bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Giant Anteater Population Density Estimation and Viability Analysis Through Motion‐Sensitive Camera Records
Authors: Bertassoni Alessandra , Bianchi RITA DE CASSIA , Desbiez Arnaud Leonard Jean
Published: August 2021

Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) populations are decreasing throughout their range. We tested a methodology for individual identification using camera records and fur patterns to estimate the giant anteater population in a protected area of the Brazilian Cerrado. We identified 9 adult individuals and successfully modeled population abundance and density. Our models estimated an adult population of 16.8 (range = 15–19) giant anteaters through a mark‐resight approach and 12.5 individuals (range = 9.7–25.5) through a spatially explicit capture‐recapture approach. Density estimates were 0.3–0.4 animals/km2. Using these estimates, we performed a population viability analysis to understand and predict this population's future. We modeled scenarios without direct effects and models simulating a double carrying capacity and the supplementation and removal of individuals. Even in the more optimistic scenarios, the population is predicted to decreases over time, with ≤8 individuals remaining in 100 years. Given the study area surroundings, realistic models include removals of giant anteaters in the population. Identification of giant anteaters using cameras can inspire conservationists to acquire population data throughout its distribution and obtain population trends to evaluate the species' conservation status. Individual identification of giant anteaters using a motion‐sensitive camera design is feasible, opens new avenues for population analyses, and allows the study of population trends in difficult regions. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Airborne particulate concentration during non‐thermal nano‐pulse stimulation wart clearance is negligible compared to thermal modalities
Authors: Ross Edward V. , Newman James , Ravichandran Jayachandran , Nuccitelli Richard
Published: August 2021

Objectives

As clinicians continue to implement safety protocols amid the global pandemic, considerations to mitigate potential viral transmission of airborne particulates (plume) generated from certain dermatologic procedures are of growing interest. This study intended to measure the change in airborne particulate matter using a non‐thermal energy modality called nano‐pulse stimulation (NPS) and compare levels of concentration to common thermal modalities (CO2 laser and electrocautery). NPS is a new non‐thermal modality that applies nanosecond pulses of electrical energy to induce regulated cell death in cellular structures while sparing the surrounding acellular structure of the dermis.

Materials and Methods

The study used a Condensation Particle Counter during four types of dermatologic procedures: (1) using non‐thermal NPS for the clearance of cutaneous, nongenital warts; (2) an electrocautery treatment of warts; (3) a CO2 laser for facial resurfacing; and (4) an electrocautery procedure for a facelift. Four subjects and a total of 11 warts were treated with NPS while a particle counter was used to detect the average particles per cubic centimeter once per second. The same particle counter was used, for comparison, during a wart removal procedure using electrocautery for comparison, and for control, during a skin resurfacing procedure with a CO2 laser and a facelift in which electrocautery was used.

Results

Only one of the 11 NPS wart procedures generated any detectable change in the particulate concentration and that change was negligible in comparison to the increase in particulate concentration measured during the CO2 laser resurfacing and the electrocautery use during a facelift procedure.

Conclusions

Procedures using non‐thermal NPS technology do not generate significant plume when applied to eliminate warts, suggesting it is unlikely that this new energy modality would release viral DNA into the air.
Assessment of natural antioxidants' effect on PDT cytotoxicity through fluorescence microscopy image analysis
Authors: Petri Aspasia , Alexandratou Eleni , Yova Dido
Published: August 2021

Background and Objectives

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a cancer treatment modality mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the intracellular antioxidant defense system antagonizes PDT‐generated ROS, impeding PDT efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the enhancement of PDT cytotoxicity by its combination with natural antioxidants in pro‐oxidant concentrations.

Methods

A rich natural antioxidant mixture originating from Pinus halepensis bark extract was studied for its potential to enhance the efficacy of m‐tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin (m‐THPC)–PDT on LNCaP prostate cancer cells, in vitro. Various P. halepensis concentrations, at two different incubation times, were used in combination with m‐THPC–PDT. Assessment of cellular viability and intracellular ROS levels evaluated the treatments' outcome. A novel method was developed for the assessment of the intracellular ROS levels, based on image analysis and data extraction from fluorescence microscopy images.

Results

P. halepensis bark extract increased the intracellular ROS levels in a concentration‐dependent but not in an incubation‐dependent manner. The higher concentrations used (≥50 μg/ml) reduced cellular viability even by 50%. One hour pretreatment with 30 μg/ml P. halepensis before m‐THPC–PDT exceeded the levels of cellular death by approximately 15%.

Conclusions

The results provided evidence of the cytotoxic effect of P. halepensis bark extract on LNCaP cells, showing the potential of P. halepensis to be used as an anticancer agent in prostate cancer treatment. The results also provided evidence of enhancement of m‐THPC–PDT by P. halepensis bark extract showed the potential to be used as a supplementary agent to improve prostate cancer PDT treatment.
Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes/CsPbX3@Polyacrylonitrile Core/Shell Nanofibers with Ultrahigh Water, Thermal, and Ultraviolet Stability
Authors: Huang Yongjun , Wang Tingting , Zheng Jianzhong , Li Feiming , Lan Wangrong , Zheng Fengying , Li Shunxing
Published: August 2021

The application of all‐inorganic perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) is considerably limited by their inherent instability under the ubiquitous environmental conditions with high water content, temperature, and UV intensity. The multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are combined with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) for the first time to improve the uniform luminous performance and environmental stability of PNCs, attributing to the dense growth of PNC via lead ions bound with rich carbonylation on CNT surfaces, the excellent characteristics of CNTs (including hydrophobicity, electrical conductivity, specific heat, UV absorption capacity), the weather resistance of PAN polymer, and their synergistic effect. Here, via one‐step single‐nozzle electrospinning at room temperature, CNTs, PNCs, and PAN are comprised as core–shell nanofibers (i.e., CNTs/PNCs@PAN) with tunable emissions between 472 and 683 nm, covering the visible light range from blue to red. The photoluminescence intensity of CNTs/CsPbBr3@PAN can be 93%, 91%, and 91% of the initial value, respectively, after being immersed in water for 20 days, heated to 90 °C, and exposed to 365 nm light irradiation for 48 h, which are superior to those of the previously reported PNCs/PAN fibers. The ultrahigh water stability is further proven by CNTs/PNCs@PAN‐based sensor for rhodamine 6G solution fluorescence detection.
Intratumoural heterogeneity and clone evolution of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Lin , Wang Xinmiao , Jia Yulin , Guo Fengyuan , Zhengjun Shang , Shao Zhe
Published: August 2021

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of oral malignancy. Our study uses multipoint materials to explore the heterogeneity and metastasis mechanism of OSCC to find more accurate molecular markers and new therapeutic targets. By using whole‐exome capture and sequencing and tumor evolution analysis, we found that most clone‐driven mutations were located in the branches of tumor phylogenetic tree, such as COTL1, CASP8, and PROCR. Most clone‐driven OSCC mutations occur mainly in tumor suppressor genes, including TP53, SFRP4, and NOTCH1. Our study on intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) and clonal evolution provides an important molecular basis for further understanding of OSCC occurrence and development and metastasis and provides potential targets for the treatment of this disease.
Genotype–Phenotype Relations in Primary Familial Brain Calcification: Systematic MDSGene Review
Authors: Balck Alexander , Schaake Susen , Kuhnke Neele Sophie , Domingo Aloysius , Madoev Harutyun , Margolesky Jason , Dobricic Valerija , Alvarez‐Fischer Daniel , Laabs Björn‐Hergen , Kasten Meike , Luo Wei , Nicolas Gael , Marras Connie , Lohmann Katja , Klein Christine , Westenberger Ana
Published: August 2021

This systematic MDSGene review covers individuals with confirmed genetic forms of primary familial brain calcification (PFBC) available in the literature. Data on 516 (47% men) individuals, carrying heterozygous variants in SLC20A2 (solute carrier family 20 member 2, 61%), PDGFB (platelet‐derived growth factor subunit B, 12%), XPR1 (xenotropic and polytropic retrovirus receptor, 16%), or PDGFRB (platelet‐derived growth factor receptor beta, 5%) or biallelic variants in MYORG (myogenesis‐regulating glycosidase, 13%) or JAM2 (junctional adhesion molecule 2, 2%), were extracted from 93 articles. Nearly one‐third of the mutation carriers were clinically unaffected. Carriers of PDGFRB variants were more likely to be clinically unaffected (~54%), and the penetrance of SLC20A2 and XPR1 variants (<70%) was lower in comparison to the remaining three genes (>85%). Among the 349 clinically affected patients, 27% showed only motor and 31% only nonmotor symptoms/signs, whereas the remaining 42% had a combination thereof. While parkinsonism and speech disturbance were the most frequently reported motor manifestations, cognitive deficits, headache, and depression were the major nonmotor symptoms/signs. The basal ganglia were always calcified, and the cerebellum, thalamus, and white matter contained calcifications in 58%, 53%, and 43%, respectively, of individuals. In autosomal‐dominant PFBC, mutation severity influenced the number of calcified brain areas, which in turn correlated with the clinical status, whereby the risk of developing symptoms/signs more than doubled for each additional region with calcifications. Our systematic analysis provides the most comprehensive insight into genetic, clinical, and neuroimaging features of known PFBC forms, to date. In addition, it puts forth the penetrance estimates and newly discovered genotype–phenotype relations that will improve counseling of individuals with mutations in PFBC genes. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Access and Attitudes Toward Palliative Care Among Movement Disorders Clinicians
Authors: Miyasaki Janis M. , Lim Shen‐Yang , Chaudhuri K. Ray , Antonini Angelo , Piemonte Maria , Richfield Edward , Alburquerque Gonzalez Daniela , Lorenzl Stefan , Walker Richard , Bhidayasiri Roongroj , Bouca Raquel , McConvey Victor ,   the Task Force on Palliative Care of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Published: August 2021

Background

Neuropalliative care is an emerging field for those with neurodegenerative illnesses, but access to neuropalliative care remains limited.

Objective

We sought to determine Movement Disorder Society (MDS) members' attitudes and access to palliative care.

Methods

A quantitative and qualitative survey instrument was developed by the MDS Palliative Care Task Force and e‐mailed to all members for completion. Descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis were triangulated.

Results

Of 6442 members contacted, 652 completed the survey. Completed surveys indicating country of the respondent overwhelmingly represented middle‐ and high‐income countries. Government‐funded homecare was available to 54% of respondents based on patient need, 25% limited access, and 21% during hospitalization or an acute defined event. Eighty‐nine percent worked in multidisciplinary teams. The majority endorsed trigger‐based referrals to palliative care (75.5%), while 24.5% indicated any time after diagnosis was appropriate. Although 66% referred patients to palliative care, 34% did not refer patients. Barriers were identified by 68% of respondents, the most significant being available workforce, financial support for palliative care, and perceived knowledge of palliative care physicians specific to movement disorders. Of 499 respondents indicating their training in palliative care or desire to learn these skills, 55% indicated a desire to gain more skills.

Conclusions

The majority of MDS member respondents endorsed a role for palliative care in movement disorders. Many members have palliative training or collaborate with palliative care physicians. Although significant barriers exist to access palliative care, the desire to gain more skills and education on palliative care is an opportunity for professional development within the MDS. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
The role of Wnt signaling in skin fibrosis
Authors: Griffin Michelle F. , Huber Julika , Evan Fahy J. , Quarto Natalina , Longaker Michael T.
Published: August 2021

Skin fibrosis is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the dermis. Cutaneous fibrosis can occur following tissue injury, including burns, trauma, and surgery, resulting in scars that are disfiguring, limit movement and cause significant psychological distress for patients. Many molecular pathways have been implicated in the development of skin fibrosis, yet effective treatments to prevent or reverse scarring are unknown. The Wnt signaling pathways are known to play an important role in skin homeostasis, skin injury, and in the development of fibrotic skin diseases. This review provides a detailed overview of the role of the canonical Wnt signaling pathways in regulating skin scarring. We also discuss how Wnt signaling interacts with other known fibrotic molecular pathways to cause skin fibrosis. We further provide a summary of the different Wnt inhibitor types available for treating skin scarring. Understanding the role of the Wnt pathway in cutaneous fibrosis will accelerate the development of effective Wnt modulators for the treatment of skin fibrosis.
Improved prospective frequency correction for macromolecule‐suppressed GABA editing with metabolite cycling at 3T
Authors: Chan Kimberly L. , Hock Andreas , Edden Richard A. E. , MacMillan Erin L. , Henning Anke
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To combine metabolite cycling with J‐difference editing (MC MEGA) to allow for prospective frequency correction at each transient without additional acquisitions and compare it to water‐suppressed MEGA‐PRESS (WS MEGA) editing with intermittent prospective frequency correction.

Methods

Macromolecule‐suppressed gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐edited experiments were performed in a phantom and in the occipital lobe (OCC) (n= 12) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) (n= 8) of the human brain. Water frequency consistency and average offset over acquisition time were compared. GABA multiplet patterns, signal intensities, and choline subtraction artifacts were evaluated. In vivo GABA concentrations were compared and related to frequency offset in the OCC.

Results

MC MEGA was more stable with 21% and 32% smaller water frequency SDs in the OCC and mPFC, respectively. MC MEGA also had 39% and 40% smaller average frequency offsets in the OCC and mPFC, respectively. Phantom GABA multiplet patterns and signal intensities were similar. In vivo GABA concentrations were smaller in MC MEGA than in WS MEGA, with median (interquartile range) of 2.52 (0.27) and 2.29 (0.19) institutional units (i.u.), respectively in the OCC scans without prior DTI, and 0.99 (0.3) and 1.72 (0.5), respectively in the mPFC. OCC WS MEGA GABA concentrations, but not MC MEGA GABA concentrations were moderately correlated with frequency offset. mPFC WS MEGA spectra contained significantly more subtraction artifacts than MC MEGA spectra.

Conclusion

MC MEGA is feasible and allows for prospective frequency correction at every transient. MC MEGA GABA concentrations were not biased by frequency offsets and contained less subtraction artifacts compared to WS MEGA.
Psychotropic drug use rate among detention house residents and association with the category of the crimes in Japan
Authors: Nishio Akihiro
Published: August 2021

Aim

The White Paper on Crime 2019 from the Japanese Ministry of Justice reported that the percentage of crimes committed by people with mental disabilities was only 1.0%. In contrast, the findings of a statistical survey of correctional facilities reported that 15.1% of the prisoners were diagnosed with a mental illness. This study aimed at clarifying the relationship between mental illness and crime among suspects in a detention house and explaining this large gap.

Methods

Criminal suspects who were newly admitted in the Gifu detention house in Japan were eligible for the study. The status of psychotropic drug use was investigated, and its relationship with age, sex, offense history, and type of crime was analyzed. Newly prescribed medications in detention houses or police stations were excluded.

Results

In total, 26.5% of the residents in a detention house used psychotropic drugs. The psychotropic drug use rate was 16.7% (excluding the sleeping pill use rate). The use rates of sleeping pills, anxiolytics, antidepressants, and antipsychotics were 22.6%, 11.1%, 3.0%, and 9.6%, respectively. Psychotropic drug use was high in illicit drug users and low in suspects for immigration violence. Psychotropic drug use was higher among female suspects, suspects in their 40s and 50s, and suspects with a multiple crime history. Anxiolytic (17.0%) and antipsychotic (11.9%) use rates were high among suspects for violence.

Conclusion

In total, 26.5% of the subjects used psychotropic drugs. Psychotropic drug use was high in illicit drug users and low in suspects for immigration violence.
Improvements and limitation of soy protein‐based adhesive: A review
Authors: Lamaming Sofie Zarina , Lamaming Junidah , Rawi Nurul Fazita Mohammad , Hashim Rokiah , Kassim Mohamad Haafiz Mohamad , Hussin Mohd Hazwan , Bustami Yazmin , Sulaiman Othman , Amini Mohd Hazim Mohamad , Hiziroglu Salim
Published: August 2021

Soy protein is known for its eco‐friendly, sustainable, and biodegradable qualities that are likely used as raw material in producing bioadhesive. However, soy protein‐based adhesive are lacking in terms of adhesive strength and water‐resistance compared to commercial formaldehyde‐based adhesives such as phenol and urea‐formaldehyde resin. Therefore, continuous research has been done to improve adhesive performance. This can be done via physical or modification methods, including the usage of cross‐linking agents, structural modification, enzymatic modification, and the addition of additives. This review will cover these modification methods that give significant enhancement to the water‐resistance and adhesive strength of soy protein‐based adhesives.
Scoping review of augmented renal clearance in critically ill pediatric patients
Authors: Rhoney Denise H. , Metzger Samuel A. , Nelson Nicholas R.
Published: August 2021

Augmented renal clearance (ARC), a phenomenon of enhanced elimination of renal solutes, has been described in adult critically ill patients, but little is known about the phenomenon in children. The aim of this scoping review was to gather and summarize all evidence on ARC in pediatric patients to examine its breadth and depth including prevalence, risk factors, and pharmacokinetic alterations and identify any gaps for further areas of inquiry. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for titles, abstracts, or keywords that focused on ARC. Non‐English studies, reviews, and nonhuman studies were excluded. Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA‐ScR) guidelines. Data were extracted on article type, study details, patient population, ARC definition and prevalence, methods of renal function assessment, and study results. A total of 215 citations were found with 25 citations meeting the criteria for inclusion in pediatrics (2102 total patients); the majority of studies (84%) focused on pharmacokinetics (PK) of antimicrobial agents. The median/mean age range was 1.25–12 years. There were a total of 10 different definitions of ARC. The prevalence of ARC ranged from 7.8% to 78%. The most common method for documenting creatinine clearance (CrCl) was the modified Schwartz equation (64%). Only 20% of studies reported risk factors for ARC including low serum creatinine, increasing age, febrile neutropenia, male, septic shock, and treatment with antibiotics. Glycopeptide antimicrobials were the most evaluated class (42.9%) among the 21 antimicrobial drug studies. All studies reported increased drug clearance and/or poor probability of achieving target concentrations of the agents studied. ARC showed variable prevalence in pediatric patients likely due to the lack of a standard definition and many studies not considering age‐related changes in CrCl with pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients. ARC was shown to impact PK of antibiotics commonly administered to pediatric patients, which may necessitate changes in standard dosing regimens.
Application of plasma‐activated water as an antimicrobial washing agent of fresh leafy produce
Authors: Dimitrakellis Panagiotis , Giannoglou Marianna , Xanthou Zacharoula Maria , Gogolides Evangelos , Taoukis Petros , Katsaros George
Published: August 2021

Plasma‐activated water (PAW) was investigated as a “green” antimicrobial washing agent for decontamination of ready‐to‐eat rocket salads. PAW was generated using a dielectric barrier discharge jet and the plasma chemistry was correlated to the PAW characteristics. The low helium flow rates favored the NOx formation and resulted also in higher reactive species concentration upon storage. PAW activity was retained even after 12 days of storage at low temperatures. The application of fresh and 7‐days‐stored PAW as washing agents resulted in significant microbial load reduction, whereas the quality indices of PAW‐treated rocket leaves were retained. Finally, the PAW treatment increased the shelf‐life of the leafy salad by a factor of ~2.5 upon storage at 5°C, demonstrating the potential application of plasma technology in the processing and shelf‐life extension of sensitive food products.
Managing the functional diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for the sustainable intensification of crop production
Authors: Brito Isabel , Carvalho Mário , Goss Michael J.
Published: August 2021

Societal Impact Statement

The need to increase food production with reduced use of resources and environmental impact demands innovative rethinking and evolution of cropping systems. The essential changes required are consistent with sustaining arbuscular mycorrhiza, which, together with their associated microorganisms, could be managed to play an important role, especially in the protection of crops against abiotic and biotic stresses. Mycorrhiza should be included in agronomic decision processes, where chemical options to protect crops are limited or require the use of large applications. Defining rotational plant sequence or using cover crops and adopting reduced or no‐till techniques are key components of a strategy for a consistent and predictable way of manipulating the native inoculum to capitalize on the manifold benefits potentially provided by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi through their functional diversity.

Summary

Despite the wide range of benefits arbuscular mycorrhiza can confer, they are not usually considered in large‐scale farming systems because the potential improvements in crop yields through the enhanced uptake of nutrients is a matter of debate and the advantages from the bio‐protection afforded against biotic and abiotic stresses have not been adequately recognised. Research carried out by our group over the last 20 years has allowed the development of a strategy based on the intentional use of selected host plants (Developer plants), to develop an extensive extraradical mycelium which, when kept intact by the adoption of appropriate tillage techniques, acts as preferential source of inoculum for the following crop, leading to earlier and faster colonization by AM fungi. Depending on the particular host plant chosen as Developer, this strategy can also be used as a tool to manage AMF functional diversity. Using this approach, we have achieved effective protection against abiotic (Mn soil toxicity) and biotic (Fusarium oxysporum and Magnaporthiopsis maydis) stresses in different crops. The strategy can easily be applied at field scale, both in low and high input cropping systems. It only requires small changes to the cropping system, such as employing no‐till and altered crop rotation or cover crops, that are simple to adopt and can realistically be implemented at the field level. This represents an important breakthrough as it allows intentional and predictable manipulation of the native soil mycorrhizal population over a range of different soils and circumstances.
In silico numerical simulation of ventilator settings during high‐frequency ventilation in preterm infants
Authors: Förster Kai M. , Roth Christian J. , Hilgendorff Anne , Ertl‐Wagner Birgit , Flemmer Andreas W. , Wall Wolfgang A.
Published: August 2021

Objective

Despite the routine use of antenatal steroids, exogenous surfactants, and different noninvasive ventilation methods, many extremely low gestational age neonates, preterm, and term infants eventually require invasive ventilation. In addition to prematurity, mechanical ventilation itself can induce ventilator‐induced lung injury leading to lifelong pulmonary sequelae. Besides conventional mechanical ventilation, high‐frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) with tidal volumes below dead space and high ventilation frequencies is used either as a primary or rescue therapy in severe neonatal respiratory failure.

Methods and Results

Applying a high‐resolution computational lung modeling technique in a preterm infant, we studied three different high‐frequency ventilation settings as well as conventional ventilation (CV) settings. Evaluating the computed oxygen delivery (OD) and lung mechanics (LM) we outline for the first time how changing ventilator settings from CV to HFOV lead to significant improvements in OD and LM.

Conclusion

This personalized “digital twin” strategy advances our general knowledge of protective ventilation strategies in neonatal care and can support decisions on various modes of ventilatory therapy at high frequencies.
Stacking Fault Manifolds and Structural Configurations of Partial Dislocations in InGaN Epilayers
Authors: Vasileiadis Isaak G. , Belabbas Imad , Bazioti Calliope , Smalc-Koziorοwska Julita , Komninou Philomela , Dimitrakopulos George P.
Published: August 2021

The configurations of basal stacking fault (BSF) manifolds often observed in III‐nitride alloy epilayers, particularly InGaN, are considered herein. Using high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), it is shown that the folds and steps of intrinsic BSFs can acquire a Shockley‐like partial dislocation character depending on the relative senses of the BSF stackings. This can lead to the introduction of extra geometrically necessary threading dislocations in the epilayer on account of variant coexistence. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the overlap of two I1 BSFs can transform into a single I2 BSF, which is terminated by a glissile Shockley dislocation. Shockley and Shockley‐like partial dislocations can acquire line directions comprising either <> a‐line or <100> m‐line segments. Using atomistic calculations, the core structures of the m‐line partials are provided and their visibility is examined by HRTEM as well as the possibility of their discrimination from the a‐line ones.
Rotational Isomerization about C−C Single Bond in a Novel ICT Probe Facilitates Naked‐Eye, Colorimetric and Ratiometric Detection of Cobalt in Aqueous Samples**
Authors: Divya Dhakshinamurthy , Thennarasu Sathiah
Published: August 2021

A new UV‐active indole‐pyrazole extended π‐system (probe A) that displays a large bathochromic shift (∼325 nm) when it interacts only with Co2+ and not with other transition metal ions, is presented. The increase in the intensity of new transitions at 592 and 684 nm due to A−Co2+−Cl2.H2O complex formation occurs at the expense of the transition at 358 nm arising from the probe A, and thereby offers a ratiometric method for detection of Co2+ present in aqueous samples. The ratiometric method sets the detection limit for Co2+ at 0.404×10−6 M and 0.337×10−6 M, when calculated for the transitions at 592 and 684 nm, respectively. The corresponding association constants are 4.041×105 M−1 at 592 nm, and 3.617×105 M−1 at 684 nm. Job plot and ESI‐MS data confirmed the 1 : 1 stoichiometry of A−Co2+−Cl2.H2O complex. The mode of interaction between the probe A and Co2+ is explained in terms of conformational isomerization and chelation, using 1H NMR method and DFT calculations. Other metal ions commonly found in the environment do not seem to interfere in the selective determination of Co2+ ions. Suitability of probe A in the detection of Co2+ at concentrations less than 1.7 μM (recommended level of Co2+ ions by US‐EPA) is also demonstrated using water samples collected from the environment. Test kits suitable for routine on‐site analysis are also developed.
Ethylene‐Butadiene Copolymerization and Ethylene‐1‐Hexene‐Butadiene Terpolymerization with a MgCl2‐Supported Ziegler‐Natta Catalyst: Polymer Structure and Active Centers
Authors: Adnan Akram Muhammad , Liu Xiaoyu , Fu Zhisheng , Fan Zhiqiang
Published: August 2021

In this work, systematic studies on ethylene/butadiene copolymerization and ethylene/1‐hexene/butadiene terpolymerization with a TiCl4/ID/MgCl2(ID=diester) type Z−N catalyst were conducted in slurry process under 1 atm ethylene pressure, and the effects of initial butadiene concentration ([Bd]0) on polymerization activity, copolymer structure, active center number ([C*]/[Ti]) and active center distribution were studied. Activity of the co‐ and terpolymerization was evidently lowered by raising [Bd]0. The butadiene incorporations were highlytrans‐1,4 regio /stereoselective. Addition of 1‐hexene caused increase in polymerization activity, and 1‐hexene incorporation rate was reduced by raising [Bd]0. Both the copolymer and terpolymer were composed of two fractions with high and low butadiene content, respectively. The fraction with low butadiene content (insoluble in boilingn‐heptane) accounted for more than 85 % of the copolymer and more than 70 % of the terpolymer. [C*]/[Ti] was determined by quench‐labeling the propagation chains by thiophene‐2‐carbonyl chloride. [C*]/[Ti] first increase to about 80 % and then decreased with increase of [Bd]0. A part of active centers was deactivated by butadiene when [Bd]0was higher than 0.2 mol/L. Addition of 1‐hexene slightly increased [C*]/[Ti] ratio. By using supported Z−N catalysts, it is feasible to synthesize ethylene‐butadiene copolymer and ethylene‐1‐hexene‐butadiene terpolymer with relatively low butadiene content (≤1 mol %) at acceptable catalyst efficiency (about 50 % of the polymerization systems without butadiene).
Water Chestnut Peel Facilitated Biogenic Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and their Catalytic Efficacy in the Ring Opening Reaction of Styrene Oxide
Authors: Chauhan Maruf , Yadav Sushma , Pasricha Rama , Malhotra Priti
Published: August 2021

Sustainable initiatives using various biologically active plant materials have been receiving huge amount of attention in the immediate past. Herein, we present the plant mediated synthetic methodology for preparing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) via a greener protocol using water chestnut peel (WCP), an agricultural bio‐waste whose versatility is well known both behaving as a stabilizing and reducing agent. This method of synthesis of ZnO NPs ensures a cost competitive, non‐toxic, economically viable and environmentally benign pathway while using WCP as efficient scaffolds. The crystalline nature and morphology of as synthesized NPs were confirmed using Powder X‐ray Diffraction (PXRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Biogenically synthesized NPs have average crystalline size 20.49 nm and irregular spikes morphology. Furthermore, the biogenically synthesized ZnO NPs were utilized for catalysing the ring opening reaction of styrene oxide from aniline and aniline derivatives enabling the reaction reach up to 99 % yields. Motivated by the excellent conversion of ring opening reaction the biogenically synthesized catalyst has also been explored to earmark their versatility and efficiency for facilitating numerous organic transformations which simultaneously emphasise their role in safeguarding the environment.
Constructing High‐Performance Li‐ion Capacitors via Cobalt Fluoride with Excellent Cyclic Stability as Anode and Coconut Shell Biomass‐Derived Carbon as Cathode Materials
Authors: Jiao Ai‐Jun , Gao Jian‐Fei , He Zheng‐Hua , Li Feng‐Feng , Kong Ling‐Bin
Published: August 2021

The Lithium‐ion capacitor (LIC) is a potential candidate for the next generation of energy storage devices due to high power density, high energy density and excellent cycle stability. Nonetheless, the problem of matching optimization is still faced for LIC. Many different approaches are explored to find a balance between the two storage mechanisms so that high performance LICs can be obtained. Here, CoF2, prepared by solvothermal method, showed reversible specific capacity of 307 mAh g−1 after 900 cycles at 0.1 A g−1 and 81 mAh g−1 after 10,000 cycles at 4 A g−1. Meanwhile, coconut shell is used as precursor for preparing natural porous carbon as cathode materials of LIC. The coconut shell biomass carbon (CSBC‐5), outstanding specific surface area (2767 m2 g−1), holds a capacity of 120 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1. The LIC, CoF2 as anode and CSBC‐5 as cathode, shows excellent cycle stability (65 % capacity retention after 5000 cycles), higher energy density of 82 Wh kg−1 (at power density of 190 W kg−1) and higher power density of 3800 W kg−1(at energy density of 50 Wh kg−1). Therefore, the material of CoF2 is a promising choice for the future anode and promotes the development of LIC.
Resolving the Structural Defects of Spent Li1−xCoO2 Particles to Directly Reconstruct High Voltage Performance Cathode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Fan Ersha , Lin Jiao , Zhang Xiaodong , Chen Renjie , Wu Feng , Li Li
Published: August 2021

Effective and scalable recycling of spent lithium‐ion batteries is an urgent need to address the environmental pollution and resource consumption caused by improper disposal. Herein, a practical solution is presented to recover and increase the stability of the layered structure from scrap Li1−xCoO2 via high‐temperature supplementation of Li and Mg doping, without an extra synthesis step or cost. All the regenerated products exhibit better electrochemical performance compared with the commercial cathode material. Within the voltage window of 3.0–4.6 V, 5% Mg‐recovery LiCoO2 (LMCO) exhibits a high discharge capacity of 202.9 mA h g−1 at 0.2 C, and 3% Mg‐recovery LiCoO2 shows enhanced capacity retention of 99.5% at 0.2 C after 50 cycles and maintains 96.8% at 1 C after 100 cycles. This is because high‐temperature supplementing metal ions is beneficial for eliminating the cracks and nano‐impurity particles on the surface of spent materials, thereby restoring the layered structure and electrochemical performance. The excellent electrochemical performances of Mg‐recovery LiCoO2 are attributed to Mg ions doping, which can inhibit the release of lattice oxygen and stabilize the surface structure. This process maximizes the utilization of the spent materials and provides a novel perspective for the non‐constructive recovery of spent materials.
Gold‐Catalyzed Transformation of Ynamides
Authors: Shandilya Shashank , Protim Gogoi Manash , Dutta Shubham , Sahoo Akhila K.
Published: August 2021

Ynamide, a unique species with inherited polarization of nitrogen lone pair electron to triple bond, has been largely used for the developement of novel synthetic methods and the construction of unusual N‐bearing heterocycles. The reaction versatility of ynamide on umpolung reactivity, radical reactions and asymmetric synthesis have been recently reviewed. This review provides an overall scenic view into the gold catalyzed transformation of ynamides. The ynamides reactivity towards nitrogen‐transfer reagents, such as azides, nitrogen ylides, isoxazoles, and anthranils; oxygen atom‐transfer reagents, like nitrones, sulfoxides, and pyridine N‐oxides; and carbon nucleophiles under gold catalysis are herein uncovered. The scope as well the mechanistic insights of each reaction is also briefed.
UEG position paper on pancreatic cancer. Bringing pancreatic cancer to the 21st century: Prevent, detect, and treat the disease earlier and better
Authors: Michl Patrick , Löhr Matthias , Neoptolemos John P. , Capurso Gabriele , Rebours Vinciane , Malats Nuria , Ollivier Mathilde , Ricciardiello Luigi
Published: August 2021

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the deadliest cancer worldwide with a 98% loss‐of‐life expectancy and a 30% increase in the disability‐adjusted life years during the last decade in Europe. The disease cannot be effectively prevented nor being early detected. When diagnosed, 80% of patients have tumors that are in incurable stages, while for those who undergo surgery, 80% of patients will present with local or distant metastasis. Importantly, chemotherapies are far from being effective.

Objective

Pancreatic cancer represents a great challenge and, at the same time, a huge opportunity for advancing our understanding on the basis of the disease, the molecular profiles, that would lead to develop tools for early detection and effective treatments, thus, boosting patient survival.

Results

Research on pancreatic cancer has being receiving little or minimal funds from European funding bodies. UEG is calling for public‐private partnerships that would effectively fund research on pancreatic cancer.

Conclusion

This would increase our understanding of this disease and better treatment, through pan‐European efforts that take advantage of the strong academic European research landscape on pancreatic cancer, and the contribution by the industry of all sizes.
Economics and the Equity Market: A Microeconomics Course Application
Authors: Ozenbas Deniz , Pagano Michael S. , Schwartz Robert A. , Weber Bruce W.
Published: August 2021

Economics encompasses two broad subjects: macroeconomics and microeconomics. Macroeconomics deals with an economy in aggregate and addresses issues such as inflation, unemployment, interest rates, and economic growth. We present a macroeconomic perspective in Chap. 3. Microeconomics, the focus of this chapter, operates, as its name indicates, on the micro level, addressing household consumption decisions and the production decisions of firms. In this chapter, we focus on the parallels (and a few differences) between a standard microeconomics formulation (a household’s selection of an optimal consumption bundle) and a standard finance model (an investor’s selection of a portfolio that optimally combines a riskless asset – cash – and a risky equity portfolio). The finance formulation is the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). CAPM is a keystone of what is known as modern portfolio theory, the originator of which is Harry Markowitz who was awarded a Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1990 for having developed the theory of portfolio choice. We then introduce friction (trading costs) and show how CAPM’s frictionless market equilibrium is perturbed. The analysis provides a good lead-in to the next chapter on finance.
Liquidity, Trading, and Price Determination in Equity Markets: A Finance Course Application
Authors: Ozenbas Deniz , Pagano Michael S. , Schwartz Robert A. , Weber Bruce W.
Published: August 2021

Trading is the implementation of an investment decision. After a portfolio decision has been made by a portfolio manager, it must be implemented, and especially for handling large orders and navigating stressful markets, specific skills and responsibilities are needed that require the expertise of a professional trader. However, the efficiency with which orders are handled and turned into trades depends, not just on traders’ abilities, but also on a market’s liquidity, on the design of the marketplace where shares are traded, and on the regulatory environment. In this chapter, we cover trading costs, liquidity, volatility, price discovery, market structure, and market structure regulation.
“WhatsApp in Politics?!”: Collaborative Tools Shifting Boundaries
Authors: Verma Himanshu , Mlynář Jakub , Pellaton Camille , Theler Matteo , Widmer Antoine , Evéquoz Florian
Published: August 2021

We examine the technological aspects of political collaborative practices in one of the first studies of participatory constitution writing in the course of its progression. In particular, we examine how digital collaborative and communicative tools can facilitate (or inhibit) the permeation of boundaries, which manifest through the differences in political ideologies and partisan beliefs. Our study is grounded in interviews with 15 members of the Constituent Assembly in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, and its primary contribution is in constructing a fine-grained contextualized understanding of political collaborations, their evolution, and their relationship with collaborative tools. Our findings demonstrate the centrality of versatile and widely available digital tools (such as WhatsApp and Google Docs) in political work. In addition, elected lawmakers prefer tools that allow them to organize their collaborative and communicative actions based on dynamic social boundaries, and their need for asynchronous work practices. We observed a tendency of simultaneously using multiple digital tools to accomplish specific political objectives, and leveraging them in plenary sessions for strategic advantages. On the one hand, collaborative tools enabled strategic advantages byselective permeationof boundaries across political ideologies. On the other hand, lack of awareness about boundaries between ‘private’ and ‘public’ on social networks were considered as privacy blind spots. By focusing on boundaries of different kinds, our paper elucidates how the introduction of digital technologies into political process transforms the long-established categories, distinctions and divisions that are often taken for granted.
Second order equilibrium transport in strongly coupled $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 supersymmetric SU(Nc) Yang-Mills plasma via holography
Authors: Grieninger Sebastian , Shukla Ashish
Published: August 2021

Abstract

A relativistic fluid in 3+1 dimensions with a global U(1) symmetry admits nine independent static susceptibilities at the second order in the hydrodynamic derivative expansion, which capture the response of the fluid in thermal equilibrium to the presence of external time-independent sources. Of these, seven are time-reversal $$ \mathbbm{T} $$
T
invariant and can be obtained from Kubo formulas involving equilibrium two-point functions of the energy-momentum tensor and the U(1) current. Making use of the gauge/gravity duality along with the aforementioned Kubo formulas, we compute all seven $$ \mathbbm{T} $$
T
invariant second order susceptibilities for the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 supersymmetric SU(Nc) Yang-Mills plasma in the limit of large Nc and at strong ’t-Hooft coupling λ. In particular, we consider the plasma to be charged under a U(1) subgroup of the global SU(4) R-symmetry of the theory. We present analytic expressions for three of the seven $$ \mathbbm{T} $$
T
invariant susceptibilities, while the remaining four are computed numerically. The dual gravitational description for the charged plasma in thermal equilibrium in the absence of background electric and magnetic fields is provided by the asymptotically AdS5 Reissner-Nordström black brane geometry. The susceptibilities are extracted by studying perturbations to the bulk geometry as well as to the bulk gauge field. We also present an estimate of the second order transport coefficient κ, which determines the response of the fluid to the presence of background curvature, for QCD, and compare it with previous determinations made using different techniques.
Subleading corrections in $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 3 Gaiotto-Tomasiello theory
Authors: Liu James T. , Saskowski Robert J.
Published: August 2021

Abstract

We study subleading corrections to the genus-zero free energy of the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 3 Gaiotto-Tomasiello theory. In general, we obtain the endpoints and free energy as a set of parametric equations via contour integrals of the planar resolvent, up to exponentially suppressed corrections. In the particular case that the two gauge groups in the quiver are of equal rank, we find an explicit (perturbative) expansion for the free energy. If, additionally, both groups have equal levels, then we find the full expression for the genus-zero free energy, modulo exponentially suppressed corrections. We also verify our results numerically.
The homology of the Brauer algebras
Authors: Boyd Rachael , Hepworth Richard , Patzt Peter
Published: August 2021

This paper investigates the homology of the Brauer algebras, interpreted as appropriate $${{\,\mathrm{Tor}\,}}$$

Tor

-groups, and shows that it is closely related to the homology of the symmetric group. Our main results show that when the defining parameter $$\delta $$
δ
of the Brauer algebra is invertible, then the homology of the Brauer algebra is isomorphic to the homology of the symmetric group, and that when $$\delta $$
δ
is not invertible, this isomorphism still holds in a range of degrees that increases with n.
Bedeutung der Desorientierung bei der Delireinschätzung
Authors: Guenther Ulf , Wolke Mirko , Hansen Hans-Christian , Feldmann Nicole , Diers Anja , Dewald Oliver , Ely E. Wesley , Weyland Andreas
Published: August 2021

Desorientierung kann ein frühes Merkmal eines Delirs sein. Für die Überwachung eines Delirs testet die im deutschsprachigen Raum weit verbreitete „Confusion Assessment Method for Intensive Care Unit“ (CAM-ICU) die Orientierung nicht, da intubierte Intensivpatienten sich nicht verbal äußern können. Die Mehrheit der Patienten auf deutschen Intensivstationen ist aber nicht beatmet, sie könnten hinsichtlich ihrer Orientiertheit befragt werden. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte, ob sich durch das Kriterium „Desorientierung“ bei extubierten Patienten im Vergleich zur CAM-ICU divergierende Befunde ergeben und ob sich die Sensitivität der CAM-ICU durch Kombination mit dem Merkmal „Desorientierung“ („CAM-IMC“) erhöhen lassen. Insgesamt 86 gepaarte Untersuchungen fanden bei 50 extubierten Patienten statt. Ein Delir fand sich bei 19,8 % (n = 17) aller Untersuchungen. Die CAM-ICU hatte eine Sensitivität von 71 % (95%-KI: 44–90 %) und eine Spezifität von 100 % (95–100 %). Für „Desorientierung“ als alleiniges Delir-Merkmal fand sich eine Sensitivität von 77 % (50–93 %) und eine Spezifität von 93 % (89–100 %). Die CAM-IMC erreichte eine Sensitivität von 88 % (64–99 %) bei einer Spezifität von 100 % (95–100 %). Die „Receiver-Operating-Characteristics(ROC)-Analyse“ fand mit einer „area under the curve“ (AUC) von 0,941 (95%-KI: 0,851–1,000) für die CAM-IMC den höchsten Wert im Vergleich zu den anderen Delir-Tests (CAM-ICU, AUC 0,853 [0,720–0,986]; Desorientierung, AUC 0,868 [0,745–0,991]). Diese Arbeit unterstreicht die Wertigkeit des Merkmals „Desorientierung“ für Delir-Tests bei verbal kommunikationsfähigen Patienten und erklärt einige diskrepante Beurteilungen schwierig einzuschätzender Patienten in der täglichen Praxis. Die CAM-IMC scheint als Delir-Test für extubierte Patienten günstigere Eigenschaften als die CAM-ICU zu haben und sollte eingehender überprüft werden.