bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Film Electrochemiluminescence Controlled by Interfacial Reactions Along with Aggregation‐, Matrix‐Coordination‐, and Crystallization‐Induced Emissions
Authors: Adsetts Jonathan R. , Ding Zhifeng
Published: December 2020

The utility of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) in analysis has been proven by its use in the interrogation of novel luminophores as well as the commercial applications of immunoassays. This Minireview discusses the recent advances in film ECL enhancements controlled by interfacial reactions along with aggregation‐induced, crystallization‐induced, matrix‐coordination‐induced and nanoparticle surface state emissions. These enhancement phenomena are anticipated to lead to applications toward biological and medical diagnosis. Interfacial ECL enhancements of nanoparticle films and an in‐depth analysis of the application of this knowledge into development of optoelectronics follow. Finally, recent novel crystallization induced ECL enhancements and hypochromic shifts are provided. Future analyses of these film ECL enhancement phenomena will provide complementary information for the optimal implementation of next generation luminophores into thin film optoelectronic and sensing applications.
Predicting outcomes and sudden gains from initial in‐session interactions during remote cognitive–behavioural therapy for severe health anxiety
Authors: Malins Sam , Moghaddam Nima , Morriss Richard , Schröder Thomas , Brown Paula , Boycott Naomi
Published: December 2020

There has been a dramatic increase in remote psychotherapy since the onset of the COVID‐19 crisis. There is also expected to be an increase in mental health problems in the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic. An increase in severe health anxiety (SHA) is particularly anticipated, for which cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is a frontline treatment. However, it is unclear what interaction types are associated with outcome‐improvement in remote‐CBT (rCBT) for SHA. This study aimed to identify interaction types that predict outcomes and sudden gains in rCBT for SHA using initial therapy session content. Forty‐eight participants in rCBT for SHA had interactions at their first sessions categorized and rated in terms of patient activation: an individual's confidence and ability to manage their health. Multilevel modelling assessed whether early interaction types predicted session‐by‐session wellbeing. For participants experiencing sudden gains (n = 12) interactions at the session directly prior to the gain were similarly categorized and rated. The scores were then compared with ratings for the preceding session. A smaller proportion of early sessions was taken up with problem descriptions among those with greater outcome improvements. There was also a significant reduction in the proportion of the session spent describing problems in the session directly prior to a sudden gain, as compared with the previous session. Conversely, clients with better outcomes made more positive evaluations of themselves and therapy, noticed more positive changes and made more contributions to structuring interactions at initial sessions. Specific early interaction types predict session‐by‐session outcomes and precede sudden gains in rCBT for SHA.
Filtered‐orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with index modulation for multiservice wireless communication systems
Authors: Chandran K Syam , C K Ali
Published: December 2020

Multiservices with diverse communication requirements are the main characteristics of 5G and beyond wireless communication systems. In order to meet these diverse requirements, flexible numerology is introduced by standardization bodies. In multiservice communication, the total bandwidth is divided into a number of subbands, and for each subband, different numerologies are assigned based on their requirements. But this flexible numerology introduces inter‐subband interference due to the non‐orthogonality of different numerologies. In this paper, we propose an efficient method based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with index modulation (IM) to effectively mitigate inter‐subband interference in multiservice wireless communication systems. Index modulation is utilized to activate a fraction of subcarriers in the subband to reduce the inter‐subband interference while filtering is done on top of index modulation to further reduce the interference leakage. The proposed method has the capability to control the inter‐subband interference by varying the number of active subcarriers in the subband. Interference analysis for the proposed method is also carried out and validated through simulations. The superior performance of the proposed method is verified and compared with existing methods for multiservice wireless communication systems.
QuoVidi: An open‐source web application for the organization of large‐scale biological treasure hunts
Authors: Lobet Guillaume , Descamps Charlotte , Leveau Lola , Guillet Alain , Rees Jean‐François
Published: December 2020

Learning biology, and in particular systematics, requires learning a substantial amount of specific vocabulary, both for botanical and zoological studies. While crucial, the precise identification of structures serving as evolutionary traits and systematic criteria is not per se a highly motivating task for students. Teaching this in a traditional teaching setting is quite challenging especially with a large crowd of students to be kept engaged. This is even more difficult if, as during the COVID‐19 crisis, students are not allowed to access laboratories for hands‐on observation on fresh specimens and sometimes restricted to short‐range movements outside their home. Here, we present QuoVidi, a new open‐source web platform for the organization of large‐scale treasure hunts. The platform works as follows: students, organized in teams, receive a list of quests that contain morphologic, ecologic, or systematic terms. They have to first understand the meaning of the quests, then go and find them in the environment. Once they find the organism corresponding to a quest, they upload a geotagged picture of their finding and submit this on the platform. The correctness of each submission is evaluated by the staff. During the COVID‐19 lockdown, previously validated pictures were also submitted for evaluation to students that were locked in low‐biodiversity areas. From a research perspective, the system enables the creation of large image databases by the students, similar to citizen science projects. Beside the enhanced motivation of students to learn the vocabulary and perform observations on self‐found specimens, this system allows instructors to remotely follow and assess the work performed by large numbers of students. The interface is freely available, open‐source and customizable. Unlike existing naturalist platforms, allows the educators to fully customize the quests of interest. This enables the creation of multiple teaching scenarios, without being bound to a fixed scope. QuoVidi can be used in other disciplines with adapted quests and we expect it to be of interest in many classroom settings.
Variation in synchrony of production among species, sites, and intertidal zones in coastal marshes
Authors: Liu Wenwen , Pennings Steven C.
Published: December 2020

Spatially synchronous population dynamics are important to ecosystem functioning and have several potential causes. By looking at synchrony in plant productivity over 18 yr across two elevations in three types of coastal marsh habitat dominated by different clonal plant species in Georgia, USA, we were able to explore the importance of plant species and different habitat conditions to synchrony. Synchrony was highest when comparing within a plant species and within a marsh zone, and decreased across species, with increasing distance, and with increasing elevational differences. Abiotic conditions that were measured at individual sites (water column temperature and salinity) also showed high synchrony among sites, and in one case (salinity) decreased with increasing distance among sites. The Moran effect (synchronous abiotic conditions among sites) is the most plausible explanation for our findings. Decreased synchrony between creekbank and mid‐marsh zones, and among habitat types (tidal fresh, brackish, and salt marsh) was likely due in part to different exposure to abiotic conditions and in part to variation in sensitivity of dominant plant species to these abiotic conditions. We found no evidence for asynchrony among species, sites or zones, indicating that one habitat type or zone will not compensate for poor production in another during years with low productivity; however, tidal fresh, brackish. and salt marsh sites were also not highly synchronous with each other, which will moderate productivity variation among years at the landscape level due to the portfolio effect. We identified the creekbank zone as more sensitive than the mid‐marsh to abiotic variation and therefore as a priority for monitoring and management.
Sustainable development of China's smart energy industry based on artificial intelligence and low‐carbon economy
Authors: Shi Chunxue , Feng Xiwen , Jin Zhennan
Published: December 2020

With the continuous advancement of urbanization, the contradiction between urban development and environmental resources has become increasingly prominent, and environmental pollution has become increasingly serious. To fundamentally solve the problems of environment, energy, and low carbon, we must rely on the intelligence of energy. This paper aims to study the sustainable development of China's intelligent energy industry based on artificial intelligence and low‐carbon economy. In view of the problems existing in the optimization of power generation industry, this paper uses the annual load, electricity price, weather, and climate data of a southern power grid, uses the statistical variation particle swarm optimization algorithm, uses the historical runoff and rainfall data to optimize it, and studies the analysis methods, characteristics and laws of short‐term load, electricity price and runoff, as well as the uncertain factors affecting their changes. The experimental results show that the predicted price is close to the actual price, and the median error of each period is <1% in statistical analysis, so the forecast value can be used to replace the actual value for scheduling. This method makes full use of the adaptive mutation in the late stage of particle optimization, and introduces the mechanism of particle size selection, which fully ensures the diversity of particles and improves the search ability of particles.
Development of Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Ecological Risk-Based Screening Levels
Authors: Zodrow Jeanmarie M. , Frenchmeyer Meredith , Dally Kaitlyn , Osborn Erin , Anderson Paul , Divine Craig
Published: December 2020

Evaluation of chemical risks to threatened and endangered species is a requirement for Superfund ecological risk assessments; however, screening levels to evaluate the potential for toxicity associated with ecological receptor exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are lacking. Therefore, PFAS risk-based screening levels (RBSLs) were developed. Wildlife RBSLs were developed using surrogate receptors selected to be representative of threatened and endangered species with different habitat types, feeding guilds, and trophic levels. Published uptake and toxicity data were combined with receptor exposure factors to derive RBSLs for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife for several PFAS, including perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorohexanoic acid, perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, and pentafluorobenzoic acid. Uptake information for surrogate PFAS were considered to calculate RBSLs for PFAS with toxicity data and insufficient bioaccumulation data to develop an RBSL. Both no-observed–adverse effect level (NOAEL)– and lowest-observed–adverse effect level–based wildlife RBSLs were calculated to allow for a range of risk estimates appropriate to individual threatened and endangered species and populations of nonlisted wildlife receptors, respectively. Recommended water quality RBSLs protective of aquatic life were developed for 23 PFAS based on published literature reviews and peer-reviewed aquatic toxicity studies and Great Lakes Initiative methodology. For wildlife receptors, NOAEL RBSLs ranged from to 0.013 to 340 mg/kg for soil, 0.0014 to 370 mg/kg for sediment, and 0.000075 to 1600 mg/L for surface water. For aquatic life, chronic RBSLs ranged from 0.00022 to 3.4 mg/L. For terrestrial plants and soil invertebrates, the no-observed-effect concentration screening levels range from 0.084 to 642 mg/kg and from 1 to 50 mg/kg, respectively. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:921–936. © 2020 SETAC

Abstract

Risk-based screening levels were developed for a variety of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, environmental media, and ecological receptors using standard risk assessment approaches. BAF = bioaccumulation factor; BSAF = biota–sediment accumulation factor; RBSL = risk-based screening level.
Transoral closure of the supraglottic larynx for intractable aspiration
Authors: Atallah Ihab , Castellanos Paul F.
Published: December 2020

The aim of this paper is to describe a novel, safe, and effective surgical technique to eliminate aspiration, that is performed entirely by reconstructive transoral laser microsurgery (R‐TLM). Eleven tracheostomy‐dependent patients with recurrent pneumonia secondary to intractable aspiration treated with transoral laryngeal closure were included in our study. In all cases, the supraglottic mucosa is incised in a circumferential manner. The distal tissues are sutured side‐to‐side longitudinally, and the superficial tissues are sutured back‐to‐front transversally. All patients successfully underwent transoral laryngeal closure without significant perioperative complication. Four patients resumed oral feeding for effective nutrition and two patients for pleasure. One patient developed a small fistula with a leak that warranted secondary closure by a follow‐up R‐TLM procedure and subsequently held to protect his airway. Complete supraglottic laryngeal closure can be performed safely and effectively using R‐TLM techniques. They provide a natural‐orifice alternative to open surgery in patients with intractable aspiration.
Efficiently Restored Thrombopoietin Production by Ashwell‐Morell Receptor and IL‐6R Induced Janus Kinase 2/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription Signaling Early After Partial Hepatectomy
Authors: Reusswig Friedrich , Fazel Modares Nastaran , Brechtenkamp Marius , Wienands Leonard , Krüger Irena , Behnke Kristina , Lee‐Sundlov Melissa M. , Herebian Diran , Scheller Jürgen , Hoffmeister Karin M. , Häussinger Dieter , Elvers Margitta
Published: December 2020

Background and Aims

Thrombocytopenia has been described in most patients with acute and chronic liver failure. Decreased platelet production and decreased half‐life of platelets might be a consequence of low levels of thrombopoietin (TPO) in these patients. Platelet production is tightly regulated to avoid bleeding complications after vessel injury and can be enhanced under elevated platelet destruction as observed in liver disease. Thrombopoietin (TPO) is the primary regulator of platelet biogenesis and supports proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytes.

Approach and Results

Recent work provided evidence for the control of TPO mRNA expression in liver and bone marrow (BM) by scanning circulating platelets. The Ashwell‐Morell receptor (AMR) was identified to bind desialylated platelets to regulate hepatic thrombopoietin (TPO) production by Janus kinase (JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) activation. Two‐thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx) was performed in mice. Platelet activation and clearance by AMR/JAK2/STAT3 signaling and TPO production were analyzed at different time points after PHx. Here, we demonstrate that PHx in mice led to thrombocytopenia and platelet activation defects leading to bleeding complications, but unaltered arterial thrombosis, in these mice. Platelet counts were rapidly restored by up‐regulation and crosstalk of the AMR and the IL‐6 receptor (IL‐6R) to induce JAK2‐STAT3‐TPO activation in the liver, accompanied by an increased number of megakaryocytes in spleen and BM before liver was completely regenerated.

Conclusions

The AMR/IL‐6R‐STAT3‐TPO signaling pathway is an acute‐phase response to liver injury to reconstitute hemostasis. Bleeding complications were attributable to thrombocytopenia and platelet defects induced by elevated PGI2, NO, and bile acid plasma levels early after PHx that might also be causative for the high mortality in patients with liver disease.
Toward a process model of newcomer socialization: Integrating pre‐ and post‐entry factors for newcomer adjustment
Authors: Takeuchi Tomokazu , Takeuchi Norihiko , Jung Yuhee
Published: December 2020

This study documents the influence of both pre‐ and post‐entry factors on newcomer socialization. Using time‐lagged survey data from 137 new employees from private sector organizations in Japan, our empirical analyses showed that newcomers' pre‐entry career maturity was significantly related to their post‐entry adjustment outcomes through person‐organization (P‐O) fit perceptions at entry. Career maturity was also significantly and positively related to pre‐entry job search effort, as well as to P‐O fit at entry. Furthermore, the results indicated that the effectiveness of supervisor and coworker support for enhancing newcomer adjustment varied depending on the level of P‐O fit perception at entry. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed, and directions for future research are suggested.
Transient parametric pilot study on thermosyphon heat transport device: A computational fluid dynamics hypothesis and experimental exploration
Authors: Varun K. , Arunachala U. C.
Published: December 2020

This study aims to examine the practicality of a novel passive heat transport system “thermosyphon heat transport device” (THTD). It is a fluid‐filled unit, with both source and sink amalgamated within it. A vertical tube‐in‐tube design has been incorporated, consisting of heat source, adiabatic height, and sink. To showcase the performance, a transient numerical analysis is performed using ANSYS Fluent, which is compared with the simple closed thermosiphon (SCT) for heat transport capability (1 kW) and different adiabatic heights (0.25, 1, and 1.5 m). Also, the influence of axial conduction is examined. The proposed Therminol VP1‐based THTD has better heat transport capability over SCT due to a uniform flow pattern. Although the time response diminishes with adiabatic height, the novelty is justified as the heat gained by THTD (adiabatic height: 1.5 m) is 1.5 times more than SCT. Furthermore, the THTD performance is experimentally analyzed by varying the coolant flow rate (0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 kg/s), heat load (100−600 W), and transport distance (0.25 and 0.75 m), which yielded 80%−90% energy efficiency. As the THTD is crucial for a conceptual solar indoor cooker, the response under transient heating/cooling conditions is also investigated, which depicted 300 s for transient heating and 10−50 s for transient cooling.
Mixed convection flow of magnetic hybrid nanofluid over a bidirectional porous surface with internal heat generation and a higher‐order chemical reaction
Authors: Joshi Navneet , Pandey Alok K. , Upreti Himanshu , Kumar Manoj
Published: December 2020

A numerical study is presented for three‐dimensional magnetic hybrid nanofluid (SWCNT + Ag–H2O) flow over a porous bidirectional stretchable surface due to the physical effects of a higher‐order chemical reaction, internal heat generation, and mixed convection. The systems of nonlinear ordinary diffrential equations of hybrid nanofluid that is, flow, energy, and mass transfer are developed and computations have been carried out, employing shooting method along with Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg fourth‐ and fifth‐order technique. The characteristics of heat transfer, mass diffusion, and fluid flow are presented for the range of porosity parameter, ; Hartmann number, ; internal heat generation, ; thermal Grashof number, ; mass Grashof number, ; Schmidt number, ; chemical reaction parameter, , and order of chemical reaction () for power index number and 2 at a fixed value of nanoparticles' volume fraction and Prandtl number. The graphs and tables are depicted and explained for the response to various embedded parameters. The upshots of the current problem illustrate that with an increase in the magnetic field and chemical reaction, the mass transfer rate increases. Moreover, Nusselt number profiles are reduced with an increase in the coefficient of volumetric heat generation values for both power index number, that is,  and 2.
Orthogonal‐polarization‐gating optical coherence tomography for human sweat ducts in vivo
Authors: Li Dezi , Li Zhifang , Zhang Jialing , Li Ke , Wu Shulian , He Youwu , Lin Yongping
Published: December 2020

We propose an orthogonal‐polarization‐gating optical coherence tomography (OPG‐OCT) for human sweat ducts in vivo. OPG‐OCT is composed of the orthogonal linearly polarized light of a sample arm individually interfering with orthogonal linearly polarized lights of the reference arms, where OPG‐OCT induces two images, one reflecting the projection intensity and the other the horizontal linear diattenuation (HLD). The results demonstrate that OPG‐OCT projection intensity could improve the image quality of sweat ducts. HLD also clearly illustrates the spiral shape of the sweat ducts. Finally, sweat ducts in intensity image are segmented by employing convolutional neural networks (CNN). The proportions of left‐handed and right‐handed ducts are extracted to characterize the sweat ducts based on HLD. Therefore, the OPG‐OCT technique employing CNN for the human sweat glands has the potential to automatically identify the human sweat ducts in vivo.
The challenge of optimising ablation lesions in catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Proietti Riccardo , Lichelli Luca , Lellouche Nicolas , Dhanjal Tarvinder
Published: December 2020

Radiofrequency catheter ablation has become an established treatment for ventricular tachycardia. The exponential increase in procedures has provided further insights into mechanisms causing arrhythmias and identification of ablation targets with the development of new mapping strategies. Since the definition of criteria to identify myocardial dense scar, borderzone and normal myocardium, and the description of isolated late potentials, local abnormal ventricular activity and decrementing evoked potential mapping, substrate‐guided ablation has progressively become the method of choice to guide procedures. Accordingly, a wide range of ablation strategies have been developed from scar homogenization to scar dechanneling or core isolation using increasingly complex and precise tools such as multipolar or omnipolar mapping catheters. Despite these advances long‐term success rates for VT ablation have remained static and lower in nonischemic than ischemic heart disease because of the more patchy distribution of myocardial scar. Ablation aims to deliver an irreversible loss of cellular excitability by myocardial heating to a temperatures exceeding 50°C. Many indicators of ablation efficacy have been developed such as contact force, impedance drop, force‐time integral and ablation index, mostly validated in atrial fibrillation ablation. In ventricular procedures there is limited data and ablation lesion parameters have been scarcely investigated. Since VT arrhythmia recurrence can be related to inadequate RF lesion formation, it seems reasonable to establish robust markers of ablation efficacy.
Clinical Significance of Renal Allograft Urothelial Thickening Identified by Ultrasound
Authors: Phillips Catherine H. , Malone Fiona E. , Biederman Laura E. , Siedlecki Andrew M. , Benson Carol B. , Frates Mary C.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To assess the etiology and clinical implications of ultrasound (US)‐diagnosed urothelial thickening (UT) in renal transplants.

Methods

Patients with renal transplants who had UT diagnosed by US from January 2000 to December 2018 were retrospectively identified and compared to patients with transplants without UT scanned during the study period. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, US findings, pathologic results, laboratory values, and clinical outcomes and compared between groups by Fisher exact and t tests.

Results

A total of 143 patients with UT and 128 controls comprised our cohorts. The patient age in the UT group versus controls (mean ± SD, 50.2 ± 16.5 versus 51.2 ± 15.3 years) and the time since transplant (2.9 ± 4.2 versus 2.4 ± 5.8 years) were similar. Patients with UT were more likely to be female than controls (76 of 143 [53.1%] versus 53 of 128 [41.4%]; P = .07), but the difference was not statistically significant, and patients with UT were more likely to have indwelling stents (31 of 143 [21.7%] versus 9 of 128 [7.0%]; P = .001) and hydronephrosis (25 of 143 [17.4%] versus 11 of 128 [8.6%]; P = .03). At biopsy, rejection and vascular sclerosis were more likely in patients with UT compared to controls (24 of 25 [49.0%] versus 11 of 43 [25.6%]; P = .031; 42 of 49 [85.7%] versus 22 of 43 [51.2%]; P = .0005, respectively), whereas acute tubular necrosis was similar. The sensitivity (50.0%) and specificity (74.4%) of UT for rejection were low.

Conclusions

Urothelial thickening correlates with US findings of urinary obstruction and indwelling stents, suggesting a possible mechanical component to UT's etiology. Although transplant rejection and vascular sclerosis were more frequent at biopsy in the UT group than controls, UT had low sensitivity and specificity for rejection.
Characterization of Functional Dysphonia: Pre‐ and Post‐Treatment Findings
Authors: Tierney William S. , Xiao Roy , Milstein Claudio F.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Functional dysphonia (FD) is one of the possible presentations of chronic dysphonia. Defined as dysphonia without gross abnormality of the larynx, FD manifests as aberrant muscle contractions resulting in mild‐to‐severe dysphonia. Despite increasing clinical awareness, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for FD remain challenging.

Study Design

Institutional review board.

Methods

A retrospective review of videostroboscopic examinations and EMR data from 109 patients treated for FD was performed. Videostroboscopy was analyzed by two independent reviewers and classified by laryngeal posturing and observer‐rated quality of voice. Medical records were reviewed and patient characteristics, history of disease, and survey responses were collected. Statistics were calculated using JMP and SAS packages.

Results

A total of 85.1% of subjects were female and the average voice handicap index (VHI30) score was 71.0/120. Average time to diagnosis of FD was 688 days and average time from diagnosis to treatment was 3.7 days. 44.0% of patients exhibited hyperadducted laryngeal posturing, 31.9% hypoadducted, and 24.2% showed a mixed posture. 98% of patient voices improved after treatment. 85% returned to normal voice and 10% maintained a mild residual dysphonia.

Conclusion

We describe here a large cohort of patients affected by FD, including clinical presentation and videostroboscopic findings. Our data show that most individuals with FD improve after specialized voice therapy once correctly diagnosed but that correct diagnosis and proper treatment was often significantly delayed.

Level of Evidence

4—Case‐series Laryngoscope, 131:E1957–E1964, 2021
Self‐Assembled Type I Collagen‐Apatite Fibers with Varying Mineralization Extent and Luminescent Terbium Promote Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Romero‐Castillo Ismael , López‐Ruiz Elena , Fernández‐Sánchez Jorge Fernando , Marchal Juan Antonio , Gómez‐Morales Jaime
Published: December 2020

This work explores in depth the simultaneous self‐assembly and mineralization of type I collagen by a base‐acid neutralization technique to prepare biomimetic collagen‐apatite fibrils with varying mineralization extent and doped with luminescent bactericidal Tb3+ ions. Two variants of the method are tested: base‐acid titration, a solution of Ca(OH)2 is added dropwise to a stirred solution containing type I collagen dispersed in H3PO4; and direct mixing, the Ca(OH)2 solution is added by fast dripping onto the acidic solution. Only the direct mixing variant yielded an effective control of calcium phosphate polymorphism. Luminescence spectroscopy reveals the long luminescence lifetime and high relative luminescence intensity of the Tb3+‐doped materials, while two‐photon confocal fluorescence microscopy shows the characteristic green fluorescence light when using excitation wavelength of 458 nm, which is not harmful to bone tissue. Cytotoxicity/viability tests reveal that direct mixing samples show higher cell proliferation than titration samples. Additionally, osteogenic differentiation essays show that all mineralized fibrils promote the osteogenic differentiation, but the effect is more pronounced when using samples prepared by direct mixing, and more notably when using the Tb3+‐doped mineralized fibrils. Based on these findings it is concluded that the new nanocomposite is an ideal candidate for bone regenerative therapy.
On a Cahn‐Hilliard model for image segmentation
Authors: Li Lu , Cherfils Laurence , Miranville Alain , Rogeon Philippe , Guillevin Rémy
Published: December 2020

Our aim in this paper is to study the existence and uniqueness of solutions to a Cahn‐Hilliard type model proposed for image segmentation. We also prove the existence of unbounded (as time goes to infinity) solutions and give numerical simulations which illustrate our theoretical results.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 35 children with COVID‐19 in Beijing, China
Authors: He Ming , Wang Caiying , Xu Lin , Zhang Huimin , Liu Yuhuan , Zhao Yang , He Shuxin , Zhang Yanlan , Yang Hongling , Liu Yang , Miao Min , Chen Zhihai , Pang Lin
Published: December 2020

Importance

Within the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) global pandemic, more attention is warranted for whether this new infectious disease has unique manifestations in children.

Objective

To retrospectively determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 35 children with COVID‐19 in Beijing, China.

Methods

We collected data for 35 children diagnosed with COVID‐19 who were admitted to Beijing Ditan Hospital from January 2020 to June 2020, and analyzed their epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, chest imaging findings, treatments, and outcomes.

Results

The children comprised 18 boys (51.4%) and 17 girls (48.6%) aged 6 months to 15 years. All patients had clear epidemiological history, with family clusters accounting for 28 cases (80.0%) and clear tracing of exposure to high epidemic areas in the remaining 7 cases (20.0%). Four (11.4%) patients were classified as asymptomatic, 17 (48.6%) as acute upper respiratory infection, and 14 (40.0%) as mild pneumonia, with no severe or critical cases. Clinical manifestations were mild, including fever in 18 (51.4%), cough in 14 (40.0%), and nausea and diarrhea in 7 (20.0%) patients. White blood cell count was mostly normal (26 cases, 74.3%) or decreased (7 cases, 20.0%); lymphocyte percentage was increased in 24 (68.7%); neutrophil percentage was decreased in 25 (71.4%); alanine aminotransferase was increased in 3 (8.6%); and serum potassium was decreased in 4 (11.4%). Time to negative viral nucleic acid testing was 2–42 days (mean: 14.0 ± 9.4 days). Chest imaging examination revealed that 20 patients (57.1%) had different forms of lung inflammation. Treatment was mainly isolation and nutritional support. Eleven patients were treated with interferon atomization inhalation. No patients required oxygen therapy. All 35 children were cured and discharged. Length of hospital stay was 9–54 days (mean: 25.4 ± 13.8 days). During regular follow‐up after discharge, 5 children showed positivity again in the viral nucleic acid test and were re‐hospitalized for observation and treatment. The mean length of re‐hospitalization stay was 10.8 days.

Interpretation

Children with COVID‐19 mainly become infected within their family, and children of all ages are generally susceptible. The disease in children is mostly mild and the prognosis is good. Nucleic acid tests in some patients become positive again after discharge, suggesting that it is of great significance to carry out centralized isolation medical observations and active nucleic acid tests in close contacts for early detection of patients and routine epidemic prevention and control.
Seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections among children visiting a hospital
Authors: Wang Ran , Jin Fang , Cao Shuhui , Yuan Hong , Qu Jingchen , Zhang Jiaqi , Li Yuxuan , Chen Xiangpeng , Song Wenqi , Xie Zhengde
Published: December 2020

Importance

In this study, we retrospectively investigated the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) antibodies within serum samples from children in Beijing, China. These findings provide preliminary guidance regarding population susceptibility to SARS‐CoV‐2, which will aid in establishing policy toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) prevention and control.

Objective

To understand the seropositivity of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM/IgG antibodies among children in Beijing, China, evaluate the susceptibility of children in Beijing to SARS‐CoV‐2, and provide prima facie evidence to guide SARS‐CoV‐2 prevention and control.

Methods

IgM/IgG antibody kits (colloidal gold) were used to conduct preliminary screening of SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM/IgG antibodies in serum samples of children who presented to Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, having fever or requiring hospitalization, from March 2020 to August 2020. Statistical analysis of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody seropositivity was performed according to the children’s general demographic characteristics, timing of admission to hospital, presence of pneumonia, and viral nucleic acid test results.

Results

The study included 19 797 children with both IgM and IgG antibody results. Twenty‐four children had anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM‐positive results (positive rate of 1.2‰), twelve children had anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG‐positive results (positive rate of 0.6‰). Viral nucleic acid test results were negative for the above‐mentioned children with positive antibody findings; during the study, two children exhibited positive viral nucleic acid test results, but their anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM/IgG antibody results were negative. Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM antibody seropositivity was higher in the <1‐year‐old group than in the ≥6‐year‐old group. The rates of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM seropositivity was highest in August from March to August; IgG results did not significantly differ over time. The rates of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM or IgG seropositivity among children with and without suspected pneumonia did not significantly differ between groups.

Interpretation

During the study period, the rates of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM/IgG antibody seropositivity were low among children who presented to Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University. The findings suggest that children in Beijing are generally susceptible to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection; COVID‐19 prevention and control measures should be strengthened to prevent disease in children.
Brain development in children with developmental delay using amide proton transfer‐weighted imaging and magnetization transfer imaging
Authors: Tang Xiaolu , Zhang Hong , Zhou Jinyuan , Kang Huiying , Yang Shuangfeng , Cui Haijing , Peng Yun
Published: December 2020

Importance

The process of brain development in children with developmental delay is not well known. Amide proton transfer‐weighted (APTw) imaging is a novel molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that can noninvasively detect cytosolic endogenous mobile proteins and peptides involved in the myelination process, and may be useful for providing insights into brain development.

Objective

To assess the contribution of amide proton transfer‐weighted (APTw) imaging and magnetization transfer (MT) imaging to the evaluation of children with developmental delay (DD).

Methods

Fifty‐one patients with DD were recruited to this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the state of myelination assessed on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thirty patients (10 girls, 20 boys; age range: 1–8 months; median age: 4 months) in group A showed delayed myelination on MRI, while 21 patients (3 girls, 18 boys; age range: 12–36months; median age: 25months) in group B showed normal myelination on MRI. Fifty‐one age‐ and sex‐matched children with normal developmental quotient (DQ) and normal MRI appearance were recruited as normal controls. Three‐slice APTw/MT axial imaging was performed at the level of the centrum semiovale, the basal ganglia and the pons. Quantitative data of the MT ratio (MTR) and APTw were analyzed for multiple brain regions. Independent‐sample t‐tests were used to compare differences in APTw and MTR signals between the two DD groups and normal controls. Analysis of Covariance was conducted to correct the statistical results. The level of statistical significance was set to P < 0.05.

Results

For group A, the MTR values were lower in all regions (P = 0.004–0.033) compared with the normal controls, while the APTw values were higher in the pons, middle cerebellar peduncle, corpus callosum, frontal white matter, occipital white matter and centrum semiovale (P = 0.004–0.040 ). For Group B, the MTR values were slightly reduced, and the APTw values were slightly increased compared with the normal controls, but the differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Interpretation

For DD patients showing signs of delayed myelination on MRI, MTR and APTw imaging can help to diagnose myelination delay by quantifying semi‐solid macromolecules and cytosolic endogenous mobile proteins and peptides at a molecular level, providing a new method for comprehensive evaluation of DD. For DD patients with normal myelination on MRI, the clinical values of MTR and APTw imaging remain to be explored.
Almond as a nutraceutical and therapeutic agent in Persian medicine and modern phytotherapy: A narrative review
Authors: Karimi Zahra , Firouzi Mojdeh , Dadmehr Majid , Javad‐Mousavi Seyed Ali , Bagheriani Najmeh , Sadeghpour Omid
Published: December 2020

Sweet almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb) is a known nut, which has long been used in several ethnomedical systems, especially in Persian medicine (PM) for its nutritional and therapeutic activities. In this study, we aimed to provide a summary on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of sweet almond. Thus, we reviewed textbooks of PM and electronic literature on traditional medicine. Moreover, the available data on the usage of sweet almond were searched in electronic databases to find articles on its pharmacological properties and phytochemistry. According to phytochemical investigations, this plant contains macronutrients, micronutrients, essential oils, various phenolic compounds, and phytosterols. Current pharmacological studies represent that Prunus dulcis has several biological activities including prebiotic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, cardiometabolic protection, nootropic, anxiolytic, sedative–hypnotic, and nervous‐improving effects. Further clinical trials and meta‐analysis are required to draw a definitive conclusion on the efficacy and therapeutic activities of almond.
Phase transition for the volume of high‐dimensional random polytopes
Authors: Bonnet Gilles , Kabluchko Zakhar , Turchi Nicola
Published: December 2020

The beta polytope is the convex hull of n i.i.d. random points distributed in the unit ball of according to a density proportional to if (in particular, corresponds to the uniform distribution in the ball), or uniformly on the unit sphere if . We show that the expected normalized volumes of high‐dimensional beta polytopes exhibit a phase transition and we describe its shape. We derive analogous results for the intrinsic volumes of beta polytopes and, when , their number of vertices.
Synthetic Strategies for Hydrazinyl Thiazole Derivatives
Authors: Dey Sovan , Das Arindam , Hossain Md. Firoj
Published: December 2020

Hydrazinyl thiazole is frequently encountered in natural as well as in synthetic compounds. It is also an important pharmacophore and has some other useful applications. In this review article, we have compiled different green synthetic procedures for the synthesis of hydrazinyl thiazole derivatives. Also, the critical analysis of different synthetic schemes will help to understand the lacks in developed procedures and to develop new methodologies regarding its synthesis, specially using heterogeneous organocatalyst and photocatalyst.
A Green Synthetic Approach Towards One Pot Multi Component Synthesis of Hexahydroquinoline and 9‐Arylhexahydroacridine‐1,8‐dione Derivatives Catalyzed by Sulphonated Rice Husk
Authors: Dey Sourav , Basak Puja , Ghosh Pranab
Published: December 2020

An efficient, straight forward, eco‐friendly procedure for the synthesis of biologically active hexahydroquinoline derivatives and hexahydroacridine‐1,8‐diones has been designed using a novel bio‐degradable heterogeneous catalyst, sulphonated rice‐husk (SRH). SRH provides high density of acid groups making it different from conventional solid acids containing single acid groups. We report an efficient protocol for the synthesis of hexahydroquinolines and hexahydroacridine‐1,8‐diones using this carbon based acid catalyst (SRH) in solvent free and greener solvent respectively. Moreover, operational simplicity, greener reaction condition, reusability of the catalyst, excellent yield (upto 98 %) are the fundamental features of this protocol. The metal free catalyst was characterised using different spectroscopic techniques FTIR, SEM, EDX, Powder XRD, ICP‐AES.
Tradition and modernity in the structural art of steel‐glass structures in Japan
Authors: Kido Ewa Maria , Cywiński Zbigniew , Kawaguchi Hidetoshi
Published: December 2020

The Committee on the Design, Construction and Production of Aesthetic Architecture, established by the Japanese Society of Steel Construction (JSSC), has for a long time stood for the promotion of appealing architecture – particularly in steel‐glass structures. Such aesthetic architecture, despite being very modern, often expresses the tradition of the particular location and its culture. The choice of structural configuration is one of the tools for achieving relevant architecture. This paper, introducing attractive and innovative steel structures combined with glass, shows several examples typical of this trend in Japan.
Climate Change Implications and Mitigation in a Hyperarid Country: A Case of Namibia
Authors: Mupambwa Hupenyu A. , Hausiku Martha K. , Namwoonde Andreas S. , Liswaniso Gadaffi M. , Haulofu Mayday , Mafwila Samuel K.
Published: December 2020

Namibia is the most arid country in sub-Saharan Africa characterized by the existence of two deserts, the Namib and the Kalahari. However, though being arid, agriculture still plays a critical role in Namibia’s economy, which includes both crop and animal production. Furthermore, the country is endowed with vast marine resources, with its marine waters being equivalent to two-thirds of Namibia’s terrestrial environment. In the face of climate change and a growing population, there is a need for Namibia to continue with its climate smart efforts which is critical in shifting the country from its current dependency on imports thus increasing the country’s food self-sufficiency. This chapter highlights the threats posed by climate change, both on land and the marine environment of the country, which has potential negative impacts on the economy. Current research being undertaken in Namibia on ocean acidification, sea water harvesting, climate smart agriculture, and atmospheric science, is also highlighted in this chapter. The information presented in this chapter will be critical in guiding climate change mitigation policies in hyperarid African countries, thus reducing the burden caused by the global change in climate. Aspects on the direction of future research on climate adaptation with a holistic and multidisciplinary approach are also proposed.
Fate of domain walls in 5D gravitational theory with compact extra dimension
Authors: Abe Hiroyuki , Aoki Shuntaro , Asai Yu , Sakamura Yutaka
Published: December 2020

Abstract

We pursue the time evolution of the domain walls in 5D gravitational theory with a compact extra dimension by numerical calculation. In order to avoid a kink-antikink pair that decays into the vacuum, we introduce a topological winding in the field space. In contrast to the case of non-gravitational theories, there is no static domain-wall solution in the setup. In the case that the minimal value of the potential is non-negative, we find that both the 3D space and the extra dimension will expand at late times if the initial value of the Hubble parameter is chosen as positive. The wall width almost remains constant during the evolution. In other cases, the extra dimension diverges and the 3D space shrinks to zero at a finite time.
Constructing massive on-shell contact terms
Authors: Durieux Gauthier , Kitahara Teppei , Machado Camila S. , Shadmi Yael , Weiss Yaniv
Published: December 2020

Abstract

The purely on-shell approach to effective field theories requires the construction of independent contact terms. Employing the little-group-covariant massive-spinor formalism, we present the first systematic derivation of independent four-point contact terms involving massive scalars, spin-1/2 fermions, and vectors. Independent three-point amplitudes are also listed for massive particles up to spin-3. We make extensive use of the simple relations between massless and massive amplitudes in this formalism. Our general results are specialized to the (broken-phase) particle content of the electroweak sector of the standard model. The (anti)symmetrization among identical particles is then accounted for. This work opens the way for the on-shell computation of massive four-point amplitudes.
Sensitivity of direct detection experiments to neutrino magnetic dipole moments
Authors: Aristizabal Sierra D. , Branada R. , Miranda O. G. , Sanchez Garcia G.
Published: December 2020

Abstract

With large active volume sizes dark matter direct detection experiments are sensitive to solar neutrino fluxes. Nuclear recoil signals are induced by 8B neutrinos, while electron recoils are mainly generated by the pp flux. Measurements of both processes offer an opportunity to test neutrino properties at low thresholds with fairly low backgrounds. In this paper we study the sensitivity of these experiments to neutrino magnetic dipole moments assuming 1, 10 and 40 tonne active volumes (representative of XENON1T, XENONnT and DARWIN), 0.3 keV and 1 keV thresholds. We show that with nuclear recoil measurements alone a 40 tonne detector could be as competitive as Borexino, TEXONO and GEMMA, with sensitivities of order 8.0 × 10−11μB at the 90% CL after one year of data taking. Electron recoil measurements will increase sensitivities way below these values allowing to test regions not excluded by astrophysical arguments. Using electron recoil data and depending on performance, the same detector will be able to explore values down to 4.0 × 10−12μB at the 90% CL in one year of data taking. By assuming a 200-tonne liquid xenon detector operating during 10 years, we conclude that sensitivities in this type of detectors will be of order 10−12μB. Reducing statistical uncertainties may enable improving sensitivities below these values.