bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voluntary certification most often seen as primary marker of sober home quality
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: April 2022

The emergence of recovery residences in the continuum of support for individuals with substance use disorders has been marked by numerous advances and setbacks, often occurring not far apart. The tenets governing sober living are so often misunderstood, or purposely mischaracterized, that even in states where funding and policy support for recovery homes has been strong, threats in the form of changes in state administration, or siting opposition from municipalities, still loom large.
Researchers cite illicit fentanyl in increase in teen ODs
Authors: de Miranda John
Published: April 2022

A 94% increase in adolescent overdose deaths from 2019 to 2020, and provisionally another huge increase in 2021, has led researchers to call for immediate measures to address the problem.
Surface Wettability for Skin‐Interfaced Sensors and Devices
Authors: Wang Xiufeng , Liu Yangchengyi , Cheng Huanyu , Ouyang Xiaoping
Published: April 2022

The practical applications of skin‐interfaced sensors and devices in daily life hinge on the rational design of surface wettability to maintain device integrity and achieve improved sensing performance under complex hydrated conditions. Various bioinspired strategies have been implemented to engineer desired surface wettability for varying hydrated conditions. Although the bodily fluids can negatively affect the device performance, they also provide a rich reservoir of health‐relevant information and sustained energy for next‐generation stretchable self‐powered devices. As a result, the design and manipulation of the surface wettability are critical to effectively control the liquid behavior on the device surface for enhanced performance. The sensors and devices with engineered surface wettability can collect and analyze health biomarkers while being minimally affected by bodily fluids or ambient humid environments. The energy harvesters also benefit from surface wettability design to achieve enhanced performance for powering on‐body electronics. This review first summarizes the commonly used approaches to tune the surface wettability for target applications toward skin‐interfaced sensors and devices. By considering the existing challenges, one also discusses the opportunities as a small fraction of potential future developments, which can lead to a new class of skin‐interfaced devices for use in digital health and personalized medicine.
Vertical Phase Separation Structure for High‐Performance Organic Thin‐Film Transistors: Mechanism, Optimization Strategy, and Large‐Area Fabrication toward Flexible and Stretchable Electronics
Authors: Yin Xiaowen , Yang Junliang , Wang Haibo
Published: May 2022

Organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs) exhibit great potential applications in flexible logic circuits, sensors, nonvolatile memory, etc. The vertical phase separation (VPS) structure, deriving from the blends of small molecules and polymers, can produce a high‐quality crystalline semiconducting layer and an intrinsic and trap‐free semiconductor/insulator interface. OTFTs with a VPS structure provide a promising route to accelerate their commercialization due to these desirable features including excellent device performance, good uniformity and reproducibility, environmental and mechanical stability, low‐cost and large‐area fabrication. Additionally, VPS OTFTs also exhibit a good balance between electronical properties and stretchability for intrinsic stretchable OTFTs. Herein, a comprehensive review is given on VPS structure for flexible and stretchable OTFTs. First, the evolution history of VPS structures and its formation mechanism are summarized. Based on the understanding of the VPS structure, the optimization strategies of VPS structures for high‐performance OTFTs are presented. Subsequently, the large‐area fabrication techniques of VPS structures, as well as the potential applications in flexible and stretchable OTFTs, are discussed. Finally, conclusions and outlook are provided for the further development of VPS structure in OTFTs. This review would promote the understanding and development of VPS structures in OTFTs, accelerating its applications in flexible and stretchable electronics.
Development of Unconventional Nano‐Metamaterials from Viral Nano‐Building Blocks
Authors: Passaretti Paolo , Schofield Zoe , Rickard Jonathan James Stanley , White Henry , Mahajan Sumeet , Goldberg Oppenheimer Pola
Published: April 2022

Structured metamaterials are periodically arranged nanostructures in which the dielectric constant is periodically modulated on a length‐scale comparable to the desired wavelength of operation. Interactions of the electric fields of light waves with the sub‐wavelength unit structures can produce effects that are impossible in natural materials. Here, a technique to construct three‐dimensional (3D) metamaterials using self‐assembling M13 viral building‐blocks as templates which are then replicated into a metal quasi‐3D nanostructure is developed. By correct fit of virus fragments, it is possible to employ them in a LEGO‐like way to build up well‐defined structures on the nanoscale. The virus blocks are designed to spontaneously assemble into 3D‐periodic network structures with interesting optical properties. Subsequently, templating of these nanostructures into inorganic materials allows the replication of their network into an inverse periodic metal structure, which has the appropriate architecture for optical metamaterials. Establishing such a technique provides an important link toward the realization of applied metamaterials potentially heralding a new era for developing novel types of bio‐synthetic optical materials. These materials have a wide range of potential uses including cloaking materials, light‐storage devices, high‐speed optical computers and nano‐lasers, and will offer numerous applications in transformation optics.
Enantioselective Construction of Amino Carboxylic‐Phosphonic Acid Derivatives Enabled by Chiral Amino Thiourea‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Mannich Reaction
Authors: Wang Xue‐Qi , Feng Fang‐Fang , Nie Jing , Zhang Fa‐Guang , Ma Jun‐An
Published: April 2022

An asymmetric decarboxylative Mannich reaction of phosphonate sultam‐ketimines with malonic acid half esters is developed enabled by saccharide‐derived bifunctional amino thiourea catalysis. This protocol provides access to a broad range of α‐amino‐β‐carboxylic phosphonates featuring the N,P‐containing tetrasubstituted stereocenters with 78–99% ee. Further synthetic derivatizations could allow the introduction of amide, alcohol, and azetidine scaffolds to the core structures.

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Study of Behavior of Supporting Electrolyte Ion of Fluoride Shuttle Battery Using Anomalous X‐Ray Scattering
Authors: Takabayashi Yasuhiro , Kimura Koji , Konishi Hiroaki , Minato Taketoshi , Takekawa Reiji , Nakatani Tomotaka , Fujinami So , Abe Takeshi , Hayashi Kouichi
Published: April 2022

Fluoride shuttle batteries (FSBs) are superior to lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) in terms of high energy density, safety, etc. An electrolyte consisting of tetraglyme (G4) as a solvent molecule and triphenylboroxine (TPhBX) as an anion acceptor to improve the solubility of cesium fluoride (CsF) salt is a candidate of the electrolytes for FSBs. The low concentration of CsF in the electrolyte makes it difficult to study. Electrical X‐Ray total scattering and anomalous X‐Ray scattering (AXS) are powerful techniques for studying the local structures of electrolytes. This study shows that AXS measurement with a Cs K‐edge can clarify the local structure around very low atomic concentration (0.27 at%) Cs. The first‐neighbor distance and the coordination number suggest that Cs+ ions exist in the major Cs(G4)2+ complex together with the minor Cs(G4)+. The low‐Q peak observed in the scattering patterns can be attributed to the structure of alternating [TPhBX]F− and [Cs(G4)]+ (or [Cs(G4)2]+). The large sizes of cations ([Cs(G4)]+ and [Cs(G4)2]+) and anion [TPhBX]F− lead to a long correlation distance. This work presents the picture that the F− ions hop from TPhBX to [Cs(G4)]+ or [Cs(G4)2]+ toward the cathode and anode during charge and discharge, respectively.
Comparative analysis of growth performance and survival of the West African mangrove oyster, Crassostrea tulipa (Lamarck, 1819) cultivated by suspension and bottom culture methods in the Densu Estuary, Ghana
Authors: Osei Isaac Kofi , Yankson Kobina , Obodai Edward Adzesiwor
Published: April 2022

This study compares the efficacy of suspension and bottom culture methods of the West African mangrove oyster, Crassostrea tulipa on recycled oyster shell cultch in the Densu Estuary, Ghana, which is geared towards its mass cultivation. It further assessed the relationship between selected environmental factors and growth performance as well as survival of C. tulipa. Oyster spat grew up to 5.56 ± 0.10 cm shell height (SH) in suspension culture and 4.60 ± 0.14 cm SH in bottom culture on the convex surface of the oyster shell cultch, whereas oysters cultured by suspension and on the bottom measured 5.59 ± 0.14 cm SH and 4.68 ± 0.14 cm SH on the concave surface of the cultch, respectively. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) between the growth rate of oysters cultured by suspension (1.02 ± 0.24 cm/month for oysters in the convex surface of the cultch, 1.00 ± 0.24 cm/month for those grown on the concave surface) and on the bottom (0.80 ± 0.23 cm/month and 0.81 ± 0.23 cm/month for oysters on convex and concave sides of the cultch, respectively). There was no significant difference in the survival of oysters cultured by suspension and bottom methods on both surfaces of the cultch between January and June 2018 (χ2 = 0.06, p = 0.99; χ2 = 0.19, p = 0.99, respectively). Oysters cultured by the suspension method on the convex surface had a survival of 47.45% and that of the concave surface was 46.73% in July 2018, whereas oysters grown on the bottom showed 100% mortality. Oyster growth and survival showed a significant relationship with dissolved oxygen (p = 0.004; 0.039) and salinity (p = 0.027; 0.012), respectively. Based on the findings, the suspension culture method is recommended over the bottom approach.
A 3D Network of Nanochannels for Possible Ion and Molecule Transit in Mineralizing Bone and Cartilage
Authors: Tang Tengteng , Landis William , Raguin Emeline , Werner Peter , Bertinetti Luca , Dean Mason , Wagermaier Wolfgang , Fratzl Peter
Published: April 2022

During crucial growth stages of vertebrate long bones, calcified cartilage beneath the growth plate is anchored to bone by a third mineralized component, the cement line. Proper skeletal development is contingent on the interplay of these three constituents, yet their mineralization processes and structural interactions are incompletely understood, in part from limited knowledge of their meso‐ and nanoscale features. Herein, focused ion beam‐scanning electron microscopy (FIB‐SEM) with serial surface imaging is applied to examine the cartilage–bone interface of mouse femoral heads at an unprecedented scale: FIB‐SEM provides 3D, nanometer resolution of structural details for volumes encompassing metaphyseal calcified cartilage, bone, and the intervening cement line. A novel and complex structural network is revealed, comprising densely packed nanochannels smaller than bone canaliculi (≈10–50 nm diameter) within the calcified cartilage and bone extracellular matrices, but absent in the cement line. A structural correlation is demonstrated between the nanochannels and ellipsoidal mineral domains, which appear to coalesce during mineralization in a process analogous to powder sintering in metallurgy. A mineralization process is proposed, supported by energy‐dispersive X‐Ray spectroscopy of nanochannel contents, in which these unreported structures offer ion and molecule conduits to access the extracellular matrices of calcified cartilage and bone.
Protein Flexibility and Dissociation Pathway Differentiation Can Explain Onset of Resistance Mutations in Kinases**
Authors: Shekhar Mrinal , Smith Zachary , Seeliger Markus A. , Tiwary Pratyush
Published: April 2022

Understanding how mutations render a drug ineffective is a problem of immense relevance. Often the mechanism through which mutations cause drug resistance can be explained purely through thermodynamics. However, the more perplexing situation is when two proteins have the same drug binding affinities but different residence times. In this work, we demonstrate how all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations using recent developments grounded in statistical mechanics can provide a detailed mechanistic rationale for such variances. We discover dissociation mechanisms for the anti‐cancer drug Imatinib (Gleevec) against wild‐type and the N368S mutant of Abl kinase. We show how this point mutation triggers far‐reaching changes in the protein's flexibility and leads to a different, much faster, drug dissociation pathway. We believe that this work marks an efficient and scalable approach to obtain mechanistic insight into resistance mutations in biomolecular receptors that are hard to explain using a structural perspective.
Harnessing Natural Products by a Pharmacophore‐Oriented Semisynthesis Approach for the Discovery of Potential Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 Agents
Authors: Zhou Yuan‐Fei , Yan Bing‐Chao , Yang Qian , Long Xin‐Yan , Zhang Dan‐Qi , Luo Rong‐Hua , Wang Han‐Yu , Sun Han‐Dong , Xue Xiao‐Song , Zheng Yong‐Tang , Puno Pema‐Tenzin
Published: April 2022

Natural products possessing unique scaffolds may have antiviral activity but their complex structures hinder facile synthesis. A pharmacophore‐oriented semisynthesis approach was applied to (−)‐maoelactone A (1) and oridonin (2) for the discovery of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 agents. The Wolff rearrangement/lactonization cascade (WRLC) reaction was developed to construct the unprecedented maoelactone‐type scaffold during semisynthesis of 1. Further mechanistic study suggested a concerted mechanism for Wolff rearrangement and a water‐assisted stepwise process for lactonization. The WRLC reaction then enabled the creation of a novel family by assembly of the maoelactone‐type scaffold and the pharmacophore of 2, whereby one derivative inhibited SARS‐CoV‐2 replication in HPA EpiC cells with a low EC50 value (19±1 nM) and a high TI value (>1000), both values better than those of remdesivir.
Regio‐ and Stereoselective Epoxidation and Acidic Epoxide Opening of Antibacterial and Antiplasmodial Chlorotonils Yield Highly Potent Derivatives
Authors: Hofer Walter , Oueis Emilia , Fayad Antoine Abou , Deschner Felix , Andreas Anastasia , de Carvalho Laìs Pessanha , Hüttel Stephan , Bernecker Steffen , Pätzold Linda , Morgenstern Bernd , Zaburannyi Nestor , Bischoff Markus , Stadler Marc , Held Jana , Herrmann Jennifer , Müller Rolf
Published: April 2022

The rise of antimicrobial resistance poses a severe threat to public health. The natural product chlorotonil was identified as a new antibiotic targeting multidrug resistant Gram‐positive pathogens and Plasmodium falciparum. Although chlorotonil shows promising activities, the scaffold is highly lipophilic and displays potential biological instabilities. Therefore, we strived towards improving its pharmaceutical properties by semisynthesis. We demonstrated stereoselective epoxidation of chlorotonils and epoxide ring opening in moderate to good yields providing derivatives with significantly enhanced solubility. Furthermore, in vivo stability of the derivatives was improved while retaining their nanomolar activity against critical human pathogens (e.g. methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and P. falciparum). Intriguingly, we showed further superb activity for the frontrunner molecule in a mouse model of S. aureus infection.
High Performance, Stoichiometric ZnSnP2 Anode for Rechargeable Lithium‐Ion Battery with Concomitant Conversion from Chalcopyrite to Sphalerite Phase
Authors: Patel Shubham , Sampath Srinivasan
Published: April 2022

Herein, we report chalcopyrite phase of zinc tin phosphide (ZnSnP2) as an anode for high rate, rechargeable, lithium‐ion battery. In‐situ Raman spectroscopy reveals the conversion of chalcopyrite phase of ZnSnP2 to a symmetric sphalerite phase upon cycling, which helps in achieving stable and reversible capacity at high discharge rates. This is due to the low bandgap and high conductivity of the sphalerite phase. The in‐situ phase conversion is extremely important as it is difficult to synthesize bulk ZnSnP2 sphalerite phase by the known methods till date. After full phase conversion, a reversible capacity of 750 mAh g−1 is obtained towards the end of 1700 cycles at a rate of 5 A g−1. Full cell assembled using LiCoO2 as the cathode material yields a stable performance with a discharge capacity of around 500 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and the rate capability studies demonstrate reversible capacities up to 15 A g−1 current.
Optical coherence tomography assessment of acute thrombogenicity at bifurcation sites using different stenting techniques: A porcine arteriovenous shunt study
Authors: Dan Kazuhiro , Bhogal Sukhdeep , Kuku Kayode O. , Melaku Gebremedhin D. , Devineni Aditya , Hellinga David , Waksman Ron , Garcia‐Garcia Hector M.
Published: April 2022

Objectives

We aimed to compare bare‐metal stents (BMS), durable‐polymer everolimus‐eluting stents (DP‐EES), and abluminal biodegradable‐polymer sirolimus‐eluting stents (ABP‐SES) in the bifurcation model setup.

Background

The mechanism of thrombogenicity, which differs among second‐generation stents implanted using double‐kissing (DK) crush or culotte stenting techniques, remains unclear. We have shown previously that setting up a porcine arteriovenous shunt model is feasible and useful to assess thrombogenicity at vessel bifurcation points.

Methods

Six porcine shunt models were prepared for the comparison between DK crush and culotte stenting techniques using BMS, DP‐EES, and ABP‐SES. Intracoronary imaging with high‐resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed to evaluate the thrombogenicity in different stent types in the bifurcation stenting model and was evaluated by a core lab.

Results

Culotte stenting demonstrated more thrombogenicity at the proximal main branch (MB) with DP‐EES, side branch (SB) with BMS, and the bifurcation site irrespective of the stent type, while DK crush technique exhibited thrombogenicity only at SB with BMS and ABP‐SES. OCT analysis revealed malapposition of DP‐EES in the proximal MB with culotte stenting. Stent expansion was generally larger in ABP‐SES than BMS and DP‐EES.

Conclusions

The study provides hypothesis‐generating findings in distinct thrombogenicity of bifurcation stenting with DP‐ or ABP‐coated drug‐eluting stents.
TAVR and stroke: A common evolution
Authors: Tarantini Giuseppe , Cardaioli Francesco
Published: April 2022

Key Points

Periprocedural cerebrovascular events (CVE) after transcatheter aortic‐valve replacement (TAVR) are infrequent (but not rare) and fearsome complications.

Stroke rates after TAVR remain below 4% in recent literature, but data on predictors of peri‐procedural CVE occurrence is generally controversial and inconsistent.

The incidence of peri‐procedural stroke seems to be lower in patients treated with TAVR rather than surgical aortic valve replacement, especially among those patients with low‐surgical risk.
White Light Generating Molecular Materials: Correlation Between the Amorphous/Crystalline Structure and Nonlinear Optical Properties
Authors: Haust Johannes , Belz Jürgen , Müller Marius , Danilo Klee Benjamin , Link Vasco Jonathan , Hüppe Franziska , Rojas Léon Irán , Christmann Jan , Beyer Andreas , Dehnen Stefanie , Rosemann Nils W. , Pilgrim Wolf‐Christian , Chatterjee Sangam , Volz Kerstin
Published: April 2022

Amorphous materials are an integral part of today's technology‐they commonly are performant and versatile in integration. Consequently, future applications increasingly aim to harvest the potential of the amorphous state. Establishing its structure‐property relationship, however, is inherently challenging using diffraction‐based techniques yet is extremely desirable for developing advanced functionalities. In this article, we introduce a set of transmission electron microscopy‐based techniques to locally quantify the structure of a material. This unique approach allows to clearly identify the spatial distribution of amorphous and crystalline regions and to quantify atomic arrangements of amorphous regions of a representative model system. We study an ensemble of well‐defined, functionalized adamantane‐type cluster molecules exhibiting exceptionally promising nonlinear optical properties of unclear origin. The nanoscopic structure for three model compounds ([(PhSn)4S6], [(NpSn)4S6], [(CpSn)4S6]) correlates with their characteristic optical responses. These results highlight the advantageous properties of amorphous molecular materials when understanding the microscopic origin.
A Toolbox of Fluorescent Peptide Biosensors to Highlight Protein Kinases in Complex Samples: Focus on Cyclin‐Dependent Kinases
Authors: Morris May C.
Published: April 2022

Development of sensitive and selective strategies for detection of disease biomarkers constitutes a major challenge for diagnostics and companion assays. New strategies are required to advance personalized and point‐of‐care medicine. Protein kinases (PK) are hyperactivated in many human cancers, therefore constituting relevant biomarkers and attractive pharmacological targets.Yet quantification of PK expression levels alone does not convey an accurate readout of their activity, since PKs are subject to numerous interactions and post‐translational regulations. Hence technologies that report on PK function are essential for complete appreciation of their behaviour and dysregulation in physio‐pathological settings. This Review focuses on fluorescent peptide biosensors designed to report on PK activities, and in particular on a toolbox of biosensors tailored to monitor cyclin‐dependent kinases. These selective optical probes offer a straightforward means of quantifying differences in kinase activities between healthy and cancer cells, and can report on alterations in response to therapeutics in vitro, in living cells and in vivo.
A hybrid concentrated solar/biomass combustion system with internal thermal energy storage for fully dispatchable renewable electricity production in Mauritius
Authors: Boretti Alberto
Published: April 2022

Wind and solar photovoltaic need expensive battery energy storage for dispatchability. Concentrated solar power plus internal thermal energy storage permits dispatchability, but it is convenient only in areas of large direct normal irradiance. A hybrid concentrated solar/combustion system is proposed for Mauritius, an area of modest direct normal irradiance, and biomass availability. The small, modular, 8 kW system for microgrid application comprises a beam down point concentrator, two tanks of molten salt thermal energy storage, a biomass combustion heater, a Stirling engine, and a generator. The hybrid system has a thermal energy supply solar of 41%, and a thermal energy supply by combustion fuel 59%. By assuming a zero CO2e emission for solar thermal energy supply (100% reduction of CO2e) and a 21% CO2e emission for thermal energy from the combustion of bagasse (79% reduction) vs thermal energy from oil combustion, the proposed hybrid device would permit an 88% reduction of the emission of CO2 vs the reference oil combustion plant.
Saving: Towards a Feminist Reckoning
Authors: Cromer Risa
Published: April 2022

Lila Abu‐Lughod suggested saving as a keyword twenty years ago by imploring feminist anthropologists to “be wary” saving discourses and actions, especially when they appear in a sympathetic form. Heeding this call in a sustained way remains a crucial task. Being wary of saving in a systematic way investigates what gives it broad‐reaching appeal and power; how and where saving rhetoric is wielded by diverse agents; and why and how particular life‐forms are deemed worthy of protection while many others are not. Being wary of saving supports reflexive considerations of how saving discourses operate within anthropology broadly, and feminist anthropology specifically, toward clarifying what an otherwise world “beyond” or “without” saving could look like.
Connectomic assessment of injury burden and longitudinal structural network alterations in moderate‐to‐severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Osmanlıoğlu Yusuf , Parker Drew , Alappatt Jacob A. , Gugger James J. , Diaz‐Arrastia Ramon R. , Whyte John , Kim Junghoon J. , Verma Ragini
Published: April 2022

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health problem. Caused by external mechanical forces, a major characteristic of TBI is the shearing of axons across the white matter, which causes structural connectivity disruptions between brain regions. This diffuse injury leads to cognitive deficits, frequently requiring rehabilitation. Heterogeneity is another characteristic of TBI as severity and cognitive sequelae of the disease have a wide variation across patients, posing a big challenge for treatment. Thus, measures assessing network‐wide structural connectivity disruptions in TBI are necessary to quantify injury burden of individuals, which would help in achieving personalized treatment, patient monitoring, and rehabilitation planning. Despite TBI being a disconnectivity syndrome, connectomic assessment of structural disconnectivity has been relatively limited. In this study, we propose a novel connectomic measure that we call network normality score (NNS) to capture the integrity of structural connectivity in TBI patients by leveraging two major characteristics of the disease: diffuseness of axonal injury and heterogeneity of the disease. Over a longitudinal cohort of moderate‐to‐severe TBI patients, we demonstrate that structural network topology of patients is more heterogeneous and significantly different than that of healthy controls at 3 months postinjury, where dissimilarity further increases up to 12 months. We also show that NNS captures injury burden as quantified by posttraumatic amnesia and that alterations in the structural brain network is not related to cognitive recovery. Finally, we compare NNS to major graph theory measures used in TBI literature and demonstrate the superiority of NNS in characterizing the disease.
A new detection system for serum fragmented cytokeratin 18 as a biomarker reflecting histologic activities of human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Eguchi Akiko , Iwasa Motoh , Yamada Minori , Tamai Yasuyuki , Shigefuku Ryuta , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Hirokawa Yoshifumi , Hayashi Akinobu , Okuno Koji , Matsushita Yuki , Nakatsuka Takuma , Enooku Kenichiro , Sakaguchi Koji , Kobayashi Yoshinao , Yamaguchi Tetsuji , Watanabe Masatoshi , Takei Yoshiyuki , Nakagawa Hayato
Published: April 2022

Caspase‐generated fragmented cytokeratin 18 (fCK18) is recognized as a useful noninvasive biomarker in the diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), particularly nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, fCK18 measurement is not applied clinically due to widely variable cut‐off values under the current enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay platform. Therefore, we developed a highly sensitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay using newly developed monoclonal antibodies against fCK18 and investigated its relevance in NASH diagnosis. Serum fCK18 levels were measured in the derivation and validation cohort. The correlation between serum fCK18 levels and NAFLD activity score (NAS), fibrosis stage, and liver function was examined. Serum fCK18 levels were significantly correlated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase. Serum fCK18 levels were significantly associated with NAS, Brunt's grade/stage, Matteoni's classification, portal inflammation, and fat accumulation in the liver. Notably, hepatocyte ballooning was the only independent variable significantly associated with serum fCK18 in the multivariate linear regression analysis. Serum fCK18 levels were significantly elevated in patients with NAFLD and nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) compared to healthy individuals. They were also significantly elevated in patients with NAFL compared to NASH defined by NAS or Matteoni's classification, with area under the curve values being 0.961 (NAFLD vs. healthy), 0.913 (NAFL vs. healthy), 0.763 (NASH vs. NAFL), and 0.796 (NASH type 3–4 vs. NAFL type 1–2). These results were confirmed by a validation cohort. Notably, changes over time in serum fCK18 levels were significantly correlated with changes in ALT, AST, and the fibrosis‐4 index in 25 patients who underwent lifestyle modification. Serum fCK18 levels were significantly correlated with liver damage associated with NASH pathology. Serum fCK18 levels are accurate in distinguishing patients with NAFL or NASH from healthy individuals and may be useful to monitor NASH over time.
The relationship between team dynamics with healthcare coordination and clinical work satisfaction among Commune Health Workers: A Bayesian model averaging study
Authors: Ngo Tuan Tri , Van Nguyen Huy , Pham Thanh Hai , Van Nguyen Tien , Vu Kien Duy , Pham Minh Duc , Phung Dung , Thi Tran Anh Ngoc , Nguyen Phuong The , Le Phuong Mai , Thi Dao An Minh , Ngo Hiep Tri , Van Hoang Minh
Published: April 2022

Objective

To determine the relationship between team dynamics with healthcare coordination and clinical job satisfaction of the community health workers (CHWs).

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 133 health workers (including doctors, nurses, or midwives) at 21 Commune Health Cent in Quoc Oai District, Vietnam, from July 2015 to May 2017. A self‐administered questionnaire consisting of 5‐Likert items regarding team dynamics and healthcare coordination clinical work satisfaction was utilised. Descriptive statistics and correlation matrix were applied for seven factors of team dynamic, clinical work satisfaction, and patient care coordination queried by primary care providers. Bayesian model averaging (BMA) was used to identify the predictors of the level of team dynamics and healthcare coordination.

Results

The mean score of overall team dynamics among the study participants was 4.08. Clinical work satisfaction and patient care coordination scores among resident physicians were higher than those of attending clinicians; however, the differences were not statistically significant. The results of BMA analysis indicated that team dynamics significantly associated with clinical work satisfaction, and it explains 9% of the total variance in clinical work satisfaction. Team dynamics level was also positively associated with patient care coordination. Patient care coordination was not a significant mediator between team dynamics and clinical work satisfaction.

Conclusion

Team dynamics is a potential contributor to improving patient care coordination and clinical job satisfaction of CHWs. As no significant correlation between patient care coordination and clinical job satisfaction was observed, to improve team performance, providing conditions that facilitate team building and teamwork should be conducted for CHWs in CHCs.
Irreversibility analysis of micropolar nanofluid flow using Darcy–Forchheimer rule in an inclined microchannel with multiple slip effects
Authors: Gireesha Bijjanal J. , Anitha Lokeshappa
Published: April 2022

The present work explores the consequence of the flow of micropolar fluid in an inclined microchannel when exposed to linear radiation in presence of a magnetic field. The microchannel is embedded with a porous medium and the Darcy–Forchheimer model is implemented. The walls of the microchannel facilitate the simultaneous suction and injection of the micropolar fluid. A multiple slip regime and temperature jump conditions were assumed at the boundaries. The equations are modeled and nondimensionalized using nondimensional entities and further solved with the aid of the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method. Entropy generated in the medium and ratio of irreversibilities is also computed. Results so obtained deliberate that enhancement in Darcy number has caused an increment in entropy generation rate whereas the opposite nature is attained for the Bejan number. Magnifying the radiation parameter has resulted in diminishing the profile of entropy generation rate and Bejan number.
The landscape of genetic aberrations in myxofibrosarcoma
Authors: Takeuchi Yasuhide , Yoshida Kenichi , Halik Adriane , Kunitz Annegret , Suzuki Hiromichi , Kakiuchi Nobuyuki , Shiozawa Yusuke , Yokoyama Akira , Inoue Yoshikage , Hirano Tomonori , Yoshizato Tetsuichi , Aoki Kosuke , Fujii Yoichi , Nannya Yasuhito , Makishima Hideki , Pfitzner Berit Maria , Bullinger Lars , Hirata Masahiro , Jinnouchi Keita , Shiraishi Yuichi , Chiba Kenichi , Tanaka Hiroko , Miyano Satoru , Okamoto Takeshi , Haga Hironori , Ogawa Seishi , Damm Frederik
Published: April 2022

Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a rare subtype of sarcoma, whose genetic basis is poorly understood. We analyzed 69 MFS cases using whole‐genome (WGS), whole‐exome (WES) and/or targeted‐sequencing (TS). Newly sequenced genomic data were combined with additional deposited 116 MFS samples. WGS identified a high number of structural variations (SVs) per tumor most frequently affecting the TP53 and RB1 loci, 40% of tumors showed a BRCAness‐associated mutation signature, and evidence of chromothripsis was found in all cases. Most frequently mutated/copy number altered genes affected known disease drivers such as TP53 (56.2%), CDKN2A/B (29.7%), RB1 (27.0%), ATRX (19.5%) and HDLBP (18.9%). Several previously unappreciated genetic aberrations including MUC17, FLG and ZNF780A were identified in more than 20% of patients. Longitudinal analysis of paired diagnosis and relapse time points revealed a 1.2‐fold mutation number increase accompanied with substantial changes in clonal composition over time. Our study highlights the genetic complexity underlying sarcomagenesis of MFS.
Special issue “The advance of solid tumor research in China”: Prognosis prediction for stage II colorectal cancer by fusing computed tomography radiomics and deep‐learning features of primary lesions and peripheral lymph nodes
Authors: Li Menglei , Gong Jing , Bao Yichao , Huang Dan , Peng Junjie , Tong Tong
Published: April 2022

Currently, the prognosis assessment of stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a difficult clinical problem; therefore, more accurate prognostic predictors must be developed. In our study, we developed a prognostic prediction model for stage II CRC by fusing radiomics and deep‐learning (DL) features of primary lesions and peripheral lymph nodes (LNs) in computed tomography (CT) scans. First, two CT radiomics models were built using primary lesion and LN image features. Subsequently, an information fusion method was used to build a fusion radiomics model by combining the tumor and LN image features. Furthermore, a transfer learning method was applied to build a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) model. Finally, the prediction scores generated by the radiomics and CNN models were fused to improve the prognosis prediction performance. The disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) prediction areas under the curves (AUCs) generated by the fusion model improved to 0.76 ± 0.08 and 0.91 ± 0.05, respectively. These were significantly higher than the AUCs generated by the models using the individual CT radiomics and deep image features. Applying the survival analysis method, the DFS and OS fusion models yielded concordance index (C‐index) values of 0.73 and 0.9, respectively. Hence, the combined model exhibited good predictive efficacy; therefore, it could be used for the accurate assessment of the prognosis of stage II CRC patients. Moreover, it could be used to screen out high‐risk patients with poor prognoses, and assist in the formulation of clinical treatment decisions in a timely manner to achieve precision medicine.
Analysis of stock markets risk spillover with copula models under the background of Chinese financial opening
Authors: Du Jiangze , Chen Xizhuo , Gong Jincheng , Lin Xiao , Lai Kin Keung
Published: April 2022

This article adopts the new point of view on dynamic time‐varying based research, combined with the Copula and CoVaR model, to analyse the risk spillover effect of mainland China, Hong Kong and the US stock markets as well as the multi‐dimensional formation mechanism from the perspective of macroeconomic variables (VXFXI, EER, EPU and Liquidity) using TVP‐VAR‐SV and impulse response model. First, we find that the constructed copula models can address the asymmetry of stock market systemic risk spillover and the characteristics of co‐movement with better tail dependence estimation. Second, there is an obvious risk spillover effect between the Shanghai Composite Index (SSEC) and Shenzhen Component Index (SZEC). Due to the development of two connect programs, systemic risk can spread quickly from the Hang Seng Index (HSI) to SSEC and SZEC. Third, since the structure and participants of Chinese stock market, all macroeconomic variables make strongly positive and significant nonlinear impact on ΔCoVaR and exhibit significant non‐symmetric characteristics in the long‐ and short‐term perspectives, especially for EPU. These results indicate that strengthening the interconnections among systemically global stock markets is of important practical significance. Also, regulators should pay more attention on the policy uncertainty between economic and financial policy released time and lag 4‐month period.
Investigation of water substitution at RuII complexes by conceptual density function theory approach
Authors: Ćoćić Dušan , Petrović Biljana , Puchta Ralph , Chrzanowska Marta , Katafias Anna , van Eldik Rudi
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we investigated water exchange reactions and substitution of aqua RuII complexes of general formula [Ru(terpy)(N^N)(H2O)]2+ (where N^N = ethylenediamine (en), 1,2‐(aminomethyl)pyridine (ampy) and 2,2′‐bipyridine (bipy)) by ammonia and thioformaldehyde. These reactions were studied in detail by applying conceptual density functional theory. This approach enabled us to gain further insight into the underlying reaction mechanism at the microscopic level (involving only direct participants of the reaction, without the influence of the solvent) and to put the concept of reaction mechanism on a quantitative basis. The course of the chemical reaction along the reaction coordinate ξ, is rationalized in terms of reaction energy, force, dipole moment, and reaction electronic flux (REF). The results yield and characterize the significant influence of an intermolecular hydrogen bond formed between the entering and the spectator ligand to the overall energy barrier of the reactions.
Utility and safety of the self‐expandable metallic colonic stent in Japanese patients who received systemic chemotherapy or palliative treatment for obstructive primary advanced colorectal cancer: A retrospective single‐center medical chart evaluation
Authors: Naruse Naomi , Miyahara Koichi , Sakata Yasuhisa , Takamori Ayako , Ito Yoichiro , Hidaka Hidenori , Sameshima Ryuichiro , Tsuruoka Nanae , Shimoda Ryo , Yamanouchi Kohei , Noda Takahiro , Fujimoto Kazuma , Esaki Motohiro
Published: April 2022

Background and Aim

The present study aimed to compare the utility and safety of the colonic self‐expandable metallic stent between patients with obstructive primary colorectal cancer who underwent chemotherapy or palliative treatment care and patients bridging for surgery.

Methods

The cases of 71 patients with colonic obstructive stenosis and in‐dwelling stents who were hospitalized between May 2012 and April 2020 at Karatsu Red Cross Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were classified into three groups: bridging for curative surgery (group I), receiving systemic chemotherapy (group II‐A), and receiving only palliative treatment (group II‐B). Technical and clinical success rates and complication rates after stenting were evaluated.

Results

No significant differences were observed in the technical (procedure) success rates (group I: 100%; group II, 97.6% [II‐A: 100%; II‐B: 95.8%]). The total clinical success rate was 85.9% (61/71) and did not vary significantly among the groups (group I: 82.8%; group II 88.0% [II‐A: 83.3%; II‐B: 91.6%]). No significant differences were observed in the early complication rates between groups I and II and in the late complication rates between groups II‐A and II‐B. Nutrition status, general condition, tumor staging, and 1‐year survival were poorer in group II than in group I.

Conclusion

The findings show that colonic stenting for malignant obstruction was performed successfully and safely both in patients who received systemic chemotherapy or palliative therapy and in patients bridging for curative surgery, regardless of risk status for malnutrition, poor general condition, cancer stage progression, and short survival.
Hyperspectral Raman imaging and multivariate statistical analysis for the reconstruction of obliterated serial numbers in polymers
Authors: Skokan Lilian , Ruediger Andreas , Muehlethaler Cyril
Published: May 2022

As recent years have shown an increasing use of polymers for the fabrication of firearms, it is necessary to develop techniques for the reconstruction of obliterated serial numbers that are stamped in these materials. Hyperspectral Raman imaging has proven to be a suitable technique for this purpose, as it is sensitive to residual strain. The extraction of relevant information however requires an advanced two‐step fitting procedure (i.e., the identification of strain‐sensitive peaks followed by the fitting itself) that may be somewhat time consuming. In this study, principal component analysis (PCA), an exploratory method of the Raman data, is proposed to overcome this deficit. The results show that PCA offers better visual contrast in comparison to the previously reported mathematical modeling technique, as it is able to highlight pertinent variance in the original dataset, for multiple polymers, such as polycarbonate, polyethylene, nylon, and nylatron. Results obtained by limiting acquisition times and spectral ranges have displayed no significant loss of information and therefore reconstruction abilities in polyethylene. A normal density function model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves have been used to show that score matrices obtained from PCA are suitable for separation of distinct strained and unstrained pixel populations. Additionally, binary images favoring minimization of the false positive rate are created to enhance observable contrast allowing for easier character recognition. Finally, a recommended routine analysis is offered to forensic scientists wanting to apply these methods in order to aid criminal investigations or trials.
Organic material additions have stronger effects on humic substances and enzyme activities than soil types
Authors: Jin Shengai , Ma Hongbin , Jia Long , Liu Xinwei , Hussain Qaiser , Song Xiangyun , Cui Liqiang , Wang Chengji , Cui Dejie
Published: April 2022

The incorporation of organic materials derived from plant biomass into various soils is an effective strategy for increasing soil organic carbon (SOC). The comparative effect of organic material forms and soil types on carbon (C) sequestration has received little attention. On a C equivalent basis, wheat straw, wheat straw‐biochar, tobacco straw, and tobacco straw‐biochar were added to different soil types such as acidic, saline, and calcareous and incubated for 180 days. The structural characteristics of SOC, humic substance (HS) contents, and enzyme activities were investigated, and it was discovered that the C content of crop straws and biochar was primarily fixed in the form of humin (HU) in all soil types. Furthermore, biochar application did not increase humic acid (HA), whereas crop straws treatments did. Between HU and SOC, there was a significant positive correlation. SOC Aryl C was increased by biochar treatments, whereas phenolic C and O‐alkyl C were increased by straw treatments. Aromatic C correlated positively with SOC concentration, whereas polyphenol oxidase activity correlated positively with O‐alkyl C. The activity of polyphenol oxidase influenced the ormation of O‐alkyl C significantly. The majority of SOC functional groups and enzyme activities were found to have significant relationships with HS contents (pvalue <0.05). These findings suggest that both soil types and organic materials influence HS and functional groups of SOC, with organic materials having a stronger influence on microbial activity than soil types. Biochar can be used for a wide range of soils to not only store more recalcitrant C but also make SOC more hydrophobic.
Thermodynamics and Structure–Property Relationships of Charged Block Polymers
Authors: Grim Bradley J. , Green Matthew D.
Published: April 2022

Advancements in electronics and energy storage and conversion technologies brings with it myriads of exciting material design challenges. Charge‐containing block polymers (BPs) offer unique features which can overcome some of these challenges and have thus aroused substantial interest within the field of designer soft materials. The properties of BPs are intricately coupled to the dynamic and rich nature of the nanostructured assemblies, which result from the phase separation between blocks. The introduction of strong secondary forces, such as electrostatics and hydrogen bonding (H‐bonding), into BPs greatly influences their self‐assembly behavior, and therefore affects their physical and electrochemical properties often in nontrivial ways. In this review, some of the prevailing research, which has expanded the understanding of structure–property relationships to include several design strategies for improving ionic conductivity and modulus in charged block polymers, is presented. The profound extent to which electrostatics and hydrogen bonding impact block polymer thermodynamics, an extent which is demonstrated by recent theoretical and experimental work, is also highlight. Insights gained from the research presented here help to lay the groundwork for a long and bright future in the field of advanced soft materials.
Firm financial outcomes: The impact of technology leaders
Authors: Kirby Joseph , Gerhart Natalie , Wingender John R.
Published: April 2022

As the importance of Information Technology (IT) has exploded in business, its prominence in senior leadership teams has become pervasive. However, the success of these companies' efforts is mixed. This research uses Return on Assets, Tobin's q, and Market‐to‐Book value, to evaluate the impact of adding IT leaders into the C‐Suite (CxOs). We examine instances of a CxO as a member of the top‐five compensated executives from 1992 and 2018, identifying 2056 observations, and find that firms with a CxO have better financial performance than their non‐CxO peers. Second, different CxO titles lead to different financial impact on the firm.
USPSTF recommends anxiety screening for ages 8 to 18
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2022

Observing adequate evidence that treatment of anxiety with psychotherapy is associated with a moderate magnitude of benefit (e.g., treatment response, disease remission or resolution) for children and adolescents ages 8 to 18, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on April 12 posted draft recommendation statements on screening for depression and suicide risk in children and adolescents. The task force recommends screening children 12 and older for depression and, for the first time, is recommending screening children ages 8 and older for anxiety.
Glas im Labor – Altbekannt mit neuen Anwendungen
Authors: Ehrensberger Christian
Published: April 2022

In Chemie und Pharmazie ist Glas ein selbstverständlicher Begleiter – mit überraschenden Entwicklungen. Der Werkstoff könnte gegenüber Kunststoff Terrain gutmachen.