bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atomically dispersed Fe in a C2N Based Catalyst as a Sulfur Host for Efficient Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Liang Zhifu , Yang Dawei , Tang Pengyi , Zhang Chaoqi , Jacas Biendicho Jordi , Zhang Yi , Llorca Jordi , Wang Xiang , Li Junshan , Heggen Marc , David Jeremy , Dunin‐Borkowski Rafal E. , Zhou Yingtang , Morante Joan Ramon , Cabot Andreu , Arbiol Jordi
Published: December 2020

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered to be one of the most promising next generation energy storage systems due to their high energy density and low material cost. However, there are still some challenges for the commercialization of LSBs, such as the sluggish redox reaction kinetics and the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPS). Here a 2D layered organic material, C2N, loaded with atomically dispersed iron as an effective sulfur host in LSBs is reported. X‐ray absorption fine spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations prove the structure of the atomically dispersed Fe/C2N catalyst. As a result, Fe/C2N‐based cathodes demonstrate significantly improved rate performance and long‐term cycling stability. Fe/C2N‐based cathodes display initial capacities up to 1540 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and 678.7 mAh g−1 at 5 C, while retaining 496.5 mAh g−1 after 2600 cycles at 3 C with a decay rate as low as 0.013% per cycle. Even at a high sulfur loading of 3 mg cm−2, they deliver remarkable specific capacity retention of 587 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 1 C. This work provides a rational structural design strategy for the development of high‐performance cathodes based on atomically dispersed catalysts for LSBs.
Impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on plant purchasing in Southeastern United States
Authors: Campbell Benjamin L. , Rihn Alicia L. , Campbell Julie H.
Published: December 2020

The Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in firms and consumers quickly adjusting their shopping strategies to facilitate sales while maintaining safety recommendations. Two strategies frequently employed by plant retailers include curbside pickup and online sales/delivery. Using an online survey of Southeastern U.S. consumers, this study assessed the relationship between consumers' concerns related to the pandemic, stay‐at‐home orders, purchasing behaviors, and perceived future shopping habits. Interestingly, 57% of respondents indicated they were going to revert back to their prepandemic shopping habits after the pandemic. Respondents who had adopted online plant‐purchasing habits were less likely to revert back to their prepandemic habits, whereas respondents currently participating in the curbside pickup were more likely to go back to their prepandemic habits. Population density, income, and COVID‐19 concerns (index) also impacted postpandemic shopping habits or behavior. [EconLit Citations: Q13]
Use of shear wave elastography on the maternal cervix to recognise cervical insufficiency using a transabdominal ultrasound approach
Authors: O’Hara Sandra , Zelesco Marilyn , Sun Zhonghua
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The ramifications of preterm birth on society and the role of cervical length in identifying cervical insufficiency are well known. The main goal of this work was to apply shear wave elastography to the maternal cervix to assess the stiffness of the cervix and identify cervical insufficiency, using a transabdominal ultrasound approach.

Methods

Measurements of shear wave speed were obtained using a transabdominal ultrasound approach, at the anterior and posterior portions of the internal and external cervical os on 504 participants. A total of 455 participants were contacted following the expected date of birth of the fetus and birth details were obtained.

Results

The anterior and posterior portions of the internal os showed a significant correlation between shear wave speed and time until delivery of the fetus for women who gave birth spontaneously, with R2 Linear being 0.024 (P = 0.012) and 0.017 (P = 0.05) respectively, and these correlations increased for the group of participants that were scanned between the 18th and end of the 20th week of pregnancy to R2 Linear = 0.043 (P = 0.001) and 0.021 (P = 0.040) respectively. A ratio of internal os/external os anteriorly also showed a correlation of R2 Linear = 0.030 (P = 0.009).

Conclusion

A transabdominal ultrasound technique has identified a reduction in shear wave speeds at the internal os in the mid‐trimester, in women who had a subsequent preterm birth.
Whither wilderness? An investigation of technology use by long‐distance backpackers
Authors: Hyatt Ed , Harvey Morgan , Pointon Matthew , Innocenti Perla
Published: December 2020

The popular outdoor pursuit of backpacking is profoundly changing as the community embraces contemporary information technologies. However, there is little empirical evidence on the adoption and use of consumer electronics by backpackers, nor the implications this has for their habits, practices, and interactions. We investigate long‐distance backpackers' articulations with mobile information technology during the TGO Challenge, a coast‐to‐coast crossing of the Scottish Highlands. By employing mixed methods, we explore how and why backpackers use such technology when planning and undertaking their journeys via a survey (n = 116), pre‐ and post‐challenge interviews with selected TGO participants, and daily in‐field video‐logs. Our results suggest many advantages to using technology in this context, including fluidity of communications and access, while noting that reliance on technology is leading to issues such as increased need for battery power management, and deskilling. The findings highlight implications for the juxtaposition between outdoor recreation, information behavior, and human computer interaction (HCI) and suggest future work in this area.
A CO2 Absorbent Articulated by Imitating the RuBisCO Regulation Site
Authors: Park Hongjin , Park Kwangho , Kim Namseok , Kim Nak‐Kyoon , Jeong Soon Kwan , Yoon Sungho
Published: December 2020

A coordination complex comprising Mg2+ cation and a chelate amine ligand, [Mg(O2CCF3)2(TAD)], mimicking the active site of the RuBisCO regulation factor, was prepared as a CO2 absorbent. The inorganic complex absorbent exhibited absorption capacity of 2.0 mol CO2/mol complex and the heat of CO2 absorption of 70.88 kJ/mol. Upon the comparison with the common absorbent, i.e., monoethanolamine (MEA), the novel CO2 absorbent outperformed and showed lower heat of formation. This was attributed to the formation of carbamate zwitterion stabilized by the coordination with Mg2+ centre atom during the absorption.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Targeting Reactive Oxygen Species Sensor Based on Dihydrofluorescein: Application of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Authors: Le Hoa Thi , Jo Hye‐Ryeong , Oh Se‐Yun , Jung Jinwook , Kim Young Gi , Kang Chulhun , Kim Tae Woo
Published: December 2020

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has a unique redox environment, which plays critical roles in the organelle's function and in its pathological responses such as ER stress. In this work, we introduce an ER‐targeting fluorogenic reactive oxygen species (ROS) chemosensor (ER‐Flu) from copper(I)‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition of 3‐propargyl ester of 2′,7′‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate and N3‐glibenclamide, which were adopted as a fluorogenic ROS sensing module and an ER‐targeting module, respectively. Thereby, a series of confocal microscopic experiments of ER‐Flu demonstrated that the sensor localizes in ER of the live cells and that ROS are elevated in the cells by ER stress inducers such as thapsigargin, brefeldin A, and tunicamycin.
Embrace the evolving nature of technology for a safe, cutting‐edge campus
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: December 2020

Doug Roberts took the job as Police Chief at the Missouri University of Science and Technology after more than 25 years as a Secret Service agent. “I never sought out the Secret Service; I didn't know what the job requirements were. I thought you had to have a military background and lots of advanced degrees,” Roberts said.
The use of virtual reality in the training of professionals: with the example of firefighters
Authors: Grabowski Andrzej , Jach Kamil
Published: December 2020

The article presents a brief history of the development of virtual reality (VR), followed by a comprehensive literature overview on the matter as well as an example of the application of VR in the training of professionals on the example of firefighters. The history, starting in 1965 with the ideas, concepts, and solutions presented by the VR's “forefather”—Ivan Sutherland, delves into multiple projects. The literature review presents various examples of the use of VR in the training of professionals coming from multiple fields, such as medicine, psychology, forestry, iron casting, or construction. The case study shows it can be used to recreate even the most complex scenarios and surroundings, even those of the firefight in confined spaces where enclosed fires tend to appear and have been considered vastly hazardous for not only civilians or equipment but also to firefighters dispatched to contain them.
Cardiac and sudden death after chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Prognostic role of the target vessel
Authors: Scotti Andrea , Godino Cosmo , Munafò Andrea , Pivato Carlo A. , Chiarito Mauro , Fiore Giorgio , Di Maio Silvana , Vergara Pasquale , Della Bella Paolo , Carlino Mauro , Margonato Alberto , Colombo Antonio
Published: December 2020

Background

The role of the target vessel in percutaneous revascularization of chronic total occlusion (CTO) is unclear.

Objective

We sought to assess the long‐term results of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for CTO lesions in each coronary artery and to investigate the impact of successful revascularization and previous myocardial infarction (MI) in the territory of the target vessel.

Methods and Results

Cohort observational study on 1,124 patients who have undergone CTO PCI attempt: 371 on left anterior descending artery (LAD), 485 right coronary artery, and 268 left circumflex. Patients were further stratified by successfully revascularized and not‐revascularized CTO (CTO‐NR). Vessels affected by a previous MI were defined as infarct‐related artery (IRA). The primary endpoint was cardiac death; the secondary endpoint was the combined rate of sudden cardiac‐death and sustained ventricular‐arrhythmias (SCD/SVAs). Propensity score‐matching was performed to evaluate LAD versus NON‐LAD CTO. Up to 12‐year follow‐up, the clinical benefit associated with successful PCI was consistent across the three groups. CTO‐NR had the greatest association with cardiac death and SCD/SVAs in each coronary artery and in IRA‐CTO patients.

Conclusions

Unsuccessful percutaneous CTO revascularization was associated with lower cardiac survival and freedom from SCD/SVAs, irrespective of the vessel treated. This result was mainly driven by patients with an IRA CTO.
On logistic Box–Cox regression for flexibly estimating the shape and strength of exposure‐disease relationships
Authors: Xing Li , Zhang Xuekui , Burstyn Igor , Gustafson Paul
Published: December 2020

The shape of the relationship between a continuous exposure variable and a binary disease variable is often central to epidemiologic investigations. This article investigates a number of issues surrounding inference and the shape of the relationship. Presuming that the relationship can be expressed in terms of regression coefficients and a shape parameter, we investigate how well the shape can be inferred in settings which might typify epidemiologic investigations and risk assessment. We also consider a suitable definition of the median effect of exposure, and investigate how precisely this can be inferred. This is done both in the case of using a model acknowledging uncertainty about the shape parameter and in the case of ignoring this uncertainty and using a two‐step method, where in step one we transform the predictor and in step two we fit a simple logistic model with transformed predictor. All these investigations require a family of exposure‐disease relationships indexed by a shape parameter. For this purpose, we employ a family based on the Box–Cox transformation.
Visual opsin expression and morphological characterization of retinal photoreceptors in the pouched lamprey (Geotria australis, Gray)
Authors: Warrington Rachael E. , Davies Wayne I. L. , Hemmi Jan M. , Hart Nathan S. , Potter Ian C. , Collin Shaun P. , Hunt David M.
Published: December 2020

Lampreys are extant members of the agnathan (jawless) vertebrates that diverged ~500 million years ago, during a critical stage of vertebrate evolution when image‐forming eyes first emerged. Among lamprey species assessed thus far, the retina of the southern hemisphere pouched lamprey, Geotria australis, is unique, in that it possesses morphologically distinct photoreceptors and expresses five visual photopigments. This study focused on determining the number of different photoreceptors present in the retina of G. australis and whether each cell type expresses a single opsin class. Five photoreceptor subtypes were identified based on ultrastructure and differential expression of one of each of the five different visual opsin classes (lws, sws1, sws2, rh1, and rh2) known to be expressed in the retina. This suggests, therefore, that the retina of G. australis possesses five spectrally and morphologically distinct photoreceptors, with the potential for complex color vision. Each photoreceptor subtype was shown to have a specific spatial distribution in the retina, which is potentially associated with changes in spectral radiance across different lines of sight. These results suggest that there have been strong selection pressures for G. australis to maintain broad spectral sensitivity for the brightly lit surface waters that this species inhabits during its marine phase. These findings provide important insights into the functional anatomy of the early vertebrate retina and the selection pressures that may have led to the evolution of complex color vision.
Assessment of Vedolizumab Disease‐Drug‐Drug Interaction Potential in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Sun Wan , Lirio Richard A. , Schneider Jennifer , Aubrecht Jiri , Kadali Harisha , Baratta Mike , Gulati Parul , Suri Ajit , Lin Tiffany , Vasudevan Raghavan , Rosario Maria
Published: December 2020

Disease‐drug‐drug interactions (DDDIs) have been identified in some inflammatory diseases in which elevated proinflammatory cytokines can downregulate the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, potentially increasing systemic exposure to drugs metabolized by CYPs. Following anti‐inflammatory treatments, CYP expression may return to normal, resulting in reduced drug exposure and diminished clinical efficacy. Vedolizumab has a well‐established positive benefit‐risk profile in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) and has no known systemic immunosuppressive activity. A stepwise assessment was conducted to evaluate the DDDI potential of vedolizumab to impact exposure to drugs metabolized by CYP3A through cytokine modulation. First, a review of published data revealed that patients with UC or CD have elevated cytokine concentrations relative to healthy subjects; however, these concentrations remained below those reported to impact CYP expression. Exposure to drugs metabolized via CYP3A also appeared comparable between patients and healthy subjects. Second, serum samples from patients with UC or CD who received vedolizumab for 52 weeks were analyzed and compared with healthy subjects. Cytokine concentrations and the 4β‐hydroxycholesterol‐to‐cholesterol ratio, an endogenous CYP3A4 biomarker, were comparable between healthy subjects and patients both before and during vedolizumab treatment. Finally, a medical review of postmarketing DDDI cases related to vedolizumab from the past 6 years was conducted and did not show evidence of any true DDDIs. Our study demonstrated the lack of clinically meaningful effects of disease or vedolizumab treatment on the exposure to drugs metabolized via CYP3A through cytokine modulation in patients with UC or CD.
Alcohol intake potentiates clozapine adverse effects associated to CYP1A2*1C in patients with refractory psychosis
Authors: Ortega‐Vázquez Alberto , Mayen‐Lobo Yerye G. , Dávila‐Ortiz de Montellano David J. , Tristán‐López Luis , Aviña‐Cervantes Carlos L. , Ríos Camilo , López‐López Marisol , Monroy‐Jaramillo Nancy
Published: December 2020

Clozapine (CLZ) is an atypical antipsychotic and the gold standard for refractory psychosis treatment. However, there is little information regarding pharmacogenetics of CLZ in patients with refractory psychosis and its clinical correlation with alcohol intake. Although neurological effects of CLZ in patients with concomitant alcohol intake are documented, its use is very common in patients with psychosis. We explored the impact of CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4 genetic variants on CLZ pharmacokinetics and side effects, along with coffee/alcohol/tobacco consumption habits and clinical data of 48 adult patients with refractory psychosis on CLZ antipsychotic monotherapy. Relevant CYP variants in CLZ metabolism were evaluated by targeted genotyping and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification. CLZ and its main metabolite plasma concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Biochemical and molecular data, along with other potential confounders, were included in the analysis by linear regression. Overall, CYP variants showed no effect on CLZ pharmacokinetics. The rs2069514 variant in homozygous genotype (also known as CYP1A2*1C/*1C) was associated with CLZ adverse reactions in Mexican patients with refractory psychosis (OR = 3.55 CI95 = 1.041–12.269, p = .043) and demonstrated that this effect is doubled by concomitant alcohol consumption (OR = 7.9 CI95 = 1.473–42.369, p = .016). Clinicians should be aware of this information before starting CLZ use, when treating patients with refractory psychosis, who are alcohol drinkers and carriers of this genetic variant in order to prevent CLZ‐related adverse reactions. Nevertheless, our findings should be replicated in larger samples.
Being bullied and using drugs are associate with eating disorder symptoms in Brazilian students
Authors: Galvão Patricia Paiva de O. , Valente Juliana Y. , Almeida Mireille Coêlho , Gubert Fabiane A. , Rebouças Lidiane , Mari Jair , Caetano Sheila C. , Sanchez Zila M.
Published: December 2020

Objective

This study's main purpose is to evaluate factors associated with eating disorder (ED) symptoms among Brazilian adolescents.

Method

The sample consisted of 5,213 students, mean age 13.24 (SD ±0.01), in the eighth grade of 93 public schools from three Brazilian cities. Data were collected through an anonymous self‐report questionnaire, assessing: sociodemographics, use of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, binge drinking, bullying, and ED symptoms. We used confirmatory factor analysis and multivariate linear regression.

Results

We found that high levels of bullying victimization, binge drinking and the use of unprescribed weight‐loss substances were associated with higher levels of ED symptoms to both genders. However, only among girls, the higher age (β = .10; 95% CI = 0.02; 0.17) and the use of illicit drugs (β = .21; 95% CI = 0.094; 0.34) were associated with increase in the ED symptoms.

Discussion

We demonstrate a significant association of ED symptoms with drug use and bullying, highlighting the importance of addressing these factors in the development of ED prevention strategies.
Cerebral cortical thickness and surface area in adolescent anorexia nervosa: Separate and joint analyses with a permutation‐based nonparametric method
Authors: Myrvang Anna D. , Vangberg Torgil R. , Stedal Kristin , Rø Øyvind , Endestad Tor , Rosenvinge Jan H. , Aslaksen Per M.
Published: December 2020

Objective

Reduction in cerebral volume is often found in underweight patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), but few studies have investigated other morphological measures. Cortical thickness (CTh) and surface area (CSA), often used to produce the measure of cortical volume, are developmentally distinct measures that may be differentially affected in AN, particularly in the developing brain. In the present study, we investigated CTh and CSA both separately and jointly to gain further insight into structural alterations in adolescent AN patients.

Method

Thirty female AN inpatients 12–18 years of age, and 27 age‐matched healthy controls (HC) underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging. Group differences in CTh and CSA were investigated separately and jointly with a permutation‐based nonparametric combination method (NPC) which may be more sensitive in detecting group differences compared to traditional volumetric methods.

Results

Results showed significant reduction in in both CTh and CSA in several cortical regions in AN compared to HC and the reduction was related to BMI. Different results for the two morphological measures were found in a small number of cortical regions. The joint NPC analyses showed significant group differences across most of the cortical mantle.

Discussion

Results from this study give novel insight to areal reduction in adolescent AN patients and indicate that both CTh and CSA reduction is related to BMI. The study is the first to use the NPC method to reveal large structural alterations covering most of the brain in adolescent AN.
Sensitivity of dryland vegetation patterns to storm characteristics
Authors: Crompton Octavia V. , Thompson Sally E.
Published: December 2020

Ecohydrological phenomena are o ften multiscale in nature, with behavioTur that emerges from the interaction of tightly coupled systems having characteristic timescales that differ by orders of magnitude. Models address these differences using timescale separation methods, where each system is held in psuedo‐steady state while the other evolves. When the computational demands of solving the ‘fast’ system are large, this strategy can become numerically intractable. Here, we use emulation modelling to accelerate the simulation of a computationally intensive ‘fast’ system: overland flow. We focus on dryland ecosystems in which storms generate overland flow, on timescales of 101 − 2 s. In these ecosystems, overland flow delivers crucial water inputs to vegetation, which grows and disperses ‘slowly’, on timescales of 107 − 9 s. Emulation allows for a physically realistic treatment of flow, advancing on phenomenological descriptions used in previous studies. Resolving the within‐storm processes reveals novel dynamics, including new transition pathways from patchy vegetation to desertification, that are specifically controlled by storm processes.
Myocardial injury in severe COVID‐19 is similar to pneumonias of other origin: results from a multicentre study
Authors: Jirak Peter , Larbig Robert , Shomanova Zornitsa , Fröb Elisabeth J. , Dankl Daniel , Torgersen Christian , Frank Nino , Mahringer Magdalena , Butkiene Dominyka , Haake Hendrik , Salzer Helmut J.F. , Tschoellitsch Thomas , Lichtenauer Michael , Egle Alexander , Lamprecht Bernd , Reinecke Holger , Hoppe Uta C. , Pistulli Rudin , Motloch Lukas J.
Published: December 2020

Aims

COVID‐19, a respiratory viral disease causing severe pneumonia, also affects the heart and other organs. Whether its cardiac involvement is a specific feature consisting of myocarditis, or simply due to microvascular injury and systemic inflammation, is yet unclear and presently debated. Because myocardial injury is also common in other kinds of pneumonias, we investigated and compared such occurrence in severe pneumonias due to COVID‐19 and other causes.

Methods and results

We analysed data from 156 critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation in four European tertiary hospitals, including all n = 76 COVID‐19 patients with severe disease course requiring at least ventilatory support, matched to n = 76 from a retrospective consecutive patient cohort of severe pneumonias of other origin (matched for age, gender, and type of ventilator therapy). When compared to the non‐COVID‐19, mortality (COVID‐19 = 38.2% vs. non‐COVID‐19 = 51.3%, P = 0.142) and impairment of systolic function were not significantly different. Surprisingly, myocardial injury was even more frequent in non‐COVID‐19 (96.4% vs. 78.1% P = 0.004). Although inflammatory activity [C‐reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin‐6] was indifferent, d‐dimer and thromboembolic incidence (COVID‐19 = 23.7% vs. non‐COVID‐19 = 5.3%, P = 0.002) driven by pulmonary embolism rates (COVID‐19 = 17.1% vs. non‐COVID‐19 = 2.6%, P = 0.005) were higher.

Conclusions

Myocardial injury was frequent in severe COVID‐19 requiring mechanical ventilation, but still less frequent than in similarly severe pneumonias of other origin, indicating that cardiac involvement may not be a specific feature of COVID‐19. While mortality was also similar, COVID‐19 is characterized with increased thrombogenicity and high pulmonary embolism rates.
Muscular changes in animal models of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: what comes closest to the patient?
Authors: Goto Keita , Schauer Antje , Augstein Antje , Methawasin Mei , Granzier Henk , Halle Martin , Craenenbroeck Emeline M Van , Rolim Natale , Gielen Stephan , Pieske Burkert , Winzer Ephraim B. , Linke Axel , Adams Volker
Published: December 2020

Aims

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with reduced exercise capacity elicited by skeletal muscle (SM) alterations. Up to now, no clear medical treatment advice for HFpEF is available. Identification of the ideal animal model mimicking the human condition is a critical step in developing and testing treatment strategies. Several HFpEF animals have been described, but the most suitable in terms of comparability with SM alterations in HFpEF patients is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate molecular changes in SM of three different animal models and to compare them with alterations of muscle biopsies obtained from human HFpEF patients.

Methods and results

Skeletal muscle tissue was obtained from HFpEF and control patients and from three different animal models including the respective controls—ZSF1 rat, Dahl salt‐sensitive rat, and transverse aortic constriction surgery/deoxycorticosterone mouse. The development of HFpEF was verified by echocardiography. Protein expression and enzyme activity of selected markers were assessed in SM tissue homogenates. Protein expression between SM tissue obtained from HFpEF patients and the ZSF1 rats revealed similarities for protein markers involved in muscle atrophy (MuRF1 expression, protein ubiquitinylation, and LC3) and mitochondrial metabolism (succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase activity, porin expression). The other two animal models exhibited far less similarities to the human samples.

Conclusions

None of the three tested animal models mimics the condition in HFpEF patients completely, but among the animal models tested, the ZSF1 rat (ZSF1‐lean vs. ZSF1‐obese) shows the highest overlap to the human condition. Therefore, when studying therapeutic interventions to treat HFpEF and especially alterations in the SM, we suggest that the ZSF1 rat is a suitable model.
User activity detection for massive Internet of things with an improved residual convolutional neural network
Authors: Wu Xiaojiang , Li Guobing , Zhang Guomei
Published: December 2020

Massive user activity detection is a challenging task for massive Internet of things (mIoT). In this paper, we propose a new deep neural network, named concentrated layers convolutional neural network (CLCNN), for user activity detection in mIoT. We firstly propose three basic rules in the design of residual network specifically for mIoT scenarios. Secondly, with the rules above we develop a new improved residual network block which includes integrated convolutional layers with activation functions, by which the residual convolutional network is constructed. Moreover, the regularization and its corresponding hyperparameter for the proposed network are also investigated against overfitting. Simulation results show that the proposed CLCNN network outperforms the existing deep learning algorithm and conventional compressive sensing solutions in user activity detection and corresponding channel estimation.
How distinct is Impatiens hookeriana Arnott from I. grandis Heyne (Balsaminaceae)?
Authors: Ramasubbu Raju , Kamalabai Sreekala Appukuttan
Published: December 2020

Impatiens hookeriana Arnott is a lesser known Indo‐Sri Lankan balsam belongs to the family Balsaminaceae. It is previously treated as a heterotypic synonym of Impatiens grandis in literature. However, critical studies of protologues, herbarium specimens and fresh collections of I. hookeriana and I. grandis, we conclude that the former species warrant acceptance as distinct species, hence it is reinstated here. A detailed description, nomenclatural notes and a photo‐plate is provided here to delimit and recognize this unique jewel weed in the field.
Distribution and conservation of Eriocaulaceae in Espírito Santo, Brazil
Authors: Espindola Florêncio da Silva Lucas , Trovó Marcelo
Published: December 2020

In order to evaluate the diversity and conservation of Eriocaulaceae in Espírito Santo state, a detailed geographical distribution of the species is provided based on herbarium specimens and field expeditions. Twenty‐two species were recorded, half of them belonging to Paepalanthus. Fourteen species are typical from sand dunes and eight occur only in montane grasslands. Most of the species are recorded from conservation‐priority areas. Thirteen conservation units have records of Eriocaulaceae, and the majority of the species occur in at least one of these conservation units. The low floristic similarity of the conservation units in the state suggests each unit as fundamental and irreplaceable for the conservation of Eriocaulaceae. The main threat to the Eriocaulaceae species is the ongoing conversion of habitats for cultivation of species of economic interest.
Novelties in Sapotaceae from the Espírito Santo state, Brazil: updated checklist and new records with emended descriptions for two species
Authors: Alves‐Araújo Anderson , Moraes Quélita dos Santos , Miranda Victor Santos , Nichio‐Amaral Renara , Ribeiro Michel
Published: December 2020

Based on recent collections and fieldwork efforts, we provide an updated list of Sapotaceae of Espírito Santo state, Brazil and, in addition, we present the expanded geographical distribution of Manilkara multifida T.D. Penn. and Pouteria atlantica Alves‐Araújo & M.Alves, two endangered tree species from Atlantic forest with a poorly known biology. They are new records for Espírito Santo state‐Brazil and southeastern Brazil. We also emend the species original description by providing descriptions and images of the fruits and seeds for both species, as well as maps of the current geographical distributions, color photographs, and taxonomic comments.
Lost and found: Rediscovery of Ruellia bella Craib (Acanthaceae) after over a century, and first record of this species in Myanmar
Authors: Naive Mark Arcebal K. , Hein Khant Zaw
Published: December 2020

A recent exploration of the Sagaing Region, Myanmar resulted in the re‐collection of Ruellia bella Craib, a long lost species previously known to be endemic to Thailand that was first described by Craib over 100 years ago. This study reports the first record of the species in Myanmar and presents an amended English description based on our newly collected material, colour photographs to aid accurate identification, and its proposed conservation status. An artificial key to the Ruellia species of Myanmar is provided below.
Analysis of microbial diversity and functional differences in different types of high‐temperature Daqu
Authors: Wang Yurong , Cai Wenchao , Wang Wenping , Shu Na , Zhang Zhendong , Hou Qiangchuan , Shan Chunhui , Guo Zhuang
Published: December 2020

Bacterial communities that enrich in high‐temperature Daqu are important for the Chinese maotai‐flavor liquor brewing process. However, the bacterial communities in three different types of high‐temperature Daqu (white Daqu, black Daqu, and yellow Daqu) are still undercharacterized. In this study, the bacterial diversity of three different types of high‐temperature Daqu was investigated using Illumina MiSeq high‐throughput sequencing. The bacterial community of high‐temperature Daqu is mainly composed of thermophilic bacteria, and seven bacterial phyla along with 262 bacterial genera were identified in all 30 high‐temperature Daqu samples. Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Acidobacteria were the dominant bacterial phyla in high‐temperature Daqu samples, while Thermoactinomyces, Staphylococcus, Lentibacillus, Bacillus, Kroppenstedtia, Saccharopolyspora, Streptomyces, and Brevibacterium were the dominant bacterial genera. The bacterial community structure of three different types of high‐temperature Daqu was significantly different (p < .05). In addition, the results of microbiome phenotype prediction by BugBase and bacterial functional potential prediction using PICRUSt show that bacteria from different types of high‐temperature Daqu have similar functions as well as phenotypes, and bacteria in high‐temperature Daqu have vigorous metabolism in the transport and decomposition of amino acids and carbohydrates. These results offer a reference for the comprehensive understanding of bacterial diversity of high‐temperature Daqu.
Health care insurance policies When the provider and patient may collude
Authors: Wu Yaping , Bardey David , Chen Yijuan , Li Sanxi
Published: December 2020

This article explores a three‐party contracting problem when the patient and the provider possess private information that is unobservable to the insurer. We show that for an insurance mechanism to be collusion‐proof, it suffices for the insurer to rely on the incentive for one side of the patient‐provider coalition. If the risk premium for the patient is smaller than the provider's informational rent, placing the incentive on the patient generates a lower social cost than placing the incentive on the provider. We show that if the provider's effort is highly valued by the patient, the insurer should rely on the patient's incentive to implement a collusion‐proof second‐best insurance. Interestingly, an altruistic provider may lead to a higher social cost than a self‐interested provider. However, even if the insurer does not know the degree of provider altruism, it may still achieve the second‐best outcome by assuming that the provider is self‐interested. The model can be further extended to allow for different objective of the insurer, provider's informational advantage over patient, and auditing.
Predicting polytomous career choices in healthcare using probabilistic expectations data
Authors: Schweri Juerg
Published: December 2020

This paper compares career expectations and career outcomes of Swiss healthcare assistants (HCA), an occupation created to increase the supply of nurses. We investigate whether HCAs can predict their own professional careers two years ahead by eliciting their expectations for a range of career alternatives, including nursing and other studies. Polytomous choice situations have rarely been analyzed using numerical probabilities in the expectations literature. Our results show that almost all respondents give informative answers to the probabilistic online survey question. Individuals express considerable uncertainty about their future careers, with over 60% attaching positive probabilities to more than one career alternative. The analyses reveal that individuals' numerical expectations have substantial predictive value for their future careers, even after controlling for many variables. This finding confirms that individuals have private information not directly available to researchers, and that eliciting choice probabilities for polytomous choice situations is a viable approach in surveys. However, the mean shares for career alternatives implied by individual probabilities do not fully coincide with actual shares and are more accurate over 4 than over 2 years. The information conveyed in expectations and their deviations from outcomes enables us to derive policy recommendations to increase transitions to nursing.
Upregulated hypoxia inducible factor 1α signaling pathway in high risk myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia patients is associated with better response to 5‐azacytidine—data from the Hellenic myelodysplastic syndrome study group
Authors: Mpakou Vassiliki , Spathis Aris , Bouchla Anthi , Tsakiraki Zoi , Kontsioti Frieda , Papageorgiou Sotirios , Bazani Efthymia , Gkontopoulos Konstantinos , Thomopoulos Thomas , Glezou Irene , Galanopoulos Athanasios , Symeonidis Argiris , Diamantopoulos Panagiotis T. , Viniou Nora‐Athina , Kontandreopoulou Christina‐Nefeli , Zafeiropoulou Kalliopi , Kotsianidis Ioannis , Lamprianidou Eleftheria , Foukas Periklis , Mpamias Aristoteles , Pappa Vasiliki
Published: December 2020

5‐azacytidine (5‐AZA) is considered the standard of care for patients with high‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) not candidate for intensive chemotherapy. However, even after an initial favorable response, almost all patients relapse, with the exact mechanisms underlying primary or secondary 5‐AZA resistance remaining largely unknown. Several reports have previously demonstrated the significance of hypoxia in the regulation of both physiological and malignant hematopoiesis. In MDS, high hypoxia inducible factor 1α (Hif‐1α) expression has been correlated with poor overall survival and disease progression, while its involvement in the disease's pathogenesis was recently reported. We herein investigated the possible association of the Hif‐1α signaling pathway with response to 5‐AZA therapy in MDS/AML patients. Our data demonstrated that 5‐AZA‐responders present with higher Hif‐1α mRNA and protein expression compared to 5‐AZA‐non‐responders/stable disease patients, before the initiation of therapy, while, interestingly, no significant differences in Hif‐1α mRNA expression at the 6‐month follow‐up were observed. Moreover, we found that 5‐AZA‐responders exhibited elevated mRNA levels of the Hif‐1α downstream targets lactate dehydrogenase a (LDHa) and BCL2 interacting protein 3 like (BNIP3L), a further indication of an overactivated Hif‐1a signaling pathway in these patients. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed a significant correlation between high Hif‐1α mRNA expression and better survival rates, while logistic regression analysis showed that Hif‐1α mRNA expression is an independent predictor of response to 5‐AZA therapy. From the clinical point of view, apart from proposing Hif‐1α mRNA expression as a significant predictive factor for response to 5‐AZA, our data offer new perspectives on MDS combinational therapies, suggesting a potential synergistic activity of 5‐AZA and Hif‐1α inducers, such as propyl hydroxylases inhibitors (PHDi).
Team engagement in an executive human resource development program: A closed cohort model perspective
Authors: Waight Consuelo L. , Edwards Malaika T.
Published: December 2020

This study explored team engagement of two cohorts who had different team experiences in an Executive HRD program. Despite the widespread use of the closed cohort model (CCM) in executive programs and the recognition that a CCM is a type of team, there is a dearth of research on team engagement in cohorts. For ease of reference, the cohorts have been dubbed Team X and Team Y. Two research questions guided the study:

What factors facilitated team engagement in a closed cohort model?

What factors hindered team engagement in a closed cohort model?

The findings showed that the CCM is only a formation tactic, narratives influence interactions and interdependence. Team X's engagement was impacted by cognitive bias, in and out team formation, and depersonalization. The findings showed that beliefs and the language used to describe the cohorts' goals and purpose initiated an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ mindset at the start of the program. The divergence led to the creation of an ‘in’ team and an ‘out’ team. The divisiveness between the in and out teams led to depersonalization. On the contrary, Team Y categorized itself on the principle of ‘becoming’, which meant that members would undergo a transformation unique to their experiences versus meeting a preset standard. Team Y celebrated the strengths of its members, which became a precursor for success. As a result, four factors influenced engagement, namely, the transactive memory system, task cohesion, social cohesion, and subgroups. Overall, dialogic, cognitive, and affective factors influenced engagement.
Credit information sharing and non‐performing loans: The moderating role of creditor rights protection
Authors: Adusei Michael , Adeleye Ngozi
Published: December 2020

This study uses data from 132 countries to investigate the effect of credit information sharing on non‐performing loans (NPLs) as well as whether the effect is sensitive to creditor rights protection. The results show that credit information sharing improves NPLs, while creditor rights protection worsens NPLs. Generally, we observe that in the presence of creditor rights protection, the positive impact of credit information sharing on NPLs is higher. We also observe that in the presence of credit information sharing, creditor rights protection reduces NPLs. We, therefore, argue that there is complementary effect of credit information sharing and creditor rights protection on NPLs in the study countries. Further analysis involving breaking the data into income groups shows that credit information sharing slows down NPLs in high income, upper‐middle income and lower‐middle income countries. It does not significantly impact NPLs in low‐income countries.
Diagnostic accuracy of quantitative fetal fibronectin to predict spontaneous preterm birth: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Jingning , Gong Guoliang , Zheng Wenhua , Xu Jingyun , Luo Xiaowei , Zhang Yuanxin
Published: December 2020

Background

Use of quantitative fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing to predict spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is gaining attention owing to its absolute measurement of fFN concentration and increased positive predictive value compared with qualitative testing.

Objective

To assess the predictive values of quantitative fFN for sPTB in different predefined thresholds using systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Search strategy

Five major databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane library) were searched for eligible studies.

Selection criteria

Observational studies of the diagnostic accuracy of different quantitative fFN thresholds on delivery outcomes were included.

Data collection and extraction

Articles were reviewed independently by two authors and data were extracted. Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and summary receiver operating characteristic curves were extracted and calculated.

Main results

Fifteen studies were included. To detect sPTB at less than 34 weeks of gestation, pooled sensitivities for thresholds of 10, 50, 200, and 500 ng/ml were 0.78, 0.56, 0.33, and 0.11, respectively. Pooled specificities were 0.63, 0.84, 0.96, and 0.99, respectively.

Conclusions

Based on the results of the meta‐analysis, the threshold of 10 ng/ml fFN may be a new choice for the prediction of sPTB. The improved diagnostic accuracy of quantitative testing over qualitative testing can provide additional discriminatory information for clinical practice.
Analysis of N‐acetyl cysteine modified polydimethylsiloxane shunt for improved treatment of hydrocephalus
Authors: Al‐Saloum Saja , Zaranek Mira , Horbatiuk Jeff , Gopalakrishnan Pranav , Dumitrescu Andrea , McAllister James P. , Harris Carolyn A
Published: December 2020

A major cause of hydrocephalus shunt failure is cell adhesion and obstruction of shunt catheter holes. An estimated 50% of pediatric shunts fail in the first 2 years of insertion, decreasing cell attachment and catheter obstruction can prolong the lifetime and effectiveness of the device. From previous studies, it was shown that treatment of the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface of a standard catheter with an N‐acetyl‐cysteine (NAC/1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylanimopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride/N‐hydroxysuccinimide) layer increases the wettability of the surface and has been shown to decrease cell adhesion. Other studies indicate that NAC's antioxidant behavior induces glutathione and in turn modulates cell inflammatory pathways. The current study explores the longevity of the NAC coating from the surface of the catheter over time and shows its effect on valve function. Using SEM imaging, contact angle testing, and nanodrop spectrophotometry, this release was quantified for shunt samples incubated for 0, 10, 30, 60, and 90 days. Contact angle showed a significant increase in wettability of the surface when shunts were treated with NAC, confirming successful surface modification. Pressure assays determined that if the coating is release it had no detrimental downstream effects, such as on the shunt valve mechanism. SEM imaging revealed slight deformations in surface coating indicative of salt deposition on the modified shunt samples, while nanodrop spectrophotometry and contact angle data trends suggested some discharge of the NAC coating from the catheter surfaces. The effects of NAC on cell activity may transform the way hydrocephalus is treated in the future by increasing the longevity of the shunt to protect from obstruction.
Early Exposure of Fosphenytoin, Levetiracetam, and Valproic Acid After High‐Dose Intravenous Administration in Young Children With Benzodiazepine‐Refractory Status Epilepticus
Authors: Sathe Abhishek G. , Mishra Usha , Ivaturi Vijay , Brundage Richard C. , Cloyd James C. , Elm Jordan J. , Chamberlain James M. , Silbergleit Robert , Kapur Jaideep , Lowenstein Daniel H. , Shinnar Shlomo , Cock Hannah R. , Fountain Nathan B. , Babcock Lynn , Coles Lisa D.
Published: December 2020

Fosphenytoin (FOS) and its active form, phenytoin (PHT), levetiracetam (LEV), and valproic acid (VPA) are commonly used second‐line treatments of status epilepticus. However, limited information is available regarding LEV and VPA concentrations following high intravenous doses, particularly in young children. The Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial, a blinded, comparative effectiveness study of FOS, LEV, and VPA for benzodiazepine‐refractory status epilepticus provided an opportunity to investigate early drug concentrations. Patients aged ≥2 years who continued to seizure despite receiving adequate doses of benzodiazepines were randomly assigned to FOS, LEV, or VPA infused over 10 minutes. A sparse blood‐sampling approach was used, with up to 2 samples collected per patient within 2 hours following drug administration. The objective of this work was to report early drug exposure of PHT, LEV, and VPA and plasma protein binding of PHT and VPA. Twenty‐seven children with median (interquartile range) age of 4 (2.5‐6.5) years were enrolled. The total plasma concentrations ranged from 69 to 151.3 μg/mL for LEV, 11.3 to 26.7 μg/mL for PHT and 126 to 223 μg/mL for VPA. Free fraction ranged from 4% to 19% for PHT and 17% to 51% for VPA. This is the first report in young children of LEV concentrations with convulsive status epilepticus as well as VPA concentrations after a 40 mg/kg dose. Several challenges limited patient enrollment and blood sampling. Additional studies with a larger sample size are required to evaluate the exposure‐response relationships in this emergent condition.