bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro Cytotoxicity and Antioxidant Study of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. Ethanolic Leaf Extract on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells
Authors: Karem Azizah Ab , Kamarudin Evana , Jusril Nor Atiqah , Halim Hasseri , Hussain Roslinah Mohamad , Bahari Mazura
Published: August 2021

Aims: Ethanol extract of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa leaves found specifically on Malaysian soil was used to further investigate the antioxidant properties and cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 macrophage cells in the search for a safer and effective natural antioxidant agent.

Study Design: Antioxidant potential of R. tomentosa were analyzed through series of spectrometric assays and cell-based bioassays model.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam Campus, 43200, Selangor, Malaysia from the year of 2019 to 2021.

Methodology: R. tomentosa leaves were subjected to extraction with 95% ethanol. The extracts were then denoted as ethanolic leaves extract of R. tomentosa or EtRT extract. EtRT extract were then screen for its antioxidant activity (AOA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) through DPPH radical scavenging assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. After that, EtRT extract were brought to observe its toxicity against RAW 264.7 macrophage cells in MTT assay. Once their toxicity was obtained, EtRT extracts were finally tested for their ability to inhibit intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) inhibition in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells to further analyze their antioxidant properties.

Results: In this study, EtRT extracts dose dependently showed the ability to scavenge DPPH radicals and reduce ferric ions during DPPH radicals scavenging activity assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), respectively. In DPPH radical scavenging activity assay, EtRT extracts showed EC50 value at 12.37 ± 1.73 µg/mL with ARP value of 0.08 almost as near as ascorbic acid’s ARP value which is 0.09. Further into the study, EtRT extract were not cytotoxic to RAW 264.7 macrophage cells at concentrations 3.91 µg/mL and lower which showed more than 86.4% cell viability with IC50 value at 204.70 ± 5.30 µg/mL. EtRT extract possessed the ability to inhibit ROS production on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells at 7.813 µg/mL and lower, with the highest concentration can reduce up to 30.20% ± 1.01 out of the total ROS produced by the induced cells. Furthermore, EtRT extract also have evidenced that it is able to significantly inhibit NO production by the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells at 7 µg/mL and lower being the highest at 56.73% ± 0.11 inhibition of the highest concentration tested.

Conclusions: This study suggests that EtRT extracts have the potential to reduce LPS-induced oxidative stress due to the antioxidant activities of phenolic compounds in the extracts, and that at low doses, EtRT extracts had low to no cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. As a result, EtRT extract could be a promising natural medicinal agent for the treatment of oxidative stress.
Dynamics of Multiple Slip and Thermal Radiation on Hydromagnetic Casson Nanofluid Flow over a Nonlinear Porous Stretchable Surface
Authors: Omotola O. E. , Fatunmbi E. O.
Published: August 2021

Aims/ Objectives: This paper examines the dynamics of multiple slip together with thermal radiation effects on the transport of a magnetohydrodynamic Casson nanofluid passing a nonlinear porous stretchable sheet in the existence of viscous dissipation and chemical reaction.Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methodology: The outlining equations modeling the transport phenomenon are simplified into nonlinear ordinary differential equations via the approach of similarity transformations and subsequently analyzed numerically by shooting techniques alongside Runge-Kutta Fehlberg scheme.Results: The outcomes of decisive parameters affecting the flow, heat, and nanoparticle concentration are graphically deliberated. From the investigation, it is revealed that Brownian motion, viscous dissipation, and thermophoresis parameters augment the thermal boundary layer and propel an upward growth in the temperature profile. Furthermore, the slip factor decelerates the flow and heat dissipation while the fluid movement drags in the existence of the magnetic field.

Conclusion: The results obtained in this study compared favourably well with existing related studies in literature under limiting scenarios.
In-vitro Antibacterial and Synergistic Activities of Extracts of Allium cepa and Allium sativum with Selected Antibiotics on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: I. Nnamchi Chukwudi , K. Igu Ebenezer , K. Akpi Uchenna , C. Amadi Onyetugo , Kenneth Ugwu
Published: August 2021

Aim: This study was aimed at investigating the antibacterial activities of extracts of Allium cepa and Allium sativum, as well as their synergistic activities with some selected antibiotics against the bacterial pathogens Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. 

Study Design: Onions (Allium cepa), garlic (Allium sativum) were used in this study. The study assessed how extracts of the plants alone or in combination with some commonly used antibiotics inhibited the growth of some bacterial pathogens using agar well diffusion method. 

Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka over a period of 6 months.

Methodology: Extracts of Allium cepa and Allium sativum were obtained using ethanol, methanol and water (aqueous). Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were carried out by agar well diffusion technique.

Results: All extracts obtained showed evidence of antimicrobial property measured as the Inhibition Zone Diameter (IZD) on the test microorganisms. Values of these IZDs showed remarkable increases when used synergistically with antibiotics. For instance, aqueous extract of Allium sativum increased from a mean value of 16.5mm at 1.0mg/ml to values of 30.0mm and 38.0mm when used with tetracycline and ampicloxacillin respectively against Escherichia coli. The MIC and MBC values also dropped progressively, indicating that fewer synergistic mixtures were required to exert the same effects on the tested organisms. The phytochemical analysis strongly indicated the presence of flavonoids, glycosides and alkaloids, among other plant metabolites.

Conclusion: This result indicates that Allium cepa and Allium sativum showed strong antibacterial activity against the bacterial pathogens E. coli and S. aureus; and that synergism of the extracts with some antibiotics improved those activities. The potential of developing antimicrobials from these plants appears promising.
Studies on Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence Rate among HIV Positive and HIV Negative Patients of Tertiary Health Facility
Authors: Unamadu A. P. , Anyamene C. O. , Ezebialu C. U. , Nwafor I. A. , Edward O. C.
Published: August 2021

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a hepatotropic virus which is one of the major causes of liver disease and a potential cause of substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. The virus, estimated to infect about 3% of the world population, is primarily transmitted through the parenteral route which includes injection drug use, blood transfusion, unsafe injection practices, and other healthcare related procedures. HCV causes acute hepatitis which is mostly subclinical, but which gradually evolves into chronic hepatitis in about 80% of those infected. HCV infected people are at risk for developing chronic liver disease (CLD), cirrhosis, and primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It has been estimated that HCV accounts for 27% of cirrhosis and 25% of HCC worldwide. This work evaluated the prevalence rate of hepatitis C virus among patients of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka in Anambra state Nigeria. For the purpose of this study, two hundred (200) venous blood samples were drawn from patients (80 males and 120 females) in the ART and GOPD phlebotomy units and screened with in vitro anti HCV strip for qualitative diagnosis. 100 out the 200 samples were HIV positive samples whereas 100 remaining samples weren’t. At the end, results showed 11 positive samples out of the 200 patients screened. That is, 5.5% of the study population were infected with hepatitis C virus. 5 out of the 11 positive samples (2.5%) were HIV positive while 6(3%) of the total positive were not. Of the 6 age groups (200 samples) tested for HCV, age groups (25-34) and (45-54) had the highest number of infection i.e. 3 (4.9%) and 3(11.1%) respectively. Age groups 15-24 and 55-64 had 2(5.4%) and 2(11.1%) each. While in (35-44) age group, only 1(2.3%) person was infected and none was infected in those 65 years and above. Then, while 7 (63.6%) of the HCV positive population were male, 4 (36.4%) were female. Of the 11 persons infected with hepatitis C, 72% had multiple sex partners,45% had HIV,18% had tattoos, and 9% had been transfused in the past. Howbeit, HCV has no preventive vaccines; hence the call for greater awareness, public education and encouragement of early diagnosis to curb the prevalence rate of HCV.
Control of a multirobot bricklaying system
Authors: Ambrosino Michele , Delens Philippe , Garone Emanuele
Published: August 2021

Research is increasingly shifting from the design and control of single robots toward collaborative methods for multirobot systems. Particularly interesting are heterogeneous systems since the combination of different capabilities can tackle tasks that are difficult, if not impossible, to perform with a single robot. In this article we propose a scheme for the control of a novel heterogeneous multirobot system designed for bricklaying where the use of a single robot is not feasible due to the weight of the payloads to be managed. The proposed solution is based on a crane which cooperates with a lightweight rigid robot. The correct cooperation between the two robotic subunits poses a series of control challenges that must be studied in the context of cooperative manipulation of an object. In this article, we first derive the mathematical model of this novel robotic system during the positioning of the block. Then a control law is proposed. The proposed law is based on an ad hoc inverse dynamic control which takes advantage of the overactuation of the resulting connected system to unload the robotic arm from the weight of the block. A physical CAD‐based simulator of the system is used to show the effectiveness of the proposed control law and to show that the proposed architecture allows to position precisely large and heavy blocks while using a relatively small rigid robotic manipulator.
Sensing Inflammation Biomarkers with Electrolyte‐Gated Organic Electronic Transistors
Authors: Burtscher Bernhard , Manco Urbina Pamela Allison , Diacci Chiara , Borghi Simone , Pinti Marcello , Cossarizza Andrea , Salvarani Carlo , Berggren Magnus , Biscarini Fabio , Simon Daniel T. , Bortolotti Carlo A.
Published: August 2021

An overview of cytokine biosensing is provided, with a focus on the opportunities provided by organic electronic platforms for monitoring these inflammation biomarkers which manifest at ultralow concentration levels in physiopathological conditions. Specifically, two of the field's state‐of‐the‐art technologies—organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) and electrolyte gated organic field effect transistors (EGOFETs)—and their use in sensing cytokines and other proteins associated with inflammation are a particular focus. The overview will include an introduction to current clinical and “gold standard” quantification techniques and their limitations in terms of cost, time, and required infrastructure. A critical review of recent progress with OECT‐ and EGOFET‐based protein biosensors is presented, alongside a discussion onthe future of these technologies in the years and decades ahead. This is especially timely as the world grapples with limited healthcare diagnostics during the Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19)pandemic where one of the worst‐case scenarios for patients is the “cytokine storm.” Clearly, low‐cost point‐of‐care technologies provided by OECTs and EGOFETs can ease the global burden on healthcare systems and support professionals by providing unprecedented wealth of data that can help to monitor disease progression in real time.
An Optogenetics‐Inspired Flexible van der Waals Optoelectronic Synapse and its Application to a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Seo Seunghwan , Lee Je‐Jun , Lee Ryong‐Gyu , Kim Tae Hyung , Park Sangyong , Jung Sooyoung , Lee Hyun‐Kyu , Andreev Maksim , Lee Kyeong‐Bae , Jung Kil‐Su , Oh Seyong , Lee Ho‐Jun , Kim Ki Seok , Yeom Geun Young , Kim Yong‐Hoon , Park Jin‐Hong
Published: August 2021

Optogenetics refers to a technique that uses light to modulate neuronal activity with a high spatiotemporal resolution, which enables the manipulation of learning and memory functions in the human brain. This strategy of controlling neuronal activity using light can be applied for the development of intelligent systems, including neuromorphic and in‐memory computing systems. Herein, a flexible van der Waals (vdW) optoelectronic synapse is reported, which is a core component of optogenetics‐inspired intelligent systems. This synapse is fabricated on 2D vdW layered rhenium disulfide (ReS2) that features an inherent photosensitive memory nature derived from the persistent photoconductivity (PPC) effect, successfully mimicking the dynamics of biological synapses. Based on first‐principles calculations, the PPC effect is identified to originate from sulfur vacancies in ReS2 that have an inherent tendency to form shallow defect states near the conduction band edges and under optical excitation lead to large lattice relaxation. Finally, the feasibility of applying the synapses in optogenetics‐inspired intelligent systems is demonstrated via training and inference tasks for the CIFAR‐10 dataset using a convolutional neural network composed of vdW optoelectronic synapse devices.
Triple‐Jump Photodynamic Theranostics: MnO2 Combined Upconversion Nanoplatforms Involving a Type‐I Photosensitizer with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Characteristics for Potent Cancer Treatment
Authors: Wang Yuanwei , Li Youmei , Zhang Zhijun , Wang Lei , Wang Dong , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: August 2021

The development of multifunctional nanoplatforms has been recognized as a promising strategy for potent photodynamic theranostics. Aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) photosensitizers undergoing Type‐I reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation pathway appear as potential candidates due to their capability of hypoxia‐tolerance, efficient ROS production, and fluorescence imaging navigation. To further improve their performance, a facile and universal method of constructing a type of glutathione (GSH)‐depleting and near‐infrared (NIR)‐regulated nanoplatform for dual‐modal imaging‐guided photodynamic therapy (PDT) is presented. The nanoplatforms are obtained through the coprecipitation process involving upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and AIE‐active photosensitizers, followed by in situ generation of MnO2 as the outer shell. The introduction of UCNPs actualizes the NIR‐activation of AIE‐active photosensitizers to produce ·OH as a Type‐I ROS. Intracellular upregulated GSH‐responsive decomposition of the MnO2 shell to Mn2+ realizes GSH‐depletion, which is a distinctive approach for elevating intracellular ·OH. Meanwhile, the generated Mn2+ can implement T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in specific tumor sites, and mediate the conversion of intracellular H2O2 to ·OH. These outputs reveal a triple‐jump ·OH production, and this approach brings about distinguished performance in FLI‐MRI‐guided PDT with high‐efficacy, which presents great potential for future clinical translations.
Analog and Digital Mode α‐In2Se3 Memristive Devices for Neuromorphic and Memory Applications
Authors: Zhang Yishu , Wang Lin , Chen Hao , Ma Teng , Lu Xiufang , Loh Kian Ping
Published: August 2021

The emergence of 2D ferroelectrics offers a promising path to implement next‐generation information technology, including digital memory and analog computing. Here, it is demonstrated that digital or analog memory can be achieved in a single crossbar type two‐terminal (Au‐Ti) α‐In2Se3 device depending on the driving voltage. The analog operation is enabled by ferroelectric polarization‐modulated Schottky barrier, while resistive filament switching drives the digital operation. By tuning ferroelectric properties, multiple analog conductance states can be obtained for mimicking various synaptic behaviors like excitatory postsynaptic current, inhibitory postsynaptic current, potentiation/depression and spiking‐timing‐dependent plasticity. A simulated neural network built from these synaptic devices shows good on‐line learning accuracy (≈93.2%) for digital recognition of handwriting. Based on filament formation/rupture mechanism, α‐In2Se3 devices also exhibits excellent digital memory performance with large on/off ratio (>103), high on‐current density (105 A cm−2) and fast switching speed (≈10 ns). The combination of analog and digital memory modes in two‐terminal α‐In2Se3 devices is useful in highly dense and complex electronics.
When Diversity is Not Enough: An Intersectional Examination of How Juvenile Legal System Actors of Color Experience the System’s Welfare Mandate for Girls of Color
Authors: Singh Sukhmani , Nalani Andrew , Ibrahim Deanna A. , Adler Joshua G. , Javdani Shabnam , Godfrey Erin
Published: August 2021

System actors of color are considered a key intervention to reduce disparities in the juvenile legal system precisely because they share intersectional experiences of oppression similar to those experienced by system‐involved youth. In this study, we interrogate the assumption that diversifying the workforce can remedy intersectional disparities in youth outcomes. Grounded in intersectionality, we analyzed semi‐structured interviews with 17 (12 women, five men) actors of color—eight at the frontline, five at the mid‐level, and four at the top level. Specifically, we examined their narratives of lived oppressions, juxtaposed these narratives with their articulations of how well the system meets its welfare mandate, and examined actors’ sense of their ability to contribute to girls’ welfare, attending especially to how these experiences vary by their positions in the system’s hierarchy. Our findings suggest that actors of color indeed share experiences of oppression as system‐involved youth, particularly along axes of race and gender. Further, across all levels of institutional positionality, actors articulate a disjunction, revealing the system’s accountability to bureaucratic and funding structures rather than girls; they respond to this disjunction through resistant actions—with different degrees of effectiveness—anchored in accountability to girls, and by envisioning how, given their roles and relative power, the system can meet its social welfare mandate.
Clinical and molecular predictors of fibrotic progression in essential thrombocythemia: A multicenter study involving 1607 patients
Authors: Loscocco Giuseppe G. , Guglielmelli Paola , Gangat Naseema , Rossi Elena , Mannarelli Carmela , Betti Silvia , Maccari Chiara , Ramundo Francesco , Jadoon Yamna , Gesullo Francesca , Ceglie Sara , Paoli Chiara , Pardanani Animesh , De Stefano Valerio , Tefferi Ayalew , Vannucchi Alessandro M.
Published: August 2021

The current retrospective study involving a total of 1607 patients was designed to identify clinical and molecular variables that were predictive of inferior myelofibrosis‐free survival (MFS) in WHO‐defined essential thrombocythemia (ET), utilizing three independent patient cohorts: University of Florence, Italy (n = 718); Mayo Clinic, USA (n = 479) and Policlinico Gemelli, Catholic University, Rome, Italy (n = 410). The Florence patient cohort was first examined to identify independent risk factors for MFS, which included age > 60 years (HR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3–4.9), male sex (2.1, 1.2–3.9), palpable splenomegaly (2.1, 1.2–3.9), CALR 1/1‐like or MPL mutation (3.4, 1.9–6.1) and JAK2V617F variant allele frequency > 35% (4.2, 1.6–10.8). Subsequently, an operational molecular risk category was developed and validated in the other two cohorts from Mayo Clinic and Rome: “high molecular risk” category included patients with JAK2V617F VAF >35%, CALR type 1/1‐like or MPL mutations; all other driver mutation profiles were assigned to “low molecular risk” category. The former, compared to the latter molecular risk category, displayed significantly higher risk of fibrotic transformation: Florence cohort with respective fibrotic transformation risk rates of 8% vs. 1.2% at 10 years and 33% vs. 8% at 20 years (p < 0.001; HR 6.1; 95% CI 3.2–11.7); Mayo Cohort, 16% vs. 7% at 10 years and 44% vs. 25% at 20 years (p < 0.001; HR 2.5; 95% CI 1.6–4.1); and Rome cohort 7.8% vs. 4.6% at 10 years and 31.2% vs. 7.1% at 20 years (p = 0.007, HR 2.7; 95% CI 1.3–5.8). The present study provides practically useful risk signals for fibrotic transformation in ET and facilitates identification of patients who require close monitoring and appropriate counseling.
Repeatability of adaptive traits among ethnic Tibetan highlanders
Authors: Beall Cynthia M. , Childs Geoff , Craig Sienna R. , Strohl Kingman P. , Quinn Elizabeth , Basnyat Buddha
Published: August 2021

Objectives

Connecting traits to biological pathways and genes relies on stable observations. Researchers typically determine traits once, expecting careful study protocols to yield measurements free of noise. This report examines that expectation with test–retest repeatability analyses for traits used regularly in research on adaptation to high‐altitude hypoxia, often in settings without climate control.

Methods

Two hundred ninety‐one ethnic Tibetan women residing from 3500 to 4200 m in Upper Mustang District, Nepal, provided three observations of hemoglobin concentration, percent of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin, and pulse by noninvasive pulse oximetry under conditions designed to minimize environmental noise.

Results

High‐intraclass correlation coefficients and low within‐subject coefficients of variation reflected consistent measurements. Percent of oxygen saturation had the highest intraclass correlation coefficient and the smallest within‐subject coefficient of variability; measurement noise occurred mainly in the lower values. Hemoglobin concentration and pulse presented slightly higher within‐subject coefficients of variation; measurement noise occurred across the range of values. The women had performed the same measurements 7 years earlier using the same devices and protocol. The sample means and SD observed across 7 years differed little. Hemoglobin concentration increased substantially after menopause.

Conclusions

Analyzing repeatability features of traits may improve our interpretation of statistical analyses and detection of variation from measurement or biology. The high levels of measurement repeatability and biological stability support the continued use of these robust traits for investigating human adaptation in this altitude range.
Selective Trifluoromethylthiolation of Unactivated C(sp3)−H Bonds Enabled by Excited Ketones
Authors: Zhang Han , Wang Qing , Wang Yanan , Yuan Zheliang , Gao Feng , Britton Robert
Published: August 2021

Here we report that the selective trifluoromethylthiolation of unactivated C(sp3)−H bonds is enabled by photoexcited diaryl ketones. This method for C−H trifluoromethylthiolation features mild conditions and inexpensive organic photocatalysts and relies on 370 nm LED lights. The functional group tolerance is broad and the excellent regioselectivity for branched aliphatic positions enables trifluoromethylthiolation of a variety of substrates, including amino acid and natural product derivatives, demonstrating its potential synthetic application.
Circularly Polarized Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (C‐FRET) for Efficient Chirality Transmission within an Intermolecular System
Authors: Wu Yue , Yan Chenxu , Li Xin‐Shun , You Li Hong , Yu Zhen‐Qiang , Wu Xiaofeng , Zheng Zhigang , Liu Guofeng , Guo Zhiqian , Tian He , Zhu Wei‐Hong
Published: August 2021

The occurrence and transmission of chirality is a fascinating characteristic of nature. However, the intermolecular transmission efficiency of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) remains challenging due to poor through‐space energy transfer. We report a unique CPL transmission from inducing the achiral acceptor to emit CPL within a specific liquid crystal (LC)‐based intermolecular system through a circularly polarized fluorescence resonance energy transfer (C‐FRET), wherein the luminescent cholesteric LC is employed as the chirality donor, and rationally designed achiral long‐wavelength aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) fluorophore acts as the well‐assembled acceptor. In contrast to photon‐release‐and‐absorption, the chirality transmission channel ofC‐FRET is highly dependent upon the energy resonance in the highly intrinsic chiral assembly of cholesteric LC, as verified by deliberately separating the achiral acceptor from the chiral donor to keep it far beyond the resonance distance. ThisC‐FRET mode provides a de novo strategy concept for high‐level information processing for applications such as high‐density data storage, combinatorial logic calculation, and multilevel data encryption and decryption.
Synthese eines Kupfer(I)‐Komplexes mit zwei ungepaarten Elektronen durch Oxidation eines Kupfer(II)‐Komplexes mit zwei redoxaktiven Liganden
Authors: Werr Marco , Kaifer Elisabeth , Enders Markus , Asyuda Andika , Zharnikov Michael , Himmel Hans‐Jörg
Published: August 2021

Zwei homoleptische Kupfer(II)‐Komplexe [Cu(L1)2] und [Cu(L2)2] mit anionischen redoxaktiven Liganden wurden synthetisiert, einer mit dem Harnstoffazin‐Ligand (L1) und der andere mit Thioharnstoffazin‐Ligand (L2). Die Einelektronen‐Oxidation der Komplexe löst einen seltenen redox‐induzierten Elektronentransferprozess aus, welcher zu den monokationischen Kupfer(I)‐Komplexen [Cu(L1)2]+ und [Cu(L2)2]+ mit zwei oxidierten Liganden führt. Während [Cu(L1)2]+ am besten als CuI‐Komplex mit zwei neutralen, radikalischen und antiferromagnetisch gekoppelten Liganden beschrieben werden sollte, ist [Cu(L2)2]+ ein CuI‐Komplex mit zwei deutlich unterschiedlichen Ligandeneinheiten im festen Zustand und mit einer magnetischen Suszeptibilität nahe einer diamagnetischen Verbindung. Eine weitere Einelektronen‐Oxidation des Komplexes mit L1‐Liganden führt zu einem Dikation [Cu(L1)2]2+, das sich am besten als CuI‐Komplex mit einem zweifach oxidierten, monokationischen Liganden und einem neutralen radikalischen Liganden beschreiben lässt. Die Stabilität in mindestens drei Redoxzuständen, die Akkumulation der Spindichte auf den Liganden und der ungehinderte Ligand‐Metall‐Elektronentransfer machen diese Komplexe für eine Vielzahl von Anwendungen äußerst attraktiv; hier testen wir die katalytische aerobe Oxidation von Alkoholen zu Aldehyden.
Incidence of Psoriatic Arthritis Among Patients Receiving Biologic Treatments for Psoriasis: A Nested Case–Control Study
Authors: Rosenthal Yael Shalev , Schwartz Naama , Sagy Iftach , Pavlovsky Lev
Published: August 2021

Objective

To investigate the effect of biologic treatments for psoriasis on the incidence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted using electronic medical records from a large health maintenance organization. Patients who received biologic treatment for psoriasis and were not diagnosed as having PsA before or at the time of biologic treatment initiation were included. Control psoriasis patients who did not receive biologic treatment were matched by age at time of diagnosis, sex, time from psoriasis diagnosis until treatment initiation, maximum body mass index, and smoking status. The groups were different in most characteristics. Therefore, propensity score matching was implemented. Log rank test and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression were used to compare the groups.

Results

Overall, 1,326 patients were included, of whom 663 had received biologic treatment and 663 had not. The Kaplan‐Meier curve for the propensity score–matched groups reflected a statistically significant increased risk for PsA among the control group compared to the biologic treatment group. The results of the multivariable Cox regression showed that the control group had a significantly higher risk for PsA compared to the biologic treatment group within 10 years of follow‐up (adjusted hazard ratio 1.39 [95% confidence interval 1.03–1.87]).

Conclusion

Our findings show a statistically and clinically significant decreased risk for developing PsA among patients with psoriasis who receive biologic treatments. The results suggest that biologic medications should be considered for patients who present with significant risk factors for PsA at an earlier stage of treatment.
Defining knowledge workers' creation, description, and storage practices as impact on enterprise content management strategy
Authors: Mathieu Camille
Published: August 2021

As part of the effort to digitally transform, organizations are seeking more and better solutions to long‐standing enterprise content management challenges. Such solutions rarely investigate the relationship between knowledge workers' daily work to capture information and the perceived or actual value of that information to the enterprise per established content management strategy. The study described in this paper seeks to identify gaps in content management practices versus policy by modeling the conventions by which one organization's knowledge workers typically generate, store, and later recover their daily work products. Thirty‐five interviews with knowledge workers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory were conducted on this subject. The results of these interviews provide an insight as to how knowledge workers interact with enterprise content in their dual roles as both the primary creators and primary consumers of enterprise content. This paper, which outlines various permutations of the digital object creation, description, and storage (CDS) model, provides basic strategies for bringing the value perceptions of knowledge workers into alignment with institutional directives related to improving content findability and reuse in the enterprise.
An amygdala‐centered hyper‐connectivity signature of threatening face processing predicts anxiety in youths with autism spectrum conditions
Authors: Chen Yu‐Chun , Chen Chenyi , Martínez Róger Marcelo , Fan Yang‐Tang , Liu Chia‐Chien , Chen Chin‐Yau , Cheng Yawei
Published: August 2021

Anxiety is exceedingly prevalent among individuals with an autism spectrum condition (ASC). While recent literature postulates anxiety as a mechanism encompassing an underlying amygdala‐related elevated baseline level of arousal even to nonthreatening cues, whether this same mechanism contributes to anxiety in those with an ASC and supports the transdiagnostic nature of anxiety remains elusive. In this case–control study of 51 youths (26 ASC), we assessed autism and anxiety via the Autism‐Spectrum Quotient and the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Hemodynamic responses, including amygdala reactivity, to explicit and implicit (backwardly masked) perception of threatening faces were acquired using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). For explicit fear, ASC individuals showed significantly greater negative correlations between the amygdala and the attentional deployment‐parietal network. For implicit fear, ASC individuals showed significantly stronger correlations of the amygdala with the prefrontal networks, temporal pole, and hippocampus. Additionally, an fMRI‐based neurologic signature for anxiety in ASCs was identified via the LibSVM machine learning model using amygdala‐centered functional connectivity during the emotional processing of explicit and implicit stimuli. Hypervigilance to implicit threat in ASCs comorbid with anxiety might exacerbate explicit threat reactivity; hence the use of attentional avoidance patterns to restrict affective hyperarousal for explicitly perceived socioemotional stimuli. Consequently, developing an attention‐independent behavioral/neural marker identifying anxiety in ASCs is highly warranted.

Lay Summary

This study identifies a dissociation of amygdala reactivity dependent on explicit and implicit threat processing. Implicit anxiety in individuals with an autism spectrum condition (ASC) could outweigh explicitly induced threat. When explicitly perceiving socioemotional stimuli, ASC individuals with anxiety might use attentional avoidance patterns to restrict affective hyperarousal.
In‐cytoplasm mitochondrial transplantation for mesenchymal stem cells engineering and tissue regeneration
Authors: Yao Xudong , Ma Yuanzhu , Zhou Wenyan , Liao Youguo , Jiang Zongsheng , Lin Junxin , He Qiulin , Wu Hongwei , Wei Wei , Wang Xiaozhao , Björklund Mikael , Ouyang Hongwei
Published: August 2021

Stem cell therapies are unsatisfactory due to poor cell survival and engraftment. Stem cell used for therapy must be properly “tuned” for a harsh in vivo environment. Herein, we report that transfer of exogenous mitochondria (mito) to adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) can effectively boost their energy levels, enabling efficient cell engraftment. Importantly, the entire process of exogeneous mitochondrial endocytosis is captured by high‐content live‐cell imaging. Mitochondrial transfer leads to acutely enhanced bioenergetics, with nearly 17% of higher adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) levels in ADSCs treated with high mitochondrial dosage and further results in altered secretome profiles of ADSCs. Mitochondrial transfer also induced the expression of 334 mRNAs in ADSCs, which are mainly linked to signaling pathways associated with DNA replication and cell division. We hypothesize that increase in ATP and cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 and 2 expression might be responsible for promoting enhanced proliferation, migration, and differentiation of ADSCs in vitro. More importantly, mito‐transferred ADSCs display prolonged cell survival, engraftment and horizontal transfer of exogenous mitochondria to surrounding cells in a full‐thickness skin defect rat model with improved skin repair compared with nontreated ADSCs. These results demonstrate that intracellular mitochondrial transplantation is a promising strategy to engineer stem cells for tissue regeneration.
Di‐tert‐butyldiphosphatetrahedrane as a Source of 1,2‐Diphosphacyclobutadiene Ligands
Authors: Hierlmeier Gabriele , Coburger Peter , Scott Daniel J. , Maier Thomas M. , Pelties Stefan , Wolf Robert , Pividori Daniel M. , Meyer Karsten , van Leest Nicolaas P. , de Bruin Bas
Published: August 2021

Reactions of di‐tert‐butyldiphosphatetrahedrane (1) with cycloocta‐1,5‐diene‐ or anthracene‐stabilised metalate anions of iron and cobalt consistently afford complexes of the rarely encountered 1,2‐diphosphacyclobutadiene ligand, which have previously been very challenging synthetic targets. The subsequent reactivity of 1,2‐diphosphacyclobutadiene cobaltates toward various electrophiles has also been investigated and is compared to reactions of related 1,3‐diphosphacyclobutadiene complexes. The results highlight the distinct reactivity of such isomeric species, showing that the 1,2‐isomers can act as precursors for previously unknown triphospholium ligands. The electronic structures of the new complexes were investigated by several methods, including NMR, EPR and Mößbauer spectroscopies as well as quantum chemical calculations.
Near‐Infrared Spectrum of the First Excited State of Au2+
Authors: Förstel Marko , Pollow Kai , Studemund Taarna , Dopfer Otto
Published: August 2021

Au2+ is a simple but crucial model system for understanding the diverse catalytic activity of gold. While the Au2+ ground state (X2Σg+) is understood reasonably well from mass spectrometry and computations, no spectroscopic information is available for its first excited state (A2Σu+). Herein, we present the vibrationally resolved electronic spectrum of this state for cold Ar‐tagged Au2+ cations. This exceptionally low‐lying and well isolated A2Σ(u)+←X2Σ(g)+ transition occurs in the near‐infrared range. The observed band origin (5738 cm−1, 1742.9 nm, 0.711 eV) and harmonic Au−Au and Au−Ar stretch frequencies (201 and 133 cm−1) agree surprisingly well with those predicted by standard time‐dependent density functional theory calculations. The linearly bonded Ar tag has little impact on either the geometric or electronic structure of Au2+, because the Au2+⋅⋅⋅Ar bond (∼0.4 eV) is much weaker than the Au−Au bond (∼2 eV). As a result of 6 s←5d excitation of an electron from the antibonding σu* orbital (HOMO‐1) into the bonding σg orbital (SOMO), the Au−Au bond contracts substantially (by 0.1 Å).
Event attribution of Parnaíba River floods in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Rudorff Conrado , Sparrow Sarah , Guedes Marcia R. G. , Tett Simon. F. B. , Brêda João Paulo L. F. , Cunningham Christopher , Ribeiro Flávia N. D. , Palharini Rayana S. A. , Lott Fraser C.
Published: August 2021

The climate modeling techniques of event attribution enable systematic assessments of the extent that anthropogenic climate change may be altering the probability or magnitude of extreme events. In the consecutive years of 2018, 2019, and 2020, rainfalls caused repeated flooding impacts in the lower Parnaíba River in Northeastern Brazil. We studied the effect that alterations in precipitation resulting from human influences on the climate had on the likelihood of flooding using two ensembles of the HadGEM3‐GA6 atmospheric model: one driven by both natural and anthropogenic forcings; and the other driven only by natural atmospheric forcings, with anthropogenic changes removed from sea surface temperatures and sea ice patterns. We performed hydrological modeling to base our assessments on the peak annual streamflow. The change in the likelihood of flooding was expressed in terms of the ratio between probabilities of threshold exceedance estimated for each model ensemble. With uncertainty estimates at the 90% confidence level, the median (5% 95%) probability ratio at the threshold for flooding impacts in the historical period (1982–2013) was 1.12 (0.97 1.26), pointing to a marginal contribution of anthropogenic emissions by about 12%. For the 2018, 2019, and 2020 events, the median (5% 95%) probability ratios at the threshold for flooding impacts were higher at 1.25 (1.07 1.46), 1.27 (1.12 1.445), and 1.37 (1.19 1.59), respectively; indicating that precipitation change driven by anthropogenic emissions has contributed to the increase of likelihood of these events by about 30%. However, there are other intricate hydrometeorological and anthropogenic processes undergoing long‐term changes that affect the flood hazard in the lower Parnaíba River. Trend and flood frequency analyses performed on observations showed a nonsignificant long‐term reduction of annual peak flow, likely due to decreasing precipitation from natural climate variability and increasing evapotranspiration and flow regulation.
Validation of the cell cycle progression score to differentiate indolent from aggressive prostate cancer in men diagnosed through transurethral resection of the prostate biopsy
Authors: Cuzick Jack M. , Stone Steven , Lenz Lauren , Flake Darl D. , Rajamani Saradha , Moller Henrik , Berney Daniel Maurice , Cohen Todd , Scardino Peter T.
Published: August 2021

Background

Validation of biomarker‐based prognostic models to improve risk stratification in men with localized prostate cancer (PrCa) remains a clinical need. It has previously been shown that the cell cycle progression (CCP) test provides significant, independent prognostic information for men who were incidentally diagnosed with PrCa after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and were conservatively managed.

Aim

The results have been extended in a newly analyzed retrospective cohort of UK men diagnosed through TURP biopsy (TURP1B; N = 305).

Methods and Results

The CCP score was derived from TURP biopsy tissue and combined with a modified UCSF Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment score (CAPRA) to generate the clinical cell‐cycle risk score (CCR). The primary endpoint was PrCa‐specific mortality (PSM). Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated for a one‐unit change in score. Median follow‐up was 9.6 (IQR: 5.4, 14.1) years, and 67 (22%) men died from PrCa within 10 years of diagnosis. The median CCP score was 1.1 (IQR: 0.6, 1.7). In univariate analyses, CCR proved a significant prognosticator of PSM (HR per unit score change = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.89, 2.74; P = 1.0 × 10−19). In multivariate analyses, CCR remained a significant prognosticator of PSM after adjusting for CAPRA (HR per unit score change = 4.36; 95% CI: 2.65, 7.16; P = 1.3 × 10−8), indicating that its molecular component, CCP, provides significant, independent prognostic information.

Conclusion

These findings validate a combined clinicopathologic and molecular prognostic model for conservatively managed men who are diagnosed through TURP, supporting the use of CCR to inform clinical management.
An Insight into Tunable Innate Piezoelectricity of Silk for Green Bioelectronics
Authors: Veronica Asmita , Hsing I‐ming
Published: August 2021

Commercially available bioelectronics account for significant percentage of e‐waste, especially battery waste, that demand immediate intervention due to rising environmental concerns. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware and cautious of their contribution to carbon footprint on a regular basis. It has become imperative to adopt sustainability in every aspect of production of bioelectronics taking into consideration the growing market for wearable healthcare monitoring system. Green electronics is a relatively new concept gaining tremendous attention within the scientific and industrial community with the ultimate goal of employing organic, biodegradable, and self‐sustainable system to replace the conventional inorganic battery‐powered electronics. Silk is a green material that has been extensively explored for its use in functional electronics due to its tunable biodegradability and flexibility. Nevertheless, an intriguing property of Silk is its innate piezoelectricity. This review highlights the importance of crystal orientation and structure of Silk Fibroin to display piezoelectric response and documents possible strategies for its enhancement. It also provides insight into the possibility of using piezoelectric Silk as a piezoelectric sensor, actuator, and energy harvester to form self‐powered hybrid systems for autonomous bioelectronics
The positive and negative sleep appraisal measure: Towards a clinical validation of sleep spectrum cognitions
Authors: Pearson Lydia , Parker Sophie , Mansell Warren
Published: August 2021

Background

Sleep disturbance is considered a transdiagnostic process due to high comorbidity with mental health difficulties. In particular, sleep disturbances are a feature of mood disorders. To advance transdiagnostic psychological interventions targeting sleep, the Positive and Negative Sleep Appraisal Measure (PANSAM) was developed. The PANSAM is a theory‐driven measure based on an Integrative Cognitive Sleep Model and proposes that positive and negative sleep appraisals for excessively long and short sleep durations play a key role in the development of insomnia, hypersomnia, and reduced need for sleep. This study evaluated clinical validity of this new measure.

Methods

Participants were those who met bipolar at risk criteria and bipolar diagnoses (bipolar spectrum group) (N = 22), major depressive disorder (unipolar depression group) (N = 18), and a nonclinical group (N = 22). To compare against previous insomnia and bipolar disorder relevant research, administered measures included the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale (DBAS) and the Hypomanic and Positive Predictions Inventory (HAPPI).

Results

Analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests revealed that the clinical groups scored significantly higher on the PANSAM. The same was shown for the DBAS and HAPPI. Post hoc analyses showed that the PANSAM scale and subscales had significant correlations with all clinical measures. Effect sizes are reported due to sample size limitations.

Conclusion

This study has initially validated the PANSAM with clinical populations and highlighted its applicability to a transdiagnostic approach.
Cost‐aware co‐locating of services in Internet of Things by using multicriteria decision making
Authors: Jamali Shahram , Abbasalizadeh Maryam
Published: August 2021

Internet of Things (IoT) as an emerging technology is going to play a critical rule in the physical‐cyber ecosystem. In this environment, sensing and actuating are considered as services for building intelligent applications. From performance point of view, a main question is how to locate these services on devices can realize a remarkable cost‐efficiency and energy saving. In this paper, the goal is to specify which accompanying service with another specific service can be set on a device to optimize the energy consumption, load amount on devices, and the service response time. For this purpose, we formulate this goal as a multiobjective decision‐making problem, and then we solve it by using the PROMETHEE method. In this solution, the utility of each device is determined and estimated based on entropy technique that used for computing weights for different criteria. Numerical simulation results show that the proposed co‐locating algorithm, called p‐co‐locating, outperforms none‐co‐locating approach in terms of energy consumption, load amount, and the service response time.
Effective and transient mapping of protein–protein interactions: Application of novel releasable photoaffinity linkers
Authors: Wang Jin , Ma Yuexiang , Li Jing , Zhang Qingqing , Pan Xiaoyan , Lu Wen , Zhang Jie
Published: August 2021

Herein, two novel multifunctional releasable photoaffinity linkers were developed for effective and transient tracking interacting proteins with the overall objective of understanding their in vivo biological functions in real‐time. These linkers could be used for the chemical modification of protein under moderate experimental conditions to form protein photoaffinity probes. These probes incorporated with both photoaffinity labels and tag‐transfer, enable photo‐crosslinking of bait proteins along with the release of unrelated groups. These photoaffinity linkers can be utilized to construct probes for disease markers, which could enable rapid diagnosis in a clinical setting at minimal interference with normal physiology.
Parental history of childhood maltreatment and child average RSA shape parent–child RSA synchrony
Authors: Fuchs Anna , Lunkenheimer Erika , Brown Kayla
Published: August 2021

We examined whether dynamic parent–child RSA synchrony varied by individual differences in child average RSA and parental history of childhood maltreatment (CM), which has been linked to parental behavioral and physiological dysregulation. We also examined whether RSA synchrony was curvilinear, reflecting homeostatic regulation. Synchrony was defined as the dynamic association between parent and child RSA reactivity (change relative to their own mean) within epoch across a challenging task. Eighty‐three mother–preschooler and 61 father–preschooler dyads participated. State‐trait modeling showed that RSA synchrony was curvilinear such that significant relations were only found at lower and higher child reactivity. Children's higher task average RSA predicted maternal RSA augmentation and lower task average RSA predicted maternal RSA withdrawal, regardless of whether child reactivity in the moment was low or high, suggesting individual differences in child regulatory capacity were associated with dynamic maternal reactivity. When maternal CM history and child average RSA were both higher, mothers showed RSA augmentation. Father–child synchrony was not moderated by child average RSA but greater paternal CM history predicted fathers’ greater RSA withdrawal regardless of whether child RSA reactivity was low or high. Findings offer novel insights into the nature and meaning of RSA synchrony with parents at risk.