bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eliminating Frequent Machine Assists through Process Plate Enhancement on Wirebonding Process
Authors: Pulido Jonathan , Jr. Edwin Graycochea , Gomez Frederick Ray
Published: April 2021

New devices and technologies in the semiconductor industry are getting more challenging to process because of inherent issues especially on quad-flat no-leads (QFN) packaging assembly. This paper is focused on the improvement done for QFN leadframe device to address the major machine assist during the lot processing at wirebond process. Illumination and visual of the leadframe and the sand blasting process plate on the machine are difficult to separately distinguish due to similar color shade of the materials, thus frequent machine assists ensued. To reduce the frequent machine assist occurrence, an improvement is done through enhancing the process plate by using a black chrome to totally separate the illumination of leadframe and the process plate. Ultimately, the machine assist during wirebonding process is improved (the longer the better) from 16 minutes to 6 hours continuous and uninterrupted running.
Effectiveness of School Heads’ Financial Management Skills in Provision of Quality Education in Secondary School
Authors: Amos Onesmo , Ephrahem Goodluck , Bhoke-Africanus Agnes
Published: April 2021

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of school heads’ financial management skills in the provision of quality education in secondary schools. This study explored secondary data by reviewing documents and literature materials from online publications and libraries to attain the intended purpose of the study. The study found out that financial management skills such as mobilizing school funds, monitoring, evaluation of budget, and auditing skills were essential for school financial management. The study also found that most of the school heads possess insufficient skills in financial management as school managers. Other financial management challenges were a shortage of school funds, poor monitoring, evaluation, and auditing of school finances. The study suggests strategies such as capacity building among the school heads. Also, decentralization of financial decision making, relevant school mission, and vision, enhance effective monitoring, evaluation, and auditing of financial report as strategies for improving school heads’ financial management skills. The study recommended the necessity of having school heads who are skilled in school-based financial management strategies. The study requested responsible departments or ministries concerns with education to make financial management skills be one of the pre-condition for hiring or promoting a teacher to the top post of school administration.
Smoking May Increase the Risk of COVID-19 Infection: Evidence from In Silico Analysis
Authors: Jamal Qazi Mohammad Sajid , Khan Saif , Khan Mahvish , Ansai Awais Abrar , Ashraf Jalaluddin Mohammad , Habibullah Mahmoud , Farasani Abdullah , Madkhali Aymen Mohammed , Lohani Mohtashim
Published: April 2021

Introduction: SARS-CoV2, first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan as COVID-19 causing respiratory illness, rapidly evolved into a pandemic owing to its very high infectivity. There is insufficient evidence about if and how smoking affects the risk of COVID-19 infection, and the reports on whether smoking increases or reduces the risk of respiratory infections, are contradictory. Therefore, the current study was designed to determine the effects of nicotine consumption on the infectivity of COVID-19.

Methods: We performed in silico computer simulation-based study. The structures of SARS-CoV2spike ectodomain, and its receptor ACE2, were obtained from PDB. The structure of nicotine and its metabolites NNK and NNAL were obtained from the PubChem chemical database. After optimization, they were interacted using AutoDock 4.2, to see the effect of nicotine, NNK, or NNAL presence on the docking of viral spike protein to its receptor ACE2.

Results: ACE2 vs spike protein interaction results were used as a control (ZDOCK score 1498.484, with four hydrogen bonds). The NNK+ACE2 vs spike protein docking formed 10 hydrogen bonds with the highest ZDOCK score of 1515.564. NNAL+ ACE2 vs spike protein interaction formed eleven hydrogen bonds with the ZDOCK score of 1499.371. Nicotine+ACE2 vs spike protein docking showed the lowest ZDOCK score of 1496.302 and formed 8 hydrogen bonds. Whereas, NNK+spike vs ACE2 interaction had a ZDOCK score of 1498.490 and formed eight hydrogen bonds. NNAL+spike vs ACE2 docking formed eleven hydrogen bonds with a ZDOCK score of 1498.482. And Nicotine+spike vs ACE2 interaction showed a ZDOCK score of 1498.488 and formed 9 hydrogen bonds.

Conclusions: The binding of nicotine to either spike of virus or its receptor ACE2 is not affecting the viral docking with the receptor. But binding of NNK, a metabolite of nicotine, is facilitating the viral docking with its receptor indicating that smoking may increase the risk of COVID-19 infection.
25 Years of Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells: A Flexible and Stretchable Perspective
Authors: Schlingman Kory , Chen Yiting , Carmichael R. Stephen , Carmichael Tricia Breen
Published: April 2021

Light‐emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) are simple electroluminescent devices comprising an emissive material containing mobile ions sandwiched between two electrodes. The operating mechanism of the LEC involves both ionic and electronic transport, distinguishing it from its more well‐known cousin, the organic light‐emitting diode (OLED). While OLEDs have become a leading player in commercial displays, LECs have flourished in academic research due to the simple device architecture and unique features of its operating mechanism, inviting exploration of new materials and fabrication strategies. These explorations have brought LECs to an exciting frontier in advanced optoelectronics: flexible and stretchable light‐emitting devices. Flexible and stretchable LECs are discussed herein, presenting the LEC system as a robust and fault‐tolerant development platform. The engineering of emissive composites is highlighted to control mechanical properties, and how the tolerance of LECs to electrode work function and roughness has enabled the incorporation of new electrode materials to achieve flexibility and stretchability. As part of this story, the solution processability of LECs has led to exciting demonstrations of flexible and printed LECs. An outlook is provided for LECs that builds on these strengths, potentially leading to flexible, stretchable, low‐cost devices such as illuminated tags, smart packaging, flexible signage, and wearable illumination.
N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC)‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Stetter Reaction to Access Dibenzo‐fused Seven‐membered Heterocycles
Authors: Yadav Sanjay , Suresh Surisetti
Published: April 2021

Herein, we have delineated an NHC‐catalyzed transformation to access dibenzo‐fused seven‐membered heterocyclic compounds via intramolecular Stetter reaction under ambient conditions. A range of dibenzo[b,f]oxepine and dibenzo[b,f]thiepine derivatives have been generated in very good to excellent yields. The 1,4‐dicarbonyl functionality of a representative derivative has undergone further heterocyclization via Paal‐Knorr reaction.
Iridium Catalysed Asymmetric Allylic Substitution Reaction of Indolizine Derivatives
Authors: Lu Jiamin , Wang Meifang , Xu Ruigang , Sun Haizhou , Zheng Xuan , Zhong Guofu , Zeng Xiaofei
Published: April 2021

A highly efficient direct asymmetric allylic substitution (AAS) reaction of indolizine derivatives with allylic alcohols for accessing enantioenriched indolizine derivatives was realized by combining a chiral iridium complex catalyst with Lewis acid under mild reaction conditions, delivering various chiral allylation products in remarkably high yields and excellent enantioselectivities. This protocol distinguishes itself by availability of the starting materials, mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, high yields, excellent selectivity and easy scale‐up in a stereoselective manner, which provides a highly efficient protocol for chiral indolizines.
Urushiol titanium polymer‐based composites coatings for anti‐corrosion and antifouling in marine spray splash zones
Authors: Yang Ke , Chen Jipeng , Zheng Lu , Zheng Binbin , Chen Yuxiu , Chen Xiangyang , Bai Weibin , Jian Rongkun , Wei Fangfang , Xu Yanlian
Published: April 2021

Seawater is highly corrosive, and the alternating dry and wet environment can cause severe corrosion in metal equipment. Moreover, marine equipment is also seriously affected by marine biofouling. These harsh conditions pose a serious threat to the integrity of marine equipment as well as their associated maritime activities and necessitate the development of effective coatings to minimize damage to the equipment. Urushiol titanium polymer/acrylic resin (UTP/AR) composite materials were developed. Then, marine anti‐corrosion and antifouling coatings were prepared from the UTP/AR composite materials using rosin‐modified Cu2O as an antifoulant. The composite coating with a UTP:AR mass ratio of 1:1 (UTP/AR3) showed the best chemical resistance and light aging resistance. UTP/AR3 also exhibited a good corrosion current density (2.009 × 10−7 A cm−2) and corrosion potential (−0.5007 V), further indicating that the UTP/AR composite coatings have excellent anti‐corrosive properties. Marine field tests showed that the UTP/AR/Cu2O composite coatings with rosin‐modified Cu2O contents less than 20% showed stable, long‐term antifouling performance after immersion in seawater for 360 day. Briefly, the UTP/AR/Cu2O composite coatings have broad application prospects in the marine industry for materials in the spray splash zone.
Aprotic Amine‐modified Manganese Dioxide Catalysts for Selectivity‐tunable Oxidation of Amines
Authors: Hao Qianqian , Jia Xiuquan , Ma Jiping , Gao Mingxia , Fan Xiaomeng , Gao Jin , Xu Jie
Published: April 2021

Organic modifiers have shown promising potential for regulating the activity and selectivity of heterogeneous catalysts via tuning their surface properties. Despite the increasing application of organic modification technique in regulating the redox‐acid catalysis of metal oxides, control of the acidity of metal oxide catalysts for enhanced reaction selectivity without sacrificing their redox activity remains a substantial challenge. Herein, we show the successful control of redox‐acid catalysis of metal oxides with aprotic tertiary amine modifiers. Robust modification of manganese dioxide catalysts with N,N‐dialkylcyclohexylamine selectively blocks the Lewis acid sites, with their redox activity mostly unaffected. This enables efficient synthesis of imines in high to excellent selectivity via aerobic oxidation of structurally diverse aryl amines.
Genotype‐guided antiplatelet therapy for acute coronary syndrome percutaneous coronary intervention patients: A new standard of care?
Authors: Ashley Kellan E. , Hillegass William B.
Published: April 2021

Key Points

In acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, ischemic and bleeding outcomes at 1 year can be meaningfully improved with genotype‐guided antiplatelet therapy (GGT).

At the population level, GGT appears cost‐effective and perhaps cost‐saving in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction patients only when initiated during the index ACS hospitalization.

At the individual patient level, practical clinical and economic factors undercut the feasibility of GGT becoming a new standard of care.
Paravalvular leak after TAVR: remarkable improvement but not the time to shift focus
Authors: Mahtta Dhruv , Jneid Hani
Published: April 2021

Key Points

Significant paravalvular leak (PVL) among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) portends a poor prognosis and is often associated with increased mortality.

TAVR with the latest generation balloon‐expandable valve platform, Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra, is associated with lower incidence of PVL (including lower rates of mild PVL and zero incidence of moderate and severe PVL) compared to its predecessor, the SAPIEN 3 valve platform.

The similar safety profile, comparable deliverability, and lower PVL observed with the Edwards SAPIEN 3 Ultra system will likely lead to its increased adoption in clinical practice. Future studies are needed to examine its long‐term clinical outcomes and further decipher the procedural and patient factors associated with PVL.
Genetic robust kernel sample selection for chemometric data analysis
Authors: Douak Fouzi , Ghoggali Noureddine , Hedjam Rachid , Mekhalfi Mohamed Lamine , Benoudjit Nabil , Melgani Farid
Published: April 2021

In this work, we propose a new algorithm to improve existing techniques used in the field of spectroscopic data regression analysis. In particular, it combines the power of nonlinear kernel regressors (kernel ridge regression [KRR], kernel principal component regression [KPCR], and Gaussian process regression [GPR]) with an optimization based on nondominated sorting multi‐objective genetic algorithm (NSGAII) to filter the residual outliers in the prediction space and leverage points in the features space. The proposed algorithm, contrary to most existing robust algorithms, simultaneously optimizes many complementary objectives for an automatic adaptation and thus a better outliers detection. It is well known that the elimination of outliers greatly improves the regression model. It is thus the aim of this work to develop a new robust regression algorithm. It has been applied on five different datasets, and the results are compared to both classical nonlinear regression methods and the commonly used robust regression methods robust continuum regression (RCR), partial robust M‐regression (PRM), robust principal component regression (RPCR), robust PLSR (RSIMPLS), and locally weighted regression (LWR). They show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the classical nonlinear regression methods and is a promising competitor to the robust methods outperforming most of them. Even though the results obtained are only from five datasets, this algorithm can be considered an interesting contribution for improving data analysis in the field of chemometrics.
Interactive video experiments – from the idea to the design
Authors: Graulich Nicole , Groos Lukas , Maaß Kai
Published: April 2021

Digitales Experimentieren gewinnt aktuell immer mehr an Bedeutung. Nicht nur durch die aktuelle Pandemie, sondern auch um Studierenden eine mögliche Teilhabe an Laborpraktika zu ermöglichen, die ihnen aufgrund von anderen Einschränkungen zeitweise verwehrt ist. Häufig wird als Ersatz ein Experiment im Vorfeld gefilmt und den Lernenden zur Verfügung gestellt. Dies sorgt für einen Rollenwechsel vom Akteur zum passiven Zuschauer. Um den Lernenden die Möglichkeit zu geben, die experimentellen Schritte selbst zu bestimmen und auch Fehler zu machen, haben wir interaktive Videoexperimente entwickelt und im Laborpraktikum für das Nebenfach Chemie erprobt.
Evaluation of the Potential Effect of Iptakalim Hydrochloride on the QT Interval in Single‐ and Multiple‐Ascending‐Dose Studies Using Concentration‐QTc Analysis
Authors: Bai Nan , Wang Jin , Che Haoyue , Wang Hai , Wang Rui , Cai Yun
Published: April 2021

Cardiotoxicity has been one of the most common causes of withdrawal of drugs from the market, and prolongation of the QT interval is one of the manifestations of drug cardiotoxicity. Iptakalim hydrochloride (ITKL) is a selective ATP‐sensitive potassium channel opener used to treat hypertension. It is crucial to assess the risk of cardiac repolarization of ITKL in clinical trials. This study was conducted to determine the effect of ITKL on corrected QT (QTc) interval. A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled single‐ and multidose regimen was carried out to investigate the QTc and ITKL concentration correlation. ITKL was administered at doses of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg with single oral administration and 10 and 20 mg with multiple oral administration, along with placebo, in 83 healthy subjects. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) and blood samples were collected on a preset time schedule. A ΔΔQTcF effect above 10 milliseconds was excluded at all observed plasma levels. Among them, the highest dose was 20 mg, which is twice the therapeutic dose. We concluded that ITKL did not prolong the QT interval in healthy subjects within the therapeutic dose.

Retrospectively registered: The study was registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with registration number ChiCTR1800014466.
The Development and Evaluation of Interactional Competence Elicitor for Oral Language Assessments
Authors: Chukharev‐Hudilainen Evgeny , Ockey Gary J.
Published: April 2021

This paper describes the development and evaluation of Interaction Competence Elicitor (ICE), a spoken dialog system (SDS) for the delivery of a paired oral discussion task in the context of language assessment. The purpose of ICE is to sustain a topic‐specific conversation with a test taker in order to elicit discourse that can be later judged to assess the test taker's oral language ability, including interactional competence. The development of ICE is reported in detail to provide guidance for future developers of similar systems. The performance of ICE is evaluated on two aspects: (a) by analyzing system errors that occur at different stages in the natural language processing (NLP) pipeline in terms of both their preventability and their impact on the downstream stages of the pipeline, and (b) by analyzing questionnaire and semistructured interview data to establish the test takers' experience with the system. Findings suggest that ICE was robust in 90% of the dialog turns it produced, and test takers noted both positive and negative aspects of communicating with the system as opposed to a human interlocutor. We conclude that this prototype system lays important groundwork for the development and use of specialized SDSs in the assessment of oral communication, which includes interactional competence.
Fluid inclusions, stable isotopes (H–O–S), and age constraints on the genesis of the Basitielieke polymetallic tungsten deposit in the Altay, Xinjiang, NW China
Authors: Yang Junjie , Zhang Guofeng , Li Yong , Li Qiang , Yang Fuquan , Tian Meng , Li Peng
Published: April 2021

The Chinese Altay in Northwest China and adjacent regions in the Russian and Mongolian Altay form a tungsten province within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Unlike the Russian and Mongolian Altay, almost no tungsten deposits in the Chinese Altay have been reported. The Basitielieke deposit located in the Altay orogenic belt in Xinjiang is a newly discovered polymetallic tungsten deposit hosted in the skarn in the exocontact zone of a granite pluton. Mineralization can be divided into the skarn period and supergene oxidization period, the skarn period can be further divided into a prograde skarn stage (I), a retrograde skarn stage (II), and a quartz–sulphide stage (III). Scheelite mineralization mainly occurred in stage II, and Cu–Zn–Au formed in stage III. The ore‐forming fluid can be divided into a H2O–NaCl systems, including stage I (211 to 480°C and 2.24 to 14.04 wt% NaCl equiv) and stage II (178 to 336°C and 4.96 to 9.47 wt% NaCl equiv), and a H2O–CO2 (±CH4/N2)–NaCl system in stage III (130 to 434°C and 1.40 to 9.60 wt% NaCl equiv). Hydrogen, oxygen, and sulphur isotope compositions indicate that magmatic water participated in the hydrothermal mineralization system in stage I, and meteoric water increased with the process of mineralization. Sulphur was derived from deep‐seated magmas. The Basitielieke deposit is a reduced skarn polymetallic tungsten deposit. The deposit formed by hydrothermal fluid from the granite interacting with strata during the Early Permian, the fluid–rock interaction and fluid mixing (magmatic water and meteoric water) was the main precipitation mechanism of the Basitielieke polymetallic tungsten deposit.
Application of DEA‐Based Malmquist Productivity Index on Health Care System Efficiency of ASEAN Countries
Authors: Singh Shailender , Bala Muhammad M. , Kumar Nishant , Janor Hawati
Published: April 2021

This study assesses and compares the productive efficiency of the national healthcare system of the ASEAN region which includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam amidst rising mortality rate from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) era. Nonparametric data envelopment analysis technique based on the Malmquist Productivity Index is performed and its components, total factor productivity change, technical change and technological change are compared across the region. Two different models are considered in assessing and comparing the technical efficiency of the national healthcare system across the region with life expectancy at birth and mortality rate from NCDs as parallel health care output for both the models. The mean value of total factor productivity is 0.983 and 0.974 which suggests that national healthcare system productivity efficiency decays by 1.7% for Model I and 2.6% for Model II, respectively. This suggests that the health care system inefficiencies across the ASEAN region have not made life expectancy to improve as much as it should be and curtailed the mortality rate from growing chronic NCDs within a decade. The region is likely to lag behind in achieving SDGs 3 target 4 on reducing by one‐third premature mortality from chronic NCDs unless the health care system's technical efficiency is improved across the region. The finding suggests a microlevel study on each country to identify major sources of healthcare system inefficiency in a bid to ameliorate it.
The Antiresorptive Effect of GIP, But Not GLP-2, Is Preserved in Patients With Hypoparathyroidism—A Randomized Crossover Study
Authors: Skov-Jeppesen Kirsa , Hepp Nicola , Oeke Jannika , Hansen Morten Steen , Jafari Abbas , Svane Maria Saur , Balenga Nariman , Olson John A , Frost Morten , Kassem Moustapha , Madsbad Sten , Beck Jensen Jens-Erik , Holst Jens Juul , Rosenkilde Mette Marie , Hartmann Bolette
Published: April 2021

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) are gut hormones secreted postprandially. In healthy humans, both hormones decrease bone resorption accompanied by a rapid reduction in parathyroid hormone (PTH). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the changes in bone turnover after meal intake and after GIP- and GLP-2 injections, respectively, are mediated via a reduction in PTH secretion. This was tested in female patients with hypoparathyroidism given a standardized liquid mixed-meal test (n = 7) followed by a peptide injection test (n = 4) using a randomized crossover design. We observed that the meal- and GIP- but not the GLP-2-induced changes in bone turnover markers were preserved in the patients with hypoparathyroidism. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we examined the expression of the GIP receptor (GIPR) and the GLP-2 receptor (GLP-2R) in human osteoblasts and osteoclasts as well as in parathyroid tissue. The GIPR was expressed in both human osteoclasts and osteoblasts, whereas the GLP-2R was absent or only weakly expressed in osteoclasts. Furthermore, both GIPR and GLP-2R were expressed in parathyroid tissue. Our findings suggest that the GIP-induced effect on bone turnover may be mediated directly via GIPR expressed in osteoblasts and osteoclasts and that this may occur independent of PTH. In contrast, the effect of GLP-2 on bone turnover seems to depend on changes in PTH and may be mediated through GLP-2R in the parathyroid gland. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Eritrean central‐highland precipitation and associations with sea‐surface temperature and atmospheric circulation
Authors: Fessehaye Mussie , Brugnara Yuri , Franke Jörg , Brönnimann Stefan
Published: April 2021

This study explores the teleconnection between the boreal summer precipitation for the central highlands of Eritrea, with respect to global sea‐surface temperature (SST) and atmospheric parameters (winds, pressure, humidity, and vertical velocity) as indirect indicators of atmospheric circulation. The central‐highland summer (Jul–Aug) precipitation (1914–2015) is significantly negatively correlated with the Atlantic Niño (ATL3) index. Similarly, with a 2‐month (May) or 1‐month lead (Jun), SSTs over the equatorial Atlantic (Gulf of Guinea) are inversely correlated with the central‐highland summer precipitation. Moreover, the regional atmospheric circulation reveals that the boreal summer precipitation series has a significant positive correlation with the westerly wind over the Gulf of Guinea at 700 hPa and a negative correlation with the Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ) at 200 hPa. Overall, these findings depict the African Walker circulation cell, whereby a low‐level westerly wind flows from the Gulf of Guinea across central Africa, coupled with a rising branch over north‐eastern Africa, and reverses as an easterly wind at a higher level. These significant correlations between Atlantic Ocean SST as the precipitation‐driving factor enabled the development and validation of an area‐specific seasonal precipitation prediction model, as precipitation in this region is temporally and spatially highly variable.
Ibero‐Panamerican Federation of Periodontics Delphi study on the trends in diagnosis and treatment of peri‐implant diseases and conditions: A Latin American consensus
Authors: Alarcón Marco Antonio , Sanz‐Sánchez Ignacio , López‐Pacheco Andrea , Tavelli Lorenzo , Galarraga‐Vinueza Maria Elisa , Schwarz Frank , Romanelli Hugo , Peredo Luis , Pannuti Claudio Mendes , Javer Enrique , Vieira Andrés Felipe , Montealegre Mauricio , Galindo Roberto , Umanzor Vilma , Treviño Alejandro , Fretes‐Wood Patricia , Cisneros Marissa , Collins James R. , Bueno Luis , Gimenéz Xiomara , Málaga‐Figueroa Lilian , Sanz Mariano
Published: April 2021

Background

The social diversity, heterogeneous culture, and inherent economic inequality factors in Latin America (LA) justify conducting a comprehensive analysis on the current status and future trends of peri‐implant diseases and conditions. Thus, the aim of this Delphi study was to predict the future trends in the diagnosis and treatment of peri‐implant diseases and conditions in LA countries for the year 2030.

Methods

A Latin American steering committee and group of experts in implant dentistry validated a questionnaire including 64 questions divided into eight sections. The questionnaire was run twice with an interval of 45 days, with the results from the first round made available to all the participants in the second round. The results were expressed in percentages and data was analyzed describing the consensus level reached in each question.

Results

A total of 221 experts were invited to participate in the study and a total 214 (96.8%) completed the two rounds. Moderate (65%‐85%) to high consensus (≥ 85%) was reached in 51 questions (79.69%), except in the questions dealing with “prevalence”, where no consensus was reached. High and moderate consensus was attained for all the questions in three fields (risk factors and indicators, diagnosis and treatment of peri‐implant conditions and deficiencies, and prevention and maintenance).

Conclusions

The present study has provided relevant and useful information on the predictions in the diagnosis and treatment of peri‐implant diseases with a high level of consensus among experts. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of agreement in certain domains.
Novel application of biofortified crops: consumer acceptance of pasta from yellow cassava and leafy vegetables
Authors: Lawal Oluranti M , Talsma Elise F , Bakker Evert‐Jan , Fogliano Vincenzo , Linnemann Anita R
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Newly developed yellow biofortified cassava has been adjudged as a cost‐effective solution to vitamin A deficiency in low‐ and middle‐income countries with high cassava intake such as Nigeria. In this study, yellow cassava was developed into a novel pasta enriched with amaranth vegetable and tested among consumers. Attitudes, perception, motives for consumption and perceived barriers were ascertained using focus group discussions and randomised face‐to‐face interviews, while liking, preference and ranking of the novel food were established through consumer sensory perception.

RESULTS

Willingness to consume the new food, low food neophobia (32%), a health‐driven consumption pattern, as well as an appreciable acceptance for the developed pasta, was established among the consumers. Ugwu (Telfairia occidentalis) was found to be the most preferred leafy vegetable. The yellow cassava pasta was ranked better than the conventional white cassava.

CONCLUSION

This study shows new avenues to valorise yellow cassava by which nutrition security can be improved in low‐ and middle‐income countries of Africa. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Occult Hepatocellular Carcinoma Associated With Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts in Liver Transplant Recipients
Authors: Krumeich Lauren N. , Mancinelli Jenna , Cucchiara Andy , Eddinger Kevin , Aufhauser David , Goldberg Drew W. , Siegelman Evan S. , Rosen Mark , Reddy K. Rajender , Hoteit Maarouf , Furth Emma E. , Olthoff Kim M. , Shaked Abraham , Levine Matthew , Abt Peter
Published: April 2021

Transplant eligibility for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is determined by the imaging identification of tumor burden within the Milan criteria. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(s) (TIPS) reduce portal hypertension but may impact HCC visualization. It was hypothesized that the presence of pretransplant TIPS would correlate with occult HCC and reduced survival. A single‐center, retrospective, case control study was performed among liver transplant recipients with HCC (2000‐2017). The primary endpoint was occult disease on explant pathology. Backward stepwise logistic regression was performed. The secondary endpoints disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated with Kaplan‐Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. Of 640 patients, 40 had TIPS and more frequently exhibited occult disease (80.0% versus 43.1%; P < 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 4.16; P < 0.001). Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) similarly correlated with occult disease (OR, 1.97; P = 0.02). Explant tumor burden was equivalent between TIPS subgroups; accordingly, TIPS status was not independently associated with reduced DFS or OS. However, exceeding the Milan criteria was associated with reduced DFS (hazard ratio, 3.21; P = 0.001), and TIPS status in patients with a single suspected lesion (n = 316) independently correlated with explant tumor burdens beyond these criteria (OR, 13.47; P = 0.001). TIPS on pretransplant imaging are associated with occult HCC on explant pathology. Comparable occult disease findings in patients with PVT suggest that the mechanism may involve altered hepatic perfusion, obscuring imaging diagnosis. TIPS are not independently associated with reduced DFS or OS but are associated with exceeding the Milan criteria for patients with a single suspected lesion. The presence of TIPS may necessitate a higher index of suspicion for occult HCC.
123I‐Metaiodobenzylguanidine Myocardial Scintigraphy in Discriminating Degenerative Parkinsonisms
Authors: Catalan Mauro , Dore Franca , Polverino Paola , Bertolotti Claudio , Sartori Arianna , Antonutti Lucia , Cucca Alberto , Furlanis Giovanni , Capitanio Selene , Manganotti Paolo
Published: April 2021

Background

123I‐Metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I‐MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy is a useful technique to differentiate Parkinson's disease (PD) from atypical parkinsonisms, since it is generally abnormal in PD and normal in the latter. Reduction of myocardial MIBG uptake is a supportive feature in the latest PD diagnostic criteria.

Objectives

To explore the clinical contribution of myocardial scintigraphy in discriminating different forms of parkinsonisms, especially when atypical features are present.

Methods

Forty‐one patients with parkinsonism underwent a 123I‐MIBG myocardial scintigraphy in our Movement Disorders Center. Disease evolution was reviewed by applying the latest disease criteria for PD, multiple system atrophy (MSA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal syndrome (CBS), as appropriate. Three diagnostic times were defined: T1 (before scintigraphy execution), T2 (immediately after the exam) and T3 (two years later). Early and delayed heart/mediastinum (H/M) ratios and washout rate (WR) were analyzed.

Results

Myocardial scintigraphy showed impaired MIBG uptake in 12 out of 15 patients with a definite PD diagnosis, while normal uptake was found in 20 of 26 patients with no‐PD. Early and delayed H/M ratios were significantly lower in PD compared to overall no‐PD patients and MSA patients. 123I‐MIBG myocardial scintigraphy was abnormal in all PD patients with dysautonomia. After 123I‐MIBG myocardial scintigraphy (T2), in 9 patients (22%) an improvement of diagnostic accuracy was reached.

Conclusions

Diagnostic accuracy of myocardial scintigraphy in distinguishing PD from atypical parkinsonism was suboptimal. Nevertheless, this study confirmed the relevance of 123I‐MIBG myocardial scintigraphy for the discrimination of PD from atypical parkinsonism, especially when dysautonomic symptoms are present.
Effective numerical technique applied for Burgers' equation of (1 + 1)‐, (2 + 1)‐dimensional, and coupled forms
Authors: Mohamed Norhan A. , Rashed Ahmed S. , Melaibari Ammar , Sedighi Hamid M. , Eltaher Mohamed A.
Published: April 2021

A numerical scheme based on backward differentiation formula (BDF) and generalized differential quadrature method (GDQM) has been developed. The proposed scheme has been employed to investigate three cases of Burgers' equation, one‐dimensional, two‐dimensional, and two‐dimensional coupled models. The results showed effectiveness accuracy in absolute error and error normsL2andL∞compared to other methods. The results were evaluated at different values of Reynold's number,Re, and viscosity,ν.
An augmented K‐means clustering approach for the detection of distributed denial‐of‐service attacks
Authors: Marvi Murk , Arfeen Asad , Uddin Riaz
Published: April 2021

The problem of distributed denial‐of‐service (DDoS) attack detection remains challenging due to new and innovative methods developed by attackers to evade the deployed security systems. In this work, we devise an unsupervised machine learning (ML)‐based approach for the detection of different types of DDoS attacks by augmenting the performance of K‐means clustering algorithm with the aid of a hybrid method for feature selection and extraction. By sequentially combining an integrated feature selection (IFS) algorithm and a deep autoencoder (DAE), we develop the hybrid method for extracting encoded features, which can better separate the clusters of benign and malicious network flows. We formulate the problem of DDoS attack detection as a binary clustering of network flows. Although K‐means clustering is the simplest and widely used algorithm, we investigate its performance for DDoS attack detection before and after applying the proposed hybrid method for feature selection and extraction. Our results show that after employing the proposed hybrid method, the performance of K‐means clustering model improves, and it is comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art supervised ML and deep learning (DL)‐based methods developed for DDoS attack detection.
Give students the tools of self‐knowledge to find fulfilling work
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: April 2021

Tammie Hickey, Director of the College and Career Readiness Center and Interim Director for the Lifelong Learning Center at Great Falls College, Montana State University, knows firsthand the needs of nontraditional students. “I did not go back to college until I was 39 years old,” Hickey said. But that didn't stop Hickey from earning first her associate degree, then her bachelor's degree, and finally her master's degree in adult education.
A Review on the Recent Progress of Silicon‐on‐Insulator‐Based Photodetectors
Authors: Liu Jian , Cristoloveanu Sorin , Wan Jing
Published: April 2021

The family of photodetectors plays an important role in multiple applications. Extensive research and continuous development of photodetectors has enriched their functionalities and improved their performances. The silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) technology extends the concepts and merits of photodetectors. Herein, the recent progress of the SOI‐based photodetectors is reviewed from the viewpoint of operation principles and performances. Silicon and Germanium photodiodes with conventional PIN structure are discussed first. Photodetectors with novel operating mechanism and high internal gain are then presented: avalanche photodiode on SOI, innovative photo‐Z
2‐field effect transistor (FET), and devices based on interface coupling. Superior functionalities, such as wavelength detection, dynamically tunable responsivity and response spectrum, are demonstrated. At last, the technology of active pixel sensors on SOI is reviewed.
In‐Silico‐Inspired Design of 1,3‐Diynyl Congeners of Noscapine as Promising Tubulin‐Binding Anticancer Agent: Chemical Synthesis and Cellular Activity with Breast Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Pragyandipta Pratyush , Meher Rajesh K. , Naik Manas R. , Nagireddy Praveen K. R. , Pedapati Ravi K , Kantevari Srinivas , Naik Pradeep K.
Published: April 2021

A panel of 1,3‐diynyl‐noscapinoids (20–22) were strategically designed to increase the anticancer activity of the lead molecule, noscapine. Structure‐activity analyses revealed strong predicted free energy of binding (ΔGbind,pred) of −6.694, −7.294 and −7.468 kcal/mol, for 20–22 respectively compared to noscapine (experimental free energy of binding (ΔGbind,expt) is −5.246 kcal/mol). These novel derivatives were demonstrated to bind tubulin by fluorescence quenching assay and Far‐UV circular dichroism. Further, they were tested to exhibit potent cytotoxic activity compared to noscapine using two human breast cancer cell lines. The IC50 value for noscapine, 20, 21 and 22 has been derived to be 35.2, 27.3, 18.7 and 12.7 μM using MCF7 and 39.6, 31.4, 22.5 and 16.1 μM using MDAMB‐231. These derivatives were found to arrest cell cycle in the G2/M‐phase followed by apoptosis and appearance of TUNEL‐positive cells. Thus, we conclude that 1,3‐diynyl derivatives of noscapine have great potential to be a novel therapeutic agent for breast cancers.
Novel Products of Nitrosation of a Series of Trihydroxybenzene Derivatives and Their Complexation with Cu(II), Cd(II) and Fe(III): Synthesis, Characterization, and Theoretical Modeling
Authors: Van Nguyen Anh , Ngoc Vu Anh Thi , Utenyshev Andrey N. , Kovalchukova Olga V.
Published: April 2021

Three novel bis‐ and trinitroso compounds derived from 1,3,5‐trihydrohybenzene (phloroglucinol), 2,4,6–trihydroxy benzoic acid, and 2,4,6‐trihydroxyacetophenone were isolated, their spectral characteristics, ionization constants and thermodynamic parameters of dissociation process were calculated. The comparison of the stability of nitroso and hydroxylimino tautomeric forms was performed by DFT calculations. Nine complexes of the ligands with Cu(II), Cd(II), and Fe(III), were isolated and studied by elemental analyses, X Ray analysis and spectroscopic methods. According to the crystal structure determination, the Cd complex with the phloroglucinol based ligand exists in the form of a binuclear compound. The QTAIM Bader topological analysis indicated that the binuclearity of the Cd complex is due to strong interatomic interactions between Cd atoms with bifurcate carbonyl groups of the ligands and strong H‐interactions involving coordinated and lattice water molecules. The equilibria of reactions of complex formation of the organic species with Cu2+, Cd2+, and Fe3+was studied by spectrophotometric titration, and the composition of the complexes in solutions and their stability constants were calculated. The ability of the isolated organics to remove metal cations from the aqueous solutions was studied in the pH interval 3–6 and the rate of Cu2+removal from aqueous solutions was found close to 100 %.
Non‐Noble Metal‐Based Catalysts Applied to Hydrogen Evolution from Hydrolysis of Boron Hydrides
Authors: Wang Yan , Hu Zhe , Chen WeiHua , Wu Shiwei , Li Guode , Chou Shulei
Published: April 2021

Hydrogen energy is proposed as a promising energy replacement to resolve the current energy problems for sustaining the long‐term development of human society and eventually achieving the hydrogen economy. The evolution of hydrogen from the hydrolysis of boron hydrides is considered as one of the most secure and effective strategies. Seeking appropriate non‐noble metal‐based catalysts is the vital step that is needed to improve the sluggish kinetics of the hydrolysis process. Herein, the evaluation approaches related to the catalytic activities, kinetics, and stability are first summarized. Then, different non‐noble metal‐based catalysts based on single metals and their alloys, metal phosphides, borides, and oxides, and even single‐atom catalysts, are systematically discussed. The relationships among the synthesis methods, material structure, compositions, and catalytic activities are also critically reviewed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for future non‐noble metal‐based catalysts for hydrolysis of boron hydrides are included to aid in the development of sustainable and clean hydrogen energy. More importantly, the current research is mainly focused on the fundamental research, whereas the report on the practical application for the catalyzed hydrolysis of boron hydrides is less. Developing portable hydrogen generators as hydrogen sources for portable electric power is a potential strategy.
Islands and Page curves of Reissner-Nordström black holes
Authors: Wang Xuanhua , Li Ran , Wang Jin
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We apply the recently proposed quantum extremal surface construction to calculate the Page curve of the eternal Reissner-Nordström black holes in four dimensions ignoring the backreaction and the greybody factor. Without the island, the entropy of Hawking radiation grows linearly with time, which results in the information paradox for the eternal black holes. By extremizing the generalized entropy that allows the contributions from the island, we find that the island extends to the outside the horizon of the Reissner-Nordström black hole. When taking the effect of the islands into account, it is shown that the entanglement entropy of Hawking radiation at late times for a given region far from the black hole horizon reproduces the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of the Reissner-Nordström black hole with an additional term representing the effect of the matter fields. The result is consistent with the finiteness of the entanglement entropy for the radiation from an eternal black hole. This facilitates to address the black hole information paradox issue in the current case under the above-mentioned approximations.
Comprehensive analysis of beta decays within and beyond the Standard Model
Authors: Falkowski Adam , González-Alonso Martín , Naviliat-Cuncic Oscar
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Precision measurements in allowed nuclear beta decays and neutron decay are reviewed and analyzed both within the Standard Model and looking for new physics. The analysis incorporates the most recent experimental and theoretical developments. The results are interpreted in terms of Wilson coefficients describing the effective interactions between leptons and nucleons (or quarks) that are responsible for beta decay. New global fits are performed incorporating a comprehensive list of precision measurements in neutron decay, superallowed 0+→ 0+ transitions, and other nuclear decays that include, for the first time, data from mirror beta transitions. The results confirm the V-A character of the interaction and translate into updated values for Vud and gA at the 10−4 level. We also place new stringent limits on exotic couplings involving left-handed and right-handed neutrinos, which benefit significantly from the inclusion of mirror decays in the analysis.
The Elastic Flow with Obstacles: Small Obstacle Results
Authors: Müller Marius
Published: April 2021

We consider a parabolic obstacle problem for Euler’s elastic energy of graphs with fixed ends. We show global existence, well-posedness and subconvergence provided that the obstacle and the initial datum are suitably ‘small’. For symmetric cone obstacles we can improve the subconvergence to convergence. Qualitative aspects such as energy dissipation, coincidence with the obstacle and time regularity are also examined.
„Das muss man so nehmen.“ Eine Studie zum subjektiven Erleben der Coronapandemie älterer hilfe- und pflegebedürftiger Menschen in der Häuslichkeit
Authors: Nikelski Angela , Trompetter Eva , Feldmann Stefanie , Whittaker Esther-Sarah , Boekholt Melanie , Chikhradze Nino , Kracht Friederike , Lücker Petra , Vollmar Horst Christian , Thyrian Jochen René , Kreisel Stefan H.
Published: April 2021

Hintergrund

Da ältere Menschen ein erhöhtes Risiko für schwere und letale Verläufe einer SARS-CoV-2-Infektion aufweisen, erfahren sie besondere Aufmerksamkeit, die sich jedoch häufig einseitig auf ihre Schutzbedürftigkeit bezieht. Erforderlich ist eine Auseinandersetzung, die ihren subjektiven Wirklichkeiten Rechnung trägt und neben Risiken auch Ressourcen berücksichtigt.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die Studie stellt die Perspektiven älterer Menschen in den Mittelpunkt, und Ziel ist es, ihr subjektives Erleben der Coronapandemie zu beleuchten. Gefragt wird danach, wie sie die Pandemie, Risiken, Folgen und Schutzmaßnahmen erleben, inwiefern sich diese auf ihren Lebensalltag auswirken und wie sie damit umgehen.

Material und Methoden

Im Mai und Juni 2020 wurden 12 leitfadengestützte Telefoninterviews durchgeführt. Befragt wurden 9 Frauen und 3 Männer zwischen 77 und 91 Jahren, die in der eigenen Häuslichkeit leben, gesundheitlich beeinträchtigt, hilfe- und pflegebedürftig sind. Die Daten wurden mittels strukturierender Inhaltsanalyse ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Die Befragten machen sich i. Allg. Sorgen aufgrund der Coronapandemie, schätzen die eigene Gefährdung aber als gering ein. Sie sehen sich von den unmittelbaren Folgen der Krise kaum betroffen oder stark in ihrem Alltag eingeschränkt. Unsicherheiten erleben sie im sozialen Lebensbereich, wobei die Angst vor Einsamkeit zentral ist. Sie halten die Schutzmaßnahmen insgesamt für angemessen, kritisieren aber frühzeitige Lockerungen, familiäre Kontaktbeschränkungen und den Umgang mit Sterbenden.

Diskussion

Ein moderates Ausmaß unmittelbarer persönlicher Betroffenheit, Akzeptanz und Anpassungsfähigkeit prägen das Erleben und den Umgang älterer Menschen mit der Coronapandemie. Sichtbar werden Ressourcen und Kompetenzen im Umgang mit der Krise.
Brokerbot: A Cryptocurrency Chatbot in the Social-technical Gap of Trust
Authors: Lee Minha , Frank Lily , IJsselsteijn Wijnand
Published: April 2021

Cryptocurrencies are proliferating as instantiations of blockchain, which is a transparent, distributed ledger technology for validating transactions. Blockchain is thus said to embed trust in its technical design. Yet, blockchain’s technical promise of trust is not fulfilled when applied to the cryptocurrency ecosystem due to many social challenges stakeholders experience. By investigating a cryptocurrency chatbot (Brokerbot) that distributed information on cryptocurrency news and investments, we explored social tensions of trust between stakeholders, namely the bot’s developers, users, and the bot itself. We found that trust in Brokerbot and in the cryptocurrency ecosystem are two conjoined, but separate challenges that users and developers approached in different ways. We discuss the challenging, dual-role of a Brokerbot as anobject of trustas a chatbot while simultaneously being amediator of trustin cryptocurrency, which exposes the social-technical gap of trust. Lastly, we elaborate on trust as a negotiated social process that people shape and are shaped by through emerging ecologies of interlinked technologies like blockchain and conversational interfaces.