bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacter cloacae ECL189, Co-producing KPC-2, NDM-1, TEM-1, TEM-95, and SHV-66
Authors: Du Na , Liu Shumin , Yao Jing , Yang Kai , Lin Yun , Niu Min , Zhang Qingwen , Yin Zhiping , Li Huanqin , Du Yan
Published: April 2021

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has become a public health threat due to resistance to multiple antibiotics. The production of β-lactamase is the most important resistance mechanism of Enterobacteriaceae. Although isolates producing KPC-2 or NDM-1 enzymes have been reported widely, isolates co-producing KPC-2, NDM-1, TEM-1, TEM-95, SHV-66, and other β-lactamases have rarely been detected in the same strain, especially in Enterobacter cloacae. Objectives: In this study, we identified and sequenced the genome of carbapenem-resistant E. cloacae ECL189 to in-depth analyze the resistance and transmission mechanisms of E. cloacae. Methods: We investigated the antimicrobial susceptibility of ECL189 by a VITEK 2 system, E-test gradient strips, and K-B method. Whole-genome sequencing was used by the PacBio RS II platform and Illumina HiSeq 4000 platform. Antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence genes, non-coding RNA, and repeat sequences were predicted by biological information databases. A PCR was used to further confirm that the blaKPC-2, blaNDM-1, blaTEM-1, blaTEM-95, and blaSHV-66 genes existed in ECL189. A conjugation experiment was performed to determine the transferability of resistance. Molecular typing of ECL189 was done by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Results: Enterobacter cloacae ECL189 was resistant to 21 out of 23 tested antibiotics, but its transconjugant was resistant to 10 out of 18 tested antibiotics. The genome of ECL189 consisted of a 5,026,406 bp chromosome and four circular plasmids. In total, 26 resistance genes and 58 resistance proteins were identified. In addition, 77 determinants associated with bacterial virulence were identified. A large number of resistance and virulence genes were located in the plasmids. The results of whole-genome sequencing were consistent with the β-lactamase genes. The MLST analysis revealed that this strain belonged to ST74. Conclusions: This study further revealed the resistance, virulence, and transmission mechanisms of carbapenem-resistant E. cloacae. Resistance and virulence genes spread in bacteria by the horizontal transfer of plasmids, which should attract more attention in relevant departments.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Stigma Management
Authors: Schneider Natalie M. ,   International Association for Business and Society
Published: April 2021

Workers of stigmatized jobs classified as dirty work normalize the physical, social, and/or moral taint of their occupation to cope with the negative aspects of their daily work. Such normalization strategies include recalibrating, reframing, and refocusing (Ashforth & Blake, 1999). Social identity theory proposes that individuals seek to identify with a positively perceived in-group, and dirty work literature suggests stigmatized workers use these normalization strategies to separate their personal and work identities. Additionally, corporate social responsibility meets the instrumental, relational, and moral-based motivational needs of employees, suggesting it may serve as a pathway for managing negative aspects of an occupation. Thus, as a part of the Discussion of New Perspectives on CSR and CSP in the 2020 IABS virtual conference, this proposal theorizes corporate social responsibility initiatives as a possible organizational level intervention to help dirty workers normalize their work and manage its associated stigma through applications of social identity theory.
Assessment of Burnout in Healthcare Professionals of Pakistan Amid COVID-19 – A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zahid Nisha , Syed Marium , Hersi Sharmake , Danish Syed Hasan , Ahmed Farah
Published: April 2021

Introduction: According to WHO latest by March 19th 2021, it has now become a global threat with globally 122,665,852 confirmed cases and 2,707,206 deaths involving 220 countries.. NIH Pakistan has reported the national tally of COVID 19 cases in Pakistan to 543,214 and total deaths 11,683, making it an extremely serious issue in Pakistan like in the rest of the world. Physicians, consultants, paramedics and other staff working in hospitals are at risk due to the emergence of COVID-19 which also is responsible for severe burnout in the specialties who are working at the frontline. Burnout affects job performance, job satisfaction, interpersonal relationships, and vulnerability to illnesses [1]. This research aims at finding the burnout in healthcare professionals of Karachi, Pakistan due to the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional study carried out in the tertiary care hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan from Feb’2020 – Apr’ 2020 in which the questionnaire based on Malsch burnout inventory were distributed amongst the healthcare professionals including doctors and paramedics, working at the front in departments of emergency, covid special units and other areas. A scoring system of 1-4 was applied (strongly disagree-strongly agree).

Results: The results of this study showed that highest burnout was faced by healthcare professionals in the category of depersonalization and personal accomplishment amid COVID-19 while the association between the burnout and the demographic factors mentioned was also found to be significant. Moreover, the challenges faced by the healthcare professionals to the maximum owing to this pandemic were found to be lack of presence of personal protective equipment and fear to spread the infection to family.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the current pandemic situation of COVID-19 has been significantly associated with the burnout and stress amongst the health care professionals in tertiary hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan, particularly those who are working on the frontline.
Engineering of Amorphous PtOx Interface on Pt/WO3 Nanosheets for Ethanol Oxidation Electrocatalysis
Authors: Xiao Liangping , Li Guang , Yang Zhou , Chen Kai , Zhou Rusen , Liao Honggang , Xu Qingchi , Xu Jun
Published: April 2021

Direct and complete electro‐oxidation of ethanol to CO2 is highly desirable for the commercialization of the direct ethanol fuel cells but is challenging. Current electrocatalysts (mainly Pt, Pd) for ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR), unfortunately, still suffer from low CO2 selectivity and rapid performance deterioration. In this study, a new Pt/α‐PtOx/WO3 electrocatalyst containing amorphous PtOx structures is successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal reaction following Ar atmosphere annealing. The migration of lattice oxygens in the WO3 during the annealing process is confirmed as the mechanism for the formation and manipulation of amorphous interfaces containing PtOx species in the Pt/α‐PtOx/WO3 electrocatalyst. The obtained Pt/α‐PtOx/WO3 with tunable amorphous PtOx interfaces favors the desorption of poisoning EOR intermediates (such as CO) and high CO2 selectivity. Therefore, the state‐of‐art of the Pt/α‐PtOx/WO3 exhibits excellent EOR activity (2.76 A mg–1), stability (47.99% of the initial activity preserved after 3600 s), and particularly high CO2 selectivity (reached 21.9%, higher than most reported values for Pt or other noble metals based EOR catalysts). This study may provide a new strategy to improve the EOR performance of metal‐based catalysts and to rationally design and prepare other high‐performing electrocatalysts via engineering the amorphous interfaces.
Boosting Catalytic Activity by Seeding Nanocatalysts onto Interlayers to Inhibit Polysulfide Shuttling in Li–S Batteries
Authors: Xia Jingyi , Hua Wuxing , Wang Li , Sun Yafei , Geng Chuannan , Zhang Chen , Wang Weichao , Wan Ying , Yang Quan‐Hong
Published: April 2021

The shuttling of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) is one of the main bottlenecks to the practical use of Li–S batteries. It is reported that in situ synthesized ultrasmall vanadium nitride nanoparticles dispersed on porous nitrogen‐doped graphene (denoted VN@NG) as a catalytic interlayer solves this problem. The ultrasmall size of VN particles provide ample triple‐phase interfaces (the reactive interfaces among VN nanocatalyst, NG conductive substrate, and electrolyte) for accelerating LiPS conversion and Li2S deposition, which greatly reduces the accumulation of LiPSs in the electrolyte and therefore inhibits the shuttle effect. Their high catalytic activity is confirmed by a reduced activation energy of the Li2S4 conversion step based on temperature‐dependent cyclic voltammetric (CV) measurements and the reduced shuttle effect is detected by in situ Raman spectra. With the VN nanocatalyst, Li–S batteries have an outstanding cycling performance with a low capacity decay rate of 0.075% per cycle over 500 cycles at 2 C. A high capacity retention of 84.5% over 200 cycles at 0.2 C is achieved with a high sulfur loading of 7.3 mg cm−2.
Photoporation with Biodegradable Polydopamine Nanosensitizers Enables Safe and Efficient Delivery of mRNA in Human T Cells
Authors: Harizaj Aranit , Wels Mike , Raes Laurens , Stremersch Stephan , Goetgeluk Glenn , Brans Toon , Vandekerckhove Bart , Sauvage Félix , De Smedt Stefaan C. , Lentacker Ine , Braeckmans Kevin
Published: April 2021

Safe and efficient production of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐T cells is of crucial importance for cell‐based cancer immunotherapy. Physical transfection methods have quickly gained in importance in the context of transfecting T‐cells, since they are readily compatible with different cell types and a broad variety of cargo molecules. In particular, nanoparticle‐sensitized photoporation has been introduced in recent years as a gentle yet efficient method to transiently permeabilize cells, allowing subsequent entry of external cargo molecules into the cells. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been used the most as photothermal sensitizers because they can easily form laser‐induced vapor nanobubbles, a photothermal phenomenon that is shown to be particularly efficient for permeabilizing cells. However, as AuNPs are not biodegradable, clinical translation is hampered. Here, for the first time, the possibility to form laser‐induced vapor nanobubbles from biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles is reported. Compared to electroporation, the most used physical transfection method for T cells, 2.5 times more living mRNA transfected human T cells are obtained via photoporation sensitized by polydopamine nanoparticles. This shows that photoporation is a viable approach for efficiently producing therapeutic engineered T‐cells at a throughput easily exceeding 105 cells per second.
Hyperspectral estimation of soil organic matter and clay content in loess plateau of China
Authors: Wang Chao , Qiao Xingxing , Li Guangxin , Feng Meichen , Xie Yongkai , Sun Hui , Zhang Meijun , Song Xiaoyan , Xiao Lujie , Anwar Sumera , Yang Wude
Published: April 2021

Visible and near‐infrared reflectance (Vis‐NIR) spectroscopy is considered a promising tool for the estimation of soil properties. Soil clay content and soil organic matter (SOM) are main components affecting soil spectra. Accurate assessment of clay content and SOM is essential before achieving accurate prediction for other soil properties. Selecting the proper spectral transformation technique and optimal calibration method are important processes to improve model performance. In this study, a total of 240 soil samples were collected from the main area of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields in the Southwest region of Shanxi province, northern China. Six spectral pre‐treatments and three multivariate methods were utilized to realize the estimation of clay content and SOM. Finally, the important spectral wavelengths were identified as 440, 762, 1,150, 1,410, 1,460, 1,860, 1,900, 2,250, 2,400 nm for clay content and 410, 450, 550, 625, 780, 850, 1,410, 1,670, 1,730, 1,860, 1,910, 1,960, 2,250 nm for SOM. Specifically, the wavelengths around 440 (450), 1,900 (1,910) nm and wavebands of 1,410, 1,860, and 2,250 nm were highly related to both clay content and SOM. The optimal prediction was obtained when multiple linear regression (MLR) was combined with standard normal variate (SNV) pre‐processing (R2 = .714, RMSE = 3.982, RPD = 1.584) for clay content and multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) pre‐processing (R2 = .856, RMSE = 2.994, RPD = 2.443) for SOM. This study implied that spectral transformation had an evident effect on spectral curves shape, correlation, and model performance. The choice of pre‐processing transformation should depend on the multivariate technique which has a determined ability to improve the model accuracy.
Immersive Anatomy Atlas: Learning Factual Medical Knowledge in a Virtual Reality Environment
Authors: Gloy Kilian , Weyhe Paul , Nerenz Eric , Kaluschke Maximilian , Uslar Verena , Zachmann Gabriel , Weyhe Dirk
Published: April 2021

In order to improve learning efficiency and memory retention in medical teaching, furthering active learning seems to be an effective alternative to classical teaching. One option to make active exploration of the subject matter possible is the use of virtual reality (VR) technology. The authors developed an immersive anatomy atlas which allows users to explore human anatomical structures interactively through virtual dissection. Thirty‐two senior‐class students from two German high schools with no prior formal medical training were separated into two groups and tasked with answering an anatomical questionnaire. One group used traditional anatomical textbooks and the other used the immersive virtual reality atlas. The time needed to answer the questions was measured. Several weeks later, the participants answered a similar questionnaire with different anatomical questions in order to test memory retention. The VR group took significantly less time to answer the questionnaire, and participants from the VR group had significantly better results over both tests. Based on the results of this study, VR learning seems to be more efficient and to have better long‐term effects for the study of anatomy. The reason for that could lie in the VR environment's high immersion, and the possibility to freely and interactively explore a realistic representation of human anatomy. Immersive VR technology offers many possibilities for medical teaching and training, especially as a support for cadaver dissection courses.
Mesh‐independent damage model for trabecular bone fracture simulation and experimental validation
Authors: Do Xuan Nam , Hambli Ridha , Ganghoffer Jean‐François
Published: April 2021

We propose in this study a two‐dimensional constitutive model for trabecular bone combining continuum damage with embedded strong discontinuity. The model is capable of describing the three failure phases of trabecular bone tissue which is considered herein as a quasi‐brittle material with strains and rotations assumed to be small and without viscous, thermal or other non‐mechanical effects. The finite element implementation of the present model uses constant strain triangle (CST) elements. The displacement jump vector is implicitly solved through a return mapping algorithm at the local (finite element) level, while the global equilibrium equations are dealt with by Newton–Raphson method. The performance, accuracy and applicability of the proposed model for trabecular bone fracture are evaluated and validated against experimental measurements. These comparisons include both global and local aspects through numerical simulations of three‐point bending tests performed on 10 single bovine trabeculae in the quasi‐static regime.
When Can We Rely on Real‐World Evidence to Evaluate New Medical Treatments?
Authors: Simon Gregory E. , Platt Richard , Watanabe Jonathan H. , Bindman Andrew B. , John London Alex , Horberg Michael , Hernandez Adrian , Califf Robert M.
Published: April 2021

Concerns regarding both the limited generalizability and the slow pace of traditional randomized trials have led to calls for greater use of real‐world evidence (RWE) in the evaluation of new treatments or products. The RWE label has been used to refer to a variety of departures from the methods of traditional randomized controlled trials. Recognizing this complexity and potential confusion, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine convened a series of workshops to clarify and address questions regarding the use of RWE to evaluate new medical treatments. Those workshops identified three specific dimensions in which RWE studies might differ from traditional clinical trials: use of real‐world data (data extracted from health system records or data captured by mobile devices), delivery of real‐world treatment (open‐label treatments delivered in community settings by community practitioners), and real‐world treatment assignment (including nonrandomized comparisons and variations on random assignment such as before‐after or stepped‐wedge designs). For any RWE study, decisions regarding each of these dimensions depends on the specific research question, characteristics of the potential study settings, and characteristics of the settings where study results would be applied.
On the stabilization of steady continuous adjoint solvers in the presence of unsteadiness, in shape optimization
Authors: Skamagkis Themistoklis , Papoutsis‐Kiachagias Evangelos M. , Giannakoglou Kyriakos C.
Published: April 2021

Adjoint‐based shape optimization using unsteady solvers is costly and/or memory demanding. When mild unsteadiness is present or the flow in/around the optimized shape is not expected to be time‐varying, steady primal and adjoint solvers can be used instead. However, in such a case, convergence difficulties caused by flow unsteadiness must properly be treated. In this article, the steady primal and the corresponding (continuous) adjoint solvers are both stabilized by implementing the recursive projection method (RPM). This is carried out in the adjointOptimisation library of OpenFOAM, developed, and made publicly available by the group of authors. Upon completion of the optimization using steady solvers, unsteady re‐evaluations of the optimized solutions confirm a reduction in the time‐averaged objective function. In complex cases, in which the RPM may not necessarily ensure convergence of the adjoint solver on its own, the controlled damping of the adjoint transposed‐convection (ATC) term is additionally implemented. This is demonstrated in the shape optimization of a motorbike fairing where averaged primal fields over a number of iterations of the steady flow solver are used for the solution of the adjoint equations. Cases in which the RPM is, on its own, sufficient in ensuring convergence of the adjoint solver are additionally studied by using a controlled ATC damping, to assess its impact on the computed sensitivity derivatives. Comparisons show that controlled/mild ATC damping is harmless and greatly contributes to robustness.
Premature ovarian insufficiency secondary to COVID‐19 infection: An original case report
Authors: Wilkins James , Al‐Inizi Shamma
Published: April 2021

Synopsis

This is a case of premature ovarian insufficiency, likely induced by COVID‐19. The association has not been reported to date.
New statistical prediction scheme for monthly precipitation variability in the rainy season over northeastern China
Authors: Ma Jiehua , Sun Jianqi
Published: April 2021

This study focused on seasonal prediction for monthly precipitation over Northeast China (NEC) in the rainy season. A statistical method combining empirical orthogonal function (EOF) decomposition and multi‐linear regression was developed and tested. For each EOF mode of each month in summer, the relationship between the EOF and SSTs in the previous winter was investigated and indices were constructed to be used as predictors. The predictors were required to be physically connected to the predictand and to perform well in cross validation. Monthly rainfall was reconstructed from the predicted time series and the observed spatial load of the first three EOF modes. The results of the leave‐one‐out cross‐validation for 1982–2010, and of the independent validation for 2011–2018, indicate that this new method provides good predictions of monthly precipitation over NEC. There was good agreement between the observed and predicted monthly precipitation, with correlation coefficients of 0.45, 0.40 and 0.55, and hit rates of 73, 62 and 73% for June, July and August precipitation, respectively, for the period 1982 to 2018.
Functional Immunostimulating DNA Materials: The Rising Stars for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Dai Ziwen , Wang Lei , Wang Zhigang
Published: April 2021

Cancer immunotherapy has risen as a promising method in clinical practice for cancer treatment and DNA‐based immune intervention materials, along with DNA nanotechnology, have obtained increasing importance in this field. In this review, various immunostimulating DNA materials are introduced and the mechanisms via which they exerted an immune effect are explained. Then, representative examples in which DNA is used as the leading component for anticancer applications through immune stimulation are provided and their efficacy is evaluated. Finally, the challenges for those materials in clinical applications are discussed and suggestions for possible further research directions are also put forward.
Synergistic Effect of Copper Sulfate and Tetramethylthiuram Monosulfide Induced Metal‐Coordination Cross‐Linking in Nitrile–Butadiene Rubber
Authors: Sun Yingtao , Wang Junhao , Sun Longyi , Hua Jing , Wang Zhaobo
Published: April 2021

The cross‐linking microstructure formed by the metal‐coordination bonds provides excellent properties for rubber materials. Copper sulfate (CuSO4) and tetramethylthiuram monosulfide (TMTM) are successfully compounded with nitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR) to fabricate vulcanizates by the coordination cross‐linking. The curing characteristics, mobility of macromolecular segment, mechanical properties, morphology analysis, swelling properties, and dynamic features under cyclic compression of the vulcanizates are investigated systematically. The results indicate that the microstructure of 3D cross‐linking is held together by the metal‐coordination bonds between Cu2+ and CN. The torque during static vulcanization, tensile strength, and cross‐linking density of the obtained NBR/CuSO4/TMTM vulcanizates are better than that of NBR/CuSO4 vulcanizates, which is attributed to the synergistic effect between the radicals formed by the splitting of TMTM under thermal activation and the Cu2+; moreover, the highly reactive [Cu(SnCNMe2)]•2+ complexes are formed by the synergistic effect and promote the coordination stability of NBR and CuSO4 effectively. The excellent tensile properties of the prepared NBR/CuSO4/TMTM vulcanizates via synergistic effect made the metal‐coordination cross‐linking attractive in the field of industrial application.
Tunable Artificial Iris Controlled by Photo/Thermal Exposure Based on Liquid Crystalline Elastomers
Authors: Chang Kai Ti , Liu Chun Yen , Liu Jui Hsiang
Published: April 2021

The iris, part of the eye structure, is an important tissue in organisms. Here, a tunable artificial iris showing widening and closing of the pupil in response to near‐infrared (NIR) light is demonstrated. Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are synthesized via Michael addition and photopolymerization. To prepare an artificial iris, a predesigned stainless steel mold with a specific structure is created for the preparation of a single shaped LCE piece. Through the assembly of individual shaped LCE pieces, an artificial iris is fabricated. To enhance the photosensitivity, polydopamine (PDA) is coated on the surface of the fabricated iris. The PDA‐coated artificial iris shows reversible pupil widening and closing via exposure to NIR light. The dependence of pupil size on NIR intensity shows a function similar to the human iris. As far as it is known, the fabricated artificial iris with 2D radial motion is the first example prepared from a liquid crystalline elastomer showing a tunable aperture size controlled by the surrounding light intensity. The synthesized artificial iris is expected to show potential for multiple applications in biomimicry and biomedical science.
Computationally efficient finite element formulation for blood flow analysis in multi‐layered aorta modeled as viscoelastic material
Authors: Hasan Mohammad , Patel B. P. , Pradyumna S.
Published: April 2021

In the literature, blood flow study in an arterial segment/arterial network, using one‐dimensional wave propagation model, has been carried out considering flat/parabolic/logarithmic/different degree polynomial velocity profile functions. However, such assumptions are not capable of capturing actual blood and arterial wall interaction occurring while the blood flows through the arteries. In this study, a computationally efficient axisymmetric‐formulation of the Navier–Stokes equation is presented to eliminate the requirement of a priori assumed velocity profile function. Present formulation in terms of axial velocity (u), pressure (p), and domain radius (R) leads to the evolution of velocity profile as flow progresses with the time and space. We propose a multi‐layered structural model of the arterial wall with each layer idealized using four‐element Maxwell viscoelastic material model. Partial differential equations, mathematically representing the physical phenomena of blood flow in the complaint blood vessels, are discretized in the spatial domain by finite element method and in time domain by Galerkin time integration technique. A velocity boundary condition is prescribed at inlet and outlet boundary condition is prescribed in terms of three‐parameter based Windkessel model. Results of flow characteristics are found to be in excellent agreement with the three‐dimensional results available in the literature.
Coupling between cohesive element method and node‐to‐segment contact algorithm: Implementation and application
Authors: Pundir Mohit , Anciaux Guillaume
Published: April 2021

In materials, the evolution of crack surfaces is intimately linked with the self‐contact occurring between them. The developed contact forces not only mitigate the effect of stress concentration at crack tip but also contribute significantly to the transfer of shear and normal stresses. In this article, we present a numerical framework to study the simultaneous process of fracture and self‐contact between fracturing surfaces. The widely used approach, where contact constraints are enforced with the cohesive element traction separation law, is demonstrated to fail for relative displacements greater than the characteristic mesh length. A hybrid approach is proposed, which couples a node‐to‐segment contact algorithm with extrinsic cohesive elements. Thus, the fracture process is modeled with cohesive elements, whereas the contact and the friction constraints are enforced through a penalty‐based method. This hybrid cohesive‐contact approach is shown to alleviate any mesh topology limitations, making it a reliable and physically based numerical model for studying crack propagation along rough surfaces.
HER2
Splice Site Mutation c.1899-1G>A as the Potential Acquired Resistance to Trastuzumab in a Patient with HER2-Positive Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Jiao Xiao-Dong , Liu Ke , Wu Ying , Zhou Xin-Cheng , Qin Bao-Dong , Ling Yan , Liu Jun , He Xi , Du Haiwei , Xiang Jianxing , Zang Yuan-Sheng
Published: April 2021

The addition of trastuzumab to chemotherapy regimen is the standard of care for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced gastric cancer; however, most patients eventually acquire trastuzumab resistance. Although some resistance mechanisms to trastuzumab-based regimens have been proposed, further understanding is required for developing therapeutic strategies to overcome the resistance. In the present work, we attempted to determine the possible resistance mechanism to trastuzumab in a patient with HER2-positive stage IV gastric adenocarcinoma. In this study, we first report the nucleotide change c.1899-1G>A at the intron 15 acceptor splice site promoting exon 16 deletion of HER2 as the potential mechanism of trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive gastric adenocarcinoma.

Key Points

The combination of trastuzumab with chemotherapy is considered to be the standard therapy for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer (GC), but most of the patients eventually acquire trastuzumab resistance. The mechanisms of resistance to trastuzumab in GC are poorly characterized. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to implicate HER2 c.1899-1G>A, which results in exon 16 skpping, as the acquired resistance mechanism to trastuzumab in HER2-positive gastric adenocarcinoma. This work provides insights into the potential molecular mechanism of trastuzumab resistance, which is crucial in developing effective therapeutic strategies for HER2-positive GC patients refractory to trastuzumab.
The effect of 1‐pentadecene on Tribolium castaneum behaviour: Repellent or attractant?
Authors: Đukić Nikola , Andrić Goran , Glinwood Robert , Ninkovic Velemir , Andjelković Boban , Radonjić Andja
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Movement of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), in stored products is mediated by food volatiles and other semiochemicals.

RESULTS

In two‐way olfactometer assays, T. castaneum was more attracted to wheat bran previously infested with conspecifics than to uninfested bran. Chemical analysis showed that 1‐pentadecene was present in the headspace of T. castaneum‐infested wheat bran, but not detectable in the headspace of uninfested bran. An olfactometer was used to test the effect on T. castaneum behaviour of 1‐pentadecene, and of volatiles from wheat bran with and without 1‐pentadecene. The lowest concentration of 1‐pentadecene exhibited an attractive effect, compared to the control (n‐hexane). Slightly higher concentrations showed a neutral effect, while the highest concentrations repelled T. castaneum. Wheat bran with a low 1‐pentadecene concentration was more attractive than wheat bran alone, whereas higher concentrations of 1‐pentadecene were repellent.

CONCLUSION

The results provide important information on intraspecific, semiochemical‐mediated behaviour in T. castaneum, which could potentially be used to develop new methods to monitor the flour beetles in stored products. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Nanoarray Structures for Artificial Photosynthesis
Authors: Tian Liangqiu , Xin Qi , Zhao Chang , Xie Guancai , Akram Muhammad Zain , Wang Wenrong , Ma Renping , Jia Xinrui , Guo Beidou , Gong Jian Ru
Published: April 2021

Conversion and storage of solar energy into fuels and chemicals by artificial photosynthesis has been considered as one of the promising methods to address the global energy crisis. However, it is still far from the practical applications on a large scale. Nanoarray structures that combine the advantages of nanosize and array alignment have demonstrated great potential to improve solar energy conversion efficiency, stability, and selectivity. This article provides a comprehensive review on the utilization of nanoarray structures in artificial photosynthesis of renewable fuels and high value‐added chemicals. First, basic principles of solar energy conversion and superiorities of using nanoarray structures in this field are described. Recent research progress on nanoarray structures in both abiotic and abiotic–biotic hybrid systems is then outlined, highlighting contributions to light absorption, charge transport and transfer, and catalytic reactions (including kinetics and selectivity). Finally, conclusions and outlooks on future research directions of nanoarray structures for artificial photosynthesis are presented.
A Retrospective: Michael M. Cernea (1934–)
Authors: Bebbington Anthony
Published: April 2021

‘Development anthropology is a contact sport,’ Michael Cernea likes to tell his students. His career, from junior researcher in the Romanian Academy of Sciences in the early 1960s to joining the World Bank in Washington D.C. in 1974 as its first-ever in house staff sociologist, and then advancing there successfully to the high level position of the World Bank’s Senior Advisor for Social Policies and Sociology is testament to this observation.
Address to the World Bank Sociological Group
Authors: Evans Huw
Published: April 2021

I feel myself to be an outsider amongst you: I am a macroeconomist by background, having worked in the UK Treasury for many years. Yet I have become convinced in my time at the World Bank of the importance of understanding the social context of the Bank’s work, and the social impact of Bank lending, especially because of the UK ODA’s experience in this field. As an Executive Director at the IMF too, I have gained important insights into how that institution uses its Board more effectively, with more cooperation, and much greater partnership between the Board and management.
Mal’tsev products of varieties, I
Authors: Penza Tomasz , Romanowska Anna B.
Published: April 2021

We investigate the Mal’tsev product$$\mathcal {V}\circ \mathcal {W}$$V∘Wof two varieties$$\mathcal {V}$$Vand$$\mathcal {W}$$Wof the same similarity type. While such a product is usually a quasivariety, it is not necessarily a variety. We give an equational base for the variety generated by$$\mathcal {V}\circ \mathcal {W}$$V∘Win terms of identities satisfied in$$\mathcal {V}$$Vand$$\mathcal {W}$$W. Then the main result provides a new sufficient condition for$$\mathcal {V}\circ \mathcal {W}$$V∘Wto be a variety: If$$\mathcal {W}$$Wis an idempotent variety and there are termsf(x, y) andg(x, y) such that$$\mathcal {W}$$Wsatisfies the identity$$f(x,y) = g(x,y)$$f(x,y)=g(x,y)and$$\mathcal {V}$$Vsatisfies the identities$$f(x,y) = x$$f(x,y)=xand$$g(x,y) = y$$g(x,y)=y, then$$\mathcal {V}\circ \mathcal {W}$$V∘Wis a variety. We provide a number of examples and applications of this result.
A multi-step Lagrangian scheme for spatially inhomogeneous evolutionary games
Authors: Almi Stefano , Morandotti Marco , Solombrino Francesco
Published: April 2021

A multi-step Lagrangian scheme at discrete times is proposed for the approximation of a nonlinear continuity equation arising as a mean-field limit of spatially inhomogeneous evolutionary games, describing the evolution of a system of spatially distributed agents with strategies, or labels, whose payoff depends also on the current position of the agents. The scheme is Lagrangian, as it traces the evolution of position and labels along characteristics, and is a multi-step scheme, as it develops on the following two stages: First, the distribution of strategies or labels is updated according to a best performance criterion, and then, this is used by the agents to evolve their position. A general convergence result is provided in the space of probability measures. In the special cases of replicator-type systems and reversible Markov chains, variants of the scheme, where the explicit step in the evolution of the labels is replaced by an implicit one, are also considered and convergence results are provided.
Combined robot-based manufacturing and machining of multi-material components
Authors: Droß Marcel , Albergt Max , David Martin , Reichler Ann-Kathrin , Hoffmeister Hans-Werner , Dröder Klaus
Published: April 2021

The growing demand for individualized products is becoming more and more significant and leads to a reduction in batch sizes. In particular, the production of multi-material components for lightweight design presents new challenges to the manufacturing process. This is evident when it comes to the production of individual parts, as today’s processes are characterized by high tool costs and manual operations. The described challenge can be overcome by a robot-based manufacturing cell allowing the use of a novel, modular process chain in which metal parts are mechanically pre-treated, subsequently completed by additive plastic application, and afterwards finalized in a machining step to achieve the required surface qualities and geometries. In order to realize the novel process chain, robot-based solutions for free-form metal sheet processing, increased interlayer bonding strength of plastic, and multi-material machining with integrated chip extraction have to be found. Therefore, this paper presents the first approach of a robot-guided surface structuring end-effector and a concept for a direct extraction hood, which is able to be adapted specifically to the movement of the robot and the part surface, so free-form surfaces can be machined. Based on this, first experimental studies for increasing the interlayer bonding strength of plastic were carried out using an extruder set up to applicate thermoplastics onto metal at high deposition rates. To define the positioning accuracy for a robot-guided structuring process, different point to point movements have been investigated.
Overcoming Barriers to Accessing Surgery and Rehabilitation in Low and Middle‐Income Countries: An Innovative Model of Patient Navigation in Nepal
Authors: Ibbotson Jennifer L. , Luitel Bijata , Adhikari Bikash , Jagt Kathryn R. , Bohler Erik , Riviello Robert , Ibbotson Geoffrey C.
Published: April 2021

Background

Injury and disability are prominent public health concerns, globally and in the country of Nepal. Lack of locally available medical infrastructure, socioeconomic barriers, social marginalization, poor health literacy, and cultural barriers prevent patients from accessing surgical and rehabilitative care. Overcoming these barriers is an insurmountable challenge for the most vulnerable and marginalized, resulting in absence of treatment or even death.

Methods

Sundar Dhoka Saathi Sewa (SDSS), a non‐government organization, provides a patient navigation service which facilitates referrals to tertiary centers from Nepal's most remote areas. Specific criteria ensure that patient referrals are appropriate in regard to clinical and socioeconomic need, while comprehensive counselling helps guide the patient and family. The SDSS staff meet patients upon arrival in Kathmandu and facilitate admission to the appropriate tertiary hospital. They advocate for the patient, provide medicine, supply food and cover all treatment costs.

Results

This project has enabled access to treatment for more than 1200 children for conditions leading to long‐term disability and/or congenital heart disease. Interventions include a wide range of surgical and rehabilitative procedures such as complex orthopedics, cleft lip and palate, congenital talipes equinovarus, burn contractures, neurological cases, and cardiac surgery for valvular disease, septal defects and other congenital malformations.

Discussion

The SDSS model of patient navigation is effective in overcoming the barriers to access surgical care and rehabilitation in Nepal. The success is owed to committed international donors, capacity building, effective counselling, advocacy, compassion, and community. We believe that this model could be replicated in other LMICs.
A Bayesian approach to exploring the influence of climate variability modes on fire weather conditions and lightning-ignited wildfires
Authors: Bates Bryson C. , Dowdy Andrew J. , McCaw Lachlan
Published: April 2021

Understanding the relationships between large-scale, low-frequency climate variability modes, fire weather conditions and lighting-ignited wildfires has implications for fire-weather prediction, fire management and conservation. This article proposes a Bayesian network framework for quantifying the influence of climate modes on fire weather conditions and occurrence of lightning-ignited wildfires. The main objectives are to describe and demonstrate a probabilistic framework for identifying and quantifying the joint and individual relationships that comprise the climate-wildfire system; gain insight into potential causal mechanisms and pathways; gauge the influence of climate modes on fire weather and lightning-ignition relative to that of local-scale conditions alone; assess the predictive skill of the network; and motivate the use of techniques that are intuitive, flexible and for which user‐friendly software is freely available. A case study illustrates the application of the framework to a forested region in southwest Australia. Indices for six climate variability modes are considered along with two hazard variables (observed fire weather conditions and prescribed burn area), and a 41-year record of lightning-ignited wildfire counts. Using the case study data set, we demonstrate that the proposed framework: (1) is based on reasonable assumptions provided the joint density of the variables is converted to multivariate normal; (2) generates a parsimonious and interpretable network architecture; (3) identifies known or partially known relationships between the variables; (4) has potential to be used in a predictive setting for fire weather conditions; and (5) climate modes are more directly related to fire weather conditions than to lightning-ignition counts.
Novel perfluoropolyalkylethers monomers: synthesis and photo-induced cationic polymerization
Authors: Trusiano Giuseppe , Vitale Alessandra , Pulfer Jason , Newton Josiah , Joly-Duhamel Christine , Friesen Chadron M. , Bongiovanni Roberta
Published: April 2021

Several difunctional oligomers were synthesized by functionalizing perfluoropolyalkylether (PFPAE) chains with different vinyl ethers and epoxides end-groups. Due to their innate synthetic challenges and demanding purification protocols, the PFPAE derivatives were obtained in low yield and with an average functionality lower than 2. However, the functionalized PFPAE oligomers were successful in being used in photo-induced cationic polymerization processes, obtaining transparent and soft films. The influences of the fluorinated chains, and various end-groups on the photopolymerization process were investigated, as well their chemical stability, thermal degradation, and surface properties.

Graphical abstract
N-semble-based method for identifying Parkinson’s disease genes
Authors: Arora Priya , Mishra Ashutosh , Malhi Avleen
Published: April 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) genes identification plays an important role in improving the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. A number of machine learning methods have been proposed to identify disease-related genes, but only few of these methods are adopted for PD. This work puts forth a novel neural network-based ensemble (n-semble) method to identify Parkinson’s disease genes. The artificial neural network is trained in a unique way to ensemble the multiple model predictions. The proposed n-semble method is composed of four parts: (1) protein sequences are used to construct feature vectors using physicochemical properties of amino acid; (2) dimensionality reduction is achieved using the t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) method, (3) the Jaccard method is applied to find likely negative samples from unknown (candidate) genes, and (4) gene prediction is performed with n-semble method. The proposed n-semble method has been compared with Smalter’s, ProDiGe, PUDI and EPU methods using various evaluation metrics. It has been concluded that the proposed n-semble method outperforms the existing gene identification methods over the other methods and achieves significantly higher precision, recall and F Score of 88.9%, 90.9% and 89.8%, respectively. The obtained results confirm the effectiveness and validity of the proposed framework.
Assessment of pedicle size in patients with scoliosis using EOS 2D imaging: a validity and reliability study
Authors: Peeters C. M. M. , van Houten L. , Kempen D. H. R. , Wapstra F. H. , Jutte P. C. , van den Akker-Scheek I. , Faber C.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Free-hand pedicle screw insertion methods are widely used for screw insertion during scoliosis surgery. Preoperative knowledge about the pedicle size helps to maximize screw containment and minimize the risk of pedicle breach. Radiographs taken by a biplanar low-dose X-ray device (EOS) have no divergence in the vertical plane. The criterion validity and reliability of preoperative EOS images for pedicle size measurements in patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) was investigated in this study.

Methods

Sixteen patients who underwent surgical treatment for IS were prospectively included. Intra- and extracortical pedicle height and width measurements on EOS images were compared with reconstructed intra-operative 3D images of the isthmus of included pedicles. Secondly, intra- and interobserver reliability of pedicle size measurements on EOS images was determined.

Results

The total number of analyzed pedicles was 203. The correlation between the EOS and 3D scan measurements was very strong for the intra- and extracortical pedicle height and strong for the intra- and extracortical pedicle width. There are, however, significant, but likely clinically irrelevant differences (mean absolute differences < 0.43 mm) between the two measure methods for all four measurements except for extracortical pedicle height. For pedicles classified as Nash–Moe 0, no significant differences in intra- and extracortical pedicle width were observed. Both intra- and interobserver reliability was excellent for all pedicle size measurements on EOS images.

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate a good validity and reliability for pedicle size measurements on EOS radiographs. Therefore, EOS radiographs may be used for a preoperative estimation of pedicle size and subsequent screw diameter in patients with IS.
Towards approval of autonomous ship systems by their operational envelope
Authors: Rødseth Ørnulf Jan , Lien Wennersberg Lars Andreas , Nordahl Håvard
Published: April 2021

Current guidelines for approval of autonomous ship systems are focused on the ships’ concrete operations and their geographic area. This is a natural consequence of the link between geography and the navigational complexity, but moving the ship to a new area or changing owners may require a costly re-approval. The automotive industry has introduced the Operational Design Domain (ODD) that can be used as a basis for approval. However, the ODD does not include the human control responsibilities, while most autonomous ship systems are expected to be dependent on sharing control responsibilities between humans and automation. We propose the definition of an operational envelope for autonomous ship systems that include the sharing of responsibilities between human and automation, and that is general enough to allow approval of autonomous ship systems in all geographic areas and operations that falls within the envelope. We also show how the operational envelope can be defined using a system modelling language, such as the unified modelling language (UML).
Correction to: Developmental stochasticity and variation in floral phyllotaxis
Authors: Kitazawa Miho S.
Published: April 2021

A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10265-021-01307-2