bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of activated carbon derived from chicken feather for Li-ion batteries through chemical and physical activation process
Authors: Hastuti Erna , Subhan Achmad , Puspitasari Devi
Published: August 2021

The use of activated carbon from biomass as an electrode for lithium-ion batteries is promising because of the low cost, natural abundance, and environmentally friendly. Chicken feather is a biomass that has the potential to be a source of activated carbon, because it contains keratin. The activation process affects the quality of activated carbon, thereby increasing battery performance. In this study, chicken feather waste was chemically activated using KOH and combined with physical activation at temperature variations of 750, 850 and 950 °C. The activation process significantly influenced electrochemical properties because of the difference in their microstructure. The activated carbon pyrolyzed at 850 °C (CFCA-850) shows the highest discharge capacity of 285.78 mAhg−1, good cycling stability and rate performance due to its higher interlayer spacing and large surface area. Furthermore, electronic conductivity and ion increase, thus improve battery performance.
A hybrid deep kernel incremental extreme learning machine based on improved coyote and beetle swarm optimization methods
Authors: Wu Di , Li Ting , Wan Qin
Published: August 2021

The iteration times and learning efficiency of kernel incremental extreme learning machines are always affected by the redundant nodes. A hybrid deep kernel incremental extreme learning machine (DKIELM) based on the improved coyote and beetle swarm optimization methods was proposed in this paper. A hybrid intelligent optimization algorithm based on the improved coyote optimization algorithm (ICOA) and improved beetle swarm optimization algorithm (IBSOA) was proposed to optimize the parameters and determine the number of effectively hidden layer neurons for the proposed DKIELM. A Gaussian global best-growing operator was adopted to replace the original growing operator in the intelligent optimization algorithm to improve COA searching efficiency and convergence. In the meantime, IBSOA was designed based on tent mapping inverse learning and dynamic mutation strategies to avoid falling into a local optimum. The experimental results demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed DKIELM with encouraging performances compared with other ELMs.
Botanical Interventions to Improve Glucose Control and Options for Diabetes Therapy
Authors: Smoak Peter , Burke Susan J. , Collier J. Jason
Published: August 2021

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem worldwide. This endocrine disease is clustered into distinct subtypes based on the route of development, with the most common forms associated with either autoimmunity (T1DM) or obesity (T2DM). A shared hallmark of both major forms of diabetes is a reduction in function (insulin secretion) or mass (cell number) of the pancreatic islet beta-cell. Diminutions in both mass and function are often present. A wide assortment of plants have been used historically to reduce the pathological features associated with diabetes. In this review, we provide an organized viewpoint focused around the phytochemicals and herbal extracts investigated using various preclinical and clinical study designs. In some cases, crude extracts were examined directly, and in others, purified compounds were explored for their possible therapeutic efficacy. A subset of these studies compared the botanical product with standard of care prescribed drugs. Finally, we note that botanical formulations are likely suspects for future drug discovery and refinement into class(es) of compounds that have either direct or adjuvant therapeutic benefit.
The emerging role of mechanical and topographical factors in the development and treatment of nervous system disorders: dark and light sides of the force
Authors: Bryniarska-Kubiak Natalia , Kubiak Andrzej , Lekka Małgorzata , Basta-Kaim Agnieszka
Published: August 2021

Nervous system diseases are the subject of intensive research due to their association with high mortality rates and their potential to cause irreversible disability. Most studies focus on targeting the biological factors related to disease pathogenesis, e.g. use of recombinant activator of plasminogen in the treatment of stroke. Nevertheless, multiple diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease still lack successful treatment. Recently, evidence has indicated that physical factors such as the mechanical properties of cells and tissue and topography play a crucial role in homeostasis as well as disease progression. This review aims to depict these factors’ roles in the progression of nervous system diseases and consequently discusses the possibility of new therapeutic approaches. The literature is reviewed to provide a deeper understanding of the roles played by physical factors in nervous system disease development to aid in the design of promising new treatment approaches.

Graphic abstract
Ethics and Animals
Authors: Gruen Lori
Published: August 2021

In this comprehensive updated introduction to animal ethics, Lori Gruen weaves together poignant and provocative case studies with discussions of ethical theory, urging readers to engage critically and reflect empathetically on our relationships with other animals. In clear and accessible language, Gruen discusses a range of issues central to human-animal relations and offers a reasoned new perspective on key debates in the field. She analyses and explains a range of theoretical positions and poses challenging questions that directly encourage readers to hone their ethical reasoning skills and to develop a defensible position about their own practices. Her book will be an invaluable resource for students in a wide range of disciplines including ethics, environmental studies, veterinary science, gender studies, and the emerging field of animal studies. The book is an engaging account of animal ethics for readers with no prior background in philosophy.
Precolonial Legacies in Postcolonial Politics
Authors: Wilfahrt Martha
Published: August 2021

Why are some communities able to come together to improve their collective lot while others are not? Looking at variation in local government performance in decentralized West Africa, this book advances a novel answer to this question: communities are better able to coordinate around basic service delivery when their formal jurisdictional boundaries overlap with informal social institutions, or norms. This book identifies the precolonial past as the driver of striking subnational variation in the present because these social institutions only encompass the many villages of the local state in areas that were once home to precolonial polities. Drawing on a multi-method research design, the book develops and tests a theory of institutional congruence to document how the past shapes contemporary elite approaches to redistribution within the local state. Where precolonial kingdoms left behind collective identities and dense social networks, local elites find it easier to cooperate following decentralization.
The Structure of the Upper Mantle Transition Zone Beneath Northeast China Associated With Mantle Plume Migration
Authors: He Chuansong
Published: August 2021

The stagnation and dehydration of the Pacific Plate slab in the mantle transition zone (MTZ) are widely accepted to have resulted in Mesozoic and Cenozoic volcanic activities and the formation of the Songliao Basin in NE China. However, this notion has been challenged by recent seismic studies. Alternatively, a mantle plume may have generated the large‐scale volcanism and may have led to the formation of the Songliao Basin. In this study, a detailed analysis involving common conversion point stacking of receiver functions was carried out. The results reveal a significantly deepened region of the 410 km discontinuity and an elevated region of the 660 km discontinuity in the center of NE China (specifically, the Songliao Basin). The combination of these results with those of a previous study suggests that an upwelling mantle plume was located under the Songliao Basin in the Mesozoic. Furthermore, the distinctive structure of the MTZ beneath the southern part of the Songliao Basin identified in this study corresponds to mantle plume upwelling (a mushroom‐shaped low‐velocity anomaly), which may be related to the Changbaishan volcanic activity in the Cenozoic.
Evidence of Seismic Slip on a Large Splay Fault in the Hikurangi Subduction Zone
Authors: Coffey Genevieve L. , Savage Heather M. , Polissar Pratigya J. , Meneghini Francesca , Ikari Matt J. , Fagereng Åke , Morgan Julia K. , Wang Maomao
Published: August 2021

The Hikurangi subduction zone is capable of producing moderate to large earthquakes as well as regularly repeating slow slip events. However, it is unclear what structures host these different slip styles along the margin. Here we address whether splay faults can host seismic slip at shallow (<1 km) depth by investigating the Pāpaku fault, sampled during International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 375. We use biomarker thermal maturity to search for evidence of frictional heating within turbiditic sediments of the Pāpaku fault. Four zones of localized high temperature are found near the top of the fault zone, which are interpreted to be zones of localized seismic slip. Thermal modeling shows that the most likely maximum displacement on the shallow Pāpaku fault during each event was 14–17 m. Our results demonstrate that the Pāpaku fault, and potentially other splay faults along the margin, host coseismic slip and have the potential to produce large tsunami (e.g., runup heights of >1 m as observed in the 1947 Poverty and Tolaga Bay earthquakes.
Equatorial Nighttime Thermospheric Zonal Wind Jet Response to the Temporal Oscillation of Solar Wind
Authors: Zhang Kedeng , Wang Hui , Wang Wenbin
Published: August 2021

This work investigates the response of the equatorial thermospheric wind jet to the temporal oscillation of the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field using Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model simulations and CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload observations. The thermospheric wind jet is formed in the magnetic equatorial region with the strongest zonal winds. Both the morning westward jet and the nighttime eastward wind jet at the dip equator decrease during the oscillation periods of IMF Bz. Ion drag dominates the deceleration of the equatorial eastward wind jet in the nighttime, with a minor contribution from the viscous force. The relative motion between the ions and neutrals has a dominant influence on the ion drag at the 60–180°W and 107–180°E geographic longitude; at other longitudes, both relative velocity (∆velocity) and electron density changes (∆Ne) are dominant. Moreover, the decrease in the equatorial eastward wind jet at 20 magnetic local time, which is also driven by ion drag, is significant above 270 km. The generation of the equatorial westward wind jet disturbance is significantly influenced by ∆velocity at all altitudes, whereas ∆Ne becomes important below 450 km.
Realistic Electron Diffusion Rates and Lifetimes Due to Scattering by Electron Holes
Authors: Shen Yangyang , Vasko Ivan Y. , Artemyev Anton , Malaspina David M. , Chu Xiangning , Angelopoulos Vassilis , Zhang Xiao‐Jia
Published: August 2021

Plasma sheet electron precipitation into the diffuse aurora is critical for magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling. Recent studies have shown that electron phase space holes can pitch‐angle scatter electrons and may produce plasma sheet electron precipitation. These studies have assumed identical electron hole parameters to estimate electron scattering rates (Vasko et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5039687). In this study, we have re‐evaluated the efficiency of this scattering by incorporating realistic electron hole properties from direct spacecraft observations into computing electron diffusion rates and lifetimes. The most important electron hole properties in this evaluation are their distributions in velocity and spatial scale and electric field root‐mean‐square intensity (). Using direct measurements of electron holes during a plasma injection event observed by the Van Allen Probe at , we find that when 4 mV/m electron lifetimes can drop below 1 h and are mostly within strong diffusion limits at energies below 10 keV. During an injection observed by the THEMIS spacecraft at , electron holes with even typical intensities (1 mV/m) can deplete low‐energy (a few keV) plasma sheet electrons within tens of minutes following injections and convection from the tail. Our results confirm that electron holes are a significant contributor to plasma sheet electron precipitation during injections.
Solar Wind Entry Into Midtail Current Sheet via Low‐Latitude Mantle Under Dominant IMF By: ARTEMIS Observation
Authors: Wang Chih‐Ping , Xing Xiaoyan
Published: August 2021

It is expected from global simulations that the low‐latitude mantle may be an important pathway for the solar wind entry into the tail current sheet when interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By is dominant, which is different from the pathways for northward or southward IMF dominant conditions. To evaluate this pathway and the predicted plasma asymmetries between the southern and northern lobes resulting from the low‐latitude mantle, we analyze 222 current sheet crossing events observed in the midtail. Each of the events is selected to have the spacecraft observe both lobes within 20 min. For the majority of the events, the different north‐south asymmetries of the lobe density observed on the dawnside and duskside corresponding to different IMF By directions are consistent with the appearance of the low‐latitude mantle plasma. No significant north‐south asymmetry in the lobe magnetic field strength is found so that the density asymmetry also results in north‐south asymmetric lobe Alfvén speed. Within the tail current sheet, the cross‐tail profiles show that density can be higher, but temperatures and peak flow speed lower, near the flanks than near midnight. Magnitudes of these current sheet plasma parameters are found to positively correlate with the values of the asymmetric lobe parameters concurrently observed, indicating that the low‐latitude mantle can be a particle source for the current sheet. Also, the asymmetric lobe parameters are positively correlated with some solar wind parameters. These good correlations support the expectation that the pathway through the low‐latitude mantle becomes more important as the IMF By becomes more dominant.
Systematic review of the impact of cannabinoids on neurobehavioral outcomes in preclinical models of traumatic and nontraumatic spinal cord injury
Authors: Bhatti Faheem I. , Mowforth Oliver D. , Butler Max B. , Bhatti Aniqah I. , Adeeko Sylva , Akhbari Melika , Dilworth Rory , Grodzinski Ben , Osunronbi Temidayo , Ottewell Luke , Teh Jye Quan , Robinson Sophie , Suresh Gayathri , Waheed Unaiza , Walker Benn , Kuhn Isla , Smith Lara , Bartlett Richard D. , Davies Benjamin M. , Kotter Mark R. N.
Published: August 2021

Study design

Systematic review.

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of cannabinoids on neurobehavioral outcomes in preclinical models of nontraumatic and traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), with the aim of determining suitability for clinical trials involving SCI patients.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE and Embase databases, following registration with PROPSERO (CRD42019149671). Studies evaluating the impact of cannabinoids (agonists or antagonists) on neurobehavioral outcomes in preclinical models of nontraumatic and traumatic SCI were included. Data extracted from relevant studies, included sample characteristics, injury model, neurobehavioural outcomes assessed and study results. PRISMA guidelines were followed and the SYRCLE checklist was used to assess risk of bias.

Results

The search returned 8714 studies, 19 of which met our inclusion criteria. Sample sizes ranged from 23 to 390 animals. WIN 55,212-2 (n = 6) and AM 630 (n = 8) were the most used cannabinoid receptor agonist and antagonist respectively. Acute SCI models included traumatic injury (n = 16), ischaemia/reperfusion injury (n = 2), spinal cord cryoinjury (n = 1) and spinal cord ischaemia (n = 1). Assessment tools used assessed locomotor function, pain and anxiety. Cannabinoid receptor agonists resulted in statistically significant improvement in locomotor function in 9 out of 10 studies and pain outcomes in 6 out of 6 studies.

Conclusion

Modulation of the endo-cannabinoid system has demonstrated significant improvement in both pain and locomotor function in pre-clinical SCI models; however, the risk of bias is unclear in all studies. These results may help to contextualise future translational clinical trials investigating whether cannabinoids can improve pain and locomotor function in SCI patients.
NKG2D-CAR-transduced natural killer cells efficiently target multiple myeloma
Authors: Leivas Alejandra , Valeri Antonio , Córdoba Laura , García-Ortiz Almudena , Ortiz Alejandra , Sánchez-Vega Laura , Graña-Castro Osvaldo , Fernández Lucía , Carreño-Tarragona Gonzalo , Pérez Manuel , Megías Diego , Paciello María Liz , Sánchez-Pina Jose , Pérez-Martínez Antonio , Lee Dean A. , Powell Daniel J. , Río Paula , Martínez-López Joaquín
Published: August 2021

CAR-T-cell therapy against MM currently shows promising results, but usually with serious toxicities. CAR-NK cells may exert less toxicity when redirected against resistant myeloma cells. CARs can be designed through the use of receptors, such as NKG2D, which recognizes a wide range of ligands to provide broad target specificity. Here, we test this approach by analyzing the antitumor activity of activated and expanded NK cells (NKAE) and CD45RA− T cells from MM patients that were engineered to express an NKG2D-based CAR. NKAE cells were cultured with irradiated Clone9.mbIL21 cells. Then, cells were transduced with an NKG2D-4-1BB-CD3z-CAR. CAR-NKAE cells exhibited no evidence of genetic abnormalities. Although memory T cells were more stably transduced, CAR-NKAE cells exhibited greater in vitro cytotoxicity against MM cells, while showing minimal activity against healthy cells. In vivo, CAR-NKAE cells mediated highly efficient abrogation of MM growth, and 25% of the treated mice remained disease free. Overall, these results demonstrate that it is feasible to modify autologous NKAE cells from MM patients to safely express a NKG2D-CAR. Additionally, autologous CAR-NKAE cells display enhanced antimyeloma activity demonstrating that they could be an effective strategy against MM supporting the development of NKG2D-CAR-NK-cell therapy for MM.
IGF2BP2-modified circular RNA circARHGAP12 promotes cervical cancer progression by interacting m6A/FOXM1 manner
Authors: Ji Fei , Lu Yang , Chen Shaoyun , Yu Yan , Lin Xiaoling , Zhu Yuanfang , Luo Xin
Published: August 2021

Emerging evidence indicates that circular RNA (circRNA) and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) play critical roles in cervical cancer. However, the synergistic effect of circRNA and m6A on cervical cancer progression is unclear. In the present study, our sequencing data revealed that a novel m6A-modified circRNA (circARHGAP12, hsa_circ_0000231) upregulated in the cervical cancer tissue and cells. Interestingly, the m6A modification of circARHGAP12 could amplify its enrichment. Functional experiments illustrated that circARHGAP12 promoted the tumor progression of cervical cancer in vivo and vitro. Furthermore, MeRIP-Seq illustrated that there was a remarkable m6A site in FOXM1 mRNA. CircARHGAP12 interacted with m6A reader IGF2BP2 to combine with FOXM1 mRNA, thereby accelerating the stability of FOXM1 mRNA. In conclusion, we found that circARHGAP12 exerted the oncogenic role in cervical cancer progression through m6A-dependent IGF2BP2/FOXM1 pathway. These findings may provide new concepts for cervical cancer biology and pathological physiology.
Cu–MOF/hemin: a bionic enzyme with excellent dispersity for the determination of hydrogen peroxide released from living cells
Authors: Cui Hong , Cui Shuaishuai , Zhang Siyuan , Tian Qiuju , Liu Yunfeng , Zhang Ping , Wang Mingxiu , Zhang Jialing , Li Xiangjun
Published: August 2021

Cu–MOF/hemin nanocomposites with peroxidase-like activity for electrochemical sensing of H2O2 in human serum and the real-time tracking of H2O2 secreted by live cells.
Annulative Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction to synthesise chiral dibenzocycloheptanes
Authors: Mondal Atanu , Shivangi  , Tung Pinku , Wagulde Siddhant V. , Ramasastry S. S. V.
Published: August 2021

The synthesis of racemic and chiral dibenzocycloheptanes has been achieved by employing the intramolecular Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction as the key step.
Reductive elimination of [AlH2]+ from a cationic Ga–Al dihydride
Authors: Morris Louis J. , Carpentier Ambre , Maron Laurent , Okuda Jun
Published: August 2021

A heterobimetallic dihydride cation with a covalent Al–Ga bond forms by formal oxidative addition of [AlH2]+ to Ga(i). The reverse reaction is initiated by coordination of THF or NHC, but does not occur for the Al–Al bonded homobimetallic analogue.
Lithium and sodium intercalation in a 2D NbSe2bilayer-stacked homostructure: comparative study of ionic adsorption and diffusion behavior
Authors: Putungan Darwin Barayang , Kuo Jer-Lai
Published: August 2021

Structural phase transition minimum energy pathways for the pristine monolayer, lithiated and sodiated NbSe2are shown. The structural robustness of the NbSe2H phase upon lithiation and sodiation indicates the stability under continuous charging and discharging processes.
The chemical structure and immunomodulatory activity of an exopolysaccharide produced by Morchella esculenta under submerged fermentation
Authors: Li Jinglei , Wu Haishan , Liu Yuting , Nan Jian , Park Hyun Jin , Chen Yanping , Yang Liu
Published: August 2021

Chemical structure and immunomodulatory activity of an exopolysaccharide produced by Morchella esculenta.
Regulation of the bi-color fluorescence changes of AIE supramolecular self-assembly gels by interaction with Al3+ and energy transfer
Authors: Ma Xinxian , Yue Jinlong , Qiao Bo , Zhou Lili , Gao Yang , Wang Yipei , Lai Yingshan , Geng Yutao , Feng Enke , Liu Minghua
Published: August 2021

A new supramolecular gel can serve both as a selective fluorescence sensing system for Al3+ and light-harvesting energy donor with several kinds of dyes. This demonstrates an example as a multi-function light-emitting material.
Synergistic effects of Co/CoO nanoparticles on imine-based covalent organic frameworks for enhanced OER performance
Authors: Ye Xiaoqin , Fan Jinchen , Min Yulin , Shi Penghui , Xu Qunjie
Published: August 2021

A Co/CoO@COF catalyst was developed for high-performance electrocatalytic oxygen evolution.
Halogen bonding effect on electrochemical anion oxidation in ionic liquids
Authors: Alvarez Marie Stacey , Houzé Cedric , Groni Sihem , Schöllhorn Bernd , Fave Claire
Published: August 2021

The properties of three imidazolium based ionic liquids have been compared and used as solvents for the electrochemical oxidation of various anions.
Palladium-catalyzed 1,1-alkynylbromination of alkenes with alkynyl bromides
Authors: Ano Yusuke , Kawai Natsuki , Chatani Naoto
Published: August 2021

The first Pd-catalyzed 1,1-alkynylbromination of terminal alkenes using alkynyl bromides, which provides direct access to a variety of functionalized propargylic bromides without the need for an external brominating reagent, is reported.
Anion deficiency motivated Na2V6O16 nanobelts for superior sustainable zinc ion storage
Authors: Liu Xiaojing , Hu Xinyue , Hou Shuang , He Wei , Liang Zhifu , Meng Lingyu , Guo Qing , Liu Tiezhong , Ru Qiang , Zhao Lingzhi
Published: August 2021

A fresh insight into deficiency-modified Na2V6O16 nanobelt, constructed by new recrystallization/reduction strategy, for a superior sustainable zinc ion storage.
Recent advances and the design criteria of metal sulfide photocathodes and photoanodes for photoelectrocatalysis
Authors: Toe Cui Ying , Zhou Shujie , Gunawan Michael , Lu Xinxin , Ng Yun Hau , Amal Rose
Published: August 2021

This review paper focuses on assessing recent publications that used metal sulfide photoelectrodes for PEC applications, with the aim of evaluating the vital parameters required for the design of metal sulfide photocathodes and photoanodes.
Advances in multifunctional chitosan-based self-healing hydrogels for biomedical applications
Authors: Ou Yi , Tian Meng
Published: August 2021

This review focuses on the formation, multifunctionalization, and biomedical application of multifunctional chitosan-based self-healing hydrogels.
Synthesis and molecular properties of isomeric thienoisoindigo
Authors: Wang Hua-Chun , Wang Chang-Cheng , Chen Yaorong , Cao Jian , Ren Xiancheng , Hong Wenjing , Xu Yun-Xiang
Published: August 2021

The luminescence and single-molecule conductance of the lactam molecules can be effectively regulated by changing the ring-fusion mode and the amide arrangement of lactam units.
Analysis of a hybrid quantum network for classification tasks
Authors: Hellstern Gerhard
Published: August 2021

In the era of noisy intermediate scaled quantum computers, one of the possible applications to search for an advantage of quantum computing is machine learning. Here, we report about an analysis, where a hybrid quantum‐classical network is applied to classify non‐trivial datasets (finance and MNIST data). In comparison to a pure classical network, we find an advantage when looking at several performance measures. As in classical machine learning, problems around overfitting the dataset arise. Therefore, we explore different possibilities to regularise the network.
COVID-19 and Myocarditis: Findings from Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Endomyocardial Biopsies
Authors: Greulich Simon , Klingel Karin
Published: August 2021

Diagnosing myocarditis is still challenging due to its varying presentation ranging from none or mild symptoms to sudden cardiac death. Clinical presentation, electrocardiography, and cardiac biomarkers seem not to be sufficient for a reliable diagnosis. In fact, an unequivocal myocardial characterization is needed, applying endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), a technique which demonstrates high accuracy to histology. Besides the assessment of functional parameters (volumes, ejection fraction), established late gadolinium enhancement and recent T1 and T2 mapping techniques including the calculation of extracellular volume fraction allow distinct myocardial tissue analysis by a noninvasive approach without the need of radiation. However, EMB is the only method which allows the identification of the underlying etiology of cardiac inflammation. Since myocardial damage and inflammation seem to be prevalent in a considerable number of patients even in the mid-term range after COVID-19, CMR and EMB seem to be adequate tools to further investigate these findings. In this article, we will (1) review current knowledge about the role of CMR in the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) report about our own EMB findings in COVID-19 patients in the Cardiopathology Center of our University Hospital.
Endometrial Receptivity Testing and Therapy in Assisted Reproductive Treatment
Authors: Polanski Lukasz Tadeusz , Baumgarten Miriam
Published: August 2021

Assisted reproductive treatment (ART) gave numerous couples the chance to have their biological child. Improvement in laboratory and culture conditions allows for selection of embryos with the best developmental potential, although replacement of these top-quality embryos does not, however, guarantee reproductive success. Endometrial receptivity is essential for pregnancy establishment and may be the limiting factor for the observed pregnancy rates with ART. Multiple modalities have been in use to assess endometrial receptivity, with ultrasound assessment of the endometrial morphology most commonly used due to its noninvasive nature and availability. Utilization of various “omics” increases our understanding of endometrial receptivity and selectivity; however, significantly more work is required to develop clinically relevant and validated tests of endometrial receptivity and treatments which could improve a suboptimal endometrial milieu. Current evidence for and against use of various tests of endometrial receptivity in women undergoing ART is presented in this article.
Limiting too-big-to-fail: market reactions to policy announcements and actions
Authors: Bellia Mario , Maccaferri Sara , Schich Sebastian
Published: August 2021

Banks considered too-big-to-fail (TBTF) tend to benefit from funding cost advantages as their debt is considered implicitly guaranteed by public authorities, even if the latter have undertaken substantial effort to limit TBTF. This paper focuses on the changes in related market perceptions in response to bank regulatory and resolution reform announcements as well as actual failure resolution actions. It analyses how premia on risky bank debt have reacted to such events, using data for senior and subordinated debt CDS quotes for 45 European banks from January 2007 to May 2020. The empirical results are consistent with progress being made in reducing the value of implicit bank debt guarantees, especially on subordinated bank liabilities. Some earlier bank failure resolution actions appeared to significantly raise risk premia, although more recent failure resolution cases either had no effect on risk premia or moved them in the opposite direction. Several of these events consisted of no-action, that is, in particular, they did not entail any bail-in. As opposed to resolution actions, the reactions of risk premia to policy and regulatory announcements are more difficult to explain and no clear pattern seems to be emerging, confirming the view that action speaks louder than words.
Investigation on thermo-mechanical processing and intergranular corrosion of TP347H stainless steel
Authors: Gao Xiong , Wang Meiling , Liu Tingguang , Lu Yonghao , Ejaz Ahsan
Published: August 2021

The grain boundary character distributions of TP347H stainless steel after different thermo-mechanical processes in terms of grain boundary engineering (GBE) were investigated by EBSD. DL-EPR and electrolytic oxalic acid etch tests were carried out to evaluate the improvement of GBE treatment on intergranular corrosion. The low-Σ CSL grain boundary proportion of the TP347H can be increased to about 90% through a single-step thermo-mechanical treatment consisted of a slight tensile deformation (3%) and subsequent annealing process at 1150°C for 1 h. Compared with conventional TP347H, the optimum GBE microstructure suppressed intergranular corrosion due to the high proportion of low-Σ CSL grain boundaries, particularly the twin (Σ3) boundaries which is almost immune to intergranular corrosion.
Physical compatibility of Normosol-R with critical care medications used in patients with COVID-19 during simulated Y-site administration
Authors: Holyk Amanda A , Lindner Alexandra H , Lindner Scott E , Shippert Brian W
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Guidelines from the National Institutes of Health support the use of balanced crystalloid solutions such as Normosol-R (Hospira, Lake Forest, IL) for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, their clinical utility is hindered by a lack of Y-site compatibility data that is essential for use in patients with limited intravenous access. The objective of this study was to determine the physical compatibility of selected intensive care unit medications with Normosol-R.

Methods

The study involved laboratory simulation of Y-site compatibility. Medications tested included amiodarone, caspofungin, dexmedetomidine, dobutamine, dopamine, epinephrine, levofloxacin, norepinephrine, pantoprazole, phenylephrine, piperacillin/tazobactam, vancomycin, and vasopressin. Tests performed were visual assessment with Tyndall light, turbidity measurement, and pH assessment. Tests were performed immediately after mixing (with the exception of turbidity testing) and after 1 hour and 4 hours.

Results

Incompatibility was defined as observation of haze, gas, particulate, or color change or admixture turbidity above 0.3 or above 0.5 nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU), depending on whether the baseline turbidity was less than or greater than 0.5 NTU, respectively. Analysis of solubility and compatibility based on change from baseline to admixture pH in relation to the reported −log of the acid dissociation constant (pKa) was performed. There was no evidence of visual incompatibility for any of the admixtures when mixed with Normosol-R. Turbidity exceeded the defined threshold with pantoprazole, phenylephrine, and highly concentrated norepinephrine. Pantoprazole was the only test medication with a significant pH change when compared to its pKa.

Conclusion

Normosol-R is compatible for Y-site administration with all tested medications except for pantoprazole, phenylephrine, and highly concentrated norepinephrine, allowing for potential increased use in patients with COVID-19.
Rethinking antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients receiving medicinal leech therapy
Authors: McCracken James Andrew , Koehler Steven M , Sharma Roopali
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To describe challenges in the management of prophylaxis against infections for patients receiving medicinal leech therapy given changes in antimicrobial resistance patterns in the normal flora of leeches.

This article presents a patient case of reconstructive surgery complicated by infection associated with the use of medicinal leeches, as well as a discussion of prophylaxis in medicinal leech therapy, focusing on considerations for choosing a prophylactic agent.

Conclusion

Our case report highlights resistance changes in Aeromonas isolates associated with medicinal leeches and the potential for complications if isolates resistant to chosen prophylactic agents arise. When administering antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients receiving medicinal leech therapy, clinicians should be familiar with the susceptibilities of Aeromonas species but also conscious of evolving antimicrobial resistance given the extent of the consequences of infected surgical grafts.
Accessibility of postgraduate training program information to graduates from US doctor of pharmacy programs holding F-1 visas
Authors: Lu Chi-Hua , Rauf Maha , Wasim Ume Farwa , Zhang Qiuyi , Prescott Gina M , Slazak Erin M , Desai Kalpesh J , Bednarczyk Edward M
Published: August 2021

Purpose

To evaluate information provided by residency and fellowship programs to graduates of Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education–accredited doctor of pharmacy programs holding F-1 visas who are seeking postgraduate training opportunities.

Methods

A 2-phase review of all US-based postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) residency and fellowship programs was conducted. In phase 1, program eligibility criteria were reviewed from the residency and fellowship directories published by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP). In phase 2, the postgraduate programs’ official websites were reviewed for additional information. Each program was evaluated to determine the eligibility of international students with F-1 visa or Optional Practical Training (OPT) status, visa sponsorship and work authorization opportunities, and citizenship requirements. Programs were classified as eligible or noneligible to international students or as not providing sufficient information. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.

Results

A total of 1,455 ASHP PGY1 programs and 69 fellowship programs were included in our analysis. In phase 1, there were 3 eligible programs accepting applicants with F-1/OPT status and 377 noneligible programs. In phase 2, there were 10 eligible programs accepting applicants with F-1/OPT status or providing H-1B sponsorship and 410 noneligible programs. Over 70% of programs (phase 1, n = 1,075; phase 2, n = 1,035) were classified as providing no information. None of the fellowship programs were classified as eligible in our review.

Conclusion

Most residency and fellowship programs did not provide clear eligibility criteria for students with F-1/OPT status. Only a few programs clearly stated that they would accept applicants with F-1/OPT status or provide visa sponsorship to graduates holding F-1 visas.
Alpha-XIC: a deep neural network for scoring the coelution of peak groups improves peptide identification by data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry
Authors: Song Jian , Yu Changbin
Published: August 2021

Motivation

The peptide-centric identification methodologies of data-independent acquisition (DIA) data mainly rely on scores for the mass spectrometric signals of targeted peptides. Among these scores, the coelution scores of peak groups constructed by the chromatograms of peptide fragment ions have a significant influence on the identification. Most of the existing coelution scores are achieved by artificially designing some functions in terms of the shape similarity, retention time shift of peak groups. However, these scores cannot characterize the coelution robustly when the peak group is in the circumstance of interference.

Results

On the basis that the neural network is more powerful to learn the implicit features of data robustly from a large number of samples, and thus minimizing the influence of data noise, in this work, we propose Alpha-XIC, a neural network-based model to score the coelution. By learning the characteristics of the coelution of peak groups derived from the being analyzed DIA data, Alpha-XIC is capable of yielding robust coelution scores even for peak groups with interference. With this score appending to initial scores generated by the accompanying identification engine DIA-NN, the ensuing statistical validation can report the identification result and recover the misidentified peptides. In our evaluation of the HeLa dataset with gradient lengths ranging from 0.5 to 2 h, Alpha-XIC delivered 9.4–16.2% improvements in the number of identified precursors at 1% false discovery rate. Furthermore, Alpha-XIC was tested on LFQbench, a mixed-species dataset with known ratios, and increased the number of peptides and proteins fell within valid ratios by up to 16.4% and 17.8%, respectively, compared to the initial identification by DIA-NN.

Availability and implementation

Source code is available at https://github.com/YuAirLab/Alpha-XIC.
BitQT: a graph-based approach to the quality threshold clustering of molecular dynamics
Authors: González-Alemán Roy , Platero-Rochart Daniel , Hernández-Castillo David , Hernández-Rodríguez Erix W , Caballero Julio , Leclerc Fabrice , Montero-Cabrera Luis
Published: August 2021

Motivation

Classical Molecular Dynamics (MD) is a standard computational approach to model time-dependent processes at the atomic level. The inherent sparsity of increasingly huge generated trajectories demands clustering algorithms to reduce other post-simulation analysis complexity. The Quality Threshold (QT) variant is an appealing one from the vast number of available clustering methods. It guarantees that all members of a particular cluster will maintain a collective similarity established by a user-defined threshold. Unfortunately, its high computational cost for processing big data limits its application in the molecular simulation field.

Results

In this work, we propose a methodological parallel between QT clustering and another well-known algorithm in the field of Graph Theory, the Maximum Clique Problem. Molecular trajectories are represented as graphs whose nodes designate conformations, while unweighted edges indicate mutual similarity between nodes. The use of a binary-encoded RMSD matrix coupled to the exploitation of bitwise operations to extract clusters significantly contributes to reaching a very affordable algorithm compared to the few implementations of QT for MD available in the literature. Our alternative provides results in good agreement with the exact one while strictly preserving the collective similarity of clusters.

Availability and implementation

The source code and documentation of BitQT are free and publicly available on GitHub (https://github.com/LQCT/BitQT.git) and ReadTheDocs (https://bitqt.readthedocs.io/en/latest/), respectively.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Techniques To Exploit Vulnerabilities: Persuasion And Education In Chinese Police Interrogations
Authors: Mou Yu
Published: August 2021

Drawing upon in-depth interviews with frontline police officers, this article examines persuasion and education as a psychological interrogation method routinely applied in Chinese police questioning. It analyses the three tactics employed by the interrogators in inducing the suspect to confess, including utilization of suspects’ personal relationships, their hope for the uncertain future and memories of past experiences. These mechanisms correspond to the three forms of universal vulnerability shared by human beings, namely the individuals’ susceptibility to human dependency, the predicament of irreversibility and uncertainty about the future. This article analyses the ways in which vulnerability as a universal human condition can be exploited by state coercion, and how this coercion produces the moral vulnerability of police.
Diapause Termination in Invasive Populations of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Response to Photoperiod
Authors: McDougall Robert N , Ogburn Emily C , Walgenbach James F , Nielsen Anne L
Published: August 2021

Understanding cues for diapause termination in insects can be valuable in predicting phenological events in their lifecycles. Once identified, such cues can be utilized as a biofix, the point at which the majority of individuals within a population begin to accumulate degree days. We investigated the impact of photoperiod on completion of reproductive diapause in the invasive eastern North American population of the brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), by exposing diapausing females to varying light regimes in otherwise identical environments. The critical photoperiod estimated to initiate reproductive development in at least 50% of the potential reproductive population was 13.0–13.5 h, with increasing photoperiods coinciding with increased probability of females reproducing, earlier time to first oviposition, and higher rates of fecundity. These data on the species’ response to photoperiod are in agreement with previous modeling that predicted the twin constraints of photoperiod and temperature on H. halys reproduction prevents populations that undergo diapause from producing more than two generations annually anywhere within the continental U.S. However, the facultative nature of diapause in H. halys leaves open the possibility that sub-populations may not enter diapause in some conditions, potentially allowing for additional annual generations.
Sex differences in left ventricular remodelling in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Kuneman Jurrien H , Singh Gurpreet K , Milhorini Pio Stephan , Hirasawa Kensuke , Hautemann David , van der Kley Frank , Ajmone Marsan Nina , Knuuti Juhani , Delgado Victoria , Bax Jeroen J
Published: August 2021

Aims 

Women with severe aortic stenosis (AS) have better long-term outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) but worse survival after surgical aortic valve replacement compared with men. Whether this is related to sex differences in left ventricular (LV) remodelling is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the sex differences in LV remodelling with multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) and outcome in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI between 2007 and 2018.

Methods and results 

A total of 289 patients (age 80 ± 6 years, 54% male) were included. LV volumes, mass, and function were analysed on pre-procedural MDCT scans. Women showed smaller LV volumes and mass compared with men. Patients were classified into four LV remodelling patterns: concentric hypertrophy (50%) was the most frequent pattern of LV remodelling followed by eccentric hypertrophy (33%), normal geometry (13%), and concentric remodelling (4%). Men showed more concentric remodelling compared with women (91% vs. 9%, respectively, P = 0.011). However, no differences were observed in the remaining LV remodelling patterns. During a median follow-up of 3.8 (IQR 2.2–5.1) years after TAVI, 87 (30%) patients died. Women demonstrated better outcome after TAVI compared with men (log-rank χ2 = 4.29, P = 0.038). No association was observed between the interaction of the LV remodelling patterns and sex with outcome.

Conclusion 

LV concentric hypertrophy and eccentric hypertrophy are similarly observed in men and women with severe AS but concentric remodelling was more common in men. Women demonstrated better outcome after TAVI when compared with men. The interaction between the LV remodelling patterns and sex was not associated with survival.
A case report of pudendal arteries angioplasty with sirolimus drug-coated balloon and drug-eluting stent associated with intracavernous autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells injection for untreatable vasculogenic erectile dysfunction
Authors: Terlizzese Giuseppe , Stubinski Robert , Casini Andrea , Clerici Giacomo , Sangiorgi Giuseppe
Published: August 2021

Background

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent health problem that seriously impacts men's quality of life. The potential treatment of ED by percutaneous approach has emerged with valid angiographic results and a significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life. In addition, cell-based regenerative therapies aiming at enhancing neovascularization have been successfully performed with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) in diabetic patients affected by critical limb ischaemia.

Case summary

We report a case of a young insulin dependent (ID) diabetic patients who suffered of severe vasculogenic erectile dysfunction associated with a poor response for more than 1 year to oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) and intracavernous (IC) phosphodiesterase type 1 (PDE1) therapy. At selective angiography of the pelvic district, a severe atherosclerotic disease of the internal iliac and pudendal artery was evident with absence of distal vascularization of the cavernous bodies. The patient was treated by mechanical revascularization with drug-coated balloon and drug-eluting stent placement associated with IC injection of autologous PBMNCs. Immediate and 1-year clinical and angiographic follow-up are described.

Discussion

Percutaneous revascularization with drug-coated balloon and drug-eluting stent associated with IC autologous PBMNCs cells injection is a safe and effective procedure to restore normal erectile function in diabetic patients affected by severe vasculogenic ED not responding to conventional oral drug therapies.