bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral magnesium supplements for cancer treatment‐induced hypomagnesemia: Results from a pilot randomized trial
Authors: Awan Arif , Basulaiman Bassam , Stober Carol , Clemons Mark , Fergusson Dean , Hilton John , Al Ghareeb Waleed , Goodwin Rachel , Ibrahim Mohammed , Hutton Brian , Vandermeer Lisa , Mallick Ranjeeta , Vickers Michael M.
Published: December 2021

Background and Aims

Optimal management of cancer treatment‐induced hypomagnesemia (hMg) is not known. We assessed the feasibility of using a novel pragmatic clinical trials model to compare two commonly used oral Mg replacement strategies.

Methods

Patients with grade 1 to 3 hMg while receiving either platinum‐based chemotherapy or epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRI) were randomized to oral magnesium oxide (MgOx) or oral magnesium citrate (MgCit). The trial methodology utilized the integrated consent model. Feasibility would be successful if; accrual rate was ≥5 patients a month and if measures of patient and physician engagement, were > 50%. Secondary endpoints included; comparison of Mg levels, cardiac arrhythmias, and rates of treatment delay/hospitalizations.

Results

From July 2016 to December 2017, an average of 1 patient a month was accrued. All 15 eligible and approached patients consented to participate in the study (100% engagement) and 7/15 were randomized to MgOx and 8/15 to MgCit. The percentage of physicians who approached patients for the study was 4 of 6 (66.6% engagement). The mean slope of change in Mg (mmol/L/day) was 0.0022 (95% CI: −0.0001 to 0.0044) for MgOx and 0.0006 (95% CI, −0.0012 to 0.0024) for MgCit (P = .2123). Three patients (20%) required IV magnesium while on the study (2 MgCit and 1 MgOx). Grade 1 diarrhea occurred in 3 patients in the MgCit arm.

Conclusion

Despite oral magnesium tolerability and meeting most of its feasibility endpoints, this study did not meet its target accrual rate. Alternative designs would be necessary for a definitive efficacy study.
Parameterization of a Brazilian scenario in the USEPA Pesticide in Water Calculator tool to estimate the environmental exposure of pesticide in surface waters
Authors: De Oliveira Kaminski Thamires Sá , Vieira Eliane
Published: December 2021

The current pesticide registration process in Brazil is mainly hazard-based and does not consider exposure and therefore risk. However, the scenario prompted changes and discussions about risk assessments by Brazilian environmental regulatory agencies. The US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Pesticide in Water Calculator (PWC) model is used as a regulatory tool for aquatic exposure assessment in Canada and the USA for exposure evaluation of agrochemical products; nevertheless, the available scenarios only consider North American local conditions. This work aims to demonstrate a parametrization of the PWC model for a Brazilian scenario, considering the active ingredient glyphosate and sugarcane agronomic practices. The estimated environmental concentrations (EECs) obtained were compared with two standard EPA scenarios. Essential parameter data to build a specific local scenario were collected from the literature and official Brazilian databases. The EECs (1-in-10 years) of glyphosate according to the conditions established were 1.427 μg L−1 (1st day), 0.382 µg L−1 (21st day), and 0.2027 µg L−1 (60th day). These values can be used as exposure elements in acute and chronic risk assessments considering the agricultural practices used in the developed scenario. A 4.45-fold and 1.28-fold difference was found comparing the 1-day (1-in-10 years) average concentration of the Brazilian scenario with two EPA standard scenarios. Such a difference may affect the outcome of risk assessments, affecting regulatory decisions. This demonstrates the importance of generating more realistic scenarios for Brazil, yielding surface water EECs that consider local conditions. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1387–1398. © 2021 SETAC

KEY POINTS

Estimated environmental concentrations (EECs) generated by standard EPA-PWC scenarios can differ greatly from the ones when local conditions are considered and such difference may affect the outcome of the risk assessment, and regulatory decisions. Developing local PWC scenarios, instead of developing a new exposure calculator is a more straightforward approach since it is possible build on a previously regulatory approved and validated tool. It is feasible for local regulatory, industry and academic scientific groups to build PWC local scenarios from the selection of specific local data—such as meteorological information, soil characteristics, runoff parameters—to be used as an exposure element in risk assessments. Considering that Brazil has continental extensions with different climates, soils, and representative crops, the development of local scenarios for representative regions is crucial to obtain more realistic EECs addressing aquatic risk assessments appropriately.
The relationship between COVID‐19 viral load and disease severity: A systematic review
Authors: Dadras Omid , Afsahi Amir M. , Pashaei Zahra , Mojdeganlou Hengameh , Karimi Amirali , Habibi Pedram , Barzegary Alireza , Fakhfouri Amirata , Mirzapour Pegah , Janfaza Nazanin , Dehghani Soheil , Afroughi Fatemeh , Dashti Mohsen , Khodaei Sepideh , Mehraeen Esmaeil , Voltarelli Fabricio , Sabatier Jean‐Marc , SeyedAlinaghi SeyedAhmad
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Patients with COVID‐19 may present different viral loads levels. However, the relationship between viral load and disease severity in COVID‐19 is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the association between SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load and COVID‐19 severity.

Methods

The relevant studies using the keywords of “COVID‐19” and “viral load” were searched in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. A two‐step title/abstract screening process was carried out and the eligible studies were included in the study.

Results

Thirty‐four studies were included from the initial 1015 records. The vast majority of studies have utilized real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction of the nasopharyngeal/respiratory swabs to report viral load. Viral loads were commonly reported either as cycle threshold (Ct) or log10 RNA copies/ml.

Conclusion

The results were inconclusive about the relationship between COVID‐19 severity and viral load, as a similar number of studies either approved or opposed this hypothesis. However, the studies denote the direct relationship between older age and higher SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load, which is a known risk factor for COVID‐19 mortality. The higher viral load in older patients may serve as a mechanism for any possible relationships between COVID‐19 viral load and disease severity. There was a positive correlation between SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load and its transmissibility. Nonetheless, further studies are recommended to precisely characterize this matter.
Aqueous Zn‐based rechargeable batteries: Recent progress and future perspectives
Authors: Wu Mingjie , Zhang Gaixia , Yang Huaming , Liu Xianhu , Dubois Marc , Gauthier Marc A. , Sun Shuhui
Published: December 2021

Benefiting from the advantageous features of high safety, abundant reserves, low cost, and high energy density, aqueous Zn‐based rechargeable batteries (AZBs) have received extensive attention as promising candidates for energy storage. To achieve high‐performance AZBs with high reversibility and energy density, great efforts have been devoted to overcoming their drawbacks by focusing on the modification of electrode materials and electrolytes. Based on different cathode materials and aqueous electrolytes, the development of aqueous AZBs with different redox mechanisms are discussed in this review, including insertion/extraction chemistries (e.g., Zn2+, alkali metal ion, H+, NH4+, and so forth) dissolution/deposition reactions (e.g., MnO2/Mn2+), redox couples in flow batteries (e.g., I3−/3I−, Br2/Br−, and so forth), oxygen electrochemistry (e.g., O2/OH−, O2/O22−), and carbon dioxide electrochemistry (e.g., CO2/CO, CO2/HCOOH). In particular, the basic reaction mechanisms, issues with the Zn electrode, aqueous electrolytes, and cathode materials as well as their design strategies are systematically reviewed. Finally, the remaining challenges faced by AZBs are summarized, and perspectives for further investigations are proposed.
Lotus root and osteons‐inspired channel structural scaffold mediate cell biomineralization and vascularized bone tissue regeneration
Authors: Li Limei , Li Jidong , Zou Qin , Zuo Yi , Lin Lili , Cai Bin , Li Yubao
Published: December 2021

The interconnectivity of porous scaffold is vital for cell and tissue infiltration, and vascular networks formation, determining the successful bone regeneration in large bone defects. Here, inspired by the lotus‐root and Haversian system of natural bone, a nano‐hydroxyapatite/polyurethane (n‐HA/PU) lotus root‐like scaffold inlaid with micro holes on the wall of the adjacent channel was utilized to mediate cell biomineralization and vascularized bone tissue regeneration. Such a particular lotus‐type structure remarkably promoted cells to proliferate and infiltrate into the center of the entire scaffold, serving as a clue to account for regulating cell alignment and differentiation physically. In vitro studies suggested that apatite accumulated dramatically on the channel wall in the lotus‐type scaffold, probably promoting specific osteogenic differentiation of cells by the orientated channels, even in the absence of osteogenic factors. In vivo creation of critical bone defects (15‐mm segments) was done in the radius of rabbits and implanted with the scaffold of different geometry to assess the structural parameters on the efficacy of new bone regeneration. The more extensive positive staining of BMP‐2, more considerable amount of infiltrated capillary, more robust new bone formation, particularly the biomechanical strength of lotus‐type scaffold group could reach the level of the control group without surgery, indicating that the lotus‐type scaffold was more favorable for new bone tissue formation along tube‐like channels. These results highlighted the potential of this biomimetic scaffold for cell and tissue infiltration and thus repair large bony defects.
Ethical guidelines for publishing in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle: update 2021
Authors: von Haehling Stephan , Coats Andrew J.S. , Anker Stefan D.
Published: December 2021

The Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle (JCSM) aims to publish articles with relevance to wasting disorders and illnesses of the muscle in the broadest sense. In order to avoid publication of inappropriate articles and to avoid protracted disputes, the Editors have established ethical guidelines that detail a number of regulations to be fulfilled prior to submission to the journal. This article updates the principles of ethical authorship and publishing in JCSM and its two daughter journals JCSM Rapid Communication and JCSM Clinical Reports. We require the corresponding author, on behalf of all co‐authors, to certify adherence to the following principles:

All authors listed on a manuscript considered for publication have approved its submission and (if accepted) approve publication in the journal;

Each named author has made a material and independent contribution to the work submitted for publication;

No person who has a right to be recognized as author has been omitted from the list of authors on the submitted manuscript;

The submitted work is original and is neither under consideration elsewhere nor that it has been published previously in whole or in part other than in abstract form;

All authors certify that the submitted work is original and does not contain excessive overlap with prior or contemporaneous publication elsewhere, and where the publication reports on cohorts, trials, or data that have been reported on before the facts need to be acknowledged and these other publications must be referenced;

All original research work has been approved by the relevant bodies such as institutional review boards or ethics committees;

All relevant conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, that may affect the authors' ability to present data objectively, and relevant sources of funding of the research in question have been duly declared in the manuscript;

All authors certify that they will submit the original source data to the editorial office upon request;

The manuscript in its published form will be maintained on the servers of the journal as a valid publication only as long as all statements in these guidelines remain true;

If any of the aforementioned statements ceases to be true, the authors have a duty to notify as soon as possible the Editor‐in‐Chief of the journal, so that the available information regarding the published article can be updated and/or the manuscript can be withdrawn.
Silencing of circDPP4 suppresses cell progression of human prostate cancer and enhances docetaxel cytotoxicity through regulating the miR‐564/ZIC2 axis
Authors: Gu Hao , Duan Zhongqi
Published: December 2021

Background

Circular RNA derived from dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (circDPP4; ID: hsa_circ_0056881) is one of the top increased circRNAs in prostate cancer (PC) and docetaxel (DTX)‐based chemotherapy is the primary therapeutic choice for PC. However, its repertoire in PC development and chemoresistance remains to be documented.

Methods

Expression of circDPP4, microRNA (miR)‐564, and zinc finger of the cerebellum 2 (ZIC2) was detected by a real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting; the direct interaction was validated by an RNA pull‐down assay, a dual‐luciferase reporter assay, and RNA immunoprecipitation. Cell progression was measured by a cell‐counting kit‐8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, a transwell assay, a xenograft experiment, and immunohistochemistry. DTX cytotoxicity was confirmed by the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assay.

Results

Expression of circDPP4 is upregulated in PC tumors from 60 patients and PC cell lines, and a higher circDPP4 might predict poor overall survival. Decreasing circDPP4 suppresses cell proliferation, colony formation, migration/invasion, and 50% inhibitory concentration of DTX in PC cells, and promotes the apoptosis rate. Both overexpressing miR‐564 and inhibiting ZIC2 could imitate those effects, whereas inhibiting miR‐564 and restoring ZIC2 could separately counteract them. Mechanistically, circDPP4 functions as a miR‐564 sponge and regulates the expression of ZIC2, a target gene for miR‐564. Tumor growth is retarded by silencing circDPP4, accompanied by elevated miR‐564 and attenuated Ki‐67 and ZIC2.

Conclusions

Blocking circDPP4 antagonizes cell progression of PC and contributes to in vitro DTX cytotoxicity via regulating the miR‐564/ZIC2 axis, at least. The present study suggests that circDPP4 is a potential biomarker and target for PC.
Transient left ventricular dysfunction following chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell‐mediated encephalopathy: A form of stress cardiomyopathy
Authors: Khorasanchi Adam , Ansari Amir M. , Bottinor Wendy , Simmons Gary , Abbate Antonio , Toor Amir A.
Published: December 2021

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T‐cell therapy represents a new strategy in treating lymphoid malignancies, such as relapsed‐refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Several toxicities including cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity, and cardiovascular toxicity have been linked to CAR T‐cell therapy. Transient impairment in left ventricular systolic function is described after CAR‐T, however, the mechanism remains poorly understood. This paper reports the clinical presentation and outcome of two patients with relapsed‐refractory DLBCL who experienced encephalopathy and CRS following CAR T‐cell therapy and developed transient left ventricular dysfunction consistent with stress cardiomyopathy.
Propionic acid induces apoptosis‐like death in Escherichia coli O157
Authors: Kim Minji , Lee Dong G.
Published: December 2021

Propionic acid (PPA), utilized in the manufacture of cellulose acetate propionate, is known to exhibit antimicrobial effects, but its mechanism in Escherichia coli O157 is still unknown. In general, antimicrobial activity is associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS), but ROS generation is not observed under PPA treatment. In addition to ROS, experiments were conducted to observe changes in trehalose and ion balance to discover factors that may affect the cell proliferation. Bacteria use trehalose, a sugar used for stabilization due to stress factors, which contradicts PPA concentration. Discrepancy in homeostasis follows as a result of ion imbalance. PPA causes interruption in bacterial internal stability in a dose‐dependent manner. Membrane damage by ion imbalance occurs due to the binding ability of ionized PPA and divalent ions, which induce membrane depolarization, leading to a reduction in cell viability. Considering the lethal impact of membrane depolarization on cell death in bacteria, DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine exposure in apoptosis are confirmed. Due to severe damage in DNA, the activation of caspase‐like protein is observed. Apoptosis‐like death (ALD), a novel programmed cell death in bacteria, occurs eventually. In conclusion, ALD in E. coli O157 is induced via the contribution of homeostasis disruption in a ROS‐independent manner.
Self‐targeting spacers in CRISPR‐array: Accidental occurrence or evolutionarily conserved phenomenon
Authors: Devi Veena , Harjai Kusum , Chhibber Sanjay
Published: December 2021

In recent years, a tremendous amount of inquisitiveness among scientists in the clustered regularly interspaced short palindrome repeats (CRISPR)–CRISPR‐associated proteins (Cas) has led to many studies to delineate their exact role in prokaryotes. CRISPR–Cas is an adaptive immune system that protects prokaryotes from phages and mobile genetic elements. It incorporates small DNA fragment of the invader in the CRISPR‐array and protects the host from future invasion by them. In a few instances, the CRISPR‐array also incorporates self‐targeting spacers, most likely by accident or leaky incorporation. A significant number of spacers are found to match with the host genes across the species; however, self‐targeting spacers have not been investigated in detail in most of the organisms. The presence of self‐targeting spacers in the CRISPR‐array led to speculation that the CRISPR–Cas system has a lot more to offer than just being the conventional adaptive immune system. It has been implicated in gene regulation and autoimmunity more or less equally. In this review, an attempt has been made to understand self‐targeting spacers in the context of gene regulation, autoimmunity, and its avoidance strategies.
Utilization and evolving prescribing practice of opioid and non‐opioid analgesics in patients undergoing lymphadenectomy for cutaneous malignancy
Authors: Witt Russell G. , Cope Brandon , Chiang Yi‐Ju , Newhook Timothy , Lillemoe Heather , Tzeng Ching‐Wei D. , Chen Iris B. , Fisher Sarah B. , Lucci Anthony , Wargo Jennifer A. , Lee Jeffrey E. , Ross Merrick I. , Gershenwald Jeffrey E. , Robinson Justine , Keung Emily Z.
Published: December 2021

Background and Objectives

Opioids are commonly prescribed following surgery and can lead to persistent opioid use. We assessed changes in prescribing practices following an opioid education initiative for patients undergoing lymphadenectomy for cutaneous malignancy.

Methods

A single‐institution retrospective study of all eligible patients (3/2016–3/2020) was performed.

Results

Indications for lymphadenectomy in 328 patients were metastatic melanoma (84%), squamous cell carcinoma (10%), and Merkel cell carcinoma (5%). At discharge, non‐opioid analgesics were increasingly utilized over the 4‐year study period, with dramatic increases after education initiatives (32%, 42%, 59%, and 79% of pts, respectively each year; p < 0.001). Median oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) prescribed also decreased dramatically starting in year 3 (250, 238, 150, and 100 mg, respectively; p < 0.001). Patients discharged with 200 mg OMEs were less likely to also be discharged with non‐opioid analgesics (40% vs. 64%. respectively, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Analgesic prescribing practices following lymphadenectomy for cutaneous malignancy improved significantly over a 4‐year period, with use of non‐opioids more than doubling and a 60% reduction in median OME. Opportunities exist to further increase non‐opioid use and decrease opioid dissemination after lymphadenectomy for cutaneous malignancy.
Hearing Loss and Its Burden of Disease in a Large German Cohort—Hearing Loss in Germany
Authors: Hackenberg Berit , Döge Julia , Lackner Karl J. , Beutel Manfred E. , Münzel Thomas , Pfeiffer Norbert , Nagler Markus , Schmidtmann Irene , Wild Philipp S. , Matthias Christoph , Bahr Katharina
Published: December 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

Hearing loss is the most common sensory impairment worldwide. It restricts patients in many aspects of their daily lives and can lead to social exclusion. Understanding this burden is a mandatory requirement for the care of those affected. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the burden of hearing loss in a large German cohort.

Study Design

Cohort study.

Methods

The Gutenberg Health Study is designed as a single‐center, prospective, and observational cohort study and representative for the city of Mainz, Germany, with its district. Participants were interviewed concerning common otologic symptoms and tested by pure‐tone audiometry. The primary outcome was hearing impairment stratified by age and sex. The prevalence of tinnitus was estimated for a subcohort to calculate disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs). All results were weighted by the European Standard Population (ESP) 2013.

Results

A total of 5,024 participants (mean age: 61.2 years, 2,591 men and 2,433 women) were included in the study. Hearing impairment showed the following prevalence: 28.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 26.9%–29.4%) mild impairment, 10.1% (95% CI, 9.3%–11.0%) moderate impairment, 2.3% (95% CI, 1.9%–2.7%) moderately severe impairment, 0.2% (95% CI, 0.1%–0.4%) severe impairment, 0% (95% CI, 0.0%–0.1%) profound impairment, and 0.1% (95% CI, 0.0%–0.2%) complete impairment. Weighted for the ESP 2013 (all ages), hearing impairment across all levels (with/without tinnitus) causes a total of 2,118.97 DALYs per 100,000.

Conclusion

With 40.9% affected, the hearing loss represents a relevant burden of the German population. Understanding this will provide the basis for future guidelines on how to care for these patients.

Level of Evidence

2 Laryngoscope, 132:1843–1849, 2022
Nasally inhaled therapeutics and vaccination for COVID‐19: Developments and challenges
Authors: Xi Jinxiang , Lei Lameng Ray , Zouzas William , April Si Xiuhua
Published: December 2021

The nose is the initial site of viral infection, replication, and transmission in the human body. Nasally inhaled vaccines may act as a promising alternative for COVID‐19 management in addition to intramuscular vaccination. In this review, the latest developments of nasal sprays either as repurposed or antiviral formulations were presented. Nasal vaccines based on traditional medicines, such as grapefruit seed extract, algae‐isolated carrageenan, and Yogurt‐fermenting Lactobacillus, are promising and under active investigations. Inherent challenges that hinder effective intranasal delivery were discussed in detail, which included nasal device issues and human nose physiological complexities. We examined factors related to nasal spray administration, including the nasal angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) locations as the delivery target, nasal devices, medication translocation after application, delivery methods, safety issues, and other nasal delivery options. The effects of human factors on nasal spray efficacy, such as nasal physiology, disease‐induced physiological modifications, intersubject variability, and mucociliary clearance, were also examined. Finally, the potential impact of nasal vaccines on COVID‐19 management in the developing world was discussed. It is concluded that effective delivery of nasal sprays to ACE2‐rich regions is urgently needed, especially in the context that new variants may become unresponsive to current vaccines and more refractory to existing therapies.
Greedy Motzkin–Kaczmarz methods for solving linear systems
Authors: Zhang Yanjun , Li Hanyu
Published: December 2021

The famous greedy randomized Kaczmarz (GRK) method uses the greedy selection rule on maximum distance to determine a subset of the indices of working rows. In this paper, with the greedy selection rule on maximum residual, we propose the greedy randomized Motzkin–Kaczmarz (GRMK) method for linear systems. The block version of the new method is also presented. We analyze the convergence of the two methods and provide the corresponding convergence factors. The computational complexities of the proposed methods are also given. Extensive numerical experiments show that the GRMK method has almost the same performance as the GRK method for dense matrices and the former performs better in computing time for some sparse matrices and some realistic practical problems, and their block versions have almost the same performance for most of cases.
Preparation, Characterization and Antimicrobial Properties of Nanosized Silver‐Containing Carbon/Silica Composites from Rice Husk Waste
Authors: Unglaube Felix , Lammers Alexander , Kreyenschulte Carsten Robert , Lalk Michael , Mejía Esteban
Published: December 2021

Rice husk, one of the main side products in the rice production, and its sustainable management represent a challenge in many countries. Herein, we describe the use of this abundant agricultural bio‐waste as feedstock for the preparation of silver‐containing carbon/silica nano composites with antimicrobial properties. The synthesis was performed using a fast and cheap methodology consisting of wet impregnation followed by pyrolysis, yielding C/SiO2 composite materials doped with varying amounts of silver from 28 to 0.001 wt %. The materials were fully characterized and their antimicrobial activity against ESKAPE pathogens, namely E. faecium, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli, and the pathogenic yeast C. albicans was investigated. Sensitivities of these strains against the prepared materials were demonstrated, even with exceptional low amounts of 0.015 m% silver. Hence, we report a straightforward method for the synthesis of antimicrobial agents from abundant sources which addresses urgent questions like bio‐waste valorization and affordable alternatives to increasingly fewer effective antibiotics.
Effect of projectile nose on high‐velocity impact behavior of fiber metal laminates
Authors: Majzoobi Gholamhossein , Kashfi Mohammad , Keshavarzan Mohsen , Riazalhosseini Mohammadreza
Published: December 2021

Fiber metal laminates (FMLs) are a class of hybrid materials consisting of several thin metal layers bonded by layers of composite material. In the present study, the ballistic limit, absorbed energy, specific perforation energy and failure mechanism of FML 2/1 (Al/GFRE/Al) and FML 3/2 (Al/GFRE/Al/GFRE/Al) are numerically and experimentally studied under the high‐velocity impact loading using a single‐stage light gas gun. In addition, the ballistic behavior of FML 2/1 and FML 3/2 is investigated using three different projectile nose geometries. Numerical simulation of the ballistic tests was performed to determine the residual velocity and the FML panel failure mechanism by using AUTODYN. The results indicated that the highest ballistic limit for FML 2/1 and FML 3/2 was obtained for the conical nosed projectile and the ballistic limit of FML 3/2 was 75.63% higher than FML 2/1. Although the FML 3/2 thickness is ~67% higher than FML 2/1, the specific perforation energy of FML 3/2 is improved by 72.51%, 55.26%, and 89.22% compared to FML 2/1 for blunt, hemispherical, and conical nosed projectiles, respectively.
Biochar from waste agriculture as reinforcement filer for styrene/butadiene rubber
Authors: Abd El‐Aziz Mahmoud E. , Shafik Emad S. , Tawfic Medhat L. , Morsi Samir M. M.
Published: December 2021

Carbon black (CB), obtained by incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products, is the most important filler used to improve the properties of various rubber composites. Its production process causes very serious environmental impacts in addition to its dependence on nonrenewable resources. Therefore, the trend has been to use eco‐friendly alternative materials that reduce the pollution associated with the CB production process and at the same time achieve the required mechanical properties of rubber composites. Biochar, a carbon‐rich solid product, could fulfill this role. It can be obtained by pyrolysis of organic matter such as agricultural waste in the absence of air at temperatures of 400–600°C. Herein, biochar was used in different ratios with CB to investigate its effect on the mechanical properties of styrene/butadiene rubber. The chemical composition of biochar and CB was investigated using a scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray fluorescence. In addition, the thermal properties, tensile strength, elongation at break, as well as thermo‐oxidative aging of the prepared rubber were studied. The tensile strength for styrene/butadiene rubber (SBR) composites containing 100% CB was 14.9 MPa, which decreases by adding biochar where it becomes 13.5, 11.2, 9.5, and 6.9 for SBR composites containing 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% biochar, respectively. Furthermore, the vulcanized sample with 25% biochar (E2) shows higher retained tensile strength values than that containing 100% CB (E1) with increasing the aging time.
Improvement of mechanical and interfacial properties of hot water and sodium bicarbonate treated jute fibers for manufacturing high performance natural composites
Authors: Sarker Forkan , Uddin MD Zulhash , Sowrov Kazi , Islam Md Shakirul , Miah Amran
Published: December 2021

Uses of natural fibers in the field of composites are often restricted by their poor mechanical and interfacial properties. Fiber constitutions have significant influence over both of these properties. Traditional alkali treatment is mainly used to solve this problem which is not environmentally friendly and also not cost effective. A cost effective, less hazardous and sustainable sodium bicarbonate chemical treatment has been used as an alternative of traditional mercerization on jute fibers with an objective of manufacturing high‐performance natural fiber composites. Jute fibers were hand combed and treated with hot water and bicarbonate (5% and 10%) and further reinforced with epoxy resin to make composites. The mechanical characterizations of jute fiber were carried out using single fiber tensile tests; reliability analysis of the experimental data was performed. Interfacial adhesion of jute fiber with an epoxy matrix was investigated by using single fiber pull‐out techniques. The mechanical behavior of jute fiber/epoxy composites was studied by flexural testing. FTIR analysis indicates that sodium bicarbonate treatment can progressively remove hemicellulose and reduce the content of lignins present in the fiber. The results also showed that a 10% sodium bicarbonate concentration increased the tensile properties of jute fiber, enhanced the interfacial shear strength and flexural properties of jute/epoxy composites.
Factor structure of audiences' physical experience while watching dance
Authors: Vukadinović Maja S. , Marković Slobodan
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study is to explore factor structure of audiences' physical experience and their related bodily sensations when watching dance choreographies. This study also includes the process of developing an instrument for measuring the observers' physical experience of dance choreographies and their related kinesthetic responses to watching dance. In the main study, participants rated their physical experiences and kinesthetic responses when watching 16 different dance choreographies of various dance forms, including contemporary dance, jazz, tango, and hip‐hop. Three factors of the observers' physical experiences when watching dance were identified: Action Tendency, Arousal, and Relaxation. Furthermore, the results show that the structure of the observers' kinesthetic responses when watching dance consisted of three factors: Focus, Excitement and Embodied Anticipation. The spectators' physical experiences and bodily sensations in response to an observed dance are the result of their engagement in the dance, the pleasure they draw from the dance, the emotions provoked in them, and their admiration for the performance. These findings are in line with the concept of kinesthetic empathy, which can be understood as the experience of sharing a dancer's movements.
Thermally driven self‐healing PEDOT conductive films relying on reversible and multiple Diels–Alder interaction
Authors: Yu Jiarui , Gao Nan , Xie Xiaowen , Xin Xing , Li Zhanqi , Chen Shuai , Xu Jingkun
Published: December 2021

Thermally healing capability of cracks and defects is important and urgent for the safe operation and life extending of electric materials and devices. Here, by the combination of thermally driven reversible Diels–Alder (DA) interaction and in‐situ chemical oxidative polymerization of 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), a series of intrinsically conductive poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/DA composites possess intrinsically self‐healing property under low‐temperature (reverse DA reaction at 100°C; DA crosslinking at 60°C) stimulus were achieved. The crosslinking DA bonding reactions are multiple from the co‐existence of pre‐synthesized macromolecular polyurethane attached DA units (PU‐DA) and 2,4‐hexadiyne‐1,6‐diol (DADOL) in the films. PU‐DA involved in the polymerization process of EDOT to endow PEDOT with outstanding solution‐processability, uniform film making, and structural self‐healing capability, while DADOL was added to enhance the cross bonding between polymer chains. This work will accelerate the research and application development of intrinsically self‐healing conducting polymers for commercial capacitors, antistatic coatings, implantable, printable electronics, and so on.
SnOct2‐catalyzed ROPs of l‐lactide initiated by acidic OH‐ compounds: Switching from ROP to polycondensation and cyclization
Authors: Weidner Steffen M. , Kricheldorf Hans R.
Published: December 2021

Ring‐opening polymerizations (ROPs) of l‐lactide are performed in bulk at 130°C with tin(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate as catalyst and various phenols of different acidity as initiators. Crystalline polylactides having phenyl ester end groups are isolated, which are almost free of cyclics. The dispersities and molecular weights are higher than those obtained from alcohol‐initiated ROPs under identical conditions. Polymerizations at 160°C yield higher molecular weights than expected from the monomer/initiator ratio and a considerable fraction of cycles. The fraction of cycles increases with higher reactivity of the ester end group indicating that the cycles are formed by end‐to‐end cyclization.
Rural financial intermediation and poverty reduction in Ghana: A micro‐level analysis
Authors: Danquah Michael , Iddrisu Abdul Malik , Quartey Peter , Ohemeng Williams , Barimah Alfred
Published: December 2021

The financial sector in rural areas, where most of the poor people in sub‐Saharan Africa are found, has transformed massively in recent times, notably through the increased penetration of several types of rural financial intermediaries in addition to rural and community banks and microfinance institutions. Using recent household survey data, we ascertain the access of rural populations to various types of financial services, and the influence of rural financial intermediation on poverty reduction, in Ghana. By accounting for the potential endogeneity of access to financial services, we show that rural households with access to basic financial services are significantly more likely to be nonpoor than those without such access. To more sustainably tackle the goal highlighted in the sustainable development goals of eliminating global hunger or extreme poverty, the poor must be allowed to obtain meaningful access to financial services through the design of efficient pro‐poor financial products.
Degradation of gemfibrozil in aqueous solutions by gas–liquid dielectric barrier discharge plasma combined with CNTs/γFe2O3
Authors: Xu Zimu , Zhu Bin , Ye Zhengxin , Zhang Nannan , Shen Jie , Lan Yan , Hu Shuheng , Cheng Cheng , Li Yunxia , Yang Fan , Chu Paul K.
Published: December 2021

The degradation effects and mechanism on gemfibrozil (GEM) in aqueous solution by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma combined with the catalyst CNTs/γFe2O3 are investigated. The concentrations of plasma‐generated reactive species, including H2O2, O3, , and OH, are measured with spectrophotometric and fluorescent probes. The effects of the plasma treatment period, discharge power, initial GEM concentration, solution pH value, conductivity, and the catalytic property are studied on the degradation rate and energy efficiency. Compared with the sole plasma treatment, CNTs/γFe2O3 could maximally improve the GEM degradation rate and energy efficiency to 99.7% ± 0.2% and 76.5 ± 5.2 mg·kW−1·h−1, respectively. The solution's total organic carbon removal efficiency has been increased to 47.2% ± 2.7%. Meanwhile, the possible degradation pathways of the plasma‐treated GEM solution and overall biological toxicity of GEM degradation intermediates and residual catalyst in solution are investigated.
High‐intensity interval training attenuates the effects caused by arterial hypertension in the ventral prostate
Authors: Correia Rafael Ribeiro , Batista Victor Rogério Garcia , Veras Allice Santos Cruz , Tavares Maria Eduarda de Almeida , Souza Francilene Lima Agostinho , Pacagnelli Francis Lopes , Campos Dijon Henrique Salomé , Giometti Ines Cristina , Teixeira Giovana Rampazzo
Published: December 2021

Background

The prostatic effects induced by arterial hypertension is very controversial and its mechanism is unclear. High‐intensity interval training (HIIT) is an exercise considered to be hypotensive. The objective of this work was to investigate the molecular, biochemical, and morphological effects of 8 weeks of HIIT in the prostatic tissue of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Methods

Twenty male SHR rats, 51.4 weeks old, were used. The SHR animals were divided into two groups: spontaneously sedentary hypertensive and spontaneously hypertensive submitted to HIIT. We analyze androgens receptor and glucocorticoid receptors in the prostate. Still, we verify effects of the hypertension and HIIT on the physiopathology prostatic, for immunohistochemistry investigated BCL‐2, BAX, IGF‐1, FAS/CD95, data's inflammatory tumour necrosis factor α, nuclear factor kappa B and interleukin (IL)‐6, anti‐inflammatory IL‐10. The echocardiographic evaluation was performed at the baseline and after the training period.

Results

Arterial hypertension promote high prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia incidence in the prostate, increases IGF‐1, BCL‐2 (p < 0.05), and inflammatory proteins (p < 0.05). Eight weeks of HIIT training reduced the arterial pressure and increase the concentration of tissue collagen and intracellular glycogen and showed a higher expression of BAX, FAS/CD95, and IL‐10 proteins (p < 0.05), coinciding with a lower incidence of lesions and lower prostate weight (p < 0.05) and reduction of the BCL‐2 and IGF‐1.

Conclusion

Our data suggested that arterial hypertension suppressed apoptosis and increased damage prostatic. On other hand, HIIT promotes morphology and function improves in the prostatic environment, inhibited inflammation, and increased apoptosis.
Recent Progress in Semitransparent Organic and Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Dong Yiman , Gao Huaizhi , Yu Runnan , Gong Yongshuai , Ma Zongwen , Tan Zhan'ao
Published: December 2021

Semitransparent organic and perovskite solar cells are considered promising photovoltaic (PV) devices that can be applied to power‐generating windows and facades of modern buildings and have achieved great progress in the past few years. Different from silicon‐based solar cells, the optical absorption of devices with organic and perovskite active layer materials can be easily tuned by modifying the chemical structure and adjusting the halide types or contents, respectively, to meet the demands of energy‐generating windows. In this review, the development progress of semitransparent PV (STPV) in terms of the selection of active layer materials, top transparent electrodes (TTEs), and strategies of enhancing the performance of STPVs is introduced. Meanwhile, the challenges and outlooks for the future development of STPVs are discussed.
Enhancing Surface Roughness and Tensile Strength of Electrodeposited Copper Foils by Composite Additives
Authors: Wang Shao Peng , Wei Kun Xia , Wei Wei , Du Qing Bo , Alexandrov Igor V.
Published: December 2021

It is urgent to develop copper foils with low surface roughness, high tensile strength, and good thermal conductivity in electronic equipment communication. Herein, the effect of three single additives (gelatin, polyacrylamide, and thiourea) and two composite additives (gelatin–polyacrylamide and thiourea–polyacrylamide (Tu‐PAM)) on the surface roughness, tensile strength, and thermal conductivity of copper foils fabricated by direct current electrodeposition is investigated. The results show that when Tu‐PAM additives are added to the electrolyte, the –NH2 in the composite additive forms a complex with Cu2+ in the electrolyte, which increases the deposition current density, accelerates the formation of crystal nuclei, and reduces the size of the deposited particles. The size of the deposited particles is smaller, and the surface of the copper foil is flatter than that when the additive is added alone. The surface roughness, tensile strength, and thermal conductivity of copper foils are 1.506 ± 0.147 μm, 258 ± 20 MPa, and 356 ± 18 W m−1 k−1, respectively. It is revealed that the ionic interaction and the deposited particle size play an important role in enhancing surface roughness and tensile strength.
Simulation of Two‐Qubit Gates with a Superconducting Qudit
Authors: Dong Yuqian , Liu Qiang , Wang Jianhua , Li Qingshi , Yu Xiaoyan , Zheng Wen , Li Yong , Lan Dong , Tan Xinsheng , Yu Yang
Published: December 2021

Herein, a two‐qubit system is experimentally simulated through a four‐level superconducting circuit. By mapping the energy levels of the two‐qubit system to a noncomposite system, some two‐qubit gates with designed microwave pulses, such as Hadamard and CNOT gates, are implemented. Furthermore, the Shannon entropy of the simulated two‐qubit system is measured and the log 2 uncertainty relation is verified, which describes that the noncomposite single‐qudit system possesses hidden quantum correlations.
Graphene‐Based Angle‐Insensitive and Tunable Single‐Band and Dual‐Band Metamaterial Terahertz Absorber
Authors: Zhu Xiaoqing , Wang Bo
Published: December 2021

To solve the problem of incident and controllable characteristics of the multi‐band terahertz absorber, a kind of graphene‐based metamaterial angle‐insensitive and tunable terahertz absorber is proposed. The proposed absorber has single‐band and dual‐band absorption function, and profile parameters are presented by single‐groove and dual‐groove arrays, separately. The results show that the absorber has an absorption peak of 99.30% at 16.0 THz. In addition, the absorption of the absorber can reach 94.56% and 99.11% at 11.4 THz and 26.2 THz. Electromagnetic field energy distribution and the real and imaginary parts of the graphene surface conductivity are analyzed by the finite‐element method as a function of the Fermi level and the terahertz frequency. Moreover, compared with a reported terahertz absorber, the graphene‐based absorber is angle insensitive and tunable by adjusting the Fermi levels of graphene. It is believed that the proposed absorber has great potential in the fields of time‐domain spectroscopy technology and imaging technology.
Curcumin supplementation in pediatric patients: A systematic review of current clinical evidence
Authors: Heidari Zinat , Daei Maryam , Boozari Motahareh , Jamialahmadi Tannaz , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: December 2021

This systematic review was designed to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of curcumin supplementation for pediatric patients based on clinical trials in children. We systematically searched electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus for all studies that investigated curcumin administration in the pediatric population without any time frame limitation. Finally, we identified 16 studies for this review. Clinical efficacy and safety of curcumin were assessed in children with inflammatory and immune disorders (including asthma, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)), metabolic disorders, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), cystic fibrosis (CF), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), and infectious diseases. Curcumin was administered in a wide range of doses (45 mg–4,000 mg daily) and durations (2–48 weeks). Overall, curcumin was well tolerated in all studies and improved the severity of inflammatory and immune disorders and metabolic diseases. However, more studies are needed to clarify the role of curcumin supplementation among children with ADPKD, CF, TOF, and infectious diseases. Because of substantial heterogeneity in methodological quality, design, outcomes, dose, duration of intake, formulations, and study populations across studies, no quantitative analysis was performed. Additional large‐scale, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the results of the conducted studies.
Spontaneous Formation of Prebiotic Compartment Colonies on Hadean Earth and Pre‐Noachian Mars**
Authors: Köksal Elif S. , Põldsalu Inga , Friis Henrik , Mojzsis Stephen J. , Bizzarro Martin , Gözen Irep
Published: December 2021

Prominent among the models for protocells is the spherical biosurfactant shell, freely suspended in aqueous media. This model explains initial, but not subsequent events in the development process towards structured protocells. Taking into consideration the involvement of naturally occurring surfaces, which were abundant on the early Earth, feasible and productive pathways for the development of primitive cells are reported. Surfaces intrinsically possess energy, easily utilized by the interfacing amphiphiles, such as lipids, to attain self‐organization and spontaneous transformations. This work shows that the physical interaction of phospholipid pools with 20 Hadean Earth analogue materials as well as a Martian meteorite composed of fused regolith representing the ancient crust of Mars consistently lead to the shape transformation and autonomous formation of surfactant compartment assemblies. Dense, colony‐like protocell populations grow from these lipid deposits, predominantly at the grain boundaries or cleavages of the investigated natural surfaces, and remain there for several days. The model protocells in this study are able to autonomously develop, transform and pseudo‐divide, and encapsulate RNA as well as DNA. Moreover, they can accommodate non‐enzymatic, DNA strand displacement reactions. These findings suggest a feasible route towards the transformation from non‐living to living entities, and provide fresh support for the ‘Lipid World’ hypothesis.