bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lowering the transmission and spread of human coronavirus
Authors: Meyers Craig , Robison Richard , Milici Janice , Alam Samina , Quillen David , Goldenberg David , Kass Rena
Published: September 2020

The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has created an unprecedented healthcare, social, and economic disaster. Wearing of masks and social distancing can significantly decrease transmission and spread, however, due to circumstances such as medical or dental intervention and personal choice these practices have not been universally adopted. Additional strategies are required to lessen transmission. Nasal rinses and mouthwashes, which directly impact the major sites of reception and transmission of human coronaviruses (HCoV), may provide an additional level of protection against the virus. Common over‐the‐counter nasal rinses and mouthwashes/gargles were tested for their ability to inactivate high concentrations of HCoV using contact times of 30 s, 1 min, and 2 min. Reductions in titers were measured by using the tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50) assay. A 1% baby shampoo nasal rinse solution inactivated HCoV greater than 99.9% with a 2‐min contact time. Several over‐the‐counter mouthwash/gargle products including Listerine and Listerine‐like products were highly effective at inactivating infectious virus with greater than 99.9% even with a 30‐s contact time. In the current manuscript we have demonstrated that several commonly available healthcare products have significant virucidal properties with respect to HCoV.
Neuroinvasion of SARS‐CoV‐2 may play a role in the breakdown of the respiratory center of the brain
Authors: Dey Jhilik , Alam Md T. , Chandra Sreyashi , Gupta Jalaj , Ray Upasana , Srivastava Amit K. , Tripathi Prem P.
Published: September 2020

The recent outbreak of the novel coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2, has emerged to be highly pathogenic in nature. Although lungs are considered as the primary infected organs by SARS‐CoV‐2, some of the other organs, including the brain, have also been found to be affected. Here, we have discussed how SARS‐CoV‐2 might infect the brain. The infection of the respiratory center in the brainstem could be hypothesized to be responsible for the respiratory failure in many COVID‐19 patients. The virus might gain entry through the olfactory bulb and invade various parts of the brain, including the brainstem. Alternatively, the entry might also occur from peripheral circulation into the central nervous system by compromising the blood–brain barrier. Finally, yet another possible entry route could be its dispersal from the lungs into the vagus nerve via the pulmonary stretch receptors, eventually reaching the brainstem. Therefore, screening neurological symptoms in COVID‐19 patients, especially toward the breakdown of the respiratory center in the brainstem, might help us better understand this disease.
Outcome of nucleos(t)ide analog intervention in patients with preventive or on‐demand therapy for hepatitis B virus reactivation
Authors: Tamori Akihiro , Kimura Kiminori , Kioka Kiyohide , Enomoto Hirayuki , Odagiri Naoshi , Kozuka Ritsuzo , Uchida‐Kobayashi Sawako , Enomoto Masaru , Kawada Norifumi , Mizokami Masashi
Published: September 2020

Preventive or on‐demand nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy can prevent severe hepatitis related to hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBV‐R). However, it is unclear if NA can be safely stopped in such patients after cytotoxic therapies or during immunosuppressive therapies. We retrospectively evaluated 133 patients who initiated NA therapy between 2007 and 2018. A total of 103 patients were positive for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) at baseline, and NA therapy was started before cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy (preventive group). Thirty patients with resolved HBV infection were treated with NA therapy after HBV reactivation (on‐demand group). Virological relapse was defined as a serum HBV DNA level >20 IU/ml. NA therapy was stopped in 12 (12%) patients (preventive group), and in 16 (53%) patients (on‐demand group). After the cessation of NA therapy, the cumulative rates of relapse were 36% and 39% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. High levels of HBsAg both at baseline and at the cessation of NA therapy were related to the occurrence of relapse. Relapse did not occur in patients with HBsAg levels <20 IU/ml (preventive group). HBV relapse occurred in five (33%) patients in the on‐demand group. Relapse occurred only in anti‐HBs‐negative patients at the cessation of NA therapy. There were no cases of hepatitis flare after the cessation of NA therapy. HBsAg predicted HBV relapse after the cessation of NA therapy in HBsAg‐positive patients. Anti‐HBs could be a predictive marker for NA therapy cessation in patients with resolved HBV.
Modulation of vascular response after injury in the rat Achilles tendon alters healing capacity
Authors: Riggin Corinne N. , Rodriguez Ashley B. , Weiss Stephanie N. , Raja Harina A. , Chen Mengcun , Schultz Susan M. , Sehgal Chandra M. , Soslowsky Louis J.
Published: September 2020

Tendons are relatively hypovascular but become hypervascular during both injury and degeneration. This is due to the angiogenic response, or the formation of new blood vessels, to tissue injury. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vascular modulation in the rat Achilles tendons during healing. Fischer rats received a bilateral Achilles incisional injury followed by local injections of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), anti‐VEGF antibody (B20.4‐1‐1), or saline either early or late during the healing process. Vascular modulation and healing were evaluated using multiple in vivo ultrasound imaging modalities, in vivo functional assessment, and ex vivo measures of tendon compositional and mechanical properties. The late delivery of anti‐VEGF antibody, B20, caused a temporary reduction in healing capacity during a time point where vascularity was also decreased, and then an improvement during a later time point where vascularity was increased relative to control. However, VEGF delivery had a minimal impact on healing and vascular changes in both early and late delivery times. This study was the first to evaluate vascular changes using both in vivo imaging methods and ex vivo histological methods, as well as functional and mechanical outcomes associated with these vascular changes. Clinical significance: this study demonstrates that the alteration of vascular response through the delivery of angiogenic growth factors has the ability to alter tendon healing properties.
Is nonanatomic rectal resection a valid therapeutic option for rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors? A proposed decision algorithm
Authors: Romain Benoit , Delhorme Jean‐Baptiste , Manceau Gilles , Lefevre Jérémie H , Tresallet Christophe , Mariani Pascale , Iannelli Antonio , Rouanet Philippe , Piessen Guillaume , Brigand Cécile ,   the AFC working group
Published: September 2020

Background and objectives

The best surgical approach to rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is still debated, and both nonanatomic rectal resection (NARR) and anatomic rectal resection (ARR) are applied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and oncological outcomes of NARR and ARR for rectal GISTs (R‐GISTs).

Methods

Through a large French multicentre retrospective study, 35 patients were treated for R‐GIST between 2001 and 2013. Patients who underwent NARR and ARR were compared.

Results

There were 23 (65.7%) patients in group ARR and 12 (34.3%) in group NARR. Significantly more patients in the group with ARR had a neoadjuvant treatment (86%) with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) (imatinib) compared to those with NARR (25%) (p < .01). The median preoperative tumor size was significantly different between the groups without and with neoadjuvant TKI: 30 ± 23 mm versus 64 ± 44.4 mm, respectively (p < .001). Overall postoperative morbidity was 20% (n = 7) (26% for ARR vs. 8% for NARR; p = .4). After a median follow‐up of 60.2 (3.2–164.3) months, the 5‐year disease‐free survival rates were 79.5% (confidence interval [CI] 95%: 54–100) for the NARR group and 68% (CI 95%: 46.4–89.7) for the ARR group (p = .697), respectively.

Conclusion

The use of NARR for small R‐GIST's does not seem to impair the oncological prognosis.
Thoracic vertebral morphology in normal and scoliosis deformity in skeletally immature rabbits: A Longitudinal study
Authors: Alfraihat Ausilah , Olson John Casey , Snyder Brian D. , Cahill Patrick J. , Balasubramanian Sriram
Published: September 2020

Objective

To measure age‐related changes in thoracic vertebral body heights (VBH) in skeletally immature normative and scoliotic rabbits to assess how VBH change during growth. To examine the potential link between the moment‐arm of the rib tether and vertebral wedging as well as the sum of the curvature angles at the apical level (T7). To assess the correlation between the magnitude of initial spine curve and final spine curve in the scoliotic group.

Methods

Eight healthy, skeletally immature normative New Zealand rabbits and ten skeletally immature scoliotic rabbits which underwent unilateral rib tethering were included retrospectively. Each rabbit was scanned at two to four time points (at 7, 11, 14 and 28 weeks). Three dimensional bone models of thoracic vertebrae (T1‐T12) were digitally segmented and reconstructed. VBH were calculated using surface landmark points from each thoracic vertebra. Apical level (T7) ± 2 levels in scoliotic rabbits were compared to their corresponding levels and time points in the normative group. The moment‐arms between the centroids of 2D projections of T3‐T9 vertebral bodies and the line which connects the centroids of the end levels were calculated.

Results

Bilateral left‐right (L‐R) symmetry and anterior‐posterior (A‐P) asymmetry were observed in normative VBH. Bilateral concave‐convex (CC‐CX) asymmetry and (A‐P) asymmetry were observed in scoliotic VBH. No significant differences in growth rates were found between the normative and scoliotic groups. Vertebral wedging as well as curvature magnitude were positively correlated with the moment‐arms.

Conclusion

Unilateral rib tether applies compressive forces on both concave and convex sides, whereas compressive forces are lower on the latter. Knowing the amount of vertebral wedging or curve magnitude would enable us to predict the applied force (moment‐arms), which is important for planning a corrective surgery.
Crypto access: Is it possible to use cryptocurrencies in scholarly periodicals?
Authors: Tarkhanov I. A. , Fomin‐Nilov D. V. , Fomin M. V.
Published: September 2020

Key points

The integration of crypto assets into the traditional journal model offers potential for both user incentives and financial security, especially for new or small journals.

The case study reveals low uptake by users, which may be attributed to a resistance to new technology and underestimation of the incentives required.

Implementation of cryptocurrencies is likely to be more successful if it is implemented by many journals and in an open environment for publishers.
Comment on COVID‐19 in patients with myasthenia gravis: Author response
Authors: Anand Pria , Slama Michaël C. C. , Kaku Michelle , Ong Charlene , Cervantes‐Arslanian Anna M. , Zhou Lan , David William S. , Guidon Amanda C.
Published: September 2020

See article on pages E85–E86 in this issue.
In Reply
Authors: Stacchiotti Silvia , Baldi Giacomo Giulio , Casali Paolo Giovanni
Published: September 2020

This letter to the editor responds to questions about the results of the authors’ recently reported study of chemotherapy in inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors.
Climate sensitivity of rice yields: An agro climatic zone analysis in the undivided state of Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Padakandla Steven Raj
Published: September 2020

Observational data shows that there have been significant regional variations in climate change patterns across India. This study examines the effects of climate change on yields of rice across different climatic zones in the former state of Andhra Pradesh. The study uses district level panel data for 30 years (1981–2010) to analyze the influence of climatic variables like rainfall, maximum temperature and minimum temperature on rice yields at the agro‐climatic zone level. Analysis of data shows that the degree of impact of climate on yield of rice is varied across different climatic zones in the former state of Andhra Pradesh. Climatic zones which have traditionally higher temperature and lesser rainfall are more susceptible to variations in climate than others. Though the negative impact of temperature is similar among all the zones, there are observable spatial variations and differences in the degrees of impact The study also found that the impact of irrigation is significantly higher in traditionally drier zones than others. Given significant regional variations on climate change impact, policy makers, administrators and crop scientists have to design micro‐level mitigation and adaptation techniques.
Does COVID‐19 outbreak cause spot electricity price discovery in India?
Authors: Rath Badri Narayan , Akram Vaseem
Published: September 2020

This paper aims to investigate whether COVID‐19 pandemic causes the spot electricity price discovery of the Indian electricity market. To do so, we use the average daily spot electricity price data for five regions of the Indian electricity market (North, East, West, South, and North‐East). The data is considered from March 15, 2020 to May 02, 2020. The results obtained from cross‐sectional augmented Im, Pesaran and Shin (CIPS) unit root test show the stationary of spot electricity price and COVID‐19 at the level. Additionally, we use the Dumitrescu–Hurlin (DH) panel causality test to examine the causality between spot electricity price and COVID‐19. The results reveal the unidirectional causality which is running from COVID‐19 to the spot electricity price discovery but no other way around. Our findings suggests to the policymakers that across different regions of India (North, East, West, South, and North‐East), the ongoing coronavirus outbreak will further disrupt the electricity market.
Gastrointestinal bleeding risk with rivaroxaban vs aspirin in atrial fibrillation: A multinational study
Authors: Fanning Laura , Wong Ian C. K. , Li Xue , Chan Esther W. , Mongkhon Pajaree , Man Kenneth K. C. , Wei Li , Leung Wai K. , Darzins Peteris , Bell J. Simon , Ilomaki Jenni , Lau Wallis C. Y.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Comparative gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) risk between rivaroxaban and low‐dose aspirin is unknown in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study investigated GIB risk with rivaroxaban vs aspirin among two separate AF cohorts in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, using a common protocol approach.

Methods

This was a population‐based cohort study using separate data from the Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System (CDARS) of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority (2010‐2018) and The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database in the United Kingdom (2011‐2017). Patients with AF newly prescribed aspirin or rivaroxaban were included. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to compare GIB risks for rivaroxaban vs aspirin, accounting for confounders using propensity score fine stratification approach.

Results

In CDARS, 29 213 patients were included; n = 1052 (rivaroxaban), n = 28 161 (aspirin). Crude GIB event rates per 100 patient‐years in CDARS were 3.0 (aspirin) and 2.6 (rivaroxaban). No difference in GIB risk was observed between rivaroxaban and aspirin overall (HR = 1.04, 95%CI = 0.76‐1.42), and in dose‐stratified analyses (HR = 1.21, 95%CI = 0.84‐1.74 [20 mg/day]; HR = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.44‐1.45 [≤15 mg/day]). In THIN, 11 549 patients were included, n = 3496 (rivaroxaban) and n = 8053 (aspirin). Crude GIB event rates were 1.3 (aspirin) and 2.4 (rivaroxaban) per 100 patient‐years. No difference in GIB risk was observed between rivaroxaban and aspirin overall (HR = 1.40, 95%CI = 1.00‐1.98) and low‐dose rivaroxaban (≤15 mg/day) (HR = 1.00, 95%CI = 0.56‐1.30), but increased GIB risk was observed for rivaroxaban 20 mg/day vs aspirin (HR = 1.57, 95%CI = 1.08‐2.29).

Conclusion

In patients with AF, GIB risk was comparable between aspirin and rivaroxaban ≤15 mg/day. GIB risk for rivaroxaban 20 mg/day vs aspirin remains uncertain and warrants further investigation.
Relationships among resilience, depressive symptoms, self‐esteem, and quality of life in children with cancer
Authors: Chung Joyce Oi Kwan , Li William Ho Cheung , Cheung Ankie Tan , Ho Laurie Long Kwan , Xia Wei , Chan Godfrey Chi Fung , Lopez Violeta
Published: September 2020

Objective

To examine the interrelationships among resilience, self‐esteem, and depressive symptoms and determine whether resilience was a factor associated with quality of life for Hong Kong Chinese children with cancer.

Methods

We used a cross‐sectional study design. Participants were 138 Hong Kong Chinese children (aged 7–14 years) who were admitted to the pediatric oncology units of an acute public hospital. The resilience, depressive symptoms, self‐esteem, and quality of life of participating children were assessed. The primary outcome was the association between resilience and quality of life in children with cancer.

Results

In total, 72 boys and 66 girls were recruited for this study (mean age 10.6 years). The mean levels of resilience, depressive symptoms, self‐esteem, and quality of life were 23.4, 30.0, 23.0, and 63.6, respectively. There was a statistically significant strong positive correlation between resilience and quality of life (r = 0.60, p < 0.01), indicating that greater resilience was associated with better quality of life. Children with cancer from single‐parent families, those diagnosed with a brain tumor, and those who received multiple treatments reported significantly lower levels of resilience, self‐esteem, and quality of life, and greater depressive symptoms than other children (all p's < 0.001). Results of a multiple regression analysis revealed that resilience (p < 0.001) was a strong factor associated with quality of life among children with cancer.

Conclusions

It is essential that healthcare professionals implement interventions to boost the resilience of children with cancer, thereby enhancing their quality of life.
DNSS2: Improved ab initio protein secondary structure prediction using advanced deep learning architectures
Authors: Guo Zhiye , Hou Jie , Cheng Jianlin
Published: September 2020

Accurate prediction of protein secondary structure (alpha‐helix, beta‐strand and coil) is a crucial step for protein inter‐residue contact prediction and ab initio tertiary structure prediction. In a previous study, we developed a deep belief network‐based protein secondary structure method (DNSS1) and successfully advanced the prediction accuracy beyond 80%. In this work, we developed multiple advanced deep learning architectures (DNSS2) to further improve secondary structure prediction. The major improvements over the DNSS1 method include (a) designing and integrating six advanced one‐dimensional deep convolutional/recurrent/residual/memory/fractal/inception networks to predict 3‐state and 8‐state secondary structure, and (b) using more sensitive profile features inferred from Hidden Markov model (HMM) and multiple sequence alignment (MSA). Most of the deep learning architectures are novel for protein secondary structure prediction. DNSS2 was systematically benchmarked on independent test data sets with eight state‐of‐art tools and consistently ranked as one of the best methods. Particularly, DNSS2 was tested on the protein targets of 2018 CASP13 experiment and achieved the Q3 score of 81.62%, SOV score of 72.19%, and Q8 score of 73.28%. DNSS2 is freely available at: https://github.com/multicom-toolbox/DNSS2.
High‐Stability and Low‐Noise Multilevel Switching in In3SbTe2 Material for Phase Change Photonic Memory Applications
Authors: Arjunan Mozhikunnam Sreekrishnan , Saxena Nishant , Mondal Anirban , Dixit Tejendra , Adarsh Kumaran Nair Valsala Devi , Manivannan Anbarasu
Published: September 2020

Herein, eight uniform optical states (3 bit) are demonstrated by irradiating nanosecond laser pulses on thin In3SbTe2 films having high stability (260 °C), revealing at least 1% reflectivity contrast between any two consecutive states with strikingly low noise variation of 0.18% at each level, which is almost a 50% lower value compared to Ge2Sb2Te5 and AgInSbTe materials, revealing the two times enhanced signal‐to‐noise ratio of the In3SbTe2 material. Furthermore, a systematic structural evolution during multilevel switching is investigated using confocal Raman spectroscopic studies. The experimental findings demonstrate low‐noise yet highly stable multilevel switching toward the development of reliable phase change photonic memory devices.
Add‐on effect of Qiming granule, a Chinese patent medicine, in treating diabetic macular edema: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hu Zhipeng , Xie Chunguang , Yang Maoyi , Fu Xiaoxu , Gao Hong , Liu Ya , Xie Hongyan
Published: September 2020

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qiming granule (QG) on diabetic macular edema (DME). PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, qvip and China Biology Medicine Disc were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about participants with a diagnosis of DME were included. Risk of bias assessment was conducted by Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool for RCT. Random‐effects model was implemented to pool results. Among 16 included studies, QG combined with conventional treatment was administered 13.5 g daily for a period ranging from 2 to 6 months. Results showed combination therapy was more effective than conventional treatment alone in central macular thickness (weighted mean difference (WMD) = −29.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) (−39.56 to −19.29), p = .0001), optimum corrected vision (pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) = −0.962, 95%CI (−1.35 to −0.57), p = .0001) and overall effective rate (RR = 1.25, 95%CI = [1.13 to 1.35], p < .0001). Only three studies reported adverse effects. The quality of evidence is low. Due to a lack of placebo control, the net efficacy of QG is still uncertain. More high‐quality RCTs are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of QG in DME.
Open Chemistry, JupyterLab, REST, and quantum chemistry
Authors: Hanwell Marcus D. , Harris Chris , Genova Alessandro , Haghighatlari Mojtaba , El Khatib Muammar , Avery Patrick , Hachmann Johannes , de Jong Wibe Albert
Published: September 2020

Quantum chemistry must evolve if it wants to fully leverage the benefits of the internet age, where the worldwide web offers a vast tapestry of tools that enable users to communicate and interact with complex data at the speed and convenience of a button press. The Open Chemistry project has developed an open‐source framework that offers an end‐to‐end solution for producing, sharing, and visualizing quantum chemical data interactively on the web using an array of modern tools and approaches. These tools build on some of the best open‐source community projects such as Jupyter for interactive online notebooks, coupled with 3D accelerated visualization, state‐of‐the‐art computational chemistry codes including NWChem and Psi4, and emerging machine learning and data mining tools such as ChemML and ANI. They offer flexible formats to import and export data, along with approaches to compare computational and experimental data.
The impact of endometrial injury on reproductive outcomes: results of an updated meta‐analysis
Authors: Nahshon Chen , Sagi‐Dain Lena , Dirnfeld Martha
Published: September 2020

Background

It is still unclear whether endometrial injury (EI) has a beneficial effect on reproductive outcomes, and if so, the optimal procedure characteristics are not clear. All previous papers concluded that more research is needed, and as additional studies were recently published, the insights on EI have changed significantly.

Methods

Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, to identify randomized controlled trials examining the EI effect on IVF outcomes in women at least one previous failed cycle.

Results

2015 references were identified through database searching. Ultimately, 17 studies were included, involving 3016 patients. Clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) (RR = 1.19, [95% CI 1.06–1.32],P= .003) and live birth rate (LBR) (RR = 1.18, [95%CI 1.04–1.34],P= .009) were significantly improved after EI. Number of previous failed cycles, maternal age, and hysteroscopy were found to be relevant confounders. Higher CPR and LBR were found when EI was performed twice, while performing EI once did not significantly improve reproductive rates.

Conclusion

According to the present meta‐analysis, EI may be offered to younger patients with few previous failed cycles and should be additionally studied in an RCT comparing different timing and more than one EI before treatment.
Potential of mesenchymal stem cells as topical immunomodulatory cell therapies for ocular surface inflammatory disorders
Authors: Beeken Lydia J. , Ting Darren S.J. , Sidney Laura E.
Published: September 2020

Ocular surface inflammatory disorders (OSIDs) are a group of highly prevalent, heterogeneous diseases that display a variety of aetiologies and symptoms and are risk factors for serious complications, including ocular and cornea impairment. Corneal inflammation is a common factor of all OSIDs, regardless of their cause or symptoms. Current medications include over-the-counter lubricating eye drops, corticosteroids, and ciclosporin, which either do not treat the corneal inflammation or have been associated with multiple side effects leading to alternative treatments being sought. Regenerative medicine cell therapies, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), have shown great promise for immunosuppression and disease amelioration across multiple tissues, including the cornea. However, for successful development and clinical translation of MSC therapy for OSIDs, significant problems must be addressed. This review aims to highlight considerations, including whether the source of MSC isolation impacts the efficacy and safety of the therapy, in addition to assessing the feasibility of MSC topical application to the cornea and ocular surface through analysis of potential scaffolds and cell carriers for application to the eye. The literature contains limited data assessing MSCs incorporated into scaffolds for corneal administration, thus here we highlight the necessity of further investigations to truly exploit the potential of an MSC-based cell therapy for the treatment of OSIDs.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Anticancer Studies of Some Pyrazole‐Based Hybrid Heteroatomics
Authors: Kuthyala Sharanya , Sheikh Sareen , Prabhu Ashwini , Rekha P. D. , Karikannar Nagaraja G. , Shankar Madan K.
Published: September 2020

Defined with a dual‐mode of action, the hybrid molecule synthesis is an attractive strategy to endure the scientific challenges in drug discovery. Besides worthy development in cancer therapy, it is still a leading cause of death across the globe. Failure in terms of efficacy, selectivity and toxicity, the statistics of a potential drug to concrete the cancer is rather in bleak. In the present study, synthesized hybrid molecules were well characterized by spectroscopy techniques. The single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography study revealed the monoclinic crystal system of Dimethyl 1,4‐dihydro‐2,6‐dimethyl‐4‐(3‐(5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)pyridine‐3,5‐dicarboxylate (5 b) with spacegroup C2/c. MTT assay provided the anticancer property of the compounds Diethyl1,4‐dihydro‐3,5‐dimethyl‐4‐(3‐(5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylate (5 a) and 5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐4‐(4‐(4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazole (6 a) against A549 cell lines with the IC50 values of 42.79 μM and 55.13 μM respectively. The AO‐EB staining assay for cell death analysis confirmed the selective action of both 5 a and 6 a. Further, molecular docking confirmed the effective binding with cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK2) protein, suggesting that the target compounds are remarkable inhibitors in dysregulating the CDK2 protein in cancer cells.
Engineering Inorganic Nanoflares with Elaborate Enzymatic Specificity and Efficiency for Versatile Biofilm Eradication
Authors: Liang Meijuan , Wang Yanbing , Ma Kang , Yu Shanshan , Chen Yingying , Deng Zhao , Liu Yi , Wang Fuan
Published: September 2020

Nanozyme has emerged as a versatile nanocatalyst yet is constrained with limited catalytic efficiency and specificity for various biomedical applications. Herein, by elaborately integrating the recognition/transduction carbon dots (CDs) with platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs), an exquisite CDs@PtNPs (CPP) nanoflare is engineered as an efficient and substrate‐specific peroxidase‐mimicking nanozyme for high‐performance biosensing and antibacterial applications. The intelligent CPP‐catalyzed hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐generated reactive oxygen species realize the sensitive diagnosis‐guided enhanced disinfection of pathogens. Significantly, the CPP nanozyme shows the prominent biofilm eradication and wound healing in vivo by virtue of endogenous H2O2 in acidic infection tissues, which can substantially preclude the annoying antibiotics resistance. A fundamental understanding on the present CPP nanoflare would not only facilitate the advancement of various prospective biocatalysts, but also establish a multifunctional means for versatile biosensing and smart diagnostic applications.
Toward Controlling Filament Size and Location for Resistive Switches via Nanoparticle Exsolution at Oxide Interfaces
Authors: Spring Jonathan , Sediva Eva , Hood Zachary D. , Gonzalez‐Rosillo Juan Carlos , O'Leary Willis , Kim Kun Joong , Carrillo Alfonso J. , Rupp Jennifer L. M.
Published: September 2020

Memristive devices are among the most prominent candidates for future computer memory storage and neuromorphic computing. Though promising, the major hurdle for their industrial fabrication is their device‐to‐device and cycle‐to‐cycle variability. These occur due to the random nature of nanoionic conductive filaments, whose rupture and formation govern device operation. Changes in filament location, shape, and chemical composition cause cycle‐to‐cycle variability. This challenge is tackled by spatially confining conductive filaments with Ni nanoparticles. Ni nanoparticles are integrated on the bottom La0.2Sr0.7Ti0.9Ni0.1O3−δ electrode by an exsolution method, in which, at high temperatures under reducing conditions, Ni cations migrate to the perovskite surface, generating metallic nanoparticles. This fabrication method offers fine control over particle size and density and ensures strong particle anchorage in the bottom electrode, preventing movement and agglomeration. In devices based on amorphous SrTiO3, it is demonstrated that as the exsolved Ni nanoparticle diameter increases up to ≈50 nm, the ratio between the ON and OFF resistance states increases from single units to 180 and the variability of the low resistance state reaches values below 5%. Exsolution is applied for the first time to engineer solid–solid interfaces extending its realm of application to electronic devices.
[(C8H17)4N]4[SiW12O40] (TASiW‐12)‐Modified SnO2 Electron Transport Layer for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Shi Zejiao , Zhang Xin , Guo Jia , Li Xiaoguo , Weng Zhenhua , Liu Fengcai , Wu Lixin , Ahmed Irfan , Akram Aftab , Javed Sofia , Xing Guichuan , Li Fenghong , Zhan Yiqiang , Zheng Lirong
Published: September 2020

Recently, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been developed to exceed 25%, and charge transport layer optimization is a promising strategy for further efficiency improvement in PSCs. Herein, a supramolecular complex [(C8H17)4N]4[SiW12O40] (TASiW‐12) is synthesized and its doped form in SnO2 (hereafter S‐SnO2) is used as a charge transport layer (electron transport layer, ETL). This study demonstrates that S‐SnO2 introduction is a practical and effective way to improve the bulk ETL and those of the ETL/perovskite interface. S‐SnO2 leads to improved band alignment, suppressed trap‐assisted charge recombination, and enhanced electron mobility. In addition, an enhanced open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.16 V and an efficiency of 22.8% are successfully achieved in n–i–p planar PSCs. Meanwhile, S‐SnO2 acts as a crucial agent to reduce charge accumulation at the S‐SnO2/perovskite interface. The device possesses superior stability for 3072 h with only a 5.65% loss of the initial PCE. These results indicate that high‐efficiency PSCs can be easily attained by introducing a TASiW‐12‐doped ETL with integrated functions.
Characterization of potential superspreader farms for bovine tuberculosis: A review
Authors: Fielding Helen R. , McKinley Trevelyan J. , Delahay Richard J. , Silk Matthew J. , McDonald Robbie A.
Published: September 2020

Background

Variation in host attributes that influence their contact rates and infectiousness can lead some individuals to make disproportionate contributions to the spread of infections. Understanding the roles of such ‘superspreaders’ can be crucial in deciding where to direct disease surveillance and controls to greatest effect. In the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Great Britain, it has been suggested that a minority of cattle farms or herds might make disproportionate contributions to the spread of Mycobacterium bovis, and hence might be considered ‘superspreader farms’.

Objectives and Methods

We review the literature to identify the characteristics of farms that have the potential to contribute to exceptional values in the three main components of the farm reproductive number ‐ Rf: contact rate, infectiousness and duration of infectiousness, and therefore might characterize potential superspreader farms for bovine tuberculosis in Great Britain.

Results

Farms exhibit marked heterogeneity in contact rates arising from between‐farm trading of cattle. A minority of farms act as trading hubs that greatly augment connections within cattle trading networks. Herd infectiousness might be increased by high within‐herd transmission or the presence of supershedding individuals, or infectiousness might be prolonged due to undetected infections or by repeated local transmission, via wildlife or fomites.

Conclusions

Targeting control methods on putative superspreader farms might yield disproportionate benefits in controlling endemic bovine tuberculosis in Great Britain. However, real‐time identification of any such farms, and integration of controls with industry practices, present analytical, operational and policy challenges.
The influence of polarization and filtration of beams on the ED spectrometers sensitivity
Authors: Zhalsaraev B. Zh.
Published: September 2020

The topic under discussion is the influence of X‐ray polarization and filtration, as well as the influence of detectors count rate on sensitivity and detection limits (DLs) in spectrometers with energy dispersion (EDS). Parameters calculation technique for searching optimal analysis conditions has been developed. Typical DLs of elements with medium and high atomic numbers on various spectrometers are given (on wave dispersive spectrometers (WDS), energy dispersive spectrometers (EDS) without polarization and energy‐dispersive polarized‐beam X‐ray spectrometers (EDPXRS). Apparently, EDS variants are preferred for determining elements with Z > 62–65, and EDPXRS spectrometers with concave targets and increased aperture are preferred for determining elements with medium atomic numbers.
Yang-Baxter deformations of the AdS5×S5 supercoset sigma model from 4D Chern-Simons theory
Authors: Fukushima Osamu , Sakamoto Jun-ichi , Yoshida Kentaroh
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We present homogeneous Yang-Baxter deformations of the AdS5×S5 supercoset sigma model as boundary conditions of a 4D Chern-Simons theory. We first generalize the procedure for the 2D principal chiral model developed by Delduc et al. [5] so as to reproduce the 2D symmetric coset sigma model, and specify boundary conditions governing homogeneous Yang-Baxter deformations. Then the conditions are applicable for the AdS5×S5 supercoset sigma model case as well. In addition, homogeneous bi-Yang-Baxter deformation is also discussed.
Pattern Recognition Receptors: Significance of Expression in the Liver
Authors: Żeromski Jan , Kierepa Agata , Brzezicha Bartosz , Kowala-Piaskowska Arleta , Mozer-Lisewska Iwona
Published: September 2020

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are a pivotal part of the immune system. They are distributed in almost every site of higher organisms, able to recognize foreign pathogens or unwanted remnants of metabolism and mount innate immune response. Moreover, PRRs create bridging signaling to initiate adaptive immunity. The liver being the largest organ of the body, exposed to myriads of foreign substances often being immunogenic, is well equipped with PRRs. They act as sentinels of the organ, both in health and disease. In viral hepatitis C at least two of them, RIG-1 and TLR3 sense HCV, induce protective interferon production and create proinflammatory status. The hepatitis B virus is apparently invisible to PRRs, which has recently been denied. Besides, they are active in the course of infection. In liver injury and hepatic fibrogenesis Toll-like receptors (TLRs), predominantly TLR4, TLR3 and TLR9 are associated with gut microflora-related products and DNA from dying hepatocytes, lead to the activation of hepatic stellate cells. The latter initiate production of fibrillar collagens, the main agents forming hepatic fibrosis. Tumor cells of primary liver cancer also express PRRs, mainly TLRs. In concert with non-resolving liver inflammation, they are considered pivotal factors leading to carcinogenesis.
Development of a fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous quantification of neurotransmitters in murine microdialysate
Authors: Helmschrodt Christin , Becker Susen , Perl Stefanie , Schulz Anja , Richter Angelika
Published: September 2020

The continuous measurement of multiple neurotransmitters in microdialysate of freely moving mice to study neurochemical changes in specific brain regions requires a rapid and very sensitive quantitative analytical method. The quantitative analysis of 11 neurotransmitters and metabolites, including serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), melatonin (ME), dopamine (DA), levodopa (l-DOPA), 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT), norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (EP), acetylcholine (ACh), choline (Ch), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), was performed using a biphenyl column coupled to an API-QTrap 3200 (AB SCIEX) mass spectrometer in positive electrospray ionization mode. To the microdialysate samples, 0.5 ng of isotopically labeled standard was added for analyte quantification. A rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of monoamines, their precursor, and metabolites, as well as ACh, Ch, and GABA in murine microdialysate within 7.0 min. The limit of detection in artificial CSF ranged from 0.005 ng/mL (ME) to 0.75 ng/mL (NE and GABA). A comprehensive pre-analytical protocol was validated. Recovery was between 87 and 117% for neurotransmitter concentrations from 0.6 to 45 ng/mL with an inter-day accuracy of below 20%. Basal neurotransmitter values were determined in the striatum of mice over a time period of 3 h. This LC-MS/MS method, including a short and gentle sample preparation, is suitable for simultaneous measurements of neurotransmitters in murine cerebral microdialysate and enables the determination of basal neurotransmitter levels in specific brain regions to detect disease-related and drug-induced neurochemical changes.

Graphical abstract
Standing waves of the quintic NLS equation on the tadpole graph
Authors: Noja Diego , Pelinovsky Dmitry E.
Published: September 2020

The tadpole graph consists of a circle and a half-line attached at a vertex. We analyze standing waves of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with quintic power nonlinearity equipped with the Neumann–Kirchhoff boundary conditions at the vertex. The profile of the standing wave with the frequency $$\omega \in (-\infty ,0)$$

ω
∈
(
-
∞
,
0
)

is characterized as a global minimizer of the quadratic part of energy constrained to the unit sphere in $$L^6$$

L
6

. The set of standing waves includes the set of ground states, which are the global minimizers of the energy at constant mass ($$L^2$$

L
2

-norm), but it is actually wider. While ground states exist only for a certain interval of masses, the standing waves exist for every $$\omega \in (-\infty ,0)$$

ω
∈
(
-
∞
,
0
)

and correspond to a bigger interval of masses. It is proven that there exist critical frequencies $$\omega _1$$

ω
1

and $$\omega _0$$

ω
0

with $$-\infty< \omega _1< \omega _0 < 0$$

-
∞
<

ω
1

<

ω
0

<
0

such that the standing waves are the ground state for $$\omega \in [\omega _0,0)$$

ω
∈
[

ω
0

,
0
)

, local constrained minima of the energy for $$\omega \in (\omega _1,\omega _0)$$

ω
∈
(

ω
1

,

ω
0

)

and saddle points of the energy at constant mass for $$\omega \in (-\infty ,\omega _1)$$

ω
∈
(
-
∞
,

ω
1

)

. Proofs make use of the variational methods and the analytical theory for differential equations.
Sensitivity of nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and nasal wash specimens for SARS-CoV-2 detection in the setting of sampling device shortage
Authors: Calame Adrien , Mazza Léna , Renzoni Adriana , Kaiser Laurent , Schibler Manuel
Published: September 2020

In the context of an unprecedented shortage of nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) or sample transport media during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis, alternative methods for sample collection are needed. To address this need, we validated a cell culture medium as a viral transport medium, and compared the analytical sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in nasal wash (NW), oropharyngeal swab (OPS), and NPS specimens. Both the clinical and analytical sensitivity were comparable in these three sample types. OPS and NW specimens may therefore represent suitable alternatives to NPS for SARS-CoV-2 detection.
Muscle-driven and torque-driven centrodes during modeled flexion of individual lumbar spines are disparate
Authors: Rockenfeller Robert , Müller Andreas , Damm Nicolas , Kosterhon Michael , Kantelhardt Sven R. , Frank Rolfdieter , Gruber Karin
Published: September 2020

Lumbar spine biomechanics during the forward-bending of the upper body (flexion) are well investigated by both in vivo and in vitro experiments. In both cases, the experimentally observed relative motion of vertebral bodies can be used to calculate the instantaneous center of rotation (ICR). The timely evolution of the ICR, the centrode, is widely utilized for validating computer models and is thought to serve as a criterion for distinguishing healthy and degenerative motion patterns. While in vivo motion can be induced by physiological active structures (muscles), in vitro spinal segments have to be driven by external torque-applying equipment such as spine testers. It is implicitly assumed that muscle-driven and torque-driven centrodes are similar. Here, however, we show that centrodes qualitatively depend on the impetus. Distinction is achieved by introducing confidence regions (ellipses) that comprise centrodes of seven individual multi-body simulation models, performing flexion with and without preload. Muscle-driven centrodes were generally directed superior–anterior and tail-shaped, while torque-driven centrodes were located in a comparably narrow region close to the center of mass of the caudal vertebrae. We thus argue that centrodes resulting from different experimental conditions ought to be compared with caution. Finally, the applicability of our method regarding the analysis of clinical syndromes and the assessment of surgical methods is discussed.
Functionalization of polymers and nanomaterials for water treatment, food packaging, textile and biomedical applications: a review
Authors: Makvandi Pooyan , Iftekhar Sidra , Pizzetti Fabio , Zarepour Atefeh , Zare Ehsan Nazarzadeh , Ashrafizadeh Milad , Agarwal Tarun , Padil Vinod V. T. , Mohammadinejad Reza , Sillanpaa Mika , Maiti Tapas Kumar , Perale Giuseppe , Zarrabi Ali , Rossi Filippo
Published: September 2020

The inert nature of most commercial polymers and nanomaterials results in limitations of applications in various industrial fields. This can be solved by surface modifications to improve physicochemical and biological properties, such as adhesion, printability, wetting and biocompatibility. Polymer functionalization allows to graft specific moieties and conjugate molecules that improve material performances. In the last decades, several approaches have been designed in the industry and academia to graft functional groups on surfaces. Here, we review surface decoration of polymers and nanomaterials, with focus on major industrial applications in the medical field, textile industry, water treatment and food packaging. We discuss the advantages and challenges of polymer functionalization. More knowledge is needed on the biology behind cell–polymer interactions, nanosafety and manufacturing at the industrial scale.
Bounded Responsibility and Bounded Ethics of Science and Technology
Authors: Abel Günter
Published: September 2020

The leading question of this paper is: Where does the normativity of the ethics of science and technology come from? This is a challenging question given that the traditional reservoirs of convenience (like metaphysical universalism) are no longer at our disposal the way they used to be. The paper is divided into eight sections: (1) It is specified what challenges a non-foundationalist justification and normativity has to meet. (2) A three-dimensional conception of responsibility is developed based on the human triangular I–We–World relations. (3) The concepts of bounded responsibility and bounded ethics of science and technology are formulated. (4) The principle of reflective equilibrium is introduced as a principle of rationality, and it is shown how this principle generates rational and reasonable justifications in the ethics of science and technology. (5) Against this background, a reconception of internal and external responsibilities of science is given. (6) The type of responsibility demanded is exemplified by today’s climate research. (7) The paper argues for a hand-in-hand model of uncertainties in the sciences and for ethical obligations to preserve the conditions of human life on earth. The ethical argument is spelled out in terms of ethical care, preservation, and precaution. (8) Additionally, some arguments are developed to answer the question of why it is reasonable at all to preserve human life on earth.