bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of different liming material on soil pH and spring barley yield under different soil moisture conditions
Authors: Drapanauskaitė Donata , Bunevičienė Kristina , Mažeika Romas
Published: November 2020

Liming of acid soils is one of the most effective and multipurpose ways to improve soil properties. Liming changes the agrochemical properties, nutrient content and uptake. The aim of the research was to evaluate the influence of different liming materials on soil pH and spring barley yield under different soil moisture conditions. A vegetation experiment was performed until full yield formation under two different soil moisture conditions: optimum 17–20% and excess 28–31%. Liming materials of different physical forms and chemical composition were used in the experiment: ground, crushed and granulated liming materials, which differed in their chemical composition. Ground liming material had the highest neutralizing value (52.2 ± 0.40%) and reactivity (99.5 ± 0.18%), and crushed liming material had the lowest reactivity (10.0 ± 0.23%) and the highest (10.33 ± 0.148) magnesium content. Liming with ground liming material was the most effective and fastest way to neutralize soil acidity. It increased the soil pH from 4.44 ± 0.191 to 6.17 ± 0.042 under optimum moisture conditions and from 4.46 ± 0.156 to 6.76 ± 0.537 under excess moisture conditions after 4 weeks of liming. When spring barley was grown to full yield, a significant increase in yield in both years was found by liming with granulated liming material ø 2–5 mm in both soil moisture conditions, and the highest mass of 1,000th grain was obtained in the treatments limed with granulated liming material with potassium additive.
Cytotoxic potentials of silibinin assisted silver nanoparticles on human colorectal HT-29 cancer cells
Authors:   Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 600 077, Jackson Kiren
Published: November 2020

It is of interest to study the cytotoxicity of silibinin assisted silver nanoparticles in human colorectal (HT-29) cancer cells. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using silibinin as a reducing agent. The synthesized silibinin assisted silver nanoparticles (SSNPs) were characterized and analyzed using a transmission electron microscope and spectrophotometer. The SSNPs synthesized in this study are spherical and their size ranges from 10 to 80 nm. HT-29 cells were treated with different concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 ng/mL) of SSNPs and cytotoxicity was evaluated. The apoptosis was using flow cytometry. p53 protein expression using western blot. SSNPs are induced a decrease in viability and increased concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in HT-29 cells. SSNPs treatment also caused apoptosis-related morphological changes. SSNPs treatments at 8 and 16 ng/ml showed a prominent apoptotic change i.e., 70.3% and 83.6% respectively, and decreased viability of HT-29 cells 20% and 11.2% respectively as compared to control cells. SSNPs treatments induced p53 expression in HT-29 cells. Data shows that SSNPs have the potential to induce apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. This provides insights for the further evaluation of SSNPs in fighting colon cancer.
Legende samspil, frihed og rammer i det pædagogiske miljø – Narrative strukturer giver orienteringspunkter i hverdagen
Authors: Jørgensen Hanne Hede
Published: November 2020

Øvrig forfatter: Anette Boye Koch, ph.d., docent, VIA-UC ResumeMed afsæt i et eksempel fra forskningsprojektet ’Det gode børnemiljø’ vises, hvordan en pædagog i en børnehave og inden for rammerne af et fortælleværksted indgår i legende samspil med en større gruppe børn. Gennem det legende samspil og ved at forbinde sig til børnenes ideer og inddrage deres perspektiver, støtter pædagogen deres deltagelse i aktiviteten. Med udgangspunkt i en narrativ analyse af fortælleværkstedet belyses og diskuteres, hvordan pædagoger og børn sammen udvikler narrative strukturer, som de bruger til at navigere i et institutionsliv, hvor meget foregår på én gang og på flere niveauer. Artiklen diskuterer, hvordan pædagoger kan anvende narrative strukturer til at skabe et godt pædagogisk miljø, hvor ’det gode’ knyttes til børns muligheder for deltagelse i hverdagslivet, mens ’det pædagogiske’ knyttes til pædagogers evne til at være både legende og rammesættende i deres samspil med børn.      AbstractBased on an example from the research project ‘the good child environment’ the article illustrates how a pedagogue in a kindergarten and within the settings of a storytelling-session engages in play-full interactions with a large group of children. The play-full interactions motivate the children’s participation in the activity by connecting to their ideas and including their perspectives. Narrative analysis of the story-telling session shows – analytically – how pedagogues and children develop narrative structures, which are used on a daily basis to navigate in an institutional life where much is at stake simultaneously. The article discusses how narrative structures are useful in order to generate a good pedagogical environment in which ‘good’ is understood as children’s possibilities to navigate and participate in everyday life, and ‘pedagogical’ is understood as a professional balance between managing settings and acting playfully.
Diskussionen om opdragelse
Authors: Gulløv Eva
Published: November 2020

Artiklen diskuterer den aktuelle debat om opdragelse og viser, hvordan den må forstås i lyset af nogle historiske ændringer i synet på børn og opvækst. Med inspiration fra figurationssociologien vises det, hvordan der har været en udvikling fra et mere hierarkisk syn på relationen mellem børn og voksne til en jævnbyrdig og uformel generationel omgangsform med en mere barnesensitiv opdragelsesform. Denne opdragelsesform er imidlertid under skarp kritik, fordi den ikke passer særlig godt med vilkårene i daginstitutioner og skoler. Artiklens viser, hvordan det er denne diskrepans mellem idealer for børn og praktiske vilkår i institutionerne, der har givet anledning til usikkerhed og den aktuelle debat om, hvad der er de rigtige opdragelsesværdier, og hvilken rolle og ansvar forældre har.

 

[Abstract – UK]

The discussion of upbringing – responsibility, authority and balancesThis article focuses on the current debate on upbringing in Denmark and argues that it should be seen in light of historical changes in the view of children and upbringing. There has been a shift from a more hierarchical perception of the relationship between children and adults, to a more informal approach stressing generational equality and the need for a child-sensitive form of care and upbringing. However, this approach is currently criticised as it does not match well with the frames and conditions of contemporary day-care institutions and schools. This discrepancy between ideals for children and practical conditions in the institutional settings has given rise to uncertainty and debate about the right form of upbringing and the role and responsibility of parents.
Forestillingen om den gode familie
Authors: Grumløse Sine Penthin , Marschall Anja
Published: November 2020

Familier kan se ud på mange måder. Trods mangfoldighed og diversitet i familiers sammensætning synes én normativ forståelse af familien dog at dominere; nemlig kernefamilien. I denne artikel kombineres viden fra et diskursanalytisk forskningsprojekt om dansk familiepolitik med viden fra forskningsprojekter, der trækker på kritisk psykologisk familieforskning. Vi undersøger forståelsen af en god familie over tid og ser, hvordan præskriptive forståelser af en god familie som en stabil kernefamilie også i dag sætter en særlig – og ikke altid hensigtsmæssig – ramme for forældre, der bestræber sig på at arrangere gode betingelser for familiens liv men også for pædagogers samarbejde med forældrene. Dette sker ved, at vi dels kaster et blik bagud på forståelsen af en god familie, dels betragter konkrete problemstillinger i familiers hverdagsliv i dag og spejler dem i deres kulturhistoriske ophav.

 

[Abstract – UK]Perceptions of the good family – an educational challenge?Families today are composed in numerous ways but despite the diversity of the families’ composition, one normative understanding of family nevertheless seems to dominate; namely the nuclear family. In this article, we explore how the concept of a good family has developed historically and examine the meanings these understandings have for family life today. We analyze historical understandings of a good family and investigate how prescriptive understandings of a good family also today set a specific framework for both parents’ endeavoring to arrange good conditions for family life, but also for educators’ cooperation with parents. With this analytical approach, we seek to understand contemporary conditions of family life by mirroring them in their cultural-historical heritage.
The effects of strength training on intermuscular coordination during maximal cycling
Authors:   , Burnie Louise Annabelle
Published: November 2020

In natural movement tasks individual muscles are seldom required to generate force in isolation and instead most functional movements arise from the cooperation of several muscles acting together – intermuscular coordination. Contemporary studies of movement coordination are often undertaken using the ecological dynamics theoretical framework and Newell’s model of constraints. Ecological dynamics examines human performance from a person-environment scale of analysis considering how people interact with a specific task and the performance environment, and the role these constraints play in the emergent coordination patterns. Pedalling is an ideal task to study intermuscular coordination since it is a natural movement task that can be accurately manipulated. Sprint cyclists often undertake gym-based strength training to increase muscle strength and size. Therefore, the aim of this programme of research was to understand how cyclists adapt their intermuscular coordination patterns during maximal cycling owing to changing organismic constraints (muscle size, strength and fatigue) caused by the gym-based strength training using the theoretical framework of ecological dynamics. In accordance with the theoretical framework of ecological dynamics and Newell’s model of constraints this programme of research highlighted the influence of the constraints acting on the cyclists’ coordination patterns that emerge. Different movement and coordination patterns were observed for maximal cycling when the task constraints were changed from sprinting on a fixed ergometer in the laboratory to a track bicycle in the velodrome. This finding implies it is important to undertake biomechanical analyses of movement organisation in elite sports practice in a representative environment. Also, following a gym-based strength training intervention the cyclists’ crank power increased, but there were no changes in joint moments, power or muscle activation which suggested that the cyclists might adopt individual coordination strategies following the change in their organismic constraints after the strength training intervention.
eIF4E S209 phosphorylation licenses myc- and stress-driven oncogenesis
Authors: Ruan Hang , Li Xiangyun , Xu Xiang , Leibowitz Brian J , Tong Jingshan , Chen Lujia , Ao Luoquan , Xing Wei , Luo Jianhua , Yu Yanping , Schoen Robert E , Sonenberg Nahum , Lu Xinghua , Zhang Lin , Yu Jian
Published: November 2020

To better understand a role of eIF4E S209 in oncogenic translation, we generated EIF4ES209A/+ heterozygous knockin (4EKI) HCT 116 human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. 4EKI had little impact on total eIF4E levels, cap binding or global translation, but markedly reduced HCT 116 cell growth in spheroids and mice, and CRC organoid growth. 4EKI strongly inhibited Myc and ATF4 translation, the integrated stress response (ISR)-dependent glutamine metabolic signature, AKT activation and proliferation in vivo. 4EKI inhibited polyposis in ApcMin/+ mice by suppressing Myc protein and AKT activation. Furthermore, p-eIF4E was highly elevated in CRC precursor lesions in mouse and human. p-eIF4E cooperated with mutant KRAS to promote Myc and ISR-dependent glutamine addiction in various CRC cell lines, characterized by increased cell death, transcriptomic heterogeneity and immune suppression upon deprivation. These findings demonstrate a critical role of eIF4E S209-dependent translation in Myc and stress-driven oncogenesis and as a potential therapeutic vulnerability.
Doxycycline has distinct apicoplast-specific mechanisms of antimalarial activity
Authors: Okada Megan , Guo Ping , Nalder Shai-anne , Sigala Paul A
Published: November 2020

Doxycycline (DOX) is a key antimalarial drug thought to kill Plasmodium parasites by blocking protein translation in the essential apicoplast organelle. Clinical use is primarily limited to prophylaxis due to delayed second-cycle parasite death at 1–3 µM serum concentrations. DOX concentrations > 5 µM kill parasites with first-cycle activity but are thought to involve off-target mechanisms outside the apicoplast. We report that 10 µM DOX blocks apicoplast biogenesis in the first cycle and is rescued by isopentenyl pyrophosphate, an essential apicoplast product, confirming an apicoplast-specific mechanism. Exogenous iron rescues parasites and apicoplast biogenesis from first- but not second-cycle effects of 10 µM DOX, revealing that first-cycle activity involves a metal-dependent mechanism distinct from the delayed-death mechanism. These results critically expand the paradigm for understanding the fundamental antiparasitic mechanisms of DOX and suggest repurposing DOX as a faster acting antimalarial at higher dosing whose multiple mechanisms would be expected to limit parasite resistance.
CD14 release induced by P2X7 receptor restricts inflammation and increases survival during sepsis
Authors: Alarcón-Vila Cristina , Baroja-Mazo Alberto , de Torre-Minguela Carlos , Martínez Carlos M , Martínez-García Juan J , Martínez-Banaclocha Helios , García-Palenciano Carlos , Pelegrin Pablo
Published: November 2020

P2X7 receptor activation induces the release of different cellular proteins, such as CD14, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein to the plasma membrane important for LPS signaling via TLR4. Circulating CD14 has been found at elevated levels in sepsis, but the exact mechanism of CD14 release in sepsis has not been established. Here, we show for first time that P2X7 receptor induces the release of CD14 in extracellular vesicles, resulting in a net reduction in macrophage plasma membrane CD14 that functionally affects LPS, but not monophosphoryl lipid A, pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Also, we found that during a murine model of sepsis, P2X7 receptor activity is important for maintaining elevated levels of CD14 in biological fluids and a decrease in its activity results in higher bacterial load and exacerbated organ damage, ultimately leading to premature deaths. Our data reveal that P2X7 is a key receptor for helping to clear sepsis because it maintains elevated concentrations of circulating CD14 during infection.
The alternative sigma factor σX mediates competence shut-off at the cell pole in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Johnston Calum HG , Soulet Anne-Lise , Bergé Matthieu , Prudhomme Marc , De Lemos David , Polard Patrice
Published: November 2020

Competence is a widespread bacterial differentiation program driving antibiotic resistance and virulence in many pathogens. Here, we studied the spatiotemporal localization dynamics of the key regulators that master the two intertwined and transient transcription waves defining competence in Streptococcus pneumoniae. The first wave relies on the stress-inducible phosphorelay between ComD and ComE proteins, and the second on the alternative sigma factor σX, which directs the expression of the DprA protein that turns off competence through interaction with phosphorylated ComE. We found that ComD, σX and DprA stably co-localize at one pole in competent cells, with σX physically conveying DprA next to ComD. Through this polar DprA targeting function, σX mediates the timely shut-off of the pneumococcal competence cycle, preserving cell fitness. Altogether, this study unveils an unprecedented role for a transcription σ factor in spatially coordinating the negative feedback loop of its own genetic circuit.
Use of In vitro Technique in Predicting In vivo Response of Poultry to Enzyme Supplementation
Authors: Jimoh Abdulhameed , Atteh Job Olutimehin
Published: November 2020

The need for rapid test in evaluation of feedstuffs in poultry nutrition cannot be overemphasized. Such test must however be able to replace exactly the response in the animal concern. This study was conducted to determine the suitability of In vitro technique in predicting the In vivo response of poultry to enzyme supplemented feedstuffs. Rice husk was used in a Completely Randomized Design with individual and cocktail of enzymes for both In vitro and In vivo trials. Three exogenous enzymes namely a xylanase, a multipurpose and a phytase were used individually, pairwise and altogether with the feedstuff to constitute the treatments namely T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, and T8. Each treatment was replicated thrice for both In vitro and In vivo trials. The In vitro trial was done to simulate the chicken digestive system while the In vivo trial was done using the intubation method. Parameters measured for both trials were digestibility values for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber and fiber fractions. All data collected were statistically analyzed using Analysis of Variance procedure and treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Correlation analysis was carried out to compare the results of both trials.  Results show that enzymes individually and as cocktails significantly improved the digestibility of parameters for both In vitro and In vivo trials. Cocktails of enzymes were significantly better than the individual enzymes for dry matter and crude fiber digestibility for both In vitro and In vivo trials. Correlation analysis shows positive correlation (r=0.99, r=0.96, r=0.94, r= 0.86, r=0.78) between In vitro and In vivo trials in most of digestibility values for the rice husk. It was concluded that In vitro trial can be used as both criterion and replacement for In vivo trial when determining the efficacy of exogenous enzymes in poultry nutrition.
Modelling Human Capital Resource Mobilisation Practices for Sustaining Business Productivity among Small Businesses in Nigeria
Authors: Okafor M. C. , Ihemeje J. C. , Okon Efanga, Udeme , Biradawa Kayadi, , Yamta H. A.
Published: November 2020

Human capital has long been argued as a critical resource in most companies for sustaining development of business productivity. The study empirically determined the effect of human capital resource capacity on sustainable increase in productivity of agro-allied small businesses in Nigeria. The instrumentality of this study is the research questions structured in a five-point likert scale. The Linear Regression Analysis used to test the hypotheses. Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to aid the data analysis. The study discovered that human capital has positive and significant effect on sustainable increase in productivity of agro-allied small businesses in Nigeria. The study recommended education the small business entrepreneurs on the benefits of equity financing as a viable option towards business growth and expansion.
Effects of Extracts from Two Combretaceae Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC) Guill. and Perr. and Terminalia macroptera Guill. and Perr. on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Pathogenicity in Nicotiana tabacum L.
Authors: Ouédraogo Safiétou , Ouédraogo Razacswendé Fanta , Ouedraogo Vincent , Sombié Pierre Alexandre Eric Djifaby , Compaoré Moussa , Kiendrebeogo Martin
Published: November 2020

Aims: This study aimed to assess the ability of methanolic bark extracts from medicinal plants, Anogeissus leiocarpus and Terminalia macroptera for reducing Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 bacteria pathogenicity in Nicotiana tabacum.

Study Design: A complete randomized block design was used with 3 replications including 3 infiltrations modes: PAO1 only, PAO1+ A. leiocarpus extract, PAO1+ T. macroptera extract; the control plants didn’t received infiltration.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Chemistry Applied and Plant Ecophysiology Laboratory, University Joseph KI-ZERBO between November 2018 and May 2019.

Methodology: Six weeks old tobacco plants previously cultured in vitro were infected via infiltration of bacterial inoculum with or not plant extract into Arabidopsis leaves. Ten days after the infection, phenotypic and biochemical leaves parameters were evaluated. The ImageJ software was used to measure discolored and necrotic surfaces. Chlorophyll a and b, proteins, total polyphenols and total flavonoids foliar contents were determined by spectrophotometry.

Results: The extracts of plants used reduced significantly the severity of chlorosis and necrosis. They also allowed to increase the chlorophyll a but lowered the total flavonoids contents. T. macroptera extract showed an important reduction potential of necrotic area and total flavonoid content, and led to a decrease of total polyphenol content. A. leiocarpus extract application improved the protein content.

This antibacterial activity seems attributable to the content in secondary metabolites including polyphenols acting alone or in synergy with those synthesized by tobacco. In addition, it appears that i) total polyphenols content make T. macroptera the most effective extract plant on foliar necrosis and that ii) perhaps other(s) class(es) of extract polyphenol, different of flavonoids, is (are) involved in the protective action on leaf 10 days after infection.

Conclusion: A. leiocarpus or T. macroptera extracts in the inoculum reduced chlorosis and necrosis damages thanks to infiltrated polyphenols but not enough to prevent damages completely.
Evaluation of Formulated Anti-dermatophyte Creams from Ethanol Extract of Mitracarpus villosus Leaves
Authors: Fawehinmi A. B. , Oyedeji F. O.
Published: November 2020

Microsporium, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton are asexual fungi usually called dermatophytes. They are known to cause a kind of skin diseases called dermatophytosis. There have been reported cases of resistance by the dermatophytes with prolonged usage of synthetic antifungals on the skin. The aim of this study was to formulate herbal antifungal cream containing extract of Mitracarpus villosus as an anti-dermatophytic preparation and evaluate its physicochemical properties, stability and efficacy of the product. The formulated creams containing 0.5, 1 and 2% w/w of extract were subjected to stability tests using temperature variation method at -10, 4, 30, 37 and 45oC. Freeze-thaw test, Centrifuge test, pH and exposure to UV light test were also carried out using standard method. Efficacy of the cream formulations were determined using Wistar rats as experimental animals.

The percentage yield of the extract was (2.1%). Percentage ethanol phytochemical composition indicated that for alkaloid it is 1.06±0.04%, saponins (0.96±0.07%), flavonoids (0.06±0.02%) and tannins (0.04±0.01%). The emulsion produced was an oil-in-water emulsion and had a white colour with pH of 7.02, spread of emulsion, rubbing-in effect and stability to centrifugation was very high. The antifungal results showed the activity against the dermatophytes to be in the increasing order Epidermophyton floccosum (9 mm) <Microsporum audounii (12 mm) <Trichophyton mentagrophtes (13 mm) <M. furfur (12 mm).Temperature stability and Centrifuge testing indicated that the formulations were stable. Light testing indicated no change in the colour of the products. Animal studies evaluation of the formulations of the cream indicated that their efficacy against the dermatophytes is concentration dependent and is in the increasing order M. audounii (34 µm) = E. floccosum (34 µm) <T. mentagrophyte (35 µm) <M. furfur (45 µm) which shows that 2% Mitracarpus villosus cream was statistically significant (P<0.05) against all the test microorganisms.
Preoperative Intake of Carbohydrate-Rich Drinks Is Associated With Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Patients After Gastric Cancer Surgery
Authors: Park Miyeong , Ok Seong-Ho , Park Jiyoung , Yu Ho Gyung , Bae Sung Il , Kim Tae-Han , Min Jae-Seok , Jeong Sang-Ho
Published: November 2020

Background

The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation between carbohydrate-rich drinks (CRDs) before gastric cancer surgery and postoperative nutrition laboratory findings and to determine whether CRDs affect the incidence of postoperative complications.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on 142 patients who underwent radical stomach cancer surgery. The patients were divided into 2 groups (nothing per oral group versus CRD group) according to the intake of CRDs before surgery. We performed statistical analysis using Student t test, the χ2 test, and a binary logistic regression model (SPSS Statistics software, version 24).

Results

Laboratory analysis of the nutrition status showed a significant increase in serum protein and albumin levels in the CRD group after postoperative day 1 (POD1; P < 0.05). The overall morbidity rate showed no difference between the 2 groups, but pulmonary complications showed significant differences of 1/72 and 9/70 (P = 0.008). In the univariate analysis, there were significantly increased pulmonary complications in patients with higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scores (P = 0.001), existing pulmonary disease (P = 0.003), anastomotic leakage (P = 0.03), and CRD intake (P = 0.008). In the multivariate analysis, CRD intake was the only independent factor.

Conclusion

We found that administering a CRD is effective in improving albumin and protein levels in the short-term period after surgery but is an independent factor for pulmonary complications after gastrectomy. We recommend that patients with no medications for pulmonary disease and with low ECOG scores can safely ingest CRDs and expect short-term nutritional effects.
Altered mental status in “Guillain‐Barré syndrome” –a noteworthy clinical clue
Authors: Mulroy Eoin , Anderson Neil E.
Published: November 2020

Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) is widely regarded as a “pure” peripheral nervous system disorder. However, this simplistic interpretation belies the fact that central nervous system involvement, often manifesting as derangements in mental status can occur as a complication of the “pure” form of the disorder, as part of GBS variants, as well as in a number of mimic disorders. Despite being common in clinical practice, there is no guidance in the literature as to how to approach such scenarios. Herein, we detail our approach to these cases.
Association of PET‐based stages of amyloid deposition with neuropathological markers of Aβ pathology
Authors: Teipel Stefan J. , Temp Anna G. M. , Levin Fedor , Dyrba Martin , Grothe Michel J. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: November 2020

Objective

To determine if PET‐based stages of regional amyloid deposition are associated with neuropathological phases of Aβ pathology.

Methods

We applied data‐driven regional frequency‐based and a‐priori striatum‐based PET staging approaches to ante‐mortem 18F‐Florbetapir‐PET scans of 30 cases from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative autopsy cohort, and used Bayesian regression analysis to study the associations of these in vivo amyloid stages with neuropathological Thal phases of regional Aβ plaque distribution and with semi‐quantitative ratings of neocortical and striatal plaque densities.

Results

Bayesian regression revealed extreme evidence for an association of both PET‐based staging approaches with Thal phases, and these associations were about 44 times more likely for frequency‐based stages and 89 times more likely for striatum‐based stages than for global cortical 18F‐Florbetapir‐PET signal. Early (i.e., neocortical‐only) PET‐based amyloid stages also predicted the absence of striatal/diencephalic cored plaques. Receiver operating characteristics curves revealed highly accurate discrimination between low/high Thal phases and the presence/absence of regional plaques. The median areas under the curve were 0.99 for frequency‐based staging (95% credibility interval 0.97–1.00), 0.93 for striatum‐based staging (0.83–1.00), and 0.87 for global 18F‐Florbetapir‐PET signal (0.72–0.98).

Interpretation

Our data indicate that both regional frequency‐ and striatum‐based amyloid‐PET staging approaches were superior to standard global amyloid‐PET signal for differentiating between low and high degrees of regional amyloid pathology spread. Despite this, we found no evidence for the ability of either staging scheme to differentiate between low and moderate degrees of amyloid pathology which may be particularly relevant for early, preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
Visual Neuroscience for Architecture: Seeking a New Evidence‐Based Approach to Design
Authors: Albright Thomas D , Gepshtein Sergei , Macagno Eduardo
Published: November 2020

Thomas D Albright and Sergei Gepshtein of the Salk Institute of Biological Studies in La Jolla, and Eduardo Macagno of the University of California in San Diego, review several complementary experimental approaches developed in different branches of visual neuroscience, helping to understand how humans capture and analyse information about the built environment. The authors propose how these approaches can be used in support of evidence‐based architectural and urban design.
Nanogel Encapsulated Hydrogels As Advanced Wound Dressings for the Controlled Delivery of Antibiotics
Authors: Fan Yanmiao , Lüchow Mads , Zhang Yuning , Lin Jinjian , Fortuin Lisa , Mohanty Soumitra , Brauner Annelie , Malkoch Michael
Published: November 2020

Biocompatible and degradable dual‐delivery gel systems based on hyperbranched dendritic−linear−dendritic copolymers (HBDLDs) is herein conceptualized and accomplished via thiol‐ene click chemistry. The elasticity of the hydrogels is tunable by varying the lengths of PEG (2, 6, 10 kDa) or the dry weight percentages (20, 30, 40 wt%), and are found to range from 2–14.7 kPa, comparable to human skin. The co‐delivery of antibiotics is achieved, where the hydrophilic drug novobiocin sodium salt (NB) is entrapped within the hydrophilic hydrogel, while the hydrophobic antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) is encapsulated within the dendritic nanogels (DNGs) with hydrophobic cores (DNGs‐CIP). The DNGs‐CIP with drug loading capacity of 2.83 wt% are then physically entrapped within the hybrid hydrogels through UV curing. The hybrid hydrogels enable the quick release of NB and prolonged released of CIP. In vitro cell infection assays showed that the antibiotic‐loaded hybrid hydrogels are able to treat bacterial infections with significant bacterial reduction. Hybrid hydrogel band aids are fabricated and exhibited better antibacterial activity compared with commercial antimicrobial band aids. Remarkably, most hydrogels and hybrid hydrogels show enhanced human dermal cell proliferation and could be degraded into non‐toxic constituents, showing great promise as wound dressing materials.
Epitaxial Growth of Main Group Monoelemental 2D Materials
Authors: Zhou Dechun , Li Heping , Si Nan , Li Hui , Fuchs Harald , Niu Tianchao
Published: November 2020

Since the discovery of graphene, 2D materials have attracted significant attention for their unique properties. Monoelemental 2D materials (ME2DMs) are of particular interest because of their superiority in synthetic exploration, excellent mobility, and wide range of band gaps over other 2D compounds. Substantial efforts are devoted to fabricate high‐quality materials through various substrates and reveal the growth mechanism at the atomic scale. In this review, the recent progress in the preparation of these ME2DMs is explored, the roles of different substrates is highlighted, and the challenges of and perspectives on their heterostructures is discussed.
Chromophore‐Free Sealing and Repair of Soft Tissues Using Mid‐Infrared Light‐Activated Biosealants
Authors: Ridha Inam , Basiri Ali , Godeshala Sudhakar , Rafique Md Zubair Ebne , Ghosh Deepanjan , Williams Jason , Chawla Nikhilesh , Lee Jung Keun , Kilbourne Jacquelyn , Yao Yu , Rege Kaushal
Published: November 2020

Poor strength, infection, leakage, long procedure times, and inflammation limit the efficacy of common tissue sealing devices in surgeries and trauma. Light‐activated sealing is attractive for tissue sealing and repair, and can be facilitated by the generation of local heat following absorption of nonionizing laser energy by chromophores. Here, the inherent ability of biomaterials is exploited to absorb nonionizing, mid‐infrared (midIR) light in order to engender rapid photothermal sealing and repair of soft tissue wounds. In this approach, the biomaterial simultaneously acts as a photothermal convertor as well as a biosealant, which dispenses the need for exogeneous light‐absorbing nanoparticles or dyes. Biomechanical recovery, mathematical modeling, histopathology analyses, tissue strain mapping using digital imaging correlation, and visualization of the biosealant‐tissue interface using hyperspectral imaging indicate superior performance of midIR sealing in live mice compared to conventional sutures and glue. The midIR‐biosealant approach demonstrates rapid sealing of soft tissues, improves cosmesis, lowers potential for scarring, obviates safety concerns because of the nonionizing light used, and allows adoption of a wide diversity of biomaterials. Taken together, the studies demonstrate a novel advance both in biomaterials for surgical sealing along with the use of nonionizing midIR light, with high potential for clinical translation.
Bioprinting a Multifunctional Bioink to Engineer Clickable 3D Cellular Niches with Tunable Matrix Microenvironmental Cues
Authors: Pereira Rúben F. , Lourenço Bianca N. , Bártolo Paulo J. , Granja Pedro L.
Published: November 2020

The properties of the surrounding cell environment are major determinants of cell response in 3D. However, the ability to unravel how these cues dictate the biological function in bioprinted constructs is limited by the lack of extracellular matrix (ECM)‐mimetic bioinks with fully controllable properties. In this study, a multifunctional bioink that uniquely combines the independent control over the biochemical and biophysical cues that regulate cell fate with the bioorthogonal nature of thiol–norbornene photoclick chemistry is designed for the extrusion bioprinting of bioinspired 3D cellular niches with tunable properties. The bioink rheology is controlled by ionic gelation, being dependent on both the type and content of divalent ions (calcium and barium), while the mechanical and biochemical properties of hydrogels are tailored via a post printing thiol–ene reaction. Bioprinted cell‐adhesive and protease‐degradable hydrogels modulate cell proliferation and ECM deposition in a matrix‐stiffness dependent manner over 14 days of culture regardless of cell spreading, demonstrating the ability to probe the effect of matrix cues on cell response. This bioink can be used as a versatile platform where building blocks can be rationally combined for the bioprinting of functional cell‐ and tissue‐specific constructs with controlled cellular behavior.
Advances in Magnetic Nanoparticle‐Mediated Cancer Immune‐Theranostics
Authors: Cheng Hung‐Wei , Tsao Hsin‐Yi , Chiang Chih‐Sheng , Chen San‐Yuan
Published: November 2020

Cancer immunotherapy is a cutting‐edge strategy that eliminates cancer cells by amplifying the host's immune system. However, the low response rate and risks of inducing systemic toxicity have raised uncertainty in the treatment. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as a versatile theranostic tool can be used to target delivery of multiple immunotherapeutics and monitor cell/tissue responses. These capabilities enable the real‐time characterization of the factors that contribute to immunoactivity so that future treatments can be optimized. The magnetic properties of MNPs further allow the implementation of magnetic navigation and magnetic hyperthermia for boosting the efficacy of immunotherapy. The multimodal approach opens an avenue to induce robust immune responses, minimize safety issues, and monitor immune activities simultaneously. Thus, the object of this review is to provide an overview of the burgeoning fields and to highlight novel technologies for next‐generation immunotherapy. The review further correlates the properties of MNPs with the latest treatment strategies to explore the crosstalk between magnetic nanomaterials and the immune system. This comprehensive review of MNP‐derived immunotherapy covers the obstacles and opportunities for future development and clinical translation.
Low‐Cost Titanium–Bromine Flow Battery with Ultrahigh Cycle Stability for Grid‐Scale Energy Storage
Authors: Li Xianjin , Xie Congxin , Li Tianyu , Zhang Yunhe , Li Xianfeng
Published: November 2020

Flow batteries are one of the most promising large‐scale energy‐storage systems. However, the currently used flow batteries have low operation–cost‐effectiveness and exhibit low energy density, which limits their commercialization. Herein, a titanium–bromine flow battery (TBFB) featuring very low operation cost and outstanding stability is reported. In this battery, a novel complexing agent, 3‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, is employed to stabilize bromine/polybromides and suppress Br diffusion. The results reveal that the complexing agent effectively inhibits Br crossover and reduces Br‐induced corrosivity, which in turn significantly improves the reliability of the TBFB system. The novel TBFB demonstrates 95% coulombic efficiency and 83% energy efficiency at 40 mA cm−2 current density. Moreover, it can run smoothly for more than 1000 cycles without any capacity decay. Furthermore, an assembled 300 W TBFB stack can be continuously operated for more than 500 cycles, thereby confirming the practical applicability of the proposed TBFB. Because the TBFB utilizes an ultralow‐cost electrolyte (41.29 $ kWh−1) and porous polyolefin membranes, it serves as a reliable and low‐cost energy‐storage device. Therefore, considering its ultrahigh stability and low cost, the TBFB can be used as a large‐scale energy‐storage device.
Highly Efficient Amplitude Modulation of Terahertz Fano Resonance Based on Si Photoactive Substrate by Low Power Continuous Wave
Authors: Zhang Ming , Zhang Fenglin , Li Ming , Li Peng , Li Jitao , Li Jie , Yang Dingyu
Published: November 2020

It is one of the effective methods to modulate Fano resonance intensity by adding the thin photoactive material in the Fano metadevice and then light pumping them. However, most photoactive materials not only depend on high power femtosecond pulse, but also violently destroy the initial Fano resonance, thus deteriorating the modulated amplitude range (less than 0.35 in previous reports). This study introduces a terahertz (THz) Fano resonator based on Si photoactive substrate (SPS) which is modulated by low power 1064 nm continuous wave without additional photoactive materials. 90% modulation depth and the 0.45 modulated amplitude range are obtained by this device with only 2 mW (0.064 W cm−2) pump power. Meanwhile, this study also perfectly solves a long‐neglected problem, i.e., the Fano resonance amplitude of the whole sample seriously deviates from the Au metasurface. At first, the influence of SPS thickness on Fano resonance is investigated, which reveals that SPS thickness low to 3–0.5 µm is required in order to achieve basically the same between Fano resonance of the whole sample and the Au metasurface. And this device shows sharper initial Fano resonance and obtains a higher modulation amplitude range of 0.65 at this time.
Solar radiation utilization characteristics of double‐season rice in China
Authors: Huang Min , Lei Tao , Cao Fangbo , Chen Jiana , Zou Yingbin
Published: November 2020

Double‐season rice (Oryza sativa L.) (i.e., early‐ and late‐season rice; ESR and LSR, respectively) cropping system is a major rice production system in China. Early‐season rice generally produces less biomass and consequently lower grain yield than LSR. However, limited information is available on the critical physiological factors that contribute to the difference in biomass production between ESR and LSR. To address this knowledge gap, field experiments were conducted to compare solar radiation utilization characteristics between ESR and LSR in 2 yr. Results showed that aboveground biomass and grain yield in ESR were 3–23% and 3–11% lower than those in LSR, respectively. The ESR had a 10–13% lower radiation interception percentage and a 13–28% lower radiation interception amount (RIA) but a 7–12% higher radiation use efficiency (RUE) than LSR. These results suggest that radiation interception capacity is a critical physiological factor that contributes to the differences in biomass production and grain yield between ESR and LSR. In addition, this study found a close relationship between RUE and the ratio of radiation interception amount (RIA)/nitrogen uptake amount (RIA/NUA ratio), suggesting that the RIA/NUA ratio is a useful physiological parameter in determining RUE in rice.
Factors Associated with Providers’ Work Engagement and Burnout in Homeless Services: A Cross‐national Study
Authors: Lenzi Michela , Santinello Massimo , Gaboardi Marta , Disperati Francesca , Vieno Alessio , Calcagnì Antonio , Greenwood Ronni Michelle , Rogowska Aleksandra M. , Wolf Judith R. , Loubière Sandrine , Beijer Ulla , Bernad Roberto , Vargas‐Moniz Maria J. , Ornelas José , Spinnewijn Freek , Shinn Marybeth ,   HOME_EU Consortium Study Group
Published: November 2020

The complexity of homeless service users’ characteristics and the contextual challenges faced by services can make the experience of working with people in homelessness stressful and can put providers’ well‐being at risk. In the current study, we investigated the association between service characteristics (i.e., the availability of training and supervision and the capability‐fostering approach) and social service providers’ work engagement and burnout. The study involved 497 social service providers working in homeless services in eight different European countries (62% women; mean age = 40.73, SD = 10.45) and was part of the Horizon 2020 European study “Homelessness as Unfairness (HOME_EU).” Using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), findings showed that the availability of training and supervision were positively associated with providers’ work engagement and negatively associated with burnout. However, results varied based on the perceived usefulness of the training and supervision provided within the service and the specific outcome considered. The most consistent finding was the association between the degree to which a service promotes users’ capabilities and all the aspects of providers’ well‐being analyzed. Results are discussed in relation to their implications for how configuration of homeless services can promote social service providers’ well‐being and high‐quality care.
Sodium as High‐efficient Catalyst in Hydroboration of Unsaturated Compounds
Authors: He Xing , Yan Ben , Ni Congjian , Zhao Yunzhou , Yang Zhi , Ma Xiaoli
Published: November 2020

The catalysts used to catalyze the hydroboration of nitriles or carbodiimides usually have some disadvantages such as complex structure, high cost, large pollution of environment and so on. It is an important development direction to use the main group metals instead of the transition metals to reduce the costs and realize green catalysis. In this paper, using NaH or NaOH as a catalyst, an efficient reaction of nitrile or carbodiimide with pinacol borane (HBPin) has been achieved. It was found that 3.5 mol% of NaH participated in the hydroboration reaction in a simple and effective method under slight solvent‐free circumstances. In addition, intermolecular chemoselectivity hydroboration of nitrile and substrates with different functional groups was also investigated by employing three different catalysts. This reaction uses the inorganic alkali with simple structure, commercially available and low cost to synthesize organoborane compounds, which provides ideas for industrial development.
Inflammation‐driven vascular dysregulation in chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Khurana Nitish , Pulsipher Abigail , Jedrzkiewicz Jolanta , Ashby Shaelene , Pollard Chelsea E. , Ghandehari Hamidreza , Alt Jeremiah A.
Published: November 2020

Background

Altered neovascularity is typically observed in chronic inflammatory diseases with overlapping pathophysiology to that observed in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, characterization of these inflammatory‐induced vascular‐mediated changes in CRS is limited. Understanding the underlying vascular changes in CRS will allow for strategic design and development of new drug‐delivery technologies that exploit vascular permeability for increased extravasation into the target sinonasal tissues.

Methods

Patients with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and non‐CRS controls were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. The extent of angiogenesis in tissue was characterized using immunohistochemical and multiplex gene expression analyses. Vascular permeability, interendothelial junction structures, and endothelial barrier morphology were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy.

Results

Sinonasal vascularity was increased significantly in CRSsNP and CRSwNP (p < 0.05) when compared with controls, as assessed by enumerating the platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM‐1)‒positive blood vessels. Pro‐angiogenic gene expression, including PECAM1 and platelet‐activating factor receptor, was elevated significantly in patients with CRSwNP when compared with controls (p < 0.05). The fenestration sizes between endothelial cells (17‐280 nm) were larger in CRSwNP compared with CRSsNP (10‐33 nm) patients and controls (4‐12 nm). Global thinning of the endothelial cell lining was observed in CRS patients but not in controls.

Conclusion

Significant increases in vascularity, the pro‐angiogenic gene, and protein expression and blood vessel morphogenesis were observed in CRS patients compared with controls. In addition, fenestration sizes between interendothelial junction structures were larger in CRS patients than in controls, suggesting inflammation‐driven vascular dysregulation in CRS pathology.
Advantage of Quantum Theory over Nonclassical Models of Communication
Authors: Saha Sutapa , Bhattacharya Some Sankar , Guha Tamal , Halder Saronath , Banik Manik
Published: November 2020

Quantum correlations provide dramatic advantage over the corresponding classical resources in several communication tasks. However, a broad class of probabilistic theories exists that attributes greater success than quantum theory in many of these tasks by allowing supra‐quantum correlations in “space‐like” and/or “time‐like” paradigms. In this letter, a communication task involving three spatially separated parties is proposed where one party (verifier) aims to verify whether the bit strings possessed by the other two parties (terminals) are equal or not. This task is called authentication with limited communication, the restrictions on communication being: i) the terminals cannot communicate with each other, but (ii) each of them can communicate with the verifier through single use of channels with limited capacity. Manifestly, classical resources are not sufficient for perfect success of this task. Moreover, it is also not possible to perform this task with certainty in several nonclassical theories although they might possess stronger “space‐like” and/or “time‐like” correlations. Surprisingly, quantum resources can achieve the perfect winning strategy. The proposed task thus stands apart from all previously known communication tasks as it exhibits quantum advantage over other nonclassical strategies.