bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Putting the theory into ‘burstlet theory’ with a biophysical model of burstlets and bursts in the respiratory preBötzinger complex
Authors: Phillips Ryan S , Rubin Jonathan E
Published: April 2022

Inspiratory breathing rhythms arise from synchronized neuronal activity in a bilaterally distributed brainstem structure known as the preBötzinger complex (preBötC). In in vitro slice preparations containing the preBötC, extracellular potassium must be elevated above physiological levels (to 7–9 mM) to observe regular rhythmic respiratory motor output in the hypoglossal nerve to which the preBötC projects. Reexamination of how extracellular K+ affects preBötC neuronal activity has revealed that low-amplitude oscillations persist at physiological levels. These oscillatory events are subthreshold from the standpoint of transmission to motor output and are dubbed burstlets. Burstlets arise from synchronized neural activity in a rhythmogenic neuronal subpopulation within the preBötC that in some instances may fail to recruit the larger network events, or bursts, required to generate motor output. The fraction of subthreshold preBötC oscillatory events (burstlet fraction) decreases sigmoidally with increasing extracellular potassium. These observations underlie the burstlet theory of respiratory rhythm generation. Experimental and computational studies have suggested that recruitment of the non-rhythmogenic component of the preBötC population requires intracellular Ca2+ dynamics and activation of a calcium-activated nonselective cationic current. In this computational study, we show how intracellular calcium dynamics driven by synaptically triggered Ca2+ influx as well as Ca2+ release/uptake by the endoplasmic reticulum in conjunction with a calcium-activated nonselective cationic current can reproduce and offer an explanation for many of the key properties associated with the burstlet theory of respiratory rhythm generation. Altogether, our modeling work provides a mechanistic basis that can unify a wide range of experimental findings on rhythm generation and motor output recruitment in the preBötC.
Lightweight and efficient neural network with SPSA attention for wheat ear detection
Authors: Dong Yan , Liu Yundong , Kang Haonan , Li Chunlei , Liu Pengcheng , Liu Zhoufeng
Published: April 2022

Advancements in deep neural networks have made remarkable leap-forwards in crop detection. However, the detection of wheat ears is an important yet challenging task due to the complex background, dense targets, and overlaps between wheat ears. Currently, many detectors have made significant progress in improving detection accuracy. However, some of them are not able to make a good balance between computational cost and precision to meet the needs of deployment in real world. To address these issues, a lightweight and efficient wheat ear detector with Shuffle Polarized Self-Attention (SPSA) is proposed in this paper. Specifically, we first utilize a lightweight backbone network with asymmetric convolution for effective feature extraction. Next, SPSA attention is given to adaptively select focused positions and produce a more discriminative representation of the features. This strategy introduces polarized self-attention to spatial dimension and channel dimension and adopts Shuffle Units to combine those two types of attention mechanisms effectively. Finally, the TanhExp activation function is adopted to accelerate the inference speed and reduce the training time, and CIOU loss is used as the border regression loss function to enhance the detection ability of occlusion and overlaps between targets. Experimental results on the Global Wheat Head Detection dataset show that our method achieves superior detection performance compared with other state-of-the-art approaches.
Identification and charactering of APX genes provide new insights in abiotic stresses response in Brassica napus
Authors: Pan Jiao , Zhang Lei , Chen Min , Ruan Yuxuan , Li Peifang , Guo Zhihui , Liu Boyu , Ruan Ying , Xiao Mu , Huang Yong
Published: April 2022

Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) plays an important role in scavenging H2O2 and balancing ROS content in plant cells, which is of great significance for the growth and development of life and resistance to external stress. However, up to now, APXs in Brassica napus (B. napus) have not been systematically characterized. In this study, a total of 26 BnaAPX genes were identified, which were distributed on 13 chromosomes and divided into five phylogenetic branches. Gene structure analysis showed that they had a wide varied number of exons while BnaAPXs proteins contained more similar motifs in the same phylogenetic branches. qRT-PCR analysis of 26 BnaAPX gene expression patterns showed that three putative cytosol BnaAPX genes BnaAPX1, BnaAPX2, BnaAPX9, two putatice microsomal genes BnaAPX18 and BnaAPX25 were up-regulated rapidly and robustly under high salt, water shortage and high temperature stresses. In addition, the above three abiotic stresses led to a significant increase in APX activity. The results provide basic and comprehensive information for further functional characterization of APX gene family in B. napus.
fugitiva em família em busca de liberdade na “Cidade da Feira”
Authors: Damasceno Karine Teixeira
Published: April 2022

Neste estudo, reconstitui-se a experiência de Belmira, uma mulher escravizada, enquanto lutava pela liberdade para si e para suas crianças, Antero, Senhorinha e Manuel, em Feira de Santana, entre 1878 e 1879. Para tanto, é analisada a ação de liberdade movida por esta protagonista, assim como os registros de matrículas, os códigos de posturas municipais, as correspondências e um atestado de óbito. As marcas deixadas por ela em seu itinerário, bem como por pessoas relacionadas a ela, foram cruzadas por meio de uma abordagem qualitativa das fontes. Desse modo, foi possível saber que, a despeito da opressão interseccional de classe, gênero e raça, mulheres como Belmira foram personagens centrais na luta pela liberdade legal. O cruzamento destes documentos permitiu constatar que as especificidades da escravidão feminina influenciaram suas escolhas por esse tipo de liberdade.
Repensando o Islã a partir da América:
Authors: Bartel Bruno Ferraz
Published: April 2022

Este artigo analisa os impactos da viagem de Sayyid Qutb (1906-1966) aos Estados Unidos da América para a formulação de suas concepções religiosas. A experiência do ativista na América, realizada entre os anos de 1948 e 1950, marca um conjunto de ideias elaboradas por ele sobre a religião islâmica no Egito e o modo como ela deveria guiar seus praticantes frente à expansão cultural norte-americana nos países do Oriente Médio na conjuntura mundial pós-Segunda Guerra Mundial. Argumento que o encontro com a América não se restringiu apenas a um mero exercício de produção de alteridades – exaltação de encantamentos ou evitações –, mas uma fonte potencializadora de reflexões sobre sua própria conduta como muçulmano. Para compreender a dinâmica desses questionamentos, o conceito de objetificação adquire uma relevância significativa.
Diferenciáveis:
Authors: Sarno Hannah Romã Bellini
Published: April 2022

Este artigo reflete sobre os modos como questões relativas ao multiculturalismo se articulam no processo de formação da identidade de muçulmanos no Reino Unido, por meio de um exame da história recente da imigração e das políticas voltadas para a administração da diferença cultural no território britânico. Dinâmicas relacionadas às disputas de lealdade – religiosas, étnicas e nacionais –, características de comunidades diaspóricas, e os tensionamentos e conflitos que permeiam esses processos têm centralidade na análise. O trabalho evidencia que a essencialização e a excepcionalização da identidade muçulmana, sejam ancoradas em uma religiosidade praticada ou não, e as correspondentes políticas governamentais tiveram influência primordial na convivência multicultural nos países integrantes, contribuindo para dilemas de pertencimento em um contexto de crise na identidade nacional.
Mulheres africanas no mundo Atlântico
Authors: Santos Vanicléia Silva
Published: April 2022

Resenha de:
CANDIDO, Mariana P.; JONES, Adam (orgs.). African Women in the Atlantic World: Property, Vulnerability & Mobility, 1660-1880. Woodbridge, UK: James Currey, 2019. 304 p.
criação de artefatos documentais e a história dos estudos afro-americanos
Authors: Parés Luís Nicolau
Published: April 2022

Resenha de
CUNHA, Olívia Maria Gomes da. The Things of Others: Ethnographies, Histories, and Other Artefacts. Leiden e Boston: Brill, 2020. 756 p.
Amor, respeito e casamento na Chapada Diamantina
Authors: Fleischer Soraya
Published: April 2022

Resenha de:
MEDEIROS, Melanie A. Marriage, Divorce and Distress in Northeast Brazil: Black Women’s Perspectives on Love, Respect and Kinship. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 2018.222 p.
Glycans as a key factor in self and nonself discrimination: impact on the breach of immune tolerance
Authors: Alves Inês , Fernandes Ângela , Santos‐Pereira Beatriz , Azevedo Catarina M. , Pinho Salomé S.
Published: April 2022

Glycans are carbohydrates that are made by all organisms and covalently conjugated to other biomolecules. Glycans cover the surface of both human cells and pathogens and are fundamental to defining the identity of a cell or an organism, thereby contributing to discriminating self from nonself. As such, glycans are a class of ‘Self‐Associated Molecular Patterns’ that can fine‐tune host inflammatory processes. In fact, glycans can be sensed and recognized by a variety of glycan‐binding proteins (GBP) expressed by immune cells, such as galectins, siglecs, and C‐type lectins, which recognize changes in the cellular glycosylation, instructing both pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory responses. In this review, we introduce glycans as cell‐identification structures, discussing how glycans modulate host–pathogen interactions and how they can fine‐tune inflammatory processes associated with infection, inflammation and autoimmunity. Finally, from the clinical standpoint, we discuss how glycoscience research can benefit life sciences and clinical medicine by providing a source of valuable biomarkers and therapeutic targets for immunity.
Use of Popular Opinion Leader Models to Disseminate Information About Clinical Trials to Black Individuals With Lupus in Two US Cities
Authors: Arneson Laura C. , Taber Kreager A. , Williams Jessica N. , Ulysse Sciaska N. , Erickson Daniel L. , Chmiel Joan S. , Milaeger Holly , Freeman Elmer , Canessa Patricia , Song Jing , Chung Anh H. , Feldman Candace H. , Ramsey‐Goldman Rosalind
Published: April 2022

Objective

Clinical trials for systemic lupus erythematosus (“lupus”) under enroll Black individuals despite higher disease prevalence, morbidity, and mortality among Black compared to White individuals. To begin to address this disparity, we leveraged community–academic partnerships in 2 US cities (Boston and Chicago) to train popular opinion leaders (POLs) to disseminate information about clinical trials in predominantly Black communities.

Methods

The team of community and academic partners collaboratively developed a 5‐module curriculum about clinical trials, barriers, facilitators, and structural racism in research. We enrolled POLs in Boston and Chicago to participate virtually in the curriculum and assessed knowledge gained by comparing pre‐ and post‐test scores. We described the POLs' ability to disseminate information about clinical trials through their communities.

Results

We enrolled 19 POLs in Boston and 16 in Chicago; overall, 71% reported a lupus diagnosis, 94% were female, and 80% self‐identified as Black or African American. The program was adapted to virtual formats due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. POLs demonstrated significant improvement comparing pre/post scores for the conduct of clinical trials and history of racism in clinical research. Fifteen POLs (43%) reported their dissemination of information about clinical trials. Information reached 425 community members in Boston (90% virtually) and 1,887 in Chicago (95% virtually).

Conclusion

By leveraging community–academic partnerships, we developed and implemented a curriculum to promote familiarity with clinical trials, leading to information dissemination by POLs in predominantly Black communities that are underrepresented in lupus clinical trials. The program successfully transitioned to a virtual model during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Continuing Professional Development in Rheumatology for Primary Care Clinicians: A Systematic Review
Authors: Robbins Rachel C. , Maciuba Joseph M. , Maggio Lauren A. , Samuel Anita
Published: April 2022

Objective

To determine the quality of published rheumatology‐focused continuing professional development (CPD) for primary care clinicians (PCCs) for improving the care of patients with rheumatic diseases.

Methods

The authors conducted a systematic review of CPD focused on rheumatology topics for PCCs. A librarian systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, ERIC, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Sinico. Studies were limited to those conducted in North America after 1993. An extraction form that included the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument and the Kirkpatrick levels of learning outcomes was created through an iterative process and applied to the included articles.

Results

In total, 725 articles were retrieved, of which 9 were included. Results showed that CPD was directed more at noninflammatory arthritis than inflammatory arthritis. Autoimmune diseases were underrepresented; 4 studies discussed rheumatoid arthritis, and 1 study examined rheumatologic topics broadly. Newer research tended to include multimodal approaches that combined didactic and active learning strategies, showing an evolution toward more active learning. Although online learning is increasingly popular, interventions were predominantly face‐to‐face, with only a single example of e‐learning. Studies were predominantly of moderate quality.

Conclusion

Published studies of rheumatology‐focused CPD are moving toward more interactive teaching modalities and are typically conducted in person, although virtual options for rheumatology‐focused CPD should be explored to improve access to CPD. Autoimmune disease is an uncommon topic in CPD and represents an area for future expansion. Efficacy was difficult to assess given that most of the studies assessed for learner satisfaction, knowledge acquisition, or behavior change, whereas only 1 study focused on patient outcomes.
Electric Field Assisted Direct Writing and 3D Printing of Low‐Melting Alloy
Authors: Huang Yanhua , Cao Yang , Qin Hantang
Published: April 2022

Metal additive manufacturing plays a vital role in new generations of manufacturing. As one of the most used alloys, field's metal can be used in many applications such as mold fabrication, radiation shielding, and more. This research demonstrates the ability to fabricate functional parts using the field's alloy at the micron level. With the good thermal conductivity and low thermal negative thermal expansion coefficient, printing temperatures and printing speed are mapped for single layer printing at a given nozzle size for printing width and height performance stability optimization. Printing temperatures and printing speeds were optimized with the same evaluation criteria. Classic 3D printing challenges have been printed testing technology readiness including overhang, bridges, and infills. Varieties of 3D parts are fabricated and prove functional for computed tomography imagery marking tags and micro‐volume liquid capacitance measurements. It demonstrates that the capability of high‐resolution printing also improves the printing time efficiency when small features are not required.
Metal Halide Perovskite Heterojunction for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation: Progress and Future Opportunities
Authors: Purohit Smruti , Yadav Kanhaiya Lal , Satapathi Soumitra
Published: April 2022

Photocatalytic hydrogen generation paves a promising way to mitigate the global energy crisis and deteriorative environmental issues. Among different materials, metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have recently emerged as a promising class of inexpensive and easy‐to‐make semiconductors for various photocatalytic applications such as organic contaminant degradation, CO2 reduction, H2 evolution, and N2 fixation. Although MHPs‐based standalone photocatalysts offer architectural simplicity, they provide restricted control over recombination processes and spatial separation of redox half‐reactions. Meanwhile, heterojunction systems are of growing interest due to their ability to control energy‐consuming redox processes and effectively suppress charge carrier recombination. In this review, the authors elaborately discuss perovskite‐based heterojunction photocatalysts for hydrogen generation both from a material chemistry point of view and band alignment perspective. They discuss the design principle of MHP heterostructures necessary for H2 evolution and the underlying photo‐physics behind process optimization. Moving forward, they conclude by meticulously outlining the ongoing challenges, opportunities, and future outlooks for MHP‐based heterojunction photocatalysts for H2 evolution.
Nano‐Cone Structured Lithiophilic Ni Film on Cu Current Collector Facilitates Li+ Ion Diffusion Toward Uniform Lithium Deposition
Authors: Hu Wang , Rao Yongchao , Chen Peixin , Ju Shenghong , Ling Huiqin , Wu Yunwen , Momma Toshiyuki , Li Ming
Published: April 2022

The uncontrolled growth of lithium (Li) dendrite during long‐term cycling has hindered the practical application of the Li metal anode in the next generation rechargeable batteries. A variety of nanostructured current collectors is proposed in Li metal anode to reduce local current density and thus mitigate the Li dendrite formation. Here, the Ni nano‐cone@Al (NCA) structure is utilized to guide the uniform metallic Li nucleation and growth, free from the dendrites. This unique nano‐cone structure can facilitate the ion diffusion toward the bottom of the Ni nanostructures to make effective use of the nano‐cone structure. The surface lithiophilicity is revealed from the view of absorption energy and interface lattice mismatch. It is found that Al on nano‐cone Ni surface decreases the elastic strain energy at the interface rather than decreasing the formation energy. The resulting NCA structured substrate possesses small Li nucleation overpotentials (<0.032 V) and good structural stability upon galvanostatic cycling. Superior cycling stability over 2000 h in a Li|Li symmetric cell is realized. Full cell by paring with LiFePO4 achieves a high coulombic efficiency of 98.1% for over 100 cycles at 0.2 C with a capacity retention of over 97.2%.
Crystallization‐Enhanced Stability by Effectively Suppressing Photooxidation Defect for Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Zhang He , Lin Dong‐Qing , Liu Wei , Wang Yang‐Cheng , Li Zhu‐Xin , Jin Dong , Wang Jin , Zhang Xin‐Wen , Huang Lei , Wang Sha‐Sha , Xu Chun‐Xiang , Kan Yu‐He , Xie Ling‐Hai
Published: April 2022

Effective protection against photooxidation of organic wide‐bandgap semiconductors is a potential method to afford high efficient deep‐blue emission for full color displays. Herein, the crystallization effect of fluorene‐based blue emitter on suppressing the formation of long‐wavelength green band (g‐band) defect is demonstrated through the model of self‐assembled organic micro/nanocrystals. The selected molecule 2,2'‐bi(9,9‐dipropyl)fluorene (DDC3F), which easily generates strong g‐band emission (green index (Igreen/Iblue) of ≈5 under ultraviolet exposure for 3 h) in amorphous state, shows an excellent spectra stability of deep‐blue emission with a green index of ≈0 and an unchangeable CIE coordination of (0.18, 0.09) in crystalline nanorod morphologies. Such effect of crystallization‐induced stability enhancement can be further extended into other solution‐processing methods such as brushing. Molecular dynamic simulation reveals that crystalline nanorods with compact molecular packing enable to effectively block the diffusion of O2 and H2O molecules, which is crucial to suppress the occurrence of photooxidation reactions. Along with high quantum yield of 87% from crystallization‐induced luminescence enhancement effect, such ultrastable deep‐blue emission on crystalline film can also be maintained in solution‐processing organic light‐emitting diode devices. The supramolecular self‐assembled micro/nanocrystals strategy provides a potential platform to maintain ultrastable color purity in organic optoelectronic devices.
Topology Optimization of Phononic Dirac‐Like Cones and Topological Insulators with On‐Demand Operation Frequencies
Authors: Chen Yafeng , Chen Di , Liu Baoshou
Published: April 2022

A topology optimization method for designing phononic Dirac‐like cones and topological insulators by achieving the specific modes at specific frequencies is developed. At first, the Dirac‐like cone is created by degenerating one monopolar mode and two dipolar modes at the desired frequency. It is demonstrated that the optimized phononic crystals with Dirac‐like exhibit exotic zero‐index wave manipulation phenomena. Next, by triggering the dipolar and quadrupolar modes simultaneously to form the double Dirac cone and then breaking it to realize band inversion, topological phase transition around the desired frequency is achieved. The robust one‐way edge transport associated with topological phase transition is presented.
A Green and Base‐Free Arylation of Thiomethylated 2‐pyranones and Ketene Dithioacetals via Liebeskind‐Srogl Coupling in Water
Authors: Shaw Ranjay , Pratap Ramendra
Published: April 2022

A green and base‐free desulfitative coupling of different thioethers with aryl boronic acids in water. Various thiomethylated 2H‐pyran‐2‐ones, 2‐oxobenzo[h[chromones and α‐aroyl ketene‐dithioacetals were used as substrate to obtained arylated product in very good to excellent yield. Further utility of reaction was carried out by a one‐pot arylation followed by amination of α‐aroyl ketene dithioacetals for the synthesis of 3‐amino chalcones and diarylazoles. The structure of isolated product 4 a and 6 c were ascertained by spectroscopic and single crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses.
Pandemics, past and present: The role of biological anthropology in interdisciplinary pandemic studies
Authors: Dimka Jessica , van Doren Taylor P. , Battles Heather T.
Published: April 2022

Biological anthropologists are ideally suited for the study of pandemics given their strengths in human biology, health, culture, and behavior, yet pandemics have historically not been a major focus of research. The COVID‐19 pandemic has reinforced the need to understand pandemic causes and unequal consequences at multiple levels. Insights from past pandemics can strengthen the knowledge base and inform the study of current and future pandemics through an anthropological lens. In this paper, we discuss the distinctive social and epidemiological features of pandemics, as well as the ways in which biological anthropologists have previously studied infectious diseases, epidemics, and pandemics. We then review interdisciplinary research on three pandemics–1918 influenza, 2009 influenza, and COVID‐19–focusing on persistent social inequalities in morbidity and mortality related to sex and gender; race, ethnicity, and Indigeneity; and pre‐existing health and disability. Following this review of the current state of pandemic research on these topics, we conclude with a discussion of ways biological anthropologists can contribute to this field moving forward. Biological anthropologists can add rich historical and cross‐cultural depth to the study of pandemics, provide insights into the biosocial complexities of pandemics using the theory of syndemics, investigate the social and health impacts of stress and stigma, and address important methodological and ethical issues. As COVID‐19 is unlikely to be the last global pandemic, stronger involvement of biological anthropology in pandemic studies and public health policy and research is vital.
Electrocatalysis for Continuous Multi‐Step Reactions in Quasi‐Solid‐State Electrolytes Towards High‐Energy and Long‐Life Aluminum–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Huang Zheng , Wang Wei , Song Wei‐Li , Wang Mingyong , Chen Haosen , Jiao Shuqiang , Fang Daining
Published: April 2022

Aluminum–sulfur (Al−S) batteries of ultrahigh energy‐to‐price ratios are a promising energy storage technology, while they suffer from a large voltage gap and short lifespan. Herein, we propose an electrocatalyst‐boosting quasi‐solid‐state Al−S battery, which involves a sulfur‐anchored cobalt/nitrogen co‐doped graphene (S@CoNG) positive electrode and an ionic‐liquid‐impregnated metal–organic framework (IL@MOF) electrolyte. The Co−N4 sites in CoNG continuously catalyze the breaking of Al−Cl and S−S bonds and accelerate the sulfur conversion, endowing the Al−S battery with a shortened voltage gap of 0.43 V and a high discharge voltage plateau of 0.9 V. In the quasi‐solid‐state IL@MOF electrolytes, the shuttle effect of polysulfides has been inhibited, which stabilizes the reversible sulfur reaction, enabling the Al−S battery to deliver 820 mAh g−1 specific capacity and 78 % capacity retention after 300 cycles. This finding offers novel insights to design Al−S batteries for stable energy storage.
Electrophilic Spirocyclization of a 2‐Biphenylacetylene via Conformational Fixing within a Hollow‐Cage Host
Authors: Takezawa Hiroki , Fujii Yuya , Murase Takashi , Fujita Makoto
Published: April 2022

A 2‐biphenylacetylene was fixed into a specific conformation within the confined cavity of a hollow cage, where it underwent a regioselective spirocyclization in the presence of an electrophile. A 5‐endo‐dig cyclization proceeded selectively in the cage, which stands in sharp contrast to the 6‐endo‐dig cyclization that normally occurs in common organic media. The folded conformation adopted by the substrate within the cage was examined by 1H NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallographic analysis.
TiO2/CdS composite photocathode improves the performance and degradation of wastewater in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Ma Jingying , An Zhihao , Zhang Wenwen , Shen Jia , Qi Yulin , Chen Donghui
Published: April 2022

Optimization of dye decolourization for wastewater and power production are explored in dual‐chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) with TiO2/CdS photocathodes. The rapid reduction of azo dye methylene blue (MB) and power production were enhanced with TiO2/CdS photocathode under illumination. The analysis of electrochemical impedance spectra indicated that the photocatalysis of TiO2/CdS accelerated the electron transfer process of photoelectrode reduction. Moreover, the UV‐visible light spectrophotometer showed that the maximum degradation of the MFCs was 98.25%, which illustrated that MB may be cleaved by photoelectrons generated by light irradiation on the illuminated TiO2/CdS photocathode. Finally, the power production of MFCs in this work promoted reductive decolourization of the dye MB solution.
Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Electrophilic Thiocyanation of Indoles: Access to SCN‐Containing Aryl‐Indole Compounds
Authors: Ye Ai‐Hui , Li Zi‐Hao , Ding Tong‐Mei , Ke Hua , Chen Zhi‐Min
Published: April 2022

A phosphoric acid catalyzed electrophilic thiocyanation of 3‐aryl indoles, which provides an efficient and modular approach to SCN‐containing 3‐aryl indole compounds, was developed for the first time. A variety of 2‐SCN‐3‐aryl indoles were obtained with moderate to excellent yields. Furthermore, catalytic asymmetric manner of this reaction was also studied. Using chiral phosphoric acid as the catalyst, axially chiral SCN‐containing 3‐aryl indoles were obtained in moderate to good yields with moderate enantioselectivity.
Do children with and without autism spectrum disorder use different visuospatial processing skills to perform the Rey–Osterrieth complex figure test?
Authors: Cardillo Ramona , Lievore Rachele , Mammarella Irene C.
Published: April 2022

Visuospatial organization abilities are closely related to other visuospatial processing skills, such as visuomotor coordination, perceptual abilities, mental rotation, and working memory (WM). One task that enables visuospatial organization abilities to be investigated is the Rey–Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCFT). When examining visuospatial functioning, individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have proved capable of operating both locally and globally, depending on the sub‐domain embraced, with a preference for a locally‐oriented processing of visuospatial information. The present research aimed to establish whether different underlying visuospatial skills might account for performance in the ROCFT in children and adolescents with ASD, compared with typically developing (TD), by considering the role of local/global visuospatial processing. The study involved 39 participants who have ASD without intellectual disability, and 57 TD aged 8–16 years. The participants were administered tasks assessing visuospatial organization abilities, manual dexterity, visual perception, mental rotation, spatial‐sequential, spatial‐simultaneous WM, and visuospatial processing. Our results suggest that manual dexterity and visuospatial processing similarly explain performance in both groups, while differences in visuospatial WM account for the two groups' visuospatial organization abilities. Spatial‐simultaneous WM predicted performance in copy and recall conditions in the TD group but not in the ASD group, while spatial‐sequential WM only did so in the latter group, reinforcing the tendency of children with ASD towards local bias in the visuospatial organization domain. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Lay Summary

The visuospatial organization abilities of children and adolescents with and without autism were compared, considering their underlying visuospatial skills. Visuospatial organization impairments emerged for children with autism, who differed from typically developing children in the underlying visuospatial skills involved. Given the crucial role of visuospatial organization abilities in everyday life, our results could inspire practitioners to develop training interventions that take into account the strengths and weaknesses of individuals with autism.
2022: A Year to Prepare for Compliance Requirements
Authors: Via Steve
Published: April 2022

Key Takeaways

In 2022, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is engaging in several regulatory activities that will affect the regulatory compliance of US water systems.

Being familiar with the changes in regulations will help US water systems prepare for any changes they should make in their own operations.

Areas being addressed this year by EPA include, among others, infrastructure, emerging contaminants, lead service lines, per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances, health advisories, affordability, and cybersecurity.
Automatische Zusammenführung zertrennter Konstruktionspläne von Wasserbauwerken
Authors: Weber Lukas Alexander , Schenk Daniela
Published: April 2022

Beim Planen, Bauen und Betreiben von Verkehrswasserbauwerken sind Bestandspläne von großer Bedeutung. Gerade für Instandsetzungen oder Ersatzneubauten, die im Wasserbau einen Großteil der Baumaßnahmen darstellen, beinhalten sie zentrale Informationen u. a. zur Konstruktion der bestehenden Bauwerke. Die Wasserstraßen‐ und Schifffahrtsverwaltung des Bundes (WSV) hat Anfang des Jahrtausends daher alle Pläne mit hohem Aufwand digitalisiert. In dem Digitalisierungsprozess wurden aus technischen Gründen etwa 35.000 Dokumente in Teilaufnahmen (TA) zerstückelt, was deren Übergabe und Nutzung erheblich stört. Diese, im Rahmen eines FuE‐Projekts der Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau (BAW) entstandene, Arbeit zeigt, dass mit Image Stitching, einer Methode aus dem Bereich des computerbasierten Sehens (Computer Vision), die Pläne zum Großteil automatisiert zusammengeführt werden können. Mit einem merkmalsbasierten Ansatz werden dafür die Zusammenhänge zwischen den einzelnen TA modelliert und diese in einer gemeinsamen Bildebene aneinander ausgerichtet. Beim Zusammenfügen zu einem Gesamtplan wird mit einer nahtbasierten Methode sichergestellt, dass die Elemente im Plan möglichst am Stück erhalten bleiben. Es wird gezeigt, wie mit innovativen Methoden die Gesamtqualität des Baubestandswerks der WSV automatisiert verbessert werden kann und diskutiert, wie weitere Techniken aus dem Bereich der Computer Vision eingesetzt werden können, um die Ergebnisse noch weiter zu verbessern.
Phytohormone abscisic acid elicits positive effects on harmaline‐induced cognitive and motor disturbances in a rat model of essential tremor
Authors: Shabani Mohammad , Naderi Reyhaneh
Published: April 2022

Objective

Essential tremor (ET) as a neurological disorder is accompanied by cognitive and motor disturbances. Despite the high incidence of ET, the drug treatment of ET remains unsatisfactory. Recently, abscisic acid (ABA) has been reported to have positive neurophysiological effects in mammals. Here, the effects of ABA on harmaline‐induced motor and cognitive impairments were investigated in rats.

Methods

Male Wistar rats weighing 120–140 g were divided into control, harmaline (30 mg/kg, ip), ABA vehicle (DMSO+normal saline), and ABA (10 μg/rat, icv, 30 min before harmaline injection) groups. Exploratory, balance and motor performance, anxiety, and cognitive function were assessed using footprint, open field, wire grip, rotarod, and shuttle box tests.

Results

The results indicated that ABA (10 μg/rat) can improve harmaline‐induced tremor in rats. The administration of ABA significantly increased time spent on wire grip and rotarod. In addition, ABA had a promising effect against the cognitive impairments induced by harmaline.

Conclusion

Taken together, ABA has positive effects on locomotor and cognitive impairments induced by tremor. However, further studies are required to determine the exact mechanisms of ABA on the ET.
Domperidone‐induced pityriasis rosea‐like drug eruption
Authors: Saad Sarra , Gammoudi Rima , Abdessayed Nihed , Denguezli Mohamed
Published: April 2022

Pityriasis rosea is a common, acute, self limiting inflammatory skin disease. Pityriasis rosea‐like eruptions (PR‐LE) have been reported after drugs. The clinical presentation of PR‐LE can be distinguished from pityriasis rosea. We reporte a 41‐year‐old woman who developed PR‐LE 5 days after administration domperidone.
Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in pregnancy with COVID‐19: A case report and literature review
Authors: Wazir Sameena , Shittu Saheed , Dukhan Khaled , Sharief Maram , Beer Stephen , Malik Waseem , Alansari Lolwa
Published: April 2022

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life‐threatening complication of diabetes and is considered a medical emergency. Euglycemic DKA (EKDA) is a variant of DKA with a normal or minimally elevated glucose level <200 mg/dl. The condition can be difficult to diagnose due to the relatively normal glucose levels. Pregnancy, infection, and a low‐calorie intake are some of the contributing common etiologies of EDKA. Despite a rapid increase in scientific publications on COVID‐19, there are still knowledge gaps regarding the course of COVID‐19 in some patient subset. This is especially the case for pregnant women. In this case report, we discuss the course of COVID‐19 infection in a pregnant woman with gestational diabetes who developed severe euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis triggered by various precipitating factors, including starvation, caused by COVID‐19 infection and its gastrointestinal effects.
Boron Modified Cu/Al2O3 Catalysts for the Selective Reductive Amination of Levulinic Acid to N‐Substituted Pyrrolidinones
Authors: Zeng Yuyao , Wang Bowei , Yan Fanyong , Xu Wensheng , Bai Guoyi , Li Yang , Yan Xilong , Chen Ligong
Published: April 2022

The reductive amination of biomass‐derived levulinic acid (LA) to value‐added N‐substituted pyrrolidinones with amine and molecular hydrogen over heterogeneous catalyst represents an atom‐economical and scalable route. In this paper, a series of boron doped Cu/Al2O3 catalysts via kneading and impregnation method are developed for the continuous reductive amination of LA. Compared with Cu/Al2O3, Cu10/AlB3O catalyst exhibits greatly improved catalytic performance for this reaction at low operation temperature. Structure‐property correlation investigations were performed with diverse characterization methods, and the results revealed that the excellent catalytic performance of boron doped Cu/Al2O3 catalysts was mainly attributed to the synergistic effect of its well‐dispersed Cu nanoparticles, appropriate surface Cu electronic state and surface acidic sites nearby. Besides, Cu10/AlB3O shows great stability during the reaction over 200 h. This work provides a low‐cost, efficient and environmentally friendly heterogeneous catalytic system for the continuous production of N‐substituted pyrrolidinones.
Two‐Dimensional Nitrogen‐Doped Ti3C2 Promoted Catalysis Performance of Silver Nanozyme for Ultrasensitive Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Zhu Beibei , An Dong , Bi Zhaoshun , Liu Wen , Shan Wei , Li Yonghai , Nie Guohui , Xie Ni , Al‐Hartomy Omar A. , Al‐Ghamdi Ahmed , Wageh Swelm. , Chen Wen , Bao Xichang , Gao Xiang , Zhang Han , Qiu Meng
Published: April 2022

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)‐based nanozyme sensors are gaining attention for rapid on‐site H2O2 detection, which is beneficial to disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring. However, the severe agglomeration of AgNPs on the electrodes significantly reduced electrochemical catalytic activity. In this work, we fabricated N‐doped Ti3C2 MXene (named Ag/N−Ti3C2) deposited with three‐dimensional flower‐like AgNPs to achieve ultrasensitive H2O2 detection. N doping strategy is employed to improve the conductivity of MXene, and the corresponding catalytic activity of Ag/N−Ti3C2 is enhanced by optimizing the growth process and morphology. The Ag/N−Ti3C2/glassy carbon electrode (Ag/N‐Ti3C2/GCE) sensor exhibited a wide H2O2 detection range (0.05–35 mM), a low limit detection (1.53 μM), and 3.1 % relative standard deviation in 50 repeated cyclic voltammetry measurements. The results above indicate that catalytic activity of metal nanozymes could be influenced by the substrate and both materials jointly determine the sensor's performance. As a result, N‐doped MXene is an attractive candidate for biological sensing and other electrocatalytic applications.
Conditional survival and long‐term efficacy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus sunitinib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Motzer Robert J. , McDermott David F. , Escudier Bernard , Burotto Mauricio , Choueiri Toni K. , Hammers Hans J. , Barthélémy Philippe , Plimack Elizabeth R. , Porta Camillo , George Saby , Powles Thomas , Donskov Frede , Gurney Howard , Kollmannsberger Christian K. , Grimm Marc‐Oliver , Barrios Carlos , Tomita Yoshihiko , Castellano Daniel , Grünwald Viktor , Rini Brian I. , McHenry M. Brent , Lee Chung‐Wei , McCarthy Jennifer , Ejzykowicz Flavia , Tannir Nizar M.
Published: April 2022

Background

Conditional survival estimates provide critical prognostic information for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC). Efficacy, safety, and conditional survival outcomes were assessed in CheckMate 214 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02231749) with a minimum follow‐up of 5 years.

Methods

Patients with untreated aRCC were randomized to receive nivolumab (NIVO) (3 mg/kg) plus ipilimumab (IPI) (1 mg/kg) every 3 weeks for 4 cycles, then either NIVO monotherapy or sunitinib (SUN) (50 mg) daily (four 6‐week cycles). Efficacy was assessed in intent‐to‐treat, International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium intermediate‐risk/poor‐risk, and favorable‐risk populations. Conditional survival outcomes (the probability of remaining alive, progression free, or in response 2 years beyond a specified landmark) were analyzed.

Results

The median follow‐up was 67.7 months; overall survival (median, 55.7 vs 38.4 months; hazard ratio, 0.72), progression‐free survival (median, 12.3 vs 12.3 months; hazard ratio, 0.86), and objective response (39.3% vs 32.4%) benefits were maintained with NIVO+IPI versus SUN, respectively, in intent‐to‐treat patients (N = 550 vs 546). Point estimates for 2‐year conditional overall survival beyond the 3‐year landmark were higher with NIVO+IPI versus SUN (intent‐to‐treat patients, 81% vs 72%; intermediate‐risk/poor‐risk patients, 79% vs 72%; favorable‐risk patients, 85% vs 72%). Conditional progression‐free survival and response point estimates were also higher beyond 3 years with NIVO+IPI. Point estimates for conditional overall survival were higher or remained steady at each subsequent year of survival with NIVO+IPI in patients stratified by tumor programmed death ligand 1 expression, grade ≥3 immune‐mediated adverse event experience, body mass index, and age.

Conclusions

Durable clinical benefits were observed with NIVO+IPI versus SUN at 5 years, the longest phase 3 follow‐up for a first‐line checkpoint inhibitor‐based combination in patients with aRCC. Conditional estimates indicate that most patients who remained alive or in response with NIVO+IPI at 3 years remained so at 5 years.
C−C Coupling of Aryl Chlorides and Reduction of Nitroarenes to Amines Employing Recyclable Heterogeneous Green Catalysts
Authors: Manna Krishna , Suresh Kumar Basuvaraj , Maity Tanmoy , Natarajan Srinivasan
Published: April 2022

Two new isostructural inorganic coordination polymers, [M(C14H8O6)(C10H8N2)2H2O)] ⋅ (C3H7NO), (M=Co, Ni) were prepared employing 2, 5‐bis(prop‐2‐yn‐1‐yloxy)terephthalic acid (2,5 BPTA) and 4,4′ bipyridine as ligands. The connectivity between the metal‐centers and the ligands give rise to a two‐dimensional layer structure. The Ni‐containing one has higher stability compared to the Co‐containing one. The Co‐containing compound, 1, was heated in Ar‐atmosphere to prepare Co‐nanoparticles, supported over graphitic carbon. The Co@C−T compounds were found to be active for the Bechamp reaction of reduction of nitroarenes to aminoarenes under solvent‐free condition with good yields and recyclability. The Ni‐containing compound, 2 was loaded with Pd‐nanoparticles by known procedures. The Pd@2 samples were found to be a good catalyst for the Suzuki‐Miyaura C−C coupling of chloroarenes in ethanol at 75 °C in good yield. The present work demonstrates a clean approach for the preparation of new heterogeneous catalysts for the reduction of nitroarenes and especially towards activating chloro‐arenes under recyclable reaction conditions. These catalysts and the reactions are green as the Bechamp reaction employing the Co@C−T catalysts was carried out under solvent‐free conditions and the Pd@2 catalysis employing environmentally benign ethanol.
Early detection of digital mammogram using kernel extreme learning machine
Authors: Bacha Sawcen , Ben Abdellafou Khawla , Aljuhani Ahamed , Taouali Okba , Liouane Noureddine
Published: April 2022

An automated computer‐assisted medical diagnosis that combines latest medical approaches and the advanced machine learning algorithms is a very crucial multidisciplinary technology, generating correct and noninvasive diagnoses of multiple diseases like breast cancer. The work proposed in this article focuses on the development of a biomedical computer‐assisted diagnosis model that can classify digital mammography as normal (healthy) or abnormal, and further, as malignant or benign. The proposed approach employs the discrete Chebyshev transform to extract the features. Then, the kernel principal component analysis technique is used to extract the discriminating features from the original feature vector. Subsequently, an optimized kernel extreme learning machine is proposed as a classifier to detect the tumors present in the mammographic images. Because the efficiency of the proposed classifier depends on its characteristic kernel variable, the main idea of the present work is to choose the most appropriate features from the downsized feature set and simultaneously obtain the optimized value of the aforementioned parameter. To validate the efficiency of the proposed work, the proposed scheme is performed on two publicly available data sets, namely the Mammographic Image Analysis Society data set and the INbreast data set. From the experimental analysis and its results, it is showed that for both normal–abnormal and malignant–benign classification, the proposed approach results in accuracy of 100% for the first data set. However, in the case of malignant–benign classification, the proposed approach gives an accuracy of 99.93% for the second data set. Further, it is also observed that the proposed approach exhibits highest performance as compared to that of the other approaches. Additionally, the ANOVA test is evaluated to demonstrate that the achievement of the proposed approach is significantly good than that of the other existing approaches.
The mediating effect of stock price crash risk on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and cost of equity moderated by state ownership: Moderated‐mediation analysis
Authors: Thuy Cao Thi Mien , Khuong Nguyen Vinh , Canh Nguyen Thi , Liem Nguyen Thanh
Published: April 2022

This paper investigates the roles that stock price crash risk and state ownership play in the relationship between CSR disclosure and cost of equity capital (COE). The research sample comprises 225 listed firms in Vietnam. We use GMM estimation technique and Sobel test to test the empirical hypotheses. To begin with, there is a complementary mediation effect of stock price crash risk in the relationship between CSR disclosure and COE. Notably, our study is the first empirical one to confirm that stock price crash risk serves as an intermediate in the above relationship. Second, state ownership strengthens the negative impact of CSR disclosure on COE significantly. The paper offers insight into how stock price crash risk and state ownership affect the merit of CSR disclosure towards firms' COE and how the lack of consideration of such factors could be the reason for the inconsistent findings in the previous studies.
Inhibition of CXXC5 function reverses obesity‐related metabolic diseases
Authors: Seo Seol Hwa , Kim Eunhwan , Lee Soung‐Hoon , Lee Yong‐ho , Han Dai Hoon , Go Hyesun , Seong Je Kyung , Choi Kang‐Yell
Published: April 2022

Background

Metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, have long been considered incurable, chronic conditions resulting from a variety of pathological conditions in obese patients. Growing evidence suggests the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway is a major pathway in adipose tissue remodelling, pancreatic β‐cell regeneration and energy expenditure through regulation of key metabolic target genes in various tissues. CXXC5‐type zinc finger protein 5 (CXXC5) is identified negative feedback regulator of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway that functions via Dishevelled (Dvl) binding.

Methods

Expression level of CXXC5 was characterised in clinical samples and diabetes‐induced mice model. Diabetes‐induced mice model was established by using high‐fat diet (HFD). HFD‐fed mice treated with KY19334, a small molecule inhibiting CXXC5‐Dvl protein–protein interaction (PPI), was used to assess the role of CXXC5 in metabolic diseases.

Results

Here, we show that CXXC5 is overexpressed with suppression of Wnt/β‐catenin signalling in visceral adipose tissues of patients with obesity‐related diabetes. Meanwhile, Cxxc5−/− mice fed an HFD exhibited resistance to metabolic dysregulation. KY19334 restores the lowered Wnt/β‐catenin signalling and reverses metabolic abnormalities as observed in HFD‐fed Cxxc5−/− mice. Administration of KY19334 on HFD‐fed mice had a long‐lasting glucose‐controlling effect through remodelling of adipocytes and regeneration of pancreatic β‐cells.

Conclusion

Overall, the inhibition of CXXC5 function by small molecule‐mediated interference of Dvl binding is a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of obesity‐related diabetes.