bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A field method for cryopreservation of whole blood from a finger prick for later analysis with flow cytometry
Authors: Blackwell Aaron D. , Garcia Angela R. , Keivanfar Ryan L. , Bay Sarah
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Flow cytometry is a powerful tool for investigating immune function, allowing for the quantification of leukocytes by subtype. Yet it has not been used extensively for field work due to perishable reagents and the need for immediate analysis of samples. To make flow cytometry more accessible, we devise and evaluate a field protocol for freezing capillary blood.

Materials and Methods

We collected finger prick blood samples from 110 volunteers, age 18 to 42. Blood samples were analyzed immediately for 18 cell surface markers. Aliquots of whole blood were frozen in the vapor phase of a liquid nitrogen tank with 10% dimethyl sulfoxide in medium. Samples were analyzed on a Guava EasyCyte HT flow cytometer after 2, 4, or 14 weeks.

Results

Major lymphocyte fractions in frozen samples were correlated with fresh values (T‐cells: r = 0.82; Natural Killer [NK] cells: r = 0.64; CD4: r = 0.67; CD8: r = 0.82; Naïve CD4: r = 0.73, Naïve CD8: r = 0.71; B‐cells: r = 0.73; all p < 0.001), and mean values were similar to those from fresh samples. However, correlations for smaller subsets of CD4 and B cells were generally poor. Some differences resulted from changes in non‐specific binding for some antibody‐conjugate pairs. Cryopreservation also resulted in a reduction in granulocytes more than lymphocytes.

Discussion

Our results suggest that antibody/fluorochrome combinations should be validated before use on frozen samples, and that functional changes in cells may affect some cell markers. However, this simple freezing protocol utilizing finger pricks, whole blood, and a liquid nitrogen shipping tank is viable for obtaining samples for flow cytometry under field conditions.
Production of Industrially Useful and Renewable p‐Cymene by Catalytic Dehydration and Isomerization of Perillyl Alcohol
Authors: Moser Bryan R. , Jackson Michael A. , Doll Kenneth M.
Published: February 2021

We report the dehydration and isomerization of renewable perillyl alcohol to industrially useful p‐cymene in 91% yield utilizing 2.0 mol% para‐toluenesulfonic acid (pTsOH) catalyst at 110 °C as a 3.0 M solution in toluene. Lower reaction temperatures, catalyst loadings, and/or starting concentrations resulted in lower yields of p‐cymene as well as longer reaction times. Conversion of perillyl alcohol to p‐cymene yielded atom and carbon economies of 88.1% and 100% as well as an E‐factor of 2.7, thereby indicating that the process was both green and sustainable. A lower yield of 86% was observed when the reaction was performed neat, but a lower E‐factor of 0.4 indicated that neat conditions were more desirable from an environmental perspective. Application of the optimized parameters to 3.0 M solutions of dl‐limonene led predominantly to oligomerization (92%) as opposed to dehydroisomerization (5%), which was attributed to the strong Brønsted acidity of pTsOH. In addition, camphene (44%), terpinene isomers (15%), and limonene (14%) were obtained when dehydroisomerization was attempted on 3.0 M solutions of α‐ and β‐pinene, which was once again attributed to the acidity of the catalyst. Oligomerization was strongly favored when dehydroisomerization of dl‐limonene, α‐ and β‐pinene was attempted neat. In summary, synthesis of renewable p‐cymene was readily achieved from perillyl alcohol with catalytic pTsOH but competing side reactions suppressed yield when dehydroisomerization of dl‐limonene, α‐ and β‐pinene was attempted due to the strong Brønsted acidity of the catalyst.
Numerical study on combustion characteristics and heat flux distributions of 660‐MW ultra‐supercritical double‐reheat tower‐type boiler
Authors: Deng Lei , Zhang Yan , Ma Shihao , Zhu Zhengrong , Liu Hu , Belošević Srdjan , Tomanović Ivan , Che Defu
Published: February 2021

Ultra‐supercritical double‐reheat technology, as one of the most advanced coal‐fired power generation technology, is an important direction for emission reduction and energy saving in the world. In this study, the numerical calculation was executed in a 660‐MW ultra‐supercritical double‐reheat tower‐type boiler under deep‐air‐staging conditions. The refined HCN oxidation model was adopted to substitute the default model implemented by the user‐defined functions to calculate the NOx emission. The influences of the boiler load, over‐fire air (OFA) ratio, and excess air coefficient on temperature, species, and heat flux distributions were investigated. Results show that the decrement of the boiler load from boiler maximum continuous rating to 50% turbine heat acceptance gives rise to an increase of NOx emission. The heat flux distributions along with the furnace width direction present bell shaped. When the OFA ratio rises from 17% to 43%, NOx emission descends from 357.7 to 179.3 mg m−3 at the furnace outlet, and the heat flux distributions become more uniform along with the furnace width direction with lower peaks. Temperatures, species, and heat flux distributions are similar under the three different excess air coefficients. The NOx emission is the lowest when the excess air coefficient is 1.15. The results could provide a reference for combustion characteristics optimization and hydrodynamic calculation of ultra‐supercritical double‐reheat tower‐type boiler.
Novel amphoteric ion exchange membranes by blending sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) with ammonium polyphosphate for vanadium redox flow battery applications
Authors: Wang Gang , Zhang Miaomiao , He Zhenhua , Zhang Jie , Chen Jinwei , Wang Ruilin , Teng Aijun , Dai Yu
Published: February 2021

A novel amphoteric ion exchange membrane for vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) was explored by blending sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The high‐stability flame retardant of cross‐linked APP with a large number of NH4+ groups was first introduced into SPEEK membrane. It was observed that the addition of APP with special structure could achieve a good balance between proton conductivity and vanadium ions permeability. The abundant NH4+ in APP could block the penetration of vanadium ions by Donnan/Manning exclusion effect and ionic crossing networks due to the ionic bonds between cation and anion groups, and specially a small amount of APP within 5% could remarkably improve the proton conductivity of pristine SPEEK membrane might be ascribed to the unique fast proton transport channels formed by hydrogen bond networks and particular micro‐phase separation as a result of interaction between SPEEK and APP. When 5% APP was blended, the SPEEK/APP‐5% (S/APP‐5%) amphoteric membrane showed a higher selectivity of 20.87 × 104 S min/cm3 (with a good proton conductivity of 0.075 S/cm and a lower VO2+ permeability of 3.45 × 10−7 cm2/ min) and presented better thermal and chemical stability compared to Nafion115 and SPEEK membranes. The VRFB single cell assembled with S/APP‐5% amphoteric membrane exhibited more excellent performance than that of Nafion115 and pristine SPEEK membranes, which revealed a higher coulombic efficiency of 96.3%–98.3%, comparable voltage efficiency of 88.4%–78.7% and higher energy efficiency of 85.1%–77.4% from 40 to 80 mA/cm2, respectively, and showed relatively good stability of the efficiency up to 50 cycles at 60 mA/cm2. The results demonstrated that the designed S/APP amphiprotic membrane of outstanding selectivity, high battery efficiency, and good durability is a prospected VRFB separator.
Novel potential yeast strains for the biotechnological production of xylitol from sugarcane bagasse
Authors: Palladino Fernanda , Rodrigues Rita C L B , Cadete Raquel M , Barros Katharina O , Rosa Carlos A
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to screen the xylitol‐producing strains of Cyberlindnera xylosilytica and Wickerhamomyces rabaulensis for the bioconversion of the hemicellulosic fraction of sugarcane bagasse. Among the 16 strains tested, two of each species (C. xylosilytica UFMG‐CM‐Y309 and UFMG‐CM‐Y409, and W. rabaulensis UFMG‐CM‐Y3716 and UFMG‐CM‐Y3747) were selected on the basis of xylitol yield (Yp/s) and xylitol volumetric productivity (Qp) in YPX broth (yeast extract, 10 g L−1; peptone, 20 g L−1; and d‐xylose, 60 g L−1). These strains were cultivated in sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate (SCHH) supplemented with ammonium sulfate, rice bran extract, and yeast extract. The xylitol yield was the highest in the strain C. xylosilytica UFMG‐CM‐Y‐309 with a production of 14.06 g L−1; xylitol yield, 0.63 g g−1; xylitol volumetric productivity, 0.20 g L−1 h−1. Xylitol yields ranged from 14% to 74% above those of other xylitol‐production yeast species. This work demonstrates the potential of biotechnological application of these yeasts for xylitol production. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Gender differences in decision‐making: The effects of gender stereotype threat moderated by sensitivity to punishment and fear of negative evaluation
Authors: Villanueva‐Moya Laura , Expósito Francisca
Published: February 2021

Research has demonstrated gender differences in the decision‐making process, showing that women make more disadvantageous risk decisions than men. However, these differences have not been examined in terms of psychosocial or socio‐structural variables, such as the gender stereotype threat. We conducted an experimental study (Ns = 105) to test the well‐established stereotype threat effect on decision‐making through the Iowa Gambling Task and the possible moderation of this effect by sensitivity to punishment and fear of negative evaluation. The results revealed that women under a stereotype threat condition make more disadvantageous risk decisions than men in the same conditions or women in the nonstereotype threat condition. Moreover, women greatly fearing negative evaluation seemed to make more disadvantageous risk decisions compared with other groups. These findings highlight the relevance of psychosocial variables that legitimize gender inequality, such as the stereotype threat and fear of negative evaluation, in women's decision‐making process.
Prepregnancy body mass index and spina bifida: Potential contributions of bias
Authors: Johnson Candice Y. , Honein Margaret A. , Rasmussen Sonja A. , Howards Penelope P. , Strickland Matthew J. , Flanders W. Dana ,   The National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: February 2021

Background

Epidemiologists have consistently observed associations between prepregnancy obesity and spina bifida in offspring. Most studies, however, used self‐reported body mass index (potential for exposure misclassification) and incompletely ascertained cases of spina bifida among terminations of pregnancy (potential for selection bias). We conducted a quantitative bias analysis to explore the potential effects of these biases on study results.

Methods

We included 808 mothers of fetuses or infants with spina bifida (case mothers) and 7,685 mothers of infants without birth defects (control mothers) from a population‐based case–control study, the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (1997–2011). First, we performed a conventional epidemiologic analysis, adjusting for potential confounders using logistic regression. Then, we used 5,000 iterations of probabilistic bias analysis to adjust for the combination of confounding, exposure misclassification, and selection bias.

Results

In the conventional confounding‐adjusted analysis, prepregnancy obesity was associated with spina bifida (odds ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.2, 1.7). In the probabilistic bias analysis, we tested nine different models for the combined effects of confounding, exposure misclassification, and selection bias. Results were consistent with a weak to moderate association between prepregnancy obesity and spina bifida, with the median odds ratios across the nine models ranging from 1.1 to 1.4.

Conclusions

Given our assumptions about the occurrence of bias in the study, our results suggest that exposure misclassification, selection bias, and confounding do not completely explain the association between prepregnancy obesity and spina bifida.
Controlled synthesis and upconversion luminescence properties of highly uniform and monodisperse β‐NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+ nanocrystals
Authors: Zhu Ming , Nawaz Muhammad Azhar Hayat , Niu Niu , Ren Jia , Liu Ning , Yu Cong , Li Yunhui
Published: February 2021

Ytterbium, thulium (Yb3+,Tm3+) co‐doped β‐NaYF4 upconversion nanocrystals (U‐NCs) were synthesized by a convenient hydrothermal method using sodium citrate as a capping agent. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that NCs phase structures were dependent on reaction time. Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that the morphology of U‐NCs could be controlled by adjusting the concentration of sodium citrate added in the hydrothermal reaction. Moreover, the emission spectra of the U‐NCs were investigated to evaluate upconversion efficiency. Strong luminescence intensity of the U‐NCs was observed after tuned with optimized concentration of sodium citrate. Furthermore, the U‐NCs were incubated with MCF‐7 cells at 37°C for 24 h. Under irradiation of a 980 nm laser, the upconversion blue emission of the NCs in MCF‐7 cells can be clearly observed through a confocal microscope with an upconversion imaging system and high quality upconversion luminescence images can be acquired. Thus, prepared β‐NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+ NCs provide us with highly efficient luminescent probes which can be applied for diverse bio‐applications.
Quantitative Proteomics Using 18O Labeling on Target Peptides and Unlabeled Standards
Authors: Truong Hai Ngo Dang , Lim Jae‐Min
Published: February 2021

A combination of mass spectrometry (MS) and 18O‐water labeling has been applied to absolute quantitative proteomics. We introduce a new method called quantitative analysis using unlabeled standards and isotope‐labeled analytes (QAUSIA). An experimental procedure with multiple‐step 18O labeling is proposed to produce such 18O‐enriched peptides for investigation of labeling efficiency, response factor, and calibration curve. Furthermore, calibration curves employing unlabeled peptide as internal standard showed good linearity and similar slopes calculated from the mass spectra and the extracted ion chromatograms. Subsequently, the QAUSIA strategy was implemented on the targeted peptide of ovalbumin, and the calibration slope obtained from QAUSIA using the unlabeled synthetic peptide as a standard showed very similar results to the AQUA‐based approach. In addition, the concentration of the QAUSIA strategy using the targeted peptide of ovalbumin was 5.07 ± 0.14 nmol with respect to the theoretical expected value of 5.02 nmol, showing excellent accuracy.
Asymmetric Synthesis of (−)‐Dictyopterene C' and its Derivatives via Catalytic Enantioselective Cyclopropanation
Authors: Kim Taehyeong , Kim Jae Yeon , Park Kyung Yee , Ryu Do Hyun
Published: February 2021

An efficient and simple method for enantioselective synthesis of (−)‐dictyopterene C' and its derivatives was developed on the basis of chiral oxazaborolidinium ion‐catalyzed enantioselective cyclopropanation and divinylcyclopropane‐cycloheptadiene rearrangement. Utilizing the Julia‐Kocienski reaction and Sonogashira and Suzuki coupling reactions, various 1,4‐cycloheptadiene compounds were synthesized with good results.
Leveraging STARA competencies and green creativity to boost green organisational innovative evidence: A praxis for sustainable development
Authors: Ogbeibu Samuel , Jabbour Charbel Jose Chiappetta , Gaskin James , Senadjki Abdelhak , Hughes Mathew
Published: February 2021

Radical technological advancements and the relentless progression of climate change compel organisations to ensure their workforce consistently exercise their creativity toward innovative green initiatives. These endeavours are essential to achieve the United Nations' (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs). To do so, organisations require competencies fundamental to smart technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics and algorithms (STARA). STARA competencies are relevant for leaders to bolster green organisational innovative evidence (GOIE). GOIE can help to attract potential investors keen on advancing the UN's SDG agenda on environmental sustainability. However, eclipsed by a volatile environment, and despite the green innovation potential of several manufacturing organisations, investors are reluctant to invest and commit funds without evidence of green innovation. We therefore, investigate how leader STARA competence (LSC), green creativity components (task motivation, creativity skills and expertise) and environmental dynamism can aid organisations to boost their GOIE. Our key findings are as follows: (a) though green task motivation shows a stronger association with green creativity skills, LSC has a large influence on green creativity skills; (b) green creativity skills exert a strong influence on GOIE while also playing a competitive and complimentary mediating role in our model and (c) environmental dynamism is negatively associated with green creativity skills and GOIE. Furthermore, to validate indirect (v) effects size in mediation analysis, we propose a new and more approachable benchmark for v effect size estimations. Organisational and environmental policy implications are discussed.
Does campus disciplinary authority extend to pandemic‐related conduct issues?
Authors: Porter Michael
Published: February 2021

Although there are exceptions, most institutions’ published disciplinary rules and processes focus only on conduct that occurs on campus or at institution‐related off‐campus events. But the COVID‐19 pandemic has created some challenges regarding institutional jurisdiction for off‐campus conduct. Seeking to reduce the likelihood of COVID‐19 transmission, institutions have set rules and expectations about student behavior in their daily lives even off‐campus and even beyond institution‐related activities. Some legal challenges have arisen regarding pandemic‐related conduct and discipline.
The top 5 FERPA sections: Practical applications, what happens when someone messes up, best practices
Authors: Rainsberger Richard
Published: February 2021

What do you do when you receive a call that a faculty member has inadvertently posted an Excel spreadsheet containing student names and grades to the learning management system and, by the time he realizes and removes the file, some students have viewed their classmates’ grades?
Review rulings related to retaliation, the ADA, and the Rehabilitation Act
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: February 2021

An overview of the key topics faced by campus administrators with citations to noteworthy cases, statutes, regulations, and additional sources.
Gender Differences among Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth in Israel
Authors: Shilo Guy , Preis Heidi , Peled Einat
Published: February 2021

Research on commercial sexual exploitation (COMSE) of youth tends to focus on young females as victims, and much less is known about male and transgender commercially sexually exploited youth (COMSEY). Understanding the psychosocial background and past COMSE experiences among COMSEY is important to provide support for gender‐specific or gender‐inclusive interventions for COMSEY. The study included 57 cisgender females, 40 males and 23 transgender females who received services from a multi‐module programme for COMSEY in Israel. Case managers provided data on the youth regarding background characteristics, health variables and COMSE experiences prior to entering the service. The youth had similar rates in most psychosocial background characteristics, including being a victim of abuse. Cisgender females were less likely than cisgender males and transgender females to be from an ethnic minority and more likely to have been in out‐of‐home placement. Past experiences of COMSE were also similar between genders, though cisgender females were less involved in street prostitution and more likely to have been sexually abused during COMSE. The findings provide support for a gender‐inclusive approach to intervention with COMSEY and call for re‐consideration of present gender‐specific interventions in this domain. Further research on intervention with COMSEY is needed, specifically regarding male and transgender COMSEY.

‘The study included 57 cisgender females, 40 males and 23 transgender females who received services from a multi‐module programme for COMSEY in Israel’

Key Practitioner Messages

Youth who sell or swap sex have troubled pasts, regardless of their gender.

There are more similarities than differences in psychosocial backgrounds and past sexual exploitation experiences between cisgender females, cisgender males and transgender females.

Empirical evidence to support the need for gender‐specific intervention was not demonstrated among these youth.

Gender‐inclusive interventions may be an appropriate approach and will promote access to treatment for all commercially exploited youth.
Pivot your community outreach efforts online during the pandemic
Authors: Rahn Josh
Published: February 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has disrupted normal operations at college campuses everywhere, and administrators have learned on the fly how to keep valuable programs moving forward despite numerous unexpected challenges.
New center expands responses to sexual violence
Authors: Santovec Mary Lou
Published: February 2021

If actions speak louder than words, then the new Sexual and Relationship Violence Center at the University of Arkansas is a prime example. Opened in fall 2019, the SRVC is the logical progression of a series of programs, consultations, and services the university has offered around sexual and relationship violence since 1988.
Keep a journal for reflection and responsibility
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: February 2021

While scrolling through LinkedIn recently, I happened upon an article from Harvard Business Review entitled “The More Senior Your Job Title, the More You Need to Keep a Journal.” Dan Ciampa wrote, “Journal entries should provide not only a record of what happened but how we reacted emotionally; writing it down brings a certain clarity that puts things in perspective.” He added, “A personal journal should be part of any leader's toolkit.”
Does campus disciplinary authority extend to pandemic‐related conduct issues?
Authors: Porter Michael
Published: February 2021

Although there are exceptions, most institutions’ published disciplinary rules and processes focus only on conduct that occurs on campus or at institution‐related off‐campus events. But the COVID‐19 pandemic has created some challenges regarding institutional jurisdiction for off‐campus conduct. Seeking to reduce the likelihood of COVID‐19 transmission, institutions have set rules and expectations about student behavior in their daily lives even off‐campus and even beyond institution‐related activities. Some legal challenges have arisen regarding pandemic‐related conduct and discipline. The following hypothetical scenarios can help shed light on the legal quandaries that can arise:
Who decides what ‘normal’ is?
Authors: Zacarese Lawrence M.
Published: February 2021

By the time you read this, we will have surpassed the one‐year mark of the start of the COVID‐19 global pandemic, and many of us will have returned to campus for the spring semester. That will undoubtedly look different across the nation and around the world. Depending on where you are, local infection rates, lockdown protocols, and everyday life vary greatly.
Heed valuable lessons learned from latest decision in Sandusky case
Authors: O'Brien Timothy
Published: February 2021

The Sandusky case once again garnered national headlines when a federal appeals court recently addressed the conviction of Graham Spanier, the former president of Penn State. Spanier had challenged his misdemeanor conviction for child endangerment that was based on his failure to report Sandusky's conduct to state authorities.
Take a closer look at potential legislative developments addressing NIL and transfers
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: February 2021

To help schools prepare for managing the quickly changing and complex legal landscape involving transfers and name, image, and likeness, the NCAA's Chief Operating Officer/Chief Legal Officer Donald M. Remy hosted a virtual webinar with members of the 117th U.S. Congress as part of the annual NCAA Convention.
Learn how NCAA violations, enforcement process have been evolving in a COVID‐19 world
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: February 2021

You could say that when it comes to NCAA violations and enforcement during the COVID‐19 pandemic, not much has changed but somehow everything has changed. While many of the same types of violations continue to occur, and the NCAA continues its enforcement process, it does all look a bit different. To provide an overview and some insight into the violation trends across all divisions, and how the pandemic has impacted the enforcement process, the NCAA's Mark Hicks, Managing Director of Enforcement — Development; Jon Duncan, Vice President of Enforcement; and Derrick Crawford, Managing Director of Enforcement — Investigations and Processing, gave a virtual presentation as part of the annual NCAA Convention.
Softball teaches lessons in leadership
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: February 2021

I didn't play team sports when I was a kid. When I got married, I acquired a nine‐year‐old stepson who played soccer. It wasn't until his daughters began to play softball at ages 4 and 9 that I had any interest in the sport. For the last six years, I have spent a considerable amount of time every spring and fall watching recreational‐league softball. I have learned a thing or two.
Remote ischemic conditioning: Feeling the squeeze
Authors: Flood Shane , Abbott J. Dawn
Published: February 2021

Key Points

Adjunctive strategies to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) that limit infarct size represent an unmet clinical need.

The ability of remote ischemic conditioning to improve clinical outcomes in acute myocardial infarction treated with pPCI is not supported by clinical trials.

The current study is consistent and found no improvement in myocardial salvage index by MRI at 6 months in patients with pPCI for anterior STEMI randomized to remote ischemic per‐postconditioning versus sham.
Women and transcatheter aortic valve implantation: Also a mismatch could be tomorrow's best match
Authors: Saia Francesco
Published: February 2021

Key Points

What the article teaches. Patient prosthesis mismatch (PPM) occurs in a third of women after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), in association with small valve size and higher BMI, apparently without short‐term clinical consequences.

How it will impact practice. Implementation strategies to minimize the incidence of PPM in patients at risk, that are mainly women, is important.

What new research/study would help answer the question posed. Differential clinical impact of PPM on TAVR and surgical aortic valve replacement should be further investigated, as well as the hypothesis that TAVR might represent the best therapeutic option for women with severe aortic stenosis.
Revascularization in patients with diabetes and chronic total occlusion: The journey or the destination?
Authors: Razzouk Louai , Jneid Hani
Published: February 2021

Key Points

Diabetic patients have higher rates of multivessel coronary artery disease with a chronic total occlusion (CTO).

Medical therapy is associated with worse outcomes compared to surgical revascularization and successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in diabetic patients with CTO.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery achieves more complete revascularization compared to PCI, and appears to impart superior outcomes in diabetic patients with CTO. Improving CTO revascularization techniques and outcomes may bridge this disparity in outcomes.
Acute ischemic stroke and the acute need for expansion of stroke teams and their membership
Authors: Andress Krystof , Moliterno David J.
Published: February 2021

Key Points

This database review of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) receiving endovascular stroke therapy (EST) revealed an encouraging increase in the number of procedures performed between 2015 and 2019.

However, given the likely low proportion of patients with large‐vessel‐occlusion AIS who receive EST, there is still a significant unmet need.

Given the urgent nature of AIS and lack of neurointerventionalists at some community hospitals, creation and expansion of stroke teams to include appropriately trained interventional cardiologists could improve time‐to‐treatment metrics and outcomes.
Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn – An atypical case with typical complications
Authors: Lorenzo Cristina , Romana Andreia , Matias Joana , Calhau Paulo
Published: February 2021

Subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn should be considered in newborns with suggestive skin lesions, even in the absence of perinatal distress. SCFN may cause long‐standing complications, like hypertriglyceridemia or hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia can be refractory to therapy and lead to poor weight gain and nephrocalcinosis, which should be closely monitored.
Modelling of the adsorption of urea herbicides by tropical soils with an Adaptive‐Neural‐based Fuzzy Inference System
Authors: Agbaogun Babatunde K. , Alonso Jose M. , Buddenbaum Henning , Fischer Klaus
Published: February 2021

Sorption of pesticides by soils holds a major consequence for their fate in the environment. As such, sorption coefficient (Kd/Koc), which is derived from laboratory or field experiments is a fundamental parameter used in almost all screening tools to evaluate the fate or mobility of these compounds. The value of this coefficient is controlled by many soil and solute specific properties, as well as environmental variables. Soft computing techniques such as Adaptive Neuro‐Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) have been successfully used to predict the equilibrium partitioning of many compounds in various engineered systems. Application of these techniques to natural systems such as soils is however lacking. Here, we present the use of ANFIS in predicting the sorption per unit mass of soil, Qe, used in the calculation of Kd/Koc of compounds in soils. In a previous study, we collected data associated to the adsorption of five phenylurea herbicides in 18 tropical soils. Here, we analysed such data and based on established correlations, nine variables were selected as potential input vectors (i.e., six soil properties, two herbicides molecular descriptors and initial solute concentrations). A total of 255 ANFIS models of one to eight input vectors were elaborated under 10‐fold cross‐validation. Multiple linear regression (MLR) models were similarly developed, and compared with the ANFIS in terms of mean absolute error (MAE), root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The best ANFIS model (M94) has an MAEtest, RMSEtest and R2test of 3.43 ± 0.43, 4.94 ± 0.80 and 0.95 ± 0.01, respectively, whereas the best MLR model (M13) returned an MAE, RMSE and R2 of 7.71 ± 0.13, 10.11 ± 1.21 and 0.81 ± 0.01, respectively. We observed that generally ANFIS performed better than MLR regarding both accuracy and interpretability. Accordingly, we recommend the use of ANFIS for predicting the sorption coefficients of phenylurea herbicides (PUHs) in soils.
Implementation of cascaded asymmetrical multilevel inverter for renewable energy integration
Authors: Anand Vishal , Singh Varsha
Published: February 2021

This paper aims to develop a new cascaded asymmetrical multilevel inverter with less number of switches for photovoltaic power generation. The structure contains three sources and 11 switches. A design of proposed structure is suggested for PV application. A few more algorithms for cascade extension are also proposed to obtained maximum voltage levels using least numbers of switching devices. PD LS‐PWM modulation is used to control gate pulses of the switches. The structure produce 15 levels using one inverter, whereas 85 levels using a cascaded inverter. The magnitude of sources in cascade inverter is governed by algorithms. A comparative assessment for optimal algorithm is developed considering, sources, switches, and other performance parameters. The simulation and hardware is performed for 15‐level and 85‐level asymmetrical inverter for variation in modulation index and frequency. The efficiency of multilevel inverter is evaluated using PSIM tool. The performance indices, power loss analysis, switching stresses, and blocking voltages across the switches are simulated and validated. The cascade structure, 85 levels produce high quality waveform, for which THD is less than 5%. Thus, this structure suits series combination of various PV panels and achieve power utilising renewable energy sources.
Analytical tuning of 2‐DOF smith predictor control scheme for DC‐DC boost converter: A process control perspective
Authors: Shruti P. , Praveen Y. G. , Vipin C. P. , Babu B. C.
Published: February 2021

Stringent voltage regulation in a DC‐DC boost converter is a classical engineering problems in theory of power conversion. Voltage Mode Control (VMC) of boost converter is difficult for two principal reasons. First and foremost, of these two reasons, is the converter's non‐minimum phase (NMP) behavior that arises due to the presence of the dynamic right half plane zero (RHPZ) in control to output (c2o) transfer function in VMC. Second reason is the presence of parametric uncertainties* in converter during its continuous conduction mode (CCM) operation. This paper combines theory of smith predictor with boost converter for (i) analytically computing gains of PID controller, (ii) design of a low pass filter to deal with challenges posed by dynamic RHPZ. This two degrees of freedom (2‐DOF) control scheme is analytically derived as a function of the converter's parameters. Gains of PID controller, deduced in terms of circuit's parameter, are used in sequel for extensive simulation analysis of the converter's control loop. Results in this paper establish that the proposed 2‐DOF‐SP outperforms certain well known control schemes used in regulating output voltage and disturbance attenuation in boost converter.
CCL4‐mediated targeting of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibitor using nanoparticles alleviates inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Gong Wenbin , Yu Jiafei , Zheng Tao , Liu Peizhao , Zhao Fan , Liu Juanhan , Hong Zhiwu , Ren Huajian , Gu Guosheng , Wang Gefei , Wu Xiuwen , Zhao Yun , Ren Jianan
Published: February 2021

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has emerged a global disease and the ascending incidence and prevalence is accompanied by elevated morbidity, mortality, and substantial healthcare system costs. However, the current typical one‐size‐fits‐all therapeutic approach is suboptimal for a substantial proportion of patients due to the variability in the course of IBD and a considerable number of patients do not have positive response to the clinically approved drugs, so there is still a great, unmet demand for novel alternative therapeutic approaches. Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), a cytoplasmic nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase, plays crucial roles in signal transduction and there are emerging data implicating that Syk participates in pathogenesis of several gut disorders, such as IBD. In this study, we observed the Syk expression in IBD patients and explored the effects of therapeutic Syk inhibition using small‐molecule Syk inhibitor piceatannol in bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs). In addition, due to the poor bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of small‐molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors and superiority of targeting nanoparticles‐based drug delivery system, we herein prepared piceatannol‐encapsulated poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) nanoparticles that conjugated with chemokine C–C motif ligand 4 (P‐NPs‐C) and studied its therapeutic effects in vitro in BMDMs and in vivo in experimental colitis model. Our results indicated that in addition to alleviating colitis, oral administration of P‐NPs‐C promoted the restoration of intestinal barrier function and improved intestinal microflora dysbiosis, which represents a promising treatment for IBD.
The role of food selectivity in the association between child autistic traits and constipation
Authors: Harris Holly A. , Micali Nadia , Moll Henriette A. , van Berckelaer‐Onnes Ina , Hillegers Manon , Jansen Pauline W.
Published: February 2021

Objective

This study examines the association between child autistic traits and constipation symptoms, and explores whether this association is mediated by food selectivity.

Method

The sample included participants (N = 2,818) from the population‐based birth cohort, Generation R (Rotterdam, the Netherlands). Parents reported their child's autistic traits at 6 years (using the Social Responsiveness Scale), food selectivity at 10 years (using the Stanford Feeding Questionnaire) and the frequency and severity of constipation symptoms they experienced at 10 years (using the ROME III functional constipation diagnostic criteria). Mediation analyses tested mediation through food selectivity in the association of autistic traits and the number of constipation symptoms, adjusting for covariates.

Results

There was a positive association between parent‐reported child autistic traits and constipation symptoms (r = 0.08, p < .001). We identified a significant indirect effect of autistic traits on constipation symptoms through food selectivity (β = 0.008, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.002, 0.014).

Discussion

This study provides empirical support for the mediating role of food selectivity in the association between autistic traits and constipation. Behavioral interventions aimed to target food selectivity and support families of children with autistic traits may bolster conventional medical and nutritional treatments to alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation.
Hunger games: Associations between core eating disorder symptoms and responses to rejection by peers during competition
Authors: Schell Sarah E. , Banica Iulia , Weinberg Anna , Racine Sarah E.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Individuals with eating disorder (ED) symptoms are sensitive to social threat and report maladaptive interpersonal styles that may contribute to and exacerbate negative evaluation from others. Research in this area has relied primarily on self‐report. The current study examined associations between behavioral responses to social threat and core ED symptoms using a behavioral paradigm. Based on previous findings that individuals with binge‐eating report being more reactive and confrontational, whereas individuals with dietary restriction tend to be more submissive and avoidant of conflict, we hypothesized that binge eating would be associated with a greater tendency to retaliate against rejection perpetrators, whereas dietary restriction would be associated with a lower tendency to retaliate when rejected.

Method

Undergraduate women (N = 132) completed a self‐report measure of ED symptoms and participated in an online “Survivor”‐type game in which they voted to either accept or reject computerized coplayers, while also receiving acceptance or rejection feedback from others.

Results

Neither ED symptom was associated with how often participants retaliated against coplayers who rejected them. However, dietary restriction was related to more rejection votes overall (i.e., the tendency to reject others regardless of how others voted).

Discussion

Findings suggest that individuals with dietary restriction may rely on a maladaptive defensive strategy aimed at pre‐empting rejection, or alternatively, have difficulty shifting from habitual self‐isolating behavior that results from over‐involvement with restricting symptoms. Interventions targeting hypersensitivity to social threat or interpersonal flexibility may help reduce interpersonal stress and mitigate its impact on restricting symptoms.
Strong influence of climatic extremes on diversity of benthic algae and cyanobacteria in a lowland intermittent stream
Authors: Lukács Áron , Bácsi István , Nemes‐Kókai Zsuzsanna , Borics Gábor , Várbíró Gábor , T‐Krasznai Enikő , B‐Béres Viktória
Published: February 2021

Freshwater ecosystems are threatened by the global change‐induced extreme climatic events worldwide. The unpredictable changes in water supply create strongly disturbed environments and ultimately result in diversity changes. Here, we studied the formation of benthic algal and cyanobacterial assemblages under intermediately disturbed (IDC) and highly disturbed conditions (HDC) in a small lowland intermittent stream. We addressed our hypotheses to the Intermediate Disturbance Theory supposing that intermediate frequencies or intensities of disturbances maximise diversity independently of its level. We expected a larger influence of extremes in water supply on functional than on taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity. Our results only partially proved our first hypothesis highlighting the (i) importance of short‐time but intense disturbing effect on biofilm formation and trait composition under IDC period and (ii) the instability within the assemblages caused by large and opposing influences during HDC. Although extreme weather events caused trait extremes (supporting second hypothesis), they did not result in a decrease in functional richness (rejecting the second hypothesis). These findings in accordance with the insurance hypothesis clearly stress that a system with high functional redundancy can keep its functionality even under drastic hydrological conditions and the accompanying loss of species.
Climate adaptation in practice: How mainstreaming strategies matter for policy integration
Authors: Braunschweiger Dominik , Pütz Marco
Published: February 2021

With some level of climate change now inevitable, climate policy around the world has evolved in recent decades to include adaptation to the impacts of climate change. Most industrialized countries have formulated national adaptation strategies to meet this challenge. However, the implementation of on‐the‐ground measures is lagging. To analyze the implementation process and possible reasons for the implementation gap, we take a closer look at how the integration of adaptation goals into various sectoral policies—often called mainstreaming—has been handled on different administrative levels in Switzerland. Going beyond traditional compilations of barriers to climate change adaptation, we analyze the use of six different mainstreaming strategies across cases and levels and the reasons for their success or lack thereof. We find that different actors at all administrative levels have successfully employed programmatic mainstreaming in combination with inter‐organizational mainstreaming to foster horizontal cooperation. We call this strategy cooperative mainstreaming. Some pioneers even managed to channel their successes into advances in regulatory mainstreaming. However, the lack of systematic regulatory and directed mainstreaming on the national and cantonal levels largely limits adaptation actions on lower levels to those cases where the major impetus derives from extreme events or proactive individuals on the ground. We conclude that the adaptation implementation gap in Switzerland largely stems from the lack of political commitment to promoting local adaptation at the national and cantonal levels.
Metal Halide Perovskites for Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Narayanan Saranya , Parikh Nishi , Tavakoli Mohammad Mahdi , Pandey Manoj , Kumar Manoj , Kalam Abul , Trivedi Suverna , Prochowicz Daniel , Yadav Pankaj
Published: February 2021

The increasing global energy demand requires the coordinated development of energy conversion and energy storage materials. Metal halide perovskites have emerged as strong semiconductor candidates for both applications. While metal halide perovskites have received much attention for a range of energy conversion devices, there is a limited use of these materials in energy storage devices. This review summarizes the current status of metal halide perovskites for Li‐ion battery and supercapacitor applications while mainly focusing on the device architecture, synthesis method, and material properties. Special attention is placed on the impact of the morphology, defect density and doping of the perovskite active layer on the performance of these devices. Finally, perspectives for the further development of this field are proposed.
Orange Peel Derived‐Nitrogen and Sulfur Co‐doped Carbon Dots: a Nano‐booster for Enhancing ORR Electrocatalytic Performance of 3D Graphene Networks
Authors: Karaman Ceren
Published: February 2021

Herein, nitrogen, sulfur co‐doped carbon dots (N,S−CDs) have been synthesized by a cost‐natural fabrication method using waste orange‐peel as a natural‐carbon‐precursor. N,S−CDs have been hydrothermally anchored to the three‐dimensional‐graphene‐networks (3D−GNs) to boost the electrocatalytic activity by a defective surface effect. Due to the synergistic utilization of heteroatoms, and effective mass‐transfer and improved transport kinetics resulting from interconnected 3D‐architecture, N,S−CDs anchored 3D−GNs (N,S−CDs@3D−GNs) grant superior oxygen‐reduction‐reaction (ORR) activity. N,S−CDs@3D−GNs exhibit a dominant four‐electron pathway (n=3.89) for ORR in alkaline media besides superior methanol tolerance and robust stability. This work opens a door for converting low‐value agricultural wastes into value‐added materials for utilizing in energy application.
Smart integration of food and bioenergy production delivers on multiple ecosystem services
Authors: Koppelmäki Kari , Lamminen Marjukka , Helenius Juha , Schulte Rogier P. O.
Published: February 2021

Agriculture is expected to feed an increasing global population while at the same time meeting demands for renewable energy and the supply of ecosystem services such as provision of nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration. However, the current structure of the agricultural system works against meeting these expectations. The spatial separation of crop and livestock farms has created negative environmental consequences, and bioenergy production has created a trade‐off between food and energy production. In this paper, we explore the opportunities for ecological intensification at a regional scale made possible by combining food and energy production. We built three scenarios representing farming systems including biogas production using grass biomass and manure. These scenarios included the following: (a) The current system with energy production (CSE) from non‐edible agricultural biomasses (CSE). (b) Agroecological symbiosis (AES) identical to CSE except with 20% of the arable cropping area converted to clover‐grasses for use in biogas production. (c) Agroecological symbiosis with livestock (AES‐LST) where the available grass biomass (20% as in the AES) is fed to livestock and manure then used as a feedstock in biogas production. In each scenario, nutrients were circulated back to crops in the form of digestate. The supply of soil functions (primary production for food and energy, provision of nutrient cycling, and climate mitigation) and impacts on water quality through nutrient losses in these three scenarios were then compared to the current system. Integrating biogas production into food production resulted in an increased supply of nutrient recycling, reduced nutrient losses, and increased carbon inputs to the soils indicating enhanced climate mitigation. Food production was either not affected (CSE), increased (AES‐LST), or decreased (AES), and biogas was produced in substantial quantities in each scenario. Our study demonstrated potential synergies in integrating food and energy production without compromising other ecosystem services in each scenario.
Reply to Letter to the Editor regarding “Temporal bone carcinoma: Novel prognostic score based on clinical and histological features”
Authors: Zanoletti Elisabetta , Frigo Anna Chiara , Franz Leonardo , Cazzador Diego , Franchella Sebastiano , Favaretto Niccolò , Calvanese Leonardo , Nicolai Piero , Mazzoni Antonio , Marioni Gino
Published: February 2021

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