bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Preliminary Study of Laser Directional Solidification for Potential Use in the Repair of Damaged Aviation Turbine Blades
Authors: CUI Aiyong , LIU Haodong , LU Changliang , WEI Huakai , HU Bin
Published: March 2021

To achieve directional solidification repair of damaged aviation turbine blades, the directional growth repair layer was prepared using a Nd:YAG laser on the surface of superalloy DZ-22. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the microstructure. The element distribution was analyzed and the microhardness of the sample was measured. The results showed that primary dendrite size was proportional to the current and the pulse-width, and inversely proportional to the scanning speed. No obvious macrosegregation of the repair zone was evident. The zone exhibited a finer microstructure than the substrate and had a smaller columnar crystal size, which was approximately two orders of magnitude smaller than the substrate. The micro-segregation between the centers and the edges of the dendrites and in between adjacent dendrites and a decrease in microhardness from the repair zone (455 HV) to the substrate also were observed.
Discard Plastic Burning: A Serious Risk Factor in Dehradun, India
Authors: Karn Santosh Kumar
Published: March 2021

Background: Dehradun, India is going to most exceedingly influencing and breaking down air quality due to the burning of the discarded plastic, where the natural beauty is the prized component. Carelessly threw the disposed of plastic and burning affecting the environment and people’s health drastically. Consequently, various sicknesses and disease are the common phenomenon. Thus, this region urgently required an extensive evaluation by the governmental and non-governmental organization to solve this issue and make a strict control to stop the plastic on every day utilize premise. Their people groups endure much because of their own activity. Objectives: Current study report about the environmental and public health concern due to the discard plastic burning on daily basis which causes severe respiratory disease and health hazards. Methods: The current study focused on the observation and collection of plastic burning activities done by the people of on daily basis in the last three year from August 2017 to July 2020. Results: As regularly as conceivable it can be found in every 20 houses there are cluster plastics burning on daily basis. Burnt Plastic, releasing lethal gases into the environment which include substances like dioxins, furans, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls which is a hazardous compound and conceivably hurting to all kind of life. Dehradun, India is emerging as a hotspot for the broken air quality especially due to burning of discard plastic in this region and introducing smoke into the atmosphere. Due to this, numbers of affected people are increasing an everyday basis. This broken air quality is also responsible for greenhouse gases (GHG) and increasing global warming potential. Conclusions: Finally, I might want to focus this area move toward becoming a hotspot to look with crumbled air quality from the last couple of years. Numbers of multiple illnesses affected peoples increasing year by year. The level of dangerous compound increasing in the atmosphere, in this way it is needful to take preparatory measure to make strict regulation and develop treatment facility to save Dehradun. As this region is like a gift by nature.
Meme pages as public opinion leaders in the election campaign for the parliamentary elections in Montenegro in 2020
Authors: Vujanović Jelena
Published: March 2021

After the parliamentary elections in Montenegro in 2020, there was a change of government for the first time since the introduction of multipartyism, and many actors and media claim that popular meme pages on Facebook played a significant role in the campaign that preceded this election result. The paper starts from the assumption that different analytical frameworks and theories dealing with meme as a unit form of conveying a political message are not sufficient to fully explain the role of meme pages in the election campaign in Montenegro. The author believes that the content analysis of individual memes is only one, narrower aspect of observation, and that the role of meme pages in the election campaign in Montenegro can be better explained if we look at them as opinion leaders by adapting the two-stage communication theory to the characteristics of new media and by distinguishing the 4 streams of communication on the Internet proposed by Thorson and Wales (Thorson and Wells, 2012). For the purposes of the research, we use discourse analysis and content analysis of the Facebook pages "MIMistarstvo onostranih poslova" and "It was very unpleasant / Psalm 118" in the period from 1 to 30 August 2020, as well as direct structured interviews with the administrators of the mentioned Facebook pages.
Compromised bone strength in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis
Authors: Jadžić Jelena , Đonić Danijela
Published: March 2021

Osteoporosis and/or osteopenia are frequently observed complications in alcoholic liver disease patients, especially in its irreversible stage (alcoholic liver cirrhosis - ALC). Current literature review regarding osteoporosis incidence increased fracture risk, bone mineral density changes, micro-structural alteration and pathogenetic mechanisms leading to ALC - induced decrease in bone quality is presented. It has been reported that osteoporosis is influenceing significant number of ALC patients, with particular accent on lumbar spine, as most commonly affected skeletal site. Several risk factors and ethio-pathogenic mechanisms have been associated with the loss of bone mineral density, in patients with ALC and other cirrhosis. Certain authors claim that dominant mechanism in ALC-induced bone loss is decrease in bone formation and osteoblastic function, while other results suggest increased bone remodeling as underlying cause of increased bone fragility in ALC patients. Increased bone fragility and susceptibility to osteoporotic fractures significantly affect life expectancy and quality of life in patients with ALC. Thus, osteological screening and individual fracture risk assessment are highly recommended for all patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.
Smoking prevention among youth
Authors: Kilibarda Biljana , Vuković Dejana
Published: March 2021

For majority of smokers, onset of smoking occurs during adolescence, period of intensive growth and development, and this early smoking initiation is associated with many adverse health effects. Smoking prevention measures include not only prevention of onset, but also prevention of transition from experimentation to chronic tobacco use and dependence and smoking cessation. Effective preventive measures should be based on relevant theory and scientific evidence on behavior determinants. In this review article, we present evidence from researches on effectiveness of school programs, community-based programs, media campaigns and stress the importance of considering new challenges in tobacco control and other promising strategies, as well as the need for early detection of nicotine dependence signs among adolescents. In practice, many preventive measures are not based on theory and some interventions can be contra productive. Regardless of type of intervention and setting in which is implemented, it is of importance to take into account context for its implementation.
Monitoramento da temperatura atmosférica visando o conforto térmico e a conservação de florestas
Authors: Faria Alvaro Boson de Castro
Published: March 2021

As ondas de calor têm despertado a preocupação quanto aos danos que ocasionam sobre os serviços ecossistêmicos, e combinadas com estiagens, o excesso de calor tem favorecido o aumento da mortalidade das árvores mundo afora. Partindo-se da hipótese em que a região sudoeste do Paraná, apresenta condições favoráveis à ocorrência de anomalias climáticas caracterizadas como ondas de calor de verão, este trabalho teve como objetivo geral, observar o comportamento da temperatura atmosférica no município de Dois Vizinhos, para o interstício entre 2018 a 2020, e em específico: i) analisar quais os intervalos dos horários de verão em Dois Vizinhos, a temperatura atmosférica se apresenta mais elevada; ii) verificar por meio do índice proposto de estresse florestal (forest-based stress index ou FBS), os eventos caracterizados como de onda de calor, entre os anos de 2018 a 2020; iii) discutir a viabilidade do índice FBS, tendo como critério, outros índices de monitoramento ambiental; iv) apresentar argumentos sobre aspectos ecofisiológicos e de conservação florestal. As conclusões foram que o período noturno entre 21h-03h de 2020, da estação de verão de Dois Vizinhos, foi significativamente mais quente, no triênio analisado. O horário entre 15h-21h de 2020 foi significativamente mais quente, entre as categorias horarias analisadas. Por meio do índice FBS de estresse florestal, verificou-se o total de 36 episódios caracterizados como de Ondas de Calor na localidade, inclusive noturnas, entre os anos de 2018 a 2020.
Posiciones políticas sobre el derecho al turismo
Authors: Mantecón Alejandro , Huete Nieves Raquel
Published: March 2021

El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar las relaciones que se establecen entre turismo, ideología y poder. En concreto, se quiere profundizar en la comprensión de los argumentos que legitiman o cuestionan la consideración del turismo como un derecho social. La explicación que se propone se fundamenta en la revisión de documentos publicados por organizaciones que tienen un rol significativo en el sistema turístico. Finalmente, se caracterizan y comparan las posiciones de tres bloques ideológicos: neoliberal, del capitalismo social y altermundista, que pugnan por imponer su definición de la realidad turística y su valoración de lo que debería ser.
Ownership Structure and Long-Run Performance of French IPO Firms
Authors: Boubaker Sabri , Cellier Alexis , Manita Riadh , Toumi Narjess
Published: March 2021

Many studies have attempted to explain the long-term underperformance phenomenon of initial public offerings (IPOs). In this paper, we use the specificities of the French market to analyze whether the control-ownership wedge explains IPO long-run performance. Moreover, we investigate whether this relationship is driven by high-tech firms. Using data from a sample of 402 French high-tech and non-high-tech IPOs that went public during 1997-2011, we find that the separation of ownership and control rights of the largest shareholder is negatively associated with long-term performance of French IPOs. This finding indicates that IPOs with disproportional ownership structure underperform other firms in the one- to five-year period following the initial offering. Such separation increases the likelihood that controlling shareholders extract private benefits of control to the detriment of minority shareholders, leading to a low long-term performance. The empirical findings also show that our conclusions are not driven by high-tech firms.
Adolescents chiliens et violence amoureuse : représentations, normes genrées, et transition vers la vie adulte
Authors: Sanhueza Tatiana
Published: March 2021

Cet article s’insère dans une étude qualitative plus large sur les représentations sociales de la violence dans les relations amoureuses chez les adolescents chiliens. Quarante-huit adolescents âgés de 14 à 18 ans et fréquentant des écoles publiques et privées ont été questionnés en groupes de discussion. L’étude montre que les explications de la violence exercée par les garçons et par les filles se structurent sous l’influence d’un contexte socioculturel chilien en transformation. L’analyse des propos des participants fait aussi ressortir la présence d’une pensée sexiste dans laquelle leurs rapports amoureux et sexuels sont ancrés, ainsi que l’existence d’un ordre hétéronormatif reproduisant des stéréotypes de genre en sanctionnant les comportements hors du mandat dominant par la violence. Des façons normatives et non normatives d’entrer en relation amoureuse, où la hiérarchie de genre et la conformité à une masculinité/féminité normative restent bien présentes, sont de plus ressorties. L’article aborde le rôle pivot que jouent les premières relations amoureuses à l’adolescence dans la construction de l’identité de genre, dans le parcours amoureux et dans l’occurrence de la violence. Cet article conclut en soulignant que le concept de « premières fois » s’avère pertinent à l’étude de la transition vers l’âge adulte et permet de décrire des moments symboliques pour les adolescents et de considérer le contexte dans lequel ces expériences se construisent.
Non-destructive detection of highway hidden layer defects using a ground-penetrating radar and adaptive particle swarm support vector machine
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Hao Peiwen , Wang Aihui , Zhang Liangqi , Gu Bo , Lu Xinyan
Published: March 2021

In this paper, a method that uses a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and the adaptive particle swarm support vector machine (SVM) method is proposed for detecting and recognizing hidden layer defects in highways. Three common road features, namely cracks, voids, and subsidence, were collected using ground-penetrating imaging. Image segmentation was performed on acquired images. Original features were extracted from thresholded binary images and were compressed using the kl algorithm. The SVM classification algorithm was used for condition classification. For parameter optimization of the SVM algorithm, the grid search method and particle swarm optimization algorithm were used. The recognition rate using the grid search method was 88.333%; the PSO approach often yielded local maxima, and the recognition rate was 86.667%; the improved adaptive PSO algorithm avoided local maxima and increased the recognition rate to 91.667%.
Persona2vec: a flexible multi-role representations learning framework for graphs
Authors: Yoon Jisung , Yang Kai-Cheng , Jung Woo-Sung , Ahn Yong-Yeol
Published: March 2021

Graph embedding techniques, which learn low-dimensional representations of a graph, are achieving state-of-the-art performance in many graph mining tasks. Most existing embedding algorithms assign a single vector to each node, implicitly assuming that a single representation is enough to capture all characteristics of the node. However, across many domains, it is common to observe pervasively overlapping community structure, where most nodes belong to multiple communities, playing different roles depending on the contexts. Here, we proposepersona2vec, a graph embedding framework that efficiently learns multiple representations of nodes based on their structural contexts. Using link prediction-based evaluation, we show that our framework is significantly faster than the existing state-of-the-art model while achieving better performance.
Insomnia partially mediates the relationship between pathological personality traits and depression: a case-control study
Authors: Chen Fenglan , Lin Xiujin , Pan Yuli , Zeng Xuan , Zhang Shengjie , Hu Hong , Yu Miaoyu , Wu Junduan
Published: March 2021

Background and Objective

Personality disorders are frequently associated with insomnia and depression, but little is known about the inter-relationships among these variables. Therefore, this study examined these inter-relationships and the possible mediating effect of insomnia on the association between specific personality pathologies and depression severity.

Methods

There were 138 study participants, including 69 individuals with depression and 69 healthy controls. The main variables were measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-24 (HAMD-24), Athens Sleep Insomnia Scale (AIS), and the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire (PDQ-4+). Multivariate linear regression and mediation analysis were conducted.

Results

With the exception of the antisocial personality score, all the PDQ-4+ scores and AIS scores were significantly higher in the depression group than in the healthy control group (p < 0.001). In the total sample, all personality pathology scores (p < 0.001), except the antisocial personality score, had significant positive correlations with the AIS scores and HAMD-24 scores, and the AIS scores and HAMD-24 scores were positively correlated (r = 0.620, p < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed that borderline personality, passive-aggressive personality, and insomnia positively predicted the severity of depression, after adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, and that insomnia partially mediated the associations of borderline personality and passive-aggressive personality with depression severity.

Conclusions

Borderline personality, passive-aggressive personality, and insomnia tend to increase the severity of depression, and the effect of borderline and passive-aggressive personality on depression severity may be partially mediated by insomnia. This is the first study to report these findings in a Chinese sample, and they may help researchers to understand the pathways from specific personality pathologies to the psychopathology of depression better, which should be useful for designing interventions to relieve depression severity, as the impact of specific personality pathology and insomnia should be considered.
Effectiveness of isolation policies in schools: evidence from a mathematical model of influenza and COVID-19
Authors: Burns Adam A.C. , Gutfraind Alexander
Published: March 2021

Background

Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, school closures and travel restrictions are often implemented to control outbreaks of infectious diseases. For influenza in schools, the Center of Disease Control (CDC) recommends that febrile students remain isolated at home until they have been fever-free for at least one day and a related policy is recommended for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Other authors proposed using a school week of four or fewer days of in-person instruction for all students to reduce transmission. However, there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of these interventions.

Methods

We introduced a mathematical model of school outbreaks that considers both intervention methods. Our model accounts for the school structure and schedule, as well as the time-progression of fever symptoms and viral shedding. The model was validated on outbreaks of seasonal and pandemic influenza and COVID-19 in schools. It was then used to estimate the outbreak curves and the proportion of the population infected (attack rate) under the proposed interventions.

Results

For influenza, the CDC-recommended one day of post-fever isolation can reduce the attack rate by a median (interquartile range) of 29 (13–59)%. With 2 days of post-fever isolation the attack rate could be reduced by 70 (55–85)%. Alternatively, shortening the school week to 4 and 3 days reduces the attack rate by 73 (64–88)% and 93 (91–97)%, respectively. For COVID-19, application of post-fever isolation policy was found to be less effective and reduced the attack rate by 10 (5–17)% for a 2-day isolation policy and by 14 (5–26)% for 14 days. A 4-day school week would reduce the median attack rate in a COVID-19 outbreak by 57 (52–64)%, while a 3-day school week would reduce it by 81 (79–83)%. In both infections, shortening the school week significantly reduced the duration of outbreaks.

Conclusions

Shortening the school week could be an important tool for controlling influenza and COVID-19 in schools and similar settings. Additionally, the CDC-recommended post-fever isolation policy for influenza could be enhanced by requiring two days of isolation instead of one.
Intratympanic Steroid Therapy for Advanced Ménière’s Disease: Are There Effects on the Vestibular System?
Authors: Maihoub Stefani , Molnàr Andràs , Tamàs Làszló , Szirmai Àgnes
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Ménière’s Disease (MD) is associated with rotatory vertigo, unstable levels of hearing, tinnitus, along with vegetative symptoms and postural instability. Progressive hearing loss can be treated in part successfully with Intratympanic Steroid (ITS) (dexamethasone) injection. Aim: To investigate the effects of ITS treatment on vestibular system in MD. Materials and Methods: This retrospective case-control study, was conducted at Semmelweis University, Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery during the period of January 2018 to March 2020.Study involved 120 patients data suffering from advanced MD. Thirty-eight patients suffering from advanced stage of MD received ITS treatment along with 82 patients with advanced MD that were treated with conservative treatment based on international guidelines. The results of vestibular function tests using ultrasound-computer-craniocorpography (US-COMP-CCG) before and after administration of ITS injection were compared, using Mann-Whitney U test and Logistic Regression. To analyse the baseline characteristic of the control and treated groups, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were applied. Results: Based on the comparison between the baseline characteristic of the control and ITS groups, there was no significant difference detected in case of the US-COMP-CCG parameters, nor was it when the distribution of age groups and gender were contrasted. When the distribution of US-COMP-CCG parameters before and after the steroid treatment were contrasted using boxplots, there was no obvious difference between the parameters, which was also strengthened by the non-significant statistical difference. In case of the parameters of stepping test the same outcome was detected. Comparing the boxplots of the parameters of both tests after the treatment and of the control group, no significant difference was detected. Long-term follow-up data analysis was carried out using Kaplan-Meier curve and Logistic Regression, and there was no statistically significant difference between the treated and nontreated groups {p=0.445; Odds ratio: 1.654 (95% CI: 0.166-0.197)}. Conclusion: Based on US-COMP-CCG, the ITS injection seems to have no impact on the vestibular system, although seems to be efficient in the management of some cases of MD.
PROGRAMA ESCOLA ABERTA, DESDE O INÍCIO UMA RELAÇÃO ESCOLA-COMUNIDADE: REVISÃO DE LITERATURA
Authors: Rosa Claudio D. , Avila Marco Aúrelio , Profice Christiana Cabicieri
Published: March 2021

O Programa Escola Aberta (PEA) é uma ação governamental que tem oferecido atividades educativas, culturais e esportivas para milhares de pessoas. Apesar da relevância do PEA, experiências de campo avaliando esse programa ainda não foram conjuntamente analisadas. Objetivamos com o presente estudo explorar os resultados de experiências de campo, com o PEA, relatadas na literatura. Realizamos buscas por artigos nas bases de dados Periódicos Capes, Google Acadêmico e SCOPUS. Incluímos oito artigos após a aplicação de critérios de elegibilidade. Analisamos o conteúdo dos artigos de forma qualitativa e exploratória. Coletivamente, esses artigos indicam que o PEA tem o potencial para melhorar a relação escola-comunidade, suprir algumas necessidades das comunidades do entorno escolar, promover educação complementar e reduzir a violência.
Application of 1-Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) for Delaying the Ripening of Banana: A Review
Authors: Wasala W. M. C. B. , Benaragama C. K. , Kumara G. D. K. , Sarananda K. H. , Dissanayake C. A. K.
Published: March 2021

1- Methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) has been identified as a safe chemical tested successfully in extending shelf life while maintaining quality of plant products. 1-MCP, at very low concentrations, usually blocks ethylene receptors and then inhibits the action of ethylene delaying further ripening and senescence. Several studies have been conducted elsewhere for delaying ripening of different banana cultivars such as Cavendish, Prata, Tella Chakkerakeli, Beragan and Kolikuttu. Physiological reactions related with ripening of banana are delayed by inhibition of ethylene perception, while ethylene synthesis of banana fruit can be regulated at suppressed levels of ACS and ACO by 1-MCP. The effectiveness of 1-MCP on bananas varies with the maturity of the fruit. Fumigation, the conventional application method, has some limitations, particularly long exposure duration, uneven ripening and green ripening in bananas. Application of 1-MCP in aqueous form is recently developed to minimize these limitations. Micro-bubbling and controlled release packaging technologies are effective tools of application of 1-MCP on bananas. This review compiles and critically analyses the existing knowledge on the technological use of 1-MCP, clarifies inconsistencies in different publications.
Awareness and Use of Food Adulterants among Food Vendors and Market Women in the Northern Part of Ghana
Authors: Oti Janet Agyarkwaa
Published: March 2021

Ingestion of unsafe/adulterated foods is on record to have caused devastating health conditions and deaths around the world. Accordingly, an investigation to unearth this revelation is crucial in saving lives. This study, within the context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour investigated the awareness level, affordances and effects of food adulterants from the perspectives of market women and food vendors in the Bolgatanga Municipality. The study employed a sequential explanatory mixed-method design including both questionnaire and semi-structured interview guide in data collection. Using purposive, convenience and simple random sampling techniques, 106 respondents comprising 46 food vendors and 60 market women were sampled for the study. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics while the qualitative data followed the thematic approach. The study discovered that respondents were moderately aware (3.34±0.82) of the use of food adulterants. Again, factors such as, improve food colour, desire to increase profits, quest to improve food appearance, adding to weight and improvement of taste predominantly trigger food adulteration. Furthermore, the study revealed that food adulterants pose various health threats to consumers as perceived by respondents. Finally, the study established that there was no statistically significant difference between food vendors and market women on their level of awareness on the use of food adulterants [t(104)=0.670,p=0.504]. Hence, the study recommends that, the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly and health directorate should embark on intensive public education campaigns to educate the entire populace to increase awareness levels and improve food safety knowledge to curtail the predominant use of food adulterants.
Marispirochaeta
Authors: Uppada Jagadeeshwari , Rai Anusha , Sasikala Ch , Ramana Ch V.
Published: March 2021

Ma.ri.spi.ro.chae'ta. L. neut. n.mare, the sea; N.L. fem. n.Spirochaetaa bacterial genus; N.L. fem. n.Marispirochaetaa marineSpirochaeta.

Spirochaetes / Spirochaetia / Spirochaetales / Spirochaetaceae / Marispirochaeta

Cells are helical in structure and Gram‐stain‐negative, motile with helical movement, and obligate anaerobes. Members of the classSpirochaetia, orderSpirochaetales, and familySpirochaetaceae. Production of the sphaeroplasts occurs during the stationary phase or during an unfavorable growth condition. Catalase and oxidase‐negative. Indole production froml‐tryptophan and gelatin hydrolysis are negative. Starch hydrolysis is positive. Exhibits chemoorganoheterotrophic mode of nutrition. Cells grow on a number of organic substrates. Traces of yeast extract are required for its growth. Glucose fermentation is observed. The major fatty acids are C14:0, C16:0, and iso‐C15:0. Cells contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipids. The DNA G + C content is 53.6–54.9 mol%. The only species with a validly published name under this genus isMarispirochaeta aestuarii. One species of the rankcandidatusis also described, that is,CandidatusMarispirochaeta associata. Both the species were isolated from sediment samples of the marine coast of Gujarat, India.

DNA G + C content (mol%): 53.6–54.9 (Genome).

Type species:Marispirochaeta aestuariiShivani et al. 2017VP.

Candidatus species:CandidatusMarispirochaeta associata Shivani et al. 2016.
Variability in commercially available deformable image registration: A multi‐institution analysis using virtual head and neck phantoms
Authors: Kubli Alex , Pukala Jason , Shah Amish P. , Kelly Patrick , Langen Katja M. , Bova Frank J. , Mañon Rafael R. , Meeks Sanford L.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of three common deformable image registration (DIR) packages across algorithms and institutions.

Methods and Materials

The Deformable Image Registration Evaluation Project (DIREP) provides ten virtual phantoms derived from computed tomography (CT) datasets of head‐and‐neck cancer patients over a single treatment course. Using the DIREP phantoms, DIR results from 35 institutions were submitted using either Velocity, MIM, or Eclipse. Submitted deformation vector fields (DVFs) were compared to ground‐truth DVFs to calculate target registration error (TRE) for six regions of interest (ROIs). Statistical analysis was performed to determine the variability between each DIR software package and the variability of users within each algorithm.

Results

Overall mean TRE was 2.04 ± 0.35 mm for Velocity, 1.10 ± 0.29 mm for MIM, and 2.35 ± 0.15 mm for Eclipse. The MIM mean TRE was significantly different than both Velocity and Eclipse for all ROIs. Velocity and Eclipse mean TREs were not significantly different except for when evaluating the registration of the cord or mandible. Significant differences between institutions were found for the MIM and Velocity platforms. However, these differences could be explained by variations in Velocity DIR parameters and MIM software versions.

Conclusions

Average TRE was shown to be <3 mm for all three software platforms. However, maximum errors could be larger than 2 cm indicating that care should be exercised when using DIR. While MIM performed statistically better than the other packages, all evaluated algorithms had an average TRE better than the largest voxel dimension. For the phantoms studied here, significant differences between algorithm users were minimal suggesting that the algorithm used may have more impact on DIR accuracy than the particular registration technique employed. A significant difference in TRE was discovered between MIM versions showing that DIR QA should be performed after software upgrades as recommended by TG‐132.
Multiple sclerosis, rituximab, and COVID‐19
Authors: Langer‐Gould Annette , Smith Jessica B. , Li Bonnie H. ,   the KPSC MS Specialist Group
Published: March 2021

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in Kaiser Permanente Southern California from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. We found that rituximab‐treated persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS, n = 1895) were more likely be hospitalized (n = 8, 33.3%), but not die (n = 0) from COVID‐19, compared to the 4.81 million non‐MS population (5.8% and 1.4%, respectively). Time in months (adjusted OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.15–0.69, p = 0.0033) and receiving 1000 mg compared to lower doses at last infusion (adjusted OR = 6.28, 95% CI = 1.38–28.5, p = 0.0173) were independent predictors of COVID‐19 severity. Rituximab‐treated pwMS should be counseled to take extra precautions in the 5 months following each infusion. Using extended dosing intervals and lower doses could be considered.
Optical coherence tomography to measure the progression of myelopathy in adrenoleukodystrophy
Authors: van Ballegoij Wouter J. C. , Huffnagel Irene C. , van de Stadt Stephanie I. W. , Weinstein Henry C. , Bennebroek Carlien A. M. , Engelen Marc , Verbraak Frank D.
Published: March 2021

Objective

To prospectively determine the value of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as a surrogate outcome measure for the progression of myelopathy in males with adrenoleukodystrophy.

Methods

Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness were measured at baseline, 1‐ and 2‐year follow‐up in patients and age‐matched controls. We assessed the severity of myelopathy with clinical parameters: Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Severity Scoring system for Progressive Myelopathy (SSPROM), and timed up‐and‐go. Linear mixed model analysis was used to compare changes in retinal layer thickness of patients to controls. In addition, we correlated changes in retinal layer thickness with changes in clinical parameters.

Results

Longitudinal data were available for 28 patients and 29 controls. Peripapillary RNFL (pRNFL) thickness decreased significantly in patients compared to controls (−1.75µm, p = 0.001), whereas change in macular GCL and RNFL was not different between groups. Analysis of the symptomatic subgroup showed that, apart from a similar decrease in pRNFL thickness, GCL thickness decreased significantly (−0.55 µm, p = 0.014). There were moderately strong correlations between changes in retinal layer thickness and changes in clinical parameters of severity of myelopathy.

Interpretation

This prospective study demonstrates the potential of OCT‐measured retinal neurodegeneration as a surrogate outcome measure for the progression of myelopathy in adrenoleukodystrophy. As differences were small, our findings need to be confirmed with longer follow‐up and/or in a larger patient sample.
A Nano “Immune‐Guide” Recruiting Lymphocytes and Modulating the Ratio of Macrophages from Different Origins to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Sun Wenshe , Yang Jingxing , Hou Mengfei , Xie Shaowei , Xiong Liqin , Li Biao , Zhang Chunfu
Published: March 2021

Artificially modulating the type, density, and location of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment can suppress tumor growth and efficiently promote current immunotherapy. In this study, a magnetite nanoparticle‐based “immune‐guide” is developed by the functionalization of magnetite nanoparticles with hyaluronic acid (HA). HA, an extracellular matrix component, can target various CD44‐overexpressing tumors and mediate the adhesion and migration of multiple types of immune cells. Thus, HA‐functionalized magnetite nanoparticles (HA‐PDA@Fe3O4) can highly efficiently accumulate in breast cancer and penetrate deep into the tumor parenchyma. Consequently, high intratumoral concentration of HA, serving as a “guidepost,” can directly recruit lymphocytes and elicit more chemokine production through cascading amplification effects, turning the immune “cold” tumor into a “hot” one. More importantly, HA‐PDA@Fe3O4 can effectively remodel the diversity, origin, and activation of tumor‐associated macrophages by recruiting and activating infiltrating macrophages, while simultaneously reducing the M2‐maintained tissue‐resident macrophages. Thus, HA‐PDA@Fe3O4 synergistically improves T cell‐ and macrophage‐based immunotherapies as well as interferes with the formation of premetastatic niches in the lung. By redistributing the localization of HA in tumors by using magnetite nanoparticles, this study provides a unique strategy to modulate the tumor immune microenvironment and potentiate tumor immunotherapies by using biocompatible nanomaterials without any therapeutic drug.
MXene Phase with C3 Structure Unit: A Family of 2D Electrides
Authors: Bae Soungmin , Espinosa‐García William , Kang Yoon‐Gu , Egawa Noriyuki , Lee Juho , Kuwahata Kazuaki , Khazaei Mohammad , Ohno Kaoru , Kim Yong‐Hoon , Han Myung Joon , Hosono Hideo , Dalpian Gustavo M. , Raebiger Hannes
Published: March 2021

A new structural phase is discovered for M2CO2 MXenes with M = Sc, Y, La, Lu, Tm, and Ho. The hexagonal carbon layer sandwiched between M atoms, typical for MXenes, is transformed into C3 trimers with anionic electrons localized in quasi zero‐dimensional lattice spaces in‐between the C3 units, so the systems can be described as [M6 C3 O6]+II : 2e− electrides. The systems are readily ionized into [M6 C3 O6]+II with very low ionization energy via an anti‐doping mechanism. It is shown that this new structure of Sc2CO2 can bind multiple lithium atoms, with low migration barriers. The findings indicate that these M2CO2 MXenes with unusual carbon trimers are a new family of 2D electride insulators with the potential for charge storage applications, thermal field emission, and as anode material in lithium batteries.
Origin of Intramolecular Low‐Threshold Amplified Spontaneous Emission
Authors: Wei Qi , Duan Ruihong , Zhang Qi , Xie Linghai , Xia Ruidong , Yi Yuanping , Léonard Jérémie , Haacke Stefan , Cabanillas‐Gonzalez Juan , Qian Yan , Huang Wei
Published: March 2021

Amorphous thin films from solution‐processable semiconductors are key materials for low‐cost and large area optoelectronics. Design rules toward novel amorphous compounds with outstanding light emission and light amplification properties require understanding of the intimate relation between chemical and electronic structure. Here, a series of compounds with tunable electronic transition characters of the lowest excited state, from local excited (LE), hybrid local charge‐transfer (HLCT) to charge‐transfer (CT) character is delicately designed. By deploying a combination of computational calculations and femtosecond‐transient absorption experiments, it is shown that pure LE states strongly coupled to high wavenumber vibrational modes favor to form a few dominant discrete vibrational levels and are essential for optical gain, whereas HLCT or CT states are preferably coupled to low frequency vibrational modes and form a large number of consecutive vibrational levels which lead to broad excited‐state absorption overwhelming stimulated emission. The results provide guidelines for the rational design of efficient organic laser materials.
Volatile Organic Compound Sensors Based on 2D Materials
Authors: Tan Wee Chong , Ang Kah‐Wee
Published: March 2021

Due to their unique chemical and physical properties, 2D inorganic materials (2DMs) have attracted a lot of attention in recent years as an attractive platform for diverse applications in opto‐electronics, energy generation and storage, and sensing. This article presents the progress being made in sensors designed for measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air. It considers commercially available sensors, such as the amperometric and conductometric types, and the recent advancements in VOCs sensors employing 2DMs and their nanocomposites. Their performance is summarized in a graphical form and the challenges and possible mitigation methods for these types of VOC sensor are highlighted.
Fermi‐Level Pinning Free High‐Performance 2D CMOS Inverter Fabricated with Van Der Waals Bottom Contacts
Authors: Ngo Tien Dat , Yang Zheng , Lee Myeongjin , Ali Fida , Moon Inyong , Kim Dong Gyu , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Lee Kang‐Yoon , Yoo Won Jong
Published: March 2021

Effective control of 2D transistors polarity is a critical challenge in the process for integrating 2D materials into semiconductor devices. Herein, a doping‐free approach for developing tungsten diselenide (WSe2) logic devices by utilizing the van der Waals (vdWs) bottom electrical contact with platinum and indium as the high and low work function metal respectively is reported. The device structure is free from chemical disorder and crystal defects arising from metal deposition, which enables a near ideal Fermi‐level de‐pinning. With effective controllability of device polarity through metal work function change, a complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field effect transistor inverter with a gain of 198 at a bias voltage of 4.5 V is achieved. This study demonstrates an ultrahigh performance 2D inverter realized by controlling the device polarity from using Fermi‐level pinning‐free vdWs bottom contacts.
pH‐activated polymeric profragrances for dual‐controllable perfume release
Authors: Liu Ming , Yan Chenxu , Han Jianwei , Guo Zhiqian , Zhu Wei‐Hong , Xiao Zuobing , Wu Yue , Huang Jian
Published: March 2021

Design of controllable nanoprofragrances is critically challenging in cosmetic and decoration industries. Given that most profragrances based on physical encapsulation always suffer unreliable controllability, undefined loading efficiency, and poor stability, here we have for the first time constructed dual‐controllable profragrance platform based on pH‐activated polymer to achieve the specific pH‐triggered fragrance release, which consists of hydrophilic PEG unit, hydrophobic pH‐activated unit, and pH‐triggered unit, thereby guaranteeing profragrances with delicate controllability, homogeneous nanoparticles, well‐defined loading efficiency, and high stability. Dynamic laser scattering experiments demonstrate that the activated polymers possess excellent pH‐switchable property with high stability. Particularly, time‐dependent headspace release performance of all three profragrances is fitting to First‐Order kinetic model (R2 > 0.99). Finally, the step‐by‐step controllability of the profragrance platform with pH‐activated behavior and subsequently pH‐triggered release is realized both in aqueous solution and on targeted leather surface, which is highly desirable for the long‐lasting scent.
Using a multimethod life history approach to navigate the osteological paradox: A case study from Prehispanic Nasca, Peru
Authors: McCool Weston C. , Anderson Amy S. , Kennett Douglas J.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

We leverage recent bioarchaeological approaches and life history theory to address the implications of the osteological paradox in a study population. The goal of this article is to evaluate morbidity and mortality patterns as well as variability in the risk of disease and death during the Late Intermediate period (LIP; 950–1450 C.E.) in the Nasca highlands of Peru. We demonstrate how the concurrent use of multiple analytical techniques and life history theory can engage the osteological paradox and provide salient insights into the study of stress, frailty, and resilience in past populations.

Materials and methods

Crania from LIP burial contexts in the Nasca highlands were examined for cribra orbitalia (n = 325) and porotic hyperostosis (n = 270). All age groups and both sexes are represented in the sample. Survivor/nonsurvivor analysis assessed demographic differences in lesion frequency and severity. Hazard models were generated to assess differences in survivorship. The relationship between dietary diversity and heterogeneity in morbidity was assessed using stable δ15N and δ13C isotope values for bone collagen and carbonate. One hundred and twenty‐four crania were directly AMS radiocarbon dated, allowing for a diachronic analysis of morbidity and mortality.

Results

The frequency and expression of both orbital and vault lesions increases significantly during the LIP. Survivor/nonsurvivor analysis indicates cranial lesions co‐vary with frailty rather than robusticity or longevity. Hazard models show (1) decreasing survivorship with the transition into the LIP, (2) significantly lower adult life expectancy for females compared to males, and (3) individuals with cranial lesions have lower survivorship across the life course. Stable isotope results show very little dietary diversity. Mortality risk and frequency of pathological skeletal lesions were highest during Phase III (1300–1450 C.E.) of the LIP.

Conclusion

Results provide compelling evidence of increasing physiological stress and mortality in the Nasca highlands during the LIP, but also reveal substantial heterogeneity in frailty and the risk of death. Certain members of society experienced a heavier disease burden and higher mortality compared to their contemporaries. Elevated levels of disease and lethal trauma among females account for some of the sex differences in survivorship but cannot explain the large degree of female‐biased mortality. We hypothesize that parental investment in males or increased female fertility rates may explain these differences.
Mehrfarbige Mechanofluorophore für die quantitative Anzeige kovalenter Bindungsbrüche in Polymeren
Authors: Baumann Christoph , Stratigaki Maria , Centeno Silvia P. , Göstl Robert
Published: March 2021

Der Bruch von Polymermaterialien ist ein multiskaliger Prozess, der mit der Spaltung einer einzelnen molekularen Bindung beginnt und sich bis zu einer Bruchstelle im Festkörper ausbreitet. Die Quantifizierung der während dieses Prozesses gebrochenen Bindungen bleibt eine große Herausforderung, würde aber helfen, die Verteilung und Dissipation makroskopischer mechanischer Energie zu verstehen. Wir zeigen hier die Gestaltung und die Synthese von fluorogenen molekularen optischen Kraftsonden (Mechanofluorophoren), die das gesamte sichtbare Spektrum sowohl in Absorption als auch in Emission abdecken. Ihre dual‐fluoreszenten Eigenschaften ermöglichen es, nicht gebrochene und gebrochene Bindungen in gelösten Polymeren und im Festkörper durch Fluoreszenzspektroskopie und ‐mikroskopie zu verfolgen. Wichtig ist, dass wir einen Ansatz entwickeln, um die absolute Anzahl und den relativen Anteil von intakten und gebrochenen Bindungen mit hoher lokaler Auflösung zu bestimmen. Wir gehen davon aus, dass unsere Mechanofluorophore in Kombination mit unserer Quantifizierungsmethodik eine quantitative Beschreibung von Versagensprozessen in Materialien von weichen Hydrogelen bis hin zu Hochleistungspolymeren ermöglichen werden.
Automatisierte Glykan‐Assemblierung 19F‐markierter Glykansonden ermöglicht Hochdurchsatz‐NMR‐Untersuchungen von Protein‐Glykan‐Interaktionen
Authors: Fittolani Giulio , Shanina Elena , Guberman Mónica , Seeberger Peter H. , Rademacher Christoph , Delbianco Martina
Published: March 2021

Protein‐Glykan‐Interaktionen vermitteln wichtige biologische Prozesse wie die Pathogen‐Wirt‐Invasion und zelluläre Kommunikation. Wir hier stellen einen schnellen Ansatz vor, der die automatisierte Glykan‐Assemblierung (AGA) von 19F‐markierten Sonden und Hochdurchsatz‐NMR‐Methoden integriert und die Untersuchung von Protein‐Glykan‐Interaktionen ermöglicht. Synthetische Lewis‐Typ‐2‐Antigene wurden gegen sieben glykanbindende Proteine (GBPs) durchmustert, darunter DC‐SIGN und BambL, die an HIV‐1‐ bzw. Lungeninfektionen bei immungeschwächten Patienten beteiligt sind, wobei die Präferenz für fucosylierte Glykane (Lex, H Typ 2, Ley) bestätigt wurde. Bisher unbekannte schwache Wechselwirkungen zwischen Glykanen und Lektinen wurden nachgewiesen und thermodynamische Daten gewonnen. Enzymatische Reaktionen wurden in Echtzeit überwacht und lieferten kinetische Parameter. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen den Nutzen von AGA in Kombination mit 19F‐NMR‐Spektroskopie für die Entdeckung und Charakterisierung von Glykan‐Protein‐Wechselwirkungen, wodurch sich neue Perspektiven für 19F‐markierte komplexe Glykane eröffnen.
25 Years of Reticular Chemistry
Authors: Freund Ralph , Canossa Stefano , Cohen Seth M. , Yan Wei , Deng Hexiang , Guillerm Vincent , Eddaoudi Mohamed , Madden David G. , Fairen‐Jimenez David , Lyu Hao , Macreadie Lauren K. , Ji Zhe , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Bo , Haase Frederik , Wöll Christof , Zaremba Orysia , Andreo Jacopo , Wuttke Stefan , Diercks Christian S.
Published: March 2021

At its core, reticular chemistry has translated the precision and expertise of organic and inorganic synthesis to the solid state. While initial excitement over metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) was undoubtedly fueled by their unprecedented porosity and surface areas, the most profound scientific innovation of the field has been the elaboration of design strategies for the synthesis of extended crystalline solids through strong directional bonds. In this contribution we highlight the different classes of reticular materials that have been developed, how these frameworks can be functionalized, and how complexity can be introduced into their backbones. Finally, we show how the structural control over these materials is being extended from the molecular scale to their crystal morphology and shape on the nanoscale, all the way to their shaping on the bulk scale.