bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Career Progression and Classroom Facility Adeptness of Teachers in Public Elementary Schools
Authors: Canedo Dalia D. , Baguio Josephine B.
Published: December 2024

This study aimed to explore the career progression and classroom facility adeptness of teachers in public elementary schools in the Sta. Maria District, Division of Davao Occidental. In this context, career progression refers to the development of teachers’ professional skills, while classroom facility adeptness pertains to how teachers utilize available resources to enhance student learning. A non-experimental quantitative research design was employed, using correlational methods to examine the relationship between career progression and classroom facility adeptness. Additionally, regression analysis was used to determine the significant influence of the domains of career progression on teachers’ classroom adeptness. The study involved 135 public elementary school teachers, selected using universal sampling. Data were analyzed using mean scores, Pearson’s r, and regression analysis. The results revealed that career progression was often reflected in teachers' commitment to excellence, honesty and integrity, respect for others, compassion, and social responsibility. Classroom facility adeptness, on the other hand, was sometimes manifested in terms of collaboration, decision-making, resource utilization, and communication. A significant relationship was found between career progression and classroom facility adeptness, with a Pearson r-value of 0.988 and a p-value of 0.00, indicating a strong correlation between the two variables. Additionally, the regression analysis revealed that classroom facility adeptness significantly influenced the domains of career progression. The regression results indicated the following relationships between career progression and classroom facility adeptness: commitment to excellence (B = -0.075, t = -0.503, p = 0.000), honesty and integrity (B = 0.014, t = 0.125, p = 0.000), respect for others (B = -0.218, t = -1.807, p = 0.000), compassion (B = -0.074, t = -0.502, p = 0.000), and social responsibility (B = 0.015, t = 0.126, p = 0.000).Based on the findings, it is recommended that public school teachers engage in professional development programs, such as conferences and training sessions offered by the Department of Education (DepEd), to improve their skills and enhance their capacity to better support student learning and academic success.
Unveiling Productivity Dynamics: A Comparative Study of Conservation vs. Conventional Tillage Practices in Wheat-Mungbean-T. Aman Rice Cropping Systems
Authors: Islam M. J. , Siddquie M. N. A. , Anowar M. , Islam M. A. , Khanum N. , Abida M. Y. , Chowdhury M. M. I. , Rahman M. R.
Published: December 2024

Intensive tillage for crop production has a negative impact on soil organic matter and soil quality, resulting in reduced crop yields. Conservation agriculture (CA) practices, which improve soil fertility and crop productivity through minimal soil disturbance, crop residue retention, and crop diversification, can solve these issues, especially in intensive rice-based rotations. We hypothesized that increased residue retention and decreased soil disturbance may lead to higher productivity and profitability for individual crops while maintaining soil fertility. An experiment was conducted to study the productivity and soil fertility of intensified rice-wheat (RW) systems by adding a third pre-rice crop of mungbean with five treatments: (T1) strip planting + 30% crop residue; (T2) power tiller-operated seeder (PTOS) + 30% crop residue; (T3) zero planting + 30% crop residue; (T4) bed planting + 30% crop residue; and (T5) conventional tillage (CT) practices. In conservation agriculture-based practices, the average yield of two years shows that the wheat yield was 9 to 14.7%, the mungbean yield was 11.7 to 19%, the rice yield was equal, and the REY yield was 6.3 to 9.9% higher than conventional practices. Again, from the economic point of view, the CA method was more profitable than the conventional method. System productivity and fertility were evaluated under five levels of tillage options (strip, PTOS, zero, raised bed, and conventional tillage practice) in an RW-Mungbean cropping pattern. The results indicated that keeping standing 30% of crop residue in the field with minimum disturbance of soil had a significant contribution to grain yield of the wheat-mungbean-rice sequence compared to the conventional practice of well-tilling without crop residue retention.
Inventories of Forest Host Plants of the Xanthomonas Bacterium in Cashew Orchards in Western Burkina Faso
Authors: Zombre Tinlé Cyrille , Some Nanwinyélé Euvaris , Ouattara Alassane , Dianda Zoeyande Oumarou , Koïta Kadidia , Wonni Issa
Published: December 2024

The presence of forest species in cashew orchards in Burkina Faso, linked to their lack of maintenance, serves as a hotspot for the emergence of pathogens such as bacteria from the Xanthomonas citri species. Identifying these forest species acting as reservoirs for this bacterium in various cashew orchards could contribute to their management. To this end, a forest inventory allowed us to identify the forest species present in cashew orchards, mango orchards, and mixed cashew/mango orchards. Molecular identification of 11 strains was carried out through the analysis of the atpD housekeeping gene sequences. The population sizes of strains inoculated on the CE420 cashew accession were measured 21 days post-inoculation. We have proven the existence of 18 forest species in the orchards. The analysis of atpD sequences demonstrated that all our strains derive from a common ancestor, Xanthomonas citri. The population sizes of strains 5DDCF, 6BFG, and 1BFG, isolated from Ficus abutilifolia (Miq.) Miq and Combretum micranthum G. Don, reached high densities of up to 8.108 CFU 21 days post-inoculation. Xanthomonas strains isolated from Ficus abutilifolia (Miq.) Miq and Combretum micranthum G. Don demonstrated their ability to colonize the leaf tissues of cashew. Mango, Ficus abutilifolia (Miq.) Miq, and Combretum micranthum G. Don were plant species that share the same ecological niche as cashew and serve as reservoirs for Xanthomonas bacteria pathogenic to cashew.
Neuroprotective Effects of Curcuma longa and Rosmarinus officinalis Extracts on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in the Brains of Alcohol-treated Rats
Authors: F. N Okwakpam, , I Wopara, , V.O Ofuru, , J Nzor, , F.U Igwe,
Published: December 2024

Background: Neurological disorders remain a global health challenge. Chronic alcohol consumption induces damage to the brain that can cause various forms of dementia. An abundance of acetaldehyde is produced by excessive alcohol consumption and accumulates in the body to induce oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in neuronal cells, which results in brain damage leading to memory loss. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of mixed ethanol extract of Curcuma longa rhizome and Rosmarinus officinalis leaf on oxidative stress and proinflammatory markers in the brain of alcohol- treated male Wistar rats.
Methods: Twenty-five male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control, mixed extract only (600 mg/kg), alcohol only (15 ml/kg of 40% ethanol), and mixed extract + alcohol groups at 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg doses. Treatments were administered orally for 21 days. Brain homogenates were analyzed for superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and AChE activity. Histopathological evaluations assessed neuroprotective effects.
Results: Alcohol administration significantly decreased SOD (16.2 ± 1.3 U/mg protein), catalase (12.8 ± 0.9 U/mg protein), GPx (10.7 ± 0.8 U/mg protein), and GSH (9.2 ± 0.6 mg/g protein) compared to the control group (32.8 ± 2.2 U/mg, 23.5 ± 1.7 U/mg, 18.9 ± 1.2 U/mg, and 18.3 ± 1.1 mg/g, respectively; p<0.05). MDA levels increased to 7.6 ± 0.3 nmol/mg protein compared to 2.8 ± 0.2 nmol/mg in the control group. Treatment with 600 mg/kg of mixed extracts significantly restored SOD (31.5 ± 2.4 U/mg), catalase (22.6 ± 1.4 U/mg), GPx (17.8 ± 1.0 U/mg), GSH (17.4 ± 1.2 mg/g), and reduced MDA (3.2 ± 0.3 nmol/mg; p<0.05). TNF-α and IL-1β levels were elevated in alcohol-only rats (123.5 ± 4.3 pg/mL and 85.6 ± 3.2 pg/mL) compared to controls (68.3 ± 2.8 pg/mL and 43.2 ± 1.7 pg/mL, p<0.05) but were significantly reduced with mixed extract treatment. Histopathological analyses confirmed reduced neurodegeneration and restoration of normal brain architecture in treated groups.
Conclusion: The mixed extract demonstrated significant neuroprotective effects by mitigating oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal damage in alcohol-treated rats. These findings suggest its potential as a therapeutic candidate for preventing alcohol-induced dementia.
Azotobacter as a Possible Bio-fertilizer for Managing Soil and Plant Health: A Review
Authors: Mohan Jag , Negi Neha , Bharti Babita , Kumar Amit , Arya Ridhima
Published: December 2024

Azotobacter is one kind of bio-fertilizer that is sprayed onto the soil's surface or distributed through seeds. It is a living organism that helps colonise the rhizosphere, or the internal portions of plants, and it also promotes development by making more primary nutrients available to plants. A free-living, gram-negative bacterium with an oval or spherical form is called an Azotobacter. It is a significant bio-fertilizer that increases soil fertility by fixing nitrogen, which in turn increases crop productivity by allowing plants to absorb biologically active chemicals through the process of biosynthesis. In comparison to chemical fertilisers, it is more environmentally benign because it contributes significantly to nutrient cycle and boosts nutrient availability. According to study, using Azotobacter also boosts some crops Azotobacter yields. An increasing body of research has shown that using bio-fertilizer, either on its own or in conjunction with other fertilisers or pesticides, can produce positive outcomes when it comes to saving natural resources. Thus, it is preferable to utilise bio-fertilizers in order to slow down the rate at which chemicals are being used up on the soil. It is therefore crucial to become more knowledgeable about the significance and applications of the specific bio-fertilizer before putting it to use.
A Study on Awareness and Adoption Level of Farmers’ about Millet Production in Haryana, India
Authors: Bhakar Sandeep , Aditya  , Shehrawat P. S. , Arulmanikandan B.
Published: December 2024

Despite growing awareness and efforts to promote millet cultivation, the millet remains underutilized due to limited specific awareness and adoption about millets Hence there is a need to promote research, improve market access, and create awareness about the benefits and efforts of millet production. The aim of the study is to evaluate the farmer’s awareness level about millet production, assess the farmer’s adoption level of millet production and find out the constraints encountered by farmers in millet production. The investigation was carried out in the districts of Hisar and Mahendergarh in Haryana, India. Four villages were chosen randomly and a random sampling technique was employed to choose 30 farmers from each of the selected villages. The statistical tools such as the mean, frequency, percentage, and rank order, were used for analysis of the data. The data pertaining to socio-personal attributes indicated that 52.50 per cent of respondents belong to the middle age group followed by old age group and young age group. Majority of farmers have adopted pearl millet/guar/green gram-mustard crop rotation followed by cotton-wheat, guar-wheat and pearl millet/guar/green gram-wheat crop rotations. The findings concluded that farmers possess a moderate level of awareness about millet production, with a significant percentage of respondents being familiar with different types of millets, associated challenges and benefits of improved varieties.
Manganese‐Based Functional Nanoplatforms: Nanosynthetic Construction, Physiochemical Property, and Theranostic Applicability
Authors: Qian Xiaoqin , Han Xiaoxia , Yu Luodan , Xu Tianming , Chen Yu
Published: November 2019

Transition metal‐based nanoparticles have shown their broad applications in versatile biomedical applications. Although traditional iron‐based nanoparticles have been extensively explored in biomedicine, transition metal manganese (Mn)‐based nanoparticulate systems have emerged as a multifunctional nanoplatform with their intrinsic physiochemical property and biological effect for satisfying the strict biomedical requirements. This comprehensive review focuses on recent progress of Mn‐based functional nanoplatforms in biomedicine with the particular discussion on their elaborate construction, physiochemical property, and theranostic applicability. Several Mn‐based nanosystems are discussed in detail, including solid/hollow MnOx nanoparticles, 2D MnOx nanosheets, MnOx‐silica/mesoporous silica nanoparticles, MnOx‐Fe3O4 nanoparticles, MnOx‐Au, MnOx‐fluorescent nanoparticles, Mn‐based organic composite nanosystem, and some specific/unique Mn‐based nanocomposites. Their versatile biomedical applications include pH/reducing‐responsive T1‐weighted positive magnetic resonance imaging, controlled drug loading/delivery/release, protection of neurological disorder, photothermal hyperthermia, photodynamic therapy, chemodynamic therapy, alleviation of tumor hypoxia, immunotherapy, and some specific synergistic therapies, which are based on their disintegration behavior under the mildly acidic/reducing condition, multiple enzyme‐mimicking activity, catalytic‐triggering Fenton reaction, etc. The biological effects and biocompatibility of these Mn‐based nanosystems are also discussed, accompanied with a discussion on challenges/critical issues and an outlook on the future developments and clinical‐translation potentials of these intriguing Mn‐based functional nanoplatforms.
Magneto‐Fluorescent Perovskite Nanocomposites for Directed Cell Motion and Imaging
Authors: Tan Max J. H. , Ravichandran Divyapoorani , Ang Hui Li , Ong Evon Woan Yuann , Lim Cheryldine Qiu Xuan , Kam Gabriel M. Q. , Kumar Alan P. , Tan Zhi‐Kuang
Published: November 2019

The ability for a magnetic field to penetrate biological tissues without attenuation has led to significant interest in the use of magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications. In particular, active research is ongoing in the areas of magnetically guided drug delivery and magnetic hyperthermia treatment. However, the difficulties in tracing these optically nonactive magnetic nanoparticles hinder their usage in medical research or treatment. Here, a new perovskite‐based magneto‐fluorescent nanocomposite that allows the in situ, real‐time optical visualization of magnetically induced cellular movements is reported. A swelling–deswelling technique is employed to capture a cesium lead halide perovskite and magnetite nanoparticles within a biocompatible polyvinylpyrrolidone matrix, to produce a water‐dispersible composite that possesses a combination of strong magnetic response and intense fluorescence. The wavelength‐tunability of perovskite nanocrystals is taken advantage of to demonstrate simultaneous multicolor fluorescent tagging of cancer stem cells. The magneto‐directed motion of the cancer stem cells through a microfluidic channel is also imaged as a proof‐of‐concept toward an optically traceable magnetic manipulation of biological systems. These dual‐functional nanocomposites could find promising applications in advanced biotechnologies, such as in optogenetics, cellular separation, and drug delivery studies.
NIR‐II Fluorescence Endoscopy for Targeted Imaging of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Suo Yongkuan , Wu Fengxia , Xu Pengfei , Shi Hui , Wang Tingzhong , Liu Hongguang , Cheng Zhen
Published: November 2019

Endoscopy is a clinical gold standard to exam the interior of a hollow organ or body cavity. For the first of time, this study presents the design and construction of a fluorescent endoscopic system that harnesses the power of the second near‐infrared window II (NIR‐II) fluorescence imaging. An NIR‐II fluorescent molecular probe, indocyanine green (ICG) conjugated bevacizumab (Bev‐ICG) that targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), is successfully synthesized and evaluated along with the NIR‐II endoscopy imaging system. Simultaneous NIR‐II fluorescence and white‐light (WL) imaging of VEGF is validated in an orthotopic rat colorectal cancer model. This NIR‐II endoscopy system is a generalizable design, and it is compatible with the most of current clinic endoscopies. Similar hardware upgrades are expected to greatly promote the application of NIR‐II fluorescent imaging in the clinic.
Investigating the effect of pressure on a vertical two‐phase upward flow with a high viscosity liquid
Authors: Abdulkadir Mukhtar , Abdulahi Abolore , Eastwick Carol N. , Azzopardi Barry J. , Smith Ivar E. , Unander Tor E.
Published: November 2019

This article presents void fraction and pressure gradient data for sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) with gas densities of 28 and 45 kg/m3 and oil (with viscosity 35 times that for water) in a 127 mm diameter pipe. The superficial velocities of gas ranged from 0.1 to 3 m/s and those for liquid from 0.1 to 1 m/s, respectively. Measurements of void fraction data were recorded using a capacitance wire mesh sensor (WMS) system, which permits the 3D visualization of the flow patterns. All the data were obtained with a data acquisition frequency of 1,000 Hz. A differential pressure transducer was used to measure the pressure drops along the length of the pipe. The WMS provide time and cross‐sectionally resolved data on void fraction and from an analysis of its output, flow patterns were identified using the characteristic signatures of probability density function (PDF) plot of time series of void fraction. The PDF plots showed the single peak shapes associated with bubbly and churn flows but not the twin‐peaked shape usually seen in slug flows. This confirms previous work in larger diameter pipes but with less viscous liquids. For the bubble and churn flows investigated, the pressure gradient was observed to decrease with an increase in gas superficial velocity. Nevertheless, there was an insignificant observed effect of pressure on void fraction below certain transitional flow rates, the effect however became significant beyond these values. In the present work, wisps appear to be smaller, which might be due to the different fluid properties of the working fluids employed. In addition, wisps are easily revealed as long as there is a transition between churn and annular flows regardless of the pressure. Experimental data on void fraction and pressure gradient are compared against existing data. Reasonably good agreements were observed from the results of the comparison.
Analysis of bubble coalescence and determination of the bubble radius for long‐chain branched poly(ethylene terephthalate) melt foaming with a pressure balanced bubble‐growth model
Authors: Ge Yukai , Lu Jiawei , Liu Tao
Published: November 2019

A pressure balanced bubble‐growth (PBB) model was proposed to analyze bubble coalescence and determine the bubble radius for the melt foaming of long‐chain branched poly(ethylene terephthalate) (LCB‐PET). The key for the PBB model calculation was to determine the bubble inner pressure composed of additional pressure induced by interface tension, and molecular stress, that is, the biaxial tensile stress of the polymer cell wall calculated with the molecular stress function model. LCB‐PET was generated by reactive extrusion, and the molecular structure and viscoelasticity were well characterized. Batch melt‐foaming experiments with CO2 were conducted for the LCB‐PET. The critical coalescence radius curve was calculated with the PBB model to dynamically describe the bubble coalescence and evaluate the melt foamability. The PBB model was also used to determine the bubble size of LCB‐PET foam. Both the evaluation of the melt‐foamability and the determination of the bubble radius agreed well the experimental results.
De Novo Transcriptome Analysis of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Metabolism in Marine Protist Thraustochytriidae sp. PKU#Mn16
Authors: Yang Xuewei , Li Siting , Li Shuangfei , Liu Liangxu , Hu Zhangli
Published: November 2019

Thraustochytriidae sp., have drawn the attention as a promising source for producing significant quantities of omega‐3 fatty acids. In this study, Thraustochytriidae sp. PKU#Mn16, with impressive docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) production, was de novo assembled as a complete transcriptome. A total of 59.65 Mb clean reads were assembled into 35,745 transcripts, with a mean size of 991 bp. The results allowed us to annotate 11,924 (45.97%) of the transcripts with putative functions. The potential target genes enriched for specific gene ontology terms, including metabolic process (469 genes) and macromolecular complex (221 genes), were identified. There were 6858 (26.44%) putative proteins classified into 25 categories, of which 459 (6.69%) predicted proteins were assigned to lipid transport and metabolism, closely related to DHA production. The most strongly represented pathways annotated from the kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) database were metabolism pathways including carbohydrate (388, 6.99%), amino acid (375, 6.76%), and lipid (330, 5.95%). Of these unigenes with coding sequences, the majority (2950) were 200–300 bp. A total of 7362 simple sequence repeats were identified with the frequency occurrence of 1/4.15 kb. This study reveals a wealth of the most comprehensive transcriptomic resource currently available for Thraustochytriidae sp., which could facilitate further research into the molecular mechanisms of fatty acid production.
Robust and Reliable Quantification of Phospholipids in Edible Oils Using 31P NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: van Rijn Jozef H. J. , Lankhorst Peter P. , Groen Paul B. M. , Muntendam Remco , de Souza Adriana Carvalho
Published: November 2019

Upon storage, crude plant oils will form a solid sediment called gum, which consists mainly of phospholipids (PL). PL are removed during the production of edible oils by a process called degumming. A higher yield is recognized as a major advantage of enzymatic degumming over traditional processes. Robust and accurate PL quantification methods are needed to develop and monitor enzymatic degumming processes. Several techniques, such as atomic emission spectroscopy, liquid chromatography, and thin‐layer chromatography, have been applied for the quantification of PL in edible oils. In the past decade, 31P NMR spectroscopy has been shown to have advantages over these techniques because of the possibility of the simultaneous, fast, and accurate quantification of different PL directly in the oil. This article demonstrates the application of 31P NMR spectroscopy as a method for the quantification of all relevant PL and phosphorous‐containing degradation products in crude and refined oils. In addition, the validation results show that this method is robust because the limit of detection is as low as 5 μmol/100 g oil. Variations of less than 5% were obtained for all P‐containing compounds present in the oils at concentrations above 100 μmol/100 g oil.
Effect of organically modified layered double hydroxides on the properties of poly(lactic acid)/poly[(butylene succinate)‐co‐adipate] immiscible blends
Authors: Mhlabeni Thobile , Kesavan Pillai Sreejarani , Ray Suprakas Sinha
Published: November 2019

In this study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly[(butylene succinate)‐co‐adipate] (PBSA) blend and its nanocomposites with layered double hydroxides (LDH) containing surface stearic acid functional groups (SaLDH) were prepared using the extrusion method, where the weight ratio of PLA/PBSA was fixed at 80/20, while that of the SaLDH varied from 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 wt%. The characterization of SaLDH using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the presence of stearic acid moieties on the LDH surface. Comprehensive characterization of nanocomposites showed concurrent improvement of the thermal, mechanical, and oxygen gas barrier properties of nanocomposite containing 0.5 wt% of SaLDH. These properties are shown to result from improved interfacial interaction between the polymer matrices and the homogeneous distribution of nanoclay particles obtained at 0.5 wt% SaLDH concentration. The nanocomposite material thus shows high prospects in the industrial development of environmentally sustainable food and cosmetic packaging applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 137, 48654.
Microwave‐irradiated tanning reaction of aluminum with collagen
Authors: Liu Yue , Zhang Jinwei , Chen Wuyong , Astruc Didier , Gu Haibin
Published: November 2019

Given the toxicity of chrome tanning in leather industry, ecologically compatible alternatives are intensively researched, in particular on the side of aluminum tanning. Herein, the tanning reaction of aluminum with collagen was investigated using microwave irradiation as a new heating method, and the traditional water bath heating (WBH) was used as control. Results from dynamic light scattering and very‐positive differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis reveal that, microwave heating led to larger particle size and increased main denaturing transition temperature of collagen clusters crosslinked by aluminum sulfate. The aluminum‐tanned collagen products obtained under microwave and WBH methods were further compared and characterized using many techniques including circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, atomic force microscope, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, DSC, and thermogravimetry. Results verified that both heating methods accelerate the crosslinking reaction of aluminum with collagen and increase the crosslinking degrees. The crosslinked products exhibited improved thermal stability, but no change was observed concerning the binding mode of aluminum with collagen. However, compared to WBH microwave heating has a more positive effect on the aluminum‐tanning processes for the improvement of collagen crosslinking processes and product performances, probably due to both thermal and nonthermal effects of microwave irradiation. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 137, 48682.
Ethical Perspectives on Body Donation Following Physician‐Assisted Death
Authors: Jones David Gareth
Published: November 2019

The increasing availability of physician‐assisted death (PAD) has opened up a novel means of making donated bodies available for anatomical dissection. This practice has come to the fore in Canada, but is unlikely to be confined to that country as legislation changes in other countries. The ethical considerations raised by this development are placed within the framework of the ethical guidelines on body donation promulgated by the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists. The discussion centers on understanding the ethical dimensions of moral complicity, and whether it is accepted or rejected. If rejected it is possible to separate ethical concerns regarding PAD from subsequent use of donated bodies, as long as there is fully informed consent and complete ethical and procedural separation of the two. Openness about the origin of bodies for dissection is essential. Students should be instructed on the nuances of moral complicity, and consideration be given to those with moral doubts about PAD. Two issues are raised in considering whether these moves represent an ethical slippery slope: the attraction represented by obtaining relatively “high quality” bodies, and the manner in which organ donation following PAD has led to challenges to the dead donor rule. Although body donation raises fewer concerns, the ethical dimensions of the two are similar. The ethical constraints outlined here have the capacity to prevent an ethical slippery slope and constitute a sound basis for addressing an innovative opportunity for anatomists.
Liquid‐crystalline Metallomacrocycles Composed of Bis(hydroxypyridono)toluene Ligand and Cu2+ Ions
Authors: Kawano Shin‐ichiro , Ideta Kohei , Banno Tomohiko , Tanaka Kentaro
Published: November 2019

A series of π‐extended chelating scaffolds incorporating two hydroxypyridone moieties were synthesized. X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed that a bis(hydroxypyridono)toluene ligand possessed a unique π‐extended structure and exhibited efficient phase segregation from the aliphatic chains attached at the heterocyclic nitrogen. The bis‐bidentate ligand formed a metal‐coordination‐induced macrocycle with Cu2+ ions. During the complexation, a spectral change in the visible region was induced. Furthermore, the successful development of a liquid crystal of the metallomacrocycle with appropriate side chains was achieved. Examples of liquid‐crystalline macrocycles formed via metal‐mediated self‐assembly are still rare. Among them, the macrocycle described in this paper showed an obvious hexagonal columnar phase reflecting the three‐fold symmetric planar structure of the mesogenic metal complex.
A pilot study on the effect of early provision of dietary docosahexaenoic acid on testis development, functions, and sperm quality in rats exposed to prenatal ethanol
Authors: Kapourchali Fatemeh R. , Louis Xavier L. , Eskin Michael N. A. , Suh Miyoung
Published: November 2019

Background

Prenatal ethanol (EtOH) exposure is associated with adverse effect on the male reproductive function. Dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is known to improve testis function and sperm parameters, thereby male fertility. This study piloted whether dietary DHA influences testis development and function in rats exposed to prenatal EtOH.

Methods

Pregnant female Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 30) received either EtOH (3 g/kg, twice a day, n = 14) or dextrose (n = 16) throughout pregnancy. Moreover, they were fed either diet supplemented with (Cont + DHA, n = 8, EtOH + DHA, n = 6) or without DHA (1.4% w/w of total fatty acids) (Cont, EtOH, n = 8 each), with pups being continued on their mothers' diet after weaning. Tissues were collected at gestational day (GD) 20, postnatal day (PD) 4, 21, 49 and 90 for analyzing testicular developmental markers and sperm parameters, and plasma for testosterone.

Results

Dietary DHA increased serum testosterone at GD20 (p < .05) and sperm normal morphology at PD90 (p < .0001) compared to the group without DHA supplementation. Dietary DHA also increased the height of germinal epithelium at peripuberty, PD49 (p < .03). The EtOH exposure induced a marked decline in the testicular gene expression of StAR at PD49 (p < .02) than those of non‐EtOH treated group.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that dietary DHA may positively contribute to male fertility by impacting sperm normal morphology likely by increasing fetal testosterone level. Prenatal EtOH exposure did not adversely affect the overall testis developmental markers during development and sperm parameters in adulthood.
Comparative effectiveness of surgery versus external beam radiation with/without brachytherapy in high‐risk localized prostate cancer
Authors: Yin Ming , Zhao Jing , Monk Paul , Martin Douglas , Folefac Edmund , Joshi Monika , Jin Ning , Mortazavi Amir , Verschraegen Claire , Clinton Steven
Published: November 2019

Background

It remains controversial if radical prostatectomy or definitive radiation therapy produces equivalent outcomes in high‐risk localized prostate cancer.

Methods

We queried The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for those who received upfront surgery or who were recommended for surgery but instead received radiation. Inverse probability of treatment weighing was used to adjust for covariate imbalance and the weighted Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the effects of treatment groups on survival. A meta‐analysis was performed to pool estimates from published studies.

Results

Among eligible 62 533 patients, 59 540 had upfront surgery and 2993 patients had upfront radiotherapy. EBRT + BT was associated with a superior cancer‐specific survival (CSS) compared with surgery or EBRT alone (HR, 0.55, 95% CI, 0.3‐1.0; HR, 0.49, 95% CI, 0.24‐0.98, respectively), whereas EBRT was associated with an inferior overall survival (OS) compared with surgery (HR, 1.46, 95% CI, 1.16‐1.8). Radiotherapy (EBRT ± BT) was inferior to surgery by OS (HR, 1.63, 95% CI, 1.13‐2.34) in patients ≤ 65 years, and was superior to surgery by CSS in patients > 65 years (HR, 0.69, 95% CI, 0.49‐0.97). The meta‐analysis showed consistent results.

Conclusion

EBRT + BT was associated with a significantly better prostate CSS compared with surgery or EBRT. EBRT alone was inferior to surgery by OS.
“Between a rock and the mitral valve space”: Transcatheter mitral valve‐in‐valve implantation for paravalvular leak and refractory hemolysis complicated by circumflex coronary occlusion
Authors: Adams Heath S. L. , Rajani Ronak , Hildick‐Smith David , Redwood Simon
Published: November 2019

Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) is an emerging field in structural cardiology. A particularly difficult group to treat is high‐risk patients requiring valve in mitral annular calcification (ViMAC) intervention, with overall poor procedural success and outcomes in recent registries. This case highlights an unusual complication of paravalvular regurgitation (PVL) through the uncovered stent frame of a balloon expandable transcatheter heart valve (THV) on the left ventricular side of the prosthesis, leading to mechanical hemolysis and subsequent anuric renal failure post a ViMAC procedure. Attempts to treat the PVL with an occlusion plug device were unsuccessful and led to left circumflex coronary occlusion secondary to mechanical compression of the vessel in the posterior mitral valve annulus, a previously unreported phenomenon. A repeat valve‐in‐valve procedure was performed to treat the PVL, and immediate angioplasty resolved the left circumflex occlusion. High‐risk patients requiring TMVI pose multiple challenges to Heart Teams in the treatment of valve pathology. Optimal procedural planning, multimodality imaging, improved THVs, and the awareness of potential complications are fundamental in overcoming the learning curve of TMVI and improved outcome for patients requiring ViMAC.
Novel technique of performing multivessel PCI through an Impella sheath
Authors: Kumar Kris , Reddy Sridhar , Acharya Deepak , Lotun Kapildeo
Published: November 2019

A 69‐year‐old woman with diabetes was found to have multi‐vessel coronary artery disease and underwent 5‐vessel coronary artery bypass grafting. Patient had persistent cardiogenic shock postoperatively despite intra‐aortic balloon pump and escalating pressor requirements. Electrocardiogram showed new ischemic changes and the patient was urgently taken to the catheterization lab for coronary angiography and placement of an Impella CP for higher degree of hemodynamic support via the left femoral artery. Due to limitations in vascular access the Impella CP sheath was utilized for vascular access for diagnostic angiography and coronary intervention concurrently with ongoing Impella CP support. The first obtuse marginal had severe proximal disease and was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with a drug eluting stent. To our knowledge, this case is the first in which successful diagnostic angiography as well as multi‐vessel PCI was performed via an Impella sheath while concurrently using the percutaneous mechanical circulatory support system of the Impella CP. Multiple guide catheters and a pigtail catheter were successfully passed via the Impella CP sheath to perform PCI. This novel method of vascular access could be an important tool to use in high‐risk patients with limitations in access sites and decrease potential bleeding complications by limiting the number of arterial punctures.
Prospective evaluation of drug eluting self‐apposing stent for the treatment of unprotected left main coronary artery disease: 1‐year results of the TRUNC study
Authors: Briguori Carlo , Tamburino Corrado , Jessurun Gillian A. J. , Meyer‐Geßner Markus , Reczuch Krzysztof , Cortese Bernardo , Maillard Luc , Anthonio Rutger L. , La Manna Alessio , Morice Marie‐Claude , Bouchez David , Balland Anaïs , Huynh Vi‐Phong , Baumbach Andreas
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To assess long‐term safety and efficacy of the Xposition S self‐apposing stent in the treatment of unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease.

Background

Percutaneous intervention with stents has emerged as a valid alternative to surgical revascularization to treat ULMCA disease. Conventional balloon‐expandable stents face technical challenges, particularly in large left main diameter requiring extensive optimization and side branch access in distal bifurcation. Xposition S allows for optimal apposition, bridging diameter differences, and allows expansion to vessel diameters up to 6.0 mm.

Methods

Between June 2016 and July 2017, 205 patients were enrolled in this international, prospective, multicenter registry. Patients with SYNTAX score ≥ 33 or recent STEMI were excluded. IVUS during procedure was performed in a prespecified subgroup of 50 patients. The primary clinical endpoint was 12 months Target lesion failure (TLF) and the primary efficacy endpoint was angiographic success.

Results

Distal left main bifurcation was involved in 92.7%, treated with provisional approach in most cases (79.4%). TLF rate at 12 months was 8.3%, which was defined as a composite of cardiac death (2.0%), target‐vessel MI (2.9%), and TLR (5.4%). Most revascularizations occurred at SB ostium. IVUS analysis demonstrated optimal stent apposition with only one reported malapposition and promising poststenting minimal stent area measures.

Conclusions

The TRUNC study confirms that Xposition S self‐apposing stent is a valid and feasible option for the treatment of ULMCA disease. Such results were reached without the systematic need of stent optimisation techniques, focusing mainly on lesion treatment.
Chronic total occlusion recanalization for myocardial infarction
Authors: Xenogiannis Iosif , Nikolakopoulos Ilias , Vemmou Evangelia , Brilakis Emmanouil S.
Published: November 2019

An 84‐year‐old patient with prior coronary artery bypass surgery presented with non‐ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction. The culprit lesion was at the distal anastomosis of a saphenous vein graft (SVG) to the right posterior descending artery. The proximal right coronary artery was chronically occluded. Because of significant disease both proximal and distal to the SVG anastomosis, percutaneous intervention of the SVG carried high risk for acute vessel closure. The native right coronary artery chronic total occlusion was successfully recanalized, enabling complete revascularization of the right coronary artery. The SVG was then occluded using an Amplatzer vascular plug.
Two cases of pericardial tamponade due to nitinol wire fracture of a gore septal occluder
Authors: Kumar Preetham , Orford James L. , Tobis Jonathan M.
Published: November 2019

Percutaneous patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is recommended for secondary prevention of paradoxical embolism through a PFO. In the United States, two Food and Drug Administration‐approved PFO closure devices are currently available, and the choice depends on operator preference and PFO anatomy. Although these devices are easy to implant, there are several potential complications. As opposed to the Amplatzer PFO Occluder, there has been no published case of atrial erosion with Gore closure devices. This report describes two cases of pericardial tamponade due to perforation of the atrial wall induced by a wire frame fracture of the Gore Helex and Cardioform devices.
Interval state and sensor fault estimation based on unknown input observer and interval hull computation
Authors: Zhou Meng , Cao Zhengcai , Wang Jing , Wang Chang
Published: November 2019

This paper investigates the problem of interval estimation of state and sensor fault simultaneously based on the unknown input decoupling technique and interval hull computation approach. To facilitate sensor fault estimation conveniently, it is first regarded as an auxiliary state, and the faulty system is transformed into an augmented descriptor system. Next, an unknown input observer is designed based on the P‐radius method for this augmented descriptor system to decouple some of the unknown system disturbance. Then, the bounds of the augmented state set effected by the undecoupled system uncertainties are calculated via an interval hull approximation technique. Finally, the effectiveness and practicality of this work are illustrated by a numerical example and a quadruple‐tank process system. This work demonstrates that by decoupling some unknown disturbances from the estimation error system, the zonotope's size, corresponding to state and sensor fault estimation, can be further reduced.
Structure−Activity Relationships of Cinnamate Ester Analogues as Potent Antiprotozoal Agents
Authors: Bernal Freddy A. , Kaiser Marcel , Wünsch Bernhard , Schmidt Thomas J.
Published: November 2019

Protozoal infections are still a global health problem, threatening the lives of millions of people around the world, mainly in impoverished tropical and sub‐tropical regions. Thus, in view of the lack of efficient therapies and increasing resistances against existing drugs, this study describes the antiprotozoal potential of synthetic cinnamate ester analogues and their structure‐activity relationships. In general, Leishmania donovani and Trypanosoma brucei were quite susceptible to the compounds in a structure‐dependent manner. Detailed analysis revealed a key role of the substitution pattern on the aromatic ring and a marked effect of the side chain on the activity against these two parasites. The high antileishmanial potency and remarkable selectivity of the nitro‐aromatic derivatives suggested them as promising candidates for further studies. On the other hand, the high in vitro potency of catechol‐type compounds against T. brucei could not be extrapolated to an in vivo mouse model.
Performance analysis of polling‐based MAC protocol with retrial for Internet of Things
Authors: Guan Zheng , Xiong Lei , He Min , Qian Wen‐Hua , Zhou Zhaoxu
Published: November 2019

We consider and analyze a single‐server multiqueue polling model with inner arrivals. Customers arriving at the queue before polling instant could receive service in the current polling round; furthermore, each one could be retried (turns into an inner arrival) a given number of times with a specified probability. Such polling model can be used to study the performance of certain scheduling data transmission in the Internet of Things (IoT) and the relationship between data retransmission and delay. We obtain the closed‐form expression for the generating function of the amount of customers, which are presented at polling instants. Then, it is used to derive the precise closed‐form formula of mean queue length and mean waiting time in symmetric system.
An efficient privacy‐enhanced attribute‐based access control mechanism
Authors: Xu Yang , Zeng Quanrun , Wang Guojun , Zhang Cheng , Ren Ju , Zhang Yaoxue
Published: November 2019

Owing to the rapid progress of network researching, attribute‐based access control (ABAC) has attracted more and more attention due to its appreciable expressiveness, flexibility, and scalability. Unfortunately, collecting user attributes is necessary to complete the standard ABAC decision process, which increases the risk of privacy disclosure. This problem increases public doubts about ABAC and hinders its popularization. In this paper, a privacy‐protected and efficient attribute‐based access control (EPABAC) scheme is proposed to prevent the privacy leakage of access subject in the decision‐making process of ABAC by introducing a novel hash‐based binary search tree. The analyses and experimental evaluations show that the EPABAC achieves user privacy protection in the decision‐making process with acceptable additional computing overhead.
Liquid Marble Photosensor
Authors: Adamatzky Andrew , Tsompanas Michail‐Antisthenis , Draper Thomas C. , Fullarton Claire , Mayne Richard
Published: November 2019

A liquid marble is a liquid droplet coated by a hydrophobic powder. The liquid marble does not wet adjacent surfaces and therefore can be manipulated as a dry soft body. A Belousov‐Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction is an oscillatory chemical reaction exhibiting waves of oxidation. We demonstrate how to make a photo‐sensor from BZ medium liquid marbles. We insert electrodes into a liquid marble, prepared from BZ solution and coated with polyethylene powder. The electrodes record a potential difference which oscillates due to oxidation wave‐fronts crossing the electrodes. When the BZ marble is illuminated by a light source, the oxidation wave‐fronts are hindered and, thus, the electrical potential recorded ceases to oscillate. We characterise several types of responses of BZ marble photosensors to various stimuli, and provide explanations of the recorded activity. BZ liquid marble photosensors may find applications in the fields of liquid electronics, soft robotics and unconventional computing.
A phase‐correlated duo‐binary waveform generation technique for millimeter‐wave radar pulses
Authors: Heunisch Sebastian , Ohlsson Fhager Lars , Wernersson Lars‐Erik
Published: November 2019

We propose a technique for generating millimeter‐wave radar waveforms using edge‐triggered pulse generator circuits. By synchronizing the chip rate to the oscillation frequency of a binary control signal, a phase shift is introduced in the generated pulses. This way, the millimeter‐wave signal can be phase‐modulated without the need of additional circuit elements. We show that high‐resolution radar waveforms with low range side lobes can be generated with this technique. Using brute‐force optimization, we evaluate all possible sequences up to a sequence length of 25 chips and identify optimal waveforms for each length. Optimal sequences with the energy centered at zero delay and side lobes not exceeding unity are presented. The optimized waveforms are measured and verified using an in‐house resonant tunneling diode (RTD) metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistor (MOSFET) pulse generator. The matched filter response of the optimal waveforms is reproduced closely in the measurements. The results enable increased sensitivity in radar systems using coherent millimeter‐wave pulse generators for low power applications, as for instance, radar gesture recognition in handheld devices. Using pulsed millimeter‐wave radar systems with low duty cycles, continuously running oscillators can be avoided and systems with ultra‐low power consumption are possible.
Common flow cytometry pitfalls in diagnostic hematopathology
Authors: Cherian Sindhu , Hedley Ben D. , Keeney Michael
Published: November 2019

Flow cytometry (FC) has proven to be an extremely versatile and useful tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of hematological diseases in addition to numerous other applications. Major advances in electronics, software, and reagents over the past years have simplified some aspects of FC, while at the same time the ability to combine 8–10 antibodies in a single tube can create both technical and interpretation issues that are more difficult to detect when using only 3–4 color combinations. Use of multiparameter panels can facilitate identification of abnormal populations; however, characteristics of the neoplastic population may create potential diagnostic pitfalls. An understanding of normal immunophenotypic patterns in states of rest, recovery, and activation is a critical first step in order to appropriately identify the abnormal populations that characterize hematopoietic neoplasms. Additionally, incorporation of newer therapeutic strategies, in particular targeted therapies, can confound standard methods for flow cytometric data analysis and knowledge of the impact of therapy on flow cytometric data is critical for accurate data interpretation. This manuscript will review preanalytical, instrument, and interpretation issues that may lead to incorrect interpretation of results.