bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non/Living Queerings, Undoing Certainties, and Braiding Vulnerabilities: A Collective Reflection
Authors: Radomska Marietta , Citlalli Rojo Gómez Mayra , Pevere Margherita , Haapoja Terike
Published: January 2021

The ongoing global pandemic of Covid-19 has exposed SARS-CoV-2 as a potent non-human actant that resists the joint scientific, public health and socio-political efforts to contain and understand both the virus and the illness. Yet, such a narrative appears to conceal more than it reveals. The seeming agentiality of the novel coronavirus is itself but one manifestation of the continuous destruction of biodiversity, climate change, socio-economic inequalities, neocolonialism, overconsumption and the anthropogenic degradation of nature. Furthermore, focusing on the virus – an entity that holds an ambiguous status between the ‘living’ and ‘non-living’ – brings into question the issue of the agentiality of non/living matter. While the story of viral potency seems to get centre stage, overshadowing the complex and perverse entanglement of processes and phenomena which activated these potentials in the first place, the Covid-19 pandemic also becomes a prism that sheds light on the issues of environmental violence; social and environmental injustices; more-than-human agentiality; and ethico-political responses that the present situation may mobilise.

This article serves as a written record of joint conversations between artists and researchers in the working group ‘Non/Living Queerings’ that formed part of the online series of events ‘Braiding Friction’ organised by the research project Biofriction. The article strives to capture the collective effort of braiding and weaving a variety of situated perspectives, theoretical toolboxes, knowledges and experiences against the background of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, the text focuses on the issues of crisis, ‘amplification effect’, viral agency and the changing notions of humanity.
First Response
Authors: Benítez Valero Laura , Berger Erich
Published: January 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic, which manifested itself during the early months of 2020, resulted in the activation of the expected official actors on a national and international level in policy, politics, the industrial military complex, pharma and medicine, among others. Being suddenly confined to a minimum of physical interaction, we found ourselves online among a concerned but enthusiastic group of artists, hackers, activists, scholars and other practitioners who organise themselves in informal settings to share, discuss and devise strategies of coping, care and action. They aim to apply their own artistic, activist or research competence to work through the complexities of continuously shifting information and circumstances. The pandemic is not simply an epidemiological crisis but a crisis of sovereignty. We refer here to the notion of sovereignty raised by Achille Mbembe to exercise control over mortality and to define life as the deployment and manifestation of power. Also the question of liveability comes to mind as introduced by Judith Butler and which the pandemic spread out in a wide spectrum, starting from the bare form of Who gets to live? - when it comes to access to medical support and decisions of care - up to What is a liveable life during a pandemic lockdown? In this way the pandemic makes visible and amplifies what was already there, a systemic plurality of inequalities and oppression enacted by predominant hegemonies. As Divya Dwivedi pointed out, the pandemic reveals a different sense of crisis, that is how the processes that have organised life (and lives) are distributed across the world and how some components of this worldwide arrangement have arrived at their functional limits. Therefore, once again, what has been unveiled are the material conditions of structural and systemic violence. Throughout this issue, questions related to temporality, agency, care and scale are addressed from artistic practice(s) critically reflecting on the entanglement with the virus.
Chemical genetics and proteome-wide site mapping reveal cysteine MARylation by PARP-7 on immune-relevant protein targets
Authors: Rodriguez Kelsie M , Buch-Larsen Sara C , Kirby Ilsa T , Siordia Ivan Rodriguez , Hutin David , Rasmussen Marit , Grant Denis M , David Larry L , Matthews Jason , Nielsen Michael L , Cohen Michael S
Published: January 2021

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 7 (PARP-7) has emerged as a critically important member of a large enzyme family that catalyzes ADP-ribosylation in mammalian cells. PARP-7 is a critical regulator of the innate immune response. What remains unclear is the mechanism by which PARP-7 regulates this process, namely because the protein targets of PARP-7 mono-ADP-ribosylation (MARylation) are largely unknown. Here, we combine chemical genetics, proximity labeling, and proteome-wide amino acid ADP-ribosylation site profiling for identifying the direct targets and sites of PARP-7-mediated MARylation in a cellular context. We found that the inactive PARP family member, PARP-13—a critical regulator of the antiviral innate immune response—is a major target of PARP-7. PARP-13 is preferentially MARylated on cysteine residues in its RNA binding zinc finger domain. Proteome-wide ADP-ribosylation analysis reveals cysteine as a major MARylation acceptor of PARP-7. This study provides insight into PARP-7 targeting and MARylation site preference.
Failures of nerve regeneration caused by aging or chronic denervation are rescued by restoring Schwann cell c-Jun
Authors: Wagstaff Laura J , Gomez-Sanchez Jose A , Fazal Shaline V , Otto Georg W , Kilpatrick Alastair M , Michael Kirolos , Wong Liam YN , Ma Ki H , Turmaine Mark , Svaren John , Gordon Tessa , Arthur-Farraj Peter , Velasco-Aviles Sergio , Cabedo Hugo , Benito Cristina , Mirsky Rhona , Jessen Kristjan R
Published: January 2021

After nerve injury, myelin and Remak Schwann cells reprogram to repair cells specialized for regeneration. Normally providing strong regenerative support, these cells fail in aging animals, and during chronic denervation that results from slow axon growth. This impairs axonal regeneration and causes significant clinical problems. In mice, we find that repair cells express reduced c-Jun protein as regenerative support provided by these cells declines during aging and chronic denervation. In both cases, genetically restoring Schwann cell c-Jun levels restores regeneration to control levels. We identify potential gene candidates mediating this effect and implicate Shh in the control of Schwann cell c-Jun levels. This establishes that a common mechanism, reduced c-Jun in Schwann cells, regulates success and failure of nerve repair both during aging and chronic denervation. This provides a molecular framework for addressing important clinical problems, suggesting molecular pathways that can be targeted to promote repair in the PNS.
Genome-wide identification and analysis of cystatin family genes in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)
Authors: Li Jie , Liu Xinhao , Wang Qingmei , Sun Junyan , He Dexian
Published: January 2021

To set a systematic study of the Sorghum cystatins (SbCys) gene family, a genome-wide analysis of the SbCys family genes was performed by bioinformatics-based methods. In total, 18 SbCys genes were identified in Sorghum, which were distributed unevenly on chromosomes, and two genes were involved in a tandem duplication event. All SbCys genes had similar exon/intron structure and motifs, indicating their high evolutionary conservation. Transcriptome analysis showed that 16 SbCys genes were expressed in different tissues, and most genes displayed higher expression levels in reproductive tissues than in vegetative tissues, indicating that the SbCys genes participated in the regulation of seed formation. Furthermore, the expression profiles of the SbCys genes revealed that seven cystatin family genes were induced during Bipolaris sorghicola infection and only two genes were responsive to aphid infestation. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) confirmed that 17 SbCys genes were induced by one or two abiotic stresses (dehydration, salt, and ABA stresses). The interaction network indicated that SbCys proteins were associated with several biological processes, including seed development and stress responses. Notably, the expression of SbCys4 was up-regulated under biotic and abiotic stresses, suggesting its potential roles in mediating the responses of Sorghum to adverse environmental impact. Our results provide new insights into the structural and functional characteristics of the SbCys gene family, which lay the foundation for better understanding the roles and regulatory mechanism of Sorghum cystatins in seed development and responses to different stress conditions.
N. de la T.: dícese de un elemento controvertido. Análisis de la recepción de las notas del traductor en la traducción del chino de Diarios del Sáhara
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (España), Rovira-Esteva Sara , Tor-Carroggio Irene ,   Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (España)
Published: January 2021

Este trabajo se centra en un aspecto del texto literario que a menudo suscita debate y polémica: las notas del traductor. Sin embargo, este controvertido elemento paratextual no ha despertado demasiado interés dentro de la traductología y apenas existen estudios centrados en su recepción por parte de los lectores. Por ello, el objetivo principal de este trabajo era realizar un análisis cuantitativo del grado de aceptación de las notas mediante un cuestionario tomando la traducción del chino de Diarios del Sáhara como estudio de caso. Los resultados apuntan a que el grado de aceptación de las notas en general por parte de los lectores es bastante alto e incluso las consideran muy necesarias cuando son metalingüísticas o intertextuales. En definitiva, adoptando un enfoque innovador, esta investigación ofrece datos objetivos sobre la adecuación y aceptabilidad de las notas del traductor, lo cual constituye una aportación interesante no solo para la disciplina, sino también para traductores y editores a la hora de tomar decisiones informadas sobre la opinión y las necesidades del lector.
Inmersión en la lengua de señas chilena: implicancias en el desarrollo lingüístico de estudiantes sordos
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (Chile), Otárola Cornejo Fabiola Andrea
Published: January 2021

La lengua de señas es preferentemente desarrollada y enriquecida al interior de espacios educativos bilingües para sordos (Knoors y Marschark, 2012), influyendo directamente en la variedad de experiencia lingüística entre sus usuarios, aspecto que ha sido escasamente reconocido en su educación. Por ello, este trabajo busca describir la influencia de los años de inmersión en la lengua en el desarrollo lingüístico de estudiantes sordos, fluentes en lengua de señas chilena (LSCh). Para ello se analizaron 42 narraciones, de 14 estudiantes, y se describieron cinco recursos propios de la lengua. Los resultados muestran relación directa entre la inmersión en la lengua y la frecuencia de uso de recursos lingüísticos. Asimismo, se observó que el nivel escolar de los signantes influye en el desarrollo lingüístico. Estos datos permiten prestar atención a la experiencia lingüística para el diseño de programas educativos y acciones de mediación en las salas de clases.
Percepción de las variedades andaluza y castellana de los jóvenes sevillanos: un análisis contrastivo
Authors:   Universidad de Sevilla (España), Santana Marrero Juana
Published: January 2021

Nuestro objetivo en esta investigación será comparar, siguiendo la metodología del Proyecto para el estudio de creencias y actitudes hacia las variedades del español en el siglo XXI (PRECAVES XXI), la percepción que tienen los jóvenes sevillanos de su variedad, la andaluza, y la de aquella modalidad que suelen tener como referente de prestigio, la castellana. Para ello partimos de la opinión de estudiantes universitarios, nacidos y residentes en Sevilla, que cursan un grado o un posgrado relacionado con la lingüística o con las lenguas, fundamentalmente la española. Se trata de un colectivo que, en un área dialectal meridional como la que se sondea, genera especial interés, porque en su futuro profesional, especialmente los que se dediquen a la docencia, tendrán que conocer y transmitir los usos lingüísticos que consideren cultos y prestigiosos. Conocer la valoración que tienen parte de sus hablantes sobre el acento local nos permitirá acercarnos a las causas de algunos procesos de convergencia que se están dando en la actualidad en el habla de la ciudad hispalense, así como desglosar los juicios en los que se asienta la consideración de la variedad centro-norteña como la más prestigiosa.
Preliminary study for the creation of a test of pragmatics for Chinese students of Spanish as a foreign language
Authors:   Universitat Rovira i Virgili (España), Gibert-Escofet Isabel , Gutiérrez-Colón Plana Mar ,   Universitat Rovira i Virgili (España)
Published: January 2021

If the studies of pragmatics of the interlanguage are few, there are still fewer that are carried out for the development of the pragmatic competence assessment in foregin/second language through tests that evaluate pragmatics. There is neither a level test to measure the pragmatic understanding of Spanish nor is there a test specific for students who speak Spanish. The objective of this study is to establish the basis on which the foundations of a future pragmatic test for Chinese students who study Spanish as a foreign language will be established. To achieve this purpose, an ethnographic study that starts from the exemplary generation method and serves to detect the degree of difficulty with which the most common situations of a student’s university life are perceived has been carried out. Due to this preliminary study, in which the same students and some native experts provide us with this information, we can say that the items created and analysed meet the quality requirement, which means that the bases of the pragmatic test are correctly established. All these specifications indicate that and the final questionnaire can now be developed.
Study on Ammonia-induced Catalyst Poisoning in the Synthesis of Dimethyl Oxalate
Authors: Liu Hua-wei , Qian Sheng-tao , Xiao Er-fei , Liu Ying-jie , Lei Jun , Wang Xian-hou , Kong Yu-hua
Published: January 2021

On an industrial plant, we observed and examined the ammonia-poisoning catalyst for the synthesis of dimethyl oxalate (DMO). We investigated the catalytic activity in response to the amount of ammonia and revealed the mechanism of such poisoning by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization. Our results show that only 0.002% ammonia in the feed gas can significantly deactivate the Pd-based catalyst. Two main reasons were proposed: one is that the competitive adsorption of ammonia on the active component Pd hinders the carbon    monoxide (CO) coupling reaction and the redox cycle between Pd0 and Pd2+; and the other is that the high-boiling nitrogen-containing amine compounds formed by reacting with ammonia have adsorbed on the catalyst, which hinders the progress of the catalytic reaction. The deactivation caused by the latter is irreversible. The catalytic activity can be completely restored by a low-temperature liquid-phase in-situ regeneration treatment. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
IFNβ1 secreted by breast cancer cells undergoing chemotherapy reprograms stromal fibroblasts to support tumour growth after treatment
Authors: Maia Ana , Gu Zuguang , Koch André , Berdiel‐Acer Mireia , Will Rainer , Schlesner Matthias , Wiemann Stefan
Published: January 2021

Chemotherapy (CTX) remains the standard of care for most aggressive tumours, including breast cancer (BC). In BC chemotherapeutic regimens, the maximum tolerated dose of cytotoxic drugs is administered at regular intervals, and cancer cells can re‐grow or adapt during the resting periods between cycles. The impact of the tumour microenvironment on the fate of cancer cells after CTX remains poorly understood. Here, we show that paracrine signalling from CTX‐treated cancer cells to stromal fibroblasts can drive cancer cell recovery after cytotoxic drug withdrawal. Interferon β1 (IFNβ1) secreted by cancer cells following treatment with high doses of CTX instigates the acquisition of an anti‐viral state in stromal fibroblasts. This state is associated with an expression pattern here referred to as interferon signature (IFNS), which encompasses several interferon‐stimulated genes (ISGs), including numerous pro‐inflammatory cytokine genes. This crosstalk is an important driver of the expansion of BC cells after CTX, and IFNβ1 blockade in tumour cells abrogated their fibroblast‐dependent recovery potential. Analysis of human breast carcinomas supported a link between CTX‐induced IFNS in tumour stroma and poor response to CTX treatment. First, IFNβ1 expression in human breast carcinomas was found to inversely correlate with recurrence free survival (RFS). Second, using laser capture microdissection data sets, we show a higher expression of IFNS in the stromal tumour compartment compared to the epithelial one and this signature was found to be more prominent in more aggressive subtypes of BC (basal‐like), pointing to a pro‐tumorigenic role of this signature. Moreover, IFNS was associated with higher recurrence rates and a worse outcome in BC patients. Our study unravels a novel form of paracrine communication between cancer cells and fibroblasts that ultimately results in CTX resistance. Targeting this axis has the potential to improve CTX outcomes in patients with BC.
Evaluating the use of marine protected areas by endangered species: A habitat selection approach
Authors: Roberts Kelsey E. , Smith Brian J. , Burkholder Derek , Hart Kristen M.
Published: January 2021

1. Optimizing the design of marine protected area (MPA) networks for the conservation of migratory marine species and their habitats involves a suite of important considerations, such as appropriate scale requirements and the distribution of anthropogenic impacts. Often, a fundamental component of the conservation planning process is delineating areas of high use or high biodiversity within a region of interest.

2. However, basing conservation strategies off merely the number of individuals in an ecosystem is outdated and potentially subject to arbitrary thresholds. To be effective at protecting marine megafauna, MPAs would ideally encompass habitats used by focal species. Through satellite‐tracking studies, evidence of whether species actually use protected areas is emerging.

3. Here, we present a multispecies perspective on habitat selection within existing MPAs throughout the Floridian ecoregion, which encompasses coastal Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Using an 11‐year satellite‐tracking dataset on 235 marine turtles, we used integrated step selection analysis to quantify the effects of sea turtle behavioural state (identified by a switching state‐space model), protected area status, chlorophyll and bathymetry on habitat selection.

4. Our results show that sea turtles do select for existing protected areas, specifically multi‐use zones, while controlling for the effects of depth and primary productivity. However, our analysis revealed that turtles showed no selection for the no‐take zones within MPAs, during either transiting or foraging.

5. These findings contribute to the existing literature base of MPA use for highly mobile, imperilled species and could inform management of existing MPAs or changes to zoning, specifically multi‐use to no‐take. Our use of a robust spatial modelling framework to evaluate habitat selection relative to MPAs could be incorporated into conservation planning to build MPA networks designed to accommodate migratory species.
Kubaba
Authors: Mora Clelia
Published: January 2021

Kubaba was the principal goddess of Carchemish during the late second and early first millenniabce. The name Kubaba (writtenKu‐ba‐baorKu‐pa‐pa) is attested in several cuneiform tablets found at Hattusa, the Hittite capital, including lists of gods in rituals, descriptions of festivals, and prayers. A number of references to the goddess in the Luwian hieroglyphic inscriptions of Carchemish testify to the importance of her cult in the first centuries of the first millenniumbce.
Scapegoat rituals (Greece and Rome)
Authors: Petrovic Andrej
Published: January 2021

The article is concerned with the ritual scapegoating in the Graeco‐Roman world. After an introduction to the issues of terminology and definition, the article turns to the matter of classification of such rituals, then to their geographical and historical spread. Following this, the focus turns to the extant evidence for scapegoat rituals in Greek and Roman religions, lays out complexities associated with the nature of the evidence and reconstruction of the rituals, and ends with a short overview of the most prominent interpretative approaches to these rituals.
Largely reduced OAR doses, and planning and delivery times for challenging robotic SBRT cases, obtained with a novel optimizer
Authors: Giżyńska Marta K. , Rossi Linda , den Toom Wilhelm , Milder Maaike T. W. , de Vries Kim C. , Nuyttens Joost , Heijmen Ben J. M.
Published: January 2021

Recently, VOLO™ was introduced as a new optimizer for CyberKnife® planning. In this study, we investigated possibilities to improve treatment plans for MLC‐based prostate SBRT with enhanced peripheral zone dose while sparing the urethra, and central lung tumors, compared to existing Sequential Optimization (SO). The primary focus was on reducing OAR doses. For 25 prostate and 25 lung patients treated with SO plans, replanning with VOLO™ was performed with the same planning constraints. For equal PTV coverage, almost all OAR plan parameters were improved with VOLO™. For prostate patients, mean rectum and bladder doses were reduced by 34.2% (P < 0.001) and 23.5% (P < 0.001), with reductions in D0.03cc of 3.9%, 11.0% and 3.1% for rectum, mucosa and bladder (all P ≤ 0.01). Urethra D5% and D10% were 3.8% and 3.0% lower (P ≤ 0.002). For lung patients, esophagus, main bronchus, trachea, and spinal cord D0.03cc was reduced by 18.9%, 11.1%, 16.1%, and 13.2%, respectively (all P ≤ 0.01). Apart from the dosimetric advantages of VOLO™ planning, average reductions in MU, numbers of beams and nodes for prostate/lung were 48.7/32.8%, 26.5/7.9% and 13.4/7.9%, respectively (P ≤ 0.003). VOLO™ also resulted in reduced delivery times with mean/max reductions of: 27/43% (prostate) and 15/41% (lung), P  < 0.001. Planning times reduced from 6 h to 1.1 h and from 3 h to 1.7 h for prostate and lung, respectively. The new VOLO™ planning was highly superior to SO planning in terms of dosimetric plan quality, and planning and delivery times.
An Unusual 3D Metamaterial with Zero Poisson's Ratio in Partial Directions
Authors: Chen Xuan , Fu Ming-Hui , Li Wei-Hua , Sheshenin Sergey V.
Published: January 2021

Materials with an abnormal Poisson's ratio, including those with negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) and zero Poisson's ratio (ZPR), are an important category of mechanical metamaterials, among which many exhibit NPR in all three directions. However, few of them, especially the 3D materials, exhibit ZPR in partial directions and NPR in other directions. Herein, a novel 3D structure developed by orthogonal splicing the 2D parallelogram honeycomb structure is proposed. Different from the 2D parallelogram honeycomb with ZPR, the spliced 3D parallelogram structure can exhibit not only ZPR but also NPR in different directions. The analytical model of the structure is established based on the classical beam theory, the equivalent analytical formulas of Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio are given, and finite element simulation and experiments are used for verification. The relationships between Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of the structure, as well as its geometric parameters and material parameters, are analyzed using analytical formulas and numerical simulation. The results reveal that the structure is transversely isotropic and can achieve NPR on the transverse symmetry plane and ZPR outside the plane. This unique property may accord this structure with important applications in aerospace, biomedical, and other fields.
Unraveling the C−H Arylation of Benzo‐Fused Cycloalkanones: Combined Experimental and Computational Evidence
Authors: Large Benjamin , Prim Damien
Published: January 2021

The C−H functionalization of benzo‐fused cycloalkanones represents a synthetic challenge, since such scaffolds display different activation sites, at sp2 and sp3 carbons, a bicyclic structure, and various sizes of the cycloalkanone ring. Anticipating the outcome of C−H functionalization and the impact of the presence and size of the cycloalkanone ring would help to foresee synthetic routes to more complex molecular architectures. The mechanism of C−H arylation was studied using DFT calculations for tetralone, benzosuberone, and indanone and compared to acetophenone. Comparison of energetic profiles allowed identifying key steps of the process. Analysis of the topology of key intermediates allowed correlating the deformation of palladacycles to the potential reactivity of the benzo‐fused cycloalkanone family members. The experimental results were in full agreement with the trend provided by the theoretical study. A wide panel of diversely substituted benzo‐fused cycloalkanones has been successfully obtained using optimized conditions. Moreover, an approach towards polycyclic molecules has been illustrated featuring a C−H arylation and a second step taking advantage of the remaining ketone fragment and its ability to undergo diverse transformations leading to alternative pathways to more complex molecular architectures

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Wearable and Implantable Intraocular Pressure Biosensors: Recent Progress and Future Prospects
Authors: Yang Cheng , Huang Xinshuo , Li Xiangling , Yang Chengduan , Zhang Tao , Wu Qianni , liu Dong , Lin Haotian , Chen Weirong , Hu Ning , Xie Xi
Published: January 2021

Biosensors worn on or implanted in eyes have been garnering substantial attention since being proven to be an effective means to acquire critical biomarkers for monitoring the states of ophthalmic disease, diabetes. Among these disorders, glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness globally, usually results in irreversible blindness. Continuous intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring is considered as an effective measure, which provides a comprehensive view of IOP changes that is beyond reach for the “snapshots” measurements by clinical tonometry. However, to satisfy the applications in ophthalmology, the development of IOP sensors are required to be prepared with biocompatible, miniature, transparent, wireless and battery‐free features, which are still challenging with many current fabrication processes. In this work, the recent advances in this field are reviewed by categorizing these devices into wearable and implantable IOP sensors. The materials and structures exploited for engineering these IOP devices are presented. Additionally, their working principle, performance, and the potential risk that materials and device architectures may pose to ocular tissue are discussed. This review should be valuable for preferable structure design, device fabrication, performance optimization, and reducing potential risk of these devices. It is significant for the development of future practical IOP sensors.
Chiral Systems Made from DNA
Authors: Winogradoff David , Li Pin‐Yi , Joshi Himanshu , Quednau Lauren , Maffeo Christopher , Aksimentiev Aleksei
Published: January 2021

The very chemical structure of DNA that enables biological heredity and evolution has non‐trivial implications for the self‐organization of DNA molecules into larger assemblies and provides limitless opportunities for building functional nanostructures. This progress report discusses the natural organization of DNA into chiral structures and recent advances in creating synthetic chiral systems using DNA as a building material. How nucleic acid chirality naturally comes into play in a diverse array of situations is considered first, at length scales ranging from an individual nucleotide to entire chromosomes. Thereafter, chiral liquid crystal phases formed by dense DNA mixtures are discussed, including the ongoing efforts to understand their origins. The report then summarizes recent efforts directed toward building chiral structures, and other structures of complex topology, using the principle of DNA self‐assembly. Discussed last are existing and proposed functional man‐made nanostructures designed to either probe or harness DNA's chirality, from plasmonics and spintronics to biosensing.
A novel wellness intervention: A virtual hangout from coast to coast using video conferencing platforms to increase physician wellness during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Richman Noella , McNaughton Candace D. , Wolfe Carmen , Overbeeke Tara M. , McCoin Nicole
Published: January 2021

Within the context of the evolving SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic, we sought to design a project to increase social connectivity among emergency medicine physicians with ties to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Our project aimed to promote physician wellness through fostering and maintaining community at one large academic institution.
SensAct: The Soft and Squishy Tactile Sensor with Integrated Flexible Actuator
Authors: Ozioko Oliver , Karipoth Prakash , Escobedo Pablo , Ntagios Markellos , Pullanchiyodan Abhilash , Dahiya Ravinder
Published: January 2021

Herein, a novel tactile sensing device (SensAct) with a soft touch/pressure sensor seamlessly integrated on a flexible actuator is presented. The squishy touch sensor is developed with custom‐made graphite paste on a tiny permanent magnet, encapsulated in Sil‐Poxy, and the actuator (15 μ‐thick coil) is fabricated on polyimide by Lithographie Galvanoformung Abformung (LIGA) micromolding method. The actuator can operate in two modes (expansion and contraction/squeeze) and two states (vibration and nonvibration). The sensor was tested with up to 12 N applied forces and exhibited ≈70% average relative resistance variation (ΔR/Ro), ≈0.346 kPa−1 sensitivity, and ≈49 ms response time with excellent repeatability (≈12.7% coefficient of variation) at 5 N. During simultaneous sensing and actuation, the modulation of coil current, due to ΔR/Ro (≈14% at 2 N force) in the sensor, allows the close loop control (ΔI/Io ≈385%) of expansion/contraction (≈69.8 μm expansion in nonvibration state and ≈111.5 μm peak‐to‐peak in the vibration state). Finally, the soft sensor is embedded in the 3D‐printed fingertip of a robotic hand to demonstrate its use for pressure mapping along with remote vibrotactile stimulation using SensAct device. The self‐controllable actuation of SensAct could provide eSkin the ability to tune stiffness and the vibration states could be utilized for controlled haptic feedback.
Shape‐Controlled Flexible Microelectronics Facilitated by Integrated Sensors and Conductive Polymer Actuators
Authors: Rivkin Boris , Becker Christian , Akbar Farzin , Ravishankar Rachappa , Karnaushenko Dmitriy D. , Naumann Ronald , Mirhajivarzaneh Alaleh , Medina-Sánchez Mariana , Karnaushenko Daniil , Schmidt Oliver G.
Published: January 2021

The next generation of biomedical tools requires reshapeable electronics to closely interface with biological tissues. This will offer unique mechanical properties and the ability to conform to irregular geometries while being robust and lightweight. Such devices can be achieved with soft materials and thin‐film structures that are able to reshape on demand. However, reshaping at the submillimeter scale remains a challenging task. Herein, shape‐controlled microscale devices are demonstrated that integrate electronic sensors and electroactive polymer actuators. The fast and biocompatible actuators are capable of actively reshaping the device into flat or curved geometries. The curvature and position of the devices are monitored with strain or magnetic sensors. The sensor signals are used in a closed feedback loop to control the actuators. The devices are wafer‐scale microfabricated resulting in multiple functional units capable of grasping, holding, and releasing biological tissues, as demonstrated with a neuronal bundle.
Association between C‐reactive protein response to influenza vaccine during pregnancy and birth outcomes
Authors: Kidd Monica G. , McDade Thomas W.
Published: January 2021

Objective

A growing body of evidence suggests inflammatory markers can help predict poor outcomes in pregnancy. We evaluated C‐reactive protein (CRP)—a key biomarker of inflammation—before and after a safe immune provocation (the seasonal influenza vaccine) during pregnancy. We evaluated predictors of the magnitude of response, as well as the association between CRP response and birth outcomes.

Methods

Nonrandomized prospective cohort trial measuring CRP before and 3 days after administering seasonal flu vaccine to low‐risk obstetrical patients in Calgary, Alberta.

Results

We analyzed 27 prevaccination/postvaccination samples. Body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with CRP at Day 0, and women with higher prepregnancy BMI had a less robust response to vaccination than did leaner women. There was a strong positive association between CRP response and infant birth weight; women who had the greatest response to vaccination (by tertile) gave birth to babies that weighed, on average, 256.2 g more than babies born to women with the lowest response.

Conclusions

Higher BMI in pregnant women was associated with higher baseline CRP and less pronounced CRP response to vaccination. Stronger CRP response was associated with higher birth weight. These findings underscore the potential value of a more dynamic approach to studying the regulation of inflammation during pregnancy and its implications for birth outcomes. This study was registered as a clinical trial in clinicaltrials.gov (ID: REB15/1418).
Sex estimation of teeth at different developmental stages using dimorphic enamel peptide analysis
Authors: Gowland Rebecca , Stewart Nicolas A. , Crowder Kayla D. , Hodson Claire , Shaw Heidi , Gron Kurt J. , Montgomery Janet
Published: January 2021

Objectives

This study tests, for the first time, the applicability of a new method of sex estimation utilizing enamel peptides on a sample of deciduous and permanent teeth at different stages of mineralization, from nonadults of unknown sex, including perinates.

Materials and methods

A total of 43 teeth from 29 nonadult individuals aged from 40 gestational weeks to 19 years old were analyzed. The sample included pairs of fully mineralized and just developing teeth from the same individual. The individuals were from four archaeological sites in England: Piddington (1st–2nd centuries AD), Coach Lane, Victoria Gate, and Fewston (all 18th–19th centuries). A method that identifies sex chromosome‐linked isoforms of the peptide amelogenin from human tooth enamel was applied. The method utilizes a minimally destructive acid etching procedure and subsequent nano liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

It was possible to determine the sex of 28 of the nonadult individuals sampled (males = 20, females = 8, undetermined = 1). Only one sample failed (CL9), due to insufficient mineralization of the sampled tooth enamel. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD021683.

Discussion

Sufficient peptide material to determine sex can be recovered even from the crowns of developing perinatal teeth that are not fully mineralized. The minimally destructive and inexpensive (compared to ancient DNA) nature of this procedure has significant implications for bioarchaeological studies of infancy and childhood.
Modeling autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease with machine learning
Authors: Luckett Patrick H. , McCullough Austin , Gordon Brian A. , Strain Jeremy , Flores Shaney , Dincer Aylin , McCarthy John , Kuffner Todd , Stern Ari , Meeker Karin L. , Berman Sarah B. , Chhatwal Jasmeer P. , Cruchaga Carlos , Fagan Anne M. , Farlow Martin R. , Fox Nick C. , Jucker Mathias , Levin Johannes , Masters Colin L. , Mori Hiroshi , Noble James M. , Salloway Stephen , Schofield Peter R. , Brickman Adam M. , Brooks William S. , Cash David M. , Fulham Michael J. , Ghetti Bernardino , Jack Clifford R. , Vöglein Jonathan , Klunk William , Koeppe Robert , Oh Hwamee , Su Yi , Weiner Michael , Wang Qing , Swisher Laura , Marcus Dan , Koudelis Deborah , Joseph‐Mathurin Nelly , Cash Lisa , Hornbeck Russ , Xiong Chengjie , Perrin Richard J. , Karch Celeste M. , Hassenstab Jason , McDade Eric , Morris John C. , Benzinger Tammie L.S. , Bateman Randall J. , Ances Beau M. ,   for the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN)
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Machine learning models were used to discover novel disease trajectories for autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

Longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging, amyloid positron emission tomography (PET), and fluorodeoxyglucose PET were acquired in 131 mutation carriers and 74 non‐carriers from the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network; the groups were matched for age, education, sex, and apolipoprotein ε4 (APOE ε4). A deep neural network was trained to predict disease progression for each modality. Relief algorithms identified the strongest predictors of mutation status.

Results

The Relief algorithm identified the caudate, cingulate, and precuneus as the strongest predictors among all modalities. The model yielded accurate results for predicting future Pittsburgh compound B (R2 = 0.95), fluorodeoxyglucose (R2 = 0.93), and atrophy (R2 = 0.95) in mutation carriers compared to non‐carriers.

Discussion

Results suggest a sigmoidal trajectory for amyloid, a biphasic response for metabolism, and a gradual decrease in volume, with disease progression primarily in subcortical, middle frontal, and posterior parietal regions.
Intramolecular Electric Field Construction in Metal Phthalocyanine as Dopant‐Free Hole Transporting Material for Stable Perovskite Solar Cells with >21 % Efficiency
Authors: Yu Zefeng , Wang Luyao , Mu Xijiao , Chen Chun‐Chao , Wu Yiying , Cao Jing , Tang Yu
Published: January 2021

Low conductivity and hole mobility in the pristine metal phthalocyanines greatly limit their application in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as the hole‐transporting materials (HTMs). Here, we prepare a Ni phthalocyanine (NiPc) decorated by four methoxyethoxy units as HTMs. In NiPc, the two oxygen atoms in peripheral substituent have a modified effect on the dipole direction, while the central Ni atom contributes more electron to phthalocyanine ring, thus efficiently increasing the intramolecular dipole. Calculation analyses reveal the extracted holes within NiPc are mainly concentrated on the phthalocyanine core induced by the intramolecular electric field, and further to be transferred by π‐π stacking space channel between NiPc molecules. Finally, the best efficiency of PSCs with NiPc as dopant‐free HTMs realizes a record value of 21.23 % (certified 21.03 %). The PSCs also exhibit the good moisture, heating and light stabilities. This work provides a novel way to improve the performance of PSCs with free‐doped metal phthalocyanines as HTMs.
Tailoring Electronic Structure and Size of Ultrastable Metalated Metal–Organic Frameworks with Enhanced Electroconductivity for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Xia Zhengqiang , Jia Xu , Ge Xi , Ren Chongting , Yang Qi , Hu Jun , Chen Zhong , Han Jing , Xie Gang , Chen Sanping , Gao Shengli
Published: January 2021

Utilization of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as electrodes for energy storage/conversion is challenging because of the low chemical stability and poor electrical conductivity of MOFs in electrolytes. A nanoscale MOF, Co0.24Ni0.76‐bpa‐200, possessing ultrahigh stability with uncommon semiconductor behavior (σ=4.2×10−3 S m−1) was fabricated. The MOF comprises a robust hydrophobic paddlewheel and an optimized Co/Ni ratio, with consequent control over MOF size and the degree of conjugation of the coligand. A DFT study revealed that appropriate Ni2+ doping reduces the activation energy of the system, thus providing a higher carrier concentration, and the strongly delocalized N‐donor ligand notably increases the metal–ligand orbital overlap to achieve efficient charge migration, leading to continuous through‐bond (‐CoNi‐N‐CoNi‐)∞ conduction paths. These structural features endow the MOF with a good cycling stability of 86.5 % (10 000 cycles) and a high specific capacitance of 1927.14 F g−1 among pristine MOF‐based electrodes.
Synthesis of Ketones by C−H Functionalization of Aldehydes with Boronic Acids under Transition‐Metal‐Free Conditions
Authors: Roscales Silvia , Csáky Aurelio G.
Published: January 2021

A method for the synthesis of ketones from aldehydes and boronic acids via a transition‐metal‐free C−H functionalization reaction is reported. The method employs nitrosobenzene as a reagent to drive the simultaneous activation of the boronic acid as a boronate and the activation of the C−H bond of the aldehyde as an iminium species that triggers the key C−C bond‐forming step via an intramolecular migration from boron to carbon. These findings constitute a practical, scalable, and operationally straightforward method for the synthesis of ketones.
Modeling and simulation for the swelling behavior of unvulcanized rubber during the calendering process
Authors: Tian Chulun , Wang Yinlong , Li Zhao , Li Ziran , Wang Yang
Published: January 2021

A comprehensive understanding of the swelling behavior of unvulcanized rubber during the calendering process is essential for the design of calendered products. In this work, the quasi‐static cyclic tensile experiments are carried out to investigate mechanical behaviors of unvulcanized rubber, including elasticity, inelasticity, and softening, as well as their strain‐rate dependences. Based on the obtained experimental results, a parallel network model consisting of a rate‐independent hyperelastic network and two rate‐dependent elastic‐viscoplastic networks is developed to characterize the constitutive behaviors of unvulcanized rubber. Then a steady‐state finite element method together with the constitutive model is proposed to explore the swelling behavior of unvulcanized rubber in the calendaring process. The divergence of thickness ratio between the simulation and experimental results is only 3.54%, which verifies the validity of the solution strategy. Besides, the effects of the calendar speeds and widths of unvulcanized rubber on swelling ratios are investigated. The numerical results show that the thickness/width swelling ratios increase/decrease rapidly with speeds from 1 m/min to 6 m/min, then tends to be stable at the speed of more than 6 m/min and widths hardly affect the variation laws of the swelling ratios with speeds.
Prevalence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in the United States: Estimates From a Meta‐Analysis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Lupus Registries
Authors: Izmirly Peter M. , Parton Hilary , Wang Lu , McCune W. Joseph , Lim S. Sam , Drenkard Cristina , Ferucci Elizabeth D. , Dall'Era Maria , Gordon Caroline , Helmick Charles G. , Somers Emily C.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Epidemiologic data on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are limited, particularly for racial/ethnic subpopulations in the US. This meta‐analysis leveraged data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Lupus Registry network of population‐based SLE registries to estimate the overall prevalence of SLE in the US.

Methods

The CDC National Lupus Registry network includes 4 registries from unique states and a fifth registry from the Indian Health Service. All registries defined cases of SLE according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1997 revised classification criteria for SLE. Case findings spanned either 2002–2004 or 2007–2009. Given the heterogeneity across sites, a random‐effects model was used to calculate the pooled prevalence of SLE. An estimate of the number of SLE cases in the US was generated by applying sex/race‐stratified estimates to the 2018 US Census population.

Results

In total, 5,417 cases were identified as fulfilling the ACR SLE classification criteria. The pooled prevalence of SLE from the 4 state‐specific registries was 72.8 per 100,000 person‐years (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 65.3–81.0). The prevalence estimate was 9 times higher among females than among males (128.7 versus 14.6 per 100,000), and highest among Black females (230.9 per 100,000), followed by Hispanic females (120.7 per 100,000), White females (84.7 per 100,000), and Asian/Pacific Islander females (84.4 per 100,000). Among males, the prevalence of SLE was highest in Black males (26.7 per 100,000), followed by Hispanic males (18.0 per 100,000), Asian/Pacific Islander males (11.2 per 100,000), and White males (8.9 per 100,000). The American Indian/Alaska Native population had the highest race‐specific SLE estimates, both among females (270.6 per 100,000) and among males (53.8 per 100,000). In 2018, an estimated 204,295 individuals (95% CI 160,902–261,725) in the US fulfilled the ACR classification criteria for SLE.

Conclusion

A coordinated network of population‐based SLE registries provides more accurate estimates of the prevalence of SLE and the numbers of individuals affected with SLE in the US in 2018.
Entwicklung eines modal basierten Brückenmonitoring‐Systems
Authors: Kohm Mareike , Stempniewski Lothar
Published: January 2021

In den vergangenen Jahren ist das Interesse an modal basierten Überwachungssystemen insbesondere für Brückenkonstruktionen stark gestiegen. Das Ziel ist es, Schädigungsprozesse frühzeitig zu erkennen und die Lebensdauer bestehender Brücken zu verlängern sowie die Instandhaltungskosten zu minimieren. Die modalen Parameter, Eigenfrequenzen und Eigenformen, sind globale Parameter, die von der Steifigkeits‐ und Massenverteilung der Konstruktion abhängen. Unter der Annahme, dass Schädigungsprozesse mit einer Steifigkeitsabnahme einhergehen, ermöglichen sie die Detektion sowie Lokalisierung von geschädigten Bereichen einer Struktur. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit werden Laborversuche vorgestellt, bei denen die Sensitivität der modalen Parameter gegenüber einer anwachsenden Rissbildung untersucht wurde. Darüber hinaus wurden die vorgeschädigten Stahlbetonbalken mit extern applizierten carbonfaserverstärkten Kunststofflamellen (CFK‐Lamellen) verstärkt und anschließend bis zum Versagen belastet. Es kann eine hohe Sensitivität der modalen Parameter hinsichtlich einer zunehmenden Rissbildung detektiert werden. Des Weiteren kann die Wirkung des Verstärkungssystems erfolgreich anhand der modalen Parameter belegt werden.