bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peer victimization and reactive aggression in junior high‐school students: A moderated mediation model of retaliatory normative beliefs and self‐perspective
Authors: Shu Yue , Luo Zheng
Published: June 2021

Using an experimental design, we examined whether retaliatory normative beliefs mediated the relation between peer victimization and reactive aggression and whether self‐perspective moderated the relations among peer victimization, retaliatory normative beliefs, and reactive aggressive behavior in a sample of 381 junior high‐school students (165 girls) in Grades 7 and 8. Findings revealed that retaliatory normative beliefs fully mediated the relation between peer victimization and reactive aggression. Moreover, the mediating effect of retaliatory normative beliefs was moderated by self‐perspective. Specifically, for the self‐distanced group, peer victimization demonstrated a weaker impact on retaliatory normative beliefs than that of the self‐immersed group and the control group. These results suggest that adolescents' beliefs about the acceptability of retaliatory aggression (rather than peer victimization) are directly associated with reactive aggression, and that self‐distancing may be a protective factor against retaliatory normative beliefs and reactive aggression in provocative situations. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
Comparing the Impact of Symptoms and Health Care Experiences of People Who Have and Have Not Received a Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia: A Cross‐Sectional Survey Within the PACFiND Study
Authors: Doebl Stefanie , Hollick Rosemary J. , Beasley Marcus , Choy Ernest , Macfarlane Gary J. ,   for the PACFiND Study Investigators
Published: June 2021

Objective

To compare the impact of symptoms and health care utilization of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia, people who fulfill the criteria but are not diagnosed, and people with chronic pain.

Methods

We recruited people who had participated in a previous population survey across Scotland and who reported some typical fibromyalgia symptoms or had received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Responses to a postal questionnaire were used to define mutually exclusive groups: people who had a fibromyalgia diagnosis, who met criteria for fibromyalgia, and who had chronic pain.

Results

Participants included 85 people with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, 110 who met criteria for fibromyalgia, and 133 with chronic pain. The mean age across groups ranged 57–59 years, but the percentage female varied markedly: 86%, 64%, and 67%, respectively. Compared to those with chronic pain, participants with a fibromyalgia diagnosis were more likely to be out of employment due to health. An average of 3 years was needed to receive a fibromyalgia diagnosis, and more than half were diagnosed in secondary care (most commonly rheumatology). The fibromyalgia diagnosis and criteria groups were similar in terms of symptom impact, quality of life, and life satisfaction but were worse than the chronic pain group. Participants who had received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia reported the poorest health care experiences.

Conclusion

An urgent need exists for a model of care for fibromyalgia to ensure prompt diagnosis, access to evidence‐based care, and long‐term support, with the aim of improving function. The data suggest that diagnosis in men may be overlooked, and this finding warrants further study.
Prognostic Value of Cardiac Axis Deviation in Systemic Sclerosis–Related Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Lui Justin K. , Sangani Ruchika A. , Chen Clara A. , Bujor Andreea M. , Trojanowski Marcin A. , Gopal Deepa M. , LaValley Michael P. , Soylemez Wiener Renda , Klings Elizabeth S.
Published: June 2021

Objective

Systemic sclerosis–related pulmonary hypertension (SSc‐PH) is a common complication of SSc associated with accelerated mortality. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether cardiac axis deviation indicates abnormalities in cardiac function allowing for prognostication of disease severity and mortality.

Methods

This was a retrospective study in which electrocardiograms (ECGs) were reviewed for cardiac axis deviation and their association with echocardiography and cardiopulmonary hemodynamics on right‐sided heart catheterization. The primary outcome observed was all‐cause mortality from the time of PH diagnosis.

Results

ECG results were reviewed from 169 patients with SSc‐PH. Right axis deviation (RAD) and left axis deviation (LAD) occurred in 28.4% and 30.8% of patients with SSc‐PH, respectively. Compared to those without RAD, patients with RAD exhibited predominantly right‐sided cardiac disease on echocardiography and increased PH severity by cardiopulmonary hemodynamics including a greater mean ± SD pulmonary artery pressure (42.0 ± 12.5 mm Hg versus 29.8 ± 7.0 mm Hg) and mean ± SD pulmonary vascular resistance (645.6 ± 443.2 dynes · seconds/cm5 versus 286.3 ± 167.7 dynes · seconds/cm5). LAD was associated with predominantly left‐sided cardiac disease on echocardiography but was not associated with PH severity on cardiopulmonary hemodynamics. Both RAD (hazard ratio 10.36 [95% confidence interval 4.90–21.93], P < 0.001) and LAD (hazard ratio 2.94 [95% confidence interval 1.53–5.68], P = 0.001) were associated with an increased hazard for all‐cause mortality.

Conclusion

RAD and LAD reflect structural cardiac abnormalities and are associated with poor prognosis in patients with SSc‐PH. These findings support the importance of electrocardiography, an inexpensive, widely available noninvasive test, in risk stratification.
Latest iteration of the opioid crisis may be the toughest yet to combat
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: June 2021

The nation is immersed in a “fourth wave” of the opioid crisis that is fraught with challenges, from fentanyl's widening reach to a growing concurrent use of opioids and stimulants that defies logical explanation, a leading researcher and expert in epidemiological trends states in a newly published article. Complicating matters even further is an apparent uptick in prescription opioid–related overdoses, a phenomenon that was more characteristic of the first wave of the epidemic.
Drumbeat for ONDCP director nominee gets louder
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: June 2021

Despite its own assertions to ADAW that it is moving in the right direction even with only an acting director (Regina LaBelle, who is esteemed for her public health, harm reduction, knowledge of federal affairs and diplomacy), the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is under pressure from virtually all organizations in the field to have a permanent director. The following organizations are included as signatories in a May 26 letter, a copy of which was obtained by ADAW, calling on the White House to nominate someone — now. The ONDCP did not explain the delay despite repeated requests for an interpretation of this.
Highly Tunable Nanostructures in a Doubly pH‐Responsive Pentablock Terpolymer in Solution and in Thin Films
Authors: Jung Florian A. , Schart Maximilian , Bührend Lukas , Meidinger Elisabeth , Kang Jia‐Jhen , Niebuur Bart‐Jan , Ariaee Sina , Molodenskiy Dmitry S. , Posselt Dorthe , Amenitsch Heinz , Tsitsilianis Constantinos , Papadakis Christine M.
Published: June 2021

Multiblock copolymers with charged blocks are complex systems that show great potential for enhancing the structural control of block copolymers. A pentablock terpolymer PMMA‐b‐PDMAEMA‐b‐P2VP‐b‐PDMAEMA‐b‐PMMA is investigated. It contains two types of midblocks, which are weak cationic polyelectrolytes, namely poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (P2VP). Furthermore, these are end‐capped with short hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blocks in dilute aqueous solution and thin films. The self‐assembly behavior depends on the degrees of ionization α of the P2VP and PDMAEMA blocks, which are altered in a wide range by varying the pH value. High degrees of ionization of both blocks prevent structure formation, whereas microphase‐separated nanostructures form for a partially charged and uncharged state. While in solutions, the nanostructure formation is governed by the dependence of the P2VP block solubility of the and the flexibility of the PDMAEMA blocks on α, in thin films, the dependence of the segregation strength on α is key. Furthermore, the solution state plays a crucial role in the film formation during spin‐coating. Overall, both the mixing behavior of the 3 types of blocks and the block sequence, governing the bridging behavior, result in strong variations of the nanostructures and their repeat distances.
Multifunctional Crosslinking‐Enabled Strain‐Regulating Crystallization for Stable, Efficient α‐FAPbI3‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Hengkai , Chen Zhiliang , Qin Minchao , Ren Zhiwei , Liu Kuan , Huang Jiaming , Shen Dong , Wu Zehan , Zhang Yaokang , Hao Jianhua , Lee Chun‐sing , Lu Xinhui , Zheng Zijian , Yu Wei , Li Gang
Published: June 2021

α‐Formamidinium lead triiodide (α‐FAPbI3) represents the state‐of‐the‐art for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) but experiences intrinsic thermally induced tensile strain due to a higher phase‐converting temperature, which is a critical instability factor. An in situ crosslinking‐enabled strain‐regulating crystallization (CSRC) method with trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMTA) is introduced to precisely regulate the top section of perovskite film where the largest lattice distortion occurs. In CSRC, crosslinking provides in situ perovskite thermal‐expansion confinement and strain regulation during the annealing crystallization process, which is proven to be much more effective than the conventional strain‐compensation (post‐treatment) method. Moreover, CSRC with TMTA successfully achieves multifunctionality simultaneously: the regulation of tensile strain, perovskite defects passivation with an enhanced open‐circuit voltage (VOC = 50 mV), and enlarged perovskite grain size. The CSRC approach gives significantly enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.39% in α‐FAPbI3‐based PSC versus 20.29% in the control case. More importantly, the control PSCs’ instability factor—residual tensile strain—is regulated into compression strain in the CSRC perovskite film through TMTA crosslinking, resulting in not only the best PCE but also outstanding device stability in both long‐term storage (over 4000 h with 95% of initial PCE) and light soaking (1248 h with 80% of initial PCE) conditions.
Ultrasensitive Molecular Detection by Imaging of Centimeter‐Scale Metasurfaces with a Deterministic Gradient Geometry
Authors: Min Siyi , Li Shijie , Zhu Zhouyang , Liu Yu , Liang Chuwei , Cai Jingxuan , Han Fei , Li Yuyan , Cai Wenshan , Cheng Xing , Li Wen‐Di
Published: June 2021

Highly sensitive detection of trace amounts of substances is crucial for broad applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring, antiterrorism, etc., where cost effectiveness and portability are often demanded. Here, an ultrasensitive sensor is reported that can detect an angstrom‐thick layer of adsorbed molecules through image acquisition and processing. The sensor features a centimeter‐scale plasmonic metasurface with spatially varying geometry, where the light scattering is dependent on both the adsorbed substances and spatial locations. When illuminated with narrowband light (such as from a light emitting diode), the intensity pattern recorded on the metasurface changes with the surface‐adsorbed molecules, enabling label‐free, sensitive, and spectrometer‐free molecular detection. The centimeter‐scale size of the sensing area interfaces well with consumer‐level imaging sensors on mobile devices without the need for microscopic optics and offers a high signal‐to‐noise ratio by leveraging the multimillion pixels for noise reduction. It is experimentally demonstrated that a single layer of Al2O3 molecules deposited on the sensor, with a thickness of approximately one angstrom, can be detected by analyzing the images taken of the sensing chip. Furthermore, by integrating the sensor into a microfluidic setup, quantitative detection of BSA/anti‐BSA immune complex formation events is demonstrated, which agrees well with the Langmuir isotherm model.
Complex Metal Nanostructures with Programmable Shapes from Simple DNA Building Blocks
Authors: Ye Jingjing , Aftenieva Olha , Bayrak Türkan , Jain Archa , König Tobias A. F. , Erbe Artur , Seidel Ralf
Published: June 2021

Advances in DNA nanotechnology allow the design and fabrication of highly complex DNA structures, uisng specific programmable interactions between smaller nucleic acid building blocks. To convey this concept to the fabrication of metallic nanoparticles, an assembly platform is developed based on a few basic DNA structures that can serve as molds. Programming specific interactions between these elements allows the assembly of mold superstructures with a range of different geometries. Subsequent seeded growth of gold within the mold cavities enables the synthesis of complex metal structures including tightly DNA‐caged particles, rolling‐pin‐ and dumbbell‐shaped particles, as well as T‐shaped and loop particles with high continuity. The method further supports the formation of higher‐order assemblies of the obtained metal geometries. Based on electrical and optical characterizations, it is expected that the developed platform is a valuable tool for a self‐assembly‐based fabrication of nanoelectronic and nanooptic devices.
Enhanced Photoresponse of Single GaN Microwire Ultraviolet Photodetectors by Heteroepitaxial AlN Coating Layer
Authors: Liu Qing , Shi Jiang , Wang Xingfu , Luo Xingjun , Guo Jiaqi , Yang Yuqing , Cheng Chuan , Chen Fei , Deng Congcong , He Longfei , Fan Kaiping , Cui Yongjin , Chen Kai , Gao Fangliang , Li Shuti
Published: June 2021

Core–shell heterojunction structure is a feasible approach to optimize the optoelectronic performance of devices by combining the advantages of different materials. In this work, GaN/AlN core–shell heterojunction microwire‐based photodetector (PD) has been fabricated, and appropriate epitaxy growth of AlN can improve the performances of PDs. Compared with pure GaN microwire device, the enhanced responsivity, sensitivity, detectivity, and external quantum efficiency value of 4160 A W−1, 1.88 × 107%, 3.93 × 1012 Jones, and 4.07 × 106% are obtained with 5 nm thick AlN. Meanwhile, a rise/decay time of 25/16 ms is possessed. In addition, the responsivity and detectivity are increased with an acceptable decrease in sensitivity when the exciting light intensity decreases. The effective advances of PDs are benefited from the increased Schottky barrier height, the built‐in electric field that promotes the separation of photogenerated electron‐hole pairs, and direct heteroepitaxial growth high crystal quality GaN/AlN core/shell structure, which will effectively passivate the surface of GaN microwire by covering AlN. This study sheds some light on fabricating high‐performance microwire‐based PDs.
Solution‐Processed Large‐Scale Concentric‐Ring Laser on Two‐Dimensional Ruddlesden–Popper Perovskites Thin Films
Authors: Liu Peng , Zhang Bingqian , Liao Qing , Tian Guifen , Gu Chunling , Fu Hongbing
Published: June 2021

Self‐assembly of large‐scale periodic structures is promising for the applications of optoelectronic devices and enhancing light trapping or extraction in optoelectronics. Spontaneous pattern formation provides a facile and large‐area fabrication technology for ordered concentric‐ring patterns. Herein, a facile and robust solution‐processed method for the controllable spontaneous formation of concentric‐ring patterns on 2D Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite (2D‐RPP) thin films is presented. High‐quality (sub)millimeter‐scale concentric multi‐rings are prepared and their parameters can be adjusted by experimental conditions. The obtained 2D‐RPP concentric‐ring patterns show excellent lasing behaviors with high‐quality factor and significantly low lasing threshold. This strategy can be exploited for the development of high‐performance 2D‐RPP laser arrays and the integration of optoelectronic devices.
Optimizing Intercropping Systems of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) and Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum‐graecum L.) through Inoculation with Bacteria and Mycorrhizal Fungi
Authors: Rezaei‐Chiyaneh Esmaeil , Battaglia Martin Leonardo , Sadeghpour Amir , Shokrani Fahime , Nasab Adel Dabbagh Mohammadi , Raza Muhammad Ali , von Cossel Moritz
Published: June 2021

This study evaluates the effects of intercropping patterns, plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on seed yield and yield components of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum‐graecum L.), as well as the essential oil and fatty acid profile of black cumin. A two‐year two‐factorial field experiment was conducted in 2015 and 2016 to investigate intercropping of black cumin and fenugreek in five ratios and biofertilizer application as AMF and bacteria. Intercropping reveals higher concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus compared with monocropping, whereas monocropping inoculated with bacteria shows the highest seed yield of both fenugreek (151 g m−2) and black cumin (148 g m−2). Regarding the quality of black cumin, the combination of a black cumin:fenugreek‐intercropping pattern of 66:34 with bacteria fertilization is most promising, as it shows i) the maximum essential oil content, oil yield, and fixed oil content, ii) the highest contents of thymol and p‐cymene, iii) the highest content of linoleic acid, and iv) the maximum land equivalent ratio. Conclusively, bacteria fertilization and black cumin:fenugreek‐intercropping pattern of 66:34 helps improving essential oil, fixed oil quality, and quantity of black cumin, thus creating a more sustainable cultivation system for black cumin and fenugreek.
Low Threshold and Long‐Range Propagation Plasmonic Nanolaser Enhanced by Black Phosphorus Nanosheets
Authors: Li Yongping , Yuan Yufeng , Peng Xiao , Zhou Feifan , Song Jun , Qu Junle
Published: June 2021

This work theoretically proposes a novel surface plasmon polaritons nanolaser enhanced by 2D black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets, which can greatly enhance the local electric field and reduce the normalized mode area. The plasmonic nanolaser is created by integrating few‐layered BP nanosheets into a hybrid waveguide structure consisting of a cadmium sulfide (CdS) semiconductor nanowire, a low‐index dielectric MgF2 buffer film, and a silver substrate. Both the electric field distribution and mode parameters originating from the proposed hybrid structure are systematically studied. The simulation results show that, under the optimal conditions with r = 95 nm, hgap = 2 nm, and d = 1 nm, three key mode parameters (effective mode area, gain threshold, and propagation distance) can be determined to be 0.008 λ2, 0.5997 µm−1, and 3309 nm, respectively. Moreover, the figure of merit of the proposed nanolaser is enhanced by almost 2.3 times compared with the model without BP nanosheets. It can be expected that the proposed plasmonic nanolaser shows great potential in exploring ultrahigh density photonic integrated circuit.
Dynamic Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution of Tetrazines
Authors: Santos Tanausú , Rivero David S. , Pérez‐Pérez Yaiza , Martín‐Encinas Endika , Pasán Jorge , Daranas Antonio Hernández , Carrillo Romen
Published: June 2021

A dynamic nucleophilic aromatic substitution of tetrazines (SNTz) is presented herein. It combines all the advantages of dynamic covalent chemistry with the versatility of the tetrazine moiety. Indeed, libraries of compounds or sophisticated molecular structures can be easily obtained, which are susceptible to post‐functionalization by inverse electron demand Diels–Alder (IEDDA) reaction, which also locks the exchange. Additionally, the structures obtained can be disassembled upon the application of the right stimulus, either UV irradiation or a suitable chemical reagent. Moreover, SNTz is compatible with the imine chemistry of anilines. The high potential of this methodology has been proved by building two responsive supramolecular systems: A macrocycle that displays a light‐induced release of acetylcholine; and a truncated [4+6] tetrahedral shape‐persistent fluorescent cage, which is disassembled by thiols unless it is post‐stabilized by IEDDA.
Polypropylene/poly(lactic acid)/carbon nanotube semi‐biodegradable nanocomposites: The effect of sequential mixing approach and compatibilization on morphology, rheology and electrical conductivity
Authors: Cordeiro Elisangela , Lopes Pereira Elaine C. , Silva Adriana Anjos , Soares Bluma Guenther
Published: June 2021

Semi‐biodegradable polypropylene (PP)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) (50:50 vol%) blend loaded with 0.6 vol% of pristine carbon nanotube (CNT) were prepared by melt compounding the components using different sequential mixing strategies: (i) all components together (PP/PLA/CNT); (ii) PP first mixed with CNT (PP@CNT/EVA) and (iii) EVA first mixed with CNT (EVA@CNT/PP). The composites presented co‐continuous structure and the CNT selectively localized inside the PP phase or at the interface, regardless the order of the CNT addition into the mixing. These features were confirmed by selective extraction experiments and morphological studies: optical, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy. However, the preferential localization at the interface was predicted from wetting coefficient, determined from interfacial energy. Higher electrical conductivity values were achieved by using the one‐step mixing approach, were all components were mixed together, whose value of around 10−4 S/m was achieved by adding 0.6 vol% of CNT to the blend. The compatibilization with polypropylene‐g‐maleic anhydride increased the melt viscosity of the blend and composite but did not affect the conductivity or the tensile properties of the CNT‐based composite.
Stretchable calix[4]arene‐based gels by induction of water
Authors: Park Jaehyeon , Kim Sukyoung , Lee Shim Sung , Kim Jong‐Hyun , Park Joung‐Man , Lee Ji Ha , Jung Jong Hwa
Published: June 2021

This study focused on controlling the stretching property of gels. This resilience is dependent on the water content in the calix[4]arene‐based gel solvent system, where the stretching property of gels could be controlled upon the addition of water. The storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli of the calix[4]arene‐based gels prepared in solvent systems with different water contents were investigated via rheological measurements. By the strain sweeps, the values of G′ decreased, while tan‐delta increased with water content in the solvent system. In addition, a significant changes in the G′ and G″ values were observed upon the addition of water by frequency sweeps. In particular, the decrease in the G″ value of the gel prepared from the 1,3‐alternated calix[4]arene derivative (HC4) and diisocyanate linker (HDI) in DMSO/H2O mixed solvent (8:2 v/v) was approximately 5‐fold larger than that of the gel prepared in 100% DMSO. Thus, this novel approach would useful for the development of new soft materials with finely controllable mechanical properties.
Consensus of multiagent systems with time‐varying delays: An observer‐based distributed periodic event‐triggered control approach
Authors: Liu Hui‐Wei , Du Sheng‐Li , Wang Xue‐Fang , Sun Tao , Zhong Chong‐Quan
Published: June 2021

This work presents a consensus strategy for multiagent networked systems with time‐varying delays. A new control technique is first developed, named observer‐based distributed periodic event‐triggered control. Aiming at leader‐following consensus strategy, the state update of every follower agent just demands the neighbor state at the moment of its own event. Then, based on matrix inequalities, the sufficient criteria for the systems under consideration are established, which is easier to satisfy and shows that the consensus can be reached exponentially. Finally, one numerical example is presented to indicate the performance of the proposed method.
Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy at Different Frequencies on Bone Mass and Microarchitecture in Osteoporotic Mice
Authors: Wang Liqiong , Li Yi , Xie Suhang , Huang Jinming , Song Kangping , He Chengqi
Published: June 2021

A pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) can promote osteogenesis. However, studies have shown variation in the signal characteristics in terms of waveform type, intensity, frequency, and treatment duration. Among the factors that affect electromagnetic fields, frequency plays a major role. However, few studies have investigated the effects of PEMF at different frequencies in osteoporotic mice. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effect of PEMF frequency in osteoporotic mice. Forty 3‐month‐old female mice were randomly divided into the following five groups: sham, OVX, and OVX followed by 1.6‐mT PEMF exposure groups (8 Hz, 50 Hz, and 75 Hz, 1.6 mT). The PEMF was applied for 1 h/day, 7 days/week, for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, the micro‐computed tomography showed that PEMF with (50 and 75 Hz) ameliorated the deterioration of bone microarchitecture. Improvements in the bone histological analysis were identified for PEMF with 50 and 75 Hz groups compared with the ovariectomy (OVX) controls. Osteoclast numbers were decreased in PEMF with (50 and 75 Hz). Moreover, the real‐time PCR demonstrated PEMF with (50 and 75 Hz) significantly promoted the expression of the osteoblast‐related genes (ALP, OCN, Runx2), and increased the serum PINP. PEMF with (50 and 75 Hz) exerted significant inhibitory effects on the osteoclast‐related mRNA expression (CTSK, NFATc1, TRAP) and bone resorption markers CTX‐I and IL‐1β. Taken together, our results showed that PEMF at 50 and 75 Hz with 1.6 mT significantly ameliorate the deterioration of bone microarchitecture in OVX mice. The inhibitory effect of PEMF may be associated with IL‐1β inhibition. © 2021 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Synthesis, comparativein vitroantibacterial, antioxidant and UV fluorescence studies of bis indole Schiff bases and molecular docking with ct‐DNA and SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro
Authors: Singhal Sugandha , Khanna Pankaj , Khanna Leena
Published: June 2021

In this study, synthesis of 15 novel bis indole‐based Schiff bases (SBs)4a–4owas conducted by condensation of 2‐(1‐aminobenzyl)benzimidazole with symmetrical bis‐isatins linked via five alkyl chains (n = 2–6). These were subjected to ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion), physiochemical properties, molecular docking,in vitroantibacterial and antioxidant studies. The in silico studies indicated lower toxicity with metabolic stability for nearly all the derivatives proving reliability as drug candidates. The comparative antibacterial study againstStaphylococcus aureusandEscherichia coli, also showed a superior inhibition than reference drug and their mono counterparts. The increase in linker alkyl chain length and variation of substituents in indole, further predicted increased inhibition, with maximum value for compound4oat 50 μg/ml. Thein vitrocalf thymus DNA (ct‐DNA) binding ability of compounds4c, 4f, 4i, 4l, 4 m, 4n,and4owas evaluated via ultraviolet‐visible and fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. A hyperchromic effect was observed with no apparent wavelength shift which predicted for the groove binding mode. A moderate binding constant for4o, in fluorescence results, confirms groove binding. The molecular docking of4owith ct‐DNA (PDBID:1BNA) and SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro(3CL protease, PDBID:6LU7) prove its efficacy as potential DNA binder and antiviral agent.
A resource orchestration view of supply chain traceability and transparency bundles for competitive advantage
Authors: Malik Mohsin , Ghaderi Hadi , Andargoli Amir
Published: June 2021

The literature has mostly examined supply chain (SC) traceability and SC transparency separately, ignoring the mutually constitutive relationship of these two related constructs. We draw on the resource orchestration theory and the causal complexity perspective to conceptualize and validate SC traceability and SC transparency as interrelated organizational capabilities that may mutually enhance or compensate each other for competitive advantage. We constructed an original sample from two sources to empirically test this conceptualization using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Our empirical results reveal that the ability of firms to leverage SC traceability for a high financial performance is contingent upon creating a transparency perception of SC with a wide range of stakeholders. Our results also identified the firm size and its international presence, as having a significant bearing on the ability of firms to leverage SC traceability and SC transparency capabilities for a competitive advantage.
The genomic landscape of teenage and young adult T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Mansur Marcela B. , Furness Caroline L. , Nakjang Sirintra , Enshaei Amir , Alpar Donat , Colman Sue M. , Minto Lynne , Irving Julie , Poole Beth V. , Noronha Elda P. , Savola Suvi , Iqbal Sameena , Gribben John , Pombo‐de‐Oliveira Maria S. , Ford Tony M. , Greaves Mel F. , van Delft Frederik W.
Published: June 2021

Background

Treatment on risk adapted intensive pediatric protocols has improved outcome for teenagers and young adults (TYA) with T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL). Understanding the biology of disease in this age group and the genetic basis of relapse is a key goal as patients with relapsed/refractory disease have poor outcomes with conventional chemotherapy and novel molecular targets are required. This study examines the question of whether TYA T‐ALL has a specific biological‐molecular profile distinct from pediatric or adult T‐ALL.

Methods

Genomic characterization was undertaken of a retrospective discovery cohort of 80 patients aged 15–26 years with primary or relapsed T‐ALL, using a combination of Genome‐Wide Human SNP Array 6.0, targeted gene mutation and promoter methylation analyses. Findings were confirmed by MLPA, real‐time quantitative PCR, and FISH. Whole Exome Sequencing was performed in 4 patients with matched presentation and relapse to model clonal evolution. A prevalence analysis was performed on a final data set of 1,792 individual cases to identify genetic lesions with age specific frequency patterns, including 972 pediatric (1–14 years), 439 TYA (15–24 years) and 381 adult (≥25 years) cases. These cases were extracted from 19 publications with comparable genomic data identified through a PubMed search.

Results

Genomic characterization of this large cohort of TYA T‐ALL patients identified recurrent isochromosome 7q i(7q) in our discovery cohort (n = 3). Prevalence analysis did not identify any age specific genetic abnormalities. Genomic analysis of 6 pairs of matched presentation – relapsed T‐ALL established that all relapses were clonally related to the initial leukemia. Whole exome sequencing analysis revealed recurrent, targetable, mutations disrupting NOTCH, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, FLT3, NRAS as well as drug metabolism pathways.

Conclusions

All genetic aberrations in TYA T‐ALL occurred with an incidence similar or intermediate to that reported in the pediatric and adult literature, demonstrating that overall TYA T‐ALL exhibits a transitional genomic profile. Analysis of matched presentation – relapse supported the hypothesis that relapse is driven by the Darwinian evolution of sub‐clones associated with drug resistance (NT5C2 and TP53 mutations) and re‐iterative mutation of known key T‐ALL drivers, including NOTCH1.
Yinzhihuang Oral Liquid Ameliorates Hyperbilirubinemia Induced by δ‐Aminolevulinic Acid and Novobiocin in Neonatal Rats
Authors: Han Jing , Li Caiyu , Dai Zhi , Duan Juanhui , Cai Wen , Wang Yong , Zhang Youcai
Published: June 2021

Yinzhihuang oral liquid (YZH) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used in Asia to prevent and treat neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, but the published preclinical studies on its anti‐hyperbilirubinemia effect are conducted in adult animals, partly due to the lack of preclinical neonatal hyperbilirubinemia animal models. In the present study, we tested six reagents to induce hyperbilirubinemia in neonatal rats, and established two appropriate neonatal hyperbilirubinemia rat models by subcutaneous injection of δ‐Aminolevulinic acid (ALA, 200 mg/kg) or novobiocin (NOVO, 200 mg/kg). Oral treatment of YZH (80, 160 and 320 mg/kg) significantly decreased serum conjugated bilirubin levels in ALA‐treated neonatal rats and serum unconjugated bilirubin levels in NOVO‐treated neonatal rats, respectively. Additionally, pre‐treatment of YZH also prevented the increase of serum bilirubin levels in both ALA‐ and NOVO‐treated rats. Mechanistically, YZH significantly up‐regulated the mRNA expression of genes involved in hepatic bilirubin disposition (organic anion‐transporting polypeptide 1b2, Oatp1b2; multidrug resistance‐associated protein 2, Mrp2) and bilirubin conjugation (UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase 1a1, Ugt1a1). Additionally, YZH up‐regulated the mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 1A1 (Cyp1a1), the target gene of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and increased the nuclear protein levels of AhR in livers of neonatal rats. YZH and its two active ingredients, namely baicalin (BCL) and 4’‐hydroxyacetophenone (4‐HT), up‐regulated the mRNA expression of AhR target genes (CYP1A1 and UGT1A1) and increased nuclear protein levels of AhR in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, the present study provides two neonatal hyperbilirubinemia animal models and evaluates the anti‐hyperbilirubinemia effect and mechanisms of YZH in neonatal animals.
Ethionin: Vorläufer für Geruchsstoff der Stinkfrucht
Authors: Hille‐Rehfeld Annette
Published: June 2021

Der Zibetbaum oder Durian (Durio zibethinus, ein Malvengewächs) wird in Südostasien wegen seiner nahrhaften und aromatischen Früchte geschätzt. Der deutsche Name Stinkfrucht verweist auf den intensiven Geruch der „Königin der Früchte“, der von vielen als abstoßend empfunden wird und sogar Übelkeit auslösen kann. Vor einigen Monaten war das Anlass für einen Giftgas‐Fehlalarm in Schweinfurt, ausgelöst durch ein Paket mit überreifen Stinkfrüchten im dortigen Postgebäude. Die Charakterisierung der Geruchsstoffe der Stinkfrucht führte jetzt erstmals auf die Spur der ungewöhnlichen Aminosäure Ethionin im Stoffwechsel einer Pflanze.
Analysis of photoaging characteristics of Chinese traditional pigments and dyes in different environments based on color difference principle
Authors: Zhao Zining , Zhang Peng , Liu Xianming , Lei Xiaohua , Luo Yun
Published: June 2021

Photocatalytic oxidation is one of the main factors leading to the aging damage of Chinese traditional dyes and pigments. In this study, in order to analyze the photoaging characteristics of traditional dyes and pigments commonly used in Chinese cultural relics in different environments, we used traditional Chinese painting pigments to make colored paper samples, and used traditional dye extraction and dyeing technology to make colored silk samples. By setting up nitrogen and atmospheric chamber and using LED, tungsten halogen lamp, metal halide lamp and fluorescent lamp as light sources, an accelerated photoaging contrast test on 16 kinds of dyes and pigments was carried out, and then the color difference of different samples in different light environment and atmosphere environment was obtained. Through systematic analysis, the results show that the type of light source and the gas environment will affect the photoaging rate of the samples. The nitrogen environment can significantly reduce the degree and speed of photoaging, especially for organic dyes and pigments.
Nature‐inspired resource management and dynamic rescheduling of microservices in Cloud datacenters
Authors: Joseph Christina Terese , Chandrasekaran Kandasamy
Published: June 2021

Distributed Cloud environments are now resorting to Cloud applications composed of heterogeneous microservices. Cloud service providers strive to provide high quality of service (QoS) and response time is one of the key QoS attributes for microservices. The dynamism of microservice ecosystems necessitates runtime adaptations and microservices rescheduling to avoid performance degradation. Existing works target rescheduling in hypervisor‐based systems, while ignoring the influence of configuration parameters of container‐based microservices. In an effort to address these challenges, this article describes a novel microservice rescheduling framework, throttling and interaction‐aware anticorrelated rescheduling for microservices, to proactively perform rescheduling activities whilst ensuring timely service responses. Based on periodic monitoring of the performance attributes, the framework schedules container migrations. Considering the exponentially large solution space, a metaheuristic approach based on multiverse optimization is developed to generate the near‐optimal mapping of microservices to the datacenter resources. Experimental results indicate that our framework provides superior performance with a reduction of up to 13.97% in the average response time, when compared with systems with no support for rescheduling.
Parallel compression for large collections of genomes
Authors: Yao Haichang , Chen Shuai , Liu Shangdong , Li Kui , Ji Yimu , Hu Guangyong , Wang Ruchuan
Published: June 2021

With the development of genome sequencing technology, the cost of genome sequencing is continuously reducing, while the efficiency is increasing. Therefore, the amount of genomic data has been increasing exponentially, making the transmission and storage of genomic data an enormous challenge. Although many excellent genome compression algorithms have been proposed, an efficient compression algorithm for large collections of FASTA genomes, especially can be used in the distributed system of cloud computing, is still lacking. This article proposes two optimization schemes based on HRCM compression method. One is MtHRCM adopting multi‐thread parallel technology. The other is HadoopHRCM adopting distributed computing parallel technology. Experiments show that the schemes recognizably improve the compression speed of HRCM. Moreover, BSC algorithm instead of PPMD algorithm is used in the new schemes, the compression ratio is improved by 20% compared with HRCM. In addition, our proposed methods also perform well in robustness and scalability. The Java source codes of MtHRCM and HadoopHRCM can be freely downloaded from
https://github.com/haicy/MtHRCM and
https://github.com/haicy/HadoopHRCM.
How corporate social responsibility initiatives affect the choice of a bank: Empirical evidence of Italian context
Authors: Lagasio Valentina , Cucari Nicola , Åberg Carl
Published: June 2021

For all firms, it is imperative to identify and understand the factors that influence consumers purchasing behaviors and, specifically, identify how customer demographics relate to corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. However, limited research exists on banking consumer's preferences and responses towards different CSR initiatives. Therefore, using an exploratory survey consisting of 250 received responses of attitudes and perceptions from customers of Italian savings banks, we investigate the interactions between three types of CSR initiatives (ethical behavior towards the environment, social inclusion initiatives, and financing eco‐sustainable projects) and respondents' demographic characteristics. We predict that different types of CSR initiatives influence the choice of banking institution among customers with diverse demographic characteristics (age, geographic origin, and type of employment). This research helps in making several important contributions to CSR research which can assist banks in developing effective CSR strategies.
Low‐complexity linear precoding for low‐PAPR massive MU‐MIMO‐OFDM downlink systems
Authors: Zayani Rafik , Roviras Daniel
Published: June 2021

To design new revolutionary wireless communication systems, orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing (OFDM)‐based massive multiuser (MU) multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) has been shown to be the most promising technology to significantly enhance the spectral, energy, and hardware efficiencies. However, massive MU‐MIMO‐OFDM transmitters exhibit signal with high peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR). Accordingly, the nonlinearity of the radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA), which causes the most severe hardware impairment, is expected to be a low‐cost and energy‐efficient component to enable cost‐ and energy‐efficient massive MU‐MIMO‐OFDM BS deployments, generating harmful in‐band distortion and out‐of‐band (OOB) emissions. In this paper, we develop a PAPR‐aware downlink transmission scheme in an OFDM‐based large‐scale MU‐MIMO. Linear precoding of data and peak‐canceling signals (PCSs) are employed to reduce the PAPRs of the transmitted signals by exploiting the excess degrees of freedom (DoFs) provided by equipping the base station (BS) by a large number of transmit antennas. Specifically, we design PCSs to be added to the frequency‐domain precoded data signals, with the goal of reducing the PAPRs of their time‐domain counterpart signals. Most importantly, the added PCSs have to lie in the null spaces of their associated MIMO channel matrices such that they do not cause any MU interference (MUI) and OOB radiation. In this regard, an efficient algorithm is developed, which is based on different data and PCSs precoders, and the corresponding achievable PAPR reduction and bit error rate (BER) performance are analyzed. Moreover, to optimize a tradeoff between performance and complexity, linear precoders based on matrix polynomials (M‐POLYs) and gradient‐iterative approaches are studied for both data and PCSs precoding. Simulation results reveal that these latter provide similar performance as the regularized zero‐forcing (RZF) and orthogonal projection null space (OPNS)‐based data and PCSs precoders, while they need much lower computational complexity. The substantial PAPR reduction provided by the proposed algorithm offers interesting insights for the design of energy‐efficient massive MU‐MIMO‐OFDM systems.
Verification of a new metric for data flow continuity and sustainability optimization
Authors: Vondrous Ondrej , Kocur Zbynek , Hrad Jaromir
Published: June 2021

This article presents a verification process of a new metric designed for transmission continuity optimization. Unlike the commonly used metrics, it focuses solely on flow continuity and sustainability, disregarding the maximization of throughput or minimization of latency. We base our metric on inter‐packet gaps analysis and ordering of packets from multiple communication flows into a final flow. We also compare our metric with the commonly used one based on Jain's fairness index in cases when optimization of communication flow sustainability is the priority. We present the evaluation of results and analyze the data processing complexity. Moreover, we discuss the weaknesses and strengths of different approaches to communication flow optimization.
Termite mound cover and abundance respond to herbivore‐mediated biotic changes in a Kenyan savanna
Authors: Charles Grace K. , Riginos Corinna , Veblen Kari E. , Kimuyu Duncan M. , Young Truman P.
Published: June 2021

Both termites and large mammalian herbivores (LMH) are savanna ecosystem engineers that have profound impacts on ecosystem structure and function. Both of these savanna engineers modulate many common and shared dietary resources such as woody and herbaceous plant biomass, yet few studies have addressed how they impact one another. In particular, it is unclear how herbivores may influence the abundance of long‐lived termite mounds via changes in termite dietary resources such as woody and herbaceous biomass. While it has long been assumed that abundance and areal cover of termite mounds in the landscape remain relatively stable, most data are observational, and few experiments have tested how termite mound patterns may respond to biotic factors such as changes in large herbivore communities. Here, we use a broad tree density gradient and two landscape‐scale experimental manipulations—the first a multi‐guild large herbivore exclosure experiment (20 years after establishment) and the second a tree removal experiment (8 years after establishment)—to demonstrate that patterns in Odontotermes termite mound abundance and cover are unexpectedly dynamic. Termite mound abundance, but areal cover not significantly, is positively associated with experimentally controlled presence of cattle, but not wild mesoherbivores (15–1,000 kg) or megaherbivores (elephants and giraffes). Herbaceous productivity and tree density, termite dietary resources that are significantly affected by different LMH treatments, are both positive predictors of termite mound abundance. Experimental reductions of tree densities are associated with lower abundances of termite mounds. These results reveal a richly interacting web of relationships among multiple savanna ecosystem engineers and suggest that termite mound abundance and areal cover are intimately tied to herbivore‐driven resource availability.
A barcoding‐based scat‐analysis assessment of Eurasian otter Lutra lutra diet on Kinmen Island
Authors: Jang‐Liaw Nian‐Hong
Published: June 2021

While it is well known that Eurasian otters principally feed on fishes and crustaceans, their detailed diet taxonomies are not fully understood. This is partly due to their nocturnal behavior and the limited resolving power of traditional morphological identification from scat. A suitable, reliable molecular method for diet studies is therefore needed.

I performed a series of Sanger‐sequencing reactions, utilizing nine primer sets for Eurasian otter diet research. These are mainly based on the barcoding concept to determine the taxonomic composition of spraints. The primer sets target different types of animals, amplifying each separately. This procedure was used to detect the prey contents of 64 spraint samples collected from Kinmen Island. Through high‐resolution gel electrophoresis and sequencing, it was evident that PCR products could be successfully amplified by the different primer sets and from spraint samples comprising multiple prey species.

Extracted DNA from all spraint samples was PCR‐amplified with 9 primer sets. In total, 16 prey types were identified across all 64 samples. Fourteen were identified at the species level.

The aim of this study was to develop and apply a novel diet research method to Eurasian otters. Eight of the primers are universal primers designed for COI segments of different animal groups, and one primer set was designed specifically for tilapia groups. This method can be applied to study the diets of not only Kinmen Eurasian otter populations, but also other Eurasian otter populations and other small carnivorous animals.