bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Piracetam as an Adjuvant Therapy on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Alavi Kaveh , Shirazi Elham , Akbari Maryam , Shahrivar Zahra , Noori Fatemeh-Sadat , Shirazi Soosan
Published: June 2021

Background: Stimulants are highly effective in controlling symptoms of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but 30% of individuals with ADHD do not respond to them or cannot tolerate their side effects; thus, alternative treatment approaches need to be considered. Objectives: To evaluate the effect and safety of piracetam as an adjuvant therapy plus methylphenidate (MPH) in children with ADHD. Methods: Thirty-six children with ADHD (6-16 years old), admitted to three academic outpatient child psychiatric clinics in the second half of 2015, were randomly assigned to the “methylphenidate plus piracetam group” and the “methylphenidate plus placebo” group, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, for 6 weeks. The “Conner’s Parents’ Rating Scale-Revised (CPRS-R), Children Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4), Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale (CGI-I), and Children’ Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) were completed at baseline and at the ends of the third and the sixth week, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute side effect forms were completed weekly, as outcome measures. Results: The level of improvement in CPRS-R, CSI-4, and CGI-I scales were significantly higher in the “methylphenidate plus piracetam” group compared with the “methylphenidate plus placebo” group. Side effects were not remarkable in any group. Conclusions: Piracetam as a short-term adjuvant treatment to methylphenidate can have considerable therapeutic effect and safety profile in children with ADHD and deserves further exploration to assess its potentialities in ADHD treatment.
The Effect of Perceived Organizational Climate on the Performance of Nurses in Private Hospitals
Authors: Shahnavazi Abbas , Bouraghi Hamid , Fadaei Eshkiki Mehdi , Shahnavazi Hossein
Published: June 2021

Background: The appropriate organizational climate and subsequent proper performance are goals that challenge hospital managers to achieve successful outcomes. A positive working climate motivates and enhances nurses' performance. Objectives: There was to identify the relationship between perceived organizational climate and nurses' performance. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study that is performed on nurses working in the private hospitals in Rasht, Iran. The data were collected through two questionnaires of organizational climate and job performance that its validity and reliability were confirmed. SPSS24 and descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results: According to the mean score obtained more than half of the nurses report a positive assessment of the climate in the hospitals. Also, less than one-third of nurses had a ideal level of performance regarding nurses' job performance. Also, the relationship between perceived organizational climate and the level of nurses' performance with the personal and occupational skills of nurses was emphasized. Finally, the relationship between perceived organizational climate and nurses' job performance was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.048). Conclusions: According to the results, the perceived organizational climate has a positive relationship with nurses' performance level. Therefore, managers and practitioners of private hospitals in Rasht should ultimately improve nurses’ performance by improving the organizational climate and by emphasizing variables such as providing work-related facilities, paying attention to nurses' interests, emphasizing team building, participating in decision-making, improving customer service, paying attention to hospital reputation improving relationships among staff and improving compensation practices.
Evaluation of Accuracy of Microplate Alamar Blue Assay and Proportion Method for Prompt Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Clinical Isolates of Multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis
Authors: Jafari Alireza , Goswami Raj , Shirzad Aski Hesamaddin , Behnampour Nasser , Taziki Masoomeh , Atarjalali Masoomeh , Rafiee Elahe
Published: June 2021

Background: Tuberculosis is appraised to cause the deaths of more than a billion people in the last decades. Objectives: The current study compares the performance of microplate Alamar blue assay for clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Microplate Alamar blue assay was performed in a central tuberculosis laboratory at Golestan University of Medical Sciences in Gorgan, Iran. Methods: In the first step, the microplate Alamar blue assay was used for the detection of 78 clinical isolates in the Golestan regional tuberculosis reference laboratory, and the results were compared with those of the proportion assay. In the second step, the microplate Alamar blue assay and the proportion assay were used for the drug-susceptibility of 35 isolates. Results: In the microplate Alamar blue assay, the sensitivity was 100 (90.97 - 100), with a specificity of 74.36 (57.87 - 86.96), positive predictive value of 79.59 (65.66 - 89.76), and negative predictive value of 100 (88.06 - 100). For the microplate Alamar blue assay with rifampin, the sensitivity was 100 (89.11 - 100), specificity was 100 (29.24 - 100), positive predictive value was 100 (89.11 - 100), and negative predictive value was 100 (29.24 - 100). For the microplate Alamar blue assay with isoniazid, the sensitivity was 84.38 (67.21 - 94.72), specificity was 66.67 (9.43 - 99.16), positive predictive value was 96.43 (81.65 - 99.91), and negative predictive value was 28.57 (3.67 - 70.96). Conclusions: We found high accuracy between the microplate Alamar blue assay with rifampin and the proportion assay. The rapid and low-cost microplate Alamar blue assay is an inexpensive and appropriate assay for the detection of rifampin-resistant tuberculosis in low-income countries.
Koloniale Klassifikationer: Kunstbegrebet til forhandling på Museer i Sydafrika
Authors: Nielsen Vibe
Published: June 2021

Siden apartheids fald i starten af 1990erne, har genstande tidligere klassificeret som etnografiske artefakter, i stigende grad fundet vej ind på kunstgallerierne i Sydafrika. Her behandles de som kunstværker, der fremhæves for deres æstetiske kvaliteter, fremfor de kulturhistoriske kontekster, de er skabt i. I denne artikel, der bygger på feltarbejde foretaget på museer og kunstgallerier i Cape Town og Johannesburg i perioden 2016-2018, undersøger jeg konsekvenserne ved denne ekspansion af klassifikatoriske grænser og fremhæver, hvordan en række sydafrikanske kuratorer afviser ekspansionens påståede valorisering: For dem er genstandenes indlemmelse i kategorien kunst ikke en valorisering, men snarere en måde hvorpå skaberne bag såkaldt traditionel afrikansk kunst fortsat eksotiseres. Men hvor er der plads til såkaldt traditionel kunst fra Afrika, hvis ikke på kunstmuseer som Johannesburg Art Gallery og Cape Towns nye Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa? Hvor er der plads til afrikansk kunst, der ikke er printet, malet eller fremstillet fortrinsvist med æstetisk konsumering for øje?
Den forsvundne palme og Verdens grimmeste Frimærke
Authors: Paaske Drachmann Emilie
Published: June 2021

Siden slutningen af 1800-tallet havde man i Danmark med jævne mellemrum haft forhandlinger om at sælge de dansk-vestindiske øer til USA. Et mislykket salgsforsøg i 1902 gjorde, at forholdet mellem kolonien og moderlandet skulle genforhandles såvel politisk som økonomisk og kulturelt. I 1905 udkom to nye dansk-vestindiske frimærker tegnet af arkitekt og maler P.V. Jensen-Klint. Med udgangspunkt i hidtil ubenyttet materiale fra ENIGMA Museum for post, tele og kommunikations arkiv samt arkivalier fra Rigsarkivet og den samtidige presse følger denne artikel frimærkerne, fra opgaven blev stillet over ændringer i motiv, og til mærkerne udkom og blev anmeldt i pressen.Herigennem vises det, hvordan de ændrede fremtidsudsigter efter det mislykkede salg i samspil med datidens visuelle og sproglige diskurs om det og de ’fremmede’ havde betydning for, hvordan kolonien og det transnationale forhold mellem Danmark og Dansk Vestindien visualiseredes.
Den forsvindende fortid – den udeblivende fremtid
Authors: Rathjen Kasper
Published: June 2021

Selvom museer i sagens natur manipulerer med tiden, kan de ikke vriste sig fri fra deres egen samtid. Bevidst og ubevidst, på godt og på ondt gør museerne deres arbejde i eller ude af trit med deres egen samtid. Foranstående artikel kigger på den mangfoldige temporalisering, som institutionerne har gennemgået i løbet af de sidste to århundreder.
Selvbehandling i hjemmet og den aktive patient
Authors: Mieskiewicz Larsen Maria , Pernille Jespersen Astrid
Published: June 2021

En stigning i kroniske sygdomme har over de sidste årtier resulteret i flere behandlingskrævende patienter og skabt et øget pres på ressourcerne i det danske sundhedsvæsen. Indenfor dialyseområdet har dette pres, sammen med en teknologisk udvikling på området, skabt alternative måder at tilrettelægge behandlingen på. I denne artikel sætter vi fokus på selvbehandling i hjemmet som en nyere behandlingsform, der både betragtes som en løsning på et stadig mere presset sundhedsvæsen, og som en behandling der øger dialysepatienternes livskvalitet. Med dette fokus vil vi belyse hvilke forestillinger om det gode liv med dialyse der underbygger denne behandlingsform, og diskutere hvilke former for patientansvar, forventninger og modstand, selvbehandlingsfænomenet bærer med sig. Ved at vise nuancer i valg og praktiseringer af dialysebehandling, vil vi i artiklen diskutere rationalet bag og konsekvenserne af en udbredelse af selvbehandling.
Problemi colometrici negli anapesti senecani e sense-correspondence. L’esempio di Thyestes
Authors: Floris Cecilia
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this paper is to point out the unsolved problem of the anapaestic monodies’ unsecure colometry in Seneca’s tragedies as well as expose the so called sense-correspondence principle to help scholars propose a metrical subdivision of lines closer to the original one. In the first part of the paper I explain the difficulties about colometry that concern the division of trimeters into dimeters and monometers. I then outline a brief status quaestionis about this matter and the attempts at solving it. Proposals by Richter, Zweirlein and Fitch are examined, their methods and criteria analysed in detail in the second paragraph. In the third I propose an analysis of three passages of Thyestes 938-956 using Fitch’s criteria so as every aspect of the text, including metrical or stylistic characteristics, is more respected than in Zwierlein’s text. I then show how sense-correspondence is used to analyse a text and help understand the employment and meaning of the anapaestic metre to express a conflict or psychological dilemma such as in the Thyestes. Lastly, I suggest new areas of possible research pertaining to poetry using this principle, as it also respected in Ovid’s elegiac distiches and late antique poetry. A detailed metrical analysis of Zwierlein’s and Fitch’s texts is supplied in the appendix.
Estrabón y el clasicismo
Authors: Naranjo Rafael
Published: June 2021

Although different scholars have noticed the adscription of the geographer Strabo to the artistic and ideological movements of atticism and classicism, we offer a more deeper analysis of this issue, with special attention to some points that, according to us, have not been examined enough, like the relation of classicism with the fact that Strabo adopted Polybius as his direct predecessor, his positive vision of Homer or the constant references to Isocrates’ pedagogical and panhellenic ideas. We provide numerous details that, according to us, prove these facts throughout his geographical work.
Women in Herodotus’ Oracles. A Look beyond the Pythia
Authors: Sánchez-Mañas Carmen
Published: June 2021

Women other than the Pythia are excluded from the consultation and reception of oracles, but they are nevertheless present in the oracular passages of Herodotus’ Histories. This paper focuses on the roles that they play in these passages, with the aim of determining the extent of their visibility. To this end, an analysis is conducted on the basis of their belonging or non-belonging to the community of male consultants or recipients of oracles. The examination shows that female presence in Herodotean oracular passages is quantitatively significant, diverse and pivotal in revealing interactions between the domestic and public domains within the communities involved in these passages.
Cross-modal perception (face and voice) in emotions. ERPs and behavioural measures
Authors: Balconi Michela , Carrera Alba
Published: June 2021

Emotion decoding constitutes a case of multimodal processing of cues from multiple channels. Previous behavioural and neuropsychological studies indicated that, when we have to decode emotions on the basis of multiple perceptive information, a cross-modal integration has place. The present study investigates the simultaneous processing of emotional tone of voice and emotional facial expression by event-related potentials (ERPs), through an ample range of different emotions (happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust). Auditory emotional stimuli (a neutral word pronounced in an affective tone) and visual patterns (emotional facial expressions) were matched in congruous (the same emotion in face and voice) and incongruous (different emotions) pairs. Subjects (N=30) were required to process the stimuli and to indicate their comprehension (by stimpad). ERPs variations and behavioural data (response time, RTs) were submitted to repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). We considered two time intervals (150-250; 250-350 ms post-stimulus), in order to explore the ERP variations. ANOVA showed two different ERP effects, a negative deflection (N2), more anterior-distributed (Fz), and a positive deflection (P2), more posterior-distributed, with different cognitive functions. In the first case N2 may be considered a marker of the emotional content (sensitive to type of emotion), whereas P2 may represent a cross-modal integration marker, it being varied as a function of the congruous/incongruous condition, showing a higher peak for congruous stimuli than incongruous stimuli. Finally, a RT reduction was found for some emotion types for congruous condition (i.e. sadness) and an inverted effect for other emotions (i.e. fear, anger, and surprise).
Large-scale phenotypic drug screen identifies neuroprotectants in zebrafish and mouse models of retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Zhang Liyun , Chen Conan , Fu Jie , Lilley Brendan , Berlinicke Cynthia , Hansen Baranda , Ding Ding , Wang Guohua , Wang Tao , Shou Daniel , Ye Ying , Mulligan Timothy , Emmerich Kevin , Saxena Meera T , Hall Kelsi R , Sharrock Abigail V , Brandon Carlene , Park Hyejin , Kam Tae-In , Dawson Valina L , Dawson Ted M , Shim Joong Sup , Hanes Justin , Ji Hongkai , Liu Jun O , Qian Jiang , Ackerley David F , Rohrer Baerbel , Zack Donald J , Mumm Jeff S
Published: June 2021

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and associated inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are caused by rod photoreceptor degeneration, necessitating therapeutics promoting rod photoreceptor survival. To address this, we tested compounds for neuroprotective effects in multiple zebrafish and mouse RP models, reasoning drugs effective across species and/or independent of disease mutation may translate better clinically. We first performed a large-scale phenotypic drug screen for compounds promoting rod cell survival in a larval zebrafish model of inducible RP. We tested 2934 compounds, mostly human-approved drugs, across six concentrations, resulting in 113 compounds being identified as hits. Secondary tests of 42 high-priority hits confirmed eleven lead candidates. Leads were then evaluated in a series of mouse RP models in an effort to identify compounds effective across species and RP models, that is, potential pan-disease therapeutics. Nine of 11 leads exhibited neuroprotective effects in mouse primary photoreceptor cultures, and three promoted photoreceptor survival in mouse rd1 retinal explants. Both shared and complementary mechanisms of action were implicated across leads. Shared target tests implicated parp1-dependent cell death in our zebrafish RP model. Complementation tests revealed enhanced and additive/synergistic neuroprotective effects of paired drug combinations in mouse photoreceptor cultures and zebrafish, respectively. These results highlight the value of cross-species/multi-model phenotypic drug discovery and suggest combinatorial drug therapies may provide enhanced therapeutic benefits for RP patients.
Comparison of fractionation methods for soil phosphorus with soils subjected to various long-term fertilization regimes on a calcareous soil
Authors: Jin Xin , Hu Changlu , Khan Asif , Zhang Shulan , Yang Xueyun , Jia Lijie , Sun Ruipu
Published: June 2021

Background

Diverse phosphorus (P) fractionation procedures presented varying soil P fractions, which directly affected P contents and forms, and their biological availability.

Purpose

To facilitate the selection of phosphorus (P) fractionation techniques, we compared two procedures based on a long-term experiment on a calcareous soil.

Methods

The soils containing a gradient P levels were sampled from seven treatments predictor under various long-term fertilizations. The P fractions were then separated independently with both fractionation procedures modified by Tiessen-Moir and Jiang-Gu.

Results

The results showed that the labile P in Jiang-Gu is significantly lower than that in Tiessen-Moir. The iron and aluminium-bounded P were greater in Jiang-Gu by a maximum of 46 mg kg−1than Tiessen-Moir. Jiang-Gu fractionation gave similar Ca bounded P to that Tiessen-Moir did at low P level but greater contents at high P level. The two methods extracted much comparable total inorganic P. However, Tiessen-Moir method accounted less total organic P than ignition or Jiang-Gu method (the organic P (Po) estimated by subtract the total inorganic P (Pi) in Jiang-Gu fractionation from the total). P uptake by winter wheat was significantly and positively correlated with all phosphorus fractions in Jiang-Gu; Resin-P, NaHCO3-Pi, D. HCl-P, C. HCl-Pi, NaOH-Po, total-Po in Tiessen-Moir; P fraction categories of Ca-P, Fe & Al-P and total-Pi in both fractionations. Path coefficients indicated that Ca2-P in Jiang-Gu, NaHCO3-Pi and D. HCl-P in Tiessen-Moir had the higher and more significant direct contributions to P uptake among P fractions measured.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that Jiang-Gu procedure is a better predictor in soil P fractionation in calcareous soils, although it gives no results on organic P fractions.
Comparative analysis of carbon footprint between conventional smallholder operation and innovative largescale farming of urban agriculture in Beijing, China
Authors: Hu Yingjie , Sun Jin , Zheng Ji
Published: June 2021

The sustainable development of agriculture is one of the key issues of ensuring food security and mitigating climate change. Since innovative large-scale agriculture is gaining popularity in cities in China, where the agricultural landscape is dominated by conventional smallholder farming, it is necessary to investigate the difference in carbon emissions between conventional smallholder operation and innovative largescale agriculture. This study evaluated the carbon footprint (CF) of conventional and innovative urban agriculture in Beijing using the cradle-to-consumption Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Two modes of greenhouse vegetable and fruit production were analyzed and compared respectively: conventional smallholder operated vegetable farms that sell in local markets versus largescale home-delivery agriculture (HDA) that deliver vegetables to consumers’ home directly, conventional smallholder operated fruit farms that sell in farm shops versus largescale pick-your-own (PYO) initiatives. Results showed that HDA and PYO can reduce CF per area in on-farm cultivation compared to smallholder operation, while may bring an increase in CF per product weight unit and the gap was wider if the supply chain was considered. This is mainly because innovative large-scale farming consumes fewer agricultural inputs (e.g., fertilizer, pesticides) and obtains lower yields than conventional smallholder operations. Plastic materials with high carbon emission, fossil energy dependence and transportation efficiency are CF hotspots of both modes and therefore can be prioritized and targeted for carbon reduction adjustment. The results of this work further advance understanding of how innovative largescale agriculture and conventional smallholder operation compare and which particular inputs and activities should be prioritized to effectively reduce the CF in China during agricultural transformation.
Lobster Cultivation in Indonesia and Vietnam: A Review
Authors: Utama Mochhamad Ikhsan Cahya , Yustiati Ayi , Andriani Yuli , Rostika Rita
Published: June 2021

The development of spiny lobster (Panulirus sp.) cultivation is of particular concern as market demand continues to increase while capture fisheries production remains static and with little chance of increasing. Indonesia has a unique opportunity to build the largest lobster aquaculture industry in the world, based on the significant natural resources of the puerulus settlement. Cultivation of lobster in the country is one solution to maintain the availability of lobster seeds in the waters. The success of Vietnam's lobster industry has generated enormous interest in Indonesia, where is having so much potential for the lobster farming industry. Lobster cultivation activities consist of catching lobster puelurus, juvenile production, and lobster rearing. Vietnam, which has first started lobster cultivation activities, can certainly be an example for Indonesia in developing lobster in its own country. Several innovations that have been successfully developed in Vietnam, such as the process of catching using trawls or using fluorescent lights or cultivation activities using cages that are submerged with a depth of more than 10 m can certainly be examples for Indonesia to consider.
Modern Rape-Revenge Movies and Shelley’s The Cenci
Authors: Jamshidian Sahar , Amjad Fazel Asadi
Published: June 2021

Viewing Shelley’s The Cenci from the political upheavals of the nineteenth century would limit one’s response to the play to the issues of that century. However, this play continues to be played in the twenty first century, which makes one wonder how a modern spectator with a feminist inclination might react to the theme of rape and revenge. The Cenci shares with a number of movies flourishing with the rise of the second wave feminism during the 1970s, the theme of a female victim transformed into a hero-avenger, who takes law into her own hands and avenges herself in the face of a dysfunctional legal state. As revisions of the archetypal narratives of violation-revenge-violation, these modern movies have been praised for depicting heroines who are no longer powerless, miserable and victimized, but strong enough to avenge themselves with impunity. Though The Cenci repeats the traditional pattern of violation-revenge-violation, it focuses on the corruption and irresponsibility of the patriarchal legal system as well as its reformation, which have been neglected by both mythical narratives and modern rape-revenge movies. By reading The Cenci along with William Blake’s “Visions of the Daughters of Albion” and Shelley’s “Prometheus Unbound,” we examine how The Cenci challenges the modern rape-revenge movies and how Beatrice could have used her agency and her anger in a more effective way to fight against tyranny.
Role of sericin 1 in the immune system of silkworms revealed by transcriptomic and proteomic analyses after gene knockout
Authors: Ye Xiaogang , Zhao Shuo , Wu Meiyu , Ruan Jinghua , Tang Xiaoli , Wang Xiaoxiao , Zhong Boxiong
Published: June 2021

The domestic silkworm is a type of lepidopteran insect that feeds on mulberry leaves and has high economic value because of its ability to spin cocoons. Sericin 1 is an important component of silkworm cocoons, accounting for approximately 25% of the material. In this study, CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing was successfully used to destroy the sericin 1 gene, and homozygous mutants were obtained after continuous screening. Homozygous mutation resulted in premature termination of the translation of sericin 1 protein at 323 amino acids. Comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of middle silk gland cells from wild‐type individuals and mutants were performed on the fourth day of the fifth instar, and the results suggest that sericin 1 plays an important role in the cellular immune system. In addition, the results suggest that sericin 1 has a synergistic effect with some protease inhibitors and that the secretion of these proteins is strictly regulated. These results will provide new insights into the function and expression pattern of sericin 1 and the mechanism of silk secretion.
Dysbiosis of gut microbiota after cholecystectomy is associated with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice
Authors: Wang Qihan , Lu Qifan , Shao Wentao , Jiang Zhaoyan , Hu Hai
Published: June 2021

Increasing evidence suggests that cholecystectomy is an independent risk factor for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the underlying mechanisms that lead to hepatic lipid deposition after cholecystectomy are unclear. In this study, adult male C57BL/6J mice that underwent a cholecystectomy or sham operation were fed either a high‐fat diet (HFD) or a chow diet for 56 days. Significantly increased steatohepatitis, liver/body weight ratio, hepatic triglycerides, and glucose intolerance were observed in postcholecystectomy mice fed the HFD. Notable alterations in the composition of gut microbiota after cholecystectomy were observed in both HFD‐ and chow‐diet‐fed mice. Our results indicate that cholecystectomy alters the gut microbiota profile, which might contribute to the development of NAFLD in mice.
Ectogenesis for Space Exploration
Authors: Kendal Evie
Published: June 2021

Ectogenesis (artificial womb technology) could yield many benefits on Earth and provide a safe and sustainable way to populate an off‐world human colony. Gestating foetuses in a protected and controlled environment could help prevent damage caused by radiation exposure, nutritional deficits or the impact of microgravity during pregnancy. This method of reproduction would also reduce the risks and burdens to female settlers and avoid losing members of the early settlement workforce to maternal morbidity and mortality. Realising the potential of ectogenesis to improve sexual equality in reproductive endeavours on Earth and promote the creation of new human settlements in space, will require substantial legal, political and scientific support. It will also require the development of ethical standards for the development, testing and distribution of this new reproductive biotechnology.

Key Concepts

Human settlements in space will need a safe way to reproduce the next generation of settlers.

Ectogenesis (artificial womb technology) could yield many benefits on Earth and in off‐world human colonies.

Removing the risks and burdens of pregnancy and childbirth could make a fundamental contribution to achieving sexual equality in human reproduction.

Ectogenesis services will need to be distributed equitably to avoiding exacerbating social inequality in reproduction.

There are a number of ethical and legal barriers to developing ectogenesis that will need to be addressed before the technology can achieve its potential.
Streptococcus dysgalactiae: A Pathogen of Feral Populations of Silver Carp from a Fish Kill Event
Authors: Hawke John P. , Daniel Ryan , Strother Keith , Sokolova Yuliya , Elliott Jacqueline , Carossino Mariano , Langohr Ingeborg , Del Piero Fabio , López-Porras Adrián , Heckman Taylor I. , Soto Esteban , Griffin Matt J.
Published: June 2021

In August 2018, a series of large fish kills involving only Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix occurred on the Mississippi River in northern Louisiana. Clinical signs observed in moribund animals included erratic swimming behavior, such as spiraling and spinning at the surface. A moribund specimen was captured by dip net near the surface at Lake Providence Landing in East Carroll Parish, northern Louisiana, and was submitted for analysis. An aseptic necropsy was performed, and diagnostic procedures, including bacteriology, parasitology, histopathology, virology, and electron microscopy, revealed that a gram-positive coccus was the primary pathogen. Pure cultures of the organism were obtained from the brain, and it was the predominant colony type isolated from the spleen, kidney, and liver. Bacterial sepsis caused by the gram-positive coccus and involving multiple organ systems was diagnosed histologically. Bacterial colonization and necrotic lesions were seen in the spleen, liver, kidney, heart, eye, and brain. Numerous cocci were observed dividing intracellularly in phagocytic cells of the kidney and brain by transmission electron microscopy. The organism was identified as Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae by conventional biochemical methods and subsequently by the API 20 Strep system. The identity of the pathogen was later confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Multilocus sequence analysis clustered this isolate along with two other S. dysgalactiae isolates from fish in a divergent phyletic group that was separate from other S. dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae isolates from terrestrial animals, implying a possible novel clade that is pathogenic for fish.
On reachable set estimation of nonlinear singular systems with distributed delay
Authors: Zhang Liang , Feng Zhiguang , Wang Ye , Wang Shuqiang
Published: June 2021

The estimation of the reachable set for singular systems with distributed delay and nonlinear term under zero initial condition is studied in this article. Based on the Lyapunov functional with triple integrals, a sufficient condition for bounding the reachable set is established by combining the free‐weighting matrix method, the integral mean value theorem, and the new inequality scaling method. Then the reachable set of nonlinear singular system is bounded by the prescribed ellipsoids. Finally, two numerical examples and a practical example verify the validity of the theoretical analysis.
How Does Scaffold Porosity Conduct Bone Tissue Regeneration?
Authors: Mohammadi Hossein , Sepantafar Mohammadmajid , Muhamad Norhamidi , Bakar Sulong Abu
Published: June 2021

Pores play a crucial role in bone regeneration as they allow the exchange of nutrition and oxygen, expulsion of waste products, and bone tissue and vascular ingrowth through the scaffold. From a mechanical aspect, the overall porosity is more effective compared to the pore size and interconnectivity, and pore size and interconnectivity impose the highest influences on the biological performances of the scaffold. Porosity and pore interconnectivity affect scaffold permeability controlling the rate of de novo tissue formation, whereas pore size and geometry conduct the osteogenesis. In such a theory, macropores and micropores have district advantages and their coexistence causes more preferable results. Herein, the most recent findings about the quality of pores and their roles in bone tissue regeneration are objectively reviewed.
A Facile Method for Preparing Superhydrophobic and Flame‐Retardant Fabrics Materials
Authors: Fang Zhou , Qin Yao , He Yan , Cui Xue-min
Published: June 2021

Herein, a time‐saving and green method for fabricating superhydrophobic fabrics with excellent hydrophobic and fireproof performances using an alkali‐catalyzed reaction to produce hydrophobic silicone nanofilaments (SNFs) is proposed. Experimental results show that poly‐methylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) can be transformed into SNFs in situ by thermal curing at 120 °C for 30 min under alkaline condition. Adopting this reaction method, the prepared superhydrophobic flexible fabric shows excellent superhydrophobic property with a contact angle of 168°. The oxygen index of the treated fabric is found to increase from 18.77% to 29.40%. Thermogravimetric result shows that the prepared fabric possesses a flame‐retardant property with fire resistance of thermal decomposition temperature of 130 °C. The fabricated fabric has good durability, which maintains superhydrophobicity after being soaked in acid solution (pH = 1) and salt solution (pH = 7) for 36 h. This fabrication process has great potential application for textiles and its composite materials.
Autonomously Adhesive, Stretchable, and Transparent Solid‐State Polyionic Triboelectric Patch for Wearable Power Source and Tactile Sensor
Authors: Bai Zhiqing , Xu Yunlong , Lee Chengkuo , Guo Jiansheng
Published: June 2021

Robust power supplies and self‐powered sensors that are extensible, autonomously adhesive, and transparent are highly desirable for next‐generation electronic/energy/robotic applications. In the work, a solid‐state triboelectric patch integrated with the above features (≈318% elongation, >85% average transmission, ≈44.3 N m−1 adhesive strength) is developed using polyethylene oxide/waterborne polyurethane/phytic acid composite (abbreviated as PWP composite) as an effective current collector and silicone rubber as tribolayer. The PWP composite is optimized systematically and corresponding single‐electrode device can supply a power density of 2.3 W m−2 at 75% strain. The triboelectric patch is capable of charging capacitors and powering electronics by efficiently harvesting biomechanical energies. Moreover, it can be autonomously attached to nonplanar skin or apparel substrates and used as a tactile sensor or an epidermal input touchpad for physiological motion detection and remote control of appliances, respectively. Even after dynamic deformation, tailoring, and prolonged use, the patch can maintain good stability and reliability of electrical outputs. This work provides a novel solid‐state and liquid‐free polyionic electrode‐based triboelectric nanogenerator integrated with adhesiveness, stretchability, and transparency, which can meet wide application needs from transparent electronics, artificial skins, to smart interfaces.
BNT162b2 COVID‐19 vaccine is significantly less effective in patients with hematologic malignancies
Authors: Herzog Tzarfati Katrin , Gutwein Odit , Apel Arie , Rahimi‐Levene Naomi , Sadovnik Maya , Harel Lotem , Benveniste‐Levkovitz Patricia , Bar Chaim Adina , Koren‐Michowitz Maya
Published: June 2021

Patients with hematologic malignancies have an increased risk of severe COVID‐19 infection. Vaccination against COVID‐19 is especially important in these patients, but whether they develop an immune response following vaccination is unknown. We studied serologic responses to the BNT162b2 vaccine in this population. A lower proportion of patients were seropositive following vaccination (75%) than in a comparison group (99%; p < 0.001), and median (interquartile range [IQR]) antibody titers in patients were lower (90 [12.4–185.5] and 173 [133–232] AU/ml, respectively; p < 0.001). Older age, higher lactate dehydrogenase, and number of treatment lines correlated with lower seropositivity likelihood and antibody titers, while absolute lymphocyte count, globulin level, and time from last treatment to vaccination correlated with higher seropositivity likelihood and antibody titers. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients had the lowest seropositivity rate followed by indolent lymphoma. Patients recently treated with chemo‐immunotherapy, anti‐CD20 antibodies, BCL2, BTK or JAK2 inhibitors had significantly less seropositive responses and lower median (IQR) antibody titers (29%, 1.9 [1.9–12] AU/ml; 0%, 1.9 [1.9–1.9] AU/ml; 25%, 1.9 [1.9–25] AU/ml; 40%, 1.9 [1.9–92.8] AU/ml; and 42%, 10.9 [5.7–66.4] AU/ml, respectively; p < 0.001). Serological response to BNT162b2 vaccine in patients with hematologic malignancies is considerably impaired, and they could remain at risk for severe COVID‐19 infection and death.
Optimizing Ballistic Motion of Partially Coherent Multiple Airy Beams by Quadratic and Linear Phases
Authors: Wang Xinyue , Tu Jialong , Yu Xing , Zhang Liping , Deng Dongmei
Published: June 2021

By applying quadratic and linear phase modulations (QPM and LPM), the propagation properties of the partially coherent dual and quad Airy beams which maintain acceleration in free space are studied. They are generated by superimposing two and four partially coherent Airy beams whose phase is modulated in the source field. It is demonstrated that the trajectories of the partially coherent light beams and the location and number of focal points, along with maximum altitude and range of the trajectories can be easily dominated by adjusting the appropriate values of QPM p and LPM l. Furthermore, for the quad case, the transverse spectral density distribution of lacking side lobes exhibits the structure of the optical frame which may be flipped under certain conditions. Both the peak intensity of the beams and the divergence speed of the optical frame can be managed by choosing the different characteristic transverse width of the beams. These results show an energizing new idea in the manipulation of partially coherent multiple fields of accelerating beams.
Continuous Flow Z‐Stereoselective Olefin Metathesis: Development and Applications in the Synthesis of Pheromones and Macrocyclic Odorant Molecules**
Authors: Morvan Jennifer , McBride Tom , Curbet Idriss , Colombel‐Rouen Sophie , Roisnel Thierry , Crévisy Christophe , Browne Duncan L. , Mauduit Marc
Published: June 2021

The first continuous flow Z‐selective olefin metathesis process is reported. Key to realizing this process was the adequate choice of stereoselective catalysts combined with the design of an appropriate continuous reactor setup. The designed continuous process permits various self‐, cross‐ and macro‐ring‐closing‐metathesis reactions, delivering products in high selectivity and short residence times. This technique is exemplified by direct application to the preparation of a range of pheromones and macrocyclic odorant molecules and culminates in a telescoped Z‐selective cross‐metathesis/ Dieckmann cyclisation sequence to access (Z)‐Civetone, incorporating a serial array of continually stirred tank reactors.
Localized Water‐In‐Salt Electrolyte for Aqueous Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Jaumaux Pauline , Yang Xu , Zhang Bao , Safaei Javad , Tang Xiao , Zhou Dong , Wang Chunsheng , Wang Guoxiu
Published: June 2021

Water‐in‐salt (WIS) electrolytes using super‐concentrated organic lithium (Li) salts are of interest for aqueous Li‐ion batteries. However, the high salt cost, high viscosity, poor wettability, and environmental hazards remain a great challenge. Herein, we present a localized water‐in‐salt (LWIS) electrolyte based on low‐cost lithium nitrate (LiNO3) salt and 1,5‐pentanediol (PD) as inert diluent. The addition of PD maintains the solvation structure of the WIS electrolyte, improves the electrolyte stability via hydrogen‐bonding interactions with water and NO3− molecules, and reduces the total salt concentration. By in situ gelling the LWIS electrolyte with tetraethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA) monomer, the electrolyte stability window can be further expanded to 3.0 V. The as‐developed Mo6S8|LWIS gel electrolyte|LiMn2O4 (LMO) batteries delivered outstanding cycling performance with an average Coulombic efficiency of 98.53 % after 250 cycles at 1 C.
Age and growth of the Critically Endangered flapper skate, Dipturus intermedius
Authors: Régnier Thomas , Dodd Jane , Benjamins Steven , Gibb Fiona M. , Wright Peter J.
Published: June 2021

Knowledge of vital data such as growth and age at maturity is necessary to develop effective management strategies for endangered species. The Critically Endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius) is the largest skate in the North Atlantic and growth information, necessary to assess key life‐history traits, populations’ growth rates and anticipate their response to management measures, is still lacking.

While classical age estimation methods used in fish generally require the analysis of calcified structures, destructive methods are incompatible with conservation objectives for this species. Taking advantage of the high recreational value of the flapper skate, this study uses citizen‐science data originating from photo‐identification of trophy pictures and tag–recapture data supported by anglers to estimate growth in this Critically Endangered species. Using the growth increments measured between recapture events, an individual‐based Von Bertalanffy growth model was fitted to the data using Bayesian inference.

The results confirm that the flapper skate is a long‐lived species with ages estimated as >40 years for the largest individuals captured. Despite this longevity, the model reveals a relatively fast initial growth but relatively late ages at maturity and significant sex‐related differences in both growth rate and maximum size.

These results suggest that population growth rate, and therefore recovery, might be much slower than previously reported. By using citizen science this study provides the necessary information to begin understanding population dynamics and monitor the recovery of an iconic Critically Endangered species.
Twisted Phenanthro[9,10‐d]imidazole Derivatives as Non‐doped Emitters for Efficient Electroluminescent Devices with Ultra‐Deep Blue Emission and High Exciton Utilization Efficiency
Authors: Kaiyasuan Chokchai , Chasing Pongsakorn , Nalaoh Phattananawee , Wongkaew Praweena , Sudyoadsuk Taweesak , Kongpatpanich Kanokwan , Promarak Vinich
Published: June 2021

Herein, two deep‐blue emissive molecules (SAF‐PI and SAF‐DPI) are designed and synthesized using spiro[acridine‐9,9’‐fluorene] as a donor (D) substituted with 2‐(3‐methylphenyl)‐1‐phenyl‐phenanthro[9,10‐d]imidazole as an acceptor (A), forming twisted D−A and A−D−A structures, respectively. The photophysical studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that both molecules exhibit hybridized local excited and charge transfer (HLCT) characteristics with deep blue emission color. They are effectively applied as non‐doped emitters in OLEDs. Particularly, SAF‐PI‐based device achieves the high‐definition television (HDTV) standard blue color emission peaked at 428 nm with CIE coordinate of (0.156, 0.053), a narrow full width at half maximum of 55 nm, a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 4.57% and an exciton utilization efficiency of 65%.
Online monitoring and control of upstream cell culture process using 1D and 2D‐LC with SegFlow interface
Authors: Chemmalil Letha , Wasalathanthri Dhanuka P. , Zhang Xin , Kuang June , Shao Chun , Barbour Robin , Bhavsar Sohil , Prabhakar Tanushree , Knihtila Ryan , West Jay , Puri Neha , McHugh Kyle , Rehmann Matthew S. , He Qin , Xu Jianlin , Borys Michael C. , Ding Julia , Li Zhengjian
Published: June 2021

The biopharmaceutical industry is transitioning from currently deployed batch‐mode bioprocessing to a highly efficient and agile next‐generation bioprocessing with the adaptation of continuous bioprocessing, which reduces capital investment and operational costs. Continuous bioprocessing, aligned with FDA's quality‐by‐design platform, is designed to develop robust processes to deliver safe and effective drugs. With the deployment of knowledge‐based operations, product quality can be built into the process to achieve desired critical quality attributes (CQAs) with reduced variability. To facilitate next‐generation continuous bioprocessing, it is essential to embrace a fundamental shift‐in‐paradigm from “quality‐by‐testing” to “quality‐by‐design,” which requires the deployment of process analytical technologies (PAT). With the adaptation of PAT, a systematic approach of process and product understanding and timely process control are feasible. Deployment of PAT tools for real‐time monitoring of CQAs and feedback control is critical for continuous bioprocessing. Given the current deficiency in PAT tools to support continuous bioprocessing, we have integrated Infinity 2D‐LC with a post‐flow‐splitter in conjunction with the SegFlow autosampler to the bioreactors. With this integrated system, we have established a platform for online measurements of titer and CQAs of monoclonal antibodies as well as amino acid analysis of bioreactor cell culture.
Association of hospital procedural volume with incidence and outcomes of surgical bailout in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Isogai Toshiaki , Saad Anas M. , Michihata Nobuaki , Ahuja Keerat Rai , Shekhar Shashank , Abdelfattah Omar M. , Kaur Manpreet , Gad Mohamed M. , Svensson Lars G. , Kapadia Samir R.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

This study sought to examine the association of hospital procedural volume with the incidence and outcomes of surgical bailout (SB) in patients who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background

SB is required for serious complications during or after TAVR. It remains unclear whether hospital experiences affect the incidence and outcomes of SB.

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients who underwent endovascular TAVR using the Nationwide Readmissions Database 2012–2017. We examined the association of annual hospital procedural volume (annual number of endovascular TAVR cases in each hospital in each year) with the incidence and in‐hospital mortality of SB using multivariable logistic regressions and restricted cubic splines.

Results

Among 82,764 eligible patients, the incidence of SB was 0.95% (n = 789) and decreased from 2012 to 2017 (from 2.66% to 0.49%; Ptrend < 0.001), while in‐hospital mortality of SB remained high over years (from 26.0% to 23.5%; Ptrend = 0.773). Very‐high‐volume hospitals (≥200 cases/year), as compared with low‐volume hospitals (≤49 cases/year), showed significantly a lower incidence of SB (0.49% vs. 1.81%; adjusted OR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.21–0.38), but similar in‐hospital mortality of SB (26.2% vs. 25.6%; adjusted OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.47–1.66). There was a significant nonlinear, inverse association of hospital volume with the incidence of SB, but not with the in‐hospital mortality of SB.

Conclusions

Hospitals with higher TAVR volumes have a lower risk of SB, but the in‐hospital mortality after SB does not change with hospital TAVR volume. Our findings highlight the importance that physicians should always be aware of the high mortality risk of SB following TAVR regardless of hospital procedural experiences.
Allenes and Dienes as Chiral Allylmetal Pronucleophiles in Catalytic Enantioselective C=X Addition: Historical Perspective and State‐of‐The‐Art Survey
Authors: Xiang Ming , Pfaffinger Dana E. , Krische Michael J.
Published: June 2021

The use of allenes and 1,3‐dienes as chiral allylmetal pronucleophiles in intermolecular catalytic enantioselective reductive additions to aldehydes, ketones, imines, carbon dioxide and other C=X electrophiles is exhaustively catalogued together with redox‐neutral hydrogen auto‐transfer processes. Coverage is limited to processes that result in both C−H and C−C bond formation. The use of alkynes as latent allylmetal pronucleophiles and multicomponent C=X allylations involving allenes and dienes is not covered. As illustrated in this review, the ability of allenes and 1,3‐dienes to serve as tractable non‐metallic pronucleophiles has evoked many useful transformations that have no counterpart in traditional allylmetal chemistry.