bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent aspects of gestational trophoblastic disease in Japan
Authors: Hando Tamotsu , Ohno Masaguki , Kurose Takaaki
Published: July 2002

The regional registration in 11 prefectures and one area covering 34% of total Japanese population started in 1974, increasing gradually to 21 prefectures and one area in 1993 covering 48.5% of total Japanese populations, by the Japan Trophoblastic Disease Committee under the auspices of Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The results showed marked decreasing trend in incidence of molar pregnancy and choriocarcinoma in Japan. The most frequent antecedent pregnancies of choriocarcinoma has shifted from molar pregnancy in 1974 to term pregnancy in 1993.

The Choriocarcinoma Risk Score Table that is in use and of practical significance, differentiating choriocarcinoma from invasive or metastatic mole by reference to simple 8 clinical items with the probability of more than 90% when compared with the histological diagnoses, is also presented.
Episiotomy in Nigeria
Authors: Otoide V.O , Ogbonmwan S.M , Okonofua F.E
Published: July 2002

Objective: To review the incidence and complications associated with episiotomy and perineal tears at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Method: A retrospective review of all vaginal births conducted in the hospital between January 1997 and December 1998 was undertaken. Vaginal births (1345) were reviewed. Result: The prevalence of episiotomy in the hospital during the period was 46.6%. Over 90% of primigravid parturients had episiotomy. The incidence of episiotomy decreased with increasing parity, while the incidence of spontaneous vaginal tears increased with parity. As compared with perineal tears, episiotomy was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of wound breakdowns requiring secondary resuturing. When controlled for parity, breech births, forceps and vacuum delivery were more likely to lead to episiotomy, compared to spontaneous vertex delivery occurring at term. Conclusion: A policy of systematic reduction in the incidence of episiotomy can be pursued in this hospital. Greater attention needs to be paid to selection of women to undergo episiotomy, the prevention of spontaneous perineal tears and the care of episiotomy wounds in this institution.
Cryosections of pre‐irradiated adult rat spinal cord tissue support axonal regeneration in vitro
Authors: Wilson N. , Esfandiary E. , Bedi K.S.
Published: July 2002

Neonatal X‐irradiation of central nervous system (CNS) tissue markedly reduces the glial population in the irradiated area. Previous in vivo studies have demonstrated regenerative success of adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons into the neonatally‐irradiated spinal cord. The present study was undertaken to determine whether these results could be replicated in an in vitro environment. The lumbosacral spinal cord of anaesthetised Wistar rat pups, aged between 1 and 5 days, was subjected to a single dose (40 Gray) of X‐irradiation. A sham‐irradiated group acted as controls. Rats were allowed to reach adulthood before being killed. Their lumbosacral spinal cords were dissected out and processed for sectioning in a cryostat. Cryosections (10 μm‐thick) of the spinal cord tissue were picked up on sterile glass coverslips and used as substrates for culturing dissociated adult DRG neurons. After an appropriate incubation period, cultures were fixed in 2% paraformaldehyde and immunolabelled to visualise both the spinal cord substrate using anti‐glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the growing DRG neurons using anti‐growth associated protein (GAP‐43). Successful growth of DRG neurites was observed on irradiated, but not on non‐irradiated, sections of spinal cord. Thus, neonatal X‐irradiation of spinal cord tissue appears to alter its environment such that it can later support, rather than inhibit, axonal regeneration. It is suggested that this alteration may be due, at least in part, to depletion in the number of and/or a change in the characteristics of the glial cells.
Organising around women and labour in China: uneasy shadows, uncomfortable alliances
Authors: Howell Jude
Published: July 2002

This article explores the changes in organisation around labour and women’s issues in China. It is argued that whilst the two fields of organisation share common features, they have also evolved in distinct ways, reflecting the relative salience of gender and labour issues and the approach of non-governmental women’s and labour groups towards the Party-state. This focus on women’s and labour groups provides more general insights into the emergence of civil societies, public spheres and corporatism in China. In particular, the contradictory implications of the divergent evolutionary paths of labour and women’s groups underline the need to think in terms of increasingly complex and fluid processes of interest intermediation.
The asset allocation decision in retirement
Authors: Vora Premal P. , McGinnis John D.
Published: July 2002

How should a retiree allocate his wealth between stocks and bonds? We address this question by studying whether it would have been better to have consumed periodically from stocks than from bonds over the seven decades of U.S. financial markets beginning in 1926 and ending in 1995. We find that retirees would have consistently done better by investing in stocks as opposed to bonds. When we analyze dispersion in consumption around its mean we find that there are greater chances for low consumption from the bond portfolio and greater chances for high consumption from the stock portfolio. Thus, we challenge the conventional wisdom that one should move away from stocks and towards bonds as one ages. © 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Consumer information search for home mortgages
Authors: Lee Jinkook , Hogarth Jeanne M.
Published: July 2002

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Market Knowledge in Managed Municipal Bond Portfolios
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Dresnack William H.
Published: July 2002

In this paper, we analyze the investment performance of two types of open-end munici- pal bond mutual finds: first, mutual funds that have the objective of generating income free from federal income taxes; second, funds that have the objective of generating income free from not only federal but also a particular state’s income taxes. Our results suggest the following: first, municipal bond fund monthly returns either mirror or lag the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index returns on a risk-adjusted basis; second, when state taxes are significant, such as in California and New York, the investor benefits from investing in state-specific municipal bondfunds.
From the Editor Vol 6 No 2
Authors: Lahey Karen Eilers
Published: July 2002

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Conversions of Mutual Savings Institutions
Authors: Cagle Julie A.B. , Porter Gary E.
Published: July 2002

We examine initial returns offidly underwritten IPOs of converting thrifts for evidence that managers and depositors of conversion-related offers earn significantly greater returns than investors in IPOs of otherfinancial institutions. Regulators have suggested that new guidelines for conversion from a mutual to a stock thrift are designed to curb “windfall profits” earned by insiders investing in conversion-related IPOs. While there are reports of average initial returns of more than 20% for conversion-related IPOs, our results suggest that investors earn average initial returns of about 7%, which is not significantly different than returns from IPOs of other thrifts and commercial banks,
Money Logic: Financial Strategies for the Smart Investor
Authors: Kahl Douglas
Published: July 2002

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Masthead Vol 7 No 4
Authors: Lahey Karen Eilers
Published: July 2002

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The correlations of professionalization and compensation sources with the ethical development of personal investment planners
Authors: Bigel Kenneth S.
Published: July 2002

Recent controversies concerning personal financial planners, and investment planners in particular, have centered around two issues: competence and ethics. This paper has focused on the ethical development of a sample of investment planners in connection with the correlative roles of professionalization and compensation sources. Certified Financial Planner designees were found to manifest higher ethical development scores than non-Certified Financial Planner designees. Fee-based planners manifested no significantly different ethical development scores than their counterparts. Other demographic variables were also studied. © 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Investor partitioning of the components of value in corporate earnings announcements
Authors: MacDonald John A. , Smith David M.
Published: July 2002

This study provides new insight into the market’s allocation of dividend-related and capital gains-based returns on common stock around earnings announcement surprises. To the extent that investors’ cash flow forecasts are revised as earnings surprises occur, Americus Trust prime and score returns reflect changes in respective future dividends and capital gains. About 70% of the value gain from positive surprises accrues in the capital gains (score) value adjustment, with expected dividends (primes) reflecting the remaining 30%. The relative proportion is greater in magnitude at the announcement of fiscal fourth quarter results when dividend changes are more likely to follow the quarter earnings announcement. © 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Hedging individual mortgage risk
Authors: Zivney Terry L. , Luft Carl F.
Published: July 2002

This paper investigates the feasibility of an individual hedging the interest rate risk involved in planning to take out a mortgage at a future point in time. Simulation using market data indicates that a simple futures hedge reduces the variation in mortgage capacity by about one half. Expected mortgage capacity is very close to 100% of the original capacity at a very low cost. Hedging the individual mortgage with a put futures option is less effective in reducing downside risk and has a higher expected cost. © 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
An analysis of affinity programs
Authors: Lewis Danielle , Anderson Randy I. , Zumpano Leonard V.
Published: July 2002

In this study, we examine the impact of affinity programs on the residential real estate brokerage market. The results indicate that affinity-participating firms employ more salespeople, operate more offices, are more likely to be franchised, and have more multiple listings service affiliations than their nonparticipating counterparts. We directly test for firm and industry efficiency using a Bayesian stochastic frontier technique, and find strong evidence that non-affinity firms are much more efficient at allocating and utilizing their resources. These findings cast concerns on the industry in light of the growth of affinity programs. © 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Does in‐patient ECG monitoring have an impact on medical care in chronic heart failure patients?
Authors: Opasich Cristina , Capomolla Soccorso , Riccardi P. Giorgio , Febo Oreste , Forni Giovanni , Cobelli Franco , Tavazzi Luigi
Published: July 2002

Background:

Heart failure patients' management in non‐intensive care units might be improved by telemetry monitoring. However, telemetry adds the cost and evidence of this effectiveness is not available.

Aim:

To evaluate the utility of the ECG monitoring in chronic heart failure patients admitted to a non‐intensive care unit.

Methods:

A prospective analysis of the utility of telemetry in 711 patients admitted to a Heart Failure Unit from March 1996 to September 1997.

Results:

One hundred and ninety‐nine patients underwent telemetry; 108 telemetry findings were recorded, in 35% of NYHA class II, in 46% in NYHA class III–IV and 43% in unstable patients. Reasons for telemetry were: known arrhythmia (n = 82), electrolytes disturbances (n = 20), atrial fibrillation (n = 12), symptoms (n = 48), i.v. dobutamine (n = 13), drugs control (n = 16), devices control (n = 8). Crossing reasons for telemetry and detected events we had, respectively, 63, 11, 2, 17, 5, 6, and 0 telemetry findings. Treatment was guided by telemetry results in only 33 cases (respectively in 18, 0, 4, 5, 5, 1, and 0 cases). Physicians perceived telemetry as unhelpful in 30% of cases; as helpful in 70%. The percentage of inutility, usefulness with and without related medical intervention were similar between stable and unstable patients (30, 18, 51% and 31, 15, 54%, respectively).

Conclusion:

In a heart failure unit ECG monitoring is mostly used in severe and unstable patients. However, medical decisions are rarely guided by the telemetry findings. The usefulness of telemetry might be underestimated because one of the uncounted results might be the avoidance of inappropriate intervention.
Are super‐face‐recognisers also super‐voice‐recognisers? Evidence from cross‐modal identification tasks
Authors: Jenkins Ryan E. , Tsermentseli Stella , Monks Claire P. , Robertson David J. , Stevenage Sarah V. , Symons Ashley E. , Davis Josh P.
Published: February 2021

Individual differences in face identification ability range from prosopagnosia to super‐recognition. The current study examined whether face identification ability predicts voice identification ability (participants: N = 529). Superior‐face‐identifiers (exceptional at face memory and matching), superior‐face‐recognisers (exceptional at face memory only), superior‐face‐matchers (exceptional face matchers only), and controls completed the Bangor Voice Matching Test, Glasgow Voice Memory Test, and a Famous Voice Recognition Test. Meeting predictions, those possessing exceptional face memory and matching skills outperformed typical‐range face groups at voice memory and voice matching respectively. Proportionally more super‐face‐identifiers also achieved our super‐voice‐recogniser criteria on two or more tests. Underlying cross‐modality (voices vs. faces) and cross‐task (memory vs. perception) mechanisms may therefore drive superior performances. Dissociations between Glasgow Voice Memory Test voice and bell recognition also suggest voice‐specific effects to match those found with faces. These findings have applied implications for policing, particularly in cases when only suspect voice clips are available.
A Self‐Thickening and Self‐Strengthening Strategy for 3D Printing High‐Strength and Antiswelling Supramolecular Polymer Hydrogels as Meniscus Substitutes
Authors: Xu Ziyang , Fan Chuanchuan , Zhang Qian , Liu Yang , Cui Chunyan , Liu Bo , Wu Tengling , Zhang Xiaoping , Liu Wenguang
Published: February 2021

3D printing of high‐strength and antiswelling hydrogel‐based load‐bearing soft tissue scaffolds with similar geometric shape to natural tissues remains a great challenge owing to insurmountable trade‐off between strength and printability. Herein, capitalizing on the concentration‐dependent H‐bonding‐strengthened mechanism of supramolecular poly(N‐acryloyl glycinamide) (PNAGA) hydrogel, a self‐thickening and self‐strengthening strategy, that is, loading the concentrated NAGA monomer into the thermoreversible low‐strength PNAGA hydrogel is proposed to directly 3D printing latently H‐bonding‐reinforced hydrogels. The low‐strength PNAGA serves to thicken the concentrated NAGA monomer, affording an appropriate viscosity for thermal‐assisted extrusion 3D printing of soft PNAGA hydrogels bearing NAGA monomer and initiator, which are further polymerized to eventually generate high‐strength and antiswelling hydrogels, due to the reconstruction of strong H‐bonding interactions from postcompensatory PNAGA. Diverse polymer hydrogels can be printed with self‐thickened corresponding monomer inks. Further, the self‐thickened high‐strength PNAGA hydrogel is printed into a meniscus, which is implanted in rabbit's knee as a substitute with in vivo outcome showing an appealing ability to efficiently alleviate the cartilage surface wear. The self‐thickening strategy is applicable to directly printing a variety of polymer‐hydrogel‐based tissue engineering scaffolds without sacrificing mechanical strength, thus circumventing problems of printing high‐strength hydrogels and facilitating their application scope.
Tailoring Multistimuli Responsive Micropatterns Activated by Various Mechanical Modes
Authors: Zeng Songshan , Shen Kuangyu , Li Shuliang , Li Rui , Hou Zaili , Zhang Xin , Tait William R. T. , Kajiwara Tomoko , Takahara Atsushi , Smith Andrew T. , Jones Michael D. , Zhang Dianyun , Sun Luyi
Published: February 2021

A versatile wrinkle‐based micropatterned system with a film‐substrate structure is proposed, which contains a hydrophilic film of polyvinyl alcohol or its composite with laponite and a hydrophobic substrate of polydimethylsiloxane or its composite with carbon black. The wrinkled system features high design flexibility and multistimuli responsiveness, which can be activated by various mechanical methods, including vertical press or scratch, gentle stretch‐and‐release, bend, or analogous magneto‐mechanical and electro‐mechanical modes. The resultant wrinkles possess 1) instantaneous and reversible strain/moisture/light responsive optical modulation; 2) tunable dynamics for the aforementioned strain/moisture/light response;3) tailorable amplitude/wavelength; 4) unique surface morphologies from the coupling of wrinkles and cracks; 5) excellent reversibility and durability. A variety of applications are demonstrated based on this system, including 1) a moisture erasable highly sensitive pressure responsive device and pattern replicator with a high fidelity; 2) a moisture erasable scratch/magneto‐mechanical re‐writable tablet; 3) an electro‐mechanical controllable smart window with an ultra‐sensitive strain responsive transmittance modulation and a low operating voltage; 4) various types of strain responsive, moisture erasable, and laser writable information recording/encryption devices. This work provides new routes for designing innovative wrinkled systems triggered by diverse mechanical fashions and can decode multiple environmental stimuli into optical signals for widespread application.
In Situ Tracking of Wetting‐Front Transient Heat Release on a Surface‐Mounted Metal–Organic Framework
Authors: Li Weijin , Yang Guang , Terzis Alexandros , Mukherjee Soumya , He Chao , An Xingtao , Wu Jingyi , Weigand Bernhard , Fischer Roland A.
Published: February 2021

Transient heat generation during guest adsorption and host–guest interactions is a natural phenomenon in metal–organic framework (MOF) chemistry. However, in situ tracking of such MOF released heat is an insufficiently researched field due to the fast heat dissipation to the surroundings. Herein, a facile capillary‐driven liquid‐imbibition approach is developed for in situ tracking of transient heat release at the wetting front of surface‐mounted MOFs (SURMOFs) on cellulosic fiber substrates. Spatiotemporal temperature distributions are obtained with infrared thermal imaging for a range of MOF‐based substrates and imbibed liquids. Temperature rises at the wetting front of water and binary mixtures with organic solvents are found to be over 10 K with an ultrafast and distinguishable thermal signal response (<1 s) with a detectable concentration limit ≤1 wt%. As an advancement to the state‐of‐the‐art in trace‐solvent detection technologies, this study shows great prospects for the integration of SURMOFs in future sensor devices. Inspired by this prototypal study, SURMOF‐based transient heat signal transduction is likely to be extended to an ever‐expanding library of SURMOFs and other classes of surface‐grafted porous materials, translating into a wide range of convenient, portable, and ubiquitous sensor devices.
Rational Control of Topological Defects in Porous Carbon for High‐Efficiency Carbon Dioxide Conversion
Authors: Jiang Pengfei , Jiang Kaiyue , Tranca Diana , Zhu Jinhui , Qiu Feng , Ke Changchun , Lu Chenbao , Kymakis Emmanuel , Zhuang Xiaodong
Published: February 2021

Nitrogen‐doped porous carbons have been extensively studied for electrocatalysis, including the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction. Most relevant studies have focused on nitrogen sites in porous carbons, however, the intrinsic topological defects of porous carbons have been usually ignored because of difficulties in controllable preparation, structural identification, and determining structure–property correlations. In this study, topological defect‐enriched porous carbons are fabricated through pyridinic‐N volatilization at a high temperature by using nitrogen‐enriched 2,6‐dicyanopyridine as the precursor. As‐prepared porous carbons possess rich topological defects and ultrahigh specific surface area of up to 3123 m2 g−1. As electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction, as‐prepared porous carbons exhibit excellent activity for CO formation with a low onset potential of −283 mV, high CO Faradaic efficiency of up to 99.0% at −0.4 V, which is the state‐of‐the‐art activity among all of reported porous carbons. Density functional theory calculations indicate that pentagonal structure cause the electronegativity of carbon skeletons and act as the main active sites for CO2 reduction. This work not only presents a facile approach for fabricating porous carbons with a high density of topological defects for efficient electrocatalytic CO2 reduction but also provides insights regarding the origin of high activity of topological defects in porous carbons.
Multifunctional and Tunable Radar Absorber Based on Graphene‐Integrated Active Metasurface
Authors: Huang Cheng , Ji Chen , Zhao Bo , Peng Jinqiang , Yuan Liming , Luo Xiangang
Published: February 2021

In this article, a multifunctional and tunable radar absorber which can achieve dynamical modulation of absorbing frequency, bandwidth, and amplitude is presented. Such a tunable radar absorber is composed of a graphene capacitor layer and an active metasurface layer. By controlling the impedance characteristic of each layer through the external bias voltages, the absorber not only can achieve the ultrawideband electromagnetic (EM) absorbing performance, but also can be switched to a narrowband absorption mode, and its absorption amplitude can be further adjusted at each of the above operation modes. Both simulated and experimental results have demonstrated that the −10‐dB reflection bandwidth ranging from 3.55 to 19.6 GHz can be realized, and the average reflection amplitude can be dynamically tuned between −3.8 and −11.5 dB. In addition, by changing the bias voltages, the absorber can also, respectively, switch its −10 dB reflection bandwidth to 3.5−11.1 GHz and 10.9−18.9 GHz, where the larger dynamic range of amplitude modulation is obtained. The equivalent circuit model is employed to explain the tunable absorption mechanism by analyzing the impedance matching characteristics. This hybrid design approach can effectively expand the EM reconfigurable functionalities of the current tunable absorber, which may further open a novel way of the graphene application in microwave frequencies.
Electroluminescence Principle and Performance Improvement of Metal Halide Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Liu Aqiang , Bi Chenghao , Guo Ruiqi , Zhang Mengqi , Qu Xuanhui , Tian Jianjun
Published: February 2021

Metal halide perovskites have attracted considerable interest for their potential applications in high‐definition displays owing to their narrowband emission, wide color gamut (≈140%), near‐unity photoluminescence efficiency, and cost‐effective solution processability. Extensive efforts have led to the external quantum efficiency of state‐of‐the‐art perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) to exceed 20%. However, there are several obstacles, such as poor working stability, low efficiency, and low luminance, of pure‐blue and pure‐red light‐emitting devices that delay their commercial application. Addressing these issues requires a deep understanding of the photoluminescence effect as well as the bottlenecks in the process. Here, the fundamental working principle, carrier recombination, and light outcoupling properties of PeLEDs are described. The performance improvement strategies of PeLEDs based on defect engineering, perovskite crystallization, charge injection balancing, and quantum confinement are discussed. Furthermore, the challenges of PeLEDs in pure‐color light emission, working stability, and toxicity are reviewed and discussed.
Impact of Segmented Magnetization on the Flagellar Propulsion of Sperm‐Templated Microrobots
Authors: Magdanz Veronika , Vivaldi Jacopo , Mohanty Sumit , Klingner Anke , Vendittelli Marilena , Simmchen Juliane , Misra Sarthak , Khalil Islam S. M.
Published: February 2021

Technical design features for improving the way a passive elastic filament produces propulsive thrust can be understood by analyzing the deformation of sperm‐templated microrobots with segmented magnetization. Magnetic nanoparticles are electrostatically self‐assembled on bovine sperm cells with nonuniform surface charge, producing different categories of sperm‐templated microrobots. Depending on the amount and location of the nanoparticles on each cellular segment, magnetoelastic and viscous forces determine the wave pattern of each category during flagellar motion. Passively propagating waves are induced along the length of these microrobots using external rotating magnetic fields and the resultant wave patterns are measured. The response of the microrobots to the external field reveals distinct flow fields, propulsive thrust, and frequency responses during flagellar propulsion. This work allows predictions for optimizing the design and propulsion of flexible magnetic microrobots with segmented magnetization.
Translating 2D Director Profile to 3D Topography in a Liquid Crystal Polymer
Authors: Lv Pengrong , You Yuxin , Li Junyu , Zhang Yang , Broer Dirk J. , Chen Jiawen , Zhou Guofu , Zhao Wei , Liu Danqing
Published: February 2021

Morphological properties of surfaces play a key role in natural and man‐made objects. The development of robust methods to fabricate micro/nano surface structures has been a long pursuit. Herein, an approach based on molecular self‐assembling of liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) is presented to directly translate 2D molecular director profiles obtained by a photoalignment procedure into 3D topographies, without involving further multi‐step lithographic processes. The principle of surface deformation from a flat morphology into complex topographies is based on the coupling between electrostatic interactions and the anisotropic flow in LCPs. When activated by an electric field, the LCP melts and is driven by electrohydrodynamic instabilities to connect the electrode plates of a capacitor, inducing topographies governed by the director profile of the LCP. Upon switching off the electric field, the formed structures vitrify as the temperature decreases below the glass transition. When heated, the process is reversible as the formed topographies disappear. By pre‐programming the molecular director a variety of structures could be made with increasing complexity. The height, pitch, and the aspect ratio of the textures are further regulated by the conditions of the applied electric field. The proposed approach will open new opportunities for optical and electrical applications.
A drought‐driven model for the evolution of obligate apomixis in ferns: evidence from pellaeids (Pteridaceae)
Authors: Grusz Amanda L. , Windham Michael D. , Picard Kathryn T. , Pryer Kathleen M. , Schuettpelz Eric , Haufler Christopher H.
Published: February 2021

Premise

Xeric environments impose major constraints on the fern life cycle, yet many lineages overcome these limitations by evolving apomixis. Here, we synthesize studies of apomixis in ferns and present an evidence‐based model for the evolution and establishment of this reproductive strategy, focusing on genetic and environmental factors associated with its two defining traits: the production of “unreduced” spores (n = 2n) and the initiation of sporophytes from gametophyte tissue (i.e., diplospory and apogamy, respectively).

Methods

We evaluated existing literature in light of the hypothesis that abiotic characteristics of desert environments (e.g., extreme diurnal temperature fluctuations, high light intensity, and water limitation) drive the evolution of obligate apomixis. Pellaeid ferns (Cheilanthoideae: Pteridaceae) were examined in detail, as an illustrative example. We reconstructed a plastid (rbcL, trnG–trnR, atpA) phylogeny for the clade and mapped reproductive mode (sexual versus apomictic) and ploidy across the resulting tree.

Results

Our six‐stage model for the evolution of obligate apomixis in ferns emphasizes the role played by drought and associated abiotic conditions in the establishment of this reproductive approach. Furthermore, our updated phylogeny of pellaeid ferns reveals repeated origins of obligate apomixis and shows an increase in the frequency of apomixis, and rarity of sexual reproduction, among taxa inhabiting increasingly dry North American deserts.

Conclusions

Our findings reinforce aspects of other evolutionary, physiological, developmental, and omics‐based studies, indicating a strong association between abiotic factors and the establishment of obligate apomixis in ferns. Water limitation, in particular, appears critical to establishment of this reproductive mode.
Differentiation syndrome with lower‐intensity treatments for acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Fathi Amir T. , Stein Eytan M. , DiNardo Courtney D. , Levis Mark J. , Montesinos Pau , de Botton Stéphane
Published: February 2021

Differentiation Syndrome (DS) has been identified in a subset of patients undergoing treatment with novel classes of differentiating therapies for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) such as IDH and FLT3 inhibitors. While DS is a well‐known treatment‐related complication in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), efforts are still ongoing to standardize diagnostic and treatment parameters for DS in AML. Though the rates of incidence vary, many of the signs and symptoms of DS are common between APL and AML. So, DS can lead to fatal complications in AML, but prompt management is usually effective and rarely necessitates interruption or discontinuation of AML therapy.
Extending the Lifetimes of Charge Transfer States Generated by Photoinduced Heterolysis of Photochromic Radical Complexes
Authors: Kawanishi Yasuki , Mutoh Katsuya , Abe Jiro , Kobayashi Yoichi
Published: February 2021

Novel fast photochromic phenothiazine‐imidazolyl radical complex (PTIC) derivatives were developed, which form the charge transfer (CT) states and the neutral open‐shell transient species in a stepwise manner upon light irradiation. The lifetimes of the CT states were extended from picoseconds to hundreds of picoseconds by the substitution of a triphenylamine group on the phenothiazine moiety. The CT forms have different optical properties and chemical reactivities from those of the neutral open‐shell transient species. Therefore, the developments of fast T‐type photochromic molecules that generate long‐lived CT forms are important for expanding potential applications of fast photoswitching materials.
Visible Light Driven Oxidative Coupling of Amines and P(O)−H/P−OR Compounds under Photocatalyst‐Free Conditions
Authors: Fu Ying , Duan Fei , Du Zhengyin
Published: February 2021

A photosensitizer‐free, visible light driven Atherton‐Todd type coupling of P(O)−H/P−OR compounds and amines was developed. This highly efficient protocol that employ air as the terminal oxidant offers a direct and efficient access to phosphinamides, phosphonamides and phosphoramidates in good to excellent yields.
Pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic modeling analysis and anti‐inflammatory effect of Wangbi capsule in the treatment of adjuvant‐induced arthritis
Authors: Liu Tingting , Zhao Min , Zhang Yumeng , Qiu Zhaozhao , Zhang Yixin , Zhao Chunjie , Wang Miao
Published: February 2021

Clinically, Wangbi Capsule (WBC) is widely used in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of its remarkable therapeutic effect. To reveal the mechanism, a pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) model was developed for the first time to assess the relationship between time–concentration (dose)–effect. Freund’s Complete Adjuvant was used to induce the adjuvant‐induced arthritis model. Multi‐indices were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect and an S‐Imax PK–PD model was established based on the concentrations of osthole, 5‐O‐methylvisamminoside, cimifugin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin and icariin and the levels of interleukin‐1β and prostaglandin E2 using a two‐compartment PK model together with a PD model with an effect‐site compartment. The results suggest that WBC can treat RA by regulating the levels of prostaglandin E2 and interleukin‐1β. For the PK–PD model, the parameters indicated that WBC had a large safety margin and all six bioactive ingredients of WBC have therapeutic effects on RA. Among them icariin, osthole and 5‐O‐methylvisamminoside may be the main effective substances. This study provided a scientific basis for further study of population pharmacokinetics / population pharmacodynamics (PPK/PPD), to develop a reasonable administration plan and improve individualized drug therapy.
Premilling pearling for producing wheat fractions with distinct digestibility and fermentability
Authors: De Brier Niels , Lemmens Elien , Gomand Sara V. , Verbeke Kristin , Delcour Jan A.
Published: February 2021

Background and objectives

Wheat bran contains 16%–18% protein which has a nutritionally balanced amino acid composition but is not fully digestible by human enzymes. The objective of the study was to examine the impact of different levels of pearling wheat prior to milling on protein digestibility in the resultant bran fractions and pearlings and to study their fermentability.

Findings

Breaking down bran cell wall material, the main constituent of which is the dietary fiber arabinoxylan (AX), by pearling increases the in vitro protein digestibility of the resulting material. Pearling fractions enriched in pericarp tissue and hence in insoluble AX with a high arabinose to xylose ratio (A/X) are poorly fermented in vitro with fecal inoculum. In contrast, fermentation of fractions enriched in aleurone tissue produces more short‐chain fatty acids than unmodified wheat bran. This is mainly attributed to the lower A/X of aleurone AX and to pearling‐induced cell wall structure degradation, which makes the dietary fiber better accessible to fecal bacteria.

Conclusions

Pearling of wheat prior to milling leads to bran and pearling fractions with distinct digestibility and fermentability characteristics.

Significance and novelty

The present work is a step toward understanding and exploitation of the nutritional potential of wheat fractions offered by pearling prior to milling.
Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrogen to Ammonia by Pd−S−Mo Nanosheets on a Hydrophobic Hierarchical Graphene Support
Authors: Zhang Wuyong , Lin Weijin , Ren Juan , Zheng Nanfeng , Wu Binghui
Published: February 2021

The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) is regarded as a potential alternative to produce ammonia under ambient conditions. However, the lack of powerful electrocatalysts and the non‐negligible hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) have become a bottleneck of further development of ENRR. In this work, [Mo3S13]2−clusters were introduced onto 2D‐structured Pd nanosheets (NSs) to form Pd−S−Mo NSs with abundant Mo active sites for N2activation. A Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 10.7 % was realized by Pd−S−Mo NSs on hydrophilic carbon support, superior to their single‐component counterparts. Furthermore, loading Pd−S−Mo NSs on hydrophobic hierarchical graphene support was carried out to suppress HER, achieving a FE of 23.8 % and improved ammonia yield. This work provides a designed principle of efficient ENRR electrocatalysts by engineering Mo active sites and catalyst supports.
High‐Performance Flexible Micro‐Supercapacitors Printed on Textiles for Powering Wearable Electronics
Authors: Guo Hua , Jiang Zhen , Ren Dayong , Li Shengxia , Wang Jialin , Cai Xiaobing , Zhang Dongxing , Guo Qiuquan , Xiao Junfeng , Yang Jun
Published: February 2021

Fabrication of flexible micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs) on textiles as miniaturized power supplies for wearable electronics is still a great challenge. In this work, we proposed a facile protocol to fabricate MSCs directly on textiles by combining inkjet printing and extrusion printing. Benefiting from its multi‐step printing strategy, the textile‐based MSCs still maintain their unique porous electrode structure as well as rapid electron transferability. Compared with only extrusion printing, the MSCs with a multi‐step printing strategy exhibit a remarkably enhanced electrochemical performance (8.8 mF cm−2 @0.5 mA cm−2, 1.0 mF cm−2 @5 mF cm−2), an elongated cycle life (6000 times), and superior mechanical flexibility (2000 times @90°). Moreover, benefiting from the digital printing capability, flexible MSCs in serials can be directly prepared and conveniently integrated with conductive textiles to support wearable electronics systems. This simple printing method would show extensive potential in the fabrication of energy‐based devices and wearable functional electronics.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Fungicidal Activity of Novel Pyrazole‐Containing Strobilurin Derivatives†
Authors: Hao Zesheng , Wang Weibo , Yu Bin , Qi Xin , Lv You , Liu Xiaoyu , Chen Haoyin , Kalinina Tatiana A. , Glukhareva Tatiana V. , Fan Zhijin
Published: February 2021

Main observation and conclusion

In searching for novel fungicidal leads, a series of pyrazole‐containing strobilurins were rationally designed, synthesized and characterized. Bioassay indicated that compound I‐7 displayed excellent fungicidal activity against a broad spectrum of plant pathogens such as Gibberella zeae, Rhizoctonia cerealis, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Phytophthora infestans, Physalospora piricola and Pellicularia sasakii with EC50 of 0.16, 0.02, 0.72, 0.07, 0.77 and 0.65 μg/mL, respectively, which were 3—10 times more potent than the positive control azoxystrobin against the corresponding pathogens. Moreover, like azoxystrobin and kresoxim methyl, I‐7, displayed excellent protective activity against P. sorghi. Molecular docking validated that I‐7 and azoxystrobin would share a similar binding mode with cytochrome bc1 complex. This study demonstrates that I‐7 is a promising fungicidal candidate for further development.
Organic Multiple Redox Semi‐Solid‐Liquid Suspension for Li‐Based Hybrid Flow Battery
Authors: Zhang Xuefeng , Zhang Peiyao , Chen Hongning
Published: February 2021

Li‐based hybrid flow batteries are very promising in the energy storage market for their high cell voltage and scale‐up flexibility. However, the low volumetric capacity of catholyte has limited their practical application. A novel concept of organic multiple redox semi‐solid‐liquid (MRSSL) suspension was proposed and demonstrated by taking advantage of active materials in both liquid and solid phases in the suspension. In this study, high solubility of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) in the liquid phase and high reversibility of 10‐methylphenothiazine (MPT) composite in the solid phase were employed to develop a high‐performance and low‐cost organic MRSSL Li‐based hybrid flow battery. It achieved a small voltage gap (<0.1 V) between liquid and solid phase, high cell voltage (≈3.4 V) and high energy density (260 Wh L−1). Due to the synergistic interactions between the liquid‐phase TEMPO and the solid‐phase MPT, the viscosity of the MRSSL suspension was significantly reduced. An intermittent‐flow‐mode test of TEMPO‐MPT MRSSL suspension was conducted, which proved that the suspension had an applicable cycling performance with high volumetric capacity (50 Ah L−1). The organic MRSSL suspension concept offers a new approach to increase the volumetric capacity and energy density of Li‐based hybrid flow batteries by combining various low‐cost solid and liquid organic active materials.
Flow cytometric analysis of pollen and spores: An overview of applications and methodology
Authors: Kron Paul , Loureiro João , Castro Sílvia , Čertner Martin
Published: February 2021

Pollen grains are the male gametophytes in a seed‐plant life cycle. Their small, particulate nature and crucial role in plant reproduction have made them an attractive object of study using flow cytometry (FCM), with a wide range of applications existing in the literature. While methodological considerations for many of these overlap with those for other tissue types (e.g., general considerations for the measurement of nuclear DNA content), the relative complexity of pollen compared to single cells presents some unique challenges. We consider these here in the context of both the identification and isolation of pollen and its subunits, and the types of research applications. While the discussion here mostly concerns pollen, the general principles described here can be extended to apply to spores in ferns, lycophytes, and bryophytes. In addition to recommendations provided in more general studies, some recurring and notable issues related specifically to pollen and spores are highlighted.
Socio‐ecological lessons from the multiple landfalls of Hurricane Georges
Authors: Van Bloem Skip J. , Martin Patrick H.
Published: February 2021

Over the course of 16 d in the fall of 1998, Hurricane Georges made landfall on five Caribbean Island nations, two U.S. states, and two territories. Along its path, it impacted nearly every type of built environment and terrestrial and marine ecosystem found in the Caribbean and the southeastern United States. We reviewed ecological and sociological research related to Georges in order to demonstrate the potential power of regional synoptic networks despite notable gaps that existed at the time. Most studies examined various effects and responses within four years of the storm, though a few reported longer‐term results. Reduction in forest stem density was the most reported ecological effect and ranged from 7% to 51% among sites in different forest types. Forests previously impacted by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 showed lower mortality from Georges than forests with longer hurricane‐free intervals. Rivers in the storm's path exported heavy loads of sediment to marine systems. For example, 5–10 million tons of sediment was transported to marine systems from Puerto Rico, and suspended sediments increased tenfold in coastal Louisiana. Economic costs directly related to Hurricane Georges ranged from 5% to 200% of annual GDP in the year after the storm. Sociological research indicated that children and college students exposed to Hurricane Georges experienced elevated effects on mental health such as anxiety and depression for up to 2.5 yr. Established research areas and longitudinal studies were valuable in understanding hurricane effects in the context of long‐term trends but fragmented research capacity reduced both local and regional synthetic efforts. Georges provides a template of how future integrated research programs could provide a deeper understanding of how nature, urbanization, human culture, and societal norms interact, respond, and recover from a major hurricane. However, future studies should avoid using the Saffir‐Simpson scale as a shorthand indicator or predictor of storm effects because topographic, historical, ecological, political, infrastructural, and societal factors interact to alter storm effects. The breadth of topics addressed in the research produced after Georges shows the potential for transformative, regionally synthetic research that spans whole watersheds and nearshore areas while integrating ecological and social sciences.
Malignancy rates and initial management of Thy3 thyroid nodules in a district general hospital: The ‘Reading’ experience
Authors: Nair Dilip , Kandiah Shivanthi , Rourke Thomas , Corbridge Rogan , Nagala Sidhartha
Published: February 2021

Background

Ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration cytology is the gold standard for investigating thyroid nodules. Stratifying the Thy3 thyroid nodule risk of malignancy is essential for clinical decision‐making. According to the Royal College of Pathologists Guidance (2016), the rate of malignancy for Thy3a is 5–15% and for Thy3f 15–30%. Our aim was to investigate the malignancy rate and the initial management of Thy3 nodules in our institution.

Methods

A retrospective review was undertaken of 115 patients with Thy3 cytology results from thyroid fine‐needle aspirations performed between January 2015 and June 2020 at a single centre. A total of 90 out of 115 patients underwent surgery.

Results

Of the 90 patients, we had a 40% malignant rate (36/90). Specifically, 14 of 34 (41.1%) Thy3a and 22 of 56 (39.2%) Thy3f nodules were malignant. Of the malignant lesions, 52.7% (19/36) were follicular thyroid carcinoma. 58.8% (10/17) of male patients and 35.6% (26/73) of female patients had a malignant histology. Eighteen patients eventually needed a completion thyroidectomy.

Conclusion

Compared with national data, we showed a higher risk of malignancy in Thy3 nodules in our centre. Our study should encourage other centres to audit their own data. We propose setting up a national Thy3 registry as a basis to promote research in improving preoperative diagnosis of indeterminate thyroid nodules.
Concentrated Solar Power Solar Tower with Oversized Solar Field and Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage Working at an Annual Average Capacity Factor of 95% in NEOM City
Authors: Boretti Alberto , Castelletto Stefania
Published: February 2021

Herein, a design for a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant solar tower (ST) with thermal energy storage (TES) by molten salt (MS) in NEOM city, a 100% renewable energy planned development, is presented. The novelty of the design is the oversized solar field, as well as the TES, to produce nearly constant power output every day of the year, with minimal reductions only in the winter months. A 95% annual average capacity factor is estimated to be delivered by this ST plant at a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of 7.84 c kWh−1. The CSP ST with 16 h of TES by MS is the best opportunity to deliver cost‐effective, fully dispatchable, reliable renewable energy, for both the economy and the environment. Other renewable energy options such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind may offer a lower LCOE even below 5 c kWh−1, but once battery storage is factored for dispatchability, the real cost increases by 14 c kWh−1. The proposed technology may deliver most of the electricity needed by NEOM city, with solar PV and wind plus batteries used for peak demand and to compensate for residual variability.
Ion Movement Explains Huge VOC Increase despite Almost Unchanged Internal Quasi‐Fermi‐Level Splitting in Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Herterich Jan , Unmüssig Moritz , Loukeris Georgios , Kohlstädt Markus , Würfel Uli
Published: February 2021

Light soaking under “1 sun” is performed on planar p–i–n perovskite solar cells with a Cs0.05MA0.10FA0.85Pb(I0.95Br0.05)3 absorber while measuring current and voltage transients simultaneously to spectral photoluminescence (PL). From theory a tenfold increase in PL intensity is expected for every 60 mV rise in VOC (at 300 K). However, the solar cells investigated show a reversible VOC increase from as low as 0.5 up to 1.05 V during light soaking, whereas the PL intensity hardly changes. A model is developed based on mobile ions in combination with a nonideal contact. It reproduces the decoupling of the VOC and PL as well as the transient behavior in great detail. Using state‐of‐the‐art materials and passivation layers shows that light soaking is still a relevant feature of high‐efficiency perovskite solar cells. The ionic liquid additive 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate slows down the light‐soaking behavior, giving an example of how ionic motion in perovskite solar cells can be influenced.