bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting the development trend of the second wave of COVID‐19 in five European countries
Authors: Lei Jiali , Li Mengyuan , Wang Xiaosheng
Published: June 2021

The second wave of COVID‐19 has caused a dramatic increase in COVID‐19 cases and deaths globally. An accurate prediction of its development trend is significant. We predicted the development trend of the second wave of COVID‐19 in five European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. We first built models to predict daily numbers of COVID‐19 cases and deaths based on the data of the first wave of COVID‐19 in these countries. Based on these models, we built new models to predict the development trend of the second wave of COVID‐19. We predicted that the second wave of COVID‐19 would have peaked around on November 16, 2020, January 10, 2021, December 1, 2020, March 1, 2021, and January 10, 2021, in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, respectively. It will be basically under control on April 26, 2021, September 20, 2021, August 1, 2021, September 15, 2021, and August 10, 2021, in these countries, respectively. Their total number of COVID‐19 cases will reach around 4,745,000, 7,890,000, 6,852,000, 8,071,000, and 10,198,000, respectively, and total number of COVID‐19 deaths will be around 262,000, 262,000, 231,000, 253,000, and 350,000 during the second wave of COVID‐19. The COVID‐19 mortality rate in the second wave of COVID‐19 is predicted to be about 3.4%, 3.5%, 3.4%, 3.4%, and 3.1% in France, Spain, Germany, France, and the UK. The second wave of COVID‐19 is expected to cause many more cases and deaths, last for a much longer time, and have a lower COVID‐19 mortality rate than the first wave.
Infectivity assay for detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 in samples from patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Hiroi Satoshi , Kubota‐Koketsu Ritsuko , Sasaki Tadahiro , Morikawa Saeko , Motomura Kazushi , Nakayama Emi E. , Okuno Yoshinobu , Shioda Tatsuo
Published: June 2021

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) outbreak, laboratory diagnosis has mainly been conducted using reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Detecting the presence of an infectious virus in the collected sample is essential to analyze if a person can transmit infectious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). However, there have been no quantitative investigations conducted for infectious SARS‐CoV‐2 in clinical samples. Therefore, in the present study, a rapid and simple focus‐forming assay using the peroxidase‐antiperoxidase technique was developed to quantify infectious SARS‐CoV‐2 titers in 119 samples (n = 52, nasopharyngeal swabs [NPS]; n = 67, saliva) from patients with COVID‐19. Furthermore, the study findings were compared with the cycle threshold (Ct) values of real‐time RT‐PCR. The infectious virus titers in NPS samples and Ct values were inversely correlated, and no infectious virus could be detected when the Ct value exceeded 30. In contrast, a low correlation was observed between the infectious virus titers in saliva and Ct values (r = ‐0.261, p = 0.027). Furthermore, the infectious virus titers in the saliva were significantly lower than those in the NPS samples. Ten days after the onset of COVID‐19 symptoms, the infectious virus was undetectable, and Ct values were more than 30 in NSP and saliva samples. The results indicate that patients whose symptoms subsided 10 days after onset, with Ct values more than 30 in NSP and saliva samples, were less likely to infect others.
Formation of cyclones over the East Mediterranean within Red‐Sea Troughs
Authors: Ziv Baruch , Saaroni Hadas , Etkin Adi , Harpaz Tzvi , Shendrik Lidiya
Published: June 2021

The Red‐Sea Trough (RST) is a lower‐level trough extending from the tropical low‐pressure to the Levant. Its annual occurrence in the Levant is 20%, mostly in the autumn. It produces dry weather, but occasionally causing local showers and floods. During winter, the dominant synoptic system over the eastern Mediterranean is the Cyprus low (CL). Previous studies showed that some CLs form within pre‐existing RSTs, through a tropical–extratropical interaction.

This study is the first comprehensive climatological framework of such formation events, analyzing their occurrence, seasonality, and the resulting rainfall in Israel. The study identified and analyzed CLs formed within the domain 31°–35°N, 30°–36°E within an RST that was detected during the preceding 24 hr. We used the 6‐hourly ERA‐Interim database, with 0.75° × 0.75° resolution, during 1979–2017, and identified 104 formation events, which constitute 10% of the CLs. Most formation events occur during fall and early winter, similarly to the RST. Eighty four percent of them formed during the evening or night, and almost two thirds of the CLs disappeared temporarily at noon and regenerated afterwards. This is attributed to the sea/land diurnal oscillation. Most of the formed CLs were shallow, with little rain, but some became major storms, like ‘Alexa’, which caused extreme snowing in Jerusalem, in December 2013. The formation scenarios were divided into four categories, according to the location and propagation of the 500‐hPa trough. The first is characterized by a closed cyclone approaching from southwest, often connected to active RSTs. In the second, a trough is deepening from the northern sector, possibly a polar intrusion. In the third, the most populated, a trough is approaching from west. The fourth category contains events with no upper‐level support. Composite maps indicate that upper‐level positive vorticity advection triggered CL formations, on top of pre‐existing above‐normal lower‐level temperatures, imparted by the RST.
NWU‐RSIT: An integrated graphical user interface for biomedical Raman spectral imaging with both univariate and multivariate modules
Authors: Chen Yishen , Li Jie , Song Dongliang , Qin Jie , Wang Haifeng , Ning Tian , Wang Shuang
Published: June 2021

When consecutively acquiring Raman spectra at a given number, Raman imaging could be applied to extract the compositional and structural information from the selected sampling region. By compacting both univariate and multivariate algorithms, an integrated Raman spectral imaging toolbox (NWU‐RSIT) was developed for spectral analysis, image reconstruction, and feature recognition. Using an example hyperspectral dataset from a single living mouse osteosarcoma cell, univariate imaging method reveals spatial distributions of some specific molecular vibration modes; multivariate algorithms, including principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), k‐means clustering analysis (KCA), vertex component analysis (VCA), and N‐FINDR algorithm, were realized to extract more detailed constitution information from the acquired hyperspectral dataset. After comparing and evaluating the system performance of NWU‐RSIT, it will make Raman spectral imaging more accessible to all related fields, especially for the biomedical studies.
Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial Activity, and Interfacial and Micellar Features of Novel Cationic Gemini Surfactants with Different Spacers
Authors: Sarıkaya İkbal , Bilgen Selçuk , Ünver Yasemin , İnan Bektaş Kadriye , Akbaş Halide
Published: June 2021

In the present study, four novel imidazolium‐based cationic gemini surfactants (IBCGS) have been synthesized, having same hydrocarbon chain lengths and different spacers. The impacts of type and nature of spacer on Krafft temperatures (TK) have been examined. Micellization behaviors of IBCGS have been investigated at different temperatures above TK by both surface tension and specific conductivity measurements. Surface activity properties of aqueous systems have been calculated using the results of the measurement data. Critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface pressure at CMC (ПCMC), minimum area of head group (Amin), degree of counterion binding (β), degree of counterion dissociation (α), and maximum surface excess (Γmax) of IBCGS have been calculated with data of surface tension and specific conductivity. IBCGS have low CMC values than other imidazole categories of gemini and monomeric cationic surfactants. Micelle aggregation number (Nagg) values have been determined with the steady‐state fluorescence quenching method. The values of Nagg have been found in the range of 19–28. Additionally, the antibacterial activities of IBCGS on gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria have been investigated. IBCGS studied in this article have showed perfect antibacterial activity particularly against gram‐positive bacteria. The data obtained in this study may be benefical for the surfactant applications in different areas.
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with increased cysteine and methionine concentration
Authors: Viscarra‐Torrico Rosa Cecilia , Pajak Aga , Garzón Alvaro Soler , Zhang BaiLing , Pandurangan Sudhakar , Diapari Marwan , Song Qijian , Conner Robert L. , House James D. , Miklas Phillip N. , Hou Anfu , Marsolais Frédéric
Published: June 2021

In common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), seed storage protein deficiency is associated with increased total cysteine and methionine concentration. The goal of this study was to generate germplasm lines that combine this characteristic with adaptation to short season conditions in Manitoba, Canada. A recombinant inbred line population was developed by crossing the storage protein deficient genotype, SMARC1N‐PN1 with the cultivar Morden003. Two lines, 2‐37 and 3‐84, with a stable protein profile over 2 years at two locations were identified. Like SMARC1N‐PN1, both lines had a significantly higher cysteine concentration than Morden003, by approximately 35%. Methionine levels were elevated by approximately 15%, while tryptophan levels were also increased by approximately 30%. Line 2‐37 had a significant increase in protein quality, as measured by in vitro protein digestibility corrected amino acid score, by approximately 40%, as compared with Morden003. The increased protein quality for this line is attributable to higher levels of total cysteine and methionine, while having an overall reduction in crude protein concentration. Line 2‐37 had a similar seed yield as SMARC1N‐PN1, with a maturity comparable to Morden003. The results of high‐density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping and quantitative trait locus analysis of recombinant inbred lines indicated that variation in cysteine concentration was determined by the phaseolin locus, while variation in methionine concentration was determined by both the phaseolin and lectin loci. SNP markers that track the introgression of phaseolin and lectin deficiency into the Morden003 background were identified and validated.
PeaMUST (Pea MultiStress Tolerance), a multidisciplinary French project uniting researchers, plant breeders, and the food industry
Authors: Burstin Judith , Avia Komlan , Carillo‐Perdomo Estefania , Lecomte Christophe , Beji Sana , Hanocq Eric , Aubert Gregoire , Tayeh Nadim , Klein Anthony , Geffroy Valérie , Le Signor Christine , Pflieger Stéphanie , Dalmais Marion , Desgroux Aurore , Lavaud Clément , Quillévéré‐Hamard Anne , Kreplak Jonathan , Lejeune‐Hénaut Isabelle , Bourion Virginie , Pilet‐Nayel Marie‐Laure , Leveugle Magalie , Pinochet Xavier , Thompson Richard ,   the PeaMUST Consortium
Published: June 2021

The French government has supported as part of its “Investments for the Future” program a 9‐year research project, PeaMUST, devoted to pea and to a lesser extent, faba bean improvement. Focusing on the main causes of yield irregularity that limit pea and faba bean cultivation, an integrated approach, including molecular exploitation of the pea genome sequence, was applied to identify and incorporate favorable alleles and allele combinations in prebreeding material.
Wind exposure and sediment type determine the resilience and response of seagrass meadows to climate change
Authors: de Smit Jaco C. , Bin Mohd Noor Muhammad S. , Infantes Eduardo , Bouma Tjeerd J.
Published: June 2021

Seagrasses and bare sediment represent alternative stable states, with sediment resuspension being a key driver of system stability via the Seagrass–Sediment–Light (SSL) feedback. We explore the SSL feedback by quantifying the sediment stabilization by seagrass, and using these measurements to calculate under which conditions seagrass ends up in a turbid environment. We quantified in‐situ sediment resuspension velocity thresholds (ucr) for Zostera marina growing in medium to fine sand, using a field flume inducing near‐bed wave motion. ucr was determined for full length shoots, shoots clipped to 0.08 m, and removed shoots. We found that rhizomes did not influence ucr of the top sediment layer. Overall, ucr was linearly related to blade area, which became independent for sediment type when normalizing ucr for the resuspension threshold after shoot removal. Comparing measured ucr against natural wave conditions showed that the seagrass meadow at the study site is currently stable. Exploring the effects of changing hydrodynamic conditions revealed that effects of increasing storminess has limited influence on sediment resuspension and thus the SSL‐feedback. Increasing mean wind velocity had a stronger influence on SSL‐feedback dynamics by causing more frequent exceedance of ucr. The response of seagrasses to increasing wind pressure depends on bay topography. A fully exposed Z. marina meadow under low initial turbidity pressure trended toward bistability, as turbidity pressure increased mainly on bare sediments. The study site and a fully exposed Z. marina meadow under high initial turbidity pressure saw an increase in turbidity across all blade areas.
Femtosecond Field‐Driven On‐Chip Unidirectional Electronic Currents in Nonadiabatic Tunneling Regime
Authors: Shi Liping , Babushkin Ihar , Husakou Anton , Melchert Oliver , Frank Bettina , Yi Juemin , Wetzel Gustav , Demircan Ayhan , Lienau Christoph , Giessen Harald , Ivanov Misha , Morgner Uwe , Kovacev Milutin
Published: June 2021

Recently, asymmetric plasmonic nanojunctions have shown promise as on‐chip electronic devices to convert femtosecond optical pulses to current bursts, with a bandwidth of multi‐terahertz scale, although yet at low temperatures and pressures. Such nanoscale devices are of great interest for novel ultrafast electronics and opto‐electronic applications. Here, the device is operated in air and at room temperature, revealing the mechanisms of photoemission from plasmonic nanojunctions, and the fundamental limitations on the speed of optical‐to‐electronic conversion. Inter‐cycle interference of coherent electronic wavepackets results in a complex energy electron distribution and birth of multiphoton effects. This energy structure, as well as reshaping of the wavepackets during their propagation from one tip to the other, determine the ultrafast dynamics of the current. It is shown that, up to some level of approximation, the electron flight time is well‐determined by the mean ponderomotive velocity in the driving field.
A Facile Method for Improving Detectivity of Graphene/p‐Type Silicon Heterojunction Photodetector
Authors: Yoo Tae Jin , Kim So‐Young , Kwon Min Gyu , Kim Cihyun , Chang Kyoung Eun , Hwang Hyeon Jun , Lee Byoung Hun
Published: June 2021

Simultaneous optimization of detectivity and dark current is successfully achieved by modulating the Schottky barrier height of a graphene/p‐type silicon photodetector from 0.42 to 0.68 eV by doping graphene with polyethyleneimine (PEI). At a barrier height modulation of 0.26 eV, the dark current is reduced by three orders of magnitude from 980 nA to 219 pA, and the detectivity is improved by 529% at 850 nm when compared to undoped graphene/p‐type silicon photodetectors. Such a significant performance enhancement confirms that the chemical doping of graphene before device fabrication is a simple yet highly efficient approach to improve the detectivity of heterojunction photodetectors.
Longitudinal Label‐Free Two‐Photon Microscopy of Cellular Healing Processes in Non‐Ablative Fractional Laser Wounds
Authors: Kim Seonghan , Le Viet‐Hoan , Kim Bumju , Kim Chan Johng , Im Sin‐Hyeog , Kim Ki Hean
Published: June 2021

Background and Objectives

Wound healing is an important biomedical problem with various associated complications. Although cutaneous wound healing has been studied in vivo extensively using various optical imaging methods, early‐stage cellular healing processes were difficult to study due to scab formation. The objective of this study is to demonstrate that minimal laser wounds and optical microscopy can access the detailed cellular healing processes of cutaneous wounds from the early stage.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

A non‐ablative fractional laser (NAFL) and label‐free two‐photon microscopy (TPM) were used to induce minimal cutaneous wounds and to image the wounds in three‐dimension. Sixteen hairless mice and a single human volunteer were used. NAFL wounds were induced in the hindlimb skin of the mice and in the forearm skin of the human subject. The NAFL wounds were longitudinally imaged during the healing period, starting from an hour post wound induction in the earliest and until 21 days. Cells in the wound and surrounding normal skin were visualized based on two‐photon excited auto‐fluorescence (TPAF), and cellular changes were tracked by analyzing longitudinal TPM images both qualitatively and quantitatively. Damage and recovery in the skin dermis were tracked by using the second harmonic generation (SHG) signal of collagen. Immunofluorescence and hematoxylin and eosin histology analysis were conducted to validate the TPM results of the murine skin.

Results

Cellular healing processes in NAFL wounds and surroundings could be observed by longitudinal TPM. In the case of murine skin, various healing phases including inflammation, re‐epithelization, granulation tissue formation, and late remodeling phase including collagen regeneration were observed in the same wounds owing to minimal or no scab formation. The re‐epithelization process was analyzed quantitatively by measuring cell density and thickness of the epithelium in the wound surroundings. In the case of the human skin, the access inside the wound was blocked for a few days post wound induction due to scabs but the cellular changes in the wound surroundings were observed from the early stage. Cellular healing processes in the NAFL wound of the human skin were similar to those in murine skin.

Conclusions

The minimal NAFL wound model and label‐free TPM demonstrated the cell level assessment of wound healing processes with applicability to human subjects. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
The Enhanced Performance of Polyethylene Composite Separators by the Modification of Lithium Salt@SiO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Hu Wei , You Yingxue , Duan Jinchi , Liang Xiaoxiao , Zhao Qi , Xie Haiming , Liu Baijun , Sun Zhaoyan , Zhu Guangshan
Published: June 2021

Improving the dimensional thermal stability and electrochemical performance of polyethylene (PE) membrane is critical to enhance the safety performance of lithium‐ion battery. In this paper, PE membranes are modified by lithium bis(trifuoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) solution and then coated with nano‐SiO2/polyvinyl alcohol solution to obtain composite membranes (PE@LnSiO2, where n represents the concentration of LiTFSI solution). The obtained PE@L4SiO2 (LiTFSI solution concentration is 4%) composite membrane possesses a thermal shrinkage rate of only 17% at 150 °C, which is far superior to that of the PE separator. The ionic conductivity of the composite membrane is 16.9 × 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature (RT), and the battery impedance decreases to 154 Ω, which is remarkably better than that of the PE membrane (188 Ω). The battery delivers a reversible discharge capacity of 164 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C under RT after 250 cycles, and the coulomb efficiency remains above 99%. The battery also has a high discharge capacity of 132 mAh g−1 at 2 C, which indicates that it has excellent rate performance. Therefore, this research successfully explores a simple method to effectively improve the dimensional thermal stability of PE separator, as well as the electrochemical and safety performance of lithium battery.
Effect of C3H4O3 on Band Gap Narrowing of Proton Conductive Hybrid Polymer Electrolyte
Authors: Saadiah Mohd Ali , Singh Pramod K. , Samsudin Ahmad Salihin
Published: June 2021

In the present work, hybrid polymer electrolyte based on carboxymethyl cellulose‐polyvinyl alcohol‐ammonium nitrate‐ethylene carbonate (CMC–PVA–NH4NO3–C3H4O3) become the promising materials that has demonstrated outstanding physical properties as an electrolytes system in solar cell. In the frame of solar cell progress, the electrical conductivity and optical bandgap of polymer electrolytes are equally explored. The characterization is carried out via electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and ultraviolet visible‐near infrared (UV‐VIS‐NIR) spectroscopy. An equivalent circuit of parallel combination, bulk resistance (Rb), and constant phase element (CPE) is obtained from transparent conductive film, CMC–PVA–NH4NO3–C3H4O3. The optimum ionic conductivity is accomplished at 3.92 × 10−3 S cm‐1 for sample containing with 6 wt.% of C3H4O3. The absorption spectra are evaluated in the wavelength ranging from 200 to 1100 nm. Theoretical analysis reveals that the addition of 6 wt. % EC is initiating the band gap narrowing from 4.96 to 4.88 eV. The results show that the present developed materials‐based polymer electrolytes have great potential for solar energy devices.
Development and Characterization of Cellulose Modified Surface with Allylthiourea as Functional Sites to Remove Basic Red 5 from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Muzi Norsuhana , Azhar Siti Maizatul Ameera , Zaharudin Nazikussabah , Subakir Farah Nurshahida Mohd , Samsudin Ahmad Salihin , Samah Nurlin Abu
Published: June 2021

In this work, the removal of Basic Red 5 (BR5) by using cellulose modified surface with allylthiourea as functional sites (CMS) is studied. CMS is prepared by acidification and then, the activated cellulose is mixed with allylthiourea (AT) in acetonitrile to attach AT onto activated cellulose. There are five parameters that are studied including kinetic study, pH effect, saturation study, FTIR analysis, and elemental analysis. As a result, the higher the concentration of the BR5 in the solution, the higher the percentage of removal. The most efficient pH to remove the BR5 by the CMS is at pH 7 with 80% of removal. pH effect gives significant impact in this work. Carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen content are found to be slightly increased after adsorption of BR5 as it is loaded with some additional elements such as carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. However, the sulfur content shows slight decrease after adsorption of the BR5 due to the contribution of active functional sites of CMS that depends on the thiol functional groups which are bonded chemically with the BR5 during separation process in batch mode.
Optical Properties of One Dimensional Ternary Metamaterial Photonic Crystal
Authors: Suthar Bhuvneshwer , Pandey Girijesh Narayan
Published: June 2021

In this paper, optical properties of one dimensional ternary metamaterial photonic crystal structures are studied. This structure is composed as (ENG/dielectric/MNG)N with N number of layers. This paper numerically studies the transmission behavior of one dimensional ternary metamaterial structure by using well known transfer matrix method. The transmission characteristics of such structure are examined with variation of refractive index and thickness of dielectric layer. Hence, the present study supports the potential application for tunable filter applications.
Simulation of 2D Interference Pattern Structure for Rectangular and Circular Slits Using Dual Beam Interference Technique
Authors: Pandey Girijesh Narayan , Shukla Anil Kumar , Thapa Khem B. , Singh Munendra , Singh Ram Chandra
Published: June 2021

Laser interference lithography (LIL) is known to be based completely on the dual‐beam interference (DBI) technique. In this present work, a 2D interference pattern structure for rectangular and circular slits is simulated. The proposed 2D pattern structure is optimized by varying the slit width and slit separation. Several fringe patterns following the varying slit width and slit separation are reported.
Optimized bacterial DNA isolation method for microbiome analysis of human tissues
Authors: Bruggeling Carlijn E. , Garza Daniel R. , Achouiti Soumia , Mes Wouter , Dutilh Bas E. , Boleij Annemarie
Published: June 2021

Recent advances in microbiome sequencing have rendered new insights into the role of the microbiome in human health with potential clinical implications. Unfortunately, the presence of host DNA in tissue isolates has hampered the analysis of host‐associated bacteria. Here, we present a DNA isolation protocol for tissue, optimized on biopsies from resected human colons (~2–5 mm in size), which includes reduction of human DNA without distortion of relative bacterial abundance at the phylum level. We evaluated which concentrations of Triton and saponin lyse human cells and leave bacterial cells intact, in combination with DNAse treatment to deplete released human DNA. Saponin at a concentration of 0.0125% in PBS lysed host cells, resulting in a 4.5‐fold enrichment of bacterial DNA while preserving the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, γ‐Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria assessed by qPCR. Our optimized protocol was validated in the setting of two large clinical studies on 521 in vivo acquired colon biopsies of 226 patients using shotgun metagenomics. The resulting bacterial profiles exhibited alpha and beta diversities that are similar to the diversities found by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. A direct comparison between shotgun metagenomics and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of 15 forceps tissue biopsies showed similar bacterial profiles and a similar Shannon diversity index between the sequencing methods. Hereby, we present the first protocol for enriching bacterial DNA from tissue biopsies that allows efficient isolation of all bacteria. Our protocol facilitates analysis of a wide spectrum of bacteria of clinical tissue samples improving their applicability for microbiome research.
A Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Crossover Study with Dipyridamole for Restless Legs Syndrome
Authors: Garcia‐Borreguero Diego , Garcia‐Malo Celia , Granizo Juan José , Ferré Sergi
Published: June 2021

Background

New pharmacological targets are needed for restless legs syndrome. Preclinical data suggest that a hypoadenosinergic state plays an important pathogenetic role.

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine whether inhibitors of equilibrative nucleoside transporters, for example, dipyridamole, could provide effective symptomatic treatment.

Methods

A 2‐week double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover study assessed the efficacy of dipyridamole (possible up‐titration to 300 mg) in untreated patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome. Multiple suggested immobilization tests and polysomnography were performed after each treatment phase. Severity was assessed weekly using the International Restless Legs Rating Scale, Clinical Global Impression, and the Medical Outcomes Study Sleep scale. The primary end point was therapeutic response.

Results

Twenty‐eight of 29 patients recruited were included. International Restless Legs Rating Scale scores improved from a mean ± standard deviation of 24.1 ± 3.1 at baseline to 11.1 ± 2.3 at the end of week 2, versus 23.7 ± 3.4 to 18.7 ± 3.2 under placebo (P < 0.001). Clinical Global Impression, Medical Outcomes Study Sleep, and Multiple Suggested Immobilization Test scores all improved (P < 0.001). The mean effective dose of dipyridamole was 217.8 ± 33.1 mg/d. Sleep variables improved. The mean periodic leg movement index at the end of treatment with dipyridamole was 8.2 ± 3.5 versus. 28.1 ± 6.7 under placebo. Side effects (dipyridamole vs placebo) included abdominal distension (18% vs. 7%), dizziness (10.7% vs 7.1%), diarrhea, and asthenia (each 7.1% vs 3.6%).

Conclusions

Dipyridamole has significant therapeutic effects on both sensory and motor symptoms of restless legs syndrome and on sleep. Our findings confirm the efficacy of dipyridamole in restless legs syndrome predicted from preclinical studies and support a key role of adenosine in restless legs syndrome. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Using conjoint analysis to measure the importance of psychosocial traits in the choices of bladder management after spinal cord injury
Authors: Welk Blayne , Myers Jeremy B. , Kennelly Michael , Elliott Christopher S. , McKibbon Mary , Watson Julie , Gervais Kyle ,   for the Neurogenic Bladder Research Group
Published: June 2021

Objective

To conduct a conjoint analysis experiment to better understand the psychosocial priorities related to bladder management in individuals after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods

We developed a conjoint analysis survey that included 11 psychosocial attributes phrased in the context of bladder management (including attributes for urinary infections, and incontinence). We then performed a multi‐center prospective cross‐sectional study of adults with existing SCI which consisted of a baseline interview, followed by the online conjoint analysis survey (delivered through Sawtooth software). Hierarchical Bayes random effects regression analysis was used to determine the relative importance of the attributes.

Results

A total of 345 people complete the study. There was good representation of both men and women, and individuals with cervical and thoracic or lower lesions. The most important attribute was the frequency of urinary infections. Age, sex, and level of SCI were generally not related to the attributes measured in the study. In the subgroup of 256 patients who used a catheter for bladder management, significantly more importance was placed on urinary tract infections, time, fluid intake, and social life among indwelling catheter users compared to intermittent catheter users.

Conclusions

Most bladder‐related psychosocial priorities are not impacted by a patient's age, sex or level of SCI. Differences in psychosocial priorities between indwelling and intermittent catheter users may represent factors that should be focused on to optimize bladder management after SCI.
New valid inequalities for the symmetric vehicle routing problem with simultaneous pickup and deliveries
Authors: Agarwal Yogesh Kumar , Venkateshan Prahalad
Published: June 2021

The symmetric vehicle routing problem with simultaneous pickup and deliveries is considered. The current state‐of‐the‐art method to solve this problem employs the idea of a no‐good cut. This article achieves an order of magnitude improvement in the computational time needed to solve difficult problem instances by generalizing the no‐good cuts and developing a way to generate improved no‐good cuts much earlier in a branch‐and‐bound tree. Results are reported on benchmark instances in literature and new difficult instances generated by the authors. Some polyhedral results are presented about the strength of the generalized no‐good cuts for a special case of the problem.
Computing light pollution indicators for environmental assessment
Authors: Falchi Fabio , Bará Salvador
Published: June 2021

Light pollution modeling and monitoring has traditionally used zenith sky brightness as its main indicator. Several other indicators (e.g., average sky radiance, horizontal irradiance, and average sky radiance at given interval of zenith distances) may be more useful, both for general and specific purposes of ecology studies, night sky, and environmental monitoring. These indicators can be calculated after the whole sky radiance is known with sufficient angular detail. This means, for each site, to integrate the contribution in each direction of the sky of each light source in the radius of hundreds of km. This approach is extremely high time‐consuming if the mapping is desired for a large territory. Here, we present a way to obtain maps of large territories for a large subset of useful indicators, bypassing the need to calculate first the radiance map of the whole sky in each site to obtain from it the desired indicator in that site. For each indicator, a point spread function (PSF) is calculated from the whole sky radiance maps generated by a single source at sufficiently dense number of distances from the observing site. If the PSF is transversally shift‐invariant, that is, if it depends only on the relative position of source and observer, then we can further speed up the map calculation via the use of fast Fourier‐transform. We present here examples of maps for different indicators. Precise results can be calculated for any single site, taking into account the site and light sources' altitudes, by means of specific inhomogeneous (spatially variant) and anisotropic (nonrotationally symmetric) PSFs.

Key points

Light pollution is not anymore viewed as an astronomycentric issue.

On the contrary, it is a multidisciplinary problem, involving, between others, physicists, ecologists, physiologists, engineers, politicians.

Some of the disciplines that will directly take advantage from the methods explained here are: astronomy, ecology and ethology (in condition of altered night light), urban and landscape planning, environmental protection.
Adapting pediatric obesity care to better suit adolescent patients: Design of a treatment platform and results compared with standard care in the national patient quality register
Authors: Janson Annika , Bohlin Anna , Johansson Britt‐Marie , Trygg‐Lycke Sofia , Gauffin Fredrika , Klaesson Sven
Published: June 2021

Background

Obesity constitutes a critical risk for adolescent health. This study aimed at identifying youth‐friendly components of obesity treatment.

Methods

In this feasibility study, an adolescent obesity treatment platform was implemented at two Pediatric outpatient clinics in Sweden. Body mass index (BMI), BMI z‐score, and the category of obesity (International Obesity Task Force) were compared before and after the intervention and with data on standard care from the Swedish Childhood Obesity Treatment Register.

Results

The study included 99 participants (49 females) aged 13–18 years from 1 September 2014, to 31 December 2016. A pediatric nurse met the participants on average 6.5 times in the average inclusion period of 15 months. Physical activity sessions attracted 63 participants. Acceptance Commitment Therapy and In Real Life groups attracted 24 participants. At inclusion, 62 participants had obesity and 37 severe obesity, and 71/99 (72%) remained in the same category. The mean BMI increased from 32.0 to 33.4 kg/m2 (p < 0.01), but 56/94 (60%) participants lowered their BMI or increased less than 1 kg/m2 and 73% stayed to the end of the study. Participants who were new to treatment and participants coming for more than eight visits to the nurse did not increase in BMI. BMI did not change for the 221 out of 641 register patients who had two recordings of BMI in the study period.

Conclusions

The platform was successful in increasing retention, and 60% of participants lowered or maintained their BMI. Still, seven out of ten adolescents with obesity or severe obesity remained in the same weight category.
Rheological properties of UHMWPE/HDPE blend gels and morphology and mechanical properties of gel‐spun fibers
Authors: Yang Wenxiao , Bin Yuezhen , Wang Hai , Ge Zhonghui
Published: June 2021

To produce polyethylene (PE) fibers with relatively high tensile strength but low cost, ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)/high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) (UH) blend gels were prepared from paraffin oil and further fabricated into UH blend fibers by gel spinning. This research focused on the rheological properties of UH blend gels with high solid contents (SCs) ranging from 25 to 100 g/L, as well as morphology and mechanical properties of resultant gel‐spun UH blend fibers. The rheological measurements indicated that the apparent viscosity, shear storage, and loss moduli of the UH blend gels were not markedly increased compared with those of the UHMWPE gel with much less SC. No obvious solid–liquid phase separation occurred in UH blend gels at a temperature above the sol–gel transition temperature. UH blend fibers were prepared by drawing as‐spun fibers (draw ratio [λ] = 3) at 110°C to λ = 15, 45, 60, and 80, respectively. The orientation degree of fibril structure in UH blend fibers increased with increasing λ but the length of fibrils (Lfibril) showed a complex change. The Lfibril of UH blend fibers became larger due to chain arrangement in company with the transformation of the kebab structure to the extended shish structure when the λ was less than 45 but decreased during further elongation (λ = 60 and 80) because of fibril breakage and recrystallization. The change in morphological behavior led to the corresponding change in mechanical properties of resultant gel‐spun UH blend fibers. The tensile strength of gel‐spun UH55‐45 blend fiber (UHMWPE/HDPE = 5/5 and λ = 45) reached 15.6 cN/dtex, which could fulfill the requirement of mechanical properties in common application.
COVID‐19: Impact, experiences, and support needs of children and young adults with cystic fibrosis and parents
Authors: Collaço Nicole , Legg Julian , Day Maria , Culliford David , Campion Anna , West Carolyn , Darlington Anne‐Sophie
Published: June 2021

Background

Little is known about the impact of COVID‐19 and the United Kingdom's (UK) national shielding advice on people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and their families. This study explored the experiences and support needs of children and young adults (CYAs) with CF, and parents who have a child with CF, during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

CYAs with CF and parents of CYAs with CF completed a UK wide online survey with open and closed questions exploring experiences, information and support needs and decision‐making processes. Qualitative thematic content analysis and descriptive quantitative analyses were undertaken.

Results

CYAs aged 10–30 years (n = 99) and parents of CYAs aged 0–34 years (n = 145) responded. Parents (72.7%) and CYAs (50.0%) worried about the virus, and both were vigilant for virus symptoms (82.7% and 79.7%). Over three‐quarters of CYAs were worried about their own health if they caught the virus. CYAs worried about feeling more isolated during the virus (64.9%). Qualitative findings reported the following themes: (1) Disruption—caused by isolation, (2) impact on psychological wellbeing, (3) safety of shielding, and (4) healthcare and treatment provision—changes to care, access and support.

Conclusions

The impact of COVID‐19 and UK shielding advice to have no contact with anyone outside the household caused disruption to the lives and routines of individuals in relation to work, education, social lives, relationships, CF management routines and support. Parents and CYAs highlighted the need for clear, up‐to‐date and tailored advice on individualized risks and shielding.
Lower urinary tract symptoms: initial management in men
Authors: Brown Andrew , Burden Helena
Published: June 2021

Lower urinary tract symptoms are common in the ageing male and can significantly impact upon quality of life. This article discusses the symptoms commonly experienced, investigations and initial management in primary care, and the criteria for referral.
Antibiotic advances: soil, sea and perverse disincentives
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: June 2021

The threat of increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) means there is pressing need for new antibiotics. This article discusses the mechanisms driving AMR, some of the innovative approaches being taken to develop novel antibacterials and the disincentives that hinder progress.
Steroid Emergency Cards – a new Patient Safety Alert
Authors: Harvey John N
Published: June 2021

A recent Patient Safety Alert stipulates that all patients at risk of adrenal crisis are provided with a Steroid Emergency Card. This article discusses which patients are at risk, how to identify adrenal crisis and why urgent action is needed when it occurs. It also summarises the requirements of the new alert.
Brazilian immigrant entrepreneurs' support networks and bounded (mis)trust in Western Australia
Authors: Casado Renata , Falcão Roberto Pessoa de Queiroz , Cruz Eduardo Picanço
Published: June 2021

This research investigated factors that either hinder or foster social ties among Brazilian entrepreneurs in Western Australia, as well as trust among these co‐ethnic businesses and the community. This is an exploratory qualitative study, based on semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews with 23 Brazilian entrepreneurs. Findings suggest that there are strong social ties and trust among Brazilian entrepreneurs, but these are sustained because the relationship of reciprocity between the parties is useful for the businesses. Conversely, this study also highlights the existence of ‘bounded mistrust’ in the relationship between the Brazilian entrepreneurs and the Brazilian community. We build on ideas from economic sociology (Portes & Sensenbrenner, 1993; Portes & Zhou, 1992), while also taking into consideration anthropological aspects of the Brazilian culture, to offer not only insights about entrepreneurship within this ethnic community but also a contribution to the conceptualisation of ‘bounded trust’.
Intelligent optimal tracking with asymmetric constraints of a nonlinear wastewater treatment system
Authors: Wang Ding , Zhao Mingming , Qiao Junfei
Published: June 2021

The wastewater treatment is an effective method for alleviating the shortage of water resources. In this article, a data‐driven iterative adaptive tracking control approach is developed to improve the control performance of the dissolved oxygen concentration and the nitrate nitrogen concentration in the nonlinear wastewater treatment plant. First, the model network is established to obtain the steady control and evaluate the new system state. Then, a nonquadratic performance functional is provided to handle asymmetric control constraints. Moreover, the new costate function and the tracking control policy are derived by using the dual heuristic dynamic programming algorithm. In the present control scheme, two neural networks are constructed to approximate the costate function and the tracking control law. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed algorithm is confirmed by applying the designed strategy to the wastewater treatment plant.
Critical parameters for the robust stabilization of the inverted pendulum with reaction delay: State feedback versus predictor feedback
Authors: Kovacs Balazs A. , Insperger Tamas
Published: June 2021

The critical length that limits stabilizability for delayed proportional‐derivative‐acceleration (PDA) feedback and for predictor feedback (PF) is analyzed for the inverted pendulum paradigm. The aim of this work is to improve the understanding of human balancing tasks such as stick balancing on the fingertip, which can be modeled as a pendulum cart system. The relation between the critical length of the balanced stick and the reaction time delay in the presence of sensory uncertainties, which are modeled as static parameter perturbations in the control gains, is investigated rigorously. Robust stabilizability analysis is performed using the real structured stability radius. Performance is assessed by the length of the shortest pendulum (critical length) that can still be balanced for a fixed reaction delay. For both PDA feedback and PF control with delay mismatch, it is observed that the relation between the critical length and the reaction delay remains quadratic in the presence of perturbations on the control gains (of fixed size). Numerical comparison shows that predictor feedback is superior over PDA feedback in terms of critical length: shorter pendulum can be balanced by PF than by PDA feedback for the same reaction delay and for the same static parameter perturbation. Furthermore, it is found that both control concepts are more sensitive to the change in the feedback delay than on the same relative change in the parameter uncertainties. Interpretation to human balancing suggests that it is more challenging for the nervous system to cope with reaction delay than with sensory uncertainties.
Assessment of a conservative mixing model for the evaluation of constituent behavior below river confluences, Elqui River Basin, Chile
Authors: Rossi Catalina , Oyarzún Jorge , Pastén Pablo , Runkel Robert L. , Núñez Jorge , Duhalde Denisse , Maturana Hugo , Rojas Eduardo , Arumí José L. , Castillo Daniela , Oyarzún Ricardo
Published: June 2021

Fate and transport modeling of water‐borne contaminants is a data demanding and costly endeavor, requiring considerable expertise. As such, it becomes important to know when a complex modeling approach is required, and when a simpler approach is adequate. This is the main objective herein, where a conservative mixing model is used to characterize the transport of As, Cu, Fe, and SO4. The study area is divided into three sectors, corresponding to the upstream, middle, and downstream portions of the Elqui River Basin, Chile. In Sector 1, acidic conditions result in the conservative transport of constituents that are sourced from acid rock drainage. In Sector 2, pH increases and transport is influenced by pH‐dependent reactions and the subsequent settling of the particulate phase. In Sector 3, there are no additional constituent inputs, and the constituents are conservatively transported downstream. Conservative transport within Sector 3 is confirmed through the development of a regression model that provides monthly estimates of SO4 load. Whereas SO4 and Cu concentrations are adequately approximated by the conservative mixing model, estimates of As and Fe concentrations exhibit larger errors, due to the more reactive behavior of these constituents. The fact that the simple, conservative mixing model describes SO4 transport is a valuable result, as this constituent is known to be one of the primary indicators of mining‐related contamination in rivers. The approach could also be a useful starting point for further evaluations of the effects of climate change and hydrological variability on the water quality of rivers.
The p38 MAPK Inhibitors and Their Role in Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Machado Thamires R. , Machado Thayná R. , Pascutti Pedro G.
Published: June 2021

The p38 family is a highly evolutionarily conserved group of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) that is involved in and helps co‐ordinate cellular responses to nearly all stressful stimuli. Four isoforms of the p38 MAPK family (α, β, γ, δ) have been identified. p38α is activated by many inflammatory stimuli, and it plays a key role in regulating the biosynthesis of proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin 1β (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). For this reason, p38 MAPK is an important target to be studied for the treatment of chronic airway inflammatory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, COVID‐19 and acute coronary syndrome. The characteristics of p38 MAPK, the different modes of inhibition, and its involvement in inflammatory diseases are summarized in this review. We then discuss the p38 MAPK inhibitors that have been used in the in vitro systems as well as in the clinical trials.
Ionic‐Liquids‐Promoted Synthesis of Aryldiazo Sulfones from Aryltriazenes and Sodium Sulfinates under Metal‐Free and Ambient Conditions
Authors: Zhang Yonghong , Cao Dawei , Ma Xuecheng , Tang Chengzong , Wang Bin , Jin Weiwei , Xia Yu , Liu Chenjiang
Published: June 2021

A metal‐free, efficient and environmentally benign protocol for the synthesis of aryldiazo sulfones from aryltriazenes and sodium aryl/alkyl sulfinates is described. The procedure exploits the unique properties of aryltriazenes as aryl‐azo precursors of aryldiazonium cation and sodium sulfinates as easy‐to‐handle aryl/alkyl sulfonyl reagents. The distinctive features of this reaction include very mild reaction condition, wide functional group tolerance, green reaction system, short reaction time, good to excellent yields and gram‐scalability. This work offers a safe and potential alternative to reported methods in the synthesis of aryldiazo sulfones.