bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical role of GRP receptor–expressing neurons in the spinal transmission of imiquimod‐induced psoriatic itch
Authors: Kiguchi Norikazu , Saika Fumihiro , Fukazawa Yohji , Matsuzaki Shinsuke , Kishioka Shiroh
Published: June 2020

Aim

Ample evidence indicates that gastrin‐releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)–expressing neurons play a critical role in the transmission of acute itch. However, the pathophysiology of spinal mechanisms underlying intractable itch such as psoriasis remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine whether itch‐responsive GRPR+ neurons contribute to the spinal transmission of imiquimod (IMQ)‐induced psoriatic itch.

Methods

To generate a psoriasis model, C57BL/6J mice received a daily topical application of 5% IMQ cream on their shaved back skin for 7‐10 consecutive days. GRP+ neurons were inhibited using Cre‐dependent expression of Gi‐designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs), while GRPR+ neurons were ablated by intrathecal administration of bombesin‐saporin.

Results

Repeated topical application of IMQ elicited psoriasis‐like dermatitis and scratching behaviors. The mRNA expression levels of GRP and GRPR were upregulated in the cervical spinal dorsal horn (SDH) on days 7 and 10 after IMQ application. Either chemogenetic silencing of GRP+ neurons by Gi‐DREADD or ablation of GRPR+ neurons significantly attenuated IMQ‐induced scratching behaviors.

Conclusion

The GRP‐GRPR system might be enhanced in the SDH, and itch‐responsive GRPR+ neurons largely contribute to intractable itch in a mouse model of psoriasis.
Boot camp–style teacher workshops to incorporate hands‐on activities in agricultural sciences
Authors: Kaur Jasleen , Kariyat Rupesh R.
Published: June 2020

Food security is one of the most pressing concerns of our times. Despite the vast opportunities, there is a shortage of skilled professionals in the food, agriculture, and plant sciences. Although most programs focused on addressing this concern have targeted students, we have often overlooked another critical group—the teachers. To address this issue, we recruited high school teachers from the Pharr–San Juan–Alamo Independent School District (PSJA‐ISD) in South Texas to participate in a workshop at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and fostered their agricultural knowledge through boot camp–style intensive training by faculty members in food, agriculture, and plant sciences. Through this project, we seek to indirectly educate nearly 2,000 high school students and use these lesson plans as models for undergraduate education. Results from the teacher and student assistant evaluations show that our workshop structure and design is effective in serving the objectives and instigating interest among teachers who plan to incorporate these into their lesson plans. Student assistants involved in the project also describe it as an opportunity to improve their teaching and public speaking skills. Taken together, we suggest that in addition to planning student‐centered activities, the teacher‐centered activities should also take the center stage in our fight for better food security.
Characterization of three‐dimensional printed thermal‐stimulus polylactic acid‐hydroxyapatite‐based shape memory scaffolds
Authors: Singh Gurminder , Singh Sunpreet , Prakash Chander , Kumar Raman , Kumar Ranvijay , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: June 2020

The shape memory polymers have attained huge attention as smart materials owing to their enormous benefits in the context of the common class of thermoplastics. In this study, novel thermal‐stimulus‐based hydroxyapatite (HA) reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds have been developed through three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology. Initially, the effect of various processing parameters, such as the proportion of HA in PLA and infill density, and level of stimulating temperature, on tensile, flexural, and compression strength of the developed composite scaffolds have been studied to understand their effects, through statistically assisted single and multiobjective optimization techniques. The shape recovery factor of the prestrained composite scaffolds has been assessed by providing thermal‐stimulus. Finally, the biological performance of the developed scaffolds has been evaluated through in vitro cell culture and wettability analysis. The morphological study of the composite scaffolds, at different stages, has been performed for understanding the effect of processing parameters on the mechanical, shape recovery effect, and biological responses. Overall, the results of the study highlighted that the 3D printed scaffolds possessed nearly 95.77% shape memory effect along with desirable mechanical, in vitro biocompatibility, and hydrophilic morphology suitable to be a potential candidate of fabricating customized biomedical devices with activated shape recovery abilities.
Review of habit reversal training for tic disorders
Authors: Liu Shijie , Li Ying , Cui Yonghua
Published: June 2020

Tic disorders (TD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is often first recognized in children and adolescents and is characterized mainly by motor and phonic tics. Drug treatment of TD has been criticized because of serious side effects, and TD treatment emphasizes behavioral psychotherapy. This study reviewed the most common behavioral psychotherapy for TD: habit reversal training (HRT). We examined the contents, variation, curative effects, and premonitory urge control of HRT and other behavioral psychotherapies. The findings suggest that current understanding of HRT is insufficient and further studies are needed. First, studies of online guidance training are needed to implement technology that can help more patients. Second, the future integration of HRT and other technologies is important. Third, imaging techniques could be used to further explore the brain mechanisms underlying HRT. Research on HRT for TD in China is insufficient. We call on more Chinese researchers to study, investigate, and develop technology to promote the development of behavioral psychotherapy for TD in China.
Efficacy and brain mechanism of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation for adolescents with mild to moderate depression: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Xiao Xue , Hou Xiaobing , Zhang Zhangjing , Li Ying , Yu Xue , Wang Yanhui , Tian Jing , Xu Ke
Published: June 2020

Background

Depression is a common mental illness in childhood and adolescence, with an incidence of 4%–5%; it can lead to impairments in learning and social functioning. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a commonly used method of auricular acupuncture point stimulation, which is regarded as an effective treatment for adults with depression. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of taVNS for adolescents with mild to moderate depression.

Methods

This randomized controlled clinical trial will include 120 patients aged 12–16 years, all of whom are diagnosed with mild to moderate depression. Patients will be randomly assigned to a taVNS group and a drug control group (sertraline hydrochloride) at a ratio of 1:1. Patients will be evaluated using the 17‐item Hamilton Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Self‐Rating Depression Scale, Self‐Rating Anxiety Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores at baseline, as well as at the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 12th weeks. To investigate the underlying neural mechanisms of taVNS treatment from the perspective of the default mode network, multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; i.e., structural MRI [sMRI], resting state MRI [rsMRI], and pseudocontinuous arterial spin‐labeled [pcASL] MRI) will be used to compare cerebral images among groups. MRI data will also be collected from 40 healthy volunteers to assess whether the participants exhibit normal development of structural and functional components.

Discussion

Depression is the most common mental disorder in adolescence. Drug treatment can improve depression symptoms; however, the side effects of drug treatments are often severe. This study proposes a simple physiotherapy that aims to treat adolescents with mild to moderate depression. The mechanism of taVNS in the treatment of depression will also be investigated. The results of this study will provide evidence to guide the application of taVNS in adolescents with depression.
Structural Phase Transitions in Crystals: Phonons as Higgs and Goldstone Excitations
Authors: Vallone Marco
Published: June 2020

It has recently been indicated that optical and acoustic phonons can be identified with Higgs and Goldstone excitations of the crystal lattice arising from the spontaneous breaking of a global, continuous symmetry. Herein, this view is supported considering structural phase transitions induced by temperature, from the face‐centered‐cubic (fcc) phase of cobalt, and from the body‐centered‐cubic (bcc) phase of zirconium and titanium, to their hexagonal‐close‐packet (hcp) phase. The Higgs field potential is identified with the Ginzburg–Landau free energy difference calculated and available in the literature for the concerned structural phase transitions. In all the considered cases, the ensuing spontaneous symmetry breaking makes the optical phonon (identified with the Higgs mode) to arise only in the less symmetric hcp phase. This demonstrates Higgs excitations to be associated not only with quantum phase transitions, but also with structural phase transitions in natural crystals.
Mass spectrometry characterization of anticoagulant rodenticides and hydroxyl metabolites
Authors: Fourel Isabelle , Berlioz‐Barbier Alexandra , Benoit Etienne
Published: June 2020

Rationale

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are used worldwide for rodent population control to protect human health and biodiversity, and to prevent agricultural and economic losses. Rodents may develop a metabolic resistance to ARs. In order to help understand such metabolic resistance, mass spectrometry was used to position the hydroxylated group of hydroxyl metabolites of second‐generation ARs (SGARs).

Methods

Most AR pesticides are derived from the 4‐hydroxycoumarin/thiocoumarin family. We used low‐resolution and high‐resolution mass spectrometry to understand the fragmentation pathways of the ARs and their respective metabolites, and to better define the structure of their tandem mass spectrometry product ions.

Results

Seven specific product ions were evidenced for five ARs, with their respective chemical structures. Those ions were obtained as well from the mass spectra of the hydroxyl metabolites of four SGARs, difenacoum (DFM), brodifacoum (BFM), difethialone (DFTL) and flocoumafen (FLO), with different positions of the hydroxyl group.

Conclusions

The differences in chemical structure between DFM on the one hand and BFM, FLO and DFTL on the other could explain the differences in bioavailability between these two groups of molecules. The defined product ions will be used to investigate the part played by the metabolic issue in the field resistance of SGARs.
A positive pressure workstation for semi‐automated peptide purification of complex proteomic samples
Authors: Schelletter Louise , Hertel Oliver , Antar Shareef Jarvi , Scherling Christian , Lättig Jens , Noll Thomas , Hoffrogge Raimund
Published: June 2020

Rationale

High‐throughput reliable data generation has become a substantial requirement in many “omics” investigations. In proteomics the sample preparation workflow consists of multiple steps adding more bias to the sample with each additional manual step. Especially for label‐free quantification experiments, this drastically impedes reproducible quantification of proteins in replicates. Here, a positive pressure workstation was evaluated to increase automation of sample preparation and reduce workload as well as consumables.

Methods

Digested peptide samples were purified utilizing a new semi‐automated sample preparation device, the Resolvex A200, followed by nanospray liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization (nLC/ESI) Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) measurements. In addition, the sorbents Maestro and WWP2 (available in conventional cartridge and dual‐chamber narrow‐bore extraction columns) were compared with Sep‐Pak C18 cartridges. Raw data was analyzed by MaxQuant and Perseus software.

Results

The semi‐automated workflow with the Resolvex A200 workstation and both new sorbents produced highly reproducible results within 10–300 μg of peptide starting material. The new workflow performed equally as well as the routinely conducted manual workflow with similar technical variability in MS/MS‐based identifications of peptides and proteins. A first application of the system to a biological question contributed to highly reliable results, where time‐resolved proteomic data was separated by principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering.

Conclusions

The new workstation was successfully established for proteolytic peptide purification in our proteomic workflow without any drawbacks. Highly reproducible results were obtained in decreased time per sample, which will facilitate further large‐scale proteomic investigations.
Intrauterine administration of platelet‐rich plasma improves embryo implantation by increasing the endometrial thickness in women with repeated implantation failure: A single‐arm self‐controlled trial
Authors: Kusumi Maki , Ihana Tatsuji , Kurosawa Takako , Ohashi Yasuo , Tsutsumi Osamu
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of intrauterine administration of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) in frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle in Japanese patients with a thin endometrium.

Method

A prospective single‐arm self‐controlled trial was conducted in Japan. PRP administration was performed in 36 of the 39 eligible patients with a thin endometrium (≤7 mm). Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with estrogen was performed for 2 menstrual cycles, and PRP was administrated on the 10th and 12th days of the second HRT cycle. The endometrial thickness was evaluated on transvaginal ultrasonography by two physicians at every visit, one an attending physician and the other a specialist physician blinded to the date and timing of the sonography. FET was performed during the second HRT cycle after PRP administration.

Results

After PRP administration, the mean (SD) endometrial thickness on the 14th day was significantly increased by 1.27 mm (P < .001) and 0.72 mm (P = .001) on the basis of the unblinded and blinded measurements, respectively. Of the 36 patients, 32 (88.9%) underwent FET. The clinical pregnancy rate was 15.6%. No adverse events occurred.

Conclusions

PRP therapy was safe and effective in increasing endometrial thickness improving possibly pregnancy rate.
A brief review of interplay between vitamin D and angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2: Implications for a potential treatment for COVID‐19
Authors: Malek Mahdavi Aida
Published: June 2020

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is rapidly expanding and causing many deaths all over the world with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring a pandemic in March 2020. Current therapeutic options are limited and there is no registered and/or definite treatment or vaccine for this disease or the causative infection, severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 syndrome (SARS‐CoV‐2). Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a part of the renin‐angiotensin system (RAS), serves as the major entry point into cells for SARS‐CoV‐2 which attaches to human ACE2, thereby reducing the expression of ACE2 and causing lung injury and pneumonia. Vitamin D, a fat‐soluble‐vitamin, is a negative endocrine RAS modulator and inhibits renin expression and generation. It can induce ACE2/Ang‐(1‐7)/MasR axis activity and inhibits renin and the ACE/Ang II/AT1R axis, thereby increasing expression and concentration of ACE2, MasR and Ang‐(1‐7) and having a potential protective role against acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Therefore, targeting the unbalanced RAS and ACE2 down‐regulation with vitamin D in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection is a potential therapeutic approach to combat COVID‐19 and induced ARDS.
Effects of seining effort and site length on variability of small‐bodied fish catch‐rates in a sand‐bed river
Authors: Archdeacon Thomas P. , Reale Justin K. , Gonzales Eric J. , Grant Joshua D.
Published: June 2020

Seines are a common sampling gear for monitoring small‐bodied fishes in wadeable, sand‐bed rivers. However, sampling effort within a site can vary among time and space, even within the same monitoring program. Determining and standardizing an adequate or optimal amount of effort within a site is an important step for designing fisheries monitoring programs. If budgets are limited, sampling intensity at a site is often a trade‐off between less intense sampling at a greater number of locations or more intense sampling at fewer locations. Inadequate sampling at survey sites could introduce variability into estimates of density, species richness, or relative abundance because of within‐site variability. We evaluated how variability of mean catch‐rates of five species of small‐bodied fishes changed with increasing effort at a fixed number of sites, and how variability changed as more sites were sampled. Focal species were Rio Grande silvery minnow, flathead chub, red shiner, fathead minnow, and western mosquitofish. We sampled 20 sites with 20 hauls in 200 m, 40 hauls in 200 m, and 40 hauls in 400 m. We observed little decrease in variability around expected catch‐per‐unit‐effort [] when 40 seine hauls were performed per site compared to 20 hauls per site, regardless of site length or species, though a 25% increase in labour was required. However, we observed considerable variability aroundwhen ≤5 seine hauls were performed at each site. We recommend a minimum of 10 seine hauls per 200 m site. Our results provide guidance and starting point for monitoring programs that use seining to collect information on small fishes.
Relationship of in‐season soil nitrogen concentration with corn yield and potential nitrogen losses
Authors: Preza‐Fontes Giovani , Nafziger Emerson D. , Christianson Laura E. , Pittelkow Cameron M.
Published: June 2020

New process‐based tools for predicting in‐season soil nitrogen (N) levels has the potential to provide timely information for N management decisions for corn (Zea mays L.) production systems in the U.S. There is, however, little published data supporting the assumption that soil mineral N (SMN, NH4‐N + NO3‐N at 0–60 cm) is correlated with yield response at different vegetative growth stages. Moreover, the degree to which changes in SMN influence the risk of N losses is uncertain. Data from 32 site‐years of field experiments in Illinois (2015–2018)—that included 12 combinations of N fertilizer rate, timing, and source—were used to evaluate the relationship between SMN concentration and grain yields across vegetative growth stages and estimate the exceedance probability of N losses. Overall, SMN across vegetative growth explained 46–61% of the variation in grain yield. Critical level of SMN that optimized yield decreased from 23.4 mg kg−1 at V5‐V7 to 9.1 mg kg−1 at VT‐R1 growth stage, but it was consistent, ranging from 14.7 to 16.3 mg kg−1, among sampling periods between V8 and V16 stages. While increasing SMN from deficiency (below critical levels) to sufficiency (at critical levels) increased yields by 22% (11.8 vs. 14.4 Mg ha−1), it also increased the probability of environmental N losses throughout vegetative growth, indicating a clear tradeoff between production and sustainability goals. These results help guide the development of sustainable in‐season N management strategies by illustrating the importance of incorporating risks of environmental N losses when trying to reach optimum grain yield levels.
Molecular simulation to discover rheological properties and soil‐binding ability of PHPA polymer on montmorillonite surface
Authors: Yang Yu , Adhikari Sanjeev , Xu Guoyuan
Published: June 2020

Synthetic polymer fluids are increasingly being applied to support excavations in deep foundations. As these fluids are molecularly engineered, their underlying microstructure interaction with in situ soils significantly affect excavation stability and soil dispersion. However, little molecular‐scale research has been done on the rheological behavior of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamides (PHPA) polymer fluids on the clay surface. Molecular models of the clay–polymer systems are constructed using PHPA on montmorillonite (MMT) clay surface. Initial rheological properties and soil‐binding ability at different shear rates, temperatures, and polymer concentrations are first studied using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. It is found that the functional groups of PHPA can interact with the MMT surface and form a viscous film under the atomic interaction of hydrogen bonds, water bridges, and electrostatic attraction. The shear stress, σ increases with the shear rate and follows the power‐law model. And the viscosity, η decreases as the shear rate increases, which is consistent with the experimental trend. However, the σ and η decrease with the increase of temperature. And the action mode of PHPA concentration has been identified from the MD perspective. This work provides insight into the molecular mechanism for PHPA's rheology on the clay surface and their interaction.
A multistate joint model for interval‐censored event‐history data subject to within‐unit clustering and informative missingness, with application to neurocysticercosis research
Authors: Zhang Hongbin , Kelvin Elizabeth A. , Carpio Arturo , Allen Hauser W.
Published: June 2020

We propose a multistate joint model to analyze interval‐censored event‐history data subject to within‐unit clustering and nonignorable missing data. The model is motivated by a study of the neurocysticercosis (NC) cyst evolution at the cyst‐level, taking into account the multiple cysts phases with intermittent missing data and loss to follow‐up, as well as the intra‐brain clustering of observations made on a predefined data collection schedule. Of particular interest in this study is the description of the process leading to cyst resolution, and whether this process varies by antiparasitic treatment. The model uses shared random effects to account for within‐brain correlation and to explain the hidden heterogeneity governing the missing data mechanism. We developed a likelihood‐based method using a Monte Carlo EM algorithm for the inference. The practical utility of the methods is illustrated using data from a randomized controlled trial on the effect of antiparasitic treatment with albendazole on NC cysts among patients from six hospitals in Ecuador. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed methods perform well in the finite sample and misspecified models that ignore the data complexities could lead to substantial biases.
Photoactivatable RNA N6‐Methyladenosine Editing with CRISPR‐Cas13
Authors: Zhao Jie , Li Bing , Ma Jianxiong , Jin Weilin , Ma Xinlong
Published: June 2020

RNA has important and diverse biological roles, but the molecular methods to manipulate it spatiotemporally are limited. Here, an engineered photoactivatable RNA N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) editing system with CRISPR‐Cas13 is designed to direct specific m6A editing. Light‐inducible heterodimerizing proteins CIBN and CRY2PHR are fused to catalytically inactive PguCas13 (dCas13) and m6A effectors, respectively. This system, referred to as PAMEC, enables the spatiotemporal control of m6A editing in response to blue light. Further optimization of this system to create a highly efficient version, known as PAMECR, allows the manipulation of multiple genes robustly and simultaneously. When coupled with an upconversion nanoparticle film, the optogenetic operation window is extended from the visible range to tissue‐penetrable near‐infrared wavelengths, which offers an appealing avenue to remotely control RNA editing. These results show that PAMEC is a promising optogenetic platform for flexible and efficient targeting of RNA, with broad applicability for epitranscriptome engineering, imaging, and future therapeutic development.
Efficient Laser‐Induced Construction of Oxygen‐Vacancy Abundant Nano‐ZnCo2O4/Porous Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrids toward Exceptional Capacitive Lithium Storage
Authors: Li Li , Xie Zhengjun , Jiang Gaoxue , Wang Yijing , Cao Bingqiang , Yuan Changzhou
Published: June 2020

Recently, binary ZnCo2O4 has drawn enormous attention for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) as attractive anode owing to its large theoretical capacity and good environmental benignity. However, the modest electrical conductivity and serious volumetric effect/particle agglomeration over cycling hinder its extensive applications. To address the concerns, herein, a rapid laser‐irradiation methodology is firstly devised toward efficient synthesis of oxygen‐vacancy abundant nano‐ZnCo2O4/porous reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrids as anodes for LIBs. The synergistic contributions from nano‐dimensional ZnCo2O4 with rich oxygen vacancies and flexible rGO guarantee abundant active sites, fast electron/ion transport, and robust structural stability, and inhibit the agglomeration of nanoscale ZnCo2O4, favoring for superb electrochemical lithium‐storage performance. More encouragingly, the optimal L‐ZCO@rGO‐30 anode exhibits a large reversible capacity of ≈1053 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1, excellent cycling stability (≈746 mAh g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 after 250 cycles), and preeminent rate capability (≈686 mAh g−1 at 3.2 A g−1). Further kinetic analysis corroborates that the capacitive‐controlled process dominates the involved electrochemical reactions of hybrid anodes. More significantly, this rational design holds the promise of being extended for smart fabrication of other oxygen‐vacancy abundant metal oxide/porous rGO hybrids toward advanced LIBs and beyond.
Ratiometric Nanoparticle Probe Based on FRET‐Amplified Phosphorescence for Oxygen Sensing with Minimal Phototoxicity
Authors: Ashokkumar Pichandi , Adarsh Nagappanpillai , Klymchenko Andrey S.
Published: June 2020

Luminescent oxygen probes enable direct imaging of hypoxic conditions in cells and tissues, which are associated with a variety of diseases, including cancer. Here, a nanoparticle probe that addresses key challenges in the field is developed, it: i) strongly amplifies room temperature phosphorescence of encapsulated oxygen‐sensitive dyes; ii) provides ratiometric response to oxygen; and iii) solves the fundamental problem of phototoxicity of phosphorescent sensors. The nanoprobe is based on 40 nm polymeric nanoparticles, encapsulating ≈2000 blue‐emitting cyanine dyes with fluorinated tetraphenylborate counterions, which are as bright as 70 quantum dots (QD525). It functions as a light‐harvesting nanoantenna that undergoes efficient Förster resonance energy transfer to ≈20 phosphorescent oxygen‐sensitive platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) acceptor dyes. The obtained nanoprobe emits stable blue fluorescence and oxygen‐sensitive red phosphorescence, providing ratiometric response to dissolved oxygen. The light harvesting leads to ≈60‐fold phosphorescence amplification and makes the single nanoprobe particle as bright as ≈1200 PtOEP dyes. This high brightness enables oxygen detection at a single‐particle level and in cells at ultra‐low nanoprobe concentration with no sign of phototoxicity, in contrast to PtOEP dye. The developed nanoprobe is successfully applied to the imaging of a microfluidics‐generated oxygen gradient in cancer cells. It constitutes a promising tool for bioimaging of hypoxia.
High Performance Quasi‐2D Perovskite Sky‐Blue Light‐Emitting Diodes Using a Dual‐Ligand Strategy
Authors: Wang Fuzhi , Wang Zhenye , Sun Wenda , Wang Zhibin , Bai Yiming , Hayat Tasawar , Alsaedi Ahmed , Tan Zhan’ao
Published: June 2020

For quasi‐2D perovskite light‐emitting diodes, the introduction of insulating bulky cation reduces the charge transport property, leading to lowered brightness and increased turn‐on voltage. Herein, a dual‐ligand strategy is adopted to prepare perovskite films by using an appropriate ratio of i‐butylammonium (iBA) and phenylethylammonium (PEA) as capping ligands. The introduction of iBA enhances the binding energy of the ligands on the surface of the quasi‐2D perovskite, and effectively controls the proportion of 2D perovskite to allow more efficient energy transfer, resulting in the great enhancement of the electric and luminescent properties of the perovskite. The photoluminescence (PL) mapping of the perovskite films exhibits that enhanced photoluminescence performance with better uniformity and stronger intensity can be achieved with this dual‐ligand strategy. By adjusting the proportion of the two ligands, sky‐blue perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with electroluminescence (EL) peak located 485 nm are achieved with a maximum luminance up to 1130 cd m−2 and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) up to 7.84%. In addition, the color stability and device stability are significantly enhanced by using a dual‐ligand strategy. This simple and feasible method paves the way for improving the performance of quasi‐2D PeLEDs.
Atomic‐Distributed Coordination State of Metal‐Phenolic Compounds Enabled Low Temperature Graphitization for High‐Performance Multioriented Graphite Anode
Authors: Shin Min Chang , Kim Jae Ho , Nam Seunghoon , Oh Yun Ji , Jin Hyoung‐Joon , Park Chong Rae , Zhang Qiang , Yang Seung Jae
Published: June 2020

Continuous efforts have been made to achieve nanostructured carbon materials with highly ordered graphitic structures using facile synthetic methods. 3D graphite nanoballs (GNBs) are synthesized by the low‐temperature pyrolysis of a non‐graphitizable precursor, tannic acid (TA). Abundant phenol groups on TA bind to Ni2+ to form metal‐phenolic coordination, which renders each Ni cation to be atomically distributed by the TA ligands. Even at low temperatures (1000 °C), highly ordered graphitic structure is promoted by the distributed Ni nanoparticles that act as a graphitization catalyzer. The crystallinity of the GNB is fully corroborated by the intense 2D peak observed in Raman spectroscopy. In particular, the graphitic layers have orientations pointing toward multidirections, which are beneficial for the rapid transport of Li‐ions into graphite grains. The resulting materials exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance (120 mAh g−1 at 5 C and 282 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C after 500 cycles) when evaluated as a fast‐chargeable negative electrode for lithium ion batteries.
Vibration suppression of a floating hydrostatic wind turbine model using bidirectional tuned liquid column mass damper
Authors: Wei Xing , Zhao Xiaowei
Published: June 2020

We propose to mitigate the barge pitch and roll motions of floating hydrostatic wind turbine (HWT) by combining the advantages of the bidirectional tuned liquid column damper (BTLCD) and the tuned mass damper (TMD). This is achieved by enabling the container of the BTLCD to move freely, connecting it to the main structure through springs and dampers, creating what we call a bidirectional tuned liquid column mass damper (BTLCMD). The BTLCMD is made by the hydraulic reservoir of the HWT, saving costs by avoiding the addition of extra mass and fluids. The HWT simulation model is obtained by replacing the geared drivetrain of the NREL 5‐MW barge wind turbine model with a hydrostatic transmission drivetrain. The dynamics of the BTLCMD are then incorporated into the HWT. Two simplified mathematical models, describing the barge pitch and roll motions of the HWT‐BTLCMD coupled system, are used to obtain the optimal parameters of the BTLCMD. Simulation results demonstrate that the BTLCMD is very effective in mitigating the barge pitch motion, barge roll motion, and the tower base load. The BTLCMD also largely outperforms the BTLCD in suppressing barge motions.
Microwave‐enforced green synthesis of novel magnetic nano composite adsorbents based on functionalization of wood sawdust for fast removal of calcium hardness from water samples
Authors: Soliman Ezzat M. , Ahmed Salwa A. , Fadl Aliaa A.
Published: June 2020

Developing new generation of adsorbents for water treatment to reduce calcium hardness and producing high quality water is important and continuous trend. This manuscript is devoted with this direction. Thus, two novel magnetic nanocomposite adsorbents were synthesized by covalently binding of tartaric acid (TA) and citric acid (CA) to wood sawdust coated magnetic nanoparticles (WSD@Fe3O4NPs) using green microwave solvent‐less technique. The adsorbents thus prepared WSD@Fe3O4NPs‐TA and WSD@Fe3O4NPs‐CA were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Preliminary batch experiments were performed to evaluate percentage of Ca(II) adsorbed by the bare WSD@Fe3O4NPs and its functionalized forms by TA and CA, as a function of pH (initial concentration 80 mg/L), indicated 59.5%, 84.70%, and 99.29%, respectively, at pH 7 as optimal value. To attain maximum adsorption capacity, effect of adsorbent dosage and contact time were also optimized for the two modified adsorbents. Accordingly, Ca(II) adsorption capacity was determined to be 18.4 mg/g as exhibited by WSD@Fe3O4NPs‐TA. However, WSD@Fe3O4NPs‐CA showed higher capacity value recorded to be 27.2 mg/g. The novel adsorbents were successfully applied for fast reduction of calcium hardness from real water samples, during 15–20 min and via two consecutive in situ batch operations.

Practitioner points

This manuscript aims to minimize Ca(II) hardness in aqueous solutions by performing magnetic separation under external magnetic field.

WSD was magnetized using Fe3O4then modified by using safe organic modifiers using of the benefits of solvent‐less microwave radiation technique for adsorbent synthesis and functionalization.

Two novel environmentally magnetic nanocomposites WSD@Fe3O4NPs‐TA and WSD@Fe3O4NPs‐CA were checked on real water samples.
Non-Gaussianities and tensor-to-scalar ratio in non-local R2-like inflation
Authors: Koshelev Alexey S. , Kumar K. Sravan , Mazumdar Anupam , Starobinsky Alexei A.
Published: June 2020

Abstract

In this paper we will study R
2-like inflation in a non-local modification of gravity which contains quadratic in Ricci scalar and Weyl tensor terms with analytic infinite derivative form-factors in the action. It is known that the inflationary solution of the local R + R
2 gravity remains a particular exact solution in this model. It was shown earlier that the power spectrum of scalar perturbations generated during inflation in the non-local setup remains the same as in the local R + R
2 inflation, whereas the power spectrum of tensor perturbations gets modified due to the non-local Weyl tensor squared term. In the present paper we go beyond 2-point correlators and compute the non-Gaussian parameter f
NL related to 3-point correlations generated during inflation, which we found to be different from those in the original local inflationary model and scenarios alike based on a local gravity. We evaluate non-local corrections to the scalar bi-spectrum which give non-zero contributions to squeezed, equilateral and orthogonal configurations. We show that f
NL
∼ O(1) with an arbitrary sign is achievable in this model based on the choice of form-factors and the scale of non-locality. We present the predictions for the tensor-to-scalar ratio, r, and the tensor tilt, n

t
. In contrast to standard inflation in a local gravity, here the possibility n

t

> 0 is not excluded. Thus, future CMB data can probe non-local behaviour of gravity at high space-time curvatures.
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) increase triglyceride levels and decrease cholesterogenic gene expression in human HepaRG liver cells
Authors: Louisse Jochem , Rijkers Deborah , Stoopen Geert , Janssen Aafke , Staats Martijn , Hoogenboom Ron , Kersten Sander , Peijnenburg Ad
Published: June 2020

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are omnipresent in the environment, food chain, and humans. Epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between serum levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and increased serum cholesterol and, in some cases, also triglyceride levels. However, causality has been questioned, as animal studies, as well as a human trial, showed a decrease in serum cholesterol and no effects or a decrease in plasma triglycerides. To obtain more insight into the effects of PFASs on these processes, the present study investigated the effects of PFOA, PFOS, and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) on intracellular triglyceride and cholesterol levels in human HepaRG liver cells. DNA microarray analyses were performed to provide insight into underlying mechanisms. All PFASs induced an increase in cellular triglyceride levels, but had no effect on cholesterol levels. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of the microarray data indicated that gene sets related to cholesterol biosynthesis were repressed by PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA. Other gene sets commonly affected by all PFAS were related to PERK/ATF4 signaling (induced), tRNA amino-acylation (induced), amino acid transport (induced), and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis (repressed). Moreover, numerous target genes of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) were found to be upregulated. Altogether, the present study shows that PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA increase triglyceride levels and inhibit cholesterogenic gene expression in HepaRG cells. In addition, the present study indicates that PFASs induce endoplasmic reticulum stress, which may be an important mechanism underlying some of the toxic effects of these chemicals.
Choice of y-axis can mislead readers
Authors: Erdogan Betül R. , Vollert Jan , Michel Martin C.
Published: June 2020

Using two examples from the non-scientific literature, we show how choice of unit of measure and scaling of y-axis can caused a biased perception of data, a phenomenon we propose to call perception bias. We recommend to pre-specify unit of measure or how it will be determined, whether outcome variables will be shown as absolute or relative/normalized changes, and to typically start y-axis at 0 for ratio variables.
Laparoscopic Toupet Fundoplication for the Treatment of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: Results at Medium‐Term follow‐Up
Authors: Aiolfi Alberto , Cavalli Marta , Saino Greta , Khor Desmond , Sozzi Andrea , Rausa Emanuele , Bonitta Gianluca , Bona Davide
Published: June 2020

Background

The effect of laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication (LTF) for the treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of LTF for the treatment of LPR‐related symptoms and disease‐specific quality of life (QoL) up to 3‐year follow‐up.

Materials and methods

Observational cohort study (2015–2019). Patients suffering from LPR were included. Preoperative evaluation included esophagogastroduodenoscopy, esophageal manometry and 24‐h pH/impedance study. Symptoms and QoL were measured with the reflux symptom index (RSI) and the laryngopharyngeal reflux–health‐related quality of life (LPR–HRQL) validate questionnaires at baseline and during follow‐up.

Results

Eighty‐six patients were included. Twenty‐three (27%) patients had pure LPR while 63 (73%) presented with combined LPR/GERD. Cough (89.7%), dyspnea/choking (39.6%) and asthma (25.6%) were the most commonly reported extraesophageal symptoms. The median (interquartile range, IQR) total RSI score before operation and at 3‐month, 6‐month, 1‐year, 2‐year and 3‐year follow‐up was 36.1 (10.3), 9.58 (12.3), 11.8 (10.2), 12.4 (9.6), 12.0 (13.1) and 10.1 (12.0), respectively. The median (IQR) total LPR–HRQL score before operation and at 3‐month, 6‐month, 1‐year, 2‐year and 3‐year follow‐up was 57.4 (22.2), 13.4 (14.9), 15.2 (12.8), 11.4 (10.9) and 11.9 (13.5), respectively. The subscores “voice,” “cough,” “throat” and “swallow” showed a significant improvement after intervention. Compared to baseline, each per‐year follow‐up pairwise comparison was significantly improved (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

LTF seems feasible, effective and promising for the treatment of LPR with improved symptoms and disease‐specific patients’ quality of life perception up to 3‐year follow‐up.
Evaluating standards of care in psoriatic arthritis of the QUANTUM project (qualitative initiative to improve outcomes): results of an accreditation project in Spain
Authors: García Emilio Ignacio , Guilabert Mercedes , Queiro Rubén , Carrillo Irene , Mira José Joaquín
Published: June 2020

In Spain, the QUANTUM project has been promoted to reduce variability in clinical practice and improve the care and quality of life of people with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) by accrediting PsA units throughout the Spanish national health system. To present the results of this approach which sought to ensure an optimum level of quality for patients with PsA. Descriptive analysis of the self-assessments that the PsA units have carried out assessing their degree of compliance with the quality standards established in the QUANTUM project grouped into four blocks: shortening time to diagnosis; optimizing disease management; improving multidisciplinary collaboration; and improving patient monitoring. A total of 41 PsA units were self-evaluated. They met 64.1% of the defined quality standards. Optimize disease management obtained a higher level of standards compliance (72%) and improve multidisciplinary collaboration the lesser (63.9%). Accessibility to the treatments available for PsA in all hospitals was guaranteed (100%). Appropriate diagnostic equipment is available (97.6%). Compliance with specific quality standards leads to detect actions that should be implemented: quality of life assessment (9.8%), locomotor system assessment (12.2%), physical examination data record (14.6%), periodic cardiovascular risk assessment (17.1%). The QUANTUM project results make it possible to visualise how to care for patients with PsA is being developed in Spain. Problems identified in recent multinational reports are also identified in Spain.
Feasibility of unconstrained three-material decomposition: imaging an excised human heart using a prototype silicon photon-counting CT detector
Authors: Grönberg Fredrik , Lundberg Johan , Sjölin Martin , Persson Mats , Bujila Robert , Bornefalk Hans , Almqvist Håkan , Holmin Staffan , Danielsson Mats
Published: June 2020

Rationale and objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of unconstrained three-material decomposition in a human tissue specimen containing iodinated contrast agent, using an experimental multi-bin photon-counting silicon detector. It was further to evaluate potential added clinical value compared to a 1st-generation state-of-the-art dual-energy computed tomography system.

Materials and methods

A prototype photon-counting silicon detector in a bench-top setup for x-ray tomographic imaging was calibrated using a multi-material calibration phantom. A heart with calcified plaque was obtained from a deceased patient, and the coronary arteries were injected with an iodinated contrast agent mixed with gelatin. The heart was imaged in the experimental setup and on a 1st-generation state-of-the-art dual-energy computed tomography system. Projection-based three-material decomposition without any constraints was performed with the photon-counting detector data, and the resulting images were compared with those obtained from the dual-energy system.

Results

The photon-counting detector images show better separation of iodine and calcium compared to the dual-energy images. Additional experiments confirmed that unbiased estimates of soft tissue, calcium, and iodine could be achieved without any constraints.

Conclusion

The proposed experimental system could provide added clinical value compared to current dual-energy systems for imaging tasks where mix-up of iodine and calcium is an issue, and the anatomy is sufficiently small to allow iodine to be differentiated from calcium. Considering its previously shown count rate capability, these results show promise for future integration of this detector in a clinical CT scanner.

Key Points

• Spectral photon-counting detectors can solve some of the fundamental problems with conventional single-energy CT.

• Dual-energy methods can be used to differentiate iodine and calcium, but to do so must rely on constraints, since solving for three unknowns with only two measurements is not possible. Photon-counting detectors can improve upon these methods by allowing unconstrained three-material decomposition.

• A prototype photon-counting silicon detector with high count rate capability allows performing unconstrained three-material decomposition and qualitatively shows better differentiation of iodine and calcium than dual-energy CT.
Zusammenhang von körperlicher Aktivität mit Fatigue und Funktionskapazität bei Patienten mit rheumatoider Arthritis
Authors: Beider S. , Flohr S. , Gehlert S. , Witte T. , Ernst D.
Published: June 2020

Hintergrund

Patienten mit rheumatoider Arthritis (RA) neigen dazu, körperlich weniger aktiv zu sein. Die körperliche Aktivität wirkt sich positiv auf die Krankheitsaktivität (KA) und Lebensqualität aus und wird von der European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) als ein Teil der Standardtherapie empfohlen.

Fragestellung

Eine Querschnittanalyse der RA-Patienten wurde in Bezug auf die KA, die Funktionskapazität (FK) und Fatigue im Zusammenhang mit der körperlichen Aktivität durchgeführt.

Material und Methoden

Die körperliche Aktivität, die FK und der globale Fatigue-Index (Global Fatigue Index [GFI]) wurden mittels standardisierter Fragebögen ermittelt: International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF), Funktionsfragebogen Hannover (FFbH) und Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF). Die Daten wurden mittels SPSS Version 26 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) ausgewertet. Die Signifikanzprüfung erfolgte mittels bivariater und partieller Korrelation und nichtparametrischer Tests.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt wurden 164 Patienten in die Untersuchung eingeschlossen. Die Mehrheit der Patienten war weiblich (127/164; 77 %), das Durchschnittsalter der Kohorte betrug 58,3 (21 bis 86) Jahre. Die durchschnittliche Dauer der krankheitsrelevanten Symptome war 169 (0 bis 713) Monate; 39 % der Patienten zeigten eine niedrige, 37 % eine moderate und 24 % eine hohe körperliche Aktivität. Patienten mit hoher körperlicher Aktivität wiesen die niedrigsten Werte des GFI (p < 0,001), eine unbeeinträchtigte FK (p < 0,001) und die niedrigste KA (p = 0,045) auf.

Schlussfolgerungen

Ein signifikanter Zusammenhang der körperlichen Aktivität mit der Funktionskapazität und der Ausprägung der Fatigue bei RA-Patienten wurde nachgewiesen. Um den Anteil der Patienten mit niedriger körperlicher Aktivität zu senken, sollten die Möglichkeiten des Funktionstrainings ausgeschöpft und die Patienten zu sportlichen Aktivitäten motiviert werden.