bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of low‐density lipoprotein oxidation by nitric oxide Potential role in atherogenesis
Authors: Hogg Neil , Kalyanaraman B. , Joseph Joy , Struck Andrew , Parthasarathy Sampath
Published: July 2002

The effects of nitric oxide (•NO) and nitrovasodilators on the oxidation of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) have been studied. S‐Nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) inhibited Cu2+‐and 2,2′‐azobis‐2‐amidinopropane hydrochloride‐dependent oxidation of LDL as monitored by oxygen consumption and the formation of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, conjugated dienes, and lipid hydroperoxides. In the case of SNP, inhibition of LDL oxidation occurred only when the incubation mixture was irradiated with visible light. SNAP, however, exerted a dose‐dependent inhibition of Cu2+‐catalyzed oxidation of LDL even in the dark. Addition of •NO dissolved in deoxygenated buffer also inhibited the progression of LDL oxidation. Mouse peritoneal macrophages were less able to degrade LDL that had been oxidized in the presence of SNAP. Using an •NO electrode, it was estimated that a continuous production of •NO (⩽ 760 nM/min) could retard the progression of LDL oxidation. We propose that •NO can inhibit LDL oxidation by acting as a chain‐breaking antioxidant that is capable of scavenging carbon‐centered and peroxyl radicals. Biological implications of this novel •NO antioxidant property are discussed in relation to atherogenesis and contrasted to the prooxidant property of •NO when generated in the presence of superoxide.
Expression of human recombinant β2‐glycoprotein I with anticardiolipin antibody cofactor activity
Authors: Kouts S. , Bunn C.L. , Steinkasserer A. , Krilis S.
Published: July 2002

To enable the synthesis of β2‐glycoprotein I mutants we have established a stable Chinese hamster ovary cell line that expresses human β2‐glycoprotein I up to 2.9 μg/106 cells/day. Recombinant β2‐glycoprotein I is identical to the purified native protein with respect to cofactor activity revealed in a modified anti‐cardiolipin ELISA. Autoimmune type anti‐cardiolipin antibody requires recombinant β2‐glycoprotein I in a dose‐dependent manner to bind cardiolipin whilst binding of infectious type antibody is inhibited. The purified recombinant β2‐glycoprotein I in serum free medium exists as two oligosaccharide species which upon deglycosylation have identical apparent molecular weight to the deglycosylated native protein.
Restriction of substrate specificity of subtilisin E by introduction of a side chain into a conserved glycine residue
Authors: Takagi Hiroshi , Maeda Tadao , Ohtsu Iwao , Tsai Yeng-Chieh , Nakamori Shigeru
Published: July 2002

Substitution of the conserved Gly127 for residues having a side chain markedly changed the substrate specificity of subtilisin E from Bacillus subtilis. The crystallographic findings suggested that Gly127 is responsible for accepting even the large P1 substrates, and the marked change of specificity was attributed to the introduction of a side chain in this position. To test this hypothesis, Gly127 was replaced with 3 non‐charged amino acids, Ala, Ser and Val. When assayed with synthetic peptide substrates, all mutants purified from the periplasmic space in Escherichia coli showed a marked preference for small P1 substrate up to 150‐fold relative to the wild‐type. The kinetic data and molecular modeling analysis suggest that large hydrophobic P1 residues were unable to access the binding pocket due to steric hindrance.
The catalytic mechanism of protein tyrosine phosphatases revisited
Authors: Kolmodin Karin , Åqvist Johan
Published: July 2002

Experimental and theoretical studies of the catalytic mechanism in protein tyrosine phosphatases and dual specific phosphatases are reviewed. The structural properties of these enzymes contributing to the efficient rate enhancement of phosphate monoester hydrolysis have been established during the last decade. There are, however, uncertainties in the interpretation of available experimental data that make the commonly assumed reaction mechanism somewhat doubtful. Theoretical calculations as well as analysis of crystal structures point towards an alternative interpretation of the ionisation state in the reactive complex.
Biomarkers of free radical injury during spinal cord ischemia
Authors: Basu S. , Hellberg A. , Ulus A.T. , Westman J. , Karacagil S.
Published: July 2002

Plasma and urinary levels of 8‐iso‐PGF2α and 15‐keto‐dihydro‐PGF2α were analysed at baseline and during the ischemia‐reperfusion period in experimental spinal cord ischemia. A significant and immediate increase of 8‐iso‐PGF2α in plasma at the start and up to 60 min, and in the urine at 90–150 min following ischemia indicate an association of oxidative injury. The inflammatory response indicator 15‐keto‐dihydro‐PGF2α in plasma increased significantly at the start and up to 60 min after ischemia. No such increase was seen in animals with no spinal cord ischemia. Thus, free radical mediated and cyclooxygenase catalysed products of arachidonic acid are increased during spinal cord ischemia as a consequence of oxidative injury and inflammation.
Aggregation of PDGF‐β receptors in human skin fibroblasts: characterization by image correlation spectroscopy (ICS)
Authors: Wiseman Paul W , Höddelius Pia , Petersen Nils O , Magnusson Karl-Eric
Published: July 2002

Receptor aggregation is believed to be an important, early step when growth factors such as PDGF stimulate proliferation and differentiation of cell populations. To investigate receptor aggregation, we utilized a novel biophysical technique, image correlation spectroscopy, to study the distribution and aggregation state of PDGF‐β receptors on the surface of human dermal fibroblasts under various experimental conditions. It was found that the cell surface receptors were pre‐clustered at 4°C and receptor aggregation increased for samples measured at 37°C. Treatment with PDGF‐BB had no measurable effect on the receptor aggregation state. The results also indicate that additions of 10% serum or an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase activity, may disperse the receptors. The results of this study are consistent with organization of PDGF‐β receptors in pre‐existing membrane domains.
Molybdenum‐free nitrate reductases from vanadate‐reducing bacteria
Authors: Antipov Alexey N , Lyalikova Natalia N , Khijniak Tatiana V , L'vov Nikolay P
Published: July 2002

Two catalytically distinct molybdenum‐free dissimilatory nitrate reductases, a soluble periplasmic and a membrane‐bound one, were isolated from the vanadate‐reducing facultatively anaerobic bacterium Pseudomonas isachenkovii and purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. The enzymes did not contain molybdenum, the periplasmic enzyme contained vanadium, whereas the membrane‐bound enzyme was vanadium‐free. Both nitrate reductases lacked molybdenum cofactor. This fact was proved by reconstitution of the apoprotein of the nitrate reductase of Neurospora crassa nit‐1 mutant. This is the first demonstration of molybdenum‐free and molybdenum cofactor‐free nitrate reductases.
A tryptophan‐deficient corn‐based diet induces plastic responses in cerebellar cortex cells of rat offspring
Authors: Del Angel‐Meza A.R. , Ramı́rez‐Cortés L. , Olvera‐Cortés E. , Pérez‐Vega M.I. , González‐Burgos I.
Published: July 2002

Sprague–Dawley male rats, fed with a tryptophan‐deficient and 8% protein corn‐based diet were compared with a group of animals fed with 8% protein alone, and with a group fed with Chow Purina containing 23% protein. Retardation of Bergmann glial cell maturation and a concomitant retardation in granule cell migration were observed in the corn‐fed group at 21 days. At 30 days of age, the dendrites of granule cells of both hypoproteic and corn‐fed groups were larger than those of the Chow‐fed animals. At 60 days of age, dendritic arborization of Purkinje cells was more profuse in both the hypoproteic and corn‐fed rats compared with the Chow‐fed group. This retardation in granule cell migration could be partially due to Bergmann glial cell immaturity. Consequently, several plastic and maybe compensatory events in both granule and Purkinje cells could have occurred, due to tryptophan deficiency resulting from the corn‐based diet.
Research activities on schizophrenia in 17 non-english speaking countries: a MEDLINE survey
Authors: Takei N , Verdoux H
Published: July 2002

We investigated research activities on schizophrenia in 17 non-English speaking (13 European: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden and 4 Asian: China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan) countries via a MEDLINE database survey. Despite the handicap of language, a reassuringly large number of English-written papers in research into schizophrenia have been reported; 892 papers from these countries appeared over the period 1990–1994. Among the countries investigated, Scandinavian countries in particular were found to have produced more communicable papers after taking into account the number of psychiatrists.
Attributional style and delusions: an investigation based on delusional content
Authors: Sharp HM , Fear CF , Healy D
Published: July 2002

Individuals with persecutory delusions have been reported to make external and stable attributions for negative events and to have a tendency towards internal attributions for positive events. It remains unclear whether this abnormality is present in individuals with non-persecutory delusions. Using the Attributional Style Questionnaire, we assessed the attributional style of 19 individuals with persecutory or grandiose delusions (PG), 12 individuals whose delusional beliefs were non-persecutory and non-grandiose (NPG) and 24 controls. The PG group displayed externality in their causal attributions for bad events but those in the NPG group did not differ from controls. Both deluded groups were significantly more stable in their attributions for bad events in comparison to controls. Such findings argue against a primary role for attributional biases in the genesis of delusions, although a role in shaping delusional content and maintaining the disorder and a role for external attributions in defending against reductions in self-esteem cannot be excluded.
USING IMAGERY FOR ROLE TRANSITION OF MIDWIFERY STUDENTS
Authors: Hunter Lauren P. , Kvale Janice Keller , Romick Patricia
Published: July 2002

The University of Texas Collaborative Nurse‐Midwifery Education Program uses various strategies to facilitate transition from competent nurse to graduate student and then to beginning midwife practitioner. Guided imagery is the mainstay of the strategies used throughout the five semesters of the program. Proactive intervention facilitated by a nurse‐counselor takes place in a group, supported as needed by individual counseling. The principles of psychosynthesis and role theory are the theoretic foundations for the intervention. Evaluation of the intervention indicated that it was received enthusiastically by most students.
SELF‐REPORTED UTERINE PROLAPSE IN A RESETTLEMENT COLONY OF NORTH INDIA
Authors: Kumari Santosh , Walia Indarjit , Singh Amarjeet
Published: July 2002

The aims of this study are to estimate the prevalence of self‐reported uterine prolapse and to determine the treatment‐seeking behavior of the respondents. Participants of this study are married women of Dadu Majra colony, Chandigarh, India, January–February, 1996. A house‐to‐house screening of the women was done by a nursing student utilizing a checklist of indicator symptoms of uterine prolapse. All women reporting such symptoms were interviewed further. Among the 2,990 women surveyed, 227 (7.6%) reported symptoms of uterine prolapse. Of the 227 women with self‐reported uterine prolapse, 128 (57%) had not taken any treatment, 28 went to a traditional birth attendant (TBA), and 47 (21%) consulted a doctor. Thirty‐eight women were advised to have an operation, but only eight complied. Other treatments used by small numbers of women included the use of a ring pessary or alcohol‐soaked swab and heel pressure technique. Reasons for non‐consultation included shyness (80; 63%), lack of cooperation by the husband, lack of time (80; 63%) and lack of money (74; 58%). The prevalence of prolapse was significantly higher in women with higher parity. More than 7% of the women reported symptoms of uterine prolapse.
Initial testing of pegfilgrastim (Neulasta Onpro) on‐body injector in multiple radiological imaging environments
Authors: Long Zaiyang , Kurup Anil Nicholas , Jensen Nicole M. , Hangiandreou Nicholas J. , Schueler Beth A. , Yu Lifeng , Leng Shuai , Wood Christopher P. , Felmlee Joel P.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

An increasing number of implantable or external devices can impact whether patients can receive radiological imaging examinations. This study examines and tests the Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) Onpro on‐body injector in multiple imaging environments.

Methods

The injector was analyzed for four imaging modalities with testing protocols and strategies developed for each modality. In x‐ray and computed tomography (CT), scans with much higher exposure than clinical protocols were performed with the device attached to an anthropomorphic phantom. The device was monitored until the completion of drug delivery. For magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the device was assessed using a hand‐held magnet and underwent the magnetically induced displacement testing in a 1.5T clinical MRI scanner room. For ultrasound, magnetic field changes were measured around an ultrasound scanner system with three transducers.

Results

For x‐ray and CT no sign of device error was identified during or after the high radiation exposure scans. Drug delivery was completed at expected timing with expected volume. For MRI the device showed significant attractive force towards the hand‐held magnet and a 50‐degree deflection angle at 50 cm from the opening of the scanner bore. No further assessment from the gradient or radiofrequency field was deemed necessary. For ultrasound the maximum magnetic field change from baseline was measured to be +11.7 μT in comparison to +74.2 μT at 4 inches from a working microwave.

Conclusions

No device performance issue was identified under the extreme test conditions in x‐ray or CT. The device was found to be MR Unsafe. Magnetic field changes around an ultrasound system met the limitation set by manufacture. Patient ultrasound scanning is considered safe as long as the transducers do not inadvertently loosen the device.
Hydrogenated Graphene Improves Neuronal Network Maturation and Excitatory Transmission
Authors: Moschetta Matteo , Lee Jong‐Young , Rodrigues João , Podestà Alice , Varvicchio Omar , Son Jangyup , Lee Yangjin , Kim Kwanpyo , Lee Gwan‐Hyoung , Benfenati Fabio , Bramini Mattia , Capasso Andrea
Published: January 2021

Graphene is regarded as a viable bio‐interface for neuroscience due to its biocompatibility and electrical conductivity, which would contribute to efficient neuronal network signaling. Here, monolayer graphene grown via chemical vapor deposition is treated with remote hydrogen plasma to demonstrate that hydrogenated graphene (HGr) fosters improved cell‐to‐cell communication with respect to pristine graphene in primary cortical neurons. When transferred to polyethylene terephthalate, HGr exhibits higher wettability than graphene (water contact angle of 83.7° vs 40.7°), while preserving electrical conductivity (≈3 kΩ □‐1). A rich and mature network is observed to develop onto HGr. The intrinsic excitability and firing properties of neurons plated onto HGr appears unaltered, while the basic passive and active membrane properties are fully preserved. The formation of excitatory synaptic connections increases in HGr with respect to pristine graphene, leading to a doubled miniature excitatory postsynaptic current frequency. This study supports the use of hydrogenation for tailoring graphene into an improved neuronal interface, indicating that wettability, more than electrical conductivity, is the key parameter to be controlled. The use of HGr can bring about a deeper understanding of neuronal behavior on artificial bio‐interfaces and provide new insight for graphene‐based biomedical applications.
Synthesis Strategies, Catalytic Applications, and Performance Regulation of Single‐Atom Catalysts
Authors: Xi Jiangbo , Jung Hyun Seung , Xu Yun , Xiao Fei , Bae Jong Wook , Wang Shuai
Published: January 2021

The recent dramatic increase in research on isolated metal atoms has received extensive scientific interest in the new frontier of single‐atom catalysis. As newly advanced materials in catalysis, single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have received enormous interest from the perspectives of both scientific research and industrial applications due to their remarkable activity. In addition, other catalytic properties of single metal atoms, including stability and selectivity, can be further improved by tuning their electronic/geometric structures and modulating the metal–support interactions. SACs usually consist of dispersed atoms and appropriate support materials, which are employed to anchor, confine, and/or coordinate with isolated metal atoms. Therefore, the nature of single metal sites allows acquiring a maximum atom utilization approaching 100%, which is of significance, particularly for the development of noble‐metal‐based catalysts. In order to systematically understand the structure–property relationships and the underlying catalytic mechanisms relationship of SACs, the representative scientific research efforts in their synthesis strategies, catalytic applications, and performance regulation are discussed here. Typical single‐atom catalysis processes and the corresponding mechanisms in electrochemistry, photochemistry, organic synthesis, and biomedicine are also summarized. Finally, the challenges and prospects for the development of single‐atom catalysis and SACs are highlighted.
Nanocatalytic Theranostics with Glutathione Depletion and Enhanced Reactive Oxygen Species Generation for Efficient Cancer Therapy
Authors: Fu Lian‐Hua , Wan Yilin , Qi Chao , He Jin , Li Chunying , Yang Chen , Xu Han , Lin Jing , Huang Peng
Published: January 2021

Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) is an emerging therapy method that kills cancer cells by converting intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into highly toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH). To overcome the current limitations of the insufficient endogenous H2O2 and the high concentration of glutathione (GSH) in tumor cells, an intelligent nanocatalytic theranostics (denoted as PGC‐DOX) that possesses both H2O2 self‐supply and GSH‐elimination properties for efficient cancer therapy is presented. This nanoplatform is constructed by a facile one‐step biomineralization method using poly(ethylene glycol)‐modified glucose oxidase (GOx) as a template to form biodegradable copper‐doped calcium phosphate nanoparticles, followed by the loading of doxorubicin (DOX). As an enzyme catalyst, GOx can effectively catalyze intracellular glucose to generate H2O2, which not only starves the tumor cells, but also supplies H2O2 for subsequent Fenton‐like reaction. Meanwhile, the redox reaction between the released Cu2+ ions and intracellular GSH will induce GSH depletion and reduce Cu2+ to Fenton agent Cu+ ions, and then trigger the H2O2 to generate •OH by a Cu+‐mediated Fenton‐like reaction, resulting in enhanced CDT efficacy. The integration of GOx‐mediated starvation therapy, H2O2 self‐supply and GSH‐elimination enhanced CDT, and DOX‐induced chemotherapy, endow the PGC‐DOX with effective tumor growth inhibition with minimal side effects in vivo.
Organic Electronics Picks Up the Pace: Mask‐Less, Solution Processed Organic Transistors Operating at 160 MHz
Authors: Perinot Andrea , Giorgio Michele , Mattoli Virgilio , Natali Dario , Caironi Mario
Published: January 2021

Organic printed electronics has proven its potential as an essential enabler for applications related to healthcare, entertainment, energy, and distributed intelligent objects. The possibility of exploiting solution‐based and direct‐writing production schemes further boosts the benefits offered by such technology, facilitating the implementation of cheap, conformable, bio‐compatible electronic applications. The result shown in this work challenges the widespread assumption that such class of electronic devices is relegated to low‐frequency operation, owing to the limited charge mobility of the materials and to the low spatial resolution achievable with conventional printing techniques. Here, it is shown that solution‐processed and direct‐written organic field‐effect transistors can be carefully designed and fabricated so to achieve a maximum transition frequency of 160 MHz, unlocking an operational range that was not available before for organics. Such range was believed to be only accessible with more performing classes of semiconductor materials and/or more expensive fabrication schemes. The present achievement opens a route for cost‐ and energy‐efficient manufacturability of flexible and conformable electronics with wireless‐communication capabilities.
In Situ Oriented Mn Deficient ZnMn2O4@C Nanoarchitecture for Durable Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Islam Saiful , Alfaruqi Muhammad Hilmy , Putro Dimas Yunianto , Park Sohyun , Kim Seokhun , Lee Seulgi , Ahmed Mohammad Shamsuddin , Mathew Vinod , Sun Yang‐Kook , Hwang Jang‐Yeon , Kim Jaekook
Published: January 2021

Manganese (Mn)‐based cathode materials have garnered huge research interest for rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) due to the abundance and low cost of manganese and the plentiful advantages of manganese oxides including their different structures, wide range of phases, and various stoichiometries. A novel in situ generated Mn‐deficient ZnMn2O4@C (Mn‐d‐ZMO@C) nanoarchitecture cathode material from self‐assembly of ZnO‐MnO@C for rechargeable AZIBs is reported. Analytical techniques confirm the porous and crystalline structure of ZnO‐MnO@C and the in situ growth of Mn deficient ZnMn2O4@C. The Zn/Mn‐d‐ZMO@C cell displays a promising capacity of 194 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1 with 84% of capacity retained after 2000 cycles (at 3000 mA g−1 rate). The improved performance of this cathode originates from in situ orientation, porosity, and carbon coating. Additionally, first‐principles calculations confirm the high electronic conductivity of Mn‐d‐ZMO@C cathode. Importantly, a good capacity retention (86%) is obtained with a year‐old cell (after 150 cycles) at 100 mA g−1 current density. This study, therefore, indicates that the in situ grown Mn‐d‐ZMO@C nanoarchitecture cathode is a promising material to prepare a durable AZIB.
Regulating Glucose Metabolism with Prodrug Nanoparticles for Promoting Photoimmunotherapy of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Sun Fang , Zhu Qiurong , Li Tianliang , Saeed Madiha , Xu Zhiai , Zhong Feisheng , Song Rundi , Huai Manxiu , Zheng Mingyue , Xie Cen , Xu Leiming , Yu Haijun
Published: January 2021

The low immunogenicity, insufficient infiltration of T lymphocytes, and dismal response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy pose major difficulties in immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer. Photoimmunotherapy by photodynamic therapy (PDT) can induce an antitumor immune response by triggering immunogenic cell death in the tumor cells. Notwithstanding, PDT‐driven oxygen consumption and microvascular damage can further aggravate hypoxia to exaggerates glycolysis, leading to lactate accumulation and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Herein, a supramolecular prodrug nanoplatform codelivering a photosensitizer and a prodrug of bromodomain‐containing protein 4 inhibitor (BRD4i) JQ1 for combinatory photoimmunotherapy of pancreatic cancer are demonstrated. The nanoparticles are fabricated by host–guest complexation between cyclodextrin‐grafted hyaluronic acid (HA‐CD) and adamantine‐conjugated heterodimers of pyropheophorbide a (PPa) and JQ1, respectively. HA can achieve active tumor targeting by recognizing highly expressed CD44 on the surface of pancreatic tumors. PPa‐mediated PDT can enhance the immunogenicity of the tumor cells and promote intratumoral infiltration of the cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Meanwhile, JQ1 combats PDT‐mediated immune evasion through inhibiting expression of c‐Myc and PD‐L1, which are key regulators of tumor glycolysis and immune evasion. Collectively, this study presents a novel strategy to enhance photoimmunotherapy of the pancreatic cancer by provoking T cells activation and overcoming adaptive immune resistance.
Lead‐Free Halide Perovskites for Light Emission: Recent Advances and Perspectives
Authors: Li Xin , Gao Xupeng , Zhang Xiangtong , Shen Xinyu , Lu Min , Wu Jinlei , Shi Zhifeng , Colvin Vicki L. , Hu Junhua , Bai Xue , Yu William W. , Zhang Yu
Published: January 2021

Lead‐based halide perovskites have received great attention in light‐emitting applications due to their excellent properties, including high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), tunable emission wavelength, and facile solution preparation. In spite of excellent characteristics, the presence of toxic element lead directly obstructs their further commercial development. Hence, exploiting lead‐free halide perovskite materials with superior properties is urgent and necessary. In this review, the deep‐seated reasons that benefit light emission for halide perovskites, which help to develop lead‐free halide perovskites with excellent performance, are first emphasized. Recent advances in lead‐free halide perovskite materials (single crystals, thin films, and nanocrystals with different dimensionalities) from synthesis, crystal structures, optical and optoelectronic properties to applications are then systematically summarized. In particular, phosphor‐converted LEDs and electroluminescent LEDs using lead‐free halide perovskites are fully examined. Ultimately, based on current development of lead‐free halide perovskites, the future directions of lead‐free halide perovskites in terms of materials and light‐emitting devices are discussed.
Computational Study of Dipole Radiation in Re‐Absorbing Perovskite Semiconductors for Optoelectronics
Authors: Cho Changsoon , Greenham Neil C.
Published: January 2021

Compared to organic emitters, perovskite materials generally have a small Stokes shift and correspondingly large re‐absorption of dipole emission. Classical optical modelling methods ignoring re‐absorption do not provide an adequate description of the observed light emission properties. Here, optical modelling methods and design rules for perovskite light‐emitting diodes are presented. The transfer‐matrix formalism is used to quantify the Poynting vectors generated by a dipole radiating inside a perovskite optoelectronic device. A strategy is presented to deal with non‐radiative coupling to nearby emissive material that can otherwise lead to non‐physical divergence in the calculation. Stability issues are also investigated regarding coherence of the light propagating in the substrate and the absence of a light absorber in the system. The benefit of the photon recycling effect is taken into account by recursive calculation of the dipole generation profile. The simulation results predict that a high external quantum efficiency of ≈40% is achievable in formamidinium lead triiodide‐based perovskite light‐emitting diodes, by optimization of microcavity, dipole orientation, and photon recycling effects. Contrary to conventional device structures currently reported, this work highlights the benefits of thick charge transport layers and thick perovskite with small Stokes shift.
Association of occupational sun safety policy and actions in state transportation sector in the United States
Authors: Buller David B. , Walkosz Barbara J. , Olivas Savanna , Eye Rachel , Liu Xia , Kinsey Alishia , Buller Mary Klein , Grayson Andrew
Published: January 2021

Background

Occupational sun protection is recommended by government health authorities. Sun safety policies and predictors of managers’ reports of sun safety actions were assessed.

Methods

Written policies from 21 state departments of transportation (DOTs) enrolled in a randomized trial to test methods for scaling‐up an occupational sun safety intervention were coded for sun safety content at baseline. Managers (n = 1113) supervising outdoor workers reported on sun safety actions in a baseline survey.

Results

Twenty state DOTs (95.2%) have a policy with at least one sun protection component. Sun safety training was increased at workplaces with a written sun safety policy (p < 0.001) and unwritten standard procedures on sun protection (p < 0.001). Reported sun safety actions were highest where there was a written sun safety policy (p < 0.001) and unwritten standard procedures on sun protection (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Policies are essential for the implementation of employee sun safety. There is room for improvement in existing policies of state DOTs.
Insufficient development of vessels and alveoli in lungs of infants with trisomy 18—Features of pulmonary histopathological findings from lung biopsy
Authors: Tahara Masahiro , Sanada Kazuya , Morita Risa , Hawaka Hideyuki , Urayama Kotarou , Sugino Mitsunobu , Masaki Naoki , Yamaki Shigeo
Published: January 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the features of pulmonary histopathological changes in cases of trisomy 18 complicated with congenital heart disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Twenty‐eight patients with trisomy 18 underwent open lung biopsy at the time of primary operation in our hospital between 2008 and 2019. We compared these histopathological findings with those from previously described groups without trisomy 18. Mean age at primary cardiac surgery was 37 days (range, 9–69 days). According to the Heath‐Edwards (HE) classification, 1, 8, 12, and 5 patients were graded as 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively, whereas 2 patients were not classifiable due to medial defects in the small pulmonary arteries (MD). Four (14.3%) and 13 (46.4%) patients presented with MD and hypoplasia of the small pulmonary arteries (HS). Fifteen (53.6%) and 21 (75.0%) patients presented with alveolar hypoplasia (AH) and alveolar wall thickening (AT). MD, HS, and AH in trisomy 18 were present frequently, differing significantly from previous reports. These findings might be associated with congenital inadequate development of vessels and alveoli in the lung, contributing to a high risk of PAH in trisomy 18.
Five‐fold‐symmetric Pentabromo‐ and Pentaiodo‐corannulenes: Useful Precursors of Heteroatom‐substituted Corannulenes
Authors: Kise Koki , Ooi Shota , Osuka Atsuhiro , Tanaka Takayuki
Published: January 2021

Five‐fold‐symmetric pentabromo‐ and pentaiodo‐corannulenes were synthesized in sub‐gram scale in high yields under aerial conditions and were purified without any chromatographic separations. The obtained pentahalocorannulenes were fully characterized by NMR, MS, and X‐ray crystallography. The pentahalocorannulenes are useful precursors of five‐fold symmetric heteroatom‐substituted corannulenes that are difficult‐to‐address from known corannulene derivatives. As a representative example, pentaphosphinylated corannulene was prepared for the first time and was comprehensively characterized.
Observation of Carbonic Acid Formation from Interaction between Carbon Dioxide and Ice by Using In Situ Modulation Excitation IR Spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Xianwei , Bürgi Thomas
Published: January 2021

Carbonic acid, H2CO3, is of fundamental importance in nature both in living and non‐living systems. Providing direct spectroscopic evidence for carbonic acid formation is however a challenge. Here we provide clear evidence by in situ attenuated total reflection IR spectroscopy combined with modulation excitation spectroscopy and phase‐sensitive detection that CO2 adsorption on ice surfaces is accompanied by carbonic acid formation. We demonstrate that carbonic acid can be formed from CO2 on ice in the absence of high‐energy irradiation and without protonation by strong acids. The formation of carbonic acid is favored at low temperature, whereas at high temperature it rapidly dissociates to form bicarbonate (HCO3−) and carbonate (CO32−). The direct formation of carbonic acid from adsorption of CO2 on ice could play a role in the upper troposphere in cirrus clouds, where all the necessary ingredients to form carbonic acid, that is, low temperature, CO2 gas, and ice, are present.
A new series of benzoxazole‐based SIRT1 modulators for targeted therapy of non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Sever Belgin , Akalın Çiftçi Gülşen , Altıntop Mehlika Dilek
Published: January 2021

In an attempt to identify potential anticancer agents for non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) targeting sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), the synthesis of a new series of benzoxazoles (3a – i) was carried out through a facile and versatile synthetic route. The compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects on A549 human lung adenocarcinoma and NIH/3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells using the MTT assay. 2‐[(5‐Nitro‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)thio]‐N‐(2‐methylbenzoxazol‐5‐yl)acetamide (3e) and 2‐[(5‐chloro‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)thio]‐N‐(2‐methylbenzoxazol‐5‐yl)acetamide (3g) were the most potent and selective anticancer agents in this series against the A549 cell line, with IC50 values of 46.66 ± 11.54 and 55.00 ± 5.00 µM, respectively. The flow cytometry‐based apoptosis detection assay was performed to determine their effects on apoptosis in A549 cells. Both compounds induced apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. The effects of compounds 3e and 3g on SIRT1 activity were determined. On the basis of in vitro studies, it was observed that compound 3g caused a significant decrease in SIRT1 levels in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas compound 3e increased the SIRT1 levels. According to molecular docking studies, the substantial alteration in the type of action could be attributed to the difference between the interactions of compounds 3e and 3g with the same residues in the active site of SIRT1 (PDB code: 4IG9). On the basis of in silico ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) studies, these compounds are predicted to possess favorable ADME profiles. According to the in vitro and in silico studies, compounds 3e and 3g, small‐molecule SIRT1 modulators, were identified as potential orally bioavailable anticancer agents for the targeted therapy of NSCLC.
Construction of Diverse Dihydrodibenzofuranones by Migration/Intramolecular Arylation of Iodonium Ylides
Authors: Maezono Shizuka Mei Bautista , Khanal Hari Datta , Chaudhary Priyanka , Devkota Shreedhar , Lee Yong Rok
Published: January 2021

A novel and facile methodology for synthesizing diverse dihydrodibenzofuranones from easily accessible cyclic iodonium ylides is achieved. This protocol proceeds through the aryl migration of iodonium ylide followed by Pd‐catalyzed intramolecular arylation.
In vitro hepatic steatosis model based on gut–liver‐on‐a‐chip
Authors: Jeon Joong‐won , Lee Seung Hwan , Kim Donghyun , Sung Jong Hwan
Published: January 2021

Hepatic steatosis, also known as fatty liver disease, occurs due to abnormal lipid accumulation in the liver. It has been known that gut absorption also plays an important role in the mechanism underlying hepatic steatosis. Conventional in vitro cell culture models have limitations in recapitulating the mechanisms of hepatic steatosis because it does not include the gut absorption process. Previously, we reported development of a microfluidic gut–liver chip that can recapitulate the gut absorption of fatty acids and subsequent lipid accumulation in liver cells. In this study, we performed a series of experiments to verify that our gut–liver chip reproduces various aspects of hepatic steatosis. The absorption of fatty acids was evaluated under various culture conditions. The anti‐steatotic effect of turofexorate isopropyl (XL‐335) and metformin was tested, and both drugs showed different action mechanisms. In addition, the oxidative stress induced by lipid absorption was evaluated. Our results demonstrate the potential of the gut–liver chip for use as a novel, physiologically realistic in vitro model to study fatty liver disease.
An intelligent learning framework for Industry 4.0 through automated planning
Authors: Yoo John J. , Günay Elif E. , Park Kijung , Tahamtan Siavash , Okudan Kremer Gül E.
Published: January 2021

The fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, has already begun enabling technological innovations in various domains, especially in the manufacturing and service industry. The conditions of the disruptive new product‐service emergence and quickly changing work environments require cultivating a competitive workforce that is equipped with essential knowledge and skills in Industry 4.0. The work presented herein identifies key competencies required for engineers in Industry 4.0 from the extant literature and offers a mechanism to facilitate knowledge and skills acquisition. Specifically, an automated planning software tool, iCoursePlanner, is proposed to recommend an optimized pathway to attain the identified competencies through not only offline courses in a college but also Massive Open Online Courses. This tool is based on a mobile app system in a cloud environment integrated with an optimization model for automated planning. iCoursePlanner uses the initial knowledge and goal knowledge of a learner to suggest a customized course plan. Case studies are conducted for industrial and manufacturing engineering students at Iowa State University and Bradley University to demonstrate how it can be used to help a student to acquire key competencies for Industry 4.0. The originality of the proposed automated course planning tool is rooted in the personalized course plan for each student that considers individual educational background and goal knowledge.
The future of university education: Examination, transcript, and certificate system using blockchain
Authors: Deenmahomed Haïdar A. M. , Didier Micheal M. , Sungkur Roopesh K.
Published: January 2021

Blockchain is slowly but surely changing the world. Cryptocurrencies are having a profound effect on the economic landscape. With the advent of COVID‐19, the education sector, just like other sectors, need a complete reinvention or redesign to continue producing graduates that would be able to effectively contribute to an ever‐changing world. Very often, the administrative burden of managing the award of academic qualifications is ignored. With a globalised world and given the actual context of COVID‐19, education is no longer seen as being carried out within the four walls of the classroom. The future of University education lies within the ability to pool resources from different places and to encourage cross‐university collaboration. This can also be seen as the ability to assemble the different building blocks so that the learners are able to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge. This study focuses on the design and implementation of an examination, transcript and certificate system using blockchain. It is meant to provide a completely transparent and effective examination and awards system that can be used to replace the traditional one in place. What has also proposed in this study is a novel light blockchain system composed of a number of modules, which have been built from scratch. With its decentralised approach, the proposed system proved to be very much helpful. Other features, such as security, immutability, availability, and anonymity, of the system are also discussed and yielded highly encouraging results.
Recent Advances in Two‐Photon AIEgens and Their Application in Biological Systems
Authors: Dou Yandong , Zhu Qing , Du Kui
Published: January 2021

Two‐photon fluorescence imaging technology has the advantages of high light stability, little light damage, and high spatiotemporal resolution, which make it a powerful biological analysis method. However, due to the high concentration or aggregation state of traditional organic light‐emitting molecules, the fluorescence intensity is easily reduced or disappears completely, and is not conducive to optimal application. The concept of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) provides a solution to the problem of aggregation‐induced luminescence quenching (ACQ), and realizes the high fluorescence quantum yield of luminescent molecules in the aggregation state. In addition, two‐photon absorption properties can readily be improved just by increasing the loading content of AIE fluorogen (AIEgen). Therefore, the design and preparation of two‐photon fluorescence probes based on AIEgen to achieve high‐efficiency fluorescence imaging in vitro/in vivo has become a major research hotspot. This review aims to summarize representative two‐photon AIEgens based on triphenylamine, tetraphenylethene, quinoline, naphthalene and other new structures from the past five years, and discuss their great potential in bioimaging applications.
N3‐Kethoxal‐Based Bioorthogonal Intracellular RNA Labeling
Authors: Huang Jinguo , Zhao Ruiqi , Mo Jing , Wang Fang , Weng Xiaocheng , Zhou Xiang
Published: January 2021

There is growing interest in developing intracellular RNA tools. Herein, we describe a strategy for N3‐kethoxal (N3K)‐based bioorthogonal intracellular RNA functionalization. With N3K labeling followed by an in vivo click reaction with DBCO derivatives, RNA can be modified with fluorescent or phenol groups. This strategy provides a new way of labeling RNA inside cells.
Bayesian competing risk analysis: An application to nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients data
Authors: Saroj Rakesh Kumar , Murthy K. Narasimha , Kumar Mukesh , Bhattacharjee Atanu , Patel Kamalesh Kumar
Published: January 2021

Background

The Cox proportional hazard (CPH) model is normally used to study the death event data. The presence of competing risk (CR) is often encountered in health data, hence it becomes difficult to manage time to event data in clinical study. Bayesian approach is considered to manage the CR events in clinical data.

Objectives

The objective of study is to find the predictors associated with overall survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Further, our purpose is to use a Bayesian model that can analyze time to event data in the presence of CR.

Methods

Total 245 patients with NPC were taken (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/). The sociodemographic and clinical variables were considered for analysis purposes. R software and openBUGS were used to overcome the computational problems of CPH and Bayesian models. The Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method was used to compute the regression coefficients of Bayesian model.

Results

The study shows that among NPC patients, the covariates chemotherapy, smoking, N‐stage, and tumor site are associated with the higher risk for the deaths occurring in the cancer patients. The posterior mean estimates of proposed Bayesian model for significant factors have been obtained. The posterior mean and standard deviation estimates help to improve the survival of patients in the presence of CR.

Conclusions

It is very difficult to use the CR model with Bayesian approach in health research for nonstatistical researcher due to lack of information. This paper is dedicated to the application of Bayesian approach for CR analysis on NPC data.
Hybrid salp swarm–firefly algorithm‐based routing protocol in wireless multimedia sensor networks
Authors: Srinivasa Gowda Ambareesh , Annamalai Neela Madheswari
Published: January 2021

Nowadays, there occurs a great demand for effective transmission of video. It is necessary to design an efficient transmission approach to transmit a huge amount of data in wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs). But the routing based on wireless multimedia sensor networks is not much popular like other wireless sensor networks. Due to its peculiar features, it finds few troubles in directly applying the resolutions into the WMSNs. The work outlined in this paper is aimed at minimizing the delay and expected transmission count (ETX) cost of the QoS requirements. Moreover, this paper also proposes a hybrid salp swarm–firefly (HSSFF) approach which is the integration of two algorithms, namely, salp swarm and firefly optimization algorithms. The HSSFF approach employs in obtaining an optimal routing path with minimum end‐to‐end delay and less ETX value. Here, the fitness function for Simulink evaluation is twofold. We also presented the simulation results for two scenarios, and the comparative analysis is carried out to determine the best optimal routing path. Therefore, the simulation results describe that the HSSFF approach provides better performance on various nine test functions.
DeepSense—Deep neural network framework to improve the network lifetime of IoT‐MANETs
Authors: Chandrasekaran Suresh , Kannan Srihari , Subburathinam Karthik
Published: January 2021

With the advancement of Internet of Things (IoT), the devices are allowed to interact with other networks like mobile ad hoc network (MANET). The MANET‐IoT systems often undergo energy balancing problem between the sensor nodes, whereas the MANETs operate on mobile sensor nodes. Hence, proper utilization of battery power is required to maintain the network connectivity during a multi‐hop transmission. In this paper, we propose a DeepSense IoT‐MANET framework that effectively routes the packets from the IoT nodes via mobile sensor nodes in MANETs. The routings between the MANETs are organized by DeepSense interconnected with deep neural network (DNN) learning methods. The performance of the DeepSense DNN method is evaluated against various network metrics to evaluate the efficacy of the model.
RF energy modelling using machine learning for energy harvesting communications systems
Authors: Ye Youjie , Azmat Freeha , Adenopo Idris , Chen Yunfei , Shi Rui
Published: January 2021

Machine learning (ML) theories and methods are mainly based on probability theory and statistics. It is a very powerful tool for data modelling. On the other hand, energy harvesting has been regarded as a viable solution to extending battery lifetime of wireless sensor network. Motivated by these, modelling of the radio frequency (RF) energy available to the wireless nodes is required for efficient operation of wireless networks. In this work, we will use different ML algorithms to model the RF energy data for efficient operation of energy harvesting communication systems. Four ML algorithms are studied and compared in terms of the accuracy for RF energy modelling using the energy data in the band between 1805 and 1880 MHz. The results show that linear regression (LR) has the highest accuracy and the most stable performance, while decision tree is the worst model. Also, in terms of the operation efficiency of the system, LR has the best performance, followed by support vector machine and random forest algorithm.
Geographic routing with hybrid firefly algorithm and galactic swarm optimization for efficient ‘void’ handling in mobile ad hoc networks
Authors: Kaliyamurthi Bagirathan , Palanisamy Anandhakumar
Published: January 2021

Geographic routing in mobile ad hoc network (MANET) has gained much attention even though it fails to find a route when a node meets a void zone (hole). Therefore, an efficient approach is required to avoid the void issues and to effectively transfer the data packets if a path is available between the source and destination nodes. For such, a hybrid evolutionary algorithm is introduced with geographical routing protocol (GRP) for avoiding the void, which selects the shortest route for routing from the source to the destination by combining firefly (FF) algorithm and galactic swarm optimization (HFFGSO). This proposed algorithm exploits the strengths of both the FF algorithm and galactic swarm mechanisms. In this paper, the cross‐layer design approach is implemented, which contains data link and network layer. The proposed hybrid FFGSO‐GRP algorithm improves the routing process within these layers. The implementation process for this proposed technique is carried out in NS2 simulator. From the simulation results, it is observed that our hybrid protocol when compared with the existing approaches proves its significance in terms of packet delivery ratio (PDR), delay, throughput, energy efficiency, power consumption, routing overhead and hop count.