bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life Is Elsewhere
Authors: Lounsbery Anne
Published: June 2021

This book shows how nineteenth-century Russian literature created an imaginary place called “the provinces”—a place at once homogeneous, static, anonymous, and symbolically opposed to Petersburg and Moscow. The book looks at a wide range of texts, both canonical and lesser-known, in order to explain why the trope has exercised such enduring power, and what role it plays in the larger symbolic geography that structures Russian literature's representation of the nation's space. The book brings to light fundamental questions that have long gone unasked: how to understand, for instance, the weakness of literary regionalism in a country as large as Russia? Why the insistence, from Herzen through Chekhov and beyond, that all Russian towns look the same? In a literary tradition that constantly compared itself to a western European standard, the book argues, the problem of provinciality always implied difficult questions about the symbolic geography of the nation as a whole. This constant awareness of a far-off European model helps explain why the provinces, in all their supposed drabness and predictability, are a topic of such fascination for Russian writers—why these anonymous places are in effect so important and meaningful, notwithstanding the culture's nearly unremitting emphasis on their nullity and meaninglessness.
Convolutional neural network-based ensemble methods to recognize Bangla handwritten character
Authors: Shibly Mir Moynuddin Ahmed , Tisha Tahmina Akter , Tani Tanzina Akter , Ripon Shamim
Published: June 2021

In this era of advancements in deep learning, an autonomous system that recognizes handwritten characters and texts can be eventually integrated with the software to provide better user experience. Like other languages, Bangla handwritten text extraction also has various applications such as post-office automation, signboard recognition, and many more. A large-scale and efficient isolated Bangla handwritten character classifier can be the first building block to create such a system. This study aims to classify the handwritten Bangla characters. The proposed methods of this study are divided into three phases. In the first phase, seven convolutional neural networks i.e., CNN-based architectures are created. After that, the best performing CNN model is identified, and it is used as a feature extractor. Classifiers are then obtained by using shallow machine learning algorithms. In the last phase, five ensemble methods have been used to achieve better performance in the classification task. To systematically assess the outcomes of this study, a comparative analysis of the performances has also been carried out. Among all the methods, the stacked generalization ensemble method has achieved better performance than the other implemented methods. It has obtained accuracy, precision, and recall of 98.68%, 98.69%, and 98.68%, respectively on the Ekush dataset. Moreover, the use of CNN architectures and ensemble methods in large-scale Bangla handwritten character recognition has also been justified by obtaining consistent results on the BanglaLekha-Isolated dataset. Such efficient systems can move the handwritten recognition to the next level so that the handwriting can easily be automated.
Agricultural Valorization of Wastewater in Dschang, West - Cameroon: An Alternative to the Fertiliser Problem and to Good Environmental Management in Urban Areas
Authors: Tsafack Honorine Ntangmo , Temgoua Emile , Kenfack Siméon , Tamfuh Primus Azinwi , Njiné Thomas
Published: June 2021

The agricultural valorization of wastewater has not been part of water resource management and poverty alleviation policies in Cameroon due to insufficient knowledge on its virtues. The aim of this work was to promote sanitation by using wastewater in agriculture in Dschang Municipality, through evaluation of its fertilizing power. The study focused on three selected crops including lettuce (leaf vegetable), eggplant (fruit vegetable) and carrot (root vegetable). The experimental design was a split-plot and composed of nine (09) randomized blocks. The work was done both in the rainy season and in the dry season. Raw wastewater (E1) and urban surface water (E2) were used, while drinking water (E3) aided as control. The plots that received raw wastewater showed the best yields followed by the plots that received urban surface water. Up to 13 tons of lettuce per hectare, 19 tons of carrots per hectare and 61 tons of eggplants per hectare were obtained on the E1 plots. The yields of E1 were 1.5 to 7.4 times higher than those of E3 plots in the rainy season, and 3 to 4.4 times higher in the dry season. The yields of E2 plots were 1.1 to 2.2 times higher than those of E3 in the rainy season and 1.7 to 4.4 times higher in the dry season. These results show the fertilizing power of raw or diluted wastewater. In their poverty alleviation policy, the public authorities of the Dschang Municipality should promote the use of wastewater as fertilizers for crops not consumed raw, as alternative solution to wastewater management in this city.
PH, CRP as Prognostic Indicators for the Success of Treatment with Non-invasive Ventilation in Patients with Chronic Respiratory Failure Type II
Authors: Alkhayer Hiba , Hijazieh Malek , Khayat Mohamad Imad , Akhayer Alkassem
Published: June 2021

Background: Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) provides an alternative option to the initiation of invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure, avoiding the associated adverse events.

Objective: the present study aimed to assess the outcome of the patients who were initially treated with NIMV and identify the prognostic predictive value of PH and CRP for NIMV failure.

Materials and methods: This was observational analytical study conducted in the Department of Pulmonology in Tishreen University Hospital –Lattakia- Syria from January 2019 to January 2020. Adult patients with the diagnosis of acute on chronic respiratory failure type 2 were enrolled in the study.

Results: A total of 67 patients with acute on chronic respiratory failure type 2 were included in the study. The median age was 63 years and 62.7% were male. The patients in the PH group (7.20-7.25) presented higher rates of mortality and admission to intensive care unit (ICU) which represented 25% and 50% respectively. The NIMV failure rate was 22.4%. Frequency of patients with PH≤ 7.31, ΔPH ≤  0.04, or CRP ≥53.5 were higher in NIMV failure group; (33.3% vs. 3.8%, p: 0.001), (46.7% vs. 23.1% -, p: 0.03), and (53.3% vs. 32.7%, p: 0.04) respectively. Independent predictors for NIMV failure were: PH≤ 7.31(OR  3.3[0.6-7.8], p:0.01) and  ΔPH ≤ 0.04(OR

2.1[1.1-3.9], p: 0.02).

Conclusion: NIMV is an effective treatment for hypercapnic respiratory failure. Identification independent predictors for NIMV failure may be useful to avoid the possible complications.
BRRI Dhan100: A Zinc Enriched Rice Variety Suitable for Irrigated Ecosystem in Bangladesh
Authors: Kader Md. Abdul , Shalahuddin A. K. M. , Hore Tapas Kumer , Majumder Ratna Rani , Haq Md. Ehsanul , Fatema Kaniz , Biswas Partha Sarathi , Iftekharuddaula Khandakar Md.
Published: June 2021

Recently released zinc enriched, high yielding, medium slender grain containing rice variety BRRI dhan100, appropriate for irrigated ecosystem of Bangladesh is an improvement over existing zinc enriched rice varieties for Bangladesh. The variety has satisfactorily passed the Proposed Variety Trial (PVT) conducted in the farmers’ field in Boro 2019-20 season. As a result National Seed Board (NSB) approved this variety for commercial cultivation in the Boro season (dry season) in 2021. It has modern plant type with 101 cm plant height and matures by 148 days. The proposed variety showed 1.20 t/ha higher yield than check variety BRRI dhan84. Identifying characters of this variety are green leaf, intermediate plant height, erect flag leaf, medium slender grain, intermediate leaf senescence grain. It can produce 7.7 - 8.8 t/ha grain yield. Thousand grain weight of the variety is 16.7 gm and head rice yield is 64%. The rice has zinc content 25.7 mg/kg, 26.8% amylose content with 7.8% protein content. The zinc enriched BRRI dhan100 is a superb variety for cultivating in the Boro season (dry) and farmers can be economically benefited and the country will be nutritionally benefited by the cultivation of BRRI dhan100.
Intervention of NGOs and ICTs in Mainstreaming Indian Farm Women in Agriculture
Authors: Challa Lalitha Navya , Jagadeeswari Boppana , Rakesh Karravula , Naik Ravinder
Published: June 2021

Agriculture sector employees are nearly 80% of all economically active women in India; 33% of agricultural labour force and 48% are self-employed farmers. As youth are migrating to urban places, to meet the demand of current and future population mainstreaming of women in agriculture is the need of hour. Farm women play an important role in Indian agriculture. Empowering farm women is a multi-dimensional task. If women farmers in developing countries like India, have equal access to productive resources as men, their productivity can be enhanced by 20-30 percent and agricultural production could be raised by 2.5-4.0 percent. To enrich women digitally, association of capacity-building partners such as Non-Governmental Organizations and ICT initiatives plays a vital role. Collaboration of NGOs and ICT for digitalized outreach of customized timely information to farm women helps in their multidimensional empowerment.
Comparative Study of the Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Leaves, Stems and Roots of Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach. & Thonn.) Müll. Arg.
Authors: Koffi Emmanuel N’Dri , N’Guessan Olivier Hugues Alain , N’Da Philippe Kessé , Ouattara Ismael Sanga , Konan Séraphin Kouakou , Adima Augustin Amissa
Published: June 2021

Aims: This work aims to compare the chemical composition and the antioxidant capacity of the leaves, stems and roots of Alchornea cordifolia.

Study design: The leaves, stems and roots of Alchornea cordifolia were harvested during the month of August 2020 in the botanical garden of the University Jean Lorougnon Guede in Daloa. After that, they were dried in the shade for 17 days. Subsequently, they were crushed and kept in jars in order to be sent to the Laboratory of Industrial Processes, Synthesis, Environment and New Energies (LAPISEN) of Yamoussoukro (Côte d'Ivoire), for analyzes.

Place and duration of study: This study was carried out during september to december 2020 in Laboratory of Industrial Processes, Synthesis, Environment and New Energies (LAPISEN) of Yamoussoukro (Côte d'Ivoire)

Methodology: Physicochemical parameters (pH, ° Brix, MS) and the mineral contents of leave, stem and root aqueous extracts were determined by classic methods. Then, phytochemical screening are carried out by TLC analysis followed by spectrophotometric assay of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity.

Results: The results showed that the aqueous extract from A. cordifolia leaves, stems and roots are all acidic (pH ≤ 5.33). However, these extracts contain a low level of dry matter. The measured minerals (Na, Ca, Mg, Mn, K, Fe; Cu and Zn) are present in these extracts at varying concentrations. The leaf extract is richer in Fe (8.28 ppm), Ca (1.71 ppm), Mn (1.17 ppm) and K (0.55 ppm). In contrast, the root extract contains more Na (18.38 ppm), Cu (0.75 ppm) and Mg (0.34 ppm). As for the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of coumarins, flavonoids, sterols and terpenes, in the aqueous extract of all organs, except tannins, absent in the roots. However, the leaves have the highest content of polyphenols (256.67 mg.g-1 GAE) and flavonoids (92.75 mg.g-1 QE), as well as the best antioxidant capacity (204.23 µmol.L -1 TE).

Conclusion: The leaves, stems and roots of A. cordifolia contain practically the same chemical compounds with a few exceptions. However, the difference lies in the concentration of these compounds in the different extracts.
Studies of the Functional Properties of the Cortex and Pulp of Ripe and Unripe Berries of Solanum Aethiopicum Variety Striped Toga
Authors: Bedel Fagbohoun Jean , Ghislaine Dan Chepo , Thiery Kone Fankroma Martial , Frejus Djedji Wilfried , Patrice Kouame Lucien
Published: June 2021

The African eggplant Solanum aethiopicum var. striped toga is a widely consumed vegetable-fruit in Côte d'Ivoire. Although produced in abundance in the rainy season, they are subject to post-harvest losses and these commodities are expensive in the dry season. Also during culinary preparations, the cortex is often removed for various reasons (difficulty to be crushed, aesthetics, presence in the stool...). This study was carried out by determining the functional properties of powders obtained from the cortex and pulp of blackberry and non blackberry berries. The apparent density was between 0.25 and 0.35g/mL with higher values in the cortex than in the pulp. The cortex powders had higher water absorption capacities than the pulp in both ripening levels (Cortex unripe (Cnm): 657.51% versus Pulp unripe (Pnm): 622.12% and Cortex ripe (Cm): 600.33% versus Pm: 486.26%). The oil absorption capacity of pulp was lower than that of cortex in unrefined and refined oil. After analysis, it appears that the powders obtained from the cortex have the same physico-chemical properties as those obtained from the pulp but at different proportions. Indeed, at the biochemical level, the eggplant (S. aethiopicum striped toga) cortexes contain the same compounds as the pulp but in small quantities.
Decolorisation of Azo Dye Congo Red (CR) by Termitomyces sp. Biomass
Authors: Jackson Kavitha Mary , Gomathi Velu
Published: June 2021

Aims: A study was conducted to evaluate decoloration of azo dye, Congo Red (CR) using fungal hyphal mat of beneficial bacidiomycete Termitomyces sp. TMS7 (MW694830) as bio sorbent material.

Study design:  Completely randomized block design (CRD).

Place and duration of study: Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, between September 2019 and January 2020.

Methodology: Isolation of white rot fungus from basidiocarb was done and screened based on their ligninolytic enzyme activity and Isolate TMS 7 was selected as best isolate and identified through ITS 1 and ITS 4 primers. Efficiency of fungal biomass to decolorize Congo red was assessed and per cent decoloration and kinetics were calculated.

Results: Twelve fungal isolates were obtained and Isolate TMS 7 was selected as best isolate based on enzymatic activity. TMS 7 was identified as Termitomyces sp. using ITS 1 and ITS 4 primer. Ligninolytic enzymes i.e. cellulase (9.97 µ mol of glucose released/min/mg protein), and xylanase (9.55 µ mol of xylose released/min/mg protein) were quantified from the crude fungal extract of TMS 7, which was higher than standard (Termitomyces albuminosus -MTCC 1366). Decolorisation efficiency of termitomyces fungal biomass (1 g/100 ml) against different concentration of congo red dye (50-250 mg/L) was assessed. About 100 % (99.9) degradation was recorded in the minimum dye concentration of 50 mg/L within 3 days and 8 % decoloration was achieved at the highest dye concentration (250 mg/L) within 5 days.

Conclusion: Possible mechanism of degradation is the presence of lignolytic enzyme especially cellulase, xylanase in the culture filtrate and bio sorption of degraded product by the fungal cell wall components viz., chitin, glucan other complex polymers.
Physicochemical and Bacteriological Quality of Water from Storage Tanks in a Tertiary Institution in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Akani N. P. , Sampson T. , Disegha G. C. , Vincent-Okwuosa V.
Published: June 2021

Water quality analysis is essential in assessing the suitability of different water sources used for various purposes, including industrial and domestic uses. This study was therefore aimed at determining the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of water samples from different storage facilities in a tertiary institution in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. The study involved eighty (80) water samples obtained from water storage tanks situated at 16 locations within the premises of the institution, to ascertain the physicochemical property, presence and population of different bacterial groups influencing the quality of these water sources. In-situ and ex-situ physicochemical analyses as well as bacteriological investigations were carried out on all samples, using standard laboratory procedures. Results of physicochemical analysis showed that the pH ranged from 4.15±0.14 to 7.16±0.08; conductivity, from 50.55±0.49 (µs/cm) to 364.00±2.83; salinity, from 0.02±0 (ppt) to 0.18±0; temperature, from 27oC to 28oC; Chloride, from 1.03±0.06 (mg/l) to 10.80±0.79; total alkalinity, from 4.00±0 (mg/l) to 11.00±1.41; Dissolved oxygen from 3.04±.020 to 7.36±0.08 (Mg/l) and BOD ranged from 0.81±0 to 4.23±0.09 (Mg/l). Results for bacterial population showed total heterotrophic bacteria ranging from 1.03±1.19 x 103   CFU/ml in water from reservoir tanks at the Faculty of Engineering, to 5.89±2.59 x 103   CFU/ml at Road A Block B; total coliform count ranged from 0 CFU/ml in most samples, to 10.00±2.36 x 102 CFU/ml in Block B reservoir tanks. Water reservoirs in clinic area recorded the highest Salmonella/Shigella counts (1.00±0.23 x 101   CFU/ml) with other stations having zero counts. Hall F (Hostel Ext) on the other hand had the highest counts for Vibrio (2.20±3.01 x 101 CFU/ml). The phenotypic characterization identified Citrobacter spp. as the most occurring (27.27%) bacterial isolate in the study, followed by Alcaligenes faecalis and Klebsiella spp. (18.18% each). Enterobacter spp., Edwardsiella spp., Erwinia psidii, Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., Providentia spp. and Salmonella spp. all appeared as the least occurring, having a percentage of 4.55%, each. Tatumella spp. on the other hand had a percentage occurrence of 9.09%. This study has buttressed the need for increased water hygiene of reservoir tanks as well as water sources in these locations.
A Comparison of Generalized Unified Power Flow Controller and Load Tap Changing Transformer for Voltage Stability Enhancement in a Power System
Authors: Obaro Adewale , Adebayo Isaiah
Published: June 2021

The continuous increase in power demand and huge power losses in modern power systems have been a growing concern to power utilities. Such phenomenon often results in epileptic power supply, power system instability, supply fluctuations and security problems in many parts of the globe. Identification of suitable places for the installation of reactive power compensators to minimize voltage drop and system power losses in a power system becomes imperative. In this paper, the Newton-Raphson iterative method was used for the power flow solution of the 28 bus Nigerian 330KV grid system. The Generalized Unified Power flow Controller (GUPFC) is installed at identified weak load buses of the Nigerian 28-bus power system to reduce the losses and voltage drop of the system. A comparative analysis of the GUPFC with Load Tap Changing Transformers (LTCT) is also performed. Result obtained shows that the GUPFC can largely (effectively) improve the system power stability and selectively balance the power flow of multi-lines power flows when placed at identified weak buses compared with LTCT.  Thus, GUPFC can be used to reduce overall power losses along transmission lines as well as improve stability overall reliability of the power grid system.
Dry Cupping Therapy: A Way Forward in the Management of Primary Dysmenorrhoea
Authors: Nafees Huda , Anjum Arshi
Published: June 2021

Dysmenorrhea is a common gynaecological problem in women of reproductive age; in general, it begins with the first ovulation cycle and occurs about two years after menarche and most of the severe episodes occurs before 25 years of age. Primary dysmenorrhoea (Usre Tams Tashannuji) is one of the most common gynaecologic disorders, refers to painful menstruation. In classical Unani texts dysmenorrhoea is defined under topics like Ehtebas-e-tams and Waja-u-zahar and aujae rehm. Hijama (dry cupping) over the umbilicus removes the blood and fluid from the site of inflammation to give relief from the menstrual pain. It also diminishes swellings.
Boryeong Dam Emergency Water Diversion Facility: Ensuring Operational Flexibility and Resilient Response to Climate Change
Authors: Lim Gunmuk , Noh Seonhui , Son Minwoo , Jung Kwansue
Published: June 2021

The Boryeong district, Chungnam western region, is well known as a chronic water-deficiency area; it is thus necessary to ensure that the operational system for the Boryeong Dam emergency facilities is sufficiently resilient to withstand the potential impacts of climate change, in particular irregular droughts with resultant low water inflows and low storage. This study was undertaken to determine the operational flexibility of the Boryeong Dam emergency diversion facilities and their ability to respond to water resources demand, even if the facilities have been operating on a simple open-close release rule, depending on dam storage levels. The precipitation and inflow in Boryeong district were forecasted according to the modelling of RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) in combination with SSP (Shared Socio-economic Pathways) scenarios. This has led to recommendations for the flexible operation of the Dam’s diversion facilities in order to ensure a stable water supply based especially on SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5; i.e., steady growth and dramatic growth scenarios were simulated. The result from these two scenarios was an average diversion rate of 39,600 m3/day and 39,900 m3/day, respectively. This was evaluated as reasonable water resource use because water deficit days were fewer, and the average diversion rate was less than the RCP scenarios.
Analysis of Landslide Susceptibility Using Deep Neural Network
Authors: Song Chang-Ho , Lee Ji-Sung , Kim Yun-Tae
Published: June 2021

Landslides in Korea are caused by various factors, such as topographic characteristics, geology, and climate change, and they cause significant damage to property and human life. It is necessary to analyze landslide susceptibility to identify the location of landslide occurrence precisely and respond to the risk of landslides. In this study, the probability of landslide occurrence was calculated through a landslide sensitivity analysis using a deep neural network based on eight conditioning factors and 26 landslide data. In addition, verification was performed using the ROC method. The landslide susceptibility obtained using a deep neural network showed a success rate of 70% and a prediction rate of 81.7%, indicating that the prediction rate was 11.7% higher than the success rate. In addition, a landslide susceptibility map for estimating the probability of landslide occurrence was plotted using the geometric spacing method. The chi-square test results indicated that the landslide susceptibility map obtained in this study was statistically significant. The location of landslides can be identified more accurately using the proposed method.
Flood Stage Forecasting at the Gurye-Gyo Station in Sumjin River Using LSTM-Based Deep Learning Models
Authors: Jung Jaewon , Mo Hyelim , Lee Junhyeong , Yoo Younghoon , Kim Hung Soo
Published: June 2021

Instances of flood damage caused by extreme storm rainfall due to climate change and variability have been showing an increasing trend. Particularly, a flood forecasting and warning system has been recognized as an important nonstructural measure for flood damage reduction, including loss of life. Flood forecasting and warning have been performed by the forecasts of flood discharge and flood stage using the physically based rainfall-runoff models. However, recently, studies involving the application of a machine learning-based flood forecasting models, which addresses the limitations of extant physically based flood stage forecasting models, have been performed. We may require various case studies to determine more accurate methods. Therefore, this study performed the real-time forecasting of the river water level or stage at the Gurye station of the Sumjin river with lead times of 1, 3, and 6 h by applying a long short-term memory (LSTM)-based deep learning model. In addition, the applicability of the LSTM model was evaluated by comparing the results with those from widely used models based on support vector machine and multilayer perceptron. Consequently, we noted that the LSTM model exhibited a relatively better forecasting performance. Therefore, the applicability of the LSTM model should be extensively studied for flood forecasting applications.
The raw truth about paper mills
Authors: Christopher Jana
Published: June 2021

In 2018, the community first observed scientific papers in the biomedical literature that seemed to display systematically fabricated data, pointing to the existence of paper mills: unofficial, potentially illegal organizations selling fake scientific manuscripts. In the present article, we share relevant information specifically about the ‘raw data’ associated with paper mill manuscripts. If a submitted manuscript displays clear indicators of potential paper mill involvement, we found that the raw data at close inspection often raise doubts about their authenticity. In the absence of real data, paper mills may need to fabricate raw data images when responding to requests from journals. Given the necessity to streamline production of fake manuscripts, the alleged raw data might be created using templates. Some potential methods for generating fake Western blot images are discussed. Paying close attention to image data, including graphs, diagrams, plots and tables, ideally at pre‐publication stage, can clearly help prevent publication of incorrect and fabricated information.
In Situ Fabrication of Mn‐Doped 2D Perovskite‐Polymer Phosphor Films with Green‐Red Dual Emissions for Yellow Lighting
Authors: Dang Jialin , Yang Zhi , Guo Wei , Ji Yongqiang , Wang Hui , Deng Jianping , Wang Minqiang
Published: June 2021

2D metal halide perovskites have emerged as highly bright and stable light emitters, which can be employed as phosphors for optically pumped luminescence devices. However, the intrinsic volatile property is the main weakness to achieve their long‐term lighting applications. Here, an in situ doctor blade method is developed to fabricate a flexible large‐area (20 × 25 cm2) PEA2PbI4:2Mn‐PVDF film with green‐red dual emissions. Under UV light‐emitting diode (LED) excitation, this yellow phosphor device shows a maximum luminance value of 250 cd m−2, an extremely large full width at half maximum of 189 nm, and a color coordinate of (0.47, 0.50). The device can pass 120 h of water soaking and 85 °C/85% relative humidity of harsh environment tests, which benefit from the strong interaction of 2D perovskite and hydrophobic PVDF polymer. Different from electroluminescence yellow LED devices, Mn‐doped 2D perovskite‐polymer phosphor films excited by UV LED and fluorescent lamp provide an opportunity to achieve low‐cost indoor yellow lighting in some UV‐sensitive places.
Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclization of o‐Propargyloxy Diketopiperazines to Access Diverse Diazabicyclic and Spiro‐Diketopiperazinochromanes
Authors: Manavi Bita , Tejeneki Hossein Zahedian , Rominger Frank , Armaghan Mahsa , Frank Walter , Bijanzadeh Hamid Reza , Balalaie Saeed
Published: June 2021

In this report, two distinctive intramolecular cyclizations of o‐propargyloxy diketopiperazines (achieved from a one‐pot Ugi post‐transformation) is achieved via a copper(I)‐catalyzed intramolecular reaction of azomethine ylide and alkyne moiety. The presence of internal alkyne in the starting materials directed the reaction towards through [3+2]‐cycloaddition, while terminal alkyne led to a spirocyclization reaction between azomethine ylide and terminal unsaturated C−C bond. This method offering an opportunity for the synthesis of challenging Diazabicyclics and Spiro‐Diketopiperazinochromanes in high yields with exclusive diastereoselectivity.

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Non–Cell Autonomous Epileptogenesis in Focal Cortical Dysplasia
Authors: Koh Hyun Yong , Jang Jaeson , Ju Sang Hyeon , Kim Ryunhee , Cho Gyu‐Bon , Kim Dong Seok , Sohn Jong‐Woo , Paik Se‐Bum , Lee Jeong Ho
Published: June 2021

Objective

Low‐level somatic mosaicism in the brain has been shown to be a major genetic cause of intractable focal epilepsy. However, how a relatively few mutation‐carrying neurons are able to induce epileptogenesis at the local network level remains poorly understood.

Methods

To probe the origin of epileptogenesis, we measured the excitability of neurons with MTOR mutation and nearby nonmutated neurons recorded by whole‐cell patch‐clamp and array‐based electrodes comparing the topographic distribution of mutation. Computational simulation is used to understand neural network‐level changes based on electrophysiological properties. To examine the underlying mechanism, we measured inhibitory and excitatory synaptic inputs in mutated neurons and nearby neurons by electrophysiological and histological methods using the mouse model and postoperative human brain tissue for cortical dysplasia. To explain non–cell‐autonomous hyperexcitability, an inhibitor of adenosine kinase was injected into mice to enhance adenosine signaling and to mitigate hyperactivity of nearby nonmutated neurons.

Results

We generated mice with a low‐level somatic mutation in MTOR presenting spontaneous seizures. The seizure‐triggering hyperexcitability originated from nonmutated neurons near mutation‐carrying neurons, which proved to be less excitable than nonmutated neurons. Interestingly, the net balance between excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs onto mutated neurons remained unchanged. Additionally, we found that inhibition of adenosine kinase, which affects adenosine metabolism and neuronal excitability, reduced the hyperexcitability of nonmutated neurons.

Interpretation

This study shows that neurons carrying somatic mutations in MTOR lead to focal epileptogenesis via non–cell‐autonomous hyperexcitability of nearby nonmutated neurons. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:285–299
Surface Density Dependent Catalytic Activity of Single Palladium Atoms Supported on Ceria**
Authors: Kim Yongseon , Collinge Greg , Lee Mal‐Soon , Khivantsev Konstantin , Cho Sung June , Glezakou Vassiliki‐Alexandra , Rousseau Roger , Szanyi Janos , Kwak Ja Hun
Published: June 2021

The analogy between single‐atom catalysts (SACs) and molecular catalysts predicts that the specific catalytic activity of these systems is constant. We provide evidence that this prediction is not necessarily true. As a case in point, we show that the specific activity over ceria‐supported single Pd atoms linearly increases with metal atom density, originating from the cumulative enhancement of CeO2 reducibility. The long‐range electrostatic footprints (≈1.5 nm) around each Pd site overlap with each other as surface Pd density increases, resulting in an observed deviation from constant specific activity. These cooperative effects exhaust previously active O atoms above a certain Pd density, leading to their permanent removal and a consequent drop in reaction rate. The findings of our combined experimental and computational study show that the specific catalytic activity of reducible oxide‐supported single‐atom catalysts can be tuned by varying the surface density of single metal atoms.
Guidelines in Practice: Electrosurgical Safety
Authors: Link Terri
Published: June 2021

Surgeons routinely use electrosurgical devices to cut and coagulate tissue during surgical procedures. However, hazards associated with electrosurgery (eg, burns, electrical shock, fire) can place patients or personnel at risk. Perioperative nurses should standardize processes, preoperatively assess the risks for electrosurgical injuries, and participate in education activities on electrosurgical safety to help prevent injuries from occurring. The AORN “Guideline for electrosurgical safety” provides guidance to perioperative personnel for safe use of electrosurgical units, electrocautery devices, and argon‐enhanced coagulators. This article discusses prevention of electrosurgical unit injuries, including those that can be caused by electrosurgical accessories. A scenario describes how a team investigating two incidents related to use of electrosurgery uses an assessment tool to identify risks for injury and includes a report of these risks in the surgical briefing. Perioperative RNs should review the entire guideline for additional information when creating and updating policies and procedures for electrosurgical safety.
Turning a Crisis Into an Opportunity: Promoting Professional Development Among Perioperative Personnel During a Pandemic
Authors: Robertson Lori , Finlayson Susan , Peñaloza M. Tracey , Brull Stacey
Published: June 2021

The perioperative setting is a complex, high‐risk working environment. Ensuring adequate staffing with highly competent nurses remains a top priority to sustain safe patient care. However, there are barriers to individual professional advancement in hospitals, including costs and lack of support or time, which can lead to decreased nurse satisfaction. After the mandated cancellation of elective surgery in March 2020 resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, leaders at a medical center decided to turn this difficult situation into an opportunity to re‐engage their perioperative personnel in professional development. More than 70 staff members participated in activities related to certification, continuing education, clinical advancement, and cross‐training. Elective surgery has since resumed, and as a result of the pursuit of professional development opportunities, staff member turnover did not increase throughout the transition at the medical center. Interest in professional growth has been reignited and staff members are excited about future development opportunities.
A Decade of JAK Inhibitors: What Have We Learned and What May Be the Future?
Authors: Liu Christine , Kieltyka Jacqueline , Fleischmann Roy , Gadina Massimo , O’Shea John J.
Published: June 2021

The discovery of cytokines and their role in immune and inflammatory disease led to the development of a plethora of targeted biologic therapies. Later, efforts to understand mechanisms of cytokine signal transduction led to the discovery of JAKs, which themselves were quickly identified as therapeutic targets. It has been a decade since the first JAK inhibitors (jakinibs) were approved, and there are now 9 jakinibs approved for the treatment of rheumatic, dermatologic, hematologic, and gastrointestinal indications, along with emergency authorization for COVID‐19. In this review, we will summarize relevant discoveries that led to first‐generation jakinibs and review their efficacy and safety as demonstrated in pivotal clinical studies. We will discuss the next generation of more selective jakinibs, along with agents that target kinase families beyond JAKs. Finally, we will reflect on both the opportunities and challenges ahead as we enter the second decade of the clinical use of jakinibs.
GWK+: Erweiterung des Großen Wellenkanals – Analyse des Einlaufbereichs
Authors: Welzel Mario , Schendel Alexander , Goseberg Nils
Published: June 2021

Der notwendige Ausbau maritimer erneuerbarer Energien bedingt die eingehende Untersuchung von strukturellen Belastungsgrenzen und potenziellen Umwelteinflüssen von Offshore‐Strukturen. Großmaßstäbliche Versuchseinrichtungen nehmen hierbei eine wichtige Rolle ein, da nur hier Belastungen, die sich mit der Expansion von Offshore‐Strukturen in größere Wassertiefen ergeben, realitätsnah untersucht werden können. Von besonderer Bedeutung für die Bemessung von Offshore‐Strukturen ist eine realistische Abbildung der komplexen Überlagerung von Wellen und Strömung, die bisher nur in wenigen Versuchseinrichtungen großmaßstäblich möglich ist. Mit der Erweiterung des Großen Wellenkanals (GWK) in Hannover zum GWK+ wird ab 2022 die erste Versuchsanlage dieser Art in Deutschland zur Verfügung stehen. Die Planung und Konstruktion der Einleitung einer zusätzlichen Strömung in einen Wellenkanal mit dem Ziel der Erreichung natürlicher Strömungszustände stellt eine große Herausforderung dar. Als wesentliche strömungstechnische Komponente soll daher in diesem Beitrag die Entwicklung der Strömungseinleitung in den erweiterten GWK vom Entwurf bis hin zu einer Optimierung durch ein eigens hierfür geschaffenes 1:10‐Modell beschrieben werden. Einblicke in die Umsetzung, die strömungstechnischen Herausforderungen sowie die Optimierung der Strömungseinleitung in einen Wellenkanal mittels Leitwände und verstellbarer Lamellen sowie die Passfähigkeit eines 1/15‐Potenzgesetzes für das vertikale Strömungsprofil werden gegeben.
Multiobjective semisupervised learning with a right‐censored endpoint adapted to the multiple imputation framework
Authors: Faucheux Lilith , Soumelis Vassili , Chevret Sylvie
Published: June 2021

Semisupervised learning aims to use additional knowledge in the search for data structure. In clinical applications, including predictive information in the construction of a data‐driven classification is of major importance. This work was motivated by a study that aimed to identify different patterns of immune parameters that would be associated with relapse‐free survival in a cohort of breast cancer patients. Supervised and unsupervised objectives can be concomitantly optimized using multiobjective optimization. We propose such a procedure that addresses two challenges in the semisupervised approach, that is, missing data and additional knowledge based on survival time. The former was handled by using multiple imputation and consensus clustering. Survival information was incorporated in the supervised objective through the estimation of a cross‐validation error of a Cox regression. A simulation study was performed to assess the performance of the proposed procedure. On complete datasets, the performances were compared to those of an existing modified multiobjective semisupervised learning method. The added value of including the survival data in the learning process was assessed by comparing the procedure to unsupervised learning. The proposed procedure showed better performance than the existing method, notably in the selection of the number of clusters. On incomplete datasets, the procedure showed little sensitivity to most of its parameters, even though a high number of imputations and partition initialization seeds improved the performance. The performance was degraded with a high proportion of missing data (40%) and with more ambiguous data structures. Simulation results and application on real data support the conclusion that our procedure enables the construction of a classification associated with a right‐censored endpoint on a possibly incomplete dataset.
TEMPO‐Mediated Electrochemical N‐demethylation of Opiate Alkaloids
Authors: Najmi Ali Alipour , Bhat M. Faizan , Bischoff Rainer , Poelarends Gerrit J. , Permentier Hjalmar P.
Published: June 2021

A new TEMPO‐mediated electrochemical method has been developed for N‐demethylation of opiates using a home‐made batch cell with low‐cost porous glassy carbon electrodes. N‐demethylation of opiates such as thebaine, codeine, morphine and oxycodone is a key step in the semi‐synthesis of opioid medicines. The electrochemical N‐demethylation using TEMPO as mediator enables the synthesis of noropiates, which is not possible with conventional Shono oxidation. Electrolysis was performed at a preparative scale in aqueous solvent at room temperature in a single step, yielding the desired products in good isolated yields (up to 83 %). Mechanistic studies suggest that the electrochemically generated oxoammonium species oxidizes the opiate to an iminium intermediate, which then hydrolyzes to the noropiate. The electrochemical reaction was also performed in a flow‐cell without a supporting electrolyte and represents the first electrochemical N‐demethylation of difficult opiates with an aminoxyl oxidant.
Strategy of Graphdiyne (g−CnH2n‐2 ) Preparation Coupling with the Flower‐Like NiAl‐LDH Heterojunctions for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution**
Authors: Jin Zhi‐liang , Wang Yuan‐peng
Published: June 2021

Graphdiyne (g−CnH2n‐2), a novel two‐dimension carbon allotrope material composed of a sp‐ and sp2‐hybrid carbon network, has been widely explored since it was synthesized for the first time by Li's group in 2010. A series distinct and excellent properties bestow graphdiyne excellent performance in many fields. Here, an innovative progress for preparing graphdiyne by using Cu+ contained material as catalyst is reported and the composite CuI‐GD is coupled with flower‐like NiAl‐LDH to produce H2 from photocatalytic water splitting. The results of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy together reveal that graphdiyne nanosheets are synthesized successfully by employing a cross‐coupling method. Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance shows that the hydrogen production activity of CuI‐GD/NiAl‐LDH has a 15‐ and 216‐fold enhancement compared with CuI‐GD and NiAl‐LDH, respectively. A series of characterizations are carried out to expound the underlying reasons in the enhancement of the photocatalytic hydrogen production performance of CuI‐GD/NiAl‐LDH. Meanwhile, a possible mechanism for the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution process was proposed to understand the interaction among these materials.
PorphyStruct – A Digital Tool for the Quantitative Assignment of Non‐Planar Distortion Modes in Four‐Membered Porphyrinoids
Authors: Krumsieck Jens , Bröring Martin
Published: June 2021

Invited for the cover of this issue are Jens Krumsieck and Martin Bröring from the TU Braunschweig, Germany. The cover image allows a glance into a futuristic lab with an innovative imaging device analyzing structural details of a metal corrole. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202101243.
Calcination‐Free Synthesis of Well‐Dispersed and Sub‐10 nm Spinel Ferrite Nanoparticles as High‐Performance Anode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: A Case Study of CoFe2O4
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Zhang Yamin , Cao Yi , Xie Minghao , Li Jiabao , Balzer Alex , Liu Nian , John Zhang Z.
Published: June 2021

Spinel ferrites are promising anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their high theoretical specific capacities. However, their practical application is impeded by inherent low conductivity and severe volume expansion, which can be surpassed by increasing the surface‐to‐volume ratio of nanoparticles. Currently, most methods produce spinel ferrite nanoparticles with large size and severe aggregation, degrading their electrochemical performance. In this study, a low‐temperature aminolytic route was designed to synthesize sub‐10 nm CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with good dispersion through carefully exploiting the reaction of acetates and oleylamine. The performance of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles obtained by a traditional co‐precipitation method was also investigated for comparison. This work demonstrates that CoFe2O4 nanoparticles synthesized by the aminolytic route are promising as anode materials for LIBs. Besides, this method can be extended to design other spinel ferrites for energy storage devices with superior performance by simply changing the starting material, such as MnFe2O4, MgFe2O4, ZnFe2O4, and so on.
Anatomy and function of retinorecipient arborization fields in zebrafish
Authors: Baier Herwig , Wullimann Mario F.
Published: June 2021

In 1994, Burrill and Easter described the retinal projections in embryonic and larval zebrafish, introducing the term “arborization fields” (AFs) for the retinorecipient areas. AFs were numbered from 1 to 10 according to their positions along the optic tract. With the exception of AF10 (neuropil of the optic tectum), annotations of AFs remained tentative. Here we offer an update on the likely identities and functions of zebrafish AFs after successfully matching classical neuroanatomy to the digital Max Planck Zebrafish Brain Atlas. In our system, individual AFs are neuropil areas associated with the following nuclei: AF1 with the suprachiasmatic nucleus; AF2 with the posterior parvocellular preoptic nucleus; AF3 and AF4 with the ventrolateral thalamic nucleus; AF4 with the anterior and intermediate thalamic nuclei; AF5 with the dorsal accessory optic nucleus; AF7 with the parvocellular superficial pretectal nucleus; AF8 with the central pretectal nucleus; and AF9d and AF9v with the dorsal and ventral periventricular pretectal nuclei. AF6 is probably part of the accessory optic system. Imaging, ablation, and activation experiments showed contributions of AF5 and potentially AF6 to optokinetic and optomotor reflexes, AF4 to phototaxis, and AF7 to prey detection. AF6, AF8 and AF9v respond to dimming, and AF4 and AF9d to brightening. While few annotations remain tentative, it is apparent that the larval zebrafish visual system is anatomically and functionally continuous with its adult successor and fits the general cyprinid pattern. This study illustrates the synergy created by merging classical neuroanatomy with a cellular‐resolution digital brain atlas resource and functional imaging in larval zebrafish.
Real‐Time Fluorescence Visualization of Nanoparticle Aggregation and the Polymorph‐Transition Process of a Mechanofluorochromic Difluoroboron‐β‐Diketone Derivative
Authors: Ito Fuyuki , Naganawa Ryuji , Fujimoto Yushi , Takimoto Maori , Mochiduki Yoshifumi , Katsumi Shiho
Published: June 2021

The use of organic nanomaterials in biomedical and optical devices has been widely studied. The key to improving the performance and stability of these devices is to control the fabrication process, which determines the phase stability and photophysical properties. In this study, fluorescence changes were observed during the reprecipitation process of mechanofluorochromic molecules of dibenzoyl(methanato)boron difluoride. The cyan‐emission phase (C‐phase) was first identified. The time evolution of the resolved fluorescence spectra revealed that the green‐emission phase (G‐phase) was formed from the amorphous phase with yellow emission via the C‐phase, in addition to the direct formation of the G‐phase. Combined with the results of the investigation into the thermal properties, the fluorescence changes clearly indicate a two‐step nucleation process and Ostwald's rule of stages for polymorph transition, which enables us to not only provide guidance for controlling the fabrication process but also propose the ripening process for organic nanoparticle formation.