bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of pharmaceutical intervention strategies against pandemics in Sweden: A scenario‐driven multiple criteria decision analysis study
Authors: Talantsev Anton , Fasth Tobias , Wenner Cenny , Wolff Ellen , Larsson Aron
Published: February 2022

To enhance preparedness for diverse pandemic situations we aim to predict the performance of various pharmaceutical intervention strategies. We gathered domain experts and ran a series of decision conferences where a scenario‐based multi‐criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model was interactively defined and implemented. Assuming an influenza pandemic, a micro simulation model was used to estimate societal health impact, a health‐economic model was used to estimate economic losses, and expert preferences were elicited to define trade‐offs between multiple criteria and synthesize various estimates. Sensitivity analysis to address various forms of uncertainty was also conducted. Nine intervention strategies, including the baseline “no interventions” strategy, were evaluated and ranked under five pandemic scenarios for Sweden's population. We conclude that a scenario‐based MCDA approach relying on multiple models for assessment of consequences is instrumental in defining robust interventions and support decision‐making at the pre‐pandemic and pandemic situations.
PMS2 variant results in loss of ATPase activity without compromising mismatch repair
Authors: D'Arcy Brandon M. , Arrington Jennifer , Weisman Justin , McClellan Steven B. , Vandana   , Yang Zhengrong , Deivanayagam Champion , Blount Jessa , Prakash Aishwarya
Published: February 2022

Hereditary cancer syndromes account for approximately 5%–10% of all diagnosed cancer cases. Lynch syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant hereditary cancer condition that predisposes individuals to an elevated lifetime risk for developing colorectal, endometrial, and other cancers. LS results from a pathogenic mutation in one of four mismatch repair (MMR) genes (MSH2, MSH6, MLH1, and PMS2). The diagnosis of LS is often challenged by the identification of missense mutations, termed variants of uncertain significance, whose functional effect on the protein is not known. Of the eight PMS2 variants initially selected for this study, we identified a variant within the N‐terminal domain where asparagine 335 is mutated to serine, p.Asn335Ser, which lacked ATPase activity, yet appears to be proficient in MMR. To expand our understanding of this functional dichotomy, we performed biophysical and structural studies, and noted that p.Asn335Ser binds to ATP but is unable to hydrolyze it to ADP. To examine the impact of p.Asn335Ser on MMR, we developed a novel in‐cell fluorescent‐based microsatellite instability reporter that revealed p.Asn335Ser maintained genomic stability. We conclude that in the absence of gross structural changes, PMS2 ATP hydrolysis is not necessary for proficient MMR and that the ATPase deficient p.Asn335Ser variant is likely benign.
The global existence and numerical method for the free boundary problem of ductal carcinoma in situ
Authors: Liu Dan , Liu Keji , Xu Xinyi , Yu Jianfeng
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a free boundary problem related to the ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) model is under studied. We establish the global existence and uniqueness of the solution for the model with the non‐symmetric free boundaries. Moreover, a novel finite difference scheme with second‐order accuracy in both time and space variables is developed for simulating the growth of tumor in situ. Numerical experiments show that the method is effective, accurate, and reliable.
Vine Tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) Extract Attenuates CCl4‐Induced Liver Injury by Restoring Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Mice
Authors: Li Ying , Hu Haiming , Yang Huabing , Lin Aizhen , Xia Hui , Cheng Xue , Kong Mingwang , Liu Hongtao
Published: February 2022

Scope

Vine tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata), a traditional Chinese tea, has displayed various biological activities. The authors aim to investigate the effect of Vine Tea (Ampelopsis grossedentata) extract (VTE) on carbon tetrachlorid (CCl4)induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice and to explore the underlying role of gut microbiota during the treatment.

Methods and Results

C57BL/6J mice injected with CCl4are treated with VTE for 6 weeks. By using H&E staining, immunofluorescence staining, quantitative real‐time (qRT)‐PCR, and western blot, it is shown that VTE treatment significantly ameliorates hepatocyte necrosis, alleviates the mRNA levels of toll‐like receptor 4 (Tlr4), interleukin(Il)‐6, inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), acetyl‐CoA carboxylase1 (Acc1), and increases the mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma(Ppar‐γ)and 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase(Hmg‐coar)compared to the CCl4group. Also, VTE abrogates the decreased mRNA expressions of zonula occludens‐1(Zo‐1),Occludin, andMucin1in colon tissues. Using microbial 16S rDNA sequencing, VTE treatment significantly downregulates the abundances of some harmful intestinal bacteria likeHelicobacterandOscillibacter. In contrast, VTE upregulates the contents of several beneficial bacteria, such asRuminococcaceae_UCG‐014andEubacterium_fissicatena_group. Further, VTE fails to improve ALI in the mice with gut microbiota depletion using antibiotic treatment.

Conclusions

The studies suggest that VTE exhibits a protective effect against CCl4‐induced ALI in mice by alleviating hepatic inflammation, suppressing intestinal epithelial barrier injury, and restoring gut microbiota dysbiosis.
Computational homogenization of higher‐order continua
Authors: Schmidt Felix , Krüger Melanie , Keip Marc‐André , Hesch Christian
Published: February 2022

We introduce a novel computational framework for the multiscale simulation of higher‐order continua that allows for the consideration of first‐, second‐, and third‐order effects at both micro‐ and macro‐level. In line with classical two‐scale approaches, we describe the microstructure via representative volume elements that are attached at each integration point of the macroscopic problem. To take account of the extended continuity requirements of independent fields at micro‐ and macro‐level, we discretize both scales via isogeometric analysis (IGA). As a result, we obtain an IGA‐method that is conceptually similar to the well‐known FE‐method. We demonstrate the functionality and accuracy of this novel multiscale method by means of a series of multiscale simulations involving different kinds of higher‐order continua.
‘Societal Relationships with Nature’: A framework for understanding nature‐related conflicts and multiple values
Authors: Berghöfer Uta , Rode Julian , Jax Kurt , Förster Johannes , Berghöfer Augustin , Wittmer Heidi
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we operationalize the concept of Societal Relationships with Nature (SRN) as a framework for understanding nature‐related conflicts and multiple values.

Based on three dimensions knowledgescape, interactions and identity, we propose a set of questions for the empirical analysis of conflict situations.

We use two case studies—designation of a biosphere reserve in southern Chile and the return of the wolf in Germany—to illustrate how the SRN framework can reveal and structure the complexity of human–nature relationships.

From the conceptual advances and the academic debate on multiple values of nature, we derive four requirements for approaches to analyse nature‐related conflicts and how different stakeholders attribute importance to nature.

These should (a) cover the relevant aspects and reveal the critical issues underlying a conflict, (b) enable an understanding of differences and commonalities in people’s perspectives and positions, (c) be comprehensive enough to uncover important issues in complex situations without losing empirical practicability and (d) take power relations into account.

We discuss whether and how the SRN framework meets these requirements.

We present the SRN framework in particular to the academic community working at the interface with policy and practice on multiple values of nature and nature‐related conflicts.

SRN analysis can also be applied to complement valuation approaches by specifying and explaining differences in people’s attributions of value to nature.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Multi‐species, multi‐country analysis reveals North Americans are willing to pay for transborder migratory species conservation
Authors: Thogmartin Wayne E. , Haefele Michelle A. , Diffendorfer Jay E. , Semmens Darius J. , Derbridge Jonathan J. , Lien Aaron , Huang Ta‐Ken , López‐Hoffman Laura
Published: February 2022

Migratory species often provide ecosystem service benefits to people in one country while receiving habitat support in other countries. The multinational cooperation that could help ensure continued provisioning of these benefits by migration may be informed by understanding the economic values people in different countries place on the benefits they derive from migratory wildlife.

We conducted contingent valuation surveys to estimate the willingness of 3733 respondents from Canada, the United States and México to invest in conservation for two disparate migratory species, the northern pintail duck Anas acuta and the Mexican free‐tailed bat Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana.

With zero‐inflated mixed‐effects negative binomial regression (explaining 87% of the variation in willingness to pay for conservation), we found that respondents from each nation, after controlling for both household income and per capita national Gross Domestic Product, were willing to invest in conservation in other countries.

This willingness to pay for conservation, even when respondents knew that funds would be used to support benefits accruing primarily in other countries, demonstrates the potential for support of multinational conservation policies and programmes that direct resources to locations where the most critical habitat is located, rather than where the funding is generated. These findings could be used to support the development or expansion of new and existing international conservation programmes for migratory species.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Pattern and predictors of sites of relapse in neuroblastoma: A report from the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) project
Authors: Vo Kieuhoa T. , DuBois Steven G. , Neuhaus John , Braunstein Steve E. , Weil Brent R. , Naranjo Arlene , Irtan Sabine , Balaguer Julia , Matthay Katherine K.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

We sought to analyze biologic, clinical, and prognostic differences according to pattern of failure at the time of first relapse in neuroblastoma.

Patients and Methods

Children <21 years diagnosed with neuroblastoma between 1989 and 2017 with known site of first relapse (isolated local vs. distant only vs. combined local and distant sites) were identified from the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) database. Data were compared between sites of relapse according to clinical features, biologic features, initial treatment, time to first relapse, and overall survival (OS) from time of first relapse.

Results

Pattern of first relapse among 1833 children was 19% isolated local; 65% distant only; and 16% combined sites. All evaluated clinical and biologic variables with exception of tumor diagnosis differed statistically by relapse pattern, with patients with isolated local failure having more favorable prognostic features. Patients with stage 3 disease were more likely to have isolated local failure compared to all other stages (49% vs. 16%; p < .001). OS significantly differed by relapse pattern (5‐year OS ± SE): isolated local: 64% ± 3%; distant only: 23% ± 2%; and combined: 26% ± 4% (p < .001). After controlling for age, stage, and MYCN status, patients with isolated local failure (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33–0.62; p < .001) and distant‐only failure (adjusted HR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.45–0.71; p < .001) remained at decreased risk for death as compared to patients with combined failure.

Conclusion

Patients with distant‐only and combined failures have a higher proportion of unfavorable clinical and biological features, and a lower survival than those with isolated local relapse.
Robotic right colectomy with complete mesocolic excision: Senior versus junior surgeon, a case‐matched retrospective analysis
Authors: Ferraro Luca , Formisano Giampaolo , Salaj Adelona , Giuratrabocchetta Simona , Giuliani Giuseppe , Salvischiani Lucia , Bianchi Paolo Pietro
Published: February 2022

Background

Robotic surgery may facilitate complex procedures such as right colectomy with complete mesocolic excision (CME) and shorten the learning curve. This study aimed to compare senior and junior surgeons' results in performing robotic right colectomy (RRC) with CME and intracorporeal anastomosis for right colon cancer.

Materials and Methods

Between January 2015 and April 2020, a total of 161 patients underwent RRC with CME. After propensity score matching, two groups of 31 patients for each surgeon were formed. Intraoperative, postoperative and pathological outcomes were the variables assessed.

Results

No statistically significant difference was recorded between the two groups. The senior surgeon experienced 16.1% minor complications (Clavien–Dindo I‐II) and 3.2% major complications (Clavien–Dindo III‐IV), while the novice surgeon reported 19.3% and 3.2% rates of minor and major adverse events, respectively.

Conclusions

After a structured training protocol, a novice may obtain comparable results to an expert in performing RRC with CME.
Estimation of the proportion of treatment effect explained by a high‐dimensional surrogate
Authors: Zhou Ruixuan Rachel , Zhao Sihai Dave , Parast Layla
Published: February 2022

Clinical studies examining the effectiveness of a treatment with respect to some primary outcome often require long‐term follow‐up of patients and/or costly or burdensome measurements of the primary outcome of interest. Identifying a surrogate marker for the primary outcome of interest may allow one to evaluate a treatment effect with less follow‐up time, less cost, or less burden. While much clinical and statistical work has focused on identifying and validating surrogate markers, available approaches tend to focus on settings in which only a single surrogate marker is of interest. Limited work has been done to accommodate the high‐dimensional surrogate marker setting where the number of potential surrogates is greater than the sample size. In this article, we develop methods to estimate the proportion of treatment effect explained by high‐dimensional surrogates. We study the asymptotic properties of our proposed estimator, propose inference procedures, and examine finite sample performance via a simulation study. We illustrate our proposed methods using data from a randomized study comparing a novel whey‐based oral nutrition supplement with a standard supplement with respect to change in body fat percentage over 12 weeks, where the surrogate markers of interest are gene expression probesets.
Mesoporous Cu Catalysts for Dimethyl Oxalate Selective Hydrogenation: Impact of the Cu/Al interface on the Textural Properties and Catalytic Behavior
Authors: Kong Xiangpeng , You Xinming , Yuan Peihong , Wang Man , Wu Yuehuan , Wang Ruihong , Chen Jiangang
Published: February 2022

In this paper, mesoporous monometallic Cu catalysts reinforced by the Al3+ dopants with different chemical features were successfully synthesized by controlling the preparation process. The N2‐Adsorption/Desorption, XRD, H2‐TPR, SEM, TEM, H2‐TPD and XPS were conducted to explore the structure evolution of the as‐synthesized samples focusing on the interface effect between Cu nano‐particles (NPs) and Al3+ dopants. It is found that the precipitants used for preparing precursors show drastically effect on the Al3+ chemical form and Cu/Al bonding manners of the as‐synthesized CuAl catalysts, further determining the resultant physicochemical properties and catalytic behavior in dimethyl oxalate (DMO) hydrogenation. In gas‐phase DMO hydrogenation, 98.0 % ethylene glycol (EG) and 90.0 % ethanol (EtOH) yield from DMO selective hydrogenation can be achieved over the CuAl catalyst by regulating the reaction temperature. The correlation between the catalytic behavior and physicochemical features shows that the surface Cu+ sites generated in the Cu/(hydr)oxide interface should be essential for DMO selective hydrogenation in presence of the adequate Cu0 sites. Additionally, the Cu−O−Al patterns in the Cu/Al interface intend to promote more electron transferred from the Al3+ dopants to Cu species through the O bridging, facilitating the CuAl(O) stronger Cu/Al interaction than that of the CuAl(C) catalyst in form of Cu−Al−OH mode. Thus, the Cu NPs growth of the CuAl(O) catalyst was effectively retarded, favoring enhanced catalytic stability.
Synthesis of CuO‐Loaded Ceria Hollow Spheres for Catalytic CO Oxidation
Authors: Hu Jing , Wei Fucheng , Hu Xingyu , Xu Jianying , Deng Weijun
Published: February 2022

Copper‐ceria has been widely investigated as an active heterogeneous catalyst for CO oxidation reaction. Herein we report a reliable synthesis of CuO loaded ceria hollow spheres (CHS‐CuO) which show an outstanding performance of 6.1712 μmolCO⋅gcat−1⋅s−1 CO consumption rate at 120 °C over other reported ceria‐based catalysts for the CO oxidation reaction. The performance is superior to CuO loaded ceria nanoparticles (CNP‐CuO) and ceria hollow spheres (CHS), due to hollow structure, large surface area, more adsorptive oxygen and subsequent lower activation energy. TEM images reveal CuO nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed on the surface of ceria hollow spheres. XPS investigation shows that Cu2+ is the dominant copper species in CHS‐CuO. The synthesis reliability is demonstrated with the case of Ag loaded CHS fabrication. The reported strategy enables the fabrication of similar bimetal hollow spheres, holding good promise for various heterogeneous catalysis.
Structural Modification of Saccharin Containing 2‐Aminothiazole As Potential Fungicidal Agents
Authors: Zhang Tianyuan , You Shuyan , Zheng Shumin , Huang Danling , Cheng Yong‐Xian
Published: February 2022

A series of saccharin derivatives containing 2‐ aminothiazole scaffold were designed, synthesized, and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS. The fungicidal activities of these novel compounds against Botrytis cinerea, Curvularia lunata, and Rhizoctonia solani were evaluated. The results indicated that N‐(4‐((1,1‐dioxido‐3‐oxobenzo[d]isothiazol‐2(3H)‐yl) methyl) thiazol‐2‐yl) acrylamide (HST3) displayed potential fungicidal activities against C. lunata, and R. solani with IC50 values of 15.0 mg/L and 12.9 mg/L respectively, which possessed higher fungicidal activity than commercial products hymexazol and amicarthiazol. Moreover, N‐(4‐((1,1‐dioxido‐3‐oxobenzo[d]isothiazol‐2(3H)‐yl) methyl) thiazol‐2‐yl)‐4‐methoxybenzamide (HST9) possessed an IC50 value of 1.1 mg/L against B. cinerea, superior to hymexazol, amicarthiazol, and carboxin. Besides, the superficial structure‐activity relationship was discussed. Furthermore, molecular docking result suggest that SDH enzyme might be one of the action targets of title compounds.
An Efficient Thiol and Trifluoromethanesulfonyl Difunctional Sulfonated Mesoporous Polydivinylbenzene Solid Acid: Cooperative Effect of Steric Hindrance and Acidity
Authors: Wei Ning , Zhang Yi , Chen Tong , Wang Gongying
Published: February 2022

For acid‐catalyzed chemical reactions with forming isomers of the target product, the isomer by‐products cannot be well inhibited only by adjusting the acid properties. At this point, it is an effective strategy to design functional acid catalysts to decrease by‐products through increasing the steric hindrance of forming isomer by‐products. In this paper, thiol and trifluoromethanesulfonyl functional sulfonated mesoporous polydivinylbenzene solid acids were prepared. The Bisphenol‐A synthesis reaction was used as a probe reaction to verify the cooperative effect of thiol and trifluoromethanesulfonyl on the catalytic performance of prepared solid acids. The results confirmed that thiol functionalizing sulfonated mesoporous polydivinylbenzene solid acid could reduce the by‐product o′p‐bisphenol‐A through steric hindrance effect and then improved the selectivity of the target product p′p‐bisphenol‐A. Trifluoromethanesulfonyl functionalizing sulfonated mesoporous polydivinylbenzene could promote the catalytic efficiency and the selectivity of p′p‐bisphenol‐A by enhancing the acidity of solid acids. Thiol and trifluoromethanesulfonyl difunctional sulfonated mesoporous polydivinylbenzene (PDVB‐SO2CF3‐SO3H‐SH) had the optimal catalytic performance due to the cooperative effect of steric hindrance and strong acidity. The phenol conversion of 37 % and the p′p‐bisphenol‐A selectivity of 97 % were obtained over PDVB‐SO2CF3‐SO3H‐SH under 90 °C for 4 h.
A Precise Molecular Design to Achieve ACQ‐to‐AIE Transformation for Developing New Mechanochromic Material by Regio‐Isomerization Strategy**
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Xinli , Li Renfu , Sun Shitao , Li Zhenli , Hao Jinle , Lin Bin , Jiang Hong , Xie Lijun
Published: February 2022

Herein, we have designed and synthesized a series of MeO‐rofecoxib based fluorophore (MORF1–6) for exploiting new promising mechanochromic luminescent (MCL) materials. Among them, MORF1 and MORF3 exhibit aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) effects when the substituent is located at the ortho‐position on the benzene ring of b. Meanwhile, by changing the type and position of the substituent, the corresponding compounds MORF2, MORF4, MORF5, MORF6 show aggregation caused‐quenching (ACQ) behavior. These results demonstrate that the position and type of the substituent have a great effect on their fluorescent properties. Furthermore, an X‐ray crystal structure analysis of MORF3 revealed that the intermolecular π‐π stacking was suppressed and intramolecular hydrogen bonding were formed, which could effectively restrict the molecular motions, thus causing typical AIE effect and mechanochromic property. Finally, a re‐writable data recording device was fabricated using MORF3 as the active material. Our molecular design strategy may provide a new avenue for achieving efficient MCL materials.
Ultra‐Durability and Enhanced Activity of Amorphous Cobalt Anchored Polyaniline Synergistic towards Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation
Authors: Sriram Sundarraj , Mathi Selvam , Vishnu Bakthavachalam , Karthikeyan B. , Jayabharathi Jayaraman
Published: February 2022

Cobalt anchored polyaniline electrocatalysts (Co@PANI) have been synthesized (Co@PANI‐200, Co@PANI‐400, Co@PANI‐600, Co@PANI‐800) and characterised. The electrical conductivity and stability of Co@PANI increased due to the synergistic effect of PANI and cobalt content. PANI prevents aggregation and show strong binding with cobalt ions. The Co@PANI‐600/GC shows low overpotential of 341 mV @ 10 mA cm−2 current density and the Tafel slope of Co@PANI‐600 (39 mV dec−1) was smaller than IrO2 (98 mV dec−1) for OER. The calculated turnover frequency (TOF) of Co@PANI‐600/GC (0.01609 s−1) was ≈8 times higher than IrO2 (0.0014 s−1) at 1.60 V. Furthermore, the Co@PANI‐600/NF electrocatalyst shows an incredibly low overpotential of 251 mV @10 mA cm−2. This new born Co@PANI‐600/NF exhibits durability over 250 h with only 5.1 % potential loss in alkaline medium. Co@PANI‐600 catalyst exhibits excellent OER performances as well as having enough kinetics to solve the sluggish rate of water oxidation. At 1.54 V, the solar driven water electrolysis demonstration supports the efficiency of new born electrocatalyst in solar to hydrogen conversion. These research findings confirm that Co@PANI‐600 can be used for large‐scale hydrogen generation at the lowest possible cost.
Fabricating N, S Co‐Doped Hierarchical Macro‐Meso‐Micro Carbon Materials as pH‐Universal ORR Electrocatalysts**
Authors: Wang Shouting , Liu Yang , Liu Xupo , Chen Ye , Zhao Yaling , Gao Shuyan
Published: February 2022

Exploring low‐cost and efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts is essential for clean energy conversion devices, such as fuel cells. Herein, a series of N, S co‐doped carbon‐based materials were synthesized by the one‐step pyrolysis route, using ZnCl2‐Zn(OH)2 as templates and solidago biomass as carbon and heteroatom sources. The double‐templated ZnCl2‐Zn(OH)2 system was employed to prepare the appealing carbon materials with hierarchical macro‐meso‐micro structure and high specific area. The invasive species of solidagos, as the precursors, have advantages of low cost and improved ecological diversification to some extent. The optimized catalyst (NSC‐Z2‐L) contains abundant hierarchical macro‐meso‐micro pores, high specific surface area (∼1581 m2 g−1) and N, S content (∼2.25 at.%). The special structure endows the catalyst with excellent ORR half‐wave potential (E1/2) of 0.85 V, 0.77 V and 0.76 V in the alkaline, acidic and neutral media, respectively, which are compatible with those of commercial Pt/C. The remarkable ORR performances are attributed to the hierarchically porous structure, high specific surface area and the synergistic effect of pyridinic‐N, graphitic‐N and C−S−C species. This work provides a valuable reference for achieving high‐performance ORR catalysts derived from low‐cost biomass materials.
Ferroelectric Polymer Nanofibers Reminiscent of Morphotropic Phase Boundary Behavior for Improved Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting
Authors: Park Jiseul , Lim Yeong‐won , Cho Sam Yeon , Byun Myunghwan , Park Kwi‐Il , Lee Han Eol , Bu Sang Don , Lee Ki‐Tae , Wang Qing , Jeong Chang Kyu
Published: February 2022

Ferroelectric and piezoelectric polymers have attracted great attention from many research and engineering fields due to its mechanical robustness and flexibility as well as cost‐effectiveness and easy processibility. Nevertheless, the electrical performance of piezoelectric polymers is very hard to reach that of piezoelectric ceramics basically and physically, even in the case of the representative ferroelectric polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF‐TrFE)). Very recently, the concept for the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), which has been exclusive in the field of high‐performance piezoelectric ceramics, has been surprisingly confirmed in P(VDF‐TrFE) piezoelectric copolymers by the groups. This study demonstrates the exceptional behaviors reminiscent of MPB and relaxor ferroelectrics in the feature of widely utilized electrospun P(VDF‐TrFE) nanofibers. Consequently, an energy harvesting device that exceeds the performance limitation of the existing P(VDF‐TrFE) materials is developed. Even the unpoled MPB‐based P(VDF‐TrFE) nanofibers show higher output than the electrically poled normal P(VDF‐TrFE) nanofibers. This study is the first step toward the manufacture of a new generation of piezoelectric polymers with practical applications.
Unravelling Heterogeneities in Complement and Antibody Opsonization of Individual Liposomes as a Function of Surface Architecture
Authors: Münter Rasmus , Stavnsbjerg Camilla , Christensen Esben , Thomsen Mikkel E. , Stensballe Allan , Hansen Anders E. , Parhamifar Ladan , Kristensen Kasper , Simonsen Jens B. , Larsen Jannik B. , Andresen Thomas L.
Published: February 2022

Coating nanoparticles with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is widely used to achieve long‐circulating properties after infusion. While PEG reduces binding of opsonins to the particle surface, immunogenic anti‐PEG side‐effects show that PEGylated nanoparticles are not truly “stealth” to surface active proteins. A major obstacle for understanding the complex interplay between opsonins and nanoparticles is the averaging effects of the bulk assays that are typically applied to study protein adsorption to nanoparticles. Here, a microscopy‐based method for directly quantifying opsonization at the single nanoparticle level is presented. Various surface coatings are investigated on liposomes, including PEG, and show that opsonization by both antibodies and complement C3b is highly dependent on the surface chemistry. It is further demonstrated that this opsonization is heterogeneous, with opsonized and non‐opsonized liposomes co‐existing in the same ensemble. Surface coatings modify the percentage of opsonized liposomes and/or opsonin surface density on the liposomes, with strikingly different patterns for antibodies and complement. Thus, this assay provides mechanistic details about opsonization at the single nanoparticle level previously inaccessible to established bulk assays.
Molten‐Salt Synthesis of O3‐Type Layered Oxide Single Crystal Cathodes with Controlled Morphology towards Long‐Life Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Lamb Julia , Jarvis Karalee , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: February 2022

Sodium layered oxides show great promise as affordable alternatives to lithium layered oxides, but their poor cycle life and air stability limit their practical potential. Micron‐scale single crystals with greater packing density and lower surface area can overcome these challenges and improve performance compared to the traditional polycrystalline morphology. Herein, the authors present the synthesis of layered O3‐type Na(Ni0.3Fe0.4Mn0.3)O2 single‐crystals with greatly improved cycle life and air stability. A molten‐salt synthesis technique is adopted with excess sodium hydroxide to obtain platelet‐like single crystals. Because the main mechanisms of both capacity fade and air degradation occur as a result of surface reactions at the opening of the sodium diffusion channels, particle morphology is found to be a critical metric for materials performance. More important than particle size or total surface area, the smaller proportion of exposed edge planes in the platelet morphology greatly reduces the amount of harmful surface reactions. Furthermore, the molten‐salt method is found to eliminate the need for coprecipitated precursors and even form better morphology, starting from metal oxides instead of coprecipitated hydroxides.
Reversible Hydration Composite Films for Evaporative Perspiration Control and Heat Stress Management
Authors: Yang Jiachen , Zhang Xueping , Koh J. Justin , Deng Rensheng , Kumarasamy Saravana , Xu Yuan Xing , Qu Hao , Zhang Songlin , Zhang Yaoxin , Tan Swee Ching
Published: February 2022

Donning of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the healthcare sector has been intensified by the on‐going COVID‐19 pandemic around the globe. While extensive PPE provides protection, it typically limits moisture permeability and severely hinders the sweat evaporation process, resulting in greater heat stress on the personnel. Herein, a zinc‐poly(vinyl alcohol) (Zn‐PVA) composite film is fabricated by embedding a super‐hygroscopic zinc‐ethanolamine complex (Zn‐complex) in the PVA matrix. By attaching the Zn‐PVA composite film, the relative humidity (RH) inside the protective suit decreases from 91.0% to 48.2%. The reduced RH level, in turn, enhances evaporative cooling, hence bringing down the heat index from 64.6 to 40.0 °C at an air temperature of 35 °C, remarkably lowering the likelihood of heat stroke. The American Society for Testing and Materials tests conducted on a sweating manikin have also proven that the Zn‐PVA composite films can significantly reduce the evaporative resistance of the protective suit by 90%. The low material cost, facile fabrication process, and reusability allow the Zn‐PVA composition films to be readily available for healthcare workers worldwide. This application can be further extended to other occupations that are facing severe thermal discomfort and heat stress.
Integrating privacy debt and VSE's software developments
Authors: Santamaria Izaskun , Larrucea Xabier , Fernandez‐Gauna Borja
Published: February 2022

With the advent of regulations protecting users such as the General Data Protection Regulation, security and privacy concerns are playing a new role in small settings such as in very small entities. Their relevance is increasing, and privacy is being considered a Troy horse in software developments. In fact, privacy is a part of software architectural decisions, and they must be considered as a technical debt. The contributions of this paper are the following: a privacy debt definition with a principal and an interest, privacy‐related activities to be considered within the ISO/IEC 29110 basic profile, and the use of the net present value within this context. All these contributions help us to integrate privacy debt and VSE's software developments.
Effects of perfluorooctanoic acid in oxidative stress generation, DNA damage in cumulus cells, and its impact on in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes
Authors: Mario Teteltitla , Yvonne Ducolomb , Veronica Souza , Alejandro Domínguez , Juan Rodríguez‐Mercado , Diana Flores , Edmundo Bonilla , Eduardo Casas , Mario Altamirano , Alma López , Ivan Bahena , Concepcion Gutierrez , Fahiel Casillas , Miguel Betancourt
Published: February 2022

Perfluorooctanoic acid is a synthetic compound mostly used in a wide range of consumer products with several adverse effects on somatic cells and gametes. It has been linked to hepatotoxic and carcinogenic effects, alterations in the immune system, endocrine, and reproductive alterations. In vivo studies show an increase in reactive oxygen species and DNA damage. However, the mechanisms by which this compound affects fertility, remain contradictory. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of perfluorooctanoic acid on oocyte viability and maturation, as well as the viability, generation of oxidative stress, and genotoxic damage in the cumulus cells exposed during in vitro maturation. This compound had a negative effect on oocyte viability (lethal concentration, LC50 = 269 μM) and maturation (inhibition maturation concentration IM50 = 75 μM), while in cumulus cells the LC50 was 158 μM. The generation of reactive oxygen species evaluated in cumulus cells, protein carbonylation, and DNA damage, was significantly increased at 40 μM perfluorooctanoic acid. This study provides evidence that perfluorooctanoic acid causes reactive oxygen species generation, protein oxidation, and DNA damage in cumulus cells, compromising the maturation and viability of porcine oocyte, which may affect fertility.
Recent advances in materials and applications for bioelectronic and biorobotic systems
Authors: Phillips Jacob W. , Prominski Aleksander , Tian Bozhi
Published: February 2022

The ultimate goal of the advancements in bioelectronics and robotics is the creation of seamless interfaces between artificial devices and biological structures. Current efforts in this area have been focused on designing biocompatible, mechanically compliant, and minimally invasive electronic and robotic systems for a range of applications, such as motor control and sweat sensing. The purposeful design of bioelectronic and robotic systems using the principles of biomimicry enables the creation of biocompatible and life‐like machines and electronics. The success of such approaches relies on the new development and applications of soft materials, as well as methods of actuation and sensing that are inspired, either by composition, function, or properties, of the naturally occurring organisms. A combination of rigid structural components, soft actuators, and flexible sensors can enable the integration of such devices with biological organisms and eventually human users. In this review, we highlight the recent advances in biomimetic soft robotics and bioelectronics. We describe the soft robotic fabrication toolbox and modern solution in bioelectronics that, in our opinion, will enable the fusion of these fields by creating robotic bioelectronic systems. Future development in this area will require substantial integration of adaptable and responsive components at the biointerfaces.
Parameter estimation from spontaneous imbibition into volcanic tuff
Authors: Kuhlman Kristopher L. , Mills Melissa M. , Heath Jason E. , Paul Matthew J. , Wilson Jennifer E. , Bower John Eric
Published: February 2022

Two‐phase fluid flow properties underlie quantitative prediction of water and gas movement, but constraining these properties typically requires multiple time‐consuming laboratory methods. The estimation of two‐phase flow properties (van Genuchten parameters, porosity, and intrinsic permeability) is illustrated in cores of vitric nonwelded volcanic tuff using Bayesian parameter estimation that fits numerical models to observations from spontaneous imbibition experiments. The uniqueness and correlation of the estimated parameters is explored using different modeling assumptions and subsets of the observed data. The resulting estimation process is sensitive to both moisture retention and relative permeability functions, thereby offering a comprehensive method for constraining both functions. The data collected during this relatively simple laboratory experiment, used in conjunction with a numerical model and a global optimizer, result in a viable approach for augmenting more traditional capillary pressure data obtained from hanging water column, membrane plate extractor, or mercury intrusion methods. This method may be useful when imbibition rather than drainage parameters are sought, when larger samples (e.g., including heterogeneity or fractures) need to be tested that cannot be accommodated in more traditional methods, or when in educational laboratory settings.
Telemedicine practice guidelines in India: Global implications in the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Venkatesh U. , Aravind Gandhi P. , Velmurugan Anbu Ananthan
Published: February 2022

Telemedicine is the delivery of healthcare services from a distance, by use of information and communication technology. There have been no statutory regulations or official guidelines in India specific for telemedicine practice and allied matters so far. For the first time, the government of India released telemedicine practice guidelines for Registered Medical Practitioners on March 25, 2020, amid the COVID‐19 outbreak. This review would initiate the discussion on the features of the guidelines, their limitations, and their significance in times of the COVID‐19 pandemic. The guidelines are with a restricted scope for providing medical consultation to patients, excluding other aspects of telemedicine such as research and evaluation and the continuing education of healthcare workers. The guidelines have elaborated on the eligibility for practicing Telemedicine in India, the modes and types of teleconsultations, delved into the doctor‐patient relationship, consent, and management protocols, and touched upon the data security and privacy aspects of Teleconsultation. After releasing the guidelines, the telescreening of the public for COVID‐19 symptoms is being advocated by the government of India. COVID‐19 National Teleconsultation Centre (CoNTeC) has been initiated, which connects the doctors across India to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in real‐time for accessing expert guidance on the treatment of the COVID‐19 patients.
Understanding the gap between policy and facts: The Italian experience on federal decoupling in the implementation of breast units
Authors: Gabutti Irene , Barneschi Chiara
Published: February 2022

Decoupling in the health‐care sector is a highly problematic phenomenon that easily leads to dramatic failures in strategy implementation. Although decoupling is addressed frequently at the organizational level, there exists extremely poor evidence of its presence at the federal/regional level. This study provides an investigation on the implementation of Italy's directive on the re‐organization of regional health‐care systems' networks based on breast units, with the intent of detecting different levels of compliance across regions and possible decoupling phenomena. Nonparametric tests are carried out to assess the gaps between formal and concrete compliance to the national directive across regions. Results suggest that decoupling occurs at the regional level, but formal compliance positively affects concrete compliance in the long term. Implications for policymakers concern their awareness of possible discrepancies between formal compliance to their directives and concrete changes in the way health‐care services are managed, as well as a strategic understanding of how these are doomed to be mitigated in the long run. Such awareness should affect the ability of policymakers to adapt and interpret performance measurement systems accordingly.
Ewen D. Cameron: Wechselwirkungen zwischen einem forschenden Psychiater und seinen professionellen wie auch gesellschaftlichen Kontexten
Authors: Helmchen Hanfried
Published: February 2022

Der Psychiater Ewen Cameron hat bereits in den 1930er Jahren organisatorische Grundlagen für die sozialpsychiatrische Reform der psychiatrischen „Anstalt“ gelegt, das open-door-System eingeführt und 1946 die weltweit erste psychiatrische Tagesklinik gegründet. Ebenso hat er mit dem „psychic driving“ eine „automatisierte Psychotherapie“ entwickelt sowie die somatischen Behandlungsverfahren seiner Zeit (wissenschaftlicher Kontext) zu einer neuen Therapieform gebündelt, dem „depatterning“. Sein Bild in der Öffentlichkeit wurde zunächst durch seine charismatische und mit bedeutenden Ehrungen anerkannte Persönlichkeit geprägt, u.a. wurde Cameron 1961 Gründungspräsident des Weltverbandes für Psychiatrie (WPA). Als 1977 bekannt wurde, dass eines seiner Forschungsprojekte von der CIA verdeckt mitfinanziert worden war, wurde er zum Inbegriff des brainwashing-Experten stilisiert. Die in die gesellschaftliche Atmosphäre des kalten Krieges mit ihren Verschwörungsvermutungen eingebettete öffentliche Beschäftigung mit der „Gehirnwäsche“ und den Gedankenkontrolltechniken der CIA (gesellschaftlicher Kontext) veränderte das posthume Bild von Ewen Cameron grundlegend. Im kritischen Rückblick hat er seine Forschung in einem klinischen Kontext realisieren können, das sowohl sein Forschungskonzept tolerierte und offenbar höher als das Leiden des einzelnen Kranken bewertete, als auch die klaren ethischen Regeln des Jahres 1948 (Nürnberger Kodex, Genfer Deklaration des Weltärztebundes wie auch der UN-Deklaration der Allgemeinen Menschenrechte) noch nicht internalisiert hatte. Auch mit seinen sozialtechnischen Phantasien lief Cameron Gefahr, die sozialpsychiatrische Versorgung psychisch Kranker zu verlassen und in eine totalitäre Ideologie abzugleiten.
Dissection of the practical soybean breeding pipeline by developing ZDX1, a high-throughput functional array
Authors: Sun Rujian , Sun Bincheng , Tian Yu , Su Shanshan , Zhang Yong , Zhang Wanhai , Wang Jingshun , Yu Ping , Guo Bingfu , Li Huihui , Li Yanfei , Gao Huawei , Gu Yongzhe , Yu Lili , Ma Yansong , Su Erhu , Li Qiang , Hu Xingguo , Zhang Qi , Guo Rongqi , Chai Shen , Feng Lei , Wang Jun , Hong Huilong , Xu Jiangyuan , Yao Xindong , Wen Jing , Liu Jiqiang , Li Yinghui , Qiu Lijuan
Published: February 2022

Key message

We developed the ZDX1 high-throughput functional soybean array for high accuracy evaluation and selection of both parents and progeny, which can greatly accelerate soybean breeding.

Microarray technology facilitates rapid, accurate, and economical genotyping. Here, using resequencing data from 2214 representative soybean accessions, we developed the high-throughput functional array ZDX1, containing 158,959 SNPs, covering 90.92% of soybean genes and sites related to important traits. By application of the array, a total of 817 accessions were genotyped, including three subpopulations of candidate parental lines, parental lines and their progeny from practical breeding. The fixed SNPs were identified in progeny, indicating artificial selection during the breeding process. By identifying functional sites of target traits, novel soybean cyst nematode-resistant progeny and maturity-related novel sources were identified by allele combinations, demonstrating that functional sites provide an efficient method for the rapid screening of desirable traits or gene sources. Notably, we found that the breeding index (BI) was a good indicator for progeny selection. Superior progeny were derived from the combination of distantly related parents, with at least one parent having a higher BI. Furthermore, new combinations based on good performance were proposed for further breeding after excluding redundant and closely related parents. Genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) analysis was the best analysis method and achieved the highest accuracy in predicting four traits when comparing SNPs in genic regions rather than whole genomic or intergenic SNPs. The prediction accuracy was improved by 32.1% by using progeny to expand the training population. Collectively, a versatile assay demonstrated that the functional ZDX1 array provided efficient information for the design and optimization of a breeding pipeline for accelerated soybean breeding.
Comparison of different approaches to describe the thermotropic volume phase transition of smart microgels
Authors: Friesen Simon , Hannappel Yvonne , Kakorin Sergej , Hellweg Thomas
Published: February 2022

The description of gel swelling by Flory and Rehner using the original Flory–Huggins interaction parameter for the polymer–solvent interaction cannot be applied to most smart microgels. Here, we compare descriptions of the swelling curves of such microgels using series expansions of the Flory–Huggins parameter $$\chi$$
χ
with the results of Hill-like equation for $$\chi$$
χ
. We study N-isopropyl-acrylamide particles at different concentrations of the cross-linker N,N-methylenebisacrylamide. The hydrodynamic radius $$R_{\mathrm {H}}$$

R
H

of the microgel particles is determined using photon correlation spectroscopy. The fits with the series expansion of $$\chi$$
χ
nicely follow the experimental data. However, already with the first-order series expansion, the computed $$\Theta$$
Θ
temperatures are not physically reasonable. Moreover, the physical meaning of the parameters of the series expansion is not clear. The Hill-like equation, which we recently introduced, yields a good description of all measured microgel swelling curves and provides physically meaningful parameters. For instance, the Hill parameter $$\nu$$
ν
corresponds to the number of water molecules per network chain cooperatively leaving the chain at the volume phase transition.

Graphical abstract

Different approaches to model the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter are explored and compared with respect to the quality of the fit of microgel swelling curves.
Chiral pyridine oxazoline and 1,2,4-triazine oxazoline ligands incorporating electron-withdrawing substituents and their application in the Cu-catalyzed enantioselective nitroaldol reaction
Authors: Wolińska Ewa , Rozbicki Przemysław , Branowska Danuta
Published: February 2022

Eight pyridine-containing and four 1,2,4-triazine-containing chiral oxazoline ligands incorporating electron-withdrawing substituents have been synthesized by two-step route including Buchwald–Hartwig amination. Enantio-inducing activity of the ligands has been assessed in the copper-catalyzed asymmetric nitroaldol reactions and the influence of the electron-withdrawing substituents on the ligands' activity has been investigated.

Graphical abstract