bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon‐Based Printable Perovskite Solar Cells with a Mesoporous TiO2 Electron Transporting Layer Derived from Metal–Organic Framework NH2‐MIL‐125
Authors: Li Bo , Zhao Jianhong , Lu Qingjie , Zhou Shiqiang , Wei Haitang , Lv Tianping , Zhang Yumin , Zhang Jin , Liu Qingju
Published: December 2020

Applying metal–organic framework (MOF) materials to perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is an innovative and promising direction in the current photovoltaic field, especially in low‐cost carbon‐based PSCs without hole transport layer. Herein, a novel mesoporous anatase TiO2 nanocrystalline with pie morphology, large specific surface area (SSA), and outstanding wettability is successfully prepared by sintering the NH2‐MIL‐125 at 500 °C for 6 h. The TiO2 derived from NH2‐MIL‐125 possesses excellent penetration and crystallinity of perovskite in the electron transporting layer (ETL), and exhibits appropriate work function which matches relatively better with the conduction band of perovskite. Meanwhile, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of the two PSC devices based on the as‐prepared TiO2 are 13.49% and 12.55%, respectively. Moreover, both of these devices exhibit good stability.
The survival benefit of lymph node dissection in resected T1–2, cN0 supraglottic cancer: A population‐based propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Fang Ruihua , Peng Liang , Chen Lin , Liao Jing , Wei Fanqin , Long Yudong , Wen Weiping , Sun Wei
Published: December 2020

Background

The survival benefit of clinically negative cervical lymph nodes (cN0) in patients with T1–2 supraglottic cancer (SC) remains unclear. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the prognostic value of lymph node dissection (LND) in patients with T1–2, cN0 SC.

Methods

We included 1036 confirmed T1–2, cN0 SC patients with clinicopathological characteristics between 2004 and 2015, based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program (SEER) database. The association between LND and overall survival (OS) was investigated by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

Before propensity score matching (PSM), patients selected for LND had better OS, compared to patients did not receive LND (5‐year OS: 62.6% vs 51.2%, respectively; p = 0.011). After PSM, the LND group also present significant improvement in prognosis (5‐year OS: 64.3% vs 51.7%, respectively; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

LND was significantly associated with a more favorable prognosis compared with non‐LND in patients with T1–2, cN0 SC.
Domestic inflation, exchange rate, and aggregate import demand nexus in Nigeria: New evidence from cointegrating regression
Authors: Zhou Luanping , Iormom Bruce I. , Azhar Muhammad Salman , Peng Michael Yao‐Ping
Published: December 2020

This study estimates the Nigerian import demand function with the view to finding the degree of responsiveness of imports to domestic product prices while controlling for exchange rate (EXR), gross domestic product and foreign reserves. To refine inference about stationarity in the presence of structural breaks, the study employed the Lee and Strazicich and Zivot‐Andrews stationarity tests, which all confirmed that the series are integrated of order one. Both the ARDL bound testing for cointegration and the Johansen cointegration approach all confirmed long‐run relationship among the variables. From the cointegrating regression estimates using the Saikkonen and Stock‐Watson Dynamic Ordinary Least Square procedure and the Phillip and Hansen's Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square technique, we found that imports in Nigeria are domestic inflation or cross elastic in the long run. The study, however, found import demand to be inelastic to EXR and income, same as to foreign exchange reserves. The sensitivity of these estimates was confirmed with the ARDL procedure suggested by Peseran, Shin and Smith. With the Granger non‐causality test using the Toda‐Yamamoto's technique, we found unidirectional causality running from domestic inflation to import demand, implying that previous values of domestic inflation offer additional information to explaining future values of aggregate import demand. Diversification of domestic production as well as other policies directed at enhancing price and quality competiveness of domestic products were recommended.
RETRACTED: Immunomodulatory effects of nanocurcumin on Th17 cell responses in mild and severe COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Tahmasebi Safa , El‐Esawi Mohamed A. , Mahmoud Zaid Hameed , Timoshin Anton , Valizadeh Hamed , Roshangar Leila , Varshoch Mojtaba , Vaez Aydin , Aslani Saeed , Navashenaq Jamshid G. , Aghebati‐Maleki Leili , Ahmadi Majid
Published: December 2020

In novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), the increased frequency and overactivation of T helper (Th) 17 cells and subsequent production of large amounts of proinflammatory cytokines result in hyperinflammation and disease progression. The current study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of nanocurcumin on the frequency and responses of Th17 cells in mild and severe COVID‐19 patients. In this study, 40 severe COVID‐19 intensive care unit‐admitted patients and 40 patients in mild condition were included. The frequency of Th17 cells, the messenger RNA expression of Th17 cell‐related factors (RAR‐related orphan receptor γt, interleukin [IL]‐17, IL‐21, IL‐23, and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor), and the serum levels of cytokines were measured in both nanocurcumin and placebo‐treated groups before and after treatment. A significant decrease in the number of Th17 cells, downregulation of Th17 cell‐related factors, and decreased levels of Th17 cell‐related cytokines were found in mild and severe COVID‐19 patients treated by nanocurcumin compared to the placebo group. Moreover, the abovementioned parameters were significantly decreased in the nanocurcumin‐treated group after treatment versus before treatment. Curcumin could reduce the frequency of Th17 cells and their related inflammatory factors in both mild and severe COVID‐19 patients. Hence, it could be considered as a potential modulatory compound in improving the patient's inflammatory condition.
Extracellular vesicles containing ACE2 efficiently prevent infection by SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike protein‐containing virus
Authors: Cocozza Federico , Névo Nathalie , Piovesana Ester , Lahaye Xavier , Buchrieser Julian , Schwartz Olivier , Manel Nicolas , Tkach Mercedes , Théry Clotilde , Martin‐Jaular Lorena
Published: December 2020

SARS‐CoV‐2 entry is mediated by binding of the spike protein (S) to the surface receptor ACE2 and subsequent priming by host TMPRSS2 allowing membrane fusion. Here, we produced extracellular vesicles (EVs) exposing ACE2 and demonstrate that ACE2‐EVs are efficient decoys for SARS‐CoV‐2 S protein‐containing lentivirus. Reduction of infectivity positively correlates with the level of ACE2, is much more efficient than with soluble ACE2 and further enhanced by the inclusion of TMPRSS2.
Monoamine oxidase A activity in fibroblasts as a functional confirmation of MAOA variants
Authors: Peters Tessa M. A. , Lammerts van Bueren Irma , Geurtz Ben P.B.H. , Coene Karlien L. M. , de Leeuw Nicole , Brunner Han G. , Jónsson Jón J. , Willemsen Michèl A. A. P. , Wevers Ron A. , Verbeek Marcel M.
Published: December 2020

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO‐A) deficiency is a rare inborn error of metabolism with impaired degradation of biogenic amines including 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT), resulting in borderline intellectual disability and behavioral abnormalities. Genetic variants in MAOA need functional confirmation to enable a definite diagnosis. To this end, we developed an inexpensive, simple and nonradioactive MAO‐A activity assay based on the conversion of 5‐HT into 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA). Fibroblast cell lysates were incubated with 5‐HT and aldehyde dehydrogenase to allow 5‐HIAA production. 5‐HIAA was quantified using high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection. We optimized reaction mixture components, pH, and substrate concentration and tested linearity and specificity of the assay. We verified the functional validity of the enzyme assay using fibroblasts of controls, female mutation carriers and MAO‐A deficient patients. This included a newly described patient with a novel MAOA variant (c.1336G>A, p.(Glu446Lys)), who represents the fifth MAO‐A deficiency family so far. The optimized enzyme assay showed good linearity and specificity. Application to clinical samples showed a 100% differentiation of affected patients (with negligible MAO‐A enzyme activity) and controls or mutation carriers. In conclusion, the described MAO‐A activity assay is easy to implement and can readily be used to test the pathogenicity of variants in the MAOA gene in a clinical setting. Especially in this era of whole‐exome (and whole‐genome) sequencing, this functional assay fulfills a clinical need for functional confirmation of a suspected diagnosis of MAO‐A deficiency.
Understanding the glioblastoma tumor biology to optimize photodynamic therapy: From molecular to cellular events
Authors: Ibarra Luis Exequiel , Vilchez María Laura , Caverzán Matías Daniel , Milla Sanabria Laura Natalia
Published: December 2020

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has recently gained attention as an alternative treatment of malignant gliomas. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent within tumors of the central nervous system (CNS). Conventional treatments for this CNS tumor include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Surgery is still being considered as the treatment of choice. Even so, the poor prognosis and/or recurrence of the disease after applying any of these treatments highlight the urgency of exploring new therapies and/or improving existing ones to achieve the definitive eradication of tumor masses and remaining cells. PDT is a therapeutic modality that involves the destruction of tumor cells by reactive oxygen species induced by light, which were previously treated with a photosensitizing agent. However, in recent years, its experimental application has expanded to other effects that could improve overall performance against GBM. In the current review, we revisit the main advances of PDT for GBM management and also, the recent mechanistic insights about cellular and molecular aspects related to tumoral resistance to PDT of GBM.
Developing strategies to increase the possibility of being selected as a “regular” independent community pharmacy: an application of MUlticriteria Satisfaction Analysis
Authors: Glaveli Niki , Manolitzas Panagiotis , Grigoroudis Evangelos
Published: December 2020

Pharmacy customer satisfaction is a predictor of customers’ behaviour and thus becomes a critical issue in the highly competitive pharmacy sector. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to determine the evaluative criteria that customers use in selecting an independent community pharmacy as their regular one, as well as their contribution to customer satisfaction. Moreover, areas of customer service that can provide competitive parity or advantage to a pharmacy are identified. A survey was carried out among randomly selected customers of pharmacies located in Thessaloniki, Greece, using a structured questionnaire. A total of 223 usable questionnaires were collected. Descriptive statistics and MUlticriteria Satisfaction Analysis (MUSA) were used for data analysis. The findings highlight reputation, community contribution, and professional expertise/behaviour of the pharmacist(s) and staff, as the criteria that contribute the most to customer satisfaction and choice of a pharmacy as a regular one. Also, the study outcomes suggest that the above variables combined with a fast and error‐free service, respect and confidentiality can be used as advantages against competition. The current research findings provide directions for strategic actions that could help a pharmacy to enhance customer satisfaction and consequently build long‐term relationships with patients and stand out from the competition.
Combining finite mixture distribution, receptor model, and geostatistical simulation to evaluate heavy metals pollution in soils: Source and spatial pattern
Authors: Zhu Linyu , Zhang Lixia , Wang Jining , Lv Jianshu
Published: December 2020

Soil heavy metals (HMs) pollution has caused significant land degradation by affecting soil properties and functions. Clarifying sources and spatial distributions of soil HMs is necessary for the investigation of land degradation, but lacks accurate and efficient methods. This study proposes a combined method for improving source apportionment and spatial prediction of soil HMs. Finite mixture distribution modelling (FMDM) was used to explore the backgrounds and contamination thresholds, and can verify the source contribution calculated by positive matrix factorization (PMF). To improve the efficiency of traditional multivariate geostatistical simulation, independent component analysis and sequential Gaussian simulation were integrated into geostatistical independent simulation for revealing the spatial patterns and the polluted areas. The combined method was applied to an HMs dataset of Longkou City, eastern China as a case‐study. Both PMF and FMDM produced three sources of HMs. Cr and Ni were dominated by natural sources. Agricultural inputs mainly affected Cd, Cu, and Zn concentrations. Hg, 66.8%, and Pb, 8.1%, originated from industrial, mining, and traffic emissions. Hazardous areas exceeding moderate pollution cutoffs comprised 203.88 km2, accounting for 23.2% of the study area. Less than 0.1% of the areas for all HMs were identified as hazardous zones exceeding the high pollution thresholds. The reasonable management of industrial and agricultural activities, traffic emissions, and mining could have an important influence on the protection of land resources. Combining FMDM, PMF, and geostatistical independent simulation proved valid for investigating the land degradation due to HMs pollution.
Biogeomorphic patterns emerge with pond expansion in deteriorating marshes affected by relative sea level rise
Authors: Qi Man , MacGregor Jessica , Gedan Keryn
Published: December 2020

Interior marsh pond formation has been commonly observed in tidal marshes affected by high rates of relative sea level rise (RSLR). However, it is difficult to conclude whether an accretion deficit (accretion which does not keep pace with RSLR) or natural ice and wrack disturbance has driven pond formation. We propose that marsh deterioration caused by accretion deficit can be differentiated from that caused by other disturbances based upon temporal vegetation changes and the spatial configuration of vegetation zones relative to tidal creeks and the marsh platform. We tested this hypothesis in six newly ponded sites within RSLR‐affected marshes in Deal Island, Chesapeake Bay. At each site, we used field surveys and remote sensing to study spatiotemporal dynamics of marsh vegetation, marsh topography, and tidal creek incision. We found flood tolerant plants displaced flood intolerant species over time in the landward direction, or upslope, of ponds. A reverse species transition was observed seaward of ponds because tidal creek incision alleviated interior marsh inundation. The landscape‐scale biogeographic pattern we have recognized sheds light on how plants adapt to chronically reshaped geomorphological configurations of the marsh platform, which differentiates ponding caused by accretion deficit from ponding caused by natural and artificial disturbances. Furthermore, our results point to vegetation patterns that can be used as early warning signals of interior marsh loss to ponding. As ponding has been a major driver of tidal marsh habitat loss in microtidal marshes around the world, early indicators of decline are sorely needed to direct conservation activities.
The medical applications of biobased aerogels: ‘Natural aerogels for medical usage’
Authors: Okutucu Burcu
Published: December 2020

The biotechnology sector needs cost‐effective, renewable, reusable and sustainable raw materials. There are many different biomaterials existed in this area, such as magnetic nanoparticles, silica, clay and polymers. But they have many disadvantages about cost, preparation conditions and toxic chemicals. Aerogel technology provides high added‐value lightweight materials with huge porous structures high surface area and low density. The aerogels are classified into inorganic and organic according to the source of gel precursors. The inorganic aerogels are mostly prepared from alkoxides and various metal oxides. But either inorganic aerogels or first organic aerogels (resorcinol–formaldehyde) are composed of toxic chemicals that inherent them using in life science. Nowadays for preparing organic aerogels, natural precursors, such as polysaccharides (cellulose, chitosan, starch, alginate, carrageenan and curdlan) or proteins (silk fibroin and ovalbumin), milk (caseins and whey proteins, soy), are used and named as bioaerogels or biobased aerogels. All of these components are natural, biodegradable, bioactive and biocompatible for human. The biobased aerogels are mostly synthesized with polysaccharides. The natural polysaccharides and/or their derivatives can be used because of their availability, low toxicity, stability upon storage, good biological performance and enzyme‐controlled biodegradability. Also, cellulose‐based aerogels can be prepared using many renewable sources (wheat husk, potato tubers, paper waste, bagasse, etc) which is also very important for waste management. Biodegradable and biobased aerogels are of increasing pursuit, as the use of these compounds can be an alternative for reducing the impact on the environment. This mini review summarized the steps of preparation techniques of aerogels and explained the usage areas of biobased aerogels with examples of in drug delivery, wound healing and tissue engineering.
Duplex echography as an adjuvant tool to clinical examination to detect early postoperative free flap vascular compromise
Authors: Gonzalez Jesus , Gardikiotis Ioannis , Ruiz‐Moya Alejandro , Fontdevila Joan , Weshahy Omar , Palacin Jose , Vinals Joan , Hong Joon Pio
Published: December 2020

Background

Clinical examination remains the cornerstone for postoperative monitoring of free flaps but is highly dependent on the surgeon's ability and experience. Duplex echography provides a noninvasive objective evaluation of tissue perfusion. The authors hypothesized that duplex echography may be a more sensitive and specific monitoring method for early detection of postoperative flap compromise compared to clinical examination alone. The goal was to evaluate any differences between combined duplex echography and clinical examination flap monitoring versus isolated clinical evaluation.

Methods

A total of 730 free flaps in 700 patients were included in the study. We conducted an intra‐subject prospective study of a cohort of patients who underwent free flap reconstruction in our unit to compare clinical examination with duplex echography for postoperative monitoring. An inter‐subject study was also undertaken comparing the prospective cohort with a historical control group of patients in whom free flap monitoring was made using clinical examination alone. The patency flow and velocities through the artery and vein of the flap were measured at the donor and recipient vessels of every anastomosis by duplex scanning, by the same plastic surgeon every 4 hr, during the first 18 hr after surgery.

Results

Duplex echography and clinical evaluation were used in 175 patients. The historical cohort included a total of 525 flaps. Every patient with suspicion of vascular compromise based on duplex echography was taken back for surgical re‐exploration. There were no cases of overdiagnosis using duplex echography (Sensitivity 100%, Specificity 100%). Clinical evaluation detected issues with the vascularan astomoses in 23/175 flaps. However, it failed to detect 12/22 cases which presented with vascular complications and gave a false indication of possible complications in 13 flaps (Sensitivity 45%, Specificity 92%).

Conclusion

In our practice, duplex echography is considered a useful adjunct monitoring tool for early detection of postoperative flap compromise, which compliments clinical evaluation. It provides anatomic and hemodynamic information of the vascular status and may therefore increase survival of flaps by allowing earlier detection of vascular compromise, compared to clinical examination alone, in postoperative monitoring of free flaps.
A retrospective study on the potential of 99mTc‐HDP imaging before therapy for individualizing treatments with 223Ra‐Cl2 for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Mínguez Pablo , Rodeño Emilia , Fernández Irache , Esteban Alba , Martínez‐Indart Lorea , Gómez de Iturriaga Alfonso
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Research on dose‐effect correlation is necessary to move toward an individualization of treatments of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with 223Ra‐Cl2. We first looked for a possible correlation of 99mTc‐HDP lesion uptake in pretreatment whole‐body scans (WBSs) with lesion absorbed dose. Moreover, we looked for a possible correlation of 99mTc‐HDP lesion uptake in pretreatment WBSs and of lesion absorbed dose with relative change in the 99mTc‐HDP lesion uptake obtained from pre‐ and post‐treatment WBSs in patients treated for mCRPC with six cycles of 223Ra‐Cl2.

Methods

Eleven patients received six cycles of 55 kBq/kg of 223Ra‐Cl2 separated by 4 weeks. In addition, one patient received concomitant treatment with abiraterone and two patients with enzalutamide. The 99mTc‐HDP WBSs were acquired before the first cycle and after the sixth cycle of the treatment. For the lesions with the higher 99mTc‐HDP uptake, the absorbed dose was calculated for the first cycle. Lesion volume was determined from 99mTc‐HDP SPECT/CT images before the first cycle and 223Ra‐Cl2 activity in the lesions was determined from 223Ra‐Cl2 planar images after the first cycle. The effect of the treatment was evaluated from the relative change of the mean and the maximum counts in the lesions, both estimated from the WBSs acquired before the first cycle and after the sixth cycle.

Results

The absorbed dose was calculated for 30 lesions, with values ranging between 0.4 and 3.8 Gy (mean 1.5 Gy). A significant (P < 0.05) high positive linear correlation was found between the lesion absorbed dose in the first treatment cycle and the mean and maximum counts in the lesions in the WBSs acquired before the first cycle (R = 0.75 and 0.76, respectively). The relative change of the mean and the maximum counts in the lesions in the 99mTc‐HDP WBSs showed a significant (P < 0.05) high positive logarithmic correlation with the 99mTc‐HDP mean and maximum counts in the lesions before the first cycle (R = 0.79 and 0.78, respectively). Lastly, a significant (P < 0.05) high positive logarithmic correlation was also found between the relative change of the mean and the maximum counts in the lesions in the 99mTc‐HDP WBSs and the lesion absorbed dose (R = 0.86 and 0.85, respectively). For this correlation the influence of the administered activity and of the concomitant treatments was not found to be significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The high correlations found for the 99mTc‐HDP lesion uptake before the first cycle lesion with the relative change in the 99mTc‐HDP lesion uptake after the six cycles of 223Ra‐Cl2, and with the lesion absorbed dose in the first cycle show the potential of pretreatment 99mTc‐HDP imaging in order to personalize the performance of these treatments.
Evaluation of Habitat Use by a Catch-and-Release Regulated Flathead Catfish Population in Branched Oak Reservoir, Nebraska, USA
Authors: Blank, Aaron J. , Barada Tony J. , Katt Jordan D. , Jackson Jeffrey J.
Published: December 2020

A series of rock jetty and A-Jack structures was built in 1998 at Branched Oak Reservoir, Nebraska, in an attempt to reduce shoreline erosion and cove degradation. In conjunction with the habitat enhancement project, Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris were stocked to help control the abundant White Perch Morone americana population. Previous research found that Flathead Catfish utilized the habitats created by the enhancement project; however, the research was conducted while the Flathead Catfish population was still developing and the reservoir water elevation was held for an extended period below conservation pool. We sampled three habitat types (rock jetty structures, concrete A-Jack structures, and new-growth trees) during the summer months from 2015 to 2019 using daytime low-frequency electrofishing to determine differences in size distribution and relative abundance among habitat types. Flathead Catfish utilization of the rock jetty structures was characterized by high catch rates (137 fish/h) and smaller fish (<400 mm). Lower catch rates were found in the A-Jack structures (86 fish/h) and new-growth trees (36 fish/h); however, these habitats were primarily utilized by larger fish (>600 mm). Habitat use changed with the developing population and the availability of a new habitat type, inundated new-growth trees. The catch-and-release regulation changed both density and size structure of the Flathead Catfish population in Branched Oak Reservoir. The results of this study can assist fisheries managers in locating or enhancing favorable reservoir habitats for Flathead Catfish.
A generalized machine learning‐based model for the detection of DDoS attacks
Authors: Marvi Murk , Arfeen Asad , Uddin Riaz
Published: December 2020

As time is progressing, the number and the complexity of methods adopted for launching distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks are changing. Therefore, we propose a methodology for the development of a generalized machine learning (ML)‐based model for the detection of DDoS attacks. After exploring various attributes of the dataset chosen for this study, we propose an integrated feature selection (IFS) method which consists of three stages and integration of two different methods, that is, filter and embedded methods to select features which highly contribute to the detection of various types of DDoS attacks. We use light gradient boosting machine (LGBM) algorithm for training of the model for classification of benign and malicious flows. For ensuring satisfactory performance and generalized behavior of the developed model, we test it by passing records of unseen DDoS attack types. Several performance metrics are employed for the evaluation of the model. By comparing the performance of developed model against state‐of‐the‐art models, we state an improvement of around 20% for almost all the reported metrics. We also show that the performance of the model improves if feature space is reduced by 77%. Furthermore, the generalized behavior of the developed model is justified by demonstrating a trade‐off between high variance and high bias ML models.
On the nondifferentiable exact solutions to Schamel's equation with local fractional derivative on Cantor sets
Authors: Ghanbari Behzad
Published: December 2020

The various aspects of differential calculus are always on the path to progress and excellence, and these trends have been more highlighted in recent decades. More specifically, tremendous advances have been made in the field of fractional calculus. One of the main branches in this field is the local fractional derivative, which has been used successfully to describe many real‐world phenomena in science, and engineering. The present contribution aims to adopt a newly proposed analytical technique to construct exact solutions to local fractional Schamel's equation defined on Cantor sets. To this end, a set of elementary functions are constructed on Cantor sets is defined. Furthermore, the combination of these modified functions is utilized to constitute a formal representation of the searched exact solution for the equation. Numerical simulations related to some of the obtained solutions are also included. The acquired results confirm that the method used is not only very straightforward but also efficient in terms of application. In order to perform complicated and tedious calculations while solving this problem, the use of a symbolic computational packages in Maple or Mathematica is inevitable. The work emphasizes the power of the employed method in providing various exact solutions to different physical problems involving local fractional derivatives.
LCC18, a benzamide‐linked small molecule, ameliorates IgA nephropathy in mice
Authors: Yang Shin‐Ruen , Hua Kuo‐Feng , Takahata Akiko , Wu Chung‐Yao , Hsieh Chih‐Yu , Chiu Hsiao‐Wen , Chen Cheng‐Hsu , Mukhopadhyay Debabrata , Suzuki Yusuke , Ka Shuk‐Man , Huang Hsu‐Shan , Chen Ann
Published: December 2020

IgA nephropathy (IgAN), an immune complex‐mediated process and the most common primary glomerulonephritis, can progress to end‐stage renal disease in up to 40% of patients. Accordingly, a therapeutic strategy targeting a specific molecular pathway is urgently warranted. Aided by structure characterisation and target identification, we predicted that a novel ring‐fused 6‐(2,4‐difluorophenyl)‐3‐(3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)‐2H‐benzo[e][1,3]oxazine‐2,4(3H)‐dione (LCC18) targets the NLRP3 inflammasome, which participates in IgAN pathogenesis. We further developed biomarkers for the disease. We used two complementary IgAN models in C57BL/6 mice, involving TEPC‐15 hybridoma‐derived IgA, and in gddY mice. Moreover, we created specific cell models to validate therapeutic effects of LCC18 on IgAN and to explain its underlying mechanisms. IgAN mice benefited significantly from treatment with LCC18, showing dramatically improved renal function, including greatly reduced proteinuria and renal pathology. Mechanistic studies showed that the mode of action specifically involved: (1) blocking of the MAPKs/COX‐2 axis‐mediated priming of the NLRP3 inflammasome; (2) inhibition of ASC oligomerisation and NLRP3 inflammasome assembly by inhibiting NLRP3 binding to PKR, NEK7 and ASC; and (3) activation of autophagy. LCC18 exerts therapeutic effects on murine IgAN by differentially regulating NLRP3 inflammasome activation and autophagy induction, suggesting this new compound as a promising drug candidate to treat IgAN. © 2020 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel biodegradable low‐density polyethylene–poly(lactic acid)–starch ternary blends
Authors: Aleksanyan Kristine V. , Rogovina Svetlana Z. , Ivanushkina Natalya E.
Published: December 2020

The ternary powder blends based on low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and two polymers of natural origin poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and starch are obtained in a rotor disperser under conditions of shear deformations. The dependence of the final powder dispersity on the composition is explored. A comparative analysis of the mechanical properties of the ternary blends with those of the LDPE–PLA and PLA–starch binary blends previously obtained has revealed that the presence of two rigid polymers PLA and starch leads to an increase in the elastic modulus and a decrease in the tensile strength and elongation at break. In the study of the blend biodegradability, it is found that the presence of two polymers of natural origin in the system with a total mass fraction of 60% promotes intensive biodegradation.
Understanding interactions between poly(styrene‐co‐sodium styrene sulfonate) and single‐walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Li Lujuan , Cao Qianqian , Liu Hao , Qiao Xin , Gu Zhiqing , Yu Ying , Zuo Chuncheng
Published: December 2020

Understanding formation mechanisms of hybrids of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) wrapped by polymers and their interactions is critical in modifying solubility of CNTs in aqueous solution and developing new nanotube‐based polymer materials. In the present work, we investigate the structural details of poly(styrene‐co‐sodium styrene sulfonate) (PSS) wrapping around the CNT and the interactions between the PSS chain and the CNT using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The fraction of sulfonated groups significantly influences the wrapping conformations of the PSS chain. Due to limited time scale in the MD simulations, two different initial conformations of the chains are introduced to explore the effect of the initial state on the wrapping behavior. When the chains initially wrap around the CNT in a perfect helix manner, more compact pseudo‐helical conformations are obtained. For initial straight line arrangement of the chain monomers, the chains adopt looser wrapping conformations. The free‐energy analysis and binding interaction of the PSS chain on the CNT surface take a glance on the relationship between the conformational transition of the chain and the energy evolution.
Utilization patterns and characteristics of users of biologic anti‐inflammatory agents in a large, US commercially insured population
Authors: Mendelsohn Aaron B. , Nam Young Hee , Marshall James , McDermott Cara L. , Kochar Bharati , Kappelman Michael D. , Brown Jeffrey S. , Lockhart Catherine M.
Published: December 2020

We report utilization patterns and characteristics of patients treated with biologic anti‐inflammatory agents in a large commercially insured patient population in the United States. We identified adult (age ≥18 years) patients receiving biologic anti‐inflammatory agents between 1 January 2012 and 31 March 2019 across the five Research Partners in the Biologic and Biosimilars Collective Intelligence Consortium's Distributed Research Network. We examined the number of incident use episodes for each biologic, as well as patient demographic and clinical characteristics. Curated data and analytic tools from the Food and Drug Administration's Sentinel System were used to perform the analyses. We identified 90,360 incident episodes of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha inhibitors (TNFi) and 70,506 incident episodes of non‐TNFi medications. Adalimumab was the most common TNFi drug (47% of all TNFi episodes) and showed a steady increase in utilization during the study period compared to other TNFi agents. Rituximab was the most commonly initiated non‐TNFi medication (44% of non‐TNFi episodes). Other non‐TNFi agents, namely, ustekinumab, vedolizumab, and secukinumab, demonstrated notable increases in utilization over time. Biosimilar use was limited; we observed 653 incident episodes for infliximab‐dyyb and 39 incident episodes for infliximab‐abda. As more biologics enter the market, greater variation in the use of biologics with similar indications and between biologic originators and biosimilars is anticipated. Because information on efficacy and safety at the time of drug approval is limited, post‐marketing surveillance and research is needed to monitor medication safety and evaluate effectiveness between biologic drugs using real‐world data.
Enhanced mechanical and antioxidant properties of biodegradable poly (lactic) acid‐poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate) film utilizing α‐tocopherol for peach storage
Authors: Jiang Jinyong , Dong Qingfeng , Gao Haiyan , Han Yanchao , Li Li
Published: December 2020

Poly (lactic) acid‐poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate) (PLA‐PHB) blends were prepared through melting method and incorporated with α‐tocopherol. The structural, thermal, mechanical and antioxidant properties of resulting active films were characterized, and its preservation effect on peaches (Prunus persica L.) was investigated. Results revealed that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PLA film was reduced from 53.2°C to 39.7°C after addition of plasticizer but increased again to 43.3°C after supplementation with α‐tocopherol. PLA‐PHB are polyesters with carboxylic groups that interacted with the hydroxide groups of α‐tocopherol. Furthermore water vapour permeability, gas permeability and elongation at break were significantly improved, and 72.1% 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity was observed. PLA‐PHB‐α‐tocopherol group revealed higher combined water and less oxidative spoilage through low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR) and effectively extended the shelf life of peach. Thus, the plasticized PLA‐PHB‐α‐tocopherol film can be used as an active biodegradable packaging for fruits and vegetables.
Do renewable energy consumption and financial development matter for environmental sustainability? New global evidence
Authors: Kirikkaleli Dervis , Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday
Published: December 2020

The present study aims to explore the long‐run and causal effect of financial development and renewable energy consumption on environmental sustainability while controlling technological innovation and economic growth within the global framework. In line with the aim of the study, the fully modified OLS (FMOLS), dynamic OLS (DOLS), canonical cointegrating regression (CCR), Bayer and Hanck cointegration, and frequency‐domain causality tests are employed. Empirical evidence confirms the existence of a long‐run linkage among the variables. The present study also finds that in the long run, global financial development and global renewable energy consumption have a long‐run significant positive effect on environmental sustainability, while economic growth increases carbon emission flaring around the world. Within the global framework, the study, therefore, recommends that in order to increase environmental quality, global policy‐makers should further consider the roles of renewable energy and financial development by implementing reform energy policies in both developed and developing countries.
Robust Wald‐type tests under random censoring
Authors: Ghosh Abhik , Basu Ayanendranath , Pardo Leandro
Published: December 2020

Randomly censored survival data are frequently encountered in biomedical or reliability applications and clinical trial analyses. Testing the significance of statistical hypotheses is crucial in such analyses to get conclusive inference but the existing likelihood‐based tests, under a fully parametric model, are extremely nonrobust against outliers in the data. Although there exists a few robust estimators given randomly censored data, there is hardly any robust testing procedure available in the literature in this context. One of the major difficulties here is the construction of a suitable consistent estimator of the asymptotic variance of robust estimators, since the latter is a function of the unknown censoring distribution. In this article, we take the first step in this direction by proposing a consistent estimator of asymptotic variance of the M‐estimators based on randomly censored data without any assumption on the censoring scheme. We then describe and study a class of robust Wald‐type tests for parametric statistical hypothesis, both simple as well as composite, under such a set‐up. Robust tests for comparing two independent randomly censored samples and robust tests against one sided alternatives are also discussed. Their advantages and usefulness are demonstrated for the tests based on the minimum density power divergence estimators and illustrated with clinical trials and other medical data.
Control and data acquisition software of the high‐energy particle detector on board the China Seismo‐Electromagnetic Satellite space mission
Authors: Sotgiu Alessandro , De Donato Cinzia , Fornaro Claudio , Tassa Sandro , Scannavini Marco , Iannaccio Dario , Ambrosi Giovanni , Bartocci Simona , Basara Laurent , Battiston Roberto , Burger William J. , Campana Donatella , Carfora Luca , Castellini Guido , Cipollone Piero , Conti Livio , Contin Andrea , De Persio Fulvio , De Santis Cristian , Follega Francesco M. , Guandalini Cristina , Ionica Maria , Iuppa Roberto , Laurenti Giuliano , Lazzizzera Ignazio , Lolli Mauro , Manea Christian , Martucci Matteo , Masciantonio Giuseppe , Mergé Matteo , Osteria Giuseppe , Pacini Lorenzo , Palma Francesco , Palmonari Federico , Panico Beatrice , Parmentier Alexandra , Perfetto Francesco , Picozza Piergiorgio , Piersanti Mirko , Pozzato Michele , Puel Matteo , Rashevskaya Irina , Ricci Ester , Ricci Marco , Ricciarini Sergio Bruno , Scotti Valentina , Sparvoli Roberta , Spataro Bruno , Vitale Vincenzo , Zoffoli Simona , Zuccon Paolo
Published: December 2020

The China Seismo‐Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES) space mission—also known as Limadou in Italian—is a scientific collaboration between China and Italy that aims to investigate the structure and dynamics of the iono/magnetosphere, and in particular to study the possible correlation of perturbations to the occurrence of high‐magnitude seismic events. The Chinese satellite houses the Italian high‐energy particle detector (HEPD), an apparatus composed of a silicon tracker and a calorimeter system, which detects electrons and protons in the energy ranges 3–100 and 30–200 MeV, respectively. The satellite was launched on February 2, 2018; after a commissioning phase dedicated to the setting of an optimal configuration, HEPD is fully operational since July 28, 2018. After a general overview of the CSES‐Limadou mission, this article presents the structure of the HEPD apparatus and describes the design and implementation of the software for the embedded computer system that is responsible for HEPD management. The onboard software runs on the digital signal processors of two electronic boards (CPU and data acquisition), monitors system status, handles instrument data acquisition, performs periodic calibration of the subdetectors, performs data compression, and communicates with the satellite. An overview of HEPD in‐flight operations and performance is given in the last section.
Blockchain‐based video forensics and integrity verification framework for wireless Internet‐of‐Things devices
Authors: Mercan Suat , Cebe Mumin , Aygun Ramazan S. , Akkaya Kemal , Toussaint Elijah , Danko Dominik
Published: December 2020

A camera footage which is essential for forensic investigations can easily be modified with advanced video tampering techniques. This makes it necessary to employ novel methods to retain and prove the integrity of captured scene in criminal investigations. In this vein, blockchain technology has received a substantial interest in the last decade as it provides trust among users without a trusted third party, which enabled a myriad of applications. To this end, we propose a framework that utilizes blockchain technology to verify integrity of a camera footage recorded by a resource‐constrained wireless Internet of Things (IoT) device. The proposed approach computes the hash of the video data before it leaves the IoT device to ensure the integrity. The hash is then stored on a permissioned blockchain platform that enables detection of tampering in the video. The continuous stream is segmented efficiently to have periodic hash value to minimize the risk of video loss in case of device failure. The system has been implemented on a Raspberry Pi and Hyperledger to validate its efficiency. We are able to process high resolution videos on a resource‐constrained with reasonable amount of delay. The integrity of recorded video is successfully verified by using the digest kept in permissioned blockchain.
Comparative Study of the Cleanliness of Interstitial‐Free Steel with Low and High Phosphorus Contents
Authors: Li Yihong , He Yibo , Ren Zhifeng , Bao Yanping , Wang Rui
Published: December 2020

Herein, a study comparatively investigating the total oxygen (TO) and nitrogen (N) contents, evolution of inclusions, variations in slag composition, and nozzle clogging during the production of an interstitial‐free (IF) steel and a P‐containing high‐strength (HS) IF steel is presented. The results show that during the production of both steels, the TO content gradually decreases after the deoxidation, with the TO content in the molten steel in the tundish below 30 ppm. There is no significant variance in the N content. The two steels have similar quantities of small inclusions of similar types and sizes. However, the P‐containing HS IF steel has a much higher content of large inclusions, which mainly come from the entrapped mold powder and peeled‐off nozzle clogging. Compared to the common IF steel, the P‐containing HS IF steel has a higher MnO content in the slag during the Ruhrstahl–Heraeus process, compromising cleanliness control; the P‐containing HS IF steel has more significant mold liquid‐level fluctuations and more nozzle clogging, which mainly consists of Al2O3 and TiO2. The cause of these issues during the production of the P‐containing HS IF steel is concluded to be related to the high P content.
Retracted: Myogenic regulatory factors are key players in determining muscle mass and meat quality in Jeju native and Berkshire pigs
Authors: Kim Kyoungho , Kim Dahye , Min Yunhui , Jeong DongKee , Son Young‐Ok , Do Kyoungtag
Published: December 2020

Background

Meat from Jeju native pigs (JNPs) is highly popular among Korean consumers; however, the production efficiency is limited due to the low adult body weight. In contrast, the Berkshire breed, which has a genetic background closely related to Asian native pigs, gains weight more efficiently.

Objectives

This study focused on the differential expression of genes related to muscle growth in postnatal myogenesis between Berkshire and JNPs, specifically the myogenic regulatory factor (MRF) genes (MyoD, Pax7, Myf5, Myf6 and MyBPH). The MRF family is primarily involved in the proliferation and development of muscle.

Methods

Qualitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses revealed that expression of MyoD and Pax7 was significantly higher in Berkshire pigs than in JNPs. In addition, co‐expression of MyoD and Pax7 was observed in myotubes formed in cultured C2C12 cells. ToppCluster was used to elucidate the relationship between biological processes of the MRFs and muscle‐related signalling pathways.

Results

MyoD and Pax7 are factors essential for the activation of satellite cell during myogenesis. However, the mRNA and protein levels of MyBPH (which is responsible for meat quality, e.g. water content, colour and tenderness) are significantly higher in both 1‐day‐old piglets and adult JNPs than in Berkshire pigs.

Conclusions

This study provides a genetic understanding of myogenesis in the postnatal and adult stages of Berkshire pigs and JNPs. Moreover, these results will help identify marker genes related to muscle mass, growth performance and meat quality in indigenous Korean pig breeds.
Co‐based coordination polymer‐derived carbon nanotubes: Preparation, post‐processing and application in dye adsorption
Authors: Lin Hong‐Yan , Luan Jian , Lin Jia‐Feng , Tian Yuan , Liu Qian‐Qian
Published: December 2020

Post‐processing methods have been widely reported as an effective method to purify and functionalize the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). We used a new Co‐based coordination polymer (CP) as a catalyst precursor to synthesize multi‐walled CNTs (MWCNTs) by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, and examined the use of acidification, carbonization and functionalization treatments in an attempt to achieve experimental conditions which efficiently functionalize the surface of MWCNTs. Our results indicate that post‐processing methods can efficiently tune the quality and purity of MWCNTs, and these methods play important roles in dye adsorption.
Correction to: Blood Pressure-Lowering Therapy
Authors: Sudano Isabella , Osto Elena , Ruschitzka Frank
Published: December 2020

The Open Access chapter ‘Blood Pressure-Lowering Therapy’ was published online unfortunately without the Conflict of Interest statement. The COI statement should appear as:
Risks and Hazards of Particle Accelerator Technologies
Authors: Otto Thomas
Published: December 2020

In this section, the motivation and operation of particle accelerators are briefly introduced. Then, safety aspects of the key building blocks are treated. Magnets provide the steering forces for accelerated particles. Cryogenics provides the low temperatures required for the operation of superconducting magnets; radiofrequency technologies impart energy to accelerated particles. A byproduct of their operation is Non-ionising radiation. Another type of NIR is represented by lasers which find increasing use in accelerator applications. Finally, collimators shape the particle beams and protect sensitive elements, while dumps absorb the particles at the end of their course.