bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Traditional Birth Attendant Training in Mozambique: A Controlled Study
Authors: Gloyd Stephen , Floriano Florencia , Midwife Maria Seunda , Chadreque Maria Ana , Nyangezi Jules Mihigo , Platas Angelina
Published: July 2002

This study was designed to assess the utility and impact on perinatal mortality of a model traditional birth attendant (TBA) training program in rural Mozambique by comparing birth attendance and outcomes in similar communities with and without trained TBAs. Birth attendants and pregnancy outcomes were compared in 1) communities with good access to trained TBAs, 2) randomly selected, comparable communities with no access to trained TBAs, and 3) communities with good access to functioning maternities. Information was collected by interviews with women in randomly selected households. A total of 4,169 women were interviewed who reported on 3,616 completed pregnancies, which resulted in a birth or fetal death. Among women with good access to trained TBAs, 33% reported giving birth attended by a trained TBA, 43% reported giving birth at a health facility, and 24% reported giving birth attended by an untrained person. Among women without access to trained TBAs, 58% reported giving birth at health facilities, and 42% reported attendance by untrained persons. Among women with access to functioning maternity centers, 77% reported giving birth at a health facility and 22% said their birth was attended by an untrained person. There was no significant difference in perinatal or infant mortality among the groups. This study demonstrated a preference for health facility deliveries among rural Mozambican women with good access to trained TBAs. It also failed to demonstrate a reduction in perinatal or infant mortality associated with TBA training. Women said they preferred to deliver in health facilities because conditions were considered better and interventions could be performed if needed. The preference for health facility birth over home birth with a TBA may have been related to difficulties with TBA neighbors and their families or fear of potential witchcraft. Efforts to promote TBA training should be balanced with support for birthing services based in health facilities.
Childhood cancer mortality trends in the Americas and Australasia: An update to 2017
Authors: Malvezzi Matteo , Santucci Claudia , Alicandro Gianfranco , Carioli Greta , Boffetta Paolo , Ribeiro Karina Braga , Levi Fabio , La Vecchia Carlo , Negri Eva , Bertuccio Paola
Published: May 2021

Background

Marked reductions in childhood cancer mortality occurred over the last decades in high‐income countries and, to a lesser degree, in middle‐income countries. This study aimed to monitor mortality trends in the Americas and Australasia, focusing on areas showing unsatisfactory trends.

Methods

Age‐standardized mortality rates per 100,000 children (aged 0‐14 years) from 1990 to 2017 (or the last available calendar year) were computed for all neoplasms and 8 leading childhood cancers in countries from the Americas and Australasia, using data from the World Health Organization database. A joinpoint regression was used to identify changes in slope of mortality trends for all neoplasms, leukemia, and neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS) for major countries.

Results

Over the last decades, childhood cancer mortality continued to decrease by approximately 2% to 3% per year in Australasian countries (ie, Japan, Korea, and Australia), by approximately 1.5% to 2% in North America and Chile, and 1% in Argentina. Other Latin American countries did not show any substantial decrease. Leukemia mortality declined in most countries, whereas less favorable trends were registered for CNS neoplasms, particularly in Latin America. Around 2016, death rates from all neoplasms were 4 to 6 per 100,000 boys and 3 to 4 per 100,000 girls in Latin America, and 2 to 3 per 100,000 boys and approximately 2 per 100,000 girls in North America and Australasia.

Conclusions

Childhood cancer mortality trends declined steadily in North America and Australasia, whereas they were less favorable in most Latin American countries. Priority must be given to closing the gap by providing high‐quality care for all children with cancer worldwide.

Lay Summary

Advances in childhood cancer management have substantially improved the burden of these neoplasms over the past 40 years, particularly in high‐income countries.

This study aimed to monitor recent trends in America and Australasia using mortality data from the World Health Organization.

Trends in childhood cancer mortality continued to decline in high‐income countries by approximately 2% to 3% per year in Japan, Korea, and Australia, and 1% to 2% in North America.

Only a few Latin American countries showed favorable trends, including Argentina, Chile, and Mexico, whereas other countries with limited resources still lagged behind.
Micromotion analysis of immediately loaded implants with Titanium and Cobalt‐Chrome superstructures. 3D finite element analysis
Authors: Tobar‐Reyes Julio , Andueza‐Castro Luis , Jiménez‐Silva Antonio , Bustamante‐Plaza Roger , Carvajal‐Herrera Juan
Published: May 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of micromotion of dental implants under immediate loading supported by Titanium (Ti) and Cobalt‐Chrome (Co‐Cr) superstructures.

Material and methods

A model of tridimensional half‐edentulous maxilla with three dental implants was made using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Two standard and one zygomatic implants were connected to a superstructure with an elliptic section of 6x 3 mm (mm). Two study models were established. Model A: Titanium (Ti) alloy superstructure; Model B: Cobalt‐Chrome (Co‐Cr) alloy superstructure. To simulate an immediate‐loading situation, a friction coefficient of 0.71 was applied between the implant and the bone surface. An axial load of 252.04 [N] was applied on standard and zygomatic implants.

Results

The Micromotion of dental implants was similar in both superstructure situations. The amount of micromotion was slightly higher in B1 and B3 models (Co‐Cr alloy‐superstructure) compared with A1 and A3 models (Titanium alloy superstructure). The micromotion values in two groups were greater than 150 μm in the incisive region (standard implant) and molar region (zygomatic). In general, the micromotion was higher on the implant that received the load with respect to the other implants. The greater difference was observed when the load was applied on the standard implant A1 (Model A1 = 189.12 μm) compared with standard implant B1(Model B1 = 263.25 μm).

Conclusions

Within the limits of present study, all implants on different load application points showed micromotion; in general, the amount of micromotion was slightly higher in the implants connected with Co‐Cr alloy superstructure.
Subtle cognitive impairment as a marker of Alzheimer's pathologies and clinical progression in cognitively normal individuals
Authors: Shen Xue‐Ning , Kuo Kevin , Yang Yu‐Xiang , Li Hong‐Qi , Chen Shi‐Dong , Cui Mei , Tan Lan , Dong Qiang , Yu Jin‐Tai ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Subtle cognitive impairment (SCI) may appear before pathological changes surpass thresholds for abnormality. We aimed to investigate whether SCI could predict Alzheimer's pathologies and advancement.

Methods

A total of 816 cognitively normal individuals were enrolled to assess the longitudinal neuropathological and clinical correlates of baseline SCI, via linear mixed‐effects and Cox proportional‐hazard models. Cross‐lagged panel models were used in specific time waves.

Results

SCI individuals had a faster increase in brain amyloid burden and a higher risk of conversion. They also showed greater rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) phosphorylated tau (p‐tau)181 increase and glucose metabolism decrease. In addition, baseline SCI predicted worse clinical progression, whereas multi‐domain SCI advanced faster compared to the single domain group.

Discussion

Baseline SCI could be an imperative prediction indicator of clinical and pathological progression. It enables cognitive measures to be informative at a very early stage and provided objective criteria for high‐risk population screening.
The filter‐house of the larvaceanOikopleura dioica. A complex extracellular architecture: From fiber production to rudimentary state to inflated house
Authors: Razghandi Khashayar , Janßen Nils , Le Mai‐Lee Van , Stach Thomas
Published: May 2021

While cellulose is the most abundant macromolecule in the biosphere, most animals are unable to produce cellulose with the exception of tunicates. Some tunicates have evolved the ability to secrete a complex house containing cellulosic fibers, yet little is known about the early stages of the house building process. Here, we investigate the rudimentary house ofOikopleura dioicafor the first time using complementary light and electron microscopic techniques. In addition, we digitally modeled the arrangement of chambers, nets, and filters of the functional, expanded house in three dimensions based on life‐video‐imaging. Combining 3D‐reconstructions based on serial histological semithin‐sections, confocal laser scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and focused ion beam (FIB)‐SEM, we were able to elucidate the arrangement of structural components, including cellulosic fibers, of the rudimentary house with a focus on the food concentration filter. We developed a model for the arrangement of folded structures in the house rudiment and show it is a precisely preformed structure with identifiable components intricately correlated with specific cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that structural details of the apical surfaces of Nasse cells provide the exact locations and shapes to produce the fibers of the house and interact among each other, with Giant Fol cells, and with the fibers to arrange them in the precise positions necessary for expansion of the house rudiment into the functional state. The presented data and hypotheses advance our knowledge about the interrelation of structure and function on different biological levels and prompt investigations into this astonishing biological object.
Voice assessment of fat injection vs medialization laryngoplasty in nonparalytic dysphonia
Authors: Rapoport Sarah K. , Murry Thomas , Woo Peak
Published: May 2021

Objective

Compare long‐term voice outcomes in patients treated with FIM or BML for nonparalytic dysphonia. There is controversy whether fat injection medialization (FIM) is a durable alternative to bilateral medialization laryngoplasty (BML) for nonparalytic dysphonia (atrophy, sulcus, scar, paresis). Both interventions yield improved voice quality, yet comparison of patients' long‐term perceptions of their voice after these procedures has not been performed.

Methods

Retrospective review of patients who underwent FIM or BML for nonparalytic dysphonia was performed from 2008‐2018. Charts were reviewed for demographic information, preoperative diagnosis, intervention, Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10), and follow‐up time.

Results

Forty‐nine patients met our criteria. Fifty procedures were performed (25 FIM, 25 BML). One patient underwent BML with subsequent FIM. There was no significant difference in pre‐treatment or post‐treatment VHI‐10 scores between both groups (Pre‐FIM 21 Post‐FIM 10.28; Pre‐BML 22.48, Post‐BML 10.88). Total median follow‐up time was 11.3 months (FIM 14.8 months, BML 9.5 months). Using VHI‐10 scores recorded at each patient's latest follow‐up visit, both groups demonstrated significant decrease (P < .05) compared to preoperative scores: VHI‐10 decreased by a mean delta of 10.72 in the FIM group and 11.6 in the BML group. There was no significant difference in pre, post and change in VHI between groups.

Conclusions

In patients with nonparalytic dysphonia, FIM is a durable alternative to BML. Patients treated in both groups gained substantial improvement in vocal function. For both treatment groups, we should anticipate less than complete satisfaction with surgery and revision procedures in a minority of patients.

Level of Evidence

IV.
Covid‐19 Infection and Parkinsonism: Is There a Link?
Authors: Bouali‐Benazzouz Rabia , Benazzouz Abdelhamid
Published: May 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is an opportunistic pathogen that infects the upper respiratory tract in humans and causes serious illness, including fatal pneumonia and neurological disorders. Several studies have reported that SARS‐CoV‐2 may worsen the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), with the potential to increase mortality rates in patients with advanced disease. The potential risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 to induce PD has also been suggested because the virus can enter the brain, where it can trigger cellular processes involved in neurodegeneration. In this review, we will discuss the potential of SARS‐CoV‐2 to exacerbate and cause certain neurological disorders, including PD. We will then elucidate its impact on the brain while examining its pathways and mechanisms of action. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Dynamic response and optimization of functionally graded porous nanocomposite cylinders using a meshfree method
Authors: Sayyidmousavi Alireza , Foroutan Mehrdad , Fawaz Zouheir
Published: May 2021

A new class of advanced ultralight composite materials has recently emerged through the use porous polymer matrix reinforced by carbon nanotubes. In this article, the dynamic response of functionally graded porous polymeric cylinders, reinforced by randomly oriented single‐walled carbon nanotubes, using a meshfree method is studied. Three different porosity distribution patterns are investigated: symmetric distribution (SYD), unsymmetric distribution, and uniform distribution. A thorough study on the effects of reinforcement volume fractions and porosity distribution patterns on the dynamic response of the structure has been carried out using the radial point interpolation meshfree method based on the 2D theory of elasticity. In addition, a Pareto front solution is obtained through a multiobjective optimization aimed at minimizing the weight and maximizing the natural frequency of the structure with porosity and reinforcement volume fraction as design variables. From a design perspective, the results indicate that the SYD porosity type is the best candidate for relatively thick cylinders because of its smaller mass and higher stiffness compared to the other distribution types. The current research presents a reliable computational framework to help provide an insight into the design of an optimum structure subject to dynamic loading.
Pericyte hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) drives blood-brain barrier disruption and impacts acute ischemic stroke outcome
Authors: Tsao Chih-Chieh , Baumann Julia , Huang Sheng-Fu , Kindler Diana , Schroeter Aileen , Kachappilly Nicole , Gassmann Max , Rudin Markus , Ogunshola Omolara O.
Published: May 2021

Pericytes play essential roles in blood-brain barrier integrity and their dysfunction is implicated in neurological disorders such as stroke although the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), a master regulator of injury responses, has divergent roles in different cells especially during stress scenarios. On one hand HIF-1 is neuroprotective but on the other it induces vascular permeability. Since pericytes are critical for barrier stability, we asked if pericyte HIF-1 signaling impacts barrier integrity and injury severity in a mouse model of ischemic stroke. We show that pericyte HIF-1 loss of function (LoF) diminishes ischemic damage and barrier permeability at 3 days reperfusion. HIF-1 deficiency preserved barrier integrity by reducing pericyte death thereby maintaining vessel coverage and junctional protein organization, and suppressing vascular remodeling. Importantly, considerable improvements in sensorimotor function were observed in HIF-1 LoF mice indicating that better vascular functionality post stroke improves outcome. Thus, boosting vascular integrity by inhibiting pericytic HIF-1 activation and/or increasing pericyte survival may be a lucrative option to accelerate recovery after severe brain injury.
Antimicrobial properties of viscose yarns ring-spun with integrated amino-functionalized nanocellulose
Authors: Kokol Vanja , Vivod Vera , Peršin Zdenka , Čolić Miodrag , Kolar Matjaž
Published: May 2021

Bio-based, renewable and biodegradable products with multifunctional properties are also becoming basic trends in the textile sector. In this frame, cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) have been surface modified with hexamethylenediamine/HMDA and used as an antimicrobial additive to a ring-spun viscose yarn. The CNF-HMDA suspension was first characterized in relation to its skin irritation potential, antimicrobial properties, and technical performance (dispersability and suspensability in different media) to optimize its sprayability on a viscose fiber sliver with the lowest sticking, thus to enable its spinning without flowing and tearing problems. The impact of CNF-HMDA content has been examined on the yarn`s fineness, tensile strength, surface chemistry, wettability and antimicrobial properties. The yarn`s antimicrobial properties were increasing with the content of CNF-HMDA, given a 99% reduction for S. aureus and C. albicans (log 1.6–2.1) in up to 3 h of exposure at minimum 33 mg/g, and for E. coli (log 0.69–2.95) at 100 mg/g of its addition, yielding 45–21% of bactericidal efficacy. Such an effect is related to homogeneously distributed CNF-HMDA when sprayed from a fast-evaporated bi-polar medium and using small (0.4 mm) nozzle opennings, thus giving a high positive charge (0.663 mmol/g) without affecting the yarn`s tenacity and fineness, but improving its wettability. However, a non-ionic surfactant being used in the durability testing of functionalized yarn to 10-washing cycles, adheres onto it hydrophobically via the methylene chain of the HMDA, thus blocking its amino groups, and, as such, decreasing its antibacterial efficiency, which was slightly affected in the case when the washing was carried out without using it.
How to feel about emotionalized artificial intelligence? When robot pets, holograms, and chatbots become affective partners
Authors: Weber-Guskar Eva
Published: May 2021

Interactions between humans and machines that include artificial intelligence are increasingly common in nearly all areas of life. Meanwhile, AI-products are increasingly endowed with emotional characteristics. That is, they are designed and trained to elicit emotions in humans, to recognize human emotions and, sometimes, to simulate emotions (EAI). The introduction of such systems in our lives is met with some criticism. There is a rather strong intuition that there is something wrong about getting attached to a machine, about having certain emotions towards it, and about getting involved in a kind of affective relationship with it. In this paper, I want to tackle these worries by focusing on the last aspect: in what sense could it be problematic or even wrong to establish an emotional relationship with EAI-systems? I want to show that the justifications for the widespread intuition concerning the problems are not as strong as they seem at first sight. To do so, I discuss three arguments: the argument from self-deception, the argument from lack of mutuality, and the argument from moral negligence.
Quantitative label-free proteomics and biochemical analysis of Phaeodactylum tricornutum cultivation on dairy manure wastewater
Authors: Burch Andrew R. , Yothers Cody W. , Salemi Michelle R. , Phinney Brett S. , Pandey Pramod , Franz Annaliese K.
Published: May 2021

Microalgae cultivation on wastewater offers the dual benefit of lowering costs for feedstock production with simultaneous wastewater remediation. This study utilized biochemical and quantitative label-free proteomic approaches to evaluate the growth and proteomic response for diatomPhaeodactylum tricornutumcultivated on flushed dairy manure wastewater (DMW). Comparing several DMW dilutions (up to 60% DMW diluted in seawater) with a synthetic seawater medium indicates that biomass and lipid yields correlate with the starting nitrogen content of the DMW dilution.Phaeodactylum tricornutumcultivated on DMW exhibits elevated levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly docosapentaenoic acid (DPA, 22:5 n-3). Proteomic analysis revealed alterations in the regulations of proteins associated with protein metabolism, cellular signaling, transcription and translation, protein trafficking, and oxidative stress management pathways when comparingP. tricornutumcultivation on diluted DMW versus synthetic media, thus providing insights into howP. tricornutumreorganizes its proteome in response to a complex wastewater source.

Graphical abstract
Architected poly(lactic acid)/poly(ε-caprolactone)/halloysite nanotube composite scaffolds enabled by 3D printing for biomedical applications
Authors: Alam Fahad , Verma Pawan , Mohammad Walaa , Teo Jeremy , Varadarajan K. M. , Kumar S.
Published: May 2021

Herein, we report the physicochemical, thermal, mechanical and biological characteristics, including bioactivity, biodegradation and cytocompatibility of additive manufacturing-enabled novel nanocomposite scaffolds. The scaffolds comprise a blend of polylactic acid (PLA) and poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) reinforced with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). The nanoengineered filaments were developed by melt blending, and the nanocomposite scaffolds were manufactured by fused filament fabrication. Uniform dispersion of HNTs in the PLA/PCL blend is revealed via scanning electron microscopy. Mechanical property loss due to the addition of PCL to realize a suitable biodegradation rate of PLA was fully recovered by the addition of HNTs. Bioactivity, as revealed by the fraction of apatite growth quantified from XRD analysis, was 5.4, 6.3, 6.8 and 7.1% for PLA, 3, 5 and 7 wt% HNT in PLA/PCL blend, respectively, evidencing enhancement in the bioactivity. The degradation rate, in terms of weight loss, was reduced from 4.6% (PLA) to 1.3% (PLA/PCL) upon addition of PCL, which gradually increased to 4.4% by the addition of HNTs (at 7 wt% HNT). The results suggest that the biodegradation rate, mechanical properties and biological characteristics, including cytocompatibility and cell adhesion, of the 3D printed, microarchitected PLA/PCL/HNT composite scaffolds can be tuned by an appropriate combination of HNT and PCL content in the PLA matrix, demonstrating their promise for bone replacement and regeneration applications.

Graphical abstract
The liberation of nature and knowledge: a case study on Hans Reichenbach’s naturalism
Authors: Kocsis László , Tuboly Adam Tamas
Published: May 2021

Our main goal in this paper is to present and scrutinize Reichenbach’s own naturalism in our contemporary context, with special attention to competing versions of the concept. By exploring the idea of Reichenbach’s naturalism, we will argue that he defendeda liberating, therapeutic form of naturalism, meaning that he took scientific philosophy (or philosophy of nature,Naturphilosophie) to be a possible cure for bad old habits and traditional ways of philosophy. For Reichenbach, naturalistic scientific philosophy was a well-established form ofliberation. We do not intend to suggest that Reichenbach acted as an inventor of naturalism; nonetheless, invoking the term and the idea of ‘naturalism’ is more than a simple rhetorical strategy for rehabilitating Reichenbach as a forerunner of this field. We think that his ideas can make a valuable contribution to contemporary debates, and that he presents an interesting case among the other scientifically oriented proponents of his time. After presenting a short reconstruction of the meaning of naturalism—or, more appropriately, naturalisms—in order to be able to correctly situate Reichenbach within his own as well as a systematic context, we discuss Reichenbach’s naturalism against the background of his scientific philosophy, his views on the relation of common-sense knowledge to science, and his efforts at popularization. To delve deeper into this topic, we present a case study to show how Reichenbach argued that in both scientific and philosophical discussions (assuming their naturalistic continuity), it is necessary to move from the request and value of truth to probability. And, finally, we argue that the liberation of knowledge and nature was a socio-political program for Reichenbach, who talked about his ownscientific philosophyas “a crusade.” By emphasizing this aspect of Reichenbach’s naturalism, we may be in a better position to situate him in the history of analytic philosophy in general, and in the yet-to-be-written narrative of the naturalistic movement in particular.
Structure-preserving deep learning
Authors: CELLEDONI E. , EHRHARDT M. J. , ETMANN C. , MCLACHLAN R. I. , OWREN B. , SCHONLIEB C.-B. , SHERRY F.
Published: May 2021

Over the past few years, deep learning has risen to the foreground as a topic of massive interest, mainly as a result of successes obtained in solving large-scale image processing tasks. There are multiple challenging mathematical problems involved in applying deep learning: most deep learning methods require the solution of hard optimisation problems, and a good understanding of the trade-off between computational effort, amount of data and model complexity is required to successfully design a deep learning approach for a given problem.. A large amount of progress made in deep learning has been based on heuristic explorations, but there is a growing effort to mathematically understand the structure in existing deep learning methods and to systematically design new deep learning methods to preserve certain types of structure in deep learning. In this article, we review a number of these directions: some deep neural networks can be understood as discretisations of dynamical systems, neural networks can be designed to have desirable properties such as invertibility or group equivariance and new algorithmic frameworks based on conformal Hamiltonian systems and Riemannian manifolds to solve the optimisation problems have been proposed. We conclude our review of each of these topics by discussing some open problems that we consider to be interesting directions for future research.
How practice nurses engage with parents during their consultations about the MMR vaccine: a qualitative study
Authors: Hill M.C. , Salmon D. , Chudleigh J. , Aitken L.M.
Published: May 2021

Aim:

We aimed to understand practice nurses’ perceptions about how they engage with parents during consultations concerning the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Background:

The incidence of measles is increasing globally. Immunisation is recognised as the most significant intervention to influence global health in modern times, although many factors are known to adversely affect immunisation uptake. Practice nurses are a key member of the primary care team responsible for delivering immunisation. However, little is known how practice nurses perceive this role.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 15 practice nurses in England using a qualitative descriptive approach. Diversity in terms of years of experience and range of geographical practice settings were sought. These interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and open-coded using qualitative content analysis to manage, analyse and identify themes.

Findings:

Three themes were derived from the data: engaging with parents, the informed practice nurse and dealing with parental concerns: strategies to promote MMR uptake. During their consultations, practice nurses encountered parents who held strong opinions about the MMR vaccine and perceived this to be related to the parents’ socio-demographic background. Practice nurses sought to provide parents with tailored and accurate sources of information to apprise their immunisation decision-making about the MMR vaccine.
The Influence of Stratospheric Soot and Sulfate Aerosols on the Northern Hemisphere Wintertime Atmospheric Circulation
Authors: Coupe Joshua , Robock Alan
Published: May 2021

The Northern Hemisphere wintertime circulation response to volcanic eruptions has been explored extensively using general circulation models. In observations and some models, the response is characterized by an enhanced stratospheric polar vortex (SPV), a positive mode of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and warm surface temperatures during the winter over North America and Eurasia. A weak surface air temperature signal in previous studies has led to conflicting conclusions on the robustness of the response. Here, we use simulations with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) of six nuclear war scenarios to present a new perspective on the connection between stratospheric aerosol heating, the SPV, and the surface temperature response. We show that stratospheric aerosol heating by soot is the primary contributor to the SPV response in nuclear war simulations, which is coupled to the troposphere and projects as a positive mode of the NAO at the surface. Winter warming is observed across northern Eurasia, albeit poleward of the response after volcanic eruptions. We compare the results to simulations of volcanic eruptions and find that observed Eurasian warming in the first winter after the 1963 Agung, 1982 El Chichón, and 1991 Pinatubo volcanic eruptions is simulated with the NCAR CAM5 climate model only when tropical sea surface temperatures, including the observed El Niño, are specified along with the volcanic aerosols. This suggests an undiagnosed tropospheric mechanism connecting the tropics and high latitudes, as without specifying sea surface temperatures, internal variability dominates the simulated winter warming response after historical volcanic eruptions.
How Anthropogenic Drought Plays Out
Authors: AghaKouchak Amir
Published: May 2021

Drought should be considered and modeled as a process, including human–nature interactions, and not merely a product of water deficit.
Improvement in appetite among stunted children receiving nutritional intervention in Bangladesh: results from a community-based study
Authors: Naila Nurun Nahar , Mahfuz Mustafa , Hossain Muttaquina , Arndt Michael , Walson Judd L. , Nahar Baitun , Ahmed Tahmeed
Published: May 2021

Background/objectives

Stunted children often have poor appetite, which may limit their response to nutritional interventions. We investigated the effect of a nutritional intervention on the appetite status of stunted children.

Methods

A longitudinal prospective intervention study was conducted with 50 stunted (length for age; LAZ < −2) (age and sex matched) aged 12–18 months and their mothers in Bauniabadh slum of Dhaka city. The stunted children received the following intervention package: one boiled egg and 150 ml milk daily 6 days a week for 3 months; psychosocial stimulation including structured play activities and parental counseling for 6 months; routine clinical care. Appetite status was measured using an interview-based tool “Early Childhood Appetite and Satiety Tool.”

Results

Over the period of nutritional intervention, the mean appetite score increased from 49 to 60 in the stunted children and was associated with increased food consumption. Over the intervention period, both egg and milk consumption increased (40.3–49.6 g and 83.8–138.5 ml, respectively).

Conclusions

Assessment of appetite status using EACST appears to be a useful tool for monitoring a nutritional intervention in stunted children. This tool may be useful for programs in managing child stunting in low-income countries and an important way to assess the efficacy of a nutritional intervention in these children.
Second-order slip effect on bio-convectional viscoelastic nanofluid flow through a stretching cylinder with swimming microorganisms and melting phenomenon
Authors: Waqas Hassan , Farooq Umar , Shah Zahir , Kumam Poom , Shutaywi Meshal
Published: May 2021

The uses of nanofluid in cooling technology is growing. The nanofluid is made up of metallic and nonmetallic particles that are distributed in a base fluid. This research provides a summary of fuel cell models, uses, and how they function. Researchers have made significant contributions in the following era due to the importance of bioconvection in nanotechnology and a variety of biological systems. The idea of the recent work is to evaluate the aspects of the Cattaneo–Christov (C–C) heat and mass flux model, the second-order boundary with melting phenomenon on the bioconvective flow of viscoelastic nanofluid across a cylinder. The nature of the activation energy, thermal conductivity is also taken into account. Appropriate similarity transformations are utilized to reframe the PDEs of the modeled system into a system of ODEs. The governing equations for the renovated system of ODEs are treated by a shooting function. Here bvp4c built-in function computational tool MATLAB is used. The two-dimensional flow has ceased application in several areas, such as polymer industry, material synthesis technology, nano-biopolymer computer graphics processing, industry, mechanical engineering, airplane structures, and scientific research, which is much more useful in nanotechnology. The results of emerging important flow-field parameters are investigated with the aid of graphs and numerical results.
Draft genome sequence of the pulse crop blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] reveals potential R-genes
Authors: Jegadeesan Souframanien , Raizada Avi , Dhanasekar Punniyamoorthy , Suprasanna Penna
Published: May 2021

Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] (2n = 2x = 22), an important Asiatic legume crop, is a major source of dietary protein for the predominantly vegetarian population. Here we construct a draft genome sequence of blackgram, for the first time, by employing hybrid genome assembly with Illumina reads and third generation Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology. The final de novo whole genome of blackgram is ~ 475 Mb (82% of the genome) and has maximum scaffold length of 6.3 Mb with scaffold N50 of 1.42 Mb. Genome analysis identified 42,115 genes with mean coding sequence length of 1131 bp. Around 80.6% of predicted genes were annotated. Nearly half of the assembled sequence is composed of repetitive elements with retrotransposons as major (47.3% of genome) transposable elements, whereas, DNA transposons made up only 2.29% of the genome. A total of 166,014 SSRs, including 65,180 compound SSRs, were identified and primer pairs for 34,816 SSRs were designed. Out of the 33,959 proteins, 1659 proteins showed presence of R-gene related domains. KIN class was found in majority of the proteins (905) followed by RLK (239) and RLP (188). The genome sequence of blackgram will facilitate identification of agronomically important genes and accelerate the genetic improvement of blackgram.
Overexpression of S100A9 in tumor stroma contribute to immune evasion of NK/T cell lymphoma and predict poor response rate
Authors: Zhou Zhiyuan , Chen Xinfeng , Li Zhaoming , Wang Xinhua , Zhang Mingzhi
Published: May 2021

NK/T cell lymphoma (NKTCL) represents an aggressive lymphoid malignancy characterized by dismal prognosis. Immune-checkpoint blockade has shown promising efficacy in NKTCL. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying immune evasion in NKTCL have never been explored. Here, proteomic analysis was used to identify the differentially expressed proteins between NKTCL patients and healthy individuals. We found that S100A9, an immunosuppressive molecule, was much higher in NKTCL patients both in serum and tumor stroma. Elevated level of S100A9 was associated with advanced stage, poor overall response and early recurrence. Moreover, percentage of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in peripheral blood was positively correlated with levels of S100A9. Low concentration of S100A9 promoted proliferation of NKTCL cells, while did not affect cell apoptosis and cell cycles. Furthermore, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on NKTCL cells was up-regulated by S100A9 through activation of ERK1/2 signaling. Inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling significantly decreased tumor growth and PD-L1 expression induced by S100A9. In conclusion, our research firstly identified S100A9 as an immune suppressor in the tumorigenesis of NKTCL via accumulation of MDSCs and upregulation of PD-L1 expression. S100A9 may serve as a potential target to increase the efficacy of immunotherapy in NKTCL.
Mechanistic insight into photocatalytic CO2 reduction by a Z-scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterostructure
Authors: Wang Shuo , Zhao Tingting , Tian Yu , Yan Likai , Su Zhongmin
Published: May 2021

The Z-scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterostructure has remarkable catalytic activity for reducing CO2 to CH4 and CH3OH.
Real-time monitoring of bead-based DNA hybridization in a microfluidic system: study of amplicon hybridization behavior on solid supports
Authors: Boissinot Karel , Peytavi Régis , Chapdelaine Sébastien , Geissler Matthias , Boissinot Maurice , Martel Eric A. , Béliveau-Viel David , Gravel Jean-François , Malic Lidija , Veres Teodor , Boudreau Denis , Bergeron Michel G.
Published: May 2021

Hybridization of Streptococcus agalactiae cfb gene amplicons with bead-grafted capture probes is studied in relation to SNPs, dangling end's length, and presence of non-specific DNA in clinical samples.
Label-free monitoring of crystalline chitin hydrolysis by chitinase based on Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Ando Jun , Kawagoe Hiroyuki , Nakamura Akihiko , Iino Ryota , Fujita Katsumasa
Published: May 2021

We demonstrated label-free monitoring of hydrolytic activity of crystalline-chitin-degrading enzyme, chitinase, by means of Raman spectroscopy with a characteristic peak of crystalline chitin at 2995 cm−1.
Influence of oxygen plasma treatment on structural and spectral changes in silica-coated gold nanorods studied using total internal reflection microscopy and spectroscopy
Authors: Lee Jaeran , Ha Ji Won
Published: May 2021

Single AuNRs@SiO2 showed much higher structural and spectral stability due to the mesoporous silica shell under the energetic oxygen plasma treatment.
A new photoelectrochemical biosensor based on FeOOH and exonuclease III-aided dual recycling signal amplification for HPV-16 detection
Authors: Wang Yanlin , Xia Lingying , Xiang Xuelian , Yuan Ruo , Wei Shaping
Published: May 2021

Herein, based on iron oxyhydroxide (FeOOH) as the photoactive material and exonuclease III (exo III)-aided dual recycling signal amplification, a new photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor was successfully developed for human papillomavirus-16 (HPV-16) detection.
Decarboxylation-triggered homo-Nazarov cyclization of cyclic enol carbonates catalyzed by rhenium complex
Authors: Kimaru Natsuki , Komatsuki Keiichi , Saito Kodai , Yamada Tohru
Published: May 2021

Decarboxylative homo-Nazarov cyclization catalyzed by a rhenium complex was achieved using a cyclic enol carbonate bearing a cyclopropane moiety as a substrate.
A multifunctional colorimetric sensor originating from a cadmium naphthalene diimide-based metal–organic framework: photochromism, hydrochromism, and vapochromism
Authors: Zhang Guoshuai , Fu Chen , Zhang Heyi , Zhang Hong
Published: May 2021

A new cadmium metal–organic framework with photocontrolled luminescence properties and multiple chromic properties was synthesized for used as a multifunctional colorimetric sensor and provide a new route to design functional MOFs.
Effect of atomic configuration and spin–orbit coupling on thermodynamic stability and electronic bandgap of monolayer 2H-Mo1−xWxS2 solid solutions
Authors: Atthapak C. , Ektarawong A. , Pakornchote T. , Alling B. , Bovornratanaraks T.
Published: May 2021

Effect of spin–orbit coupling on mixing thermodynamics and electronic bandgap of ordered ground-state (GS) and disordered (SQS) 2H-Mo1−xWxS2 solid solutions.
Small matrix modular path integral: iterative quantum dynamics in space and time
Authors: Makri Nancy
Published: May 2021

This work presents a small matrix decomposition of the modular path integral for spin arrays or molecular aggregates, which leads to an iterative treatment with respect to the units that comprise the system and the propagation time.
Electrospun carbon nanofibers embedded with MOF-derived N-doped porous carbon and ZnO quantum dots for asymmetric flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Li Zhen , Bu Jingting , Zhang Chenying , Cheng Lingli , Pan Dengyu , Chen Zhiwen , Wu Minghong
Published: May 2021

Hierarchical carbon nanofibers are embedded with MOF-derived N-doped porous carbon nanoparticles and decorated with ZnO quantum dots via a co-spinning method.
The New Generation Planetary Population Synthesis (NGPPS)
Authors: Schlecker M. , Pham D. , Burn R. , Alibert Y. , Mordasini C. , Emsenhuber A. , Klahr H. , Henning Th. , Mishra L.
Published: May 2021

Context.State-of-the-art planet formation models are now capable of accounting for the full spectrum of known planet types. This comes at the cost of an increasing complexity of the models, which calls into question whether established links between their initial conditions and the calculated planetary observables are preserved.

Aims.In this paper, we take a data-driven approach to investigate the relations between clusters of synthetic planets with similar properties and their formation history.

Methods.We trained a Gaussian mixture model on typical exoplanet observables computed by a global model of planet formation to identify clusters of similar planets. We then traced back the formation histories of the planets associated with them and pinpointed their differences. Using the cluster affiliation as labels, we trained a random forest classifier to predict planet species from properties of the originating protoplanetary disk.

Results.Without presupposing any planet types, we identified four distinct classes in our synthetic population. They roughly correspond to the observed populations of (sub-)Neptunes, giant planets, and (super-)Earths, plus an additional unobserved class we denote as “icy cores”. These groups emerge already within the first 0.1 Myr of the formation phase and are predicted from disk properties with an overall accuracy of >90%. The most reliable predictors are the initial orbital distance of planetary nuclei and the total planetesimal mass available. Giant planets form only in a particular region of this parameter space that is in agreement with purely analytical predictions. IncludingN-body interactions between the planets decreases the predictability, especially for sub-Neptunes that frequently undergo giant collisions and turn into super-Earths.

Conclusions.The processes covered by current core accretion models of planet formation are largely predictable and reproduce the known demographic features in the exoplanet population. The impact of gravitational interactions highlights the need forN-body integrators for realistic predictions of systems of low-mass planets.
Interdisziplinär in der Reha? – Idee und Konzept der psychokardiologischen Rehabilitation
Authors: Langheim Eike , Rademacher Wilma , Köllner Volker
Published: May 2021

Sowohl psychische als auch Herz- Kreislauf-Erkrankungen verlaufen meist chronisch und bedrohen die Lebensqualität und soziale Teilhabe der Betroffenen. Psychokardiologische Erkrankungen stellen Betroffene vor besondere Herausforderungen und erfordern ein besonderes Rehabilitationskonzept. Ziel ist es, Patienten bei der Bewältigung der Erkrankung zu unterstützen und ihnen wieder ein möglichst aktives und selbstbestimmtes Leben zu ermöglichen.
Vom Kardiologen zum Psychotherapeuten. Ein Perspektivwechsel?
Authors: Leithäuser Boris
Published: May 2021

Die technischen Behandlungsmöglichkeiten in der Kardiologie und deren beachtliche Erfolge haben die Befindlichkeiten der Patienten, deren Hoffnungen und Ängste sowie die Bedeutung der Arzt-Patienten-Beziehung in den Hintergrund rücken lassen. Der Blick auf die psychische Konstitution des Patienten ist jedoch in der Behandlung unabdingbar. Die klinische Psychokardiologie stellt dabei eine Brücke zwischen Psychosomatik und Kardiologie dar.
Comparative diagnostic accuracy of EUS needles in solid pancreatic masses: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Han Samuel , Bhullar Furqan , Alaber Omar , Kamal Ayesha , Hopson Puanani , Kanthasamy Kavin , Coughlin Sarah , Archibugi Livia , Thiruvengadam Nikhil , Moreau Christopher , Jin David , Paragomi Pedram , Valverde-López Francisco , Nagpal Sajan , Yazici Cemal , Papachristou Georgios , Lee Peter J , Akshintala Venkata ,   on behalf of the Collaborative Alliance for Pancreatic Education and Research (CAPER)
Published: May 2021

Background and study aims Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided tissue sampling is the standard of care for diagnosing solid pancreatic lesions. While many two-way comparisons between needle types have been made in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), it is unclear which size and type of needle offers the best probability of diagnosis. We therefore performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare different sized and shaped needles to rank the diagnostic performance of each needle.

Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases through August, 2020 for RCTs that compared the diagnostic accuracy of EUS fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and biopsy (FNB) needles in solid pancreatic masses. Using a random-effects NMA under the frequentist framework, RCTs were analyzed to identify the best needle type and sampling technique. Performance scores (P-scores) were used to rank the different needles based on pooled diagnostic accuracy. The NMA model was used to calculate pairwise relative risk (RR) with 95 % confidence intervals.

Results Review of 2577 studies yielded 29 RCTs for quantitative synthesis, comparing 13 different needle types. All 22G FNB needles had an RR > 1 compared to the reference 22G FNA (Cook) needle. The highest P-scores were seen with the 22G Medtronic FNB needle (0.9279), followed by the 22G Olympus FNB needle (0.8962) and the 22G Boston Scientific FNB needle (0.8739). Diagnostic accuracy was not significantly different between needles with or without suction.

Conclusions In comparison to FNA needles, FNB needles offer the highest diagnostic performance in sampling pancreatic masses, particularly with 22G FNB needles.
Evaluation of improved bi-manual endoscopic resection using a customizable 3D-printed manipulator system designed for use with standard endoscopes: a feasibility study using a porcine ex-vivo model
Authors: Walter Benjamin , Krieger Yannick S. , Wilhelm Dirk , Feussner Hubertus , Lueth Tim C. , Meining Alexander
Published: May 2021

Background and study aims A major drawback of endoscopic en-bloc resection technique is its inability to perform bimanual tasks. Although endoscopic platforms that enable bimanual tasks are commercially available, they are neither approved for various locations nor adaptable to specific patients and indications.

Methods Based on evolution of an adaptive 3D-printable platform concept, system variants with different characteristic properties were evaluated for ESD scenarios, ex-vivo in two locations in the stomach and colorectum.

Results In total 28 ESDs were performed (7 antrum, 7 corpus in inversion, 7 cecum, 7 rectum) in a porcine ex-vivo setup. ESD was feasible in 21 cases. Investigated manipulator variants are differently well suited for performing ESD within the varying interventions scenarios. Dual-arm manipulators allowed autonomous ESD, while single-arm flexible manipulators could be used more universally due to their compact design, especially for lesions difficult to access. Pediatric scopes were too frail to guide the overtube-manipulators in extremely angled positions. Working in the rectum was impaired using long-sized manipulator arms.

Conclusions The presented endoscopic platform based on 3D-printable and customizable manipulator structures might be a promising approach for future improvement of ESD procedure. With regard to localization, especially flexible manipulators attached to standard endoscopes appear to be most promising for further application of specific and individualised manipulator systems.