bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Missed Celiac Artery Aneurysm Leading to Rupture: A Case Report
Authors: Vecchia Jason , Blazar Eric
Published: August 2020

Introduction: Abdominal pain is a common complaint seen in the emergency department (ED). We report a case of celiac artery aneurysm (CAA) in a male patient presenting with abdominal pain to the ED on two separate occasions, approximately 24 hours apart.

Case Report: On the initial visit the patient was discharged with undifferentiated abdominal pain after computed tomography imaging and laboratory investigations. On the repeat visit he was found to have a rapidly expanding CAA with rupture. He became unstable requiring intubation, blood transfusions, and emergent transfer to a tertiary care center for surgical management where, unfortunately, he died hours after failed operative management.

Conclusion: Although rare, abdominal pain caused by CAAs can rapidly progress to rupture and have a high mortality.
Bilateral Foot Skin Eruption in a Hepatitis C Patient
Authors: Davis Shane , Creditt Angela
Published: August 2020

Case Presentation: A 58-year-old female with history of hepatitis C virus presented to the emergency department with a bilateral skin eruption to her feet for one year. Following skin biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with Necrolytic acral erythema (NAE). She was treated with clobetasol ointment, zinc supplementation, and mupirocin, which resulted in improvement in her symptoms.

Discussion: NAE is a rash described as sharply demarcated, lichenified plaques on the dorsal foot and is a rare extra-hepatic manifestation of hepatitis C. This case details a patient with a skin eruption consistent with NAE.
Toward the Infinite
Authors: Peperzak Adriaan T. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2020

Levinas approaches the Infinite as beyond all possible ideas and totalities (especially the Hegelian ones).
“Feasting During a Plague”
Authors: Newman Kaitlyn ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2020

In his early essay, “Reality and Its Shadow,” Levinas appears to take a strong position against art, and while the strength of his admonitions against aesthetics has been questioned, the fact remains that Levinas refers to art (post-Holocaust) as an act that is like “feasting during a plague.” Art becomes offensive. However, is it possible that we could imagine the artwork as a site where the encounter with the Other becomes possible? That is, when we encounter certain artworks, do we not also encounter the radical alterity of one whose experiences and very existence cannot possibly be assimilated to the Same, or to our own experiences? In this paper, I argue that art marks a site where the encounter with the Other is made possible by examining the post-genocide and post-war photographs of Simon Norfolk. I maintain that art thus contains ethical possibilities that actually align with Levinasian ethics, rather than run counter to it, as Levinas seemed to believe. This art cannot be understood through the lens of enjoyment—as “feasting during a plague”—but rather must be understood as an experience which throws us outside of ourselves and our interiority and, in so doing, forces us to confront an alterity and a horror that awakens responsibility and awareness of the Other.
Commentary on Jean Wahl
Authors: Duvernoy Russell J. ,   DePaul University
Published: August 2020

This commentary considers Wahl’s 1942 “Poetry as Spiritual Exercise” in the context of his interests in radical empiricism and process metaphysics. In doing so, it raises appreciation for the complexity of his thought, identifies specific notes of influence on Gilles Deleuze, and responds to worries that Wahl’s notion of spiritual exercise is predominantly a form of withdrawal, quietism, or retreat from the horrors of World War Two. For Wahl, rather than passive contemplation of a determinate artifact, poetry is a mode of experience that, to speak with Whitehead and James, is a making. This experience of poetry develops affordances of thought that strengthen existential capacity for remaining open to uncertainty, fragility, and vulnerability.
Geometric Modeling: Determining the Largest Lake
Authors: Wickstrom Megan H. , Roscoe Matt B.
Published: August 2020

During a middle school task, students compare the sizes of Lake Tahoe and Flathead Lake.
The Nuts and Bots of Math and Coding in the Lower Grades
Authors: Jeremy Winters J. , Winters, Kristin E. , Kimmins Dovie L.
Published: August 2020

Use robots and coding to engage K–2 students with specific mathematics standards.
Taking the Twists and Turns Together
Authors: Alison Langsdorf
Published: August 2020

This editorial, written to open the August 2020 issue, recaps and previews some of the challenges the math teacher community has faced and will continue to face in the new school year while pointing readers to NCTM, MTLT, and specifically GPS, as resources.
Contribuição ao estudo da obra de Lukács sobre os problemas da ideologia e estranhamento no sistema de manipulação do capitalismo nas décadas de 1950/60
Authors: Evangelista Diogo Prado , Torriglia Patricia Laura
Published: August 2020

Este artigo pretende apresentar alguns aspectos gerais sobre a análise de Lukács sobre os novos fenômenos do estranhamento e sua articulação com os mecanismos econômicos e ideológicos do sistema refinado de manipulação do capitalismo nas décadas de 1950 e 1960. Acreditamos que o estudo sobre a fisionomia destes novos estranhamentos podem contribuir na pesquisa sobre a decadência cultura e ideológica do capitalismo, principalmente, com o retorno do irracionalismo moderno nas manifestações espontâneas da massa trabalhadora nos países de capitalismo avançado, tais como, EUA, Inglaterra e França, assim como, nos países de capitalismo dependente na América Latina.  Palavras-chave: Ideologia. Estranhamento. Manipulação capitalista.
Participação no índice de sustentabilidade e valor de mercado: evidências em instituições financeiras de capital aberto
Authors:   Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste, Hopata Ana Claudia , Ribeiro Flávio , Gerigk Willson
Published: August 2020

Objetiva-se pelo presente estudo investigar a influência que a participação nos índices de sustentabilidade empresarial exerceu sobre o valor de mercado das instituições financeiras de capital aberto, no período de 2010 a 2015. A amostra da pesquisa contempla 19 instituições financeiras de capital aberto que integram o Índice de Sustentabilidade Empresarial (ISE) e o Índice de Carbono Eficiente (ICO2), da Bolsa, Brasil e Balcão [B]3. O estudo classifica-se como descritivo, quanto aos procedimentos caracteriza-se como bibliográfico e documental, e, em relação à abordagem problema de pesquisa, enquadra-se como quantitativo. Devido ao comportamento não paramétrico dos dados adotou-se o Teste de Kruskal-Wallis. Os resultados dos testes estatísticos indicaram que instituições financeiras listadas no ISE da [B]3 apresentam aumento significativo no retorno das ações medido pelo retorno das cotações diárias das empresas. Por outro lado, a participação das instituições financeiras no ICO2 não proporciona aumento significativo no retorno das ações.
Limite à vie sur les inondations successives : vers un nouveau pacte social ?
Authors: Boudreault Mathieu , Bourdeau-Brien Michaël
Published: August 2020

Après les nombreuses crues printanières qui ont affecté le sud du Québec depuis 2011, le gouvernement du Québec a annoncé en avril 2019 une refonte importante de son programme d’aide financière aux sinistrés. Le programme introduit désormais une couverture limitée à vie de 100 000 $ pour les inondations successives, une mesure unique au Canada. L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser le coût des inondations successives et les impacts financiers de cette limite de couverture pour les ménages.
Quels instruments de couverture pour la gestion du cyber-risque ?
Authors: Ajili Wissem
Published: August 2020

L’article s’intéresse au cyber-risque en tant que menace émergente pour la
stabilité de l’économie mondiale. Aujourd’hui, le paysage des risques tout entier semble
subir de profonds changements sous l’effet de la digitalisation. Le défi consiste alors à
trouver un compromis entre les avantages escomptés de la numérisation et les risques
inhérents aux nouveaux modèles économiques qu’elle impose. Le remodelage de la cartographie
des risques mondiaux sous l’effet du cyber-risque impose une réflexion sur la nature de ce
risque et ses conséquences, mais nécessite surtout des réponses en matière de couverture. En
effet, bien que le marché de la cyber-assurance réagisse à cette nouvelle catégorie de
risques, l’offre de cyber-produits demeure en deçà des attentes des acteurs. L’article
présente le concept de cyber-risque pour ensuite mettre l’accent sur la question de
l’anticipation, de la mesure et de la quantification du cyber-risque. L’article décrit
également les progrès accomplis en matière de mise en oeuvre d’un cadre de gestion du
cyber-risque, notamment grâce aux travaux de l’Organisation de coopération et de
développement économique (OCDE). L’article discute enfin de nouvelles pistes de réflexion
pour la couverture du cyber-risque au sein des marchés financiers et l’utilisation des
produits dérivés, principalement les titres assurantiels (Insurance-Linked
Securities ou ILS).
The specificities of coastal territories of Ladoga Lake and their impact upon formation of recreational system of the coastline
Authors: Proshina Alla Sergeevna
Published: August 2020

The object of this research is the coastal territories of Ladoga Lake, their structure substantiated by the natural-geographical peculiarities, and specificities conditioned by anthropogenic development. The coastline of Ladoga Lake is capable of ecological stabilization of a significant territory, ensure the population of Leningrad Oblast and the Republic of Karelia with a wide variety of recreational functions, and forms of tourism. The dynamic processes of its economic development require the elaboration of new principles and grounds of landscape-recreational organization of coastal areas, creation of typical models for Northwestern Russia. Analysis is conducted on the natural-climatic, historical-cultural and other specific characteristics of the coastal areas of Ladoga Lake, as well as determines their impact upon landscape-recreational organization of coastline. The author also examines the cartographic data and statistical reports, carries out a comparative analysis of environmental indexes in retrospective, as well as systematized data on the spatial-planning system of coastline based on the land use documents. Climatic specificities determine the focus of attention not on the beach recreation, but other types based on the uniqueness and diversity of natural components of the coastline of Ladoga Lake. Integrating into the system of environmental framework, the infrastructure of recreational areas, their transport and pedestrian support alongside specially protected zones, performs an environmental protection function. In order to prevent future destruction of landscape complexes on the coastline of Ladoga Lake, it is essential to establish universal rules and regulation for natural and water resource management. Due to natural and climatic factors, landscape peculiarities and historical-cultural value of Ladoga Lake coastline, one of the fundamental vectors in arrangement of its recreational zones is ecotourism.
To the question on classification of constitutional rights and freedoms for application by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation
Authors: Plutalov Ivan Yur'evich
Published: August 2020

The subject of this research is the constitutional human rights and freedoms in the Russian Federation. The goal is to substantiate their most rational classification for application in human rights advocacy of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation. The author conducts the analysis of these rights and freedoms, as well as underlines the need for their classification for the purpose of application by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation. Various approaches within modern national legal literature towards such classification. The author also presents an original approach based on the quantitative criterion – degree of perception of rights and freedoms by population of the country. The proposed new classification significantly differs from the officially accepted in its commitment to results of human rights advocacy of the for Human Rights of the Russian Federation.
Submission of prosecutorial decision in a civil procedure
Authors: Byval'tseva Svetlana Gennad'evna , Kovalev Artem Aleksandrovich
Published: August 2020

The object of this research is the public relations arising when the prosecutor is involved in court hearing of civil cases by intervening into a case for delivering an opinion in the appellate, cassation and supervisory bodies, as well as problematic aspects of the application of his powers to deliver an opinion in the aforementioned bodies. The subject of this research is the materials of prosecutorial law enforcement and judicial practice, norms of civil procedural legislation of the Russian Federation that regulation these public relations, as well as positions formulated on the matter. Despite the fact, that the scientific literature paid attention to the separate aspects of submission of prosecutorial decision, the questions of submission of prosecutorial decision in the retrial of civil cases did not receive due coverage. Such situation led to a contradictory approach towards the question on possibility of delivering an opinion by the prosecutor in retrial of civil cases in the theory and case law. Therefore, based on the conducted research, the author makes recommendation with regards to exercising prosecutorial powers in submission of decision in retrial of civil cases by the courts, as well as the changes in current legislation that would bring certainty into these legal relations and contribute to elimination of the emerged contradictions.
Early analysis of the Australian COVID-19 epidemic
Authors: Price David J , Shearer Freya M , Meehan Michael T , McBryde Emma , Moss Robert , Golding Nick , Conway Eamon J , Dawson Peter , Cromer Deborah , Wood James , Abbott Sam , McVernon Jodie , McCaw James M
Published: August 2020

As of 1 May 2020, there had been 6808 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia. Of these, 98 had died from the disease. The epidemic had been in decline since mid-March, with 308 cases confirmed nationally since 14 April. This suggests that the collective actions of the Australian public and government authorities in response to COVID-19 were sufficiently early and assiduous to avert a public health crisis – for now. Analysing factors that contribute to individual country experiences of COVID-19, such as the intensity and timing of public health interventions, will assist in the next stage of response planning globally. We describe how the epidemic and public health response unfolded in Australia up to 13 April. We estimate that the effective reproduction number was likely below one in each Australian state since mid-March and forecast that clinical demand would remain below capacity thresholds over the forecast period (from mid-to-late April).
Effects of Sr2 + on the preparation of Escherchia coli DH5α competent cells and plasmid transformation
Authors: Wang Yonggang , Wang Xinjian , Yu Linmiao , Tian Yuan , Li Shaowei , Leng Feifan , Ma Jianzhong , Chen Jixiang
Published: August 2020

Bacterial gene transformation used with Escherichia coli as a desired microorganism is one of the important techniques in genetic engineering. In this study, the preparation of E. coli DH5α competent cells treated with SrCl2 and transformation by heat-shock with pUC19 plasmid was optimized by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Other five E. coli strains including BL21 (DE3), HB-101, JM109, TOP10 and TG1, three different sizes plasmids (pUC19, pET32a, pPIC9k) were used to verify the protocol, respectively. The transformation mechanism was explored by scanning electron microscope combined with energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). An equation of regression model was obtained, and the ideal parameters were Sr2 + ions of 90 mM, heat-shock time of 90 s and 9 ng of plasmid. Under this conditions, the transformation efficiency could almost reach to 106 CFU/µg DNA. A small change of the cell surface structure has been observed between E. coli DH5α strain and competent cells by abovementioned spectrum technologies, which implied that a strict regulation mechanism involved in the formation of competent cells and transformation of plasmids. An equation of regression model for the competent cells preparation and plasmid transformation could be applied in gene cloning technology
EVOLUÇÃO DA ARQUITETURA INSTITUCIONAL DE CONTROLE E DEFESA DO ESTADO BRASILEIRO
Authors: Nakano Bruno Massayuki
Published: August 2020

O presente trabalho versa sobre a evolução da arquitetura institucional do controle interno brasileiro numa perspectiva de identificar as transformações e avanços no fortalecimento da defesa administrativa do Estado. Sob a perspectiva da trajetória institucional desde sua criação e da atuação sistemática na prevenção e combate à corrupção, favorecida pela primeira, analisa-se a Controladoria-Geral da União, desde a sua formação até a mais recente mudança com a criação do Ministério da Transparência e Controladoria-Geral da União. Enquanto órgão central do Sistema de Controle Interno do Poder Executivo Federal, é de sua responsabilidade a avaliação do cumprimento das metas estabelecidas pelo Plano Plurianual, fiscalização orçamentária da União, acompanhar o desenvolvimento dos programas de governo, além da gestão dos servidores públicos federais. Dessa forma, é possível adiantar que a compreensão da formação histórica e consequente desempenho da CGU é aspecto importante no desenvolvimento da gestão pública, uma vez que a concepção do controle administrativo governamental é fruto das iniciativas de modernização do aparato público e da mudança de cultura administrativa. Capaz de induzir de uma gestão pública mais eficiente e racional, por meio de instrumentos como a auditoria e das fiscalizações, a atuação da CGU representa o fortalecimento da transparência pública, da probidade administrativa e lisura dos servidores federais, determinante para a própria administração pública melhorar os serviços oferecidos aos cidadãos.
177Lutetium SPECT/CT: Evaluation of collimator, photopeak and scatter correction
Authors: Huizing Daphne M. V. , Sinaasappel Michiel , Dekker Marien C. , Stokkel Marcel P. M. , de Wit – van der Veen Berlinda J.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The goal of this study was to find the optimal combination of collimator, photopeak and scatter correction for 177Lutetium (177Lu) SPECT/CT imaging.

Methods

Three experiments [sphere‐to‐background ratios (SBR) 50:1, 10:1, and 2:1] were performed with the NEMA Image Quality phantom filled with 177Lu‐trichloride. SPECT/CT acquisitions were performed with the medium‐energy low‐penetration (MELP) collimator and 99mTc/Krypton collimator. For each acquisition six reconstructions, all with attenuation correction (AC), were made: the 113‐keV photopeak only, the 208‐keV photopeak only and both photopeaks combined, each with or without scatter correction (SC). Image quality was assessed using contrast‐to‐noise ratios (CNR), quantification accuracy by means of recovery coefficients (RCs) and the spatial resolution using line profiles.

Results

With SBR 50:1 and 10:1, both collimators met the Rose criterion (CNR > 5), whereas the MELP collimator showed a higher CNR for the 2:1 ratio. The RCmean was higher with the MELP collimator, most explicit after the 208‐keV AC/SC reconstruction for all acquisitions. The line profiles showed a better spatial resolution for the MELP collimator and the 208‐keV AC/SC reconstructions.

Conclusion

177Lu SPECT/CT image quality and quantification was most optimal when acquired with the MELP collimator and reconstructed using the 208‐keV photopeak, with AC and SC.
Deep learning‐based survival analysis for brain metastasis patients with the national cancer database
Authors: Bice Noah , Kirby Neil , Bahr Tyler , Rasmussen Karl , Saenz Daniel , Wagner Timothy , Papanikolaou Niko , Fakhreddine Mohamad
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Prognostic indices such as the Brain Metastasis Graded Prognostic Assessment have been used in clinical settings to aid physicians and patients in determining an appropriate treatment regimen. These indices are derivative of traditional survival analysis techniques such as Cox proportional hazards (CPH) and recursive partitioning analysis (RPA). Previous studies have shown that by evaluating CPH risk with a nonlinear deep neural network, DeepSurv, patient survival can be modeled more accurately. In this work, we apply DeepSurv to a test case: breast cancer patients with brain metastases who have received stereotactic radiosurgery.

Methods

Survival times, censorship status, and 27 covariates including age, staging information, and hormone receptor status were provided for 1673 patients by the NCDB. Monte Carlo cross‐validation with 50 samples of 1400 patients was used to train and validate the DeepSurv, CPH, and RPA models independently. DeepSurv was implemented with L2 regularization, batch normalization, dropout, Nesterov momentum, and learning rate decay. RPA was implemented as a random survival forest (RSF). Concordance indices of test sets of 140 patients were used for each sample to assess the generalizable predictive capacity of each model.

Results

Following hyperparameter tuning, DeepSurv was trained at 32 min per sample on a 1.33 GHz quad‐core CPU. Test set concordance indices of 0.7488 ± 0.0049, 0.6251 ± 0.0047, and 0.7368 ± 0.0047, were found for DeepSurv, CPH, and RSF, respectively. A Tukey HSD test demonstrates a statistically significant difference between the mean concordance indices of the three models.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that deep learning‐based survival prediction can outperform traditional models, specifically in a case where an accurate prognosis is highly clinically relevant. We recommend that where appropriate data are available, deep learning‐based prognostic indicators should be used to supplement classical statistics.
Validation of PTV margin for Gamma Knife Icon frameless treatment using a PseudoPatient® Prime anthropomorphic phantom
Authors: Han Eun Young , Diagaradjane Parmeswaran , Luo Dershan , Ding Yao , Kalaitzakis Georgios , Zoros Emmanouil , Zourari Kyveli , Boursianis Themistoklis , Pappas Evangelos , Wen Zhifei , Wang Jihong , Briere Tina Marie
Published: August 2020

The Gamma Knife Icon allows the treatment of brain tumors mask‐based single‐fraction or fractionated treatment schemes. In clinic, uniform axial expansion of 1 mm around the gross tumor volume (GTV) and a 1.5 mm expansion in the superior and inferior directions are used to generate the planning target volume (PTV). The purpose of the study was to validate this margin scheme with two clinical scenarios: (a) the patient’s head remaining right below the high‐definition motion management (HDMM) threshold, and (b) frequent treatment interruptions followed by plan adaptation induced by large pitch head motion. A remote‐controlled head assembly was used to control the motion of a PseudoPatient® Prime head phantom; for dosimetric evaluations, an ionization chamber, EBT3 films, and polymer gels were used. These measurements were compared with those from the Gamma Knife plan. For the absolute dose measurements using an ionization chamber, the percentage differences for both targets were less than 3.0% for all scenarios, which was within the expected tolerance. For the film measurements, the two‐dimensional (2D) gamma index with a 2%/2 mm criterion showed the passing rates of ≥87% in all scenarios except the scenario 1. The results of Gel measurements showed that GTV (D100) was covered by the prescription dose and PTV (D95) was well above the planned dose by up to 5.6% and the largest geometric PTV offset was 0.8 mm for all scenarios. In conclusion, the current margin scheme with HDMM setting is adequate for a typical patient’s intrafractional motion.
Slurry Erosion–Corrosion of Bimodal Complex Concentrated Alloy Composite Cladding
Authors: Nair Rakesh B. , Arora Harpreet S. , Grewal Harpreet Singh
Published: August 2020

Herein, bimodal‐reinforced AlCoCrFeNi complex concentrated alloy composite cladding on stainless steel 316L substrate using microwave hybrid processing is synthesized. Detailed microstructural analysis of the claddings shows the presence of cellular structure A2 (disordered BCC) with intermetallics (B2 (ordered BCC) and σ phases) at the intercellular regions. The presence of Cr23C6 is also observed for the reinforced claddings due to the dissociation of the SiC particles. The bimodal‐reinforced cladding shows the highest hardness (in excess of 800 HV) and fracture toughness (≈12 MPa√m), followed by micro‐ and nanocomposite claddings. Under slurry erosion condition, the bimodal composite cladding exhibits 10 times better erosion resistance than stainless steel 316L and nonreinforced cladding (1.5–2 times), respectively, at oblique angle followed by nano‐ and microreinforced unimodal counterparts. The outstanding performance of the bimodal composite cladding under both test conditions is related to higher hardness, fracture toughness, and resistance to plastic deformation. The detailed analysis of the eroded samples shows microcutting and ploughing as a dominant mechanism at an oblique angle while platelets, cracks, and microindents being the contributing factors for erosion at the normal impact angle.
Molecular Engineering to Boost AIE‐Active Free Radical Photogenerators and Enable High‐Performance Photodynamic Therapy under Hypoxia
Authors: Wan Qing , Zhang Rongyuan , Zhuang Zeyan , Li Yuxuan , Huang Yuhua , Wang Zhiming , Zhang Weijie , Hou Jianquan , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: August 2020

The severe hypoxia in solid tumors and the vicious aggregation‐caused fluorescence quenching (ACQ) of conventional photosensitizers (PSs) have limited the application of fluorescence imaging‐guided photodynamic therapy (PDT), although this therapy has obvious advantages in terms of its precise spatial–temporal control and noninvasive character. PSs featuring type I reactive oxygen species (ROS) based on free radicals and novel aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristics (AIE‐PSs) could offer valuable opportunities to resolve the above problems, but molecular engineering methods are rare in previous reports. Herein, a strategy is proposed for generating stronger intramolecular charge transfer in electron‐rich anion‐π+ AIE‐active luminogens (AIEgens) to help suppress nonradiative internal conversion and to promote radiative and intersystem crossing to boost free radical generation. Systematic and detailed experimental and theoretical calculations prove the proposal herein: the electron‐donating abilities are enhanced in collaborative donors, and the AIE‐PSs exhibit higher performance in near‐infrared fluorescence imaging‐guided cancer PDT in vitro/vivo. This work serves as an important reference for the design of AIE‐active free radical generators to overcome the ACQ and tumor hypoxia challenges in PDT.
Aligned PCL Fiber Conduits Immobilized with Nerve Growth Factor Gradients Enhance and Direct Sciatic Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Zhu Lei , Jia Shuaijun , Liu Tuanjiang , Yan Liang , Huang Dageng , Wang Zhiyuan , Chen Shi , Zhang Zhengping , Zeng Wen , Zhang Ying , Yang Hao , Hao Dingjun
Published: August 2020

Topographical guidance and chemotaxis are crucial factors for peripheral nerve regeneration. This study describes the preparation of highly aligned poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) fiber conduits coated with a concentration gradient of nerve growth factor (NGF) (A/G‐PCL) using a newly designed electrospinning receiving device. The A/G‐PCL conduits are confirmed in vitro to enhance and attract the neurite longitudinal growth of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons toward their high‐concentration gradient side. In vivo, the A/G‐PCL conduits are observed to direct a longitudinal stronger attraction of axons and migration of Schwann cells in 15 mm rat sciatic nerve defects. At 12 weeks, rats transplanted with A/G‐PCL conduits show satisfactory morphological and functional improvements in g‐ratio, total number, and area of myelinated nerve fibers as well as the sciatic function index, compound muscle action potentials, and muscle wet weight ratio as compared to aligned PCL fibers conduits with uniform NGF (A/U‐PCL). The performance of A/G‐PCL is similar to that of autografts. Moreover, mRNA‐seq and RT‐PCR results reveal that Rap1, MAPK, and cell adhesion molecules signaling pathways are closely associated with axon chemotactic response and attraction. Altogether, by combining structural guidance with axon chemotaxis, the NGF‐gradient/aligned PCL fiber conduits represent a promising approach for peripheral nerve defect repair.
Near‐Infrared Chemiluminescent Reporters for In Vivo Imaging of Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species in Kidneys
Authors: Huang Jingsheng , Huang Jiaguo , Cheng Penghui , Jiang Yuyan , Pu Kanyi
Published: August 2020

Despite the superior sensitivity of chemiluminescence over fluorescence, most chemiluminescence reporters only emit visible light, and have low water solubility, making them poorly equipped for in vivo imaging applications. Herein two near‐infrared (NIR) chemiluminescent reporters (NCRs) with high renal clearance for real‐time imaging of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the kidneys are synthesized. NCRs comprise a β‐cyclodextrin unit and a modified dicyanomethylene‐4H‐pyran containing Schaap's dioxetane as the renal‐clearance enabler and the chemiluminescent moiety, respectively. NCR1 and NCR2 specifically activate their NIR chemiluminescence towards superoxide anion (O2•−) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−), respectively. By virtue of their nanomolar sensitivity and high renal clearance, NCRs not only detect subtle upregulation of endogenous RONS in cells but also enable noninvasive monitoring of RONS in the kidneys under nephrotoxic exposure. The earlier activation of NCR1 relative to NCR2 implies the sequential upregulation of O2•− and ONOO− during drug‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Moreover, detection of the fluorescence of excreted NCRs permits urinalysis of AKI, detecting the upregulation of RONS at least 24 h earlier than histological analysis. Thus, this study not only introduces ultrasensitive NIR chemiluminescent probes but also provides guidelines to transform them into legitimate imaging agents for organ‐specific in vivo detection.
Perfectly Aligned, Air‐Suspended Nanowire Array Heater and Its Application in an Always‐On Gas Sensor
Authors: Choi Kwang‐Wook , Jo Min‐Seung , Lee Jae‐Shin , Yoo Jae‐Young , Yoon Jun‐Bo
Published: August 2020

In spite of the excellent thermal properties of nanowires, the typical form factor of unrefined nanowires has restricted their potential use in developing ultralow power electrothermal heater and application device. In this paper, a nanowire array with a perfectly aligned geometric structure on an air‐suspended beam is proposed as a novel heating element. By locally confining the generated heat and suppressing beam conduction loss to the substrate, the proposed nanowire array heater overcomes the fundamental power consumption limits of conventional film‐type microheaters. As a result, only 2.51 mW of power is required to reach an average temperature of 300 °C, surpassing the performance of state‐of‐the‐art microheaters. The developed nanowire array heater is monolithically integrated with gas sensing nanowires to demonstrate its full capability as an ultralow power gas sensor. The fabricated device successfully detects low concentration carbon monoxide gas of 1 ppm, using less than 5 mW of power. The presented technique offers a promising pathway toward realizing always‐on gas sensors driven by battery‐powered mobile devices, which will ensure a hazardous gas‐free safe environment. In addition, the proposed strategy of employing geometrically structured nanomaterials in the electrothermal heater design enables to lead out their potential thermal capability in many other applications.
From Li‐Ion Batteries toward Na‐Ion Chemistries: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Chayambuka Kudakwashe , Mulder Grietus , Danilov Dmitri L. , Notten Peter H. L.
Published: August 2020

Among the existing energy storage technologies, lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have unmatched energy density and versatility. From the time of their first commercialization in 1991, the growth in LIBs has been driven by portable devices. In recent years, however, large‐scale electric vehicle and stationary applications have emerged. Because LIB raw material deposits are unevenly distributed and prone to price fluctuations, these large‐scale applications have put unprecedented pressure on the LIB value chain, resulting in the need for alternative energy storage chemistries. The sodium‐ion battery (SIB) chemistry is one of the most promising “beyond‐lithium” energy storage technologies. Herein, the prospects and key challenges for the commercialization of SIBs are discussed. By comparing the technological evolutions of both LIBs and SIBs, key differences between the two battery chemistries are unraveled. Based on outstanding results in power, cyclability, and safety, the path toward SIB commercialization is seen imminent.
Domain Wall Free Polar Structure Enhanced Photodegradation Activity in Nanoscale Ferroelectric BaxSr1‐xTiO3
Authors: Wang Yaqiong , Zhang Man , Liu Jianguo , Zhang Haibin , Li Feng , Tseng Chiao‐Wei , Yang Bin , Smith Graham , Zhai Jiwei , Zhang Zhen , Dunn Steve , Yan Haixue
Published: August 2020

Ferroelectric materials exhibit anomalous behavior due to the presence of domains and domain walls which are related to the spontaneous polarization inherent in the crystal structure. Control of ferroelectric domains and domain walls has been used to enhance device performances in ultrasound, pyroelectric detectors, and photovoltaic systems with renewed interest in nanostructuring for energy applications. It is also known that ferroelectrics including domain walls can double photocatalytic rate and increase carrier lifetime from microsecond to millisecond. However, there remains a lack of understanding on the different contributions of the domain and domain walls to photocatalytic activities. Herein it is found, by comparing samples of nanostructured BaxSr1‐xTiO3 with and without a polar domain, that the material with polar domains has a faster reaction rate (k = 0.18 min−1) than the nonpolar one (k = 0.11 min−1). It is further revealed that the observed enhanced photoactivity of perovskite ferroelectric materials stems from the inherent polarization of the domain instead of domain walls. Here, the new understanding of the underlying physics of materials with a spontaneous dipole opens a door to enhance the performance of light induced energy harvesting systems.
Full Defects Passivation Enables 21% Efficiency Perovskite Solar Cells Operating in Air
Authors: Liu Xixia , Yu Zhigen , Wang Tian , Chiu Ka Lok , Lin Fen , Gong Hao , Ding Liming , Cheng Yuanhang
Published: August 2020

The lattice defects in the bulk and on the surface of the halide perovskite layer serve as trap sites and recombination centers to annihilate photogenerated carriers, determining the performance and stability of perovskite optoelectronic devices. Herein, the previously reported surface defects passivation engineering is extended to a full defects passivation strategy through stereoscopically introducing the cysteamine hydrochloride (CSA‐Cl) in the bulk and on the surface of perovskites. First‐principle density functional theory (DFT) calculations are employed to theoretically verify the multiple defects passivation effect of the CAS‐Cl on the perovskite. The perovskite layer with full defects passivation exhibits superior carrier dynamics as revealed by femtosecond transient absorption due to the reduced defect density determined by a highly sensitive photothermal deflection spectroscopy technique. Consequently, a high efficiency approaching 21% is achieved for the inverted planar perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). More importantly, the CAS‐Cl passivated PVSCs exhibit operation in air, which will be beneficial for the in situ device test for understanding the photophysics involved. This work provides a promising strategy to reduce the defects in both the perovskite bulk and surface for superior optoelectronic properties, facilitating the development of highly efficient and stable PVSCs and other optoelectronic devices.
Nitrogen fertilizer rate and time effect on dryland no‐till hard red spring wheat production
Authors: Walsh Olga S. , Walsh Willow L.
Published: August 2020

Increasing the efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production is vital for Montana growers’ sustainability and competitiveness in the market. Nitrogen fertilizer applications at the right rate and time in the growing season are important for optimizing wheat grain yield and quality. Two dryland field experiments were conducted in North Central Montana in 2014. The effects of N fertilizer rates (28, 84, and 140 kg N ha−1) and application times (seeding, tillering, jointing, and flag leaf emergence) on grain yield, test weight, protein content, protein yield, grain N uptake, and N use efficiency (NUE) were evaluated. Wheat grain yield and protein content was the highest with N fertilizer applied at 140 kg N ha−1 rate at tillering. Delaying N fertilizer until flag leaf resulted in significantly lower wheat yields and grain protein values. It is possible that higher N rates would have allowed to maximize both yield and protein content. Nitrogen use efficiency was the highest with N fertilization at tillering and jointing. Nitrogen response trials coupled with historical yield records did not provide accurate estimates of optimum N rates. Close monitoring of crop nutrient status throughout the growing season (using destructive sampling and/or crop sensors), coupled with appropriate preplant soil testing, and splitting N applications to tailor N supply with crop demand should help to improve NUE.
Combined application of nitrogen and potassium reduces seed yield loss of oilseed rape caused by Sclerotinia stem rot disease
Authors: Zhang Jianglin , Li Jing , Geng Guotao , Hu Wenshi , Ren Tao , Cong Rihuan , Li Xiaokun , Lu Jianwei
Published: August 2020

Sclerotinia stem rot (SSR) is a major fungal disease of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) that causes severe yield losses. Nutrient management is crucial for protecting crops against SSR. Two‐yr field trials combined four levels of N application (0, 90, 180, and 270 kg N ha−1) and four levels of K application (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg ha−1 K2O) to investigate their interaction effects on SSR disease incidence and seed yield loss caused by SSR. Compared to the sole application of N, the combined application of N and K decreased the SSR disease incidence by 9.9–24.4 and 17.4–37.9% in 2016–2017 and 2018–2019, respectively. N application increased the severity of SSR only at lower K application rates (0 and 60 kg ha−1 K2O). Additionally, compared to the sole application of N, the co‐application of N and K dramatically decreased the total yield loss rate (TYLR), by 31.1–60.9 and 19.2–60.3% in 2016–2017 and 2018–2019, respectively. The seed yield response to N uptake was dependent on the level of K application. However, SSR disease dramatically decreased the nutrients use efficiency. Nitrogen and K supply showed synergistic interaction effects on N and K recovery efficiency. These results emphasized the importance of N and K co‐application on reducing the yield loss caused by SSR infection. For a stabilized seed yield, an adequate N (180 kg ha−1) application rate combined with a slightly high K application rate (120–180 kg ha−1) represents a feasible nutrient management strategy for oilseed rape against SSR disease.
Using point clouds to investigate the relationship between trabecular bone phenotype and behavior: An example utilizing the human calcaneus
Authors: DeMars Lily J. D. , Stephens Nicholas B. , Saers Jaap P. P. , Gordon Adam , Stock Jay T. , Ryan Timothy M.
Published: August 2020

Objectives

The objective of this study is to demonstrate a new method for analyzing trabecular bone volume fraction and degree of anisotropy in three dimensions.

Methods

We use a combination of automatic mesh registration, point‐cloud correspondence registration, and P‐value corrected univariate statistical tests to compare bone volume fraction and degree of anisotropy on a point by point basis across the entire calcaneus of two human groups with different subsistence strategies.

Results

We found that the patterns of high and low bone volume fraction and degree of anisotropy distribution between the Black Earth (hunter‐gatherers) and Norris Farms (mixed‐strategy agriculturalists) are very similar, but differ in magnitude. The hunter‐gatherers exhibit higher levels of bone volume fraction and less anisotropic trabecular bone organization. Additionally, patterns of bone volume fraction and degree of anisotropy in the calcaneus correspond well with biomechanical expectations of relative forces experienced during walking and running.

Conclusions

We conclude that comparing site‐specific, localized differences in trabecular bone variables such as bone volume fraction and degree of anisotropy in three‐dimensions is a powerful analytical tool. This method makes it possible to determine where similarities and differences between groups are located within the whole skeletal element of interest. The visualization of multiple variables also provides a way for researchers to see how the trabecular bone variables interact within the morphology, and allows for a more nuanced understanding of how they relate to one another and the broader mechanical environment.
Brachydactyly type A3 is caused by a novel 13 bp HOXD13 frameshift deletion in a Chinese family
Authors: Zhang Mengshu , Lu Likui , Wei Bin , Zhang Yingying , Li Xiang , Shi Yajun , Ge Wei , Sun Miao
Published: August 2020

Brachydactyly type A (BDA) is defined as short middle phalanges of the affected digits and is subdivided into four types (BDA1‐4). To date, the molecular cause is unknown. However, there is some evidence that pathogenic variants of HOXD13 could be associated with BDA3 and BDA4. Here, we report a Chinese autosomal dominant BDA3 pedigree with a novel HOXD13 mutation. The affected individuals presented with an obviously shorter fifth middle phalanx. The radial side of the middle phalanx was shorter than the ulnar side, and the terminal phalanx of the fifth finger inclined radially and formed classical clinodactyly. Interestingly, the index finger was normal. The initial diagnosis was BDA3. However, the distal third and fourth middle phalanges were also slightly affected, resulting in mild radial clinodactyly. Both feet showed shortening of the middle phalanges, which were fused to the distal phalanges of the second to the fifth toes, as reported in BDA4. Therefore, this pedigree had combined BDA3 and atypical BDA4. By direct sequencing, a 13 bp deletion within exon 1 of HOXD13 (NM_000523.4: c.708_720del13; NP_000514.2: p.Gly237fs) was identified. The 13 bp deletion resulted in a frameshift and premature termination of HOXD13. This study provides further evidences that variants in HOXD13 cause BDA3‐BDA4 phenotypes.
Implementation of a telestroke system for general physicians without a nearby stroke center to shorten the time to intravenous thrombolysis for acute cerebral infarction
Authors: Ochiai Hidenobu , Ohta Hajime , Kanemaru Katsuhiro , Okuyama Hironobu , Kume Shuichi , Matsuda Shuntaro , Kuroki Kazuo , Kawachi Kensuke , Takeshima Hideo
Published: August 2020

Aim

We aimed to establish a telestroke system for general physicians in areas without a nearby stroke center and investigate its usefulness for recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt‐PA) therapy for patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Methods

We used a hub and spoke model, in which a hub hospital provided telestroke support to the spoke hospitals in rural areas that were not nearby a stroke center. The telestroke support device enabled the sharing of images and real‐time face‐to‐face discussion with a stroke specialist for diagnosis and treatment. We evaluated the effect of this telestroke system on shortening time to start rt‐PA therapy.

Result

One hub and three spoke hospitals were selected. From May 2017 to November 2018, seven patients (77.2 ± 6.3 years old) suspected to have acute cerebral infarction were treated at the spoke hospitals via this system, three of whom received intravenous rt‐PA administration by a general physician under telestroke support. If these patients would have been sent via ground ambulance to the nearby stroke center, it would have taken approximately 48 min more to administer rt‐PA.

Conclusion

Establishment of a telestroke support system for general physicians in areas without a nearby stroke center was useful for promptly performing rt‐PA therapy.
Activating Versatile Mechanoluminescence in Organic Host–Guest Crystals by Controlling Exciton Transfer
Authors: Li Wenlang , Huang Qiuyi , Yang Zhan , Zhang Xiaoyue , Ma Dongyu , Zhao Juan , Xu Chao , Mao Zhu , Zhang Yi , Chi Zhenguo
Published: August 2020

Mechanoluminescence (ML) materials are attracting increasing interest owing to promising applications in various areas. However, to date, it remains a major challenge to develop a precise and universal route to achieving organic ML materials. Herein, we show that ML can be easily realized in organic piezophotonic host–guest crystals, under conditions in which neither the host nor the guest is ML‐active. The experimental and theoretical results reveal that excitons of the host generated by piezoelectricity can be harvested effectively by the guest for light emission, owing to the restraint of intersystem crossing process. Moreover, different host–guest crystals are constructed, wherein the emission color, intensity, color purity, and emission duration of ML can be manipulated. This work deepens our understanding of organic ML generation in piezophotonic host–guest crystals and provides an inspiring principle to design more organic ML materials.
Precisely Controlled Multidimensional Covalent Frameworks: Polymerization of Supramolecular Colloids
Authors: Li Yongguang , Wu Shanshan , Zhang Lingling , Xu Xin , Fang Yajun , Yi Juzhen , Kim Jehan , Shen Bowen , Lee Myongsoo , Huang Liping , Zhang Liwei , Bao Junhui , Ji Hongbing , Huang Zhegang
Published: August 2020

Rapid and selective removal of micropollutants from water is important for the reuse of water resources. Despite hollow frameworks with specific functionalized porous walls for the selective adsorption based on a series of interactions, tailoring a stable shape of nanometer‐ and micrometer‐sized architectures for the removal of specific pollutants remains a challenge. Here, exactly controlled sheets, tubes, and spherical frameworks were presented from the crosslinking of supramolecular colloids in polar solvents. The frameworks strongly depended on the architecture of original supramolecular colloids. As the entropy of colloids increased, the initial laminar framework rolled up into hollow tubules, and then further curled into hollow spheres. These shape‐persistent frameworks showed unprecedented selectivity as well as specific recognition for the shape of pollutants, thus contributing to efficient pollutant separation.