bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical Analysis of Corruption in Iran's Health Care System and Its Control Strategies
Authors: Joulaei Hassan , Bagheri Lankarani Kamran , Shahabi Saeed , Azizmohammadi Fatemeh , Keshavarzian Amir
Published: October 2021

Context: according to the corruption perceptions index (CPI) 2018, Iran ranked 148 among 183 countries. This position shows the crucial importance of considering corruption and its negative effect on Iran and its health care system. In this review, we aimed to shed the light on corrupt practices in Iran’s health care system and recommend some practical strategies to combat them. Evidence Acquisition: This is a narrative review based on Vian's conceptual model of corruption in the health sector to evaluate and analyze corruption in Iran's health system. Review of the literature and documents without any time limitation were conducted in several databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Farsi sources including Iran Medex, scientific information database )SID(, and Magiran, and also the official websites of the Ministry of Health and news agencies. Results: Unfortunately, to the best of our review, there is less published evidence about the extent and types of corruption in Iran's health system. Based on Vian’s model, reviewed literature revealed that Iran's health system is prone to corruption. This system is monopolistic and self-authorized, low transparent and accountable, and required law enforcement in many areas. Evidence to clarify the situation of citizen voice was not found. Conclusions: Based on this study, evidence shows corruption in financing, service provision, and resource generation of Iran's health system. It could affect not only performance of this system but also its responsiveness and effectiveness. To combat, Iran should apply multiple strategies such as; improving good governance, strengthening legal system over the health system, reducing monopoly and discretion stepwise and manageable, enhancing community participation, and finally updating ethics codes in the health system.
Association of Safety Climate and Chronic Multidimensional Occupational Fatigue in Nurses of Shahrekord Hospitals
Authors: Maghsoudipour Maryam , Akhlaghi Pirposhteh Elham , Azizi Fard Leila , Ghanbari Sagharloo Nastuna , Hosseini Foladi Shiva , Salehi Sahlabadi Ali , Soleimani Farsani Nasim
Published: October 2021

Background: Nursing is associated with many stressful situations that can cause problems such as fatigue, reduced quantity and quality of patient care, as well as physical and mental illness. Safety climate is one of the most important indicators of safety management performance that evaluates employees' attitudes toward safety issues. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between safety climate and occupational fatigue in nurses. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on nurses working in hospitals affiliated with Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 2018. We selected 216 nurses by a proportional quota sampling method. A demographic questionnaire, the nurses' safety climate questionnaire designed by the USA, and the occupational fatigue questionnaire designed by Sweden were used to collect information. The validity and reliability of the questionnaires were confirmed. Statistical tests for two independent samples, analysis of variance, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data by SPSS version 21 software. Results: The results showed that the mean scores of occupational fatigue and safety climate were 72.23 ± 7.75 and 3.46 ± 0.305, respectively, and 72.23% of nurses reported occupational fatigue. There was no significant relationship between safety climate and the education level, gender, and job satisfaction (P < 0.05). Also, there was no significant relationship between occupational fatigue and job satisfaction and education (P < 0.05), but there was a significant relationship between job satisfaction and gender, age, and marital status (P < 0.05). Having a second job by nurses increased their occupational fatigue by 19%. The effect of safety climate on occupational fatigue was about -0.09. Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that demographic variables have significant effects on occupational fatigue, and increasing the safety climate can reduce employees’ occupational fatigue.
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state as the first manifestation of type 1 diabetes mellitus in an adolescent male: a case report
Authors: Chun Sang Hoon , Lee Hae Sang , Hwang Jin Soon
Published: October 2021

A hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) is a life-threatening complication rarely seen in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). However, early diagnosis and proper treatment are vital to reduce the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with HHS. We describe a male patient who presented with polydipsia, polyuria, and a drowsy mental status. His initial biochemistry results demonstrated severe hyperglycemia (1,456 mg/dL), hyperosmolarity of 359 mOsm/kg (effective osmolarity, 323 mOsm/kg), and mild acidosis (venous pH, 7.327). The patient was diagnosed with HHS and T1DM based on the presence of hyperosmolarity, hyperglycemia, and positivity for antiglutamic acid antibodies. Intensive intravenous fluid and regular insulin (0.025 units/kg/hr) were administered. After hydration and insulin treatment, the patient's mental status and serum glucose and sodium levels improved, and no neurological complications were observed. In summary, most cases of HHS are observed in adult patients with type 2 diabetes. However, occurrences in children and adolescents with T1DM have also been reported. Therefore, HHS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hyperglycemic emergencies.
Tailored management of life-threatening complications related to severe obesity in a young adult with Prader-Willi syndrome
Authors: Kim Min-Sun , Kim Jiyeon , Cho Joongbum , Cho Sung Yoon , Jin Dong-Kyu
Published: October 2021

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is characterized by hypotonia, distinctive facial features, hyperphagia, obesity, short stature, hypogonadism, intellectual disability, and behavior problems. Uncontrolled hyperphagia can lead to dangerous food-seeking behavior and with life-threatening obesity. Severe obesity is prone to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and can lead to cor pulmonale. This study reports on a case involving a 21-year-old man with PWS who developed OSA due to severe obesity, which led to cor pulmonale, a life-threatening complication. Multidisciplinary care provided in the intensive care unit included weight reduction, ventilation support, antipsychotics, sedative drugs, rehabilitation, and meticulous skin care. The patient did recover. To prevent severe obesity in adults with PWS, hyperphagia must be controlled, and the patient must also be managed by an endocrinologist throughout childhood.
How Online Business School Instructors Address Academic Integrity Violations
Authors:   Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Nelson Darrin
Published: October 2021

While online learning has dramatically increased over the past few years, so have opportunities for students to cheat, plagiarize, or commit other academic integrity violations in the online learning environment. Some online instructors effectively address these issues, while others do not. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how online business school instructors address academic integrity violations. To examine in what manner academic integrity issues were being addressed in the online classroom, 12 teachers at a university located in Florida were interviewed to obtain their perspectives and instructional practices regarding academic integrity online. Results indicate all participants believe it is their job to prevent academic integrity violations; however, only two instructors have reported it through school administrators, with many participants deciding to address the issue in their own classroom and not report it outside to school leadership for help addressing the issue. The importance of this study shows that most online instructors are doing what they believe is their best to address integrity violations; however, they may be promoting it by not reporting it outside of the classroom to school administration.
Metacognitive Aspects Influencing Help-Seeking Behavior on Collaborative Online Learning Environment: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors:   Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Islam 45, Sumadyo Malikus , Santoso Harry , Sensuse Dana , Suhartanto Heru
Published: October 2021

Metacognition has recently been used as an aspect of assessment in the development of learning, given the importance of this aspect in improving the ability to solve problems. Collaborative online learning is a recommended form of learning because of the existence of peer interaction. Higher interaction frequency will improve the process of knowledge construction for an individual student. This process occurs because metacognition activities are getting better. Metacognition skills are also closely associated with help-seeking behavior. This article is a systematic review of research conducted from 2009 to 2019 related to collaborative online learning, help-seeking behavior, and metacognitive skills. The purpose of this review is to identify and analyze the role of help-seeking behavior and the aspects of metacognitive skills developed in collaborative online learning. The results of the review show that there are various metacognitive aspects related to help-seeking behavior, and in the context of collaborative online learning, a variety of metacognitive aspects that are used to assess help-seeking behavior are found. Recommendations are also given at the end of this review.
Usability of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): Malaysian Undergraduates’ Perspective
Authors: Syahid Adi Syahid , Kamri Khairol , Azizan Siti
Published: October 2021

Nowadays, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have gained popularity in a blended learning approach at educational institutions around the world. Despite this, little research exists on the students’ experiences and emerging challenges with the implementation of this online learning platform in higher education settings, particularly from the Malaysian perspective. In line with this need, this study was conducted to evaluate the usability of MOOC-Open Learning based on the undergraduate students’ perception. Utilizing the quantitative approach, a survey was disseminated through the online approach to students undertaking various undergraduate programs in a public university, namely Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). The study findings revealed that there were generally moderate levels of positive perceptions among the respondents towards all usability aspects of MOOC-Open Learning in supporting their learning process, i.e. in terms of usefulness, ease of use, ease of learning, and satisfaction. As an implication, this study highlighted that respondents’ significant level of uncertainties towards the usability of MOOC -Open Learning and the emerging challenges may require further exploration.
Increasing Pedagogical Training for Online Faculty: The Importance of Developing Culturally Responsive Practices
Authors:   Governors State University, Cummings Marlon , Kidan Keisha ,   Governors State University
Published: October 2021

Universities are increasingly moving more classes to online environments compelling programs to rethink how content traditionally taught face-to-face could be moved to an online environment. This trend is particularly challenging, for both novice and experienced faculty, as diverse student bodies make it necessary for faculty to engage in more meaningful, culturally responsive ways. Thus, as universities increase their online courses, faculty and instructors will be confronted with the challenge of providing this cultural responsiveness in an online environment. Using faculty interviews, this research examined the need for increased focus on professional development for online faculty, and highlight the need for strengthening the development of pedagogical strategies around cultural responsiveness for faculty teaching in and transitioning courses to online environments.
Effect of Student Satisfaction on e-learning Quality and Learning Outcome Among Malaysian Undergraduate Nursing Students
Authors:   International Medical University (IMU), Ching Chang Woan , Maarof Nooreiny ,   Asia eUniversity (AeU), Selangor, Malaysia, Lumpu Kuala ,   Asia eUniversity (AeU), Selangor, Malaysia
Published: October 2021

E-learning has become an important and ubiquitous instructional tool across a broad range of programmes in institutions of higher education (IHE). For instance, this is evident today in nursing education whereby e-learning in a blended mode approach provides both enormous and flexible opportunities for working nurses to further their education and to engage in continuous professional development for life-long learning. A pilot study was conducted to test the feasibility of participant recruitment, data collection process, and online survey in an e-learning education programme in Malaysia. The conceptual framework developed for the study was based on DeLone and McLean Information Systems Success Model to examine any mediation effect of student satisfaction on e-learning quality and learning outcome among nursing undergraduates in a local e-learning programme. The Partial Least Squares approach was used to analyse the possible effects on the relationships among the variables studied. The exploration process to determine the feasibility of the preliminary online survey has helped to contribute to the main study to be conducted in an e-learning nursing context. The findings revealed that there were significant relationships between the dimensions of system quality and service quality with student satisfaction and learning outcome. The results showed that there was a mediating effect of student satisfaction on the relationship between e-learning quality and learning outcome. The study emphasises the importance for an initial understanding of the learning environmental needs of learners to provide a credible and meaningful learning experience for working nurses in e-learning nursing programmes.
Motivational Emails in Distance University
Authors:   Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia -UNED, Parte Laura , Mellado Lucía ,   Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia -UNED
Published: October 2021

Interactions between instructors and students at distance learning universities are crucial in motivating students and enhancing learning outcomes. Although prior empirical studies have examined email messages at distance learning universities from different perspectives, this is the first study, to the best of our knowledge, to explore the effectiveness of emails considering students’ profiles and their behavior on learning platforms. Specifically, we differentiate between students who are “active” in virtual courses (called “active” students) and students who are “nonactive” in virtual courses (called “inactive” students) in order to design email content and motivate students. Focusing on this differentiation and a control group, we investigate in a Managerial Accounting for Tourism course the effectiveness of motivational emails to: (a) engage students in the virtual course, (b) detect similar behaviors according to sociodemographic characteristics, and (c) influence learning outcomes.
Effective Practices in Facilitating Non-Traditional Adult Learners' Dissertation Writing in an Online Doctoral Program
Authors: Jiang Mei , Munoz Ava , Arrambide Melissa
Published: October 2021

To address the challenges nontraditional adult doctoral learners face in completing dissertations online, we reflect on the effective practices utilized in an online doctoral-level educational leadership program at a public university in the United States. This paper focused on two major topics: 1) how to prepare students to write a dissertation through coursework based on the Competency-based Education (CBE) theory; and 2) how to build relationships between mentors and students writing dissertations based on the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework. The theoretically founded practices based on CBE and CoI must be utilized in building an interactive, collaborative online learning community.
Timeliness Measures and Academic Permanence in an Online Quantitative Reasoning Course
Authors:   Walden University, Rohrer James
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this retrospective study was to test the association of simple timeliness measures with academic performance in an online quantitative reasoning course using data extracted from gradebooks (N=157). Guided by the Social Cognitive Model, timeliness was assumed to be a consistent behavior chosen by the student based on personal goals and social patterning. Submission of assignments early in the first four weeks of the term proved to be a significant predictor of the final percentage grades (mean difference=5.02, p =0.006). Submitting assignments just-in-time was not significantly related to the final percentage grade. The significance of early submission of assignments persisted after adjusting for the effects of failing status. The results are useful for targeting students who may benefit from encouragement in the form of personal messages from the instructor.
High‐Speed Electroluminescence Modulation in Monolayer WS2
Authors: Kwak Dohyun , Paur Matthias , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Mueller Thomas
Published: October 2021

The high‐speed modulation of the nanoscale light sources is of fundamental interest in nanophotonics. Here, electrically driven light emission from a metal–insulator–semiconductor heterostructure consisting of graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN), and monolayer tungsten disulfide (WS2) is demonstrated. Electroluminescence in these devices originates from radiative recombination of majority carriers (electrons) accumulated by electrostatic doping and hot minority carriers (holes) injected into monolayer WS2 from graphene through an ultrathin h‐BN tunnel barrier. The devices are electrically driven with a radio frequency signal and electrical modulation of the light emission at frequencies up to 1.5 GHz is demonstrated. The high‐speed WS2 tunnel diodes provide a promising path for on‐chip nanophotonics.
A single‐center retrospective study comparing 1‐day and 3‐day low‐residue diets for bowel preparation
Authors: Yeh Jen‐Hao , Wu Tsung‐Chin , Hsiao Po‐Jen , Perng Daw‐Shyong , Chen Jen‐Chieh , Lo Gin‐Ho , Hsu Chia‐Chang , Lin Chih‐Wen
Published: October 2021

A low‐residue diet (LRD) is recommended as part of bowel preparation before a colonoscopy. However, the optimal duration of the LRD is unclear. A retrospective cross‐sectional study was therefore conducted at E‐Da Dachang Hospital. We compared bowel preparations using the Aronchick score and other quality metrics during two consecutive periods: May 2019 to December 2019 (3‐day LRD) and January 2020 to August 2020 (1‐day LRD). A total of 2823 patients were enrolled (1592 in the 3‐day LRD group and 1231 in the 1‐day LRD group). The most common bowel cleansing agent was sodium picosulfate and magnesium citrate (SPMC, 84.2%), followed by polyethylene glycol (PEG, 10.0%) and sodium phosphate (5.8%). Compared with patients in the 3‐day LRD group, patients in the 1‐day LRD group had higher SPMC use (88.1% vs 81.3%, P < .001) and supplemental laxative use (25.9% vs 19.3%, P < .001). The proportion of adequate bowel preparation (84.2% vs 85.1%, P = .563), cecal intubation rate, adenoma detection rate, and right‐side adenoma detection rate were not significantly different between 1‐day LRD and 3‐day LRD groups. More advanced adenomas (5.9% vs 3.4%, P = .002) and sessile serrated lesions (8.9% vs 6.3%, P = .014) were observed in the 1‐day LRD group. In addition, the types of laxatives (SPMC, sodium phosphate, and PEG) and the use of supplemental laxatives did not affect bowel preparation scores. In conclusion, a 1‐day LRD led to bowel preparation similar to that achieved through a 3‐day LRD regardless of the type of primary cleansing agent or the use of supplemental laxatives.
Advanced sensor technologies and the future of work
Authors: Howard John , Murashov Vladimir , Cauda Emanuele , Snawder John
Published: October 2021

Exposure science is fundamental to the field of occupational safety and health. The measurement of worker exposures to hazardous agents informs effective workplace risk mitigation strategies. The modern era of occupational exposure measurement began with the invention of the personal sampling device, which is still widely used today in the practice of occupational hygiene. Newer direct‐reading sensor devices are incorporating recent advances in transducers, nanomaterials, electronics miniaturization, portability, batteries with high‐power density, wireless communication, energy‐efficient microprocessing, and display technology to usher in a new era in exposure science. Commercial applications of new sensor technologies have led to a variety of health and lifestyle management devices for everyday life. These applications are also being investigated as tools to measure occupational and environmental exposures. As the next‐generation placeable, wearable, and implantable sensor technologies move from the research laboratory to the workplace, their role in the future of work will be of increasing importance to employers, workers, and occupational safety and health researchers and practitioners. This commentary discusses some of the benefits and challenges of placeable, wearable, and implantable sensor technologies in the future of work.
The novel and recurrent variants in exon 31 of CREBBP in Japanese patients with Menke–Hennekam syndrome
Authors: Nishi Eriko , Takenouchi Toshiki , Miya Fuyuki , Uehara Tomoko , Yanagi Kumiko , Hasegawa Yuiko , Ueda Kimiko , Mizuno Seiji , Kaname Tadashi , Kosaki Kenjiro , Okamoto Nobuhiko
Published: October 2021

Menke–Hennekam syndrome‐1 (MKHK1) is a congenital disorder caused by the heterozygous variants in exon 30 or 31 of CREBBP (CREB binding protein) gene mapped on 16p13.3. It is characterized by psychomotor delay, variable impairment of intellectual disability (ID), feeding difficulty, autistic behavior, hearing impairment, short stature, microcephaly, and facial dysmorphisms. The CREBBP loss‐of‐function variants cause Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome‐1 (RSTS1). The function of CREBBP leading to MKHK1 has not been clarified so far, and the phenotype of MKHK1 significantly differs from that of RSTS1. We examined six patients with de novo pathogenic variants affecting the last exon of CREBBP, and they shared the clinical features of MKHK1. This study revealed that one frameshift and three nonsense variants of CREBBP cause MKHK1, and inferred that the nonsense variants of the last exon could further help in the elucidation of the etiology of MKHK1.
Ermüdungsverhalten von Kopfbolzen in Beton‐ und Verbundkonstruktionen
Authors: Fröhlich Thilo , Hofmann Jan , Ziwes Maximilian , Kuhlmann Ulrike
Published: October 2021

Für die Ermüdungsfestigkeit von Kopfbolzen zur Übertragung von Schubkräften in Verbundkonstruktionen stehen in Eurocode 4 normierte Wöhlerlinien zur Verfügung, die auf zahlreichen Schwingversuchen an Push‐out‐Körpern beruhen. Dagegen liegen in der Befestigungstechnik für an Ankerplatten geschweißte Kopfbolzen, bei denen neben Schub auch relevante Zugkräfte wirken, bisher nur wenige Kenntnisse vor, sodass deren Verwendung bei zyklischer Belastung derzeit nicht ausreichend geregelt ist. Im Rahmen eines aktuellen Forschungsvorhabens wurden experimentelle Untersuchungen an Einzelbefestigungen mit einbetonierten Kopfbolzen im Hinblick auf Stahlversagen durchgeführt. Die erzielten Versuchsergebnisse werden vorgestellt und daraus Ermüdungsfestigkeiten unter Zug‐ und Querbelastung abgeleitet. Auf Basis einer umfangreichen Versuchsdatenbank aus dem Verbundbau werden abschließend die Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede im Vergleich zum Tragverhalten von Verbundmitteln diskutiert.
Protection of germline immortality by the soma via a secreted endoribonuclease
Authors: Qi Wenjing , Xu Fan , Heimbucher Thomas , Baumeister Ralf
Published: October 2021

In sexually reproducing organisms maintenance of germ stem cell immortality is fundamental for transmitting genetic material to future generations. While previous research has mainly considered intrinsic regulatory mechanisms in the germline, our recent study has found a direct contribution of somatic cells in preserving germline immortality via the somatically expressed endoribonuclease ENDU‐2 in Caenorhabditis elegans. We have identified ENDU‐2 as a secreted protein that can be taken up by the germline. Here, we discuss how ENDU‐2 might uncouple its RNA‐binding and RNA‐cleavage activities to control gene expression via either an endoribonuclease dependent or an independent way. We also speculate on a possible functional conservation of its mammalian homologs in mediating cell‐cell communication as well as its potential significance in understanding human pathogenesis such as cancer development.
Engaging rural communities in cancer prevention and control research: Development and preliminary insights from a community‐based research registry
Authors: Thomson Maria D. , Williams April R. , Sutton Arnethea L. , Tossas Katherine Y. , Garrett Charlotte , Sheppard Vanessa B.
Published: October 2021

Objective

To report on the development and preliminary findings of a community‐based cancer registry, including the community‐engaged approach to recruitment, participant profile, and distribution of cancer risk factors by race/ethnicity and geography.

Methods

Community outreach and engagement best practices were used to recruit a diverse convenience sample of Virginia residents (≥18 years) that oversampled residents living in rural areas, defined as Rural‐Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC) 4–9 and African American (AA)/Black residents. Multiple survey administration methods included electronic (e‐survey) and in‐person survey by community‐based staff.

Results

At the time of this analysis, 595 participants are enrolled; 73% are rural, 46% are AA/Black. AA/Black participants reported similar education but lower income (p < 0.01) and health literacy (p < 0.01), lower alcohol use (p < 0.001), fewer sedentary behaviors (p = 0.01), but greater BMI (p < 0.05) compared to White participants. Rural residents reported significantly lower household income (p < 0.001) and greater use of Medicaid (p = 0.01) compared to urban participants. Biennial mammography was reported by 82% of women aged 45–74 years old and colonoscopy by 77% of participants ≥50 years old. Tobacco use was reported by 17%; no differences in cancer screening or tobacco use were identified by geography or by race.

Conclusion and relevance

Community engagement strategies successfully enrolled diverse residents within the cancer service area. AA/Black participants reported fewer cancer risk behaviors, similar educational attainment but lower income and health literacy compared to White respondents. Nuanced examinations of interactions among multilevel factors are needed to understand how individual, community, and institutional factors converge to maintain cancer disparities among AA/Black Virginians. Additional findings indicate a need for tobacco cessation, lung cancer screening, obesity treatment, and prevention initiatives.
Trans‐cervical carotid artery stenting associated with open surgical repair of carotid artery pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Mansoor Tayyaub , El Sherif Mohamed , Fahy Brian , Kiernan Aoife , O Neill Sean
Published: October 2021

Pseudoaneurysm post carotid artery endarterectomy is uncommon but with employment of a combined technique of trans‐cervical carotid artery stenting with open repair can lead to a successful outcome.
Control of Protonated Schiff Base Excited State Decay within Visual Protein Mimics: A Unified Model for Retinal Chromophores
Authors: Demoulin Baptiste , Maiuri Margherita , Berbasova Tetyana , Geiger James H. , Borhan Babak , Garavelli Marco , Cerullo Giulio , Rivalta Ivan
Published: October 2021

Artificial biomimetic chromophore‐protein complexes inspired by natural visual pigments can feature color tunability across the full visible spectrum. However, control of excited state dynamics of the retinal chromophore, which is of paramount importance for technological applications, is lacking due to its complex and subtle photophysics/photochemistry. Here, ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics simulations are combined for the study of highly tunable rhodopsin mimics, as compared to retinal chromophores in solution. Conical intersections and transient fluorescent intermediates are identified with atomistic resolution, providing unambiguous assignment of their ultrafast excited state absorption features. The results point out that the electrostatic environment of the chromophore, modified by protein point mutations, affects its excited state properties allowing control of its photophysics with same power of chemical modifications of the chromophore. The complex nature of such fine control is a fundamental knowledge for the design of bio‐mimetic opto‐electronic and photonic devices.
Emerging Design Principle of Near‐Infrared Upconversion Sensitizer Based on Mitochondria‐Targeted Organic Dye for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Tian Ruisong , Wang Chao , Chi Weijie , Fan Jiangli , Du Jianjun , Long Saran , Guo Lianying , Liu Xiaogang , Peng Xiaojun
Published: October 2021

Upconversion luminescent (UCL) triggered photodynamic therapy (PDT) affords superior outcome for cancer treatment. However, conventional UCL materials which all work by a multiphoton absorption (MPA) process inevitably need extremely high power density far over the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) to laser. Here, a one‐photon absorption molecular upconversion sensitizer Cy5.5‐Br based on frequency upconversion luminescent (FUCL) is designed for PDT. The unusual super heavy atom effect (SHAE) in Cy5.5‐Br strongly enhances its spin‐orbit coupling (0.23 cm−1), triplet quantum yield (11.1 %) and triplet state lifetime (18.8 μs) while the potential hot‐band absorption of Cy5.5‐Br is well maintained. Importantly, Cy5.5‐Br can efficiently target the tumour site and kill cancer cells by destroying mitochondria under a biosafety MPE to 808 nm laser. The photostability and antitumor results are obviously superior to that of a Stokes process. This work provides a design criterion for FUCL dyes to realize effective PDT upon a biosafety optical density, possibly bringing more clinical benefits than conventional MPA materials.
Rhodium Indenyl NHC and Fluorenyl‐Tethered NHC Half‐Sandwich Complexes: Synthesis, Structures and Applications in the Catalytic C−H Borylation of Arenes and Alkanes
Authors: Evans Kieren J. , Morton Paul A. , Luz Christian , Miller Callum , Raine Olivia , Lynam Jason M. , Mansell Stephen M.
Published: October 2021

Indenyl (Ind) rhodium N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes [Rh(η5‐Ind)(NHC)(L)] were synthesised for 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐2‐ylidene (SIPr) with L=C2H4 (1), CO (2 a) and cyclooctene (COE; 3), for 1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)‐4,5‐dihydroimidazol‐2‐ylidene (SIMes) with L=CO (2 b) and COE (4), and 1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene (IMes) with L=CO (2 c) and COE (5). Reaction of SIPr with [Rh(Cp*)(C2H4)2] did not give the desired SIPr complex, thus demonstrating the “indenyl effect” in the synthesis of 1. Oxidative addition of HSi(OEt)3 to 3 proceeded under mild conditions to give the Rh silyl hydride complex [Rh(Ind){Si(OEt)3}(H)(SIPr)] (6) with loss of COE. Tethered‐fluorenyl NHC rhodium complexes [Rh{(η5‐C13H8)C2H4N(C)C2HxNR}(L)] (x=4, R=Dipp, L=C2H4: 11; L=COE: 12; L=CO: 13; R=Mes, L=COE: 14; L=CO: 15; x=2, R=Me, L=COE: 16; L=CO: 17) were synthesised in low yields (5–31 %) in comparison to good yields for the monodentate complexes (49–79 %). Compounds 3 and 1, which contain labile alkene ligands, were successful catalysts for the catalytic borylation of benzene with B2pin2 (Bpin=pinacolboronate, 97 and 93 % PhBpin respectively with 5 mol % catalyst, 24 h, 80 °C), with SIPr giving a more active catalyst than SIMes or IMes. Fluorenyl‐tethered NHC complexes were much less active as borylation catalysts, and the carbonyl complexes were inactive. The borylation of toluene, biphenyl, anisole and diphenyl ether proceeded to give meta substitutions as the major product, with smaller amounts of para substitution and almost no ortho product. The borylation of octane and decane with B2pin2 at 120 and 140 °C, respectively, was monitored by 11B NMR spectroscopy, which showed high conversions into octyl and decylBpin over 4–7 days, thus demonstrating catalysed sp3 C−H borylation with new piano stool rhodium indenyl complexes. Irradiation of the monodentate complexes with 400 or 420 nm light confirmed the ready dissociation of C2H4 and COE ligands, whereas CO complexes were inert. Evidence for C−H bond activation in the alkyl groups of the NHC ligands was obtained.
In Situ Synthesis of CoCeSx Bimetallic Sulfide Nanoparticles on a Bi‐Pyrene Terminated Molecular Wire Modified Graphene Surface for Supercapacitors
Authors: Huang Wenjun , Zhang Aitang , Fu Hucheng , Zhang Maozhuang , Cheng Wenting , Barrow Colin J. , Yang Wenrong , Liu Jingquan
Published: October 2021

The excellent electrical conductivity of graphene is due to its highly‐conjugated structures. Manipulation of the electronic and mechanical properties of graphene can be achieved by controlling the destruction of its in‐sheet conjugation system. Herein, we report the preparation of CoCeSx−SA@BPMW@RGO through π‐π stacking interactions at the molecular level. In this study, sodium alginate was reacted with Co2+ and Ce3+, and the composite was loaded onto a graphene surface. The graphene sheets were prepared using a bi‐pyrene terminated molecular wire (BPMW) to avoid re‐stacking of the grapheme sheets, thereby forming nanoscale spaces between sheets. The angle between the BPMW coplanar pyrene group and the phenyl group was 33.2°, and the graphene layer is supported in an oblique direction. Finally, a three‐dimensional porous composite was obtained after annealing and vulcanization. The obtained CoCeSx−SA@BPMW@RGO exhibited excellent electrical conductivity and remarkable cycle stability. When the current density was 1 A g−1, its specific capacitance was as high as 1004 F g−1. BPMW modifies graphene through the synergistic effect of π‐π stacking interaction and special structure to obtain excellent electrochemical performance. Moreover, a solid‐state asymmetric supercapacitor device was fabricated based on the synthesized CoCeSx−SA@BPMW@RGO hybrid, which exhibited a power density of 979 W kg−1 at an energy density of 23.96 Wh kg−1.
4‐Phosphoryl Pyrazolones for Highly Selective Lithium Separation from Alkali Metal Ions
Authors: Zhang Jianfeng , Wenzel Marco , Steup Johannes , Schaper Gerrit , Hennersdorf Felix , Du Hao , Zheng Shili , Lindoy Leonard F. , Weigand Jan J.
Published: October 2021

Effective receptors for the separation of Li+ from a mixture with other alkali metal ions under mild conditions remains an important challenge that could benefit from new approaches. In this study, it is demonstrated that the 4‐phosphoryl pyrazolones, HL2‐HL4, in the presence of the typical industrial organophosphorus co‐ligands tributylphosphine oxide (TBPO), tributylphosphate (TBP) and trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO), are able to selectively recognise and extract lithium ions from aqueous solution. Structural investigations in solution as well as in the solid state reveal the existence of a series of multinuclear Li+ complexes that include dimers (TBPO, TBP) as well as rarely observed trimers (TOPO) and represent the first clear evidence for the synergistic role of the co‐ligands in the extraction process. Our findings are supported by detailed NMR, MS and extraction studies. Liquid‐liquid extraction in the presence of TOPO revealed an unprecedented high Li+ extraction efficiency (78 %) for HL4 compared to the use of the industrially employed acylpyrazolone HL1 (15 %) and benzoyl‐1,1,1‐trifluoroacetone (52 %) extractants. In addition, a high selectivity for Li+ over Na+, K+ and Cs+ under mild conditions (pH ∼8.2) confirms that HL2‐HL4 represent a new class of ligands that are very effective extractants for use in lithium separation.
Heterogeneity of magnitude, allergen immunodominance, and cytokine polarization of cockroach allergen‐specific T cell responses in allergic sensitized children
Authors: da Silva Antunes Ricardo , Sutherland Aaron , Frazier April , Schulten Veronique , Pomés Anna , Glesner Jill , Calatroni Agustin , Altman Matthew C. , Wood Robert A. , O'Connor George T. , Pongracic Jacqueline A. , Khurana Hershey Gurjit K. , Kercsmar Carolyn M. , Gruchalla Rebecca S. , Gill Michelle , Liu Andrew H. , Zoratti Edward , Kattan Meyer , Busse Paula J. , Bacharier Leonard B. , Teach Stephen J. , Wheatley Lisa M. , Togias Alkis , Busse William W. , Jackson Daniel J. , Sette Alessandro
Published: October 2021

Background

Characterization of allergic responses to cockroach (CR), a common aeroallergen associated with asthma, has focused mainly on IgE reactivity, but little is known about T cell responses, particularly in children. We conducted a functional evaluation of CR allergen‐specific T cell reactivity in a cohort of CR allergic children with asthma.

Methods

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from 71 children, with mild‐to‐moderate asthma who were enrolled in a CR immunotherapy (IT) clinical trial, prior to treatment initiation. PBMC were stimulated with peptide pools derived from 11 CR allergens, and CD4+ T cell responses assessed by intracellular cytokine staining.

Results

Highly heterogeneous responses in T cell reactivity were observed among participants, both in terms of the magnitude of cytokine response and allergen immunodominance. Reactivity against Bla g 9 and Bla g 5 was most frequent. The phenotype of the T cell response was dominated by IL‐4 production and a Th2 polarized profile in 54.9% of participants, but IFNγ production and Th1 polarization was observed in 25.3% of the participants. The numbers of regulatory CD4+ T cells were also highly variable and the magnitude of effector responses and Th2 polarization were positively correlated with serum IgE levels specific to a clinical CR extract.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that in children with mild‐to‐moderate asthma, CR‐specific T cell responses display a wide range of magnitude, allergen dominance, and polarization. These results will enable examination of whether any of the variables measured are affected by IT and/or are predictive of clinical outcomes.
Rooting out the weeds that bind: Disemboweling the devil after 2020
Authors: Wilkinson Annie
Published: October 2021

Year‐end rituals give arbitrary transitions meaning, facilitate collective mourning or sensemaking, enable closure or catharsis, or, alternatively, their refusal. Through a blend of creative fiction and feminist auto‐ethnography, this essay observes the end of 2020 with a both/and offer: a medium for processing the collective trauma of 2020, the Year of the Bindweed, and an invitation to whimsically imagine the otherwise in the insurgent thallopower of 2021, the Year of the Mushroom. As I strive to uproot its endless twists and turns through 2020, I follow the bindweed's path from Minneapolis to Mars and back as it courses through countless crises named and unnamed only to wind up back in my garden. There I find that this Convolvulus arvensis is deeply rooted in an entangled system of White supremacy, heteropatriarchy, imperialism, and capitalism, regenerating itself with no clear beginning or end to weed out or unravel. Theorizing in “ex‐centric sites” (Harrison 2016), this essay is the compost pile of my ethnographic work on anti‐feminism and right‐wing populism. Drawing allegories from the garden as another way of knowing (Jones 2000), it “centers an embodied feminist ethos” (Berry et al. 2017) in a form fugitive to the conventional modalities of academic theory‐making. [Corrections added on 25 October 2021 after first online publication: The abstract was added to the article.]
Impacts of case‐based payments reform on healthcare providers' behaviour on cataract surgery in a tertiary hospital in China: An eight‐year retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Lingli , Sun Lihua
Published: October 2021

Background

Case‐based payment has extensively been adopted to replace the fee‐for‐service payment in China. This paper aims to assess the impacts of case‐based payment reform on the providers' behaviour using cataract surgery as an example.

Methods

A total of 400 cataract inpatients were sampled in a tertiary hospital. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank‐sum test and Chi‐square test.

Results

The number of routine preoperative laboratory tests and drugs significantly declined after the case‐based payment reform (p < 0.001). Healthcare providers significantly reduced the use frequency of systemic glucocorticoids (GCs) and antibiotics, adjuvant drugs, multiple antibiotic eye drops, generic drugs in cataract surgery after reform (p < 0.001), and they reduced non‐ophthalmic medications after reform (p < 0.01). Notably, all patients were prescribed GC eye drops, antibiotic eye drops, and original drugs in both groups. Moreover, the preoperative, postoperative, and total length of stay (LOS) declined after the reform (p < 0.001). Nonetheless, no significant difference was noted in the care quality between the two group.

Conclusion

The case‐based payment reform decreased the intensity of care by reducing unnecessary drugs and retaining necessary drugs on cataract surgery. Besides, the LOS was shortened. Further, an impaired care quality was not witnessed, however, cost‐shifting warrants further attention.
Existence of normalized solutions for the coupled Hartree–Fock type system
Authors: Wang Jun
Published: October 2021

Standing waves solutions for a coupled Hartree–Fock type nonlocal elliptic system are considered. This nonlocal type problem was considered in the basic quantum chemistry model of small number of electrons interacting with static nucleii which can be approximated by Hartree or Hartree–Fock minimization problems. First, we prove the existence of normalized solutions for different ranges of the positive (attractive case) coupling parameter for the stationary system. Then we extend the results to systems with an arbitrary number of components. Finally, the orbital stability of the corresponding solitary waves for the related nonlocal elliptic system is also considered.
Determination of dielectric properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composite using adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system
Authors: Prashanth P.V.S.H. , Jayamani E. , Soon K.H. , Wong Y.
Published: October 2021

In this study, the dielectric properties of polylactic acid reinforced with natural fibers are objectified by using adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). This method is considered to be economically feasible as compared to fabricating dielectric samples and measuring dielectric properties with apt operating conditions and advanced equipment. Also, past research has focused primarily on polymer dielectric properties which does not involve any natural fiber inclusion, such that this research will focus on producing ANFIS models for natural fibers which will then be used to calculate dielectric permittivity (
), dielectric loss (
) with respect to frequency dependencies. Furthermore, experimental results of dielectric constants and losses of polylactic acid (PLA) based composites will be analyzed from past research which used physical techniques to fabricate composites and will be compared with the results from ANFIS models. It was found that error computation of both the properties are found to be low and the percentage difference in output data is considered less. In addition, the ANFIS neural network had predicted most of the data that was trained, and the crisp output values were found to correlate with the experimental dielectric properties which makes this prediction model possible to use as an alternative approach to fabricating composites and testing.
An atomistic investigation into water adsorption behavior on the surfaces of quartz (001) and calcite (001)
Authors: Khosravi V. , Mahmood S.M. , Hosseini S.J. , Rostami A.
Published: October 2021

The adsorption measurement of various substances in presence of the reservoir minerals has been investigated in the last few years to describe the existing phenomena in the oil and gas energy‐related sectors. However, there still needs further research to understand pure water adsorption behavior on reservoir minerals as the fundamental study. In this study, molecular dynamics simulation was carried out to investigate the adsorption behavior of water molecules on the surface of minerals. In this matter, composite integrated layers were built for quartz‐water and calcite‐water systems to conduct water adsorption calculations from ambient temperature to the reservoir temperature. Results illustrated less amount of water adsorption on quartz; however, the hydrophilicity of calcite surface by disturbing aqueous layers along with a distance of 1.5 Å–2.5 Å. In addition, the temperature effect was observed into lesser adsorption energy by heating up the water toward its’ boiling point. This study contributes to a wider insight into pure water adsorption features before designing complex microstructures.
Investigation and optimization of heat treatment process on tensile behaviour of Ti6Al4V alloy
Authors: Omoniyi P.O. , Mahamood R.M. , Arthur N. , Pityana S. , Akinlabi S.A. , Okamoto Y. , Maina M.R. , Akinlabi E.T.
Published: October 2021

This article examines the microstructure and tensile strength of annealed Ti6Al4V alloy at different temperatures and times. Taguchi based L9 (32) design was used for the experimental design matrix and optimization of the tensile strength of heat treated samples. The optimum parameter combination was at the temperature of 950 °C and soaking time of 1 hour. ANOVA results show that temperature is the most influencing parameter and a regression equation of degree two was developed to predict tensile strength. Results of the microstructure show lamellar structure development within the samples heat‐treated at 1000 °C.
Gifts‐in‐Kind Accounting: New Guidance and Reminders of Some Fundamentals
Authors: Figueredo Daniel
Published: October 2021

As the world continues to grapple with COVID‐19 and an increasing number of natural disasters, it is crucial to remember how much we depend and count on nonprofits as our safety net on the front lines when our communities need it most. Donors are also providing increasing amounts of aid, whether cash or noncash items like personal protective equipment, supplies, medicine, food, clothing, goods and other services. Nonprofits should make sure to properly report and disclose noncash gifts more than ever before.