bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screwed up: Spirality of segments and other iterated structures suggest an underlying principle of seriality in bilaterians
Authors: Scholtz Gerhard
Published: March 2021

This review deals with helicomery, that is, the specific malformation of a spiral arrangement of segments and other serial structures. Helicomery was first described in annelid and arthropod body segments. However, corresponding patterns occur in arthropod appendages and other bilaterians with serially arranged body parts, such as tapeworms, nematodes, vertebrates, and probably chitons. The specifics of the spirals such as length, orientation, and handedness are described. Most spirals are dorsal and comprise only a few loops. Helicomery is formed by a shift of cells during development or in adults caused by changes in cell adhesion or mechanical impacts such as lesions. A model for the formation of helicomery is proposed, which is based on medieval church labyrinths. These complex spiral structures are derived from concentric lines by the shift of relatively few tiles. This principle of “small causes, great effect” also applies to “spiral segments,” because helicomery dissolves segmental patterns and questions the concept of segments as distinct structures. The widespread occurrence of helicomery in nonhomologous serial structures might indirectly indicate an underlying principle of seriality among Bilateria.
Extreme precipitation events and their relationships with circulation types in Italy
Authors: Iannuccilli Maurizio , Bartolini Giorgio , Betti Giulio , Crisci Alfonso , Grifoni Daniele , Gozzini Bernardo , Messeri Alessandro , Morabito Marco , Tei Claudio , Torrigiani Malaspina Tommaso , Vallorani Roberto , Messeri Gianni
Published: March 2021

Extreme precipitation (EP) events are life‐threatening phenomena that are expected to continue to increase because of ongoing climate change. In the past decade, these events have been caused by important and well‐documented variations in large‐scale atmospheric circulation. Identifying the trends, dynamics, and related causes of EP could help in recognizing geographical areas that are at great risk and reducing their adverse impacts, particularly on a relatively small area such as the Italian peninsula. The relationships between large‐scale circulation types (CTs) and EP were investigated using a long time‐series (1979–2015) of meteorological data recorded by 46 weather stations in Italy. EP was defined as the number of days with accumulated precipitation above the 90th percentile (R90p). The seasonal trends of R90p were not homogeneous and showed significant increases primarily in winter and spring. Only a few CTs were significantly related to R90p, and this relationship was strongly dependent on latitude, orographic exposure, and season. Heterogeneous seasonal trends for daily CT occurrences were also observed. ‘Cyclonic’ CTs grouped together showed significant increasing trends in all seasons, whereas ‘Anticyclonic’ ones showed a generalized decreasing trend, explaining, only partially, the increase of R90p observed in some stations. Meanwhile, the R90p trends seem to be more influenced by the variations in the internal characteristics of CTs (i.e., the variation of some meteorological parameters that characterize them) observed over the past few decades than by changes in CT frequencies but still with high heterogeneity in Italy. The results of this and other similar studies can provide useful support for the implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies to minimize the impacts of severe weather, particularly in complex areas such as the Mediterranean basin.
Circulating antibodies against leukotoxin A as marker of periodontitis Grades B and C and oral infection with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Damgaard Christian , Danielsen Anne Katrine , Enevold Christian , Reinholdt Jesper , Holmstrup Palle , Nielsen Claus H. , Massarenti Laura
Published: March 2021

Background

The facultative bacterium Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) is strongly associated with periodontitis and is occasionally found in periodontally healthy subjects. We aimed to determine the prevalence of salivary Aa among patients with either periodontitis Grade B (periodontitis‐B) or Grade C (periodontitis‐C), periodontally healthy controls (HCs), and to determine if systemic antibodies against Aa or its virulence factor leukotoxin A (LtxA) may serve as biomarkers that reveal the oral presence of the bacterium and discriminate subjects with periodontitis‐C, periodontitis‐B, or no periodontitis from each other.

Methods

Serum and unstimulated saliva samples were collected from patients with periodontitis‐C (n = 27), patients with periodontitis‐B (n = 34), and HCs (n = 28). Serum level of immunoglobulin G antibodies to fragmented whole Aa and to LtxA were quantified using a bead‐based assay. Aa was identified in saliva using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and current smoking status.

Results

Aa was present in saliva from 11% of HCs, in 32% of patients with periodontitis‐B (P = 0.04 versus HCs), and in 37% of patients with periodontitis‐C (P = 0.02 versus HCs). Serum antibodies to fragments of Aa associated significantly with periodontitis‐C (P = 0.03), while serum anti‐LtxA antibodies associated with both periodontitis‐B and periodontitis‐C (P = 0.002 and P = 9×10−4, respectively). Moreover, a significant association between serum anti‐LtxA antibodies and Aa count in saliva was observed (P = 0.001). On the basis of serum anti‐LtxA antibody levels, patients with periodontitis could be discriminated from HCs (AUC = 0.74 in ROC curve‐analysis, P = 0.0003), and carriers of Aa could be discriminated from non‐carriers (AUC = 0.78, P <0.0001).

Conclusions

Aa is highly prevalent in saliva of patients with periodontitis‐B or periodontitis‐C. Systemic immunoglobulin G antibodies against LtxA distinguish patients with periodontitis, regardless of grade, from HCs, while their quantity reflects the concurrent bacterial burden in the oral cavity.
Periphyton improves soil conditions and offers a suitable environment for rice growth in coastal saline alkali soil
Authors: Zhu Ye , Shao Tianyun , Zhou Yujie , Zhang Xun , Gao Xiumei , Long Xiaohua , Rengel Zed
Published: March 2021

Periphyton plays an indispensable role in coastal saline‐alkali land, but its function is poorly understood. Soil physical and chemical properties (pH value, salinity, soil organic matter), enzyme activity, and microbial diversity (based on 16 s rDNA, ITS and functional genes) were measured in periphyton formed on rice‐growing coastal saline‐alkali soil modified by a new type of soil conditioner. The results showed that the content of organic matter and catalase activity in periphyton were significantly higher than in the unplanted control soil. Soil pH and salinity were decreased in periphyton compared to the unplanted control soil. Based on the relative abundance, bacterial genera Desulfomicrobium, Rhodobacter, cyanobacterium_scsio_T−2, Gemmatimonas, and Salinarimonas as well as fungal genus Fusarium were more abundant in periphyton than the unplanted control soil. In terms of functional genes, the cbbM and cbbL sequencing showed higher abundance of Hydrogenophaga, Rhodovulum, Magnetospira, Leptothrix, and Thiohalorhabdus, whereas the nifH sequencing indicated higher abundance of Cyanobacteria in the periphyton compared to the unplanted soil. The relative abundance and community structure of soil microorganisms were improved by periphyton, thus reducing soil salinity and pH, and increasing soil organic matter and enzyme activity. This indicated that the periphyton can improve the conditions and offer a suitable environment for plant growth in coastal saline‐alkali soil.
A Novel Acid‐Degradable PEG Crosslinker for the Fabrication of pH‐Responsive Soft Materials
Authors: Myrgorodska Iuliia , Jenkinson‐Finch Mary , Moreno‐Tortolero Rafael O. , Mann Stephen , Gobbo Pierangelo
Published: March 2021

The design and synthesis of a novel acid‐degradable polyethylene glycol‐based N‐hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester‐activated crosslinker is reported. The crosslinker is reactive towards nucleophiles and features a central ketal functional group that is stable at pH > 7.5 and rapidly hydrolyses at pH > 6.0. The crosslinker is used to (i) fabricate acid‐degradable polysaccharide hydrogels that exhibit controlled degradation upon exposure to an acidic environment or via endogenous enzyme activity; and (ii) construct hydrogel‐filled protein‐polymer microcompartments (termed proteinosomes) capable of pH‐dependent membrane disassembly. Taken together the results provide new opportunities for the fabrication of pH‐responsive soft materials with potential applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and soft‐matter bioengineering.
Panel‐based genetic testing for inherited retinal disease screening 176 genes
Authors: Sheck Leo H. N. , Esposti Simona D. , Mahroo Omar A. , Arno Gavin , Pontikos Nikolas , Wright Genevieve , Webster Andrew R. , Khan Kamron N. , Michaelides Michel
Published: March 2021

Background

This case series reports the performance of a next‐generation sequencing (NGS) panel of 176 retinal genes (NGS 176) in patients with inherited retinal disease (IRD).

Methods

Subjects are patients who underwent genetic testing between 1 August 2016 and 1 January 2018 at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK. Panel‐based genetic testing was performed unless a specific gene (e.g., RS1) or small group of genes (e.g., ABCA4, PRPH2) were suspected. If a novel variant was identified, a further comment on their predicted pathogenicity and evolutionary conservation was offered and segregation studies performed. The main outcome measure is the likelihood of obtaining a genetic diagnosis using NGS 176.

Results

488 patients were included. A molecular diagnosis was obtained for 59.4% of patients. Younger patients were more likely to receive a molecular diagnosis; with 92% of children under the age of 6 years receiving a conclusive result. There was a change in their initially assigned inheritance pattern in 8.4% of patients following genetic testing. Selected IRD diagnoses (e.g., achromatopsia, congenital stationary night blindness) were associated with high diagnostic yields.

Conclusion

This study confirms that NGS 176 is a useful first‐tier genetic test for most IRD patients. Age and initial clinical diagnosis were strongly associated with diagnostic yield.
Classes of operators in fractional calculus: A case study
Authors: Fernandez Arran , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: March 2021

The notion of general classes of operators has recently been proposed as an approach to fractional calculus that respects pure and applied viewpoints equally. Here we demonstrate this approach as it applies to the operators with three‐parameter Mittag‐Leffler kernels defined by Prabhakar in 1971. By considering the general such operator as a class, we are able to better understand its fundamental nature and the different special cases that emerge. In particular, we show that many other named models of fractional calculus can fit within the class of operators defined by Prabhakar and that this class contains both singular and nonsingular operators together. We characterise completely the cases in which these operators are singular or nonsingular and the cases in which they can be written as finite or infinite sums of Riemann–Liouville differintegrals, to obtain finally a catalogue of subclasses with different types of properties.
Parameter estimation in uncertain differential equations based on the solution
Authors: Sheng Yuhong , Zhang Nan
Published: March 2021

The parameter estimation of uncertain differential equation is a significant subject in uncertainty theory. This paper introduces three methods for uncertain differential equations to estimate parameters. These three methods are based on different forms of solutions, and they are the solution of the linear uncertain differential equation, the solution of uncertain differential equation with the Euler scheme, and the solution of uncertain differential equation with the midpoint scheme. According to the correlation operation of the solution obeying the same distribution as that of the observed value, the unknown parameters can be obtained. Several numerical examples are used to illustrate the proposed parameter estimation methods.
Existence and decay results for a von Karman equation with variable exponent nonlinearities
Authors: Ha Tae Gab , Park Sun‐Hye
Published: March 2021

In this article, we consider a von Karman equation with variable exponent nonlinearities

in a bounded domain
. We firstly discuss an existence result of solutions by utilizing Faedo‐Galerkin approximation technique. Then, we undertake an investigation of asymptotic stability to the solutions by making use of the multiplier method.
Resonator‐enhanced radiating cable for UHF RFID readers
Authors: Putaala Jussi , Myllymäki Sami , Kokkonen Mikko , Jantunen Heli
Published: March 2021

An antenna cable for enhancing and adjusting radio coverage is proposed. The presented solution is applied to the UHF RFID range of 866 MHz. With this leaky‐wave antenna cable, radio coverage can be efficient and customizable. A 10 × 100 mm resonator patch is attached on an opening on the cable's outer conductor to improve its radiating properties. The effect of its displacement is studied through simulations and measurements. The alignment affects both resonance frequency and signal strength. One resonator increases the radiated power by 2 dB (37%), multipliable by adding resonators. However, alignment accuracy of millimeters is needed in many cases. The greatest effect in both operating frequency and transmission loss magnitude comes from lifting the resonator from the cable's surface, averagely being 7.6% and 8.6% per mm in measured operating frequency and linear magnitude of S21, respectively. Smallest changes are observed when moving the resonator along the cable, being 0.8% and 0.7% per mm, respectively.
Efficient whole‐brain tract‐specific T1 mapping at 3T with slice‐shuffled inversion‐recovery diffusion‐weighted imaging
Authors: Leppert Ilana R. , Andrews Daniel A. , Campbell Jennifer S. W. , Park Daniel J. , Pike G. Bruce , Polimeni Jonathan R. , Tardif Christine L.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Most voxels in white matter contain multiple fiber populations with different orientations and levels of myelination. Conventional T1 mapping measures 1 T1 value per voxel, representing a weighted average of the multiple tract T1 times. Inversion‐recovery diffusion‐weighted imaging (IR‐DWI) allows the T1 times of multiple tracts in a voxel to be disentangled, but the scan time is prohibitively long. Recently, slice‐shuffled IR‐DWI implementations have been proposed to significantly reduce scan time. In this work, we demonstrate that we can measure tract‐specific T1 values in the whole brain using simultaneous multi‐slice slice‐shuffled IR‐DWI at 3T.

Methods

We perform simulations to evaluate the accuracy and precision of our crossing fiber IR‐DWI signal model for various fiber parameters. The proposed sequence and signal model are tested in a phantom consisting of crossing asparagus pieces doped with gadolinium to vary T1, and in 2 human subjects.

Results

Our simulations show that tract‐specific T1 times can be estimated within 5% of the nominal fiber T1 values. Tract‐specific T1 values were resolved in subvoxel 2 fiber crossings in the asparagus phantom. Tract‐specific T1 times were resolved in 2 different tract crossings in the human brain where myelination differences have previously been reported; the crossing of the cingulum and genu of the corpus callosum and the crossing of the corticospinal tract and pontine fibers.

Conclusion

Whole‐brain tract‐specific T1 mapping is feasible using slice‐shuffled IR‐DWI at 3T. This technique has the potential to improve the microstructural characterization of specific tracts implicated in neurodevelopment, aging, and demyelinating disorders.
Institutional leadership: Maintaining mission integrity in the era of managerialism
Authors: Beaton Erynn E.
Published: March 2021

Today, nonprofit leaders operate in a context of blurred boundaries between the nonprofit and for‐profit sectors, prompting them to engage in managerialism. Managerialism has advantages but is also among the many sources of mission drift. Philip Selznick once proposed a style of leadership, called institutional leadership, that directly addresses the risk of mission drift. Despite the importance of institutional leadership in today's era of managerialism, the concept has been underexamined in the literature. Through ethnographic fieldwork with a cohort of nonprofit leaders, I develop a framework of practices leaders can use to maintain mission integrity. My findings reveal that institutional leadership can be a collective endeavor enacted not only by the board and executives but also by staff and other stakeholders. To prevent mission drift, leaders in the study used practices related to mission reflexivity, involvement gatekeeping, enabling stakeholders, building constraints, and encouraging resistance.
Melatonin and Metformin Failed to Modify the Effect of Dacarbazine in Melanoma
Authors: Novik Aleksei Viktorovich , Protsenko Svetlana Anatolievna , Baldueva Irina Alexandrovna , Berstein Lev Michailovich , Anisimov Vladimir Nikolaevich , Zhuk Irina Nikolaevna , Semenova Anna Igorevna , Latipova Dilorom Khamidovna , Tkachenko Elena Viktorovna , Semiglazova Tatiana Yurievna
Published: March 2021

Lessons Learned

Melatonin did not increase the efficacy of systemic chemotherapy in melanoma. Metformin did not increase the efficacy of systemic chemotherapy in melanoma.

Background

Current data support the possibility of antitumor activity of melatonin and metformin.

Methods

From March 2014 to December 2016, 57 patients with disseminated melanoma received dacarbazine (DTIC) 1,000 mg/m2 on day 1 of a 28-day cycle, either as monotherapy (first group) or in combination with melatonin 3 mg p.o. daily (second group) or metformin 850 mg two times a day p.o. daily (third group) as the first-line of chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints were time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), immunologic biomarkers, and quality of life.

Results

ORR was 7% and did not differ among the treatment groups. Median TTP was 57, 57, and 47 days, respectively, in the first, second, and third groups (р = .362). Median OS was 236, 422, and 419 days, respectively (p = .712). Two patients from the combinations groups showed delayed response to therapy. The increase of CD3+CD4+HLA-DR+ lymphocytes (p = .003), CD3+CD8+HLA-DR+ (p = .045), CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes (p = .012), CD4+CD25highCD127low lymphocytes (p = .029), and overall quantity of lymphocytes (p = .021) was observed in patients with clinical benefit.

Conclusion

No benefit was found in either combination over DTIC monotherapy. Delayed responses in melatonin and metformin combination groups were registered. The increase of lymphocyte subpopulations responsible for antitumor immune response demonstrates the immune system's potential involvement in clinical activity.
PVdF‐based electrospun fibers with various morphologies and their separator applications for secondary batteries
Authors: Karahan Toprakci Hatice Aylin
Published: March 2021

In this study, pristine PVdF nanofibers (PPFs), nanocomposite fibers (NCFs), and bicomponent fibers (BCFs) were prepared by electrospinning. TiO2 and SiO2 nanofillers were used in order to tune the properties and performance of the separators. The morphology, thermal degradation behavior, thermal dimensional stability, mechanical properties, porosity, electrolyte uptake, and electrochemical performance of the samples were investigated. All three morphologies were successfully fabricated under optimized conditions and 15 wt% polymer concentration was found electrospinnable at 0.4 ml h−1 feed rate and under 15 kV applied voltage. Viscosity and conductivity of the spinning solutions were found significant for the fiber morphology. For nanocomposite and bicomponent fibers, TiO2 and SiO2 nanofillers were found to be well dispersed throughout the fiber axis with good adhesion to the matrix. Nanofillers were found to increase the thermal stability, mechanical strength, and electrochemical performance of the separators. Thermal, mechanical properties, porosity, electrolyte uptake, and electrochemical performance of the separators were determined as NCFs > BCFs > PPFs.
Nonlinear torsional buckling of functionally graded graphene‐reinforced composite (FG‐GRC) laminated cylindrical shells stiffened by FG‐GRC laminated stiffeners in thermal environment
Authors: Nguyen Thi Phuong , Vu Minh Duc , Cao Van Doan , Vu Hoai Nam
Published: March 2021

The main aim of this article is to establish an analytical approach on the torsional postbuckling for functionally graded graphene‐reinforced composite (FG‐GRC) laminated circular cylindrical shells stiffened by FG‐GRC laminated stiffener system in thermal environment and subjected to torsion loads. The polymer matrixes of shell skin and stiffeners are reinforced by graphene with two graphene reinforcement directions, namely, zigzag and armchair directions. The anisotropic smeared stiffener technique for FG‐GRC stiffener system is used, and the governing equations are established based on the Donnell shell theory with von Kármán–Donnell‐type geometrical nonlinearity and the Airy's stress function. A three‐state solution of deflection is chosen and Galerkin's method is applied, the explicit forms of critical buckling torsion and expression of load‐deflection postbuckling curves relation are obtained. The effects of graphene‐reinforced composite laminated stiffeners, uniformly distributed temperature, the volume fraction of graphene of stiffened shell on the nonlinear torsional buckling behavior are numerically investigated.
Characteristics of pediatric inpatients with primary and secondary hypertension
Authors: Chen Yijun , Ye Peiyu , Liu Xiaorong , Gong Chunxiu , Li Caifeng , Yuan Yue , Zheng Huyong , Xu Xin , Dong Hongbo , Kong Qin , Yan Yinkun , Mi Jie
Published: March 2021

Importance

Extensive population‐based studies have explored the prevalence of primary hypertension (HTN) in children and adolescents. However, there is little published data on the characteristics of different types of pediatric HTN and the causes of secondary HTN.

Objective

To investigate the characteristics of different types of pediatric HTN and the causes of secondary HTN in a hospital setting.

Methods

The study cohort comprised pediatric inpatients (<18 years of age) discharged with a diagnosis of HTN from Beijing Children’s Hospital during 2015–2020. Pediatric patients with HTN were allocated to secondary and primary HTN groups on the basis of comprehensive analyses of their diagnoses, family history of HTN, and findings on physical examination, as documented in their medical records. The Mann–Whitney U test, χ2 and Fisher’s exact test were used to assess differences in characteristics of patients with different HTN types and causes of secondary HTN.

Results

Data of 1470 inpatients with HTN from 18 clinical departments were included in the analysis. Among them, 458 (31.2%) had primary HTN, and 1012 (68.8%) had secondary HTN. Compared with patients had primary HTN, children with secondary HTN were younger and had lower body mass indexes and longer lengths of stay. Moreover, children with primary HTN had mostly been managed by the Endocrinology and Cardiology Departments, 75.8% of them having obesity‐related comorbidities. In contrast, most patients with secondary HTN had been managed by the Nephrology Department, renal diseases being the leading cause of their HTN (46.3%).

Interpretation

Secondary HTN is more common than primary HTN in pediatric clinical settings, renal diseases being the leading cause of secondary HTN.
Clinical outcomes of concomitant rifamycin and opioid therapy: A systematic review
Authors: Kinney Eric M. , Vijapurapu Sandhya , Covvey Jordan R. , Nemecek Branden D.
Published: March 2021

Opioids are one of the most prescribed classes of analgesic medications. Their narrow therapeutic index and metabolism through cytochrome p450 (CYP) enzymes can result in a drug interaction when used concomitantly with rifamycins. In clinical scenarios where concurrent therapy with an opioid and a rifamycin occurs, there is no standardized guidance for managing the interaction. The objective of this review was to examine literature which evaluates the concomitant use of opioids and rifamycins with clinically relevant CYP‐inducing properties. A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) criteria was performed. PubMed, Scopus, and OVID Embase were queried for studies from database inception to January 2020 related to rifamycin and opioid medications. Only full‐text, peer‐reviewed, English language articles addressing clinical outcomes from concomitant rifamycin and opioid therapy were included. The review isolated 12 articles for data extraction from an original 2260 citations identified. Rifampin (11; 92%) and rifabutin (2; 17%) were the rifamycins studied along with seven different opioids. Decreased effect of opioids with concomitant rifampin therapy manifested as withdrawal in numerous patients on methadone and a decreased analgesic effect from tramadol, morphine, and, most notably, oxycodone. Only the combinations of rifampin with buccal fentanyl and rifabutin with buprenorphine and methadone were found to have no clinically measurable interaction. Available literature suggests that a decrease in opioid clinical effects is appreciated with concomitant rifamycin therapy. Further research is needed to focus on specific mitigation strategies beyond opioid agent selection, such as dosing adjustment recommendations.
Check your sleep before you start: A secondary analysis of a stress management intervention for caregivers of stem cell transplant patients
Authors: Ravyts Scott G. , Sannes Timothy S. , Dzierzewski Joseph M. , Zhou Eric S. , Brewer Benjamin W. , Natvig Crystal , Laudenslager Mark L.
Published: March 2021

Objective

Caregiving for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients is associated with significant physical and psychological sequelae. While psychosocial interventions may reduce caregiver burden, knowledge regarding which caregivers may benefit the most from such interventions is limited. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to examine whether HSCT caregivers' peritransplant sleep moderated the effect of a psychosocial intervention on depression and anxiety posttransplant.

Methods

Participants included 135 caregivers (mean age = 54.23) who participated in randomized controlled trial and were assigned to receive either 8 weeks of Psychoeducation, Paced Respiration, and Relaxation (PEPRR) or treatment as usual (TAU). Sleep, depression, and anxiety were assessed using the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Caregiver symptoms were assessed at baseline (e.g., peritransplant period) and 6‐month posttransplant.

Results

Baseline sleep quality (∆R2 = 0.04,p = 0.002), sleep efficiency (∆R2 = 0.03,p = 0.02), and sleep onset latency (∆R2 = 0.07,p < 0.001) independently moderated the effect of group assignment on depression outcomes at the 6‐month follow‐up. Specifically, caregivers with poor sleep at baseline who received PEPRR reported significantly lower depression scores at follow‐up compared to caregivers with poor sleep who received TAU. By contrast, only sleep quality (∆R2 = 0.02,p = 0.01) and sleep onset latency (∆R2 = 0.02,p = 0.005) moderated the effect of the group assignment on anxiety.

Conclusions

Psychosocial interventions for HSCT caregivers may buffer against psychological morbidity, particularly among caregivers with poor sleep quality.
Ventilatory response to CO2 with Read's rebreathing method in normal infants
Authors: Yamada Yosuke , Henmi Nobuhide , Hasegawa Hisaya , Tsuruta Shio , Tokumasu Satoko , Suganami Yusuke , Wasa Masanori
Published: March 2021

Background

Methods of evaluating the ventilatory response to CO2 (VRCO2) of the respiratory center include the steady‐state and the rebreathing method. Although the rebreathing method can evaluate the ventilatory response continuously to gradually increasing CO2, the rebreathing method has been rarely performed in infants. The aim of this study was to investigate whether we could perform the VRCO2 with the rebreathing method in normal infants.

Methods

The subjects were 80 normal infants. The gestational age was 39.9 (39.3–40.3) weeks, and the birth body weight was 3142 (2851–3451) grams. We performed the VRCO2 with Read's rebreathing method, measuring the increase in minute volume (MV) in response to the increase in EtCO2 by rebreathing a closed circuit. The value of VRCO2 was calculated as follow: VRCO2 (ml/min/mmHg/kg) = ΔMV/ΔEtCO2/body weight.

Results

We performed the examination without adverse events. The age in days at examination was 3 (2–4), and the examination time was 150 ± 38 s. The maximum EtCO2 was 51.1 (50.5–51.9) mmHg. The value of VRCO2 was 34.6 (29.3–42.8). The intraclass correlation coefficient of the VRCO2 of cases with multiple measurements was 0.79.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the rebreathing method can evaluate the ventilatory response to high blood CO2 in a short examination time. We conclude that the rebreathing method is useful even in infants. In the future, we plan to measure the VRCO2 of preterm infants, and evaluate the respiratory center of infants in more detail.
Structural insights into the thermostability mechanism of a nitrile hydratase from Caldalkalibacillus thermarum by comparative molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Shen Ji‐Dong , Cai Xue , Ni Ye‐Wen , Jin Li‐Qun , Liu Zhi‐Qiang , Zheng Yu‐Guo
Published: March 2021

Nitrile hydratase (NHase), an excellent bio‐catalyst for the synthesis of amide compounds, was composed of two heterologous subunits. A thermoalkaliphilic NHase NHCTA1 (Tm = 71.3°C) obtained by in silico screening in our study exhibited high flexibility of α‐subunit but excellent thermostability, as opposed to previous examples. To gain a deeper structural insight into the thermostability of NHCTA1, comparative molecular dynamics simulation of NHCTA1 and reported NHases was carried out. By comparison, we speculated that β‐subunit played a key role in adjusting the flexibility of α‐subunit and the different conformations of linker in “α5‐helix‐coil ring” supersecondary structure of β‐subunit can affect the interaction between β‐subunit and α‐subunit. Mutant NHCTA1‐α6C with a random coil linker and mutant NHCTA1‐αβγ with a truncated linker were therefore constructed to understand the impact on NHCTA1 thermostability by varying the supersecondary structure. The varied thermostability of NHCTA1‐α6C and NHCTA1‐αβγ (Tmα6C = 74.4°C, Tmαβγ = 65.6°C) verified that the flexibility of α‐subunit adjusted by β‐subunit was relevant to the stability of NHCTA1. This study gained an insight into the NNHCTA1 thermostability by virtual dynamics comparison and experimental studies without crystallization, and this approach could be applied to other industrial‐important enzymes.
A systematic review of interleaving as a concept learning strategy
Authors: Firth Jonathan , Rivers Ian , Boyle James
Published: March 2021

A systematic review was conducted into the effect of interleaving the order of examples of concepts in terms of both memory of items and transfer to new items. This concept has important implications for how and when teachers present examples in the classroom. A total of 26 studies met the inclusion criteria; a subset of 17 studies (with 32 constituent datasets) formed the basis of a meta‐analysis, and the remainder were analysed within a narrative review. Memory (as tested by presenting studied items from a learned category) showed an interleaving benefit with effect sizes (Hedges’ g) of up to 0.65, and transfer (as tested by presenting novel items from a learned category) a benefit with effect sizes of up to 0.66. Interleaving was found to be of greatest use when differences between items are subtle, and the benefit extended to both art‐ and science‐based items, with implication for practitioner decisions over how and when to apply the technique. It also extended to delayed tests. The review revealed that the literature is dominated by laboratory studies of university undergraduates, and the need for future school‐based research using authentic classroom tasks is outlined.
Online orientation sets grad students up for success
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: March 2021

From child care and work obligations to proximity to campus, there are a variety of reasons why incoming graduate students can't make it to an in‐person orientation.
Mergers require overcommunication and participative planning
Authors: Hodges Dawn Z.
Published: March 2021

As was true during the recession of 2007–09, the COVID‐19 pandemic of 2020 has turned the college and university conversation to mergers. While not all of higher education's revenue is tuition driven, a huge portion of the budget is built around tuition income.
Student affairs professionals have what it takes to lead students, staff through challenges of pandemic
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: March 2021

W hen college campuses felt the impact of the pandemic, student affairs professionals tapped into their extensive, on‐the‐job training in crisis management. Before the COVID‐19 crisis, they knew to expect the unexpected, frequently working behind the scenes to successfully manage crises. And that experience helped prepare student affairs professionals to lead students and staff through the pandemic, said Angela E. Batista, Ed.D., Certified Executive and Design Coach, and Founder and CEO of Batista Consulting Services, LLC​, and former Vice President of Student Affairs and Institutional Diversity and Inclusion at Vermont's Champlain College. “There's a sense of comfort, knowing how to deal with a crisis,” she said. But this time was different, of course. “It usually doesn't happen in such a fish bowl,” noted Batista, also the 2020–2021 NASPA Board Chair.
Synthesis and Characterizations of High Crystallized Clinoptilolite by Structure Directing Agent Method and its Crystallization Kinetics
Authors: Zorigt Tergel , Zhai Chengwei , Jiao Jian , Sun Jihong , Wu Xia
Published: March 2021

The clinoptilolites (CPs) with high purity were prepared via structure directing agent (SDA) method combining with hydrothermal method using silica sol as the silica source and aluminum hydroxide as the aluminum source. Their structural features were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra, thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis, scanning electron micrograph (SEM) images, 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) profiles. The effects of additive amount and aging time of used SDA, as well as synthetic parameters such as crystallization temperature and crystallization time on their structure and performance were emphasized. Particularly, the activation energies of their crystallization kinetics at different stages of induction period and growth period were calculated on the basis of Arrhenius equation. The results demonstrated that the obtained CPs presented the highest relative crystallinity when the additive amount of used SDA was 1 mL at aging periods of 2 d, otherwise, their relative crystallinity degree was low due to existences of a large number of heterocrystal impurities. Particularly, the apparent activation energy values for induction (En) and growth (Eg) profile were calculated by the Arrhenius equation. The En value (86.46 kJ/mol) of induction period was much higher than that Eg value (9.64 kJ/mol) of growth stage, suggesting that the induction period was the main controlling step during the synthetic CP. Finally, the synthetic CP was employed to preliminarily assess its performances for CH4/N2 separation. These demonstrations provide a promising method for the synthesis of CPs.
Ethylenediamine Functionalized Cellulose Acetate [CAEDA] Nanosized Solid Base Catalyst in the Synthesis of 2‐Amino‐4H‐Chromenes and 5‐Substituted‐1H‐Tetrazoles
Authors: Kour Jaspreet , Gupta Monika , Sharma Neha
Published: March 2021

A series of 2‐amino‐4H‐chromenes by combining dimedone, different substituted aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile and 5‐substituted‐1H‐tetrazoles by combining variable aldehydes, hydroxylamine hydrochloride and sodium azide have been efficiently synthesized in presence of ethylenediamine functionalized cellulose acetate as a solid base catalyst i.e Cellulose acetate[1,2‐ethylenediamine][CAEDA]. This catalyst is low‐cost, non‐toxic, unexplored, easily available, reusable, eco‐friendly in nature. This synthesized solid base catalyst has been characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), themogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) spectroscopic techniques. The new catalytic method exhibits some noteworthy advantages such as short reaction time, high yields, easy workup and purification steps, simple preparation method which makes this strategy more useful for the synthesis of chromene and tetrazole derivatives then earlier methods.
Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 on Flame Annealed Cu
Authors: Keerthiga Gopalram , Chetty Raghuram
Published: March 2021

Surface modification of metallic Cu by conventional oxidation and an alternative method of oxidation using flame annealing and its influence on electrochemical reduction (ECR) of CO2 are reported in this study. The ECR of CO2 in aqueous KCl electrolyte yielded methane, ethane, ethylene, and hydrogen as the major products. The faradaic efficiency of ethane obtained at −1.2 V vs NHE for flame‐annealed Cu (34 %) was comparable to the conventionally oxidised Cu (40 %), while bare Cu yielded methane (10 %). The metal–metal oxide interface on the electrode aids in the formation of C2‐based products. Flame annealing can be regarded as an alternative electrode preparation method for C2 product formation, with its merits in high specific surface area, self‐rejuvenating mode on deactivation and ease of preparation.
Thermo‐Sensitive EuIII Coordination Polymers with Amorphous Networks
Authors: Hasegawa Yasuchika , Sato Natsumi , Hayashi Joe , Kitagawa Yuichi , Fushimi Koji
Published: March 2021

Luminescent EuIII coordination polymer with amorphous transformation and thermo‐sensing abilities under higher temperature, [Eu(hfa)3(tppa)n]m (hfa: hexafluoroacetylacetonate, tppa: tri‐diphenylphosphoryl‐4,4,4‐triphenylamine) is reported. The glass transition and decomposition temperatures are found to be 142 °C and 270 °C, respectively. The intrinsic emission quantum yield Φ4f−4f of [Eu(hfa)3(tppa)n]m was estimated to be 69 % in solid state. [Eu(hfa)3(tppa)n]m shows effective decrease in the emission lifetime upon increasing the temperature from 320 to 400 K. The temperature‐depended emission lifetime is caused by the back energy transfer from emitting level of EuIII ion (5D0) to the LLCT band (tppa ligand to hfa ligand) in [Eu(hfa)3(tppa)n]m. Thermo‐sensitive lanthanide luminophore with stable glass formation in higher temperature (>100 °C) is useful for surface temperature detection in the field of high‐speed wind tunnel experiments such as aircraft and automobile designs.
Preparation of Cu−MoS2/CdS Composite and Photoelectrocatalysis for Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Yang Huimin , Zhang Dingding , Tian Haoyang , Li Yupeng , Hu Xueyan , Gao Mengting , Liang Zhenhai
Published: March 2021

Transition metal ion doping is an efficient method to enhance the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of catalytic composite materials. In this study, Cu−MoS2/CdS composite materials are successfully constructed through two‐step solvothermal and liquid exfoliation methods. CdS nanorods are decorated by fewer layers of MoS2doped with Cu2+. The properties of the composites materials, such as microstructure, crystal structure and type, element valence state, and energy band structure, are obtained by XRD, XPS, and TEM. The combination of Cu−MoS2and CdS effectively inhibits the recombination of photo‐generated electrons and holes and improves the photocatalytic properties of the composite materials. The PEC test results show that the Cu−MoS2/CdS composite have a perfect photocurrent density of 77 μA cm−2, which is 12.8 and 2.8 times of those of CdS and MoS2/CdS, respectively. Cu−MoS2/CdS composite has the lowest interfacial resistance and the best interfacial charge transfer capability due to ion doping and the inherent high conductivity of MoS2. At 5 % doping ratio of Cu2+, the photoelectrocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of Cu−MoS2/CdS reaches 12.78 mmol h−1g−1, which is 60 times of that of CdS.
N‐Alkyl 3‐aminobut‐2‐enenitrile as a Non‐radioactive Side Product in Nucleophilic 18F‐Fluorination
Authors: Song Ruichong , Tago Tetsuro , Tatsuta Maho , Shiraishi Nana , Iwai Kumiko , Hirano Keiichi , Toyohara Jun , Tanaka Hiroshi
Published: March 2021

We found that acetonitrile acted as a reactant under the conventional reaction conditions for aliphatic nucleophilic 18F‐fluorination in acetonitrile to provide the N‐alkyl 3‐aminobut‐2‐enenitrile as one of the side products. Dimerization of acetonitrile promoted by a complex of K2CO3 and K222 provided 3‐aminobut‐2‐enenitrile, which acted as nucleophile to provide N‐alkyl amino derivatives. Based on the finding, avoiding acetonitrile in the drying of [18F]fluoride as well as 18F‐labeling enabled the preparation of 18F‐labeled compounds containing only a small amount of the corresponding alcohol. Finally, we used an automated synthesizer to achieve an efficient phase‐tag‐assisted synthesis of 18F‐labeled stilbene derivative as a 18F‐labeled amyloid‐β ligand.
3D Cationic Polymeric Network Nanotrap for Efficient Collection of Perrhenate Anion from Wastewater
Authors: Li Xiaorui , Li Yiming , Wang Huifang , Niu Zheng , He Yingjie , Jin Linfeng , Wu Mingyang , Wang Haiying , Chai Liyuan , Al‐Enizi Abdullah M. , Nafady Ayman , Shaikh Shoyebmohamad F. , Ma Shengqian
Published: March 2021

Rhenium is one of the most valuable elements found in nature, and its capture and recycle are highly desirable for resource recovery. However, the effective and efficient collection of this material from industrial waste remains quite challenging. Herein, a tetraphenylmethane‐based cationic polymeric network (CPN‐tpm) nanotrap is designed, synthesized, and evaluated for ReO4− recovery. 3D building units are used to construct imidazolium salt‐based polymers with positive charges, which yields a record maximum uptake capacity of 1133 mg g−1 for ReO4− collection as well as fast kinetics ReO4− uptake. The sorption equilibrium is reached within 20 min and a kd value of 8.5 × 105 mL g−1 is obtained. The sorption capacity of CPN‐tpm remains stable over a wide range of pH values and the removal efficiency exceeds 60% for pH levels below 2. Moreover, CPN‐tpm exhibits good recyclability for at least five cycles of the sorption–desorption process. This work provides a new route for constructing a kind of new high‐performance polymeric material for rhenium recovery and rhenium‐contained industrial wastewater treatment.
Multi‐upgradation software reliability growth model with dependency of faults under change point and imperfect debugging
Authors: Chatterjee Subhashis , Saha Deepjyoti , Sharma Akhilesh
Published: March 2021

With the improvement of innovation, software developers consistently build up a new version of software by adding new features in the previously existing version of the software. In resent day's competitive market, the reliability and release time of multi‐upgradation software are very important issues to both: customers and developers. Many researchers have proposed various software reliability growth models (SRGMs) to improve the precision of assessing the reliability of programming. For reliability estimation, a detailed study is necessary to know the characteristics of different types of faults. It has been noticed that some faults present in software remove independently at the same time some faults remove some other faults. During upgradation, new faults generate due to many reasons. Though dependency of faults is an important issue, there is no such SRGM exist for multi‐release problem. Hence, an SRGM has been proposed for multi‐release problems here with the dependency of faults under the imperfect debugging phenomenon. The effect of change point has been incorporated in SRGM due to changes in testing strategy, changes in testing environments, and so forth, during up‐gradation. Based on datasets, it can be said the performance of the proposed model is better than some other existing models. Also, it is very important for software companies to know the optimal time of release a new version of software. As testing charges change with time, it cannot be constant throughout testing phase. Hence, a new random cost model has also been proposed for release time analysis in case of a multi‐release problem.
Case report: Haemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma in an english setter
Authors: Kerboeuf Mikael , Brun‐Hansen Hege , Oscarson Malin , Sjetne Lund Heidi
Published: March 2021

A 4‐year‐old English setter presented with a 1‐week history of anorexia, lethargy and occasional vomiting. Blood analysis revealed moderate regenerative anaemia, mild monocytosis, thrombocytopaenia, hypoproteinaemia, hypoglobulinaemia, hypocholesterolaemia and increased C‐reactive protein. On ultrasonography, the spleen had multifocal hypoechoic lesions. Fine needle aspirates from the spleen and liver showed marked extramedullary haematopoiesis, an increased number of histiocytes, haemosiderin deposits and erythrophagocytosis. A tentative diagnosis of haemophagocytic histiocytic sarcoma (HHS) was made, and the owners elected euthanasia. On autopsy, the liver and spleen were enlarged. The spleen had an uneven surface and a yellow‐tan spotted appearance. Histologically, the red pulp was highly cellular and dominated by erythroid cells, as well as a population of larger polygonal cells and aggregates of histiocytes. HHS was confirmed by CD11d immunolabelling. This represents the first documented case of HHS in an English setter.
Nanomaterials for Agricultural and Ecological Defense Applications: Active Agents and Sensors
Authors: Sharma Pramila , Kumar Sanjay , Patel Axita , Datta Bhaskar , DeLong Robert K.
Published: March 2021

The world we live in today is overpopulated with an unprecedented number of people competing for fewer and fewer precious resources. The struggle to efficiently steward and manage these resources is a global problem in need of concrete and urgent solutions. Nanomaterials have driven innovation in diverse industrial sectors including military, aviation, electronic, and medical among others. Nanoscale materials possess unique surfaces and exquisite opto‐electronic properties that make them uniquely suited to environmental, biological, and ecological defense applications. A tremendous upsurge of research activity in these areas is evident from the exponential increase in publications worldwide. Here we review recent applications of nanomaterials toward soil health and management, abiotic and biotic stress management, plant defense, delivery of the RNA Interference (RNAi), plant growth, manufacture of agro‐products, and ecological investigations related to farming. For example, nanomaterial constructs have been used to counter environmental stresses and in plant defense and disease diagnosis. Nanosensor chemistries have been developed to monitor water quality and measure specific pollutant levels. Specific nanomaterials such as silver, iron oxide, and zinc oxide proffer protection to plants from pathogens. This review describes progress in nanomaterial‐based agricultural and ecological defense and seeks to identify factors that would enable their wider commercialization and deployment.

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials

Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices