bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling the effect of market forces on the impact of introducing human immunodeficiency virus pre‐exposure prophylaxis among female sex workers
Authors: Quaife Matthew , Terris‐Prestholt Fern , Mukandavire Zindoga , Vickerman Peter
Published: December 2020

Pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) enables female sex workers (FSWs) to protect themselves from HIV without relying on clients using condoms. Yet, because PrEP reduces HIV risk, financial incentives to not use condoms may lead to risk compensation: reductions in condom use and/or increases in commercial sex, and may reduce the price of unprotected sex. In this analysis, we integrate market forces into a dynamic HIV transmission model to assess how risk compensation could change the impact of PrEP among FSWs and clients. We parameterise how sexual behavior may change with PrEP use among FSWs using stated preference data combined with economic theory. Our projections suggest the impact of PrEP is sensitive to risk compensatory behaviors driven by changes in the economics of sex work. Condom substitution could reduce the impact of PrEP on HIV incidence by 55%, while increases in the frequency of commercial sex to counter decreases in the price charged for unprotected sex among PrEP users could entirely mitigate the impact of PrEP. Accounting for competition between PrEP users and nonusers exacerbates this further. Alternative scenarios where increases in unprotected sex among PrEP users are balanced by decreases in non‐PrEP users have the opposite effect, resulting in PrEP having much greater impact. Intervention studies need to determine how HIV prevention products may change the economics of sex work and provision of unprotected sex to enable a better understanding of their impact.
Lipoprotein Insulin Resistance Index Reflects Liver Fat Content in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Vittal Anusha , Shapses Mark , Sharma Bashar , Sharma Disha , Sun Qian , Sampson Maureen , Lee Wilson , Ben Yakov Gil , Rotman Yaron
Published: December 2020

The recently developed lipoprotein insulin resistance index (LP‐IR) incorporates lipoprotein particle numbers and sizes and is considered to reflect both hepatic and peripheral IR. As tissue IR is a strong component of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis, we aimed to assess the degree by which LP‐IR associates with hepatic fat content. This was a single‐center retrospective analysis of patients with NAFLD. LP‐IR, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), and adipose tissue IR (Adipo‐IR) were measured simultaneously. Liver fat content was estimated by FibroScan controlled attenuated parameter. Associations were assessed using Spearman’s correlation and multivariate linear regression. The study included 61 patients. LP‐IR was correlated with HOMA‐IR (ρ = 0.30; P = 0.02), typically thought to reflect hepatic IR, but not with Adipo‐IR (ρ = 0.15; P = 0.25). Liver fat content was significantly associated with Adipo‐IR (ρ = 0.48; P < 0.001), LP‐IR (ρ = 0.35; P = 0.005), and to a lesser degree with HOMA‐IR (ρ = 0.25; P = 0.051). The association of liver fat with LP‐IR was limited to patients without diabetes (ρ = 0.60; P < 0.0001), whereas no association was seen in those with diabetes. In a multivariate model, Adipo‐IR, LP‐IR, and diabetes were independently associated with liver fat and together explained 35% of the variability in liver fat. Conclusion: LP‐IR is a reasonable measure of IR in non‐diabetic patients with NAFLD and is associated with hepatic fat content. Although adipose tissue is the major contributor to liver fat, the additional contribution of nonadipose tissues can be easily estimated using LP‐IR.
Long‐term follow‐up of patients with nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma: A report from the Spanish Lymphoma Oncology Group
Authors: Núñez‐García Beatriz , Rodríguez‐Pertierra Marta , Sequero Silvia , Carvajal Laura G. , Ruano‐Ravina Alberto , Aguiar David , Gumá Josep , Blanco Cristina Q. , García Arroyo Francisco R. , Garitaonaindia Yago , Provencio Zaida , Calvo Virginia , González‐San Segundo Carmen , Provencio Mariano
Published: December 2020

Nodular lymphocytic predominance Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a very uncommon subtype of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), representing approximately 5% of all HL cases, with an incidence of 0.3/100,000 cases per year and with unique characteristics which distinguish it from classic Hodgkin lymphoma. Given its low frequency, there is a lack of prospective randomized studies to inform practice, the accumulated experience of academic groups being the main source of relevant information for the management of these patients. Eighty‐five patients recruited by the Spanish Lymphoma Group (GOTEL) from 12 different hospitals were retrospectively analyzed to describe their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. The median follow‐up was 16 years, with a 10‐year overall survive of 92.9% and 81.2% at 20 years. Five patients developed a second malignancy. No transformation to a more aggressive lymphoma was detected. A total of 31% tumor relapses was found: 77% in a single location; most of them at a supra‐diaphragmatic level. Patients received different first‐line treatments, and progression was observed in 3/4 (75%) of the patients who did not receive any type of treatment, 6/23 (26%) who received both chemotherapy (CH) and radiotherapy (RT), 12/43 (27%) who received RT and 7/15 (47%) that received only CH treatment. The mean time to relapse was 3 years and 47% presented relapses beyond 5 years (higher probability in stage IV p < 0.001). This is one of the longest follow‐up series of NLPHL published, confirming its excellent prognosis, and that treatments may be adapted to reduce toxicity. Causes of death in these patients are varied, and the minority due to a primary malignancy relapses.
Differentiation betweenCOVID‐19 and bacterial pneumonia using radiomics of chest computed tomography and clinical features
Authors: Feng Junbang , Guo Yi , Wang Shike , Shi Feng , Wei Ying , He Yichu , Zeng Ping , Liu Jun , Wang Wenjing , Lin Liping , Yang Qingning , Li Chuanming , Liu Xinghua
Published: December 2020

To develop and validate an effective model for distinguishing COVID‐19 from bacterial pneumonia. In the training group and internal validation group, all patients were randomly divided into a training group (n = 245) and a validation group (n = 105). The whole lung lesion on chest computed tomography (CT) was drawn as the region of interest (ROI) for each patient. Both feature selection and model construction were first performed in the training set and then further tested in the validation set with the same thresholds. Additional tests were conducted on an external multicentre cohort with 105 subjects. The diagnostic model of LightGBM showed the best performance, achieving a sensitivity of 0.941, specificity of 0.981, accuracy of 0.962 on the validation dataset. In this study, we established a differential model to distinguish between COVID‐19 and bacterial pneumonia based on chest CT radiomics and clinical indexes.
Massively parallel quantum chemical density matrix renormalization group method
Authors: Brabec Jiri , Brandejs Jan , Kowalski Karol , Xantheas Sotiris , Legeza Örs , Veis Libor
Published: December 2020

We present, to the best of our knowledge, the first attempt to exploit the super‐computer platform for quantum chemical density matrix renormalization group (QC‐DMRG) calculations. We have developed the parallel scheme based on the in‐house MPI global memory library, which combines operator and symmetry sector parallelisms, and tested its performance on three different molecules, all typical candidates for QC‐DMRG calculations. In case of the largest calculation, which is the nitrogenase FeMo cofactor cluster with the active space comprising 113 electrons in 76 orbitals and bond dimension equal to 6000, our parallel approach scales up to approximately 2000 CPU cores.
Conditional knockout of the PDK‐1 gene in osteoblasts affects osteoblast differentiation and bone formation
Authors: Bai Yiguang , Zhang Qiong , Chen Qiaoling , Zhou Quan , Zhang Yanan , Shi Zhuohua , Nong Haibin , Liu Mingfu , Zeng Gaofeng , Zong Shaohui
Published: December 2020

Osteoblasts are the main functional cells of bone formation, and they are responsible for the synthesis, secretion, and mineralization of the bone matrix. Phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/Akt is an important signaling pathway involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, death, and survival. Some studies have shown that 3‐phosphoinositide‐dependent protein kinase‐1 (PDK‐1) plays an important role in the phosphorylation of Akt. In the present study, an osteocalcin (OCN) promoter‐driven Cre‐LoxP system was established to specifically delete the PDK‐1 gene in osteoblasts. It was found that the size and weight of PDK‐1 conditional gene knockout (cKO) mice were significantly reduced. von Kossa staining and microcomputed tomography showed that the trabecular thickness, trabecular number, and bone volume were significantly decreased, whereas trabecular separation was increased, as compared with wide‐type littermates, which were characterized by a decreased bone mass. A model of distal femoral defect was established, and it was found that cKO mice delayed bone defect repair. In osteoblasts derived from PDK‐1 cKO mice, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) secretion and ability of calcium mineralization were significantly decreased, and the expressions of osteoblast‐related proteins, runt‐related transcription factor 2, OCN, and ALP were also clearly decreased. Moreover, the phosphorylation level of Akt and downstream factor GSK3β and their response to insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) decreased clearly. Therefore, we believe that PDK‐1 plays a very important role in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation by regulating the PDK‐1/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway.
Part 1. Review and meta‐analysis of studies on modulation of longitudinal bone growth and growth plate activity: A macro‐scale perspective
Authors: D'Andrea Christian R. , Alfraihat Ausilah , Singh Anita , Anari Jason B. , Cahill Patrick J. , Schaer Thomas , Snyder Brian D. , Elliott Dawn , Balasubramanian Sriram
Published: December 2020

Growth modulation is an emerging method for treatment of angular skeletal deformities such as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The Hueter‐Volkmann law, by which growth is stimulated in tension and inhibited in compression, is widely understood, and applied in current growth‐modulating interventions such as anterior vertebral body tethering (AVBT) for AIS. However, without quantification of the growth rate effects of tension or compression, the possibility of under‐ or over‐ correction exists. A definitive mechanical growth modulation relationship relating to treatment of such skeletal deformities is yet to exist, and the mechanisms by which growth rate is regulated and altered are not fully defined. Review of current literature demonstrates that longitudinal (i.e., lengthwise) growth rate in multiple animal models depend on load magnitude, anatomical location, and species. Additionally, alterations in growth plate morphology and viability vary by loading parameters such as magnitude, frequency, and whether the load was applied persistently or intermittently. The aggregate findings of the reviewed studies will assist in work towards increasingly precise and clinically successful growth modulation methods. Part 1 of this review focuses on the effects of mechanical loading, species, age, and anatomical location on the macro‐scale alterations in longitudinal bone growth, as well as factors that affect growth plate material properties. Part 2 considers the effects on micro‐scale alterations in growth plate morphology such as zone heights and proportions, chondrocyte viability, and related gene and protein expression.
Perceptions of hospital pharmacists and pharmacy technicians towards expanding roles for hospital pharmacy technicians: a cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Anderson Brett J. , Carroll Margaret E. , Taylor Simone E. , Chow Alice
Published: December 2020

Background

The “Pharmacy Technician and Assistant Role Redesign within Australian Hospitals Project” outcomes were released in November 2016.

Aim

To assess pharmacy staff attitudes towards expanded hospital pharmacy technician (HPT) roles in a Victorian metropolitan teaching hospital.

Method

An electronic questionnaire circulated to all pharmacists, interns and HPTs remained open for 4 weeks during September 2018. Questions focused on three key domains: HPT involvement in final accuracy checking of inpatient supplies and manufactured items, drugs of addiction (DA) management and clinical support roles. The hospital's Office for Research deemed the study a quality improvement activity.

Results

The questionnaire was undertaken by 61 of 122 (50%) pharmacy staff. Fewer than 10% of respondents believed that HPTs are adequately used in current practice. Final accuracy checking technicians for inpatient medication supplies was supported by 82% of respondents. HPTs signing entries into dispensary DA registers for discharge and outpatient prescriptions was supported by 81% of respondents. Best possible medication history taking conducted by an HPT was supported by 52% of respondents, but support differed between pharmacists and HPTs, with 38 and 92% supportive, respectively (p < 0.01). Forty percent of respondents supported HPT involvement in patient medication counselling. Key themes identified from qualitative data included: the need for clarification of legal and indemnity issues, training and credentialing and professional attributes for expanded HPT roles.

Conclusion

These findings are informing HPT role expansion within the pharmacy department and have identified potential barriers to change. Such findings may be useful to pharmacy departments undertaking similar role redesign work.
A retrospective review examining intravenous iron infusion dosing methods
Authors: Winckel Karl , Sullivan Sara , Vongphakdi Mitt , Snoswell Centaine L.
Published: December 2020

Background

Careful dosing of intravenous iron is important to minimise consequences of iron deficient anaemia, and avoid complications related to iron overload. Clinician practice regarding dosing varies between settings and specialities. Ganzoni dosing is an individualised calculated dose based on patient details and has traditionally been advocated for, while the fixed‐low dose method provides a method for individuals to receive a lower fixed dose of iron. At present, it is unclear if Ganzoni‐dosing compared with a fixed‐low dose provides greater haemoglobin improvements for iron‐deficient patients with reduced haemoglobin. The aim of this study is to explore whether the choice of intravenous iron dosing method influences improvements in the patient’s haemoglobin concentration.

Method

A retrospective observational study using real‐world data was carried out to compare Ganzoni and fixed‐low dose patients using a cohort of 79 patients between 1 April 2017 and 25 February 2019. The primary outcome of interest was the change in haemoglobin concentration between baseline (within 0–28 days prior to intravenous iron infusion) and follow‐up (4–12 weeks following intravenous iron infusion).

Results

The Ganzoni and fixed‐low dose methods indicated similar improvements in haemoglobin concentration (17 and 25 g/L, respectively), with no statistically significant differences identified between the two dosing methods for any other clinical indicators assessed.

Conclusion

This study has indicated that the fixed‐low dose method may be an appropriate alternative to the Ganzoni dosing method for the dosing of iron polymaltose and ferric carboxymaltose for iron deficient patients with reduced haemoglobin.
Guidelines for Speech Recording and Acoustic Analyses in Dysarthrias of Movement Disorders
Authors: Rusz Jan , Tykalova Tereza , Ramig Lorraine O. , Tripoliti Elina
Published: December 2020

Most patients with movement disorders have speech impairments resulting from sensorimotor abnormalities that affect phonatory, articulatory, and prosodic speech subsystems. There is widespread cross‐discipline use of speech recordings for diagnostic and research purposes, despite which there are no specific guidelines for a standardized method. This review aims to combine the specific clinical presentations of patients with movement disorders, existing acoustic assessment protocols, and technological advances in capturing speech to provide a basis for future research in this field and to improve the consistency of clinical assessments. We considered 3 areas: the recording environment (room, seating, background noise), the recording process (instrumentation, vocal tasks, elicitation of speech samples), and the acoustic outcome data. Four vocal tasks, namely, sustained vowel, sequential and alternating motion rates, reading passage, and monologues, are integral aspects of motor speech assessment. Fourteen acoustic vocal speech features, including their hypothesized pathomechanisms with regard to typical occurrences in hypokinetic or hyperkinetic dysarthria, are hereby recommended for quantitative exploratory analysis. Using these acoustic features and experimental speech data, we demonstrated that the hyperkinetic dysarthria group had more affected speech dimensions compared with the healthy controls than had the hypokinetic speakers. Several contrasting speech patterns between both dysarthrias were also found. This article is the first attempt to provide initial recommendations for a standardized way of recording the voice and speech of patients with hypokinetic or hyperkinetic dysarthria; thus allowing clinicians and researchers to reliably collect, acoustically analyze, and compare vocal data across different centers and patient cohorts. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Lactucopicrin Inhibits Cytoplasmic Dynein‐Mediated NF‐κB Activation in Inflammated Macrophages and Alleviates Atherogenesis in Apolipoprotein E‐Deficient Mice
Authors: He Luanying , Weng Hui , Li Qing , Shi Guojun , Liu Xiuping , Du Yushi , Zheng Jiakun , Ling Wenhua , Wang Dongliang
Published: December 2020

Scope

Nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation in macrophages aggravates atherosclerosis. Dietary plant secondary metabolites including sesquiterpene lactone lactucopicrin target multiple organs. This study is focused on the impact of lactucopicrin on NF‐κB activation in inflammed macrophages and atherogenesis in a mouse model of atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results

In LPS‐stimulated mouse bone marrow‐derived macrophages, lactucopicrin inhibits NF‐κB activation, and concomitantly represses the expression of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha. This effect is not due to modulation of the inhibitor of NF‐κB kinases (IKK) α/β/γ and NF‐κB inhibitor α, and NF‐κB/p65 DNA binding activity. Instead, the lactucopicrin effect is reliant on the inhibition of cytoplasmic dynein‐mediated p65 transportation, a prerequisite step for p65 nuclear translocation. In high‐fat diet‐fed apolipoprotein E‐deficient mice, lactucopicrin consumption dose‐dependently reduces plaque area, inhibits plaque macrophage accumulation, attenuates plaque macrophage NF‐κB activation, and reduces both plaque and serum inflammatory burden. However, lactucopicrin consumption does not affect the levels of serum lipids and anti‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐4, IL‐10, and transforming growth factor beta).

Conclusion

Dietary lactucopicrin inhibits atherogenesis in mice likely by its anti‐inflammatory property. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation with lactucopicrin is a promising strategy to inhibit atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Preoperative Fasting Abbreviation With Whey Protein Reduces the Occurrence of Postoperative Complications in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: de Carvalho Celina Soares , Silva Thiago Huaytalla , André Julio Cezar Sillos , de Barros Larissa Alves Soares , Ferreira Aline Alves , Murad Leonardo Borges , Peres Wilza Arantes Ferreira
Published: December 2020

Background

Surgery has become the treatment of choice for head and neck cancer (HNC) in most cases. Preoperative fasting abbreviation and nutrition screening have been suggested to reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications. This study aimed to evaluate the addition of whey protein in the preoperative fasting abbreviation and to analyze the association of nutrition status on postoperative complications in patients with HNC.

Methods

A randomized, single‐blind clinical trial was performed. Patients recruited from March to November 2018 at a national cancer reference center in Brazil were divided into 2 groups: intervention group (clear fluids with carbohydrate plus whey protein [CHO‐P]) and control group (clear fluids with carbohydrate only [CHO]). All patients were evaluated by the Patient‐Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG‐SGA) and body mass index. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess associations between the studied variables, generating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

A total of 49 patients met the eligibility criteria and enrolled in the study. A PG‐SGA score of 4–8, indicating moderate malnutrition (OR, 10.91; 95% CI, 1.05–112.91), was an independent factor that increased the risk of postoperative complication, whereas the CHO‐P group (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01–0.26) was found to be an independent factor in reducing such risk.

Conclusion

The addition of whey protein to clear fluids (CHO‐P group) was associated with a reduced risk of postoperative complications compared with the CHO group. Furthermore, moderate malnourishment was associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications for patients with HNC.
Bedside shift report: Nurses opinions based on their experiences
Authors: Jimmerson Joseph , Wright Patricia , Cowan Patricia A. , King‐Jones Tammy , Beverly Claudia J. , Curran Geoffrey
Published: December 2020

Background

Nurse bedside shift report (BSR) improves satisfaction, quality and safety. Yet, postimplementation adoption rates remain low in hospitals where BSR has been introduced. Further research is needed to understand what content is most appropriate to discuss during BSR and what facilitators are from the clinical nurses' perspective.

Aims

Identify and describe acute care clinical nurses' and nursing supervisors' experiences and opinions regarding: process of BSR, appropriate content for BSR and barriers and facilitators related to implementation of BSR.

Design

A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted at an acute care 500 bed, not‐for‐profit academic medical centre located in the southern United States.

Methods

Clinical nurses (N = 22) and nursing supervisors (N = 12) from every inpatient division were recruited and interviewed. The data were analysed for relationships, similarities and differences. Themes were then identified by two independent researchers.

Results

Five themes were identified: (a) time constraints and clinical nurse's workflow must be taken into consideration; (b) a modified approach is necessary; (c) process and specific critical content should be individualized so that it is meaningful for all parties involved; (d) specific critical content that should be discussed outside the patient's room; and (e) specific critical content that should be discussed inside the patient's room.

Conclusions

One way to minimize interruptions is to conduct BSR using a modified approach, where a portion of the hand‐off occurs inside and outside the patient's room. In addition, this study identified the nurses' preferred location where specific critical topics should be discussed.

Relevance to clinical practice

Results from this study should be used to inform the practice BSR so the desired outcomes of patient and family satisfaction, nursing quality and patient safety can be realized. This study should influence future research aimed at identifying strategies for successful implementation and sustained use of BSR. The COREQ checklist was used to write manuscript.
Novel blended poly(sulfide sulfone)/poly(ether sulfone) dense membranes for water treatment
Authors: Babanzadeh Samal , Mehdipour‐Ataei Shahram , Khodami Samaneh
Published: December 2020

In this research, a novel aromatic poly(sulfide sulfone) (PPY) containing pyridine and sulfide groups is synthesized by polycondensation reactions of a new diol(diol‐PY) with bis(4‐fluorophenyl) sulfone. Also a poly(ether sulfone) (PBM) is prepared through reaction of 4,4′‐(1,3‐phenylenediisopropylidene) bisphenol(bisphenol M) with bis(4‐fluorophenyl) sulfone similarly. The chemical structure of diol‐PY and polymers is identified by spectroscopic techniques. PBM/PPY blending dense membranes with composition of 100/0, 75/25, and 50/50 wt% are developed via phase inversion induced method by solvent evaporation. The prepared dense membranes are specified by water contact angle, water absorption, scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile strength. Pure water flux, hydraulic water permeability, and salt permeability are applied to evaluate the process performance of the membrane. According to SEM and DSC results, good miscibility of two polymers is concluded. Thermal stability of PBM/PPY blend membranes enhance compared with PBM membrane. Water contact angle and water absorption evaluation indicate that the hydrophilicity of PBM membrane improve by incorporating of PPY in the casting polymer solution. The similar result is observed for pure water flux and hydraulic water permeability of the synthesized dense membranes.
Fabrication of multifunctional polymethyl methacrylate composites based on phosphorus‐containing polyaniline with excellent flame retardancy and electrical conductivity
Authors: Zhan Zhaoshun , Wang Li , Zhang Yaolong , Weng Shihan , Sun Menghan , Li Lixin
Published: December 2020

After the incorporation of the polyaniline (PANI), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composites with outstanding electrical conductivity had been widely used in sensors. However, the flame retardancy of PMMA composites seriously restrained its further application. Thus, phosphorus‐containing polyaniline (FR‐PANI) was successfully prepared and combined with PMMA. The flame retardancy, electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and fire behavior of the resultant PMMA/FR‐PANI composites were systematically studied. When the loading amount of FR‐PANI was controlled at 20 wt%, the PMMA matrix was endowed with dramatic flame retardancy, exhibiting a limiting oxygen index of 29.1% and a UL‐94 V‐0 rating in vertical burning tests. Meanwhile, the volume resistivity was also reduced up to 0.5 MΩ. The thermal stability of the PMMA/FR‐PANI composites was enhanced by the formation of abundant char residue, which improved the fire behavior of the PMMA matrix. The effect of FR‐PANI on the flame retardancy of the PMMA matrix was deduced on the basis of thermogravimetry‐infrared, Fourier transform infrared, and scanning electron microscopic analyses. The phosphorus‐containing functional groups in the FR‐PANI molecular chain underwent thermal degradation in the condensed phase and promoted the formation of a char layer. The char layer, in turn, prevented heat transfer into the interior of the PMMA composites, serving as a barrier to the volatilization of flammable micromolecules. Therefore, FR‐PANI is an important candidate to extend the range of applications of PMMA to include multifunctional intelligent sensors.
Designing innovative solutions for solar‐powered electric mobility applications
Authors: Sierra Alonzo , Reinders Angèle
Published: December 2020

Designing with photovoltaics (PV) is the core focus of this paper which presents the results of a design study on conceptual PV applications for electric mobility systems. This is a relevant direction for new product development because PV technology can contribute to improved features of electric mobility systems not just in terms of CO2emissions reduction but also regarding product aesthetics and user experiences. Design studies are multidisciplinary by nature; therefore, in this case technical, user, regulatory and aesthetic aspects are covered. Eleven conceptual designs were developed in 2019 by means of a design project executed at the University of Twente, encompassing solutions for PV‐powered charging of electric vehicles, vehicle‐integrated PV products and other applications. The concepts focus on various modes of transport beyond passenger cars such as public transportation, electric bicycles and utility vehicles, in some cases applying alternative charging technologies such as battery swapping and induction charging in their design. In this paper four of these conceptual designs are presented as case studies, showing their multidisciplinary focus as well as parts of the design process behind their development. An evaluation of these conceptual designs revealed several design challenges that need to be addressed in their development, including the limited space available for integrating PV cells, the technical limitations posed by some of the proposed charging methods and the effective visual communication of the concept's intended function.
PhyloGenes: An online phylogenetics and functional genomics resource for plant gene function inference
Authors: Zhang Peifen , Berardini Tanya Z. , Ebert Dustin , Li Qian , Mi Huaiyu , Muruganujan Anushya , Prithvi Trilok , Reiser Leonore , Sawant Swapnil , Thomas Paul D. , Huala Eva
Published: December 2020

We aim to enable the accurate and efficient transfer of knowledge about gene function gained from Arabidopsis thaliana and other model organisms to other plant species. This knowledge transfer is frequently challenging in plants due to duplications of individual genes and whole genomes in plant lineages. Such duplications result in complex evolutionary relationships between related genes, which may have similar sequences but highly divergent functions. In such cases, functional inference requires more than a simple sequence similarity calculation. We have developed an online resource, PhyloGenes (phylogenes.org), that displays precomputed phylogenetic trees for plant gene families along with experimentally validated function information for individual genes within the families. A total of 40 plant genomes and 10 non‐plant model organisms are represented in over 8,000 gene families. Evolutionary events such as speciation and duplication are clearly labeled on gene trees to distinguish orthologs from paralogs. Nearly 6,000 families have at least one member with an experimentally supported annotation to a Gene Ontology (GO) molecular function or biological process term. By displaying experimentally validated gene functions associated to individual genes within a tree, PhyloGenes enables functional inference for genes of uncharacterized function, based on their evolutionary relationships to experimentally studied genes, in a visually traceable manner. For the many families containing genes that have evolved to perform different functions, PhyloGenes facilitates the use of evolutionary history to determine the most likely function of genes that have not been experimentally characterized. Future work will enrich the resource by incorporating additional gene function datasets such as plant gene expression atlas data.
A novel Deal–Grove‐inspired model for fluorine‐based plasma jet etching of borosilicate crown optical glass
Authors: Kazemi Faezeh , Boehm Georg , Arnold Thomas
Published: December 2020

The Deal–Grove model is a state‐of‐the‐art approach proposed for describing the thermal oxidation of silicon and the oxide thickness over time. In this study, the Deal–Grove concept provided the inspiration for a mathematical model for simulating plasma jet‐based dry etching process of borosilicate crown glass (N‐BK7®). The whole process is contained in two so‐called Deal–Grove parameters, which are extracted from experimental data including local etching depth and surface temperature distribution. The proposed model is extended for the evolution of dynamic etch profiles, and the obtained results are validated experimentally. By establishing such a model, it is possible to predict the effect of the residual layer and surface temperature on the evolution of local etching depths over dwell time.
Unveiling the Role of Al2O3 Interlayer in Indium–Gallium–Zinc–Oxide Transistors
Authors: Kim Tae Hyeon , Park Woojin , Oh Seyoung , Kim So-Young , Yamada Naohito , Kobayashi Hikaru , Jang Hye Yeon , Nam Jae Hyeon , Habazaki Hiroki , Lee Byoung Hun , Cho Byungjin
Published: December 2020

Although insertion of a thin insulating layer between metal electrodes and a semiconducting channel is an effective way to improve device performance, the exact reason for improvement in performance is not elucidated. Herein, the role of an Al2O3 interlayer sandwiched between Al metal electrodes and an amorphous indium–gallium–zinc–oxide semiconducting channel is systematically investigated. The Al2O3 interlayer results in not only a good transistor performance with increased on current but also improved gate bias stress stability. The improvement is primarily attributed to a doping effect and mitigation of interface defects. Energy‐band diagrams, experimentally obtained from temperature‐variable electrical characterization and electrostatic force microscopy, validate the channel doping effect, which increase the tunneling probability of the electron charge carriers via a reduction of the Schottky barrier width. A comprehensive study on the influence of various processing parameters, including Al2O3 thickness, post‐annealing treatment conditions, and types of electrodes, on the transistor device is also performed. This approach guides the practical implementation of stable sol–gel oxide‐based thin‐film transistors and promotes integrated circuitry applications.
Lyapunov‐based saturated continuous twisting algorithm
Authors: Golkani Mohammad Ali , Seeber Richard , Reichhartinger Markus , Horn Martin
Published: December 2020

In this article, a second‐order system, which is affected by disturbances and uncertainties, with a saturating actuator is considered. A novel robust feedback control law is designed based on the sliding mode technique. The twisting and the continuous twisting algorithms are incorporated into the design, which is based on level curves of a Lyapunov function. The performance of the standard continuous twisting algorithm is greatly improved in the case that the initial condition of the system is far away from the origin. A parameter setting for the controller is given by establishing global finite‐time stability properties of the closed‐loop system origin. Feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed approach are indicated in a real‐world application as well as numerical simulation.
Re‐estimating the energy intensity of growth with implications for sustainable development. The myth of the decoupling effect
Authors: Bithas Kostas , Kalimeris Panos , Koilakou Eleni
Published: December 2020

The link between energy and economic growth is re‐evaluated by estimating the energy requirements for creating one unit of “GDP per capita.” GDP per capita is widely used as the proxy monetary index for evaluating the economic utility enjoyed by individuals, at least at the macroeconomic level. Hence, the energy/[GDP per capita] ratio measures overall energy intensity across the economic system, comparing actual inputs (energy flows) with the final outcome (utility for human beings). Contrary to the prevailing energy intensity framework which evaluates the energy flows for creating one unit of GDP, we take into account population size which is an indispensable factor in determining the outcome of the economy. We re‐estimate EI for representative developed and developing countries by applying the energy/[GDP per capita] index. Our estimates suggest a coupling link for the global economy overall, as decoupling in the advanced economies in recent years has been outweighed by the coupling trend prevailing in the developing world. The findings question prevailing opinion based on the trajectories of energy/GDP and suggest a decoupling between energy and growth over the last 100 years for the majority of national economies and the global economy. Our estimates cast doubts on the prospects of sustainable development unless novel, innovative, and efficient energy policies are designed.
Secretome of Activated Fibroblasts Induced by Exosomes for the Discovery of Biomarkers in Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Zhang Jian , Fu Bin , Li Meng , Mi Shuangli
Published: December 2020

Molecules involved in crosstalk between tumor cells and fibroblasts play vital roles in tumor progression. Extracellular matrix proteins, whose abundance is altered after being affected by tumor‐derived exosomes, possess considerable promise as biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis. In this study, quantitative proteomics is employed to determine the abundance of proteins secreted by normal fibroblasts and exosome‐activated fibroblasts, which first identify differentially secreted proteins affected by lung cancer cell‐derived exosomes. Based on the differentially secreted proteins and multiple independent datasets comprising 1897 patient samples with non‐small cell lung carcinoma or other lung diseases, a diagnostic marker is identified that can effectively distinguish tumor tissues from normal tissue, as well as tumor‐associated stroma from normal stroma, and a five‐gene prognostic signature is presented with independent prognostic impact to identify patients who may require further adjuvant therapy after surgical resection. In addition, the secretome provides novel potential targets for clinical treatment.
Construction of Eukaryotic Cell Biomimetics: Hierarchical Polymersomes‐in‐Proteinosome Multicompartment with Enzymatic Reactions Modulated Protein Transportation
Authors: Wen Ping , Wang Xueyi , Moreno Silvia , Boye Susanne , Voigt Dagmar , Voit Brigitte , Huang Xin , Appelhans Dietmar
Published: December 2020

The eukaryotic cell is a smart compartment containing an outer permeable membrane, a cytoskeleton, and functional organelles, presenting part structures for life. The integration of membrane‐containing artificial organelles (=polymersomes) into a large microcompartment is a key step towards the establishment of exquisite cellular biomimetics with different membrane properties. Herein, an efficient way to construct a hierarchical multicompartment composed of a hydrogel‐filled proteinosome hybrid structure with an outer homogeneous membrane, a smart cytoskeleton‐like scaffold, and polymersomes is designed. Specially, this hybrid structure creates a micro‐environment for pH‐responsive polymersomes to execute a desired substance transport upon response to biological stimuli. Within the dynamic pH‐stable skeleton of the protein hydrogels, polymersomes with loaded PEGylated insulin biomacromolecules demonstrate a pH‐responsive reversible swelling‐deswelling and a desirable, on‐demand cargo release which is induced by the enzymatic oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid. This stimulus responsive behavior is realized by tunable on/off states through protonation of the polymersomes membrane under the enzymatic reaction of glucose oxidase, integrated in the skeleton of protein hydrogels. The integration of polymersomes‐based hybrid structure into the proteinosome compartment and the stimuli‐response on enzyme reactions fulfills the requirements of eukaryotic cell biomimetics in complex architectures and allows mimicking cellular transportation processes.
Carbon Nanofibers with Embedded Sb2Se3 Nanoparticles as Highly Reversible Anodes for Na‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xia Lishuang , Yang Zhendong , Tang Bin , Li Feng , Wei Jinping , Zhou Zhen
Published: December 2020

As a promising candidate for large‐scale energy storage, sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have superiority due to their low cost and abundance as a resource. Herein, homogeneous Sb2Se3 nanocrystallites embedded in carbon nanofibers (Sb2Se3/CNFs) by electrospinning and selenization treatment are prepared. The obtained Sb2Se3/CNFs exhibit good cycling performance, high reversible capacity, and excellent rate capability as anodes for SIBs. The outstanding performances are attributed to a combination of Na+ intercalation, conversion reaction, and alloying with Sb2Se3, disclosed through in‐situ X‐ray diffraction. Meanwhile, unique nanostructures provide large contact surface and tolerant accommodation to volume expansion which bring high reversibility and long cycle durability. This distinctive material shows prospective applications of SIBs especially under high current density.
Transformable Colloidal Polymer Particles with Ordered Internal Structures
Authors: Deng Renhua , Zheng Lingfei , Mao Xi , Li Baohui , Zhu Jintao
Published: December 2020

Based on studies combining experiments and simulations, internally ordered colloidal particles that are able to undergo morphological transformations both in shape and internal structure are presented. The particles are prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation‐induced 3D soft confined assembly of di‐block copolymer polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP). Control over the solvent selectivity leads to a dramatic change in shape and internal structure for particles. Pupa‐like particles of lamellar morphology are obtained when using a non‐selective solvent, while patchy particles possessing a plum pudding structure formed when the solvent is selective for PS‐block. More interestingly, 3D soft confined annealing drives order‐order morphological transformation of the particles. The morphology of reshaped particles can be well controlled by varying the solvent selectivity, annealing time, and interfacial interaction. The experimental results can be explained based on simulations. This study can offer considerable scope for the design of new stimuli‐responsive colloidal particles for potential applications in photonic crystal, drug delivery and release, sensor and smart coating, etc.
Layer‐by‐Layer Self‐Assembled Nanostructured Electrodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Zhen , VahidMohammadi Armin , Ouyang Liangqi , Erlandsson Johan , Tai Cheuk‐Wai , Wågberg Lars , Hamedi Mahiar Max
Published: December 2020

Gaining control over the nanoscale assembly of different electrode components in energy storage systems can open the door for design and fabrication of new electrode and device architectures that are not currently feasible. This work presents aqueous layer‐by‐layer (LbL) self‐assembly as a route towards design and fabrication of advanced lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) with unprecedented control over the structure of the electrode at the nanoscale, and with possibilities for various new designs of batteries beyond the conventional planar systems. LbL self‐assembly is a greener fabrication route utilizing aqueous dispersions that allow various Li+ intercalating materials assembled in complex 3D porous substrates. The spatial precision of positioning of the electrode components, including ion intercalating phase and electron‐conducting phase, is down to nanometer resolution. This capable approach makes a lithium titanate anode delivering a specific capacity of 167 mAh g−1 at 0.1C and having comparable performances to conventional slurry‐cast electrodes at current densities up to 100C. It also enables high flexibility in the design and fabrication of the electrodes where various advanced multilayered nanostructures can be tailored for optimal electrode performance by choosing cationic polyelectrolytes with different molecular sizes. A full‐cell LIB with excellent mechanical resilience is built on porous insulating foams.
Electronic Modulation of Hierarchical Spongy Nanosheets toward Efficient and Stable Water Electrolysis
Authors: Yang Dongxu , Su Zhe , Chen Yuanfu , Srinivas Katam , Gao Jianzhi , Zhang Wanli , Wang Zegao , Lin Haiping
Published: December 2020

The energy conversion efficiency of water electrolysis is determined by the activity of selected catalysts. Ideal catalysts should possess not only porous architecture for high‐density assembly of active sites but also a subtle electronic configuration for the optimized activity at each site. In this context, the development of stable porous hosting materials that allow the incorporation of various metal elements is highly desirable for both experimental optimization and theoretical comparison/prediction. Herein, MOF‐derived spongy nanosheet arrays constructed by assembly of carbon encapsulated hetero‐metal doped Ni2P nanoparticles is presented as a superior bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting. This hierarchical structure can be stably retained when secondary metal dopants are introduced, providing a flexible platform for electronic modulation. The catalytic origin of activity enhancement via metal (Fe, Cr, and Mn) doping is deciphered through experimental and theoretical investigations. Combining the advantages in both morphological and electronic structures, the optimized catalyst NiMn–P exhibits remarkable activity in both hydrogen and oxygen evolution in the alkaline media, with an ultrasmall cell voltage of 1.49 V (at 10 mA cm−2) and high durability for at least 240 h.
Design of Binary Cu–Fe Sites Coordinated with Nitrogen Dispersed in the Porous Carbon for Synergistic CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: Yun Ruirui , Zhan Feiyang , Wang Xinjian , Zhang Beibei , Sheng Tian , Xin Zhifeng , Mao Junjie , Liu Shoujie , Zheng Baishu
Published: December 2020

To relieve the green gas emission and involve the carbon neutral cycle, electrochemical reduction of CO2 attracts more and more attention. Herein, a biatomic site catalyst of Cu–Fe coordinated with the nitrogen, which is doped in the carbon matrix (denoted as Cu–Fe–N6–C), is designed. The as‐obtained Cu–Fe–N6–C exhibits higher performance than that of Cu–N–C and Fe–N–C, owing to bimetallic sites, proving synergistic functions based on different molecules and their interfaces. Cu–Fe–N6–C shows high selectivity toward CO, with high Faradaic efficiency (98% at −0.7 V), and maintaining 98% of its initial selectivity after 10 h electrolysis. The experimental results and theoretical calculations reveal that the synergistic catalysis of different metallic sites enlarges the adsorption enthalpy of CO2, reducing the activation energy result in generating high selectivity, activity, stability, and low impedance.
Fluorescent Cadmium Chalcogenide Nanoclusters in Ubiquitin
Authors: Akyüz Özlem , Scheffner Martin , Cölfen Helmut
Published: December 2020

Fluorescent semiconductor nanoclusters (FNCs) have received much attention by many scientists due to their attractive functions and features. However, the traditional organometallic chemical synthesis routes for such FNCs require harsh reaction conditions in organic solvents, which limit their use in biological applications. Therefore, developing synthesis strategies for the fabrication of FNCs by association with proteins under mild reaction conditions is pivotal to improve their functionalities. In addition, understanding the effect of structural and chemical properties of proteins on the synthesis mechanism of FNCs is one of the key points, which eventually enables to control and tune the photophysical properties of FNCs. The purpose of this study is to introduce the syntheses of cadmium selenide nanocluster (CdSeNC) and cadmium sulfide nanocluster (CdSNC) by using ubiquitin, a small cysteine‐free protein, and investigating their properties via spectroscopic and microscopic methods. It is shown that significant changes in the protein structure as well as in its oligomerization occur upon the formation of the highly hydrated FNCs.