bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of genomic variants at PAX8 and PBX2 with cervical cancer risk
Authors: Ramachandran Dhanya , Wang Yingying , Schürmann Peter , Hülse Fabienne , Mao Qianqian , Jentschke Matthias , Böhmer Gerd , Strauß Hans‐Georg , Hirchenhain Christine , Schmidmayr Monika , Müller Florian , Runnebaum Ingo , Hein Alexander , Koch Martin , Ruebner Matthias , Beckmann Matthias W. , Fasching Peter A. , Luyten Alexander , Dürst Matthias , Hillemanns Peter , Dörk Thilo
Published: April 2021

Cervical malignancy is triggered by human papillomavirus infection but the risk for cervical cancer has a hereditary component. From a recent Genome Wide Association Study meta‐analysis, 2q14.1 (PAX8) and 6p21.32 (PBX2) have been proposed as novel cervical cancer susceptibility loci. We investigated the two main signals at these loci in an independent case‐control series of 2578 cases with cervical dysplasia or carcinoma and 1483 healthy females. We find significant associations for both variants, rs10175462 at PAX8 and rs2856437 at PBX2, with overall cervical disease (rs10175462: odds ratio [OR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74‐0.91, P = 2.4 × 10−4; rs2856437: OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.14‐2.02, P = .004). Both variants showed evidence of association with invasive squamous cervical cancer (rs10175462: OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68‐0.94, P = .006; rs2856437: OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.03‐2.36, P = .036) and with high‐grade dysplasia (rs10175462: OR 0.79, 95%CI 0.70‐0.90, P = 1.9 × 10−4; rs2856437: OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.15‐2.17, P = .005). A combined analysis of high‐grade dysplasia and invasive cervical cancer also showed significant associations for both variants (rs10175462: OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.73‐0.91, P = 2.4 × 10−4; rs2856437: OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.18‐2.10, P = .002). No association was detected for rs2856437 with low‐grade dysplasia, while rs10175462 showed weak evidence of association (P = .05). RNA analyses in cervical samples revealed that PAX8 transcripts were upregulated in HPV‐positive lesions (P = .008) but this was not observed in the presence of the protective minor allele of rs10175462. The rs10175462 genotype also correlated with reduced levels of the lncRNA PAX8‐AS1 (P < .001). Taken together, our results extend the evidence for a link between genomic risk variants at the HLA region (PBX2) with cervical disease and support PAX8 as the first consistent non‐HLA cervical cancer susceptibility locus.
Negative‐pressure irrigation improves water and fertilizer use efficiencies and fruit yield of greenhouse tomato on the North China Plain*
Authors: Li Yinkun , Xue Xuzhang , Xu Fan , Guo Wenzhong , Duan Minjie , Lin Sen , Li Youli , Wang Zhan
Published: April 2021

Water and fertilizer supply are the main factors limiting greenhouse vegetable production on the North China Plain. This study tested the hypothesis that negative‐pressure irrigation is advantageous for reducing water and fertilizer application compared with drip irrigation in a greenhouse. Three treatments (drip irrigation + optimal fertilizer [DOF], drip irrigation + Yamazaki tomato nutrient solution [DNS], and negative‐pressure irrigation + Yamazaki tomato nutrient solution [NNS]) were applied in a greenhouse tomato double‐cropping system conducted in consecutive spring–summer and autumn–winter seasons. Soil moisture content, nitrate‐nitrogen (N) concentration, fruit yield, total N uptake (Nu), irrigation water productivity, and partial factor productivity of applied fertilizer were analysed. The seasonal variation of soil moisture and nitrate‐N contents in the 0–20‐cm soil layer for NNS treatment was stable. Nitrate‐N accumulated after the final harvest in the autumn–winter season of NNS treatment was significantly less than under DOF and DNS. Despite lower water and nutrient inputs, NNS showed higher Nu and fruit yield than DOF and DNS. These results demonstrated that negative‐pressure irrigation can reduce irrigation water and nutrient inputs and nitrate‐N accumulation in the soil, and significantly improve water and fertilizer use efficiency in greenhouse‐grown tomato compared with those under drip irrigation.
Extracellular vesicles from monocyte/platelet aggregates modulate human atherosclerotic plaque reactivity
Authors: Oggero Silvia , de Gaetano Monica , Marcone Simone , Fitzsimons Stephen , Pinto Andreia L. , Ikramova Dinara , Barry Mary , Burke David , Montero‐Melendez Trinidad , Cooper Dianne , Burgoyne Thomas , Belton Orina , Norling Lucy V. , Brennan Eoin P. , Godson Catherine , Perretti Mauro
Published: April 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as key players in different stages of atherosclerosis. Here we provide evidence that EVs released by mixed aggregates of monocytes and platelets in response to TNF‐α display pro‐inflammatory actions on endothelial cells and atherosclerotic plaques. Tempering platelet activation with Iloprost, Aspirin or a P2Y12 inhibitor impacted quantity and phenotype of EV produced. Proteomics of EVs from cells activated with TNF‐α alone or in the presence of Iloprost revealed a distinct composition, with interesting hits like annexin‐A1 and gelsolin. When added to human atherosclerotic plaque explants, EVs from TNF‐α stimulated monocytes augmented release of cytokines. In contrast, EVs generated by TNF‐α together with Iloprost produced minimal plaque activation. Notably, patients with coronary artery disease that required percutaneous coronary intervention had elevated plasma numbers of monocyte, platelet as well as double positive EV subsets. In conclusion, EVs released following monocyte/platelet activation may play a potential role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Whereas attenuating platelet activation modifies EV composition released from monocyte/platelet aggregates, curbing their pro‐inflammatory actions may offer therapeutic avenues for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Impact of sarcopenia on recurrent biliary obstruction after insertion of self‐expandable metallic stent in patients with malignant biliary obstruction
Authors: Koya Yudai , Shibata Michihiko , Oe Shinji , Honma Yuichi , Nebuya Satoru , Miyagawa Koichiro , Yoshikawa Ichiro , Harada Masaru
Published: April 2021

Background/Purpose

Recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) after self‐expandable metallic stent (SEMS) insertion is a big problem in patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). Sarcopenia is associated with poor prognosis in patients with malignancies. The purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between RBO and sarcopenia.

Methods

Forty‐six patients with normal psoas muscle mass index (PMI) and 55 with low PMI were enrolled, based on PMI cut‐off values. We analyzed the cumulative incidences and predictors of RBO, considering death without RBO to be a competing risk.

Results

In the Kaplan‐Meier analysis, the 60‐, 180‐, and 360‐day cumulative incidence rates of RBO were 0.0%, 12.2%, and 22.0% in the normal PMI group, as compared to 4.0%, 31.1%, and 55.0% in the low PMI group, respectively (log‐rank P = .003). In competing risk analysis, the incidences were 2.9%, 2.9%, and 7.1% in the normal PMI group, as compared to 13.7%, 34.8%, and 51.7% in the low PMI group, respectively (P < .001). In multivariate Cox regression and Fine‐Gray's analyses, hazard ratios of low PMI for RBO were 4.593 (95% confidence interval 1.673‐12.61, P = .003) and 4.980 (2.045‐12.13, P < .001), respectively.

Conclusions

Sarcopenia in MBO was an independent risk factor for RBO.
Cation Template‐Assisted RAFT Cyclopolymerization of Hexa(Ethylene Glycol) Di(meth)acrylates to Thermoresponsive Pseudo‐Crown Ether Polymers
Authors: Kimura Yoshihiko , Terashima Takaya
Published: April 2021

Cation template‐assisted reversible addition fragmentation/chain transfer (RAFT) cyclopolymerization of hexa(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG6DA) or hexa(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEG6DMA) is developed as a versatile system to produce large in‐chain ring cyclopolymers, thermoresponsive pseudo‐crown ether polymers. For an efficient synthesis, potassium hexafluorophosphate (KPF6) is employed as a cation template; PEG6DA as well as PEG6DMA recognizes the potassium cation with the hexa(ethylene glycol) spacer to dynamically form a pseudo‐cyclic divinyl monomer. Those monomers interacting with the potassium cations are efficiently polymerized with RAFT agents and radical initiators into cyclopolymers comprising 24‐membered hexa(ethylene glycol) rings. The cation template‐assisted RAFT cyclopolymerization is also effective for the synthesis of amphiphilic random cyclocopolymers bearing hydrophilic hexa(ethylene glycol) rings and hydrophobic butyl groups. Cyclopolymers of PEG6DA and PEG6DMA further show thermoresponsive solubility in water. The cloud point temperature of cyclopoly(PEG6DA)s is higher than that of a cyclopoly(PEG6DMA).
An Advanced Material with Synergistic Viscoelasticity Enhancement of Hydrophobically Associated Water‐Soluble Polymer and Surfactant
Authors: Wang Tongyu , Kang Wanli , Yang Hongbin , Li Zhe , Zhu Tongyu , Sarsenbekuly Bauyrzhan , Gabdullin Maratbek
Published: April 2021

In order to prepare materials with controllable properties, changeable microstructure, and high viscoelasticity solution with low polymer and surfactant concentration, a composite is constituted by adding surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) to hydrophobically associated water‐soluble polymer (abbreviated as PAAC) solution. The viscoelasticity, aggregate microstructure, and interaction mechanism of the composite are investigated by rheometery, Cryo‐transmission electron microscopy (Cryo‐TEM), and fluorescence spectrum. The results show that when the mass ratio of polymer to surfactant is 15:1, the viscosity of the composite reaches the maximum. The viscosity of the composite system increases hundredfold. The viscosity plateau under dynamic shear is generated. The composite has the properties of high viscoelasticity, strong shear thinning behavior, and good salt tolerance, and temperature resistance. The maximum viscosity of the composite is shown at the salinity of 20000 mg L−1. In addition, there is no phase separation in the composite with the increase of polymer and surfactant concentration, which indicates the good stability of the system. It is proposed a method to obtain a high viscoelasticity solution by adding surfactants without wormlike micelles to a hydrophobically associated water‐soluble polymer solution.
Porous Electroactive and Biodegradable Polyurethane Membrane through Self‐Doping Organogel
Authors: Fang Wei , Sun Fuhua , Tang Jiajing , Zhao Qing , Chen Jie , Lei Xiaoyu , Zhang Jinzheng , Zhang Yinglong , Zuo Yi , Li Jidong , Li Yubao
Published: April 2021

In order to improve the processability of conductive polyurethane (CPU) containing aniline oligomers, a new CPU containing aniline trimer (AT) and l‐lysine (PUAT) are designed and synthesized. Further, the 3D porous PUAT membranes have been prepared by a simple gel cooperated with freeze‐drying method. Chemical testings and conductive properties testify a self‐ doping model of PUAT based on the rich electronic l‐lysine and electroaffinity AT moities. The self‐doping behavior further endows the PUAT copolymers specific characteristics such as high electrical conductivity and the formation of the polaron lattice like‐structure in good solvent dimethyl sulfoxide. The combination of organogel and freeze‐drying could prevent the collapse of pore structure when the copolymers are molded as membranes. The synergistic effect of l‐lysine and AT components has a strong influence on the dissolution, degradation, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of PUAT. The excellent properties of PUAT would broad the application of conductive polymers in biomedicine field.
The liquidity risk–financial performance nexus: Evidence from hybrid financial institutions
Authors: Adusei Michael
Published: April 2021

This paper uses a sample of 532 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in 73 countries to investigate the effect of liquidity risk on the financial performance of MFIs and also enquires whether this effect changes in the presence of credit risk. It observes that liquidity risk exhibits a robust negative and statistically significant effect on the financial performance of MFIs. However, in the presence of credit risk, this negative effect transmutes into a positive effect. The paper also observes that in the presence of liquidity risk, credit risk impacts the financial performance of MFIs positively.
Quadratic relation for mass density calibration in human body using dual‐energy CT data
Authors: Saito Masatoshi
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To derive the mass density (ρ) from dual‐energy computed tomography (DECT) data by calibrating electron density (ρe) and effective atomic numbers (Zeff) of human tissues.

Methods

We propose the DEEDZ‐MD method, in which a single polynomial parameterization covers the entire human‐tissue range to establish an empirical quadratic relation between the atomic number‐to‐mass ratio and Zeff. Then, we numerically evaluate the DEEDZ‐MD method in reference human tissues listed in the ICRP Publication 110 and ICRU Report 46. The tissues are considered to have unknown ρ values. The attenuation coefficients of these tissues are calculated using the XCOM Photon Cross Sections Database. The DEEDZ‐MD method is also applied to experimental DECT data acquired from a tissue characterization phantom and an anthropomorphic phantom at 90 kV and 150 kV/Sn.

Results

The numerical analysis of the DEEDZ‐MD method reveals a single quadratic relation between the atomic number‐to‐mass ratio and Zeff in a wide range of human tissues. The simulated ρ values are in excellent agreement with the reference values over ρ values from 0.260 (lung) to 3.225 (hydroxyapatite). The relative deviations from the reference ρ remain within ±0.6% for all the reference human tissues, except for the eye lens (approximate deviation of −1.0%). The overall root‐mean‐square error is 0.24%. The application of the DEEDZ‐MD method to experimental dual‐energy CT data confirms this agreement within experimental accuracy, indicating the practical feasibility of the method. The DEEDZ‐MD method enables the generation of ρ images with less image noise than the existing DECT‐based conversion of ρ from ρe and with fewer beam‐hardening artifacts than conventional single‐energy CT images.

Conclusions

The DEEDZ‐MD method can facilitate the generation of ρ images from dual‐energy CT data without relying on the nontrivial segmentation of different tissues.
Simulation of intravoxel incoherent perfusion signal using a realistic capillary network of a mouse brain
Authors: Van Valerie Phi , Schmid Franca , Spinner Georg , Kozerke Sebastian , Federau Christian
Published: April 2021

Purpose

To simulate the intravoxel incoherent perfusion magnetic resonance magnitude signal from the motion of blood particles in three realistic vascular network graphs from a mouse brain.

Methods

In three networks generated from the cortex of a mouse scanned by two‐photon laser microscopy, blood flow in each vessel was simulated using Poiseuille's law. The trajectories, flow speeds and phases acquired by a fixed number of simulated blood particles during a Stejskal‐Tanner bipolar pulse gradient scheme were computed. The resulting magnitude signal was obtained by integrating all phases and the pseudo‐diffusion coefficient D* was estimated by fitting an exponential signal decay. To better understand the anatomical source of the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) perfusion signal, the above was repeated restricting the simulation to various types of vessel.

Results

The characteristics of the three microvascular networks were respectively vessel lengths (mean ± std. dev.) 67.2 ± 53.6 μm, 59.8 ± 46.2 μm and 64.5 ± 50.9 μm, diameters 6.0 ± 3.5 μm, 5.7 ± 3.6 μm and 6.1 ± 3.7 μm and simulated blood velocity 0.9 ± 1.7 μm/ms, 1.4 ± 2.5 μm/ms and 0.7 ± 2.1 μm/ms. Exponential fitting of the simulated signal decay as a function of b‐value resulted in the following D*‐values [10−3 mm2/s]: 31.7, 40.4 and 33.4. The signal decay for low b‐values was the largest in the larger vessels, but the smaller vessels and the capillaries accounted for more of the total volume of the networks.

Conclusion

This simulation improves the theoretical understanding of the IVIM perfusion estimation method by directly linking the MR IVIM perfusion signal to an ultra‐high resolution measurement of the microvascular network and a realistic blood flow simulation.
Synthesis of control Lyapunov functions and stabilizing feedback strategies using exit‐time optimal control Part I: Theory
Authors: Yegorov Ivan , Dower Peter M. , Grüne Lars
Published: April 2021

This work studies the problem of constructing control Lyapunov functions (CLFs) and feedback stabilization strategies for deterministic nonlinear control systems described by ordinary differential equations. Many numerical methods for solving the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman partial differential equations specifying CLFs typically require dense state space discretizations and consequently suffer from the curse of dimensionality. A relevant direction of attenuating the curse of dimensionality concerns reducing the computation of the values of CLFs and associated feedbacks at any selected states to finite‐dimensional nonlinear programming problems. We propose to use exit‐time optimal control for that purpose. This article is the first part of a two‐part work. First, we state an exit‐time optimal control problem with respect to a sublevel set of an appropriate local CLF and establish that, under a number of reasonable conditions, the concatenation of the corresponding value function and the local CLF is a global CLF in the whole domain of asymptotic null‐controllability. We also investigate the formulated optimal control problem. A modification of these constructions for the case when one does not find a suitable local CLF is provided as well. Our developments serve as a theoretical basis for a curse‐of‐dimensionality‐free approach to feedback stabilization, that is presented in the second part Yegorov et al. (2021) of this work together with supporting numerical simulation results.
Polyurethanes synthetized with polyols of distinct molar masses: Use of the artificial neural network for prediction of degree of polymerization
Authors: Dall Agnol Lucas , Ornaghi Heitor Luiz , Monticeli Francisco , Dias Fernanda Trindade Gonzalez , Bianchi Otávio
Published: April 2021

The molar mass of the polyurethanes (PUs)' reagents directly influences their thermal response, affecting both the polymerization process and the enthalpy and the degree of reaction. This study reports applying an artificial neural network (ANN), associated with surface response methodology (SRM) models, to predict the calorimetric behavior of certain PU's bulk polymerizations. A noncatalyzed reaction between an aliphatic hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and a polycarbonate diol (PCD) with distinct molar masses (500, 1000, and 2000 g/mol) was proposed. A high level of reliability of the predicted calorimetric curves was obtained due to an excellent agreement between theoretical and modeled results, enabling creating a 3D surface response to predict the reaction kinetics. Also, it was possible to observe that the polymerization kinetics is affected by the OH group's association phenomena. The applied methodology can be extended for other materials or properties of interest.
Prevalence of prostate cancer at autopsy in Nigeria—A preliminary report
Authors: Bosland Maarten C. , Nettey Oluwarotimi S. , Phillips Adekoyejo A. , Anunobi Charles C. , Akinloye Oluyemi , Ekanem Ima‐Obong A. , Bassey Ima‐Abasi E. , Mehta Vikas , Macias Virgilia , van der Kwast Theodorus H. , Murphy Adam B.
Published: April 2021

Background and Objectives

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Nigerian men despite the lack of PSA based screening. Current prevalence estimates in Nigeria are based on cancer registry data obtained primarily from hospital admissions and therefore not truly reflective of prostate cancer incidence. Prior autopsy series did not adhere to modern pathologic quality practices. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of asymptomatic prostate cancer among Nigerian men at the time of autopsy.

Methods

Prostates were collected at autopsy at the Universities of Lagos and Calabar Teaching Hospitals from men aged more than 40 who died from causes other than prostate cancer. Thirty‐nine prostates from Nigerian men autopsied in 2017 to 2018 were formalin‐fixed, weighed, and sliced at 4 mm intervals. Haematoxylin and eosin‐stained paraffin sections were prepared from these slices. Presence and Gleason grade of prostatic adenocarcinomas and presence of high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) were recorded.

Results

Mean age of cases was 55 ± 11 years and mean prostatic weight was 23.0 ± 10.9 g. The crude prevalence of HGPIN was 20.6%. Overall crude prevalence of prostate cancer was 8.8% (n = 34), increasing from 8.3% for men aged 40–59 (n = 23) to 10.0% for men ≥60 years old (n = 10). Two tumors were small and had Gleason Grade 3 + 3 or 3 + 4, and one large stage T3 tumor with Gleason Grade 4 + 3 disease and neuroendocrine appearance was found in a 54‐year‐old man.

Conclusions

The 8.8% prevalence of subclinical prostate cancer at autopsy was similar to previously reported Nigerian studies with more limited tissue sampling (6.7%–10%), but considerably lower than estimates in other populations, including African Americans. Our findings suggest that latent, clinically asymptomatic prostate cancer is less frequent in Nigerians than in African Americans, despite shared genetic ancestry. Future studies with increased sample size are warranted to provide insight in the natural history and true prevalence of prostate cancer in West Africa.
Numerical Simulation and Performance Evaluation of Highly Efficient Sb2Se3 Solar Cell with Tin Sulfide as Hole Transport Layer
Authors: Sunny Adil , Ahmed Sheikh Rashel Al
Published: April 2021

This work reports a numerical investigation on the performance of Sb2Se3‐based thin‐film heterojunction solar cell using the solar cell capacitance simulator in 1D (SCAPS‐1D) program. Herein, inorganic tin sulfide (SnS) is introduced as a new hole transport material into the Sb2Se3 solar cell. The effects of several parameters such as thickness, doping, electron affinity, defect density, temperature, and resistances on the cell performances are analyzed. The proposed novel solar configuration that consists of Al/F:SnO2 (FTO)/CdS/Sb2Se3/SnS/Mo reveals the enhanced photovoltaic performances by means of reducing carrier recombination loss at back surface. At an optimized Sb2Se3 thickness of 1.0 μm, the efficiency is boosted from 24.01% to 29.89% by incorporating an ultrathin 0.05 μm SnS hole transport layer (HTL) into the Sb2Se3 solar cell. The performances of the proposed device are also evaluated by varying defects at CdS/Sb2Se3 and Sb2Se3/SnS interfaces. Moreover, it is found that electron affinity larger than 3.5 eV of HTL as well as back contact metal work function ≥4.9 eV should be considered to attain better performance. The simulated results lead to suggest that introducing the SnS material as a potential HTL candidate would be useful to develop low‐cost and highly efficient thin‐film solar cells.
Why Sociocultural Context Matters in the Science of Reading and the Reading of Science: Revisiting the Science Discovery Narrative
Authors: Arya Diana J. , Maul Andrew
Published: April 2021

Our purpose in this study was to more deeply understand the ways in which text‐based, sociohistorically situated narratives can be optimally used for promoting reading comprehension. In particular, we sought to understand the experiences and perspectives of young readers from diverse backgrounds (N = 24) as they engaged with science discovery narratives (i.e., stories by or about scientists engaged in the process of discovery), which have been shown to have advantages over traditional expository texts (i.e., those that present information without attending to the discovery process) in fostering comprehension of targeted conceptual information. Interviews were conducted and analyzed using a sociocognitive framework that positioned participants as reviewers of text quality. Findings suggest that the personal and sociohistorical elements of science discovery narratives were effective in engaging readers’ interest and helped highlight the culturally situated nature of knowledge and the nature and processes of scientific inquiry. We conclude by arguing that in the development and instructional use of texts, educators would do well to consider the ways in which foregrounding sociohistorical considerations can foster engagement and, hence, greater comprehension in readers from diverse backgrounds.
Responses of β‐glucosidase, permanganate oxidizable carbon, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis to conservation practices
Authors: Xia Yushu , Wander Michelle
Published: April 2021

Responsiveness of biochemical soil quality indicators (SQIs) (β‐glucosidase activity [BG], fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis [FDA], and permanganate oxidizable C [POXC]) to management and their interactions with site and experimental factors were evaluated using a meta‐database to quantify effect sizes (ESs). Eighty percent of responses were positive, with ESs ranking grassland > organic fertilizer > conservation tillage = cover crop ≥ residue return exceeding conventional controls. The ESs were, on average, larger for BG (0.34) and FDA (0.35) than POXC (0.29), and responses to site and experimental covariates varied. This work found that POXC ES was greater in soils that are drier and finer‐textured, increased with study length, varied under high and low biomass crops, and increased by use of analytical methods that recovered a larger proportion of SOC. These findings collectively suggest that POXC quantifies accumulation of protected C. Both BG and FDA were more responsive in wetter and medium‐ or coarse‐textured soils, suggesting these enzyme‐based indicators are closely associated with biologically active C. The ESs of FDA were the most spatially and temporally dynamic, exhibiting significant (P < .05) declines with depth and sampling time. Use of randomization tests and general linear models to quantify SQI response to management effectively identified significant covariates needed to understand differences among SQI responses to conservation management. This work demonstrated the importance of considering site and experimental covariates and a model for how to interpret SQI responsiveness using meta‐analytical summary.
On‐Water and Efficient Ullmann‐Type O‐Arylation Cross Coupling Reaction of Phenols and Aryl Tosylates in the Presence of Fe3O4@Starch‐Au as Nanocatalyst
Authors: Mousavi‐Mashhadi Seyed Ali , Shiri Ali
Published: April 2021

Gold complex‐functionalized magnetic core‐shell nanoparticles (Fe3O4@Starch‐Au) were prepared by hydrothermal method and characterized by Fourier transform‐infrared (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermo gravimetric (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analyses. The activity of the new synthesized catalyst was employed in cross‐coupling reactions of nontoxic aryl tosylates with phenols to provide the desired diaryl ethers through Ullmann‐type diaryl synthesis. The coupling of several aryltosylates and phenols including aromatic and heterocyclic ones are allowed to perform on water in remarkable yields. This work provides a facile, green, and environmentally friendly method, which is employed to present a precious catalyst that can be recovered six times.
Low‐Temperature Sn0 Nanoparticles Synthesis by Means of Tin(II) N,N‐Complexes Reduction
Authors: Srb Michael , Milasheuskaya Yaraslava , Jambor Roman , Kopecká Kateřina , Knotek Petr
Published: April 2021

A novel low‐temperature liquid phase synthesis of the Sn0 nanoparticles has been reported. The effect of different reducing agents (Li[AlH4], K[BEt3H], Na[BH4]) on the reduction of the two different N,N‐coordinated SnII complexes has been described. The influence of the different imino‐pyridine chelating ligands to the synthesis of the Sn0 particles, their separation and the usage of surfactant for resuspendation to nanocolloid has been studied. The Sn0 nanoparticles were studied by means of Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering from the point of view of the chemical composition, crystallinity and size/agglomeration behavior.
Copper‐Catalyzed Chemoselective O‐Aroylation of Phenolic Oxime Ethers with Aryl Aldehydes
Authors: Kumar Upendra , Sharma Ajay , Kumar Naveen , Kumar Pandey Satyendra
Published: April 2021

Copper‐catalyzed oxidative O‐aroylation of phenolic oxime ethers with a wide range of aromatic aldehydes are described. This approach offers an efficient synthesis of phenolic oxime ether esters in good to excellent yields.
Spin‐Optoelectronic Phenomena for a Semitransparent Nonfullerene Photovoltaic System
Authors: Zhao Fenggui , Zhang Jiahao , Zhang Caixia , Li Juqian , Zhang Xiangpeng , Yu Haomiao , Li Jinpeng , Wang Kai
Published: April 2021

A unique feature of nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) is their strong photoabsorption capability at longer wavelengths and electrostatic potentials (ESPs), which is expected to increase the photocurrent density (J) for bulk heterojunction (BHJ)‐based semitransparent organic solar cells (ST‐OSCs). Indeed, the interior spin‐optoelectronic phenomena are incredibly rich, and it remains challenging to correlate them with a complete photovoltaic process. Here, a prototypical PTB7‐Th: IEICO‐4F‐based ST‐OSC, with an average visible transmittance (AVT) of ≈26.8%, is fabricated for studying the issue (PTB7‐Th: poly[4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b;4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐(4‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐3‐fluorothieno[3,4‐b]thiophene‐)‐2‐carboxylate‐2‐6‐diyl)]; IEICO‐4F: 2,2′‐((2Z,2′Z)‐(((4,4,9,9‐tetrakis(4‐hexylphenyl)‐4,9‐dihydro‐sindaceno[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]dithiophene‐2,7‐diyl)bis(4‐((2‐ethylhexyl)oxy)thiophene‐5,2‐diyl))bis(methanylylidene))bis(5,6‐difluoro‐3‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐indene‐2,1‐diylidene))dimalononitrile). Spin‐dependent electron–hole dissociation and charge transport dynamics are systematically studied in the dark condition, the short‐circuit current density (Jsc) condition, and some intermediate stages by the nondestructive in situ magnetophotocurrent (magneto‐J) technique. Some intriguing mechanisms such as the Coulomb blockade–based bipolaron, the spin‐dependent polaron pair dissociation at charge transfer states (CTSs), and the triplet‐polaron reaction are extensively explored in the study. Despite these, the monochromatic light‐induced polarizability is validated to have a remarkable impact on the magnitude of the open circuit voltage (Voc). This work is completely devoted to the spin‐optoelectronic phenomena of the NFA‐based ST‐OSC in working condition.
In Silico Rational Design and Protein Engineering of Disulfide Bridges of an α‐Amylase from Geobacillus sp. to Improve Thermostability
Authors: Zhang Heng , Zhai Wenxin , Lin Lin , Wang Ping , Xu Xiangyang , Wei Wei , Wei Dongzhi
Published: April 2021

A thermostable α‐amylase gene (AmySN) from Geobacillus stearothermophilus DMSZ 456 with an open reading frame of 1446 bp, encoding 481 amino acids is cloned. The optimal pH and temperature of AmySN are 6.0 and 75 °C. Through site‐directed mutation, the optimum temperature of the mutant AmyS2 (A27C‐A90C) is increased from 75 to 80 °C and shows enhanced T1/2 of 104.9 min at 90 °C in comparison to the wild type (52.9 min). The mutant AmyS2 is immobilized on epoxy‐functionalized supports to obtain immobilized enzyme: I‐AmyS2. Additionally, I‐AmyS2 shows an enhanced T1/2 (204.9 min at 90 °C), compared with free enzyme AmyS2 (104.9 min). Enzyme activity could remain above 90% after 6 reactions. In maize starch saccharification (100 °C), AmyS2 shows better starch hydrolytic efficiency. The final concentration of reducing sugar is 25.9 mg mL−1, which is higher than the final concentration of wild‐type (22.6 mg mL−1), reducing cost and improving efficiency.
Circuit Model of an Overhead Transmission Line Considering the TEM‐Mode Formation Delay
Authors: Yamanaka Akifumi , Nagaoka Naoto , Baba Yoshihiro
Published: April 2021

When lightning strikes a transmission tower or overhead line, the lightning current generates a spherically expanding electromagnetic field. The propagation mode of an expanding electromagnetic wave is different from that of a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) wave, which is applied to the modeling of transmission lines. This paper presents an equivalent circuit model of an overhead transmission line that considers the TEM‐mode formation delay. The TEM‐mode formation delay is approximately represented by the first‐order delay functions in surge impedances and time delays in the mutual coupling from one line to the others. The proposed circuit model of the overhead line is introduced to the Alternative Transients Program version of Electromagnetic Transients Program using the MODELS language through a formulation in the phase domain based on Dommel's method. The results of the proposed model are validated through a comparison with the results of a three‐dimensional numerical electromagnetic analysis. Furthermore, the effect of the delay of the TEM‐mode formation on the voltages across the insulator strings of a lightning‐struck tower is described by referencing a previous experimental study conducted using an actual 500 kV transmission tower. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A Well‐Rounded Diet: Fueling Children’s Vocabulary Development
Authors: Bruner Lori
Published: April 2021

Texts are an often ‐ignored element in studies of interactive read‐alouds in early childhood settings. In this article, Ithe author addresses this research gap by examining 60 preschool books for the vocabulary affordances they provide for young children. There were five types of books in the study: narrative, informational, interactive, alphabet, and counting. Surprisingly, in the study, I found that different types of preschool books have the same number of new words but offer children different types of words that are important for their vocabulary development. Throughout the article, the authorI provides readers with examples of these different types of words and offers suggestions for practitioners to maximize preschool children’s word learning by selecting a variety of books for interactive read‐alouds.
Basic Principles of SAR Polarimetry
Authors: López-Martínez C. , Pottier E.
Published: April 2021

This chapter critically summarizes the main theoretical aspects necessary for a correct processing and interpretation of the polarimetric information towards the development of applications of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) polarimetry. First of all, the basic principles of wave polarimetry (which deals with the representation and the understanding of the polarization state of an electromagnetic wave) and scattering polarimetry (which concerns inferring the properties of a target given the incident and the scattered polarized electromagnetic waves) are given. Then, concepts regarding the description of polarimetric data are reviewed, covering statistical and scattering aspects, the latter in terms of coherent and incoherent decomposition techniques. Finally, polarimetric SAR interferometry and tomography, two acquisition modes that enable the extraction of the 3-D scatterer position and separation, respectively, and their polarimetric characterization, are described.
Back to work or stay at home? Family policies and maternal employment in Finland
Authors: Österbacka Eva , Räsänen Tapio
Published: April 2021

The employment effects of family policies depend on the mother’s labor market attachment and on the age of the child. We study the effects of child home care (cash-for-care) and private day care allowances on mothers’ return to employment after childbirth. Our identification strategy exploits changes in municipal-level subsidies. We find that higher private day care allowances have no effect while higher home care allowances increase the length of home care. A 100-euro higher level of home care allowance prolongs home care by 2–3 months, on average. The home care allowance combined with low labor market attachment and low earnings potential pre-birth delay the return to employment. However, the effect of the allowance diminishes over time. Higher subsidies have no impact by the time a child turns two. Reductions in subsidies stimulate a faster return to employment.
Immune-mediated entities of (primary) focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Braun Fabian , Homeyer Inka , Alachkar Nada , Huber Tobias B.
Published: April 2021

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) represents a glomerular scar formation downstream of various different mechanisms leading to podocytopathy and podocyte loss. Recently, significant advances were made in understanding genetic factors, podocyte intrinsic mechanisms, and adaptive mechanisms causing FSGS. However, while most cases of nephrotic FSGS are being treated with immunosuppressants, the underlying immune dysregulation, involved immune cells, and soluble factors are only incompletely understood. Thus, we here summarize the current knowledge of proposed immune effector cells, secreted soluble factors, and podocyte response in immune-mediated (primary) FSGS.
Comparison of stool samples and rectal swabs with and without pre-enrichment for the detection of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (3GCREB)
Authors: Jazmati Tarek , Hamprecht Axel , Jazmati Nathalie
Published: April 2021

To establish the optimal detection of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (3GCREB), the performance of four different screening methods has been investigated: stool samples without (A) and with (B) pre-enrichment and rectal swabs without (C) and with (D) pre-enrichment were contrasted. Pre-enrichment approaches (B and D) increased the detection of 3GCREB carriers by 29.4% (20/68 3GCREB carriers only found using pre-enrichment, p < 0.0001) compared to direct plating approaches (A and C). Moreover, the study demonstrates a minor advantage of stool samples in contrast to rectal swabs in both cases (with and without pre-enrichment). Registration number: DRKS00022520, 24 July 2020.
The Doctor as Parent, Partner, Provider… or Comrade? Distribution of Power in Past and Present Models of the Doctor–Patient Relationship
Authors: Shutzberg Mani
Published: April 2021

The commonly occurring metaphors and models of the doctor–patient relationship can be divided into three clusters, depending on what distribution of power they represent: in the paternalist cluster, power resides with the physician; in the consumer model, power resides with the patient; in the partnership model, power is distributed equally between doctor and patient. Often, this tripartite division is accepted as an exhaustive typology of doctor–patient relationships. The main objective of this paper is to challenge this idea by introducing a fourth possibility and distribution of power, namely, the distribution in which power resides with neither doctor nor patient. This equality in powerlessness—the hallmark of “the age of bureaucratic parsimony”—is the point of departure for a qualitatively new doctor–patient relationship, which is best described in terms ofsolidaritybetweencomrades. This paper specifies the characteristics of this specific type of solidarity and illustrates it with a case study of how Swedish doctors and patients interrelate in the sickness certification practice.
A prospective cohort study of rituximab in the treatment of refractory nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Xu Jing , Ding Ying , Wan Li , Yang Qinghua , Qu Zhen
Published: April 2021

Objective

To explore the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of autoimmune nephropathy manifested as refractory nephrotic syndrome (RNS).

Methods

A single-center prospective cohort study was conducted on RNS patients treated with RTX between March 2017 and December 2019. The subjects were divided into the primary nephropathy (PN) group and the secondary nephropathy (SN) group. Based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before RTX treatment, the SN group was then divided into the SN-1 group (eGFR ≥ 30 ml/min) and the SN-2 group (eGFR < 30 ml/min). Biochemical parameters and clinical data were recorded during follow-up.

Results

Fifty-four patients were followed up for at least 6 months. The overall remission rates were 65%, 66.7%, 27.3% in the PN, SN-1, and SN-2 groups, respectively (P = 0.022). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a significant difference of the renal survival among the three subgroups (P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that eGFR value before treatment was an independent predictor (HR 0.919, 95%CI 0.863–0.979) for renal survival. In terms of adverse events, infection accounted for 56.6%. The incidence of severe infection was 10%, 25% and 50% in PN group, SN-1 group and SN-2 group, respectively.

Conclusions

RTX may be a promising option in RNS patients with eGFR ≥ 30 ml/min/1.73m2. However, it has little effect on prognosis in patients with secondary RNS with eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73m2, but with a high risk of severe infection.
Contents of Unconscious Color Perception
Authors: Skrzypulec Błażej
Published: April 2021

In the contemporary discussions concerning unconscious perception it is not uncommon to postulate that content and phenomenal character are ‘orthogonal’, i.e., there is no type of content which is essentially conscious, but instead, every representational content can be either conscious or not. Furthermore, this is not merely treated as a thesis justified by theoretical investigations, but as supported by empirical considerations concerning the actual functioning of the human cognition. In this paper, I address unconscious color perception and argue for a negative thesis—that the main experimental paradigms used in studying unconscious color perception do not provide support for the position that conscious and unconscious color representations have the same type of content. More specifically, I claim that there is no significant support for the claim that unconscious vision categorically represents surface colors.
A Systematic Review of the Development and Validation of the Heat Vulnerability Index: Major Factors, Methods, and Spatial Units
Authors: Niu Yanlin , Li Zhichao , Gao Yuan , Liu Xiaobo , Xu Lei , Vardoulakis Sotiris , Yue Yujuan , Wang Jun , Liu Qiyong
Published: April 2021

Purpose of review

This review aims to identify the key factors, methods, and spatial units used in the development and validation of the heat vulnerability index (HVI) and discuss the underlying limitations of the data and methods by evaluating the performance of the HVI.

Recent findings

Thirteen studies characterizing the factors of the HVI development and relating the index with validation data were identified. Five types of factors (i.e., hazard exposure, demographic characteristics, socioeconomic conditions, built environment, and underlying health) of the HVI development were identified, and the top five were social cohesion, race, and/or ethnicity, landscape, age, and economic status. The principal component analysis/factor analysis (PCA/FA) was often used in index development, and four types of spatial units (i.e., census tracts, administrative area, postal code, grid) were used for establishing the relationship between factors and the HVI. Moreover, although most studies showed that a higher HVI was often associated with the increase in health risk, the strength of the relationship was weak.

This review provides a retrospect of the major factors, methods, and spatial units used in development and validation of the HVI and helps to define the framework for future studies. In the future, more information on the hazard exposure, underlying health, governance, and protection awareness should be considered in the HVI development, and the duration and location of validation data should be strengthened to verify the reliability of HVI.
Optimization of Hydrogen Generation by Catalytic Hydrolysis of NaBH4 with Halloysite-Supported CoB Catalyst Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Hosgun Seda , Ozdemir Mine , Sahin Yeliz Buruk
Published: April 2021

The hydrolysis of sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is a promising reaction with a possible practical application as a means of generating hydrogen. The efficiency of hydrogen production can be enhanced significantly by use of a catalyst during the reaction. Cobalt borides show significant catalytic activity, but unsupported CoB particles aggregate easily and are difficult to separate from the reaction medium for re-use. The objectives of the present study were to use halloysite (Hly) as a support material to increase the catalytic activity and reusability of a Co metal-based system and to investigate the binary effect of metal loading and reaction parameters on the hydrolysis of NaBH4. Catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation and chemical reduction. The surface morphology and structural properties of the prepared catalysts were characterized using N2 adsorption-desorption and the Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) method, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize metal loading and reaction conditions for the hydrogen-generation rate. Optimum reaction conditions were determined (using Design Expert 7.0 software) as 5.01 wt.% Co loading using a Co-B/Hly-supported catalyst, 0.44 M NaBH4, 10.66 mg catalyst, and at a reaction temperature of 39.96°C. The maximum hydrogen generation rate was 33,854 mL min−1 gCo−1 under these conditions.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Pleocytosis Not Attributable to Status Epilepticus in First 24 Hours
Authors: Bajaj Sargun , Griesdale Donald , Agha-Khani Yahya , Moien-Afshari Farzad
Published: April 2021

Background:

Status epilepticus (SE) has traditionally been thought to cause cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis. However, attributing CSF pleocytosis solely to SE without addressing the underlying etiology may lead to poor outcomes. Leukocyte recruitment to CSF has been shown to peak around 24 hours after prolonged seizures in animal studies, suggesting that CSF pleocytosis within the first 24 hours of SE onset may be due to underlying causes. The goal of this study is to assess if SE is associated with CSF pleocytosis, independent of other causes within the first 24 hours of onset.

Methods:

We completed a historical cohort study of adult patients with SE admitted to the intensive care unit of Vancouver General Hospital between March 2010 and May 2019.

Results:

Of the 441 patients admitted with SE during the study period, 107 met our inclusion criteria leading to 111 lumbar punctures (LPs), with 4 patients receiving two LPs. CSF pleocytosis was seen in 12 of 72 patients who underwent an LP within the first 24 hours of SE onset. In all 12 patients, a secondary etiology for the pleocytosis was observed aside from SE. Of the six CSF samples collected after 24 hours of onset that demonstrated pleocytosis, four had no cause for pleocytosis other than SE.

Conclusions:

In all 12 patients with CSF pleocytosis in the first 24 hours of onset of SE, an underlying etiology was identified. Therefore, any pleocytosis noticed within the first 24 hours of onset of refractory SE should not be attributed solely to SE.