bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From the clavicle to the windpipe: Tracheal window resections reconstructed with calcifying periosteum in thyroid cancer
Authors: Lorntzsen Bianca , Brøndbo Kjell , Osnes Terje
Published: September 2020

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of tracheal window resection and reconstruction using a vascularized periosteal flap (intended for calcification) harvested from the medial clavicle. This is one of several surgical techniques for tracheal resection and reconstruction used for patients with thyroid carcinoma invading the trachea. Importantly, in partial tracheal resection postoperative dynamic airway collapse must be prevented. Reconstruction of the tracheal defect with a vascularized periosteal flap is one method of achieving a stable airway.

Methods

Twelve patients with locally advanced thyroid carcinoma who underwent tracheal resection and reconstruction at Oslo University Hospital from 2004 to 2017 were studied retrospectively. The primary outcome was a stable airway not requiring airway stenting. The secondary outcomes were the time to decannulation, morbidity, and survival.

Results

Eleven of 12 patients did not require airway stenting postoperatively after a median of 111 days. Seven patients developed postoperative complications. The median observation time was 74.8 months (range 10.5‐153.5) for all patients. The median disease‐free survival was 40 months (range 0‐147). By February 1, 2020, seven patients were alive, of whom five showed no evidence of disease.

Conclusions

Tracheal reconstruction with a vascularized periosteal flap yielded good results in terms of establishing a stable airway. This procedure is a viable reconstructive option that allows for decannulation by preventing airway collapse, thereby potentially mitigating the need for end‐to‐end (ETE) anastomosis or sleeve resections. For selected patients, this procedure may prevent local fatal complications from thyroid cancer invading the trachea.

Level of evidence

Level 4.
Predicting benthic macroalgal abundance in shallow coastal lagoons from geomorphology and hydrologic flow patterns
Authors: Besterman Alice F. , McGlathery Karen J. , Reidenbach Matthew A. , Wiberg Patricia L. , Pace Michael L.
Published: September 2020

Macroalgae structure coastal ecosystems affecting metabolism, nutrient dynamics, and food webs. Spatially explicit prediction of macroalgal abundance is critical for understanding coastal ecosystems and trajectories. However, models of macroalgal distribution tend to be mechanistic and generalize poorly, or biogeographic and too coarse to use over spatial scales most appropriate to ecosystem research and management (1–100 km2). Our objective was to develop spatial distribution models for benthic macroalgae in soft‐sediment environments. We compared macroalgal abundance quantified as percent cover, with environmental drivers on 1 ha intertidal flats in a > 900 km2 lagoon system along the Atlantic Coast of Virginia, U.S.A. Physical drivers of macroalgae (e.g., depth‐mediated light availability, exposure to waves) are related to bed morphology. We developed a novel topographic index (τ) to determine whether bed morphology predicts macroalgal abundance. This topographic index described variation in elevation occurring over spatial scales relevant to macroalgae, ranging from smooth to hummocky (τ = 0.01–1.07). Models tested τ along with mean elevation, fetch, and water residence time as predictors of macroalgal abundance. τ, and the interaction with water residence time, were most strongly related to macroalgal abundance. Hummocky flats accumulated less macroalgae than smoother flats, but exceptions occurred with short residence times. Model error (root mean square error) was low, varying between 8% and 18% across models. These models, based on readily measured physical features, are a useful approach for assessing macroalgal abundance in relation to shoreline hardening, species invasions, sea‐level rise, and changing sedimentation affecting coastal ecosystems.
The drivers of multiple dimensions of stream macroinvertebrate beta diversity across a large montane landscape
Authors: Li Zhengfei , Heino Jani , Liu Zhenyuan , Meng Xingliang , Chen Xiao , Ge Yihao , Xie Zhicai
Published: September 2020

Environmental filtering and spatial processes have been associated with variation in ecological communities and biodiversity; however, their relative importance on multiple dimensions of beta diversity has not been fully explored in montane streams. Here, we examined the relative contribution of local, catchment and climate environmental variables and spatial factors to variation in three dimensions of macroinvertebrate beta diversity in the upper Han River Basin. Taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic beta diversities and their respective turnover and nestedness components were calculated for macroinvertebrate assemblages sampled in a total of 130 stream sites across a large mountainous landscape. We investigated the correlations between beta diversity facets using MSR‐Mantel procedure and then examined the relative influence of each set of ecological factors through redundancy analysis and variance partitioning. Our results revealed relatively low spatial congruence among beta diversity dimensions, indicating these diversity dimensions are independent measures which offer complementary information of community assembly. Beta diversity dimensions and components were best explained by spatial and local environmental factors, whereas the large‐scale catchment and climate factors appeared less influential. Moreover, spatial and environmental factors generally exerted different controls on beta diversity depending on the dimensions under consideration. Taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversities were more strongly determined by spatial factors via dispersal limitation, while functional beta diversity was mainly associated to local environments through habitat filtering. Our results challenge the perspective that using one diversity facet as a surrogate for others is enough, and highlight the need to integrate multiple diversity dimensions in metacommunity and biodiversity research.
TRUST: THE FOUNDATION OF LEADERSHIP
Authors: Frei Frances , Morriss Anne
Published: September 2020

The authors contend that if leadership is about empowering others, in your presence and your absence, then trust is the emotional framework that allows that service to be freely exchanged. Based on their experiences advising individuals and organizations, their basic formula for building trust is: people tend to trust you when they think they are interacting with the real you (authenticity), when they have faith in your judgment and competence (logic), and when they believe that you care about them (empathy). When trust is lost, it can almost always be traced back to a breakdown in one of these core trust drivers. We don't always realize what information (or more often, misinformation) we're putting out about our own trustworthiness. And stress tends to amplify the problem. Your wobble is the driver that's most likely to get shaky in periods of low trust. Everyone has a wobble, though a small change in behavior can go a long way. Tools are provided within each area of authenticity, logic, and empathy. For instance, within the latter, if you do nothing else, put down your phone. You'll be amazed at the immediate uptick in trust—and you may even get to end meetings sooner.
Functional facial reconstruction in a patient with severe burn sequelae with a prelaminated parascapular free flap based on a three‐dimensional model: A case report
Authors: Horta Ricardo , Monteiro Diana , Órfão Tiago , Nascimento Ricardo , Frias Francisca , Silva Alvaro
Published: September 2020

Significant evolution has been made concerning resuscitation and emergency management of severely burned patients, and nowadays most patients will survive and deal with burns sequelae. They constitute a reconstructive challenge, mainly because options and donor areas are frequently compromised, results are often limited, and other options should then be considered. A 27‐year‐old male patient with 55% total burn surface area, presented with severe facial disfigurement including ectropion, upper/lower lip retraction, and partial loss of the nose. In order to improve the patient's condition, autologous reconstruction was considered. The only unburned area in the body was the left dorsal region, and a three‐stage reconstruction was planned using a paraescapular flap. In a first stage, an elective surgery was performed to identify and tag the recipient vessels in the neck. After 3 months, the prelamination process was initiated with the drawing of a facial model, and a nose and lips were opened inside the flap. This was based on a three‐dimensional latex model as a print of the patient's face, which allowed us to calculate distances and estimate the length of the vascular pedicles. After 3 months, the flap (18 × 8 cm) was transferred and microvascular anastomoses were performed. No major complications were seen after surgeries, and after 28 months, an extremely important functional gain was obtained. Despite the number of surgeries required and less than optimal aesthetic results, this method may offer a satisfactory solution for complex acquired facial burn sequelae when other local or distant flap options are not available.
Comparison between GaN and InN quantum‐dot semiconductor optical amplifiers
Authors: Al‐Shatravi Ali Gehad , Abdullah Muaffak , Al‐Khursan Amin Habbeb
Published: September 2020

GaN/Al0.5Ga0.5N and InN/Al0.5Ga0.5N as a III‐nitride quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifiers (QD‐SOAs) are studied in detail in this paper. The optical gain, spontaneous emission rate, and lineshape function are calculated using non‐Markovian relaxation compared with Markovian one. Gain is then connected with the rate equations model to obtain a dB gain, output power, and shot noise in these SOAs. GaN peaked at 351 nm which is preferred in optical coherence tomography applications. InN is peaked at 1028 nm which can be used in gas detection and environmental pollution monitoring. Both structures studied have high gain and low noise and nearly equivalent TE and TM gain which makes them adequate for the use in both these two modes. These calculations show the importance of InN and GaN QD nanostructure in the applications.
Performance, acceptability, and validation of a phone application bowel diary
Authors: Zyczynski Halina M. , Richter Holly E. , Sung Vivian W. , Arya Lily A. , Lukacz Emily S. , Visco Anthony G. , Rahn David. D. , Carper Benjamin , Mazloomdoost Donna , Gantz Marie G. ,   for the NICHD Pelvic Floor Disorders Network
Published: September 2020

Aims

To assess performance, acceptability, external validity, and reliability of a phone application electronic bowel diary (PFDN Bowel eDiary).

Methods

Women reporting refractory accidental bowel leakage (ABL) were enrolled in a randomized, crossover trial evaluating paper versus eDiary documentation of bowel movements (BM) and fecal incontinence episodes (FIE). Events were characterized by the presence or absence of urgency and Bristol stool scale consistency. The eDiary entries were date/time stamped and prompted by twice‐daily phone notifications. Women were randomized to complete up to three consecutive 14‐day diaries in two sequences. Diary events were compared between formats using the Pearson correlation. System usability scale (SUS) assessed eDiary usability. The eDiary test‐retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlations (ICCs).

Results

Paired diary data were available from 60/69 (87%) women 63.8 ± 9.8 years old with mean 13.2 BM per week and 6.5 FIE per week (nearly half with urgency). Among those providing diaries, adherence did not differ by paper or eDiary (93.3% vs. 95.0%). Notifications prompted 29.6% of eDiary entries, improving adherence from 70% to 95%. Paper and eDiaries were moderate to‐strongly correlated for BMs per week (r = .61), urgency BMs per week (r = .76), FIE per week (r = .66), urgency FIE per week (r = .72). Test‐retest reliability was good (ICC = .81 BMs per week, .79 urgency BMs per week, .74 FIE per week, and .62 urgency FIE per week). The mean SUS score was high, 82.3 ± 17.5 (range, 0–100) with 91.4% rating it easy to use, and 75.9% preferring the eDiary over paper.

Conclusion

The PFDN Bowel eDiary correlated well with paper diary was considered easy to use, preferred to paper diaries, had high rates of confirmed real‐time diary completion that obviated staff data entry.
Exploring nurses' perception of taking care of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID‐19): A qualitative study
Authors: Galehdar Nasrin , Toulabi Tahereh , Kamran Aziz , Heydari Heshmatolah
Published: September 2020

Aim

Healthcare staff, especially nurses, who are in the frontline of caring of patients with COVID‐19 have valuable experiences about taking care of these patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was exploring nurses' perception of taking care of patients with COVID‐19.

Design

This qualitative study was performed using the conventional content analysis method.

Methods

13 nurses who were taking care of patients with COVID‐19 were selected using purposeful sampling in the Lorestan University of Medical Sciences. The data were collected through telephone interviews and analysed based on the Lundman and Graneheim's approach.

Results

Qualitative analysis of the data revealed 3 sub‐categories, 8 categories and 3 main categories including care erosion, nursing professional growth and necessities.

Relevance to clinical practice

Improve the work situation of the nurses during care of COVID‐19 patients, which can directly or indirectly improve the quality of care of these patients.
The visualization of stress in clinical training: A study of nursing students' perceptions
Authors: D'emeh Waddah Mohammad , Yacoub Mohammed Ibrahim
Published: September 2020

Aim

To determine the perceived level and types of stress experienced by nursing students during clinical training.

Design

A descriptive correlational cross‐sectional design.

Methods

A convenience sample of 238 nursing students was recruited. Level and types of stress were measured by Perceived Stress Scale. The data were collected in February 2020.

Results

The mean score of perceived stress was 2.58 (SD 0.92). Different sources of stressors perceived by students were identified in current study. The highest type of stressors perceived by students was stress from taking care of patients (mean = 2.81, SD 1.13). In addition, junior students perceived higher level of stress than senior students and female students experienced a higher level of stress than male counterparts. Students who have been supervised by clinical instructors whom their “primary” language is English scored a higher level of stress.
Lived Experiences of Adolescent Living with human immunodeficiency virus in Ghana: A Phenomenology Study
Authors: Doat Abdul‐Razak , Navab Elham , Sadat Hoseini Akram Sadat
Published: September 2020

Aim and objectives

To explore the meaning of living with HIV positive in Ghanaian adolescents.

Design

Hermeneutic phenomenological approach developed by Van Manen methodology (1990).

Method

A purposive sampling of 12 adolescents living with HIV was recruited. Data were collected between September 2019–January 2020 using semi‐structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Two main themes emerged: Stigmatization and HIV disclosure and Living with a heavy burden. Seven subthemes were also found. Adolescents living with HIV in Ghana face discrimination, rejection and go through psychological distress such as suicidal thoughts, fear of death and hopelessness.

Conclusion

The problems faced by adolescents living with HIV are a result of the inherent beliefs of the Ghanaian society about HIV. Nurses working with ADLHIV should concentrate on identifying challenges and provide support and care, in addition to their treatment.
Comparing fiber orientation evolution between startup of shear and nonlubricated squeeze flow
Authors: Lambert Gregory M. , Wapperom Peter , Baird Donald
Published: September 2020

Light weighting has become an integral part of vehicle design. This strategy makes use of fiber‐reinforced thermoplastics, which can be injection molded into complex shapes. Composite design work requires knowledge of the orientation state throughout a part to predict properties like stiffness and strength. Although evolution models for the orientation state have been developed, each requires empirical parameters, and no standard method for obtaining these exists. This work continues efforts to find such a test, particularly for long (average length > 1 mm) glass fiber composites. Here, a polypropylene loaded with 30, 40, and, 50 wt% long glass fiber is subjected to startup of shear and nonlubricated squeeze flow (NLSF). The orientation evolution was reported for both flows and an attempt was made at fitting several orientation models to the data. The measured orientation evolution from startup of shear was slower than expected, and this slower evolution appears to result from the combination of the initial orientation state and fiber concentration. On the other hand, the measured orientation profile from NLSF was found to be essentially independent of fiber concentration. However, the NLSF orientation profile could not be replicated with a single set of parameters. Rather, shear‐like parameters made reasonable predictions in shear‐dominated regions, and extension‐like parameters made reasonable predictions in extension‐dominated areas, in concordance with results from short glass fiber composites.
Can we identify allergic rhinitis from administrative data: A validation study
Authors: Leth‐Møller Katja Biering , Skaaby Tea , Madsen Flemming , Petersen Janne , Linneberg Allan
Published: September 2020

Background

Important insights on, for example, prevalence, disease progression, and treatment of allergic rhinitis can be obtained from large‐scale database studies if researchers are able to identify allergic individuals. We aimed to assess the validity of 13 different algorithms based on Danish nationwide prescription and/or hospital data to identify adults with allergic rhinitis.

Methods

Our primary gold standard of allergic rhinitis was a positive serum specific IgE (≥0.35) and self‐reported nasal symptoms retrieved from two general health examination studies conducted in Danish adults (18‐69 years) during 2006 to 2008 (n = 3416) and 2012 to 2015 (n = 7237). The secondary gold standard of allergic rhinitis was self‐reported physician diagnosis. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for each register‐based algorithm in the two time periods.

Results

Sensitivity (≤0.40) was low for all algorithms irrespective of definition of allergic rhinitis (gold standard) or time period. The highest PPVs were obtained for algorithms requiring both antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids; yielding a PPV of 0.69 (0.62‐0.75) and a corresponding sensitivity of 0.10 (0.09‐0.12) for the primary gold standard of allergic rhinitis in 2012 to 2015.

Conclusion

Algorithms based on both antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids yielded the highest PPVs. However, the PPVs were still moderate and came at the expense of low sensitivity when applying the strict primary gold standard (sIgE and nasal symptom).
Impact of a drug safety communication on the severity of benzonatate exposures reported to poison centers
Authors: Leonard James B. , Seung Hyunuk , Klein‐Schwartz Wendy
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Identify if publication of the 2010 drug safety communication (DSC) regarding benzonatate was associated with a decrease in the incidence of severe benzonatate poisonings reported to United States poison centers.

Methods

This retrospective database study utilized the National Poison Data System to compare the incidence of severe benzonatate poisonings before and after the publication of a drug safety communication. We utilized interrupted time series analysis to compare 2000‐2010 (pre‐DSC) to 2012‐2019 (post‐DSC).

Results

There were 18 619 benzonatate exposures reported to US poison centers during the time period covered and 11 554 exposures were included. There was an increase in exposures throughout the time period. There was no difference in the incidence of severe outcomes in the two time periods. In the pre‐DSC era, rates of severe outcomes increased by 0.4% per year followed by an immediate non‐significant drop of 2.9% in incidence of severe outcomes (P = .15). Finally, the slope of severe outcomes in the post‐DSC era showed an increase of 0.3% per year, which was not significantly different from the pre‐DSC era (P = .78).

Conclusion

Publication of a Drug Safety Communication regarding the risks of benzonatate did not result in a decrease in the proportion of severe benzonatate poisoning reported to US poison centers. Deaths and other severe outcomes continued to occur at a similar rate after the publication.
Methods for external control groups for single arm trials or long‐term uncontrolled extensions to randomized clinical trials
Authors: Seeger John D. , Davis Kourtney J. , Iannacone Michelle R. , Zhou Wei , Dreyer Nancy , Winterstein Almut G. , Santanello Nancy , Gertz Barry , Berlin Jesse A.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Clinical trials compare outcomes among patients receiving study treatment with comparators drawn from the same source. These internal controls are missing in single arm trials and from long‐term extensions (LTE) of trials including only the treatment arm. An external control group derived from a different setting is then required to assess safety or effectiveness.

Methods

We present examples of external control groups that demonstrate some of the issues that arise and make recommendations to address them through careful assessment of the data source fitness for use, design, and analysis steps.

Results

Inclusion and exclusion criteria and context that produce a trial population may result in trial patients with different clinical characteristics than are present in an external comparison group. If these differences affect the risk of outcomes, then a comparison of outcome occurrence will be confounded. Further, patients who continue into LTE may differ from those initially entering the trial due to treatment effects. Application of appropriate methods is needed to make valid inferences when such treatment or selection effects are present.

Outcome measures in a trial may be ascertained and defined differently from what can be obtained in an external comparison group. Differences in sensitivity and specificity for identification or measurement of study outcomes leads to information bias that can also invalidate inferences.

Conclusion

This review concentrates on threats to the valid use of external control groups both in the scenarios of single arm trials and LTE of randomized controlled trials, along with methodological approaches to mitigate them.
In‐chain functionalized poly(ε‐caprolactone): A valuable precursor towards the synthesis of 3‐miktoarm star containing hyperbranched polyethylene
Authors: Al‐Sulami Ahlam , Ladelta Viko , Hadjichristidis Nikos
Published: September 2020

Well‐defined 3‐miktoarm star copolymer 3μ‐HBPE(PCL)2 (HBPE: hyperbranched polyethylene, PCL: poly[ε‐caprolactone]) was synthesized by combining chain walking polymerization (CWP), ring‐opening polymerization (ROP), and “click” chemistry. The synthetic methodology includes the following steps: (a) synthesis of in‐chain ethynyl‐functionalized PCL, (PCL)2‐C ≡ CH by ROP of ε‐caprolactone (CL) with ethylene‐functionalized solketal (3‐[prop‐2‐yn‐1‐yloxy] propane‐1,2‐diol) as difunctional initiator and phosphazene superbase t‐BuP2 as catalyst; (b) synthesis of azido‐functionalized hyperbranched PE (HBPE‐N3) by CWP of ethylene with α‐diimine‐Pd(II) catalyst, followed by quenching with excess 4‐vinylbenzyl chloride and transformation of chloro to azide group with sodium azide; and (c) “clicking” HBPE‐N3 and (PCL)2‐C ≡ CH using copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition. 1H NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry were used to determine the molecular characteristics and thermal properties of the polymers. Self‐assembly behavior of 3μ‐HBPE (PCL)2 in petroleum ether, a selective solvent for HBPE, was investigated by dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The in‐chain alkyne‐functionalized poly(ε‐caprolactone) is a valuable precursor for PCL‐based complex macromolecular architectures.
An effective evidence theory‐based reliability analysis algorithm for structures with epistemic uncertainty
Authors: Wang Wenxuan , Xue Hai , Gao Hangshan
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this article is to develop an effective method to evaluate the reliability of structures with epistemic uncertainty so as to improve the applicability of evidence theory in practical engineering problems. The main contribution of this article is to establish an approximate semianalytic algorithm, which replaces the process of solving the extreme value of performance function and greatly improve the efficiency of solving the belief measure and the plausibility measure. First, the performance function is decomposed as a combination of a series of univariate functions. Second, each univariate function is approximated as a unary quadratic function by the second‐order Taylor expansion. Finally, based on the property of the unary quadratic function, the maximum and minimum values of each univariate function are solved, and then the maximum and minimum values of performance function are obtained according to the monotonic relationship between each univariate function and their combination. As long as the first‐ and second‐order partial derivatives of the performance function with respect to each input variable are obtained, the belief measure and plausibility measure of the structure can be estimated effectively without any additional computational cost. Two numerical examples and one engineering application are investigated to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method.
State‐selective cross sections from ring polymer molecular dynamics
Authors: Marjollet Adrien , Welsch Ralph
Published: September 2020

Understanding the influence of different forms of energy (eg, translational, vibrational, rotational) on chemical reactions is a key goal and great challenge in physical chemistry. Very recently, we proposed a new approach to obtain state‐selective cross sections that approximately include quantum effects such as zero‐point energy and tunneling. The method is a combination of the widely used quasiclassical trajectory approach (QCT) and the ring polymer molecular dynamics method and thus is numerically very efficient and easily employed. Here, we present a detailed description of the method and exhaustive tests of its accuracy and applicability. The robustness of the approach is tested, as well as the convergence with the number of beads. The approach is then applied to several prototypical X + H2(ν = 0, 1), X = Mu, H, D, F, Cl reactions over a wide range of collision energies. Good agreement with rigorous quantum dynamics simulations is found for most cases. Encouraging improvement over QCT results is found for particular cases, while only a small increase in numerical cost is required.
Dual‐Target‐Directed Ligand Displaying Selective Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitory and Neurite Promoting Activities as a Potential Therapeutic for Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Farouk Fathima Manaal , Ooi Luyi , Law Christine Shing Wei , Yeong Keng Yoon
Published: September 2020

Novel small molecules were synthesized in the quest to search for multi‐target directed ligand for Alzheimer's disease. From the preliminary synthesis, ethyl 4‐((cyclohexylmethyl)amino)‐3‐nitrobenzoate (2 h) showed good butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity. Modifications carried out on compound 2 h by removing the nitro group resulted in the identification of ethyl 4‐((cyclohexylmethyl)amino)benzoate (3 h) as a selective and potent BChE inhibitor (IC50=0.735 μM; BChE selectivity>100‐fold over acetylcholinesterase (AChE)). Furthermore, compound 3 h was shown to be able to promote neurite outgrowth in SH‐SY5Y cells. No significant cytotoxicity was exhibited by compound 3 h, up till the highest concentration tested (25 μM). The compound was also predicted to have good permeability across the lipid infused bilayer, indicating its potential to cross the blood‐brain barrier. These results warrant further investigations on compound 3 h as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease.
A Minireview of Recent Reported Carboxylesterase Fluorescent Probes: Design and Biological Applications
Authors: Dai Jianan , Hou Yadan , Wu Jichun , Shen Baoxing
Published: September 2020

As the most important members of serine esterase hydrolase superfamily, mammalian carboxylesterases (CESs) are widely distributed in various tissues like liver, intestine, lung and kidney. Many physiological processes require the hydrolysis of CES with a variety of endogenous and exogenous ester drugs and environmental poisons. So, developing the methods that can detect CESs activity is of great significance. In last decades, huge breakthrough has been made in the development of specific detection technologies including chromatography, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), proteomics and western blotting. However, these traditional methods for CESs detection have little effect on the spatiotemporal distribution and in situ activity of CES in living cells and in vivo. Compared with that, fluorogenic methods have been developed for real‐time monitoring CESs in biological environments. In this review, we summarized the recent reported CESs probes. The designing strategies as well as their applications are reviewed. We hope this review will inspire the development of novel specific CESs fluorescent probes.
β‐meso‐Annulated meso‐Tetraarylchlorins: A Study of the Effect of Ring Fusion on Chlorin Conformation and Optical Spectra
Authors: Banerjee Subhadeep , Phadte Apeksha Ashok
Published: September 2020

Chlorins are a class of reduced porphyrins with a very intense longest wavelength Q band (Qy) in the red region, due to their non‐planar conformations. This fact is useful in fields like photodynamic therapy and organic photovoltaics, which rely upon the long wavelength absorptivity of the photosensitizing dyes. Here, we have reviewed the synthesis and optical properties of many novel β‐meso‐annulated chlorins, which possess bathochromic shifts in their optical spectra, compared to their non‐fused analogues. In general, we find that these red‐shifts are promoted by planarization of the macrocycle caused by β‐meso‐ring fusion. However, in select examples of ring‐fused chlorins bearing an additional non‐pyrrolic subunit, in fact we see strong deviation from planar conformation contrary to the general trend. These molecules show Qy bands in the NIR region, but with reduced absorptivity.
Understanding Metallic Nanoparticles Stabilization in Water by Imidazolium Salts: A Complete Physicochemical Study
Authors: Monti Gustavo A. , Correa N. Mariano , Falcone R. Darío , Silbestri Gustavo F. , Moyano Fernando
Published: September 2020

We present the total characterization (by UV‐Vis spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, Zeta potential, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) of silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NP) together with an exhaustive physicochemical study about the role of sulfonated imidazolium salts in their stabilization. Our results show how the orientation of the sulfonated imidazolium salts and the interaction of the hydrocarbon chain with the Ag‐NP surface are responsible for the strength of the ligand‐Ag‐NP interaction as well as for its water solubility. Important is to highlight that the Ag‐NPs obtained are stable, in water, for more than a month. Furthermore, we present a comparative study with gold nanoparticles (Au‐NPs) stabilized by the same salts. Here, the structure of the salts and the interaction of the metallic NPs with them show significant changes.
Cis‐Dioxo‐molybdenum(VI) Complexes with Diaminoguanidinium and Triaminoguanidinium Schiff Bases and Their Catalytic Application for Epoxidation of Cyclohexene
Authors: Jia Ai Q. , Zhou Wen Y. , Wu Si M. , Shi Hua T. , Zhang Qian F.
Published: September 2020

Diaminoguanidinium and triaminoguanidinium Schiff bases of 1,3‐bis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxyphenylmethylideneamino)guanidine hydrochloride (H5saldagtBu2 ⋅ HCl) and tris(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐triaminoguanidinium chloride (H5saltagtBu2 ⋅ HCl) are synthesized. Treatment of H5saldagtBu2 ⋅ HCl with Na2MoO4 ⋅ 2H2O or (NH4)6Mo7O24 ⋅ 4H2O under different molar ratios afforded mono‐ and di‐nuclear molybdenum(VI) complexes of [(MoO2)(MeOH)(H3saldagtBu2)] (1), [(MoO2)2(MeOH)2(HsaldagtBu2)] ⋅ 2DMF (2 ⋅ 2DMF), and [(MoO2)2(HsaldagtBu2)] ⋅ ‐[(MoO2)2(H2O)2(HsaldagtBu2)] (3). Interactions of H5saltagtBu2 ⋅ HCl with Na2MoO4 ⋅ 2H2O or (NH4)6Mo7O24 ⋅ 4H2O under different reaction conditions resulted mono‐, di‐, and tetra‐nuclear molybdenum(VI) complexes of [(MoO2)(MeOH)(H3saltagtBu2)] (4), [(MoO2)(H2O)(H3saltagtBu2)] (5), [(MoO2)2(H2O)(DMF)(HsaltagtBu2)] ⋅ 3DMF (6) (Ref [31]), and [(MoO2)4(DMF)2(HsaltagtBu2)2] ⋅ 2H2O (7 ⋅ 2H2O). Complexes 1–7 were characterized by IR, 1H NMR and UV/vis spectroscopies. Molecular structures of H5saltagtBu2 ⋅ MeOH, 1, 2 ⋅ 2DMF, 3–5 and 7 ⋅ 2H2O are confirmed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction ananlysis, which shows that the diaminoguanidinium and triaminoguanidinium Schiff bases are coordinated to the cis‐{MoO2}2+ moieties via ONN atoms to form five‐ and six‐membered rings, sharing one Mo−N bond. The catalytic properties of these cis‐dioxo‐molybdenum(VI) complexes for epoxidation of cyclohexene were also investigated.
Highly Selective Conversion of 1‐Butene to 1,3‐Butadiene under CO2 Atmosphere over an Alumina‐supported Iron‐based Catalyst: The Role of Brønsted Acids and Lewis Acids
Authors: Yan Bing , Wang Luyi , Chen Quanxin , Dou Hongxin , Liu Chunjing , Li Jian , Jiang Tao
Published: September 2020

The conversion of 1‐butene to 1,3‐butadiene (BD) with CO2 is burgeoning as a latent technology, but the low BD selectivity of the current catalysts (≤40 %) is now the bottleneck of this process. Herein, an alumina‐supported iron‐based catalyst with high BD selectivity for the oxidative dehydrogenation of 1‐butene using CO2 was designed and prepared, and the BD selectivity has been improved up to 49 %. Consequently, the turnover frequency has been enhanced to 1.5 times that of the current FeVCrOX/γ‐Al2O3 catalyst. Furthermore, the effect of the acid type and content in the catalysts on their selectivity was identified. The Brønsted acids in the catalysts leaded to the unwanted isomerization reactions, whereas the Lewis acids played a key role in highly selective transform 1‐butene to BD. The BD selectivity increased with the increasing Lewis/Brønsted acids ratio. In addition, the conversion of 1‐butene over such catalysts was investigated through kinetic study.
Alkali‐Etched Ni(II)‐Based Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheet Arrays for Electrocatalytic Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Zhou Jian , Dou Yibo , Wu Xue‐Qian , Zhou Awu , Shu Lun , Li Jian‐Rong
Published: September 2020

The exploration of efficient electrocatalysts is the central issue for boosting the overall efficiency of water splitting. Herein, pertinently creating active sites and improving conductivity for metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is proposed to tailor electrocatalytic properties for overall water splitting. An Ni(II)‐MOF nanosheet array is presented as an ideal material model and a facile alkali‐etched strategy is developed to break its NiO bonds accompanied with the introduction of extra‐framework K cations, which contribute to creating highly active open metal sites and largely improving the electrical conductivity. As a result, the assembled defect‐Ni‐MOF||defect‐Ni‐MOF electrolyte cell delivers a lower and stable voltage of 1.50 V at 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline medium for overall water splitting, comparable to the combination of iridium and platinum as benchmark catalysts.
Aqueous Rechargeable Li+/Na+ Hybrid Ion Battery with High Energy Density and Long Cycle Life
Authors: Zhang Xueqian , Dong Mengfei , Xiong Yali , Hou Zhiguo , Ao Huaisheng , Liu Mengke , Zhu Yongchun , Qian Yitai
Published: September 2020

The practical application of aqueous rechargeable batteries is hampered by the low energy density and poor cycle stability, which mostly arises from the corrosion of cathode current collector, exfoliation of active material, and narrow electrochemical stability window of aqueous electrolyte. A light‐weight and low‐cost cathode current collector composed of graphite and carbon nanotube coated on nylon membrane exhibiting corrosion resistance and strong adhesion is developed. Also, a modified aqueous electrolyte with the addition of urea whose window is expanded to ≈3.2 V is developed that contributes to the formation of solid‐electrolyte interphase on surfaces of electrodes. LiMn2O4/NaTi2(PO4)3 Li+/Na+ hybrid ion battery using such aqueous electrolyte and current collector is demonstrated to cycle up to 10 000 times with low cost (60 dollars per kWh) and high energy density (100 Wh kg−1) for stationary energy storage and electronic vehicles applications.
Hybrid and evolving processes for software and systems—ICSSP 2019 special issue
Authors: Hebig Regina , Armbrust Ove , Sutton Stanley M.
Published: September 2020

The volume at hand presents the special issue of the 12th International Conference on Software and Systems Process (ICSSP) 2019, which was held in Montreal, Canada, from May 25 to 26, 2019. ICSSP 2019 is the latest in a series of conferences that have been organized by the International Software and Systems Process Association. In our evolving landscape, many companies are making efforts to move towards new technologies and tools, agile principles, and continuous integration and delivery. In doing so, they find opportunity, flexibility, and strength in evolving towards hybrid processes, which are neither purely traditional nor can count as textbook agile. This special issue focuses on hybrid processes.
Unified geometrical framework for the plastic design of reinforced concrete structures
Authors: Konstantatou Marina , D'Acunto Pierluigi , McRobie Allan , Schwartz Joseph
Published: September 2020

Although the analysis and design of structures in static equilibrium can be intuitively carried out using simple equilibrium‐based methods such as graphic statics, the application of these methods to engineering problems that take into consideration specific material properties is generally limited. Within the domain of reinforced concrete, existing geometric approaches for developing stress fields and yield lines based on the theory of plasticity are especially useful. However, these approaches usually rely on iterative constructions and are generally limited to two‐dimensional cases. By taking advantage of graphic statics, this article introduces the theoretical basis for an entirely geometrical method to generate discrete stress fields and yield line patterns in two‐ and three‐dimensional reinforced concrete structures. The proposed approach is based on the use of reciprocal stress functions and the relationship between form and force diagrams.
A Smart Reminder for Social Purposes Using a Deep Learning‐Based Face Recognition Technique
Authors: Yeh Cheng‐Yu , Chen Ren‐Hao
Published: September 2020

This paper presents a deep learning‐based face recognition device. It aims to instantly remind users of the identities of those who they met before in parties or conferences. When greeted, one, who is correctly identified, may frequently feel more respected than another who is mistaken for someone else in the first place. The golden rule suggests one to treat others with respect, and then others will treat the one with respect in return. Empirically, making others feel respected can definitely facilitate communication among people for social and particularly business purposes. For this sake, this paper employed a pair of smart glasses as a hardware platform into which a deep learning‐based multi‐task cascaded convolutional networks and a FaceNet algorithm were integrated. This move provided a high face recognition accuracy and a strong robustness. In the end, this smart device as intended recognized captured images and displayed the identities of matched contacts in a face image database. Hopefully, this proposal can be applied to a wide diversity of fields. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
New tools for characterizing early brown stem rot disease resistance signaling in soybean
Authors: McCabe Chantal E. , Graham Michelle A.
Published: September 2020

Brown stem rot (BSR) reduces soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield by up to 38%. The BSR causal agent is Phialophora gregata f. sp. sojae, a slow‐growing, necrotrophic fungus whose life cycle includes latent and pathogenic phases, each lasting several weeks. Brown stem rot foliar symptoms are often misdiagnosed as other soybean diseases or nutrient stress, making BSR resistance especially difficult to phenotype. To shed light on the genes and networks contributing to P. gregata resistance, we conducted RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) of a resistant genotype (PI 437970, Rbs3). Leaf, stem, and root tissues were collected 12, 24, and 36 h after stab inoculation with P. gregata, or mock infection, in the plant stem. By using multiple tissues and time points, we could see that leaves, stems, and roots use the same defense pathways. Our analyses suggest that P. gregata induces a biphasic defense response, with pathogen‐associated molecular pattern (PAMP) triggered immunity observed in leaves at 12 and 24 h after infection (HAI) and effector triggered immunity detected at 36 h after infection in the stems. Gene networks associated with defense, photosynthesis, nutrient homeostasis, DNA replication, and growth are the hallmarks of resistance to P. gregata. While P. gregata is a slow‐growing pathogen, our results demonstrate that pathogen recognition occurs hours after infection. By exploiting the genes and networks described here, we will be able to develop novel diagnostic tools to facilitate breeding and screening for BSR resistance.
‘Winter is coming’: a COVID‐19 wake‐up call
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: September 2020

In this editorial, Roger Kirby, Editor‐in‐Chief for Trends in Urology and Men's Health, discusses why the association between obesity and higher‐risk COVID‐19 infection needs to be taken seriously as we get increasingly close to winter, the prime flu season.
Exploring the Product Owner Role Within SAFe Implementation in a Multinational Enterprise
Authors: Remta Daniel , Doležel Michal , Buchalcevová Alena
Published: September 2020

[Context] Agile development methods are highly popular across software organizations. To leverage benefits in larger enterprises, Agile development methods have to be scaled. Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is the most commonly used scaling framework. Performing of the Product Owner role has been identified as crucial in project success in large-scale environments. Staffing the right Product Owner is one of the challenges of adopting SAFe. [Motivation] Research papers focused on Product Owner in SAFe are scarce. Our study outcomes help enterprises to understand the Product Owner role in SAFe and therefore contribute to the removal of challenges with finding the right Product Owners. Additionally, we aim to improve the research community’s understanding of the Product Owner role within the context of SAFe. [Method] Qualitative data were collected through three semi-structured interviews and analyzed using deductive content analysis. [Results] This paper presents the initial results of a single case study. We found out that many activities identified for Product Owners in previous research are not carried out by Product Owners in this particular SAFe implementation.
Endovascular treatment of basilar tip aneurysms in the era of endosaccular flow disruption: a comparative study
Authors: Ozpeynirci Yigit , Hutschenreuter Bettina , Forbrig Robert , Brückmann Hartmut , Liebig Thomas , Dorn Franziska
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study aims to compare endosaccular flow disruptor (EFD) for treatment of basilar tip aneurysm (BTA) with coiling in terms of safety and efficacy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients treated with an EFD for BTAs at our institution between 2013 and 2019 to standard coiling from the same period (control group). Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, procedural data, complications and clinical and angiographic outcome were compared between groups.

Results

Twenty-three (56%) patients were treated with an EFD and eighteen (44%) patients were treated with coiling. Average aneurysm size was 8 mm in the EFD group and 6.9 mm in the coiling group, respectively (P = 0.2). Average fluoroscopy time, treatment DAP and air kerma were 33 min, 76 Gycm2 and 1.7 Gy in the EFD group and 81 min, 152 Gycm2 and 3.8 Gy in the coiling group, respectively (P < 0.001). In the EFD group, clinically relevant thromboembolic complications occurred in one patient (4%) vs. in 5 patients (28%) in the coiling group (P = 0.07). In each group, 4 patients had an unfavourable outcome at discharge (P = 0.7). Adequate occlusion rates were 96% in the EFD group and 100% and coiling group. Six (26%) patients were prescribed long-term antiplatelet therapy in the EFD group vs. eleven (61%) patients in the coiling group (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Both treatment concepts provided similar technical success and safety. However, procedure time, radiation exposure and a need for long-term antiaggregation were lower with EFD.
Intertwining operators for symmetric hyperbolic systems on globally hyperbolic manifolds
Authors: Murro Simone , Volpe Daniele
Published: September 2020

In this paper, a geometric process to compare solutions of symmetric hyperbolic systems on (possibly different) globally hyperbolic manifolds is realized via a family of intertwining operators. By fixing a suitable parameter, it is shown that the resulting intertwining operator preserves Hermitian forms naturally defined on the space of homogeneous solutions. As an application, we investigate the action of the intertwining operators in the context of algebraic quantum field theory. In particular, we provide a new geometric proof for the existence of the so-called Hadamard states on globally hyperbolic manifolds.
Smart Smoke Control as an Efficient Solution for Smoke Ventilation in Converted Cellars of Historic Buildings
Authors: Węgrzyński Wojciech , Krajewski Grzegorz , Kimbar Grzegorz
Published: September 2020

The paper is focused on the topic of smoke control in a confined, underground cellar area of a historical building, that is undergoing conversion to a restaurant. Similar venues were host to some of the most devastating fires in history. We have investigated the performance of a novel solution, “smart smoke control (SSC)”, and compared its performance with “traditional” smoke venting solution. The investigation was based on CFD simulations performed in a commercial code ANSYS Fluent, modified with user-defined functions to include for the steering algorithm of the SSC. The simulation results for a traditional system were unsatisfactory, while the SSC removing substantially more smoke (approx. 50% more) has provided tenable conditions over the whole course of the analysis. The results indicate that smoke control solutions based on the adaptive performance of the smoke exhaust fan, based on the conditions within the protected premise, can be favourable for compartments with the limited size of the smoke reservoir or limited space available for ducts. These findings are also true for existing buildings, where it may be advantageous to replace the existing smoke control solution with SSC. Future investigations should include full-scale experiments, and improvements in the simple algorithms used so far.