children's gender did not affect the level of contagious yawning. The neural, emotional and behavioural traits of preschool children are probably not sufficiently mature to express variability between boys and girls; nevertheless, children appeared to be already well equipped with the 'neural toolkit' necessary for expressing yawn contagion.
The role of changes in environmental quality in multitrait plastic responses to environmental and social change in the model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Melero‐Jiménez Ignacio J. , Flores‐Moya Antonio , Collins Sinéad
Published: January 2021

Intraspecific variation plays a key role in species' responses to environmental change; however, little is known about the role of changes in environmental quality (the population growth rate an environment supports) on intraspecific trait variation. Here, we hypothesize that intraspecific trait variation will be higher in ameliorated environments than in degraded ones. We first measure the range of multitrait phenotypes over a range of environmental qualities for three strains and two evolutionary histories of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in laboratory conditions. We then explore how environmental quality and trait variation affect the predictability of lineage frequencies when lineage pairs are grown in indirect co‐culture. Our results show that environmental quality has the potential to affect intraspecific variability both in terms of the variation in expressed trait values, and in terms of the genotype composition of rapidly growing populations. We found low phenotypic variability in degraded or same‐quality environments and high phenotypic variability in ameliorated conditions. This variation can affect population composition, as monoculture growth rate is a less reliable predictor of lineage frequencies in ameliorated environments. Our study highlights that understanding whether populations experience environmental change as an increase or a decrease in quality relative to their recent history affects the changes in trait variation during plastic responses, including growth responses to the presence of conspecifics. This points toward a fundamental role for changes in overall environmental quality in driving phenotypic variation within closely related populations, with implications for microevolution.
Disturbance and predation risk influence vigilance synchrony of black‐necked cranes Grus nigricollis, but not as strongly as expected
Authors: Kong Dejun , Møller Anders Pape , Zhang Yanyun
Published: January 2021

Animals monitor surrounding dangers independently or cooperatively (synchronized and coordinated vigilance), with independent and synchronized scanning being prevalent. Coordinated vigilance, including unique sentinel behavior, is rare in nature, since it is time‐consuming and limited in terms of benefits. No evidence showed animals adopt alternative vigilance strategies during antipredation scanning yet. Considering the nonindependent nature of both synchronization and coordination, we assessed whether group members could keep alert synchronously or in a coordinated fashion under different circumstance. We studied how human behavior and species‐specific variables impacted individual and collective vigilance of globally threatened black‐necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) and explored behavior‐based wildlife management. We tested both predation risk (number of juveniles in group) and human disturbance (level and distance) effects on individual and collective antipredation vigilance of black‐necked crane families. Adults spent significantly more time (proportion and duration) on scanning than juveniles, and parents with juveniles behaved more vigilant. Both adults and juveniles increased time allocation and duration on vigilance with observer proximity. Deviation between observed and expected collective vigilance varied with disturbance and predation risk from zero, but not significantly so, indicating that an independent vigilance strategy was adopted by black‐necked crane couples. The birds showed synchronized vigilance in low disturbance areas, with fewer juveniles and far from observers; otherwise, they scanned in coordinated fashion. The collective vigilance, from synchronized to coordinated pattern, varied as a function of observer distance that helped us determine a safe distance of 403.75 m for the most vulnerable family groups with two juveniles. We argue that vigilance could constitute a prime indicator in behavior‐based species conservation, and we suggesting a safe distance of at least 400 m should be considered in future tourist management.
Design methodology of LC‐simulation type filters using OTAs to minimize output noise
Authors: Takagi Shigetaka , Sato Hiroki
Published: January 2021

This paper proposes a design methodology of LC‐simulation type filters using operational transconductance amplifiers in order to minimize filter output noise. Comparison between the proposed method and a conventional one is shown. Simulation results demonstrate validity of the proposed method.
Visible‐Light‐Responsive TiO2/NiFe Mixed Metal Oxide‐Carbon Photocatalytic Fuel Cell with Synchronous Hydrogen Peroxide Production
Authors: Tao Sheng , Wang Fengming , Zhang Junzheng , Shi Jingjing , Guo Wenqing , Lu Jun
Published: January 2021

The photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) synergistically utilizes the photocatalytic oxidation of biomass and the electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell to selectively reduce oxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at room temperature. Herein, we report a PEC system that NiFe‐layered double oxide (LDO)/TiO2 as photoanode, carbon black as cathode for utilizing biomass and oxygen to simultaneously convert solar energy into electricity and produce hydrogen peroxide without applied electric bias. The photoanode catalyst was fabricated with TiO2‐supported NiFe mixed metal oxides (MMO) which obtained by layered double hydroxides (LDHs) pyrolysis. The research results indicate that under solar irradiation, the photocurrent density and faraday efficiency have a significantly improved compared with pure NiO/TiO2. With methanol as the feeding fuel at the photoanode, the optimal device yields an excellent open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current (Jsc) and a maximum power density (Pmax) of 0.78 V, 1093 μA/cm2 and 169 μW/cm2, respectively. This performance improvement is attributed to the Fe3+ doped in NiFe‐MMO and use TiO2 as an electron transport layer. Simultaneously, the hydrogen peroxide concentration reached 0.443 mM after 180 min illumination at the cathode, the generation rate was optimized to 0.126 μmol/min/cm2 at neutral aqueous solution. The PEC system exhibited an excellent higher rate of production for H2O2, and faraday efficiency (FE) reached 31.7 %. This PFC is a green technology for photocatalytically oxidize biomass at the photoanode and convert solar energy into electricity as well as supply it to the cathode to reduce O2 to produce H2O2 efficiently.
Arsenic‐Bridged Silafluorene and Germafluorene as a Novel Class of Mixed‐Heteroatom‐Bridged Heterofluorenes
Authors: Sasaki Hiroshi , Akioka Ippei , Imoto Hiroaki , Naka Kensuke
Published: January 2021

Arsenic‐bridged silafluorene and germafluorene were synthesized as a novel class of mixed‐heteroatom‐bridged heterofluorenes. Their structures, photophysical properties, and electronic natures were studied by experimental and computational means. The doubly‐bridged biphenyl moieties were distorted from the reported singly‐bridged ones. The intersystem crossing from the singlet excitation states to the triplet ones was enhanced by the arsenic‐bridging structures, implying that bridging through an arsenic atom is favorable for phosphorescence.
Gold Nanowires – Assisted Prussian Blue Enhancing Peroxidase – Like Activity for the Non‐enzymatic Electrochemically Sensing H2O2 Released From Living Cells
Authors: Zhang Keying , Zhang Ziqing , Zhou Xiaolong , Zhang Na
Published: January 2021

Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) have peroxidase‐like activity for H2O2. However, PB alone have poor electrochemical performances. Herein, a strategy was proposed by direct in‐situ growth PBNPs onto gold nanowires (AuNWs) surface to obtain the peroxidase‐like activity with about 4.05 times higher than that of PBNPs alone. PBNPs@AuNWs was employed to construct a non ‐ enzymatic electrochemical H2O2 sensor with the detection limit of 5.3×10−9 mol/L (S/N=3). The sensor was successfully used to detect H2O2 in human serum samples or secreted from living HeLa cells. It may be a competitive candidate for H2O2 assaying in biological samples or cellular investigation.
Integrated dielectrophoretic and impedimetric biosensor provides a template for universal biomarker sensing in clinical samples
Authors: Velmanickam Logeeshan , Jayasooriya Vidura , Nawarathna Dharmakeerthi
Published: January 2021

The detection and quantification of nucleic acid and proteomic biomarkers in bodily fluids is a critical part of many medical screening and diagnoses. However, majority of the current detection platforms are not ideal for routine, rapid, and low‐cost testing in point‐of‐care settings. To address this issue, we developed a concept for a disposable universal point‐of‐care biosensor that can detect and quantify nucleic acid and proteomic biomarkers in diluted serum samples. The central tenet of sensing is the use of dielectrophoresis, electrothermal effects, and thermophoresis to selectively and rapidly isolate the biomarkers of interest in electrodes and then quantify using electrical impedance. When the sensor was applied to quantify microRNA and antigen biomarker molecules directly in diluted serum samples, it produced a LOD values in the fM range and sensitivity values from 1012 to 1015 Ω/M with a 30 min assay time and assay cost of less than $50 per assay.
Modeling nonstationary extremes of storm severity: Comparing parametric and semiparametric inference
Authors: Konzen Evandro , Neves Cláudia , Jonathan Philip
Published: January 2021

This article compares the modeling of nonstationary extreme events using parametric models with local parametric and semiparametric approaches also motivated by extreme value theory. Specifically, three estimators are compared based on (a) (local) semiparametric moment estimation, (b) (local) maximum likelihood estimation, and (c) spline‐based maximum likelihood estimation. Inference is performed in a sequential manner, highlighting the synergies between the different approaches to estimating extreme quantiles, including the T‐year level and right endpoint when finite. We present a novel heuristic to estimate nonstationary extreme value threshold with exceedances varying on a circular domain, and hypothesis‐testing procedures for identifying max‐domain of attraction in the nonstationary setting. Bootstrapping is used to estimate nonstationary confidence bounds throughout. We provide step‐by‐step guides for estimation, and explore the different inference strategies in application to directional modeling of hindcast storm peak significant wave heights recorded in the North Sea.
Natural dye‐sensitized solar cells: Case study with tropical organic pigments
Authors: Pereira José Waltrudes Castanheira , Cataldi Marcio , Salcedo Ivanovich Lache
Published: January 2021

In recent years, the increase in evolution of new photovoltaic technologies demonstrates the global importance given to solar energy. New photovoltaic technologies are in the third generation. The article presents a third‐generation technology of solar cells called dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC), enhancing cell efficiency through material improvements. DSSC is a solar technology with minimal environmental impact and low cost in manufacturing. The dyes used in the study were natural dyes of açaí and chlorophyll. For better electrical comprehension of natural dye‐sensitized solar cells, the cells were tested with varying temperature and irradiance. The main objectives were to introduce and improve sensitized solar cells with the combination of a Brazilian dye (açaí) with a global dye (chlorophyll), indicating a potential renewable source to South America.
Adsorption of reduced chromium(VI) ions by vitamin C tablets onto a tellurato‐functionalized cellulose derivative and its composite with Cyanobacteria green algae in aqueous media
Authors: Saad Eman M. , Butler Ian S. , Mostafa Sahar I.
Published: January 2021

The removal of toxic chromium(VI) ions from wastewaters in the environment are of considerable importance throughout the world as these ions are known to cause severe medical problems in living organisms. This article describes a novel reduction process for Cr(VI) ions to the less toxic Cr(III) ions in typical wastewaters by using ecofriendly vitamin C tablets as a source of ascorbic acid, which completely reduces Cr(VI) to Cr(III) ions. The efficient adsorption of reduced Cr(VI) ions onto cellulose functionalized with sodium‐tellurate, Cell‐TeO(OH)4(ONa)/Cell‐Cl {Cell‐Te}, both in the absence and the presence of Cyanobacteria green algae (CBGA), has been accomplished. This green algae has polysaccharide binding groups that enhance the adsorption of heavy metal ions. The uptake of reduced Cr(VI) ions by the two sorbents are dependent on the initial pH, contact time, temperature, presence of foreign ions, sorbent dose, and initial Cr(VI) ion concentration. The maximum uptakes of reduced Cr(VI) ions by {Cell‐Te} and Cell‐TeO(OH)4(ONa)/Cell‐Cl:CBGA; 3:2 w/w {Cell‐Te‐CBGA} are 56.5 and 88.7 mg g−1, respectively. The hydroxyl and amide groups on the surface of the CBGA most probably play a significant role in facilitating the adsorption capacities of the two sorbents toward Cr(VI) ions.
Non‐competitive and competitive adsorption of Zn(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) by a granular Fe‐Mn binary oxide in aqueous solution
Authors: Du Xiaoli , Cui Shenshen , Wang Qian , Han Qiang , Liu Guizhong
Published: January 2021

This work assessed the non‐competitive and competitive adsorption of Zn(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) by a granular Fe‐Mn binary oxide (GFMO). Kinetic data for Zn(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) adsorption followed with the pseudo‐second‐order model. Equilibrium data were well fitted using the Langmuir isotherm model both in single‐metal and in multi‐metal systems. The maximum adsorption capacities were determined to be 0.115, 0.124, and 0.055 mmol/g for Zn(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) in the single‐metal solutions, respectively, while the maximum adsorption capacities were estimated to be 0.088, 0.112, and 0.041 mmol/g in multi‐metal systems. The adsorption of each metal ion was both nonspontaneous and endothermic demonstrated by thermodynamic assessments. The adsorption process was also greatly affected by pH, with the maximum adsorption at pH 6.0 for Cu(II) and 5.0 for Zn(II) and Cd(II). Metal ion adsorption was suppressed as coexisting metal ions competed for adsorption sites on the GFMO surface, suggesting an antagonistic effect. Adsorption data suggested that Cu(II) was preferentially adsorbed by GFMO in the multi‐component solutions. The adsorption of these metals by GFMO evidently proceeded on the basis of hydroxyl replacement, electrostatic attraction, and surface complexation.

Novelty or Significance

A granular Fe‐Mn binary oxide (GFMO) was synthesized in conjunction with polyvinyl alcohol to overcome the nano‐particles dispersion state of Fe‐Mn binary oxides. Because Zn(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) with higher concentration and risk coexisted in road runoff, the performance of GFMO for Cd(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) non‐competitive and competitive adsorption was investigated to identify their engineering application potential when GFMO applies as the filler in some green infrastructures, such as constructed wetlands, bioretentions, and rain gardens.
DBTP2SF: A deep blockchain‐based trustworthy privacy‐preserving secured framework in industrial internet of things systems
Authors: Kumar Randhir , Tripathi Rakesh
Published: January 2021

By providing ubiquitous connectivity, effective data analytics tools, and better decision support systems for improved market competitiveness, the industrial internet of things (IIoT) promises creative business models in different industrial domains. However, the conventional IIoT architecture can no longer provide adequate support for such an enormous device as the number of nodes, and network size increases. Therefore, several challenges, such as security, privacy, centralization, trust, and integrity prevents faster adaptation of IIoT applications. To address aforementioned challenges, we present a deep blockchain‐based trustworthy privacy‐preserving secured framework (DBTP2SF) for IIoT environment. This framework comprises of three modules, namely, trust management module, a two‐level privacy‐preservation module, and an anomaly detection module. In trustworthiness module, blockchain (BC)‐based address reputation system is proposed. In the two‐level privacy module a BC‐based enhanced proof of work technique is simultaneously applied with AutoEncoder, to transform cyber‐physical system data into a new reduced form that prevents inference and poisoning attacks. In the anomaly detection module, deep neural network is deployed. Finally, due to various limitations of current Cloud‐Fog infrastructure, we present a BC‐interplanetary file systems integrated Cloud‐Fog architecture, namely, BlockCloud and BlockFog to deploy proposed DBTP2SF framework in IIoT environment. The experiment is conducted using IIoT‐based realistic dataset, namely, ToN‐IoT. The performance analysis shows that the proposed approach outperforms using transformed dataset over peer privacy‐preserving intrusion detection strategies, and has obtained accuracy of 98.97%, and detection rate of 93.87%. Finally, we have shown the superiority of DBTP2SF framework over some of the recent state‐of‐art techniques in both non‐BC and BC‐based IIoT system.
α‐Synuclein evokes NLRP3 inflammasome‐mediated IL‐1β secretion from primary human microglia
Authors: Pike Adrianne F. , Varanita Tatiana , Herrebout Maaike A. C. , Plug Bonnie C. , Kole Jeroen , Musters René J. P. , Teunissen Charlotte E. , Hoozemans Jeroen J. M. , Bubacco Luigi , Veerhuis Robert
Published: January 2021

Synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease (PD) are hallmarked by α‐synuclein (α‐syn) pathology and neuroinflammation. This neuroinflammation involves activated microglia with increased secretion of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). The main driver of IL‐1β secretion from microglia is the NLRP3 inflammasome. A critical link between microglial NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the progression of both α‐syn pathology and dopaminergic neurodegeneration has been identified in various PD models in vivo. α‐Syn is known to activate the microglial NLRP3 inflammasome in murine models, but its relationship to this inflammasome in human microglia has not been established. In this study, IL‐1β secretion from primary mouse microglia induced by α‐syn fibrils was dependent on NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and caspase‐1 activity, as previously reported. We show that exposure of primary human microglia to α‐syn fibrils also resulted in significant IL‐1β secretion that was dependent on inflammasome assembly and involved the recruitment of caspase‐1 protein to inflammasome scaffolds as visualized with superresolution microscopy. While canonical IL‐1β secretion was clearly dependent on caspase‐1 enzymatic activity, this activity was less clearly involved for α‐syn‐induced IL‐1β secretion from human microglia. This work presents similarities between primary human and mouse microglia in the mechanisms of activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by α‐syn, but also highlights evidence to suggest that there may be a difference in the requirement for caspase‐1 activity in IL‐1β output. The data represent a novel characterization of PD‐related NLRP3 inflammasome activation in primary human microglia and further implicate this mechanism in the pathology underlying PD.
Neural links between facial emotion recognition and cognitive impairment in presbycusis
Authors: Belkhiria Chama , Vergara Rodrigo C. , Martinez Melissa , Delano Paul H. , Delgado Carolina
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Facial emotion recognition (FER) is impaired in people with dementia and with severe to profound hearing loss, probably reflecting common neural changes. Here, we aim to study the association between brain structures and FER impairment in mild to moderate age‐related hearing loss participants.

Methods

We evaluated FER in a cross‐sectional cohort of 111 Chilean nondemented elderly participants. They were assessed for FER in seven different categories using 35 facial stimuli. We collected pure‐tone average (PTA) audiometric thresholds, cognitive and neuropsychiatric assessments, and morphometric brain imaging using a 3‐Tesla MRI.

Results

According to PTA threshold levels, participants were classified as controls (≤25 dB, n = 56) or presbycusis (>25 dB, n = 55), with an average PTA of 17.08 ± 4.8 dB HL and 36.27 ± 9.5 dB HL respectively. Poorer total FER score was correlated with worse hearing thresholds (r = −0.23, p < 0.05) in participants with presbycusis. Multiple regression models explained 57 % of the variability of FER in presbycusis and 10% in controls. In both groups, the main determinant of FER was cognitive performance. In the brain structure of presbycusis participants, FER was correlated with the atrophy of the right insula, right hippocampus, bilateral cingulate cortex and multiple areas of the temporal cortex. In controls, FER was only associated with bilateral middle temporal cortex volume.

Conclusions

FER impairment in presbycusis is distinctively associated with atrophy of neural structures engaged in the perceptual and conceptual level of face emotion processing.
Credit supply, house prices, and financial stability
Authors: Min Feng , Wen Fenghua , Xu Jiayu , Wu Nan
Published: January 2021

We investigate how both traditional bank credit and shadow banking credit affect housing prices and financial stress based on China's monthly data from January 2003 to December 2019. Our results show that: (a) the effects of bank credit shocks and shadow banking credit shocks on housing prices partly offset each other; (b) increasing bank loans in recessions will increase financial instability, while increasing shadow bank credit in recessions will lower financial instability; (c) commercial bank credit plays a more important role in explaining housing price fluctuations, while shadow banking credit plays a more important role in explaining financial stress fluctuations. Our results are robust to a wide battery of checks and have important policy implications.
Antibiotic use during repair of obstetrical anal sphincter injury: a quality improvement initiative
Authors: Cox Caroline K. , Bugosh Meghan D. , Fenner Dee E. , Smith Roger , Swenson Carolyn W.
Published: January 2021

Objective

To evaluate the effects of a quality improvement initiative regarding the administration of antibiotics at the time of obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASIS) repair.

Methods

At University of Michigan—a tertiary care center in Ann Arbor, MI, USA, we implemented a quality improvement intervention aimed at administering a single dose of broad‐spectrum antibiotics at the time of OASIS repair. Best practice recommendations and reminders were presented to the department. Cefazolin plus metronidazole or clindamycin plus gentamycin were the recommended antibiotics. The effects of this intervention were assessed based on a chart review of deliveries between January 4, 2014 and February 13, 2019, which included patient data both pre‐initiative and post‐initiative to compare the prevalence of antibiotic use at the time of OASIS repair.

Results

Recommended antibiotic use increased from 0.3% (1/372) pre‐initiative to 75.7% (106/140) post‐initiative (P < 0.001), and any antibiotic use increased from 6.5% (24/372) to 82.9% (116/140, P < 0.001). The proportion of cases complicated by wound infection/breakdown decreased by 55% after the quality improvement intervention (3.2% pre‐intervention vs 1.4% post‐intervention, P = 0.22).

Conclusion

Following a departmental quality improvement intervention aimed at increasing antibiotic administration at the time of OASIS repair, antibiotic use increased 13‐fold. Although underpowered to detect a significant difference in wound complications, our study showed a clinically meaningful decrease in wound infection/breakdown with antibiotic administration.
Efficacy of Zoledronic Acid in Maintaining Areal and Volumetric Bone Density After Combined Denosumab and Teriparatide Administration: DATA-HD Study Extension
Authors: Ramchand Sabashini K , David Natalie L , Lee Hang , Eastell Richard , Tsai Joy N , Leder Benjamin Z
Published: January 2021

Combined teriparatide and denosumab rapidly and substantially increases bone mineral density (BMD) at all anatomic sites. Discontinuation of denosumab however, results in high-turnover bone loss and increased fracture risk. The optimal way to prevent this bone loss remains undefined. This study is a preplanned extension of the DATA-HD study, where postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were randomized to receive 9 months of either 20 μg or 40 μg of teriparatide daily overlapping with denosumab (60 mg administered at months 3 and 9). At the completion of this 15-month study, women were invited to enroll in the DATA-HD Extension where they received a single dose of zoledronic acid (5 mg) 24 to 35 weeks after the last denosumab dose. Areal BMD and bone turnover markers were measured at month 27 and 42 (12 and 27 months after zoledronic acid, respectively) and spine and hip volumetric bone density by quantitative CT was measured at month 42. Fifty-three women enrolled in the DATA-HD Extension. At the femoral neck and total hip, the mean 5.6% and 5.1% gains in BMD achieved from month 0 to 15 were maintained both 12 and 27 months after zoledronic acid administration. At the spine, the mean 13.6% gain in BMD achieved from month 0 to 15 was maintained for the first 12 months but modestly decreased thereafter, resulting in a 3.0% reduction (95% CI, −4.0% to −2.0%, p < .0001) 27 months after zoledronic acid. The pattern of BMD changes between months 15 and 42 were qualitatively similar in the 20-μg and 40-μg groups. A single dose of zoledronic acid effectively maintains the large and rapid total hip and femoral neck BMD increases achieved with combination teriparatide/denosumab therapy for at least 27 months following the transition. Spine BMD was also largely, though not fully, maintained during this period. These data suggest that the DATA-HD Extension regimen may be an effective strategy in the long-term management of patients at high risk of fragility fracture. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Advanced glycation end products and their adverse effects: The role of autophagy
Authors: Sruthi C. R. , Raghu K. G.
Published: January 2021

The critical roles played by advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) accumulation in diabetes and diabetic complications have gained intense recognition. AGEs interfere with the normal functioning of almost every organ with multiple actions like apoptosis, inflammation, protein dysfunction, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. However, the development of a potential treatment strategy is yet to be established. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved cellular process that maintains cellular homeostasis with the degradation and recycling systems. AGEs can activate autophagy signaling, which could be targeted as a therapeutic strategy against AGEs induced problems. In this review, we have provided an overview of the adverse effects of AGEs, and we put forth the notion that autophagy could be a promising targetable strategy against AGEs.
Serum N‐glycan profiling as a diagnostic biomarker for the identification and assessment of psoriasis
Authors: Zou Chengyun , Huang Chenjun , Yan Li , Li Xin , Xing Meng , Li Bin , Gao Chunfang , Wang Haiying
Published: January 2021

Background

Glycosylation is an important post‐translational modification of protein. The change in glycosylation is involved in the occurrence and development of various diseases, and this study verified that N‐glycan markers might be a diagnostic marker in psoriasis.

Methods

A total of 76 psoriasis patients were recruited. We used Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scores to evaluate the state of psoriasis, 41 of whom were divided into three subgroups: mild, moderate, and severe. At the same time, 76 healthy subjects were enrolled as a control group. We used DNA sequencer–assisted fluorophore‐assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (DSA‐FACE) to analyze serum N‐glycan profiling.

Results

Compared with the healthy controls, the relative abundance of structures in peaks 5(NA2), 9(NA3Fb), 11(NA4), and 12(NA4Fb) was elevated (p < .05), while that in peaks 3(NG1A2F), 4(NG1A2F), 6(NA2F), and 7(NA2FB) was decreased (p < .05) in the psoriasis group. The abundance of peak 5 (NA2) increased gradually with the aggravation of disease severity though there was no statistically significant, was probably correlated with the disease severity. The best area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of the logistic regression model (PglycoA) to diagnose psoriasis was 0.867, with a sensitivity of 72.37%, a specificity of 85.53%, a positive predictive value(PPV) of 83.33%, a negative predictive value(NPV) of 75.58%, and an accuracy of 78.95%.

Conclusions

Our study indicated that the N‐glycan–based diagnostic model would be a new, valuable, and noninvasive alternative for diagnosing psoriasis. Furthermore, the characteristic distinctive N‐glycan marker might be correlated with the severity gradation of the psoriasis disease.
A cross‐cultural examination of pleasant events and depressive symptoms
Authors: Vanderkruik Rachel , Whisman Mark A.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To examine the associations between pleasant or reinforcing activities (as they relate to the behavioral theory of depression) and depressive symptoms across cultures.

Methods

We tested for differences in the strength of association between pleasant events and depressive symptoms in probability samples of adults from the United States (N = 619) and Japan (N = 232).

Results

Results indicate that frequency, enjoyment, and obtained pleasure from pleasant events were significantly and negatively associated with depressive symptoms for both American and Japanese adults, and these associations were significantly greater in magnitude for American adults relative to Japanese adults.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that there is a cross‐sectional association between pleasant events and depressive symptoms in both the United States and Japan, and that this association is stronger in the United States.
Processes and outcomes of a communalization of trauma approach: Vets & Friends community‐based support groups
Authors: Balmer B R. , Sippola John , Beehler Sarah
Published: January 2021

Veterans often experience challenges related to processing traumatic experiences and community reintegration, yet there is a dearth of research on promising community‐driven approaches. This paper describes core processes and outcomes of Vets & Friends (V&F), a community‐based support program that promotes veteran reintegration by healing trauma and moral injury using a communalization of trauma (CoT) approach. We conducted focus groups with 23 V&F group members. A mix of inductive and deductive codes were generated during thematic analysis. Critical themes identified included processes such as sharing narratives, connecting emotionally with experiences, feeling heard and accepted by group members, and listening as others shared their experiences. Outcomes included restoration of trust, connection with group members, building skills to manage trauma, and community acceptance and engagement. V&F shows promise in meeting veteran‐specific needs by employing CoT approaches that offer opportunities to restore community trust and acceptance.
Selective screening for lysosomal storage disorders in a large cohort of minorities of African descent shows high prevalence rates and novel variants
Authors: Limgala Renuka Pudi , Furtak Vyacheslav , Ivanova Margarita M. , Changsila Erk , Wilks Floyd , Fidelia‐Lambert Marie N. , Goker‐Alpan Ozlem , Gondré‐Lewis Marjorie C.
Published: January 2021

Population studies point to regional and ethnicity‐specific differences in genetic predisposition for some lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs). The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of the three treatable forms of lysosomal storage disorders (Gaucher disease [GD], Pompe disease [PD], and Fabry disease [FD]) in a cohort of mostly urban‐dwelling individuals of African ancestry, a previously unknown genetic landscape for LSDs. Large‐scale selective multistep biochemical and genetic screening was performed in patients seeking healthcare for various health concerns. Fluorimetric enzyme assays for GD, PD, and FD were performed on dried blood spots. Targeted gene sequencing was performed on samples that showed significantly lower enzyme activities (<10% of control mean) after two tiers of enzymatic screening. A total of 5287 unique samples representing a cross section of patients who visited Howard University Hospital and College of Medicine from 2015 to 2017 were included in the study. Study samples were obtained from a population where ~90% reported as African‐American, ~5% Hispanic, and <5% Caucasian or other. Regarding GD, three subjects had either homozygous or heterozygous mutations in the GBA gene. As to PD, eight subjects were either homozygous or compound heterozygous for GAA mutations, including three novel mutations: (a) c.472 A > G; p.T158A, (b) c.503G > T; p.R168L, (c) c.1985del. Regarding FD, two subjects had pathogenic GLA mutations, and four had single nucleotide polymorphisms in the 5'UTR, previously implicated in modulating gene expression. The findings highlight a higher incidence of abnormal enzyme levels and pathogenic mutations in the target population reflecting ancestry‐based specific genotype and phenotype variations.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID‐19 in people living with HIV in Belgium: A multicenter, retrospective cohort
Authors: Nasreddine Rakan , Florence Eric , Moutschen Michel , Yombi Jean‐Cyr , Goffard Jean‐Christophe , Derdelinckx Inge , Lacor Patrick , Vandekerckhove Linos , Messiaen Peter , Vandecasteele Stefaan , Delforge Marc , De Wit Stéphane ,   The Belgian Research on AIDS and HIV Consortium (BREACH)
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Belgium. We performed a retrospective multicenter cohort analysis of PLWH with either laboratory‐confirmed, radiologically diagnosed, or clinically suspected COVID‐19 between February 15, 2020 and May 31, 2020. The primary endpoint was outcome of COVID‐19. Secondary endpoints included rate of hospitalization and length of hospital stay and rate of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation. One hundred and one patients were included in this study. Patients were categorized as having either laboratory‐confirmed (n = 65), radiologically‐diagnosed (n = 3), or clinically suspected COVID‐19 (n = 33). The median age was 51.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 41.3–57.3) and 44% were female. Ninety‐four percent of patients were virologically suppressed and 67% had a CD4+ cell count more than or equal to 500 cells/µl. Overall, 46% of patients required hospitalization and the median length of hospital stay was 6 days (IQR 3–15). Age more than or equal to 50 years, Black Sub‐Saharan African patients, and being on an integrase strand transfer inhibitor‐based regimen were associated with being hospitalized. ICU admission and mechanical ventilation was required for 15% and 10% of all patients respectively. Overall, 9% of patients died while 78 (77%) patients made a full recovery. HIV patients with COVID‐19 experienced a high degree of hospitalization despite having elevated CD4+ cell counts and a high rate of virologic suppression. Matched case‐control studies are warranted to measure the impact that HIV may have on patients with COVID‐19.
An updated review of the epidemiological factors associated with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
Authors: Welschmeyer Alexandra , Berke Gerald S.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To identify studies evaluating the epidemiology of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), including patient demographics, human papillomavirus (HPV) immunology, clinical course, surgical and medical treatments, and psychosocial factors.

Methods

A systematic literature search through PubMed was performed to identify studies evaluating the epidemiological factors associated with RRP. All studies were screened through a priori selection criteria using the titles and abstracts.

Results

A total of 208 studies were identified, of which 54 met eligibility criteria and were included in the review.

Conclusions

RRP is a rare disease most commonly caused by HPV 6 and 11. It is characterized by recurring benign papillomatous lesions in the respiratory tract, particularly the larynx. Existing evidence about disease risk factors is limited but includes both maternal HPV infection and patient smoking and sexual behaviors. Disease management involves a combination of routine surgical and medical treatment. Surgical techniques include CO2‐laser, sharp dissection, coblation, microdebridement, and photoangiolytic laser. Medical treatments which have been found to facilitate disease control off‐label include interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α), indole‐3‐carbinol, acyclovir, bevacizumab, retinoids, and the Gardasil and mumps vaccines. Many patients suffer from additional psychosocial challenges related to their diagnosis. Current disease knowledge remains limited, and more robust controlled trials about risk factors, medical therapies, and surgical options are needed.

Level of Evidence

5.
A comparison of statistical and dynamical downscaling methods for short‐term weather forecasts in the US Northeast
Authors: Alessi Marc J. , DeGaetano Arthur T.
Published: January 2021

The Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) was used to produce both 9 and 3 km resolution ensemble forecasts from the deterministic Global Forecast System (GFS) model for microclimatic, agricultural regions in New York State. The forecasts were then statistically post‐processed to generate probabilistic forecasts for surface temperature (T), specific humidity (q), incoming solar radiation (SR) and precipitation (P). T was post‐processed with non‐homogeneous Gaussian regression (NGR), q and SR with truncated NGR, and P with extended logistic regression. A comparison of forecast skill was conducted between these post‐processed forecasts, the raw WRF output, the GFS forecasts and forecasts from the National Weather Service's deterministic National Digital Forecast Database (NDFD). Overall, significant improvement was observed in post‐processed WRF forecasts over all other methods for all locations and variables. Furthermore, raw WRF ensembles were found to outperform deterministic NDFD, so that if observational data are unavailable for post‐processing, dynamically downscaled WRF should be selected over deterministic, human‐altered NDFD forecasts. Finally, the 9 km post‐processed WRF had the same forecast skill as the 3 km post‐processed WRF, except for precipitation, rendering the 3 km WRF unnecessary if observational data are available, saving computational cost.
A 50 Gb/s PAM‐4 VCSEL diode driver in 90 nm CMOS technology
Authors: Jou Jau‐Ji , Shih Tien‐Tsorng , Wu Tsung‐Yen
Published: January 2021

In this article, a broadband vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) diode driver circuit has been implemented in TSMC 90‐nm complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor technology. The laser diode driver (LDD) circuit includes a pre‐amplifier, a post‐amplifier paralleling with a differentiator, and a current steering circuit. The input to the LDD can be two 25 Gb/s nonreturn to zero voltage signals, which can thereby generate a 50 Gb/s four‐level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM‐4) current signal to drive a VCSEL diode. Using the LDD chip on a printed circuit board, clear PAM‐4 eye diagrams corresponding to 25, 40, and 50 Gb/s can be measured to verify the performance of the LDD chip. The VCSEL LDD chip has been applied in the optical transmitter for short‐reach transmissions.
Spotlighting Recent Advances in Liquid‐Crystal Devices for Beam‐Steering Applications
Authors: Yin Kun , He Ziqian , Wu Shin‐Tson
Published: January 2021

With their continuous tunability, wide field of view, and high efficiency, liquid crystal devices are strong candidates for beam‐steering applications. Here, we summarize some recent advances in liquid crystal beam‐steering devices.
Characterizing extracellular diffusion properties using diffusion‐weighted MRS of sucrose injected in mouse brain
Authors: Vincent Mélissa , Gaudin Mylène , Lucas‐Torres Covadonga , Wong Alan , Escartin Carole , Valette Julien
Published: January 2021

Brain water and some critically important energy metabolites, such as lactate or glucose, are present in both intracellular and extracellular spaces (ICS/ECS) at significant levels. This ubiquitous nature makes diffusion MRI/MRS data sometimes difficult to interpret and model. While it is possible to glean information on the diffusion properties in ICS by measuring the diffusion of purely intracellular endogenous metabolites (such as NAA), the absence of endogenous markers specific to ECS hampers similar analyses in this compartment. In past experiments, exogenous probes have therefore been injected into the brain to assess their apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and thus estimate tortuosity in ECS. Here, we use a similar approach in mice by injecting sucrose, a well‐known ECS marker, in either the lateral ventricles or directly in the prefrontal cortex. For the first time, we propose a thorough characterization of ECS diffusion properties encompassing (1) short‐range restriction by looking at signal attenuation at high b values, (2) tortuosity and long‐range restriction by measuring ADC time‐dependence at long diffusion times and (3) microscopic anisotropy by performing double diffusion encoding (DDE) measurements. Overall, sucrose diffusion behavior is strikingly different from that of intracellular metabolites. Acquisitions at high b values not only reveal faster sucrose diffusion but also some sensitivity to restriction, suggesting that the diffusion in ECS is not fully Gaussian at high b. The time evolution of the ADC at long diffusion times shows that the tortuosity regime is not reached yet in the case of sucrose, while DDE experiments suggest that it is not trapped in elongated structures. No major difference in sucrose diffusion properties is reported between the two investigated routes of injection and brain regions. These original experimental insights should be useful to better interpret and model the diffusion signal of molecules that are distributed between ICS and ECS compartments.
Conductivity and Redox Potentials of Ionic Liquid Trihalogen Monoanions [X3]−, [XY2]−, and [BrF4]− (X=Cl, Br, I and Y=Cl, Br)
Authors: Gully Tyler A. , Voßnacker Patrick , Schmid Jonas R. , Beckers Helmut , Riedel Sebastian
Published: January 2021

The ionic liquid (IL) trihalogen monoanions [N2221][X3]− and [N2221][XY2]− ([N2221]+=triethylmethylammonium, X=Cl, Br, I, Y=Cl, Br) were investigated electrochemically via temperature dependent conductance and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. The polyhalogen monoanions were measured both as neat salts and as double salts in 1‐butyl‐1‐methyl‐pyrrolidinium trifluoromethane‐sulfonate ([BMP][OTf], [X3]−/[XY2]− 0.5 M). Lighter IL trihalogen monoanions displayed higher conductivities than their heavier homologues, with [Cl3]− being 1.1 and 3.7 times greater than [Br3]− and [I3]−, respectively. The addition of [BMP][OTf] reduced the conductivity significantly. Within the group of polyhalogen monoanions, the oxidation potential develops in the series [Cl3]−>[BrCl2]−>[Br3]−>[IBr2]−>[ICl2]−>[I3]−. The redox potential of the interhalogen monoanions was found to be primarily determined by the central halogen, I in [ICl2]− and [IBr2]−, and Br in [BrCl2]−. Additionally, tetrafluorobromate(III) ([N2221]+[BrF4]−) was analyzed via CV in MeCN at 0 °C, yielding a single reversible redox process ([BrF2]−/[BrF4]−).