bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fetal radiation dose of four tube voltages in abdominal CT examinations during pregnancy: A phantom study
Authors: Matsunaga Yuta , Haba Tomonobu , Kobayashi Masanao , Suzuki Shoichi , Asada Yasuki , Chida Koichi
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to compare the dose and noise level of four tube voltages in abdominal computerized tomography (CT) examinations in different abdominal circumference sizes of pregnant women. Fetal radiation doses were measured with two anthropomorphic pregnant phantoms and real‐time dosimeters of photoluminescence sensors using four tube voltages for abdominal CT. The noise level was measured at the abdomen of two anthropomorphic pregnant phantoms. In the large pregnant phantom, the mean fetal doses performed using 120 and 135 kV were statistically significantly lower than the lower tube voltages (P < 0.05). In the small pregnant phantom, the mean fetal dose performed by 100, 120, and 135 kV was significantly lower than the lowest tube voltage tested (P < 0.05). The ratios of the peripheral mean dose to the centric mean dose showed that the ratios of 80 kV were the highest and those for 135 kV were the lowest in both pregnant phantoms. The ratios of the peripheral mean dose to the centric mean dose decreased as the tube voltage increased. Compared with low tube voltages, high tube voltages such as 120 and 135 kV could reduce radiation doses to the fetus without compromising the image uniformity in abdominal CT examinations during pregnancy. On low tube voltage protocols, the dose near the maternal skin surface may be increased in large pregnant women because of reduced penetration of the x rays.
SAMHSA head leaves, new head appointed
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2021

On Jan. 7, the day after the riots in Washington, D.C., when Trump supporters violently invaded the Capitol, Elinore McCance‐Katz, M.D., Ph.D., announced her resignation from the administration as assistant secretary for mental health and substance use at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), giving the White House incitement of the riots as the reason. “I have chosen to resign today as the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. I am, and will be, forever grateful to have had the opportunity to lead SAMHSA and to contribute to improving prevention, treatment and recovery resources to those with mental and substance use disorders and their families,” she wrote in a statement. “I want to express my gratitude to all SAMHSA staff and to my colleagues in the Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] for their support and sharing of their expertise with the common goal of meeting the mental health needs of our nation.”
Polymer Nanopillars Induce Increased Paxillin Adhesion Assembly and Promote Axon Growth in Primary Cortical Neurons
Authors: Milos Frano , Belu Andreea , Mayer Dirk , Maybeck Vanessa , Offenhäusser Andreas
Published: January 2021

The complexity of the extracellular matrix consists of micro‐ and nanoscale structures that influence neuronal development through contact guidance. Substrates with defined topographic cues mimic the complex extracellular environment and can improve the interface between cells and biomedical devices as well as potentially serve as tissue engineering scaffolds. This study investigates axon development and growth of primary cortical neurons on OrmoComp nanopillars of various dimensions. Neuronal somas and neurites form adhesions and F‐actin accumulations around the pillars indicating a close contact to the topography. In addition, higher pillars (400 nm) confine the growing neurites, resulting in greater neurite alignment to the topographical pattern compared to lower pillars (100 nm). A comprehensive analysis of growth cone dynamics during axon development shows that nanopillars induce earlier axon establishment and change the periodicity of growth cone dynamics by promoting elongation. This results in longer axons compared to the flat substrate. Finally, the increase in surface area available for growth cone coupling provided by nanopillar sidewalls is correlated with increased assembly of paxillin‐rich point contact adhesions and a reduction in actin retrograde flow rates allowing for accelerated and persistent neurite outgrowth.
A Colon‐Targeted Oral Probiotics Delivery System Using an Enzyme‐Triggered Fuse‐Like Microcapsule
Authors: Cheng Qikun , Liu Lu , Xie Mingzhi , Li Hang , Ma Dong , Xue Wei
Published: January 2021

Probiotics are closely related to human health. However, it is hard to find an appropriate disintegration mode for encapsulation to balance the survival, release, and adhesion of probiotics simultaneously during the current colon‐targeted oral delivery, which leads to limited colonization. In this study, an enzyme‐triggered fuse‐like microcapsule is constructed using alginate and protamine via the electrostatic droplet combined with the layer by layer self‐assembly. The multilayer microcapsule can protect the probiotics in the stomach and disintegrate layer by layer under the catalysis of trypsin in the intestine. The formulation with two protamine layers showed the best protection for Escherichia coli MG1655 (EM) during the oral delivery; as well the minimal release at the gastric pH value but a burst release after 1 h at the intestinal pH value. In particular, the adhesion strength of EM is improved with the increase of the layer number. In vivo experiments demonstrate that the EM enters into the stationary phase within 12 h in the colon. Moreover, the blood biochemistry and histological analysis demonstrates the safety of the microcapsule formulation. It can be concluded that this microcapsule can help the probiotics survive during the delivery, then release and colonize in the colon.
Encapsulated Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Microbeads Promote Endogenous Regeneration of Osteoarthritic Cartilage Ex Vivo
Authors: Sahu Neety , Agarwal Pranay , Grandi Fiorella , Bruschi Michela , Goodman Stuart , Amanatullah Derek , Bhutani Nidhi
Published: January 2021

The anti‐inflammatory secretome of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is lucrative for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), a disease characterized by low‐grade inflammation. However, the precise effects of the MSC secretome on patient‐derived OA tissue is lacking. To investigate these effects, alginate encapsulated MSCs are co‐cultured with patient‐derived OA cartilage explants for 8 days. Proteoglycan distribution in OA cartilage explants examined by Safranin O staining is markedly improved when cultured with MSC microbeads as compared to control OA explants cultured alone. Total sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content in OA explants is significantly increased upon co‐culture with MSC microbeads on day 8. The sGAG released into the culture media is unchanged by the presence of MSC microbeads, suggesting de novo sGAG synthesis in OA explants. Co‐culture with MSC microbeads increased the DNA content and Ki67+ cells in OA explants, indicating proliferation. An increase in secreted cytokines IL‐10, HGF, and sFAS assessed by multiplex cytokine assay, increased TIMP1 levels, and reduction in percent apoptotic cells in OA explants is noted. Together, data demonstrates that paracrine factors secreted by alginate encapsulated MSCs microbeads in response to OA cartilage, create an anabolic, proliferative, and anti‐apoptotic microenvironment inducing endogenous regeneration in clinically relevant, patient‐derived OA cartilage.
Liquid Metals: A Novel Possibility of Fabricating 2D Metal Oxides
Authors: Zhao Shasha , Zhang Jiaqian , Fu Lei
Published: January 2021

2D metal oxides (2DMOs) have been widely applied in the fields of electronic, magnetic, optical, and catalytic materials, owing to their rich surface chemistry and unique electronic structures. However, their further development faces challenges such as the difficulty in fabricating 2DMOs with unstable surface induced by strong surface polarizability, or the high cost and limited yield of the fabrication process. Recently, liquid metals have shown great potential in the fabrication of 2DMOs. The native oxide skin formed on the surface of liquid metals can be considered as a perfect 2D planar material. Due to the solubility, fluidity, and reactivity of liquid metals, they can act as the solvent, reactant, and interface in the fabrication of 2DMOs. Moreover, liquid metals undergo a liquid–solid phase transition, enabling them to be a symmetric matched substrate for growing high‐quality 2DMOs. An insightful survey of the recent progress in this research direction is presented. The features of liquid metals including good solubility, chemical reactivity, weak interface force, and liquid–solid phase transitions are introduced in detail. Furthermore, strategies for the fabrication of 2DMOs by virtue of these features are summarized comprehensively. Finally, current challenges and prospects regarding the future development in the fabrication of 2DMOs via liquid metals are highlighted.
Amphiphilic Polymer Thin Films with Enhanced Resistance to Biofilm Formation at the Solid–Liquid–Air Interface
Authors: Donadt Trevor B. , Yang Rong
Published: January 2021

Biofouling at the solid–liquid–air interface poses a serious threat to public health and environmental sustainability. Despite the variety of antifouling materials developed, few have proven to resist fouling at the three‐phase contact line. In fact, antifouling at the liquid–solid interface and the air–solid interface call for opposite surface properties—hydrophilic for the former and hydrophobic for the latter. By devising a new design strategy, one that maximizes the mismatch of surface energies of comonomers for dynamic chain reorientation at the three‐phase contact line, an antifouling amphiphilic copolymer is obtained. The novel amphiphilic copolymer reduces the formation of biofilms by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and outperforms a zwitterionic polymer, the current leading antifouling chemistry. The copolymer is synthesized using initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD), which leads to molecular‐level heterogeneities composed of zwitterionic and fluorinated moieties by avoiding undesirable surface tension effects. Atomic force microscopy, x‐ray diffractometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirm the copolymer's amphiphilicity and lack of microphase separation. Scanning electron microscopy provides visual confirmation of the diminished biofilm growth. The versatile iCVD technique is amenable to a range of substrates and enables the application of this new material to food processing, healthcare, and underwater performance.
Ultra‐Compact High‐Speed Polarization Division Multiplexing Optical Receiving Chip Enabled by Graphene‐on‐Plasmonic Slot Waveguide Photodetectors
Authors: Wang Yilun , Zhang Yong , Jiang Zhibin , Deng Wentao , Zhou De , Huang Xinyu , Yan Qizhi , Zhang Jihua , Chen Liao , Yu Yu , Li Xiang , Ye Lei , Zhang Xinliang
Published: January 2021

Polarization multiplexing technology is widely adopted for increasing the capacity in optical communication systems. Especially, silicon‐based integrated polarization division multiplexing (PDM) optical receivers with large bandwidth therein play an important role, which are crucial for on‐chip large‐capacity optical interconnection. Here, a silicon‐based PDM optical receiving chip is enabled by two‐dimensional grating couplers and graphene‐on‐plasmonic slot waveguide photodetectors. Utilizing the advantages of the designed focusing two‐dimensional grating couplers and plasmonic‐slot‐waveguide‐enhanced graphene–light interaction, the optical receiving chip is achieved with an ultra‐small footprint, a bandwidth exceeding 70 GHz and a reception of PDM signals in a line rate of 128 Gbit s−1 non‐return‐to‐zero and 224 Gbit s−1 four‐level pulse‐amplitude‐modulation at 1550 nm, accompanied by the bit error rates lower than the KP4 forward error correction threshold and 15% soft‐decision forward error correction threshold, respectively. Comparing with receiving the single‐polarization state, simultaneous receiving dual‐polarization state introduces about 1 dB additional power penalty because of inter‐polarization crosstalk. The graphene‐plasmonic PDM optical receiving chip can greatly improve the line rate of the system, showing its unique advantages of small footprint, high speed, large bandwidth, low crosstalk and complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor compatibility, which can be potentially used in the next generation silicon‐based high‐speed optical communication.
Raman Ink for Steganography
Authors: Gu Yuqing , He Chang , Liu Fugang , Ye Jian
Published: January 2021

Steganography, also known as “invisible” communication, refers to the technique of hiding information into another medium such as video, audio, image, and text. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanotags are well suited to information encoding owing to their nanoscale dimensions, fingerprint optical spectral features, and remarkable multiplexing capability. Herein, Raman ink, fabricated by doping a new type of SERS nanotags (gap‐enhanced Raman tags, GERTs) into commercial ink, is demonstrated as security ink for multiplexing steganography. A stego‐text is written using two types of Raman ink containing different GERTs with diverse Raman signals, imaged via a confocal Raman system, and processed by the classical least squares method to extract the hidden message. The Raman ink generates distinct spectral profiles with low background from pure ink upon near‐infrared laser irradiation. A multiplexing combination of seven kinds of messages extracted from the written stego‐text is demonstrated, which adds enhanced safety and flexibility to information encoding. In addition, Raman ink exhibits good photostability and long‐term stability. Therefore, GERTs‐based Raman ink is promising for steganographic use in information security.
Electrochemical Activity of Nitrogen‐Containing Groups in Organic Electrode Materials and Related Improvement Strategies
Authors: Yu Qianchuan , Xue Zhihuan , Li Meichen , Qiu Peimeng , Li Changgang , Wang Shengping , Yu Jingxian , Nara Hiroki , Na Jongbeom , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: January 2021

In recent years, due to their structural diversity, adjustability, versatility, and excellent electrochemical properties, organic compounds with nitrogen‐containing groups (OCNs) have become some of the most promising organic electrode materials. The nitrogen‐containing groups acting as electrochemical active sites include carbon–nitrogen groups, nitrogen–nitrogen groups, nitrogen–oxygen groups in OCNs, and nitrogen‐containing groups in covalent organic frameworks. The molecular structure regulation of OCNs with nitrogen‐containing groups acting as electrochemical active centers can suppress dissolution in electrolytes, increase electronic conductivity, and improve the kinetics of redox reactions. The kinetics behavior and electrochemical characteristics of OCN electrode materials in alkali metal rechargeable batteries with organic electrolytes are reviewed, and the related relationships between the structure and electrochemical properties of OCNs are the core of this review. Herein, the electrochemical reaction mechanisms and the strategies to improve the electrochemical activity of nitrogen‐containing groups in OCNs are clarified, and the conjugate molecular structure of OCNs is shown to be an important direction for improvement. These results will have implications for research on electrode materials and provide more choices for rechargeable batteries. Moreover, this work will guide the study of more efficient OCNs that can be used as electrode materials.
Non‐coalescence and chain formation of droplets under an alternating current electric field
Authors: Huang Xin , He Limin , Luo Xiaoming , Xu Ke , Lü Yuling , Yang Donghai
Published: January 2021

The dynamic behaviors of two droplets and droplet cluster under an alternating current (AC) electric field are investigated. Two droplets generally undergo transformation from complete coalescence to partial coalescence and finally to non‐coalescence as the electric capillary number Cap increases. The critical electric capillary number Capc for complete coalescence in the AC electric field remains unchanged and is twice as large as that in the direct current (DC) electric field when the frequency f ≥ 250 Hz. Charge transfer and reversal of electric field result in the reversal of the direction of electric force, which is the fundamental mechanism of non‐coalescence of two droplets and chain formation in droplet cluster. The number of rebounds dramatically increases as f increases, promoting the stability of droplet chain. The droplet chains in the high‐frequency AC electric field are longer and more stable than those in the low‐frequency AC electric field.
Synthesis of quaternary piperazine methacrylate homopolymers and their antibiofilm and anti‐quorum sensing effects on pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Kocak Gökhan , Tamfu Alfred Ngenge , Bütün Vural , Ceylan Ozgur
Published: January 2021

In this work, poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA, G) homopolymers with different molecular weights (5600–21,000 gmol−1) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method. Epoxy groups of PGMA homopolymers were converted to hydroxyl and 1‐methyl piperazin residues by reacting with 1‐methyl piperazine via ring‐opening reaction. The obtained poly(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl piperazinepropyl methacrylate) (PHMPPMA, G‐P) homopolymers (from 9450 to 35,900 gmol−1) were reacted with alkyl halides of different carbon chain lengths (methyl‐, ethyl‐, propyl‐, butyl‐, pentyl‐iodides, hexyl bromide) and benzyl chloride (arylhalide) to form quaternary PHMPPMA homopolymers (G‐QP). MIC values varied from 0.125 mg/ml to 5 mg/ml. It was found that homopolymer (1G‐6QP) produced by the modification of PHMPPMA with hexyl iodide with low molecular weight had highest quorum‐sensing inhibition zone ranging from 14.5 ± 0.5 mm (MIC) and 10.0 ± 0.5 mm (MIC/4) as well as best violacein inhibition 61.0 ± 2.2% (MIC) to 17.3 ± 0.6% (MIC/8). Homopolymer (1G‐BzQP) produced by the modification of PHMPPMA with benzyl chloride with the lowest molecular weight had best biofilm inhibition ranging from 77.83 ± 1.60% (MIC) to 18.23 ± 0.87% (MIC/8) on S. aureus, 75.70 ± 5.20% (MIC) to 14.25 ± 1.10% (MIC/8) on E. coli and from 86.16 ± 0.83% (MIC) to 12.41 ± 0.76% (MIC/8) on C. albicans. The synthesized homopolymers can be used to combat microbial resistance and severity of infections.
Global Deletion of Pannexin 3 Resulting in Accelerated Development of Aging‐Induced Osteoarthritis in Mice
Authors: Moon P. M. , Shao Z. Y. , Wambiekele G. , Appleton C. T. G. , Laird D. W. , Penuela S. , Beier F.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) results in pathologic changes in the joint tissue. The mechanisms driving disease progression remain largely unclear, and thus disease‐modifying treatments are lacking. Pannexin 3 (Panx3) was identified as a potential mediator of cartilage degeneration in OA, and our previous study in mice indicated that deletion of the Panx3 gene delayed surgically induced cartilage degeneration. This study was undertaken to examine the role of Panx3 in other OA subtypes, particularly primary OA during aging, in a mouse model of aging‐induced OA.

Methods

Wild‐type (WT) and Panx3−/− C57BL/6J (Black‐6) mice, ages 18–24 months, were analyzed by micro–computed tomography to investigate bone mineral density and body composition. Joints were harvested from the mice, and histopathologic analysis of the joint tissue for OA development was conducted with a specific focus on changes in articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovial tissue.

Results

Global loss of Panx3 in aging mice was not associated with increased mortality or changes in body composition. Mice lacking Panx3 had shorter appendicular skeletons than WT mice, but overall the body compositions appeared quite similar. Panx3 deletion dramatically accelerated cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone thickening with aging in both 18‐month‐old and 24‐month‐old mice, while promoting synovitis in 18‐month‐old mice.

Conclusion

These observations in a mouse model of OA suggest that Panx3 has a protective role against the development of primary aging‐associated OA. It appears that Panx3 has opposing context‐specific roles in joint health following traumatic injury versus that associated with aging. These data strongly suggest that there are differences in the molecular pathways driving different subtypes of OA, and therefore a detailed understanding of these pathways could directly improve strategies for OA diagnosis, therapy, and research.
Inference on errors in industrial parts: Kriging and variogram versus geometrical product specifications standard
Authors: Maculotti Giacomo , Pistone Giovanni , Vicario Grazia
Published: January 2021

This article focuses on the inference on the errors in manufactured parts controlled by using measurements devices. The characterization of the part surface topographies is core in several applications. A broad set of properties (tribological, optical, biological, mechanical, etc.) depends on the micro‐ and macrogeometry of the parts. Moreover, parts usually show typical deterministic geometric deviation pattern, referred to as manufacturing signatures, due to the specific manufacturing processes and process setup parameters adopted for their production. In several situations, the measurements may also be affected by systematic errors due to the measurement process, that might be caused, for example, by a poor part alignment during the measurement process. Measurement techniques and characterization methods have been standardized in the International Standard ISO 25178, defining parameters characterizing the surface topography and supplying methods and formula adapt to deal with this issue computationally. In the present article, we consider a type of spatial dependence between measured values at different points that suggest the use of the variogram to identify patterns in the parts. We offer a comparison, based on a real set of measures, between the latter approach and the conventional as a test of the efficient performance of our findings.
Luminescence feature of new 3,6‐di(thiazolidin‐5‐one‐2‐yl)‐carbazole derivative: synthesis, photophysical properties, density functional theory studies, and crystal shape effect
Authors: Bawazeer Tahani M. , Althagafi Ismail , Morad Moataz , Munshi Alaa M. , Bayazeed Abrar A. , Alharbi Arwa , El‐Metwaly Nashwa
Published: January 2021

A new carbazole chromophore conjugated with substituted thiazolidine‐4‐one (CzPT) was synthesized by applying the Knoevenagel reaction between 3,6‐diformyl‐N‐hexylcarbazole and ethyl 2‐aceto‐2‐(5‐oxo‐3‐phenylthiazolidin‐2‐ylidene)acetate. The chemical structure of the new derivative (CzPT) was elucidated by spectral studies. The CzPT absorption spectra in different solvents exhibited a red shift for λmax by increasing solvent polarity. Bands at 430–474 nm appeared and were attributed to intramolecular charge transfer with high π–π* characteristics. CzPT fluorescence spectra exhibited a red shift after increasing the solvent polarity. To understand the Stokes' shift (
behaviour of the CzPT derivative referring to the polarity of solvents, Lippert–Mataga and linear solvation‐energy relationship (LSER) models were employed in which the LSER exhibited respectable results compared with Lippert–Mataga (r2 = 0.9707). Moreover, time‐dependent density functional theory absorption spectra in hexane and dimethylformamide showed that λmax had a major contribution in the highest occupied molecular orbital to lowest unoccupied molecular orbital transition in both solvents. In addition, the reduced uniformity of crystal features may lead to dislocation or anomalous arrangement of crystals with irregular spacing, which automatically enhances the optical properties of such crystals.
Association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and aggression subscales in adolescents
Authors: Yoo Hee Jeong , Han Ji Min , Kim Kitai , Song Gonjin , Yee Jeong , Chung Jee Eun , Lee Kyung Eun , Gwak Hye Sun
Published: January 2021

Introduction

The aim of this study is to identify the association between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) proneness and aggressive propensity in adolescents.

Methods

A quantitative, large‐scale, cross‐sectional study was performed from April to May 2016 in Korea. The survey questionnaire included overall health behaviors, as well as scales for assessing ADHD proneness (revised short form of the Conners‐Wells Adolescent Self‐Report Scale; CASS[S]) and aggressive behavior (Buss‐Perry Aggression Questionnaire; BPAQ) in adolescents. Area under the receiver operator characteristic (AUROC) curves was constructed to determine the cut‐off value of total aggression score for discriminating ADHD proneness.

Results

A total of 2,432 students participated in the survey, and 1,872 of them completed the questionnaire, indicating a response rate of 77.0%. Based on CASS(S), 33 (1.8%) subjects were classified as the ADHD group. AUROC curve analysis showed that a score of 68.5 points had higher sensitivity (83.3%) and specificity (69.4%) to discriminate ADHD proneness. ADHD proneness was significantly associated with higher aggression subdomain scores (physical, verbal, anger, and hostility). Especially, anger and hostility had a stronger relationship with ADHD proneness than did physical and verbal aggression. A multivariable analysis demonstrated that ADHD proneness was significantly related to body mass index in the top 10% of the study population, alcohol consumption, gastrointestinal trouble, daytime sleepiness, and total aggression score of 68.5 points or higher. Adolescents who had total aggression scores of 68.5 points or higher showed a 9.8‐fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.3–28.8) higher risk of ADHD compared with those who had scores less than 68.5 points.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that ADHD proneness was significantly associated with aggression propensity. In particular, anger and hostility were more closely associated with ADHD proneness than were other aggression subdomains.
A quantitative model for metabolic intervention using gut microbes
Authors: Mays Zachary J. S. , Nair Nikhil U.
Published: January 2021

As medicine shifts toward precision‐based and personalized therapeutics, utilizing more complex biomolecules to treat increasingly difficult and rare conditions, microorganisms provide an avenue for realizing the production and processing necessary for novel drug pipelines. More so, probiotic microbes can be co‐opted to deliver therapeutics by oral administration as living drugs, able to survive and safely transit the digestive tract. As living therapeutics are in their nascency, traditional pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) models for evaluating drug candidates are not appropriate for this novel platform. Using a living therapeutic in late‐stage clinical development for phenylketonuria (PKU) as a case study, we adapt traditional oral drug delivery models to properly evaluate and inform the engineering of living therapeutics. We develop the adapted for living therapeutics compartmental absorption and transit (ALT‐CAT) model to provide metrics for drug efficacy across nine age groups of PKU patients and evaluate model parameters that are influenced by patient physiology, microbe selection and therapeutic production, and dosing formulations. In particular, the ALT‐CAT model describes the mathematical framework to model the behavior of orally delivered engineered bacteria that act as living therapeutics by adapting similar methods that have been developed and widely‐used for small molecular drug delivery and absorption.
A case of accessory pathway mapped with ultra‐high‐resolution mapping led to a coronary sinus diverticulum
Authors: Sakamoto Yusuke , Osanai Hiroyuki , Hiramatsu Shotaro , Matsumoto Hikari , Tagahara Kensuke , Hosono Hirotaka , Miyamoto Shun , Uno Hiroto , Kurokawa Hideki , Kondo Shun , Tokuda Kotaro , Kanbara Takahiro , Nakashima Yoshihito , Asano Hiroshi , Ajioka Masayoshi
Published: January 2021

Ultra‐high‐resolution mapping is useful in the ablation of accessory pathways. However, in patients with accessory pathways in the coronary sinus (CS) diverticulum, treatment with endocardial ablation may be challenging. Patients suspected of having subepicardial accessory pathways may require the examination of the venous anomaly using CS angiography.
Atypical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)–associated autoimmune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Law Lisa , Ho Gwendolyn , Cen Dazhi , Stenger Jeffrey
Published: January 2021

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection can have various abnormal hematologic parameters. This report illustrates a case with unusual presentation of COVID‐19–associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, in which the patient did not develop any typical respiratory signs or symptoms.
Rheological Studies of Phenolic Resole Resin Incorporated with Modified Graphite Additives
Authors: Sekhar Nimmi C. , Varghese Lity Alen
Published: January 2021

An understanding of rheology is vital in polymer processing as it depicts the complex molecular structures, viscoelastic nature, and dynamic mechanical properties of these macromolecules. In this study, graphite powder subjected to different steps of modification like H2SO4intercalation, silanization, and finally Fe3O4and BaFe12O19grafting was used. Changes in viscous behavior were obvious from the flow characteristics and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites. Viscoelastic experiments illustrated the effects of interfacial bonding of polymer and additives on the viscoelastic moduli. Different regression models were applied to the data points, and information regarding regression parameters like the power law exponent and the relaxation time was obtained.
4‐Temperatures Approach: Testing Thermochemical Heat Storage Materials Under Application Conditions
Authors: Hauer Andreas , Fischer Fabian , Rathgeber Christoph
Published: January 2021

Thermochemical heat storage offers the possibility to achieve high thermal energy storage capacities compared to sensible and latent heat storage. To quantify this advantage, thermochemical storage systems have to be evaluated under application conditions. The proposed 4‐temperatures approach delivers a first step toward a realistic testing of thermochemical working pairs. As an example, the approach is applied to testing the working pair zeolite/water under the conditions of the application of seasonal storage of solar thermal heat for domestic heating purposes.
Synthesis and Structure of a Series of Ti6‐oxo Clusters Functionalized by in situ Esterified Dicarboxylate Ligands
Authors: Gao Mei‐Yan , Sun Yayong , Wang Fei , Zhang Jian , Zhang Lei
Published: January 2021

Main observation and conclusion

In this work, a series of titanium‐oxo clusters functionalized by in situ formed esterified ligands, Ti6(μ2‐O)2(μ3‐O)2(OiPr)10(O3P‐Phen)2(THAiPr)2 (PTC‐267; THA = cis‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydrophthalic anhydride), Ti6(μ2‐O)2(μ3‐O)2(OiPr)10(O3P‐Phen)2(PDAiPr)2 (PTC‐268 and PTC‐269; PDA = 3, 4‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid) and Ti6(μ2‐O)2(μ4‐O)2(OiPr)10(cat)2(THAiPr)2 (PTC‐270; cat = catechol), were successfully synthesized by one‐step solvothermal reactions. PTC‐267, PTC‐268 and PTC‐269 possess a similar {Ti6(μ3‐O)2(μ2‐O)2} core, while the core of PTC‐270 is composed of a unique {Ti6(μ4‐O)2(μ2‐O)2} unit. PTC‐268 and PTC‐269 occur as geometric isomers with each other. Furthermore, these complexes offer rare examples of dicarboxylate‐modified polyoxo‐titanium clusters (PTCs) with ester groups. This work not only offers an opportunity to gain an insight into the formation mechanism of PTCs, but also contributes to the exploration of optimal synthetic conditions for high‐nuclearity PTCs.
Opportunity for Genotype‐Guided Prescribing Among Adult Patients in 11 US Health Systems
Authors: Hicks J. Kevin , El Rouby Nihal , Ong Henry H. , Schildcrout Jonathan S. , Ramsey Laura B. , Shi Yaping , Anne Tang Leigh , Aquilante Christina L. , Beitelshees Amber L. , Blake Kathryn V. , Cimino James J. , Davis Brittney H. , Empey Philip E. , Kao David P. , Lemkin Daniel L. , Limdi Nita A. , P. Lipori Gloria , Rosenman Marc B. , Skaar Todd C. , Teal Evgenia , Tuteja Sony , Wiley Laura K. , Williams Helen , Winterstein Almut G. , Van Driest Sara L. , Cavallari Larisa H. , Peterson Josh F. ,   IGNITE Pharmacogenetics Working Group
Published: January 2021

The value of utilizing a multigene pharmacogenetic panel to tailor pharmacotherapy is contingent on the prevalence of prescribed medications with an actionable pharmacogenetic association. The Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) has categorized over 35 gene‐drug pairs as “level A,” for which there is sufficiently strong evidence to recommend that genetic information be used to guide drug prescribing. The opportunity to use genetic information to tailor pharmacotherapy among adult patients was determined by elucidating the exposure to CPIC level A drugs among 11 Implementing Genomics In Practice Network (IGNITE)‐affiliated health systems across the US. Inpatient and/or outpatient electronic‐prescribing data were collected between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2016 for patients ≥ 18 years of age who had at least one medical encounter that was eligible for drug prescribing in a calendar year. A median of ~ 7.2 million adult patients was available for assessment of drug prescribing per year. From 2011 to 2016, the annual estimated prevalence of exposure to at least one CPIC level A drug prescribed to unique patients ranged between 15,719 (95% confidence interval (CI): 15,658–15,781) in 2011 to 17,335 (CI: 17,283–17,386) in 2016 per 100,000 patients. The estimated annual exposure to at least 2 drugs was above 7,200 per 100,000 patients in most years of the study, reaching an apex of 7,660 (CI: 7,632–7,687) per 100,000 patients in 2014. An estimated 4,748 per 100,000 prescribing events were potentially eligible for a genotype‐guided intervention. Results from this study show that a significant portion of adults treated at medical institutions across the United States is exposed to medications for which genetic information, if available, should be used to guide prescribing.
A Simple Synthesis Method for Growing Single Crystals of a Copper Coordination Polymer [Cu(C2O4)(4‐aminopyridine)2(H2O)]n, and its Theoretical and Physical Properties Studies
Authors: Mathew George , Francis Sebastian , Rajak Neeraj Kumar , Praveen Sarojini Gopinathan , Tomy Chakkalakal Vardunny , Jaiswal‐Nagar Deepshikha
Published: January 2021

This work reports on a novel and simple synthetic route for the growth of metal–organic crystal [Cu(C2O4)(4‐aminopyridine)2(H2O)]n of large size using the technique of liquid–liquid diffusion or layer diffusion. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction measurements revealed a very good quality of the grown single crystals with a small value 1.101 of goodness‐of‐fit R. Rietveld refinement done on powder X‐ray diffractogram obtained on few single crystals crushed together revealed a very small value of R as 3.45, indicating very good crystal quality in a batch of crystals. Density functional theory with three different basis sets generated the optimized geometry of a monomeric unit as well as its vibrational spectra. Comparison between experimentally obtained bond lengths, bond angles, IR frequencies, etc. suggests (B3LYP/LanL2DZ, B3LYP/6‐311++ G(d,p) basis set to describe the properties the best. Magnetic susceptibility measurements confirm the metal–organic crystal [Cu(C2O4)(4‐aminopyridine)2(H2O)]n to be a very good representation of a spin 1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet.
Corporate social responsibility strategies and accountability in theUKand Germany: Disclosure of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues in sustainability reports
Authors: Parizek Katharina , Evangelinos Konstantinos I.
Published: January 2021

Over the last decades there has been an increasing demand for transparency in the business sector. Companies produce corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports using standards like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standard. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are confronted with discrimination in their professional life. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview on how LGBT issues are integrated into the CSR framework in the UK and Germany. 385 reports from 2017 were analyzed and rated with a scoring system. The key findings are that LGBT issues are not predominant in the CSR reports of either country. However, the disclosure of LGBT policies is significantly higher in the UK than in Germany. British organizations largely do not follow sustainability standards, whereas in Germany most organizations report using CSR standards. Moreover, the disclosure of LGBT issues varies on the basis of the organization size and the industrial sector.
An acetate‐yielding diet imprints an immune and anti‐microbial programme against enteric infection
Authors: Yap Yu Anne , McLeod Keiran H , McKenzie Craig I , Gavin Patrick G , Davalos‐Salas Mercedes , Richards James L , Moore Robert J , Lockett Trevor J , Clarke Julie M , Eng Vik Ven , Pearson Jaclyn S , Hamilton‐Williams Emma E , Mackay Charles R , Mariño Eliana
Published: January 2021

Objectives

During gastrointestinal infection, dysbiosis can result in decreased production of microbially derived short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In response to the presence of intestinal pathogens, we examined whether an engineered acetate‐ or butyrate‐releasing diet can rectify the deficiency of SCFAs and lead to the resolution of enteric infection.

Methods

We tested whether a high acetate‐ or butyrate‐producing diet (HAMSA or HAMSB, respectively) condition Citrobacter rodentium infection in mice and assess its impact on host‐microbiota interactions. We analysed the adaptive and innate immune responses, changes in gut microbiome function, epithelial barrier function and the molecular mechanism via metabolite sensing G protein‐coupled receptor 43 (GPR43) and IL‐22 expression.

Results

HAMSA diet rectified the deficiency in acetate production and protected against enteric infection. Increased SCFAs affect the expression of pathogen virulence genes. HAMSA diet promoted compositional and functional changes in the gut microbiota during infection similar to healthy microbiota from non‐infected mice. Bacterial changes were evidenced by the production of proteins involved in acetate utilisation, starch and sugar degradation, amino acid biosynthesis, carbohydrate transport and metabolism. HAMSA diet also induced changes in host proteins critical in glycolysis, wound healing such as GPX1 and epithelial architecture such as EZR1 and PFN1. Dietary acetate assisted in rapid epithelial repair, as shown by increased colonic Muc‐2, Il‐22, and anti‐microbial peptides. We found that acetate increased numbers of colonic IL‐22 producing TCRαβ+CD8αβ+ and TCRγδ+CD8αα+ intraepithelial lymphocytes expressing GPR43.

Conclusion

HAMSA diet may be an effective therapeutic approach for fighting inflammation and enteric infections and offer a safe alternative that may impact on human health.
A dielectric resonator based line stripe miniaturized ultra‐wideband antenna for fifth‐generation applications
Authors: Mahmud Md. Zulfiker , Samsuzzaman Md , Paul Liton Chandra , Islam Md Rashedul , Althuwayb Ayman A. , Islam Mohammad Tariqul
Published: January 2021

This work presents an original dielectric resonator based line stripe miniature ultra‐wideband (UWB) antenna for 5G applications. The length, width, and height of the designed antenna are 23, 15, and 1.605 mm, respectively. The projected antenna prototype is composed of a simple line structure‐based modified scattered patch and a rectangular ground plane consisting of a saw tooth orientation in the upper end. A number of rectangular resonators are placed on both sides of the patch and ground to optimize the desired results. This technique ensures the lower operating band and made a significant improvement of efficiency without compromising the antenna size. The proposed design obtained the range of frequency bandwidth from 3.55 to 4.2 GHz under the −10‐dB scale, which covers the lower fifth‐generation (5G) communication band offered by Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The moderate gain and more than 80% radiation efficiency at a resonant point with strong fidelity factor confirms the usability and lower signal distortion of the antenna. The design offers an omnidirectional radiation pattern with 90° elevated directivity for cross polarization. This proposed design is compact in size and can be integrated into limited space around microwave circuitry with low manufacturing cost. The performance parameters like operating bandwidth, antenna size, and area of application, dielectric constant, fractional bandwidth, and omnidirectional radiation pattern were proposed as a suitable candidate for 5G application.
Life‐history theory provides a framework for detecting resource limitation: a test of the Nutritional Buffer Hypothesis
Authors: Jesmer Brett R. , Kauffman Matthew J. , Courtemanch Alyson B. , Kilpatrick Steve , Thomas Timothy , Yost Jeff , Monteith Kevin L. , Goheen Jacob R.
Published: January 2021

For ungulates and other long‐lived species, life‐history theory predicts that nutritional reserves are allocated to reproduction in a state‐dependent manner because survival is highly conserved. Further, as per capita food abundance and nutritional reserves decline (i.e., density dependence intensifies), reproduction and recruitment become increasingly sensitive to weather. Thus, the degree to which weather influences vital rates should be associated with proximity to nutritional carrying capacity—a notion that we refer to as the Nutritional Buffer Hypothesis. We tested the Nutritional Buffer Hypothesis using six moose (Alces alces) populations that varied in calf recruitment (33–69 calves/100 cows). We predicted that populations with high calf recruitment were nutritionally buffered against the effects of unfavorable weather, and thus were below nutritional carrying capacity. We applied a suite of tools to quantify habitat and nutritional condition of each population and found that increased browse condition, forage quality, and body fat were associated with increased pregnancy and calf recruitment, thereby providing multiple lines of evidence that declines in calf recruitment were underpinned by resource limitation. From 2001 to 2015, recruitment was more sensitive to interannual variation in weather (e.g., winter severity, drought) and plant phenology (e.g., duration of spring) for populations with reduced browse condition, forage quality, and body fat, suggesting these populations lacked the nutritional reserves necessary to buffer demographic performance against the effects of unfavorable weather. Further, average within‐population calf recruitment was determined by regional climatic variation, suggesting that the pattern of reduced recruitment near the southern range boundary of moose stems from an interaction between climate and resource limitation. When coupled with information on habitat, nutrition, weather, and climate, life‐history theory provides a framework to estimate nutritional limitation, proximity to nutritional carrying capacity, and impacts of climate change for ungulates.
The evolutionary genetics of paternal care: How good genes and extrapair copulation affect the trade‐off between paternal care and mating success
Authors: Fitzpatrick Courtney , Ciresi Colette M. , Wade Michael J.
Published: January 2021

We investigate the evolution of a gene for paternal care, with pleiotropic effects on male mating fitness and offspring viability, with and without extrapair copulations (EPCs). We develop a population genetic model to examine how pleiotropic effects of a male mating advantage and paternal care are affected by “good genes” and EPCs. Using this approach, we show that the relative effects of each on fitness do not always predict the evolutionary change. We then find the line of combinations of mating success and paternal care that bisects the plane of possible values into regions of positive or negative gene frequency change. This line shifts when either good genes or EPCs are introduced, thereby expanding or contracting the region of positive gene frequency change and significantly affecting the evolution of paternal care. Predictably, a direct viability effect of “good genes” that enhances offspring viability constrains or expands the parameter space over which paternal care can evolve, depending on whether the viability effect is associated with the paternal care allele or not. In either case, the effect of a “good gene” that enhances offspring viability is substantial; when strong enough, it can even facilitate the evolution ofpoorpaternal care, where males harm their young. When nonrandom mating is followed by random EPCs, the genetic regression between sire and offspring is reduced and, consequently, the relative strengths of selection are skewed away from paternal care and toward the male mating advantage. However, when random mating is followed by nonrandom EPCs, a situation called “trading up” by females, we show that selection is skewed in the opposite direction, away from male mating advantage and toward paternal care across the natural range of EPC frequencies.
Oral sucrosomial iron improves exercise capacity and quality of life in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and iron deficiency: a non‐randomized, open‐label, proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Karavidas Apostolos , Troganis Efstratios , Lazaros George , Balta Despina , Karavidas Ioannis‐Nektarios , Polyzogopoulou Eftihia , Parissis John , Farmakis Dimitrios
Published: January 2021

Aims

Oral sucrosomial iron (SI) combines enhanced bioavailability and tolerance compared to conventional oral iron along with similar efficacy compared to intravenous iron in several conditions associated with iron deficiency (ID).

Methods and results

In this non‐randomized, open‐label study, we sought to evaluate prospectively the effects of SI on clinical parameters, exercise capacity and quality of life in 25 patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and ID, treated with SI 28 mg daily for 3 months, in comparison to 25 matched HFrEF controls. All patients were on optimal stable HF therapy. Patients were followed for 6 months for death or worsening HF episodes. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between groups. At 3 months, SI was associated with a significant increase in haemoglobin, serum iron and serum ferritin levels (all P ≤ 0.001) along with a significant improvement in 6‐min walked distance and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (all P < 0.01), even after adjustment for baseline parameters; these differences persisted at 6 months. Over the study period, there were no deaths, while 10 patients (20%) in total (four in the SI group and six in the control group), experienced worsening HF (odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.41–6.79, P = 0.482). Drug‐associated diarrhoea was reported by one patient in the SI group and led to drug discontinuation; no other adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

In this proof‐of‐concept study, SI was well tolerated and improved exercise capacity and quality of life in HFrEF patients with ID. Randomized studies are required to further investigate the effects of this therapy.