bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Mid-Trimester Placental Growth Factor and Uterine Artery Doppler Velocimetry in Evolution of Pre-Eclampsia
Authors: Nour Sara Abdelrahman , Hagras Ahmed Mahmoud , ELserogy Hesham Ahmed , Freikha Ahmed Hussein Abou
Published: April 2022

Background: Early detection of pre-eclampsia (PE) has become one of the fundamental goals of perinatal medicine. Although clinical symptoms of PE emerge after the 20th week of gestation, trophoblast invasion that is responsible for pathogenesis occurs in the first trimester. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of the Placental Growth Factor and uterine artery Doppler velocimetry in the evolution of preeclampsia.

Methods: This was a cohort prospective study that was carried out on sixty pregnant women who were classified into 3 equal groups of pregnant women who had gestational age ranging from 20 to 26 weeks: the first group included pregnant women with normal pregnancy, the second group included pregnant women with mild preeclampsia, and the third group included cases with severe preeclampsia.

Results: The mean of gestational age at delivery was significantly lower in patients who had severe preeclampsia than those with mild preeclampsia and controls. In contrast, there was no significant difference in the mean gestational age at delivery of patients with mild preeclampsia and controls. As for serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), the concentration increased significantly in cases with severe preeclampsia compared to that of mild preeclampsia and controls. However, there were non-significance differences between controls and cases with mild preeclampsia. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve showed that perfusion index (PI) had significantly higher diagnostic accuracy than other indices in predicting the outcome of the pregnancy and uterine artery pulsatility index had significantly higher diagnostic accuracy than both placental growth factor (PlGF) and uterine artery resistance index in predicting the severity of preeclampsia.

Conclusions: Uterine artery Doppler screening is simple and non-invasive and there is a clear association of elevated mean uterine artery PI, respiratory index (RI), and also serum PlGF in the second trimester, with the occurrence of PE. Uterine artery pulsatility index (UAPI) was significantly associated with a high incidence of PE. The sensitivity or prediction is increased by adding serum marker PlGF and combinations provide an increase in the ability of prediction and determination compared to the tests used alone.
Compliance with WHO Recommended Preventive Measures against COVID-19 among a Nigerian Population Attending a Teaching Hospital
Authors: Omotunde Soroye, Modupeoluwa , Omotunde Onigbinde, Olubunmi , Angelina Aikins, Elfleda
Published: April 2022

Background: The fright and devastation that accompanied COVID-19 pandemic these past two years cannot be totally quantified. More so, the cycle of fear, panic, uncertainty and attempts at curtailment repeats itself every time the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mutates and produces a new variant. The World Health Organization recommended personal protective measures are very important in slowing down the spread of infection. This study assessed the compliance of a Nigerian population with protective measures recommended by WHO in curbing the spread of COVID-19 infection.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey among patients attending medical outpatient in a Teaching Hospital. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data on participants demographics and compliance with WHO recommended preventive measures towards prevention of COVID-19 infection. Data analysis was carried out with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25(IBM Corp., Armonk, USA).  The results were presented as frequency tables and cross-tabulations. Chi-square test was carried out with consideration for statistical significance at       P<0.05.  

Results: One hundred and ninety-six consecutive participants who gave consent were recruited for the study. There was a male predominance. Participants’ age ranged between 18 and 84 years with mean age of 34.92±14.10 years. Median age was 30 years. Half of participants had university education and about one tenth are professionals. About two-fifth earned less than 100 dollars monthly. Though about three-fifth of participants have heard of WHO recommended hand washing techniques for COVID-19 prevention, only two-fifth practice it. One third of participants regularly use face mask in the public and 85.2% do not practice physical distancing. Less than 10 % do not use soap and water or sanitizer to clean their hands. . The participants’ attitudinal change to handwashing as a preventive measure for COVID-19 prevention was good. Participants’ most practiced personal preventive measures against COVID-19 were regular washing of hands and boosting immunity with vitamins. The association between participants’ demographics and WHO recommendation for hand washing in the prevention of COVID-19 showed a significant based on sex (p= 0.04). Females paid attention to washing of hands than males. The association between participants’ demographics and use of face masks in the prevention of COVID-19 showed that education was significant in determining use (P=0.04)

Conclusion: Awareness of personal preventive measures to COVID-19 washing of hands was increased among participants but there is the need to emphasize the wearing of face masks and physical distancing.
The Combination of Compost Derived Poultry Litter and Vivianite Powder: Appropriate Biological Fertilizer to Improve the Growth and Root Yield of Daucus carota L
Authors: Bachirou Hamadou , Tatchum Lucien Tchuenteu , Maimouna Abba , Megueni Clautilde , Yanou Nicolas Njintang
Published: April 2022

This study aims to improve the growth potential of carrot in the Northern Cameroon while limiting the use of chemical inputs. The experiment was conducted under field conditions at Maroua and Ngaoundere, respectively in the agro-ecological zone I and II, and during the two consecutive cropping seasons of 2019 and 2020. Results indicate that carrot root growth and production varied depending on fertilizer, agroecological zone and the year of experimentation. Globally, treated plant by the combination of 1 Kg of poultry litter with 10 g of vivianite powder (F1+P10) exhibited significantly (p<0.05) the highest growth (plant height, number of leaves per plant) and production parameters (root lenght, root diameter, root dry biomass, root yield). F1+P10 fertilizer increased the foliar production at 60% and 69%, compared to no treated plants in Ngaoundere and Maroua rspectively. This fertilizer increased the root yield at 2% and 41% compared to T+ in Ngaoundere and Maroua respectively in 2019, and at 26% and 68% compared to no treated plants respectively in 2020. The application of the combination of 1 kg of poultry litter and 10 g of vivianite powder per hole at sowing for carrot growth would contribute to improve this root vegetable, to valorize our local material in agriculture while ensuring sustainable agriculture. However, the effect of this natural fertilizer on the nutritional values of carrot needs to be assessed.
“statistics4school.eu”: A Novel Educational Web Platform for Statistical and Geospatial Learning
Authors: Rizou Ourania , Klonari Aikaterini , Kavroudakis Dimitris
Published: April 2022

Statistical literacy is of the utmost importance in modern societies traversing the era of Big Data, where virtually everyone has access to a tremendous volume of information but, at the same time, only a very limited percentage possess the ability to process and comprehend. There is no doubt that it is challenging to collect and use up-to-date statistical information in problem-solving when dealing with complex datasets. Moreover, cannot talk about statistical and data literacy without mentioning spatial thinking development and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) use. So in the paper we present the web-based platform, statistics4school.eu which designed and implemented to bridge the gap that there are neither any free online educational tools for statistical analysis available for the Greek language nor are there any that can produce visualized messages based on the geography of individual Greek regions and sub-regions, in a way that can be readily facilitated in the classroom.
Effect of Polymorphisms in Drug Transporters on Cisplatin Efficacy and Nephrotoxicity in Paediatric Osteosarcoma
Authors: Ramadan Samaa , Nabil Ahmed , Ghonim Hadeer , Salama Asmaa , Nadi Enas EL , Labib Rania M.
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of primary bone tumor in children and adolescents. Chemotherapeutic resistance to cisplatin represents such a significant barrier in the successful treatment of Osteosarcoma. The degree of nephrotoxicity and drug resistance (poor tumor necrosis) is associated with cisplatin accumulation in cells which is governed by Copper transporter protein 1 (CTR1) and Organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2). This study aims to determine the allelic frequency of CTR1 and OCT2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in osteosarcoma patients. In addition, detect the relation between SNPs in transporters and cisplatin efficacy or nephrotoxicity.

Methods: A group of 120 pediatric osteosarcoma patients was recruited and genotyped for CTR1, rs7851395, and OCT2 rs316019. We detected the allelic frequency of the two gene polymorphisms. We defined good responders versus poor responders depending on tumor necrosis parameters and looked at nephrotoxicity and serum electrolytes according to CTCAEv4 using the Chi-square test (c2) and Kruskal-Wallis value, the odds ratio and confidence interval were calculated too.

Results: We found that the C allele in (rs316019) OCT2 polymorphism was the dominant allele, and patients with (C/C genotype) were the dominant genotype (72%). and the "A" allele is the dominant allele in (rs7851395) CTR1 and patients with (A/A genotype) were (39.5%).

Conclusion: the study had found that the "C" allele is the dominant allele in (rs316019) OCT2 and the "A" allele is the dominant allele in (rs7851395) CTR1, the study didn't find any significant relation between CTR1, OCT2 polymorphisms and cisplatin response or nephrotoxicity and farther multi center studies need to be done.
Antiepileptic Activity of Indian Filbert Fruit Extract in Experimental Animal Models
Authors: Fernandes Jennifer , Anusha S. , Vijay Bhaskar K.
Published: April 2022

Aim: To screen the antiepileptic activity of ethanolic fruit extract of Indian filbert.

Methodology: The cleaned, dried and powdered fruits of Indian filbert were subjected to extraction.Preliminary Phytochemical studies were carried out for the presence secondary metabolites.Acute toxicity and anticonvulsant effect on maximal electroshock induced seizures and metrazol (pentylenetetrazole) induced seizures carried out in experimental animals.

Results: Preliminary phytochemical studies showed the presence of steroids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, carbohydrates. Acute toxicity of ethanolic extract of fruits were found to be safe up to 2000 mg/kg body weight Ethanolic extract of Indian (100,200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced the duration of seizures induced by maximal electroshock (MES) as well as protected animals from metrazol induced tonic seizures and the results were found to be significant (P=0.05) when compared to control

Conclusions: The presence of triterpenoids, steroids and flavonoid might be responsible for the antiepileptic activity of the fruit extract of Indian filbert.
Bacterial Growth Abilities in Carbofuran and Paraquat
Authors: Ataikiru T. L. , Odesiri-Eruteyan E. A.
Published: April 2022

Introduction: The norm of pesticides use is very crucial in protecting the agriculturalists’ venture in seeds, fertilizer and labour as they provide a sure protection from damage by pests. The use of pesticides is thus, unavoidable and the associated environmental contamination owing to these toxicants and their deposits will remain a concern.

Aim: The research aimed at isolating Carbofuran and Paraquat degrading bacterial species and assessing their growth capacities at different concentrations of these pesticides.

Study Design:  Microcosms were set-up in test tubes in replicates (320 test tubes) and sacrificial sampling technique was adopted during growth test.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State/Three months.

Methodology: Standard method was used to isolate Carbofuran and Paraquat degrading bacteria. Isolates were screened for their abilities to use Carbofuran and Paraquat as the only carbon source. Bacterial isolates were identified and subjected to the growth test at 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% of Carbofuran (w/v) and Paraquat (v/v), respectively. Growth abilities were scored by turbidity and colour variations.

Results: The growth abilities at different pesticide’s concentrations were significantly different at P=.05.

Conclusion: This research revealed that the bacterial isolates were able to grow at various concentrations using these chemicals but best at 0.5% with higher growth rates in microcosms containing Paraquat. If these test microorganisms can grow in the presence of these toxicants, there is the likelihood that they maybe be able to reduce both Carbofuran and Paraquat hazards of contaminated areas. Thus, these bacteria can be used for the clean-up of these pesticides pollution in farms to ameliorate the problems of pesticide pollution in environment.
Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy of a Low-Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm Causing an Ileocolic Intussusception: A Case Report
Authors: Lin Gang-Hua , Pu Ta-Wei , Lin Yu-Chun , Chang Chih-Yu , Chen Yu-Jen , Kang Jung-Cheng , Hsiao Cheng-Wen , Chen Chao-Yang , Hu Je-Ming
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Intussusception, although common in the pediatric population, rarely occurs in adults. Furthermore, patients often show nonspecific symptoms. Most adult patients with intussusception have a surgical lead point, a well-defined pathological abnormality, often accurately diagnosed after surgery. A low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN), often misdiagnosed as acute appendicitis, is rarely associated with the development of intussusception. Here we report a case of LAMN-related ileocolic intussusception that was histologically diagnosed after laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.

Case presentation

A 58-year-old woman visited our emergency department because of intermittent episodes of epigastric pain with periumbilical tenderness. These symptoms persisted intermittently for 2 weeks. The pain was moderate in severity, colicky in nature, and sometimes shifted to the lower abdominal region. Abdominal computed tomography indicated intussusception with ileocecal and mesenteric telescoping into the transverse colon. Complete colonoscopy with reduction of intussusception was performed, revealing a ball-like mass protruding and occupying the entire cecum lumen. Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was then performed. Macroscopically, a dilated appendix was revealed with mucin content, along with hyalinization and fibrosis of the appendiceal wall. Microscopically, a tumor exhibiting villous and flat proliferation of mucinous epithelial cells with low-grade nuclear atypia was seen. However, there was no infiltration growth of the tumor cells, thereby demonstrating LAMN. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 8th postoperative day without surgical complications.

Conclusion

The differential diagnoses of chronic and colicky abdominal pain should be expanded to include intussusceptions as they can be severe, although cases in adults are rare.
Different effects of two exotic herbivores on the pollinator‐mediated effect of an exotic plant on a native plant
Authors: Sakata Yuzu , Ueyama Shiho
Published: April 2022

Exotic plants can affect native plants indirectly through various biotic interactions. However, combinations of the multiple indirect effects of exotic plants on native plants have been rarely evaluated. Herbivory can either positively or negatively influence plant–pollinator interactions. Here, we addressed whether the pollinator‐mediated plant interaction between exotic and native plants is altered through the introduction of exotic herbivores by conducting a 2‐year common garden experiment. We compared the effects of pollinator‐mediated indirect effects of an exotic plant, Solidago altissima, on the co‐flowering native plant Aster microcephalus in geographically different populations reflecting differences in insect herbivore communities. We found a positive effect of co‐flowering S. altissima on pollinator visitation of A. microcephalus, which varied between gardens and years. The co‐flowering S. altissima did not significantly affect the seed set of A. microcephalus in the first year but had a negative effect in the second year. The facilitative effect of S. altissima on A. microcephalus pollination was suggested to be negatively affected by an exotic aphid, while it was not significantly affected by an exotic lace bug. Our study suggests that the phenology and feeding guilds of the herbivores may be critical for predicting the effect of exotic plants on native plants through herbivore–pollinator interactions. Integrated effects between plant interactions via multiple species interactions under different abiotic and biotic environments are necessary to understand the impact of exotic plants under complex interactions in nature.
Bioinspired Polysaccharide‐Derived Zwitterionic Brush‐like Copolymer as an Injectable Biolubricant for Arthritis Treatment
Authors: Yue Qinyu , Lei Lele , Gu Ya , Chen Ruijin , Zhang Mingming , Yu Haikuan , Li Shang , Yang Luming , Zhang Yixin , Zhao Xiaoduo , Wei Qiangbing , Ma Shuanhong , Zhang Licheng , Tang Peifu , Zhou Feng
Published: April 2022

Developing highly efficient and biocompatible biolubricants for arthritis treatment is extraordinarily demanded. Herein, inspired by the efficient lubrication of synovial joints, a paradigm that combines natural polysaccharide (chitosan) with zwitterionic poly[2‐(methacryloyloxy) ethyl phosphorylcholine] (PMPC), to design a series of brush‐like Chitosan‐g‐PMPC copolymers with highly efficient biological lubrication and good biocompatibility is presented. The Chitosan‐g‐PMPC copolymers are prepared via facile one‐step graft polymerization in aqueous medium without using any toxic catalysts and organic solvents. The as‐prepared Chitosan‐g‐PMPC copolymers exhibit very low coefficient of friction (μ < 0.01) on Ti6Al4V alloy substrate in both pure water and biological fluids. The superior lubrication is attributed primarily to the hydrated feature of PMPC side chains, interface adsorption of copolymer as well as to the hydrodynamic effect. In vivo experiments confirm that Chitosan‐g‐PMPC can alleviate the swelling symptom of arthritis and protect the bone and cartilage from destruction. Due to their facile preparation, distinctive lubrication properties, and good biocompatibility, Chitosan‐g‐PMPC copolymers represent a new type of biomimetic lubricants derived from natural biopolymer for promising arthritis treatment and artificial joint lubrication.
Voltage Manipulation of Synthetic Antiferromagnetism in CoFeB/Ta/CoFeB Heterostructure for Spintronic Application
Authors: Peng Wanjun , Wang Lei , Li Yaojin , Du Yujing , He Zhexi , Wang Chenying , Zhao Yifan , Jiang Zhuangde , Zhou Ziyao , Liu Ming
Published: April 2022

The synthetic antiferromagnets (SAFs) with inserted heavy metal tantalum (Ta) are attracting an increasing interest due to the relatively large spin Hall angles, resulting in a much lower driven current for low‐power consumption, and the conduciveness to high magnetoresistance, showing more suitability for an application. Here, stable and reversible switching behavior is experimentally realized between antiferromagnetic (AFM) coupling and ferromagnetic (FM) coupling in Co40Fe40B20/Ta/Co40Fe40B20/(011) Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3‐PbTiO3 (PMN‐PT) multiferroic heterostructures after applying an external voltage, proved by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) measurements. The indirect interaction shows no periodical oscillation with the layer thicknesses variation of FM layer or nonmagnetic (NM) layer experimentally, which is consistent with the previous reports in theoretical calculation. This work is instructive and guiding for a better understanding of SAFs and realizing the next generation of AFM spintronic devices.
Skin‐Mimicking, Stretchable Photodetector for Skin‐Customized Ultraviolet Dosimetry
Authors: Tan Xi‐Chao , Jian Jin‐Ming , Qiao Yan‐Cong , Hirtz Thomas , Dun Guan‐Hua , Guo Yi‐Zhe , Cui Tian‐Rui , Xu Jian‐Dong , Ji Shou‐Rui , Yang Yi , Ren Tian‐Ling
Published: April 2022

Despite extensive research on photoelectric sensors that typically output signals to indicate the transient ultraviolet (UV) intensity, developing wearable, electrometric photodetectors that can reveal the cumulative UV exposure remains challenging. Here, an organic–inorganic hybrid bulk heterojunction (BHJ) is used to construct a skin‐mimicking, wearable photodetector, based on conductive polymer sensitized with semiconducting nanoparticles. Owing to the UV‐induced reduction reactions, the BHJ photodetectors (PDs) can long remember the UV radiation previously exposed. Moreover, based on the solution processability of bulk heterojunction blends and rich surface functional groups of polydopamine, BHJ PDs can fully inherit the ultraflexibility from electrospun fiber‐networked structure. Thus, this fiber‐configured photodetector is working well even at the strains of up to 60%. Without requiring any complicated analytical tool, its memory effect and simple‐to‐process output facilitate the working mechanism of power‐free UV monitor, while catering to the individual need of different skin types. This work combines the bottom materials design to the top device application, pointing out a new direction in wearable UV sensor technologies.
Bolaform Surfactant‐Induced Au Nanoparticle Assemblies for Reliable Solution‐Based Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering Detection
Authors: García‐Lojo Daniel , Méndez‐Merino David , Pérez‐Juste Ignacio , Acuña Ángel , García‐Río Luís , Rodríguez‐Patón Alfonso , Pastoriza‐Santos Isabel , Pérez‐Juste Jorge
Published: April 2022

Solution‐based surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection typically involves the aggregation of citrate‐stabilized Au nanoparticles into colloidal assemblies. Although this sensing methodology offers excellent prospects for sensitivity, portability, and speed, it is still challenging to control the assembly process by a salting‐out effect, which affects the reproducibility of the assemblies and, therefore, the reliability of the analysis. This work presents an alternative approach that uses a bolaform surfactant, B20, to induce the plasmonic assembly. The decrease of the surface charge and the bridging effect, both promoted by the adsorption of B20, are hypothesized as the key points governing the assembly. Furthermore, molecular dynamic simulations supported the bridging effect of the B20 by showing the preferential bridging of surfactant monomers between two adjacent Au(111) slabs. The colloidal assemblies showed excellent SERS capabilities towards the rapid, on‐site detection and quantification of beta‐blockers and analgesic drugs in the nanomolar regime, with a portable Raman device. Interestingly, the application of state‐of‐the‐art convolutional neural networks, such as ResNet, allows a 100% accuracy in classifying the concentration of different binary mixtures. Finally, the colloidal approach was successfully implemented in a millifluidic chip allowing the automation of the whole process, as well as improving the performance of the sensor in terms of speed, reliability, and reusability without affecting its sensitivity.
Tissue‐Like Sodium Alginate‐Coated 2D MXene‐Based Flexible Temperature Sensors for Full‐Range Temperature Monitoring
Authors: Zhao Lianjia , Fu Xiyao , Xu Hao , Zheng Yiqiang , Han Wei , Wang Lili
Published: April 2022

Temperature is a basic physical quantity that is essential to life and productivity. However, continuously and efficiently monitoring a full range of temperatures remains a serious challenge. Herein, a full‐range (−20 to 100 °C) flexible temperature sensor is designed using Ti3C2Tx MXene as an active conductive skeleton and sodium alginate hydrogel as a heat‐sensitive coating layer. The sensor exhibits accurate and stable temperature response across the entire range, with a sensitivity of up to 3244% °C−1. Moreover, it not only dynamically detects liquid nitrogen, but also effectively senses gradually approaching objects within a certain range. Lastly, a temperature monitoring system based on the sensor realizes the perfect monitoring of a cold‐storage model. This work will inject new vitality into the development of temperature sensors.
Perspectives on Challenges and Achievements in Local Oxygen Transport of Low Pt Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Cheng Xiaojing , Shen Shuiyun , Wei Guanghua , Wang Chao , Luo Liuxuan , Zhang Junliang
Published: April 2022

The key to address the cost issue of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) lies on reducing Pt amount employed in cathode catalyst layers (CCLs). In past decades, researchers focus on developing series of alloy and core–shell electrocatalysts with high oxygen reduction reaction activity in order to alleviate the low Pt loading caused performance loss. However, it is noted that the concentration polarization loss resulting from the cathode oxygen transport plays a more important role as the Pt loading decreases, especially the local oxygen transport through the ultrathin ionomer film covering on Pt surface. This paper reviews the nanomorphology of the ultrathin perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomer film in CCLs, as well as the local oxygen transport mechanism and the corresponding effects on fuel cell performance in low Pt PEMFCs. In addition, both the detailed local oxygen transport properties in carbon black‐supported Pt membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and high surface carbon‐supported MEAs are summarized. Subsequently, numerous innovative strategies and effective approaches of reducing the local oxygen transport resistance are introduced. The new insights proposed in this paper have important implications for enhancing local oxygen transport and designing high‐performance fuel cell electrodes.
Angular‐Encrypted Quad‐Fold Display of Nanoprinting and Meta‐Holography for Optical Information Storage
Authors: Wan Shuai , Tang Jiao , Wan Chengwei , Li Zhe , Li Zhongyang
Published: April 2022

The compactness and programmable versatility make metasurface a promising candidate for optical information encryption and storage. The typical strategy for storage capacity enhancement is essential to expand the metasurface multiplexing channels. Various controllable optical parameters are progressively realized for optical encryption and multiplexing, including wavelength, polarization, orbital angular momentum (OAM), forward/backward illumination, etc. However, as one of the most critical parameters, the incident wavevector (k) direction, namely, the illumination angle, has not been fully explored due to the lack of angular‐encoding capability. Herein, the angular‐encrypted freedom for both amplitude and phase manipulation is theoretically and experimentally achieved by strategically screening the architectural blocks to fulfill the complex‐amplitude requirement. Utilizing the angular‐induced alteration from surface plasmonic resonances (SPRs) and Fabry–Perot (FP) nanocavity resonances, a single angular‐encrypted metasurface has been successfully realized to simultaneously enable quad‐fold independent‐encoding channels, including dual‐holography and dual‐nanoprinting images. Compared to the spatial multiplexing scheme in many previous works, the angular‐encrypted strategy drastically boosts the information storage density and capacity. It is believed that the proposed angular‐encryption finds a new path to achieve multiplexing meta‐devices with fully controlled angular‐resolution and promisingly expands the information capacity for optical encryption with a brand‐new degree of freedom.
Highly Stable Lasing from Solution‐Epitaxially Grown Formamidinium‐Lead‐Bromide Micro‐Resonators
Authors: Afify Hany A. , Sytnyk Mykhailo , Rehm Viktor , Barabash Anastasiia , Mashkov Oleksandr , Osvet Andres , Volobuev Valentine V. , Korczak Jędrzej , Szczerbakow Andrzej , Story Tomasz , Götz Klaus , Unruh Tobias , Schüßlbauer Christoph , Thiel Dominik , Ullrich Tobias , Guldi Dirk M. , Brabec Christoph J. , Heiss Wolfgang
Published: April 2022

High‐quality epitaxial growth of oriented microcrystallites on a semiconductor substrate is demonstrated here for formamidinium lead bromide perovskite, by drop casting of precursor solutions in air. The microcrystallites exhibit green photoluminescence at room temperature, as well as lasing with low thresholds. Lasing is observed even though the substrate is fully opaque at the lasing wavelengths, and even though it has a higher refractive index as the perovskite active material. Moreover, the lasing is stable for more than 109 excitation pulses, which is more than what is previously achieved for devices kept in the air. Such highly stable lasing under pulsed excitation represents an important step towards continuous mode operation or even electrical excitation in future perovskite‐based devices.
The Contrasting Impacts of the Al2O3 and Y2O3 Insertion Layers on the Crystallization of ZrO2 Films for Dynamic Random Access Memory Capacitors
Authors: Seo Haengha , Yeu In Won , Kwon Dae Seon , Kim Dong Gun , Lim Junil , Kim Tae Kyun , Paik Heewon , Choi Jung‐Hae , Hwang Cheol Seong
Published: April 2022

This study examines the influences of the Al2O3 and Y2O3 insertion layers (ILs) on the structural and electrical features of ZrO2 thin films for their application to dynamic random access memory capacitors. The ultra‐thin Al2O3 IL (0.1–0.2 nm) dissolves into the ZrO2 layers, which causes the top and bottom portions of the ZrO2 film to merge and have smaller lattice parameters. However, the thicker Al2O3 IL (>≈0.4 nm) forms a continuous layer and separates the top and bottom portions of the ZrO2 film. Interestingly, the diffusion of Al does not occur in this case. Overall, the dielectric constant (κ) of the ZrO2/Al2O3/ZrO2 film is lower than that of the undoped ZrO2 film due to the involvement of the low‐κ Al2O3 IL. In contrast, the Y2O3 IL does not interfere with the grain growth of ZrO2, rendering the continuous ZrO2 grain formation throughout the entire film thickness despite the presence of the continuous region with a higher Y‐concentration. The most crucial finding is that the Y‐doping significantly decreases the leakage current without sacrificing the dielectric constant. This leakage current decrease can be ascribed to the p‐type doping effect of Y ions in the n‐type ZrO2.
Multilevel surrogate modeling of an amine scrubbing process for CO2capture
Authors: Goldstein Dominik , Heyer Mathis , Jakobs Dion , Schultz Eduardo S. , Biegler Lorenz T.
Published: April 2022

Surrogate models provide a powerful method for simplifying calculations within complex simulations. While surrogate models are broadly applied within chemical engineering, little research exists investigating the level of surrogacy's impact on a simplified process model. In this work, artificial neural networks (ANN) and Kriging models are used as surrogate models at the process, process unit, and thermodynamic levels for a CO2 amine scrubbing process. The surrogated models are evaluated against an Aspen Plus simulation for accuracy, convergence behavior, computational cost, and ability to extrapolate. The thermodynamic and process unit models can better handle discontinuous, non‐smooth behavior, and convergence issues in the surrogated truth model, but poor conditioning in the final system of equations results in a lower accuracy and convergence rate than the process level surrogate. Beyond model accuracy, availability of diverse data, intended re‐usability, and the desired outputs must be considered when selecting a level of abstraction.
Schertragverhalten in Arbeitsfugen: Stand der BAW‐Forschung und erste Anwendungsbeispiele
Authors: Malárics‐Pfaff Viktória , Höffgen Jan P. , Stephan Christoph
Published: April 2022

Wasserbauwerke erfahren hohe Beanspruchungen im Wesentlichen infolge Horizontallasten aus Erd‐ sowie Wasserdruck. Folglich kommt dem Nachweis gegenüber „Gleiten in der Arbeitsfuge“ gemäß DIN EN 1992‐1‐1:2011‐01 bei der Bewertung der Standsicherheit v. a. unbewehrter Beton‐ und Mauerwerkskonstruktionen eine besondere Rolle zu. In den gültigen Berechnungsformeln hierzu bleiben jedoch, insbesondere bei der Annahme der Reibungskoeffizienten, die speziellen Verhältnisse im Verkehrswasserbau unberücksichtigt. Daher befasst sich die Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau (BAW) seit einigen Jahren mit der Sicherstellung versuchstechnischer Grundlagen sowie der Festlegung erforderlicher Randbedingungen zur Bestimmung belastbarer, wasserbauspezifischer Reibungsbeiwerte zum Führen statischer Sicherheitsnachweise. Gleichzeitig fokussieren gezielte Forschungstätigkeiten auf die Herleitung geeigneter Modellmäßigkeiten zur Beschreibung des realitätsnahen Scherwiderstands unbewehrter Wasserbauwerke. Der Beitrag resümiert den aktuellen Erkenntnisstand zum Schertragverhalten in Betonier‐ bzw. Arbeitsfugen unbewehrter Beton‐ sowie in Mauerwerksbauten der Bundeswasserstraßen und gibt einen Ausblick auf anvisierte Untersuchungsaspekte. Sowohl Vorgehensweise als auch erarbeitete Auswertungsmethodik der Rahmenscherversuche lassen sich auf verkehrsträger‐ sowie fachbereichsübergreifende Anwendungen für Neu‐ und Bestandsbauten sowie für Instandsetzung von Bauwerken übertragen.
Development and optimization of Lysis gene E as a counter‐selection marker with high stringency
Authors: Chen Wei , Chen Ruyi , He Ling , Wu Xiaotong
Published: April 2022

Background

Seamless modification of bacterial chromosomes is widely performed in both theoretical and practical research. For this purpose, excellent counter‐selection marker genes with high stringency are needed.

Main Methods and Major Results

The lysis gene E was first constructed under the control of the PL promoter and the cI857 repressor. At 42°C, it could effectively kill Escherichia coli and seamless modification in this bacterium using E as a counter‐selection marker was successfully conducted. It also works in another gram‐negative strain, Serratia marcescens, under the control of the Arac/PBAD regulatory system. By combining lysis gene E and kil, the counter‐selection frequencies of the PL‐kil‐sd‐E cassette in E. coli reached 4.9 × 10−8 and 3.2 × 10−8 at two test loci, which are very close to frequencies observed with the best counter‐selection systems reported, the inducible toxin systems. Under the control of the Arac/PBAD, the counter‐selection frequency of PBAD‐kil‐sd‐E in S. marcescens reached the level of 10−7 at four test loci. By expressing the araC gene from plasmid pKDsg‐ack, 5‐ to 17‐fold improvements in counter‐selection stringency were observed at these loci. A surprisingly low counter‐selection frequency of 4.9 × 10−9 was obtained at the marR‐1 locus, which reflects the highest stringency for a counter‐selection cassette reported thus far. Similarly, at the araB locus of E. coli, the counter‐selection frequency of PBAD‐kil‐sd‐E was 3 × 10−9 after introducing plasmid pKDsg‐ack.

Conclusions and Implications

We have developed and optimized a new universal counter‐selection marker based on lysis gene E. The best counter‐selection stringency of this new marker exceeds the inducible toxin system several fold. Our work can also provide inspiration for improving counter‐selection stringency based on existing markers.
Non‐invasive and time‐resolved measurement of the respiration activity of Chinese hamster ovary cells enables prediction of key culture parameters in shake flasks
Authors: Ihling Nina , Munkler Lara Pauline , Paul Richard , Berg Christoph , Reichenbächer Britta , Kadisch Marvin , Lang Dietmar , Büchs Jochen
Published: April 2022

Background

Shake flasks are frequently used for mammalian cell suspension cultures. For process development and routine culture monitoring, information on culture behavior is needed early on.

Main methods and major results

Here, cell‐specific oxygen uptake rates (qO2) of two CHO cell lines were determined from shake flask experiments by simultaneous measurement of oxygen transfer rates (OTR) and viable cell concentrations (VCC). For cell line one, qO2 decreased from 2.38·10−10 to 1.02·10‐10 mmol cell−1 h−1 during batch growth. For cell line two, qO2 was constant (1.90·10−10 mmol h−1). Determined qO2 values were used to calculate the VCC from OTR data. Cumulated oxygen consumption and glucose consumption were correlated for both cell lines and enabled calculation of glucose concentrations from OTR data. IgG producing cell line one had an oxygen demand of ∼15 mmoloxygen gglucose−1, cell line two consumed ∼5 mmoloxygen gglucose−1. The established correlations for determination of VCC and glucose were successfully transferred to subsequent cultivations for both cell lines. Combined measurement of the OTR and the carbon dioxide transfer rate enabled quantitative determination of the lactate concentration (production and consumption) without sampling.

Conclusions and implications

Taken together, non‐invasive measurement of the respiration activity enabled time‐resolved determination of key culture parameters for increased process understanding in shake flasks.
Metabolomics study of the effect of Danggui Buxue Tang on rats with chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Miao Xiaoyao , Li Shuo , Xiao Bingkun , Yang Jianyun , Huang Rongqing
Published: April 2022

Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula for ‘invigorating qi and enriching blood’, has been reported to produce a good effect on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). However, the related mechanism remains largely undetermined. This study devised a metabolomics approach with GC–MS combined with pattern recognition to estimate the extent to which DBT alleviated CFS induced by food restriction and force swimming in rats. After 4 weeks of treatment, the endurance capability of rats was significantly better, and the motionless time was significantly shorter in the DBT group than in the CFS model group. Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase increased, whereas the levels of malondialdehyde, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha decreased in the DBT treatment group. Fifteen significantly changed metabolites were observed in the serum of rats with CFS, which was reversed markedly by DBT treatment. Metabolic pathway analysis showed that DBT could possibly alleviate CFS in rats by regulating the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan and the metabolism of glycine, serine, threonine, glycerolipid, glyoxylate, dicarboxylate, and tyrosine. It was observed that the metabolism of glycine, serine, and threonine was most closely related to the improvement in CFS by DBT treatment. This study showed that DBT could improve CFS effectively, and metabolomics was a powerful means to gain insights into the TCM formulas against CFS.
Presurgical cognitive status in patients with low‐grade glioma and epilepsy: Testing the effects of seizures, antiseizure medications, and tumor localization
Authors: Guarracino Ilaria , Pauletto Giada , Ius Tamara , Palese Francesca , Skrap Miran , Tomasino Barbara
Published: April 2022

Background

Low‐grade gliomas (LGGs) are frequently associated with epilepsy. There are few studies addressing the impact of seizures, antiseizure medications (ASMs), and lesion localization on presurgery cognitive functioning.

Methods

We tested the relation between the above‐mentioned variables in a continuous series of 73 young patients (mean age 38.3 years ± 11.7) affected by LGGs and epilepsy. The anatomical areas, involved in this sample, were the left insula with surrounding cortical and subcortical areas, the right precentral gyrus/rolandic operculum, and the white matter and cortical regions beneath.

Results

Patients’ presurgery cognitive status was within the normal range, with borderline performance for some tasks. We tested whether lower scores were related with lesion or with epilepsy‐related factors. Multiple regression identified variables that predict test scores. The Token test score was predicted by a model (p = .0078) containing the DT2T1 MRI, corrected for seizure features. Object naming performance was predicted by a model (p = .0113) containing the localization, the DT2T1 MRI, corrected for sex, EEG, and onset. Verbal fluency score was predicted by a model (p = .0056) containing the localization and the DT2T1 MRI, corrected for AEDs and EEG. Working memory score was predicted by a model (p = .0117) containing Engel class, the DT2T1 MRI, corrected for sex. Clock drawing score was predicted by a model (p < .0001) containing the Engel class, AEDs, and EEG. TMT A score was predicted by a model (p = .0022) containing localization, corrected for EEG. TMT B‐A score was predicted by a model (p = .0373) containing localization. Voxel Lesion Symptom Mapping analyses carried out on patients’ lesion volumes confirmed that patients’ level of performance correlated with lesion‐related variables.

Conclusion

This preliminary study indicates that the presurgical level of performance for language tasks and for cognitive flexibility and shifting is mainly predicted by lesion‐related variables, working memory by both lesion and epilepsy‐related variables. Epilepsy clinical and instrumental characteristics predicted performance for visuospatial planning.
Understand how F‐1 visas impact NIL for international student‐athletes
Authors: Romano Robert J. , Kamyuka Denise
Published: April 2022

Under federal immigration law, international student‐athletes can enter the United States on an F‐1 visa if they're enrolled full‐time at an accredited college or university.
Know how to handle post‐game celebrations that can sometimes turn into confrontations
Authors: O'Brien Timothy
Published: April 2022

T his year has been a memorable one for post‐game celebrations. Although many celebrations were passionate and positive displays of excitement over big wins, some quickly spun out of control. Coaches got into a fight instead of shaking hands; fans were run over, shoved, and otherwise aggressively handled as they encountered security personnel protecting the playing surface or escorting coaches and student‐athletes off the field; student‐athletes were quickly surrounded by excited fans spilling onto the field or court; and most recently, fans of opposing teams got into an outright brawl in the stands. Of course, these types of situations create a safety and security nightmare for the host institution.
Develop sound NIL policies, education
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: April 2022

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA — Sound policies and solid training can help ensure compliance among your coaches, staff, and student‐athletes as you lead your athletics department through the new and evolving name, image, and likeness territory. To help navigate this area successfully, consider reviewing the guidance, examples, and strategies offered by Gemma Rinefierd, Ed.D., Director of Student Affairs and Senior Advisor for Community Standards for the State University of New York System, and Mishka Woodley, J.D., LL.M., Assistant Counsel for the State University of New York. They spoke at Stetson's annual National Conference on Law and Higher Education.
Aripiprazole versus quetiapine: Response/non‐response can be predicted at 2–4 weeks
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2022

Early results from a study looking at antipsychotic non‐response in early treatment of first episode psychosis suggested that switching from extended‐release quetiapine to aripiprazole, or from aripiprazole to extended‐release quetiapine, should be considered. In general, patients who respond to antipsychotics tend to do so in the first few weeks, but when a patient should be considered a non‐responder in terms of trying a different medication is still in question. Clinicians and researchers alike hope that exposure to ineffective treatments can be shortened by exploring whether early non‐response can predict non‐response later on, and also whether it can prevent non‐remission.
Keep your eye on…
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2022

Suicides in 10–14‐year‐olds

Overdoses by youth on prescribed ADHD medications
Antipsychotics are prescribed for one in three children at clinical high risk for psychosis
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: April 2022

Official guidelines say do not use antipsychotics as a first‐line treatment for clinical high risk of psychosis (CHR‐P). In the real world, however, children and adolescents with CHR‐P are more likely than adults with CHR‐P to be prescribed first‐line antipsychotics — 30% versus 20%. Additionally, it may well be that the antipsychotics, when given to CHR‐P patients, attenuate the transition to psychosis. Follow‐up of all patients with CHR‐P is needed to eliminate this confounder, researchers have found.
Oncolytic effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 in a patient with mycosis fungoides: A case report
Authors: Ohadi Laya , Hosseinzadeh Fatemeh , Dadkhahfar Sahar , Nasiri Soheila
Published: April 2022

The most common variant of cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas (CTCL) is mycosis fungoides (MF). Patients with MF often experience a chronic course of disease. The spontaneous regression (SR) of MF is rare, and the factors that predict SR have not been recognized yet. Here, we are reporting a case of persistent MF who had prominent remission after COVID‐19. This case report supports the possible antineoplastic effect of SARS‐CoV‐2. Understanding the underlying etiology of such effect can result in development of new target therapies for MF.
Transition Metal Nanoparticles‐Catalyzed Organic Reactions within Porous Organic Cages
Authors: Xu Miao , Yang Fanzhi
Published: April 2022

Transition metal catalysis has played an important role in modern organic chemistry. In order to develop highly efficient and sustainable methodologies, considerable efforts have been devoted to combining the benefits of homogeneous catalysis and heterogeneous catalysis. Porous organic cages (POCs) are a relatively new type of discrete molecules with permanent cavities and good solubilities. These intrinsic properties make POCs expedient catalyst support for the homogenization of heterogeneous transition metal nanoparticles (MNPs). This review mainly focuses on the recent progress of MNPs‐catalyzed reductions and coupling reactions within POCs. In most cases, the MNPs@POC complexes have exhibited outstanding reactivity, dispersibility, stability, and reusability. These pioneering contributions have enriched the methodology toolbox for advanced organic synthesis.
Convective Heat Transfer from a Porous Semi‐Circular Obstacle Attached to a Channel Wall
Authors: Kaur Rajvinder , Sharma Sapna , Chandra Avinash
Published: April 2022

Two‐dimensional forced convection heat transfer from a heated porous semi‐circular obstacle attached to the adiabatic channel wall is numerically studied in the laminar and steady flow regime. The fluid is assumed to be Newtonian and incompressible. The aggregate influences of the chosen ranges of Prandtl number (Pr), Darcy number (Da), porosity (ε), Reynolds number (Re), and the blockage ratio (β) of the channel are explored. The Darcy‐Brinkman‐Forchheimer model is implemented to tackle the flow through the porous obstacle and the obtained governing equations are solved by FEM‐based COMSOL Multiphysics. The complex thermal field is illustrated through the isotherm contours, local and average Nusselt number. The front part of the obstacle contributes to the maximum heat transfer. Pr, Re, and the blockage ratio have a positive impact on heat transfer at a small value of Da.