bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Exploratory Study Of Factors Driving Decision Maker Intentions To Adopt Cloud Computing
Authors: Agrawal Vipin K , Agrawal Vijay K , Taylor A Ross , Chau Ngan
Published: December 2019

United States based companies have invested more heavily in cloud services than companies in other nations. Despite numerous benefits claimed by cloud service providers, many organisations are still uncertain about the implementation of cloud computing. The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of the factors that are important to the usage adoption decision of this information technology delivery model and the implications for organisations in the United States. Decision makers were surveyed to discover which attributes were important in their determination of cloud computing utilisation. Using a sample of executives from manufacturing and service sectors in the United States, multiple factors contributing to the recent growth in cloud computing have been identified using a factor analysis. Four factors emerged from the data analysis include extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation, perceived risks, and resource constraint.
Computational procedures of the evidence theory for interval and fuzzy assignments of the basic probability masses for focal elements
Authors: Uzhga-Rebrov Oleg , Karaseva Ekaterina , Karasev Vasily V.
Published: December 2019

The evidence theory is ascribed to a specific kind of uncertainty. In this theory, uncertainty refers to the fact that the element of our interest (the true world) may be included in subsets of other similar elements (possible worlds). In the original evidence theory, the estimates of the basic probability masses for the focal elements are given in an unambiguous form. In practice, to obtain such estimates is often difficult or even impossible. In such a situation, the relevant estimates are given in the interval or fuzzy form. The goal of the paper is to present and analyse the calculation procedures for determination of the belief functions and plausibility functions in the evidence theory for cases when the initial estimates are given in the interval or fuzzy form.
Ecotoxicological Risk of Alkaline Sodic Waste on Plant Development
Authors: Świdwa-Urbańska Joanna , Kalisztan Patrycja
Published: December 2019

The influence of mixtures of soils and Solvay sediments on plant development was investigated under laboratory conditions to explore the possibility of the revegetation of abandoned post-industrial areas. The sodic alkaline wastes used as a substrate in the research come from settling tanks of the former KZS Solvay Works in Cracow. Such sediments are a mixture of different chemical compounds, characterized by high values of pH and salinity that can constitute strong limiting conditions for future reclamation processes of the area. White clover (Trifolium repens L.), was used in this research as a plant indicator representative of common and sensitive species to the toxic effects of soil high alkalinity and salinity. This work examined the effect of soda factory waste pollution, mixed with three types of soils in four variants of soil: waste ratio, on germination rate and root length development as response variables. The results, analyzed statistically, confirm an inhibiting effect of soda wastes on Trifolium repens L. germination with the significant inhibition of early phase of radicle growth and their elongation. Experiments were conducted on Petri dishes and were based on the Zucconi test. Ecotoxicological risk was evaluated by the percentage of relative seed germination (RSG), relative radicle growth (RRG) and calculated index of germination (GI).
The Issue of the Influence of Limited Use Areas on Real Estate Value
Authors: Pałubska Joanna
Published: December 2019

Comparative methods used in the valuation of real estate require the adoption of price-creating attributes, the number and type of which should take into account the specific conditions of the local real estate market related to the restriction of property rights. The subject matter concerns the legal and price analysis of real estate located in the areas of limited use of the Krakow-Balice airport. The paper is an introduction to the conducted research, the purpose of which is to construct models for the valuation of real estate located in these areas and assess the impact of such a location on the value of the property, taking into account their different purpose and use.
VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling regulates hippocampal axon branching during development
Authors: Luck Robert , Urban Severino , Karakatsani Andromachi , Harde Eva , Sambandan Sivakumar , Nicholson LaShae , Haverkamp Silke , Mann Rebecca , Martin-Villalba Ana , Schuman Erin Margaret , Acker-Palmer Amparo , Ruiz de Almodóvar Carmen
Published: December 2019

Axon branching is crucial for proper formation of neuronal networks. Although originally identified as an angiogenic factor, VEGF also signals directly to neurons to regulate their development and function. Here we show that VEGF and its receptor VEGFR2 (also known as KDR or FLK1) are expressed in mouse hippocampal neurons during development, with VEGFR2 locally expressed in the CA3 region. Activation of VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling in isolated hippocampal neurons results in increased axon branching. Remarkably, inactivation of VEGFR2 also results in increased axon branching in vitro and in vivo. The increased CA3 axon branching is not productive as these axons are less mature and form less functional synapses with CA1 neurons. Mechanistically, while VEGF promotes the growth of formed branches without affecting filopodia formation, loss of VEGFR2 increases the number of filopodia and enhances the growth rate of new branches. Thus, a controlled VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling is required for proper CA3 hippocampal axon branching during mouse hippocampus development.
Aberrant calcium channel splicing drives defects in cortical differentiation in Timothy syndrome
Authors: Panagiotakos Georgia , Haveles Christos , Arjun Arpana , Petrova Ralitsa , Rana Anshul , Portmann Thomas , Paşca Sergiu P , Palmer Theo D , Dolmetsch Ricardo E
Published: December 2019

The syndromic autism spectrum disorder (ASD) Timothy syndrome (TS) is caused by a point mutation in the alternatively spliced exon 8A of the calcium channel Cav1.2. Using mouse brain and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we provide evidence that the TS mutation prevents a normal developmental switch in Cav1.2 exon utilization, resulting in persistent expression of gain-of-function mutant channels during neuronal differentiation. In iPSC models, the TS mutation reduces the abundance of SATB2-expressing cortical projection neurons, leading to excess CTIP2+ neurons. We show that expression of TS-Cav1.2 channels in the embryonic mouse cortex recapitulates these differentiation defects in a calcium-dependent manner and that in utero Cav1.2 gain-and-loss of function reciprocally regulates the abundance of these neuronal populations. Our findings support the idea that disruption of developmentally regulated calcium channel splicing patterns instructively alters differentiation in the developing cortex, providing important in vivo insights into the pathophysiology of a syndromic ASD.
Down but not out
Authors: Larragoite Erin T , Spivak Adam M
Published: December 2019

A new study in monkeys suggests that treating HIV infection early with antiretroviral therapy reduces the number of latent viruses, but has little impact on viral reactivation when treatment stops.
Comparison of Clinical Use of Ocular-surface Disease Index Questionnaire, Tear Film Break-up time, and Schirmer Tests in Diagnosing Dry-eye
Authors: Suman Suwarna , Goyal Prachi
Published: December 2019

Aims:  To evaluate and compare the diagnostic values and clinical utility of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, the tear film break-up time test (TBUT), and the Schirmer’s test in diagnosing dry eye disease in patients presenting with dry eye symptoms.

Study Design: A prospective observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Ophthalmology, AIIMS Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Two-month period between July 2016 and September 2016.

Methodology: We have included 100 patients aged >20 years having foreign body sensations, burning sensations, pain, dryness, blurred vision, photophobia, redness in the study. Routine ophthalmological examination was performed after OSDI questionnaire, followed by TBUT and Schirmer’s test and outcomes were evaluated.

Results: The mean age of 100 participants was 43 ± 15.97years (range 20–78 years). The mean OSDI, TBUT, and Schirmer’s test scores were 58.67± 12.12 (range 30.0–88.9), 5.77 ± 3.49 seconds (range 0–17 seconds), and 09.78 ± 7.93 mm (range 0–32.5 mm), respectively. There was a statistically highly significant inverse correlation between the OSDI and TBUT (r = −0.597, P = <0.0001), statistically significant correlation between TBUT and Schirmer test (r= -0.227, p= 0.023), whereas no significant correlation noted between the OSDI and Schirmer’s test (r= -0.142, p= 0.158). 

Conclusion: The prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) is increasing these days. For early recognition and treatment, we need rapid, reliable and less invasive diagnostic test in daily practice. The OSDI together with the TBUT is less time consuming, easy to perform and can be useful in diagnosis of DED.
Lithium chloride ameliorates cognition dysfunction induced by sevoflurane anesthesia in rats
Authors: Wang Yilong , An Xiaohu , Zhang Xiaoqing , Liu Jianhui , Wang Jianwei , Yang Zeyong
Published: December 2019

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is a common complication in elderly patients after surgeries involving anesthesia, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Lithium is a conventional treatment for bipolar disorder, which exerts a neuroprotective role in various diseases by inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) in the brain and spinal cord. However, it is not known whether lithium chloride (LiCl) can protect against cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane (SEV) anesthesia. Here, we examined the effects of LiCl on SEV‐induced cognitive dysfunction in rats and on SEV‐induced neuron apoptosis. We report that anesthesia with SEV significantly impaired memory performance, induced oxidative stress and hippocampal neuron apoptosis, and stimulated GSK‐3β activity. Treatment with LiCl ameliorated SEV‐induced cognitive disorder in rats by inhibiting the GSK‐3β/β‐catenin signaling pathway. In addition, LiCl reduced hippocampal neuron apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by SEV anesthesia. These results suggest that LiCl may have potential for development into a therapeutic agent for treatment of SEV anesthesia‐induced cognitive dysfunction.
Early Bilingualism
Authors: De Houwer Annick
Published: December 2019

This entry describes major linguistic developments in bilingual first language acquisition (BFLA) and early second language acquisition (ESLA) in children under the age of six. It focuses on babbling, phonology, word comprehension and production, and morphosyntax. Although developmental patterns are largely predictable in function of children's ages and bilingual learning settings, there is great interindividual variability. In BFLA there is relatively little influence from one language on the other. There is much more of it in ESLA. Uneven development where children's two languages develop at different rates is typical. The language that children hear most will often be the language in which they are more advanced. Bilingual children use utterances with words from a single language but may also say utterances with words from two languages. They are able to fluently switch between these in function of sociolinguistic context. The entry also discusses some applied implications of the developmental findings. It stresses the importance of maintaining children's home languages for optimal family communication and refutes some commonly held myths that are not of benefit to bilingual children. Educators may become concerned if one of a bilingual child's languages appears to develop too slowly. It is only when bilingual children are showings signs of very slow development in both of their languages that one has to start worrying. Given sufficient time and learning opportunities, and a positive attitude from all involved toward the bilingual language learning experience, children everywhere can become fluent speakers of two languages from early on.
English for Academic Purposes
Authors: Flowerdew Lynne
Published: December 2019

English for academic purposes (EAP) is one area within the wider field of ESP (English for specific purposes). Like ESP courses, EAP courses differ from general English courses by focusing on students' needs in view of the tasks and activities students will be using English for as well as their level of competence, previous learning experiences, and so forth. Key debates in the literature on EAP which have raised both theoretical and practical issues regarding its essential nature and ability to target students' needs are discussed. The five main approaches underpinning EAP research and pedagogy since its inception in the 1960s are outlined: study skills, grammar and vocabulary, discourse/genre, academic literacies, and critical EAP. These five approaches are not necessarily discrete and are sometimes overlapping. Three key developments which will no doubt have influence over the conceptualization and implementation of EAP in future years are the increasing interdisciplinarity of subjects, the role of English as an academic lingua franca, and the application of digital media (e.g., blogs and wikis) and corpus resources in the continually evolving and dynamic field of EAP.
Language Ideology in the Discourse of Popular Culture
Authors: Moody Andrew
Published: December 2019

Language ideologies that are operational in the language of popular culture are usually examined through two channels: (a) a performative channel that examines language performance, and (b) an affiliative channel that examines consumer (especially fan's) reactions toward language use. Within both channels language can be assessed as possessing adequate “authority” or “authenticity.” While “authority” is usually derived from the “standard language ideology” (SLI), “authenticity” is more frequently relevant to language in popular culture.
Pragmatics Research Methods
Authors: Golato Andrea , Golato Peter
Published: December 2019

This entry presents an overview of the different research methods (i.e., data collection and data analysis procedures) used in pragmatics research. Given that various theoretical approaches within pragmatics employ similar data collection and data analysis procedures, this entry is not organized by theoretical approach but by the research methods available. The section on data collection procedures is divided into three parts: it first discusses observational data collection procedures such as recordings of naturally occurring interaction, field observations, and field notes. Next it turns to a discussion of elicited data collection procedures such as interviews and story elicitation, role plays, and discourse completion tasks. And lastly, it discusses experimental data elicitation procedures. For each data collection procedure, we briefly explain how researchers proceed in order to collect the data and mention some of the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The entry concludes with a description of the types of analyses that can be done on the different types of data collected. These types of analyses fall into either qualitative or quantitative analysis paradigms.
Light Detection in Open‐Circuit Voltage Mode of Organic Photodetectors
Authors: Kielar Marcin , Hamid Tasnuva , Wiemer Martin , Windels François , Hirsch Lionel , Sah Pankaj , Pandey Ajay K.
Published: December 2019

Organic photodetectors (OPDs) are promising candidates for next‐generation light sensors as they combine unique material properties with high‐level performance in converting photons into electrical signals. However, low‐level light detection with OPD is often limited by device dark current. Here, the open‐circuit voltage (Voc
) regime of OPDs is shown to be efficient for detecting low light signals (<100 µW cm−2). It is established that the light‐dependence of Voc exhibits two distinct regimes as function of irradiance: linear and logarithmic. Whereas the observed logarithmic regime is well understood in organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), it is shown experimentally and theoretically that the linear regime is due to the non‐infinite shunt resistance of the OPD device. Overall, OPDs composed of rubrene and fullerene show photovoltage light sensitivity across nine orders of magnitude with a detection limit as low as 400 pW cm−2. A photovoltage responsivity of 1.75 V m2 W−1 demonstrates highly efficient performance without the necessity to supress high dark current. This approach opens up new possibilities for resolving low light signals and provides simplified design rules for OPDs.
Extending Cycle Life of Mg/S Battery by Activation of Mg Anode/Electrolyte Interface through an LiCl‐Assisted MgCl2 Solubilization Mechanism
Authors: Fan Haiyan , Zheng Zhaozhao , Zhao Lijuan , Li Wanfei , Wang Jian , Dai Mimi , Zhao Yuxing , Xiao Jianhua , Wang Guang , Ding Xiaoyu , Xiao Hai , Li Jun , Wu Yang , Zhang Yuegang
Published: December 2019

Non‐nucleophilic electrolytes that can reversibly plate/strip Mg are essential for realizing high‐performance rechargeable Mg/S batteries. In contrast to organometallic electrolytes, all‐inorganic electrolytes based on MgCl2‐AlCl3 complexes are more cost‐effective and hold better stability to air and moisture. A recently developed electrolyte that contains tetrahydrofuran solvated divalent Mg cation, [Mg·6THF][AlCl4]2, has exhibited decent compatibility with the sulfur cathode. However, it suffers a large overpotential and short cycle life, which hinders its applications in Mg/S batteries. Here, an efficient plating/stripping of Mg is realized successfully by using LiCl to dissolve MgCl2 from the electrolyte/electrode interface. As a result, the overpotential of Mg plating/stripping is remarkably reduced to 140/140 mV at a current density of 500 µA cm−2. Both experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the LiCl‐assisted solubilization of MgCl2 facilitates the exposure of fresh surface on the Mg anode. Utilizing such an LiCl‐activation strategy, Mg/S full batteries with a significantly extended cycle life of over 500 cycles, as well as coulombic efficiency close to 100%, are achieved successfully. This work demonstrates the role of LiCl‐assisted interface activation on extending the cycle‐life Mg/S batteries with all‐inorganic electrolytes.
Photothermal Janus Anode with Photosynthesis‐Shielding Effect for Activating Low‐Temperature Biological Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Wang Wei , You Shijie , Qi Dianpeng , Liu Zhiyuan , Liu Dongmei , Ma Ming , Cui Fuyi , Ren Nanqi , Chen Xiaodong
Published: December 2019

Biological wastewater treatment (BWT), which is used to manage global wastewater, suffers from a sharp decrease in microbial activity at low temperature (<10 °C). Photothermal technology with a high energy efficiency theoretically exceeding 80% has the potential to activate low‐temperature BWT. However, photothermal BWT is threatened by the propagation of photosynthetic algae in wastewater under irradiation, and these microorganisms can suppress the functional bacteria or even kill anaerobic species by photosynthetically releasing oxygen. Herein, taking microbial fuel cells (MFCs) as a representative biological reactor, a photothermal Janus anode (PTJA) is designed, composed of a carbon black/polydimethylsiloxane photothermal nonporous layer and a graphite felt porous layer to promote low‐temperature BWT. Unlike traditional symmetrical porous anodes, the nonporous layer of the PTJA can isolate the wastewater in the porous layer from light irradiation during photothermal conversion, thus preventing photosynthetic algae from poisoning anaerobic functional microbes. Under ≈1 sun illumination, the PTJA MFC exhibits 1.6 and 24.2 times higher organic pollutant removal rate and power density generation, respectively, than MFCs using traditional anodes for low‐temperature BWT (7.0 ± 2.0 °C). This development can allow novel utilization of solar energy and is a promising resolution for low‐temperature BWT.
Ultra‐Early Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats Using Ultrasound Imaging of Hollow Double‐Layer Silica Nanospheres
Authors: Guo Mengzhe , Du Wencheng , Lyu Nan , Chen Xi , Du Yan , Wang Haibo , Yang Dongzhi , Wu Shihua , Liang Jun , Pan Yuanjiang , Tang Daoquan
Published: December 2019

Timely diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) strongly impacts the survival rate of patients. The authors report the development of a two‐shell hollow silica contrast agent useful for ultrasound (US) imaging, which is able to provide ultra‐early diagnosis of AMI. To target the characterization of fast blood flow and high blood pressure in the heart, two shells of hollow silica are adopted with opposite polarities, which assemble based on amino and perfluorodecyl silanes. The external amino silane facilitates the attachment of disease‐targeted groups, while the internal perfluorodecyl silane provides great US imaging contrast. The material also possesses superior water dispersity, controllable morphology, low toxicity, and biodegradability both in vitro and in vivo, thus promoting its applications in the ultra‐early diagnosis of AMI in rats, and is particularly useful for delineation of myocardial necrosis sites.
On Supramolecular Polymerization: Interview with Takuzo Aida
Authors: Aida Takuzo
Published: December 2019

Prof. Takuzo Aida is one of the most visible materials chemists thanks to his many creative contributions to the broad field of supramolecular chemistry. Over the past two decades he has ingeniously utilized self‐assembly across scales and between various components to access a breathtaking variety of complex materials with fascinating properties. For example, the Aida Lab has pioneered conducting “bucky gel” by dispersing carbon nanotubes in ionic liquids as well as “aqua materials”, in which a tiny amount of additive renders water mechanically robust. From his personal insight he shares in this Interview, we can learn how his research evolved since his undergraduate studies. Moreover, he shares his vision on the importance of supramolecular polymers (Supra‐Plastics) to realize a sustainable society.
A Minimalist Single‐Layer Metasurface for Arbitrary and Full Control of Vector Vortex Beams
Authors: Bao Yanjun , Ni Jincheng , Qiu Cheng‐Wei
Published: December 2019

Vector vortex beams (VVBs) possess ubiquitous applications from particle trapping to quantum information. Recently, the bulky optical devices for generating VVBs have been miniaturized by using metasurfaces. Nevertheless, it is quite challenging for the metasurface‐generated VVBs to possess arbitrary polarization and phase distributions. More critical is that the VVBs' annular intensity profiles demonstrated hitherto are dependent on topological charges and are hence not perfect, posing difficulties in spatially shared co‐propagation of multiple vortex beams. Here, a single‐layer metasurface to address all those aforementioned challenges in one go is proposed, which consists of two identical crystal‐silicon nanoblocks with varying positions and rotation angles (i.e., four geometric parameters throughout). Those four geometric parameters are found to be adequate for independent and arbitrary control of the amplitude, phase, and polarization of light. Perfect VVBs with arbitrary polarization and phase distributions are successfully generated, and the constant intensity profiles independent of their topological charges and polarization orders are demonstrated. The proposed strategy casts a distinct perception that a minimalist design of just one single‐layer metasurface can empower such robust and versatile control of VVBs. That provides promising opportunities for generating more complex vortex field for advanced applications in structural light, optical micromanipulation, and data communication.
Blue Light‐Promoted N−H Insertion of Carbazoles, Pyrazoles and 1,2,3‐Triazoles into Aryldiazoacetates
Authors: Stivanin Mateus L. , Fernandes Alessandra A. G. , da Silva Amanda F. , Okada Celso Y. , Jurberg Igor D.
Published: December 2019

Blue light irradiation of aryldiazoacetates leads to the formation of free carbenes, which can react with carbazoles, pyrazoles and 1,2,3‐triazoles to afford the corresponding N−H inserted products. These reactions are performed under air and at room temperature, allowing the mild preparation of a variety of motifs found in biologically relevant targets.

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Graphene/Au Hybrid Antenna Coil Exfoliated with Multi‐Stacked Graphene Flakes for Ultra‐Thin Biomedical Devices
Authors: Tetsu Yuma , Kido Yusuke , Hao Meiting , Takeoka Shinji , Maruyama Takeshi , Fujie Toshinori
Published: December 2019

Flexible electronics with organic substrates have been developed for bio‐conformable devices and soft robotics. Although biodegradable polymers are preferred substrates for biomedical applications, they have poor heat durability, which precludes printing of conductive lines that require annealing at high temperatures (>250 °C). The fabrication of an ultra‐flexible, inkjet‐printed antenna coil with a resistivity of 4.30 × 10−5 Ω‐cm is reported. It involves annealing of a graphene/Au antenna coil printed on a glass substrate and transferring onto a 182‐nm‐thick poly(D, L‐lactic acid) nanosheet by exfoliation of multi‐stacked graphene flakes. Then, a light‐emitting device, powered wirelessly, even in the rounded, twisted, or attached states, is fabricated by mounting a blue LED chip on the nanosheet antenna coil. The self‐deploying device is also stored in a water‐soluble capsule, injected into a silicone bag, released from the dissolved capsule, and operated wirelessly. This work facilitates the hybridization of conductive lines and biodegradable polymers on ultra‐flexible biomaterials for the biomedical application of flexible electronics.
“If there is no water, we cannot feed our children”: The far‐reaching consequences of water insecurity on infant feeding practices and infant health across 16 low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Schuster Roseanne C. , Butler Margaret S. , Wutich Amber , Miller Joshua D. , Young Sera L. ,   Household Water Insecurity Experiences‐Research Coordination Network (HWISE‐RCN)
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Infant feeding plays a critical role in child health and development. Few studies to date have examined the link between household water insecurity and infant feeding, and none in a cross‐cultural context. Therefore, we examined the perceived impact of household water insecurity in four domains: breastfeeding, non‐breastmilk feeding, caregiver capabilities, and infant health. Our research was conducted as part of the Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) study.

Methods

We interviewed respondents from 19 sites in 16 low‐ and middle‐income countries (N = 3303) about the link between water insecurity and infant feeding. We then thematically analyzed their open‐ended textual responses. In each of the four domains (breastfeeding, non‐breastmilk feeding, caregiver capabilities, infant health), we inductively identified cross‐cultural metathemes. We analyzed the distribution of themes across sites quantitatively and qualitatively.

Results

Water was perceived to directly affect breastfeeding and non‐breastmilk feeding via numerous pathways, including timing and frequency of feeding, unclean foods, and reduced dietary diversity. Water was perceived to indirectly affect infant feeding through caregiver capabilities by increasing time demands, exacerbating disease, undernutrition, and mortality, and requiring greater efficacy of caregivers. Respondents made connections between water challenges and infant health, for example, increased risk of infectious diseases, undernutrition, and mortality.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that water presents many, and sometimes unexpected, challenges to infant feeding. By systematically investigating biocultural pathways by which water impacts infant and young child feeding, it will be possible to understand if, and how, water security can be leveraged to improve child nutrition and health.
The role of biologics in chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review
Authors: Iqbal Isma Z. , Kao Stephen Shih‐Teng , Ooi Eng Hooi
Published: December 2019

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) refractory to medical and surgical treatment is challenging. It impacts patients’ quality of life significantly. The pathophysiology of CRS has some similarities to allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) and includes eosinophilia, T‐helper cell 2 cytokines, and local immunoglobilin E formation. Monoclonal antibody therapy has been used successfully in asthma and AR and more recently in CRS. Our was aim to systematically review the literature and identify the role of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) in the treatment of CRS with polyps (CRSwNP) and without polyps (CRSsNP), especially with regard to comparability with current medical treatment, efficacy, and risk of complications. In addition, the role of surgery and biologics was evaluated.

Methods

We identified at total of 5341 relevant studies after a comprehensive database search. Six studies met the inclusion criteria, all 6 randomized, controlled trials.

Results

Treatment with omalizumab and mepolizumab demonstrated improvements in endoscopic nasal polyp score (EPS) and symptoms score in patients with CRSwNP when compared with placebo. Reslizumab reduced nasal polyp size in patients with raised intranasal interleukin‐5 levels. Dupilumab treatment resulted in a 70% reduction in EPS compared with 20% in the placebo group (p < 0.001). These MAbs target different inflammatory markers involved in the pathophysiology of CRSwNP. None of the studies reported on CRSsNP or combined surgery with biologics. No severe adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Evidence demonstrates that use of MAbs leads to clinical improvement in CRSwNP. However, further research is required to determine their long‐term effects, comparability to other medical treatments, and potential side effects.
A Supramolecular‐Based Dual‐Wavelength Phototherapeutic Agent with Broad‐Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity Against Drug‐Resistant Bacteria
Authors: Yu Zhi‐Hao , Li Xingshu , Xu Fugui , Hu Xi‐Le , Yan Jiatao , Kwon Nahyun , Chen Guo‐Rong , Tang Tingting , Dong Xiaojing , Mai Yiyong , Chen Daijie , Yoon Juyoung , He Xiao‐Peng , Tian He
Published: December 2019

With the ever‐increasing threat posed by the multi‐drug resistance of bacteria, the development of non‐antibiotic agents for the broad‐spectrum eradication of clinically prevalent superbugs remains a global challenge. Here, we demonstrate the simple supramolecular self‐assembly of structurally defined graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with a cationic porphyrin (Pp4N) to afford unique one‐dimensional wire‐like GNR superstructures coated with Pp4N nanoparticles. This Pp4N/GNR nanocomposite displays excellent dual‐modal properties with significant reactive‐oxygen‐species (ROS) production (in photodynamic therapy) and temperature elevation (in photothermal therapy) upon light irradiation at 660 and 808 nm, respectively. This combined approach proved synergistic, providing an impressive antimicrobial effect that led to the complete annihilation of a wide spectrum of Gram‐positive, Gram‐negative, and drug‐resistant bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. The study also unveils the promise of GNRs as a new platform to develop dual‐modal antimicrobial agents that are able to overcome antibiotic resistance.
Biomimetic Synthesis of Rhytidenone A and Mode of Action of Cytotoxic Rhytidenone F
Authors: Yue Zongwei , Lam Hiu C. , Chen Kaiqi , Siridechakorn Ittipon , Liu Yaxi , Pudhom Khanitha , Lei Xiaoguang
Published: December 2019

The rhytidenone family comprises spirobisnaphthalene natural products isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus Rhytidhysteron rufulum AS21B. The biomimetic synthesis of rhytidenone A was achieved by a Michael reaction/aldol/lactonization cascade in a single step from the proposed biosynthetic precursor rhytidenone F. Moreover, the mode of action of the highly cytotoxic rhytidenone F was investigated. The pulldown assay coupled with mass spectrometry analysis revealed the target protein PA28γ is covalently attached to rhytidenone F at the Cys92 residue. The interactions of rhytidenone F with PA28γ lead to the accumulation of p53, which is an essential tumor suppressor in humans. Consequently, the Fas‐dependent signaling pathway is activated to initiate cellular apoptosis. These studies have identified the first small‐molecule inhibitor targeting PA28γ, suggesting rhytidenone F may serve as a promising natural product lead for future anticancer drug development.
Observing Defect Passivation of the Grain Boundary with 2‐Aminoterephthalic Acid for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Zhongze , Cao Fengren , Wang Meng , Wang Min , Li Liang
Published: December 2019

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs), with their exceptional properties, show promise as photoelectric converters. However, defects in the perovskite layer, particularly at the grain boundaries (GBs), seriously restrict the performance and stability of PSCs. Now, a simple post‐treatment procedure involves applying 2‐aminoterephthalic acid to the perovskite to produce efficient and stable PSCs. By optimizing the post‐treatment conditions, we created a device that achieved a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.09 % and demonstrated improved stability. This improvement was attributed to the fact that the 2‐aminoterephthalic acid acted as a cross‐linking agent that inhibited the migration of ions and passivated the trap states at GBs. These findings provide a potential strategy for designing efficient and stable PSCs regarding the aspects of defect passivation and crystal growth.
Target Self‐Enhanced Selectivity in Metal‐Specific DNAzymes
Authors: Huang Po‐Jung Jimmy , de Rochambeau Donatien , Sleiman Hanadi F. , Liu Juewen
Published: December 2019

Highly selective recognition of metal ions by rational ligand design is challenging, and simple metal binding by biological ligands is often obscured by nonspecific interactions. In this work, binding‐triggered catalysis is used and metal selectivity is greatly increased by increasing the number of metal ions involved, as exemplified in a series of in vitro selected RNA‐cleaving DNAzymes. The cleavage junction is modified with a glycyl–histidine‐functionalized tertiary amine moiety to provide multiple potential metal coordination sites. DNAzymes that bind 1, 2, and 3 Zn2+ ions, increased their selectivity for Zn2+ over Co2+ ions from approximately 20‐, 1000‐, to 5000‐fold, respectively. This study offers important insights into metal recognition by combining rational ligand design and combinatorial selection, and it provides a set of new DNAzymes with excellent selectivity for Zn2+ ions.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Isoxazolines Enabled by Palladium‐Catalyzed Carboetherification of Alkenyl Oximes
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhang Kenan , Wang Yuzhuo , Li Wenbo , Chen Mingjie , Zhang Junliang
Published: December 2019

Reported here is a highly efficient Pd/Xiang‐Phos catalyzed enantioselective carboetherification of alkenyl oximes with either aryl or alkenyl halides, delivering various chiral 3,5‐disubstituted and 3,5,5‐trisubstituted isoxazolines in good yields with up to 97 %ee. The sterically bulky and electron‐rich (S,Rs)‐NMe‐X2ligand is responsible for the excellent reactivities and enantioselectivities. The salient features of this transformation include mild reaction conditions, general substrate scope, good functional‐group tolerance, good yields, high enantioselectivities, easy scale‐up, and application in the late‐stage modification of bioactive compounds. The obtained products can be readily transformed into useful chiral 1,3‐aminoalcohols.
EGF‐like and Other Disulfide‐rich Microdomains as Therapeutic Scaffolds
Authors: Tombling Benjamin J. , Wang Conan K. , Craik David J.
Published: December 2019

Disulfide bonds typically introduce conformational constraints into peptides and proteins, conferring improved biopharmaceutical properties and greater therapeutic potential. In our opinion, disulfide‐rich microdomains from proteins are potentially a rich and under‐explored source of drug leads. A survey of the UniProt protein database shows that these domains are widely distributed throughout the plant and animal kingdoms, with the EGF‐like domain being the most abundant of these domains. EGF‐like domains exhibit large diversity in their disulfide bond topologies and calcium binding modes, which we classify in detail here. We found that many EGF‐like domains are associated with disease phenotypes, and the interactions they mediate are potential therapeutic targets. Indeed, EGF‐based therapeutic leads have been identified, and we further propose that these domains can be optimized to expand their therapeutic potential using chemical design strategies. This Review highlights the potential of disulfide‐rich microdomains as future peptide therapeutics.
Advances in Optical Single‐Molecule Detection: En Route to Supersensitive Bioaffinity Assays
Authors: Farka Zdeněk , Mickert Matthias J. , Pastucha Matěj , Mikušová Zuzana , Skládal Petr , Gorris Hans H.
Published: December 2019

The ability to detect low concentrations of analytes and in particular low‐abundance biomarkers is of fundamental importance, e.g., for early‐stage disease diagnosis. The prospect of reaching the ultimate limit of detection has driven the development of single‐molecule bioaffinity assays. While many review articles have highlighted the potentials of single‐molecule technologies for analytical and diagnostic applications, these technologies are not as widespread in real‐world applications as one should expect. This Review provides a theoretical background on single‐molecule—or better digital—assays to critically assess their potential compared to traditional analog assays. Selected examples from the literature include bioaffinity assays for the detection of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and viruses. The structure of the Review highlights the versatility of optical single‐molecule labeling techniques, including enzymatic amplification, molecular labels, and innovative nanomaterials.
Helical Nanographenes Containing an Azulene Unit: Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Properties
Authors: Ma Ji , Fu Yubin , Dmitrieva Evgenia , Liu Fupin , Komber Hartmut , Hennersdorf Felix , Popov Alexey A. , Weigand Jan J. , Liu Junzhi , Feng Xinliang
Published: December 2019

Three unprecedented helical nanographenes (1, 2, and 3) containing an azulene unit are synthesized. The resultant helical structures are unambiguously confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The embedded azulene unit in 2 possesses a record‐high twisting degree (16.1°) as a result of the contiguous steric repulsion at the helical inner rim. Structural analysis in combination with theoretical calculations reveals that these helical nanographenes manifest a global aromatic structure, while the inner azulene unit exhibits weak antiaromatic character. Furthermore, UV/Vis‐spectral measurements reveal that superhelicenes 2 and 3 possess narrow energy gaps (2: 1.88 eV; 3: 2.03 eV), as corroborated by cyclic voltammetry and supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The stable oxidized and reduced states of 2 and 3 are characterized by in‐situ EPR/Vis–NIR spectroelectrochemistry. Our study provides a novel synthetic strategy for helical nanographenes containing azulene units as well as their associated structures and physical properties.
Thermosets resins prepared from soybean oil and lignin derivatives with high biocontent, superior thermal properties, and biodegradability
Authors: Chen Junying , Liu Hua , Zhang Wen , Lv Lina , Liu Zuozhen
Published: December 2019

A bio‐based monomer, methacrylated vanillyl alcohol (MVA), had been synthesized from vanillyl alcohol with methacrylate anhydride (MAA) via a solvent‐free, efficient method. The synthesis of MVA was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). It was used to copolymerize with acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) to prepare a bio‐based resin (MVA–AESO). Excess MAA of MVA synthesis was further used to modify AESO with hydroxyl groups, generating (MVA–MAESO) with higher unsaturation degree. Their chemical structure and modification were characterized using13C NMR and Fourier transform infrared analyses. Pure AESO and MVA resins were used to compare with MVA–AESO and MVA–MAESO in terms of their viscosity, curing performance, mechanical, and thermal properties. The synthesized MVA–AESO and MVA–MAESO resins showed much lower viscosities than pure AESO due to the dilution of MVA. In addition, the incorporation of MVA reduced curing temperatures, activation energies which caused MVA–AESO and MVA–MAESO had higher curing degree than pure AESO. With the combination of MVA and modification of MAA, flexible AESO networks exhibited superior flexural properties, storage modulus, glass‐transition temperature, and thermal stability. Furthermore, the biodegradation of the formulated bio‐based resins were also investigated. Results showed that the addition of monomer and the increase in the content of CC bonds did not significantly affect the biodegradability of AESO, which may be due to the fact that the degradable groups of AESO were not affected. This environmentally friendly, low (volatile organic) resin, prepared by a high efficiency and environmental protection synthetic route, can potentially replace typical petroleum‐based thermosets for the production environmentally friendly thermosetting resins. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2020,137, 48827.
Disparities in Documented Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Demographic, Individual, and Service Factors
Authors: Wiggins Lisa D. , Durkin Maureen , Esler Amy , Lee Li‐Ching , Zahorodny Walter , Rice Catherine , Yeargin‐Allsopp Marshalyn , Dowling Nicole F. , Hall‐Lande Jennifer , Morrier Michael J. , Christensen Deborah , Shenouda Josephine , Baio Jon
Published: December 2019

The objectives of our study were to (a) report how many children met an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) surveillance definition but had no clinical diagnosis of ASD in health or education records and (b) evaluate differences in demographic, individual, and service factors between children with and without a documented ASD diagnosis. ASD surveillance was conducted in selected areas of Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Children were defined as having ASD if sufficient social and behavioral deficits and/or an ASD diagnosis were noted in health and/or education records. Among 4,498 children, 1,135 (25%) had ASD indicators without having an ASD diagnosis. Of those 1,135 children without a documented ASD diagnosis, 628 (55%) were not known to receive ASD services in public school. Factors associated with not having a clinical diagnosis of ASD were non‐White race, no intellectual disability, older age at first developmental concern, older age at first developmental evaluation, special education eligibility other than ASD, and need for fewer supports. These results highlight the importance of reducing disparities in the diagnosis of children with ASD characteristics so that appropriate interventions can be promoted across communities. Autism Res 2020, 13: 464–473. © 2019 International Society for AutismResearch,Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Children who did not have a clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) documented in health or education records were more likely to be non‐White and have fewer developmental problems than children with a clinical diagnosis of ASD. They were brought to the attention of healthcare providers at older ages and needed fewer supports than children with a clinical diagnosis of ASD. All children with ASD symptoms who meet diagnostic criteria should be given a clinical diagnosis so they can receive treatment specific to their needs.
Three‐dimensional ring‐oven washing technique for a paper‐based immunodevice
Authors: Chu Weiru , Chen Ying , Liu Wei , Zhang Liu , Guo Xiaoyan
Published: December 2019

Washing is a standard step for enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) performed on a paper‐based chip, in which nonspecific‐binding antibodies and antigens should be removed completely from the paper surface. In this study, a novel three‐dimensional (3D) washing strategy using a heating ring‐oven was carried out on a paper‐based chip. Compared with a plane washing mode by a ring‐oven, this 3D washing strategy obtained a lower background, as gravity played an important role in the washing step. The paper‐based chip was placed on a 3D plastic holder and the waste area was connected to a heating ring. Use of a heating waste area meant that the nonspecific‐binding protein was continuously carried to the waste area through gravity and capillary action. The angle between the plastic holder and the ring plane was carefully selected. The effect of washing on different parts of the detection area was investigated by upconversion fluorescence and chemiluminescence (CL). This novel 3D washing strategy was performed for carcinoembryonic antigen detection through CL and a lower detection limit of 2 pg ml−1 was obtained. This approach provides an effective washing strategy to remove nonspecific‐binding antibody from a paper‐based immunodevice.
Simulation of continuous low pH viral inactivation inside a coiled flow inverter
Authors: David Laura , Bayer Maximilian P. , Lobedann Martin , Schembecker Gerhard
Published: December 2019

Continuous production of monoclonal antibodies is gaining more and more importance. To ensure continuous flow through the entire process as well as viral safety, continuous viral clearance needs to be investigated as well. This study focuses on low pH viral inactivation inside a coiled flow inverter (CFI). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is used to gain further insight into the inactivation process inside the apparatus. The influence of viruses in comparison to different tracer elements on the residence time distribution (RTD) behavior is investigated. Finally, the viral inactivation kinetics are implemented into the CFD simulation and real process conditions are simulated. These are compared to experimental results. To the authors' knowledge, this study represents the first successful simulation of continuous viral inactivation inside a CFI. It allows the detailed analysis of processes inside the apparatus and the prediction of experimental virus study results and will therefore contribute to the effective planning of future validation studies.
Beyond the scalpel – mortality after liver surgery in patients with liver metastases – time to rethink the indications
Authors: Boda-Heggemann J , Hofheinz R , Gkika E , Brunner T , Krug D
Published: December 2019

Comment to Filman et al., Mortality after liver surgery in Germany. Br J Surg, 2019.