bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
N‐doped carbon‐coated CoSe2 nanocrystals anchored on two‐dimensional MXene nanosheets for efficient electrochemical sodium‐ and potassium‐ion storage
Authors: Oh Hong Geun , Yang Su Hyun , Kang Yun Chan , Park Seung‐Keun
Published: July 2021

Sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) have received much attention as next‐generation energy storage systems owing to the abundance. Nevertheless, they face great challenges in the design of optimum electrode materials for practical applications. Herein, we prepared a unique two‐dimensional structured composite consisting of N‐doped carbon‐coated CoSe2 nanocrystals and MXene nanosheets (CoSe2@NC/MX) for efficient electrochemical Na‐ and K‐ion storage. In this strategy, a Co‐based zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF‐67) was deposited on the surface of MXene nanosheets, and the subsequent selenization process resulted in the transformation of the ZIF‐67 into CoSe2@NCs. The unique structure can shorten the transport pathways for electrons/ions and provide sufficient space to accommodate the volume change of the active materials. Furthermore, the N‐doped carbon matrix and MXene can enhance the robustness of the electrode materials. Accordingly, the composites exhibited enhanced electrochemical performance in terms of cycle stability (317 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles at 0.5 A g−1) and rate capability (343 mA h g−1 at 7.0 A g−1) for SIBs. For KIBs, they exhibited a high reversible capacity of 358 mA h g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 100 cycles and 276 mA h g−1 at a high rate of 2.0 A g−1.
Trends in incidence and correlation between medical costs and lost workdays for work‐related amputations in the State of California from 2007 to 2018
Authors: Gomez Nicholas G. , Gaspar Fraser W. , Thiese Matthew S. , Merryweather Andrew S.
Published: July 2021

Background

Detailed information regarding workers who experience an amputation in the workplace over the last decade is limited. To better understand the financial and functional impact of a work‐related amputation, this study quantifies the incidence of work‐related amputations in the California workforce from 2007 to 2018 as well as the relationship between medical costs and lost workdays as a function of amputation level.

Methods

Workers' compensation claims data from California spanning the years 2007 to 2018 were evaluated to describe trends in amputation incidence (N = 16 931). Quartile values for medical costs, indemnity costs, and lost workdays were reported as a function of amputation level. Correlations were performed between medical costs and lost workdays to examine their relationship.

Results

The average incidence from 2007 to 2018 was 8.9 (95% CI 8.5, 9.4) amputations per 100 000 workers. There was a significant spike in amputations in 2008. Partial‐hand amputations were the most common with 73.3 (95% CI 69.2, 77.7) cases per 1 000 000 workers, and the industry with the highest incidence was construction with 26.0 (95% CI 22.4, 30.0) cases per 100 000 workers. Overall, medical costs were moderately correlated with lost workdays (Spearman's rho = 0.51), and that level of correlation remained relatively consistent across all levels of amputation (Spearman's rho = 0.48‐0.62).

Conclusions

Amputations represent high medical costs and number of lost workdays. Considering the type of amputation and the industry the injury occurred in is important in order to work toward returning this population to work. Our results present the status of amputations in the California workplace and establish a basis for using medical costs to infer lost work productivity for this population.
The Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory and the Coweeta Long‐Term Ecological Research Project
Authors: Miniat Chelcy Ford , Oishi Andrew Christopher , Bolstad Paul V. , Jackson C. Rhett , Liu Ning , Love Jason P. , Pringle Catherine M. , Solomon Kelsey J. , Wurzburger Nina
Published: July 2021

The Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory (CHL) is a USDA Forest Service (FS) Experimental Forest, located in western North Carolina, in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Established in 1934, CHL has long‐term data records that include climate, streamflow, stream and atmospheric chemistry, and vegetation in several small, experimentally‐manipulated and reference watersheds. In addition to these long‐term data, additional data associated with specific projects have been collected and are available through publications and electronic archives. Notably, CHL was a member of the National Science Foundation‐funded Long‐Term Ecological Research (LTER) program from 1980–2020, which resulted in significant scientific advances and rich data sets on the five core LTER research areas: primary productivity, population studies, movement of organic matter, movement of inorganic matter, and disturbance patterns. Here we provide a brief site description and history of the CHL, including descriptions of gauged watersheds and data archives.
Walking to a better future? Postoperative ambulation after cesarean delivery and complications: A prospective study
Authors: Engel Offra , Haikin Herzberger Einat , Yagur Yael , Hershko Klement Anat , Fishman Ami , Constantini Naama , Biron Shental Tal
Published: July 2021

Objective

To assess the correlation between maternal mobility after cesarean delivery and postoperative morbidity.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary hospital among patients after cesarean delivery. The women were recruited after surgery and before ambulation. Each participant received an accelerometer and routine instructions for mobilization. The patients were asked to wear the accelerometer constantly. It was collected at discharge. Electronic files were reviewed and patients’ outcomes were analyzed. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare groups and a receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated for the threshold of number of steps.

Results

Data were analyzed for 199 patients, among which 107 (54.4%) deliveries were urgent and 90 (45.6%) were elective. The median number of steps was higher for multiparous women compared to nulliparous women (P = 0.035). Patients who developed complications after discharge walked significantly less during their hospitalization compared to those who did not. There was a trend toward increased risk for in‐hospitalization complications among patients who walked less while hospitalized. A threshold of more than 9716 steps per hospitalization was found to be associated with fewer post‐discharge complications.

Conclusion

There is a significant correlation between the extent of ambulation after cesarean delivery and fewer postoperative complications.
Do mothers and fathers agree? Examining interparental ratings of youth externalizing behaviors among ethnically diverse families
Authors: Vassilopoulos Areti , DeLucia Christian , Torres Cynthia
Published: July 2021

Objective

This study examined the association between youth, parent, and family characteristics in mother‐father agreement of youth externalizing behaviors among ethnically diverse families.

Method

Eighty‐eight mother‐father dyads of youth (44% Latino, 38% European‐American, 17% African American) 6–16 years participated.

Results

Overall associations between parent's reports of youth behavior problems were positively correlated. Significant predictors of parent difference scores in regression analyses included mother's depression scores (negatively), mother and father parenting stress scores (positively and negatively, respectively), and child's symptom severity (positively in the Inattention and Learning Problems models; negatively in the Defiance/Aggression model).

Conclusions

Results highlight the need for psychosocial screening of youth's parents during child psychological assessment to identify situations in which both parent reports are needed for youth assessment. Further, it contributes to the small literature base of discrepancies in parent reports in minority youth and expands upon the minimal research involving paternal caregivers.
A rare clinical presentation of third part duodenal perforation due to post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography stent migration on advanced stage peri‐ampullary tumor
Authors: Ida Bagus Budhi
Published: July 2021

As a diagnostic and therapeutic treatment role on malignant biliary obstruction, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has already been used as a routine procedure, especially for palliative treatment on advanced stage peri‐ampullary tumor. This minimal invasive procedure has many early or late complications such as bleeding, post‐ERCP pancreatitis, perforation, cholangitis, and the rare duodenal perforation from the stent migration. The current review reported the incidence of stent erosion associated with duodenal perforation was only 1% for this palliative procedure. We report a 75 years old male patient with diffuse abdominal tenderness 7 days after palliative ERCP stent placement for malignant biliary obstruction, metal stent could not be placed, and plastic stent placement had been done. There was no post‐ERCP pancreatitis found during the first 24 h. The patient came to the emergency with clinical sign and symptoms of diffuse peritonitis; abdominal X‐ray found no free intraperitoneal air. Exploratory laparotomy was performed, and we found bile leak from the third part of perforated duodenal with 5 mm in diameter, plastic stent exposed from the perforation site, and no active bleeding. We performed primary suture of the duodenum, cholecysto‐enteric bypass, pyloric exclusion, gastro‐jejunostomy bypass, and braun anastomosis. Jejunostomy feeding has been placed. There were no postoperative cardiopulmonary complication, and the patient could tolerate well for oral intake and discharged from hospital at 10th postoperative day (POD). This rare duodenal perforation complication could happen even in plastic stent placement during the ERCP procedure, and early management was needed to gain the favorable outcome.
An effective lithography training module adapting semianalytical calculation approaches
Authors: Cakmak Atilla Ozgur , Colak Evrim , Awadelkarim Osama O.
Published: July 2021

A complete, self‐sufficient package is prepared to teach the fundamental concepts of lithography. The adapted semianalytical approaches promise to illustratively create an ideal engaging environment for efficiently training next generation lithographers. The presented educational tool, which integrates the well‐known modeling methods from the literature, is shown to capture the photolithography process step by step while offering the students a remote, hands‐on feeling from introductory to graduate‐level work. The importance of optical and chemistry related parameters are discussed with the aim of creating a useful laboratory assessment package for the educators to be easily integrated into their curriculum.
Rapidly identifying bioactive compounds from Zhisou oral liquid by immobilized receptor‐based high‐performance affinity chromatography
Authors: Fu Xiaoying , Zhao Xue , Zheng Xinxin , Wang Taotao , Shayiranbieke Aerduosi , Li Linkang , Cao Fang , Ren Jianping , Li Qian , Zhao Xinfeng
Published: July 2021

The identification of bioactive compounds in complex matrices remains a major challenge due to the lack of highly efficient and specific methods. This work developed an approach based on high‐performance affinity chromatography to identify the potential antitussive compounds from Zhisou oral liquid . The main methods include the synthesis of immobilized beta2‐adrenoceptor by a one‐step method, the screening and identification of the potential bioactive compounds by the receptor column coupled with mass spectrometry, and the binding mechanism analysis of the compounds to the receptor by the in vivo experiment, injection amount dependent method and molecular simulation. We identified the potential bioactive compounds of Zhisou oral liquid as glycyrrhizic acid, platycodin D, tuberostemonine, and hesperidin. In vivo experiment showed that the combinational utilization of the four compounds was possible to present an equivalent antitussive effect to the formula. The docking results demonstrated that hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals forces were the main forces to drive the binding of the four compounds to beta2‐adrenoceptor. We concluded that the four compounds are the effective components in Zhisou oral liquid. The proposed strategy is possible to provide an alternative for the development of highly efficient methods to pursue the bioactive compounds of complex matrices.
Micro‐flow hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry detects modified nucleosides in the transfer RNA pool of cyanobacteria
Authors: Qin Yichao , Zhong Qisheng , Zhang Ying , Lin Xiuying , Fu Pengcheng , Lin Huan
Published: July 2021

Post‐transcriptional modification of nucleosides is observed in almost all elements of RNA. Modified nucleosides finely tune the structure of RNA molecules and affect vital functions, such as the modified wobble position 34 of transfer RNAs expanding the reading preference of anticodons to codons. Recent investigations have revealed that the modification species and their frequencies in an RNA element are not stable but vary with specific cellular factors including metabolites and particular proteins (writers, readers, and erasers). To understand the link between dynamic RNA modifications and biological processes, sensitive and reliable methods for determining modified nucleosides are required. In this study, micro‐flow (8 μL/min) hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography was coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of adenosine, uridine, cytidine, guanosine, and 20 modified nucleosides. The method was calibrated using 0.1–1000 nM standards (∼0.03–300 ng/mL) and successfully applied to the determination of transfer RNA modifications in the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. A protocol for the isolation of a clean transfer RNA pool was optimized, requiring only 25 ng for the identification and quantification of transfer RNA modifications. This micro‐flow liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method constitutes the first step toward monitoring dynamic ribonucleoside modifications in a limited RNA sample.
When souvenirs meet online shopping – the effect of food souvenir types on online sales
Authors: Yuan Xina , Xie Yi (Fionna) , Li Shanshi , Shen Yajun
Published: July 2021

This study classified food souvenirs into four categories based on two dimensions of product characteristics (i.e., brand awareness and local relevance) and investigated the differences in their online sales. We also explored the role of online sales platforms and geographical distance in moderating the sales differences among different categories of food souvenirs. Real sales data were collected from a regional enterprise that sells food souvenirs on both local and national online shopping platforms. The data include the sales volume of 606 types of food souvenirs from 2015 to 2018. The results show that food souvenirs characterized by strong brand awareness and high local relevance are the first choice of consumers. Interestingly, consumers value brand awareness more than local relevance when purchasing food souvenirs. Furthermore, the sales platform and geographical distance moderate the sales volume of different types of food souvenirs. Finally, implications and recommendations for future research are provided.
Production and diversity of microorganisms associated with sinking particles in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Church Matthew J. , Kyi Eint , Hall Robert O. , Karl David M. , Lindh Markus , Nelson Alexa , Wear Emma K.
Published: July 2021

Sinking particulate organic matter controls the flux of carbon (C) from the surface ocean to the deep sea. Microorganisms actively colonize particles, but the extent to which microbial metabolism influences particle export remains uncertain. We conducted experiments to quantify rates of bacterial production (derived based on 3H‐leucine incorporation) and dark C‐fixation (based on 14C‐bicarbonate assimilation) associated with sinking particles collected from the base of the euphotic zone (175 m) in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean. Seawater was amended with sinking particles and rates of filter size‐fractionated (0.2, 2, and 20 μm) bacterial production and dark C‐fixation were measured. Sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicons revealed that microorganisms in the particle‐amended treatments differed from those in the unamended seawater controls, with the particle treatments enriched in putative copiotrophic bacteria. The addition of sinking particles increased rates of bacterial production (by 6‐ to 9‐fold), and to a lesser extent dark C‐fixation (by 1.7‐ to 4.6‐fold), relative to unamended controls, with most of the production associated with filter pore sizes < 20 μm. Normalizing production to concentrations of particulate C yielded rates that were statistically indistinguishable between particle‐amended treatments and unamended controls. We then examined possible relationships between sinking particulate C flux attenuation and its supply to the mesopelagic waters, revealing that flux attenuation was positively related to increases in particulate C supply. Together with results from our experiments, we suggest processes that contribute to sinking particle disaggregation both increase flux attenuation and favor microbial mineralization of particle‐derived organic matter.
Preparation of P(EGDMA‐co‐VPBA) Adsorbent and Its Application in the Separation of Steviol Glycosides
Authors: Fu Qiaoge , Chen Nana , Wang Guanyu , Guo Ruili
Published: July 2021

The poly (ethylene glycol dimethacrylate‐co‐vinylphenylboronic acid) P(EGDMA‐co‐VPBA) adsorbents are prepared via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) precipitation polymerization with 4‐vinylphenylboronic acid (VPBA) as the functional monomer, and used for selective adsorption of steviol glycosides (SGs). The boron content and pore structure of the P(EGDMA‐co‐VPBA) adsorbent are adjusted by changing the polymerization conditions. The adsorption results show that the pore structure of the P(EGDMA‐co‐VPBA) affects the adsorption capacity to SGs, the presence of boric acid functional groups shows favorable adsorption selectivity for stevioside (STV), and the adsorption selectivity is proportional to the content of boric acid in P(EGDMA‐co‐VPBA) adsorbents. The adsorption performance of P(EGDMA‐co‐VPBA) toward SGs is the best when the ratio of monomer to cross‐linker is 1:50 and the solvent is acetonitrile. In the SG solution (6.0 mg mL−1, CSTV/CRA = 1:1), the adsorption capacities and adsorption selectivity (αSTV/RA) of P(EGDMA‐co‐VPBA) to SGs are 113.20 mg g–1 and 4.99, respectively. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm data obey pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model, respectively. The boric acid copolymers with VPBA as the monomer prepared by the one‐step method can become a promising material for efficient separation and purification of SGs.
Sleep status of psychiatric nurses: A survey from China
Authors: Lyu Xiaoli , Li Kan , Liu Qin , Wang Xinda , Yang Zhong , Yang Yang , Yang Qun , Wang Hao , Yuan Nian , Ji Caifang , Kong Fanzhen , Li Weiqin , Yin Ming , Li Zhe , Zou Siyun , Zhao Xueli , Fang Xiaojia , Zhang Caiyi , Du Xiangdong
Published: July 2021

Aim

Our study aimed to evaluate the sleep status of psychiatric nurses in Chinese population and analyse the influencing factors.

Design

Cross‐sectional, correlation design with logistic regression analysis.

Methods

We investigated 1,044 psychiatric nurses from seven psychiatric hospitals in China. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey were used as main measures.

Results

The average Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score of 1,044 psychiatric nurses was 7.00 ± 3.59, and 38.63% of nurses had a total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score >7. Our study found that middle‐night shift nurses had poor sleep quality and sleep disorders are positively correlated with emotional exhaustion and cynical disregard for job burnout. Middle‐night shift nurses showed 1.586 times more likely to suffer from sleep disorders than those non‐middle‐night shift. The higher the score of emotional exhaustion, the greater the risk of sleep disorders.
Lifestyle modification for weight loss: Effects on cardiorespiratory capacity in patients with class II and class III obesity
Authors: Wammer Finn , Haberberger Andrea , Linge Anita Dyb , Myklebust Tor Åge , Vemøy Sveinung , Hoff Dag Arne Lihaug
Published: July 2021

Background

The prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide. Obesity affects the lungs and airways, limits peak oxygen uptake, and hampers physical performance; however, objective data are scarce. Does lifestyle modification for weight loss (LM) have an impact on cardiorespiratory capacity (CRC) in patients with class II and class III obesity?

Method

This was a single‐center prospective 2‐year follow‐up pilot study. Four separated stays in the inpatient specialized medical center Muritunet with an integrated approach to LM, including an individual plan on diet and physical activity (PA) goals. Furthermore, it included lectures and counseling on human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, physical exercise, and motivation, as well as daily PA. Cardiopulmonary and blood chemistry tests were conducted.

Results

Seventy‐seven participants were included; however, 47% (n = 36) dropped out during follow‐up. Forty‐one participants completed the study. At baseline (BL), the mean age was 45.4 (SD 10.2, range 23–62) years, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 41.3 (SD 5.4) kg/m2, and 85% (n = 35) had one or more comorbidities, such as obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 15, 37%), obstructive sleep apnea (n = 19, 46%), type 2 diabetes (n = 20, 49%), and hypertension (n = 17, 41%). The mean functional residual capacity increased, significantly the second year (p = 0,037). CRC increased significantly the first year (p = 0.032). Weight and BMI declined, reaching statistical significance at 2 years for both males and females (p = 0.033 and p = 0.003, respectively). At BL, the participants reported lower health‐related quality of life compared to the general Norwegian population. Across time the physical component summary score (quality of life) for both males and females (p = 0.011 and p = 0.049, respectively) increased significantly.

Conclusion

Lifestyle modification for weight loss improves CRC in patients with class II and class III obesity.
Assessing polypharmacy in the older population: Comparison of a self‐reported and prescription based method
Authors: Van der Heyden Johan , Berete Finaba , Renard Françoise , Vanoverloop Johan , Devleesschauwer Brecht , De Ridder Karin , Bruyère Olivier
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To explore differences in the prevalence and determinants of polypharmacy in the older general population in Belgium between self‐reported and prescription based estimates and assess the relative merits of each data source.

Methods

Data were used from participants aged ≥65 years of the Belgian national health survey 2013 (n = 1950). Detailed information was asked on the use of medicines in the past 24 h and linked with prescription data from the Belgian compulsory health insurance (BCHI). Agreement between polypharmacy (use or prescription ≥5 medicines) and excessive polypharmacy (≥10 medicines) between both sources was assessed with kappa statistics. Multinomial logistic regression was used to study determinants of moderate (5–9 medicines) and excessive polypharmacy (≥10 medicines) and over‐ and underestimation of prescription based compared to self‐reported polypharmacy.

Results

Self‐reported and prescription based polypharmacy prevalence estimates were respectively 27% and 32%. Overall agreement was moderate, but better in men (kappa 0.60) than in women (0.45). Determinants of moderate polypharmacy did not vary substantially by source of outcome indicator, but restrictions in activities of daily living (ADL), living in an institution and a history of a hospital admission was associated with self‐reported based excessive polypharmacy only.

Conclusions

Surveys and prescription data measure polypharmacy from a different perspective, but overall conclusions in terms of prevalence and determinants of polypharmacy do not differ substantially by data source. Linking survey data with prescription data can combine the strengths of both data sources resulting in a better tool to explore polypharmacy at population level.
Fiscal decentralization and poverty alleviation: A case study of Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Sadia , Hali Shafei Moiz , Ahmad Riaz , Iqbal Sumera , Iftikhar Hamza
Published: July 2021

According to the World Bank, the COVID‐19 pandemic is going to exacerbate the situation of poverty. It predicts that the poverty rate could rise by 0.3 to 0.7 percentage points, to around 9% in 2020. This study aims at providing insights into poverty in Pakistan and analyzes the impact of fiscal decentralization on poverty alleviation. According to the Asian Development Bank, Pakistan houses roughly 210 million poor people. This study follows the data between 1975 and 2018, applying a unit root test to station this data. The statistical models are developed with a view to the autoregressive distributed lag co‐integration technique for estimation. The findings of the study conclude that fiscal decentralization has a direct and indirect impact in eradicating poverty. We thus conclude that the government should provide autonomy to the provinces in Pakistan, as the central government alone cannot tackle and understand the local problems. Therefore, the government must adopt a fiscal decentralization policy. This study further suggests that the government should effectively utilize the progressive taxation strategy to maximize revenues and cater to poverty alleviation.
Thoracic MDCT findings of a combined congenital lung lesion: Bronchial atresia associated with congenital pulmonary airway malformation
Authors: Lee Edward Y. , Vargas Sara O. , Park Halley J. , Plut Domen , Krone Katie A. , Winant Abbey J.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To investigate the characteristic thoracic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings of pathologically proven combined congenital lung lesion consisting of bronchial atresia (BA) and congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) in children.

Materials and Methods

All pediatric patients (age ≤ 18 years) with a known pathological diagnosis of a combined BA‐CPAM congenital lung lesion, who underwent thoracic MDCT studies from January 2011 to January 2021 were included. Two pediatric radiologists independently evaluated thoracic MDCT studies for the presence of abnormalities in the lung, including nodule, mass, cyst, ground‐glass opacity, and consolidation. When a lung abnormality was present, the number, size, composition (solid, cystic, or combination of both), borders (well‐circumscribed vs. ill‐defined), contrast enhancement pattern (nonenhancement vs. enhancement), and location (laterality, and lobar distribution) were also evaluated. Interobserver agreement between two independent reviewers was evaluated with κ statistics.

Results

Eighteen contrast‐enhanced thoracic MDCT studies from 18 individual pediatric patients (8 males (44%) and 10 females (56%); mean age: 4.9 months; SD: 2.6; range: 1–10 months) with a pathological diagnosis of combined BA‐CPAM congenital lung lesion comprised the final study population. The most frequent MDCT finding of combined BA‐CPAM congenital lung lesion in children was a solitary (18/18; 100%), well‐circumscribed (18/18; 100%), both solid and cystic (17/18; 94%) lesion with nonenhancing (17/17; 100%) nodule, reflecting the underlying BA component, adjacent to a well‐circumscribed multicystic mass (18/18; 100%), representing the underlying CPAM component. This combined congenital lung lesion occurred in all lobes with similar frequency. There was almost perfect interobserver κ agreement between the two independent reviewers for detecting abnormalities on thoracic MDCT studies (k = 0.98).

Conclusion

The characteristic thoracic MDCT findings of a combined BA‐CPAM congenital lung lesion are a solitary, well‐circumscribed solid and multicystic mass, with a nonenhancing nodule, reflecting the BA component, adjacent to a cystic mass, representing the CPAM component. Accurate recognition of these characteristic MDCT findings of combined BA‐CPAM congenital lung lesion has great potential to help differentiate this combined congenital lung lesion from other thoracic pathology in children.
Corosolic acid ameliorates non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis induced by high‐fat diet and carbon tetrachloride by regulating TGF‐β1/Smad2, NF‐κB, and AMPK signaling pathways
Authors: Liu Guancheng , Cui Zhe , Gao Xiaoyan , Liu Huizhe , Wang Linghe , Gong Jinyan , Wang Ao , Zhang Jianxiu , Ma Qianqian , Huang Yuan , Piao Guangchun , Yuan Haidan
Published: July 2021

Hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge. var. major) is an edible and medicinal fruit that is very common in food and traditional Chinese medicine. Corosolic acid (CA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid, which is an active component of hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge. var. major), has been exhibiting various pharmacological activities such as antidiabetic, antibacterial, anticancer, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant effects. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of CA on non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice induced by 60 kcal% high‐fat diet (HFD) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). CA lowered liver index and serum AST, ALT, TG, and TC levels compared to those in the model group. Histological analyses of the liver tissues of mice treated with CA revealed significantly decreased number of lipid droplets and alleviated inflammation and fibrosis. CA inhibited the transcripts of pro‐fibrogenic markers (including α‐SMA, collagen I, and TIMP‐1) and the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (including TNF‐α, IL‐1β, caspase‐1, and IL‐6) associated with hepatic fibrosis, and NF‐κB translocation and TGF‐β1/Smad2 and AMPK pathways. In addition, CA reduced lipid accumulation via the regulation of AMPK and NF‐κB activation in FFA‐induced steatotic HepG2 cells. CA also decreased α‐SMA, collagen I expressions, and Smad2 phosphorylation, which were reduced by TGF‐β1 treatment in LX2 cells. Our results suggested that CA ameliorated NASH through regulating TGF‐β1/Smad2, NF‐κB, and AMPK signaling pathways, and CA could be developed as a potential health functional food or therapeutic agent for NASH patients.
Coefficient tree regression for generalized linear models
Authors: Sürer Özge , Apley Daniel W. , Malthouse Edward C.
Published: July 2021

Large regression data sets are now commonplace, with so many predictors that they cannot or should not all be included individually. In practice, derived predictors are relevant as meaningful features or, at the very least, as a form of regularized approximation of the true coefficients. We consider derived predictors that are the sum of some groups of individual predictors, which is equivalent to predictors within a group sharing the same coefficient. However, the groups of predictors are usually not known in advance and must be discovered from the data. In this paper we develop a coefficient tree regression algorithm for generalized linear models to discover the group structure from the data. The approach results in simple and highly interpretable models, and we demonstrated with real examples that it can provide a clear and concise interpretation of the data. Via simulation studies under different scenarios we showed that our approach performs better than existing competitors in terms of computing time and predictive accuracy.
1D‐2D Synergistic MXene‐Nanotubes Hybrids for Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Bati Abdulaziz S. R. , Hao Mengmeng , Macdonald Thomas J. , Batmunkh Munkhbayar , Yamauchi Yusuke , Wang Lianzhou , Shapter Joseph G.
Published: July 2021

Incorporation of 2D MXenes into the electron transporting layer (ETL) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has been shown to deliver high‐efficiency photovoltaic (PV) devices. However, the ambient fabrication of the ETLs leads to unavoidable deterioration in the electrical properties of MXene due to oxidation. Herein, sorted metallic single‐walled carbon nanotubes (m‐SWCNTs) are employed to prepare MXene/SWCNTs composites to improve the PV performance of PSCs. With the optimized composition, a power conversion efficiency of over 21% is achieved. The improved photoluminescence and reduced charge transfer resistance revealed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrated low trap density and improved charge extraction and transport characteristics due to the improved conductivity originating from the presence of nanotubes as well as the reduced defects associated with oxygen vacancies on the surface of the SnO2. The MXene/SWCNTs strategy reported here provides a new avenue for realizing high‐performance PSCs.
γ‐Hydroxy Amides from Tartaric Acid: Versatile Chiral Building Blocks for the Total Synthesis of Natural Products
Authors: Nanda Laxmi Narayan , Shruthi Kodambahalli S. , Prasad Kavirayani R.
Published: July 2021

“Chiral pool” compounds possessing well defined stereocenters and suitable functionality serve as excellent building blocks for the synthesis of natural products and therapeutically important compounds. Tartaric acid is a C2‐symmetric molecule available in both enantiomeric forms. It was extensively utilized in the synthesis of privileged chiral ligands/catalysts such as TADDOLs, and as a start point in the synthesis of plethora of compounds. The advent of several new C−C bond forming reactions offers opportunity for the development of novel synthetic strategies based on chiral pool compounds. We found that the desymmetrization of the bis‐dimethyl amide/Weinreb amide derived from tartaric acid can be accomplished by controlled addition of Grignard /organolithium reagents leading to the mono keto amides, the reduction of which affords the γ‐hydroxy amides. This account describes our research efforts of more than a decade on the synthesis and application of diverse γ‐hydroxy amides derived from tartaric acid in the total synthesis of structurally simple to complex bio‐active natural products.
Genetic control of kernel compositional variation in a maize diversity panel
Authors: Renk Jonathan S. , Gilbert Amanda M. , Hattery Travis J. , O'Connor Christine H. , Monnahan Patrick J. , Anderson Nickolas , Waters Amanda J. , Eickholt David P. , Flint‐Garcia Sherry A. , Yandeau‐Nelson Marna D. , Hirsch Candice N.
Published: July 2021

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a multi‐purpose row crop grown worldwide, which, over time, has often been bred for increased yield at the detriment of lower composition grain quality. Some knowledge of the genetic factors that affect quality traits has been discovered through the study of classical maize mutants; however, much of the underlying genetic control of these traits and the interaction between these traits remains unknown. To better understand variation that exists for grain compositional traits in maize, we evaluated 501 diverse temperate maize inbred lines in five unique environments and predicted 16 compositional traits (e.g., carbohydrates, protein, and starch) based on the output of near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Phenotypic analysis found substantial variation for compositional traits and the majority of variation was explained by genetic and environmental factors. Correlations and trade‐offs among traits in different maize types (e.g., dent, sweetcorn, and popcorn) were explored, and significant differences and meaningful correlations were detected. In total, 22.9–71.0% of the phenotypic variation across these traits could be explained using 2,386,666 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers generated from whole‐genome resequencing data. A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using these same markers and found 72 statistically significant SNPs for 11 compositional traits. This study provides valuable insights in the phenotypic variation and genetic control underlying compositional traits that can be used in breeding programs for improving maize grain quality.
Canine and feline haemangiosarcoma
Authors: Griffin Maureen A. , Culp William T. N. , Rebhun Robert B.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Haemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a malignant neoplasm of dogs and cats that is suspected to originate from a pluripotent bone marrow progenitor with a complex and multifactorial pathogenesis.

Approach

Pertinent literature was identified, reviewed, and summarized for inclusion in the manuscript.

Results/Interpretation

Dogs are more frequently diagnosed with HSA than cats, and primary sites of this disease include dermal, subcutaneous/intramuscular, and visceral (most commonly the spleen). Dogs and cats with HSA generally have a poor prognosis owing to the rapid and widespread metastasis typically associated with this disease. However, some forms such as cutaneous HSA behave in a less aggressive fashion with improved outcomes. Surgical excision and anthracycline‐based chemotherapy remain the mainstays of treatment, although novel treatment modalities are currently under investigation for potential roles in treatment of this disease.

Conclusion

This review aims to describe the clinical presentation and progression of the various forms of HSA in dogs and cats as well as to provide a systematic review of the veterinary literature with a focus on the various published treatment options and associated outcomes.
Personalized Mastery Learning Ecosystems: Using Bloom’s Four Objects of Change to Drive Learning in Adaptive Instructional Systems
Authors: Betts Anastasia , Thai Khanh-Phuong , Gunderia Sunil
Published: July 2021

Adaptive instructional systems (AISs) hold tremendous promise for addressing learner variability at scale. Many AISs are grounded in Benjamin Bloom’s (1971) Mastery Learning approach, which delivers differentiated instruction, appropriate scaffolding, and feedback to ensure each child masters each concept or skill before moving on. (Bloom’s 1984) framework for learning went beyond the immediate interactions of learners and the AIS. He described “four objects of the change process” that must be addressed to significantly improve student learning: the learner, the materials, the teacher, and the learner’s environment, where parents/caretakers are a critical component, especially for young children. This paper describes a learning engineering approach to craft a Personalized Mastery-Based Learning Ecosystem (PMLE) that uses all people, processes, data, and networked connections to create new capabilities, richer experiences, and unprecedented educational opportunities for children and their families. This ecosystem treats all individuals within the system as learners (child, parent, teacher, etc.) whose knowledge and expertise can be enhanced to benefit the child’s learning. The PMLE enables parents and teachers to become empowered “agents” of change by providing them with knowledge, tools, and evidence-based strategies to support meaningful and effective interactions with the child, all driven by real-time data about the readiness of the child. This paper presents a vision of how AISs can move beyond working solely with the child to become more robust ecosystems that empower all agents of change to optimize personalization and ensure long-term success of all children at scale.
The Technical Challenges in OOP Application Across the European Union and the TOOP OOP Architecture
Authors: Tepandi Jaak , Rotuna Carmen , Sellitto Giovanni Paolo , Fieten Sander , Prentza Andriana
Published: July 2021

The Once-Only Principle requires the public administrations to ensure that citizens and businesses supply the same information only once to the Public Administration as a whole. Widespread use of the Once-Only Principle has the potential to simplify citizens’ life, make businesses more efficient, and reduce administrative burden in the European Union. The Once-Only Principle project (TOOP) is an initiative, financed by the EU Program Horizon 2020, to explore the possibility to enable the cross-border application of the Once-Only Principle by demonstrating it in practice, through the development of selected piloting applications for specific real-world use cases, enabling the connection of different registries and architectures in different countries for better exchange of information across public administrations. These piloting ICT systems are designed as a result of a pan-European collaboration and they adopt a federated model, to allow for a high degree of independence between the participating parties in the development of their own solutions. The main challenge in the implementation of an OOP solution is the diversity of organizations, procedures, data, and services on all four main levels of interoperability: legal, organizational, semantic, and technical. To address this challenge, TOOP is developing and testing the TOOP Reference Architecture (TOOPRA) to assist organizations in the cross-border implementation of the OOP. The paper outlines the TOOPRA users, principles, and requirements, presents an overview of the architecture development, describes the main views of TOOPRA, discusses architecture profiling, and analyses the TOOPRA sustainability issues.
Correction to: Etiologies and clinical characteristics of young patients with angle-closure glaucoma: a 15-year single-center retrospective study
Authors: Gao Feng , Wang Jiajian , Chen Junyi , Wang Xiaolei , Chen Yuhong , Sun Xinghuai
Published: July 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s00417-021-05260-7
Chronische Kreuzschmerzen – Nutzertypen ambulanter Versorgung
Authors: Daniel T. , Koetsenruijter J. , Wensing M. , Wronski P.
Published: July 2021

Hintergrund

Chronische Kreuzschmerzen (engl. „chronic low back pain“; Abk. CLBP) zählen zu den häufigsten muskuloskeletalen Erkrankungen. Die ambulante Regelversorgung sieht bisher keine strukturierte multimodale Versorgung vor, wobei eine multimodale Therapie empfohlen wird.

Ziel der Arbeit

Es sollte die Inanspruchnahme ambulanter Regelversorgung im ersten Jahr von neu erkrankten Patienten mit CLBP hinsichtlich des multimodalen Behandlungsansatzes exploriert und Nutzertypen bestimmt werden.

Material und Methoden

Eine Two-step-Clusteranalyse wurde mit Routinedaten von 11.182 inzidenten Fällen durchgeführt. Das Alter lag zwischen 18 und 65 Jahren und Daten von vier aufeinander folgenden Quartalen je Patient wurden analysiert. Anhand der Abrechnungsdaten von Orthopäden, Schmerztherapeuten, Psychotherapeuten, Heilmitteln, Schmerzmedikamenten und Opioiden wurden die Cluster ermittelt. Merkmale der Versorgungsstruktur und der Versicherten lieferten die weiteren Ergebnisse.

Ergebnisse

Die Analyse ergab vier Nutzertypen: 39,7 % nahmen keine fachärztliche Versorgung und wenige Heilmittel in Anspruch; 37,3 % wurden orthopädisch versorgt; 15,6 % nahmen orthopädische und schmerztherapeutische Versorgung in Anspruch; 7,4 % wurden orthopädisch, schmerz- und/oder psychotherapeutisch versorgt. Charakteristisch für eine multimodale Inanspruchnahme war: weiblich, hoher Schmerzmittelverbrauch (M = 143,94 DDD), hoher Opioidverbrauch (M = 37,12 DDD), hohe Heilmittelkosten (M = 631,79 €), Akupunktur, Antidepressiva, Hospitalisierung, interdisziplinäre Fallkonferenzen und Konsultationen bei Neurologen. 60,4 % der Studienpopulation nahmen Schmerzmittel ein.

Diskussion

Das Clusterverfahren zeigte unterschiedliche Nutzertypen. Die empfohlene multimodale Therapie erhielten circa 23 % der Studienpopulation.
Multilevel modeling of geographic information systems based on international standards
Authors: Alvarado Suilen H. , Cortiñas Alejandro , Luaces Miguel R. , Pedreira Oscar , Places Angeles S.
Published: July 2021

Even though different applications based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide different features and functions, they all share a set of common concepts (e.g., spatial data types, operations, services), a common architecture, and a common set of technologies. Furthermore, common structures appear repeatedly in different GIS, although they have to be specialized in specific application domains. Multilevel modeling is an approach to model-driven engineering (MDE) in which the number of metamodel levels is not fixed. This approach aims at solving the limitations of a two-level metamodeling approach, which forces the designer to include all the metamodel elements at the same level. In this paper, we address the application of multilevel modeling to the domain of GIS, and we evaluate its potential benefits. Although we do not present a complete set of models, we present four representative scenarios supported by example models. One of them is based on the standards defined by ISO TC/211 and the Open Geospatial Consortium. The other three are based on the EU INSPIRE Directive (territory administration, spatial networks, and facility management). These scenarios show that multilevel modeling can provide more benefits to GIS modeling than a two-level metamodeling approach.
Ethical concerns in rescue robotics: a scoping review
Authors: Battistuzzi Linda , Recchiuto Carmine Tommaso , Sgorbissa Antonio
Published: July 2021

Rescue operations taking place in disaster settings can be fraught with ethical challenges. Further ethical challenges will likely be introduced by the use of robots, which are expected to soon become commonplace in search and rescue missions and disaster recovery efforts. To help focus timely reflection on the ethical considerations associated with the deployment of rescue robots, we have conducted a scoping review exploring the relevant academic literature following a widely recognized scoping review framework. Of the 429 papers identified by the first screening, six fulfilled the selection criteria of our literature review. Quantitative data synthesis showed that a subset of the papers includes a qualitative experimental exploration of the ethical issues at hand, with workshops involving both experts and potential users. Most use simulations or scenarios to anticipate the ethical implications and other consequences of using robots in search and rescue missions. Qualitative text analysis identified seven core ethically relevant themes: fairness and discrimination; false or excessive expectations; labor replacement; privacy; responsibility; safety; trust. Our results suggest that the literature on ethics in rescue robotics is scant and disparate, but the papers identified uniformly endorsed a proactive approach to handling the ethical concerns associated with the use of robots in disaster scenarios.