bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eight years of experience with vismodegib for advanced and multiple basal cell carcinoma patients in the Netherlands: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Verkouteren Babette J. A. , Wakkee Marlies , Reyners An K. L. , Nelemans Patty , Aarts Maureen J. B. , Rácz Emőke , Terra Jorrit B. , Devriese Lot A. , Alers Robert-Jan , Kapiteijn Ellen , van Doorn Remco , Bekkenk Marcel W. , Reinders Marie G.H.C. , Mosterd Klara
Published: January 2021

Background

Vismodegib has been used for the treatment of locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (laBCC) and metastatic BCC (mBCC) since 2011. Most efficacy and safety data are provided by clinical trials. This study evaluates the effectiveness of vismodegib for the treatment of laBCC, mBCC and basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) patients, and the tumour characteristics associated with a higher probability of achieving a complete response in the Netherlands.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study that included all patients ≥18 years with histologically proven basal cell carcinoma that received ≥1 dose of vismodegib between July 2011 and September 2019 in the Netherlands.

Results

In total, 48 laBCC, 11 mBCC and 19 BCNS patients were included. Median progression-free survival was 10.3 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 7.5–22.6) for laBCC, 11.7 (95% CI, 5.2–17.5) for mBCC and 19.1 (95% CI, 7.4–20.2) for BCNS. Larger laBCCs were associated with a lower probability of complete response (hazard ratio (HR) 0.77 per increase in cm, p = 0.02). Of all BCNS patients, 63% received ≥2 treatment sequences with vismodegib; all achieved partial responses.

Conclusions

Half of the aBCC patients progress within 1 year after the start of vismodegib treatment. More research is needed to investigate other treatment strategies after vismodegib progression and to evaluate long-term effects of repetitive vismodegib treatment.
Diagnostic performance of a faecal immunochemical test for patients with low-risk symptoms of colorectal cancer in primary care: an evaluation in the South West of England
Authors: Bailey Sarah E. R. , Abel Gary A. , Atkins Alex , Byford Rachel , Davies Sarah-Jane , Mays Joe , McDonald Timothy J. , Miller Jon , Neck Catherine , Renninson John , Thomas Paul , Walter Fiona M. , Warren Sarah , Hamilton Willie
Published: January 2021

Background

The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) was introduced to triage patients with low-risk symptoms of possible colorectal cancer in English primary care in 2017, underpinned by little primary care evidence.

Methods

All healthcare providers in the South West of England (population 4 million) participated in this evaluation. 3890 patients aged ≥50 years presenting in primary care with low-risk symptoms of colorectal cancer had a FIT from 01/06/2018 to 31/12/2018. A threshold of 10 μg Hb/g faeces defined a positive test.

Results

Six hundred and eighteen (15.9%) patients tested positive; 458 (74.1%) had an urgent referral to specialist lower gastrointestinal (GI) services within three months. Forty-three were diagnosed with colorectal cancer within 12 months. 3272 tested negative; 324 (9.9%) had an urgent referral within three months. Eight were diagnosed with colorectal cancer within 12 months. Positive predictive value was 7.0% (95% CI 5.1–9.3%). Negative predictive value was 99.8% (CI 99.5–99.9%). Sensitivity was 84.3% (CI 71.4–93.0%), specificity 85.0% (CI 83.8–86.1%). The area under the ROC curve was 0.92 (CI 0.86–0.96). A threshold of 37 μg Hb/g faeces would identify patients with an individual 3% risk of cancer.

Conclusions

FIT performs exceptionally well to triage patients with low-risk symptoms of colorectal cancer in primary care; a higher threshold may be appropriate in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
Overcoming the challenges associated with CD3+ T-cell redirection in cancer
Authors: Singh Ajit , Dees Sundee , Grewal Iqbal S.
Published: January 2021

The development of bispecific antibodies that redirect the cytotoxic activity of CD3+ T cells to tumours is a promising immunotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of haematological malignancies and solid cancers. Since the landmark FDA approval at the end of 2014 of the anti-CD3 × anti-CD19 bispecific antibody blinatumomab (Blincyto®) for the treatment of relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, ~100 clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of CD3+ bispecific T-cell redirectors for cancer have been initiated. However, despite early success, numerous challenges pertaining to CD3+ T-cell redirection in the context of cancer exist, including the recruitment of counterproductive CD3+ T-cell subsets, the release of systemic cytokines, the expansion of immune checkpoint molecules, the presence of an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, tumour antigen loss/escape, on-target off-tumour toxicity and suboptimal potency. The aim of the present review is to discuss novel approaches to overcome the key challenges associated with CD3+ bispecific T-cell redirection in order to achieve an optimal balance of anti-tumour activity and safety.
Changes in retinal microvasculature and retinal layer thickness in association with apolipoprotein E genotype in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Shin Joo Youn , Choi Eun Young , Kim Min , Lee Hyung Keun , Byeon Suk Ho
Published: January 2021

Biomarker tests of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are invasive and expensive. Recent developments in optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) have enabled noninvasive, cost-effective characterization of retinal layer vasculature and thickness. Using OCTA and OCT, we characterized retinal microvascular changes in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage of AD and assessed their correlation with structural changes in each retinal neuronal layer. We also evaluated the effect of the APOE-ε4 genotype on retinal microvasculature and layer thickness. Retinal layer thickness did not differ between MCI patients (40 eyes) and controls (37 eyes, all p > 0.05). MCI patients had lower vessel density (VD) (p = 0.003) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and larger foveal avascular zone area (p = 0.01) of the deep capillary plexus (DCP) than those of controls. VD of the SCP correlated with the ganglion cell layer (r = 0.358, p = 0.03) and inner plexiform layer thickness (r = 0.437, p = 0.007) in MCI patients. APOE-ε4-carrying MCI patients had a lower VD of the DCP than non-carriers (p = 0.03). In conclusion, retinal microvasculature was reduced in patients with AD-associated MCI, but retinal thickness was not changed; these changes might be affected by the APOE genotype. OCTA of the retinal microvasculature may be useful to detect vascular changes in AD.
Pannexin 3 regulates skin development via Epiprofin
Authors: Zhang Peipei , Ishikawa Masaki , Doyle Andrew , Nakamura Takashi , He Bing , Yamada Yoshihiko
Published: January 2021

Pannexin 3 (Panx3), a member of the gap junction pannexin family is required for the development of hard tissues including bone, cartilage and teeth. However, the role of Panx3 in skin development remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Panx3 regulates skin development by modulating the transcription factor, Epiprofin (Epfn). Panx3−/− mice have impaired skin development and delayed hair follicle regeneration. Loss of Panx3 in knockout mice and suppression by shRNA both elicited a reduction of Epfn expression in the epidermis. In cell culture, Panx3 overexpression promoted HaCaT cell differentiation, cell cycle exit and enhanced Epfn expression. Epfn−/− mice and inhibition of Epfn by siRNA showed no obvious differences of Panx3 expression. Furthermore, Panx3 promotes Akt/NFAT signaling pathway in keratinocyte differentiation by both Panx3 ATP releasing channel and ER Ca2+ channel functions. Our results reveal that Panx3 has a key role factor for the skin development by regulating Epfn.
Genetic manipulation of pathogenic Leptospira: CRISPR interference (CRISPRi)-mediated gene silencing and rapid mutant recovery at 37 °C
Authors: Fernandes L. G. V. , Hornsby R. L. , Nascimento A. L. T. O. , Nally J. E.
Published: January 2021

Leptospirosis is a neglected, widespread zoonosis caused by pathogenic species of the genus Leptospira, and is responsible for 60,000 deaths per year. Pathogenic mechanisms of leptospirosis remain poorly understood mainly because targeted mutations or gene silencing in pathogenic Leptospira continues to be inherently inefficient, laborious, costly and difficult to implement. In addition, pathogenic leptospires are highly fastidious and the selection of mutants on solid agar media can take up to 6 weeks. The catalytically inactive Cas9 (dCas9) is an RNA-guided DNA-binding protein from the Streptococcus pyogenes CRISPR/Cas system and can be used for gene silencing, in a strategy termed CRISPR interference (CRISPRi). Here, this technique was employed to silence genes encoding major outer membrane proteins of pathogenic L. interrogans. Conjugation protocols were optimized using the newly described HAN media modified for rapid mutant recovery at 37 °C in 3% CO2 within 8 days. Complete silencing of LipL32 and concomitant and complete silencing of both LigA and LigB outer membrane proteins were achieved, revealing for the first time that Lig proteins are involved in pathogenic Leptospira serum resistance. Gene silencing in pathogenic leptospires and rapid mutant recovery will facilitate novel studies to further evaluate and understand pathogenic mechanisms of leptospirosis.
English hospital episode data analysis (1998–2018) reveal that the rise in dog bite hospital admissions is driven by adult cases
Authors: Tulloch John S. P. , Owczarczak-Garstecka Sara C. , Fleming Kate M. , Vivancos Roberto , Westgarth Carri
Published: January 2021

Dog bites are a global health issue that can lead to severe health outcomes. This study aims to describe the incidence and sociodemographics of patients admitted to English National Health Service (NHS) hospitals for dog bites (1998–2018), and to estimate their annual direct health care costs. An analysis of patient level data utilising hospital episode statistics for NHS England, including: temporal trends in annual incidence of admission, Poisson models of the sociodemographic characteristics of admitted patients, and direct health care cost estimates. The incidence of dog bite admissions rose from 6.34 (95%CI 6.12–6.56) in 1998 to 14.99 (95%CI 14.67–15.31) admissions per 100,000 population in 2018, with large geographic variation. The increase was driven by a tripling of incidence in adults. Males had the highest rates of admission in childhood. Females had two peaks in admission, childhood and 35–64 years old. Two percent (2.05%, 95%CI 0.93–3.17) of emergency department attendances resulted in admission. Direct health care costs increased and peaked in the financial year 2017/2018 (admission costs: £25.1 million, emergency attendance costs: £45.7million). Dog bite related hospital admissions have increased solely in adults. Further work exploring human–dog interactions, stratified by demographic factors, is urgently needed to enable the development of appropriate risk reduction intervention strategies.
New design strategy for chemically-stable blue phosphorescent materials: improving the energy gap between the T1 and 3MC states
Authors: Kang Sunwoo , Kim Taekyung , Lee Jin Yong
Published: January 2021

A series of Ir- and Pt-based blue phosphorescent materials were theoretically investigated by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations to improve their chemical stability in the excited state.
A targeted near-infrared nanoprobe for deep-tissue penetration and imaging of prostate cancer
Authors: Asha Krishnan Mena , Yadav Kratika , Roach Paul , Chelvam Venkatesh
Published: January 2021

Deep tissue penetration of a NIR PSMA-QD655 imaging agent in a 3D prostate cancer platform has been achieved.
Development of an ethanolic two-phase system (ETPS) based on polypropylene glycol 2000 + ethylene glycol + ethanol for separation of hydrophobic compounds
Authors: Buarque Filipe Smith , Soares Cleide Mara Faria , de Souza Ranyere Lucena , Pereira Matheus Mendonça , Lima Álvaro Silva
Published: January 2021

Two-phase water-free systems containing high ethanol content in the coexisting phases can selectively partition hydrophobic molecules from natural biomass.
Design, synthesis and cell imaging of a simple peptide-based probe for the selective detection of RNA
Authors: Duan Wenxiu , Huang Fengyang , Bi Yihui , Zhu Lingling , Wang Daojiong , Liu Yi , Wu Jiang , Ge Yushu , Liu Dan
Published: January 2021

A novel peptide-based chemosensor P1 for detecting RNA both in vitro and in cells is reported. Successful RNA imaging in living cells has been performed.
Mass spectrometry reveals potential of β-lactams as SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors
Authors: Malla Tika R. , Tumber Anthony , John Tobias , Brewitz Lennart , Strain-Damerell Claire , Owen C David , Lukacik Petra , Chan H. T. Henry , Maheswaran Pratheesh , Salah Eidarus , Duarte Fernanda , Yang Haitao , Rao Zihe , Walsh Martin A. , Schofield Christopher J.
Published: January 2021

A high-throughput mass spectrometry based Mpro assay identifies penicillin esters as new SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitors.
Boronic ester Sierpiński triangle fractals: from precursor design to on-surface synthesis and self-assembling superstructures
Authors: Feng Guangyuan , Shen Yongtao , Yu Yanxia , Liang Qiu , Dong Jie , Lei Shengbin , Hu Wenping
Published: January 2021

The large-scale ordered superstructures of covalent Sierpiński triangles (STs) with boronic ester linkages are constructed on the HOPG surface under ambient atmosphere.
Versatile synthesis of a highly porous DNA/CNT hydrogel for the adsorption of the carcinogen PAH
Authors: Ma Ge , Zhang Kena , Wang Haiqing , Liang Zhenda , Zhou Li , Yan Bing
Published: January 2021

A novel pathway is described to synthesize a highly porous DNA hydrogel for trace PAH scavenging.
Tuning the mechanistic pathways of peptide self-assembly by aromatic interactions
Authors: Ghosh Goutam , Kartha Kalathil K. , Fernández Gustavo
Published: January 2021

Herein, we have unravelled the key influence of aromatic interactions on the mechanistic pathways of peptide self-assembly by introducing suitable chromophores (pyrene vs. naphthalene).
Dirhodium complexes as electrocatalysts for CO2reduction to HCOOH: role of steric hindrance on selectivity
Authors: Manamperi Hemanthi D. , Moore Curtis E. , Turro Claudia
Published: January 2021

Structural tuning of dirhodium electrocatalysts for the selective reduction of CO2to HCOOH.
Dyeing fungi: amphotericin B based fluorescent probes for multiplexed imaging
Authors: Baibek Assel , Üçüncü Muhammed , Short Bryn , Ramage Gordon , Lilienkampf Annamaria , Bradley Mark
Published: January 2021

The clinically used antifungal polyene amphotericin B was conjugated, via the mycosamine and the aglycon moieties, to fluorophores.
Visible-light-promotedE-selective synthesis of α-fluoro-β-arylalkenyl sulfidesviathe deoxygenation/isomerization process
Authors: Li Yuxiu , Li Xiangqian , Li Xiaowei , Shi Dayong
Published: January 2021

HighlyE-selective synthesis of α-fluoro-β-arylalkenyl sulfides: regioselective synthesis of α-fluoro-β-arylalkenyl sulfides has been established withgem-difluoroalkenes and sodium arysulfinatesviavisible-light-induced deoxygenation of S–O bonds and isomerization of alkenes. Moreover, the strategy is also applied in the late-stage modification of complex natural products and drugs.
Conformational control in a photoswitchable coiled coil
Authors: Torner Justin M. , Arora Paramjit S.
Published: January 2021

Reversible conformational control is demonstrated in helical coiled coils.
Adjacent N→O and C–NH2 groups — a highly efficient amphoteric structure for energetic materials resulting from tautomerization proved by crystal engineering
Authors: Feng Zhicun , Zhang Yu , Li Yanan , Xu Kangzhen
Published: January 2021

Adjacent N→O and C–NH2 groups (O←NC–NH2) were found to be a highly efficient and fairly balanced amphoteric energetic structure for energetic materials by crystal engineering.
Conformational switch in the crystal states of a calix[4]arene
Authors: Mirzaei Saber , Lindeman Sergey V. , Wang Denan , Mirzaei M. Saeed , Timerghazin Qadir K.
Published: January 2021

Two distinct conformational switches were observed in the crystals of calix[4]arene molecule: closed-I crystals transform to the open polymorph spontaneously; temperature induced reversible transformation of closed-I to a closed-II polymorph.
Efficient detection of Fe(iii) and chromate ions in water using two robust lanthanide metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Dong Jian-Peng , Li Bo , Jin Yu-Jie , Wang Li-Ya
Published: January 2021

Two novel robust Ln-MOFs feature a 3D highly porous pillared-layer framework and demonstrate selective sensing of Fe(iii) and chromate ions in aqueous solution.
Non-covalent interactions involving remote substituents influence the topologies of supramolecular chains featuring hydroxyl-O–H⋯O(hydroxyl) hydrogen bonding in crystals of (HOCH2CH2)2NC(S)N(H)(C6H4Y-4) for Y = H, Me, Cl and NO2
Authors: Tan Sang Loon , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: January 2021

Secondary non-covalent interactions prove crucial in determining the topology of supramolecular chains sustained by conventional O–H⋯O hydrogen bonding.
Dipolar relaxation in thin films of supramolecular stacks of benzenecarboxamides and insights to enhance their ferroelectric characteristics
Authors: Korlepara Divya B. , Balasubramanian Sundaram
Published: January 2021

The relationship between molecular structure and ferroelectric behaviour of thin films is explored in an all-organic supramolecular polymer material based on benzenecarboxamides, using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations.
Significant improvement in thermoelectric performance of SnSe/SnS via nano-heterostructures
Authors: Zhang Renqi , Zhou Zizhen , Yao Qi , Qi Ning , Chen Zhiquan
Published: January 2021

The ZTave of SnSe/SnS has been improved by 63% (25%) compared with that of bilayer SnSe (SnS).
Two-dimensional magnetic interplay in the tensile-strained LaCoO3 thin films
Authors: Liu Hao , Fan Jiyu , Qian Fengjiao , Ji Yanda , Rahman Azizur , Tang Rujun , Zhang Lei , Ling Langsheng , Zhu Yan , Yang Hao
Published: January 2021

High-quality epitaxial LaCoO3 (LCO) thin films have been deposited on SrTiO3 (STO) substrates with pulsed laser deposition (PLD).
Pickup and reactions of molecules on clusters relevant for atmospheric and interstellar processes
Authors: Fárník Michal , Fedor Juraj , Kočišek Jaroslav , Lengyel Jozef , Pluhařová Eva , Poterya Viktoriya , Pysanenko Andriy
Published: January 2021

In this perspective, we review experiments with molecules picked up on clusters in molecular beams with the focus on the processes in atmospheric and interstellar chemistry.
Dynamically controllable multi-switch and slow light based on a pyramid-shaped monolayer graphene metamaterial
Authors: Xiong Cuixiu , Chao Liu , Zeng Biao , Wu Kuan , Li Min , Ruan Banxian , Zhang Baihui , Gao Enduo , Li Hongjian
Published: January 2021

We can achieve a tunable multi-switch and good slow light effect based on the quadruple plasmon induced transparency effect in a five-step-coupled pyramid-shaped monolayer graphene metamaterial.
From luminescence quenching to high-efficiency phosphorescence: a theoretical study on the monomeric and dimeric forms of platinum(ii) complexes with both 2-pyridylimidazol-2-ylidene and bipyrazolate chelates
Authors: Zhang Bo-Hua , Li Jun-An , Wang Min , Ren Ai-Min , He Teng-Fei , Lin Pan-Pan , Zhang Yun-Li , Xi Xiao-Yue , Zou Lu-Yi
Published: January 2021

To develop solid-state light-emitting materials with high luminescence efficiency, determining the potential photophysics and luminescence mechanisms of the aggregation state remains a challenge and a priority.
Electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction in ionic liquids at high pressure
Authors: Welch Liam M. , Vijayaraghavan Meera , Greenwell Francesca , Satherley John , Cowan Alexander J.
Published: January 2021

Moderate to high pressures of carbon dioxide, relevant to an integrated capture and utilisation system, achieve greatly increased current densities for CO production.
Direct synthesis of hexitols from microcrystalline cellulose and birch over zirconium(iv) phosphate supported nickel catalysts and the mechanism study
Authors: Liu Xiaodong , Liu Xiaohao , Li Ning , Ma Peiyong , Zhang Ying
Published: January 2021

A series of Ni/ZrPx catalysts with precisely regulated acid and hydrogenation sites were prepared to study the structure–activity relationship for sorbitol production directly from microcrystalline cellulose and raw biomass.
A sustainable solvent based on lactic acid and l-cysteine for the regeneration of keratin from waste wool
Authors: Shavandi Amin , Jafari Hafez , Zago Erika , Hobbi Parinaz , Nie Lei , De Laet Nelson
Published: January 2021

Keratin dissolution is the first step toward reusing protein-rich biomass such as waste wool, hair, and feather.
Exploring early time points of vimentin assembly in flow by fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy
Authors: Perego Eleonora , Köster Sarah
Published: January 2021

The combination of photon counting histogram and microfluidic mixing reveals early time points in reaction kinetics of biomolecule aggregation.
Stimulus-responsive nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery
Authors: Fang Zhengzou , Shen Yanfei , Gao Daqing
Published: January 2021

Cancer is a multifactorial disease that involves unique tumor microenvironment (TEM) and abnormal organs with complex structures.
Superior UV-light photocatalysts of nano-crystalline (Ni or Co) FeWO4: structure, optical characterization and synthesis by a microemulsion method
Authors: Abdelbasir Sabah M. , Elseman Ahmed Mourtada , Harraz Farid A. , Ahmed Yasser M. Z. , El-Sheikh Said M. , Rashad Mohamed M.
Published: January 2021

A new NiFeWO4 photocatalyst showing super photocatalytic activity for MB degradation under UV after 60 min due to photoexcited electrons.
Construction of enhanced self-plasticized PVC via grafting with a bio-derived Mannich base
Authors: Wang Mei , Kong Xianghai , Song Xianghai , Chen Yunliang , Bu Quan
Published: January 2021

Self-plasticized PVC materials (PVC-ML-g) were successfully prepared via grafting with a lauraldehyde-derived Mannich base and presented improved thermal stability and outstanding anti-migration ability.
A new type of dual temperature sensitive triblock polymer (P(AM-co-AN)-b-PDMA-b-PNIPAM) and its self-assembly and gel behavior
Authors: Zhou Cheng , Chen Yan , Huang Mingjun , Ling Yi , Yang Liming , Zhao Guochen , Chen Jie
Published: January 2021

A dual-action polymer (P(AM-co-AN)-b-PDMA-b-PNIPAM) and its sol–gel behavior only through simple temperature changes.
Porous BMTTPA–CS–GO nanocomposite for the efficient removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions
Authors: Huang Juan , Cui Weirong , Liang Ruping , Zhang Li , Qiu Jianding
Published: January 2021

Novel porous BMTTPA–CS–GO nanocomposites are prepared by covalently grafting BMTTPA–CS onto GO surfaces, and used for efficient removal of heavy metal ions from polluted water.
Study on the decomposition mechanism and kinetic model of natural gas hydrate slurry in water-in-oil emulsion flowing systems
Authors: Lv Xiaofang , Liu Yang , Zhou Shidong , Shi Bohui , Yan Kele
Published: January 2021

Hydrate slurry decomposition in flow systems is a significant subject that involves flow assurance and development of marine natural gas hydrates.
Quantitative evaluation of the non-thermal effect in microwave induced polymer curing
Authors: Li Kun , Ping Tuo , Zhang Haobo , Zhang Junying , Cheng Jue , Gao Feng
Published: January 2021

The non-thermal effect of microwave was evaluated quantitatively by the calculation of activation energy and pre-exponential factors with an isothermal microwave.
Comparison of ±σ-hole and ±R˙-hole interactions formed by tetrel-containing complexes: a computational study
Authors: Ibrahim Mahmoud A. A. , Telb Ebtisam M. Z.
Published: January 2021

The characteristics and nature of ±R˙-hole interactions were uncovered for the first time and compared to their ±σ-hole analogs in ˙TF3⋯ and W–T–F3⋯B/R˙/A complexes.
Integrated all-solid-state sulfite sensors modified with two different ion-to-electron transducers: rapid assessment of sulfite in beverages
Authors: Abd-Rabboh Hisham S. M. , Amr Abd El-Galil E. , Kamel Ayman H. , Al-Omar Mohamed A. , Sayed Ahmed Y. A.
Published: January 2021

An integrated all-solid-state screen-printed ion-selective potentiometric sensor for rapid assessment of sulfite ion in beverages, based on analytical transduction, is described.
Self-ordered anodic porous alumina with inter-hole spacing over 1.5 μm
Authors: Yanagishita Takashi , Moriyasu Ryosuke , Ishii Takayuki , Masuda Hideki
Published: January 2021

Self-ordered anodic porous alumina with inter-hole spacing of 1.8 μm.
Cathode/gel polymer electrolyte integration design based on continuous composition and preparation technique for high performance lithium ion batteries
Authors: Yu Feng , Zhao Lingzhu , Zhang Hongbing , Sun Zhipeng , Li Yuli , Hu Qing , Chen Yong
Published: January 2021

An integrated cathode-gel polymer electrolyte with continuous composition was designed by simple UV curing method for high-performance lithium ion battery.
Correction: Synthesis and characterisation of brannerite compositions (U0.9Ce0.1)1−xMxTi2O6 (M = Gd3+, Ca2+) for the immobilisation of MOX residues
Authors: Bailey D. J. , Stennett M. C. , Ravel B. , Grolimund D. , Hyatt N. C.
Published: January 2021

Correction for ‘Synthesis and characterisation of brannerite compositions (U0.9Ce0.1)1−xMxTi2O6 (M = Gd3+, Ca2+) for the immobilisation of MOX residues’ by D. J. Bailey et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 2092–2099. DOI: 10.1039/C7RA11742F.
Recent progress in aqueous zinc-ion batteries: a deep insight into zinc metal anodes
Authors: Li Tian Chen , Fang Daliang , Zhang Jintao , Pam Mei Er , Leong Zhi Yi , Yu Juezhi , Li Xue Liang , Yan Dong , Yang Hui Ying
Published: January 2021

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have recently sparked an enormous surge of research attention, due to their environmental benignity, natural abundance, negligible safety issue, and exceptional electrochemical performance.
Boosting the electrochemical performance of hematite nanorods via quenching-induced metal single atom functionalization
Authors: Su Ming , Pan Zhenghui , Chong Yanan , Ye Changchun , Jin Xiaojing , Wu Qingyuan , Hu Zhao , Ye Daiqi , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N. , Qiu Yongcai , Yang Shihe
Published: January 2021

Quenching is used to prepare metal single-atom decorated hematite nanorods, affording an improved performance of fiber-shaped supercapacitors.
Defect-engineering of Pt/Bi4NbO8Br heterostructures for synergetic promotional photocatalytic removal of versatile organic contaminants
Authors: Shi Liang , Wu Xilu , Xu Chonglei , Bai Qiang , Nie Zhen , Ji Chengcheng , Zhang Yelong , Yin Zhengmao , Zhang Shuai , Qu Xiaofei , Du Fanglin
Published: January 2021

Defective Pt/Bi4NbO8Br composites were fabricated via a facile in situ chemical reduction method. The synergistic effect of Pt and oxygen vacancies endows the hybrid photocatalysts with enhanced efficiency for versatile organic pollutant removal.
A novel construction of acetamides from rhodium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation of DMC with nitro compounds
Authors: Bao Zhi-Peng , Miao Ren-Guan , Qi Xinxin , Wu Xiao-Feng
Published: January 2021

A general and practical rhodium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation reaction of DMC with nitro compounds has been developed. DMC acted both as a C1 building block and a reaction medium, to give a wide range of acetamide compounds in very good yields.
Structural basis of a chemokine heterodimer binding to glycosaminoglycans
Authors: Sepuru Krishna Mohan , Rajarathnam Krishna
Published: January 2021

Chemokines Cxcl1/KC and Cxcl2/MIP2 play a crucial role in coordinating neutrophil migration to the insult site. Chemokines’ recruitment activity is regulated by monomer–dimer equilibrium and binding to glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). GAG chains exist as covalently linked to core proteins of proteoglycans (PGs) and also as free chains due to cleavage by heparanases during the inflammatory response. Compared with free GAGs, binding to GAGs in a PG is influenced by their fixed directionality due to covalent linkage and restricted mobility. GAG interactions impact chemokine monomer/dimer levels, chemotactic and haptotactic gradients, life time, and presentation for receptor binding. Here, we show that Cxcl1 and Cxcl2 also form heterodimers. Using a disulfide-trapped Cxcl1–Cxcl2 heterodimer, we characterized its binding to free heparin using nuclear magnetic resonance and isothermal titration calorimetry, and to immobilized heparin and heparan sulfate using surface plasmon resonance. These data, in conjunction with molecular docking, indicate that the binding characteristics such as geometry and stoichiometry of the heterodimer are different between free and immobilized GAGs and are also distinctly different from those of the homodimers. We propose that the intrinsic asymmetry of the heterodimer structure, along with differences in its binding to PG GAGs and free GAGs, regulate chemokine function.
Aneuploidy in human eggs: contributions of the meiotic spindle
Authors: Thomas Christopher , Cavazza Tommaso , Schuh Melina
Published: January 2021

Human eggs frequently contain an incorrect number of chromosomes, a condition termed aneuploidy. Aneuploidy affects ∼10–25% of eggs in women in their early 30s, and more than 50% of eggs from women over 40. Most aneuploid eggs cannot develop to term upon fertilization, making aneuploidy in eggs a leading cause of miscarriages and infertility. The cellular origins of aneuploidy in human eggs are incompletely understood. Aneuploidy arises from chromosome segregation errors during the two meiotic divisions of the oocyte, the progenitor cell of the egg. Chromosome segregation is driven by a microtubule spindle, which captures and separates the paired chromosomes during meiosis I, and sister chromatids during meiosis II. Recent studies reveal that defects in the organization of the acentrosomal meiotic spindle contribute to human egg aneuploidy. The microtubules of the human oocyte spindle are very frequently incorrectly attached to meiotic kinetochores, the multi-protein complexes on chromosomes to which microtubules bind. Multiple features of human oocyte spindles favour incorrect attachments. These include spindle instability and many age-related changes in chromosome and kinetochore architecture. Here, we review how the unusual spindle assembly mechanism in human oocytes contributes to the remarkably high levels of aneuploidy in young human eggs, and how age-related changes in chromosome and kinetochore architecture cause aneuploidy levels to rise even higher as women approach their forties.
The Promise of Comprehensive Early Reading Instruction for Children With Autism and Recommendations for Future Directions
Authors: Arciuli Joanne , Bailey Benjamin
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Children with autism have an increased likelihood of reading difficulties. The reasons for this are numerous and varied, but many children with autism can learn to read when they are provided with evidence-based early reading instruction.

Method

Here, we provide an overview of some of the factors that impact early reading development for children with autism and a rationale for the provision of comprehensive early reading instruction consistent with the recommendations of the National Reading Panel (NRP). We discuss research on NRP instruction for children with autism, including some of our own empirical studies. We also discuss some areas of research that were not emphasized by the NRP but that we view as important. We offer recommendations that extend beyond NRP guidelines in order to advance knowledge and improve practice.

Conclusions

Comprehensive early reading instruction holds great promise for children with autism, but there are gaps in our understanding that need to be addressed. These include the most effective method(s) for tailoring reading instruction to the needs of the individual while optimizing delivery to small groups of children, supporting skills and making other accommodations not outlined by the NRP, and consideration of bilingualism and of reading instruction in languages other than English, among other issues. While our focus in this review article is early reading instruction for children with autism who use oral language, we acknowledge that there is a major gap in the literature concerning reading instruction for those who do not use oral language. We hope that this review article will be helpful to clinicians, educators, and researchers alike, as well as children with autism and their families, friends, and support networks.
Adaptive comprehensive particle swarm optimisation‐based functional‐link neural network filtre model for denoising ultrasound images
Authors: Kumar Manish , Mishra Sudhansu Kumar , Joseph Justin , Jangir Sunil Kumar , Goyal Dinesh
Published: January 2021

Multiplicative speckle is a dominant type of noise that spoils the inherent features of the medical ultrasound (US) images. Apart from the speckle, impulse and Gaussian noises also appear in the US image due to the error encountered during the data transmission and transition of switching circuits and sensors. The noise not only deteriorates the visual quality of the US but also creates complications in the diagnosis. In this study, an adaptive comprehensive particle swarm optimisation‐based functional‐link neural network (ACPSO‐FLNN) filtre has been proposed and implemented in filtering noisy US images in different noise conditions. The proposed filtre is compared with some state‐of‐the‐art filtering techniques. Quantitative and qualitative measures such as training time, time complexity, convergence rate, and statistical test are included to study the performance of the proposed filtre. Furthermore, sensitivity, computational complexity, and order of the proposed filtre are also investigated. Friedman's test with 50 images is performed for statistical validation. The lower rank, that is, 6 and critical value of 21 × 10–4 of the proposed ACPSO‐FLNN filtre validates its dominance over other filtres.
Observations of a prominence eruption and loop contraction
Authors: Devi Pooja , Démoulin Pascal , Chandra Ramesh , Joshi Reetika , Schmieder Brigitte , Joshi Bhuwan
Published: January 2021

Context.Prominence eruptions provide key observations to understand the launch of coronal mass ejections as their cold plasma traces a part of the unstable magnetic configuration.

Aims.We select a well observed case to derive observational constraints for eruption models.

Methods.We analyze the prominence eruption and loop expansion and contraction observed on 02 March 2015 associated with a GOES M3.7 class flare (SOL2015-03-02T15:27) using the data from Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI). We study the prominence eruption and the evolution of loops using the time-distance techniques.

Results.The source region is a decaying bipolar active region where magnetic flux cancellation is present for several days before the eruption. AIA observations locate the erupting prominence within a flux rope viewed along its local axis direction. We identify and quantify the motion of loops in contraction and expansion located on the side of the erupting flux rope. Finally, RHESSI hard X-ray observations identify the loop top and two foot-point sources.

Conclusions.Both AIA and RHESSI observations support the standard model of eruptive flares. The contraction occurs 19 min after the start of the prominence eruption indicating that this contraction is not associated with the eruption driver. Rather, this prominence eruption is compatible with an unstable flux rope where the contraction and expansion of the lateral loop is the consequence of a side vortex developing after the flux rope is launched.
Two-phase deteriorated supply chain model with variable demand and imperfect production process under two-stage credit financing
Authors: Pal Brojeswar , Mandal Anindya , Sana Shib Sankar
Published: January 2021

In this article, an imperfect production inventory model consisting of a manufacturer and a retailer with quality improvement effort and the promotional effort sensitive demand pattern is investigated under a two-tier credit policy. We study the model for deteriorating items where the deterioration occurs at different rates in the manufacturer’s and the retailer’s level considering a fixed lifetime of the product. Discussing the six possible cases of credit policy analytically, we analyze the behavior of the model under an integrated system concerning production lot-size, quality effort and promotional effort such that the integrated average profit is maximum. To obtain the optimal solutions of the model, we design an operative solution algorithm. A numerical example is provided to test feasibility of the model, and the effect of the variation of the key parameters is also studied. The outcomes of this proposed model show that the manufacturer and the retailer have to be more careful about their offered credit periods in aspect of the profit. It is observed that the integrated profit is maximum when both credit periods provided by the manufacturer and the retailer belong to the manufacturer’s cycle. Moreover, we identify that the extended product lifetime does not meet with higher profit all times. This study directs that quality effort and promotional effort stimulate the market demand while it is not always economically profitable for the supply chain.
Entstauungstherapie bei Ödemen der Hand
Authors: Bringezu Günther
Published: January 2021

Ödeme sind ein häufiges Symptom nach Verletzungen und Operationen der Hand. Aber auch entzündliche Ursachen und Inaktivität bringen Schwellungen mit sich. Erfahren Sie, wie die verschiedenen Ödeme aus gewebephysiologischer Sicht entstehen und wie Sie sie umfassend behandeln können.
Lymphtaping der Hand
Authors: Sijmonsma Josya
Published: January 2021

Lymphtapes können helfen, Schwellungen der Hand zu behandeln. Für die korrekte Applikation der Tapes ist es wichtig, die zugrunde liegende Pathologie zu beachten und zu verstehen, auf welche Weise Lymphtapes wirken.
Development of a Novel Method for Trimethylsilylation of Saccharides­
Authors: Chen Jyun-Siao , Ke Yi-Fan , Lin Heng-Yan , Luo Shun-Yuan , Lin Wesley , Yen Wei-Chung , Wu Hsin-Ru
Published: January 2021

The trimethylsilyl (TMS) group is widely used in carbo­hydrate synthesis, although this protecting group is unstable and its post-synthetic purification challenging. The successful trimethylsilyl­ation of carbohydrates mediated by recyclable and efficient acidic catalyst PTA/HMDS and the novel reagent, TMSOAc (TEA/TMSOAc), under alkaline condition is reported. The advantages of these methods are that the reactions proceed in good to excellent yields without applying column chromatography for purification.
Role of phonon anharmonicity and electronic free energy on thermodynamic properties of fcc ytterbium
Authors: Satikunvar D. D. , Bhatt N. K. , Thakore B. Y.
Published: January 2021

Although many thermophysical properties of lanthanide family members are similar, ytterbium is an exception. The coefficient of thermal expansion for Yb is almost three times as large as the coefficients for other rare-earth metals, a clear manifestation of anharmonicity. In the present study, therefore, the influence of the phonon anharmonicity and the electronic free energy on thermal expansion and other thermodynamic properties of ytterbium has been investigated from absolute zero to the melting temperature (T). We used first principles density functional perturbation theory combined with thermal perturbative treatment for including intrinsic anharmonicity. Modeling Yb as an anharmonic oscillator as suggested by Oganov and Dorogokupets [J. Phys. Condens. Matter 16, 1351 (2004)], an anharmonic vibrational contribution is included in a parametric way. It has allowed us to unveil the effect of anharmonicity connecting the low-temperature quantum correction up to the high-temperature classical value. Furthermore, due to the complex behavior of 4f-shell electrons, the electronic excitation was computed through the fixed electronic density-of-state approximation. It remains two orders of magnitude higher than the anharmonic lattice term. Combining these contributions, we can evaluate several T-dependent but zero-pressure thermodynamic properties of Yb in its fcc phase. Since, at lower pressure, anharmonicity increases with temperature, one of the objectives of this study is to examine the importance of anharmonicity in determining these properties. For instance, an excellent agreement is found for the linear thermal expansion for the entire temperature range, whereas other properties such as entropy, bulk moduli, thermal Grüneisen parameter, and the phonon frequency shifts are also in agreement with the reported findings; notably, the discrepancy observed in the enthalpy and specific heats at high-T is discussed. A detailed analysis has suggested that an additional contribution from point defects is needed, like vacancy formation, for an accurate calculation of specific heat, while higher-order terms in temperature-dependent perturbative series are mandatory for enthalpy. Electronic contribution remains positive for caloric properties. The theory of anharmonic phonon–phonon interaction and computed thermal expansion of the crystal was finally used to analyze renormalized phonon frequency. The significant objective of the study is to elucidate the role of electronic agitations and intrinsic phonon thermal stress as a physical mechanism over and above the dominating volume expansion effect, which is responsible for restricting an overwhelming quasi-harmonic thermal expansion and a rapid decrease in bulk moduli close to melting. We propose that a quantitative agreement for entropy and enthalpy requires a delicate balance between T2-dependent and higher-order terms in an anharmonic perturbation series.
Efficient numerical method for predicting nonlinear optical spectroscopies of open systems
Authors: Rose Peter A. , Krich Jacob J.
Published: January 2021

Nonlinear optical spectroscopies are powerful tools for probing quantum dynamics in molecular and nanoscale systems. While intuition about ultrafast spectroscopies is often built by considering impulsive optical pulses, actual experiments have finite-duration pulses, which can be important for interpreting and predicting experimental results. We present a new freely available open source method for spectroscopic modeling, called Ultrafast Ultrafast (UF2) spectroscopy, which enables computationally efficient and convenient prediction of nonlinear spectra, such as treatment of arbitrary finite duration pulse shapes. UF2 is a Fourier-based method that requires diagonalization of the Liouvillian propagator of the system density matrix. We also present a Runge–Kutta–Euler (RKE) direct propagation method. We include open system dynamics in the secular Redfield, full Redfield, and Lindblad formalisms with Markovian baths. For non-Markovian systems, the degrees of freedom corresponding to memory effects are brought into the system and treated nonperturbatively. We analyze the computational complexity of the algorithms and demonstrate numerically that, including the cost of diagonalizing the propagator, UF2 is 20–200 times faster than the direct propagation method for secular Redfield models with arbitrary Hilbert space dimension; it is similarly faster for full Redfield models at least up to system dimensions where the propagator requires more than 20 GB to store; and for Lindblad models, it is faster up to Hilbert space dimension near 100 with speedups for small systems by factors of over 500. UF2 and RKE are part of a larger open source Ultrafast Software Suite, which includes tools for automatic generation and calculation of Feynman diagrams.
Sklyanin-like algebras for (q-)linear grids and (q-)para-Krawtchouk polynomials
Authors: Bergeron Geoffroy , Gaboriaud Julien , Vinet Luc , Zhedanov Alexei
Published: January 2021

S-Heun operators on linear and q-linear grids are introduced. These operators are special cases of Heun operators and are related to Sklyanin-like algebras. The continuous Hahn and big q-Jacobi polynomials are functions on which these S-Heun operators have natural actions. We show that the S-Heun operators encompass both the bispectral operators and Kalnins and Miller’s structure operators. These four structure operators realize special limit cases of the trigonometric degeneration of the original Sklyanin algebra. Finite-dimensional representations of these algebras are obtained from a truncation condition. The corresponding representation bases are finite families of polynomials: the para-Krawtchouk and q-para-Krawtchouk ones. A natural algebraic interpretation of these polynomials that had been missing is thus obtained. We also recover the Heun operators attached to the corresponding bispectral problems as quadratic combinations of the S-Heun operators.
Global analysis of stochastic bifurcation in shape memory alloy supporter with the extended composite cell coordinate system method
Authors: Yue Xiaole , Xiang Yilin , Zhang Ying , Xu Yong
Published: January 2021

As an intelligent material, a shape memory alloy has many unique mechanical properties, such as shape memory effect and pseudoelasticity, which have been used in many fields. In this paper, the stochastic bifurcation of the shape memory alloy supporter system subject to harmonic and bounded noise excitations is studied in detail by an extended composite cell coordinate system method. By analyzing the influence of the bounded noise amplitude on stochastic bifurcation, it can be found that there exist three kinds of bifurcation phenomena, including stochastic merging crisis, stochastic boundary crisis, and stochastic interior crisis, which are caused by the collision between an attractor and a saddle within the basin of attraction or the basin boundary. The transfer probability is computed for the first time on the basin boundary and the escaped points within the basin of attraction, which quantitatively explain the phase space structure of the system with stochastic bifurcation. These results demonstrate that the extended composite cell coordinate system method is a powerful tool to reveal the mechanism of stochastic bifurcation and provide a theoretical basis for the operation and design of the shape memory alloy supporter system.
Single-surface conduction in a highly bulk-resistive topological insulator Sn0.02Bi1.08Sb0.9Te2S using the Corbino geometry
Authors: Misawa Tetsuro , Nakamura Shuji , Okazaki Yuma , Fukuyama Yasuhiro , Nasaka Nariaki , Ezure Hiroki , Urano Chiharu , Kaneko Nobu-Hisa , Sasagawa Takao
Published: January 2021

To realize the single-surface conduction in a topological insulator, a microscale Corbino device was fabricated from a single crystal of a highly bulk-resistive topological insulator Sn0.02Bi1.08Sb0.9Te2S (Sn-BSTS). The four-terminal resistance was measured in 2 K–300 K, and it was found that the temperature dependence of the resistance of the Corbino device was clearly distinct from that of Sn-BSTS bulk samples. We showed that the unconventional behavior of the Corbino device was quantitatively understood by considering the top surface, bottom surface, and bulk as independent conduction paths in parallel. Furthermore, the current flow distribution was studied by introducing the resistance network model, which revealed that the top-surface dominant conduction was realized in a low temperature. This study demonstrates the usefulness of the Corbino geometry for transport measurement in topological insulators.