bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implication and evaluations of indoor soot particles from domestic fuel energy sources using characterization techniques in northern Pakistan
Authors: Bibi Shah Dehrai , Baig Shams Ali , Zeb Iftikhar , Ali Maroof , Shams Dilawar Farhan , Nawab Javed , Yosifova Aneva Ina , Hussain Hidayat , Xu Xinhua
Published: July 2021

Soot particles emitted from the burning of solid fuel sources in the households carry important environmental and public health implications. In this study, the indoor soot particles released from firewood, cow dung, and bagasse burning at households of selected rural areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan were investigated by characterization analyses to study its morphological and elemental compositions. Results demonstrated diverse compositions of soot particles from each fuel source. The surface areas of soot particles emitted by the firewood, cow dung, and bagasse were about 0.3, 0.4, and 8.64 m2 g−1, respectively. For the soot particles emitted by the firewood burning, the major functional groups for aromatic compounds were C═C at the 1,431–1,599 at 1,000–2,000 cm−1. The absorbance rate of alkanes was about 1,599–1,431 at 1,000–2,000 cm−1. However, silicon band vibration was more prominent in bagasse soot particles as compared to other samples. The emission of soot particles with high surface area in the atmosphere could provide an elevated adsorption sites for atmospheric pollution and trap more energy resulting in increased atmospheric temperature. Findings from the present study suggest that current households' fuel combustion practices significantly contribute to increase the particulate matter in the atmosphere and possible enhance climate change phenomenon and related disasters in northern Pakistan.
Spanish language concordance in genetic counseling sessions in the United States: Counselor experiences and perceptions of its effects on processes and outcomes
Authors: de Leon Amanda , McCarthy Veach Patricia , Bro Della , LeRoy Bonnie S.
Published: July 2021

Prior research suggests language concordance positively affects physician–patient communication and their relationship, but few studies have investigated language concordance in genetic counseling sessions for Spanish‐speaking patients. This study explored Spanish‐speaking genetic counselors’ experiences and perceptions of the effects of Spanish language concordance on session processes and outcomes using the Reciprocal‐Engagement Model (REM) of practice as a conceptual framework. There are 17 REM goals associated with four goal factors. A secondary purpose was to explore whether perceived effects are modified when the genetic counselor identifies as Latinx. Ten Latina and nine non‐Latina Spanish‐speaking genetic counselors who practice in the U.S. participated in semi‐structured phone interviews. Directed content analysis yielded four themes reflecting how spoken language concordance promotes REM goal factors (Understanding and Appreciation, Support and Guidance, Facilitative Decision‐Making, and Patient‐Centered Education) and individual goals within each factor. Six additional themes also emerged: Patients feel grateful/relieved to have a genetic counselor who communicates directly in Spanish; Challenges are lessened (e.g., no need for an interpreter); Language interacts with other cultural similarities to achieve REM goals; Use of Spanish conveys genetic counselor is ‘going above and beyond’ for patients; Communicating medical information is difficult even when Spanish proficient; and Genetic counselor still able to achieve REM goals without language concordance. There were no apparent thematic differences between Latina and non‐Latina genetic counselors. Results suggest language concordance positively influences relationship building and communication and facilitates achievement of REM goals. Proficiency in more than one language is ‘value added’ for genetic counseling services and should be encouraged in genetic counseling graduate programs and continuing education opportunities. Future research could assess patient perceptions of genetic counseling sessions in which the genetic counselor and patient use the patient's preferred language.
Trifluralin recognition using touch‐based fingertip: Application of wearable glove‐based sensor toward environmental pollution and human health control
Authors: Farshchi Fatemeh , Saadati Arezoo , Kholafazad‐Kordasht Houman , Seidi Farzad , Hasanzadeh Mohammad
Published: July 2021

Monitoring of herbicides and pesticides in water, food, and the environment is essential for human health, and this requires low‐cost, portable devices for widespread deployment of this technology. For the first time, a wearable glove‐based electrochemical sensor based on conductive Ag nano‐ink was developed for the on‐site monitoring of trifluralin residue on the surface of various substrates. Three electrode system with optimal thicknesses was designed directly on the finger surface of a rubber glove. Then, fabricated electrochemical sensor used for the direct detection of trifluralin in the range of 0.01 μM to 1 mM on the surface of tomato and mulberry leaves using square wave voltammetry (SWV) and difference pulse voltammetry technique. The obtained LLOQ was 0.01 μM, which indicates the suitable sensitivity of this sensor. On the other hand, this sensor is portable, easy to use, and has a high environmental capability that can be effective in detecting other chemical threats in the soil and water environment.
The effect of nutritional interventions involving dietary counselling on gastrointestinal toxicities in adults receiving pelvic radiotherapy – A systematic review
Authors: Andreou Lauren , Burrows Tracy , Surjan Yolanda
Published: July 2021

Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities are common in patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) to the pelvis. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional interventions involving dietary counselling (DC) on GI toxicities in patients receiving pelvic RT. The search method entailed two phases to retrieve studies. Articles from a previous Cochrane review by Lawrie et al. 2018 were assessed for inclusion. An updated systematic search was then conducted to retrieve articles published between 2013 and 2020 from five electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, CENTRAL and Scopus). The inclusion criteria entailed randomised controlled trials involving adults ≥18 years, undergoing curative pelvic RT, receiving a nutritional intervention involving DC with or without supplements. DC was defined as written or face‐to‐face dietary advice provided before or during RT. Outcomes included GI toxicities reported by validated assessment tools. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist was utilised to assess quality and risk of bias. Of 1922 studies retrieved, 12 articles encompassing 11 individual RCTs were included. Seven studies included a supplement in addition to DC. Supplements included probiotics, prebiotics, probiotic + soluble fibre, high protein liquid supplement and fat emulsion. Of the 11 studies, one involved individualised DC, and the remaining studies prescribed consumption or avoidance of fats, fibre, lactose, protein and FODMAP. The most common toxicities reported were diarrhoea (n = 11), pain/cramping (n = 9) and bloating/flatulence (n = 5). Three studies stated an improvement in diarrhoea incidence. Results varied between studies. Further quality studies are required to assess the effectiveness of DC, in particular individualised DC on GI toxicities in patients receiving pelvic RT.
Comparison of clinical and biochemical features of hospitalized COVID‐19 and influenza pneumonia patients
Authors: Hattatoğlu Didem Görgün , Yıldız Birsen P.
Published: July 2021

Both severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and influenza viruses cause similar clinical presentations. It is essential to assess severely ill patients presenting with a viral syndrome for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. We aimed to compare clinical and biochemical features between pneumonia patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and H1N1. Sixty patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 pneumonia and 61 patients diagnosed with influenza pneumonia were hospitalized between October 2020–January 2021 and October 2017–December 2019, respectively. All the clinical data and laboratory results, chest computed tomography scans, intensive care unit admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, and outcomes were retrospectively evaluated. The median age was 65 (range 32–96) years for patients with a COVID‐19 diagnosis and 58 (range 18–83) years for patients with influenza (p = 0.002). The comorbidity index was significantly higher in patients with COVID‐19 (p = 0.010). Diabetes mellitus and hypertension were statistically significantly more common in patients with COVID‐19 (p = 0.019, p = 0.008, respectively). The distribution of severe disease and mortality was not significantly different among patients with COVID‐19 than influenza patients (p = 0.096, p = 0.049).). In comparison with inflammation markers; C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly higher in influenza patients than patients with COVID‐19 (p = 0.033). The presence of sputum was predictive for influenza (odds ratio [OR] 0.342 [95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1.130–0.899]). CRP and platelet were also predictive for COVID‐19 (OR 4.764 [95% CI, 1.003–1.012] and OR 0.991 [95% CI 0.984–0.998], respectively. We conclude that sputum symptoms by itself are much more detected in influenza patients. Besides that, lower CRP and higher PLT count would be discriminative for COVID‐19.
Biomimetic sponges improve functional muscle recovery following composite trauma
Authors: Dunn Andrew , Haas Gabriel , Madsen Joshua , Ziemkiewicz Natalia , Au Jeffrey , Johnson David , West Charles , Chauvin Hannah , Gagyi Sara McBride , Garg Koyal
Published: July 2021

There is a dearth of therapies that are safe and effective for the treatment of volumetric muscle loss (VML), defined as the surgical or traumatic loss of muscle tissue, resulting in functional impairment. To address this gap in orthopedic care, we developed a porous sponge‐like scaffold composed of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (e.g., gelatin, collagen, and laminin‐111) and an immunosuppressant drug, FK‐506. While the majority of VML injuries occur in orthopedic trauma cases, preclinical models typically study muscle injuries in isolation without a concomitant bone fracture. The goal of this study was to investigate the extent to which FK506 loaded biomimetic sponges support functional muscle regeneration and fracture healing in a composite trauma model involving VML injury to the tibialis anterior muscle and osteotomy (OST) to the tibia. In this model, implantation of the FK‐506 loaded biomimetic sponges limited the extent of inflammation while increasing the total number of myofibers, mean myofiber cross‐sectional area, myosin‐to‐collagen ratio, and peak isometric torque compared to untreated VML+OST muscles on Day 28. Although all tibia fractures were bridged by Day 28 post‐injury, fracture healing was impaired in response to an adjacent VML injury. Sponge treatment increased bone callus volume, yet the bridged mineralized bone volume was not significantly different. Taken together, these results suggest that biomimetic sponges primarily benefitted muscle repair and may provide a promising therapy for traumatized muscle.
Fetal Thoracic Circumference and Lung Volume and Their Relation to Fetal Size and Pulmonary Artery Blood Flow
Authors: Hilde Katarina , Lødrup Carlsen Karin C. , Bains Karen Eline Stensby , Gudmundsdóttir Hrefna Katrín , Jonassen Christine Monceyron , Kreyberg Ina , LeBlanc Marissa , Nordhagen Live , Nordlund Björn , Rehbinder Eva Maria , Sjøborg Katrine Dønvold , Skjerven Håvard Ove , Staff Anne Cathrine , Sundet Birgitte Kordt , Vettukattil Riyas , Værnesbranden Magdalena R. , Wiik Johanna , Haugen Guttorm
Published: July 2021

Objective

Research on early origins of lung disease suggests the need for studying the relationships of thoracic and lung size with fetal size and pulmonary circulation. The primary aim of this study is therefore to explore the associations between fetal thoracic circumference, lung volume, and fetal size. We also aim to assess if lung volume and thoracic circumference are associated with fetal pulmonary artery blood flow velocity measures.

Methods

Cross‐sectional assessment of singleton pregnancies from the general population (n = 447) at 30 gestational weeks (GW) was performed using ultrasound measurement of fetal thoracic circumference, lung volume, head and abdominal circumference, and femur length. We obtained Doppler blood flow velocity measures from the proximal branches of the fetal pulmonary artery. Associations between variables were studied using Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression analyses.

Results

Both thoracic circumference and lung volume correlated with fetal size measures, ranging from r = 0.64 between thoracic circumference and abdominal circumference, to r = 0.28 between lung volume and femur length. Adjustment for gestational age, maternal nicotine use, pre‐pregnancy body mass index, and fetal sex marginally influenced the associations with abdominal circumference. The correlations of thoracic circumference and lung volume with pulmonary artery blood flow velocity measures were weak (r ≤ 0.17).

Conclusion

We found moderate to low correlation between thoracic circumference, lung volume, and fetal size at 30 GW. The closest relationship was with the abdominal circumference. We found low correlations of thoracic circumference and lung volume with pulmonary artery blood flow velocity measures.
Over‐promotion and caution in abstracts of preprints during the COVID‐19 crisis
Authors: Bordignon Frederique , Ermakova Liana , Noel Marianne
Published: July 2021

The abstract is known to be a promotional genre where researchers tend to exaggerate the benefit of their research and use a promotional discourse to catch the reader's attention. The COVID‐19 pandemic has prompted intensive research and has changed traditional publishing with the massive adoption of preprints by researchers. Our aim is to investigate whether the crisis and the ensuing scientific and economic competition have changed the lexical content of abstracts. We propose a comparative study of abstracts associated with preprints issued in response to the pandemic relative to abstracts produced during the closest pre‐pandemic period. We show that with the increase (on average and in percentage) of positive words (especially effective) and the slight decrease of negative words, there is a strong increase in hedge words (the most frequent of which are the modal verbs can and may). Hedge words counterbalance the excessive use of positive words and thus invite the readers, who go probably beyond the ‘usual’ audience, to be cautious with the obtained results. The abstracts of preprints urgently produced in response to the COVID‐19 crisis stand between uncertainty and over‐promotion, illustrating the balance that authors have to achieve between promoting their results and appealing for caution.
Impact of atmospheric pressure variations on methane ebullition and lake turbidity during ice‐cover
Authors: Zhao Kai , Tedford Edmund W. , Zare Marjan , Lawrence Gregory A.
Published: July 2021

Methane ebullition (bubbling) from lake sediments is an important methane flux into the atmosphere. Previous studies have focused on the open‐water season, showing that temperature variations, pressure fluctuations, and wind‐induced currents can affect ebullition. However, ebullition surveys during the ice‐cover are rare despite the prevalence of seasonally ice‐covered lakes, and the factors controlling ebullition are poorly understood. Here, we present a month‐long, high frequency record of acoustic ebullition data from an ice‐covered lake. The record shows that ebullition occurs almost exclusively when atmospheric pressure drops below a threshold that is approximately equal to the long‐term average pressure. The intensity of ebullition is proportional to the amount by which the pressure drops below this threshold. In addition, field measurements of turbidity, in conjunction with laboratory experiments, provide evidence that ebullition is responsible for previously unexplained elevated levels of turbidity during ice‐cover.
Photobiomodulation with polychromatic light (600–1200 nm) improves fat graft survival by increasing adipocyte viability, neovascularization, and reducing inflammation in a rat model
Authors: Sert Gokhan , Kucukguven Arda , Zırh Elham Bahador , Demirtaş Tugrul T. , Çakar Ayşe Nur , Gümüşderelioğlu Menemşe , Calis Mert
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Unpredictability with the final volume and viability of the graft are the major concerns in fat grafting. An experimental study was conducted to increase graft retention using photobiomodulation (PBM) with polychromatic light in near‐infrared region (600–1200 nm) by utilizing its stimulatory effects on angiogenesis, neovascularization, adipocyte viability, and anti‐inflammatory properties.

Methods

A total of 24 rats were divided into four groups (n = 6) according to the applied polychromatic light protocol to the recipient site (none, before fat transfer, after fat transfer, and combined). In all groups, inguinal fat pad was excised, measured for volume and weight, and transferred to the dorsum of the rat. At the end of the experiment, fat grafts were harvested from the recipient site for volume and weight measurements, histological, and immunohistochemical evaluation.

Results

Intergroup comparison revealed that fat graft retention regarding weight and volume, was significantly superior in Group IV (p = 0.049 and p = 0.043, respectively), which polychromatic light was applied both before and after transfer of the graft. Hematoxylin–eosin and Masson's trichrome stained sections showed absence of necrosis, fibrosis, inflammation, cyst formation, and increased vascularization of both inner and outer zones of the grafts in Group IV. Also, immunohistochemical staining scores for perilipin (indicator for adipocyte viability), CD31 and VEGF (indicators for angiogenesis and neovascularization) were significantly higher (p < 0.001). Ki67 scores were significantly lower in this group because of anti‐inflammatory environment (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Application of PBM to the recipient site before and after fat transfer improved outcomes in rats at 56 day after fat grafting by means of volume retention, increased neovascularization and adipocyte viability and reduced necrosis, fibrosis and inflammation.
Fast and effective single‐scan dual‐energy cone‐beam CT reconstruction and decomposition denoising based on dual‐energy vectorization
Authors: Jiang Xiao , Fang Chengyijue , Hu Panpan , Cui Hehe , Zhu Lei , Yang Yidong
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Flat‐panel detector (FPD) based dual‐energy cone‐beam computed tomography (DE‐CBCT) is a promising imaging technique for dedicated clinical applications. In this paper, we proposed a fully analytical method for fast and effective single‐scan DE‐CBCT image reconstruction and decomposition.

Methods

A rotatable Mo filter was inserted between an x‐ray source and imaged object to alternately produce low and high‐energy x‐ray spectra. First, filtered‐backprojection (FBP) method was applied on down‐sampled projections to reconstruct low and high‐energy images. Then, the two images were converted into a vectorized form represented with an amplitude and an argument image. Using amplitude image as a guide, a joint bilateral filter was applied to denoise the argument image. Then, high‐quality dual‐energy images were recovered from the amplitude image and the denoised argument image. Finally, the recovered dual‐energy images were further used for low‐noise material decomposition and electron density synthesis. Imaging was conducted on a Catphan®600 phantom and an anthropomorphic head phantom. The proposed method was evaluated via comparison with the traditional two‐scan method and a commonly used filtering method (HYPR‐LR).

Results

On the Catphan®600 phantom, the proposed method successfully reduced streaking artifacts and preserved spatial resolution and noise‐power‐spectrum (NPS) pattern. In the electron density image, the proposed method increased contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) by more than 2.5 times and achieved <1.2% error for electron density values. On the anthropomorphic head phantom, the proposed method greatly improved the soft‐tissue contrast and the fine detail differentiation ability. In the selected ROIs on different human tissues, the differences between the CT number obtained by the proposed method and that by the two‐scan method were less than 4 HU. In the material images, the proposed method suppressed noise by over 75.5% compared with two‐scan results, and by over 40.4% compared with HYPR‐LR results. Implementation of the whole algorithm took 44.5 s for volumetric imaging, including projection preprocessing, FBP reconstruction, joint bilateral filtering, and material decomposition.

Conclusions

Using down‐sampled projections in single‐scan DE‐CBCT, the proposed method could effectively and efficiently produce high‐quality DE‐CBCT images and low‐noise material decomposition images. This method demonstrated superior performance on spatial resolution enhancement, NPS preservation, noise reduction, and electron density accuracy, indicating better prospect in material differentiation and dose calculation.
Stopping‐power ratios for electron beams used in total skin electron therapy
Authors: Ding George X.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The electron beams for total skin electron therapy (TSET) are often degraded by a scatter plate in addition to extended distances. For electron dosimetry, both the AAPM TG‐51 and IAEA TRS‐398 recommend the use of two formulas developed by Burns et al [Med. Phys. 23, 489–501 (1996)] to estimate the water‐to‐air stopping‐power ratios (SPRs). Both formulas are based on a fit to SPRs calculated for standard electron beams. This study aims to find: (1) if the formulas are applicable to beams used in TSET and (2) the impact of the ICRU report 90 recommendations on the SPRs for these beams.

Methods

The EGSnrc Monte Carlo code system is used to generate 6 MeV high dose rate total skin electron (HDTSe) beams used in TSET. The simulated beams are used to calculate dose distributions and SPRs as a function of depth in a water phantom. The fitted SPRs using the empirical formulas are compared with MC‐calculated SPRs.

Results

The electron beam quality specifier, the depth in water at which the absorbed dose falls to 50% of its maximum value, R50, decreases approximately 1 mm for each additional 100‐cm extended distance ranging from 2.24 cm at SSD = 100 to 1.72 cm at SSD = 700 cm. For beams passing through a scatter plate, R50 is 1.76 cm (1.14) at SSD = 300 and 1.48 cm (0.85 cm) at SSD = 600 cm with an Acrylic plate thickness of 3 mm (9 mm), respectively. The discrepancy between fitted and MC‐calculated SPRs at dref as a function of R50 is <0.8%, and in many cases <0.4%. The difference between fitted and MC‐calculated SPRs as a function of depth and R50 is within 1% at depths <0.8R50 for beams with R50 ≥ 1.14 cm. The ICRU‐90 recommendations decrease SPRs by 0.3%–0.4% compared to the use of data recommended in ICRU‐37.

Conclusion

The formulas used by the major protocols are accurate enough for clinical beams used in TSET and the error caused using the formulas is <1% to estimate SPRs as a function of depth and R50 for depths <0.8R50 for beams used in TSET with R50 ≥ 1.14 cm. The impact of the ICRU‐90 recommendations shows a decrease of SPRs by a fraction of a percent for beams used in TSET.
Sago Versus Rice and the Reorganisation of Ritual Spacetime: Competing Modes of Dependency in an Age of Decentralisation in Asmat, Indonesian Papua
Authors: Powell Davies Tom
Published: July 2021

Asmat social worlds are permeated with multiple forms of dependency. In this paper, I ask how different modalities of dependency inter‐relate within the space and time of Asmat life, and how this is being reshaped by Asmat's increasing incorporation within broader structural orders during a period of national decentralisation. First, I describe how relations of dependency shape everyday life, through a discussion of the time and space of quotidian food distribution and concomitant claim‐making. Then, I outline how forms of inter‐clan interdependency innovate on the above pattern during ritual feasting, which generates remarkable social co‐presence through ritualised interdependent work. Finally, I explore how feasting interdependence, and its organisation in space and time, is being warped by ‘The Allocation of Village Funds’ (‘Alokasi Dana Desa’), a decentralised government grant. I do so via a case study of a ritual feast house construction project, in which Asmat villagers attempted to reckon with new forms of dependency typified, in indigenous discourse, by the distinction between ‘sago’ and ‘rice’ as local versus introduced staple foods associated with contrasting regimes of action. At stake here, in the collision between indigenous and newly emergent modes of dependency, is the viability of socially valuable modes of ritual life, which, in an age of decentralisation, are becoming shaped by and reliant on new types of forces outside of the community's own labour and control.
Interdependent Kin in Māori Marine Environments
Authors: McCormack Fiona
Published: July 2021

This paper explores ascriptions of dependence and independence in Māori marine environments alongside the entrenchment of colonial constructions of hierarchical kinship organisation. The modelling of independence on liberal understandings of individualism is apparent in the development of the Treaty of Waitangi settlement of Māori commercial fisheries, wherein attributes of self‐reliance enabled through accumulation prevail. This articulates with a fisheries management regime whose logic is grounded in neoliberal market environmentalism, exacerbating tensions between iwi and hapū, two different levels of tribal organisation. The contemporary power ascribed to iwi, however, is more tempered than supposed, and the fluidity of hierarchical kin group positionings, noted in historical accounts, is still in existence today. Interdependence is historically continuous. It is expressed in the social relations embedded in cognatic kinship, marine tenures as well as kincentric ecologies and is inclusive of ancestors and fish species. The current claims of Māori to tribal seascapes are interpreted as an expression of interrelationships of stewardship, as a response to environmental demise and as a challenge to emergent social hierarchies.
ConquerFear‐group: Feasibility study with pilot results of a psychological intervention for fear of cancer recurrence delivered in groups
Authors: Tauber Nina M. , Zachariae Robert , Jensen Anders B. , Thewes Belinda , Skyt Ina , Elkjær Emma , Butow Phyllis N. , O’Toole Mia S.
Published: July 2021

Objective

ConquerFear has been found to effectively reduce fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Group interventions may be particularly effective for the treatment of FCR and could lower overall costs. Our objectives were therefore to adapt ConquerFear into a group format (ConquerFear‐Group, CF‐G), and to evaluate its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy.

Methods

Eligible patients had completed treatment for breast cancer 3 months to 5 years previously, were ≥18 years, and scored ≥22 on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory‐Short Form (FCRI‐SF). The manual was first evaluated with seven patients (Pilot 1), adjusted in accordance with feedback from the patients, therapists, and the original ConquerFear developers. After further evaluation with eight patients (Pilot 2), and subsequent adjustments, the preliminary efficacy of the final manual was evaluated with 27 patients, randomized in blocks to CF‐G (N = 13) or active control (AC) (relaxation training) (N = 14) (Pilot 3). The primary outcome was the FCRI total score. Secondary outcomes included general distress, quality‐of‐life, and process outcomes pertaining to metacognitions, decentering, and worry. All measures were completed at baseline, post‐treatment, and at 3 and 6 months follow‐up.

Results

Adjustments of the original ConquerFear manual (Pilot 1 and 2) included changes in the order of treatment components, simplified exercises, and shortened homework. Compared with ACs, CF‐G participants reported greater reductions in FCRI total scores from baseline to post‐treatment (Hedges'sg = 0.59,p = 0.004), 3 months (g = 0.50,p = 0.026), and 6 months later (g = 0.93,p = 0.043). Differences corresponding to medium‐to‐large effect sizes (Pilot 3). Although non‐significant, group differences concerning reductions in general distress and maladaptive metacognitions corresponded to small‐to‐medium effect sizes (g = 0.40–0.61;ps = 0.40–0.61).

Conclusions

CF‐G appears feasible and potentially efficacious in treating FCR in a breast cancer population. These preliminary results are promising but need to be confirmed in a larger randomized trial.
Characterization of a triazole scaffold compound as an inhibitor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis imidazoleglycerol‐phosphate dehydratase
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Jha Bhavya , Bhatia Indu , Ashraf Anam , Dwivedy Abhisek , Biswal Bichitra Kumar
Published: July 2021

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of human tuberculosis (TB), employs ten enzymes including imidazoleglycerol‐phosphate dehydratase (IGPD) for de novo biosynthesis of histidine. The absence of histidine‐biosynthesis in humans combined with its essentiality for Mtb makes the enzymes of this pathway major anti‐TB drug targets. We explored the inhibitory potential of a small molecule β‐(1,2,4‐Triazole‐3‐yl)‐DL‐alanine (DLA) against Mtb IGPD. DLA exhibits an in vitro inhibitory efficacy in the lower micromolar range. Higher‐resolution crystal structures of native and substrate‐bound Mtb IGPD provided additional structural features of this important drug target. Crystal structure of IGPD‐DLA complex at a resolution of 1.75 Å, confirmed that DLA locks down the function of the enzyme by binding in the active site pocket of the IGPD mimicking the substrate‐binding mode to a high degree. In our biochemical study, DLA showed an efficient inhibition of Mtb IGPD. Furthermore, DLA also showed bactericidal activity against Mtb and Mycobacterium smegmatis and inhibited their growth in respective culture medium. Importantly, owing to the favorable ADME and physicochemical properties, it serves as an important lead molecule for further derivatizations.
Alteration of the soluble guanylate cyclase system in coronary arteries of high cholesterol diet‐fed rabbits
Authors: Tawa Masashi , Nakano Katsuya , Yamashita Yuka , He Qiang , Masuoka Takayoshi , Okamura Tomio , Ishibashi Takaharu
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to investigate how atherosclerosis affects the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) system in coronary arteries. Rabbits were fed a normal diet for 12 weeks (N group) or a diet containing high cholesterol (1%) for 4 weeks (S‐HC group) and 12 weeks (L‐HC group). Cholesterol deposition in the intima of coronary arteries was observed in the S‐HC group, but the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque was not observed. In contrast, a major plaque developed in the L‐HC group. The relaxant response of isolated coronary arteries to sodium nitroprusside (SNP, nitric oxide donor) was not different between the N and S‐HC groups, whereas the response in the L‐HC group was markedly attenuated. The relaxation induced by BAY 60‐2770 (sGC activator) tended to be augmented in the S‐HC group, but it was significantly impaired in the L‐HC group compared to that in the N group. sGC β1 immunostaining was equally detected in the medial layer of the arteries among the N, S‐HC, and L‐HC groups. In addition, a strong staining was observed in the plaque region of the L‐HC group. cGMP levels in the arteries stimulated with SNP were identical in the N and S‐HC groups and slightly lower in the L‐HC group than the other groups. BAY 60‐2770‐stimulated cGMP formation tended to be increased in the S‐HC and L‐HC groups. These findings suggest that the sGC system was not normal in atherosclerotic coronary arteries. The redox state of sGC and the distribution pattern are likely to change with the progression of atherosclerosis.
A best practice framework for applying physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic modeling to pediatric drug development
Authors: Johnson Trevor N. , Small Ben G. , Berglund Eva Gil , Rowland Yeo Karen
Published: July 2021

Pediatric physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models have broad application in the drug development process and are being used not only to project doses for clinical trials but increasingly to replace clinical studies. However, the approach has yet to become fully integrated in regulatory submissions. Emerging data support an expanded integration of the PBPK model informed approach in regulatory guidance on pediatrics. Best practice standards are presented for further development through interaction among regulators, industry, and model providers.
Effect of Hole Effective Mass and Carrier Concentration on the Conductivity of a Transparent p‐Type LaCuOS Semiconductor with Good Transmittance in Both Visible and Mid‐Infrared Ranges
Authors: Gao Gang , Tong Lijia , Yang Lei , Sun Chunqiang , Xu Liangge , Yang Zhenhuai , Wang Peng , Geng Fangjuan , Xia Fei , Gong Hao , Zhu Jiaqi
Published: July 2021

The development of advanced transparent electrical devices has created an urgent demand for wide‐bandgap transparent semiconductors. Herein, a simple, low‐cost ink‐based method for preparation of LaCuOS is introduced. High transmittances of above 60% and 65% at visible (380–750 nm) and mid‐infrared (3–5 μm) wavelengths, respectively, are obtained with LaCuOS films prepared using this ink. With these films, the carrier concentration is above 1018 cm−3, while a conductivity of 5 S cm−1 is obtained, electrical properties that are both higher than those of most transparent p‐type semiconductors. From density functional theory calculations, it is surmised that the improved conductivity of the LaCuOS is a result of its high carrier concentration, and its hole effective mass, which is smaller than that of typical transparent p‐type semiconductors.
Theoretical exploration of global minima, magnetism, structural stability and growth pattern of holmium‐doped silicon HoSin0/− (n = 10–18) nanoclusters
Authors: Dong Xueyan , Yang Jucai , Gilani Mazhar Amjad
Published: July 2021

The structural growth pattern of medium‐sized holmium‐doped silicon nanoclusters HoSin0/− (n = 10–18) was systematically probed by means of unbiased structure searches and double‐hybrid density functionals. The identified global minima of the nanoclusters have been confirmed by comparing the calculated spectral properties such as photoelectron spectroscopy, adiabatic electron affinities and vertical detachment energies with the experimental data. The structural evolution reveals Ho‐linked configuration for neutral and anionic nanoclusters (starting from n = 10 and 12, respectively). In this configuration, the linker Ho atom connects two small silicon sub‐clusters. The nanoclusters starting from n = 16 prefer the configuration in which Ho atoms reside in the center of Si‐cluster. The natural population analysis interprets the involvement of 4f electron of Ho atom in bonding. The participation in bonding has been traced by a transition of an electron from 4f to 5d orbital. This also results in larger magnetic moments (4 and 5 μB) than that of an isolated Ho atom. The HoSi16− nanocluster has good thermodynamic and moderate chemical stabilities as corroborated by average bond energy analysis, highest occupied molecular orbital‐lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap, and chemical bonding, thus suggesting it the most appropriate building block for new functional nanomaterials.
Gas‐phase structure, bonding, and fragmentation chemistry of the An (IV)–TMPDCAM complexes studied using mass spectrometry and theoretical calculation (An = Th and U)
Authors: Xiong Zhixin , Hu Jingwen , Chen Xiuting
Published: July 2021

Rationale

Pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamides (PDCAMs) exhibit a certain extraction ability for tetravalent actinide ions, but quite limited information regarding the structures and reactivities of the corresponding An4+‐PDCAMs complexes is available. Neutral diamides can form multiply charged complexes with lanthanide and actinide cations, which are well suited for gas‐phase investigations using electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry in conjunction with theoretical calculation.

Methods

Binary Th (TMPDCAM)34+/U (TMPDCAM)34+(TMPDCAM = N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylpyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide) complexes were generated in the gas phase via ES) of Th (ClO4)4/U (ClO4)4and TMPDCAM mixtures in acetonitrile; collision‐induced dissociation (CID) was employed to reveal their fragmentation behaviors; the structure and bonding were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculation.

Results

An (TMPDCAM)34+(An = Th and U) tetracations dominated the ESI mass spectra of An (ClO4)4and TMPDCAM mixtures in acetonitrile. DFT calculations indicate that the two An (TMPDCAM)34+complexes have C3geometry, and the bonding analyses demonstrate that the thorium or uranium center interacts with both Ocarbonyland Npyridine, but the latter is weaker. CID of Th (TMPDCAM)34+generated a series of multiply charged thorium‐containing products via bond cleavages of the TMPDCAM ligand, whereas U (TMPDCAM)34+yielded only oxygen extraction product UO (TMPDCAM)2+and hydrolysis product UO (OH)+.

Conclusion

An4+(An = Th and U) can form stable tetrapositive complexes in the gas phase on coordination of three neutral TMPDCAM ligands. The structure and bonding analyses indicate that the two An (TMPDCAM)34+complexes possess twisted tricapped trigonal prismatic geometry and the An4+centers are coordinated by six Ocarbonyland three Npyridineatoms while the interactions between An4+and Ocarbonylare stronger. The fragmentation chemistry of Th (TMPDCAM)34+and U (TMPDCAM)34+is quite different from each other, which reveals that the gas‐phase chemistry of quadruply charged actinide–diamide complexes is affected by the metal centers with distinct properties.
Idiopathic pulmonary vein thrombosis treated with apixaban
Authors: Ngo Dallis , Aftab Ghulam , Madhavan Arjun , Bukhari Amar
Published: July 2021

Pulmonary vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare clinical finding that is potentially fatal and with an unknown incidence rate as known cases exist predominantly in case reports. We present the case of a 58‐year‐old female who reported sudden onset of chest pain, shortness of breath, and dyspnoea on exertion. A computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiogram was negative for evidence of pulmonary embolism; however, it did demonstrate the evidence of thrombosis of the right lower lobe segmental pulmonary vein. She had no identifiable aetiologies for her PVT; therefore, she was diagnosed with idiopathic PVT and was treated successfully with apixaban. This case represents the 14th incidence of idiopathic PVT in the current body of medical literature and the first case of successful treatment with apixaban.
Reading Comprehension and Academic Vocabulary: Exploring Relations of Item Features and Reading Proficiency
Authors: Lawrence Joshua F. , Knoph Rebecca , McIlraith Autumn , Kulesz Paulina A. , Francis David J.
Published: July 2021

General academic words are those which are typically learned through exposure to school texts and occur across disciplines. We examined academic vocabulary assessment data from a group of English‐speaking middle school students (N = 1,747). We tested how word frequency, complexity, proximity, polysemy, and diversity related to students’ knowledge of target words across ability levels. Our results affirm the strong relation between vocabulary and reading at the individual level. Strong readers were more likely to know the meanings of words than struggling readers were, regardless of the features of the academic words tested. Words with more meanings were easier for all students, on average. The relation between word frequency and item difficulty was stronger among better readers, whereas the relation between word complexity and item difficulty was stronger among less proficient readers. Our examination of academic words’ characteristics and how these characteristics relate to word difficulty across reading performance has implications for instruction.
Spectroscopic analysis of chemically modified carbon fibres
Authors: Moraes Álvaro Gustavo de Oliveira , Haack Micheli de Souza , Rezende Mirabel Cerqueira , Amico Sandro Campos
Published: July 2021

Chemical treatments are used to introduce active functional groups and/or to increase the surface roughness of carbon fibres (CF) aiming to improve their interaction with polar polymeric matrices in composites. Considering the new challenges in the field of composite materials, such as the processing of hybrid composites and the growing use of thermoplastic structural composites, the modification of the CF surface has been increasingly studied. In this paper, the effect of various chemical treatments (with HCl, HNO3, H2SO4, CH3COOH, NH4OH, or H2O2) on the thermal stability, chemical composition, and microstructural parameters of a polyacrylonitrile‐based carbon fibre was investigated. Raman results indicated greater degree of crystallinity at the surface for the fibres treated (at 80°C for 1 h) with HCl, HNO3, H2SO4, and H2O2. The treatment with HCl at 80°C for 1 h was effective in reducing disturbance of the carbon structure, as indicated by the higher FWHMG value compared with those of the as‐received, acetone pretreated, and the other chemically treated carbon fibres. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) showed that some treatments promoted an increase in CF polarity (H2SO4 at 80°C/1 h and NH4OH at 20°C/1 h), with the incorporation of organic polar groups (i.e., –OH). The apparent roughness of pretreated carbon fibre increased when treated with HNO3 at 80°C/1 h and H2SO4 at 80°C/1 h, as observed in the AFM analyses. AFM, FTIR, and Raman results suggest that the fibres treated with HNO3, H2SO4, and NH4OH were the most promising as reinforcement in high‐performance polymer composites.
3D Meta‐Prisms for Versatile Beam Steering by Hybridizing Plasmonic and Diffractive Effect in the Broadband Visible Regime
Authors: Wan Chengwei , Dai Chenjie , Zhang Jian , Wan Shuai , Li Zile , Zheng Guoxing , Zhang Xuefeng , Li Zhongyang
Published: July 2021

As two independent optical sub‐fields, diffraction optics and plasmonics both have been used for wavefront shaping and beam steering. However, the two separate concepts have always been developing as two parallel directions, which have not met for studying their structural hybridization to discover new potentials. For instance of the flat metasurfaces, even though the geometric parameters including shape, size, and periodicity have been studied, it remains mostly unexplored for the 3D spatial height variation. Here, a new type of all‐metallic 3D meta‐prism is proposed and experimentally demonstrated by hybridizing the localized surface plasmonic resonances (LSPR) and the blazed grating diffraction, which enables strong polarization‐dependent behaviors to steer broadband visible light to drastically inverse directions. The nanofabrication of 3D meta‐prism is achieved by nanostencil lithography with electron‐beam evaporation. Such meta‐prism could also enable to split different visible light (green, blue, and red) with high‐efficiency contrast (≈10). By the mirror‐symmetry arrangement, a multifunctional surface is demonstrated with polarization‐/wavelength‐multiplexing wavefront‐shaping functions (concave, convex, or flat mirror). This unique 3D meta‐prism enjoys great simplicity and versatility in broadband beam steering through the incorporation of plasmonic and diffractive effects and can be utilized in various applications including dichroic‐prism splitters, multifunctional meta‐mirrors, etc.
Room‐Temperature Negative Differential Resistance in Surface‐Supported Metal‐Organic Framework Vertical Heterojunctions
Authors: Albano Luiz G. S. , de Camargo Davi H. S. , Schleder Gabriel R. , Deeke Samantha G. , Vello Tatiana P. , Palermo Leirson D. , Corrêa Cátia C. , Fazzio Adalberto , Wöll Christof , Bufon Carlos C. B.
Published: July 2021

The advances of surface‐supported metal‐organic framework (SURMOF) thin‐film synthesis have provided a novel strategy for effectively integrating metal‐organic framework (MOF) structures into electronic devices. The considerable potential of SURMOFs for electronics results from their low cost, high versatility, and good mechanical flexibility. Here, the first observation of room‐temperature negative differential resistance (NDR) in SURMOF vertical heterojunctions is reported. By employing the rolled‐up nanomembrane approach, highly porous sub‐15 nm thick HKUST‐1 films are integrated into a functional device. The NDR is tailored by precisely controlling the relative humidity (RH) around the device and the applied electric field. The peak‐to‐valley current ratio (PVCR) of about two is obtained for low voltages (<2 V). A transition from a metastable state to a field emission‐like tunneling is responsible for the NDR effect. The results are interpreted through band diagram analysis, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations for quasisaturated water conditions. Furthermore, a low‐voltage ternary inverter as a multivalued logic (MVL) application is demonstrated. These findings point out new advances in employing unprecedented physical effects in SURMOF heterojunctions, projecting these hybrid structures toward the future generation of scalable functional devices.
Hysteretic load behavior of pre‐casted reinforced concrete shear wall systems with high thermal resistance capability
Authors: Kebeli Yunus Emre , Özdemir Anıl , Çakmak Coşkun , Kopraman Yağmur , Anil Özgür , Tapan Mucip
Published: July 2021

It is essential to determine the thermal conductivity and earthquake performances by developing earthquake‐resistant building systems that have high thermal insulation properties that will be economical for people considering the need for energy deficit and low‐cost earthquake‐resistant residences in the world. This study aims to evaluate the seismic performance of pre‐casted reinforced concrete shear wall systems with double layer high thermal resistance capability and compare to standard monolithic reinforced concrete shear wall systems with non‐high thermal resistance capability. The coating material used for thermal insulation was developed as an inorganic, economical, easily applicable, high‐fire resistance capable and not to cause the problems observed in the currently used products. In the research, new generation methods were used to reduce the unit weight of cement binder inorganic insulation material to low levels and provide high thermal resistance features. The seismic performance tests of the new double insulation layer, pre‐casted reinforced concrete shear wall system were realized. The seismic performance of conventional reinforced concrete shear walls was compared with the developed system by testing lateral reversed cyclic loading that simulates the earthquake.