bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Best Practices in Suicide Pedagogy: A Quantitative Content Analysis
Authors: Binkley Erin , Elliott Gregory
Published: August 2021

The authors used a quantitative content analysis methodology to explore the available literature on pedagogical practices for teaching counselors how to work with suicidal clients. From an initial pool of 71 potentially applicable articles found in Counseling, Psychiatry, general mental health, Psychology, and Social Work journals, 26 articles were found to meet inclusion criteria by specifically exploring the impact or efficacy of different pedagogical practices relevant to suicide response in counselor training. These 26 articles were coded using quantitative content analysis procedures. Results indicated that more research is necessary to determine best practices for teaching suicide response to counselors in training. Additionally, these training practices should include attention to the CACREP standards and should be theoretically grounded in pedagogical frameworks. Ideally, future research in this area would focus more heavily on assessment of student competencies and how well students are prepared to respond to suicide.
Cross-Cultural Mentoring in Counselor Education: A Call to Action
Authors: Oller Marianna L. , Teeling Sunny S.
Published: August 2021

Given the lack of formalized cross-cultural mentorship guidelines within professional counseling associations and accreditation programs, the recruitment and retention of marginalized graduate students, may be in jeopardy. The authors explored the value of mentoring for graduate students, the exponential growth rate of diversity within graduate programs, and how the disparity of marginalized faculty members creates a need and opportunity for cross-cultural mentorship. Recommendations for the creation of holistic cross-culturalmentorship guidelines for faculty-student dyads are provided.
Supervision Experiences of School Counselors-in-Training: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study
Authors: Pool Anita , Dickens Kristen N. , Lyons Matthew , Herlihy Barbara
Published: August 2021

School counselors-in-training receive university and site supervision during their field experiences. University supervision may be provided by a faculty member or doctoral student who lacks school counseling experience. School counselors as site supervisors may not be trained to supervise. Further, the multiple systems may have differing expectations for supervisees. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to explore the lived experiences of eight master’s level school counselors-in-training with supervision. The four super-ordinate themes included: impact of counselor education program, supervisor characteristics, significance of feedback, and characteristics of the supervisee. Findings suggested programmatic changes counselor educators can make to strengthen student preparation.
Beginning Counselor Educators’ Experiences of Teaching Mentorship
Authors: Waalkes Phillip L. , Hall Daniel , Swindle Paula J. , Haugen Jaimie E. Stickl
Published: August 2021

Mentoring can positively impact counselor educators’ teaching in terms of self-efficacy and growth in skills. Yet, counselor educators have reported a desire for more mentoring in the development of their teaching. Utilizing consensual qualitative research methodology, we explored the teaching-specific mentorship of beginning counselor educators’ (N = 13) within their first two to four years as faculty. Emergent themes included mentoring structure such as mentors’ methods of providing mentorship, mentoring relationship dynamics such as relational supports and frustrations, and the positive and negative impacts of mentoring relationships. In addition to building rapport and strengthening mentees’ self-efficacy, mentors and mentees can develop intentional mentoring relationships with a comprehensive focus emphasizing the development of teaching knowledge and skills through practices such as teaching observation and feedback. Additionally, discussing the needs, goals, and expectations of both parties and the inherent power differential of the relationships can help focus the mentoring experiences.
An engineered transcriptional reporter of protein localization identifies regulators of mitochondrial and ER membrane protein trafficking in high-throughput CRISPRi screens
Authors: Coukos Robert , Yao David , Sanchez Mateo I , Strand Eric T , Olive Meagan E , Udeshi Namrata D , Weissman Jonathan S , Carr Steven A , Bassik Michael C , Ting Alice Y
Published: August 2021

The trafficking of specific protein cohorts to correct subcellular locations at correct times is essential for every signaling and regulatory process in biology. Gene perturbation screens could provide a powerful approach to probe the molecular mechanisms of protein trafficking, but only if protein localization or mislocalization can be tied to a simple and robust phenotype for cell selection, such as cell proliferation or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). To empower the study of protein trafficking processes with gene perturbation, we developed a genetically encoded molecular tool named HiLITR (High-throughput Localization Indicator with Transcriptional Readout). HiLITR converts protein colocalization into proteolytic release of a membrane-anchored transcription factor, which drives the expression of a chosen reporter gene. Using HiLITR in combination with FACS-based CRISPRi screening in human cell lines, we identified genes that influence the trafficking of mitochondrial and ER tail-anchored proteins. We show that loss of the SUMO E1 component SAE1 results in mislocalization and destabilization of many mitochondrial tail-anchored proteins. We also demonstrate a distinct regulatory role for EMC10 in the ER membrane complex, opposing the transmembrane-domain insertion activity of the complex. Through transcriptional integration of complex cellular functions, HiLITR expands the scope of biological processes that can be studied by genetic perturbation screening technologies.
Integrated single-cell analysis unveils diverging immune features of COVID-19, influenza, and other community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Schuurman Alex R , Reijnders Tom DY , Saris Anno , Ramirez Moral Ivan , Schinkel Michiel , de Brabander Justin , van Linge Christine , Vermeulen Louis , Scicluna Brendon P , Wiersinga W Joost , Vieira Braga Felipe A , van der Poll Tom
Published: August 2021

The exact immunopathophysiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) remains clouded by a general lack of relevant disease controls. The scarcity of single-cell investigations in the broader population of patients with CAP renders it difficult to distinguish immune features unique to COVID-19 from the common characteristics of a dysregulated host response to pneumonia. We performed integrated single-cell transcriptomic and proteomic analyses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a matched cohort of eight patients with COVID-19, eight patients with CAP caused by Influenza A or other pathogens, and four non-infectious control subjects. Using this balanced, multi-omics approach, we describe shared and diverging transcriptional and phenotypic patterns—including increased levels of type I interferon-stimulated natural killer cells in COVID-19, cytotoxic CD8 T EMRA cells in both COVID-19 and influenza, and distinctive monocyte compositions between all groups—and thereby expand our understanding of the peripheral immune response in different etiologies of pneumonia.
Unge jenters oppfatning av hvordan stress påvirker kroppen deres
Authors: Steffenak Anne Kjersti , Hjellestad Hauge Mette , Steinseth Else Berit
Published: August 2021

Målet med denne studien er å undersøke hvilke oppfatninger unge jenter har av hvordan stress påvirker kroppene deres. Blant jenter har det vært en økning av psykiske helseplager. De rapporterer mer stress og fysiske helseplager enn gutter. Studien er kvalitativ med en fenomenografisk tilnærming. Det ble gjennomført 23 individuelle intervjuer av jenter mellom 15 og 18 år. Utvalget var strategisk valgt. Stress, når det gjelder eksterne og interne krav, påvirker jentenes kropper og uttrykkes som smerte, ubehag og misnøye med kroppen. Jentene ignorerer eller merker ikke kroppssignalene. De forsømmer egen kropp og dens behov. Gjentatte vaner kan føre til ytterligere stress og ubehag som kan føre til psykisk lidelse.

Young girls' conceptions of how stress influences their bodies

Abstract

The aim of this study is to describe young girls' conceptions of how stress can influence their bodies. There has been an increase in mental health complaints, especially among girls. They report more stress and physical health complaints than boys. The study is qualitative with a phenomenographic approach. Individual interviews were conducted with a strategic selection of 23 informants between 15 and 18 years. Stress, in terms of external and internal requirements, influence the girls` bodies and are expressed as pain, discomfort and dissatisfaction with their bodies. The girls ignore or do not notice body signals. They neglect their own body and what the body needs. Repeating habits can lead to further stress and discomfort, and this may eventually lead to mental distress.
Approximate spectral clustering using both reference vectors and topology of the network generated by growing neural gas
Authors: Fujita Kazuhisa
Published: August 2021

Spectral clustering (SC) is one of the most popular clustering methods and often outperforms traditional clustering methods. SC uses the eigenvectors of a Laplacian matrix calculated from a similarity matrix of a dataset. SC has serious drawbacks: the significant increases in the time complexity derived from the computation of eigenvectors and the memory space complexity to store the similarity matrix. To address the issues, I develop a new approximate spectral clustering using the network generated by growing neural gas (GNG), called ASC with GNG in this study. ASC with GNG uses not only reference vectors for vector quantization but also the topology of the network for extraction of the topological relationship between data points in a dataset. ASC with GNG calculates the similarity matrix from both the reference vectors and the topology of the network generated by GNG. Using the network generated from a dataset by GNG, ASC with GNG achieves to reduce the computational and space complexities and improve clustering quality. In this study, I demonstrate that ASC with GNG effectively reduces the computational time. Moreover, this study shows that ASC with GNG provides equal to or better clustering performance than SC.
Where is my arm? Investigating the link between complex regional pain syndrome and poor localisation of the affected limb
Authors: Bellan Valeria , Braithwaite Felicity A. , Wilkinson Erica M. , Stanton Tasha R. , Moseley G. Lorimer
Published: August 2021

Background

Anecdotally, people living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) often report difficulties in localising their own affected limb when it is out of view. Experimental attempts to investigate this report have used explicit tasks and yielded varied results.

Methods

Here we used a limb localisation task that interrogates implicit mechanisms because we first induce a compelling illusion called the Disappearing Hand Trick (DHT). In the DHT, participants judge their hands to be close together when, in fact, they are far apart. Sixteen volunteers with unilateral upper limb CRPS (mean age 39 ± 12 years, four males), 15 volunteers with non-CRPS persistent hand pain (‘pain controls’; mean age 58 ± 13 years, two males) and 29 pain-free volunteers (‘pain-free controls’; mean age 36 ± 19 years, 10 males) performed a hand-localisation task after each of three conditions: the DHT illusion and two control conditions in which no illusion was performed. The conditions were repeated twice (one for each hand). We hypothesised that (1) participants with CRPS would perform worse at hand self-localisation than both the control samples; (2) participants with non-CRPS persistent hand pain would perform worse than pain-free controls; (3) participants in both persistent pain groups would perform worse with their affected hand than with their unaffected hand.

Results

Our first two hypotheses were not supported. Our third hypothesis was supported —when visually and proprioceptively encoded positions of the hands were incongruent (i.e. after the DHT), relocalisation performance was worse with the affected hand than it was with the unaffected hand. The similar results in hand localisation in the control and pain groups might suggest that, when implicit processes are required, people with CRPS’ ability to localise their limb is preserved.
Aesthetic Repair of Zirconia-Supported Porcelain Prosthesis with Ceramic Veneer, Case Report with 3-Year Follow-up
Authors: Ordueri Tugce Merve , Kaptanogl Asena , Ates Mehmet Muzaffer
Published: August 2021

Chipping is the most common complication in zirconia-supported porcelain prosthesis. If the prosthesis has ideal adaptation and there is no problem other than chipping, intraoral repair is the most practical solution for such failures. Composite resins are often preferred for intraoral porcelain repair. However, the wear and unstable colour of composite resins negatively affect aesthetics. This complication could be restored intraorally and aesthetically with ceramic veneer. This case report presents the intraoral repair of a zirconia supported Fixed Partial Denture (FPD) consisting of four units. The cohesive fracture of the ceramic material in the incisal part of maxillary right central incisor was restored with ceramic veneers. Preparation was done with a tapered, rounded end diamond bur under water-cooling. The impression was taken with elastomeric impression material. Ceramic veneer was manufactured with a leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic and cemented with light cure resin cement. Based on the three-year follow up of the performed intraoral repair, ceramic veneers have shown to be an alternative treatment for fractured FPD.
Marketing Activities in the Fruit Industry: Case Study of Banana in Khoai Chau District, Hung Yen Province, Vietnam
Authors: Phuong Nguyen Van , Giam Do Quang , Hai Vu Thi
Published: August 2021

Aims: The study aims to overview about the marketing activities of banana industry in Vietnam based on the case study in Khoai Chau district, Vietnam.

Methodology: Both primary and secondary data were used in this study. Primary data was collected through face-to-face interviews and mobile phone with market participants using semi-structured questionnaire in two year 2016 and 2019. The descriptive analysis method was used to describe channels of distribution, marketing practices of farmers and traders, flow of product from producers to consumers, and problems that banana farmers and traders encounter in their business operations.

Results: The results show that banana was sold through 13 channels for both domestic and international markets. At traders’ level market, non-contract was popularly applied by retailers in both selling and buying operations. Majority of banana growers have small operations and engage in small transactions and individually with buyers. They do not have market power in setting the price. They are often faced with unstable price and difficulty in entering high income market. Establishing banana grower association in each commune would enable growers to maintain and monitor the quality of banana especially among small growers. Though collective marketing, they can link with large and stable potential markets such as supermarkets and other institutional buyers.
Communication Skills and Disaster Preparedness of Junior High School Students
Authors: Haresco Arturo A. , Jose Ariel E. San
Published: August 2021

Aims: To correlate the communication skills and disaster preparedness of Grade 7 – 10 students

Study Design: Descriptive correlation

Place and Duration of Study: Maria Cleta R. Delos Cientos National High School, Padada, Davao del Sur, Philippines. The municipality of Padada was badly struck by series of earthquakes in 2019; magnitude 5.9 on July 16; 6.3 on October 16; 6.6 on October 29; 6.5 on October 31; and 6.9 on December 15. The collection of data from students was conducted almost two years after the incidents, particularly on 22nd of May to 1st of June 2021.    

Methodology: Two instruments were used to obtain the data. First was the researcher-made validated flashcards. It was used to measure the students’ communication skills particularly general comprehension of disaster situations. The second instrument was a questionnaire adapted from the study of Tuladhar et al. 24 which was used to determine the students’ knowledge, readiness, awareness, adaptation, and perception of disaster. The study included 204 students who were at grades 7-10. 

Results: Findings of the study disclosed that learners had high level of communication skills in general comprehension. The overall rating on the learners’ disaster preparedness was also high. The indicators for disaster preparedness was rated average and high in terms of knowledge, readiness, adaptation, awareness, and perception. There was no significant difference on the level of learners’ communication skills and disaster preparedness. However, a significant difference was found in indicator adaption on disaster preparedness.

Conclusion: It was noted in the results that the students’ communication skills based on general comprehension and disaster preparedness are high and evidently high respectively. However, those results also reveal no significant difference.  It only implies that an individual’s communication abilities do not determine their disaster preparedness. Conversely, it is worthy to note that adaptation is linked to communication skills. This means that continues input or supply of information to individuals, making those information form part of their schema may increase their disaster preparedness.  Thus, academic institutions need to intensify their disaster risk reduction promotion so that students can adapt to them. Disaster preparedness may become part of the curriculum and school system. Disaster preparedness should not be put in isolation.
Food Poisoning from Local Food Processing Methods: A Review
Authors: Muoneke Chigozie Johnbosco , Nwachukwu Anuli Augusta , Okoye Assumpta Ifunanya
Published: August 2021

Food processing links food production to the provision of food of improved quality and nutrient availability, acceptability, preservation to curtail losses and availability in time of need. To maintain these attributes, a critical look at our local food processing methods is required, with a view to improving it; for instance through the application of modern technology, so as to minimize food poisoning, and improve local food stability. In this review, we wish to highlight the various possible pathogenic poisoning routes of some African food processing methods and possible preventive measures. The food processes involved are fermentation, drying and salting. The source of food contaminant is evidently a portal for contamination by more potent pathogenic microbes, which may cause an epidemic, considering the popularity of the food products. The influx of contaminants; which may be a source of food-borne disease(s), maybe through the original food materials, unhygienic practices of the handlers or the process machinery. The incidence of food poisoning in local food processing can be drastically reduced with improved process operations, increased sensitization of food handlers on their possible contributions to food contamination, regular medical checkups and mandatory certification of vendors, etc. The standard for processing and preparing human food should be improved and researches should be carried out, to ascertain facts and prevent death due to ingestion of poisoned food. Investments in biotechnology should also be made in the most conscious and profound manner, to provide species for better food fermentation processes, and as well, advanced sensitive screening procedures to ascertain contamination, especially by non-culturable microorganisms. Hygienic practices in food processing and preservation are indispensable in food security, as we try to sustain food abundance and minimize food poisoning.
Assessment of Dynamic Land System in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Using MODIS Derived Temporal Data Sets during 2001 to 2018
Authors: Srinivasan K. , Anand Sebastian , Bilyaminu H. , Haritha S.
Published: August 2021

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) is one of the largest protected ecologically sensitive areas in India. This study examined the land use/land cover (LULC) changes in NBR for past 18 years from 2001 to 2018 to figure out the LULC changed within a protected area using datasets in 2001, 2010, and 2018 with the help of pertinent geospatial techniques. MODIS Land Cover Type Product (MCD12Q1) accuracy was quantitatively analyzed based on ground truth data and Google Earth imagery. Validation of data were assessed using and overall 635 locations for its accuracy assessment. The obtained kappa coefficient of 0.75, denotes the classification has moderate accuracy. The results showed that in the past 18 years, woody savannas and grasslands were reduced by 299.47 sq.km and 155.32 sq.km respectively. The areas of croplands and cropland/natural vegetation mosaics were also increased by 34.84 sq.km and 54.41 sq.km, respectively. These results showed anthropogenic influences through agricultural practices within the NBR buffer zones. The mixed forests were increased by 266.01 sq.km. One of the significant changes was seen in closed shrublands, which were absent in 2018, that covered 1.50 sq.km in 2001. In addition, A gradual decrease in the area were noticed in woody savannas. From the outcomes, it is recommended that the LULC classes that cover minimal area may be unstable, so measures should be taken for their conservation. The study proved the usefulness of MODIS land cover type data in monitoring large areas periodically for quick decision-making.
Principles of Accommodation and Technology Update of Presbyopia Corrections using IR and UV Lasers
Authors: Lin Jui-Teng
Published: August 2021

Purpose: To update and review the technology and principles of laser presbyopia reversal (LAPR) via sclera ablation and thermal shrinkage using infrared and UV lasers. Recent clinical data and new methods are also summarized.

Study Design: LAPR using laser sclera ablation for increased accommodation of presbyopic eyes.

Place and Duration of Study: New Taipei City, Taiwan, between June, 2021 and July, 2021.

Methodology: Accommodation gain was obtained by laser scleral ablation of an eye using Er:YAG laser (at 2.94 um) using either line-pattern or dots-pattern outside the limbus in the oblique quadrants of an eye. The principles of accommodation and the key factors influencing the outcomes are discussed. The accommodation gain (AG) after the surgery is mainly due the change in anterior curvature and anterior shift of the lens. The effectiveness of ciliary body contraction for lens relaxation (or accommodation) may be influenced by the combined aging factors, including lens property changes (index, size, thickness and curvature), tissue elastic changes (in sclera and ciliary) and the zonular tension change. Classical theories of accommodation include Helmholtz and Schachar hypothesis. The key issues and new directions to overcome the drawbacks of the existing LAPR procedure (based on scleral ablation) are proposed. Clinical outcomes from two major groups, SurgiLight and Ace Vision, with two years follow are summarized.

Results: Clinical outcomes during 2000 to 2020 are summarized showing an average Accommodation gain about 2.0 D, and postoperative egression about 0.25 D (after two years).

Conclusion: Laser presbyopia reversal (LAPR) via sclera ablation using infrared laser is safe and effective, but suffers drawbacks of being invasive and procedures are too slow. New directions are required for improved outcomes.
Preoperative Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Is Correlated with Severe Postoperative Complications After Emergency Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Maeda Kiyoshi , Nagahara Hisashi , Shibutani Masatsune , Fukuoka Tatsunari , Iseki Yasuhito , Matsutani Shinji , Toyokawa Takahiro , Tanaka Hiroaki , Muguruma Kazuya , Yamagami Hirokazu , Hirakawa Kosei , Ohira Masaichi
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The incidence of postoperative severe complications is reported to be high in patients undergoing emergency surgery for severe ulcerative colitis (UC). It has also been reported that the preoperative inflammatory status is associated with the frequency of postoperative complications. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple and useful parameter for determining the inflammatory status.

Methods

In the present study, we retrospectively investigated the correlation between the NLR and the incidence of severe postoperative complications in patients undergoing emergency surgery for severe UC. A total of 105 UC patients who underwent emergency or semi-emergency surgery were enrolled. Various clinical factors and NLR values were evaluated to identify the risk factors for severe complications. Postoperative complications were stratified by their severity according to the Clavien-Dindo Classification (CD). A postoperative complication of CD IIIb or higher was defined as severe postoperative complications. The incidence of severe complications was 16.2%.

Results

A multivariate analysis revealed the ASA score, toxic megacolon, and NLR to be independent risk factors for severe postoperative complications.

Conclusions

The results of this retrospective study suggest that the NLR is an independent risk factor for severe postoperative complications in patients undergoing emergency surgery for UC.
Two federal actions enforce rights for SUD patients
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2021

This month, the federal government has issued two orders punishing an insurance company for discriminating against substance use disorder (SUD) patients and beneficiaries, and a nursing home company for discriminating against patients.
$11 million from SAMHSA to train first responders and community groups on preventing OD deaths
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2021

Last week, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) distributed $11 million in grants to train first responders and community groups to prevent overdose deaths. The 13 grants were in training to administer naloxone.
Bio‐Inspired Multi‐Responsive Structural Color Hydrogel with Constant Volume and Wide Viewing Angles
Authors: Cai Lijun , Wang Yu , Sun Lingyu , Guo Jiahui , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: August 2021

Structural color hydrogels (SCHs) have ushered in a new era for a variety of fields including sensing, display, and anti‐counterfeiting. Attempts in this area are trending to improve their functions to implement the practical values. Herein, bioinspired by chameleons, a novel multi‐responsive angle‐independent SCH is presented. The SCH consists of responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) with vivid structural colors replicated from photonic crystal particle templates, which is fixed within a non‐responsive hydrogel film. Due to the thermal‐sensitivity of PNIPAM, the distance between nanopores of inverse opal can be tuned, leading to a shift of the reflection peak. Besides, the structural colors are angle‐independent since the structural color elements are spherical. Intriguingly, as the elastic deformation of the non‐responsive hydrogel is only in local positions, the total volume of the SCH film is kept near‐constant, making its stability superior to traditional structural color films. To further broaden its function, reduced graphene oxide nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes are integrated into the SCH film to gain near‐infrared (NIR) photo‐thermal and electro‐thermal response. It is verified that the SCH can respond to temperature change, NIR irradiation, and electric signal, exhibiting chromatic shifting with constant volume and wide viewing angles, indicating unpredicted potential in diverse fields.
Efficient Organic Tandem Solar Cells Enabled by Solution‐Processed Interconnection Layer and Fine‐Tuned Active Layer
Authors: Zeng Rui , Yu Runnan , Jin Shengli , Jiang Shan , Zou Chao , Hu Siqian , Tan Zhan'ao
Published: August 2021

Organic tandem solar cells (OTSCs) with the merits of overcoming the S‐Q limit of single‐junction, enhancing and expanding the sunlight harvesting, and minimizing the thermalization energy loss, provide a practical strategy to break through the power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, it is still challenge to realize the multilayered structure by all‐solution processing, especially shortage of interconnection layer (ICL), which physically and electronically connects front and rear subcells to accomplish the complicated tandem structure. Herein, all‐solution‐processed ICL of modified poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (m‐PEDOT) and titanium (diisopropoxide) bis(2,4‐pentanedionate) (TIPD) is invented for constructing inverted OTSCs, and by systematically managing the light and carriers within the stacked multilayers, highly efficient OTSCs are demonstrated. Compared with the traditional ICLs, it avoids the complicated vacuum evaporation and synthesis processes, guaranteeing low cost and high reproducibility. Furthermore, m‐PEDOT/TIPD ICL demonstrates excellent solvent resistance, high transmittance, and good conductivity. To enhance the light harvesting, absorption complementary donors and acceptors are selected as photoactive materials in front and rear subcells, and the transfer matrix formalism optical modeling is introduced to achieve the balanced short‐circuit current density of each subcell in OTSCs. By systematic device optimizations, the best PCE of 15.26% is achieved, among the best results reported for OTSCs.
Endohedral M@B40 (M = Na and Ca) metalloborospherenes as innovative potential carriers for chemotherapy melphalan drug: A theoretical study
Authors: Shakerzadeh Ehsan
Published: August 2021

In this work, density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed to investigate the interaction between the melphalan (MP) as a chemotherapy medication and the bare as well as Na Ca endohedral encapsulated all‐boron B40 fullerenes (M@B40; M = Na and Ca). The results indicate that this drug interacts with the encapsulated fullerenes stronger than the bare fullerene in both gas and water phases. The electrostatic potential maps indicate that the interaction is charge‐transfer type, occurring from drug to fullerene. The adsorption of six MP molecules onto the considered fullerenes simultaneously indicates the high capacity of these systems for carrying MP drug. The high electronic dipole moments are found for the considered complexes in water phase. Consequently, Na@B40 and Ca@B40 systems are introduced as promising innovative candidates for drug delivery of MP drug due to their strong adsorption energies and remarkable solubility in the polar medium. The results might progress new findings in nanomedicine domain.
Redundancy analysis for zone target multivariable control system
Authors: Wan Xin , Luo Xiong‐Lin , Chen Bo
Published: August 2021

This paper proposes a redundancy analysis method for zone control systems. The zone target gradually expands the control margin of the system, and the margin is not fully utilized to improve control performance. At the same time, under the zone target, the modification of the set point has no significant optimization effect. In this respect, prioritizing the use of input channels to optimize the economic benefits of the system has become a primary consideration. A redundancy search algorithm for this framework is proposed. Using convex combination theory, the convex set of infinite elements is represented as a set of finite elements. Combined with the system steady‐state mapping, the search problem is transformed into a traversal problem with a limited number of elements. The algorithm can identify the redundant input channels of the system offline and can ensure that the redundant channels will not interfere with the control targets of the system when they are actively changed within a certain range. A method of utilizing redundant input channels and the reliability and effectiveness of the algorithm have been verified through numerical simulation experiments.
Use of antioxidant nanoparticles to reduce oxidative stress in blood storage
Authors: Barzegar Saeid , Asri Kojabad Amir , Manafi Shabestari Rima , Barati Mehdi , Rezvany Mohammad Reza , Safa Majid , Amani Amir , Pourfathollah Aliakbar , Abbaspour Alireza , Rahgoshay Mahsa , Hashemi Javad , Mohammadi Najafabadi Maryam , Zaker Farhad
Published: August 2021

Oxidative damage by free radicals has a negative effect on blood quality during storage. Antioxidant nanoparticles can prevent oxidative stress. We use SOD‐CAT‐Alb‐PEG‐PLGA‐ nanoparticles to reduce the effects of oxidative stress in blood storage. Electrospray was employed to prepare nanoparticles. Nanoparticles entered the test bags and were kept for 35 days from the time of donation under standard conditions. On target days, experiments were performed on the samples taken. The examination included blood smear, red blood cells count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, K, Fe, glutathione peroxidase, glutathion reductase, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, prooxidant‐antioxidant balance, malondialdehyde, and flow cytometric assay for phosphatidylserine. The repeated measures analysis was performed on samples every week. Morphological changes were less in the test group compared to the control. The quantitative hemolysis profile test showed significant changes in the test and control groups (p < 0.05) in consecutive weeks except for K and Fe. Oxidative stress parameters too showed a significant change during the target days of the examination (p < 0.05). Also, the phosphatidylserine expression was increased in control groups more than test in consecutive weeks (p < 0.05). It seems that the use of antioxidant nanoparticles improves the quality of stored red blood cells and can prevent posttransfusion complications and blood loss by reducing oxidative stress.
Modelle zur Vorhersage des Schwindens und Kriechens von Beton – Teil 2a: Kriechen – Grundlagen und Analyse des Kriechmodells in DIN EN 1992‐1‐1:2011
Authors: Müller Harald S. , Acosta Urrea Fernando , Kvitsel Vladislav
Published: August 2021

Im Herbst 2020 wurde die Überarbeitung der EN 1992‐1‐1:2004 (Eurocode 2) abgeschlossen und damit der Entwurf prEN 1992‐1‐1:2020 vorgelegt. Er stellt der Praxis zahlreiche verbesserte und neue Bemessungskonzepte zur Verfügung. Dies gilt auch für die Modelle zum Schwinden und Kriechen von Konstruktionsbeton, die zum Teil erhebliche Veränderungen erfahren haben. In diesem dreiteiligen Aufsatz (Teil 1 Schwinden, Teile 2a und 2b Kriechen) werden die neuen Modelle zur Prognose des Verformungsverhaltens von Beton vorgestellt. Er beleuchtet auch die Hintergründe, die zur Entwicklung der verbesserten Ansätze geführt haben. Teil 1 ist bereits veröffentlicht (Beton‐ und Stahlbetonbau 116 (2021), Heft 1). Der vorliegende Beitrag (Teil 2a) befasst sich mit dem Kriechen von Beton. In einem Überblick werden zunächst die Komponenten des Kriechens, ihre Merkmale und Einflussgrößen sowie die entsprechenden konstitutiven Beziehungen dargestellt. Sie sind für das Verständnis der Kriechmodelle ausschlaggebend. Danach werden die normativen Entwicklungen aufgezeigt, die zum heute im Jahr 2021 gültigen Kriechmodell in DIN EN 1992‐1‐1:2011 geführt haben. Im Mittelpunkt steht die Analyse der Zuverlässigkeit und Genauigkeit dieses Modells. Sie ergab gewisse Defizite, die Anlass für eine Korrektur und Weiterentwicklung im Zuge der Erarbeitung der prEN 1992‐1‐1:2020 waren. Das neue Prognosemodell wird in Teil 2b des Aufsatzes vorgestellt und begründet. Statistische Betrachtungen zur Zuverlässigkeit des neuen Modells und die Darstellung eines Konzepts für den Einbezug von Laborversuchsdaten zur Verbesserung der Prognose des Modells bilden den Abschluss des Aufsatzes.
Association between socioeconomic status and survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zheng Yongshun , Zhang Xun , Lu Jinsen , Liu Shuchen , Qian Yeben
Published: August 2021

Background

The effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear, and there is no nomogram integrated SES and clinicopathological factors to predict the prognosis of HCC. This research aims to confirm the effects of SES on predicting patients’ survival and to establish a nomogram to predict the prognosis of HCC.

Methods

The data of HCC patients were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Final Results (SEER) database from 2011 to 2015. SES (age at diagnosis, race and sex, median family income, education level, insurance status, marital status, residence, cost of living index, poverty rate) and clinicopathological factors were included in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Nomograms for predicting 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were established and evaluated by the concordance index (C‐index), the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), the calibration plot, the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and the net reclassification improvement (NRI).

Results

A total of 33,670 diagnosed HCC patients were involved, and nomograms consisting of 19 variables were established. The C‐indexes of the nomograms are higher than TNM staging system, which predicts the CSS (0.789 vs. 0.692, p < 0.01) and OS (0.777 vs. 0.675, p < 0.01). The ROC curve, calibration diagram, IDI, and NRI showed the improved prognostic value in 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates.

Conclusion

SES plays an important role in the prognosis of HCC patients. Therefore, policymakers can make more precise and socially approved policies to improve HCC patients’ CSS and OS.
Electrolyte Study with in Operando pH Tracking Providing Insight into the Reaction Mechanism of Aqueous Acidic Zn//MnO2 Batteries
Authors: Fitz Oliver , Bischoff Christian , Bauer Manuel , Gentischer Harald , Birke Kai Peter , Henning Hans‐Martin , Biro Daniel
Published: August 2021

The reaction mechanisms (RM) during cycling of aqueous rechargeable Zn//MnO2 batteries (ARZIBs) are still controversially discussed. The present study of different acidic electrolyte compositions (0.9 mM H2SO4, 0.5 M MnSO4, 2 M ZnSO4, 2 M ZnSO4+0.5 M MnSO4) and their pH behaviour is therefore designed as an alternative approach to investigate the RM. In operando pH tracking during cycling shows periodic pH changes for each electrolyte, highlighting the role of the pH‐relevant ions OH− and H+ in the chemical processes, the major influence of MnO2 deposition/dissolution mechanisms and the buffering behaviour of the zinc hydroxide sulphate (ZHS) precipitation. Innovative coupled cyclic voltammetry (CV) and pH measurements can link CV redox peaks to a pH change and a corresponding chemical reaction. It was found that a Zn2+ (de‐)intercalation has little or no influence on the capacity. The cycling of the SO42−‐free electrolyte 2 M Zn(CF3SO3)2 underlines the pH‐dependant behaviour of the chemical processes. The results can contribute to the debate of RMs in ARZIBs and other aqueous battery chemistries by introducing a novel measurement technique.
Side‐Chain Interactions in d/l Peptide Nanotubes: Studies by Crystallography, NMR Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Silk Mitchell R. , Price Jason R. , Mohanty Biswaranjan , Leiros Hanna‐Kirsti S. , Lund Bjarte A. , Thompson Philip E. , Chalmers David K.
Published: August 2021

Our understanding of the factors affecting the stability of cyclic d/l peptide (CP) nanotubes remains underdeveloped. In this work, we investigate the impact of side chain alignment, hydrophobicity and charge on CP nanotube stability through X‐ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We characterise the distinct CP‐CP alignments that can form and identify stable and unstable dimers by MD simulation. We measure H‐bond half‐lives of synthesised CPs by 1H−D exchange experiments and find good correlation with predicted CP‐CP stabilities. We find that hydrophobic amino acids improve CP dimer stability but experimentally reduce solubility. Charged amino acids either increase or decrease CP dimer stability depending on the relative orientation and composition of charged groups. X‐ray crystal structures are solved for two CPs, revealing non‐tubular folded conformations. Ultimately, this work will assist the educated design of stable tubular structures for potential applications in biomedicine.
In‐situ addition of carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals in seeded semi‐batch emulsion polymerization
Authors: Gabriel Vida A. , Champagne Pascale , Cunningham Michael F. , Dubé Marc A.
Published: August 2021

Nanocellulosic materials can be used as green materials for property modification in latex polymers. In particular, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can be incorporated in latexes in‐situ—a preferable method to ex‐situ addition because it ensures latex homogeneity and better performance enhancements. DextraCel is a commercial CNC with carboxylate surface groups, henceforth referred to as cCNC. The interactions between cCNCs and other standard latex components are studied, and experiments reveal that cCNCs can be sensitive to the ionic strength of the aqueous phase of the latex. A reproducible method to incorporate cCNCs in‐situ in a seeded semi‐batch emulsion polymerization is developed for the production of latexes for adhesive applications by varying the surfactant‐initiator systems in the seed stage and the feed stage. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and potassium persulphate (KPS), negatively charged surfactant and initiator, respectively, are used for the seeding reaction, and Triton X‐405 and 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) (uncharged surfactant and initiator) are used in the feed to preserve low ionic strength of the latex, thereby producing stable latexes.
Persistent organic pollutants and risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma among women
Authors: Darvishian Maryam , Bhatti Parveen , Gaudreau Éric , Abanto Zenaida , Choi Charles , Gallagher Richard P. , Spinelli John J. , Lee Tim K.
Published: August 2021

Background

Despite the increasing trend of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) incidence in Canada, especially among females, few risk factors other than ultraviolet radiation exposure, have been identified.

Aim

We conducted a case–control study of 406 CMM cases and 181 controls to evaluate the potential impact of body burdens of various persistent organic pollutants on CMM risk.

Methods

Detailed data on potential confounding factors, including lifetime repeated sun exposure and skin reaction to repeated sun exposure, were collected. Gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to assay plasma levels of 14 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and 11 organochlorine (OC) pesticides among cases and controls.

Results

Statistically significant trends of increased CMM risk were observed with increasing plasma concentrations of multiple PCB congeners, including PCBs 138, 153, 170, 180, 183 and 187. For example, compared to lowest plasma concentration quartile of PCB‐138, the second, third and fourth quartiles were associated with 1.7 (95% CI: 0.9–2.9), 2.3 (95% CI: 1.3–4.1) and 2.4 (95% CI: 1.3–4.5) ‐fold increased risks of CMM, respectively. Similarly, increasing plasma concentrations of several OC pesticides (i.e., β‐HCH, HCB, Mirex, oxychlordane and trans‐Nonachlor) showed statistically significant trends with increased CMM risk. For example, compared to lowest plasma concentration quartile of β‐HCH, the second, third and fourth quartiles were associated with 1.3 (95% CI: 0.7–2.3), 2.1 (95% CI: 1.2–3.7) and 2.3 (95% CI: 1.2–4.4) ‐fold increased risks of CMM, respectively.

Conclusion

Plasma levels of several persistent organic pollutants were highly correlated, suggesting that observed associations were not necessarily independent of each other. Given the highly correlated nature of exposure to PCB and OC analytes, sophisticated analyses that consider complex mixtures should be considered in future studies.
Synthesis and Characterization of Sn, Ge, and Zr Isomorphous Substituted MFI Nanosheets for Glucose Isomerization to Fructose
Authors: Dugkhuntod Pannida , Maineawklang Narasiri , Rodaum Chadatip , Pornsetmetakul Peerapol , Saenluang Kachaporn , Salakhum Saros , Wattanakit Chularat
Published: August 2021

Various metals including Sn, Ge, and Zr have been successfully incorporated into the MFI nanosheets via a one‐pot synthesis. The as‐synthesized zeolites exhibit high external surface area and mesopore volume without large metal oxides aggregated on zeolite surfaces. Interestingly, the successful introduction of heteroatoms in MFI nanosheets can be confirmed by shifted XRD peaks corresponding to the unit cell expansion due to the replacement of metals into the framework. In addition, the UV‐Vis absorbance spectra reveal that at the suitable metal loading the incorporated tetrahedral coordination of metal species in the zeolite framework has been obtained. To illustrate the benefits of the prepared catalysts, the glucose isomerization to fructose was carried out in a water/dioxane system. Obviously, the SnMFI‐NS samples, containing the high dispersion of metal isomorphous species demonstrate the outstanding catalytic behavior in term of fructose selectivity (>85 %).
Measurement of Cell Death in Mammalian Cells
Authors: Cummings Brian S. , Schnellmann Rick G.
Published: August 2021

Methods for assessing mammalian cell death are presented in this article, which is divided into six sections: (1) a brief overview of cytotoxicity and pathways of cell death; (2) a method to measure cell death using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release as a marker of membrane integrity; (3) a flow cytometry method that simultaneously measures two types of cell death, necrosis and apoptosis; (4) use of fluorescence microscopy and nuclear morphology to assess apoptosis and necrosis; (5) the use of multi‐well plates and high‐content analysis imaging systems to assess nuclear morphology; and (6) a discussion of the use of cytotoxicity assays to determine the mechanisms of cell death. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Measurement of plasma membrane integrity and viability using LDH release

Basic Protocol 2: Measurement of necrosis and apoptosis using flow cytometry

Basic Protocol 3: Determination of nuclear morphology and membrane integrity

Alternate Protocol 1: Assessment of nuclear morphology and membrane integrity using DAPI and PI

Alternate Protocol 2: Assessment of nuclear morphology using multi‐well plates

Basic Protocol 4: Measurement of time‐dependent toxicity using cell death markers