bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ambivalence, Virtual Piety, and Rebranding: Social Media Uses among Tablighi Jama'at in Indonesia
Authors: Kuncoro Wahyu
Published: July 2021

Advanced smartphone technology and easy access to the internet have contributed to the embeddedness of social media in the daily lives of many Indonesians. However, among conservative Muslims, social media are regarded as potentially harmful, and their use is largely discouraged. The article discusses the ambivalence that characterizes social media usage within the Tablighi Jama'at, an Islamic reformist movement known for its missionary activities. Many Tablighis believe that social media potentially imperils their faith as it provides access to a wide range of non‐Islamic content, a perspective that has led to restrictions on smartphone use and internet access. Yet, as this article highlights, several social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, are widely used among Indonesian Tablighis as they consider these platforms as a means to improve the efficacy of their face‐to‐face preaching and to display their pious practices as well as their personal transformations to a more pious self. In addition, their virtual piety goes hand in hand with attempts to rebrand their movement by countering negative stereotypes and by trying to position themselves as legitimate Islamic player in Indonesia.
Online Halal Dating, Ta'aruf, and the Shariatisation of Matchmaking among Malaysian and Indonesian Muslims
Authors: Nisa Eva F.
Published: July 2021

Halal (permissible according to Islamic law) matchmaking and anti‐dating campaigns and businesses have mushroomed since the 2000s in Indonesia and neighbouring Malaysia. In Malaysia, the Soul Seekers of Marriage Conference was established in 2008 and Halal Speed Dating was launched in 2014. In Indonesia, Rumah Taaruf MyQuran (MyQuran's House to Get to Know Each Other) was founded in 2014 and Indonesia Tanpa Pacaran (Indonesia Without Dating) in 2015. In both countries, the presence of the internet and social media platforms coincided with Islam playing a greater role in public life. The thriving presence of Sharia‐compliant matchmaking businesses using advanced communication technology signifies both the strengthening of conservativism and the manifestation of the growth of contemporary Muslim publics. This article will focus on the role of the internet and social media in Sharia‐compliant matchmaking. Islamic theological doctrine stipulates that the Prophet Muhammad emphasised marriage as half of religion, denoting the importance of marriage to guard the chastity of Muslims. Therefore, the halal matchmaking and ta'aruf (getting to know each other) business have a flourishing market. The border between halal and non‐halal online transactional matchmaking is, however, contestable. Online halal matchmaking also invites greater nuances in understanding the freedom and agency of Muslim women.
Digital Theology: Saintly Marvels and God‐talk on Facebook
Authors: Alatas Ismail Fajrie
Published: July 2021

Among Indonesia's traditionalist Muslims, anecdotes of saintly marvels (karāma) relating occurrences that contradict reason or human understanding of nature are lodged in everyday conversations. While scholars have noted how recounting and listening to karāma anecdotes is believed by Muslims to transmit the blessing (baraka) of the saints and facilitate their intercession, this article explores such anecdotes' capacity to engender conversations about God and other issues pertaining to religious belief. It does so by observing the circulation of karāma anecdotes among Indonesia's traditionalist Muslims on Facebook and their role in provoking a variety of God‐talk. The circulation of such anecdotes affords their publics with the ability to assent to, engage with, debate, and question theological propositions. Facebook creates the material preconditions for the production and circulation of accessible and shareable karāma anecdotes that enables Muslims beyond the scholastic elites to participate in theological discussion and reflection while facilitating digital practices that can be construed as theologically meaningful. It also facilitates various disputations, including those that are theological, between Muslims adhering to different Islamic currents. Far from simply being a channel of communication or a mode of dissemination, Facebook may indeed come to function as a digital infrastructure of theology.
Diagnosing adults with dyslexia: Psychologists' experiences and practices
Authors: Sadusky Andrea , Reupert Andrea E. , Freeman Nerelie C. , Berger Emily P.
Published: July 2021

Previous research has investigated how psychologists identify dyslexia in school‐aged children. However, it is presently unclear how psychologists diagnose dyslexia in adults. This study aimed to explore psychologists' understandings and experiences in how they assess adults for dyslexia. Nine psychologists in Australia were recruited from professional associations and interviewed using a semi‐structured schedule. After member checks, transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The results suggested that participants' assessment practices with adults were similar to those used with children. However, participants were not confident in assessing adults due to a lack of an empirical base and training, and appropriately normed tools. Moreover, participants relied on their clinical judgment to help overcome barriers unique to the assessment of adults including obtaining an accurate developmental history and determining the relevancy of academic intervention for a formal diagnosis. Participants recommended (better) training and accessible research about how to efficaciously diagnose adults with dyslexia. The robustness of current diagnostic tools for equitably identifying adults with dyslexia was questioned by some participants. There is a need for national guidelines in Australia to support psychologists in identifying adults with dyslexia. International research and guidelines have an important role to play in informing this process.
Advanced Nonflammable Localized High‐Concentration Electrolyte For High Energy Density Lithium Battery
Authors: Jia Mengmin , Zhang Chi , Guo Yawei , Peng Linshan , Zhang Xiaoyan , Qian Weiwei , Zhang Lan , Zhang Suojiang
Published: July 2021

The key to realize long‐life high energy density lithium batteries is to exploit functional electrolytes capable of stabilizing both high voltage cathode and lithium anode. The emergence of localized high‐concentration electrolytes (LHCEs) shows great promise for ameliorating the above‐mentioned interfacial issues. In this work, a lithium difluoro(oxalate)borate (LiDFOB) based nonflammable dual‐anion LHCE is designed and prepared. Dissolving in the mixture of trimethyl phosphate (TMP) /1,1,2,2‐tetrafluoroethyl‐2,2,3,3‐tetrafluoropropylether (D2), the continuously consumption of LiDFOB is suppressed by simply introducing lithium nitrate (LiNO3). Meantime, as most of the TMP molecular are coordinated with Li+, the electrolyte does not show incompatibility issue between neither metal lithium nor graphite anode. Therefore, it demonstrates excellent capability in stabilizing the interface of Ni‐rich cathode and regulating lithium deposition morphology. The Li||LiNi0.87Co0.08Mn0.05O2 (NCM87) batteries exhibit high capacity retention of more than 90% after 200 cycles even under the high cutoff voltage of 4.5 V, 1 C rate. This study offers a prospective method to develop safe electrolytes suitable for high voltage applications, thus providing higher energy densities.
Investigation of the Supramolecular Assembly of Luminescent Lanthanide Nanoparticles Surface Functionalized by p‐Sulfonato‐Calix[4]arenes with Charged Aromatic Compounds
Authors: Cheignon Clémence , Heurté Margaux , Knighton Richard C. , Kassir Ali A. , Lecointre Alexandre , Nonat Aline , Boos Anne , Christine Câline , Asfari Zouhair , Charbonnière Loïc J.
Published: July 2021

The surface coordination of p‐sulfonato‐ (C[4]), p‐sulfonatothia‐ (SC[4]) and p‐sulfonato‐sulfoxocalix[4]arene (SO2C[4]) on La0.9Tb0.1F3 nanoparticles (TbNP) was investigated by UV‐Vis absorption and luminescence spectroscopies. SO2C[4] displayed the strongest affinity towards the NPs and a significant antenna effect leading to observation of the characteristic Tb emission bands upon calixarene excitation. NPs decorated by a shell of SO2C[4] were prepared and the interaction with rhodamine 6G (R6G) was studied. The progressive addition of R6G resulted in a strong Tb to R6G energy transfer process, as revealed by a long lived emission of R6G upon SO2C[4] excitation. The FRET efficiency was almost quantitative (87–90 %), pointing to an average distance of 28 to 32 Å between the R6G and the Tb emitting centres of the NP. An association of one R6G per SO2C[4] was deduced with a very strong apparent affinity (K=2.5×107 M−1) in water. Similar interactions were observed with paraquat, resulting in TbNP luminescence quenching. In both cases, an unexpected increase of the association constant of the cation with SO2C[4] was observed when SO2C[4] is anchored at the surface of the NP.
Global and gene‐specific promoter methylation, and micronuclei induction in lead‐exposed workers: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wang Kan , Meng Yu , Wang Tuanwei , Tu Yuting , Gong Shiyang , Zhang Guanghui , Au William , Xia Zhaolin
Published: July 2021

Perturbation of epigenetic regulation is a well‐established mechanism for cancer but its role for lead (Pb)‐associated toxicity has not been adequately investigated. We aimed to investigate whether occupational Pb exposure is associated with micronuclei (MN) frequency and to further explored the mediating roles of epigenetic gene regulation. All the Pb‐exposed workers recruited from a Chinese acid battery factory, blood lead levels (BLLs) and MN frequency in lymphocytes were measured. In addition, methylation levels of seven genes (Line‐1, RASSF1A, RUNX3, p16, CYP26C1, hMLH1, p15) were examined among 230 workers. Robust Poisson regression model was used to investigate the association between BLLs and MN frequency. Mediation analysis was used to explore the mediating role of specific DNA methylation. Among total 677 participants, 71% were male, median BLLs was 229.1 μg/L (P25 = 155.5, P75 = 319.3; ranged from 8.9 to 647.7 μg/L), mean MN frequency was 2.5‰ (SD = 1.8‰; ranged from 0 to 9‰). Results from base model, adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, showed that MN frequency would increase 1.38 (95%confidential interval: 1.34, 1.43) per 100 μg/L increment in BLLs. Using categorized exposure variable analyses, a BLLs dose–response increase in MN frequency was observed: 2.74 (2.13, 3.51), 3.43 (2.73, 4.32), 4.41 (3.89, 5.01) to 6.86 (6.02, 7.81). Mediation analysis indicated that Line‐1 methylation significantly mediated 3.6% of the association of BLLs with MN frequency. Occupational Pb exposure induces MN frequency in a dose–response relationship. Part of this association was mediated by Line‐1 promotor methylation.
Revamp your prospective transfer student programming with these strategies
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: July 2021

Recruiting strategies for first‐year students and transfer students are as different as apples and oranges. And no one knows this better than Katie Schwienteck.
Dean executes enrollment strategy rooted in social justice
Authors: Enos Gary A.
Published: July 2021

Demands for higher quality and a deep‐seated drive for social justice fuel the efforts of Mildred Lewis, Ed.D., as Dean of Enrollment Services at Laney College in Oakland, Calif. The community college has taken a more strategic approach to enrollment management over the past four years, making sure prospective and incoming students have the tools necessary to know that Laney is a fit and that their journey will go smoothly when they get there.
Alterations in resting‐state functional connectivity in pediatric patients with tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: Lobanov Oleg V. , Shimony Joshua S. , Kenley Jeanette , Kaplan Sydney , Alexopoulos Dimitrios , Roland Jarod L. , Smyth Matthew D. , Smyser Christopher D.
Published: July 2021

Objective

To investigate resting‐state functional connectivity (FC) in pediatric patients with tuberous sclerosis complex and intractable epilepsy requiring surgery.

Methods

Resting‐state functional MRI was utilized to investigate functional connectivity in 13 pediatric patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and intractable epilepsy requiring surgery.

Results

The majority of patients demonstrated a resting‐state network architecture similar to those reported in healthy individuals. However, preoperative differences were evident between patients with high versus low tuber burden, as well as those with good versus poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, most notably in the cingulo‐opercular and visual resting‐state networks. One patient with high tuber burden and poor preoperative development and seizure control had nearly normal development and seizure resolution after surgery. This was accompanied by significant improvement in resting‐state network architecture just one day postoperatively.

Significance

Although many patients with tuberous sclerosis complex and medically refractory epilepsy demonstrate functional connectivity patterns similar to healthy children, relationships within and between RSNs demonstrate clear differences in patients with higher tuber burden and worse outcomes. Improvements in resting‐state network organization postoperatively may be related to epilepsy surgery outcomes, providing candidate biomarkers for clinical management in this high‐risk population.
Human papillomavirus infection and tumor microenvironment are associated with the microbiota in patients with oropharyngeal cancers—pilot study
Authors: Zakrzewski Martha , Gannon Orla Margaret , Panizza Benedict James , Saunders Nicholas Andrew , Antonsson Annika
Published: July 2021

Background

Previous microbiome studies of oropharyngeal cancer have shown that there are differences in the oral microbiota between human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive and HPV‐negative patients.

Methods

We collected saliva, normal tissue, and tumor biopsies from 13 patients with oropharyngeal cancer (eight HPV‐positive, five HPV‐negative). We obtained basic clinical data from each patient. Extracted DNA was 16S rRNA gene sequenced. Analysis was based on HPV status and sample site using univariate, multivariate, and mixed effect regression methods.

Results

Multivariate analysis methods separated samples based on HPV status (Adonis, p < 0.001). Comparison of patients showed that there were significant changes in microbial richness across all sites based on HPV status (linear mixed effects regression, p = 0.0002).

Conclusions

We found significant differences in overall microbial community and bacterial richness between oropharyngeal patients based on HPV status. Our results suggest that there are significant differences in the microbiome in patients with oropharyngeal cancer based on HPV status.
Determinants of cognition in autoimmune limbic encephalitis—A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mueller Christoph , Langenbruch Lisa M. , Rau Johanna M. H. , Brix Tobias , Strippel Christine , Dik Andre , Golombeck Kristin S. , Moenig Constanze , Raeuber Saskia J. , Kovac Stjepana , Wiendl Heinz , Meuth Sven G. , Bölte Jens , Johnen Andreas , Melzer Nico
Published: July 2021

Autoimmune limbic encephalitis (ALE) is the most common type of autoimmune encephalitis (AIE). Subacute memory disturbance, temporal lobe seizures, and psychiatric symptoms are clinical hallmarks of the disease. However, little is known on the factors contributing to cognitive functioning in ALE. Hence, we here investigate major determinants of cognitive functioning in ALE. In a retrospective analysis of 102 patients with ALE, we first compared verbal learning capacity, nonverbal learning capacity, and attentional and executive functioning by absence or presence of different types of neural autoantibodies (AABs). Subsequently we established three linear regression models including 63, 38, and 61 patients, respectively to investigate how cognitive functioning in these domains may depend on common markers of ALE such as intrathecal inflammation, blood‐cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)‐barrier function, mesiotemporal epileptiform discharges and slowing, determined by electroencephalography (EEG) and structural mesiotemporal changes, measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We also accounted for possible effects of cancer‐ and immunotherapy and other centrally effective medication. There was no effect of AAB status on cognitive functioning. Although the regression models could not predict verbal and nonverbal learning capacity, structural mesiotemporal neural network alterations on T2‐/fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)‐signal‐weighted MRI and mesiotemporal epileptiform discharges or slowing on EEG exerted a significant impact on memory functions. In contrast, the regression model significantly predicted attentional and executive functioning with CSF white blood cell count and centrally effective medication being significant determinants. In this cohort, cognitive functioning in ALE does not depend on the AAB status. Common markers of ALE cannot predict memory functioning that only partially depends on structural and functional alterations of mesiotemporal neural networks. Common markers of ALE significantly predict attentional and executive functioning that is significantly related to centrally effective medication and CSF white blood cell count, which may point toward inflammation affecting brain regions beyond the limbic system.
Skeletal adverse events in childhood cancer survivors: An Adult Life after Childhood Cancer in Scandinavia cohort study
Authors: Oskarsson Trausti , Duun‐Henriksen Anne Katrine , Bautz Andrea , Montgomery Scott , Harila‐Saari Arja , Petersen Cecilia , Niinimäki Riitta , Madanat‐Harjuoja Laura , Tryggvadóttir Laufey , Holmqvist Anna Sällfors , Hasle Henrik , Heyman Mats , Winther Jeanette Falck ,   ALiCCS study group
Published: July 2021

The dynamic growth of the skeleton during childhood and adolescence renders it vulnerable to adverse effects of cancer treatment. The lifetime risk and patterns of skeletal morbidity have not been described in a population‐based cohort of childhood cancer survivors. A cohort of 26 334 1‐year cancer survivors diagnosed before 20 years of age was identified from the national cancer registries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden as well as a cohort of 127 531 age‐ and sex‐matched comparison subjects randomly selected from the national population registries in each country. The two cohorts were linked with data from the national hospital registries and the observed numbers of first‐time hospital admissions for adverse skeletal outcomes among childhood cancer survivors were compared to the expected numbers derived from the comparison cohort. In total, 1987 childhood cancer survivors had at least one hospital admission with a skeletal adverse event as discharge diagnosis, yielding a rate ratio (RR) of 1.35 (95% confidence interval, 1.29‐1.42). Among the survivors, we observed an increased risk for osteonecrosis with a RR of 25.9 (15.0‐44.5), osteoporosis, RR 4.53 (3.28‐6.27), fractures, RR 1.27 (1.20‐1.34), osteochondropathies, RR 1.57 (1.28‐1.92) and osteoarthrosis, RR 1.48 (1.28‐1.72). The hospitalization risk for any skeletal adverse event was higher among survivors up to the age of 60 years, but the lifetime pattern was different for each type of skeletal adverse event. Understanding the different lifetime patterns and identification of high‐risk groups is crucial for developing strategies to optimize skeletal health in childhood cancer survivors.
What time use surveys can (and cannot) tell us about labor supply
Authors: Chou Cheng , Shi Ruoyao
Published: July 2021

The American Time Use Survey (ATUS) accurately measures hours worked on a single day. We propose several estimators of elasticities of weekly labor supply in a linear regression model, despite certain impossibility results due to the time specific feature of the ATUS. We recommend the impute estimator, a simple modification of the standard two stage least squares estimator, that imputes the dependent variable using daily subsamples, based on our careful investigation of asymptotic and finite sample properties of the estimators under the potential outcome framework. We apply the impute estimator to the ATUS and find substantially different elasticity estimates from the Current Population Survey, especially for married women.
Efficient workflow for the investigation of the catalytic cycle of water oxidation catalysts: Combining GFN‐xTB and density functional theory
Authors: Menzel Jan Paul , Kloppenburg Martijn , Belić Jelena , de Groot Huub J. M. , Visscher Lucas , Buda Francesco
Published: July 2021

Photocatalytic water oxidation remains the bottleneck in many artificial photosynthesis devices. The efficiency of this challenging process is inherently linked to the thermodynamic and electronic properties of the chromophore and the water oxidation catalyst (WOC). Computational investigations can facilitate the search for favorable chromophore‐catalyst combinations. However, this remains a demanding task due to the requirements on the computational method that should be able to correctly describe different spin and oxidation states of the transition metal, the influence of solvation and the different rates of the charge transfer and water oxidation processes. To determine a suitable method with favorable cost/accuracy ratios, the full catalytic cycle of a molecular ruthenium based WOC is investigated using different computational methods, including density functional theory (DFT) with different functionals (GGA, Hybrid, Double Hybrid) as well as the semi‐empirical tight binding approach GFN‐xTB. A workflow with low computational cost is proposed that combines GFN‐xTB and DFT and provides reliable results. GFN‐xTB geometries and frequencies combined with single‐point DFT energies give free energy changes along the catalytic cycle that closely follow the full DFT results and show satisfactory agreement with experiment, while significantly decreasing the computational cost. This workflow allows for cost efficient determination of energetic, thermodynamic and dynamic properties of WOCs.
Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Simulations to Evaluate a Potential Dose Regimen of Testosterone Undecanoate in Hypogonadal Males
Authors: Pastuszak Alexander W. , Bush Mark , Curd Laura , Vijayan Saji , Priestley Tony , Xiang Qinfang , Hu Yiqun
Published: July 2021

Intramuscular testosterone undecanoate is indicated as testosterone replacement in adult males with a deficiency in or absence of endogenous testosterone (hypogonadism). Intramuscular testosterone undecanoate 750 mg is approved to be administered at initiation and at 4 weeks, followed by a maintenance dose every 10 weeks. However, a more frequent maintenance regimen may improve symptom management of low testosterone at the end of each dosing interval. The current objective was to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model for intramuscular testosterone undecanoate 750 mg and to perform PK simulations to assess the impact of an 8‐week maintenance regimen on testosterone exposure. A 1‐compartment model with first‐order absorption and first‐order elimination best described the PK of testosterone undecanoate. The model included time‐dependent suppression and gradual recovery of endogenous testosterone production during testosterone undecanoate administration. Significant covariates included body weight and sex hormone–binding globulin level. With the final PK model, simulations were performed to evaluate the impact of an 8‐week vs a 10‐week maintenance regimen on testosterone exposure. The 8‐week testosterone undecanoate regimen had a predicted 11% increase in average concentration and last observed concentration during a dosing interval before a subsequent dose and a 5% increase in maximum concentration. This translated into an ≈10% increase in the percentage of patients predicted to have a last observed concentration during a dosing interval before a subsequent dose >300 ng/dL, minimal change in the percentage of patients with average concentration in the normal range, and a low likelihood of maximum concentration >2500 ng/dL. These simulations suggest that more frequent administration of intramuscular testosterone undecanoate may be beneficial in some patients. Further clinical evaluation of an 8‐week dose regimen is warranted.
The effect of immediate dentin sealing with chlorhexidine pretreatment on the shear bond strength of dual‐cure adhesive cement
Authors: Deniz Sule Tugba , Oglakci Burcu , Yesilirmak Sevda Ozturk , Dalkilic Evrim Eliguzeloglu
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of immediate dentin sealing (IDS) with and without chlorhexidine (CHX) pretreatment on the shear bond strength (SBS) of dual‐cure adhesive resin cement. Mid‐coronal dentin surfaces were obtained from 75 human molars. They were randomly allocated into five groups in accordance to type of IDS [etch&rinse/ER (Adper Single Bond2) and universal/U adhesive systems (Single Bond Universal)] and presence of CHX application (n = 15): Group ER; Group ER + CHX; Group U; Group U + CHX; and Group C (no IDS). Dual‐cure adhesive resin cements were bonded with a cylinder‐shaped Teflon mold. The SBS was measured using a universal test machine. Fracture type was evaluated with stereomicroscope. The resin/dentin interfaces were examined with an environmental scanning electron microscope. Data were statistically analyzed with two‐way analysis of variance and Bonferroni tests (p < .05). Regarding the IDS treatment groups with/without CHX, there were no significant differences in SBS (p > .05). Group U + CHX showed significantly higher SBS than Group C (p < .05). Regarding the presence of CHX, no significant differences in SBS were found (p > .05). The prevalent failure mode was the mixed type for most of the groups. Group C exhibited an intact and regular hybrid layer with no resin tag, whereas longer and clear resin‐tag formation was visible for Group U + CHX. CHX pretreatment improved the bond strength between adhesive resin cement and dentin when IDS treatment was performed with a universal adhesive system.
miR-181c regulates MCL1 and cell survival in GATA2 deficient cells
Authors: Wang Weixin , Chen Rui , Droll Stephenie , Barber Emily , Saleh Layla , Corrigan-Cummins Meghan , Trick Megan , Anastas Vollter , Hawk Nga Voong , Zhao Zhen , Vinh Donald C , Hsu Amy , Hickstein Dennis D , Holland Steven M , Calvo Katherine R
Published: July 2021

GATA2 is a transcription factor critical for hematopoiesis. Germline mutations in GATA binding protein 2 (GATA2) led to haploinsufficiency, severe cytopenias of multiple cell lineages, susceptibility to infections and strong propensity to develop myelodysplastic syndrome, and acute myeloid leukemia. Mechanisms of progressive cytopenias remain unclear. MicroRNA (miRNA) represents a unique mechanism of post-transcriptional gene regulation. In this study, miRNA profiles were evaluated and eight miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed (≥2-fold, P ≤ 0.05) in patient-derived cell lines (N = 13) in comparison to controls (N = 10). miR-9, miR-181a-2-3p, miR-181c, miR-181c-3p, miR-486-3p, and miR-582 showed increased expression, whereas miR-223 and miR-424-3p showed decreased expression. Cell death assays indicated that miR-181c potently induces cell death in lymphoid (Ly-8 and SP-53) and myeloid (HL-60) cell lines. miR-181c was predicted to target myeloid cell leukemia (MCL)1, which was confirmed by transfection assays, resulting in significantly reduced MCL1 mRNA and decreased live cell numbers. Bone marrow analysis of 34 GATA2 patients showed significantly decreased cellularity, CD34-positive cells, monocytes, dendritic cells, NK cells, B cells, and B cell precursors in comparison to healthy controls (N = 29; P < 0.001 for each), which was accompanied by decreased levels of MCL1 (P < 0.05). GATA2 expression led to significant repression of miR-181c expression in transfection experiments. Conversely, knockdown of GATA2 led to increased miR-181c expression. These findings indicate that miR-181c expression is increased and MCL1 levels decreased in GATA2 deficiency cells, and that GATA2 represses miR-181c transcription. Increased miR-181c may contribute to elevated cell death and cytopenia in GATA2 deficiency potentially through down-regulation of MCL1.
Altered static and dynamic functional network connectivity in temporal lobe epilepsy with different disease duration and their relationships with attention
Authors: Liang Xiulin , Pang Xiaomin , Zhao Jingyuan , Yu Lu , Wu Peirong , Li Xinrong , Wei Wutong , Zheng Jinou
Published: July 2021

The brain network alterations associated with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) progression are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate altered patterns of static and dynamic functional network connectivity (sFNC and dFNC) in TLE with different durations of disease. In this study, 19 TLE patients with a disease duration of ≤5 years (TLE‐SD), 24 TLE patients with a disease duration of >5 years (TLE‐LD), and 21 healthy controls (HCs) underwent resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging and attention network test. We used group independent component analysis to determine the target resting‐state networks. Sliding window correlation and k‐means clustering analysis methods were used to obtain different dFNC states, temporal properties, and temporal variability. We then compared sFNC and dFNC between groups and found that compared with HCs, TLE‐SD patients had increased sFNC between the dorsal attention network and sensorimotor network/visual network (VN), but decreased sFNC between the inferior–posterior default mode network and VN. In the strongly connected dFNC state, TLE‐SD patients spent more time, had greater mean dwell time, and showed greater inconsistent abnormal network connectivity. There was a significant negative correlation between the temporal variability of auditory network‐ left fronto‐parietal network connectivity and orienting effect. No significant differences in sFNC and dFNC were detected between TLE‐LD and HC groups. These findings suggest that the damage and functional brain network abnormalities gradually occur in TLE patients after the onset of epilepsy, which might lead to functional network reorganization and compensatory remodeling as the disease progresses.
Raman spectroscopic study of gamma radiation‐initiated polymerization of diethylene glycol dimethacrylate in different solvents
Authors: Mahmood Malik H. , Himics László , Váczi Tamás , Rigó István , Holomb Roman , Beiler Barbara , Veres Miklós
Published: July 2021

In this work, the degree of conversion and polymerization kinetics of diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (DEGDMA) monomer in different solvents upon gamma irradiation with different doses have been studied by Raman spectroscopy and mass difference measurements. Density functional theory calculations were performed on the monomer and the crosslinked structure to obtain the assignment of Raman peaks to specific bonds. The evolution of the bonding configuration of the structure with dose and the composition of the monomer mixture was investigated. The dependence of the polymerization rate on the solvent type was explained by the mechanism of the polymerization affected by the relative solubility of the components of the monomer mixture. Raman measurements revealed also that there are not fully crosslinked monomer molecules in the polymer matrix.
Enantioseparation and determination of triazole fungicides in fruit juice by aqueous biphasic system coupled with HPLC‐MS/MS
Authors: Tian Hongzhe , Xu Chunqi , Shi Zhimeng , Fu Haoliang , Li Xiuwei
Published: July 2021

The aqueous biphasic system based on choline ionic liquids and ethylene/propylene oxide copolymer coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the simultaneous determination of the enantiomers of two fungicides: myclobutanil and tebuconazole. The influence of mass fractions of ionic liquids and the copolymer on the extraction efficiency of the target fungicides was investigated. The analytes are mainly concentrated in the bottom, copolymer‐rich phase. The extraction efficiencies of the selected fungicides were significantly affected by the concentrations of the copolymer, and their extraction efficiencies decreased with the higher mass fractions of the copolymer, while the mass fraction of ionic liquids had little effect on their extraction behavior. Excellent extraction efficiency was achieved using the aqueous biphasic system based on choline L‐lysinate and the copolymer. At three spiked concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/kg, the average recoveries of the selected fungicides ranged from 80 to 89%, with the relative standard deviations in the range of 2.1–5.3%. Limits of quantitation for the enantiomers of tebuconazole and myclobutanil were 0.5 and 5.0 µg/kg, respectively. The developed system could be successfully applied to the analysis of triazole fungicides residue in real samples.
Reversible Hydrogels with Switchable Diffusive Permeability
Authors: Nicolella Paola , Lauxen Daniel , Ahmadi Mostafa , Seiffert Sebastian
Published: July 2021

Hydrogels are polymer networks swollen in water that are characterized by soft mechanics and high permeability. This makes them good candidates for separation and membrane technologies. The diffusion is controlled by the mesh size of the network, and this can be made tunable through the introduction of thermoresponsive polymers. However, this is still a developing field. To contribute to this development, a dual dynamic network is formed composed of four‐arm polyethylene glycol precursors in which each arm is functionalized with both a terpyridine moiety capable of forming reversible metal–ligand complexes along with branches of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAAm), which can be switched between expanded and collapsed states and therewith offers a path for switching the microscopic gel‐network mesh size, along with the macroscopic gel elasticity. The dually sensitive hydrogel has the capability of doubling its elastic modulus when going above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of pNIPAAm. In addition, the diffusive permeability of the hydrogel is switched upon change of temperature, whereby diffusants are trapped above the LCST of pNIPAAm. Moreover, it is possible to disassemble and reform the gel upon change of pH. With that, the hydrogel has potential application as a switchable and reversible membrane.
The Suszko operator relative to truth‐equational logics
Authors: Albuquerque Hugo
Published: July 2021

This note presents some new results from [1] about the Suszko operator and truth‐equational logics, following the works of Czelakowski [11] and Raftery [17]. It is proved that the Suszko operator relative to a truth‐equational logic preserves suprema and commutes with endomorphisms. Together with injectivity, proved by Raftery in [17], the Suszko operator relative to a truth‐equational logic is a structural representation, as defined in [15]. Furthermore, if is a quasivariety, then the Suszko operator relative to a truth‐equational logic is continuous. Finally, it is proved that truth is equationally definable in the class if and only if is a ‐algebraic semantics for and the Suszko operator preserves suprema and commutes with substitutions.
Preparation Process Orthogonal Optimization and Mechanical Properties of Microcellular Foam Polypropylene
Authors: Li Mingchao , Huang Tuankang , Qin Youlin , Shen Chunhui , Gao Shanjun
Published: July 2021

Melt strength, pressure and the amount of gas have significant effects on the foaming of polypropylene (PP). It is convenient to study the influence of these factors on foaming effect by orthogonal test. The experiment result shows that within the set factors and levels, the improvement of melt and the concentration of foaming masterbatch has the greatest influence on the cell size and density of foamed PP, respectively. When the concentration of azodicarbonamide (ADC) is 15 %, PP/ethylene‐propylene terpolymer (EPDM) = 90:10, and SiO2 content is 3%, the foaming effect is the best. At this time, the cell diameter decreases by 42.7%, cell density increases by more than 7.5 times compared with that without optimization. Material density decreases from 0.92 to 0.56 g cm−3. It is also found that good closed‐cell structure can improve the bending and impact properties of PP in varying degrees, especially the impact strength is 55.7% higher than that of neat PP. Finally, the promoting mechanism of cell structure on mechanical properties of materials is discussed, which is of great significance for the preparation of microfoamed PP materials and the deep research of its cell structure.
Biharmonic hypersurfaces in a product space Lm×R
Authors: Fu Yu , Maeta Shun , Ou Ye‐Lin
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we study biharmonic hypersurfaces in a product of an Einstein space and a real line . We prove that a biharmonic hypersurface with constant mean curvature in such a product is either minimal or a vertical cylinder generalizing a result of [36] and [17]. We derived the biharmonic equation for hypersurfaces in and in terms of the angle function of the hypersurface, and use it to obtain some classifications of biharmonic hypersurfaces in such spaces. These include classifications of biharmonic hypersurfaces which are totally umbilical or semi‐parallel for , and some classifications of biharmonic surfaces in and which are constant angle or belong to certain classes of rotation surfaces.
The reaction–cross‐diffusion models for tissue growth
Authors: Pinar Zehra
Published: July 2021

The application of mathematics to fields such as biology, medicine, and biotechnology has resulted in quantitative relations, and mathematical biology, an interdisciplinary branch, has emerged. The considered models of cell/tissue growth are determined by cross‐reaction‐diffusion equations with possible transitions between malignant cells with different growth rates or healthy cells. For the considered models, the exact solutions in the explicit form were not obtained in the existing literature to our knowledge. Our main aim is to fill this gap by revealing their exact solutions. The obtained results have a major role in the literature so that the considered models are seen in a large scale of applications.
Quantitative susceptibility mapping of carotid arterial tissue ex vivo: Assessing sensitivity to vessel microstructural composition
Authors: Stone Alan J. , Tornifoglio Brooke , Johnston Robert D. , Shmueli Karin , Kerskens Christian , Lally Caitríona
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To characterize microstructural contributions to the magnetic susceptibility of carotid arteries.

Method

Arterial vessels were scanned using high‐resolution quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) at 7 Tesla. Models of vessel degradation were generated using ex vivo porcine carotid arteries that were subjected to several different enzymatic digestion treatments that selectively removed microstructural components (smooth muscle cells, collagen, and elastin). Magnetic susceptibilities measured in these tissue models were compared to those in untreated (native) porcine arteries. Magnetic susceptibility measured in native porcine carotid arteries was further compared to the susceptibility of cadaveric human carotid arteries to investigate their similarity.

Results

The magnetic susceptibility of native porcine vessels was diamagnetic (χnative = −0.1820 ppm), with higher susceptibilities in all models of vessel degradation (χelastin‐degraded = −0.0163 ppm; χcollagen‐degraded = −0.1158 ppm; χdecellularized = −0.1379 ppm; χfixed native = −0.2199 ppm). Magnetic susceptibility was significantly higher in collagen‐degraded compared to native porcine vessels (Tukey‐Kramer, P < .01) and between elastin‐degraded and all other models (including native, Tukey‐Kramer, P < .001). The susceptibility of fixed healthy human arterial tissue was diamagnetic, and no significant difference was found between fixed human and fixed porcine arterial tissue susceptibilities (analysis of variance, P > .05).

Conclusions

Magnetic susceptibility measured using QSM is sensitive to the microstructural composition of arterial vessels—most notably to collagen. The similarity of human and porcine arterial tissue susceptibility values provides a solid basis for translational studies. Because vessel microstructure becomes disrupted during the onset and progression of carotid atherosclerosis, QSM has the potential to provide a sensitive and specific marker of vessel disease.
Nutrition rehabilitation–related complications in primary mitochondrial disorders
Authors: Diamond Tamir , DiVito Donna , Savoca Melanie , Mascarenhas Maria , Goldstein Amy
Published: July 2021

Primary mitochondrial disorders (PMDs) comprise a group of hundreds of individual genetic diseases affecting mitochondrial function, including oxidative phosphorylation and energy production. The estimated prevalence of these disorders ranges from 2.9 to 20 cases per 100,000. PMDs are commonly associated with malnutrition and growth failure. There is a paucity of literature regarding nutrition assessment and long‐term data in the PMD population. We present three patients with various PMDs who presented complications related to malnutrition: (1) a 16‐year‐old male with Kearns‐Sayre syndrome developed type 2 insulin‐requiring diabetes mellitus after the initiation of high‐calorie nutrition rehabilitation via gastrostomy tube (G‐tube); (2) an 11‐year‐old female with myoclonic epilepsy associated with ragged red fibers developed diarrhea with metabolic decompensation and profound neurological and respiratory deterioration during nutrition rehabilitation after surgical G‐tube placement; and (3) a 19‐year‐old male with a WARS2‐associated PMD manifesting with developmental delay and severe parkinsonism presented complications related to poor wound healing after gastrojejunostomy tube placement. The last patient required prolonged hospitalization in the intensive care unit. Clinicians should be vigilant in monitoring these possible complications, as no standards of care exist for the initiation of enteral nutrition for this unique population.
Analyses of the Rationale and Implementation of Research Biopsies in Oncology Clinical Trials at a Tertiary Cancer Center
Authors: Olympios Nathalie , Collet Laetitia , Paesmans Marianne , Jungels Christiane , Kotecki Nuria , Awada Ahmad , Aftimos Philippe
Published: July 2021

Background

Biomarkers in clinical trials have led to massive incorporation of research biopsies, with potentially risks and no direct benefit for patients. In 2018, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released an ethical framework to provide guidance on incorporating research biopsies in cancer clinical trials.

Materials and Methods

We collected biopsy requirements of cancer clinical trials conducted at Institut Jules Bordet (IJB) between 2015 and 2019 to examine adherence with the ASCO Ethical Framework. We used logistic regression models to test the association between the request for biopsy, the request for tissue, and the adherence to the ASCO framework as well as some trial characteristics.

Results

Between January 2015 and December 2019, 178 oncological studies were conducted at IJB. Of these, 138 (78%) were sponsored by industry, 132 (74%) were phase II and III studies, and 141 (79%) concerned metastatic disease. Tissue was required for inclusion for 119 (67%) studies, among which 59 required at least one new biopsy. Adherence to ASCO's Ethical Framework was 67% for studies requiring tissue and went down to 39% for studies requiring at least one new biopsy. In multivariate analysis, requests for tissue or new biopsies increased in early-phase studies (p < .001, p < .001, respectively) and in studies investigating innovative treatments (immunotherapy or targeted therapies; p < .01, p = .02). Compliance to the ASCO framework significantly decreased with time (p < .001) and in early-phase studies (p < .001).

Conclusion

Numerous studies required tissue or new biopsies for exploratory objectives of unknown clinical utility. Requests for tissue increased over the years, whereas compliance to ASCO's Ethical Framework decreased.

Implications for Practice

In 2019, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) developed an ethical framework to provide guidance on incorporating research biopsies in clinical trials. This study underlines the growing request for tissue in clinical trials with potentially no impact on drug development and no benefit to actual or future patients. Adherence to ASCO's Ethical Framework decreases through time. These results highlight the importance of improving the ethics of research biopsies. ASCO's Ethical Framework offers an opportunity to improve quality of care in clinical research by maximizing scientific utility and allowing for clinically meaningful correlative science and safe access to innovative treatments for a maximum number of patients.
Extension services as key determining factor for adoption of minimum tillage practice in Kenya: A plot level analysis
Authors: Jena Pradyot Ranjan
Published: July 2021

There is a consensus that conservation agricultural practices increase crop productivity and save resources. However, even after a decade of active promotion of conservation agriculture in sub‐Saharan Africa, the adoption of such practices as minimum tillage is low. This article finds out the determining factors that influence the adoption decision of smallholder farmers of Kenya about minimum tillage practice. The study is based on survey data from a randomly collected sample of 300 households in the maize‐dominant farming system of eastern Kenya. A plot‐level analysis consisting of 437 plots is carried out using the Probit regression to estimate the adoption decision model. Access to extension information is found to be a key determinant of adoption decisions for minimum tillage. Household labor availability, land allocated for maize crop, and plot‐level characteristics such as soil type, plot size, and intercropping practice followed on the plot are also found to have influenced farmers' decision to adopt minimum tillage practice. Extension services being a vital element in the efforts to promote minimum tillage practice, more effective implementation of promotion programs need to be undertaken by the Government in Kenya in particular and sub‐Saharan Africa in general.