bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molybdenum‐based materials for sodium‐ion batteries
Authors: Jiang Yu , Wang Yichun , Ni Jiangfeng , Li Liang
Published: February 2021

Sodium‐ion batteries are considered one of the most promising candidates for affordable and scalable energy storage as required in smart grid and renewable energy. One of the principal challenges sodium‐ion batteries being faced is to search suitable anode materials that can accommodate and store large amounts of Na+ ions reversibly and sustainably at reasonable galvanostatic rates. Molybdenum‐based materials such as oxides and sulfides might meet this challenge as they afford a capacity much greater than those of the carbonaceous materials and exhibit rich Na‐reaction chemistry. However, these materials are facing several technical issues, such as multiple‐phase transformation, particle pulverization as the result of volume swelling, and low surface activity during sodiation/desodiation. To tackle these issues, materials design and engineering are of indispensability. In this brief review, we present a state‐of‐the‐art overview of the research progress of molybdenum‐based materials for sodium storage, and highlight materials engineering strategies that are capable of addressing the mentioned challenges. We also offer valuable insights into their further development direction and discuss their potentiality in practical batteries.

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Effects of the phenotypic polarization state of human leukocytes on the optical absorbance spectrum
Authors: de Brito Sousa Kaline , de Fátima Teixeira da Silva Daniela , Rodrigues Maria Fernanda Setúbal Destro , Garcia Mónica Pereira , de Oliveira Rodini Carolina , Mesquita‐Ferrari Raquel Agnelli , Hamblin Michael R , Bussadori Sandra Kalil , Nunes Fabio Daumas , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos
Published: February 2021

This study evaluated the optical absorbance spectrum of human monocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes polarized, or not, to the inflammatory or immunoregulatory phenotypes. Peripheral human blood leukocytes were isolated and polarized (10 ng/mL) with LPS or IL‐4 + LPS for 2 hours. After polarization, cells were washed and incubated for an additional 24 hours (monocytes and lymphocytes) or 12 hours (neutrophils). Next, cells were collected to evaluate the optical absorbance spectrum. The three types of leukocytes exhibited absorbance in the region from 450 to 900 nm, with greater absorbance at wavelengths lower than 570 nm. Lymphocytes had a second region of greater absorbance between 770 and 900 nm. Inflammatory monocytes and lymphocytes showed increased absorbance of blue, green and yellow wavelengths (monocytes), as well as red and infrared wavelengths (monocytes and lymphocytes). Immunoregulatory polarization altered the absorbance of monocytes and lymphocytes very little. Neutrophils treated with LPS or LPS + IL‐4 exhibited lower absorbance at wavelengths higher than 575 nm compared to untreated cells. The present findings showed that leukocytes exhibit greater absorbance in regions of the spectrum that have not been much used in photobiomodulation (PBM), and the polarization of these cells can affect their capacity to absorb light. Taken together, these results suggest new perspectives in the use of PBM in the clinical setting depending on the wavelengths and the stage of the inflammatory process.
High throughput slanted scanning whole slide imaging system for digital pathology
Authors: Li Ning , Lv Tao , Sun Yulin , Liu Xiuli , Zeng Shaoqun , Lv Xiaohua
Published: February 2021

In whole slide imaging (WSI), normally only a one layer imaging of the slide is performed. Autofocus at multiple positions is usually required. But defocus blur still exists due to tissue folding or specimen thickness. Repeated Z‐stack scan be applied here, which, however, is too time consuming. Here, a high throughput slanted scanning WSI system is reported. In this system, the slide surface was slanted 1° relative to the focal plane. Thus, the focal plane spanned multiple layers of the sample. By moving the slide, multi‐layer image data of the sample can be acquired simultaneously at a time frame comparable to conventional 1‐layer imaging. With image fusion, defocus blur can be avoided. High quality and fast imaging of both cytological and histological slide specimens was demonstrated without applying aberration correction. The system can be a highly efficient way for the application of WSI in digital pathology.
The Power of Indirect Appeals in Peer‐to‐Peer Fundraising: Why “S/He” Can Raise More Money for Me Than “I” Can For Myself
Authors: Sepehri Amir , Duclos Rod , Kristofferson Kirk , Vinoo Poornima , Elahi Hamid
Published: February 2021

The proliferation of peer‐to‐peer fundraising platforms (e.g., GoFundMe, Rally, Fundly) poses conceptual and substantive challenges for behavior scientists and fundraisers. This article explores how fundraisers should craft their appeals to maximize their chance of success. Four field‐ and laboratory‐studies find that direct appeals (i.e., narratives written in the first person by the intended recipient) raise less money than otherwise‐identical indirect appeals (i.e., narratives written in the third person, seemingly by a third party on behalf of the intended recipient). The cause? Prospective donors ascribe lesser (greater) credibility to direct (indirect) appeals, which in turn curtails (increases) their giving. Since the narrative voice (direct vs. indirect) in which appeals are crafted is often discretionary (i.e., adjustable), our findings offer prescriptive guidelines for fundraisers.
Dentists of tomorrow 2020: An analysis of the results of the 2020 ADEA Survey of U.S. Dental School Seniors
Authors: Istrate Emilia C. , Slapar Franc J. , Mallarapu Monisha , Stewart Denice C.L. , West Karen P.
Published: February 2021

Purpose/Objectives

This study examines the journey of U.S. dental schools’ predoctoral senior class of 2020, from the influences on and their motivations to pursue careers in dentistry, aspects of their dental school experiences, to plans upon graduation and the investment in their careers.

Methods

The study is an analysis of the results of the ADEA Survey of Dental School Seniors, 2020 Graduating Class. Each year, ADEA surveys senior predoctoral students from the accredited U.S. dental schools. Whenever feasible, the answers of the survey respondents from the 2020 class were compared with their 2015 counterparts.

Results

The analysis revealed that 46% of the 2020 respondents decided to become a dentist before going to undergraduate college, more than the proportion of those deciding while in college (42%). When it comes to preparedness to practice dentistry, the responses indicated a high level of readiness to go into the profession. Seventy‐seven percent of survey participants reported the COVID‐19 pandemic did not affect their plans after graduation. Between 2015 and 2020, the share of survey respondents who planned to go into advanced dental education immediately after graduation increased from 35% to 40%. Almost a third of the 2020 respondents who planned to go into private practice immediately upon graduation intended to join a Dental Service Organization (DSO). Grants and scholarships represented a higher share of the average funding for dental education for the 2020 respondents than five years ago. The share of respondents expecting to graduate without any loans to finance their dental degrees and predental education (educational debt) increased significantly, from 12% in 2015 to 17% in 2020.

Conclusion(s)

This research shows that during these uncertain times, U.S. dental schools continued their mission to train and graduate oral health professionals fully prepared to go into the profession.
Impact of COVID‐19 on advanced dental education: Perspectives of dental residents in Wuhan
Authors: Zhao Dan , Yu Jingjing , Zhang Tao , Du Mingyu , Yang Qian , Li Zhiyong , Fouad Ashraf F.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This study investigated the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) from the perspectives of dental residents in Wuhan, the former COVID‐19 epicenter of China.

Methods

A survey form was sent to 424 residents in the School of Stomatology, Wuhan University (WHUSS) in September 2020. The form included 23 questions on demographics, study situation of residents during the COVID‐19 outbreak, effect of COVID‐19 on graduates, and status of residents who returned to clinic training.

Results

A total of 361 (85%) survey forms were collected. Over 70% of respondents felt anxious during Wuhan lockdown. Most respondents continued studying (94%) mainly through free online resources (79%). The majority reported improvement in didactic knowledge (80%), but the respondents’ perceptions of their clinical skills, especially those in Wuhan, did not change (41%) or worsened (40%) (p < 0.05). Most graduates (88%) reported having found jobs or continued study. Among the 209 responders who returned to clinical training, 52% felt no concern about COVID‐19 infection, 89% thought they were equipped with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), and 57% indicated that they received sufficient knowledge for preventing COVID‐19 in clinic. Most respondents agreed that the way to gain the knowledge for preventing COVID‐19 in clinic was training at dental school (93%).

Conclusion

Although online study has been appreciated by residents, concern about clinical skill learning in the COVID‐19 hardest‐hit area has arisen. Most graduates felt that the impact of COVID‐19 on their immediate postgraduation career was limited. Teaching about infection control in dental schools seemed effective to develop a positive attitude for residents after they returned to clinical training.
Agricultural soils of the Animas River watershed after the Gold King Mine spill: An elemental spatiotemporal analysis via portable X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy
Authors: Jha Gaurav , Mukhopadhyay Swagata , Ulery April L. , Lombard Kevin , Chakraborty Somsubhra , Weindorf David C. , VanLeeuwen Dawn , Brungard Colby
Published: February 2021

In August 2015, 11.3 million L of heavy metal–contaminated water spilled into the Animas River from the Gold King Mine (Colorado, USA). National attention focused on water quality and agricultural production in areas affected by the spill. In response to local concerns, surface soil elemental concentrations were analyzed in three New Mexico agricultural fields to determine potential threats to agronomic production. Irrigated fields in the Animas watershed were scanned using portable X‐ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry to monitor the spatiotemporal variability of Pb, As, Cu, and Cr. A total of 175 locations were scanned using PXRF before and after the growing season for 3 yr. The geostatistical model with the lowest RMSE was chosen as the optimal model. The lowest RMSE for the elements ranged from to 0.10 to 0.44 m for As, from 0.50 to 0.98 m for Cr, from 0.15 to 0.91 m for Cu, and from 0.14 to 0.44 m for Pb across the models selected. The spatial dependence between the measured values exhibited strong to moderate autocorrelation for all metals except for As, for which spatial dependence was strong to weak. Some areas in each field exceeded the New Mexico Environment Department soil screening limit of 7.07 mg As kg–1. All sampling locations were below the screening limit at last sampling time in 2019. Mixed models used for temporal analysis showed a significant decrease only in As below the screening value at the end of the study. Results indicate that the agricultural soils were below the soil screening guideline values.
Vascular disorders of the gallbladder and bile ducts: Imaging findings
Authors: Hui Cathryn L , Loo Zhou Yaw
Published: February 2021

Vascular disorders of the gallbladder and biliary tree are many and varied. In the acute setting, the clinical presentation of vascular conditions such as hemorrhagic cholecystitis and gangrenous cholecystitis are non‐specific and rely on imaging for diagnosis and triaging for emergent surgery. These hemorrhagic and ischemic complications of acute cholecystitis are uncommon but potentially fatal. Hemorrhage into the gallbladder and biliary tree, from other causes, may itself result in acute cholecystitis. Knowledge of vascular anatomy of the gallbladder and biliary tree is essential for surgeons to prevent significant operative bleeding complications, particularly in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The unique venous drainage of the gallbladder and biliary tree, with their connections to the portal venous system, lends itself to less well‐recognised vascular phenomena such as gallbladder varices, portal biliopathy, and gallbladder bed perfusion abnormalities.
Comparison of Carotid Plaque Characteristics Between Men and Women Using Magnetic Resonance Vessel Wall Imaging: A Chinese Atherosclerosis Risk Evaluation Study
Authors: Zhang Lichen , Zhu Lina , Lu Mingming , Zhao Xihai , Li Feiyu , Cai Jianming , Yuan Chun ,   CARE‐II investigators
Published: February 2021

Background

Carotid vulnerable plaque is a major cause of stroke and differs between men and women. Few studies have investigated the differences in carotid plaque features between sexes in a Chinese population.

Purpose

To compare carotid atherosclerotic plaque features between men and women in a Chinese population using magnetic resonance imaging.

Study type

Cross‐sectional.

Subjects

A total of 567 patients (mean age: 61.5 ± 10.1 years; 404 men) who had recent stroke or transient ischemia attack and atherosclerotic plaque in at least one carotid artery.

Field strength

A 3.0 T.

Sequence

T1‐ and T2‐weighted turbo spin echo, three‐dimensional time‐of‐flight (TOF) fast field echo and magnetization‐prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequences.

Assessment

Plaque characteristics including lumen area (LA), wall area (WA), total vessel area (TVA), mean wall thickness (MWT), and mean normalized wall index (NWI); presence of calcification, lipid‐rich necrotic core (LRNC), intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), and fibrous cap rupture (FCR); and percent composition area (%area) were evaluated and compared between men and women.

Statistical tests

Independent‐sample t test, Mann–Whitney U test, chi‐square test, and multiple linear and logistic regressions.

Results

In symptomatic arteries, men had significantly greater LA (46.2 ± 15.6 mm2 vs. 40.7 ± 12.9 mm2, P < 0.05), WA (33.9 ± 11.5 mm2 vs. 26.3 ± 7.5 mm2, P < 0.05), and TVA (80.1 ± 20.4 mm2 vs. 67.0 ± 18.0 mm2, P < 0.05); higher MWT (1.2 ± 0.4 mm vs. 1.0 ± 0.2 mm, P < 0.05); and higher prevalence of LRNC (72.3% vs. 46.0%, P < 0.05) and IPH (18.6% vs. 4.9%, P < 0.05) compared with women. In asymptomatic arteries, men had significantly greater LA (48.3 ± 16.9 mm2 vs. 42.1 ± 12.6 mm2, P < 0.05), WA (32.9 ± 11.0 mm2 vs. 25.8 ± 6.1 mm2, P < 0.05), and TVA (81.2 ± 22.1 mm2 vs. 67.9 ± 16.5 mm2, P < 0.05); higher MWT (1.2 ± 0.3 mm vs. 1.0 ± 0.2 mm, P < 0.05); higher prevalence of LRNC (67.8% vs. 42.9%, P < 0.05), IPH (14.9% vs. 1.2%, P < 0.05), and FCR (6.4% vs. 1.2%, P < 0.05); and higher %LRNC area (24.8 ± 17.2% vs. 17.8 ± 14.1%, P < 0.05) compared with women.

Data conclusion

Men have similar plaque burden but more vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques compared with women in both symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid arteries in a Chinese population.

Evidence Level

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 3
Site‐specific identification and validation of hepatic histone nitration in vivo: Implications for alcohol‐induced liver injury
Authors: Kriss Crystina L. , Duro Nalvi , Nadeau Owen W. , Guergues Jennifer , Chavez‐Chiang Omar , Culver‐Cochran Ashley E. , Chaput Dale , Varma Sameer , Stevens Stanley M.
Published: February 2021

Oxidative and nitrative stress have been implicated in the molecular mechanisms underlying a variety of biological processes and disease states including cancer, aging, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, diabetes, and alcohol‐induced liver injury. One marker of nitrative stress is the formation of 3‐nitrotyrosine, or protein tyrosine nitration (PTN), which has been observed during inflammation and tissue injury; however, the role of PTN in the progression or possibly the pathogenesis of disease is still unclear. We show in a model of alcohol‐induced liver injury that an increase in PTN occurs in hepatocyte nuclei within the liver of wild‐type male C57BL/6J mice following chronic ethanol exposure (28 days). High‐resolution mass spectrometric analysis of isolated hepatic nuclei revealed several novel sites of tyrosine nitration on histone proteins. Histone nitration sites were validated by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis of representative synthetic nitropeptides equivalent in sequence to the respective nitrotyrosine sites identified in vivo. We further investigated the potential structural impact of the novel histone H3 Tyr41 (H3Y41) nitration site identified using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. MD simulations of the nitrated and non‐nitrated forms of histone H3Y41 showed significant structural changes at the DNA interface upon H3Y41 nitration. The results from this study suggest that, in addition to other known post‐translational modifications that occur on histone proteins (e.g., acetylation and methylation), PTN could induce chromatin structural changes, possibly affecting gene transcription processes associated with the development of alcohol‐induced liver injury.
Three‐dimensional multi‐gene expression maps reveal cell fate changes associated with laterality reversal of zebrafish habenula
Authors: Wang Guo‐Tzau , Pan He‐Yen , Lang Wei‐Han , Yu Yuan‐Ding , Hsieh Chang‐Huain , Kuan Yung‐Shu
Published: February 2021

The conserved bilateral habenular nuclei (HA) in vertebrate diencephalon develop into compartmentalized structures containing neurons derived from different cell lineages. Despite extensive studies demonstrated that zebrafish larval HA display distinct left–right (L‐R) asymmetry in gene expression and connectivity, the spatial gene expression domains were mainly obtained from two‐dimensional (2D) snapshots of colorimetric RNA in situ hybridization staining which could not properly reflect different HA neuronal lineages constructed in three‐dimension (3D). Combing the tyramide‐based fluorescent mRNA in situ hybridization, confocal microscopy and customized imaging processing procedures, we have created spatial distribution maps of four genes for 4‐day‐old zebrafish and in sibling fish whose L‐R asymmetry was spontaneously reversed. 3D volumetric analyses showed that ratios of cpd2, lov, ron, and nrp1a expression in L‐R reversed HA were reversed according to the parapineal positions. However, the quantitative changes of gene expression in reversed larval brains do not mirror the gene expression level in the obverse larval brains. There were a total 87.78% increase in lov+nrp1a+ and a total 12.45% decrease in lov+ron+ double‐positive neurons when the L‐R asymmetry of HA was reversed. Thus, our volumetric analyses of the 3D maps indicate that changes of HA neuronal cell fates are associated with the reversal of HA laterality. These changes likely account for the behavior changes associated with HA laterality alterations.
A New Benzylated Fatty Acid Amide Amphoteric Surfactant Derived from Hydrogenated Castor Oil with Ultra‐Low Interfacial Tension between Crude Oil and Brine
Authors: Gao Cheng‐Long , Gang Hong‐Ze , Liu Jin‐Feng , Mu Bo‐Zhong , Yang Shi‐Zhong
Published: February 2021

Hydrogenated castor oil from castor oil is promisingly used as raw materials for lubricants, coatings, cosmetics, and pharmaceutics due to high melting point and stable physical properties. However, the chemical modification of the hydrogenated castor oil has been rarely investigated. Here, we report a N‐phenyl‐fatty‐amido‐1‐propyl‐N,N‐dimethyl‐amino‐carboxyl‐betaine surfactant derived from hydrogenated castor oil with excellent interfacial properties through a rapid synthetic process, including direct alkylation, amidation, and quaternization. The interfacial tension between crude oil and brine was ultra‐low for a low dosage of 0.007 g L−1 of surfactant in aqueous solution without any alkali addition, which implies a potential application in enhanced oil recovery.
Land system transformations govern the trophic status of an urban wetland ecosystem: Perspectives from remote sensing and water quality analysis
Authors: Dar Shahid Ahmad , Rashid Irfan , Bhat Sami Ullah
Published: February 2021

Globally, urban wetlands are facing immense pressure from land use land cover changes (LULCCs) and associated water quality degradation that is severely affecting the trophic status of these ecosystems. This study analyzed water quality degradation resulting from land system changes in the vicinity of Khushalsar, an urban Wetland, in Srinagar City from 1980 to 2017. The analysis of satellite data indicated that this Wetland lost ~18.1 ha from 1980 to 2017. During the same period, the urban area within the Wetland increased from 0.2% to 16.5%. The land cover changes assessed in the vicinity of Wetland indicated an increase of 119% and 62.8% in built‐up and roads respectively. The analysis of surface water quality of the Wetland showed widespread degradation. The Trophic state index ranged from 73.4 to 84.6 indicating hyper‐eutrophic waters. A snapshot of comparative water quality data from 2002 to 2018 revealed that the mean concentration of NO3−‐N increased from 219 to 433 μg L−1 and that of total phosphorus increased from 135.4 to 1,236 μg L−1 indicative of continuous nutrient enrichment. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) grouped eight sampling sites into four clusters based on likeliness of water quality characteristics. Similarly, discriminant analysis showed the formation of similar patterns of clusters, corroborating the HCA. Principal component analysis suggested three principal components accounting for a cumulative variance of 90.61%. The unplanned land system changes vis‐a‐vis human‐induced water quality degradation together with the lack of a monitoring mechanism have brought the Khushalsar Wetland to its current hyper‐eutrophic state.
Physicochemical and rheological properties of lentil milk/inulin blend—A feta cheese analogue
Authors: Moradi Donya , Ziarati Parisa , Sawicka Barbara
Published: February 2021

In recent years, due to nutritional conditions and increasing consumer awareness, the tendency of using healthy food has been necessary. Besides, much consideration is given to use of the legumes protein and fat in dairy products due to their low cost and healthy benefits. Indeed, by increasing obesity and cardio‐vascular diseases, and consideration of consumers to nutritional health, the demand for healthy products has increased. The present study is based on achieving a good formulation by replacing a part of cow's milk with lentil milk to produce vegetable functional cheese with good flavor and texture and acceptable appearance from the point of view of consumers. Inulin was used to improve the texture and organoleptic properties. The applied lentil milk was 0%, 10%, and 20%, and inulin was 0%, 3.5%, and 7.0% in nine formulations. The results revealed that the high level of lentil milk (20%) lead to a sandy texture. The formulation which contained 10% and 3.5% of lentil milk and inulin, respectively, obtained the best texture and sensory score.
Functional Connectomics and Disease Progression in Drug‐Naïve Parkinson's Disease Patients
Authors: De Micco Rosa , Agosta Federica , Basaia Silvia , Siciliano Mattia , Cividini Camilla , Tedeschi Gioacchino , Filippi Massimo , Tessitore Alessandro
Published: February 2021

Background

Functional brain connectivity alterations may be detectable even before the occurrence of brain atrophy, indicating their potential as early markers of pathological processes.

Objective

We aimed to determine the whole‐brain network topologic organization of the functional connectome in a large cohort of drug‐naïve Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging and to explore whether baseline connectivity changes may predict clinical progression.

Methods

One hundred and forty‐seven drug‐naïve, cognitively unimpaired PD patients were enrolled in the study at baseline and compared to 38 age‐ and gender‐matched controls. Non‐hierarchical cluster analysis using motor and non‐motor data was applied to stratify PD patients into two subtypes: 77 early/mild and 70 early/severe. Graph theory analysis and connectomics were used to assess global and local topological network properties and regional functional connectivity at baseline. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis investigated whether baseline functional imaging data were predictors of clinical progression over 2 years.

Results

At baseline, widespread functional connectivity abnormalities were detected in the basal ganglia, sensorimotor, frontal, and occipital networks in PD patients compared to controls. Decreased regional functional connectivity involving mostly striato‐frontal, temporal, occipital, and limbic connections differentiated early/mild from early/severe PD patients. Connectivity changes were found to be independent predictors of cognitive progression at 2‐year follow‐up.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed that functional reorganization of the brain connectome occurs early in PD and underlies crucial involvement of striatal projections. Connectomic measures may be helpful to identify a specific PD patient subtype, characterized by severe motor and non‐motor clinical burden as well as widespread functional connectivity abnormalities. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Hypoxia Conditioning as a Promising Therapeutic Target in Parkinson's Disease?
Authors: Burtscher Johannes , Syed Muhammed Muazzam Kamil , Lashuel Hilal A. , Millet Grégoire P.
Published: February 2021

Several lines of research point to a key role of low oxygen supply (hypoxia) in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. Although severe hypoxia is detrimental for the brain, physiological adaptations to mild hypoxia are neuroprotective. Herein we discuss, how neuroprotective effects can be induced by hypoxia conditioning and how related approaches have the potential to be harnessed as therapeutic strategies in Parkinson's disease. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Mutation analysis and prenatal diagnosis of a family with congenital contractural arachnodactyly
Authors: Hu Lin , Li Huanzheng , Sun Guang , Wu Ke , Luan Zhaotang , Xiang Yanbao , Tang Shaohua
Published: February 2021

Background

Congenital contractural arachnodactyly (CCA) is a rare autosomal dominant condition caused by mutations in the fibrillin 2 gene (FBN2). The primary clinical symptoms of CCA include multiple flexion contractures, arachnodactyly, dolichostenomelia, scoliosis, abnormal pinnae, muscular hypoplasia, and crumpled ears.

Methods

We used whole‐exome sequencing technology to examine an arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and used Sanger sequencing technology to genetically confirm its family.

Results

FBN2 c.3344A>T(p.D1115V) was identified in this family with CCA in a pedigree. Prenatal diagnosis and counseling were carried out simultaneously to avoid the birth of the sick fetus.

Conclusion

The study is on FBN2 variant in CCA, which potentially having implications for genetic counseling and clinical management, our study may provide new insights into the cause and diagnosis of CCA.
An exploratory study using video analysis of rheumatology specialist nurses conducting methotrexate education consultations with patients
Authors: Robinson Sandra , Scott Jason , Adams Nicola , Heslop Peta , Hassell Andrew , Ryan Sarah , Walker David
Published: February 2021

Background

Prior to commencing methotrexate, patients routinely attend an education consultation with a rheumatology nurse. The purpose of the consultation is to discuss the patients' expectations and concerns related to commencing methotrexate, the benefits of treatment, potential side effects and monitoring requirements. The aim of this study was to use video analysis to assess the structure, content and mode of delivery of the consultation.

Methods

Video recordings of 10 patient–nurse consultations, involving four specialist rheumatology nurses, were analysed and transcribed. The consultations were compared with the Calgary–Cambridge (CC) consultation model. Transcripts were thematically analysed. Data were quantitatively assessed for verbal and non‐verbal behaviours.

Findings

Assessment of the video data using the CC model demonstrated good structure, content and flow of the consultation, influenced by the use of an information leaflet. Consultations generally consisted of communication from nurse to patient rather than a dialogue; the nurse spoke for 69%–86% of the time; clarification of the patient's understanding of the information did not take place in any of the consultations. Thematic analysis also showed that the nurse agenda dominated and the nurse was aware of ‘overloading' the patient with information. Cues from the patients to discuss items of importance were often missed.

Conclusion

Video analysis can be used to identify the aspects of the consultation that work well and those areas of the consultation that could be improved with specific training.
Parental‐couple separation during the transition to parenthood
Authors: Gamgam Leanderz Åsa , Hallgren Jenny , Henricson Maria , Larsson Margaretha , Bäckström Caroline
Published: February 2021

Aim

To evaluate factors associated with parental separation during the parenthood transition.

Design

Prospective, longitudinal and explorative.

Methods

This is a quantitative longitudinal study of N784 subjects throughout the pregnancy journey with multivariate regression analysis of survey data derived from three validated measurement scales; the Sense of Coherence scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Perceived Quality of the Dyadic Relationship scale conducted 2014–2016.

Results

N17 participants separated at 2 years. Parental separation was significantly greater for those women and partners with low or changing sense of coherence, perceived social support and perceived quality of the parental‐couple relationship indexes. Partners with a change in sense of coherence (p: .003) and perceived quality of the parental‐couple relationship (p: .020) between 1 week and 2 years were at greater risk for separation. Attending professional preparatory support with a partner for women (p: .013) and attending the “Inspirational Lecture” for partners (p: .046) were, to a lesser extent, associated with a risk of parental separation.
A supercritical fluid workflow for the quality assessment of herbal drugs and commercial preparations from Rhodiola rosea
Authors: Langeder Julia , Grienke Ulrike
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Preparations from the Rhodiola rosea are experiencing an increase in popularity: extracts of dried roots and rhizomes are used as adaptogen to treat stress, fatigue, and weakness. To meet high pharmaceutical standards, fast and reliable methods to assess phytochemical variations in respect of quality control are needed.

Objective

The aim of this study was to extract and quantify seven characteristic secondary metabolites of R. rosea, namely p‐tyrosol (1), rosin (2), rosiridin (3), salidroside (4), rosarin (5), rosavin (6), and tricin‐5‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside (7) in 24 herbal drugs and seven commercial preparations using a newly established supercritical fluid workflow.

Methods

The developed protocol allowed for an exhaustive extraction of compounds 1–7 using 60% carbon dioxide (CO2) and 40% methanol. The constituents were analysed on an ultra‐high‐performance supercritical fluid chromatography (UHPSFC) instrument using a charged surface hybrid fluoro‐phenyl (CSH FP) column (3.0 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm; mobile phase: CO2 and methanol).

Results

The seven compounds were separated in a remarkably short time (< 3.5 minutes). For their quantitation, good results in terms of selectivity, linearity (R2 ≥ 0.99), precision (intraday ≤ 3.03%, interday ≤ 5.17%) and accuracy (recovery rates 96.6–102.4%) were achieved using selected ion recording on a Quadrupole Dalton (QDa) mass detector.

Conclusion

The quantitative analysis of the investigated herbal drugs showed a highly differing metabolite pattern which was also observed in the investigated commercial products. None of the commercial dietary products met the declared content of rosavins and salidroside. The developed and validated protocol offers a novel and reliable method to assess the quantitative composition of Rhodiola herbal drugs and preparations.
Developing pathways, a hope‐enhancing intervention for metastatic lung cancer patients receiving cancer treatment
Authors: McLouth Laurie E. , Weyman Kaitlyn , Golden Shannon L. , Cheavens Jennifer S. , Peterman Amy , Bursac Vilma , Gabbard Jennifer , Weaver Kathryn E.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Between 40% and 65% of lung cancer patients report concern about maintaining valued activities and roles, yet few interventions address this concern. Hope, a patient's perceived ability to generate goals and identify ways to pursue them, may be a promising intervention target to support function among lung cancer patients. The goal of this study was to assess metastatic non‐small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) patient interest and preferences for a hope‐enhancing intervention.

Methods

We conducted a sequential mixed‐methods (survey followed by semi‐structured interviews) study with patients with mNSCLC. Surveys assessed patient interest in, perceived helpfulness of, and preferences for a hope intervention. A subset of 12 patients (and caregivers, when present) completed semi‐structured interviews to elicit feedback on proposed intervention content and procedures.

Results

Survey data from 60 patients (40% male; Mean age = 62.5; SD = 9.3) suggested high perceived importance of pursuing personal goals during cancer treatment, moderate perceived helpfulness in discussing personal goals, and preference for a nurse‐led intervention. Based on these data, a 5‐session, nurse‐led intervention protocol was drafted and reviewed with 12 patients. Interviewed patients and caregivers agreed working towards goals was beneficial, liked the intervention concept, and thought prompts and rating scales on handouts would facilitate discussion. The majority preferred nurse delivery during infusions.

Conclusions

A nurse‐led hope‐enhancing intervention delivered primarily during infusions may be acceptable to mNSCLC patients. Future work should test feasibility and identify ways to incorporate caregivers and oncology providers into hope interventions.
Test–retest reliability and correlates of the 6‐min walk test in people with alcohol use disorders
Authors: Vancampfort Davy , Vandael Hannelore , Hallgren Mats , Van Damme Tine
Published: February 2021

Objectives

People with alcohol use disorders (AUD) are at a higher risk for physical co‐morbidities. Consequently, their daily life functioning needs to be reliably assessed and followed‐up. We examined the reliability of the 6‐min walk test (6MWT) in a cohort of inpatients with AUD. Secondary aims were to assess minimal detectable changes (MDC95), practice effects and associations of the 6MWT with demographical and clinical variables.

Methods

Two 6MWTs were administered within 3 days to 45 (32♂) inpatients with a DSM‐5 diagnosis of AUD. Physical complaints before and after the 6MWT were recorded. Patients performed a standing broad jump to assess muscle strength and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test.

Results

Patients walked 636.3 ± 82.3 meters and 638.1 ± 77.6 meters at the first and second test. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.90–0.97). The MDC95 was 15 meters for men and 9 meters for women. No practice effect was detected. The presence of feet or ankle problems or pain before the test, dyspnea after the test, impaired muscle strength and lower PANAS positive affect scores were independently related to shorter 6MWT distance accounting for 67.3% of the variance.

Conclusion

The 6MWT is a reliable tool for evaluating the functional exercise capacity in inpatients with AUD. Health care professionals should consider musculoskeletal and respiratory symptoms when interpreting fitness test outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Historical changes in the lethal effects of insecticides against the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)
Authors: Uesugi Ryuji
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is one of the most destructive pests owing to the rapid development of resistance to various groups of insecticides. Although the rotation strategy has become common, resistance management continues to be a critical issue.

RESULTS

In Japan, historical changes in the susceptibility of P. xylostella to insecticides were estimated using 82 references. The meta‐analysis using generalized linear mixed models suggested that each mode of action (MoA) had different patterns of changes to the susceptibility, which might be due to the prevalence of the rotation strategy since the 2010s and the fitness cost of the resistance gene. For example, spinosyns and bacterial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), for which resistance has a high fitness cost, maintained high lethal effects on P. xylostella throughout several decades. However, pyrethroids and benzoylureas, for which resistance has no or little fitness cost, remained at low levels of susceptibility regardless of the rotation strategy.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest optimal combinations of MoA for a sustainable rotation strategy based on their stability and recovery of effectiveness. Susceptibility monitoring using our method and further study of fitness costs will improve the rotation strategy concerning P. xylostella in the future. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Space, place and internationalisation of higher education: Exploring everyday social practices in the ‘international’ classroom
Authors: Spangler Vera , Adriansen Hanne Kirstine
Published: February 2021

The aim of this paper is to use a spatial approach to tease out implicit understandings of what is perceived as the ‘good’ student, the ‘right’ pedagogies and ‘legitimate’ knowledge in higher education internationalisation practices. We do so by attending to the social practices in the ‘international’ classroom and explore how such practices are shaped and impacted by students' various backgrounds, educational paths, prior knowledges and at the same time by structural, cultural and national characteristics of the host institution and the lecturers teaching there. The paper combines both lecturers' and students' perspectives and details the complex relationality of people and places connected through movement and performances of internationalisation. Inspired by critical internationalisation studies, we demonstrate how everyday practices and discourses in the ‘international’ classroom produce and reproduce global inequalities; thereby, we show some of the uneven geographies of higher education internationalisation.
Self‐Polarized ZrO2/Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) Nanocomposite‐Based Piezoelectric Nanogenerator and Single‐Electrode Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Sustainable Energy Harvesting from Human Movements
Authors: Saikh Md. Minarul , Hoque Nur Amin , Biswas Prosenjit , Rahman Wahida , Das Namrata , Das Sukhen , Thakur Pradip
Published: February 2021

Piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) have been emerged as one of the most promising approach for harvesting energy from the movement of living system for low‐power electronic devices. Herein, a simple PENG and single‐electrode triboelectric nanogenerator (STENG) are reported that execute tremendous output performance. In zirconium oxide (ZrO2)/poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP) nanocomposite polymer, ZrO2 acts as the nucleating agents for electroactive polymorph nucleation and also enhances the dielectric constant (≈23). Compared with previously reported PVDF‐HFP‐assisted prototype nanogenerators, this developed PENG exhibits excellent piezoelectric energy‐harvesting performance with very high power density, high energy conversion efficiency and high durability. The PENG exhibits a large value of open‐circuit voltage ≈120 V and short‐circuit current ≈1.95 μA under periodic finger imparting with high power density ≈7091 μW cm−3. Fabricated flexible PENG is capable to instantaneously light up commercially available 55 number of blue light emitting diode connected in parallel connection through bridge rectifier. High capacitor charging performance is also observed, such as 2.2 μF capacitor charged up to 3.5 V, in just 17 s time interval. Single‐electrode‐based TENG fabricated by this composite film also shows remarkable output voltage ≈7 V under finger touch.
Conceptualizing community resilience and the social dimensions of risk to overcome barriers to disaster risk reduction and sustainable development
Authors: Imperiale Angelo Jonas , Vanclay Frank
Published: February 2021

Crises and disasters are windows of opportunity to learn and transform toward enhancing disaster risk reduction (DRR) and resilience. However, a poor understanding of community resilience and the social dimensions of risk, the lack of a methodology to engage and empower resilience in society, and business‐as‐usual together limit the implementation of effective DRR and resilience‐building strategies. In this reflection paper, we discuss the main elements of the DRR and resilience paradigm. By analyzing the failures in disaster management, we identified the cultural and political barriers to enhancing DRR and community resilience as being: a paternalistic social protection culture; and the command‐and‐control approach to knowledge and resources for risk reduction. We reflect on the implications of this for sustainable development and argue that building a glocal culture of community wellbeing and resilience and a socially sustainable risk governance is needed to overcome the cultural and political barriers to DRR and sustainable development.
Effects of anaerobic HRT and VFA loading on the kinetics and stoichiometry of enhanced biological phosphorus removal
Authors: Coats Erik R. , Deyo Brent , Brower Nicole , Brinkman Cynthia K.
Published: February 2021

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) can recover significant quantities of wastewater phosphorus. However, this resource recovery process realizes limited use largely due to process stability concerns. The research evaluated the effects of anaerobic HRT (τAN) and VFA concentration—critical operational parameters that can be externally controlled—on EBPR performance. Evaluated alone, τAN (1–4 h) exhibited no statistical effect on effluent phosphorus. However, PHA increased with VFA loading and biomass accumulated more phosphorus. Regarding resiliency, under increasing VFA loads PAOs hydrolyzed more phosphorus to uptake/catabolize VFAs; moreover, PHA synthesis normalized to VFA loading increased with τAN, suggesting fermentation. Kinetically, PAOs exhibited a Monod‐like relationships for qPHAAN and qVFAAN as a function of anaerobic P release; additionally, qPAE exhibited a Monod‐like relationship with end‐anaerobic PHA concentration. A culminating analysis affirmed the relationship between enhanced aerobic P uptake, and net P removal, with a parameter (phosphorus removal propensity factor) that combines influent VFA concentration with τAN.

Practitioner points

Evaluated alone τAN exhibits no statistical effect on effluent phosphorus in an EBPR configuration.

Increased PHA synthesis, associated with increased VFAs and/or extended τAN, enhances aerobic phosphorus removal.

PHA synthesis normalized to VFA loading increased with τAN, suggesting fermentation in the EBPR anaerobic zone.

Aerobic phosphorus uptake increases linearly with anaerobic phosphorus release, with the slope exceeding unity.

Increased VFAs can be substituted for shorter anaerobic HRTs, and vice versa, to enhance EBPR performance.
Silver nanoparticles as a potential treatment against SARS‐CoV‐2: A review
Authors: Pilaquinga Fernanda , Morey Jeroni , Torres Marbel , Seqqat Rachid , Piña María de las Nieves
Published: February 2021

Several human coronaviruses (HCoVs) are distinguished by the ability to generate epidemics or pandemics, with their corresponding diseases characterized by severe respiratory illness, such as that which occurs in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS‐CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS‐CoV), and, today, in SARS‐CoV‐2, an outbreak that has struck explosively and uncontrollably beginning in December 2019 and has claimed the lives of more than 1.9 M people worldwide as of January 2021. The development of vaccines has taken one year, which is why it is necessary to investigate whether some already‐existing alternatives that have been successfully developed in recent years can mitigate the pandemic's advance. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have proved effective in antiviral action. Thus, in this review, several in vitro and in vivo studies of the effect of AgNPs on viruses that cause respiratory diseases are analyzed and discussed to promote an understanding of the possible interaction of AgNPs with SARS‐CoV‐2. The study focuses on several in vivo toxicological studies of AgNPs and a dose extrapolation to humans to determine the chief avenue of exposure. It can be concluded that the use of AgNPs as a possible treatment for SARS‐CoV‐2 could be viable, based on comparing the virus' behavior to that of similar viruses in in vivo studies, and that the suggested route of administration in terms of least degree of adverse effects is inhalation.

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Respiratory Disease

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
Precision Higgs couplings in neutral naturalness models: an effective field theory approach
Authors: Heurtier Lucien , Li Hao-Lin , Song Huayang , Su Shufang , Su Wei , Yu Jiang-Hao
Published: February 2021

Abstract

The Higgs sector in neutral naturalness models provides a portal to the hidden sectors, and thus measurements of Higgs couplings at current and future colliders play a central role in constraining the parameter space of the model. We investigate a class of neutral naturalness models, in which the Higgs boson is a pseudo-Goldstone boson from the universal SO(N)/SO(N − 1) coset structure. Integrating out the radial mode from the spontaneous global symmetry breaking, we obtain various dimension-six operators in the Standard Model effective field theory, and calculate the low energy Higgs effective potential with radiative corrections included. We perform a χ2 fit to the Higgs coupling precision measurements at current and future colliders and show that the new physics scale could be explored up to 2.3 (2.4) TeV without (with) the Higgs invisible decay channels at future Higgs factories. The limits are comparable to the indirect constraints obtained via electroweak precision measurements.