bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uttar Lakshmi: A Medium Duration High Yield Potential Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Variety
Authors: Roy Bidhan , Kumar Vikash , Rao L. V. Subba
Published: December 2020

Uttar Lakshmi was developed through hybridization between MTU 7029 and Annada followed by selection. It was developed at Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya and was recommended by ‘52nd Annual Rice Group Meeting 2017’ for release in Odisha, West Bengal and Tripura, subsequently it has been identified for release by the Variety Identification Committee in the 54th Annual Rice Group Meeting 2019. Consequently Uttar Lakshmi was notified by the ‘Central Variety Release Committee (F. No. 3-74/2019-SD.IV, Sl. No. 4, dated 06.01.2020, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India)’ for cultivation in Odisha, West Bengal and Tripura. The variety is suitable for Boro season, however it can be cultivated both in Boro (Rabi) and Kharif seasons. It is a medium duration rice variety, days to 50% flowering are 93 and 135 days during Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively. Time of sowing is mid-November to mid-December during Boro season and May-June during Kharif season. Uttar Lakshmi bears short bold grains with 5.09 mm long kernel, 2.16 mm breadth and 2.27 length-breadth ratio. Hulling, milling and head rice recovery were 76.5%, 66.4% and 55.10%, respectively. Amylose content was 25.6% with medium gel consistency (51.50) indicates separable and soft cooked rice as preferred in India. Grain chalkiness very occasionally present. The variety is resistant to leaf blast, sheath root and bacterial leaf blight. It is also resistant to lodging and shattering. The average yield of Uttar Lakshmi is around 6.0 t/ha.
Trema orientalis Linn. Blume: Susceptibility Patterns of Selected Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria and Fungi to the Leaf Extracts
Authors: Fabowale P. O. , Ogundare A. O. , Awoyinka P. , Agunloye O.
Published: December 2020

This study investigates the antifungal and antibacterial activities of extracts of Trema orientalis linn. Blume. The selected isolates used in the study includes Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus faecalis, Shigella dysenteriae, Proteus mirabilis, Haemolytic Streptococcus viridian, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans ,and Aspergillus flavus.  The antibiogram profile of the organism was obtained using the disc diffusion method. Tannin, flavonoid, Terpenoid, Saponin, and cardiac glycosides were found present in T. orientalis. The antibiotic sensitivity test reveals the presence of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria. The agar well diffusion method was used to assay the antibiotic activities of the extract. The extracts were prepared from T. orientalis using Methanol and petroleum ether as extraction solvents.  The antibacterial assay shows the efficacy of the methanol and petroleum ether extracts except on S. aureus ATCC 43300 and Shigella dysenteriae. The highest zones of inhibition by methanol and petroleum ether extracts were recorded on Salmonella typhi of 22.003 ± 0.003 mm and 32.002 ± 0.002 mm, respectively. The fungal isolates were susceptible to the extracts with the zones 11.67±0.33 mm and 13.67±0.33 mm. The results of the sensitivity test compared well with that of the antimicrobial test. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration ranged between 3.125- 25.00 mg/mL. T. Orientalis contains bioactive compounds that has antimicrobial effects. The leaf of Trema orientalis has broad - spectrum activity, hence T. Orientalis methanol and Petroleum ether extracts is recommended for  exploration as source of antimicrobial agents.
Immune response drives outcomes in prostate cancer: implications for immunotherapy
Authors: Meng Jialin , Zhou Yujie , Lu Xiaofan , Bian Zichen , Chen Yiding , Zhou Jun , Zhang Li , Hao Zongyao , Zhang Meng , Liang Chaozhao
Published: December 2020

The heterogeneity of the immune microenvironment leads to different responses in immune checkpoint blockade therapy. We aimed to propose a robust molecular classification system to investigate the relevance of the immune microenvironment subtype and prognosis of prostate cancer patients, as well as the therapeutic response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. A total of 1,557 prostate cancer patients were enrolled, including 69 real‐world samples from our institute (titled the AHMU‐PC cohort). The non‐negative matrix factorization algorithm was employed to virtually microdissect patients. The immune enrichment was characterized by a high enrichment of T cell‐, B cell‐, NK cell‐, and macrophage‐associated signatures, by which patients were subclassified into nonimmune and immune classes. Subsequently, the immune class was dichotomized into immune‐activated and immune‐suppressed subtypes based on the stromal signature, represented by the activation of WNT/TGF‐β, TGF‐β1, and C‐ECM signatures. Approximately 14.9% to 24.3% of patients belonged to the immune‐activated subtype, which was associated with favorable recurrence‐free survival outcomes. In addition, patients in the immune‐activated subtype were predicted to benefit more from anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapy. In conclusion, our study identifies a novel immune molecular classifier that is closely related to clinical prognosis and provides novel insights into immunotherapeutic strategies for prostate cancer patients.
Analytical study on the web imperfection design of a shear panel damper for mechanical performance control
Authors: Suzuki Takuya
Published: December 2020

In the design of joints and peripheral members of shear panel dampers, the sectional design corresponding to the increase in the strength of the shear panel is required. Therefore, if a shear panel damper with a small increase in proof stress can be achieved, a reasonable design of the joint and peripheral member can be done. In this study, the feasibility of the load–displacement relationship control of the shear panel was analytically examined by adjusting the web imperfection shape. First, a method for searching a web imperfection shape to reproduce a target load–displacement relationship was proposed. In this method, the web imperfection shape was expressed as convolution of some mode shapes. Subsequently, each mode coefficient was changed using the modal iterative error correction method to fit the target load–displacement relationship. Then, the method searches for a web imperfection shape using example problems. The results indicate that the web imperfection shape that matched the target load–displacement relationship could be searched by the proposed method. In addition, the sensitivity to the variation in the amount of web imperfection was also examined. It was confirmed that the load–displacement relationship of the shear panel damper can be controlled by the web imperfection shape. However, the present examination is limited to the analytical examination, and the feasibility of the production of the actual member has not been examined. A future study should verify if the actual member of the shear panel damper with web imperfection shape, searched by the proposed method, shows the target load–displacement relationship.
Outgoing SAMHSA administrator on confidentiality, MAT and more
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: December 2020

In a far‐ranging interview with Elinore McCance‐Katz, M.D., Ph.D., outgoing assistant secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, ADAW last week learned about the rationale for the most recent final rule on 42 CFR Part 2, the confidentiality regulation regarding substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, the future of flexibility for methadone and buprenorphine rules, what she views as top achievements of the past four years and more.
Teen marijuana and nicotine vaping remains high: MTF
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: December 2020

The most recent Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey of teen substance use behaviors and attitudes, released last week by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), found that nicotine and marijuana vaping levels remain markedly high but did not increase between 2019 and early 2020. From 2017 to 2019, the percentage of teenagers who said they vaped nicotine in the past 12 months roughly doubled for eighth graders from 7.5% to 16.5%, for 10th graders from 15.8% to 30.7% and for 12th graders from 18.8% to 35.3%. In 2020, the rates held steady at a respective 16.6%, 30.7% and 34.5%, according to the survey results released Dec. 15.
Flexible Transparent Supercapacitors: Materials and Devices
Authors: Zhao Weiwei , Jiang Mengyue , Wang Weikang , Liu Shujuan , Huang Wei , Zhao Qiang
Published: December 2020

The progressive development of flexible transparent portable electronic devices is in urgent need of matching power sources. Flexible transparent supercapacitors (FTSCs) are the core resources due to their high optical transmittance, endurable mechanical flexibility, excellent electrochemical performance, and facilely accessible device configuration. This review organizes the rational design of nanostructured electrode materials toward FTSCs. First, the structure, mechanism, and property of FTSCs are introduced. Then, the design principles of diverse electrode materials are discussed to achieve flexible transparent conductive electrodes (FTCEs) with different figure of merits (both electrical FoMe and capacitive FoMc), mechanical strength, and environmental stability. Following the achievements in multifunctional FTSCs focusing on film‐supercapacitors, micro‐supercapacitors, electrochromic supercapacitors, photo‐supercapacitors, and battery‐like supercapacitors are also highlighted. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives on viable materials in the construction of FTSCs to power portable electronics are outlined.
Photodynamic Therapy Directed by Three‐Photon Active Rigid Plane Organic Photosensitizer
Authors: Cao Hongzhi , Fang Bin , Liu Jiejie , Shen Yu , Shen Jie , Xiang Pan , Zhou Qin , De Souza Senio Campos , Li Dandan , Tian Yupeng , Luo Lei , Zhang Zhongping , Tian Xiaohe
Published: December 2020

Multi‐photon photosensitizers (PSs) could significantly improve the efficacy of photodynamic therapy due to the long‐wavelength favorability for deeper tissue penetration and lower biological damage. However, most studies are limited to single‐photon or two‐photon PSs at a relatively short‐wave excitation window. To overcome this barrier, we rationally design a series of rigid plane compounds with efficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in vitro under laser irradiation. Furthermore, the studies show that one of the compounds (U‐TsO) could induce rapid multi‐types of cell death under three‐photon exposure, suggesting a promising clinical outcome in ex vivo 3D multicellular tumor spheroid. This work offers a novel strategy to construct functional materials with competitive multi‐photon photodynamic therapy (PDT) outcome.
Becoming Sustainable, The New Frontier in Soft Robotics
Authors: Hartmann Florian , Baumgartner Melanie , Kaltenbrunner Martin
Published: December 2020

The advancement of technology has a profound and far‐reaching impact on the society, now penetrating all areas of life. From cradle to grave, one is supported by and depends on a wide range of electronic and robotic appliances, with an ever more intimate integration of the digital and biological spheres. These advances, however, often come at the price of negatively impacting our ecosystem, with growing demands on energy, contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution—from production to improper disposal. Mitigating these adverse effects is among the grand challenges of the society and at the forefront of materials research. The currently emerging forms of soft, biologically inspired electronics and robotics have the unique potential of becoming not only like their natural antitypes in performance and capabilities, but also in terms of their ecological footprint. This review outlines the rise of sustainable materials in soft and bioinspired robotics, targeting all robotic components from actuators to energy storage and electronics. The state‐of‐the‐art in biobased robotics spans flourishing fields and applications ranging from microbots operating in vivo to biohybrid machines and fully biodegradable yet resilient actuators. These first steps initiate the evolution of robotics and guide them into a sustainable future.
Direct Magnetic Reinforcement of Electrocatalytic ORR/OER with Electromagnetic Induction of Magnetic Catalysts
Authors: Yan Jianhua , Wang Ying , Zhang Yuanyuan , Xia Shuhui , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: December 2020

Designing stable and efficient electrocatalysts for both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR/OER) at low‐cost is challenging. Here, a carbon‐based bifunctional catalyst of magnetic catalytic nanocages that can direct enhance the oxygen catalytic activity by simply applying a moderate (350 mT) magnetic field is reported. The catalysts, with high porosity of 90% and conductivity of 905 S m−1, are created by in situ doping metallic cobalt nanodots (≈10 nm) into macroporous carbon nanofibers with a facile electrospinning method. An external magnetic field makes the cobalt magnetized into nanomagnets with high spin polarization, which promote the adsorption of oxygen‐intermediates and electron transfer, significantly improving the catalytic efficiency. Impressively, the half wave‐potential is increased by 20 mV for ORR, and the overpotential at 10 mA cm−2 is decreased by 15 mV for OER. Compared with the commercial Pt/C+IrO2 catalysts, the magnetic catalyzed Zn–air batteries deliver 2.5‐fold of capacities and exhibit much longer durability over 155 h. The findings point out a very promising strategy of using electromagnetic induction to boost oxygen catalytic activity.
Luminescent Metal–Organic Frameworks for White LEDs
Authors: Tang Ying , Wu Hailong , Cao Wenqian , Cui Yuanjing , Qian Guodong
Published: December 2020

Phosphor‐converted white light‐emitting diodes (pc‐WLEDs), as a main approach of solid‐state white light illumination, have caught tremendous attention and achieved enormous progress in the past decades. Since the phosphor plays a dominating role in the final property of pc‐WLEDs, the exploration for high‐performance phosphor has become a challenging and targeted research topic. In this regard, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging to offer a fascinating platform for well color‐tuning flexibility and designability endowed by their diversified architectures, devisable pore structures and affluent luminescent centers. In this review, the design strategies of achieving high‐performance phosphor with the doping of luminescent lanthanide ions, organic ligands, and diverse luminescent guest species including organic dyes, metal complexes, quantum dots in MOF matrix are highlighted, and the representative advances in the development of MOF phosphor are presented, providing guidance and reference for further research of phosphor for pc‐WLEDs.
In Situ Regulation of Macrophage Polarization to Enhance Osseointegration Under Diabetic Conditions Using Injectable Silk/Sitagliptin Gel Scaffolds
Authors: Xiang Geng , Liu Keyin , Wang Tianji , Hu Xiaofan , Wang Jing , Gao Zhiheng , Lei Wei , Feng Yafei , Tao Tiger H.
Published: December 2020

As a chronic inflammatory disease, diabetes mellitus creates a proinflammatory microenvironment around implants, resulting in a high rate of implant loosening or failure in osteological therapies. In this study, macroporous silk gel scaffolds are injected at the bone–implant interface for in situ release of sitagliptin that can regulate macrophage response to create a prohealing microenvironment in diabetes mellitus disease. Notably, it is discovered that sitagliptin induces macrophage polarization to the M2 phenotype and alleviates the impaired behaviors of osteoblasts on titanium (Ti) implants under diabetic conditions in a dose‐dependent manner. The silk gel scaffolds loaded with sitagliptin elicite a stronger recruitment of M2 macrophages to the sites of Ti implants and a significant promotion of osteointegration, as compared to oral sitagliptin administration. The results suggest that injectable silk/sitagliptin gel scaffolds can be utilized to modulate the immune responses at the bone–implant interface, thus enhancing bone regeneration required for successful implantation of orthopedic and dental devices in diabetic patients.
Elevating the d‐Band Center of Six‐Coordinated Octahedrons in Co9S8 through Fe‐Incorporated Topochemical Deintercalation
Authors: Wang Zongpeng , Lin Zhiping , Deng Jun , Shen Shijie , Meng Fanqi , Zhang Jitang , Zhang Qinghua , Zhong Wenwu , Gu Lin
Published: December 2020

Significant efforts have been dedicated to boosting the electrocatalytic activity of Co9S8 for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER); however, with limited improvement in its intrinsic activity, which relies on careful band engineering. Fe possesses one less 3d electron and lower electronegativity than Co, suggesting a higher d‐band center when forming polyhedron with S anions. Here, to improve the intrinsic activity by elevating the d‐band center, the six‐coordinated octahedrons in Co9S8 are redesigned utilizing an Fe‐incorporated topochemical deintercalation method. Through substituting partial Co octahedrons by Fe octahedrons with higher d‐band, the overall d‐band center is regulated to achieve optimized adsorption and thus superior OER activity. With a reduction of 95 mV on the overpotential (at 10 mA cm−2), this work sheds lights on the design of OER catalysts through polyhedron engineering using topochemical deintercalation.
Asymmetric Acceptors Enabling Organic Solar Cells to Achieve an over 17% Efficiency: Conformation Effects on Regulating Molecular Properties and Suppressing Nonradiative Energy Loss
Authors: Gao Wei , Fu Huiting , Li Yuxiang , Lin Francis , Sun Rui , Wu Ziang , Wu Xin , Zhong Cheng , Min Jie , Luo Jingdong , Woo Han Young , Zhu Zonglong , Jen Alex K.‐Y.
Published: December 2020

Y6, as a state‐of‐the‐art nonfullerene acceptor (NFA), is extensively optimized by modifying its side chains and terminal groups. However, the conformation effects on molecular properties and photovoltaic performance of Y6 and its derivatives have not yet been systematically studied. Herein, three Y6 analogs, namely, BP4T‐4F, BP5T‐4F, and ABP4T‐4F, are designed and synthesized. Owing to the asymmetric molecular design strategies, three representative molecular conformations for Y6‐type NFAs are obtained through regulating the lateral thiophene orientation of the fused core. It is found that conformation adjustment imposes comprehensive effects on the molecular properties in neat and blend films of these NFAs. As a result, organic solar cells (OSCs) fabricated with PM6:BP4T‐4F, PM6:BP5T‐4F, and PM6:ABP4T‐4F show high power conversion efficiency of 17.1%, 16.7%, and 15.2%, respectively. Interestingly, these NFAs with different conformations also show reduced energy loss (Eloss) in devices via gradually suppressed nonradiative Eloss. Moreover, by employing a selenium‐containing analog, CH1007, as the complementary third component, ternary OSCs based on PM6:BP5T‐4F:CH1007 (1:1.02:0.18) achieve a 17.2% efficiency. This work helps shed light on engineering the molecular conformation of NFAs to achieve high efficiency OSCs with reduced voltage loss.
The Path to 20% Power Conversion Efficiencies in Nonfullerene Acceptor Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Karki Akchheta , Gillett Alexander J. , Friend Richard H. , Nguyen Thuc‐Quyen
Published: December 2020

The power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of single‐junction organic solar cells (OSC) have now reached over 18%. This rapid recent progress can be attributed to the development of new nonfullerene electron acceptors (NFAs) that are paired with suitable high performing polymer electron donors. Substantial improvements in the PCEs and long‐term stability enabled by NFA OSCs have allowed the development and integration of these systems into many niche and novel applications. Here, the recent progress that has been made in understanding the device photophysics of high performing polymer:NFA blends is highlighted. As the bulk heterojunction morphology is intrinsically linked to the device photophysics, this review focuses on studies that have provided noteworthy morphological insights using advanced techniques such as solid‐state NMR and resonant soft X‐ray scattering. Through this, some of the major challenges that must be overcome to attain PCEs of over 20% in NFA OSCs are addressed.
Labels improve emergency medicine physician comfort and ability to use a slit lamp
Authors: Nelson Jessie G. , Stoimenova Diliana , Quaday Karen A. , Rupp Paula E. , Grall Kristi J. H.
Published: December 2020

Slit‐lamp (SL) biomicroscopy is an important skill for emergency medicine (EM) clinicians. However, residents and faculty have varying levels of comfort and skill with this procedure. While some of the discomfort may be from a knowledge gap, we hypothesized that at least some difficulty came from infrequent use and forgetting which of the many knobs, levers, buttons, and switches of the SL create the desired effects. We strategically labeled a SL and tested the impact of this on the ability of 39 EM faculty and residents to identify a target on a maladjusted SL. Time to target identification was significantly lower with the labeled SL compared to the unlabeled SL, with median (IQR) time decreasing from 93 (31.5–154.5) seconds to 47 (0–141) seconds (p < 0.0001). Comfort level, as measured by a written survey and a graphic rating scale, also increased significantly with the labeled SL compared to the unlabeled SL.
Behind the Hashtag: Online Disclosure of Mental Illness and Community Response on Tumblr
Authors: Griffith Frances J. , Stein Catherine H.
Published: December 2020

The present study examined personal disclosures about mental illness and the responses of online community members on the social media platform, Tumblr. We sampled public blog posts of 14,626 Tumblr users disclosing ten different mental health diagnoses using hashtags (e.g., #depression, #anxiety, and #anorexia). We examined the content of users’ disclosures, predictors of disclosure frequency, and predictors of online community response. The content of most disclosures was related to users’ emotions and cognitions about their mental health and their feelings of interpersonal loss and change over time. Content varied with users’ disclosure frequency and with self‐identified mental health diagnoses. Predictors of disclosure frequency included the “self effects” of writing about oneself or one’s opinions, such as self‐concept formation, and “reception effects” of receiving responses to one’s writing. User disclosures generally increased with frequency of community response (reception effects), and the degree of this effect differed depending on the disclosed diagnosis (self effects). The responses of online community members also varied significantly across disclosed diagnoses. The implications of our findings for community research and action are discussed.
Evaluation in the Real World: Decision Points and Rationales in Creating A Rigorous Study Designed to Convey Ecologically Valid Findings
Authors: Sullivan Cris M. , Chiaramonte Danielle , López‐Zerón Gabriela , Gregory Katie , Olsen Linda
Published: December 2020

Rigorously evaluating community‐based interventions for multiply marginalized populations is fraught with challenges under the best of circumstances. This manuscript describes the methodology chosen to evaluate an innovative model designed to help survivors of intimate partner violence obtain safe and stable housing. We justify the choice of evaluation design from a community psychology perspective and detail why we believe the multi‐method, multi‐source design, that also focuses on social context, will maximize ecological validity and, therefore, propel the scale‐up of the intervention if it is found to be effective. Longitudinal data are being collected from program recipients over time, the advocates who worked with them, agency service records, and monthly documentation of agency resources on hand that can impact services provided. Special attention is focused on capturing contextual information that can impact program success. While randomized control trials are still too often heralded as “the gold standard” for measuring intervention effectiveness, we maintain that the current design, which was developed in partnership with key community stakeholders, holds more promise when evaluating many community‐based programs.
The color of normal: How a Eurocentric focus erases pigmentation complexity
Authors: Norton Heather L.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Skin pigmentation is both a highly variable and highly visible human phenotypic trait. Investigations into the biology and origins of this variation have been the focus of research in the fields of dermatology, anthropology, and forensic science, among others. This manuscript explores how much of what we know about the biology, genetics, and evolutionary origins of pigmentation has been strongly influenced by investigations and applications that focus on lighter skin.

Methods

I reviewed literature from the fields of dermatology, anthropology and evolutionary genetics, and forensic science to assess how perceptions of lighter skin as the “normal” state in humans can shape the ways that knowledge is gathered and applied in these fields.

Results

This normalization of lighter skin has impacted common tools used in dermatology and shaped the framework of dermatological education. A strong Eurocentric bias has shaped our understanding of the genetic architecture of pigmentary traits, which influences the ways in we understand the evolutionary processes leading to modern pigmentation diversity. Finally, I discuss how these biases in pigmentation genetics work in combination with phenotypic systems that privilege predicting lighter pigmentation variation to impede accurate prediction of intermediate phenotypes, particularly in individuals with ancestry from multiple populations. This can lead to a disproportionate targeting of already over‐policed populations with darker skin.

Conclusions

Potential changes to how we conceptualize clinical and basic pigmentation research may help to reduce existing health disparities and improve understanding of pigmentation genetic architecture and how this knowledge is applied in forensic contexts.
Advances in Base‐Mediated Post‐Ugi Transformations via Peptidyl Anion Trapping
Authors: Ghoshal Anirban , Ambule Mayur D. , Yadav Anamika , Srivastava Ajay Kumar
Published: December 2020

Advances in base‐mediated post‐Ugi transformations are reported and discussed. The minireview encompasses reports showing the abstraction of an alpha proton adjacent to amide carbonyl in aldehyde‐derived Ugi adducts under basic conditions to perform intramolecular and intermolecular cyclizations. The methodologies have been broadly classified depending on the peptidyl anion trapping under metal‐free, metal‐catalyzed, microwave‐assisted, and external electrophile‐aided reaction conditions. A comprehensive analysis of the methods has been presented, highlighting the importance in synthetic and medicinal chemistry.
Influence of rainfall on sleeping site choice by a group of anubis baboons (Papio anubis)
Authors: Suire Alexandre , Isbell Lynne A. , Bidner Laura R. , Shinoda Yushin , Akasaka Munemitsu , Matsumoto‐Oda Akiko
Published: December 2020

For diurnal nonhuman primates, shifting among different sleeping sites may provide multiple benefits such as better protection from predators, reduced risk of parasitic infection, and closer proximity to spatially and temporally heterogeneous food and water. This last benefit may be particularly important in sleeping site selection by primates living in savanna‐woodlands where rainfall is more limited and more seasonally pronounced than in rainforests. Here, we examined the influence of rainfall, a factor that affects food and water availability, on the use of sleeping sites by anubis baboons (Papio anubis) over two 13‐month study periods that differed in rainfall patterns. We predicted that during wet periods, when food and water availability should be higher, the study group would limit the number of sleeping sites and would stay at each one for more consecutive nights than during dry periods. Conversely, we predicted that during dry periods the group would increase the number of sleeping sites and stay at each one for fewer consecutive nights as they searched more widely for food and water. We also predicted that the group would more often choose sleeping sites closer to the center of the area used during daytime (between 07:00 and 19:00) during wet months than during dry months. Using Global Positioning System data from collared individuals, we found that our first prediction was not supported on either monthly or yearly timescales, although past monthly rainfall predicted the use of the main sleeping site in the second study period. Our second prediction was supported only on a yearly timescale. This study suggests that baboons’ choice of sleeping sites is fluid over time while being sensitive to local environmental conditions, one of which may be rainfall.
Assessing individual and population variability in degenerative joint disease prevalence using generalized linear mixed models
Authors: Alonso‐Llamazares Carmen , Blanco Márquez Beatriz , Lopez Belen , Pardiñas Antonio F.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

In this paper, we introduce the use of generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) as a better alternative to traditional statistical methods for studying factors associated to the prevalence of degenerative joint disease (DJD) in bioarchaeological contexts.

Materials and Methods

DJD prevalence was assessed for the appendicular joints and the spine of a Spanish population dated from the 15th to the 18th century. Data were analyzed using contingency tables, logistic regression models, and logistic GLMM.

Results

In general, results from GLMMs find agreement in other methods. However, by being able to analyze the data at the level of individual bones instead of aggregated joints or limbs, GLMMs are capable of revealing associations that are not evident in other frameworks.

Discussion

Currently widely available in statistical analysis software, GLMMs can accommodate a wide array of data distributions, account for hierarchical correlations, and return estimates of DJD prevalence within individuals and skeletal locations that are unbiased by the effect of covariates. This gives clear advantages for the analysis of bioarchaeological datasets which can lead to more robust and comparable analyses across populations.
Clinical hematological and biochemical parameters in Swiss, BALB/c, C57BL/6 and B6D2F1 Mus musculus
Authors: Silva‐Santana Giorgio , Bax Juliet Cunha , Fernandes Débora Cristina Silva , Bacellar Daniela Tendler Leibel , Hooper Cleber , Dias Alexandre Alves Souza Oliveira , Silva Cristina Barbosa , de Souza Aline Moreira , Ramos Simone , Santos Ricardo Alexandre , Pinto Thainara Ramos , Ramão Mariana Antunes , Mattos‐Guaraldi Ana Luíza
Published: December 2020

Background

Animal models are widely used in scientific research in order to obtain information from a whole organism under a specific set of experimental conditions. Various lineages of mice have been used to investigate diseases and new therapeutic strategies, and, consequently, hematological and biochemical tests in these laboratory animals are essential to validate scientific studies. Our study seeks to establish reference values for hematological and biochemical parameters of four lineages of mice.

Methods

We evaluated the hematological and biochemical profiles of 20 males and 20 females from the lineages Swiss (heterogeneous), BALB/c and C57BL/6 (isogenic), and B6D2F1 (hybrid), totaling 160 mice. Analysis were standardized using the systems pocH‐100iV Diff™ for 19 hematological parameters and VITROS® 350 for 12 biochemical parameters.

Results

Results are shown as means and standard deviation, grouped by lineage and genre. Comparing the values obtained in this study with the values from previous studies, some variations were detected, which could be explained by differences in methodologies or individual variability.

Conclusion

Thus our study shows that knowledge and disclosure of the values of physiological parameters of laboratory animals is necessary, and emphasises the importance of considering variations influenced by gender, lineage and genotype in the choice of the best experimental model.
Pediatric Ischemic Stroke: An Infrequent Complication of SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Beslow Lauren A. , Linds Alexandra B. , Fox Christine K. , Kossorotoff Manoëlle , Zuñiga Zambrano Yenny C. , Hernández‐Chávez Marta , Hassanein Sahar M. A. , Byrne Susan , Lim Ming , Maduaka Nkechi , Zafeiriou Dimitrios , Dowling Michael M. , Felling Ryan J. , Rafay Mubeen F. , Lehman Laura L. , Noetzel Michael J. , Bernard Timothy J. , Dlamini Nomazulu ,   International Pediatric Stroke Study Group
Published: December 2020

Objective

Severe complications of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) include arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in adults and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Whether stroke is a frequent complication of pediatric SARS‐CoV‐2 is unknown. This study aimed to determine the proportion of pediatric SARS‐CoV‐2 cases with ischemic stroke and the proportion of incident pediatric strokes with SARS‐CoV‐2 in the first 3 months of the pandemic in an international cohort.

Methods

We surveyed 61 international sites with pediatric stroke expertise. Survey questions included: numbers of hospitalized pediatric (≤ 18 years) patients with SARS‐CoV‐2; numbers of incident neonatal and childhood ischemic strokes; frequency of SARS‐CoV‐2 testing for pediatric patients with stroke; and numbers of stroke cases positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 from March 1 to May 31, 2020.

Results

Of 42 centers with SARS‐CoV‐2 hospitalization numbers, 8 of 971 (0.82%) pediatric patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 had ischemic strokes. Proportions of stroke cases positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 from March to May 2020 were: 1 of 108 with neonatal AIS (0.9%), 0 of 33 with neonatal cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT; 0%), 6 of 166 with childhood AIS (3.6%), and 1 of 54 with childhood CSVT (1.9%). However, only 30.5% of neonates and 60% of children with strokes were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2. Therefore, these proportions represent 2.9, 0, 6.1, and 3.0% of stroke cases tested for SARS‐CoV‐2. Seven of 8 patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 had additional established stroke risk factors.

Interpretation

As in adults, pediatric stroke is an infrequent complication of SARS‐CoV‐2, and SARS‐CoV‐2 was detected in only 4.6% of pediatric patients with ischemic stroke tested for the virus. However, < 50% of strokes were tested. To understand the role of SARS‐CoV‐2 in pediatric stroke better, SARS‐CoV‐2 testing should be considered in pediatric patients with stroke as the pandemic continues. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:657–665
Deep eutectic solvent‐assisted synthesis of highly efficient nanocatalyst (n‐TiO2@TDI@DES (ZnCl2:urea)) for chemoselective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides
Authors: Taghavi Shaghayegh , Amoozadeh Ali , Nemati Firouzeh
Published: December 2020

This study proposed a straightforward process to synthesize 2,4‐toluene diisocyanate (TDI)‐functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles in which a cost‐effective linker (TDI) with high reactivity was employed to couple nano‐TiO2 through covalent bonding to a deep eutectic solvent (DES). By this method, DES was successfully immobilized on the TiO2@TDI surface as an adsorbent and stabilizer. The structural, morphological, and physicochemical characteristics of the synthesized nanocatalysts were evaluated using various analytical methods including Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), and elemental analysis. The heterogeneity of the catalyst was also examined by a hot filtration test. The obtained TiO2@TDI@DES nanoparticles offered superior catalytic behavior and excellent yield as well as recyclability for the chemoselective oxidation of sulfide into sulfoxide using a green oxidant (hydrogen peroxide). This catalyst exhibited excellent reusability as it can be recovered for six successive cycles with no significant leach or reduction of catalytic efficiency.
Synthetic hydrogels: Synthesis, novel trends, and applications
Authors: Madduma‐Bandarage Ujith S. K. , Madihally Sundararajan V.
Published: December 2020

Hydrogels have been generated and explored for use in various applications. The main objective of this comprehensive review is to collate the fundamental concepts of hydrogels, and elaborate on knowledge gaps, and to provide a perspective on the future directions. This review includes details of constituent molecules (monomers, cross‐linkers, composite materials, etc.) and the methods used to prepare polymer networks. Moreover, the review highlights modifications of hydrogels that introduce new properties or enhance the existing features to suit the desired applications and challenges of synthetic polymer hydrogels. The other important topics covered in this review are the synthesis and applications of 3D printed hydrogels, nanocomposite hydrogels, injectable hydrogels, and self‐healing hydrogels.
Reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer‐mediated bioconjugated amphiphilic graft‐block copolymer using dextran, poly (N‐isopropylacrylamide), and poly (vinyl acetate)
Authors: Das Karmakar Puja , Shukla Aparna , Maiti Pralay , Chatterjee Soumit , Pal Sagar
Published: December 2020

RAFT polymerization is a well‐known approach to develop amphiphilic copolymer with less heterogeneity and narrow dispersity. Herein, an amphiphilic bioconjugated graft‐block copolymer (Dextran‐g‐(PNIPAAm‐b‐PVAc)) using dextran, N‐isopropyl acrylamide and vinyl acetate has been developed through RAFT polymerization. The chain length of the PVAc block has been varied to obtain the copolymers with different hydrophobic segments. The lower critical solution temperature, critical micelle concentration, and micellar stability of the synthesized copolymers have been studied in details. in‐vitro cytotoxicity, as well as the in vitro release of a hydrophobic drug have been carried out to explore its suitability in the field of biomedical science. The synthesized copolymer has been found to have controlled molecular weight with narrow dispersity. It is cytocompatible toward Human cervical cancer cell line cell lines, can efficiently load a hydrophobic drug‐norfloxacin, and subsequently, release in the sustained manner as manifested from in vitro release study.
High molecular weight poly(l‐lactide) via ring‐opening polymerization with bismuth subsalicylate–The role of cocatalysts
Authors: Kricheldorf Hans R. , Weidner Steffen M.
Published: December 2020

The catalytic potential of bismuth subsalicylate (BiSub), a commercial drug, for ring‐opening polymerization of l‐lactide was explored by variation of cocatalyst and polymerization time. Various monofunctional phenols or carboxylic acids, aromatic ortho‐hydroxy acids, and diphenols were examined as potential cocatalysts. 2,2′‐Dihydroxybiphenyl proved to be the most successful cocatalyst yielding weight average molecular weights (uncorrected Mw values up to 185,000) after optimization of reaction time and temperature. Prolonged heating (>1‐2 h) depending on catalyst concentration) caused thermal degradation. In polymerization experiments with various commercial Bi(III) salts a better alternative to BiSub was not found. By means of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry a couple of unusual and unexpected transesterification reactions were discovered. Finally, the effectiveness of several antioxidants and potential catalyst poisons was explored, and triphenylphosphine was found to be an effective catalyst poison.
Residual solvent minimization in polystyrene‐p‐xylene coatings using a nonvolatile additive
Authors: Rawat Manju , Ahuja Sanjeev
Published: December 2020

The use of plasticizer has been extensively studied for enhancing the flexibility, processability, solubility, and vapor permeability of polymeric materials. However, its use in enhancing drying of polymeric coatings has been scarcely studied. In the present work, the optimization of plasticizer loading for drying characteristics and residual solvent minimization in polystyrene‐p‐xylene polymeric coatings has been investigated. Coatings were prepared by solution casting technique at various triphenyl phosphate (TPP) loadings from 0 to 7.50 wt% for two cases of initial solution volumes of 75 and 125 μl. For these two cases, respectively, the minimum residual solvent values of 0.02% and 1.61% were obtained, both at 2.50 wt% TPP loading. However, the two cases exhibited residual solvent values of 2.32% and 4.45% at 0 wt% TPP. Further, the SEM results also showed that at 2.50 wt% TPP loading, the coatings developed a dense, smooth and defect‐free morphology attributed to their minimized residual solvent content. The coatings, however, had a porous and phase‐separated morphology originally at 0 wt% TPP. The variation of residual solvent, coating thickness and drying rate with plasticizer loading followed the same behavior for different initial solution volumes. All these parameters attained their peak values consistently at 2.50 wt% TPP. The study is first of its kind to indicate massive reduction in residual solvent attributed to the addition of a nonvolatile plasticizer. TPP also imparts flame retardance to inherently inflammable polystyrene thereby facilitating its implementation in electronic devices. The obtained coatings have possible applications in electronics, electro‐optics, and food packaging.
Long‐term catch trends and risk assessment of the Critically Endangered white‐spotted wedgefish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis) from South Africa
Authors: Daly Ryan , Parker Denham , Cliff Geremy , Jordaan Gareth L. , Nomfundo Nkabi , Bennett Rhett H. , Mann Bruce Q.
Published: December 2020

The white‐spotted wedgefish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis) is a Critically Endangered shark‐like ray in the family Rhinidae. Throughout its Western Indian Ocean distribution, it is targeted for its valuable meat and fins and is reported to have undergone major population declines. However, there remains a need for species specific time‐series data to accurately assess localized population declines.

This study used two independent long‐term (37 and 40 years) time‐series catch data from competitive shore angling and shark nets to investigate the size composition and catch per unit effort (CPUE) and conduct a risk assessment for the population on the east coast of South Africa.

From 1977 to 2017 the competitive shore fishery captured 7,703 individual R. djiddensis, whilst shark nets in the same region captured 2,856 individuals from 1981 to 2017. Individuals captured in the nets had a sex ratio of 1.8:1 females to males, and were larger than those caught by the anglers. Although the mean annual sizes of net‐caught individuals were above the size of reported sexual maturity, there was little evidence to suggest that any individuals captured were reproductively active.

Both the competitive shore fishery and shark net catches exhibited strong seasonal trends with the majority of R. djiddensis catches occurring from October to May peaking in austral summer. Standardized CPUE from the competitive shore fishery declined substantially between 1977 and 2017 and shark net catches exhibited a significant (p < 0.05) fourfold decline in annual nominal CPUE from 1981 to 2017.

Ultimately, a risk assessment showed a 65.1% decline in abundance over a period of three generation lengths, which indicates that the sampled population of R. djiddensis in South Africa should be classified as Endangered according to the IUCN Red List using criterion A2b. The conservation implications of this are discussed.
Using waste CO2 from corn ethanol biorefineries for additional ethanol production: life‐cycle analysis
Authors: Lee Uisung , R Hawkins Troy , Yoo Eunji , Wang Michael , Huang Zhe , Tao Ling
Published: December 2020

Corn ethanol plants generate high‐purity carbon dioxide (CO2) while producing ethanol. If that CO2 could be converted into ethanol by carbon capture and utilization technologies it would be possible to increase ethanol production more than 37% without additional corn grain inputs. Gas fermentation processes use microbes to convert carbon‐containing gases into ethanol and so have the potential to be used with the CO2 from biorefineries for this purpose. However, as CO2 utilization technologies for converting thermodynamically stable CO2 are typically energy intensive, it is necessary to evaluate the related life‐cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (carbon intensities or CIs) to see whether there are actual emission reduction benefits. In this study, we evaluate the CIs of ethanol produced from high‐purity CO2 in corn ethanol plants by gas fermentation plus electrochemical reduction. Our analysis shows that the sources of electricity and hydrogen are key drivers of CO2‐based ethanol's GHG emissions. With wind electricity, the design cases show the potential of near‐zero CI ethanol (1.1 g CO2e/MJ), but that can increase to up to 331–531 g CO2e/MJ when today's U.S. Midwest electricity mix is used. To avoid the renewable electricity intermittency issue, we considered a power purchase agreement option using wind electricity 40% of the time and using the regional mix for the rest, which provides a 42% GHG emission reduction from the CI of gasoline. © 2020 The Authors and UChicago Argonne, LLC, Operator of Argonne National Laboratory. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The renin‐angiotensin system in COVID‐19: Why ACE2 targeting by coronaviruses produces higher mortality in elderly hypertensive patients?
Authors: Kurbel Sven
Published: December 2020

This renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) interpretation is focused on differences in tissue dependence on RAS and on the topological hierarchy that allows mediators to act only on downstream tissues.

Dependence of tissues on RAS: Tested by expectation maximization clustering of the RNA human tissue expression (https://biogps.org/). ACE and vasoconstrictive AT1R clustered with the prorenin receptor. ACE2 and dilatory MAS1 clustered with nine RAS‐related genes, highly expressed in: Liver; Cardiac_Myocytes; Skeletal_Muscle; Uterus; Kidney; Lung; Small_Intestine; Smooth_Muscle.

RAS and stress accumulation: While prorenin is active after binding to its receptor, binding of soluble renin increases its enzymatic activity several times. Increased renin secretion multiplies the overall capacity for producing Ang I, leading to hypertension and increased vascular resistance.

Coronavirus infection and comorbidities: Cardiorespiratory failure during infection is linked to the previously altered RAS role in lungs and myocardium. Reduced vasodilation by ACE2 lead to vasoconstriction and suboptimal tissue perfusion patterns. Also see the video abstract here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf0Iped-Mws