bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rainfall retention and runoff generation processes in tropical mature green roof ecosystems
Authors: Arellano‐Leyva Eréndira Alejandra , López‐Portillo Melissa , Muñoz‐Villers Lyssette Elena , Prado‐Pano Blanca Lucía
Published: September 2021

Rainfall retention and runoff detention are likely the most important ecosystem services provided by extensive green roofs (EGRs) that contribute to urban stormwater mitigation and management. However, the hydrological performance and runoff generation mechanisms of mature, well‐established EGRs in tropical regions remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the rainfall retention, discharge detention times and processes of runoff generation in two neighbouring 20‐year‐old EGRs with different slopes (2° and 14° for EGRns and EGRws, respectively) and management practices in Mexico City; results were compared with those obtained in a conventional roof (CR, 2° slope). Precipitation, substrate moisture and storm runoff were continuously measured during the 2017 and 2018 rainy seasons (May–November). Results showed spatial differences in substrate properties and moisture within and between green roofs. In general, higher bulk densities and a wide range of variation in water content characterized the bare substrate areas compared to those below vegetation. Greatest increases in substrate moisture and storm runoff were observed in the steeper green roof. Subsurface flow was the dominant process controlling the amount and timing of stormflow in the EGRs. The occurrence of saturation excess overland flow was small and detected when large rain events were preceded by high wetness conditions. The main factors influencing the hydrological responses of the green roofs were their substrate hydrophysical properties, related mostly to vegetation cover, management and age, and to much lesser extent to slope and substrate depth. On average, rainfall retention was ~60% in the EGRs with significantly longer delays and prolonged runoff times (100 and 340 min, respectively) compared to CR (3%, 20 min, and 258 min, respectively). Overall, these findings highlight the potential of EGRs in reducing stormflow and peak discharges for most rainfall in Mexico City, and thus mitigating the risk of saturation and overflow of urban drainages.
A hydrographic method to identify the groundwater net recharge, barometric effect and evapotranspiration from a complicated semidiurnal water table fluctuation
Authors: Cheng Donghui , Yuan Jing , Qi Lijun
Published: September 2021

A hydrographic method was proposed to separate out the hourly scaled groundwater level changes caused by net recharge, barometric effects and evapotranspiration from a semidiurnal water table fluctuation. A characteristic midnight time, with a turning point of the barometric pressure change and high relative air humidity, which meant that neither the barometric effect nor groundwater evapotranspiration occurred, was proposed for determining the net recharge rate rnet. Then, the barometric efficiency fbar was estimated using the other time period without evapotranspiration, and the evapotranspiration rate rETG was finally obtained using the remainder of the water level changes. A case example illustrated that estimation of fbar using the proposed method was more accurate than that using the traditional error analysis method, which may result in a significant underestimation under the condition of the present water level changes. Additionally, the abnormal semidiurnal fluctuations, more specifically, two step‐down fluctuations, which may be a common pattern when the groundwater level is controlled by net recharge, barometric effects and evapotranspiration, can be well understood using the three components separated out. The results also showed that nighttime groundwater evapotranspiration, accounting for an average of 23% of that during the daytime, cannot be ignored.
A quantitative polymerase chain reaction based method for molecular subtype classification of urinary bladder cancer—Stromal gene expressions show higher prognostic values than intrinsic tumor genes
Authors: Olah Csilla , Hahnen Christina , Nagy Nikolett , Musial Joanna , Varadi Melinda , Nyiro Gabor , Gyorffy Balazs , Hadaschik Boris , Rawitzer Josefine , Ting Saskia , Sjödahl Gottfrid , Hoffmann Michéle J. , Reis Henning , Szarvas Tibor
Published: September 2021

Transcriptome‐based molecular subtypes of muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) have been shown to be both prognostic and predictive, but are not used in routine clinical practice. We aimed to develop a feasible, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR)‐based method for molecular subtyping. First, we defined a 68‐gene set covering tumor intrinsic (luminal, basal, squamous, neuronal, epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal, in situ carcinoma) and stromal (immune, extracellular matrix, p53‐like) signatures. Then, classifier methods with this 68‐gene panel were developed in silico and validated on public data sets with available subtype class information (MD Anderson [MDA], The Cancer Genome Atlas [TCGA], Lund, Consensus). Finally, expression of the selected 68 genes was determined in 104 frozen tissue samples of our MIBC cohort by RT‐qPCR using the TaqMan Array Card platform and samples were classified by our newly developed classifiers. The prognostic value of each subtype classification system and molecular signature scores were assessed. We found that the reduced marker set combined with the developed classifiers were able to reproduce the TCGA II, MDA, Lund and Consensus subtype classification systems with an overlap of 79%, 76%, 69% and 64%, respectively. Importantly, we could successfully classify 96% (100/104) of our MIBC samples by using RT‐qPCR. Neuronal and luminal subtypes and low stromal gene expressions were associated with poor survival. In conclusion, we developed a robust and feasible method for the molecular subtyping according to the TCGA II, MDA, Lund and Consensus classifications. Our results suggest that stromal signatures have a superior prognostic value compared to tumor intrinsic signatures and therefore underline the importance of tumor‐stroma interaction during the progression of MIBC.
Clinical validation of p16/Ki‐67 dual‐stained cytology triage of HPV‐positive women: Results from the IMPACT trial
Authors: Wright Thomas C. , Stoler Mark H. , Ranger‐Moore Jim , Fang Qijun , Volkir Patrick , Safaeian Mahboobeh , Ridder Ruediger
Published: September 2021

Triage strategies are needed for primary human papillomavirus (HPV)‐based cervical cancer screening to identify women requiring colposcopy/biopsy. We assessed the performance of p16/Ki‐67 dual‐stained (DS) immunocytochemistry to triage HPV‐positive women and compared it to cytology, with or without HPV16/18 genotyping. A prospective observational screening study enrolled 35 263 women aged 25 to 65 years at 32 U.S. sites. Cervical samples had HPV and cytology testing, with colposcopy/biopsy for women with positive tests. Women without cervical intraepithelial neoplasia Grade 2 or worse (≥CIN2) at baseline (n = 3876) were retested after 1 year. In all, 4927 HPV‐positive women with valid DS results were included in this analysis. DS sensitivity for ≥CIN2 and ≥CIN3 at baseline was 91.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 86.8%‐94.2%) and 91.9% (95% CI: 86.1%‐95.4%), respectively, in HPV16/18‐positive women and 83.0% (95% CI: 78.4%‐86.8%) and 86.0% (95% CI: 77.5%‐91.6%) in women with 12 “other” genotypes. Using DS alone to triage HPV‐positive women showed significantly higher sensitivity and specificity than HPV16/18 genotyping with cytology triage of 12 “other” genotypes, and substantially higher sensitivity but lower specificity than using cytology alone. The risk of ≥CIN2 was significantly lower in HPV‐positive, DS‐negative women (3.6%; 95% CI: 2.9%‐4.4%), compared to triage‐negative women using HPV16/18 genotyping with cytology for 12 “other” genotypes (7.4%; 95% CI: 6.4%‐8.5%; P < .0001) or cytology alone (7.5%; 95% CI: 6.7%‐8.4%; P < .0001). DS showed better risk stratification than cytology‐based strategies and provided high reassurance against pre‐cancers both at baseline and at 1‐year follow‐up, irrespective of the HPV genotype. DS allows for the safe triage of primary screening HPV‐positive women.
Hypothyroidism is a predictive factor of superior antitumour efficacy of programmed death 1 inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Xu Lei , Leng Chao , Chen Lin , Dong Hanhua , Chen Yifa , Chen Xiaoping
Published: September 2021

Programmed death 1 (PD‐1) inhibitors are widely used for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hypothyroidism is commonly associated with this therapy, although the mechanism underlying this complication and effects on patient prognosis remain unclear. We retrospectively analysed the data of patients with HCC who received anti‐PD‐1 therapy at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology between January 2018 and May 2020. Based on thyroid function evaluation, patients were categorised into hypothyroidism group and nonhypothyroidism group. Follow‐up was completed on February 28, 2021. The primary endpoint of our study was progression free survival (PFS). The study included 74 patients, and the disease control rate was higher in hypothyroidism group (62.7%, 27/43) than in nonhypothyroidism group (36.4%, 11/31) (P = .020). The PFS was longer in hypothyroidism group (7.44 months) than in nonhypothyroidism group (5.68 months) (P = .006). Additionally, the PFS of patients with hypothyroidism before immunotherapy (6.27 months) was also longer than that in nonhypothyroidism group (5.68 months), although the difference was statistically nonsignificant (P = .527). Cox regression analysis showed that the hazard ratios of hypothyroidism, Child‐Pugh grade B at initial admission and serum gamma‐glutamyl transferase levels >71 U/L before immunotherapy were 0.404 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.207‐0.791, P = .008), 2.753 (95%CI: 1.127‐6.455, P = .026) and 2.469 (95%CI: 1.155‐5.277, P = .020), respectively. Hypothyroidism was associated with prognosis in patients with HCC treated with PD‐1 inhibitors, and prognosis was more favourable in patients with hypothyroidism than in those without hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism and the Child‐Pugh grade at initial admission were independently associated with patient prognosis.
Conservative stepwise surgical approach for management of placenta previa accreta: A prospective case series study
Authors: Ghaleb Mahmoud M. , Safwat Sarah , Purohit Ramkrishna , Samy Mohammed
Published: September 2021

Objective

To describe a stepwise surgical approach for conservative management of placenta previa accreta to preserve the uterus and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this approach in controlling postpartum hemorrhage including intrapartum hemorrhage.

Methods

A prospective case series study conducted on 62 pregnant women with one or more cesarean deliveries diagnosed with placenta previa accreta between January 2018 and June 2019 at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. All participants underwent a conservative stepwise surgical approach through Pfannenstiel skin incision with fetal delivery through a uterine incision just above the upper border of the placenta, followed by bilateral uterine artery ligation with myometrial excision of the remaining adherent placenta and cervico‐isthmic sutures by MMG (the main surgeon) and MS.

Results

Among 62 women, the surgical approach was successful in controlling postpartum hemorrhage and preserving the uterus in 50 (80.64%) participants. Three women (4.83%) had urinary bladder injuries, all were managed intraoperatively during the cesarean section. Five women (8%) had postpartum pyrexia and five women (8%) had postpartum endometritis, all were managed conservatively with broad‐spectrum antibiotics.

Conclusion

The stepwise surgical approach can be applied to the conservative management of placenta previa accreta to avoid unnecessary cesarean hysterectomy.
New polyoxazoline loaded patches for hemostasis in experimental liver resection
Authors: Roozen Edwin A. , Warlé Michiel C. , Lomme Roger M. L. M. , Félix Lanao Rosa P. , van Goor Harry
Published: September 2021

A new cost‐effective NHS functionalized polyoxazoline (POx) loaded polymer with strong hemostatic properties has been developed. In this study, we investigate POx loaded hemostatic patches regarding hemostatic efficacy, local inflammatory reaction and wound‐healing, as compared to the non‐POx treated blanks and commercially available hemostatic products. Hundred and ten rats divided into 11 groups of 10 animals underwent partial liver lobe resection. Eight groups received experimental patches, two groups commercially available hemostatic patches (TachoSil® and Veriset™, positive controls), one group with gauzes (negative control). Each animal received twice a patch with a size 1.5 × 2.5 cm, on each partially resected lobe. Primary endpoint was time to hemostasis (TTH). The rats were sacrificed at different time points (1, 3, or 7 days) to measure local inflammatory response and early wound healing. Of the POx loaded patches, GFC NHS‐POx (TTH 20.4 s, p = .019) and GFC‐NHS‐POx1.5 (TTH 0.0 s, p = .003) showed significantly faster TTH compared to TachoSil® (TTH 95.4 s), and were comparable to Veriset™ (TTH 17.0 s). Three patches, GFC‐NHS‐POx 1.5 (TTH 0.0 s, p = .016), ORC NHS‐POx:NU‐POx (TTH 91.4 s, p = .033), and ORC‐PLGA NHS‐POx:NU‐POx (TTH 105.6 s, p = .04) had a lower TTH compared to their own blank carrier (TTH 74.9, 157.8, and 195.7 s, respectively). With regard to biocompatibility, all POx loaded patches showed results comparable to TachoSil® and Veriset™. NHS‐POx‐loaded hemostatic patch demonstrate fast and effective hemostasis, comparable or better than commercially available hemostatic patches, with similar early biocompatibility.
Reflections on philanthropy and organizing in the United States
Authors: Frey Ethan
Published: September 2021

Philanthropic foundations play a major role in supporting community organizing efforts around the country. Even as they provide millions of dollars each year to enable organizing, they have also come under significant criticism for investment approaches that sometimes hinder and even undermine the core goals of organizing itself. This paper focuses on reflections from a funder seeking to support community organizing and the challenges of doing so within the structures of the philanthropic community. In particular the paper examines the way notions of power, theories of change used to justify philanthropic investments, and entrenched assumptions about social change shape the ability of funders to leverage their perch to support organizing. The paper also contextualizes these reflections in a broader debate about the appropriate relationship between funders and grassroots organizing.
Phosphorus recovery from organic waste for its agronomic valorization: technical and economic evaluation
Authors: Fernández‐Delgado Marina , del Amo‐Mateos Esther , García‐Cubero María T , Coca Mónica , Lucas Susana
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

The present work investigates the use of municipal mixed waste compost (MMWC) residue for phosphorus (P) recycling from a technical, economic, and environmental perspective. The study aims to obtain liquid extracts rich in P from MMWC with a low heavy metals content, suitable for their subsequent precipitation in the struvite form. The effect of inorganic (sulfuric/nitric) and organic (oxalic/citric) acids at different molarities and temperatures was studied using technical analysis. The preliminary economic analysis allows the costs of the extraction section for the optimal extraction strategies to be estimated and compared.

RESULTS

Based on the multilevel factorial design, the P extraction optimization shows that sulfuric acid 0.5 M and 30 °C provided the highest P extraction yield, 94.2%. However, oxalic acid 0.1 M and 30 °C is the best choice to maximize the P extraction yield, while also minimizing the heavy metals concentration, reaching a P recovery of 2.5 g P/kg. The extraction kinetics for all tested acids were satisfactorily modelled using a second‐order model (r2 > 0.99). The preliminary economic analysis, estimated for a P extraction pilot plant of 100 kg h−1 of MMWC, noted that sulfuric acid 0.5 M provided the lowest total investment cost (130 000 €) and a minimum sale price of theoretical struvite at 4.96 €/kg.

CONCLUSION

MMWC is a promising raw material for P recycling as fertilizer due to an appreciable P concentration (7 g P/kg), which can be used together with other residues rich in P to obtain an economical and sustainable extraction process. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Palynomorphological diversity among the Asteraceous honeybee flora: An aid to the correct taxonomic identification using multiple microscopic techniques
Authors: Nabila  , Ahmad Mushtaq , Zafar Muhammad , Bahadur Saraj , Sultana Shazia , Taj Sehrish , Celep Ferhat , Majeed Salman , Rozina
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to characterize the palynological morphology of melliferous species of family Asteraceae belonged to seven tribes which were categorized into 15 genera and were studied under light and scanning electron microscopy. The pollen grains were acetolyzed, measured, and described qualitatively. Quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis. The species were analyzed considering 11 quantitative pollen characteristics. The study revealed that the pollen grains are circular, triangular, angular, semi‐angular, quadrangular, pentagonal and hexagonal amb, and 3‐colporate or 3‐colpate. The size of the pollen is variable among the species, ranged from 56.1 to 23.2 μm. Three pollen types: oblate spheroidal (eight species), prolate spheroidal (six species), and suboblate (two species) were observed. The surface pattern of the exine varies from echinoperforate, echinate, echinate microperforate, fenestrate, echinoperforate reticulate, microreticulate, echinate perforate, tectate, and scabrate. Exine thickness was calculated minimum in Cichorium intybus (2.47 μm) and maximum in Taraxacum campylodes (5.15 μm). A key to studied bee floral species, based on the morphological features of pollen grains, is also provided. The palynomorphological characters here analyzed can be potentially used to correctly identify the Asteraceous honeybee floral species most commonly plants visited by honeybees in the study area.
Age diversity in teams: Examining the impact of the least agreeable member
Authors: Luksyte Aleksandra , Avery Derek R. , Parker Sharon K. , Wang Ying (Lena) , Johnson Lars U. , Crepeau Loring
Published: September 2021

Our research examined how team age diversity can be either detrimental or beneficial for team performance depending on team agreeableness minimum. In age diverse teams, a disagreeable teammate may trigger age‐based stereotypes about his/her social group, thereby activating social categorization. This would result in decreased relational team functioning and worsened team performance. When the least agreeable member scores high on agreeableness, negative social categorization processes may not be triggered in age diverse teams. They may focus on informational diversity with beneficial effects for team relational processes and team performance. We tested our model in three samples (Study 1: k = 81, N = 254; Study 2: k = 109, N = 434; Study 3: k = 195, N = 1784) wherein performance was measured both objectively (Studies 1 and 2) and subjectively (Study 3). In both Studies 1 and 2, team age diversity was positively related to team performance when team agreeableness minimum was high. In Study 2, when the least agreeable person scored low on agreeableness, greater age diversity resulted in lower performance, and this relationship was mediated by higher interpersonal conflict. In Study 3, these interactive effects transpire via reduced team cohesion—another aspect of relational team functioning.
A stable isotope record of late Quaternary hydrologic change in the northwestern Brooks Range, Alaska (eastern Beringia)
Authors: King Amanda L. , Anderson Lesleigh , Abbott Mark , Edwards Mary , Finkenbinder Matthew S. , Finney Bruce , Wooller Matthew J.
Published: September 2021

A submillennial‐resolution record of lake water oxygen isotope composition (δ18O) from chironomid head capsules is presented from Burial Lake, northwest Alaska. The record spans the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ~20–16k cal a bp) to the present and shows a series of large lake δ18O shifts (~5‰). Relatively low δ18O values occurred during a period covering the LGM, when the lake was a shallow, closed‐basin pond. Higher values characterize deglaciation (~16–11.5k cal a bp) when the lake was still closed but lake levels were higher. A rapid decline between ~11 and 10.5k cal a bp indicates that lake levels rose to overflowing. Lake δ18O values are interpreted to reflect the combined effects of changes in lake hydrology, growing season temperature and meteoric source water as well as large‐scale environmental changes impacting this site, including opening of the Bering Strait and shifts in atmospheric circulation patterns related to ice‐sheet dynamics. The results indicate significant shifts in precipitation minus evaporation across the late Pleistocene to early Holocene transition, which are consistent with temporal patterns of vegetation change and paludification. This study provides new perspectives on the paleohydrology of eastern Beringia concomitant with human migration and major turnover in megafaunal assemblages.
Effect of tree species and soil texture on the carbon stock, macronutrient content, and physicochemical properties of regenerated postfire forest soils
Authors: Woś Bartłomiej , Józefowska Agnieszka , Likus‐Cieślik Justyna , Chodak Marcin , Pietrzykowski Marcin
Published: September 2021

Many countries are having increased frequency and severity of wildfires, including mega‐fires. The revegetation of postfire sites and tree species selection are the most important counteracting measures. In this study, we analyzed the effect of tree species (Scots pine, European larch, common birch) on the C stock, macronutrient content, and physicochemical parameters (pH, sorption complex properties) of regenerated soil of different textures (sands and loams) in a large, postfire site. Nearly, 30 years after the fire, soils differed among the species. The carbon stock under larch was higher in litter (Oi + Oe) horizons than under birch. In mineral horizons (0–5 cm), the C stock was highest under birch. Litter layers under birch had a higher pH, a lower C:N ratio, and higher N, P, Ca, and Mg content compared to layers under pine and larch. In the A‐horizons (0–5 cm), soils under birch was higher in soil organic carbon (SOC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and acidity than soils under conifers. Soil texture in the studied range—from sands to loams—had only a limited effect on the properties of the studied postfire soils. Thus, our results indicate that the tree species used for the reforestation of postfire sites are crucial to the properties of regenerating soils and restoring the ecological functions of soils. Among the studied tree species, common birch had the most pronounced effect on soil properties, and this is especially significant because the species has appeared by spontaneous succession.
Defining what constitutes a reliable dataset to test for hybridization and introgression in marine zooplankton: Comment on Choquet et al. 2020 “No evidence for hybridization between Calanus finmarchicus and C. glacialis in a subarctic area of sympatry”
Authors: Parent Geneviève J. , Plourde Stéphane , Browman Howard I. , Turgeon Julie , Petrusek Adam
Published: September 2021

The article ‘No evidence for hybridization between Calanus finmarchicus and C. glacialis in a subarctic area of sympatry’ (Choquet et al. 2020) concludes that “no evidence supports a potential for hybridization between C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis”. We argue that the InDel markers used by Choquet et al. (2020) may have limited capacity to detect admixed genotypes between C. finmarchicus and C. glacialis due to an inappropriate choice of reference sample for each species during the marker development. We first review terms and concepts used in genetic classification using reference samples and describe problems associated with the selection of genetic markers in the context of possible hybridization. We reanalyze InDel genotypes provided with Choquet et al. (2017) and identified an admixed individual. We then contrast methods used by Choquet et al. (2017) and Parent et al. (2012) and explain how Parent et al. (2012) developed microsatellite markers capable of discriminating admixed genotypes from parental species. In this comment, we have identified a major issue that must be considered when selecting reference samples in the context of testing for possible hybridization.
Personal information disclosure on social networking sites
Authors: Aboulnasr Khaled , Tran Gina A. , Park Taehoon
Published: September 2021

The rapid growth in consumers' adoption of social networking sites revolutionized the marketing landscape, transforming the way brands communicate with their customers. At the same time, the widespread popularity of social networking sites raised major concerns about the privacy and security of users' personal information on these platforms. Drawing on social identity, and privacy calculus theories, this study examines the roles of consumer‐social networking site relational dimensions, namely personal information disclosure and social networking sites identification as drivers of consumer brand engagement on social networking sites‐hosted brand pages. We show that the extent of consumer‐social networking site identification and the degree to which consumers disclose personal information on a social networking site affect their engagement with other brands hosted on that platform. Online survey data collected from a nationally representative sample of US consumers (n = 506) and empirically tested through structural equation modeling provide overall support to the proposed model. This study contributes to the literature by being the first to empirically demonstrate the spillover effects of consumer‐social networking site relational attributes to online consumer brand engagement. The findings provide guidance to marketing managers seeking to increase brand engagement on social media.
Antimuscarinic Anticholinergic Medications in Parkinson Disease: To Prescribe or Deprescribe?
Authors: Barrett Matthew J. , Sargent Lana , Nawaz Huma , Weintraub Daniel , Price Elvin T. , Willis Allison W.
Published: September 2021

The relative importance of antimuscarinic anticholinergic medications for Parkinson's disease (PD) declined after the introduction of levodopa, such that anticholinergic medications are now much more likely to be prescribed for clinical indications other than parkinsonism. Recent studies have found an association between anticholinergic medication exposure and future risk of dementia in older individuals and those with PD. These findings provide a further reason to avoid the use of anticholinergic medications to treat motor symptoms of PD. More importantly, they raise the question of whether one of the goals of PD treatment should be to deprescribe all medications with anticholinergic properties, regardless of their indication, to reduce dementia risk. In this review, we discuss the use of anticholinergic medications in PD, the evidence supporting the association between anticholinergic medications and future dementia risk, and the potential implications of these findings for clinical care in PD.
8q21.11 microdeletion syndrome: Delineation of HEY1 as a candidate gene in neurodevelopmental and cardiac defects
Authors: Ben Ayed Ikhlas , Bouzid Amal , Kammoun Fatma , souissi Amal , Jallouli Olfa , Mallouli Salma , Guidara Souhir , Loukil Salma , Aloulou Hajer , Jbeli Fida , Aouichaoui Sahar , Abid Dorra , Abdelhedi Fatma , Triki Chahnez , Kamoun Hassen , Masmoudi Saber
Published: September 2021

Background

8q21.11 microdeletion syndrome is a rare chromosomal disorder characterized by recurrent dysmorphic features, a variable degree of intellectual disability and ocular, cardiac and hand/feet abnormalities. To date, ZFHX4 is the only candidate gene implicated in the ocular findings. In this study, we evaluated a patient with a de novo 8q21.13–21.3 deletion to define a new small region of overlap (SRO) for this entity.

Methods

We conducted a clinical evaluation and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) 4x44K microarrays in a patient with de novo unbalanced translocation t(8;16)(q21; q11.2).

Results

The case, a 6‐year‐old boy, presented dysmorphic features including an elongated face, brachycephaly with a high forehead, an underdeveloped ala, thin upper lip, micrognathia, low‐set ears, hypotonia, mild intellectual disability, cortical atrophy with thin corpus callosum defect, and an atrial septal defect. No ocular abnormalities were found. Microarray analysis revealed a 9.6 Mb interstitial 8q21.11–21.3 deletion, not including the ZFHX4 gene. This microdeletion was confirmed in our patient through qPCR analysis, and both parents had a normal profile. Alignment analysis of our case defined a new SRO encompassing five genes. Among them, the HEY1 gene is involved in the embryonic development of the heart, central nervous system, and vascular system. Hrt1/Hey1 null mice show perinatal lethality due to congenital malformations of the aortic arch and its branch arteries. HEY1 has also been linked to the maintenance of neural stem cells, inhibition of oligodendrocyte differentiation, and myelin gene expression.

Conclusion

HEY1 is a candidate gene for both neurological and cardiac features of the 8q21.11 microdeletion syndrome and might, therefore, explain specific components of its pathophysiology.
A wideband multilayer tunable filter using active frequency selective surface
Authors: Liang Yulin , Chen Mingsong , Zhou Yijie , Peng Lin , Li Zihan , Dai Li
Published: September 2021

A wideband multilayer filter with frequency tunable characteristics is proposed using active frequency selective surface (AFSS). The proposed AFSS includes three metal layers, while the top and bottom metal layers are embedded with varactors. The metal layers are separated by dielectric layers. By simultaneously adjusting the bias voltage loaded on both ends of the varactor diode, the working bandwidth of the AFSS can be continuously tuned. The operating mechanism is studied using an equivalent circuit, which is composed of an LC series resonance circuit and a parallel resonance circuit. The simulation results prove that the proposed AFSS performs wideband filtering in the frequency range of 3.55 to 4.43 GHz without a bias voltage. With a bias voltage of −19 V, the AFSS working passband is tuned to 4.43 to 5.53 GHz. Simulation and experimental results show that the AFSS has wideband filtering characteristics and good tunable performance.
Designing Cost-Effective Artificial Reefs: Fine-Scale Movement and Habitat Use of Red Snapper around a Nearshore Artificial Reef Complex
Authors: Gibson Banks Kesley , Curtis Judson M. , Williams Jason A. , Wetz Jennifer J. , Stunz Gregory W.
Published: September 2021

Artificial reefs are commonly used to provide structured habitat in areas with limited natural habitat to enhance the environment. Creating artificial reefs is expensive, and materials are often limited; thus, discussions are needed regarding the best material and design to maximize reefing efficiency while best meeting the goal of reefing programs. We tracked Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus, an economically important and reef-dependent species, by using a Vemco Positioning System to determine fine-scale movements and habitat use around a nearshore reef comprised of three types of reefing structure: concrete reef pyramids, concrete culverts, and a sunken ship. Habitat use (core volume and home range, or the probability of a fish being absent 50% or 5% of the time, respectively) was significantly different by month, with the largest movements during summer months. Mean depth values also differed by study month (February–August), with Red Snapper residing deepest in the water column during August and shallowest during April. In the summer months, differences among structure types were observed in core volume use but not home range, suggesting that Red Snapper used similar-sized areas on all three structure types. A high reported recapture rate (77%; 10 of 13 fish) indicated that these easily accessible nearshore reefs undergo heavy fishing pressure. Half of the recaptures were reported as recaptured on a structure other than their tagging structure; however, tagged fish spent the greatest percentage of time on their tagging structure. Red Snapper habitat use was influenced more by the presence of structure than by the type of reefing structure. Using the results from this study combined with a cost comparison of reef types, we argue that use of the least expensive reefing material that covers the largest area may be the best policy in designing future artificial reefs.
Learn from the leadership of the COVID‐19 health care workers
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: September 2021

On Dec. 17, 2020, I woke up with a tickle in my throat. Later it became a cough. I took cough syrup. By the weekend, I had cold‐like symptoms and began taking medicine for cold and flu. On Monday I was nauseated; I took Pepto‐Bismol. I lay on the couch getting sicker and sicker. I tried to drink juice or ginger ale but could keep nothing down. I canceled Christmas dinner with my son and his family. By Christmas Day, I'd lost 15 pounds.
Synthesis of dual pH‐ and temperature‐sensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid)/sewage sludge ash hydrogel with the simultaneously high performance of swelling and deswelling
Authors: Pan Zhihui , Huang Yingru , Guo Haoyong , Huang Tingjian , Wen Gang , Yu Huarong , He Junguo
Published: September 2021

An advanced dual pH‐ and temperature‐sensitive hydrogel (NASH2.5) was optimally synthesized through modification of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) hydrogel with introducing 5 mol% acrylic acid (AA) and 2.5 wt% sewage sludge ash (SSA). The swelling kinetic results showed that NASH2.5 exhibited both high equilibrium swelling ratio and swelling rate, which was attributed to the higher porous structure as shown in scanning electron microscope, and the more hydrogen bonding formed inside of the hydrogel as investigated in Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. In addition, its curve was better fitted to the pseudo‐second‐order model, indicating that the water absorption process was dominated by chemisorption through forming the hydrogen bonding among the water molecules and carboxyl/silanol groups of the hydrogel. Compared with the pure NIPAM hydrogel, the water transport mechanism switched from Case I diffusion to Case II diffusion by introduction of AA and further SSA. Furthermore, through the results of the deswelling kinetics in pH value change (from 9 to 4 and 2, respectively), temperature value change (from 25 to 40, 50, and 60°C, respectively), and dual pH and temperature values changes, NASH2.5 not only presented a high pH sensitivity, but also showed high sensitive to temperature by achieving high water recovery ratio in rapid dehydrated rate. Therefore, the dual stimuli‐sensitive hydrogel with the simultaneously high performance of swelling and deswelling would provide a suitable alternative for specific applications such as pollutant adsorption.
Early bird catches the worm? The relation between school schedule, sleep quality, and depression in Croatian adolescents
Authors: Kurtovic Ana , Hnojcik Adrijana
Published: September 2021

Sleep problems and depression increase in adolescence. Adolescents tend to go to sleep at a later time, which results in shorter sleep duration especially if they attend school in the morning. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between school schedule (morning school schedule and afternoon school schedule), sleep quality, and depression in Croatian adolescents. A total of 253 students of third and fourth grades of high school (17 and 18 years of age) completed measures of sleep quality and depression. Results have shown that participants who attend school in the morning also sleep less, have more difficulties in daily functioning due to problem with sleep and are more depressed, but their habitual sleep efficiency is better than in participants who attend school in the afternoon. Furthermore, depression was correlated with poorer sleep latency, sleep duration, more sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, daytime dysfunction, as well as poorer global sleep quality index. Finally, morning school schedule, poorer sleep duration, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction predicted depression, with sleep duration and daytime dysfunction mediating the relation between school schedule and depression.
Decision‐making in screening positive participants who follow up with colonoscopy in the Dutch colorectal cancer screening programme: A mixed‐method study
Authors: Bertels Lucinda , Knottnerus Bart , Bastiaans Lottie , Danquah Augustina , van Henk , Dekker Evelien , van Kristel
Published: September 2021

Objective

To explore worry and decision‐making processes used by faecal immunochemical test (FIT)‐positive participants in the Dutch national screening programme for colorectal cancer.

Methods

A mixed‐methods study consisting of 22 semi‐structured interviews in FIT‐positive participants who underwent the recommended colonoscopy within 4–6 months after the FIT result, followed by a widespread questionnaire in a larger target population (N = 1495).

Results

In the interviews, we recognised two different decision‐making processes. The first is an affective heuristic decision process where the decision to participate is made instantly and is paired with high‐risk perception, worry and (severe) emotional turmoil. The second is a more time‐consuming analytical decision process in which participants describe discussing options with others. In the questionnaire, high levels of cancer worry (CWS > 9) were reported by 34% of respondents. Decisional difficulties were reported by 15% of respondents, and 34% of respondents reported discussing the positive FIT result with their GP. Individuals with high levels of cancer worry contacted their GP less often than those with low levels.

Conclusions

The Dutch two‐step screening programme may result in high levels of cancer worry in a non‐cancer population. More research is needed to monitor worry and its role in decision‐making in cancer screening, as well as ways to facilitate decision‐making for participants.
Cytokine profile in Egyptian children and adolescents with COVID‐19 pneumonia: A multicenter study
Authors: Shafiek Hala K. , El Lateef Hanan M. Abd , Boraey Naglaa F. , Nashat Mohamed , Abd‐Elrehim Ghada A. B. , Abouzeid Heba , Hafez Sahbaa F. M. , Shehata Hassan , Elhewala Ahmed A. , Abdel‐Aziz Alsayed , Zeidan Nancy M. S. , Soliman Mohammed M. , Sallam Mohammad M. , Nawara Abdalla M. , Elgohary Elsayed A. , Badr Abdallah I. , Selim Dalia M. , Razek Suzan A. , Abdel Raouf Batoul M. , Elmikaty Hani A. , Ibrahim Lamya M. , Shahin Gehan H , Nabil Rehab M. , Ibrahim Mohamed A. M. , Salem Hanan F. , Moustafa Ahmed A. M. , Elshehawy Naglaa A. , Abdel‐Aziz Marwa M. , Eltrawy Heba H. , Osman Sherif F. , Fouad Rania A. , Afify Mona R. , Mohamed Mohamed Y. , Yousif Yousif M. , Yousef Aly A. , Arafa Mohamed A.
Published: September 2021

Background

To date, the cytokine profile in children and adolescent with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has not been reported.

Objectives

We investigated serum levels of a panel of key cytokines in children and adolescent with COVID‐19 pneumonia with a primary focus on “cytokine storm” cytokines such as interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐17, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐10, interferon (IFN‐γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and two chemokines interferon‐inducible protein‐10 (IP‐10) and IL‐8. We also studied whether these cytokines could be potential markers for illness severity in COVID‐19 pneumonia.

Methods

Ninety‐two symptomatic patients aged less than 18 years with confirmed COVID‐19 pneumonia and 100 well‐matched healthy controls were included in this multi‐center study. For all patients, the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in respiratory fluid specimens was detected by real‐time reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. We measured serum concentrations of studied cytokines by using flow cytometry.

Results

Patients with COVID‐19 had significantly higher median IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐17, TNF‐α, and IP‐10 serum levels than did control children (all p < 0.01). Patients with severe COVID‐19 pneumonia had significantly higher median IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IP‐10 serum levels as compared with those with moderate COVID‐19 pneumonia; all p < 0.01. ROC analysis revealed that three of the studied markers (IL‐6, IL‐1β, and IP‐10) could predict severe COVID‐19 pneumonia cases with the largest AUC for IL‐6 of 0.893 (95% confidence interval: 0.84–0.98; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Our study shows that pediatric patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia have markedly elevated serum IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐17, TNF‐α, and IP‐10 levels at the initial phase of the illness indicating a cytokine storm following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Moreover, serum IL‐6, IL‐1β, and IP‐10 concentrations were independent predictors for severe COVID‐19 pneumonia.
Epitaxial Cobalt Oxide Films with Wurtzite Structure on Au(111)
Authors: Ammon Maximilian , Baumann Sara , Kißlinger Tilman , Rieger Janek , Fauster Thomas , Redinger Josef , Hammer Lutz , Schneider M. Alexander
Published: September 2021

Several‐nanometer‐thick, closed, and epitaxial cobalt(II) oxide films with wurtzite crystal structure (w‐CoO) are grown on Au(111) and their structural and electronic properties analyzed. The structural quality of the oriented, oxygen‐terminated, and unreconstructed films allow the application of surface‐science methods to unravel the properties of this unusual polymorph of CoO and may pave the way for future thin‐film applications. An experimental structural analysis by low‐energy electron diffraction (LEED‐IV) is presented with an excellent agreement between measured and calculated intensity spectra expressed by a Pendry R‐factor of and few‐picometer error bounds in the parameter values. Using scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) the bandgap of the semiconducting films is found to be 1.4 ± 0.2 eV. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) confirms the presence of a gap and the position of the Fermi level (E
F). The structural results of density functional theory calculations using (hybrid) functionals to treat electron correlations and van der Waals forces agree well with the experimentally determined structure of the antiferromagnetic w‐CoO films. In contrast to generalized gradient approximation (GGA)+U calculations, the Heyd–Scuseria–Ernzerhof hybrid functional reproduces the semiconducting nature correctly and predicts surface states in the gap which might pin E
F in agreement with STS and UPS.
A note on confidence intervals for the restricted mean survival time based on transformations in small sample size
Authors: Hashimoto Hiroya , Kada Akiko
Published: September 2021

Restricted mean survival time (RMST) is one measure now used to summarize time‐to‐event type data, but it has been pointed out that the distribution of differences in RMST deviates markedly from a normal distribution for controlled clinical trials with small sample sizes. Therefore, we conducted a numerical simulation of the RMST in which the one‐sample survival time follows a Weibull distribution, comparing eight different confidence intervals combining two types of variance with four types of variable transformations, including no transformation. The evaluation items were the coverage probability and the above and below error probabilities for the true value. The variance types were based on Greenwood's formula and its Kaplan–Meier correction. The arcsine square root transformation, logit transformation, and complementary log–log transformation were used as the variable transformations. When the sample size was small and the event rate was low, the confidence interval of the untransformed RMST tended to have a small coverage probability and to be overestimated. Variance by Kaplan–Meier correction improved the coverage. The problems of coverage and overestimation were also improved by variable transformations, and in particular, applying the logit transformation and the complementary log–log transformation both resulted in substantial improvements. Our study suggested that it is preferable to construct the confidence intervals of RMST using the logit transformation for variances based on Greenwood's formula in small sample size trials. The SAS code to replicate the analyses is available at https://github.com/HiroyaHashimoto/SAS-Programs.
Metal‐Free One‐Pot Synthesis of 2‐(2‐Hydrazinyl) Thiazole Derivatives Using Graphene Oxide in a Green Solvent and Molecular Docking Studies
Authors: Das Arindam , Dey Sovan , Chakraborty Sumit , Barman Anup , Naresh Yadav Ram , Gazi Rabiul , Jana Madhurima , Firoj Hossain Md.
Published: September 2021

An efficient, one‐pot three‐component reaction in the synthesis of a wide range of 2,4‐disubstituted hydrazinyl thiazole scaffolds in ethanol at room temperature has been developed by the reaction of carbonyl compounds, phenacyl bromides, and thiosemicarbazide, using graphene oxide (GO) as a catalyst. The present catalytic method has many significant advantages such as shorter reaction time, broad substrate scope, low catalyst loading, environmentally benign solvent media, easy handling, and operational simplicity at room temperature. The products are identified based on their various spectroscopic data. The GO catalyst has a high reusability rate and is simple to recover. A mechanistic study suggests that the reaction takes placeviaa thiosemicarbazone intermediate, which is isolated and confirmed in this study using spectroscopic techniques. Thereafter, a molecular docking study has been performed to evaluate the binding affinity of hydrazinyl thiazole derivative as a possible inhibitor on the protein active site of human α‐amylase and glucosamine 6‐phosphate synthase
On‐Surface Synthesis of Variable Bandgap Nanoporous Graphene
Authors: Wang Dingguan , Lu Xuefeng , Arramel  , Yang Ming , Wu Jishan , Wee Andrew T. S.
Published: September 2021

Tuning the bandgap of nanoporous graphene is desirable for applications such as the charge transport layer in organic‐hybrid devices. The holy grail in the field is the ability to synthesize 2D nanoporous graphene with variable pore sizes, and hence tunable band gaps. Herein, the on‐surface synthesis of nanoporous graphene with variable bandgaps is demonstrated. Two types of nanoporous graphene are synthesized via hierarchical CC coupling, and are verified by low‐temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and non‐contact atomic force microscopy. Nanoporous graphene‐1 is non‐planar, and nanoporous graphene‐2 is a single‐atom thick planar sheet. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements reveal that nanoporous graphene‐2 has a bandgap of 3.8 eV, while nanoporous graphene‐1 has a larger bandgap of 5.0 eV. Corroborated by first‐principles calculations, it is proposed that the large bandgap opening is governed by the confinement of π‐electrons induced by pore generation and the non‐planar structure. The finding shows that by introducing nanopores or a twisted structure, semi metallic graphene is converted into semiconducting nanoporous graphene‐2 or insulating wide‐bandgap nanoporous graphene‐1.