bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Techno‐economics of one‐stage and two‐stage furfural production integrated with ethanol co‐production from sugarcane lignocelluloses
Authors: Ntimbani Rhulani N. , Farzad Somayeh , Görgens Johann F.
Published: September 2021

Lignocellulosic biomass processing to produce platform chemicals and biofuels is a promising alternative utilization of non‐renewable resources. This study investigated the techno‐economics of two‐stage and one‐stage furfural production integrated with ethanol co‐production from sugarcane bagasse and harvest residues. The effect of process conditions on profitability was reflected by the minimum ethanol selling price (MESP) at a fixed furfural‐selling price. Aspen Plus V8.8 was used to simulate the integrated two‐stage furfural and ethanol co‐production biorefineries using low (scenario 1), medium (scenario 2) and high (scenario 3) severity steam‐explosion pretreatment. The two‐stage furfural biorefineries integrated with ethanol co‐production were compared with the most profitable one‐stage furfural biorefinery integrated with ethanol co‐production. The required MESP in scenario 2 (0.73 US$ L–1) was decreased by 36% compared with the one‐stage furfural‐ethanol biorefinery (1.14 US$ L–1). Scenarios 1 and 3 were disadvantaged by lower ethanol yields (150 versus 214 kg t–1 of feed) and higher capital investments (322–340) compared with scenario 2 (310 million US$). The one‐stage furfural production had higher heating demands (2034 versus 741–1124 kW t–1 feed) and reduced ethanol yields (90 versus 150–214 kg t–1 of feed) compared with integrated two‐stage furfural and ethanol coproduction biorefineries. Optimization of process conditions, improving energy efficiency, and maximizing productivity within these energy self‐sufficient facilities were critical to minimizing the MESPs, regardless of associated increases in capital and operational costs. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
A bibliometric analysis on potential uses of brewer's spent grains in a biorefinery for the circular economy transition of the beer industry
Authors: Sganzerla William G. , Ampese Larissa C. , Mussatto Solange I. , Forster‐Carneiro Tânia
Published: September 2021

This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the state of the art related to research trends regarding the use of brewer's spent grains (BSG), the main solid by‐product generated in breweries. Its status, future opportunities, and emerging trends were evaluated by bibliometric analysis, which contributed to clarifying the knowledge and perspectives in the field. In total, 510 documents were obtained from the Web of Science© database in a timespan from 1900 to 2020. VosViewer software and R‐bibliometrix package were used to investigate and map the most frequently cited papers, international collaborative networks, keywords, and the main countries and journals associated with this research. The results showed that, globally, 65 countries have been engaged in research related to BSG, and Brazil has been the most productive country, with up to 70 publications. Keyword analysis revealed that the studies on BSG are divided into four main knowledge areas: (i) pretreatment; (ii) nutritional quality; (iii) bioactive compounds, and (iv) pyrolysis. It was also found that a biorefinery can be designed for the complete utilization of BSG to obtain several valuable compounds. In this sense, different technological routes can be applied to produce arabinoxylans, proteins, ferulic acid, xylitol, xylose, lactic acid, butanol, biogas, fertilizer, and ethanol. In conclusion, BSG is a cost‐effective and feasible raw material for the sustainable production of bio‐based products and bioenergy and its valorization in a biorefinery is a powerful strategy to promote the circular economy transition of the beer industry. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Clinical and neurodevelopmental outcomes based on brain imaging studies in a Colombian cohort of children with probable antenatal Zika virus exposure
Authors: Daza Marcela , Mercado Marcela , Moore Cynthia A. , Valencia Diana , Lengua Maria Fernanda , Newton Suzanne , Rodríguez Blanca , Tong Van T. , Acevedo Pedro , Gilboa Suzanne M. , Ospina Martha L. , Mulkey Sarah B.
Published: September 2021

Background

Our aim was to describe the neuroimaging and clinical evaluations of children with antenatal Zika‐virus (ZIKV) exposure.

Methods

The Colombian National Institute of Health performed serial clinical evaluations of children with probable antenatal ZIKV exposure (i.e., born to ZIKV symptomatic mothers or born with birth defects compatible with ZIKV infection, regardless of laboratory results) over 2 years that included head circumference (HC), eye examination, and neurodevelopmental assessments. Clinical neuroimaging studies (head computed tomography and/or brain magnetic resonance imaging) were analyzed for abnormalities, two‐dimensional measurements were made of the right and left frontal and occipital cortical thickness. Two abnormal patterns were defined: Pattern 1 (sum of four areas of cortex <6 cm) and Pattern 2 (sum of four areas of cortex ≥6 cm and < 10 cm).

Results

Thirty‐one children had a neuroimaging study; in 24, cortical thickness was measured. The median age at the first visit was 8 (range: 6–9) months and 22 (range: 19–42) months at the last evaluation. In the 24 cases with cortical measurements, three were normal, 12 were in Pattern 1, and nine were in Pattern 2. Children within Pattern 1 had lower mean HC at birth and in follow‐up (both p < .05) and a higher frequency of structural eye abnormalities (p < .01). A trend towards poorer neuromotor development was seen in Pattern 1, although not statistically significant (p = .06).

Conclusion

Brain imaging classification based on cortical measurements correlate with ophthalmologic abnormalities and HC. Cortical thickness may be a marker for clinical outcomes in children with congenital ZIKV infection.
Prenatal‐onset of congenital neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis with a novel CTSD mutation
Authors: Chartier Suzanne , Boutaud Lucile , Le Guillou Edouard , Alby Caroline , Billon Clarisse , Millischer Anne‐Elodie , Caillaud Catherine , Galmiche Louise , Mechler Charlotte , Sonigo Pascale , Boddaert Nathalie , Lyonnet Stanislas , Rondeau Sophie , Bole‐Feysot Christine , Masson Cécile , Ville Yves , Roth Philippe , Desguerre Isabelle , Encha‐Razavi Férechté , Attie‐Bitach Tania
Published: September 2021

Background

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) form a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders that share common neuropathological features. Although they are the first cause of neurodegenerative disorders in children, their congenital forms are rarely documented. They are classically due to mutations in the CTSD gene (the CLN10 disease). Affected newborns usually present severe microcephaly, seizures and respiratory failure leading to death within the first postnatal days or weeks.

Cases

We report on two siblings, in which exome sequencing identified a novel homozygous CTSD variant. The first sib presented at birth with seizures, rapidly progressive postnatal microcephaly and visual deficiency related to retinal dysfunction. Progressive neurological deterioration leads to death at the age of 24 months. Cathepsin D activity was reduced in the cultured fibroblasts of this patient. The second sib, a fetus of 36 weeks of gestation, was delivered after pregnancy termination for brain abnormalities (in accordance with French Legislation) suggesting a recurrence of the disease. Fetal postmortem examination disclosed neuropathological features consistent with NCL.

Conclusions

Congenital NCL related to CTSD mutations is a neuronal storage disorder that produces in the developing brain diffuse neurodegeneration and white matter atrophy resulting in a progressive and rapidly lethal microcephaly.
Keep your eye on…
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2021

The need for sleep assessment in ASD

Increase in suicidal ideation under COVID‐19

The need to identify nonmedical prescription opioid use
Safe prescribing of antipsychotics for youth
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2021

While antipsychotic prescribing is common in youth, these medications are associated with adverse metabolic effects such as weight gain. A literature review study aimed at efforts to improve risk screening found six studies showing a variety of strategies.
Impending rupture of a chronic contained abdominal aortic aneurysm with a 14‐day history
Authors: Yamada Takayuki , Ohwada Susumu , Okauchi Kenzo , Hasegawa Yutaka
Published: September 2021

This case of an impending abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture emphasizes impaired consciousness with low back pain. Family doctors must be attentive to a patient's physical findings and medical history, even if vital signs are normal at the initial visit.
Resolving severe oligohydramnios as an early prenatal presentation of renal coloboma syndrome—A report of two generations
Authors: Nguyen Andrew , Campagnolo Carla , Hardy Ghislain , Saleh Maha
Published: September 2021

This report suggests that self‐resolving oligohydramnios is an early sign of malfunctioning kidney in individuals with renal coloboma syndrome (RCS) and demonstrates how a genetic diagnosis can impact patient and fetal management as it outlines two generations of RCS.
Hepatocellular carcinoma in a non‐cirrhotic liver with a tumor thrombus
Authors: Sadiq Abid M. , Mashonganyika Tendai J. , Mmbaga Lilian G. , Sadiq Adnan M. , Nkya Gilbert Z.
Published: September 2021

Young adults with HCC tend to have a poor prognosis because of advanced disease despite preserved liver function. Screening and early diagnosis for HCC are needed for young adults to demonstrate an improved prognosis, especially in HBsAg positive patients.
Seed‐Mediated Synthesis of Colloidal 2D Halide Perovskite Nanoplatelets
Authors: Guvenc Cetin Meric , Balci Sinan
Published: September 2021

Colloidal synthesis of two‐dimensional lead halide perovskite nanoplatelets (2D LHP NPLs) with a general formula of L2[APbX3]n−1PbX4 has been widely performed by using hot‐injection or ligand assisted reprecipitation methods. Herein, for the first time, we report on seed‐mediated synthesis of two and three monolayers (n=2, 3) lead halide perovskite nanoplatelets without using A‐site cation halide salt (AX; A=Cesium, methylammonium, formamidinium and, X=Cl, Br, I) and long chain alkylammonium halide salts (LX; L=oleylammonium, octylammonium, butylammonium and, X=Cl, Br, I). The nanocrystal seeds have been prepared by reacting lead (II) halide salt and coordinating ligands in a nonpolar solvent and then they have been reacted with cesium oleate, formamidinium oleate or methylamine. Our facile synthesis route enabling further understanding of the growth dynamics of LHP NPLs provides highly stable, monodisperse NPLs with very narrow absorption and emission linewidths (min. 68 meV), and high PLQY (max. 37.6%).
A novel mathematical modeling in shift in emotion for gauging the social influential in big data streams with hybrid sarcasm detection
Authors: P. Kumaran , S. Chitrakala
Published: September 2021

Online social network is a platform that plays an essential role in identifying the emotional values of user‐generated content such as blogs, posts, and comments along with their influential factors. Especially on Twitter, network users are growing worldwide day by day and creating a massive amount of data that is not analyzed effectively in a quick way. Identifying the most influential persons on the social network is also a challenging task over the wide range of real‐time applications like recommendation systems. Now, to handle these situations, this article proposes a novel approach for prediction of information diffusion that includes emotion recognition with sarcasm detection based influence spreader identification (PID‐ERSDISI). The proposed method uses the user‐generated posts for emotion recognition in tandem with sarcasm detection both implicitly and explicitly. This approach helps to gauge the leverage that influences spreaders and also enhances the prediction accuracy of information diffusion in a better way. The implementation of the proposed work executed their task one after another in the following way, namely, sarcasm detection, emotional‐level computation, breakpoint computation, breakpoint validation, influential user generation, and information diffusion. After the successful implementation of this proposed PID‐ERSDIS, it produced prominent results against other state‐of‐art methods.
Systematic Evaluation of the Effects of Toxicant Exposure on Survival in Zebrafish Embryos and Larvae
Authors: Ramdas Nair Anjana , Delaney Patrice , Koomson Abigail Ama , Ranjan Shashi , Sadler Kirsten C.
Published: September 2021

The use of whole animal models in toxicological studies is essential for understanding the physiological responses caused by chemical exposures. However, such studies can face reproducibility challenges due to unaccounted experimental parameters that can have a marked influence on toxicological outcomes. Zebrafish embryos and larvae are a popular vertebrate animal model for studying cellular, tissue, and organ responses to toxicant exposures. Despite the popularity of this system, standardized protocols that control for the influence of various experimental parameters and culture conditions on the toxicological response in these animals have not been widely adopted, making it difficult to compare findings from different laboratories. Here, we describe a detailed approach for designing and optimizing protocols to assess the impact of chemical exposures on the development and survival of zebrafish embryos and larvae. We first describe our standard procedure to determine two key toxicological thresholds, the maximum tolerable concentration (MTC) and the lethal concentration (LC50, defined as that in which 50% of larvae die), in response to an exposure that persists from early development through larval maturation. We then describe two protocols to systematically test how key experimental parameters, including genetic background, culture media, animal density, volume, plate material, and developmental stage in which the embryos are exposed, alter the MTC and LC50. Finally, we provide a step‐by‐step guide to assess the interaction between two chemicals using this model. These protocols will guide the standardization of toxicological studies using zebrafish and maximize reproducibility. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Zebrafish embryo collection and culture, and establishment of the MTC and LC50

Basic Protocol 2: Evaluation of the impact of culture conditions on toxicant responses of zebrafish embryo and larvae

Basic Protocol 3: Identification of the developmental window of sensitivity to toxicant exposure

Basic Protocol 4: Testing interaction between multiple toxicants
Whose voice is it anyway? Narrative perspectives within the Scottish and Swedish Science curricula
Authors: Billmayer Jakob , Day Stephen P.
Published: September 2021

This study explores the form of curriculum documents and its implications for the enacted curriculum. In this study, the narrative voices that appear in the Scottish Broad General Education phase and the Swedish Compulsory phase of the curriculum are scrutinized in relation to the most likely reader of these documents—the teacher. The study adopts a critical hermeneutic approach to documents relating to the Swedish and Scottish Science curricula, focusing on the primary and lower secondary school phase of education. In addition, the analysis utilised the concepts and categories from narratology as an analytical framework that illuminates the emerging narrative voices in the curriculum documents. Both countries are similar in terms of “the teacher” not appearing in a prominent role but differ in terms of how teachers are framed from a narratological perspective. While the Swedish science curriculum appears to be a very rudimentary narrative, resembling “stage directions” for teachers' activity, the Scottish science curriculum contains a variety of different narrative voices, although none of these puts the teacher in an active, autonomous or decision‐making position.
“We must assess all, even a student farting [is also assessed] for the behavioural aspect of learning”: Teachers' conceptions of assessment in the context of assessment reform in Indonesia
Authors: Arrafii Mohammad Arsyad
Published: September 2021

This paper explores Indonesian secondary school teachers' conceptions of assessment in the context of assessment reform. Teachers working at different school level were interviewed both individually and in groups and their responses were analysed using the content analysis approach. Detailed examination of teachers' assessment propositions revealed that their perspectives about assessment embrace values, purposes, and understanding, and are marked by conceptions about the learner agency, accountability and improvement orientations. However, despite being considered important, the learner agency and accountability conceptions were often considered irrelevant. In addition, teachers reported tension with regard to their perceptions towards the reform and demonstrated a varied level of conceptual and practical understanding of the reform. The paper ends with a discussion of the complex nature of and tensions in the teachers' conceptions of assessment. Principal implications are discussed.
Metastatic olfactory neuroblastoma: A small round blue cell puzzle on fine‐needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Penzhorn Ingrid H. , Schubert Pawel T.
Published: September 2021

Small round blue cell tumors (SRBCTs) are a heterogeneous group of malignant neoplasms that can be challenging to distinguish on fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. Ancillary tests as well as clinico‐radiological correlation are often required to make an accurate diagnosis. FNA is a low‐cost, low‐infrastructure test, making it a coveted diagnostic tool, especially in low‐resource settings. Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare SRBCT encountered in both pediatric and adult patients. Awareness of the cytomorphologic and immunocytochemical features of ONB is important in the workup of a SRBCT. This case report describes the primary diagnosis of metastatic ONB on FNA cytology.
Reading and spelling disorders in a school‐based population screening in Sicily (Italy)
Authors: Leonardi Marco Maria , Di Blasi Francesco Domenico , Savelli Enrico , Buono Serafino
Published: September 2021

This research was carried out according to the Italian Consensus Conference on Specific Learning Disability guidelines for screening initiatives. It describes a three‐year screening project involving 2.469 students, aged 8–15 years, from various classes of primary, lower and upper secondary schools of Sicily. Students were assessed for reading and spelling skills. Overall, 4.9% met the risk criteria for suspected reading disorder, 6.1% for spelling disorder, while 8.5% for both conditions. Results showed that out of 932 pupils in the primary school, 4.6% met the risk criteria for reading disorder and 6.5% for spelling disorder; out of 855 pupils of the lower secondary school, 5.3% for reading disorder and 5.5% for spelling disorder; out of 652 pupils of the upper secondary school, 4.9% for reading disorder and 6.1% for spelling disorder. No significant difference in the prevalence of students at risk of reading disorder or spelling disorder, within the three grade‐levels over 3 years, was found. At project conclusion further clinical investigation to verify the screening results on student sub‐sample (57%) was carried out. The percentage of students with SLD was equal to 3.15%, in the primary school, 3.76% in the lower secondary school and 2.51%, in the upper secondary school.
Camera trap records of leucistic Eurasian badgers (Meles meles) in central Norway
Authors: Hofmeester Tim R. , Thorsen Neri H. , Linnell John D. C. , Odden John
Published: September 2021

Coat coloration plays an important role in communication, camouflage, and sexual selection in animals. Genetic mutations can lead to anomalous colorations such as melanism and leucism, where animals appear, respectively, darker or lighter than normal. Reporting abnormal coloration in wild animals is an important first step to understand the distribution, prevalence, and potential fitness consequences of these rare events. Here, we report several records of suspected leucism in the Eurasian badger (Meles meles) in a population in central Norway. Several camera traps recorded at least two leucistic individuals between 2017 and 2020. It took considerable effort, almost 400,000 camera trap nights over a period of 10 years all over Norway, to obtain a total of eleven records of leucistic badgers, indicating the rarity of this phenotype. It is unclear what has caused the presence of multiple leucistic badgers in a single population, but recent colonization and lack of predators might have played a role. Due to our observations, future studies can now be developed to study the underlying mechanisms and potential consequences of leucism in this badger population. The increasing use of networks of camera traps in wildlife research will provide new opportunities to record rare coloration in wild animals.
Semi‐intensive shrimp farms as experimental arenas for the study of predation risk from falcons to shorebirds
Authors: Basso Enzo , Drever Mark C. , Fonseca Juanita , Navedo Juan G.
Published: September 2021

Varying environmental conditions and energetic demands can affect habitat use by predators and their prey. Anthropogenic habitats provide an opportunity to document both predation events and foraging activity by prey and therefore enable an empirical evaluation of how prey cope with trade‐offs between starvation and predation risk in environments of variable foraging opportunities and predation danger. Here, we use seven years of observational data of peregrine falcons Falco peregrinus and shorebirds at a semi‐intensive shrimp farm to determine how starvation and predation risk vary for shorebirds under a predictable variation in foraging opportunities. Attack rate (mean 0.1 attacks/hr, equating 1 attack every ten hours) was positively associated with the total foraging area available for shorebirds at the shrimp farm throughout the harvesting period, with tidal amplitude at the adjacent mudflat having a strong nonlinear (quadratic) effect. Hunt success (mean 14%) was higher during low tides and declined as the target flocks became larger. Finally, individual shorebird vigilance behaviors were more frequent when birds foraged in smaller flocks at ponds with poorer conditions. Our results provide empirical evidence of a risk threshold modulated by tidal conditions at the adjacent wetlands, where shorebirds trade‐off risk and rewards to decide to avoid or forage at the shrimp farm (a potentially dangerous habitat) depending on their need to meet daily energy requirements. We propose that semi‐intensive shrimp farms serve as ideal “arenas” for studying predator–prey dynamics of shorebirds and falcons, because harvest operations and regular tidal cycles create a mosaic of foraging patches with predictable food supply. In addition, the relatively low hunt success suggests that indirect effects associated with enhanced starvation risk are important in shorebird life‐history decisions.
Relationship between high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T, B‐type natriuretic peptide, and physical function in patients with heart failure
Authors: Ueno Kensuke , Kamiya Kentaro , Hamazaki Nobuaki , Nozaki Kohei , Ichikawa Takafumi , Yamashita Masashi , Uchida Shota , Yanagi Naoya , Maekawa Emi , Yamaoka‐Tojo Minako , Matsunaga Atsuhiko , Ako Junya
Published: September 2021

Aims

High‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs‐cTnT) and B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) are associated with prognosis and severity in patients with heart failure (HF); however, their association with physical function is unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether hs‐cTnT and BNP levels are associated with physical function in patients with HF.

Methods and results

Hs‐cTnT, BNP, and physical function (maximal quadriceps isometric strength [QIS], usual gait speed, and 6‐min walk distance [6MWD]) were evaluated in 363 consecutive patients with HF (median age, 70 [60–78] years). Patients were divided into four groups according to their median hs‐cTnT and BNP levels. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, laboratory levels, and HF severity, higher hs‐cTnT and BNP levels were significantly associated with lower physical function (log hs‐cTnT, β = −0.162, P = 0.001, for maximal QIS; β = −0.175, P = 0.002, for usual gait speed, and β = −0.129, P = 0.004, for 6MWD; log BNP, β = −0.090, P = 0.092, for maximal QIS, β = 0.038, P = 0.516, for usual gait speed, and β = −0.108, P = 0.023, for 6MWD). In addition, the high hs‐cTnT and high BNP group had significantly lower physical function (all P < 0.05) than the low hs‐cTnT and low BNP group.

Conclusions

Higher hs‐cTnT and BNP levels are both associated with lower physical function in patients with HF, but hs‐cTnT levels showed a more consistent association. The combination of hs‐cTnT and BNP may be effective for the stratification of physical function in patients with HF.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative 1,2‐Addition of Carboxylic Acids to Glyoxylic Acid Esters
Authors: Jakob Bastian , Slimani Ichraf , Diehl Andreas , Hamdi Naceur , Manolikakes Georg
Published: September 2021

The formation of C−C‐bonds constitutes one of the most fundamental synthetic operations in organic chemistry. The nucleophilic addition of preformed organometallic reagents to an electrophilic carbonyl functionality represents a classical method for the selective construction of a C−C‐bond. However, the synthesis and utilization of an organometallic reagent is associated with an unfavorable environmental profile. Herein, we disclose a Palladium‐catalyzed decarboxylative 1,2‐addition of carboxylic acids to glyoxylic acid esters. This novel method provides access to the mandelic acid scaffold in good yields. Easy‐to‐handle and readily available benzoic acids are utilized as more sustainable alternative to preformed organometallic nucleophiles.
Body representation among adults with phantom limb pain: Results from a foot identification task
Authors: Beisheim‐Ryan Emma H. , Pohlig Ryan T. , Medina Jared , Hicks Gregory E. , Sions Jaclyn M.
Published: September 2021

Background

Impaired body representation (i.e. disrupted body awareness or perception) may be a critical, but understudied, factor underlying phantom limb pain (PLP). This cross‐sectional study investigated whether adults with lower‐limb loss (LLL) and PLP demonstrate impaired body representation as compared to Pain‐Free peers with and without LLL.

Methods

Participants (n = 41 adults with PLP, n = 27 Pain‐Free peers with LLL, n = 39 Controls with intact limbs) completed an online foot identification task. Participants judged whether randomized images depicted left or right feet (i.e. left–right discrimination) as quickly as possible without limb movement. Using two Generalized Estimating Equations, effects of group, image characteristics (i.e. side, foot type, view, angle) and trial block (i.e. 1–4) were evaluated, with task response time and accuracy as dependent variables (a ≤ 0.050).

Results

Adults with PLP demonstrated slower and less accurate performance as compared to Controls with intact limbs (p = 0.018) but performed similarly to Pain‐Free peers with LLL (p = 0.394). Significant three‐way interactions of group, view and angle indicated between‐group differences were greatest for dorsal‐view images, but smaller and angle‐dependent for plantar‐view images. While all groups demonstrated significant response time improvements across blocks, improvements were greatest among adults with PLP, who also reported significant reductions in pain intensity.

Conclusions

Adults with PLP demonstrate body representation impairments as compared to Controls with intact limbs. Body representation impairments, however, may not be unique to PLP, given similar performance between adults with and without PLP following LLL.

Significance

Following lower‐limb loss, adults with phantom limb pain (PLP) demonstrate impaired body representation as compared to Controls with intact limbs, evidenced by slower response times and reduced accuracy when completing a task requiring mental rotation. Importantly, 80% of participants with pre‐task PLP reported reduced pain intensity during the task, providing compelling evidence for future investigations into whether imagery‐based, mind‐body interventions have positive effects on PLP.
Coalitional game‐based user pairing and power allocation in downlink non‐orthogonal multiple access networks
Authors: Cai Jihao , Sun Youming , Shao Hongxiang , Yao Kailing , Bai Wei , Yu Xingyue
Published: September 2021

This article studies the user pairing and power allocation in a downlink non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) network in which users form different pairs accessing orthogonal channels and NOMA is utilized in each channel. Existing studies mainly focused on throughput optimization, while throughput cannot completely reflect users' quality of experience. Therefore, we aim to maximize the network's sum of mean opinion scores rather than throughput to meet different traffic demands of users. The mixed integer nonlinear programming problem is decomposed into two subproblems. The first user pairing problem is modeled as a coalition formation game, and a Nash‐stable suboptimal pairing scheme is obtained via proposed coalition formation algorithm. The second power allocation problem is modeled as a knapsack problem, and we obtain the optimal power allocation scheme through dynamic programming with bisection method. These two subproblems are solved alternately until converging to the final resource allocation strategy. Simulation results show that the proposed strategy outperforms existing NOMA resource allocation techniques and achieves near‐optimal performance.
Effect of different cooking water on flavor characteristics of mutton soup
Authors: Zhao Bing , Sun Baoguo , Wang Shouwei , Zhang Yuyu , Zang Mingwu , Le Wang , Wang Hui , Wu Qianrong
Published: September 2021

The mutton flavor is affected by cooking water significantly, and the flavor of mutton is delicious and widely loved by consumers through an extremely simple processing in northwest China, such as Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Xinjiang. The flavor shows obvious changes if get out of these areas even use the same raw meat, which may be caused by different cooking water. To determine whether and how the cooking water affect the mutton soup flavor, the elements in water, the flavor was studied by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), amino acid analyzer, and thermal desorption (TDS)–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Specifically, three water samples from different sources, Ningxia (NXW), Beijing (BJW), and ultrapure water from the laboratory (PUW), were used for cooking with Tan sheep's ribs to get different mutton soups. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) results showed that the elements and the concentration of solutes in different water sources were significantly different. The NXW batch had the highest Na, Mg, K, and Sr concentrations, and Na in NXW water reached to 50.60 mg/L, which existed as Na+, significantly (p < .05) higher than BJW (8.63 mg/L) and PUW, which were important to the flavor of mutton soup. The PUW batch had the highest content of free amino acids, and the content of glutamic acid (Glu) reached to 17.89 μg/mL. The NXW batch had the highest content of taste nucleotides, and the content of 5´‐IMP reached to 68.68 μg/ml. The volatiles of the three batches had significant differences, and only 40 volatiles were detected in all batches. Further flavor studies using electronic nose and electronic tongue showed significant differences in overall aroma and overall taste, especially bitterness, saltiness, and astringency. The results could provide a basis for improving the flavor quality for the mutton soup.
“Code Red”—Recent IPCC Report Warns Time is Running Out on Climate Change
Authors: Cartwright Echo D.
Published: September 2021

Imagine a world in which the sky is consistently imbued with an orange smoky haze. A simple walk to the mailbox or to retrieve the morning paper brings a burning sensation deep in your chest, burning eyes and coughing until you get back indoors. Outdoor activities such as jogging, or hiking become less frequent and weather determined, and sports events are only able to be held indoors in a controlled environment due to poor air quality. Thousands of communities are being ravaged resulting from repeated wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and destructive winds. Windows are constantly shut to keep outside air from coming in. If you're fortunate enough to have air conditioning you are able to stay cool against dangerous heat waves—those without such options suffer with degrading lung, heart and other life‐threatening diseases amidst the smoke and increasingly intense heat.
Analyzing the Growing Complexity of Electricity Reliability
Authors: de Ramos Kevin Monte
Published: September 2021

In an earlier column, Innovating upon Infrastructure(Energy and Climate, November 2020), this author highlighted that a data abstraction layer in analytics was evolving to support data‐driven service provisioning within the utilities industry. This column builds upon this early infrastructure investment and offers a glimpse into the analytics use‐cases that support an evolving and increasingly complex electricity grid. This column will continue to explore the challenges utility analytics professionals face today.
On the path to reclaiming Indigenous midwifery: Co‐creating the Maternal Infant Support Worker pilot program
Authors: Jumah Naana Afua , Tyler Leanne , Turuba Roxanne , Bishop Lisa , Tait Mary , Renaud Anne , Mushquash Christopher
Published: September 2021

Objective

The aim of the Maternal Infant Support Worker (MiSW) pilot program was to implement a virtual training program for lay maternal–infant health providers in remote First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario, Canada.

Methods

The MiSW pilot program was administered jointly by a community college and a university and consisted of a 20‐week virtual course followed by a 9‐month mentored work placement in the community.

Results

The MiSW pilot program was delivered successfully; 11 of 13 participants received a certificate from a community college. MiSWs provided culturally and linguistically appropriate care to women, infants, and families in their respective communities. MiSWs provided doula support in their communities—a first for our region since the policy of forced evacuation for birth was implemented. MiSWs developed a community of practice for ongoing education, as well as to support each other in their work.

Conclusion

The MiSW pilot program demonstrated that it is possible to provide a virtual training program and then provide continued virtual mentorship as the participants work in their First Nations communities. By prioritizing Indigenous voices above those of the research team, we were able to gain the trust of the MiSWs and maintain engagement with communities.
First report of testis‐sparing surgery for sertoliform cystadenoma: case presentation and review of literature
Authors: Rahota Razvan‐George , Ploussard Guillaume , Gautier Jean‐Romain , Almeras Christophe , Ducoin Henri , Tollon Christophe , Assoun Jacques , Loison Guillaume , Beauval Jean‐Baptiste , Salin Ambroise
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Sertoliform cystadenoma is a very rare, benign lesion of the rete‐testis difficult to distinguish from other malignancies of the testicle.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 42‐year‐old male who presented with a right testicular mass, asymptomatic for 1 year. Clinical examination revealed a palpable, painless, and well‐delimited right testicular superior pole nodule. Testicular ultrasound confirmed the nodule, whereas serum tumoral markers were normal. The patient underwent inguinal partial orchiectomy. Intraoperative excisional biopsy and frozen section pathology were performed, reporting undetermined tumoral origin with negative surgical margins. Ischemia time was 12 minutes. The final pathology report showed a Sertoliform cystadenoma of rete testis, with immunomorphology positive for AE1, CK7, and negative surgical margins.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of testicular sparing surgery for Sertoliform cystadenoma, a very rare benign tumor of rete testis. All previously reported cases were managed by radical inguinal orchidectomy.
Polybenzimidazole functionalized electrolyte with Li‐wetting and self‐fluorination functionalities for practical Li metal batteries
Authors: Chen Dongjiang , Liu Yuanpeng , Xia Chuan , Han Yupei , Sun Qingwei , Wang Xuchang , Chen Wei , Jian Xian , Lv Weiqiang , Ma Jianyi , He Weidong
Published: September 2021

Rough Li plating, low ionic conductivity, and low thermal stability of conventional electrolytes post‐primary challenges for achieving reliable high‐capacity rechargeable lithium batteries, for which lithium metal is frequently proposed as the most promising anode material. Conventional low‐polarity commercial polypropylene/polyethylene separators fail to support the application of high‐energy‐density Li anodes due to their rigid physicochemical properties and the high reactivity of Li metal, leading to fatal dendrite formation and vigorous exothermic reaction with electrolytes. Herein, we develop a Li‐wetting, flame‐retardant binary polymer electrolyte by functionalizing poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) separators with nonflammable polybenzimidazole (PBI) to build safe room‐temperature solid‐state electrolyte membranes. A dendrite‐free LiFePO4cell with the solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) delivers a discharge capacity of 127 mAh g−1at 25°C with a capacity retention of 87.5% after 500 cycles at 0.5°C (0.15 mA cm−2). Phase‐field simulations and density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the negatively charged benzimidazole chains of PBI own superior affinity to lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), and shares overlapping electron density with Li anode, giving rise to accelerated Li+conduction at room temperature and uniform Li electrodeposition at the electrolyte/Li metal interface. The SPE is also flame‐retardant since heat‐resistant polytetrafluoroethylene and a dense, heat‐blocking graphitized carbon layer are formed in intense heat through dehydrogenation/fluorination of PVDF under the catalysis of Lewis base imidazole rings and the decomposition of benzimidazole rings in PBI. No such fire‐resistant mechanism is ever reported in conventional electrolytes.

image
Machine learning for financial transaction classification across companies using character‐level word embeddings of text fields
Authors: Jørgensen Rasmus Kær , Igel Christian
Published: September 2021

An important initial step in accounting is mapping financial transfers to the corresponding accounts. We devised machine‐learning‐based systems that automate this process. They use word embeddings with character‐level features to process transaction texts. When considering 473 companies independently, our approach achieved an average top‐1 accuracy of 80.50%, outperforming baselines that exclude the transaction texts or rely on a lexical bag‐of‐words text representation. We extended the approach to generalizes across companies and even across different corporate sectors. After standardization of the account structures and careful feature engineering, a single classifier trained on 44 companies from 28 sectors achieved a test accuracy of more than 80%. When trained on 43 companies and tested on the remaining one, the system achieved an average performance of 64.62%. This rate increased to nearly 70% when considering only the largest sector.
Prediction of Osteoporotic Fractures in Elderly Individuals: A Derivation and Internal Validation Study Using Healthcare Administrative Data
Authors: Beaudoin Claudia , Jean Sonia , Moore Lynne , Gamache Philippe , Bessette Louis , Ste-Marie Louis-Georges , Brown Jacques P.
Published: September 2021

In Canada and other countries, osteoporosis is monitored as part of chronic disease population surveillance programs. Although fractures are the principal manifestation of osteoporosis, very few algorithms are available to identify individuals at high risk of osteoporotic fractures in current surveillance systems. The objective of this study was to derive and validate predictive models to accurately identify individuals at high risk of osteoporotic fracture using information available in healthcare administrative data. More than 270,000 men and women aged ≥66 years were randomly selected from the Quebec Integrated Chronic Disease Surveillance System. Selected individuals were followed between fiscal years 2006–2007 and 2015–2016. Models were constructed for prediction of hip/femur and major osteoporotic fractures for follow-up periods of 5 and 10 years. A total of 62 potential predictors measurable in healthcare administrative databases were identified. Predictor selection was performed using a manual backward algorithm. The predictive performance of the final models was assessed using measures of discrimination, calibration, and overall performance. Between 20 and 25 predictors were retained in the final prediction models (eg, age, sex, social deprivation index, most of the major and minor risk factors for osteoporosis, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cognitive impairment, anemia, anxio-depressive disorders). Discrimination of the final models was higher for the prediction of hip/femur fracture than major osteoporotic fracture and higher for prediction for a 5-year than a 10-year period (hip/femur fracture for 5 years: c-index = 0.77; major osteoporotic fracture for 5 years: c-index = 0.71; hip/femur fracture for 10 years: c-index = 0.73; major osteoporotic fracture for 10 years: c-index = 0.68). The predicted probabilities globally agreed with the observed probabilities. In conclusion, the derived models had adequate predictive performance in internal validation. As a final step, these models should be validated in an external cohort and used to develop indicators for surveillance of osteoporosis. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Vitamin D/Vitamin D Receptor Signaling Attenuates Skeletal Muscle Atrophy by Suppressing Renin-Angiotensin System
Authors: Li Wen-Xiong , Qin Xian-Hui , Poon Christina Chui-Wa , Wong Man-Sau , Feng Rui , Wang Jing , Lin Fu-Hui , Sun Yue-Li , Liu Shu-Fen , Wang Yong-Jun , Zhang Yan
Published: September 2021

The nutritional level of vitamin D may affect musculoskeletal health. We have reported that vitamin D is a pivotal protector against tissue injuries by suppressing local renin-angiotensin system (RAS). This study aimed to explore the role of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the protection against muscle atrophy and the underlying mechanism. A cross-sectional study on participants (n = 1034) in Shanghai (China) was performed to analyze the association between vitamin D level and the risk of low muscle strength as well as to detect the circulating level of angiotensin II (Ang II). In animal studies, dexamethasone (Dex) was applied to induce muscle atrophy in wild-type (WT) and VDR-null mice, and the mice with the induction of muscle atrophy were treated with calcitriol for 10 days. The skeletal muscle cell line C2C12 and the muscle satellite cells were applied in in vitro studies. The increased risk of low muscle strength was correlated to a lower level of vitamin D (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.58) accompanied by an elevation in serum Ang II level. Ang II impaired the myogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts as illustrated by the decrease in the area of myotubes and the downregulation of myogenic factors (myosin heavy chain [MHC] and myogenic differentiation factor D [MyoD]). The phenotype of muscle atrophy induced by Dex and Ang II was aggravated by VDR ablation in mice and in muscle satellite cells, respectively, and mediated by RAS and its downstream phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/forkhead box O1 (PI3K/Akt/FOXO1) signaling. Calcitriol treatment exhibited beneficial effects on muscle function as demonstrated by the increased weight-loaded swimming time, grip strength, and fiber area, and improved fiber type composition via regulating ubiquitin ligases and their substrates MHC and MyoD through suppressing renin/Ang II axis. Taken together, VDR protects against skeletal muscle atrophy by suppressing RAS. Vitamin D could be a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Investigating culturally contextualized making with the Navajo Nation
Authors: Frank Daniel Z. , Douglas Elliot P. , Williams Darryl N. , Crane Carl D.
Published: September 2021

Background

Recently there has been considerable interest in making as a means to promote interest in engineering careers. Leveraging making practices that already exist in communities could provide a way to address the severe underrepresentation of minority groups, such as Native Americans, in engineering. Before any programs or curricula can be developed to accomplish this goal, it must first be determined how these communities understand the experience of making.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the Navajo people's unique understanding of making. It was guided by the following research question: “In what ways do the Navajo describe the experience of making?”

Design

Qualitative data were collected in the form of semi‐structured interviews given to participants who identify as being Navajo. Interview transcripts were analyzed using phenomenography.

Findings

Five hierarchical categories emerged from the data analysis: survival, communication, pride, self‐actualization, and community. A sixth category, spirituality, also appeared as an overarching category.

Conclusions

This study identified the ways in which the participants understand the experience of making. These findings may aid the development of making programs and curricula that are designed to promote engineering education on the Navajo Nation.
Correlation of Measurements From Doppler Ultrasound and Optical Coherence Tomography in Glaucoma
Authors: Polat Yasemin D. , Kocatürk Tolga , Abdullayev Özge K. , Abdullayev Oğuz , Bilgen Mehmet
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To relate the changes in ocular structure and hemodynamic response in primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods

Patients with POAG (n = 46) and control subjects (n = 53) were recruited. Retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell complex were evaluated using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Blood flow was characterized in ophthalmic artery (OA) and central retinal artery (CRA) using color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU), and resistivity index (RI) was calculated. Measurements from CDU and OCT were statistically correlated and the degree of the association was examined. Receiver operating characteristics was produced based on RI and optimal threshold was determined.

Results

In POAG patients, OCT revealed neuronal damage and CDU indicated increased resistance to arterial flow. Flow dynamics correlated negatively with the ocular tissue dimensions, sufficiently establishing an association between the ocular structure and its hemodynamic response. Based on the possibility of indirect POAG diagnosis with CDU, threshold 0.7 for RI of OA yielded 73.9% sensitivity and 77.4% specificity in distinguishing the cases of POAG from the controls. Threshold of 0.66 for RI of CRA, had higher specificity of 83%, but lower sensitivity of 52.1%.

Conclusions

Ocular flow exhibits different characteristics in individuals with POAG than normal. The changes associated with the underlying neuronal structure, suggesting the possibility of a potential new diagnostic biomarker for POAG. This justifies further studies with a larger cohort, examining the ocular flow with CDU in POAG and comparing it against OCT findings for establishing the power of CDU in differential diagnosis or glaucoma progression.