bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Future changes of drought characteristics in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 Shared Socioeconomic Pathway scenarios over Central Asia
Authors: Guo Hao , He Shanfeng , Li Min , Bao Anming , Chen Tao , Zheng Guoxiong , De Maeyer Philippe
Published: November 2021

Understanding of future changes in drought characteristics is crucial for climate change adaptation and drought impact mitigation. We analysed the projected changes in drought characteristics relative to historical drought conditions in Central Asia using the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index based on both gridded observations and an ensemble of bias‐corrected and spatially disaggregated global circulation models (GCMs) from phase 6 of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). The results suggest that precipitation and potential evapotranspiration are projected to increase across Central Asia. Even though the change in wetness may not be significant and robust, a “dry gets drier and wet gets wetter” pattern may emerge in future under different scenarios. Drought events in Central Asia's semi‐arid and arid regions (aridity index <0.5) are projected to become more frequent (>125%), with longer duration (>55%), higher severity (>74%) and intensity (>8%) by the end of the 21st century under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios. In the coming period of 2021–2050, Central Asia is expected to have more drought events with a longer duration but lower intensity. Comparisons between different SSP scenarios stress the importance of climate change mitigation strategies to avoid more drought occurrence, longer drought duration and higher drought severity. The long‐term mitigation and adaptation studies for increasing drought impacts are also imperative in Central Asia.
Evaluating a simple proxy for climatic cloud‐to‐ground lightning in Sichuan Province with complex terrain, Southwest China
Authors: Zhao Pengguo , Xiao Hui , Liu Chang , Zhou Yunjun , Xu Xiaoyang , Hao Ke
Published: November 2021

Lightning matters to human life and natural fires so much that monitoring and predicting lightning are highly important. A simple proxy for climatic cloud‐to‐ground (CG) density is evaluated defined as the product of convective available potential energy (CAPE) and precipitation rate using data from 2005 to 2017 in Sichuan of Southwest China. CAPE times precipitation rate (CP) relates the monthly distribution and magnitude of negative lightning in the basin region more closely, while CP describes the monthly distribution and magnitude of positive lightning in the plateau region more appropriately. Except for individual years, the annual variation trend and magnitude of CP and positive and negative lightning are relatively consistent in the basin region, while the description of the annual variation trend and magnitude of lightning by CP in the plateau region is insufficient, especially for negative lightning. CP represents the high‐value areas of the positive and negative lightning in the basin and southern Sichuan reasonably, but misses the lightning belt in the plateau region. In general, the performance of CP for lightning in the basin is superior to that in the plateau, this may be caused by two factors, one is the particularity and complexity of lightning in the plateau resulted from special topographic and meteorological conditions, the other one is the limitation of CP caused by the fact that CP does not take into account other environmental factors contributing to lightning. The ability of this simple proxy to describe CG lightning in Sichuan is limited by vertical wind shear in the middle and lower troposphere, zero degree height, and liquid water path, mainly because the proxy does not have the ability to generalize these factors that play a key role in lightning activity.
Antioxidant effect of enamel matrix derivative for early phase of periodontal tissue regeneration in diabetes
Authors: Takeda Kohei , Mizutani Koji , Matsuura Takanori , Kido Daisuke , Mikami Risako , Buranasin Prima , Saito Natsumi , Kominato Hiromi , Takemura Shu , Nakagawa Keita , Iwata Takanori
Published: November 2021

Background

Diabetes involves metabolic disorders in various tissues via hyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidative effect of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) on periodontal regeneration in diabetes.

Methods

Twenty‐two rats were equally divided into streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetes or control group. Two months after induction of hyperglycemia, systemic oxidative stress was measured using urinary 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine. EMD or saline was applied into the intrabony defects created in the bilateral maxillary molar. mRNA expressions of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were quantified (n = 6). Histometric analyses and immunohistochemistry of superoxide dismutase‐1 (SOD‐1) were performed 7 days postoperatively (n = 5). For in vitro experiments, the bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from rat femur and cultured in a high glucose (HG) or control medium. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurement and alizarin red staining were performed with/without EMD.

Results

Systemic oxidative stress was significantly higher in the diabetic group. The connective tissue attachment and cementum formation were significantly increased at EMD‐treated sites in both diabetic and non‐diabetic groups. The expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase two and four was significantly lower at EMD‐treated sites than at EMD‐untreated sites in both diabetic and non‐diabetic rats. Immunohistochemistry showed significantly higher SOD‐1 expression at the EMD‐treated site. In vitro, HG culture had significantly higher ROS production compared with control, which was downregulated by EMD. EMD treatment significantly recovered the impaired calcification in HG.

Conclusion

EMD promoted early‐phase wound healing and periodontal tissue regeneration in the surgically created bony defect of STZ‐induced diabetic rat by suppressing hyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress.
Improved cold‐water detergency of malodourous soil correlating with hydrophilic–lipophilic deviation concept
Authors: Phaodee Parichat , Adamy Steven T. , Zehr Robert T. , Harwell Jeffrey H. , Grady Brian P.
Published: November 2021

The persistence of sebum after low‐water‐temperature washing can contribute to malodor and microbial growth during subsequent use; thus, this work focuses on improved sebum removal. The detergency of sebum at various hydrophobic–lipophilic deviation (HLD) values was performed using 0.1 w/v% C12‐13‐8PO‐SO4Na and C8‐4PO‐1EO‐SO4Na at 1:1 molar ratio. The detergency of synthetic sebum on 87/13 polyester/spandex was relatively poor (70% removal) at HLD = 0. Various additives (heptanol, dipropylene glycol n‐butyl ether, decyltrimethyl ammonium bromide or sodium benzoate) were explored and it was found that none of them could facilitate sebum removal on the 87/13 polyester/spandex surface. On the other hand, adding low molecular weight primary amines (ethylene diamine, or monoethanolamine [MEA]) in the surfactant system without salt showed sebum removal of 70%–80% depending on the amine molecule. Adding MEA as a detergency additive with salt appeared to achieve good detergency (>80% removal) at all studied HLD numbers between −1.0 and 1.1 and the maximum detergency (approximately 90% removal) was observed at the optimum formulation (HLD = 0). The formulation pH with added MEA decreased from 11 to roughly 9. Detergency performance with added MEA was not dependent on pH within the studied basic conditions. The principal cold water sebum removal mechanism was found to be detachment of solid sebum fractions, dispersed in the detergent bath or floating on the bath surface.
Reevaluating a non‐conventional procedure to microencapsulate beneficial lactobacilli: assessments on yield and bacterial viability under simulated technological and physiological conditions
Authors: García María J , Ruíz Francesca , Asurmendi Paula , Pascual Liliana , Barberis Lucila
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Maintaining viability of beneficial microorganisms applied to foods still constitutes an industrial challenge. Many microencapsulation methodologies have been studied to protect probiotic microorganisms and ensure their resistance from manufacturing through to consumption. However, in many Latin‐American countries such as Argentina there are still no marketed food products containing microencapsulated beneficial bacteria. The objectives of this work were: (i) to obtain microcapsules containing Lactobacillus fermentum L23 and L. rhamnosus L60 in a milk protein matrix; and (ii) to evaluate the viability of microencapsulated lactobacilli exposed to long‐term refrigerated storage, mid–high temperatures and simulated gastrointestinal conditions.

RESULTS

The method of emulsification/rennet‐catalyzed gelation of milk proteins used in this study led to high encapsulation yields for both strains (98.2–99%). Microencapsulated lactobacilli remained viable for 120 days at 4 °C, while free lactobacilli gradually lost their viability under the same conditions. Microencapsulation increased the resistance of lactobacilli to mid–high temperatures, since they showed survival rates of 95–99.3% at 50 °C, and of 72.5–74.4% at 65 °C. Under simulated gastric conditions, the microencapsulated lactobacilli counts were higher than 8.5 log CFU mL−1 and showed survival rates between 96.61% and 97.74%. Furthermore, in the presence of bile (0.5–2% w/v) the survival of microencapsulated strains was higher than 96%.

CONCLUSION

The microencapsulation process together with the matrix of milk proteins used in this study protected beneficial Lactobacillus strains against these first simulated technological and physiological conditions. These findings suggest that this microencapsulation method could contribute to secure optimal amounts of living lactobacilli cells able to reach the intestine. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Interfacial characteristics and in vitro digestion of emulsion coated by single or mixed natural emulsifiers: lecithin and/or rice glutelin hydrolysates
Authors: Yan Jiakai , Yang Zhenyu , Qiao Xin , Kong Zhihao , Dai Lei , Wu Jianyong , Xu Xingfeng , McClements David Julian
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

The interfacial characteristics and in vitro digestion of emulsion were related to emulsifier type. The mean droplet diameter, ζ‐potential, microstructure, interfacial tension, Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM‐D) and in vitro gastrointestinal fate of emulsions stabilized by soybean lecithin, hydrolyzed rice glutelin (HRG) and their mixture were researched.

RESULTS

The value of interfacial tension was much more dramatically declined for the sample containing 20 g kg−1 of HRG. For QCM‐D, a rigid layer was formed for all the samples after rinsing. The layer thickness was 0.87 ± 0.20, 2.11 ± 0.31 and 2.63 ± 0.22 nm, and adsorbed mass was 87.17 ± 10.31, 210.56 ± 20.12 and 263.09 ± 23.23 ng cm−2, for HRG, lecithin and HRG/lecithin, respectively, indicating both HRG and lecithin were adsorbed at the oil–water interface. Structural rearrangements at the interface occurred for HRG/lecithin. The kinetics and final amount of lipid digestion depended on emulsifier type: lecithin > HRG/lecithin > HRG. These differences in digestion rate were primarily due to differences in the aggregation state of the emulsifiers.

CONCLUSION

The incorporation of lecithin into HRG emulsions had better interfacial properties comparing with HRG emulsion and facilitated lipid digestibility. These results provide important information for the rational design of plant‐based functional food. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Rapid and non‐destructive freshness evaluation of squid by FTIR coupled with chemometric techniques
Authors: Xu Zheng , Zhu Shichen , Wang Wenjie , Liu Shulai , Zhou Xuxia , Dai Wangli , Ding Yuting
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Freshness is an important quality of squid with respect to determining the market price. The methods of evaluation of freshness fail to be widely used as a result of the lack of rapidity and quantitation. In the present study, a rapid and non‐destructive quantification of squid freshness by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra combined with chemometric techniques was performed.

RESULTS

The relatively linear content change of trimethylamine (TMA‐N) and dimethylamine (DMA‐N) of squid during storage at 4 °C indicated their feasibility as a freshness indicator, as also confirmed by sensory evaluation. The spectral changes were mainly caused by the degradation of proteins and the production of amines by two‐dimensional infrared correlation spectroscopy, among which TMA‐N, DMA‐N and putrescine were the main amines. The successive projections algorithm (SPA) was employed to select the sensitive wavenumbers to freshness for modeling prediction including partial least‐squares regression, support vector regression (SVR) and back‐propagation artificial neural network. Generally, the SPA‐SVR model of the selected characteristic wavenumber showed a higher prediction accuracy for DMA‐N (R2P = 0.951; RMSEP = 0.218), whereas both SPA‐SVR (R2P = 0.929; RMSEP = 2.602) and Full‐SVR (R2P = 0.941; RMSEP = 2.492) models had a higher predictive ability of TMA‐N.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study demonstrate that FTIR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate calibration shows significant potential for the prediction of freshness in squid. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Understanding the flavor signature of the rice grown in different regions of China via metabolite profiling
Authors: Zhou Yiming , Chen Xiangyu , Zhu Siyi , Sun Min , Zhou Xiaoli
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Rice is the staple food of most people in China. The fragrance of rice varies from region to region, and high‐quality rice always has a pleasant aroma. To protect consumers from misleading information and fraud, and to serve the interests of high‐quality rice producers, and to develop a rice regional protection system in China, the phenotype of rice grown in different Chinese regions needs to be known. Thus the flavor phenotype of the rice cultivated in China is studied.

RESULTS

The volatile organic compounds of rice samples in China have good classification potential and the 37 rice products investigated herein may be divided into three main categories: north‐eastern rice, central and southern rice, and Shanghai rice. Orthogonal projection to latent structure‐discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) model exhibited a good discrimination for rice samples in China. Based on selected distinctive biomarker compounds, data‐driven soft independent modeling of class analogy was successfully applied to identifying the origin of samples. Moreover, the differential volatile compounds identified in this study endow the rice samples with distinctive flavor characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study are valuable in understanding the difference of flavor characteristics of rice grown in different regions of China, and in the identification of geographical origins to develop China's geographic protection product industry. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
A digital driving method using pulse‐density modulation with a random dither matrix for higher motion image quality
Authors: Usui Takenobu , Nakajima Yoshiki , Shiga Tomokazu
Published: November 2021

We propose a new digital driving technique using pulse‐density modulation (PDM) with a random dither matrix for evenness of luminance uniformity and higher motion image quality. As a digital driving technique, pulse‐width modulation (PWM) is conventionally used for active‐matrix organic light‐emitting diode (AMOLED) displays in order to improve luminance uniformity. However, in PWM driving, it is difficult to realize high‐frame‐rate driving for improving motion image quality. On the other hand, it is considered that PDM driving method is effective to obtain high motion image quality because of non‐frame‐refreshing property. In the present paper, we proposed a PDM driving technique using a random dither matrix and evaluated the relationship between the display image quality and the driving frequency in the proposed method through simulations. As a result, it is confirmed that good image quality can be obtained by using a blue‐noise mask as a random dither matrix at a practical driving frequency. Moreover, we demonstrated the proposed technique using an actual AMOLED panel.
Factors Influencing a Clinician‐Scientist Career Path in Otolaryngology
Authors: Harris Jeffrey P. , Edstrom Olivia E.
Published: November 2021

Objectives/Hypothesis

To better understand the obstacles facing residents and K‐awardee faculty in choosing a clinician‐scientist career in otolaryngology.

Study Design

Anonymous survey.

Methods

An anonymous, online Qualtrics survey was sent to residents participating in T32 training grants and K‐awardee junior faculty. The survey was sent to the residents with the permission of their program chair. The results of this survey were compiled and analyzed. A separate survey was sent to current K‐awardees in U.S. academic programs. Both surveys were then compared to a survey published in 2008 to determine if the concerns and obstacles faced by aspiring clinician‐scientists are still present.

Results

Residents felt that combining a research and clinical career presented many obstacles, including a lower salary, competition with PhDs for grant funding, and the lack of departmental support. Prolonging their training to include a fellowship was not a deterrent. Family/spousal issues which ranked as the primary concern previously were no longer given the same level of importance. The major concerns of K‐awardees were the economic disparity of clinician‐scientists with their clinical counterparts, the lack of mentors, and department support. Forty percent received their K‐award after first try, 100% after two revisions, and one has received an R grant funding.

Conclusions

The obstacles facing clinician‐scientists in otolaryngology are highlighted by this survey and require attention by our academic programs, National Institutes of Health, and specialty societies.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 132:1555–1560, 2022
Swidden agriculture in transition and its roles in tropical forest loss and industrial plantation expansion
Authors: Li Peng , Xiao Chiwei , Feng Zhiming
Published: November 2021

Tropical forest and swidden agriculture are declining, while industrial tree plantations are continuously expanding due to a robust global demand for timber and pulp. However, little is known about the processes, trends and mechanisms of the tropical forest‐swidden‐plantation (TFSP) nexus. Global ongoing initiatives including the United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN‐REDD Programme), not only have repeatedly emphasized the significance of conserving forests, reforestation and afforestation, but also pushed swidden agriculture to the forefront of a long‐standing international debate of climate change and biodiversity. Many facets limit our understanding of swidden agriculture and its roles in forest loss and plantations expansion. The lack of geographic and demographic data and their dynamics across the tropics undoubtedly further aggravates this situation since the first appeals for eradication of shifting cultivation by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the late 1950s. Although recent studies have significantly enriched our knowledge of forest loss and plantation expansion, previous research has proceeded separately and has yet to be integrated under the umbrella of 'sustainable development of swidden agriculture'. Efforts are needed to investigate the dynamics of the TFSP nexus for the sake of a synergetic goal of climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and poverty alleviation.
A sprinkling of gold dust: Pine pollen as a carbon source in Baltic Sea coastal food webs
Authors: Liénart Camilla , Cirtwill Alyssa R. , Hedgespeth Melanie L. , Bradshaw Clare
Published: November 2021

Allochthonous subsidies to marine ecosystems have mainly focused on biogeochemical cycles, but there has also been recent interest in how terrestrial carbon (C) influences marine food webs. In the Baltic Sea, pine (Pinus sylvestris) pollen is found in large amounts in shallow bays in early summer. Pollen is a significant C‐source in freshwater ecosystems and may also be important in coastal food webs. We examined the consumption of pollen and autochthonous resources by benthic invertebrates in shallow bays of the Baltic Sea. We used stable isotopes to estimate diets and reconstructed consumer‐resource networks (food webs) for grazers and particulate organic matter (POM)‐feeders to compare how these different guilds used pollen. We found thatP. sylvestrispollen was consumed in small amounts by a variety of animals and in some cases made up a sizeable proportion of invertebrates' diets. However, invertebrates generally depended less on pollen than other resources. The degree of pollen consumption was related to feeding traits, with generalist invertebrate grazers consuming more pollen (> 10% of diet) than the more specialist POM‐feeders (< 5% of diet contributed by pollen). POM‐feeders may consume additional microbially‐degraded pollen which was not identifiable in our model. We suggest that pollen is a small but substantial allochthonous C‐source in shallow bay food webs of the Baltic Sea, with the potential to affect the dynamics of these ecosystems.
Laser Writing of Color Centers
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Jie , Fang Hong‐Hua , Sun Fang‐Wen , Sun Hong‐Bo
Published: November 2021

Color centers, optically active defects within solids, are vital for leading quantum information technologies such as quantum computing and quantum sensing. An essential prerequisite for realizing scalable quantum architectures is the ability to create quantum emitters deterministically. In the last decades, significant efforts have been devoted to selectively generating color centers. One of the most used methods is high‐energy ion implantation. However, this method usually causes extended lattice damage along the entire trajectory because of ions bombardment. Moreover, the position depth of color centers is also limited by the ions penetrate length in crystals. The direct laser‐writing (DLW) technique has recently emerged as a powerful tool to create color centers in solid‐state materials. It can define color centers at arbitrary depths inside the substrate and operate at the ambient environment, therefore, providing a feasible 3D fabrication method for integrated quantum photonics. Here, recent advancements of laser writing of color centers in solid‐state materials are reviewed, from bulk crystals, such as diamond and silicon carbide, to nanostructures, involving single‐walled carbon nanotubes, 2D layered materials, and quantum dots.
Highly Photoluminescent Monolayer MoS2 and WS2 Achieved via Superacid Assisted Vacancy Reparation and Doping Strategy
Authors: Feng Qiushi , Sun Ying , Li Yuanzheng , Yan Jiaxu , Zhong Weiheng , Yang Guochun , Liu Weizhen , Xu Haiyang , Liu Yichun
Published: November 2021

Chemical treatment of transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) by organic superacid bis(trifluoromethane) sulfonamide TFSI, has been proved as an effective route to reduce the density of sulfur vacancies and improve photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) of monolayer TMDs (1L‐TMDs). However, such kind of functional organic superacid is only limited to the TFSI so far, and the underlying mechanism of PL enhancement remains elusive. Here, a novel organic superacid trifluoromethanesulfonic (TFMS), which can significantly increase the PL QYs of 1L‐MoS2 and 1L‐WS2 to 14.1% and 56.7% respectively, the relatively higher PL QY values for chemical vapor deposition grown 1L‐TMDs is explored. Through in‐depth study and analysis with scanning transmission electron microscopy and density functional theory calculation, PL enhancement mechanism is attributed to a synergistic effect of TFMS‐induced p‐type doping and sulfur vacancy reparation. Especially, the respective function of [CF3SO3]− and H+ of TFMS played in superacid‐induced PL enhancement is clearly identified. The results not only enrich the functional superacid family that can remarkably improve the luminescence performance of TMDs, but also clearly reveal the PL enhancement mechanism of superacid‐treated TMDs.
Interpolarization Forward Stimulated Brillouin Scattering in Standard Single‐Mode Fibers
Authors: Diamandi Hilel Hagai , Bashan Gil , London Yosef , Sharma Kavita , Shemer Keren , Zadok Avi
Published: November 2021

Forward stimulated Brillouin scattering in standard single‐mode fibers draws increasing interest toward sensing and signal processing applications. The process takes place through two classes of guided acoustic modes: purely radial ones and torsional‐radial modes with twofold azimuthal symmetry. The latter case cannot be described in terms of scalar models alone. In this work, the polarization attributes of forward stimulated Brillouin scattering in single‐mode fibers are investigated in analysis and experiment. Torsional‐radial acoustic modes are stimulated by orthogonally polarized pump tones, a first such report in standard single‐mode fibers. The scattering of optical probe waves by torsional‐radial modes may take up the form of phase modulation, cross‐polarization coupling, or a combination of both, depending on polarization. Lastly, this analysis predicts that circular and orthogonal pump tones may stimulate acoustic vortex beams: torsional‐radial modes that are rotating. The rotation represents the transfer of angular momentum between the polarization degree of freedom of the light field and the acoustic wave.
NaAlSiO4: Eu2+ Glass Ceramics: Self‐Reduced In Situ Growth and High‐Power LED/LD Lighting
Authors: Li Xinyue , Yang Changbin , Qiu Liting , Wang Shaoxiong , Chen Yonghu , Yin Min , Chen Daqin
Published: November 2021

Currently, exploiting luminescent materials with super thermal stability and high luminous efficiency are highly urgent to meet the needs of fast developing high‐power solid‐state lighting (SSL). Glass ceramic (GC) bulk material is an optimal medium with rigid glass network structure and controllable glass crystallization. Herein, an in situ glass crystallization strategy combined with self‐reduced Eu2+ is developed to fabricate Eu2+ doped NaAlSiO4 (NASO) GC composites in air. Structural and spectroscopic characterizations verify that the in situ precipitated NASO nanocrystals with high crystallization density can accommodate Eu2+ emitting centers in the same glass region, which facilitates the separation of Eu2+ dopants from glass into crystalline lattice without the requirement of long‐distance ionic diffusion and provides strong crystal‐field environment for Eu2+ 5d‐4f transition. Particularly, the present composites can produce intense greenish‐yellow emission with apparent photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of ≈70%, intrinsic PLQY of ≈100%, superior thermal stability with 90% PL remained at 150 °C and excellent water‐resistance. Employing NSAO: Eu2+ GC as a color converter, the performance of constructed light‐emitting diode (LED)/laser diode (LD) lighting devices is extraordinary and stable during long‐term working. These findings would expand the application of GC composites and open up new avenues for exploration of novel GC materials and glass crystallization strategies.
Molecularly Imprinted Hydrogels Selective to Ribavirin as New Drug Delivery Systems to Improve Efficiency of Antiviral Nucleoside Analogue: A Proof‐of‐Concept Study with Influenza A Virus
Authors: Ayari Mohamed G. , Favetta Patrick , Warszycki Dawid , Vasseur Virginie , Hervé Virginie , Degardin Pierre , Carbonnier Benjamin , Si‐Tahar Mustapha , Agrofoglio Luigi A.
Published: November 2021

This study describes the synthesis and evaluation of different imprinted hydrogels using ribavirin as template molecule. Ribavirin serves as a model molecule because it possesses a broad‐spectrum antiviral effect against RNA viruses, which are expected as emerging viruses. The choice of monomers enables to stabilize the pre‐polymerization complex and to synthesize biocompatible polymers. Predictive studies as well as experimental works conclude similar results on best ribavirin:monomers ratios. Thus, materials exhibit high selective cavities toward ribavirin. These affinities allow to show release profiles drastically different from the non‐imprinted ones at two temperatures. The imprinted materials show a sustained profile able to release antiviral for more than 24 h. The hydrogels obtained are biocompatible with model cells retained, human lung epithelial BEAS‐2B cells. Cell viability is excellent and pro‐inflammatory response is insignificant when imprinted polymers are incubated with cells. Finally, viral tests carried out on Influenza A infected lung cells show that imprinted delivery systems delivering 1 to 3 µg of antiviral have the same efficiency as a medium containing 30 µg mL−1 of active agent. As a very interesting result, the molecularly imprinted polymers as drug delivery systems allow to increase the local concentration of antiviral, to improve their delivery when its bioavailability is low.
Electrostatic Adsorption and Cytotoxity of Cellulose Nanocrystals with Loading Trace Metal Elements
Authors: Xie Li , Zhang Yue , Huang Ao , Zhou Ji , Lin Ning , Lu Xiang
Published: November 2021

Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) is the rod‐like nano‐object derived from natural cellulose with the features of low toxicity and good biocompatibility, widely used as the functional additive and nanomaterial in the biomedicine. Two negatively charged cellulose nanocrystals, CNC and TO‐CNC (surface oxidized CNC), are prepared by the sulfuric acid hydrolysis and further surface oxidization. Based on electrostatic adsorption, five trace metal elements (TMEs) including cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) are loaded on the surface of two nanocrystals as the biocompatible nanocarriers. The adsorbed contents of TMEs on two nanocrystals are affected by their surface charge densities and the complexes can keep stability under three varied pH conditions. Two cell lines, viz. human nasopharyngeal cancer cell and normal human bronchial epithelial cell, are selected for the investigation of cytotoxity of these TME‐loaded nanocrystals at the concentration range of 0.1–500 µg mL−1. The high concentrations of TME‐loaded nanocrystals will induce the inhibition of cells activity and proliferation, particularly for Pb2+‐ and Cd2+‐loaded nanocrystals. The cancer cell generally exhibits more sensitivity of cytotoxity to these metal elements than the normal cell, which may be potentially used as the activity inhibitor for specific cells in the future study.
Fear of missing out in the digital age: The role of social media satisfaction and advertising engagement
Authors: Bui My (Myla) , Krishen Anjala S. , Anlamlier Eda , Berezan Orie
Published: November 2021

We explore the benefits and costs of social networking usage and examine the roles of need to belong and autonomy to contextualize the fear of missing out (FoMO) socio‐cultural phenomenon in the digital age. We utilize a self‐determination theory‐based framework for understanding how the FoMO phenomenon influences positive (negative) mood, information overload, social media satisfaction, and engagement with social media advertising. Study 1 explores how FoMO relates to positive mood through the need to belong. Study 2 demonstrates how FoMO impacts information overload through the mediation of social media interactivity. Furthermore, Study 2 shows how FoMO alters social media satisfaction, and this relationship is mediated by information overload and moderated by autonomy. Study 3 shows that negative emotions serve to mediate the effect of information overload on engagement with social media advertising. Finally, we discuss implications of this study to provide insight into how brand marketers can offer FoMO‐reducing mechanisms to consumers to ensure a high level of advertising engagement, how health advocates can leverage social media to promote meaningful engagement with consumers, and how industry practitioners may want to consider aspirational virtual events to create buzz while also satisfying consumers' need to belong to social groups.
Polymer Electrolytes as Energy‐Harvesting Materials to Capture Electrical Energy from Dynamic Mechanical Deformations
Authors: Cao Jinwei , Piedrahita Camilo Rendon , Kyu Thein
Published: November 2021

Ionic electroactive polymers (iEAPs) can generate electrical energy under bending deformations exhibiting great potential for fabricating energy harvesters from dynamic vibrating environments. According to a previous study, this flexoelectric energy‐harvesting potential is explored in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) assemblies subjected to intermittent square wave bending modes. The above study reveals that the mechanoelectrical transduction is likely to be the consequence of ion polarization under a pressure gradient across the PEM thickness. To further evaluate the applicability of the PEM assemblies for harvesting energy from dynamic environments, oscillatory bending deformation is applied in the present study, whereby the complex flexoelectric coefficient corresponding to dynamic capacitance exhibits strong frequency dependence. At very high oscillatory bending frequencies, the ionic clouds inside the PEM assemblies cannot be fully polarized, and thus the corresponding energy output tends to become smaller. However, the PEM assemblies having higher ionic conductivities can enhance energy output at high frequencies. Of particular interest is that the incorporated ionic liquid (IL) is not only capable of effectively plasticizing the polymer network, but also expediting the ionic conductivity, thereby enhancing the electrical energy output, which in turn provides important design guidance for efficient polymer energy harvesters.
Through the Looking Glass: Remote Versus In‐Person Videotaped Neurologic Assessment of Essential Tremor
Authors: Newton Danielle , McGurn Margaret , Hernandez Daniella I. , Hernandez Nora C. , Elkurd Mazen , Louis Elan D.
Published: November 2021

Background

Remote assessment of essential tremor (ET) is unverified.

Objectives

To compare assigned tremor scores from a remote videotaped research protocol with those from an in‐person videotaped research protocol and assess the validity of remote and in‐person videotape‐based diagnoses when compared against the intake diagnosis (ET vs. control).

Methods

Participants with intake diagnoses of ET (11) or controls (15) completed a tremor examination that was filmed both remotely and in person.

Results

Agreement between the tremor ratings assigned during remote and in‐person videos was substantial (composite κw, 0.67; mean Gwet's AC2 score, 0.92; mean percent agreement, 63.7%). In ET cases with less severe tremor, agreement was lower (p = 0.008). Diagnostic validity was high for both remote and in‐person videos compared to the intake diagnosis.

Conclusions

Remote video is a reasonable alternative to in‐person video for the assessment of tremor severity and assignment of ET diagnoses. However, at low tremor amplitudes, agreement declines.
Nature of property right and the motives for holding cash: Empirical evidence from Chinese listed companies
Authors: Lei Xin‐tu , Xu Qing‐yuan , Jin Cheng‐ze
Published: November 2021

Earlier studies have reaffirmed the pivotal role played by the private sectors in China's development, so the growth of private enterprises deserves more attention. This paper carries out a series of empirical studies based on the motives for holding cash. It is found that private enterprises were forced to maintain a high level of cash holdings to deal with financing constraints, while SOEs accumulate cash proactively for larger financial flexibility. In such context, credit discrimination remains an urgent problem pending Chinese financial system reform solutions.
New United Behavioral Health lawsuit challenges bundled payment policy
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: November 2021

United Behavioral Health (UBH) is facing yet another legal challenge regarding its coverage for behavioral health services. A new lawsuit alleges that mental health and substance abuse care claims were denied through UBH's bundled payment policy to avoid coverage for medically necessary treatments.
Ambitious county initiative in Texas will boost training of local leaders
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: November 2021

Facing a spike in demand for mental health services at a time when a shortage of qualified clinical professionals persists, leaders in Harris County, Texas, are embracing a strategy that in part enlists help from nonclinical community leaders.
MH clinicians set to strike Kaiser California facilities this week
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: November 2021

Raising concerns about the nearly three‐month waitlist for therapy appointments and therapists overwhelmed with “crushing” caseloads, nearly 2,000 mental health clinicians plan to hold a one‐day strike Nov. 19 at Kaiser Permanente facilities across Northern California, the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) announced Nov. 9.
The free flap man: An heroic 50‐year odyssey via multiple flaps
Authors: Hallock Geoffrey G.
Published: November 2021

Most lower extremity challenges can be solved by a solitary free flap. Yet if multiple wounds exist in a single extremity, or if bilateral extremities are involved, then multiple free flaps by necessity may be required to preserve ambulatory capabilities. Even rarer is their need in a sequential fashion. Thus is the uniqueness of this steelworker who at the young age of 23 sustained bilateral foot and ankle molten steel immersion injuries, initially salvaged by skin grafts virtually directly on bone. Over the next 50 years there were repeated episodes of graft instability that required five different free flaps to provide stable soft tissue coverage. Amputation was avoided, allowing minimal interruption at work as a bus driver until retirement. This patient's long journey was only possible due to the virtue of persistence, proving the value of that trait inherent within the true microvascular surgeon. It should be no wonder that appropriately this is the “free flap man.”
A qualitative study on a novel peer collaboration care programme during the first COVID‐19 outbreak: A SWOT analysis
Authors: Baez‐Leon Carmen , Palacios‐Ceña Domingo , Fernandez‐de‐las‐Peñas Cesar , Velarde‐García Juan Francisco , Rodríguez‐Martínez Mª Ángeles , Arribas‐Cobo Patricia
Published: November 2021

The pandemic has forced nursing teams to incorporate new programmes that modify the organization of care and the use of material resources.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to describe the perspectives of the nursing team about the strengths/opportunities and weaknesses/threats of a novel peer collaboration care programme during the first outbreak of the pandemic.

Design

A qualitative case study with focus groups was conducted in June 2020.

Methods

We included 23 participants (seven nurses, seven assistant nursing care technicians and nine charge nurses). Thematic and strengths/opportunities and weaknesses/threats analysis were performed.

Results

The strengths of the peer collaboration care programme are the optimization of care and protective equipment. Its weaknesses are that veteran nurses carry the entire burden, and the lack of personal protective equipment makes it difficult to implement the peer collaboration care programme. Finally, misinformation, lack of facilities and time to teach the peer collaboration care programme are considered threats.

Conclusion

This strengths/opportunities and weaknesses/threats analysis has led to a comprehensive new project to improve the nursing care.

Impact

The incorporation of the peer collaboration care programme contributed to the development of new organizational and management programmes for the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study has gave empirical evidence to nurses and care managers to optimize and organize care, work, human and material resources during the pandemic.
Positive predictive value and sensitivity of ICD‐9‐CM codes for identifying pediatric leukemia
Authors: Weinmann Sheila , Francisco Melanie C. , Kwan Marilyn L. , Bowles Erin J. A. , Rahm Alanna Kulchak , Greenlee Robert T. , Stout Natasha K. , Pole Jason D. , Kushi Lawrence H. , Smith‐Bindman Rebecca , Miglioretti Diana L.
Published: November 2021

Background

To facilitate community‐based epidemiologic studies of pediatric leukemia, we validated use of ICD‐9‐CM diagnosis codes to identify pediatric leukemia cases in electronic medical records of six U.S. integrated health plans from 1996–2015 and evaluated the additional contributions of procedure codes for diagnosis/treatment.

Procedures

Subjects (N = 408) were children and adolescents born in the health systems and enrolled for at least 120 days after the date of the first leukemia ICD‐9‐CM code or tumor registry diagnosis. The gold standard was the health system tumor registry and/or medical record review. We calculated positive predictive value (PPV) and sensitivity by number of ICD‐9‐CM codes received in the 120‐day period following and including the first code. We evaluated whether adding chemotherapy and/or bone marrow biopsy/aspiration procedure codes improved PPV and/or sensitivity.

Results

Requiring receipt of one or more codes resulted in 99% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI]: 98–100%) but poor PPV (70%; 95% CI: 66–75%). Receipt of two or more codes improved PPV to 90% (95% CI: 86–93%) with 96% sensitivity (95% CI: 93–98%). Requiring at least four codes maximized PPV (95%; 95% CI: 92–98%) without sacrificing sensitivity (93%; 95% CI: 89–95%). Across health plans, PPV for four codes ranged from 84–100% and sensitivity ranged from 83–95%. Including at least one code for a bone marrow procedure or chemotherapy treatment had minimal impact on PPV or sensitivity.

Conclusions

The use of diagnosis codes from the electronic health record has high PPV and sensitivity for identifying leukemia in children and adolescents if more than one code is required.
Measuring transition readiness in adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease using the transition readiness assessment questionnaire
Authors: Oberoi Anjali R. , Patterson Alyssa , Sobota Amy
Published: November 2021

Background/objectives

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with sickle cell disease (SCD) face challenges related to the disease and its treatment. The Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) is a self‐report tool for assessing transition readiness for youth with special health care needs (YSHCN), including SCD. This study uses the TRAQ to understand transition readiness in patients with SCD treated at the Boston Medical Center and evaluates associations between TRAQ scores and transition outcomes (e.g., emergency department reliance [EDr] and emergency department utilization [EDu]).

Methods

We reviewed electronic medical records of AYA with SCD who completed the TRAQ in the pediatric hematology clinic between January 1, 2019, and March 1, 2020, and categorized healthcare encounters to calculate EDu and EDr.  We used t tests and ANOVA models to analyze mean TRAQ scores, sex, age, genotype, EDu, and EDr.

Results

The sample was 45 AYA patients with SCD between 13 and 22 years old. The mean TRAQ score for the overall patient sample was 3.67. Mean TRAQ scores did not significantly vary by sex or genotype but did significantly increase with age. TRAQ scores did not correlate to EDu or EDr.

Conclusions

AYA patients with SCD have low transition readiness. The age of 18 may not be the most reliable attribute of readiness, though older patients do have higher readiness. The relationship between TRAQ scores, EDr, and EDu is not clear and requires further evaluation.
Low‐velocity impact damage tolerance of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/carbon fiber laminates under prestress
Authors: Hu Yuan , Shi Yaoyao , Liu Dongsheng , Zhang Junfeng
Published: November 2021

This article provides a comprehensive understanding of the influence mechanism of prestress on the low‐velocity impact behavior and damage tolerance of carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer composite laminate toughened with ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fiber. Two kinds of prestress: uniaxial tension and uniaxial compression, were loaded by an innovative preloading apparatus, which has been patented with the number CN110426278A. Central composite design was adopted to design drop‐weight impact test matrix considering both impact energy and preloading two factors. After the low‐velocity impact test, residual bending stiffness and tension after impact (TAI) strength of the impacted laminates were tested. It was observed that the residual bending modulus and TAI strength of the impact specimens under preloading were higher than those without prestress. Through‐the‐thickness distribution of internal damage obtained by X‐ray scanning and electron microscope analysis, together with fracture toughness analysis, were employed to explain the experimental findings and relevant mechanisms.
Synthesis, mechanical, and flammability properties of metal hydroxide reinforced polymer composites: A review
Authors: Mochane Mokgaotsa J. , Mokhothu Thabang Hendrica , Mokhena Teboho Clement
Published: November 2021

Burning of plastics present a serious problem for both our health and safety when applied in advanced applications. Based on the above argument, there is need to enhance the flammability resistance of polymers in order to meet the required flammability standards. Various flame‐retardant fillers are incorporated into polymers in order to provide a protection against heat into the system and inhibit the diffusion of volatile materials out of the polymer composite system. Different flame‐retardant fillers including phosphorus‐based materials, carbon‐based flame retardants, and inorganic hydrated flame‐retardant fillers have been added into polymers in order to improve the flame retardancy of the plastics. Amongst the abovementioned flame‐retardant fillers, inorganic hydrated fillers have gained popularity, especially magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) due its high heat absorption capacity, less smoke release, and non‐toxic, as a result environmentally friendly flame‐retardant filler. However, an effective content of magnesium hydroxide for better flammability retardancy is approximately 60 wt%, which happens to deteriorate the mechanical properties of the magnesium hydroxide/polymer composites. In order to try and compensate for reduction in mechanical properties and improve the flame retardancy of the composites at the same time, magnesium hydroxide is incorporated with another flame‐retardant fillers. This review article covers an in‐depth discussion on the effect of magnesium hydroxide modification, synergistic effect with other fillers, particle size of the magnesium hydroxide, and the effect of compatibilizer(s) on both mechanical and flammability properties of magnesium hydroxide reinforced polymer composites.