bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Engineering the Multienzymatic Activity of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticle Coatings for the Antioxidant Protection of Implants
Authors: Abuid Nicholas J. , Urdaneta Morgan E. , Gattas-Asfura Kerim M. , Zientek Caterina , Isusi Silgo Cristina , Torres Jose A. , Otto Kevin J. , Stabler Cherie L.
Published: May 2021

Imbalance of oxidants is a universal contributor to the failure of implanted devices and tissues. A sustained oxidative environment leads to cytotoxicity, prolonged inflammation, and ultimately host rejection of implanted devices/grafts. The incorporation of antioxidant materials can inhibit this redox/inflammatory cycle and enhance implant efficacy. Cerium oxide nanoparticle (CONP) is a highly promising agent that exhibits potent, ubiquitous, and self‐renewable antioxidant properties. Integrating CONP as surface coatings provides ease in translating antioxidant properties to various implants/grafts. Herein, the formation of CONP coatings, generated via the sequential deposition of CONP and alginate, and the impact of coating properties, pH, and polymer molecular weight, on their resulting redox profile are described. Investigation of CONP deposition, layer formation, and coating uniformity/thickness on their resulting oxidant scavenging activity identify key parameters for customizing global antioxidant properties. Results found lower molecular weight alginates and physiological pH shift CONP activity to a higher H2O2 to O2−‐scavenging capability. The antioxidant properties measured for these various coatings translate to distinct antioxidant protection to the underlying encapsulated cells. Information gained from this work can be leveraged to tailor coatings toward specific oxidant‐scavenging applications and prolong the function of medical devices and cellular implants.
Double Ionic–Electronic Transfer Interface Layers for All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries
Authors: Zheng Jingang , Sun Chengguo , Wang Zhenxing , Liu Shaojun , An Baigang , Sun Zhenhua , Li Feng
Published: May 2021

Large‐scale implementation of all‐solid‐state lithium batteries is impeded by the physical limitations of the interface between the electrode and solid electrolyte; specifically, high resistance and poor stability, as well as poor compatibility with Li+ migration. We report double ionic–electronic transfer interface layers grown at electrode–electrolyte interfaces by in situ polymerization of 2,2′‐bithiophene in polyethylene oxide (PEO) electrolyte. For all‐solid‐state LiFePO4∥PT‐PEO‐PT∥Li cells, the formation of a conductive polythiophene (PT) layer at the cathode–electrolyte interface resulted in an at least sevenfold decrease in interface resistance, and realized a capacity retention of about 94 % after 1000 cycles along with a lower polarization voltage under a rate of 2 C. The mixed ionic–electronic conductive layers imparted superior interface stability and contact while keeping good compatibility with the Li anode.
Bioorthogonal Hydroamination of Push–Pull‐Activated Linear Alkynes
Authors: Kang Dahye , Cheung Sheldon T. , Kim Justin
Published: May 2021

A bioorthogonal reaction between N,N‐dialkylhydroxylamines and push–pull‐activated halogenated alkynes is described. We explore the use of rehybridization effects in activating alkynes, and we show that electronic effects, when competing stereoelectronic and inductive factors are properly balanced, sufficiently activate a linear alkyne in the uncatalyzed conjugative retro‐Cope elimination reaction while adequately protecting it against cellular nucleophiles. This design preserves the low steric profile of an alkyne and pairs it with a comparably unobtrusive hydroxylamine. The kinetics are on par with those of the fastest strain‐promoted azide‐alkyne cycloaddition reactions, the products regioselectively formed, the components sufficiently stable and easily installed, and the reaction suitable for cellular labeling.
Investigation of tensile behavior and molecular structure of the thermoplastic polyurethane sheets injection molded at different mold temperatures
Authors: Xiang Ning , Zhang Xiaowen , Zheng Mengyao , Xu Ruijie , Yan Yue
Published: May 2021

This paper aims to investigate the influence of the mold temperature on the mechanical responses at different ambient temperature and molecular structure of the injection molded TPU sheets. The tensile properties of the TPU sheets prepared at different mold temperatures were obtained at different ambient temperatures. As the mold temperature increases, both the elongation at break and tensile strength of the specimens increase. The specimens show yield behavior during stretching at −30 and −50°C. The microstructure of the TPU sheets was characterized by DMA, AFM, and birefringence. The results show that the higher mold temperature can reduce the aggregation of hard domains because of the higher mobility of the hard segments. In‐situ SAXS and WAXS measurements were carried out at −30°C test temperature to exhibit the evolution of the microstructure during stretching. When the specimens are prepared at 40°C mold temperature, the hard domains are destroyed and difficult to orient along the stretching direction. In contrast, the hard domains begin to be deformed and oriented along the stretching direction above the yield strain when the specimens molded at higher mold temperature. The above microstructure evolution is consistent with the tensile behavior of the TPU specimens.
Heterogeneous Fenton Degradation of Organic Pollutants in Water Enhanced by Combining Iron‐type Layered Double Hydroxide and Sulfate
Authors: Fuku Kojiro , Kanai Honami , Todoroki Masanobu , Mishima Nanako , Akagi Taisei , Kamegawa Takashi , Ikenaga Naoki
Published: May 2021

Water pollution derived from organic pollutants is one of the global environmental problems. The Fenton reaction using Fe2+ as a homogeneous catalyst has been known as one of clean methods for oxidative degradation of organic pollutants. Here, a layered double hydroxide (Fe2+Al3+‐LDH) containing Fe2+ and Al3+ in the structure was used to develop a “heterogeneous” Fenton catalyst capable of mineralizing organic pollutants. We found that sulfate ion (SO42−) immobilized on the Fe2+Al3+‐LDH significantly facilitated oxidative degradation (mineralization) of phenol as a model compound of water pollutants to carbon dioxide (CO2) in a heterogeneous Fenton process. The phenol conversion and mineralization efficiency to CO2 reached >99% and ca. 50%, respectively, even with a reaction time of only 60 min.
Liquid‐to‐Solid Phase Transitions of Imidazolium‐Based Zwitterionic Polymers Induced by Hofmeister Anions
Authors: Han Im Kyung , Han Jihoon , Kim Youn Soo
Published: May 2021

In this study, we compared the responses of two different types of zwitterionic polymers (ZPs), polyvinylimidzole sulfobetaine (poly(SBVI)) and polymethacrylate sulfobetaine (poly(SBMA)) to Hofmeister anions. Although the anions of the two ZPs were the same as the sulfonate anions and only the types of their cations were different from each other, the aggregation behavior of each in the salt aqueous solution was remarkably different. Consequently, poly(SBVI) exhibited both salting‐in and salting‐out effects depending on the type and concentration of salt, while poly(SBMA) only exhibited the anti‐polyelectrolyte effect. The results of this study provide a deeper understanding of the behavior of zwitterionic polymers in salt solutions and will greatly expand their applications.
Contribution of the right temporoparietal junction and ventromedial prefrontal cortex to theory of mind in autism: A randomized, sham‐controlled tDCS study
Authors: Salehinejad Mohammad Ali , Paknia Nasim , Hosseinpour Amir Hossein , Yavari Fatemeh , Vicario Carmelo M. , Nitsche Michael A. , Nejati Vahid
Published: May 2021

Theory of mind (ToM) is the ability to attribute subjective mental states to oneself and others and is significantly impaired in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A frontal‐posterior network of regions including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and temporoparietal junction (TPJ) is involved in ToM. Previous studies show an underactivation of these regions in ASD. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation method for causally investigating brain‐behavior relationships via induction of cortical excitability alterations. tDCS, mostly over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, has been increasingly applied for improving behavioral problems in ASD leaving other potentially interesting regions untouched. Here we investigated contribution of the vmPFC and right TPJ in ToM abilities of ASD children via tDCS in a pilot study. Sixteen children with ASD (mean age = 10.7 ± 1.9) underwent three tDCS sessions (1 mA, 20 min) in a randomized, sham‐controlled design. Stimulation protocols included: (a) anodal vmPFC tDCS, (b) anodal r‐TPJ tDCS, and (c) sham tDCS. ToM abilities were explored during tDCS using the theory of mind test (TOMT). Our results show that activation of the vmPFC with anodal tDCS significantly improved ToM in children with ASD compared with both, r‐TPJ tDCS, and sham stimulation. Specifically, precursors of ToM (e.g., emotion recognition, perception, and imitation) and elementary ToM skills (e.g., first‐order mental state reasoning) were significantly improved by anodal vmPFC tDCS. Based on these results, the vmPFC could be a potential target region for the reduction of ASD symptoms via noninvasive brain stimulation, which should be examined in larger detail in future studies.

Lay Summary

Theory of mind (ToM) is the ability to infer mental states of oneself and others, which is impaired in autism. Brain imaging studies have shown involvement of two brain regions in ToM (ventromedial prefrontal cortex, temporoparietal junction) which are underactivated in autism. We increased activation of these regions via noninvasive brain stimulation in this experiment to see how it would affect ToM abilities in autism. We found that increased activation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex improved ToM abilities in children with autism.
In vitro and In silico biopharmaceutic regulatory guidelines for generic bioequivalence for oral products: Comparison among various regulatory agencies
Authors: Kollipara Sivacharan , Ahmed Tausif , Bhattiprolu Adithya Karthik , Chachad Siddharth
Published: May 2021

Generic drug development is a complex process that involves development of formulation similar to reference product. Because of the complexity associated with generic drug development, many regulatory agencies have come up with various guidelines. Out of many guidelines, the biopharmaceutics classification system that was introduced in 1995 based on aqueous solubility and permeability helped many pharmaceutical scientists across the globe to utilize the tool for formulation development, waiver of in vivo studies. Later on in vitro guidelines based on dissolution and in vitro in vivo correlation were introduced by many regulatory agencies with an intent to reduce number of in vivo human testing thereby facilitating shorter development time and faster approvals and launch. Most recently, understanding the importance in silico approaches such as physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling, regulatory agencies such as United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and European Middle East and Africa (EMA) came up with modelling guidance documents. Even though consensus exists between guidance documents from various regulatory agencies, still there are many minor to major differences exists between these guidance documents that needs to be considered while submitting a generic drug application. This review aims to compare all the in vitro and in silico guidance documents from major regulatory agencies with emphasis on latest trends and technologies combined with regulatory acceptability with an intention to harmonize regulations. Guidance documents from major regulatory agencies such as USFDA, EMA, World Health Organization, International Council for Harmonization and other emerging markets were compared. Similarities &differences among these guidance documents are critically reviewed to provide the reader a detailed overview of these guidance documents at one place.
Attributions for ambiguity in a treatment‐decision context can create ambiguity aversion or seeking
Authors: Stuart Jillian O'Rourke , Windschitl Paul D. , Miller Jane E. , Smith Andrew R. , Zikmund‐Fisher Brian J. , Scherer Laura D.
Published: May 2021

The phenomenon of ambiguity aversion suggests that people prefer options that offer precisely rather than imprecisely known chances of success. However, past work on people's responses to ambiguity in health treatment contexts found ambiguity seeking rather than aversion. The present work addressed whether such findings reflected a broad tendency for ambiguity seeking in health treatment contexts or whether specific attributions for ambiguity play a substantial role. In three studies, people choose between two treatment options that involved similar underlying probabilities, except that the probabilities for one option involved ambiguity. The attributions offered for the ambiguity played an important role in the results. For example, when the range of probabilities associated with an ambiguous treatment was attributed to the fact that different studies yield different results, participants tended to show ambiguity aversion or indifference. However, when the range was attributed to something that participants could control (e.g., regular application of a cream) or something about which they were overoptimistic (e.g., their immune system function), participants tended to show ambiguity seeking. Health professionals should be mindful of how people will interpret and use information about ambiguity when choosing among treatments.
Site‐Specific Small Molecule Labeling of an Internal Loop in JC Polyomavirus Pentamers Using the π‐Clamp‐Mediated Cysteine Conjugation
Authors: Baccile Joshua A. , Voorhees Peter J. , Chillo Anthony J. , Berry Madeline , Morgenstern Robin , Schwertfeger Tyler J. , Rossi Francis M. , Nelson Christian D. S.
Published: May 2021

The major capsid protein VP1 of JC Polyomavirus assembles into pentamers that serve as a model for studying viral entry of this potentially severe human pathogen. Previously, labeling of viral proteins utilized large fusion proteins or non‐specific amine‐ or cysteine‐functionalization with fluorescent dyes. Imaging of these sterically hindered fusion proteins or heterogeneously labeled virions limits reproducibility and could prevent the detection of subtle trafficking phenomena. Here we advance the π‐clamp‐mediated cysteine conjugation for site‐selective fluorescent labeling of VP1‐pentamers. We demonstrate a one‐step synthesis of a probe consisting of a bio‐orthogonal click chemistry handle bridged to a perfluoro‐biphenyl π‐clamp reactive electrophile by a polyethylene glycol linker. We expand the scope of the π‐clamp conjugation by demonstrating selective labeling of an internal, surface exposed loop in VP1. Thus, the π‐clamp conjugation offers a general method to selectively bioconjugate tags‐of‐interest to viral proteins without impeding their ability to bind and enter cells.
Methods to increase native warm‐season grass diversity in bermudagrass
Authors: Rogers James K. , Robertson Scott G.
Published: May 2021

Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is the most common warm‐season introduced forage species grown in the southern portion of the United States. Often grown as a monoculture, bermudagrass responds well to fertilizer and intensive management but provides little wildlife or microbial soil community benefits due to the lack of species diversity. A methods study to evaluate methods of increasing diversity of bermudagrass by adding switchgrass (SG) or a native warm‐season grass mixture (NGMIX) was conducted in southern Oklahoma. An established bermudgrass stand was suppressed using either 7, 11, or 19 months of seedbed preparation time (PREP) with either zero, one, two, or three cover crops depending on PREP time and applied to either till or no‐till strips. Initiation of PREP times were staggered so a common date for SG and NGMIX planting was achieved in two consecutive planting years, April 2011 (Year 1) and April 2012 (Year 2). On both soil textures, till establishment increased stand frequency of SG and NGMIX the year of establishment compared to no‐till. Stand frequency was repeated in 2015 (3 and 4 years post planting, respectively). The loam soil, no‐till stand frequency counts in 2015 had improved for SG and NGMIX and were similar to till. The sandy loam site 2015 stand frequency counts of till established SG and NGMIX remained higher than no‐till. No‐till establishment was slower than and not as successful as till but it still achieved plant diversity in bermudagrass at a lower cost compared to till. Cover crops and PREP time had little effect on establishment.
Application of direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) to the histological analysis of human glomerular disease
Authors: Garcia Edwin , Lightley Jonathan , Kumar Sunil , Kalita Ranjan , Gőrlitz Frederik , Alexandrov Yuriy , Cook Terry , Dunsby Christopher , Neil Mark AA , Roufosse Candice A , French Paul MW
Published: May 2021

Electron microscopy (EM) following immunofluorescence (IF) imaging is a vital tool for the diagnosis of human glomerular diseases, but the implementation of EM is limited to specialised institutions and it is not available in many countries. Recent progress in fluorescence microscopy now enables conventional widefield fluorescence microscopes to be adapted at modest cost to provide resolution below 50 nm in biological specimens. We show that stochastically switched single‐molecule localisation microscopy can be applied to clinical histological sections stained with standard IF techniques and that such super‐resolved IF may provide an alternative means to resolve ultrastructure to aid the diagnosis of kidney disease where EM is not available. We have implemented the direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy technique with human kidney biopsy frozen sections stained with clinically approved immunofluorescent probes for the basal laminae and immunoglobulin G deposits. Using cases of membranous glomerulonephritis, thin basement membrane lesion, and lupus nephritis, we compare this approach to clinical EM images and demonstrate enhanced imaging compared to conventional IF microscopy. With minor modifications in established IF protocols of clinical frozen renal biopsies, we believe the cost‐effective adaptation of conventional widefield microscopes can be widely implemented to provide super‐resolved image information to aid diagnosis of human glomerular disease.
Mechanistic Insights into the Selective Electroreduction of Crotonaldehyde to Crotyl Alcohol and 1‐Butanol
Authors: Ting Louisa Rui Lin , Peng Yujie , Yeo Boon Siang
Published: May 2021

The electroreduction of crotonaldehyde, which can be derived from the aldol condensation of acetaldehyde (sustainably produced from CO2 reduction or from biomass ethanol), is potentially a carbon‐neutral route for generating high‐value C4 chemicals such as crotyl alcohol and 1‐butanol. Developing functional catalysts is necessary toward this end. Herein, the electrocatalytic conversion of crotonaldehyde to crotyl alcohol and 1‐butanol was achieved in 0.1 m potassium phosphate buffer electrolyte (pH=7). More importantly, the mechanisms and structure‐activity relationships of these transformations were elucidated. Crotyl alcohol was formed on oxide‐derived Ag at −0.75 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) with a faradaic efficiency (FE) of 84.3 % (reactant conversion after 75 min electrolysis=9.8 %), which is 1.6 times higher than that on polished Ag foils. The coordinatively‐unsaturated sites on oxide‐derived Ag surfaces were proposed to facilitate crotonaldehyde adsorption via its oxygen atom in order to promote crotyl alcohol formation. On electrodeposited Fe nanoflakes, crotonaldehyde could be reduced to 1‐butanol with an outstanding FE of 60.6 % (reactant conversion after 75 min electrolysis=9.4 %) at −0.70 V vs. RHE. This is nearly 3 times higher than the FE of 1‐butanol observed on polished Fe foils at the same potential. More strikingly, the corresponding partial current density of 1‐butanol was −9.19 mA cm−2, which is 43 times higher than that on Fe foils. The presence of tensile strains and grain boundaries on the Fe nanoflakes were elucidated and suggested to activate a concerted reduction of the C=O and C=C bonds in crotonaldehyde to produce 1‐butanol selectively.
Generalization of shadow filters in fractional domain
Authors: Varshney Garima , Pandey Neeta , Pandey Rajeshwari
Published: May 2021

This work is intended to generalize the design of shadow filters to the fractional‐order domain. Shadow filters, in integer‐order domain, introduced by Lakys and Fabre, consist of an external amplifier in the feedback loop of the basic filter cell and by varying the gain of this amplifier the parameters of the resulting filter are modified without disturbing the active and passive components of the filter itself. In particular, we consider here the case where a basic 2α order filter is constructed using two fractional‐order capacitors both of the same order α. Mathematical formulations are drafted for pole frequency and pole quality factor for different feedback signals with various cases of stability and demonstrated using MATLAB simulations. Functional verification of the proposed theory is verified using an active filter example, designed around operational transconductance amplifier (OTA), through SPICE using 180 nm CMOS technology model parameters.
Bootstrapped LARAC algorithm for fast delay‐sensitive QoS provisioning in SDN networks
Authors: BinSahaq Ahmed , Sheltami Tarek , Mahmoud Ashraf , Nasser Nidal
Published: May 2021

In today's networks, QoS provisioning becomes a major concern for service providers due to the massive increase in connected devices (e.g., mobile devices, servers, and Things), traffic in between, and the diverse service requirements (e.g., delay and bandwidth). Software‐Defined Networking (SDN) promises solution for such issues with its central network control flexibility compared to traditional networking; nonetheless, a design of a fast and QoS guaranteeing routing algorithm is still needed. Delay Constrained Least Cost (DCLC) is a well‐known NP‐hard problem. LAgrange Relaxation‐based Aggregated Cost (LARAC) algorithm is a Dijkstra‐based QoS‐aware algorithm and one of many heuristic algorithms proposed in the literature to solve the DCLC problem. Despite its outstanding performance over other algorithms in SDN, it still needs improvement. In this article, we present a modified version of LARAC, called MODLARAC, to improve the solution feasibility search state by exploiting LARAC's lower‐bound paths before the approximation process start. Also, we modify its stop condition to avoid extra non‐useful Dijkstra calls. We implement and evaluate MODLARAC using a realistic ISP network topology using Mininet and controlled by Floodlight SDN controller. We then compare MODLARAC against the original LARAC and BiLAD algorithms. The obtained results showed improvement up to 20% reduction in Dijkstra calls count compared to original LARAC and BiLAD algorithms without a significant increase in path's cost or delay metrics. It reached only 3% increase in path cost and 7% in path delay in its worst case with a safe distance of 11% lower than the delay demand.
Exogenous ketosis in patients with type 2 diabetes: Safety, tolerability and effect on glycaemic control
Authors: Soto‐Mota Adrian , Norwitz Nicholas G. , Evans Rhys , Clarke Kieran , Barber Thomas M.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Ketogenic diets have shown to improve glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study investigated the safety, tolerability, and effects on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes of an exogenous ketone monoester (KE) capable of inducing fasting‐like elevations in serum β‐hydroxybutyrate (βHB) without the need for caloric or carbohydrate restriction.

Methods

Twenty one participants (14 men and 7 women, aged 45 ± 11 years) with insulin‐independent type 2 diabetes, and unchanged hypoglycaemic medication for the previous 6 months, were recruited for this non‐randomised interventional study. Participants wore intermittent scanning glucose monitors (IS‐GM) for a total of 6 weeks and were given 25 ml of KE 3 times daily for 4 weeks. Serum electrolytes, acid‐base status, and βHB concentrations were measured weekly and cardiovascular risk markers were measured before and after the intervention. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability, with the secondary endpoint being glycaemic control.

Results

The 21 participants consumed a total of 1,588 drinks (39.7 litres) of KE over the course of the intervention. Adverse reactions were mild and infrequent, including mild nausea, headache, and gastric discomfort following fewer than 0.5% of the drinks. Serum electrolyte concentrations, acid‐base status, and renal function remained normal throughout the study. Compared to baseline, exogenous ketosis induced a significant decrease in all glycaemic control markers, including fructosamine (335 ± 60 μmol/L to 290 ± 49 μmol/L, p < .01), HbA1c (61 ± 10 mmol/mol to 55 ± 9 mmol/mol [7.7 ± 0.9% to 7.2 ± 0.9%], p < .01), mean daily glucose (7.8 ± 1.4 mM to 7.4 ± 1.3 mM [140 ± 23 mg/dl to 133 ± 25 mg/dl], p < .01) and time in range (67 ± 11% to 69 ± 10%, p < .01).

Conclusions

Constant ketone monoester consumption over 1 month was safe, well tolerated, and improved glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Performance Enhancement Study on Solar Stills by Increasing Evaporative Surface Area and Condensing Surface Area
Authors: Vigneswaran Shunmugharajan , Deeyoko Leo Anto Joseph , Sakthivadivel Duraisamy , Kumaresan Govindaraj , Velraj Ramalingom , GaneshKumar Poongavanam
Published: May 2021

The main theme of this research is for augmenting the yield of solar still (SS) with dual glazing, rotating cylinders, and to compare the distillate yield of these modified SS with that of the conventional solar still (CSS). In this respect, three types of SS with the same dimensions are planned, fabricated, and tested under the same climatic conditions. In addition, two cylinders wrapped with black cotton cloth are incorporated in a still (CBSS) and the other still is double‐glazed (DGSS). The CSS is especially applied for the comparison with the yield of another two surface‐modified SS. The yield of CBSS is 38.3% higher than CSS. While the yield of DGSS is lesser than CSS by 11%, this reduction in yield is due to the decrease in solar radiation reaching the absorber surface due to the presence of condensed water droplets in two glazing surfaces. The productivity of CBSS is higher than CSS because the evaporative surface area in CBSS is increased by rotating the two cylinders wrapped with cotton wick. Thus, it is construed that the SS with two cylinders wrapped with a cotton wick is the best option among the stills considered in this study.
Cellulose as a Precursor of High‐Performance Energy Storage Materials in Li–S Batteries and Supercapacitors
Authors: Sevilla Marta , Díez Noel , Fuertes Antonio B.
Published: May 2021

Energy storage materials consisting of sulfur/carbon composites or highly porous carbons are successfully synthesized from cellulose or cellulose acetate, respectively, by chemical activation with sodium thiosulfate. It is a versatile synthesis approach that allows the production of sulfur/carbon composites or porous carbons depending on the washing procedure used after the high‐temperature treatment. By acid washing, sulfur/carbon composites with sulfur contents in the 62–74 wt% range are produced when cellulose is used as precursor. These composites show a good electrochemical performance in Li–S batteries, providing a capacity of 7.4 mAh cm−2 at 0.05 C and 5.5 mAh cm−2 at 0.2 C under high sulfur loading conditions, and still preserving 4.1 mAh cm−2 after more than 100 cycles. Meanwhile, by water washing, highly micro–mesoporous carbons (SBET ≥ 2500 m2 g−1) with good electronic conductivity (≈5–6 S cm−1) are produced when cellulose acetate is used as precursor. These porous carbons exhibit high capacitance values (170 F g−1 at 0.2 A g−1) in an ionic liquid electrolyte, good long‐term stability, and low self‐discharge.
Palliative care in metastatic head and neck cancer
Authors: Civantos Alyssa M. , Prasad Aman , Carey Ryan M. , Bur Andrés M. , Mady Leila J. , Brody Robert M. , Rajasekaran Karthik , Cannady Steven B. , Hartner Lee , Ibrahim Said A. , Newman Jason G. , Brant Jason A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Due to inherent impact on quality of life, metastatic head and neck cancer patients are well‐suited to benefit from palliative care (PC). Our objective was to examine factors that shape PC utilization and implications for overall survival in stage IVc head and neck cancer patients.

Methods

A retrospective study of patients with stage IVc head and neck cancer in the National Cancer Database from 2004 and 2015 was conducted.

Results

7794 cases met inclusion criteria, of which 19.3% received PC. PC use was associated with more recent years of diagnosis, Northeast facility geography, and non‐private insurances (p < 0.05). Compared to no PC, “interventional” PC, defined as palliative surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, and “pain management only” PC were associated with lower overall survival (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

PC use increased over time and was associated with demographic and clinical factors. There remains opportunity for improvement in optimal implementation of palliative care.
The effects of health insurance on the choice of medical procedures: Evidence from heart attacks and childbirths
Authors: Castaneda Marco A. , Saygili Meryem
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates the effect of health insurance on the use of alternative procedures to treat a given medical condition. In particular, we estimate the effect of health insurance on the use of bypass surgery after a heart attack and on the use of a C‐section after a normal pregnancy. These procedures are the most expensive, compared to the alternatives. Theoretically, the demand for some procedures like bypass surgery is likely to be inelastic. In this situation, health insurance should have no effect on the use of the procedure. For other procedures such as C‐section, demand may be more elastic, especially after a normal pregnancy without complications. We use a nationally representative dataset of inpatient hospital admissions from the United States and control for individual and hospital characteristics. The results from our empirical analysis support our predictions. For patients admitted to a hospital because of a heart attack, being uninsured has no effect on the probability of bypass surgery. However, for patients admitted for childbirth, the uninsured have a substantially lower probability of a C‐section delivery.
Early childhood education and care (ECEC) during COVID‐19 boosts growth in language and executive function
Authors: Davies Catherine , Hendry Alexandra , Gibson Shannon P. , Gliga Teodora , McGillion Michelle , Gonzalez‐Gomez Nayeli
Published: May 2021

High‐quality, centre‐based education and care during the early years benefit cognitive development, especially in children from disadvantaged backgrounds. During the COVID‐19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns, access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) was disrupted. We investigate how this period affected the developmental advantages typically offered by ECEC. Using parent‐report data from 189 families living in the UK, we explore associations between time spent in ECEC by 8‐to‐36‐month‐olds, their socioeconomic background, and their growth in language and executive functions between Spring and Winter 2020. Receptive vocabulary growth was greater in children who continued to attend ECEC during the period, with a stronger positive effect for children from less advantaged backgrounds. The growth of cognitive executive functions (CEFs) was boosted by ECEC attendance during the period, regardless of socioeconomic background. Our findings highlight the importance of high‐quality ECEC for the development of key skills and for levelling socioeconomic inequalities.
Designing for Mathematical Literacy: Introducing Exponential Growth Using Critical and Meaningful Problem Contexts
Authors: Zahner William
Published: May 2021

This department explores the concept of disciplinary literacy—the conceptual understandings and ways of reading, thinking, and writing involved in critiquing and constructing knowledge in a discipline—and its intersections with aspects of culturally sustaining pedagogy. Columns highlight high‐quality disciplinary literacy learning opportunities across subject areas that engage students in critically examining the world around them, interrogating accepted knowledge, contributing their own perspectives to shape that knowledge, and sustaining and developing the literacies needed to do this work.
Closing the Imagination Gap With African and African American Fantasy Literature
Authors: Durand E. Sybil
Published: May 2021

This forum reviews youth literature from around the world to examine the diverse settings and social, historical, and political contexts that shape youth identities and experiences.
Greenhouse gas emissions from riparian zones are related to vegetation type and environmental factors
Authors: Baskerville Megan , Bazrgar Amir , Reddy Namratha , Ofosu Enoch , Thevathasan Naresh , Gordon Andrew M. , Oelbermann Maren
Published: May 2021

Riparian zones provide multiple benefits, including streambank stabilization and nutrient abatement. However, there is a knowledge gap on how the type of vegetation and environmental factors (e.g., soil temperature, moisture) within the riparian zone influence CO2 and CH4 emissions. Our objective was to quantify and compare CO2 and CH4 emissions from a herbaceous (grass) riparian zone (GRS), a rehabilitated riparian zone composed of deciduous trees, an undisturbed natural forested riparian zone with deciduous trees (UNF‐D) or coniferous trees (UNF‐C), and an agricultural field. Cumulative soil CO2 emission ranged from 23 to 105 g CO2–C m–2. Carbon dioxide emissions were greatest (p < .05) in the GRS zone and lowest (p < .05) in the UNF‐C riparian zone. The best predictors for CO2 emissions were soil temperature and soil organic carbon (SOC) content. Cumulative CH4 emission ranged from –23 to 253 g CH4–C m–2. Methane emissions were greatest (p < .05) in the UNF‐D and lowest (p < .05) in the GRS riparian zone. The best predictors for CH4 emissions were soil moisture, SOC, and photosynthetic photon flux density. The total CO2–C equivalent (i.e., CH4 + CO2) was greatest (p < .05) for the GRS and lowest (p < .05) for the UNF‐C riparian zone. The environmental factors controlling CO2 and CH4 emissions within the various riparian zones did not change; instead, changes were due to how vegetation within riparian zones influenced these controls.
LPS‐induced immunomodulation and hormonal variation over time in toads
Authors: Titon Junior Braz , Titon Stefanny Christie Monteiro , Assis Vania Regina , Barsotti Adriana Maria Giorgi , Vasconcelos‐Teixeira Ronyelle , Fernandes Pedro Augusto Carlos Magno , Gomes Fernando Ribeiro
Published: May 2021

The inflammatory response is a complex process that relies on interactions among multiple endocrine and immune modulators. Studies incorporating time‐related and integrative endocrine and immune responses to an immune challenge might shed light on the characterization of the phases of the inflammatory response in anurans. The present study investigated time‐related changes (1, 3, 6, and 18 h post‐challenge) in plasma corticosterone (CORT), melatonin (MEL) and testosterone (T) levels, phagocytosis percentage (PP), plasma bacterial killing ability (BKA), and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) following a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) immune challenge in Rhinella diptycha toads. Our results showed the response to LPS injection was characterized by increased CORT, PP, BKA, and NLR, with a concomitant decrease in plasma MEL and T. Increased CORT was more pronounced at 6 and 18 h, while increased NLR was observed only 18 h post‐LPS injection. Meanwhile, plasma MEL and T decreased independently of the time post‐LPS injection. Additionally, toads in better body condition showed higher BKA and PP in the LPS‐treated group, regardless of the time postinjection. Our results show that toads (R. diptycha) were sensitive to the LPS challenge, mounting an inflammatory response, which started quickly (after 1 h) and developed over time and was influenced by body condition. These results demonstrate a time‐related hormonal and immune variation as a consistent pattern of activation of the immune system, as well as of hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal/interrenal and immune‐pineal axes following an immune challenge more deeply studied in mammals, suggesting the evolutionary conservation of the regulatory mechanisms for tetrapod vertebrates.
Evaluation of the prognostic role of NLR, LMR, PLR, and LCR ratio in COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Erdogan Arife , Can Fatma Ezgi , Gönüllü Hayriye
Published: May 2021

We aimed to find the most useful biomarker by examining the prognostic effect of neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte‐monocyte ratio (LMR), platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte‐C reactive protein ratio (LCR) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Three hundred and four patients diagnosed with COVID‐19 infection in our hospital within 5 months (April–August 2020) were examined. Laboratory values and demographic findings of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. Thirty‐six patients were diagnosed with severe cases. The ratio of NLR, LMR, PLR, and LCR of patients with severe and those with nonsevere clinical symptoms were statistically analyzed. The NLR and PLR ratios of those with severe clinical symptoms were significantly higher (p < 0.001), the LCR rate was significantly lower (p < 0.001), and there was no significant difference in the LMR rate (p = 0.199). When we examined other peripheral blood parameters, we found that CRP was high, lymphocyte and monocyte were low (p < 0.001), but neutrophil (p = 0.416) and platelet (p = 0.998) were not statistically different between the groups. According to the results, routine blood values are abnormal in patients with COVID‐19. NLR, PLR, and LCR ratios can be used as more significant biomarkers than other values in predicting the prognosis of patients.
Quantitation of antibodies against SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein after two doses of CoronaVac in healthcare workers
Authors: Bayram Ayşen , Demirbakan Hadiye , Günel Karadeniz Pınar , Erdoğan Merve , Koçer Ipek
Published: May 2021

Quantitation of antibodies to the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2  (SARS‐CoV‐2) was performed for the detection of adaptive immune response in healthcare workers (HCWs) vaccinated with CorovaVac. We prospectively recruited HCWs from a university hospital in Turkey. Serum samples from 1072 HCWs were obtained following 28 days of the first, and 21 days of the second dose. Detection and quantitation of SARS‐CoV‐2 antispike antibodies were performed by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG II Quant; Abbott). Results greater than or equal to the cutoff value 50.0 AU/ml were reported as positive. After the first dose, antispike antibodies were detected in 834 of 1072 (77.8%) HCWs. Seropositivity was higher among females (84.6%) than males (70.6%) (p < 0.001) and was found to be highest in both women and men between the ages of 18–34. After the second dose, antibodies were detected in 1008 of 1012 (99.6%) HCWs. Antibody titers were significantly higher in those who had coronavirus disease‐2019 before vaccination than those who did not (p < 0.001). Antibody positivity and median antibody titers were significantly less in HCWs with chronic diseases compared to those without (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, our findings indicated that a relatively high frequency (99.6%) of humoral immunity was produced in HCWs aged 18–59 after two doses of CoronaVac. Quantitation of antibodies may help facilitate longitudinal monitoring of the antibody response, which will be especially useful in deciding the dose of the vaccine in vulnerable groups such as those over 60 years of age and those with chronic diseases.
Hepatic Encephalopathy and Liver Transplantation: The Past, Present, and Future Toward Equitable Access
Authors: Acharya Chathur , Bajaj Jasmohan S.
Published: May 2021

Cirrhosis is a debilitating chronic disease with high morbidity and mortality, with the only real cure being liver transplantation (LT). Currently, we allocate organs for transplantation based on the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease–Sodium (MELD‐Na) score that does not account for hepatic encephalopathy (HE). HE affects patients, families, and the health care system because of high rates of recurrence and major readmission burden. Moreover, HE casts a long shadow even after LT. Accounting for HE and incorporating it into the current allocation system has many proponents, but the framework to do this is currently lacking because of differences in consensus or in operationalization parameters. We review the latest evidence of the burden of HE, management of HE before and after LT, and evaluate pros and cons of several methods of diagnosing HE objectively to ensure early and equitable access to LT in this underserved population.
Evolving Shelah‐Spencer graphs
Authors: Elwes Richard
Published: May 2021

We define an evolving Shelah‐Spencer process as one by which a random graph grows, with at each time a new node incorporated and attached to each previous node with probability , where is fixed. We analyse the graphs that result from this process, including the infinite limit, in comparison to Shelah‐Spencer sparse random graphs discussed in [21] and throughout the model‐theoretic literature. The first order axiomatisation for classical Shelah‐Spencer graphs comprises a Generic Extension axiom scheme and a No Dense Subgraphs axiom scheme. We show that in our context Generic Extension continues to hold. While No Dense Subgraphs fails, a weaker Few Rigid Subgraphs property holds.
New data reveals 156,000+ lost to MH, SUD issues pre‐COVID‐19
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: May 2021

Approximately 156,242 Americans died as a result of alcohol, drugs or suicide in 2019, representing a slight increase over 2018, according to the latest annual report released May 18 by Trust for America's Health and Well Being Trust.
Predator‐prey models with memory and kicks: Exact solution and discrete maps with memory
Authors: Tarasov Vasily E.
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we proposed new predator‐prey models that take into account memory and kicks. Memory is understood as the dependence of current behavior on the history of past behavior. The equations of these proposed models are generalizations of the Lotka‐Volterra and Kolmogorov equations by using the Caputo fractional derivative of non‐integer order and periodic kicks. This fractional derivative allows us to take into account memory with power‐law fading. The periodic kicks, which are described by Dirac delta‐functions, take into account short duration of interaction between predators and prey. For the proposed equations, which are fractional differential equations with kicks, we obtain exact solutions that describe behaviors of predator and prey with power‐law fading memory. Using these exact solutions, we derive, without using any approximations, new discrete maps with memory that represent the proposed predator‐prey models with memory.
Two sets of qualitative research reporting guidelines: An analysis of the shortfalls
Authors: King Olivia
Published: May 2021

Findings from qualitative research may make valuable contributions to the evidence informing healthcare practice. Qualitative research methodologies and methods, however, are less familiar to health researchers and research consumers when compared with quantitative methods. Qualitative research reporting guidelines and their merit have been hotly debated for at least two decades. Herein I discuss two sets of qualitative research reporting guidelines endorsed by many high tiered health research journals: Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research and Standards for reporting qualitative research. Six aspects of the two sets of guidelines are compared. The first aspect is the focus of the guidelines. The latter five aspects are items included in the guidelines: reflexivity, participant sampling and saturation, data collection, member checking, and data analysis. Except for reflexivity, these items were selected for comparison as they include features of, or strategies to, enhance the rigor of qualitative research that are applicable within some but not all qualitative methodologies. Reflexivity, a central feature of rigor within all qualitative research, is discussed for its suboptimal representation in both sets of reporting guidelines. Without regular and critical review of reporting guidelines, efforts to promote the design, conduct, and reporting of rigorous qualitative health research to support evidence‐informed practice may be undermined. Moreover, for qualitative research reporting guidelines to be useful, they must be applied appropriately and in a flexible manner by researchers and reviewers. This paper has implications for researchers, journal editors, reviewers, and research consumers.
A Durable Response to Pembrolizumab in a Patient with Uterine Serous Carcinoma and Lynch Syndrome due to the MSH6 Germline Mutation
Authors: Danley Kelsey T. , Schmitz Karen , Ghai Ritu , Sclamberg Joy S. , Buckingham Lela E. , Burgess Kelly , Kuzel Timothy M. , Usha Lydia
Published: May 2021

Pembrolizumab, a programmed death 1 ligand (PD-1) checkpoint inhibitor, has elicited responses in mismatch repair (MMR)–deficient advanced solid tumors, leading to its agnostic approval by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2017 when no other therapeutic options are available. However, there are still insufficient data on the response to checkpoint inhibitors in advanced endometrial cancer related to Lynch syndrome (LS) and, specifically, in uterine serous carcinoma, which is uncommon in LS. Here we report a case of metastatic uterine serous carcinoma due to a germline MSH6 mutation (Lynch syndrome) that was discovered because of a patient's tumor MMR deficiency. The patient was started on first-line pembrolizumab in 2018 and sustained a partial response. She remains asymptomatic and progression free for more than 2 years. Tumor sequencing showed a high mutational burden and an upstream somatic mutation in the same gene, p.F1088fs. Immunohistochemical staining was negative for PD-L1 expression. We discuss clinical characteristics of the patient, molecular features of her tumor, and the mechanism of her tumor response. We also discuss the duration of immunotherapy in her case.

Our case demonstrated a partial response and a long-term remission from the frontline single-agent pembrolizumab in a woman with metastatic uterine serous carcinoma and Lynch syndrome due to a germline MSH6 gene mutation. Our experience suggests a potential significant clinical benefit of checkpoint inhibitors used as single agents early on in the treatment of MMR-deficient/high microsatellite instability/hypermutated uterine cancers in women with Lynch syndrome.

Key Points

Even though checkpoint inhibitors are effective in mismatch repair-deficient endometrial cancer, it is unknown whether the response to them differs between women with endometrial cancer due to germline mutations in a mismatch repair gene (Lynch syndrome) and women with sporadic endometrial cancer. In our case, a patient with Lynch syndrome and recurrent mismatch repair-deficient serous endometrial cancer achieved a durable remission on the first-line therapy with the checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab and remains progression free after more than 2 years. Based on our observation and the data, suggesting the stronger immune activation in women with Lynch syndrome–associated endometrial cancer, we propose to use checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy early in the course of their treatment and stratify patients for the presence of Lynch syndrome in clinical trials.