bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accordion‐Like Fluorinated Graphite Nanosheets with High Power and Energy Densities for Wide‐Temperature, Long Shelf‐Life Sodium/Potassium Primary Batteries
Authors: Luo Zhenya , Chen Duanwei , Wang Xiao , Huang Jianyu , Pan Yong , Lei Weixin , Pan Junan
Published: April 2021

Sodium and potassium are considered to be the most promising anode candidates due to their easy availability, low‐cost and similar chemical properties to lithium. Here, novel 3D accordion‐like fluorinated graphite nanosheets (FGNSs) are reported as cathodes for sodium primary batteries (SPBs) and potassium primary batteries (PPBs). The FGNSs‐x cathode exhibits unprecedented power and energy density due to the impressive 3D structure, high F/C ratio (1.0), and more surface CC bonds (7.14%). The FGNSs‐1.0 exhibits very high specific capacities of 831.3 and 834.1 mAh g−1 for SPBs and PPBs, respectively, close to the theoretical capacity. Besides, the maximum energy density of FGNSs‐1.0 in SPBs and PPBs are 1960.5 and 2144.6 Wh kg−1, respectively. The maximum power density for Na/CFx and K/CFx batteries could reach up to 7076.8 and 6227.4 W kg−1, respectively. The electrochemical performance of FGNSs‐1.0 at extreme temperatures (−30 to 100 °C), long storage time (60 days), high mass loading (3.6 mg cm−2), and pouch‐type cell is also evaluated for the first time. Surprisingly, FGNSs‐1.0 has outstanding performance in these projects. Therefore, the new‐type Na/CFx and K/CFx primary battery systems developed here have broad application prospects in high‐energy applications that require high‐power, low‐cost, and normal use under extreme conditions.
Enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity of Z‐scheme heterojunction BiVO4/Cu/g‐C3N4 under visible light irradiation
Authors: Li Jing , Ma Yuxuan , Xu Yuan , Li Pengtao , Guo Jifeng
Published: April 2021

A novel BiVO4/Cu/g‐C3N4 heterostructure photocatalyst was synthesized by thermal condensation, hydrothermal, and in situ precipitation method. The microscopic morphology and chemical composition of the synthesized samples were analyzed by XRD, SEM, FT‐IR, XPS, and other characterizations. BiVO4/Cu/g‐C3N4 (BiVO4/Cu:g‐C3N4 mass ratio was 1:1) photocatalyst had the optimal photocatalytic degradation activity for tetracycline (TC) wastewater under visible light irradiation (120 min, 74.8%). The introduction of Cu and Z‐scheme heterojunction was further confirmed by UV‐vis, PL, EIS, and capture mechanism analysis, which effectively accelerated the separation and transfer rate of photogenerated electron holes and enhanced the strong oxidation of h+ and •O2− active species. BiVO4/Cu/g‐C3N4 heterojunction photocatalytic material has potential application value in the removal of refractory pollutants in wastewater.

Practitioner points

A novel Z‐scheme BiVO4/Cu/g‐C3N4 photocatalyst with excellent photocatalytic activities and stability was prepared to treat tetracycline (TC) wastewater.

1:1 CBCN (BiVO4/Cu:g‐C3N4 mass ratio was 1:1) photocatalyst exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance for TC wastewater.

The Z‐scheme heterojunction and Cu act as the interfacial charge transfer medium accelerated the transfer and separation of carriers.
Lifshitz tails at spectral edge and holography with a finite cutoff
Authors: Gorsky Alexander , Nechaev Sergei , Valov Alexander
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We propose the holographic description of the Lifshitz tail typical for one-particle spectral density of bounded disordered system in D = 1 space. To this aim the “polymer representation” of the Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) 2D dilaton gravity at a finite cutoff is used and the corresponding partition function is considered as the weighted sum over paths of fixed length in an external magnetic field. We identify the regime of small loops, responsible for emergence of a Lifshitz tail in the Gaussian disorder, and relate the strength of disorder to the boundary value of the dilaton. The geometry corresponding to the Poisson disorder in the boundary theory involves random paths fluctuating in the vicinity of the hard impenetrable cut-off disc in a 2D plane. It is shown that the ensemble of “stretched” paths evading the disc possesses the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang (KPZ) scaling for fluctuations, which is the key property that ensures the dual description of the Lifshitz tail in the spectral density for the Poisson disorder.
Knots, links, and long-range magic
Authors: Fliss Jackson R.
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We study the extent to which knot and link states (that is, states in 3d Chern-Simons theory prepared by path integration on knot and link complements) can or cannot be described by stabilizer states. States which are not classical mixtures of stabilizer states are known as “magic states” and play a key role in quantum resource theory. By implementing a particular magic monotone known as the “mana” we quantify the magic of knot and link states. In particular, for SU(2)k Chern-Simons theory we show that knot and link states are generically magical. For link states, we further investigate the mana associated to correlations between separate boundaries which characterizes the state’s long-range magic. Our numerical results suggest that the magic of a majority of link states is entirely long-range. We make these statements sharper for torus links.
Surgical site infection in paediatric posterior fossa surgery: does pathology matter?
Authors: Zaben Malik , Richards Alexandra , Merola Joseph , Patel Chirag , Leach Paul
Published: April 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the rates and potential risks of surgical site infection (SSI) after posterior fossa surgery for tumour resection in children.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed our local paediatric (age < 16 years) database for all cases of posterior fossa (PF) brain tumour surgery between November 2008 and November 2019. We collected patient demographics, tumour histology/location, and the event of postoperative surgical site infection.

Results

Overall, 22.1% (n=15) developed SSI out of sixty-eight children undergoing PF surgery for resection of brain tumours; 73.3% of them had a confirmed diagnosis of medulloblastoma. There was no statistically significant difference in the age (5.1 ± 0.60 vs. 6.2 ± 0.97 years; p=0.47) and duration of operation (262 vs. 253 min; p = 0.7655) between the medulloblastoma group and other tumours. Although the rate of postoperative hydrocephalus was higher in the medulloblastoma group (12.9% vs. 0%), this was not associated with increased SSI. Rates of CSF leak between the 2 groups were not different.

Conclusion

Medulloblastoma as a pathological entity seems to carry higher risk of postoperative surgical site infection compared to other types of paediatric posterior fossa tumours. Further larger studies are required to look into this causal relationship and other risk factors that might be involved.
Changing summer precipitation variability in the Alpine region: on the role of scale dependent atmospheric drivers
Authors: Haslinger Klaus , Hofstätter Michael , Schöner Wolfgang , Blöschl Günter
Published: April 2021

Summer precipitation totals in the Alpine Region do not exhibit a systematic trend over the last 120 years. However, we find significant low frequency periodicity of interannual variability which occurs in synchronization with a dominant two-phase state of the atmospheric circulation over the Alps. Enhanced meridional flow increases precipitation variability through positive soil moisture precipitation feedbacks on the regional scale, whereas enhanced zonal flow results in less variability through constant moisture flow from the Atlantic and suppressed feedbacks with the land surface. The dominant state of the atmospheric circulation over the Alps in these periods appears to be steered by zonal sea surface temperature gradients in the mid-latitude North Atlantic. The strength and the location of the westerlies in the mid-latitude Atlantic play an important role in the physical mechanisms linking atmosphere and oceanic temperature gradients and the meridional/zonal circulation characteristics.
Circadian rhythm and gestational diabetes: working conditions, sleeping habits and lifestyle influence insulin dependency during pregnancy
Authors: Weschenfelder Friederike , Lohse Karolin , Lehmann Thomas , Schleußner Ekkehard , Groten Tanja
Published: April 2021

Objective

Management of gestational diabetes (GDM) is currently changing toward a more personalized approach. There  is a growing number of GDM patients requiring only a single dose of basal insulin at night to achieve glucose control. Well-known risk factors like obesity, parity and family history have been associated with GDM treatment requirements. Sleep quality and lifestyle factors interfering with the circadian rhythm are known to affect glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of such lifestyle factors on insulin requirement in GDM patients, in particular on long-acting insulin to control fasting glucose levels.

Research design and methods

A total of 805 patients treated for GDM between 2012 and 2016 received a study questionnaire on lifestyle conditions. Sleep quality and work condition categories were used for subgroup analysis. Independent effects on treatment approaches were evaluated using multivariate regression.

Results

In total, 235 (29.2%) questionnaires returned. Women reporting poor sleep conditions had higher pre-pregnancy weight and BMI, heavier newborns, more large for gestational age newborns and higher rates of hyperbilirubinemia. Treatment requirements were related to sleep and work condition categories. Multivariate regression for ‘Basal’ insulin-only treatment revealed an adjOR 3.4 (CI 1.23–9.40, p  <  0.05) for unfavorable work conditions and adjOR 4.3 (CI 1.28–14.50, p  <  0.05) for living with children.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that external stressors like unfavorable work conditions and living with children are independently associated with the necessity of long-acting insulin at night in GDM patients. Thus, fasting glucose levels of pregnant women presenting with such lifestyle conditions may be subject to close monitoring.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of Degussa P25/Chitosan Composites for the Photocatalytic Removal of Sertraline and Acid Red 18 from Water
Authors: Rejek M. , Grzechulska-Damszel J. , Schmidt B.
Published: April 2021

Degussa P25 titanium dioxide/chitosan composites (P25/CS) were prepared using three different methods and two different chitosan materials. The obtained materials were characterized by diffuse reflectance UV–Vis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. It was observed for all prepared materials that the chitosan surface is homogeneously covered by Degussa P25, the particles are evenly dispersed on the whole chitosan matrix and do not form agglomerates. The performance of P25/CS composites were tested in water treatment by the photocatalytic reaction of sertraline and Acid Red 18. The obtained results show that the application of prepared composites is effective in the reaction of decomposition of model organic impurities in water. Moreover, chitosan presence in the photocatalytic materials considerably facilitates the separation of catalyst from the reaction mixture, which is a great advantage compared to pure Degussa P25. The preparation method did not show a major effect on the photocatalytic activity. The method using glutaraldehyde as the crosslinking agent is the simplest one; thus, it is recommended for Degussa P25/chitosan nanocomposites preparation. These nanocomposites can be successfully applied in water purification by photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

Graphic Abstract
The biology and ecology of tropical marine sardines and herrings in Indo-West Pacific fisheries: a review
Authors: Hunnam Kimberley
Published: April 2021

Tropical sardines and herrings (Family Clupeidae) form important fisheries resources in the Indo-West Pacific region. However knowledge of their biology and ecology is largely scattered across diverse localised studies. In addition, their challenging taxonomy due to numerous, morphologically similar species, coupled with data collected from dispersed, often small-scale and mixed species fisheries, creates difficulties for comparing species-level research and fisheries statistics across the region. This review considers four main groups of tropical marine clupeid species important for Indo-West Pacific fisheries—Sardinella (subg. Sardinella) species (‘Round-bodied Sardinellas’), Sardinella (subg. Clupeonia) species (‘Flat-bodied Sardinellas’), Amblygaster species (‘Tropical Pilchards’), and Herklotsichthys and Escualosa species (‘Tropical Herrings’)—and collates and synthesises existing knowledge on early life history, reproduction, trophic biology, habitat associations and population dynamics. Most research on tropical clupeid biology and ecology in the Indo-West Pacific is concentrated on the Round-bodied Sardinellas (S. longiceps and S. lemuru) from a few major fishery locations; other species-groups have been studied sporadically across their distributions. Characteristics such as maximum size, life span, size at first maturity and some habitat associations are generally similar within species-groups and differ between groups. However differences within the same reported species highlight the importance of continued work to improve taxonomic identification. There remain substantial gaps in knowledge on all species-groups. Regular critical review of specific research topics, such as reproductive parameters and population dynamics, would assist to standardise methods and terminology used, enable consolidation and comparison of findings, identify local research agenda, and help build and improve research on these important tropical species.
Intentional and Phenomenal Properties: How not to be Inseparatists
Authors: Márton Miklós
Published: April 2021

In this paper I give an overview of the recent developments in the phenomenalism – intentionalism debate and try to show that the proposed solutions of neither sides are satisfying. The claims and arguments of the two parties are rather vague and attribute to intentional and phenomenal properties either a too weak or a too strong relationship: too weak in the sense that they establish only mere coexistence, or too strong in the sense that they attribute some a priori conceptual connection to intentional and phenomenal properties. I also compare these theories to other theories developed for solving the mind–body problem and argue that these former are much less elaborated. In the end of the paper I try to explain that all of this is not just a contingent feature of the topic, but has deep conceptual roots: intentionality and phenomenal consciousness are two quite distinct concepts on two quite distinct levels.
Perceptions of involvement in advance care planning and emotional functioning in patients with advanced cancer
Authors:   on behalf of the eQuiPe study group, Kroon Lente L. , van Roij Janneke , Korfage Ida J. , Reyners An K. L. , van den Beuken-van Everdingen Marieke H. J. , den Boer Marien O. , Creemers Geert-Jan , de Graeff Alexander , Hendiks Mathijs P. , Hunting Jarmo C. B. , de Jong Wouter K. , Kuip Evelien J. M. , van Laarhoven Hanneke W. M. , van Leeuwen Lobke , van Lindert Anne S. R. , Mandigers Caroline M. P.W. , Nieboer Peter , van der Padt-Pruijsten Annemieke , Smilde Tineke J. , Sommeijer Dirkje W. , Thijs Martine F. , Tiemessen Marian A. , Vos Allert H. , Vreugdenhil Art , Werner Philo T. , van Zuylen Lia , van de Poll-Franse Lonneke V. , Raijmakers Natasja J. H.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Advance Care Planning (ACP) is positively associated with the quality of care, but its impact on emotional functioning is ambiguous. This study investigated the association between perceptions of ACP involvement and emotional functioning in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods

This study analyzed baseline data of 1,001 patients of the eQuiPe study, a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, observational study on quality of care and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer in the Netherlands. Patients with metastatic solid cancer were asked to participate between November 2017 and January 2020. Patients’ perceptions of ACP involvement were measured by three self-administered statements. Emotional functioning was measured by the EORTC-QLQ-C30. A linear multivariable regression analysis was performed while taking gender, age, migrant background, education, marital status, and symptom burden into account.

Results

The majority of patients (87%) reported that they were as much involved as they wanted to be in decisions about their future medical treatment and care. Most patients felt that their relatives (81%) and physicians (75%) were familiar with their preferences for future medical treatment and care. A positive association was found between patients’ perceptions of ACP involvement and their emotional functioning (b=0.162, p<0.001, 95%CI[0.095;0.229]) while controlling for relevant confounders.

Conclusions

Perceptions of involvement in ACP are positively associated with emotional functioning in patients with advanced cancer. Future studies are needed to further investigate the effect of ACP on emotional functioning.

Trial registration number

NTR6584 Date of registration: 30 June 2017

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Patients’ emotional functioning might improve from routine discussions regarding goals of future care. Therefore, integration of ACP into palliative might be promising.
Particle Accumulation Structures in a 5 cSt Silicone Oil Liquid Bridge: New Data for the Preparation of the JEREMI Experiment
Authors: Capobianchi Paolo , Lappa Marcello
Published: April 2021

Systems of solid particles in suspension driven by a time-periodic flow tend to create structures in the carrier fluid that are reminiscent of highly regular geometrical items. Within such a line of inquiry, the present study provides numerical results in support of the space experiments JEREMI (Japanese and European Research Experiment on Marangoni flow Instabilities) planned for execution onboard the International Space Station. The problem is tackled by solving the unsteady non-linear governing equations for the same conditions that will be established in space (microgravity, 5 cSt silicone oil and different aspect ratios of the liquid bridge). The results reveal that for a fixed supporting disk radius, the dynamics are deeply influenced by the height of the liquid column. In addition to its expected link with the critical threshold for the onset of instability (which makes Marangoni flow time-periodic), this geometrical parameter can have a significant impact on the emerging waveform and therefore the topology of particle structures. While for shallow liquid bridges, pulsating flows are the preferred mode of convection, for tall floating columns the dominant outcome is represented by rotating fluid-dynamic disturbance. In the former situation, particles self-organize in circular sectors bounded internally by regions of particle depletion, whereas in the latter case, particles are forced to accumulate in a spiral-like structure. The properties of some of these particle attractors have rarely been observed in earlier studies concerned with fluids characterized by smaller values of the Prandtl number.
Sliding-mode observers based distributed consensus control for nonlinear multi-agent systems with disturbances
Authors: Jiang Yulian , Zhang Yuhang , Wang Hongquan , Liu Keping
Published: April 2021

The distributed consensus control problem for nonlinear multi-agent systems (MASs) with external disturbances under switching directed topologies is investigated. Distributed sliding-mode observers are designed considering both nonlinear dynamics and disturbances in MASs. Utilizing estimated states information via sliding-mode observers, a control protocol is constructed and analyzed to ensure the MASs reach consensus, and additionally guarantee the desired disturbance rejection criterion. Furthermore, the simulation experiment is carried out by taking multiple simple-pendulum network systems. By comparing this work with the related existing results, our designed observers are superior in estimating states information simultaneously considering both nonlinear dynamics and external disturbances, and the experiment result analysis shows validity of distributed consensus algorithm based on sliding-mode observers for MASs.
Collision-free path planning for welding manipulator via hybrid algorithm of deep reinforcement learning and inverse kinematics
Authors: Zhong Jie , Wang Tao , Cheng Lianglun
Published: April 2021

In actual welding scenarios, an effective path planner is needed to find a collision-free path in the configuration space for the welding manipulator with obstacles around. However, as a state-of-the-art method, the sampling-based planner only satisfies the probability completeness and its computational complexity is sensitive with state dimension. In this paper, we propose a path planner for welding manipulators based on deep reinforcement learning for solving path planning problems in high-dimensional continuous state and action spaces. Compared with the sampling-based method, it is more robust and is less sensitive with state dimension. In detail, to improve the learning efficiency, we introduce the inverse kinematics module to provide prior knowledge while a gain module is also designed to avoid the local optimal policy, we integrate them into the training algorithm. To evaluate our proposed planning algorithm in multiple dimensions, we conducted multiple sets of path planning experiments for welding manipulators. The results show that our method not only improves the convergence performance but also is superior in terms of optimality and robustness of planning compared with most other planning algorithms.
How Land‐Sea Interaction of Tidal and Sea Breeze Activity Affect Mangrove Net Ecosystem Exchange?
Authors: Zhu Xudong , Qin Zhangcai , Song Lulu
Published: April 2021

Coastal mangrove wetlands experience unique land‐sea interaction including periodic tidal and sea breeze activity; however, their impacts on mangrove net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of carbon dioxide have not been well investigated. In this regard, continuous eddy covariance and auxiliary measurements were conducted to characterize the temporal variations in NEE and environmental controls in a subtropical mangrove of southeastern China. Over a 3‐year measurement period, this mangrove acted a consistent carbon sink showing weak seasonality in NEE with a stronger sink in spring. Environmental controls on NEE varied across time scales: (1) at half‐hourly time scale especially for summer and autumn, high temperature and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) suppressed daytime carbon uptake, while inundation fraction and rain restrained nighttime carbon efflux; (2) the importance of environmental impacts on daily NEE decreased in the order of photosynthetically active radiation, air temperature, sea breeze, VPD, tidal salinity, and inundation; (3) monthly carbon uptake was statistically negatively and positively correlated with inundation fraction and rain, respectively. Periodic tidal inundation exerted both direct and indirect effects, but their relative importance changed across time scales. Cooling and wetting effects from regular sea breeze relieved atmospheric temperature/moisture stresses at afternoon, acting as an important indirect effect to promote carbon uptake. This study confirms the importance of previously neglected indirect effects of land‐sea interaction of tidal and sea breeze activity on mangrove NEE.
Z-Scheme versus type-II junction in g-C3N4/TiO2 and g-C3N4/SrTiO3/TiO2 heterostructures
Authors: Di Liberto Giovanni , Tosoni Sergio , Pacchioni Gianfranco
Published: April 2021

Band alignment and interface polarization of g-C3N4/TiO2 and g-C3N4/SrTiO3/TiO2 interfaces.
Towards improving the capacity of UiO-66 for antibiotic elimination from contaminated water
Authors: Rojas Sara , Torres Ana , Dato Víctor , Salles Fabrice , Ávila David , García-González Jessica , Horcajada Patricia
Published: April 2021

Improved antibiotic elimination from water under realistic conditions through pore functionalization and nanosizing of the UiO-66 metal–organic framework.
Rheological and structural properties of associated polymer networks studied via non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Peng Yuankun , Yue Tongkui , Li Sai , Gao Ke , Wang Yachen , Li Ziwei , Ye Xin , Zhang Liqun , Liu Jun
Published: April 2021

The physical polymer network formed by molecular association via non-covalent interactions between end groups alters a great many rheological properties of polymers and produces some fascinating rheological phenomena.
Helium diffusion in magnetic stellar atmospheres of early B-type stars
Authors: Panei J. A. , Vallverdú R. E. , Cidale L. S.
Published: April 2021

Context. The treatment of diffusion in stellar atmospheres of chemically peculiar stars is complex and difficult to model and has been treated mainly in A-type and late B-type stars. Vertical stratification is very often fixed from ad hoc chemical distribution profiles obtained by combining high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations and magnetic Doppler imaging techniques.

Aims. Our goal is to improve the modelling of diffusion in magnetic B-type stars and reproduce non-homogeneous surface distributions in helium-peculiar stars. Moreover, we aim to predict the photospheric vertical stratification by self-consistently calculating atomic diffusion in the presence of magnetic fields.

Methods. We solved the flow equations that describe gravitational settling along with thermal and chemical diffusion in stellar atmospheres under the influence of magnetic fields. We based the atomic diffusion on a previous treatment, which considers a mix of gases with various relative velocities. We took advantage of calculations from the literature on the stellar evolution of white dwarf stars. In this study, we neglected the effect of the radiative acceleration.

Results. We described the helium abundance with latitude and depth in hot and intermediate spectral B-type stars considering diffusion processes with and without magnetic fields. We found variations in the number density of atoms between the magnetic pole and the equator that depend on the direction of the Lorentz force. This effect leads to under- or over-abundances in helium, giving the appearance of rings (equator) or spots (pole). However, the chemical profile found does not reproduce the strength of the helium lines.

Conclusions. We concluded that the resulting chemical profiles computed with diffusion processes under the approximation of effective atoms describe the behaviour observed in the helium lines in He peculiar stars but it does not explain the observed strength. Other mechanisms in addition to diffusion, such as stellar winds, should be explored in detail.
MesoTIPS: Combined Approach for the Treatment of Portal Hypertension Secondary to Portal Vein Thrombosis – A Brief Report
Authors: Chamsuddin Abbas , Nazzal Lama , Heffron Thomas , Gaber Osama , Achou Raja , Martin Louis G.
Published: April 2021

Introduction: We describe a technique we call “Meso-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (MTIPS)” for relief of portal hypertension secondary to portal vein thrombosis (PVT) using combined surgical and endovascular technique. Materials and Methods: Nine adult patients with PVT underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt through a combined transjugular and mesenteric approach (MTIPS), in which a peripheral mesenteric vein was exposed through a minilaparotomy approach. The right hepatic vein was accessed through a transjugular approach. Mechanical thrombectomy, thrombolysis, and angioplasty were performed when feasible to clear PVT. Results: All patients had technically successful procedures. Patients were followed up for a mean time of 13.3 months (range: 8 days to 3 years). All patients are still alive and asymptomatic. Conclusion: We conclude that MTIPS is effective for the relief of portal hypertension secondary to PVT.
Arab's Research Productivity and Contribution to Vascular and Interventional Radiology Literature
Authors: Al Zahrani Yousof , Arabi Mohammad
Published: April 2021

Objective: Vascular and interventional radiology (VIR) is one of the most rapidly growing fields of medicine. In this report, we evaluate the contribution of Arab countries to VIR publications and literature. Materials and Methods: Using PubMed database, we reviewed the total number of VIR publications from all Arab countries. In addition, we evaluated the total number of IR articles from each individual country, number of publications in VIR specialty journals and the type of manuscripts. Results: Seventy-four articles from different Arab countries were published in different journals from 1988 to 2016. Only 11 (14.9') articles were published in interventional radiology journals. The majority of these publications were from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 31 (41.9') articles, followed by 20 (27.02') articles from Egypt, 7 articles (9.5') from Jordan, 6 articles (8.1) from Kuwait, and 4 articles (5.4') from Morocco. There was one article (1.4') from Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Tunis, and Qatar. Nine (12.2') articles from different Arab countries were published in the two highest impact specialty journals in VIR. Conclusion: This review demonstrated the limited number of publications and poor contribution of Arab countries to VIR literature. Collaborative efforts of researchers, governments, and funding bodies are needed to improve research output in this important field of medicine.
Buddleja asiatica (dog tail).
Authors: Buddenhagen Christopher E.
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Buddleja asiatica covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Ixora finlaysoniana (white jungle flame).
Authors: Caraballo-Ortiz Marcos A
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Ixora finlaysoniana covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Ligustrum lucidum (broad-leaf privet).
Authors: González-Moreno P.
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Ligustrum lucidum covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Annona glabra (pond apple).
Authors: Pasiecznik Nick
Published: April 2021

A datasheet on Annona glabra covering, as an economically important tree, its taxonomy, importance, silviculture, distribution, biology and ecology, uses, products and pests.
Safety of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate for Pregnant Women Facing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic
Authors: Hernández-Díaz Sonia , Bateman Brian T , Straub Loreen , Zhu Yanmin , Mogun Helen , Fischer Michael , Huybrechts Krista F
Published: April 2021

We assessed the teratogenicity of tenofovir, a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug similar to remdesivir that is currently being evaluated for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Using US Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) claims data (2000–2014), we identified a population-based pregnancy cohort of women with HIV who filled at least 1 prescription for antiretroviral therapies (ART) during the first trimester. Women on tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) were compared with women receiving ART without TDF. Major malformations were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes using validated algorithms. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using propensity score stratification to control for potential confounders. We incorporated the results into prior knowledge by conducting a systematic literature review and a meta-analysis. Major congenital malformations were diagnosed in 37 out of 866 (4.27%) infants exposed to TDF and 38 out of 1,020 (3.73%) infants exposed to ART other than TDF; the adjusted relative risk was 1.21 (95% confidence interval: 0.77, 1.90). Estimates for specific malformations were imprecise. The pooled relative risk from the meta-analysis with 6 prior studies was 0.88 (95% confidence interval: 0.75, 1.03). Based on evidence accumulated in patients with HIV, first-trimester TDF use does not increase the risk of major congenital malformations overall in the newborn compared with other ART.
White matter abnormalities are key components of cerebrovascular disease impacting cognitive decline
Authors: Vemuri Prashanthi , Graff-Radford Jonathan , Lesnick Timothy G , Przybelski Scott A , Reid Robert I , Reddy Ashritha L , Lowe Val J , Mielke Michelle M , Machulda Mary M , Petersen Ronald C , Knopman David S , Jack Clifford R
Published: April 2021

While cerebrovascular disease can be observed in vivo using MRI, the multiplicity and heterogeneity in the mechanisms of cerebrovascular damage impede accounting for these measures in ageing and dementia studies. Our primary goal was to investigate the key sources of variability across MRI markers of cerebrovascular disease and evaluate their impact in comparison to amyloidosis on cognitive decline in a population-based sample. Our secondary goal was to evaluate the prognostic utility of a cerebrovascular summary measure from all markers. We included both visible lesions seen on MRI (white matter hyperintensities, cortical and subcortical infarctions, lobar and deep microbleeds) and early white matter damage due to systemic vascular health using diffusion changes in the genu of the corpus callosum. We identified 1089 individuals aged ≥60 years with concurrent amyloid-PET and MRI scans from the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. We divided these into discovery and validation datasets. Using the discovery dataset, we conducted principal component analyses and ascertained the main sources of variability in cerebrovascular disease markers. Using linear regression and mixed effect models, we evaluated the utility of these principal components and combinations of these components for the prediction of cognitive performance along with amyloidosis. Our main findings were (i) there were three primary sources of variability among the CVD measures—white matter changes are driven by white matter hyperintensities and diffusion changes; number of microbleeds (lobar and deep); and number of infarctions (cortical and subcortical); (ii) Components of white matter changes and microbleeds but not infarctions significantly predicted cognition trajectories in all domains with greater contributions from white matter; and (iii) The summary vascular score explained 3–5% of variability in baseline global cognition in comparison to 3–6% variability explained by amyloidosis. Across all cognitive domains, the vascular summary score had the least impact on memory performance (∼1%). Though there is mechanistic heterogeneity in the cerebrovascular disease markers measured on MRI, these changes can be grouped into three components and together explain variability in cognitive performance equivalent to the impact of amyloidosis on cognition. White matter changes represent dynamic ongoing damage, predicts future cognitive decline across all domains and diffusion measurements help capture white matter damage due to systemic vascular changes. Therefore, measuring and accounting for white matter changes using diffusion MRI and white matter hyperintensities along with microbleeds will allow us to capture vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia.
Evidence, Experience, Expertise, and the US Coronavirus Disease 2019 Public Health Response
Authors: Goswami Neela D , Fiore Anthony E , Walke Henry T
Published: April 2021

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state, tribal, and local health departments assess available and promising interventions and individual and population health outcomes when crafting public health recommendations. This supplement provides a snapshot of some of the science, experience, and expertise supporting the COVID-19 response.
Global, regional, and national quality of care of ischaemic heart disease from 1990 to 2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
Authors: Aminorroaya Arya , Yoosefi Moein , Rezaei Negar , Shabani Mahsima , Mohammadi Esmaeil , Fattahi Nima , Azadnajafabad Sina , Nasserinejad Maryam , Rezaei Nazila , Naderimagham Shohreh , Ahmadi Naser , Ebrahimi Hooman , Mirbolouk Mohammadhassan , Blaha Michael J , Larijani Bagher , Farzadfar Farshad
Published: April 2021

Aims

By 2030, we seek to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases, including ischaemic heart disease (IHD), by one-third to reach the sustainable development goal (SDG) target 3.4. We aimed to investigate the quality of care of IHD across countries, genders, age groups, and time using the Global Burden of Diseases Study (GBD) 2017 estimates.

Methods and results

We did a principal component analysis on IHD mortality to incidence ratio, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) to prevalence ratio, and years of life lost to years lived with disability ratio using the results of the GBD 2017. The first principal component was scaled from 0 to 100 and designated as the quality of care index (QCI). We evaluated gender inequity by the gender disparity ratio (GDR), defined as female to male QCI. From 1990 to 2017, the QCI and GDR increased from 71.2 to 76.4 and from 1.04 to 1.08, respectively, worldwide. In the study period, countries of Western Europe, Scandinavia, and Australasia had the highest QCIs and a GDR of 1 to 1.2; however, African and South Asian countries had the lowest QCIs and a GDR of 0.8 to 1. Moreover, the young population experienced more significant improvements in the QCI compared to the elderly in 2017.

Conclusion

From 1990 to 2017, the QCI of IHD has improved; nonetheless, there are remarkable disparities between countries, genders, and age groups that should be addressed. These findings may guide policymakers in monitoring and modifying our path to achieve SDGs.
dpy-18 Encodes an α-Subunit of Prolyl-4-Hydroxylase in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Hill Katherine L , Harfe Brian D , Dobbins Carey A , L'Hernault Steven W
Published: April 2021

Collagen is an extracellular matrix (ECM) component encoded by a large multigene family in multicellular animals. Procollagen is post-translationally modified by prolyl-4-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.11.2) before secretion and participation in ECM formation. Therefore, collagen processing and regulation can be studied by examining this required interaction of prolyl-4-hydroxylase with procollagen. High-resolution polymorphism mapping was used to place the Caenorhabditis elegans dpy-18 gene on the physical map, and we show that it encodes a prolyl-4-hydroxylase α catalytic subunit. The Dpy phenotype of dpy-18(e364) amber mutants is more severe when this mutation is in trans to the noncomplementing deficiency tDf7, while the dpy-18(e499) deletion mutant exhibits the same phenotype as dpy-18(e499)/tDf7. Furthermore, dpy-18 RNA interference (RNAi) in wild-type worms results in Dpy progeny, while dpy-18 (RNAi) in dpy-18(e499) mutants does not alter the Dpy phenotype of their progeny. These observations suggest that the dpy-18 null phenotype is Dpy. A dpy-18::gfp promoter fusion construct is expressed throughout the hypodermis within the cells that abundantly produce the cuticle collagens, as well as in certain head and posterior neurons. While prolyl-4-hydroxylase has been studied extensively by biochemical techniques, this is the first report of a mutationally defined prolyl-4-hydroxylase in any animal.
kurtz, a Novel Nonvisual Arrestin, Is an Essential Neural Gene in Drosophila
Authors: Roman Gregg , He Jin , Davis Ronald L
Published: April 2021

The kurtz gene encodes a novel nonvisual arrestin. krz is located at the most-distal end of the chromosome 3R, the third gene in from the telomere. krz is expressed throughout development. During early embryogenesis, krz is expressed ubiquitously and later is localized to the central nervous system, maxillary cirri, and antennal sensory organs. In late third instar larvae, krz message is detected in the fat bodies, the ventral portion of the thoracic-abdominal ganglia, the deuterocerebrum, the eye-antennal imaginal disc, and the wing imaginal disc. The krz1 mutation contains a P-element insertion within the only intron of this gene and results in a severe reduction of function. Mutations in krz have a broad lethal phase extending from late embryogenesis to the third larval instar. The fat bodies of krz1 larva precociously dissociate during the midthird instar. krz1 is a type 1 melanotic tumor gene; the fat body is the primary site of melanotic tumor formation during the third instar. We have functionally rescued these phenotypes with both genomic and cDNA transgenes. Importantly, the expression of a full-length krz cDNA within the CNS rescues the krz1 lethality. These experiments establish the krz nonvisual arrestin as an essential neural gene in Drosophila.
Laboratory and Field Evaluations of Food-Based Attractants for Monitoring German Cockroaches
Authors: Abbar Salehe , Wang Changlu
Published: April 2021

Sticky traps are standard tools for monitoring German cockroaches (Blattella germanica L.); however, because they lack an attractant, their ability to catch cockroaches is by chance and largely dependent upon the location of placement and length of time they are left in place. Currently, highly effective and economical cockroach attractants are not available. Food-based attractants have the potential to be employed in sticky traps and enhance their effectiveness on trapping German cockroaches. We conducted laboratory and field experiments to evaluate the effectiveness of novel food-based attractants. Laboratory results showed that sticky traps containing the following attractants: apple oil, blueberry oil, orange oil, or their combination, fish oil, peanut butter, Roach lure tablet, and bacon extract had significantly higher trap catch compared to those traps that do not contain an attractant. Apple plus blueberry oil mixture and Roach lure tablet enhanced the trap catch by ≥ 103%, and bacon extract enhanced the trap catch by 92% in the field assays. Apple plus blueberry oil mixture and Roach lure tablet were the most promising attractants based on laboratory and field experiments. Apple plus blueberry oil mixture aged for 2 wk was as attractive to German cockroaches as fresh mixture.
Victorian Faddishness: The Dolly Varden from Dickens to Patience
Authors: Mitchell Rebecca N
Published: April 2021

This article addresses the origins and nature of the fad through a case study of the ‘Dolly Varden’ dress. The gown originated in the 1770s as a ‘polonaise’ among continental aristocracy, and experienced a minor revival in the 1840s when Dolly Varden, a character in Charles Dickens’s novel Barnaby Rudge (1841) was depicted wearing it. But it did not become a fad until the 1870s, after a Dickens-owned painting of the character was sold and the gown re-entered the public eye. Having shed its historical or literary connections, the gown was revived again in Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera Patience (1881), a well-known send-up of Aesthetic foibles. Often overlooked is the fact that dairy maid Patience – who figures in the opera as a counterpoint to the lovesick maidens wearing high Aesthetic garb – wears a Dolly Varden gown, as faddish as any Aesthetic gown, only slightly outdated. The Aesthetic afterlife of the dress demonstrates the mutability of Victorian fads and the gleeful ignorance of antecedents that typifies fad culture. Facilitated by the material and commercial innovations of the period and fuelled by an insistent presentism, fads are – this article argues – a truly Victorian phenomenon.
Length variation in short tandem repeats affects gene expression in natural populations of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Reinar William B. , Lalun Vilde O. , Reitan Trond , Jakobsen Kjetill S. , Butenko Melinka A.
Published: April 2021

The genetic basis for the fine-tuned regulation of gene expression is complex and ultimately influences the phenotype and thus the local adaptation of natural populations. Short tandem repeats (STRs) consisting of repetitive DNA motifs have been shown to regulate gene expression. STRs are variable in length within a population and serve as a heritable, but semi-reversible, reservoir of standing genetic variation. For sessile organisms, such as plants, STRs could be of major importance in fine-tuning gene expression as a response to a shifting local environment. Here, we used a transcriptome dataset from natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana to investigate population-wide gene expression patterns in light of genome-wide STR variation. We empirically modeled gene expression as a response to the STR length within and around the gene and demonstrated that an association between gene expression and STR length variation is unequivocally present in the sampled population. To support our model, we explored the promoter activity in a transcriptional regulator involved in root hair formation and provided experimentally determined causality between coding sequence length variation and promoter activity. Our results support a general link between gene expression variation and STR length variation in A. thaliana.
Future directions of the National Institutes of Health Science of Behavior Change Program
Authors: Keller Chandra , Ferrer Rebecca A , King Rosalind B , Collier Elaine
Published: April 2021

Background

The National Institutes of Health Science of Behavior Change Common Fund Program has accelerated the investigation of mechanisms of behavior change applicable to multiple health behaviors and outcomes and facilitated the use of the experimental medicine approach to behavior change research.

Purpose

This commentary provides a brief background of the program, plans for its next phase, and thoughts about how the experimental medicine approach to behavior change research can inform future directions in two areas of science—reproductive health and COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

Conclusions

The incorporation of a mechanisms-based approach into behavior intervention research offers new opportunities for improving health.
Integrative taxonomy reveals a new genus from Central Chile and suggests a systematic rearrangement in Stenochiinae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Guerrero Marcelo , Vidal G-H Pedro , Zúñiga-Reinoso Álvaro
Published: April 2021

Stenochiinae is a subfamily of Tenebrionidae with a mainly pantropical distribution, but with a few species distributed at higher latitudes. In general, Stenochiinae has been little studied, and the taxonomic effort been insufficient to understand all its diversity. Recently, a new taxon of Stenochiinae from Central Chile with remarkable morphological characters was collected. Based on phylogenetic analyses of concatenated 28S, 18S, 16S and COI genes and on morphological analyses, a new genus and two species of Stenochiinae are described from Central Chile. Our results suggest that Nestorinus gen. nov. (with the species Nestorinus roitmani sp. nov. and Nestorinus yanettae sp. nov.) has a basal position in Stenochiinae, related to Homocyrtus. The set of morphological characters shared between Stenochiini and Cnodalonini plus their phylogenetic position make it difficult to classify them at tribal level.