bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Case Report on Mucormycosis in Non-Diabetic, Non-Covid Recovered Patient with no History of Steroid use
Authors: Panduranga Gautam , Kumar Bavu Akhil , Krishna Mandhala Sai , Aakunuri Akhil , Godishala Nikitha
Published: August 2021

Rhino cerebral orbital mucormycosis is an aggressively spreading fungal infection caused by filamentous fungi of the Mucoraceae family and is found to be more prone in patients with comorbidities that include: uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, immune-suppressed patients, iron and aluminum overload, chronic steroid therapy, severe trauma, and protein-energy malnutrition.

A 51year old male patient was admitted to the hospital with a complaint of headache and intermittent fever. The patient had no history of diabetes or denovo hypertension. Based on the analysis of histopathological and radiological investigations, the patient was diagnosed with mucormycosis. The patient furthermore underwent an endoscopic surgical debridement followed by standard treatment including antifungal antibiotic(amphotericin-B) and azole antifungals (posaconazole) along with symptomatic treatment. Though the patient was given all possible therapy available, no improvement was seen in the patient's condition (poor prognosis).
Decentralized adaptive terminal sliding mode control design for nonlinear connected system in the presence of external disturbance
Authors: Ranjbar Babak , Ranjbar Noiey Abolfazl , Rezaie Behrooz
Published: August 2021

In this article, a decentralized adaptive integral terminal sliding mode control is presented for a class of nonlinear connected systems. It is assumed that the system is also confronted by unknown disturbances, while the interconnections between subsystems are assumed unknown. An integral terminal sliding surface for each subsystem is locally considered to guarantee the stability of the closed‐loop system, and to increase the convergence speed during a tracking task. The unknown interconnections between subsystems are estimated using adaptive rules. An appropriate Lyapunov candidate is chosen to perform global stability analysis. In this regard, design parameters are chosen such that the closed‐loop stability is ensured. Performance of the proposed method for a mechanical connected system, including two chaotic subsystems, is shown through simulations.
Unraveling Three‐Stage Discharging Behaviors of Bio‐Inspired Organic Cathode Materials
Authors: Jung Ku Hyun , Lim Sohee , Choi Siku , Kim Ki Chul
Published: August 2021

Despite the creativity in designing materials based on bio‐inspired organic compounds and their potential structural diversity, the incorporation of such materials into cathodes has attracted scarce attention, principally due to intrinsically weak redox activities. Herein, a large number of DNA/RNA‐inspired derivatives are systematically designed, and their electrochemical redox properties are explored with the aim of understanding structure–potential–performance relationship. Four striking conclusions can be drawn from this study. First, charging energy describing the 1st reduction step is a decisive parameter for the open‐circuited adiabatic redox potentials of the compounds in the fully charged states, indicating that reorganization energy in the 2nd reduction step has a negligible impact. Second, both the charging and reorganization energies contribute cooperatively to the discharging potentials. Third, the compounds become cathodically inactive at the end of the discharging process owing to a sudden increase in solvation energy; thus, the compounds exhibit “three‐stage discharging behavior”. Fourth, the charge/energy‐storage capability shows a critical dependence on Li binding mechanism, which is in turn correlated with the afore‐mentioned core factors, leading to exceptional performance for a guanine derivative (1190 and 1586 mWh g−1). These findings will aid in advancing the development of bio‐inspired cathode materials for high‐performance Li‐ion batteries.
A Memristor‐Based Silicon Carbide for Artificial Nociceptor and Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Liu Lu'an , Zhao Jianhui , Cao Gang , Zheng Shukai , Yan Xiaobing
Published: August 2021

With the advancement of artificial intelligence technology, more and more biological functions need to be imitated to complete more complex tasks and adapt to a complex external work environment. Memristors, as an excellent candidate for neuromorphic artificial electronic devices with many biological functions, have inspired the interest of researchers because of the advantages of scalability, good retention, and high operating speed. In this work, wide band gap semiconductor materials silicon carbide (SiC) films are prepared as a memristor medium. By adjusting the current compliance, both threshold character and bipolar resistive switching phenomenon are realized in one device with both lower powers for set operation. For the threshold characteristic, this device has mimicked the “threshold,” “inadaptation,” and “relaxation” features of a nociceptor, which will protect the artificial intelligence system to have stronger adaptability to the external environment. For the bipolar resistive switching characteristics, this device demonstrates good stability and retention time, with a switching speed of 18 ns. These bipolar resistance switching characteristics have simulated many synaptic functions. Pulses with hundreds of nanosecond time scale widths are conducive to fast learning and calculation. This device‐based third‐generation SiC semiconductor material will find a broad application in neuromorphic chip systems.
Proteome‐Wide Profiling of Readers for DNA Modification
Authors: Bai Lin , Yang Guojian , Qin Zhaoyu , Lyu Jiacheng , Wang Yunzhi , Feng Jinwen , Liu Mingwei , Gong Tongqing , Li Xianju , Li Zhengyang , Li Jixi , Qin Jun , Yang Wenjun , Ding Chen
Published: August 2021

DNA modifications, represented by 5‐methylcytosine (5mC), 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5‐formylcytosine (5fC), and 5‐carboxylcytosine (5caC), play important roles in epigenetic regulation of biological processes. The specific recognition of DNA modifications by the transcriptional protein machinery is thought to be a potential mechanism for epigenetic‐driven gene regulation, and many modified DNA‐specific binding proteins have been uncovered. However, the panoramic view of the roles of DNA modification readers at the proteome level remains largely unclear. Here, a recently developed concatenated tandem array of consensus transcription factor (TF) response elements (catTFREs) approach is employed to profile the binding activity of TFs at DNA modifications. Modified DNA‐binding activity is quantified for 1039 TFs, representing 70% of the TFs in the human genome. Additionally, the modified DNA‐binding activity of 600 TFs is monitored during the mouse brain development from the embryo to the adult stages. Readers of these DNA modifications are predicted, and the hierarchical networks between the transcriptional protein machinery and modified DNA are described. It is further demonstrated that ZNF24 and ZSCAN21 are potential readers of 5fC‐modified DNA. This study provides a landscape of TF–DNA modification interactions that can be used to elucidate the epigenetic‐related transcriptional regulation mechanisms under physiological conditions.
Fixes that Fail: A system archetype for examining racialized structures within the food system
Authors: Benninger Elizabeth , Donley Gwendolyn , Schmidt‐Sane Megan , Clark Jill K. , Lounsbury David W. , Rose Dominque , Freedman Darcy
Published: August 2021

Access to fresh and healthy food within a neighborhood has been identified as a social mechanism contributing to community health. Grounded in the understanding that challenges related to equity within a food system are both structural and systemic, our research demonstrates how systems thinking can further understandings of food system complexity. Within systems thinking, we provide an illustration of how system archetypes offer an analytic tool for examining complex community issues. We map semi‐structured interview data from community stakeholders (N = 22) to the “Fixes that Fail” system archetype to illuminate systemic challenges, such as incarceration and poverty, that structure food system inequity in urban communities. Within our research, the “Fixes that Fail” archetype provided a narrative interpretive tool for unveiling complexity within the food system and interdependencies with racialized systems such as criminal justice and labor markets. This system archetype provided an accessible approach for generating narratives about systemic complexity, the production of inequity through racialized forces, and opportunities for transformation.
A Pilot Evaluation of a Social Justice and Race Equity Training for Volunteer Mentors
Authors: Anderson Amy J. , Sánchez Bernadette
Published: August 2021

Mentor training on cultural humility is an area of needed support in formal youth mentoring relationships. This pilot study used an experimental design to examine the role of a social justice and race equity training on volunteer mentors’ cognitive and affective outcomes related to cultural humility in mentoring. The sample included 99 volunteer mentors paired with adolescent mentees in an established formal mentoring program. Mentors predominantly identified as White (89%), and the majority (72%) were paired with youth of color. Participants were randomly assigned to either the training or control condition. Findings from intention‐to‐treat analyses indicated that training group participants (n = 49) exhibited greater increases in self‐efficacy to provide racial/ethnic support over time than participants in the control group (n = 50). As‐treated analyses indicated that training attendees (n = 23) exhibited greater increases in self‐efficacy to provide racial/ethnic support over time than participants who did not attend the training (n = 76). Results indicated no significant changes over time in participants’ training content knowledge, awareness of racial privilege, ethnocultural empathy, or social justice interest and behavioral intentions. Analyses also indicated an attendance bias within the training condition, such that mentors who attended the training reported significantly more awareness of racial privilege, social justice interest, and social justice behavioral intentions compared to training condition mentors who were invited but did not attend the training. Implications for training volunteer mentors within formal mentoring programs are discussed.
Early post‐treatment blood oxygenation level‐dependent responses to emotion processing associated with clinical response to pharmacological treatment in major depressive disorder
Authors: Williams Rebecca J. , Brown Elliot C. , Clark Darren L. , Pike G. Bruce , Ramasubbu Rajamannar
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Pre‐treatment blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been used for the early identification of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who later respond or fail to respond to medication. However, BOLD responses early after treatment initiation may offer insight into early neural changes associated with later clinical response. The present study evaluated both pre‐treatment and early post‐treatment fMRI responses to an emotion processing task, to further our understanding of neural changes associated with a successful response to pharmacological intervention.

Methods

MDD patients who responded (n = 22) and failed to respond (n = 12) after 8 weeks of treatment with either citalopram or quetiapine extended release, and healthy controls (n = 18) underwent two fMRI scans, baseline (pre‐treatment), and early post‐treatment (one week after treatment commencement). Participants completed an emotional face matching task at both scans.

Results

Using threshold‐free cluster enhancement (TFCE) and non‐parametric permutation testing, fMRI activation maps showed that after one week of treatment, responders demonstrated increased activation in the left parietal lobule, precentral gyrus, and bilateral insula (all P < 0.05 threshold‐free cluster enhancement (TFCE) family‐wise error‐corrected) to negative facial expressions. Non‐responders showed some small increases in the precentral gyrus, while controls showed no differences between scans. Compared to non‐responders, responders showed some increased activation in the superior parietal lobule and middle temporal gyrus at the post‐treatment scan. There were no group differences between responders, non‐responders, and controls at baseline.

Conclusions

One week after treatment commencement, BOLD signal changes in the parietal lobules, insula, and middle temporal gyrus were related to clinical response to pharmacological treatment.
Modified Renshen Yangrong decoction enhances angiogenesis in ischemic stroke through promotion of MicroRNA‐210 expression by regulating the HIF/VEGF/Notch signaling pathway
Authors: Liang Ce , Zhang Teng , Shi Xu‐Liang , Jia Lin , Wang Ya‐Li , Yan Cui‐Huan
Published: August 2021

Objective

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of modified Ginseng Yangrong decoction (GSYRD) promoting angiogenesis after ischemic stroke.

Methods

In an in vivo study, rats that survived surgery were allocated into four groups: the control group and model group were treated with normal saline, the GSYRD group was treated with 18.9 mg/kg of GSYRD daily, and the positive control group was treated with Tongxinluo (TXL) (1 g/kg/d). At the end of the seven‐day treatment, the area of cerebral infarction, the expression changes of miRNA‐210 and ephrin A3 were determined. In an in vitro study, HUVECs were divided into a normal control serum group (NC group), normal control serum OGD group (Oxygen Glucose Deprivation group) (OGD group), OGD + drug‐containing serum group (OGD+GSYRD group), and OGD + drug‐containing serum + ES group (Endostatin group) (OGD+GSYRD+ES group). The cells in all groups except the NC group were cultured in a sugar‐free DMEM medium under hypoxia for 48 h. Cell proliferation, angiogenic structure formation ability, the expression changes of miRNA‐210, ephrin A3, and the HIF/VEGF/Notch signaling pathway‐related molecules were determined.

Results

In vivo, GSYRD significantly reduced infarct size (p < .01), the expression of miRNA‐210 and ephrin A3 were decreased in the GSYRD group (p < .05). In vitro, the cell proliferation and tube formation ability were significantly increased in the GSYRD group (p < .05), and the expression of miRNA‐210 and ephrin A3 was decreased (p < .05). In addition, in the GSYRD group, the expression of the HIF/VEGF/Notch signaling pathway‐related molecules was significantly increased (p < .01 or p < .05).

Conclusion

GSYRD promotes cerebral protection following angiogenesis and ischemic brain injury. The specific mechanism was activating the HIF/VEGF/Notch signaling pathway via miRNA‐210.
Clinical manifestation of acute cerebral infarcts in multiple arterial territories
Authors: Novotny Vojtech , Aarli Sander Johan , Netland Khanevski Andrej , Bjerkreim Anna Therese , Elnan Kvistad Christopher , Fromm Annette , Waje‐Andreassen Ulrike , Naess Halvor , Thomassen Lars , Logallo Nicola
Published: August 2021

Objectives

We aimed to assess frequencies and radiological aspects of single‐ and multiterritory clinical manifestation among patients with acute cerebral infarcts in multiple arterial territories (MACI).

Materials & methods

We retrospectively reviewed admission records and diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging of patients with MACI admitted to our stroke unit between 2006 and 2017. MACI was defined as acute cerebral ischemic lesions in at least two out of three arterial cerebral territories, that is, the left anterior, right anterior and the bilateral posterior territory. Patients with single‐ and multiterritory clinical manifestation were then compared for topographical distribution of the ischemic lesions, the number of ischemic lesions, and The Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project classification.

Results

Out of 311 patients with MACI, 222 (71.4%) presented with single‐territory clinical manifestation. Involvement of the left hemisphere (OR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.16–0.82), less than five ischemic lesions (OR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.35–0.97), and partial anterior circulation infarct clinical stroke syndrome (OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.34–0.97) were associated with single‐territory clinical manifestation. Involvement of all three territories (OR = 2.58, 95% = 1.48–4.50), more than 10 ischemic lesions (OR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.32–4.01) and total anterior circulation infarct clinical stroke syndrome (OR = 3.31, 95% CI 1.39–7.86) were associated with multiterritory clinical manifestation.

Conclusion

Most patients with MACI present with single‐territory clinical manifestation on admission. Diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging is therefore necessary for a definite diagnosis.
Hierarchical TiN‐Supported TsFDH Nanobiocatalyst for CO2 Reduction to Formate
Authors: Arena Federica , Giuffredi Giorgio , Perego Andrea , Donini Stefano , Guzmán Hilmar , Hernández Simelys , Stancanelli Eduardo , Cosentino Cesare , Parisini Emilio , Di Fonzo Fabio
Published: August 2021

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 to value‐added products like formate represents a promising technology for the valorization of carbon dioxide. We propose a proof‐of‐concept bioelectrochemical system (BES) for the reduction of CO2 to formate. For the first time, our device employs a nanostructured titanium nitride (TiN) support for the immobilization of a formate dehydrogenase (FDH) enzyme. The hierarchical TiN nanostructured support exhibits high surface area and wide pore size distribution, achieving high catalytic loading, and is characterized by higher conductivity than other oxide‐based supports employed for FDHs immobilization. We select the oxygen‐tolerant FDH from Thiobacillus sp. KNK65MA (TsFDH) as enzymatic catalyst, which selectively reduces CO2 to formate. We identify an optimal TiN morphology for the enzyme immobilisation through enzymatic assay, reaching a catalyst loading of 59 μg cm−2 of specifically‐adsorbed TsFDH and achieving a complete saturation of the anchoring sites available on the surface. We evaluate the electrochemical CO2 reduction performance of the TiN/TsFDH system, achieving a remarkable HCOO− Faradaic efficiency up to 76 %, a maximum formate yield of 44.1 μmol mg−1FDH h−1 and high stability. Our results show the technological feasibility of BES devices employing novel, nanostructured TiN‐based supports, representing an important step in the optimization of these devices.
Osmaindenes: Synthesis and Reversible Mechanochromism Characteristics
Authors: Zhang Ming‐Xing , Yang Xiaofei , Zhang Kunming , Yin Jun , Liu Sheng Hua
Published: August 2021

A series of novel osmaindenes 1–6 bearing different substituents (CF3, H, I, Br, OCH3, N(Ph)2) has been synthesized by nucleophilic reaction of water with the corresponding aromatic osmanaphthalyne complexes. All osmaindenes 1–6 have been characterized by elemental analysis (EA) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, although the low solubilities of 3 and 4 precluded the accumulation of their 13C NMR spectra. Osmaindenes 2, 3 and 5 have also been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Subsequently, through solid‐state fluorescence spectroscopy, mechanochromic studies, and powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, we found that osmaindenes 1–6 fluoresce at wavelengths in the range 500–800 nm, while also displaying reversible mechanochromic properties. The solid‐state fluorescence emission of 1 after grinding extends into the near‐infrared region. This research provides new insight into the design and synthesis of metallic materials with excellent mechanochromic properties.
Single axonal morphology reveals high heterogeneity in spinocerebellar axons originating from the lumbar spinal cord in the mouse
Authors: Zhang Yongquan , Luo Yuanjun , Sasamura Kazuma , Sugihara Izumi
Published: August 2021

Among the spinocerebellar projections vital for sensorimotor coordination of limbs and the trunk, the morphology of spinocerebellar axons originating from the lumbar cord has not been well characterized compared to those from thoracic and sacral cords. We reconstructed 26 single spinocerebellar axons labeled by biotinylated dextran injections into the gray matter of the lumbar spinal cord in mice. Axon terminals were mapped with the zebrin pattern of the cerebellar cortex. Reconstructed axons were primarily classified into ipsilaterally and contralaterally ascending axons, arising mainly from the dorsal and ventral horns, respectively. The majority of ipsilateral and contralateral axons took the dorsal‐medullary and ventral‐pontine pathways, respectively. The axons of both groups terminated mainly in the vermal and medial paravermal areas of lobules II–V and VIII–IXa, often bilaterally but predominantly ipsilateral to the axonal origin, with a weak preference to particular portions of zebrin stripes. The ipsilateral axons originating from the medial dorsal horn in the upper lumbar cord (n = 3) had abundant (43–147) mossy fiber terminals and no medullary collaterals. The ipsilateral axons originating from the lateral dorsal horn in the lower lumbar cord (n = 9) and the contralateral axons (n = 14) showed remarkable morphology variations. The number of their mossy fiber terminals varied from 2 to 172. Their collaterals, observed in 17 axons out of 23, terminated mainly in the medial cerebellar nucleus, nucleus X, and lateral reticular nucleus in various degrees. The results indicated that the lumbar spinocerebellar projection contains highly heterogeneous axonal populations regarding their pathway, branching, and termination patterns.
Proteomic analysis to identify markers for response to neoadjuvant treatment in esophageal and gastroesophageal cancer
Authors: Zlotnik Oran , Goshen‐Lago Tal , Haddad Riad , Brenner Baruch , Kundel Yulia , Ben‐Aharon Irit , Kashtan Hanoch
Published: August 2021

Background

Esophageal cancer represents a global challenge. Despite significant evolution of treatment protocols in the past decade, recurrence rates are still high and survival rates are poor. Current treatment paradigm for localized gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) carcinoma remains to be further elucidated as for the role of neoadjuvant chemoradiation versus perioperative chemotherapy.

Aim

To identify biomarkers for response to chemoradiation in esophageal and gastroesophageal cancer, we performed an in‐depth proteomic analysis of esophageal and gastroesophageal tumors, to describe differences in pathway activation between patients with favorable and poor prognosis following neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

Methods

Patients with locally advanced esophageal and gastroesophageal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiation were included in the cohort. The study cohort was dichotomized into two groups of patients, named “favorable prognosis” and “poor prognosis” according to the postoperative disease‐free interval. We performed a mass spectrometry analysis of proteins extracted from the malignant regions of surgical specimens and analyzed data from electronic medical records. Clinical data was correlated with differences in protein expression between patient with a favorable and poor prognosis using validated gene expression pathways.

Results

The study included 35 patients with adenocarcinoma. All patients in this cohort had esophageal adenocarcinoma. Patients median age was 62 years. Twenty‐five (71.3%) patients underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation, and 28.7% underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy only. A proteomic analysis of our cohort identified 2885 proteins. Enrichment levels of 98 of these proteins differed significantly between favorable and poor prognosis cohorts in patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation (p < .05) but not in patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The favorable prognosis patients group analysis exhibited differential enrichment of 87 proteins related to cellular respiration and oxidative phosphorylation pathways as well as proteins of the RAS oncogene family.

Conclusion

In this study we identified differential enrichment of pathways related to oxidative phosphorylation and RAS oncogene pathway in esophageal cancer patients with a favorable response to chemoradiation. Following further validation, our findings may portray potential surrogate signature of biomarkers based upon these pathways.
Management of intrathoracic phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor by nonintubated uniportal video‐assisted thoracic surgery in a fragile patient
Authors: Ferrari Michele , Palleschi Alessandro , Bartoli Francesca , Polli Federico , Armiraglio Elisabetta , Parafioriti Antonina , Croci Giorgio A. , Tosi Davide
Published: August 2021

Background

Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors are rare neoplasms, frequently presenting with osteomalacia. These neoplasms usually grow at a slow rate and are associated with unspecific symptoms.

Case

In this study, we present the case of a 70‐year‐old woman who had been suffering from musculoskeletal pain, hypophosphatemia, and spontaneous fractures. Positron emission tomography with Gallium showed increase uptake in a subpleural lesion.

Conclusion

The patient underwent surgical excision of the subpleural lesion with a non‐intubated uniportal video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery approach.
Meta‐analysis of Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Results of 3 Phase 1 Studies with Biosimilar Pegfilgrastim
Authors: Gattu Sreekanth , Wang Jessie , Bellon Anne , Schelcher Celine , Nakov Roumen , Arani Ramin
Published: August 2021

A meta‐analysis using data from 3 phase 1 studies evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of Sandoz biosimilar versus US‐ and EU‐reference pegfilgrastim. The studies included a single‐dose, double‐blind, 3‐arm, parallel‐group study (study 1); a single‐dose, double‐blind, 2‐way crossover study (study 2); and a single‐dose, double‐blind, 3‐way, 6‐sequence crossover study (study 3). Healthy male and female subjects were randomized to receive the proposed biosimilar (all studies), US‐reference biologic (studies 1 and 3), or EU‐reference biologic (studies 1, 2, and 3). For PK parameters (area under the serum concentration–time curve from time of dosing and extrapolated to infinity, area under the serum concentration–time curve from the time of dosing to the last measurable concentration, and maximum observed serum concentration) and PD parameters (absolute neutrophil count area under the effect curve from the time of dosing to the last measurable concentration and maximum measured absolute neutrophil count) geometric mean ratios and 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for treatment comparisons were calculated using the meta‐analysis approach with a fixed‐effects model. PK/PD biosimilarity was concluded if the 90%CIs were within the equivalence margins of 0.80 to 1.25. The 90%CIs for the geometric mean ratios for the PK/PD parameters were all within the equivalence margins. Safety and tolerability were similar between the proposed biosimilar and the US‐ and EU‐reference pegfilgrastim in healthy subjects. This meta‐analysis of 3 phase 1 studies supports PK/PD similarity of Sandoz biosimilar pegfilgrastim to US‐ and EU‐reference pegfilgrastim. No clinically meaningful differences in safety or tolerability were observed.
An extensive survey on fractal structures using iterated function system in patch antennas
Authors: Ezhumalai Aravindraj , Ganesan Nagarajan , Balasubramaniyan Sathishkumar
Published: August 2021

Over the last few years, fractal structure has been used in several engineering fields such as surface physics, telecommunication, fluid mechanics, and so forth. In telecommunication, often there is a demand for miniaturized patch antennas with fractal structures because it is capable of handling very high frequencies with its diminutive structure. The space filling capability of the fractal structures is used to effectively distribute the surface current all over the radiating material. Fractal structures have a better size reduction capability which aids a miniaturized antenna design. This article provides a generalized and detailed survey on fractal structures in a Euclidean space using iterated function system (IFS) in patch antennas. There are various techniques to design a fractal structure, namely, IFSs, escape‐time fractals, strange attractors, L‐systems, random fractals, and so forth. IFSs are widely used technique to construct a finite set of construction mapping on a complete metric space. The fractal geometries designed using the technique are Sierpinski carpet and gasket, Koch snowflake, deterministic tree/binary tree, Gosper island, Minkowski island, Cantor set, T‐square, and some space filling fractals. This paper deals with the above given fractal structures with their design expressions and shapes in recent developments and applications mentioned. The fractal geometries are used in MIMO antennas to abridge the mutually coupled radiators and improve the gain and efficiency of the antenna. This paper also analyzes the effects of fractal structures on MIMO antennas and discusses the ascendancy fractal structures by cross‐referencing the significant antenna parameters.
Adapting event‐related potential research paradigms for children: Considerations from research on the development of recognition memory
Authors: Rollins Leslie , Riggins Tracy
Published: August 2021

Most developmental event‐related potential (ERP) research uses experimental paradigms modified from research with adults. One major challenge is identifying how to adapt these paradigms effectively for use with younger individuals. This paper provides guidance for developmental adaptations by considering research on the development of recognition memory. We provide a brief overview of recognition memory tasks and ERP components associated with recognition memory in children and adults. Then, we provide some general recommendations, discuss common differences between ERP studies of recognition memory in adults and children (e.g., the type of stimuli presented, response modalities), and provide suggestions for assessing the effect of task modifications on ERP components of interest. Specifically, we recommend (a) testing both children and adults on the modified paradigm to allow for a continuity of findings across development, (b) comparing children of different ages on the modified paradigm based on expectations regarding when developmental change occurs for the cognitive process of interest, and (c) empirically assessing the effect of methodological differences between paradigms. To illustrate the latter, we analyzed data from our lab comparing memory‐related ERP components when children experienced a 1‐day, 2‐day, or 1‐week delay between encoding and retrieval.
Reliability of reward‐ and error‐related brain activity in early childhood
Authors: Szenczy Aline K. , Levinson Amanda R. , Hajcak Greg , Bernard Kristin , Nelson Brady D.
Published: August 2021

Event‐related potential (ERP) measures of reward‐ and error‐related brain activity have emerged as potential biomarkers of risk for the development of psychopathology. However, the psychometric properties of reward‐ and error‐related brain activity have been primarily investigated in adolescents and adults. It is critical to also establish the reliability of ERPs in younger children, particularly if they are used as individual difference measures of risk during key developmental periods. The present study examined the reliability of the reward positivity (RewP) and error‐related negativity (ERN) among 80 children (Mage = 6.9 years old; 50% female). Participants completed the doors, flanker, and go/no‐go tasks twice, separated by approximately 8 months, while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. Results indicated that the RewP demonstrated strong internal consistency and test–retest reliability. The ERN also demonstrated strong internal consistency, but test–retest reliability was only significant for the ERN measured during the flanker task and not the go/no‐go task. These results are largely consistent with reported psychometric properties of reward‐ and error related ERPs in adolescents and adults, suggesting that the ERN and RewP may be appropriate biomarkers of individual differences in populations ranging from early childhood to adulthood.
Patterns of depredation in the Hawai‘i deep‐set longline fishery informed by fishery and false killer whale behavior
Authors: Fader Joseph E. , Baird Robin W. , Bradford Amanda L. , Dunn Daniel C. , Forney Karin A. , Read Andrew J.
Published: August 2021

False killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) depredate bait and catch in the Hawai‘i‐based deep‐set longline fishery, and as a result, this species is hooked or entangled more than any other cetacean in this fishery. We analyzed data collected by fisheries observers and from satellite‐linked transmitters deployed on false killer whales to identify patterns of odontocete depredation that could help fishermen avoid overlap with whales. Odontocete depredation was observed on ˜6% of deep‐set hauls across the fleet from 2004 to 2018. Model outcomes from binomial GAMMs suggested coarse patterns, for example, higher rates of depredation in winter, at lower latitudes, and with higher fishing effort. However, explanatory power was low, and no covariates were identified that could be used in a predictive context. The best indicator of depredation was the occurrence of depredation on a previous set of the same vessel. We identified spatiotemporal scales of this repeat depredation to provide guidance to fishermen on how far to move or how long to wait to reduce the probability of repeated interactions. The risk of depredation decreased with both space and time from a previous occurrence, with the greatest benefits achieved by moving ˜400 km or waiting ˜9 d, which reduced the occurrence of depredation from 18% to 9% (a 50% reduction). Fishermen moved a median 46 km and waited 4.7 h following an observed depredation interaction, which our analysis suggests is unlikely to lead to large reductions in risk. Satellite‐tagged pelagic false killer whales moved up to 75 km in 4 h and 335 km in 24 h, suggesting that they can likely keep pace with longline vessels for at least four hours and likely longer. We recommend fishermen avoid areas of known depredation or bycatch by moving as far and as quickly as practical, especially within a day or two of the depredation or bycatch event. We also encourage captains to communicate depredation and bycatch occurrence to enable other vessels to similarly avoid high‐risk areas.
Growth and flowering responses of eelgrass to simulated grazing and fecal addition by Brant Geese
Authors: Shaughnessy Frank J. , Ferson Susannah L. , Frimodig Adam J. , Barton Daniel C. , Hurst Mathew , Black Jeffrey M.
Published: August 2021

Seagrasses provide a wide range of ecosystem services and are prioritized in conservation planning. Management of this dynamic community requires describing seagrass responses to repeated grazing by dependent herbivores. Using two experimental randomized block designs in Humboldt Bay, California, we tested responses of eelgrass (Zostera marina) to separate and combined effects of simulated Brant Goose (Branta bernicla) grazing (clipping to a uniform height) and fecal pellet addition, and then to medium (MED) and severe (SEV) intensities of simulated Brant flock visitation. In Experiment 1, clipping with fecal addition (FC) stimulated more clonal addition of shoots than controls or clipping and fecal addition alone (standardized β = 0.26 relative to control). The FC treatment also had the largest positive, delayed effect (β = 0.135) on density of flowering shoots. In Experiment 2, the MED intensity treatment had positive effects on shoot density (β = 0.149), rates of leaf extension (β = 0.16), and leaf productivity (β = 0.20). These MED treatment responses resulted in the highest measures of above‐ground (β = 0.099) and below‐ground (β = 0.32) biomass. Whole shoot (βMED = 0.33, βSEV = −0.36) and landscape (βMED = 0.34, βSEV = −0.23) levels of productivity for the MED treatment reflected the parabolic shape predicted by the compensatory regrowth hypothesis, likely because light and nutrient resources were available to the eelgrass and meristems that were not damaged. Meristem injury in the SEV treatment likely explained why productivity was low, but the high SEV resource levels allowed these plants to recover to control levels in approximately eight to 10 weeks after the last treatment applications. The MED level of shoot and landscape productivity would optimize low intertidal accessibility for Brant to the most nutritiously valuable leaves. Brant grazing and detrital pathways of carbon flow are likely linked with Brant‐induced productivity contributing to the detrital pathway when Brant are present and after the birds leave the estuary. The effect of Brant grazing on eelgrass sexual reproduction may increase long‐term resilience of estuarine ecosystems.
Maturation signatures of conventional dendritic cell subtypes in COVID‐19 suggest direct viral sensing
Authors: Marongiu Laura , Protti Giulia , Facchini Fabio A. , Valache Mihai , Mingozzi Francesca , Ranzani Valeria , Putignano Anna Rita , Salviati Lorenzo , Bevilacqua Valeria , Curti Serena , Crosti Mariacristina , Sarnicola Maria Lucia , D'Angiò Mariella , Bettini Laura Rachele , Biondi Andrea , Nespoli Luca , Tamini Nicolò , Clementi Nicola , Mancini Nicasio , Abrignani Sergio , Spreafico Roberto , Granucci Francesca
Published: August 2021

Growing evidence suggests that conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) undergo aberrant maturation in COVID‐19, which negatively affects T‐cell activation. The presence of effector T cells in patients with mild disease and dysfunctional T cells in severely ill patients suggests that adequate T‐cell responses limit disease severity. Understanding how cDCs cope with SARS‐CoV‐2 can help elucidate how protective immune responses are generated. Here, we report that cDC2 subtypes exhibit similar infection‐induced gene signatures, with the upregulation of IFN‐stimulated genes and IL‐6 signaling pathways. Furthermore, comparison of cDCs between patients with severe and mild disease showed severely ill patients to exhibit profound downregulation of genes encoding molecules involved in antigen presentation, such as MHCII, TAP, and costimulatory proteins, whereas we observed the opposite for proinflammatory molecules, such as complement and coagulation factors. Thus, as disease severity increases, cDC2s exhibit enhanced inflammatory properties and lose antigen presentation capacity. Moreover, DC3s showed upregulation of anti‐apoptotic genes and accumulated during infection. Direct exposure of cDC2s to the virus in vitro recapitulated the activation profile observed in vivo. Our findings suggest that SARS‐CoV‐2 interacts directly with cDC2s and implements an efficient immune escape mechanism that correlates with disease severity by downregulating crucial molecules required for T‐cell activation.
Determinants of knowledge about aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination in sorghum and postharvest practices among caregivers of children aged 6–59 months in Kerio Valley, Kenya
Authors: Lesuuda Lmeriai , Obonyo Meshack Amos , Cheserek Maureen Jepkorir
Published: August 2021

Stunting among children under five years old is still a problem in many developing countries including Kenya. However, there is little information linking stunting with mycotoxin contamination of complementary foods. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge about aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination in sorghum alongside postharvest handling and storage practices among caregivers of children under five years old in Kerio Valley, Kenya. A cross‐sectional study was conducted to obtain data from 353 randomly selected caregivers of children aged 6–59 months. Qualitative data were obtained through Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews. Overall, majority of the caregivers of young children had poor knowledge (61.8%) about mycotoxin contamination of food, and poor postharvest handling and storage practices (74.5%). The caregiver's knowledge about mycotoxins was significantly associated with age [(AOR=4.629, (95% Cl: 2.530–8.472), p < .001], education level [(AOR=0.275, (95% Cl: 0.088–0.434), p = .001], marital status [(AOR=15.187, (95% Cl: 1.830–126.007), p = .012], and household monthly income [(AOR=2.623, (95% Cl: 1.550–4.439), p < 0,001]. Furthermore, the caregiver's age [(AOR=3.845, (95% Cl: 1.558–9.490), p = .003], education level [(AOR=0.196, (95% Cl: 0.088–0.434), p < .001], monthly income [(AOR=3.291, (95% Cl: 1.550–6.986), p = .002], and knowledge on mycotoxin contamination of sorghum [AOR, 5.428 (95% Cl: 2.855–10.319), p < .001] were significantly associated with postharvest handling and storage practices except for marital status [AOR, 3.579 (95% Cl: 0.403–31.775), p = .252]. In conclusion, caregivers of young children had poor knowledge about mycotoxin contamination of complementary foods and suboptimal postharvest handling and storage practices of sorghum. This increases the risk of mycotoxin exposure to young children and necessitates mitigation measures including sensitization campaigns and social behavior change communication.
Intermittent fasting suppressed splenic CD205+ G‐MDSC accumulation in a murine breast cancer model by attenuating cell trafficking and inducing apoptosis
Authors: Fu Chenghao , Lu Yao , Zhang Yiwei , Yu Mingxi , Ma Shiliang , Lyu Shuxia
Published: August 2021

Immune‐based interventions are the most promising approach for new cancer treatments to achieve long‐term cancer‐free survival. However, the expansion of myeloid‐derived suppression cells (MDSCs) attenuates the therapeutic potential of immunotherapy. We recently showed that CD205+ granulocytic MDSCs (G‐MDSCs), but not T cells, are sensitive to glucose deficiency. Intermittent fasting (IF) may inhibit the growth of malignant cells by reducing serum glucose levels, but little is known regarding the influence of IF on MDSC expansion. Herein, we observed that IF selectively inhibited splenic accumulation of CD205+ G‐MDSCs in a 4T1 and 4T07 transplant murine breast cancer model. The efficiency of IF in suppressing tumor growth was comparable to that of docetaxel. Further examination revealed that CXCR4 expression was concentrated in CD205+ subsets of tumor‐induced G‐MDSCs. Downregulation of CXCR4 correlated with a reduction in CD205+ G‐MDSC trafficking from bone marrow to the spleen under IF treatment. In addition, ex vivo culture assays showed that glucose deficiency and 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose (2DG) treatment selectively induced massive death of splenic CD205+ G‐MDSCs. Interestingly, 2DG emulated the phenomena of IF selectively suppressing the accumulation of CD205+ G‐MDSCs in the spleen, upregulating cleaved caspase 3 in the tumor, downregulating Ki67 in the lung, and retarding the growth of transplanted 4T1 and 4T07 murine breast tumors. These findings suggest that IF inhibited cell trafficking through the downregulation of CXCR4 and induced apoptosis by altering glucose metabolism; this, suppressed the accumulation of tumor‐induced splenic CD205+ G‐MDSCs and in turn enhanced antitumor immunity.
Different effect of chemical refining process on Baneh (Pistacia atlantica var mutica) kernel oil: Regeneration of tocopherols
Authors: Zarei Jelyani Aniseh , Tavakoli Javad , Lashkari Hannan , Aminlari Mahmoud
Published: August 2021

The present study was conducted to investigate the impact of refining process on the chemical properties (fatty acid composition and tocopherols, sterols, and polyphenolic contents), qualitative parameters (peroxide value, acid value, and p‐anisidine value), and antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging assay and FRAP test) of Baneh (Pistacia atlantica var mutica) kernel oil. The results revealed that the refining process had no significant effect on the fatty acid composition. A major finding of this research was the increase in the tocopherol and sterol content up to the bleaching stage followed by their decrease in the deodorizing phase. Some tocopherol and sterol compounds in crude oil were dimerized or attached to other compounds by ester bonding, which are released during some stages of the refining process and this factor is responsible for their increase. In fact, during this process, these compounds are regenerated. The occurrence of this phenomenon in the refining process improved the DPPH radical scavenging power of Baneh kernel oil up to the bleaching stage. Moreover, the content of phenolic compounds decreased after refining of Baneh kernel oil, and only in the deodorizing stage, an increase of these compounds was observed. In general, the results of this study showed that the refining process had a completely different effect on the antioxidant compounds (especially tocopherols) compared to other oils.
A climate database with varying drought‐heat signatures for climate impact modelling
Authors: Tschumi Elisabeth , Lienert Sebastian , van der Wiel Karin , Joos Fortunat , Zscheischler Jakob
Published: August 2021

Extreme climate events, such as droughts and heatwaves, can have large impacts on the environment. Disentangling their individual and combined effects is a difficult task, due to the challenges associated with generating controlled environments to study differences in their impacts. One approach to this problem is creating artificial climate forcing with varying magnitude of univariate and compound extremes, which can be applied to process‐based impact models. Here, we propose and describe a set of six 100‐year long climate scenarios with varying drought‐heat signatures that are derived from climate model simulations whose mean climate is comparable to present‐day climate conditions. The changes in extremes are most notable in the 3 months in which vegetation activity is highest and where arguably hot and dry extremes may have the largest impacts. Besides a control scenario representing natural variability (Control), one scenario has neither heat nor drought extremes (Noextremes), one has univariate extremes but no compound extremes (Nocompound), one has only heat extremes but few droughts (Hot), one has only droughts but few heatwaves (Dry), and one has many compound heat and drought extremes (Hotdry). These scenarios differ only moderately in their global mean climate (about 0.3°C in temperature and 6% in precipitation) and do not contain any long‐term trends. The data are provided on a daily timescale over land (except Antarctica and parts of Greenland) on a regular 1° × 1° grid. These scenarios were constructed primarily to investigate the impact of varying drought‐heat signatures on vegetation and the terrestrial carbon cycle. However, we believe that they may also prove useful to study the differential impacts of droughts and heatwaves in other areas, such as the occurrence of wildfires or crop failure. The data described here can be found on zenodo (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4385445, Tschumi et al., 2020).
A low‐cost field ventilator: An urgent global need
Authors: Nachiappan Nitish , Koo Jung Moses , Chockalingam Nachiappan , Scott Timothy E
Published: August 2021

Modern ventilators are increasingly compact and able to deliver a wide range of ventilator modes and sophisticated monitoring capabilities. However, the global availability of ventilators is woefully short of demand. Data on intensive care units (ICUs), a proxy measure for hospital ventilator capacity in low and middle‐income countries (LMIC's), suggest that capacity is extremely limited where it exists at all. In LMIC's, the four most common indications for mechanical ventilation (MV) in ICUs are post‐surgical care, sepsis, trauma, and maternal peripartum or neonatal complications. A significant majority of these cases can be managed with intervention involving a short course of MV. Widespread and timely access to MV can thus effectively be used to help patients in these settings and improve outcomes. This paper implores this need and highlights the requirements for a low‐cost ventilator or a respiratory support device.