bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Årsaker til forsinkelser ved elektive operasjoner
Authors: Værdal Heidi , Bratberg Grete Helen , Haugdahl Hege Selnes
Published: August 2021

Forsinkelser og strykninger under elektive operasjoner hindrer optimal drift og kan være en påkjenning for pasienter. Målet med studien var å identifisere og beskrive de faktiske årsaker til forsinkelser ved elektive operasjoner, samt omfang, varighet og andre kjennetegn ved slike forsinkelser. Studien har et flermetodisk prospektivt studiedesign. I en periode på to måneder ble alle elektronisk registrerte forsinkelser fulgt opp med strukturerte intervju. I løpet av studieperioden ble halvparten av elektive operasjoner registrert med en eller flere forsinkelser (N = 402). Informantene anga 60 ulike rotårsaker som en forklaring på forsinkelsene. I 72% av alle forsinkelser var årsaken knyttet til organisering/administrering av operasjonsplanleggingen. Forsinkelser ved elektive operasjoner skyldes i stor grad utilstrekkelig planlegging og organisering. Mer presis planlegging, informasjonsutveksling og forbedret dataverktøy kan redusere forsinkelser ved elektive operasjoner.

Causes of delays in elective surgery: A prospective study

Abstract

Delays and cancellations in elective surgery prevent optimal services and can be stressful for patients. This study aimed to identify and describe the actual causes of delays in elective surgery, and the extent, duration and other characteristics of these delays. The study has a multi-method prospective study design. For two months, all electronically recorded delays in a Norwegian hospital were followed up with structured interviews to identify their true causes. Half of the elective surgeries recorded had one or more delays (N = 402). The delays had 60 different root causes; using qualitative content analysis, these were interpreted into 13 subcategories and four main categories, namely patient-related (17%), staff-related (10%), related to surgical ward/equipment (2%) or organizational (71%). Most delays were due to poor planning and organization of surgery. The study indicates that more precise planning, better information exchange and an improved electronic tool can reduce delays in elective surgery.
A novel few-shot learning based multi-modality fusion model for COVID-19 rumor detection from online social media
Authors: Lu Heng-yang , Fan Chenyou , Song Xiaoning , Fang Wei
Published: August 2021

Background

Rumor detection is a popular research topic in natural language processing and data mining. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, related rumors have been widely posted and spread on online social media, which have seriously affected people’s daily lives, national economy, social stability, etc. It is both theoretically and practically essential to detect and refute COVID-19 rumors fast and effectively. As COVID-19 was an emergent event that was outbreaking drastically, the related rumor instances were very scarce and distinct at its early stage. This makes the detection task a typical few-shot learning problem. However, traditional rumor detection techniques focused on detecting existed events with enough training instances, so that they fail to detect emergent events such as COVID-19. Therefore, developing a new few-shot rumor detection framework has become critical and emergent to prevent outbreaking rumors at early stages.

Methods

This article focuses on few-shot rumor detection, especially for detecting COVID-19 rumors from Sina Weibo with only a minimal number of labeled instances. We contribute a Sina Weibo COVID-19 rumor dataset for few-shot rumor detection and propose a few-shot learning-based multi-modality fusion model for few-shot rumor detection. A full microblog consists of the source post and corresponding comments, which are considered as two modalities and fused with the meta-learning methods.

Results

Experiments of few-shot rumor detection on the collected Weibo dataset and the PHEME public dataset have shown significant improvement and generality of the proposed model.
Reeling them in: taxonomy of marine annelids used as bait by anglers in the Western Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Simon Carol , Kara Jyothi , du Toit Alheit , van Rensburg Hendré , Naidoo Caveshlin , Matthee Conrad A.
Published: August 2021

Background

Common names are frequently used inconsistently for marine annelid species used as bait in the peer-reviewed literature, field guides and legislative material. The taxonomy of many such species based on morphology only also ignores cryptic divergences not yet detected. Such inconsistencies hamper effective management of marine annelids, especially as fishing for recreation and subsistence is increasing. This study investigates the scale of the problem by studying the use and names of bait marine annelids in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

Methods

Fifteen recreational and six subsistence fishers at 12 popular fishing sites in the Western Cape Province donated 194 worms which they identified by common name. Worms were assigned scientific names according to a standard identification key for polychaetes from South Africa, and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) amplified and sequenced.

Results

This study identified 11 nominal species known by 10 common names, in the families Siphonosomatidae, Arenicolidae, Sabellaridae, Lumbrineridae, Eunicidae, Onuphidae and Nereididae. Cryptic diversity was investigated through employing mitochondrial COI sequences and these data will facilitate future identifications among widely distributed species. Several species (Siphonosoma dayi, Abarenicola gilchristi, Scoletoma species, Marphysa corallina, Lysidice natalensis, Heptaceras quinquedens, Perinereis latipalpa) are reported as bait for the first time, and while the names blood- and moonshineworms were consistently applied to members of Arenicolidae and Onuphidae, respectively, coralworm was applied to members of Sabellaridae and Nereididae. Analysis of COI sequences supported morphological investigations that revealed the presence of two taxonomic units each for specimens initially identified as Gunnarea gaimardi and Scoletoma tetraura according to identification keys. Similarly, sequences for Scoletoma species and Lysidice natalensis generated in this study do not match those from specimens in China and India, respectively. Further research is required to resolve the species complexes detected and also to refine the use of names by fishermen over a wider geographic range.
A possible brachiosaurid (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the mid-Cretaceous of northeastern China
Authors: Liao Chun-Chi , Moore Andrew , Jin Changzhu , Yang Tzu-Ruei , Shibata Masateru , Jin Feng , Wang Bing , Jin Dongchun , Guo Yu , Xu Xing
Published: August 2021

Brachiosauridae is a lineage of titanosauriform sauropods that includes some of the most iconic non-avian dinosaurs. Undisputed brachiosaurid fossils are known from the Late Jurassic through the Early Cretaceous of North America, Africa, and Europe, but proposed occurrences outside this range have proven controversial. Despite occasional suggestions that brachiosaurids dispersed into Asia, to date no fossils have provided convincing evidence for a pan-Laurasian distribution for the clade, and the failure to discover brachiosaurid fossils in the well-sampled sauropod-bearing horizons of the Early Cretaceous of Asia has been taken to evidence their genuine absence from the continent. Here we report on an isolated sauropod maxilla from the middle Cretaceous (Albian–Cenomanian) Longjing Formation of the Yanji basin of northeast China. Although the specimen preserves limited morphological information, it exhibits axially twisted dentition, a shared derived trait otherwise known only in brachiosaurids. Referral of the specimen to the Brachiosauridae receives support from phylogenetic analysis under both equal and implied weights parsimony, providing the most convincing evidence to date that brachiosaurids dispersed into Asia at some point in their evolutionary history. Inclusion in our phylogenetic analyses of an isolated sauropod dentary from the same site, for which an association with the maxilla is possible but uncertain, does not substantively alter these results. We consider several paleobiogeographic scenarios that could account for the occurrence of a middle Cretaceous Asian brachiosaurid, including dispersal from either North America or Europe during the Early Cretaceous. The identification of a brachiosaurid in the Longshan fauna, and the paleobiogeographic histories that could account for its presence there, are hypotheses that can be tested with continued study and excavation of fossils from the Longjing Formation.
Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate Microspheres, Process Parameters for Enhanced Permeability and Liver Targeting
Authors: Sudhamani K. , Jyothi B. Jeevan
Published: August 2021

Aims: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is a serious global health problem and one of the main causes of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis. Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate (TAF) is a prodrug of Tenofovir, a nucleotide analogue with limited oral bioavailability. TAF is considered to be a BCS Class III substance (high solubility, low permeability). The aim of the study was to develop the Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate (TAF) microspheres to improve permeability.

Study design: Preparation and Evaluation of Microspheres.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of pharmaceutics, Mallareddy Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Affiliated to JNTUH, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, between January 2018 and June 2019.

Methodology: TAF loaded chitosan microspheres were prepared by emulsion cross linking method using glutaraldehyde as cross-linking agent. The prepared microspheres were characterized by morphology, size distribution, encapsulation efficiency. The permeability study was evaluated by Ex-vivo permeation studies. The optimized formulation was subjected to FTIR studies to examine the Drug Excipient Compatibility.

Results: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies indicated that the microspheres are spherical in shape. The optimized formulation has average particle size of 11.00 ± 0.05 µm, the encapsulation efficiency 68

± 0.04% and the percentage (%) yield of 94%. FTIR studies indicated that the drug and polymer are compatable with each other. In Ex-vivo permeation studies of optimized formulation 80% of drug was permeated with in 60 min.

Conclusion: TAF microspheres could improve the absorption by increasing the permeability.
Critical Analysis of Corneal Cross-linking (Part-I): Formulas for Efficacy, Safety Dose, Minimum Thickness, Demarcation Line Depth and the Role of Oxygen
Authors: Cheng Sheng-Fu , Lin Jui-Teng
Published: August 2021

Purpose: To update and derive formulas for the efficacy and kinetics of corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) including both type-I and oxygen-mediated type-II mechanisms, the role of oxygen, the initiator regeneration, safety dose, minimum corneal thickness and demarcation line depth.

Study Design: Modeling the kinetics of CXL in UV light and using riboflavin as the photosensitizer.

Place and Duration of Study: Taipei, Taiwan, between June, 2021 and July, 2021.

Methodology: Coupled kinetic equations are derived under the quasi-steady state condition for the 2-pathway mechanisms of CXL. For type-I CXL, the riboflavin (RF) triplet state [T] may interact directly with the stroma collagen substrate [A] to form radical (R) and regenerate initiator. For type-II process, [T] interacts with oxygen to form a singlet oxygen [1O2]. Both reactive radical (R) and [1O2], can interact with the substrate [A]) for crosslinking. Based on a safety dose and a threshold dose, formulas for the minimum corneal thickness and demarcation line depth (DLD) are derived.

Results: Our updated theory/modeling showed that oxygen plays a limited and transient role in the process, in consistent with that of Kamave. In contrary, Kling et al believed that type-II is the predominant mechanism, which however conflicting with the epi-on CXL results. For both type-I and type-II, a transient state conversion (crosslink) efficacy in an increasing function of light intensity (or dose), whereas, its steady state efficacy is a deceasing function of light intensity. RF depletion in type-I is compensated by the RF regeneration term (RGE) which is a decreasing function of oxygen. For the case of perfect regeneration case (or when oxygen=0), RF is a constant due to the catalytic cycle. Unlike the conventional Dresden rule of 400 um thickness, thin cornea CXL is still safe as far as the dose is under a threshold dose (E*), based on our minimum thickness formula (Z*). Our formula for thin cornea is also clinically shown by Hafez et al for ultra thin (214 nm) CXL.

Conclusion: For both type-I and type-II, the transient state conversion (crosslink) efficacy in an increasing function of light intensity (or dose), whereas, its steady state efficacy is a deceasing function of light intensity. CXL for ultra thin corneas are still safe, as far as it is under a threshold dose (E*), based on our minimum thickness (Z*) formula, which has a similar tend as that of demarcation line depth (Z').
Kinetic Study of SN2 Reaction between Paranitrophenyl Benzoate and Hydrazine in the Presence of CTAB Reverse Micelles
Authors: Bhargavi K. , Shyamala P. , Padma M. , Nagalakshmi K. V.
Published: August 2021

Kinetic study of the reaction between p-Nitrophenyl benzoate (PNPB) by hydrazine (HYN) in the presence of Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)/Chloroform/Hexane reverse micellar medium shows that the reaction obeys first order kinetics with respect to each of the reactants. The rate of the reaction is much slower in reverse micellar medium compared to aqueous medium under identical conditions (kˈAq = 2.84×10−3 sec−1, krm =1.34×10−4 sec−1). The rate constants for the reaction in the reverse micellar medium have been determined at different values of W {W=[H2O]/[CTAB]} and at different concentrations of CTAB. It was found that the observed rate constant decreases with W. This kinetic behaviour was interpreted by using modified Berezin pseudo phase model, taking into consideration the distribution of the reactants, PNPB and hydrazine between the three pseudo phases, i.e., water pool, interface an organic phase. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Comparison of Ex-Situ and In-Situ Transesterification for the Production of Microbial Biodiesel
Authors: Hazmi Alia Tasnim , Ahmad Farah B. , Athoillah Ahdyat Zain , Jameel Ahmad Tariq
Published: August 2021

Microbial biodiesel is converted from microbial lipids via transesterification process. Most microbial biodiesel studies are focusing on the use of microalgal lipids as feedstock. Apart from using microalgae for lipid biosynthesis, lipids can also be extracted from other oleaginous microorganisms like fungi and yeast. However, there are gaps in the studies of lipid production from filamentous fungi, especially in-situ transesterification process. The aim of this project is to compare in-situ with the ex-situ transesterification of fungal biomass from Aspergillus oryzae. In ex-situ transesterification, two methods of lipid extraction, the Soxhlet extraction and the Bligh and Dyer extraction, were performed. For in-situ transesterification, two methods using different catalysts were investigated. Base-catalyzed in-situ transesterification of fungal biomass resulted on the highest Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) yield. The base-catalyzed in-situ transesterification was further optimized via Central Composite Design (CCD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The parameters investigated were the catalyst loading, methanol to biomass ratio and reaction time. The optimization showed that the highest FAME yield was at 25.1% (w/w) with 10 minutes reaction time, 5% catalyst and 360:1 of the ratio of the methanol to biomass. Based on Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), the model was found to be significant according to the value of “Prob >F” of 0.0028. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Phototriggered Self‐Adaptive Functionalized MOC‐Based Drug Delivery Platform Promises High Antitumor Efficacy
Authors: Shen Yifeng , Xu Congjun , Chen Jie , Guan Zilin , Huang Yanjuan , Zeng Zishan , Xu Xiaoyu , Tan Xiaomin , Zhao Chunshun
Published: August 2021

Due to their great stability and special cavities, metal‐organic cages (MOCs) are increasingly considered as promising nanocarriers for drug delivery. However, the size and surface dilemmas restrict their further biomedical applications. The ultrasmall size of MOCs facilitates tumor penetration but suffers from quick clearance and poor accumulation at the tumor site. Hydrophobicity of MOC surfaces improves internalization into tumor cells while causing low blood circulation time as well as poor biocompatibility. Therefore, it remains challenging for the MOC‐based drug delivery nanoplatform to realize high therapeutic efficacy because it requires different or even opposite dimensions and surface characteristics in different steps of circulation, penetration, accumulation, and internalization processes. In this study, an unprecedented phototriggered self‐adaptive platform (ZnPc@polySCage) is developed by integrating functionalized MOCs and a photodynamic therapy based reactive oxygen species responsive strategy to realize high‐efficiency tumor‐specific therapy. ZnPc@polySCage remains hydrophilic and stealthy during circulation, and retains its small original size for tumor penetration, while transforming to a larger size for effective accumulation and hydrophobic for enhanced internalization under laser irradiation in tumor tissue. With these essential transitions, ZnPc@polySCage demonstrates prominent antitumor effects. Overall, the work provides an advantageous strategy for functional MOC‐based platforms and biomedical applications.
Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of Organic Core/Multi‐Shell Microwires for Trichromatic White‐Light Sources
Authors: Zhuo Ming‐Peng , Su Yang , Qu Yang‐Kun , Chen Song , He Guang‐Peng , Yuan Yi , Liu Hao , Tao Yi‐Chen , Wang Xue‐Dong , Liao Liang‐Sheng
Published: August 2021

White‐light‐emissive organic micro/nanostructures hold exotic potential applications in full‐color displays, on‐chip wavelength‐division multiplexing, and backlights of portable display devices, but are rarely realized in organic core/shell heterostructures. Herein, through regulating the noncovalent interactions between organic semiconductor molecules, a hierarchical self‐assembly approach of horizontal epitaxial‐growth is demonstrated for the fine synthesis of organic core/mono‐shell microwires with multicolor emission (red–green, red–blue, and green–blue) and especially organic core/double‐shell microwires with radial red–green–blue (RGB) emission, whose components are dibenzo[g,p]chrysene (DgpC)‐based charge‐transfer (CT) complexes. In fact, the desired lattice mismatching (≈2%) and the excellent structure compatibility of these CT complexes facilitate the epitaxial‐growth process for the facile synthesis of organic core/shell microwires. With the RGB‐emissive substructures, these core/double‐shell organic microwires are microscale white‐light sources (CIE [0.34, 0.36]). Besides, the white‐emissive core/double‐shell microwires demonstrate the fascinating full‐spectrum light transportation from 400 to 700 nm. This work indeed opens up a novel avenue for the accurate construction of organic core/shell heterostructures, which provides an attractive platform for the organic integrated optoelectronics.
Lithiation‐Enabled High‐Density Nitrogen Vacancies Electrocatalyze CO2 to C2 Products
Authors: Peng Chen , Luo Gan , Xu Zikai , Yan Shuai , Zhang Junbo , Chen Menghuan , Qian Linping , Wei Wei , Han Qing , Zheng Gengfeng
Published: August 2021

Electrochemical CO2 reduction to produce valuable C2 products is attractive but still suffers with relatively poor selectivity and stability at high current densities, mainly due to the low efficiency in the coupling of two *CO intermediates. Herein, it is demonstrated that high‐density nitrogen vacancies formed on cubic copper nitrite (Cu3Nx) feature as efficient electrocatalytic centers for CO–CO coupling to form the key OCCO* intermediate toward C2 products. Cu3Nx with different nitrogen densities are fabricated by an electrochemical lithium tuning strategy, and density functional theory calculations indicate that the adsorption energies of CO* and the energy barriers of forming key C2 intermediates are strongly correlated with nitrogen vacancy density. The Cu3Nx catalyst with abundant nitrogen vacancies presents one of the highest Faradaic efficiencies toward C2 products of 81.7 ± 2.3% at −1.15 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (without ohmic correction), corresponding to the partial current density for C2 production as −307 ± 9 mA cm−2. An outstanding electrochemical stability is also demonstrated at high current densities, substantially exceeding CuOx catalysts with oxygen vacancies. The work suggests an attractive approach to create stable anion vacancies as catalytic centers toward multicarbon products in electrochemical CO2 reduction.
Enhanced Light Emission Performance of Mixed Cation Perovskite Films—The Effect of Solution Stoichiometry on Crystallization
Authors: Liu Fangzhou , Qin Xinshun , Han Bing , Chan Christopher C. S. , Ma Chao , Leung Tik Lun , Chen Wei , He Yanling , Lončarić Ivor , Grisanti Luca , Ovčar Juraj , Skoko Željko , Shi Yingli , Ling Francis Chi Chung , Huqe Md Rashedul , Zapien Juan Antonio , Wang Shixun , Su Chun‐Jen , Jeng U‐Ser , Wong Kam Sing , Ng Alan Man Ching , Gu Meng , Popović Jasminka , Djurišić Aleksandra B.
Published: August 2021

The performance of quasi‐2D perovskite light emitting diodes (LEDs) with mixed small cations, cesium and formamidinium (FA), is significantly affected by their ratio. The best devices obtained for Cs:FA ratio of 1:1 exhibit a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 12.1%, maximum luminance of 15 070 cd m−2 and maximum current efficiency of 46.1 cd A−1, which is significantly higher (about 3 times) compared to devices with FA only (maximum EQE of 4.1%, maximum luminance of 4521 cd m−2) and Cs‐only (maximum EQE of 4.0%, maximum luminance of 4886 cd m−2). The photoluminescence quantum yield of the Cs:FA 1:1 sample is similarly enhanced, 21.3% compared 5.4% and 6%, for FA‐only and Cs‐only samples, respectively. It can be observed that the Cs:FA ratio significantly affects the crystallization of the perovskite, with the optimal 1:1 ratio resulting in the formation of tetragonal Cs0.5FA0.5PbBr3 phase (different from cubic FAPbBr3 and orthorhombic CsPbBr3) with pronounced preferential orientation as well as a significant reduction in the trap density, which leads to a substantial improvement in the light‐emitting performance.
Optical Quality Laser Polishing of CVD Diamond by UV Pulsed Laser Irradiation
Authors: Liu Huagang , Xie Linran , Lin Wenxiong , Hong Minghui
Published: August 2021

It is a great technical challenge to precisely polish diamond substrates due to their extremely high hardness, especially for micro‐optics fabrication. Here, a simple laser polishing process is demonstrated for the optical quality surface finish of chemical vapor deposition diamond using a 355 nm nanosecond laser. Raman spectroscopy and surface profile analyses reveal that the laser polishing is an ablation‐based process that consists of laser graphitization and the subsequent laser ablation of the graphitized layer. An optimized strategy is proposed to realize the high‐quality polishing by combining the ablation effect and defocusing laser irradiation. The polishing strategy can effectively reduce the peak‐to‐valley height difference of a rough surface and automatically enables the laser fluence at a low level close to the ablation threshold. Laser polishing at such critical laser fluence can greatly avoid harmful effects caused by high laser fluence and achieve precision materials’ removal while maintaining optical surface quality. The approach is capable of delivering an average roughness Ra down to 8.02 nm and a high transmittance up to 80% of mechanically polished diamond in the visible spectrum. High optical performances make it possible to directly fabricate micro‐optical components on diamond substrates using this novel laser polishing approach.
Protein Engineering of d‐Succinylase from Cupriavidus sp. for d‐Amino Acid Synthesis and the Structural Implications
Authors: Sumida Yosuke , Yamasaki Masayuki , Nishiya Yoshiaki , Kumagai Shinya , Yamada Toshihide , Azuma Masayuki
Published: August 2021

d‐Amino acids are important chiral building blocks for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Previously, we have used d‐Succinylase (DSA) from Cupriavidus sp. P4‐10‐C and N‐succinyl amino acid racemase (NSAR, EC.4.2.1.113) from Geobacillus stearothermophilus NCA1503 to produce d‐amino acids via the dynamic kinetic resolution of N‐succinyl‐dl‐amino acids. However, the use of this bioconversion system remains challenging for industrial application due to the insufficient enantioselectivity of DSA toward N‐succinyl‐d‐amino acids. Therefore, we screened DSA mutants for improved enantioselectivity by directed evolution. Several mutants showed improved enantioseletivity compared to wild‐type DSA. L182E mutant had superior enantioselectivity, and the thermal stability was also remarkably improved by this single mutation. We solved the crystal structure of the L182E mutant in complex with succinic acids at a resolution 2.0 Å. The mutated residues in all generated mutants that showed improved enantioselectivity (including the substituted Glu182 in the L182E mutant) are found very close to the active site. The solved crystal structure also provides some rationale to explain the higher thermostability of the L182E mutant compared to wild‐type DSA. d‐phenylalanine and d‐tryptophan were produced in high conversion (approximately 90%) with 98.8% ee and 99.6% ee, respectively, using coupled L182E DSA and NSAR with the one‐pot enzymatic method. These data suggested that L182E DSA may be a useful biocatalyst for industrial d‐amino acids production.

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Novel Recycled Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Polymer‐Coated Trash Soda Can for Clean Energy Harvesting
Authors: Chougale Mahesh Y. , Saqib Qazi Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Umair , Shaukat Rayyan Ali , Kim Jungmin , Bae Jinho
Published: August 2021

Researchers are striving to find the best possible ways to decompose or recycle generated waste to create a pollution‐free environment. Besides the problem of waste pollution, efficient energy generation is another challenging issue across the world. To counter both these problems in a single shot, a unique strategy of reusing and recycling trash soda cans and disposable plastic cups in a simple function change (Funchange) triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with a surplus advantage of no chemical processing is presented. The Funchange TENG device presents an excellent output performance with an open circuit voltage, short circuit current, and instantaneous power of 519 V, 82 µA, and 12.25 mW, correspondingly. Further, the fabricated nanogenerator exhibits excellent stability for about 72 000 cycles. This approach of applying trash materials for ultrarobust, high‐performance TENG will pave the path toward sustainable, facile, clean, and environmentally friendly energy scavenging.
Natural Melanin/Alginate Hydrogels Achieve Cardiac Repair through ROS Scavenging and Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Zhou Jin , Liu Wei , Zhao Xiaoyi , Xian Yifan , Wu Wei , Zhang Xiao , Zhao Nana , Xu Fu‐Jian , Wang Changyong
Published: August 2021

The efficacy of cardiac regenerative strategies for myocardial infarction (MI) treatment is greatly limited by the cardiac microenvironment. The combination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging to suppress the oxidative stress damage and macrophage polarization to regenerative M2 phenotype in the MI microenvironment can be desirable for MI treatment. Herein, melanin nanoparticles (MNPs)/alginate (Alg) hydrogels composed of two marine‐derived natural biomaterials, MNPs obtained from cuttlefish ink and alginate extracted from ocean algae, are proposed. Taking advantage of the antioxidant property of MNPs and mechanical support from injectable alginate hydrogels, the MNPs/Alg hydrogel is explored for cardiac repair by regulating the MI microenvironment. The MNPs/Alg hydrogel is found to eliminate ROS against oxidative stress injury of cardiomyocytes. More interestingly, the macrophage polarization to regenerative M2 macrophages can be greatly promoted in the presence of MNPs/Alg hydrogel. An MI rat model is utilized to evaluate the feasibility of the as‐prepared MNPs/Alg hydrogel for cardiac repair in vivo. The antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and proangiogenesis effects of the hydrogel are investigated in detail. The present study opens up a new way to utilize natural biomaterials for MI treatment and allows to rerecognize the great value of natural biomaterials in cardiac repair.
Transferability of recommendations developed for transplanted rice to direct‐seeded rice in ORYZA model
Authors: Ling Xiaoxia , Yuan Shen , Peng Shaobing , Li Tao
Published: August 2021

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) production is transitioning from a transplanted system to a direct‐seeded system, and researchers aim to use current calibrations if possible. However, the ORYZA model calibrated for the transplanted rice has not been tested and validated for direct‐seeded rice. This study evaluated the transferability and predictability of ORYZA (v3) in estimating crop yields among different rice cropping systems. Evaluations were performed with inbred and hybrid rice cultivars in the early and late rice‐growing seasons in central China. The analysis indicated that the crop parameters calibrated for the direct‐seeded rice cropping system could be applied to satisfactorily simulate rice growth and development in the transplanted cropping system. By contrast, crop parameters calibrated for the transplanted rice system required modifications before they could be used for an accurate prediction in the direct‐seeded rice system. The modifications were associated with the delay in leaf area development due to transplanting shock. From the results of this study, a framework was proposed to develop crop parameters for direct‐seeded rice using experimental data from transplanted rice and vice versa.
Mass transfer intensification between fluidizing gas and Geldart‐B nonmagnetizable particles in magnetized fluidized bed
Authors: Zhou Jiao , Hao Weikang , Zhu Quanhong
Published: August 2021

This work aimed to intensify the mass transfer between fluidizing gas and Geldart‐B nonmagnetizable particles by simultaneously introducing magnetizable particles and applying the magnetic field. The mere addition of magnetizable particles hardly affected the interphase mass transfer. Moreover, such mass transfer was not improved by the subsequent application of the magnetic field under the magnetization‐LAST operation mode. However, the mass transfer was significantly enhanced by the magnetic field in the magnetic stabilization and transition flow regimes under the magnetization‐FIRST operation mode. Apparently, the mass transfer intensification depended not only on the magnetic field intensify (H) but also on the operation mode. The gas–solid contact performance in the magnetic stabilization flow regime was always comparable to that in fixed beds. Hence, further increases in H could not raise the magnitude of intensification but only increase the operating range and stability of the magnetic stabilization, which was in metastable equilibrium.
PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and subjective cognitive concerns in WTC‐exposed and non‐WTC‐exposed firefighters
Authors: Mueller Alexandra K. , Singh Ankura , Webber Mayris P. , Hall Charles B. , Prezant David J. , Zeig‐Owens Rachel
Published: August 2021

Background

Firefighting has been associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions. We previously found that among Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) responders to the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster, higher‐intensity WTC‐exposure predicted PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and subjective cognitive concerns. The present study aims to compare these symptoms in the FDNY WTC‐exposed cohort versus a comparison cohort of non‐FDNY, non‐WTC‐exposed firefighters.

Methods

The study population included WTC‐exposed male firefighters from FDNY (N = 8466) and non‐WTC‐exposed male firefighters from Chicago (N = 1195), Philadelphia (N = 770), and San Francisco (N = 650) fire departments who were employed on 9/11/2001 and completed a health questionnaire between 3/1/2018 and 12/31/2020. Current PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and subjective cognitive concerns were assessed via validated screening instruments. Multivariable linear regression analyses stratified by fire department estimated the impact of covariates on each outcome.

Results

Adjusted mean PTSD symptom scores ranged from 23.5 ± 0.6 in Chicago firefighters to 25.8 ± 0.2 in FDNY, and adjusted mean depressive symptom scores ranged from 7.3 ± 0.5 in Chicago to 9.4 ± 0.6 in Philadelphia. WTC‐exposure was associated with fewer subjective cognitive concerns (β = −0.69 ± 0.05, p < .001) after controlling for covariates. Across cohorts, older age was associated with more cognitive concerns, but fewer PTSD and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

WTC‐exposed firefighters had fewer cognitive concerns compared with non‐WTC‐exposed firefighters. We were unable to estimate associations between WTC exposure and PTSD symptoms or depressive symptoms due to variability between non‐WTC‐exposed cohorts. Longitudinal follow‐up is needed to assess PTSD, depressive, and cognitive symptom trajectories in firefighter populations as they age.
Survival outcomes of very low birth weight infants with trisomy 18
Authors: Inoue Hirosuke , Matsunaga Yuka , Sawano Toru , Fujiyoshi Junko , Kinjo Tadamune , Ochiai Masayuki , Nagata Kouji , Matsuura Toshiharu , Taguchi Tomoaki , Ohga Shouichi
Published: August 2021

Trisomy 18 (T18) is one of the most commonly diagnosed aneuploidies leading to poor survival outcome. However, little is known about the dual risk of T18 and very low birth weight (VLBW, weighing <1500 g at birth). We aimed to investigate the survival and clinical features of VLBW infants with T18. In this observational cohort study, infants with T18 admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Kyushu University Hospital from 2000 to 2019 were eligible. Among 30 infants with T18 who were enrolled as study participants, 11 (37%) were born with VLBW. VLBW infants had lower gestational age (34.4 vs. 39.4 weeks, p < 0.01) and a higher incidence of esophageal atresia (64% vs. 11%, p < 0.01) than non‐VLBW infants. The proportions of patients who underwent any surgery (55% vs. 5%, p < 0.01) and positive pressure ventilation (82% vs. 32%, p = 0.02) were higher in VLBW than non‐VLBW infants. One‐year overall survival rate (45% vs. 26%, p = 0.32 by log‐rank test) did not differ between the two groups. In conclusion, being born at VLBW may not be fatal for infants with T18 undergoing active interventions.
Ernst Rüdin's, 1911 vision of a Mendelian psychiatric genetics research program: His paper “Methods and goals of family research in psychiatry”
Authors: Kendler Kenneth S.
Published: August 2021

While working under Kraepelin in Munich, Ernst Rüdin, a Swiss‐born Psychiatrist, at the age of 26, outlined in a 1911 98‐page article, a detailed plan for a future Mendelian‐informed family research program for psychiatry. Rüdin would go on to head the Department of Genealogical and Demographic Studies at Kraepelin's Research Institute which became one of the world's leading programs in psychiatric genetics. I here summarize this article, providing a complete translation online. Rüdin's review outlined a paradigm shift in psychiatric genetics research moving from calculations of aggregate hereditary burden, as they applied to the proband, to examining patterns of transmission within family pedigrees which involved careful individual assessments of relatives. He references widely clinical and statistical genetic studies, many focusing on the newly discovered Mendelian laws. However, Rüdin was no genetic reductionist but recognized the contribution of environmental risk factors to psychiatric illness arguing that they should be studied as part of a comprehensive research program. As a committed eugenicist, Rüdin also explored the implications of such a program for “racial hygiene.” Rüdin's contributions should be viewed in the context of his extensive collaboration from 1933 to 1945 with the National Socialists and his support for their eugenics program, including involuntary sterilizations.
Radiation‐initiated chitosan‐based double network hydrogel: Synthesis, characterization, and adsorption of methylene blue
Authors: Du Wenjie , Fan Jinxu , Ma Rui , Yang Gang , Liu Jiaqi , Zhang Shifan , Chen Tao
Published: August 2021

A novel chitosan (CTS)‐based double network Poly(2‐acrylaMido‐2‐Methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid)/Polyacrylamide/CTS hydrogel was synthesized by irradiation initiated. Laponite RD (RD) was used as both dopant and the cross‐linking agent. Then the fabricated hydrogel was applied as an efficient adsorbent to remove the methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous solution. This hydrogel has both high strength and good adsorption properties for MB. The results from Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method confirmed that the hydrogel has a large specific surface area (96 m2/g) and developed pore structure, which is available for the contact between the adsorbent and dye molecules. In the adsorption process, the RD provides plenty of negative charges as adsorption sites for MB molecules. The influence of pH, temperature, and adsorbent dose on the adsorption performance was investigated in detail. The experimental data fit well with the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm. Besides, the mechanical strength of the hydrogel was also investigated in this work.
Transforming 3D CAU‐10‐H into 2D Materials with High Base Stability for Membrane Separation
Authors: Guan Lu , Ma Zhangjie , Guo Xiangyu , Qiao Zhihua , Zhong Chongli
Published: August 2021

Two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have received a significant research attention owing to their unique chemical and physical properties. These materials not only provide the chemically active sites and exposed surface atoms, but also display the porous nature suitable for their use as membranes for gas separation. In this study, 3D CAU‐10‐H has been transformed into a novel alkali stabilized 2D CACl‐10 (180). Though CACl‐10 (180) is similar to AlOOH, it is a novel 2D nanomaterial synthesized by using 4‐chloroisophthalic acid and aluminum nitrate nonahydrate, with thermal decomposition at 300 °C. Further, CACl‐10 (180) is noted to retain its framework structure in strong alkali solutions, attributed to the alkali‐resistant aluminum hydroxide. At the same time, it has been demonstrated that 3D CAU‐10‐H can also transform into 3D CACl‐10 (140) and 3D CACl‐10 (130), and the halogen atoms of the ligands (−Cl) affect the alkali stability of the materials. Subsequently, the PVAm‐CACl‐10 (180)/MPSf mixed matrix membranes were prepared and applied for CH4/N2 separation. The developed membrane exhibits the CH4 permeance of 1647.99 GPU with a CH4/N2 selectivity of 3.1. As a result, 2D CACl‐10 (180), with a strong alkali stability and an acceptable CH4/N2 membrane separation performance, represents a high potential of application in the membrane separation process.
UPLC‐PDA coupled HR‐TOF ESI/MS2‐based identification of derivatives produced by whole‐cell biotransformation of epothilone A using Nocardia sp. CS692 and a cytochrome P450 overexpressing strain
Authors: Pandey Ramesh Prasad , Dhakal Dipesh , Thapa Samir Bahadur , Bashyal Puspalata , Kim Tae‐Su , Sohng Jae Kyung
Published: August 2021

Epothilone A, a microtubule‐stabilizing agent used as therapeutics for the treatment of cancers, was biotransformed into three metabolites using Nocardia sp. CS692 and recombinant Nocardia overexpressing a cytochrome P450 from Streptomyces venezuelae (PikC). Among three metabolites produced in the biotransformation reaction mixtures, ESI/MS2 analysis predicted two metabolites (M1 and M2) as novel hydroxylated derivatives (M1 is hydroxylated at the C‐8 position and M2 is hydroxylated at C‐10 position), each with an opened‐epoxide ring in their structure. Interestingly, metabolite M3 lacks an epoxide ring and is known as deoxyepothilone A, which is also called epothilone C. Metabolite M1 was produced only in PikC overexpressing strain. The endogenous enzymes of Nocardia sp. catalyzed hydroxylation of epothilone A to produce metabolite M2 and removed epoxide ring to produce metabolite M3. All the metabolites were identified based on UV–vis analysis and rigorous ESI/MS2 fragmentation based on epothilone A standard. The newly produced metabolites are anticipated to display novel cytotoxic effects and could be subjects of further pharmacological studies.
Pretreatment Glasgow prognostic score predicts survival among patients with high PD‐L1 expression administered first‐line pembrolizumab monotherapy for non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Imai Hisao , Kishikawa Takayuki , Minemura Hiroyuki , Yamada Yutaka , Ibe Tatsuya , Yamaguchi Ou , Mouri Atsuto , Hamamoto Yoichiro , Kanazawa Kenya , Kasai Takashi , Kaira Kyoichi , Kaburagi Takayuki , Minato Koichi , Kobayashi Kunihiko , Kagamu Hiroshi
Published: August 2021

Background

There are no established biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of first‐line pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with high programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression. In this study, we investigated whether the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and body mass index (BMI) can be used to evaluate the effect of first‐line pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who express high levels of PD‐L1.

Methods

We reviewed data from 142 patients with high PD‐L1 expression who underwent first‐line pembrolizumab monotherapy for NSCLC at six Japanese institutions between February 2017 and June 2019 and assessed the prognostic value of the GPS, NLR, and BMI. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine differences in progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The GPS, NLR, and BMI were calculated using C‐reactive protein and albumin concentrations, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, and body weight and height, respectively.

Results

The GPS independently predicted the first‐line pembrolizumab monotherapy efficacy, as a good GPS (GPS 0–1) was associated with a significantly better PFS and OS compared to a poor GPS (GPS 2) (PFS: 11.8 vs. 2.9 months, p < 0.0001; OS: not reached vs. 8.3 months, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, BMI independently predicted efficacy, as patients with high BMI (BMI ≥21.4) exhibited significantly better OS compared to those with low BMI (BMI <21.4) (OS: not reached vs. 14.1 months, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Among patients with high PD‐L1 expression undergoing first‐line pembrolizumab monotherapy for NSCLC, the GPS is significantly correlated with both PFS and OS, and BMI with OS, indicating that they could be used to predict treatment outcome in these patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the relationship among the GPS, NLR, and BMI and survival among patients with high PD‐L1 expression undergoing first‐line pembrolizumab monotherapy for NSCLC.
Pulmonary artery pressure response to percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty: Associated factors and clinical implications
Authors: Ferreira de Sales Igor , Lodi‐Junqueira Lucas , Rafael Sant’Anna Athayde Guilherme , Eugenia Alcici Marta , Costa Diamantino Tatiana , Campos Barbosa e Silva Lucas , Vargas Botinha Macedo Frederico , Leal Fraga Clara , Camargos Mucelli Spalaor Breno , Victor Silva Valente Pedro , Rodrigues Soares Juliana , C Tan Timothy , Antonio de Magalhães Esteves William , Pereira Nunes Maria Carmo
Published: August 2021

Background

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a marker of poor outcome in mitral stenosis (MS), which improves after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV). However, mechanical interventions for relief of valve obstruction often but not always reduce pulmonary pressures. This study aimed to assess the parameters associated with abnormal pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) response immediately after a successful PMV, and also its impact on long‐term outcome.

Methods

A total of 181 patients undergoing PMV for rheumatic MS were prospectively enrolled. Invasive hemodynamic and echocardiographic measures were examined in all patients. Abnormal PAP response was defined as the mean PAP (mPAP) values unchanged at the end of the procedure. Long‐term outcome was a composite endpoint of death, mitral valve replacement, repeat PMV, new onset of atrial fibrillation (AF), or stroke.

Results

The mean age was 44.1 ± 12.6 years, and 157 patients were women (86.7%). In the overall population, mPAP decreased from 33.4 ± 13.1 mmHg pre to 27.6 ± 9.8 mmHg post (p < 0.001). Following PMV, 52 patients (28.7%) did not have any reduction of mPAP immediately after the PMV. Multivariable analysis adjusting for baseline values of PAP and mitral valve area revealed that AF (Odds ratio [OR] 2.7, 95% [confidence interval] CI 1.3 to 6.7), maximum mitral valve leaflets displacement (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7 to 0.9), and post‐procedural left ventricular compliance (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5 to 0.9) were predictors of a lack of improvement in mPAP. During a median follow‐up of 4.4 years, the endpoint was reached in 56 patients (31%). The pulmonary pressure response to PMV was not an independent predictor of long‐term events.

Conclusions

In patients with MS undergoing PMV, pulmonary pressures may not reduce immediately after the procedure, despite adequate opening of the valve. Abnormal PAP response can be predicted from baseline clinical and valvular characteristics as well as post‐procedural left ventricular compliance. The lack of any immediate reduction in mPAP is not associated with long‐term adverse outcomes.
Facile Synthesis of N,P‐codoped Hard Carbon Nanoporous Microspheres from Lignin for High‐Performance Anodes of Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Jie , Duan Jingying , Zhang Yang , Chen Mingming , Ji Kemeng , Wang Chengyang
Published: August 2021

We demonstrate a facile emulsion‐solvent evaporation process to easily convert lignin into nanoporous N,P‐codoped hard carbon microspheres. The combined physiochemical characterizations indicate this material possesses micro‐structure suitable for electrochemical energy storage. The electrochemical measurements of sodium ion battery (SIB) show that such lignin‐derived carbon microspheres also follow the widely‐accepted adsorption‐intercalation Na‐storage mechanism. The Na+ diffusion coefficient in as‐obtained electrode could reach 10−9 cm2 s−1. They exhibit quite excellent and balanced Na‐storage performances, such as large reversible and low‐voltage capacity (up to 307–336 and 229–246 mAh g−1, respectively), high initial coulombic efficiency (78.7–82.4 %), and good rate performance as well as long cycling stability (e. g., retaining at 248 mAh g−1 and a retention of ∼92.2 % after running at 0.1 A g−1 for 200 cycles). Consequently, this work not only provides a facile approach to realize high added‐value utilization of lignin but also contributes to the development of eco‐environmental batteries using low‐cost materials.