bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuning and Directing Energy Transfer in the Whole Visible Spectrum through Linker Installation in Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Ren Daming , Xia Hai‐Lun , Zhou Kang , Wu Shenjie , Liu Xiao‐Yuan , Wang Xiaotai , Li Jing
Published: September 2021

While limited choice of emissive organic linkers with systematic emission tunability presents a great challenge to investigate energy transfer (ET) over the whole visible light range with designable directions, luminescent metal‐organic frameworks (LMOFs) may serve as an ideal platform for such study due to their tunable structure and composition. Herein, five Zr6 cluster‐based LMOFs, HIAM‐400X (X=0, 1, 2, 3, 4) are prepared using 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole and its derivative‐based tetratopic carboxylic acids as organic linkers. The accessible unsaturated metal sites confer HIAM‐400X as a pristine scaffold for linker installation. Six full‐color emissive 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole and its derivative‐based dicarboxylic acids (L) were successfully installed into HIAM‐400X matrix to form HIAM‐400X‐L, in which the ET can be facilely tuned by controlling its direction, either from the inserted linkers to pristine MOFs or from the pristine MOFs to inserted linkers, and over the whole range of visible light. The combination of the pristine MOFs and the second linkers via linker installation creates a powerful two‐dimensional space in tuning the emission via ET in LMOFs.
Site‐Fixed Hydroboration of Terminal and Internal Alkenes using BX3/iPr2NEt**
Authors: Li Sida , Hu Chenyang , Cui Xin , Zhang Jiong , Liu Liu Leo , Wu Lipeng
Published: September 2021

An unprecedented and general hydroboration of alkenes with BX3 (X=Br, Cl) as the boration reagent in the presence of iPr2NEt is reported. The addition of iPr2NEt not only suppresses alkene polymerization and haloboration side reactions but also provides an “H” source for hydroboration. More importantly, the site‐fixed installation of a boryl group at the original position of the internal double bond is readily achieved in contrast to conventional transition‐metal‐catalyzed hydroboration processes. Further application to the synthesis of 1,n‐diborylalkanes (n=3–10) is also demonstrated. Preliminary mechanistic studies reveal a major reaction pathway that involves radical species and operates through a frustrated Lewis pair type single‐electron‐transfer mechanism.
Impacts of cellulose nanofibers on the morphological behavior and dynamic mechanical thermal properties of extruded polylactic acid/cellulose nanofibril nanocomposite foam
Authors: Sadeghi Banafsheh , Sadeghi Peyman , Marfavi Yousef , Kowsari Elaheh , Zareiyazd Ali Akbar , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: September 2021

Polylactic acid (PLA) foams were introduced as a good substitute for oil‐based foams. Much research has been done on the autoclave of PLA foam, but discontinuous processes are not attractive for industries. In order to reduce the distance between the PLA foaming process and industrialization, it is necessary to introduce continuous processes. In this work, two solutions to improve the foaming of PLA are presented: using the extrusion process and adding cellulose nanofibers. So, in this study, a twin screw extruder was used by blowing agent, CO2, and in order to better dissolve the gas, a static mixer was used before the die. The molecular weight of the original PLA after extrusion has reduced in the range from 20%–28% due to the hydrolysis of the ester bond in the PLA. With the cellulose nanofiber loading, nucleation and cell density have enhanced. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) microscopic images for the nanocomposites containing 1.5 wt% of cellulose nanofiber showed the highest cellular expansion and for the nanocomposites containing 2.0 wt% of cellulose nanofiber showed the most uniform cell distribution and it confirmed the density results and the calculated expansion ratio. Finally, by examining the dynamic‐mechanical thermal analysis, it can be stated that the composition of cellulose nanofibers improves the mechanical and dynamic properties of cellulose nanofiber‐reinforced PLA.
Enhanced positive temperature coefficient effect by crosslinking reaction for silicone rubber/carbon black composites with high pressure sensitivity
Authors: Song Pan , Wang Ge , Zhang Yong
Published: September 2021

Positive temperature coefficient (PTC) composites are usually made of crystalline plastics and conductive fillers, but they are not suitable for flexible electronic devices because of their high rigidity. Rubber‐based PTC composites are flexible but their PTC intensity is low. In this work, based on the effect of crosslinking reaction on the electrical conductivity of silicone rubber composites, silicone rubber/conductive carbon black composites with an obvious PTC effect were prepared. Compared with the hydrosilylation crosslinking reaction, the peroxide crosslinking reaction has much more obvious decrease in electrical conductivity of the composites. The conductive percolation threshold of the composites was 4.98%. A composite filled with 5.98% conductive carbon black showed obvious PTC effect at circa 150°C, which can be attributed to the re‐aggregation of conductive carbon black in silicone rubber during the crosslinking process. The composite with an obvious PTC effect was well used in an overheating protection device. The composite exhibited an excellent pressure‐sensitivity of conductivity.
Network pharmacology‐based investigation to explore the effect and mechanism of Erchen decoction against the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Liu Haiyan , Xu Jie , Li Hui , Zhang Lina , Xu Pingzhen
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to uncover the potential mechanism of Erchen decoction (ECD) on the amelioration of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Network pharmacology and bioinformatics were used to determine the active components of ECD and its potential target in treating NAFLD. High fat diet (HFD)‐induced NAFLD mice model was used. Liver tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and Oil Red O. Serum lipid profiles and hepatic inflammatory molecules in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR‐4) pathway were confirmed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Intestinal barrier function, including intestinal epithelial tight junction (IETJ) proteins, fecal short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration and intestinal microbiota composition, was also assessed. Screening relevant databases revealed 123 active components and 158 potential target proteins in ECD, as well as 1,783 differential genes for NAFLD. Enrichment analyses predicted that the regulation of LPS, cholesterol metabolism and inflammatory pathways might be the underlying mechanisms of ECD in NAFLD treatment. ECD ameliorated the multi‐profiles of NAFLD and reversed the high levels of inflammatory molecules such as, serum LPS, hepatic TLR‐4, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and interleukin‐1β. Additionally, ECD upregulated the concentration levels of IETJ proteins and fecal SCFAs. 16s RNA sequencing indicated that ECD can improve the gut microbiota, such as Akkermansia, Clostridium XIVa, Coprococcus, and Ruminococcus. The current study demonstrated that ECD can reverse the HFD‐induced intestinal barrier dysfunction, thereby reducing the LPS translocation and alleviating the hepatic inflammation, and eventually exhibiting a protective effect against NAFLD.
The Effect of Discontinuing Denosumab in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated With Glucocorticoids
Authors: Saag Kenneth G. , McDermott Michele T. , Adachi Jonathan , Lems Willem , Lane Nancy E. , Geusens Piet , Stad Robert Kees , Chen Li , Huang Shuang , Dore Robin , Cohen Stanley
Published: September 2021

Objective

To evaluate changes in bone turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving glucocorticoids, after discontinuation of denosumab for 12 months.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase II study of RA patients. Patients received placebo, denosumab 60 mg, or denosumab 180 mg every 6 months for 12 months and were followed up for an additional 12 months after discontinuation, during which no bone loss prevention therapy was instituted. Changes from baseline in serum C‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), serum procollagen type I N‐terminal propeptide (PINP), and lumbar spine and total hip BMD were evaluated.

Results

In this post hoc analysis of patients treated with glucocorticoids at study baseline (n = 82), levels of CTX and PINP decreased significantly from baseline in both denosumab groups. Following denosumab discontinuation, CTX returned to baseline and was not significantly different from the placebo group 6 and 12 months after discontinuation. Median percentage changes from baseline PINP in those treated with denosumab 60 mg were −0.16% and 15.3% at 6 and 12 months, respectively, after discontinuation (P = 0.062 and P = 0.017, versus placebo); corresponding changes with denosumab 180 mg were 9.0% and 75.8%, respectively (P = 0.018 and P = 0.002 versus placebo). Compared to placebo, lumbar spine and total hip BMD increased in patients receiving denosumab and returned to baseline 12 months after discontinuation. No osteoporotic fractures were reported during treatment or in the off‐treatment period.

Conclusion

In this analysis of short‐term denosumab use in RA patients receiving glucocorticoids, denosumab discontinuation resulted in a gradual increase in bone turnover, which was associated with a return to baseline lumbar spine and total hip BMD.
The anatomy of agency: Improving academic performance in first‐year university students
Authors: Rutenberg Izaak , Ainscough Louise , Colthorpe Kay , Langfield Tracey
Published: September 2021

The transition from secondary to tertiary education can be challenging, as students must adapt to independent learning. For students in the allied health and nursing disciplines, this transition may coincide with compulsory first‐year courses in anatomy, which are traditionally difficult to master. Students' agency—their capacity to make intentional choices to alter the path of their learning—may play a role in their successful completion of first‐year anatomy courses. This study aimed to develop a measure for agency and to determine whether agency is associated with academic achievement. First‐year students (n = 131) completed open‐ended questions measuring each aspect of agency. Student responses were quantified using rubrics and then combined to create an overall agency score. Three factors of agency were determined: action, metacognition, and self‐efficacy. Students with higher agency scores were significantly more likely to have higher academic achievement in anatomy compared to students with lower agency scores. The relationship between agency and academic achievement was strongest for action. These results suggest that encouraging students to be active participants in their learning may help them to achieve at university.
Base Metal‐terpyridine Complex Immobilized on Stationary Phase Aimed as Reusable Hydrosilylation Catalyst
Authors: Kobayashi Katsuaki , Nakazawa Hiroshi
Published: September 2021

The catalytic activity of a base metal‐terpyridine complex immobilized on silica gel (M(tpy)X2@SiO2/H2O: M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu; X=Cl, Br) for hydrosilylation was investigated. Co(tpy)Br2@SiO2/H2O in the presence of NaBHEt3 exhibited the highest catalytic activity for hydrosilylation of 1‐octene with diphenylsilane (Ph2SiH2) to form the anti‐Markovnikov‐type hydrosilylation compound as the main product. The reusability of Co(tpy)Br2@SiO2/H2O activated by NaBHEt3 was examined. It was found that the catalytic activity decreased with repeated use because of the peeling off of the Co complex anchor portion from the silica gel surface upon the attack of NaBHEt3. The introduction of Co(OAc)2 instead of CoBr2 to silica gel formed Co(tpy)(OAc)2‐ and Co(tpy)(OH)2‐immobilized silica gel, which exhibited catalytic activity for the hydrosilylation in the absence of an activator such as NaBHEt3. The glassware in which Co(tpy)(OH)2 was immobilized on the inner wall was prepared. It was found that the hydrosilylation catalytically occurred on the surface of a pretreated glassware and that the catalytic activity did not decrease even after 10 repeated uses.
The sexual health, orientation, and activity of autistic adolescents and adults
Authors: Weir Elizabeth , Allison Carrie , Baron‐Cohen Simon
Published: September 2021

Small studies suggest significant differences between autistic and nonautistic individuals regarding sexual orientation and behavior. We administered an anonymized, online survey to n = 2386 adults (n = 1183 autistic) aged 16–90 years to describe sexual activity, risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and sexual orientation. Autistic individuals are less likely to report sexually activity or heterosexuality compared to nonautistic individuals, but more likely to self‐report asexuality or an ‘other’ sexuality. Overall, autistic, and nonautistic groups did not differ in age of sexual activity onset or contraction of STIs. When evaluating sex differences, autistic males are uniquely more likely to be bisexual (compared to nonautistic males); conversely, autistic females are uniquely more likely to be homosexual (compared to nonautistic females). Thus, both autistic males and females may express a wider range of sexual orientations in different sex‐specific patterns than general population peers. When comparing autistic males and females directly, females are more likely to have diverse sexual orientations (except for homosexuality) and engage in sexual activity, are less likely to identify as heterosexual, and have a lower mean age at which they first begin engaging in sexual activity. This is the largest study of sexual orientation of autistic adults. Sexual education and sexual health screenings of all children, adolescents, and adults (including autistic individuals) must remain priorities; healthcare professionals should use language that affirms a diversity of sexual orientations and supports autistic individuals who may have increased risks (affecting mental health, physical health, and healthcare quality) due to stress and discrimination from this intersectionality.

Lay Summary

This is the largest study on the sexual activity, orientation, and health of autistic adults. This study reaffirms that the majority of autistic adults are interested in sexual relationships and engage in sexual activity. Sexual education and sexual health screenings must remain a priority for all individuals, including those with autism; healthcare professionals should be aware that autistic patients may be more likely to identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Asexual, and other identities not listed here (LGBTQA+) which may put them at greater risk of mental and physical health difficulties due to discrimination.
Differences in the production and perception of communicative kinematics in autism
Authors: Trujillo James P. , Özyürek Asli , Kan Cornelis C. , Sheftel‐Simanova Irina , Bekkering Harold
Published: September 2021

In human communication, social intentions and meaning are often revealed in the way we move. In this study, we investigate the flexibility of human communication in terms of kinematic modulation in a clinical population, namely, autistic individuals. The aim of this study was twofold: to assess (a) whether communicatively relevant kinematic features of gestures differ between autistic and neurotypical individuals, and (b) if autistic individuals use communicative kinematic modulation to support gesture recognition. We tested autistic and neurotypical individuals on a silent gesture production task and a gesture comprehension task. We measured movement during the gesture production task using a Kinect motion tracking device in order to determine if autistic individuals differed from neurotypical individuals in their gesture kinematics. For the gesture comprehension task, we assessed whether autistic individuals used communicatively relevant kinematic cues to support recognition. This was done by using stick‐light figures as stimuli and testing for a correlation between the kinematics of these videos and recognition performance. We found that (a) silent gestures produced by autistic and neurotypical individuals differ in communicatively relevant kinematic features, such as the number of meaningful holds between movements, and (b) while autistic individuals are overall unimpaired at recognizing gestures, they processed repetition and complexity, measured as the amount of submovements perceived, differently than neurotypicals do. These findings highlight how subtle aspects of neurotypical behavior can be experienced differently by autistic individuals. They further demonstrate the relationship between movement kinematics and social interaction in high‐functioning autistic individuals.

Lay Summary

Hand gestures are an important part of how we communicate, and the way that we move when gesturing can influence how easy a gesture is to understand. We studied how autistic and typical individuals produce and recognize hand gestures, and how this relates to movement characteristics. We found that autistic individuals moved differently when gesturing compared to typical individuals. In addition, while autistic individuals were not worse at recognizing gestures, they differed from typical individuals in how they interpreted certain movement characteristics.
Brain regionalization by Polycomb‐group proteins and chromatin accessibility
Authors: Eto Hikaru , Kishi Yusuke
Published: September 2021

During brain development, neural precursor cells (NPCs) in different brain regions produce different types of neurons, and each of these regions plays a different role in the adult brain. Therefore, precise regionalization is essential in the early stages of brain development, and irregular regionalization has been proposed as the cause of neurodevelopmental disorders. The mechanisms underlying brain regionalization have been well studied in terms of morphogen‐induced expression of critical transcription factors for regionalization. NPC potential in different brain regions is defined by chromatin structures that regulate the plasticity of gene expression. Herein, we present recent findings on the importance of chromatin structure in brain regionalization, particularly with respect to its regulation by Polycomb‐group proteins and chromatin accessibility.
Using behavioral skills training to teach implementation of behavioral interventions to teachers and other professionals: A systematic review
Authors: Slane Mylissa , Lieberman‐Betz Rebecca G.
Published: September 2021

The current systematic review examines the use of behavioral skills training (BST) to train teachers and other professionals to implement interventions with individuals ages birth to 21. A total of 20 studies from 18 articles were included in the review. The SCARF protocol was utilized to rate article quality/rigor and outcomes of studies. All studies included in the review showed positive outcomes, suggesting teachers and other professional staff can be effectively taught using BST to implement a variety of interventions with fidelity. Seven articles were found to have sufficient quality/rigor scores in their primary outcomes to allow for interpretation of findings with confidence. Additional high‐quality studies are needed to examine the efficacy of BST to teach others to implement intervention to support skill development in individuals with disabilities. Implications for future research and intervention are discussed.
Oriented in situ immobilization of a functional tyrosinase on microcrystalline cellulose effectively incorporates DOPA residues in bioengineered mussel adhesive protein
Authors: Kim Suhyeok , Bae Gaeun , Shin Mincheol , Kang Eungsu , Park Tae Yoon , Choi Yoo Seong , Cha Hyung Joon
Published: September 2021

Background

Catechol‐containing polymers such as mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) are attractive as biocompatible adhesive biomaterials, and the catecholic amino acid 3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl‐L‐alanine (DOPA) is considered a key molecule in underwater mussel adhesion. Tyrosinases can specifically convert tyrosine to DOPA without any cofactors. However, their catalytic properties still need to be adjusted to minimize unwanted DOPA oxidation via their diphenolase activity and catechol instability at neutral and basic pH values in the reaction products.

Methods and Results

In this work, we constructed a novel functional tyrosinase, mTyr‐CNK_CBM, by fusion of mTyr‐CNK with a cellulose‐binding motif (CBM) for oriented in situ immobilization on microcrystalline cellulose via the C‐terminal CBM without any additional purification steps. mTyr‐CNK_CBM showed optimal catalytic activity at pH 4.5–6.5 and room temperature and had a high monophenolase/diphenolase activity ratio (Vmaxmono/Vmaxdi = 2.08 at pH 6 and 25°C). mTyr‐CNK_CBM exhibited 2.17‐fold higher (as a unimmobilized free enzyme) and similarly high (upon immobilization) in vitro DOPA modification of a bioengineered MAP compared to a commercially available mushroom tyrosinase. Moreover, the immobilized mTyr‐CNK_CBM showed long‐term storability and improved reusability.

Conclusions

These results clearly demonstrate a strong potential for practical use of immobilized mTyr‐CNK_CBM as a monophenol monooxygenase in preparing biocompatible DOPA‐tethered biomaterials and other catechol‐containing polymers.
Promotion of alkaline hydrogen production via Ni‐doping of atomically precise Ag nanoclusters
Authors: Jo Yongsung , Choi Minji , Kim Minseok , Yoo Jong Suk , Choi Woojun , Lee Dongil
Published: September 2021

Alloy catalysts are widely used in electrocatalytic hydrogen production because of the synergistic effect produced by constituent metals. However, an atomic‐level understanding of the alloy effect remains elusive because of their polydispersity. In this study, we investigated the effects of an atomically precise Ag25 nanocluster catalyst doped with a single Ni atom in an alkaline electrolyte on the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The synthesized NiAg24 nanoclusters exhibited significantly altered electronic structures and reduction potentials, leading to substantially reduced overpotentials and enhanced HER activity. Tafel analysis revealed that Ni doping drastically improved the sluggish Volmer step. Density functional theory studies further revealed that the hydrogen adsorption energy was substantially reduced upon Ni doping, which accounted for the enhanced HER activity observed for the NiAg24 nanoclusters.
Neural shifts in alpha rhythm's dual functioning during empathy
Authors: Zebarjadi Niloufar , Levy Jonathan
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Alpha oscillations are unique in their capacity to relay neuronal information through a dual‐process named “gating by inhibition”: rhythmic enhancement inhibits task‐irrelevant regions while rhythmic suppression engages task‐relevant regions in the brain. A social‐cognitive process that operates by relying on the suppression of the alpha rhythm in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) is the ability to generate empathy. This phenomenon has been evidenced in dozens of electrophysiological studies targeting adult human subjects. Yet, recent studies on the neurodevelopment of empathy indicate that in younger age, empathy does not involve alpha suppression in S1 but only enhancement. More interestingly, right before adulthood, this rhythm is still enhanced, but in a remarkable shift, a pattern of suppression emerges. In this registered magnetoencephalography (MEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we will capture frequency‐decomposed neural activity particularly at the alpha range and its corresponding hemodynamic response and target subjects at around 20 years old as a unique time‐window in development that allows investigating in parallel both low‐alpha suppression and high‐alpha enhancement. We aim to address two questions: (a) Does alpha power suppression in the S1 region during empathy correspond to BOLD increase in this region? (b) What is the functional role of alpha power enhancement during empathy development (BOLD signal increase or decrease)? Addressing these questions will particularly advance knowledge on the process of empathy in the brain, and the way in which it is underpinned by alpha oscillations. Moreover, examining these experimental outcomes can potentially lay the ground for future studies that would further examine the role of alpha oscillations in empathy during the course of development.

Methods

Brain data of forty healthy individuals close to 20 years old will be recorded in two consecutive MEG and fMRI sessions while subjects observing physical pain versus neutral stimuli. Besides, each participant's subjective experiences wll be measred by questionnaires, interviews and rating of the stimuli.
An anatomical study of the pharyngeal plexus: Application to avoiding postoperative dysphagia following anterior approaches to the cervical spine
Authors: Iwanaga Joe , Yilmaz Emre , Loukas Marios , Xu Lu , Uz Aysun , Walocha Jerzy A. , Dumont Aaron S. , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: September 2021

We aimed to localize the pharyngeal branches of the pharyngeal plexus to preclude postoperative complications such as dysphagia resulting from injury to those branches. Cranial nerves IX and X and the sympathetic trunk were dissected on 10 sides in the necks of embalmed adult cadavers of European descent to identify the pharyngeal branches so that anatomical landmarks could be identified and injury thereby avoided. In all sides, the pharyngeal branches originated from the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves and the superior cervical ganglion and entered the posterior pharyngeal wall at the C2–C4 levels within 10 mm medial to the greater horn of the hyoid bone. All pharyngeal branches were anterior to the alar fascia. Based on our anatomical study, vagus nerve branches to the pharyngeal muscles enter at the C3/C4 vertebral levels. Such knowledge might help decrease or allow surgeons to predict which patients are more likely to develop dysphagia after cervical spine surgery.
Development and validation of a PBRM1‐associated immune prognostic model for clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Jiayi , Yao Chunlin , Qiao Nan , Ge Yangyang , Li Jianhua , Lin Yun , Yao Shanglong
Published: September 2021

Alteration in the polybromo‐1 (PBRM1) protein encoding gene PBRM1 is the second most frequent mutation in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). It causes a series of changes in the tumorigenesis, progression, prognosis, and immune response of ccRCC patients. This study explored the PBRM1‐associated immunological features and identified the immune‐related genes (IRGs) linked to PBRM1 mutation using bioinformatics methods. A total of 37 survival IRGs associated with PBRM1 mutation in ccRCC patients were identified. To further explore the role of these IRGs in ccRCC and their association with immune status, eight IRGs with remarkable potential as individual targets were selected. An immune model that was constructed showed good performance in stratifying patients into different subgroups, showing clinical application potential compared to traditional clinical factors. Patients in the high‐risk group were inclined to have more advanced stage and higher grade tumors with node metastasis, distant metastasis, and poorer prognosis. Furthermore, these patients had high percentages of regulatory T cells, follicular helper T cells, and M0 macrophages and exhibited high expression levels of immune checkpoints proteins, such as CTLA‐4, PD‐1, LAG‐3, TIGIT, and CD47. Finally, a nomogram integrating the model and clinical factors for clinical application showed a more robust predictive performance for prognosis. The prediction model associated with PBRM1 mutation status and immunity can serve as a promising tool to stratify patients depending upon their immune status, thus facilitating immunotherapy in the future.
BRAF V600E potentially determines “Oncological Resectability” for “Technically Resectable” colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Kobayashi Shin , Takahashi Shinichiro , Nomura Shogo , Kojima Motohiro , Kudo Masashi , Sugimoto Motokazu , Konishi Masaru , Gotohda Naoto , Taniguchi Hiroya , Yoshino Takayuki
Published: September 2021

Despite reports on poor survival outcomes after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) with BRAF V600E mutation (mBRAF) exist, the role of mBRAF testing for technically resectable cases remains unclear. A single‐center retrospective study was performed to investigate the survival outcomes of patients who underwent upfront hepatectomy for solitary resectable CRLM with mBRAF between January 2005 and December 2017 and to compare them with those of unresectable cases with mBRAF. Of 172 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for solitary resectable CRLM, mBRAF, RAS mutations (mRAS), and wild‐type RAS/BRAF (wtRAS/BRAF) were observed in 5 (2.9%), 73 (42.4%), and 93 (54.7%) patients, respectively. With a median follow‐up period of 72.8 months, mBRAF was associated with a significantly shorter OS (median, 14.4 months) than wtRAS/BRAF (median, not reached [NR]) (hazard ratio [HR], 27.6; p < 0.001) and mRAS (median, NR) (HR, 9.9; p < 0.001), and mBRAF had the highest HR among all the indicators in the multivariable analysis (HR, 17.0; p < 0.001). The median OS after upfront hepatectomy for CRLM with mBRAF was identical to that of 28 unresectable CRLM with mBRAF that were treated with systemic chemotherapy (median, 17.2 months) (HR, 0.78; p = 0.65). When technically resectable CRLM are complicated with mBRAF, its survival outcome becomes as poor as unresectable cases; therefore, those with mBRAF should be considered as oncologically unresectable. Patients with CRLM should undergo pre‐treatment mBRAF testing regardless of technical resectability.

Clinical trial registration number: UMIN000034557.
The hemodynamic spectrum of pulmonary vein stenosis from fibrosing mediastinitis
Authors: Ingraham Brenden S. , Packer Douglas L. , Holmes David R. , Reddy Yogesh N. V.
Published: September 2021

A 63‐year‐old man presented with hemoptysis and progressive dyspnea. His echocardiogram was concerning for pulmonary hypertension (PH) and CT chest showed fibrosing mediastinitis with possible cardiac involvement. Right heart catheterization revealed PH at rest and worsened with exercise. CT findings and simultaneous measurement of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), left atrial pressure, and left ventricular pressure helped diagnose pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis as the etiology of his PH. Both upper pulmonary veins were stented, and repeat exercise hemodynamic study revealed a substantial reduction in pulmonary arterial pressure with improvement in subjective dyspnea, cardiac output reserve, mechanical efficiency, and ventilatory efficiency. Repeat right upper PCWP normalized, consistent with resolution of the PV stenosis.
Effectiveness of aprepitant in post‐acute COVID19 syndrome
Authors: Reinoso‐Arija Rocío , López‐Ramírez Cecilia , Jimenez‐Ruiz José Antonio , López‐Campos José Luis
Published: September 2021

This is the first case of a patient taking aprepitant for a post‐acute COVID‐19 syndrome. This case may encourage researchers to look for the evidence for the efficacy and safety of a neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist in this frequent syndrome.
Conceptual design and cost analysis of a large‐scale plant for converting red mud into building materials
Authors: Scaratti Gidiane , Wermuth Tiago Bender , Arcaro Sabrina , Montedo Oscar Rubem Klegues , de Oliveira Elis Machado , de Oliveira Elen Machado , Peterson Michael , De Noni Junior Agenor
Published: September 2021

The high level of sodium in red mud (RM) is one of the main issues hindering its incorporation as a raw material for construction and building materials. This paper presents a few studies on building materials developed using more than 70% w/w RM content. A proposed industrial process flowchart together with capital (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) for a large‐scale plant are presented here. It was estimated that the cost of processing 75 Mton of RM, over a period of 25 years, was US$ 17/ton, including CAPEX + OPEX. The products comprised pellets composed of RM and clay subjected to 1200°C in a straight‐grate kiln. The pellets can be used as road gravel, coarse aggregate in concrete, or converted into supplementary cement material for Portland cement. The collaboration of the construction and building material industry with the alumina industry will be beneficial to mitigate the environmental impacts of RM.
Butterfly‐Like Triarylamines with High Hole Mobility and On/Off Ratio in Bottom‐Gated OFETs
Authors: Devibala Panneerselvam , Balambiga Balu , Mohamed Imran Predhanekar , Bhuvanesh Nattamai S. P. , Nagarajan Samuthira
Published: September 2021

Highly π‐extended butterfly‐shaped triarylamine dyads with aryleneethynylene spacer were constructed using an efficient synthetic route. These aryleneethynylene‐bridged dyads are highly fluorescent and exhibited high HOMO levels, and low bandgaps, which are suitable for high‐performance p‐type OFETs. The field‐effect transistors were fabricated through a solution‐processable method and exhibited promising p‐type performance with field‐effect mobility up to 4.3 cm2/Vs and high Ion/off of 108 under ambient conditions.
Structural and Photophysical Characterization of All Five Constitutional Isomers of the Octaethyl‐β,β′‐dioxo‐bacterio‐ and ‐isobacteriochlorin Series
Authors: Brückner Christian , Chaudhri Nivedita , Nevonen Dustin E. , Bhattacharya Sayantan , Graf Arthur , Kaesmann Elizabeth , Li Ruoshi , Guberman‐Pfeffer Matthew J. , Mani Tomoyasu , Nimthong‐Roldán Arunpatcha , Zeller Matthias , Chauvet Adrien A. P. , Nemykin Victor
Published: September 2021

It is well‐known that treatment of β‐octaethylporphyrin with H2O2/conc. H2SO4 converts it to a β‐oxochlorin as well as all five constitutional isomers of the corresponding β,β’‐dioxo‐derivatives: two bacteriochlorin‐type isomers (β‐oxo groups at opposite pyrrolic building blocks) and three isobacteriochlorin‐type isomers (β‐oxo‐groups at adjacent pyrrolic building blocks). By virtue of the presence of the strongly electronically coupled β‐oxo auxochromes, none of the chromophores are archetypical chlorins, bacteriochlorins, or isobacteriochlorins. Here the authors present, inter alia, the single crystal X‐ray structures of all free‐base diketone isomers and a comparative description of their UV‐vis absorption spectra in neutral and acidic solutions, and fluorescence emission and singlet oxygen photosensitization properties, Magnetic Circular Dichroism (MCD) spectra, and singlet excited state lifetimes. DFT computations uncover underlying tautomeric equilibria and electronic interactions controlling their electronic properties, adding to the understanding of porphyrinoids carrying β‐oxo functionalities. This comparative study lays the basis for their further study and utilization.
Modeling and analysis of nature‐inspired branched micropillars for enhanced dynamicbio‐sensing
Authors: Mustapha Khameel B. , Hawwa Muhammad A. , Abakr Yousif A.
Published: September 2021

Research evidence abounds on the effectiveness of micropillar‐based microelectromechanical systems for the detection of a wide variety of ultrasmall biological objects for clinical and non‐clinical applications. However, the standard micropillar‐based sensing platforms rely on a single‐column micropillar with a spot at the tip for binding of objects. Although this long‐standing form has shown immense potential, performance improvement is hindered by the fundamental limits enforced by physical laws. Moreover, the single‐column micropillar has a lower sensing area and is ill‐suited for a simultaneous differential sensing of chemical/biological objects of different mass. Here, we report a new set of nature‐inspired, branched micropillar‐based sensing resonators to address the highlighted issues. The characteristics of the newly proposed branched micropillars are comprehensively examined with three payloads (Bartonella Bacilliformis,Escherichia coli, andMicro magnetic beads). Anchored on the capability of continuum theoretical framework, the mathematical model of the micropillar is formulated through the synthesis of the modified couple stress, the Rayleigh‐Love, and the Timoshenko theories. The finite element method is employed to shed light on the variability of the structures' resonant response under performance reduction factors (payload's rotary inertia, damaged substrate, and density of a surrounding fluid). The results obtained indicate superior performance indicators for the triply‐branched micropillar: enhanced response sensitivity for multiple payloads and less susceptibility to deterioration in resonant frequencies due to fluid immersion.
Chinese causal event extraction using causality‐associated graph neural network
Authors: Gao Jianqi , Luo Xiangfeng , Wang Hao
Published: September 2021

Causal event extraction (CEE) aims to identify and extract cause‐effect event pairs from texts, which is a fundamental task in natural language processing. Recent research treat CEE as a sequence labeling problem. However, the linguistic complexity and ambiguity of textual description results in the low accuracy of extractors. To address the above issues, considering the prior knowledge like the causal network constructed based on the causal indicators, which can represent information transition between cause and effect, may helpful for CEE. In this article, we propose causality‐associated graph neural network to incorporate in‐domain knowledge by taking important causal words into account. External causal knowledge is modeled as causal associated graph (CAG). Then we use graph neural networks (GNN) to capture the complex relationship of intraevent mentions and interevent causality in a sentence based on the relationship obtained from CAG. Finally, sentence sequence and prior causal knowledge of GNN embedding are fed into multiscaled convolution and bidirectional long short‐term memory networks. Experimental results on two datasets show that our method outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art baseline.
Modeling the occurrence of unsafe behaviors based on safety climate and organizational leadership style dimensions in oil platforms using the fuzzy logic approach
Authors: Sadeghi‐Yarandi Mohsen , Rastegarzadeh Ehsan , Soltanzadeh Ahmad , Mohammad‐Ghasemi Mostafa , Arsang‐Jang Shahram , Panahi Sevda , Karimi Ali
Published: September 2021

Offshore platforms have a high potential for major accidents. This study aimed to model the occurrence of unsafe behaviors based on safety climate and organizational leadership style using the fuzzy logic approach. This study was conducted among five oil platforms located in the Persian Gulf. Multifactor leadership and standard occupational safety climate questionnaires measured organizational leadership style and safety climate, respectively. To determine unsafe behaviors, a checklist of unsafe acts was used. Data analysis was performed using one‐way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficients in R4.1.0. A fuzzy logarithmic model and MATLAB software were used for modeling. There was a significant inverse relationship between transformational and transactional leadership style and the occurrence of unsafe behaviors. Findings revealed a significant correlation between the dimensions of the safety of the workplace and the neglecting dangers and the occurrence of unsafe behaviors. The fuzzy logarithmic model results showed that mentioned parameters are important risk factors for predicting unsafe behaviors. Findings revealed that transformational and transactional leadership styles, the workplace's safety, and neglecting dangers in oil platforms are among essential factors in unsafe behaviors. Using fuzzy logarithmic models can also be an effective way to predict unsafe behaviors in different workplaces.
Supervised classification by thresholds: Application to automated text categorization and opinion mining
Authors: Cherif Walid , Madani Abdellah , Kissi Mohamed
Published: September 2021

Over recent years, the world has experienced explosive growth in the volume of textual data, which makes a manual analysis impossible. Machine learning techniques provided an effective solution to this problem. Due to its capacity to organize the huge and varied amounts of data, it offered valuable insights and it has become an emerging investigative field for the research community. Classification techniques are used to classify data into different classes according to desired criteria. By their simplicity, they give rise to a variety of applications: automated text categorization, opinion mining, and so forth. These processes go through three stages: text representation, features extraction, and the classification process; they still face many difficulties due both to the complex nature of text databases and to the high dimensionality of texts representations. This article presents a new classification approach that learns to classify texts from the most reliable features more accurately. The added advantage of the proposed approach is that it automatically classifies a text without necessarily processing all its features. The experimental results showed that this new classification by thresholds outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art methods. As a result, the obtained f‐measure on automatic text categorization was 95.06% while it is lower on opinion mining.
Optimization of the Crystallization Process of Bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) Terephthalate
Authors: Yuan Peiquan , Liu Baoshu , Sun Hua
Published: September 2021

The crystallization process of bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) terephthalate is experimentally investigated. The optimized crystals of bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) terephthalate have the median particle size (D50) of 1300 µm and a perfect crystal habit, and their diameter span reduces from 11.48 (before optimization) to 1.72 (after optimization). The results show that more oxygen atoms at both ends of the crystal are exposed to the crystal surfaces, which make it easy to form hydrogen bonds with free bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) terephthalate. Therefore, the crystal surfaces at both ends grow fastest and tend to disappear eventually.
Effective cooperative spectrum sensing using deep recurrent reinforced learning‐based Q‐routing in multihop cognitive radio networks
Authors: V. Noel Jeygar Robert  , K. Vidya
Published: September 2021

Cognitive radio network (CRN) is a promising technology that mitigates the scarcity of spectrum. The main challenge faced in the opportunistic CRN is the spectrum sensing (SS). The traditional methods of SS use detectors to find the available bands, which appear to provide unreliable performance in the case of actual environment where noise is predominant. Literature has proved that employing an artificial intelligence (AI) model for routing overcomes the lack of network knowledge and lack of human intervention and helps to learn robust patterns. Reinforced learning (RL) is a dynamically learning process that selects the actions based on continuous feedback received from the dynamic environment to maximize the reward. Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) models have proven to be successful at learning control policies image inputs. However, they struggle with learning policies that require longer term information. Recurrent neural network (RNN) architectures have been used in tasks dealing with longer term dependencies between data points. Motivated by the performance of AI models, these architectures are investigated in this work to overcome the difficulties arising from learning policies with long‐term dependencies. Thus, a deep recurrent reinforced learning‐based Q‐routing (DRRL‐based Q‐routing) is developed. The proposed study suggests a multihop CRN operated in an interweave mode. This algorithm finds optimal routing path between the secondary user transmitter (SUT) and the secondary user destination (SUD), optimal SS duration, and individual secondary user (SU) power requirements for SS and data transmission process while minimizing the end‐to‐end outage under the constraints of energy causality, SS reliability, interference threshold, and individual link throughput.
Routine magnetoencephalography in memory clinic patients: A machine learning approach
Authors: Gouw Alida A. , Hillebrand Arjan , Schoonhoven Deborah N. , Demuru Matteo , Ris Peterjan , Scheltens Philip , Stam Cornelis J.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

We report the routine application of magnetoencephalography (MEG) in a memory clinic, and its value in the discrimination of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia from controls.

Methods

Three hundred sixty‐six patients visiting our memory clinic underwent MEG recording. Source‐reconstructed MEG data were visually assessed and evaluated in the context of clinical findings and other diagnostic markers. We analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of MEG spectral measures in the discrimination of individual AD dementia patients (n = 40) from subjective cognitive decline (SCD) patients (n = 40) using random forest models.

Results

Best discrimination was obtained using a combination of relative theta and delta power (accuracy 0.846, sensitivity 0.855, specificity 0.837). The results were validated in an independent cohort. Hippocampal and thalamic regions, besides temporal‐occipital lobes, contributed considerably to the model.

Discussion

MEG has been implemented successfully in the workup of memory clinic patients and has value in diagnostic decision‐making.
Anterior patterning genes induced by Zic1 are sensitive to retinoic acid and its metabolite, 4‐oxo‐RA
Authors: Dubey Aditi , Saint‐Jeannet Jean‐Pierre
Published: September 2021

Background

Development of paired sensory organs is a highly complex and coordinated process. These organs arise from ectodermal thickenings in the cephalic region known as cranial placodes. We have previously shown that Zic1 is a critical regulator for the formation of the pre‐placodal region (PPR), the common territory for the development of all cranial placodes in Xenopus laevis.

Results

In this study, we have analyzed a number of Zic1 targets for their expression during PPR patterning, as well as their regulation by retinoic acid (RA) and one of its major metabolites, 4‐oxo‐RA. Our findings show that anteriorly Zic1 regulates several transcription factors, Crx, Fezf2, Nkx3‐1, and Xanf1 as well as a serine/threonine/tyrosine kinase, Pkdcc.2. These factors are all expressed in the vicinity of the PPR and as such are candidate regulators of placode formation downstream of Zic1. In addition to their differential regulation by RA, we find that 4‐oxo‐RA is also capable of modulating the expression of these genes, as well as a broad array of RA‐regulated genes.

Conclusion

Our data highlight the complexity of retinoid‐mediated regulation required for Zic1‐activated anterior structure specification in Xenopus, and the potential physiological role of 4‐oxo‐RA in cranial placode development.