bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protecting farm animal welfare during intensification: Farmer perceptions of economic and regulatory pressures
Authors: Molnár M , Fraser D
Published: April 2020

Pig (Sus scrofa) production in Hungary provides a case study in how external pressures influence animal production, animal welfare and intensification. External pressures were explored in 24 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Hungarian pig farmers operating either confinement or alternative systems. Confinement producers reported intense economic pressure because of a power imbalance with the large meat-processing companies that buy their animals. These companies, in the view of the farmers, can source internationally and largely dictate prices. When prices paid by the companies fall below the cost of production, farmers cannot respond by reducing production because of the long time-lags between breeding and marketing; and with their large investment in confinement buildings that are difficult to modify, farmers see little option except to reduce production costs further. Alternative farmers reported being more resilient to economic pressures because they sell into niche markets, use inexpensive technologies, and typically produce a diversity of agricultural products which buffer periods of low profit in any one commodity. The current regulatory system was seen as inadequate to protect animal welfare from economic pressure because it focuses on certain inputs rather than welfare outcomes, does not cover some important determinants of animal welfare, and does not accommodate certain realities of farming. Current subsidies were also seen as an inadequate remedy, and were viewed as inequitable because they are difficult for alternative producers to access. Consumer-choice options, while used by alternative producers, are not available in mainstream markets which demand uniform ‘commodity’ production. The economic constraints that influence animal welfare might be better mitigated by a regulatory system developed with greater consultation with producers, a more equitable subsidy programme, and more developed consumer-choice programmes.
Theory of medical scoring systems and a practical method to evaluate Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) foot health in European zoos
Authors: Ertl N , Wendler P , Sós E , Flügger M , Schneeweis F , Schiffmann C , Hatt J-M , Clauss M
Published: April 2020

Several established models in human and veterinary medicine exist to evaluate an individual health or disease status. Many of these seem unsuitable for further epidemiological research aimed at discovering underlying influential factors. As a case example for score development and choice, the present study analyses different approaches to scoring the foot health of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) living in European facilities. Sum scores with varying degree of detail, and without or with a weighting method, were compared using descriptive statistics, ie kurtosis, skewness, Shannon entropy, total redundancy, their maximum and their actual ranges. With increasing score complexity, a higher level of differentiation was reached. In parallel, the distribution of score frequencies in the population shifted systematically: with the least complex scoring model the pattern indicated a severely unhealthy population with an opposite skew to a hypothetically healthy population, whereas the most complex scoring model indicated a mildly affected population with a skew corresponding to that expected for a healthy population. We propose the latter, in the form of the Particularised Severity Score (ParSev), which accounts for every nail and pad individually and weights the sub-scores by squaring, as the most relevant score for further investigations, either in assessing changes within an elephant population over time, or correlating foot health in epidemiological studies to potentially influencing factors. Our results emphasise the relevance of choosing appropriate scoring models for welfare-associated evaluations, due to implications for the applicability as well as the perceived welfare status of the test population.
Effects of environment and breed on growth performance and meat quality of fattening pigs
Authors: Li J , Han Q , Liu R , Wen P , Ji W , Pan L , Wang C , Zhao P , Liu H , Bao J
Published: April 2020

Meat quality is not only influenced by breed but also rearing environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different housing environments on growth performance, carcase traits, meat quality, physiological response pre-slaughter and fatty acid composition in two pig breeds. A total of 120 growing pigs at 60-70 days of age were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design with the breeds (Duroc × Landrace × Large White [D × L × LW] and Duroc × Landrace × Min pig [D × L × M]) and environmental enrichment (barren concrete floor or enriched with straw bedding) as factors. Each treatment was performed in triplicate with ten pigs per replicate. The pigs housed in the enriched environment exhibited a higher average daily gain, average daily feed intake, saturated fatty acid percentage and backfat depth than the pigs reared in the barren environment. Plasma cortisol levels were lower and growth hormone higher in enriched compared to barren pens. The D × L × M pigs showed lower cooking loss compared with the D × L × LW pigs. Moreover, the D × L × M pigs exhibited poor growth performance but had a better water-holding capacity. Only carcase traits and meat quality interaction effects were observed. We concluded that an enriched environment can reduce preslaughter stress and improve the growth performance of pigs and modulate the fatty acid composition of pork products.
Biskop Godske Ahlefeldt og altertavlen i Løjt Kirke
Authors: Bruun Jens
Published: April 2020

Artiklen søger at give en forklaring på udformningen af billedprogrammet på en stor, kostbar fløjaltertavle, opsat i 1520, altså tre år efter at reformationsoprøret var begyndt med Martin Luthers 95 teser på kirkedøren i Wittenberg, og kun få år før reformationen så småt begyndte at røre på sig i Sønderjylland. Når Løjttavlen således sættes ind i sin dagsaktuelle sammenhæng, er der ét navn, der træder i forgrunden, Godske Ahlefeldt, den sidste katolske biskop over Slesvig Stift. Artiklen blev oprindeligt til på opfordring af afdøde biskop Niels Henrik Arendt, hvis minde den tilegnes.
Lægedækningen i hertugdømmet Slesvig i slutningen af 1700-tallet
Authors: Brix Johannes
Published: April 2020

I en artikel i Flensburgsches Wochenblat fra 1789, advarer forfatteren på det kraftigste syge mod at henvende sig til kvaksalvere, men opfordrer i stedet til at konsultere en ”rigtig” læge. På baggrund af denne artikel undersøges det for hertugdømmet Slesvigs vedkommende, hvordan mulighederne har været for at komme til en akademisk uddannet læge i slutningen af 1700-tallet og begyndelsen af 1800-tallet samt i hvilket omfang befolkningen benyttede sig af denne behandlergruppes færdigheder. Ved at sammenligne antallet af fysici (embedslæger) i Kongeriget og hertugdømmet Slesvig påvises det desuden, at der var færre indbyggere pr. fysicus i hertugdømmet.
‘Fake news’ y coronavirus: la información como derecho y necesidad
Authors: López-Borrull Alexandre
Published: April 2020

Son días complejos. Días en los que asistimos a un ruido de noticias, datos aterradores, escenarios de futuro angustiosos, y donde intentamos sobrevivir a la infodemia (sobreabundancia de información) que la OMS ya anunciaba el 2 de febrero. Nunca como hasta ahora habíamos hablado tanto de fake news (noticias falsas) o desinformación ligada no a procesos electorales, sino a supervivencia y a combatir una crisis de salud pública y emergencia global como es la pandemia producida por el coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, causante de la enfermedad respiratoria COVID-19.
Inmovilidad urbana
Authors: Foglia Efraín
Published: April 2020

El peor escenario en el que se puede encontrar la movilidad urbana no es ninguno de los que hemos vivido a lo largo de los años: el tráfico vial debido a la saturación de vehículos en la urbe, el mal diseño de las vías urbanas o la falta de financiamiento del transporte público. El verdadero límite se encuentra en la prohibición de moverse en la ciudad. El grado cero de la movilidad, el fin de ella. Circulación 0.
Role of Farmer Organizations in the Reinforcement of the Economic Capacities of Farmers in Mezam Division, Cameroon
Authors: Mbangari Kenette Fru , Fonteh Mathias Fru , Fouepe Guillaume Hensel Fongang
Published: April 2020

This study was carried out from February 2018 to June 2019 in Mezam Division-Cameroon, under the auspices of the Program for the Improvement of Competiveness of Family Agro-pastoral Farms (PCP-ACEFA) and the North West Farmers’ Organization (NOWEFOR). The objective of the study was to assess the role of FOs in the reinforcement of the economic capacities of farmers in the region. Secondary sources data were reviewed while primary source data were gotten directly from farmrs in the field. Two hundred and eighty (280) farmers’ members of these FOs were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and 7 leaders were interviewed using an interview guide. In addition, direct observations were made. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS. The findings show that, 18.57% of the respondents who possessed agricultural equipments in their farms  from the support of SOS Faim/EC, 17.14%  as a result of MINADER  support, 20% as a result of ACEFA support and 44.28% coming from the farmers own capital. Beneficiaries of the aid hired 30% of workerss compared to 12.8% the non beneficiaries. The contribution of FOs in the development of the economic capacities of farmers was overall positive as 48.57% of the beneficiary farmers had a higher income than non beneficiaries. The beneficiaries’ respective mean annual gross margin for market gardening (263, 863), poultry (375,343) and piggery (64,615) are statistically higher than that of non beneficiaries. Conclusively FOs are pivotal for famers in the development process and the strengthening of the economic capacities of farmers.
Structural Characterization of Cure Bio-based Phenol Formaldehyde Wood Adhesive
Authors: Olayiwola Y. B.
Published: April 2020

Bio-phenol formaldehyde (BPF) resole resins were characterized by liquid-state 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The liquid 13C NMR analysis indicated that the condensation reactions between the bark phenolic compounds and the formaldehyde occurred during the synthesis of the resins. Methylene ether bridges in the resins were more pronounced in the BPF resin when compared to the PF resin system. The liquid-state 13C NMR study revealed significant differences in the resins structures induced by the inclusion of bark-phenolic components. The bark-phenolic components favored the formation of para-ortho methylene linkages in the BPF resins and also enhanced the cure rate of the BPF resin system.
Quantification and Speciation of Lead, Cadmium and Chromium in Dandora Dumpsite Soils
Authors: Kahara P. M. , Murungi J. , Kiptoo J. K. , Nyaga G.
Published: April 2020

Open dumpsites are one of the main sources of heavy metals and as a result, lots of research has been undertaken on the pseudo-total content of heavy metals in dumpsite soils, but little research on the forms in which they exist. The current research was carried out to determine levels of chromium, lead and cadmium in the various fractions of Dandora dumpsite soil and how they are fractionated in the topsoil and subsoil horizons. Samples were obtained from eight sites with depths of (0-30 cm) and (30-60 cm) for topsoil and bottom soils respectively. The modified Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure was used and metal analysis performed using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The metals (lead, chromium and cadmium) total concentration (µg/g) in the upper soil profile ranged from 42.22 to 1096.21, 38.26 to 180.60 and 11.23 to 44.22 while the lower soil profiles were 54.19 to 239.28, 30.56 to 76.48 and 9.47 to 22.56, respectively. The concentration of lead in various fractions of the upper soil profile followed the order; reducible > oxidisable > residual > exchangeable, while that of chromium was residual > oxidisable > reducible > exchangeable. Cadmium followed the order exchangeable > residual > reducible > oxidisable. The percentage of the metals in non-residual fraction were Pb (78%), Cr (58.7%) and Cd (70%). Their mobility factors were (Pb) 39.7 (Cr) 7.75 and (Cd) 5.02 in the upper soil profiles. Thus, the results suggest that Dandora dumpsite is highly polluted with the selected heavy metals.
A Multiple Criteria Analysis of Customers Satisfaction of Distance Education in Ghana: Evidence from Bolgatanga Centre of University of Cape Coast
Authors: Akanyako Joseph , Mbilla Simon Akumbo Eugene , Ayimpoya Redruth Nyaaba , Adombilla Baba Blonch
Published: April 2020

Distance education continues to be very popular among workers and students who want to further their education. It is particularly popular among workers because they can still work while schooling to add value to themselves and progress in their career. Disaggregation in Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis was employed in the study. The assessment of students’ satisfaction with service at the centre was done using tuition, administration, examination, teaching and learning environment. Students in general were satisfied with the tuition they received and the way examinations were conducted. The nature of examinations was found to be acceptable to the students, a majority of the students agreed that questions were normally set within syllabus and that the results they obtained actually reflected their own performance. Most students expressed dissatisfaction with the learning centre, students were generally dissatisfied with the classrooms, furniture, serenity of the environment and security at the learning centre.
SST gene hypermethylation acts as a pan‐cancer marker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and multiple other tumors: toward its use for blood‐based diagnosis
Authors: Manoochehri Mehdi , Wu Yenan , Giese Nathalia A. , Strobel Oliver , Kutschmann Stefanie , Haller Florian , Hoheisel Jörg D. , Moskalev Evgeny A. , Hackert Thilo , Bauer Andrea S.
Published: April 2020

Aberrant DNA methylation is often involved in carcinogenesis. Our initial goal was to identify DNA methylation biomarkers associated with pancreatic cancer. A genomewide methylation study was performed on DNA from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and endocrine pancreas tumors. Validation of DNA methylation patterns and concomitant alterations in expression of gene candidates was performed on patient samples and pancreatic cancer cell lines. Furthermore, validation was done on independent data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Finally, droplet digital PCR was employed to detect DNA methylation marks in cell‐free (cf) DNA isolated from plasma samples of PDAC patients and cancer‐free blood donors. Hypermethylation of the SST gene (encoding somatostatin) and concomitant downregulation of its expression were discovered in PDAC and endocrine tumor tissues while not being present in chronic pancreatitis (inflamed) tissues and normal pancreas. Fittingly, treatment with a somatostatin agonist (octreotide) reduced cell proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells. Diagnostic performance of SST methylation in a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was 100% and 89% for tissue and plasma samples, respectively. A large body of TCGA and GEO data confirmed SST hypermethylation and downregulation in PDAC and showed a similar effect in a broad spectrum of other tumor entities. SST promoter methylation represents a sensitive and promising molecular, pan‐cancer biomarker detectable in tumor tissue, and liquid biopsy samples.
Reduced neurosteroid potentiation of GABAA receptors in epilepsy and depolarized hippocampal neurons
Authors: Joshi Suchitra , Roden William H. , Kapur Jaideep , Jansen Laura A.
Published: April 2020

Objective

Neurosteroids regulate neuronal excitability by potentiating γ‐aminobutyric acid type‐A receptors (GABARs). In animal models of temporal lobe epilepsy, the neurosteroid sensitivity of GABARs is diminished and GABAR subunit composition is altered. We tested whether similar changes occur in patients with epilepsy and if depolarization‐induced increases in neuronal activity can replicate this effect.

Methods

We determined GABAR α4 subunit expression in cortical tissue resected from pediatric epilepsy patients. Modulation of human GABARs by allopregnanolone and Ro15‐4513 was measured in Xenopus oocytes using whole‐cell patch clamp. To extend the findings obtained using tissue from epilepsy patients, we evaluated GABAR expression and modulation by allopregnanolone and Ro15‐4513 in cultured rat hippocampal neurons exposed to high extracellular potassium (HK) to increase neuronal activity.

Results

Expression of α4 subunits was increased in pediatric cortical epilepsy specimens encompassing multiple pathologies. The potentiation of GABA‐evoked currents by the neurosteroid allopregnanolone was decreased in Xenopus oocytes expressing GABARs isolated from epilepsy patients. Furthermore, receptors isolated from epilepsy but not control tissue were sensitive to potentiation by Ro15‐4513, indicating higher expression of α4βxγ2 subunit‐containing receptors. Correspondingly, increasing the activity of cultured rat hippocampal neurons reduced allopregnanolone potentiation of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs), increased modulation of tonic GABAR current by Ro15‐4513, upregulated the surface expression of α4 and γ2 subunits, and increased the colocalization of α4 and γ2 subunit immunoreactivity.

Interpretation

These findings suggest that seizure activity‐induced upregulation of α4βxγ2 subunit‐containing GABARs could affect the anticonvulsant actions of neurosteroids.
FDA cracking down on bad ads for stimulants on the internet
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2020

The FDA's Office of Prescription Drug Promotion, after reviewing a link for ProCentra (dextroamphetamine sulfate) on Google, sent a warning letter to Outlook Pharmaceuticals saying that the “link is false or misleading in that it presents information about the benefits of ProCentra, but fails to include any risk information about the drug.” There's nothing wrong with the medication, which is approved by the FDA. But there is something wrong with the ad, and the FDA wanted it off the internet immediately. The company called it ProCentra only, never naming the established name, which constitutes misbranding within the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and makes distributing it a violation. “These are especially concerning from a public health perspective because they create a misleading impression about the safety of ProCentra, a drug that is a schedule II controlled substance used in the vulnerable pediatric patient population, and bears a Boxed Warning that describes the high potential for abuse, that administration of amphetamines for prolonged periods of time may lead to drug dependence, and states that misuse may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events,” the letter states.
The Chemistry and Promising Applications of Graphene and Porous Graphene Materials
Authors: Huang Haibo , Shi Haodong , Das Pratteek , Qin Jieqiong , Li Yaguang , Wang Xiao , Su Feng , Wen Pengchao , Li Suyuan , Lu Pengfei , Liu Fangyan , Li Yuejiao , Zhang Ying , Wang Yi , Wu Zhong‐Shuai , Cheng Hui‐Ming
Published: April 2020

Graphene and graphene oxide (GO), as wonder materials, have penetrated nearly every field of research. One of their most attractive features is the functionality and assembly of graphene or GO, in which they can be considered to be chemically functionalized building blocks for creating unconventional porous graphene materials (PGMs) that not only combine the merits of both porous materials and graphene, but also have major advantages over other porous carbons for specific applications. The chemistry and approaches for functionalizing graphene and GO are first introduced, and typical procedures for pore creation (e.g., in‐plane pores, 2D laminar pores, and 3D interconnected pore assemblies), self‐assembly, and tailoring mechanisms for PGMs to highlight the significance of precise control over the pore morphology and pore size are summarized. Because of their unique pore structures, with different morphologies and intriguing properties, PGMs serve as key components in a variety of applications such as energy storage, electrocatalysis, and molecular separation. Finally, the challenges relating to PGMs from the understanding of chemical self‐assembly to specific applications are discussed, and promising solutions on how to tackle them are presented. This provides an insightful outlook for the future development of the chemistry and applications of PGMs.
Engineering a Therapy‐Induced “Immunogenic Cancer Cell Death” Amplifier to Boost Systemic Tumor Elimination
Authors: Li Bei , Hao Guanyu , Sun Bing , Gu Zi , Xu Zhi Ping
Published: April 2020

Immunogenic cancer cell death (ICD) is drawing worldwide attention as it allows dying cancer cells to regulate the host's anti‐tumor immune system and awaken immunosurveillance. Thus, effectively activating therapy‐induced ICD is of great clinical significance to raise systemic anti‐tumor immunity and eradicate post‐treatment/abscopal cancer tissues. Enhanced cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in cancer therapy has been positively correlated to ICD induction, which inspires design of a therapy‐induced ICD amplifier. The nanohybrid amplifier (FeOOH@STA/Cu‐LDH) is devised based on Cu‐containing layered double hydroxide (Cu‐LDH), incorporating ROS inducer (FeOOH nanodots), ROS generation booster (Cu‐LDH for photothermal therapy), and heat shock protein inhibitor (STA). Treating 4T1 tumor cells with this amplifier translocates calreticulins (CRT, one of main ICD signals) on the surface of dying cancer cells, which achieves the maximum at fever‐type temperature (40–42 °C). To demonstrate immunotherapeutic efficacy of this nanohybrid, 4T1 tumor‐bearing mouse model is established with primary and abscopal tumors. Significantly, only one treatment with the ICD amplifier eradicates the primary tumor and inhibits the abscopal tumor growth upon fever‐type heating and induces more cytotoxic T lymphocytes in abscopal tumors and spleens after treatment for 1 week. This research thus provides a new insight into nanomaterial‐mediated tumor immunotherapy.
Directing Arrowhead Nanorod Dimers for MicroRNA In Situ Raman Detection in Living Cells
Authors: Li Chen , Li Si , Qu Aihua , Kuang Hua , Xu Liguang , Xu Chuanlai
Published: April 2020

Directed self‐assembled nanomaterials with biological applications have attracted great interest. Here, arrowhead gold nanorod (NR) dimers with side‐by‐side and end‐to‐end motifs (known as AHSBS and AHETE dimers, respectively) presented based on selective modification of arrowhead NRs with DNA and polyethylene glycol, possessing intense surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals, are assembled for in situ intracellular microRNA detection. The arrowhead NR dimers are capable of recognizing target microRNA in a sequence‐specific manner as Raman signals significantly enhanced within dimers with both motifs. Following recognition, the dimers gradually disassemble, resulting in decreased SERS signals to achieve effective in situ Raman imaging and quantify the detection of target microRNA. The SERS intensity shows a linear relationship with intracellular target microRNA and a limit of detection of 0.011 amol ngRNA−1 for the AHETE dimer and 0.023 amol ngRNA−1 for the AHSBS dimer, respectively. The sensitivity for AHETE dimers is ≈2.1 times higher than that for AHSBS dimers, which is attributed to the small quantity of recognized molecules and stronger electrical enhancement, which causes greater SERS signals in the AHETE dimers. This approach opens up a new avenue for directed nanomaterials assembly and biological detection in living cells.
Metal–Organic Frameworks as a Versatile Platform for Proton Conductors
Authors: Ye Yingxiang , Gong Lingshan , Xiang Shengchang , Zhang Zhangjing , Chen Banglin
Published: April 2020

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are an intriguing type of crystalline porous materials that can be readily built from metal ions or clusters and organic linkers. Recently, MOF materials, featuring high surface areas, rich structural tunability, and functional pore surfaces, which can accommodate a variety of guest molecules as proton carriers and to systemically regulate the proton concentration and mobility within the available space, have attracted tremendous attention for their roles as solid electrolytes in fuel cells. Recent advances in MOFs as a versatile platform for proton conduction in the field of humidity condition proton‐conduction, anhydrous atmosphere proton‐conduction, single‐crystal proton‐conduction, and including MOF‐based membranes for fuel cells, are summarized and highlighted. Furthermore, the challenges, future trends, and prospects of MOF materials for solid electrolytes are also discussed.
Pd‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Substitution Annulation Using Enolizable Ketimines as Nucleophiles: An Alternative Approach to Chiral Tetrahydroindoles
Authors: Xu Kai , Ye Jianxun , Liu Hao , Shen Jiefeng , Liu Delong , Zhang Wanbin
Published: April 2020

A synthesis of chiral tetrahydroindoles has been developed via a Pd‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution annulation using unstable enolizable ketimines as nucleophiles and our previously developed tBu‐RuPHOX as a chiral ligand. The reaction proceeds via an asymmetric desymmetrization of the meso‐diacetatecycloalkenes, providing the desired chiral tetrahydroindoles in moderate to good yields and with up to 96% ee. The annulation reaction could be performed on a gram‐scale in high yields and the resulting products can be transformed to several types of N‐hetereobicyclic derivatives. In addition, a chiral cis‐perhydroindolic acid derivative was also readily synthesized starting from a prepared chiral tetrahydroindole.

magnified image
Ultrafine Co3Se4 Nanoparticles in Nitrogen‐Doped 3D Carbon Matrix for High‐Stable and Long‐Cycle‐Life Lithium Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Cai Dong , Liu Bingke , Zhu Dehua , Chen Duo , Lu Mengjie , Cao Junming , Wang Yanhu , Huang Wenhao , Shao Yong , Tu Haoran , Han Wei
Published: April 2020

Lithium–sulfur batteries are a promising high energy output solution for substitution of traditional lithium ion batteries. In recent times research in this field has stepped into the exploration of practical applications. However, their applications are impeded by cycling stability and short life‐span mainly due to the notorious polysulfide shuttle effect. In this work, a multifunctional sulfur host fabricated by grafting highly conductive Co3Se4 nanoparticles onto the surface of an N‐doped 3D carbon matrix to inhibit the polysulfide shuttle and improve the sulfur utilization is proposed. By regulating the carbon matrix and the Co3Se4 distribution, N‐CN‐750@Co3Se4‐0.1 m with abundant polar sites is experimentally and theoretically shown to be a good LiPSs absorbent and a sulfur conversion accelerator. The S/N‐CN‐750@Co3Se4‐0.1 m cathode shows excellent sulfur utilization, rate performance, and cyclic durability. A prolonged cycling test of the as‐fabricated S/N‐CN‐750@Co3Se4‐0.1 m cathode is carried out at 0.2 C for more than 5 months which delivers a high initial capacity of 1150.3 mAh g−1 and retains 531.0 mAh g−1 after 800 cycles with an ultralow capacity reduction of 0.067% per cycle, maintaining Coulombic efficiency of more than 99.3%. The reaction details are characterized and analyzed by ex situ measurements. This work highly emphasizes the potential capabilities of transition‐metal selenides in lithium–sulfur batteries.
Risk of invasive fungal infections in patients with high‐risk MDS and AML receiving hypomethylating agents
Authors: Kim Gee Youn (Geeny) , Burns Jonathan , Freyer Craig W. , Hamilton Keith W. , Frey Noelle V. , Gill Saar I. , Hexner Elizabeth O. , Luger Selina M. , Mangan James K. , Martin Mary E. , McCurdy Shannon R. , Perl Alexander E. , Porter David L. , Schuster Mindy G. , Stadtmauer Edward A. , Loren Alison W.
Published: April 2020

Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are a significant source of morbidity and mortality for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Given the heterogeneity of the population receiving hypomethylating agents (HMA), it is difficult for clinicians to accurately assess their patients' risk of infection. Literature on the incidence of IFI following HMA is limited to several studies of azacitidine. The primary objective of this retrospective study was to establish the incidence of IFI in HMA treated AML/MDS patients at a large U.S. comprehensive cancer center. Secondary objectives included comparing incidence of IFI among pre‐specified subgroups to identify potential risk factors for IFI. Two hundred three patients with AML, intermediate to very high risk MDS or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia who received at least two cycles of HMA were included. The incidence of IFI, as defined by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer / Invasive Fungal Infections Cooperative Group criteria, was 9.6%, with 20 IFI diagnosed following HMA (three proven, four probable, 13 possible). Among the proven cases of IFI, molds included Scedosporium and Fusarium spp. Eleven patients who developed IFIs were neutropenic upon initiating HMA. The majority (17/20) of infections occurred during the first four cycles. Given this incidence, mold‐active prophylaxis can be considered in patients who are neutropenic at the start of therapy.
Musculoskeletal abnormalities in a large international cohort of boys with 49,XXXXY
Authors: Tosi Laura , Mitchell Francie , Porter Grace F. , Ruland Leigh , Gropman Andrea , Lasutschinkow Patricia C. , Tran Selena L. , Rajah Elmer N. , Gillies Austin P. , Hendrie Patricia , Peret Rick , Sadeghin Teresa , Samango‐Sprouse Carole A.
Published: April 2020

49,XXXXY is the rarest X and Y chromosomal variation, with an incidence of 1 in 80,000–100,000 live male births and has been associated with numerous musculoskeletal abnormalities. Data was collected from an international cohort of boys with 49,XXXXY over 10 years. Children were evaluated by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a pediatric orthopedist, a neurogeneticist, a neurodevelopmentalist, and two physical therapists. Increased rates of torticollis (32.4%), hamstring tightness (42%), radioulnar synostosis (67.6%), pes planus (65.2%), and other foot abnormalities (86.9%) were observed. Several anomalies increased with age, specifically hamstring tightness, kyphosis, and scoliosis. The elucidation of the orthopedic profile of this population is necessary in order to provide healthcare providers with current medical information. This research further supports the necessity for the comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment of boys with 49,XXXXY.
Magnetically recoverable Ni@CuI hybrid nanocatalysts affording spiropyrroline heterocycles from ketoximes and alkenes
Authors: Gulati Upasana , Rajesh U. Chinna , Rawat Diwan S.
Published: April 2020

The design of magnetic hybrid nanomaterials for cooperative activation of diverse functional groups drives future nanocatalysis toward green and sustainable multi‐component organic synthesis. Here, we report the synthesis of unique Ni@CuI hybrid nanocatalysts by oxidation of the Cu0 surface in Ni@Cu core‐shell precursor using an ethanolic I2 solution. The morphological (scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy) and structural (powder X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy) characterizations conform the formation of Ni0 and CuI hybrid nanocatalysts. These are efficient catalysts for the activation of oxime and olefin substrates to afford spiropyrrolines in a short time and excellent yields under green reaction conditions. The control experiments delineate the role of Cu sites as redox (I–III) triggered cleavage of N−O bond (oximes) and Ni0 sites adsorb the olefin (C=C) which is proximity to the Cu‐enamide intermediate to enhance the intermolecular cyclization lead to spiropyrrolines. The robustness of Ni@CuI hybrid nanocatalyst is demonstrated over five cycles without loss in its turnover and structural integrity, which follows ideal green chemistry metrics.
Assessment of nutritional stress in famine burials using stable isotope analysis
Authors: Walter Brittany S. , DeWitte Sharon N. , Dupras Tosha , Beaumont Julia
Published: April 2020

Objectives

We compared δ15N and δ13C values from bone and dentine collagen profiles of individuals interred in famine‐related and attritional burials to evaluate whether individuals in medieval London who experienced nutritional stress exhibit enriched nitrogen in bone and tooth tissue. Dentine profiles were evaluated to identify patterns that may be indicative of famine during childhood and were compared with the age of enamel hypoplasia (EH) formation to assess whether isotopic patterns of undernutrition coincide with the timing of physiological stress.

Materials and Methods

δ15N and δ13C isotope ratios of bone collagen were obtained from individuals (n = 128) interred in attritional and famine burials from a medieval London cemetery (c. 1120–1539). Temporal sequences of δ15N and δ13C isotope profiles for incrementally forming dentine collagen were obtained from a subset of these individuals (n = 21).

Results

Results indicate that individuals from attritional graves exhibit significantly higher δ15N values but no significant differences were found between burial types for the sexes. Analyses of dentine profiles reveal that a lower proportion of famine burials exhibit stable dentine profiles and that several exhibit a pattern of opposing covariance between δ15N and δ13C. EH were also observed to have formed during or after the opposing covariance pattern for some individuals.

Conclusions

The results of this study may reflect differences in diet between burial types rather than nutritional stress. Though nutritional stress could not be definitively identified using bone and dentine collagen, the results from dentine analysis support previous observations of biochemical patterns associated with nutritional stress during childhood.
Pillararene Host–Guest Complexation Induced Chirality Amplification: A New Way to Detect Cryptochiral Compounds
Authors: Zhu Huangtianzhi , Li Qi , Gao Zongchun , Wang Hongliang , Shi Bingbing , Wu Yitao , Shangguan Liqing , Hong Xin , Wang Feng , Huang Feihe
Published: April 2020

The contradiction between the rising demands of optical chirality sensing and the failure in chiral detection of cryptochiral compounds encourages researchers to find new methods for chirality amplification. Inspired by planar chirality and the host–guest recognition of pillararenes, we establish a new concept for amplifying CD signals of cryptochiral molecules by pillararene host–guest complexation induced chirality amplification. The planar chirality of pillararenes is induced and stabilized in the presence of the chiral guest, which makes the cryptochiral molecule detectable by CD spectroscopy. Several chiral guests are selected in these experiments and the mechanism of chiral amplification is studied with a non‐rotatable pillararene derivative and density functional theory calculations. We believe this work affords deeper understanding of chirality and provides a new perspective for chiral sensing.
Enantioselective Pallada‐Electrocatalyzed C−H Activation by Transient Directing Groups: Expedient Access to Helicenes
Authors: Dhawa Uttam , Tian Cong , Wdowik Tomasz , Oliveira João C. A. , Hao Jiping , Ackermann Lutz
Published: April 2020

Asymmetric pallada‐electrocatalyzed C−H olefinations were achieved through the synergistic cooperation with transient directing groups. The electrochemical, atroposelective C−H activations were realized with high position‐, diastereo‐, and enantio‐control under mild reaction conditions to obtain highly enantiomerically‐enriched biaryls and fluorinated N−C axially chiral scaffolds. Our strategy provided expedient access to, among others, novel chiral BINOLs, dicarboxylic acids and helicenes of value to asymmetric catalysis. Mechanistic studies by experiments and computation provided key insights into the catalyst's mode of action.
The influence of MWCNT and hybrid (MWCNT/nanoclay) fillers on performance of EPDM‐CIIR blends in nuclear applications: Mechanical, hydrocarbon transport, and gamma‐radiation aging characteristics
Authors: Neelesh Ashok , Vidhyashree Sakthivel , Meera Balachandran
Published: April 2020

Blends of EPDM and chlorobutyl (CIIR) rubbers are used in nuclear plants where they have to withstand the combined effect of radiation and hydrocarbon aging. To improve their mechanical properties as well as hydrocarbon and gamma radiation resistance, the blends are reinforced with 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 phr of MWCNT. The increase in mechanical properties was highest for 1.5 phr MWCNT with 69% increase in tensile strength. The improvement in properties was correlated to MWCNT dispersion and filler–polymer interactions, which were confirmed by TEM and FTIR analysis. Hydrocarbon transport coefficients decreased on addition of MWCNT. The nanocomposites were exposed to 0.5, 1, and 2 MGy cumulative doses of gamma radiation. Depending on the radiation dose, crosslinking and/or chain scission occurred causes changes in physical properties. MWCNT reinforcement reduced the magnitude of changes in mechanical and transport properties after γ‐irradiation. ESR and FTIR spectra provided qualitative information on free radical formation and chemical changes due to γ‐rays exposure. To further enhance the properties, hybrid nanocomposites with 1.5 phr MWCNT and varying nanoclay contents (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 5 phr) were prepared. Due to synergism between MWCNT and nanoclay, the hybrid composites had superior properties with hybrid containing 5 phr nanoclay giving 98% increase in tensile strength.
The “dog paddle”: Stereotypic swimming gait pattern in different dog breeds
Authors: Fish Frank E. , DiNenno Nicole K. , Trail Jonathan
Published: April 2020

The term “dog paddle” has been applied to the swimming behavior of various terrestrial and aquatic species. Dog paddling refers to a form of drag‐based, paddle propulsion in which the limbs are oriented underneath the body and moved through an arc. Despite the ubiquity of the term, there has been no analysis of the swimming kinematics of dogs. Underwater video was recorded of surface swimming dogs (velocity: 0.4–1.1 m/s) for eight individuals from six breeds, ranging in size from Yorkshire Terrier (3.6 kg) to Newfoundland dog (63.5 kg). The quadrupedal paddling stroke was analyzed to determine kinematics and coordination of the limbs. The paddling stroke represented a modified terrestrial gait, which was outside typical gaits for terrestrial locomotion by dogs. Stroke frequency decreased with increasing body size. The stroke cycle consisted of power and recovery phases. During the power phase, digits of the paw were abducted and the forelimb was swept posteriorly until perpendicular to the body. In the recovery phase, digits were adducted while the brachium was retracted anteriorly and the manus supinated. The power phase was about 34% of stroke cycle and shorter than the recovery phase for both fore and hindlimbs. Maximum velocity during the power phase was greater than the recovery phase. The modified terrestrial gait used for swimming by dogs appears to be stereotypic among breeds, whereas terrestrial locomotion in dogs shows substantial variation in gait. Without constraints imposed by gravity and substrate contact, swimming dogs can utilize a gait profile different from terrestrial gaits.

Summary Statement

Despite the ubiquity of the term “dog paddle” to describe the swimming motions of animals, this is the first time that the swimming motions of dogs have been analyzed.
Quantification of the HIV‐1 virus‐like particle production process by super‐resolution imaging: From VLP budding to nanoparticle analysis
Authors: González‐Domínguez Irene , Puente‐Massaguer Eduard , Cervera Laura , Gòdia Francesc
Published: April 2020

Virus‐like particles (VLPs) offer great promise in the field of nanomedicine. Enveloped VLPs are a class of these nanoparticles and their production process occurs by a budding process, which is known to be the most critical step at intracellular level. In this study, we developed a novel imaging method based on super‐resolution fluorescence microscopy (SRFM) to assess the generation of VLPs in living cells. This methodology was applied to study the production of Gag VLPs in three animal cell platforms of reference: HEK 293‐transient gene expression (TGE), High Five‐baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) and Sf9‐BEVS. Quantification of the number of VLP assembly sites per cell ranged from 500 to 3,000 in the different systems evaluated. Although the BEVS was superior in terms of Gag polyprotein expression, the HEK 293‐TGE platform was more efficient regarding the assembly of Gag as VLPs. This was translated into higher levels of non‐assembled Gag monomer in BEVS harvested supernatants. Furthermore, the presence of contaminating nanoparticles was evidenced in all three systems, specifically in High Five cells. The SRFM‐based method here developed was also successfully applied to measure the concentration of VLPs in crude supernatants. The lipid membrane of VLPs and the presence of nucleic acids alongside these nanoparticles could also be detected using common staining procedures. Overall, a complete picture of the VLP production process was achieved in these three production platforms. The robustness and sensitivity of this new approach broaden the applicability of SRFM toward the development of new detection, diagnosis and quantification methods based on confocal microscopy in living systems.
The impact of increased pulmonary arterial pressure on outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Ujihira Kosuke , Kohmoto Takushi , Gimelli Giorgio , Raval Amish , Jacobson Kurt , Wolff Matthew , Osaki Satoru
Published: April 2020

Objective

To evaluate the impact of increased pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) on outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Methods

A total of 242 patients who underwent TAVR were retrospectively reviewed. Transthoracic echocardiography estimated PASP. The cohorts were divided into three groups according to the numerical change of PASP; Increased (post‐TAVR PASP at 1 month minus pre‐TAVR PASP, ≥ + 5 mmHg; n = 52), No change (−5 to +5 mmHg; n = 86) and Decreased (≤ −5 mmHg; n = 104). Patient demographics and clinical outcomes until 1 year were evaluated. Logistic regression model was used for multivariate risk analysis.

Results

At 1 year, the Increased group showed higher mortality (21 ± 6%) than the No change group (5 ± 2%) (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7–13.5; p < .01) and the Decreased group (8 ± 3%) (HR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1–6.7; p = .02). Rehospitalization rate for valve‐related or heart failure was also higher in the Increased group (21 ± 6%) than the No change group (10 ± 3%) (HR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1–6.0; p = .04).

Predictors of PASP deterioration were hypertension (odds ratio [OR]: 3.9, 95% CI: 1.1–13.8; p = .04) and left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter >50 mm (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1–4.6; p = .04), and the increased PASP remained an independent predictor of 1‐year all‐cause mortality (HR; 2.7, 95% CI: 1.0–6.8; p = .04).

Conclusions

Regardless of the baseline PASP, patients with increased PASP at 1 month after successful TAVR were at higher risk of mortality and rehospitalization within 1 year. Strict medical management should be considered for patients who showed dilated left ventricle preoperatively.
A face recognition algorithm based on feature fusion
Authors: Zhang Jiwei , Yan Xiaodan , Cheng Zelei , Shen Xueqi
Published: April 2020

In the process of building a smart city, face recognition can be applied to the transformation of enterprises, communities, and parks. The combination of building security system and face recognition technology can improve the security experience of enterprises and citizens through the solution of hardware and software integration. Face recognition is still facing the challenges of illumination, occlusion, and attitude change in the actual application process. In addition, the end‐to‐end convolutional neural networks (CNN) seldom make use of the hierarchical feature of the network. So, we propose a hierarchy feature fusion method for face recognition, which uses supervisory information to learn shallow and deep facial features. The features are fused to enhance the recognition accuracy of face recognition against illumination and occlusion. The method is applied to the transformation of the visual geometry group network and Lightened CNN. The face recognition experiments are carried out using the hierarchy network. Our method has achieved good recognition results in the labeled faces in the wild (LFW) and AR face databases.
Different Strategies to Execute Multi‐Database Studies for Medicines Surveillance in Real‐World Setting: A Reflection on the European Model
Authors: Gini Rona , Sturkenboom Miriam C. J. , Sultana Janet , Cave Alison , Landi Annalisa , Pacurariu Alexandra , Roberto Giuseppe , Schink Tania , Candore Gianmario , Slattery Jim , Trifirò Gianluca ,   the Working Group 3 of ENCePP (Inventory of EU data sources and methodological approaches for multisource studies)
Published: April 2020

Although postmarketing studies conducted in population‐based databases often contain information on patients in the order of millions, they can still be underpowered if outcomes or exposure of interest is rare, or the interest is in subgroup effects. Combining several databases might provide the statistical power needed. A multi‐database study (MDS) uses at least two healthcare databases, which are not linked with each other at an individual person level, with analyses carried out in parallel across each database applying a common study protocol. Although many MDSs have been performed in Europe in the past 10 years, there is a lack of clarity on the peculiarities and implications of the existing strategies to conduct them. In this review, we identify four strategies to execute MDSs, classified according to specific choices in the execution: (A) local analyses, where data are extracted and analyzed locally, with programs developed by each site; (B) sharing of raw data, where raw data are locally extracted and transferred without analysis to a central partner, where all the data are pooled and analyzed; (C) use of a common data model with study‐specific data, where study‐specific data are locally extracted, loaded into a common data model, and processed locally with centrally developed programs; and (D) use of general common data model, where all local data are extracted and loaded into a common data model, prior to and independent of any study protocol, and protocols are incorporated in centrally developed programs that run locally. We illustrate differences between strategies and analyze potential implications.