bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and properties of colorless and transparent semi‐alicyclic polyimide films with enhanced high‐temperature dimensional stability via incorporation of alkyl‐substituted benzanilide units
Authors: Zhi Xin‐Xin , Jiang Gang‐Lan , Zhang Yan , Jia Yan‐Jiang , Wu Lin , An Yuan‐Cheng , Liu Jin‐Gang , Liu Yan‐gai
Published: August 2021

Two colorless and transparent polyimide (CPI) films with enhanced high‐temperature dimensional stability and solution‐processability were prepared from the methyl‐substituted benzanilide containing organo‐soluble polyimide (PI) resins. For this target, a new aromatic diamine, 2,3′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐diaminobenzanilide (MMDABA) was synthesized. The methyl substituents were expected to endow the derived PI resins good solubility and rigid‐rod benzanilide units can efficiently reduce the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of the derived CPI films. CPI‐a and CPI‐b were prepared by the one‐step thermal polycondensation from MMDABA with hydrogenated pyromellitic dianhydride for CPI‐a and hydrogenated 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride for CPI‐b, respectively. The derived PI resins were soluble in polar aprotic solvents. Colorless and transparent CPI‐a and CPI‐b films were prepared from the PI solutions and the subsequent 280°C curing. The CPI films showed good transparency in visible light and transmittances higher than 80% at 450 nm and yellowness index (b*) below 2.0. More importantly, the derived CPI‐a film showed the glass transition temperature (Tg) of 417.5°C and the CTE value of 46.9 × 10−6/K in the range of 50–250°C. Apparently, incorporation of alkyl‐substituted benzanilide units achieved good balance among solution‐processability, high‐temperature dimensional stability, and optical properties.
Improving breed‐and‐release programmes in the face of a threatening pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
Authors: Klop‐Toker Kaya L. , Valdez Jose W. , Stockwell Michelle P. , Fardell Loren , Clulow Simon , Clulow John , Mahony Michael J.
Published: August 2021

As the proportion of threatened species increases, so too does the need for effective conservation strategies. In response, captive breed‐and‐release and habitat mitigation programmes are two conservation actions that are increasing in use and effectiveness.

Success of these programmes is frequently hampered by the continued presence of threatening processes. In the case of amphibian reintroductions, a key threatening process that is difficult to eliminate is the deadly fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). This pathogen is the proximate cause of decline for the threatened green and golden bell frog, Litoria aurea, and has contributed to the failure of previous breed‐and‐release programmes of this amphibian.

To investigate whether is it possible to establish a captive‐bred population of L. aurea that could persist in the presence of Bd, a breed‐and‐release programme was conducted in a created habitat that included increased salinity to inhibit fungal growth rates, exclusion of potential reservoir hosts and source animals bred from parents ‘experienced’ with the strain of Bd present in the release environment.

The population persisted in the created habitat for more than 4 years (the timescale of monitoring) but suffered higher infection levels compared with nearby extant populations of L. aurea. These infections significantly reduced apparent survival. Infection dynamics were linked to temperature, host density in the previous season, and size and age of the host, and these factors differed from those in extant populations and are likely to have contributed to the high levels of Bd infection at the created site.

This article discusses how it may be possible to manipulate these factors to improve the success of future breed‐and‐release programmes, and recommends the construction of warm water bodies and a strategy of prioritizing the release of fewer, large propagules of high body condition and mixed‐age class, over large numbers of younger, smaller animals.
Data‐mining social media platforms highlights conservation action for the Mediterranean Critically Endangered blue shark Prionace glauca
Authors: Boldrocchi Ginevra , Storai Tiziano
Published: August 2021

The Mediterranean Sea represents an area of elevated risk of extinction for sharks, where data deficiency is a pervasive problem.

To compensate for such a paucity of information, this study investigated the use of social media content as a complementary approach to evaluate the distribution and habitat use of the Critically Endangered blue shark Prionace glauca in coastal waters, as well as public perceptions of the sharks.

Through social media data mining a total of 146 records, comprising 158 individual blue sharks approaching Italian coastal waters, have been recorded from 2011 to 2020.

This study revealed that, over the past decade, blue sharks regularly visited Italian coastal habitats for extended periods of time. Differences in the temporal distribution of blue sharks by sex and size appear to be linked to reproductive activity. The higher number of adult females approaching the shore in spring and the increase in young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) sightings in the following months possibly indicate parturition in coastal waters. Spatial analyses also showed that certain Italian coastal areas, such as those in Calabria and Puglia, were preferred coastal habitats for this species.

Results also indicate that social media platforms can be considered an ever‐growing source of data on wildlife, which can shed light on the occurrence and distribution of endangered shark species in poorly known habitats. Furthermore, social media platforms should be used for awareness campaigns to educate the public, as this study showed that negative reactions to shark encounters remain widespread.
Heterogeneous Enantioselective Catalysis with Chiral Encoded Mesoporous Pt−Ir Films Supported on Ni Foam
Authors: Assavapanumat Sunpet , Butcha Sopon , Ittisanronnachai Somlak , Kuhn Alexander , Wattanakit Chularat
Published: August 2021

The development of heterogeneous catalysts for asymmetric synthesis is one of the most challenging topics in chemistry, as it allows obtaining enantiomerically pure compounds. Recently, metal layers incorporating molecular chiral cavities, obtained by electroreduction of a metal source in the simultaneous presence of a non‐ionic surfactant and asymmetric molecules, have been proposed for a wide range of applications, including enantioselective electroanalysis and electrosynthesis, as well as chiral separation. In contrast to this previous work, solely based on electrochemical phenomena, herein we designed and employed nanostructured chiral encoded Pt−Ir alloys, supported on high surface area nickel foams, as heterogeneous catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of aromatic ketones. Fine‐tuning the experimental conditions allows achieving very high enantioselectivity (>80%), combined with improved catalyst stability.
Periodic event‐triggered bipartite consensus for multi‐agent systems with partial information transmission
Authors: Qi Yanan , Mu Rui , Zhang Xianfu
Published: August 2021

This paper investigates the periodic event‐triggered bipartite consensus for the single integral multi‐agent systems. A fully distributed periodic event‐triggered protocol is designed for a general case that only partial information can be transmitted among agents. Then, we construct a state‐dependent and time‐dependent event detector to determine whether the sampled data should be sent out at sampling instants. Under structurally balanced signed digraphs, it is proved that all agents achieve consensus with the same magnitude but opposite sign. Notably, compared with the existing event‐triggered strategies, the limitation on sampling period can be removed and the Zeno behavior is automatically excluded. Finally, the simulation results illustrate the validity of the provided protocol.
Enzalutamide + androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) versus flutamide + ADT in Japanese men with castration‐resistant prostate cancer: AFTERCAB study
Authors: Uemura Hiroji , Kobayashi Kazuki , Yokomizo Akira , Hinotsu Shiro , Horie Shigeo , Kakehi Yoshiyuki , Naito Seiji , Nonomura Norio , Ogawa Osamu , Oya Mototsugu , Suzuki Kazuhiro , Saito Atsushi , Uno Satoshi , Akaza Hideyuki
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The objective of the study is to compare the efficacy and safety of alternative androgen therapy (AAT) with enzalutamide + androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and flutamide + ADT in the treatment of Japanese men with metastatic or nonmetastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) who progressed despite combined androgen blockade (CAB) with bicalutamide + ADT. AAT treatment sequence was also investigated.

Materials and methods

The open‐label, Phase 4 AFTERCAB study (NCT02918968) was conducted from November 2016 to March 2020 in Japanese men aged ≥20 years with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic CRPC. Patients were initially randomized to enzalutamide (160 mg/day) + ADT (enzalutamide first) or flutamide (375mg/day [125mg three times daily]) + ADT (flutamide first) as first‐line therapy. Following prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) progression, other disease progression, or discontinuation of first‐line therapy due to an adverse event (AE), patients switched to the other treatment as second‐line therapy. The primary endpoint was time to PSA progression with first‐line therapy (TTPP1). Secondary endpoints included TTPP2 (TTPP1 + time to PSA progression with second‐line therapy). AEs were monitored to assess safety.

Results

Overall, 206 men were randomized (enzalutamide first, n = 102; flutamide first, n = 104) and stratified by study site and disease stage; 133 patients transitioned to second‐line therapy (enzalutamide first, n = 48; flutamide first, n = 85). TTPP1 was significantly improved with enzalutamide first versus flutamide first (median 21.4 months vs. 5.8 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.29, 0.61]). TTPP2 was numerically improved with enzalutamide first versus flutamide first (median not reached vs. 21.2 months; HR 0.76; 95% CI [0.48, 1.19]). Both treatments were generally well tolerated, with AEs consistent with their known safety profiles.

Conclusion

First‐line AAT with enzalutamide + ADT provided a significant improvement in time to PSA progression versus flutamide + ADT. Enzalutamide + ADT may therefore be the preferred first‐line AAT option in Japanese men with metastatic or nonmetastatic CRPC who progress despite CAB with bicalutamide + ADT.
Enantioselective determination of phenthoate enantiomers in plant‐origin matrices using reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Dong Chao , Zhou Jie , Zuo Wei , Li Zhixia , Li Jing , Jiao Bining
Published: August 2021

Phenthoate is a chiral organophosphate pesticide with a pair of enantiomers which differ in toxicity, behavior and insecticidal activity, and its acute toxicity on human health owing to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase highlights the need for enantioselective detection of enantiomers. Therefore, this study aimed to establish a simple rapid method for separation and detection of phenthoate enantiomers in fruits, vegetables and grains. The enantiomers were separated using reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the first time. Rapid chiral separation (within 9 min) of the target compound was achieved on a chiral OJ‐RH column with the mobile phase of methanol–water = 85:15(v/v), at a flow rate of 1 ml/min and a column temperature of 30°C. Acetonitrile and graphitized carbon black were used as the extractant and sorbent for pretreatment, respectively. This method provides excellent linearity (correlation coefficient ≥0.9986), high sensitivity (limit of quantification 5 μg/kg and limit of detection <0.25 μg/kg), satisfactory mean recoveries (76.2–91.0%) and relative standard deviation (intra‐day RSDs ranged from 2.0 to 7.9% and inter‐day RSDs ranged from 2.4 to 8.4%). In addition, a field trial to explore the stereoselective degradation of phenthoate enantiomers in citrus showed that (−)‐phenthoate degraded faster than its antipode, resulting in the relative accumulation of (+)‐phenthoate.
Non‐canonical Amino Acid Substrates of E. coli Aminoacyl‐tRNA Synthetases
Authors: Hartman Matthew C. T.
Published: August 2021

In this comprehensive review, I focus on the twenty E. coli aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases and their ability to charge non‐canonical amino acids (ncAAs) onto tRNAs. The promiscuity of these enzymes has been harnessed for diverse applications including understanding and engineering of protein function, creation of organisms with an expanded genetic code, and the synthesis of diverse peptide libraries for drug discovery. The review catalogues the structures of all known ncAA substrates for each of the 20 E. coli aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases, including ncAA substrates for engineered versions of these enzymes. Drawing from the structures in the list, I highlight trends and novel opportunities for further exploitation of these ncAAs in the engineering of protein function, synthetic biology, and in drug discovery.
Pd Nanoparticle Size Effect of Anodic Catalysts on Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cell Initial Performance: Development of a Mathematical Model and Comparison with Experimental Results
Authors: Chiou Yuh‐Jing , Juchniewicz Karol , Kupiec Krzysztof R. , Mikolajczuk‐Zychora Anna , Mierzwa Bogusław , Lin Hong‐Ming , Borodzinski Andrzej
Published: August 2021

Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cell (DFAFC) is considered as a promising liquid fuel cell. Here, the effect of palladium particle size (dPd) of anodic DFAFC catalysts on initial power density was studied. The number of electrochemically available Pd atoms on the surface of Pd nanocrystallites in the anodes were determined experimentally. The cathode potential as a function of the current density has been measured. The mathematical model describing the effect of dPd on DFAFC performance has been developed. It was assumed that: (i) Pd crystallites have shape of cuboctahedron, (ii) Pd atoms lying on edges and corners are inactive, (iii) The activity of Pd atoms lying on crystallite (111) and (100) facets do not change with dPd. The mathematical model describes well the effect of current density and dPd on fuel cell voltage and power density. The model predicts that maximum power density is reached at dPd=2.4 nm.
Agile Detection of Chemical Warfare Agents by Machine Vision: a Supramolecular Approach
Authors: Tuccitto Nunzio , Catania Gaetano , Pappalardo Andrea , Trusso Sfrazzetto Giuseppe
Published: August 2021

The supramolecular detection by image analysis of a simulant chemical warfare agent on a solid device containing a selective molecular sensor based on a BODIPY scaffold is reported. The recognition properties were investigated in solution, demonstrating high affinity (log K 6.60) and sensitivity (LOD 10 ppt). A test strip also confirmed the sensing properties in gas phase. Image analysis of the solid device allows quantitative information about the simulant to be obtained, recovering the sensor almost 5 times and thus confirming the goal of the supramolecular approach.
Communication approaches to enhance patient motivation and adherence in cardiovascular disease prevention
Authors: Duffy Eamon Y. , Ashen Dominique , Blumenthal Roger S. , Davis Dorothy M. , Gulati Martha , Blaha Michael J. , Michos Erin D. , Nasir Khurram , Cainzos‐Achirica Miguel
Published: August 2021

Preventive cardiology visits have traditionally focused on educating patients about disease risk factors and the need to avoid and manage them through lifestyle changes and medications. However, long‐term patient adherence to the recommended interventions remains a key unmet need. In this review we discuss the rationale and potential benefits of a paradigm shift in the clinician‐patient encounter, from focusing on education to explicitly discussing key drivers of individual motivation. This includes the emotional, psychological, and economic mindset that patients bring to their health decisions. Five communication approaches are proposed that progress clinician‐patient preventive cardiology conversations, from provision of information to addressing values and priorities such as common health concerns, love for the family, desire of social recognition, financial stressors, and desire to receive personalized advice. Although further research is needed, these approaches may facilitate developing deeper, more effective bonds with patients, enhance adherence to recommendations and ultimately, improve cardiovascular outcomes.
Synthesis, Anticancer Activity, Structure‐Activity Relationship and Mechanistic Investigations of Falcarindiol Analogues
Authors: Tan Wan‐Li , Zhang Chun , Li Yang , Guo Kai , Gao Xiao‐Wei , Wei Jun , Yi Dong , Pu Lin , Wang Qin
Published: August 2021

Forty samples of optically active falcarindiol analogues are synthesized by using the easily available C2 symmetric (R)‐ and (S)‐1,1’‐binaphth‐2‐ol (BINOL) in combination with Ti(OiPr)4, Zn powder and EtI. Their anticancer activities on Hccc‐9810, HepG2, MDA‐MB‐231, Hela, MG‐63 and H460 cells are assayed to elucidate their structure‐activity relationships. These results showed that the falcarindiol analogue (3R,8S)‐2 i with the terminal double bond has the most potent anti‐proliferation effect on Hccc‐9810 cells with IC50 value of 0.46 μM. The falcarindiol analogue (3R,8S)‐2 i can induce obvious Hccc‐9810 cell apoptosis in a concentration‐dependent manner by Hoechst staining and flow cytometry analysis. The proposed mechanism suggests that the falcarindiol analogue (3R,8S)‐2 i increases LDH release and MDA content, and reduces the levels of SOD activity, which lead to the accumulation of oxidative stress and induce apoptosis in Hccc‐9810 cells.
Black‐White racial disparities in health care utilization and self‐reported health among cancer survivors: The role of food insecurity
Authors: Ojinnaka Chinedum O. , Bruening Meg
Published: August 2021

Background

Non‐Hispanic Blacks continue to have worse cancer outcomes than non‐Hispanic Whites. Suboptimal health care utilization and poor self‐reported health among non‐Hispanic Blacks contribute to these disparities. The relationship between race, food security status (FSS), and health care utilization or self‐reported health among cancer survivors is not clear. This study aims to fill this gap in the science.

Methods

The 2011‐2018 National Health Interview Survey data were used. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between race (non‐Hispanic Whites or non‐Hispanic Blacks), FSS (high, marginal, low, or very low), health care utilization, and self‐reported health among cancer survivors. Analyzed health care utilization measures included cost‐related medication underuse (CRMU), cost‐related delayed care, cost‐related forgone care, seeing/talking to a medical specialist, seeing/talking to a general doctor, and overnight hospital stay.

Results

A higher proportion of Blacks reported very low food security in comparison with Whites (10.58% vs 4.24%; P ≤ .0001). Blacks were significantly less likely to report a medical specialist visit and more likely to report fair/poor health in the past 12 months even after adjustments for FSS. There was a dose‐response relationship between FSS and CRMU, cost‐related delayed care, cost‐related forgone care, overnight hospital stay, and self‐reported health status for both Whites and Blacks.

Conclusions

Significant disparities in health care utilization and self‐reported health across race and FSS persist among cancer survivors. Interventions that target food insecurity have the potential to reduce suboptimal health care utilization and self‐reported health among cancer survivors.
Fast non‐dominated sorting evolutionary algorithmIIbased on relative non‐dominance matrix for portfolio optimization
Authors: Hu Bo , Xiao Hui , Yang Nan , Wang Lei , Jin Hao
Published: August 2021

Convergence and diversity are two crucial aspects for multi‐objective optimization. Over past few decades, many researchers have dedicated their efforts to design more efficient convergence mechanisms. Different from them, this article is focused on the further improvement of the diversity preservation. First, a recently proposed relative non‐dominance matrix is empirically analyzed. As a result, it is found that the relative non‐dominance matrix can be used as a diversity evaluator. Based on the relative non‐dominance matrix, this article proposed a new optimizer for multi‐objective optimization problems. Experimental results on two popular test suites and a portfolio optimization problem illustrate the superiority of the proposed optimizer over state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Advances in Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis Beyond the Use of Nitrogen Gas as a Source
Authors: Mou Tong , Long Jun , Frauenheim Thomas , Xiao Jianping
Published: August 2021

Electrocatalytic reduction of dinitrogen has emerged as a new strategy for ammonia synthesis. Despite being environmentally benign and energy‐saving, it suffers from low conversion efficiency and short yield of ammonia because of the challenges of activating the inert N≡N bond at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. As a result of this, researchers proposed to reduce the nitrogenous species, one category of air and water pollutants, into valuable ammonia. Although remaining largely underexplored, this alternative approach shows promising efficiency for ammonia synthesis, while achieving high catalytic activity and selectivity remains challenging. In this Minireview, we summarize recent electrocatalytic performances of denitrification with selective formation to ammonia in terms of proposed active sites and reaction mechanisms. Additionally, we discuss the common issues in the state‐of‐the‐art experimental tests and highlight the breakthroughs via computational screening of electrode materials. The aim of this is to steer the future research directions in the field, which is aiming for an optimal catalytic system with higher activity and selectivity for electrocatalytic denitrification.
Voltage multiplier applied to boost DC–DC converter: Analysis, design, and performance evaluations
Authors: Hoch Henrique J. , Faistel Tiago M. K. , Toebe Ademir , Andrade António M. S. S.
Published: August 2021

This paper presents a new voltage multiplier with a small number of components, composed of a coupled inductor and a switched capacitor cell, which allow four different configurations. To evaluate these configurations, these cells were integrated into the boost converter, thus generating four new high voltage gain topologies. These topologies have different characteristics: thus, the principle of operation, voltage gain, voltage and current stress, and design guidelines of each converter were evaluated. Finally, four prototypes of 30 V/400 V and 200 W were built and evaluated experimentally.
A proficient data gathering technique for unmanned aerial vehicle‐enabled heterogeneous wireless sensor networks
Authors: Singh Samayveer , Malik Aruna , Kumar Rajeev , Singh Pradeep Kumar
Published: August 2021

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)‐enabled wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have evolved as the significant paradigms to communicate the information among the devices in today's scenario instantly. These technologies support for developing smart crop spraying, smart infrastructure, aerial photography and videography, emergency services, etc. in providing smart solutions. Therefore, there is a dire need to develop an energy‐efficient solution for data gathering through UAVs. In this paper, an optimum weighted probability function is proposed by considering residual node energy, node spacing, and average energy of networks. This function helps in optimizing the clustering process for three‐tier heterogeneity by minimizing the energy of the proposed network. The proposed methods achieve 29.45% and 52.48% increment in the network lifespan as compared to the existing algorithm. The reason for such a gigantic enhancement in the network lifespan is the selection of the highest capable node as a cluster head using the proposed function.
Designing Advanced Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries: Principles, Strategies, and Perspectives
Authors: Li Yan , Wang Zhouhao , Cai Yi , Pam Mei Er , Yang Yingkui , Zhang Daohong , Wang Ye , Huang Shaozhuan
Published: August 2021

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) are an appealing battery system due to their low cost, intrinsic safety, and environmental‐friendliness, while their application is plagued by the obstacles from the cathode, electrolyte, and zinc anode. Summarizing the design principles and strategies toward the optimization of cathode, electrolyte, and zinc anode is crucial for the development of AZIBs. Herein, we present a comprehensive analysis of the design principles and promising strategies toward the improvement of AZIBs. Firstly, the various reaction mechanisms are summarized and the existing issues associated with the cathode, electrolyte, and zinc anode are discussed to guide the rational design of AZIBs. Subsequently, we provide an in‐depth and comprehensive discussion on the design principles and strategies for the electrodes/electrolyte/separator optimization, and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of various strategies. Importantly, the design principles and strategies of the newly appeared conversion‐type AZIBs, such as Zn‐S battery and Zn‐Se battery, are also discussed and analyzed. The effect of design strategies on the electrochemical performance and the relationship between the current issues and strategies are also unveiled in detail. Finally, some research trends and perspectives are provided for designing better AZIBs.
A Framework for Utilizing High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry and Nontargeted Analysis in Rapid Response and Emergency Situations
Authors: Phillips Allison L. , Williams Antony J. , Sobus Jon R. , Ulrich Elin M. , Gundersen Jennifer , Langlois-Miller Christina , Newton Seth R.
Published: August 2021

Unknown chemical releases constitute a large portion of the rapid response situations to which the US Environmental Protection Agency is called on to respond. Workflows used to address unknown chemical releases currently involve screening for a large array of known compounds using many different targeted methods. When matches are not found, expert analytical chemistry knowledge is used to propose possible candidates from the available data, which generally includes low-resolution mass spectra and situational clues such as the location of the release, nearby industrial operations, and other field-reported facts. The past decade has witnessed dramatic improvements in capabilities for identifying unknown compounds using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and nontargeted analysis (NTA) approaches. Complementary developments in cheminformatics tools have further enabled an increase in NTA throughput and identification confidence. Together with the expanding availability of HRMS instrumentation in monitoring laboratories, these advancements make NTA highly relevant to rapid response scenarios. In this article, we introduce the concept of NTA as it relates to rapid response needs and describe how it can be applied to address unknown chemical releases. We advocate for the consideration of HRMS-based NTA approaches to support future rapid response scenarios. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:1117–1130. Published 2021. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Post quantum secure conditional privacy preserving authentication for edge based vehicular communication
Authors: Dharminder Dharminder , Kumari Saru , Kumar Uddeshaya
Published: August 2021

A vehicular ad hoc network possesses highly advanced functioning in the intelligent transportation system. This system helps moving nodes equipped with advanced smart devices, to establish reliable communication with vehicles or usable roadside units (RSUs). It has been ascertained that the privacy of the user is essential in vehicular communication to share resources among both unknown vehicles and unknown RSUs. There are some privacy‐preserving authentication schemes based on number‐theoretic assumptions, but they do not support security against quantum computers due to Shor's algorithm. Moreover, these schemes have disfavor with repeated authentication of the earlier transmitted message and being unsuccessful to search messages no longer valid during batch verification. To resolve most of the existing issues, this article brings something new to an environment, that is, edge‐computing construction into the message‐verification procedure of the system. In the proposed design, a RSU can expeditiously verify messages from nearby legitimate vehicles and broadcast to all vehicles within its communication range, which leads to a reduction in redundant verification of messages. To ensure security against quantum attacks, we have introduced an advanced design based on the hardness of a short integer solution in some random lattice. This framework guarantees autonomous driving, regular vehicular traffic flow, and a process of revocation in the advanced quantum era.
Mixed‐effects multilevel analysis followed by canonical correlation analysis is an effective fMRI tool for the investigation of idiosyncrasies
Authors: Jo Sungman , Kim Hyun‐Chul , Lustig Niv , Chen Gang , Lee Jong‐Hwan
Published: August 2021

We report that regions‐of‐interest (ROIs) associated with idiosyncratic individual behavior can be identified from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data using statistical approaches that explicitly model individual variability in neuronal activations, such as mixed‐effects multilevel analysis (MEMA). We also show that the relationship between neuronal activation in fMRI and behavioral data can be modeled using canonical correlation analysis (CCA). A real‐world dataset for the neuronal response to nicotine use was acquired using a custom‐made MRI‐compatible apparatus for the smoking of electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes). Nineteen participants smoked e‐cigarettes in an MRI scanner using the apparatus with two experimental conditions: e‐cigarettes with nicotine (ECIG) and sham e‐cigarettes without nicotine (SCIG) and subjective ratings were collected. The right insula was identified in the ECIG condition from the χ2‐test of the MEMA but not from the t‐test, and the corresponding activations were significantly associated with the similarity scores (r = −.52, p = .041, confidence interval [CI] = [−0.78, −0.17]) and the urge‐to‐smoke scores (r = .73, p <.001, CI = [0.52, 0.88]). From the contrast between the two conditions (i.e., ECIG > SCIG), the right orbitofrontal cortex was identified from the χ2‐tests, and the corresponding neuronal activations showed a statistically meaningful association with similarity (r = −.58, p = .01, CI = [−0.84, −0.17]) and the urge to smoke (r = .34, p = .15, CI = [0.09, 0.56]). The validity of our analysis pipeline (i.e., MEMA followed by CCA) was further evaluated using the fMRI and behavioral data acquired from the working memory and gambling tasks available from the Human Connectome Project.
Understanding the development of honesty in children through the domains‐of‐socialization approach
Authors: Tong Donia , Talwar Victoria
Published: August 2021

Honesty is an important value that children acquire through socialization. To date, the socialization process by which children learn to behave honestly remains relatively unexamined. Researchers may have left this area of research relatively unexamined because there is no framework to understand how parents socialize honesty and lie‐telling in their children. As such, we suggest that the domains‐of‐socialization approach, which organizes the socialization process into various domains based on different aspects of the caregiver‐child relationship, may provide such a framework. Using this framework, researchers can operationalize vague parenting variables and identify gaps in the research, allowing them to investigate the relationship between socialization and developmental trajectories of honesty and lie‐telling tendencies more thoroughly. In this paper, we review the literature on factors influencing children's lie‐telling and honesty in relation to the five domains to demonstrate the applicability of the domains‐of‐socialization framework to research on the socialization of honesty. We also provide recommendations for future research on the socialization of honesty using a domain‐specific approach, which will contribute to our understanding of how children develop into normative or problematic liars.
Follow‐up of renal transplant recipients after acute COVID‐19—A prospective cohort single‐center study
Authors: Basic‐Jukic Nikolina , Juric Ivana , Furic‐Cunko Vesna , Katalinic Lea , Radic Josipa , Bosnjak Zrinka , Jelakovic Bojan , Kastelan Zeljko
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Although most patients recover within several weeks after acute COVID‐19, some of them develop long‐lasting clinical symptoms. Renal transplant recipients have an increased mortality risk from COVID‐19. We aimed to describe complications occurring after COVID‐19 in this group of patients.

Methods

A prospective single‐center cohort study was conducted at University Hospital Centre Zagreb. Patients with two negative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) tests for SARS‐CoV‐2 after COVID‐19 were eligible for further follow‐up at our outpatient clinic. They underwent detailed clinical and laboratory assessments. The primary outcome was the development of complications after COVID‐19.

Results

Only 11.53% of renal transplant recipients who survived acute COVID‐19 were symptomless and free from new‐onset laboratory abnormalities during the median follow‐up of 64 days (range: 50–76 days). Three patients died from sepsis after discharge from the hospital. In 47 patients (45.2%), clinical complications were present, while 74 patients (71.2%) had one or more laboratory abnormalities. The most common clinical complications included shortness of breath (19.2%), tiredness (11.5%), peripheral neuropathy (7.7%), self‐reported cognitive impairments (5.7%), and dry cough (7.7%). Most common laboratory abnormalities included shortened activated partial thromboplastin time (50%), elevated D‐dimers (36.5%), elevated fibrinogen (30.16%), and hypogammaglobulinemia (24%). Positive RT‐PCR for cytomegalovirus (8.7%), Epstein–Barr virus (26%), or BK virus (16.3%). Multivariate analysis identified the history of diabetes mellitus and eGFR CKD‐EPI as predictors for the development of post‐COVID clinical complications. Six months after acute COVID‐19, elevated D‐dimers persisted with normalization of other laboratory parameters. Twenty‐nine patients were hospitalized, mostly with several concomitant problems. However, initially reported clinical problems gradually improved in the majority of patients.

Conclusion

Post‐COVID‐19 clinical and laboratory complications are frequent in the renal transplant population, in some of them associated with significant morbidity. All patients recovered from acute COVID‐19 should undergo long‐term monitoring for evaluation and treatment of complications.
Programmed death‐ligand 1 expression in swine chronic infections and enhancement of interleukin‐2 production via programmed death‐1/programmed death‐ligand 1 blockade
Authors: Ganbaatar Otgontuya , Konnai Satoru , Okagawa Tomohiro , Nojima Yutaro , Maekawa Naoya , Ichikawa Yoshiki , Kobayashi Atsushi , Shibahara Tomoyuki , Yanagawa Yojiro , Higuchi Hidetoshi , Kato Yukinari , Suzuki Yasuhiko , Murata Shiro , Ohashi Kazuhiko
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Chronic infections lead to the functional exhaustion of T cells. Exhausted T cells are phenotypically differentiated by the surface expression of the immunoinhibitory receptor, such as programmed death‐1 (PD‐1). The inhibitory signal is produced by the interaction between PD‐1 and its PD‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) and impairs the effector functions of T cells. However, the expression dynamics of PD‐L1 and the immunological functions of the PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway in chronic diseases of pigs are still poorly understood. In this study, we first analyzed the expression of PD‐L1 in various chronic infections in pigs, and then evaluated the immune activation by the blocking assay targeting the swine PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway.

Methods

In the initial experiments, anti‐bovine PD‐L1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were tested for cross‐reactivity with swine PD‐L1. Subsequently, immunohistochemical analysis was conducted using the anti‐PD‐L1 mAb. Finally, we assessed the immune activation of swine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by the blockade with anti‐PD‐L1 mAb.

Results

Several anti‐PD‐L1 mAbs tested recognized swine PD‐L1‐expressing cells. The binding of swine PD‐L1 protein to swine PD‐1 was inhibited by some of these cross‐reactive mAbs. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that PD‐L1 was expressed at the site of infection in chronic infections of pigs. The PD‐L1 blockade increased the production of interleukin‐2 from swine PBMCs.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway could be also involved in immunosuppression in chronic infections in pigs. This study provides a new perspective on therapeutic strategies for chronic diseases in pigs by targeting immunosuppressive pathways.
Use of an artificial intelligence‐based rule extraction approach to predict an emergency cesarean section
Authors: Nagayasu Yoko , Fujita Daisuke , Ohmichi Masahide , Hayashi Yoichi
Published: August 2021

Objective

One of the major problems with artificial intelligence (AI) is that it is generally known as a “black box”. Therefore, the present study aimed to construct an emergency cesarean section (CS) prediction system using an AI‐based rule extraction approach as a “white box” to detect the cause for the emergency CS.

Methods

Data were collected from all perinatal records of all delivery outcomes at Osaka Medical College between December 2014 and July 2019. We identified the delivery method for all deliveries after 36 gestational weeks as either (1) vaginal delivery or scheduled CS, or (2) emergency CS. From among these, we selected 52 risk factors to feed into an AI‐based rule extraction algorithm to extract rules to predict an emergency CS.

Results

We identified 1513 singleton deliveries (1285 [84.9%] vaginal deliveries, 228 emergency CS [15.1%]) and extracted 15 rules. We achieved an average accuracy of 81.90% using five‐fold cross‐validation and an area under the receiving operating characteristic curve of 71.46%.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first study to use interpretable AI‐based rule extraction technology to predict an emergency CS. This system appears to be useful for identifying hidden factors for emergency CS.
A Multiple Logistic Regression Model Based on Gamma‐Glutamyl Transferase as a Biomarker for Early Prediction of Drug‐Induced Liver Injury in Vietnamese Patients
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Thi Thu , Hoang Dung Van , Pham Khue Minh , Nguyen Hoi Thanh
Published: August 2021

The discovery of new biomarkers and the causality of drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) is a major focus in modern medicine. Alcoholism is considered a risk factor for DILI. However, the extraction and assessment of alcohol history are difficult due to noncooperation by patients and intermittent management. Therefore, we conducted a case‐control study of 1277 patients diagnosed with DILI according to the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method scale to evaluate gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) as a biomarker for predicting DILI in Vietnamese patients, where the proportion of alcoholism is quite high. Further, we built and validated a logistic regression model to predict the risk of DILI in hospitalized patients. The risk of DILI increased by 10% for 1 UI/L higher levels of GGT before prescription (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00‐1.01). A history of alcoholism was not a risk factor for DILI occurrence (OR, 1.83; 95%CI, 0.99‐3.04; P = .057). A logistic regression model was successfully built and validated based on age; sex; initial levels of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatate, GGT, likelihood score of the suspected drug, and history of liver disease; the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model was 0.883 (95%CI, 0.868‐0.897). Our results thus suggest the necessity of exercising caution when prescribing to patients without a history of alcoholism but having high GGT levels. This model can be applied clinically to assess the risk of DILI before prescribing to reduce the risk of DILI in the patient.
Four‐Dimensional Flow Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Assessment of Blood Flow in the Heart and Great Vessels: A Systematic Review
Authors: Doyle Ciara M. , Orr Jenny , Greenwood John P. , Plein Sven , Tsoumpas Charalampos , Bissell Malenka M.
Published: August 2021

Four‐dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows multidirectional quantification of blood flow in the heart and great vessels. Comparability of the technique to the current reference standards of flow assessment—two‐dimensional (2D) flow MRI and Doppler echocardiography—varies in the literature. Image acquisition parameters likely impact upon the accuracy and reproducibility of 4D flow MRI. We therefore sought to review the current literature on 4D flow MRI in the heart and great vessels, in comparison to 2D flow MRI, Doppler echocardiography, and invasive catheterization. Using a predefined search strategy and inclusion and exclusion criteria, the databases EMBASE and Medline were searched in January 2021 for peer‐reviewed research articles comparing cardiac 4D flow MRI to 2D flow MRI, Doppler echocardiography and/or invasive catheterization. The data from all relevant articles were assimilated and analyzed using Mann–Whitney U and chi χ2 test. Forty‐four manuscripts met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. The review showed agreement of 4D flow MRI to the reference standard methods of flow assessment, particular in the measurement of peak velocity and stroke volume in 55% of manuscripts. The use of valve tracking significantly improves agreement between 4D flow MRI and the reference modalities (79% matching with the use of valve tracking vs. 50% without, P = 0.04). This review highlights that the impact of acquisition parameters on 4D flow MRI accuracy is multifactorial. It is therefore important that each center conducts its own quality assurance prior to using 4D flow MRI for clinical decision‐making.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
Evolution of viral variants in remdesivir‐treated and untreated SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected pediatrics patients
Authors: Boshier Florencia A. T. , Pang Juanita , Penner Justin , Parker Matthew , Alders Nele , Bamford Alasdair , Grandjean Louis , Grunewald Stephanie , Hatcher James , Best Timothy , Dalton Caroline , Bynoe Patricia Dyal , Frauenfelder Claire , Köeglmeier Jutta , Myerson Phoebe , Roy Sunando , Williams Rachel , de Silva Thushan I. , Goldstein Richard A. , Breuer Judith ,   The COVID‐19 Genomics UK (COG‐UK) consortium
Published: August 2021

Detailed information on intrahost viral evolution in SARS‐CoV‐2 with and without treatment is limited. Sequential viral loads and deep sequencing of SARS‐CoV‐2 from the upper respiratory tract of nine hospitalized children, three of whom were treated with remdesivir, revealed that remdesivir treatment suppressed viral load in one patient but not in a second infected with an identical strain without any evidence of drug resistance found. Reduced levels of subgenomic RNA during treatment of the second patient, suggest an additional effect of remdesivir on viral replication. Haplotype reconstruction uncovered persistent SARS‐CoV‐2 variant genotypes in four patients. These likely arose from within‐host evolution, although superinfection cannot be excluded in one case. Although our dataset is small, observed sample‐to‐sample heterogeneity in variant frequencies across four of nine patients suggests the presence of discrete viral populations in the lung with incomplete population sampling in diagnostic swabs. Such compartmentalization could compromise the penetration of remdesivir into the lung, limiting the drugs in vivo efficacy, as has been observed in other lung infections.
Effects of Atlantic multidecadal oscillation and Pacific decadal oscillation on interdecadal variability of fog frequency in autumn–winter season in Southwest China
Authors: Liu Peng , Zhang Ying , Tang Mingyue
Published: August 2021

Based on the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) and the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) indexes, the observation of fog frequency in China and the reanalysis data from the National Centres for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research during 1958–2007 are selected to study the effects of the AMO and PDO on the interdecadal variability of fog frequency in autumn–winter in Southwest China (SWC). The results suggest that the fog frequency in SWC is highest in autumn–winter season and shows a characteristic of strong interdecadal variation. When the north Atlantic and the north Pacific are abnormally cold (warm), which corresponds to the negative (positive) phase of the AMO and the positive (negative) phase of the PDO respectively, the fog in SWC occurs more (less) frequently. The atmosphere is unstable because of the eastward propagation of Rossby wave train and the anomaly of Siberian high‐pressure, which are affected by the AMO and PDO, respectively. The AMO particularly affects the atmospheric stability in the middle and lower level, while the PDO mainly affects that of the whole layer. The water vapour is modulated by the southward movement of cold air in Northern China during the negative phase of the AMO and positive phase of the PDO. This results in the decreasing of temperature and specific humidity, and further leads to the supersaturation of water vapour in the lower atmosphere of SWC. The AMO particularly affects the temperature and water vapour supersaturation in the lower atmosphere, while the PDO mostly modulates the atmospheric stability of the whole layer and the southward movement of cold air.
Carnitine deficiency among hospitalized pediatric patients: A retrospective study of critically ill patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy
Authors: Kelley Jenna , Sullivan Erin , Norris Marie , Sullivan Sarah , Parietti Jennifer , Kellogg Kimberly , Scott Anna I.
Published: August 2021

Background

The metabolic demands associated with critical illness place patients at risk for nutrition deficits. Carnitine is a small molecule essential for fatty acid oxidation and gluconeogenesis. Secondary carnitine deficiency can have clinically significant complications and has been observed anecdotally in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy at our institution. Guidelines for monitoring and supplementing carnitine are lacking. This retrospective study determined whether critically ill pediatric patients receiving ECMO have an increased risk of carnitine deficiency.

Methods

Acylcarnitine analysis was performed on residual specimens from patients who received ECMO therapy. The control data were a convenience sample gathered by chart review of patients who had been tested for carnitine during a hospitalization.

Results

Acylcarnitines were measured in 217 non‐ECMO patients and 81 ECMO patients. Carnitine deficiency, based on age‐specific reference ranges, was observed in 41% of ECMO cases compared with 21% of non‐ECMO cases. Multivariable analysis of age‐matched patients identified that the odds of carnitine deficiency were significantly lower among patients on the floor compared with ECMO patients (odds ratio, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.10–0.44). Age‐specific frequency of qualitative carnitine deficiency ranged from 15% (patients >5 years old) to 56% (patients 1 week to 1 month old) in ECMO patients and 15% (patients >5 years old) to 34% (patients 1–5 years old) in non‐ECMO patients.

Conclusion

In this study, ECMO patients were carnitine deficient more frequently compared with other inpatients, with the highest rates of deficiency among ECMO patients between 1 week and 1 month old.