bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C−F Bond Activation and Functionalizations Enabled by Metal‐free NHCs and Their Metal Complexes
Authors: Muthuvel Karthick , Gandhi Thirumanavelan
Published: January 2022

The activation and functionalization of C−F bonds in various fluoroorganics were found to be a daunting task owing to their innate inertness. Harnessing the C−F bonds will alleviate the toxicity and environmental issues posed by them, and provide new pathways to access value‐added products. Although several strategies have been employed such as metal complexes, Brønsted acids, Lewis acids, and photocatalyst to activate the C−F bonds, however, the use of NHC or Metal‐NHC is relatively scarce. NHCs based catalytic C−F activation stands out owing to its easy accessibility, stability, and facile reactivity. Metal‐NHCs were exploited in hydrodefluorination, C−C, and C−B coupling reactions. Additionally, R−M(F)(NHC), an oxidative‐addition intermediate that was conveniently isolated allows to decode catalytic C−F functionalization pathways. This minireview provides the prominence of NHC and metal‐NHC in the area of catalytic C−F bond functionalization.
Preparation of Bimetallic CuZn@mSiO2 Yolk‐Shell Catalyst for the Selective Oxidation of Cumene to Acetophenone
Authors: Song Yujun , Xu Cai , Jia Mingji , Wang Xiaozhong , Chen Yingqi , Dai Liyan
Published: January 2022

Bimetallic catalysts have exhibited huge catalytic potential in the oxy‐functionalization of alkanes. Here, we provide a valid strategy for encapsulating copper and zinc metal oxide nanoparticles by mesoporous SiO2. The prepared CuZn@mSiO2 catalyst are yolk‐shell nanospheres with a diameter of 600 nm and a large specific surface area around 1000 m2 g−1. Bimetallic synergy between Cu and Zn was further analyzed by XRD, XPS and H2‐TPR. The selective oxidation of cumene to acetophenone was used as a probe reaction to evaluate the activity of bimetallic yolk‐shell catalysts, and the results showed excellent catalytic performance that promoted cumene to acetophenone transformation under mild conditions (80 °C, 5 h, H2O2 as oxidant). Also, the recycling tests verified the robust stability and reusability for the catalyst. Finally, a reasonable reaction mechanism was proposed to better understand the oxidation pathway of cumene.
Soft Actuators Based On Carbon Nanomaterials
Authors: Chang Longfei , Wang Dongping , Jiang Ajuan , Hu Ying
Published: January 2022

Inspired by the sophisticated design of biological systems, interest in soft intelligent actuators has increased significantly in recent years, providing attractive strategies for the design of elaborate soft mechanical systems. For the construction of those soft actuators, carbon nanomaterials were extensively and successfully explored for the properties of highly conductive, electrothermal, and photothermal conversion. This review aims to trace the recent achievements for the material and structural design as well as the general mechanisms of the soft actuators, paying particular attention to the contribution of carbon nanomaterials resulted from their diversified interplaying properties, which realized the flexible and dexterous deformation responding to various environmental stimuli, including light, electricity and humidity. The properties and mechanisms of soft actuators are summarized and the potential for future applications and research are presented.
Establishing an In Vitro 3D Spheroid Model to Study Medulloblastoma Drug Response and Tumor Dissemination
Authors: Roper Sophie J. , Coyle Beth
Published: January 2022

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. Current treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, and craniospinal radiotherapy, and these are associated with a significant reduction in quality of life. Metastatic dissemination at diagnosis is found in up to 30% of medulloblastoma cases and, alongside therapy resistance, is a significant feature in determining poor outcome. Development of new therapeutic approaches requires models where drug resistance and migration can be readily quantified and that are representative of patient disease. 3D medulloblastoma (3D‐MB) spheroids are a simple yet effective means of bridging the gap between 2D culture and in vivo methods, providing users with highly reproducible in vitro models that more accurately recapitulate tumor morphology, drug response, and migration from a tumor mass. Unlike other cancer types, medulloblastoma spheroids fail to grow in their different standard cell culture media; instead, each cell line requires the same stem cell–enriching conditions. This requirement, however, has the advantage that it allows direct comparison of growth and response between cell lines in the absence of any potential media bias. In addition, spheroids can be used to model the initial stages of metastatic dissemination, something that cannot be achieved in 2D culture, providing insight into key changes occurring in migratory cells. Here, we provide protocols that detail the initial generation and maintenance of 3D‐MB spheroids from sonic‐hedgehog, Group 3, and Group 4 medulloblastoma subgroups, as well as describing functional assays to study drug response and cell migration across hyaluronan matrices, which represent the extracellular matrix backbone of the brain parenchyma. Through application of these simple yet highly representative models, it will be possible to test novel therapeutics targeting metastasis and drug resistance, as well as to develop insights into the mechanistic processes driving relapse in this malignant pediatric brain tumor. © 2022 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Generation and maintenance of 3D medulloblastoma (3D‐MB) spheroids

Support Protocol 1: Measuring spheroid size for coefficient‐of‐variation analysis

Basic Protocol 2: Assessing drug response in 3D‐MB spheroids

Support Protocol 2: 384‐well 3D‐MB spheroid generation

Basic Protocol 3: Immunohistochemical staining of 3D‐MB spheroids

Basic Protocol 4: Modeling metastatic dissemination using 3D‐MB migration models

Support Protocol 3: RNA extraction from 3D‐MB spheroids
A Filippov method based analytical perspective on stability analysis of a DC‐AC H‐bridge inverter with nonlinear rectifier load
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Aranya , Mandal Kuntal , Parui Sukanya
Published: January 2022

A comprehensive analysis of an inverter with nonlinear rectifier load by Filippov's method and state‐space averaged method considering nonidealities have been reported for the first time. A study in comparison with an equivalent linear AC resistance load reveals that even though qualitative behavior remains similar, earlier onset of Hopf bifurcation and delayed onset of period‐doubling bifurcation occur. This proves the necessity of modeling the nonlinear load at a switched system level, instead of linearizing it based on the first harmonic approximation which ignores the capacitor after rectifier and reduces the order of the system from four to three. Hopf bifurcation takes place with increase in capacitance after rectifier, along with corresponding decrease in its equivalent series resistance (ESR), limiting the selection of capacitors to lower values. However, ESR compensation solves this problem by preventing the onset of Hopf bifurcation and use of ESR compensated capacitor of higher values result in significant increase, instead of reduction in overall stable domain in parameter spaces. Analytical results have been corroborated by numerical simulation results.
Detached regime with highly radiating X‐point: Physics and modelling
Authors: Senichenkov Ilya , Kaveeva Elizaveta , Rozhansky Vladimir , Shtyrkhunov Nikita , Voskoboynikov Sergey , Coster David
Published: January 2022

A possibility to operate with fully detached targets and highly radiating X‐point was recently demonstrated on ASDEX Upgrade, JET, and DIII‐D with intensive impurity seeding (N, Ne, Ar) and feedback control. Notable feature of such a regime is the radiated power fraction of up to 90% of discharge power inside the separatrix without a confinement degradation, or even with confinement improvement (in terms of H‐factor), which leads to a full detachment of both targets. Therefore, this regime might be attractive for the next generation reactor scale tokamaks like DEMO or CFETR, where most of the power should be radiated. In the present report, the recent achievements in the understanding of such regime are reviewed. The effectiveness of divertor target shielding by different impurity gases is discussed, paying attention to its first ionization potential. SOLPS‐ITER modelling results illustrating the impurity flow pattern are presented, and the importance of drift flows is demonstrated. The effect of the machine size on the effectiveness of the divertor shielding by impurity radiation is discussed. It is demonstrated that in bigger machines impurity radiation is better kept in the divertor and divertor asymmetry is less pronounced. As the seeding rate increases, both targets fully detach, and neutrals start to penetrate inside the separatrix above the X‐point, leading to the plasma cooling there and to the formation of an observable localized radiation spot in the X‐point vicinity. The cold zone above the X‐point thus behaves as an energy sink like a divertor in conventional regime, so that the perpendicular decay length of perpendicular turbulent energy flow appears to be of the order of of conventional divertor. During the formation of the radiating X‐point a potential hill/well (depending on the direction of drift) is formed on perturbed closed flux surfaces, and the corresponding drift vortex fluxes appear to give major contribution to the particle balance. SOLPS‐ITER simulations show that the radial electric field significantly deviates from neoclassical formula and may even change sign (become positive). Thus, the zone of maximal poloidal rotation shear may shift inwards, which might be responsible for the inward shift of the transport barrier and for the confinement improvement. This effect is different to the discussed extension of peeling‐ballooning stability boundary by intensive impurity injection, which might explain experimentally observed ELMs suppression or their frequency reduction.
A novel orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with index modulation waveform with carrier frequency offset resistance and low peak‐to‐average power ratio
Authors: Erol Gurol Ilter , Basar Ertugrul , Kucukyavuz Defne , Atay Onat Furuzan
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we propose a novel orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme with high carrier frequency offset (CFO) resistance and low peak‐to‐average power ratio (PAPR). In this scheme, we consider a hybrid model with two subblock types, namely, pilot subblocks and standard subblocks. In pilot subblocks, active subcarriers are utilized for PAPR reduction while inactive carriers generated by the index modulation (IM) are utilized for the coarse CFO estimation. For standard subblocks, we consider unique subcarrier activation patterns (SAPs) with high‐diversity IM to enhance the bit error performance of the overall system. Additionally, the inactive data tones in standard subblocks are utilized for fine CFO estimation, which enhances the CFO estimation quite significantly. Furthermore, in this paper, we show that proposed hybrid OFDM‐IM (H‐OFDM‐IM) scheme can outperform conventional OFDM‐IM and classical OFDM both in CFO estimation and PAPR reduction without requiring transmission of any side information. Finally, we show both mathematically and through computer simulations that proposed H‐OFDM‐IM can achieve a satisfactory bit error rate (BER) performance under high CFO scenarios.
Prediabetes and risk of stroke and its subtypes by hypertension status
Authors: Wang Anxin , Zhang Jia , Zuo Yingting , Tian Xue , Chen Shuohua , Wu Shouling , Zhao Xingquan , Wang Yongjun
Published: January 2022

Background

This study aimed to investigate whether the relationship of prediabetes with the risk of stroke and its subtypes differed among individuals with or without hypertension.

Methods

This prospective study included 85,763 participants without diabetes or a history of stroke at the baseline from the Kailuan study (2006). Prediabetes was defined as a fasting plasma glucose concentration between 5.6 and 6.9 mmol/L. We performed multiplicative and additive interaction analyses to assess the interaction effect between prediabetes and hypertension on the risk of incident stroke.

Results

We found that 47.13% of all participants had no prediabetes or hypertension, 11.45% had prediabetes alone, 30.12% had hypertension alone, and 11.31% had both prediabetes and hypertension at baseline. During a median follow‐up period of 11.05 years, we documented 3972 events of incident stroke. We found that hypertension modified the relationship of prediabetes with total stroke and ischaemic stroke (p for interaction <0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders, prediabetes was significantly associated with the risk of total stroke (hazard ratio [HR] 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–1.52], p for interaction = 0.0147) and ischaemic stroke (HR 1.33, [95% CI 1.16–1.54], p for interaction = 0.0413) among participants without hypertension, but not among participants with hypertension. However, no interaction effect of the association between prediabetes and hypertension was observed on the risk of haemorrhagic stroke.

Conclusions

Hypertension modified the association between prediabetes and risk of total and ischaemic stroke. Prediabetes was associated with an increased risk of total and ischaemic stroke only in the non‐hypertension population.
Age‐specific survival rates, causes of death, and allowable take of golden eagles in the western United States
Authors: Millsap Brian A. , Zimmerman Guthrie S. , Kendall William L. , Barnes Joseph G. , Braham Melissa A. , Bedrosian Bryan E. , Bell Douglas A. , Bloom Peter H. , Crandall Ross H. , Domenech Robert , Driscoll Daniel , Duerr Adam E. , Gerhardt Rick , Gibbs Samantha E. J. , Harmata Alan R. , Jacobson Kenneth , Katzner Todd E. , Knight Robert N. , Lockhart J. Michael , McIntyre Carol , Murphy Robert K. , Slater Steven J. , Smith Brian W. , Smith Jeff P. , Stahlecker Dale W. , Watson James W.
Published: January 2022

In the United States, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibits take of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) unless authorized by permit, and stipulates that all permitted take must be sustainable. Golden eagles are unintentionally killed in conjunction with many lawful activities (e.g., electrocution on power poles, collision with wind turbines). Managers who issue permits for incidental take of golden eagles must determine allowable take levels and manage permitted take accordingly. To aid managers in making these decisions in the western United States, we used an integrated population model to obtain estimates of golden eagle vital rates and population size, and then used those estimates in a prescribed take level (PTL) model to estimate the allowable take level. Estimated mean annual survival rates for golden eagles ranged from 0.70 (95% credible interval = 0.66–0.74) for first‐year birds to 0.90 (0.88–0.91) for adults. Models suggested a high proportion of adult female golden eagles attempted to breed and breeding pairs fledged a mean of 0.53 (0.39–0.72) young annually. Population size in the coterminous western United States has averaged ~31,800 individuals for several decades, with λ = 1.0 (0.96–1.05). The PTL model estimated a median allowable take limit of ~2227 (708–4182) individuals annually given a management objective of maintaining a stable population. We estimate that take averaged 2572 out of 4373 (59%) deaths annually, based on a representative sample of transmitter‐tagged golden eagles. For the subset of golden eagles that were recovered and a cause of death determined, anthropogenic mortality accounted for an average of 74% of deaths after their first year; leading forms of take over all age classes were shooting (~670 per year), collisions (~611), electrocutions (~506), and poisoning (~427). Although observed take overlapped the credible interval of our allowable take estimate and the population overall has been stable, our findings indicate that additional take, unless mitigated for, may not be sustainable. Our analysis demonstrates the utility of the joint application of integrated population and prescribed take level models to management of incidental take of a protected species.
Herbivory in a changing climate—Effects of plant genotype and experimentally induced variation in plant phenology on two summer‐active lepidopteran herbivores and one fungal pathogen
Authors: Ekholm Adam , Faticov Maria , Tack Ayco J. M. , Roslin Tomas
Published: January 2022

With climate change, spring warming tends to advance plant leaf‐out. While the timing of leaf‐out has been shown to affect the quality of leaves for herbivores in spring, it is unclear whether such effects extend to herbivores active in summer. In this study, we first examined how spring and autumn phenology of sevenQuercus roburgenotypes responded to elevated temperatures in spring. We then tested whether the performance of two summer‐active insect herbivores (Orthosia gothicaandPolia nebulosa) and infection by a pathogen (Erysiphe alphitoides) were influenced by plant phenology, traits associated with genotype or the interaction between these two. Warm spring temperatures advanced both bud development and leaf senescence inQ.robur. Plants of different genotype differed in terms of both spring and autumn phenology. Plant phenology did not influence the performance of two insect herbivores and a pathogen, while traits associated with oak genotype had an effect on herbivore performance. Weight gain forO.gothicaand ingestion forP.nebulosadiffered by a factor of 4.38 and 2.23 among genotypes, respectively. Herbivore species active in summer were influenced by traits associated with plant genotype but not by phenology. This suggest that plant attackers active in summer may prove tolerant to shifts in host plant phenology—a pattern contrasting with previously documented effects on plant attackers active in spring and autumn.
Seed rain and soil seed bank in Chinese fir plantations and an adjacent natural forest in southern China: Implications for the regeneration of native species
Authors: Liu Bo , Liu Qingqing , Zhu Chenxi , Liu Zhigang , Huang Zhijun , Tigabu Mulualem , He Zongming , Liu Yuhui , Wang Zhengning
Published: January 2022

The natural regeneration of native broadleaved species underneath forest monoculture plantations is important to recover ecosystem functions and to mitigate adverse environmental effects. To understand how seed rain and soil seed bank facilitate natural regeneration, we surveyed their density and composition in a monoculture Chinese fir plantation, a mixed Chinese fir–broadleaf plantation, and an adjacent natural broadleaved forest for two years in southern China. Twenty‐eight species (16 families) were in seed rain, and 45 species (27 families) were in soil seed bank. Seed rain density did not differ significantly across stands; however, the number of taxa in seed rain was highest in the mixed plantation and lowest in the natural forest. Seed bank density was significantly higher in the mixed plantation than in the other stands (p < .05). The Sørensen similarity index of species composition between seed sources and aboveground vegetation were relatively low (<.50). The seeds of various native tree species were common in the seed bank of the plantations, indicating that seed rain and seed bank played an important role in native forest regeneration. We recommend that managers interested in sustainable forestry should take into consideration the presence of existing soil seed bank when developing their management strategies. In addition, with regard to forest regeneration process, we also recommend supplementation of the species composition by direct seeding or planting of desired species.
Silvicultural strategies for lichen conservation: Smaller gaps and shorter distances to edges promote recolonization
Authors: Bartemucci Paula , Lilles Erica , Gauslaa Yngvar
Published: January 2022

Conservation of epiphytic lichens in managed forest landscapes relies on understanding limitations to their dispersal and establishment after harvesting. A hot spot for cephalo‐ and cyanolichens, the Kispiox inland temperate rainforest of British Columbia, Canada, is an example of where forest managers seek silviculture options that allow for forest harvesting to continue, while also conserving threatened species. To characterize colonization of these lichens (including the nationally threatenedNephroma occultumandLobaria retigera), we quantified thalli on 25‐year‐old regenerating spruce trees at varying distances from forest edges in logged openings of different sizes surrounded by mature (160 years) or old‐growth (≥350 years) forest. Lichen colonization 25 years after logging was influenced by distance from the forest edge, surrounding forest age, and opening size. Total mean colonization and number of species per three branches were 81 thalli and 8 species at the forest edge, declining to 18 and 4, respectively, approximately 50 m into the openings. Colonization of most species reached minimum levels within 80 m. Nationally threatened species and old‐forest associates had higher abundances and longer colonization distances in openings surrounded by old‐growth forests; whereas widespread species had greater colonization when surrounded by mature forests. Logged gaps <0.6 ha promoted higher and more diverse lichen colonization than clearcuts (>3.8 ha). This study demonstrates that forest managers should consider the spatial patterning of harvesting, with smaller openings and shorter distances between edges (likely in tandem with higher levels of retention) in forests rich in epiphytic lichens to facilitate their recolonization and conservation.
Insight aerodynamic analysis on small‐scale wind turbines airfoils for low Reynolds number applications
Authors: Natarajan Karthikeyan , T. Suthakar
Published: January 2022

The selection of low Reynolds number airfoils for the application of small wind turbine rotor that results in greater rotor performance to the given operating condition is monotonous process. The 16 low Reynolds number airfoils specially developed for small‐scale wind turbine applications were shortlisted to determine the optimum set of airfoils for designing the 3 bladed and 2.25 m radius rotor with the tip speed ratio of 7. Numerical studies were conducted using subsonic airfoil design and analysis solver XFOIL. The aforesaid analysis was done for the Reynolds number of 49,637, 72,801, 115,820, 132,366, and 169,869, which are calculated from the velocity triangle for the subsequent free stream wind speed of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 m/s that represents the urban wind condition of India. The indispensable characteristics to improve the performance of wind turbines such as maximum lift to drag ratio, insensitivity to optimum angle of attack over a range of Reynolds numbers and linear transition locations are present in SD7037, E193, SD7032, A18, E387, SD7062, E193MOD, S1210, and S1223 airfoils. Detailed investigation on the aerodynamic characteristics and the effect of laminar separation bubble (LSB) on each airfoils would be helpful to identify the airfoils which needed to be studied for the further improvement of performances through grooving and gurney flaps.
Dynamic resource allocation and interference coordination for millimeter wave communications in dense urban environment
Authors: Yağcıoğlu Mert
Published: January 2022

Inter cell interference coordination (ICIC) strategies in cellular systems have vital importance for spectrum efficiency in dense urban networks. Frequency reuse and resource allocation approaches are used to overcome the interference and the efficiency problems. Users in the cell edge suffer from low throughput and signal to interference plus noise ratio. Although increasing the transmit power of the BS can be considered as a solution, it also causes ICI. Considering these difficulties, we propose a technique called Experience Based Dynamic Soft Frequency Reuse in the 5G millimeter‐wave (mmWave) at 28 GHz band. The first objective of the proposed technique is to minimize the inter cell interference by using Soft Frequency Reuse method. The technique also aims to increase the overall system throughput by using Dynamic Channel Allocation. The third objective is to progress a fairness scheduler algorithm among users by optimizing the base station schedulers, which we call Experience‐Based Packet Scheduler. The main purpose of this article is to find the best value for α in order to maximize the average user and cell edge user throughput while considering the users' fairness. Simulations and numerical results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve up to 30% higher performance in terms of the average user throughput rates and has better fairness for lower α values (0.3 and 0.4).
‘Can't see the forest for the trees’: The importance of fungi in the context of UK tree planting
Authors: Baird Aileen , Pope Francis
Published: January 2022

Tree planting now forms a major part of the UK climate mitigation strategy, with targets to increase the forest cover from the current 13% to 17%–20% by 2050. A tree planting strategy on this scale requires a significant amount of planning, bringing together expertise from a wide range of practitioners. We highlight four key reasons why fungi should be considered in tree planting strategies:

1. Fungi can cause severe tree disease.

2. Fungi can cause significant human health burdens.

3. Forest soil carbon and nutrient cycling is controlled by fungi.

4. Climate change is already affecting fungi.

Following from these four reasons, we explore the ways in which the negative effects of fungi, such as plant and human disease, can be mitigated against, whilst also protecting and promoting the benefits of fungi in carbon storage and biodiversity. Based on this, we outline seven guidelines which should be integrated into existing tree planting guidelines and UK policy:

A. Monitor tree fungal disease emergence and spread, including in source material trade (e.g. seeds and saplings).

B. Choose tree species combinations appropriate to the specific habitat and appropriate for biodiversity and carbon storage goals.

C. Develop and implement a widely accessible fungal spore forecast to complement existing pollen forecasts.

D. Protect existing ancient and mature woodlands.

E. Promote planting on suitable land types, avoiding grasslands and wetlands.

F. Assess proposed and existing forest sites, ideally using a combination of fungal fruit body surveys and eDNA techniques.

G. Develop and implement the UK Fungi Red List into UK law.
Sonographic findings of total colonic aganglionosis in a neonate with Haddad syndrome: A case report
Authors: Lim Yun‐Jung , Jung Hyun Kyung
Published: January 2022

Haddad syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by congenital central hypoventilation syndrome and Hirschsprung disease. Total colonic aganglionosis is a rare and long‐segment form of Hirschsprung disease, which is primarily diagnosed using contrast enemas. However, the diagnostic performance of contrast enemas is relatively low, making the diagnosis of total colonic aganglionosis challenging. In neonates, ultrasound may be used as an additional imaging modality for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease. We describe the unique sonographic findings of total colonic aganglionosis in a term neonate with failure to pass meconium and respiratory distress, who was subsequently diagnosed with Haddad syndrome.
Treatment patterns, persistence with therapy, and outcomes of ustekinumab in Crohn's disease: Real‐world data analysis
Authors: Banon Tamar , Weil Clara , Borsi Andras , Chodick Gabriel , Shakked Zehavi , Barit Ben‐David Nava
Published: January 2022

Background and Aim

In 2017, ustekinumab (UST) was included in Israel's National Basket of Health Services for treatment of biologic‐experienced Crohn's disease (CD) patients with moderately to severely active disease. This study aims to provide real‐world evidence on persistence and clinical outcomes among early users of UST.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS; 2.5‐million‐member state‐mandated health provider, Israel). Adult patients with a CD diagnosis code who had ≥1 dispensed UST prescription in 2017–2018 and at least 12 months of prior continuous health plan enrollment were included. Outcomes, including treatment discontinuation, dose‐escalation (based on shortened intervals between purchases), CD‐related surgery, CD‐related hospitalization, corticosteroid (CS) discontinuation, and use of opioids were evaluated from the date of first dispensed UST through the end of 2019 using Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

A total of 162 eligible patients (81 [49.4%] female; median age 34.4 years [IQR 23.2–46.3]; median years since CD diagnosis 8.6 [IQR 4·8–16.0]) were enrolled in the study. Discontinuation rate after 365 and 540 days of follow‐up was 27.8% and 35.6%. Dose escalation was estimated at 15.4% and 28.6%, respectively. The first‐year cumulative rate of CD‐related surgery and CD‐related hospitalization were estimated at 4.7% and 9.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

In this real‐world CD cohort of UST users, results suggest persistence is relatively high as compared to other biologics for CD. Comparative effectiveness of different biologic treatments for CD in this population should be further explored.
Design, synthesis, in vitro evaluation of a new pyrrolo[1,2‐a]thiazolo[5,4‐d]pyrimidinone derivatives as cholinesterase inhibitors against Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Zeng Yan , Nie Lifei , Liu Liu , Niu Chao , Li Yi , Bozorov Khurshed , Zhao Jiangyu , Shen Jingshan , Aisa Haji Akber
Published: January 2022

A novel of 40 pyrrolo[1,2‐a]thiazolo[5,4‐d]pyrimidinone derivatives were designed and synthesized as cholinesterase inhibitor agents. The in vitro enzyme assays proved that most of the compounds effectively inhibited cholinesterases in the micromolar range with little cytotoxicity. Compound G15 exhibited the best inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase with an IC50 of 2.69 ± 0.17 μM. Kinetic analysis and molecular modeling testified the competitive inhibition manner of G15 was more likely to bind to the active center of acetylcholinesterase. Thus, compound G15 can be considered as promising lead compounds or candidates for the development of novel drugs against Alzheimer's disease.
High‐fired early English porcelains of the ‘A’‐marked group, east London (c. 1744): A Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy compositional study
Authors: Edwards Howell G. M. , Jay William H. , Ramsay W. Ross H.
Published: January 2022

Two rare, slip‐cast and highly translucent very early English manufactured porcelains, known as the ‘A’‐marked group, have been nondestructively analysed to determine their bulk composition, the mineralogy of their body, glaze and overglaze decorative enamels using Raman spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The bulk composition of the body and the glaze have been found to have a Ca‐Al‐Si composition and therefore demonstrate congruency with the specification of the Edward Heylyn and Thomas Frye patent of 1744. The patent specification required the porcelain paste to be prepared using unaker clay from the Carolinas and a lime‐alkali glass in varying proportions from 1:1 to 4:1, which when fired at temperatures now shown to range upwards of 1280°C vitrifies to form a refractory porcelain containing β‐wollastonite, the calcic plagioclase feldspar anorthite, diopside and mullite. The glaze used was similarly formulated but required lower levels of aluminous clay and a higher proportion of the glass flux to enable vitrification to occur at a lower melting temperature and therefore acting as an optical pyrometer. Crystallites of wollastonite, diopside and cassiterite were recorded in the glaze. Compositions of the blue, black, brown, gold, green, red and purple decorations applied as overglaze enamels have been determined. It is concluded that this porcelain group is attributed to Bow manufacture in East London c. 1744–1745.
Large‐area, high‐temperature stainless steel foil substrate for manufacturing low‐cost and flexible CMOS polysilicon TFTs
Authors: Ito Mao , Kamath Arvind
Published: January 2022

A large‐area stainless steel foil substrate which is compatible with high‐temperature (>800°C) processing was developed to support a hybrid printed and conventional process technology to fabricate polysilicon thin‐film transistors (TFTs). The purpose was to build a platform that could lead to low‐cost, roll‐to‐roll manufacturing of polysilicon TFTs. To fabricate a self‐aligned top‐gate TFT structure, a screen‐printed dopant process, which requires high‐temperature activation, was developed to substitute capital‐intensive ion implantation. For the pilot line process, a 300‐mm2 and 100‐μm‐thick stainless steel substrate made of an alloy with a low thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) was chosen. Then, the foil finishing process was optimized to achieve flatness and minimize surface roughness. A barrier and dielectric encapsulation were developed to prevent trace metal diffusion from the substrate into the active layers. The polysilicon TFTs were then evaluated with static and dynamic bending tests.
Recent trends on the implementation of reticular materials in column‐centered separations
Authors: Fikarova Katerina , Moore Edward , Nicolau Alma , Horstkotte Burkhard , Maya Fernando
Published: January 2022

Advances in the development of column‐based analytical separations are strongly linked to the development of novel materials. Stationary phases for chromatographic separation are usually based on silica and polymer materials. Nevertheless, recent advances have been made using porous crystalline reticular materials, such as metal‐organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks. However, the direct packing of these materials is often limited due to their small crystal size and nonspherical shape. In this review, recent strategies to incorporate porous crystalline materials as stationary phases for liquid‐phase separations are covered. Moreover, we discuss the potential future directions in their development and integration into suitable supports for analytical applications. Finally, we discuss the main challenges to be solved to take full advantage of these materials as stationary phases for analytical separations.
Lysine demethylase 5C epigenetically reduces transcription of ITIH1 that results in augmented progression of liver hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Qian Xu , Bao Zhong‐Ming , Yao Dan , Shi Yang
Published: January 2022

Lysine demethylase 5C (KDM5C) is a member of the KDM family of demethylases and has been reported as a cancer driver. This study aimed to probe the function of KDM5C in the development of liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) and the molecules of action. According to data from publicly accessible bioinformatic databases, KDM5C is highly expressed in LIHC and associated with poor patient prognosis. High expression of KDM5C was detected in acquired LIHC cell lines. Downregulation of KDM5C weakened proliferation, migration, invasiveness, and resistance to death of the LIHC cells in vitro, and it reduced growth of the xenograft tumors in nude mice. Inter‐alpha‐trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 1 (ITIH1) was predicted as a downstream gene negatively regulated by KDM5C. KDM5C‐regulated H3K4me1 modification at the promoter region of ITIH1, inducing its transcriptional inactivation. Further downregulation of ITIH1 in cancer cells blocked the functions of KDM5C silencing and restored the malignant behaviors of LIHC cells. The activity of the PI3K/AKT signaling was decreased following KDM5C downregulation but recovered upon ITIH1 silencing. In conclusion, this study suggested that KDM5C epigenetically reduces ITIH1 and activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to promote LIHC progression.
Glycopolymer Based LbL Multilayer Thin Films with Embedded Liposomes
Authors: Tang Jo Sing Julia , Smaczniak Aline Debrassi , Tepper Lucas , Rosencrantz Sophia , Aleksanyan Mina , Dähne Lars , Rosencrantz Ruben R.
Published: January 2022

Layer‐by‐layer (LbL) self‐assembly emerged as an efficient technique for fabricating coating systems for, e.g., drug delivery systems with great versatility and control. In this work, protecting group free and aqueous‐based syntheses of bioinspired glycopolymer electrolytes aredescribed. Thin films of the glycopolymers are fabricated by LbL self‐assembly and function as scaffolds for liposomes, which potentially can encapsulate active substances. The adsorbed mass, pH stability, and integrity of glycopolymer coatings as well as the embedded liposomes are investigated via whispering gallery mode (WGM) technology and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM‐D) monitoring , which enable label‐free characterization. Glycopolymer thin films, with and without liposomes, are stable in the physiological pH range. QCM‐D measurements verify the integrity of lipid vesicles. Thus, the fabrication of glycopolymer‐based surface coatings with embedded and intact liposomes is presented.
Macroporous Adhesive Nano‐Enabled Hydrogels Generated from Air‐in‐Water Emulsions
Authors: Xie Manshan , Zheng Zhiwen , Pu Shiheng , Jia Yong‐Guang , Wang Lin , Chen Yunhua
Published: January 2022

Developing nanocomposite hydrogel with multi‐functions including adjustable mechanical property, tissue‐adhesion, and blood coagulation property to accelerate wound healing is highly desirable in surgical application. Here a macroporous adhesive nano‐enabled hydrogel constructed from gelatin methacryloyl stabilized air‐in‐water emulsions incorporated with dopamine‐grafted‐gelatin (GelDA) and Laponite nanoclay is reported. The hydrogel exhibits interconnected macroporous structure. The physical/chemical cross‐linked network formed among the various components contributes to the good mechanical strength of hydrogel, which could be further regulated by adjusting the concentration of Laponite nanoclay. Furthermore, the nanocomposite macroporous hydrogel is endowed with self‐healing properties and tissue adhesion by the intermolecular hydrogen bonds, ionic interactions among Laponite nanoclay and polymers, as well as the catechol functional groups. The in vitro studies demonstrate that the macroporous hydrogel has good biocompatibility and could significantly reduce blood clotting time, which is expected to be applied for the rapid sealing and hemostasis of bleeding wounds.
Fabrication of PBAT/PPC Blend Nanocomposites with Low Conductivity Percolation and Balanced Mechanical and Barrier Properties via Incorporation of Partially Reductive GO
Authors: Li Huili , Hu Jinhuan , Liang Yong , Wang Haiting , Jiang Guo
Published: January 2022

Poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) nanocomposites with poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and graphene oxide (GO) are fabricated by melt blending. A dual‐continuous network structure is obtained via adding reactive compatibilizer and nanofillers, which not only dramatically reduce the conductivity percolation threshold of nanocomposites but also improve its mechanical properties. The compatibility of PBAT and PPC is improved owing to the partial thermally reduced GO (PrGO) with the residual oxygen‐containing functional groups on its surface. The epoxy groups of the reactive compatibilizer (Jc‐ADR) react with the terminal groups of polymers to increase the interfacial adhesion. The characterization analysis by morphology, rheology, mechanics, DMA, and conductivity indicates that the formation of the dual‐continuous network is attributed to the synergistic effect of PrGO and Jc‐ADR. Furthermore, a remarkable enhancement in barrier properties is obtained with the addition of PrGO. Compared with PBAT/PPC blends, the water vapor permeability (WVP) decreases by nearly 1 order of magnitude after adding 1.0 wt% PrGO. This will offer a possibility for the development application of PBAT and PPC in a barrier and antistatic packaging field.
Chemical Fuel Mediated Self‐Regulatory Polymer Brushes for Autonomous Fluorescence Modulator and Wettability Switcher
Authors: Li Mengyuan , Ma Ziwen , Pan Chunyu , Zhang Xiaoye , Zhang Wenke , Yang Bai , Li Yunfeng
Published: January 2022

Synthetic systems of nonequilibrium self‐assembly have made considerable progress; however, the achievement of innovative materials with self‐regulated functions analogous to living systems remains a grand challenge. Herein, a versatile nonequilibrium system of polymer brushes with spatiotemporally programmable properties and functions driven by chemical fuels is reported. By combining a responsive polymer with an autonomous pH regulator, the polymer brushes self‐regulate their swelling and deswelling process with tunable lifetimes. By using patterned copolymer brushes with pH‐responsive fluorescence moiety, an autonomous fluorescence modulator is created that self‐regulates its fluorescence in spatiotemporally programmable fashion driven by a chemical or an enzymatic reaction. Furthermore, a self‐regulated wettability switcher of polymer brushes both in air and in an aqueous solution is implemented. The methodology and results in the work provide a useful avenue into the exploration of nonequilibrium synthetic materials with programmable functions and would accelerate the transformative developments of nonequilibrium materials and systems in practical applications.
Impact of goodwill on capital structure and the moderating role of investors' education
Authors: Thakur Oli Ahad , Noordin Bany‐Ariffin Amin , Matemilola Bolaji Tunde , Alam Md. Kausar , Setiawan Doddy
Published: January 2022

This paper investigates the impact of goodwill on capital structure and how investors' education affects the relationship between goodwill and capital structure in developing and developed countries. This study covers both developing and developed countries using a sample of 4912 and 4303 non‐financial companies from 23 developing and 9 developed countries, respectively, over 9 years (2010–2018). By applying panel data techniques, study shows that goodwill has a significant positive impact on the capital structure of developing and developed countries. Besides, investors' education moderates the relationship between goodwill and capital structure, especially in developed countries. Managers of the goodwill assets‐based companies in developing and developed countries can formulate their borrowing policy in the same fashion as the managers of a tangible asset‐based company do. Outcomes of this study will help investors/creditors in those countries to develop a clear view of the collateralization of goodwill. Policymakers in the developed countries will have a better idea about the role of investors' education in the financing of the companies.
Plasma Metabolites Associated with a Protein‐Rich Dietary Pattern: Results from the OmniHeart Trial
Authors: Kim Hyunju , Lichtenstein Alice H. , White Karen , Wong Kari E. , Miller Edgar R. , Coresh Josef , Appel Lawrence J. , Rebholz Casey M.
Published: January 2022

Scope

Lack of biomarkers is a challenge for the accurate assessment of protein intake and interpretation of observational study data. The study aims to identify biomarkers of a protein‐rich dietary pattern.

Methods and Results

The Optimal Macronutrient Intake Trial to Prevent Heart Disease (OmniHeart) trial is a randomized cross‐over feeding study which tested three dietary patterns with varied macronutrient content (carbohydrate‐rich; protein‐rich with about half from plant sources; and unsaturated fat‐rich). In 156 adults, differences in log‐transformed plasma metabolite levels at the end of the protein‐ and carbohydrate‐rich diet periods using paired t‐tests is examined. Partial least‐squares discriminant analysis is used to identify a set of metabolites which are influential in discriminating between the protein‐rich versus carbohydrate‐rich dietary patterns. Of 839 known metabolites, 102 metabolites differ significantly between the protein‐rich and the carbohydrate‐rich dietary patterns after Bonferroni correction, the majority of which are lipids (n = 35), amino acids (n = 27), and xenobiotics (n = 24). Metabolites which are the most influential in discriminating between the protein‐rich and the carbohydrate‐rich dietary patterns represent plant protein intake, food or beverage intake, and preparation methods.

Conclusions

The study identifies many plasma metabolites associated with the protein‐rich dietary pattern. If replicated, these metabolites may be used to assess level of adherence to a similar dietary pattern.
Real‐time radial tagging for quantification of left ventricular torsion
Authors: Mohammadi Elham , Nasiraei‐Moghaddam Abbas , Uecker Martin
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To develop a real‐time radial tagging MRI for accurate measurement of rotational motion and twist of the left ventricle (LV).

Methods

A FLASH‐based radial tagging sequence with an undersampled radial reading scheme was developed for both single and double‐slice imaging in real‐time. The Polar Fourier Transform was used for reconstruction to push the undersampling artifacts out of a reduced FOV. The developed technique was used to image five normal subjects during rest, plus one during both exercise and rest conditions. LV rotational motions were estimated for five consecutive cardiac cycles in all cases. The process was validated using a numerical phantom. The real‐time measurement of global rotational motion was compared with those measured from a non‐real‐time exam using linear regression analysis and the Bland‐Altman plot.

Results

The real‐time acquisition was performed successfully with a temporal resolution of 46.2 ms. Image quality was sufficient for the reproducible calculation of rotation at rest and exercise. The feasibility of double‐slice acquisition on human was further studied and a real‐time twist of the left ventricle was demonstrated. The difference between LV global rotations from real‐time and non‐real‐time approaches was 0.27 degrees. A significant reverse recoiling, induced by exercise, was reproducibly measured by the technique.

Conclusion

A real‐time radial tagging MRI technique was developed based on the undersampled radial acquisition and Polar Fourier Transform reconstruction, for accurate measuring of the heart rotational motion and twist. The technique was able to extract a meaningful change of diastolic recoiling under stress test conditions during physical activities (cycling).
Prepregnancy weight change associated with high gestational weight gain
Authors: Catov Janet M. , Sun Baiyang , Lewis Cora E. , Bertolet Marnie , Gunderson Erica P.
Published: January 2022

Objective

Gestational weight gain (GWG) above recommendations is a risk factor for adverse maternal, perinatal, and long‐term outcomes. This study hypothesized that prepregnancy weight gain may portend excess GWG.

Methods

Among 1,126 women (51% of whom were of Black race) in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study with post‐baseline births, the prepregnancy annual rate of BMI change per woman was estimated (slope; 5 years before pregnancy) and was related to the risk of GWG above Institute of Medicine recommendations using mixed‐effects models (binary) and GWG z score (continuous), adjusting for confounders, and stratified by prepregnancy overweight/obesity status.

Results

A total of 626 women (56%) had excess GWG. Each standard deviation increase in prepregnancy BMI (0.16 kg/m2 per year) was associated with an 18% increased risk of excess GWG (95% CI: 1.13‐1.23), adjusted for covariates. Stratified results showed an association for women without overweight or obesity (adjusted relative risk = 1.71 [95% CI: 1.38‐2.13]) but not among those with overweight or obesity (adjusted relative risk = 0.98 [95% CI: 0.91‐1.05]). When evaluated as a z score, prepregnancy weight gain was associated with higher GWG among women with and without overweight or obesity (mean = 0.24 [0.10] and 0.28 [0.12] z score, respectively).

Conclusions

Weight gain before pregnancy is associated with higher GWG during pregnancy. Assessment of prepregnancy weight changes may identify those at risk for high GWG.