bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barium appendicitis
Authors: Omura Daisuke , Yunoki Naoko , Otsuka Yuki , Nakano Yasuhiro , Hagiya Hideharu , Otsuka Fumio
Published: July 2021

We have presented a case of barium appendicitis, which is a rare complication of barium enema studies. Barium sulfate is used widely for gastrointestinal radiographic studies and is associated with few complications. Clinicians need to be fully aware of this complication.
Morphology Control Endows Palladium‐Indium Nanocatalysts with High Catalytic Performance for Alcohol Oxidation
Authors: You Huaming , Gao Fei , Wang Cheng , Song Tongxin , Li Jie , Wang Xiaomei , Zhang Yangping , Du Yukou
Published: July 2021

Pd‐based nanomaterials are regarded as good substitutes for Pt‐based nanocatalysts for catalyzing alcohols oxidation. To further improve the catalytic performance and reduce the cost of Pd‐based nanomaterials, morphology control and alloying are effective strategies. Herein, we synthesized PdIn nanocrystals with different morphologies for the electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol and methanol. Due to the introduction of In, the amount of palladium is reduced, the utilization rate of Pd is increased, and the catalytic activity and stability are improved. PdIn coral‐like flowers composed of many branches showed the best ethanol and methanol oxidation reaction specific activities, which is 3.10‐ and 3.30‐ fold of the commercial Pd/C, respectively. Moreover, PdIn coral‐like flowers also exhibited acceptable stabilities after 400 cycles of successive cyclic voltammetry. In this study, In was successfully introduced into the field of alcohols catalytic oxidation, which provided more choices for the development of catalysts with better electrocatalytic oxidation performance of liquid alcohol fuel.
Chirality induction to achiral molecules by silica‐coated chiral molecular assemblies
Authors: Scalabre Antoine , Okazaki Yutaka , Kuppan Balamurugan , Buffeteau Thierry , Caroleo Fabrizio , Magna Gabriele , Monti Donato , Paolesse Roberto , Stefanelli Manuela , Nlate Sylvain , Pouget Emilie , Ihara Hirotaka , Bassani Dario M. , Oda Reiko
Published: July 2021

Hybrid silica‐organic nanohelices are used to organize a large variety of nonchiral small organic molecules or inorganic anions to nanometer‐sized assemblies. Such chiral organization of achiral molecules induces chiroptical properties as detected by vibrational or electronic circular dichroism (CD), as well as from circularly polarized luminescence (CPL).
Nozzle Cavitation and Rock Erosion Experiments Reveal Insight into the Jet Drilling Process
Authors: Jasper Sarah , Gradzki Daniel P. , Bracke Rolf , Hussong Jeanette , Petermann Marcus , Lindken Ralph
Published: July 2021

An in‐depth process analysis of water jetting, a promising cost‐effective drilling method for the exploration of geothermal reservoirs, is presented. The jetting process is analyzed under submerged and pressurized conditions by complementary high‐speed shadow imaging, particle image velocimetry, and rock erosion analysis. The shadowgraphy and velocimetry experiments show that nozzle cavitation dominates the process, and it can be described by a modified cavitation number. Rock erosion experiments show that cloud cavitation governs material erosion. Thus, control of cavitation is essential for the jetting process.
Bischler‐Napieralski Cyclization: A Versatile Reaction towards Functional Aza‐PAHs and Their Conjugated Polymers†
Authors: Li Mengwei , Yuan Yuan , Chen Yulan
Published: July 2021

Nitrogen atom doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, the so‐called aza‐PAHs, and their conjugated polymers are applicable as functional chromophores and organic semiconductors. Prosperous developments of PAHs and heterocyclic chemistry have been made possible by considerable improvements in synthetic methodologies, among which one‐step reactions leading directly to an aza‐conjugated ring are highly desirable. Bischler‐ Napieralski cyclization, an old yet efficient reaction, can accomplish this task. During the last ten years, this reaction has been successfully used to synthesize a great variety of aza‐PAHs molecules. Further combination with polymer chemistry is able to provide the corresponding polymers. This feature article summarizes the up‐to‐data advances, mainly achieved by our groups, on the design and synthesis of new and well‐tailored aza‐PAHs and macromolecular architectures using Bischler‐Napieralski cyclization as the key step. Furthermore, the versatile applications of these functional materials in the fields of chemosensors, optoelectronic devices, and biomolecular probes are also covered in detail.
SimpleSync: A parallel delta synchronization method based on Flink
Authors: Zhang Changjian , Qi Deyu , Li Wenlin , Huang Wenhao , Wang Xinyang
Published: July 2021

Cloud storage service has been in full swing in the industry. Delta synchronization technology as a key technology of cloud storage services has not made a key breakthrough. Almost all the existing researches are based on the synchronization process proposed by the Rsync algorithm and mix some optimization appropriately, but the particularity of cloud storage service is not fully considered. This paper proposes a new incremental synchronization method SimpleSync, which makes use of the characteristic that the server does not actively modify the backup files in the cloud storage service, removes the redundant steps in Rsync, and enables the synchronization between the client and the server only through a single communication. Besides, according to the server‐side synchronization request processing logic, this paper puts forward the design idea of parallel processing with the Flink framework, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time. After the server receives the synchronization request, SimpleSync first puts it into Kafka for buffering and then uses Flink to process the synchronization request in parallel. In the experimental part, a large number of experiments are designed to compare SimpleSync with other delta synchronization algorithms. Experimental results show that SimpleSync has obvious advantages in synchronization performance. Meanwhile, experiments show that SimpleSync has correctness.
Designing new learning environments: An innovative pedagogical perspective
Authors: Sasson Irit , Yehuda Itamar , Miedijensky Shirley , Malkinson Noam
Published: July 2021

Given growing systemic investment in the designing of new learning spaces, researching the relationships between physical space and learning and teaching processes is imperative. Researching innovative learning spaces is challenging, therefore the aim of this paper is to demonstrate a pedagogical characterization based on a three‐dimensional theoretical framework. The study presented here includes three schools in the process of implementing a constructivist pedagogical change involving gradual development of educational intiatives including the redesigning of learning spaces. We characterized learning environments by space, pedagogical practices and curricular potential and explored the relationships between space, active learning and the development of high‐order thinking skills (HOT). Characterization of teaching and learning processes was based on interviews with 12 teachers, 478 class observations and analysis of 307 learning tasks. The findings indicate a higher expression of active learning in the innovative learning spaces compared with the traditional spaces. Nevertheless, results demonstrated difficulties in designing constructivist learning tasks and developing HOT skills, with relatively low encouragement for problem solving skills and critical thinking. Learning tasks were characterized by low cognitive complexity. This study provides a new methodology for investigating teaching and learning processes in innovative learning spaces.
Limitations of VS38c labeling in the detection of plasma cell myeloma by flow cytometry
Authors: Czeti Ágnes , Szalóki Gábor , Varga Gergely , Szita Virág Réka , Komlósi Zsolt István , Takács Ferenc , Márk Ágnes , Timár Botond , Matolcsy András , Barna Gábor
Published: July 2021

Plasma cell myeloma (multiple myeloma [MM]) is a malignant neoplasm originating from the plasma cells. Besides other methods, flow cytometric analysis of the patient's bone marrow aspirate has an important role in the diagnosis and also in the response assessment. Since the cell surface markers, used for identifying abnormal plasma cells, are expressed diversely and the treatment can also alter the phenotype of the plasma cells, there is an increasing demand for new plasma cell markers. VS38c is a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the CLIMP‐63 protein in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum. CLIMP‐63 is known to be expressed at high levels in normal and pathologic plasma cells in the bone marrow, thus VS38c antibody can be used to identify them. Although VS38c staining of plasma cells is reported to be constant and strong even in myeloma, we were wondering whether sample preparation can affect the staining. We have investigated the effect of different permeabilization agents and washing of the cells on the quality of the VS38c staining and found that in many cases the staining is inadequate to identify the plasma cells. We measured the VS38c staining of the bone marrow aspirates of 196 MM patients and observed that almost all cases showed bright staining with VS38c. However, permeabilization with mild detergent resulted in the appearance of a significant VS38cdim subpopulation, which showed increased sensitivity to mechanical stress (centrifugation). Our results indicate that VS38cdim MM cells can appear due to the improper permeabilization of the endoplasmic reticulum and this finding raises the possibility of the existence of a plasma cell subpopulation with different membrane properties. The significance of this population is unclear yet, but these cells can be easily missed with VS38c staining and can be lost due to centrifugation‐induced lysis during sample preparation.
Evaluation of a two‐season banding program to estimate and model migratory bird survival
Authors: Devers Patrick K. , Emmet Robert L. , Boomer G. Scott , Zimmerman Guthrie S. , Royle J. Andrew
Published: July 2021

The management of North American waterfowl is predicated on long‐term, continental‐scale banding implemented prior to the hunting season (i.e., July–September) and subsequent reporting of bands recovered by hunters. However, single‐season banding and encounter operations have a number of characteristics that limit their application to estimating demographic rates and evaluating hypothesized limiting factors throughout the annual cycle. We designed and implemented a two‐season banding program for American Black Ducks (Anas rubripes), Mallards (A. platyrhynchos), and hybrids in eastern North America to evaluate potential application to annual life cycle conservation and sport harvest management. We assessed model fit and compared estimates of annual survival among data types (i.e., pre‐hunting season only [July–September], post‐hunting season only [January–March], and two‐season [pre‐ and post‐hunting season]) to evaluate model assumptions and potential application to population modeling and management. There was generally high agreement between estimates of annual survival derived using two‐season and pre‐season only data for all age and sex cohorts. Estimates of annual survival derived from post‐season banding data only were consistently higher for adult females and juveniles of both sexes. We found patterns of seasonal survival varied by species, age, and to a lesser extent, sex. Hunter recovered birds exhibited similar spatial distributions regardless of banding season suggesting banded samples were from the same population. In contrast, goodness‐of‐fit tests suggest this assumption was statistically violated in some regions and years. We conclude that estimates of seasonal and annual survival for Black Ducks and Mallards based on the two‐season banding program are valid and accurate based on model fit statistics, similarity in survival estimates across data and models, and similarities in the distribution of recoveries. The two‐season program provides greater precision and insight into the survival process and will improve the ability of researchers and managers to test competing hypotheses regarding population regulation resulting in more effective management.
Decomposing Spatial β‐Diversity in the temperate forests of Northeastern China
Authors: Yu Changtuan , Fan Chunyu , Zhang Chunyu , Zhao Xiuhai , Gadow Klaus von
Published: July 2021

β‐Diversity, which describes the extent of change in species composition in a given region, has become a core issue in ecology in recent years. However, it is hard to understand the underlying mechanisms of β‐diversity by using indices that yield identical values under species replacement and nestedness pattern. Partitioning β‐diversity into turnover (caused by species replacement among plots) and nestedness components (caused by species loss or gain among plots) may provide improved understanding of the variation in species composition. Here, we collected presence–absence data of 456 one‐tenth ha circular plots in the temperate forests of Northeastern China spanning a latitudinal range of 12° (41–53°N). We decomposed β‐diversity to assess the relative contribution of the turnover and nestedness components across latitudinal gradients. We used regression analysis to assess the relationship between spatial distance and β‐diversity. We applied variation partitioning to evaluate the importance of the measured environmental and spatial variables in explaining β‐diversity. We used the Tukey honest significant difference test to test the differences of β‐diversity along latitudinal gradients. Pearson correlations (r) and significance (p‐value) were computed using the Mantel tests to verify the relationship between distance and β‐diversity. The ANOVA test was used to verify whether the variation of β‐diversity explained by the environment and distance was significant. Our results showed that (1) β‐diversity and the turnover component were higher at low latitudes (zones A and B) than at high latitudes (zones C and D), while there was no relationship between the nestedness component and latitude. (2) The turnover component was dominant. (3) The spatial distance explained more variation of β‐diversity than the measured environmental factors. Therefore, we conclude that β‐diversity is mainly a product of species turnover in our temperate forests, suggesting that different localities harbor different species. We find that decomposing β‐diversity into the turnover and nestedness components is a useful approach to explore the variation of community composition and their causes.
The costs and benefits of sunflower pollen diet on bumble bee colony disease and health
Authors: Giacomini Jonathan J. , Connon Sara J. , Marulanda Daniel , Adler Lynn S. , Irwin Rebecca E.
Published: July 2021

Pathogen transmission between domesticated and wild host species has important implications for community ecology, agriculture, and wildlife conservation. Bumble bees provide valuable pollination services that are vital for both wildflowers and agricultural production. Intense concerns about pathogen spillover from commercial bumble bees to wild bee populations, and the potential harmful effects of pathogen spillback to commercial bees, has stimulated a need for practical strategies that effectively manage bumble bee infectious diseases. Here, we assessed the costs and benefits of a medicinal sunflower pollen diet (Helianthusannuus) on whole‐colony bumble bee disease and performance using commercial colonies of the common eastern bumble bee,Bombus impatiens, and its protozoan pathogen,Crithidia bombi(Trypanosomatida). We first found that a 1:1 mixture of sunflower combined with wildflower pollen reducedC. bombiinfection prevalence and intensity within individualB. impatiensworkers by nearly 4‐fold and 12‐fold, respectively, relative to wildflower pollen. At the colony level, a 1:1 mixture of sunflower and wildflower pollen reducedC. bombiinfection prevalence by 11% averaged over a 10‐week period and infection intensity by 30% relative to wildflower pollen. Colony performance was similar between pollen diets and infection treatments, including the number of workers and immatures produced, and size and weight of workers, drones, and queens. Infection significantly reduced the probability of queen production in colonies fed a pure wildflower pollen diet, but not colonies fed a mixed sunflower pollen diet, suggesting that the medicinal benefits of a mixed sunflower pollen diet can reverse the negative effects of infection on reproductive success. This study provides evidence that sunflower pollen as part of a mixed pollen diet can reduce infection in individual bees and whole colonies with no significant nutritional trade‐offs for colony worker production and most aspects of colony reproduction. A supplemental mixed sunflower pollen diet may provide a simple and effective solution to reduce disease and improve the health of economically and ecologically important pollinators.
Electromechanical characterization of biomimetic membranes using electrodeformation of vesicles
Authors: Faizi Hammad A. , Dimova Rumiana , Vlahovska Petia M.
Published: July 2021

We describe a facile method to simultaneously measure the bending rigidity and capacitance of biomimetic lipid bilayers. Our approach utilizes the ellipsoidal deformation of quasi‐spherical giant unilamellar vesicles induced by a uniform AC electric field. Vesicle shape depends on the electric field frequency and amplitude. Membrane bending rigidity can be obtained from the variation of the vesicle elongation on either field amplitude at fixed frequency or frequency at fixed field amplitude. Membrane capacitance is determined from the frequency at which the vesicle shape changes from prolate to oblate ellipsoid as the frequency is increased at a given field amplitude.
Effects of Acidic Deep Eutectic Solvent Pretreatment on Sugarcane Bagasse for Efficient 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural Production
Authors: Ji Qinghua , Tan Chin Ping , Yagoub Abu ElGasim A. , Chen Li , Yan Dong , Zhou Cunshan
Published: July 2021

Herein, a natural deep eutectic solvent (DES) is developed to deconstruct the recalcitrant structure of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) for further 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) production. The properties, structure of the DES, and the influence of pretreatment and reaction conditions on SCB are studied. The findings reveal that carboxylic acid DES pretreatment results in a substantial decrease of hemicelluloses and lignin. At the same time, carboxylic acid DES systems significantly improve the yield of 5‐HMF at 110 °C. Under the optimum conditions (choline chloride (ChCl)–lactic acid (8.33 wt% H2O), SCB/DES (1:10/wt:wt), temperature 110 °C, and time 4 h), the 5‐HMF yield obtained from SCB is 56.68 mol% (1.62 mg mL−1). This 5‐HMF yield is significantly higher by 25.88, 16.43, and 9.87‐folds compared to the 5‐HMF yield from the SCB treated with ChCl–urea, ChCl–glycerin, and ChCl–ethylene glycol, respectively, under the same reaction conditions. In addition, component analysis and structural characteristics suggest that the content of lignin in the SCB decreases significantly, and the cellulose and hemicellulose are partially hydrolyzed after being treated with the DES composed of ChCl and carboxylic acids. Overall, this work shows that SCB pretreatment with a carboxylic acid DES is promising for low‐cost biorefineries to achieve effective biomass fractionation and conversion.
The Influence of pH on Zinc Lability and Toxicity to a Tropical Freshwater Microalga
Authors: Price Gwilym A. V. , Stauber Jenny L. , Holland Aleicia , Koppel Darren J. , Van Genderen Eric J. , Ryan Adam C. , Jolley Dianne F.
Published: July 2021

Increased focus on the development and application of bioavailability-based metal water quality guideline values requires increased understanding of the influence of water chemistry on metal bioavailability and toxicity. Development of empirical models, such as multiple linear regression models, requires the assessment of the influence of individual water quality parameters as toxicity-modifying factors. The present study investigated the effect of pH on the lability and toxicity of zinc (Zn) to a tropical green microalga (Chlorella sp.). Zinc speciation and lability were explored using the Windermere Humic Aqueous Model (WHAM7), ultrafiltration, and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT). Zinc toxicity increased significantly with increasing pH from 6.7 to 8.3, with 50% growth inhibition effect concentrations decreasing from 185 to 53 µg l–1 across the pH range. Linear relationships between DGT-labile Zn and dissolved Zn did not vary across the tested pH range, nor did the linear relationship between dissolved (<0.45 µm) and ultrafiltered (<3 kDa) Zn. Our findings show that Zn toxicity to this freshwater alga is altered as a function of pH across environmentally realistic pH ranges and that these toxicity changes could not be explained by Zn speciation and lability as measured by DGT and WHAM7. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2836–2845. © 2021 SETAC
Health benefits of docosahexaenoic acid and its bioavailability: A review
Authors: Li Jia , Pora Bernard L. R. , Dong Ke , Hasjim Jovin
Published: July 2021

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the predominant omega‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid found in human brain and eyes. There are a number of studies in the literature showing the health benefits of DHA. It is critical throughout all life stages from the need for fetal development, the prevention of preterm birth, and the prevention of cardiovascular disease to the improvements in the cognitive function and the eye health of adults and elderly. These benefits might be related to the modulation of gut microbiota by DHA. In addition, there are some discrepancies in the literature regarding certain health benefits of DHA, and this review is intended to explore and understand these discrepancies. Besides the variations in the DHA contents of different supplement sources, bioavailability is crucial for the efficacy of DHA supplements, which depends on several factors. For example, DHA in phospholipid and triglyceride forms are more readily to be absorbed by the body than that in ethyl ester form. In addition, dietary lipids in meals and emulsification of DHA oil can increase the bioavailability of DHA. Estrogens stimulated the biosynthesis of DHA, whereas testosterone stimulus induced a decrease in DHA. The roles of DHA through human lifespan, the sources, and its recommended daily intake in different countries are also discussed to provide a better understanding of the importance of this review.
Loss of smarcad1a accelerates tumorigenesis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors in zebrafish
Authors: Han Han , Jiang Guangzhen , Kumari Rashmi , Silic Martin R. , Owens Jake L. , Hu Chang‐Deng , Mittal Suresh K. , Zhang GuangJun
Published: July 2021

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are a type of sarcoma that generally originates from Schwann cells. The prognosis for this type of malignancy is relatively poor due to complicated genetic alterations and the lack of specific targeted therapy. Chromosome fragment 4q22‐23 is frequently deleted in MPNSTs and other human tumors, suggesting tumor suppressor genes may reside in this region. Here, we provide evidence that SMARCAD1, a known chromatin remodeler, is a novel tumor suppressor gene located in 4q22‐23. We identified two human homologous smarcad1 genes (smarcad1a and smarcad1b) in zebrafish, and both genes share overlapping expression patterns during embryonic development. We demonstrated that two smarcad1a loss‐of‐function mutants, sa1299 and p403, can accelerate MPNST tumorigenesis in the tp53 mutant background, suggesting smarcad1a is a bona fide tumor suppressor gene for MPNSTs. Moreover, we found that DNA double‐strand break (DSB) repair might be compromised in both mutants compared to wildtype zebrafish, as indicated by pH2AX, a DNA DSB marker. In addition, both SMARCAD1 gene knockdown and overexpression in human cells were able to inhibit tumor growth and displayed similar DSB repair responses, suggesting proper SMARCAD1 gene expression level or gene dosage is critical for cell growth. Given that mutations of SMARCAD1 sensitize cells to poly ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors in yeast and the human U2OS osteosarcoma cell line, the identification of SMARCAD1 as a novel tumor suppressor gene might contribute to the development of new cancer therapies for MPNSTs.
Establishing a common language for the comprehensive medication management patient care process: Applying implementation science to standardize care delivery
Authors: Blanchard Carrie M. , Yannayon Mary , Sorge Lindsay , Frail Caitlin , Funk Kylee , Ward Caryn , Livet Melanie , Sorensen Todd , McClurg Mary Roth
Published: July 2021

Background

Pharmacists' interventions, particularly in the primary care setting, have demonstrated positive outcomes on patient care, but rarely translate into impact and scale when reviewed systematically. Specifically, comprehensive medication management (CMM) is often poorly understood, not well defined, and lacks a measure of fidelity. A consistent approach to delivery of CMM is critical to ensure impact. One way to achieve this is to establish the usability of an intervention, so practitioners have a common language around implementation of CMM to ensure fidelity and facilitate positive outcomes on patient care.

Objective(s)

The goal of this study was to establish a common language for the CMM patient care process.

Methods

This study applies an established implementation science methodology and the Usable Innovation Framework to define and operationalize CMM through a network of 40 diverse primary care practices across the United States. This approach to the development of a CMM patient care process common language document included three phases: (a) Review and synthesis of the literature, (b) Vetting and consensus building, and (c) Usability testing.

Results

The end product is the CMM patient care process—a common language document that describes both the five essential functions (ie, core components that must be present to carry out CMM) as well as operational definitions (ie, specific steps, activities, or tasks that must be carried out to achieve each essential function).

Conclusions

Establishing a common language for the CMM patient care process ensures consistency in delivery of CMM and establishes a set of expectations across key stakeholder groups including patients, pharmacists, physicians, other health care providers, and payers. This research provides a framework and a common set of essential functions and operational definitions to guide the implementation of CMM delivery in primary care and facilitate replication, scale, and positive impact.
Raman spectroscopy of blood and urine liquid biopsies for ovarian cancer diagnosis: identification of chemotherapy effects
Authors: Giamougiannis Panagiotis , Silva Raissa V. O. , Freitas Daniel L. D. , Lima Kássio M. G. , Anagnostopoulos Antonios , Angelopoulos Georgios , Naik Raj , Wood Nicholas J. , Martin‐Hirsch Pierre L. , Martin Francis L.
Published: July 2021

Blood plasma and serum Raman spectroscopy for ovarian cancer diagnosis has been applied in pilot studies, with promising results. Herein, a comparative analysis of these biofluids, with a novel assessment of urine, was conducted by Raman spectroscopy application in a large patient cohort. Spectra were obtained through samples measurements from 116 ovarian cancer patients and 307 controls. Principal component analysis identified significant spectral differences between cancers without previous treatment (n = 71) and following neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), (n = 45). Application of five classification algorithms achieved up to 73% sensitivity for plasma, high specificities and accuracies for both blood biofluids, and lower performance for urine. A drop in sensitivities for the NACT group in plasma and serum, with an opposite trend in urine, suggest that Raman spectroscopy could identify chemotherapy‐related changes. This study confirms that biofluids' Raman spectroscopy can contribute in ovarian cancer's diagnostic work‐up and demonstrates its potential in monitoring treatment response.
Small lithium‐chloride clusters: Superalkalis, superhalogens, supersalts and nanocrystals
Authors: Milovanović Milan
Published: July 2021

In the present paper, the results of the theoretical investigation of the small lithium‐chloride clusters are reported. The geometrical structures, electronic and thermodynamic stability of superalkalis, superhalogens, and their single and double charged ions are obtained using efficient and accurate quantum chemistry methods. Further, low‐lying isomers of the LinCln () clusters and their stability parameters are calculated. Two ways of formation of the LinCln clusters, polymerization of LiCl fragments and combination of superalkalis and superhalogen clusters, are compared. By examination the lattice energy and the average Li‐Cl bond length in rectangular LinCln () clusters, it was concluded that already 50 LiCl are enough to mostly resembles the structure and stability of the bulk LiCl.
Size‐dependent Auger recombination in CdSe quantum dots studied by transient absorption spectroscopy
Authors: Yang Gaoyuan , Liu Liu , Shi Shuang , Zhang Xin , Liang Ying , Liang Guijie
Published: July 2021

As closely related to exciton quenching, Auger recombination (AR) is very important to colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) in applications such as lasing, solar energy conversion, and light‐emitting diodes. It is beneficial to understand the kinetic mechanism of AR. In this article, colloidal CdSe QDs with a narrow range of diameters, 2.7, 2.5, 2.3, 2.2, and 2.0 nm, are synthesized by adequately modulating the reaction temperature and time during hot injection synthesis. With sizes less than the Bohr exciton radius, the resultant collision probability differs for various CdSe QDs attributed to the varying extent of the spatial confinement effect. To analyze the bi‐exciton AR in these QDs, the ultrafast time‐resolved absorption spectrum is utilized to derive the bi‐exciton lifetime (τBX) in high precision as a function of QD size. The τBX varying with volume (V) obeys the universal scaling law; that is, τBX = γV. In our experiments, the scaling factor γ is 1.649 ± 0.097 ps/nm3. This study could provide further insight for understanding the theory of the AR process and rational design of optoelectronic devices based on colloidal QDs.
IRE1 signaling regulates chondrocyte apoptosis and death fate in the osteoarthritis
Authors: Huang Rongxiang , Hui Zhang , Wei Sun , Li Duan , Li Wencui , Daping Wang , Alahdal Murad
Published: July 2021

IRE1 is an important central regulator of unfolded protein response (UPR) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) because of its ability to regulate cell fate as a function of stress sensing. When misfolded proteins accumulated in chondrocytes ER, IRE1 disintegrates with BIP/GRP78 and undergoes dimer/oligomerization and transautophosphorylation. These two processes are mediated through an enzyme activity of IRE1 to activate endoribonuclease and generates XBP1 by unconventional splicing of XBP1 messenger RNA. Thereby promoting the transcription of UPR target genes and apoptosis. The deficiency of inositol‐requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) in chondrocytes downregulates prosurvival factors XBP1S and Bcl‐2, which enhances the apoptosis of chondrocytes through increasing proapoptotic factors caspase‐3, p‐JNK, and CHOP. Meanwhile, the activation of IRE1α increases chondrocyte viability and reduces cell apoptosis. However, the understanding of IRE1 responses and cell death fate remains controversial. This review provides updated data about the role IRE1 plays in chondrocytes and new insights about the potential efficacy of IRE1 regulation in cartilage repair and osteoarthritis treatment.
Hemin-primed dendritic cells suppress allergic airway inflammation through releasing extracellular vesicles
Authors: Wu Yujiao , Yu Qianying , Zhang Meng , Zhou Yao , Su Xiao , Wu Min , Lv Jiajia , Xia Zhenwei
Published: July 2021

Hemin, a substrate of heme oxygenase (HO)-1, induces HO-1 expression on a variety of cells to exert anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory roles. However, the role of HO-1 in allergic diseases for dendritic cells (DCs) is not fully understood. Here, we report that HO-1 modulates asthmatic airway inflammation by hemin-treated DC-released extracellular vesicles (DCEVs). Following induction of bone marrow-derived DCs by hemin and then by house dust mite (HDM) in vitro, mouse CD4+ naïve T cells were cocultured with DCEVs to determine T helper (h) cell differentiation. C57BL/6 mice were sensitized by different stimuli-induced DCEVs and challenged with HDM to analyze the changes of inflammatory cells and cytokines in the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The results showed that hemin-treated DCEVs (hemin-DCEVs) express phosphatidylserine (PS), CD81, heat shock protein 70, and HO-1, which facilitates regulatory T (Treg) cells differentiation in vitro and in vivo. In HDM-induced asthmatic mouse model, hemin-DCEVs inhalation reduced eosinophils infiltration and mucus secretion in the airway, decreased the levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in the lung and the number of Th2 cells in mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs), and increased the number of Treg cells in MLNs. Thus, our study demonstrated, for the first time, that EVs from HO-1-overexpressing DCs alleviate allergic airway inflammation of eosinophilic asthma by potentiating Treg cells differentiation and limiting proinflammatory cytokine secretion, which expands our understanding of HO-1 function, opening the door for HO-1 inducer-like hemin as a novel therapeutic strategy for asthma or other allergic diseases.
Development and Validation of Noninvasive MRI‐Based Signature for Preoperative Prediction of Early Recurrence in Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Zhao Jian , Zhang Wei , Zhu Yuan‐Yi , Zheng Hao‐Yu , Xu Li , Zhang Jun , Liu Si‐Yun , Li Fu‐Yu , Song Bin
Published: July 2021

Background

Cholangiocarcinoma is a type of hepatobiliary tumor. For perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA), patients who experience early recurrence (ER) have a poor prognosis. Preoperative accurate prediction of postoperative ER can avoid unnecessary operation; however, prediction is challenging.

Purpose

To develop a novel signature based on clinical and/or MRI radiomics features of pCCA to preoperatively predict ER.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

One hundred eighty‐four patients (median age, 61.0 years; interquartile range: 53.0–66.8 years) including 115 men and 69 women.

Field Strength/Sequence

A 1.5 T; volumetric interpolated breath‐hold examination (VIBE) sequence.

Assessment

The models were developed from the training set (128 patients) and validated in a separate testing set (56 patients). The contrast‐enhanced arterial and portal vein phase MR images of hepatobiliary system were used for extracting radiomics features. The correlation analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression (LR), backward stepwise LR were mainly used for radiomics feature selection and modeling (Modelradiomic). The univariate and multivariate backward stepwise LR were used for preoperative clinical predictors selection and modeling (Modelclinic). The radiomics and preoperative clinical predictors were combined by multivariate LR method to construct clinic‐radiomics nomogram (Modelcombine).

Statistical Tests

Chi‐squared (χ2) test or Fisher's exact test, Mann–Whitney U‐test or t‐test, Delong test. Two tailed P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Based on the comparison of area under the curves (AUC) using Delong test, Modelclinic and Modelcombine had significantly better performance than Modelradiomic and tumor‐node‐metastasis (TNM) system in training set. In the testing set, both Modelclinic and Modelcombine had significantly better performance than TNM system, whereas only Modelcombine was significantly superior to Modelradiomic. However, the AUC values were not significantly different between Modelclinic and Modelcombine (P = 0.156 for training set and P = 0.439 for testing set).

Data Conclusion

A noninvasive model combining the MRI‐based radiomics signature and clinical variables is potential to preoperatively predict ER for pCCA.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy Stage

4
Regional differences in the predictors of acute electrical reconnection following high‐power pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Yazaki Kyoichiro , Ejima Koichiro , Kataoka Shohei , Kanai Miwa , Higuchi Satoshi , Yagishita Daigo , Shoda Morio , Hagiwara Nobuhisa
Published: July 2021

Background

Acute pulmonary vein reconnection (PVR) is associated with long procedure times and large radiofrequency (RF) energy delivery during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Although the efficacy of high‐power PVI (HP‐PVI) has been recently established, the determinants of acute PVR following HP‐PVI remain unclear.

Methods

We evaluated data on 62 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing unipolar signal modification (USM)‐guided HP‐PVI. A 50‐W RF wave was applied for 3‐5 seconds after USM. In the segments adjacent to the esophagus (SAEs), the RF time was limited to 5 seconds. Each circle was subdivided into six regions (segments), and the possible predictors of acute PVR, including minimum contact force (CFmin), minimum force‐time integral (FTImin), minimum ablation index (AImin), minimum impedance drop (Imp‐min), and maximum inter‐lesion distance (ILDmax), were assessed in each segment.

Results

We investigated 1162 ablations in 744 segments (including 124 SAEs). Acute PVR was observed in 21 (17%) SAEs and 43 (7%) other segments (P = .001). The acute PVR segments were characterized by significantly lower CFmin, FTImin, AImin, and Imp‐min values in the segments other than the SAEs and larger ILDmax values in the SAEs. Furthermore, lower Imp‐min and larger ILDmax values independently predicted acute PVR in the segments other than the SAEs and SAEs (odds ratios 0.90 and 1.39 respectively). Acute PVR was not significantly associated with late atrial fibrillation recurrence.

Conclusions

Avoiding PVR remains a challenge in HP‐PVI cases, but it might be resolved by setting the optimal target impedance drop and lesion distance values.
Quantifying the local and remote impacts of sub‐grid physical processes on the Southeast Pacific sea surface fluxes in the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 by a limited‐area parameter perturbation approach
Authors: Liu Shujun , Yang Ben , Guo Zhun , Wang Minghuai , Qian Yun , Huang Anning , Zhang Yaocun
Published: July 2021

The Southeast Pacific (SEP) has distinct climate features that are governed by interactions among processes at multiple spatial scales and thus are hard to represent in climate models. This study investigates the local and remote impacts of various physical processes on surface fluxes over SEP in the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 by using a limited‐area parameter perturbation approach. In this approach, physical parameters from the Zhang‐McFarlane (ZM) convection scheme and the turbulence parameterization scheme of Cloud Layers Unified by Binormals (CLUBB) are perturbed in specific regions, but fixed outside. Three limited‐area perturbed parameter ensembles are performed over SEP, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the South Pacific convergence zone (SPCZ), respectively, with the simulations over SEP the primary focus that can respond to both local impacts and remote impacts from ITCZ and SPCZ. Results show that most of the variability of surface radiative fluxes is explained by the local impacts of sub‐grid physical processes and those related to shallow convection are most important. By contrast, a considerable portion of the variability of the surface latent heat flux is attributed to the remote effects from ITCZ and SPCZ, which are mainly contributed by the ZM parameters that can affect the large‐scale circulation by modulating the diabatic heating related to precipitation. Both the latent heat flux and shortwave radiative flux over SEP increase with the eastern‐ITCZ precipitation due to the stronger surface wind and less clouds, respectively. Overall, our results help better understand the sources of uncertainties in the simulated SEP climate.
Creativity Landscapes: Systematic Review Spanning 70 Years of Creativity Interventions for Children
Authors: Alves‐Oliveira Patrícia , Arriaga Patrícia , Xavier Carla , Hoffman Guy , Paiva Ana
Published: July 2021

Creativity plays a central role in children’s development and well‐being, being considered a crucial skill to thrive in their personal and professional lives. Given its importance, researchers and educators highlighted the need to enhance creativity in individuals across the lifespan. However, it is crucial to understand how interventions and programs can promote creativity from an early age. The goal of this systematic review was to collect, summarize, and present evidence on research about nurturing creativity in children of elementary school age (5–13 years old), by systematically reviewing publications from 1950 to 2020, spanning 70 years of research. We additionally contributed to a classification system for characterizing creativity research by expanding on an existing coding scheme for creativity. This review resulted in the profiling of existing trainings that stimulate creativity in children. We discuss the results taking into account possible implications for practice and policymaking and future research directions in creativity research.
To err is human: Exploratory multilevel analysis of supply chain delivery delays
Authors: Awaysheh Amrou , Frohlich Markham T. , Flynn Barbara B. , Flynn Patrick J.
Published: July 2021

We examine the impact of human errors by front‐line supply chain employees on delivery delays. We build on normal accident theory (NAT), a multilevel theory describing the relationship between a firm's latent conditions (systemic managerial, technology, and social factors) and human errors. Latent conditions can have the unintended consequence of intensifying the impact of a human error, thus, we hypothesize a moderating effect of latent conditions on the relationship between errors and delivery delays. Hypotheses are tested using archival shipment data provided by a Fortune 500 company and archival carrier violations data. A multilevel design, with 299,399 shipments (level 1) nested within 97 carriers (level 2), was tested using mixed effects regression modeling. The results indicated that both dispatcher and driver errors were related to the probability of a late delivery, and that dispatcher errors were associated with longer delays. The moderating effects of several carrier latent conditions were significant and positive, indicating that both types of errors were more strongly associated with the likelihood of late delivery and that dispatcher errors were associated with longer delays when moderated by carrier latent conditions. The results are discussed from the perspective of NAT and technology management, developing prescriptions, and suggesting opportunities for future research.
Impact of parenteral nutrition guideline implementation on growth of very low‐birth‐weight infants in a neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: Phillips Jordan L. , Jones Kristen M. , Patel Priyanka H. , Kamdar Tanvi , Lopilato Alex C.
Published: July 2021

Background

In preterm neonates, parenteral nutrition (PN) is utilized to provide adequate energy and maintain the expected growth rate of a fetus. To optimize growth, our institution implemented comprehensive guidelines for prescribing PN. This study compared the effect of this change on growth outcomes of very low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) infants at 28 days’ postnatal age (PNA).

Methods

Neonates <1250 g who received PN for >7 days were divided into preimplementation and postimplementation cohorts based on date of birth. The primary objective was to compare the average weight velocity (g/kg/day) of neonates at 28 days’ PNA. Secondary objectives included identifying the average number of days to regain birth weight and comparing the percentage of infants above the 10th percentile for weight for age at 28 days with those at baseline.

Results

There were 204 neonates in cohort 1 (before implementation) and 176 neonates in cohort 2 (after). No difference in weight velocity was identified (12.9 ± 5.2 vs 12.1 ± 4.9 g/kg/day; P = .177). No difference was detected in days to regain birth weight (9.2 ± 4.6 vs 9.9 ± 4.7; P = .909) or in the percentage of patients above the 10th percentile for weight for age (birth: 85.3% vs 83.5% [P = .634]; 28 days: 73% vs 64.8% [P = .082]).

Conclusion

No difference was observed in the weight velocity of VLBW neonates <1250 g at birth when using the implemented guideline for PN prescription writing at our institution.
Awareness of Beers criteria and potentially inappropriate medications among physicians and pharmacists in Palestine
Authors: Abukhalil Abdallah Damin , Shaloudi Abdelrazzaq Yahia , Shamasneh Niveen Mohammad , Aljamal Asil Maher
Published: July 2021

Background

The American Geriatric Society Beers criteria comprise a screening tool to identify potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and guide healthcare providers (HCPs) in prescribing, dispensing, and recommending appropriate medications. The extent of awareness about PIMs and geriatric medicine among HCPs needs to be assessed. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the level of awareness regarding PIMs and Beers criteria among HCPs in Palestine.

Method

This was a cross‐sectional study conducted using a self‐administered 20‐item questionnaire involving physicians and pharmacists in Palestine. Ten clinical vignettes presenting different medical statuses in the elderly necessitating appropriate prescription advice were used to assess awareness on geriatric medication.

Results

A total of 306 participants, including 116 physicians and 190 pharmacists, participated in the study. 34.0% of the participants had poor awareness, 30.1% had average and 23.2% participants had good awareness about PIMs in the elderly. Only a small percentage of participants had very poor or very good awareness (6.9% vs. 5.9%, respectively) with no difference in the results in terms of profession. There was a significant relationship between the familiarity with Beers criteria and the level of awareness. Finally, participants perceived drug–drug interactions as a major barrier to appropriate prescribing.

Conclusion

The majority of participating HCPs had a low level of awareness, and a close proportion had moderate awareness on PIMs and Beers criteria. Consequently, there is a need to increase HCP's awareness of medication use in the elderly. Continued education and training in geriatric pharmacotherapy may be valuable.