bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iron‐Nitrogen Co‐doped Carbon with a Tunable Composition as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Liu Wendong , Zhang Chenghui , Zhang Yuxuan , Jiang Yuanyuan , Chen Chuanxia , Ni Pengjuan , Wang Bo , Lu Yizhong
Published: January 2021

Understanding the relationship between composition and activity is essential for the rational design of metal‐nitrogen‐Carbon (M−N−C) electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Here, a series of Fe‐N co‐doped porous carbon (Fe‐N−C) electrocatalysts are successfully prepared through the pyrolysis of ZIF‐8 doped with different amount of hemin. The catalyst (Fe55‐N−C) exhibits impressive ORR performance with an onset potential (Eonset) of 1.02 V (vs. RHE) and a half‐wave potential (E1/2) of 0.892 V in alkaline media, outperforming commercial Pt/C. Meanwhile, the average kinetic current density (Jk) of Fe55‐N−C at 0.850 V is 17.5 mA cm−2, which is 3.3‐fold higher than that of commercial Pt/C. Besides, it also delivers anti‐methanol poisoning ability and high durability. The high performance stems from the hierarchical porous structure, large specific surface area, and high dispersion of Fe‐Nx active sites in Fe55‐N−C. These findings could inspire new perspectives for rationally designing and synthesizing economical and practical non‐precious‐metal oxygen reduction electrocatalysts.
A novel framework for energy‐efficient compressive data gathering in heterogeneous wireless sensor network
Authors: Manchanda Rachit , Sharma Kanika
Published: January 2021

Wireless sensor network (WSN) suffers from the energy‐limited sensor nodes which consume energy heavily depending upon the magnitude of data which is transmitted or received by the nodes in the network. In this paper, our primary aim is to reduce the quantity of data transmitted to the data‐collecting sink, which helps in the energy preservation and eventually leads to network longevity. To address this concern, in this paper, we propose a novel framework for energy‐efficient compressive data gathering (NFECG) for heterogeneous WSN. NFECG works in four following phases; in the first phase, the cluster head (CH) selection is performed by considering remaining energy, “distance within the nodes and the sink,” and node density; in second phase, sleep scheduling is done among the cluster member nodes; further, in third phase, the compression of the aggregated data is performed at the CH level, and equivalent compressed sparse signals are generated which are transmitted to sink. In the last phase, at the sink, decompression is applied to retrieve the original signals. The simulation of NFECG is performed using MATLAB under two cases of different network area and number of nodes. We examine its performance for various performance metrics and also inspect for its scalable characteristics. The results show that for one of the two cases, it improves stability period and network lifetime by 52.59% and 46.09%, respectively, as compared to energy‐adjusted high‐level data total tree (EHDT) protocol, and also for the other case of network configuration, it acquires supreme performance.
Radial basis function neural network path loss prediction model for LTE networks in multitransmitter signal propagation environments
Authors: Ojo Stephen , Imoize Agbotiname , Alienyi Daniel
Published: January 2021

Path loss prediction models occupy a central role in wireless signal propagation because of the continuous need to achieve reliable and high quality of service for subscribers satisfaction. However, the adoption of deterministic and empirical models for pathloss characterization presents a highly contending trade‐off between simplicity and accuracy. On the one hand, empirical models are relatively simple to apply but are mostly inaccurate and inconsistent. Deterministic models are more accurate but quite complex to develop, time‐consuming, and possess nonadaptable characteristics. Toward this end, this paper proposes to address the problems associated with the existing models (empirical and deterministic) through the introduction of machine learning algorithms to path loss predictions. The contribution of this paper is in threefold. First, experimental data were collected in multitransmitter scenarios via drive test in six base transceiver stations, and the pathloss of the received signal level was derived and analyzed. Two machine learning‐based path loss prediction models were then developed using the measured data as input variables. The developed path loss prediction models are the radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) and the multilayer perception neural network (MLPNN). Further to this, the MLPNN and the RBFNN models were compared with the measured path loss, and the RBFNN appears to be more accurate with lower values of root mean squared errors (RMSEs) in comparison with the MLPNN. Finally, the proposed machine language‐based path loss prediction models (MLPNN and RBFNN) were compared against five existing empirical models, and again, the RBFNN shows the most accurate results.
Smart workload migration on external cloud service providers to minimize delay, running time, and transfer cost
Authors: Badshah Afzal , Ghani Anwar , Irshad Azeem , Naqvi Husnain , Kumari Saru
Published: January 2021

With limited resources, overutilization is a challenging issue in the emerging system of smart devices, resulting in higher costs, poor performance and low prices due to service level agreement (SLA) violations. These factors extremely annoy the customers as well as providers. External resources are hired to overcome the resources scalability challenges; however, external resources cause higher delay, running time, and transfer cost. The lift in delay explicitly means more cost and more customers dissatisfaction. The delay and transfer cost increases with geographical distance and overutilization. In this article, a mechanism is proposed to make efficient migration decisions to external cloud service providers (CSPs) to minimize the delay, running time, and transfer cost by searching an optimum data center (DC), where the resources may be taken with optimum conditions. The Cloud Analyst is extended to simulate the proposed framework. Results were calculated for three different phenomena, where hiring the resources from underutilized DC decreases the running time to 0.237 ms; however, the response time and transfer cost increases to 499 ms and 0.228 $, respectively; similarly, getting the resources of nearest DC drops the delay time and transfer cost to 80 ms and 0.065 $ respectively; however, the execution time increases to 0.500 ms. The proposed framework optimized the delay time, execution time and transfer cost to 50 ms, 0.237 ms, and 0.065 $, respectively.
A method based on encryption and node rating for securing the RPL protocol communications in the IoT ecosystem
Authors: Zaminkar Mina , Sarkohaki Fateme , Fotohi Reza
Published: January 2021

Internet of Things (IoT) provides the possibility for milliards of devices throughout the world to communicate with each other, and data are collected autonomously. The big data generated by the devices should be managed securely. Due to security challenges, like malicious nodes, many approaches cannot respond to these concerns. In this paper, a robust hybrid method, including encryption, is used as an efficient approach for resolving the Low‐Power and Lossy Networks (RPL) protocol concerns so that the devices are connected securely. Therefore, the proposed Detection of sinkholes in RPL (DSH‐RPL) method for securing the RPL protocol comprises the four following phases: the first phase creates a reliable RPL. The second phase detects the sinkhole attack. The third phase quarantines the detected malicious node, and the fourth phase transmits data through encryption. The simulation results show that the DSH‐RPL reduces the false‐positive rate more than 18.2% and 23.1% and reduces the false‐negative rate more than 16.1% and 22.78% and it also increases the packet delivery rate more than 19.68% and 25.32% and increases the detection rate more than 26% and 31% compared to SecTrust‐RPL and IBOOS‐RPL.
Effects of stand composition and soil properties on water repellency and hydraulic conductivity in Mediterranean forests
Authors: Zema Demetrio Antonio , Van Stan John T. , Plaza‐Alvarez Pedro Antonio , Xu Xiangzhou , Carra Bruno Gianmarco , Lucas‐Borja Manuel Esteban
Published: January 2021

This study evaluates soil hydraulic conductivity (SHC) and water repellency (SWR) in three mixed forest stands in relation to site plant and soil characteristics. The studied forest stands were (i) Pinus nigra Arn. ssp salzmannii and Quercus ilex; (ii) P. nigra Arn. ssp salzmannii and Juniperus Thurifera; (iii) P. nigra Arn. ssp salzmannii, Q. ilex and Juniperus Thurifera. A 100‐ to 120‐year‐old unmanaged P. nigra Arn. ssp salzmannii stand was also chosen as control. The hydrological variables, physico‐chemical properties and surface characteristics of soils were surveyed. Soil water infiltration was higher in Pinus + Juniper mixed forest and Pinus + Quercus + Juniper mixed forests compared to unmanaged Pinus stands. None of the studied forest stands shows a high level of repellency. Only a slight repellency (in unmanaged stands dominated by pines) or moderate repellency (in soils with Pinus and Juniper) were evident, while soils with Pinus and Quercus were not repellent. Differences in SHC among the forest species were driven primarily by the soil texture and associated structure and secondarily by soil organic matter and associated SWR. The latter was mainly due to organic matter content of the soils, but others of the soil physico‐chemical properties and covers analysed were found as influencing parameters to discriminate SWR among mono‐specific and mixed forest stands. While SHC at the studied forest stands could be predicted using organic matter as well as sand and clay contents of the soil, SWR is the result of several hydrological and physico‐chemical parameters.
Incorporation of Polyoxometalate in Sulfonic Acid‐modified MIL‐101‐Cr for Enhanced CO2 Photoreduction Activity
Authors: Wang Yue , Xie Yue , Deng Mingchuan , Liu Tianfu , Yang Hongxun
Published: January 2021

Silicomolybdic acid is supported on the sulfonic acid‐modified MIL‐101‐Cr by diffusion method, which increases the metal active sites on the surface of the material while maintains the structural integrity of MIL‐101. The CO yield of composite SiMo12O40@SO3H‐MIL‐101‐Cr in CO2 photoreduction is as high as 82.95 μmol/(g ⋅ h), and the CO selectivity is 93.2 %. The improvement in the catalytic performance of the composite can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the sulfonic acid group and the silicomolybdic acid molecule, which could effectively promote the separation of photogenerated carriers and inhibit the recombination of photogenerated electrons and hole pairs.
Structural Changes in Five‐Coordinate Bromido‐bis(o‐iminobenzo‐semiquinonato)iron(III) Complex: Spin‐Crossover or Ligand‐Metal Antiferromagnetic Interactions?
Authors: Vlasenko Valery G. , Guda Alexander A. , Starikov Andrey G. , Chegerev Maxim G. , Piskunov Alexander V. , Ershova Irina V. , Trigub Alexander L. , Tereshchenko Andrei A. , Rusalev Yurii V. , Kubrin Stanislav P. , Soldatov Alexander V.
Published: January 2021

Spin‐crossover metal complexes represent important building blocks for a future generation of electronic and optical devices. Pentacoordinated o‐iminosemiquinonate iron(III) complexes are able to demonstrate spin transitions between high spin (HS) and intermediate spin (IS) states under the influence of temperature or irradiation. Studied (MeimSQ)2FeBr sample showed a broad magnetic transition in the temperature region from 30 K to 300 K. Remarkably that observed behavior of magnetization can be interpreted with two controversial models. In the first model, the values of the effective magnetic moment at low temperature and high temperature can be assigned to the IS and HS magnetic moment of ferric ion coupled antiferromagnetically to radical anion ligands. In the second model, the metal spin on metal center remains IS in the whole temperature interval, while the mutual orientation of three magnetic moments in the molecule undergo changes due to exchange interactions. In this work we apply density functional theory and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy to unravel the origin of magnetic properties of the complex. Temperature‐induced changes of interatomic distances in the first coordination sphere support the second model. Such comprehensive analysis of the magnetic properties makes it possible to shed light on the nature of spin transitions in complexes of transition metals with open‐shell ligands, which are often complicated by strong exchange interactions.
Preparation of g‐C3N4 Nanosheets/CuO with Enhanced Catalytic Activity on the Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate
Authors: Ma Dan Na , Li Xiao Meng , Wang Xiao Qing , Luo Yun Jun
Published: January 2021

The thermal oxidation etching assisted g‐C3N4 nanosheets/CuO was prepared through a facile co‐precipitation strategy. In this work, the structure, morphology, and composition of g‐C3N4 (UCN, prepared by urea), g‐C3N4 nanosheets (TCN, prepared by thermal oxidation etching of UCN), g‐C3N4/CuO (UCN/CuO), g‐C3N4 nanosheets/CuO (TCN/CuO) were characterized via X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Furthermore, the catalytic effect of the obtained samples on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was examined by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). As a result, in the case of 5 wt% TCN/CuO, the high decomposition temperature of AP decreased by 120.6 °C, which is much lower than that of UCN, TCN, CuO and UCN/CuO. In addition, the exothermic heat released from the decomposition of AP increased from 430.64 J g−1 to 2856.08 J g−1. This evident catalytic activity may be related to the synergistic effect of CuO and TCN. This work provides a novel strategy for the construction of composite catalyst for the thermal decomposition of AP, which is supposed to possess significant potential in the solid propellant field.
Cobalt(II)‐Catalyzed C−H/N−H Functionalization and Annulation of N‐(quinolin‐8‐yl)benzamide with Cyclopropanols
Authors: Chen Jinkang , Yin Chuanliu , Zhou Jian , Yu Chuanming
Published: January 2021

A new method for Co‐catalyzed C−H/N−H functionalization and [4+1] annulation of N‐(quinolin‐8‐yl)benzamide with cyclopropanols was developed. This protocol tolerates a variety of functional groups, thereby providing an efficient method for the fabrication of isoindolin‐1‐ones. Moreover, the utility of this strategy was showcased by the late‐stage modification of lithocholic acid derivatives and ibuprofen derivatives.
Domino Processes of Arynes Reacting with Three Classes of Nucleophiles for Organic Syntheses
Authors: Hwu Jih Ru , Panja Avijit , Gupta Nitesh K. , Hu Yu‐Chen , Tan Kui‐Thong , Lin Chun‐Cheng , Hwang Kuo‐Chu , Hsu Ming‐Hua , Huang Wen‐Chieh , Tsay Shwu‐Chen
Published: January 2021

Synthetic application of arynes is broadened by their reactions with neutral N‐, S‐, and O‐containing nucleophiles to produce three types of compounds. Accordingly, 1,2‐dihydroquinolines are synthesized from Schiff bases, alkynes, and arynes through a Diels‐Alder reaction. Epoxides are prepared from thioethers and arynes along with aldehydes or ketones through a Johnson‐Corey‐Chaykovsky reaction. Phenolic ethers are produced from allyl ethers and arynes through a Claisen‐type rearrangement. These target molecules, including natural products γ‐asarone, asaricin, and a cholesteryl phenolic ether, are formed through reactions initiated by arynes. These new reactions share a prevailing feature of domino processes, which are carried out in a single flask and afford the desired products in good to high yields.
Experimental and numerical investigation of energy dissipation of roadways with thick soft roofs in underground coal mines
Authors: Ma Zhenqian , Liang Xuchao , Fu Guangsheng , Zou Yihuai , Chen Anmin , Guan Ruichong
Published: January 2021

The roadway deformation process is closely associated with the accumulation and dissipation of energy. Understanding the characteristics of energy dissipation in surrounding rock is critical to revealing the development process and the disaster mechanisms of the roof accidents in underground coal mines. This paper presents a triaxial compression experiment to analyze energy characteristics of mudstone taken from Huangyanhui Coal Mine. A numerical study is performed to study the energy distribution under different roof strengths. The results suggest that the instability of the roadway is an irreversible energy dissipation process with high nonlinearity and complexity. The roadway support principle, based on the energy balance theory, is proposed to explain the energy distribution. The safety control of roadways with thick and soft roofs should consider the following three aspects: (a) optimize the layout of the roadway, avoid placing it in the stress concentration zone, and reduce the strain energy of the surrounding rock accumulation from the source; (b) improve the ability of the supporting structure to adapt to the deformation of the surrounding rock and avoid the failure of the supporting structure because of excessive force; and (c) set weak structures in the surrounding rock, that dissipate part of the energy, thus reducing the load acting on the support. The results of field application monitoring show that roadway severe deformation was effectively controlled using pressure relief boreholes (PRB), and the average floor heave speed of the roadway decreased from the original 2.0 to 0.98 mm/d. Therefore, PRB provides a new approach for roadway control.
Goal‐directed interaction of stimulus and task demand in the parahippocampal region
Authors: Lee Su‐Min , Jin Seung‐Woo , Park Seong‐Beom , Park Eun‐Hye , Lee Choong‐Hee , Lee Hyun‐Woo , Lim Heung‐Yeol , Yoo Seung‐Woo , Ahn Jae Rong , Shin Jhoseph , Lee Sang Ah , Lee Inah
Published: January 2021

The hippocampus and parahippocampal region are essential for representing episodic memories involving various spatial locations and objects, and for using those memories for future adaptive behavior. The “dual‐stream model” was initially formulated based on anatomical characteristics of the medial temporal lobe, dividing the parahippocampal region into two streams that separately process and relay spatial and nonspatial information to the hippocampus. Despite its significance, the dual‐stream model in its original form cannot explain recent experimental results, and many researchers have recognized the need for a modification of the model. Here, we argue that dividing the parahippocampal region into spatial and nonspatial streams a priori may be too simplistic, particularly in light of ambiguous situations in which a sensory cue alone (e.g., visual scene) may not allow such a definitive categorization. Upon reviewing evidence, including our own, that reveals the importance of goal‐directed behavioral responses in determining the relative involvement of the parahippocampal processing streams, we propose the Goal‐directed Interaction of Stimulus and Task‐demand (GIST) model. In the GIST model, input stimuli such as visual scenes and objects are first processed by both the postrhinal and perirhinal cortices—the postrhinal cortex more heavily involved with visual scenes and perirhinal cortex with objects—with relatively little dependence on behavioral task demand. However, once perceptual ambiguities are resolved and the scenes and objects are identified and recognized, the information is then processed through the medial or lateral entorhinal cortex, depending on whether it is used to fulfill navigational or non‐navigational goals, respectively. As complex sensory stimuli are utilized for both navigational and non‐navigational purposes in an intermixed fashion in naturalistic settings, the hippocampus may be required to then put together these experiences into a coherent map to allow flexible cognitive operations for adaptive behavior to occur.
Pressure‐Induced Perovskite‐to‐non‐Perovskite Phase Transition in CsPbBr3
Authors: Noculak Agnieszka , Boehme Simon C. , Aebli Marcel , Shynkarenko Yevhen , McCall Kyle M. , Kovalenko Maksym V.
Published: January 2021

The expanding range of optoelectronic applications of lead‐halide perovskites requires their production in diverse forms (single crystals, thin‐ and thick‐films or even nanocrystals), motivating the development of diverse materials processing and deposition routes that are specifically suited for these structurally soft, low‐melting semiconductors. Pressure‐assisted deposition of compact pellets or thick‐films are gaining popularity, necessitating studies on the pressure effects on the atomic structure and properties of the resulting material. Herein we report the phase transformation in bulk polycrystalline cesium lead bromide from its three‐dimensional perovskite phase (γ‐CsPbBr3) into the one‐dimensional polymorph (δ‐CsPbBr3) upon application of hydrostatic pressure (0.35 GPa). δ‐CsPbBr3 is characterized by a wide bandgap of 2.9 eV and broadband yellow luminescence at 585 nm (2.1 eV) originating from self‐trapped excitons. The formation of δ‐CsPbBr3 was confirmed and characterized by Raman spectroscopy, 207Pb and 133Cs solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance, X‐ray diffraction, absorption spectroscopy, and temperature‐dependent and time‐resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. No such phase transition was observed in colloidal CsPbBr3 nanocrystals.
DNA methylation age as a biomarker for cancer
Authors: Lau Chung‐Ho E. , Robinson Oliver
Published: January 2021

Cancer is well established as an age‐associated disease, and there is substantial overlap in the molecular, cellular and physiological changes observed with both ageing and the progression of cancer. Age‐specific declines in resilience mechanisms such as DNA repair or epigenetic maintenance may contribute to the development of cancer. These declines may be assessed through biomarkers that measure biological age and through the related concept of “age acceleration”. Epigenetic clocks, assessed through DNA methylation levels, are among the most widely used biological age markers in cancer studies. In this review, we discuss the use of DNA methylation ageing measures to predict population cancer incidence, mortality and survival. Blood‐based DNA methylation age estimators appear to be promising measures of increased cancer risk and mortality, although their reported effects are generally weak, thus its clinical relevance remains to be validated in large case‐cohort and longitudinal studies. Future development of epigenetic and other biological age biomarkers will likely further elucidate the links between ageing and cancer.
Effects of a community resilience intervention program on victims of forced displacement: A case study
Authors: Perdomo Mónica , Sánchez Flor , Blanco Amalio
Published: January 2021

This article describes the effects of an intervention program that uses community resilience and the psychological, social, and subjective well‐being of victims of forced displacement as a reference framework. Following a multiple instrumental case study methodology with pre–post‐intervention measurements, the cases of eight people were analyzed, six women and two men between the ages of 30 and 65, low socioeconomic and educational level, all of whom had been victims of forced displacement and currently reside in Ibagué where the intervention program was performed. The reliable change index was applied to estimate the effects of the program. In each case, participation in the program significantly improved the results of certain variables, but there were differences between the cases concerning the improvement levels and intensity. Therefore, the development of programs that reinforce community resilience can have positive effects on the perceptions of the participants regarding their well‐being and social relationships.
Hypermethylation‐mediated downregulation of lncRNA PVT1 promotes granulosa cell apoptosis in premature ovarian insufficiency via interacting with Foxo3a
Authors: Wang Fang , Chen Xuemei , Sun Bo , Ma Yujia , Niu Wenbin , Zhai Jun , Sun Yingpu
Published: January 2021

Long noncoding RNA PVT1 is involved in the progression of female gynecological cancers. However, the role of PVT1 in ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis‐mediated premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate the role of PVT1 in ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis‐mediated POI. The expression of PVT1 was compared between ovarian tissues from POI patients and normal controls. The methylation level in the PVT1 promoter region was detected by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction. The interaction between PVT1 and forkhead box class O3A (Foxo3a) was confirmed by RNA pull‐down and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Granulosa cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. The effect of PVT1 on transcription activity of Foxo3a was detected by luciferase reporter assay. The expression of PVT1 was low in the POI ovarian tissues compared with the controls, and such a low expression was related to the hypermethylation of the PVT1 promoter. PVT1 was localized in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of granulosa cells. We determined that PVT1 could bind with Foxo3a and that downregulating PVT1 by small interfering RNAs inhibited Foxo3a phosphorylation by promoting SCP4‐mediated Foxo3a dephosphorylation, resulting in an increase in Foxo3a transcription activity. Moreover, downregulating PVT1 promoted granulosa cell apoptosis by increasing the Foxo3a protein levels. An in vivo experiment showed that the injection of PVT1 overexpressing vectors restored the ovarian function in POI mice. Hypermethylation‐induced downregulation of PVT1 promotes granulosa cell apoptosis in POI by inhibiting Foxo3a phosphorylation and increases the Foxo3a transcription activity.
Calcineurin A gamma and NFATc3/SRPX2 axis contribute to human embryonic stem cell differentiation
Authors: Chen Hao , Zeng Yanwu , Shao Min , Zhao Hanzhi , Fang Zhuoqing , Gu Junjie , Liao Bing , Jin Ying
Published: January 2021

Our understanding of signaling pathways regulating the cell fate of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is limited. Calcineurin‐NFAT signaling is associated with a wide range of biological processes and diseases. However, its role in controlling hESC fate remains unclear. Here, we report that calcineurin A gamma and the NFATc3/SRPX2 axis control the expression of lineage and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in hESCs. Knockdown of PPP3CC, the gene encoding calcineurin A gamma, or NFATC3, downregulates certain markers both at the self‐renewal state and during differentiation of hESCs. Furthermore, NFATc3 interacts with c‐JUN and regulates the expression of SRPX2, the gene encoding a secreted glycoprotein known as a ligand of uPAR. We show that SRPX2 is a downstream target of NFATc3. Both SRPX2 and uPAR participate in controlling expression of lineage and EMT markers. Importantly, SRPX2 knockdown diminishes the upregulation of multiple lineage and EMT markers induced by co‐overexpression of NFATc3 and c‐JUN in hESCs. Together, this study uncovers a previously unknown role of calcineurin A gamma and the NFATc3/SRPX2 axis in modulating the fate determination of hESCs.
T. Thomson Flynn and the monotreme egg from oocyte maturation to germ layer formation
Authors: Carter Anthony M.
Published: January 2021

Knowledge of oocyte development and the early differentiation of the germ layers in monotremes stems largely from two articles by J. P. Hill and T. Thomson Flynn. The completeness of their account was due to the large series of echidna ovaries and eggs collected on Tasmania by Flynn, an Australian biologist of whom a brief account is given. A striking finding in the oocyte and early embryo of monotremes was the presence of a latebra connected to the yolk bed beneath the germinal disc as described in birds and several reptiles. A further resemblance was the presence early in vitellogenesis of a striate zone beneath the zona pellucida. Cleavage resulted first in a lens‐shaped blastodisc encircled by cells called vitellocytes that later fused to form a germ‐ring. The blastodisc gave rise to a blastoderm that eventually became unilaminar but comprised two cell types identified as ectoderm and primitive endoderm. Eventually these segregated into two layers and formed a blastula. This sequence resembled that in marsupials except there was no obvious distinction between future embryonic and extra‐embryonic regions. As the blastoderm extended over the surface of the yolk, it was preceded by the germ‐ring that eventually played a role in forming the yolk navel. This was a unique feature of monotreme development. It is shown that Flynn played an important role in analysis of the material as well as in its collection.
Chemical binding of horseradish peroxidase enzyme with poly beta‐cyclodextrin and its application as molecularly imprinted polymer for the monitoring of H2O2 in human plasma samples
Authors: Sardaremelli Sanam , Hasanzadeh Mohammad , Razmi Habib
Published: January 2021

In this study, a selective and sensitive molecular imprinting‐based electrochemical sensors, for horseradish peroxidase (HRP) entrapment was fabricated using electro polymerization of ß‐Cyclodextrin (ß‐CD) on the surface of glassy carbon electrode. Poly beta‐cyclodextrin P(ß‐CD) provide efficient surface area for self‐immobilization of HRP as well as improve imprinting efficiency. The proposed imprinted biosensor successfully utilized for detection of HRP with excellent analytical results which linear range is 0.1 mg/mL to 10 ng/mL with LOD of 2.23 ng/mL. Furthermore, electrocatalytical activity of the prepared biosensor toward the reduction of hydrogen peroxide was investigated in the ranges of 1 to 15 μM with a detection limit of 0.4 μM by using chronoamperometry technique. The developed biosensor was used for the detection of hydrogen peroxide in unprocessed human plasma sample.
Automated machine learning to predict the co‐occurrence of isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations and O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase promoter methylation in patients with gliomas
Authors: Zhang Simin , Sun Huaiqiang , Su Xiaorui , Yang Xibiao , Wang Weina , Wan Xinyue , Tan Qiaoyue , Chen Ni , Yue Qiang , Gong Qiyong
Published: January 2021

Combining isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation (IDHmut) with O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase promoter methylation (MGMTmet) has been identified as a critical prognostic molecular marker for gliomas. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of glioma radiomics features from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict the co‐occurrence of IDHmut and MGMTmet by applying the tree‐based pipeline optimization tool (TPOT), an automated machine learning (autoML) approach. This was a retrospective study, in which 162 patients with gliomas were evaluated, including 58 patients with co‐occurrence of IDHmut and MGMTmet and 104 patients with other status comprising: IDH wildtype and MGMT unmethylated (n = 67), IDH wildtype and MGMTmet (n = 36), and IDHmut and MGMT unmethylated (n = 1). Three‐dimensional (3D) T1‐weighted images, gadolinium‐enhanced 3D T1‐weighted images (Gd‐3DT1WI), T2‐weighted images, and fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images acquired at 3.0 T were used. Radiomics features were extracted from FLAIR and Gd‐3DT1WI images. The TPOT was employed to generate the best machine learning pipeline, which contains both feature selector and classifier, based on input feature sets. A 4‐fold cross‐validation was used to evaluate the performance of automatically generated models. For each iteration, the training set included 121 subjects, while the test set included 41 subjects. Student's t‐test or a chi‐square test was applied on different clinical characteristics between two groups. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, kappa score, and AUC were used to evaluate the performance of TPOT‐generated models. Finally, we compared the above metrics of TPOT‐generated models to identify the best‐performing model. Patients' ages and grades between two groups were significantly different (p = 0.002 and p = 0.000, respectively). The 4‐fold cross‐validation showed that gradient boosting classifier trained on shape and textual features from the Laplacian‐of‐Gaussian‐filtered Gd‐3DT1 achieved the best performance (average sensitivity = 81.1%, average specificity = 94%, average accuracy = 89.4%, average kappa score = 0.76, average AUC = 0.951). Using autoML based on radiomics features from MRI, a high discriminatory accuracy was achieved for predicting co‐occurrence of IDHmut and MGMTmet in gliomas.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy Stage

3
A novel LC‐MS/MS method for simultaneous estimation of obeticholic acid, glyco‐obeticholic acid, tauro‐obeticholic acid in human plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Valluri Venkat Rao , Katari Naresh Kumar , Khatri Chirag , Yadlapalli Siva Sankara Rao , Anand Krishnan , Gundla Rambabu , Polagani Srinivasa Rao
Published: January 2021

A rapid, robust, simple, selective, and sensitive liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous estimation of obeticholic acid and its two pharmacologically active metabolites, glyco‐obeticholic acid, and tauro‐obeticholic acid in human plasma. The analytes and their heavy stable isotope‐labeled internal standards were extracted from 250 μL human plasma by a solid‐phase extraction technique. The method linearity was established over a concentration range of 0.410 to 120.466 ng/mL for obeticholic acid, 0.414 to 121.708 ng/mL for glyco‐obeticholic acid, and 0.255 to 75.101 ng/mL for tauro‐obeticholic acid. The method was fully validated as per current guidelines on bioanalytical method validation of “United States of Food and Drug Administration” and “European Medicines Agency.” The method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of obeticholic acid, glyco‐obeticholic acid, and tauro‐obeticholic acid following oral administration of obeticholic acid tablets to healthy male volunteers. All the measured concentrations were within calibration curve ranges.
Educational interventions to improve maternal‐foetal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes
Authors: Gorbán de Lapertosa Silvia , Elgart Jorge F. , González Claudio D. , Alvariñas Jorge , Camin Paula , Mezzabotta Leonardo , Salzberg Susana , Gagliardino Juan J.
Published: January 2021

Aims

To evaluate improvement in gestational diabetes (GDM) outcomes for mothers and their offspring induced by education provided to the healthcare team (HCTM) and women with GDM, plus coordination between primary care units (PCU) and highly complex maternity (HCM) facilities.

Methods

Pregnant women with GDM completing control visits from first appointment until delivery were recruited in participating PCU‐HCM, in the cities of Corrientes and Buenos Aires; 263 women recruited from 2017 to mid‐2018 were assigned to the control group (CG), and 432 women recruited from mid‐2018 to 2019 to the intervention group (IG). The CG received standardized care/routine management and follow‐up, including basic information on blood glucose monitoring and insulin injection when necessary, whereas the IG received an educational program targeting HCTM and women with GDM. These courses included standards of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of GDM, plus systematic registry of clinical and metabolic indicators (fasting blood glucose, serum cholesterol and triglyceride). Data on obstetric history, preeclampsia, gestation‐induced hypertension, delivery method and newborn's body weight were also recorded

Results

Women in the IG showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower BMI and weight gain during gestation, a trend towards lower triglyceride and caesarean sections and a significant increase in postnatal attendance for metabolic assessment. Their newborns showed significantly lower body weight and a trend towards fewer macrosomia.

Conclusions

These data suggest that our educational intervention plus management changes induced a favourable impact on GDM outcomes for both mothers and offspring.
Relationship between nurse’s voice and self‐leadership: A time‐lagged study
Authors: Gong Zhenxing , Van Swol Lyn M. , Li Fei , Gilal Faheem Gul
Published: January 2021

Aim

Less empirical attention has been paid to the positive relationship between voice behaviour and voice speaker development, such as self‐leadership. The present study explores the relationship among nurses’ voice, perceived insider status and self‐leadership.

Method

This study was based on time‐lagged survey data collected from 608 frontline nurses. jamovi and PROCESS macro were used for analysis.

Results

Promotive voice and prohibitive voice were positively associated with self‐leadership. Perceived inside status mediated the relationship between promotive voice/prohibitive voice and self‐leadership. Prohibitive voice was more strongly related to self‐leadership than promotive voice.

Conclusions

When nurses dare to voice, nurses’ self‐leadership can be enhanced through perceived insider status improving, especially for nurses who dare to prohibitive voice.

Implications for nursing management

Nurse managers should protect the privacy of voice, continually provide feedback on voice and set up special encouragement for prohibitive voice.
Can you hear me now?: Improving palliative care access through telehealth
Authors: Allen Watts Kristen , Malone Emily , Dionne‐Odom J. Nicholas , McCammon Susan , Currie Erin , Hicks Jennifer , Tucker Rodney O. , Wallace Eric , Elk Ronit , Bakitas Marie
Published: January 2021

Telehealth has been increasingly used to expand healthcare access over the last two decades. However, this had not been the case for palliative care (PC), because telehealth was considered nontraditional and impractical due to the sensitive nature of conversations and a “high touch” philosophy. Motivated by limited PC access to rural and underserved populations and positive PC telehealth studies, clinical PC telehealth models have been developing. However, nearly overnight, the COVID‐19 pandemic accelerated the use and uptake of telehealth across health care and especially in PC. As a result, clinicians, administrators, and others agree that telehealth is “here to stay,” and will likely maintain widespread use and refinement beyond rural areas. The purpose of this review is to describe exemplar PC telehealth programs in research and clinical practice, including pros and cons, lessons learned, and future directions for the ongoing development and expansion of PC via telehealth across diseases and the lifespan.
Infrared and UV Imaging Characteristics of Insulator Strings Containing a Zero‐Value Insulator Based on Experiment and Multi‐Physics Simulation
Authors: Wang Shenghui , Jiang Tingyue , Li Wei , Niu Leilei , Lv Fangcheng
Published: January 2021

To study the effectiveness of infrared and UV imaging technology to detect zero‐value insulators, the infrared thermal images and UV videos of zero‐value insulators at different positions on insulator strings were collected at different humidities and levels of pollution. The heat and discharge characteristics of the insulator strings were analyzed. The thermal‐electric multi‐physics simulation models were established with COMSOL Multiphysics finite element analysis software. The temperature and electric field distributions of the insulator string under different conditions were verified. The study shows that, under conditions of dry pollution, the insulator strings did not easily discharge, thus the UV imaging method cannot effectively detect a zero‐value insulator. The infrared thermal image shows that the temperature rise in a normal insulator is significantly higher than that in a zero‐value insulator; zero‐value insulators can thus be detected using infrared imaging. In the case of wet pollution, infrared and UV imaging may return erroneous results due to heavy pollution of high conductivity and unevenness of pollution owing to moisture. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Linseed ameliorates renal apoptosis in rat fetuses induced by single or combined exposure to diesel nanoparticles or fenitrothion by inhibiting transcriptional activation of p21/p53 and caspase‐3/9 through pro‐oxidant stimulus
Authors: Ibrahim Khairy A. , Abdelgaid Hala A. , El‐Desouky Mohamed Ali , Fahmi Abdelgawad Ali , Abdel‐Daim Mohamed M.
Published: January 2021

Gestational exposure to environmental pollutants can induce oxidative injury and apoptosis since the fetal organs are sensitively vulnerable to these chemicals. In this work, we have investigated the renal anti‐apoptotic efficiency of linseed (LS) against the oxidative stress‐mediated upregulation of the fetal apoptosis‐related genes following the prenatal intoxication with diesel nanoparticles (DNPs) and/or fenitrothion (FNT). A fifty‐six timed‐pregnant rats were equally divided to eight groups; control, LS (20% in diet), DNPs (0.5 mg/kg by intratracheal inoculation), FNT (3.76 mg/kg by gavage), DNPs+FNT, LS + DNPs, LS + FNT, and LS + DNPs+FNT. The transmission electron microscope analysis revealed the spherical shape of diesel particles with a homogeneous nanosized range (20–92.3 nm) and the crystallinity was confirmed by electron diffraction microscopy. Administration of DNPs and/or FNT significantly increased fetal renal malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and glutathione reductase as compared with the control group. However, they declined the level of glutathione together with the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. Furthermore, DNPs and/or FNT elicited many histopathological changes in fetal renal cells, markedly up‐regulated apoptosis‐related gene expressions (p53, p21 caspase‐3, and caspase‐9), and evoked DNA breaks as detected by comet assay. Interestingly, LS supplementation significantly ameliorated the disturbances in oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers, downregulated the apoptosis gene expressions, and alleviated DNA damage alongside renal cell architecture. These findings reveal that the antioxidant and anti‐apoptotic characteristics of LS are acceptable defender pointers for the renal injury especially during gestational exposure to DNPs and/or FNT.
Depression in the Emergency Department
Authors: Hoyer David
Published: January 2021

Depression is a common disease causing suffering worldwide including by many patients in emergency departments. Depression can be identified in patients while receiving an emergency department workup using the mnemonic In SAD CAGES. Once depression is identified, a discussion about treatment with the patient can include recommending an exercise program, initiating medication and a referral for psychotherapy.
Chirurgische Therapie von Leber- und Pankreasmetastasen von Nierenzellkarzinomen
Authors: Bauschke Astrid , Altendorf-Hofmann Annelore , Ali Deeb Aladdin , Kissler Herman , Tautenhahn Hans-Michael , Settmacher Utz
Published: January 2021

Hintergrund

Der Stellenwert der chirurgischen Therapie hepatopankreatischer Metastasen des oligometastasierten Nierenzellkarzinoms ist Gegenstand der aktuellen Diskussion.

Material und Methoden

Wir berichten über 51 Patienten, von denen 33 wegen Lebermetastasen und 19 wegen Pankreasmetastasen im Zeitraum von 1995 bis 2018 operiert wurden.

Ergebnisse

Die 5‑Jahres-Überlebensrate aller Patienten nach Leberteilresektion war statistisch signifikant geringer (38 %, mediane Überlebenszeit 34 Monate) als nach Pankreasresektion (69 %, mediane Überlebenszeit 69 Monaten; p = 0,017). 21 Patienten haben bislang die Metastasenentfernung länger als 5 Jahr überlebt, 4 Patienten länger als 10 Jahre. Bei den R0-resezierten Patienten wurden Rezidive in 13 Fällen nach Leber- und 9 Fällen nach Pankreasresektion beobachtet. Die kumulative Rezidivrate nach 5 Jahren betrug bei der Leber 38 % und beim Pankreas 57 %. Bei R0-Leberteilresektionen erwiesen sich ein Intervall von <24 Monaten zwischen Nephrektomie und Leberresektion sowie multiple Metastasen als negative Prognosefaktoren.

Diskussion

Unsere Ergebnisse gestatten eine aktive chirurgische Strategie in der Behandlung hepatopankreatischer Metastasen oligometastasierter Nierenzellkarzinome, insbesondere bei kompletter Resektion solitärer, metachroner Metastasen. Wiederholte Eingriffe bei komplett resektablen Metastasen führen zu langen tumorfreien Intervallen und tragen damit zu guten Langzeitergebnissen bei.
Endoscopic preperitoneal parastomal hernia repair (ePauli repair) : an observational study
Authors: Lambrecht Jan Roland
Published: January 2021

Background

Aspiring endoscopic surgery with extraperitoneal mesh application to avoid adhesion and pain from mesh fixation, we adopted the principles of the open Pauli repair of parastomal hernia (PSH). We have termed the procedure ePauli repair. The aim of this account is to inform about feasibility and adverse reactions.

Methods

Patients with PSH selected for ePauli repair with transversus abdominis release (TAR) were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Patients were operated with laparoscopic or robotic assistance and endoscopic Rives-Stoppa repair in cases with concomitant midline hernia. Coated meshes or a buffer mesh was used in the retromuscular pocket for this modification of the Sugarbaker principle.

Results

Fifteen patients were included: six patients were operated laparoscopically and nine patients with robotic assistance. The median age of the stomas was 33 months (7–313). Five PSHs were recurrent after previous repairs. Median operating time without midline hernia repair was 156 min (107–233) and with midline hernia repair 241 min (176–286). One serosa lesion arose during operation, prompting intraoperative revision of the ostomy without postoperative morbidity. Two patients had postoperative obstruction and were readmitted to operation: one with multiple adhesions and one had kinking of the stoma bowel caused by insufficient incision of the transversalis fascia. No infections or seromas have been observed. One patient had discoloring of the flank with spontaneous remission, and one patient had recurrence. Median postoperative admission time was 3 days (1–19). Median follow-up is 10 months (0–27).

Conclusions

ePauli repair is technically challenging but feasible. With our limited experience, we are encouraged with the pain, complication, and functional summary after ePauli repair and hopeful for the recurrence profile. ePauli/TAR is not for every patient or every surgeon and whether it should be restrained to recurrent PSH or be offered as first-line treatment for PSH is disputable.