bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction model of emergency mortality risk in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a retrospective study
Authors: Chen Lan , Zheng Han , Wang Saibin
Published: June 2021

Background

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common presentation in emergency departments and carries significant morbidity worldwide. It is paramount that treating physicians have access to tools that can effectively evaluate the patient risk, allowing quick and effective treatments to ultimately improve their prognosis. This study aims to establish a mortality risk assessment model for patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding at an emergency department.

Methods

A total of 991 patients presenting with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding between July 2016 and June 2019 were enrolled in this retrospective single-center cohort study. Patient demographics, parameters assessed at admission, laboratory test, and clinical interventions were extracted. We used the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to identify predictors for establishing a nomogram for death in the emergency department or within 24 h after leaving the emergency department and a corresponding nomogram. The area under the curve of the model was calculated. A bootstrap resampling method was used to internal validation, and decision curve analysis was applied for evaluate the clinical utility of the model. We also compared our predictive model with other prognostic models, such as AIMS65, Glasgow-Blatchford bleeding score, modified Glasgow-Blatchford bleeding score, and Pre-Endoscopic Rockall Score.

Results

Among 991 patients, 41 (4.14%) died in the emergency department or within 24 h after leaving the emergency department. Five non-zero coefficient variables (transfusion of plasma, D-dimer, albumin, potassium, age) were filtered by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis and used to establish a predictive model. The area under the curve for the model was 0.847 (95% confidence interval [0.794–0.900]), which is higher than that of previous models for mortality of patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The decision curve analysis indicated the clinical usefulness of the model.

Conclusions

The nomogram based on transfusion of plasma, D-dimer, albumin, potassium, and age effectively assessed the prognosis of patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding presenting at the emergency department.
Intra-subject sample size effects in plantar pressure analyses
Authors: McClymont Juliet , Savage Russell , Pataky Todd C. , Crompton Robin , Charles James , Bates Karl T.
Published: June 2021

Background

Recent work using large datasets (>500 records per subject) has demonstrated seemingly high levels of step-to-step variation in peak plantar pressure within human individuals during walking. One intuitive consequence of this variation is that smaller sample sizes (e.g., 10 steps per subject) may be quantitatively and qualitatively inaccurate and fail to capture the variance in plantar pressure of individuals seen in larger data sets. However, this remains quantitatively unexplored reflecting a lack of detailed investigation of intra-subject sample size effects in plantar pressure analysis.

Methods

Here we explore the sensitivity of various plantar pressure metrics to intra-subject sample size (number of steps per subject) using a random subsampling analysis. We randomly and incrementally subsample large data sets (>500 steps per subject) to compare variability in three metric types at sample sizes of 5–400 records: (1) overall whole-record mean and maximum pressure; (2) single-pixel values from five locations across the foot; and (3) the sum of pixel-level variability (measured by mean square error, MSE) from the whole plantar surface.

Results

Our results indicate that the central tendency of whole-record mean and maximum pressure within and across subjects show only minor sensitivity to sample size >200 steps. However, <200 steps, and particularly <50 steps, the range of overall mean and maximum pressure values yielded by our subsampling analysis increased considerably resulting in potential qualitative error in analyses of pressure changes with speed within-subjects and in comparisons of relative pressure magnitudes across subjects at a given speed. Our analysis revealed considerable variability in the absolute and relative response of the single pixel centroids of five regions to random subsampling. As the number of steps analysed decreased, the absolute value ranges were highest in the areas of highest pressure (medial forefoot and hallux), while the largest relative changes were seen in areas of lower pressure (the midfoot). Our pixel-level measure of variability by MSE across the whole-foot was highly sensitive to our manipulation of sample size, such that the range in MSE was exponentially larger in smaller subsamples. Random subsampling showed that the range in pixel-level MSE only came within 5% of the overall sample size in subsamples of >400 steps. The range in pixel-level MSE at low subsamples (<50) was 25–75% higher than that of the full datasets of >500 pressure records per subject. Overall, therefore, we demonstrate a high probability that the very small sample sizes (n < 20 records), which are routinely used in human and animal studies, capture a relatively low proportion of variance evident in larger plantar pressure data set, and thus may not accurately reflect the true population mean.
Malagasy Polka Dot Moths (Noctuoidea: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Syntomini) of Ambohitantely—endemism in the most important relict of Central Plateau rainforest in Madagascar
Authors: Wiorek Marcin , Malik Kamila , Lees David , Przybyłowicz Łukasz
Published: June 2021

Malagasy Syntomini (Polka Dot Moths) are one of the largest endemic lineages of Lepidoptera on the island, belonging to the Tiger Moth subfamily (Arctiinae). This diverse radiation comprises nearly 100 valid described species that share a single ancestor. Despite a monograph in 1964 by Paul Griveaud, systematics of the group greatly needs modern revision, and their distribution on the island is still poorly known. This contribution concerns the diversity of Syntomini of the Réserve Spéciale d’Ambohitantely, which protects the largest remaining, but already highly fragmented, vestige of Central Plateau rainforest in Madagascar. Here we provide an annotated checklist of the eight species occurring in the Reserve. Two species are recorded from the forest for the first time, while five endemics are until now known only from Ambohitantely. We also describe for the first time the female ofThyrosticta vestigiiGriveaud, 1964 and ofMaculonaclia tampoketsyaGriveaud, 1969, as well as a yellow morphotype ofThyrosticta dilataGriveaud, 1964, and we redescribe and illustrate the genitalia of the remaining species. The significance of such colour pattern variation in aposematic moths and the role of this Reserve as a local centre of diversity of Malagasy Syntomini together with its importance in the protection of the biodiversity of Madagascar are discussed.
Effects of nitrogen application on phytochemical component levels and anticancer and antioxidant activities of Allium fistulosum
Authors: Zhao Chen , Wang Zhongjian , Cui Rongzong , Su Le , Sun Xin , Borras-Hidalgo Orlando , Li Kunlun , Wei Jianlin , Yue Qiulin , Zhao Lin
Published: June 2021

Background

Allium fistulosum L. has good nutritional value and is cultivated worldwide as an efficacious traditional medicinal plant. Its biological activities are attributable to its phytochemicals. Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development; however, the effect of nitrogen levels on the level of active components in this species is not well understood.

Methods

In this study, using urea fertilizer, we investigated the effects of different nitrogen levels (N0, N1, and N2 at 0, 130, and 260 kg/ha, respectively) on the phytochemical constituents , and antioxidant and anticancer properties of A. fistulosum.

Results

The results suggested that nitrogen fertilizers have a significant effect on the level of total phenols and flavonoids. The analysis of the antioxidant capacity revealed that the lowest IC50 values corresponded to plants treated with the highest nitrogen concentration. Anticancer activity was investigated against cancer cell lines (HeLa and HepG2), and the extracts of A. fistulosum treated with a high nitrogen level showed the highest antiproliferative effect. Collectively, our results suggest that nitrogen fertilizer application enhanced the quality of A. fistulosum, particularly its health benefits.
Web Server Performance Improvement Using Dynamic Load Balancing Techniques: A Review
Authors: Ibrahim Ibrahim Mahmood , Ameen Siddeeq Y. , Yasin Hajar Maseeh , Omar Naaman , Kak Shakir Fattah , Rashid Zryan Najat , Salih Azar Abid , Salim Nareen O. M. , Ahmed Dindar Mikaeel
Published: June 2021

Today, web services rapidly increased and are accessed by many users, leading to massive traffic on the Internet. Hence, the web server suffers from this problem, and it becomes challenging to manage the total traffic with growing users. It will be overloaded and show response time and bottleneck, so this massive traffic must be shared among several servers. Therefore, the load balancing technologies and server clusters are potent methods for dealing with server bottlenecks. Load balancing techniques distribute the load among servers in the cluster so that it balances all web servers. The motivation of this paper is to give an overview of the several load balancing techniques used to enhance the efficiency of web servers in terms of response time, throughput, and resource utilization. Different algorithms are addressed by researchers and get good results like the pending job, and IP hash algorithms achieve better performance.
The Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Government Revenue in the Extractive Industry in Tanzania
Authors: Haji Semboja Haji Hatibu
Published: June 2021

Tanzania has not been unique amid the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of economic impact. Since the first case was announced in March 2020, several thousand cases have been confirmed with several hundred deaths (real-time data). There were a number of transmitting factors and effects that exposed Tanzanian national revenue systems to great economic risk if COVID-19 was not well managed. The paper assesses the level of risks on the total government revenue resource systems, government revenue collections from the extractive industries and national expenditure budget performances. This descriptive paper uses results from the HakiRasilimali field research survey, 2020. The paper found high and increasing levels of negative and perceived risks on the government revenue mobilization, collection and utilization due to the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority perceived that the COVID-19 pandemic has high levels of risks and negative effects on the national budget expenditure frameworks in medium- and long-term periods. In the short run it is not easy to cut down and stop major recurrent government expenditures in developing economies. The public expenditure resources allocated to the Ministry of Minerals have been increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic to support the on-going mining reforms in Tanzania. Also, the government was compelled to allocate more financial resources to the health sector in order to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath, as well as support other most affected sectors. The paper recommends that the best way of preventing and combating the COVID-19 risks and related public health threats or possibilities is to protect and give capacity to socio-economic entities, sectors and actors’ abilities in achieving their desired short-, medium- and long-term objectives. To support a robust health and economic policy response, Tanzania has in its potential fiscal space relative to other East African countries, stable political environment, high international reserves, larger domestic market and favorable mineral commodity price movements. Tanzania has enhanced political preparedness and containment capacity through measures to strengthen detection, surveillance and combating the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Rainfall Anomalies Pattern in Northwestern Nigeria (NWN)
Authors: Olalere Gbenga Emmanuel , Bulama Lawan , Umar Ahmad Abubakar
Published: June 2021

Constant investigation into rainfall anomaly pattern is very crucial as it enables the detection of any departure from normal rainfall condition. When such departure is persistent and statistically significant, it could indicate climate change. This study seeks to investigate anomaly pattern of rainfall in north western Nigeria with the view to determine any extreme departure from established normal rainfall behavior (mean). The study used thirty years (30) rainfall data from 1987 to 2016. The data was obtained from the archives of Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for six selected synoptic stations from the region. Purposive sampling technique was adopted in selecting the six synoptic stations given consideration to stations with longer consistent rainfall records. The data was subjected to Standardized Anomalies also known as Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) to obtain anomaly values. The values were used to plot time series for each station. They were also used to determine the dry or years with drought i.e. negative values and wet or moisture years i.e. positive values. The findings showed that throughout the thirty years period, normal conditions dominated the study area with few pockets of dry conditions. The study concludes that rainfall anomalies pattern in north western Nigeria over the thirty years period under investigation was not too far from normal rainfall conditions.
Studies on Relative Growth Rate and Doubling Time of Publications Productivity of Nuclear Medicine Research
Authors: Rathika N. , Thanuskodi S.
Published: June 2021

Scientometrics is a branch of the library and information science. Scientometric tools can be used to quantify and compare the scientific activities at various levels of collection including institutions, sectors, provinces, and countries. They can also be used to measure research collaborations, map scientific networks, and monitor the evolution of scientific fields. Scientometric indicators give policy-makers objective, reproducible, and therefore verifiable information that goes away from the unreliable. Scientometrics is anxious about the quantitative features and characteristics of science and scientific research. Scientometrics is a restraint, which uses statistical and computational techniques to realize the structure and changing aspects of science. The study shows that the Authorship Pattern in Nuclear Medicine literature fluctuates from single-authored publications to 78 authored publications during the study period 1991-2020. As per the analysis of the table, the highest number of research output by single-authored was 14.06% with 1776 contributions followed by double authored contributions was 13.07% (1651) and three authored contributions were 12.59% (1590).
Antioxidant effects of Homoeopathic Medicines: Review Based on Preclinical and Clinical Research
Authors: Patil Aditya Dilipkumar , Aphale Parth , Sharma Dharmendra B.
Published: June 2021

Background: Antioxidants are rampantly studied due to their ability to trap the free radicals. Due to excessive stress these free radicals take part as fundamental components in oxidative damage leading to changes in SOD, CT, GSSH, GPx, GSH, LPO, GGT, LDH. High Dilution Medicines (HDM) are also being investigated in deciphering their antioxidant properties.
Methodology: The database for the research paper was screened from Google scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science. The search keywords used were Antioxidant, Homoeopathy, Homeopathy, In-vitro, In-vivo, Clinical trial in various permutation and combinations. The research article in original full text with English language is included in this manuscript. Score for assessment of biological experiment on homeopathy (SABEH) was referred for screening the research articles.
Results: Around 14 research manuscript showed the research conducted on HDM with respect to their antioxidant properties. Four In-vitro, Eight In-vivo studies and two Clinical studies were used in assessing the antioxidant activity. Out of 14, only 12 studies were included in SABEH criteria scores above 5/9. SOD, CT, GSH, GPx, LPO, GSSH, GGT, LDH, 2,2 DPPH were found to be explored with HDM with their antioxidant properties.
Conclusion: HDM can further be studied at to what extent they provide preventive role, interception role and repair role pertaining with their antioxidant properties, also comparing the efficacy of antioxidant properties through oral route and injectable in various stages of disease.
Preparation and Evaluation of Zafirlukast Compression Coated Tablets for Chronotherapeutic Drug Delivery
Authors: Neeharika M. S. , Jyothi B. Jeevana
Published: June 2021

The objective of the present study was to formulate and evaluate an oral, time-controlled drug delivery system of Zafirlukast. Zafirlukast belongs to BCS class II drugs as it has poor aqueous solubility and good permeability. Hence an attempt has been made to improve its aqueous solubility by solid dispersion technique so that its dissolution, bioavailability, and therapeutic effect can be optimized. The optimized solid dispersion was then formulated into a chronotherapeutic drug delivery system by compression coating technology. FT-IR study revealed that there was no chemical interaction between the drug and polymers used. Tablets were prepared by direct compression method using different super disintegrants and then followed by compression coating using natural polymers. Pre-compression and post-compression parameters complied with the Pharmacopoeia limit for the tablets. In vitro release studies were performed and the results indicated the formulation Z9F9 to be the optimized formulation.
In Vivo Evaluation of Soya Beans Flour Fermented with Lactic Acid Bacteria as a Potential Probiotic Food
Authors: Musliu Abdulkadir , Yusuf Muhammed , Adebisi Sulaimon
Published: June 2021

This research work was carried out to determine the in vivo antibacterial potential of soya beans flour fermented with lactic acid bacteria. This research focused on the feeding trial of formulated feed made of soya bean fermented for 72 hours with lactic acid bacteria (Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus planetarium) for albino rats, this is to know the effect of this feed on the rat infected with pathogens, compare with those of control feed. The pathogens used were Escherichia coli, Shigella sp and Salmonella sp. The experiment was divided into eight (8) treatments. Treatments I and II were not infected. Treatment I was fed with normal basal diet while treatment II was fed with the fermented soya bean flour. This was to ascertain the level of existence of the pathogen and the lactic acid bacteria before the introduction the pathogens. Pathogens count in treatment IV, VI, and VIII (rats fed with fermented soya bean flour) decreases as feeding time increases compare to treatment III, V and VII (rat fed with basal diet) which increases with the feeding time. The rats were fed from day 0 to day 56. Lactic acid bacteria commonly used as starter cultures in food technology are known to manufacture antimicrobial products and improve the food the organolpetic properties having great potential. Also, the Haematological analysis showed that the rats infected with the pathogens and later fed with the fermented soya beans flour recovered fully since their values are well within the permissible limit and are not significantly (p ≤ 0.05) different from the control group. Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroids strains used were able to grow and metabolize during fermentation of soya beans flour. It may be concluded that fermented soya beans flour with these isolates can be used as probiotic food and this in turn can be used in the treatment of infection caused by pathogens. It is recommended that the use of probiotic food for treatments should encouraged as an alternative to the use of antibiotic.
Development of Microwave-Assisted Sulfonated Glucose Catalyst for Biodiesel Production from Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD)
Authors: Saimon Nur Nazlina , Jusoh Mazura , Ngadi Norzita , Zakaria Zaki Yamani
Published: June 2021

Microwave-heating method for catalyst preparation has been utilized recently due to its shorter operation time compared to the conventional method. Glucose, a renewable carbon source can be partially carbonized and sulfonated via microwave heating which could result in highly potential heterogeneous carbon-based acid catalyst. In this study, the impacts of the carbonization and sulfonation parameters during the catalyst preparation were investigated. Catalysts prepared were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET), and Temperature Programmed Desorption–Ammonia (TPD-NH3). Analysis of the carbonization screening process discovered that the best incomplete carbonized glucose (ICG) prepared was at 20 minutes, 20 g of D(+)-glucose with medium microwave power level (400W) which exhibited the highest percentage yield (91.41%) of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). The total surface area and acid site density obtained were 16.94 m2/g and 25.65 mmol/g, respectively. Regeneration test was further carried out and succeeded to achieve 6 cycles. The highest turnover frequency (TOF) of the sulfonated catalyst was methyl palmitate, 25.214´10−3 s−1 compared to other component of the methyl ester. Kinetic study was developed throughout the esterification process and activation energy from the forward and reverse reaction was 3.36 kJ/mol and 11.96 kJ/mol, respectively. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Periostin deficiency attenuates lipopolysaccharide‐ and obesity‐induced adipose tissue fibrosis
Authors: Yang Yuhan , Zhang Yanfei , Zhou Xueliang , Chen Dandan , Ouyang Gaoliang , Liu Yingfu , Cui Dan
Published: June 2021

Periostin (POSTN) is a type of matricellular protein, but its functions in adipose fibrosis remain unclear. Here, we found that POSTN expression is significantly increased in mouse adipose tissue after treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or a high‐fat diet (HFD) and that adipose progenitor cells are the main source of POSTN. In our mouse model of fibrosis, POSTN deletion protected mice from adipose fibrosis, probably through reducing the accumulation of macrophages and promoting adipocyte differentiation of progenitor cells. Taken together, our study demonstrates that POSTN deficiency attenuates adipose tissue fibrosis and improves insulin resistance, providing new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of type II diabetes by targeting adipose tissue fibrosis.
Single isocenter SRS using CAVMAT offers improved robustness to commissioning and treatment delivery uncertainty compared to VMAT
Authors: Cullom Edward T. , Xia Yuqing , Chuang Kai‐Cheng , Gude Zachary W. , Zlateva Yana , Adamson Justus D. , Giles William M.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In this study, we evaluate and compare single isocenter multiple target VMAT (SIMT) and Conformal Arc Informed VMAT (CAVMAT) radiosurgery's sensitivity to uncertainties in dosimetric leaf gap (DLG) and treatment delivery. CAVMAT is a novel planning technique that uses multiple target conformal arcs as the starting point for limited inverse VMAT optimization.

Methods

All VMAT and CAVMAT plans were recalculated with DLG values of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 mm. DLG effect on V6Gy[cc], V12Gy[cc], and V16Gy[cc], and target dose was evaluated. Plans were delivered to a Delta4 (ScandiDos, Madison, WI) phantom and gamma analysis performed with varying criteria. Log file analysis was performed to evaluate MLC positional error. Sixteen targets were delivered to a SRS MapCHECK (Sun Nuclear Corp., Melbourne, FL) to evaluate VMAT and CAVMAT's dose difference (DD) as a function of DLG.

Results

VMAT's average maximum and minimum target dose sensitivity to DLG was 9.08 ±3.50%/mm and 9.50 ± 3.30%/mm, compared to 3.20 ± 1.60%/mm and 4.72 ± 1.60%/mm for CAVMAT. For VMAT, V6Gy[cc], V12Gy[cc], and V16Gy[cc] sensitivity was 35.83 ± 9.50%/mm, 34.12 ± 6.60%/mm, and 39.23 ± 8.40%/mm. In comparison, CAVMAT's sensitivity was 23.19 ± 4.50%/mm, 22.45 ± 4.40%/mm, and 24.88 ± 4.90%/mm, respectively. Upon delivery to the Delta4, CAVMAT offered superior dose agreement compared to VMAT. For a 1%/1 mm gamma analysis, VMAT and CAVMAT had a passing rate of 94.53 ± 4.40% and 99.28 ± 1.70%, respectively. CAVMAT was more robust to DLG variation, with the SRS MapCHECK plans yielding an absolute average DD sensitivity of 2.99 ± 1.30%/mm compared to 5.07 ± 1.10%/mm for VMAT. Log files demonstrated minimal differences in MLC positional error for both techniques.

Conclusions

CAVMAT remains robust to delivery uncertainties while offering a target dose sensitivity to DLG less than half that of VMAT, and 65% of that of VMAT for V6Gy[cc], V12Gy[cc], and V16Gy[cc]. The superior dose agreement and reduced sensitivity of CAVMAT to DLG uncertainties indicate promise as a robust alternative to VMAT for SIMT SRS.
The Thinnest Light Disk: Rewritable Data Storage and Encryption on WS2 Monolayers
Authors: Zhao Weiwei , Cai Shuang , Wei Xin , Zheng Ting , Xu Xin , Zafar Amina , Liu Hongwei , Yu Ting , Lu Junpeng , Chen Yunfei , Ni Zhenhua
Published: June 2021

The thinnest light disk is demonstrated at the atomic level by developing an erasable method to directly write encrypted information onto WS2 monolayers. The write‐in is realized by precise control of photoluminescence emission by means of ozone functionalization and scanning focused laser beam. The visual decryption and reading‐out of information are enabled by fluorescence contrast. The high encryption level is ensured by the threshold power upon which the data deletion will be triggered. Owing to the high spatial resolution and power sensitivity, the storage capacity within <1 nm thickness can be up to ≈62.5 MB cm−2, and the writing speed can reach ≈6.25 MB s−1. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the disk formatting is realized by ozone molecule adsorption induced localized unoccupied states, while the read‐in relies on the passivation of defects via substitution of the sulfur vacancies with oxygen atoms. The results of this study promote data storage and encryption on the atomic scale.
A General Strategy to Fabricate Flexible Oxide Ceramic Nanofibers with Gradient Bending‐Resilience Properties
Authors: Wang Xiao , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhao Yun , Li Guang , Yan Jianhua , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: June 2021

Inorganic materials assembled with rigid elements such as crystals or graphitized carbon generally show brittleness and hardness. However, it is found that both TiO2 ceramic crystal nanofibers (NFs) and carbon NFs show superior flexibility, in which the former are surprisingly knottable and the latter exhibit excellent bending‐resilience property. The different flexure mechanisms are revealed by fabricating composite NFs of these two constituents and find that the carbon NFs can be recovered to the original states after releasing the external force, while the bending‐resilience is weakened and the softness of the composite NFs is enhanced upon increasing the TiO2 content. The graphitized carbon can store mechanical deformation energy that enables the NFs with bending‐resilience, while both the homogeneous interfaces between TiO2 crystals and the heterogeneous interfaces between TiO2 and carbon can alleviate stress concentration, which reduce the flexural modulus of the composite NFs. By filling different contents of elastic carbon into TiO2 NFs, a series of flexible NFs that exhibit gradient bending‐resilience properties are fabricated. This study provides a deeper understanding of the mechanical properties of inorganic materials.
Challenges and Opportunities of Self‐Healing Polymers and Devices for Extreme and Hostile Environments
Authors: Ekeocha James , Ellingford Christopher , Pan Min , Wemyss Alan M. , Bowen Christopher , Wan Chaoying
Published: June 2021

Engineering materials and devices can be damaged during their service life as a result of mechanical fatigue, punctures, electrical breakdown, and electrochemical corrosion. This damage can lead to unexpected failure during operation, which requires regular inspection, repair, and replacement of the products, resulting in additional energy consumption and cost. During operation in challenging, extreme, or harsh environments, such as those encountered in high or low temperature, nuclear, offshore, space, and deep mining environments, the robustness and stability of materials and devices are extremely important. Over recent decades, significant effort has been invested into improving the robustness and stability of materials through either structural design, the introduction of new chemistry, or improved manufacturing processes. Inspired by natural systems, the creation of self‐healing materials has the potential to overcome these challenges and provide a route to achieve dynamic repair during service. Current research on self‐healing polymers remains in its infancy, and self‐healing behavior under harsh and extreme conditions is a particularly untapped area of research. Here, the self‐healing mechanisms and performance of materials under a variety of harsh environments are discussed. An overview of polymer‐based devices developed for a range of challenging environments is provided, along with areas for future research.
Powering Electronic Devices from Salt Gradients in AA‐Battery‐Sized Stacks of Hydrogel‐Infused Paper
Authors: Guha Anirvan , Kalkus Trevor J. , Schroeder Thomas B. H. , Willis Oliver G. , Rader Chris , Ianiro Alessandro , Mayer Michael
Published: June 2021

Strongly electric fish use gradients of ions within their bodies to generate stunning external electrical discharges; the most powerful of these organisms, the Atlantic torpedo ray, can produce pulses of over 1 kW from its electric organs. Despite extensive study of this phenomenon in nature, the development of artificial power generation schemes based on ion gradients for portable, wearable, or implantable human use has remained out of reach. Previously, an artificial electric organ inspired by the electric eel demonstrated that electricity generated from ion gradients within stacked hydrogels can exceed 100 V. The current of this power source, however, was too low to power standard electronics. Here, an artificial electric organ inspired by the unique morphologies of torpedo rays for maximal current output is introduced. This power source uses a hybrid material of hydrogel‐infused paper to create, organize, and reconfigure stacks of thin, arbitrarily large gel films in series and in parallel. The resulting increase in electrical power by almost two orders of magnitude compared to the original eel‐inspired design makes it possible to power electronic devices and establishes that biology's mechanism of generating significant electrical power can now be realized from benign and soft materials in a portable size.
An Analytical Model for Dual Gate Piezoelectrically Sensitive ZnO Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Oh Hongseok , Dayeh Shadi A.
Published: June 2021

Highly sensitive force sensors of piezoelectric zinc oxide (ZnO) dual‐gate thin film transistors (TFTs) are reported together with an analytical model that elucidates the physical origins of their response. The dual‐gate TFTs are fabricated on a polyimide substrate and exhibited a field effect mobility of ≈5 cm2 V−1 s−1, Imax/Imin ratio of 107, and a subthreshold slope of 700 mV dec−1, and demonstrated static and transient current changes under external forces with varying amplitude and polarity in different gate bias regimes. To understand the current modulation of the dual‐gate TFT with independently biased top and bottom gates, an analytical model is developed. The model includes accumulation channels at both surfaces and a bulk channel within the film and accounts for the force‐induced piezoelectric charge density. The microscopic piezoelectric response that modulates the energy‐band edges and correspondent current–voltage characteristics are accurately portrayed by this model. Finally, the field‐tunable force response in single TFT is demonstrated as a function of independent bias for the top and bottom gates with a force response range from −0.29 to 22.7 nA mN−1. This work utilizes intuitive analytical models to shed light on the correlation between the material properties with the force response in piezoelectric TFTs.
Direct Use of Benzylic Alcohols for Multicomponent Synthesis of 2‐Aryl Quinazolinones Utilizing the π‐Benzylpalladium(II) System in Water
Authors: Hikawa Hidemasa , Nakayama Taku , Takahashi Makiko , Kikkawa Shoko , Azumaya Isao
Published: June 2021

We demonstrate the direct use of benzylic alcohols for a multicomponent reaction of readily available isatoic anhydrides with amines in water, which is a synthetic route for the direct construction of a series of 2‐aryl quinazolinones. This one‐pot synthetic method involves the dehydrative N‐benzylation of in situ generated anthranilamides followed by an amide‐directed benzylic C−H amination process utilizing the π‐benzylPd(II) system. Comparison of independent rate measurements using benzyl alcohol and its deuterated form gave a kinetic isotope effect of 3.5. Therefore, the benzylic C−H bond is cleaved in the rate‐determining step. We successfully carried out a gram‐scale reaction in 85% yield with simplified product isolation.

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Biomedical Implants with Charge‐Transfer Monitoring and Regulating Abilities
Authors: Wang Donghui , Tan Ji , Zhu Hongqin , Mei Yongfeng , Liu Xuanyong
Published: June 2021

Transmembrane charge (ion/electron) transfer is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and is involved in many biological processes, from protein synthesis to embryonic development in organisms. Designing implant devices that can detect or regulate cellular transmembrane charge transfer is expected to sense and modulate the behaviors of host cells and tissues. Thus, charge transfer can be regarded as a bridge connecting living systems and human‐made implantable devices. This review describes the mode and mechanism of charge transfer between organisms and nonliving materials, and summarizes the strategies to endow implants with charge‐transfer regulating or monitoring abilities. Furthermore, three major charge‐transfer controlling systems, including wired, self‐activated, and stimuli‐responsive biomedical implants, as well as the design principles and pivotal materials are systematically elaborated. The clinical challenges and the prospects for future development of these implant devices are also discussed.
Investigation of the Performance of Donor–Acceptor Conjugated Polymers in Electrolyte‐Gated Organic Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Doumbia Amadou , Tong Jincheng , Wilson Richard J. , Turner Michael Lewis
Published: June 2021

Electrolyte‐gated organic field‐effect transistors (EGOFETs) are gaining interest for application in bioelectronic devices. However, robust performance in terms of charge‐carrier mobility, on‐to‐off drain current ratio (Ion/Ioff), and turn‐on speed are required for real application. Here, donor‐acceptor (D‐A) conjugated polymers, namely poly[2,5‐(2‐octyldodecyl)‐3,6‐diketopyrrolopyrrole‐alt‐5,5‐(2,5‐di(thien‐2‐yl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene)] (PDPPDTT) and indacenodithiophene‐co‐benzothiadiazole (PIDTBT), are evaluated in EGOFETs. The operational performance of these materials is compared to that of the well‐established conjugated polymer, poly[2,5‐bis(3‐hexadecylthiophen‐2‐yl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene] (PBTTT). The effective mobility extracted for the PDPPDTT (0.18 cm2 V−1 s−1), and PIDTBT (0.16 cm2 V−1 s−1) devices is almost double that of the PBTTT (0.10 cm2 V−1 s−1) based device and the Ion/Ioff is one ((PDPPDTT): 3 × 103) or two ((PIDTBT): 2 × 104) orders of magnitude higher than that of PBTTT (2 × 102) devices. The extracted values compare favorably to those of the highest performing EGOFETs and EGOFETs based on the D‐A polymers turn from off to on state two to ten times faster than the analogous PBTTT device with an improved subthreshold swing. These results show that D‐A polymers with a planar conjugated backbone enable the development of robust EGOFETs that are well appropriate for applications in bioelectronic devices.
Achieving Efficient Magnesium–Sulfur Battery Chemistry via Polysulfide Mediation
Authors: Zou Qingli , Sun Yue , Liang Zhuojian , Wang Wanwan , Lu Yi‐Chun
Published: June 2021

Magnesium–sulfur batteries promise a higher theoretical volumetric energy density, improved safety, and lower cost compared to lithium–sulfur batteries. However, Mg–S batteries suffer from poor cycle life and low energy efficiency. Here, it is revealed that Mg–S reactions are dominated by “solid–solid” reactions due to much lower polysulfide solubility in the presence of Mg2+ compared to that of Li+ in 1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME)‐based electrolyte, leading to sluggish kinetics and poor reversibility. The polysulfide solubility is increased by using high‐donor‐number solvents (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)), which increases the discharge capacity from 660 to ≈1500 mAh g−1 and decreases the sulfur overpotential from >600 to ≈200 mV at 0.1 C (energy efficiency over 90%). Based on this strategy, an Mg–S cathode with DMSO‐based electrolyte demonstrates a reversible capacity of 700 mAh g−1 at 0.4 C over 300 cycles. This work reveals a reaction limitation of Mg–S batteries and provides critical insights into the electrolyte design for high‐energy and reversible Mg–S batteries.
Health care transition for individuals with Down syndrome: A needs assessment
Authors: VanZant Jordan Seth , McCormick Andrew A.
Published: June 2021

Transition to adulthood is a multifaceted process that requires integration of numerous domains within a young person's life, including their health care. For children with special health care needs, the transition process can be markedly more difficult to navigate. This is especially true for children with Down syndrome (DS) who receive fewer transition planning services. The aim of this needs assessment was to identify current trends, potential gaps, and areas for targeted intervention within the current transition landscape for individuals with DS. We utilized DS‐Connect, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded family/self‐advocate survey repository, as a platform to recruit respondents to the “Transition to Adulthood” survey. Sixty‐five respondents (64 parents and 1 caregiver) completed the survey. Responses indicated that 42% of respondents reported comfort in the transition process, but 5% or less reported completing one of the core transition outcomes: transition readiness assessment, portable medical summary, or written transition plan. These findings translated across other domains of respondents' lives. While many individuals with DS and their caregivers are aware of the transition process, there appears to be a disconnect between the introduction of transition concepts and an actualization of transition outcomes necessary for success.
“Repaired and Activated” DNAzyme Enables the Monitoring of DNA Alkylation Repair in Live Cells
Authors: Wang Xiangnan , Yi Xin , Huang Zhimei , He Jianjun , Wu Zhenkun , Chu Xia , Jiang Jian‐Hui
Published: June 2021

Direct measurement of DNA repair is critical for the annotation of their clinical relevance and the discovery of drugs for cancer therapy. Here we reported a “repaired and activated” DNAzyme (RADzyme) by incorporating a single methyl lesion (O6MeG, 3MeC, or 1MeA) at designated positions through systematic screening. We found that the catalytic activity of the RADzyme was remarkably suppressed and could be restored via enzyme‐mediated DNA repair. Benefit from these findings, a fluorogenic RADzyme sensor was developed for the monitoring of MGMT‐mediated repair of O6MeG lesion. Importantly, the sensor allowed the evaluation of MGMT repair activity in different cells and under drugs treatment. Furthermore, another RADzyme sensor was engineered for the monitoring of ALKBH2‐mediated repair of 3MeC lesion. This strategy provides a simple and versatile tool for the study of the basic biology of DNA repair, clinical diagnosis and therapeutic assessment.
Beam Search for Automated Design and Scoring of Novel ROR Ligands with Machine Intelligence**
Authors: Moret Michael , Helmstädter Moritz , Grisoni Francesca , Schneider Gisbert , Merk Daniel
Published: June 2021

Chemical language models enable de novo drug design without the requirement for explicit molecular construction rules. While such models have been applied to generate novel compounds with desired bioactivity, the actual prioritization and selection of the most promising computational designs remains challenging. Herein, we leveraged the probabilities learnt by chemical language models with the beam search algorithm as a model‐intrinsic technique for automated molecule design and scoring. Prospective application of this method yielded novel inverse agonists of retinoic acid receptor‐related orphan receptors (RORs). Each design was synthesizable in three reaction steps and presented low‐micromolar to nanomolar potency towards RORγ. This model‐intrinsic sampling technique eliminates the strict need for external compound scoring functions, thereby further extending the applicability of generative artificial intelligence to data‐driven drug discovery.
Enabling Cysteine‐Free Native Chemical Ligation at Challenging Junctions with a Ligation Auxiliary Capable of Base Catalysis
Authors: Fuchs Olaf , Trunschke Sebastian , Hanebrink Hendrik , Reimann Marc , Seitz Oliver
Published: June 2021

Ligation auxiliaries are used in chemical protein synthesis to extend the scope of native chemical ligation (NCL) beyond cysteine. However, auxiliary‐mediated ligations at sterically demanding junctions have been difficult. Often the thioester intermediate formed in the thiol exchange step of NCL accumulates because the subsequent S→N acyl transfer is extremely slow. Here we introduce the 2‐mercapto‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)ethyl (MPyE) group as the first auxiliary designed to aid the ligation reaction by catalysis. Notably, the MPyE auxiliary provides useful rates even for junctions containing proline or a β‐branched amino acid. Quantum chemical calculations suggest that the pyridine nitrogen acts as an intramolecular base in a rate‐determining proton transfer step. The auxiliary is prepared in two steps and conveniently introduced by reductive alkylation. Auxiliary cleavage is induced upon treatment with TCEP/morpholine in presence of a MnII complex as radical starter. The synthesis of a de novo designed 99mer peptide and an 80 aa long MUC1 peptide demonstrates the usefulness of the MPyE auxiliary.
Efficient Electroconversion of Carbon Dioxide to Formate by a Reconstructed Amino‐Functionalized Indium–Organic Framework Electrocatalyst
Authors: Wang Zhitong , Zhou Yansong , Xia Chenfeng , Guo Wei , You Bo , Xia Bao Yu
Published: June 2021

We report an amino‐functionalized indium‐organic framework for efficient CO2 reduction to formate. The immobilized amino groups strengthen the absorption and activation of CO2 and stabilize the active intermediates, which endow an enhanced catalytic conversion to formate despite the inevitable reduction and reconstruction of the functionalized indium‐based catalyst during electrocatalysis. The reconstructed amino‐functionalized indium‐based catalyst demonstrates a high Faradaic efficiency of 94.4 % and a partial current density of 108 mA cm−2 at −1.1 V vs. RHE in a liquid‐phase flow cell, and also delivers an enhanced current density of ca. 800 mA cm−2 at 3.4 V for the formate production in a gas‐phase flow cell configuration. This work not only provides a molecular functionalization and assembling concept of hybrid electrocatalysts but also offers valuable understandings in electrocatalyst evolution and reactor optimization for CO2 electrocatalysis and beyond.
Structure and photocatalytic performance comparison of two distinctive copper phenylacetylides
Authors: Li Jing , Tian Meng , Zhang Wen , Qian Jing , Zhao Sen , Dang Wenqiang , Jiang Hai‐Ying , Li Chengbo
Published: June 2021

A new copper phenylacetylide of PhC2Cu2.5 was prepared and compared with PhC2Cu, a copper‐based metal–organic coordination polymer we reported previously. Based on the characterizations on the structures of the two prepared samples, they possessed significantly different crystal structures and similar micro and band structures. Interestingly, they also showed different preferences for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) and 2,4‐diclorophenol (2,4‐DCP). The active species trap experimental results show that different active species were required for the degradation of MO and 2,4‐DCP, resulting to different degradation pathways and mechanism. At last, different preferentially production of active species by PhC2Cu2.5 and PhC2Cu were studied by electrochemical measurements and fluorescence spectra, as well as the photocatalytic productions of reactive oxygen species by PhC2Cu and PhC2Cu2.5, which further demonstrated the obtained conclusions by active species trap experimental results. This work developed a new copper phenylacetylide of PhC2Cu2.5 as a photocatalyst and demonstrated the different degradation pathways of MO and 2,4‐DCP.
Great enhancement of mechanical features in PLA based composites containing aligned few layer graphene (FLG), the effect of FLG loading, size, and dispersion on mechanical and thermal properties
Authors: El Marouazi Hamza , van der Schueren Benoit , Favier Damien , Bolley Anaëlle , Dagorne Samuel , Dintzer Thierry , Janowska Izabela
Published: June 2021

Four series of polylactide (PLA) based composite films containing horizontally aligned few layer graphene (FLG) flakes of high aspect ratio and adsorbed albumin are prepared. The mechanical and thermal properties varies with percentage, dispersion degree and size of FLG flakes. Great improvement up to 290% and 360% of tensile modulus and strength respectively were obtained for the composite containing high lateral size of FLG at 0.17% wt, and up to 60% and 80% for the composite with very well dispersed 0.02% wt FLG. The composites of PLA and PEG‐PLLA containing very well dispersed FLG flakes at 0.07% wt are ductile showing enhancement of elongation at break up to respectively 80% and 88%. Relatively high electrical conductivity, 5 × 10−3 S/cm, is measured for PLA film charged with 3% of FLG.
Octopamine signaling is involved in the female postmating state in Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Ahmad Sheraz , Chen Yu , Zhang Jieyu , Stanley David , Song Qisheng , Ge Linquan
Published: June 2021

Mating triggers physiological and behavioral changes in female insects. In many species, females experience postmating behavioral and physiological changes that define a post‐mated state. These changes are comprised of several conditions, including long‐term refractoriness to re‐mating and increased production and laying of eggs. Here, we report that mating led to several changes in brown planthopper (BPH) females, including increased octopamine (OA), cAMP concentrations, and activities of several enzymes. Mating also led to changes in the expression of several genes acting in female physiology, including those in the cAMP/PKA signal transduction pathway. OA injections into virgin females led to similar changes. RNAi silencing of the gene encoding tyramine β‐hydroxylase, involved in the final step in OA synthesis, led to decreased expression of these genes, and reduced the cAMP/PKA signaling. At the whole‐organism level, the RNAi treatments led to reduced fecundity, body weights, and longevity. RNAi silencing of genes acting in OA signaling led to truncated ovarian development, egg maturation, and ovarian vitellogenin (Vg) uptake. The impact of these decreases is also registered at the population level, seen as decreased population growth. We infer that OA signaling modulates the postmating state in female BPH and possibly other hemipterans.