bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship among fear and anxiety of COVID‐19, pregnancy experience, and mental health disorder in pregnant women: A structural equation model
Authors: Salehi Leili , Rahimzadeh Mitra , Molaei Elham , Zaheri Hamideh , Esmaelzadeh‐Saeieh Sara
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Coronavirus pandemic causes stress and anxiety for pregnant women worldwide. The present study was conducted for the path analysis of the relationship among fear and anxiety caused by coronavirus, pregnancy experience, and the mental health of pregnant women.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted on 222 pregnant women who were referred to Kamali Hospital in Alborz province in 2020. The eligible individuals entered the study through convenience sampling, and data were collected using five questionnaires including the Fear of COVID‐19 Scale, the Anxiety of COVID‐19 Scale, the pregnancy experiences Scales, Depression Anxiety Stress scale, and demographic checklist. The obtained data were then analyzed using SPSS‐16 and Amos software.

Results

According to results of the path analysis, the anxiety of COVID‐19 and concerns during pregnancy were variables that were positively and significantly correlated with mental health only through one path, which was direct, and anxiety of COVID‐19 had also the highest positive direct correlation among them (B = 0.32). The next variable was the happiness during pregnancy experiencing, which had a significantly negative and direct correlation with mental health disorder (B = 0.29). Moreover, fear of COVID‐19 through the mediating concerns of pregnancy experiences was shown to have a significant positive relationship with mental health through an indirect path (B = 0.05).

Conclusion

Based on the result of this study, it is necessary to pay more attention to the mental health of pregnant women during a pandemic. In addition, it is recommended to provide a virtual training group to reduce anxiety caused by coronavirus and pregnancy concerns, as well as emphasizing the feeling of enjoying happiness caused by pregnancy experience during a pandemic.
Microsurgical anatomy of language
Authors: Vanacôr Clarissa Nunes , Isolan Gustavo Rassier , Yu Yang Han , Telles João Paulo Mota , Oberman Dan Zimelewicz , Rabelo Nícollas Nunes , Figueiredo Eberval Gadelha
Published: September 2020

The localizationist model, which focused on classical cortical areas such as Broca's and Wernicke's, can no longer explain how language processing works. Over recent years, several studies have revealed new language‐related cortical and subcortical areas, resulting in a transition from localizationist concepts to a hodotopical model. These studies have described language processing as an extensive and complex network of multiple interconnected cortical areas and subcortical pathways, differing from the classical circuit described by the localizationist perspective. The hodotopical model was made possible by a paradigm shift in the treatment of cerebral tumors, especially low‐grade gliomas: total or subtotal tumor resections with cortical and subcortical mapping on awake patients have become the gold standard treatment for lesions located in the dominant hemisphere. In this article, we review current understating of the microsurgical anatomy of language.
Characteristics and prognostic significance of genetic mutations in acute myeloid leukemia based on a targeted next‐generation sequencing technique
Authors: Wang Rui‐Qi , Chen Chong‐Jian , Jing Yu , Qin Jia‐Yue , Li Yan , Chen Guo‐Feng , Zhou Wei , Li Yong‐Hui , Wang Juan , Li Da‐Wei , Zhao Hong‐Mei , Wang Bian‐Hong , Wang Li‐Li , Wang Hong , Wang Meng‐Zhen , Gao Xiao‐Ning , Yu Li
Published: September 2020

To explore the characteristics and prognostic significance of genetic mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), we screened the gene mutation profile of 171 previously untreated AML patients using a next‐generation sequencing technique targeting 127 genes with potential prognostic significance. A total of 390 genetic alterations were identified in 149 patients with a frequency of 87.1%. Younger age and high sensitivity to induction chemotherapy were associated with a lower number of mutations. NPM1 mutation was closely related to DNMT3A and FLT3‐internal tandem duplication (FLT3‐ITD) mutations, but mutually exclusive with ASXL1 mutation and CEBPAdouble mutation. In univariate analysis, ASXL1 or TET2 mutation predicted shorter overall survival (OS) or relapse‐free survival (RFS), DNMT3A, FLT3‐ITD, or RUNX1 mutation predicted a higher likelihood of remission‐induction failure, whereas NRAS mutation or CEBPAdouble mutation predicted longer OS. Concurrent DNMT3A, FLT3‐ITD, and NPM1 mutations predicted shorter OS. Hypomethylation agents could improve the OS in patients with DNA methylation‐related mutations. According to multivariate analysis, TET2 mutation was recognized as an independent prognostic factors for RFS. In summary, our study provided a detailed pattern of gene mutations and their prognostic relevance in Chinese AML patients based on targeted next‐generation sequencing screening.
Current progress in cancer immunotherapy based on natural killer cells
Authors: Bagheri Yasin , Barati Alireza , Aghebati‐Maleki Ali , Aghebati‐Maleki Leili , Yousefi Mehdi
Published: September 2020

One of the most common diseases in the present era is cancer. The common treatment methods used to control cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Despite progress in the treatment of cancers, there still is no definite therapeutic approach. Among the currently proposed strategies, immunotherapy is a new approach that can provide better outcomes compared with existing therapies. Employing natural killer (NK) cells is one of the means of immunotherapy. As innate lymphocytes, NK cells are capable of rapidly responding to cancer cells without being sensitized or restricted to the cognate antigen in advance, as compared to T cells that are tumor antigen‐specific. Latest insights into the biology of NK cells have clarified the underlying molecular mechanisms of NK cell maturation and differentiation, as well as controlling their effector functions through the investigation of the ligands and receptors engaged in recognizing cancer cells by NK cells. Elucidating the fact that NK cells recognize cancer cells could similarly show the mechanism through which cancer cells possibly avoid NK cell‐dependent immune surveillance. Additionally, the expectations for novel immunotherapies by targeting NK cells have increased through the latest clinical outcomes of T–cell‐targeted cancer immunotherapy. For this emerging method, researchers are still attempting to develop protocols for conferring the best proliferation and expansion medium, activation pathways, utilization dosage, transferring methods, as well as reducing possible side effects in cancer therapy. This study reviews the NK cells, their proliferation and expansion methods, and their recent applications in cancer immunotherapy.
A diffuse rash in a patient after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant for AML
Authors: Ferdjallah Asmaa , Boull Christina L. , Stefanski Heather , Ebens Christen L.
Published: September 2020

Sweet's syndrome associated with relapse of leukemia suggests abnormal neutrophil response to transformation of dysfunctional leukemia blast cells, and hence, relapse should be excluded in similar clinical situation.
Very rare presentation of perforated appendiceal adenocarcinoma within a prolapsed colostomy
Authors: Alwatari Yahya , Gardner Graham , Fernandez Leopoldo , Shah Syed
Published: September 2020

Appendiceal adenocarcinoma is rare with variable presentations. Perforation of the appendix within prolapsed ostomy can have peritoneal spread for which intraperitoneal chemotherapy should be considered. Surveillance is essential for these patients.
Portal hypertension: An uncommon presentation of Caroli's syndrome
Authors: Raut Akash , Shrestha Suraj , Homagain Sushan , Jayswal Amar , Ghimire Bikal
Published: September 2020

Portal hypertension is not a classical presentation of Caroli's syndrome. However, some young children can present with overt signs and symptoms indicative of advanced disease state despite the improvement in imaging technology which has decreased its diagnostic age. High index of clinical suspicion can help in timely diagnosis and management.
Octagonal Flower‐like CuO/C/NF Nanocomposite as a Self‐Supporting Anode for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Ruili , Li Xuehong , Ni Liping , Xie Anjian , Li Panpan , Shen Yuhua , Lao Li
Published: September 2020

At present, the high theoretical specific capacity CuO‐based anodes are considered as a potential host for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Unfortunately, the intrinsic poor conductivity of metal oxide and the huge volume expansion during the cycling caused serve capacity fading and unsatisfactory cycling stability. Here, a porous free‐standing octagonal flower‐like copper oxide (CuO)/carbon(C)/nickel foam (NF) multilevel structure is synthesized. The design of carbon‐coated ensures excellent mechanical strength, chemical stability and conductivity of nanocomposite, which effectively prevent the collapse and corrosion of the active material during cycle. In addition, 3D interconnected structure shortened the transmission distance of electrons and Li+, improving the ability of fast charge and discharge. The CuO/C/NF electrode exhibits high performance in cycling as the anode material for LIBs. The initial charge/discharge specific capacity of the octagonal flower‐like CuO/C/NF electrode is 871.1 mA h g−1 and 916.06 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, respectively. It achieves an outstanding discharge specific capacity of 505 mA h g−1 at 2 A g−1 after 800 cycles. This work combines CuO with a conductive matrix (carbon) and a 3D porous NF, effectively enhancing the electrochemical properties of CuO, which is of certain significance to the further research.
Direct Water Injection in Catholyte‐Free Zero‐Gap Carbon Dioxide Electrolyzers
Authors: De Mot Bert , Ramdin Mahinder , Hereijgers Jonas , Vlugt Thijs J. H. , Breugelmans Tom
Published: September 2020

A zero‐gap flow electrolyzer with a tin‐coated gas diffusion electrode as the cathode was used to convert humidified gaseous CO2 to formate. The influence of humidification, flow pattern and the type of membrane on the faradaic efficiency (FE), product concentration, and salt precipitation were investigated. We demonstrated that water management in the gas diffusion electrode was crucial to avoid flooding and (bi)carbonate precipitation, to uphold a high FE and formate concentration. Direct water injection was validated as a novel approach for water management. At 100 mA/cm2, direct water injection in combination with an interdigitated flow channel resulted in a FE of 80 % and a formate concentration of 65.4+/−0.3 g/l without salt precipitation for a prolonged CO2 electrolysis of 1 h. The use of bipolar membranes in the zero‐gap configuration mainly produced hydrogen. These results are important for the design of commercial scale CO2 electrolyzers.
Waste Cleaning Waste: Combining Alginate with Biowaste‐Derived Substances in Hydrogels and Films for Water Cleanup
Authors: Tummino Maria Laura , Nisticò Roberto , Riedo Chiara , Fabbri Debora , Cerruti Marta , Magnacca Giuliana
Published: September 2020

Biowaste‐derived substances isolated from green compost (BBS‐GC) are environmentally friendly reactants similar to humic substances, which contain multiple functionalities, that are suitable for adsorbing different kinds of pollutants in wastewater. Herein, sodium alginate (derived from brown algae) cross‐linked with both Ca2+ ions and BBS‐GC in the form of hydrogels and dried films are proposed as green, easy‐to‐form, and handleable materials for tertiary water treatments. The results show that both hydrogels and films are mechanically stable and can effectively remove differently charged dyes through an adsorption mechanism that can be described by the Freundlich model. BBS‐GC‐containing gels always performed better than samples prepared without BBS‐GC, revealing that such unconventional materials can integrate waste valorization and water decontamination, potentially providing social and environmental benefits.
An Apparent Umpolung Reactivity of Indole through [Au]‐Catalysed Cyclisation and Lewis‐Acid‐Mediated Allylation
Authors: Shinde Mahesh H. , Ramana Chepuri V.
Published: September 2020

The sequential functionalization of indole C2 and C3 in an umpolung fashion was executed with a predesigned substrate and choice of reagents. The developed method comprises gold‐catalysed alkynol cycloisomerisation/intramolecular addition of C2 of indole and subsequent BF3⋅OEt2‐mediated regioselective C3 allylation, resulting in the synthesis of the functionalized indoloisoquinolinone scaffold. The reaction involves 5‐endo‐alkynol cycloisomerisation and the dearomative addition of indole C2 to the intermediate oxocarbenium cation, which results in two equilibrating fused and spiropentacyclic intermediates, which upon treatment with allyl silane in the presence of BF3⋅OEt2, undergo selective indole C3 allylation. Other nucleophiles, such as hydride, azide and indole, were also found to be compatible with this process.
Synchronous Electrocatalytic Design of Architectural and Electronic Structure Based on Bifunctional LDH‐Co3O4/NF toward Water Splitting
Authors: Wang Jiaxin , Song Yu‐Fei
Published: September 2020

The rational design of highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting is extremely urgent for application in sustainable energy conversion processes to alleviate the energy crisis and environmental pollution. In this work, through simple deposition of layered double hydroxides (LDH) on Co3O4/NF (NF=nickel foam) nanosheets arrays, hierarchical Co3+‐rich materials based on LDH‐Co3O4/NF are prepared as highly active and stable electrocatalysts for water splitting. The NiFe‐LDH‐Co3O4/NF demonstrates excellent electrochemical activity with an overpotential of 214 mV for the OER and an overpotential of 162 mV for the HER at 10 mA cm−2. Such a performance is attributed to the optimized electronic states with a high concentration of Co3+, which improves the intrinsic activity, and the sheet‐on‐sheet hierarchical structure, which increases the number of active sites. The unique synchronous design of both the architectural and electronic structure of nanomaterials can simultaneously accelerate the reaction kinetics and provide a more convenient charge transfer path. Therefore, the strategy reported herein may open a new pathway for the design of excellent electrocatalysts for water splitting.
Tuning Optical Properties by Controlled Aggregation: Electroluminescence Assisted by Thermally‐Activated Delayed Fluorescence from Thin Films of Crystalline Chromophores
Authors: Haldar Ritesh , Jakoby Marius , Kozlowska Mariana , Rahman Khan Motiur , Chen Hongye , Pramudya Yohanes , Richards Bryce S. , Heinke Lars , Wenzel Wolfgang , Odobel Fabrice , Diring Stéphane , Howard Ian A. , Lemmer Uli , Wöll Christof
Published: September 2020

Several photophysical properties of chromophores depend crucially on intermolecular interactions. Thermally‐activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) is often influenced by close packing of the chromophore assembly. In this context, the metal‐organic framework (MOF) approach has several advantages: it can be used to steer aggregation such that the orientation within aggregated structures can be predicted using rational approaches. We demonstrate this design concept for a DPA‐TPE (diphenylamine‐tetraphenylethylene) chromophore, which is non‐emissive in its solvated state due to vibrational quenching. Turning this DPA‐TPE into a ditopic linker makes it possible to grow oriented MOF thin films exhibiting pronounced green electroluminescence with low onset voltages. Measurements at different temperatures clearly demonstrate the presence of TADF. Finally, this work reports that the layer‐by‐layer process used for MOF thin film deposition allows the integration of the TADF‐DPA‐TPE in a functioning LED device.
On the Role of Alkali‐Metal‐Like Superatom Al12P in Reduction and Conversion of Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Ling , Zhang Li , Ye Ya‐Ling , Li Xiang‐Hui , Ni Bi‐Lian , Li Ying , Sun Wei‐Ming
Published: September 2020

Developing efficient catalysts for the conversion of CO2 into fuels and value‐added chemicals is of great significance to relieve the growing energy crisis and global warming. With the assistance of DFT calculations, it was found that, different from Al12X (X=Be, Al, and C), the alkali‐metal‐like superatom Al12P prefers to combine with CO2 via a bidentate double oxygen coordination, yielding a stable Al12P(η2‐O2C) complex containing an activated radical anion of CO2 (i.e., CO2.−). Thereby, this compound could not only participate in the subsequent cycloaddition reaction with propylene oxide but also initiate the radical reaction with hydrogen gas to form high‐value chemicals, revealing that Al12P can play an important role in catalyzing these conversion reactions. Considering that Al12P has been produced in laboratory and is capable of absorbing visible light to drive the activation and transformation of CO2, it is anticipated that this work could guide the discovery of additional superatom catalysts for CO2 transformation and open up a new research field of superatom catalysis.
Modulation of Metallophilic and π–π Interactions in Platinum Cyclometalated Luminophores with Halogen Bonding
Authors: Sivchik Vasily , Kochetov Aleksandr , Eskelinen Toni , Kisel Kristina S. , Solomatina Anastasia I. , Grachova Elena V. , Tunik Sergey P. , Hirva Pipsa , Koshevoy Igor O.
Published: September 2020

Luminescent cyclometalated complexes [M(C^N^N)CN] (M=Pt, Pd; HC^N^N=pyridinyl‐ (M=Pt1, Pd5), benzyltriazolyl‐ (M=Pt2), indazolyl‐ (M=Pt3, Pd6), pyrazolyl‐phenylpyridine (M=Pt4)) decorated with cyanide ligand, have been explored as nucleophilic building blocks for the construction of halogen‐bonded (XB) adducts using IC6F5as an XB donor. The negative electrostatic potential of the CN group afforded CN⋅⋅⋅I noncovalent interactions for platinum complexes1–3; the energies of XB contacts are comparable to those of metallophilic bonding according to QTAIM analysis. Embedding the chromophore units into XB adducts1–3⋅⋅⋅IC6F5has little effect on the charge distribution, but strongly affects Pt⋅⋅⋅Pt bonding and π‐stacking, which lead to excited states of MMLCT (metal–metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer) origin. The energies of these states and the photoemissive properties of the crystalline materials are primarily determined by the degree of aggregation of the luminophores via metal–metal interactions. The adduct formation depends on the nature of the metal and the structure of the metalated ligand, the variation of which can yield dynamic XB‐supported systems, exemplified by thermally regulated transition3↔3⋅⋅⋅IC6F5.
High‐Resolution Electronic Excitation and Emission Spectra of Pentacene and 6,13‐Diazapentacene Monomers and Weakly Bound Dimers by Matrix‐Isolation Spectroscopy
Authors: Thusek Jean , Hoffmann Marvin , Hübner Olaf , Germer Stefan , Hoffmann Hendrik , Freudenberg Jan , Bunz Uwe H. F. , Dreuw Andreas , Himmel Hans‐Jörg
Published: September 2020

N‐Heteropolycycles are among the most promising candidates for applications in organic devices. For this purpose, a profound understanding of the low‐energy electronic absorbance and emission characteristics is of crucial importance. Herein, we report high‐resolution absorbance and fluorescence spectra of pentacene (PEN) and 6,13‐diazapentacene (DAP) in solid neon obtained using the matrix‐isolation technique. Accompanying DFT calculations allow the assignment of specific vibrationally resolved signals to corresponding modes. Furthermore, we present for the first time evidence for the formation of van der Waals dimers of both substances. These dimers exhibit significantly different optical characteristics resulting from the change of electronic properties evoked by the incorporation of sp2 nitrogen into the molecular backbone.
PtX‐Plus: Synergies Through Coupling of PtX Facilities with a Biorefinery
Authors: Arnold Uwe , Brück Thomas , Battenberg Andreas , Masri Mahmoud
Published: September 2020

In order to meet the climate targets, both the German Federal Government's National Hydrogen Strategy and the EU Commission's Green Deal [2] rely on so‐called green hydrogen. Conversion to hydrogen and chemical products (Power‐to‐X, PtX) is ideal for storing volatile amounts of electricity from wind and solar energy. If suitable biocatalytic facilities are added to this route, the product range can be controlled such that – under suitable boundary conditions – the production network can be operated economically, while adding value to unit operations that are already installed (Power‐to‐X‐Plus, PtX‐Plus).
Process analysis of a two‐stage fluidized bed gasification system with and without pre‐drying of high‐water content coal
Authors: An Ping , Han Zhennan , Wang Kangjun , Cheng Jiguang , Zhou Jianhong , Rizkiana Jenny , Abudula Abuliti , Guan Guoqing , Bai Dingrong , Xu Guangwen
Published: September 2020

In order to investigate the gasification performance of coal with high water content, a two‐stage fluidized bed gasification (TSFBG) system was systematically simulated by Aspen Plus to identify the effect of pre‐drying for coal with its initial water content varying from 10‐65 wt% on gasification performance, particularly energy efficiency. The results show that the energy efficiency based on lower heating value (LHV) (ηLHV) and higher heating value (HHV) (ηHHV) of feed coal are about 1.5%‐7% and 1.5%‐5% higher when coal is fed to the system directly without pre‐drying. For the TSFBG system, the higher the water content, the greater the energy efficiency reduction by pre‐drying. The analysis of energy allocations reveals that heat loss due to the pre‐drying of coal is mainly responsible for the decrease of energy efficiency in operations with pre‐drying. With an increase in the initial water content from 10 to 65 wt%, the ηLHV of the TSFBG system without the pre‐drying of coal using air/steam as gasification agent reaches its maximum of about 91% at an initial water content of 26 wt%. The ηLHV and ηHHV of the TSFBG system using oxygen/steam as gasification agent increases energy efficiency by about 1%‐2% compared to that using air/steam. For TSFBG using air/steam to gasify coal without the pre‐drying, the preferred initial water content of coal is below 50 wt%.
Research Progress of Lithium Plating on Graphite Anode in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Hu Daozhong , Chen Lai , Tian Jun , Su Yuefeng , Li Ning , Chen Gang , Hu Yulu , Dou Yueshan , Chen Shi , Wu Feng
Published: September 2020

Lithium plating on graphite anode is triggered by harsh conditions of fast charge and low temperature, which significantly accelerates SOH (state of health) degradation and may cause safety issues of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). This paper has reviewed recent research progress of lithium plating on graphite anode. Firstly, we summarize the forming mechanisms of Li plating with corresponding influence factors, the detecting methods and hazard of Li plating. Then, approaches to suppress Li plating are discussed, including anode surface modification, electrolyte composition optimization and development of optimal charge strategies. Finally, we conclude and propose the remaining challenges and prospects in terms of mechanism research, detecting approaches, and suppressing methods of Li plating. This review highlights the development of Li plating research and plays a guiding rule of further study on Li plating in LIBs.
The National Clinical Trials Network and the cooperative groups: The road not taken
Authors: Schilsky Richard L.
Published: September 2020

The National Clinical Trials Network and the National Cancer Institute‐funded cooperative groups seem to be on diverging paths. Patients with cancer would be better served by a unified national cancer clinical trials system that is responsive to their priorities and unmet medical needs.
A review of upper urinary tract cytology performance before and after the implementation of The Paris System
Authors: Zhang M. Lisa , Miki Yurina , Hang Jen‐Fan , Vohra Manjiv , Peyton Stephen , McIntire Patrick J. , VandenBussche Christopher J. , Vohra Poonam
Published: September 2020

Urinary cytology (UC) is one of the primary diagnostic modalities used for the screening and surveillance of urothelial carcinoma. Despite its widespread use, UC has suffered from a lack of standardized or reproducible criteria and wide interobserver variability, particularly of the designation of atypical urothelial cells. The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology (TPS), published in 2016, aimed to provide a standardized approach for evaluating UC by creating diagnostic categories with specific cytomorphologic criteria. Recent studies have primarily investigated the application of TPS on lower urinary tract specimens and have mostly shown that TPS implementation has improved the performance of UC specimens. Only a few studies have reported the impact of TPS on upper urinary tract (UUT) cytology. Additionally, there is uncertainty as to which cytological features are most predictive of high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) in the UUT. This review summarizes the literature regarding the utility and performance of UUT cytology and highlights findings before and after the implementation of TPS.
First‐in‐Human, Single‐ and Multiple‐Ascending‐Dose Studies in Healthy Subjects to Assess Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety/Tolerability of Iberdomide, a Novel Cereblon E3 Ligase Modulator
Authors: Ye Ying , Gaudy Allison , Schafer Peter , Thomas Michael , Weiss Daniel , Chen Nianhang , Liu Liangang , Xue Yongjun , Carayannopoulos Leon , Palmisano Maria
Published: September 2020

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety/tolerability of iberdomide (CC‐220), a highly potent oral cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD), were evaluated in escalating single‐dose (0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 2, 4, 6 mg) and multiple‐dose (0.3 mg once daily for 14 days, 1 mg once daily for 28 days, 0.3 mg once daily for 28 days, or 1 mg once daily for 7 days with a 7‐day washout, then once daily for 7 more days) studies in healthy subjects (n = 99). Iberdomide exposure increased in a dose‐proportional manner. Terminal half‐life was 9‐13 hours after a single dose. Iberdomide decreased peripheral CD19+ B lymphocytes (Emax, 92.4%; EC50, 0.718 ng/mL), with modest reductions in CD3+ T lymphocytes (Emax, 34.8%; EC50, 0.932 ng/mL). Lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated proinflammatory cytokines (IL‐1α, IL‐1β) were reduced, but anti‐CD3‐stimulated IL‐2 and interferon‐γ were increased. Iberdomide 1 mg once daily partially decreased T‐cell‐independent antibody responses to PPV23 but did not change tetanus toxoid recall response. Pharmacodynamic data suggest dose‐dependent, differential immunomodulatory effects on B and T lymphocytes. Iberdomide was tolerated up to 6 mg as a single dose and at 0.3 mg once daily for 4 weeks. Grade 3 asymptomatic neutropenia was observed following 1 mg once daily for 21 days; a 7‐day drug holiday alleviated neutropenia. Further investigation of iberdomide in autoimmune and hematological diseases is warranted.
Virtual chain: A storage model supporting cross‐blockchain transaction
Authors: Wang Yan , Yang Bingqing , Liu Jingxin , Zeng Hui , Xia Changqing
Published: September 2020

At present, blockchain is not only applied in the financial field, but also extended to the medical, insurance, internet of things, and many other fields. Its independence leads to more and more significant problems of network isolation. To address the problem of the cooperative operation between different blockchains, this article proposes virtual chain, a storage model supporting cross‐blockchain transaction. It not only ensures that cross‐chain transactions are tamper‐proof and traceable but also realizes completely decentralized storage. First, to tackle the multidimensional heterogeneous problem existing in cross‐chain trading, a data structure based on prefix tree is proposed to manage cross‐chain trading data on top of source chain and target chain. Second, a signature verification mechanism based on elliptic curve is proposed to meet the operational atomicity requirements of both parties of cross‐chain transaction. Third, the data fusion technology is used to expand the block capacity indirectly to achieve the high throughput of cross‐chain transactions. Finally, by using the credibility‐based access control and block chain technology to ensure the security of the data storage model, and conduct security analysis from three aspects of tamper‐proof, data protection and anti‐conspiracy node attack. The experiment shows that the proposed cross‐chain transaction storage model can realize the efficient storage of the heterogeneous data, and satisfy the high requirement of the cross‐chain transaction. Moreover, the virtual chain storage model establishes a safe and reliable working environment.
Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of the 3sp(d) Rydberg States of Fenchone by Polarized Laser Resonance‐Enhanced‐Multiphoton‐Ionization and Fourier Transform VUV Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Singh Dhirendra P. , De Oliveira Nelson , Garcia Gustavo A. , Vredenborg Arno , Powis Ivan
Published: September 2020

The VUV absorption spectrum of fenchone is re‐examined using synchrotron radiation Fourier transform spectrometry, revealing new vibrational structure. Picosecond laser (2+1) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy complements this, providing an alternative view of the 3spd Rydberg excitation region. These spectra display broadly similar appearance, with minor differences that are largely explained by referring to calculated one‐ and two‐photon electronic excitation cross‐sections. Both show good agreement with Franck‐Condon simulations of the relevant vibrational structures. Parent ion REMPI ionization yields with both femtosecond and picosecond excitation laser pulses are studied as a function of laser polarization and intensity, the latter providing insight into the relative two‐photon excitation and one‐photon ionization rates. The experimental circular‐linear dichroism observed in the parent ion yields varies strongly between the 3s and 3p Rydberg states, in good overall agreement with the calculated two‐photon excitation circular‐linear dichroism, while corroborating other evidence that the 3pz sub‐state plays no more than a very minor role in the (2+1) REMPI spectrum. Vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra are recorded with picosecond pulse duration (2+1) REMPI at selected intermediate vibrational excitations. The 3s intermediate state displays a very strong Δv=0 propensity on ionization, but the 3p intermediate evidences more complex vibronic dynamics, and we infer some 3p→3s internal conversion prior to ionization.
Mechanism and Chemoselectivity for HOCl‐Mediated Oxidation of Zinc‐Bound Thiolates
Authors: Zumwalt Lindsay , Perkins Arden , Ogba O. Maduka
Published: September 2020

Quantum mechanical calculations reveal the preferred mechanism and origins of chemoselectivity for HOCl‐mediated oxidation of zinc‐bound thiolates implicated in bacterial redox sensing. Distortion/interaction models show that minimizing geometric distortion at the zinc complex during the rate‐limiting nucleophilic substitution step controls the mechanistic preference for OH over Cl transfer with HOCl and the chemoselectivity for HOCl over H2O2.
Design and implementation of an ultra‐high voltage DC‐DC converter based on coupled inductor with continuous input current for clean energy applications
Authors: Radmanesh Hamid , Soltanpour Mohammad Reza , Azizkandi Mahmoodreza Eskandarpour
Published: September 2020

A single‐switch ultra‐high voltage DC‐DC converter is proposed in this paper. In the introduced structure, a voltage multiplier cell (VMC) and three‐winding coupled inductor (CL) are integrated to obtain an ultra‐large voltage gain. The input current ripple of the presented configuration is very low due to utilizing an inductor in the input part of the converter which is a very important factor in clean energy applications. The CL leakage inductance energy is successfully recovered, and the main power switch voltage stress is clamped because of using a passive clamp circuit. Therefore, a switch with low os‐state resistance can be applied, which declines the conduction losses as well as the cost of the suggested topology. Moreover, the common ground between the input and output of the proposed configuration makes it suitable for many applications such as photovoltaic systems. Some important merits include ultra‐high voltage gain, operating in low duty cycles, reduced voltage stress of semiconductors, continuous input current, and high efficiency, which make the introduced converter very suitable for clean energy applications. The operation principle, steady‐state analysis, design considerations, and theoretical efficiency analysis of the suggested converter are discussed completely in the paper. Also, the superiority of the proposed converter over recently suggested similar most important DC‐DC converters is demonstrated in the comparison study. Finally, the performance and theoretical analysis of the converter are validated with the experimental results at an output voltage of 450 V and an output power of 250 W.
Immunophenotypic shift in the B‐cell precursors from regenerating bone marrow samples: A critical consideration for measurable residual disease assessment in B‐lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Chatterjee Gaurav , Sriram Harshini , Ghogale Sitaram , Deshpande Nilesh , Khanka Twinkle , Panda Devasis , Pradhan Shiv Narayan , Girase Karishma , Narula Gaurav , Dhamane Chetan , Malik Nirmlya Roy , Banavali Shripad , Patkar Nikhil V. , Gujral Sumeet , Subramanian Papagudi G. , Tembhare Prashant R.
Published: September 2020

Accurate knowledge of expression patterns/levels of commonly used MRD markers in regenerative normal‐B‐cell‐precursors (BCP) is highly desirable to distinguish leukemic‐blasts from regenerative‐BCP for multicolor flow cytometry (MFC)‐based measurable residual disease (MRD) assessment in B‐lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL). However, the data highlighting therapy‐related immunophenotypic‐shift in regenerative‐BCPs is scarce and limited to small cohort. Herein, we report the in‐depth evaluation of immunophenotypic shift in regenerative‐BCPs from a large cohort of BALL‐MRD samples. Ten‐color MFC‐MRD analysis was performed in pediatric‐BALL at the end‐of‐induction (EOI), end‐of‐consolidation (EOC), and subsequent‐follow‐up (SFU) time‐points. We studied normalized‐mean fluorescent intensity (nMFI) and coefficient‐of‐variation of immunofluorescence (CVIF) of CD10, CD19, CD20, CD34, CD38, and CD45 expression in regenerative‐BCP (early, BCP1 and late, BCP2) from 200 BALL‐MRD samples, and compared them with BCP from 15 regenerating control (RC) TALL‐MRD samples and 20 treatment‐naïve bone‐marrow control (TNSC) samples. Regenerative‐BCP1 showed downregulation in CD10 and CD34 expression with increased CVIF and reduced nMFI (p < 0.001), upregulation of CD20 with increased nMFI (p = 0.014) and heterogeneous CD45 expression with increased CVIF (p < 0.001). Immunophenotypic shift was less pronounced in the BCP2 compared to BCP1 compartment with increased CVIF in all but CD45 (p < 0.05) and reduced nMFI only in CD45 expression (p = 0.005). Downregulation of CD10/CD34 and upregulation of CD20 was higher at EOI than EOC and SFU time‐points (p < 0.001). Regenerative‐BCPs are characterized by the significant immunophenotypic shift in commonly used B‐ALL‐MRD markers, especially CD10 and CD34 expression, as compared to treatment‐naïve BCPs. Therefore, the templates/database for BMRD analysis must be developed using regenerative‐BCP.
Amyloid goiter diagnosis by ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration performed by interventional pathologist
Authors: Celis Pinto Juan Carlos , Torres‐Rivas Héctor‐Enrique , Fernández Fernández Luis Manuel , Villar Zarra Karen , de la Paz González Gutiérrez María
Published: September 2020

Amyloid goiter (AG) (primary or secondary) is extremely rare. An abdominal fat pad core needle biopsy (CNB) is the diagnostic gold standard for secondary amyloidosis. Although CNB is useful to detect amyloid infiltration of a specific organ, fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is proven to be the best diagnostic method for thyroid disorders. Guidelines recommend an ultrasound‐guided FNA (US‐FNA) whenever possible. This procedure is usually performed by various interventional specialists, including pathologists, who perform the procedure in addition to validating the adequacy of the sample. We report a rare case of AG diagnosed using US‐FNA performed by a pathologist in a 39‐year‐old patient with systemic amyloidosis. US‐FNA performed by pathologists is a proven, less‐invasive, and cost‐effective tool that ensures acquisition of adequate specimens and reduces nondiagnostic rates of this procedure to ensure timely cytological diagnosis.
Osteoarthritis: Prognosis and emerging therapeutic approach for disease management
Authors: Kumar Amresh , Palit Partha , Thomas Sabu , Gupta Gaurav , Ghosh Parasar , Goswami Rudra Prosad , Kumar Maity Tapan , Dutta Choudhury Manabendra
Published: September 2020

Osteoarthritis (OA), a disorder of joints, is prevalent in older age. The contemporary cure for OA is aimed to confer symptomatic relief, consisting of temporary pain and swelling relief. In this paper, we discuss various modalities responsible for the onset of OA and associated with its severity. Inhibition of chondrocytes receptors such as DDR2, SDF‐1, Asporin, and CXCR4 by specific pharmacological inhibitors attenuates OA, a critical step for finding potential disease modifying drugs. We critically analyzed recent OA studies with an emphasis on intermediate target molecules for OA intervention. We also explored some novel and safe treatments for OA by considering disease prognosis crosstalk with cellular signaling pathways.
Improving area of occupancy estimates for parapatric species using distribution models and support vector machines
Authors: Kass Jamie M. , Meenan Sarah I. , Tinoco Nicolás , Burneo Santiago F. , Anderson Robert P.
Published: September 2020

As geographic range estimates for the IUCN Red List guide conservation actions, accuracy and ecological realism are crucial. IUCN’s extent of occurrence (EOO) is the general region including the species’ range, while area of occupancy (AOO) is the subset of EOO occupied by the species. Data‐poor species with incomplete sampling present particular difficulties, but species distribution models (SDMs) can be used to predict suitable areas. Nevertheless, SDMs typically employ abiotic variables (i.e., climate) and do not explicitly account for biotic interactions that can impose range constraints. We sought to improve range estimates for data‐poor, parapatric species by masking out areas under inferred competitive exclusion. We did so for two South American spiny pocket mice: Heteromys australis (Least Concern) and Heteromys teleus (Vulnerable due to especially poor sampling), whose ranges appear restricted by competition. For both species, we estimated EOO using SDMs and AOO with four approaches: occupied grid cells, abiotic SDM prediction, and this prediction masked by approximations of the areas occupied by each species’ congener. We made the masks using support vector machines (SVMs) fit with two data types: occurrence coordinates alone; and coordinates along with SDM predictions of suitability. Given the uncertainty in calculating AOO for low‐data species, we made estimates for the lower and upper bounds for AOO, but only make recommendations for H. teleus as its full known range was considered. The SVM approaches (especially the second one) had lower classification error and made more ecologically realistic delineations of the contact zone. For H. teleus, the lower AOO bound (a strongly biased underestimate) corresponded to Endangered (occupied grid cells), while the upper bounds (other approaches) led to Near Threatened. As we currently lack data to determine the species’ true occupancy within the post‐processed SDM prediction, we recommend that an updated listing for H. teleus include these bounds for AOO. This study advances methods for estimating the upper bound of AOO and highlights the need for better ways to produce unbiased estimates of lower bounds. More generally, the SVM approaches for post‐processing SDM predictions hold promise for improving range estimates for other uses in biogeography and conservation.
Jumping the green wall: The use of PNA‐DNA clamps to enhance microbiome sampling depth in wildlife microbiome research
Authors: Víquez‐R Luis , Fleischer Ramona , Wilhelm Kerstin , Tschapka Marco , Sommer Simone
Published: September 2020

As microbiome research moves away from model organisms to wildlife, new challenges for microbiome high‐throughput sequencing arise caused by the variety of wildlife diets. High levels of contamination are commonly observed emanating from the host (mitochondria) or diet (chloroplast). Such high contamination levels affect the overall sequencing depth of wildlife samples thus decreasing statistical power and leading to poor performance in downstream analysis. We developed an amplification protocol utilizing PNA‐DNA clamps to maximize the use of resources and to increase the sampling depth of true microbiome sequences in samples with high levels of plastid contamination. We chose two study organisms, a bat (Leptonyteris yerbabuenae) and a bird (Mimus parvulus), both relying on heavy plant‐based diets that sometimes lead to traces of plant‐based fecal material producing high contamination signals from chloroplasts and mitochondria. On average, our protocol yielded a 13‐fold increase in bacterial sequence amplification compared with the standard protocol (Earth Microbiome Protocol) used in wildlife research. For both focal species, we were able to increase significantly the percentage of sequences available for downstream analyses after the filtering of plastids and mitochondria. Our study presents the first results obtained by using PNA‐DNA clamps to block the PCR amplification of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA from the diet in the gut microbiome of wildlife. The method involves a cost‐effective molecular technique instead of the filtering out of unwanted sequencing reads. As 33% and 26% of birds and bats, respectively, have a plant‐based diet, the tool that we present here will optimize the sequencing and analysis of wild microbiomes.
Long‐term effects of tree expansion and reduction on soil climate in a semiarid ecosystem
Authors: Roundy Bruce A. , Miller R. F. , Tausch R. J. , Chambers J. C. , Rau B. M.
Published: September 2020

In sagebrush ecosystems, pinyon and juniper tree expansion reduces water available to perennial shrubs and herbs. We measured soil water matric potential and temperatures at 13–30 and 50–65 cm soil depths in untreated and treated plots across a range of environmental conditions. We sought to determine the effects of tree expansion, tree reduction treatments, and expansion phase at time of treatment over 12–13 yr post‐treatment. Because the effects of tree reduction on vegetation can vary with the soil temperature/moisture regime, we also analyzed differences in soil climate variables between the mesic/aridic‐xeric and frigid/xeric regime classifications for our sites. Growing conditions during all seasons except spring were greatly limited by lack of available water, low temperatures, or both. Advanced tree expansion reduced wet days (total hours per 24 hr when hourly average soil water matric potential >−1.5 MPa), especially in early spring. Fire and mechanical tree reduction increased wet days and wet degree days (sum of hourly soil temperatures >0°C when soil is wet per 24 hr) compared with no treatment for most seasons. Burning resulted in higher soil temperatures than untreated or mechanically treated woodlands. Tree reduction at advanced expansion phases increased wet days in spring more than when implemented at earlier phases of expansion. Added wet days from tree reduction were negatively associated with October through June precipitation and vegetation cover, rather than time since treatment, with more wet days added on drier sites and years. The longer period of water availability in spring supports increased growth and cover of not only shrubs and perennial herbs, but also invasive weeds on warmer and drier sites, for many years after tree reduction. We found that sites classified as mesic/aridic‐xeric had warmer soil temperatures all seasons and were drier in spring and winter than sites classified as frigid/xeric. Land managers should consider reducing trees at earlier phases of expansion or consider revegetation when treating at advanced phases on these warmer and drier sites that lack perennial herb potential.
Interspecific facilitation mediates the outcome of intraspecific interactions across an elevational gradient
Authors: Raath‐Krüger Morgan J. , Schöb Christian , McGeoch Melodie A. , le Roux Peter C.
Published: September 2020

Where interspecific facilitation favors the establishment of high densities of a beneficiary species, strong intraspecific competition may subsequently impede beneficiary performance. Consequently, the negative influence of intraspecific competition between beneficiary individuals could potentially outweigh the positive influence of interspecific facilitation when, for example, higher densities of a beneficiary are negated by the negative effect of crowding on beneficiary reproduction. The aim of this study was, therefore, to examine the impact of an interspecific interaction on the outcome of intraspecific interactions within the context of plant–plant facilitation. We used the cushion‐forming Azorella selago and a commonly co‐occurring dominant perennial grass species, Agrostis magellanica, on sub‐Antarctic Marion Island as a model system. We assessed the impact of an interspecific interaction (between A. selago and A. magellanica) on the outcome of intraspecific interactions (between A. magellanica individuals), by testing if the impact of A. magellanica density on A. magellanica performance is mediated by its interaction with A. selago. We observed evidence for competition among A. magellanica conspecifics, with a decreasing proportion of A. magellanica individuals being reproductive under higher conspecific density. This negative intraspecific effect was greater on A. selago than on the adjacent substrate, suggesting that the facilitative effect of A. selago changes the intensity of intraspecific interactions between A. magellanica individuals. However, experimentally reducing A. magellanica density did not affect the species’ performance. We also observed that the effect of A. selago on A. magellanica was positive, and despite the negative effect of intraspecific density on the proportion of reproductive A. magellanica individuals, the net reproductive effort of A. magellanica (i.e., the density of reproductive individuals) was significantly greater on A. selago than on the adjacent substrate. These results highlight that, in abiotically severe environments, the positive effects of interspecific facilitation by a benefactor species may outweigh the negative effects of intraspecific competition among beneficiaries. More broadly, these results suggest that both positive inter‐ and intraspecific biotic interactions may be key to consider when examining spatial and temporal variation in species’ performance.