bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A challenging complication following SARS-CoV-2 infection: a case of pulmonary mucormycosis
Authors: Pasero Daniela , Sanna Silvana , Liperi Corrado , Piredda Davide , Branca Gian Pietro , Casadio Lorenzo , Simeo Raffaella , Buselli Alice , Rizzo Davide , Bussu Francesco , Rubino Salvatore , Terragni Pierpaolo
Published: December 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection might induce a significant and sustained lymphopenia, increasing the risk of developing opportunistic infections. Mucormycosis is a rare but severe invasive fungal infection, mainly described in immunocompromised patients. The first case of a patient diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) who developed a pulmonary mucormycosis with extensive cavitary lesions is here reported. This case highlights how this new coronavirus might impair the immune response, exposing patients to higher risk of developing opportunistic infections and leading to worse outcomes.
House dust mite immunotherapy in Germany: real-world adherence to a subcutaneous allergoid and a sublingual tablet
Authors: Vogelberg C. , Brüggenjürgen B. , Richter H. , Jutel M.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma (AA) with increasing efficacy observed during the recommended 3 years of treatment and the potential for medium and long-term benefits. Adherence is of utmost importance to achieve these goals in real life. The objective of this study was to evaluate real-world adherence to house dust mite (HDM) AIT with a subcutaneous (SCIT) allergoid preparation and a sublingual (SLIT) tablet.

Patients and methods

In this retrospective cohort analysis of a German longitudinal prescription database, patients receiving either a HDM-SCIT allergoid (n = 5677) or a HDM-SLIT tablet (n = 4720) were compared over a 3-year observation period. Study endpoints included adherence and days on therapy (DoT). Univariate statistical tests were used to assess the significance of the differences between SCIT vs. SLIT or the age classes.

Results

Based on the number of reimbursed prescriptions SCIT adherence was 55.0% after 3 years while SLIT adherence was remarkably lower with 30.3% (p < 0.0001). The difference was observed already after first and second year of treatment and was in favor of SCIT with 93.2% vs. 63.2% and 70.9% vs. 43.4%, respectively. After 3 years, days on therapy were significantly higher in the SCIT group with 824 days vs. 491 days (p < 0.0001) showing significantly better data for all age groups. Adherence to SCIT was the highest in children, followed by adolescents and adults while the adherence to SLIT was higher in adults than adolescents.

Conclusion

In this retrospective real-world cohort analysis in Germany, patients on subcutaneous AIT for HDM respiratory allergy achieved significantly higher adherence rates compared to the HDM-SLIT tablet over a 3-year treatment period. In addition, days on therapy were significantly higher for SCIT than for SLIT. It was shown that in real life significantly more patients receiving SCIT stay on the recommended treatment period of 3 years compared to SLIT subjects. This is important since effectiveness has been demonstrated to be linked with therapy duration.
Monsoon Rains, Great Rivers and the Development of Farming Civilisations in Asia
Authors: Clift Peter D. , d'Alpoim Guedes Jade
Published: December 2020

The Asian monsoon and associated river systems supply the water that sustains a large portion of humanity, and has enabled Asia to become home to some of the oldest and most productive farming systems on Earth. This book uses climate data and environmental models to provide a detailed review of variations in the Asian monsoon since the mid-Holocene, and its impacts on farming systems and human settlement. Future changes to the monsoon due to anthropogenically-driven global warming are also discussed. Faced with greater rainfall and more cyclones in South Asia, as well as drying in North China and regional rising sea levels, understanding how humans have developed resilient strategies in the past to climate variations is critical. Containing important implications for the large populations and booming economies in the Indo-Pacific region, this book is an important resource for researchers and graduate students studying the climate, environmental history, agronomy and archaeology of Asia.
Transition and Transformation
Authors: Florin Bo
Published: December 2020

In 1923, the film director Victor Seastrom (né Sjöström), then Sweden's most renowned filmmaker, was recruited to Hollywood by Goldwyn Pictures, where he made eight silent pictures and one talkie in seven years, among them a 1926 version of 'The Scarlet Letter'. What elements of Swedish cinema did he bring with him to the States, and how were these techniques transformed by Hollywood? This is the first book-length study dedicated to the films of Sjöström (1879–1960) and how he functioned in the studio system of 1920s Hollywood. Bo Florin explores the ways the director applied his austere and naturalistic film style in a radically different context and discusses how his films were received in Hollywood.
Neurocognition-inspired design with machine learning
Authors: Wang Pan , Wang Shuo , Peng Danlin , Chen Liuqing , Wu Chao , Wei Zhen , Childs Peter , Guo Yike , Li Ling
Published: December 2020

Generating designs via machine learning has been an on-going challenge in computer-aided design. Recently, deep learning methods have been applied to randomly generate images in fashion, furniture and product design. However, such deep generative methods usually require a large number of training images and human aspects are not taken into account in the design process. In this work, we seek a way to involve human cognitive factors through brain activity indicated by electroencephalographic measurements (EEG) in the generative process. We propose a neuroscience-inspired design with a machine learning method where EEG is used to capture preferred design features. Such signals are used as a condition in generative adversarial networks (GAN). First, we employ a recurrent neural network Long Short-Term Memory as an encoder to extract EEG features from raw EEG signals; this data are recorded from subjects viewing several categories of images from ImageNet. Second, we train a GAN model conditioned on the encoded EEG features to generate design images. Third, we use the model to generate design images from a subject’s EEG measured brain activity. To verify our proposed generative design method, we present a case study, in which the subjects imagine the products they prefer, and the corresponding EEG signals are recorded and reconstructed by our model for evaluation. The results indicate that a generated product image with preference EEG signals gains more preference than those generated without EEG signals. Overall, we propose a neuroscience-inspired artificial intelligence design method for generating a design taking into account human preference. The method could help improve communication between designers and clients where clients might not be able to express design requests clearly.
Symbolic dynamics for non-uniformly hyperbolic systems
Authors: LIMA YURI
Published: December 2020

This survey describes the recent advances in the construction of Markov partitions for non-uniformly hyperbolic systems. One important feature of this development comes from a finer theory of non-uniformly hyperbolic systems, which we also describe. The Markov partition defines a symbolic extension that is finite-to-one and onto a non-uniformly hyperbolic locus, and this provides dynamical and statistical consequences such as estimates on the number of closed orbits and properties of equilibrium measures. The class of systems includes diffeomorphisms, flows, and maps with singularities.
Changes in the accuracy of administrative data for the detection of surgical site infections
Authors: Bucher Brian T. , Yang Meng , Arndorfer Julie , Frame Cherie , Orton Jan , Samore Matthew H. , Dascomb Kristin K.
Published: December 2020

We performed a retrospective analysis of the changes in accuracy of International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification (ICD-CM) diagnosis codes for colectomy and hysterectomy surgical site infection surveillance. After the transition from ICD-CM ninth edition to tenth edition codes, there was no significant change in the accuracy of these codes for SSI surveillance.
New insights on the Early Pleistocene equids from Roca-Neyra (France, central Europe): implications for theHipparionLAD and theEquusFAD in Europe
Authors: Cirilli Omar , Bernor Raymond L. , Rook Lorenzo
Published: December 2020

We undertake a redescription of the equid sample from the Early Pleistocene of Roca-Neyra, France. This locality has been recently calibrated at the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary (2.6 ± 0.2 Ma) and therefore it is of interest for the first appearance of the genusEquusand last appearance of hipparionine horses. The Roca-Neyra equid sample, re-analyzed herein using morphological, morphometrical, and statistical analyses, has revealed the co-occurrence ofPlesiohipparioncf. ?P.rocinantisandEquuscf.E.livenzovensis. The analysis undertaken on several European, African, and Asian “Hipparion” sensu lato species from late Miocene to Early Pleistocene has revealed different remnantHipparionlineages in the Plio-Pleistocene of Europe:Plesiohipparion,Proboscidippaion, and likelyCremohipparion. The discovery of the first European monodactyl horse,Equuscf.E.livenzovensiscorrelates Roca-Neyra with other 2.6 Ma European localities in Italy, Spain, and in the Khapry area (Azov Sea region). The morphological description of theEquuscf.E.livenzovensislower cheek teeth has highlighted intermediate features between the North American Pliocene speciesEquus simplicidensand Early Pleistocene EuropeanEquus stenonis. Our study supports the hypothesis thatE.livenzovensisis a plausible evolutionary predecessor for theEquus stenonisgroup. These observations underscore the importance of Roca-Neyra as an important locality for the last European hipparions and the firstEquusin the Early Pleistocene of Europe.
Arsenal of the Global South: Yugoslavia’s Military Aid to Nonaligned Countries and Liberation Movements
Authors: Lazic Milorad
Published: December 2020

Yugoslavia’s military internationalism was one of the most practical expressions of the country’s policy of nonalignment. Beginning with Algeria in the 1950s until its demise in the 1990s, Yugoslavia was an ardent supporter of liberation movements and revolutionary governments in Africa and Asia. This article argues that Yugoslav military internationalism was at the heart of Yugoslavia’s efforts to reshape the post-1945 global order and represented an extension of Yugoslav revolution abroad. Military aid was an expression of personal identification of Yugoslavia’s “greatest generation” with decolonization struggle. However, Yugoslav military aid to other countries went beyond a single foreign policy issue. Yugoslav military internationalism touched upon many other issues that included problems related to finances, economic development, the acquisition and transfer of military technology, relations with the superpowers, national security, ideology and politics, and prestige and status in global affairs. By the end of the 1970s, with the departure of the World War II generation and the looming economic crisis, Yugoslav military involvement in the Global South became increasingly driven by economic reasons. Former Yugoslav republics, after a short hiatus in the 1990s during the wars for Yugoslavia’s succession, are still present in the arms trade in the Global South.
A tale of two peoples: motivated reasoning in the aftermath of the Brexit Vote
Authors: Sorace Miriam , Hobolt Sara Binzer
Published: December 2020

Partisanship is a powerful driver of economic perceptions. Yet we know less about whether other political divisions may lead to similar evaluative biases. In this paper, we explore how the salient divide between “Remainers” and “Leavers” in the UK in the aftermath of the Brexit referendum has given rise to biased economic perceptions. In line with the cognitive dissonance framework, we argue that salient non-partisan divisions can change economic perceptions by triggering processes of self- and in-group justification. Using both nationally-representative observational and experimental survey data, we demonstrate that the perceptions of the economy are shaped by the Brexit divide and that these biases are exacerbated when respondents are reminded of Brexit. These findings indicate that perceptual biases are not always rooted in partisanship, but can be triggered by other political divisions.
Characteristics associated with feeding organic foods during complementary feeding: the nationwide Étude Longitudinale Française depuis l’Enfance (ELFE) birth cohort
Authors: de Lauzon-Guillain Blandine , Gaudfernau Fleur , Camier Aurore , Davisse-Paturet Camille , Lioret Sandrine , Nicklaus Sophie , Charles Marie-Aline , Kesse-Guyot Emmanuelle
Published: December 2020

Organic food consumption and its effects on health remain understudied in adults and in children. The aim of this study was to describe family characteristics associated with feeding infants organic foods during the complementary feeding period. The analysis included 9764 children from the French Étude Longitudinale Française depuis l’Enfance (ELFE) birth cohort. In addition to telephone interviews conducted at 2, 12 and 24 months, a monthly questionnaire about milk feeding and complementary foods (including organic foods) was completed by parents between 3 and 10 months. Associations between family characteristics and feeding with organic foods during complementary feeding were analysed by multivariable multinomial logistic regression. Overall, 51 % of infants never consumed organic food during the complementary feeding period (up to 10 months), 24 % sometimes, 15 % often and 9 % always or almost always. As compared with infants never fed organic foods, those ‘often’ or ‘always’ fed organic foods were born to older mothers, with higher education level or family income, and lower pre-pregnancy BMI. As compared with never-smoking women, women who had stopped smoking before pregnancy were more likely to feed their infant organic foods. Feeding with organic foods was also related to long breast-feeding duration and later introduction to complementary foods. To conclude, associations between feeding with organic foods and family socio-economic position as well as infant feeding practices need to be considered when studying the impact of organic foods on children’s health and development.
Eclipse and plague: Themistocles, Pericles, Anaxagoras and the Athenians’ war on science
Authors: Janko Richard
Published: December 2020

The biography of Anaxagoras (500–428 BC), the most brilliant scientist of antiquity, contains many unresolved contradictions, which are best explained as follows. After he ‘predicted’ the fall of the meteorite at Aegospotami in 466, he lived nearby at Lampsacus as the protege of its ruler Themistocles. In 460 Pericles became his patron at Athens, where he lived for the next 30 years. In 431, Pericles was taking part in an expedition to the Peloponnese when the sun was eclipsed; he tried to dispel his helmsman’s fear by covering his face with his cloak, illustrating Anaxagoras’ correct account of eclipses. In 430 he led a second such expedition, which failed badly; its return coincided with the plague. The seer Diopeithes brought in a decree that targeted the ‘atheist’ Anaxagoras by banning astronomy. This enabled Thucydides son of Melesias and Cleon to attack Pericles by prosecuting Anaxagoras, on the ground that Pericles’ impiety had angered the gods, thereby causing the plague. Pericles sent Anaxagoras back to Lampsacus, where he soon died; Pericles was himself deposed and fined, in a first triumph for the Athenian populist reaction against the fifthcentury Enlightenment.
Perceptions of the informal learning branch of Musical Futures
Authors: Mariguddi Anna
Published: December 2020

This article will explore how Professor Lucy  Green’s model of informal learning, as advocated by Musical Futures, is perceived by those lying close to the phenomenon. Qualitative research was conducted and data collection involved semi-structured interviews with three key figures relating to the phenomenon. Case studies were then conducted in four English secondary schools, involving teachers and students. Data were analysed thematically. Overall key findings of the study will be presented and discussed: the phenomenon as a problem solver; adaptations and misconceptions; revolution within music education; and tensions of freedom versus authority and marketisation.
Effect of cyanocobalamin on oocyte maturation,in vitrofertilization, and embryo development in mice
Authors: Rostami Tamana , Fathi Fardin , Assadollahi Vahideh , Hosseini Javad , Khadem Erfan Mohamad Bagher , Rashidi Asrin , Amiri Golzar , Banafshi Omid , Alasvand Masoud
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cyanocobalamin supplementation onin vitromaturation (IVM),in vitrofertilization (IVF), and subsequent embryonic development competence to the blastocyst stage, andin vitrodevelopment of mouse 2-cell embryos. Cumulus cells were prepared from mouse cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) and incubated for 24 h in anin vitroculture (IVC) medium that contained different concentrations of cyanocobalamin (100, 200, 300 or 500 pM). We collected 2-cell embryos from superovulated NMRI mice and cultured them in the same concentrations of cyanocobalamin (100, 200, 300 or 500 pM). After 42 h of IVM, we observed significantly increased oocyte maturation in the 200 pM cyanocobalamin-treated group compared with the control group (P< 0.0001). Mature oocytes cultured in 200 pM cyanocobalamin were fertilized and cultured in IVC medium with cyanocobalamin (100, 200, 300 or 500 pM) during early embryogenesis. The matured oocytes that were cultured in 200 pM cyanocobalamin had significantly higher 2-cell development rates compared with the control oocytes (P< 0.01). Embryos obtained fromin vitromature oocytes andin vivofertilized oocytes that were cultured in 200 pM cyanocobalamin had significantly greater frequencies of development to the blastocyst stage and a significant reduction in 2-cell blocked and degenerated embryos compared with the control embryos (P< 0.0001). Embryos derived from oocytes fertilizedin vivowith 200 pM cyanocobalamin had a higher percentage of blastocyst embryos compared with those derived from matured oocytes culturedin vitro(P< 0.0001). These finding demonstrated that the effects of cyanocobalamin on oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development in mice depend on the concentration used in IVC medium.
The 1373Mas̲navīof Tāj al-Dīn Shaykh Ḥusayn Bey
Authors: JACKSON CAILAH
Published: December 2020

The fourteenth century saw the production of innumerable Islamic manuscripts, many of which were extensively and expertly illuminated. The period is well-studied, in particular, the products of the ateliers of Baghdad, Tabriz, Shiraz and Cairo. This article concerns a manuscript from a less well-known production centre, namely that of Erzincan. This manuscript is a copy of Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī'sMas̲navīproduced in 774/1373. Although discussed briefly in previous scholarship (and attributed to Erzincan), there is much more to say about this skilfully and extensively illuminated manuscript. This article examines the manuscript's text, codicology, illuminations, inscriptions and wider historical context. In doing so, it substantiates the manuscript's connection to Erzincan and adds to the growing body of literature concerning the arts of the book of thirteenth- and fourteenth-century Rūm.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: insights into developmental programming and its consequences for aging
Authors: Clarke G.D. , Li J. , Kuo A.H. , Moody A.J. , Nathanielsz P.W.
Published: December 2020

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are important consequences of adverse perinatal conditions such as fetal hypoxia and maternal malnutrition. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can produce a wealth of physiological information related to the development of the heart. This review outlines the current state of CMR technologies and describes the physiological biomarkers that can be measured. These phenotypes include impaired ventricular and atrial function, maladaptive ventricular remodeling, and the proliferation of myocardial steatosis and fibrosis. The discussion outlines the applications of CMR to understanding the developmental pathways leading to impaired cardiac function. The use of CMR, both in animal models of developmental programming and in human studies, is described. Specific examples are given in a baboon model of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). CMR offers great potential as a tool for understanding the sequence of dysfunctional adaptations of developmental origin that can affect the human cardiovascular system.
The Hidden Costs of Land Degradation in US Maize Agriculture
Authors: Jang W. S. , Neff J. C. , Im Y. , Doro L. , Herrick J. E.
Published: December 2020

The United States is a world leader in the production of maize and other crops and the agricultural success of the country is directly linked to the intensive use of fertilizers and irrigation. However, even in advanced agricultural systems, soils can become degraded over time due to factors such as soil organic matter (SOM) loss and erosion. Here, we use a series of scenario‐based model analyses to show that about one‐third of current annual US. N fertilizer use in maize agriculture is used to compensate for the long‐term loss of soil fertility through erosion and organic matter loss. This leads to over a half billion dollars per year in extra fertilizer supply costs to US farmers. These results highlight the potential to reduce both the input costs and environmental impacts of agriculture through the restoration of SOM in agricultural soils.
Co‐location of the Downdip End of Seismic Coupling and the Continental Shelf Break
Authors: Malatesta Luca C. , Bruhat Lucile , Finnegan Noah J. , Olive Jean‐Arthur L.
Published: December 2020

Along subduction margins, the morphology of the near shore domain records the combined action of erosion from ocean waves and permanent tectonic deformation from the convergence of plates. We observe that at subduction margins around the globe, the edge of continental shelves tends to be located above the downdip end of seismic coupling on the megathrust. Coastlines lie farther landward at variable distances. This observation stems from a compilation of well‐resolved coseismic and interseismic coupling data sets. The permanent interseismic uplift component of the total tectonic deformation can explain the localization of the shelf break. It contributes a short wave‐length gradient in vertical deformation on top of the structural and isostatic deformation of the margin. This places a hinge line between seaward subsidence and landward uplift above the downdip end of high coupling. Landward of the hinge line, rocks are uplifted in the domain of wave‐base erosion and a shelf is maintained by the competition of rock uplift and wave erosion. Wave erosion then sets the coastline back from the tectonically meaningful shelf break. We combine a wave erosion model with an elastic deformation model to illustrate how the downdip end of high coupling pins the location of the shelf break. In areas where the shelf is wide, onshore geodetic constraints on seismic coupling are limited and could be advantageously complemented by considering the location of the shelf break. Subduction margin morphology integrates hundreds of seismic cycles and could inform the persistence of seismic coupling patterns through time.
Author Correction: Recent evolution of a TET-controlled and DPPA3/STELLA-driven pathway of passive DNA demethylation in mammals
Authors: Mulholland Christopher B. , Nishiyama Atsuya , Ryan Joel , Nakamura Ryohei , Yiğit Merve , Glück Ivo M. , Trummer Carina , Qin Weihua , Bartoschek Michael D. , Traube Franziska R. , Parsa Edris , Ugur Enes , Modic Miha , Acharya Aishwarya , Stolz Paul , Ziegenhain Christoph , Wierer Michael , Enard Wolfgang , Carell Thomas , Lamb Don C. , Takeda Hiroyuki , Nakanishi Makoto , Bultmann Sebastian , Leonhardt Heinrich
Published: December 2020

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-20453-0
Multichannel acoustic source and image dataset for the cocktail party effect in hearing aid and implant users
Authors: Fischer Tim , Caversaccio Marco , Wimmer Wilhelm
Published: December 2020

The Cocktail Party Effect refers to the ability of the human sense of hearing to extract a specific target sound source from a mixture of background noises in complex acoustic scenarios. The ease with which normal hearing people perform this challenging task is in stark contrast to the difficulties that hearing-impaired subjects face in these situations. To help patients with hearing aids and implants, scientists are trying to imitate this ability of human hearing, with modest success so far. To support the scientific community in its efforts, we provide the Bern Cocktail Party (BCP) dataset consisting of 55938 Cocktail Party scenarios recorded from 20 people and a head and torso simulator wearing cochlear implant audio processors. The data were collected in an acoustic chamber with 16 synchronized microphones placed at purposeful positions on the participants’ heads. In addition to the multi-channel audio source and image recordings, the spatial coordinates of the microphone positions were digitized for each participant. Python scripts were provided to facilitate data processing.
Infectious and non-infectious diseases burden among Haitian immigrants in Chile: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fuster Francisco , Peirano Felipe , Vargas José Ignacio , Zamora Francisco Xavier , López-Lastra Marcelo , Núñez Ruth , Soza Jacinta , González Katherine , Estay Denisse , Barchiesi Beatrice , Fuster Antonieta , López Ignacia , Utrera Nicolás , Landeros Jorge , Chandía Javiera , Paredes Angela , Reyes Daniela , Arias Rodrigo , Padilla Luis , Suárez Hernán , Farcas Katia , Cannistra Macarena , Muñoz Geraldine , Rodríguez Ignacio , Ormazábal Ivana , Cortés Josefina , Cornejo Bárbara , Manzur Franco , Reyes Antonia , Leiva Vicente , Raimann María Victoria , Arrau Catalina , Cox Valentina , Soza Alejandro
Published: December 2020

Chile has become a popular destination for migrants from South America and the Caribbean (low- and middle-income countries migration). Close to 200.000 Haitian migrants have arrived in Chile. Infectious and non-infectious disease burden among the Haitian adult population living in Chile is unknown. This study aimed to acquire the basic health information (selected transmissible and non-transmissible conditions) of the Haitian adult population living in Chile. A cross-sectional survey was performed, inviting Haitian-born residents in Chile older than 18 years old. Common conditions and risk factors for disease were assessed, as well as selected transmissible conditions (HIV, HBV, and HCV). 498 participants (60.4% female) from 10 communities in two regions of Chile were surveyed. Most subjects had never smoked (91.5%), and 80% drank less than one alcohol unit per month. The mean BMI was 25.6, with 45% of participants having a normal BMI (20–25). Hypertension was present in 31.5% (33% in the 25–44 age group). Prevalence of HIV was 2.4% (95 CI 1.3–4.2%), hepatitis B (HBsAg positive) was 3.4% (95 CI 2.1–5.5%), and hepatitis C was 0% (95 CI 0.0–0.9%). Quality of life showed a significant prevalence of depression and anxiety markers, particularly in those arriving in Chile less than 1 year ago. Low prevalence of obesity, diabetes, smoking, and drinking and estimated cardiovascular risk were found. Nonetheless, hypertension at a younger age, disproportionately higher prevalence of HIV and HBV infection and frequent markers of anxiety and depression were also found. Public policies for detecting and treating hypertension, HIV, and HBV screening, offering HBV vaccination, and organizing mental health programs for Haitian immigrants, are urgently needed.
A combined 3D printing/CNC micro-milling method to fabricate a large-scale microfluidic device with the small size 3D architectures: an application for tumor spheroid production
Authors: Behroodi Ebrahim , Latifi Hamid , Bagheri Zeinab , Ermis Esra , Roshani Shabnam , Salehi Moghaddam Mohammadreza
Published: December 2020

The fabrication of a large-scale microfluidic mold with 3D microstructures for manufacturing of the conical microwell chip using a combined projection micro-stereolithography (PµSL) 3D printing/CNC micro-milling method for tumor spheroid formation is presented. The PµSL technique is known as the most promising method of manufacturing microfluidic chips due to the possibility of creating complex three-dimensional microstructures with high resolution in the range of several micrometers. The purpose of applying the proposed method is to investigate the influence of microwell depths on the formation of tumor spheroids. In the conventional methods, the construction of three-dimensional microstructures and multi-height chips is difficult, time-consuming, and is performed using a multi-step lithography process. Microwell depth is an essential parameter for microwell design since it directly affects the shear stress of the fluid flow and the diffusion of nutrients, respiratory gases, and growth factors. In this study, a chip was made with microwells of different depth varying from 100 to 500 µm. The mold of the microwell section is printed by the lab-made PµSL printer with 6 and 1 µm lateral and vertical resolutions. Other parts of the mold, such as the main chamber and micro-channels, were manufactured using the CNC micro-milling method. Finally, different parts of the master mold were assembled and used for PDMS casting. The proposed technique drastically simplifies the fabrication and rapid prototyping of large-scale microfluidic devices with high-resolution microstructures by combining 3D printing with the CNC micro-milling method.
Quantifying the functional disparity in pigment spot-background egg colour ICP-OES-based eggshell ionome at two extremes of avian embryonic development
Authors: Orłowski Grzegorz , Niedzielski Przemysław , Merta Dorota , Pokorny Przemysław , Proch Jędrzej
Published: December 2020

It is known that a developing avian embryo resorbs micronutrients (calcium and other chemical elements) from the inner layer of the eggshell, inducing thinning and overall changes in the shell’s chemical composition. However, an aspect yet to be explored relates to the local changes in the multi-elemental composition (ionome) of the pigment spot and adjacent background colour regions of eggshells resulting from avian embryogenesis (with respect to two extremes of embryonic growth: the maternal level at the moment of egg laying, and after the completion of embryonic growth). To address this problem, we used inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to establish the elemental profiles of microsamples from the cryptic eggs of CapercaillieTetrao urogallusand Black GrouseTetrao tetrix, representing the background colour and pigment spot regions of the shell. We then related these to the developmental stage of the eggs (non-embryonated eggs vs. post-hatched eggshells) and their origin (wild vs. captive hens). Our results show an apparent local disparity between the pigment spot and background colour regions in the distribution of chemical elements: most elements tended to be at higher levels in the speckled regions of the shell, these differences becoming less pronounced in post-hatched eggshells. The trends of changes following embryonic eggshell etching between the pigment spot and background colour shell regions were conflicting and varied between the two species. We hypothesized that one potential working explanation for these interspecific differences could be based on the variable composition of elements (mostly of Ca and Mg), which are the result of the varying thickness of the individual shell layers, especially as the relative difference in shell thickness in the pigment spots and background colour regions was less in Black Grouse eggs. Overall, this investigation strongly suggests that egg maculation plays a functional role in the physiological deactivation of trace elements by incorporating them into the less calcified external shell layer but without participating in micronutrient resorption. Our major critical conclusion is that all research involving the chemical analysis of eggshells requires standardized eggshell sampling procedures in order to unify their colouration and embryonic status.
Metal ion removal using waste byssus from aquaculture
Authors: Montroni Devis , Giusti Giorgia , Simoni Andrea , Cau Genny , Ciavatta Claudio , Marzadori Claudio , Falini Giuseppe
Published: December 2020

Byssus is a thread-like seafood waste that has a natural high efficiency in anchoring many metal ions thanks to its richness of diverse functional groups. It also has structural stability in extreme chemical, physical and mechanical conditions. The combination of these properties, absent in other waste materials, has novelty suggested its use as matrix for water remediation. Thus, pristine byssus, upon de-metalation, was studied to remove metal ions from ideal solutions at pH 4 and 7, as model chemical systems of industrial and environmental polluted waters, respectively. The byssus matrix’s uptake of metal ions was determined by ICP-OES and its surface microstructure investigated by SEM. The results showed that the byssus matrix excellently uptakes metal ions slightly reorganizing its surface micro-structure. As example of its efficiency: 50 mg of byssus absorbed 21.7 mg·g−1 of Cd2+ from a 10 mM solution at pH 7. The adsorption isotherm models of Freundlich and Langmuir were mainly used to describe the system at pH 7 and pH 4, respectively. In conclusion, we showed that the byssus, a waste material that is an environmental issue, has the potential to purify polluted industrial and environmental waters from metal ions.
Incidence of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of an anti-VEGF agent with or without topical antibiotics
Authors: Morioka Masakazu , Takamura Yoshihiro , Nagai Kazuki , Yoshida Shigeo , Mori Junya , Takeuchi Masaru , Sawada Tomoko , Sone Kumiko , Fukuyama Hisashi , Kusuhara Sentaro , Yasukawa Tsutomu , Murakami Tomoya , Tabuchi Hitoshi , Nagasato Daisuke , Hirano Takao , Ueda Tetsuo , Jujo Tatsuya , Sasajima Hirofumi , Mitamura Yoshinori , Ishikawa Kunihiro , Inatani Masaru
Published: December 2020

Intravitreal injection (IVI) of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the standard treatment modality in various types of retinal diseases. However, endophthalmitis remains the most serious complication. Despite the lack of evidence that antibiotics prevent endophthalmitis, topical antibiotics are still used routinely in Japan. We conducted a retrospective multicenter study by analyzing records from patients who underwent IVI of anti-VEGF agents with or without antibiotic treatment. In the analysis of a total of 147,440 eyes, the incidence of endophthalmitis was 0.007%: 0.005% with no use of antibiotics, 0.009% with antibiotic pretreatment, 0.012% with posttreatment, and 0.005% with pre- and posttreatment. There was no statistically significant difference among the four groups (chi-square test, p = 0.57). Most facilities used masks, sterilized gloves, and drapes. Nine of the 10 eyes that developed endophthalmitis received topical antibiotics, and all infected eyes underwent IVI with aflibercept, not the prefilled syringe delivery system. In four patients who received multiple IVI, the detection of causative bacteria revealed resistance to used antibiotics. Data from this large population, treated with or without antibiotics, suggests that antibiotic prophylaxis does not reduce the rate of endophthalmitis after IVI.
Comparison of the effects of sibling and parental history of type 2 diabetes on metabolic syndrome
Authors: Chiu Hsuan , Lee Mei-Yueh , Wu Pei-Yu , Huang Jiun-Chi , Chen Szu-Chia , Chang Jer-Ming
Published: December 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between sibling history, parental history and simultaneous sibling and parental history of diabetes, and the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components. Our study comprised 5000 participants from Taiwan Biobank until April, 2014. The participants were stratified into four groups according to sibling and/or parental family history (FH) of DM. MetS was defined as having 3 of the following 5 abnormalities based on the standard of the NCEP ATP III and modified criteria for Asians. The prevalence of MetS and its traits was estimated and compared among the four familial risk strata. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed participants with sibling FH of DM [vs. no FH of DM; odds ratio (OR) 1.815; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.293 to 2.548; p = 0.001], participants with parental FH of DM (vs. no FH of DM; OR 1.771; 95% CI 1.468 to 2.135; p < 0.001), and participants with simultaneous sibling and parental FH of DM (vs. no FH of DM; OR 2.961; 95% CI 2.108 to 4.161; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with MetS. A synergistic effect of sibling FH of DM and parental FH of DM on the association of MetS was also observed. In a nationally representative sample of Taiwan adults, a simultaneous sibling and parental history of diabetes shows a significant, independent association with MetS and its components, except for abdominal obesity. The association highlights the importance of obtaining stratified FH information in clinical practice and may help to identify individuals who should be targeted for screening and early prevention of MetS.
Molecular origin of sliding friction and flash heating in rock and heterogeneous materials
Authors: Piroozan Nariman , Sahimi Muhammad
Published: December 2020

It is generally believed that earthquakes occur when faults weaken with increasing slip rates. An important factor contributing to this phenomenon is the faults’ dynamic friction, which may be reduced during earthquakes with high slip rates, a process known as slip-rate weakening. It has been hypothesized that the weakening phenomenon during fault slip may be activated by thermal pressurization of pores’ fluid and flash heating, a microscopic phenomenon in which heat is generated at asperity contacts due to high shear slip rates. Due to low thermal conductivity of rock, the heat generated at the contact points or surfaces cannot diffuse fast enough, thus concentrating at the contacts, increasing the local contact temperature, and reducing its frictional shear strength. We report the results of what we believe to be the first molecular scale study of the decay of the interfacial friction force in rock, observed in experiemntal studies and attributed to flash heating. The magnitude of the reduction in the shear stress and the local friction coefficients have been computed over a wide range of shear velocities V. The molecular simulations indicate that as the interfacial temperature increases, bonds between the atoms begin to break, giving rise to molecular-scale fracture that eventually produces the flash heating effect. The frequency of flash heating events increases with increasing sliding velocity, leaving increasingly shorter times for the material to relax, hence contributing to the increased interfacial temperature. If the material is thin, the heat quickly diffuses away from the interface, resulting in sharp decrease in the temperature immediately after flash heating. The rate of heat transfer is reduced significantly with increasing thickness, keeping most of the heat close to the interface and producing weakened material. The weakening behavior is demonstrated by computing the stress–strain diagram. For small strain rates there the frictional stress is essentially independent of the materials’ thickness. As the strain rate increases, however, the dependence becomes stronger. Specifically, the stress–strain diagrams at lower velocities V manifest a pronounced strength decrease over small distances, whereas they exhibit progressive increase in the shear stress at higher V, which is reminiscent of a transition from ductile behavior at high velocities to brittle response at low velocities.
Low temperature CVD of thermoelectric SnTe thin films from the single source precursor, [nBu3Sn(TenBu)]
Authors: Robinson Fred , Newbrook Daniel W. , Curran Peter , de Groot C. H. (Kees) , Hardie Duncan , Hector Andrew L. , Huang Ruomeng , Reid Gillian
Published: December 2020

[nBu3Sn(TenBu)] is an effective precursor for the low temperature growth of continuous SnTe thin films by low pressure CVD; temperature-dependent thermoelectric characterisation of these p-type films is reported.
Heterobimetallic rare earth metal–zinc catalysts for reactions of epoxides and CO2 under ambient conditions
Authors: Yin Kuan , Hua Linyan , Qu Liye , Yao Quanyou , Wang Yaorong , Yuan Dan , You Hongpeng , Yao Yingming
Published: December 2020

Rare earth–zinc heterobimetallic complexes are more active than monometallic rare earth complexes in the cycloaddition of CO2 and epoxides under ambient conditions.
Advanced fuels from ethanol – a superstructure optimization approach
Authors: Restrepo-Flórez Juan Manuel , Maravelias Christos T.
Published: December 2020

Advanced fuel design through integration of chemistries leading to different components: alcohols (blue); ethers (green); and olefins, parafins, and aromatics (yellow).
Removal of PFASs from biosolids using a semi-pilot scale pyrolysis reactor and the application of biosolids derived biochar for the removal of PFASs from contaminated water
Authors: Kundu Sazal , Patel Savankumar , Halder Pobitra , Patel Tejas , Hedayati Marzbali Mojtaba , Pramanik Biplob Kumar , Paz-Ferreiro Jorge , de Figueiredo Cícero Célio , Bergmann David , Surapaneni Aravind , Megharaj Mallavarapu , Shah Kalpit
Published: December 2020

This study focuses on the conversion of biosolids to biochar and its further use in adsorbing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from contaminated water.
Antitumor and antioxidant activities of purple potato ethanolic extract and its interaction with liposomes, albumin and plasmid DNA
Authors: Strugała Paulina , Urbaniak Anna , Kuryś Patryk , Włoch Aleksandra , Kral Teresa , Ugorski Maciej , Hof Martin , Gabrielska Janina
Published: December 2020

The biological activity of Blue Congo extract has been explained at the cellular, lipid membrane and biomolecular levels.
CuO dot-decorated Cu@Gd2O3 core–shell hierarchical structure for Cu(i) self-supplying chemodynamic therapy in combination with MRI-guided photothermal synergistic therapy
Authors: Zhang Guilong , Xie Wenteng , Xu Zhaowei , Si Yuanchun , Li Qingdong , Qi Xiangyu , Gan Yuehao , Wu Zhengyan , Tian Geng
Published: December 2020

Cu(i) self-supplying core–shell nanoplatform is developed with enhanced Fenton-type catalytic activity for accelerating chemodynamic therapy in combination with MRI-guided photothermal synergistic therapy.
Semiconductor to topological insulator transition induced by stress propagation in metal dichalcogenide core–shell lateral heterostructures
Authors: Dong Xi , Lai Wei , Zhang Pengpeng
Published: December 2020

Phase transformation of WSe2 upon formation of an enclosed core–shell lateral heterostructure with SnSe2.
Local administration of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in a thermoresponsive hydrogel promotes a pro-healing effect in a rat model of colo-cutaneous post-surgical fistula
Authors: Berger Arthur , Araújo-Filho Irami , Piffoux Max , Nicolás-Boluda Alba , Grangier Alice , Boucenna Imane , Real Caroline Cristiano , Marques Fabio Luiz Navarro , de Paula Faria Daniele , do Rego Amália Cinthia Meneses , Broudin Chloe , Gazeau Florence , Wilhelm Claire , Clément Olivier , Cellier Christophe , Buchpiguel Carlos Alberto , Rahmi Gabriel , Silva Amanda K. A.
Published: December 2020

Local minimally-invasive EV delivery on a thermo-actuated PF-127 gel enhanced EV residence time in colo-cutaneous fistulas promoting a therapeutic effect.
Clickable gold-nanoparticles as generic probe precursors for facile photoaffinity labeling application
Authors: Mori Kanna , Sakurai Kaori
Published: December 2020

Clickable photoreactive gold nanoparticles have been developed to facilitate one-step preparation of photoaffinity probes for bioactive small molecules and their application to target protein analysis.
meta-Non-flat substituents: a novel molecular design to improve aqueous solubility in small molecule drug discovery
Authors: Ichikawa Yuki , Hiramatsu Michiaki , Mita Yusuke , Makishima Makoto , Matsumoto Yotaro , Masumoto Yui , Muranaka Atsuya , Uchiyama Masanobu , Hashimoto Yuichi , Ishikawa Minoru
Published: December 2020

We found a novel molecular design for improvement in the aqueous solubility of small molecule drugs.
Photocatalyst-free visible-light-promoted quinazolinone synthesis at room temperature utilizing aldehydes generated in situ via CC bond cleavage
Authors: Xie Zongbo , Lan Jin , Yan Liyuan , Chen Xuehua , Li Qian , Meng Jia , Le Zhanggao
Published: December 2020

This is the first report on a facile tandem route for synthesizing quinazolinones at room temperature from various aminobenzamides and in situ-generated aldehydes.
A covalent organic framework as a photocatalyst for atom transfer radical polymerization under white light irradiation
Authors: Lu Zhen , Fu Xiaoling , Yang Hongjie , Zhao Yulai , Xiao Longqiang , Hou Linxi
Published: December 2020

TFPPy-Td-COFs have been synthesized to serve as heterogeneous photocatalysts for mediating photo-induced ATRP with copper as a co-catalyst under white light irradiation.
Reaction condition optimization for non-oxidative conversion of methane using artificial intelligence
Authors: Kim Hyun Woo , Lee Sung Woo , Na Gyoung S. , Han Seung Ju , Kim Seok Ki , Shin Jung Ho , Chang Hyunju , Kim Yong Tae
Published: December 2020

Using machine learning and metaheuristic optimization, we optimize the reaction conditions for non-oxidative conversion of methane.
Boosted piezoelectricity with excellent thermal stability in tetragonal NaNbO3-based ceramics
Authors: Wang Lu , Sun Shengdong , Luo Huajie , Ren Yang , Liu Hui , Xing Xianran , Chen Jun
Published: December 2020

A single tetragonal phase with a tiny axial ratio and large oxygen octahedron tilt exhibits boosted piezoelectricity with excellent thermal stability.
Nitrogen reduction through confined electro-catalysis with carbon nanotube inserted metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Lv Yang , Wang Yiqi , Yang Miao , Mu Zhangyan , Liu Shengtang , Ding Weiping , Ding Mengning
Published: December 2020

A confined electro-catalysis strategy for enhanced performance in electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction was achievedviathe construction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) inserted metal–organic frameworks (MOFs).