bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time course of dorsolateral geniculate nucleus plasticity in adult monkeys with laser‐induced retinal lesions
Authors: Pereira Sandra S. , Botelho Eliã P. , Soares Juliana G.M. , Farias Mariana F. , Gattass Ricardo
Published: June 2022

We studied changes in the expression of growth‐associated protein 43 (GAP43), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and calcium‐binding proteins (calbindin [Cb] and parvalbumin [Pv]) in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of four capuchin monkeys with laser‐induced retinal lesions. The lesions were generated with the aid of a neodymium‐YAG dual‐frequency laser with shots of different intensity and at different survival time in each animal. The expression of these proteins in the layers of the dLGN was evaluated by performing histodensitometry of coronal sections throughout the nucleus. High‐power laser shots administered at the border of the optic disc (OD)‐injured fibers resulted in large scotomas. These lesions produced a devastating effect on fibers in this passage, resulting in large deafferentation of the dLGN. The time course of plasticity expressed in this nucleus varied with the degree of the retinal lesion. Topographically, corresponding portions of the dLGN were inferred by the extent of the ocular dominance column revealed by cytochrome oxidase histochemistry in flattened preparations of V1. In the region representing the retinal lesion, the expression of GFAP, GAP43, Pv, and Cb increased and decreased in the corresponding dLGN layers shortly after lesion induction and returned to their original values with different time courses. Synaptogenesis (indicated by GAP43 expression) appeared to be increased in all layers, while “cleansing” of the glial‐damaged region (indicated by GFAP expression) was markedly greater in the parvocellular layers, followed by the magnocellular layers.

Schematic drawings of optic discs laser lesions and of series of coronal sections of the dLGN, in three monkeys, depicting the areas of the nucleus deafferented by the lesions.
Coproporphyrin I as an Endogenous Biomarker to Detect Reduced OATP1B Activity and Shift in Elimination Route in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Takita Hiroyuki , Scotcher Daniel , Chu Xiaoyan , Yee Ka Lai , Ogungbenro Kayode , Galetin Aleksandra
Published: June 2022

Coproporphyrin I (CPI) is an endogenous biomarker of organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B transporter (OATP1B). CPI plasma baseline was reported to increase with severity of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Further, ratio of CPI area under the plasma concentration‐time curve (AUCR) in the presence/absence of OATP1B inhibitor rifampin was higher in patients with CKD compared with healthy participants, in contrast to pitavastatin (a clinical OATP1B probe). This study investigated mechanism(s) contributing to altered CPI baseline in patients with CKD by extending a previously developed physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to this patient population. CKD‐related covariates were evaluated in a stepwise manner on CPI fraction unbound in plasma (fu,p), OATP1B‐mediated hepatic uptake clearance (CLactive), renal clearance (CLR), and endogenous synthesis (ksyn). The CPI model successfully recovered increased baseline and rifampin‐mediated AUCR in patients with CKD by accounting for the following disease‐related changes: 13% increase in fu,p, 29% and 39% decrease in CLactive in mild and moderate to severe CKD, respectively, decrease in CLR proportional to decline in glomerular filtration rate, and 27% decrease in ksyn in severe CKD. Almost complete decline in CPI renal elimination in severe CKD increased its fraction transported by OATP1B, rationalizing differences in the CPI–rifampin interaction observed between healthy participants and patients with CKD. In conclusion, mechanistic modeling performed here supports CKD‐related decrease in OATP1B function to inform prospective PBPK modeling of OATP1B‐mediated drug‐drug interaction in these patients. Monitoring of CPI allows detection of CKD–drug interaction risk for OATP1B drugs with combined hepatic and renal elimination which may be underestimated by extrapolating the interaction risk based on pitavastatin data in healthy participants.
γδ T cells in 3D culture: The potential use in the therapeutics development
Authors: Wang Shih‐Han , Lee Te‐An , Kuo Chun‐Tse , Lai Yun‐Ju , Li Chia‐Wei
Published: June 2022

Gamma‐delta (γδ) T cells have a promising future in various therapies due to their anti‐cancer and anti‐infectious function. As the unique T cell subset plays a vital role in the connection between innate and adaptive immunity, we discussed the potential application of γδ T cell‐based therapy combined with other anti‐tumour treatments. For comprehensive investigation, a three‐dimensional (3D) cell culture system can be applied to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of γδ T cells. Hence, we also summarized and discussed the potential use of the 3D cell culture system for therapeutic developments in γδ T cells.
Performance analysis of cognitive radio‐assisted clustering car‐following V2X communication system
Authors: Le Chi‐Bao , Le Anh‐Tu , Do Dinh‐Thuan
Published: June 2022

In this paper, we study high spectrum efficiency transmission in vehicle to everything (V2X) system to allow the roadside unit (RSU) broadcasts its safety information to vehicles which belong to a dedicated group. However, low latency and high reliability are tightly required in related applications of V2X; we explore advantages of cognitive radio (CR) and non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) to form system, namely, CR NOMA‐V2X. Such considered system provides transmissions from the RSU to vehicles with respect to lower access latency and to enhance the packet reception probability. In the proposed scheme, the vehicles need channel state information (CSI) for signal decoding order, but we face with imperfect CSI occurs in practical scenarios. To evaluate such degraded system performance of the involved CR NOMA‐V2X, we introduce the approximate closed‐form expressions of outage probability. Numerical results indicate the validness of our derivations.
High‐isolated broadband eight‐element linear multi‐input multi‐output array over artificial magnetic surface for wireless and sub‐6 GHz 5G communications
Authors: Malekpoor Hossein , Abolmasoumi Ali
Published: June 2022

A low‐profile eight‐element printed dipole antenna (PDA) array backed by broadband rhomboid artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) is introduced for wireless communication systems. By loading a 4 × 27 AMC reflector into the eight‐element array of PDA, a low‐profile wideband structure with enhanced radiation properties is achieved. The measured S parameters show the broad bandwidth from 4.75 to 7.05 GHz in C‐band with enhanced gains of eight elements (more than 8 dBi) and the suitable isolation between the array elements of more than 23 dB for multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) systems. The suggested PDA with a pair of the microstrip meandered folded poles excited by an E‐shaped microstrip feedline expands the bandwidth in the range of 5.85–6.95 GHz (S11 ≤ −10 dB). The novel AMC unit cell is realized based on the recognized method as rhomboid coupled parasitic patches. The rhomboid AMC design operates at 6.26 GHz with an AMC bandwidth of 5.20–7.24 GHz (32.8%). Then, the suggested rhomboid AMC surface as a reflector of the antenna is inserted into the PDA to exhibit −10 dB measured impedance bandwidth from 4.94 to 6.93 GHz (more than 33%) for wireless local area network (WLAN) and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) applications. The suggested PDA with AMC compared to the PDA without AMC exhibits a size reduction of 34%, enhanced gain up to 8 dBi, and excellent impedance matching (at least −20 dB) with directional radiation patterns.
Novel reconfigurable monopole‐based matching circuitry design for 5G and modern wireless communication systems
Authors: Kamel Amna Shibib , Jalal Ali Sadeq A.
Published: June 2022

In this paper, a design of a reconfigurable printed antenna circuitry for 5G portable devices is proposed based on a miniaturized structure. Thus, the proposed antenna is structured as a printed circuit monopole with a coplanar waveguide port (CWP). The ground proposed CWP is designed as an L‐shaped reflector in order to increase the directivity of the proposed antenna toward a certain direction. A matching circuitry based on a fractal Minkowski structure of the first order is inductively attached to the antenna design to increase the antenna bandwidth. To control the antenna performance, the matching circuit is connected to the L‐shaped reflector through four PIN diodes. The effects of different switching scenarios on the antenna performance are tested numerically and experimentally for validation. It is found that when all diodes are switched ON, such antenna shows two frequency bands, S11 < −10 dB, from 3.5 to 3.7 GHz and from 5.08 to 6.9 GHz. Nevertheless, the antenna gain is found to be about 3.47 dBi at 3.6 GHz and 3.69 dBi around 5.1 GHz. The other switching scenarios are tested and presented in this work. It is observed that the PIN diodes' switching affects significantly on the antenna directivity and the radiation patterns. The antenna performance is parametrically analyzed using CST MWS based on a numerical technique and based on an analytical circuit model. The proposed antenna is fabricated and tested to be compared against the theoretical results. An excellent agreement was obtained between the simulated and measured results.
Ensure digital accessibility across your institution
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: June 2022

Shane Carter, Ph.D., Interim Director of the Disability Resource Center at the University of Nevada Reno, explained what his institution does to ensure digital accessibility.
Use social media to help your office connect with students
Authors: Hamblet Elizabeth C.
Published: June 2022

One challenge many offices experience is getting students to pay attention to office deadlines and to helpful information we can offer. One way to reach them is to use social media. I spoke to disability services professionals at two schools about their approach.
Evaluating the role of negative affect and negative interpretation biases in emotional eating behavior
Authors: Klein Kelly M. , Fitzgerald Elizabeth H. , Forney Katherine Jean , Kennedy Grace A. , Keel Pamela K.
Published: June 2022

Objective

The study of emotional eating, or (over)eating in response to emotions, may inform transdiagnostic interventions for eating pathology. Prior work has focused on the role of negative affect in promoting emotional eating. The present study sought to extend this work through examining the role of cognitive biases.

Method

Women who self‐reported (n = 50) and did not self‐report (n = 40) emotional eating completed self‐report questionnaires of negative affect and negative interpretation biases, an implicit measure of cognitive bias, and a behavioral assay of emotional eating involving an ad lib test meal following a stress induction task.

Results

The emotional eating group endorsed elevated trait negative affect, explicit shame biases, and implicit negative biases compared to controls. In addition, state negative affect increased after the stress induction task, and the emotional eating group endorsed greater state negative affect before and after the task and consumed more food following the stress induction. Only explicit cognitive shame biases demonstrated significant indirect effects in the association between group and food consumption. Specifically, elevated explicit shame biases were positively associated with amount of food consumed for the emotional eating group.

Discussion

Future research should examine whether interventions that target cognitive biases related to shame reduce emotional eating.

Public Significance

Individuals with emotional eating consumed more food than controls following a stress induction. Explicit shame cognitive biases were positively associated with amount of food consumed for the emotional eating group. Shame cogntiive biases may be fruitful targets for reducing emotional eating.
Very long‐term prognosis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a longitudinal study with a period of 20 years
Authors: Sugiura Kenta , Kubo Toru , Ochi Yuri , Miyagawa Kazuya , Baba Yuichi , Noguchi Tatsuya , Hirota Takayoshi , Yamasaki Naohito , Doi Yoshinori L. , Kitaoka Hiroaki
Published: June 2022

Aims

We aim to clarify the prognosis on patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) for a follow‐up period of more than 10 years.

Methods and results

We retrospectively analysed 102 consecutive patients with HCM diagnosed by 31 December 2000. Complete and detailed clinical records were obtained for 93 (91%) of the 102 patients. Sixty‐three (68%) of the 93 patients were men, and the mean age of the patients at the initial evaluation was 51.5 ± 13.0 years. During the mean follow‐up period of 19.6 ± 8.1 years (median 20.1 years), HCM‐related deaths occurred in 20 patients (21% [1.1%/year]). HCM‐related adverse events (including HCM‐related deaths and nonfatal HCM‐related events: hospitalization for heart failure, embolic stroke admission, and sustained ventricular tachycardia with haemodynamic instability or appropriate implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator discharge) occurred in 45 patients (48%). The first HCM‐related adverse events occurred in approximately 20% of the patients in every decade, the first decade to the third decade, from the initial evaluation. Forty‐seven patients (51%) had documentation of atrial fibrillation at the last follow‐up. There were seven patients in the end‐stage HCM group at the initial evaluation, and 22 patients (24%) had progression to end‐stage HCM during the follow‐up period.

Conclusions

In our cohort of patients, HCM‐related mortality was relatively favourable. However, approximately half of the patients suffered from HCM‐related adverse events during the follow‐up period of 20 years. It is important for HCM patients to be carefully followed up over the long‐term because HCM is a lifelong disease.
Patient profiles on outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure: a 10‐year history of the Malaysian population
Authors: Mohd Ghazi Azmee , Teoh Chee Kiang , Abdul Rahim Aizai Azan
Published: June 2022

Aims

Heart failure (HF) affects an estimated 38 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of hospitalization among adults and the elderly. Evidence suggests that there may be regional and ethnic differences in the prevalence, outcomes and management of HF. The aim of this study was to understand the disease burden and treatment patterns of patients hospitalized for HF in multi‐ethnic Malaysia.

Methods and results

A retrospective, non‐interventional study was conducted utilizing 10 years of medical records from the National Heart Institute Malaysia (IJN) from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2018. Of the 4739 patients in the IJN database, 3923 were eligible and were included in this analysis. The study recorded a high male prevalence (72.3%) with a mean age of 62.0 (±13.26) years. The 30‐day and 1‐year rehospitalization rate was 6.8% and 24.7%, respectively. In‐hospital mortality was 7.2% with 27.0% due to cardiovascular causes and 14.2% non‐cardiovascular causes. The 30‐day and 1‐year rehospitalization rates were significantly higher in patients with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP, P < 0.001 and P = 0.002), diastolic blood pressure (DBP, P < 0.001 and P = 0.017), sodium (P < 0.001 and P = 0.029) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, P < 0.001 and P = 0.002) and higher urea (P < 0.001 for both), serum creatinine (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003), and uric acid (P < 0.001 for both), respectively. Risk of hospitalization within 1 year varied significantly by ethnicity and was relatively higher in Indian (28.3%), followed by Malay (24.4%) and Chinese (21.9%; P = 0.008). In‐hospital mortality within 1‐year post‐index date was higher in patients with lower weight (P = 0.002), body mass index (P = 0.009), SBP (P < 0.001), DBP (P < 0.001), sodium (P < 0.001), eGFR (P < 0.001) and higher heart rate (P = 0.039), urea (P < 0.001), serum potassium (P = 0.038), serum creatinine (P < 0.001), and uric acid (P < 0.001). In‐hospital mortality within 1‐year post‐index date was also higher in patients with severe or end‐stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with mild/moderate CKD (P < 0.001) and in patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) compared with those with mid‐range or preserved ejection fraction (P < 0.001). The most commonly prescribed HF medications at discharge were loop diuretics (89.2%), β‐blockers (68.5%), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (56.2%), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (31.5%), and angiotensin receptor blockers (20.8%).

Conclusions

This study provides a greater understanding of the characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcome of hospitalized HF patients in a leading referral centre in Malaysia and will aid the implementation of meaningful interventions to improve patient outcome for HF patients.
Crystal Structures of the Perovskite‐Related System A/Rb/Cu(II)/Br (A=BA, Gu, PEA, 5‐AVA, H2en) with Winners, Losers and Compromises – Versatility from 0D to 3D on Different Levels
Authors: Daub Michael , Natalukha Daria , Hillebrecht Harald
Published: June 2022

By precipitation from aqueous solutions in HBr we have synthesised new ternary compounds of the systems Rb/Cu(II)/Br and A/Cu(II)/Br with the organic cations A=BA, PEA, H2en, 5‐AVA. In addition, we have obtained several quaternary compounds A/Rb/CuBr2. All of the 11 new compounds represent the first Cu(II) bromides of the corresponding systems. The coordination of Cu2+ is dominated by corner‐sharing CuBr6 octahedra, which have four shorter (square‐planar) and two longer distances, due to the Jahn‐Teller effect. There are also representatives with CuBr4 tetrahedra. The dimensionality ranges from 3D (RbCuBr3), over 2D with single (BA2CuBr4, PEA2CuBr4, 5‐AVA2CuBr4, H2enCuBr4,) or double layers (Rb3Cu2Br7, 5‐AVA2RbCu2Br7), to 0D (Rb3CuBr5, Gu2CuBr4). A layer structure with edge‐sharing octahedra is found in GuCu2Br5. Unique structures are found for Rb7Cu3Br13, with a linear chain of elongated (4+2) and compressed (2+4) octahedra, and BACuBr3, with a chain of edge‐sharing tetrahedra. All compounds were characterised by single crystal XRD.
Chemical Synthesis of the Linker‐Armed Trisaccharide Repeating Unit of the O‐Antigen from Pseudomonas putida BIM B‐1100
Authors: Pal Debasish , Chaudhury Aritra , Mukhopadhyay Balaram
Published: June 2022

The manuscript reports the concise chemical synthesis of the trisaccharide repeating unit of the O‐antigen from Pseudomonas putida BIM B‐1100 in the form of its aminoethyl glycoside through a linear strategy with rational protecting group manipulations. The challenging aspects of this synthesis include the incorporation of the β‐D‐ManpNAcA and the α‐D‐GlcpNAc residues. The introduction of the desired carboxylic acid moiety has been achieved through late‐stage TEMPO‐mediated oxidation of the primary OH group on the protected trisaccharide. 1,2‐cis aminoethyl glycoside with central glucosamine is used at the reducing end to the leave the scope for further glycoconjugate formation with suitable aglycone without hampering the anomeric stereochemistry.
Effectiveness and robustness of braced‐damper systems with adaptive negative stiffness devices in yielding structures
Authors: Wang Meng , Li Yan‐Wen , Nagarajaiah Satish , Xiang Yang
Published: June 2022

This study applied adaptive negative stiffness devices in the application of braced‐damper systems to propose an adaptive negative stiffness amplifying damper (NSAD), and investigated its effectiveness and robustness for controlling the inelastic seismic responses of yielding structures. The adaptive stiffness behavior of the proposed NSAD perform negative stiffness and damping magnification effect within a certain displacement threshold, thus controlling both structural acceleration and drift at elastic stage; when subjected to strong earthquakes, the proposed NSAD would adaptively develop positive stiffness, which limits the inelastic deformation of yielding structures. A set of nonlinear seismic spectra are established for responses including acceleration, ductility, energy dissipation, and residual deformation. Numerical results validated that the proposed adaptive NSAD is effective for both elastic and inelastic structures. In addition, influences of key parameters like flexible support, negative stiffness ratio, and displacement threshold ratio (ratio of displacement threshold to yielding displacement), are carefully studied. From the point of controlling both acceleration and ductility demands of inelastic structures, the displacement threshold ratio is recommended to have a value close to a unit; typically, a reasonable upper limit of displacement threshold ratio is recommended to be lower than 1.5 to avoid amplifying residual deformation.
The information effect of order flows in foreign currency futures and spot markets
Authors: Chen Yu‐Lun , Gau Yin‐Feng
Published: June 2022

Using intraday EUR–USD and JPY–USD data in both electronic futures and spot markets, we examine the important role played by order flow in price discovery and in intermediating the exchange‐rate reactions to macroeconomic news. We find that, after considering the order flows of futures and spot markets, the futures market dominates price discovery when compared with the spot market, confirming that order flows have a permanent impact on prices, even more so in futures markets. Furthermore, announcement surprises in gross domestic product, jobless claims, and nonfarm payroll affect both order flows and exchange‐rate changes.
Clarifying the causes of consistent and inconsistent findings in genetics
Authors: Dattani Saloni , Howard David M. , Lewis Cathryn M. , Sham Pak C.
Published: June 2022

As research in genetics has advanced, some findings have been unexpected or shown to be inconsistent between studies or datasets. The reasons these inconsistencies arise are complex. Results from genetic studies can be affected by various factors including statistical power, linkage disequilibrium, quality control, confounding and selection bias, as well as real differences from interactions and effect modifiers, which may be informative about the mechanisms of traits and disease. Statistical artefacts can manifest as differences between results but they can also conceal underlying differences, which implies that their critical examination is important for understanding the underpinnings of traits. In this review, we examine these factors and outline how they can be identified and conceptualised with structural causal models. We explain the consequences they have on genetic estimates, such as genetic associations, polygenic scores, family‐ and genome‐wide heritability, and describe methods to address them to aid in the estimation of true effects of genetic variation. Clarifying these factors can help researchers anticipate when results are likely to diverge and aid researchers' understanding of causal relationships between genes and complex traits.
Palaeogeography and provenance transition of Precambrian–Cambrian unconformity at the southern margin of the North China Craton
Authors: Zhang Biyun , Zheng Deshun , Liu Yangguang , Shi Mengyan
Published: June 2022

The Precambrian–Cambrian unconformity boundary is ubiquitous and globally documented, which is of great significance to studying major global scientific issues such as environmental transition, positions of the supercontinent, Cambrian explosion, and global geochemical cycle. However, few studies have been on the palaeogeographic features and provenance changes of the Precambrian–Cambrian unconformity boundary at the southern margin of North China Craton (NCC). This uncertainty hampers us from further understanding the early climate change and plate evolutionary history of the NCC. To improve the knowledge of the palaeogeographic features and provenance changes of the Precambrian–Cambrian unconformity boundary on the southern margin of the NCC, the Luoquan and Xinji formations at the southern margin of the NCC were selected as the research object integrated with sedimentary petrology, trace elements, and detrital zircon geochronology investigation. The results suggest a depositional gap between the Luoquan and Xinji formations. The former is glacial to deglaciation deposits, while the latter is shallow to coastal sediments. Compared with the sedimentary stratum of the South China Craton, the Luoquan Formation lacks at least one transgression and regression cycle. The Xinji Formation has detrital zircon age peaks of 1200, 1100, and 950 Ma, unavailable in the Luoquan Formation. The provenance areas of the Luoquan and Xinji formations have changed, indicating that the provenances of the Luoquan Formation belong to the NCC and part of the provenances of the Xinji Formation belong to the North Qinling Terrane (NQT). The trace element data indicate that the tectonic setting of the Luoquan and Xinji formations has changed from a continental island arc to a passive continental margin. It is suggested that the NCC be involved in the evolution of Rodinia supercontinent, which leads to the change of the provenance and tectonic setting. This research provides an explanation for the Precambrian–Cambrian tectonic history, basin development, stratigraphic correlation, and palaeogeographic reconstruction of NCC.
Brain tumor classification by using a novel convolutional neural network structure
Authors: Polat Özlem , Dokur Zümray , Ölmez Tamer
Published: June 2022

Brain tumors located in the skull are among the health problems that cause serious consequences. Rapid and accurate detection of brain tumor types will ensure that the patient receives appropriate treatment in the early period, thus increasing the patient's chance of recovery and survival. In the literature, classification accuracies over 98% have been acquired automatically by using deep neural networks (DNN) for the brain tumor images such as glioma, meningioma, and pituitary. It is observed that researchers generally focused on achieving higher classification accuracy and therefore, they have used pre‐processing stages, augmentation processes, huge or hybrid DNN structures. These approaches have brought some disadvantages in terms of practical use of the developed methods: (i)The parameters of the pre‐processes should be carefully determined, otherwise the classification accuracy will decrease. (ii) In order to increase the classification performance, it is important to determine the coarse structure of the DNN correctly. If the DNN has many hyper‐parameters, the coarse structure will be determined in a long time. (iii) It is difficult to implement complex DNN structures or training algorithms in terms of practical use, because these methods need huge memory and high CPU computation. In this study, we have proposed a novel DNN model to increase the classification accuracy, and to decrease the number of weights in the structure, and to use less number of hyper‐parameters. We named this model, which uses a divergence‐based feature extractor, as DivFE‐v1 for short. 99.18% classification accuracy for the Figshare dataset is obtained by using the small‐sized DNN structure without any pre‐processing stage or augmentation process.
Cover Image
Authors: Xu Meng , Xu Ming , Miao Xiangshui
Published: June 2022

The “ovonic threshold switching (OTS)” selector is the key component in modern semiconductor technology for 3D memory integration. The insufficient understanding of OTS physics, however, has impeded the materials innovation and industrial advancement. In the cover, the authors illustrate a machine learning strategy to shed light on the OTS mechanism. A vast amount of structural features are collected to train the neural network so that it can recognize the defect states which are known as the origin of OTS behavior in chalcogenide glass. The machine learning method allows researchers to design disordered functional materials from first principles. (DOI: 10.1002/inf2.12315)

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The importance of four‐membered NHCs in stabilizing Breslow intermediates on benzoin condensation pathway
Authors: Dubey Gurudutt , Singh Tejender , Bharatam Prasad V.
Published: June 2022

N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been established to be effective organocatalysts for facilitating the benzoin condensation and many other reactions. These reactions involve the formation of a Breslow intermediate (BI), which exhibits umpolung chemistry. To facilitate organocatalysis, several new cyclic carbenes are being introduced, four‐membered NHCs are of special interest. Whether these NHCs can exhibit catalytic influence or not, can be evaluated by exploring the potential energy surface (PES) of the benzoin condensation reaction. Quantum chemical analysis has been carried out to compare the PES of these four‐membered NHCs with that of standard five‐membered NHCs to explore their catalytic ability. The barrier for the first step of the reaction for the formation of BI is comparable in all the cases. But the barrier for the second step of the reaction leading to the benzoin formation from BI is estimated to be very high for the four membered NHCs. These results indicate that the probability of identifying and isolating the BI is very high in comparison to the completion of benzoin condensation reaction in the case of the four‐membered NHCs.
Lantern‐type dinickel complexes: An exploration of possibilities for nickel–nickel bonding with bridging bidentate ligands
Authors: Langstieh Derek R. , Lyngdoh Richard H. Duncan , King Robert Bruce , Schaefer Henry F.
Published: June 2022

Many binuclear nickel complexes have NiNi distances suggesting NiNi covalent bonds, including lantern‐type complexes with bridging bidentate ligands. This DFT study treats tetragonal, trigonal, and digonal lantern‐type complexes with the formamidinate, guanidinate, and formate ligands, besides some others. Formal bond orders (ranging from zero to two) are assigned to all the NiNi bonds on the basis of MO occupancy considerations. A VB‐based electron counting approach assigns plausible resonance structures to the dinickel cores. Model tetragonal complexes with the dimethylformamidinate and the dithioformate ligands have singlet ground states whose non‐covalently bonded NiNi distances are close to those in their experimentally known counterparts. Trigonal dinickel complexes are unknown, but are predicted to have quartet ground states with NiNi bonds of order 0.5. The model digonal complexes are predicted to have triplet ground states, but the predicted NiNi bond lengths are longer than those found in their experimentally known counterparts. This could owe to inadequate treatment of electron correlation by DFT in these short NiNi bonds with their multiconfigurational character. All the NiNi bond distances here are categorized into ranges according to the NiNi bond orders of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2, no NiNi bonds of order higher than two being identified. The NiNi bonds of given order in these lantern‐type complexes are consistently shorter than the corresponding NiNi bonds in dinickel complexes having carbonyl ligands, attributable to the metalmetal bond lengthening effect of CO ligands.
Transparent and complete reporting of confounding in observational research
Authors: Larsson Henrik
Published: June 2022

Improved understanding of causal risk factors for child and adolescent mental health problems are dependent on observational research. Although confounding is a major limitation of observational research, this problem is widely ignored in the reporting and dissemination of findings from observational studies in psychiatric journals. There is clearly a need for improved reporting of confounding and more careful interpretation of observational research in psychiatry.
Effects of caffeic acid on the growth performance, growth genes, digestive enzyme activity, and serum immune parameters of beluga (Huso huso)
Authors: Ahmadifar Ehsan , Mohammadzadeh Sedigheh , Kalhor Naser , Salehi Farzin , Eslami Mahboubeh , Zaretabar Amine , Moghadam Mohsen S. , Hoseinifar Seyed H. , Van Doan Hien
Published: June 2022

Caffeic acid is a phenolic metabolite known for its beneficial pharmaceutical effects and is suggested as a functional additive for aquaculture. In this study, the effects of caffeic acid on the growth performance, growth genes, digestive enzyme activity, and serum immune parameters of beluga (Huso huso) were investigated. For this purpose, 120 beluga juveniles (367.75 ± 21.32 g) were divided into 12 tanks and fed with caffeic acid at rates of 0 (T0, control), 1 (T1), 5 (T2), and 10 (T3) g/kg for 56 days. The final weight and weight gain of beluga were significantly higher in fish fed 5 (T2) and 10 (T3) g caffeic acid/kg than in the control group and 1 (T1) g caffeic acid/kg. The specific growth rate was significantly higher in beluga fed 10 g caffeic acid/kg than 0 and 1 g/kg. Compared with the control group, the amylase, lipase, and pepsin activities were significantly higher in T2 and T3. The relative expression of growth hormone and insulin‐like growth factor significantly increased in T3 compared with the control group. The expression of lipoprotein lipase and nuclear factor interleukin 3 of beluga fed 5 and 10 g caffeic acid/kg was higher than the control group. The lysozyme activity, total immunoglobulin, and total protein in the serum of beluga significantly increased in fish fed with caffeic acid at different rates compared with the control group. Based on the finding, the results suggested that the inclusion of caffeic acid (5–10 g/kg) in the diets of beluga is recommended to enhance the growth performance, some digestive enzyme activity, and serum immune parameters.
A report of the social determinants of health workshop: Muddle cleared up in a polylogue
Authors: Iizuka Gemmei , Mizumoto Junki , Haseda Maho , Yokota Yuya
Published: June 2022

This letter illustrated our online workshop about clinical practice and postgraduate education about social determinants of health (SDH) to family medicine residents and attending physicians in Japan. The participants were encouraged not only by acquiring knowledge and skills but by sharing their experience and talking reflectively. The opportunities for family physicians in Japan to learn about SDH and reflect on their practices should be warranted.
眼周囲外傷に対する救急診療の現状報告：記述研究(Periocular injuries in the emergency department: a descriptive study)
Authors: (Seiya Awata) 粟田 聖也 , (Yoshinori Matsuoka) 松岡 由典 , (Hiroki Kinoshita) 木下 裕規 , (Koichi Ariyoshi) 有吉 孝一
Published: June 2022

【目的】眼周囲外傷は救急外来で頻繁に遭遇する外傷の一つだが，本邦において救急医による診療実態に関してはあまり知られていない。本研究では，救急医による眼周囲外傷の診療内容について評価することを目的とした。【対象】2016年1月から2017年12月までに当院救命救急センターを受診した眼周囲外傷患者を対象とし，記述検討を行った。【結果】全212例が対象となり年齢中央値は33歳（17.8–59.3）で，若年・男性の占める割合が多かった。受傷機転は眼周囲打撲が最多で55.7%（118/212）を占めていた。救急医による単独診療は全体の71.2%（151/212）を占め，他診療科へのコンサルトは28.8%（61/212）で行われていた。眼科・形成外科的緊急疾患は，眼球破裂を5.2%（11/212），外眼筋嵌頓を伴う眼窩底骨折を0.5%（1/212）で認め，眼窩コンパートメント症候群や外傷性視神経管損傷は認めなかった。緊急手術は眼球破裂8例に対して施行され，受診から手術までの時間は中央値309分（271–368），そのうち6例（75%）が6時間以内の緊急手術が可能だった。【結語】眼周囲外傷において約3割の症例において専門医へのコンサルトが行われていた。救急医は，眼科診察を含む初期評価に習熟すると同時に，平素から専門科との連携を取っておく必要がある。
Development and chromatographic exploration of stable‐bonded cross‐linked amino silica against classical amino phases
Authors: Wolter Marc , Geibel Christian , Olfert Matthias , Su Min , Bicker Wolfgang , Kramer Markus , Lindner Wolfgang , Lämmerhofer Michael
Published: June 2022

The present work reports on a novel stable‐bonded amino silica stationary phase obtained by crosslinking of surface aminopropyl moieties using triglycidyl isocyanurate. The obtained cross‐linked amido‐amino network silica material exhibited superior hydrolytic stability compared to classical 3‐aminopropyl phases and showed, inter alia, excellent separation of nine therapeutically effective sulfonamides in hydrophilic interaction/weak anion exchange chromatography elution mode. Additionally, the separation of carbohydrates was investigated under classical hydrophilic interaction chromatography conditions as well proving the suitability of the novel phase for such applications. For the evaluation of the hydrolytic stability the prepared material, as well as two commercially available benchmark columns and a set of in‐house synthesized amino‐modified materials, were exposed to harsh aqueous mobile phase conditions for in total of 50 h at elevated temperature. In this context, the materials were examined by elemental analysis, (13C and 29Si cross‐polarization/magic angle spinning) solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance, and a chromatographic test before and subsequent to the exposure to these stress conditions. Lastly, the new stationary phase was classified in comparison to a set of commercially available stationary phases by principal component analysis of resultant retention factors gained from chromatographic standard tests.
Base pay and bonus pay for high‐wage employees: A multi‐study approach to organizational performance
Authors: Bomm Liana , Kaimann Daniel
Published: June 2022

This paper studies how the compensation of high‐wage workers is associated with organizational performance. Based on organizational justice arguments, cognitive evaluation theory (CET), and self‐determination theory (SDT), we hypothesize that bonuses contingent on organizational performance tends to negatively impact the positive relationship between base pay and organizational performance. We use data from two distinct industry environments to show that the interaction between base pay and bonus pay is associated with reducing organizational performance for high‐wage workers. More specifically, bonus pay relates to a decrease in the relationship between base pay and organizational performance.
Improvements and generalizations of results concerning attraction‐repulsion chemotaxis models
Authors: Frassu Silvia , Li Tongxing , Viglialoro Giuseppe
Published: June 2022

We enter the details of two recent articles concerning as many chemotaxis models, one nonlinear and the other linear, and both with produced chemoattractant and saturated chemorepellent. More precisely, we are referring respectively to the papers “Boundedness in a nonlinear attraction‐repulsion Keller–Segel system with production and consumption,” by S. Frassu, C. van der Mee and G. Viglialoro [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 504(2):125428, 2021] and “Boundedness in a chemotaxis system with consumed chemoattractant and produced chemorepellent,” by S. Frassu and G. Viglialoro [Nonlinear Anal. 213:112505, 2021]. These works, when properly analyzed, leave open room for some improvement of their results. We generalize the outcomes of the mentioned articles, establish other statements, and put all the claims together; in particular, we select the sharpest ones and schematize them. Moreover, we complement our research also when logistic sources are considered in the overall study.
Factors associated with inpatient complications among patients with obesity and COVID‐19 at an urban safety‐net hospital: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ryan Tyler J. , Heyman Annie S. , Mulvey Elizabeth N. , McLaughlin Angela , Rizo Ivania M. , Assoumou Sabrina A.
Published: June 2022

Objective

Obesity increases morbidity and mortality from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). This study characterized inpatient complications among patients with obesity and COVID‐19—including myocardial infarction, renal failure requiring dialysis, stroke, secondary bacterial infection, and venous thromboembolism—and identified factors associated with developing at least one inpatient complication at a safety‐net hospital with a diverse cohort.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of all patients admitted for ≥3 days with COVID‐19 between 16 March 2020, and 8 April 2020. Logistic regression identified factors associated with developing at least one COVID‐19‐related complication among patients with obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2).

Results

374 patients were included; 53.7% were classified as having obesity, 43.9% identified as Black, and 38.5% identified as Latino or Hispanic. Obesity was not associated with having at least one inpatient complication on multivariable analysis, but increased age (aOR 1.02, [95% CI 1.01–1.04], p = 0.010) and obstructive sleep apnea (aOR 2.25, [1.08–4.85], p = 0.034) were associated with this outcome.

Conclusions

Obesity was not associated with specified inpatient complications among patients with COVID‐19 admitted to a health system caring for diverse patients. Future studies should incorporate larger cohorts and reflect newer treatment protocols.
The clinical impact of observer variability in lung nodule classification in children with Wilms tumour
Authors: Brok Jesper Sune , Shelmerdine Susan , Damsgaard Frederikke , Smets Anne , Irtan Sabine , Swinson Sophie , Hedayati Venus , Jacob Joseph , Nair Arjun , Oostveen Minou , Pritchard‐Jones Kathy , Olsen Øystein
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To investigate the extent to which observer variability of computed tomography (CT) lung nodule assessment may affect clinical treatment stratification in Wilms tumour (WT) patients, according to the recent Société Internationale d'Oncologie Pédiatrique Renal Tumour Study Group (SIOP‐RTSG) UMBRELLA protocol.

Methods

I: CT thoraces of children with WT submitted for central review were used to estimate size distribution of lung metastases. II: Scans were selected for blinded review by five radiologists to determine intra‐ and inter‐observer variability. They assessed identical scans on two occasions 6 months apart. III: Monte Carlo simulation (MCMC) was used to predict the clinical impact of observer variation when applying the UMBRELLA protocol size criteria.

Results

Lung nodules were found in 84 out of 360 (23%) children with WT. For 21 identified lung nodules, inter‐observer limits of agreement (LOA) for the five readers were ±2.4 and ±1.4 mm (AP diameter), ±1.9 and ±1.8 mm (TS diameter) and ±2.0 and ±2.4 mm (LS diameter) at assessments 1 and 2. Intra‐observer LOA across the three dimensions were ±1.5, ±2.2, ±3.5, ±3.1 and ±2.6 mm (readers 1–5). MCMC demonstrated that 17% of the patients with a ‘true’ nodule size of ≥3 mm will be scored as <3 mm, and 21% of the patients with a ‘true’ nodule size of <3 mm will be scored as being ≥3 mm.

Conclusion

A significant intra–inter observer variation was found when measuring lung nodules on CT for patients with WT. This may have significant implications on treatment stratification, and thereby outcome, when applying a threshold of ≥3 mm for a lung nodule to dictate metastatic status.
Bone mineral density in primarily preadolescent children with hemoglobin E/β‐thalassemia with different severities and transfusion requirements
Authors: Nakavachara Pairunyar , Weerakulwattana Praewvarin , Pooliam Julaporn , Viprakasit Vip
Published: June 2022

Background

Children with β‐thalassemia major and β‐thalassemia intermedia frequently have low bone mass. However, studies of bone mineral density (BMD) in children with transfusion‐dependent (TD) or non‐transfusion‐dependent (NTD) hemoglobin (Hb) E/β‐thalassemia are scarce.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of low bone mass among mostly preadolescent children with NTD and TD Hb E/β thalassemia and the related factors.

Methods

We investigated the BMD of the lumbar spine (LSBMD) and total body (TBBMD), measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, of 59 children with NTD Hb E/β‐thalassemia and 50 with TD Hb E/β‐thalassemia.

Results

The median age of the patients was 10.4 (6.2–13.5) years in the NTD group and 10.3 (5.9–14.1) years in the TD group. These children had a relatively low prevalence of low bone mass (NTD: 1.7%–10.2%; TD: 4%–14%). The values varied with the bone site measured and the BMD size‐adjustment method used (height age vs. bone age). The NTD group had significantly lower TBBMD Z‐scores (adjusted for height age) than the TD group. The proportion of patients with low lumbar spine bone mass (adjusted for bone age) was significantly higher for the TD group than for the NTD group.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that most children with either disease had normal BMD. Patients with the NTD form had a lower TBBMD than those with the TD form. Low bone mass affected the lumbar spine of patients with TD Hb E/β‐thalassemia more than those with the NTD form.
Comprehensive characterization of Echinochloa frumentacea leaf fiber as a novel reinforcement for composite applications
Authors: Rathinavelu Ravichandaran , Paramathma Baskara Sethupathi
Published: June 2022

The promising characteristic features of some natural plant fibers identified has driven many scientists/researchers to seek more plant fibers with good mechanical, thermal, tensile and surface properties. Plant fibers with such characteristics along with their renewable, degradable, eco‐friendly, cost‐effective nature could make them a probable competitor against synthetic ones, in many aspects. Since identification of novel plant fibers with superior quality is necessary at the moment in order to reduce the harmful effects of synthetic materials. Since the current study recognized a novel natural plant fiber from Echinochloa frumentacea and analyzed its efficiency for composite fabrication through various characterization practices. It was found from the physico‐chemical investigation that the fiber encloses with good crystallinity index (35.87%), cellulose content (60.31%) and relatively low density (896 ± 32.14 kg/m3). In fact, EFLF's has admirable thermal stability (330°C) and tensile strength (204.32 ± 14.25 MPa) designated its suitability for temperature varying environments. Conversely, the proposed fiber ensures good fiber‐matrix adhesion in spite of good surface roughness and decreased microfibrillar angle (9.27 ± 0.31°), noted by surface analysis. Hence, the current study recommends further utilization of EFLF as a reinforcing material with high specific qualities and low environmental effect, for composite manufacturing.
Concentrations of nitrogen compounds are related to severe rhinovirus infection in infants. A time‐series analysis from the reference area of a pediatric university hospital in Barcelona
Authors: Armero Georgina , Penela‐Sánchez Daniel , Belmonte Jordina , Gómez‐Barroso Diana , Larrauri Amparo , Henares Desiree , Vallejo Violeta , Jordan Iolanda , Muñoz‐Almagro Carmen , Brotons Pedro , Launes Cristian
Published: June 2022

Background

There is scarce information focused on the effect of weather conditions and air pollution on specific acute viral respiratory infections, such as rhinovirus (RV), with a wide clinical spectrum of severity.

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between episodes of severe respiratory tract infection by RV and air pollutant concentrations (NOx and SO2) in the reference area of a pediatric university hospital.

Methods

An analysis of temporal series of daily values of NOx and SO2, weather variables, circulating pollen and mold spores, and daily number of admissions in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with severe respiratory RV infection (RVi) in children between 6 months and 18 years was performed. Lagged variables for 0–5 days were considered. The study spanned from 2010 to 2018. Patients with comorbidities were excluded.

Results

One hundred and fifty patients were admitted to the PICU. Median age was 19 months old (interquartile range [IQR]: 11–47). No relationship between RV‐PICU admissions and temperature, relative humidity, cumulative rainfall, or wind speed was found. Several logistic regression models with one pollutant and two pollutants were constructed but the best model was that which included average daily NOx concentrations. Average daily NOx concentrations were related with the presence of PICU admissions 3 days later (odds ratio per IQR‐unit increase: 1.64, 95% confidence interval: 1.20–2.25)).

Conclusions

This study has shown a positive correlation between NOx concentrations at Lag 3 and children's PICU admissions with severe RV respiratory infection. Air pollutant data should be taken into consideration when we try to understand the severity of RVis.