bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reaching Deeper: Absolute In Vivo Thermal Reading of Liver by Combining Superbright Ag2S Nanothermometers and In Silico Simulations
Authors: Lifante José , Shen Yingli , Zabala Gutierrez Irene , Rubia‐Rodríguez Irene , Ortega Daniel , Fernandez Nuria , Melle Sonia , Granado Miriam , Rubio‐Retama Jorge , Jaque Daniel , Ximendes Erving
Published: March 2021

Luminescent nano‐thermometry is a fast‐developing technique with great potential for in vivo sensing, diagnosis, and therapy. Unfortunately, it presents serious limitations. The luminescence generated by nanothermometers, from which thermal readout is obtained, is strongly distorted by the attenuation induced by tissues. Such distortions lead to low signal levels and entangle absolute and reliable thermal monitoring of internal organs. Overcoming both limitations requires the use of high‐brightness luminescent nanothermometers and adopting more complex approaches for temperature estimation. In this work, it is demonstrated how superbright Ag2S nanothermometers can provide in vivo, reliable, and absolute thermal reading of the liver during laser‐induced hyperthermia. For that, a new procedure is designed in which thermal readout is obtained from the combination of in vivo transient thermometry measurements and in silico simulations. The synergy between in vivo and in silico measurements has made it possible to assess relevant numbers such as the efficiency of hyperthermia processes, the total heat energy deposited in the liver, and the relative contribution of Ag2S nanoparticles to liver heating. This work provides a new way for absolute thermal sensing of internal organs with potential application not only to hyperthermia processes but also to advanced diagnosis and therapy.
Modulating the Surface Ligand Orientation for Stabilized Anionic Redox in Li‐Rich Oxide Cathodes
Authors: Liu Yanchen , Zhu He , Zhu Hekang , Ren Yang , Zhu Yizhou , Huang Yalan , Dai Liang , Dou Shuming , Xu Jie , Sun Cheng‐Jun , Wang Xun‐Li , Deng Yida , Yuan Qunhui , Liu Xingjun , Wu Junwei , Chen Yanan , Liu Qi
Published: March 2021

Anionic redox chemistry is emerging as a key concept in the development of high‐energy lithium‐ion batteries, as it enables a nearly doubled charge storage capacity, aiding the development of high‐capacity batteries. However, the anionic reactivity is frequently irreversible from charge to discharge, leading to rapid decay of the capacity and voltage of batteries over long‐term cycling. Although the possibility of controlling the anionic redox reactions by tuning the geometric and electronic structures has recently been proposed, the implementation of this strategy is still a critical challenge. Herein, a strategy is proposed to improve the anionic redox reversibility of a model anionic redox active cathode material, Li1.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2, by tuning the surface ligand geometry via the growth of a lattice‐compatible spinel LiCoO2 coating layer on the particle surface. Detailed local structure and first principles investigations reveal that the shape and orientation of the octahedral layer in the host lattice are modified. Accordingly, a two‐band oxygen redox behavior is triggered in the ligand‐orientation‐regulated Li‐rich cathode, leading to enhanced reversibility, and thus, remarkably improved capacity and voltage retention over cycling. This study highlights the importance of controllable ligand orientation, carving a new path for the development and design of Li‐rich cathodes in the future.
Integration of Earth‐Abundant Catalysts on Si Solar Cells for Overall Solar Hydrogen Production
Authors: Chen Hongjun , Tran-Phu Thanh , Phang Pheng , Bo Renheng , Yan Di , MacDonald Daniel , Tricoli Antonio
Published: March 2021

Development of low‐cost and earth‐abundant metal catalysts, as alternative to noble metals, is a promising approach for direct hydrogen production from solar light with integrated photoelectrochemical devices. Herein, a mild electrochemical method is used to directly synthesize two earth‐abundant catalysts, namely, CoP and CoSe, on planar‐junction p+nn+‐Si solar cells. It is observed that the CoP–Si photocathodes achieve the best performance with ≈12 h of stability, a photocurrent density of up to 38 mA cm−2 at 0 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), and an onset potential of 488 mV versus RHE, and one of the most efficient solar‐driven hydrogen generation from earth‐abundant systems to date. Overall solar water splitting is also demonstrated in a tandem device configuration with a top TiO2 nanorod arrays photoanode achieving more than 5 h continuous hydrogen production. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using low‐cost earth‐abundant materials and the established Si solar cells technology for direct water splitting powered from sunlight.
The accuracy of age estimation using transition analysis in the Hamann‐Todd collection
Authors: Simon Allyson M. , Hubbe Mark
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Reconstructing demography of past populations using skeletal data is challenging when analyzing adults because the process of biological aging does not always reflect the individual's chronological age. A proposed solution to address the limitations of traditional age estimation methods is transition analysis (TA), a multifactorial method of age estimation. However, despite its methodological refinement, TA has varying degrees of accuracy when applied to different known‐age skeletal samples. This study assesses TA's accuracy by comparing age estimates to known age at death in the Hamann‐Todd Collection.

Materials and Methods

We contrasted the maximum likelihood age estimates generated by the ADBOU program to the known ages of 221 individuals. The absolute error was calculated for the entire sample, and compared between sex and ancestry.

Results

The mean absolute error in the sample is 11.6 (SD = 10.3) years, with white individuals' errors (14.1 years) being significantly higher than black individuals' (9.1 years; p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between sexes (p = 0.621). A weak to moderate positive correlation was found between known age and absolute error for white males (R = 0.607; p < 0.001), white females (R = 0.509; p < 0.001), and black males (R = 0.371; p = 0.006). The accuracy of TA age estimates varied when each anatomical region was analyzed independently, but the combination of all three anatomical regions yielded the most accurate age estimates.

Discussion

These findings further support that TA accuracy depends on the prior distribution used and, in the Hamann‐Todd Collection, the accuracy for white individuals is more influenced by this limitation than when black individuals are analyzed.
ENGAGE and EMERGE: Truth and consequences?
Authors: Kuller Lewis H. , Lopez Oscar L.
Published: March 2021

The potential benefit of the anti‐amyloid drug aducanumab based on results of recent EMERGE and ENGAGE clinical trials has generated great controversy and has very important implications for the future of anti‐amyloid drug therapies. The two trials of 18‐month duration were done in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia. The ENGAGE trial showed no benefit while the high‐dose EMERGE trial initially also showed no benefit but with longer follow‐up there was a significant positive benefit. A recent review form the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Committee was negative while the FDA Office of Neurological Drugs was positive and the statisticians negative. This has generated debate about whether the drug should be approved, disapproved, require a new clinical trial, or approved for a subsample only. The implications for treating both MCI and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients with anti‐amyloid drugs is very substantial as well as the brain amyloid‐AD‐dementia hypothesis.
Sodium‐Ion Battery Full‐Cell Study with a Pseudocapacitive MoSe2‐Porous N‐Doped Carbon Composite Anode and Intercalated Sodium Vanadium Fluorophosphate Cathode
Authors: Roy Amlan , Sarkar Ananta , Adil Md. , Sau Supriya , Abharana N. , Mitra Sagar
Published: March 2021

Despite higher conductivity and larger d‐spacing (0.65 nm) of MoSe2 compare to its analogous MoS2 and higher theoretical capacity (∼422 mA h g−1) compare to commercially available graphite, it experiences high volume expansion, sheets agglomeration during cycling, which limits their capacities and high rate application. Herein, we have shown interest in MoSe2 materials as analogous to MoS2 anode and grown MoSe2 nanosheets on the nitrogen‐doped carbon followed by covered with reduced graphene oxides sheets (NC@MoSe2@rGO) composite through a simple solvothermal synthesis followed by annealing treatment. The porous NC compound could bring several advantages like, it can reserve a sufficient amount of electrolyte for easy access of Na‐ion diffusion. Increasing the conductivity by introducing the doping of nitrogen on the NC structure and simultaneously rGO can reduce the volume expansion of MoSe2 during the cyclic performance. Ex‐situ XANES and XPS technique explored the sodiation mechanism of the NC@MoSe2@rGO composite. It has been found the irreversible conversion of MoSe2 after 1st cycle by converting the discharged products of Mo and Na2Se. The NC@MoSe2@rGO anode is connected with electrolyte and a high potential Na3V2O2(PO4)2F (NVOPF) to acquire potential applications′ approval cathode material. The full‐cell delivers a voltage of operation at 2.1 V with high specific capacity of ∼176 mA h g−1 (current rate of 0.05 A g−1) with an energy density of ∼369.6 W h/kg anode at 20 °C.
Animal bone affluence in environmental reclamation: Biodiesel production, petro‐diesel biodesulfurization and wastewater photo‐treatment
Authors: Nassar Hussein N , Ismail Abdallah R , El‐Salamony Radwa A , Aboelazayem Omar , Abu Amr Salem A , El‐Gendy Nour Sh
Published: March 2021

This study provides a new emphasis for research on the valorization of biowastes into nanocatalyst and biorefineries to be integrated with petroleum bioupgrading and polluted water treatment. The response surface optimized batch transesterification of waste‐frying oil using methanol and sustainable animal bone valorized fluorapatite nanocatalyst (FAP) yielded approximately 97% biodiesel via a pseudo‐second‐order reaction with an efficient rate of 0.48 (mol L−1)−1min−1 and activation energy of 13.11 kJ mol−1. In a pioneering step, by‐products of the starch industry and the biodiesel transesterification process; corn‐steep liquor (CSL 0.2 g L−1) and bioglycerol (6.24 g L−1) as nitrogen and carbon sources, increased the dibenzothiophene biodesulfurization (BDS) efficiency of a novel biodesulfurizing Rhodococcus jialingiae strain HN3 (NCBI Gene Bank Accession No. MN173539) sixfold. Further, upon the application of such bioproducts in a batch BDS process (1/3 petro‐diesel/water) of 96 h; HN3 desulfurized 82.26% of 0.62 wt.% sulfur without affecting the petro‐diesel calorific value. In an attempt to reach zero waste, an auxiliary pioneering step was performed, where the spent waste FAP, after being efficiently used for four successive transesterification cycles, was applied to photo‐remediate 4‐nitrophenol polluted water under UV‐irradiation. Advantageously, the fresh and spent waste FAP recorded the same photodegradation capabilities. Where they obeyed the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model (R2 ≥ 0.966) recording the same rate constants (kapp 0.032 min−1) and were efficiently reused for four successive polluted‐water treatment cycles. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Hydroxylation, Epoxidation, and Dehydrogenation of Capsaicin by a Microbial Promiscuous Cytochrome P450 105D7
Authors: Ma Bingbing , Wang Qianwen , Han Bing‐Nan , Ikeda Haruo , Zhang Chunfang , Xu Lian‐Hua
Published: March 2021

Cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s) are versatile biocatalysts, which insert a molecular oxygen into inactivated C−H bonds under mild conditions. CYP105D7 from Streptomyces avermitilis has been reported as a bacterial substrate‐promiscuous P450 which catalyzes the hydroxylation of 1‐deoxypentalenic acid, diclofenac, naringenin, compactin and steroids. In this study, CYP105D7 catalyzes hydroxylation, epoxidation and dehydrogenation of capsaicin, a pharmaceutical agent, revealing its functional diversity. The kinetic parameters of the CYP105D7 oxidation of capsaicin were determined as Km=311.60±87.30 μM and kcat=2.01±0.33 min−1. In addition, we conducted molecular docking, mutagenesis and substrate binding analysis, indicating that Arg81 plays crucial role in the capsaicin binding and catalysis. To our best knowledge, this study presents the first report to illustrate that capsaicin can be catalyzed by prokaryotic P450s.
Matrine‐Type Alkaloids from the Seeds of Sophora alopecuroides and Their Potential Anti‐inflammatory Activities
Authors: Li Jian‐Chun , Dai Wei‐Feng , Zhou Xiao‐Qiong , Rao Kai‐Rui , Zhang Zhi‐Jun , Liu Dan , Chen Xuan‐Qin , Li Rong‐Tao , Li Hong‐Mei
Published: March 2021

Three new matrine‐type alkaloids, 8β‐hydroxyoxysophoridine (1), 9β‐hydroxysophoridine (2), 9β‐hydroxyisosophocarpine (3), together with one known analog, 11,12‐dehydromatrine (4), were isolated from the seeds of Sophora alopecuroides L. The structures of new compounds were elucidated using extensive spectroscopic techniques including the experimental and calculated ECD data. The anti‐inflammatory activities of all the isolates on NO production in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide were evaluated. Among them, 8β‐hydroxyoxysophoridine (1) showed a significant inhibitory effect with an IC50 value of 18.26 μM.
Randomized trial comparing radial hemostasis techniques; catechol conjugated chitosan pad (InnoSEAL) versus pneumatic compression band
Authors: Pathan Asad Z. , Aijaz Saba , Sheikh Sana , Sattar Saadia
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Primary objectives: to compare radial artery occlusion rate (RAO) after cardiac catheterization between catecholamine‐chitosan pad (InnoSEAL) and pneumatic compression device (PCD) and to compare difference in hemostasis time and radial monitoring termination time between two arms. Secondary objectives: to compare radial site bleeding and ease of use of two methods by cath‐lab technicians.

Background

Hemostatic pads may be an effective alternative to PCD with lesser chance of access site complications with advantage of shortened compression time.

Methods

Patients (N = 606) undergoing trans‐radial, diagnostic or interventional procedures were randomized to either InnoSEAL arm or PCD. RAO was assessed using US Duplex; performed 6–24 hr posthemostatic device removal. Time to hemostasis was recorded as per defined protocols. Ease of use among cath‐lab technicians was assessed through 5 point Likert scale.

Results

Data of 597 patients was analyzed (299 InnoSEAL, 298 PCD). RAO rate was 8.5% in InnoSEAL and 9.4% in PCD arm (p value >.05). The pooled median hemostasis time and time to termination of radial monitoring was 42 versus 225 min and 50 versus 240 min in InnoSEAL and PCD arms, respectively (p value: <.01). There was no difference in Grade I/II hematoma (InnoSEAL: 1.3% vs. PCD: 3.4%). InnoSEAL was marginally acceptable compared to PCD by technicians.

Conclusion

Hemostasis time is significantly shorter in InnoSEAL arm with reasonable acceptability to its usage among cath lab staff. RAO and bleeding complications are comparable between the arms. Based on our findings, it seems feasible to include Chitosan based hemostasis pad routinely in cath lab.
Optogenetic Tools for Manipulating Protein Subcellular Localization and Intracellular Signaling at Organelle Contact Sites
Authors: Benedetti Lorena
Published: March 2021

Intracellular signaling processes are frequently based on direct interactions between proteins and organelles. A fundamental strategy to elucidate the physiological significance of such interactions is to utilize optical dimerization tools. These tools are based on the use of small proteins or domains that interact with each other upon light illumination. Optical dimerizers are particularly suitable for reproducing and interrogating a given protein‐protein interaction and for investigating a protein's intracellular role in a spatially and temporally precise manner. Described in this article are genetic engineering strategies for the generation of modular light‐activatable protein dimerization units and instructions for the preparation of optogenetic applications in mammalian cells. Detailed protocols are provided for the use of light‐tunable switches to regulate protein recruitment to intracellular compartments, induce intracellular organellar membrane tethering, and reconstitute protein function using enhanced Magnets (eMags), a recently engineered optical dimerization system. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This article was corrected on 25 July 2022. See the end of the full text for details.

Basic Protocol 1: Genetic engineering strategy for the generation of modular light‐activated protein dimerization units

Support Protocol 1: Molecular cloning

Basic Protocol 2: Cell culture and transfection

Support Protocol 2: Production of dark containers for optogenetic samples

Basic Protocol 3: Confocal microscopy and light‐dependent activation of the dimerization system

Alternate Protocol 1: Protein recruitment to intracellular compartments

Alternate Protocol 2: Induction of organelles’ membrane tethering

Alternate Protocol 3: Optogenetic reconstitution of protein function

Basic Protocol 4: Image analysis

Support Protocol 3: Analysis of apparent on‐ and off‐kinetics

Support Protocol 4: Analysis of changes in organelle overlap over time
The application of optical coherence tomography angiography in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review
Authors: Rifai Olivia M. , McGrory Sarah , Robbins Cason B. , Grewal Dilraj S. , Liu Andy , Fekrat Sharon , MacGillivray Thomas J.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Discovering non‐invasive and easily acquired biomarkers that are conducive to the accurate diagnosis of dementia is an urgent area of ongoing clinical research. One promising approach is retinal imaging, as there is homology between retinal and cerebral vasculature. Recently, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT‐A) has emerged as a promising new technology for imaging the microvasculature of the retina.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted to examine the application of OCT‐A in dementia.

Results

Fourteen studies assessing OCT‐A in preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment, or AD were included. Exploratory meta‐analyses revealed a significant increase in the foveal avascular zone area and a significant decrease in superficial parafoveal and whole vessel density in AD, although there was significant heterogeneity between studies.

Discussion

Although certain OCT‐A metrics may have the potential to serve as biomarkers for AD, the field requires further standardization to allow conclusions to be reached regarding their clinical utility.
Global hotspots of coherent marine fishery catches
Authors: Ong Joyce J. L. , Walter Jonathan A. , Jensen Olaf P. , Pinsky Malin L.
Published: March 2021

Although different fisheries can be tightly linked to each other by human and ecosystem processes, they are often managed independently. Synchronous fluctuations among fish populations or fishery catches can destabilize ecosystems and economies, respectively, but the degree of synchrony around the world remains unclear. We analyzed 1,092 marine fisheries catch time series over 60 yr to test for the presence of coherence, a form of synchrony that allows for phase‐lagged relationships. We found that nearly every fishery was coherent with at least one other fishery catch time series globally and that coherence was strongest in the northeast Atlantic, western central Pacific, and eastern Indian Ocean. Analysis of fish biomass and fishing mortality time series from these hotspots revealed that coherence in biomass or fishing mortality were both possible, though biomass coherence was more common. Most of these relationships were synchronous with no time lags, and across catches in all regions, synchrony was a better predictor of regional catch portfolio effects than catch diversity. Regions with higher synchrony had lower stability in aggregate fishery catches, which can have negative consequences for food security and economic wealth.
Uniform performance of mammal detection methods under contrasting environmental conditions in Mediterranean landscapes
Authors: Suárez‐Tangil Bruno D. , Rodríguez Alejandro
Published: March 2021

Monitoring local occupancy and the regional distribution of wild mammals is essential to guide species management and set conservation priorities. However, variables such as weather, substrate hardness, or habitat characteristics may indirectly affect the performance of the methods employed for monitoring mammal occurrence. Little information exists about the influence of spatio‐temporal factors on the performance of survey methods and its implications for mammal monitoring. Using data from a heterogeneous region in the Guadiamar River basin, SW Spain, which encompass forest, agricultural, and mosaic landscapes, we (1) explore whether four widely used detection methods, namely camera traps, scent stations, track surveys, and scat surveys, differ in efficiency; (2) test the hypothesis that spatio‐temporal factors do not affect method efficiency; and (3) examine the effect of landscape on the replication effort needed to detect target species. After controlling for variation in mammal occurrence across space and over time, the interaction between spatio‐temporal factors and detection methods was not significant. Likewise, we found a negligible influence of landscape type on the replication effort needed to detect species actually present. When compared to camera traps, scent stations, and scat surveys, track surveys were the most efficient and fastest methodology for surveying mammals in our study landscapes. Monitoring programs of mammal occurrence are often applied to broad and heterogeneous regions and/or during extended periods. Therefore, survey methods should describe not only spatio‐temporal variation in mammal abundance or activity but also maintain high detection efficiency in a variety of environmental conditions. The detection efficiency of each survey method changed little regardless of considerable environmental variation, making more reliable the marked differences between methods in their ability to detect target species. We recommend accounting for the effect of spatio‐temporal factors as potential sources of variation in order to test whether our results can be generalized and to increase the quality of large‐scale monitoring of mammal occurrence.
Do greater sage‐grouse exhibit maladaptive habitat selection?
Authors: Pratt Aaron C. , Beck Jeffrey L.
Published: March 2021

Maladaptive habitat selection, where animals select habitat with reduced fitness potential or avoid otherwise suitable habitat, exacerbates the threat of population decline for species vulnerable from habitat loss and fragmentation. The greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) is a species of conservation concern for which research has identified scenarios where populations may be under the influence of maladaptive habitat selection. Our objective was to evaluate whether sage‐grouse selected habitat relative to habitat quality (i.e., ability to provide for higher survival or reproductive success), and to identify any habitat characteristics where they were not matching selection with costs and benefits, during the nesting, brood rearing, adult breeding, adult summer, and adult winter seasons. We measured an overall apparent adaptive relationship between habitat selection and survival for brood, adult breeding, and adult winter habitat. There was an overall apparent maladaptive relationship for nest and adult summer survival. Of 25 specific habitat characteristics that influenced sage‐grouse reproductive success or survival, 13 (52%) had an apparent adaptive selection relationship, 10 (40%) had an apparent maladaptive relationship, and 2 (8%) were either inconclusive or not strongly selected. Surprisingly, most (8 of 10) of the habitat characteristics we observed that were selected contrary to apparent costs or benefits were associated with environmental variables (i.e., topography and vegetation). Relative to possible maladaptive selection and anthropogenic disturbance, grouse selected for areas of higher mortality risk near minor roads during the breeding season and grouse did not select for non‐irrigated agricultural disturbance which had lower mortality risk. However, after accounting for the effects of habitat selection on all demographic rates that determine fitness, these apparent maladaptive selection effects were probably not biologically significant. The strongest evidence we observed for maladaptive habitat selection associated with anthropogenic land use was during summer when grouse were selecting for the edge of irrigated hayfields where there was higher mortality risk. To ensure the success of sage‐grouse conservation actions, we encourage further investigation identifying the mechanisms behind observed cases of apparent maladaptive selection or identifying any fitness benefits that grouse are gaining from selecting risky areas.
Phylogenetic diversity efficiently and accurately prioritizes conservation of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities
Authors: Weglarz Kathryn M. , Saunders W. Carl , Van Wagenen Andrew , Pearse William D.
Published: March 2021

Land degradation is a leading cause of biodiversity loss, and understanding its consequences on freshwater ecosystems remains a priority for improving the effectiveness of restoration practices and ecosystem assessments. Freshwater monitoring programs use macroinvertebrates to assess the biotic effects of degradation and management actions, often using the ratio of observed to expected taxa at a site—O/E—for this purpose. Despite the power of the O/E approach, large amounts of data are required to generate an expectation and it can be difficult to define a threshold value for degraded sites. An alternative assessment tool is phylogenetic diversity, which is widely used in academic biology but rarely applied in management despite empirical correlations between phylogenetic diversity and management targets such as ecosystem structure and function. Here, we use macroinvertebrate data from 1400 watersheds, collected since 1998, to evaluate the potential for phylogenetic metrics to inform evaluations of management practices. These watersheds were chosen because their low disturbance levels and high habitat heterogeneity have made them problematic to assess with O/E. Phylogenetic diversity detected degradation of assemblages and was sensitive enough to parse impacts to inform management actions. This is particularly notable given the phylogenetic metrics, unlike O/E, did not require additional “baseline” data. Site disturbance and broader environmental drivers strongly predicted site phylogenetic structure, providing management objectives to increase site quality. We call on others to consider using phylogenetic diversity to complement existing O/E schemes, particularly in systems where O/E is insufficient to prioritize management objectives.
Low‐Temperature‐Processed Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)/CdS/1D‐Titania Tandem Photoanode with Effectual Photoelectrochemical Response
Authors: Satale Vinayak Vitthal , Ganesh Vattikondala , Bhat Sarpangala Venkataprasad
Published: March 2021

A molecular precursor–based Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) layer deposited at very low temperature (100 °C), without any sulfurization step, over a CdS/1D titania tandem photoanode is explored for its photoelectrochemical (PEC) application. Further, the CZTS‐based tandem photoanode is optimized by varying the composition of Cu and Zn in the molecular precursor solution. With enhanced optical absorption in the visible region and also more efficient separation of the photogenerated charge carriers, the tandem photoanode exhibits an almost 20 times higher PEC response compared to 1D TiO2, on par with the best in the relevant literature.
Statistical optimization of photocatalytic degradation process of methylene blue dye by SnO–TiO2–AC composite using response surface methodology
Authors: Deriase Samiha F. , El‐Salamony Radwa A. , Amdeha Enas , Al‐Sabagh Ahmed M.
Published: March 2021

Photocatalytic activity of bi‐metal oxides SnO–TiO2–AC photocatalyst was evaluated in methylene blue (MB) dye degradation In this study, a three‐level, four‐factor, D–optimal experimental design, combined with response surface methodology, was employed to optimize the photocatalytic degradation process of MB dye in a batch reactor. Effectiveness of essential process variables: light intensity (254–400 nm), initial dye concentration (100–200 ppm), photocatalyst dose (0.5–1.5 g/L), and irradiation time (1–5 h) were investigated, modeled, and optimized successfully. To determine the process efficiency, the final concentration of dye together with degradation percentage was defined as response variables. Analysis of variance indicated that the proposed quadratic polynomial models agreed with the experimental study with R2 and p‐value of 0.9211, p < 0.001 and 0.8166, p < 0.05 for a final concentration of dye and degradation percentage, respectively. Numerical optimization was carried out based on the desirability function for maximum dye removal. Accordingly, dye removal conditions resulted in light intensity, initial dye concentration, photocatalyst dose, and irradiation time of 400 nm of visible light, 100 ppm, 1.5 g/L, and 3.77 h, respectively. Under these optimal conditions, the final dye concentration and degradation percentage were 4.713 ppm and 95.28%. According to Pareto analysis, the order of the operating variables on the dye degradation efficiency was: photocatalyst does < irradiation time < light intensity < initial concentration of dye.
Strain engineering of two‐dimensional materials: Methods, properties, and applications
Authors: Yang Shengxue , Chen Yujia , Jiang Chengbao
Published: March 2021

Two‐dimensional (2D) materials have attracted extensive research interests due to their excellent properties related to unique structure. Strain engineering, as an important strategy for tuning the lattice and electronic structure of 2D materials, has been widely used in the modulation of physical properties, which broadens their applications in flexible nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices. In this review, we first summarize the methods of inducing strain to 2D materials and discuss the advantages and problems of various methods. We then introduce the strain‐induced effects on optical, electrical, and magnetic properties, together with the phase transition of 2D materials. Finally, we illustrate the potential applications of strained 2D materials and further look forward to their opportunities and challenges in practical applications in the future.

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Quantitative CT‐Based Methods for Bone Microstructural Measures and Their Relationships With Vertebral Fractures in a Pilot Study on Smokers
Authors: Zhang Xiaoliu , Comellas Alejandro P , Regan Elizabeth A , Guha Indranil , Shibli‐Rahhal Amal , Rubin Mishaela R , DiCamillo Paul A , Letuchy Elena M , Barr R Graham , Hoffman Eric A , Saha Punam K
Published: March 2021

Osteoporosis causes fragile bone, and bone microstructural quality is a critical determinant of bone strength and fracture risk. This study pursues technical validation of novel CT‐based methods for assessment of peripheral bone microstructure together with a human pilot study examining relationships between bone microstructure and vertebral fractures in smokers. To examine the accuracy and reproducibility of the methods, repeat ultra‐high‐resolution (UHR) CT and micro‐CT scans of cadaveric ankle specimens were acquired. Thirty smokers from the University of Iowa COPDGene cohort were recruited at their 5‐year follow‐up visits. Chest CT scans, collected under the parent study, were used to assess vertebral fractures. UHR CT scans of distal tibia were acquired for this pilot study to obtain peripheral cortical and trabecular bone (Cb and Tb) measures. UHR CT‐derived Tb measures, including volumetric bone mineral density (BMD), network area, transverse trabecular density, and mean plate width, showed high correlation (r > 0.901) with their micro‐CT‐derived values over small regions of interest (ROIs). Both Cb and Tb measures showed high reproducibility—intra‐class correlation (ICC) was greater than 0.99 for all Tb measures except erosion index and greater than 0.97 for all Cb measures. Female sex was associated with lower transverse Tb density (p < 0.1), higher Tb spacing (p < 0.05), and lower cortical thickness (p < 0.001). Participants with vertebral fractures had significantly degenerated values (p < 0.05) for all Tb measures except thickness. There were no statistically significant differences for Cb measures between non‐fracture and fracture groups. Vertebral fracture‐group differences of Tb measures remained significant after adjustment with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) status. Although current smokers at baseline had more fractures—81.8% versus 63.2% for former smokers—the difference was not statistically significant. This pilot cross‐sectional human study demonstrates CT‐based peripheral bone microstructural differences among smokers with and without vertebral fractures. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Osteoporosis, Fractures, and Bone Mineral Density Screening in Veterans With Kidney Stone Disease
Authors: Ganesan Calyani , Thomas I-Chun , Romero Ruth , Song Shen , Conti Simon , Elliott Chris , Chertow Glenn M , Kurella Tamura Manjula , Leppert John T , Pao Alan C
Published: March 2021

Whether a link exists between kidney stone disease and osteoporosis or fractures remains an open question. In this retrospective cohort study, we sought to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis and fractures and rate of bone mineral density screening by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in patients with kidney stone disease. We examined nationwide data from the Veterans Health Administration and identified 531,431 patients with kidney stone disease between 2007 and 2015. Nearly 1 in 4 patients (23.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 23.5–23.7) with kidney stone disease had a prevalent diagnosis of osteoporosis or fracture. In patients with no prior history of osteoporosis or bone mineral density assessment before a kidney stone diagnosis, 9.1% were screened with DXA after their kidney stone diagnosis, of whom 20% were subsequently diagnosed with osteoporosis. Our findings provide support for wider use of bone mineral density screening in patients with kidney stone disease, including middle-aged and older men, a group less well recognized as at risk for osteoporosis or fractures. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Morphology and distribution of sensilla on the antennae and ovipositor of the Hymenopteran parasitoid Pseudotorymus jaapiellae Yang et Chen
Authors: Zhu Xiu , Liu Sai , Xu Chang‐Qing , Guo Kun , Xu Rong , Qiao Hai‐Li , Chen Jun
Published: March 2021

Pseudotorymus jaapiellae is an important ectoparasitoid of the larvae of Gephyraulus lycantha, a serious gall‐forming pest that devastates wolfberry, Lycium barbarum, in Northwest China. To provide requisite background for our ongoing research on the mechanisms of P. jaapiellae's host location and subsequent oviposition, we used scanning electron microscopy to describe the external morphologies and distributions of sensilla on their antennae and ovipositors. The geniculate antennae of both male and female P. jaapiellae were each composed of a scape with a basal radiculum, a pedicel, an anellum and a flagellum. We identified nine morphological sensilla types on the antennae of both sexes, including three sensilla trichodea (ST), one sensillum basiconicum (SB), two sensilla chaetica (SCh), one sensillum placodeum (SP), one sensillum coeloconicum (SCo), and one sensillum campaniformia (SCa). Females had significantly more ST I and SP than males had, but males had more ST III than did females. We observed six types of sensilla on the ovipositor, including three ST, one SB, and two SCa. ST II, ST IV and SB II were on the sheath, whereas ST V and the SCa were on the stylus. Finally, the possible biological functions of these sensilla were discussed according to their morphology and ultrastructure. These results provide an important basis for further study on chemical communication between P. jaapiellae and their host, and contribute to the development of a biological control program for G. lycantha, using the parasitoid, P. jaapiellae.
How and When Does Follower’s Strengths‐Based Leadership Relate to Follower Innovative Behavior: The Roles of Self‐Efficacy and Emotional Exhaustion
Authors: Ding He , Quan Guijie
Published: March 2021

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association of follower’s strengths‐based leadership (FSBL) with follower innovative behavior and the meditating role of self‐efficacy in the relationship. Furthermore, this paper also explored the moderating role of emotional exhaustion in the relationship between FSBL, self‐efficacy, and innovative behavior. Data were gathered through online survey questionnaires. The sample consisted of 705 employees who have worked in various enterprises in China. Bootstrapping analysis was utilized to examine the proposed hypotheses. The results revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship between FSBL and follower innovative behavior, and self‐efficacy mediated the relationship. In addition, this study also found that emotional exhaustion positively moderated the direct relationship between self‐efficacy and innovative behavior and the indirect relationship between FSBL and innovative behavior via self‐efficacy. This study provides a new piece of evidence for the FSBL and innovative behavior relation and contributes to the understanding of the motivational mechanism and boundary condition of the relationship between FSBL and follower innovative behavior.
Soil surfactants applied with15N labeled urea increases bermudagrass uptake of nitrogen and reduces nitrogen leaching#
Authors: Abagandura Gandura Omar , Park Dara , Bridges William C. , Brown Kristen
Published: March 2021

Background: Increasing nitrogen (N) plant uptake efficiency may result in better plant quality and growth, less N susceptible to leaching and potential contamination to surrounding environments. Soil surfactants have been documented to increase water infiltration and enhance water uniformity throughout the soil profile. Thus, applying a surfactant may increase N uptake and use efficiency.

Methods: To investigate this theory, four treatments were applied to bermudagrass grown in leaching columns filled with one of three soils (sand, sandy loam, and sandy clay loam): (1) 10% alkoxylated polyols and 7% of glucoethers surfactant with15N labeled urea, (2) 10% oleic acid esters of block copolymer surfactant with15N labeled urea, (3) water with15N labeled urea, and (4) water without15N labeled urea. Ambient15N was determined by the no surfactant and no urea treatment. Each treatment combination was replicated five times and the greenhouse experiment was repeated. Bermudagrass quality and density, leachate volume, and volumetric water content were determined over a 28d period following application. Determination of15N recovery in plant, soil, and leachate occurred at experiment termination.

Results: Applying either surfactant with urea resulted in significantly higher soil volumetric water content (in sandy loam and sandy clay loam soils) and higher bermudagrass clipping yield (in all soils) than urea. Surfactants applied with urea decreased percent15N recovery in leachate from sand by 37–46%, increased percent15N recovery in the sandy loam by 37%, and increased percent utilization of15N by bermudagrass grown in the sandy clay loam by 61–67% compared to urea applied alone.

Conclusion: Applying surfactants with urea can increase bermudagrass N uptake efficiency and reduce potential N leaching.
Automatic delineation of cardiac substructures using a region‐based fully convolutional network
Authors: Harms Joseph , Lei Yang , Tian Sibo , McCall Neal S. , Higgins Kristin A. , Bradley Jeffrey D. , Curran Walter J. , Liu Tian , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Radiation dose to specific cardiac substructures, such as the atria and ventricles, has been linked to post‐treatment toxicity and has shown to be more predictive of these toxicities than dose to the whole heart. A deep learning‐based algorithm for automatic generation of these contours is proposed to aid in either retrospective or prospective dosimetric studies to better understand the relationship between radiation dose and toxicities.

Methods

The proposed method uses a mask‐scoring regional convolutional neural network (RCNN) which consists of five major subnetworks: backbone, regional proposal network (RPN), RCNN head, mask head, and mask‐scoring head. Multiscale feature maps are learned from computed tomography (CT) via the backbone network. The RPN utilizes these feature maps to detect the location and region‐of‐interest (ROI) of all substructures, and the final three subnetworks work in series to extract structural information from these ROIs. The network is trained using 55 patient CT datasets, with 22 patients having contrast scans. Threefold cross validation (CV) is used for evaluation on 45 datasets, and a separate cohort of 10 patients are used for holdout evaluation. The proposed method is compared to a 3D UNet.

Results

The proposed method produces contours that are qualitatively similar to the ground truth contours. Quantitatively, the proposed method achieved average Dice score coefficients (DSCs) for the whole heart, chambers, great vessels, coronary arteries, the valves of the heart of 0.96, 0.94, 0.93, 0.66, and 0.77 respectively, outperforming the 3D UNet, which achieved DSCs of 0.92, 0.87, 0.88, 0.48, and 0.59 for the corresponding substructure groups. Mean surface distances (MSDs) between substructures segmented by the proposed method and the ground truth were <2 mm except for the left anterior descending coronary artery and the mitral and tricuspid valves, and <5 mm for all substructures. When dividing results into noncontrast and contrast datasets, the model performed statistically significantly better in terms of DSC, MSD, centroid mean distance (CMD), and volume difference for the chambers and whole heart with contrast. Notably, the presence of contrast did not statistically significantly affect coronary artery segmentation DSC or MSD. After network training, all substructures and the whole heart can be segmented on new datasets in less than 5 s.

Conclusions

A deep learning network was trained for automatic delineation of cardiac substructures based on CT alone. The proposed method can be used as a tool to investigate the relationship between cardiac substructure dose and treatment toxicities.
Safety of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients with Cancer and Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Alkrekshi Akram , Tamaskar Ila
Published: March 2021

Background

The safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has not been studied in many cancers, as these patients were excluded from most ICI trials. This poses a degree of uncertainty when a patient with HCV is being considered for ICIs in the absence of data to inform potential adverse events (AEs).

Materials and Methods

This was a single-institution retrospective chart review of patients with active or resolved HCV who were treated with ICIs for cancer of any type and stage from January 2012 to December 2019, with emphasis on AE rates.

Results

We identified 40 patients, 30 men and 10 women. Median age was 64 years. Cancer types were non-small cell lung cancer (18; 45%), hepatocellular carcinoma (12; 30%), head and neck cancer (4; 10%), small cell lung cancer (3; 7.5%), renal cell carcinoma (1; 2.5%), colon cancer (1; 2.5%), and melanoma (12.5%). Hepatitis C was untreated in 17 patients (42.5%), treated in 14 (35%), and spontaneously resolved in 9 (22.5%). AEs observed were grade 3 pneumonitis in one patient (2.5%) on pembrolizumab; grade 3 colitis in one patient (2.5%) on nivolumab; hepatotoxicity in two patients (5%) on nivolumab: one patient with grade 1 and the other with grade 2; grade 1–2 fatigue in three patients (7.5%); and hypothyroidism in one patient (2.5%).

Conclusion

Adverse events rates in patients with untreated and resolved HCV treated with ICI for a variety of cancers were comparable with AEs rates reported in clinical trials for patients without HCV.

Implications for Practice

The safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with cancer with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major concern because of the lack of prospective safety data for most cancers. HCV is prevalent worldwide, and the occurrence of cancer where ICI is indicated is not uncommon. This study was a retrospective review of all patients with HCV who received ICI for a variety of cancers in the authors’ institution over 8 years, and the results are presented in this article. The results may help inform clinical decisions and the design of future clinical trials.
Recent Development in Liquid Metal Materials
Authors: He Jinfeng , Liang Shuting , Li Fengjiao , Yang Qiangbin , Huang Mengjun , He Yu , Fan Xiaona , Wu Meilin
Published: March 2021

Liquid metals (LM) have shown a very broad development prospect over the past decades. This review article focuses on the latest research dedicated to liquid metal materials and their applications in five significant areas: stretchable conductive composite, intelligent sensing electronic skin, catalysis, 3D printing material, and driving machines. The fabrication, specific properties and application of stretchable liquid metal‐polymer composites that can be used as self‐healing materials have been summarized. Liquid metal deposition printing technology, liquid phase 3D printing, suspension 3D printing technology, micro‐contact printing technology, and in vivo 3D printing molding technology have also been reviewed. Furthermore, the application of liquid metal catalyst in aldehyde reaction, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis have been discussed. We have shown that electricity, magnetism, sound, light and heat could stimulate the movement of liquid metal. Through this comprehensive overview of the latest research, the main practical application, development, and mechanism of liquid metal were summarized and described. The future development of liquid metal technology was prospected, thus providing a strong basic research support for the further development of LM materials and their applications.
Effect of silica nanoparticles on physical, mechanical, and wear properties of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Singh Tej , Gangil Brijesh , Ranakoti Lalit , Joshi Amit
Published: March 2021

Hemp‐sisal natural fiber‐reinforced hybrid epoxy composites containing a varying proportion of silica nanoparticles (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt%) were manufactured and subsequently evaluated for physical, mechanical, and sliding wear properties. The density of the composite was found to increase, whereas void content was found to decrease with the increase of silica nanoparticles content. The composites containing 2 wt% silica nanoparticles exhibit maximum tensile strength, impact strength, and hardness, whereas the composite with 3 wt% silica nanoparticles showed the highest flexural strength. Dry sliding wear tests of the manufactured composites were carried out on a pin‐on‐disc machine under different sliding speeds, distances and applied loads at room temperature. Taguchi based L16 orthogonal array design was used to find the optimum combination of control factors resulting in higher wear resistance. The analysis reveals that the silica nanoparticles contribute the most towards wear performance with a contribution ratio of 32.61% and a combination of 2 wt% of silica nanoparticles, 10 N normal load, 1.5 m/s sliding speed and 500 m sliding distance resulted in higher wear resistance.