bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public or private administration of justice: privatization of prisons
Authors: Løvlie Anders , Guruli Papuna
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis article concerns the privatization of prisons and its consequences for the weakening of the state’s monopoly on punishment. It presents an analytical overview of arguments for and against the privatization of prisons in the light of recent developments in Norway. It concludes that the arguments are complex and interwoven and that they rest on several value judgments and empirical assumptions.

AbstractArtikkelen omhandler privatisering av fengsler. Det redegjøres for enkelte generelle trekk ved privatisering av fengsler og fremheves forhold som indikerer at privatisering kan bli aktuelt i Norge. Formålet med artikkelen er å gi en analytisk fremstilling av argumentene for og mot privatisering av fengsler, herunder løfte frem relevante empiriske og verdimessige premisser for spørsmålet om privatisering.
Frivillige organisationers resocialiserende arbejde i Kriminalforsorgens institutioner
Authors: Olesen Annette , Rosenholm Anders Brinck
Published: April 2021

AbstractOutsourcing in the criminal justice system is experiencing growth in the not-for-profit sector in many Western countries. There is, however, no indication of this trend in the Danish Prison and Probation Service. On the contrary, the collaboration between the penal voluntary sector and the Danish Prison and Probation Service is not formalised and knowledge about the penal voluntary sector in Denmark is scarce. This article uses original empirical data to map out the delivery of rehabilitative programmes by the penal voluntary organisations within prison and probation facilities. It also addresses the challenges and potentials of the informal collaboration between the Danish Prison and Probation Service and the penal voluntary  sector.
Literaturas africanas comparadas: paradigmas críticos e representações em contraponto
Authors: Brugioni Elena
Published: April 2021

Este livro apresenta um percurso de reflexão desenvolvido em torno dos paradigmas críticos e dos repertórios bibliográficos que pautam os estudos pós-coloniais. Convocando os projetos literários de autores como João Paulo Borges Coelho, Ungulani Ba Ka Khosa, Chinua Achebe, Mia Couto, Ruy Duarte de Carvalho, M. G. Vassanji, NoViolet Bulawayo, Arménio Vieira e Abdulai Sila, surgem possibilidades comparativas insólitas, das quais resultam novos pontos de partida para o campo de estudo das literaturas africanas contemporâneas. Elena Brugioni é professora licenciada em Letras Modernas. Publicou e desenvolveu pesquisas nas áreas de Literaturas Africanas Comparadas, Estudos do Oceano Índico, Teoria Pós-colonial e Literatura Comparada. Seus atuais interesses de pesquisa se debruçam sobre cartografias literárias e paradigmas críticos para o estudo das literaturas africanas contemporâneas e narrativas visuais em perspectiva pós-colonial comparada.
T cell self-reactivity during thymic development dictates the timing of positive selection
Authors: Lutes Lydia K , Steier Zoë , McIntyre Laura L , Pandey Shraddha , Kaminski James , Hoover Ashley R , Ariotti Silvia , Streets Aaron , Yosef Nir , Robey Ellen A
Published: April 2021

Functional tuning of T cells based on their degree of self-reactivity is established during positive selection in the thymus, although how positive selection differs for thymocytes with relatively low versus high self-reactivity is unclear. In addition, preselection thymocytes are highly sensitive to low-affinity ligands, but the mechanism underlying their enhanced T cell receptor (TCR) sensitivity is not fully understood. Here we show that murine thymocytes with low self-reactivity experience briefer TCR signals and complete positive selection more slowly than those with high self-reactivity. Additionally, we provide evidence that cells with low self-reactivity retain a preselection gene expression signature as they mature, including genes previously implicated in modulating TCR sensitivity and a novel group of ion channel genes. Our results imply that thymocytes with low self-reactivity downregulate TCR sensitivity more slowly during positive selection, and associate membrane ion channel expression with thymocyte self-reactivity and progress through positive selection.
The Academic Profession in Neoliberal Times: A Gendered View
Authors: Gaiaschi Camilla
Published: April 2021

While witnessing a feminization of its workforce, the academic profession has experienced a process of market-based regulation that has contributed to the precarization of early career phases and introduced a managerial culture based on competition, hyper-productivity, and entrepreneurship. This paper aims to investigate the implications of these changes for female academics. A mixed model research design was used based on administrative data on the Italian academic population and qualitative interviews with life scientists within a specific academic institution. Results show that the implications of university transformations in terms of gender heterogeneity are complex. On the one hand, the increased precarization of early career stages has increased gender inequalities by reducing female access to tenured positions. On the other, the adoption of performance-based practices has mixed consequences for women, entailing both risks and opportunities, including spaces of agency which may even disrupt male-dominated hierarchies.
Antibacterial Activity of Ananas comosus Fruit Extract against Clinically Isolated Bacteria from Urinary Tract Infected Patients
Authors: Samuel Anbu Jeba Sunilson John , Vimala Anita Gnana Kumari Anpumoni , Dakshanamurthy Dhanuprabha
Published: April 2021

Aim: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of Ananas comosus (A. comosus) fruit extract against clinically isolated bacteria from urinary tract infected patients.

Study Design: Experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Research Lab, Department of Siddha Medicine, Tamil University, Thanjavur, India and Microbiology lab, School of Pharmacy, KPJ Healthcare University College, Malaysia, between February 2019 and January 2020.

Methodology: In the present study the ethanol and aqueous extracts of A. comosus were analysed for the phytoconstituents and the activity of the plant extract was compared with a standard antibiotic which is used for a wide range of Urinary Tract infection which is Ciprofloxacin (250 mg/mL) using cup plate method.

Results: The ethanolic extract of A. comosus showed a great level of bacterial inhibition (27.3 mm) against Bacillus cereus as compared with standard (22.3 mm).Whereas the antimicrobial activity was moderate against Klebsiella organism and very less against Staphylococcus. Standard exhibits a huge difference in the zone of inhibition which is (34 mm) and ethanol extract (23 mm) against Enterococcus. While the aqueous extracts do not show any effect on the microorganism.

Conclusion: The ethanol extract A. comosus exhibited broad-spectrum activity against tested isolates compared to aqueous extract. A. comosus has broad inhibitory activities to pathogenic microorganisms and promising to act as potential antibacterial agents from natural plant sources.
Association of Vitamin D Deficiency with Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection
Authors: Kumar Darshan , Khan Muhammad Umar , Kashif Syed Mohammad , Shaikh Majid Ahmed , Nawaz Zunaira , Shaikh Ubedullah
Published: April 2021

Objective: To evaluate the association of vitamin D deficiency with hepatitis B and C virus Infection.

Study Design: This is a prospective study.

Setting: Study carried out at Medicine department Civil Hospital Karachi, from March, 2018 to December, 2019.

Materials and Methods:  266 Participants of the study included patients with active hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection visiting OPD of the hospital. Vitamin D levels of 14-30 ng/ml have been described as insufficient and levels <14 ng/ml are labelled as deficient. Vitamin D level of >30 nm/ml have been defined as sufficient according to our study. Diagnosis of Hepatitis B is confirmed by HBV DNA and HBsAg serum levels and of Hepatitis C by HCV RNA levels.

Results: We received 70.6% (n=266) males and 29.3% females. After serological tests 34.9% (n=93) patients were positive for HBV DNA whereas 47.7% (n=127) patients were positive for HCV DNA. Coinfection with hepatitis B and C was present in 17.2% (n=46) of patients. Amongst total 266 participants 54.31% patients have been vitamin D deficient and 32.7% have insufficient vitamin D levels.

Conclusion: Genetic and metabolic factors linked to hepatitis B and C with vitamin D deficiency should be studied on large scale. In our study patients infected with HBV and HCV have been vitamin D deficient, supplementation needs to be added to the treatment regimen.
Interfacing Biomaterials with Synthetic T Cell Immunity
Authors: Su Fang‐Yi , Mac Quoc D. , Sivakumar Anirudh , Kwong Gabriel A.
Published: April 2021

The clinical success of cancer immunotherapy is providing exciting opportunities for the development of new methods to detect and treat cancer more effectively. A new generation of biomaterials is being developed to interface with molecular and cellular features of immunity and ultimately shape or control anti‐tumor responses. Recent advances that are supporting the advancement of engineered T cells are focused here. This class of cancer therapy has the potential to cure disease in subsets of patients, yet there remain challenges such as the need to improve response rates and safety while lowering costs to expand their use. To provide a focused overview, recent strategies in three areas of biomaterials research are highlighted: low‐cost cell manufacturing to broaden patient access, noninvasive diagnostics for predictive monitoring of immune responses, and strategies for in vivo control that enhance anti‐tumor immunity. These research efforts shed light on some of the challenges associated with T cell immunotherapy and how engineered biomaterials that interface with synthetic immunity are gaining traction to solve these challenges.
A Review of Nanostructured Ion‐Exchange Membranes
Authors: Shehzad Muhammad A. , Yasmin Aqsa , Ge Xiaolin , Wu Liang , Xu Tongwen
Published: April 2021

Ion‐exchange membranes (IEMs) with tunable nanostructures possess great potential for energy‐efficient use in various applications such as electrodialysis, fuel cells, secondary batteries, and so on. Insight into the relationship between the morphology of the membrane nanostructures and the ions permeation is key to the realistic design and advancement of nanostructured IEMs. Here, recent progress on broadly divided four types of IEMs, based on solid‐state nanostructures, self‐assembled nanochannels, fillers‐integrated nanostructures, and artificial surface structures, are highlighted. For each type, fabrication of the nanostructured membranes and their influence on physical and ion transport properties are summarized. Additionally, the potential perspective of the nanostructured IEMs′ engineering and application are discussed in this review.
A New Bispyrroloiminoquinone Alkaloid From a Thai Collection of Clavelina sp.
Authors: Grkovic Tanja , Ruchirawat Somsak , Kittakoop Prasat , Grothaus Paul G. , Evans Jason R. , Britt John R. , Newman David J. , Mahidol Chulabhorn , O'Keefe Barry R.
Published: April 2021

Two bispyrroloiminoquinone alkaloids, wakayin (1) and a new natural product 16‐hydroxy‐17‐oxindole wakayin (2), were isolated from a Thai collection of the ascidian Clavelina sp. Herein, we present the isolation and structural elucidation of the new natural product and compare its NCI‐60 cytotoxic activity to the known analogue wakayin and a series of other related pyrroloiminoquinones.
Dry Fractionation Approach in Concentrating Tocopherols and Tocotrienols from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate: A Green Pretreatment Process for Vitamin E Extraction
Authors: Ngoc Doan Phuong‐Anh , Tan Tzyi‐Horng , Siow Lee Fong , Tey Beng Ti , Chan Eng Seng , Tang Teck‐Kim , Abdul Karim Nur Azwani , Phuah Eng‐Tong , Lee Yee‐Ying
Published: April 2021

Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) is a rich source of vitamin E. As compared to other vegetable oil, PFAD has higher tocotrienol (70–80%) over tocopherol content, which makes it a valuable source for vitamin E extraction. Current vitamin E extraction methods are not sustainable due to the intensive usage of chemical and high operational cost. Hence, the present study investigated for the first time using dry fractionation process as a green and economical pretreatment method for separating solid fraction (stearin) and liquid fraction (olein) in order to concentrate vitamin E from PFAD in olein fraction. We examined the dry fractionation conditions: crystallization ending temperature (36–44 °C), cooling rate (0.3 and 1.5°C min−1), stirring speed (20–125 rpm), and holding time (0–60 min) on the composition of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids as well as vitamin E content in liquid fraction (olein) and solid fraction (stearin) using gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. In most of these conditions, vitamin E was ultimately higher in olein fraction as compared to stearin fraction, which is correlated with the high degree of unsaturation. Under a cooling rate of 0.3°C min−1, 90 rpm stirring speed, and ending crystallization of 38 °C, the highest vitamin E rich olein fraction was attained with 1479 ± 10.51 ppm in 50 g olein fraction as compared to 1366 ± 7.94 ppm in 500 g of unfractionated PFAD.
Numerical simulation and performance evaluation of cyclone separator with built‐in material for sand removal in gas well
Authors: Liang Huizhen , Huang Changcheng , Zhao Binjie , Song Hao , Jiang Xiukun
Published: April 2021

The natural gas produced from gas wells contains a lot of fine gravel impurities, which causes the blockage of precision pressure regulating equipment and metering equipment. Cyclone separator is widely used in the field of natural gas surface sand removal because of its simple structure and high separation efficiency. In the field application of traditional cyclone separators, there are some problems, such as ineffective separation of fine sand particles in natural gas, low separation efficiency, and large energy loss. In order to solve the above problems, a new cyclone separator is designed in this paper; that is, a cone built‐in object is arranged inside the traditional separator to improve the separation efficiency and reduce the pressure drop. First, the feasibility of the scheme is verified by comparing the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation results of the traditional separator with the experimental results. Second, the performance indexes of the new separator and the traditional separator under specific working conditions are simulated and compared. The conclusions are as follows: compared with the traditional separator, the new separator can improve the tangential velocity of the outer cyclone. It has obvious separation effect on small particles, and the separation particle size ratio can be reduced by 47.83%. The pressure drop of the separator is reduced by 11.42%. While the separation efficiency and precision are improved, the overall performance of the separator is also improved and the energy consumption is reduced.
Base‐ and Metal‐Dependent Self‐Assembly of Lathanide‐Organic Coordination Polymers or Macrocycles with Tetradentate Acylhydrazone‐based Ditopic Ligands
Authors: Feng Xiao‐Shan , Li Xiao‐Zhen , Hu Shao‐Jun , Yan Dan‐Ni , Zhou Li‐Peng , Sun Qing‐Fu
Published: April 2021

Herein, we report a comprehensive study on the lanthanide‐directed coordination self‐assembly with two bis‐tetradentate acylhydrazone ligands H4L1 and H4L2. Multifarious outcomes, which are base‐ and metal‐dependent, were revealed by NMR, ESI‐TOF‐MS and X‐ray crystallography. In the absence of base, bent H4L1 was assembled into dinuclear double‐strand helicate Ln2(H2L1)2 by partially‐deprotonated assembly with La, Sm or Eu, while trinuclear Ln3(H2L1)3 with Yb or Lu. For linear H4L2, infinite 1D zig‐zag metal‐organic polymeric chain (Ln2H2L2)n was obtained. However, complete deprotonated L1 and L2 assembled into discrete trinuclear Ln3(L1/2)3 and tetranuclear Ln4(L1/2)4 macrocyclic structures under the basic condition. For these, there are multiple possible isomers coexisting in the solution which were enumerated and simulated with molecular mechanic modeling. Visible‐light sensitized NIR emissions on the Yb complexes have been observed, endowing them potential application in photofunctional materials.
Observer for a class of Lipschitz nonlinear systems with multiple time‐varying delays in the nonlinear measured outputs
Authors: Targui B. , Hernández‐González O. , Astorga‐Zaragoza C.M. , Guerrero‐Sánchez M.E. , Valencia‐Palomo G.
Published: April 2021

This paper provides a novel chain observer for a class of Lipschitz nonlinear systems where the nonlinear measured outputs are corrupted by multiple time‐varying long delays. The main contribution is to synthesize a chain observer for a wider class of Lipschitz nonlinear systems with multiple outputs (described by Lipschitz nonlinear functions) with long time‐varying delays. In the design of the proposed observation scheme, the provided observer is comprised of a chain of state observers, where each one has a similar structure. Each observer is tasked to estimate the state over a short time horizon, whereas the first item of the chain provides the actual state estimation. Moreover, each item of the chain observer furnishes a proportional‐integral dynamical term which allows to compensate for the time‐delay effect. The observer gains are obtained from the solution of a set of delay‐dependent Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs), which is based on less restrictive LMI synthesis conditions. The convergence analysis relies on a Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, which demonstrates that the observation error decays to zero. Numerical examples are given, in order to highlight the effectiveness of the provided observer.
Design and optimizing a new CDP‐choline in vitro multienzyme producing process starts from d‐ribose
Authors: Zheng Cheng , Qu Mingjin , Liu Yingmiao , Wang Junzhi , Ying Hanjie
Published: April 2021

This work designs an in vitro multienzyme system to produce CDP‐choline from d‐ribose and develop an optimization procedure for one‐pot multienzyme catalytic system. The entire process integrated 10 enzymes, and an efficient acetate kinase/acetyl phosphate‐based ATP regeneration module was applied. Then, some optimizations to this system were made including selecting optimum enzyme building blocks and improving expression parameters. The process improved the final yield of CDP‐choline from 0.2 to 6 g/L (CDP‐choline titer 12.2 mM). This new one‐pot CDP‐choline producing system has a potential for industrial use, and the optimization procedure shed light on improving other one‐pot multienzyme system for industrial production of energy rich compounds.
What Can Text Mining Tell Us About Lithium‐Ion Battery Researchers’ Habits?
Authors: El‐Bousiydy Hassna , Lombardo Teo , Primo Emiliano N. , Duquesnoy Marc , Morcrette Mathieu , Johansson Patrik , Simon Patrice , Grimaud Alexis , Franco Alejandro A.
Published: April 2021

Invited for this month's cover picture is an effort run by the group of Alejandro A. Franco and made in collaboration with Mathieu Morcrette, Patrik Johansson, Patrice Simon and Alexis Grimaud. The Front Cover illustrates an ideal scientific literature, in which all the data are systematically disclosed and available for researchers, together with artificial intelligence algorithms bringing new light on battery research and researchers. Read the full text of the Concept at 10.1002/batt.202000288.
Theoretical Study of the Resveratrol Adsorption on B12N12 and Mg‐Decoration B12N12 Fullerenes
Authors: Sheikhi Masoome , Azarakhshi Fatemeh , Tafreshi Elnaz Sarabadani , Kaviani Sadegh , Shahab Siyamak , Ahmadianarog Mahin
Published: April 2021

The adsorption of Resveratrol (RSV) drug on surfaces of the pure B12N12 and Mg‐decoration B12N12 fullerenes at physiological PH was studied using density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods at the B3PW91/6‐31+G* level at T = 298.15 K and 1 atm in the solvent (water) with a dielectric constant of 78.4. The adsorption energy (Eads) of RSV on two fullerenes have investigated through hydroxyl (‐OH) groups. The adsorption effect of the RSV on the bond lengths, electronic properties, UV spectra, and excited states of B12N12 and Mg‐B12N12 is detected. Natural bond orbital analysis shows a charge transfer between the RSV and two fullerenes. The electron location function (ELF) and localized orbital locator (LOL) values show that interaction between reactive atoms of RSV (O atoms) and B atom of B12N12 are an electrostatic and partially covalent character. The study interaction of RSV with the B12N12 and Mg‐decoration B12N12 can be used in the field of drug delivery and adsorption on metal surfaces.
A Mitochondria‐Specific Orange/Near‐Infrared‐Emissive Fluorescent Probe for Dual‐Imaging of Viscosity and H2O2 in Inflammation and Tumor Models
Authors: Fan Li , Zan Qi , Wang Xiaodong , Wang Shuohang , Zhang Yuewei , Dong Wenjuan , Shuang Shaomin , Dong Chuan
Published: April 2021

Main observation and conclusion

Elucidating the intrinsic relationship between viscosity/H2O2 and mitochondria‐associated diseases remains a great challenge owing to the lack of research on multiple diseases models, such as inflammation and malignant tumor models. In this work, we have developed a mitochondria‐specific orange/near‐infrared‐emissive fluorescent probe TTPB, for dual‐imaging of viscosity and H2O2 levels in two different channels. The probe exhibited a remarkable response to viscosity with NIR emission round 666 nm, and was highly sensitive to H2O2 in orange channel with emission peak at 586 nm. Moreover, TTPB has good mitochondria‐specific ability and permits individual detecting of viscosity in NIR channels and H2O2 levels in orange channel in living cells. More notably, TTPB was successfully applied to simultaneously image the viscosity and H2O2 levels in inflammation and cancer models.
We have to talk about it: Bringing fertility into the conversation for young women with breast cancer
Authors: Taylor Caitlin E. , Meisel Jane Lowe
Published: April 2021

At the time of a diagnosis with breast cancer, many women under the age of 45 years may not have completed family planning. Fertility‐related concerns can affect treatment decision‐making and adherence, and this study by Sella et al highlights the need to incorporate fertility into the conversation early and over time so that patients′ quality of life and cancer outcomes can be optimized.
Soft fusion‐based cooperative spectrum sensing using particle swarm optimization for cognitive radio networks incyber‐physicalsystems
Authors: Zhang Jianquan , Xiao Xiao
Published: April 2021

As a multi‐dimensional complex system, Cyber physical systems (CPS) integrates computing, network, and physical environment. How to effectively fuse the local detection results is the key to improve the sensing performance in CPS. In order to improve the spectrum sensing performance of cognitive radio, a soft fusion‐based cooperative spectrum sensing using particle swarm optimization (PSO) for cognitive radio networks is proposed. To find the optimal weighting coefficient of soft fusion, the traditional PSO algorithm is investigated and improved. To further reduce the local convergence of PSO and accelerate the convergence speed of the algorithm, the immune algorithm is introduced and chaotic sequence mechanism is applied to ensure the diversity of the particles. Moreover, the inertia weight is adjusted adaptively according to the convergence of particles so as to maintain the tradeoff between the search ability and the convergence of particles. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve fast convergence in CPS. Compared with other typical methods, it can obtain better sensing performance under different signal‐to‐noise ratio environments and the constraint of false alarm probability.
Organelle‐Selective Labeling of Choline‐Containing Phospholipids (CPLs) and Real‐Time Imaging in Living Cells
Authors: Tsuchiya Masaki , Tamura Tomonori , Hamachi Itaru
Published: April 2021

Choline‐containing phospholipids (CPLs), including phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin (SM), are the major components of mammalian cell membranes and play critical roles during a variety of cellular processes. However, intracellular dynamics of CPLs is poorly understood due to a lack of methods to trace CPL trafficking at organelle resolution. Here, we describe protocols that make it possible to fluorescently label CPLs at the targeted organelles and to monitor their movement within living cells using confocal microscopy. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: ER‐Golgi‐selective labeling of azide‐tagged CPLs for confocal imaging

Basic Protocol 2: Mitochondria‐selective labeling of azide‐tagged CPLs for confocal imaging
Identification of Active Sites for CO2 Reduction on Graphene‐Supported Single‐Atom Catalysts
Authors: Kang Youngho , Kang Sungwoo , Han Seungwu
Published: April 2021

Transition metal‐ and nitrogen‐codoped graphene (referred to as M−N−G, where M is a transition metal) has emerged as an important type of single‐atom catalysts with high selectivities and activities for electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2R) to CO. However, despite extensive previous studies on the catalytic origin, the active site in M−N−G catalysts remains puzzling. In this study, density functional theory calculations and computational hydrogen electrode model is used to investigate CO2R reaction energies on Zn−N−G, which exhibits outstanding catalytic performance, and to examine kinetic barriers of reduction reactions by using the climbing image nudged elastic band method. We find that single Zn atoms binding to N and C atoms in divacancy sites of graphene cannot serve as active sites to enable CO production, owing to *OCHO formation (* denotes an adsorbate) at an initial protonation process. This contradicts the widely accepted CO2R mechanism whereby single metal atoms are considered catalytic sites. In contrast, the C atom that is the nearest neighbor of the single Zn atom (CNN) is found to be highly active and the Zn atom plays a role as an enhancer of the catalytic activity of the CNN. Detailed analysis of the CO2R pathway to CO on the CNN site reveals that *COOH is favorably formed at an initial electrochemical step, and every reaction step becomes downhill in energy at small applied potentials of about −0.3 V with respect to reversible hydrogen electrode. Electronic structure analysis is also used to elucidate the origin of the CO2R activity of the CNN site.
Utility of an immunocytochemical analysis for pan‐Trk in the cytodiagnosis of secretory carcinoma of the salivary gland
Authors: Ito Hiroko , Ishida Mitsuaki , Ebisu Yusuke , Okano Kimiaki , Sandoh Kaori , Noda Yuri , Miyasaka Chika , Fujisawa Takuo , Yagi Masao , Iwai Hiroshi , Tsuta Koji
Published: April 2021

Secretory carcinoma (SC) of the salivary gland is a rare distinct clinicopathological entity characterized by the presence of the ETV6‐NTRK3 fusion. Although the characteristic cytological features of SC have been recognized, its cytodiagnosis, especially differentiating SC from acinic cell carcinoma, is challenging. Recent studies have revealed that immunohistochemistry for pan‐tyrosine receptor kinase (Trk) and nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group member 3 (NR4A3) are specific for SC and acinic cell carcinoma, respectively. However, the usefulness of immunocytochemical detection of these markers in the diagnosis of SC has not been addressed. Hence, the present study aimed to analyze the usefulness of immunocytochemical staining for pan‐Trk and NR4A3 in the cytodiagnosis of SC. We enrolled eight patients with a histopathological diagnosis of SC who underwent preoperative fine‐needle aspiration cytological examination. The cytological characteristics were reviewed and immunocytochemical staining for pan‐Trk and NR4A3 was performed. The characteristic cytological features noted in the patient cohort included neoplastic cell clusters with a sheet‐like and papillary cluster arrangement as well as single cells. Additionally, neoplastic cells with mild to moderately enlarged nuclei and small nucleoli, multi‐vacuolated cytoplasm, and intracytoplasmic mucin were also observed. The immunocytochemical analyses clearly demonstrated that all eight specimens showed positive nuclear staining for pan‐Trk, but were negative for NR4A3 expression. Although all cases of SC do not always show positive immunoreactivity for pan‐Trk, immunocytochemical analysis for pan‐Trk may be useful for the cytodiagnosis of SC along with assessment of the characteristic cytological features.
Conversion of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage to endoscopic ultrasound‐guided biliary drainage
Authors: Morita Shinichi , Sugawara Shunsuke , Suda Takeshi , Hoshi Takahiro , Abe Satoshi , Yagi Kazuyoshi , Terai Shuji
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is a useful alternative treatment for malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) when patients have difficulty with endoscopic transpapillary drainage. We examined the feasibility of conversion of PTBD to endoscopic ultrasound‐guided biliary drainage (EUS‐BD) in patients with MBO unsuited for endoscopic transpapillary biliary drainage.

Methods

This retrospective study included patients who underwent conversion of PTBD to EUS‐BD between March 2017 and December 2019. Eligible patients had unresectable MBO, required palliative biliary drainage, and were not suited for endoscopic transpapillary drainage. Initial PTBD had been performed for acute cholangitis or obstructive jaundice in all patients. EUS‐BD was performed following improvements in cholangitis. Sixteen patients underwent conversion of PTBD to EUS‐BD. We evaluated technical success, procedure time, clinical success (defined as subsequent external catheter removal), adverse events (AEs), time to recurrent biliary obstruction (TRBO), and re‐intervention rates.

Results

Technical success was achieved in all patients (100%). The median procedure time was 45.0 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] 30.0–50.0 minutes). Clinical success was achieved in all patients (100%). There were mild early AEs in two patients (12.5%) (acute cholangitis: 1, bile peritonitis: 1), which improved with antibiotic administration alone. Recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) occurred in six patients (37.5%). Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed a 50% TRBO of 95 days (IQR 41–246 days). Endoscopic treatment was possible in all RBO cases, and repeat PTBD was not required.

Conclusions

Conversion of PTBD to EUS‐BD for the management of MBO is both feasible and safe. This approach is expected to be widely practiced at centers with little experience in EUS‐BD.
Anti‐nociceptive effects of oxytocin receptor modulation in healthy volunteers–A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Biurrun Manresa José A. , Schliessbach Jürg , Vuilleumier Pascal H. , Müller Monika , Musshoff Frank , Stamer Ulrike , Stüber Frank , Arendt‐Nielsen Lars , Curatolo Michele
Published: April 2021

Background

There is increasing evidence for oxytocin as a neurotransmitter in spinal nociceptive processes. Hypothalamic oxytocinergic neurons project to the spinal dorsal horn, where they activate GABA‐ergic inhibitory interneurons. The present study tested whether the long‐acting oxytocin‐analogue carbetocin has anti‐nociceptive effects in multi‐modal experimental pain in humans.

Methods

Twenty‐five male volunteers received carbetocin 100 mcg and placebo (0.9% NaCl) on two different sessions in a randomized, double‐blinded, cross‐over design. Multi‐modal quantitative sensory testing (QST) including a model of capsaicin‐induced hyperalgesia and allodynia were performed at baseline and at 10, 60 and 120 min after drug administration. QST data were analysed using mixed linear and logistic regression models. Carbetocin plasma concentrations and oxytocin receptor genotypes were quantified and assessed in an exploratory fashion.

Results

An anti‐nociceptive effect of carbetocin was observed on intramuscular electrical temporal summation (estimated difference: 1.26 mA, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.56 mA, p = .04) and single‐stimulus electrical pain thresholds (estimated difference: 1.21 mA, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.47 mA, p = .05). Furthermore, the area of capsaicin‐induced allodynia was reduced after carbetocin compared to placebo (estimated difference: −6.5 cm2, 95% CI −9.8 to −3.2 cm2, p < .001).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence of an anti‐nociceptive effect of carbetocin on experimental pain in humans.

Significance

This study provides evidence of the anti‐nociceptive effect of intravenous administration of the oxytocin agonist carbetocin in healthy male volunteers.
Experimental and CFD simulation study on anaerobic digestion using dextran pharmaceutical wastewater based on cyclic fluidization hydraulic mixing
Authors: Xu Langui , Yang Luqian , Guo Shurui , Zhou Jiawei , Luo Tao , Ran Yi , Li Jiang , Long Enshen , Mei Zili , Huang Ruyi
Published: April 2021

Pharmaceutical wastewater is a kind of high‐hazardous waste. To realize non‐waste production, experiment and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation were performed to reveal the hydraulic mechanism of mixing modes. Three digesters, numbered 0# (no‐port), 1# (one‐port), and 4# (four‐port), were conducted by dextran pharmaceutical wastewater. Digester 0# is the control group without mixing. Mixing mode of bottom inlet and high‐position outlet is employed to 1# and 4#, the outlets of 1# and 4# are centralized outlet with only one port and distributed outlets with four ports, respectively. Experiment result shows the daily biogas production of 1# and 4# are 45% and 58% higher than 0#, and the pollutants removal rate increased 20% and 24%, respectively. CFD simulation shows the second phase (dextran wastewater) of 4# failing to form a complete hydraulic path like the first phase (water), which explain the mixing modes can greatly improve the biogas yield, but the four‐port mode has a weaker advantage than the one‐port.
Mapping potential surface ponding in agriculture using UAV‐SfM
Authors: Straffelini Eugenio , Cucchiaro Sara , Tarolli Paolo
Published: April 2021

Among the environmental problems that could affect agriculture, one of the most critical is ponding. This may be defined as water storage on the surface in concavities and depressions due to soil saturation. Stagnant water can seriously affect crops and the management of agricultural landscapes. It is mainly caused by prolonged rainfall events, soil type, or wrong mechanization practices, which cause soil compaction. To better understand this problem and thus provide adequate solutions to reduce the related risk, high‐resolution topographic information could be strategically important because it offers an accurate representation of the surface morphology. In the last decades, new remote sensing techniques provide interesting opportunities to understand the processes on the Earth's surface based on geomorphic signatures. Among these, Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), combined with the structure‐from‐motion (SfM) photogrammetry technique, represent a solid, low‐cost, rapid, and flexible solution for geomorphological analysis.

This study aims to present a new approach to detect the potential areas exposed to water stagnation at the farm scale. The high‐resolution digital elevation model (DEM) from UAV‐SfM data is used to do this. The potential water depth was calculated in the DEM using the relative elevation attribute algorithm. The detection of more pronounced concavities and convexities allowed an estimation and mapping of the potential ponding conditions. The results were assessed by observations and field measurements and are promising, showing a Cohen's k(X) accuracy of 0.683 for the planimetric extent of the ponding phenomena and a Pearson's rxy coefficient of 0.971 for the estimation of pond water depth. The proposed workflow provides a useful indication to stakeholders for better agricultural management in lowland landscapes.
Influence of thawed soil depth on rainfall erosion of frozen bare meadow soil in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Gao Xiaofeng , Shi Xiaonan , Lei Tingwu
Published: April 2021

The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau has a vast area of approximately 70×104 km2 of alpine meadow under the impacts of soil freezing and thawing, thereby inducing intensive water erosion. Quantifying the rainfall erosion process of partially thawed soil provides the basis for model simulation of soil erosion on cold‐region hillslopes. In this study, we conducted a laboratory experiment on rainfall‐induced erosion of partially thawed soil slope under four slope gradients (5, 10, 15, and 20°), three rainfall intensities (30, 60, and 90 mm h−1), and three thawed soil depths (1, 2, and 10 cm). The results indicated that shallow thawed soil depth aggravated soil erosion of partially thawed soil slopes under low hydrodynamic conditions (rainfall intensity of 30 mm h−1 and slope gradient ≤ 15°), whereas it inhibited erosion under high hydrodynamic conditions (rainfall intensity ≥ 60 mm h−1 or slope gradient > 15°). Soil erosion was controlled by the thawed soil depth and runoff hydrodynamic conditions. When the sediment supply was sufficient, the shallow thawed soil depth had a higher erosion potential and a larger sediment concentration. On the contrary, when the sediment supply was insufficient, the shallow thawed soil depth resulted in lower sediment erosion and a smaller sediment concentration. The hydrodynamic runoff conditions determined whether the sediment supply was sufficient. We propose a model to predict sediment delivery under different slope gradients, rainfall intensities, and thawed soil depths. The model, with a Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.95, accurately predicted the sediment delivery under different conditions, which was helpful for quantification of the complex feedback of sediment delivery to the factors influencing rainfall erosion of partially thawed soil. This study provides valuable insights into the rainfall erosion mechanism of partially thawed soil slopes in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and provides a basis for further studies on soil erosion under different hydrodynamic conditions.
In This Together: Navigating Ethical Challenges Posed by Family Clustering during the Covid‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Van Buren Nicole R. , Weber Elijah , Bliton Mark J. , Cunningham Thomas V.
Published: April 2021

Harrowing stories reported in the media describe Covid‐19 ravaging through families. This essay reports professional experiences of this phenomenon, family clustering, as encountered during the pandemic's spread across Southern California. We identify three ethical challenges following from it: Family clustering impedes shared decision‐making by reducing available surrogate decision‐makers for incapacitated patients, increases the emotional burdens of surrogate decision‐makers, and exacerbates health disparities for and the suffering of people of color at increased likelihood of experiencing family clustering. We propose that, in response to these challenges, efforts in advance care planning be expanded, emotional support offered to surrogates and family members be increased, more robust state guidance be issued on ethical decision‐making for unrepresented patients, ethics consultation be increased in the setting of conflict following from family clustering dynamics, and health care professionals pay more attention to systemic and personal racial biases and inequities that affect patient care and the surrogate experience.
The presence of care homes and excess deaths during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Evidence from Italy
Authors: Alacevich Caterina , Cavalli Nicolò , Giuntella Osea , Lagravinese Raffaele , Moscone Francesco , Nicodemo Catia
Published: April 2021

This paper explores the relationship between the spatial distribution of excess deaths and the presence of care home facilities during the first wave of the COVID‐19 outbreak in Italy. Using registry‐based mortality data for Lombardy, one of the areas most severely hit by the pandemic we show that the presence of a care home in a municipality is associated with significantly higher excess death rates in the population. This effect appears to be driven by excess mortality in the elderly population of 70 years old and older. Our results are robust to controlling for the number of residents in each care home, suggesting that the presence of such facilities may have acted as one of factors contributing to the diffusion of COVID‐19 at the local level.
Ethics, big social data, data sharing, and attitude among the millennial generation: A case of Thailand
Authors: Jantavongso Suttisak , Fusiripong Prashaya
Published: April 2021

Big social data and digital technologies create tremendous opportunities but raise questions and concerns on ethical data usage and sharing. Moreover, big social data plays a vital role in Thailand's 20‐year national strategy to turn Thailand into a developed nation by 2037, especially on security and human capital development strategies. Nonetheless, the progress in big social data must go hand‐in‐hand with ethical standards. To date, there are no universal ethical criteria for big social data sharing and governance. This study investigates the ethical issues of big data in social media. It maps big social data to workable ethical theories. The model of big social data sharing factors was proposed. Using Thailand as a case study, the exploratory study examined the digital behaviors and moral perceptions of the millennials' big social data sharing through 71 in‐depth interviews. The results revealed a strong pattern toward “ethical consequentialism” among the Thai millennials. Examining these findings fosters the formation of big social data ethics from the views of the data generators. This study has attempted to contribute to scholarship in the growing body of work on appropriate ethical guidelines for big social data sharing and help Thailand achieve its national strategy.
The study and comparison of elastic modulus of pineapple fruit in macroscopic and microscopic modes
Authors: Khodabakhshian Rasool , Hassani Mahshid
Published: April 2021

According to bibliography, elastic modulus studies of agricultural produce at the macro‐scale using a resistance measuring (as Magness‐Taylor penetration test or compression test) by an Instron Universal Mechanical Testing Machine is often used to express this characteristic. However, the determination of the elastic properties of agricultural produce at the macro‐scale result widely varying values for a particular agricultural produce. So in this study, to decrease the variability which now exists in the elastic modulus results of agricultural produce measured at the macro‐scale, measuring and comparison of the elastic modulus of agricultural produce, pineapple fruit as case study, in macroscopic (by Hook's theory on the cylindrical specimen and Hertz theory in the mode of spherical indenter contact on the whole specimen) and microscopic (by atomic force microscopy) modes was investigate. There is concluded that with changing the type of theory, the behavior of the elastic modulus changes significantly at a 1% level. In microscopic mode studies, the lowest elastic modulus (0.135 MPa) was obtained by using Hertz theory in the mode of spherical indenter contact on the whole specimen while the highest elastic modulus value (0.779 MPa) was seen by using Hook's theory on the cylindrical specimen. In microscopic mode studies, the Sneddon model had the lowest elastic modulus while Hertzian model showed the highest elastic modulus value. Consequently, due to some reasons such as complex shape of most agricultural produce, assumptions required for three elastic theories of contacting bodies in macroscopic mode, complex structure and viscoelastic behavior of agricultural produce, it is found that the variability of the information can be reduced at micro‐scale, or, to a lesser extent.
Projected evolution of drought characteristics in Vietnam based on CORDEX‐SEA downscaled CMIP5 data
Authors: Nguyen‐Ngoc‐Bich Phuong , Phan‐Van Tan , Ngo‐Duc Thanh , Vu‐Minh Tue , Trinh‐Tuan Long , Tangang Fredolin T. , Juneng Liew , Cruz Faye , Santisirisomboon Jerasorn , Narisma Gemma , Aldrian Edvin
Published: April 2021

In this study, the projected drought characteristics over Vietnam for the future periods of the middle (2046–2065) and end of the 21st century (2080–2099) were investigated under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The drought characteristics (duration, severity, intensity, inter‐arrival time, and geographic extent) were estimated based on the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). The PDSI was calculated using temperature and precipitation data from six regional climate downscaling experiments and their ensemble conducted by the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment‐Southeast Asia (CORDEX‐SEA) project. Projected changes of drought characteristics in the future periods were determined with respect to those in the baseline period 1986–2005. Results show biases in the regional climate model (RCM) outputs, namely an underestimation of temperature and an overestimation of precipitation, which also affect the representation of drought characteristics by overestimating the PDSI. In terms of projections, substantial increases of drought duration, severity and intensity, and decreases in the inter‐arrival time are found over the Red River Delta, northern parts of the North Central sub‐region, parts of the Central Highlands and over southern Vietnam. The droughts are projected to be more widespread under scenario RCP8.5 than RCP4.5, especially in southern Vietnam. With the increasing likelihood of droughts in Vietnam as a result of climate change, sustainable water resources management should be taken into account for agriculture, natural ecosystems and social development.
Semiquantitative Assessment of Amniotic Fluid Among Individuals With and Without Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Bicocca Matthew J. , Qureshey Emma J. , Chauhan Suneet P. , Hernandez‐Andrade Edgar , Sibai Baha M. , Nowlen Carol , Stafford Irene
Published: April 2021

Objective

To compare the rate and severity of abnormal amniotic fluid volumes (oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios), as well as the distribution of amniotic fluid levels, in pregnancies with and without diabetes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of singleton nonanomalous pregnancies receiving an ultrasound examination (USE) in the third trimester. Pregnancies were categorized into those with and without diabetes and subcategorized by diabetes type. The primary outcomes were oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios. Polyhydramnios was also examined by severity. The association between maternal diabetes status and oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios was assessed using logistic regression. In addition, we computed gestational age‐specific amniotic fluid index (AFI) and deepest vertical pocket (DVP) centiles for pregnancies with and without diabetes.

Results

There were 60,226 USEs from 26,651 pregnancies that met inclusion criteria. There were 3992 (15.0%) pregnancies with diabetes and 22,659 (85.0%) without diabetes. Using AFI, the rate of polyhydramnios was 10.5 versus 3.8% (odds ratio [OR] 2.95; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.62–3.32) for pregnancies with versus without diabetes, respectively; using DVP, the rate of polyhydramnios was 13.9 versus 5.4% (OR 2.84; 95% CI 2.56–3.15). Rates of oligohydramnios were also increased in pregnancies with diabetes (3.3 versus 2.6%; OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.04–1.52). The AFI and DVP were significantly higher in the cohort with diabetes between 28 and 36 weeks.

Conclusion

Within our study population, pregnancies with diabetes had increased rates of oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios as well as increased gestational age‐specific amniotic fluid volumes between 28 and 36 weeks. A higher prevalence of polyhydramnios was observed using DVP as compared to AFI; nevertheless, associations were similar using either method.