bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boost productivity, decrease stress by engaging in authentic conversations
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: November 2020

Remote work, Zoom meetings, emails, texts, and social media can help you stay connected to career and family while limiting your exposure to the COVID‐19 virus, but they won't protect you from catching the loneliness bug triggered by limiting your exposure to chit‐chat. Even before the shutdown brought on by the COVID‐19 pandemic, “the world was already experiencing a loneliness epidemic,” according to Celeste Headlee, an award‐winning journalist, professional speaker, and author of Heard Mentality and We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter. She spoke during a webinar hosted by NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. “The human voice is healing,” she explained, and authentic interactions boost the immune systems of those involved.
Structural and functional development in airways throughout childhood: Children are not small adults
Authors: Di Cicco Maria , Kantar Ahmad , Masini Beatrice , Nuzzi Giulia , Ragazzo Vincenzo , Peroni Diego
Published: November 2020

Children are not small adults and this fact is particularly true when we consider the respiratory tract. The anatomic peculiarities of the upper airway make infants preferential nasal breathers between 2 and 6 months of life. The pediatric larynx has a more complex shape than previously believed, with the narrowest point located anatomically at the subglottic level and functionally at the cricoid cartilage. Alveolarization of the distal airways starts conventionally at 36–37 weeks of gestation, but occurs mainly after birth, continuing until adolescence. The pediatric chest wall has unique features that are particularly pronounced in infants. Neonates, infants, and toddlers have a higher metabolic rate, and consequently, their oxygen consumption at rest is more than double that of adults. The main anatomical and functional differences between pediatric and adult airways contribute to the understanding of various respiratory symptoms and disease conditions in childhood. Knowing the peculiarities of pediatric airways is helpful in the prevention, management, and treatment of acute and chronic diseases of the respiratory tract. Developmental modifications in the structure of the respiratory tract, in addition to immunological and neurological maturation, should be taken into consideration during childhood.
Efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine in patients receiving mechanical ventilation: Evidence from randomized controlled trials
Authors: Dong Qinghua , Li Chunlai , Xiao Fei , Xie Yubo
Published: November 2020

At present, the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine in patients receiving mechanical ventilation (MV) is still controversial. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to assess the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine in MV patients by reviewing the results of randomized controlled trials (RCT). RCTs evaluating the efficacy of dexmedetomidine in the treatment of MV patients were obtained by searching relevant online databases, including PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Medline, OVID, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Literature meeting the inclusion criteria were selected and evaluated by two researchers independently. Risk ratio (RR)/standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to express the differences between groups. Seven RCTs were included in our study, with 986 participants in the dexmedetomidine group and 862 participants in the control group. Summary analysis results displayed no reduction in 30‐day mortality (RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.59 to 1.02), delirium (RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.57 to 1.03), and adverse events (RR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.22 to 5.08) in the dexmedetomidine group compared with the control group. As the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) were presented as median and interquartile range (IQR)/standard deviation (SD), descriptive analysis of the results were performed. Generally, for 99.65% (953/986) of patients, dexmedetomidine was not better than the control group in reducing ICU length of stay. Our results demonstrate that for patients requiring MV, dexmedetomidine was not superior to the control group. However, analysis of more RCTs is required to confirm this conclusion.
Covid-19 Dermatoses: Acral Vesicular Pattern Evolving into Bullous Pemphigoid
Authors: Goon P. K. C. , Bello O. , Adamczyk L. A. , Chan J. Y. H. , Sudhoff H. , Banfield C. C.
Published: November 2020

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) appears to be rising in incidence across the Western World, especially in the elderly. Some of the pathogenetic mechanisms involving antigen mimicry and antibody cross-reactivity have been elucidated for cases associated with neurological disease and certain drugs. There have been reports of cutaneous manifestations of Covid-19 (SARS-Cov2 infection) as the pandemic has raged across the world. We report here a case of prolonged Covid-19, symptomatic with dermatoses only, which was seen to evolve initially from a maculo-papular exanthema with acral vesicular dermatitis, into classical BP disease. This was confirmed histologically by positive skin autoantibody serology, direct IMF on peri-lesional skin and also salt-split IMF. Although possible that the development of BP could be a purely co-incidental finding during Covid-19, we suggest that it is more likely that prolonged SARS-Cov2 infection triggered an autoimmune response to the basement membrane antigens, BP 180 and 230. To our knowledge, this is the first case of BP developing during concurrent Covid-19 disease. It will be necessary to continue dermatological surveillance as the pandemic continues, to collate data on BP incidence and to test these patients for Covid-19 disease. As the pandemic continues, even potential and rare associations such as this will be clarified eventually.

What's already known about this topic?  •Covid-19 disease has been associated with a spectrum of dermatoses•Common presentations in up to 20% of patients include exanthema, pseudo-chilblain like acral lesions ‘Covid toes’, livedo-/retiform purpuric/necrotic vascular lesions, acute urticarial lesions, and vesicular/varicella-like lesions•A multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children akin to Kawasaki syndrome has been described

What does this study add?  •To our knowledge, this is the first description of classic Bullous Pemphigoid evolving from vesicular lesions caused by prolonged SARS-Cov2 induced skin inflammation
Surface Engineering and Built‐In Electric Field within Copper Sulfide/Graphitic Carbon Nitride Photocatalyst for Extremely Enhanced Charge Separation and Broad‐Spectrum Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Degradation
Authors: Zhang Linlin , Sun Wei , Ge Chengjun , Liao Jianjun
Published: November 2020

Semiconductor photocatalysis is the most commonly used technology for the photocatalytic degradation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products, but it suffers from fast charge recombination and a low degradation efficiency. Herein, a novel photocatalyst is synthesized by anchoring copper sulfide nanoparticles on oxygen‐doped graphitic carbon nitride hollow nanospheres. g‐C3N4 is bent to form a nanosphere structure, which promotes the interlayer photogenerated charge transfer, improves the specific surface area, and provides more reaction sites. Moreover, the hollow structure can enhance the utilization of light through the reflection and refraction of light in the cavity. The hollow nanospheres structure has a large number of reaction sites and enhanced light absorption due to internal reflection. After the introduction of copper sulfide, a built‐in electric field is formed, which improves the separation and transmission of photogenerated carriers, and extends the light response range into the near‐infrared (NIR) region. Consequently, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of phenol and diclofenac reach 100% after vis–NIR irradiation for only 25 and 30 min, respectively. The radical trapping experiments and electron spin resonance analysis show that •O2− plays an important role in the photodegradation process. This work provides a strategy for constructing broad‐spectrum response photocatalysts.
Mainstreaming Climate Adaptation in Mozambican Urban Water, Sanitation, and Drainage Sector
Authors: Muradás Pedro , Puig María , Ruiz Óscar , Solé Josep María
Published: November 2020

The Capacity Development Programme (CDP) is an agreement between the Government of Mozambique and the Nordic Development Fund, to tackle climate variability by planning and the sustainable operations and maintenance of sanitation and drainage infrastructure. The Mozambican Administration of Water and Sanitation Infrastructure (AIAS) is the agency responsible for this project. The international consortium in charge of developing the CDP provided consultancy services to AIAS and the vulnerable cities of Beira and Matola. The assignment included not only capacity building but also institutional strengthening activities, as well as specific studies, mainly based on climate modelling (dynamic downscaling) and mapping exercises. Important results and conclusions were achieved, and further adaptation strategies to increase the resilience of the Mozambican urban water, sanitation, and drainage sector were proposed.
The ACCC: Guardian of Viable Markets and Consumer Rights
Authors: Smullen Amanda , Clutton Catherine
Published: November 2020

Since its inception in 1995, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has become a trusted institution in the Australian regulatory landscape. The ACCC has conserved its enforcement mission by adapting to challenges in the political and business environments; through expanding and re-directing its repertoire for regulatory action and broadening its consumer and small business constituencies. This chapter describes the origins of the ACCC and the ways in which its leaders have capitalized on and adapted its organizational capacities to address today’s threats to the organization’s existence and institutional status.
The Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra: Guardian of Symphonic Music
Authors: Koopman Bert
Published: November 2020

The Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, founded in 1888, has consistently been rated among the world’s best symphonic orchestras. This chapter describes how the orchestra evolved into a public institution with an adventurous repertoire and international allure. Over the years, the orchestra had to deal with an ageing public and changing audience demands. It describes how growing pressure on subsidizing authorities have made the orchestra increasingly dependent on sponsors and donors. It discusses the artistic leadership of conductors and the commercial strategizing of business managers—the key actors in shaping the institution. It analyses how the institution eventually found a productive way to channel the perennial conflicts into its governance. The chapter shows how a balance was found between financial pressures and artistic demands, preserving this cultural institution in the face of strong headwinds.
The IDD and Its Impact on the Life Insurance Industry
Authors: Noussia Kyriaki
Published: November 2020

The life insurance sector not only pertains to a variety of distributors, such as for example, ‘bancassurance’ entities combining investments services, investment and insurance products, but also to the large portion of unit-linked/investment based life insurance products. Major legal changes introduced by Directive (EU) 2016/97 (“IDD”) will therefore need to be carefully considered and anticipated by the life insurance industry, including specific professional and organizational requirements, specific information standards for insurance-based investment products, which will include the provision of appropriate information and requirements for advice to be suitable, restrictions on remuneration, and special requirements relating to the advice to be provided to the customer by any distributor related to costs and charges or to the distribution of the product—including the cost of advice. The international character of the Life Insurance has an important impact on the work to the implementation of IDD which aims at a so-called minimum harmonization. No doubt that the implementation may appear wide and burdensome, but it is a unique opportunity for all entities involved to achieve a good balance of liabilities between the professionals involved, review risk management options and look for sustainable business alternatives. This chapter examines the impact of IDD on life insurance and addresses the harmonization impact and effect of the IDD in the insurance industry.
Screening auf psychische Komorbiditäten in der Dermatologie
Authors: Köster Felix-Wilhelm , Kohlmann Sebastian , Loeper Siobhan , Löwe Bernd , Schneider Stefan W.
Published: November 2020

Hintergrund

Ängstlichkeit und Depressivität sind bei Patienten im Bereich der stationären somatischen Versorgung weit verbreitet. Gerade in der Dermatologie, wo oft eine Behandlung von chronischen Erkrankungen erfolgt und die Gefahr der Stigmatisierung durch die Gesellschaft besonders groß ist, treten psychische Störungen bei fast jedem dritten Patienten auf. Dermatologische Erkrankungen und psychische Störungen stehen oft in negativer Wechselwirkung und führen zu gesteigerter Morbidität. Obwohl dermatologische Leitlinien eine Früherkennung empfehlen, wird dies in der Praxis oft unzureichend umgesetzt.

Methodik

Wir demonstrieren die Etablierung eines einfachen Screenings im Bereich der stationären dermatologischen Versorgung auf psychische Komorbiditäten anhand eines kurzen Fragebogens, dem sog. Patient Health Questionnaire‑4 (PHQ-4), der 4 Fragen zur Ängstlichkeit und Depressivität stellt. Wird hierbei ein bestimmter Punktwert erreicht, erfolgt die automatische Anforderung eines psychosomatischen Konsils. Dadurch können eine Entlastung des Patienten sowie die notwendige ganzheitliche Behandlung erfolgen.

Ergebnisse

Im Jahr 2019 wurden in unserer Klinik 83 % aller stationären Patienten mittels PHQ‑4 gescreent und 98 psychosomatische Konsile generiert.

Diskussion

Unsere bisherigen Erfahrungen zeigen den Nutzen des Screenings bei geringem zeitlichem Mehraufwand, sodass wir eine flächendeckende Einführung in der stationären dermatologischen Versorgung empfehlen.
Decline of depressive symptoms in Europe: differential trends across the lifespan
Authors: Beller Johannes , Regidor Enrique , Lostao Lourdes , Miething Alexander , Kröger Christoph , Safieddine Batoul , Tetzlaff Fabian , Sperlich Stefanie , Geyer Siegfried
Published: November 2020

Purpose

We examined changes in the burden of depressive symptoms between 2006 and 2014 in 18 European countries across different age groups.

Methods

We used population-based data drawn from the European Social Survey (N = 64.683, 54% female, age 14–90 years) covering 18 countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland) from 2006 to 2014. Depressive symptoms were measured via the CES-D 8. Generalized additive models, multilevel regression, and linear regression analyses were conducted.

Results

We found a general decline in CES-D 8 scale scores in 2014 as compared with 2006, with only few exceptions in some countries. This decline was most strongly pronounced in older adults, less strongly in middle-aged adults, and least in young adults. Including education, health and income partially explained the decline in older but not younger or middle-aged adults.

Conclusions

Burden of depressive symptoms decreased in most European countries between 2006 and 2014. However, the decline in depressive symptoms differed across age groups and was most strongly pronounced in older adults and least in younger adults. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms that contribute to these overall and differential changes over time in depressive symptoms.
Evaluation of dopamine D3 receptor occupancy by blonanserin using [11C]-(+)-PHNO in schizophrenia patients
Authors: Sakayori Takeshi , Tateno Amane , Arakawa Ryosuke , Kim Woo-chan , Okubo Yoshiro
Published: November 2020

Rationale

Unlike other antipsychotics, our previous positron emission tomography (PET) study demonstrated that a single dose of blonanserin occupied dopamine D3 as well as dopamine D2 receptors in healthy subjects. However, there has been no study concerning the continued use of blonanserin.

Objectives

We examined D2 and D3 receptor occupancies in patients with schizophrenia who had been treated with blonanserin.

Methods

Thirteen patients with schizophrenia participated. PET examinations were performed on patients treated with clinical dosage of blonanserin or olanzapine alone. A crossover design was used in which seven patients switched drugs after the first scan, and PET examinations were conducted again. D2 and D3 receptor occupancies were evaluated by [11C]-(+)-PHNO. We used nondisplaceable binding potential (BPND) of 6 healthy subjects which we previously reported as baseline. To consider the effect of upregulation of D3 receptor by continued use of antipsychotics, D3 receptor occupancy by blonanserin in seven subjects who completed 2 PET scans were re-analyzed by using BPND of olanzapine condition as baseline.

Results

Average occupancy by olanzapine (10.8 ± 6.0 mg/day) was as follows: caudate 32.8 ± 18.3%, putamen 26.3 ± 18.2%, globus pallidus − 33.7 ± 34.9%, substantia nigra − 112.8 ± 90.7%. Average occupancy by blonanserin (12.8 ± 5.6 mg/day) was as follows: caudate 61.0 ± 8.3%, putamen 55.5 ± 9.5%, globus pallidus 48.9 ± 12.4%, substantia nigra 34.0 ± 20.6%. EC50 was 0.30 ng/mL for D2 receptor for caudate and putamen (df = 19, p < 0.0001) and 0.70 ng/mL for D3 receptor for globus pallidus and substantia nigra (df = 19, p < 0.0001). EC50 for D3 receptor of blonanserin changed to 0.22 ng/mL (df = 13, p = 0.0041) when we used BPND of olanzapine condition as baseline.

Conclusions

Our study confirmed that blonanserin occupied both D2 and D3 receptors in patients with schizophrenia.
Correction to: Successful management of hyperammonemia with hemodialysis on day 2 during 5‑fluorouracil treatment in a patient with gastric cancer: a case report with 5‑fluorouracil metabolite analyses
Authors: Ozaki Yoshinao , Imamaki Hirotaka , Ikeda Aki , Oura Mitsuaki , Nakagawa Shunsaku , Funakoshi Taro , Kataoka Shigeki , Nishikawa Yoshitaka , Horimatsu Takahiro , Yonezawa Atsushi , Matsubara Takeshi , Yanagita Motoko , Muto Manabu , Watanabe Norihiko
Published: November 2020

After publication in volume 86, issue 5, page 693–699 the author decided to opt for Open Choice and to make the article an Open Access publication.
Survival among women diagnosed with screen-detected or interval breast cancer classified as true, minimal signs, or missed through an informed radiological review
Authors: Tsuruda Kaitlyn M. , Hovda Tone , Bhargava Sameer , Veierød Marit B. , Hofvind Solveig
Published: November 2020

Objectives

“True” breast cancers, defined as not being visible on prior screening mammograms, are expected to be more aggressive than “missed” cancers, which are visible in retrospect. However, the evidence to support this hypothesis is limited. We compared the risk of death from any cause for women with true, minimal signs, and missed invasive screen-detected (SDC) and interval breast cancers (IC).

Methods

This nation-wide study included 1022 SDC and 788 IC diagnosed through BreastScreen Norway during 2005–2016. Cancers were classified as true, minimal signs, or missed by five breast radiologists in a consensus-based informed review of prior screening and diagnostic images. We used multivariable Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of death from any cause associated with true, minimal signs, and missed breast cancers, adjusting for age at diagnosis, histopathologic tumour diameter and grade, and subtype. Separate models were created for SDC and IC.

Results

Among SDC, 463 (44%) were classified as true and 242 (23%) as missed; among IC, 325 (39%) were classified as true and 235 (32%) missed. Missed SDC were associated with a similar risk of death as true SDC (HR = 1.20, 95% CI (0.49, 2.46)). Similar results were observed for missed versus true IC (HR = 1.31, 95% CI (0.77, 2.23)).

Conclusions

We did not observe a statistical difference in the risk of death for women diagnosed with true or missed SDC or IC; however, the number of cases reviewed and follow-up time limited the precision of our estimates.

Key Points

• An informed radiological review classified screen-detected and interval cancers as true, minimal signs, or missed based on prior screening and diagnostic mammograms.

• It has been hypothesised that true cancers, not visible on the prior screening examination, may be more aggressive than missed cancers.

• We did not observe a statistical difference in the risk of death from any cause for women with missed versus true screen-detected or interval breast cancers.
Comparison of tension wood and normal wood for oxidative nanofibrillation and network characteristics
Authors: Jonasson Simon , Bünder Anne , Das Oisik , Niittylä Totte , Oksman Kristiina
Published: November 2020

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) are top-down nanomaterials obtainable from abundant lignocelluloses. Despite recent advances in processing technologies, the effects of variations in the lignocellulose structure and composition on CNF isolation and properties are poorly understood. In this study, we compared the isolation of CNFs from tension wood (TW) and normal wood (NW) from Populus tremula (aspen). The TW has a higher cellulose content, native cellulose fibrils with a larger crystalline diameter, and less lignin than the NW, making it an interesting material for CNF isolation. The wood powders were oxidized directly by 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl, and the morphology and mechanical behaviors of the nanofibril suspensions and networks were characterized. The TW was more difficult to fibrillate by both chemical and mechanical means. Larger nanofibrils (5–10 nm) composed of 1.2 nm structures were present in the TW CNFs, whereas the NW samples contained more of thin (1.6 nm) structures, which also comprised 77% of the solid yield compared to the 33% for TW. This difference was reflected in the TW CNF networks as decreased transmittance (15% vs. 50%), higher degree of crystallinity (85.9% vs. 78.0%), doubled toughness (11 MJ/m3) and higher elongation at break (12%) compared to NW. The difference was ascribed to greater preservation of the hierarchical, more crystalline microfibril structure, combined with a more cellulose-rich network (84% vs. 70%). This knowledge of the processing, structure, and properties of CNFs can facilitate the breeding and design of wood feedstocks to meet the increasing demand for nanoscale renewable materials.

Graphic abstract
Combination of solid-state NMR, molecular mechanics and DFT calculations for the molecular structure determination of methyl glycoside benzoates
Authors: Szeleszczuk Łukasz , Gubica Tomasz , Szmeja Sebastian , Ciesielski Arkadiusz , Cyrański Michał K. , Pisklak Dariusz M.
Published: November 2020

A reliable method for molecular structure determination, excluding single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), has been applied to six methyl glycoside tetrabenzoates. The proposed method is based on a global conformational search using molecular mechanics and subsequent DFT calculations guided by a solid-state NMR experiment. The accuracy of the applied method has been verified on three methyl glycoside benzoates for which the SCXRD analysis has been completed. It appeared that the calculated conformations of unprivileged energy could be found in the solid state. Bulky substituents (benzoates) exerted less energetically favored interactions in crystals in contrast to isolated molecules. Therefore, solid-state NMR was revealed to be an indispensable approach for choosing credible conformations from the calculated conformations.
The home bias and the local bias: A survey
Authors: Gaar Eduard , Scherer David , Schiereck Dirk
Published: November 2020

The home bias like the disposition effect is a well-researched economic phenomenon in investor behaviour which has been examined in finance journal articles for decades. While there is little doubt about the existence of the bias, its magnitude varies across countries and investor groups. The home bias has to be regarded as a multifactorial phenomenon, a combination of numerous causes which all synergistically contribute. In contrast to other biases the home bias can at least partially be explained by reasons beyond irrational investor behaviour. While institutional restrictions play a minor role, informational asymmetries and superior information of domestic investors are important factors. Thus, the performance of investments may well benefit from a home bias, and the bias then no longer would be a puzzle but rather rational behaviour as a lower diversification level may lead to higher returns. The contemporary understanding of the home bias gains in relevance as the ongoing political debate in Germany has to clarify an institutional framework for long-run retirement savings plans of private households based on equity investments.
Voice perturbations under the stress overload in young individuals: phenotyping and suboptimal health as predictors for cascading pathologies
Authors: Kunin A. , Sargheini N. , Birkenbihl C. , Moiseeva N. , Fröhlich Holger , Golubnitschaja Olga
Published: November 2020

Verbal communication is one of the most sophisticated human motor skills reflecting both—the mental and physical health of an individual. Voice parameters and quality changes are usually secondary towards functional and/or structural laryngological alterations under specific systemic processes, syndrome and pathologies. These include but are not restricted to dry mouth and Sicca syndromes, body dehydration, hormonal alterations linked to pubertal, menopausal, and andropausal status, respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal reflux, autoimmune diseases, endocrinologic disorders, underweight versus overweight and obesity, and diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, it is well-established that stress overload is a significant risk factor of cascading pathologies, including but not restricted to neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancers. Our current study revealed voice perturbations under the stress overload as a potentially useful biomarker to identify individuals in suboptimal health conditions who might be strongly predisposed to associated pathologies. Contextually, extended surveys applied in the population might be useful to identify, for example, persons at high risk for respiratory complications under pandemic conditions such as COVID-19. Symptoms of dry mouth syndrome, disturbed microcirculation, altered sense regulation, shifted circadian rhythm, and low BMI were positively associated with voice perturbations under the stress overload. Their functional interrelationships and relevance for cascading associated pathologies are presented in the article. Automated analysis of voice recordings via artificial intelligence (AI) has a potential to derive digital biomarkers. Further, predictive machine learning models should be developed that allows for detecting a suboptimal health condition based on voice recordings, ideally in an automated manner using derived digital biomarkers. Follow-up stratification and monitoring of individuals in suboptimal health conditions are recommended using disease-specific cell-free nucleic acids (ccfDNA, ctDNA, mtDNA, miRNA) combined with metabolic patterns detected in body fluids. Application of the cost-effective targeted prevention within the phase of reversible health damage is recommended based on the individualised patient profiling.
Enhanced desalination performance of capacitive deionization using ZIF-8/Graphene nanocomposite electrode
Authors: Kamali Z. , Khashehchi M. , Zarafshan P. , Pipelzadeh E.
Published: November 2020

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is greatly recommended as a desalination process for its eco-friendly and low energy consuming technique in removing salt ions (NaCl) from salty water. This study reports a Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8/Graphene (ZIF-8/G) nanocomposite modified electrode performance in CDI technology. Based on its promising features, like large surface area and good electric conductivity, graphene is an adequate electrode. Interestingly, ZIF-8 is homogeneously well intergrown on the surface of graphene. Hence, electrochemical performance such as electrical conductivity and cyclic voltammetry in CDI unit were examined, and characteristics like the morphology, identification and determining the structure of the prepared materials were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). As an adsorbent, the prepared ZIF-8/G nanocomposite exhibits the best adsorption capacity about 141.6037 F/g higher than each individually and great electrical conductivity about 672 μs/cm. The high adsorption specific capacity and good reusability of the ZIF-8/G nanocomposite suggests that it can be applied as novel adsorbents showing attractive potential for the CDI technique.
Connotation of “Belonging-Identity” and contemporary appeal under political confucianism
Authors: Zhicheng Dai
Published: November 2020

The politicization of Confucianism has always been an important dimension to the practice of Confucian realistic values. Strengthening the concept of national identity with Confucianism can maintain the stable order of the country, then realize the enlightenment of social ethics and promote democratic political reform. Yet, Confucianism does not have a specific way to interpret and realize national identity in its cultural connotation. Instead, it shows some meanings of “belonging-identity” in the relationship among individuals, society, and the country. The key point of Confucian “belonging-identity” is its moral nature. We should take the “Supreme goodness” of Confucianism into actualization, socialization, politicization to re-examine and construct an effective mechanism of national identity. Also, Confucianism belongs not only to China. We can apply the Confucian “belonging-identity” system into other Asian countries with similar cultures to realize harmonious relations among individuals, families, and countries. National identity is more a kind of sense, but if we use it in rational political philosophy, such as Confucianism, it can promote the development of democracy of a country.
A novel hand-crafted with deep learning features based fusion model for COVID-19 diagnosis and classification using chest X-ray images
Authors: Shankar K. , Perumal Eswaran
Published: November 2020

COVID-19 pandemic is increasing in an exponential rate, with restricted accessibility of rapid test kits. So, the design and implementation of COVID-19 testing kits remain an open research problem. Several findings attained using radio-imaging approaches recommend that the images comprise important data related to coronaviruses. The application of recently developed artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, integrated with radiological imaging, is helpful in the precise diagnosis and classification of the disease. In this view, the current research paper presents a novel fusion model hand-crafted with deep learning features called FM-HCF-DLF model for diagnosis and classification of COVID-19. The proposed FM-HCF-DLF model comprises three major processes, namely Gaussian filtering-based preprocessing, FM for feature extraction and classification. FM model incorporates the fusion of handcrafted features with the help of local binary patterns (LBP) and deep learning (DL) features and it also utilizes convolutional neural network (CNN)-based Inception v3 technique. To further improve the performance of Inception v3 model, the learning rate scheduler using Adam optimizer is applied. At last, multilayer perceptron (MLP) is employed to carry out the classification process. The proposed FM-HCF-DLF model was experimentally validated using chest X-ray dataset. The experimental outcomes inferred that the proposed model yielded superior performance with maximum sensitivity of 93.61%, specificity of 94.56%, precision of 94.85%, accuracy of 94.08%, F score of 93.2% and kappa value of 93.5%.
Ursachen und Konsequenzen von Niedrigzinsen
Authors: Grosse-Rueschkamp Benjamin , Rocholl Jörg
Published: November 2020

Die anhaltende Niedrigzinsphase stellt Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft vor große Herausforderungen und wird daher in Wissenschaft und Öffentlichkeit intensiv diskutiert. Dieser Beitrag zeichnet die internationale wissenschaftliche Debatte nach und fasst die verschiedenen Argumente und empirischen Erkenntnisse zusammen. Nominal- und Realzinssätze sind seit mehr als drei Jahrzehnten global rückläufig und entziehen sich damit vermeintlich einfachen geldpolitischen Erklärungsansätzen. Vielmehr ergeben sich strukturelle Erklärungsansätze als wesentlicher Treiber dieser Entwicklung. Darüber hinaus zieht dieser Beitrag Schlüsse aus den empirischen Erkenntnissen und leitet daraus potentielle Konsequenzen sowie Handlungsempfehlungen für unterschiedliche ökonomische Akteure ab. Diskutiert werden Folgen insbesondere für die Übertragungsmechanismen der Geldpolitik, für Finanzintermediäre, für die Unternehmen der Realwirtschaft sowie für Politik und Haushalte.
Survey of Low Birthweight and Extremely Low Birthweight Events in a High Environmental Risk Area of Apulia, Italy
Authors: Trerotoli Paolo , Bartolomeo Nicola , Leogrande Simona , Triggiani Sabrina , Mincuzzi Antonella , Serio Gabriella , Minerba Aldo Sante
Published: November 2020

The association between environmental conditions and pregnancy outcome has been under investigation for a long time, but results appear to be inconclusive regarding damage to either the newborn or the mother. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of hospitalization of newborns with low birthweight (< 2500 g) and extremely low birthweight (< 1000 g) in the geographical area of Taranto, Italy, which is characterized by high environmental risk because of industrial pollution. We analyzed the database of hospital discharge forms for the years 2001–2013 regarding hospital admission of newborns in the region of Apulia. The relative risk (RR) of hospitalization, adjusted for the deprivation index, was estimated using the Besag–York–Molliè Bayesian model. The city of Taranto, which has the highest environmental risk, had the highest RR for newborns with low birthweight (1.47, 95% uncertainty interval 1.38–1.56). Other geographical areas with high environmental pollution had higher RRs for low birth weight compared with the regional average. We found no geographical distribution pattern of extremely low birthweight that would suggest an association with environmental pollution.
A simple model for solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Almutairi Ghzzai
Published: November 2020

It is widely accepted that solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) represent a promising energy conversion approach that deliver a myriad of benefits including low environment pollution, high efficiency, and system compactness. This paper describes the construction of a basic model based on ohmic considerations, mass transfer, and kinetics that can effectively evaluate the performance of small button SOFCs. The analysis of the data indicates that there is a close alignment between the cell potential calculated using the model and previous experimental data. As such, it can be concluded that the model can be employed to optimize, evaluate, or control the design parameters within a SOFC system.
Biochars reduce irrigation water sodium adsorption ratio
Authors: Awan Saima , Ippolito James A. , Ullman J. L. , Ansari Kamran , Cui Liqiang , Siyal A. A.
Published: November 2020

Irrigation water quality plays a vital role in sustaining crop productivity and feeding a growing world population. In many countries, continued agricultural water reuse can lead to greater water-soluble salt concentrations, and in particular Na; finding means by which irrigation water Na, and thus sodium adsorption ratios (SAR), can be reduced would reduce the rate at which soil sodification occurs. Four biochars, containing a variety of organic functional groups and electrochemistries, were examined for their potential to sorb and remove Na from simulated irrigation water, and subsequently reduce water SAR. Two batch experiments examined the role that wheat straw biochar, lodgepole pine biochar, Kentucky bluegrass biochar, and hemp biochar played in terms of sorbing sodium over time or application rate. Of the four biochars examined, hemp biochar had the lowest oxidation–reduction potential (ORP; ~ 0–100 mV), sorbed the greatest Na amount (up to 923 mg kg−1), and released Ca and Mg (up to 115 and 63 mg kg−1, respectively) into solution, all of which led to a significant reduction in water SAR (from 8.8 to 7.3; 17% decrease). Sodium sorption onto hemp biochar better fit a Langmuir versus a Freundlich isotherm, yet followed a pseudo-second-order model better than a pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The data suggest that Na ions formed a monolayer on the hemp biochar surface, influenced by associations with π electrons, but given time the Na ions may diffuse into biochar pores or more slowly interact with biochar-borne π electrons. Hemp biochar shows promise in reducing the SAR of Na-impacted waters. Future investigations should focus on additional laboratory, greenhouse, and field trials with hemp biochar and other biochars designed to have similar or superior properties for sorbing excess irrigation water Na and improving crop growth.
A First Course in Random Matrix Theory
Authors: Potters Marc , Bouchaud Jean-Philippe
Published: November 2020

The real world is perceived and broken down as data, models and algorithms in the eyes of physicists and engineers. Data is noisy by nature and classical statistical tools have so far been successful in dealing with relatively smaller levels of randomness. The recent emergence of Big Data and the required computing power to analyse them have rendered classical tools outdated and insufficient. Tools such as random matrix theory and the study of large sample covariance matrices can efficiently process these big data sets and help make sense of modern, deep learning algorithms. Presenting an introductory calculus course for random matrices, the book focusses on modern concepts in matrix theory, generalising the standard concept of probabilistic independence to non-commuting random variables. Concretely worked out examples and applications to financial engineering and portfolio construction make this unique book an essential tool for physicists, engineers, data analysts, and economists.
Ion Jets Within Current Sheets in the Martian Magnetosphere
Authors: Harada Y. , Halekas J. S. , Xu S. , DiBraccio G. A. , Ruhunusiri S. , Hara T. , Mcfadden J. P. , Espley J. R. , Mitchell D. L. , Mazelle C.
Published: November 2020

Magnetic reconnection is often suggested to be implicated in a variety of dynamic phenomena observed in the complex magnetosphere of Mars. We present a first global survey of ion jets within current sheets, which are thought of as a primary product of magnetic reconnection, with Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) data obtained on the dayside and nightside in the Martian magnetosphere. We develop a fully automated algorithm to efficiently and reliably identify ion flow velocity deviations during current sheet crossings recorded by MAVEN. The obtained statistical results show that (i) sunward and anti‐sunward ion jets embedded within current sheets are commonly and widely observed in the dayside and nightside magnetosphere of Mars, (ii) measured magnetic field profiles and inferred magnetic topology during the jet crossings are generally consistent with those expected for reconnecting current sheets, (iii) the jet occurrence is apparently independent of upstream driver conditions, and (iv) most of the identified current sheets are thin with a roughly ion scale half‐thickness and are embedded in low beta plasma, suggesting that they are seemingly capable of reconnection based on the known onset conditions. The widespread distributions and common detection of ion jets, as well as the ubiquitous presence of thin, low‐beta current sheets, imply that magnetic reconnection could operate frequently in many locations around Mars, thereby playing an important role in the dynamics of the Martian magnetosphere for most, if not all, of the solar wind conditions in the present epoch.
Powerful terahertz waves from long-wavelength infrared laser filaments
Authors: Fedorov Vladimir Yu. , Tzortzakis Stelios
Published: November 2020

Strong terahertz (THz) electric and magnetic transients open up new horizons in science and applications. We review the most promising way of achieving sub-cycle THz pulses with extreme field strengths. During the nonlinear propagation of two-color mid-infrared and far-infrared ultrashort laser pulses, long, and thick plasma strings are produced, where strong photocurrents result in intense THz transients. The corresponding THz electric and magnetic field strengths can potentially reach the gigavolt per centimeter and kilotesla levels, respectively. The intensities of these THz fields enable extreme nonlinear optics and relativistic physics. We offer a comprehensive review, starting from the microscopic physical processes of light-matter interactions with mid-infrared and far-infrared ultrashort laser pulses, the theoretical and numerical advances in the nonlinear propagation of these laser fields, and the most important experimental demonstrations to date.
Subgenual cingulate connectivity and hippocampal activation are related to MST therapeutic and adverse effects
Authors: Hadas Itay , Zomorrodi Reza , Hill Aron T. , Sun Yinming , Fitzgerald Paul B. , Blumberger Daniel M. , Daskalakis Zafiris J.
Published: November 2020

Aberrant connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the subgenual cingulate cortex (SGC) has been linked to the pathophysiology of depression. Indirect evidence also links hippocampal activation to the cognitive side effects of seizure treatments. Magnetic seizure therapy (MST) is a novel treatment for patients with treatment resistant depression (TRD). Here we combine transcranial magnetic stimulation with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to evaluate the effects of MST on connectivity and activation between the DLPFC, the SGC and hippocampus (Hipp) in patients with TRD. The TMS-EEG was collected from 31 TRD patients prior to and after an MST treatment trial. Through TMS-EEG methodology we evaluated significant current scattering (SCS) as an index of effective connectivity between the SGC and left DLPFC. Significant current density (SCD) was used to assess activity at the level of the Hipp. The SCS between the SGC and DLPFC was reduced after the course of MST (p < 0.036). The DLPFC-SGC effective connectivity reduction correlated with the changes in Hamilton depression score pre-to-post treatment (R = 0.46;p < 0.031). The SCD localized to the Hipp was reduced after the course of MST (p < 0.015), and the SCD change was correlated with montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA) scores pre-post the course of MST (R = −0.59;p < 0.026). Our findings suggest that MST treatment is associated with SGC-DLPFC connectivity reduction and that changes to cognition are associated with Hipp activation reduction. These findings demonstrate two distinct processes which drive efficacy and side effects separately, and might eventually aid in delineating physiological TRD targets in clinical settings.
Recovering from depression with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS): a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies
Authors: De Risio Luisa , Borgi Marta , Pettorruso Mauro , Miuli Andrea , Ottomana Angela Maria , Sociali Antonella , Martinotti Giovanni , Nicolò Giuseppe , Macrì Simone , di Giannantonio Massimo , Zoratto Francesca
Published: November 2020

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has gained growing interest for the treatment of major depression (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Most knowledge on rTMS comes from human studies as preclinical application has been problematic. However, recent optimization of rTMS in animal models has laid the foundations for improved translational studies. Preclinical studies have the potential to help identify optimal stimulation protocols and shed light on new neurobiological-based rationales for rTMS use. To assess existing evidence regarding rTMS effects on depressive-like symptoms in rodent models, we conducted a comprehensive literature search in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019157549). In addition, we conducted a meta-analysis to determine rTMS efficacy, performing subgroup analyses to examine the impact of different experimental models and neuromodulation parameters. Assessment of the depressive-like phenotype was quite homogeneous whilst rTMS parameters among the 23 included studies varied considerably. Most studies used a stress-induced model. Overall, results show a largely beneficial effect of active rTMS compared to sham stimulation, as reflected in the statistically significant recovery of both helplessness (SDM 1.34 [1.02;1.66]) and anhedonic (SDM 1.87 [1.02;2.72]) profiles. Improvement of the depressive-like phenotype was obtained in all included models and independently of rTMS frequency. Nonetheless, these results have limited predictive value for TRD patients as only antidepressant-sensitive models were used. Extending rTMS studies to other MDD models, corresponding to distinct endophenotypes, and to TRD models is therefore crucial to test rTMS efficacy and to develop cost-effective protocols, with the potential of yielding faster clinical responses in MDD and TRD.
Classification of four distinct osteoarthritis subtypes with a knee joint tissue transcriptome atlas
Authors: Yuan Chunhui , Pan Zongyou , Zhao Kun , Li Jun , Sheng Zixuan , Yao Xudong , Liu Hua , Zhang Xiaolei , Yang Yang , Yu Dongsheng , Zhang Yu , Xu Yuzi , Zhang Zhi-Yong , Huang Tianlong , Liu Wanlu , Ouyang Hongwei
Published: November 2020

The limited molecular classifications and disease signatures of osteoarthritis (OA) impede the development of prediagnosis and targeted therapeutics for OA patients. To classify and understand the subtypes of OA, we collected three types of tissue including cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovium from multiple clinical centers and constructed an extensive transcriptome atlas of OA patients. By applying unsupervised clustering analysis to the cartilage transcriptome, OA patients were classified into four subtypes with distinct molecular signatures: a glycosaminoglycan metabolic disorder subtype (C1), a collagen metabolic disorder subtype (C2), an activated sensory neuron subtype (C3), and an inflammation subtype (C4). Through ligand-receptor crosstalk analysis of the three knee tissue types, we linked molecular functions with the clinical symptoms of different OA subtypes. For example, the Gene Ontology functional term of vasculature development was enriched in the subchondral bone-cartilage crosstalk of C2 and the cartilage-subchondral bone crosstalk of C4, which might lead to severe osteophytes in C2 patients and apparent joint space narrowing in C4 patients. Based on the marker genes of the four OA subtypes identified in this study, we modeled OA subtypes with two independent published RNA-seq datasets through random forest classification. The findings of this work contradicted traditional OA diagnosis by medical imaging and revealed distinct molecular subtypes in knee OA patients, which may allow for precise diagnosis and treatment of OA.