bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial and Kinetic Regulation of Sulfur Electrochemistry on Semi‐Immobilized Redox Mediators in Working Batteries
Authors: Xie Jin , Peng Hong‐Jie , Song Yun‐Wei , Li Bo‐Quan , Xiao Ye , Zhao Meng , Yuan Hong , Huang Jia‐Qi , Zhang Qiang
Published: June 2020

Use of redox mediators (RMs) is an effective strategy to enhance reaction kinetics of multi‐electron sulfur electrochemistry. However, the soluble small‐molecule RMs usually aggravate the internal shuttle and thus further reduce the battery efficiency and cyclability. A semi‐immobilization strategy is now proposed for RM design to effectively regulate the sulfur electrochemistry while circumvent the inherent shuttle issue in a working battery. Small imide molecules as the model RMs were co‐polymerized with moderate‐chained polyether, rendering a semi‐immobilized RM (PIPE) that is spatially restrained yet kinetically active. A small amount of PIPE (5 % in cathode) extended the cyclability of sulfur cathode from 37 to 190 cycles with 80 % capacity retention at 0.5 C. The semi‐immobilization strategy helps to understand RM‐assisted sulfur electrochemistry in alkali metal batteries and enlightens the chemical design of active additives for advanced electrochemical energy storage devices.
Photocatalytic Vicinal Aminopyridylation of Methyl Ketones by a Double Umpolung Strategy
Authors: Im Honggu , Choi Wonjun , Hong Sungwoo
Published: June 2020

A photocatalytic double umpolung strategy for the vicinal aminopyridylation of ketones was developed using pyridinium N−N ylides. The inversion of the polarity of the pyridinium N−N ylides by single‐electron oxidation successfully enables radical‐mediated 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions with enolsilanes formed in situ from ketones, followed by homolytic cleavage of the N−N bond. Intriguingly, the nucleophilic amino and electrophilic pyridyl groups in the ylides can be installed at the nucleophilic α‐position and electrophilic carbonyl carbon, respectively, which are typically inaccessible by their innate polarity‐driven reactivity. This method accommodates a broad scope, and the utility was further demonstrated by the late‐stage functionalization of complex biorelevant molecules. Moreover, the strategy can be successfully applied to enamides.
Failure of standard tracheostomy decannulation criteria to detect suprastomal pathology
Authors: Thomas A. J. , Talbot E. , Drewery H.
Published: June 2020

Meeting established criteria for tracheostomy decannulation should improve success, although there will be a small proportion of patients with a tracheostomy who fail decannulation. Failure rates depend on patient characteristics and disparity between institutional practices and expert opinion. However, there are no widely accepted published failure rates, or agreement on the time‐point at which failure is assessed. We present a patient who had evidence of readiness for decannulation, but had immediate failure due to extrinsic tracheal compression, which proved difficult to diagnose and required surgery to resolve. Capping the tracheostomy before decannulation may or may not have given rise to suspicion of potential failure and this practice requires further evaluation as it is not without risk. For subglottic, but suprastomal lesions, nasendoscopy is not of value. It is important to decannulate patients in a safe environment, preferably early in the day to allow post decannulation observations and interventions should they become necessary, and with the close involvement of the multi‐professional team. This report illustrates the failure of our standard Tracheostomy decannulation criteria, and direct upper airway view to identify suprastomal tracheal pathology, and we discuss the potential for additional criteria which may have identified the issue before decannulation attempts.
Efficient synthesis of β‐aminoketones catalyzed by Fe3O4@ quillaja sapogenin/Ni (II) as a novel magnetic nano‐catalyst
Authors: Heidarpour Majid , Anaraki‐Ardakani Hossein , Hasanzadeh Neda , Rayatzadeh Ayeh
Published: June 2020

A new nano‐magnetic core–shell Fe3O4@quillaja sapogenin/Ni (II) was synthesized and characterized thoroughly using various tests including energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The achievements demonstrated that the proposed agents were beneficial to synthesis the derivatives of β‐aminoketone. Moreover, it was possible to recover the catalyst by means of simple magnetic decantation quickly. Besides, no reduction in the activity of the catalyst occurred, even though it was utilized in various reactions.
Preparation of Tetraethylenepentamine‐Functionalized 4A Zeolite for effective removal of phosphate in water
Authors: Guan Qingqing , Deng Lihua , Zhang Dehua , Ning Ping , Kong Zhaoni , He Liang
Published: June 2020

Recently, the high‐concentration phosphorus‐containing wastewater has been caused lots of negative influences on aquatic environment and thus driven people to develop some effective methods to remove excess of phosphate in water. In order to solve these environmental problem, in this work, a tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) modified 4A zeolite has been prepared and used for removing phosphate. Removal of phosphate by precipitation of 4A zeolite and electrostatic action of TEPA with phosphate were determined by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction and Fourier infrared spectrum, and morphology and characteristic peak of TEPA‐4A zeolite before and after adsorption changed significantly. In addition, the results of batch adsorption studies showed that the pH of the solution have a significant influence on the adsorption of TEPA‐4A and the biggest adsorption capacity was 23 mg/g at pH = 2.3 ± 0.2. Adsorption isotherms results showed that the process was consistent with Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity could reach to 28 mg/g at 25 °C. TEPA‐4A adsorption processes were spontaneous endothermic reaction, and elevated temperatures were conducive to the adsorption process through kinetics and thermodynamics results. The research of TEPA modified 4A zeolite and raw 4A zeolite provides technical support for the development of 4A zeolite instead of sodium tripolyphosphate as a new type of detergent ingredient.
Coralligenous assemblages along their geographical distribution: Testing of concepts and implications for management
Authors: Çinar Melih Ertan , Féral Jean‐Pierre , Arvanitidis Christos , David Romain , Taşkin Ergün , Sini Maria , Dailianis Thanos , Doğan Alper , Gerovasileiou Vasilis , Evcen Alper , Chenuil Anne , Dağli Ertan , Aysel Veysel , Issaris Yannis , Bakir Kerem , Nalmpantı Melina , Sartoretto Stephane , Salomidi Maria , Sapouna Anastasia , Açik Sermin , Dimitriadis Charalampos , Koutsoubas Drosos , Katağan Tuncer , Öztürk Bilal , Koçak Ferah , Erdogan‐Dereli Deniz , Önen Senem , Özgen Özge , Türkçü Neslihan , Kirkim Fevzi , Önen Mesut
Published: June 2020

The coralligenous habitat was studied at the large Mediterranean scale, by applying a standardized, non‐destructive photo‐sampling protocol, developed in the framework of the CIGESMED project.

The results provided evidence to support the following statements: (a) the assemblage pattern is not homogeneously distributed across the four Mediterranean ecoregions studied (biotic gradients hypothesis); and (b) the assemblage pattern does not change significantly when the information is aggregated to higher taxonomic levels (taxonomic sufficiency hypothesis).

Surrogate taxonomic categories higher than species, such as genus and family, can be used to reveal the multivariate pattern of the coralligenous assemblages.

Although preliminary at the pan‐Mediterranean scale, these outcomes set the scene for future comparisons as more data sets become available but also for comparisons between taxonomic and functional patterns.
Effect of Increased Lactate Dehydrogenase A Activity and Aerobic Glycolysis on the Proinflammatory Profile of Autoimmune CD8+ T Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Souto‐Carneiro M. Margarida , Klika Karel D. , Abreu Mónica T. , Meyer André P. , Saffrich Rainer , Sandhoff Roger , Jennemann Richard , Kraus Franziska V. , Tykocinski Lars , Eckstein Volker , Carvalho Lina , Kriegsmann Mark , Giese Thomas , Lorenz Hanns‐Martin , Carvalho Rui A.
Published: June 2020

Objective

CD8+ T cells contribute to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by releasing proinflammatory and cytolytic mediators, even in a challenging hypoxic and nutrient‐poor microenvironment such as the synovial membrane. This study was undertaken to explore the mechanisms through which CD8+ T cells meet their metabolic demands in the blood and synovial membrane of patients with RA.

Methods

Purified blood CD8+ T cells from patients with RA, patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA), as well as healthy control subjects, and CD8+ T cells from RA synovial membrane were stimulated in medium containing 13C‐labeled metabolic substrates in the presence or absence of metabolic inhibitors, under conditions of normoxia or hypoxia. The production of metabolic intermediates was quantified by 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance. The expression of metabolic enzymes, transcription factors, and immune effector molecules was assessed at both the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels. CD8+ T cell functional studies were performed.

Results

RA blood CD8+ T cells met their metabolic demands through aerobic glycolysis, production of uniformly 13C‐enriched lactate in the RA blood (2.6 to 3.7–fold higher than in patients with SpA, patients with PsA, and healthy controls; P < 0.01), and induction of glutaminolysis. Overexpression of Warburg effect–linked enzymes in all RA CD8+ T cell subsets maintained this metabolic profile, conferring to the cells the capacity to proliferate under hypoxia and low‐glucose conditions. In all RA CD8+ T cell subsets, lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) was overexpressed at the mRNA level (P < 0.03 versus controls; n = 6 per group) and protein level (P < 0.05 versus controls; n = 17 RA patients, n = 9 controls). In RA blood, inhibition of LDHA with FX11 led to reductions in lipogenesis, migration and proliferation of CD8+ T cells, and CD8+ T cell effector functions, while production of reactive oxygen species was increased by 1.5‐fold (P < 0.03 versus controls). Following inhibition of LDHA with FX11, RA CD8+ T cells lost their capacity to induce healthy B cells to develop a proinflammatory phenotype. Similar metabolic alterations were observed in RA CD8+ T cells from the synovial membrane.

Conclusion

Remodeling glucose and glutamine metabolism in RA CD8+ T cells by targeting LDHA activity can reduce the deleterious inflammatory and cytolytic contributions of these cells to the development of autoimmunity.
Co‐Designed Exposure Protocol in the Study of Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance Attributed to Electromagnetic Fields
Authors: Ledent Maryse , Vatovez Benjamin , Pirard Willy , Bordarie Jimmy , Prignot Nicolas , Oftedal Gunnhild , Geuzaine Christophe , Beauvois Véronique , Bouland Catherine , Verschaeve Luc , Dieudonné Maël
Published: June 2020

The hypothesis of an electromagnetic origin of idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI) attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) has been widely investigated by provocation studies, which consist of deliberately exposing people with IEI‐EMF in laboratory settings to particular EMF to observe volunteers’ reactions. In the majority of these studies, reactions have been found to be independent of exposure. However, most of these studies suffer from design and methodological limitations that might bias their findings or reduce their precision. As provocation studies are best suited for isolating the effects of EMF, innovative protocols should be applied. In the ExpoComm project (PNREST Anses, EST/2017/2 RF/19), several innovations have been introduced: the involvement of people with IEI‐EMF in the development of the protocol, the attenuation of the anxiogenic nature of the tests, the individualization of the protocol, the validation of the neutral or normal reactivity state before the test, and the use of a cocktail of real, rather than artificially generated, sources. The objective of involving people with IEI‐EMF was to increase the relevance and acceptability of the protocol, while respecting technical constraints and scientific quality requirements. This paper describes the protocol resulting from the collaborative process. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020;41:425–437. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.
Bridging the Age Gap: a prognostic model that predicts survival and aids in primary treatment decisions for older women with oestrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer
Authors: Ward S E , Holmes G R , Morgan J L , Broggio J W , Collins K , Richards P D , Reed M W R , Wyld L
Published: June 2020

Background

A prognostic model was developed and validated using cancer registry data. This underpins an online decision support tool, informing primary treatment choice for women aged 70 years or older with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer.

Methods

Data from women diagnosed between 2002 and 2010 in the English Northern and Yorkshire and West Midlands regions were used to develop the model. Primary treatment options of surgery with adjuvant endocrine therapy or primary endocrine therapy were compared. Models predicting the hazard of breast cancer-specific mortality and hazard of other-cause mortality were combined to derive survival probabilities. The model was validated externally using data from the Eastern Cancer Registration and Information Centre.

Results

The model was developed using data from 23 842 women, and validated externally on a data set from 14 526 patients. The overall model calibration was good. At 2 and 5 years, predicted mortality from breast cancer and other causes differed from the observed rate by less than 1 per cent. At 5 years, there were slight overpredictions in breast cancer mortality (2629 predicted versus 2556 observed deaths; P = 0·142) and mortality from all causes (6399 versus 6320 respectively; P = 0·583). The discrepancy varied between subgroups. Model discrimination was 0·75 or above for all mortality measures.

Conclusion

A prognostic model for older women with oestrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer was developed and validated in the present study. This forms a basis for an online decision support tool (https://agegap.shef.ac.uk/).
Rapid deployment of smartphone‐based augmented reality tools for field and online education in structural biology
Authors: Hoog Tanner G. , Aufdembrink Lauren M. , Gaut Nathaniel J. , Sung Rou‐Jia , Adamala Katarzyna P. , Engelhart Aaron E.
Published: June 2020

Structural biology education commonly employs molecular visualization software, such as PyMol, RasMol, and VMD, to allow students to appreciate structure–function relationships in biomolecules. In on‐ground, classroom‐based education, these programs are commonly used on University‐owned devices with software preinstalled. Remote education typically involves the use of student‐owned devices, which complicates the use of such software, owing to the fact that (a) student devices have differing configurations (e.g., Windows vs MacOS) and processing power, and (b) not all student devices are suitable for use with such software. Smartphones are near‐ubiquitous devices, with smartphone ownership exceeding personal computer ownership, according to a recent survey. Here, we show the use of a smartphone‐based augmented reality app, Augment, in a structural biology classroom exercise, which students installed independently without IT support. Post‐lab attitudinal survey results indicate positive student experiences with this app. Based on our experiences, we suggest that smartphone‐based molecular visualization software, such as that used in this exercise, is a powerful educational tool that is particularly well‐suited for use in remote education.
Single Particle Assays to Determine Heterogeneities within Fluid Catalytic Cracking Catalysts
Authors: Nieuwelink Anne‐Eva , Velthoen Marjolein E. Z. , Nederstigt Yoni C. M. , Jagtenberg Kristel L. , Meirer Florian , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: June 2020

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Bert M. Weckhuysen at Utrecht University. The image depicts an artistic impression of catalyst particles in full color: by combining multiple characterization techniques per single Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) particle, insights are provided into the heterogeneity of an industrially used catalyst. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201905880.
A Bis‐Chelating / Ligand for the Synthesis of Heterobimetallic Platinum(II)/Rhenium(I) Complexes: Tools for the Optimization of a New Class of Platinum(II) Anticancer Agents
Authors: Bertrand Benoît , Botuha Candice , Forté Jérémy , Dossmann Héloïse , Salmain Michèle
Published: June 2020

The two independent and
coordination sites of a newly synthesized bis[2‐(hydroxyphenyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole] platform have been exploited to prepare four monometallic neutral ()PtII complexes carrying DMSO, pyridine, triphenylphosphine, or N‐heterocyclic carbene as the fourth ligand. Then, the second
coordination site was used to introduce an IR‐active rhenium tricarbonyl entity, affording the four corresponding heterobimetallic neutral PtII/ReI complexes, as well as a cationic PtII/ReI derivative. X‐ray crystallographic studies showed that distortion of the organic platform occurred to accommodate the coordination geometry of both metal centers. No ligand exchange or transchelation occurred upon incubation of the PtII complexes in aqueous environment or in the presence of FeIII, respectively. The antiproliferative activity of the ligand and complexes was first screened on the triple‐negative breast cancer cell line MDA‐MB‐231. Then, the IC50 values of the most active candidates were determined on a wider panel of human cancer cells (MDA‐MB‐231, MCF‐7, and A2780), as well as on a nontumorigenic cell line (MCF‐10A). Low micromolar activities were reached for the complexes carrying a DMSO ligand, making them the first examples of highly active, but hydrolytically stable, PtII complexes. Finally, the characteristic mid‐IR signature of the {Re(CO)3} fragment in the Pt/Re heterobimetallic complexes was used to quantify their uptake in breast cancer cells.
The Coordination Chemistry of the N‐Donor‐Substituted Phosphazanes
Authors: Plajer Alex J. , Bond Andrew D. , Wright Dominic S.
Published: June 2020

Phosph(III)azanes, featuring the heterocyclobutane P2N2 ring, have now been established as building blocks in main‐group coordination and supramolecular compounds. Previous studies have largely involved their use as neutral P‐donor ligands or as anionic N‐donor ligands, derived from deprotonation of amido‐phosphazanes [RNHP(μ‐NR)]2. The use of neutral amido‐phosphazanes themselves as chelating, H‐bond donors in anion receptors has also been an area of recent interest because of the ease by which the proton acidity and anion binding constants can be modulated, by the incorporation of electron‐withdrawing exo‐ and endo‐cyclic groups (R) and by the coordination of transition metals to the ring P atoms. We observed recently that the effect of P,N‐chelation of metal atoms to the P atoms of cis‐[(2‐py)NHP(μ‐NtBu)]2 (2‐py=2‐pyridyl) not only pre‐organises the N−H functionality for optimum H‐bonding to anions but also results in a large increase in anion binding constants, well above those for traditional organic receptors like squaramides and ureas. Here, we report a broader investigation of ligand chemistry of [(2‐py)NHP(μ‐tNBu)]2 (and of the new quinolyl derivative [(8‐Qu)NHP(μ‐NtBu)]2 (8‐Qu=8‐quinolyl). The additional N‐donor functionality of the heterocyclic substituents and its position has a marked effect on the anion and metal coordination chemistry of both species, leading to novel structural behaviour and reactivity compared to unfunctionalized counterparts.
Chiral bioanalytical methods in bioequivalence studies of intravenous vs. oral formulations of ibuprofen
Authors: González‐Rojano Esperanza , Marcotegui Julio , Laredo Leonor , Gwaza Luther , Gordon John , Portolés Antonio , Vargas Emilio , Morales‐Alcelay Susana , García‐Arieta Alfredo
Published: June 2020

According to the Ibuprofen Product‐Specific Bioequivalence Guidance of the European Medicines Agency, achiral bioanalytical methods are considered acceptable for demonstration of bioequivalence of ibuprofen‐containing products.

The aim of this investigation is to compare the bioequivalence outcomes obtained with individual R and S ibuprofen enantiomers and the sum of both enantiomers from bioequivalence studies in which new intravenous ibuprofen products were compared with oral ibuprofen products. Bioequivalence was assessed for S and R enantiomers of ibuprofen and the sum of both enantiomers, which was calculated to represent the results that would have been obtained with an achiral assay. The infusion rates of 15, 20, and 30 minutes modify the maximum concentration (Cmax) of the intravenous administrations. In contrast, the time when the maximum concentration is observed (Tmax) was insensitive to detect differences in input rate within this range of infusion times. The eutomer S‐ibuprofen is the least sensitive analyte to detect differences in input rate; therefore, the regulatory acceptance of achiral bioanalytical methods for ibuprofen bioequivalence studies is justified because the sum of both enantiomers is more discriminative than the chiral methods where only the eutomer is used for regulatory decisions.
Cost‐aware cloud bursting in a fog‐cloud environment with real‐time workflow applications
Authors: Stavrinides Georgios L. , Karatza Helen D.
Published: June 2020

Cloud bursting is a concept originating from the hybrid cloud computing paradigm. During workload spikes, the local resources of the private cloud are supplemented by resources in the public cloud. This technique could also be applied in a fog computing environment, in order to handle workload fluctuations, by offloading applications to the cloud. Toward this direction, in this article, we propose a strategy for the utilization of supplementary cloud resources, in order to assist in the processing of Internet of Things workflow jobs that arrive dynamically in a fog environment. As the cloud involves higher data transfer latency and monetary cost, our approach takes into account these two factors, in addition to the real‐time constraints of the workload. The proposed scheduling heuristic is based on the tradeoff between performance and monetary cost. During resource selection, different contribution factors of these two parameters are assessed. Furthermore, the proposed scheduling method is compared against a baseline policy that utilizes only the fog resources. The simulation experiments were carried out under different sizes of workflow input data and for workloads with soft and hard deadlines.
Combined Spectroscopic and TD‐DFT Analysis to Elucidate Substituent and Acidochromic Effects in Organic Dyes: A Case Study on Amino‐ versus Nitro‐Substituted 2,4‐Diphenylquinolines
Authors: dos Santos Giovanny Carvalho , Roldao Juan Carlos , Shi Junqing , Milián‐Medina Begoña , da Silva‐Filho Luiz Carlos , Gierschner Johannes
Published: June 2020

A combined spectroscopic and TD‐DFT case study was performed, to identify a robust method to calculate the complex near UV/Vis absorption spectra of various amino‐ vs. nitro‐substituted 2,4‐diphenylquinolines, which vary strongly under neutral and successively acidic conditions. For this, different DFT functionals were tested for geometry optimization and the TD part to calculate the neutral and different protonated species in a fast screening approach, i. e. using single point calculations in an implicit solvent. Offset‐corrected M06HF, hitherto only applied to polymers, was identified as a suitable method to reproduce the absorption spectra in a reasonable fashion for all different substitution pattern and all different protonated species at different pH values; moreover, the method properly predicts the energetic ordering of low‐lying n‐π* and ππ* transitions, which is decisive for the non‐/emissive nature of the different compounds. In all, this might provide a valuable tool for computer‐aided design of related classes of compounds.
Formation and Modulation of Nanotubular Assemblies of Oligourea Foldamers in Aqueous Conditions using Alcohol Additives
Authors: Yoo Sung Hyun , Collie Gavin W. , Mauran Laura , Guichard Gilles
Published: June 2020

There is considerable interest in the rational design of controllable, bioinspired supramolecular systems as a potential means to create new biocompatible and functional materials able to mimic and build upon the characteristics of natural biopolymers. Here, the alcohol‐controlled aqueous self‐assembly of an amphiphilic helical oligourea foldamer (artificial folded oligomer) into a diverse array of tubular fibril architectures is reported. Electron microscopy studies provide details of the morphological evolution of the foldamer nanostructures from protofibrils to fibers, with high resolution X‐ray crystal structures providing an atomic‐scale view of these assemblies, and solution studies indicating the assembly and morphology to be affected by alcohol polarity and concentration. Overall, the results reported here highlight oligourea foldamers as suitable building blocks for the formation of a diverse range of tubular morphologies in a controllable manner.
A bidirectional diode containing multilevel inverter topology with reduced switch count and driver
Authors: Hosseinpour Majid , Seifi Ali , Rahimian Mohmad Mohsen
Published: June 2020

In this paper, a bidirectional diode containing multilevel inverter is introduced to reduce the number of switching elements especially in the case of a high number of output voltage levels. In comparison with classic and recently introduced symmetrical topologies, which are trying to reduce the switch count, this topology has a lower number of semiconductor switches in the same number of output voltage levels. This makes the proposed inverter to be a suitable choice for medium voltage applications like renewable energy applications as well as medium voltage electric drives. Moreover, it can be used in a cascaded configuration for high voltage levels. To depict the performance of the proposed structure, a comprehensive comparison is made between this topology and classic and recently proposed symmetric topologies in terms of switch and gate driver count, power losses, and cost. The performance of the proposed symmetrical 11‐level converter is analyzed and simulated in MATLAB/Simulink for both PWM and selective harmonic elimination switching methods. Not only the results are desirable but also the experimental results of laboratory prototype validate the simulation results.
Crow–penguin optimizer for multiobjective task scheduling strategy in cloud computing
Authors: Singh Harvinder , Tyagi Sanjay , Kumar Pardeep
Published: June 2020

Task scheduling in the cloud is the multiobjective optimization problem, and most of the task scheduling problems fail to offer an effective trade‐off between the load, resource utilization, makespan, and Quality of Service (QoS). To bring a balance in the trade‐off, this paper proposes a method, termed as crow–penguin optimizer for multiobjective task scheduling strategy in cloud computing (CPO‐MTS). The proposed algorithm decides the optimal execution of the available tasks in the available cloud resources in minimal time. The proposed algorithm is the fusion of the Crow Search optimization Algorithm (CSA) and the Penguin Search Optimization Algorithm (PeSOA), and the optimal allocation of the tasks depends on the newly designed optimization algorithm. The proposed algorithm exhibits a better convergence rate and converges to the global optimal solution rather than the local optima. The formulation of the multiobjectives aims at a maximum value through attaining the maximum QoS and resource utilization and minimum load and makespan, respectively. The experimentation is performed using three setups, and the analysis proves that the method attained a better QoS, makespan, Resource Utilization Cost (RUC), and load at a rate of 0.4729, 0.0432, 0.0394, and 0.0298, respectively.
IoTScal‐H : Hybrid monitoring solution based on cloud computing for autonomic middleware‐level scalability management within IoT systems and different SLA traffic requirements
Authors: Zyane Abdellah , Bahiri Mohamed Nabil , Ghammaz Abdelilah
Published: June 2020

Wireless sensor network (WSN) technologies have enabled ubiquitous sensing to intersect many areas of modern day living. The creation of these devices offers the ability to get, gather, exchange, and consume environmental measurement from the physical world in a communicating‐actuating network, called the Internet of Things (IoT). As the number of physical world objects from heterogeneous network environments grows, the data produced by these objects raise uncontrollably, bringing a delicate challenge into scalability management in the IoT networks. Cloud computing is a much more mature technology, offering unlimited virtual capabilities in terms of storage capacity and processing power. Ostensibly, it seems that cloud computing and IoT are evolving independently on their own paths, but in reality, the integration of clouds with IoT will lead to deal with the inability to scale automatically depending on the overload caused by the drastic growth of the number of connected devices and/or by the huge amount of exchanged data in the IoT networks. In this paper, our objective is to promote the scalability management, using hybrid mechanism that will combine traffic‐oriented mechanism and resources‐oriented mechanism, with adaption actions. By the use of autonomic middleware within IoT systems, we seek to improve the monitoring components's architectural design, based on cloud computing‐oriented scalability solution. The intention is to maximize the number of satisfied requests, while maintaining at an acceptable QoS level of the system performances (RTT of the system, RAM, and CPU of the middleware). In order to evaluate our solution performance, we have performed different scenarios testbed experiments. Generally, our proposed results are better than those mentioned as reference.
Genotyping‐free parentage assignment using RAD‐seq reads
Authors: Chen Shi‐Yi , Li Cao , Luo Zhihao , Li Xiaowei , Gan Jia , Jia Xianbo , Lai Song‐Jia , Wang Wei
Published: June 2020

Parentage assignment is defined as the identification of the true parents of one focal offspring among a list of candidates and has been commonly used in zoological, ecological, and agricultural studies. Although likelihood‐based parentage assignment is the preferred method in most cases, it requires genotyping a predefined set of DNA markers and providing their population allele frequencies. In the present study, we proposed an alternative method of parentage assignment that does not depend on genotype data and prior information of allele frequencies. Our method employs the restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐seq) reads for clustering into the overlapped RAD loci among the compared individuals, following which the likelihood ratio of parentage assignment could be directly calculated using two parameters—the genome heterozygosity and error rate of sequencing reads. This method was validated on one simulated and two real data sets with the accurate assignment of true parents to focal offspring. However, our method could not provide a statistical confidence to conclude that the first ranked candidate is a true parent.
Anaemia, iron deficiency and heart failure in 2020: facts and numbers
Authors: Chopra Vijay K. , Anker Stefan D.
Published: June 2020

Anaemia is defined by WHO as Hb < 13.0 g/dL in male adults and <12.0 g/dL in female adults. It is a common comorbidity in patients of heart failure with both HFrEF and HFpEF. The incidence ranges between 30% and 50%, though in certain communities, it is likely to be higher still. Elderly age, severe heart failure, poor nutrition, and elevation of inflammatory markers are associated with a higher incidence of anaemia. However, the commonest contributing factor to anaemia in HF is iron deficiency. In a Canadian study of 12 065 patients, the incidence of absolute ID was 21% in anaemic patients. Many other western studies have also quoted incidences varying between 35% and 43%.

The earlier attempts to improve outcomes by supplementation with Erythropoietic‐stimulating factors were unsuccessful and resulted in a higher incidence of thrombotic events. Iron deficiency (ID) has emerged as an important factor in patients of HF, even in those without anaemia and worsens outcomes. It is defined as Ferritin levels below 100 mcg/L or 100–299 μg/L with transferrin saturation of <20%. Attempts to correct ID by oral supplementation have been unsuccessful as seen in IRON‐HF and IRONOUT‐HF trials. FAIR‐HF and CONFIRM‐HF conclusively established the role of IV Iron in improving exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with HFrEF. ESC guidelines have given a class IC indication for testing all heart failure patients for ID, and an IIaA recommendation for its correction by IV ferric carboxymaltose was found to be deficient. Ongoing trials will establish the role of IV iron in improving mortality and in HFpEF patients and in patients with acute heart failure.
Left ventricular midwall fibrosis as a predictor of sudden cardiac death in non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Jie , Yang Fuyao , Wan Ke , Mui David , Han Yuchi , Chen Yucheng
Published: June 2020

Identification of patients with non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NICM) who are at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and could benefit from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is challenging. The study aims to systematically assess the prognostic value of left ventricular (LV) midwall late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) pattern in patients with NICM and further explore its value on predicting SCD events. The study was prospectively registered in PROPSERO (CRD42019138468). We systematically searched PubMed, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify studies that evaluated the association between LV midwall LGE and clinical outcomes (all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and SCD or aborted SCD endpoint) in NICM patients. A meta‐analysis was performed to determine pooled odds ratio (OR) for these adverse events. Seven studies including 1827 NICM patients over a mean follow‐up duration of 36.1 ± 19.3 months were included. The presence of LV midwall LGE pattern was observed in 562 (30.8%) patients. The pooled OR was 3.37 [95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.35–8.42] for all‐cause mortality, 5.56 (95% CI: 1.23–25.22) for cardiovascular mortality, and 2.25 (95% CI: 1.16–3.16) for SCD or aborted SCD. In a subgroup analysis with mean ejection fraction cut‐off point of 35%, the pooled OR for SCD or aborted SCD was 2.06 (95% CI: 1.32–3.22) for LV ejection fraction (LVEF) > 35% and 2.49 (95% CI: 1.48–4.20) for LVEF ≤ 35%. In addition, our study indicated that LV midwall LGE showed an excellent negative predictive value in identifying high‐risk NICM patients and that the number needed to treat with ICD implantation in NICM patients with midwall LGE is 7. The presence of LV midwall on LGE is a significant prognosticator of adverse events in NICM patients. Additionally, patients with LV midwall LGE may be considered for ICD therapy irrespective of LVEF.
Contemporary Molecular Barium Chemistry
Authors: Chapple Peter M. , Sarazin Yann
Published: June 2020

Driven by the many potential applications as molecular catalyst for a range of metal‐promoted transformations, the quest for well‐defined, soluble and reactive complexes of barium has attracted substantial interest in the past decade. While it has long been overlooked, barium is now one of the hotly debated metals in main group chemistry. The present review surveys the main achievements of the last 10 years in the molecular chemistry of barium, presenting along the way the key synthetic strategies that have been implemented successfully to address the specificities of barium chemistry. This includes ligand design and non‐covalent interactions. The performances of barium complexes as homogeneous catalysts for the most prominent reactions mediated by alkaline‐earth metals (hydroelementations and heterodehydrocouplings) are reviewed in conjunction with those obtained with somewhat more common calcium or strontium catalysts.
The effects of longitudinal variations in valley geometry and wood load on flood response
Authors: Hinshaw Sarah , Wohl Ellen , Davis Dany
Published: June 2020

We use field measurements and airborne LiDAR data to quantify the potential effects of valley geometry and large wood on channel erosional and depositional response to a large flood (estimated 150‐year recurrence interval) in 2011 along a mountain stream. Topographic data along 3 km of Biscuit Brook in the Catskill Mountains, New York, USA reveal repeated downstream alternations between steep, narrow bedrock reaches and alluvial reaches that retain large wood, with wood loads as high as 1261 m3 ha−1. We hypothesized that, within alluvial reaches, geomorphic response to the flood, in the form of changes in bed elevation, net volume of sediment eroded or aggraded, and grain size, correlates with wood load. We hypothesized that greater wood load corresponds to lower modelled average velocity and less channel‐bed erosion during the flood, and finer median bed grain size and a lower gradation coefficient of bed sediment. The results partly support this hypothesis. Wood results in lower reach‐average modelled velocity for the 2011 flood, but the magnitude of change in channel‐bed elevation after the 2011 flood among alluvial and bedrock reaches does not correlate with wood load. Wood load does correlate with changes in sediment volume and bed substrate, with finer grain size and smaller sediment gradation in reaches with more wood. The proportion of wood in jams is a stronger predictor of bed grain‐size characteristics than is total wood load. We also see evidence of a threshold: greater wood load correlates with channel aggradation at wood loads exceeding approximately 200 m3 ha−1. In this mountain stream, abundant large wood in channel reaches with alluvial substrate creates lower velocity that results in finer bed material and, when wood load exceeds a threshold, reach scale increases in aggradation. This suggests that reintroducing small amounts of wood or one logjam for river restoration will have limited geomorphic effects. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attenuating the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor–Extracellular Signal‐Regulated Kinase–Sex‐Determining Region Y‐Box 9 Axis Promotes Liver Progenitor Cell‐Mediated Liver Regeneration in Zebrafish
Authors: So Juhoon , Kim Minwook , Lee Seung‐Hoon , Ko Sungjin , Lee Daniel A. , Park Hyewon , Azuma Mizuki , Parsons Michael J. , Prober David , Shin Donghun
Published: June 2020

Background and Aims

The liver is a highly regenerative organ, but its regenerative capacity is compromised in severe liver injury settings. In chronic liver diseases, the number of liver progenitor cells (LPCs) correlates proportionally to disease severity, implying that their inefficient differentiation into hepatocytes exacerbates the disease. Moreover, LPCs secrete proinflammatory cytokines; thus, their prolonged presence worsens inflammation and induces fibrosis. Promoting LPC‐to‐hepatocyte differentiation in patients with advanced liver disease, for whom liver transplantation is currently the only therapeutic option, may be a feasible clinical approach because such promotion generates more functional hepatocytes and concomitantly reduces inflammation and fibrosis.

Approach and Results

Here, using zebrafish models of LPC‐mediated liver regeneration, we present a proof of principle of such therapeutics by demonstrating a role for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway in differentiation of LPCs into hepatocytes. We found that suppression of EGFR signaling promoted LPC‐to‐hepatocyte differentiation through the mitogen‐activated ERK kinase (MEK)‐extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)–sex‐determining region Y‐box 9 (SOX9) cascade. Pharmacological inhibition of EGFR or MEK/ERK promoted LPC‐to‐hepatocyte differentiation as well as genetic suppression of the EGFR‐ERK‐SOX9 axis. Moreover, Sox9b overexpression in LPCs blocked their differentiation into hepatocytes. In the zebrafish liver injury model, both hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells contributed to LPCs. EGFR inhibition promoted the differentiation of LPCs regardless of their origin. Notably, short‐term treatment with EGFR inhibitors resulted in better liver recovery over the long term.

Conclusions

The EGFR‐ERK‐SOX9 axis suppresses LPC‐to‐hepatocyte differentiation during LPC‐mediated liver regeneration. We suggest EGFR inhibitors as a proregenerative therapeutic drug for patients with advanced liver disease.
Type 2 Diabetes: A Risk Factor for Hospital Readmissions and Mortality in Australian Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Ahn Sang Bong , Powell Elizabeth E. , Russell Anthony , Hartel Gunter , Irvine Katharine M. , Moser Chris , Valery Patricia C.
Published: June 2020

Although there is evidence that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) impacts adversely on liver‐related mortality, its influence on hospital readmissions and development of complications in patients with cirrhosis, particularly in alcohol‐related cirrhosis (the most common etiological factor among Australian hospital admissions for cirrhosis) has not been well studied. This study aimed to investigate the association between T2D and liver cirrhosis in a population‐based cohort of patients admitted for cirrhosis in the state of Queensland, Australia. A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using data from the Queensland Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection, which contains information on all hospital episodes of care for patients with liver cirrhosis, and the Death Registry during 2008‐2017. We used demographic, clinical data, and socioeconomic characteristics. A total of 8,631 patients were analyzed. A higher proportion of patients with T2D had cryptogenic cirrhosis (42.4% vs. 27.3%, respectively; P < 0.001) or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (13.8% vs. 3.4%, respectively; P < 0.001) and an admission for hepatocellular carcinoma (18.0% vs. 12.2%, respectively; P < 0.001) compared to patients without T2D. Patients with liver cirrhosis with T2D compared to those without T2D had a significantly increased median length of hospital stay (6 [range, 1‐11] vs. 5 [range, 1‐11] days, respectively; P < 0.001), double the rate of noncirrhosis‐related admissions (incidence rate ratios [IRR], 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.98‐2.07), a 1.35‐fold increased rate of cirrhosis‐related admissions (IRR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.30‐1.41), and significantly lower survival (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Among hospitalized patients with cirrhosis, the cohort with T2D is at higher risk and may benefit from attention to comorbidities and additional support to reduce readmissions.
The impact of COVID‐19 lockdown on admission to gynecological emergency departments: Results from a multicenter Italian study
Authors: Grandi Giovanni , Del Savio Maria C. , Caroli Martina , Capobianco Giampiero , Dessole Francesco , Tupponi Giulio , Petrillo Marco , Succu Claudia , Paoletti Anna M. , Facchinetti Fabio
Published: June 2020

Objective

To evaluate the impact of the COVID‐19 lockdown on admissions to gynecological emergency departments (ED) of three Italian university hospitals with different rates of COVID‐19 incidence.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted in the gynecological EDs of Modena (Emilia‐Romagna), Sassari and Cagliari (Sardinia) regarding all admissions to gynecological EDs during November 1 to 30, 2019, and March 11 to April 9, 2020 (lockdown period).

Results

A total of 691 women (mean age 38.3 ± 14.3 years) who were admitted to the gynecological EDs were included. The relative decrease in women evaluated from March 11 to April 9, 2020, was −56.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 52.2–61.1). Time spent in the ED was also significantly shorter during this period (P=0.02) in comparison to November 1 to 30, 2019. The most evident decrease was observed for pelvic pain (−68.9% [95% CI 60.3–76.7]; −91 cases). The management of women suggests a more effective use of the ED, with higher rates of hospitalization (P=0.001) and recourse to emergent surgeries (P=0.005) and lower rates of discharge to home (P=0.03).

Conclusion

The COVID‐19 lockdown greatly reduced the rate of admission to gynecological EDs, but the real emergencies were filtered from the more deferrable ones.
The prenatal maternal representations of mothers at risk of recurrent care proceedings in the Family Drug and Alcohol Court: A thematic analysis
Authors: Meier Jasmin , Edginton Elizabeth
Published: June 2020

Background

A substantial number of birth mothers experience repeat removals of their infants and children due to child protection concerns. The perspectives of mothers going through repeat removals and their experiences of pregnancy are insufficiently researched.

Aims and methods

The current qualitative study aimed to explore the maternal representations of five pregnant mothers at risk of recurrent care proceedings. A thematic analysis of these mothers’ responses to the Pregnancy Interview focused on their representations of themselves as mothers, of their babies, and of the mother–baby relationship.

Results

Seven key themes were identified: (1a) “Uncertainty and fear of losing the baby,” (1b) “Uncertainty but hope of becoming a mother,” (2) “Not wanting to be like their own mother,” (3) “Experiencing recovery and pregnancy as two interdependent processes,” (4) “Struggling to imagine the baby,” (5) “The omnipresence of previous children,” (6) “Pleasure at starting to have a connection with the baby,” and (7) “Noting the baby's dependency.”

Conclusion

The results are clinically relevant as they highlight grief, maternal self‐identity, recovery from substance abuse, and ability to manage uncertainty as critical areas of intervention for these mothers.
Cognitive evolutionary therapy versus standard cognitive therapy for depression: A single‐blinded randomized clinical trial
Authors: Giosan Cezar , Cobeanu Oana , Wyka Katarzyna , Muresan Vlad , Mogoase Cristina , Szentagotai Aurora , Malta Loretta S. , Moldovan Ramona
Published: June 2020

Objective

To compare the efficacy of cognitive evolutionary therapy (CET) with cognitive therapy (CT) for depression.

Methods

Ninety‐seven participants (78 females/19 males) were randomized to a single‐blinded controlled trial (CET:n = 51 vs. CT:n = 46). Assessments were conducted at baseline, Sessions 4 and 8, posttreatment, and 3‐month follow‐up. Clinical diagnoses were made with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV (SCID) and self‐reports for depression and secondary outcomes.

Results

Although both groups showed significant reductions in depressive symptomatology, the overall Time × Treatment group interaction in the intent to treat analysis was not significant (p = .770, posttreatment:d = 0.39). However, CET was superior to CT at increasing engagement in social and enjoyable activities (p = .040, posttreatment:d = 0.83,p = .040) and showed greater reductions than the CT group in behavioral inhibition/avoidance (p = .047,d = 0.62). The between‐group differences generally diminished at the 3‐month follow‐up.

Conclusions

CET is a novel therapy for depression that may add therapeutic benefits beyond those of CT.