bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discriminant Red Cell Indices for Microcytic Hypochromic Anaemia in Distinguishing Beta Thalassaemia Trait and Iron Deficiency Anaemia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sain Ankita , Bhake Arvind , Agrawal Anil , Thomas Sophia
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Numerous red cell indices are in practice for surveillance of Microcytic Hypochromic (MCHC) anaemia in determination of their aetiology to the Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) and Beta Thalassaemia Trait (BTT). The studies have revealed that there exists the discrepancies for Sensitivity (SN) and Specificity (SP) for any single index conclusive to classify them to the categories of IDA and BTT. A comparative review is needed as to know which index is suitable to discriminate between above two major entities under MCHC anaemia, which can be put to the practice in resource poor laboratories. Aim: A systematic review was planned for diagnostic reliability of red cell indices that segregates IDA from BTT in a morphological classification of MCHC anaemia. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in a database that yielded 36 studies dealing with one or more of the five included indices (Mentzer index, Bessman index, Green and King index, Srivastava index and Sirdah index) in the present analysis. The data for SN and SP of these indices were collected and compared from their performance at discrimination between IDA and BTT and Youden index was calculated to compare the performance of individual index. Results: Of these five indices, the comparative statistics has shown Green and King index works well at the SN of 79.37% and SP of 82.54% as compared to the rest of the indices. The second closest index that is practicable at discriminating IDA from BTT is Mentzer index. Conclusion: None of the indices can be completely relied upon to achieve a conclusive segregation. However, Green and King and Mentzer indices can be used for screening the suspected population to identify patients which may need the specialised tests to confirm the diagnosis to bring this population under proper treatment either for IDA or BTT.
Alteration in Steroid Hormone and HER2/neu Receptor Status Following Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Is There Any Hope?
Authors: Das Rama , Basu Parna , Ghosh Suman , Guha Debasish
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Breast cancer continues to be the most common cancers among women in India. The Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous group of malignancy which is often aggressive and has a worse prognosis. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the hormone receptor and HER2/neu status with platinum based chemotherapy in TNBC. Materials and Methods: The study was analysed retrospectively in a tertiary care centre of West Bengal from Januay 2017 to December 2019. Forty TNBC patients of Locally Advanced Breast Cancer (LABC) cases who received carboplatin along with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (study group) were compared with other group of 64 TNBC patients (control group) who did not receive any chemotherapy making a total of 104 cases of TNBC patients who were selected for the study. All the patients in both the groups had modified radical mastectomy. The study group of 40 TNBC patients who received chemotherapy also showed pathological partial response. Masterchart was prepared comprising patient’s age, menopausal status, family history, therapy history, histo-morphological features, hormone receptor and HER2/neu status after platinum added chemotherapy. Oestrogen Receptor (ER)/Progesterone Receptor (PR) were considered positive, if >1% tumour cell nuclei were immunoreactive and negative, if it was otherwise. HER-2/neu score of 3+ was taken as positive by Immunohistochemistry (IHC) method. Statistical analysis for descriptive purposes, percentages and mean were calculated. Comparison of both the groups was done by Pearson’s Chi-squared and Fisher’s-exact test. Significance level was considered at p-value <0.05. Results: TNBC patients (NACT group) showed hormone receptor positivity of 21 cases (52.50%) after chemotherapy along with carboplatin. HER2/neu positivity was detected in 9 (22.5%) cases. Non-NACT (64) cases were considered as control group for comparison. The effect of NACT in TNBC patients was found to be statistically significant with respect to change in HER2/neu (p=0.033, p<0.05) and ER status (p<0.05) while change in PR status was found to be statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The study showed significant alteration in hormonal and HER2/neu receptor status in TNBC patients receiving platinum added neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This study found statistical significance and justifies re-evaluation of these Hormone Receptor (HR) and HER2/neu markers in residual tumour after chemotherapy.
Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Medical Intensive Care Unit: An Audit
Authors: Pathak Basant Kumar , Harikrishnan P , Manrai Manish
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to healthcare facilities. This can be prevented by giving thromboprophylaxis to patients after assessing the risk for VTE. This however is not being routinely done leading to underuse of thromboprophylaxis due to inadequate practice of risk assessment. Aim: To conduct an audit of VTE prophylaxis in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) based on Padua score and International Medical Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism (IMPROVE) Risk Assessment Model (VTE RAM). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study and the data was collected from medical records of patients retrospectively who were admitted to medical ICU between October 2019 and December 2019. Based on medical records risk assessment was done using the Padua score and IMPROVE VTE RAM. The prophylaxis given to patients was scrutinised for appropriateness based on American Society of Haematology (ASH) guidelines. The two validated scores Padua score and IMPROVE VTE RAM were compared with each other for any significant difference in the risk assessment made using Chi-square test and p-value <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Out of the 176 patients risk assessment was not done in any patient. On calculating the Padua score, 149 patients (84.66%) were in high risk for VTE (Padua Score ≥4) and amongst them only 76 (51%) patients received thromboprophylaxis. On calculating the IMPROVE VTE RAM score, 137 patients (77.84%) were in moderate or high risk for VTE requiring prophylaxis and amongst them only 76 (55.47%) patients received thromboprophylaxis. The accuracy of clinician’s judgement without risk assessment was 58.52% (95% CI: 65.80%-51.24%) and 64.20% (95% CI: 71.28%-57.12%) as compared to risk assessment by Padua score and IMPROVE VTE RAM, respectively. There was no significant difference between IMPROVE VTE RAM and Padua score with respect to risk assessment for VTE (p-value of 0.10). Conclusion: The practice of VTE prophylaxis is grossly inadequate and there is a requirement to sensitise the healthcare providers about the importance of risk assessment for VTE.
Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge Regarding Therapeutic Intervention among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in a Selected Hospital of Nadiad City, Gujarat: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Authors: Patel Vedanti Subhashbhai , Vaidya Arpita J
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a severe clinical problem which has a significant socioeconomic impact worldwide. Diet, exercise, haemodialysis, Kidney Transplantation are some of the treatment modalities used to maintain patient’s health. It is necessary to create awareness regarding the therapeutic interventions that are available among these patients to improve their knowledge. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme (STP) on knowledge regarding therapeutic intervention among CKD Patient. Materials and Methods: A quantitative study with quasi experimental pre-test and post-test, two-group design was conducted at Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital. A total of 60 CKD patients were enrolled into the study. A structured questionnaire in Gujarati language was built that contained information regarding CKD, lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise; knowledge on haemodialysis and kidney transplantation. The structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge regarding the interventions. A pilot study was conducted and was found to be feasible. The study duration was of seven days with the pre-test conducted on day one of the study followed by a structured training for three consecutive days, and the perception of the participants were evaluated on day seven using a standard questionnaire. The effect of STP was analysed by student’s t-test and Chi-square test was used to find the association with selected demographic variables. Results: The study included CKD patients. The mean age of study population is above 49 years with 65% males and their data were analysed systematically. The post-test mean knowledge score of patients in the experimental and control group was 27.36±2.63 and 17.73±2.37, respectively. The result implies that there was an inadequate knowledge among patients with CKD. Conclusion: The structured teaching Programme was effective in increasing knowledge regarding therapeutic intervention among CKD patients.
EXCLUSÃO ESCOLAR NA EJA: INDICADORES E CONCEPÇÕES A PARTIR DE UM ESTUDO DE CASO
Authors: Pitano Sandro De Castro , Noal Rosa Elena , Brignol Leonardo Alves
Published: March 2021

A pesquisa buscou identificar e analisar dados sobre a exclusão na EJA, evidenciada pelos índices de evasão e infrequência e compreender as suas causas em uma escola pública no município de Canguçu-RS, no período entre os anos 2006 e 2017. A metodologia contou com um questionário aplicado a alunos, professores e a equipe diretiva do educandário, além de análise documental nos arquivos da escola, especialmente nos registros da EJA, evidenciando os indicadores de exclusão. Como resultados, apurou-se que os índices médios (evasão e infrequência) correspondem a 40% no período e que o problema compreende um conjunto complexo de questões sociais e sua indissociável relação com a escola.
O EDUCANDO EM LIBERDADE ASSISTIDA E OS PROCESSOS EDUCATIVOS (IM)POSSÍVEIS DENTRO DO CONTEXTO ESCOLAR
Authors: De Paiva Jacyara Silva , Bravin Rodrigo , Pinel Hiran
Published: March 2021

O presente artigo teve como objetivo compreender o ser adolescente com laudo de uma unidade de internação provisória no contexto escolar, em uma turma de Educação de Jovens e adultos. O referencial teórico está fundamento em Freire (1996, 1997, 2002 e 2006), Volpi (2001), Costa (2001) entre outros. A metodologia utilizada foi a de inspiração fenomenológica e a produção de dados aconteceu por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas. A realidade vivida por adolescentes que cometem ato infracional e ocupam as salas de educação de jovens e adultos é marcada pela invisibilização e ausência de condições materiais e humanas para compreender suas demandas e transformar o trabalho pedagógico em momentos potentes de desenvolvimento e humanização.
Field Performance of Three-way Cross Yellow and White Maize Hybrids in Nepal
Authors: Tripathi Mahendra Prasad , Koirala Keshab Babu , Gautam Damodar , Subedi Subash , Upadhyay Jharana , Shrestha Hari Kumar , Issa Abdu Rahman Beshir
Published: March 2021

Maize hybrids can increase production, bridge the yield gap, and boost up domestic production in Nepal. Three-way cross hybrid introduces an alternative to produce low cost hybrid seed for resource poor farmers. A study was performed to identify promising yellow and white maize hybrids developed by International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT), Mexico in Rampur, Nepal. Nineteen three-way cross white maize hybrids with two checks and seventeen yellow maize hybrids with one check were tested in field experiments on 2017 and 2018. Treatments were replicated twice in α-lattice design with each experimental plot of 9.6-m2 (4-m × 2.4-m). AF17A-426-13/14, AF17A-426-1/2, AF17A-426-28/39, and AF17A-426-15/16 were the three-way cross white hybrids produced grain yield of more than 9000 kg ha-1. Similarly, AF17A-473-20/29 and AF17A-473-18/27 yielded about 9000 kg ha-1 among the three-way cross yellow maize hybrids. These hybrids have commercial potentials to increase maize yield in Nepal if the provided parents are successful in the seed production.
Blood Analyte Changes of Wild-Caught Adult Almaco Jack in Response to Acclimation to Recirculating Aquaculture Systems and Hyposalinity Treatment
Authors: Rhody Nicole R. , Stacy Nicole I. , Hernandez Jorge A. , Patrick Genevieve , Resley Matt J. , Yanong Roy P.
Published: March 2021

Despite the utility of blood analyte evaluation as a diagnostic tool to assist in monitoring the health of marine fishes, baseline data are often lacking for many commercially important finfish species. The objective of this study was to compare hematology and plasma chemistry data for adult wild-caught Almaco Jack Seriola rivoliana at time of capture and again following a period of acclimation to a recirculating aquaculture system and hyposalinity treatment. A total of 30 clinically healthy adult fish were caught via hook and line in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, approximately 120 mi offshore from Madeira Beach, Florida. Blood was collected from a subset of these fish (n = 13) immediately after capture and again at 16 weeks postcapture from another subset (n = 12) following a 45-d antiparasitic hyposalinity treatment. A 19% increase in fish body weight was observed during the study period (16 weeks) and no overt health issues or mortality were noted. Compared to fish that were sampled immediately following capture, several significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed. Absolute white blood cells were lower in captive held fish, suggesting biological variation, antigenic stimulation in wild fish, and/or immunosuppression associated with stress in captive held fish. Lower sodium, chloride, and calculated osmolality indicate osmoregulatory adjustments following the hyposalinity treatment by 16 weeks postcapture. Other observed plasma biochemical differences presumptively reflect dietary and/or environmental changes, or physiological variation following acclimation to captive culture conditions. This study reports baseline blood analyte data of wild-caught Almaco Jack and documents hematological and plasma biochemical responses to their new environment as captive broodstock. Baseline hematological and plasma biochemistry data obtained during this study are the first reported for this species.
A Silk‐Based Functionalization Architecture for Single Fiber Imaging and Sensing
Authors: Capon Patrick K. , Li Jiawen , Horsfall Aimee J. , Yagoub Suliman , Schartner Erik P. , Khalid Asma , Kirk Rodney W. , Purdey Malcolm S. , Dunning Kylie R. , McLaughlin Robert A. , Abell Andrew D.
Published: March 2021

A new fiber functionalization architecture for single‐fiber imaging and sensing is presented. 5(6)Carboxy‐seminaphthorhodafluor‐2 (a fluorescent pH sensor) is attached to a silk‐binding peptide and the complex added to aqueous silk fibroin protein. These bind with a Kd of 36 µM as determined by a fluorescence polarization assay. The fiber is dip‐coated into the silk and peptide mixture, and scanning electron microscopy images reveal a uniform silk coating on the fiber tip. The coating is stable to repeated washes and does not affect the imaging light emitted from the fiber, which allows concurrent optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and pH sensing. Oocytes are metabolically stimulated with CoCl2 to produce lactic acid, and a pH reduction of 0.04 is measured using the probe. The distance between fiber tip and oocyte is monitored by simultaneous OCT acquisitions to precisely position the probe. Lastly, OCT imaging of an ovary revealed the presence/absence of an oocyte within a follicle, an important step toward improving patient outcomes during in vitro fertilization, by limiting the number of invasive follicle punctures required. These results demonstrate the utility of this new coating to enable simultaneous OCT imaging and sensing, which provides significant insight into complex biological systems.
Biomimetic Nanomedicine Coupled with Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy to Suppress Breast Cancer Metastasis via Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling
Authors: Liu Hai‐jun , Wang Junfeng , Wang Mingming , Wang Yuzhen , Shi Shanshan , Hu Xiangxiang , Zhang Quanguang , Fan Daping , Xu Peisheng
Published: March 2021

The biomimetic enzyme activity of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) prefers ultrasmall particle size and bare surface. Unfortunately, those two features are not favorable for its in vivo application due to easy aggregation and fast renal filtration. To take advantage of the activity of CeNP for cancer therapy, a homologous targeted cerium oxide nanoparticle system, targeted CeNP (T‐CeNP), with the integration of a biodegradable dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticle, superoxide dismutase and catalase mimicking CeNPs, and the camouflage coating of cancer cell membrane has been developed. Attributed to the homologous targeting effect of cancer cell membrane, nanoparticles with camouflage coating are retained in the tumor in an orthotopic breast cancer metastatic model. Subsequently, T‐CeNP effectively hinders cancer‐associated fibroblast transdifferentiation and reprograms it back to a normal fibroblast. Consequently, T‐CeNP coupled with doxorubicin reduces the size of primary tumors and prevents the post‐surgery lung metastasis and liver metastasis of breast cancer.
A Robustly Supported Extracellular Matrix Improves the Intravascular Delivery Efficacy of Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Authors: Park Chungwon , Park Kwang‐Sook , Jeong Mi Jin , Kim Han Byul , Bae Inho , Lim Kyung Seob , Li Mei‐Xian , Hong Young Joon , Han Dong Keun , Joung Yoon Ki
Published: March 2021

A major barrier in the multi‐purpose use of implantable materials is an incomplete integration with surrounding tissues, causing foreign body reactions, such as fibrous encapsulation and chronic inflammation. From its viewpoint, a universal method is suggested for cloaking any kind of substrate in specific cell‐made extracellular matrices (ECMs) via robust linkages for delivery of therapeutic cells. In addition, the feasibility of ECM‐coated substrates as endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs)‐laden coronary stent platform for endovascular implantation is investigated. Characteristics and stability of cell‐secreted ECMs anchored on a substrate are evaluated, and structural and componential features are revealed similar to those of native ECMs, with enough strength to enable practical uses. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that the ECM coating effectively supports the adhesion, proliferation, and viability of EPCs and has selectively opposite effects on smooth muscle cells. The in vivo experiments using a porcine coronary model supports that ECM‐coated stents enable endothelial regeneration and inhibit neointimal growth, and the cell‐laden form is more effective than other stents. These results will allow the preparation of tissue‐integrating materials containing cellular microenvironments and safely coat surfaces with cells to enable long‐term implantation and the continuous managing of chronic diseases.
Polyoxometalate Modified Separator for Performance Enhancement of Magnesium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Ji Yuanchun , Liu‐Théato Xinyang , Xiu Yanlei , Indris Sylvio , Njel Christian , Maibach Julia , Ehrenberg Helmut , Fichtner Maximilian , Zhao‐Karger Zhirong
Published: March 2021

The magnesium–sulfur (Mg‐S) battery has attracted considerable attention as a candidate of post‐lithium battery systems owing to its high volumetric energy density, safety, and cost effectiveness. However, the known shuttle effect of the soluble polysulfides during charge and discharge leads to a rapid capacity fade and hinders the realization of sulfur‐based battery technology. Along with the approaches for cathode design and electrolyte formulation, functionalization of separators can be employed to suppress the polysulfide shuttle. In this study, a glass fiber separator coated with decavanadate‐based polyoxometalate (POM) clusters/carbon composite is fabricated by electrospinning technique and its impacts on battery performance and suppression of polysulfide shuttling are investigated. Mg–S batteries with such coated separators and non‐corrosive Mg[B(hfip)4]2 electrolyte show significantly enhanced reversible capacity and cycling stability. Functional modification of separator provides a promising approach for improving metal–sulfur batteries.
Superkinetic Growth of Oval Organic Semiconductor Microcrystals for Chaotic Lasing
Authors: Dong Haiyun , Zhang Chunhuan , Shu Fang‐Jie , Zou Chang‐Ling , Yan Yongli , Yao Jiannian , Zhao Yong Sheng
Published: March 2021

Synthesis of novel mesoscopic semiconductor architectures continually generates new photonic knowledge and applications. However, it remains a great challenge to synthesize semiconductor microcrystals with smoothly curved surfaces owing to the crystal growth anisotropy. Here, a superkinetic crystal growth method is developed to synthesize 2D oval organic semiconductor microcrystals. The solid source dispersion induces an exceptionally large molecular supersaturation for vapor deposition, which breaks the crystal growth anisotropy. The synthesized stadium‐shaped organic semiconductor microcrystals naturally constitute fully chaotic optical microresonators. They support low‐threshold lasing on high‐quality‐factor scar modes localized near the stadium boundary and directional laser emission assisted by the chaotic modes. These results will reshape the understanding of the crystal growth theory and provide valuable guidance for crystalline photonic materials design.
Robust Polarization Stability in a Self‐Assembled Ultrathin Organic Ferroelectric Nano Lamellae
Authors: Viswanath Pamarti , De Silva K. Kanishka H. , Morikuni Yuki , Yoshimura Masamichi
Published: March 2021

Spontaneous polarization is a characteristic feature of a ferroelectric material that can be switched by the application of an external electric field. However, in a practical scenario, the switched polarization should be stable for the realization of functional devices. In this study, an ultrathin (≈40 nm) poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene (PVDF‐TrFE) film self‐assembled on a monolayer (≈1 nm) graphene oxide (GO) film is exploited. Oxygen‐functional groups and defective structure of GO can act as domain pinning sites to provide strong ferroelectric domain stability along with a specific crystal orientation to PVDF‐TrFE through hydrogen bonds and columbic interactions. Scanning probe microscopy based switching experiments reveal excellent piezoelectric response (d33 = −145 pm V−1) along with high polarization retention (over 1500 h with no volatilization) in these ultrathin films, paving new pathways toward high performance miniaturized organic ferroelectric devices.
Multimode Interference Induced Optical Routing in an Optical Microcavity
Authors: Yang Hong , Qin Guo‐Qing , Zhang Hao , Mao Xuan , Wang Min , Long Gui‐Lu
Published: March 2021

The photonic router is a key device in optical communication and quantum networks. Here, the results of a study of multi‐channel optical routing using optomechanical multimode interference in an optical microcavity are reported. The optomechanical system used here exhibits multi‐optical modes and a mechanical mode. Optomechanical induced transparency and absorption appear in the system due to the interference between different paths. It is shown that the system can be served as a three‐port routing in the red‐detuned region to rout photons from the input port to an arbitrarily selected output port with high routing efficiency by controlling the parameters corresponding to different interference paths.
Aggregate surface porosity and its relationship to asphalt absorption as revealed by gray relational analysis
Authors: Gan Xinli , Khan Hidayatullah
Published: March 2021

The mercury intrusion test was conducted with an automatic mercury porosimeter, and the pore characteristics of five types of aggregates commonly used in road construction were analyzed using mercury injection data obtained under different pressures. The amount of asphalt that infiltrated the aggregate pores under an asphalt–aggregate ratio of 4% was experimentally and numerically determined, and the influence of aggregate pore characteristics on the amount of asphalt that infiltrated the aggregate pores was analyzed using gray relative theory. Aggregate aperture ranged from approximately 0.01 to 334 μm, and the aggregate pores can be classified into large, medium, small, and micropores according to their volume distribution. The volume distribution decreased in the following order: large > medium > small pores; the micropore volume was nearly negligible. Among the factors of pore surface area, pore volume, porosity, and average pore size, the extent of influence on absorption capacity of asphalt is porosity > pore volume > pore surface area > average pore diameter.
From Linderiella baetica to gambilusa: Involving children in conservation by giving a new species a common name
Authors: García‐de‐Lomas Juan , Clavero Miguel , García Carlos M. , Alba Desireé , Torres José María , Jurado Alfonso , Cantero Virginia , Navarro Rosario , Hortas Francisco
Published: March 2021

The knowledge and awareness that the general public has about aquatic invertebrates is often poor, even when they are highly threatened. The frequent lack of popular names and the unattractiveness of the scientific ones may be among the factors hindering the knowledge of these organisms and, consequently, the awareness of their conservation status and the willingness to conserve them.

Linderiella baetica (Crustacea, Branchiopoda, Anostraca) was discovered in 2007 in southern Spain and is considered a critically endangered species. However, being a small invertebrate inhabiting generally unappreciated temporary ponds, this species was completely unknown by the general public, even in the area in which it occurs.

To increase the knowledge and awareness of L. baetica, 1,347 children from five schools within its distribution area participated in a contest to select a common name for this newly described taxon. The winning name, gambilusa (Andalusian shrimp), will be used in the future by the Spanish Ministry of Environment and hopefully by the general public to identify the species.

The contest was found to have increased the knowledge about the target species in a sustained manner, as 1 year later, 93% of the children recognized gambilusa as a crustacean, 75% remembered its typical habitat, and 89% broadly identified its geographical distribution.

This kind of name‐choosing contest is applicable for different regions and taxa to raise awareness on the conservation of threatened but poorly known biota.
Effect of Dental Course Cycle on Anatomical Knowledge and Dental Carving Ability of Dental Students
Authors: Fonseca Ademar , Guimarães Victoria B. da S. , Rodrigues‐Junior Sinval A. , Fonseca Alisson A.R. , de Azevedo Renato A. , Corrêa Marcos B. , Lund Rafael G.
Published: March 2021

This study assessed the effect of the course cycle on theoretical knowledge of dental morphology and the dental carving ability of dental students. Thirty‐two dental students from the third semester (initial cycle) and 30 students from the eighth and tenth semesters of the dental course (end cycle) had their theoretical knowledge on dental morphology assessed using a questionnaire with ten closed questions. Their dental carving ability was also assessed using wax carvings in macro models of plaster (for the third [S3] and eight [S8] semesters) and natural‐sized artificial teeth (for the tenth [S10] semester). The teeth chosen for the dental carving activity were #16 and #47. The scores were statistically analyzed using the t‐test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Mann–Whitney test (α = 0.05). Students from the initial cycle presented better theoretical knowledge than the other groups did (P < 0.007). No significant differences in carving score were found between the initial and end cycles (P > 0.05), although S10 students obtained a higher score for teeth #16 and #47 (P < 0.05). Natural‐sized artificial teeth received a higher evaluation score in dental carvings than the macro models (P < 0.001). Within the limits of this study, it was possible to conclude that students from the initial cycle (S3) presented higher theoretical knowledge, whereas no difference in carving ability was observed between the initial and end cycles. The tenth semester (S10) students performed dental carvings with better quality. Furthermore, carvings in natural‐sized artificial teeth presented better quality compared with the macro models.
The impact of TMS‐enhanced cognitive control on forgiveness processes
Authors: Maier Moritz J. , Rosenbaum David , Brüne Martin , Fallgatter Andreas J. , Ehlis Ann‐Christine
Published: March 2021

Background

Cognitive control is thought to be necessary for forgiveness processes.

Materials and Methods

To examine this correlation, highly impulsive participants, who often fail to inhibit feelings of revenge, received activating theta burst stimulation (TBS) of a classical cognitive control region of the brain, the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (rDLPFC). For testing forgiveness ability participants received verum TBS versus sham TBS in a randomized, double‐blinded, within‐subjects design. In both sessions, they first learned that there are fair and unfair opponents in an ultimatum game, and subsequently played a dictator game with reversed roles with the option to revenge or forgive the opponents from the previous game.

Results

Contrary to our hypothesis, activating TBS did not increase forgiving behavior toward unfair opponents. However, it increased the generosity toward previously fair opponents.

Conclusion

As an explanation it is discussed that the TBS can only affect “cold” emotions such as greed, but not the “hot” emotions such as anger.
A Low‐Cost Al‐Graphite Battery with Urea and Acetamide‐Based Electrolytes
Authors: Jach Franziska , Wassner Maximilian , Bamberg Max , Brendler Erica , Frisch Gero , Wunderwald Ulrike , Friedrich Jochen
Published: March 2021

Al‐ion batteries employing natural graphite cathodes have been proposed as a valid alternative to Li‐ion systems due to their low‐cost and sustainability, as well as a stable long‐term cycle life. In contrast to commonly used but typically expensive ionic‐liquid‐based electrolytes, our reported Al‐graphite batteries use AlCl3/urea and AlCl3/acetamide deep eutectic solvents (DES, also known as ionic liquid analogues) as low‐cost alternative. By carefully selecting amide composition, Al speciation in the DES electrolyte can be modified, as confirmed by Raman, NMR and IR spectroscopy. We correlate the speciation changes to resulting battery performance by systematic electrochemical investigations of Al‐graphite batteries employing urea and acetamide eutectics of different compositions. The practical applicability was demonstrated using long‐term cycling experiments with >8000 cycles, exhibiting a specific capacity of around 50 mAh/g at a current rate of 2 A/g.
Decomposition of multi‐component fluorescence spectra by narrow peak method based on principal component analysis
Authors: Tsibulskaya Elena , Maslov Nikolay
Published: March 2021

The main objective of multi‐fluorophoric sample spectroscopy is to find the relative concentrations of individual components. If the spectra of fluorophores have broad complex shapes and significantly overlap, direct analysis is not possible. For various reasons, regression to model spectra attributed to known substances might not be easy either. Here, we describe a method of estimating the spectra of pure fluorophores in complex samples of unknown nature. This method is based on principal component analysis. Principal components themselves cannot be determined uniquely, so the method includes subsequent finding of suitable linear combinations of those principal components. Two physically reasonable assumptions were used to estimate individual fluorophore spectra: their intensities should always be non‐negative and with the smallest possible spectral widths. The method's features were tested by numerical simulations using the random generated spectra of three component mixtures, experiments with optical phantom, and analysis of previously collected spectra from real tissue samples. The accuracy of the method depends on the spectral features of the samples. If spectra intersect pairwise, components could be obtained precisely. In other cases reconstructed spectra closely match the original ones, allowing them to be attributed to possible sample components. This approach makes this method convenient for various applied diagnostic tasks. It provides not only quantitative data for sample comparison, as straight principal component analysis does, but also makes data representation more demonstrative, allowing for the creation of qualitative conclusions. The method provides a unique solution dependent only on the shapes of the fluorophores' spectra.
Thermal design power and vectorized instructions behavior
Authors: Guermouche Amina , Orgerie Anne‐Cécile
Published: March 2021

Vectorized instructions were introduced to improve the performance of applications. However, they come at the cost of an increase in the power consumption. As a consequence, processors are designed to limit their frequency when such instructions are used in order to respect the thermal design power limit. In this paper, we study and compare the impact of thermal design power and Simple Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) instructions on performance, power and energy consumption of processors and memory. The study is performed on three different architectures providing different characteristics and four applications with different profiles (including one application with different phases, each phase having a different profile). The study shows that, because of processor frequency, performance and power consumption are strongly related to thermal design power. It also shows that AVX512 has unexpected behavior regarding processor power consumption, while DRAM power consumption is impacted by SIMD instructions because of the generated memory throughput. Finally, this paper tackles the impact of turboboost which shows equivalent to better performance for all the studied cases while not always decreasing energy consumption.
Performance analysis on Diversity Mining‐based Proof of Work in bifolded consortium blockchain for Internet of Things consensus
Authors: Jayabal Chandra Priya , Sathia Bhama Ponsy R. K.
Published: March 2021

Internet of Things (IoT) networks have become part and parcel of the present life. In the present‐day scenario, IoT networks are distributed, and they generate heterogeneous data to be shared, processed and analyzed. But, the prevailing centralized IoT architecture has numerous security vulnerabilities, specifically in data hosting and transfer. Blockchain, a cryptographically distributed tamper‐proof database when blends with IoT, enables a secure data archival and exchange of peer‐to‐peer (P2P) transactions to be more private. In this work, a multilayered consortium blockchain network that inherits the benefits of private blockchain for its privacy and public blockchain's decentralized governance is launched. The adoption of a semi‐private system in an IoT environment enables regulated data transparency to form novel HIBchain. It can support the heterogeneity of IoT data and has the principle of marking permissions to the public addresses. The out‐turn of an off‐chain layer is the hashed IoT blocks with a consistent transaction volume of 464 bits. The most common techniques are computationally demanding and frequently unfeasible in IoT contexts. We design and analyze the diversity mining‐based proof of work (DM‐PoW) consensus protocol on HIBchain, which yields an average processing time of 1760 transactions per second (TPS) and mining time of 3 minutes.
More than just noise: Chance, mating success, and sexual selection
Authors: Klug Hope , Stone Libby
Published: March 2021

Chance plays a critical but underappreciated role in determining mating success. In many cases, we tend to think of chance as background noise that can be ignored in studies of mating dynamics. When the influence of chance is consistent across contexts, chance can be thought of as background noise; in other cases, however, the impact of chance on mating success can influence our understanding of how mates are acquired and how sexual selection operates. In particular, when the importance of chance covaries with biological or ecological factors in a systematic manner—that is, when chance becomes consistently more or less important under certain conditions—then chance is important to consider if we want to fully understand the operation of mate acquisition and sexual selection. Here, we present a model that explores how chance covaries with factors such as sex ratio, adult population size, and mating regime in determining variation in mating success. We find that in some cases, chance covaries with adult population size and the operational sex ratio to create variation in mating success. We discuss how chance can influence our more general understanding of the operation of mating dynamics and sexual selection.
Cooperative breeding behaviors in the Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni)
Authors: Dibben‐Young Arleone , Harmon Kristen C. , Lunow‐Luke Arianna , Idle Jessica L. , Christensen Dain L. , Price Melissa R.
Published: March 2021

Cooperative breeding, which is commonly characterized by nonbreeding individuals that assist others with reproduction, is common in avian species. However, few accounts have been reported in Charadriiformes, particularly island‐nesting species. We present incidental observations of cooperative breeding behaviors in the Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), an endangered subspecies of the Black‐necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), during the 2012–2020 nesting seasons on the Hawaiian islands of O‘ahu and Moloka‘i. We describe two different behaviors that are indicative of cooperative breeding: (a) egg incubation by multiple adults; (b) helpers‐at‐the‐nest, whereby juveniles delay dispersal and reproduction to assist parents and siblings with reproduction. These observations are the first published accounts of cooperative breeding in this subspecies and merit further investigation, as cooperative breeding may improve population viability of the endangered, endemic Hawaiian Stilt.
End‐Capped Molecular Engineering of S‐Shaped Hepta‐Ring‐Containing Fullerene‐Free Acceptor Molecules with Remarkable Photovoltaic Characteristics for Highly Efficient Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Mehboob Muhammad Yasir , Hussain Riaz , Adnan Muhammad , Irshad Zobia
Published: March 2021

Nonfullerene acceptor materials are getting more and more attention from the scientific community because of their various applications in photovoltaic energy devices. Herein, a series of eight new S‐shaped nonfullerene acceptors (SY1–SY8) with end‐capped molecular modeling of IDTP‐4F (R) is designed. These designed materials are theoretically characterized along with the reference molecule R to investigate their structural‐property relationship, photophysical, and optoelectronic properties with density functional theory and time dependent calculations. Moreover, the geometric specifications such as alignments of frontier molecular orbitals, excitation and binding energy, hole‐electron overlap, density of states, overlap density of states, molecular electrostatic potential, open circuit voltage, transition density matrix, and reorganizational energy of electron and hole have also been investigated and compared with the experimentally synthesized reference molecule R. A highly red‐shifting behavior along, with a high charge mobility of electrons is realized after these end‐capped modifications in all designed molecules. Moreover, all designed molecules have lower binding and excitation energies as compared to reference molecule R. After these analyses, it is realized that the newly designed molecules (SY1‐SY8) are better than R, thus these molecules are recommended to experimentalists for the future development of highly efficient OSCs.
Assessment of (‐) epicatechin as natural additive for improving safety and functionality in fresh “Piel de Sapo” melon juice
Authors: Rúa Aller Javier , González González Sonia , Sanz Gómez Javier , del Valle Fernandez Maria Pilar , García‐Armesto María Rosario
Published: March 2021

Epicatechin (EC) is a very abundant flavonoid in vegetable tissues that presents high antioxidant activity in living systems. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of (‐)EC was determined in three species of bacteria commonly associated with foodborne illness of plant origin: Listeria (L.) monocytogenes, Escherichia (E.) coli ‐serogroups O157: H7 and O111‐ and Bacillus (B.) cereus; two strains of probiotic‐type lactic acid bacteria (PT‐LAB) and two control strains. All 10 strains were assayed under three temperature conditions (30º, 10º, and 4ºC) and at each temperature under two pH conditions (6.7 and 5.5). Mean EC MIC values were generally lower at refrigeration (4º and 10ºC) temperatures and at standard pH (6.7). By inoculating with each of the strains separately, both melon juice (MJ) and MJ supplemented with EC (ECSMJ), at the accepted maximum sensorial limit, and storing them at 4ºC for 10 days; the final counts (CFU/mL) were lower for ECSMJ than for plain MJ both for pathogenic bacteria and for PT‐LAB. The presence of EC during refrigerated storage counteracted the ability of MJ as a growth medium for all the pathogenic bacteria. ECSMJ increased the antioxidant activity of MJ significantly to levels similar to those of EC alone. (‐) Epicathechin would be a promising ingredient for increasing the functional properties of “Piel de Sapo” MJ (phenolic compounds and antioxidant ability) while contributing to improving the safety of this type of juice during prolonged refrigerated storage at 4ºC.
On “Not Recommending” ECMO
Authors: Wolfe Ian D.
Published: March 2021

The neonatologist was describing the dire situation, the complexity of the fetus's anomalies, and the options—comfort care, some resuscitation—and finished by saying, “We would not recommend ECMO …” “We would not recommend” is a curious phrase. There is something ambiguous, very nebulous about it, something passive, noncommittal, maybe even deflective. As a bioethics researcher, I wondered how this phrase is interpreted, how it influences parents' moral deliberation over their options.
Considering the Role of Transparency in Health and Health Care
Authors: Sledge Daniel
Published: March 2021

This book review essay discusses Transparency in Health and Health Care in the United States (2019), edited by Holly Fernandez Lynch, I. Glenn Cohen, Carmel Shachar, and Barbara Evans.
Digital Health Care Disparities
Authors: Korngiebel Diane M.
Published: March 2021

Digital health includes applications for smartphones and smart speakers as well as more traditional ways to access health information electronically, such as through your health care provider's online web‐based patient portal. As the number of digital health offerings—such as smartphone health trackers and web‐based patient portals—grows, what benefit do ethics, or bioethics, perspectives bring to digital health product development? For starters, the field of bioethics is concerned about issues of social justice, including equitable benefit and minimization and fair distribution of the burden of harms. Researchers who employ user‐centered design methods should consider what digital health applications and products would look like if issues like equity and accessibility were foregrounded throughout design and development. One group whose needs are often neglected in the design of digital health products is older adults. Many people anticipate that the digital divide among older adults will close as the current generation of tech‐savvy consumers ages up. But since technology is constantly evolving, this divide may be constantly recreated. As bioethics moves ever further into the technology era, I want it to be mindful of the creation of digital health care disparities.
Congee for the Soul
Authors: Gabbay Ezra , Fins Joseph J. , Banja John , Evans Taylor
Published: March 2021

Provision of adequate nutrition to elderly patients who develop dysphagia after a stroke can be quite challenging, often leading to the placement of a percutaneous entero‐gastrostomy (PEG) tube for nutritional support. This hypothetical case describes the additional challenge of cross‐cultural belief that leads a daughter to provide oral feeding to her mother, an act that the medical team believes is dangerous and the daughter sees as salubrious. In this case, what is the proper balance between patient safety and deference to cultural traditions and norms? Where are the limits? Two commentaries offer insights for conflict resolution, including recommending that the medical team seek to understand the cultural motivations of the family, balancing safety and respect for cultural norms. The second commentary also disagrees with the team's presumption that the daughter's feeding of her mother is a greater threat to the patient than the PEG tube feeding is.
Immunoglobulin G: A useful outcome marker in the follow‐up of cystic fibrosis patients?
Authors: Hanssens Laurence S. , Cellauro Sarah , Duchateau Jean , Casimir Georges J.
Published: March 2021

Background and Methods

Hypergammaglobulinemia (hyper‐IgG) and hypogammaglobulinemia (hypo‐IgG) have been reported in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Although the clinical respiratory course is paradoxically different, depending on the IgG status, this association remains elusive. Therefore, we performed a longitudinal study to assess the annual evolution of IgG profiles in a cohort of pediatric patients with CF, from their diagnosis until 2016. We then compared clinical findings with the patients’ IgG status to determine whether IgG status could reflect the respiratory clinical course of patients with CF.

Results

Among the 66 patients with CF that were aged between 12 months and 18 years in 2016 (mean age: 9.3 years [SD: 5.2]), hypo‐IgG was observed in 15.2% and no hyper‐IgG was identified. Longitudinal assessment since diagnosis revealed no hyper‐IgG but 33.3% of patients had at least one sample showing hypo‐IgG, among which two patients displayed persistent hypo‐IgG. The number of pulmonary exacerbations, duration of antibiotic therapy, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were all lower in hypo‐IgG patients. No difference was observed for the genotype, chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus infection, and in the parameters of lung function.

Conclusion

The IgG profile of pediatric patients with CF has changed over recent decades, particularly with regard to hyper‐IgG. In a significant portion of the pediatric CF population, hypo‐IgG is transient and only identifiable in longitudinal assessments. This study reinforces that hypo‐IgG patients paradoxically present a more favorable course of clinical status. Therefore, IgG levels could be a useful outcome marker in the follow‐up of patients with CF.