bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A retrospective Cohort Study to Predict Acute Kidney Injury Based on the Coagulation and Inflammation in ICU Patients with Sepsis
Authors: Lai Kunmei , Zou Zhenhuan , Xiao Xiongjian , Xu Yueteng , Zhang Chen , Chen Caiming , Wang Yujia , Li Yinshuang , Lin Jiandong , Xu Yanfang
Published: February 2021

Background. Sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Sepsis with acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with higher mortality risk when compared with those with sepsis and without AKI. Therefore, it is necessary to detect the predictors of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) in order to timely prevent, diagnose and treat this complication. Methods. From July 2016 to December 2019, 419 patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were randomly divided into two groups: training group (n= 302) and validation group (n = 117). A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was constructed to select variables within 24 h of admission, and then were included in a logistic regression model to find the independent risk factors of AKI. Hence, a nomogram for predicting SA-AKI with statistically significant covariates was constructed. Discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility of the nomogram performance were assessed and then validated.Results. The risk factors yielded by logistic regression were hypertension(HT), diabetes mellitus(DM), C-reactive protein(CRP), procalcitonin(PCT), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), platelet(PLT), and then were incorporated into the nomogram. The areas under the ROC curve of the nomogram in the training and validation groups were 0.856 and 0.885, respectively. The calibration curves demonstrated favorable consistency between the predictions of nomogram and the actual observations in both training as well as validation groups. Decision curve analysis (DCA) showed clinical usefulness of the proposed nomogram model.Conclusions. A risk prediction model by integrating variables can assist in identifying patients who are at high risk of developing SA-AKI. The nomogram had excellent predictive ability and might have significant clinical implications for early detection of AKI in patients undergoing sepsis.
Effects of Peritoneal Dialysis on QT Interval in ESRD Patients
Authors: Zhang Wenjing , Liang Yu , Lv Jia , Li Yan , Sun Jiping
Published: February 2021

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) had a high risk of fatal arrhythmias. The extended corrected QT (QTc) interval is a hallmark of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Studies have shown that QT interval and QTc were prolonged with the declination in renal function. Notably, QTc prolongation is significantly increased in patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, there were no results available in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aimed to report the changes in QT interval and QTc in PD patients.Methods: A total of 66 PD patients were enrolled. The duration of follow-up was 1 year. The demographics, and the etiology of patients were recorded. QTc of ECG and clinical biochemical indexes before dialysis and at 6 months after PD and 1year after PD were determined and analyzed. Dialysis adequacy and peritoneal transport function were assessed in each patient.Results: (1) A total of 66 PD incident patients, including 50 males and 16 females, with an average age of 43.56±15.15 years (males: 43.74±15.53 years; females: 43.00 ± 15.92 years) were enrolled. In terms of etiology, 37 patients (56.06%) had chronic nephritis, followed by diabetic nephropathy in 11 patients (16.67%), IgA nephropathy with 8 patients (12.12%). The peritoneal transport test showed that the most of the peritoneal transport function was low average transport( 25, 37.88%), the least was high transport(2, 3.03%).(2) During the follow-up period, all patients reached the standard of PD. Compared with baseline before dialysis, anemia, low albumin, blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone were improved after PD at 6 months and 1year. The residual renal function was gradually decreases during the follow-up. There were no significant differences in clinical indexes between 6 months and 1 year after PD.(3) The mean QTc of all patients were stable during 1-year follow-up period (pre-PD: 413.49±29.95ms; 6 months: 423.05±51.96ms; 1 year: 409.29±32.32ms, P>0.05). According to gender, the QTc in male patients and in female patients had the same results (P>0.05, respectively).(4) Before PD, diastolic blood pressure (r=-0.261,P=0.039), calcium concentration (r=-0.360,P=0.004) and hemoglobin level (r=-0.432,P=0.000) were found to be the risk factors of QTc prolongation. They were negatively correlated with QTc in end-stage renal disease patients. After patients starting PD, the observed clinical indicators showed no relevance to QTc anymore.Conclusion: Different from hemodialysis induced QTc prolongation, PD did not increase the patient's QT interval and QTc interval. This phenomenon was reported for the first time, suggesting that myocardial electrical activity might be more stable in PD patients.
Efficacy of Tripterygium Glycosides for Diabetic Nephropathy: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Guo Huabin Guo Huabin , Guo Hua-Bin , Peng Jia-Qing , Zhang Ke-Kai , Zhong Guang-Zhi , Chen Wei-Hong , Shi Gui-Xin
Published: February 2021

Backgrounds: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most important clinical complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease. Currently, there is no highly effective medicine that can prevent, halt, or reverse the progressive course of DN. Initial clinical data showed that Tripterygium glycosides (TGs), a traditional Chinese medicine, can decrease proteinuria in patients with DN.Objectives: The objective of the present study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of TGs for the treatment of DN by meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: All RCTs of TGs for DN were collected from The China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Web of Science, Wanfang Data, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP ) by setting the study inclusion and elimination standards. Two reviewers evaluated the quality of the trials and extracted the data independently. RevMan 5.4 software was used for meta-analyses. The primary outcome was a change in 24-hours urinary total protein (24h TUP). Results: 26 RCTs with 1824 participants were collected for detailed evaluation. The meta-analysis results indicated that TGs was compared with the controls, TGs showed signiﬁcant effects in reducing 24h TUP [WMD = -0.84, 95%CI (-1.09, -0.59)], elevating serum albumin [WMD = 2.88, 95% CI (1.87, 3.90)], and the total efﬁciency [OR =4.08, 95% CI (2.37, 7.04)]. This effect was consistent across the subgroups of period of intervention. Conclusions: The present research showed that TGs was significantly associated with improvement of renal function in patients with DN. TGs offers a novel way in treating DN, more high quality RCTs are needed for better understanding of the role of TGs in DN therapy.
In-plane Dynamic Crushing of a Novel Bio-inspired Re-entrant Honeycomb With Negative Poisson's Ratio 
Authors: Wang Yonghui , He Qiang , Chen Yu , Gu Hang , Zhou Honggen
Published: February 2021

In order to seek higher crashworthiness and energy absorption capacity, based on biological inspiration, a novel bio-inspired re-entrant honeycomb (BRH) structure with negative Poisson's ratio is designed by selecting lotus leaf vein as biological prototype. The numerical simulation model is established by the nonlinear dynamics software ABAQUS and further compared with the available reference results to verify the feasibility. The dynamic compression behavior and energy absorption capacity of two types of BRH (BRH-Ⅰ and BRH-Ⅱ) are firstly compared with conventional re-entrant honeycomb (RH). The simulation results show that BRH have better mechanical properties and energy absorption characteristics. Then, the crushing behavior of BRH-Ⅱ under different impact velocities are systematically studied. Three typical deformation modes of BRH-Ⅱ are observed through the analysis of deformation profile. The quasi-static plateau stress is closely related to the cellular structure. Based on one-dimensional shock theory, the empirical equations of dynamic plateau stress for BRH-Ⅱ with different relative densities are given by using least-square fitting. In addition, the effects of impact velocity and relative density on plateau stress and energy absorption behavior are also studied. The results show that the energy absorption capacity of BRH-Ⅱ is increased nearly six times compared with RH at the same impact velocity.
DC Electrical Resistivity and Magnetic Properties of Co Substituted NiCuZn Nano Ferrite
Authors: Jayadev Kanta , Raju M. K. , MURALI N , D Parajuli , Samatha K.
Published: February 2021

Co substituted Ni0.3-xCoxCu25Zn0.45Fe2O4 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2) samples is synthesized using the sol-gel auto-combustion process. X-ray diffraction shows its cubic spinel structure. The lattice constant decreases as the Co content increases. The sizes of the crystallites are in the range of 20.18–26.24 nm. The wavenumbers of tetrahedral and octahedral sites sighted in the FTIR spectra are similar to that of the precursor. The increment on the Co content increases the DC conductivity. The electrical resistivity decrease with increase in the temperature, i.e. it has a negative temperature coefficient with resistance similar to semiconductors. The remnant ratios R obtained from VSM show their isotropic nature forming single domain ferrimagnetic particles. The resultant material is widely significant, as indicated by its result.
Effects of Unhealthy Lifestyle Factors on Healthcare-seeking Behavior in China
Authors: Li Changle , Sun Jing
Published: February 2021

Background: People with unhealthy lifestyles may experience omitted or delayed healthcare, leading to severe sickness and higher healthcare expenditures in the future. Hence, the current study aims to ascertain the effects of current smoking, regular drinking, and physical inactivity on healthcare-seeking behavior among the sick in China.Methods: The data used in this study was obtained from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). The final sample consisted of 44,362 individuals in all five waves of data collection. Logistic regression models were used for the analysis.Results: Based on the tests, the fixed effects estimation was the preferred method for panel data in this study. The current study found that sick adults who currently smoked cigarettes were 0.73 times less likely to seek healthcare than those who never smoked or stopped smoking. Compared to non-drinkers, sick adults who regularly drank alcohol decreased the likelihood of seeking healthcare. Sick adults who never participated in physical exercise decreased the odds of seeking healthcare by 24% compared to those who participated in physical exercise. Conclusions: Current smoking, regular drinking, and physical inactivity decreased the probability of seeking healthcare among sick adults. Therefore, screening and brief advice programs should be delivered by primary level care and pay more attention to those who have unhealthy lifestyles, reducing the burden of diseases.
Current status and future of delivery systems for prevention and treatment of infections in the oral cavity
Authors: Şenel Sevda , Özdoğan Ayben Işılay , Akca Gülçin
Published: February 2021

Oral health reflects the general health and it is fundamental to well-being and quality of life. An infection in the oral cavity can be associated with serious complications in human health. Local therapy of these infections offers many advantages over systemic drug administration, targeting directly to the diseased area while minimizing systemic side effects. Specialized drug delivery systems into the oral cavity have to be designed in such a fashion that they resist to the aqueous environment that is constantly bathed in saliva and subject to mechanical forces. Additionally, a prolonged release of drug should also be provided, which would enhance the efficacy and also decrease the repeated dosing. This review is aimed to summarize the current most relevant findings related to local drug delivery of various drug groups for prevention and treatment of infections (viral, bacterial, fungal) and infection related manifestations in the oral cavity. Current therapeutic challenges in regard to effective local drug delivery systems will be discussed and the recent approaches to overcome these obstacles will be reviewed. Finally, future prospects will be overviewed to promote novel strategies that can be implemented in clinical management for prevention and treatment of oral infections.
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in China-incidence and Antimicrobial Resistance Spectrum From a Nationwide Survey
Authors: Liu Chunfa , Song Yimeng , He Wencong , Liu Dongxin , He Ping , Bao Jingjing , Wang Xinyang , Li Yanming , Zhao Yanlin
Published: February 2021

Background: Information on prevalence and resistance spectrum of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in China is mainly based on regional or local data. A national survey of NTM pulmonary disease was carried out based on acid-fast positive sputum samples collected in 2013.Methods: Sputum samples collected from enrolled presumptive cases were cultured using L-J medium in 72 nationwide tuberculosis surveillance sites from the 31 Chinese mainland provinces and isolates were sent to national tuberculosis reference laboratory (NTRL). The species of re-cultured strains were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined to evaluate the drug susceptibility of NTM isolates.Results: Of 4917 mycobacterial isolates cultured, 317 (6.4%, 95% CI, 5.8% to 7.2%) were confirmed as NTM, among which 287 (7.7%, 95% CI, 6.9% to 8.6%) were from the southern region. In inland and coastal China, 87.7% (95% CI, 78.7% to 93.2%) and 50.0% (95% CI, 43.7% to 56.3%) of isolates, respectively, were slow growing mycobacteria (SGM), with the remaining rapid growing mycobacteria (RGM). A total of 29 species were detected, M. abscessus had higher clarithromycin-inducible resistance rates than M. massiliense (65.67% vs 2.22%). M. kansasii was present lower resistance rates in linezolid and moxifloxacin than Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex and other SGM.Conclusions: More NTM pulmonary disease was observed in southern and coastal China (p<0.01). SGM was widely distributed, and more RGM are present in southern and coastal China (p<0.01). The antimicrobial resistance spectrum of different NTM species was significant different, accurate species identification would be facilitated to NTM pulmonary disease treatment.
Sanitation Ladder and Undernutrition Among Under-Five Children in Pakistan
Authors: Khan Asfand Yar , Fatima Kaneez , Ali Muhammad
Published: February 2021

While the state of sanitation in Pakistan has improved in the last decade, a significant proportion of its population is still using inadequate sanitation or no toilet facility at all. Open defecation has decreased over the years; however, it has been replaced by poor quality sanitation in rural areas that might still cause diarrhoea and undernutrition. The research regarding inadequate sanitation in Pakistan, especially in terms of the sanitation ladder, remains limited. The present research thus fills this research gap by assessing the impact of different types of sanitation on the prevalence of stunting and underweight (moderate as well as severe) among under-five children in Pakistan using the nationally representative micro survey, Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (2017-18). The sanitation ladder comprises of Piped to Sewer (highest level, base) followed by Flush to Septic Tank, Flush to Pit Latrine, Other Improved, Unimproved Sanitation, and Open Defecation. In order to estimate the adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios of the determinants, this research uses logistic regressions are used to estimate adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios of the determinants. We show that toilets connected to piped sewerage network are rare in the rural areas of Pakistan and a large segment of the rural population is still practicing open defecation. The logistic regressions show that piped sewerage network and flush to septic tanks are associated with lowest odds (both adjusted and unadjusted) of stunting and underweight among under-five children. In multivariate regressions, pit latrines are associated with even higher adjusted odds of severe and moderate and severe stunting as well as underweight among under-five children, showing that poor quality pit latrines may bring the source of faecal contamination to the doorstep of the households. Therefore, interventions targeting reduction in open defecation should promote good quality toilets for sustainable long-term improvements in child health.
Development of non-enzymatic glucose electrode based on Au nanoparticles decorated single-walled carbon nanohorns
Authors: Bi Cheng , Lv Hong-Wei , Peng Hui-Ling , Li Quan-Fu
Published: February 2021

A composite with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorating single-walled carbon nano-horns (SWCNHs) is synthesized and used to modify a gold electrode for non-enzymatic glucose detection. The composite was synthesized by a simple covalent bonding method. The AuNPs with an average particle size of 40 nm are dispersed homogeneously on the surface of the SWCNHs. Therefore, the synergistic effect of the AuNPs and the SWCNHs leads to an excellent glucose sensing performance. The glucose sensing tests indicate that the electrode fabricated has a linear response in the 0.5-2 mM and 4–12 mM glucose concentration range, a high sensitivity (275.33 and 352.5 µA cm− 2 mM− 1), and a low detection limit (0.72 µM) (S/N = 3) at + 0.3 V, as well as strong resistance to the interference by ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA), dopamine (DA), galactose, and lactose. When the electrode was used for the detection of glucose in blood samples, the glucose contents detected by the electrode was in right agreement with real. The performance level reached makes the electrode a potential alternative tool for the detection of glucose.
DFF40 translocates to the mitochondria during apoptosis and regulates mitochondrial integrity and function
Authors: Kulbay Merve , Johnson Bruno , Ricaud Guillaume , Séguin-Grignon Marie-Noelle , Malboeuf Valérie , Bernier Jacques
Published: February 2021

DNA fragmentation factor 40 (DFF40), or the caspase-activated DNase (CAD), is an endonuclease specific for double-stranded DNA. Alterations in its function and expression have been linked to apoptosis resistance, a mechanism likely used by cancer cells. Although, how the DFF40-related apoptosis resistance pathway occurs remains unclear. Here we sought to determine if DFF40 could localize to the mitochondrion, a localization not reported in the literature until now, and further regulate cell metabolism when apoptosis is activated. We demonstrated that DFF40 localizes in mitochondria through its N-terminal domain, and its agglomeration is accentuated in apoptosis-activated cells. We also found that a loss of DFF40 expression induces a higher mitochondrial mass, mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial membrane potential, and glycolysis rates in resting T cells. The induction of apoptosis in DFF40 deficient cells doesn’t alter ATP production levels, basal respiration, and mitochondrial membrane integrity. Our study reveals that DFF40 may act as a regulator of mitochondria, and its loss could compromise mitochondrial integrity in pathologies such as cancer.
Direct Evidence for a Surface and Bulk Specific Response in the Sum-Frequency Generation Spectrum of the Water Bend Vibration
Authors: Moll Carolyn , Versluis Jan , Bakker Huib
Published: February 2021

Spectroscopic studies of aqueous surfaces can provide a fundamental understanding of interfacial processes. These studies have largely focused on the OH stretch vibrations of water, which is unfortunate as the bending mode is an attractive feature to probe as it is relatively free of inter- and intramolecular couplings. However, the origin of the response of the bending mode is highly debated and has been assigned to either surface-specific or to bulk effects. Here, we study the bending mode of pure water and charged aqueous surfaces using heterodyne-detected vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy (HD-VSFG) to quantify the two effects. Our results show a low - (1626 cm-1) and a high - (1656 cm-1) frequency component which can be unambiguously assigned to an interfacial dipole and a bulk quadrupolar response, respectively. We thus demonstrate that probing the bending mode provides structural and quantitative information on both the surface and the bulk.
Construction 7-Membered Ring via Ni-Al Bimetal-Enabled C-H Cyclization for Synthesis of Tricyclic Imidazoles
Authors: Ye Mengchun , Li Jiang-Fei , Xu Wei-Wei , Wang Rong-Hua , Li Yue , Yin Ge
Published: February 2021

The construction of 7-membered ring via direct C7−H cyclization of benzoimidazoles with alkenes would provide a more atom- and step economical route to tricyclic imidazoles and derivatives that widely exist in a broad range of bioactive molecules. However, transition metal-catalyzed C−H cyclization for medium-ring synthesis has been limited to reactive C−H bonds, instead, the activation of unreactive C−H bonds towards medium synthesis still remains an elusive challenge. Herein, we report a direct construction of 7-membered rings via Ni−Al co-catalyzed unreactive C7−H cyclization of benzoimidazoles with alkenes, providing a series of tricyclic imidazoles in 40−98% yield and with up to 95:5 er.
Breastfeeding Technique and Associated Factors among Lactating Mothers Visiting Gondar Town Health Facilities, Northwest Ethiopia: Observational method
Authors: Kassie Destaye Guadie , Safayi Boko Loka , Assimamaw Nega Tezera
Published: February 2021

Background

The breastfeeding technique (BFT) is explained positioning, attachment, and suckling during breastfeeding. Ineffective BFT is one of the factors leading to premature discontinuation of breastfeeding and malnutrition. There is a limited study on the assessments of BFT and associated factors among lactating mothers in the study area. Therefore, the study aimed to assess breastfeeding technique and the associated factors among lactating mothers visiting Gondar town health facilities, Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 20th to March 20th, 2020. An observational checklist and structured interviewer-administered questionnaire were used to collect the data. The data were entered into Epi-Data 4.6 version and transferred to analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to identify the association. The strength of association was identified using an odds ratio with a 95 % confidence interval (CI), and a p-value of ≤ 0.05 was declare as statistically significant.
Results

The proportion of effective BFT was 48% (95%, CI: 43.0%- 53.0%). The likelihood of applying proper BFT was reduced by 70% (AOR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.11–0.83) among the age group < 20 compared to the age group > 30 years. The odds of effective BFT in primipara mothers were 49% (AOR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.32–0.82) lower compared to multiparous mothers. Likewise, the likelihood of effective BFT was 55% (AOR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.29–0.70) times lower in women who had no counseling immediately after delivery compared to their counterparts. Moreover, effective BFT was reduced by 78% (AOR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.07–0.68) times in mothers with breast problem and 46% (AOR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.30–0.97) less in mothers who bottle-fed their baby compared breast-milk mothers.
Conclusion

Just under half of the women in the study area applied proper BFT. Younger mothers and primipara mothers poorly performed to effective BFT. Likewise, women having counseling during ANC follow-up and immediately after delivery, similar to not having breast problems and bottle feeding practices BFT effectively. Hence, special emphasis should be given to younger and primipara mothers. Besides, preventing breast problems and working on enhancing counseling would improve BFT.
Learning Self-regulated L2 Writing Under a Cognitive Model
Authors: Dutta Manashi Gogoi , Danvivath Uthaivan
Published: February 2021

This research study has been conducted to experiment an innovative teaching approach believing that when less use of self-regulated learning strategy leads to lower metacognitive learning attitude which results in low proficiency. This study has investigated the consequences of instructionally aroused cognitive involvement load for self-monitoring and self-assessment through facilitation of metacognitive learning strategy use for improving L2 writing skills of Thai undergraduate students. This innovative instructional model for teaching self-regulated L2 writing has been named as Strategic Self-Regulated Metacognitive Activities or S2RMCA. The approach of this model has been developed to promote self-regulated learning management. For stimulating the use of learning strategies, a set of self-monitoring and self-evaluating assessment rubric named Strategy Inventories for Learning L2 Writing (SILL2W) has also been devised. A set of questionnaire, pre-post-tests, checklist, and interviews were employed for collecting and analyzing the data. Results of data analyses have shown effectiveness and feasibility of the S2RMCA model for teaching self-regulated L2 writing. Satisfactory results have also been shown by participants in their L2 writing skills. So far, research studies conducted on cognitive involvement load, a continuing challenge has always been there regarding the accurate measurement of load via self-reporting and this study has also faced that challenge.
A Neutron Diffraction Investigation of High Valent Doped Barium Ferrite With Super-wide Tunable Microwave Absorption
Authors: Li J. , Hong Yang , He San , Li Weike , Bai Han , Xia Yuanhua , Sun Guangai , Zhou Zhongxiang
Published: February 2021

The Barium ferrite BaTixFe12-xO19 (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) ceramics doped by Ti4+ (BFTO-x) were synthesized by a modified sol-gel method. The crystal structure and magnetic structure of the samples were determined by neutron diffraction, and confirm that the BFTO-x ceramics were high quality single phase with sheet micro-structure. With x increasing from 0.2 to 0.8, the Ms decreases gradually but the change of Hc is complex under the synergy of the changed grain size and the magnetic crystal anisotropy field. Relying on the high valence of Ti4+, double resonance peaks are obtained in the curves of μ′′ and the resonance peaks could move towards the low frequency with the increase of x, which facilitate the samples perform an excellent wide-band modulation microwave absorption property. In the x = 0.2 sample, the maximum reflection loss can reach –44.9 dB at the thickness of only 1.8 mm, and the bandwidth could reach to 5.28 GHz at 2 mm when the RL is less than –10 dB. All the BFTO-x ceramics show excellent frequency modulation ability varying from 18 GHz (x = 0.8) to 4 GHz (x = 0.4), which covers 81% of the investigated frequency in microwave absorption field.
New Two-layer Ruddlesden-popper Cathode Materials for Protonic Ceramics Fuel Cells
Authors: Ling Y.H. , Ling Yihan , Guo Tianming , Guo Yangyang , Yang Yang , Tian Yunfeng , Wang Xinxin , Ou Xuemei , Feng Peizhong
Published: February 2021

New two-layer Ruddlesden-popper (RP) oxide La0.25Sr2.75FeNiO7-δ (LSFN) in the combination of Sr3Fe2O7-δ and La3Ni2O7-δ was successfully synthesized and studied as the potential active single-phase and composite cathode for protonic ceramics fuel cells (PCFCs). LSFN with the tetragonal symmetrical structure (I4/mmm) is confirmed, and the co-existence of Fe3+ /Fe4+ and Ni3+/Ni2+ couples is demonstrated by XPS analysis. The LSFN conductivity is apparently enhanced after Ni doping in Fe-site, and nearly three times those of Sr3Fe2O7-δ, which is directly related to the carrier concentration and conductor mechanism. Importantly, anode supported PCFCs using LSFN-BZCY composite cathode achieved high power density (426 mW·cm-2 at 650°C) and low electrode interface polarization resistance (0.26 Ω cm2). Besides, relaxation time distribution function (DRT) technology was further used to analysis the electrode polarization processes. The observed three peaks (P1, P2, P3) separated by DRT shifted to the high frequency region with the decreasing temperature, suggesting that the charge transfer at the electrode-electrolyte interfaces become more difficult at reduced temperature. Preliminary results demonstrate new two-layer PR phase LSFN can be a promising cathode candidate for PCFCs.
Can a COVID-19 vaccination program guarantee the return to a pre-pandemic lifestyle?
Authors: Yu Hongjie , Yang Juan , Marziano Valentina , Deng Xiaowei , Guzzetta Giorgio , Zhang Juanjuan , Trentini Filippo , Cai Jun , Poletti Piero , Zheng Wen , Wang Wei , Wu Qianhui , Zhao Zeyao , Dong Kaige , Zhong Guangjie , Viboud Cecile , Merler Stefano , Ajelli Marco
Published: February 2021

COVID-19 vaccination programs have been initiated in several countries to control SARS-CoV-2 transmission and return to a pre-pandemic lifestyle. However, understanding when non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) can be lifted as vaccination builds up and how to update priority groups for vaccination in real-time remain key questions for policy makers. To address these questions, we built a data-driven model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission for China. We estimated that, to prevent local outbreaks to escalate to major widespread epidemics, stringent NPIs need to remain in place at least one year after the start of vaccination. Should NPIs be capable to keep the reproduction number (Rt) around 1.3, a vaccination program could reduce up to 99% of COVID-19 burden and bring Rt below the epidemic threshold in about 9 months. Maintaining strict NPIs throughout 2021 is of paramount importance to reduce COVID-19 burden while vaccines are distributed to the population, especially in large populations with little natural immunity.
Integrated and Superaerophilic Ni-O-C Electrode enables Fast and Stable Electrochemical H2O2 Production for Electro-Fenton-like Process
Authors: Xu Wenwen , Liang Zheng , Gong Shun , Zhang Baoshan , Su Linfeng , Wang Hui , Chen Xu , Han Nana , Tian Ziqi , Kallio Tanja , Chen Liang , Lu Zhiyi , Sun Xiaoming
Published: February 2021

Fast and stable production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) through electrochemical pathways is crucial for wastewater treatment applications. With this objective, herein we report an integrated and superaerophilic electrode composed of atomically dispersed Ni-O-C sites enriched carbon nanosheets (IS-NiOC electrode) for electrochemical oxygen reduction to produce H2O2. Both experimental and theoretical results have proven that atomically dispersed Ni-O-C sites enable a low overpotential (260 mV at 0.1 mA cm− 2) and high selectivity (> 90% at 0.0 ~ 0.5 V vs. RHE) in neutral electrolyte. Compared with a commercial gas-diffusion electrode, the IS-NiOC electrode offers stronger affinity to oxygen bubbles and more robust three-phase contact points, resulting in high current density (~ 106 mA cm− 2 at 0.25 V vs. RHE) and superior stability (~ 200 h). These merits allow the application of the IS-NiOC electrode in an electro-Fenton-like process, which enables fast degradation of representative organic pollutants in both steady state and flow state.
Experimental disclosing the composition- and structure-dependent deep-level defect in photovoltaic antimony trisulfide materials
Authors: Lian Weitao , Jiang Chen-Hui , Yin Yiwei , Tang Rongfeng , Li Gang , Zhang Lijian , Che Bo , Chen Tao
Published: February 2021

Antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) represents a kind of emerging light-harvesting material with excellent stability and abundant elemental storage. Due to the low-symmetry, theoretical investigation has pointed out that there exists complicated defect properties. However, there is no experimental verification on the defect property. Here, we conduct optical deep-level transient spectroscopy to investigate defect properties in Sb2S3 and show that there are maximum three kinds of deep level defects observed, depending on the composition of Sb2S3. We also find that the Sb-interstitial (Sbi) defect does not show critical influence on the carrier lifetime, indicating the high tolerance of the one-dimensional crystal structure where the space of (Sb4S6)n ribbons is able to accommodate impurities to certain extent. This work provides basic understanding on the defect properties of quasi-one-dimensional materials and a guidance for the efficiency improvement of Sb2S3 solar cells.
Topological Frustration can modify the nature of a Quantum Phase Transition
Authors: Marić Vanja , Torre Gianpaolo , Franchini Fabio , Giampaolo Salvatore
Published: February 2021

Ginzburg-Landau theory of continuous phase transitions implicitly assumes that microscopic changes are negligible in determining the thermodynamic properties of the system. In this work we provide an example that clearly contrasts with this assumption. In particular, we consider the 2-cluster-Ising model, a one-dimensional spin-1/2 system that is known to exhibit a quantum phase transition between a magnetic and a nematic phase. By imposing boundary conditions that induce topological frustration we show that local order is completely destroyed on both sides of the transition and that the two thermodynamic phases can only be characterized by string order parameters.
Having proved that topological frustration is capable of altering the nature of a system's phase transition, this result is a clear challenge to current theories of phase transitions in complex quantum systems.
What is the Impact of Physical Activities in Home Isolation on Residents’ Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Survey During the COVID-19 Social Quarantine
Authors: Zuo Yifan , Zhang Mu , Xu Shaogui , Liang Liqi , Wu Xiaoyuan , Chen Kevin W , Han Jiayu , Ren Zhanbing
Published: February 2021

Background: During isolation, physical activity can enhance residents’ well-being. The objective of the present study was to examine the associations between residents’ physical activity, health values, and well-being during isolation.Methods: Based on the physical activity rating scale, health values scale, subjective well-being scale, and the satisfaction with life scale, 505 valid questionnaires were collected online from 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China. A series of multiple linear regression models were established to study the relationship between variables, and the bootstrap confidence interval was selected to test the mediating effect.Results: The results showed that during the period of isolation, physical activity directly(b =0.463, p < 0.001) or indirectly(b =0.358, p < 0.001) had a positive impact on residents’ well-being through the mediating effect of health values. There is a positive correlation between physical activity and health values(b =0.710, p < 0.001), while health values had a direct positive impact on well-being(b =0.504, p < 0.001). In addition, moderate amount of physical activity is more likely to improve the well-being of residents during home isolation compared to small and large amount of physical activity.Conclusions: Moderate exercise at home and regular physical activity are beneficial to our physical and mental health, especially to improve the overall well-being. At the same time, it is necessary for the World Health Organization and governments at all levels to strengthen the guidance and publicity of health values, so as to eliminate the impact of COVID-19 on people to a greater extent.
Intersecting Systemic and Personal Barriers to Accessing Social Services: Qualitative Interviews in Northern California
Authors: Placzek Hilary , Cruz Stephanie , Chapdelaine Michelle , Carl Mary , Levin Sara , Hsu Clarissa
Published: February 2021

Background. Addressing social risks in the clinical setting can increase patient confidence in the availability of community resources and may contribute to the development of a therapeutic alliance which has been correlated with treatment adherence and improved quality of life in mental health contexts. It is not well understood what barriers patients face when trying to connect to community resources that help address social risks.Methods. This is a qualitative assessment of patient-reported barriers to accessing and using social needs assistance programs. We conducted over 100 in-depth interviews with individuals in Northern California who participated in a navigation and referral program to help address their social needs and describe a unique framework for understanding how policies and systems intersect with an individual's personal life circumstances.Results. Individuals described two distinct domains of barriers: 1) systems-level barriers that were linked to the inequitable distribution of and access to resources, and 2) personal-level barriers that focused on unique limitations experienced by each patient and impacted the way that they accessed services in their communities. While these barriers often overlapped or manifested in similar outcomes, this distinction was key because the systems barriers were not things that individuals could control or overcome through their own initiative or by increasing individual capacity.Conclusions. Respondents describe intersecting systemic and personal barriers that compound patients’ challenges to getting their social needs met; this includes both a picture of the inequitable distribution of and access to social services and a profile of the limitations created by individual life histories. These results speak to the need for structural changes to improve adequacy, availability, and accessibility of social needs resources. These findings highlight the need for advocacy to address systems barriers, especially the stigma that is faced by people who struggle with a variety of health and social issues, and investment in incentives to strengthen relationships between health care settings and social service agencies.
Effect of Atorvastatin on Serum Levels of Periostin in Asthma - A Placebo Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Mehrabi Samrad , Torkan Jalal , Hosseinzadeh Massood
Published: February 2021

Background: Asthma is a common pulmonary disease with a high morbidity rate. Considering the role of inflammation in the disease induction and severity, and the anti–inflammatory effect of atorvastatin, we aimed to investigate the effect of atorvastatin on serum level of periostin and eosinophil in patients with asthma, in order to introduce the usefulness of this drug on reducing the inflammation in patients with asthma.Methods: In a blinded randomized control trial, 80 patients with definite diagnosis of asthma were enrolled into the intervention or placebo group, who received 40 mg/day atorvastatin and similar placebo every day for 8 weeks. Spirometric measurements were performed and asthma control test was completed by the patients at baseline, after 4 weeks, and at the end of study (after 8 weeks). The primary outcomes of the study were serum eosinophil count and periostin levels. Results: 40 patients were analyzed in each group and their data were analyzed. Mean asthma control scores in the intervention and placebo groups were similar at baseline (17.95±3.75 vs. 17.98±3.77; P>0.05) and improved in the intervention group (19.88±3.28; P<0.001), but remained unchanged in the placebo group (18.6±3.26; P=0.09). Neither the spirometric changes, nor the serum levels of eosinophil count and periostin were significantly different between the groups (P>0.05).Conclusions: Although the intervention group had improved asthma control score after the intervention, this effect could be because of the indirect effect of atorvastatin, as the spirometric measurements and inflammatory markers did not change significantly and were not different between the placebo and intervention groups. Further studies with longer follow-ups may show changes in spirometric parameters by atorvastatin or its effect on other inflammatory markers.
Comparison in optoelectronic properties of triphenylamine-imidazole or imidazole as donor for dye–sensitized solar cell: Theoretical approach
Authors: Bourouina Assia , Rekis Mâammar
Published: February 2021

In the present work, the structural and electronic properties of the D-D'-π-A organic dye with two donors have been calculated theoretically by DFT/TD-DFT method. In order to prove their efficiency as sensitizers, a comparative study was performed with a serie of D-π-A architecture with one donor. The results of light harvesting efficiency (LHE), open circuit voltage (Voc), free energy injection (∆Ginj), free energy dye regeneration (∆Greg,) excited-state lifetimes for the two series reveal that the D-D'-π-A dyes are promising for the design of new sensitive dyes in solar cells.
Predictive Value of Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Systemic Immune‐Inflammation Index in Adverse Pathology at Radical Prostatectomy in Patients with Low-Grade Prostate Cancer
Authors: zhou jiatong , liu ranlu
Published: February 2021

Purpose: To determine the potential role of several biochemical and clinical markers in predicting adverse pathology (AP) and ISUP GG upgrading at radical prostatectomy (RP) with low-grade (ISUP Gleason Group (ISUP GG) 1 and 2) prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patients who underwent radical prostatectomy following criteria: clinical stage T2a or less,and were identified low-grade PCa (ISUP GG 1−2, prostate-specifific antigen (PSA) <20 ng/ml) through prostate biopsy, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the association of patient and tumor characteristics with reclassification, AP was defined as stage ≥T3 and/or ISUP GG ≥3.Results: A total of 155 patients were eligible for this study. AP at RP occurred in 20 of 97 (20.62%) patients with ISUP GG 1, and 28 of 58 (48.28%) with ISUP GG 2. At univariate analysis, bioptic ISUP GG emerged as significant factors of AP(p＜0.001). Platelets to lymphocyte ratio(PLR) might be the risk factor of the incidence of AP(p=0.059). At multivariate analysis, we found PLR and bioptic ISUP were independent significantly factors in predicting AP. The area under the curve for PLR was 0.592. And also, we showed that systemic immune inflammation index(SII) and bioptic ISUP GG were significantly associated with ISUP GG upgrading after RP in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: We found that SII could not be a significant risk factor of AP at low-grade prostate cancer (PCa) after RP.While SII might be a predict factor for ISUP GG upgrading. PLR might be used as an independent predictor which was inversely correlated with presence of AP in low-grade PCa after RP.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy using Indocyanine Green and Blue Dye in Male Breast Cancer: A Case Report of 5 Patients
Authors: Yang Jun , Meng Xu-Li , Yu Yong , Pan Lei , Wu Jun , Liu Chang-Feng
Published: February 2021

Background: Male breast cancer is extremely rare and optimal treatments remain unclear. Most of research findings about breast cancer are derived from female patients and has not been rigorously investigated in male patients. The aim of article is to introduce the utility of indocyanine green (ICG) and blue dye mapping for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy and to determine its clinical usefulness in male breast cancer. Case presentation: A total of 5 consecutive male breast cancer patients with clinical stage ranging from I to IIA in the Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province during March 2013 to May 2016 were included in the present study. All patients underwent SLN biopsy with ICG and blue dye. Planed surgical resection with axillary lymph node dissection was performed. Surgically excised sentinel nodes were subjected to conventional histopathology. All of 5 cases with male breast cancer were successfully identified SLNs. Among them, 4 cases were detected by blue dye and all cases were detected by indocyanine green. A total of 10 SLNs were retrieved with an average nodal count of 2 per patient. Metastases were present in 2 nodes within 1 patients. Conclusions: These results provide evidence that the SLN biopsy mapping with ICG and blue dye is accurate in predicting axillary lymph nodes metastases and has the potential to be a reliable criteria for staging of the axilla in patients with male breast cancer.
Biochemical, molecular and in silico characterization of arsenate reductase from pH, salt and arsenic tolerant Bacillus thuringiensis KPWP1
Authors: Banerjee Paromita , Chatterjee Ananya , Jha Sushmita , Bhadani Nirbhay , Datta Partha , Sengupta Tapas Kumar
Published: February 2021

The objective of the present study was to characterize aresenate reductase of pH, salt and arsenate tolerant Bacillus thuringiensis KPWP1, isolated from contaminated surface water. Interestingly, it was found that the arsC, arsB and arsR genes involved in arsenate tolerance are distributed in the genome of KPWP1. The inducible arsC gene was cloned, expressed and the purified ArsC protein showed profound enzyme activity with the KM and Kcat values as 25 µM and 0.00119 s− 1, respectively. In silico studies of KPWP1 ArsC revealed that in spite of 19–26% differences in gene sequences, the ArsC proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus are structurally conserved and KPWP1 ArsC structure is close to nature. Docking and analysis of binding site showed that arsenate ion interacts with three cysteine residues of ArsC of KPWP1and predicts that the ArsC from B. thuringiensis reduces arsenate by using the triple Cys redox relay mechanism.
Characterization of intermediate-sized insertions using whole genome sequencing data and analysis of their functional impacts on gene expression
Authors: Ashouri Saeideh , Wong Jing Hao , Nakagawa Hidewaki , Shimada Mihoko , Tokunaga Katsushi , Fujimoto Akihiro
Published: February 2021

Intermediate-sized insertions are one of the structural variants contributing to genome diversity. However, due to technical difficulties in identifying them, their importance in disease pathogenicity and gene expression regulation remains unclear. We used whole-genome sequencing data of 174 Japanese samples to characterize intermediate-sized insertions using a highly-accurate insertion calling method (IMSindel software and joint-call recovery) and obtained a catalogue of 4,254 insertions. We constructed an imputation panel comprising of insertions and SNVs from all samples, and conducted imputation of intermediate-sized insertions for 82 publicly-available Japanese samples. Imputation accuracy, evaluated using Nanopore long-read sequencing data, was 97%. Subsequent eQTL analysis predicted 128 (~ 3.0%) insertions as causative for gene expression level changes. Enrichment analysis of causal insertions for genome regulatory elements showed significant associations with CTCF-binding sites, super-enhancers, and promoters. Among 17 causal insertions found in the same causal set with GWAS hits, there were insertions associated with changes in expression of cancer-related genes such as BRCA1, ZNF222, and ABCB10. Analysis of insertions sequences revealed that 461 insertions were short tandem duplications frequently found in early replicating regions of genome. Furthermore, comparison of functional importance of intermediate-sized insertions with that of intermediate-sized deletions detected in the same sample set in our previous study showed that insertions were more frequent in genic regions, and proportion of functional candidates was smaller in insertions. Here, we characterize a high-confidence set of intermediate-sized insertions and indicate their importance in gene expression regulation. Our results emphasize the importance of considering intermediate-sized insertions in trait association studies.