bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Top Dressing of Fertilizers: A Way Forward for Boosting Productivity and Economic Viability of Grasslands
Authors: Tesfaye Atumo Tessema , Fanta Heliso Milkias , Kassa Hibebo Derebe , Zeleke Tunkala Bereket , Mekasha Yoseph
Published: August 2021

Grasslands in the Ethiopian highlands have been degrading with grazing loads. Fertilizers like nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur improves the soil fertility and species composition of the grazing lands. This study justifies, evaluation of top dressing nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers on biomass yield of grass lands for market-oriented livestock production studied at Chosha kebele, Southern Ethiopia in 2017. Three fertilizer levels ((T1), 150 kg ha−1 urea (T2) and combination of 110 kg ha−1 urea and 100 kg ha−1 NPS (T3)) were laid out in randomized complete block design with 6 replications in summer and winter cropping seasons. Dry matter yield was significantly (P<0.001) different among treatments and higher results were obtained for combination of urea and NPS, followed by urea and the control one. Higher grasses species composition between application of combination of urea and NPS than urea alone. Net revenue is higher in nitrogen alone application than nitrogen and phosphorus. Therefore, better marginal rate of return (MRR=828%) recorded in Urea application for grazing land improvement in Gamo highland areas. It is recommendable to apply 150 kg/ha urea fertilizer to bring optimum yield of grazing land in Southern Ethiopian Highlands.
Laser-Assisted Liposuction in Face and Body Contouring
Authors: Žgaljardić Zoran , Žgaljardić Ivonne
Published: August 2021

Laser liposuction was developed as minimally invasive liposuction technique where energy breaks adipocytes (comparing with traditional liposuction where disruption is manual). After its implementation in the early 1990s, various academic reports were published that showed superiority of the laser assisted liposuction over standard tumescent technique. After tissue damage with photo-optical thermal energy, histological changes result in adipocyte disruption, blood vessel coagulation and neocollagenesis. The clinical manifestation of the latter is significant skin tightening and faster and more comfortable recovery. The diameter of the laser fiber is very small. Therefore, it is possible to reach adipose tissue entrapped in fibrotic areas and also superficially under the skin. The lysis of the given adipose tissue enables the subsequent suction with microcannulas. That explains the widespread use of the laser-assisted liposuction in the face and neck. Due to the significant skin tightening, the procedure can be done solely for rejuvenation purposes and is called endolight lifting. The possibility to reach fat in the fibrotic areas makes laser-assisted lipolysis/liposuction ideal procedure for contouring irregularities from previous body contouring procedures.
A Contemporary Approach to Learning Transfer from the Perspective of Constructivist Theory: Marathon Running as a Leadership Development Strategy for Millennial Leaders
Authors: Bilginoğlu Elif
Published: August 2021

This paper includes a literature review of the research on marathon running as a leadership development strategy especially for the millennial leaders while they have a postmodern worldview, searching authentic and innovative solutions and supporting divergent thinking. Furthermore, it points out the importance of learning transfer from the perspective of constructivist theory. In this respect, first, constructivist learning theory and learning transfer are explained. In the next two sections, leadership development for the millennial generation and how marathon running is handled as a leadership development strategy in the literature are determined. At the end of the paper, practical implications for leaders and organizations are suggested.
IPMC Based Flexible Platform: A Boon to the Alternative Energy Solution
Authors: Mondal Monojit , Datta Arkaprava , Kanti Bhattacharyya Tarun
Published: August 2021

The ameliorating urge for energy in consonance with the descending environment and attenuation of natural resources leads to the development of alternate energy storage. Realistically, flexible, portable, and lightweight energy storage devices have immense popularity for accessible transportation. In this context, this chapter analyses a possible solution to the problems described aforesaid on IPMC (Ionic Polymer Metal Composite) membranes. Also, this chapter includes porosity induced electrolyte polymer membrane by MCP of Nafion enhances electrical harvesting attribution. The novel and transportable ocean kinetic energy converting platform by IPMC membrane was fabricated and applied for energy conversion. The etching and surface sanding advances the surface area of IPMC to escalate the gas generation rate as an electrolyser. The functionalised infiltrated Nafion nanocomposite membranes are fabricated and analysed for DMFC performance and methanol permeability. Perfluorosulfonic acid polymer electrolyte membranes gained more attention in the former epoch for vast applications in energy, chloro-alkali electrolytes, OER, and polymer electrolyte fuel cells. The direct methanol fuel cell is an excellent alternative to PEFC for managing liquid fuel and higher energy density at low operational temperatures. Nevertheless, polymer electrolyte membranes and direct methanol fuel cells are potential contenders for circulated power and transferable power applications; the substantial technical, scientific, and economic difficulties must be elucidated beforehand commercialisation.
Genetic DNA Identification from Bone Remains in Kinship Analysis Using Automate Extraction System
Authors: Dumache Raluca , Cut Talida , Muresan Camelia , Ciocan Veronica , Stan Emanuela , Novacescu Dorin , Enache Alexandra
Published: August 2021

The first ever human identification through DNA analysis was done in the year 1987. Since then, this test has been used, not only in the ruling of civil and juridical cases, but also for human identification of missing persons and mass disaster victims. In this chapter we will present the usefulness of genetic DNA testing of skeletonized remains for human identification, by using automate DNA extraction from three different human bone types: tooth, femur and petrous pyramid. For each case, we obtained saliva samples on buccal swabs from relatives. After the bones were washed and cleaned, Bead Balls Mill Mix 20 (Tehtnica Domel, Slovenia), was used to obtain the bone powder. The DNA extraction from bone samples was performed on the automate Maxwell RSC 48 Instrument (Promega, USA), using the Maxwell FSC DNA IQ Casework Kit (Promega, USA). Power Quant System (Promega, USA) was used for DNA quantification of the samples. The DNA samples were amplified on a Pro Flex PCR System (Thermo Fischer, USA), using the Global Filer PCR Amplification Kit (Applied Biosystems, USA). PCR products were run on a 3500 Genetic Analyzer (Thermo Fischer, USA). Data analysis was performed by Gene Mapper 1.4. Considering that these cases involved DNA extraction from teeth, bones and old human remains, automate system was felt to be the best option to reduce handling errors and increase the possibilities of obtaining good quality DNA.
O vestido vermelho: consumo, cultura material e comunicação intersensorial na feira do Guamá, Belém-Pará
Authors: De Castro Marina Ramos Neves
Published: August 2021

Este trabalho se propõe a interpretar os processos de sociação em um grupo de feirantes na feira do Guamá, em Belém-PA. Partimos da compreensão de que as práticas de consumo conformam processos de sociação (SIMMEL, 2006), processos estes que se reverberam através da comunicação intersensorial ali estabelecida. Com apoio de Miller (2007, 2008), discute-se como o consumo e a cultura material contribuem para a construção de intersubjetividades (CASTRO, F., 2017) e de processos de comunicação intersensorial (CASTRO, M., 2020), e como estes corroboram para a produção e/ou incremento de reciprocidades (MAUSS, 1974). Observamos que as relações recíprocas que estabelecemos, e através das quais nos comunicamos, estão permeadas pela intersensorialidade, ou seja, pela comunicação através da qual os sentidos do corpo, providos de cultura, são agentes fundamentais para a realização da intersensorialidade. Reflete-se sobre como as coisas destacam-se como elementos de partilha e de reciprocidade entre aqueles que participam desses processos de sociação.
Evaluating the Knowledge, Attitude, and Performance of Students from the Ilam University of Medical Sciences Regarding the Use of Stimulants
Authors: Shohani Masoumeh , Chegeni Maryam , Nasrollahi Abbas , Abedi Gheshlaghi Leili
Published: August 2021

Background: University students' attitude and desire to use stimulants and hallucinogens are mainly aroused as a result of their ignorance or lack of knowledge. Objectives: The present study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and performance of medical students in Ilam regarding the use of stimulants. Methods: This cross-sectional study encompassed 451 students from the Ilam University of Medical Sciences in 2019. The demographic information questionnaire, Addiction Susceptibility Questionnaire (ASQ), and Questionnaire of Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior were used to collect the required data. Moreover, there were reports of mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables and frequency and percentage for qualitative variables. Chi-square, ANOVA, and independent-samples t-tests were used to examine the relationship among the research variables. Results: A majority of students were undergraduates (> 60%), and about 33% of the participants were medical students. About 8% of the participants reported the lifetime use of stimulants. Moreover, 40% of students had insufficient knowledge, and the participants’ mean score of attitude was 16. There was a significant relationship between students' knowledge with their age, marital status, faculty, and level of education. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the participants’ performance with age, level of education, and faculty. A significant relationship was also detected between the students’ attitude with their faculty and level of education. Conclusions: The medical students’ knowledge level was not satisfactory. Accordingly, training sessions and counseling programs are recommended to increase their knowledge and improve their attitudes.
Pulmonary rehabilitation for COVID-19: A living systematic review protocol
Authors: Arce Pardo Stefanie , Lai Shuheng , Ortiz-Muñoz Luis , Verdugo-Paiva Francisca , Rada Gabriel
Published: August 2021

Objective This living systematic review aims to provide a timely, rigorous and continuously updated summary of the evidence available on the role of pulmonary rehabilitation in the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Design This is the protocol of a living systematic review. Data sources We will conduct searches in the L·OVE (Living OVerview of Evidence) platform for COVID-19, a system that maps PICO questions to a repository maintained through regular searches in electronic databases, preprint servers, trial registries and other resources relevant to COVID-19. No date or language restrictions will be applied. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies and methods We adapted an already published common protocol for multiple parallel systematic reviews to the specificities of this question. We will include randomized trials evaluating the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation as monotherapy or in combination with other interventions-versus sham or no treatment in patients with COVID-19. Two reviewers will independently screen each study for eligibility, extract data, and assess the risk of bias. We will pool the results using meta-analysis and will apply the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome. Ethics and dissemination No ethics approval is considered necessary. The results of this review will be widely disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, social networks and traditional media.
On the less obvious manifestations of the poetic function: a translator’s view
Authors: Kolker Yakov M. , Ustinova Elena S.
Published: August 2021

The paper examines the interaction of the poetic function with the emotive and expressive functions in belles-lettres texts. The authors attempt to prove that the poetic function should not be equated with the aesthetic one. The former overlaps all the above-mentioned func­tions, but alone bears the responsibility for the form-content fusion. The paper focuses on the less evident mechanisms of the poetic function, beyond the obvious effect of tropes and figures of speech. Not unlike meiosis, its allegedly weaker ‘voice’ is capable of producing a much strong­er effect, which can be discerned in rhythm and punctuation, in the absence of rhyme to in­duce an implicit rhymed word, in “elaborately monotonous” language, in textual opposi­tion of synonyms, in expressly neutral and unemotional final phrases to evoke a train of emo­tive or intellectual reactions. The authors also suggest a functional approach to the notion of “poetic device”, which gives the translator more freedom in selecting expressive means with­out dis­torting the conceptual sphere of the original. An inter-semiotic view of literary devices bor­rowed from cinematic art proves the inimitability of the effect of the same device within the total conceptual structure of each text. Some of the propositions suggested are il­lustrated by excerpts of poetic translation done by the authors of the paper.
Gender Differences in Nutritional Status of Children in Tea Gardens of Darjeeling: Based on Conventional Indices and Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure
Authors: Subba Dipika
Published: August 2021

Objectives: The study aims to assess the nutritional status of children aged 1-5 years and its relationship with gender. Further, it also tries to assess the nutritional status of children using conventional indices and the composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) and suggests the appropriate method to estimate undernutrition among children.

Materials and Methods: The area selected for the study is the tea gardens of Darjeeling. The study is based on the primary survey, and a total of 400 children were included in the study. A Chi-square test is conducted to find out the differences in the nutritional status of children gender-wise.

Results: The analysis indicated that the level of undernutrition in tea gardens of Darjeeling is very high (51%). The level of undernutrition estimated through conventional indices indicated that the level of stunting, wasting, and underweight are 43.8%, 20.2%, and 36.2%, respectively, whereas the composite index of anthropometric failure estimated more prevalence rate (51.2%). The analysis indicates that the conventional indices underestimate the prevalence of undernutrition. On the contrary, a composite index of anthropometric failure (CIAF) gives better estimates of undernutrition. Both the indices of nutrition in the study area indicated higher undernutrition among girl children than a boy. However, no significant differences in the nutritional status gender-wise exist.

Conclusion: The result depicts the positive sign as it contradicts the general belief that a boy child is more nourished than a girl. However, half of the children in tea gardens of Darjeeling aged 1-5 years, irrespective of gender, are undernourished. The paper highlights the urgent need to work out nutritional strategies to improve child health in the study area.
Superior sagittal sinus dural arteriovenous fistula caused by treatment of meningioma masquerades as sinus thrombosis
Authors: Gigliotti Michael J. , Patel Neel , Simon Scott
Published: August 2021

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) are rare acquired lesions resulting from abnormal shunting between intracranial dural arteries and venous system. Typically arising from structural weakness of the dura and a coinciding trigger factor, DAVFs can present with similar clinical and imaging characteristics to sinus thrombosis. A 61-year-old male with a history of meningioma previously managed with subtotal resection and stereotactic radiosurgery presented with progressive right-sided vision loss and bilateral papilledema. Initial imaging suggested possible sinus occlusion. Catheter angiogram revealed a Borden-Shucart grade III DAVF of the superior sagittal sinus and elevated venous pressures and the patient subsequently underwent endovascular transarterial intervention twice. We report on the first case of a superior sagittal sinus DAVF occurring after surgical resection of a parasagittal meningioma.
Spatiotemporal signal processing and device stability based on bi-layer biomimetic memristor
Authors: Zhu Wei , Liu Lan , Wen Chang-Bao , Li Jie ,   School of Electronics and Control Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Published: August 2021

The neural network under the current computer architecture is difficult to process complex data efficiently, thus becoming one of the bottlenecks restricting the development of artificial intelligence technology. The human brain has the characteristics of high efficiency, low power consumption and integration of memory and computing, and is regarded as a most potential computing system to break the traditional von Neumann computing system. Synaptic biomimetic device is to realize the neural mimicry of human brain from the hardware level. It can simulate the information processing mode of brain nerve, that is, the process of “memory” and “calculation” can be realized on the same device, which is of great significance in building a new computing system. In recent years, the fabrication of memristor materials for bio-mimetic synaptic devices has made progress, but most of them focus on the simulation of synaptic function. The key research of pulse signal perception and information transmission is relatively lacking. In this paper, an bi-layer memristor with structure Al/nc-Al AlN/A2O3/Ag is fabricated by rf sputtering method to realize the basic functions of bionic synaptic devices. It is found that this bio-mimetic memristor exhibits bipolar switching property which is the basic condition to produce memristor based neural synapse. Both of PPF and PPD process can be observed and there will be no firing signal observed if the pulse interval is as large as 350 ms. The change of device conductance should be related to pulse voltage, frequency and pulse number applied. The larger pulse voltage, frequency and number will cause device conductance to increase sharply in both positive and negative pulse voltage region. The STDP measurement is executed with different sequence pulses from post and previous neuron separately. If the pulse of previous synapse comes in front of pulse from post synapse, the conductance will increase, which is so-called LTP process. If the pulse of previous neuron comes behind of pulse from post neuron, the conductance will be reduced as well. Triplet STDP measurement is executed with at least three pulses from previous and post neuron at the meanwhile. It is concluded that if the interval time of the first two pulses is fixed, the device conductance more depends on the value of the second and third pulse interval. Ebbinghaus forgetting curve can be used to explain the reason why the device conductance declines with time going by. The stability study of this memristor includes endurance and retention properties at both room and high temperature. It is found this biomimetic memristor can maintain its conductance for over 115.7 days at 85 ℃, which is long enough for current neural network design.
HBO1-MLL interaction promotes AF4/ENL/P-TEFb-mediated leukemogenesis
Authors: Takahashi Satoshi , Kanai Akinori , Okuda Hiroshi , Miyamoto Ryo , Komata Yosuke , Kawamura Takeshi , Matsui Hirotaka , Inaba Toshiya , Takaori-Kondo Akifumi , Yokoyama Akihiko
Published: August 2021

Leukemic oncoproteins cause uncontrolled self-renewal of hematopoietic progenitors by aberrant gene activation, eventually causing leukemia. However, the molecular mechanism underlying aberrant gene activation remains elusive. Here, we showed that leukemic MLL fusion proteins associate with the HBO1 histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complex through their trithorax homology domain 2 (THD2) in various human cell lines. MLL proteins associated with the HBO1 complex through multiple contacts mediated mainly by the ING4/5 and PHF16 subunits in a chromatin-bound context where histone H3 lysine 4 tri-methylation marks were present. Of the many MLL fusions, MLL-ELL particularly depended on the THD2-mediated association with the HBO1 complex for leukemic transformation. The C-terminal portion of ELL provided a binding platform for multiple factors including AF4, EAF1, and p53. MLL-ELL activated gene expression in murine hematopoietic progenitors by loading an AF4/ENL/P-TEFb (AEP) complex onto the target promoters wherein the HBO1 complex promoted the association with AEP complex over EAF1 and p53. Moreover, the NUP98-HBO1 fusion protein exerted its oncogenic properties via interaction with MLL but not its intrinsic HAT activity. Thus, the interaction between the HBO1 complex and MLL is an important nexus in leukemic transformation, which may serve as a therapeutic target for drug development.
A review of swarm intelligence algorithms deployment for scheduling and optimization in cloud computing environments
Authors: Qawqzeh Yousef , Alharbi Mafawez T. , Jaradat Ayman , Abdul Sattar Khalid Nazim
Published: August 2021

Background

This review focuses on reviewing the recent publications of swarm intelligence algorithms (particle swarm optimization (PSO), ant colony optimization (ACO), artificial bee colony (ABC), and the firefly algorithm (FA)) in scheduling and optimization problems. Swarm intelligence (SI) can be described as the intelligent behavior of natural living animals, fishes, and insects. In fact, it is based on agent groups or populations in which they have a reliable connection among them and with their environment. Inside such a group or population, each agent (member) performs according to certain rules that make it capable of maximizing the overall utility of that certain group or population. It can be described as a collective intelligence among self-organized members in certain group or population. In fact, biology inspired many researchers to mimic the behavior of certain natural swarms (birds, animals, or insects) to solve some computational problems effectively.

Methodology

SI techniques were utilized in cloud computing environment seeking optimum scheduling strategies. Hence, the most recent publications (2015–2021) that belongs to SI algorithms are reviewed and summarized.

Results

It is clear that the number of algorithms for cloud computing optimization is increasing rapidly. The number of PSO, ACO, ABC, and FA related journal papers has been visibility increased. However, it is noticeably that many recently emerging algorithms were emerged based on the amendment on the original SI algorithms especially the PSO algorithm.

Conclusions

The major intention of this work is to motivate interested researchers to develop and innovate new SI-based solutions that can handle complex and multi-objective computational problems.
Distribution and diversity of myxomycetes in Tiantangzhai National Forest Park, China
Authors: Li Min , Wang Gaowei , Gao Yang , Dou Mingzhu , Wang Ziqi , Yan Shuzhen , Chen Shuanglin
Published: August 2021

Although myxomycetes are ubiquitous in terrestrial ecosystems, studies on their distribution and diversity in subtropical humid forests are still lacking. Field collections and moist chamber cultures were conducted from May to October within a two-year period in the Tiantangzhai National Forest Park of China. A total of 1,492 records representing 73 species belonging to 26 genera were obtained, of which 243 records/37 species were from field collections, and 1,249 records/52 species were from moist chamber cultures. Among the specimens obtained by culturing, 896 records/38 species and 353 records/37 species were obtained from living bark and ground litter, respectively. ANOVA showed that the sampling months had significant impacts on collection of myxomycetes from field and those that inhabit litter. An LEfSe analysis indicated that Arcyria was significantly abundant in August, while Stemonitis and Physarum were more abundant in July when collected from field. An RDA analysis showed that temperature was the main factor that affected the litter-inhabiting myxomycetes. The ANOVA indicated that forest type was the significant factor for bark-inhabiting myxomycetes. Diderma effusum was primarily obtained from mixed forests, while Clastoderma debaryanum and Colloderma oculatum were more common in coniferous forests. The RDA analysis indicated that the vegetation, pH, water retention, and elevation were the primary factors that affected the bark-inhabiting myxomycetes.
Prognostic impact of a lymphocyte activation-associated gene signature in GBM based on transcriptome analysis
Authors: Lan Yujia , Zhao Erjie , Zhang Xinxin , Zhu Xiaojing , Wan Linyun , A Suru , Ping Yanyan , Wang Yihan
Published: August 2021

Background

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly, malignant tumor of the primary central nervous system. Patients diagnosed with this type of tumor have a poor prognosis. Lymphocyte activation plays important roles in the development of cancers and its therapeutic treatments.

Objective

We sought to identify an efficient lymphocyte activation-associated gene signature that could predict the progression and prognosis of GBM.

Methods

We used univariate Cox proportional hazards regression and stepwise regression algorithm to develop a lymphocyte activation-associated gene signature in the training dataset (TCGA, n = 525). Then, the signature was validated in two datasets, including GSE16011 (n = 150) and GSE13041 (n = 191) using the Kaplan Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to adjust for clinicopathological factors.

Results

We identified a lymphocyte activation-associated gene signature (TCF3, IGFBP2, TYRO3 and NOD2) in the training dataset and classified the patients into high-risk and low-risk groups with significant differences in overall survival (median survival 15.33 months vs 12.57 months, HR = 1.55, 95% CI [1.28–1.87], log-rank test P < 0.001). This signature showed similar prognostic values in the other two datasets. Further, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models analysis indicated that the signature was an independent prognostic factor for GBM patients. Moreover, we determined that there were differences in lymphocyte activity between the high- and low-risk groups of GBM patients among all datasets. Furthermore, the lymphocyte activation-associated gene signature could significantly predict the survival of patients with certain features, including IDH-wildtype patients and patients undergoing radiotherapy. In addition, the signature may also improve the prognostic power of age.

Conclusions

In summary, our results suggested that the lymphocyte activation-associated gene signature is a promising factor for the survival of patients, which is helpful for the prognosis of GBM patients.
Segmented Swing‐Structured Fur‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Harvesting Blue Energy toward Marine Environmental Applications
Authors: Pang Hao , Feng Yawei , An Jie , Chen Pengfei , Han Jiajia , Jiang Tao , Wang Zhong Lin
Published: August 2021

Reducing carbon emissions to realize carbon neutrality is crucial to the environmental protection, and developing clean and renewable energy sources is an effective means to achieve this goal. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) provide a promising energy technology for converting the abundant renewable ocean wave energy on the earth surface. In this work, a segmented swing‐structured fur‐based TENG (SSF‐TENG) is designed and fabricated to harvest low frequency water wave energy. The introduction of soft and dense rabbit furs reduces the frictional resistance and material wear, and the design and optimization of segmented structures further enhance the output performance of TENG. The use of ultra‐lubricated bearings makes the SSF‐TENG achieve an extended period of energy harvesting of more than 5 min after one triggering, with a total energy conversion efficiency of up to 23.6%. Under the real water wave triggering, the SSF‐TENG can deliver a maximum peak power of 6.2 mW and an average power of 0.74 mW. Furthermore, through effective water wave energy harvesting by the SSF‐TENG or array, self‐powered marine environmental applications are successfully demonstrated, which establishes a solid foundation for large‐scale blue energy harvesting and realization of smart oceans.
Silicon Anodes with Improved Calendar Life Enabled By Multivalent Additives
Authors: Zhang Yunya , Li Xiang , Sivonxay Eric , Wen Jianguo , Persson Kristin A. , Vaughey John T. , Key Baris , Dogan Fulya
Published: August 2021

Silicon is widely recognized as the most promising upgrade for graphite anodes due to its much higher capacity, natural abundance, and ability to be directly applied in the slurry‐based, roll‐to‐roll production lines. However, in addition to the fast capacity decay, silicon anodes also suffer from inferior calendar life in practical applications due to the unstable solid‐electrode interface (SEI). Until now, strategies to effectively improve the calendar life by tailored SEIs remain largely unclear, especially in high‐Si content, zero‐graphite anodes. Here, silicon anodes with superior calendar life are developed by adding small concentrations of multivalent salts into the baseline electrolyte. The Ca additive reacts with the F ions in the electrolyte, forming a layer of nanocrystalline CaF2 that is closely coated around the silicon particles. The CaF2‐enabled new SEI is strong and dense, which effectively protects the silicon core from side reactions, leading to lower capacity decay after calendar aging at high voltage. More importantly, the Ca additive is effective universally for all available commercial silicon or SiO sources. This study provides a feasible and low‐cost solution for developing silicon anodes with long calendar life, paving the way towards commercially viable silicon anodes.
Filler‐size‐dependent dynamic mechanical properties of polyethylene glycol/zircon composites
Authors: Fauziyah Nur Aini , Nurmalasari Muthia Diah , Hilmi Allif Rosyidy , Triwikantoro Triwikantoro , Baqiya Malik Anjelh , Zainuri Mochamad , Pratapa Suminar
Published: August 2021

The thermomechanical properties of polyethylene glycol (PEG) composites filled with various zircon sizes were studied. The zircon powders were derived from natural (well‐known as puya) sand collected from Kereng Pangi, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The effects of the zircon size and content were examined to understand the thermomechanical properties of the composites using dynamic mechanical analysis in shear mode. Pure zircon powders with micron to nanometer sizes were prepared. The microzircon powders were prepared by heating zircon at 500, 1000, and 1200°C. Moreover, the nanozircon powders were prepared by a wet milling method with milling times of 5, 10, and 15 hours. Furthermore, the composites were prepared by a wet mixing method. According to elemental analysis of scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X‐Ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) data, it was found that the various zircon sizes caused different distribution effects, that is, in general, the smaller the size was, the better the distribution. Filler size variation also affected the thermomechanical properties of the composites. The addition of microzircon heated at 1200°C had the lowest storage moduli (G'), that is, 154.90 MPa and 155.55 MPa for 5 wt.% and 10 wt.%, respectively. Moreover, the maximum value of G' was obtained for the composite with the addition of nanozircon milled for 10 h (Z10h), that is, 679.27 MPa and 706.37 MPa for 5 and 10 wt.%, respectively. The addition of nanozircon slightly reduced room‐temperature G', presumably due to the agglomerated filler, as confirmed by the SEM/EDX data. Moreover, a decrease in zircon size caused an increase in the melting temperature (Tm) of the matrix. In contrast, 15 h of milling had a minor effect on Tm and G', whereas the loss modulus (G") decreased with the addition of nanozircon. The effects of filler size on the thermomechanical properties of PEG/zircon composites are discussed in detail.
Human body donation: How informed are the donors?
Authors: Zealley Jeffrey A. , Howard Dana , Thiele Courtney , Balta Joy Y.
Published: August 2021

Deceased human bodies are donated for education and research. Informed consent has become the standard for research on the living. A question could be asked on how informed are the donors and their families about the process before this generous gift is given. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the published donation forms used by body donation programs in the United States and assess them according to the guidelines published by the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. The findings of this study shows that the level of information given to donors and families, before consenting to whole body donation, varies greatly throughout the United States. Many of the forms fail to include the recommendations made by professional societies. Additional information needs to be added to whole body donation forms to better inform donors and families about the donation process, what happens to the body, and the final disposition of the bodies once studies are completed. Overall, it was concluded that in some cases consent is being obtained but much more needs to be done before institutions can claim to obtain informed consent.
Late metastatic presentation is associated with improved survival and delayed wide‐spread progression after ablative stereotactic body radiotherapy for oligometastasis
Authors: Chen Xuguang , Chen Hanbo , Poon Ian , Erler Darby , Badellino Serena , Biswas Tithi , Dagan Roi , Foote Matthew , Louie Alexander V. , Ricardi Umberto , Sahgal Arjun , Redmond Kristin J.
Published: August 2021

Background

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is increasingly used to treat oligometastatic disease (OMD), but the effect of metastasis timing on patient outcomes remains uncertain.

Methods

An international database of patients with OMD treated with SBRT was assembled with rigorous quality assurance. Early versus late metastases were defined as those diagnosed ≤24 versus >24 months from the primary tumor. Overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and incidences of wide‐spread progression (WSP) were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models stratified by primary tumor types.

Results

The database consists of 1033 patients with median follow‐up of 24.1 months (0.3–104.7). Late metastatic presentation (N = 427) was associated with improved OS compared to early metastasis (median survival 53.6 vs. 33.0 months, hazard ratio [HR] 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.47–0.72, p < 0.0001). Patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, N = 255, HR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.33–0.74, p = 0.0005) and colorectal cancer (N = 235, HR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.30–0.84, p = 0.008) had better OS if presenting with late metastasis. Late metastasis correlated with longer PFS (median 17.1 vs. 9.0 months, HR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61–0.83, p < 0.0001) and lower 2‐year incidence of WSP (26.1% vs. 43.6%, HR 0.60, 95% CI: 0.49–0.74, p < 0.0001). Fewer WSP were observed in patients with NSCLC (HR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.33–0.83, p = 0.006) and kidney cancer (N = 63, HR 0.37, 95% CI: 0.14–0.97, p = 0.044) with late metastases. Across cancer types, greater SBRT target size was a significant predictor for worse OS.

Conclusion

Late metastatic presentation is associated with improved survival and delayed progression in patients with OMD treated with SBRT.
Psoriatic transversal nail grooves on biologics
Authors: Yamanaka Keiichi , Kondo Makoto
Published: August 2021

We noticed transverse grooves on the nails of a psoriasis vulgaris patient being treated with ixekizumab. The indentation might have appeared during the period when the effective concentration of ixekizumab was low and psoriasis activity in the nail matrix had increased shortly before the monthly dose.
Indolent renal involvement with BRAFV600E mutation: Erdheim‐Chester, a rare disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations
Authors: Vanhomwegen Charlotte , Mestrez Fabienne , Faverly Daniel , Holz Serge , Taylor Stephen , Rossi Camelia
Published: August 2021

We present the case of a patient with three‐year indolent bilateral ureteral and perirenal masses. Clinical presentation, radiological context, and histopathological findings with detection of BRAFV600E mutation confirmed the diagnosis of Erdheim‐Chester disease (ECD). A review of current knowledge regarding diagnosis, clinical assessment, management, and treatment of ECD is also presented.
Immune thrombocytopenia in a 68‐year‐old woman after COVID‐19 vaccination
Authors: Kenney Ashley , Adhikari Anju
Published: August 2021

This case discusses a patient who presented with immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) one week after COVID‐19 vaccination, introducing ITP as a consideration for a potential, but rare, adverse reaction to COVID‐19 vaccination.
Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease with neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Authors: Čiauškaitė Julija , Puleikytė Ieva , Jesmanas Simonas , Jurkevičienė Giedrė , Vaitkus Antanas , Rastenytė Daiva
Published: August 2021

Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare rapidly progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a complication of antipsychotic medications which may be used to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms of CJD. We present a case of a 51‐year‐ old woman with CJD who developed NMS after being prescribed quetiapine.
A novel SRY pathogenic variant from a 46,XY female harboring a nonsense point mutation (G to A) in position 293
Authors: Qin Shengfang , Wang Xueyan , Li Yunxing
Published: August 2021

46,XY female is a genetic disorder characterized by gonad gender not consistent with chromosomal sex. The SRY gene mutation is a common cause of 46,XY reversal type 1 (OMIM: 400044). Peripheral blood was collected from a 46,XY female patient and her father. Sex chromosomes were confirmed by karyotype analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) detection of the specific probe of sex chromosomes with cultured lymphocytes. After extracting blood genomic DNA, SRY characteristic fluorescence peak was detected by quantitative fluorescence PCR (QF‐PCR) method. Whole exome was sequenced with NGS, and SRY gene was sequenced by Sanger sequencing, respectively. The chromosomes X and Y of the patient were confirmed by karyotype of 46,XY, and FISH specific probe of chromosome X and Y. SRY specific fluorescence peak was observed by QF‐PCR. The whole‐exome sequencing results showed chrY: 2655352(GRCh37): c.293G>A hemizygote mutation, confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The de novo mutation resulted in the mRNA encoding the tryptophan codon of 98 (UGG) change into a termination codon (UAG) (P.Trp98ter), and the translation process was terminated prematurely. The discovery of this novel mutation in the SRY gene helps elucidate the molecular mechanism of 46,XY female sex reversal and enriches such patients’ genetic mutation spectrum.
Supported Plasmonic Nanocatalysts for Hydrogen Production by Wet and Dry Photoreforming of Biomass and Biogas Derived Compounds: Recent Progress and Future Perspectives
Authors: Ćwieka Karol , Czelej Kamil , Colmenares Juan Carlos , Jabłczyńska Katarzyna , Werner Łukasz , Gradoń Leon
Published: August 2021

Nowadays, the pursuit of a circular economy and sustainability pushes the world's efforts toward less fossil fuel‐dependent energy production strategies. The sense of sustainability, thus, means searching for effective approaches involving ecological fuels, and processes with a little environmental concern. Approaches for utilization of such renewable resources like solar energy as a driving force, and biomass‐derived compounds as feedstocks for simultaneous hydrogen production as the most promising energy carrier, are currently gaining their momentum as the solutions for sustainable energy generation and tackling climate change. In this paper, we review the scientific advances in photocatalytic hydrogen production from biomass‐derived compounds via wet‐ and dry‐ photoreforming over metal‐loaded‐semiconductor photocatalysts. Based on the recent literature reports, we narrowed focus particularly to designing the state‐of‐the‐art photocatalysts which renders substantial enhancement of their performance possible via localized surface plasmon resonance effect.
Amyloidogenic Properties of Peptides Derived from the VHL Tumor Suppressor Protein
Authors: Kumar Vijay , Viswanathan Guru Krishna Kumar , Ralhan Krittika , Gazit Ehud , Segal Daniel
Published: August 2021

The von Hippel‐Lindau tumor suppressor protein (pVHL) is involved in maintaining cellular oxygen homeostasis through the regulated degradation of HIF‐α. The intrinsically disordered nature of pVHL makes it prone to aggregation that impairs its function, and this is further aggravated in mutant versions of the protein, thus promoting tumor development. By using in silico analysis, we predicted six peptide fragments from pVHL to be amyloidogenic. This was verified for two of the peptides by biophysical approaches, which demonstrated self‐assembly and formation of β‐sheet‐rich aggregates, which, under transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction, displayed typical fibrillar amyloid characteristics. These motifs may serve as proxies for exploring the nature of pVHL aggregation.
International remote collaboration enabled inaugural endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty in Japan
Authors: Dobashi Akira , Uno Kohei , Matsui Hiroaki , Furuhashi Hiroto , Futakuchi Toshiki , Kamba Shunsuke , Ono Shingo , Tamai Naoto , Watanabe Atsushi , Gostout Christopher J. , Sumiyama Kazuki
Published: August 2021

Obesity causes multiple conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and so on, and an intervention is needed for controlling weight and improving metabolic syndrome. However, the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy are restrictive for losing weight. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) was developed as a new therapy, picking the best of both medication and surgery, less invasive and more effective. Recently, ESG is gradually spreading in Western countries, but there is Case report doesn't need conclusion/result for Japanese patients. We herein reported the first clinical case of ESG in Japan.

Given the situation of the pandemic of COVID‐19, we could not invite a proctor from Western countries and receive the instruction of the device setting and maneuver face to face. Thus, we conducted the training for device setting, maneuver, and operation under a web‐based international remote collaboration. Eventually, we completed ESG without an adverse event. We could prove this web‐based proctor system was useful through the introduction of ESG in Japan. The international remote collaboration could become a new normal even in the endoscopy field post‐COVID‐19 era.
Comprehensive evaluation of the allelopathic potential of Elymus nutans
Authors: Quan Xiaolong , Qiao Youming , Chen Mengci , Duan Zhonghua , Shi Huilan
Published: August 2021

Elymus nutans has been widely planted together with other perennial grasses for rebuilding degraded alpine meadow atop the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. However, the rebuilt sown pastures begin to decline a few years after establishing. One of the possible causes for the degradation of sown grassland may come from allelopathy of planted grasses. The purpose of this study was to examine allelopathic potential of Elymus nutans. Three types of aqueous extract from Elymus nutans and its root zone soil were prepared, and 5 highland crops and 5 perennial grasses were used as recipient plants. Elymus nutans exhibited strong allelopathic potential on germination and seedling growth of 5 crops, but different crops or perennial grasses respond to the extract differently. The pieces aqueous extract have stronger inhibition than whole plant extract and root zone soil extract. Hordeum vulgar var. nudum, Avena sativa, and Festuca sinensis were the most affected, while Chenopodium quinoa and Elymus sibiricus were the least affected. Elymus nutans presented less influence on Poa pratensis and Poa crymophylla than on Festuca sinensis. It is recommended that the species combination of mixture for restoration should be considered for allopathic effects on the coseeding to decrease the seeding rate ratio of Elymus nutans. The annual dicot crop seeds of Chenopodium quinoa and Brassica napus can be used as alternative subsequent crop for the seed field of Elymus nutans monoculture.
The evaluation and selection of core materials for microencapsulation: A case study with fragrances
Authors: Zhao Hongbin , Fei Xuening , Liang Chao , Xian Zhiming , Cao Lingyun , Yang Tingyu
Published: August 2021

This work focuses on the universal applicability of microencapsulation on core materials. From this point, nine different fragrance oils were selected as core materials, and the corresponding melamine resin shell microcapsules were prepared by a uniform process. According to characterization results, the microencapsulation shows good universality for most core materials, but their encapsulation efficiency (E%, 17.28%‐88.26%), particle size distribution (D50, 9.65‐33.82 μm) and optical micro‐morphology are significantly different. By analysing the influence of the interfacial tension (F), relative dielectric constant (ε), viscosity (τ), density (ρ) and refractive index (n) of the core materials on encapsulation, it was found that the F determines whether the core material is suitable, and f ≥ 1 is the basic condition for the core material to have the value of microencapsulation. Besides, the ε and n both can be used as auxiliary criteria, τ and ρ also influence the microencapsulation process. Based on these data, a “Dimensionless encapsulation number” was tentatively established, and the mathematical relation between it and corresponding E% was constructed, which could be applied as a semi‐empirical formula in practical work.
Transcriptome analysis of messenger RNA and long noncoding RNA related to different developmental stages of tail adipose tissues of sunite sheep
Authors: He Xige , Wu Rihan , Yun Yueying , Qin Xia , Chen Lu , Han Yunfei , Wu Jindi , Sha Lina , Borjigin Gerelt
Published: August 2021

The tail fat of sheep is the most typical deposited fat, and it can be widely used in human daily life, such as diet, cosmetics, and industrial raw materials. To understand the potential regulatory mechanism of different growth stages of tail fat in Sunite sheep, we performed high‐throughput RNA sequencing to characterize the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression profiles of the sheep tail fat at the age of 6, 18, and 30 months. A total of 223 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 148 differentially expressed lncRNAs were found in the tail fat of 6‐, 18‐, and 30‐month‐old sheep. Based on functional analysis, we found that fat‐related DEGs were mainly expressed at 6 months of age and gradually decreased at 18 and 30 months of age. The target gene prediction analysis shows that most of the lncRNAs target more than 20 mRNAs as their transregulators. Further, we obtained several fat‐related differentially expressed target genes; these target genes interact with different differentially expressed lncRNAs at various ages and play an important role in the development of tail fat. Based on the DEGs and differentially expressed lncRNAs, we established three co‐expression networks for each comparison group. Finally, we concluded that the development of the sheep tail fat is more active during the early stage of growth and gradually decreases with the increase in age. The mutual regulation of lncRNAs and mRNAs may play a key role in this complex biological process.