bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Best Surface Sterilization Treatment and Control of Endophytic Bacterial Contamination in Annona squamosa L.
Authors: Minipara Dipal , Dhaduk Hareshkumar , Patil Ghanshyam , Narayanan Subhash , Kumar Sushil
Published: September 2019

Surface sterilization is most important step in plant tissue culture protocol. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to eliminate microbial and fungal contaminants from the surface and interior of plant material, thus obtaining axenic culture with highest survival rate. Sequential surface sterilizations of hypocotyl, leaf, shoot tip and mature node were carried out to investigate its effectiveness in controlling surface contamination with satisfactory survival of explants. Combination of different surfactant were used for surface sterilization treatments. The least contamination was obtained when hypocotyl explants were treated with 200 ppm cefotaxime and 500 ppm carbendazim along with 0.1% HgCl2 with best survival percentage. Treatments consisting of alcohol treatment, carbendazim (2000 ppm) followed by 1000 ppm cefotaxime, 500 ppm kanamycin, 2% sodium hypochloride and 0.1% HgCl2 sequentially resulted in complete elimination of surface contaminants from shoot tip, soft node and hard node obtained from field grown mature tree. Optimal elimination of bioburden from young leaf (77.38%) were obtained using 1000 ppm carbendazim, 500 ppm cefotaxime, 500 ppm kanamycin and 0.1% HgCl2. Gentamicin used in the medium was able to control the endophytic bacterial bioburden completely in the first cycle of 15 days itself at higher concentration of 96 mol/l to remove endophytic bacterial contamination with out effecting plant growth.
Modelling Delay in Migration for Constant Predator and Predator-Density-Dependent Prey Migration
Authors: Mabwago Abraham O. , George Lawi O. , Samuel Apima B. , Otieno Joyce A.
Published: September 2019

Predator-prey models describe the dynamics of ecological systems in which two species, the predator and the prey, interact. The objective of this study is to formulate and analyze a predator-prey mathematical model, based on a system of delay differential equations that takes into consideration time delay in migration, with a prey migration rate that depends on the predator density and other factors like availability of its food. It is shown that the population density mainly depends on both barriers during migration and the migration rate. The rates of migration may be affected by factors such as infrastructure through natural habitat, destruction of the natural habitat through logging, natural disasters like re-outbreaks among others. In view of this, relevant agencies should employ measures which will deal with factors which slow down the rate of migration or cause barriers during migration for example reducing natural habitat land allocation to human settlement, agriculture or infrastructure.
Earning Management: From Agency and Signalling Theory Perspective in Ethiopia
Authors: Yimenu Kirubel Asegdew , Surur Sitina Akmel
Published: September 2019

Aims: To examine earning management from agency and signalling theory perspectives. Agency theory was used as a clogging factor for earning management practice whereas, signalling theory relates to managements intention to reflect insider information for the market.

Study Design: Considering the nature of the problem, explanatory research design with mixed research approach was employed.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: large manufacturing companies from the period of 2009 to 2017, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methodology: The study used audited financial reports of 14 large manufacturing companies in Addis Ababa operating from the period of 2009 to 2017 for which random effect regression model was used.

Results: From agency theory proxies, leverage and audit quality had significant positive and negative impact respectively on earning management. The finding for signalling theory proxies showed that, size of the firm had a positive significant relationship with earning management.

Conclusion: The study concluded that signalling and agency theories partially explained earning management in Ethiopian Large Manufacturing Share companies.

Originality/value: There were numerous studies explaining earning management from signalling and Agency theory self-reliantly, but this study has modeled earning maneuver motives of management (signalling motive) and controlling mechanisms (Agency theory proxies) set by stakeholders, in one model. Further, the study was conducted in developing country perspective with lower legal requirement on information asymmetry, higher reporting laxity and non-standard/mixed reporting experience.
Biliary Peritonitis Due to Spontaneous Perforation of the Left Intrahepatic Bile Duct in an Adult: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Cai Wenwu , Pan Ke , Li Qinglong , Miao Xiongying , Shu Chang
Published: September 2019

Spontaneous perforation of the left intrahepatic bile duct is extremely rare, especially in adults. Here, we report on a case of a 64-year-old woman who had a complaint of right upper abdominal pain for 10 days, which gradually progressed to entire abdominal pain for 3 days, and was admitted to our hospital. Relevant examinations revealed she had a normal cardiac and lung workup, but an obvious abnormal abdominal computed tomography examination, which revealed an enlarged gallbladder, choledocholithiasis with dilatation of the common bile duct (1.8 cm) and intrahepatic bile duct, and a lot of encapsulated ascites. After being given adequate fluid resuscitation and active preoperative preparation, cholecystectomy and common bile duct exploration and perforation repair operation were then performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged with the T-tube in situ. A choledochoscopy examination at week 6 showed the conditions of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct were good. For these patients, early diagnosis and surgical treatment are essential for good prognosis. The goal of our surgery is to stop bile leakage, resolve choledocholithiasis and cholangitis, and reconstruct the bile duct.
Prevention of the Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Esophageal Cancer by Use of Hangeshashinto (TJ-14)
Authors: Takahashi Masakazu , Nakajima Masanobu , Muroi Hiroto , Satomura Hitoshi , Domeki Yasushi , Ihara Keisuke , Kikuchi Maiko , Kubo Tsukasa , Yokoyama Haruka , Ogata Hideo , Yamaguchi Satoru , Sasaki Kinro , Hakata Kenbun , Kawamata Hitoshi , Kato Hiroyuki
Published: September 2019

Objective:

Oral mucositis and diarrhea are adverse effects (AEs) of chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy (CR/CRT) that commonly occur in patients of esophageal cancer (EC). We investigated whether Hangeshashinto (TJ-14)—a Japanese traditional medicine—could control oral mucositis, pain, incidence of esophagitis, and diarrhea in patients who underwent CT/CRT for EC.

Methods:

We enrolled 39 patients (36 men, 3 women) who underwent docetaxel- or cisplatin-based CT/CRT for EC between July 2012 and June 2014, of whom 19 used TJ-14 dissolved in water as an oral rinse 3 times a day over the first 2 courses of their treatment, and 20 (the control group) received no particular prophylaxis against mucositis. Their AEs, including mucositis, were evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0.

Results:

Although incidences of oral mucositis, appetite loss, nausea, constipation, and vomiting did not significantly differ between the TJ-14 group and controls, diarrhea incidence was significantly lower in the TJ-14 group by the second treatment course (P = 0.0261 by per protocol set analyses).

Conclusions:

TJ-14 significantly decreases diarrhea caused by CT/CRT in patients treated for EC, although TJ-14 cannot prevent of causing oral mucositis.
Increased Risk of Complications After Pancreatoduodenectomy in Uninephrectomized Patients
Authors: Takagi Tadataka , Sho Masayuki , Nishiwada Satoshi , Akahori Takahiro , Nagai Minako , Nakamura Kota , Nakagawa Kenji , Ikeda Naoya
Published: September 2019

Objective:

The study objective is to investigate the impact of unilateral nephrectomy on the complications after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD).

Summary of background data:

Preoperative renal insufficiency is a risk factor for postoperative complications and mortality after various types of surgery. However, the specific postoperative risks in uninephrectomized (UN) patients are largely unknown.

Methods:

Between January 2010 and June 2014, a total of 177 patients underwent PD at the Department of Surgery, Nara Medical University. Among them, 7 patients (4.0%) were UN. We retrospectively evaluated the influence of the UN status on the postoperative complications.

Results:

The rate of acute kidney injury in the UN group was significantly higher than that in the control group (28.6% versus 1.2%; P = 0.017). In addition, the rates of surgical site infection of the organ/space (57.1% versus 9.0%; P = 0.006) and sepsis (42.9% versus 3.5%; P = 0.003) in UN group were significantly higher. Even on a reanalysis of only patients with soft pancreas, the significance remained.

Conclusions:

The UN status has a significant impact on the rate of morbidities, such as acute kidney injury and various infectious complications, including surgical site infections of organ/space, sepsis, and cholangitis after PD. Appropriate intervention should be implemented to decrease the morbidity rate for UN patients.
Clinical evaluation of 4D MRI in the delineation of gross and internal tumor volumes in comparison with 4DCT
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Srivastava Shreya , Wang Chunyu , Beckham Thomas , Johnson Christopher , Dutta Pinaki , Shepherd Annemarie , Mechalakos James , Hunt Margie , Wu Abraham , Rimner Andreas , Li Guang
Published: September 2019

Purpose

To evaluate clinical utility of respiratory‐correlated (RC) four‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (4DMRI) for lung tumor delineation and motion assessment, in comparison with the current clinical standard of 4D computed tomography (4DCT).

Methods and Materials

A prospective T2‐weighted (T2w) RC‐4DMRI technique was applied to acquire coronal 4DMRI images for 14 lung cancer patients (16 lesions) during free breathing (FB) under an IRB‐approved protocol, together with a breath‐hold (BH) T1w 3DMRI and axial 4DMRI. Clinical simulation CT and 4DCT were acquired within 2 h. An internal navigator was applied to trigger amplitude‐binned 4DMRI acquisition whereas a bellows or real‐time position management (RPM) was used in the 4DCT reconstruction. Six radiation oncologists manually delineated the gross and internal tumor volumes (GTV and ITV) in 399 3D images using programmed clinical workflows under a tumor delineation guideline. The ITV was the union of GTVs within the breathing cycle without margin. Average GTV and motion range were assessed and ITV variation between 4DMRI and 4DCT was evaluated using the Dice similarity index, mean distance agreement (MDA), and volume difference.

Results

The mean tumor volume is similar between 4DCT (GTV4DCT = 1.0, as the reference) and T2w‐4DMRI (GTVT2wMR = 0.97), but smaller in T1w MRI (GTVT1wMR = 0.76), suggesting possible peripheral edema around the tumor. Average GTV variation within the breathing cycle (22%) in 4DMRI is slightly greater than 4DCT (17%). GTV motion variation (−4 to 12 mm) and ITV variation (∆VITV=−25 to 95%) between 4DCT and 4DMRI are large, confirmed by relatively low ITV similarity (Dice = 0.72 ± 0.11) and large MDA = 2.9 ± 1.5 mm.

Conclusion

Average GTVs are similar between T2w‐4DMRI and 4DCT, but smaller by 25% in T1w BH MRI. Physician training and breathing coaching may be necessary to reduce ITV variability between 4DMRI and 4DCT. Four‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging is a promising and viable technique for clinical lung tumor delineation and motion assessment.
Use of a plastic scintillator detector for patient‐specific quality assurance of VMAT SRS
Authors: Snyder Jesse D. , Sullivan Rodney J. , Wu Xingen , Covington Elizabeth L. , Popple Richard A.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

To evaluate a scintillator detector for patient‐specific quality assurance of VMAT radiosurgery plans.

Methods

The detector was comprised of a 1 mm diameter, 1 mm high scintillator coupled to an acrylic optical fiber. Sixty VMAT SRS plans for treatment of single targets having sizes ranging from 3 mm to 30.2 mm equivalent diameter (median 16.3 mm) were selected. The plans were delivered to a 20 cm × 20 cm x 15 cm water equivalent plastic phantom having either the scintillator detector or radiochromic film at the center. Calibration films were obtained for each measurement session. The films were scanned and converted to dose using a 3‐channel technique.

Results

The mean difference between scintillator and film was ‒0.45% (95% confidence interval ‒0.1% to 0.8%). For target equivalent diameter smaller than the median, the mean difference was 1.1% (95% confidence interval 0.5% to 1.7%). For targets larger than the median, the mean difference was ‒0.2% (95% confidence interval ‒0.7% to 0.1%).

Conclusions

The scintillator detector response is independent of target size for targets as small as 3 mm and is well‐suited for patient‐specific quality assurance of VMAT SRS plans. Further work is needed to evaluate the accuracy for VMAT plans that treat multiple targets using a single isocenter.
COMP Report: A survey of radiation safety regulations for medical imaging x‐ray equipment in Canada
Authors: Bjarnason Thorarin A. , Rees Robert , Kainz Judy , Le Lawrence H. , Stewart Errol E. , Preston Brent , Elbakri Idris , Fife Ingvar A. J. , Lee Ting‐Yim , Gagnon I Martin Benoît , Arsenault Clément , Therrien Pierre , Kendall Edward , Tonkopi Elena , Cottreau Michelle , Aldrich John E.
Published: September 2019

X‐ray regulations and room design methodology vary widely across Canada. The Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP) conducted a survey in 2016/2017 to provide a useful snapshot of existing variations in rules and methodologies for human patient medical imaging facilities. Some jurisdictions no longer have radiation safety regulatory requirements and COMP is concerned that lack of regulatory oversight might erode safe practices. Harmonized standards will facilitate oversight that will ensure continued attention is given to public safety and to control workplace exposure. COMP encourages all Canadian jurisdictions to adopt the dose limits and constraints outlined in Health Canada Safety Code 35 with the codicil that the design standards be updated to those outlined in NCRP 147 and BIR 2012.
Impact of CT reconstruction algorithm on auto‐segmentation performance
Authors: Miller Claudia , Mittelstaedt Daniel , Black Noel , Klahr Paul , Nejad‐Davarani Siamak , Schulz Heinrich , Goshen Liran , Han Xiaoxia , Ghanem Ahmed I , Morris Eric D. , Glide‐Hurst Carri
Published: September 2019

Model‐based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) reduces CT imaging dose while maintaining image quality. However, MBIR reduces noise while preserving edges which may impact intensity‐based tasks such as auto‐segmentation. This work evaluates the sensitivity of an auto‐contouring prostate atlas across multiple MBIR reconstruction protocols and benchmarks the results against filtered back projection (FBP). Images were created from raw projection data for 11 prostate cancer cases using FBP and nine different MBIR reconstructions (3 protocols/3 noise reduction levels) yielding 10 reconstructions/patient. Five bony structures, bladder, rectum, prostate, and seminal vesicles (SVs) were segmented using an auto‐segmentation pipeline that renders 3D binary masks for analysis. Performance was evaluated for volume percent difference (VPD) and Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), using FBP as the gold standard. Nonparametric Friedman tests plus post hoc all pairwise comparisons were employed to test for significant differences (P < 0.05) for soft tissue organs and protocol/level combinations. A physician performed qualitative grading of 396 MBIR contours across the prostate, bladder, SVs, and rectum in comparison to FBP using a six‐point scale. MBIR contours agreed with FBP for bony anatomy (DSC ≥ 0.98), bladder (DSC ≥ 0.94, VPD < 8.5%), and prostate (DSC = 0.94 ± 0.03, VPD = 4.50 ± 4.77% (range: 0.07–26.39%). Increased variability was observed for rectum (VPD = 7.50 ± 7.56% and DSC = 0.90 ± 0.08) and SVs (VPD and DSC of 8.23 ± 9.86% range (0.00–35.80%) and 0.87 ± 0.11, respectively). Over the all protocol/level comparisons, a significant difference was observed for the prostate VPD between BSPL1 and BSTL2 (adjusted P‐value = 0.039). Nevertheless, 300 of 396 (75.8%) of the four soft tissue structures using MBIR were graded as equivalent or better than FBP, suggesting that MBIR offered potential improvements in auto‐segmentation performance when compared to FBP. Future work may involve tuning organ‐specific MBIR parameters to further improve auto‐segmentation performance. Running title: Impact of CT Reconstruction Algorithm on Auto‐segmentation Performance.
Mutually Exclusive p‐Type and n‐Type Hybrid Electrode of MoS2 and Graphene for Artificial Soft Touch Fingers
Authors: Manzoor Muhammad Taha , Nguyen Van Hiep , Umrao Sima , Kim Jae‐Hwan , Tabassian Rassoul , Kim Ji‐Eun , Oh Il‐Kwon
Published: September 2019

Future smart mobile electronics and wearable robotics that can perform delicate activities controlled by artificial intelligence can require rapid motion actuators working at low voltages with acceptable safety and improved energy efficiency. Accordingly, ionic soft actuators can have great potential over other counterparts because they exhibit gentle movements at low voltages, less than 2 V. However, these actuators currently show deficient performances at sub‐1 V voltages in the high‐frequency range because of the lack of electrode materials with the vital antagonistic properties of high capacitance and good conductivity. Herein, a mutually exclusive nanohybrid electrode (pMoS2‐nSNrGO) is reported consisting of oxide‐doped p‐type molybdenum‐disulfide and sulfur‐nitrogen‐codoped n‐type reduced‐graphene‐oxide. The pMoS2‐nSNrGO electrode derives high capacitance from MoS2 and good charge transfer between the two components from p‐n nano‐junctions, resulting in excellent actuation performances (670% improvement compared with rGO electrode at 0.5 V and 1 Hz, together with fast responses up to 15 Hz). With such excellent performances, these actuators can be successfully applied to realize an artificial soft robotic finger system for delicately touching the fragile surfaces of smartphones and tablets. The mutually exclusive pMoS2‐nSNrGO electrode can open a new way to develop high‐performance soft actuators for soft robotic applications in the future.
Quasifractal Networks as Current Collectors for Transparent Flexible Supercapacitors
Authors: Chen Shiqian , Shi Bibo , He Weidong , Wu Xiayan , Zhang Xian , Zhu Yanbo , He Shan , Peng Haihui , Jiang Yue , Gao Xingsen , Fan Zhen , Zhou Guofu , Liu Jun‐Ming , Kempa Krzysztof , Gao Jinwei
Published: September 2019

A high performance, transparent, and simultaneously mechanically flexible supercapacitor, with electrodes based on a bio‐inspired, quasifractal metallic network is demonstrated. Excellent performance parameters, such as the specific capacitance of 5.6 mF cm−2 (at 45% transparency), great long‐term electrochemical and mechanical stability under stress, and low cost, make this one of the best reported, and most promising candidates for applications in the wearable, transparent integrated electronics.
Advances in the Application of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Sensing
Authors: Gloag Lucy , Mehdipour Milad , Chen Dongfei , Tilley Richard D. , Gooding J. Justin
Published: September 2019

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are of high significance in sensing as they provide viable solutions to the enduring challenges related to lower detection limits and nonspecific effects. The rapid expansion in the applications of MNPs creates a need to overview the current state of the field of MNPs for sensing applications. In this review, the trends and concepts in the literature are critically appraised in terms of the opportunities and limitations of MNPs used for the most advanced sensing applications. The latest progress in MNP sensor technologies is overviewed with a focus on MNP structures and properties, as well as the strategies of incorporating these MNPs into devices. By looking at recent synthetic advancements, and the key challenges that face nanoparticle‐based sensors, this review aims to outline how to design, synthesize, and use MNPs to make the most effective and sensitive sensors.
Tangential Flow Microfluidics for the Capture and Release of Nanoparticles and Extracellular Vesicles on Conventional and Ultrathin Membranes
Authors: Dehghani Mehdi , Lucas Kilean , Flax Jonathan , McGrath James , Gaborski Thomas
Published: September 2019

Membranes have been used extensively for the purification and separation of biological species. A persistent challenge is the purification of species from concentrated feed solutions such as extracellular vesicles (EVs) from biological fluids. Investigated is a new method to isolate micro‐ and nanoscale species termed tangential flow for analyte capture (TFAC), which is an extension of traditional tangential flow filtration. Initially, EV purification from plasma on ultrathin nanomembranes is compared between both normal flow filtration (NFF) and TFAC. NFF results in rapid formation of a protein cake which completely obscures any captured EVs and also prevents further transport across the membrane. On the other hand, TFAC shows capture of CD63 positive small EVs with minimal contamination. The use of TFAC to capture target species over membrane pores, wash, and then release in a physical process that does not rely upon affinity or chemical interactions is explored. This process is studied with model particles on both ultrathin and conventional thickness membranes. Successful capture and release of model particles is observed using both membranes. Ultrathin nanomembranes show higher efficiency of capture and release with significantly lower pressures indicating that ultrathin nanomembranes are well‐suited for TFAC of delicate nanoscale particles such as EVs.
Defining Deep‐Subwavelength‐Resolution, Wide‐Color‐Gamut, and Large‐Viewing‐Angle Flexible Subtractive Colors with an Ultrathin Asymmetric Fabry–Perot Lossy Cavity
Authors: Zhao Jiancun , Qiu Meng , Yu Xiaochang , Yang Xiaoming , Jin Wei , Lei Dangyuan , Yu Yiting
Published: September 2019

Achieving structural colors with wide color gamut, large viewing angle, and high resolution remains practically challenging. Here, proposed is an asymmetric Fabry–Perot (F–P) lossy cavity to realize subtractive colors, simultaneously featuring wide gamut, angle insensitivity, high resolution, and good flexibility. The experimental results demonstrate that the realized structural colors are insensitive to the viewing angle up to ±60°, arising from the negligible light propagation phase shift in the ultrathin lossy cavity made of an amorphous silicon (a‐Si) layer; they also exhibit a wide color gamut covering the whole cyan, magenta, and yellow (CMY) color system, simply achieved through changing the thicknesses of the top metal layer and the middle lossy a‐Si layer. The ultrathin configuration enables printing such colors at a deep‐subwavelength resolution, and the ease of experimental fabrication enables their implementation on soft substrates. Accordingly, a 2D sketched image is printed using this cavity at a resolution of 150 000 dots per inch (dpi) in the geometrical space, corresponding to a minimum color pixel of 160 nm, well beyond the diffraction limit; a flexible structural color membrane with wide color gamut and large viewing angle is well adhered on an airplane model with a complex surface profile.
Spectrally Tunable and Stable Electroluminescence Enabled by Rubidium Doping of CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals
Authors: Todorović Petar , Ma Dongxin , Chen Bin , Quintero‐Bermudez Rafael , Saidaminov Makhsud I. , Dong Yitong , Lu Zheng‐Hong , Sargent Edward H.
Published: September 2019

Perovskite nanocrystals exhibit high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) and tunable bandgaps from ultraviolet to infrared. However, blue perovskite light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) suffer from color instability under applied bias. Developing narrow‐bandwidth deep‐blue emitters will maximize the color gamut of display technologies. Mixed anion approaches suffer from halide segregation that leads to their spectral instability. Here instead, a mixed cation strategy is employed whereby Rb+ is directly incorporated during synthesis into CsPbBr3 nanocrystals. Blue‐emitting perovskite quantum dots (QDs) with stable photoluminescence, PLQYs greater than 60%, tunable emission from 460 to 500 nm, and narrow emission linewidths (<25 nm) are reported. The strategy retains a pure bromine crystal structure resulting in color‐pure stable electroluminescence at operating voltages of up to 10 V, peak external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of 0.87% and 0.11% for sky‐blue (490 nm), and deep‐blue (464 nm) devices. The sky‐blue devices exhibit the highest combined luminance of 93 cd m−2 at an EQE of 0.75%, the best reported to date of perovskite QD LEDs.
Photo‐Organocatalytic Enantioselective Radical Cascade Enabled by Single‐Electron Transfer Activation of Allenes
Authors: Perego Luca Alessandro , Bonilla Pablo , Melchiorre Paolo
Published: September 2019

Allenes are commonly used in metal‐mediated transformations, cycloaddition reactions, and radical processes. However, their activation by single‐electron transfer (SET) is largely underexplored. Herein, we report a visible light‐driven enantioselective organocatalytic process that uses the excited‐state reactivity of chiral iminium ions to activate allenes by SET oxidation. The ensuing allene cation radicals participate in stereocontrolled cascade reactions to deliver chiral bicyclic scaffolds with good enantioselectivity and exquisite diastereoselectivity. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations support a mechanism that combines the peculiar chemistry of allene radical cations with polar reactivity.

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Efficacy of steroid‐eluting stents in management of chronic rhinosinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery: updated meta‐analysis
Authors: Goshtasbi Khodayar , Abouzari Mehdi , Abiri Arash , Yasaka Tyler , Sahyouni Ronald , Bitner Benjamin , Tajudeen Bobby A. , Kuan Edward C.
Published: September 2019

Background

Recently, there has been mounting evidence suggesting the efficacy of steroid‐eluting stents (SES) for management of chronic rhinosinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). This meta‐analysis serves to evaluate the efficacy of SES in improving postoperative outcomes after ESS.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed of PubMed for articles published between 1985 and 2018. The outcome variables were reported at, on average, 30 days postintervention.

Results

Seven of the 76 published studies, all of which were industry‐sponsored, were included for a collective cohort of 444 SES and 444 control sinuses. In patients who received SES vs controls, collective odds ratios (ORs) for postoperative need for intervention, surgery, and oral steroid were 0.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33‐0.62; p < 0.001), 0.30 (95% CI, 0.18‐0.52; p < 0.001), and 0.58 (95% CI, 0.40‐0.84; p = 0.004), respectively. In addition, collective ORs for frontal sinus ostia (FSO) patency, moderate‐to‐severe adhesion/scarring, and increase in polyp score were 2.53 (95% CI, 1.61‐3.97; p < 0.001), 0.28 (95% CI, 0.13‐0.59; p < 0.001), and 0.42 (95% CI, 0.25‐0.74; p = 0.002), respectively. Collective mean differences for FSO/ethmoid inflammation and FSO diameter were −10.86 mm (p < 0.001) and +1.34 mm (p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

Aggregate evidence suggests that SES can improve ESS outcomes by reducing rates of postoperative intervention and recurrent polyposis and inflammation, while promoting FSO patency. All included and analyzed studies were industry‐sponsored and ruling‐out publication bias was not possible. Future independent and nonsponsored studies to further evaluate SES's long‐term efficacy are warranted.
Self‐Imaging Effect Based on Circular Airy Beams
Authors: Zhan Kaiyun , Wang Jing , Jiao Ruiyun , Yang Zhendong , Liu Bing
Published: September 2019

The self‐imaging effect for a superposition of the fundamental circular Airy beams with successively changing radial displacements is investigated. In free space, this self‐imaging along a parabolic trajectory can persist before the focal point. In the linear index potentials with a gradient, the propagation trajectory of circular Airy–Talbot effect can follow some predefined trajectories determined by engineering the index gradient, and the self‐imaging extent can expand provided that each truncated constituent circular Airy beam maintains its form and continues to accelerate before dispersing strongly.
In‐Situ Nanostructuring and Stabilization of Polycrystalline Copper by an Organic Salt Additive Promotes Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction to Ethylene
Authors: Thevenon Arnaud , Rosas‐Hernández Alonso , Peters Jonas C. , Agapie Theodor
Published: September 2019

Bridging homogeneous molecular systems with heterogeneous catalysts is a promising approach for the development of new electrodes, combining the advantages of both approaches. In the context of CO2 electroreduction, molecular enhancement of planar copper electrodes has enabled promising advancement towards high Faradaic efficiencies for multicarbon products. Besides, nanostructured copper electrodes have also demonstrated enhanced performance at comparatively low overpotentials. Herein, we report a novel and convenient method for nanostructuring copper electrodes using N,N′‐ethylene‐phenanthrolinium dibromide as molecular additive. Selectivities up to 70 % for C≥2 products are observed for more than 40 h without significant change in the surface morphology. Mechanistic studies reveal several roles for the organic additive, including: the formation of cube‐like nanostructures by corrosion of the copper surface, the stabilization of these nanostructures during electrocatalysis by formation of a protective organic layer, and the promotion of C≥2 products.
Measurement of Angstrom to Nanometer Molecular Distances with 19F Nuclear Spins by EPR/ENDOR Spectroscopy
Authors: Meyer Andreas , Dechert Sebastian , Dey Surjendu , Höbartner Claudia , Bennati Marina
Published: September 2019

Spectroscopic and biophysical methods for structural determination at atomic resolution are fundamental in studies of biological function. Here we introduce an approach to measure molecular distances in bio‐macromolecules using 19F nuclear spins and nitroxide radicals in combination with high‐frequency (94 GHz/3.4 T) electron–nuclear double resonance (ENDOR). The small size and large gyromagnetic ratio of the 19F label enables to access distances up to about 1.5 nm with an accuracy of 0.1–1 Å. The experiment is not limited by the size of the bio‐macromolecule. Performance is illustrated on synthesized fluorinated model compounds as well as spin‐labelled RNA duplexes. The results demonstrate that our simple but strategic spin‐labelling procedure combined with state‐of‐the‐art spectroscopy accesses a distance range crucial to elucidate active sites of nucleic acids or proteins in the solution state.
LiMII(IO3)3 (MII=Zn and Cd): Two Promising Nonlinear Optical Crystals Derived from a Tunable Structure Model of α‐LiIO3
Authors: Jia Ying‐Jie , Chen Yi‐Gang , Guo Yao , Guan Xiao‐Fang , Li Chengbo , Li Bingxuan , Liu Min‐Min , Zhang Xian‐Ming
Published: September 2019

Excellent nonlinear optical materials simultaneously meet the requirements of large SHG response, phase‐matching capability, wide transparency windows, considerable energy band‐gap, good thermal stability and structure stability. Herein, two new promising nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals LiMII(IO3)3 (MII=Zn and Cd) are rationally designed by the aliovalent substitution strategy from the commercialized α‐LiIO3 with the perfect parallel alignment of IO3 groups. Compared with parent α‐LiIO3 and related AI2MIV(IO3)6, the title compounds exhibit more stable covalent 3D structure, and overcome the racemic twinning problem of AI2MIV(IO3)6. More importantly, both compounds inherit NLO‐favorable structure merits of α‐LiIO3 and show larger SHG response (≈14× and ≈12×KDP), shorter absorption edge (294 and 297 nm) with wider energy band‐gap (4.21 and 4.18 eV), good thermal stability (460 and 430 °C), phase‐matching behaviors, wider optical transparency window and good structure stability, achieving an excellent balance of NLO properties.
A Divergent Synthetic Route to the Vallesamidine and Schizozygine Alkaloids: Total Synthesis of (+)‐Vallesamidine and (+)‐14,15‐Dehydrostrempeliopine
Authors: Zhang Xiangyu , Anderson James C.
Published: September 2019

The total synthesis of representative members of the schizozygine alkaloids, (+)‐vallesamidine and (+)‐14,15‐dehydrostrempeliopine, were completed from a late‐stage divergent intermediate. The synthesis took advantage of efficient nitro‐group reactions with the A/B/C ring skeleton constructed concisely on a gram scale through an asymmetric Michael addition, nitro‐Mannich/lactamisation, Tsuji–Trost allylation, and intramolecular C−N coupling reaction. Other key features of the synthesis are a novel [1,4] hydride transfer/Mannich‐type cyclisation to build ring E and a diastereoselective ring‐closing metathesis reaction to construct ring D. This approach gave access to a late‐stage C14,C15 alkene divergent intermediate that could be simply transformed into (+)‐vallesamidine, (+)‐14,15‐dehydrostrempeliopine, and potentially other schizozygine alkaloids and unnatural derivatives.
The Role of Dimethylammonium Iodide in CsPbI3 Perovskite Fabrication: Additive or Dopant?
Authors: Wang Yong , Liu Xiaomin , Zhang Taiyang , Wang Xingtao , Kan Miao , Shi Jielin , Zhao Yixin
Published: September 2019

The controllable growth of CsPbI3 perovskite thin films with desired crystal phase and morphology is crucial for the development of high efficiency inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The role of dimethylammonium iodide (DMAI) used in CsPbI3 perovskite fabrication was carefully investigated. We demonstrated that the DMAI is an effective volatile additive to manipulate the crystallization process of CsPbI3 inorganic perovskite films with different crystal phases and morphologies. The thermogravimetric analysis results indicated that the sublimation of DMAI is sensitive to moisture, and a proper atmosphere is helpful for the DMAI removal. The time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance results confirmed that the DMAI additive would not alloy into the crystal lattice of CsPbI3 perovskite. Moreover, the DMAI residues in CsPbI3 perovskite can deteriorate the photovoltaic performance and stability. Finally, the PSCs based on phenyltrimethylammonium chloride passivated CsPbI3 inorganic perovskite achieved a record champion efficiency up to 19.03 %.
Genetic control of Plutella xylostella in omics era
Authors: Chen Wei , Yang Feiying , Xu Xuejiao , Kumar Uttam , He Weiyi , You Minsheng
Published: September 2019

Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is a specialist pest on cruciferous crops of economic importance. The large‐scale use of chemical insecticides for the control of this insect pest has caused a number of challenges to agro‐ecosystems. With the advent of the omics era, genetic pest management strategies are becoming increasingly feasible and show a powerful potential for pest control. Here, we review strategies for using transgenic plants and sterile insect techniques for genetic pest management and introduce the major advances in the control of P. xylostella using a female‐specific RIDL (release of insects carrying a dominant lethal gene) strategy. Further, the advantages of gene drive developed in combination with sex determination and CRISPR/Cas9 systems are addressed, and the corresponding prospects and implementation issues are discussed. It is predictable that under the policy and regulation of professional committees, the genetic pest control strategy, especially for gene drive, will open a new avenue to sustainable pest management not only for P. xylostella but also for other insect pests.
tert‐Butyl Nitrite (TBN), a Multitasking Reagent in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Dahiya Anjali , Sahoo Ashish Kumar , Alam Tipu , Patel Bhisma K.
Published: September 2019

The upsurge interest in the development of efficient methodologies for the construction of nitrogen‐containing frameworks via the use of expedient reagents have been creating a renaissance in contemporary organic chemistry. In this perspective, tertbutyl nitrite (TBN) is an emerging building block. Due to its unique structural features, it shows differential reactivity under different reaction conditions. These diverse reactivities have resulted in the construction of a diverse array of complex N‐containing molecules. The primary objective of the present review is to bring the latest findings of TBN in terms of its applications in reactions (oxidation, diazotization, nitrosation, nitration, oximation, N‐synthon, and miscellaneous reactions) into the limelight. For simplicity and brevity, reactions in each section are explained with the mechanism of formation and selected examples are given.
Engineering microalgae through chloroplast transformation to produce high‐value industrial products
Authors: Siddiqui Ayesha , Wei Zhengyi , Boehm Marko , Ahmad Niaz
Published: September 2019

The last few years have seen an ever‐increasing interest in the exploitation of microalgae as an alternative platform to produce high‐value products such as biofuels, industrial enzymes, therapeutic proteins, including antibodies, hormones, and vaccines. Due to some unique attractive features, engineering of the chloroplast genome provides a promising platform for the production of high‐value targets because it allows manipulation of metabolic processes in ways that would be impossible, or at least prohibitively difficult through traditional approaches. Since its initial demonstration in 1988 in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, genetic tools have been developed, which have made it possible to produce high‐value molecules in different species. However, the commercial application of microalgae as production platform is hindered by many factors like poor biomass, low product yields, and costly downstream processing methodologies. In this review, we discuss the potential of microalgae to use as an alternative production platform for high‐value targets using chloroplast transformation technology.
Development of a High‐Pressure Reactor Based on Liquid‐Flow Pressurisation to Facilitate Enzymatic Hydroxylation of Gaseous Alkanes
Authors: Ariyasu Shinya , Kodama Yusaku , Kasai Chie , Cong Zhiqi , Stanfield Joshua Kyle , Aiba Yuichiro , Watanabe Yoshihito , Shoji Osami
Published: September 2019

The front cover artwork for Issue 19/2019 is provided by Shoji and co‐workers at Nagoya University (Japan). The image shows the concept of their novel high‐pressure reactor which compresses gaseous alkanes by pumping liquid forcibly (the person wearing a T‐shirt) into the reaction vessel without an exit (the trunk), and pressurizes up to 10 MPa. See the Communication itself at https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201901323.
Laccase‐mediated Oxidations of Propargylic Alcohols. Application in the Deracemization of 1‐arylprop‐2‐yn‐1‐ols in Combination with Alcohol Dehydrogenases
Authors: González‐Granda Sergio , Méndez‐Sánchez Daniel , Lavandera Iván , Gotor‐Fernández Vicente
Published: September 2019

The catalytic system composed by the laccase from Trametes versicolor and the oxy‐radical TEMPO has been successfully applied in the sustainable oxidation of fourteen propargylic alcohols. The corresponding propargylic ketones were obtained in most cases in quantitative conversions (87–>99 % yield), demonstrating the efficiency of the chemoenzymatic methodology in comparison with traditional chemical oxidants, which usually lead to problems associated with the formation of by‐products. Also, the stereoselective reduction of propargylic ketones was studied using alcohol dehydrogenases such as the one from Ralstonia species overexpressed in E. coli or the commercially available evo‐1.1.200, allowing the access to both alcohol enantiomers mostly with complete conversions and variable selectivities depending on the aromatic pattern substitution (97–>99 % ee). To demonstrate the compatibility of the laccase‐mediated oxidation and the alcohol dehydrogenase‐catalyzed bioreduction, a deracemization strategy starting from the racemic compounds was developed through a sequential one‐pot two‐step process, obtaining a selection of (S)‐ or (R)‐1‐arylprop‐2‐yn‐1‐ols with excellent yields (>98 %) and selectivities (>98 % ee) depending on the alcohol dehydrogenase employed.
Transformation of Spent Li‐Ion Battery in to High Energy Supercapacitors in Asymmetric Configuration
Authors: Natarajan Subramanian , Ulaganathan Mani , Bajaj Hari C. , Aravindan Vanchiappan
Published: September 2019

For the first time, herein we report a new track to regenerate the Mn−Co carbonate (MCC) from the mixed composition of cathodes of spent LIBs and successfully evaluated as an electrode material for supercapacitor applications (ASC). The resultant MCC spheres are first tested in a half cell with Pt‐strip as the counter electrode using neutral and alkaline electrolytes. The fabricated ASC with regenerated MCC as the positive electrode and commercial activated carbon (AC) as the negative electrode in the presence of 6 M KOH reveals a specific capacitance of 119 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, also could retain 65 F g−1 at a high current density of 4 A g−1 accompanied by outstanding cycling stability of 9000 cycles with 60 % retention at 1.5 A g−1. Furthermore, this low‐cost ASC MCC//AC offers a high energy density of 42.2 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 1.6 kW kg−1, in a stable potential window of 0–1.6 V. In addition, the flexible ASC in solid‐state assembly in series efficiently power a green light‐emitting‐diode, inspiring its promising practical application to build new ASC using spent LIBs materials as sources in “waste‐to‐wealth” approach for high energy asymmetric all‐solid‐state supercapacitors.
Quantum Chemical Modeling of Pressure‐Induced Spin Crossover in Octahedral Metal‐Ligand Complexes
Authors: Stauch Tim , Chakraborty Romit , Head‐Gordon Martin
Published: September 2019

Spin state switching on external stimuli is a phenomenon with wide applicability, ranging from molecular electronics to gas activation in nanoporous frameworks. Here, we model the spin crossover as a function of the hydrostatic pressure in octahedrally coordinated transition metal centers by applying a field of effective nuclear forces that compress the molecule towards its centroid. For spin crossover in first‐row transition metals coordinated by hydrogen, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide, we find the pressure required for spin transition to be a function of the ligand position in the spectrochemical sequence. While pressures on the order of 1 GPa are required to flip spins in homogeneously ligated octahedral sites, we demonstrate a fivefold decrease in spin transition pressure for the archetypal strong field ligand carbon monoxide in octahedrally coordinated Fe2+ in [Fe(II)(NH3)5CO]2+.
Physical exercise during pregnancy minimizes PTZ‐induced behavioral manifestations in prenatally stressed offspring
Authors: Lopim Glauber Menezes , Gutierre Robson Campos , da Silva Eduardo Alves , Arida Ricardo Mario
Published: September 2019

Stress during gestation has been shown to affect susceptibility and intensity of seizures in offspring. Environmental stimuli, such as maternal physical exercise, have shown to be beneficial for brain development. Although studies have demonstrated the deleterious influence of stress during pregnancy on seizure manifestation in offspring, very little is known on how to minimize these effects. This study verified whether physical exercise during the pregnancy associated with prenatal stress minimizes seizure susceptibility in offspring at the beginning of postnatal development. Pregnant rats and male pups were divided into the following groups: control, stress, stress/forced exercise, and stress/voluntary exercise. Behavioral manifestations were analyzed after injection of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ; 45 and 60 mg/kg) at ages P15 and P25. Increased behavioral manifestations and seizure severity was observed in the stress group compared with the control group at both ages. At the dose of 45 mg/kg, offspring of stressed mothers who performed both physical exercise models showed an increase in latency for the first manifestation and decrease in the seizures severity at both ages compared with the mothers groups who were only stressed. Prenatal restraint stress potentiated PTZ‐induced seizure behavior, and both forced and voluntary exercise during gestation attenuates the negative effects of PTZ‐induced offspring.
Polyhydroxyalkanoates: Recent Advances in Their Synthesis and Applications
Authors: Winnacker Malte
Published: September 2019

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are microbial biopolymers (polyesters) that have a wide range of functions and applications. They serve in nature mainly as carbon and energy storage materials for a variety of microorganisms. In past decades, their utilization has attracted much attention, from commodities and degradable plastics to specialty performance materials in medicine. PHA biosynthesis has been well understood, and it is now possible to design bacterial strands to produce PHAs with desired properties. The substrates for the fermentative production of PHAs are very manifold: some are derived from food‐based carbon sources (e.g., fats and oils (triglycerids)), thus raising concerns with regard to the sustainability of their productions in terms of crop area and food. In addition, hemicellulose hydrolysates, crude glycerol, and methanol are very promising carbon sources for the sustainable production of PHAs. The integration of PHA production within a modern biorefinery is an important issue and can result in a simultaneous production of biofuels and bioplastics. Furthermore, many chemical‐synthetic procedures by means of efficient catalysts can give access to a variety of PHAs. This article summarizes recent developments in these fields and emphasizes the importance of a sustainable PHA‐based industry.

Practical Applications: Practical applications of the microbial polyesters PHAs are, for example, a variety of sustainably produced commodities as well as special applications in (bio)medicine, for example, tissue engineering.
Synthesis of LacNAcLex‐ and DimLex‐BSA Conjugates and Binding to Anti‐Polymeric Lex mAbs
Authors: Nejatie Ali , Jegatheeswaran Sinthuja , Auzanneau France‐Isabelle
Published: September 2019

The chemical synthesis of tetra‐ and pentasaccharide fragments of the tumor‐associated carbohydrate antigen dimeric Lewis X (dimLex) lacking either both or only the non‐reducing end fucosyl residues is described following a 1 + 1 + 1 synthetic strategy. Use of a 6‐chlorohexyl aglycon gave access to hexyl glycoside soluble inhibitors as well as the 6‐aminohexyl glycoside pentasaccharide. The 6‐aminohexyl glycoside pentasaccharide and a dimLex analogue were conjugated to BSA via a squarate linker and the glycoconjugates were shown by MALDI MS to both display an average of 16 oligosaccharides per BSA molecule. These glycoconjugates were used in the attempt to identify the smallest dimLex fragment required to maintain binding to mAbs SH2 and IG5F6, which are known to bind polymeric Lex structures preferentially over the monomeric Lex antigen. Titration studies showed that the non‐reducing end fucosyl residue in dimLex is involved in the recognition of the antigen by both mAbs SH2 and IG5F6.