bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rise and Fall: Hydroxychloroquine and COVID‐19 Global Trends: Interest, Political Influence, and Potential Implications
Authors: Englund Tessa R. , Kinlaw Alan C. , Sheikh Saira Z.
Published: December 2020

Objective

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has led to rapid research and reporting on potential preventatives and treatments for the disease, including the drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Despite a lack of robust evidence to support the use of HCQ for treatment of COVID‐19, it was publicly endorsed and received widespread media coverage and public interest. The purpose of this report is to describe and contextualize the surges in public interest, demand, and adoption of HCQ for treatment of COVID‐19 and outline implications for future public health policy and practice.

Methods

Using national and global events and Google Trends data as a measure of public interest, we describe the timeline and trends in the emergence of, interest in, and adoption of HCQ as a treatment of COVID‐19. We additionally review reports on public demand for HCQ for treatment of COVID‐19 and impacts on medication access among patients with indicated uses.

Results

Public interest and demand for HCQ surged in the United States and globally following endorsements from public officials and enaction of policies to facilitate off‐label use of HCQ for treatment of COVID‐19. Surges in demand for HCQ led to multiple documented shortages and barriers to accessing HCQ treatment for patients with indicated uses for HCQ. Although there have been reversals in policies to support HCQ use for treatment of COVID‐19 in some regions, others have continued or expanded recommended uses.

Conclusion

Insights from the global response to HCQ and COVID‐19 can be used to inform prudent decision‐making in the future to prevent premature action and promote informed and equitable responses to promote public health.
Selective Synthesis of Fused Tricyclic [1,3]oxazino[3,4‐a]indolone and Dihydropyrimido [1,6‐a]indolone via Rh(III)‐catalyzed [3+3] or [4+2] C−H Annulation
Authors: Chen Junyu , Zhong Tianshuo , Zheng Xiangyun , Yin Chuanliu , Zhang Lei , Zhou Jian , Jiang Xinpeng , Yu Chuanming
Published: December 2020

A formation of fused tricyclic [1,3]oxazino[3,4‐a]indol‐1‐ones and dihydropyrimido[1,6‐a]indol‐1(2H)‐ones via Rh(III)‐catalyzed [3+3] or [4+2] annulation of N‐methoxy‐1H‐indole‐1‐carboxamides with sulfoxonium ylides has been developed. These selective annulation reactions were carried out by switching the additives and notable features of this protocol were low catalyst loading and a broad substrate scope providing the corresponding products in up to 99% yields.

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Measuring attack on self: The need for field‐friendly methods development and research on autoimmunity in human biology
Authors: Cepon‐Robins Tara J.
Published: December 2020

Background

Autoimmune and inflammatory disorder (AIID) prevalence appears to be increasing in all but the world’s poorest regions and countries. Autoimmune diseases occur when there is a breakdown in processes that regulate inflammation and self‐recognition by immune cells. Very few field‐based studies have been conducted among Indigenous populations and underserved communities with limited access to medical care. This is due, in part, to the fact that autoimmune diseases are difficult to diagnose, even in clinical settings. In remote field settings these difficulties are compounded by the absence of infrastructure necessary for sample storage and analysis, and the lack of hospital/clinic access for more invasive diagnostic procedures. Because of these limitations, little is known about the prevalence of autoimmunity outside wealthy regions and clinical settings.

Aims

The present paper discusses why AIID are of critical importance in human biology research and why more work needs to be devoted to validating, testing, and utilizing methods for detecting autoantibodies and other biomarkers related to autoimmunity in field‐friendly, minimally invasively‐collected samples. This paper reviews some of the methods used to diagnose AIIDs in clinical settings, and highlights methods that have been used in studies within human biology and related fields, emphasizing the invasiveness of specific methods and their feasibility in remote field settings.

Discussion and Conclusions

Risk for AIID is affected by several reproductive, dietary, environmental, and genetic factors. Human biologists have unique perspectives that they can bring to autoimmunity research, and more population‐based studies on autoimmunity are needed within these and related fields.
Phosphinylation of Non‐activated Aryl Fluorides through Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution at the Boundary of Concerted and Stepwise Mechanisms
Authors: You Zhensheng , Higashida Kosuke , Iwai Tomohiro , Sawamura Masaya
Published: December 2020

Non‐activated aryl fluorides reacted with potassium diorganophosphinites through a nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reaction. Remarkably, both electron‐neutral and electron‐rich aryl fluorides participated in the reaction with substantially stabilized anionic P nucleophiles to form the corresponding tertiary phosphine oxides. Quantum chemical calculations suggested a nucleophile‐dependent mechanism that involves both concerted and stepwise SNAr reaction pathways.
Unlocking the Water Trimer Loop: Isotopic Study of Benzophenone‐(H2O)1–3Clusters with Rotational Spectroscopy
Authors: Li Weixing , Quesada‐Moreno María Mar , Pinacho Pablo , Schnell Melanie
Published: December 2020

Examined here are the structures of complexes of benzophenone microsolvated with up to three water molecules by using broadband rotational spectroscopy and the cold conditions of a molecular jet. The analysis shows that the water molecules dock sideways on benzophenone for the water monomer and dimer moieties, and they move above one of the aromatic rings when the water cluster grows to the trimer. The rotational spectra shows that the water trimer moiety in the complex adopts an open‐loop arrangement. Ab initio calculations face a dilemma of identifying the global minimum between the open loop and the closed loop, which is only solved when zero‐point vibrational energy correction is applied. An OH⋅⋅⋅π bond and a Bürgi‐Dunitz interaction between benzophenone and the water trimer are present in the cluster. This work shows the subtle balance between water–water and water–solute interactions when the solute molecule offers several different anchor sites for water molecules.
The Transient Covalent Bond in Abiotic Nonequilibrium Systems
Authors: Kariyawasam Lasith S. , Hossain Mohammad Mosharraf , Hartley C. Scott
Published: December 2020

Biochemical systems accomplish many critical functions with by operating out‐of‐equilibrium using the energy of chemical fuels. The formation of a transient covalent bond is a simple but very effective tool in designing analogous reaction networks. This Minireview focuses on the fuel chemistries that have been used to generate transient bonds in recent demonstrations of abiotic nonequilibrium systems (i.e., systems that do not make use of biological components). Fuel reactions are divided into two fundamental classifications depending on whether the fuel contributes structural elements to the activated state, a distinction that dictates how they can be used. Reported systems are further categorized by overall fuel reaction (e.g., hydrolysis of alkylating agents, carbodiimide hydration) and illustrate how similar chemistry can be used to effect a wide range of nonequilibrium behavior, ranging from self‐assembly to the operation of molecular machines.
Improvement of filtration performance of polyvinyl chloride/cellulose acetate blend membrane via acid hydrolysis
Authors: Zhang Yong , Tan Lin , Yao Anrong , Tan Pengfei , Guo Ronghui , Zhou Mi , Zhu Puxin , Huang Shijun , Wu Yunheng
Published: December 2020

Based on the hydrophilicity and biodegradability of cellulose acetate (CA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/CA blend membrane was prepared by solution comixing and phase transformation method. Then the CA in the blend membrane was partially hydrolyzed under acidic conditions to improve the hydrophilicity of the blend membrane, so as to improve the filtration performance of the PVC/CA blend membrane. The properties of the membranes were systematically characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimeter, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The porosity, water contact angle, pure water flux (PWF), protein retention rate, and mechanical properties of the membrane were measured, and the effect of hydrolysis on the filtration performance of the blend membrane was analyzed. The results showed that the hydrophilicity and porosity of the blend membrane increased, the PWF and protein rejection rate enhanced after acid catalyzed hydrolysis, while the mechanical properties of PVC membrane were maintained. This simple preparation method endows PVC/CA blend membrane with desirable filtration performance, and also helps to overcome the disadvantages of poor hydrophilicity and easy pollution of pure PVC membrane.
An automated and high‐throughput method for adenosine triphosphate quantification
Authors: Secka Fatou , Allward Nicole E. , Stoddart Amina K. , Gagnon Graham A.
Published: December 2020

Exposure to microbial contamination through drinking water is a major global health concern. Effective management of microbial drinking water quality requires rapid detection equipment. Currently, microbial quality is monitored using time‐consuming laboratory methods, which delay any response. This study demonstrates the development of an automated and high‐throughput method for the measurement of viable biomass in water through the quantification of cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The developed method was able to efficiently and accurately quantify cellular ATP in multiple water samples simultaneously. In addition, it proved to be 5× faster and as accurate as the Standard Test Method for Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Content of Microorganisms in Water (ASTM D4012). The developed method has the potential to represent a significant advancement for microbial monitoring and could benefit utilities interested in measuring viable biomass in water to monitor the health of biofilters and the effectiveness of disinfection strategies.
An affordability assessment of consolidated management of nitrate treatment
Authors: Jensen Vivian , Henrie Tarrah , Darby Jeannie , Clements Janet
Published: December 2020

Affordability is critical in drinking water treatment selection, requiring consideration of both capital and operations and maintenance (O&M) costs. With ongoing O&M costs as a potential limiting factor in the economic sustainability of treatment, recent work in California explores a new approach using consolidated management of multiple water systems to reduce O&M costs. In the context of drinking water treatment for nitrate removal, affordability of treatment with and without consolidated management was investigated for three small systems in the Central Valley. Findings from initial cost estimates suggest that consolidated management of nitrate treatment has the potential to be more affordable than the conventional approach; estimated total annualized costs were reduced by as much as 44%, primarily as a result of anticipated O&M savings on disposal and labor costs. This assessment also highlights the practical application of various affordability metrics, including consideration of socioeconomic indicators, cost of living, nondiscretionary expenditures, affordability ratios, and affordability thresholds.
Vergleich der Einsturzhäufigkeit und Versagenswahrscheinlichkeit von Stützbauwerken
Authors: Hofmann Christof , Proske Dirk , Zeck Kathrin
Published: December 2020

In diesem Beitrag werden beobachtete Einsturzhäufigkeiten und berechnete Versagenswahrscheinlichkeiten von Stützbauwerken verglichen. Derartige Vergleiche liegen bisher nur für die Bauwerkstypen Brücken, Dämme und Tunnel vor. Der Vergleich basiert überwiegend auf Werten aus der Literatur. Diese wurden im Rahmen einer Literaturrecherche erfasst. Darüber hinaus wurden Einsturzhäufigkeiten bei Erdbebeneinwirkungen durch eigene Berechnungen ermittelt. Der Vergleich der Einsturzhäufigkeiten und Versagenswahrscheinlichkeiten von Stützbauwerken zeigt eine gute Übereinstimmung. Allerdings zeigt der Vergleich der Werte mit anderen Bauwerkstypen eine überdurchschnittlich hohe Einsturzhäufigkeit. Diese scheinbar akzeptierte hohe Einsturzhäufigkeit wird mit den geringeren Opferzahlen und Schadenskosten beim Versagen von Stützbauwerken begründet.
A review of biomimetic scaffolds for bone regeneration: Toward a cell‐free strategy
Authors: Jiang Sijing , Wang Mohan , He Jiacai
Published: December 2020

In clinical terms, bone grafting currently involves the application of autogenous, allogeneic, or xenogeneic bone grafts, as well as natural or artificially synthesized materials, such as polymers, bioceramics, and other composites. Many of these are associated with limitations. The ideal scaffold for bone tissue engineering should provide mechanical support while promoting osteogenesis, osteoconduction, and even osteoinduction. There are various structural complications and engineering difficulties to be considered. Here, we describe the biomimetic possibilities of the modification of natural or synthetic materials through physical and chemical design to facilitate bone tissue repair. This review summarizes recent progresses in the strategies for constructing biomimetic scaffolds, including ion‐functionalized scaffolds, decellularized extracellular matrix scaffolds, and micro‐ and nano‐scale biomimetic scaffold structures, as well as reactive scaffolds induced by physical factors, and other acellular scaffolds. The fabrication techniques for these scaffolds, along with current strategies in clinical bone repair, are described. The developments in each category are discussed in terms of the connection between the scaffold materials and tissue repair, as well as the interactions with endogenous cells. As the advances in bone tissue engineering move toward application in the clinical setting, the demonstration of the therapeutic efficacy of these novel scaffold designs is critical.
Chemical Labeling of Protein 4′‐Phosphopantetheinylation
Authors: Chen Nan , Wang Chu
Published: December 2020

Nature uses a diverse array of protein post‐translational modifications (PTMs) to regulate protein structure, activity, localization, and function. Among them, protein 4′‐phosphopantetheinylation derived from coenzyme A (CoA) is an essential PTM for the biosynthesis of fatty acids, polyketides, and nonribosomal peptides in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. To explore its functions, various chemical probes mimicking the natural structure of 4′‐phosphopantetheinylation have been developed. In this minireview, we summarize these chemical probes and describe their applications in direct and metabolic labeling of proteins in bacterial and mammalian cells.
seco‐Labdanes: A Study of Terpenoid Structural Diversity Resulting from Biosynthetic C−C Bond Cleavage
Authors: Grant Phillip S. , Brimble Margaret A.
Published: December 2020

The cleavage of a C−C bond is a complexity generating process, which complements oxidation and cyclisation events in the biosynthesis of terpenoids. This process leads to increased structural diversity in a cluster of related secondary metabolites by modification of the parent carbocyclic core. In this review, we highlight the diversifying effect of C−C bond cleavage by examining the literature related to seco‐labdanes—a class of diterpenoids arising from such C−C bond cleavage events.
Total Synthesis of (−)‐Lepadin F based on a Stereoselective Diels–Alder Reaction Controlled by a Ketolactone‐type Dienophile
Authors: Gu He , Hu Yue , Jia Yuanliang , Zhou Qin , Luo Guiyin , Chen Xiaochuan
Published: December 2020

An efficient approach to the type III lepadin alkaloids (lepadins F and G) has been developed through a key Diels–Alder reaction, in which a novel ketolactone‐type dienophile with chiral diol unit is employed to generate the desirable all‐cis‐trisubstituted cyclohexene with excellent regio‐ and stereoselectivity control. The subsequent selective sulfonylation of the diol unit followed by SN2 cyclization under hydrogenation conditions could construct the substituted piperidine ring. By using this approach, (−)‐lepadin F is synthesized from ethyl l‐lactate for the first time.
Aerobic Copper‐Catalyzed Salicylaldehydic Cformyl−H Arylations with Arylboronic Acids
Authors: Xiao Lin , Lang Tao‐Tao , Jiang Ying , Zang Zhong‐Lin , Zhou Cheng‐He , Cai Gui‐Xin
Published: December 2020

We report a challenging copper‐catalyzed Cformyl−H arylation of salicylaldehydes with arylboronic acids that involves unique salicylaldehydic copper species that differ from reported salicylaldehydic rhodacycles and palladacycles. This protocol has high chemoselectivity for the Cformyl−H bond compared to the phenolic O−H bond involving copper catalysis under high reaction temperatures. This approach is compatible with a wide range of salicylaldehyde and arylboronic acid substrates, including estrone and carbazole derivatives, which leads to the corresponding arylation products. Mechanistic studies show that the 2‐hydroxy group of the salicylaldehyde substrate triggers the formation of salicylaldehydic copper complexes through a CuI/CuII/CuIII catalytic cycle.
Calibration‐Free Chemical Process and Quality Control Units as Enablers for Modular Production
Authors: Bornemann‐Pfeiffer Martin , Kern Simon , Maiwald Michael , Meyer Klas
Published: December 2020

Modular chemical production is a tangible translation of the digital transformation of the process industry for specialty chemicals. In particular, it enables the speeding‐up of process development and, thus, a quicker time to market by flexibly connecting and orchestrating standardized physical modules and bringing them to life (i.e., parameterizing them) with digitally accumulated process knowledge. We focus on the specific challenges of chemical process and quality control, which in its current form is not well suited for modular production and provide possible approaches and examples of the change towards direct analytical methods, analytical model transfer or machine‐supported processes.
Prediction of arsenic removal in aqueous solutions with non‐neural network algorithms
Authors: Hafsa Noor , Al‐Yaari Mohammed , Rushd Sayeed
Published: December 2020

Despite some well‐known limitations of artificial neural network (ANN), the basic ANN and its derivatives are frequently used to predict the removal efficiency of different heavy metals like arsenic (As) using various adsorbents, including bio‐adsorbents. Notable examples of applying non‐neural network (NN) approaches, such as support vector regression (SVR) and random forest (RF), are almost non‐existent in theliterature. In the current study, the suitability of these modules to predict As removal efficiency was investigated based on seven independent experimental data sets. The SVR and RF experiments with the merged datasets of experimental and interpolated data points demonstrated their effectivity for the prediction. Specifically, the RF method achieved 97.3% Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (SRCC) and 95.9% R2 on average, whereas its SVR counterpart exhibited average performances of 96.3% SRCC and 93.9% R2 on a hold‐out test set. A general method based on the natural cubic spline technique was introduced to interpolate the experimental data points. Compared to the ANN methodology, the non‐NN approaches involved tuning fewer hyperparameters and easier training processes in the R open‐source framework. Furthermore, this kind of economical application of the machine learning algorithms allowed ranking the experimental parameters based on their relative contribution in the As removal efficiency. The study showed that the following parameters are the most influential ones, in decreasing order: pH, adsorbent dose, temperature, agitation time, and initial As concentration.
Improved data transfer efficiency for scale‐out heterogeneous workloads using on‐the‐fly I/O link compression
Authors: Plauth Max , Bruguera Micó Joan , Polze Andreas
Published: December 2020

Graphics processing units (GPUs) are unarguably vital to keep up with the perpetually growing demand for compute capacity of data‐intensive applications. However, the overhead of transferring data between host and GPU memory is already a major limiting factor on the single‐node level. The situation intensifies in scale‐out scenarios, where data movement is becoming even more expensive. By augmenting the CloudCL framework with 842‐based compression facilities, this article demonstrates that transparent on‐the‐fly I/O link compression can yield performance improvements between 1.11× and 2.07× across tested scale‐out GPU workloads.
Hourglass‐shaped impedance network based nonelectrolytic capacitors high step‐up converter with low voltage stress
Authors: Zhang Guidong , Chen Weichen , Yu Samson S. , El Aroudi Abdelali
Published: December 2020

In this study, a novel high‐step‐up converter is proposed with a new hourglass‐shaped impedance network (HIN). Due to the short lifetime of electrolytic capacitors (ECs), the proposed converter uses nonelectrolytic capacitors (NECs), which however can realize all ECs' features. Besides, the proposed converter has low capacitor voltage stresses, ensuring it could be electrolytic‐capacitors‐free. With this feature, the proposed high step‐up converter has smaller size, lighter weight, smaller parasitic resistance, and longer operation life than the conventional ones with ECs. In this paper, detailed operational principle and performance of the proposed converter are presented, to demonstrate its advanced features. Simulation and experimental studies are also carried out, which validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed converter.
A call to experimentally study acute affect‐regulation mechanisms specific to driven exercise in eating disorders
Authors: Kolar David R. , Gorrell Sasha
Published: December 2020

Driven exercise (i.e., feeling compelled to exercise to control one's weight or shape, to obtain other positive consequences of exercising, or to avoid other negative consequences of not exercising) is a common phenomenon in individuals with eating disorders (EDs), typically associated with negative clinical outcomes. Current theoretical models of driven exercise highlight the short‐term affect‐regulating outcome of acute driven exercise, which is implicated to maintain this symptom either by positive or negative reinforcement. However, few studies have actually investigated cognitive, affective, and psychobiological mechanisms related to acute driven exercise. In particular, experimental studies that directly test mechanisms leading to the short‐term affective improvement after acute driven exercise are scarce. In this article, we therefore propose potential cognitive, affective, and psychobiological mechanisms that could explain the affect‐regulating function of driven exercise in individuals with EDs. In addition, we suggest examples of experimental studies that could directly test these mechanisms in individuals with EDs, as recent studies have demonstrated the safety of supervised exercise in EDs research. Our aim of stimulating research on the underlying causes and maintenance factors of driven exercise in EDs has the potential to critically inform treatment development for this high‐risk population.
Reproductive and genetic roles of the maternal progenitor in the origin of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Matsuoka Yoshihiro , Mori Naoki
Published: December 2020

Common wheat (Triticum aestivum L., AABBDD genome) is thought to have emerged through natural hybridization between Triticum turgidum L. (AABB genome) and Aegilops tauschii Coss. (DD genome). Hybridization barriers and doubling of the trihaploid F1 hybrids’ genome (ABD) via unreduced gamete fusion had key roles in the process. However, how T. turgidum, the maternal progenitor, was involved in these mechanisms remains unknown. An artificial cross‐experiment using 46 cultivated and 31 wild T. turgidum accessions and a single Ae. tauschii tester with a very short genetic distance to the common wheat D genome was conducted. Cytological and quantitative trait locus analyses of F1 hybrid genome doubling were performed. The crossability and ability to cause hybrid inviability did not greatly differ between the cultivars and wild accessions. The ability to cause hybrid genome doubling was higher in the cultivars. Three novel T. turgidum loci for hybrid genome doubling, which influenced unreduced gamete production in F1 hybrids, were identified. Cultivated T. turgidum might have increased the probability of the emergence of common wheat through its enhanced ability to cause genome doubling in F1 hybrids with Ae. tauschii. The ability enhancement might have involved alterations at a relatively small number of loci.
Interaction between hypotension and age on adrenal crisis diagnosis
Authors: Rushworth R. Louise , Goubar Thomas , Ostman Cecilia , McGrath Shaun , Torpy David J.
Published: December 2020

Objective

To determine whether adrenal crisis (AC) identification may be affected by the definition of hypotension.

Context

Delays in AC diagnosis can result in adverse outcomes. AC‐related cardiovascular compromise may vary according to baseline blood pressure and may be associated with delayed AC detection in some patients.

Design

A retrospective study of paired systolic blood pressure (sBP) measurements in hospitalized patients with primary AI (PAI).

Patients

Patients with PAI and an acute illness admitted for urgent treatment between 2000 and 2017.

Measurements

A comparison between sBP on hospital arrival and on discharge. Hypotension was classified as either absolute hypotension (sBP 100mg or lower) or relative hypotension (sBP over 100 mg but at least 20 mm Hg lower than discharge sBP).

Results

Of 152 admissions with paired blood pressure measurements, 46 (30.3%) included a medically diagnosed AC. Absolute hypotension was found in 38 (25.0%) records, and a further 21 (13.8%) patients were classified as having relative hypotension. Patients aged 65 years and older had the lowest (14.8%, n = 8) proportion with absolute hypotension but the highest (27.8%, n = 15) with relative hypotension. Use of either absolute or relative hypotension as the criterion for AC diagnosis increased the proportion of patients with an AC by 28.3% and the proportion of patients with an AC in the oldest age group by 130%.

Conclusions

Failure to detect cardiovascular compromise is common in older AI patients, may underestimate the AC rate in this group, and delay essential treatment. Relative hypotension may play a role in AC diagnosis.
Multigram Synthesis of Heterabicyclo[n.1.0]alkan‐1‐yl Trifluoroborates
Authors: Kleban Ihor , Krokhmaliuk Yevhen , Reut Sofiia , Shuvakin Serhii , Pendyukh Vyacheslav V. , Khyzhan Oleksandr I. , Yarmoliuk Dmytro S. , Tymtsunik Andriy V. , Rassukana Yuliya V. , Grygorenko Oleksandr O.
Published: December 2020

An approach to the synthesis of oxa‐ and azabicyclo[n.1.0]alkan‐1‐yl trifluoroborates on a multigram scale was developed. Two synthetic strategies were evaluated: the first based on the lithiation–borylation of the corresponding 2‐bromoallyl derivatives, and the other relying on regioselective hydroboration of the appropriate hetera‐substituted enynes. The second method appeared to be more efficient in terms of scalability and substrate scope. Further steps included ring closing‐metathesis, mild palladium‐catalyzed cyclopropanation with diazomethane, and reaction with KHF2 and furnished the title compounds in up to 50 g scale in a single run (10–41 % overall yield, 4–5 steps).
Seismic response of elastic multidegree of freedom oscillators placed on the top of rocking storey
Authors: Bantilas Kosmas E. , Kavvadias Ioannis E. , Vasiliadis Lazaros K.
Published: December 2020

In the present study, the seismic response of multistorey structures placed on the top of a rocking storey is examined. For this purpose, an analytical model that allows the interaction of all vibration modes of the superstructure with the rocking base is introduced. As uplift of the rocking base modifies the dynamic properties of the superstructure, modal analysis is performed and the vibration mode properties during rocking are demonstrated. Subsequently, dynamic time history analyses are performed and the effect of higher vibration modes of the superstructure on the rocking response is investigated. In addition, the seismic demands of the superstructure as well as their distribution throughout the storeys are examined. The results indicate that the higher vibration modes affect the rocking response of the base, although their influence depends on the stiffness of the superstructure. Furthermore, the seismic demands of the superstructure depend primarily on the size of the rocking columns. Finally, during rocking response all the vibration modes are excited and contribute to the distribution of the seismic loads throughout the floors of the superstructure.
Hello again: Managing talent with boomerang employees
Authors: Snyder Deirdre G. , Stewart Virginia R. , Shea Catherine T.
Published: December 2020

Boomerang employees—previous employees who return to an organization after an absence—offer unique value in the talent pool, representing external employees with internal job experience. Utilizing a sample from a professional services firm in the United States, we draw from the literature on talent management and renegotiated psychological contracts to compare the compensation, satisfaction, commitment, and performance of boomerangs to similar employees who never left the firm. We find that reentry yields improvements in compensation, satisfaction, and organizational commitment for boomerangs relative to matched internal employees. Archival analysis of hours worked reveals that boomerangs spend significantly more hours on extra‐role projects rather than in‐role billable client hours. Boomerang performance is, however, on par with that of matched internal employees who never left the firm. Implications for adopting a boomerang talent management strategy and the renegotiation of disrupted psychological contracts are discussed.
Performance of cabbage at different irrigation levels under drip and microsprinkler irrigation systems*
Authors: Shinde M.G. , Pawar D.D. , Kale K.D. , Dingre S.K.
Published: December 2020

Field experiments were conducted for 3 years to investigate an appropriate irrigation management strategy that would lead to increased cabbage productivity along with saving in irrigation water. Cabbage was grown with microsprinkler and drip irrigation methods with four irrigation levels based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc) as 0.8 ETc, 0.9 ETc, 1 ETc, and 1.1 ETc. It was found that cabbage crop performed better with the microsprinkler system than the drip system. All the growth‐ and yield‐contributing characters in the microsprinkler irrigation method were significantly superior over drip irrigation. The maximum yield of cabbage was obtained by the microsprinkler method (37 t ha−1) with irrigation scheduling at 1 ETc followed by 0.9 ETc (35.5 t ha−1). However, highest water use efficiency (114 kg ha−1 mm−1) was obtained in drip irrigation with 0.9 ETc irrigation level, and the highest net income per mm of water (Rs 622) was obtained in drip irrigation with 1 ETc irrigation level. Microsprinkling gave 7.30% more yield of cabbage than the drip method, whereas the drip method saved 32% more water than the microsprinkler method. It is therefore recommended to adopt the microsprinkler irrigation method to obtain a potential yield of cabbage. However, when water is a limiting factor, it is recommended to grow cabbage with the drip irrigation method.
The interactions between mTOR and NF‐κB: A novel mechanism mediating mechanical stretch‐stimulated osteoblast differentiation
Authors: Wang Dan , Cai Jing , Zeng Zhaobin , Gao Xue , Shao Xi , Ding Yuanjun , Feng Xue , Jing Da
Published: December 2020

Mechanical stretch is known to promote osteoblast differentiation in vitro and accelerate bone regeneration in vivo, whereas the relevant mechanism remains unclear. Recent studies have shown the importance of reciprocal interactions between mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB; two downstream molecules of Akt) in the regulation of tumor cells. Thus, we hypothesize that mTOR and NF‐κB as well as their interconnection play a critical role in mediating stretch‐induced osteogenic differentiation in osteoblasts. We herein found that mechanical stretch (10% elongation at six cycles/min) significantly promoted the expression of osteoblast differentiation‐related markers (including ALP, BMP2, Col1α, OCN, and Runx2) in osteoblast‐like MG‐63 cells, accompanied by increased mTOR phosphorylation and NF‐κB p65 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Blockade of mTOR by antagonist or small interfering RNA suppressed osteogenesis‐related gene expression in response to mechanical stretch, whereas inhibition of NF‐κB further increased stretch‐induced osteoblast differentiation. Moreover, inhibition of mTOR decreased the phosphorylation of NF‐κB, and blockade of NF‐κB reduced the mTOR activation in MG63 cells under mechanical stretch. Coinhibition of mTOR and NF‐κB abolishes the alteration of osteogenic differentiation induced by single mTOR or NF‐κB inhibition under mechanical stretch, which is equivalent to the noninhibition level for osteoblasts under mechanical stretch. The expression levels of osteogenic differentiation in osteoblasts after inhibition of Akt were similar to those after co‐inhibition of mTOR and NF‐κB under mechanical stretch. This study for the first time reveals the reciprocal interconnection between mTOR and NF‐κB in osteoblasts under mechanical stretch and indicates that mTOR and NF‐κB as well as their interactions play a key role in the regulation of cellular homeostasis of osteoblasts in response to mechanical stretch. These findings are helpful for enriching our basic knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of osteoblast mechanotransduction, and also providing insight into the clinical therapeutic modality associated with mechanical stretch (e.g., distraction osteogenesis).
Ultrasound findings for spontaneous regression of omphalomesenteric remnant after birth
Authors: Mitani Yasuyuki , Noguchi Kohei , Nishikawa Masanori , Yamaue Hiroki
Published: December 2020

We report a rare case of spontaneous regression of omphalomesenteric remnant after birth. Unlike previously reported cases, no surgery was required. The omphalomesenteric duct sometimes persists at birth. Its regression after birth, however, is extremely rare. A neonate passed a bloody stool 3 minutes after birth. Meckel's scan detected slight technetium‐99 m uptake around the umbilicus. Sonographic examination detected a luminal structure connected to the small bowel, which gradually regressed, however, and was no longer visible by the 52nd day after birth. Careful follow‐up is required after occurrence of bloody stool and intestinal obstruction from Meckel's diverticulum.
Ultrasound‐guided nasogastric tube placement in a pediatric emergency department
Authors: Mori Takaaki , Takei Hirokazu , Ihara Takateru , Hagiwara Yusuke , Nomura Osamu
Published: December 2020

Nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion is commonly performed in pediatric emergency care. Point‐of‐care ultrasound is used for confirming NGT insertion, but reports of its use in the pediatric emergency department (ED) are scarce. We describe our experience of ultrasound‐guided NGT placement in a pediatric ED. The study pool consisted of twelve patients and the NGT tip was successfully visualized in the esophagus and gastric cardia in all cases, demonstrating that ultrasound has the potential to be a useful alternative to conventional methods of NGT insertion in the pediatric ED.
Ecophysiological models for global invaders: Is Europe a big playground for the African clawed frog?
Authors: Ginal Philipp , Mokhatla Mohlamatsane , Kruger Natasha , Secondi Jean , Herrel Anthony , Measey John , Rödder Dennis
Published: December 2020

One principle threat prompting the worldwide decline of amphibians is the introduction of nonindigenous amphibians. The African Clawed Frog,Xenopus laevis, is now one of the widest distributed amphibians occurring on four continents with ongoing range expansion including large parts of Europe. Species distribution models (SDMs) are essential tools to predict the invasive risk of these species. Previous efforts have focused on correlative approaches but these can be vulnerable to extrapolation errors when projecting species' distributions in nonnative ranges. Recent developments emphasise more robust process‐based models, which use physiological data like critical thermal limits and performance, or hybrid models using both approaches. Previous correlative SDMs predict different patterns in the potential future distribution ofX. laevisin Europe, but it is likely that these models do not assess its full invasive potential. Based on physiological performance trials, we calculate size and temperature‐dependent response surfaces, which are scaled to geographic performance layers matching the critical thermal limits. We then use these ecophysiological performance layers in a standard correlative SDM framework to predict the potential distribution in southern Africa and Europe. Physiological performance traits (standard metabolic rate and endurance time of adult frogs) are the main drivers for the predicted distribution, while the locomotor performance (maximum velocity and distance moved in 200 ms) of adults and tadpoles have low contributions.
Adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis that improved by spontaneous double channel pylorus formation
Authors: Hattori Aiji , Kawabata Hiroyuki , Umeda Yuhei , Tsuboi Junya , Yamada Reiko , Hamada Yasuhiko , Tanaka Kyosuke
Published: December 2020

Adult hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (AHPS) is a rare disease and presents as pyloric obstruction. Double pylorus is also a rare condition due to a gastroduodenal fistula connecting from the gastric antrum to the duodenum. A 42‐year‐old woman without a history of vomiting in infancy presented with postprandial abdominal distension and repeated vomiting. Abdominal computed tomography showed gastric dilatation and wall thickening of the distal stomach. Endoscopy and contrast gastrography revealed gastric outlet obstruction due to stenosis and an ulcer in the antral and pyloric region. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed circumferential thickening of the muscularis propria layer of the pylorus. Her symptoms improved with treatment consisting of drainage, fasting, and a proton pump inhibitor. Two weeks after onset, follow‐up endoscopy revealed a healing ulcer and double channel pylorus. Based on her clinical course and findings of clinical images, she was diagnosed with gastric outlet obstruction due to AHPS that was improved by double channel pylorus formation. In conclusion, AHPS that was improved by double channel pylorus formation is an extremely rare condition, and we should be aware of this disease entity.
Persons who inject drugs (PWID) retain functional NK cells, dendritic cell stimulation, and adaptive immune recall responses despite prolonged opioid use
Authors: Tomescu Costin , Colon Krystal , Smith Peter , Taylor Mack , Azzoni Livio , Metzger David S , Montaner Luis J
Published: December 2020

Previous literature suggests that acute opioid use results in the functional impairment of the immune response, thereby decreasing resistance to viral infection. Here, we assessed if innate and adaptive immune responses are compromised ex vivo in persons who inject drugs (PWID) and whether long-term injection drug use may impact host susceptibility to in vitro HIV infection. We measured the frequency, activation state, and functional profile of NK cells, dendritic cells, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in low-risk PWID who do not share needles, high-risk needle-sharing PWID, and control donors who did not inject drugs. We also assessed plasma levels of inflammatory markers and CD4+ T cell susceptibility to HIV infection. We observed a significant increase in the amount of sCD14 (P = 0.0023, n = 16) and sCD163 (P = 0.0001, n = 16) in the plasma of PWID compared to controls. Evidence of constitutive activation was noted in PWID as compared to controls with increased CD69 expression in CD56dim NK cells (P = 0.0103, n = 26) and increased CD38 and HLA-DR expression in CD4+ T cells (P = 0.0355, n = 23). However, no innate or adaptive functional differences were detected between PWID and controls, including: NK cell direct or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity poly-functional response, TLR-stimulated dendritic cell/NK crosstalk, CD8+ T cell response to Staphylococcal enterotoxin B or CMV/EBV/FLU peptides, or constitutive or anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated CD4+ T cell infectivity with CCR5-tropic or CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 isolates. Our data indicate that PWID who utilize opioids over as prolonged time frame can retain a functional ex vivo immune response without a measurable increase in CD4+ T cell infectivity suggesting that leukocytes from PWID are not intrinsically more susceptibility to infection with HIV than non-PWID controls.
Quantum dot celluar automata‐based encoder and priority encoder circuits: Low latency and area efficient design
Authors: Kaity Aishwarya , Singh Sangeeta , Hossain Kabirul
Published: December 2020

The transistorless technology, quantum dot cellular automata (QCA) becomes one of the potential candidates of nanotechnology for signal processing circuits because of its ultra‐low power requirement, high frequency of operation, extreme‐low area requirement, and short channel effect (SCEs) immune at nanoscale circuits. Quasi‐adiabatic switching of QCA makes its data transfer faster. This work reports faster, smaller, and low‐power, 4‐to‐2 and 8‐to‐3 encoder, and priority encoder circuits designed on QCA platform. Both of these encoders and priority encoders are widely used circuits for communication to encode the data. These circuits are realized using three‐input majority gates, five‐input majority gates, and co‐planar clock zone‐based crossover technique. The proposed circuits show the improvement in performance in terms of cell count, area requirement, delay, quantum cost, and energy dissipation as compared to the existing circuits. The cell count and the area requirement of the proposed circuits have been magnificently lowered as compared to the recent literature. Moreover, these circuits also require 75% lesser clock periods than the existing literature, thus demonstrate lower latency. This work shows the way for future exploration of QCA‐based encoder circuits.
An Automated ALARA Method for Ultrasound
Authors: Flint Katelyn , Bottenus Nick , Bradway David , McNally Patricia , Ellestad Sarah , Trahey Gregg
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Ultrasound users are advised to observe the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle, but studies have shown that most do not monitor acoustic output metrics. We developed an adaptive ultrasound method that could suggest acoustic output levels based on real‐time image quality feedback using lag‐one coherence (LOC).

Methods

Lag‐one coherence as a function of the mechanical index (MI) was assessed in 35 healthy volunteers in their second trimester of pregnancy. While imaging the placenta or the fetal abdomen, the system swept through 16 MI values ranging from 0.15 to 1.20. The LOC‐versus‐MI data were fit with a sigmoid curve, and the ALARA MI was selected as the point at which the fit reached 98% of its maximum.

Results

In this study, the ALARA MI values were between 0.35 and 1.03, depending on the acoustic window. Compared to a default MI of 0.8, the pilot acquisitions suggested a lower ALARA MI 80% of the time. The contrast, contrast‐to‐noise ratio, generalized contrast‐to‐noise ratio, and LOC all followed sigmoidal trends with an increasing MI. The R2 of the fit was statistically significantly greater for LOC than the other metrics (P < .017).

Conclusions

These results suggest that maximum image quality can be achieved with acoustic output levels lower than the US Food and Drug Administration limits in many cases, and an automated tool could be used in real time to find the ALARA MI for specific imaging conditions. Our results support the feasibility of an automated, LOC‐based implementation of the ALARA principle for obstetric ultrasound.
Redefining Success by Focusing on Failures After Pediatric Hypoglossal Stimulation in Down Syndrome
Authors: Yu Phoebe K. , Jayawardena Asitha D. L. , Stenerson Matthew , Pulsifer Margaret B. , Grieco Julie A. , Abbeduto Leonard , Dedhia Raj C. , Soose Ryan J. , Tobey Allison , Raol Nikhila , Ishman Stacey L. , Shott Sally R. , Cohen Michael S. , Skotko Brian G. , Kinane Thomas B. , Keamy Donald G. , Hartnick Christopher J.
Published: December 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Patients with Down syndrome have a high incidence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and limited treatment options. Hypoglossal stimulation has shown efficacy but has not yet been approved for pediatric populations. Our objective is to characterize the therapy response of adolescent patients with down syndrome and severe OSA who underwent hypoglossal stimulation.

Study Design

Prospective longitudinal trial.

Methods

We are conducting a multicenter single‐arm trial of hypoglossal stimulation for adolescent patients with Down syndrome and severe OSA. Interim analysis was performed to compare objective sleep and quality of life outcomes at 12 months postoperatively for the first 20 patients.

Results

The mean age was 15.5 and baseline AHI 24.2. Of the 20 patients, two patients (10.0%) had an AHI under 1.5 at 12 months; nine patients of 20 (45.0%) under five; and 15 patients of 20 (75.0%) under 10. The mean decrease in AHI was 15.1 (P < .001). Patients with postoperative AHI over five had an average baseline OSA‐18 survey score of 3.5 with an average improvement of 1.7 (P = .002); in addition, six of these patients had a relative decrease of apneas compared to hypopneas and seven had an improvement in percentage of time with oxygen saturation below 90%.

Conclusions

Patients with persistently elevated AHI 12 months after hypoglossal implantation experienced improvement in polysomnographic and quality of life outcomes. These results suggest the need for a closer look at physiologic markers for success beyond reporting AHI as the gold standard.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:1663–1669, 2021