bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein as a marker of mucosal healing in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Yasutomi Eriko , Inokuchi Toshihiro , Hiraoka Sakiko , Takei Kensuke , Igawa Shoko , Yamamoto Shumpei , Ohmori Masayasu , Oka Shohei , Yamasaki Yasushi , Kinugasa Hideaki , Takahara Masahiro , Harada Keita , Furukawa Masaki , Itoshima Kouichi , Okada Ken , Otsuka Fumio , Tanaka Takehiro , Mitsuhashi Toshiharu , Kato Jun , Okada Hiroyuki
Published: May 2021

Leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG) may be a novel serum biomarker for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The association of LRG with the endoscopic activity and predictability of mucosal healing (MH) was determined and compared with those of C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal markers (fecal immunochemical test [FIT] and fecal calprotectin [Fcal]) in 166 ulcerative colitis (UC) and 56 Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. In UC, LRG was correlated with the endoscopic activity and could predict MH, but the performance was not superior to that of fecal markers (areas under the curve [AUCs] for predicting MH: LRG: 0.61, CRP: 0.59, FIT: 0.75, and Fcal: 0.72). In CD, the performance of LRG was equivalent to that of CRP and Fcal (AUCs for predicting MH: LRG: 0.82, CRP: 0.82, FIT: 0.70, and Fcal: 0.88). LRG was able to discriminate patients with MH from those with endoscopic activity among UC and CD patients with normal CRP levels. LRG was associated with endoscopic activity and could predict MH in both UC and CD patients. It may be particularly useful in CD.
Chemical analysis and computed tomography of metallic inclusions in Roman glass to unveil ancient coloring methods
Authors: Di Turo Francesca , Moro Giulia , Artesani Alessia , Albertin Fauzia , Bettuzzi Matteo , Cristofori Davide , Moretto Ligia Maria , Traviglia Arianna
Published: May 2021

This paper describes the analysis of two near-spherical metallic inclusions partially incorporated within two Roman raw glass slags in order to elucidate the process that induced their formation and to determine whether their presence was related to ancient glass colouring processes. The theory of metallic scraps or powder being used in Roman times for glass-making and colouring purposes is widely accepted by the archaeological scientific community, although the assumption has been mainly based on oral traditions and documented medieval practices of glass processing. The analysis of the two inclusions, carried out by X-ray computed tomography, electrochemical analyses, and scanning electron microscopy, revealed their material composition, corrosion and internal structure. Results indicate that the two metallic bodies originated when, during the melting phase of glass, metal scraps were added to colour the material: the colloidal metal–glass system reached then a supersaturation condition and the latter ultimately induced metal expulsion and agglomeration. According to the authors’ knowledge, these two inclusions represent the first documented and studied finds directly associated with the ancient practise of adding metallic agents to colour glass, and their analysis provides clear insights into the use of metallic waste in the glass colouring process.
Dynamic changes in gene-to-gene regulatory networks in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Tanaka Yoshihisa , Higashihara Kako , Nakazawa Mai Adachi , Yamashita Fumiyoshi , Tamada Yoshinori , Okuno Yasushi
Published: May 2021

The current pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 has caused extensive damage to society. The characterization of SARS-CoV-2 profiles has been addressed by researchers globally with the aim of resolving this disruptive crisis. This investigation process is indispensable to understand how SARS-CoV-2 behaves in human host cells. However, little is known about the systematic molecular mechanisms involved in the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on human host cells. Here, we present gene-to-gene regulatory networks in response to SARS-CoV-2 using a Bayesian network. We examined the dynamic changes in the SARS-CoV-2-purturbated networks established by our proposed framework for gene network analysis, thus revealing that interferon signaling gradually switched to the subsequent inflammatory cytokine signaling cascades. Furthermore, we succeeded in capturing a COVID-19 patient-specific network in which transduction of these signals was concurrently induced. This enabled us to explore the local regulatory systems influenced by SARS-CoV-2 in host cells more precisely at an individual level. Our panel of network analyses has provided new insights into SARS-CoV-2 research from the perspective of cellular systems.
The importance of the urinary output criterion for the detection and prognostic meaning of AKI
Authors: Vanmassenhove Jill , Steen Johan , Vansteelandt Stijn , Morzywolek Pawel , Hoste Eric , Decruyenaere Johan , Benoit Dominique , Van Biesen Wim
Published: May 2021

Most reports on AKI claim to use KDIGO guidelines but fail to include the urinary output (UO) criterion in their definition of AKI. We postulated that ignoring UO alters the incidence of AKI, may delay diagnosis of AKI, and leads to underestimation of the association between AKI and ICU mortality. Using routinely collected data of adult patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), we retrospectively classified patients according to whether and when they would be diagnosed with KDIGO AKI stage ≥ 2 based on baseline serum creatinine (Screa) and/or urinary output (UO) criterion. As outcomes, we assessed incidence of AKI and association with ICU mortality. In 13,403 ICU admissions (62.2% male, 60.8 ± 16.8 years, SOFA 7.0 ± 4.1), incidence of KDIGO AKI stage ≥ 2 was 13.2% when based only the SCrea criterion, 34.3% when based only the UO criterion, and 38.7% when based on both criteria. By ignoring the UO criterion, 66% of AKI cases were missed and 13% had a delayed diagnosis. The cause-specific hazard ratios of ICU mortality associated with KDIGO AKI stage ≥ 2 diagnosis based on only the SCrea criterion, only the UO criterion and based on both criteria were 2.11 (95% CI 1.85–2.42), 3.21 (2.79–3.69) and 2.85 (95% CI 2.43–3.34), respectively. Ignoring UO in the diagnosis of KDIGO AKI stage ≥ 2 decreases sensitivity, may lead to delayed diagnosis and results in underestimation of KDIGO AKI stage ≥ 2 associated mortality.
Effects of danofloxacin dosing regimen on gastrointestinal pharmacokinetics and fecal microbiome in steers
Authors: Halleran J. L. , Callahan B. J. , Jacob M. E. , Sylvester H. J. , Prange T. , Papich M. G. , Foster D. M.
Published: May 2021

Fluoroquinolones are a class of antimicrobial commonly used in human medicine, and deemed critical by the World Health Organization. Nonetheless, two formulations are approved for the treatment of respiratory disease in beef cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the gastrointestinal pharmacokinetics and impact on enteric bacteria of cattle when receiving one of the two dosing regimens (high: 40 mg/kg SC once or low: 20 mg/kg IM q48hr) of danofloxacin, a commonly utilized synthetic fluoroquinolone in veterinary medicine. Danofloxacin was administered to 12 steers (age 7 months) fitted with intestinal ultrafiltration devices at two different dosing regimens to assess the gastrointestinal pharmacokinetics, the shifts in the gastrointestinal microbiome and the development of resistant bacterial isolates. Our results demonstrated high intestinal penetration of danofloxacin for both dosing groups, as well as, significant differences in MIC values for E. coli and Enterococcus between dosing groups at selected time points over a 38 day period. Danofloxacin treatment consistently resulted in the Euryarchaeota phyla decreasing over time, specifically due to a decrease in Methanobrevibacter. Although microbiome differences were minor between dosing groups, the low dose group had a higher number of isolates with MIC values high enough to cause clinically relevant resistance. This information would help guide veterinarians as to appropriate dosing schemes to minimize the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Kernel weighted least square approach for imputing missing values of metabolomics data
Authors: Kumar Nishith , Hoque Md. Aminul , Sugimoto Masahiro
Published: May 2021

Mass spectrometry is a modern and sophisticated high-throughput analytical technique that enables large-scale metabolomic analyses. It yields a high-dimensional large-scale matrix (samples × metabolites) of quantified data that often contain missing cells in the data matrix as well as outliers that originate for several reasons, including technical and biological sources. Although several missing data imputation techniques are described in the literature, all conventional existing techniques only solve the missing value problems. They do not relieve the problems of outliers. Therefore, outliers in the dataset decrease the accuracy of the imputation. We developed a new kernel weight function-based proposed missing data imputation technique that resolves the problems of missing values and outliers. We evaluated the performance of the proposed method and other conventional and recently developed missing imputation techniques using both artificially generated data and experimentally measured data analysis in both the absence and presence of different rates of outliers. Performances based on both artificial data and real metabolomics data indicate the superiority of our proposed kernel weight-based missing data imputation technique to the existing alternatives. For user convenience, an R package of the proposed kernel weight-based missing value imputation technique was developed, which is available at https://github.com/NishithPaul/tWLSA.
Poor prey quality is compensated by higher provisioning effort in passerine birds
Authors: Senécal Sarah , Riva Julie-Camille , O’Connor Ryan S. , Hallot Fanny , Nozais Christian , Vézina François
Published: May 2021

In altricial avian species, nutrition can significantly impact nestling fitness by increasing their survival and recruitment chances after fledging. Therefore, the effort invested by parents towards provisioning nestlings is crucial and represents a critical link between habitat resources and reproductive success. Recent studies suggest that the provisioning rate has little or no effect on the nestling growth rate. However, these studies do not consider prey quality, which may force breeding pairs to adjust provisioning rates to account for variation in prey nutritional value. In this 8-year study using black-capped (Poecile atricapillus) and boreal (Poecile hudsonicus) chickadees, we hypothesized that provisioning rates would negatively correlate with prey quality (i.e., energy content) across years if parents adjust their effort to maintain nestling growth rates. The mean daily growth rate was consistent across years in both species. However, prey energy content differed among years, and our results showed that parents brought more food to the nest and fed at a higher rate in years of low prey quality. This compensatory effect likely explains the lack of relationship between provisioning rate and growth rate reported in this and other studies. Therefore, our data support the hypothesis that parents increase provisioning efforts to compensate for poor prey quality and maintain offspring growth rates.
One-step peracetic acid pretreatment of hardwood and softwood biomass for platform chemicals production
Authors: Kundu Chandan , Samudrala Shanthi Priya , Kibria Mahmud Arman , Bhattacharya Sankar
Published: May 2021

Lignocellulosic biomass is an attractive renewable resource to produce biofuel or platform chemicals. Efficient and cost-effective conversion systems of lignocellulosic biomass depend on their appropriate pretreatment processes. Alkali or dilute acid pretreatment of biomass requires a high temperature (> 150 °C) to remove xylan (hemicellulosic sugar) and lignin partially. In this study, peracetic acid was used to pretreat biomass feedstocks, including hardwood and softwood species. It was found that the thermally-assisted dilute acid pretreatment of biomass conducted under the mild temperature of 90 °C up to 5 h resulted in the effective removal of lignin from the biomass with a negligible loss of carbohydrates. This thermally-assisted pretreatment achieved 90% of delignification, and this result was compared with the microwave-assisted pretreatment method. In addition, the crystallinity index (CrI), surface morphology, and chemical structure were significantly changed after the acid pretreatment. The biomass digestibility increased significantly with increased reaction time, by 32% and 23% for hardwood and softwood, respectively. From this study, it is clear that peracetic acid pretreatment is an effective method to enrich glucan content in biomass by delignification.
Dietary and Plasmodium challenge effects on the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of Anopheles albimanus
Authors: Claudio-Piedras Fabiola , Recio-Tótoro Benito , Cime-Castillo Jorge , Condé Renaud , Maffei Massimo , Lanz-Mendoza Humberto
Published: May 2021

The cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile reflects the insects’ physiological states. These include age, sex, reproductive stage, and gravidity. Environmental factors such as diet, relative humidity or exposure to insecticides also affect the CHC composition in mosquitoes. In this work, the CHC profile was analyzed in two Anopheles albimanus phenotypes with different degrees of susceptibility to Plasmodium, the susceptible-White and resistant-Brown phenotypes, in response to the two dietary regimes of mosquitoes: a carbon-rich diet (sugar) and a protein-rich diet (blood) alone or containing Plasmodium ookinetes. The CHCs were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry or flame ionization detection, identifying 19 CHCs with chain lengths ranging from 20 to 37 carbons. Qualitative and quantitative changes in CHCs composition were dependent on diet, a parasite challenge, and, to a lesser extent, the phenotype. Blood-feeding caused up to a 40% reduction in the total CHC content compared to sugar-feeding. If blood contained ookinetes, further changes in the CHC profile were observed depending on the Plasmodium susceptibility of the phenotypes. Higher infection prevalence caused greater changes in the CHC profile. These dietary and infection-associated modifications in the CHCs could have multiple effects on mosquito fitness, impacts on disease transmission, and tolerance to insecticides.
Association between stress and bilateral symmetrical alopecia in free-ranging Formosan macaques in Mt. Longevity, Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chen-Chih , Chang Ai-Mei , Tsai Ming-Shan , Huang Yen-Hua , Pei Kurtis Jai-Chyi , Li Yi-Chia
Published: May 2021

Since 2013, a high incidence of bilateral symmetrical alopecia has been observed in free-ranging Formosan macaques (Macaca cyclopis) in Mt. Longevity, Taiwan. We hypothesized that stress induces alopecia in this population. To verify our hypothesis, we evaluated the histopathological characteristics of skin biopsy and used a validated enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) analysis, which act as an indicator of stress experienced by the individual. Follicular densities were lower (2.1–3.0 mm2) in individuals with symmetrical alopecia than in those with normal hair conditions (4.7 mm2). Furthermore, anagen to catagen/telogen ratios were lower in individuals with alopecia (0–1.4) than in those with normal hair (4.0). The histopathological characteristics of alopecia were similar to those of telogen effluvium, which indicates that stress is one of the possible etiologies. On the basis of the analytical and biological validation of EIAs for FGM analysis, 11β-hydroxyetiocholanolone was considered suitable for monitoring adrenocortical activity in both sexes of Formosan macaques. The mean concentrations (standard error; sample size) of 11β-hydroxyetiocholanolone were 2.02 (0.17; n = 10) and 1.41 (0.10; n = 31) μg/g for individuals with and without alopecia, respectively. Furthermore, the results of logistic regression analysis show that 11β-hydroxyetiocholanolone (p = 0.012) concentration was positively associated with alopecia. Thus, stress was the most likely to trigger symmetrical alopecia in Formosan macaques in Mt. Longevity. Although stress can decrease the fitness of an individual, considering the population status of Formosan macaques in Taiwan is stable and alopecia was only observed in our study area, which is isolated from other populations, the impact on the total population of Formosan macaque in Taiwan is limited. Nonetheless, stress-induced immunosuppression and alopecia might affect the local abundance and increase zoonosis risk due to frequent human–macaque contact in Mt. Longevity. Future studies are suggested to focus on the causative factor of stress and the effects of stress and alopecia on the health and welfare in the Formosan macaques.
A binge high sucrose diet provokes systemic and cerebral inflammation in rats without inducing obesity
Authors: Patkar Omkar L. , Mohamed Abdalla Z. , Narayanan Ashwin , Mardon Karine , Cowin Gary , Bhalla Rajiv , Stimson Damion H. R. , Kassiou Michael , Beecher Kate , Belmer Arnauld , Alvarez Cooper Ignatius , Morgan Michael , Hume David A. , Irvine Katharine M. , Bartlett Selena E. , Nasrallah Fatima , Cumming Paul
Published: May 2021

While the dire cardiometabolic consequences of the hypercaloric modern ‘Western’ diet are well known, there is not much information on the health impact of a high sucrose diet not inducing weight gain. Here, we tested the hypothesis that rats reared with intermittent binge access to sucrose in addition to normal chow would develop an inflammatory response in brain. To test this hypothesis, we undertook serial PET/MRI scans with the TSPO ligand [18F]DPA714 in a group of (n=9) rats at baseline and again after voluntarily consuming 5% sucrose solution three days a week for three months. Compared to a control group fed with normal chow (n=9), the sucrose rats indeed showed widespread increases in the availability of cerebral binding sites for the microglial marker, despite normal weight gain compared to the control diet group. Subsequent immunofluorescence staining of the brains confirmed the PET findings, showing a widespread 20% increase in the abundance of IBA-1-positive microglia with characteristic ‘semi-activated’ morphology in the binge sucrose rats, which had 23% lower density of microglial endpoints and 25% lower mean process length compared to microglia in the control rats with ordinary feeding. GFAP immunofluorescence showed no difference in astroglial coverage in the sucrose rats, except for a slight reduction in hypothalamus. The binge sucrose diet-induced neuroinflammation was associated with a significant elevation of white blood cell counts. Taking these results together, we find that long-term intake of sucrose in a binge paradigm, similar in sucrose content to the contemporary Western diet, triggered a low-grade systemic and central inflammation in non-obese rats. The molecular mechanism of this phenomenon remains to be established.
Gene expression and morphological responses of Lolium perenne L. exposed to cadmium (Cd2+) and mercury (Hg2+)
Authors: Cruz Yuby , Villar Sharik , Gutiérrez Karen , Montoya-Ruiz Carolina , Gallego Jorge L. , Delgado Maria del Pilar , Saldarriaga Juan F.
Published: May 2021

Soil contamination with heavy metals is a major problem worldwide, due to the increasing impact mainly caused by anthropogenic activities. This research evaluated the phytoremediation capacity of, Lolium perenne for heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd2+) and mercury (Hg2+), and the effects of these metals on morphology, biomass production, and the changes on gene expression. Seeds of L. perenne were exposed to six concentrations of Cd2+ and Hg2+ in the range of 0 to 25 mg L−1, and two mixtures of Cd2+–Hg2. The Non-Observed Effect Level (NOEL) was established with dose response curves and the expression of specific genes was evaluated applying a commercially available quantitative reverse transcription (RT-qPCR) assay. There was no significant effect when exposing the seeds to Hg2+, for Cd2+ the maximum concentration was established in 0.1 mg L−1, and for the two concentrations of mixtures, there was a negative effect. An increase of expression of genes that regulate antioxidant activity and stress was found when the plant was exposed to heavy metals. Given the high tolerance to metals analyzed that was reflected both, the development of the plant and in its molecular response, these results highlight that L. perenne is a plant with phytoremediator potential.
Ultra-deep sequencing reveals dramatic alteration of organellar genomes in Physcomitrella patens due to biased asymmetric recombination
Authors: Odahara Masaki , Nakamura Kensuke , Sekine Yasuhiko , Oshima Taku
Published: May 2021

Destabilization of organelle genomes causes organelle dysfunction that appears as abnormal growth in plants and diseases in human. In plants, loss of the bacterial-type homologous recombination repair (HRR) factors RECA and RECG induces organelle genome instability. In this study, we show the landscape of organelle genome instability in Physcomitrella patens HRR knockout mutants by deep sequencing in combination with informatics approaches. Genome-wide maps of rearrangement positions in the organelle genomes, which exhibited prominent mutant-specific patterns, were highly biased in terms of direction and location and often associated with dramatic variation in read depth. The rearrangements were location-dependent and mostly derived from the asymmetric products of microhomology-mediated recombination. Our results provide an overall picture of organelle-specific gross genomic rearrangements in the HRR mutants, and suggest that chloroplasts and mitochondria share common mechanisms for replication-related rearrangements.
Spatially visualized single-cell pathology of highly multiplexed protein profiles in health and disease
Authors: Allam Mayar , Hu Thomas , Cai Shuangyi , Laxminarayanan Krishnan , Hughley Robert B. , Coskun Ahmet F.
Published: May 2021

Deep molecular profiling of biological tissues is an indicator of health and disease. We used imaging mass cytometry (IMC) to acquire spatially resolved 20-plex protein data in tissue sections from normal and chronic tonsillitis cases. We present SpatialViz, a suite of algorithms to explore spatial relationships in multiplexed tissue images by visualizing and quantifying single-cell granularity and anatomical complexity in diverse multiplexed tissue imaging data. Single-cell and spatial maps confirmed that CD68+ cells were correlated with the enhanced Granzyme B expression and CD3+ cells exhibited enrichment of CD4+ phenotype in chronic tonsillitis. SpatialViz revealed morphological distributions of cellular organizations in distinct anatomical areas, spatially resolved single-cell associations across anatomical categories, and distance maps between the markers. Spatial topographic maps showed the unique organization of different tissue layers. The spatial reference framework generated network-based comparisons of multiplex data from healthy and diseased tonsils. SpatialViz is broadly applicable to multiplexed tissue biology.
Interband plasmon polaritons in magnetized charge-neutral graphene
Authors: Slipchenko T. M. , Poumirol J.-M. , Kuzmenko A. B. , Nikitin A. Yu. , Martín-Moreno L.
Published: May 2021

Studying the collective excitations in charge neutral graphene (CNG) has recently attracted a great interest because of unusual mechanisms of the charge carrier dynamics. The latter can play a crucial role for formation of recently observed in twisted bilayer CNG graphene plasmon polaritons (GPPs) associated with the interband transitions between the flat electronic bands. Besides, GPPs in CNG can be a tool providing insights into various quantum phenomena in CNG via optical experiments. However, the properties of interband GPPs in CNG are not known, even in the simplest configurations. Here, we show that magnetically-biased single-layer CNG can support interband GPPs of both transverse magnetic and transverse electric polarizations (particularly, at zero temperature). GPPs exist inside the absorption bands originating from the electronic transitions between Landau levels and are tunable by the magnetic field. We place our study into the context of potential near-field and far-field optical experiments.
A real-time LAMP-based dual-sample microfluidic chip for rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple waterborne pathogenic bacteria from coastal waters
Authors: Jin Jinglei , Duan Lijun , Fu Jiali , Chai Fangchao , Zhou Qianjin , Wang Yaohua , Shao Xinbin , Wang Lei , Yan Maocang , Su Xiurong , Zhang Yanjun , Pan Junhang , Chen Jiong
Published: May 2021

(1) A dual-sample microfluidic chip integrated LAMP method was developed to simultaneously detect 10 waterborne pathogenic bacteria within 35 min. (2) Its operations are in a highly automated format and it is suitable for on-site detection.
Lysine succinylation on non-histone chromosomal protein HMG-17 (HMGN2) regulates nucleosomal DNA accessibility by disrupting the HMGN2–nucleosome association
Authors: Jing Yihang , Tian Gaofei , Qin Xiaoyu , Liu Zheng , Li Xiang David
Published: May 2021

Succinylated HMGN2, prepared by a ‘thiol–ene reaction’, disrupted the association of HMGN2 with the nucleosome and increased nucleosomal DNA accessibility.
Anthropogenic influences on Zambian water quality: hydropower and land-use change
Authors: Winton R. Scott , Teodoru Cristian R. , Calamita Elisa , Kleinschroth Fritz , Banda Kawawa , Nyambe Imasiku , Wehrli Bernhard
Published: May 2021

Hydropower dams along with urban and agricultural land-use changes are altering surface water quality in the Zambezi River Basin, Zambia. Field data reveal local impacts and point to monitoring needs for safeguarding water resources under pressure.
Engineering bioactive synthetic polymers for biomedical applications: a review with emphasis on tissue engineering and controlled release
Authors: Bolívar-Monsalve Edna Johana , Alvarez Mario Moisés , Hosseini Samira , Espinosa-Hernandez Michelle Alejandra , Ceballos-González Carlos Fernando , Sanchez-Dominguez Margarita , Shin Su Ryon , Cecen Berivan , Hassan Shabir , Di Maio Ernesto , Trujillo-de Santiago Grissel
Published: May 2021

We review strategies for engineering synthetic polymers from fabrication to chemical functionalization for biomedical applications. Particular emphasis is devoted to strategies related to tissue engineering and controlled release applications.
Substitutional–interstitial structural transition in Cu–Pt nano-alloys
Authors: Geoffrion Luke D. , José-Yacaman Miguel , Lehr Alexander , Yang Shi-ze , Sanchez John , Velazquez-Salazar J. Jesus , Guisbiers Grégory
Published: May 2021

Copper–platinum alloys are important binary alloys in catalysis.
Optimization of plasmonic metal structures for improving the hydrogen production efficiency of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Yang , Guo Jianping , Yu Yu , Duan Wubiao , Yang Yang , Bai Xue , Liu Bo
Published: May 2021

The transverse resonance of Au can inject hot electrons to MOF-based photocatalyst more efficiently than longitudinal resonance, thereby lead to significantly enhanced separation of electron–hole pairs and H2 generation ability.
An excimer to exciplex transition through realization of donor–acceptor interactions in luminescent solvent-free liquids
Authors: Wakchaure Vivek Chandrakant , Goudappagouda  , Das Tamal , Ravindranathan Sapna , Santhosh Babu Sukumaran
Published: May 2021

An exclusive dual-mode sensing of TNT achieved using donor–acceptor emissive “exciplex liquids” is otherwise not possible using individual molecules or their corresponding solid counterparts.
Realizing luminescent and dielectric abilitiesvialattice-disturbance with Eu3+/Ti4+co-substitutions in Ba2NaNb5O15ceramics
Authors: Wei Donglei , Seo Hyo Jin
Published: May 2021

Tungsten bronze-type ceramics have been widely investigated as one of the best ferroelectric frameworks.
A bioinspired interfacial design to toughen carbon nanotube fibers
Authors: Dong Shaojun , Gan Zhongdong , Chen Xinyan , Pei Ying , Li Bin , Ren Jing , Wang Yanlei , He Hongyan , Ling Shengjie
Published: May 2021

A scalable strategy to improve the toughness of a general type of CNT fiber through a bioinspired interfacial design while maintaining the conductivity provides unique design principles for the high performance flexible electronic materials.
Tandem aza-Heck Suzuki and carbonylation reactions of O-phenyl hydroxamic ethers: complex lactams via carboamination
Authors: Gao Run-Duo , Shuler Scott A. , Watson Donald A.
Published: May 2021

The palladium-catalysed tandem aza-Heck–Suzuki and aza-Heck–carbonylation reactions of O-phenyl hydroxamic ethers are reported.
Rational design of a photoswitchable DNA glue enabling high regulatory function and supramolecular chirality transfer
Authors: Simeth Nadja A. , Kobayashi Shotaro , Kobauri Piermichele , Crespi Stefano , Szymanski Wiktor , Nakatani Kazuhiko , Dohno Chikara , Feringa Ben L.
Published: May 2021

We present the rational design of photoswitchable DNA glue to trigger the reversible formation of duplex DNA by light. The supramolecular assembly shows a mutual interaction between ligand and DNA, which induces a preferred helicity in the switch.
An anode-free aqueous dual-ion battery
Authors: Miao Zhonghao , Yu Haoxiang , Xia Maoting , Zheng Runtian , Yang Zhengwei , Liu Yiwen , Zhang Liyuan , Shu Jie
Published: May 2021

Herein, a novel anode-free aqueous dual-ion cell is developed with expanded graphite as cathode, inactive current collector as anode replacement and inorganic/organic hybrid zinc salts as electrolyte.
Stress und Psychobiologie bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen
Authors: Waller Christiane
Published: May 2021

In der Kardiologie sind die Stress-Kardiomyopathie oder Stress als Risikofaktor fester Bestandteil des klinischen Wissens, auch wenn die psycho-biologischen Zusammenhänge weiterer Aufklärung bedürfen. Dieser Artikel behandelt Stress in der Psychokardiologie und neue Erkenntnisse aus der molekularen Psychokardiologie.
Colon capsule endoscopy is a viable alternative to colonoscopy for the investigation of intermediate- and low-risk patients with gastrointestinal symptoms: results of a pilot study
Authors: Ismail Mohd Syafiq , Semenov Serhiy , Sihag Sandeep , Manoharan Thilagaraj , Douglas Atiyekeogbebe Rita , Reill Phyllis , Kelly Michael , Boran Gerard , O’Connor Anthony , Breslin Niall , O’Donnell Sarah , Ryan Barbara , McNamara Deirdre
Published: May 2021

Background and study aims Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is a recommended viable alternative to colonoscopy for colonic visualisation in a variety of clinical settings with proven efficacy in polyp detection, surveillance, screening and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) assessment. CCE efficacy in an unselected average risk symptomatic cohort has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of CCE imaging assessment in average risk symptomatic patients as an alternative to colonoscopy with and without additional biomarker assessment.

Patients and methods This was a prospective, single-center comparison study of colonoscopy, CCE and biomarker assessment.

Results Of 77 invited subjects, 66 underwent both a CCE and colonoscopy. A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and fecal calprotectin (FC) were available in 56 and 59 subjects. In all 64 % (n = 42) had any positive finding with 16 (24 %) found to have significant disease (high-risk adenomas, IBD) on colonoscopy. The CCE completion rate was 76 %, five (8 %) had an inadequate preparation, the CCE polyp detection rate was high at 35 %. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of CCE for significant disease were 81 %, 98 %, 93 % and 94 % respectively. In addition, three (5 %) significant small bowel diagnoses were made on CCE. FC and FIT were frequently elevated in patients with both colitis (5/7, 71 %) and high-risk adenomas (4/7 57 %). While both had a low positive predictive value for clinically significant disease, FIT 32 % and FC 26 %.

Conclusions CCE is a safe and effective alternative to colonoscopy in symptomatic average risk patients with or without the addition of biomarker screening.
Pain in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Implant Dentistry: Types and Management
Authors: Selvido Diane Isabel , Bhattarai Bishwa Prakash , Rokaya Dinesh , Niyomtham Nattisa , Wongsirichat Natthamet
Published: May 2021

Over the years, the pain has been defined numerous times in several ways. In oral and maxillofacial surgery, the occurrence of pain, especially postoperatively, is anticipated. Pain arises as a combination of various processes after tissue damage. Distinct pain experiences in oral surgery were depicted in several previous studies, adding knowledge to the field. The management of these encounters has been suggested over time, improving treatment approaches in the clinical setting. This review aims to understand the pain and its types and intervention in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Protein C Gene Mutation in an Older Adult Patient with Clostridium perfringens Septicemia-Related Visceral Vein Thrombosis
Authors: Kanosue Kiyoko , Nagaya Satomi , Morishita Eriko , Yamanishi Masayoshi , Imashuku Shinsaku
Published: May 2021

A 78-year-old Japanese male with Clostridium perfringens septicemia and cholecystitis was found to have thrombosis in the left branch of intrahepatic portal vein as well as superior mesenteric vein. Visceral vein thrombosis (VVT) in this case was associated with protein C deficiency, due to a heterozygous mutation, p. Arg185Met. Our experience emphasizes that VVT, or other thromboembolic events, may occur in later life, triggered by environmental thrombosis risk factors, together with underlying hereditary protein C gene mutation.
Improving Documentation Using a Real-Time Location System in a Pediatric Emergency Department
Authors: Overmann Kevin M. , Barrick Lindsey , Porter Stephen C.
Published: May 2021

Background Appropriate documentation of critical care services, including key time-based parameters, is critical to accurate severity of illness metrics and proper reimbursement. Documentation of time-based elements for critical care services performed in emergency departments (ED) remains inconsistent. We integrated electronic medical record and real-time location system (RTLS)-derived data to augment quality improvement methodology.

Objective We aimed to increase the proportion of patient encounters with critical care services performed at a pediatric ED that had appropriate documentation from a baseline of 76 to 90% within 6 weeks.

Methods The team formulated a framework of improvement and performed multiple plan-do-study-act cycles focused on key drivers. We integrated the capabilities of an RTLS for precise location tracking to identify patient encounters in which critical care services were performed and to minimize unnecessary audits and feedback. We developed an intervention using iterative revisions to address key drivers and improve documentation. The primary outcome was the proportion of patient encounters for which critical care services were performed for which a time-based attestation was documented in the medical record.

Results We analyzed 92 encounters between March 2020 and April 2020. While the proportion of eligible patient encounters with critical care documentation improved from 76 to 85%, this change was unable to be directly attributed to improvement efforts. Patients with respiratory complaints encompassed the majority of eligible encounters without appropriate documentation.

Conclusion Utilizing improvement methodology and a novel application of RTLS, we successfully identified the co-location of physicians with patients receiving critical care services and designed interventions to improve documentation of critical care services provided in a pediatric ED. While changes were not able to be attributed to improvement efforts in this project, this project demonstrates the utility of RTLS to augment and inform systematic improvement efforts.
Entscheidungsunterstützung: Eine Investition in den Erlös
Authors: Mäther Daniel
Published: May 2021

Künstliche Intelligenz birgt zahlreiche Möglichkeiten, um die medizinische Versorgung zu verbessern. Häufig fehlen jedoch Belege, welche die konkreten ökonomischen Effekte von KI sichtbar machen und die Einkäufer in Entscheidungsprozesse einbringen können.
Elastic properties of confined fluids from molecular modeling to ultrasonic experiments on porous solids
Authors: Dobrzanski Christopher D. , Gurevich Boris , Gor Gennady Y.
Published: May 2021

Fluids confined in nanopores are ubiquitous in nature and technology. In recent years, the interest in confined fluids has grown, driven by research on unconventional hydrocarbon resources—shale gas and shale oil, much of which are confined in nanopores. When fluids are confined in nanopores, many of their properties differ from those of the same fluid in the bulk. These properties include density, freezing point, transport coefficients, thermal expansion coefficient, and elastic properties. The elastic moduli of a fluid confined in the pores contribute to the overall elasticity of the fluid-saturated porous medium and determine the speed at which elastic waves traverse through the medium. Wave propagation in fluid-saturated porous media is pivotal for geophysics, as elastic waves are used for characterization of formations and rock samples. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of experimental works on wave propagation in fluid-saturated nanoporous media, as well as theoretical works focused on calculation of compressibility of fluids in confinement. We discuss models that bridge the gap between experiments and theory, revealing a number of open questions that are both fundamental and applied in nature. While some results were demonstrated both experimentally and theoretically (e.g., the pressure dependence of compressibility of fluids), others were theoretically predicted, but not verified in experiments (e.g., linear scaling of modulus with the pore size). Therefore, there is a demand for the combined experimental-modeling studies on porous samples with various characteristic pore sizes. The extension of molecular simulation studies from simple model fluids to the more complex molecular fluids is another open area of practical interest.
Ultrafast and reversible anion storage of spinel nanoarchitecture for high-performance alkaline zinc full cells
Authors: Sivakumar Periyasamy , Jana Milan , Jung Min Gyu , Nakhanivej Puritut , Xia Bao Yu , Park Ho Seok
Published: May 2021

Rechargeable alkaline zinc batteries are considered to be potential energy-storage systems owing to their natural abundance, low toxicity, and high capacity. However, their performance and efficiency are limited by the sluggish kinetics and irreversibility of the anode and cathode. In particular, high-capacity binary transition metal-based spinel materials that can store OH− anions are expected to replace commercial MnO cathodes owing to their abundant active sites of two or more transition metals. Herein, we report an ultrafast and reversible anion storage mechanism of spinel NiCo2O4 nanoarchitectures decorated onto N-doped reduced graphene oxide (NCO@N-rGO) for high-performance rechargeable alkaline zinc full cells. The NCO@N-rGO electrode exhibits high specific and rate capacities of 191 mA h g−1 at 1000 mA g−1 and 151 mA h g−1 even at 20 000 mA g−1, respectively, much higher than those of NCO@rGO and NCO. The as-designed cells achieve a record-high volumetric power density (7.20 W cm−3) among alkaline zinc full cells, along with a high energy density (14.93 mW h cm−3) and a capacity retention of 77% over 3000 cycles at 6000 mA g−1. These results are attributed to the facile charge-storage kinetics of the spinel framework, multiple Ni3+/Ni2+ and Co3+/Co2+ redox couples with OH−, and structural integrity of N-rGO as verified by electrochemical, ex situ XRD and XPS, and postmortem analyses. This work proposes a rational design of nanoarchitectured electrode materials for high volumetric performances and long-cycle life of rechargeable alkaline zinc batteries.
Joint examination of fuel-related measures for the improvement of corn cob combustion properties
Authors: Dragutinovic Natasa , Höfer Isabel , Kaltschmitt Martin
Published: May 2021

The aim of this paper is the production of a high-quality corn cob pellet which satisfies ISO 17225-6 requirements and addresses the ash melting behavior through additives kaolin and magnesium oxide. The effects of additives on the (1) physico-mechanical properties and (2) ash melting behavior of pellets were investigated. Before statistically analyzing the effect of additives on the mechanical durability and bulk density, pelletizing was conducted in two experimental series (full factorial design). In series 1, moisture content (18–20 wt. %), additive type (kaolin or MgO), and additive content (0–2 wt. %) were varied; in series 2, binding agent content (2–4 wt. %), additive type (kaolin or MgO), and additive content (0–2 wt. %) were varied, whereas moisture content was kept constant at 20 wt. %. The effect of additives on ash melting behavior was pre-evaluated: (1) in a laboratory scale, (2) using thermodynamic equilibrium calculations, and (3) fuel indices. Results show that without a binder, only pellets with MgO can reach durability threshold class B (≥96 wt. %) from ISO 17225-6, whereas using a binder, the mean value of all pellets complies with the durability class A (≥97.5 wt. %). Results of pre-evaluation tests are in agreement regarding kaolin but not regarding MgO. Experimental results show that corn cob ash starts sintering >800 °C, melt consisting primarily of K, Si, and O, and both additives prevent sintering. FactSage predicts K sorption in the ash using kaolin, and molar (Si + P + K)/(Mg + Ca + Al) ratio predicts the improvement of ash behavior with both additives.
How well has part-time work on return from maternity leave been accepted in the workplace? Learnings from allied health professional managers in Queensland Health
Authors: Hulcombe Julie , Capra Sandra , Whitehouse Gillian
Published: May 2021

Objective The aim of this study was to explore allied health professional (AHP) managers’ implementation of the right to request part-time hours on return from maternity leave in Queensland Health (QH) hospitals. Methods Qualitative data were collected via interviews with AHP managers from a cross-section of professions with variations in workforce size and gender composition. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results Twenty-one of a potential 40 AHP managers agreed to participate in the study (response rate 53%). The main finding was that the implementation of part-time work arrangements was being driven by regulation and work was being managed without complementary changes to established workplace practices or adequate organisational support. Conclusion The use of regulatory instruments to implement part-time work in organisations without complementary work redesign, change management and organisational support suggests that there are significant barriers to this type of flexible working arrangement (FWA) becoming accepted workplace practice for AHPs in QH. A whole-of-organisation approach is needed to make FWA a reality. What is known about the topic? Research has underlined the importance of implementation and management rather than simply the adoption of FWA policies. However, there have been few reports about AHP management of part-time hours on return from maternity leave. What does this paper add? This paper provides information specifically about the management response to part-time work entitlements for AHP in QH. It indicates that managers are implementing part-time work because it is a regulatory requirement, but often without a substantive commitment to FWA complementary redesign of services or sufficient organisational support. What are the implications for practitioners? Complementary work redesign measures and resources are needed to make workplaces genuinely flexible rather than just superficially consistent with regulatory requirements.
Melioidosis in Australia
Authors: Inglis Timothy JJ
Published: May 2021

Melioidosis is a potentially fatal bacterial infection caused by the Gram-negative bacillus, Burkholderia pseudomallei following contact with a contaminated environmental source, normally soil or water in tropical and subtropical locations. The disease spectrum varies from rapidly progressive bacteraemic infection with or without pneumonia, to focal lesions in deep soft tissues and internal organs to superficial soft tissue infection and asymptomatic seroconversion with possible long-term dormancy. Most infections occur with a background of chronic illness such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease and alcoholic liver disease. Improvements in diagnosis, targeted antimicrobial treatment and long term follow up have improved clinical outcomes. Environmental controls following rare point source case clusters and heightened awareness of melioidosis appear to have reduced the disease burden in some parts of northern Australia. However, the impact of climate change on dispersal of environmental B. pseudomallei, and changing land use in tropical Australia is expected to change the epidemiology of melioidosis in future.
The golden-tailed gecko: a disturbance-tolerant species in a fragmenting environment
Authors: Pavey Chris R. , Vanderduys Eric , Raghu S.
Published: May 2021

Abstract Context In central Queensland, Australia, the development of a coal-seam gas (CSG) industry is creating additional fragmentation of landscapes consisting of woodland and open forest that are already highly fragmented. Aims To assess the response to fragmentation of Strophurus taenicauda (golden-tailed gecko). The species is ‘near threatened’ in Queensland. Methods Occurrence and abundance were examined across three categories of patch size – small (≤10 ha), medium (10–100 ha) and large (≥100 ha) – across three geographic areas of the species’ range. Minimal impact (i.e. sighting only) active searches for geckos were conducted at night. A minimum of three replicate sites of each patch size category was surveyed in each of the three geographic areas. Eleven additional patches (each <4 ha and located in the southern geographic area) were surveyed to investigate how size and spatial isolation of small patches affected occurrence and abundance of S. taenicauda. At all sites a standardised set of 22 habitat variables was collected, and the presence of other species of arboreal gecko was recorded. Key results The species was located across patches of all sizes, including those as small as 1.11 ha. It was also located opportunistically in the matrix among patches and occurred in isolated trees within an urban area. The abundance of another commonly occurring arboreal gecko, Gehyra dubia (dubious dtella), was negatively correlated with S. taenicauda abundance in small patches. The most important habitat variable for S. taenicauda was average basal area of trees. As this increased, especially above 5.7 m2 ha−1, it was more likely to be present. When considering only the small patches, the main factors influencing presence and abundance of S. taenicauda were the average basal area of Callitris glaucophylla (white cypress) and grazing (negligible or absent). Conclusions Strophurus taenicauda is a species that is tolerant of disturbance and can persist in fragmented habitat, provided the fragments have adequate cover of white cypress. Implications The species appears to be resilient to the current level of CSG development within its geographic range.