bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of cardiovascular health with the risk of dementia in older adults
Authors: Cho Seunghoon , Yang Pil-Sung , Kim Daehoon , You Seng Chan , Sung Jung-Hoon , Jang Eunsun , Yu Hee Tae , Kim Tae-Hoon , Pak Hui-Nam , Lee Moon-Hyoung , Joung Boyoung
Published: September 2022

It has been becoming important to identify modifiable risk factors to prevent dementia. We investigated the association of individual and combined cardiovascular health (CVH) on dementia risk in older adults. From the National Health Insurance Service of Korea-Senior database, 191,013 participants aged ≥ 65 years without prior dementia or cerebrovascular diseases who had check-ups between 2004 and 2012 were assessed. Participants were stratified into three groups according to the number of optimal levels of CVH (low, 0–2; moderate, 3–4; and high CVH status, 5–6) and grouped by levels of individual CVH metrics, the number of optimal CVH metrics, and the CVH score. Over a median follow-up of 6.2 years, 34,872 participants were diagnosed with dementia. Compared with low CVH status, moderate and high CVH status were associated with a decreased risk of dementia (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.91 [0.89–0.92] for moderate; 0.78 [0.75–0.80] for high CVH status) including Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. The risk of dementia decreased with an increase in the number of optimal CVH metrics (0.94 [0.93–0.94] per additional optimal metric) and with an increase in the CVH score (0.93 [0.93–0.94] per 1-point increase). After censoring for stroke, the association of CVH metrics with dementia risk was consistently observed. Among individual metrics, physical activity had the strongest association with the risk of dementia. In an older Asian population without prior dementia or cerebrovascular disease, a consistent relationship was observed between the improvement of a composite metric of CVH and the reduced risk of dementia.
Induction immune-checkpoint inhibitors for resectable oncogene-mutant NSCLC: A multicenter pooled analysis
Authors: Zhang Chao , Chen Hua-Fei , Yan Shi , Wu Lin , Yan Li-Xu , Yan Xiao-Long , Yue Dong-Sheng , Xu Chun-Wei , Zheng Min , Li Ji-Sheng , Liu Si-Yang , Yang Ling-Ling , Jiang Ben-Yuan , Ou Qiu-Xiang , Qiu Zhen-Bin , Shao Yang , Wu Yi-Long , Zhong Wen-Zhao
Published: September 2022

Despite limited efficacy of immunotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with driver mutations, whether neoadjuvant immunotherapy could be clinically valuable in those patients warrants further investigation. We utilized 40 oncogene-mutant NSCLC treated with induction immunotherapy from a large consecutive multicenter cohort. Overall response rate was 62.5% while 2 patients had disease progression. Of 39 patients that received surgery, R0 resection rate was 97.4%. The major pathological response (MPR) rate was 37.5% and the pathological complete response (pCR) rate was 12.5%. Pre-treatment PD-L1 expression was not a predictive biomarker in these patients. Median disease-free survival for all oncogenic mutation and EGFR mutation was 28.5 months. Indirect comparison through integrating CTONG1103 cohort showed neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy yielded the most superior efficacy among erlotinib and chemotherapy for resectable EGFR-mutant NSCLC. No MPR patients were identified with neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy for uncommon EGFR insertion or point mutations. Our results indicated the potential clinical feasibility of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for resectable localized oncogene-mutant NSCLC especially for EGFR-mutant NSCLC.
The allosteric mechanism leading to an open-groove lipid conductive state of the TMEM16F scramblase
Authors: Khelashvili George , Kots Ekaterina , Cheng Xiaolu , Levine Michael V. , Weinstein Harel
Published: September 2022

TMEM16F is a Ca2+-activated phospholipid scramblase in the TMEM16 family of membrane proteins. Unlike other TMEM16s exhibiting a membrane-exposed hydrophilic groove that serves as a translocation pathway for lipids, the experimentally determined structures of TMEM16F shows the groove in a closed conformation even under conditions of maximal scramblase activity. It is currently unknown if/how TMEM16F groove can open for lipid scrambling. Here we describe the analysis of ~400 µs all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the TMEM16F revealing an allosteric mechanism leading to an open-groove, lipid scrambling competent state of the protein. The groove opens into a continuous hydrophilic conduit that is highly similar in structure to that seen in other activated scramblases. The allosteric pathway connects this opening to an observed destabilization of the Ca2+ ion bound at the distal site near the dimer interface, to the dynamics of specific protein regions that produces the open-groove state to scramble phospholipids.
Food system by-products upcycled in livestock and aquaculture feeds can increase global food supply
Authors: Sandström Vilma , Chrysafi Anna , Lamminen Marjukka , Troell Max , Jalava Mika , Piipponen Johannes , Siebert Stefan , van Hal Ollie , Virkki Vili , Kummu Matti
Published: September 2022

Many livestock and aquaculture feeds compete for resources with food production. Increasing the use of food system by-products and residues as feed could reduce this competition. We gathered data on global food system material flows for crop, livestock and aquaculture production, focusing on feed use and the availability of by-products and residues. We then analysed the potential of replacing food-competing feedstuff—here cereals, whole fish, vegetable oils and pulses that account for 15% of total feed use—with food system by-products and residues. Considering the nutritional requirements of food-producing animals, including farmed aquatic species, this replacement could increase the current global food supply by up to 13% (10–16%) in terms of kcal and 15% (12–19%) in terms of protein content. Increasing the use of food system by-products as feed has considerable potential, particularly when combined with other measures, in the much-needed transition towards circular food systems.
Wildfire aerosol deposition likely amplified a summertime Arctic phytoplankton bloom
Authors: Ardyna Mathieu , Hamilton Douglas S. , Harmel Tristan , Lacour Léo , Bernstein Diana N. , Laliberté Julien , Horvat Christopher , Laxenaire Rémi , Mills Matthew M. , van Dijken Gert , Polyakov Igor , Claustre Hervé , Mahowald Natalie , Arrigo Kevin Robert
Published: September 2022

Summertime wildfire activity is increasing in boreal forest and tundra ecosystems in the Northern Hemisphere. However, the impact of long range transport and deposition of wildfire aerosols on biogeochemical cycles in the Arctic Ocean is unknown. Here, we use satellite-based ocean color data, atmospheric modeling and back trajectory analysis to investigate the transport and fate of aerosols emitted from Siberian wildfires in summer 2014 and their potential impact on phytoplankton dynamics in the Arctic Ocean. We detect large phytoplankton blooms near the North Pole (up to 82°N in the eastern Eurasian Basin). Our analysis indicates that these blooms were induced by the northward plume transport and deposition of nutrient-bearing wildfire aerosols. We estimate that these highly stratified surface waters received large amounts of wildfire-derived nitrogen, which alleviated nutrient stress in the phytoplankton community and triggered an unusually large bloom event. Our findings suggest that changes in wildfire activity may strongly influence summertime productivity in the Arctic Ocean.
Ninety years of coastal monitoring reveals baseline and extreme ocean temperatures are increasing off the Finnish coast
Authors: Goebeler Norman , Norkko Alf , Norkko Joanna
Published: September 2022

Global marine heatwave assessments often rely on satellite-derived sea surface temperature. However, these data have low accuracy in coastal areas, are unable to measure sub-surface temperatures and have only been available since the 1980s. Here, we analyse 90 years of in situ surface and bottom (30 m) water temperature data from a Finnish coastal monitoring site. Water temperatures were significantly higher between 1991–2020 than 1931–1960 and 1961–1990. We find strong differences between satellite-derived and in situ temperatures, with in situ temperatures being lower in autumn and winter and higher in spring. Measurements at the seafloor indicate marine heatwaves occurred during all seasons between 2016 and 2020, with intensities and durations exceeding previous records. Since the 1990s, we find an upward shift of the baseline temperature and increasingly frequent occurrence of temperatures previously considered as an extreme. Our findings highlight the importance of long-term in situ data and choice of climatological reference periods for assessing change.
Characterization and genome analysis of a psychrophilic methanotroph representing a ubiquitous Methylobacter spp. cluster in boreal lake ecosystems
Authors: Khanongnuch Ramita , Mangayil Rahul , Svenning Mette Marianne , Rissanen Antti Juhani
Published: September 2022

Lakes and ponds are considered as a major natural source of CH4 emissions, particularly during the ice-free period in boreal ecosystems. Aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB), which utilize CH4 using oxygen as an electron acceptor, are one of the dominant microorganisms in the CH4-rich water columns. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) have revealed the genetic potential of MOB from boreal aquatic ecosystems for various microaerobic/anaerobic metabolic functions. However, experimental proof of these functions, i.e., organic acid production via fermentation, by lake MOB is lacking. In addition, psychrophilic (i.e., cold-loving) MOB and their CH4-oxidizing process have rarely been investigated. In this study, we isolated, provided a taxonomic description, and analyzed the genome of Methylobacter sp. S3L5C, a psychrophilic MOB, from a boreal lake in Finland. Based on phylogenomic comparisons to MAGs, Methylobacter sp. S3L5C represented a ubiquitous cluster of Methylobacter spp. in boreal aquatic ecosystems. At optimal temperatures (3–12 °C) and pH (6.8–8.3), the specific growth rates (µ) and CH4 utilization rate were in the range of 0.018–0.022 h−1 and 0.66–1.52 mmol l−1 d−1, respectively. In batch cultivation, the isolate could produce organic acids, and the concentrations were elevated after replenishing CH4 and air into the headspace. Up to 4.1 mM acetate, 0.02 mM malate, and 0.07 mM propionate were observed at the end of the test under optimal operational conditions. The results herein highlight the key role of Methylobacter spp. in regulating CH4 emissions and their potential to provide CH4-derived organic carbon compounds to surrounding heterotrophic microorganisms in cold ecosystems.
Lipoprotein interactions with water-soluble NIR-II emitting aza-BODIPYs boost the fluorescence signal and favor selective tumor targeting
Authors: Kalot Ghadir , Godard Amélie , Busser Benoit , Bendellaa Mohamed , Dalonneau Fabien , Paul Catherine , Le Guével Xavier , Josserand Véronique , Coll Jean-Luc , Denat Franck , Bodio Ewen , Goze Christine , Gautier Thomas , Sancey Lucie
Published: September 2022

The fluorescence of SWIR-WAZABI-01 is weak in aqueous solutions, while it is boosted in presence of LDL plasma lipoproteins which act as a carrier in vivo. Image created with BioRender.com.
The diffusion mechanism of water in conductive metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Cao Zhonglin , Barati Farimani Amir
Published: September 2022

The diffusion coefficient of water in conductive MOFs of different metal centers and stackings is investigated.
Charge and hydrophobicity of amyloidogenic protein/peptide templates regulate the growth and morphology of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Kadu Pradeep , Gadhe Laxmikant , Navalkar Ambuja , Patel Komal , Kumar Rakesh , Sastry Murali , Maji Samir K.
Published: September 2022

Modulation of amyloidogenic proteins and peptides based on their charge and hydrophobicity for the morphological controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles.
Molecular level understanding of the chalcogen atom effect on chalcogen-based polymers through electrostatic potential, non-covalent interactions, excited state behaviour, and radial distribution function
Authors: Mahmood Asif , Irfan Ahmad , Wang Jin-Liang
Published: September 2022

Multi-dimensional modelling was used to study the effect of chalcogen atoms on the non-covalent interactions, structural and electronic properties of polymer materials. Their bulk properties were also studied at the molecular level.
Unification of Ullmann and Kharasch coupling: acid promoted CuI catalysed C–N coupling protocols under ligand, base and solvent free conditions
Authors: Sharma Charu , Srivastava Avinash K. , Sharma Deepak , Joshi Raj K.
Published: September 2022

A ligand, base and solvent-free, Cu catalysed and NiCl2 promoted C-N coupling reaction. Exceptional functional group tolerance which requires 2 h for desired transformations. An economical and effective modification of the Ullman coupling protocol.
Alkali metal-mediated interfacial charge redistribution toward near-optimal water oxidation
Authors: Kim Ungsoo , Lee Sangjin , Oh Nam Khen , Seo Jihyung , Cha Ji Hoo , Lee Junghyun , Lee Seong-hun , Shin Tae Joo , Baik Jeong Min , Han Young-Kyu , Park Hyesung
Published: September 2022

Maximized water oxidation kinetics was realized by employing an alkali metal-mediated interfacial charge redistribution.
Secretory vesicles transiently dock and fuse at the porosome to discharge contents during cell secretion
Authors: Jena Bhanu P.
Published: September 2022

In contrast with the observation in electron micrographs of partially empty vesicles in cells following secretion, it has been believed since the 1950s that during cell secretion, secretory vesicles completely merge at the cell plasma membrane, resulting in the diffusion of intravesicular contents to the cell exterior and the compensatory retrieval of the excess membrane by endocytosis. In the interim, a large body of work has been published arguing both for and against the complete merger of secretory vesicle membrane at the cell plasma membrane during secretion. The only definitive determination of the mechanism of cell secretion remained in its direct observation at nanometre resolution in live cells. In the past decade, this finally became a reality through the power and scope of the atomic force microscope, which has made it possible to resolve a major conundrum in cell biology. This paradigm shift in our understanding of cell secretion is briefly outlined here.
Cell Biology International in New Livery: Portland Press becomes our Publisher
Authors: Wheatley Denys N.
Published: September 2022

Cell Biology International (CBI) was published originally by Academic Press (AP) for the International Federation for Cell Biology (IFCB), and latterly by Elsevier after it acquired AP. A decision was made by the IFCB Executive almost 2 years ago to move to Portland Press Limited, the not‐for‐profit wholly owned subsidiary of the Biochemical Society, based in London. However, we have had to stay with Elsevier throughout 2009 in order to fulfill a 5‐year contract.
A low‐power and area‐efficient ultrasound receiver using beamforming successive approximation register analog‐to‐digital converter with capacitive digital‐to‐analog converter combined delay cell structure for 3‐D imaging systems
Authors: Lee Seungah , Yun Soohyun , Bae Joonsung
Published: September 2022

The authors present a low‐power area‐efficient subarray beamforming receiver (RX) structure for a miniaturized 3‐D ultrasound imaging system. Given that the delay‐and‐sum (DAS) and digitization functions consume most of the area and power in the receiver, the beamforming successive approximation register (SAR) analog‐to‐digital converter (ADC) shares its capacitive digital‐to‐analog converter (CDAC) with the delay cells. As a result, the delay cells implemented with capacitors are embedded in the CDAC with significant area reduction, further eliminating the need for power‐hungry ADC buffers. Furthermore, the dual reference 10‐bit SAR ADC reduces the area of CDAC by 32 times, achieving a switching energy reduction of 98.3%, compared to the conventional SAR ADC. As a result, the proposed beamforming SAR ADC, simulated using a 0.18 μm CMOS process, consumes 230 μW per channel, significantly reducing the per channel capacitance.
A self‐driven synchronous rectification wide‐range ZVS single‐switch forward converter controlled using the variable inductance
Authors: Ghavidel Jalise Mahdi , Allahyari Hesamodin , Shoaei Aran , Adib Ehsan , Bahrami Hamid , Latif Zadeh Mohammad Ali , Fahimifar Mohammad Hossein
Published: September 2022

A new single switch ZVS forward converter with a wide soft‐switching range is proposed here. Compared to the conventional forward converter, the proposed converter uses fewer components and operates under ZVS soft switching. A capacitor, along with both the leakage and magnetizing inductances, provides ZVS soft switching and transformer core reset. To regulate the output voltage against the input voltage and the load variations, an inductor is added to the converter. The inductance of the additional inductor varies with the direct current (DC) of the DC bias winding to regulate the output voltage. Therefore, the duty cycle and the switching frequency are constant in the proposed converter. With the constant duty cycle and the constant switching frequency, the wide ZVS soft switching is achieved. The proposed converter is completely analysed theoretically. The finite element analysis is used to design the additional inductor. By designing an experimental prototype, the theoretical analysis is justified using the experimental results.
Wanted: A name for a commonly used trigonometry function
Authors: Koks Don
Published: September 2022

Except in trivial cases, an unknown angle is always extracted from a knowledge of its sine and cosine. These two numbers determine the angle unambiguously; and yet no universally accepted notation expresses that angle as a function of those numbers in a single statement. Some authors use “atan2” for this purpose. I argue that this name is not appropriate, and its description as a “four‐quadrant inverse tangent” is misleading. I propose two interchangeable names “” as candidates for the sought‐after function.
Study on safety design and analysis method for electrical wiring interconnection system
Authors: WANG Xiaohui , ZHU Li , CHE Cheng , LIANG Li , MA Qinglin
Published: September 2022

A safety assessment for electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) was required, since the 4th revision of CCAR-25. At present, there is no systematic safety assessment method, which affects the airworthiness certification of military and civil aircraft. According to the safety assessment requirements, the requirements of new regulation 25.1709 were interpreted. Combining with the current situation of military and civil aircraft, the safety design and analysis method was established, and the safety verification technology was expanded, which can effectively identify the potential safety hazards of EWIS. Through the development of reasonable and effective mitigation to avoid the occurrence of the potential safety hazards, it can provide support and certification for airworthiness. Taking the thrust reverse system as an example, the safety application method of quantitative and qualitative for EWIS was explored. The results show that the proposed EWIS safety design and analysis method can effectively identify the potential safety hazards, and guide the safety design of EWIS.
Predators as a possible strategy for controlling a Xylella epidemic?
Authors: Anita S. , Capasso V. , Montagna M. , Scacchi S.
Published: September 2022

In Southern Italy, since 2013, there has been an ongoing Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) outbreak, due to the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which has caused a dramatic impact from both socio-economic and environmental points of view. Current agronomic practices are mainly based on uprooting the sick olive trees and their surrounding ones, with later installment of olive cultivars more resistant to the bacterium infection. Unfortunately, both of these practices are having an undesirable impact on the environment and on the economy. Here, a spatially structured mathematical model has been proposed to include a predator Zelus renardii as a possible biocontrol agent of the Xylella epidemic. The fact that Z. renardii has been reported to be a generalist predator implies that its introduction is not an efficient control strategy to eradicate a Xylella epidemic. Instead, a specialist predator, whenever identified, would lead to the eventual eradication of a Xylella epidemic. In either cases it has been confirmed that a significant reduction of the weed biomass can lead to the eradication of the vector population, hence of a Xylella epidemic, independently of the presence of predators.
Comparison of the effect of reporting cytoplasmic patterns as
anti-nuclear antibody positive and anti-nuclear antibody negative on reflex test
ordering
Authors: Uyar Neval Yurttutan
Published: September 2022

Objective Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) patterns are classified as nuclear,
cytoplasmic or mitotic. The International Consensus on ANA patterns (ICAP)
suggests three parameters for ANA reporting – assay type, results and
advice for reflex testing – but has not yet reached a consensus on the
reporting of cytoplasmic/mitotic patterns as ANA-negative or positive.
We investigated the effect of ICAP’s two proposals for reporting
cytoplasmic patterns as ANA-positive and negative with a view to the
recommendation for reflex testing in a country that has no national
reimbursement policies for automatic reflex testing.

Methods This non-interventional descriptive study included 1241 patients
with positive cytoplasmic ANA patterns. 442 patients were reported as
ANA-negative and 799 as ANA-positive. Patients were followed up for a two-year
period to determine testing recommendations based upon nuclear and cytoplasmic
patterns. For statistical analysis, the t-test was used, with a significance
threshold of p-value<0.05.

Results Appropriate reflex orders were seen more commonly with cytoplasmic
patterns reported as ANA-positive (27.30%) than with those reported as
ANA-negative (5.51%, p-value<0.05). However, ANA-positive
reports led to higher ordering of nuclear pattern reflex tests (12.97%)
compared with ANA-negative reports (1.10%, p-value<0.05). A
large group of patients (59.73% ANA-positive, 93.39%
ANA-negative) did not receive reflex testing.

Conclusion Reporting cytoplasmic patterns as ANA-positive was considered
more significant, but reading the result report without considering the pattern
and recommendation notes could lead to inappropriate reflex testing. Besides
reaching a consensus for reporting cytoplasmic patterns as ANA-negative or
positive, it is important to consider solutions to reimbursement policies for
automatic reflex testing to decrease the impediments in reporting cytoplasmic
ANA patterns.
Mucocele of the Appendix: A Presentation
Authors: Singh Mahendra Pratap , Huda Tanweerul
Published: September 2022

The mucocele of the appendix can be described as an obstructive dilatation of the appendix by an intraluminal accumulation of mucus. A 60-year-old diabetic male patient presented with chief complains of pain in right lower abdomen for the past 2 months which was dull in nature, not associated with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or any urinary complains. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of the abdomen revealed appendiceal lumen distended, filled with fluid collection. There was abrupt narrowing seen at its junction with cecum. Features were suggestive of appendicular mucocele. The patient was taken up for exploratory laparotomy, and a distended turgid appendix, around 4 cm in diameter with dilated cecum, was found. Ileocecal resection was done followed by ileo-ascending colon side-to-side anastomosis using staplers. The histopathological examination report revealed an R0 resection. The patient was followed up for 3 years postoperatively with CECT of the abdomen and a colonoscopy yearly. There was no evidence of any recurrence in the follow-up.
Chest HRCT Assessment of COVID-19 Patients in Vaccinated versus Nonvaccinated Patients: A Comparative Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Mendiratta Kuldeep , Solanki Shubham , Rathi Bhavyansh , Bhandari Sudhir , Bellamkondi Ashwini , Parihar Bineeta Singh , Singh Apoorva , Parakh Pradeep
Published: September 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has turned out to be the most devastating viral disease that the world has encountered for the past century. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The disease mainly spreads through respiratory droplets which makes social distancing a primary tool of prevention. Many variant strains have emerged up since the pandemic started and the Delta variant is responsible for recent surge of cases in second wave of COVID-19 in India. Mass vaccination is the most efficacious precautionary measure that can be applied to stop the transmission and generate herd immunity. Vaccination does not give 100% prevention from infection, but it halts the severity of infection. Vaccine is the boon amidst the mayhem. Our study highlights that those vaccinated (particularly two doses) had clinically mild symptoms and mild computed tomography severity score (CTSS) with a speedy recovery. Those unvaccinated had moderate to severe symptoms with moderate to severe CTSS (>8) often requiring hospital admission and having poor prognosis. Thus, vaccine helps reduce the health burden of the already strained health care system. Immunization visit can also be used as an opportunity to disseminate message to encourage behavior, to reduce transmission risk of COVID-19 virus, to identify the signs and symptoms of disease, and to provide guidance on what to do.
A Third-Year Medical School Ophthalmology Curriculum for a Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship Model
Authors: Marin A. Itzam , Silva Helio Neves da , Chen Hongan , Mehta Nihaal , Nguyen Linh K. , SooHoo Jeffrey R. , Adams Jennifer E. , Singh Jasleen K.
Published: September 2022

Background Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships (LICs) are innovative educational models that allow medical student continuity with patients, preceptors, colleagues, and health care systems. Given their benefits, the number of LICs continues to increase. We share a pilot model for an ophthalmology LIC curriculum at the University of Colorado School of Medicine targeted for students to see patients through transitions of care.

Methods A needs assessment was performed including literature search, interviews with expert faculty, and a precurricular student questionnaire. Based on our findings, we developed a pilot two-part curriculum consisting of an introductory lecture and a half-day clinical experience designed to integrate patient eye care into the LIC model. At the end of the year, students completed a questionnaire assessing attitude, confidence, and knowledge. Precourse data were collected from students in the academic year (AY) 2018/2019 to aid with the needs assessment. Postcourse data were collected after completion of the curriculum from students in AY 2019/2020. Data from questionnaire were intended to improve our curricular experience.

Results Our curriculum was piloted between the 2019 and 2020 AY. The completion rate of our curriculum was 100%. The questionnaire response rate was 90% in pre- and postcurricular groups (n=15/17 and n=9/10, respectively). Hundred percent of students from both groups responded that it is “very important”/“important” for all physicians to be able to identify when ophthalmology referral is indicated. After the intervention, there were significant differences in the rate of students responding that they were “confident” diagnosing acute angle-closure glaucoma (36 vs. 78%, p=0.04), treating a chemical burn (20 vs 67%, p=0.02), and diagnosing viral conjunctivitis (27 vs. 67%); 90% of students reported increased confidence in longitudinal care of patients in the eye clinic.

Conclusions Medical students believe in the importance of ophthalmic education regardless of their specialty of choice. We present a pilot model to introduce ophthalmology within an LIC model. Future studies with a larger sample are needed to determine the impact of this model in terms of knowledge acquisition and relationship between curriculum and ophthalmology interest among students. Our curriculum can be adapted to other underrepresented specialties in the medical school curriculum and is easily exportable to other LICs.
Selective Nitro Reduction of Ester Substituted Nitroarenes by NaBH4-FeCl2
Authors: Zhou Zi-Hong , Xu Yong-Bo , Wu Shu-Ming , Ling Wei-Jian , Zhang Lei , Wang Zhong-Qing
Published: September 2022

This work aimed to explore a novel protocol for selective reduction of the nitro group on the aromatic ring while remaining the ester group unaffected. In this study, NaBH4-FeCl2 was disclosed as a key reductant in the process. NaBH4-FeCl2-mediated reduction showed high chemoselectivity, gave the desired products in magnificent yield (up to 96%), and was applied to synthesize a key intermediate of vilazodone (an antidepressant drug) on a hectogram scale in a total yield of 81% (two steps). The protocol is practical, and capable of synthesis of a range of aromatic amines, especially those with ester substituted in the ring.
Dihydropyridine Reductase Deficiency: Acute Encephalopathy Related to Folinic Acid Treatment Interruption in a Girl
Authors: Pappalardo Maria Grazia , Di Nora Alessandra , Giugno Andrea , Meli Concetta , Sapuppo Annamaria , Pavone Piero , Fiumara Agata
Published: September 2022

We reported the case of acute encephalopathy related to colonic acid treatment interruption in a 12-year-old female child presenting to our unit with episodes of vomiting, headache, irritability, acute confusional state, seizures, and left lower limb hypotonia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed signs of vasogenic and cytotoxic edema at the cerebellar level bilaterally, and lesions at the temporo-occipito-parietal right level, temporomandibular left, and right thalamic with swelling of the convolutions and reduced differentiation between white and gray matter. The patient had suspended the folinic acid treatment at least 6 months before the present admission. The relation between the clinical signs presented by the girl and folic acid deficiency was confirmed by the result of laboratory assessment and by the answer to the notable clinical improvement with the renewal of folinic acid treatment. Dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by the quinoid dihydropteridine reductase (QDPR) gene mutations. DHPR deficiency impairs the synthesis of the tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor for the hydroxylation of the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. When not precociously treated, the disorder may present whit severe neurologic impairment including developmental delay/intellective disability (DD/ID), microcephaly, seizures, movement disorders, cerebral palsy, and other neurological impairments. The clinical and neuroradiologic anomalies observed in our case were unusual, with signs previously unreported in patients with folic acid deficiency. The present case shows that the clinical presentation and MRI anomalies of the cerebral folic acid deficiency may be various and unusual compared with those reported in the literature, and it confirms the usefulness of the continuation of folinic acid treatment during the course of the disorder in patients with DHPR deficiency.
5.2.3 Product Subclass 3: Metalated Tin Compounds
Authors: Marschner C.
Published: September 2022

This review provides a summary of the synthetic approaches to stannides. The described methods involve distannane cleavage, reduction of halostannanes, nucleophilic abstraction of stannyl, silyl, or boryl groups, hydrostannane deprotonation, nucleophilic addition to stannylenes, and transmetalation. Although the major emphasis is on the preparation of monostannides, multiply metalated tin compounds and stannole mono- and dianions are also covered.
Applications of magnetic field for electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Zhang Li , Wu Dandan , Yan Xingbin
Published: September 2022

Recently, the introduction of the magnetic field has opened a new and exciting avenue for achieving high-performance electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices. The employment of the magnetic field, providing a noncontact energy, is able to exhibit outstanding advantages that are reflected in inducing the interaction between materials on the molecular scale, driving chemical transport to change the phase structure of electrode materials, constructing hierarchical or well-ordered nanostructure of electrodes, rearranging the electronic/ionic distribution and transport in the electrode/electrolyte interface, and so on. In this review, we aim to introduce the effects of the magnetic field on EES by summarizing the recent progress of mainly two disciplines: the application of the magnetic field in the electrochemical performance regulation and the fabrication of components in EES devices. The theoretical principle and influencing mechanisms of the magnetic field are also analyzed and elaborated in detail. In addition, the challenges and perspectives for future applications of the magnetic field in EES techniques are highlighted. This review is expected to shed light on the exploitation and rational design of advanced EES devices by taking advantage of the magnetic field regulation technique.
Defects in poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based ferroelectric polymers from a molecular perspective
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Xin , Han Zhubing , Zhou Huamin , Wang Qing
Published: September 2022

As the most intensively investigated ferroelectric polymers, poly(vinylidene fluoride) and its co-/ter-polymers enable major breakthroughs in a wide range of applications. Since defects play a vital role in tuning a spectrum of physical properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based ferroelectric polymers, defect engineering has become an ingenious and robust strategy in the design of high-performance ferroelectric polymers. In this Review, we summarize the physical insights into the role of defects induced by various monomers at the molecular level on the physical properties and the structure–property relationship of defect-modified ferroelectric polymers. We focus on the fundamentals of the different structural defects on tailoring the dielectric, ferroelectric, electromechanical, and electrocaloric properties, along with the device performance enhancement in capacitors, actuators, and solid-state cooling. The influence of defects on the electric field dependence of the electrostriction and electrocaloric response is highlighted. The role of chiral defects in driving the emergent relaxor properties and morphotropic phase boundary behavior of ferroelectric polymers is discussed. Finally, we offer insightful perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving field. The underlying mechanisms revealed in the article are anticipated to guide future fundamental and applied studies of ferroelectric polymers that capitalize on defect engineering for electronic and energy applications.
Numerical investigation and experimental analysis of nanoparticles modified unique waste cooking oil biodiesel fueled C. I. Engine using single zone thermodynamic model for sustainable development
Authors: Halwe-Pandharikar Aboli , Deshmukh Samir J. , Kanu Nand Jee
Published: September 2022

This study investigates the experimental and theoretical impact of biodiesel obtained from hydrodynamic cavitation based waste cooking oil on the performance parameters while testing compression ignition engines. Due to the alarming energy security concerns and inadequacy of fossil fuels, biodiesel is seeking importance globally. Many countries have put forth different subsidies, incentives, and mechanisms, urging the usage of biodiesel. In the current research, nanotechnology is effectively used for enhancement of the blend properties of biodiesel, making them more suitable for compression ignition diesel engines. This investigation includes a comparative analysis of diesel to biodiesel blends with and without the addition of nanoparticles CuO and ZnO. To understand the performance characteristics of a four-stroke diesel engine, a single zone thermodynamic model is developed in it. Comparative readings are taken for the test blends with varying compression ratios of 16, 17, and 18. For each ratio, a variation in the cylinder volume is noted with reference to the rotation in the crank angle. The investigated parameters include net heat release, the rate of pressure rise, brake thermal efficiency, and the heat transfer coefficient. This study concluded that the theoretical results are in close consonance with the experimental results of the comparative analysis of diesel and biodiesel blends. Results obtained from this research paper can contribute to predict combustion process analysis and recommend the effectiveness of nano-additives in biodiesel enhancement.
Insights on modulating electronic and transport properties of the sawtooth–sawtooth penta-SiC2 nanoribbons under uniaxial small strain by first-principles calculations
Authors: Van On Vo , Bich Thao Pham Thi , Thanh Le Nhat , Tien Nguyen Thanh
Published: September 2022

Based on the density functional theory in combination with the nonequilibrium Green’s function formalism, we study the structural, electronic, and transport properties of SS-pSiC2 NRs under a sequence of uniaxial strains in the range from 10% compression to 10% stretch. The pentagon network of SS-pSiC2 NRs is still maintained, but the bond length along the strained direction is largely changed under this strain. The electronic band structure and bandgap are strongly affected by the uniaxial compressive strain. The evolution of the bandgap vs the strain is linear. With a bias voltage of 2 V, the current of the 10% compressed sample increased 75 times, and the current of the 10% stretched sample increased 2.5 times compared to the one of the relaxed sample. The I–V characteristic of SS-pSiC2 NRs seems to be more sensitive to compressive strain than the stretch strain. Our calculations may indicate new applications of strain structures in electromechanical devices based on SS-pSiC2 NRs.
Multidimensional Solitons
Authors: Malomed Boris A.
Published: September 2022

Written by the preeminent researcher in this field, Multidimensional Solitons provides a comprehensive survey of self-trapped modes in two- and three-dimensional nonlinear media. It reviews studies covering fundamentals and recently reported theoretical and experimental results in diverse areas, such as nonlinear optics and Bose-Einstein condensates. This vital work explores fundamental solitons, topologically organized ones, such as solitary vortices and hopfions, and a broad spectrum of other soliton species, including those in lattice and dissipative media.

Multidimensional Solitons:Offers a general introduction to the modern “soliton science”Provides context on the fundamentals of solitons in nonlinear optics and Bose-Einstein condensatesInstructs how the stabilization of two- and three-dimensional solitons is possible, which is a crucially important problem for multidimensional setupsPresents theoretical (analytical and numerical) and experimental results on optical and matter-wave solitons in diverse settings

Researchers – both theorists and experimentalists – working in optics and photonics, low-temperature and atomic physics, mathematical physics, and applied mathematics will all find this an instrumental reference. Graduate students in these disciplines will also find it as a valuable resource.
Linear Trapping Potentials
Authors: Malomed Boris A.
Published: September 2022

The trapping potential is a necessary ingredient of any setup used in experiments with atomic gases in the BEC state (otherwise, the gas would escape). Similarly, the presence of an effective trap is necessary for building various optical and photonic cavities. Therefore, the analysis of models combining the intrinsic nonlinearity acting in multidimensional settings with the trapping potential is a natural step in the theoretical work. The present chapter aims to summarize basic theoretical results produced by the work in this direction. The results are presented for 2D fundamental (zero-voticity) and vortical states trapped in the HO potential and for similar 3D states trapped in the HO potential, which may be anisotropic. Also considered are two-component 2D states with hidden vorticity, i.e., with opposite vorticities if the two components have equal norms. Stability regions are identified for all these settings. The chapter additionally reports findings for two-component 2D fundamental and vortex states in a linearly coupled system, in which the potential acting on one component is trapping, while the other component is subjected to the action of an expulsive potential. As for experimental results demonstrating the creation of 2D or 3D solitons in trapping potentials, very few of them are available. A recent experimental finding that may be relevant in this respect is the creation of quasi-stable effectively two-dimensional Townes solitons in atomic BEC loaded in a trapping potential [Bakkali-Hassani et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 023603 (2021)].
Multidimensional Solitons in Nonlocal Media
Authors: Malomed Boris A.
Published: September 2022

The study of soliton-like states in systems with nonlocal nonlinearity is a traditional topic in optics and related areas. Some results obtained in these studies (such as solitons supported by thermal nonlinearity in optical glasses and orientational nonlinearity that affects light propagation in liquid crystals) are well known and have been properly reviewed in the literature; therefore, the respective models are outlined in the present chapter in a brief form. Some other studies such as those addressing models with fractional diffraction, which is represented by a linear nonlocal operator, have also been started more recently; therefore, it should be relevant to review them in detail when more results will be accumulated and this chapter includes a short outline of the latter topic. After providing an introduction to the general area of nonlocal nonlinearities, the chapter offers a summary of results obtained for multidimensional solitons in some specific nonlocal nonlinear models originating in studies of BEC, which are sufficiently mature but have not been reviewed previously. These are anisotropic quasi-2D solitons supported by long-range dipole–dipole interactions in a condensate of magnetic atoms [Tikhonenkov et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 090406(2008a)] and giant vortex solitons, which are stable for high values of the winding number [Qin et al., Phys. Rev. A 94, 053611 (2016)], as well as 2D vortex solitons moving with self-acceleration [Qin et al., Phys. Rev. A 99, 023610 (2019)]. These are solitons of a hybrid type, which include matter-wave and electromagnetic-wave components. They are supported, in a binary BEC composed of two different atomic states, by the resonant interaction of the two-component matter waves with a resonant microwave field which couples the two atomic states.
Conclusion
Authors: Malomed Boris A.
Published: September 2022

This chapter provides a brief recapitulation of the general subject of the present book. In particular, the conclusion mentions some topics that are related to studies of multidimensional solitons but were not considered in detail in the book as its scope is limited to those aspects of the theoretical and the experimental work with two- and three-dimensional solitons, which have been developed relatively recently and seem sufficiently general, while some special directions are not included. In particular, such specific topics, which are not considered in the book or are considered in a very brief form, are multidimensional optical solitons created by the quadratic nonlinearity (this topic is not considered in detail as it is a relatively “old” one), the spatiotemporal propagation of light patterns in nonlinear multimode optical fibers, nonlinear topological photonics, exciton-polariton modes in semiconductor microcavities, passive patterns in nonlinear laser cavities driven by pump beams (they are usually modeled by various forms of the Lugiato–Lefever equation), two-dimensional PT-symmetric solitons, and delocalized states in nonlinear media, such as dark solitons and the so-called X-waves.
Swifty
Authors: Owen Reeder Stephanie , Hicks Astred
Published: September 2022

A captivating story of the remarkable, but critically endangered, swift parrot – one of the fastest parrots in the world!
Swifty grows from a hatchling to a fledgling in the blue-gum forests of Tasmania. She is then ready to make a challenging migration, following the blossom trail across Bass Strait to mainland south-eastern Australia.
Swifty faces many threats and dangers, but she must return home. Will she make it?
Fly with Swifty in this beautifully illustrated story, and learn how to spot a swift parrot and help protect them.
Reading level varies from child to child, but we recommend this book for ages 6 to 9.
Rats and the city: Implications of urbanization on zoonotic disease risk in Southeast Asia
Authors: Blasdell Kim R. , Morand Serge , Laurance Susan G. W. , Doggett Stephen L. , Hahs Amy , Trinh Kelly , Perera David , Firth Cadhla
Published: September 2022

Urbanization is rapidly transforming much of Southeast Asia, altering the structure and function of the landscape, as well as the frequency and intensity of the interactions between people, animals, and the environment. In this study, we explored the impact of urbanization on zoonotic disease risk by simultaneously characterizing changes in the ecology of animal reservoirs (rodents), ectoparasite vectors (ticks), and pathogens across a gradient of urbanization in Kuching, a city in Malaysian Borneo. We sampled 863 rodents across rural, developing, and urban locations and found that rodent species diversity decreased with increasing urbanization—from 10 species in the rural location to 4 in the rural location. Notably, two species appeared to thrive in urban areas, as follows: the invasive urban exploiter
Rattus rattus
(
n
= 375) and the native urban adapter
Sundamys muelleri
(
n
= 331).
R. rattus
was strongly associated with built infrastructure across the gradient and carried a high diversity of pathogens, including multihost zoonoses capable of environmental transmission (e.g.,
Leptospira
spp.). In contrast,
S. muelleri
was restricted to green patches where it was found at high densities and was strongly associated with the presence of ticks, including the medically important genera
Amblyomma
,
Haemaphysalis
, and
Ixodes
. Our analyses reveal that zoonotic disease risk is elevated and heterogeneously distributed in urban environments and highlight the potential for targeted risk reduction through pest management and public health messaging.