bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nickel is a Different Pickle: Trends in Water Oxidation Catalysis for Molecular Nickel Complexes
Authors: Hessels Joeri , Masferrer‐Rius Eduard , Yu Fengshou , Detz Remko J. , Klein Gebbink Robertus J. M. , Reek Joost N. H.
Published: October 2020

The development of novel water oxidation catalysts is important in the context of renewable fuels production. Ligand design is one of the key tools to improve the activity and stability of molecular catalysts. The establishment of ligand design rules can facilitate the development of improved molecular catalysts. In this paper it is shown that chemical oxidants can be used to probe oxygen evolution activity for nickel‐based systems, and trends are reported that can improve future ligand design. Interestingly, different ligand effects were observed in comparison to other first‐row transition metal complexes. For example, nickel complexes with secondary amine donors were more active than with tertiary amine donors, which is the opposite for iron complexes. The incorporation of imine donor groups in a cyclam ligand resulted in the fastest and most durable nickel catalyst of our series, achieving oxygen evolution turnover numbers up to 380 and turnover frequencies up to 68 min−1 in a pH 5.0 acetate buffer using Oxone as oxidant. Initial kinetic experiments with this catalyst revealed a first order in chemical oxidant and a half order in catalyst. This implies a rate‐determining oxidation step from a dimeric species that needs to break up to generate the active catalyst. These findings lay the foundation for the rational design of molecular nickel catalysts for water oxidation and highlight that catalyst design rules are not generally applicable for different metals.
Diagnostic significance of flow cytometry scales in diagnostics of myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Davydova Yulia O. , Parovichnikova Elena N. , Galtseva Irina V. , Kokhno Alina V. , Dvirnyk Valentina N. , Kovrigina Alla M. , Obukhova Tatyana N. , Kapranov Nikolay M. , Nikiforova Ksenia A. , Glinkina Svetlana A. , Troitskaya Vera V. , Mikhailova Elena A. , Fidarova Zalina T. , Moiseeva Tatyana N. , Lukina Elena A. , Tsvetaeva Nina V. , Nikulina Olga F. , Kuzmina Larisa A. , Savchenko Valeriy G.
Published: October 2020

Background

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) can present a challenge for clinicians. Multicolor flow cytometry (MFC) can aid in establishing a diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal MFC approach for MDS.

Methods

The study included 102 MDS (39 low‐grade MDS), 83 cytopenic patients without myeloid neoplastic disorders (control group), and 35 healthy donors. Bone marrow was analyzed using a six‐color MFC. Analysis was conducted according to the “Ogata score,” “Wells score,” and the integrated flow cytometry (iFC) score.

Results

The respective sensitivity and specificity values were 77.5% and 90.4% for the Ogata score, 79.4% and 81.9% for the Wells score, and 87.3% and 87.6% for the iFC score. Specificity was not 100% due to deviations of MFC parameters in the control group. Patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) had higher levels of CD34+CD7+ myeloid cells than donors. Aplastic anemia and PNH were characterized by a high proportion of CD56+ cells among CD34+ precursors and neutrophils. The proportion of MDS‐related features increased with the progression of MDS. The highest number of CD34+ blasts was found in MDS with excess blasts. MDS with isolated del(5q) was characterized by a high proportion of CD34+CD7+ cells and low granularity of neutrophils. In 39 low‐grade MDS, the sensitivities were 53.8%, 61.5%, and 71.8% for Ogata score, Wells score, and iFC, respectively.

Conclusion

The results support iFC as a useful diagnostic tool in MDS.
Gold Nanoparticles/Biphenol–biphenoquinone for Ultra‐trace Voltammetric Determination of Captopril
Authors: Shahbakhsh M. , Hashemzaei Z. , Narouie S. , Shahbakhsh Y. , Noroozifar M.
Published: October 2020

This study aims to synthesize gold nanoparticles/biphenol–biphenoquinone (AuNPs−BOH−BQ) and to study its application as a novel heterogeneous electron transfer mediator to modify carbon paste electrode (CPE/Au NPs−BOH−BQ) for ultra‐trace determination of captopril (CP). Characterization results show well dispersed Au NPs with sizes in the range of 8.0–10.5 nm. Under optimized conditions, the calibration plot was linear from 1 to 5×104 nM (two segments, 1–150 nM and 0.15–50.0 μM) and the detection limit was calculated to be 0.4 nM (S/N=3). Finally, the suggested sensor showed stable and reliable responses to CP in CP pharmaceutical tablet and urine samples.
Application of MWCNT/Ag‐Pt Nanocomposite Modified GCE for the Detection of Nevirapine in Pharmaceutical Formulation and Biological Samples
Authors: Okumu Fredrick O. , Silwana Bongiwe , Matoetoe Mangaka C.
Published: October 2020

A study of nanosensor comprising of a glassy carbon electrode modified with a composite of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and bimetallic (Ag‐PtNPs) for the determination of Nevirapine. The GCE/MWCNT/Ag‐PtNPs sensor had remarkable electrocatalytic properties with enhanced response towards Nevirapine under optimized conditions. The platform electrochemical characterisation in 0.01 M NaOH solution, with cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) is detailed. The limit of the detection (LOD) was 0.021 μM. The nanosensor was validated for real sample study using spiked pharmaceutical dose form, milk and urine samples, which showed acceptable recoveries (90‐ 112 %), good precision (RSD=3.3 %, N=3), reproducibility (RSD=4.3 %) and excellent selectivity towards Nevirapine from studied interferents.
Graphene‐AuNP Enhanced Inkjet‐printed Silver Nanoparticle Paper Electrodes for the Detection of Nickel(II)‐Dimethylglyoxime [Ni(dmgH2)] Complexes by Adsorptive Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry (AdCSV)
Authors: Pokpas Keagan , Jahed Nazeem , McDonald Earl , Bezuidenhout Petrone , Smith Suzanne , Land Kevin , Iwuoha Emmanuel
Published: October 2020

The development of low‐cost, disposable electrode materials has been at the forefront of sensor technology in recent decades. Paper, offers possibilities for multi‐functional, disposable and economically friendly sensing capabilities and has proved to be a suitable reagent storage and substrate material in paper‐based analytical devices (PADs). In this work, we report a simple inkjet printing procedure on photographic paper for the fabrication of single analyte electrochemical sensors. A three‐electrode system, consisting of a 3 mm diameter working electrode (WE), a counter electrode (CE) and a reference electrode (RE) were prepared by inkjet printing of silver conductive inks for comparison to common commercial screen printed electrode (SPE) brands. In a second step, carbon coating and modification of the working electrode surface with an electrochemically reduced graphene oxide, gold nanoparticle (ERGO‐AuNP) film, to improve electrode sensitivity and selectivity was employed. Improved electron‐transfer kinetics, increased active surface area and enhanced catalytic properties were achieved due to the ERGO‐AuNP layer inclusion. Electrical and topographical characterization of the printed layers was performed in the fabrication process. Printing of Ag−NP ink showed good resistivity (1.8–6.3 Ω) on photographic paper. The prepared printed paper‐based electrodes (PPE) offer a quantitative analysis of Ni(II), based on the accumulation of Ni(dmgH)2 complexes at the modified electrode surface by square‐wave adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (SW‐AdCSV). This study offers the first investigation on the feasibility of adsorptive electrochemical sensing methods at porous cellulose paper‐based substrates. Instrumental parameters including deposition potential and deposition time were optimized for both electrochemical sensors. Improved sensitivities were achieved at the modified integrated electrodes over the unmodified derivate with a limit of detection (LOD) of 32.19 μg L−1 achieved for the ERGO‐AuNP−CC−Ag−PPE. This is well below the EPA and WHO standards of 0.1 mg L−1 or 0.1 ppm for Ni2+ in drinking water.
Electrochemical Modeling and Performance Assessment of H2S/Air Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
Authors: Sezer Nurettin , Khalid Farrukh , Biçer Yusuf , Koç Muammer
Published: October 2020

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an abundantly present, corrosive, and noxious compound. Though the Claus process is effective in processing H2S, it extracts minimal energy from H2S. Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) can harvest the chemical energy of H2S to generate electric power. For practical implementations, the performance of H2S/air SOFCs and the potential losses in the system are determined. The present study aims to develop the complete electrochemical model of H2S/air SOFC system and to analyze its performance. The theoretical cell potential of H2S/air SOFC is determined, and the deviations from the theoretical cell potential due to polarization are studied. According to the results, H2S/air SOFC generates electric power with energetic, exergetic, and voltaic efficiencies of 59.0%, 43.0%, and 89.7%, respectively, at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of 1100 K. Further efficiencies can be achieved if the output heat is utilized for useful applications. Moreover, the SO2 formed by the electrochemical reactions in SOFC can be recovered as elemental sulfur or sulfuric acid as an additional useful commodity. In brief, this study demonstrates the performance of H2S/air SOFC to serve as a basis for the implementation of H2S/air SOFC toward eliminating the environmental impact of H2S and converting it into electric power.
A comprehensive analysis of the achievable throughput in interference‐limited wireless‐powered networks with nonlinear energy harvester
Authors: Badarneh Osamah S.
Published: October 2020

In this article, a comprehensive analysis of the achievable throughput in interference‐limited wireless‐powered networks (WPNs) with nonlinear energy harvester is presented. In particular, we consider a WPN in which an energy‐constrained transmitter access point (AP) harvests radio‐frequency (RF) energy transferred by a power beacon (PB) before data transmission to destination node. The AP and PB are equipped with multiantenna, whereas the destination node and interferers nodes are equipped with a single antenna. The channel between the PB and the AP experiences Nakagami‐m fading, while the channels between the AP and the destination, and the interferers nodes and the destination are assumed to follow composite fading channels. For this system, we derive novel analytical expressions for the achievable capacity under different transmission schemes, namely optimal rate adaptation, effective capacity, optimal power and rate adaptation, channel inversion with fixed rate, truncated channel inversion with fixed rate, and effective capacity. The derived expressions are then employed to evaluate the performance of the achievable throughput under different system and channel conditions. The analytical analyses are validated through numerical and Monte‐Carlo simulations.
Waste cooking oil as an efficient solvent for the production of urea precursor ammonium carbamate from carbon dioxide
Authors: Sachin Eledathu Kuriachan , Ramachandran Andimuthu , Palanivelu Kandasamy , Syrtsova Daria Aleksandrovna , Teplyakov Vladimir Vasilievich , Kunalan Shankar
Published: October 2020

Carbon sequestration and utilization are currently gaining attention as they help to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This study explores the possibility of using carbon dioxide as a feedstock for the production of ammonium carbamate, a precursor molecule for urea production. Waste cooking oil was used as the indispensable nonaqueous medium for the formation of pure ammonium carbamate. This makes the process completely ecofriendly and cost‐effective. A continuous process of ammonium carbamate production at 20°C results in 88.86% consumption of carbon dioxide. The highest yield of ammonium carbamate was achieved at an NH3/CO2 ratio of 2.5. A three‐stage setup was also found to increase the yield of ammonium carbamate. The reusability of oil after each cycle was checked and it was found that the formation of the product is comparatively less compared to the previous cycle. Lower yield was observed when the same experiment was carried out with fresh oil (sunflower oil). The exit gas from the process was found to be rich in ammonia that can be further used for the production of struvite, a phosphate fertilizer. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tectonic evolution and gas control analysis of the Upper Palaeozoic tight sandstone reservoirs in the Linxing area of the eastern Ordos Basin
Authors: Guo Qing , Wang Xuanyi , Yin Shuai , Wu Zhonghu
Published: October 2020

Low‐amplitude structures and volcanic intrusion diapir structures are developed in the Upper Palaeozoic in the LX (Linxing) area, eastern Ordos Basin, China. However, the tectonic evolution of this area and its gas control effect were not clear. In this article, taking the LX area, eastern Ordos Basin as an example, the tectonic evolution and palaeostructure of the Upper Palaeozoic were restored using a large number of drilling, logging, and seismic data. The acoustic wave time difference method was used to calculate the denudation thickness of the unconformity surface (T3y‐Q, Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation‐Quaternary). The calculated results showed that the denudation thicknesses mainly range between 1,000 and 2,500 m. The tectonic evolution model of the Upper Palaeozoic strata since the end of the Triassic period was established using the balanced cross‐section technique, and the palaeo‐tectonic pattern of the target layer in the early stage of the Early‐Cretaceous epoch was restored. The strong buckling tectonic activities of the Zijinshan Pluton provided the main driving force for the deformation of the Upper Palaeozoic rock mass. Finally, the coupling relationship between the ancient and current structural patterns of the target layer, and the distribution of commercial gas wells was compared. The results show that high parts of the palaeo‐tectonic structures are favourable places for the large‐scale accumulation of tight sandstone gas, and the current structure plays a certain role in adjusting the distribution of tight sandstone gas.
Irisin Correlates Positively With BMD in a Cohort of Older Adult Patients and Downregulates the Senescent Marker p21 in Osteoblasts
Authors: Colaianni Graziana , Errede Mariella , Sanesi Lorenzo , Notarnicola Angela , Celi Monica , Zerlotin Roberta , Storlino Giuseppina , Pignataro Patrizia , Oranger Angela , Pesce Vito , Tarantino Umberto , Moretti Biagio , Grano Maria
Published: October 2020

Irisin is a myokine produced by skeletal muscle during exercise in both mice and humans. We previously showed that irisin treatment ameliorates immobility-induced osteoporosis and muscular atrophy in mice. Data in humans showed a positive association between irisin and bone mineral density (BMD) in athletes and a population of healthy children. However, the role of this myokine regarding the state of muscle and bone in the same population remained to be determined. For this purpose, 62 patients (age 68.71 ± 12.31 years) undergoing total hip or knee replacement were recruited. Our results showed that irisin serum levels negatively correlated with age (R = −0.515; p = .000018) and positively correlated with femoral BMD (R = 0.619; p = .001) and vertebral BMD (R = 0.201; p = .0001). Irisin was also positively associated with Fndc5 mRNA in muscle biopsies (R = 0.248; p = .016), as well as with Osteocalcin (Ocn) mRNA in bone biopsies (R = 0.708; p = .006). In skeletal muscle, FNDC5 positive fibers positively correlate with BMD of total femur (R = 0.765; p = .0014) and BMD of femoral neck (R = 0.575; p = .031), Interestingly, by analyzing patients divided by their T-score, we found lower irisin levels (p = .0011) in patients with osteopenia/osteoporosis (OP) compared to healthy controls matched for age and sex. By analyzing the senescence marker p21, we found a significant increase of its mRNA expression in the bone biopsies of OP patients compared to control ones. Therefore, we investigated in vitro whether rec-irisin had a direct effect on this senescence marker, showing that p21 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in osteoblasts by the treatment with irisin. Overall, these results indicate that higher irisin levels are associated with a lower rate of age-related osteoporosis and that irisin could be effective in delaying the osteoblast aging process, suggesting a potential senolytic action of this myokine. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
“I forgive myself”: The association between self‐criticism, self‐acceptance, and PTSD in women victims of IPV, and the buffering role of self‐efficacy
Authors: Crapolicchio Eleonora , Vezzali Loris , Regalia Camillo
Published: October 2020

The effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) concerning specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology have been widely demonstrated, but the consequences of abuse are not the same for all victims. We know little about the psychological processes that limit these adverse consequences. Therefore, we explored the association between self‐criticism felt by abused women and their PTSD, and we investigated self‐acceptance as the underlying process explaining this relationship. We also examined self‐efficacy as the protective (moderating) factor. The results indicated that self‐criticism was indirectly associated with greater PTSD via lower self‐acceptance. Critically, the indirect effect only emerged for individuals low in self‐efficacy.
Clinical utility of a newly developed microfluidic device for detecting circulating tumor cells in the blood of patients with pancreatico‐biliary malignancies
Authors: Konno Naoki , Suzuki Rei , Takagi Tadayuki , Sugimoto Mitsuru , Asama Hiroyuki , Sato Yuki , Irie Hiroki , Hikichi Takuto , Ohira Hiromasa
Published: October 2020

Background

The development of an optimal screening method is required to improve the prognosis of pancreatico‐biliary (PB) cancers. A recently developed microfluidic device achieved a high diagnostic yield by detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood of cancer patients. We conducted this study to investigate the clinical utility of measuring CTCs in peripheral venous blood to diagnose PB cancer.

Methods

Sixty‐three subjects were enrolled in this study (29 with pancreatic cancer [PC], 19 with biliary cancer [BC] and 16 non‐tumor controls). Using a microfluidic chip device and image analyzer, circulating blood cells were selected based on their size and immunocytochemistry staining pattern. The primary endpoint was the diagnostic accuracy of CTCs with regard to distinguishing between PB cancer patients and controls. We divided all cases into the training set (n = 32) and validation set (n = 31). The diagnostic accuracy of CTCs, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 19‐9 (CA19‐9) were analyzed.

Results

In both the training set and validation set, CTCs showed the highest diagnostic accuracy (training set: CTCs 90.6%, CA19‐9 90.6%, CEA 65.6%, validation set: CTCs 87.5%, CA19‐9 78.1%, CEA 81.2). Regarding non‐metastatic PC (cStage I‐III, n = 11), CTCs also had the highest diagnostic accuracy among the three markers tested (CTCs: 84.6%, CA19‐9:80.7%, CEA 73.0%).

Conclusions

A newly developed microfluidic device could diagnose PB cancers by detecting CTCs. This trial was registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, no. UMIN000029808.
Lights off, camera on! Laparoscopic cholecystectomy improves outcomes in cirrhotic patients with acute cholecystitis
Authors: Finco Tiago , Firek Matthew , Coimbra Bruno C. , Brenner Megan , Coimbra Raul
Published: October 2020

Background

The best surgical approach to treat acute cholecystitis (AC) in cirrhotic patients is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate treatment options in cirrhotic patients with AC. We hypothesized that laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) would lead to better clinical outcomes when compared to non‐operative management (NOM) and open cholecystectomy (OC), independent of the severity of liver cirrhosis.

Methods

Patients from the National Inpatient Sample diagnosed with AC were stratified into no cirrhosis (NC), compensated cirrhosis (CC), and decompensated cirrhosis (DC) and analyzed according to treatment: NOM, OC, and LC. Primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay (HLOS), cost, and surgical complications. Univariate and multivariate analyses using generalized linear models were performed. A P < 0.05 was deemed significant.

Results

Of 1 367 495 AC patients, 49 030 (3.6%) had cirrhosis; 23 260 had CC, and 25 770 had DC. LC (12 080 in CC group and 4840 in DC group) was accompanied by significantly lower mortality, HLOS, complications, and cost when compared to OC and NOM.

OC was significantly associated with higher mortality, increased HLOS, total cost, and postoperative complications, independent of the presence or severity of cirrhosis.

Conclusions

LC in cirrhotic patients leads to superior outcomes compared to OC and NOM regardless of the severity of cirrhosis.
Early clinical factors predicting the development of critical disease in Japanese patients with COVID‐19: A single‐center, retrospective, observational study
Authors: Higuchi Takatoshi , Nishida Tsutomu , Iwahashi Hiromi , Morimura Osamu , Otani Yasushi , Okauchi Yukiyoshi , Yokoe Masaru , Suzuki Norihiro , Inada Masami , Abe Kinya
Published: October 2020

The factors predicting the progression of coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) from mild to moderate to critical are unclear. We retrospectively evaluated risk factors for disease progression in Japanese patients with COVID‐19. Seventy‐four patients with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 were hospitalized in our hospital between February 20, 2020, and June 10, 2020. We excluded asymptomatic, non‐Japanese, and pediatric patients. We divided patients into the stable group and the progression group (PG; requiring mechanical ventilation). We compared the clinical factors. We established the cutoff values (COVs) for significantly different factors via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and identified risk factors by univariate regression. We enrolled 57 patients with COVID‐19 (median age 52 years, 56.1% male). The median time from symptom onset to admission was 8 days. Seven patients developed critical disease (PG: 12.2%), two (3.5%) of whom died; 50 had stable disease. Univariate logistic analysis identified an elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level (COV: 309 U/l), a decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; COV: 68 ml/min), lymphocytopenia (COV: 980/μl), and statin use as significantly associated with disease progression. However, in the Cox proportional hazards analysis, lymphocytopenia at admission was not significant. We identified three candidate risk factors for progression to critical COVID‐19 in adult Japanese patients: statin use, elevated LDH level, and decreased eGFR.
Assessment of nonlinear effects of a deep subgrid lake with an atmospheric single‐column model
Authors: Goyette Stéphane , Fonseca Cédric , Truscello Leonard
Published: October 2020

Some nonlinear aspects due to the coupling of a single column atmospheric model (SCM) with both a land‐surface model (LSM) and a lake model has lately been published by Goyette in 2017. In this previous study, the surface type abruptly changed from land to an open water surface. This article further investigates the potential of this SCM to explore the nonlinear effects through the analysis of the impacts of fractional land and open water surfaces on the surface fluxes and variables, as well as on the atmospheric air temperature, specific humidity, and wind speed vertical profiles, with an application to deep Lake Geneva, Switzerland. It is shown that the coupling methodology depending on the surface type produced realistic and coherent results and indicated that the mean fluxes and other relevant quantities may not be simply averaged on the basis of the fractional area of the land and that of the open water. If Lake Geneva relative surface area is prescribed to its observed value with respect to the model grid‐mesh size, the remaining being land surface, results showed maximum seasonal mean differences of 7.5 and 5.4 W·m−2 for the latent and sensible heat flux in Autumn respectively, 1.6°C, 0.8 g·kg−1 for the screen‐level air temperature and specific humidity in Autumn respectively, and 0.6 m·s−1 for the anemometer‐level windspeed in Winter with respect to the original land surface, owing to the different behaviour of the vertical turbulent transfer of heat, moisture and momentum but also to the different thermal and radiative characteristics of land and water surfaces.
Consistent long‐term Holocene warming trend at different elevations in the Altai Mountains in arid central Asia
Authors: Rao Zhiguo , Guo Haichun , Cao Jiantao , Shi Fuxi , Jia Guodong , Li Yunxia , Chen Fahu
Published: October 2020

Recent results indicate contrasting Holocene moisture histories at different elevations in arid central Asia (ACA). However, relatively little is known about Holocene temperature changes at different elevations. Here we report an independently dated peat brGDGTs‐based MBT'5ME record from the Narenxia peatland (NRX) in the southern Altai Mountains. The record suggests a long‐term warming trend since ~7.7 cal. kyr bp, with a warmer stage during ~7–5.5 cal. kyr bp, a cold stage during ~5.5–4 cal. kyr bp, and a warming trend over the last ~4 kyr. The long‐term warming trend indicated by the NRX MBT'5ME record is largely consistent with Holocene temperature records from nearby sites covering an altitudinal range of ~1700–4100 m above sea level. This consistent long‐term warming trend at different elevations differs from the long‐term Holocene drying/wetting trends at high/low elevations of the Altai Mountains. We propose that the warming trend and consequent permafrost thawing at high elevations could have resulted in increased meltwater runoff, which would have contributed to the long‐term wetting trend at low elevations. Our findings potentially provide an improved understanding of regional climate change and associated water resource availability, with implications for their possible future status.
Downregulated microRNA‐106 inhibits apoptosis and promotes proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes in osteoarthritis through restraining the activation of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Tao Si‐Yi , Zhou Yan‐Lin , Ni Jiang‐Dong
Published: October 2020

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease with poor prognosis. Recent studies demonstrated the change of several microRNAs (miRNAs) in OA and their possibility to be regarded as diagnostic markers for OA. This study was to investigate how miR‐106 mediated the Wnt3a/β‐catenin signaling pathway in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of chondrocytes in OA mice. A mouse OA model was established by using a modified Hulth modeling method. The mice were injected with miR‐106 Agomir or Antagomir to elucidate the role of miR‐106 in pathological structure, cell apoptosis, and inflammation reaction in cartilage tissues of OA mice. The chondrocytes were introduced with miR‐106 Inhibitor or Mimic to probe into the role of miR‐106 in proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of chondrocytes. RT‐qPCR and Western blot analysis tested miR‐106, Wnt3a, and β‐catenin expression. Elevated miR‐106 and activated Wnt3a/β‐catenin pathway were presented in cartilage tissues of OA mice. Inhibited miR‐106 declined Wnt3a and β‐catenin expression in cartilage tissues of mice of OA. Declined miR‐106 alleviated pathological changes, inhibited cell apoptosis and inflammation in cartilage tissues, promoted proliferation and differentiation, and suppressed apoptosis of chondrocytes in OA mice. Inactivating the Wnt3a/β‐catenin signaling pathway reversed the up‐regulated miR‐106‐induced suppression of chondrocyte proliferation and deterioration of bone and joint injury. This work makes it clear that downregulated miR‐106 suppresses apoptosis, and promotes the proliferation and differentiation of OA chondrocytes via inactivation of the Wnt3a/β‐catenin pathway, offering a novel treatment approach for human OA.
Multicomponent Stress‐Sensing Composites Fabricated by 3D‐Printing Methodologies
Authors: Rupp Harald , Binder Wolfgang H.
Published: October 2020

The preparation and characterization of mechanoresponsive, 3D‐printed composites are reported using a dual‐printing setup for both, liquid dispensing and fused‐deposition‐modeling. The here reported stress‐sensing materials are based on high‐ and low molecular weight mechanophores, including poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐, polyurethane‐, and alkyl(C11)‐based latent copper(I)bis(N‐heterocyclic carbenes), which can be activated by compression to trigger a fluorogenic, copper(I)‐catalyzed azide/alkyne “click”‐reaction of an azide‐functionalized fluorescent dye inside a bulk polymeric material. Focus is placed on the printability and postprinting activity of the latent mechanophores and the fluorogenic “click”‐components. The multicomponent specimen containing both, azide and alkyne, are manufactured via a 3D‐printer to place the components separately inside the specimen into void spaces generated during the FDM‐process, which subsequently are filled with liquids using a separate liquid dispenser, located within the same 3D‐printing system. The low‐molecular weight mechanophores bearing the alkyl‐C11 chains display the best printability, yielding a mechanochemical response after the 3D‐printing process.
Electroconvulsive Therapy for Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Takamiya Akihiro , Seki Morinobu , Kudo Shun , Yoshizaki Takahito , Nakahara Jin , Mimura Masaru , Kishimoto Taishiro
Published: October 2020

Background

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a well‐established treatment for psychiatric disorders, including depression and psychosis. ECT has been reported to be effective in treating such psychiatric symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and has been also reported to be effective in treating motor symptoms. The aim of the study is to summarize previous clinical studies investigating the efficacy of ECT for symptoms in patients with PD.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of any study designs assessing motor and/or non‐motor symptoms in patients with PD before and after ECT. Co‐primary outcomes were set as motor manifestations assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale or other rating scales, and non‐motor symptoms included depression and psychosis. Secondary outcomes were wearing‐off phenomenon and cognitive function. The impact of ECT on those symptoms was examined by comparing the severity of the symptoms before and after ECT using a random effect model and was expressed in standardized mean difference.

Results

Of 1219 identified citations, 14 studies (n = 129; 1 randomized controlled study, 9 prospective observational studies, and 4 retrospective studies) were analyzed. The findings were as follows: ECT significantly improved motor manifestations in patients with PD, and the improvement was significant in the subpopulation without psychiatric symptoms; ECT significantly improved depression and psychosis; and ECT significantly relieved wearing‐off phenomenon and did not worsen cognitive functioning.

Conclusion

The current meta‐analysis suggests the potential benefit of ECT on motor and non‐motor symptoms in presumably complicated and difficult‐to‐treat subgroups. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Nonlinear deflection of carbon nanotube reinforced multiphase magneto‐electro‐elastic plates in thermal environment considering pyrocoupling effects
Authors: Mahesh Vinyas
Published: October 2020

The primary focus of this article is on assessing the influence of pyroeffects on the nonlinear coupled deflections of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced multiphase magneto‐electro‐elastic (MMEE) plates. A finite element procedure incorporating Reddy's higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT) and von Karman's nonlinear strain‐displacement relation is employed to obtain governing equations. The solutions are obtained via direct iterative method. The different volume fractions of piezoelectric and piezomagnetic phases have been considered. Also, the various forms of CNT distributions that significantly affect the coupling characteristics of the CNT‐MMEE plate have been considered. The numerical examples reveal that the pyroelectric and pyromagnetic effects play a vital role in predicting accurate structural responses. Further, this article also attempts to evaluate the effect of electro‐magnetic circuits and electro‐magnetic loads associated with the pyrocoupling, which is first of its kind. It is found from this study that the non‐dimensional deflections of CNT‐MMEE plate vary predominantly with the pyroeffects and electro‐magnetic circuits.
Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in vaginal surgery for pelvic organ prolapse: Predictors of high risk in a low‐risk population
Authors: Escobar Christina M. , Gomez‐Viso Alejandro , Agrawal Surbhi , Smilen Scott , Rosenblum Nirit , Brucker Benjamin M. , Malacarne Pape Dominique
Published: October 2020

Aim

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) rates in vaginal pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair are low. Our aim is to evaluate specific risk factors for VTE in patients undergoing vaginal POP repair.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study using the American College of Surgeons NSQIP database. Using CPT codes, cases of vaginal POP repair between 2014 and 2017 were identified. Patient and operative characteristics were collected. VTE was defined as pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) within 30 days from surgery. Univariate analyses were performed using the Student t test for continuous and χ2 tests for categorical variables. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors independently associated with VTE.

Results

Of 44 207 women who underwent vaginal POP repair, there were 69 cases of VTE (0.16%). VTE rates for obliterative (0.15%) and functional (0.16%) vaginal POP repair, as well as for repairs with hysterectomy (0.17%) and without hysterectomy (0.12%) were not significantly different (p = .616 and .216, respectively). Multivariate analysis demonstrated predictors for postoperative VTE to be ASA physical status classification ≥ 3 (aOR, 1.99; p = .014), length of stay >75th percentile (aOR, 2.01; p = .007), operative time >3 h (aOR, 2.24; p = .007), and dyspnea (aOR, 3.26, p = .004).

Conclusion

Despite the low incidence of VTE after vaginal POP repair, patients with ASA physical status classification ≥ 3, length of stay >75th percentile, operative time >3 h, and dyspnea were at higher risk for VTE. Vaginal POP repair may have independent VTE risk factors not captured in standard risk assessment tools.
Consider technology that helps promote social distancing
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: October 2020

How can campuses safely host students in the midst of COVID‐19? That's a big question officials at many institutions are trying to answer. One key is to enable and encourage social distancing on campus. Officials at Apogee and Degree Analytics have partnered to create a solution that enables campus officials to track where people are gathering. Heat map displays show how many people are in an area.
Investigating the co‐movement between exchange rates and interest rates in the bi‐variate form: Evidence from Turkey
Authors: Tursoy Turgut , Mar'i Muhammad
Published: October 2020

The exchange rate is considered one of the most important economic factors that monetary authorities seek to control in proportion to its current and its future economic activities. In this study, we investigate the interrelationship between the interest rate and exchange rate at different time horizons (overnight, 6 months and up to 1 year) in Turkey using wavelet analysis, mainly continuous wavelet, cross wavelet, and wavelet coherence, during the period from 2005 to 2019. The results indicate that the relationship in the long‐run and short‐run between exchange rate and interest rate is generally positive and this confirms the purchasing power parity theory and Keynesian approach theoretical predictions on the relationship between exchange rate and interest rate—the negative relationship in the short term is consistent with sticky price models. In terms of the causality, although there is no specified pattern for this relationship, it is evident that the behavior of the lead‐lag relationship between the variables, in the long run, is different from the short run, the exchange rate dominates in the long run. In contrast, in the short‐run, there is a bidirectional causality that varies substantially over time and virtually changes from day to day in the short‐run.
Divergent strategy for the synthesis of bottlebrush polymers via postpolymerization modification of macromonomer
Authors: Lee Nam Joo , Kim Dongseok , Yoo Kwangho , Yu Yeji , Kim Byeong‐Su , Kim Jeung Gon
Published: October 2020

A simple and divergent synthetic strategy of bottlebrush polymers (BBPs) is presented, consisting of postpolymerization modification of a macromonomer and grafting‐through polymerization. Beginning with a single macromonomer, its direct modification could build a library of macromonomers with an identical chain length, thus guaranteeing the precision in the synthesis of BBPs. In this study, a newly designed norbornenyl‐terminated poly(methyl acrylate) (NB‐PMA) is proposed as a chemically robust template. Ti‐mediated transesterification of NB‐PMA successfully produces structurally diverse polyacrylates while maintaining the terminal norbornenyl group intact. All macromonomers obtained from transesterification possess a good grafting‐through ring‐opening metathesis polymerization reactivity, furnishing homo, random, and block BBPs in a controllable manner. Moreover, atomic force microscopy analysis supports the controlled side‐chain length distribution in the resulting BBPs.
Selective Etching of (111)B‐Oriented AlxGa1−xAs‐Layers for Epitaxial Lift‐Off
Authors: Henksmeier Tobias , Eppinger Martin , Reineke Bernhard , Zentgraf Thomas , Meier Cedrik , Reuter Dirk
Published: October 2020

GaAs‐(111)‐nanostructures exhibiting second harmonic generation are new building blocks in nonlinear optics. Such structures can be fabricated through epitaxial lift‐off using selective etching of Al‐containing layers and subsequent transfer to glass substrates. Herein, the selective etching of (111)B‐oriented AlxGa1−xAs sacrificial layers (10–50 nm thick) with different aluminum concentrations (x = 0.5–1.0) in 10% hydrofluoric acid is investigated and compared with standard (100)‐oriented structures. The thinner the sacrificial layer and the lower the aluminum content, the lower the lateral etch rate. For both orientations, the lateral etch rates are in the same order of magnitude, but some quantitative differences exist. Furthermore, the epitaxial lift‐off, the transfer, and the nanopatterning of thin (111)B‐oriented GaAs membranes are demonstrated. Atomic force microscopy and high‐resolution X‐ray diffraction measurements reveal the high structural quality of the transferred GaAs‐(111) films.
Laser Recording in Chalcogenide Glass Films: Driving Forces and Kinetics of the Mass Transfer
Authors: Kaganovskii Yuri S. , Genish Hadar , Rosenbluh Michael
Published: October 2020

Herein, precision recording of indented dots and lines in As10Se90 and As2S3 chalcogenide glass films by a focused laser beam is demonstrated and the kinetics and mechanisms of mass transfer under illumination are studied. Due to inhomogeneous intensity distribution and local heating of the film at the focal point, the beam at rest produces an indentation whose depth increases with time and laser power. Illumination by a moving beam leads to formation of groves whose morphology depends on the beam speed and power. At low light intensities, formation of the indentations occurs in the solid phase, due to photoinduced radial diffusion of the film constituents coupled with electrons and holes created by light. The two main driving forces present are: 1) a lateral steady‐state electric field formed due to different mobilities of electrons and holes and 2) driving force of thermodiffusion (Soret effect). At high light intensities, formation of the indentations and grooves occurs with the participation of a liquid phase, with an additional mechanism of viscous flow caused by a gradient in surface tension. However, the contribution of viscous flow mechanism is small compared with diffusion mass transfer. Calculated profiles of the indentations and grooves are in a good agreement with experimental data.
Practical Band Interpolation with a Generalized Luttinger–Kohn Method
Authors: Reis Carlos L. , Martins José Luís
Published: October 2020

Herein, an interpolation scheme for energy and wave functions of a crystal using a generalization of Luttinger–Kohn functions is presented. For each k‐point where the interpolated bands are desired, a variational orthogonal basis is constructed using a singular value decomposition (SVD) where the Luttinger–Kohn functions are derived from reference k‐points. A crucial step of the scheme is that before the SVD, the Luttinger–Kohn functions are multiplied by weights that depend on the distance between the reference k‐points and the k‐point to be interpolated. After the SVD, the less relevant orthogonal functions may be discarded. In contrast with some other methods, it is a true interpolation and it is continuous, it does not require a starting localized basis set or band disentanglement or any specific information from the user. The procedure should be straightforward to implement in most electronic‐structure codes. Examples of the application of the scheme to density functional calculations of silicon, copper, and rhombohedral graphite are presented.
Structure and Dynamics of Supercooled Liquid Ge2Sb2Te5 from Machine‐Learning‐Driven Simulations
Authors: Zhou Yu-Xing , Zhang Han-Yi , Deringer Volker L. , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2020

Studies of supercooled liquid phase‐change materials are important for the development of phase‐change memory and neuromorphic computing devices. Herein, a machine‐learning (ML)‐based interatomic potential for Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) to conduct large‐scale molecular dynamics simulations of liquid and supercooled liquid GST is used. A pronounced effect of the thermostat parameters on the simulation results is demonstrated, and it is shown how using a Langevin thermostat with optimized damping values can lead to excellent agreement with reference ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. Structural and dynamical analyses are presented, including the studies of radial and angular distributions, homopolar bonds, and the temperature‐dependent diffusivity. Herein, the usefulness of ML‐driven molecular dynamics for further studies of supercooled liquid GST, with length and timescales far exceeding those that are accessible to AIMD is demonstrated.
All‐Vacuum‐Processing for Fabrication of Efficient, Large‐Scale, and Flexible Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Tavakoli Mohammad Mahdi , Tavakoli Rouhollah
Published: October 2020

Vacuum deposition of transporting layers, especially the hole‐transporting layer (HTL), is still a big challenge for the fabrication of large‐area perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, efficient and large‐area PSCs are fabricated by thermal evaporation of all the layers. Poly(bis(4‐phenyl)(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)amine) (PTAA) is used as the HTL, and a compact layer of PTAA with low thickness (2–10 nm) is successfully deposited using thermal evaporation. The optical and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) measurements prove that the evaporated PTAA has a great match with the single A‐cation methylammonium triiodide perovskite film in terms of quenching effect and band alignment. After fabrication of the inverted architecture using all‐vacuum‐processing, PSCs with power conversion of efficiencies (PCEs) of 19.4% for small area (0.054 cm2) and 18.1% for large area (1 cm2) are achieved, which are higher than those of solution‐based devices. A flexible PSC with PCE of 17.27% is also fabricated using this approach. Moreover, the fabricated PSCs, using the vacuum technique, show negligible hysteresis and good stability, better than the devices fabricated on spin‐coated PTAA. This work highlights the potential of vacuum deposition for scale‐up and commercialization of PSCs.
Practitioners guide on parametric, nonparametric, and semiparametric profile monitoring
Authors: Jones Chelsea L. , Abdel‐Salam Abdel‐Salam G. , Mays D'Arcy
Published: October 2020

Profile monitoring is one of the methods used in statistical process control () to understand the functional relationship between response and explanatory variables by tracking this relationship and estimating parameters. SPC is done in two phases: In Phase , a statistical model is created and its parameters estimated using historical data. Phase implements the statistical model and monitors the live ongoing process. Control charts are graphical tools used to monitor these functional relationships over time in both Phase and Phase . This study provides a step‐by‐step application for parametric, nonparametric, and semiparametric methods in profile monitoring and creates an in‐depth guideline with comparative analysis studies for novice practitioners. A comparative analysis under each distributional assumption is conducted for various control charts.
Influence ofδ18O of water on measurements ofδ18O of nitrite and nitrate
Authors: Kobayashi Kanae , Fukushima Keitaro , Onishi Yuji , Nishina Kazuya , Makabe Akiko , Yano Midori , Wankel Scott D. , Koba Keisuke , Okabe Satoshi
Published: October 2020

Rationale

Oxygen isotope ratio measurements of NO2−and NO3−by the azide method and denitrifier method are sensitive to theδ18O value of the sample water. However, the influence ofδ18OH2Oon those measurements has not been quantitatively evaluated and documented so far. Therefore, we investigated the influence ofδ18OH2Oof a sample on theδ18O analysis of NO2−and NO3−.

Methods

We prepared NO2−and NO3−standards (with knownδ18ONO2‐andδ18ONO3‐values) dissolved in waters having differentδ18OH2Ovalues (δ18OH2O = −12.6, 25.9, 56.7, and 110.1‰). Nitrite and nitrate were converted into N2O using the azide method and the denitrifier method, respectively. The isotope ratios of the generated N2O were measured with a Sercon purge‐and‐trap gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (PT‐GC/IRMS) system. The measuredδ18O values of the produced N2O were plotted against knownδ18ONO2‐andδ18ONO3‐values to evaluate the influence of exchange of an oxygen atom with H2O during the conversion of NO2−into N2O and NO3−into N2O, respectively.

Results

The degree of oxygen isotope exchange was 10.8 ± 0.3% in the azide method and 5.5 ± 1.0% in the denitrifier method, indicating that the azide method is more susceptible to artifacts arising from differences in theδ18OH2Ovalue of water than the denitrifier method. Thus, the intercept of the standard calibration curve must be corrected to account for differences inδ18OH2O. Abiotic NO2–H2O equilibrium isotope effect experiments yielded a rate constant of (1.13 ± 007) × 10−2(h−1) and an equilibrium isotope effect of 11.9 ± 0.1‰ under the condition of pH = 7.5, 30°C, and 2.5% salinity.

Conclusions

Oxygen isotope ratio measurements of NO2−by the azide method are highly sensitive toδ18OH2Oas a result of significant oxygen isotope exchange between NO2−and H2O. Therefore, to obtain the most accurate measurements water with the sameδ18OH2Ovalue as that of the sample must be used to make the NO2−and NO3−standards.