bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mudança semântica e formação de palavras
Authors: Resende Maurício Sartori , Ilari Rodolfo
Published: October 2020

este estudo investiga a relação entre fenômenos sincrônicos e diacrônicos no que tange à combinação das peças morfológicas e à sua intepretação ao longo do tempo. Para tanto, apresenta a tipologia para os tipos de mudança semântica, proposta por Rainer (2005), e sua aplicação ao português. Com base nessa tipologia, este trabalho discute duas questões recentes dos estudos morfológicos: (i) de que forma processos sincrônicos servem como evidência para a identificação de uma mudança semântica diacrônica, (ii) qual o estatuto de “palavra” no que concerne às mudanças diacrônicas. Em síntese, este artigo discute questões teóricas e metodológicas importantes para duas linhas de investigação com base do mesmo fenômeno.
Small crowns of Russian empresses in the XVIII – early XIX centuries: creation, presence, artistic attributes
Authors: Bykova Iuliia Igorevna
Published: October 2020

The object of this research is the small crowns of Russian empresses of the XVIII – early XIX century. The goal of this work consists in specification of circumstances of the creation and presence of small imperial crowns in Russia of that time, description of their artistic attributes, and analysis of these regalia as the works of jewelry art, considering stylistic evolution. For achieving the designated goal, the author applied comprehensive method of research based on the combination of art criticism and historical-cultural approach, referring to a range of sources: from unpublished archival documents and memoirs of contemporaries to visual material. The article clarifies the term “small” crown. Based on the archival documents, the author introduces into the scientific discourse the records on a number previously unknown small crowns, as well as specifies the circumstances of their creation along with names of the craftsmen. The artistic image of small Imperial crowns was analyzed for the first time. The conducted research demonstrates that in the XVIII century this image transformed under the influence of stylistic preferences in Russian artistic culture and due to the change of court jewelers who belonged to different schools of jewelry art. In the XIX century, influenced by the national ideas and according to the already established state ceremonial, which tends to traditionalism, the exterior of small crowns was fully oriented towards the small crown of 1797.
Extended interpretation of semiotic approach
Authors: Rozin Vadim Markovich
Published: October 2020

  This article presents an extended interpretation of the meaning of semiotic approach, which allows to comprehend from the perspective of semiotics not only the symbols that are adequately described in linguistics and semiotics, but also iconic signs, symbols, schemes, and artworks. For a better understanding, the author suggests two cases, one of which is taken from culturological studies, the other – from children's literature. Leaning on the material of these cases, the author formulates the peculiarities of broadened understanding of semiotic approach. The effectiveness of such understanding is illustrated by the example of semiotic interpretation of Roman Faerstein’s literary work. As a result of the conducted research, the author proposed an extended interpretation of semiotic approach, which includes the analysis of situation and problems, resolution of which leads to the creation of new semiotic tools; untraditional understanding of these tools; reconstruction of reality, which is signified by various semiotic tools. In the author’s opinion, structuring of the reality of a certain text is attributed to semiotic interpretation, since the reality alongside other schemes, signs, symbols, metaphors and other semiotic formations, is an important semiotic concept in terms of the augmented meaning of semiotic approach.  
Endovascular coil embolization for unruptured intracranial aneurysms in patients over 80 years of age
Authors: Lee Seok-Won , Kwon Hyon-Jo , Jeong Eun-Oh , Koh Hyeon-Song , Kim Kyung Hwan , Choi Seung-Won , Kim Seon-Hwan , Youm Jin-Young
Published: October 2020

Objective: As the average life span in modern society continues to increase, much interest is focused on high-risk procedures in elderly patients, including major surgical operations. We investigated the results of endovascular coiling of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) in patients over 80 years of age.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 39 patients aged over 80 years who underwent coil embolization for UIA between April 2007 and April 2019 at our hospital.Results: Complete occlusion on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) immediately after surgery was performed in 44 (84.6%) of 52 cases of cerebral aneurysms. Four patients (7.7%) had residual aneurysmal necks, and four (7.7%) had contrast flow in the aneurysmal sac. Follow-up magnetic resonance angiography (mean: 8.2 months) was performed in 37 aneurysms in 24 patients. There was evidence of blood flow in the neck in seven cases (18.9%) and aneurysm in two cases (5.4%). Follow-up DSA (mean: 20.5 months) was performed in 14 aneurysms in 11 patients, and 11 aneurysms (78.6%) had complete occlusion, 1 aneurysm (7.1%) had an aneurysmal neck, and 2 aneurysms (14.3%) had contrast filling into the aneurysmal sac. Coil embolization procedure-related complications occurred in 3 patients (7.7%). Cerebral infarction occurred in 1 (2.6%), arterial dissection in 1 (2.6%), and hypoesthesia in 1 (2.6%).Conclusions: Active treatment of UIA in elderly patients over 80 years of age through endovascular coil embolization can be considered.
Life, Death, and Other Inconvenient Truths
Authors: Edelman Shimon
Published: October 2020

A guide for making sense of life—from action (good except when it's not) to thinking (depressing) to youth (a treasure).

This book offers a guide to human nature and human experience—a reference book for making sense of life. In thirty-eight short, interconnected essays, Shimon Edelman considers the parameters of the human condition, addressing them in alphabetical order, from action (good except when it's not) to love (only makes sense to the lovers) to thinking (should not be so depressing) to youth (a treasure). In a style that is by turns personal and philosophical, at once informative and entertaining, Edelman offers a series of illuminating takes on the most important aspects of living in the world.

Edelman avoids reductive synthesis, staying clear of both exuberance and negativity. Drawing on an eclectic range of sources—quoting from a pre-Islamic Bedouin poem on one page, from Gogol on the next, citing both Borges and Marx—Edelman offers insights into the bright and dark sides of our nature. About anxiety, he observes, “All sentient beings are capable of physiological stress response, but it takes special skills to also do anxiety.” Happiness is “a commodity that Americans pursue with almost as much verve as oil.” Human language, on the other hand, is “an essential window into the sublime.” All in all, human nature has room for improvement. Edelman helps us work out ways for improving it.
Who Are You?
Authors: Custodio Alex
Published: October 2020

The Game Boy Advance platform as computational system and cultural artifact, from its 2001 release through hacks, mods, emulations, homebrew afterlives.

In 2002, Nintendo of America launched an international marketing campaign for the Game Boy Advance that revolved around the slogan “Who Are You?”—asking potential buyers which Nintendo character, game, or even device they identified with and attempting to sell a new product by exploiting players' nostalgic connections to earlier ones. Today, nearly two decades after its release, and despite the development of newer and more powerful systems, Nintendo's Game Boy Advance lives on, through a community that continues to hack, modify, emulate, make, break, remake, redesign, trade, use, love, and play with the platform. In this book Alex Custodio traces the network of hardware and software afterlives of the Game Boy Advance platform.

Each chapter considers a component of this network—hardware, software, peripheral, or practice—that illuminates the platform's unique features as a computational system and a cultural artifact. Examining the evolution of the design and architecture of Nintendo's handhelds and home consoles, and the constraints imposed on developers and players, for example, Custodio finds that Nintendo essentially embeds nostalgia into its hardware. She explores Nintendo's expansion of the platform through interoperability; physical and affective engagement with the Game Boy Advance; portability, private space, and social interaction; the platformization of nostalgia; fan-generated content including homebrew, hacking, and hardware modding; and e-waste—the final afterlife of consumer electronics. Although the Game Boy Advance is neither the most powerful nor the most popular of Nintendo's handhelds, Custodio argues, it is the platform that most fundamentally embodies Nintendo's reliance on the aesthetics and materiality of nostalgia.
Single-cell dynamics of pannexin-1-facilitated programmed ATP loss during apoptosis
Authors: Imamura Hiromi , Sakamoto Shuichiro , Yoshida Tomoki , Matsui Yusuke , Penuela Silvia , Laird Dale W , Mizukami Shin , Kikuchi Kazuya , Kakizuka Akira
Published: October 2020

ATP is essential for all living cells. However, how dead cells lose ATP has not been well investigated. In this study, we developed new FRET biosensors for dual imaging of intracellular ATP level and caspase-3 activity in single apoptotic cultured human cells. We show that the cytosolic ATP level starts to decrease immediately after the activation of caspase-3, and this process is completed typically within 2 hr. The ATP decrease was facilitated by caspase-dependent cleavage of the plasma membrane channel pannexin-1, indicating that the intracellular decrease of the apoptotic cell is a ‘programmed’ process. Apoptotic cells deficient of pannexin-1 sustained the ability to produce ATP through glycolysis and to consume ATP, and did not stop wasting glucose much longer period than normal apoptotic cells. Thus, the pannexin-1 plays a role in arresting the metabolic activity of dead apoptotic cells, most likely through facilitating the loss of intracellular ATP.
A decolonial pedagogy for teaching intersectionality
Authors: Velásquez Atehortúa Juan
Published: October 2020

This article discusses a “pragmatic toolkit” for decolonizing a course by intersectionality combining key notions in literature in decolonial education with four components extracted from the works of Orlando Fals-Borda and Paulo Freire by Joao Mota Neto (2018). As a kind of toolkit for decolonial change, the article first combines the role of being a subversive scholar to address “injuries of coloniality” that places the discipline as part of a landscape of power in the context of a gender studies BA-course. Repairing these injuries of coloniality demanded curriculum changes, to restore the disobedient epistemology inherent in the concept of intersectionality. Second, in so doing, the pragmatic toolkit provided a participatory frame for exchanges of knowledge in a classroom composed of multiple identities, which then aimed to promote diversity and difference. Third, this orientation made a frame suitable for searching for other epistemic coordinates, exploring for example politics of emotion to erase barriers toward potential others, and including literature on coalitional politics. And fourth, revisiting the “telluric origins” of feminist research helped the students reinvent power through writing critical reflections that awaked their “interest in social action” to contest racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, transphobia, and speciesism.
Nationwide Analysis of Mortality Rates and Related Surgical Procedures in Hearing Disability Patients in South Korea
Authors: Han Hye Min , Kwak Ji Won , Kim Hyeon Geun , Lee Hoyoung , Kim Young-Chan , Park Euyhyun , Jung Hak Hyun , Im Gi Jung
Published: October 2020

Background and Objectives: Hearing loss (HL) and its repercussions are major problems in today’s society. There are limited data on the relationship between degree of HL and otologic disorders. The aim of this study is to estimate mortality rates, rates of sudden idiopathic HL and related otologic surgical procedures in hearing disability patients in South Korea.Subjects and Methods: Retrospective medical data for 160,205 patients with hearing disability was extracted. Mortality rates, rates of sudden idiopathic HL and related otologic surgical procedures were compared with a normal control group consisting of 865,475 people; approximately 5 times the number of hearing disability patients.Results: According to the Korean National Disability Registry (NDR), 0.458% of the population in South Korea suffered from hearing disability in 2015. Higher rates of mortality and sudden idiopathic HL were reported in hearing disability patients, increasing up to a maximum of 1.594 times and 1,039.695 times, respectively, compared to the normal control group. Mastoidectomy surgery was 2.5 times more frequently performed and pressure equalizing (PE) tube insertion was about 15 times more frequently performed in hearing disability patients.Conclusions: Hearing disability is related to higher risks of mortality, sudden idiopathic HL and otologic surgical procedures, including mastoidectomy and PE tubing.
Bartter Syndrome in Children; A Cause of Severe Hypokalemic Metabolic Alkalosis: Clinical Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Radi A. , Akhrif M. , Kmari M. , Ourrai A. , Hassani A. , Abilkassem R. , Agadr A.
Published: October 2020

Bartter syndrome is an inherited renal tubular disorder caused by a defective salt reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of loop of Henle. It characterized by urinary loss of sodium, potassium, and chloride; hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis; normal blood pressure, high plasma levels of renin and aldosterone. There is phenotypical and genetic variability of Bartter syndrome since were identified five genes responsible for five different forms of Bartter syndrome. The objective of this work is to report a clinical case to study the pathophysiological, clinical, biological and therapeutic features of this syndrome.

Materials and Methods: We reported a case of 04-month-old male infant admitted for acute dehydration secondary to polyuro-polydipsia syndrome and vomiting. In clinical presentation the patient had a dysmorphic syndrome with triangular face, protruding ears and flattened nasal root. Laboratory tests revealed hypokalemia, hyponatremia, metabolic alkalosis and hypercalciuria. Treatment with indomethacin was started at 1 mg/kg per day with favorable outcome.
Wettability, Diffusion Behaviors, and Modeling of Ni Nanoparticles and Nanowires in Brazing Inconel 718
Authors: Bridges Denzel , Nielsen Ben , Zhang Lingyue , Zhang Suhong , Xu Raymond , Hu Anming
Published: October 2020

Ni nanoparticles (NPs) and nanowires (NWs) are compared as brazing filler metals for joining Inconel 718. NWs significantly enhance the strength of brazed joints compared to NP joints (270 MPa). Herein, joints formed with a pure NW pellet and a NW–NP mixed pellet yield average lap shear bonding strengths of 319.2 and 370 MPa, respectively. The experiment displays that the contact angle in brazing with NPs is higher than that with NWs. A modified Hart's equation is also proposed for predicting the effective interdiffusion coefficients of nanomaterials that account for surface diffusion in addition to lattice and grain boundary diffusion. The diffusion coefficients calculated by the modified Hart's equation are consistent with the values determined by Sauer–Friese analysis for NPs, but for NWs, the diffusion coefficients determined by Sauer–Friese are mainly controlled by grain boundary diffusion, significantly higher than those predicted by the modified Hart's equation due to size‐dependent transient liquid phase diffusion. This explains the enhanced brazing strength with NW fillers.
Recent Advances in Antiinflammatory Material Design
Authors: Lebaudy Eloïse , Fournel Sylvie , Lavalle Philippe , Vrana Nihal Engin , Gribova Varvara
Published: October 2020

Implants and prostheses are widely used to replace damaged tissues or to treat various diseases. However, besides the risk of bacterial or fungal infection, an inflammatory response usually occurs. Here, recent progress in the field of anti‐inflammatory biomaterials is described. Different materials and approaches are used to decrease the inflammatory response, including hydrogels, nanoparticles, implant surface coating by polymers, and a variety of systems for anti‐inflammatory drug delivery. Complex multifunctional systems dealing with inflammation, microbial infection, bone regeneration, or angiogenesis are also described. New promising stimuli‐responsive systems, such as pH‐ and temperature‐responsive materials, are also being developed that would enable an “intelligent” antiinflammatory response when the inflammation occurs. Together, different approaches hold promise for creation of novel multifunctional smart materials allowing better implant integration and tissue regeneration.
Heterogeneous Electronic and Photonic Devices Based on Monolayer Ternary Telluride Core/Shell Structures
Authors: Xu Kai , Sharma Ankit , Kang Junzhe , Hu Xiaoqiao , Hao Zheng , Zhu Wenjuan
Published: October 2020

Device engineering based on the tunable electronic properties of ternary transition metal dichalcogenides has recently gained widespread research interest. In this work, monolayer ternary telluride core/shell structures are synthesized using a one‐step chemical vapor deposition process with rapid cooling. The core region is the tellurium‐rich WSe2−2xTe2x alloy, while the shell is the tellurium‐poor WSe2−2yTe2y alloy. The bandgap of the material is ≈1.45 eV in the core region and ≈1.57 eV in the shell region. The lateral gradient of the bandgap across the monolayer heterostructure allows for the fabrication of heterogeneous transistors and photodetectors. The difference in work function between the core and shell regions leads to a built‐in electric field at the heterojunction. As a result, heterogeneous transistors demonstrate a unidirectional conduction and strong photovoltaic effect. The bandgap gradient and high mobility of the ternary telluride core/shell structures provide a unique material platform for novel electronic and photonic devices.
In‐Memory Database Query
Authors: Giannopoulos Iason , Singh Abhairaj , Le Gallo Manuel , Jonnalagadda Vara Prasad , Hamdioui Said , Sebastian Abu
Published: October 2020

In recent years, several in‐memory logic primitives were proposed where bit‐wise logical operations are performed in memory by exploiting the physical attributes of memristive devices organized in a crossbar array. However, a convincing real‐world application for in‐memory logic and its experimental validation are still lacking. Herein, the application of database query where a database is stored in an array of binary memristive devices is presented. The queries are formulated in terms of bulk bit‐wise operations and are executed in memory by exploiting Kirchhoff's current summation law. The concept is experimentally demonstrated by executing error‐free queries on a small 4 × 8 selector‐less phase‐change memory crossbar. The impact of crossbar size, resistance of routing wires, and interdevice variability on the accuracy of the logical operations are studied through numerical and circuit‐level simulations. Finally, a system for cascaded query is proposed that combines the in‐memory logic with conventional digital logic and its functionality is verified on a healthcare‐related database. It is estimated that an 11‐step long query is executed in 36 ns, consuming 560 μW, thus achieving an energy efficiency of 166 TOPS/W.
Submersible Soft‐Robotic Platform for Noise‐Free Hovering Utilizing Liquid–Vapor Phase Transition
Authors: Han Jie , Jiang Weitao , Zhang Hongjian , Lei Biao , Wang Lanlan , Liu Hongzhong
Published: October 2020

Hovering at any depth, is one of the most important requirements for underwater robotics, which calls for large‐range buoyancy control ability. Although various underwater robotics have been proposed and developed, the requirements of noise‐free, environmental tolerance, and low energy consumption in hovering manipulation, are still attracting a lot of attention for underwater tasks. Herein, a submersible soft‐robotic platform driven by the self‐contained liquid–vapor phase transition is developed. The proposed soft‐robotic platform precisely modulates its buoyancy, showing an excellent positioning ability underwater. The proposed soft‐robotic platform performs reversible rise‐and‐sink motions underwater, and generate a buoyancy force of 0.93 N (131% of its weight) with an accuracy of ±2.5 mN, at a heating temperature of 63 °C. It shows that more than 40% of the total buoyancy change is achieved within 55 s, and the platform hovers in any depth in a range of 450 mm (limited by the adopted water container) in 18 s, with positioning fluctuation of 17.42 mm. This soft‐robotic platform demonstrates active vertical motions in water and suggests a feasible approach to develop noisy‐free and high‐reliability underwater robots, which guide the further design of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
A Cobalt@Cucurbit[5]uril Complex as a Highly Efficient Supramolecular Catalyst for Electrochemical and Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Li Fusheng , Yang Hao , Zhuo Qiming , Zhou Dinghua , Wu Xiujuan , Zhang PeiLi , Yao Zhaoyang , Sun Licheng
Published: October 2020

A host–guest complex self‐assembled through Co2+ and cucurbit[5]uril (Co@CB[5]) is used as a supramolecular catalyst on the surface of metal oxides including porous indium tin oxide (ITO) and porous BiVO4 for efficient electrochemical and photoelectrochemical water oxidation. When immobilized on ITO, Co@CB[5] exhibited a turnover frequency (TOF) of 9.9 s−1 at overpotential η=550 mV in a pH 9.2 borate buffer. Meanwhile, when Co@CB[5] complex was immobilized onto the surface of BiVO4 semiconductor, the assembled Co@CB[5]/BiVO4 photoanode exhibited a low onset potential of 0.15 V (vs. RHE) and a high photocurrent of 4.8 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V (vs. RHE) under 100 mW cm−2 (AM 1.5) light illumination. Kinetic studies confirmed that Co@CB[5] acts as a supramolecular water oxidation catalyst, and can effectively accelerate interfacial charge transfer between BiVO4 and electrolyte. Surface charge recombination of BiVO4 can be also significantly suppressed by Co@CB[5].
Stiffness Tomography of Ultra‐Soft Nanogels by Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Schulte M. Friederike , Bochenek Steffen , Brugnoni Monia , Scotti Andrea , Mourran Ahmed , Richtering Walter
Published: October 2020

The softness of nanohydrogels results in unique properties and recently attracted tremendous interest due to the multi‐functionalization of interfaces. Herein, we study extremely soft temperature‐sensitive ultra‐low cross‐linked (ULC) nanogels adsorbed to the solid/water interface by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The ultra‐soft nanogels seem to disappear in classical imaging modes since a sharp tip fully penetrates these porous networks with very low forces in the range of steric interactions (ca. 100 pN). However, the detailed evaluation of Force Volume mode measurements allows us to resolve their overall shape and at the same time their internal structure in all three dimensions. The nanogels exhibit an extraordinary disk‐like and entirely homogeneous but extremely soft structure—even softer than polymer brushes. Moreover, the temperature‐sensitive nanogels can be switched on demand between the ultra‐soft and a very stiff state.
Towards Macroscopically Anisotropic Functionality: Oriented Metallo‐supramolecular Polymeric Materials Induced by Magnetic Fields
Authors: Tu Tsung‐Han , Sakurai Tsuneaki , Seki Shu , Ishida Yasuhiro , Chan Yi‐Tsu
Published: October 2020

Based on the predesigned self‐selective complexation, metallo‐supramolecular P3HT‐b‐PEO diblock copolymers with varying block ratios were synthesized, and their oriented polymer films generated during solvent evaporation in a 9 T magnetic field were investigated. An anisotropic, ordered layer structure was achieved using [P3HT20‐Zn‐PEO107] and carefully characterized by polarized optical microscopy (POM), AFM, polarized UV/Vis spectroscopy, and GI‐SAXS/WAXS. The PEO‐removed [P3HT20‐Zn‐PEO107] film was obtained after decomplexation with TEA‐EDTA under mild conditions, and the selective removal of PEO domains was evidenced by UV/Vis and ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy. Anisotropic photoconductivity of the magnetically aligned film was evaluated by flash‐photolysis time‐resolved microwave conductivity (FP‐TRMC) measurements. The results indicated that the presence of insulating crystalline PEO segments diminished the photoconductivity along the P3HT backbone direction.
The Size‐Accelerated Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols
Authors: Pölloth Benjamin , Sibi Mukund P. , Zipse Hendrik
Published: October 2020

The factors responsible for the kinetic resolution of alcohols by chiral pyridine derivatives have been elucidated by measurements of relative rates for a set of substrates with systematically growing aromatic side chains using accurate competitive linear regression analysis. Increasing the side chain size from phenyl to pyrenyl results in a rate acceleration of more than 40 for the major enantiomer. Based on this observation a new catalyst with increased steric bulk has been designed that gives enantioselectivity values of up to s=250. Extensive conformational analysis of the relevant transition states indicates that alcohol attack to the more crowded side of the acyl‐catalyst intermediate is favoured due to stabilizing CH‐π‐stacking interactions. Experimental and theoretical results imply that enantioselectivity enhancements result from accelerating the transformation of the major enantiomer through attractive non‐covalent interactions (NCIs) rather than retarding the transformation of the minor isomer through repulsive steric forces.
Synthesis, in vitro antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and reverse docking‐based target fishing of 1,4‐benzoxazin‐2‐one derivatives
Authors: Stepanova Ekaterina E. , Balandina Svetlana Yu , Drobkova Vera A. , Dmitriev Maksim V. , Mashevskaya Irina V. , Maslivets Andrey N.
Published: October 2020

Seventeen 1,4‐benzoxazin‐2‐ones bearing the enaminone moiety and three of their analogs were tested for the antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv). Minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined after 41 days of incubation by BACTEC. 1,4‐Benzoxazin‐2‐ones bearing the unsubstituted benzo moiety showed the most promising activities (MBC = 5.00 µg/ml). For most active compounds, antibacterial activities were determined daily during the 41 days. The most promising compound showed a bacteriostatic effect at a concentration of 0.31 µg/ml on Day 4 of incubation, 0.62 µg/ml on Day 6, 2.50 µg/ml on Day 9, and 5.00 µg/ml on Day 41. All studied compounds, along with some of their reported analogs, were docked to 35 proteins of M. tuberculosis to find their potent targets in these organisms. As a result of reverse docking, aspartate 1‐decarboxylase, panD, was selected as the most appropriate target. Docking of the most active compounds to mutant panD from pyrazinamide‐resistant strains of M. tuberculosis implies that they would not be active against these strains. Considering that most of pyrazinamide clinical resistance cases are due to loss‐of‐function mutations in pyrazinamidase, pncA, compounds from this study could be useful drugs for the treatment of some cases of pyrazinamide‐resistant tuberculosis.
Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling/Annulation of Arene Carboxylic Acids and Alkenes in Water with Ruthenium(II) Catalyst and Air
Authors: Mandal Anup , Garai Bholanath , Dana Suman , Bera Ratnadeep , Baidya Mahiuddin
Published: October 2020

A cross‐dehydrogenative coupling of arene carboxylic acids with olefins is reported with ruthenium(II) catalyst employing air and water as green oxidant and solvent, respectively. It offers a robust synthesis of valuable phthalide molecules. A one‐pot sequential strategy is also disclosed to access Heck‐type products that are apparently difficult to make directly from arene carboxylic acids.
Advanced stabilizing control for electric scooters
Authors: Chen Tao‐Hung , Tu Chia‐Hung , Lin Chun‐Liang , Hsu Shun‐Pin
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes a novel traction control system (TCS) based on feedback sensing of multi‐state of electric scooters (i.e. vehicle‐road inclination, vehicle yaw rate, vehicle lateral force, vehicle slip, vehicle speed, etc.). The real‐time states of the scooter are measured by a Hall sensor at the rear wheel, a photointerrupter at the front wheel and inertial measurement unit at the center‐of‐gravity of the vehicle. A fuzzy logic based traction control design is developed to against the driving wheel drift or slipping. The controller is realized by an advanced digital signal processor for fast command computation. Our design has been successfully applied in a commercial electric scooter with satisfactory performance for the pre‐specified testing items. Real‐world experiments prove feasibility of the proposed design which show that our design can effectively prevent the electric scooter from slipping while improves riding safety.
Research quality and transparency, outcome measurement and evidence for safety and effectiveness in robot-assisted surgery: systematic review
Authors: Garfjeld Roberts P , Glasbey J C , Abram S , Osei-Bordom D , Bach S P , Beard D J
Published: October 2020

Background

Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) has potential panspecialty surgical benefits. High-quality evidence for widespread implementation is lacking. This systematic review aimed to assess the RAS evidence base for the quality of randomized evidence on safety and effectiveness, specialty ‘clustering’, and outcomes for RAS research.

Methods

A systematic review was undertaken according to PRISMA guidelines. All pathologies and procedures utilizing RAS were included. Studies were limited to RCTs, the English language and publication within the last decade. The main outcomes selected for the review design were safety and efficacy, and study purpose. Secondary outcomes were study characteristics, funding and governance.

Results

Searches identified 7142 titles, from which 183 RCTs were identified for data extraction. The commonest specialty was urology (35·0 per cent). There were just 76 unique study populations, indicating significant overlap of publications; 103 principal studies were assessed further. Only 64·1 per cent of studies reported a primary outcome measure, with 29·1 per cent matching their registration/protocol. Safety was assessed in 68·9 per cent of trials; operative complications were the commonest measure. Forty-eight per cent of trials reported no significant difference in safety between RAS and comparator, and 11 per cent reported RAS to be superior. Efficacy or effectiveness was assessed in 80·6 per cent of trials; 43 per cent of trials showed no difference between RAS and comparator, and 24 per cent reported that RAS was superior. Funding was declared in 47·6 per cent of trials.

Conclusion

The evidence base for RAS is of limited quality and variable transparency in reporting. No patterns of harm to patients were identified. RAS has potential to be beneficial, but requires continued high-quality evaluation.
Shortening surgical training through robotics: randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic versus robotic surgical learning curves
Authors: Gall T M H , Alrawashdeh W , Soomro N , White S , Jiao L R
Published: October 2020

Background

Minimally invasive surgery is the standard technique for many operations. Laparoscopic training has a long learning curve. Robotic solutions may shorten the training pathway. The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic with robotic training in surgical trainees and medical students.

Methods

Surgical trainees (ST group) were randomized to receive 6 h of robotic or laparoscopic simulation training. They then performed three surgical tasks in cadaveric specimens. Medical students (MS group) had 2 h of robotic or laparoscopic simulation training followed by one surgical task. The Global Rating Scale (GRS) score (maximum 30), number of suture errors, and time to complete each procedure were recorded.

Results

The median GRS score for the ST group was better for each procedure after robotic training compared with laparoscopic training (total GRS score: 27·00 (i.q.r. 22·25–28·33) versus 18·00 (16·50–19·04) respectively, P < 0·001; 10 participants in each arm). The ST group made fewer errors in robotic than in laparoscopic tasks, for both continuous (7·00 (4·75–9·63) versus 22·25 (20·75–25·25); P < 0·001) and interrupted (8·25 (6·38–10·13) versus 29·50 (23·75–31·50); P < 0·001) sutures. For the MS group, the robotic group completed 8·67 interrupted sutures with 15·50 errors in 40 min, compared with only 3·50 sutures with 40·00 errors in the laparoscopic group (P < 0·001) (10 participants in each arm). Fatigue and physical comfort levels were better after robotic compared with laparoscopic operating for both groups (P < 0·001).

Conclusion

The acquisition of surgical skills in surgical trainees and the surgically naive takes less time with a robotic compared with a laparoscopic platform.
Simultaneous determination of five bioactive components of XiaoJin Capsule in normal and mammary gland hyperplasia rat plasma using LC–MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Lei Huibo , Qi Xiaopo , Guo Xin , Xu Xike , Zu Xianpeng , Ye Ji
Published: October 2020

XiaoJin Capsule (XJC) is a classic Traditional Chinese Medicine formula for clinical treatment of thyroid nodules, mammary gland hyperplasia and breast cancer. For the specification and rational application of XJC in the future, an accurate and specific LC–MS/MS method was developed and validated for quantitative determination of five components in rat plasma after oral administration of XJC. The collected plasma samples were extracted by protein precipitation with methanol–acetonitrile (1:3, v/v) mixture solvent and separated on a C18 column using a gradient elution system. Mass spectrometry was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, and samples were detected in positive ionization and multiple reactions monitoring mode. The method was properly validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect and stability. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r2 > 0.9910) over their concentration ranges. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (RSD) were within 11.0%, and the LLOQ was 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 7.5 and 7.5 ng/ml for aconine, songorine, neoline, 3‐acetyl‐11‐keto‐β‐boswellic acid and 11‐keto‐β‐boswellic acid, respectively. Extraction recovery, matrix effect and stability were satisfactory in rat plasma. This established method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetics study of five compounds after oral administration of XJC to normal and mammary gland hyperplasia model rats.
The five‐in‐one teaching mode in the teaching of engineering courses
Authors: Tian Jiandong , He Guifang
Published: October 2020

Considering the intertwining of information technology and engineering specialty courses, research on the application of the “Five‐in‐one” teaching mode based on building information modeling (BIM) in the teaching of engineering specialty courses is practical and significant. This article comprehensively analyzes the research status of the teaching mode of engineering courses in China and the integration of BIM in the teaching of specialized courses. On the basis of the personnel cultivating programs for various engineering majors in combination with the three‐dimensional information model, BIM, this study proposed the “Five‐in‐one" teaching mode covering aspects of scenario creation, new knowledge exploration, knowledge application, thinking training, and teamwork. This teaching mode is adaptable to the reform of engineering classroom teaching and it complements professional talent training goals. The "Five‐in‐one" teaching mode guides students to learn to choose and develop actively, enabling them to become the core of the classroom. The academic performances of students are studied using variance and covariance analysis models, forming a complete set of analysis results. This study uses the teaching practice of the BIM‐based "Five‐in‐one" teaching mode in the engineering courses of an application‐oriented university in Guangxi as an example. The results obtained show that this method achieved good results. The students' mastery of basic knowledge, basic skills, and basic thinking methods of the subject improved significantly. Thus, theoretical references for the practice and research of the teaching mode of professional courses for application‐oriented universities at home and abroad have been provided.
The negative feedback between miR‐143 and DNMT3A regulates cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer
Authors: Han Xi , Liu Dan , Zhou Yuanyuan , Wang Lijie , Hou Huilian , Chen He , Zhang Lirui , Chen Wei , Li Xu , Zhao Le
Published: October 2020

Emerging evidence suggests that miR‐143 plays an important role in the regulation of tumor sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. The study explores the underlying mechanism of miR‐143 in reversing cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer. The cisplatin‐resistant ovarian cancer cell line A2780/CDDP was induced and established via treating A2780 cells by gradually increasing cisplatin concentrations. The IC50 values of A2780/CDDP and A2780 to cisplatin were 218.10 ± 1.12 and 21.99 ± 1.12 μM, respectively. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) results showed that miR‐143 was significantly decreased in A2780/CDDP cells compared with A2780 cells. miR‐143 overexpression decreased cisplatin resistance in A2780/CDDP, and miR‐143 inhibition decreased A2780 sensitivity to cisplatin. Results of qRT‐PCR, Western blot analysis, and luciferase reporter assay indicated that the direct target of miR‐143 was DNMT3A, which, in turn, was upregulated in A2780/CDDP. DNMT3A overexpression antagonized the sensitizing effect of miR‐143 on A2780/CDDP to cisplatin. Knocking down of DNMT3A reduced cisplatin resistance in A2780/CDDP, while overexpression of DNMT3A increased cisplatin resistance in A2780. Methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction results showed that the methylation level in the promoter region of the miR‐143 precursor gene was higher in A2780/CDDP cells than in A2780 cells. DNMT3A mediated the hypermethylation of the miR‐143 precursor gene, resulting in miR‐143 downregulation in A2780/CDDP. miR‐143 inhibited cell growth of A2780/CDDP cell in nude mice. Our findings indicated the negative feedback between miR‐143 and DNMT3A as a crucial epigenetic modifier of cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer.
Tocilizumab for treating severe COVID‐19 pneumonia refractory to combined hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir plus ritonavir, and favipiravir: A case series
Authors: Surabotsophon Manoon , Klai‐On Yingyot , Thanachartwet Vipa , Khunapornphairote Sirote , Chamnanchanunt Supat , Racharak Theerapat , Laisuan Wannada , Sahassananda Duangjai , Hapunna Samlee , Jinapuk Somjit , Leelasetakul Suthee , Desakorn Varunee
Published: October 2020

Three patients diagnosed with severe COVID‐19 pneumonia received treatment with hydroxychloroquine combined with lopinavir, ritonavir, and favipiravir. Two patients diagnosed early, received tocilizumab when the pneumonia became severe and survived. The thrid patient was diagnosed late and received tocilizumab when the disease progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome, and died.
Competition of Ligands and the 18‐mer Binding Domain of the RHAU Helicase for G‐Quadruplexes: Orthosteric or Allosteric Binding Mechanism?
Authors: Marchand Adrien , Beauvineau Claire , Teulade‐Fichou Marie‐Paule , Zenobi Renato
Published: October 2020

Stabilizing the DNA and RNA structures known as G‐quadruplexes (G4s) using specific ligands is a strategy that has been proposed to fight cancer. However, although G‐quadruplex:ligand (G4:L) interactions have often been investigated, whether or not ligands are able to disrupt G‐quadruplex:protein (G4:P) interactions remains poorly studied. In this study, using native mass spectrometry, we have investigated ternary G4:L:P complexes formed by G4s, some of the highest affinity ligands, and the binding domain of the RHAU helicase. Our results suggest that RHAU binds not only preferentially to parallel G4s, but also to free external G‐quartets. We also found that, depending on the G4, ligands could prevent the binding of the peptide, either by direct competition for the binding sites (orthosteric inhibition) or by inducing conformational changes (allosteric inhibition). Notably, the ligand Cu–ttpy (ttpy=4′‐tolyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine) induced a conformational change that increased the binding of the peptide. This study illustrates that it is important to not only characterize drug–target interactions, but also how the binding to other partners is affected.
Tunable Phosphorescence/Fluorescence Dual Emissions of Organic Isoquinoline‐Benzophenone Doped Systems by Alkoxy Engineering
Authors: Chen Yating , Xie Yufeng , Shen Hao , Lei Yunxiang , Zhou Yunbing , Dai Wenbo , Cai Zhengxu , Liu Miaochang , Huang Xiaobo , Wu Huayue
Published: October 2020

Dual/multi‐component organic doped systems with room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) properties have been developed. However, the unknown luminescence mechanism still greatly limits the development of the doped materials. Herein, a new doped system exhibiting phosphorescence/fluorescence dual emission (Φphos=4–24 % and τphos=101–343 ms) is successfully constructed through prediction and design. A series of isoquinoline derivatives with different alkoxy chains were selected as the guests. Benzophenone was chosen as the host owing to the characteristics of low melting point and good crystallinity. The alkoxy chain lengths of the guests are first reported to be used to control the fluorescence and phosphorescence intensities of the doped materials, which results in different prompt emission colors. Additionally, the doped ratio of the guest and host can also control the luminous intensities of the materials. In particular, the doped materials still exhibit phosphorescent properties even if the ratio of the guest/host is as low as 1:100 000.
A Water‐Gated Organic Thin‐Film Transistor for Glyphosate Detection: A Comparative Study with Fluorescence Sensing
Authors: Sasaki Yui , Asano Koichiro , Minamiki Tsukuru , Zhang Zhoujie , Takizawa Shin‐ya , Kubota Riku , Minami Tsuyoshi
Published: October 2020

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Tsuyoshi Minami at the University Tokyo. The image illustrates that despite being fabricated with the same polythiophene material, a water‐gated organic thin‐film transistor is a more sensitive device than a fluorescence sensor chip. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202003529.
Molecular and cellular paradigms of multidrug resistance in cancer
Authors: Vaidya Foram U. , Sufiyan Chhipa Abu , Mishra Vinita , Gupta Vishal Kumar , Rawat Shiv Govind , Kumar Ajay , Pathak Chandramani
Published: October 2020

Background

The acquisition of resistance to chemotherapy is a major hurdle in the successful application of cancer therapy. Several anticancer approaches, including chemotherapies, radiotherapy, surgery and targeted therapies are being employed for the treatment of cancer. However, cancer cells reprogram themselves in multiple ways to evade the effect of these therapies, and over a period of time, the drug becomes inactive due to the development of multi‐drug resistance (MDR). MDR is a complex phenomenon where malignant cells become insensitive to anticancer drugs and attain the ability to survive even after several exposures of anticancer drugs. In this review, we have discussed the molecular and cellular paradigms of multidrug resistance in cancer.

Recent Findings

An Extensive research in cancer biology revealed that drug resistance in cancer is the result of perpetuated intracellular and extracellular mechanisms such as drug efflux, drug inactivation, drug target alteration, oncogenic mutations, altered DNA damage repair mechanism, inhibition of programmed cell death signaling, metabolic reprogramming, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), inherent cell heterogeneity, epigenetic changes, redox imbalance, or any combination of these mechanisms. An inevitable cross‐link between inflammation and drug resistance has been discussed. This review provided insight molecular mechanism to understand the vulnerabilities of cancer cells to develop drug resistance.

Conclusion

MDR is an outcome of interplays between multiple intricate pathways responsible for the inactivation of drug and development of resistance. MDR is a major obstacle in regimens of successful application of anti‐cancer therapy. An improved understanding of the molecular mechanism of multi drug resistance and cellular reprogramming can provide a promising opportunity to combat drug resistance in cancer and intensify anti‐cancer therapy for the upcoming future.
Wind driven dragonfly algorithm for global optimization
Authors: Zhong Lianlian , Zhou Yongquan , Luo Qifang , Zhong Keyu
Published: October 2020

Dragonfly algorithm (DA) is a new swarm intelligence optimization algorithm based on the static and dynamic swarm behavior of dragonflies. The algorithm has the characteristics of simple structure, strong search ability, easy implementation, and strong robustness. However, the DA algorithm itself also has insufficient solution accuracy and slow convergence speed. The Wind Driven Optimization algorithm (WDO) has the characteristics of fast convergence speed and strong global search capability. So as to improve the optimization performance of the DA algorithm and avoid premature convergence, the speed of the WDO is introduced into the later calculation of the algorithm iteration, which speeds up the convergence speed of the global optimal solution. This paper proposes a dragonfly algorithm based on wind driven (WDDA), that is to reduce the blindness of the dragonfly algorithm search, improve the solution accuracy and convergence speed, to improve the overall optimization performance of the algorithm. The 23 benchmark test functions and one engineering example for optimization and comparison experiments. The experimental results show that WDDA algorithm has better performance in function optimization.
Structural, Photophysical, and Photobiological Studies on BODIPY‐Anthracene Dyads
Authors: Callaghan Susan , Vindstad Benedikte E. , Flanagan Keith J. , Melø Thor B. , Lindgren Mikael , Grenstad Kristin , Gederaas Odrun A. , Senge Mathias O.
Published: October 2020

We report the structural, photophysical, and photobiological properties of a promising BODIPY‐anthracene dyad (BAD) that was previously shown to induce a therapeutic effect against MDA‐MB‐468 cells. The BODIPY was synthesized and its crystal structure was elucidated. We further investigate the potential of this molecule as a versatile photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy against AY27 and F98 cancer cell models. Both necrosis and apoptosis were found to play a role in cell death and G1 phase arrestation was observed following PDT. From time‐resolved spectroscopic analysis of absorbance and luminescence, it was found that the singlet oxygen quantum yield of the most promising BODIPY‐anthracene dyad is high (>70 %) and originates from a triplet state. Interestingly, despite the efficient PDT effect, long‐lived triplet states or singlet oxygen formation were not observed when water (or D2O) was used as the solvent but were readily observed in solvents such as MeOH and EtOH.