bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MEMORY AND SPACE IN LITERARY TEXTS: AN INVESTIGATION ON NOVELS OF FATIH HARBIYE AND DOKUZUNCU HARICIYE KOGUSU -NINTH SURGICAL WARD-
Authors: YÜCEL Ömer Faruk
Published: January 2021

This study deals with the relationship between memory and space in Peyami Safa's novels. Literary texts are a field of memories by means of imagination or directly from life itself. The author, who can only imagine what he has experienced, takes advantage of memory while writing his text. Therefore, literature constitutes an important resource for studies related to memory. The concept of space that indicates a place where memory is held is an important research object of this study. Because memories, knowledge, experience and life experiences that make an impression in memory always take place in a space. For this, space, besides being a concept that supports memory, actually has a memory itself. Memory spaces emerge as a result of this approach. Memory spaces have a great influence on the formation of social identity. This study also tries to reveal how the memory-space relationship constructs the concept of "identity". Identities which are laid foundation with the world of thought of the society from which the individual comes gain continuity through the memory space. Fatih Harbiye, Peyami Safa’s novel, is a literary work that reflects the east-west, new-old and modern-tradition dualities and reveals the concept of identity in the light of these dualities. This study examines how the relationship between memory and space constructs an identity in Fatih Harbiye's novel. In this study, which draws attention to the direct relationship of memory and space in the shaping of psychological life, the novel Dokuzuncu Hariciye Koğuşu – Ninth Surgical Ward- is an important example for the relationship between personal memory and space.
A Review of Role of Mobile Based Advisory System for Transfer of Technologies for Sustainable Agricultural Development
Authors: Radhakrishnan P. , Sriram N.
Published: January 2021

Mobile phones have established itself in the rural areas and are becoming quite popular both with farmer and farm women. These powerful electronic machines that were a farmer’s dream earlier have become a reality as the farmer’s can immediately make use of them to address their field problems and other farm difficulties. The Government gifted Kisan Call Centres (KCC) are functioning the all over India which give answers to the farmer queries in local languages to this toll free number 1800-180-1551. Grameen Phone is a commercial operation providing cellular services in both urban and rural areas of India, with approximately 40,000 customers. A pilot programme of Grameen Phone, through the Grameen Bank and a wholly owned subsidiary called Grameen Telecom, is enabling women members of the Grameen Bank’s revolving credit system to retail cellular phone services in rural areas. This instrument is more than a means of communication and it is being used as a weapon for empowerment and fight poverty. Mobile advisory system have been developed and utilized for transfer of agricultural technologies for sustainable development across the world. The findings of the different mobile based studies conducted across the world have reviewed and presented for replicating the suitable models in similar situation for effective dissemination of the technologies. It is concluded that mobile platform is only tool to reach the last mile connectivity especially in rural areas for delivering need based technologies in time.
Merlin deficiency alters the redox management program in breast cancer
Authors: Mota Mateus , Metge Brandon J. , Hinshaw Dominique C. , Alsheikh Heba A. , Chen Dongquan , Samant Rajeev S. , Shevde Lalita A.
Published: January 2021

The expression of Merlin tumor suppressor protein encoded by Neurofibromin 2 (NF2) gene is remarkably decreased in metastatic breast cancer tissues. In order to recapitulate clinical evidence, we generated a unique, conditional Nf2‐knockout (Nf2−/−) mouse mammary tumor model. Merlin‐deficient breast tumor cells and Nf2−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) displayed a robustly invasive phenotype. Moreover, Nf2−/− MEFs presented with notable alterations in redox management networks, implicating a role for Merlin in redox homeostasis. This programmatic alteration resonated with pathways that emerged from breast tumor cells engineered for Merlin deficiency. Further investigations revealed that NF2‐silenced cells supported reduced activity of the Nuclear factor, erythroid 2 like 2 antioxidant transcription factor, concomitant with elevated expression of NADPH oxidase enzymes. Importantly, mammary‐specific Nf2−/− in an Mouse mammary tumor virus Neu + murine breast cancer model demonstrated accelerated mammary carcinogenesis in vivo. Tumor‐derived primary organoids and cell lines were characteristically invasive with evidence of a dysregulated cellular redox management system. As such, Merlin deficiency programmatically influences redox imbalance that orchestrates malignant attributes of mammary/breast cancer.
Comparison of separation methods for tissue‐derived extracellular vesicles in the liver, heart, and skeletal muscle
Authors: Matejovič Adam , Wakao Shohei , Kitada Masaaki , Kushida Yoshihiro , Dezawa Mari
Published: January 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are nanosized vesicles released by cells as intracellular messengers, have high potential as biomarkers. EVs are usually collected from in vitro sources, such as cell culture media or biofluids, and not from tissues. Techniques enabling direct collection of EVs from tissues will extend the applications of EVs. We compared methods for separating EVs from solid liver, heart, and skeletal muscle. Compared with a precipitation method, an ultracentrifugation‐based method for collection of EVs from solid tissues yielded a higher proportion of EVs positive for EV‐related markers, with minimum levels of intracellular organelle‐related markers. Some tissue‐specific modifications, such as a sucrose cushion step, may improve the yield and purity of the collected EVs.
Gene expression profile of human follicle dermal papilla cells in response to Camellia japonica phytoplacenta extract
Authors: Cho Won Kyong , Kim Hye‐In , Paek Seung Hye , Kim Soo‐Yun , Hyun Seo Hyo , Song Jihyeok , Lee Ok Hwa , Min Jiae , Lee Sang Jun , Jo Yeonhwa , Choi Hoseong , Lee Jeong Hun , Moh Sang Hyun
Published: January 2021

Camellia japonica L. is a flowering tree with several medicinal and cosmetic applications. Here, we investigated the efficacy of C. japonica placenta extract (CJPE) as a potential therapeutic agent for promotion of hair growth and scalp health by using various in vitro and in vivo assays. Moreover, we performed transcriptome analysis to examine the relative expression of human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC) in response to CJPE by RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq). In vitro assays revealed upregulation of the expression of hair growth marker genes in HFDPC after CJPE treatment. Moreover, in vivo clinical tests with 42 adult female participants showed that a solution containing 0.5% CJPE increased the moisture content of the scalp and decreased the scalp's sebum content, dead scalp keratin, and erythema. Furthermore, RNA‐seq analysis revealed key genes in HFDPC which are associated with CJPE. Interestingly, genes associated with lipid metabolism and cholesterol efflux were upregulated. Genes upregulated by CJPE are associated with several hormones, including parathyroid, adrenocorticotropic hormone, α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (alpha‐MSH), and norepinephrine, which are involved in hair follicle biology. Furthermore, some upregulated genes are associated with the regulation of axon guidance. In contrast, many genes downregulated by CJPE are associated with structural components of the cytoskeleton. In addition, CJPE suppressed genes associated with muscle structure and development. Taken together, this study provides extensive evidence that CJPE may have potential as a therapeutic agent for scalp treatment and hair growth promotion.
An electronic portal image device (EPID)‐based multiplatform rapid daily LINAC QA tool
Authors: Ma Yangguang , Wang Xuemin , Mai Rizhen , Wang Tao , Pei Yuntong , Liu Shuaipeng , Guo Yuexin
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To develop an efficient and economic daily quality research tool (DQRT) for daily check of multiplatform linear accelerators (LINACs) with flattening filter (FF) and flattening filter‐free (FFF) photon beams by using an Electronic Portal Image Device (EPID).

Materials and Methods

After EPID calibration, the monitored parameters were analyzed from a 10 cm × 10 cm open and 60° wedge portal images measured by the EPID with 100 MU exposure. Next, the repeatability of the EPID position accuracy, long‐term stability, and linearity between image gray value and exposure were verified. Output and beam quality stability of the 6‐MV FF and FFF beams measured by DQRT with the introduced setup errors of EPID were also surveyed. Besides, some test results obtained by DQRT were compared with those measured by FC65‐G and Matrixx. At last, the tool was evaluated on three LINACs (Synergy, VersaHD, TrueBeam) for 2 months with two popular commercial QA tools as references.

Results

There are no differences between repeatability tests for all monitored parameters. Image grayscale values obtained by EPID and exposure show good linearity. Either 6 MV FF or FFF photon beam shows minimal impact to the results. The differences between FC65‐G, Matrixx and DQRT results are negligible. Monitor results of the two commercial tools are consistent with the DQRT results collected during the 2‐month period.

Conclusion

With a shorter time and procedure, the DQRT is useful to daily QA works of LINACs, producing a QA result quality similarly to or more better than the traditional tools and giving richer contents to the QA results. For hospitals with limited QA time window available or lack of funding to purchase commercial QA tools, the proposed DQRT can provide an alternative and economic approach to accomplish the task of daily QA for LINACs.
Performance of deep learning synthetic CTs for MR‐only brain radiation therapy
Authors: Liu Xiaoning , Emami Hajar , Nejad‐Davarani Siamak P. , Morris Eric , Schultz Lonni , Dong Ming , K. Glide‐Hurst Carri
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the dosimetric and image‐guided radiation therapy (IGRT) performance of a novel generative adversarial network (GAN) generated synthetic CT (synCT) in the brain and compare its performance for clinical use including conventional brain radiotherapy, cranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), planar, and volumetric IGRT.

Methods and Materials

SynCT images for 12 brain cancer patients (6 SRS, 6 conventional) were generated from T1‐weighted postgadolinium magnetic resonance (MR) images by applying a GAN model with a residual network (ResNet) generator and a convolutional neural network (CNN) with 5 convolutional layers as the discriminator that classified input images as real or synthetic. Following rigid registration, clinical structures and treatment plans derived from simulation CT (simCT) images were transferred to synCTs. Dose was recalculated for 15 simCT/synCT plan pairs using fixed monitor units. Two‐dimensional (2D) gamma analysis (2%/2 mm, 1%/1 mm) was performed to compare dose distributions at isocenter. Dose–volume histogram (DVH) metrics (D95%, D99%, D0.2cc, and D0.035cc) were assessed for the targets and organ at risks (OARs). IGRT performance was evaluated via volumetric registration between cone beam CT (CBCT) to synCT/simCT and planar registration between KV images to synCT/simCT digital reconstructed radiographs (DRRs).

Results

Average gamma passing rates at 1%/1mm and 2%/2mm were 99.0 ± 1.5% and 99.9 ± 0.2%, respectively. Excellent agreement in DVH metrics was observed (mean difference ≤0.10 ± 0.04 Gy for targets, 0.13 ± 0.04 Gy for OARs). The population averaged mean difference in CBCT‐synCT registrations were <0.2 mm and 0.1 degree different from simCT‐based registrations. The mean difference between kV‐synCT DRR and kV‐simCT DRR registrations was <0.5 mm with no statistically significant differences observed (P > 0.05). An outlier with a large resection cavity exhibited the worst‐case scenario.

Conclusion

Brain GAN synCTs demonstrated excellent performance for dosimetric and IGRT endpoints, offering potential use in high precision brain cancer therapy.
Association between infectious burden and cerebral microbleeds: a pilot cross‐sectional study
Authors: Fan Fan , Yang Cui , Zhu Xiaoyan , Liu Zhilan , Liu Hui , Li Jianhao , Jiang Rui , Zhang Yaolei , Bu Xianle , Wang Yanjiang , Wang Qingsong , Xiang Yang
Published: January 2021

Objective

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) is a subtype of cerebral small vessel disease. Their underlying pathogenesis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between infectious burden (IB) and CMBs.

Methods

Seven hundred and seventy‐three consecutive patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Neurology in General Hospital of Western Theater Command without severe neurological symptoms were recruited and selected in this pilot cross‐sectional study. CMBs were assessed using the susceptibility‐weighted imaging sequence of magnetic resonance imaging. Immunoglobulin G antibodies against common pathogens, including herpes simplex virus (HSV)‐1, HSV‐2, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae), Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), Helicobacter pylori (HP), and Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi), were measured by commercial ELISA assays. IB was defined as a composite serologic measure of exposure to these common pathogens.

Results

Patients with and without CMBs were defined as the CMBs group (n = 76) and the non‐CMBs group (n = 81), respectively. IB was significantly different between the CMBs and non‐CMBs groups. After adjusted for other risk factors, the increased IB was independently associated with the presence of CMBs (P = 0.031, OR = 3.00, 95% CI [1.11–8.15]). IB was significantly positively associated with the number of CMBs (Spearman ρ = 0.653, P < 0.001). The levels of serum inflammatory markers were significantly different between the CMBs and non‐CMBs groups and among the categories of IB.

Interpretation

IB consisting of HSV‐1, HSV‐2, CMV, C. pneumoniae, M. pneumoniae, EBV, HP, and B. burgdorferi was associated with CMBs. All the findings suggested that pathogen infection could be involved in the pathogenesis of CMBs.
Electrolytes and Interphases in Potassium Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhou Mengfan , Bai Panxing , Ji Xiao , Yang Jixing , Wang Chunsheng , Xu Yunhua
Published: January 2021

Potassium ion batteries (PIBs) are recognized as one promising candidate for future energy storage devices due to their merits of cost‐effectiveness, high‐voltage, and high‐power operation. Many efforts have been devoted to the development of electrode materials and the progress has been well summarized in recent review papers. However, in addition to electrode materials, electrolytes also play a key role in determining the cell performance. Here, the research progress of electrolytes in PIBs is summarized, including organic liquid electrolytes, ionic liquid electrolytes, solid‐state electrolytes and aqueous electrolytes, and the engineering of the electrode/electrolyte interfaces is also thoroughly discussed. This Progress Report provides a comprehensive guidance on the design of electrolyte systems for development of high performance PIBs.
Liquid‐Infused Slippery Stainless Steel Surface Prepared by Alcohol‐Assisted Femtosecond Laser Ablation
Authors: Fang Yao , Yong Jiale , Cheng Yang , Yang Qing , Hou Xun , Chen Feng
Published: January 2021

Nepenthes‐inspired liquid‐infused slippery surface (LISS) attracts great attention because it can repel different kinds of liquid and shows great stability. However, the vast majority of LISSs are realized on polymer materials which limit the applications. Here, a kind of universal method to directly construct porous micro/nanostructures on any kind of materials to realize LISS is put forward. As an example, abundant micro/nanohole structures are built on stainless steel surface by alcohol‐assisted femtosecond laser ablation. Then, LISS is achieved on stainless steel, which shows slippery property to variety of liquid with different chemical composition. The velocity of water droplet slipping on LISS can be tuned by water droplet volume, LISS tilt angle, and lubricant type. Some potential applications of the LISS are demonstrated by some simple experiments. Flexible movement of magnetic water droplet is realized on the LISS by controlling magnetic field. The LISS shows good antifouling performance to green alga. Moreover, the porous structures are very stable in different harsh environments. This alcohol‐assisted femtosecond laser irradiation method successfully constructs porous micro/nanostructures on different kinds of materials. Thus, this work can promote the applications of LISS in droplet manipulation, microfluidics, antifouling surface, and so on.
Ultrasensitive Point‐of‐Care Test for Tumor Marker in Human Saliva Based on Luminescence‐Amplification Strategy of Lanthanide Nanoprobes
Authors: Zhou Shanyong , Tu Datao , Liu Yan , You Wenwu , Zhang Yunqin , Zheng Wei , Chen Xueyuan
Published: January 2021

The point‐of‐care detection of tumor markers in saliva with high sensitivity and specificity remains a daunting challenge in biomedical research and clinical applications. Herein, a facile and ultrasensitive detection of tumor marker in saliva based on luminescence‐amplification strategy of lanthanide nanoprobes is proposed. Eu2O3 nanocrystals are employed as bioprobes, which can be easily dissolved in acidic enhancer solution and transform into a large number of highly luminescent Eu3+ micelles. Meanwhile, disposable syringe filter equipped with nitrocellulose membrane is used as bioassay platform, which facilitates the accomplishment of detection process within 10 min. The rational integration of dissolution enhanced luminescent bioassay strategy and miniaturized detection device enables the unique lab‐in‐syringe assay of tumor marker like carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA, an important tumor marker in clinic diagnosis and prognosis of cancer) with a detection limit down to 1.47 pg mL−1 (7.35 × 10−15 m). Upon illumination with a portable UV flashlight, the photoluminescence intensity change above 0.1 ng mL−1 (0.5 × 10−12 m) of CEA can be visually detected by naked eyes, which allows one to qualitatively evaluate the CEA level. Moreover, we confirm the reliability of using the amplified luminescence of Eu2O3 nanoprobes for direct quantitation of CEA in patient saliva samples, thus validates the practicality of the proposed strategy for both clinical diagnosis and home self‐monitoring of tumor marker in human saliva.
Skin‐Inspired Piezoelectric Tactile Sensor Array with Crosstalk‐Free Row+Column Electrodes for Spatiotemporally Distinguishing Diverse Stimuli
Authors: Lin Weikang , Wang Biao , Peng Guoxiang , Shan Yao , Hu Hong , Yang Zhengbao
Published: January 2021

Real‐time detection and differentiation of diverse external stimuli with one tactile senor remains a huge challenge and largely restricts the development of electronic skins. Although different sensors have been described based on piezoresistivity, capacitance, and triboelectricity, and these devices are promising for tactile systems, there are few, if any, piezoelectric sensors to be able to distinguish diverse stimuli in real time. Here, a human skin‐inspired piezoelectric tactile sensor array constructed with a multilayer structure and row+column electrodes is reported. Integrated with a signal processor and a logical algorithm, the tactile sensor array achieves to sense and distinguish the magnitude, positions, and modes of diverse external stimuli, including gentle slipping, touching, and bending, in real time. Besides, the unique design overcomes the crosstalk issues existing in other sensors. Pressure sensing and bending sensing tests show that the proposed tactile sensor array possesses the characteristics of high sensitivity (7.7 mV kPa−1), long‐term durability (80 000 cycles), and rapid response time (10 ms) (less than human skin). The tactile sensor array also shows a superior scalability and ease of massive fabrication. Its ability of real‐time detection and differentiation of diverse stimuli for health monitoring, detection of animal movements, and robots is demonstrated.
Surface‐Anchored Nanogel Coating Endows Stem Cells with Stress Resistance and Reparative Potency via Turning Down the Cytokine‐Receptor Binding Pathways
Authors: Zhang Ling , Liu Guowu , Lv Kaiqi , Xin Jinxia , Wang Yingchao , Zhao Jing , Hu Wangxing , Xiao Changchen , Zhu Keyang , Zhu Lianlian , Nan Jinliang , Feng Ye , Zhu Huaying , Chen Wei , Zhu Wei , Zhang Jianyi , Wang Jian'an , Wang Ben , Hu Xinyang
Published: January 2021

Stem cell‐based therapy has great potential in regenerative medicine. However, the survival and engraftment rates of transplanted stem cells in disease regions are poor and limit the effectiveness of cell therapy due to the fragility of stem cells. Here, an approach involving a single‐cell coating of surface‐anchored nanogel to regulate stem cell fate with anti‐apoptosis capacity in the hypoxic and ischemic environment of infarcted hearts is developed for the first time. A polysialic acid‐based system is used to anchor microbial transglutaminase to the external surface of the cell membrane, where it catalyzes the crosslinking of gelatin. The single‐cell coating with surface‐anchored nanogel endows mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with stress resistance by blocking the activity of apoptotic cytokines including the binding of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) to tumor necrosis factor receptor, which in turn maintains mitochondrial integrity, function and protects MSCs from TNFα‐induces apoptosis. The administration of surface engineered MSCs to hearts results in significant improvements in engraftment, cardiac function, infarct size, and vascularity compared with using uncoated MSCs in treating myocardial infarction. The surface‐anchored, biocompatible cell surface engineering with nanogel armor provides a new way to produce robust therapeutic stem cells and may explore immense potentials in cell‐based therapy.
Vowel Sound Synthesis from Electroencephalography during Listening and Recalling
Authors: Akashi Wataru , Kambara Hiroyuki , Ogata Yousuke , Koike Yasuharu , Minati Ludovico , Yoshimura Natsue
Published: January 2021

Recent advances in brain imaging technology have furthered our knowledge of the neural basis of auditory and speech processing, often via contributions from invasive brain signal recording and stimulation studies conducted intraoperatively. Herein, an approach for synthesizing vowel sounds straightforwardly from scalp‐recorded electroencephalography (EEG), a noninvasive neurophysiological recording method is demonstrated. Given cortical current signals derived from the EEG acquired while human participants listen to and recall (i.e., imagined) two vowels, /a/ and /i/, sound parameters are estimated by a convolutional neural network (CNN). The speech synthesized from the estimated parameters is sufficiently natural to achieve recognition rates >85% during a subsequent sound discrimination task. Notably, the CNN identifies the involvement of the brain areas mediating the “what” auditory stream, namely the superior, middle temporal, and Heschl's gyri, demonstrating the efficacy of the computational method in extracting auditory‐related information from neuroelectrical activity. Differences in cortical sound representation between listening versus recalling are further revealed, such that the fusiform, calcarine, and anterior cingulate gyri contributes during listening, whereas the inferior occipital gyrus is engaged during recollection. The proposed approach can expand the scope of EEG in decoding auditory perception that requires high spatial and temporal resolution.
Redefining Exposure: Using Mobile Technology and Geospatial Analysis to Explore When and Where Chicago Adolescents are Exposed to Neighborhood Characteristics
Authors: Roy Amanda L. , Isaia Ashley R. , DaViera Andrea L. , Eisenberg Yochai , Poulos Chris D.
Published: January 2021

Differences in how individuals navigate and interact with physical space have clear implications for when and where they are exposed to environmental characteristics. To address this reality, we propose and test a novel method with a sample of Chicago adolescents that links individual GPS coordinates with locations of environmental characteristics as a strategy to increase precision in the measurement of environmental exposures. We use exposure to violent crime as an example and link the GPS coordinates of 51 youth collected over a one‐week period during the summer of 2016 to locations and times of violent crime. We explore different spatial and temporal parameters to determine whether an exposure occurred. Using the 660‐foot (201 m), 24‐hour operationalization, we found that youth were exposed to a total of 126 violent crimes, with an average of 3.82 (SD = 3.24) per respondent. This was higher than the 12 that were identified when exposure was calculated as the number of violent crimes occurring within 660 feet (201 m) of youths’ residential addresses during the week‐long assessment period. Examining correlations between the different exposure variables and measures of youths’ psychological functioning, we found the largest relationships when using the GPS‐based indices.

We present a strategy for measuring exposure to environmental characteristics using GPS data.

Higher rates of crime exposure are found based on GPS coordinates than with residential address.

GPS‐based exposure measures are related to youths' psychological functioning.
Neurocognitive assessment and DNA sequencing expand the phenotype and genotype spectrum of Alström syndrome
Authors: Dassie Francesca , Lorusso Riccardina , Benavides‐Varela Silvia , Milan Gabriella , Favaretto Francesca , Callus Edward , Cagnin Stefano , Reggiani Francesco , Minervini Giovanni , Tosatto Silvio , Vettor Roberto , Semenza Carlo , Maffei Pietro
Published: January 2021

Alström syndrome (OMIM#203800) is an ultra‐rare autosomal recessive monogenic disease presenting pathogenic variants in ALMS1 (chromosome 2p13). It is characterized by early onset of blindness, hearing loss and systemic comorbidities, with delayed development without cognitive impairment. We aimed to investigate the cognitive functions and describe new pathogenic variants in Alström syndrome patients. Nineteen patients (13 adults, 6 children) underwent a thorough clinical, genetic, laboratory, instrumental, and neurocognitive assessment. Six new pathogenic variants in ALMS1 including the first described in exon 6 were identified. Four patients displayed a “mild phenotype” characterized by slow disease onset or absence of complications, including childhood obesity and association with at least one pathogenic variant in exon 5 or 6. At neurocognitive testing, a significant proportion of patients had deficits in three neurocognitive domains: similarities, phonological memory, and apraxia. In particular, 53% of patients showed difficulties in the auditory working memory test. We found ideomotor and buccofacial apraxia in 74% of patients. “Mild phenotype” patients performed better on auditory working memory and ideomotor apraxia test than “typical phenotype” ones (91.9 + 16.3% vs. 41.7 + 34.5% of correct answers, Z = 64.5, p < .01 and 92.5 + 9.6 vs. 61.7 + 26.3, Z = 61, p < .05, respectively). Deficits in auditory working memory, ideomotor, and buccofacial apraxia were found in these patients and fewer neuropsychological deficits were found in the “mild” phenotype group. Furthermore, in the “mild” phenotype group, it was found that all pathogenic variants are localized before exon 8.
Unhealthy foods may attenuate the beneficial relation of a Mediterranean diet to cognitive decline
Authors: Agarwal Puja , Dhana Klodian , Barnes Lisa L. , Holland Thomas M , Zhang Yanyu , Evans Denis A. , Morris Martha Clare
Published: January 2021

Introduction

It is unclear whether eating Western diet food components offsets the Mediterranean diet's (MedDiet) potential benefits on cognitive decline.

Methods

The study includes 5001 Chicago Health and Aging Project participants (63% African American, 36% males, 74 ± 6.0 years old), with food frequency questionnaires and ≥ two cognitive assessments over 6.3 ± 2.8 years of follow‐up. Mixed‐effects models were adjusted for age, sex, education, race, cognitive activities, physical activity, and total calories.

Results

Stratified analysis showed a significant effect of higher MedDiet on cognitive decline only with a low Western diet score (highest vs lowest MedDiet tertile: β = 0.020, P = .002; p trend = 0.002) and not with a high Western diet score (highest vs lowest MedDiet tertile: β = 0.010, P = .11; p trend = 0.09).

Conclusion

This prospective study found that high consumption of Western diet components attenuates benefits of the MedDiet on cognition.
Dynamic Polymer Networks: A New Avenue towards Sustainable and Advanced Soft Machines
Authors: Wemyss Alan M , Ellingford Christopher , Morishita Yoshihiro , Bowen Chris , Wan Chaoying
Published: January 2021

While the fascinating field of soft machines has grown rapidly over the last two decades, the materials they are constructed from have remained largely unchanged during this time. Parallel activities have led to significant advances in the field of dynamic polymer networks, leading to the design of three‐dimensionally cross‐linked polymeric materials that are able to adapt and transform through stimuli‐induced bond exchange. Recent work has begun to merge these two fields of research by incorporating the stimuli‐responsive properties of dynamic polymer networks into soft machine components. These include dielectric elastomers, stretchable electrodes, nanogenerators, and energy storage devices. In this Minireview, we outline recent progress made in this emerging research area and discuss future directions for the field.
Enantioselective Addition of α‐Nitroesters to Alkynes
Authors: Davison Ryan T. , Parker Patrick D. , Hou Xintong , Chung Crystal P. , Augustine Sara A. , Dong Vy M.
Published: January 2021

By using Rh–H catalysis, we couple α‐nitroesters and alkynes to prepare α‐amino‐acid precursors. This atom‐economical strategy generates two contiguous stereocenters, with high enantio‐ and diastereocontrol. In this transformation, the alkyne undergoes isomerization to generate a RhIII–π‐allyl electrophile, which is trapped by an α‐nitroester nucleophile. A subsequent reduction with In powder transforms the allylic α‐nitroesters to the corresponding α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino esters.
Fungal Dioxygenase AsqJ Is Promiscuous and Bimodal: Substrate‐Directed Formation of Quinolones versus Quinazolinones
Authors: Einsiedler Manuel , Jamieson Cooper S. , Maskeri Mark A. , Houk Kendall N. , Gulder Tobias A. M.
Published: January 2021

Previous studies showed that the FeII/α‐ketoglutarate dependent dioxygenase AsqJ induces a skeletal rearrangement in viridicatin biosynthesis in Aspergillus nidulans, generating a quinolone scaffold from benzo[1,4]diazepine‐2,5‐dione substrates. We report that AsqJ catalyzes an additional, entirely different reaction, simply by a change in substituent in the benzodiazepinedione substrate. This new mechanism is established by substrate screening, application of functional probes, and computational analysis. AsqJ excises H2CO from the heterocyclic ring structure of suitable benzo[1,4]diazepine‐2,5‐dione substrates to generate quinazolinones. This novel AsqJ catalysis pathway is governed by a single substituent within the complex substrate. This unique substrate‐directed reactivity of AsqJ enables the targeted biocatalytic generation of either quinolones or quinazolinones, two alkaloid frameworks of exceptional biomedical relevance.
Hierarchy Control of MFI Zeolite Membrane towards Superior Butane Isomer Separation Performance
Authors: Liu Yi , Li Mingrun , Chen Zhigang , Cui Yi , Lu Jinming , Liu Yi
Published: January 2021

Microstructural optimization (such as thickness and preferred orientation) is a major concern for performance enhancement of zeolite membranes. In this study, we demonstrated that the introduction of hierarchy easily enabled concurrent thickness reduction and orientation control of zeolite membranes. Specifically, hierarchical MFI zeolite membranes comprising higher degree of (h0h) preferentially oriented ultrathin (ca. 390 nm) selective top layers and porous intermediate layers on porous α‐Al2O3substrates were fabricated. The use of hollow‐structured MFI nanoseeds and the employment of single‐mode microwave heating during membrane processing were found indispensable for the preparation of MFI zeolite membranes with superior butane isomer separation performance, thereby surpassing the currentn‐/i‐butane selectivity versusn‐butane permeance trade‐off limits of MFI zeolite membranes prepared via solution‐based synthetic protocols.
Attachment and Romantic Relationship Dissolution: A Case Study of Family Therapy
Authors: Koh Eunkook , Park Tai‐Young , Park Yanghyun
Published: January 2021

This study explores how attachment relationships and traumatic events affected an unmarried adult's relationship dissolutions as well as a therapeutic intervention. Thematic Analysis was applied to ten sessions of family therapy utilising counselling transcripts, video recordings, and counselling logs. The client's experiences of attachment relationship and traumatic events included an anxious mother, inconsistent parenting in infancy, physical and emotional abuse and unempathetic parents (the absence of a secure base), parental conflict, and divorce. This is described in terms of the absence of an internal working model (the aggravation of an insecure attachment system), and an anxious attachment style and relationship dissolution in adulthood (the fixation of attachment pattern). Effective therapeutic intervention strategies included providing a secure base, mentalising and facilitating a relational experience to help the client resolve their attachment problems.
Oxidative annulations via double CH bond cleavages: Approach to quinoline derivatives
Authors: Liu Zhenghui , Guo Shien , Wang Peng , Yan Zhenzhong , Mu Tiancheng
Published: January 2021

An approach to complicated quinoline derivatives catalyzed by rhodium catalytic system via oxidative annulations was proposed. A systematic exploration was completed. All kinds of reaction parameters were determined. And 55 kinds of target molecules were obtained with moderate to high yields. Combination of double oxidants made the conversion proceed smoothly. A clear reaction mechanism was put forward. Adjacent π systems might provide assistance for realizing the activation of relatively unreactive C(5)H of imidazole rings by forming five‐membered metallacycle intermediates. In addition, scaled‐up experiment verified the practical applicability.
Combination of the Elevated Stearic Acid Trait with Other Fatty Acid Traits in Soybean
Authors: Gaskin Erik L. , Carrero‐Colón Militza , Hudson Karen A.
Published: January 2021

Stearic acid is one of five major fatty acids found in soybean oil. It is a fully saturated lipid and is known for neutral or positive effects on LDL cholesterol when consumed by humans. Unfortunately, stearic acid only accounts for about 4% of the total seed oil produced in commodity soybean. Previous work has shown that stearic acid can reach levels as high as 28% of the total oil fraction when the SACPD‐C gene, encoding the delta‐9‐stearoyl‐acyl carrier protein desaturase responsible for most of the stearic acid variation in soybean seed, is ablated in combination with other loci. In order to increase stearic acid content and create soybeans with improved utility based on fatty acid composition, we combined mutations in SACPD‐C with other mutations in the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. Soybean plants carrying mutant alleles of both SACPD‐C and FAD2‐1A produce seed with stearic acid levels from 14% to 21%, and with elevated levels of oleic acid. Soybeans carrying mutations in both SACPD‐C and FAD3A or FAD3C have both statistically significantly elevated levels of stearic acid (from 15–21%) and statistically reduced linolenic acid levels. Neither mutant combination appears to affect other agronomic properties such as plant morphology or seed protein levels making this a potentially viable trait.
Plasticized P(VDF‐TrFE): A new flexible piezoelectric material with an easier polarization process, promising for biomedical applications
Authors: Thevenot Camille , Rouxel Didier , Sukumaran Sunija , Rouabah Sawsen , Vincent Brice , Chatbouri Samir , Ben Zineb Tarak
Published: January 2021

In this work, flexible ferroelectric films of P(VDF‐TrFE) softened by a plasticizer are elaborated. Morphology, piezoelectric, mechanical, thermal, and crystalline properties of the films are studied. We show that the elastic constant is reduced up to 30% while increasing the remanent polarization and the piezoelectric coefficient thanks to the lubricant property of the plasticizer, helping the orientation of the crystallites. Plus, the decrease of the coercive field from 46 to 32 V/μm after an annealing at 138°C for a plasticizer content ranging between 20 and 50 wt% is observed and an explanation by based on a polymer/plasticizer demixing is provided. It leads to an easier polarization process with a significant saving in time and applied electric field reducing the breakdown voltage. Both effects could be interesting for an industrial production. Finally, a first sensor is elaborated and characterized electrically with homemade test bench. We show that the softening of the P(VDF‐TrFE) offers to the device a larger amplitude range of deformations. The combination of the flexibility with high ferroelectric properties of the plasticized P(VDF‐TrFE) make it a very promising material for biomedical sensor applications.
Rheological behavior of bitumen modified by reclaimed polyethylene and polypropylene from different recycling sources
Authors: Xia Tian , Zhang Anxin , Xu Jianhui , Chen Xiang , Xia Xiaochao , Zhu Haie , Li Youbing
Published: January 2021

This work studied the rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties of bitumen modified by reclaimed polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) from different recycling sources. The rutting resistance under high temperature of polymer modified bitumen (PMB) was investigated by rheologically temperature ramp test and multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) test. It is found that for some modified bitumen, a plateau of complex modulus G* could be formed with temperature increment, revealing rheological stability. Furthermore, these samples with rheological stability revealed a higher creep recovery and lower creep compliance measured by the MSCR test. Glass transition temperature (Tg) measured by dynamic mechanical analysis was used to evaluate the crack resistance under a low temperature of PMB. The influence of recycled PE on the Tg of modified bitumen was different from that of recycled PP modified bitumen, as compared with corresponding virgin polymer modified bitumen. A possible reason for the various effect of recycling sources on the service property of modified bitumen was explored by crystallization and melting behaviors of polymer in bitumen since that polymer with higher crystallinity degree could endow the modified bitumen stiffness, which was closely, related to their service property especially the rutting resistance.
Low‐weight fractions of graphene and hydroxyapatite enhance mechanics in photocured methacrylate adhesives
Authors: Alabdali Zinah N. , Irizarry Emanuel , Reiter Mary P. , Ashraf Ali , Lynch‐Branzoi Jennifer K. , Mann Adrian B.
Published: January 2021

In many applications, it is desirable for photocured adhesives to have high‐mechanical strength in the cured state, but relatively low viscosity when liquid. This was achieved by adding less than 0.5 wt% hydroxyapatite and graphene to methyl methacrylate with diurethane dimethacrylate (UDMA‐MMA). Nanoindentation shows hardness increasing by 30–40% and indentation modulus by >30% compared to UDMA‐MMA on its own. Rheometry shows only a small increase in uncured viscosity for the liquid state. The additives affect the optical properties, mobility of free radicals, photocuring, and degree of conversion, the effects of which are seen in Fourier transform infrared and micro‐Raman spectra. Thermographic images taken during curing show that the additives impact the photocuring process. In addition, changes in intermolecular bonding are seen in the vibrational spectra when the additives are present. The enhanced mechanical properties are attributed to the observed changes in photocuring and bonding.
Synthesis, in vitro cytotoxic and apoptotic effects, and molecular docking study of novel adamantane derivatives
Authors: Turk‐Erbul Basak , Karaman Ecem F. , Duran Gizem N. , Ozbil Mehmet , Ozden Sibel , Goktas Fusun
Published: January 2021

[4‐(Adamantane‐1‐carboxamido)‐3‐oxo‐1‐thia‐4‐azaspiro[4.4]nonan‐2‐yl]acetic acid (4a) and [4‐(adamantane‐1‐carboxamido)‐8‐nonsubstituted/substituted‐3‐oxo‐1‐thia‐4‐azas‐piro[4.5]decane‐2‐yl]acetic acid (4b–g) derivatives were synthesized; their structures were verified by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy,1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR),13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy data; and their in vitro cytotoxicity activities were investigated against human hepatocellular carcinoma, human prostate adenocarcinoma, and human lung carcinoma cell lines (HepG2, PC‐3, and A549, respectively), and a mouse fibroblast cell line (NIH/3T3). All compounds, except compound4e, were found as cytotoxic, especially on A549 cells as compared with the other cells (selectivity index = 2.01–11.6). As a further step, the effects of compounds4a–con apoptosis induction were tested and the expression of selected apoptosis genes was analyzed. Among the selected compounds, compound4ainduced apoptosis remarkably. Moreover, computational calculations of the binding of compounds4a–cto the BIR3 domain of the human inhibitor of apoptosis protein revealed ligand–protein interactions at the atomistic level and emphasized the importance of a hydrophobic moiety on the ligands for better binding.
The Revised Children's Communication Checklist‐2 (CCC‐R): Factor Structure and Psychometric Evaluation
Authors: Wellnitz Sophia A. C. , Kästel Isabella , Vllasaliu Leonora , Cholemkery Hannah , Freitag Christine M. , Bast Nico
Published: January 2021

The Children's Communication Checklist‐2 (CCC‐2) is often applied to assess pragmatic language impairment which is highly prevalent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and several mental health conditions. We replicated previous findings on the limited applicability of the CCC‐2 in clinical samples and the inconsistent findings concerning the factor structure. The aim of the present study was, thus, to develop a concise, simplified, and revised version of the CCC‐2 in a large German‐speaking sample. Four groups of children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years were included: ASD (n = 195), intellectual disability (ID, n = 83), diverse mental health conditions (MHC, n = 144) and a typically developing control group (TD, n = 417). We reduced the original number of items from 70 to 39, based on item analysis, exploratory factor analysis and the exclusion of communication‐unrelated items. The revised version, CCC‐R (α = 0.96), consists of two empirically derived factors: a pragmatic‐language (α = 0.96) and a grammatical‐semantic‐language factor (α = 0.93). All clinical groups (ASD, ID, and MHC) had significantly increased CCC‐R total scores, with the highest scores being in the neurodevelopmental disorder groups (ASD and ID). In addition, we found group‐specific patterns of elevated pragmatic‐language scores in the ASD group and grammatical‐semantic scores in the ID group. The CCC‐R was comparable to the CCC‐2 in distinguishing ASD from the other groups. The CCC‐R is proposed as a simplified and easily applied, clinical questionnaire for caregivers, assessing pragmatic language impairments across neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health conditions.

Lay Summary

The CCC‐2 is a questionnaire designed to identify children who have problems in the social use of language, however, it is limited in its clinical application and exhibits inconsistent factors. We have created a shorter and simpler version of the CCC‐2 that we have called the CCC‐R which overcomes the previous limitations of the CCC‐2. It consists of two subscales: pragmatic language and grammatical‐semantic language. The CCC‐R can be used as a short and clinically relevant caregiver questionnaire which assesses pragmatic language impairments in children and adolescents. Autism Res 2021, 14: 759–772. © 2021 The Authors. Autism Research published by International Society for Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A review of biofuel production from floating aquatic plants: an emerging source of bio‐renewable energy
Authors: Arefin Md Arman , Rashid Fazlur , Islam Amirul
Published: January 2021

Aquatic plants have been considered as a cause for concern because they impede aquatic flora and fauna. However, biofuel production from aquatic plants is an emerging energy source. As a consequence, this paper presents a detailed review of bio‐fuel production from floating aquatic plants with their physicochemical properties. The main focus of this study is to evaluate the biofuel production potential of some major aquatic plants. This paper also presents some methods for biofuel production from aquatic plants that are feasible for future energy generation. Five major types of floating aquatic plants are analyzed in this study,viz. Azolla,water hyacinth, water fern, water lettuce, and duckweed, with their related biofuel production methodologies such as transesterification, pyrolysis, hydrolysis, and torrefaction. This paper also evaluates optimum bio‐fuel production conditions for aquatic plants and their upgradation methodologies. Conventional fuel and aquatic bio‐fuel properties are also compared in this study. Findings suggest that, depending on calorific value and viscosity,Azollaand water fern (Salvania molesta) are better aquatic plants to generate high‐quality (similar to diesel) biofuels compared with other aquatic plants. Bio‐fuel production from water fern, water lettuce, and duckweed are also comparatively less focused sources of energy. The cost associated with cleaning invasive aquatic plants from water can be turned into an investment by producing biofuel from aquatic plants using sustainable techniques. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd