bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality Characterization of Surface Water Sources Using Water Quality Index in Urban Areas of Solan District of Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Pandit Jyotsana , Bhardwaj S. K.
Published: January 2021

The studies of surface water quality of urban areas has become a major environmental challenge. In effect these aquatic ecosystems are increasingly under strong anthropogenic pressure. This fact causes the deteriorations of their quality and biodiversity. That seems the cases of the surface water of Solan District. Known the importance of these ecosystems in socio-economic activities of this district, it is important to lead studies for water qualities assessment. So, the surface water quality of urban areas of Solan District was assessed using the water quality index (WQI).To realize this objective, water samples were collected from five urban areas (Arki, Baddi, Nalagarh, Parwanoo, Solan) during the summer and winter seasons and were analyzed for major physicochemical parameters, viz. pH, EC, turbidity, TDS, BOD, COD, DO,As, Cr, Zn, Pb, Cd, to determine its suitability for drinking and domestic purposes. In surface water pH, EC, turbidity, TDS, BOD, COD, DO were found in the range of 6.74-7.55, 0.294-0.506 dS m-1,3.71-7.79 NTU, 105.51-253.26 mg l-1, 1.51-3.14 mg l-1,101.79-166.88 mg l-1, 4.16-6.58 mg l-1 consequently. Trace elements Pb, Cr, Zn, As, Cd, were found in the range of 0.04-0.28 mg l-1, 0.034-0.063 mg l-1, 0.22-0.46 mg l-1, 0.004-0.020 mg l-1 and 0.002-0.008 mg l-1 respectively. All water quality parameters except Pb, Cr, Cd were within the permissible limits. Out of all urban areas WQI of Arki (33) and Solan (46) was categorized as good. Whereas WQI of Parwanoo, Baddi and Nalagarh was 69, 62, 57 respectively and was categorized as poor, indicating negative impacts o urbanization and industrialization. The study indicated that urbanization in the district has started impacting surface water sources, therefore bregular quality monitoring is required and for sustainable urbanization the implementation of stringent rules and guidelines are needed to enhance health and preserve them for future generations.
Epidemic Trend and Effect of COVID-19 Transmission in India during Lockdown Phase
Authors: Swain Ranjit Prasad , Sahu Pratap Kumar
Published: January 2021

To evaluate the present situation concerning the epidemic trend associated with the COVID-19 in Indian demography, the dynamics of the case rise has been analyzed from the perspective of the different index. The index for the analysis has been chosen in terms of the Case Recovery Rate (CRR), CASE Fatality Rate (CFR), as well as Mortality rate (MR). The study includes the rise of the case related to the pandemic in the different demographic regions of India as well as deep analysis and calculation of the indexes considered for the study. The analysis of the rising cases has also been investigated to relax the imposed rule so that economy of the country will not get affected adversely. Several preventive and control initiative has been taken by the central and state government in collaboration. The result of this paper can be taken as an input to decide further policy in the fight against the COVID- 19.
Effect of Short and Long Term Restraint Stress on the Histology of Liver, Kidney and Suprarenal Gland in Albino Mice during Postweaning Period
Authors: Said Othman Hakum , Okafor Chukwuma J. , Haji Hassan Thabit , Babu Prakash B. , Nayak Vanisri S. , Obianagha Nkem F. , Galano Emilio Stivens
Published: January 2021

On exposure to stress and for the sake of survival, cells make adjustments with the changes in their environment to the physiologic needs and non-lethal pathologic injury. When the environmental changes are greater than the capacity of the cell to maintain normal homeostasis the cell undergoes acute cell injury. If the injury or insult is removed on time, or the cell can adapt and withstand the injury, the term reversible injury is applied. The processes of adaptation include decreasing or increasing their size, increasing their number, or changing the pathway of phenotypic differentiation of cells.

In the present study, albino mice of postweaning age of BALB C strain (21 days old) were exposed to short term (5 days) and long term (21 days) restraint stress to evaluate any histological changes in the kidney, liver, and suprarenal gland.

Mice subjected to long term stress showed in the kidney degeneration of the cells of the glomerulus and the convoluted tubules. In the liver, they showed congested sinusoids and the presence of some fatty change, whereas in the suprarenal gland mice subjected to 21 days of stress showed moderate hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex with the presence of moderate lipoid deposits when compared to controls. The overall effect on short term stress was mild when compared to exposure to 21 days stress

Long term stress causes degeneration in hepatic cells, infiltration in the liver, degeneration of glomerulus, Bowman’s capsule, convoluted tubules in the kidney which could lead to nephrotoxicity. In the suprarenal gland, long term stress induces hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex. These morphological changes can explain the impaired immunity which develops in organisms that are exposed to chronic stress.
Controlled Release of Bi-Layered Malvidin Tablets Using 3D Printing Techniques
Authors: Kaur Tejinder , Singh Suruchi
Published: January 2021

Malvidin belongs to the class of anthocyanidin, a pigment compound present in fruits and vegetables like the colored berries, flowers, and vegetables which have pigments on it and it is available commercially as malvidin chloride. Malvidin is known to possess many medicinal characteristics like anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and anti-cancer. In this research paper, a 3D printing technique is used which evolves a 3D printer based on desktop that extrudes tablets comprising the active drug which here is malvidin our main ingredient and the other excipients which are used as binders and disintegrants. Methods which are adapted here for the formulation of 3D printed tablet make the tablets appropriate for immediate and sustained release with its definite physical and mechanical properties like hardness, friability, and weight. Tablets that are extruded by the 3D printer are controlled release bi-layer tablets. Due to involvement of 3D printer, printing cost for the bi-layered tablets found very low that makes our method as cost efficient.
Occupancy models including local and landscape variables are useful to assess the distribution of a salamander species at risk
Authors: Oropeza‐Sánchez Marco Tulio , Suazo‐Ortuño Ireri , Benítez‐Malvido Julieta , Munguía‐Steyer Roberto
Published: January 2021

Numerous amphibian species are at risk of extinction worldwide. Therefore, reliable estimations of the distribution and abundance of these species are necessary for their conservation. Generally, amphibians are difficult to detect in the wild, which compromises the accuracy of long‐term population monitoring and management. Occupancy models are useful tools to assess how environmental variables, at a local and at a landscape scale, affect the distribution and abundance of organisms taking into account species imperfect detectability. In this study, we evaluated with an environmental multiscale approach the seasonal variation of the occupation area of the threatened salamander, Ambystoma ordinarium along its distribution range. We obtained readings in 60 streams of physicochemical variables associated with habitat quality and landscape features. We found that detection and occupation probability of A. ordinarium are seasonally associated with different environmental variables. During the dry season, detectability was positively associated with temperature and stream depth, whereas occupancy was positively associated with the proportion of crops in the landscape and stream elevation. In the rainy season, the detection probability was not explained by any variable considered, and occupancy was negatively associated with stream's electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen. Based on the estimation of occupied sites, we showed that A. ordinarium presents a more restricted distribution range than previously projected. Therefore, our results reveal the importance of evaluating the accuracy of distribution estimates for the conservation of threatened species as A. ordinarium.
Combined RNA/tissue profiling identifies novel Cancer/testis genes
Authors: Jamin Soazik P. , Hikmet Feria , Mathieu Romain , Jégou Bernard , Lindskog Cecilia , Chalmel Frédéric , Primig Michael
Published: January 2021

Cancer/Testis (CT) genes are induced in germ cells, repressed in somatic cells, and derepressed in somatic tumors, where these genes can contribute to cancer progression. CT gene identification requires data obtained using standardized protocols and technologies. This is a challenge because data for germ cells, gonads, normal somatic tissues, and a wide range of cancer samples stem from multiple sources and were generated over substantial periods of time. We carried out a GeneChip‐based RNA profiling analysis using our own data for testis and enriched germ cells, data for somatic cancers from the Expression Project for Oncology, and data for normal somatic tissues from the Gene Omnibus Repository. We identified 478 candidate loci that include known CT genes, numerous genes associated with oncogenic processes, and novel candidates that are not referenced in the Cancer/Testis Database (www.cta.lncc.br). We complemented RNA expression data at the protein level for SPESP1, GALNTL5, PDCL2, and C11orf42 using cancer tissue microarrays covering malignant tumors of breast, uterus, thyroid, and kidney, as well as published RNA profiling and immunohistochemical data provided by the Human Protein Atlas (www.proteinatlas.org). We report that combined RNA/tissue profiling identifies novel CT genes that may be of clinical interest as therapeutical targets or biomarkers. Our findings also highlight the challenges of detecting truly germ cell‐specific mRNAs and the proteins they encode in highly heterogenous testicular, somatic, and tumor tissues.
Characterization of transcripts emanating from enhancer Eβ of the murine TCRβ locus
Authors: Uddin Faizan , Srivastava Madhulika
Published: January 2021

Enhancers are well established as critical regulators of gene expression, but the mechanisms underlying the molecular basis of their specificity and activity are only partly understood. One of the most exciting recent observations is the discovery of enhancer RNA (eRNA), a class of noncoding RNAs derived from enhancer regions. Transcription of developmentally regulated enhancers has been observed to be associated with their active state. The nature of transcripts (eRNA) and their functional attributes are diverse and context dependent. The majority of eRNA are nonpolyadenylated and present in low abundance owing to their low stability, and may represent transcriptional noise. However, some eRNAs have been reported to be reasonably long and stable, are enriched in nuclei, exhibit tissue‐specific expression and may contribute to enhancer function. Transcription of enhancers has been postulated to mediate enhancer function through either the act of transcription or via the transcribed RNA per se and is a useful feature to be analysed to understand mechanisms underlying enhancer activity. Enhancer Eβ at the murine TCRβ locus has been reported to exhibit enhanced occupancy of RNA polymerase II in developing thymocytes. Here, we investigated the transcriptional potential of Eβ in developing thymocytes and detected overlapping bidirectional transcripts at Eβ ranging between 0.7 and 1.7 kb. These noncoding transcripts are capped, polyadenylated, nuclear and expressed specifically in thymocytes. Delineation of these characteristics is important to further investigate their functional roles in mediating enhancer activity.
The clinical impact of removing rectal gas on high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy dose distributions for gynecologic cancers
Authors: Vergalasova Irina , Ennis Ronald D. , Sayan Mutlay , Liu Bo , Yue Ning J. , Hathout Lara
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the impact of gas removal on bladder and rectal doses during intracavitary and interstitial high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy (HDRB) for gynecologic cancers.

Material and Methods

Fifteen patients treated with definitive external beam radiation followed by HDRB for gynecologic cancers for a total of 21 fractions, presented with a significant amount of rectal gas at initial CT imaging (CTGAS) after implantation. The gas was removed via rectal tubing followed by subsequent scan acquisition (CTCLINICAL), which was used for planning and treatment delivery. To assess the effect of gas removal on dosimetry, both bladder and rectum volumes were recontoured on CTGAS. In order to evaluate the clinical impact on the total Equivalent‐Dose‐in‐2Gy‐fraction (EQD2), each fraction was also replanned to maintain clinically delivered target coverage (HRCTV D90). EQD2 D2cm3 for bladder and rectum were compared between plans. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to evaluate statistically significant differences for all comparisons (P < 0.05).

Results

Mean rectum and bladder Dmax, D0.1cm3, D1cm3, D2cm3, and D5cm3 were significantly different between CTGAS and CTCLINICAL. The mean percent increases on CTGAS for bladder were 12.3, 8.4, 9.9, 10.2, and 9.5% respectively and for rectum were 27.0, 19.6, 18.1, 18.5, and 19.4%, respectively. After replanning with CTGAS to maintain HRCTV D90 EQD2, bladder and rectum EQD2 D2 cm3 resulted in significantly higher doses. The mean EQD2 D2 cm3 difference was 2.4 and 4.1 Gy for bladder and rectum, revealing a higher impact of gas removal on rectal DVH.

Conclusion

Rectal gas removal resulted in statistically significant differences for both bladder and rectum. The resulting larger EQD2 D2 cm3 for bladder and rectum demonstrates that if patients were treated without removing gas, target coverage would need to be sacrificed to satisfy the rectum constraints and prevent toxicities. Therefore, this study demonstrates the importance of gas removal for gynecologic HDRB patients.
Comprehensive Assessment of Quality of Life, Functioning, and Mental Health in Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Noninfectious Uveitis
Authors: McDonald Joseph , Cassedy Amy , Altaye Mekibib , Andringa Jennifer , Cooper Ashley M. , Drews‐Botsch Carolyn , Engelhard George , Hennard Theresa , Holland Gary N. , Jenkins Kirsten , Lambert Scott R. , Lipscomb Jessi , McCracken Courtney , McCurdy Deborah K. , Mwase Najima , Prahalad Sampath , Shantha Jessica , Stahl Erin , Utz Virginia Miraldi , Walker A. Adrienne , Yeh Steven , Angeles‐Han Sheila T.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Pediatric uveitis can lead to sight‐threatening complications and can impact quality of life (QoL) and functioning. We aimed to examine health‐related QoL, mental health, physical disability, vision‐related functioning (VRF), and vision‐related QoL in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), JIA‐associated uveitis (JIA‐U), and other noninfectious uveitis. We hypothesized that there will be differences based on the presence of eye disease.

Methods

A multicenter cross‐sectional study was conducted at four sites. Patients with JIA, JIA‐U, or noninfectious uveitis were enrolled. Patients and parents completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL; health‐related QoL), the Revised Childhood Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS; anxiety/depression), the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (C‐HAQ; physical disability), and the Effects of Youngsters' Eyesight on Quality of Life (EYE‐Q) (VRF/vision‐related QoL). Clinical characteristics and patient‐reported outcome measures were compared by diagnosis.

Results

Of 549 patients, 332 had JIA, 124 had JIA‐U, and 93 had other uveitis diagnoses. Children with JIA‐U had worse EYE‐Q scores compared to those with JIA only. In children with uveitis, those with anterior uveitis (JIA‐U and uveitis only) had less ocular complications, better EYE‐Q scores, and worse C‐HAQ and PedsQL physical summary scores compared to those with nonanterior disease. In children with anterior uveitis, those with JIA‐U had worse PedsQL physical summary and C‐HAQ scores than anterior uveitis only. Further, EYE‐Q scores were worse in children with bilateral uveitis and more visual impairment. There were no differences in RCADS scores among groups.

Conclusion

We provide a comprehensive outcome assessment of children with JIA, JIA‐U, and other uveitis diagnoses. Differences in QoL and function were noted based on underlying disease. Our results support the addition of a vision‐specific measure to better understand the impact of uveitis.
pH‐Responsive Charge‐Conversion Progelator Peptides
Authors: Carlini Andrea S. , Choi Wonmin , McCallum Naneki C. , Gianneschi Nathan C.
Published: January 2021

A simple strategy for generating stimuli‐responsive peptide‐based hydrogels via charge‐conversion of a self‐assembling peptide (SAP) is described. These materials are formulated as soluble, polyanionic peptides, containing maleic acid, citraconic acid, or dimethylmaleic acid amide masking groups on each lysine residue, which do not form assemblies, but instead flow easily through high gauge needles and catheters. Acid‐induced mask hydrolysis renews the zwitterionic nature of the peptides with concomitant and rapid self‐assembly via β‐sheet formation into rehealable hydrogels. The use of different masks enables one to tune pH responsiveness and assembly kinetics. In anticipation of their potential for in vivo hydrogel delivery and use, progelators exhibit hemocompatibility in whole human blood, and their peptide components are shown to be noncytotoxic. Finally, demonstration of stimuli‐induced self‐assembly for dye sequestration suggests a simple, non‐covalent strategy for small molecule encapsulation in a degradable scaffold. In summary, this simple, scalable masking strategy allows for preparation of responsive, dynamic self‐assembling biomaterials. This work sets the stage for implementing biodegradable therapeutic hydrogels that assemble in response to physiological, disease‐relevant states of acidosis.
Implantable Cardiac Kirigami‐Inspired Lead‐Based Energy Harvester Fabricated by Enhanced Piezoelectric Composite Film
Authors: Xu Zhe , Jin Congran , Cabe Andrew , Escobedo Danny , Gruslova Aleksandra , Jenney Scott , Closson Andrew B. , Dong Lin , Chen Zi , Feldman Marc D. , Zhang John X. J.
Published: January 2021

Harvesting biomechanical energy to power implantable electronics such as pacemakers has been attracting great attention in recent years because it replaces conventional batteries and provides a sustainable energy solution. However, current energy harvesting technologies that directly interact with internal organs often lack flexibility and conformability, and they usually require additional implantation surgeries that impose extra burden to patients. To address this issue, here a Kirigami inspired energy harvester, seamlessly incorporated into the pacemaker lead using piezoelectric composite films is reported, which not only possesses great flexibility but also requires no additional implantation surgeries. This lead‐based device allows for harvesting energy from the complex motion of the lead caused by the expansion‐contraction of the heart. The device's Kirigami pattern has been designed and optimized to attain greatly improved flexibility which is validated via finite element method (FEM) simulations, mechanical tensile tests, and energy output tests where the device shows a power output of 2.4 µW. Finally, an in vivo test using a porcine model reveals that the device can be implanted into the heart straightforwardly and generates voltages up to ≈0.7 V. This work offers a new strategy for designing flexible energy harvesters that power implantable electronics.
Cascade Catalytic Nanoplatform Based on “Butterfly Effect” for Enhanced Immunotherapy
Authors: Shao Yanjiang , Wang Zeying , Hao Yutong , Zhang Xueli , Wang Ning , Chen Kunlun , Chang Junbiao , Feng Qianhua , Zhang Zhenzhong
Published: January 2021

The unique tumor microenvironment (TME) characteristics such as immunosuppression impeded traditional cancer treatments. In contrast, developing cascade catalytic nanoplatforms by fully making use of substances in TME for cancer therapy may deserve full credit. Herein, a cascade catalytic nanoplatform based on glucose oxidase (GOD) modified mesoporous iron oxide nanoparticles (IONP) loaded with Artemisinin (ART) is developed, which is designed as IONP‐GOD@ART. GOD can catalyze the oxidization of glucose into gluconic acid and H2O2, which not only realizes tumor starvation therapy, but also provides H2O2 for IONP mediated Fenton reaction. Simultaneously, mesoporous IONP releases Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions in acidic TME. On the one hand, iron ions undergo Fenton reaction to generate hydroxyl radicals for chemodynamic therapy. On the other hand, the endoperoxide bridge in ART is broken in presence of Fe2+ and further generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) to achieve therapeutic purpose. In this sense, IONP‐GOD@ART manipulates TME characteristics and leads to “butterfly effect”, which brings out a large amount of ROS for eliciting immunogenic cell death, inducing M1‐TAMs polarization, and further reprogramming immunosuppressive TME for enhanced immunotherapy. By this delicate design, the cascade catalytic nanoplatform of IONP‐GOD@ART realizes potent cancer immunotherapy for tumor regression and metastasis prevention.
Facile Chemical Route to Prepare Water Soluble Epitaxial Sr3Al2O6 Sacrificial Layers for Free‐Standing Oxides
Authors: Salles Pol , Caño Ivan , Guzman Roger , Dore Camilla , Mihi Agustín , Zhou Wu , Coll Mariona
Published: January 2021

The growth of epitaxial complex oxides has been essentially limited to specific substrates that can induce epitaxial growth and stand high temperature thermal treatments. These restrictions hinder the opportunity to manipulate and integrate such materials into new artificial heterostructures including the use of polymeric and silicon substrates and study emergent phenomena for novel applications. To tackle this bottleneck, herein, a facile chemical route to prepare water‐soluble epitaxial Sr3Al2O6 thin films to be used as sacrificial layer for future free‐standing epitaxial complex oxide manipulation is described. Two solution processes are put forward based on metal nitrate and metalorganic precursors to prepare dense, homogeneous and epitaxial Sr3Al2O6 thin films that can be easily etched by milli‐Q water. Moreover, as a proof of concept, a basic heterostructure consisting of Al2O3/Sr3Al2O6 on SrTiO3 is fabricated to subsequently exfoliate the Al2O3 thin film and transfer it to a polymer substrate. This is a robust chemical and low‐cost methodology that could be adopted to prepare a wide variety of thin films to fabricate artificial heterostructures to go beyond the traditional electronic, spintronic, and energy storage and conversion devices.
An Intrinsically Conductive Elastomer for Thromboembolism Diagnosis
Authors: Tao Xinglei , Yi Wentian , He Yonglin , Lyu Shanzhi , Xu Xiao‐Qi , Liao Shenglong , Wang Yapei
Published: January 2021

As a minimally invasive procedure, balloon dilation is one crucial means to assist the delivery of stent and anti‐hyperplasia drugs to the embolism sites in the typical endovascular interventional treatments. However, it is rarely noted that the degree of balloon dilation is blurry, though it is extremely important to the efficiency of stent implantation, drug delivery, and even the postoperative recurrence rate of embolism. Herein, an innovative strategy of applying the balloon itself as an electrical sensor to monitor the dilation process is conceived. An intrinsically conductive elastomer formulated with polyurethane and potassium chloride is exploited as the biocompatible balloon, which integrates sufficient mechanical endurance, conductivity, biocompatibility, and pressure sensitivity against balloon expansion comprehensively. As a practical demonstration, the balloon sensor has been successfully applied to detect thrombus in tubular channels via real‐time pressure and temperature monitoring, which is anticipated to open an avenue to examine and treat cardiovascular diseases with a more controllable and reliable procedure.
Heterogeneities and Emissive Defects in MAPbI3 Perovskite Revealed by Spectrally Resolved Luminescence Blinking
Authors: Gerhard Marina , Louis Boris , Frantsuzov Pavel A. , Li Jun , Kiligaridis Alexander , Hofkens Johan , Scheblykin Ivan G.
Published: January 2021

The fate of excited charge carriers in metal halide perovskite semiconductors is influenced by energetic disorder and defects. Here, photoluminescence (PL) blinking is used to probe metastable nonradiative (NR) centers and the nanoscale energy landscape. Temporal activation of an NR center creates a local region with increased NR recombination. Activation and deactivation of this local PL quenching does not only lead to PL blinking, but also to fluctuations of the PL spectra, if the crystal is inhomogeneous in the sense that the PL emission spectrum is slightly different from one location to another. It resembles the spectral hole‐burning technique; however, here the eliminated excited states are chosen by their spatial localization close to the quencher. In MAPbI3, PL spectral fluctuations at low temperature reveal energetic inhomogeneities on the order of 5 to 10 meV. Quenching of the main PL band is often found to correlate with an increase of the low‐energetic tail of the PL spectra, which is attributed to partially radiative recombination of charges captured by the NR center. The transition energy of the NR center is found to be only ≈80 meV smaller than the bandgap, implying that the underlying defect cannot be a single mid‐bandgap state.
Scattering From Controlled Defects in Woodpile Photonic Crystals
Authors: Aeby Stefan , Aubry Geoffroy J. , Muller Nicolas , Scheffold Frank
Published: January 2021

Photonic crystals display partial or full band gaps that become more pronounced with rising refractive index contrast. However, imperfections in the material cause light scattering and extinction of the interfering propagating waves. Positive as well as negative defect volumes may contribute to this kind of optical perturbation. In this study, 3D woodpile photonic crystals are fabricated and characterized with a pseudo‐bandgap for near‐infrared optical wavelengths. By direct laser writing, defects are introduced in the periodic structure at selected positions. It is shown that defect scattering can be modeled by considering the difference between the disordered and the regular structure. The findings pave the way toward better control and understanding of the role of defects in photonic materials that will be crucial for their usability in potential applications.
Multifunctional Bipolar Materials Serving as Emitters for Efficient Deep‐Blue Fluorescent OLEDs and as Hosts for Phosphorescent and White OLEDs
Authors: Xu Jingwen , Liu Hao , Li Jinshi , Zhao Zujin , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: January 2021

Blue luminescent materials are always highly desired for organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) but the electroluminescence (EL) performances for most blue emitters still need to be improved in both efficiency and stability. In this work, four bipolar molecules with twisted donor‐acceptor structures (PIPD‐MP‐DPA, PIPD‐MP‐IMDB, PIPD‐MP‐DMAC, and PIPD‐MP‐DPAC) are designed and synthesized. These molecules possess good thermal and electrochemical stabilities, and exhibit strong deep‐blue photoluminescence. Their non‐doped OLEDs show deep‐blue EL emissions at 418–438 nm, and high maximum external quantum efficiencies (ηext,max) of up to 4.4% with a CIEy value of only 0.078. Furthermore, the phosphorescent OLEDs (PhOLEDs) based on PIPD‐MP‐DPA host achieve excellent ηext,max of 25.9% and 28.0% for green and orange, respectively, with small efficiency roll‐offs. In addition, PIPD‐MP‐DPA is also employed to construct hybrid white OLEDs (WOLEDs), giving high ηext,max of 21.6% for two‐color WOLEDs, and 16.3% for four‐color WOLEDs. In brief, these bipolar materials reveal outstanding EL performances in deep‐blue fluorescent, phosphorescent, and hybrid white OLEDs, indicating huge potential applications in display and lighting techniques.
Tunable Positive/Negative Young's Modulus in Graphene‐Based Metamaterials
Authors: Lin Feng , Xiang Yang , Shen Hui‐Shen
Published: January 2021

Mechanical metamaterials exhibit unusual mechanical properties that originate from their topological design. Origami graphene may provide a platform for constructing novel carbon nanostructures. In the current study, a novel composite material that incorporates aligned graphene with localized origami shapes into the copper matrix is designed. Unlike many auxetic materials that have void phase, the proposed layer‐by‐layer assembled composite material appears to be solid in the microscopic scale. Based on the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, it is observed that depending on the origami shapes, the in‐plane Poisson's ratio of origami graphene reinforced copper (100) composites can be tuned from positive to negative and, more importantly, it is discovered that the Young's modulus of the graphene/Cu composites can also be tuned from positive to negative in certain in‐plane directions.
Reforming Agricultural Support for Improved Environmental Outcomes
Authors: Mamun Abdullah , Martin Will , Tokgoz Simla
Published: January 2021

Agricultural support has changed substantially in both rich and poor countries in recent years. In rich countries, there has been a strong move to decoupled subsidies and a fall in average rates of protection. In developing countries, market price support remains the dominant form of protection, and average rates of support have risen—breaking the traditional pattern of taxing agriculture. Emissions from agriculture and land use change have contributed up to a third of total greenhouse gas emissions, with beef, milk and rice production accounting for more than 80% of agricultural emissions. Agricultural support was biased against emission‐intensive goods until recent years and is now only slightly biased toward them. Although emission intensities are relatively higher in the developing countries, they have fallen far more rapidly in developing countries than in the rich countries in the past quarter century, as agricultural productivity has grown in developing countries. Policy reform will be challenging given the strong political‐economy support for the current structure of protection. Increasing investments in research and development to raise productivity and lower the emissions intensity of agricultural output would help agriculture and the environment.

JEL CLASSIFICATION

F18; F64; Q18; H23; Q58
Jumping transition in the liquid's heat capacity revealed by the scanning transitiometry
Authors: Chorążewski Mirosław A. , Randzio Stanisław L. , Wilhelm Emmerich , Grolier Jean‐Pierre E. , Postnikov Eugene B.
Published: January 2021

This manuscript reports the direct observations of the clear jump transition of the specific orthobaric heat capacity to the specific isochoric heat capacities during the continuous heating of liquid samples in a closed vessel as well as the respective theory explaining such effects. The measurements have been performed with n‐heptane and toluene and the results have been thoroughly analyzed with the derived equations and compared with the values from the known literature data. The detection and accurate tracking of a jump in the heat capacity far from the standard points of phase transitions are not only of fundamental thermodynamic interest but also demonstrates future research targets and now attainable data which can be achieved by modern calorimetric technology. It has been proven that by using high‐pressure scanning calorimeter (transitiometry technology) it is possible to directly measure the specific orthobaric heat capacities and specific isochoric heat capacities accurately.
Rapid multi‐component phase‐split calculations using volume functions and reduction methods
Authors: Fathi Mohamad , Hickel Stefan
Published: January 2021

We present a new family of fast and robust methods for the calculation of the vapor–liquid equilibrium at isobaric‐isothermal (PT‐flash), isochoric‐isothermal (VT‐flash), isenthalpic‐isobaric (HP‐flash), and isoenergetic‐isochoric (UV‐flash) conditions. The framework is provided by formulating phase‐equilibrium conditions for multi‐component mixtures in an effectively reduced space based on the molar specific value of the recently introduced volume function derived from the Helmholtz free energy. The proposed algorithmic implementation can fully exploit the optimum quadratic convergence of a Newton method with the analytical Jacobian matrix. This article provides all required exact analytic expressions for the general cubic equation of state. Computational results demonstrate the effectivity and efficiency of the new methods. Compared to conventional methods, the proposed reduced‐space iteration leads to a considerable speed‐up as well as to improved robustness and better convergence behavior near the spinodal and coexistence curves of multi‐component mixtures, where the preconditioning by the reduction method is most effective.
Commercial truck drivers should be a priority population for COVID‐19 vaccinations
Authors: Lemke Michael K.
Published: January 2021

As COVID‐19 vaccines become available, supply is expected to initially fall short of demand. In response, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has issued guidance on which groups should be prioritized to receive vaccines. For the first phase of vaccine allocation, the ACIP recommended healthcare personnel and long‐term care facility residents as recipients. This recommendation was based on risks endemic to these populations, as well as ethical principles related to benefits and harms, mitigating health inequalities, and promoting justice. Commercial truck drivers have played a vital and underappreciated role during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Despite the indispensable role that commercial drivers play in distributing vaccines, they have not been recommended for vaccine allocation in the next phase (1b) by the ACIP. However, the rationale and ethical principles cited for the first vaccine phase suggest that these workers should be recommended for inclusion. By doing so, the acquisition and transmission of COVID‐19 may be mitigated, which would benefit both these workers and the US public. Further, persistent vulnerabilities render commercial truck drivers susceptible to severe COVID‐19 infection; therefore, vaccination during the next phase is imperative to curb the exacerbation of extant health inequities. Finally, because present‐day COVID‐19 vulnerabilities in these workers have been shaped by unjust policies over the past several decades, and because COVID‐19 public health policies have excluded and potentially exacerbated the impacts of the pandemic for these workers, allocating vaccines to commercial truck drivers is a necessary step toward promoting justice.
Liver transplant as a curative treatment in a pediatric patient with classic homocystinuria: A case report
Authors: Kerkvliet Stephanie P. , Rheault Michelle N. , Berry Susan A.
Published: January 2021

We report a patient with homocystinuria and hyperoxaluria who was cured of homocystinuria‐related disease following liver transplant. The patient was diagnosed with homocystinuria as a newborn and was treated with dietary modifications and supplements. At 22 months, he passed a calcium oxalate stone and was found to have numerous bilateral kidney stones. Genetic testing confirmed primary hyperoxaluria, type 1. He underwent preemptive liver transplant at age four to treat primary hyperoxaluria. Following transplant, his serum methionine and homocysteine levels normalized, thus, demonstrating resolution of homocystinuria. Methionine and homocysteine levels remained normal 6 years later. Homocystinuria is associated with ophthalmologic, skeletal, neurologic, and thromboembolic complications. As cystathionine beta‐synthase resides in the liver, transplant was hypothesized to be an effective treatment. Primary hyperoxaluria generally progresses to chronic kidney disease and is treated with combined kidney‐liver transplant at the time of end stage kidney disease. Given this patient's dual diagnoses, we proceeded with preemptive liver transplantation. Three prior cases of patients with homocystinuria treated with liver transplantation have been reported. In all cases, transplant resolved metabolic effects. However, our case represents a pediatric patient without disease‐related complications prior to transplant. This case supports liver‐targeted gene therapies as an effective treatment for homocystinuria.
Visible‐Light‐Induced Radical Difluoromethylation of Alkynoates by [bis(Difluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene to Yield 3‐Difluoromethylated Coumarins
Authors: Lu Kui , Zhou Ting , Jia Xiaodong , Wei Peng , Lei Lingyu , Xi Xiaolan , Liu Jiang , Zhao Xia
Published: January 2021

A visible‐light‐induced radical difluoromethylation of alkynoates using [bis(difluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene as the CF2H radical precursor was developed for the first time. 3‐Difluoromethyl‐substituted coumarins were synthesized via a radical difluoromethylation/cyclization/ester migration cascade. The mild and catalyst‐free conditions, as well as the good functional group tolerance, render this protocol an alternative and green strategy for the synthesis of 3‐difluoromethyl‐substituted coumarins.
Tunable Redox‐Neutral Photocatalysis: Visible Light‐Induced Arylperfluoroalkylation of Alkenes Regulated by Protons
Authors: Li Yuan , Zhang Xin , Liang Deqiang , Li Yanni , Gao Shulin , Li Xiangguang , Dong Ying , Wang Baoling , Ma Yinhai
Published: January 2021

A redox entanglement in photoredox catalysis is discovered and discussed. Using MeOH as a proton source and Eosin Y as a photocatalyst, a problematic and redox‐neutral perfluoroalkylation/cyclization cascade of alkenes with perfluoroalkyl iodides can be streamlined, furnishing perfluoroalkylated indolines, indoles, dihydroisoquinolinones, and indolin‐2‐ones with a good functional‐group tolerance under base‐, metal‐, and redox‐agent‐free conditions. Mechanistic investigations revealed that MeOH does not activate the perfluoroalkyl C−I bond, but rather enhances the oxidation part of the photocatalytic cycle.
Investigation of wet coal flow characteristics in silos by experiments and simulations
Authors: Dai Li , Yuan Zhulin , Guan Lei , Gu Conghui
Published: January 2021

The investigation of the wet coal flow characteristics is carried out in a three‐dimensional silo system by experiments and simulations. The effect of the moisture content on the flow characteristics is firstly investigated by experiments, which is in terms of bulk density, angle of repose, and flow rate at outlet. When moisture content is below 9%, the coal particles act as the easy flow mode. When moisture content exceeds 9.8%, the flow pattern turns to be cohesive. For the further understanding of the influence of the moisture content, we develop the continuum method with the effect of moisture content being considered in the mathematic model. The simulation results of the discharge rate and the ash content at outlet have good agreements with a maximum deviation of 7.3%. It is found that the Mixing Index decreases with the moisture content increasing because the moisture strengthens mixing among particles. And the velocity difference between particles in the central axis and ones near the wall grows accordingly. Particles with higher moisture content are easier to get the funnel flow mode. For particles with good flowability, the mass flow mode appears in the silo.
Improved processability and optimized preparing process for fire‐safe poly (ethylene terephthalate) by electron effect modified Schiff base
Authors: Zhang Xinxing , Wang Qingyin , Liu Shaoying , Zhang Lilei , Wang Gongying
Published: January 2021

To get better processability and preparing process of Poly (ethylene terephthalate) polymer, ‐NO2 was used to modify Schiff Base to synthesize a novel flame retardant monomer of 5‐([3‐nitrobenzylidene] amino) isophthalic acid (BNA) to prepare flame retardant and anti‐dripping PET copolyester (BNAnPETs), where the electron effect of ‐NO2 passivate the cross‐linking reactivity of BNA in BNAnPETs to enhance its cross‐linking temperature to improve its processing zone with better processability. The results demonstrated that the cross‐linking temperature of BNAnPETs was improved from the range of (250–348°C) to (355–385°C), and BNA accelerated the reaction of the polycondensation of PET for saving time of 42%. ‐NO2 enhanced the residue char of BNAnPETs in high temperature and further improved its flame retardancy. BNA10PET with 7.2 mol% of BNA had LOI of 31.8% and V‐0 of UL‐94 without drip, and the introduction of –NO2 did not change the flame retardant mechanism in BNAnPETs.
Freshwater mussels in Mediterranean‐climate regions: Species richness, conservation status, threats, and Conservation Actions Needed
Authors: Benson Justin Aaron , Stewart Barbara Ann , Close Paul Graeme , Lymbery Alan John
Published: January 2021

The five global Mediterranean‐climate regions are experiencing alarming rates of freshwater biodiversity loss. Although freshwater mussels are recognized as important functional components in aquatic ecosystems, and are among the most threatened faunal groups globally, there has been no synthesis of the plight of this group within these regions.

Data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List were reviewed to compare the conservation status, threats, and conservation actions needed for freshwater mussel species occurring in Mediterranean‐climate regions (med‐mussels) with those of other freshwater mussel species globally. The first comprehensive catalogue of med‐mussel species was compiled using existing taxonomic literature.

There are 41 med‐mussel species, 30 of which occur in the Mediterranean basin. Many regions have just a single species, and regions where multiple species occur generally only have between one and four species per river basin. Med‐mussel species are almost twice as likely to be ‘Imperilled’, are affected by 2.4 times more threats, and require 3.5 times more conservation actions than non‐med mussels. In many cases, the exact threats have not been identified.

In combination with low species richness, this level of imperilment means that Mediterranean‐climate regions are at risk of losing the benefits that mussels provide to broader ecosystem functioning. The conservation of med‐mussels can be improved by increasing our knowledge of species distributions, including the identification of cryptic species and significant management units, through population genetic work. In addition, recognizing the potential of ‘novel’ habitats and refuge areas could augment the management of this important functional group.
Bonefish (Albula vulpes) home range to spawning site linkages support a marine protected area designation
Authors: Adams Aaron J. , Lewis Justin P. , Kroetz Andrea M. , Grubbs R. Dean
Published: January 2021

A spatial approach to coastal management, such as marine protected areas, is being increasingly used to address biodiversity and fishery declines resulting from habitat loss, degradation, and overfishing. This approach is especially applicable in regions and fisheries that are data poor, and which often lack regulations and adequate capacity for enforcement. In data‐poor situations, species that have economic, cultural, and charismatic value can provide leverage for ecosystem protection.

In this study, acoustic telemetry was used to confirm a pre‐spawning aggregation site, acting as critical information for protection of essential habitat for bonefish. Additionally, data sharing with an acoustic telemetry study on smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) documented linkages between the pre‐spawning aggregation site and bonefish home ranges ≥70 km distant, thus providing an estimate of the catchment area.

These data provided post hoc support for a marine national park designated in 2002, and demonstrate that the park is of the appropriate spatial scale.
Fast calibration of two‐factor models for energy option pricing
Authors: Fabbiani Emanuele , Marziali Andrea , De Nicolao Giuseppe
Published: January 2021

Energy companies need efficient procedures to perform market calibration of stochastic models for commodities. If the Black framework is chosen for option pricing, the bottleneck of the market calibration is the computation of the variance of the asset. Energy commodities are commonly represented by multifactor linear models, whose variance obeys a matrix Lyapunov differential equation. In this article, analytical and methods to derive the variance are discussed: the Lyapunov approach is shown to be more straightforward than ad hoc derivations found in the literature and can be readily extended to higher dimensional models. A case study is presented, where the variance of a two‐factor mean‐reverting model is embedded into the Black formulae and the model parameters are calibrated against listed options. The analytical and numerical methods are compared, showing that the former makes the calibration 14 times faster. A Python implementation of the proposed methods is available as open‐source software on GitHub.
An overview of developmental dysregulation of autonomic control in infants
Authors: Altamirano Adulzir E. , Wilson Christopher G.
Published: January 2021

In this short review, we provide an overview of developmental disorders causing autonomic nervous system dysregulation. We briefly discuss perinatal conditions that adversely impact developmental outcomes including apnea of prematurity, sudden infant death syndrome, and Rett syndrome. We provide a brief clinical description, an overview of known or hypothesized mechanisms for the disorder, and current standard of practice for treatment of each condition. Additionally, we consider preventative measures and complications of these disorders to provide further insight into the pathogenesis of specific autonomic dysregulation in neonates. The goal of this short review is to provide an updated understanding of the impact of autonomic dysregulation on development of brainstem circuits and to briefly highlight promising future treatment options and controversies.
Selective spectrofluorimetric determination of two corticosteroids along with their co‐formulated drugs and degradation products in ophthalmic solution and aqueous humour
Authors: Abdelwahab May H. , Hegazy Maha A. , Weshahy Soheir A. , Hendawy Hassan A.M. , Abbas Samah S.
Published: January 2021

Prednisolone acetate (PNO) and fluorometholone (FRT) are corticosteroids, co‐formulated with moxifloxacin HCl (MFX) and cromolyn sodium (CML), respectively. PNO has a negligible quantum yield and its hydrolytic degradation products have enhanced fluorescence, which is 250‐fold greater. FRT is a nonfluorescent drug, but its hydrolytic degradation products show reasonable fluorescence; MFX and CML have native fluorescence. Two methods were proposed based on the determination of PNO and FRT via their hydrolytic degradation products in the presence of other degradation products. Method (A) was developed for simultaneous determination of PNO and MFX in the presence of PNO degradation products by measuring peak amplitudes of the first derivative (1D) of its enhanced fluorescence; PNO and MFX were measured at 345 and 473 nm, respectively. Method (B) is a synchronous fluorescence spectroscopic method for simultaneous determination of FRT and its co‐formulated drug CML in the presence of its degradation products. Fluorescence intensities were measured at λem 283 and 347 nm for FRT and CML, respectively, using Δλ = 99.20 nm. Validation of the proposed methods was conducted as per International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines. The proposed methods were successfully applied for the determination of the proposed drugs in bulk powder, ophthalmic solution, and rabbit's aqueous humour.