bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of process parameters of friction stir spot welding of polycarbonate sheets and morphological analysis
Authors: Ülker A. , Ayaz A.
Published: December 2020

Friction stir spot welding has a great impact on the joining process of thermoplastics. In this work, effects of varying rotational speed, plunge depth, and dwell time were investigated on polycarbonate sheets and a filler sheet was utilized to reduce the keyhole size of friction stir spot welded joints. The welding parameters were arranged according to Taguchi L9 orthogonal design of experiments to determine the optimum levels of process parameters. Lap shear tests were performed to examine the mechanical properties. Using analysis of variance and signal to noise ratio, influences of each welding parameter on the lap joint shear load were evaluated. According to achieved results, tool rotational speed has the highest effect while plunge depth has minimum effect on the mechanical behavior of friction stir spot welded joints. Optimum process parameters were attained as 1000 min−1 for rotational speed, 10.5 mm of plunge depth, and 40 s of dwell time. Optimized process parameters showed 15 % improvement compared to the initial welding parameters. Cross‐sectional appearances of welded samples which play an important role in determining lap joint shear load were analyzed by morphological and visual comparisons. Failure modes of the fractured samples for lowest, moderate and highest lap joint shear loads were also observed.
Long short‐term memory networks for proton dose calculation in highly heterogeneous tissues
Authors: Neishabouri Ahmad , Wahl Niklas , Mairani Andrea , Köthe Ullrich , Bangert Mark
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of proton dose calculations with artificial neural networks (ANNs) in challenging three‐dimensional (3D) anatomies.

Methods

A novel proton dose calculation approach was designed based on the application of a long short‐term memory (LSTM) network. It processes the 3D geometry as a sequence of two‐dimensional (2D) computed tomography slices and outputs a corresponding sequence of 2D slices that forms the 3D dose distribution. The general accuracy of the approach is investigated in comparison to Monte Carlo reference simulations and pencil beam dose calculations. We consider both artificial phantom geometries and clinically realistic lung cases for three different pencil beam energies.

Results

For artificial phantom cases, the trained LSTM model achieved a 98.57% γ‐index pass rate ([1%, 3 mm]) in comparison to MC simulations for a pencil beam with initial energy 104.25 MeV. For a lung patient case, we observe pass rates of 98.56%, 97.74%, and 94.51% for an initial energy of 67.85, 104.25, and 134.68 MeV, respectively. Applying the LSTM dose calculation on patient cases that were fully excluded from the training process yields an average γ‐index pass rate of 97.85%.

Conclusions

LSTM networks are well suited for proton dose calculation tasks. Further research, especially regarding model generalization and computational performance in comparison to established dose calculation methods, is warranted.
Satisfaction with a rechargeable sacral neuromodulation system—A secondary analysis of the ARTISAN‐SNM study
Authors: Geynisman‐Tan Julia , Mueller Margaret G. , Kenton Kimberly S.
Published: December 2020

Aim

To describe factors associated with satisfaction with the Axonics sacral neuromodulation (SNM) System at 1 year.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of data collected in the ARTISAN‐SNM study—a single arm, prospective, multicenter trial of the Axonics r‐SNM System™. ARTISAN‐SNM recruited participants with urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) to undergo a single, nonstaged implant of the lead and rechargeable neurostimulator. Participants were considered therapy responders if they had ≥50% reduction in UUI episodes in a 3‐day period at 1‐month post‐implant. Bladder diaries and satisfaction (7‐point Likert scale) were assessed at 1 year.

Results

In all, 124 participants (110 “responders” and 14 “non‐responders”) had complete data at baseline, 1 month and 1 year following implant. Most participants were satisfied with Axonics at 1 year: 68.5% were “very satisfied,” 25.8% were “moderately satisfied,” and 2.4% were “slightly satisfied.” At 1 year, treatment efficacy, as measured by electronic bladder diaries, was significantly associated with satisfaction. Participants who were “very satisfied” had a larger reduction in voids per day (p = .01), leaks per day (p = .004), urgent leaks per day (p = .04), and voids in which the urgency was desperate per day (p = .03) compared to those less satisfied. Twelve of the 14 “non‐responders” continued to see improvements in symptom reduction from 1 month to 1 year; 9/14 (64%) were “responders” at 1 year with six reporting being “very satisfied” and one reporting being “moderately satisfied.”

Conclusion

Satisfaction 1 year after implantation of Axonics SNM is extremely high and correlates with the degree of symptom improvement, which increases over time.
The impact of COVID‐19 on the world economy and higher education
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: December 2020

Before calculating the impact of COVID‐19 on higher education, it is necessary to understand how the virus has impacted the financial stability of countries worldwide. The economies of many countries have been shattered by the pandemic, and, by extension, the economic challenges will impact families’ ability to finance their children's higher education choices in the future.
Completeness of Intervention Reporting of Clinical Trials Published in Highly Ranked Obesity Journals
Authors: Rauh Shelby Lynn , Turner D’Arcy , Jellison Sam , Allison David B. , Fugate Colony , Foote Greyson , Vassar Matt
Published: December 2020

Objective

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) play a crucial role in the research and advancement of medical treatment. A cross‐sectional study design was utilized to analyze the completeness of intervention reporting using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist and to evaluate factors associated with intervention reporting. A comparison of the completeness of intervention reporting before and after the publication of TIDieR was sought.

Methods

PubMed was searched for RCTs in the top 10 obesity journals per the Google h5‐index. After excluding non‐RCTs, 300 articles were randomly sampled. After assessing each publication for eligibility, two authors (SLR and DT) extracted data related to intervention reporting from records in an independent, masked fashion. Data were then verified and analyzed.

Results

The analysis revealed that the quality of intervention reporting is quite variable. Overall, no statistically significant difference in the quality of intervention reporting before and after the release of TIDieR guidelines was found. In general, obesity research has good intervention reporting in areas such as the mode of delivery, material lists for intervention, and procedure lists. However, four main areas in which obesity researchers can improve reporting quality were determined. These include providing the expertise and background of intervention providers and providing statements regarding the assessment of fidelity of the intervention.

Conclusions

Urgent intervention is warranted to improve the quality of research reporting in obesity research, which is a fundamental component of obesity management. This will likely require a unified approach from researchers, journals, and funding sources.
Fast synchronization of distributed generators with power grid under transient conditions using hybrid optimization algorithm
Authors: Christopher Alwin Vinifred , Rengaswamy Ramesh
Published: December 2020

The integration of nonrenewable and renewable energy resources is growing rapidly due to energy demand and smart grid technologies. In power grids, the performance of synchronization is reduced by some issues such as frequency instability, voltage distortion, and voltage unbalance. This work presents the fast synchronization of the PV grid‐connected system utilized the hybrid optimized proportional resonant (PR) controller under transient condition. The proposed system is designed and controlled by the optimized PR controller strategy on stationary reference frame control. The AC voltage is switched into the AC grid voltage, and error can occur in the difference between the phase reference and measured value. So the current controller of the PR controller is considering the effects of harmonics. The controller is properly tuned by the hybrid algorithm of killer whale optimization (KWO) and the grasshopper optimization algorithm to reduce the harmonics. The synchronization reduces the phase angle, voltage, and frequency between the generator outcomes. The performance of a PV based optimized PR controller controlled the voltage source inverter to achieve the optimal signal of fast synchronization. The effect of total harmonic distortion transient response is improved by the well‐designed PR control parameters based LC filter. The proposed system is implemented in MATLAB/Simulink platform. The robustness of the system is compared with traditional controllers of the proportional integral derivative and proportional–integral controller.
Differential mast cell phenotypes in benign versus cancer tissues and prostate cancer oncologic outcomes
Authors: Hempel Sullivan Heidi , Maynard Janielle P , Heaphy Christopher M , Lu Jiayun , De Marzo Angelo M , Lotan Tamara L , Joshu Corinne E , Sfanos Karen S
Published: December 2020

We reported previously that high numbers of mast cells in benign (extra‐tumoral) regions of the prostate are associated with worse outcomes after radical prostatectomy including biochemical recurrence and the development of metastases. Herein, with a cohort of 384 men, we performed mast cell subtyping and report that higher minimum number of the tryptase‐only (MCT) subset of extra‐tumoral mast cells is associated with increased risk of biochemical recurrence (comparing highest to lowest tertiles: HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.37–3.93; P‐trend = 0.002), metastases (HR 3.62, 95% CI 1.75–7.47; P‐trend 0.001), and death from prostate cancer (HR 2.87, 95% CI 1.19–6.95; P‐trend = 0.02). Preliminary RNA sequencing and comparison of benign versus cancer tissue mast cells revealed differential expression of additional site‐specific genes. We further demonstrate that the genes CXCR4 and TFE3 are more highly expressed in tumor‐infiltrating mast cells as well as other tumor‐infiltrating immune cells and in tumor cells, respectively, and represent an altered tumor microenvironment. KIT variants were also differentially expressed in benign versus cancer tissue mast cells, with KIT variant 1 (GNNK+) mast cells identified as more prevalent in extra‐tumoral regions of the prostate. Finally, using an established mouse model, we found that mast cells do not infiltrate Hi‐Myc tumors, providing a model to specifically examine the role of extra‐tumoral mast cells in tumorigenesis. Hi‐Myc mice crossed to mast cell knockout (Wsh) mice and aged to 1 year revealed a higher degree of pre‐invasive lesions and invasive cancer in wild‐type mice versus heterozygous and knockout mice. This suggests a dosage effect where higher numbers of extra‐tumoral mast cells resulted in higher cancer invasion. Overall, our studies provide further evidence for a role of extra‐tumoral mast cells in driving adverse prostate cancer outcomes. © 2020 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The intra‐hepatic umbilical‐Porto‐systemic venous shunt and fetal growth
Authors: Kivilevitch Zvi , Kassif Eran , Gilboa Yinon , Weisbuch Tal , Achiron Reuven
Published: December 2020

Objective

The fetal liver circulation has an important role in fetal growth. The intra‐hepatic Umbilical‐Porto‐Systemic Venous Shunt (IHUPSVS) causes a reduction of the umbilical blood flow to the liver and has been reported to have a restrictive effect on fetal growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of IHUPSVS on fetal growth.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of IHUPSVS diagnosed between 2001 and 2019. IHUPSVS was defined as any abnormal communication between any branch of the portal vein and hepatic vein. Pre‐ and postnatal characteristics were collected from medical files and compared between cases with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and those appropriate for gestational age (AGA).

Results

Twenty‐five fetuses were included in the study. Eighteen (72%) had last estimated fetal weight and birth weight below the 10th centile, four (16%) of them between the third and fifth centile, and 11 (44%) below the third centile. Median gestational age at delivery was lower for FGR than AGA fetuses (37 vs. 38 weeks, p = 0.034) and rate of preterm delivery was higher (38.9 vs. 14.3, P = 0.24). Four cases had associated structural anomalies (2 in each group), and two had minor genetic aberrations (1 in each group).

Conclusions

Growth restriction is prevalent in fetuses with IHUPSVS, suggesting that fetal growth should be monitored. In equal measure, in cases with growth restriction, especially without other apparent cause, an intrahepatic shunt should be looked for.
Preclinical stem cell therapy in fetuses with myelomeningocele: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kunpalin Yada , Subramaniam Sindhu , Perin Silvia , Gerli Mattia F. M. , Bosteels Jan , Ourselin Sebastien , Deprest Jan , De Coppi Paolo , David Anna L.
Published: December 2020

Objective

We performed a systematic review to summarize the efficacy and safety of in utero stem cells application in preclinical models with myelomeningocele (MMC).

Methods

The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019160399). We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and CENTRAL for publications articles on stem cell therapy in animal fetuses with MMC until May 2020. Publication quality was assessed by the SYRCLE's tool. Meta‐analyses were pooled if studies were done in the same animal model providing similar type of stem cell used and outcome measurements. Narrative synthesis was performed for studies that could not be pooled.

Results

Nineteen and seven studies were included in narrative and quantitative syntheses, respectively. Most used mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and primarily involved ovine and rodent models. Both intra‐amniotic injection of allogeneic amniotic fluid (AF)‐MSCs in rat MMC model and the application of human placental (P)‐MSCs to the spinal cord during fetal surgery in MMC ovine model did not compromise fetal survival rates at term (rat model, relative risk [RR] 1.03, 95% CI 0.92–1.16; ovine model, RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.78–1.13). A single intra‐amniotic injection of allogeneic AF‐MSCs into rat MMC model was associated with a higher rate of complete defect coverage compared to saline injection (RR 16.35, 95% CI 3.27–81.79). The incorporation of human P‐MSCs as a therapeutic adjunct to fetal surgery in the ovine MMC model significantly improved sheep locomotor rating scale after birth (mean difference 5.18, 95% CI 3.36–6.99).

Conclusions

Stem cell application during prenatal period in preclinical animal models is safe and effective.
Livesley's lament on classifying personality pathology: A commentary
Authors: Clark Lee Anna
Published: December 2020

This commentary on Livesley's paper in this special issue on International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐11's personality disorder (PD) section addresses each of four issues that Livesley claims are impeding progress towards an evidence‐based system for the classification of personality pathology. I focus my commentary on the third issue, but also comment briefly on the others. Regarding, first, the complexity of personality pathology and, second, problematic assumptions about the nature of personality pathology, I contend that Livesley's comments are accurate, but omit that the fundamental impediment is the refusal of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) establishment to allow the official classification to reflect the reality of personality pathology that he describes, in contrast to its acceptance in the ICD‐11. In response to Livesley's third claim that a viable alternative to categorical diagnosis is not available, I take issue with various aspects of his assertions and develop arguments that the ICD‐11 PD model provides a useful, although admittedly imperfect, system. Finally, I agree with Livesley that the revision processes for official classifications are conservative and open to non‐scientific influences, but maintain that whereas the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders establishment held fast to the status quo, the ICD‐11 PD Working Group made considerable progress towards a valid PD diagnostic system. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Suppressing calcineurin activity increases the toxicity of Cry2Ab to Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Wei Jizhen , Yang Shuo , Zhou Shuai , Liu Shaokai , Cao Pei , Liu Xiaoguang , Du Mengfang , An Shiheng
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

Extensive planting of transgenetic Bacillus thuringiensis crops has driven the evolution of pest resistance to Cry1Ac. Adjustment of cropping structures has promoted further outbreak of Helicoverpa armigera in China. To control this pest, a combination of pyramiding RNA interference (RNAi) and Cry2Ab is considered a promising strategy for countering cross‐resistance and enhancing the toxicity of Cry2Ab to cotton bollworm. We explored the possibility of using calcineurin (CAN) as a target RNAi gene, because it is involved in cotton bollworm responses to the toxicity of Cry2Ab.

RESULTS

Cry2Ab treatment led to a significant increase in HaCAN mRNA level and HaCAN activity. Suppression of HaCAN activity due to RNAi‐mediated knockdown of HaCAN increased the susceptibility of midgut cells to Cry2Ab. The increase in HaCAN activity shown by heterologous expression of HaCAN reduced the cytotoxicity of Cry2Ab to Sf9 cells. Moreover, ingestion of HaCAN‐specific inhibitor FK506 increased the toxicity of Cry2Ab in larvae. Interestingly, HaCAN does not function as a Cry2Ab direct binding protein that participates in Cry2Ab toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results in this study provide evidence that suppression of HaCAN not only affected the development of the cotton bollworm, but also enhanced the toxicity of Cry2Ab to the pest. HaCAN is therefore an important candidate gene in cotton bollworm that can be targeted for pest control when the pest infests RNAi+Cry2Ab crops. Meanwhile, the mechanism of action of HaCAN in Cry2Ab toxicity suggested that protein dephosphorylation was involved. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
‘Unintended transnationalism’: The challenging lives of Thai women who partner Western men
Authors: Statham Paul
Published: December 2020

This article studies a specific form of transnational living that results from Thai–Western cross‐border marriage migration: Thai women's experiences of intercultural partnerships with a Western man. The study is explicitly from a Thai female partner's perspective. It unpacks women's experiences and perceptions of living this life from their own accounts. We refer to their experiences and perceptions of living this form of transnational life as unintended transnationalism, that is, that living a life defined by dependent gendered intercultural exchanges with a foreign man was a by‐product, not an aspiration of her strategy for a better life. Living ‘unintended transnationalism’ refers to how women negotiate the specific high challenges and sociocultural pressures arising from dependency on a foreign man, who largely decides where, when and how you live. Women face strong acculturation pressures to adapt to their husbands' Western cultural needs, on his terms, even when they share a home in Thailand—a process we define as imported assimilationism. The study shows how her experiences of transnational living are importantly shaped by her: access to rights, cultural differences with her partner, and positioning in social space and place in Thailand, over this life journey. It draws from 20 biographical interviews with women in partnerships (between 7 and 30 years) with Westerners, currently resident in Thailand. Overall, we find that living ‘unintended transnationalism’ is a challenging life, even for women who make significant material gains. It can lead to isolation, dissociation from family, and dissimilation from belonging in Thailand.
The Role of Interface Defect States in n‐ and p‐Type Ge Metal–Ferroelectric–Semiconductor Structures with Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 Ferroelectric
Authors: Boni Georgia Andra , Istrate Cosmin M. , Zacharaki Christina , Tsipas Polychronis , Chaitoglou Stefanos , Evangelou Evangelos K. , Dimoulas Athanasios , Pintilie Ioana , Pintilie Lucian
Published: December 2020

The discovery of ferroelectricity in doped HfO2 represents an excellent opportunity to overcome the obstacles in manufacturing reliable ferroelectric field effect transistors (FeFET) for nonvolatile memory applications, considering that HfO2 is compatible with Si and Ge and it is already used in semiconductor industry. The presence of interface defects may have detrimental effects on the operation of FeFETs, so their role is systematically investigated in this study in correlation with the substrate doping. Metal–ferroelectric–semiconductor (MFS) structures are fabricated by depositing Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO) layers on n‐type Ge substrate. Their electric properties are compared with those of MFS structures obtained by depositing HZO on p‐type Ge, to study the influence of the doping. It is found that, although the ferroelectric properties of HZO are similar, the capacitance and impedance of the MFS structures behave differently. For n‐Ge, the occupation probability of a large number of low‐lying interface defect acceptor states, charges the interface negatively which adversely affects the C–V response of the MFS, albeit without harming the ferroelectric (P–V) hysteresis. Although the interface defects do not harm ferroelectricity, they could inhibit inversion in p‐type Ge or accumulation in n‐type Ge so they should be taken into account when designing Ge FeFET devices.
Understanding mechanisms for trends in Sahelian squall lines: Roles of thermodynamics and shear
Authors: Bickle Megan E. , Marsham John H. , Ross Andrew N. , Rowell David P. , Parker Douglas J. , Taylor Christopher M.
Published: December 2020

Squall lines dominate rainfall in the West African Sahel, and evidence suggests they have increased in intensity over recent decades. Stronger wind shear may be a key driver of this trend and could continue to strengthen with climate change. However, global numerical models struggle to capture the role of shear for organised convection, making predictions of changing rainfall intensities in the Sahel uncertain. To investigate the impact of recent and possible future environmental changes, and to isolate thermodynamic effects from shear effects, idealised squall line simulations were initialised with a profile representative of the present day: this profile was then modified using trends from reanalyses and climate projections. Increased shear led to increased storm intensity and rainfall, but the effects of the thermodynamic changes dominated the effects from shear. Simulations initiated with future profiles produced shorter‐lived storms, likely due to increased convective inhibition and the absence of large‐scale convergence or synoptic variability in the idealised model. A theoretical model based on the relative inflow of convectively unstable air and moisture was found to predict bulk characteristics of the storms accurately, including mean rain rates and area‐averaged maximum vertical velocities, explaining the role of shear. However, the model is not a prognostic tool as rainfall is dependent on the storm speed, which remains a free parameter. The study shows the importance of shear to long‐term rainfall trends and highlights the need for climate models to include effects of shear to capture changes in extreme rainfall.
Copper‐NHC Based Ullmann Catalysis in Water for Selective N‐Arylation of 3‐Aminophenols
Authors: Paul Sudeep , Joy Bony P. , Sasikala Geethu , Raghuthaman Advaya G. , Gudimetla Vittal B.
Published: December 2020

Studies of environmentally benign catalytic methods are of great value in modern chemical synthesis, especially the chemo‐selective construction of chemical bonds under green conditions. This work elucidates such preferential synthesis of C−N bond over C−O bond via selective N‐arylation of 3‐aminophenols using 1,3‐bis‐[2‐hydroxyphenyl] imidazolium chloride (IHPHCl) and copper iodide as catalyst (1 mol %) in aqueous medium. Presence of chelating group (−OH) on IHPHCl enhances N‐selectivity. Overall this is a simple and green method for selective N‐arylation of 3‐aminophenols with good substrate scope and yields (60–88 %). GC‐MS, HRMS and other spectroscopic techniques were utilised in detailing the kinetics and mechanistic aspects.
Design and Synthesis of Heterocyclic Encapsulated Organosilatranes for In Silico, In Vitro Antioxidant and Cytotoxicity Evaluation
Authors: Singh Gurjaspreet , Sharma Geetika , Satija Pinky , Singh Akshpreet , Pawan  , Ruiz Cristóbal E. , Silvera Daniel G. , Esteban María A. , Soni Sajeev
Published: December 2020

Provoked by multifarious applicability of nitrogen heterocycles and hypervalent silicon analogues in drug designing, we attempted the synthesis and structural characterization of a family of heterocyclic appended Organosilatranes tethered with an azomethine linkage by employing a three‐step preparation route and carried out introspection into their prospective bioactivities. Using MOLINSPIRATION and ADMET toolkits, pharmacokinetic profiles of the designed scaffolds were investigated and the results showed their potential as promising drug candidates. The article also assesses the antioxidant potential and cytotoxicity property of the synthesized organosilatranes, which are required is to prevent the oxidative stress in the body formed of reactive species. It was observed that compounds 10–12 with methyl substituents on the atrane rings can be the best pretenders for radical scavenging activity while the cytotoxicity evaluation revealed that the compounds 7, 8 and 10 are least toxic of all examined organosilatranes.
Subcells Analysis of Thin‐Film Four‐Junction Solar Cells Using Optoelectronic Reciprocity Relation
Authors: Long Junhua , Sun Qiangjian , Li Xuefei , Dai Pan , Song Minghui , Zhu Lin , Akiyama Hidefumi , Lu Jianya , Lu Shulong
Published: December 2020

A thin‐film AlGaInP/AlGaAs/InGaAs/InGaAs inverted metamorphic multijunction solar cell with a bandgap of 1.96/1.53/1.16/0.83 eV is fabricated. The photoelectric conversion efficiency reaches 34.89% with an open‐circuit voltage of 3.54 V under AM1.5 G spectrum. The analysis of individual subcells is the key to evaluating the performance of multijunction solar cells. The current density versus voltage characteristics of four subcells are calculated using optoelectronic reciprocity relation between the external quantum efficiency and the different injection current densities electroluminescence. The analysis of the performance characteristics of four subcells concludes that the key to limiting the overall efficiency improvement is the deep‐level recombination of the AlGaInP top subcell and the bulk recombination of 0.83 eV InGaAs bottom subcell. Targeted optimization of the top subcell and the bottom subcell is expected to significantly improve efficiency.
Transparent and Colored Solar Photovoltaics for Building Integration
Authors: Li Zhenpeng , Ma Tao , Yang Hongxing , Lu Lin , Wang Ruzhu
Published: December 2020

Building‐integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) stand as a promising solution to provide renewable electricity for achieving zero‐energy buildings, although still hindered from large‐scale implementations due to the difficulty of traditional photovoltaic modules in meeting the standards and aesthetics of architectural materials. The emergence of new photovoltaic materials and devices could pave the way for the future through offering diversity and tunability in colors and transparency along with comparable performance. Herein the recent advances in BIPVs are discussed, starting from an overview of various photovoltaic technologies regarding their material characteristics, state of the art, and adaptability to the built environment. The transparent and colored photovoltaic technologies are then respectively emphasized, concerning design principles, theoretical analysis, technical routes, and corresponding demonstration studies. The various strategies, including the materials and structures adopted to modify the transparency and color of solar cells, are highlighted. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives are addressed, followed by an outlook on factors that are critical for large‐scale implementation of BIPVs in the future.
Microneedle Array Patches Integrated with Nanoparticles for Therapy and Diagnosis
Authors: Hu Xiuli , Zhang Huijuan , Wang Zejun , Shiu Chin Ying Angela , Gu Zhen
Published: December 2020

Microneedle (MN)‐based techniques are widely explored these years for biomedical applications due to their convenience, high efficiency, and excellent patient compliance. The combination of MN array patches with nanoparticles (NPs) expands the applications of MNs with dynamic characteristics and facilitates on‐demand drug release while reducing systemic toxicity and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. This review summarizes the recent advances of MNs integrated with NPs as a transdermal approach for various applications. Representative therapeutic or diagnostic studies associated with diabetes, cancer, vaccine, obesity, hair growth, and acne vulgaris are highlighted in detail. Future perspectives for such theranostic devices in biomedical fields are also discussed.
Coordination‐Driven Supramolecular Synthesis Based on Bimetallic Cu(I) Precursors: Adaptive Behavior and Luminescence
Authors: Lescop C.
Published: December 2020

Pre‐organized adaptive Cu(I) bimetallic precursors can be successfully engaged in coordination‐driven supramolecular reactions. Selective formation either of a large family of compact metallacycles or of polymetallic discrete assemblies and one‐dimensional coordination polymers is rationalized taking into account the relative amplitudes of conformational flexibility allowed by the precursors used. It reveals the originality of the self‐assembly processes conducted with such Cu(I)‐based building blocks. In addition, exalted luminescence properties can be embedded in the resulting supramolecular assemblies due to the specific photophysical behaviors of Cu(I)‐luminophores. General and straightforward access toward coordination‐driven supramolecular assemblies featuring original architectures and multifunctional luminescence properties is therefore highlighted, taking advantage of both the specificities of the coordination chemistry and the electronic structure of derivatives based on the Cu(I) ion.
Effective Tools for the Metal‐Catalyzed Regiodivergent Direct Arylations of (Hetero)arenes
Authors: Huang Hai‐Yun , Benzai Amal , Shi Xinzhe , Doucet Henri
Published: December 2020

The direct functionalization of two different C−H bonds of the same organic molecule using different procedures ‐ also called regiodivergent C−H bond functionalization ‐ currently represents an important research topic in organic chemistry, as it demonstrates the versatility of C−H bond functionalization methodology. Over the last decade, the number of tools to control such regiodivergent C−H bond functionalizations has increased significantly. In this account, we will present the various tools that allowed us to arylate different positions of various (hetero)arenes, via a C−H bond functionalization, using palladium or ruthenium catalysis.
Effects of Lupron and surgical castration on fecal androgen metabolite concentrations and intermale aggression in capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)
Authors: Yu Jennifer H. , Brown Janine , Boisseau Nicole , Barthel Tony , Murray Suzan
Published: December 2020

To curb agonistic interactions in a bachelor group of three male capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), a single dose of leuprolide acetate (Lupron®) was used in an attempt to chemically sterilize the males. Concurrently, fecal androgen metabolite (FAM) concentrations were quantified via enzyme immunoassay to monitor changes in testosterone production after injection of the gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist. When Lupron proved ineffective in suppressing intraspecific aggression, surgical castration was performed on two males, with continued noninvasive endocrine monitoring. In all three capybaras, FAM concentrations increased initially as a result of the luteinizing hormone surge, but then decreased significantly following chemical sterilization. Surgical castration resulted in further, persistent declines in FAM concentrations in two males, while the third, intact male demonstrated a rise in FAM to pre‐Lupron concentrations at 8.5 and 9.5‐month postadministration. Despite successful suppression of sperm and testosterone production, intermale aggression continued, ultimately necessitating separation of the animals and transfer to other holding institutions. Under this set of conditions, a single Lupron dose was inadequate for suppressing intraspecific aggression in a group of three males with a pre‐established history of aggression.
The Newman-Penrose map and the classical double copy
Authors: Elor Gilly , Farnsworth Kara , Graesser Michael L. , Herczeg Gabriel
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Gauge-gravity duality is arguably our best hope for understanding quantum gravity. Considerable progress has been made in relating scattering amplitudes in certain gravity theories to those in gauge theories — a correspondence dubbed the double copy. Recently, double copies have also been realized in a classical setting, as maps between exact solutions of gauge theories and gravity. We present here a novel map between a certain class of real, exact solutions of Einstein’s equations and self-dual solutions of the flat-space vacuum Maxwell equations. This map, which we call the Newman-Penrose map, is well-defined even for non-vacuum, non-stationary spacetimes, providing a systematic framework for exploring gravity solutions in the context of the double copy that have not been previously studied in this setting. To illustrate this, we present here the Newman- Penrose map for the Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes, and Kinnersley’s photon rocket.
The immunologic tumor microenvironment in endometrioid endometrial cancer in the morphomolecular context: mutual correlations and prognostic impact depending on molecular alterations
Authors: Willvonseder Barbara , Stögbauer Fabian , Steiger Katja , Jesinghaus Moritz , Kuhn Peer-Hendrik , Brambs Christine , Engel Jutta , Bronger Holger , Schmidt Georg Philipp , Haller Bernhard , Weichert Wilko , Keller Gisela , Noske Aurelia , Pfarr Nicole , Boxberg Melanie
Published: December 2020

Objective

POLE-mutant, microsatellite-instable (MSI), p53-mutant and non-specific molecular profile (NSMP) are TCGA-defined molecular subgroups of endometrial cancer (EC). Hypothesizing that morphology and tumor immunology might differ depending on molecular background concerning composition and prognostic impact, we aimed to comprehensively interconnect morphologic, immunologic and molecular data.

Methods

TCGA-defined molecular groups were determined by immunohistochemistry and sequencing in n = 142 endometrioid EC. WHO-defined histopathological grading was performed. The immunologic microenvironment (iTME) was characterised by the quantification of intraepithelial and stromal populations of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL: overall T-cells; T-Killer cells; regulatory T-cells (Treg)). Immunologic parameters were correlated with WHO-grading, TCGA-subgroups and prognosis.

Results

High density TIL were significantly more frequent in high-grade (G3) compared to low-grade (G1/2) EC in the whole cohort and in the subgroup of POLE-wildtype-/microsatellite-stable-EC. MSI was associated with high-level TIL-infiltration when taking into account the type of mismatch repair defect (MLH1/PMS2; MSH2/MSH6). Prognostic impact of biomarkers depended on molecular subgroups: In p53-mutant EC, Treg were independently prognostic, in NSMP, the unique independently prognostic biomarker was WHO-grading.

Conclusions

EC morphology and immunology differ depending on genetics. Our study delineated two molecularly distinct subgroups of immunogenic EC characterized by high-density TIL-infiltration: MSI EC and high-grade POLE-wildtype/microsatellite-stable-EC. Prognostic impact of TIL-populations relied on TCGA-subgroups indicating specific roles for TIL depending on molecular background. In NSMP, histopathological grading was the only prognostic biomarker demonstrating the relevance of WHO-grading in an era of molecular subtyping.
Dual-energy CT in the diagnosis of occult acute scaphoid injury: a direct comparison with MRI
Authors: Xie Cheng , Ather Sarim , Mansour Ramy , Gleeson Fergus , Chowdhury Rajat
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Scaphoid injuries occult on plain radiography often require further imaging for definitive diagnosis. We investigate the utility of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) for the detection of acute bone marrow oedema and fracture of scaphoid compared to MRI.

Materials and methods

Twenty patients who presented acutely (without prior injury) to the emergency department with clinically suspected occult scaphoid fracture and had MRI of the wrist were prospectively recruited to have DECT (GE Revolution CT). Material decomposition images of the water-calcium base pair were generated and assessed in conjunction with the monochromatic images to permit correlation of marrow signal changes with any cortical disruption for fracture confirmation. The assessment was performed by two musculoskeletal radiologists blinded from MRI results. The statistical difference of MRI and reviewers’ detection of acute bone oedema (1 = present, 0 = absent) was performed using the Friedman test (SPSS v.16).

Results

MRI showed acute scaphoid fracture and/or bone marrow oedema in 14/20 patients of which 6 also had cortical disruption. On DECT, reviewer A identified oedema in 13 and cortical disruption in 10 patients while reviewer B identified oedema in 10 and cortical disruption in seven of the 14 MRI positive patients. No statistically significant difference in oedema detection on MRI and reviewers of DECT (p value 0.61) but DECT was more sensitive at detecting cortical disruption.

Conclusion

DECT has the capability to detect acute scaphoid oedema in addition to cortical fractures. However, compared to MRI, DECT has lower contrast resolution and less sensitive in the detection of mild oedema.

Key Points

• Dual-energy CT is able to detect acute traumatic scaphoid marrow oedema.

• Dual-energy CT has greater detection rate of scaphoid fractures than MRI.

• Dual-energy CT is an alternative to MRI for occult scaphoid injury.
Common and much less common scenarios in which botany is crucial for forensic pathologist and anthropologists: a series of eight case studies
Authors: Caccianiga Marco , Caccia Giulia , Mazzarelli Debora , Salsarola Dominic , Poppa Pasquale , Gaudio Daniel , Cappella Annalisa , Franceschetti Lorenzo , Tambuzzi Stefano , Maggioni Lidia , Cattaneo Cristina
Published: December 2020

It is commonly accepted that crime scene recovery and recording are key moments of any judicial inspection in which investigators must decide on the correct strategies to put into place. Complex outdoor scenarios, presenting partially or entirely skeletonised remains, can benefit more than others by the intervention of environmental specialists (forensic anthropologists, archaeologists, entomologists and botanists). These experts are capable of singling out, correctly recording and recovering environmental evidence that can lead to a more comprehensive reconstruction of a given criminal episode. If human remains are discovered in an outdoor scenario, the on-site presence of a botanist will guarantee a correct approach to the identification, recording and recovery of any botanical evidence. If an on-site botanist is not available, the operators must be capable of both the botanical evaluation of a scene and the implementation of correct botanical sampling protocols.

The following collection of unusual case histories that aim at underlining the efficacy of forensic botany will examine the determination of post mortem or the post depositional interval, evidence for a victim’s post mortem transfer, evidence for the identification of a primary crime scene and evidence for the identification of a victim’s dismemberment site. In another two cases, one, we will illustrate the important role that forensic botany played in the discrimination between botanical material used to voluntarily conceal a victim and vegetation that had grown naturally above a disposal site, whereas the other will highlight the protocols implemented for the identification of a murder weapon.
Strokectomy for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction: experience and meta-analysis of current evidence
Authors: Moughal Saad , Trippier Sarah , AL-Mousa Alaa , Hainsworth Atticus H. , Pereira Anthony C. , Minhas Pawanjit S , Shtaya Anan
Published: December 2020

Strokectomy means surgical excision of infarcted brain tissue post-stroke with preservation of skull integrity, distinguishing it from decompressive hemicraniectomy. Both can mitigate malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) syndrome but evidence regarding strokectomy is sparse. Here, we report our data and meta-analysis of strokectomy compared to hemicraniectomy for malignant MCA infarction. All malignant MCA stroke cases requiring surgical intervention in a large tertiary centre (January 2012–December 2017,N = 24) were analysed for craniotomy diameter, complications, length of follow-up and outcome measured using the modified Rankin score (mRS). Good outcome was defined as mRS 0–3 at 12 months. In a meta-analysis, outcome from strokectomy (pooled from our cohort and published strokectomy studies) was compared with hemicraniectomy (our cohort pooled with published DECIMAL, DESTINY and HAMLET clinical trial data). In our series (N = 24, 12/12 F/M; mean age: 45.83 ± 8.91, range 29–63 years), 4 patients underwent strokectomy (SC) and 20 hemicraniectomy (HC). Among SC patients, craniotomy diameter was smaller, relative to HC patients (86 ± 13.10 mm, 120 ± 4.10 mm, respectively;p = 0.003), complications were less common (25%, 55%) and poor outcomes were less common (25%, 70%). In the pooled data (N = 41 SC, 71 HC), strokectomy tended towards good outcome more than hemicraniectomy (OR 2.2, 95% CI 0.99–4.7;p = 0.051). In conclusion, strokectomy may be non-inferior, lower risk and cost saving relative to hemicraniectomy sufficiently to be worthy of further investigation and maybe a randomised trial.
Polarisierte Gesellschaft und polarisierte Kindheiten?
Authors: Hilke Maren , Schütte Johannes
Published: December 2020

Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, wie die zunehmende gesellschaftliche Spaltung Kindheiten prägt. Dazu werden unterschiedliche Dimensionen gesellschaftlicher Polarisierung betrachtet. Neben der ökonomischen und der räumlichen Polarisierung rückt auch das Thema des gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalts ins Zentrum der Betrachtung. Darauf aufbauend analysiert der Beitrag ungleiche Kindheiten unter dem Einfluss einer zunehmenden Polarisierung.
Public-private cooperation and agricultural development in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review of Nigerian growth enhancement scheme and e-voucher program
Authors: Benjamin Emmanuel Olatunbosun , Ola Oreoluwa , Lang Hannes , Buchenrieder Gertrud
Published: December 2020

The Growth Enhancement Scheme and e-voucher program, rolled out across Nigeria in 2011 by the federal government, provided the institutional basis for private agro-dealers to engage in the distribution of subsidized fertilizer, improved seeds and extension services to farmers. However, the impact of this policy on different modes of extension service delivery is still missing in literature. We apply an Ordinary Least Squared and Difference-in-Difference methodology on the (2010 and 2012) Living Standard Measurement Study of the World Bank. The results suggest that extension visitations as well as public extension services positively influence farm revenue. Furthermore, a substantial increase in fertilizer expenditure by farmers was observed, due to the e-voucher program, which could have contributed to the improved agricultural output witnessed in Nigeria post-Growth Enhancement Scheme era. Governments across Sub-Saharan Africa should implement policies that harness the economy of scale and scope of the private sector as well as information and communication technologies in delivering on time and adequate agricultural inputs to farmers.
Koszul complexes and spectral sequences associated with Lie algebroids
Authors: Bruzzo Ugo , Rubtsov Vladimir N.
Published: December 2020

We study some spectral sequences associated with a locally free$${{\mathscr {O}}}_X$$OX-module$${{\mathscr {A}}}$$Awhich has a Lie algebroid structure. HereXis either a complex manifold or a regular scheme over an algebraically closed fieldk. One spectral sequence can be associated with$${{\mathscr {A}}}$$Aby choosing a global sectionVof$${{\mathscr {A}}}$$A, and considering a Koszul complex with a differential given by inner product byV. This spectral sequence is shown to degenerate at the second page by using Deligne’s degeneracy criterion. Another spectral sequence we study arises when considering the Atiyah algebroid$${{{\mathscr {D}}}_{{{\mathscr {E}}}}}$$DEof a holomolorphic vector bundle$${{\mathscr {E}}}$$Eon a complex manifold. IfVis a differential operator on$${{\mathscr {E}}}$$Ewith scalar symbol, i.e, a global section of$${{{\mathscr {D}}}_{{{\mathscr {E}}}}}$$DE, we associate with the pair$$({{\mathscr {E}}},V)$$(E,V)a twisted Koszul complex. The first spectral sequence associated with this complex is known to degenerate at the first page in the untwisted ($${{\mathscr {E}}}=0$$E=0) case.
COVID-19 Post-lockdown
Authors: Brown Nicole , Nicholson Jacquie , Campbell Fiona Kumari , Patel Mona , Knight Richard , Moore Stuart
Published: December 2020

The National Association of Disabled Staff Networks (NADSN) is a super-network that connects and represents disabled staff networks at organisations across the United Kingdom. NADSN has been very concerned about the development of national policy up to this time and for moving out of the COVID-19 lockdown stage as national policy has been silent in relation to disabled staff apart from in presenting a narrow, medicalised view. We have structured this paper within a social model of disability and the sentiments expressed in the UN Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) in considering the current issues and setting out our 12 recommendations. This paper discusses NADSN’s observations about the lived experiences of Disabled people during COVID-19. Secondly, it moves to outline COVID-19 and the changing workplace. The paper then moves to a broad discussion concerning safe working practices and policies as we move out of lockdown and beyond.