bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Redox Properties of Small Molecules Essential for Multiple Reactivities with Pathological Factors in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Kim Mingeun , Lim Mi Hee
Published: August 2021

Amyloid‐β, metal ions, and reactive oxygen species are linked to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To identify their roles in the pathology of AD and control their pathological reactivities, various chemical tools have been developed. The redox‐based strategy for designing small molecules with multiple reactivities toward pathogenic factors has recently received significant attention. ThisAccountbriefly illustrates our current understanding of diverse pathological elements associated with AD and their redox properties. Furthermore, we summarize some examples of redox‐active small molecules with multifunctionality that were constructed by tuning electronic properties through incorporating substituents onto the backbones.
Insight into Fundamental Rules of Phenylenediamines Selective Monoacylation by the Comparisons of Kinetic Characteristics in Microreactor
Authors: Xu Qilin , Liu Ji Ming , Yao Hongmiao , Zhao Jinyang , Wang Zhikuo , Liu Junli , Zhou Jiadi , Yu Zhiqun , Su Weike
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the kinetics of acylation reaction of o‐phenylenediamine/p‐phenylenediamine and benzoic anhydride were determined in microreactors, respectively. A kinetic model was established, all kinetic parameters including reaction orders, reaction rate constants, pre‐exponential factors, and activation energies were acquired. Validation experiments showed experimental data fit well with calculated data at different reactant concentrations and residence times. The comparisons of the reaction rate constants and activation energies were summarized to show the difference of chemical reactivities of phenylenediamines. According to the calculation of the kinetic model, the optimized reaction conditions were listed to meet the monoacylation selectivity equal to 97.0%.
Effect of one‐session focused attention meditation on the working memory capacity of meditation novices: A functional near‐infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Yamaya Noriki , Tsuchiya Kenji , Takizawa Ibuki , Shimoda Kaori , Kitazawa Kazuki , Tozato Fusae
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Previous studies have revealed that one‐session focused attention meditation (FAM) can improve top‐down attention control, which is one of the factors of working memory capacity (WMC). In addition, FAM shares various neural substrates, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), with WMC. Thus, we hypothesized that one‐session FAM would improve WMC by activating the DLPFC evoked by the top‐down attention control. In this study, we examined whether FAM modified WMC in individuals with little to no meditation experience.

Methods

The participants were randomly assigned to either the FAM group (N = 13) or the control group (N = 17) who engaged in random thinking (i.e., mind‐wandering). Before and after each 15‐min intervention, the participants’ WMC was measured according to the total number of correct answers in the Reading Span Test. During each intervention, functional near‐infrared spectroscopy was employed to measure the blood flow in the participants’ DLPFC and determine the top‐down attention control effect.

Results

In the FAM group, WMC increased, and the bilateral DLPFC was activated during the intervention. As for the control group, WMC decreased after the intervention, and the bilateral DLPFC was not activated during the intervention. A correlation was also found among all participants between the increase in WMC and the activation of the bilateral DLPFC.

Conclusion

The study findings suggest that top‐down attention control during FAM can activate the bilateral DLPFC and increase WMC among meditation novices.
Coping strategies, optimism, and resilience factors associated with mental health outcomes among medical residents exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 in Qatar
Authors: Smida Malek , Khoodoruth Mohamed Adil Shah , Al‐Nuaimi Saleem Khaldoon , Al‐Salihy Zerak , Ghaffar Adeel , Khoodoruth Widaad Nuzhah Chut‐kai , Mohammed Mohammed Faisal Hamad , Ouanes Sami
Published: August 2021

Objective

The aim of this study is to examine the association between coping strategies, resilience, optimism and different mental health outcomes like stress, anxiety, and depression among the medical residents’ during the COVID‐19 pandemic, with consideration of different factors like seniority, frontliner, gender, and coping style.

Methods

An electronic survey was sent to all medical residents in Qatar. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed by the DASS‐21. Professional quality of life was measured by the ProQOL scale. The coping mechanisms were assessed with the Brief‐COPE, and resilience was measured by the Brief Resilience Scale.

Results

The most commonly used coping strategies were acceptance, religion, and active coping. The avoidant coping style scores were higher among junior residents (p = .032) and non‐COVID‐19 frontliners (p = .039). Optimism LOT‐R score was higher in senior than in junior residents (p < .001). Lower avoidant coping scores, higher optimism, and higher resilience were associated with lower stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

It seems that avoidant coping styles can exacerbate depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms in medical residents amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic. Strategies promoting optimism, resilience, and approach coping styles can decrease the mental health burden of the pandemic on medical residents.
Characteristics and outcomes of unsuccessful percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Biswas Sinjini , Dinh Diem , Duffy Stephen J. , Brennan Angela , Liew Danny , Chan William , Cox Nicholas , Reid Christopher M. , Lefkovits Jeffrey , Stub Dion
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To examine predictors and outcomes of unsuccessful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cases in a contemporary Australian registry cohort.

Background

With improvements in techniques and pharmacotherapy in PCI, more complex lesions in older patients are now being attempted. In the context of PCI performance assessment, there are limited data regarding the characteristics and outcomes of unsuccessful PCI.

Method

We prospectively collected data on patients undergoing single‐lesion PCI between 2013 and 2017 who were enrolled in the multi‐center Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry. Procedures were divided into two groups by whether or not PCI was deemed successful at the end of the procedure using a pre‐specified definition.

Results

There were 34,383 single‐lesion PCI performed, of which 18,644 (54.2%) were for acute coronary syndromes. Of the study cohort, 2080 patients (6.0%) had an unsuccessful PCI – these patients were older, more likely to have previous stroke, PCI, severe left ventricular dysfunction and chronic kidney disease (all p < 0.001). The procedure was also more likely to be performed for stable angina (p < 0.001). Chronic total occlusion PCI made up 31% of unsuccessful PCI cases. Unsuccessful PCI was itself associated with higher in‐hospital and 30‐day mortality and MACE (all p < 0.001). 4.9% of unsuccessful PCIs led to unplanned in‐hospital bypass surgery (compared to 0.2% in successful PCIs, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study highlights that even in contemporary PCI practice, more than 1 in 20 PCI attempts are unsuccessful. Lack of procedural success has a strong influence on patient outcomes. Monitoring rates of unsuccessful cases is an important quality assurance tool.
Impact of gender on in‐hospital mortality and 90‐day readmissions in patients undergoing transcatheter edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair: Analysis from the National Readmission Database
Authors: Guddeti Raviteja R. , Pajjuru Venkata S. , Walters Ryan W. , Garcia Santiago A. , Alla Venkata M.
Published: August 2021

Background

Patients undergoing transcatheter edge‐to‐edge mitral valve repair (TEER) carry a high risk of rehospitalization due to disease, procedure, patient, hospital, and system related factors.

Aims

We aimed to explore the impact of gender on in‐hospital mortality and 90‐day readmissions in patients undergoing TEER.

Methods

We utilized the National Readmission Database from 2012 to 2018 to identify individuals who underwent TEER for mitral regurgitation. Gender‐based differences in in‐hospital mortality and 90‐day readmissions were explored using multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

Between 2012 and 2018, an estimated 21,415 TEER procedural hospitalizations were identified, of which 9893 (46.2%) were in women and 11,522 (53.8%) were in men. Compared with men, women were older, from a lower socioeconomic status but had a lower co‐morbidity burden. In‐hospital mortality rate during the index hospitalization was similar in women and men (2.1% vs. 2.1%, p = 0.908). Ninety‐day all‐cause and heart failure readmission rates were significantly higher in women compared to men (30.2% vs. 25.4%; p < 0.001 and 28.1% vs. 23.9%; p = 0.020 respectively). In a multivariable analysis, women had 36% greater odds of 90‐day readmission compared to men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.36, 95% CI: 1.22–1.52; p < 0.001). Trend analysis revealed no significant improvement in rates of 90‐day readmission during the observation period for men or women (p = 0.245, p = 0.429, respectively).

Conclusions

Following TEER, there has been no significant improvement in 90‐day readmission rates between 2012 and 2018. Female gender is associated with higher 90‐day all‐cause and heart failure readmission rates.
Elucidating the Role of Aqueous Solvent in an Iron‐Based Water Oxidation System by DFT‐based Molecular Simulation
Authors: Li Ying‐Ying , Meijer Evert Jan , Liao Rong‐Zhen
Published: August 2021

Water solvent plays an important role in catalytic water oxidation to dioxygen, in particular in the O−O bond formation process. In this work, we revisit the mechanism of O−O bond formation catalyzed by a mononuclear iron catalyst [Cl−FeIII(dpa)−Cl]+, in a DFT‐based molecular dynamics (DFT‐MD) study that incorporates explicit solvent and thermal fluctuations. Two possible mechanisms for the crucial O−O bond formation, namely water nucleophilic attack (WNA) and nitrate nucleophilic attack (NNA) on the high‐valent FeV‐oxo moiety, were considered and found to have similar barriers (15 kcal/mol vs 16 kcal/mol). Comparison with static DFT calculations demonstrated the important role of water solvent molecules, especially for the NNA pathway. For this mechanism, the interaction of the negatively‐charged nitrate with solvent molecules is substantial, giving rise to a free energy barrier increase of 7.7 kcal/mol compared with static DFT calculations. The study suggests that for molecular water‐oxidation catalysts, the local aqueous solvation structure and its thermal fluctuations plays a significant role in the crucial O−O bond formation step. The study also elucidates the role of the nitrate ion as a co‐catalyst, a notion that may serve as a potential design rule for developing improved water oxidation catalysts.
Dual Doping of MoP with M(Mn,Fe) and S to Achieve High Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Activity in Both Acidic and Alkaline Media
Authors: El‐Refaei Sayed M. , Russo Patrícia A. , Schultz Thorsten , Koch Nobert , Pinna Nicola
Published: August 2021

Rational design of cost‐effective, high performance and stable hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts in both acidic and alkaline media holds the key to the future hydrogen‐based economy. Herein, we introduce an effective approach of simultaneous non‐metal (S) and metal (Fe or Mn) doping of MoP to achieve excellent HER performance at different pH. The catalysts show remarkable overpotentials at −10 mA cm−2 of only 65 and 68 mV in 0.5 M H2SO4, and 50 and 51 mV in 1.0 M KOH, respectively, as well as much higher turnover frequencies compared to undoped MoP. Furthermore, the catalysts exhibit outstanding long‐term stability at a fixed current of −10 mA cm−2 for 40 h. The effects of both dopants, such as electronic structure modification and enhancement of the intrinsic activity, increase of the electrochemically active surface area, and formation of coordinatively unsaturated edge sites, act cooperatively to accelerate the HER at both pH media. Additionally, the presence of oxophilic Mn and Fe at the surface results in Mn or Fe oxide/hydroxide species that promote the dissociation of water molecules in alkaline electrolyte. This work introduces a facile and effective design principle that could pave the way towards engineering highly active HER catalysts for a wide pH range.
Two‐Step Deposition Approach for Lead Free (NH4)3Sb2I9 Perovskite Solar Cells with Enhanced Open Circuit Voltage and Performance
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Ahmad Khursheed , Dagar Janardan , Unger Eva , Mobin Shaikh M.
Published: August 2021

In recent years, development of lead (Pb) free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has attracted the scientific community because of their stability in air and less toxic nature. Antimony (Sb) based perovskite like‐materials such as (CH3NH3)3Sb2I9 and (NH4)3Sb2I9 have been employed as light absorbers and showed promising features for photovoltaic applications. Herein, we have utilized (NH4)3Sb2I9 as light absorber for the construction of Pb free PSCs. Moreover, we have employed a modified two step procedure for the preparation of (NH4)3Sb2I9. The developed Pb free PSCs device (FTO/CL‐TiO2/m‐TiO2/(NH4)3Sb2I9/HTM/Au) exhibited enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.42 % with open circuit voltage (Voc) of 945 mV.
Transition Metal‐Catalyzed Hydroalkoxylation of Alkynes: An Overview
Authors: Nanda Santosh K. , Mallik Rosy
Published: August 2021

Oxygen‐bearing motifs, mainly the congener heterocycles are ubiquitous due to their presence in various natural products and bioactive scaffolds. Although in literature, several strategies have been developed for their synthesis, hydroalkoxylation of alkynes has come forward as a method of choice and has been used extensively. In particular, hydroalkoxylation of alkynes has gained enormous attention from the synthetic community due to the rapid access to a very useful and reactive synthetic intermediate like ‘enol ether’. Furthermore, to manifold the utility of these methods, reports have been developed elaborating the generation of ‘enol ether’ using hydroalkoxylation and their usage in various reactions in cascade or tandem manner. This review focuses on recent development on the hydroalkoxylation of alkynes for the synthesis of oxygen‐containing entities.
Are Heavy Pnictogen‐π Interactions Really “π Interactions”?
Authors: Schiavo Eduardo , Bhattacharyya Kalishankar , Mehring Michael , Auer Alexander A.
Published: August 2021

The noncovalent interactions of heavy pnictogens with π‐arenes play a fundamental role in fields like crystal engineering or catalysis. The strength of such bonds is based on an interplay between dispersion and donor/acceptor interactions, and is generally attributed to the presence of π‐arenes. Computational studies of the interaction between the heavy pnictogens As, Sb and Bi and cyclohexane, in comparison with previous studies on the interaction between heavy pnictogens and benzene, show that this concept probably has to be revised. A thorough analysis of all the different energetic components that play a role in these systems, carried out with state‐of‐the‐art computational methods, sheds light on how they influence one another and the effect that their interplay has on the overall system. Furthermore, the analysis of such interactions leads us to the unexpected finding that the presence of the pnictogen compounds strongly affects the conformational equilibrium of cyclohexane, reversing the relative stability of the chair and boat‐twist conformers, and thus suggesting a possible application of tuneable dispersion energy donors to stabilise the desired conformation.
Heterobimetallic Coinage Metal‐Ruthenium Complexes Supported by Anionic N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes
Authors: Planer Sebastian , Frosch Jenni , Koneczny Marvin , Trzybiński Damian , Woźniak Krzysztof , Grela Karol , Tamm Matthias
Published: August 2021

The lithium complexes [(WCA‐NHC)Li(toluene)] of anionic N‐heterocyclic carbenes with a weakly coordinating borate moiety (WCA‐NHC, WCA=B(C6F5)3, NHC=IDipp=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene) were used for the preparation of silver(I) or copper(I) WCA‐NHC complexes. While the reactions in THF with AgCl or CuCl afforded anionic mono‐ and dicarbene complexes with solvated lithium counterions [Li(THF)n]+ (n=3, 4), the reactions in toluene proceeded with elimination of LiCl and formation of the neutral phosphine and arene complexes [(WCA‐NHC)M(PPh3)] and [(WCA‐NHC)M(η2‐toluene)] (M=Ag, Cu). The latter were used for the preparation of chlorido‐ and iodido‐bridged heterobimetallic Ag/Ru and Cu/Ru complexes [(WCA‐NHC)M(μ‐X)2Ru(PPh3)(η6‐p‐cymene)] (M=Ag, Cu, X=Cl; M=Ag, X=I). Surprisingly, these complexes resisted the elimination of CuCl, AgCl, or AgI, precluding WCA‐NHC transmetalation.
Homarine Alkyl Ester Derivatives as Promising Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
Authors: João Karen G. , Videira Romeu A. , Paiva‐Martins Fátima , Valentão Patrícia , Pereira David M. , Andrade Paula B.
Published: August 2021

Reversible acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are key therapeutic tools to modulate the cholinergic connectivity compromised in several degenerative pathologies. In this work, four alkyl esters of homarine were synthesized and screened by using Electrophorus electricus AChE and rat brain AChE‐rich fraction. Results showed that all homarine alkyl esters are able to inhibit AChE by a competitive inhibition mode. The effectiveness of AChE inhibition increases with the alkyl side chain length of the homarine esters, being HO−C16 (IC50=7.57±3.32 μM and Ki=18.96±2.28 μM) the most potent inhibitor. The fluorescence quenching studies confirmed that HO−C16 is the compound with higher selectivity and affinity for the tryptophan residues in the catalytic active site of AChE. Preliminary cell viability studies showed that homarine esters display no toxicity for human neuronal SH‐SY5Y cells. Thus, the long‐chain homarine esters emerge as new anti‐cholinesterase agents, with potential to be considered for therapeutic applications development.
Structural Design of Composite Polymer Electrolytes for Solid‐state Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Liao Wenchao , Liu Chen
Published: August 2021

Composite polymer electrolytes with good safety and improved electrochemical performance have attracted widespread attention. However, the ion conduction ability at room temperature and interface compatibility between the electrolyte and electrode still face huge challenges, which greatly hinders the overall performance of solid‐state batteries. Therefore, the focus of this review is on the impact of the composite electrolyte structure on its ion conduction ability and interfacial compatibility, including physical contact of the electrolyte with electrodes, formation of lithium dendrites and space charge layer, adapting to high‐voltage cathode, as well as corresponding solving strategies. Moreover, the structural design‐based ion transport mechanism is highlighted, and the inorganic component with 0D, 1D, 2D, 3D and vertical structure are summarized. The purpose here is to outline the problems and challenges in structural design of composite electrolytes and their interfacial compatibility with various electrodes, allowing for target‐oriented research for high performance solid‐state lithium metal batteries.
An inertial Douglas–Rachford splitting algorithm for nonconvex and nonsmooth problems
Authors: Feng Junkai , Zhang Haibin , Zhang Kaili , Zhao Pengfei
Published: August 2021

In the fields of wireless communication and data processing, there are varieties of mathematical optimization problems, especially nonconvex and nonsmooth problems. For these problems, one of the biggest difficulties is how to improve the speed of solution. To this end, here we mainly focused on a minimization optimization model that is nonconvex and nonsmooth. Firstly, an inertial Douglas–Rachford splitting (IDRS) algorithm was established, which incorporate the inertial technology into the framework of the Douglas–Rachford splitting algorithm. Then, we illustrated the iteration sequence generated by the proposed IDRS algorithm converges to a stationary point of the nonconvex nonsmooth optimization problem with the aid of the Kurdyka–Łojasiewicz property. Finally, a series of numerical experiments were carried out to prove the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm from the perspective of signal recovery. The results are implicit that the proposed IDRS algorithm outperforms another algorithm.
Sunn hemp planting date effect on growth, biomass accumulation, and nutritive value in southeastern Wyoming
Authors: Eberle Carrie , Shortnacy Lauren
Published: August 2021

Sustainablesuccess of the Northern High Plains (NHP) crop and livestock industry is limited by market accessibility, infertile soils, short growing seasons, and availability of high nutritive value, low‐cost feed. Adoption of the tropical legume, Crotalaria juncea L. (commonly known as sunn hemp), into NHP cropping systems could improve the sustainability of the rotation by fitting into summer growing windows and being used as a hay alternative. Rainfed and irrigated studies were conducted in Lingle, WY, to determine the target planting date for sunn hemp in the NHP. Later planting day of year was correlated with increased percent establishment in the rainfed study but had no effect in the irrigated study. In both irrigated and rainfed studies, planting between 8 June and 18 June maximized biomass accumulation. Biomass accumulation 60 d after planting ranged from 0.2 to 5.1 Mg ha–1 in the rainfed study and 1.2 to 4.2 Mg ha–1 in the irrigated study. For both irrigated and rainfed studies, the nutritive value of sunn hemp was high with crude protein greater than 220 g Kg–1, acid detergent fiber less than 305 g Kg–1, neutral detergent fiber less than 331 g Kg–1, relative feed values above 183, and total digestible nutrients greater than 590 g Kg–1. Planting date did not affect nutritive value. Sunn hemp grown in the NHP has a 60‐d yield potential 5.1 Mg ha–1, should be planted between 8–18 June to 60‐d biomass production, and has nutritive value equivalent to supreme quality alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay.
Two‐Dimensional Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Nanosheet Electrodes for Enhanced Electrical Conductivity toward Stable and High‐Performance Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Lee Minseop , Kim Min‐Sung , Oh Jae‐Min , Park Jin Kuen , Paek Seung‐Min
Published: August 2021

Invited for this month′s cover are the groups of Jae‐Min Oh, Jin Kuen Park, and Seung‐Min Paek at three different universities in South Korea. The image shows how the supramolecular interaction between two different two‐dimensional materials can control the electrical storage properties for a sodium‐ion battery. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202100545.
Hydrogenative Depolymerization of Polyurethanes Catalyzed by a Manganese Pincer Complex
Authors: Zubar Viktoriia , Haedler Andreas T. , Schütte Markus , Hashmi A. Stephen K. , Schaub Thomas
Published: August 2021

Chemical recycling, in particular hydrogenative depolymerization, offers a promising way to utilize plastic waste. This report covers the manganese‐catalyzed hydrogenation of polyurethane materials to the corresponding monomeric units. The key to success is a Mn pincer complex as a potent hydrogenation catalyst in combination with elevated temperatures (up to 200 °C) and appropriate solvents to ensure sufficient solubility of the polymers. A wide range of polyurethane samples of varying polyol and isocyanate compositions, some of which feature significant amounts of urea functionalities, are depolymerized, releasing polyetherols and diaminotoluene (TDA) in yields of up to 89 % and 76 %, respectively.
Deriving within‐person estimates of delta‐beta coupling: A novel measure for identifying individual differences in emotion and neural function in childhood
Authors: Brooker Rebecca J. , Mistry‐Patel Sejal , Kling Jennifer L. , Howe Holly A.
Published: August 2021

Delta‐beta coupling is increasingly used to understand early emotional development. However, little is known about the development of the coupling, limiting its utility for identifying normative or aberrant functioning. We used a prospective longitudinal sample (N = 122) to compare measures of within‐person and between‐person coupling between ages 3 and 5, track the developmental trajectory of coupling, identify individual differences in patterns of development, and explore emotion‐related predictors and outcomes of discrete developmental patterns. Within‐person measures, limited in overall utility, were most useful when (1) statistical approaches produced more homogenous groups within the overall sample (extreme groups or latent classes) or (2) the full developmental course was considered. We found two trajectories of change in frontal coupling and three trajectories of change in parietal coupling. Coupling trajectories were predicted by observed fear and approach/avoidance at age 3. In addition, high levels of frontal coupling at age 3 that declined and then levelled out through age 5 were associated with lower levels of internalizing by age 5. This work provides a foundation for understanding normative change in delta‐beta coupling across the preschool years and useful insight for the use of this metric in future work.
Biodiesel from Microorganisms: A Review
Authors: Chen Yuwei , Nie Xiaoan , Ye Jun , Wang Yigang , Chen Jie , Xu Junming
Published: August 2021

Biodiesel is a good substitute for fossil fuels because it is renewable, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable. Biodiesel is often classified into three generations, the third‐generation biodiesel, often manufactured using lipids from microorganisms, especially microalgae and yeast, which can produce biomass with lipid content up to 70% by weight (dry). After cultivation of microorganisms, lipids in cells need to be recovered. This Review attempts to illustrate the entire process of producing third‐generation biodiesel and suggests ways of promoting it. The Review defines biodiesel; touches upon different standards of biodiesel and performance of engines powered with biodiesel; summarizes the methods of cultivating microalgae and yeast, including reactors, parameters, media, and fermentation processes; and also introduces both traditional and modern methods of recovering lipids from biomass, suggesting ways of making the recovery more efficient and less expensive.
An Adaptive Energy Management Strategy for Simultaneous Long Life and High Wake‐Up Success Rate of Wireless Sensor Network Nodes
Authors: Dai Keren , Zhang Cheng , Li Qingyu , Huang Xiaohua , Zhang He
Published: August 2021

For wireless sensor network (WSN) nodes with an extremely tight energy supply, herein, an adaptive energy management strategy based on a hybrid energy system composed of a photovoltaic device, Li battery, and supercapacitor is proposed. According to information fusion of the irradiation intensity, load consumption and the state of charge of the battery and supercapacitor, the estimation of energy shortage caused by future wake‐up pulses is carried out. Based on this, the charge/predischarge power of the Li battery is adaptively adjusted. Simulations validate that much lower Li battery capacity loss than the previous strategies is achieved without sacrificing the wake‐up success rate, thereby extending the life of the hybrid energy module in a WSN node by an order of magnitude. In addition, the proposed strategy has excellent robustness in the double‐random environmental and working conditions including the irradiation intensity, driving event frequency, etc., and can always maintain excellent performance while these parameters are changing within a wide range. Therefore, an effective energy guarantee for long life and high wake‐up success rate of WSN nodes under double‐random environmental and working conditions is provided and the practical application of WSN nodes in such scenarios is promoted.
Random fields on the hypertorus: Covariance modeling and applications
Authors: Porcu Emilio , White Philip A.
Published: August 2021

This article gives a comprehensive theoretical framework to the modeling, inference, and applications of Gaussian random fields using what we term the hypertorus as an index set. The hypertorus is obtained through a product of hyperspheres. We envision the following as appropriate settings for random fields on the hypertorus: continuous‐time data with multiple sources of seasonality, directional data with seasonality or over the globe, and global spatiotemporal data with temporal seasonality. We propose modeling strategies for such data through covariance structures over the hypertorus. We develop various families of covariance functions over the hypertorus and discuss how to construct random fields using these covariance functions. We show the utility of our findings on three datasets. Our first example is a dataset of ozone concentrations from Mexico City that exhibits multiple sources of seasonality. Our second dataset is a wind speed dataset, where the data show daily seasonality and are indexed by wind direction. Our third illustration considers a global space‐time dataset of cloud coverage, demonstrating strong seasonality. In all analyses, we compare the predictive performance of random fields specified through various covariance structures and examine the results of the best predictive model.
Doublecortin‐like expressing astrocytes of the suprachiasmatic nucleus are implicated in the biosynthesis of vasopressin and influences circadian rhythms
Authors: Coomans Claudia , Saaltink Dirk‐Jan , Deboer Tom , Tersteeg Mayke , Lanooij Suzanne , Schneider Anne Fleur , Mulder Aat , van Minnen Jan , Jost Carolina , Koster Abraham J. , Vreugdenhil Erno
Published: August 2021

We have recently identified a novel plasticity protein, doublecortin‐like (DCL), that is specifically expressed in the shell of the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). DCL is implicated in neuroplastic events, such as neurogenesis, that require structural rearrangements of the microtubule cytoskeleton, enabling dynamic movements of cell bodies and dendrites. We have inspected DCL expression in the SCN by confocal microscopy and found that DCL is expressed in GABA transporter‐3 (GAT3)‐positive astrocytes that envelope arginine vasopressin (AVP)‐expressing cells. To investigate the role of these DCL‐positive astrocytes in circadian rhythmicity, we have used transgenic mice expressing doxycycline‐induced short‐hairpin (sh) RNA's targeting DCL mRNA (DCL knockdown mice). Compared with littermate wild type (WT) controls, DCL‐knockdown mice exhibit significant shorter circadian rest‐activity periods in constant darkness and adjusted significantly faster to a jet‐lag protocol. As DCL‐positive astrocytes are closely associated with AVP‐positive cells, we analyzed AVP expression in DCL‐knockdown mice and in their WT littermates by 3D reconstructions and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We found significantly higher numbers of AVP‐positive cells with increased volume and more intensity in DCL‐knockdown mice. We found alterations in the numbers of dense core vesicle‐containing neurons at ZT8 and ZT20 suggesting that the peak and trough of neuropeptide biosynthesis is dampened in DCL‐knockdown mice compared to WT littermates. Together, our data suggest an important role for the astrocytic plasticity in the regulation of circadian rhythms and point to the existence of a specific DCL+ astrocyte‐AVP+ neuronal network located in the dorsal SCN implicated in AVP biosynthesis.
Meta‐analysis on continuous nerve monitoring in thyroidectomies
Authors: Ku Dominic , Hui Michelle , Cheung Phylannie , Chow Oliver , Smith Mark , Riffat Faruque , Sritharan Niranjan , Kamani Dipti , Randolph Gregory
Published: August 2021

In the last decade, the introduction of continuous intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) monitoring (C‐IONM) has enabled the operator to verify the functional integrity of the vagus nerve–recurrent laryngeal nerve (VN‐RLN) axis in real‐time. We aim to present the current evidence on C‐IONM utility for thyroid surgery by conducting the first meta‐analysis on this technique. A systematic review of literature was conducted by two independent reviewers via Ovid in the Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane reviews databases. The search was limited to human subject research in peer‐reviewed articles of all languages published between Jan 1946 and April 2020. Medical subject headings (MeSH) terms utilized were thyroid surgery, thyroidectomies, recurrent laryngeal nerve, vagal nerve, monitor, and stimulation. Thirty‐eight papers were identified from Ovid, another six papers were identified by hand‐search. A random effect meta‐analysis was performed with assessment of heterogeneity using the I2 value. A total of 23 papers that investigated the use of continuous vagal nerve monitoring during thyroid surgery were identified. The proportion of nerves at risk (NAR) with temporary RLN paralysis postoperation was 2.26% (95% CI: 1.6–2.9, I2 = 37). The proportion of NAR with permanent RLN palsy postoperation was 0.05% (95% CI: 0.08–0.2, I2 = 0). In this meta‐analysis, there is one case of temporary vagal nerve paralysis secondary to VN electrode dislodgement, and a case of hemodynamic instability manifested in bradycardia and hypotension in the initial phase of surgery shortly after calibration. C‐IONM is a safe and effective means by which RLN paralyses in thyroid surgery can be reduced.
Neonatal anoxia increases nociceptive response in rats: Sex differences and lumbar spinal cord and insula alterations
Authors: Helou Ammir Yacoub , Martins Daniel Oliveira , Arruda Bruna Petrucelli , de Souza Matheus Cerussi , Cruz‐Ochoa Natalia Andrea , Nogueira Maria Inês , Chacur Marucia
Published: August 2021

Neonatal anoxia is a well‐known world health problem that results in neurodevelopmental deficits, such as sensory alterations that are observed in patients with cerebral palsy and autism disorder, for which oxygen deprivation is a risk factor. Nociceptive response, as part of the sensory system, has been reported as altered in these patients. To determine whether neonatal oxygen deprivation alters nociceptive sensitivity and promotes medium‐ and long‐term inflammatory feedback in the central nervous system, Wistar rats of around 30 h old were submitted to anoxia (100% nitrogen flux for 25 min) and evaluated on PND23 (postpartum day) and PND90. The nociceptive response was assessed by mechanical, thermal, and tactile tests in the early postnatal and adulthood periods. The lumbar spinal cord (SC, L4–L6) motor neurons (MNs) and the posterior insular cortex neurons were counted and compared with their respective controls after anoxia. In addition, we evaluated the possible effect of anoxia on the expression of astrocytes in the SC at adulthood. The results showed increased nociceptive responses in both males and females submitted to anoxia, although these responses were different according to the nociceptive stimulus. A decrease in MNs in adult anoxiated females and an upregulation of GFAP expression in the SC were observed. In the insular cortex, a decrease in the number of cells of anoxiated males was observed in the neonatal period. Our findings suggest that oxygen‐deprived nervous systems in rats may affect their response at the sensorimotor pathways and respective controlling centers with sex differences, which were related to the used stimulus.
Developmental morphological analyses on the preglottal salivary gland in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica)
Authors: Khalifa Mahmoud Osman , Abd‐Elkareem Mahmoud , Gaber Wafaa , Li Tao‐Sheng , Saleh Abdelmohaimen Mostafa
Published: August 2021

To understand the development of the mucous preglottal salivary gland in Coturnix japonica (Japanese quail), morphological and histochemical studies were performed on 20 healthy Japanese quail embryos (aging from 10th to 17th incubation days) and 25 healthy quail chicks (aging from 0th to 60th days). The primordia of preglottal salivary gland were observed as an epithelial bud at the early embryonic stage, which then elongated and differentiated into secretory units by the end of this stage. In Japanese quails, the preglottal salivary gland was a mucous polystomatic tubuloalveolar unpaired gland composed of two lateral portions and a middle one embedded into the submucosa of the lingual root. The gland openings accompanied taste pore (8.17 μm) of taste buds associated salivary glands type; some skeletal muscle fibers embedded among secretory lobules extended from muscle cricohyoideus at 14th day‐old quail chick. Also, both herbts corpuscles and secretory motor plexus could be detected among secretory lobules. Based on our investigations, the development of the preglottal salivary gland could clearly be distinguished in the embryonic stage into pre bud and bud stages at 10th day old, cord and branching stages ended by cavitation at 11th day old, canalization stage at 13th day old, lobulation and secretory stages by the 17th day old. The secretory materials showed different histochemical reactions ended with highly alcinophilic mucous indicated highly sialomucin (acidic) content. Myoepithelial cells could be demonstrated at a 17‐day old quail embryo and thereafter surrounded the secretory endpieces of the preglottal salivary gland.
Reducing nitrate leaching losses from turfgrass fertilization of residential lawns
Authors: Côté Laura , Grégoire Guillaume
Published: August 2021

Fertilizer applications on lawns have raised environmental concerns in many Canadian municipalities. In this greenhouse study, NO3–N leaching losses from Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) lawns were evaluated on two soils (a schist loam and a clay loam) and on a sand/peat moss rootzone mix (80% sand, 20% peat moss). Eight different fertilizer N sources (urea, Polyon 8 and 12‐wk release, Duration 45 and 90‐d release, XCU, corn gluten meal, and UFLEXX) were assessed at five application rates (25–200 kg N ha–1 yr–1) and two application frequencies over two 8‐wk trials. Average NO3–N concentration in leachate were measured at levels of 3.5, 7.4, and 1.4 mg L–1 from turf grown in loam, clay, and sand respectively, but losses from loam and clay were mostly affected by N mineralization from organic matter. Turf fertilized with rates ≥100 kg N ha–1 generally resulted in acceptable visual quality on both soils, but coated‐urea fertilizers were more efficient to reduce leaching. In sand, UFLEXX and urea (150 and 200 kg N ha–1) as well as XCU (200 kg N ha–1) resulted in higher NO3–N losses, varying from 8.5 to 23.7 mg L–1, and losses from other N sources were consistently below 3 mg L–1. Our results show that it is possible to maintain good quality turfgrass while keeping low NO3–N leaching losses (i.e., <4 mg L–1) in loam, clay, and sand by selecting the ideal combination of N source, N rate, and application frequency.
Quantification of protein cargo loading into engineered extracellular vesicles at single‐vesicle and single‐molecule resolution
Authors: Silva Andreia M. , Lázaro‐Ibáñez Elisa , Gunnarsson Anders , Dhande Aditya , Daaboul George , Peacock Ben , Osteikoetxea Xabier , Salmond Nikki , Friis Kristina Pagh , Shatnyeva Olga , Dekker Niek
Published: August 2021

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) have been intensively explored for therapeutic delivery of proteins. However, methods to quantify cargo proteins loaded into engineered EVs are lacking. Here, we describe a workflow for EV analysis at the single‐vesicle and single‐molecule level to accurately quantify the efficiency of different EV‐sorting proteins in promoting cargo loading into EVs. Expi293F cells were engineered to express EV‐sorting proteins fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP). High levels of GFP loading into secreted EVs was confirmed by Western blotting for specific EV‐sorting domains, but quantitative single‐vesicle analysis by Nanoflow cytometry detected GFP in less than half of the particles analysed, reflecting EV heterogeneity. Anti‐tetraspanin EV immunostaining in ExoView confirmed a heterogeneous GFP distribution in distinct subpopulations of CD63+, CD81+, or CD9+ EVs. Loading of GFP into individual vesicles was quantified by Single‐Molecule Localization Microscopy. The combined results demonstrated TSPAN14, CD63 and CD63/CD81 fused to the PDGFRβ transmembrane domain as the most efficient EV‐sorting proteins, accumulating on average 50–170 single GFP molecules per vesicle. In conclusion, we validated a set of complementary techniques suitable for high‐resolution analysis of EV preparations that reliably capture their heterogeneity, and propose highly efficient EV‐sorting proteins to be used in EV engineering applications.
Food restriction during development delays puberty but does not affect adult seasonal reproductive responses to food availability in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)
Authors: Bailey Allison M. , Hall Carlisha A. , Legan Sandra J. , Demas Gregory E.
Published: August 2021

Seasonally breeding animals respond to environmental cues to determine optimal conditions for reproduction. Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) primarily rely on photoperiod as a predictive cue of future energy availability. When raised in long‐day photoperiods (>14 h light), supplemental cues such as food availability typically do not trigger the seasonal reproductive response of gonadal regression, which curtails reproduction in unsuitable environments. We investigated whether recognition of food availability as a cue could be altered by a nutritional challenge during development. Specifically, we predicted that hamsters receiving restricted food during development would be sensitized to food restriction (FR) as adults and undergo gonadal regression in response. Male and female hamsters were given either ad libitum (AL) food or FR from weaning until d60. The FR treatment predictably limited growth and delayed puberty in both sexes. For 5 weeks after d60, all hamsters received an AL diet to allow FR hamsters to gain mass equal to AL hamsters. Then, adult hamsters of both juvenile groups received either AL or FR for 6 weeks. Juvenile FR had lasting impacts on adult male body mass and food intake. Adult FR females exhibited decreased estrous cycling and uterine horn mass indiscriminately of juvenile food treatment, but there was little effect on male reproductive measurements. Overall, we observed a delay in puberty in response to postweaning FR, but this delay appeared not to affect seasonal reproductive responses in the long term. These findings increase our understanding of seasonal reproductive responses in a relevant environmental context.
Genomic profiling of intestinal/mixed‐type superficial non‐ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors
Authors: Miyamoto Shuichi , Suda Goki , Ishikawa Marin , Hayashi Hideyuki , Nimura Satoshi , Matsuno Yoshihiro , Mori Ryo , Tanishima Shigeki , Kudo Takahiko , Takagi Tomofumi , Yamamoto Yoshiya , Ono Shoko , Shimizu Yuichi , Sakamoto Naoya
Published: August 2021

Background and Aim

The mechanism underlying carcinogenesis and the genomic features of superficial non‐ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs) have not been elucidated in detail. In this study, we examined the genomic features of incipient SNADETs, such as small lesions resected via endoscopic treatment, using next‐generation sequencing (NGS).

Methods

Twenty consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic treatment for SNADETs of less than 20 mm between January and December 2017 were enrolled. Targeted genomic sequencing was performed through NGS using a panel of 160 cancer‐related genes. Furthermore, the alteration/mutation frequencies in SNADETs were examined.

Results

The maximum size of the SNADETs examined in this study was 12 mm in diameter. Five SNADETs were classified as low‐grade dysplasia (LGD) tumors, while 14 SNADETs were classified as high‐grade dysplasia tumors. Only one carcinoma in situ was detected. NGS data for 16 samples were obtained. APC alterations were detected in 81% of samples (13/16). KRAS, BRAF, and TP53 alterations were detected in 25% (4/16), 18.8% (3/16), and 6.3% (1/16) of cases, respectively.

Conclusion

We detected APC alterations in most small SNADETs resected via endoscopic treatment, from LGD to carcinoma samples. Even in SNADETs classified as small LGD exhibited KRAS and BRAF alterations.
A decade of surface meteorology and radiation fluxes at Brewster Glacier in the Southern Alps of New Zealand
Authors: Abrahim Bibi Nariefa , Cullen Nicolas James , Conway Jonathan Paul
Published: July 2021

High‐altitude observations of mountain meteorology remain extremely rare in the Southern Alps despite their importance for detecting changes in seasonal snow and glacier extent. To address this, we present a unique in situ analysis of surface meteorology, including radiative forcing from clouds, using automatic weather station data obtained near the terminus of Brewster Glacier in the Southern Alps of New Zealand over the period 2010–2020. The average air temperature is 2.1°C at an altitude of 1,650 m above sea level, and seasonal cycles of surface temperature and albedo indicate the automatic weather station (AWS) site is typically snow‐covered between June and November. Snowfall can occur anytime of the year, but rainfall accounts for more than half of the total precipitation (56%). In the absence of strong gradient airflow, a katabatic wind often develops on the glacier, which is strongest at night time and early morning. Partly cloudy conditions are most frequent (43%) at a daily time scale, followed by overcast (34%) and clear‐sky conditions (23%). A distinct diurnal and seasonal cycle of cloud cover is observed, with clouds most frequent in the afternoon during spring. Daily clear‐sky conditions are most common during winter, in particular in June, while the atmospheric transmission of shortwave radiation is lowest in summer. For 4 months of the year (May–August), the increase in incoming longwave radiation by clouds exceeds the decrease in incoming shortwave radiation. Interannual extremes in melt on Brewster Glacier cannot be fully attributed to summer air temperature anomalies and future work should seek to examine the influence of clouds and atmospheric moisture fluxes on seasonal mass balance variations.
Perceptions about reality undermine collective thinking
Authors: Schultz John R.
Published: July 2021

We live in a world where differing individual views can challenge civil discourse and the ability to solve problems collectively. Frustrated individuals can become grousing skeptics that display obsessive and troublesome behaviors, using the argument that “perception is reality” as a stick to beat others into accepting their version of events. How can this outcome be avoided? Based on over 50 years' experience, as a technical service manager, a Management Consultant, a Program Director with Madison College, and an Instructor with the University of Wisconsin Madison, this article examines failures in collective thinking and how to avoid them. It offers some practical guidance on strategies and techniques that can be used to avoid gridlock and counter‐productive conflicts, and instead embrace conflict as a method to increase creativity.