bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human papillomavirus infection status of single cells isolated from cervical cytology specimens by simple manual microdissection
Authors: Noji Natsumi , Okayama Kaori , Oda Mizue , Shimada Atsuyoshi , Okodo Mitsuaki
Published: February 2021

Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing with cytology triage for cervical cancer screening has proven to be useful. It is considered that a significant percentage of HPV‐positive women followed by reflex cytology have had multiple‐type HPV infections rather than single‐type infections. However, the effects of multiple‐type infections on changes in the cytomorphology of exfoliated cervical cells have not been investigated. The aim of this study was to validate simple manual microdissection (MMD) maneuver and investigate the HPV infection status of single cells isolated from Papanicolaou (Pap) smears prepared from women with multiple‐type infections. Using cytology samples from 90 patients with abnormal Pap smear results, we evaluated the efficiency of the MMD procedure and determined the HPV infection status of single squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) cells microdissected from patients with multiple‐type infection. When validating the MMD procedure, the HPV‐positive rate was 81.5% using 119 MMD samples from the Pap smear in 61 cases with single‐type infection. This MMD procedure was able to efficiently collect single cells. Of 119 MMD samples from 29 cases with multiple‐type infection, the HPV‐positive rate was 42.9%, and most (96.1%) MMD samples exhibited only one genotype. Our MMD maneuver successfully identified HPV genotypes using single cells isolated from cytology specimens. A majority of single SIL cells prepared from multiple‐type infection cases turned out to contain only one genotype. In the future, the MMD method could be applied while studying the relationship between the morphological changes exhibited by SIL cells on Pap smear and the infected HPV genotype.
A spatiotemporal reconstruction of daily ambient temperature using satellite data in the Megalopolis of Central Mexico from 2003 to 2019
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Avila Iván , Arfer Kodi B. , Wong Sandy , Rush Johnathan , Kloog Itai , Just Allan C.
Published: February 2021

While weather stations generally capture near‐surface ambient air temperature (Ta) at a high temporal resolution to calculate daily values (i.e., daily minimum, mean, and maximum Ta), their fixed locations can limit their spatial coverage and resolution even in densely populated urban areas. As a result, data from weather stations alone may be inadequate for Ta‐related epidemiology particularly when the stations are not located in the areas of interest for human exposure assessment. To address this limitation in the Megalopolis of Central Mexico (MCM), we developed the first spatiotemporally resolved hybrid satellite‐based land use regression Ta model for the region, home to nearly 30 million people and includes Mexico City and seven more metropolitan areas. Our model predicted daily minimum, mean, and maximum Ta for the years 2003–2019. We used data from 120 weather stations and Land Surface Temperature (LST) data from NASA's MODIS instruments on the Aqua and Terra satellites on a 1 × 1 km grid. We generated a satellite‐hybrid mixed‐effects model for each year, regressing Ta measurements against land use terms, day‐specific random intercepts, and fixed and random LST slopes. We assessed model performance using 10‐fold cross‐validation at withheld stations. Across all years, the root‐mean‐square error ranged from 0.92 to 1.92 K and the R2 ranged from .78 to .95. To demonstrate the utility of our model for health research, we evaluated the total number of days in the year 2010 when residents ≥65 years old were exposed to Ta extremes (above 30°C or below 5°C). Our model provides much needed high‐quality Ta estimates for epidemiology studies in the MCM region.
Regional‐scale variability and change in daily precipitation across the contiguous United States, 1949–2018
Authors: Marston Michael L. , Ellis Andrew W.
Published: February 2021

Recent research suggests that the characteristics of precipitation are changing with a warming global climate. This study uses two traditional measures of precipitation, amount and frequency, in addition to two metrics that have not been widely used in hydroclimatological research, the Gini coefficient (GC) and the Lorenz asymmetry coefficient (LAC), to analyse change and variability in precipitation characteristics across the United States from 1949 through 2018. The GC quantifies the inequity of an accumulating variable across individual contributors. For this study, the GC was used to quantify equity in the accumulating distribution of daily precipitation amounts through an annual timeframe. The LAC quantifies the relative magnitude of individual contributors which were primarily responsible for inequity in an accumulating distribution. For this analysis, the LAC assesses the relative magnitude of precipitation events (light, heavy) primarily responsible for occurrences of inequity in the temporal distribution of precipitation. Time series analysis of regionally averaged values of precipitation amount, precipitation frequency, GC, and LAC values suggest change in the hydroclimate for many regions across the United States, including a trend towards greater inequity in the temporal distribution of precipitation. The more recent trends and variability of the four precipitation characteristics were statistically examined for relationships with time series of two key atmospheric features – total column water vapour (moisture availability) and the 850 hPa–500 hPa lapse rate (static stability). Results of this study show that change and variability in the atmospheric characteristics likely help explain the observed trends and variability of several precipitation characteristics across the United States.
Perspectives from the Fritz‐Scheffer Awardee 2019. Oxygen isotopes in phosphate—The key to phosphorus tracing?
Authors: Bauke Sara L.
Published: February 2021

Phosphorus (P) tracing in natural environments is challenging, lacking stable P isotopes Oxygen isotope ratios in phosphate (δ18OP) represent a novel tool for tracing the biological cycling of P from the global scale down to hotspots at the micro‐scale and within particular soil compartments such as aggregates or pores. Despite the small number of studies available so far, existing data indicate that δ18OP values point to where, at what extent and how efficiently P is recycled in soils.
Rapid enrichment and separation of two novel minor phenols from Malus hupehensis utilizing liquid–liquid extraction with three‐phase solvent system and high‐speed counter‐current chromatography based on the polarity parameter
Authors: Cai Xu , Xiao Mi , Tang Jintian , Huang Bisheng , Xue Hongkun
Published: February 2021

For a rapid enrichment and separation of minor components from Malus hupehensis, the selection of suitable solvent system is the great challenge for liquid–liquid extraction with a three‐phase solvent system and high‐speed counter‐current chromatography. According to the concept of “like dissolves like,” the similarity of the average polarity between solvent system and target compounds was the significant characteristic of liquid–liquid extraction with a three‐phase solvent system and high‐speed counter‐current chromatography separation. The polarity parameter model provides a way to calculate the polarity of unknown compounds. Under the guidance of the polarity, an efficient enrichment and separation approach was established through liquid–liquid extraction and high‐speed counter‐current chromatography with solvent systems composed of n‐hexane‐ethyl acetate‐acetonitrile‐water (5:3:5:7, v/v), n‐hexane‐ethyl acetate‐methanol‐water (1:2:1:2, v/v), respectively. Thus, the total content of minor compounds was increased from 2.6% to 17.2%, and two novel compounds (6´´‐O‐coumaroyl‐2´‐O‐glucopyranosylphloretin and 3´´´‐methoxy‐6´´‐O‐feruloy‐2´‐glucopyranosylphloretin) were obtained. The discovery of the new dihydrochalcones expanded the structural diversity of compounds produced by the genus Malus. The experimental results demonstrated that compound polarity can be described by the polarity parameter model and is an important reference for investigating optimum solvent systems for liquid–liquid extraction with a three‐phase solvent system and high‐speed counter‐current chromatography.
Detection of Carotid Atherosclerotic Intraplaque Neovascularization Using Superb Microvascular Imaging: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Song Yi , Xing Hang , Zhang Zhiqi , Felix Lewis Oscar
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Although superb microvascular imaging (SMI) (Toshiba/Canon, Tokyo, Japan) has enabled routine characterization of intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) features in patients with carotid stenosis, no reports have been published on the multicenter and large sample size research in this aspect. The efficacy of SMI in detecting carotid IPN has not been concluded. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of SMI comparing with contrast‐enhanced carotid ultrasonography (CEUS) in the detection of carotid IPN or pathologic evaluations of IPN correlated with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Methods

Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were searched up to August 2020 to identify peer‐reviewed human studies on the diagnostic accuracy of SMI in detecting IPN. For the selected study, the correlation coefficient R and Kappa index between SMI and CEUS in detecting IPN were calculated. The correlation coefficient R between SMI in identifying IPN and pathologic evaluations of IPN and the odds ratio of IPN detected by SMI and history of stroke or TIA were also extracted. The subgroup analysis was performed to indicate the source of heterogeneity.

Results

Our search identified 11 reports enrolling a total of 605 carotid stenosis patients. Carotid IPN detected by SMI was significantly correlated with which detected by CEUS (R, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.80–0.94; P = .00, and Kappa index, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.67–0.80; P = .00). Notably, a significant correlation was observed in SMI in detecting IPN and pathologic evaluations of IPN (R, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.40–0.62; P = .00). The odds ratio of IPN detected by SMI and history of stroke or TIA was pooled summary with statistical significance (OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.78–6.23; P = .00). In subgroup analysis, lower heterogeneity was associated with the degree of carotid stenosis, patients from which country, and types of equipment.

Conclusions

SMI and CEUS display an excellent agreement in detecting carotid IPN. IPN detected by SMI shows high consistency with pathologic evaluations of IPN. Individuals with carotid IPN are more likely to develop stroke or TIA than those without carotid IPN.
Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of Cr‐rich metallic glass Cr29.4Fe29.4Mo14.7C14.7B9.8Y2 with desirable properties
Authors: Xu Tao , Jian Zengyun , Zhuo Longchao , Chang Fange , Zhu Man , Liu Yongqin , Jie Ziqi
Published: February 2021

The nonisothermal crystallization kinetics for the first crystallization event of Cr‐rich metallic glass (MG) Cr29.4Fe29.4Mo14.7C14.7B9.8Y2 with desirable properties was systematically studied by Kissinger, Ozawa, Kissinger‐Akahira‐Sunose (KAS), Ozawa‐Flynn‐Wall (OFW), and Vogel‐Fulcher‐Tammann approaches using differential scanning calorimeter. The apparent activation energy (E) for characteristic temperatures deduced by Kissinger approach is comparable with that deduced by Ozawa approach. The Eg for the glass transition temperature is smaller than the Ep1 for the peak temperature of the first crystallization event and larger than E for other characteristic temperatures, exhibiting that the glass transition is easier than the growth process of the first crystallization event and more difficult than other processes. The local activation energy estimated by KAS and OFW approaches shows approximate tendency of increasing initially and then gradually decreasing, which indicates that the crystallization process is difficult at first and then gradually becomes easy. The local Avrami exponent (n(x)) changes from n(x) > 2.5 to 1.5 < n(x) < 2.5 for crystallization under low heating rate and from n(x) > 2.5 to 0 < n(x) < 1.5 for crystallization under high heating rate, corresponding to a diffusion‐governed crystallization changing from enhancing nucleation rate to reducing nucleation rate under low heating rate and from enhancing nucleation rate to preexisting nuclei under high heating rate, respectively. The kinetic fragility parameter shows that the glass‐forming liquid of the present MG is intermediate type with moderate glass‐forming ability. The results would provide comprehensive insights to understand the formation of Cr‐rich MG.
Novel compound heterozygous variants of TBXAS1 presenting with Ghosal hematodiaphyseal dysplasia treated with steroids
Authors: Kim Sun Young , Ing Alexander , Gong Shunyou , Yap Kai Lee , Bhat Rukhmi
Published: February 2021

Background

Homozygous or compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in the thromboxane A synthase 1 (TBXAS1) gene are associated with Ghosal hematodiaphyseal dysplasia (GHDD) which is characterized by defective hematopoiesis and increased bone density of long bones.

Methods

Patients 1 and 2 are identical twins, who presented with red blood cell transfusion‐dependent normocytic anemia and thrombocytopenia with bone marrow fibrosis and cortical bone thickening of long bones on plain radiograph. To clarify the etiology of their anemia and thrombocytopenia, whole blood was used for the DNA extraction and analyzed using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) on an in‐house bone marrow failure syndrome panel.

Results

The NGS results indicated that these two patients carried two heterozygous variants in TBXAS1, exon7, c.583_584del, p.Ala195Leufs*12, and exon12, c.1420G>T, p.Gly474Trp, which were inherited from their mother and father, respectively. Patients 1 and 2 have been on chronic oral steroids with normalization of hemoglobin and platelet count after steroid initiation. Patient 3 is their sister who has normal blood counts but also has the same variants in TBXAS1 as her brothers. Radiographs showed cortical bone thickening and she has not required any treatment or transfusion.

Conclusion

We report three Caucasian siblings from non‐consanguineous parents with novel compound heterozygous variants of TBXAS1 presenting with the phenotypes of GHDD. These three cases illustrate the variable clinical expressivity of the GHDD from two‐compound heterozygous pathogenic variants of TBXAS1.
Dose calculation in proton therapy using a discovery cross‐domain generative adversarial network (DiscoGAN)
Authors: Zhang Xiaoke , Hu Zongsheng , Zhang Guoliang , Zhuang Yongdong , Wang Yuenan , Peng Hao
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Accurate dose calculation is a critical step in proton therapy. A novel machine learning‐based approach was proposed to achieve comparable accuracy to that of Monte Carlo simulation while reducing the computational time.

Methods

Computed tomography‐based patient phantoms were used and three treatment sites were selected (thorax, head, and abdomen), comprising different beam pathways and beam energies. The training data were generated using Monte Carlo simulations. A discovery cross‐domain generative adversarial network (DiscoGAN) was developed to perform the mapping between two domains: stopping power and dose, with HU values from CT images incorporated as auxiliary features. The accuracy of dose calculation was quantitatively evaluated in terms of mean relative error (MRE) and mean absolute error (MAE). The relationship between the DiscoGAN performance and other factors such as absolute dose, beam energy and location within the beam cross‐section (center and off‐center lines) was examined.

Results

The DiscoGAN model is found to be effective in dose calculation. For the abdominal case, the MRE is found to 1.47% (mean), 3.30% (maximum) and 0.67% (minimum). For the thoracic case, the MRE is found to ~2.43% (mean), 4.80% (maximum) and 0.71% (minimum). For the head case, the MRE is found to ~2.83% (mean), 4.84% (maximum) and 1.01% (minimum). Comparable accuracy is found in the independent validation dataset (different CT images), achieving a mean MRE of ~1.65% (thorax), 4.02% (head) and 1.64% (abdomen). For the energy span between 80 and 130 MeV, no strong dependency of accuracy on beam energy is found. The results imply that no systematic deviation, either over‐dose or under‐dose, occurs between the predicted dose and raw dose.

Conclusion

The DiscoGAN framework demonstrates great potential as a tool for dose calculation in proton therapy, achieving comparable accuracy yet being more efficient relative to Monte Carlo simulation. Its comparison with the pencil beam algorithm (PBA) will be the next step of our research. If successful, our proposed approach is expected to find its use in more advanced applications such as inverse planning and adaptive proton therapy.
Optimal distributed control of linear parabolic equations by spectral decomposition
Authors: Lazar Martin , Molinari Cesare
Published: February 2021

We construct an algorithm for solving a constrained optimal control problem for a first‐order evolutionary system governed by a positive self‐adjoint operator. The problem consists in identifying distributed control that minimizes a given cost functional, which comprises a cost of the control and a trajectory regulation term, while steering the final state close to a given target. The approach explores the dual problem and it generalizes the Hilbert Uniqueness Method (HUM). The practical implementation of the algorithm is based on a spectral decomposition of the operator determining the dynamics of the system. Once this decomposition is available – which can be done offline and saved for future use – the optimal control problem is solved almost instantaneously. It is practically reduced to a scalar nonlinear equation for the optimal Lagrange multiplier. The efficiency of the algorithm is demonstrated through numerical examples corresponding to different types of control operators and penalization terms.
Further results on delay‐dependent H∞ filtering for singular systems with interval time‐varying delays
Authors: Chen Wenbin , Xu Shengyuan , Lu Junwei , Li Yongmin , Chu Yuming , Zhang Zhengqiang
Published: February 2021

This paper revisits the problem of H∞ filter design for singular systems with interval time‐varying delays. Firstly, by state decomposition method (SDM), a novel Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) including two augmented nonintegral terms is presented. Secondly, via the constructed LKF and the linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, sufficient stability conditions with lower conservatism are achieved such that the considered singular system is admissible with specified H∞ performance level. Thirdly, a state decomposition‐recombination approach is first introduced to obtain a desired H∞ filter in terms of matrix component transformation technology. Finally, the validity and superiority of the results obtained are verified via two numerical examples.
A novel decision model to predict the impact of weight management interventions: The Core Obesity Model
Authors: Lopes Sandra , Meincke Henrik H. , Lamotte Mark , Olivieri Anamaria‐Vera , Lean Michael E. J.
Published: February 2021

Aims

Models are needed to quantify the economic implications of obesity in relation to health outcomes and health‐related quality of life. This report presents the structure of the Core Obesity Model (COM) and compare its predictions with the UK clinical practice data.

Materials and methods

The COM is a Markov, closed‐cohort model, which expands on earlier obesity models by including prediabetes as a risk factor for type 2 diabetes (T2D), and sleep apnea and cancer as health outcomes. Selected outcomes predicted by the COM were compared with observed event rates from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink‐Hospital Episode Statistics (CPRD‐HES) study. The importance of baseline prediabetes prevalence, a factor not taken into account in previous economic models of obesity, was tested in a scenario analysis using data from the 2011 Health Survey of England.

Results

Cardiovascular (CV) event rates predicted by the COM were well matched with those in the CPRD‐HES study (7.8–8.5 per 1000 patient‐years across BMI groups) in both base case and scenario analyses (8.0–9.4 and 8.6–9.9, respectively). Rates of T2D were underpredicted in the base case (1.0–7.6 vs. 2.1–22.7) but increased to match those observed in CPRD‐HES for some BMI groups when a prospectively collected prediabetes prevalence was used (2.7–13.1). Mortality rates in the CPRD‐HES were consistently higher than the COM predictions, especially in higher BMI groups.

Conclusions

The COM predicts the occurrence of CV events and T2D with a good degree of accuracy, particularly when prediabetes is included in the model, indicating the importance of considering this risk factor in economic models of obesity.
Using theory and evidence to design behaviour change interventions for reducing unsustainable wildlife consumption
Authors: Doughty Hunter , Oliver Kathryn , Veríssimo Diogo , Lee Janice Ser Huay , Milner‐Gulland E. J.
Published: February 2021

Efforts to shift unsustainable human behaviour are at the crux of many conservation interventions, particularly when addressing illegal or unsustainable wildlife trade. These efforts, often in the form of behaviour change interventions, have proven largely unable to counteract this pervasive issue, however, leading to calls for more robust intervention designs.

In behavioural science fields like public health, design processes that integrate human behaviour theory and evidence from data collection are often developed to ground behaviour change interventions within a strong understanding of the context, thus supporting interventions that are efficient and have a higher likelihood of success.

Here we detail the foundational process of designing an intervention around the use of a wildlife product by a particular group: Singaporean consumers of saiga horn (from the Critically EndangeredSaiga tatarica).

We employ both qualitative and quantitative data, along with human behaviour theories and past literature on the study system, to develop a comprehensive understanding of the many influences driving this target audience to purchase saiga horn products.

We use this insight to identify the key influences to leverage in a behaviour change intervention: those that are both the most powerful and the most amenable to change.

This work provides a reproducible process which can be used by other intervention implementers, highlights the often complex intricacies of socially influenced behaviour, and demonstrates why a methodical understanding of these intricacies is invaluable when attempting to shift human behaviour for conservation goals.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Copolymerization of nadic anhydride with styrene: Reactivity ratios
Authors: Jeemol Poovathungal Abdulrahman , Mathew Suresh , Nair Chethrappilly Padmanabhan Reghunadhan
Published: February 2021

The free radical copolymerization of nadic anhydride (NA) and styrene (St) at 80°C has been investigated for the first time. The copolymerization was done in toluene using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The monomer reactivity ratios were calculated from the copolymer composition (estimated from the acid value) by using Fineman–Ross, Kelen–Tüdös, and Extended Kelen–Tüdös methods. The reactivity ratios (rNA, = 0.34, rST = 0.84) implied a good copolymerizability for the monomer pair and existence of an azeotropic composition at fNA = 0.195. The unsaturation in nadic anhydride exhibited good copolymerizability despite the fact that the double bond is isolated and allylic in nature. The usual retardation by the allylic protons was not significantly felt in this case, as the allylic protons were located at a bridge head posing geometric restrictions for stabilization of the allylic free radicals. However, an increase in concentration of NA in the feed decreased the overall rate of copolymerization. Based on the reactivity ratio, the probability for formation of sequences of NA in its copolymer with styrene was computed for a few compositions.
Effect of nanotoxicity and enhancement in performance of polymer composites using nanofillers: A state‐of‐the‐art review
Authors: Das Partha Pratim , Chaudhary Vijay , Ahmad Furkan , Manral Ankit
Published: February 2021

Polymer composite materials are consistently being used in various industrial and domestic applications due to their lightweight, high‐specific strength, and low cost. In order to enhance various performance of polymer composites, a suitable nanofiller can be used. Polymer composites, which take advantage of natural fibers and nanofillers, synergistically, contribute to improved properties and environmental condition by making them suitable for various applications (aerospace, automobile industries, electronics, biomedical, etc.). The present study gives an insight of nanofiller‐based polymer composite and the challenges associated with processing methods. The use of nanofillers in polymer composites to enhance their mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, impact, and tribological) and most importantly the self‐healing property due to which they are finding numerous applications. This study also includes the problems associated with excessive use of nanomaterial leading to various environmental and health hazards. The problems and their remedies associated with nano‐toxicity have also been addressed.
Effects of peer relationship and peer presence on giving and repaying in preschoolers' triad interactions
Authors: Li Xia , Wu Xiling , Hou Mulan , Zeng Meihong , Jiang Nengzhi , Zhang Jianxin
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to assess social preferences in dynamic interpersonal interactions among preschool children and to examine the effects of peer relationship (friend vs. stranger) and peer presence (peer presence vs. peer absence) on giving and repaying. Ninety‐nine children participated in a triad game, which consisted of two mixed‐dictator games. The allocations from a proposer in the first dictator game were evaluated as giving, and the allocations from two respondents in the second dictator game were evaluated as repaying friends and strangers. The results indicated that children did not have any specific social preferences for friends in giving and repaying but had altruistic and fair preferences for giving to strangers, and strangers had egoistic preferences in repaying. Furthermore, children allocated more to strangers than to friends and allocated more in peer presence. Besides, friends positively reciprocated to proposers in peer absence and repaid less in peer presence. However, strangers consistently repaid less regardless of whether peers were present or not. These results provide more evidence for the assumption of weak ties in giving and demonstrate the strength of strong ties in repaying. These findings enhance our understanding of the interplay of childhood interactions in the development of early relationships.
Effects of social information on duration perception by different mechanisms in sub‐ and supra‐second range: Evidence from face features
Authors: Ren Weicong , Guo Xiujuan , Liu Chang , Yuan Tao , Zhang Zhijie
Published: February 2021

Human faces convey abundant social information. The influence of social information on duration estimation was examined by comparing a cartoon face (CF; social) condition with geometric plane figures, or CFs with internal elements disturbed from their normal position (non‐social) condition, and also by comparing a human portrait facing the front (more social interaction) condition with the portrait facing the back (less social interaction) condition. Results showed that in the supra‐second range, both CFs and human portraits facing the front led to an underestimation compared with non‐social or less social information conditions. In the sub‐second range, only portraits facing the front were overestimated compared with those facing the back and with the CFs. These results suggest that in the millisecond range, the biological information conveyed by faces may lead to higher arousal, which may result in accelerated clock speed and overestimation. In the supra‐second range, it is possible that attention was diverted by social information, resulting in duration underestimation. Taken together, our results suggest that the different mechanisms were involved in duration perception of social information conveyed by face feature in the sub‐ and supra‐second range.
Photoinitiation mechanisms and photogelation kinetics of blue light induced polymerization of acrylamide with bicomponent photoinitiators
Authors: Sun Guangdong , Huang Yi , Ma Junxiang , Li Dapeng , Fan Qinguo , Li Yongqiang , Shao Jianzhong
Published: February 2021

Blue light induced free radical photopolymerization of acrylamide (AM) was studied using five bicomponent photoinitiators, camphorquinon, riboflavin‐5′‐phosphate sodium, curcumin, eosin Y, and Ru(bpy)3Cl2 (Ru(II)) as photosensitizer, and diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate or potassium persulfate as electron acceptor. Fluorescence and UV–vis spectroscopies were used in combination with molecular orbital computations to characterize the photochemical behaviors of the five bicomponent photoinitiators, explore the possible electron transfer pathways of the photoinitiation processes, and quantify photopolymerization efficiencies. Real‐time photogelation behavior of poly(AM) was monitored by Photo‐differential scanning calorimetry and photo‐rheometry. Photogelation kinetic parameters, including dG′ (storage modulus)/dt, dG″ (loss modulus)/dt, time delay of gelation (td), and duration of gelation (Δtgel), were derived from photorheological data analyses and used to identify the best bicomponent photoinitiator candidate for rapid fabrication of blue light induced photopolymerizable hydrogels for biomedical applications.
Catalyst‐enhanced plasma oxidation of n‐butane over α‐MnO2 in a temperature‐controlled twin surface dielectric barrier discharge reactor
Authors: Peters Niklas , Schücke Lars , Ollegott Kevin , Oberste‐Beulmann Christian , Awakowicz Peter , Muhler Martin
Published: February 2021

A twin surface dielectric barrier discharge is used for the catalyst‐enhanced plasma oxidation of 300 ppm n‐butane in synthetic air. Plasma‐only operation results in the conversion of n‐butane into CO and CO2. Conversion is improved by increasing the temperature of the feed gas, but selectivity shifts to undesired CO. α‐MnO2 is used as a catalyst deposited on the electrodes by spray coating with a distance of 1.5 mm between the uncoated grid lines and the square catalyst patches to prevent the inhibition of plasma ignition. The catalyst strongly influences selectivity, reaching 40% conversion and 73% selectivity to CO2 at a specific energy density of 390 J·L−1 and 140°C, which is far below the onset temperature of thermocatalytic n‐butane conversion.
Maternal psychiatric status and infant wheezing: The role of maternal hormones and cord blood cytokines
Authors: Yilmaz Ozge , Yasar Adem , Caliskan Polat Arzu , Ay Pinar , Alkin Tunc , Taneli Fatma , Odabasi Cingoz Ferhan , Hasdemir Pinar S. , Simsek Yurda , Yuksel Hasan
Published: February 2021

Rationale

Maternal psychosocial stress might be associated with development of allergic diseases in the offspring.

Objectives

To evaluate the association of maternal depression and anxiety with ever wheezing and recurrent wheezing among infants and to assess the role of maternal hypothalamo‐pituatary‐adrenal axis changes and fetal immune response in this association.

Methods

This study encompasses two designs; cohort design was developed to evaluate the association of prenatal depression with development of wheezing in infants while nested case–control design was used to assess the role of maternal cortisol and tetranectin and cord blood interleukin 13 and interferon γ.

Results

We enrolled 697 pregnant women. Elementary school graduate mother (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5, p = .06), maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR = 3.4, p = .001), familial history of asthma (OR = 2.7, p < .001) increased the risk of ever wheezing. Elementary school graduate mother (OR = 2.6, p = .002), maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR = 4.8, p < .001) and familial history of asthma (OR = 1.7, p = .01) increased the risk of recurrent wheezing. Maternal previous psychiatric disease, or Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale or Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory scores were not associated with wheezing. Maternal tetranectin levels were significantly higher among never wheezers compared to the ever wheezers (264.3 ± 274.8 vs. 201.6 ± 299.7, p = .04).

Conclusions

In conclusion, the major risk factors for ever wheezing and recurrent wheezing were maternal smoking, level of education and family history of asthma. However, maternal depression and anxiety were not determined as risk factors for wheezing. Maternal tetranectin carries potential as a biomarker for wheezing in the infant.
Solid Nitrogen and Nitrogen‐Rich Compounds as High‐Energy‐Density Materials
Authors: Yao Yansun , Adeniyi Adebayo O.
Published: February 2021

Polymeric allotropes of nitrogen and nitrogen‐rich compounds containing NN single bonds are attractive candidates for high‐energy‐density materials. However, the low kinetic stability of single bond in nitrogen means that these materials have to be synthesized under high pressure and temperature. Recent advances of experimental high‐pressure techniques and computational structure prediction methods have enabled the investigation of many new nitrogen phases and nitrogen‐rich compounds, and some have been successfully synthesized. Some of the recently synthesized materials have been retrieved at ambient conditions, and the large hysteresis warrants further application‐inspired research. This review introduces the important classes of nitrogen‐rich materials ranging from fundamental insight into bonding in nitrogen, to theoretical investigation of hypothetical compounds, and to laboratory realization of these energetic materials in diamond anvil cell. The progressive development of the field is narrated in chronological order, with the emphasis placed on recent progress in the last 2 years.
Curcumin nanoformulations for antimicrobial and wound healing purposes
Authors: Salehi Bahare , Rodrigues Célia F. , Peron Gregorio , Dall'Acqua Stefano , Sharifi‐Rad Javad , Azmi Lubna , Shukla Ila , Singh Baghel Uttam , Prakash Mishra Abhay , Elissawy Ahmed M. , Singab Abdel Nasser , Pezzani Raffaele , Redaelli Marco , Patra Jayanta Kumar , Kulandaisamy Venil Chidambaram , Das Gitishree , Singh Deeksha , Kriplani Priyanka , Venditti Alessandro , Fokou Patrick Valere Tsouh , Iriti Marcello , Amarowicz Ryszard , Martorell Miquel , Cruz‐Martins Natália
Published: February 2021

The development and spread of resistance to antimicrobial drugs is hampering the management of microbial infectious and wound healing processes. Curcumin is the most active and effective constituent of Curcuma longa L., also known as turmeric, and has a very long and strong history of medicinal value for human health and skincare. Curcumin has been proposed as strong antimicrobial potentialities and many attempts have been made to determine its ability to conjointly control bacterial growth and promote wound healing. However, low aqueous solubility, poor tissue absorption and short plasma half‐life due its rapid metabolism needs to be solved for made curcumin formulations as suitable treatment for wound healing. New curcumin nanoformulations have been designed to solve the low bioavailability problem of curcumin. Thus, in the present review, the therapeutic applications of curcumin nanoformulations for antimicrobial and wound healing purposes is described.
A density matrix renormalization group investigation on the electronic states of MnGen−/0/+ (n = 1–3) clusters
Authors: Tran Van Tan , Tran Quoc Tri
Published: February 2021

MnGen−/0/+ (n = 1–3) clusters have complicated geometric and electronic structures. In this work, we explored the isomers and electronic states of MnGen−/0/+ (n = 1–3) clusters by using density functional theory, CASPT2, and DMRG‐CASPT2 methods. The DMRG‐CASPT2 method with active spaces up to 23 orbitals could provide accurate relative energies of the low‐lying states. The results showed that the electronic states of MnGen−/0/+ (n = 1–3) have strong multireference wave functions. The hybrid PBE0 functional was sufficient to calculate the relative energies of the electronic states of manganese‐doped germanium clusters. The leading configurations, bond distances, bond orders, harmonic vibrational frequencies, relative energies, and electron detachment energies of the relevant electronic states of MnGen−/0/+ (n = 1–3) were reported. The computational results in this work showed that the DMRG‐CASPT2 method with large active spaces can be employed to study the structures and properties of transitional metal‐containing clusters with strong electron correlation effects.
Dual‐Channel Theranostic System for Quantitative Self‐Indication and Low‐Temperature Synergistic Therapy of Cancer
Authors: Wang Cheng , Chen Shaoqing , Yu Fangying , Lv Jianghong , Zhao Rui , Hu Fuqiang , Yuan Hong
Published: February 2021

A conventional theranostic system usually employs a single fluorescence channel to show the pharmacokinetic events, which usually fails to quantitatively reveal the true cumulative drug release and with low accuracy. Herein, indocyanine green (ICG) and chlorins e6 (Ce6) are selected not only as conventional photothermal/photodynamic agents, but also to offer two independent fluorescence channels to cross validate the authenticity of pharmacokinetic events and to quantitatively reveal cumulative drug release in tumor tissues in a “turn on” manner. Employing the Ca2+ of amorphous calcium carbonate as a reversible linker, the photosensitivity and fluorescence of Ce6 are physically quenched by ICG during circulation to reduce the side effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) while being readily restored in tumor tissue to reveal the quantitative drug release. Most importantly, the combination of photothermal therapy (PTT) and PDT allows low‐temperature synergistic therapy of cancer through the controlled expression of heat shock protein in cells and mild hyperthermia enhanced reactive oxygen species diffusion/penetration among cells. This work not only develops a facile approach to fabricate a dual‐channel theranostic system to precisely indicate the accumulation and quantitative drug release in tumor tissue, but also presents a unique low‐temperature synergistic strategy to destroy tumor in an effective and minimally invasive manner.
Performance assessment based on stochastic differential equation and effort data for edge computing
Authors: Tamura Yoshinobu , Yamada Shigeru
Published: February 2021

Many open‐source software are included in commercial software. Also, several open‐source software are used in the cloud service such as OpenStack and Eucalyptus from standpoint of the unified management, cost reduction and maintainability. In particular, the operation phase of cloud service has a unique feature with uncertainty such as big data and network connectivity, because the operation phase of cloud service changes depending on many external factors. On the other hand, the effective methods of performance assessments for cloud service have only a few presented. Recently, edge computing is the focus of attention because of the problems of connection and processing delay in case of cloud computing. It is known as that cloud computing treats big data. On the other hand, edge computing operates on instant data. We focus on the performance assessments based on the relationship between the cloud and edge services operated by using several open‐source software. Then we propose a two‐dimensional stochastic differential equation model considering the unique features with uncertainty from big data under the operation of cloud and edge services. Also, we analyse actual data to show numerical examples of performance assessments considering the network connectivity as characteristics of cloud and edge services. Moreover, we compare the noise terms of the proposed model for actual data.
Resource‐rational approach to meta‐control problems across the lifespan
Authors: Ruel Alexa , Devine Sean , Eppinger Ben
Published: February 2021

Over the last decade, research on cognitive control and decision‐making has revealed that individuals weigh the costs and benefits of engaging in or refraining from control and that whether and how they engage in these cost–benefit analyses may change across development and during healthy aging. In the present article, we examine how lifespan age differences in cognitive abilities affect the meta‐control of behavioral strategies across the lifespan and how motivation affects these trade‐offs. Based on accumulated evidence, we highlight two hypotheses that may explain the existing results better than current models. In contrast to previous theoretical accounts, we assume that age differences in the engagement in cost–benefit trade‐offs reflect a resource‐rational adaptation to internal and external constraints that arise across the lifespan.

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Development and Aging

Psychology > Reasoning and Decision Making
Decolonising River Restoration: Restoration as Acts of Healing and Expression of Rangatiratanga
Authors: Parsons Meg , Fisher Karen , Crease Roa Petra
Published: February 2021

We argue that it is important to acknowledge that river restoration (both in theory and practice) still remains largely located within the realm of the hegemonic Western knowledge systems. In this chapter we challenge the Eurocentrism of dominant ecological restoration projects by documenting the different framing and approaches to restoration being employed by Māori (the Indigenous of Aotearoa New Zealand). We focus our attention on the collective efforts of one tribal group (Ngāti Maniapoto) who are working to decolonise how their ancestral river is managed and restored through the use of Indigenous Knowledge, augmented by Western scientific techniques. A key focus is on restoration that is underpinned by the principle of kaitiakitanga (environmental guardianship) and devoted to healing fractured relationships between humans and more-than-humans.
Fascial Space Infections
Authors: Gaddipati Rajasekhar
Published: February 2021

Dental infection has plagued humankind for as long as our civilization has been a fight against microorganisms by man dates back to ancient civilization. The discovery of antibiotics is encouraging trends conquest of the microbial infections. Infection of the deep facial spaces of the head and neck still represents a major challenge in hospitals. Untreated infections may result in abscess formation that can spread through different levels in and between the facial spaces and result in life-threatening situations including mediastinitis, pericarditis, meningitis, septic shock, airway compromise, jugular vein thrombosis, and arterial erosion, Although the complications are rare, they are serious and life threatening. The most critical point in the facial space infections is the understanding of the common and uncommon signs and symptoms, choice of antibiotics, definitive treatment and a thorough knowledge about the sequela if left unmanaged.
Rare Facial Clefts
Authors: Gosla Reddy Srinivas , Acharya Avni Pandey
Published: February 2021

The rarity of craniofacial clefts has made the amassing and complete anatomic documentation of extensive arrangement irksome. Preoperative and postoperative CT inspects with three-dimensional propagations of extensive arrangements will give the reason to quantitative examination of cautious mediations and improved understanding of the advancement components of the truly contorted craniofacial skeleton. Just with complete radiologic and employable examination of these phenomenal craniofacial changes would we have the option to esteem the giant of the reconstructive test. The assessment of this understanding and of our healing interventions will simply go with the development of a fourth estimation time.
Mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders
Authors: Irollo Elena , Luchetta Jared , Ho Chunta , Nash Bradley , Meucci Olimpia
Published: February 2021

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is characterized by cognitive and behavioral deficits in people living with HIV. HAND is still common in patients that take antiretroviral therapies, although they tend to present with less severe symptoms. The continued prevalence of HAND in treated patients is a major therapeutic challenge, as even minor cognitive impairment decreases patient’s quality of life. Therefore, modern HAND research aims to broaden our understanding of the mechanisms that drive cognitive impairment in people with HIV and identify promising molecular pathways and targets that could be exploited therapeutically. Recent studies suggest that HAND in treated patients is at least partially induced by subtle synaptodendritic damage and disruption of neuronal networks in brain areas that mediate learning, memory, and executive functions. Although the causes of subtle neuronal dysfunction are varied, reversing synaptodendritic damage in animal models restores cognitive function and thus highlights a promising therapeutic approach. In this review, we examine evidence of synaptodendritic damage and disrupted neuronal connectivity in HAND from clinical neuroimaging and neuropathology studies and discuss studies in HAND models that define structural and functional impairment of neurotransmission. Then, we report molecular pathways, mechanisms, and comorbidities involved in this neuronal dysfunction, discuss new approaches to reverse neuronal damage, and highlight current gaps in knowledge. Continued research on the manifestation and mechanisms of synaptic injury and network dysfunction in HAND patients and experimental models will be critical if we are to develop safe and effective therapies that reverse subtle neuropathology and cognitive impairment.
Uniform Exponential Stability of Perturbed Semigroups: The Dyson–Phillips Formula Versus Gil’s Approach Via Commutators
Authors: Gregosiewicz Adam
Published: February 2021

We discuss the uniform exponential stability of strongly continuous semigroups generated by operators of the form $$ A+B $$

A
+
B

, where B is a bounded perturbation of a generator A. We compare two approaches to the problem: via the Dyson–Phillips formula and via the size of the norm of the commutator of A and B- the method recently developed by M. Gil’. We show that quite often the first approach is more powerful than the second one and, more importantly, easier to use.