bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Complexities of Boundaries, Task Claims, and Professional Identity in Teamwork: from Dentists’ Perspective
Authors: Franzén Cecilia
Published: February 2020

This article concerns how dentists in a Swedish dental care organisation conceptualized work division when teamwork was requested by the senior manager and their boundary work in relation to dental auxiliaries. Data were drawn from semi-structured interviews with the dentists. The dentists’ made claims to tasks based on legislation and their wanting to focus on tasks that required their expertise. Dental auxiliaries may be reluctant to take on new tasks and become more involved in patient care, which indicates that they have some influence in the work division. Nevertheless, the dentists retained control as their invitation for dental auxiliaries in patient care was based on certain conditions. The dentists’ claim to certain tasks may have strengthened their identity as experts and reinforced boundaries between themselves and dental auxiliaries.
Early-life intestinal microbiome in Trachemys scripta elegans analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing
Authors: Peng Qin , Chen Yahui , Ding Li , Zhao Zimiao , Yan Peiyu , Storey Kenneth B. , Shi Haitao , Hong Meiling
Published: February 2020

During the early-life period, the hatchlings of red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) rely on their own post-hatching internal yolk for several days before beginning to feed. The gut microbiome is critical for the adaptation of organisms to new environments, but, to date, how the microbiome taxa are assembled during early life of the turtle is unknown. In this study, the intestinal microbiome of red-eared slider hatchlings (fed on commercial particle food) was systematically analyzed at four different growth stages (0 d, 10 d, 20 d, 30 d) by a high-throughput sequencing approach. Results showed that the dominant phyla were Firmicutes (58.23%) and Proteobacteria (41.42%) at 0-day, Firmicutes (92.94%) at 10-day, Firmicutes (67.08%) and Bacteroidetes (27.17%) at 20-day, and Firmicutes (56.46%), Bacteroidetes (22.55%) and Proteobacteria (20.66%) at 30-day post-hatching. Members of the Bacteroidaceae family were absent in 0-day and 10-day turtles, but dominated in 20-day and 30-day turtles. The abundance of Clostridium also showed the highest value in 10-day turtles. The richness of the intestinal microbiomes was lower at 0-day and 30-day than that at 10-day and 20-day, while the diversity was higher at 10-day and 30-day than that at 0-day and 20-day. The results endowed the turtles with an ability to enhance their tolerance to the environment.
An Interactive Map for 3D-Password Security Authentication
Authors: Asunbiaro S. C. , Oluwadare S. A. , Adekunle A. O. , Olawuyi N. J. , Ogundoju B. M.
Published: February 2020

The drawbacks of all the existing security techniques have led to a newer technique called 3D Password. The 3D Password authentication technique can accommodate those previous authentication techniques (Textual password, graphical password, biometric password and so on) which make it difficult for hackers to crack because of the inclusion of a 3D virtual environment and its virtual objects. Mapping techniques have evolved over the years with the aid of the computer system, satellite and Global Positioning System (GPS) each location on a map is geo-referenced. This paper proposed a combination of 3D Password security authentication with 3D Interactive Maps for better and more enhanced security, hence allowing the user to select the area he is much familiar with and making it more difficult for hackers to break. Also, a 3D interactive map is an existing technology and a virtual environment, service, commonly used by end-users all around the world. With this, it will make 3D password security authentication more secured and better user-friendly as against developing a specific virtual environment for a user to select a virtual object which he might be seeing for the very first time. This can lead to a user forgetting an object that was chosen in the first place when he is to login at another time interval which could be days, weeks, months or years.
Comparative Effectiveness of Different Treatment Pathways for Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Wakeman Sarah E. , Larochelle Marc R. , Ameli Omid , Chaisson Christine E. , McPheeters Jeffrey Thomas , Crown William H. , Azocar Francisca , Sanghavi Darshak M.
Published: February 2020

Importance

Although clinical trials demonstrate the superior effectiveness of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) compared with nonpharmacologic treatment, national data on the comparative effectiveness of real-world treatment pathways are lacking.

Objective

To examine associations between opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment pathways and overdose and opioid-related acute care use as proxies for OUD recurrence.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective comparative effectiveness research study assessed deidentified claims from the OptumLabs Data Warehouse from individuals aged 16 years or older with OUD and commercial or Medicare Advantage coverage. Opioid use disorder was identified based on 1 or more inpatient or 2 or more outpatient claims for OUD diagnosis codes within 3 months of each other; 1 or more claims for OUD plus diagnosis codes for opioid-related overdose, injection-related infection, or inpatient detoxification or residential services; or MOUD claims between January 1, 2015, and September 30, 2017. Data analysis was performed from April 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019.

Exposures

One of 6 mutually exclusive treatment pathways, including (1) no treatment, (2) inpatient detoxification or residential services, (3) intensive behavioral health, (4) buprenorphine or methadone, (5) naltrexone, and (6) nonintensive behavioral health.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Opioid-related overdose or serious acute care use during 3 and 12 months after initial treatment.

Results

A total of 40 885 individuals with OUD (mean [SD] age, 47.73 [17.25] years; 22 172 [54.2%] male; 30 332 [74.2%] white) were identified. For OUD treatment, 24 258 (59.3%) received nonintensive behavioral health, 6455 (15.8%) received inpatient detoxification or residential services, 5123 (12.5%) received MOUD treatment with buprenorphine or methadone, 1970 (4.8%) received intensive behavioral health, and 963 (2.4%) received MOUD treatment with naltrexone. During 3-month follow-up, 707 participants (1.7%) experienced an overdose, and 773 (1.9%) had serious opioid-related acute care use. Only treatment with buprenorphine or methadone was associated with a reduced risk of overdose during 3-month (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.24; 95% CI, 0.14-0.41) and 12-month (AHR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.31-0.55) follow-up. Treatment with buprenorphine or methadone was also associated with reduction in serious opioid-related acute care use during 3-month (AHR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.47-0.99) and 12-month (AHR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.58-0.95) follow-up.

Conclusions and Relevance

Treatment with buprenorphine or methadone was associated with reductions in overdose and serious opioid-related acute care use compared with other treatments. Strategies to address the underuse of MOUD are needed.
A Facile, High‐Yield, and Freeze‐and‐Thaw‐Assisted Approach to Fabricate MXene with Plentiful Wrinkles and Its Application in On‐Chip Micro‐Supercapacitors
Authors: Huang Xianwu , Wu Peiyi
Published: February 2020

MXene, as a new member of the two‐dimensional (2D) material family, has been widely studied. However, people often pay close attention to the versatility of MXene while ignoring its low exfoliation yield. In this work, a simplified and effective strategy to exfoliate multilayer‐MXene via the gentle water freezing‐and‐thawing (FAT) approach is proposed. The volume expansion of intercalated water can promote the exfoliation of MXene nanosheets. The yield of large FAT‐MXene flakes with special wrinkles can reach 39% after four cycles of the FAT process. Moreover, combining with sonication treatment can boost the yield of small MXene to a record high value of 81.4%. With the help of a commercial interdigital mask, an on‐chip all‐MXene micro‐supercapacitor (MSC) assembled by large FAT‐MXene is fabricated, exhibiting high areal and volumetric capacitance of 23.6 mF cm−2 and 591 F cm−3, respectively. This remarkable electrochemical performance of MXene‐MSC also confirms the high quality of MXene through this FAT strategy. This study may open up a new method to simultaneously boost the yield of MXene with small or large flake sizes, facilitating large‐scale and size‐dependent research on MXene.
A Self‐Healing Nanofiber‐Based Self‐Responsive Time‐Temperature Indicator for Securing a Cold‐Supply Chain
Authors: Choi Sejin , Eom Youngho , Kim Seon‐Mi , Jeong Da‐Woon , Han Jongmin , Koo Jun Mo , Hwang Sung Yeon , Park Jeyoung , Oh Dongyeop X.
Published: February 2020

Perishable foods at undesired temperatures can generate foodborne illnesses that present significant societal costs. To certify refrigeration succession in a food‐supply chain, a flexible, easy‐to‐interpret, damage‐tolerant, and sensitive time‐temperature indicator (TTI) that uses a self‐healing nanofiber mat is devised. This mat is opaque when refrigerated due to nanofiber‐induced light scattering, but becomes irreversibly transparent at room temperature through self‐healing‐induced interfibrillar fusion leading to the appearance of a warning sign. The mat monitors both freezer (−20 °C) and chiller (2 °C) successions and its timer is tunable over the 0.5–22.5 h range through control of the polymer composition and film thickness. The thin mat itself serves as both a temperature sensor and display; it does not require modularization, accurately measures localized or gradient heat, and functions even after crushing, cutting, and when weight‐loaded in a manner that existing TTIs cannot. It also contains no drainable chemicals and is attachable to various shapes because it operates through an intrinsic physical response.
Spatiotemporally Synchronous Oxygen Self‐Supply and Reactive Oxygen Species Production on Z‐Scheme Heterostructures for Hypoxic Tumor Therapy
Authors: Cheng Yan , Kong Xiangpeng , Chang Yun , Feng Yanlin , Zheng Runxiao , Wu Xiaqing , Xu Keqiang , Gao Xingfa , Zhang Haiyuan
Published: February 2020

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy has been severely limited by oxygen (O2) deficiency in tumors and the electron–hole separation inefficiency in photosensitizers, especially the long‐range diffusion of O2 toward photosensitizers during the PDT process. Herein, novel bismuth sulfide (Bi2S3)@bismuth (Bi) Z‐scheme heterostructured nanorods (NRs) are designed to realize the spatiotemporally synchronous O2 self‐supply and production of reactive oxygen species for hypoxic tumor therapy. Both narrow‐bandgap Bi2S3 and Bi components can be excited by a near‐infrared laser to generate abundant electrons and holes. The Z‐scheme heterostructure endows Bi2S3@Bi NRs with an efficient electron–hole separation ability and potent redox potentials, where the hole on the valence band of Bi2S3 can react with water to supply O2 for the electron on the conduction band of Bi to produce reactive oxygen species. The Bi2S3@Bi NRs overcome the major obstacles of conventional photosensitizers during the PDT process and exhibit a promising phototherapeutic effect, supplying a new strategy for hypoxic tumor elimination.
Strong Linearly Polarized Photoluminescence and Electroluminescence from Halide Perovskite/Azobenzene Dye Composite Film for Display Applications
Authors: Zhang Jianfeng , Meng Cuiling , Huang Jincheng , Jiang Le , Zhou Dingjian , Chen Rongsheng , Yeung Fion , Kwok Hoi‐Sing , Xu Ping , Li Guijun
Published: February 2020

Polarization emission from halide perovskite is expected to bring a lot of benefits for next‐generation displays, such as cost down, wide color gamut, and structure simplification. In this work, strong linearly polarized luminescence from emissive halide perovskites modulated by photoaligned azobenzene dye AD1 is demonstrated. The azobenzene dye functionalized halide perovskite thin films not only exhibit exceptionally high degree of polarization (DOP) of 86.2–93.1% for red, green, and blue emission, but also promise an improved environmental stability originating from the hydrophobic nature of the azobenzene dye. When these perovskite/AD1 composite films are applied in liquid crystal display panels to replace the conventional thick polarizer, the energy efficiency can be doubled and the color gamut can be extended to >120% NTSC. Furthermore, the AD1 functionalized strategy is successfully employed to generate linearly polarized electroluminescence from an inverted perovskite light‐emitting diode, showing a high DOP of 47%.
Ferroelectric Polymers Exhibiting Negative Longitudinal Piezoelectric Coefficient: Progress and Prospects
Authors: Liu Yang , Wang Qing
Published: February 2020

Piezoelectric polymers are well‐recognized to hold great promise for a wide range of flexible, wearable, and biocompatible applications. Among the known piezoelectric polymers, ferroelectric polymers represented by poly(vinylidene fluoride) and its copolymer poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐trifluoroethylene) possess the best piezoelectric coefficients. However, the physical origin of negative longitudinal piezoelectric coefficients occurring in the polymers remains elusive. To address this long‐standing challenge, several theoretical models proposed over the past decades, which are controversial in nature, have been revisited and reviewed. It is concluded that negative longitudinal piezoelectric coefficients arise from the negative longitudinal electrostriction in the crystalline domain of the polymers, independent of amorphous and crystalline‐amorphous interfacial regions. The crystalline origin of piezoelectricity offers unprecedented opportunities to improve electromechanical properties of polymers via structural engineering, i.e., design of morphotropic phase boundaries in ferroelectric polymers.
Artificial Mini Dendritic Cells Boost T Cell–Based Immunotherapy for Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Cheng Shanshan , Xu Cong , Jin Yue , Li Yu , Zhong Cheng , Ma Jun , Yang Jiani , Zhang Nan , Li Yuan , Wang Chao , Yang Zhiyou , Wang Yu
Published: February 2020

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy with high recurrence rates and low survival rates, remaining a disease of high unmet need. Cancer immunotherapy, which harnesses the potential of the immune system to attack tumors, has emerged as one of the most promising treatment options in recent years. As an important form of immunotherapy, dendritic cell (DC)–based vaccines have demonstrated the ability to induce an immune response, while clinical efficacy of DC vaccines remains unsubstantiated as long‐term benefit is only reported in a restricted proportion of patients. Here, a biomimetic nanovaccine derived from DCs is developed through cell membrane coating nanotechnology. This nanovaccine, denoted “mini DC,” inherits the ability of antigen presentation and T cells' stimulation from DCs and is shown to elicit enhanced activation of T cells both in vitro and in vivo. In a mouse model of ovarian cancer, mini DCs exhibit superior therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy against cancer including delayed tumor growth and reduced tumor metastasis compared with DC vaccine. These findings suggest that mini DCs may serve as a facile and potent vaccine to boost anticancer immunotherapy.
Numerical calculation with experimental validation of pressure drop in a fixed‐bed reactor filled with the porous elements
Authors: Pashchenko Dmitry , Karpilov Igor , Mustafin Ravil
Published: February 2020

To study flow dynamics in a fixed‐bed reactor, experiment and numerical simulation are used. In this work, the flow dynamics in a fixed‐bed reactor filled with porous particles was simulated. For verification, experimental data were used. Porous particles were prepared from grains with sizes from 0.2 to 2.0 mm. Porous particles made by sintering grains in a muffle furnace. The study of pressure drop was performed in the velocity range up to 3 m/s. Numerical calculation was performed for a realistic computational domain obtained by RBD‐algorithm (rigid body dynamics). It was found that if the pore size is less than 0.5 mm, then the flow through the porous medium of particles is minimal; if the pore size is larger than 0.5 mm, then there is a flow through the porous elements of the fixed‐bed reactor. To take into account the porosity of the particles, γ correlation coefficient was proposed for the Ergun equation.
The Value of Public Information in Storable Commodity Markets: Application to the Soybean Market
Authors: Gouel Christophe
Published: February 2020

This article provides a framework to estimate the potential effects and benefits of the provision of market information in storable commodity markets. This framework is applied to the case of production forecasts for the soybean market. A rational expectations storage model of the global soybean market accounting for both inter‐annual and intra‐annual market dynamics is built. Shocks that occur between planting and harvesting affect the size of the potential harvest. Estimates of the size of these shocks are reported publicly and affect the market equilibrium through adjustments to stock levels. By varying counterfactually the observability of seasonal shocks, we can estimate the efficiency gains related to the availability of advance information. They are equivalent to 2% of storage costs; the reduction of stock levels being the main channel explaining the welfare gains. The presence of advance information has a limited effect on inter‐annual price volatility but redistributes price volatility during the season, increasing it just before harvest when almost all news has been received and stocks are tight and decreasing it after harvest. The effect of news shocks is stronger on higher order moments of the distribution with a strong decrease in skewness and kurtosis related to the lower frequency of price spikes.
Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Tarahumara and Mestizo Adolescents from Sierra Tarahumara, Mexico
Authors: Rivera‐Morales Javier , Sotuyo Solange , Vargas‐Guadarrama Luis A. , De Santiago Soledad , Pasquet Patrick
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Our purpose was to explore the levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and the relationship between CRF, physical activity, and other physical traits in traditional and nontraditional Tarahumara, and Mestizo adolescents from Sierra Tarahumara, Mexico.

Methods

A sample of 87 adolescents aged 16.9 ± 1.2 years (mean ± SD) performed the Margaria step test to quantify CRF. Physical activity was estimated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric measures were taken to estimate body composition and other physical characteristics.

Results

Traditional Tarahumara showed higher levels of CRF than nontraditional Tarahumara and Mestizo adolescents (F = 5.5, p = .006). The time allotted to sedentary activities was higher in the Mestizo and nontraditional Tarahumara (χ2 = 10.17, p = .006). In nontraditional Tarahumara, adiposity was associated with CRF reduction (r2 = −.63, p = .00), while vigorous physical activities were positively associated with CRF (r2 = .43, p = .03) and negatively associated with the z‐score of body fat (r2 = −.42 p = .03). Finally, CRF was negatively associated with fat percentage (r2 = −.27, p = .00) and systolic blood pressure (r2 = −.09, p = .04) in the Mestizo. In this group, walking activities (r2 = −.25, p = .003) and total physical activity score (r2 = −.11, p = .03) had a positive association with the CRF, while moderate activities had a negative association with the body mass index (r2 = .09, p = .04), and vigorous activities were negatively associated with body weight (r2 = .11, p = .03).

Conclusions

In the sampled nontraditional Tarahumara and Mestizo adolescents, moderate and vigorous physical activities were important factors in determining levels in CRF, fat percentage, and other health parameters.
Extracranial midline defects in a patient with craniofrontonasal syndrome with a novel EFNB1 mutation
Authors: Acosta‐Fernández Elizabeth , Zenteno Juan C. , Chacón‐Camacho Oscar F. , Peña‐Padilla Christian , Bobadilla‐Morales Lucina , Corona‐Rivera Alfredo , Romo‐Huerta Carmen O. , Zepeda‐Romero Luz C. , López‐Marure Eloy , Acosta‐León Jorge , García‐Cruz Diana , Maciel‐Cruz Eric Jonathan , Corona‐Rivera Jorge Román
Published: February 2020

We report a female patient with craniofrontonasal syndrome (CFNS) who in addition showed other cranial and extracranial midline defects including partial corpus callosum agenesis, ocular melanocytosis, pigmentary glaucoma, duplex collecting system, uterus didelphys, and septate vagina. She was found to have a novel pathogenic variant in exon 5 of EFNB1, c.646G>T (p.Glu216*) predicted to cause premature protein truncation. From our review, we found at least 39 published CFNS patients with extracranial midline defects, comprising congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital heart defects, umbilical hernia, hypospadias, and less frequently, sacrococcygeal teratomas, and internal genital anomalies in females. These findings support that the EFNB1 mutations have systemic consequences disrupting morphogenetic events at the extracranial midline. Though these are not rigorously included as midline defects, we found at least 10 CFNS patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, all females. Additionally, uterus didelphys and ocular melanocytosis observed in our patient are proposed also as a previously unreported EFNB1‐related midline defects. In addition, this case may be useful for considering the intentional search for genitourinary anomalies in future patients with CFNS, which will be helpful to define their frequency in this entity.
Homozygous deletion of exons 2–7 within TGFB3 gene in a child with severe Loeys‐Dietz syndrome and Marfan‐like features
Authors: Mégarbané André , Deepthi Asha , Obeid Marc , T. Al‐Ali Mahmoud , Gambarini Alicia , El‐Hayek Stephany
Published: February 2020

We describe a patient with palatal abnormalities—cleft palate and bifid uvula; distinctive facial features—long and triangular face, large ears and nose, thin lips and dental crowding; musculoskeletal abnormalities—severe scoliosis, joint laxity, long digits, flat feet, decreased muscle mass, and diminished muscle strength; and cardiac features—a dilatated ascending aorta at the level of Valsalva sinuses and a patent foramen ovale. Sequence analysis and deletion/duplication testing for a panel of genes involved in connective tissue disorders revealed the presence of a novel homozygous deletion of exons 2–7 in TGFB3 gene. Heterozygous pathogenic mutations in TGFB3 have been associated with Loeys‐Dietz syndrome 5 (LDS5) and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia type 1. Here, we report the first case of a homozygous TGFB3 variant associated with a severe LDS5 and Marfan‐like presentation.
Irradiated Ch/GG/PVP‐based stimuli‐responsive hydrogels for controlled drug release
Authors: Raza Muhammad Asim , Park Sang Hyun
Published: February 2020

Hydrogels based on gamma (γ) irradiated chitosan (pre‐irradiated), guar gum, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone were crosslinked with various concentrations of (3‐mercapto propyl)trimethoxysilane and fabricated by solution casting technique for the drug delivery applications. High molecular weight chitosan (Ch) possesses lower solubility and higher viscosity, these problems overcame by γ irradiation, which also generated hydrophilicity and effect of irradiated Ch on controlled drug release was assessed. FTIR analysis showed the development of chemical and physical interactions and confirmed the incorporation of characteristic peaks. SEM micrographs revealed porous structure of the prepared hydrogels. Swelling analysis of the hydrogels was performed in distilled water, buffer, and electrolyte mediums. All the hydrogel samples showed higher swelling at acidic pH and lower swelling at neutral and basic pH. These pH‐responsive characteristics made these RCGP hydrogels an important contender for injectable controlled drug release. The ampicillin sodium drug was loaded and in vitro controlled release mechanism was evaluated in the PBS, SIF, and SGF which shown out of all prepared hydrogels (RCGP‐1, RCGP‐2, and RCGP‐3), RCGP‐1 has exhibited 87.4% release in PBS and 81.3% in SIF in 180 min.
Preparation and anticorrosion resistance of a self‐curing epoxy nanocomposite coating based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane
Authors: Tang Gongwen , Ren Tingting , Yan Zhishan , Ma Linrong , Hou Xiangyu , Huang Xin
Published: February 2020

Organic coatings are prone to failure due to diffusion of the corrosion media toward the metal surface through the microcracks caused by internal and environmental stresses especially in immersion environment. In order to extend the service lifetime of organic coatings, we developed a self‐curing epoxy resin/perfluorooctyl triethoxysilane (POTS)‐loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) nanocomposite (SEP/POTS‐MSNs) coating, by embedding the POTS‐loaded MSNs (POTS‐MSNs) into an SEP resin. Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analyses were conducted to confirm the successful loading of POTS in the MSNs. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to characterize the loading amount of POTS. The corrosion protection properties of the SEP, SEP/MSNs, and SEP/POTS‐MSNs coatings were evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization tests. The results indicate that the SEP/POTS‐MSNs coating with only 30 μm thickness showed corrosion resistance with Z
f = 0.01 Hz of 4.7 × 108 Ω/cm2 and icorr of 0.026 nA/cm2 after 58 hr of immersion in boiling water, which were both two orders of magnitude higher than those of the SEP coating. The SEP/POTS‐MSNs coating combines the advantages of the SEP coating and the POTS‐MSNs. We anticipate that the SEP/POTS‐MSNs coating has promising potential for use in immersion environments.
Two‐Dimensional Membranes: New Paradigms for High‐Performance Separation Membranes
Authors: Cheng Youdong , Pu Yunchuan , Zhao Dan
Published: February 2020

Two‐dimensional (2D) materials with atomic thicknesses have aroused great interest as promising building blocks for the preparation of ultrathin 2D membranes. These 2D membranes can exhibit unprecedentedly high separation permeance owing to their ultrasmall membrane thicknesses and superior selectivity because of their size‐selective nanopores and/or nanochannels. Until now, a large number of 2D membranes with good performance have been reported, highlighting the potential of these novel membranes for efficient liquid and gas separations. Summarized in this review are the latest advances in 2D membranes, with a special focus on industrially attractive separation processes, fabrication methods of laminar membranes, choices of membrane materials, designs of membrane structures, and unique membrane transport properties. Opportunities and challenges of 2D membranes for commercial applications are also briefly discussed.
Decadal variations of the East Asian winter monsoon in recent decades
Authors: Miao Jiapeng , Wang Tao
Published: February 2020

Observational studies indicated that the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) showed significant decadal variations and experienced an interdecadal weakening in the mid‐1980s. How did the EAWM evolve thereafter? In this study, we investigate the decadal variations of the EAWM in the past three decades using five reanalysis datasets and one observational dataset. In total, five members of EAWM system are examined. In the lower troposphere, the Siberian high intensity becomes stronger around 2005 in all five reanalysis datasets, whereas the Aleutian low strengthens in the mid‐1990s and weakens in the mid‐2000s. The two subsystems show opposing changes in the past two decades. In the middle troposphere, the intensity of the East Asian trough remains weakening in recent decades only with some short‐time strengthening around the years of 1995 and 2010. In the upper troposphere, the EAWM index based on the meridional shear of the East Asian jet stream at the 300‐hPa level shows a weak positive trend since the 1990s. It has decadal variations similar to those of the East Asian trough. In the context of these members' changes, the low‐level northerly wind index exhibits two cycles since the year 1980. This index increases in the mid‐1980s, then decreases since the mid‐1990s, and finally increases in the mid‐2000s. Further analysis on the East Asian surface air temperature also reflects similar decadal variations. In summary, unlike the interdecadal shift in the mid‐1980s, the EAWM members (i.e., the Siberian high, the Aleutian low, the low‐level northwesterly wind, the East Asian trough and the East Asian jet stream) do not show consistent decadal variations over the past 30 years. The low‐level members show more significant changes.
Nonlinear and time‐dependent effects of sparsely measured continuous time‐varying covariates in time‐to‐event analysis
Authors: Wang Yishu , Beauchamp Marie‐Eve , Abrahamowicz Michal
Published: February 2020

Many flexible extensions of the Cox proportional hazards model incorporate time‐dependent (TD) and/or nonlinear (NL) effects of time‐invariant covariates. In contrast, little attention has been given to the assessment of such effects for continuous time‐varying covariates (TVCs). We propose a flexible regression B‐spline–based model for TD and NL effects of a TVC. To account for sparse TVC measurements, we added to this model the effect of time elapsed since last observation (TEL), which acts as an effect modifier. TD, NL, and TEL effects are estimated with the iterative alternative conditional estimation algorithm. Furthermore, a simulation extrapolation (SIMEX)‐like procedure was adapted to correct the estimated effects for random measurement errors in the observed TVC values. In simulations, TD and NL estimates were unbiased if the TVC was measured with a high frequency. With sparse measurements, the strength of the effects was underestimated but the TEL estimate helped reduce the bias, whereas SIMEX helped further to correct for bias toward the null due to “white noise” measurement errors. We reassessed the effects of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and total cholesterol, measured at two‐year intervals, on cardiovascular risks in women participating in the Framingham Heart Study. Accounting for TD effects of SBP, cholesterol and age, the NL effect of cholesterol, and the TEL effect of SBP improved substantially the model's fit to data. Flexible estimates yielded clinically important insights regarding the role of these risk factors. These results illustrate the advantages of flexible modeling of TVC effects.
Purity Assessment of Fumonisin B1 by Quantitative 1H NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Yun Suyeon , Yoon Jeongbin , Kim Byungjoo , Ahn Sangdoo , Choi Kihwan
Published: February 2020

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) a mycotoxin that contaminates grains and is related with liver and renal diseases. Although FB1 levels in food are currently regulated, FB1's quantitation is complicated because of its lack of volatility and UV absorbance, preventing mass balance method from being employed for purity assessment of high‐purity standard. This study used quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) spectroscopy to assess the purity of FB1. Unlike mass balance method, qNMR is a universal and simple quantification method. Using benzoic acid as an internal standard, the purity of FB1 was determined. The measurement parameters were optimized to obtain accurate results, and 1H NMR peak homogeneity was confirmed by analyzing impurities separated using liquid chromatography. The purity of the FB1 was 993 mg/g and expanded uncertainty (k = 2.74) was 32 mg/g (3.2%). This result will be used to the development of the certified reference material for the FB1 analysis in maize flour.
Non‐isothermal crystallization of Ziegler Natta i‐PP‐graphene nanocomposite: DSC and new model prediction
Authors: Ahmed Abdullah K. , Atiqullah Muhammad , Al‐Harthi Mamdouh A. , Abdelaal Ahmed F. , Pradhan Dev R.
Published: February 2020

Crystallization occurs in processing i‐PP‐GnP nanocomposites, and these nanocomposites have the potential to replace traditional fillers and be used to fabricate advanced materials and technology. Therefore, this subject was comprehensively investigated by applying a recent crystallization model, non‐isothermal DSC experiments, Raman spectroscopy, and WAXRD. The multi‐layer GnP‐induced nucleation and the crystal growth rates were modelled. The overall modelling effort generated new insights, results, and explanations. This study confirmed and elucidated, or refuted several published conclusions. It has also been reported that the present model can pursue differences in catalyst‐mediated i‐PP backbone defects (stereo and regio) by simulating the relative crystallization profile and determining the crystallization kinetic triplet (n, k
o, and E
a). The multiple roles played by GnP were underscored, which exceed what the related literature currently reports. The Raman and XRD work revealed the interaction between GnP and i‐PP. The shear‐induced dispersion of GnP that occurs during extrusion significantly affected i‐PP crystal size distribution. The present approach can also assess the effects of catalyst type and structure, and backbone defect types and their distribution on the non‐isothermal crystallization of, in general, polyolefin blends and nanocomposites.
Optimization strategies and impact of low oil price on long term SAGD projects
Authors: Ranjbar Ehsan , Nourozieh Hossein , Kumar Anjani
Published: February 2020

Steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) has been known as a commercially proven high ultimate recovery process for bitumen and heavy crudes. It is an energy intensive process, which is economical when oil price is above certain value. When the oil price goes below the economic threshold of project, steam injection can be decreased or completely stopped for a certain period of time, and can resume thereafter when the condition alters. The objective of this study is to provide comprehensive information about the effect of steam injection interruptions on thermal project performance. An optimization strategy for the SAGD process, in cases where steam injection interruption occurs, is discussed using actual reservoir models of different geological formations. An economical model is used to evaluate operating strategy effect on the net present value (NPV) of the project. The parameters, like shut‐in period, initial steam injection period, etc, are optimized for Athabasca type oil sand reservoirs. The results show several key mechanisms exist in the life cycle of the SAGD process that must be included to reflect the field scale behaviour; otherwise, the mechanistic simplicity of the models could lead to directional and semi‐quantitative conclusions. Among the mechanisms, temperature effect on basic petrophysical properties of reservoir rocks was found to have an important role in the oil recovery, and considerably impacts the results of optimization. When the steam injection is interrupted, an optimum shut‐in period can be determined to maximize the oil recovery. The optimum length of steam injection interruption depends on the initial steam injection period.
NTRK fusions in osteosarcoma are rare and non‐functional events
Authors: Ameline Baptiste , Saba Karim H , Kovac Michal , Magnusson Linda , Witt Olaf , Bielack Stefan , Nathrath Michaela , Nord Karolin H , Baumhoer Daniel
Published: February 2020

Neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusions are promising molecular targets that have been described in a broad range of malignant tumours. Fusions commonly lead to the expression of chimeric proteins with constitutive tyrosine kinase activation that drives tumorigenesis. Despite a low prevalence among most solid tumours (<1%), the first encouraging results with pan‐NTRK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as larotrectinib or entrectinib stimulated the search for eligible patients. Here, we report the first three cases of osteosarcoma harbouring NTRK fusions, among 113 patients sequenced. It is also the first report on NTRK fusions within a tumour type characterised by highly rearranged genomes and abundant passenger mutations. Whereas the presence of NTRK gene fusions in many tumours is considered to be one of the main driver events for tumour progression, the three chimeric transcripts described here appear non‐functional and likely represent randomly occurring passenger alterations. Particularly in tumours with complex karyotypes, it may therefore be advisable to specifically investigate the fusion transcripts for functional impact before considering targeted treatment approaches using pan‐NTRK TKIs.
New Efficient Eco‐Friendly Supported Catalysts for the Synthesis of Amides with Antioxidant and Anti‐Inflammatory Properties
Authors: Dufrénoy Pierrick , Charlet Rogatien , Hechelski Marie , Daïch Adam , Waterlot Christophe , Jawhara Samir , Ghinet Alina
Published: February 2020

A new environmentally friendly approach for the synthesis of idrocilamide (1), a marketed myorelaxant and anti‐inflammatory agent, is reported herein. The synthetic strategy involves a solvent‐free aminolysis reaction catalyzed by zinc‐containing species (ZnCl2, montmorillonite K10 (MK10) impregnated with ZnCl2 or eco‐catalysts). The latter have been prepared from the aerial parts of Lolium perenne L. plants grown on contaminated soils from northern France without and with thermal activation at 120 °C and supported on MK10 (Ecocat1 and Ecocat2, respectively). The best aminolysis catalysts in the current study (ZnCl2 and Ecocat2) were selected for additional aminolyses. Compared to ZnCl2, Ecocat2 had the advantage of being reusable over five test runs and constituted a sustainable catalyst allowing a green route to idrocilamide. Synthesized derivatives 1–4, 6 and 9 were first evaluated for their effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation from macrophages and displayed antioxidant properties by preventing ROS production. Next, the analysis of the effect of molecules 1–4, 6 and 9 on macrophage migration between epithelial cells to human opportunistic fungus Candida albicans indicated that molecules 2–4, 6 and 9 exert anti‐inflammatory properties via reducing macrophage migration while the parent idrocilamide (1) did not show any significant effect. This work opens the way for the discovery of new analogues of idrocilamide with improved properties.
The Milan system for reporting salivary gland cytology: A retrospective analysis of 1384 cases in a tertiary Southeast Asian institution
Authors: Lee Jaslyn Jie Lin , Tan Hui Min , Chua Darren Yee Shuen , Chung Jocelycn Gaik Kooi , Nga Min En
Published: February 2020

Background

The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) aims to provide a common language for risk stratification and management. We examine the incidence of MSRSGC categories and the corresponding risk of malignancy (ROM) within a tertiary referral centre in Southeast Asia.

Methods

Salivary gland fine needle aspirations (FNAs) performed within a 10‐year period were classified retrospectively according to the MSRSGC. Cytohistologic correlation was performed. The results were compared with the existing literature, including Asian and Western studies.

Results

A total of 1384 salivary gland FNAs were evaluated, 421 with corresponding histology. The category distribution was: nondiagnostic, 28.9%; nonneoplastic, 18.0%; atypia of undetermined significance (AUS), 9.8%; benign neoplasm, 32.9%; salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential (SUMP), 5.7%; suspicious for malignancy, 1.6%; and malignant, 3.2%. The ROMs were: nondiagnostic, 10.0%; nonneoplastic, 17.5%; AUS, 29.5%; benign neoplasm, 0.5%; SUMP, 17.1%; suspicious for malignancy, 83.3%; and malignant, 100.0%. Our relatively high nondiagnostic rate likely reflects preanalytical factors, whereas our low malignancy rate may be related to population and health care accessibility. Our nonneoplastic ROM was 17.5% compared with 5% to 10% in the literature, likely due to the relatively small number of excised cases; the ROM for SUMP was 17.1% versus 21% to 44% in the literature, possibly reflecting a significant proportion of benign basaloid neoplasms on histology. Interestingly, all false‐negative cases in the nonneoplastic category were lymphoid‐rich lesions.

Conclusion

This is one of the largest single‐institution studies in the existing literature documenting both the incidence and ROMs of MSRSGC categories. We also highlight specific challenges surrounding lymphoid‐rich lesions.
Diagnostic accuracy of brush biopsy–based cytology for the early detection of oral cancer and precursors in Fanconi anemia
Authors: Velleuer Eunike , Dietrich Ralf , Pomjanski Natalia , de Santana Almeida Araujo Isabela Karoline , Silva de Araujo Bruno Eduardo , Sroka Isis , Biesterfeld Stefan , Böcking Alfred , Schramm Martin
Published: February 2020

Background

Individuals with Fanconi anemia (FA) have a 500‐fold to 700‐fold elevated risk, much earlier onset, and limited therapeutic options for oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared with the general population. The early detection of SCC, or preferably its precursors, is mandatory to retain curative therapeutic options. Due to frequent synchronic and metachronic oral lesions, tissue biopsies, as usually recommended by guidelines, often are not feasible. In the current study, an alternative strategy for early detection using oral brush biopsy–based cytology was validated regarding its diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

Over a 12‐year period, the oral cavities of a large cohort of 713 individuals with FA were inspected systematically and brush biopsy–based cytology of 1233 visible oral lesions was performed. In cases of inconclusive cytology, analysis of DNA ploidy was performed whenever possible. The results were correlated to a long‐term clinicopathological follow‐up reference standard.

Results

A total of 737 lesions were suitable for statistical analysis, including 86 lesions with at least high‐grade oral epithelial dysplasia in 30 patients. For cytology, the sensitivity and specificity were 97.7% and 84.5%, respectively. Additional analysis of DNA ploidy increased the sensitivity and specificity to 100% and 92.2%, respectively.

Conclusions

Careful inspection of the oral cavity of individuals with FA followed by brush biopsy–based cytology appears to identify visible oral, potentially malignant and malignant lesions that warrant treatment. Approximately 63% of SCC and precursor lesions are detected at a noninvasive or early stage. Negative cytology or a lack of DNA aneuploidy can exclude high‐grade oral epithelial dysplasia or SCC with high accuracy and thus reduce the need for invasive diagnostic biopsies.
Customized stent‐grafts for endovascular aneurysm repair with challenging necks: A numerical proof of concept
Authors: Hemmler André , Lin Andrew , Thierfelder Nikolaus , Franz Thomas , Gee Michael W. , Bezuidenhout Deon
Published: February 2020

Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) is a challenging intervention whose long‐term success strongly depends on the appropriate stent‐graft (SG) selection and sizing. Most off‐the‐shelf SGs are straight and cylindrical. Especially in challenging vessel morphologies, the morphology of off‐the‐shelf SGs is not able to meet the patient‐specific demands. Advanced manufacturing technologies facilitate the development of highly customized SGs. Customized SGs that have the same morphology as the luminal vessel surface could considerably improve the quality of the EVAR outcome with reduced likelihoods of EVAR related complications such as endoleaks type I and SG migration. In this contribution, we use an in silico EVAR methodology that approximates the deployed state of the elastically deformable SG in a hyperelastic, anisotropic vessel. The in silico EVAR results of off‐the‐shelf SGs and customized SGs are compared qualitatively and quantitatively in terms of mechanical and geometrical parameters such as stent stresses, contact tractions, SG fixation forces and the SG‐vessel attachment. In a numerical proof of concept, eight different vessel morphologies, such as a conical vessel, a barrel shaped vessel and a curved vessel, are used to demonstrate the added value of customized SGs compared to off‐the‐shelf SGs. The numerical investigation has shown large benefits of the highly customized SGs compared to off‐the‐shelf SGs with respect to a better SG‐vessel attachment and a considerable increase in SG fixation forces of up to 50% which indicate decreased likelihoods of EVAR related complications. Hence, this numerical proof of concept motivates further research and development of highly customized SGs for the use in challenging vessel morphologies.
In‐situ Construction of Graphite‐Supported Magnetic Carbocatalysts from a Metallo‐Supramolecular Polymer: High Performance for Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation
Authors: Ai Yongjian , Liu Lei , Hu Ze‐Nan , Li Jifan , Ren Shucheng , Wu Jiajing , Long Yang , Sun Hong‐bin , Liang Qionglin
Published: February 2020

Developing efficient, sustainable, and stable nanocatalysts continue being the struggling goal both for academia and for industrial. Carbocatalysts have attracted great attention due to high mass transfer ability, environmental sustainability and stability. Fabricating well‐defined carbonaceous nanocatalysts for heterogeneous catalysis is intensively pursuing. In this work, a newly developed economic and facile method was applied for the large‐scale fabrication of graphite sheet encapsulated magnetic carbocatalysts. The carbocatalysts was constructed via in‐situ pyrolysis of melamine‐metallo‐supramolecular polymer precursors (MMSP) under vacuum condition. The framework of MMSP was synthesized through the condensation reaction. As a proof‐of‐concept, this method was successfully applied for the fabrication of three kinds of graphite encapsulated magnetic carbocatalysts. Based on systematically optimization, the Pt−NiO‐1000@NC‐650 nanocatalyst demonstrated highly efficient and remarkable stability for the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of 4‐nitrophenol to produce corresponding 4‐aminophenol. The kinetics study of this catalytic system illustrates the reaction order is 1st for Pt−NiO‐1000@NC‐650. Furthermore, the kinetic constant (Kapp) is 1.57 min−1 and the turnover frequency (TOF) is up to 4, 268 h−1.
Coffee Melanoidin‐Based Multipurpose Film Formation: Application to Single‐Cell Nanoencapsulation
Authors: Kim Ji Yup , Kim Seulbi , Han Sol , Han Sang Yeong , Passos Cláudia P. , Seo Jeongyeon , Lee Hojae , Kang Eunhye K. , Mano João F. , Coimbra Manuel A. , Park Ji Hun , Choi Insung S.
Published: February 2020

The melanoidin from soluble coffee is utilized as a material‐independent, multipurpose coating material. Instantaneous complexation of the coffee melanoidin (CM) with ferric ion (Fe3+) leads to surface‐adhesive aggregates, inducing sequential film deposition. Various chemical groups of the CM also allow for post‐functionalizations of the CM film, including surface‐initiated, ring‐opening polymerization and bioinspired silicification. In addition, the CM‐based coating is applied to single‐cell nanoencapsulation with a strategy of biphasic interfacial reactions. The method is highly cytocompatible (viability >98%), and the CM shell is cytoprotective against lytic enzymes. The coated cells inherit the characterictics of the CM, such as post‐functionalizability and antioxidant property. Considering that surface‐coating technologies with cytocompatible natural polymers have widely been used for engineering bioentities, the CM‐based coating strategy would provide an advanced option for biomedical applications.