bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identificación de bacterias patógenas en peces capturados en el Pacífico frente a Nicaragua
Authors: Flores Byron , González Nelly , Bravo Arlen , Mora-Sánchez Brenda , Torres Dayana , Jirón William , Sheleby-Elías Jessica , Balcázar José L
Published: September 2021

El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar bacterias patógenas en peces procedentes de 4 comunidades en la costa del Pacífico en el occidente de Nicaragua. Se recolectaron 62 peces para realizar el análisis microbiológico a partir de muestras de músculo, las cuales fueron inoculadas en agar tiosulfato citrato bilis sacarosa y agar tripticasa de soja. La identificación bacteriana se realizó mediante pruebas bioquímicas y de tolerancia a diferentes concentraciones de NaCl, y para determinar la resistencia bacteriana, se empleó el método Kirby-Bauer. Los resultados mostraron presencia de Vibrio metschnikovii en un 30.64% (IC 95%: 18.36–42.92) de las muestras de peces, mientras que Salinivibrio costicola fue detectada en un 22.58% (IC 95%: 11.37–33.79) de las muestras. Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa (SCN) fue detectada en un 82.30% (IC 95%: 71.94–92.57) de las muestras. Especies del género Vibrio fueron detectadas a una concentración de 3.9 × 103 UFC·g–1 en las muestras de peces de la comunidad Las Peñitas y de 2.52 × 103 UFC·g–1 en las de Poneloya, y estos valores fueron significativamente mayores (P = 0.003) que aquellos encontrados para las muestras de El Tránsito (5.25 × 102 UFC·g–1). Además, el 100% de las cepas de V. metschnikovii y S. costicola fueron resistentes a amoxicilina/ácido clavulánico y sensibles a ciprofloxacina. La carga bacteriana de S. costicola es propia de ambientes marinos y no representa riesgo sanitario. Sin embargo, V. metschnikovii puede estar presente en el pescado crudo y, por lo tanto, representa un peligro para la salud pública, así como también lo es SCN, que es un indicador de contaminación antropogénica.
Prevalence of Anaemia among Pregnant Women in the First Antenatal Care (ANC) Clinic Visit in St. Mary's Hospital Okpoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria
Authors: Atser P. N. , Iorliam E. B. , Ochogwu M. , Ondoma J. , Wuam S.
Published: September 2021

Aims: The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women attending St. Mary's Hospital Okpoga, Benue State, Nigeria, with respect to demographic factors, socio-economic and underlying medical determinants among pregnant women.

Methodology: A retrospective study design was used for the study. The study of 858 pregnant women who booked for antenatal care (ANC) between March 2019 to March 2020 was done. Their records were retrieved from the Records Department and the ANC unit using a standard proforma.

Results: The findings revealed that prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women at booking was (55.2%). The highest prevalence of anaemia by age range 15-20 years was (62.2%), by educational status, highest prevalence was among those with no formal education (84.3%), by occupation highest prevalence was among house wives (59.9%). By underlying medical condition – severe form of parasitaemia (78.5%), by degree of severity, mild form of anaemia 74.1%, was most prevalent. By parity, it was highest among multiparous women (66.9%), by habitants it was highest among rural habitants (73.9%) while prevalence by gestational age it was highest among pregnant mothers who were in their 3rd trimester (60%) in the first antenatal care (ANC) visit.

Conclusion: Pregnant mothers need to book early for antenatal clinic to access services such as intermittent preventive treatment, uptake of iron supplements and anthelmintics. They should also be empowered economically to access ANC in order to reduce the problem of anaemia in pregnancy.
Efficacy of Percussive Massage versus Calf Stretching on Pain, Range of Motion, Muscle Strength and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Plantar Fasciitis – A Research Protocol
Authors: Lakhwani Madhu , Phansopkar Pratik
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Plantar fasciitis occurs with the deterioration of the plantar fascia and related surrounding tissues around the heel's medial calcaneal tuberosity. This illness usually causes tightness in the calf muscles. These tight muscles are thought to interfere with the normal biomechanics of ambulation. The invention of percussion massage guns intends to improve the usefulness and efficiency of self-myofascial release, following in the footsteps of vibrating foam rollers. Since there is limited research on muscle gun devices, despite their growing popularity, this study will look into their effects on range of motion, essential physiological or biomechanical factors that contribute to the disease, and their capacity to reduce muscular tightness.

Methodology: Subjects with Plantar Fasciitis (n = 48) will be recruited for a single-blind RCT. Participants will be assigned randomly to the experimental or control groups with a one-to-one allocation ratio. Participants in Group A will receive treatment via Theragun, Hot/cold immersion therapy, and a home exercise regimen during a one-week period immediately following baseline evaluations and randomization. Participants in GROUP B would only be subjected to Calf Stretching, a Contrast Bath, and a home exercise regimen. For a week, the calf muscles were treated for 5 minutes every day (7 sessions in all). As 1 week is completed, the efficacy of the approach for both groups is assessed using ankle flexibility tests, VAS, universal goniometers, Active Manual muscle testing, and the (PFPS) as outcome measures.

Discussion: The purpose of this study is to compare the benefits of the Hypervolt device vs calf stretching in individuals with plantar fasciitis. The outcomes of the study, which may include a newly designed rehabilitation technique, may assist patients experiencing Plantar +-Fasciitis.

Conclusion: Conclusion will be drawn based on the effect of both the techniques on Pain, Range of Motion, Muscle Strength, and Functional Outcomes in Patients with Plantar Fasciitis.
Graphene Particles Interfere with Pro‐Inflammatory Polarization of Human Macrophages: Functional and Electrophysiological Evidence
Authors: Povo‐Retana Adrián , Mojena Marina , Boscá Alberto , Pedrós Jorge , Peraza Diego Alberto , Valenzuela Carmen , Laparra José Moisés , Calle Fernando , Boscá Lisardo
Published: September 2021

The interaction of two types of fragmented graphene particles (30–160 nm) with human macrophages is studied. Since macrophages have significant phagocytic activity, the incorporation of graphene particles into cells has an effect on the response to functional polarization stimuli, favoring an anti‐inflammatory profile. Incubation of macrophages with graphene foam particles, prepared by chemical vapor deposition, and commercially available graphene nanoplatelet particles does not affect cell viability when added at concentrations up to 100 µg mL−1; macrophages exhibit differential quantitative responses to each type of graphene particles. Although both materials elicit similar increases in the release of reactive oxygen species, the impact on the transcriptional regulation associated with the polarization profile is different; graphene nanoplatelets significantly modify this transcriptomic profile. Moreover, these graphene particles differentially affect the motility and phagocytosis of macrophages. After the incorporation of both graphene types into the macrophages, they exhibit specific responses in terms of the mitochondrial oxygen consumption and electrophysiological potassium currents at the cell plasma membrane. These data support the view that the physical structure of the graphene particles has an impact on human macrophage responses, paving the way for the development of new mechanisms to modulate the activity of the immune system.
Effects of Powder Atomization Route and Post‐Processing Thermal Treatments on the Mechanical Properties and Fatigue Resistance of Additively Manufactured 18Ni300 Maraging Steel
Authors: Deirmina Faraz , Davies Paul A , Casati Riccardo
Published: September 2021

In this work the effect of microstructural homogenization and solution annealing prior to ageing on mechanical properties and fatigue resistance of 18Ni300 maraging steel parts processed by laser powder bed fusion (L‐PBF), using two different feedstock powders with different N and O contents is investigated. The static mechanical properties are not significantly affected by the selection of the different feedstock powders. This is ascribed to the extremely fine size of the nonmetallic inclusions, characteristic of L‐PBF process, even by using feedstock powders containing higher O and N contents. The tensile properties in both “directly aged,” and “homogenized, solution annealed and aged” samples are comparable. The tensile strength and ductility are slightly improved compared with the vacuum melted wrought counterparts. The dynamic mechanical properties are affected by the O and N contents of the powders. Heat treatment schedule imposed a significant effect on the fatigue properties. The obtained fatigue strength in directly aged samples is already comparable to the wrought counterparts. Fatigue resistance is improved by using feedstock powders with lower oxygen and nitrogen levels. Proper homogenization heat treatments prior to ageing led to a further improvement of fatigue strength because of the elimination of intercellular microsegregation.
First Bignoniaceae liana from the Miocene of South America and its evolutionary significance
Authors: Franco M. Jimena , Brea Mariana , Cerdeño Esperanza
Published: September 2021

Premise

Two Bignoniaceae stems with the distinctive anatomy of a liana are described from the Miocene of South America. They are the first fossil evidence of climbing habit in Bignoniaceae.

Methods

The fossil lianas are siliceous permineralizations. Transverse, tangential, and radial thin sections of the woods were prepared for study using standard petrographic techniques and observed under both light and scanning electron microscopy.

Results

The stems consist of wood and presumably bark (peripheral tissues). They exhibit phloem wedges, a cambial variant associated with the climbing habit in Bignoniaceae. The wood is diffuse‐porous; solitary and in radial multiples vessels; alternated intervessel pitting; ray‐vessel pitting with distinct borders; simple perforation plates; rays 1–3 seriate, composed of procumbent cells or body ray cells procumbent with one or two‐row of upright or square marginal cells; fibers septate and non‐septate, with simple to minutely bordered pits; axial parenchyma scanty paratracheal, vasicentric, septate; perforated ray cells; prismatic crystals in rays, and rays and fibers irregularly storied. The fossil stems are related to extant Dolichandra unguis‐cati (L.) Miers.

Conclusions

The fossils represent a new taxon, Dolichandra pacei sp. nov., which confirms the presence of a neotropical Bignoniaceae liana from the Miocene and provides the first and oldest evidence of the climbing habit in the family. Paleobotanical studies in the Mariño Formation, with the record of Bignoniaceae and Verbenaceae, and phylogenetic and biogeographical studies have great importance to understand plant evolution and diversification in South American Andes.
Neighborhood‐level predictors of African American and Latinx parents' ethnic–racial socialization
Authors: Witherspoon Dawn P. , Smalls Glover Ciara , Wei Wei , Hughes Diane L.
Published: September 2021

Few studies examine how neighborhood structural factors (e.g., socioeconomic status [SES] and diversity) and perceived disorder may influence the messages parents communicate to their youth about race/ethnicity. Guided by the integrative model and social disorganization theory, this study examines how parents' ethnic–racial socialization messages (ERS) are shaped by the broader environment. Data come from the MacArthur Studies of Diversity in Midlife. Latinx and African American parentsN = 508 (Mage = 39) with a child between 6‐ and 17‐years old living in two urban US cities were included. Cultural perceptions were assessed at both the individual level (e.g., perceived discrimination and ethnic affirmation) and neighborhood level along with demographic and structural neighborhood characteristics at the individual and neighborhood level, respectively. Multilevel analyses revealed that at both the individual level and neighborhood levels, perceived neighborhood problems were associated with more frequent messages about ethnicity and race (e.g., cultural socialization and preparation for bias). In addition, neighborhood‐level affirmation promoted cultural messages; in contrast, neighborhood‐level discrimination experiences positively impacted preparation for unfair treatment. Results reveal how parents' ERS is informed by their own characteristics as well as neighborhood factors. Further, cross‐level interactions were found. Findings are discussed in terms of contextual and cultural‐developmental theorizing about parenting.
Diversity in Alzheimer's disease drug trials: The importance of eligibility criteria
Authors: Franzen Sanne , Smith Jade Emily , van den Berg Esther , Rivera Mindt Monica , van Bruchem‐Visser Rozemarijn L. , Abner Erin L. , Schneider Lon S. , Prins Niels D. , Babulal Ganesh M. , Papma Janne M.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

To generalize safety and efficacy findings, it is essential that diverse populations are well represented in Alzheimer's disease (AD) drug trials. In this review, we aimed to investigate participant diversity in disease‐modifying AD trials over time, and the frequencies of participant eligibility criteria.

Methods

A systematic review was performed using Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov, identifying 2247 records.

Results

In the 101 included AD trials, participants were predominantly White (median percentage: 94.7%, interquartile range: 81.0–96.7%); and this percentage showed no significant increase or decrease over time (2001–2019). Eligibility criteria such as exclusion of persons with psychiatric illness (78.2%), cardiovascular disease (71.3%) and cerebrovascular disease (68.3%), obligated caregiver attendance (80.2%), and specific Mini‐Mental State Examination scores (90.1%; no significant increase/decrease over time) may have led to a disproportionate exclusion of ethnoracially diverse individuals.

Discussion

Ethnoracially diverse participants continue to be underrepresented in AD clinical trials. Several recommendations are provided to broaden eligibility criteria.
Apolipoprotein B is a novel marker for early tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Picard Cynthia , Nilsson Nathalie , Labonté Anne , Auld Daniel , Rosa‐Neto Pedro ,   the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, Ashton Nicholas J. , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Breitner John C.B. , Villeneuve Sylvia , Poirier Judes ,   for the PREVENT‐AD research group
Published: September 2021

Introduction

We examine the role of brain apolipoprotein B (apoB) as a putative marker of early tau pathology and cognitive decline.

Methods

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from cognitively normal and Alzheimer's disease (AD) participants were collected to measure protein levels of apoB and AD biomarkers amyloid beta (Aβ), t‐tau and p‐tau, as well as synaptic markers GAP43, SYNAPTOTAGMIN‐1, synaptosome associated protein 25 (SNAP‐25), and NEUROGRANIN. CSF apoB levels were contrasted with positron emission tomography (PET) scan measures of Aβ (18F‐NAV4694) and Tau (flortaucipir) along with cognitive assessment alterations over 6 to 8 years.

Results

CSF apoB levels were elevated in AD participants and correlated with t‐tau, p‐tau, and the four synaptic markers in pre‐symptomatic individuals. In the latter, CSF apoB levels correlated with PET flortaucipir‐binding in entorhinal, parahippocampal, and fusiform regions. Baseline CSF apoB levels were associated with longitudinal visuospatial cognitive decline.

Discussion

CSF apoB markedly associates with early tau dysregulation in asymptomatic subjects and identifies at‐risk individuals predisposed to develop visuospatial cognitive decline over time.
Committee on High‐quality Alzheimer's Disease Studies (CHADS) consensus report
Authors: Jicha Greg A. , Abner Erin L. , Arnold Steven E. , Carrillo Maria C. , Dodge Hiroko H. , Edland Steven D. , Fargo Keith N. , Feldman Howard H. , Goldstein Larry B. , Hendrix James , Peters Ruth , Robillard Julie M. , Schneider Lon S. , Titiner Jodi R. , Weber Christopher J. ,   the Clinical Trial Advancement & Methodology Professional Interest Area of the International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART)
Published: September 2021

Background

Consensus guidance for the development and identification of high‐quality Alzheimer's disease clinical trials is needed for protocol development and conduct of clinical trials.

Methods

An ad hoc consensus committee was convened in conjunction with the Alzheimer's Association to develop consensus recommendations.

Results

Consensus was readily reached for the need to provide scientific justification, registration of trials, institutional review board oversight, conflict of interest disclosure, funding source disclosure, defined trial population, recruitment resources, definition of the intervention, specification of trial duration, appropriate payment for participant engagement, risk‐benefit disclosure as part of the consent process, and the requirement to disseminate and/or publish trial results even if the study is negative.

Conclusions

This consensus guidance should prove useful for the protocol development and conduct of clinical trials, and may further provide a platform for the development of education materials that may help guide appropriate clinical trial participation decisions for potential trial participants and the general public.
Inhibition of Autophagy by a Small Molecule through Covalent Modification of the LC3 Protein
Authors: Fan Shijie , Yue Liyan , Wan Wei , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Bidong , Otomo Chinatsu , Li Quanfu , Lin Tingting , Hu Junchi , Xu Pan , Zhu Mingrui , Tao Hongru , Chen Zhifeng , Li Lianchun , Ding Hong , Yao Zhiyi , Lu Junyan , Wen Yi , Zhang Naixia , Tan Minjia , Chen Kaixian , Xie Yuli , Otomo Takanori , Zhou Bing , Jiang Hualiang , Dang Yongjun , Luo Cheng
Published: September 2021

The autophagic ubiquitin‐like protein LC3 functions through interactions with LC3‐interaction regions (LIRs) of other autophagy proteins, including autophagy receptors, which stands out as a promising protein–protein interaction (PPI) target for the intervention of autophagy. Post‐translational modifications like acetylation of Lys49 on the LIR‐interacting surface could disrupt the interaction, offering an opportunity to design covalent small molecules interfering with the interface. Through screening covalent compounds, we discovered a small molecule modulator of LC3A/B that covalently modifies LC3A/B protein at Lys49. Activity‐based protein profiling (ABPP) based evaluations reveal that a derivative molecule DC‐LC3in‐D5 exhibits a potent covalent reactivity and selectivity to LC3A/B in HeLa cells. DC‐LC3in‐D5 compromises LC3B lipidation in vitro and in HeLa cells, leading to deficiency in the formation of autophagic structures and autophagic substrate degradation. DC‐LC3in‐D5 could serve as a powerful tool for autophagy research as well as for therapeutic interventions.
Nickel(0)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Ring Expansion Toward Enantioenriched Silicon‐Stereogenic Benzosiloles
Authors: Zhang Jinyu , Yan Nuo , Ju Cheng‐Wei , Zhao Dongbing
Published: September 2021

The development of a straightforward strategy to obtain enantioenriched silicon‐stereogenic benzosiloles remains a challenging yet appealing synthesis venture due to their potential future application in chiral electronic and optoelectronic devices. In this context, all of the existing methods rely on Rh‐catalyzed systems and are somewhat limited in scope. Herein, we disclose the first Ni0‐catalyzed ring expansion process that enables the preparation of benzosiloles possessing tetraorganosilicon stereocenters in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. The presented catalysis strategy is further applied to the asymmetric synthesis of silicon‐stereogenic bis‐silicon‐bridged π‐extended systems. Preliminary studies reveal that such compounds exhibit fluorescence emission, Cotton effects and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) activity.
An Integrated Photoelectrochemical Nanotool for Intracellular Drug Delivery and Evaluation of Treatment Effect
Authors: Ruan Yi‐Fan , Chen Feng‐Zao , Xu Yi‐Tong , Zhang Tian‐Yang , Yu Si‐Yuan , Zhao Wei‐Wei , Jiang Dechen , Chen Hong‐Yuan , Xu Jing‐Juan
Published: September 2021

With reduced background and high sensitivity, photoelectrochemistry (PEC) may be applied as an intracellular nanotool and open a new technological direction of single‐cell study. Nevertheless, the present palette of single‐cell tools lacks such a PEC‐oriented solution. Here a dual‐functional photocathodic single‐cell nanotool capable of direct electroosmotic intracellular drug delivery and evaluation of oxidative stress is devised by engineering a target‐specific organic molecule/NiO/Ni film at the tip of a nanopipette. Specifically, the organic molecule probe serves simultaneously as the biorecognition element and sensitizer to synergize with p‐type NiO. Upon intracellular delivery at picoliter level, the oxidative stress effect will cause structural change of the organic probe, switching its optical absorption and altering the cathodic response. This work has revealed the potential of PEC single‐cell nanotool and extended the boundary of current single‐cell electroanalysis.
Mechanical Enhancement and Kinetics Regulation of Fmoc‐Diphenylalanine Hydrogels by Thioflavin T
Authors: Tikhonova Tatiana N. , Rovnyagina Nataliya N. , Arnon Zohar A. , Yakimov Boris P. , Efremov Yuri M. , Cohen‐Gerassi Dana , Halperin‐Sternfeld Michal , Kosheleva Nastasia V. , Drachev Vladimir P. , Svistunov Andrey A. , Timashev Peter S. , Adler‐Abramovich Lihi , Shirshin Evgeny A.
Published: September 2021

The self‐assembly of peptides is a key direction for fabrication of advanced materials. Novel approaches for fine tuning of macroscopic and microscopic properties of peptide self‐assemblies are of a high demand for constructing biomaterials with desired properties. In this work, while studying the kinetics of the Fmoc‐Diphenylalanine (Fmoc‐FF) dipeptide self‐assembly using the Thioflavin T (ThT) dye, we observed that the presence of ThT strongly modifies structural and mechanical properties of the Fmoc‐FF hydrogel. Notably, the presence of ThT resulted in a tenfold increase of the gelation time and in the formation of short and dense fibers in the hydrogel. As a result of these morphological alteration higher thermal stability, and most important, tenfold increase of the hydrogel rigidity was achieved. Hence, ThT not only slowed the kinetics of the Fmoc‐FF hydrogel formation, but also strongly enhanced its mechanical properties. In this study, we provide a detailed description of the ThT effect on the hydrogel properties and suggest the mechanisms for this phenomenon, paving the way for the novel approach to the control of the peptide hydrogels’ micro‐ and macroscale properties.
Self‐Metalation of Porphyrins at the Solid–Gas Interface
Authors: Armillotta Francesco , D'Incecco Enrico , Corva Manuel , Stredansky Matus , Gallet Jean‐Jacques , Bournel Fabrice , Goldoni Andrea , Morgante Alberto , Vesselli Erik , Verdini Alberto
Published: September 2021

Self‐metalation is a promising route to include a single metal atom in a tetrapyrrolic macrocycle in organic frameworks supported by metal surfaces. The molecule–surface interaction may provide the charge transfer and the geometric distortion of the molecular plane necessary for metal inclusion. However, at a metal surface the presence of an activation barrier can represent an obstacle that cannot be compensated by a higher substrate temperature without affecting the layer integrity. The formation of the intermediate state can be facilitated in some cases by oxygen pre‐adsorption at the supporting metal surface, like in the case of 2H‐TPP/Pd(100). In such cases, the activation barrier can be overcome by mild annealing, yielding the formation of desorbing products and of the metalated tetrapyrrole. We show here that the self‐metalation of 2H‐TPP at the Pd(100) surface can be promoted already at room temperature by the presence of an oxygen gas phase at close‐to‐ambient conditions via an Eley–Rideal mechanism.
Sins of omission: Critical informatics perspectives on privacy in e‐learning systems in higher education
Authors: Paris Britt , Reynolds Rebecca , McGowan Catherine
Published: September 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic emptied classrooms across the globe and pushed administrators, students, educators, and parents into an uneasy alliance with online learning systems already committing serious privacy and intellectual property violations, and actively promoted the precarity of educational labor. In this article, we use methods and theories derived from critical informatics to examine Rutgers University's deployment of seven online learning platforms commonly used in higher education to uncover five themes that result from the deployment of corporate learning platforms. We conclude by suggesting ways ahead to meaningfully address the structural power and vulnerabilities extended by higher education's use of these platforms.
Pyrazine Based Type‐I Sensitizing Assemblies for Photoreduction of Cu(II) in ‘One‐Pot Three‐Component’ CuAAC Reaction Under Aerial Conditions
Authors: Kumar Sourav , Kumar Manoj , Bhalla Vandana
Published: September 2021

Photosensitizing assemblies of pyrazine derivative PDA have been developed which exhibit a high photostability, ‘lighted’ excited state, balanced redox potential, high transportation potential and activate oxygen via type‐I pathway only. These PDA assemblies in combination with Cu(II) ions catalyze the CuAAC reaction via in situ reduction of Cu(II) ions without any reducing or stabilizing agent. The present protocol has wide substrate scope with recyclability of the catalytic system up to six catalytic cycles and is applicable to gram‐scale synthesis.
Students authoring molecular case studies as a partial course‐based undergraduate research experience (CURE) for lab instruction
Authors: Riley Kasandra J. , Vardar‐Ulu Didem , Pollock Elizabeth , Dutta Shuchismita
Published: September 2021

Understanding the relationship between protein structure and function is a core‐learning goal in biochemistry. Students often struggle to visualize proteins as three‐dimensional objects that interact with other molecules to affect its biochemical consequences. We describe here a partial course‐based undergraduate research experiences that has students exploring protein structure and function hands‐on while authoring a molecular case study intended for others to use.
Advanced‐sectioned images obtained by microsectioning of the entire male body
Authors: You Yaqian , Kim Chung Yoh , Kim Seul Ki , Chung Beom Sun , Har Donghwan , Choi Jack , Park Jin Seo
Published: September 2021

Realistic two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) applications for anatomical studies are being developed from true‐colored sectioned images. We generated advanced‐sectioned images of the entire male body and verified that anatomical structures of both normal and abnormal shapes could be visualized in them. The cadaver was serially sectioned at constant intervals using a cryomacrotome. The sectioned surfaces were photographed using a digital camera to generate horizontal advanced‐sectioned images in which normal and abnormal structures were classified. Advanced‐sectioned images of the entire male body were generated. The image resolution was 3.3 × 3.3 fold better than that of the first sectioned images obtained in 2002. In the advanced‐sectioned images, normal and abnormal structures ranging from microscopic (≥0.06 mm × 0.06 mm; pixel size) to macroscopic (≤473.1 mm × 202 mm; body size) could be identified. Furthermore, the real shapes and actual sites of lung cancer and lymph node enlargement were ascertained in them. Such images will be useful because of their true color and high resolution in digital 2D and 3D applications for gross anatomy and clinical anatomy. In future, we plan to generate new advanced‐sectioned images of abnormal cadavers with different diseases for clinical anatomy studies.
Factors associated with distinct prognostic‐awareness‐transition patterns over cancer patients’ last 6 months of life
Authors: Chen Chen Hsiu , Wen Fur‐Hsing , Chou Wen‐Chi , Chen Jen‐Shi , Chang Wen‐Cheng , Hsieh Chia‐Hsun , Tang Siew Tzuh
Published: September 2021

Background

Cancer patients may develop prognostic awareness (PA) heterogeneously, but predictors of PA‐transition patterns have never been studied. We aimed to identify transition patterns of PA and their associated factors during cancer patients’ last 6 months.

Methods

For this secondary‐analysis study, PA was assessed among 334 cancer patients when they were first diagnosed as terminally ill and monthly till they died. PA was categorized into four states: (a) unknown and not wanting to know; (b) unknown but wanting to know; (c) inaccurate awareness; and (d) accurate awareness. The first and last PA states estimated by hidden Markov modeling were examined to identify their change patterns. Factors associated with distinct PA‐transition patterns were determined by multinomial logistic regressions focused on modifiable time‐varying variables assessed in the wave before the last PA assessment to ensure a clear time sequence for associating with PA‐transition patterns.

Results

Four PA‐transition patterns were identified: maintaining accurate PA (56.3%), gaining accurate PA (20.4%), heterogeneous PA (7.8%), and still avoiding PA (15.6%). Reported physician‐prognostic disclosure increased the likelihood of belonging to the maintaining‐accurate‐PA group than to other groups. Greater symptom distress predisposed patients to be in the still‐avoiding‐PA than the heterogeneous PA group. Patients with higher functional dependence and more anxiety/depressive symptoms were more and less likely to be in the heterogeneous PA group and in the still‐avoiding‐PA group, respectively, than in the maintaining‐ and gaining‐accurate PA groups.

Conclusions

Cancer patients heterogeneously experienced PA‐transition patterns over their last 6 months. Physicians’ prognostic disclosure, and patients’ symptom distress, functional dependence, and anxiety/depressive symptoms, all modifiable by high‐quality end‐of‐life care, were associated with distinct PA‐transition patterns.
Palladium‐Aminopyridine Catalyzed C−H Oxygenation: Probing the Nature of Metal Based Oxidant
Authors: Lubov Dmitry P. , Bryliakova Anna A. , Samsonenko Denis G. , Sheven Dmitriy G. , Talsi Evgenii P. , Bryliakov Konstantin P.
Published: September 2021

A mechanistic study of direct selective oxidation of benzylic C(sp3)−H groups with peracetic acid, catalyzed by palladium complexes with tripodal amino‐tris(pyriylmethyl) ligands, is presented. The oxidation of arylalkanes having secondary and tertiary benzylic C−H groups, predominantly yields, depending on the substrate and conditions, either the corresponding ketones or alcohols. One of the three 2‐pyriylmethyl moieties, which is pending in the starting catalyst, apparently, facilitates the active species formation and takes part in stabilization of the high‐valent Pd center in the active species, occupying the axial coordination site of palladium. The catalytic, as well as isotopic labeling experiments, in combination with ESI‐MS data and DFT calculations, point out palladium oxyl species as possible catalytically active sites, operating essentially via C−H abstraction/oxygen rebound pathway. For the ketones formation, O−H abstraction/в‐scission mechanism has been proposed.
Electrocatalytic and stoichiometric reactivity of 2D layered siloxene for high‐energy‐dense lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Kang Hui‐Ju , Park Jae‐Woo , Hwang Hyun Jin , Kim Heejin , Jang Kwang‐Suk , Ji Xiulei , Kim Hae Jin , Im Won Bin , Jun Young‐Si
Published: September 2021

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) have emerged as promising power sources for high‐performance devices such as electric vehicles. However, the poor energy density of LSBs owing to polysulfide shuttling and passivation has limited their further market penetration. To mitigate this challenge, two‐dimensional (2D) siloxene (2DSi), a Si‐based analog of graphene, is utilized as an additive for sulfur cathodes. The 2DSi is fabricated on a large scale by simple solvent extraction of calcium disilicide to form a thin‐layered structure of Si planes functionalized with vertically aligned hydroxyl groups in the 2DSi. The stoichiometric reaction of 2DSi with polysulfides generates a thiosulfate redox mediator, secures the intercalation pathway, and reveals Lewis acidic sites within the siloxene galleries. The 2DSi utilizes the corresponding in‐situ‐formed electrocatalyst, the 2D confinement effect of the layered structure, and the surface affinity based on Lewis acid–base interaction to improve the energy density of 2DSi‐based LSB cells. Combined with the commercial carbon‐based current collector, 2DSi‐based LSB cells achieve a volumetric energy density of 612 Wh Lcell−1 at 1 mA cm−2 with minor degradation of 0.17% per cycle, which rivals those of state‐of‐the‐art LSBs. This study presents a method for the industrial production of high‐energy‐dense LSBs.
Stabilization of Dynamic Covalent Architectures by Multivalence
Authors: Chen Yixin , Lei Ye , Tong Lu , Li Hao
Published: September 2021

The formation of imine bond is reversible. This feature has been taken advantage of by chemists for accomplishing high yielding self‐assembly. On the other hand, it also jeopardizes the intrinsic stability of these self‐assembled products. However, some recent discoveries demonstrate that some of these imine bond containing molecules could be rather stable or kinetically inert. A deep investigation indicated that such enhanced stability results from, at least partially, multivalence. Such results also inspire chemists to use imine condensation for self‐assembly in water, a solvent that is considered not compatible with imine bond for a long time.
Titanium Vacancies in TiO2 Nanofibers Enable Highly Efficient Photodriven Seawater Splitting
Authors: Zhang Yan‐Xiang , Wu Si‐Ming , Tian Ge , Zhao Xiao‐Fang , Wang Li‐Ying , Yin Yi‐Xia , Wu Lu , Li Qian‐Ni , Zhang Yue‐Xing , Wu Jin‐Song , Janiak Christoph , Ozoemena Kenneth I. , Shalom Menny , Yang Xiao‐Yu
Published: September 2021

Invited for the cover of this issue are Xiao‐Yu Yang and co‐workers at Wuhan University of Technology, Heinrich‐Heine‐Universität Düsseldorf, University of the Witwatersrand, and Ben‐Gurion University of the Negev. The image depicts Ti vacancies in TiO2 as powerful drivers of photo‐ and photo‐electrocatalytic seawater splitting for hydrogen production. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202101817.
Remote Radical Desaturation of Unactivated C−H Bonds in Amides
Authors: Xia Yong , Jana Kalipada , Studer Armido
Published: September 2021

Desaturation of inert aliphatic C−H bonds in alkanes to form the corresponding alkenes is challenging. In this communication, a new and practical strategy for remote site‐selective desaturation of amides via radical chemistry is reported. The readily installed N‐allylsulfonylamide moiety serves as an N radical precursor. Intramolecular 1,5‐hydrogen atom transfer from an inert C−H bond to the N‐radical generates a translocated C‐radical which is subsequently oxidized and deprotonated to give the corresponding alkene. The commercially available methanesulfonyl chloride is used as reagent and a Cu/Ag‐couple as oxidant. The remote desaturation is realized on different types of unactivated sp3‐C−H bonds. The potential synthetic utility of this method is further demonstrated by the dehydrogenation of natural product derivatives and drugs.
Electrochemical Recycling of Photovoltaic Modules to Recover Metals and Silicon Wafers
Authors: Modrzynski Christian , Blaesing Luisa , Hippmann Sebastian , Bertau Martin , Bloh Jonathan Z. , Weidlich Claudia
Published: September 2021

An electrochemical‐assisted leaching process using boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrodes was developed to recover valuable metals from photovoltaic modules. With BDD electrodes peroxydisulfate is generated from sulfuric acid to oxidatively dissolve copper, tin and silver from solar cell contacts. Since the oxidant is regenerated in the developed process, no additional hazardous and volatile chemicals are required, and the process can be operated solely by electricity. In addition, the dissolved metals can be electrochemically recovered at the cathode of the same cell.
Parallel and accurate k‐means algorithm on CPU‐GPU architectures for spectral clustering
Authors: He Guanlin , Vialle Stephane , Baboulin Marc
Published: September 2021

k‐Means is a standard algorithm for clustering data. It constitutes generally the final step in a more complex chain of high‐quality spectral clustering. However, this chain suffers from lack of scalability when addressing large datasets. This can be overcome by applying also the k‐means algorithm as a preprocessing task to reduce the input data instances. We propose parallel optimization techniques for the k‐means algorithm on CPU and GPU. Particularly we use a two‐step summation method with package processing to handle the effect of rounding errors that may occur during the phase of updating cluster centroids. Our experiments on synthetic and real‐world datasets containing millions of instances exhibit a speedup up to 7 for the k‐means iteration time on GPU versus 20/40 CPU threads using AVX units, and achieve double‐precision accuracy with single‐precision computations.
Optimization of service addition in multilevel index model for edge computing
Authors: Gu Jiayan , Wu Yan , Anjum Ashiq , Panneerselvam John , Lu Yao , Yuan Bo
Published: September 2021

With the development of edge computing and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, edge devices are witnessed to generate data at unprecedented volume. The edge intelligence (EI) has led to the emergence of edge devices in various application domains. The EI can provide efficient services to delay‐sensitive applications, where the edge devices are deployed as edge nodes to host the majority of execution, which can effectively manage services and improve service discovery efficiency. The multilevel index model is a well‐known model used for indexing service, such a model is being introduced and optimized in the edge environments to efficiently services discovery while managing large volumes of data. However, effectively updating the multilevel index model by adding new services timely and precisely in the dynamic edge computing environments is still a challenge. Addressing this issue, this article proposes a designated key selection method to improve the efficiency of adding services in the multilevel index models. Our experimental results show that in the partial index and the full index of multilevel index model, our method reduces the service addition time by around 84% and 76%, respectively when compared with the original key selection method and by around 78% and 66%, respectively when compared with the random selection method. Our proposed method significantly improves the service addition efficiency in the multilevel index model, when compared with existing state‐of‐the‐art key selection methods, without compromising the service retrieval stability to any notable level.
Multi‐perspective business process discovery from messaging systems: State‐of‐the art
Authors: Elleuch Marwa , Laga Nassim , Alaoui Ismaili Oumaima , Gaaloul Walid
Published: September 2021

At the stage of identifying and modeling business processes (BP), traditional methods for collecting business expertise are time consuming since they mainly rely on physical communication. Moreover, there are some BP with no formal documentation and their execution relies on implicit knowledge of workers. Therefore, analyzing the logs data generated by messaging systems allowing workers to share such implicit knowledge has been a research area of growing interest. BP knowledge introduced by workers in emails could actually cover multiple BP perspectives that would vary from activity, actors, and data perspectives. This article gives an overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art in multi‐perspective BP discovery from messaging systems as well as the main existing research questions. Different approaches are presented, discussed, and compared against each other on a qualitative level deduced from the defined set of research questions. The resulting overview covers both advantages and disadvantages of current techniques and the research questions that have not been addressed to date. This should provide a solid basis for further research.
UV Excitation of Carotenoid Binding Proteins OCP and HCP: Excited‐State Dynamics and Product Formation
Authors: Khan Tuhin , Kuznetsova Valentyna , Dominguez‐Martin Maria Agustina , Kerfeld Cheryl A. , Polívka Tomáš
Published: September 2021

Over the last decade the orange carotenoid protein (OCP) gained attention due to its role in photoprotection in cyanobacteria. Recently, other carotenoid binding proteins such as helical carotenoid proteins (HCPs) have been identified and characterized, although the function of the HCPs is not yet clarified. Here we have examined OCP1 and two HCPs, HCP2 and HCP3, from Tolypothrix PCC 7601 by ultrafast spectroscopy after excitation of both carotenoid canthaxanthin and amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine in UV at 275 nm. We find that the canthaxanthin S1 lifetime remains the same 3.5 ps as for excitation of the carotenoid S2 state, but the S* signal is significantly amplified by UV excitation. In contrast to the S2 excitation, we observe a formation of the canthaxanthin radical cation at 900 nm for all three proteins after 275 nm excitation. In OCP1, UV light also enhances the amplitude of spectral band centered at 550 nm at longer delays. This band likely corresponds to the first photoproduct of the OCP photocycle, suggesting that excess energy excitation and/or direct excitation of amino acids can enhance the product formation.
Deep learning for wireless modulation classification based on discrete wavelet transform
Authors: Al‐Makhlasawy Rasha M. , Ghanem Hanan S. , Kassem Hossam M. , Elsabrouty Maha , Hamed Hesham F. A. , Abd El‐Samie Fathi E. , Salama Gerges M.
Published: September 2021

In the presence of noise in communication systems, constellation diagram points are scattered to the extent that may make the modulation classification a difficult task. With the plethora of applications of machine and deep learning, several communication systems have adopted machine and deep learning to solve some classical detection and classification problems. Casting the modulation order detection as a pattern classification of the constellation images opens the door for application of mature machine learning and image processing tools to solve the classification problem, efficiently. This paper presents a system based on a wavelet‐aided convolutional neural network (CNN) classifier to efficiently detect the modulation type and order in the presence of noise. The proposed system depends on a pretrained CNN setup, which is trained with a set of constellation diagrams for each modulation scheme and used after that for testing. In addition, discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is investigated to generate representative patterns from constellation diagrams to be used for the training and testing tasks as well. The wavelet approximation images and their corresponding wavelet sub‐bands across all predefined scales are used in the dataset. Several pretrained networks including AlexNet, VGG‐16, and VGG‐19 are used as classifiers for the modulation type from the DWTs for different constellation diagrams. Several simulation experiments are presented in this paper to compare different scenarios for modulation classification at different signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs).
Naphthyl‐ and Quinoline‐Appended o‐Carboranyl Luminophores: Intramolecular Charge Transfer‐Based Radiative Decay Controlled by Structural Geometry around C−C Bond Axis
Authors: Ryu Chan Hee , Lee Seok Ho , Yi Sanghee , Hong Ju Hyun , Im Sehee , Lee Kang Mun
Published: September 2021

Naphthyl‐ and quinoline‐appended o‐carboranyl compounds, NCB and QCB, respectively, were prepared and characterized by multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Although both the compounds were non‐emissive in the solution state at 298 K, they were photoluminescent in the rigid state (in THF at 77 K and film state) in the region 450–550 nm. Theoretical calculation of the optimized structure in the S1 state suggested that the low‐energy emissive bands for NCB and QCB were attributed to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) transition. Intriguingly, the C−C bond axis of the o‐carborane in NCB in the solid state was more orthogonal to the plane of the appended aromatic group than that in QCB, indicating relatively high delocalization between the o‐carborane and aromatic moieties of NCB. The quantum efficiency and radiative decay constant of the ICT‐based emission of NCB in the film state were much higher than those of QCB. These findings imply that the structural geometry around the C−C bond axis of the o‐carborane is a decisive factor in accelerating the ICT‐based radiative decay in the o‐carbonyl luminophores in the rigid state.
Drought imprints on crops can reduce yield loss: Nature's insights for food security
Authors: Fu Peng , Jaiswal Deepak , McGrath Justin M. , Wang Shaowen , Long Stephen P. , Bernacchi Carl J.
Published: September 2021

The Midwestern “Corn‐Belt” in the United States is the most productive agricultural region on the planet despite being predominantly rainfed. In this region, global climate change is driving precipitation patterns toward wetter springs and drier mid‐ to late‐summers, a trend that is likely to intensify in the future. The lack of precipitation can lead to crop water limitations that ultimately impact growth and yields. Young plants exposed to water stress will often invest more resources into their root systems, possibly priming the crop for any subsequent mid‐ or late‐season drought. The trend toward wetter springs, however, suggests that opportunities for crop priming may lessen in the future. Here, we test the hypothesis that early season dry conditions lead to drought priming in field‐grown crops and this response will protect crops against growth and yield losses from late‐season droughts. This hypothesis was tested for the two major Midwestern crop, maize and soybean, using high‐resolution daily weather data, satellite‐derived phenological metrics, field yield data, and ecosystem‐scale model (Agricultural Production System Simulator) simulations. The results from this study showed that priming mitigated yield losses from a late season drought of up to 4.0% and 7.0% for maize and soybean compared with unprimed crops experiencing a late season drought. These results suggest that if the trend toward wet springs with drier summers continues, the relative impact of droughts on crop productivity is likely to worsen. Alternatively, identifying opportunities to breed or genetically modify pre‐primed crop species may provide improved resilience to future climate change.