bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliable Patterning, Transfer Printing and Post‐Assembly of Multiscale Adhesion‐Free Metallic Structures for Nanogap Device Applications
Authors: Chen Yiqin , Shu Zhiwen , Feng Zhanyong , Kong Ling’an , Liu Yuan , Duan Huigao
Published: June 2020

Patterning of metallic nanogaps with ultrasmall gap size on arbitrary substrates is of great importance for various applications in nanoelectronics, nanoplasmonics, and flexible optoelectronics. Common lithographic approaches suffer from limited resolution in defining ultrasmall nanogaps and restrictive available substrates for flexible and stretchable devices. In this work, a process portfolio to overcome the above limitations is proposed, enabling the fabrication of multiscale metallic nanogaps with reduced gap size on specific substrates for functional devices. The portfolio combines the recently developed sketch and peel lithography strategy, nanotransfer printing, and post‐mechanical assembly. Among the portfolio, the sketch and peel lithography strategy provides the unique capability to rapidly and reliably define multiscale adhesion‐free metallic nanostructures and nanogaps, which significantly facilitates the subsequent transfer printing process. Nanoplasmonic and nanoelectronic devices with ultrasmall nanogaps that are inaccessible with existing patterning approaches are fabricated to demonstrate the applicability of this fabrication strategy. The portfolio could also have potential for a variety of other applications in flexible and stretchable optics, electronics, and optoelectronics.
High‐Performance Metal‐Free Nanosheets Array Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Acid
Authors: Lei Chaojun , Zheng Qiang , Cheng Fanpeng , Hou Yang , Yang Bin , Li Zhongjian , Wen Zhenhai , Lei Lecheng , Chai Guoliang , Feng Xinliang
Published: June 2020

Development of low cost electrocatalysts with outstanding catalytic activity and stability for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acid is a major challenge to produce hydrogen energy from water splitting. Herein, a novel metal‐free electrocatalyst consisting of a oxygen‐functionalized electrochemically exfoliated graphene (OEEG) nanosheets array is reported. Benefitting from a vertically aligned arrays structure and introducing oxygen functional groups, the metal‐free OEEG nanosheets array exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity and stability toward OER with a low overpotential of 334 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in acidic electrolyte. Such a high OER performance is thus far the best among all previously reported metal‐free carbon‐based materials, and even superior to commercial Ir/C catalysts (420 mV at 10 mA cm−2) in acid. Characterization results and electrochemical measurements identify the COOH species in the OEEG acting as active sites for acidic OER, which is further supported by atomic‐scale scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging and electron energy‐loss spectroscopy. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the reaction pathway of dual sites that is mixed by zigzag and armchair edges (COOH‐zig‐corner) is better than the pathway of single site.
Constructing an Adaptive Heterojunction as a Highly Active Catalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Ren Xiao , Wei Chao , Sun Yuanmiao , Liu Xiaozhi , Meng Fanqi , Meng Xiaoxia , Sun Shengnan , Xi Shibo , Du Yonghua , Bi Zhuanfang , Shang Guangyi , Fisher Adrian C. , Gu Lin , Xu Zhichuan J.
Published: June 2020

Electrochemical water splitting is of prime importance to green energy technology. Particularly, the reaction at the anode side, namely the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), requires a high overpotential associated with OO bond formation, which dominates the energy‐efficiency of the whole process. Activating the anionic redox chemistry of oxygen in metal oxides, which involves the formation of superoxo/peroxo‐like (O2)n−, commonly occurs in most highly active catalysts during the OER process. In this study, a highly active catalyst is designed: electrochemically delithiated LiNiO2, which facilitates the formation of superoxo/peroxo‐like (O2)n− species, i.e., NiOO*, for enhancing OER activity. The OER‐induced surface reconstruction builds an adaptive heterojunction, where NiOOH grows on delithiated LiNiO2 (delithiated‐LiNiO2/NiOOH). At this junction, the lithium vacancies within the delithiated LiNiO2 optimize the electronic structure of the surface NiOOH to form stable NiOO* species, which enables better OER activity. This finding provides new insight for designing highly active catalysts with stable superoxo‐like/peroxo‐like (O2)n− for water oxidation.
Designing a Transparent CdIn2S4/In2S3 Bulk‐Heterojunction Photoanode Integrated with a Perovskite Solar Cell for Unbiased Water Splitting
Authors: Meng Linxing , Wang Min , Sun Haoxuan , Tian Wei , Xiao Chenhong , Wu Shaolong , Cao Fengren , Li Liang
Published: June 2020

The integration of photoelectrochemical photoanodes and solar cells to build an unbiased solar‐to‐hydrogen (STH) conversion system provides a promising way to solve the energy crisis. The key point is to develop highly transparent photoanodes, while its bulk separation efficiency (ηsep.) and surface injection efficiency are as high as possible. To resolve this contradiction, first a novel CdIn2S4/In2S3 bulk heterojunctions in the interior of nanosheets is designed as a photoanode with high transparency and an ultrahigh ηsep. up to 90%. Furthermore, decorating the ultrathin amorphous SnO2 layer by atomic layer deposition, the surface oxygen‐evolution kinetics of the photoanode are increased significantly. As a result, the onset potential of the photoanode shifts negatively to 0.02 V vs RHE, and the photocurrent density boosts to 2.98 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs RHE, which is ten times higher than that of pristine CdIn2S4. Such a high‐performance photoanode enables the integrated metal sulfide photoanode–perovskite solar cell system to deliver a STH conversion efficiency of 3.3%.
Spontaneous Alignment of Self‐Assembled Cationic and Amphiphilic β‐Sheet Peptides
Authors: Yosefi Gal , Cohen‐Erez Ifat , Nativ‐Roth Einat , Rapaport Hanna , Bitton Ronit
Published: June 2020

Aligned peptide assemblies are of interest for both fundamental understanding of biological systems as well as development of novel biomaterials. Herein, Pro‐Lys‐(Phe‐Lys)5‐Pro (PFK), a cationic and amphiphilic β‐sheet synthetic peptide that self‐assembles into fibrils, capable of undergoing spontaneous isotropic to nematic phase transition, that intrinsically aligns in solution, is presented. Upon dissolution PFK forms isotropically dispersed fibrils due to delicate balance between attractive H bonds and hydrophobic interactions to electrostatic repulsive forces. The transition from isotropic to nematic phase alignment occurring over a period of several days is monitored in situ by both small‐angle X‐ray scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The degree of alignment and the time required to achieve a complete isotropic–nematic phase transition of PFK fibrils in aqueous solution is found to be concentration dependent as predicted by Onsager's excluded volume theory. Remarkably, PFK nematic phases remain aligned over the course of several months without the application of any external stimuli. Aligned PFK gels can be formed by mild shearing through a salty medium. This system provides a novel route for producing nanoscale aligned materials for potential biomedical applications.
Influence of PEDOT:PSS Coating Thickness on the Performance of Stimulation Electrodes
Authors: Dijk Gerwin , Ruigrok Hermanus J. , O'Connor Rodney P.
Published: June 2020

Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is a conducting polymer commonly used to coat the electrodes of biomedical devices to reduce impedance and improve charge injection. The stimulation performance of such electrodes depends on coating thickness due to the volumetric properties of the conducting polymer. Here, the influence of PEDOT:PSS coating thickness on impedance, charge injection, and electrode stability is examined. The results show that stacking spin‐coated layers is a reliable method to control coating thickness without introducing electronic or ionic blocking elements in between layers. Besides improving the polymer‐electrolyte interaction due to a higher capacitance, thicker coatings can endure more stimulation pulses and withstand higher voltages without loss of performance, thus enhancing the lifetime of the electrode. This work presents fundamental insights into the coupling of PEDOT:PSS coated electrodes with electrolytes and provides guidance in the development of organic bioelectronic stimulation devices for optimum performance and longevity.
Macroscopic Orientational Gold Nanorods Monolayer Film with Excellent Photothermal Anticounterfeiting Performance
Authors: Song Liping , Qiu Nianxiang , Huang Youju , Cheng Qian , Yang Yanping , Lin Han , Su Fengmei , Chen Tao
Published: June 2020

Constructing 2D gold nanorods monolayer films with precise particle assembly is of great importance to fundamental and real applications. However, it is usually difficult to achieve macroscopic size, freestanding feature, high density of particle packing, and precisely controllable particle orientation in monolayer films. In this work, a macroscopic, uniform, freestanding orientational monolayer film is facilely and controllably prepared through precise assembly of asymmetrically modified gold nanorods at water–oil interface. The assembling morphologies can be controlled through regulating the interaction between gold nanorods by varying the amounts and sites of modified molecules. The intriguing tunable assemblies exhibit not only adjustable absorption spectrum in a wide range attributed to different particle coupling, but also optimized photothermal conversion capability under low energy density (0.08 W cm‐2). Together with a commercial thermochromic dye, the patterned assemblies show excellent photothermal anti‐counterfeiting performance by reproducing accurate full images in 20 s that are invisible after laser off in 10 min. The excellent laser writing performance is also demonstrated by writing any information on thermochromic dye‐coated assemblies. With the advantages of being macroscopic, equipment‐free, transferable, scalable and with high photothermal conversion capability, the orientational monolayer films pave the way for on‐demand design of sensing and device applications.
Vacuum‐Processed Small Molecule Organic Photodetectors with Low Dark Current Density and Strong Response to Near‐Infrared Wavelength
Authors: Lee Chih‐Chien , Estrada Richie , Li Ya‐Ze , Biring Sajal , Amin Nurul Ridho Al , Li Meng‐Zhen , Liu Shun‐Wei , Wong Ken‐Tsung
Published: June 2020

A near‐infrared photodetector with optimized performance is reported using varied thickness (20, 40, 60, and 80 nm) of the active layer comprising chloroaluminium phthalocyanine (ClAlPc) and fullerene (C70) at the ratio of 1:3, and TAPC:10% MoO3 and BPhen as electron and hole blocking layers, respectively. The experimental results reveal that the photodetector with 80 nm thick active layer provides the best performance at the wavelength of 730 nm achieving a very low dark current density of 1.15 × 10−9 A cm−2 and an external quantum efficiency of 74.6% with a responsivity of 0.439 A W−1 at −2 V bias. Additionally, the device exhibits a dramatic high detectivity of 4.14 × 1013 cm Hz1/2 W−1 at 0 V bias. The device exhibits not only a large linear response over a wide optical power range (LDR of 173.0 dB), but also a broad frequency response (778.7 kHz) and rise/fall time of 2.13/0.77 µs (based on trigger pulses at a frequency of 10 kHz) at the applied bias of −2 V. Based on the impedance spectroscopic study and the conventional characterization of electro‐optical properties, the results demonstrate the superiority of this device over other small molecule‐based near‐infrared photodetectors.
Modularly Engineered Solid‐Phase Synthesis of Aptamer‐Functionalized Small Molecule Drugs for Targeted Cancer Therapy
Authors: Wang Dan , Peng Yongbo , Deng Zhengyu , Tan Yan , Su Yuanye , Kuai Hailan , Ai Lili , Huang Zhiyong , Wang Xue‐Qiang , Zhang Xiaobing , Tan Weihong
Published: June 2020

Biomarker‐guided anticancer strategy has evolved into one of the most reliable and efficient cancer treatment techniques. However, most targeted anticancer molecular platforms are constructed in liquid phase with multi‐step synthesis and complex purification. This work describes a general and modular solid‐phase synthesis strategy to engineer novel targeted anticancer therapeutics based on aptamer‐functionalized small molecule drugs (ASMD). Specifically, anticancer agent Combretastatin A4 (CA4) is transformed into a phosphoramidite module, and then is incorporated into aptamer Sgc8c via automated DNA synthesis technique to obtain intracellular phosphatase‐responsive Sgc8c‐CA4 conjugate (SC). In the rational design, SC retains excellent recognition ability and cytotoxicity against its target colorectal cancer cells. SC shows more efficient and safer therapy than CA4 both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the cellular events of SC are systematically visualized when they encounter the target cancer cells. The visualizing mechanism gives a clear picture of the anticancer function of targeted therapeutics against cancer cells. These results may pave the way for utilizing molecularly engineered ASMDs to develop more novel targeted cancer therapeutics for the treatment of different cancer types.
Imidazole Type Antifungal Drugs Are Effective Colistin Adjuvants That Resensitize Colistin‐Resistant Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Xu Chen , Chen Kaichao , Chan Kin Fai , Chan Edward Wai Chi , Guo Xuyun , Chow Hoi Yee , Zhao Guangming , Zeng Ping , Wang Miaomiao , Zhu Ye , Li Xuechen , Wong Kwok‐Yin , Chen Sheng
Published: June 2020

The clinical value of the last‐line antibiotic colistin is limited by its toxicity and the increasing prevalence of drug resistance in recent years. These two issues can be tackled by searching for adjuvant compounds that enhance colistin activity and facilitate reduction of treatment dosage. This study identifies a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved drug, econazole, which can act synergistically with colistin to effectively eradicate colistin‐resistant bacteria both in vitro and in a mouse infection model, and treat infections caused by colistin‐susceptible bacteria in lower doses. Structural analysis shows that econazole exhibits high lipid affinity and acts as an ionophore. Functional assays and microscopy analysis confirm that econazole causes dissipation of transmembrane proton motive force (PMF) and damage to the bacterial cell membrane. Its synergistic effect with colistin might be due to the combination of these two compounds causing further collapse of PMF, arrest of various cellular functions, and eventually cell death. These findings suggest that the econazole and colistin drug combination is highly effective in eradicating colistin‐resistant Gram negative bacterial pathogens regardless of their mechanism of colistin resistance.
Interface Engineering Driven Stabilization of Halide Perovskites against Moisture, Heat, and Light for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Singh Aditya Narayan , Kajal Sandeep , Kim Junu , Jana Atanu , Kim Jin Young , Kim Kwang S.
Published: June 2020

Moisture, heat, and light instabilities of halide perovskites (HPs) represent a serious Achilles' heel that must be overcome, to enable future advancements in perovskite‐based optoelectronic devices such as solar cells and light‐emitting diodes. The instabilities are attributed to the unavoidable fragile ionic bonding between cationic and anionic parts of HPs during their formation. Surface passivation of HPs by various surface‐passivating materials has proven to be an attractive approach to stabilize perovskites against moisture, heat, and light, keeping intact their structural integrity and ionic bonding. Herein, the experimental and theoretical background for degradation mechanisms of HPs is reviewed along with various surface passivating materials to stabilize HPs. Finally, the existing challenges associated with thin‐film and device fabrication and an outlook for improving the stability of perovskites in optoelectronics are presented
Highly Elastic Binder for Improved Cyclability of Nickel‐Rich Layered Cathode Materials in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Chang Barsa , Kim Jaemin , Cho Yunshik , Hwang Insu , Jung Min Soo , Char Kookheon , Lee Kyu Tae , Kim Ki Jae , Choi Jang Wook
Published: June 2020

Nickel‐rich layered cathode materials are predominantly used for lithium‐ion batteries intended for electric vehicles owing to their high specific capacities and minimal use of high‐cost cobalt. The intrinsic drawbacks of nickel‐rich layered cathode materials with regard to cycle life and safety have largely been addressed by doping and by applying surface coatings. Here, it is reported that a highly elastic binder, namely spandex, can overcome the problems of nickel‐rich layered cathode materials and improve their electrochemical properties drastically. The high elasticity of spandex allows it to uniformly coat LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 particles via shear force during slurry mixing to protect the particles from undesired interfacial reactions during cycling. The uniform coating of spandex, together with its hydrogen bonding interaction with LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2, leads to enhanced particle‐to‐particle interaction, which has multiple advantages, such as high loading capability, superior rate and cycling performance, and low binder content. This study highlights the promise of elastic binders to meet the ever‐challenging criteria with respect to nickel‐rich cathode materials in cells targeting electric vehicles.
An Areal‐Energy Standard to Validate Air‐Breathing Electrodes for Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Hopkins Brandon J. , Chervin Christopher N. , Parker Joseph F. , Long Jeffrey W. , Rolison Debra R.
Published: June 2020

Rechargeable zinc–air batteries may become safe, sustainable, low‐cost, and energy‐dense alternatives to Li‐ion batteries for many applications, but problems associated with today's air‐breathing electrodes limit zinc–air performance. To overcome this challenge, researchers have investigated hundreds of air‐breathing electrode variations over the last decade. Unfortunately, the efficacy of these variations remains ambiguous due to nonstandardized cycling protocols that map to areal‐energy values spanning five orders of magnitude. To compete with Li‐ion batteries, researchers should cycle zinc–air cells at 35 mWh cmgeo−2, but only 8, of the 100 publications reviewed here, breach this threshold. Once the community cycles zinc–air cells at the proposed areal energy and better understands failure mechanisms, lab‐scale results will translate to practical advancements.
Medieval menarche: Changes in pubertal timing before and after the Black Death
Authors: DeWitte Sharon N. , Lewis Mary
Published: June 2020

Objectives

Bioarcheological evidence suggests stature increased in males but decreased in females after the Black Death (1348‐1350 CE). Because tradeoffs between growth and reproduction can result in earlier ages at menarche and lower limb length, we assess menarcheal age between 1120 and 1540 CE to better understand the health of medieval adolescent females before and after the plague.

Materials and Methods

Our sample comprises 74 adolescent females from St. Mary Spital, London (1120‐1540 CE) within the age range during which menarche occurs (10‐25 years). They were assessed as being pre‐ or post‐menarcheal and divided into three groups: Early Pre‐Black Death (n = 13), Late Pre‐Black Death (n = 38), and Post‐Black Death (n = 23). Changes in the ages of pre‐ and post‐menarcheal females were assessed using Mann‐Whitney tests.

Results

The average age of post‐menarcheal females increased from the Early‐ to Late Pre‐Black Death periods and declined after the Black Death.

Conclusions

Short stature can reflect unfavorable growth environments, while younger menarcheal age indicates improved living conditions. The paradoxical pattern of female, but not male, stature reduction after the Black Death might reflect the association of early menarche with lower limb length and signal that adolescent females experienced improved health conditions after the epidemic. Our focus on pre‐ and post‐menarche within a limited age span provides a novel approach for inferring average ages of menarche over time. Pathways to skeletal development and reproductive investment are part of an integrated system, providing a bridge between life history research in bioarchaeology and human biology.
P > .05: The incorrect interpretation of “not significant” results is a significant problem
Authors: Smith Richard J.
Published: June 2020

Statistically nonsignificant (p > .05) results from a null hypothesis significance test (NHST) are often mistakenly interpreted as evidence that the null hypothesis is true—that there is “no effect” or “no difference.” However, many of these results occur because the study had low statistical power to detect an effect. Power below 50% is common, in which case a result of no statistical significance is more likely to be incorrect than correct. The inference of “no effect” is not valid even if power is high. NHST assumes that the null hypothesis is true; p is the probability of the data under the assumption that there is no effect. A statistical test cannot confirm what it assumes. These incorrect statistical inferences could be eliminated if decisions based on p values were replaced by a biological evaluation of effect sizes and their confidence intervals. For a single study, the observed effect size is the best estimate of the population effect size, regardless of the p value. Unlike p values, confidence intervals provide information about the precision of the observed effect. In the biomedical and pharmacology literature, methods have been developed to evaluate whether effects are “equivalent,” rather than zero, as tested with NHST. These methods could be used by biological anthropologists to evaluate the presence or absence of meaningful biological effects. Most of what appears to be known about no difference or no effect between sexes, between populations, between treatments, and other circumstances in the biological anthropology literature is based on invalid statistical inference.
Metal‐Based Multihelicenic Architectures
Authors: Gauthier Etienne S. , Rodríguez Rafael , Crassous Jeanne
Published: June 2020

The preparation of multihelicenic systems by conventional organic synthesis is a challenging task and under continuous development. In parallel, using complexing units grafted to or incorporated within the helicene core and taking advantage of coordination/organometallic chemistry constitutes a powerful strategy to obtain multihelicenic structures. This Minireview focuses on the state‐of‐the‐art preparation of metal‐based multihelicenic architectures such as coordination‐driven supramolecular assemblies and organometallic architectures. Their properties and their applications are presented.
Hydroxymethylation of xylenol over micro/mesoporous TiO2‐containing bifunctional catalyst: Effect of the Y zeolite incorporation with MCM‐41
Authors: Xv Yajin , Tao Ning , Feng Yuchen , Lv Jianhua , Liu Jidong
Published: June 2020

The hydrodemethylation reaction of 3,4‐xylenol on micro/mesoporous catalysts with active component TiO2 was studied. TiO2/YM‐m and TiO2/YM‐c micro/mesoporous materials were, respectively, derived by loading TiO2 with the composition and mechanical mixing of Al‐MCM‐41 and HY zeolite. The effect of the bifunctional catalysts on the catalytic performance of hydroxymethylation of xylenol before and after the introduction of Al‐MCM‐41 into HY was investigated in this study. Compared with TiO2/Y catalyst, TiO2/MCM‐41, TiO2/YM‐m, and TiO2/YM‐c have higher selective dealkylation products, especially the selectivity of cresol. This is attributed to the addition of Al‐MCM‐41 mesoporous molecular sieve to eliminate diffusion limitation. Compared with TiO2/YM‐m catalyst, the TiO2/YM‐c composite with Al‐MCM‐41 coated structure grown on the surface of HY crystals has better catalytic conversion activity and ability to inhibit secondary reactions. This is because of the existence of the special “coating” of HY zeolite, which eliminates the diffusion limitation and prevents the product and the reaction intermediate from entering the micropores for multiple reactions, thereby reducing the occurrence of side reactions. Meanwhile, TiO2/YM‐c catalyst has the best demethylation performance under the optimal reaction conditions, the conversion of 3,4‐xylenol, the selectivity to phenol, and m‐cresol were 52.15%, 62.17%, and 36.32%, respectively. And the TiO2/YM‐c catalyst has good stability within 80 h of reaction.
When more is less: The P‐type binary habitability paradox
Authors: Cuntz Manfred , Wang Zhaopeng
Published: June 2020

In the case of single stars, larger stellar luminosities always entail larger habitable zones (HZs). If the stellar luminosity is increased, the HZs are established at larger stellar distances, and their widths are broader. However, studies have shown that this behavior is not necessarily the case for P‐type HZs of binary systems. In some of those systems, the width of the circumbinary HZ is smaller (or even nonexisting) than the width of the primary's HZ if they are considered a single star—an obvious paradox considering that the total luminosity of the binary is always larger than that of the system's primary. Here, we present a tutorial study of this behavior for theoretical main‐sequence stars with the combined masses of the stellar components equal to two solar masses. The planetary climate models are chosen in correspondence to the general HZ. The paradox is found to occur for systems of relatively unequal stellar masses (or luminosities) or in systems where the separation distances or eccentricities of the stellar components are relatively large.
Mapping the Relationship between Dysmorphology and Cognitive, Behavioral, and Developmental Outcomes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Tian Lin H. , Wiggins Lisa D. , Schieve Laura A. , Yeargin‐Allsopp Marshalyn , Dietz Patricia , Aylsworth Arthur S. , Elias Ellen R. , Hoover‐Fong Julie E. , Meeks Naomi J. L. , Souders Margaret C. , Tsai Anne C.‐H. , Zackai Elaine H. , Alexander Aimee A. , Dowling Nicole F. , Shapira Stuart K.
Published: June 2020

Previous studies investigating the association between dysmorphology and cognitive, behavioral, and developmental outcomes among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been limited by the binary classification of dysmorphology and lack of comparison groups. We assessed the association using a continuous measure of dysmorphology severity (DS) in preschool children aged 2–5 years (322 with ASD and intellectual disability [ID], 188 with ASD without ID, and 371 without ASD from the general population [POP]). In bivariate analyses, an inverse association between DS and expressive language, receptive language, fine motor, and visual reception skills was observed in children with ASD and ID. An inverse association of DS with fine motor and visual reception skills, but not expressive language and receptive language, was found in children with ASD without ID. No associations were observed in POP children. These results persisted after exclusion of children with known genetic syndromes or major morphologic anomalies. Quantile regression models showed that the inverse relationships remained significant after adjustment for sex, race/ethnicity, maternal education, family income, study site, and preterm birth. DS was not associated with autistic traits or autism symptom severity, behaviors, or regression among children with ASD with or without ID. Thus, DS was associated with a global impairment of cognitive functioning in children with ASD and ID, but only with fine motor and visual reception deficits in children with ASD without ID. A better understanding is needed for mechanisms that explain the association between DS and cognitive impairment in children with different disorders. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1227‐1238. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

We examined whether having more dysmorphic features (DFs) was related to developmental problems among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with or without intellectual disability (ID), and children without ASD from the general population (POP). Children with ASD and ID had more language, movement, and learning issues as the number of DFs increased. Children with ASD without ID had more movement and learning issues as the number of DFs increased. These relationships were not observed in the POP group. Implications are discussed.
The role of the urologist, BCG vaccine administration, and SARS‐CoV‐2: An overview
Authors: Brooks Nathan A. , Narayan Vikram , Hegarty Paul K. , Zafirakis Helen , Han Xiang‐Yang , Kamat Ashish M.
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To summarize the available literature regarding bacillus Calmette‐Guerin (BCG) administration, severe acute respiratory syndrome conoravirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), and the resulting clinical condition coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) in light of recent epidemiologic work suggesting decreased infection severity in BCG immunized populations while highlighting the potential role of the urologist in clinical trials and ongoing research efforts.

Materials and methods

We reviewed the available literature regarding COVID‐19 and BCG vaccination. Specifically, the epidemiologic evidence for decreased COVID‐19 morbidity in countries with BCG vaccination programs, current clinical trials for BCG vaccination to protect against COVID‐19, potential mechanisms and rationale for this protection, and the role of the urologist and urology clinic in providing support and/or leading ongoing efforts.

Results

Epidemiologic evidence suggests that the crude case fatality rates are lower for countries with BCG vaccination compared to those without such programs. Four prospective, randomized clinical trials for BCG vaccination were identified including NCT04348370 (BADAS), NCT04327206 (BRACE), NCT04328441 (BCG‐CORONA), and NCT04350931. BCG administration may contribute to innate and adaptive immune priming with several opportunities for translational research.

Conclusions

The urologist’s expertise with BCG and the infrastructure of urologic clinics may afford several opportunities for collaboration and leadership to evaluate and understand the potential role of BCG in the current COVID‐19 pandemic.
Structural Basis of Nucleosome Recognition and Modulation
Authors: Sundaram Rajivgandhi , Vasudevan Dileep
Published: June 2020

Chromatin structure and dynamics regulate key cellular processes such as DNA replication, transcription, repair, remodeling, and gene expression, wherein different protein factors interact with the nucleosomes. In these events, DNA and RNA polymerases, chromatin remodeling enzymes and transcription factors interact with nucleosomes, either in a DNA‐sequence‐specific manner and/or by recognizing different structural features on the nucleosome. The molecular details of the recognition of a nucleosome by different viral proteins, remodeling enzymes, histone post‐translational modifiers, and RNA polymerase II, have been explored in the recent past. The present review puts forth critical insights into the basic mechanisms of nucleosome recognition by the various protein factors and the role of distinct surface epitopes on a nucleosome. These determinants of the underlying specificity include features such as the acidic patch, arginine anchor, histone post‐translational modifications, core DNA, DNA lesions, and linker DNA.
Emerging High‐Level Tigecycline Resistance: Novel Tetracycline Destructases Spread via the Mobile Tet(X)
Authors: Fang Liang‐Xing , Chen Chong , Cui Chao‐Yue , Li Xing‐Ping , Zhang Yan , Liao Xiao‐Ping , Sun Jian , Liu Ya‐Hong
Published: June 2020

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria has become a great threat to global public health. Tigecycline is a next‐generation tetracycline that is the final line of defense against severe infections by pan‐drug‐resistant bacterial pathogens. Unfortunately, this last‐resort antibiotic has been challenged by the recent emergence of the mobile Tet(X) orthologs that can confer high‐level tigecycline resistance. As it is reviewed here, these novel tetracycline destructases represent a growing threat to the next‐generation tetracyclines, and a basic framework for understanding the molecular epidemiology and resistance mechanisms of them is presented. However, further large‐scale epidemiological and functional studies are urgently needed to better understand the prevalence and dissemination of these newly discovered Tet(X) orthologs among Gram‐negative bacteria in both human and veterinary medicine.
Bayesian confidence intervals for the difference between variances of delta‐lognormal distributions
Authors: Maneerat Patcharee , Niwitpong Sa‐Aat , Niwitpong Suparat
Published: June 2020

Unnatural rainfall fluctuation can result in such severe natural phenomena as drought and floods. This variability not only occurs in areas with unusual natural features such as land formations and drainage but can also be due to human intervention. Since rainfall data often contain zero values, evaluating rainfall change is an important undertaking, which can be estimated via the confidence intervals for the difference between delta‐lognormal variances using the highest posterior density–based reference (HPD‐ref) and probability‐matching (HPD‐pm) priors. Simulation results indicate that HPD‐pm performances were better than other methods in terms of coverage rates and relative average lengths for the difference in delta‐lognormal variances, even with a large difference in variances. To illustrate the efficacy of our proposed methods, we applied them to daily rainfall data sets for the lower and upper regions of northern Thailand.
Parametric mode regression for bounded responses
Authors: Zhou Haiming , Huang Xianzheng ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: June 2020

We propose new parametric frameworks of regression analysis with the conditional mode of a bounded response as the focal point of interest. Covariate effects estimation and prediction based on the maximum likelihood method under two new classes of regression models are demonstrated. We also develop graphical and numerical diagnostic tools to detect various sources of model misspecification. Predictions based on different central tendency measures inferred using various regression models are compared using synthetic data in simulations. Finally, we conduct regression analysis for data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative to demonstrate practical implementation of the proposed methods. Supporting Information that contain technical details and additional simulation and data analysis results are available online.
Selective quantification of lacosamide in human plasma using UPLC–MS/MS: Application to pharmacokinetic study in healthy subjects with different doses
Authors: Bharwad Kirtikumar D. , Shah Priyanka A. , Shrivastav Pranav S. , Sharma Vinay S.
Published: June 2020

A practical, sensitive, and robust UPLC–MS/MS method was developed and validated to quantify lacosamide in human plasma. A simple one‐step protein precipitation was used to extract lacosamide and labeled lacosamide‐13C, D3 as an internal standard (IS) from 150‐μL plasma. The extracts were analyzed on an Eclipse Plus C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) using 0.1% formic acid in water and methanol:acetonitrile (50:50, v/v) under gradient conditions. The extracts were quantified on LCMS‐8040 using electrospray ionization source operated in positive ionization and multiple reaction monitoring modes. The method showed good linearity from 0.02 to 20 μg/mL, which was adequate to cover lacosamide concentration assayed in formulations with different strengths. The bioanalytical assay was fully validated as per current regulatory guidelines. The intra‐batch and inter‐batch precision values of lacosamide were less than 4.6%. Lacosamide was found to be stable at different storage conditions. The extraction recoveries and IS‐normalized matrix factors for lacosamide ranged from 97.17 to 99.68% and from 0.973 to 1.012, respectively. The validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study with three lacosamide formulations (50, 100, and 200 mg) in 36 healthy subjects. The assay reliability was determined by reanalysis of 81 subject samples.
Circular economy business models: The state of research and avenues ahead
Authors: Ferasso Marcos , Beliaeva Tatiana , Kraus Sascha , Clauss Thomas , Ribeiro‐Soriano Domingo
Published: June 2020

This study investigates how the circular economy and business models are related in the current business and management literature. Based on bibliometric analytical procedures, 253 articles were retrieved from the Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect scientific databases. The articles were analyzed according to network analysis principles, and key terms were mapped into a network. We used VOSviewer to build the network, explore the most‐researched terms and their relationships, and identify less‐explored terms and research gaps. We furthermore conducted a qualitative review of selected publications to provide an illustration of quantitative results and delve deeper into the research topics. The main findings revealed the networks of current topics as they appear in the publications such as business models, the circular economy, circular business models, value, supply chain, transition, resource, waste, and reuse, and their most prevalent relationships. The results also highlighted several emerging topics such as those connected with managerial, supply‐side, demand‐side, networking, performance, and contextual considerations of circular business models.
Discordance between pediatric self‐report and parent proxy‐report symptom scores and creation of a dyad symptom screening tool (co‐SSPedi)
Authors: Tomlinson Deborah , Plenert Erin , Dadzie Grace , Loves Robyn , Cook Sadie , Schechter Tal , Furtado Jennifer , Dupuis L. Lee , Sung Lillian
Published: June 2020

Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi) (age 8‐18 years) and mini‐SSPedi (age 4‐7 years) can be used to self‐report and proxy‐report bothersome symptoms in pediatric patients receiving cancer treatments. There are limitations of sole child self‐report or proxy‐report. An approach in which children and parents complete symptom reports together may be useful. The aim of our study was to describe discordance between child self‐report and parent proxy‐report symptom scores, and to determine how these scores compare to an approach in which reporting is performed together (co‐SSPedi). Children and parents completed SSPedi or mini‐SSPedi separately. Discordant symptoms were shared with respondents and discussed. Next, the dyad completed co‐SSPedi together and were asked which approach they preferred. Discordance was evaluated for each symptom and was defined as a difference of at least 2 points on an ordinal scale ranging from 0 (not at all bothered) to 4 (extremely bothered). Of the 48 enrolled dyads (children, median age, 10.8 years; 54.2% male), 41 (85.4%) had discordance in at least one symptom. There was no clear pattern in discordance by age group. When a dyad approach was used, more co‐SSPedi scores agreed with the original child self‐report scores (59 dyads, 56.2%) compared to original parent proxy‐report scores (15 dyads, 14.3%) for discordant symptoms. Forty‐three (89.6%) dyads preferred to complete SSPedi together. Future work should evaluate the psychometric properties of co‐SSPedi.
Abusive Head Trauma in Infants: Incidence and Detection of Prior Brain Injury
Authors: Sirmai Naomi , Garside Lydia , Tzioumi Dimitra
Published: June 2020

Diagnosis of abusive head trauma (AHT) is challenging; clinical signs are non‐specific and perpetrator confessions are rare. Moreover, many infants sustain multiple episodes of abuse before presenting to medical practitioners. The objective of this study was to quantify the incidence of prior presentations with features of brain injury in AHT, and to compare these figures to those in non‐abusive head trauma (non‐AHT). Data on children under the age of two years who were assessed for AHT by the Child Protection Unit of Sydney Children's Hospital between 2008 and 2017 were collected, and AHT cases were compared with non‐abusive cases. Of the 167 cases assessed for head trauma, 26 per cent had at least one prior presentation to medical care. This was 42 per cent of the AHT cases, and 11 per cent of the non‐AHT cases. Odds ratio calculations revealed infants with AHT were 5.7 times more likely to have had a prior presentation than children with non‐AHT (CI = 2.4–13.17, p < 0.001). Infants with AHT are much more likely than infants with non‐AHT to have presented previously to medical practitioners. This difference suggests that there is an early diagnostic window within which abuse can be detected before it continues or escalates. Careful evaluation of an infant is of paramount importance, and may save a life.

‘[Aims] to quantify the incidence of prior presentations with features of brain injury in AHT, and to compare these figures to those in non‐abusive head trauma’

Key Practitioner Messages

Medical practitioners should consider the possibility of brain injury in a child presenting with non‐specific symptoms, and consider that this brain injury could be abusive in nature.

Suspicions of abusive head trauma should be increased if the child has presented with signs consistent with brain injury before.

Suspicions of abusive head trauma should be increased if there is no mechanism of an injury provided by the child's carer.
Social norms and plastic avoidance: Testing the theory of normative social behaviour on an environmental behaviour
Authors: Borg Kim , Curtis Jim , Lindsay Jo
Published: June 2020

Plastic pollution is a critical global sustainability challenge, but the social norms associated with single‐use plastics are changing. These new norms could be encouraging consumer behaviour change by highlighting which behaviours are common and acceptable. This paper explores the role of social norms in predicting plastic avoidance, using the theory of normative social behaviour (TNSB). A representative survey (n = 1,001) was conducted measuring consumer behaviour in relation to four single‐use plastic items (bags, straws, coffee cups, and take‐away containers). Descriptive norms were found to be the strongest predictor of plastic avoidance and most of the remaining variables moderated the norm‐behaviour relationship. However, the relative importance of each variable differed depending on the specific item and behaviour. These findings indicate that there is an opportunity to use social norm messaging to close the perception‐action gap among consumers in order to address a global sustainability problem.
Retracted: Tormentic acid inhibits hepatic stellate cells activation via blocking PI3K/Akt/mTOR and NF‐κB signalling pathways
Authors: Lin Xing , Li Yan , Zhang Xiaoling , Wei Yuanyuan , Wen Shujuan , Lu Zhongpeng , Huang Quanfang , Wei Jinbin
Published: June 2020

The present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect and underlying mechanism of Tormentic acid (TA) on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). HSC‐T6 cells were stimulated with Platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB (PDGF‐BB) and TA, and then cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammatory factor, and collagen‐related indicators were detected. In order to elucidate the potential mechanism, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and NF‐κB signalling pathways were also detected. The results showed that TA treatment markedly inhibited PDGF‐BB‐stimulated HSC‐T6 cell activation, as evidenced by the inhibition of cell proliferation, migration and colony formation, as well as the decreased expression of TGF‐β and α‐SMA. TA treatment caused a significant increase in the activity of lactate dehydrogenase and significantly promoted cell apoptosis. TA treatment significantly reduced aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin activity. Importantly, TA inhibited the expression of collagen type I and III, alleviating the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Further experiments showed that TA administration significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, FAK and mTOR and the protein expression of P70S6K, indicating the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Moreover, treatment with TA markedly decreased the phosphorylation of IκBα, NF‐κB p65 and IKKα/β, thereby blocking the NF‐κB signal transduction. In summary, this study demonstrates that TA significantly inhibits HSC activation and promotes cell apoptosis via the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and NF‐κB signalling pathways.

Significance of the study

Tormentic acid (TA) could inhibit HSC activation and alleviate collagen‐based ECM deposition, suggesting that TA exerted anti‐hepatic fibrosis. Further mechanism research revealed that the inhibition of TA on HSC activation might be through blocking the PI3K/Akt/mTOR and NF‐κB signalling pathways. These findings provided a new cue to understand the protective effect of TA against liver fibrosis, which may provide a potential nature medicine for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
HSP90 inhibitors strengthen extracellular ATP‐stimulated synthesis of interleukin‐6 in osteoblasts: Amplification of p38 MAP kinase
Authors: Hioki Tomoyuki , Tokuda Haruhiko , Nakashima Daiki , Fujita Kazuhiko , Kawabata Tetsu , Sakai Go , Kim Woo , Tachi Junko , Tanabe Kumiko , Matsushima‐Nishiwaki Rie , Otsuka Takanobu , Iida Hiroki , Kozawa Osamu
Published: June 2020

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is expressed ubiquitously in a variety of cell types including osteoblasts. HSP90 acts as a key driver of proteostasis under pathophysiological conditions. Here, we investigated the involvement of HSP90 in extracellular ATP‐stimulated interleukin (IL)‐6 synthesis and HSP90 downstream signalling in osteoblast‐like MC3T3‐E1 cells. In osteoblasts, extracellular ATP stimulates the synthesis of IL‐6, a bone‐remodelling agent. Geldanamycin, 17‐allylamino‐17‐demethoxy‐geldanamycin (17‐AAG) and onalespib, three different HSP90 inhibitors, amplified the ATP‐stimulated IL‐6 release. Geldanamycin increased IL‐6 mRNA expression elicited by ATP. ATP enhanced the triiodothyronine‐induced osteocalcin release, but HSP90 inhibitors suppressed the release. Extracellular ATP induced the phosphorylation of p44/p42 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), p38 MAPK, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), p70 S6 kinase, Akt, and myosin phosphatase‐targeting subunit (MYPT), a Rho‐kinase substrate. SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, suppressed ATP‐stimulated IL‐6 release. Inhibitors of MEK1/2 (PD98059), JNK (SP600125), upstream kinase of p70 S6 kinase (rapamycin) and Akt (deguelin), all increased IL‐6 release. Y27632, a Rho‐kinase inhibitor, failed to affect the IL‐6 release stimulated by ATP. Geldanamycin and 17‐AAG both amplified ATP‐induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation, although geldanamycin inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt induced by ATP. In addition, SB203580 significantly reduced the amplification by geldanamycin of the IL‐6 release. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that HSP90 inhibitors up‐regulate extracellular ATP‐stimulated IL‐6 synthesis via amplification of p38 MAPK activation in osteoblasts.

Significance of the study

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) acts as a key driver of proteostasis under pathophysiological conditions in a variety of cell types. We have previously shown that HSP90 is expressed at high levels in osteoblast‐like MC3T3‐E1 cells, even in their quiescent state, consistent with HSP90 performing an important physiological function in osteoblasts. In the present study, we investigated whether HSP90 is implicated in extracellular ATP‐induced interleukin (IL)‐6 synthesis in osteoblast‐like MC3T3‐E1 cells. Our results strongly suggest that HSP90 inhibitors up‐regulate extracellular ATP‐stimulated IL‐6 synthesis via amplification of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation in osteoblasts.