bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oficinas Remotas Avançadas de Aprendizagem Ativa de GNU/Linux: Um Relato de experiência
Authors: Alvim Ícaro V. , Cruz Ozenilson A. P. da , Silva Messias J. L. da , Coelho Tiago A. , Calumby Rodrigo T.
Published: June 2022

Tecnologias abertas são de vital importância no mundo tecnológico, seu domínio gera oportunidades e pode ser um diferencial no mercado de trabalho. Pensando nisso, foi organizada uma oficina de GNU/Linux de nível avançado no formato remoto utilizando a metodologia de aprendizagem ativa e por pares. Através de avaliação qualitativa, foi possível comprovar a eficácia do aprendizado colaborativo e o aumento no engajamento dos participantes. Algumas lições foram aprendidas neste processo e são apresentadas aqui.
Desalination Membrane Management
Authors: Lakshmi Prasad Thallam
Published: June 2022

With growing market of membrane technologies the disposal of these spent modules going to be serious issue especially for water industry. Review of status of technologies is briefly highlighted. Keeping this in mind, the various schemes/protocols can be planned and accordingly exploratory studies have been initiated using AOP based primary techniques such as hydro thermal processes. This chapter presents both the open literature and experimental studies related to spent desalination membranes.
Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 Disease; a Report of Iranian Professional Football
Authors: Hassanmirzaei Bahar , Haratian Zohreh , Ahmadzadeh Amiri Ali , Ahmadzadeh Amiri Amir
Published: June 2022

Background: All sporting events were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and many athletes suffered from the infection. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and training days lost to COVID-19 in professional football. Methods: This questionnaire-based report on COVID-19 symptoms was conducted during the 2019-20 Iranian men's premier league and second division football. Team members with positive PCR tests were enrolled in the study and were told to fill in the questionnaire after the resolution of the symptoms. The questionnaire was designed to measure the frequency, severity, and duration of COVID-19-related symptoms. Results: Out of 133 males, including 86 players and 47 team officials with a mean age of 30.81 ± 10.7 years, 63.2% reported experiencing no symptoms. The most frequent symptom was the loss of smell, while the least frequently reported symptom was gastrointestinal unrest. It was also revealed that our population missed an average of 12.89 days to return to the team training. Conclusions: Since most of the infected individuals in our population were asymptomatic proper case identification using regular PCR testing could stop the transmission of the disease more effectively. Also, more attention is required to be paid to less severe symptoms such as the loss of smell and taste. Moreover, the days lost due to COVID-19 are almost comparable to the days lost by other injuries for the players, which highlights the importance of taking proper preventive measures.
Evaluation of the Radiobiological Models Predicting the Radiation-Induced Hypothyroidism in the Partially Irradiated Thyroid Gland of Patients with Breast Cancer
Authors: Imani Atusa , Mesbahi Asghar , Jafari-Koshki Tohid , Eghdam Zamiri Reza , Nasiri Motlagh Behnam
Published: June 2022

Background: Radiation-induced hypothyroidism (RHT) is one of the side effects that might have an impact on the quality of life of patients with breast cancer treated with radiotherapy. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the performances of the Lyman-Kutcher-Burman (LKB) and Log-Logistic models in the prediction of hypothyroidism (HT) as well as the estimation of the model parameters for the incidence of RHT among patients with breast cancer. Methods: Fifty-two patients treated with radiation therapy (RT) for breast cancer were prospectively evaluated. Patients' serum samples [tri-iodothyronine, thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine, and free thyroxine] were measured before RT and also at a regular time interval until 1 year after the completion of RT. For each patient, dose-volume histograms (DVHs) of the thyroid gland were derived from their treatment planning dataset. Patients whose TSH levels were higher than normal with a decrease in FT4 levels were considered as cases with RHT. The LKB and Log-Logistic radiobiological models were evaluated by comparing them with the resultant follow-up data. The parameters for radiobiological models have been deduced by fitting the models to the follow-up data. The models were fitted in a Bayesian setting and compared according to the widely applicable information criterion (WAIC). Results: Twenty-one (40%) patients developed RHT at a follow-up of 1 year after the end of radiation treatment. The fitted values of D50 for the LKB and Log-Logistic models were 37.71 and 25.50 Gy, respectively for the partially irradiated thyroid of patients with breast cancer. The mean time to the incidence of RHT was obtained at 6.7 months in the studied group. Conclusions: A volumetric effect was found for the thyroid gland in the implemented normal tissue complication probability models. Compared to the follow-up data, the Log-Logistic model was ranked as the best model for predicting the rate of RHT in patients with breast cancer.
Comparison of Tp-e Interval Between Obese and Healthy Children in Adolescence and its Correlation with Insulin Resistance in Obese Children
Authors: Tanriverdi Dogan Cagri , Yolcu Canan , Yilmaz Seniha Kiremitci , Aksu Bagdagul , Elevli Murat , Sahin Kamil
Published: June 2022

Background: Prolonged cardiac repolarization may increase cardiovascular susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias, leading to sudden cardiac death. This condition in obese children is not clearly demonstrated in childhood. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of obesity on cardiac electrical activity in children by comparing Tp-e intervals between obese and healthy children and evaluating the correlation between Tp-e intervals and insulin resistance in obese children. Methods: The study enrolled 50 obese and 50 healthy children. A pediatric cardiologist assessed electrocardiograms and echocardiographs. Electrocardiographic, demographic, and laboratory parameters were analyzed statistically. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in age and gender (P > 0.05). The Tp-e intervals were statistically higher in the obese group than in the control group (P = 0.001). A statistically significant difference was found between the obese group with or without insulin resistance and the control group in Tp-e intervals (P = 0.001 for all). All other ECG parameters were similar in the patient and control groups. Conclusions: It is essential to recognize the early symptoms of future cardiovascular events in childhood obesity cases. Repolarization differences in obese children, when compared with the normal population, may reflect obesity-related early-stage subclinical findings. Prospective broad-based studies are needed to recognize these early changes.
Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-Associated Glomerulonephritis in a 15-Year-Old Patient After Receiving the Second Dose of the BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) COVID-19 Vaccine: A Case Report
Authors: Ramezanzade Elham , Ghanbari Reyhane , Yazdanipour Tina
Published: June 2022

Introduction: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of multisystemic autoimmune diseases that can involve organs such as kidneys and respiratory tracts. Since the initiation of COVID-19 vaccines, there have been few cases of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) glomerulonephritis development after receiving vaccine doses. Case Presentation: This report describes a 15-year-old man who has developed ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis (AAGN) after receiving the second dose of BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) COVID-19 vaccine. Conclusions: Development of AAGN after both natural SARS-CoV-2 infection and following other vaccinations raises the question of the possible causality between the two. Considering the widespread use of COVID-19 vaccines, it is highly important to investigate their possible side effects.
Measuring Social Embeddedness of Older Adults
Authors: Mikulionienė Sarmitė , Gaižauskaitė Inga , Dirvanskienė Ramunė
Published: June 2022

In an ageing society facing challenges for the sustainable well-being of older adults, there has been an increasing focus on the potential of soft power in recent years. Like economic and structural, social indicators can become integral indicators of older generations’ well-being. This study aims to propose a construct of the social embeddedness of older adults and its measurement tool, based on a critical review of the literature and the results of an original empirical study, to fill the knowledge gap in current statistics in the field. A critical review of the literature has disclosed that, despite many studies done, we do not have a methodological tool suitable for revealing patterns of social ties specific to older adults. The results of an empirical study of the population aged 50 and over in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia (N = 2015) showed that the social embeddedness of older people in the Baltics is composed of these domains: socialisation with descendants, nonfamily and outside home – together named as social participation; civic participation and sense of belonging. Future research should look at ways to shorten this scale to adapt it to the needs of practical use.
IMPACTO DO TRAUMATISMO DENTÁRIO NA QUALIDADE DE VIDA DE CRIANÇAS E ADOLESCENTES: REVISÃO DE LITERATURA
Authors: Luanne Gonçalves Pimentel Kaddja , Souza da Silva Janayna , De Matos Vilas Boas Aline , Affonseca Pedreira Amanda , Dourado Martins Cerqueira Joana , Porto Edla Carvalho
Published: June 2022

Introdução: O Trauma dental é um distúrbio oral comum em crianças, causado por um impacto externo sobre o dente e/ou tecidos circundantes. Objetivo: Revisar o impacto do trauma dental na qualidade de vida de crianças e adolescente. Métodos: Foi realizada uma busca bibliográfica na Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (MEDLINE, LILACS, BBO). Artigos duplicados, revisão de literatura e teses foram excluídos e como critério de inclusão foram utilizados artigos publicados de 2010 até 2020. Logo após, foi realizada a extração dos dados para análise dos estudos com mais precisão, organizando as informações em uma tabela padronizada. Resultados: Dos 429 artigos encontrados, apenas 9 estudos apresentaram todas as informações exigidas nos critérios metodológicos, abrangendo a faixa etária de 2 a 15 anos. Para avaliação do impacto do trauma dental na qualidade de vida relacionada a saúde bucal 6 dos estudos utilizaram a versão Brasileira do questionário (CPQ), 2 utilizaram a versão Brasileira do questionário sobre qualidade de vida (B-ECOHIS) e apenas 1 utilizou a versão Brasileira do (BP-CPQ). Foi observado que dos nove trabalhos apenas um não observou associação estatisticamente significativa entre a qualidade de vida e o trauma dental. Conclusão: O trauma dental possui influência negativa na qualidade de vida das crianças e adolescentes associados às limitações funcionais, bem-estar social e emocional.
Distinct but overlapping roles of LRRTM1 and LRRTM2 in developing and mature hippocampal circuits
Authors: Dhume Shreya H , Connor Steven A , Mills Fergil , Tari Parisa Karimi , Au-Yeung Sarah HM , Karimi Benjamin , Oku Shinichiro , Roppongi Reiko T , Kawabe Hiroshi , Bamji Shernaz X , Wang Yu Tian , Brose Nils , Jackson Michael F , Craig Ann Marie , Siddiqui Tabrez J
Published: June 2022

LRRTMs are postsynaptic cell adhesion proteins that have region-restricted expression in the brain. To determine their role in the molecular organization of synapses in vivo, we studied synapse development and plasticity in hippocampal neuronal circuits in mice lacking both Lrrtm1 and Lrrtm2. We found that LRRTM1 and LRRTM2 regulate the density and morphological integrity of excitatory synapses on CA1 pyramidal neurons in the developing brain but are not essential for these roles in the mature circuit. Further, they are required for long-term-potentiation in the CA3-CA1 pathway and the dentate gyrus, and for enduring fear memory in both the developing and mature brain. Our data show that LRRTM1 and LRRTM2 regulate synapse development and function in a cell-type and developmental-stage-specific manner, and thereby contribute to the fine-tuning of hippocampal circuit connectivity and plasticity.
A mechanism with severing near barbed ends and annealing explains structure and dynamics of dendritic actin networks
Authors: Holz Danielle , Hall Aaron R , Usukura Eiji , Yamashiro Sawako , Watanabe Naoki , Vavylonis Dimitrios
Published: June 2022

Single molecule imaging has shown that part of actin disassembles within a few seconds after incorporation into the dendritic filament network in lamellipodia, suggestive of frequent destabilization near barbed ends. To investigate the mechanisms behind network remodeling, we created a stochastic model with polymerization, depolymerization, branching, capping, uncapping, severing, oligomer diffusion, annealing, and debranching. We find that filament severing, enhanced near barbed ends, can explain the single molecule actin lifetime distribution, if oligomer fragments reanneal to free ends with rate constants comparable to in vitro measurements. The same mechanism leads to actin networks consistent with measured filament, end, and branch concentrations. These networks undergo structural remodeling, leading to longer filaments away from the leading edge, at the +/-35° orientation pattern. Imaging of actin speckle lifetimes at sub-second resolution verifies frequent disassembly of newly-assembled actin. We thus propose a unified mechanism that fits a diverse set of basic lamellipodia phenomenology.
Hydrodynamic model of fish orientation in a channel flow
Authors: Porfiri Maurizio , Zhang Peng , Peterson Sean D
Published: June 2022

For over a century, scientists have sought to understand how fish orient against an incoming flow, even without visual and flow cues. Here, we elucidate a potential hydrodynamic mechanism of rheotaxis through the study of the bidirectional coupling between fish and the surrounding fluid. By modeling a fish as a vortex dipole in an infinite channel with an imposed background flow, we establish a planar dynamical system for the cross-stream coordinate and orientation. The system dynamics captures the existence of a critical flow speed for fish to successfully orient while performing cross-stream, periodic sweeping movements. Model predictions are examined in the context of experimental observations in the literature on the rheotactic behavior of fish deprived of visual and lateral line cues. The crucial role of bidirectional hydrodynamic interactions unveiled by this model points at an overlooked limitation of existing experimental paradigms to study rheotaxis in the laboratory.
Prefrontal cortex supports speech perception in listeners with cochlear implants
Authors: Sherafati Arefeh , Dwyer Noel , Bajracharya Aahana , Hassanpour Mahlega Samira , Eggebrecht Adam T , Firszt Jill B , Culver Joseph P , Peelle Jonathan E
Published: June 2022

Cochlear implants are neuroprosthetic devices that can restore hearing in people with severe to profound hearing loss by electrically stimulating the auditory nerve. Because of physical limitations on the precision of this stimulation, the acoustic information delivered by a cochlear implant does not convey the same level of acoustic detail as that conveyed by normal hearing. As a result, speech understanding in listeners with cochlear implants is typically poorer and more effortful than in listeners with normal hearing. The brain networks supporting speech understanding in listeners with cochlear implants are not well understood, partly due to difficulties obtaining functional neuroimaging data in this population. In the current study, we assessed the brain regions supporting spoken word understanding in adult listeners with right unilateral cochlear implants (n=20) and matched controls (n=18) using high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT), a quiet and non-invasive imaging modality with spatial resolution comparable to that of functional MRI. We found that while listening to spoken words in quiet, listeners with cochlear implants showed greater activity in the left prefrontal cortex than listeners with normal hearing, specifically in a region engaged in a separate spatial working memory task. These results suggest that listeners with cochlear implants require greater cognitive processing during speech understanding than listeners with normal hearing, supported by compensatory recruitment of the left prefrontal cortex.
Quantifying concordant genetic effects of de novo mutations on multiple disorders
Authors: Guo Hanmin , Hou Lin , Shi Yu , Jin Sheng Chih , Zeng Xue , Li Boyang , Lifton Richard P , Brueckner Martina , Zhao Hongyu , Lu Qiongshi
Published: June 2022

Exome sequencing on tens of thousands of parent-proband trios has identified numerous deleterious de novo mutations (DNMs) and implicated risk genes for many disorders. Recent studies have suggested shared genes and pathways are enriched for DNMs across multiple disorders. However, existing analytic strategies only focus on genes that reach statistical significance for multiple disorders and require large trio samples in each study. As a result, these methods are not able to characterize the full landscape of genetic sharing due to polygenicity and incomplete penetrance. In this work, we introduce EncoreDNM, a novel statistical framework to quantify shared genetic effects between two disorders characterized by concordant enrichment of DNMs in the exome. EncoreDNM makes use of exome-wide, summary-level DNM data, including genes that do not reach statistical significance in single-disorder analysis, to evaluate the overall and annotation-partitioned genetic sharing between two disorders. Applying EncoreDNM to DNM data of nine disorders, we identified abundant pairwise enrichment correlations, especially in genes intolerant to pathogenic mutations and genes highly expressed in fetal tissues. These results suggest that EncoreDNM improves current analytic approaches and may have broad applications in DNM studies.
Distinct roles for two Caenorhabditis elegans acid-sensing ion channels in an ultradian clock
Authors: Kaulich Eva , Carroll Trae , Ackley Brian D , Tang Yi-Quan , Hardege Iris , Nehrke Keith , Schafer William R , Walker Denise S
Published: June 2022

Biological clocks are fundamental to an organism’s health, controlling periodicity of behaviour and metabolism. Here, we identify two acid-sensing ion channels, with very different proton sensing properties, and describe their role in an ultradian clock, the defecation motor program (DMP) of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. An ACD-5-containing channel, on the apical membrane of the intestinal epithelium, is essential for maintenance of luminal acidity, and thus the rhythmic oscillations in lumen pH. In contrast, the second channel, composed of FLR-1, ACD-3 and/or DEL-5, located on the basolateral membrane, controls the intracellular Ca2+ wave and forms a core component of the master oscillator that controls the timing and rhythmicity of the DMP. flr-1 and acd-3/del-5 mutants show severe developmental and metabolic defects. We thus directly link the proton-sensing properties of these channels to their physiological roles in pH regulation and Ca2+ signalling, the generation of an ultradian oscillator, and its metabolic consequences.
Cross-modality synthesis of EM time series and live fluorescence imaging
Authors: Santella Anthony , Kolotuev Irina , Kizilyaprak Caroline , Bao Zhirong
Published: June 2022

Analyses across imaging modalities allow the integration of complementary spatiotemporal information about brain development, structure, and function. However, systematic atlasing across modalities is limited by challenges to effective image alignment. We combine highly spatially resolved electron microscopy (EM) and highly temporally resolved time-lapse fluorescence microscopy (FM) to examine the emergence of a complex nervous system in Caenorhabditis elegans embryogenesis. We generate an EM time series at four classic developmental stages and create a landmark-based co-optimization algorithm for cross-modality image alignment, which handles developmental heterochrony among datasets to achieve accurate single-cell level alignment. Synthesis based on the EM series and time-lapse FM series carrying different cell-specific markers reveals critical dynamic behaviors across scales of identifiable individual cells in the emergence of the primary neuropil, the nerve ring, as well as a major sensory organ, the amphid. Our study paves the way for systematic cross-modality data synthesis in C. elegans and demonstrates a powerful approach that may be applied broadly.
The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Community Development: The Case of Selected Universities in Morogoro Region, Tanzania
Authors: Mwanapara Hamis Jumanne , Mwonge Lazaro Athanas , Tlegray John B.
Published: June 2022

High learning institutions (HLIs) through corporate social responsibility come to realize that establishing a strong rapport with surrounding communities is vital for the growth, success and survival of their institutions. This article delves into Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of HLIs operating in Tanzania on community development taking Morogoro region the case study. Both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected from 200 respondents through questionnaires, interview and observation while secondary data obtained through documentary review. The study results from multiple linear regression shows that HLIs in Morogoro region engaged in various forms of CSR activities that contribute to community development (CD). Moreover, employment opportunities, health services, business, education and water services were found to be highly statistically significant at 1% (p<0.001) level of significance while infrastructure was insignificant but positively related to community development. Basing on the study findings, researchers recommended that stakeholders’ engagement needs to be fully practiced in the course of CSR implementation.
The Effect of Copper (II) ion on the Production of Citric Acid by Aspergillus niger using Corncobs
Authors: Oshoma Cyprian Erumiseli , Tony-Alaede Chisom Sonia , Omonigho Solomon Esharegoma
Published: June 2022

Citric acid production using agro-waste as cheap carbon source helps in waste management and reduction in cost of production. The study was aimed at optimizing citric acid production from corncobs as substrate was amended with copper ions. Corncobs were collected, air dried, milled and pretreated with acid hydrolysis. The pretreated corncob media were inoculated with 106 spores/ml of Aspergillus niger and fermented for 10 d at 28 \(\pm\) 2 °C. Effect of corncob concentrations of 5 – 25 % w/v on citric acid production was examined. The concentration with highest yield of citric acid was optimized using copper ions concentration of 0 – 0.4 g/l. All through the fermentation processes samples analyzed were citric acid produced, fungal biomass, and changes in pH. The supplemented corncob medium had the highest citric acid production and fungal biomass after 8 d of fermentation. Studies on corncob concentrations showed that 25 %w/v of corncobs had the highest citric acid production and fungal biomass. The highest citric acid production and fungal biomass of 2.94\(\pm\) 0.05 and 3.11\(\pm\) 0.04 g/l respectively were observed in the medium amended with 0.3 g/l of copper ions. Statistically, the values were significantly different from other concentrations of copper ions (p< 0.05). Corncob was observed to be a good substrate for citric acid production by A. niger and amendment of substrate with copper ions at lower concentration can help to optimize the production of citric acid.
Conducting Hormonal, Biochemical and Serological Tests in Autoimmune Thyroid Patients
Authors: Albadrani Afraa Abdul-Sattar , Altobje Mahmood Abduljabbar
Published: June 2022

Background: One of the most frequent autoimmune illnesses affecting the thyroid gland is immunological thyroid disease. Antibodies against the enzyme thyroglobulin and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptors are produced by the immune system. Hashimoto's disease and Graves' disease are the two primary forms of autoimmune diseases.

Methods: 91 blood samples were taken, including 71 for thyroid disease patients and 20 for healthy persons as control samples, from both sexes and of various ages. The tests were performed using a variety of methodologies.

Results: Some of autoantibodies were found in varying quantities in 44 individuals. While TPO antibodies were found in 75% of 33 individuals, Anti-TG Ab was found in 72.72% of the patients, 15.90% in seven patients, and anti-TSHR Ab and antinuclear antibodies were found in 22.72% of the patients compared to the control samples. Any type of autoantibody, as well as the results of hormonal testing, revealed disease in a variety of individuals at varying rates. Because the patients were on therapy, the highest rate was 59.09% for thyroid-stimulating hormones. Chemical analyses revealed a sugar and fat imbalance with no discernible link. Interleukin 4 was detected in 4 individuals (9.09%), including one patient with autoimmune hypothyroidism (2.27%) and three patients in C3 18 with immunological hyperthyroidism (6.82%). The findings revealed an increase in complement molecule concentration in 40.90% of patients, including 15 patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism (34.09%) and 3 patients with immune thyroid gland C3 hyperactivity (6.71%). The statistical study revealed a P < 0.01 level of significance correlation between the presence of sugar and triglycerides and the complement molecule. Interleukin 4 and antibodies to receptors have a substantial correlation at the P < 0.01TSHR Ab level TSH.

Conclusions: The C3 gland patients for thyroid peroxidase had the largest amount of antibodies, lipids, and sugar, according to the study. Interleukin-4 occurred in certain individuals who had antibodies to thyroid-stimulating hormone receptors, according to the research.
Rheumatologist and Patient Mental Models for Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis Help Explain Low Treat‐to‐Target Rates
Authors: Hsiao Betty , Downs Julie , Lanyon Mandy , Blalock Susan J. , Curtis Jeffrey R. , Harrold Leslie R. , Nowell William Benjamin , Wiedmeyer Carole , Venkatachalam Shilpa , Fraenkel Liana
Published: June 2022

Objective

Despite proven benefits, less than half of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are treated using a treat‐to‐target (TTT) strategy. Our objective was to identify critical discrepancies between rheumatologist and patient mental models related to the treatment of RA to inform interventions designed to increase implementation of TTT.

Methods

We developed rheumatologist and patient mental models using the Mental Models Approach to Risk Communication. We conducted semistructured interviews to elicit views related to RA treatment decisions with 14 rheumatologists and 30 patients with RA. We also included responses (n = 284) to an open‐ended question on a survey fielded to augment qualitative descriptions from the interviews. Interviews were transcribed and coded independently by two members of the research team.

Results

Rheumatologist and patient mental models for RA treatment are significantly more complex than the TTT model. Both consider domains (system factors and patient readiness) outside of disease activity measurement, target setting, and risk versus benefit assessment in their decision‐making. Furthermore, specific factors were found to be unique to each model. For example, the physician model stresses the importance of evaluating disease activity over time and patient adherence. In contrast, patients discussed the impact of chronic disease weariness, medication‐related fatigue, the importance of feeling adequately informed, and stress associated with changing medications.

Conclusion

We found several discrepancies primarily related to information gaps and differences in how patients and physicians value trade‐offs that can serve as specific targets to improve patient–physician communication and ultimately inform interventions to improve uptake of TTT.
Real‐Time Mass Change: An Intrinsic Indicator to Dynamically Probe the Electrochemical Degradation Evolution in WO3
Authors: Wang Zhenhua , Zhang Xin , Zhang Hongliang , Ge Fangfang , Wang Qiang , Zhang Chengli , Xu Guanglong , Gao Junhua , Rogachev A. A. , Cao Hongtao
Published: June 2022

Although tungsten trioxide (WO3) films are considered as the most popular inorganic electrochromic cathode, the irreversible accumulation of lithium ion in it leads to the degradation of cycling stability. In situ monitoring of mass change is critical to intrinsically probe the dynamical degradation evolution of the WO3 films. Based on electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance analysis, a transfer model based on the migration of three mass carriers (lithium ion, perchlorate ion and propylene carbonate) is proposed. Higher potential can boost the migration of mass carriers, benefiting from the intensive driving force. Due to moderate intercalation of mass carriers and smallest difference in molar mass, the excellent electrochemical reversibility at 40 mV s−1 is observed. As the migration of mass carriers progresses, continuous corrosion of the WO3 films results in electrochemical degradation. It is demonstrated that electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance‐based analyses provide a valuable insight for the intercalation and extraction of mass carriers, in favor of further revealing degradation evolution induced by the irreversible intercalation of conductive ions in electrochemical devices.
Stable Multi‐Wavelength Lasing in Single Perovskite Quantum Dot Superlattice
Authors: Chen Linqi , Zhou Beier , Hu Yingjie , Dong Hongxing , Zhang Ge , Shi Yifeng , Zhang Long
Published: June 2022

Single perovskite alloy micro‐nano structure capable of emitting multi‐wavelength tunable lasing is desirable for its potential application in highly integrated photonic devices. However, owing to the soft and dynamic crystal lattice of perovskite and the low mobility energy of halide anion, it is still a challenge to obtain alloy micro‐nano structures with a stable bandgap gradient. Herein, based on the highly ordered superlattice consisting of well‐separated individual quantum dots and precise anion exchange strategy, a single perovskite alloy superlattice is obtained with a widely tunable bandgap. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra results indicate that the stability of the bandgap difference of the alloy superlattice sample is approximately 10 times higher than that of the previously reported perovskite single‐crystal alloy nanowires. By combination of quantitative study based on confocal PL measurements and theoretical calculations, the kinetics and atomic‐scale anion exchange mechanism are analyzed, the latter being responsible for the formation of stable bandgap gradient in the alloy superlattice. Multi‐wavelength lasing is further realized in single alloy superlattice. In addition, carrier transportation dynamics reveals the energy‐transfer process in the alloy superlattice, explaining the difficulties of realizing multicolor lasing. The work provides a new approach to solving problems in the field of stable multicolor microlasers.
Hepatobiliary Tumor Organoids Reveal HLA Class I Neoantigen Landscape and Antitumoral Activity of Neoantigen Peptide Enhanced with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Wang Wenwen , Yuan Tinggan , Ma Lili , Zhu Yanjing , Bao Jinxia , Zhao Xiaofang , Zhao Yan , Zong Yali , Zhang Yani , Yang Shuai , Qiu Xinyao , Shen Siyun , Wu Rui , Wu Tong , Wang Hongyang , Gao Dong , Wang Peng , Chen Lei
Published: June 2022

Neoantigen‐directed therapy lacks preclinical models recapitulating neoantigen characteristics of original tumors. It is urgent to develop a platform to assess T cell response for neoantigen screening. Here, immunogenic potential of neoantigen‐peptides of tumor tissues and matched organoids (n = 27 pairs) are analyzed by Score tools with whole genome sequencing (WGS)‐based human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐class‐I algorithms. The comparisons between 9203 predicted neoantigen‐peptides from 2449 mutations of tumor tissues and 9991 ones from 2637 mutations of matched organoids demonstrate that organoids preserved majority of genetic features, HLA alleles, and similar neoantigen landscape of original tumors. Higher neoantigen load is observed in tumors with early stage. Multiomics analysis combining WGS, RNA‐seq, single‐cell RNA‐seq, mass spectrometry filters out 93 candidate neoantigen‐peptides with strong immunogenic potential for functional validation in five organoids. Immunogenic peptides are defined by inducing increased CD107aCD137IFN‐γ expressions and IFN‐γ secretion of CD8 cells in flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay assays. Nine immunogenic peptides shared by at least two individuals are validated, including peptide from TP53R90S. Organoid killing assay confirms the antitumor activity of validated immunogenic peptide‐reactive CD8 cells, which is further enhanced in the presence of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The study characterizes HLA‐class‐I neoantigen landscape in hepatobiliary tumor, providing practical strategy with tumor organoid model for neoantigen‐peptide identification in personalized immunotherapy.
A Learning‐Rate Modulable and Reliable TiOxMemristor Array for Robust, Fast, and Accurate Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Jang Jingon , Gi Sanggyun , Yeo Injune , Choi Sanghyeon , Jang Seonghoon , Ham Seonggil , Lee Byunggeun , Wang Gunuk
Published: June 2022

Realization of memristor‐based neuromorphic hardware system is important to achieve energy efficient bigdata processing and artificial intelligence in integrated device system‐level. In this sense, uniform and reliable titanium oxide (TiOx) memristor array devices are fabricated to be utilized as constituent device element in hardware neural network, representing passive matrix array structure enabling vector‐matrix multiplication process between multisignal and trained synaptic weight. In particular, in situ convolutional neural network hardware system is designed and implemented using a multiple 25 × 25 TiOxmemristor arrays and the memristor device parameters are developed to bring global constant voltage programming scheme for entire cells in crossbar array without any voltage tuning peripheral circuit such as transistor. Moreover, the learning rate modulation during in situ hardware training process is successfully achieved due to superior TiOxmemristor performance such as threshold uniformity (≈2.7%), device yield (> 99%), repetitive stability (≈3000 spikes), low asymmetry value of ≈1.43, ambient stability (6 months), and nonlinear pulse response. The learning rate modulable fast‐converging in situ training based on direct memristor operation shows five times less training iterations and reduces training energy compared to the conventional hardware in situ training at ≈95.2% of classification accuracy.
Hysteresis Induced by Incomplete Cationic Redox in Li‐Rich 3d‐Transition‐Metal Layered Oxides Cathodes
Authors: Fang Liang , Zhou Limin , Park Mihui , Han Daseul , Lee Gi‐Hyeok , Kang Seongkoo , Lee Suwon , Chen Mingzhe , Hu Zhe , Zhang Kai , Nam Kyung‐Wan , Kang Yong‐Mook
Published: June 2022

Activation of oxygen redox during the first cycle has been reported as the main trigger of voltage hysteresis during further cycles in high‐energy‐density Li‐rich 3d‐transition‐metal layered oxides. However, it remains unclear whether hysteresis only occurs due to oxygen redox. Here, it is identified that the voltage hysteresis can highly correlate to cationic reduction during discharge in the Li‐rich layered oxide, Li1.2Ni0.4Mn0.4O2. In this material, the potential region of discharge accompanied by hysteresis is apparently separated from that of discharge unrelated to hysteresis. The quantitative analysis of soft/hard X‐ray absorption spectroscopies discloses that hysteresis is associated with an incomplete cationic reduction of Ni during discharge. The galvanostatic intermittent titration technique shows that the inevitable energy consumption caused by hysteresis corresponds to an overpotential of 0.3 V. The results unveil that hysteresis can also be affected by cationic redox in Li‐rich layered cathodes, implying that oxygen redox cannot be the only reason for the evolution of voltage hysteresis. Therefore, appropriate control of both cationic and anionic redox of Li‐rich layered oxides will allow them to reach their maximum energy density and efficiency.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Hydroboration of Alkynes with Carboranes: Facile Construction of a Library of Boron Cluster‐Based AIE‐Active Luminogens
Authors: Sun Fangxiang , Tan Shuaimin , Cao Hou‐Ji , Xu Jingkai , Bregadze Vladimir I. , Tu Deshuang , Lu Changsheng , Yan Hong
Published: June 2022

The classical aggregation‐induced emission (AIE)‐active luminogens (AIEgens) usually include two‐dimensional aromatic systems such as tetraphenylethenes, which are synthesized in several steps by using toxic additives. Here, we proposed a new molecular design strategy for the realization of AIE properties by combining three‐dimensional aromatic boron clusters of carboranes with vinyl group(s). To obtain a library of the boron cluster‐based AIEgens, a Pd‐catalyzed hydroboration of alkynes with carboranes is reported. This reaction protocol proceeds in one step under mild conditions with rapid reaction rate, excellent yields and regioselectivity. Photophysical property studies demonstrate that the facile molecular motions in solution can be inhibited in the solid state for these molecules, which leads to interesting AIE properties. This work provides not only a general design principle for AIEgens but also an efficient methodology to synthesize boron cluster‐based photo‐functional molecules.
Synthesis of silyl cobalt hydrides and their catalytic activity on hydrosilylation of alkenes
Authors: Yang Haiquan , Chang Guoliang , Li Xiaoyan , Sun Hongjian , Fuhr Olaf , Fenske Dieter
Published: June 2022

Two silyl [P,Si]‐chelate cobalt hydrides, [(o‐Si(Ph)2‐(PiPr2)C6H4)Co(H)(PMe3)2] (1) and [(o‐Si(Ph)2‐(PPh2)C6H4)Co(H)(PMe3)2] (2), were prepared through the chelate‐assisted Si–H activation of bidentate preligand, o‐HSi(Ph)2‐(PiPr2)C6H4 (L1) and o‐HSi(Ph)2‐(PPh2)C6H4 (L2) by [Co(PMe3)4] or [Co(Me)(PMe3)4], respectively. Both cobalt(II) hydrides 1 and 2 can efficiently catalyze hydrosilylation of olefins, and the catalytic effect of complex 1 is better than that of complex 2. The Markovnikov products were formed from aryl alkenes, whereas the anti‐Markovnikov products were produced from aliphatic alkenes. In the mechanism study, a silyl cobalt(II) intermediate, [(o‐Si(Ph)2‐(PiPr2)C6H4)Co(SiHPh2)(PMe3)2], as the real catalyst is proposed and supported by in situ infrared (IR) study. The molecular structure of complex 1 was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis.
Influence of MgO and ZnO as nano‐additives on the mechanical, microstructural and thermal performance of high‐density polyethylene
Authors: Mahmoud Mohamed E. , Khalifa Mohammed A. , Youssef Mahues R. , El‐Sharkawy Rehab M.
Published: June 2022

Polymer nanocomposites have placed themselves in a highly favorable position in use in practical applications, with materials currently employed in technology related processes. This is because they have improved chemical, physical, morphological, structural, and mechanical properties compared to their polymer microcomposites counterparts or even neat polymer. In this study, two inorganic nanofillers, namely magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were separately incorporated into high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) by melt blending technique. The ZnO NPs contents in the nanocomposites were set at 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 wt%, while 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0 wt% were used by MgO NPs. A comparative study was conducted between different features of the nanocomposites based on their compositions. Such features included mechanical properties, thermal stability, morphological, and structural properties. The as‐prepared nanocomposites were proven to be crystalline as confirmed from the XRD. Based on the SEM, both nanofillers were found homogenously dispersed in the HDPE matrix. DSC confirmed that the melting and crystallization behaviors of all nanocomposites were not significantly influenced by the addition of the nanofillers. Tensile tests were performed to determine elastic modulus, tensile stress at yield, tensile stress at break, along with tensile strain at yield values and tensile strain at break. The collected results revealed that loading 2.0 wt% ZnO NPs in the nanocomposites provided elastic modulus up to 237% compared to the pure HDPE. In the case of MgO NPs, as their loading in the nanocomposites reached 4.0 wt%, the elastic modulus increased to 160%. The tensile stress of synthesized nanocomposites increased up to 35.95 ± 2.09 MPa using 2.0 wt% ZnO NPs‐filled nanocomposites and up to 28.15 ± 0.91 using 4.0 wt% MgO NPs. Overall, the 2.0 wt% ZnO/HDPE nanocomposite presented better mechanical characteristics in comparison to other tested nanocomposites in this study.
Two‐stage screened selection designs for randomized phase II trials with time‐to‐event endpoints
Authors: Wu Jianrong , Pan Haitao , Hsu Chia‐Wei
Published: June 2022

Phase II exploratory multiarm studies that randomize among new treatments are found to be broadly useful and appear to be of value both scientifically and logistically, especially in the areas of unmet needs, for example, pediatric cancer. This multiarm design also has a faster recruitment rate because it provides patients with more treatment choices than traditional two‐arm randomized controlled trials do. In contrast to direct formal comparisons in multiarm multistage designs, for example, umbrella or platform designs, the screened selection design (SSD) recommends using a promising treatment arm by ranking according to the effect size, which often needs lesser sample sizes than the former. In this paper, the usefulness of the phase II SSD design is exemplified by three real trials. However, the existing SSD methods can only deal with binary endpoints. Motivated by the real trials in the authors' respective institutions, we propose using the two‐stage SSD and its variant for randomized phase II trials with the time‐to‐event endpoint. The proposed methods not only provide a high probability of selecting a superior treatment arm but also control the type I error rate for testing the efficacy of each treatment arm versus a common external control. Sample size calculations have been derived and simulation studies demonstrate desirable operating characteristics. The proposed design has been used for designing three real trials. An R package frequentistSSD has been developed and is freely accessible for practitioners.
Association between pesticide exposure and neurobehavioral performance of agricultural workers: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Tiwari Sujan , Sapkota Namrata , Tiwari Sagun , Sapkota Bhanu
Published: June 2022

Background

Pesticide exposure has affected humans’ health, especially those directly in contact with a pesticide like agricultural workers. Here, we sought to see a link between pesticide exposure and cognitive impairment among male agricultural workers.

Methods

We selected 18–60 years old 100 male agricultural workers who came for their health check‐up in the hospital's out‐patient department from August 2020 to May 2021. Standardized questionnaires (German Q18 questionnaire) and WHO Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery were used to examine the neurobehavioral performance of the individuals. The data were presented in a descriptive manner and statistically examined using the chi‐square test.

Results

The male agricultural workers’ neurobehavioral performance was 46% normal and 54% abnormal. Headaches, impaired focus, short memory, weariness, palpitation, and numbness were the most prevalent neurobehavioral impairments. The chi‐square test revealed that spraying frequency (p =.010), personal protective equipment (PPE) use (p < .001), and smoking habits (p =.006) were all linked to neurobehavioral performance, while spraying duration (p =.804), working years (p =.234), pesticide types (p =.816), and spraying time (p =.867) were not linked to neurobehavioral performance.

Conclusion

We found that pesticide exposure has a certain role on neurobehavioral performance in adult male agricultural workers as more people have been affected; however, a considerable number of confounding factors might have played a significant role in giving rise to such results. The government should be concerned about farmer's neurobehavioral performance and implement different approaches to minimize the use of pesticides so that agricultural workers can work without any mental health problems.
Radiotherapy with continued EGFR‐TKIs for oligoprogressive disease in EGFR‐mutated non‐small cell lung cancer: A real‐world study
Authors: Hu Chunhong , Wu Sixuan , Deng Renfang , Wu Yuanqiang , Pan Yue , Shu Long , Wu Fang
Published: June 2022

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutated non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) develops resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Here, we evaluated the efficacy of radiotherapy and continuation of TKIs in patients with advanced NSCLC with oligoprogression after EGFR‐TKIs.

Methods

From January 2011 to January 2019, 33 patients with EGFR‐mutated NSCLC on TKIs were treated by radiotherapy and continuation of TKIs for oligoprogressive disease. The primary endpoints were median progression‐free survival 1 (mPFS1), mPFS2, and median overall survival (mOS). PFS1 was measured from the start of EGFR‐TKIs therapy to the oligoprogression of the disease. PFS2 was measured from the date of oligoprogression to the further progression of the disease, while OS was calculated from oligoprogression to death from any cause or was censored at the last follow‐up date.

Result

The mPFS1, mPFS2, and mOS were 11.0 (95% CI, 4.4–17.6), 6.5 (95% CI, 1.4–11.6) and 21.8 (95% CI, 14.8–28.8) months, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that EGFR mutation type (p = 0.024), radiotherapy method (p = 0.001), and performance status (p = 0.017) were significantly correlated with PFS2. Univariate analysis showed that sex (p = 0.038), smoking history (p = 0.031), EGFR mutation type (p = 0.012), and radiotherapy method (p = 0.009) were significantly correlated with OS. Multivariate analysis suggested that radiotherapy method (p = 0.001) and performance status (p = 0.048) were prognostic factors for PFS2, and radiotherapy method (p = 0.040) was a prognostic factor for OS.

Conclusion

Radiotherapy with continued TKIs is effective for EGFR‐mutated NSCLC with oligoprogression, and it should be conducted as soon as possible. T790M+ patients have higher sensitivity to radiotherapy, and patients with good performance status and stereotactic body radiation therapy have better PFS2 and OS.