bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time Series Analysis of Road Traffic Accidents in Ghana
Authors: Twenefour Frank B. K. , Ayitey Emmanuel , Kangah Justice , Brew Lewis
Published: March 2021

This study uses Time Series models to predict the annual traffic accidents in Ghana. The traffic accidents data spanning from January 1990 to December 2019 was used. The Box-Jenkins model building strategy was used. The Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test showed that the accident data was stationary. Three ARMA models were suggested based on the ACF and PACF plots of the differenced series, these were ARMA (0,0), ARIMA (1,0), and ARMA (2,0). The model with the smallest corrected Akaike Information Criteria (AICs) and Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC) was chosen as the best model. The Ljung-Box statistics among others were used in assessing the quality of the model. ARMA (1,0) was the best model for the Ghana annual Traffic Accident data. The results showed that, from January to July, it would be difficult to make accurate estimates of the number of road incidents for the years leading up to 2020. This was due to the fact that the white noise process values were statistically independent at various times.
Survey on Rice Blast and Morphological Characterization of Magnaporthe oryzae oryzae
Authors: Nazifa Z. , Aminuzzaman F. M. , Akhter K. , Rehena M. K. , Laila L.
Published: March 2021

Aims: To survey and study morphological characterization of rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae oryzae (MoO) that has become a major factor limiting rice yield throughout the world.

Study Design: Complete Randomized Design (CRD).

Place and Duration of Study: Mycology Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka from June 2018 to December 2019.

Methodology: A survey was done in three northern districts of Bangladesh namely Gaibandha (Gobindogonj and Mohimagonj), Dinajpur (Birampur) and Bogura (Dupchanchia), disease incidence and severity was recorded and samples were collected. Five different media including Water Agar (WA), Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), Potato Sucrose Agar (PSA), Rice flour Yeast Agar (RfYA) and Oat Meal Agar (OMA) were used to culture MoO. Colony characters like growth character, color, surface structure and shape of 28 MoO isolates were recorded in PDA.

Results: Among the three surveyed districts, the highest incidence (84.26%) of blast was recorded from Gobindogonj with a severity score of 7. The highest severity score 9.00 (65%) of blast was recorded in Mohimagonj where blast incidence was only 29.12%. Among the five different growth media highest mycelia growth was observed in Oat Meal Agar (20 mm) and lowest in Water Agar (10mm) at 7 DAI. Colony color of all the isolates was whitish grey to blackish with sufficient growth and the average colony diameter was 50 mm.

Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate that there is a certain level of morphological diversity such as mycelial growth rate and colony characters like color, surface structure and shape exists among isolates of MoO.
Cancer‐associated fibroblast migration in non‐small cell lung cancers is modulated by increased integrin α11 expression
Authors: Iwai Moe , Tulafu Miniwan , Togo Shinsaku , Kawaji Hideya , Kadoya Kotaro , Namba Yukiko , Jin Jin , Watanabe Junko , Okabe Takahiro , Hidayat Moulid , Sumiyoshi Issei , Itoh Masayoshi , Koyama Yu , Ito Yasuhiko , Orimo Akira , Takamochi Kazuya , Oh Shiaki , Suzuki Kenji , Hayashizaki Yoshihide , Yoshida Koji , Takahashi Kazuhisa
Published: March 2021

Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) regulate cancer progression through the modulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and cancer cell adhesion. While undergoing a series of phenotypic changes, CAFs control cancer–stroma interactions through integrin receptor signaling. Here, we isolated CAFs from patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and examined their gene expression profiles. We identified collagen type XI α1 (COL11A1), integrin α11 (ITGA11), and the ITGA11 major ligand collagen type I α1 (COL1A1) among the 390 genes that were significantly enriched in NSCLC‐associated CAFs. Increased ITGA11 expression in cancer stroma was correlated with a poor clinical outcome in patients with NSCLC. Increased expression of fibronectin and collagen type I induced ITGA11 expression in CAFs. The cellular migration of CAFs toward collagen type I and fibronectin was promoted via ERK1/2 signaling, independently of the fibronectin receptor integrin α5β1. Additionally, ERK1/2 signaling induced ITGA11 and COL11A1 expression in cancer stroma. We, therefore, propose that targeting ITGA11 and COL11A1 expressing CAFs to block cancer–stroma interactions may serve as a novel, promising anti‐tumor strategy.
Novel Co‐Doped Y2GeO5:Pr3+,Tb3+: Deep Trap Level Formation and Analog Binary Optical Storage with Submicron Information Points
Authors: Deng Mingxue , Liu Qian , Zhang Ying , Wang Caiyan , Guo Xinjun , Zhou Zhenzhen , Xu Xiaoke
Published: March 2021

Optical information storage (OIS) is considered as one of the most promising data storage methods due to unique advantages of high security, long life, and low‐energy consumption. Combination of optically stimulated luminescence of electron‐trapping materials (ETMs) and advanced optical technology has been proved to be a feasible approach to break through physical limitations of traditional storage technology. However, inorganic ETMs are limited to laboratory research, and have not realized the submicron recording point of “microscopic” analog optical storage so far. In this work, an exemplary application of OIS employing inorganic ETMs by a custom‐built optical system has been realized for the first time. Multidimensional triple traps are tailored through co‐doping of selective rare‐earth ions Tb3+ into Pr3+‐activated Y2GeO5. Furthermore, first principles calculations, combined with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and low‐temperature electron spin resonance spectra, reveal the nature of trap levels. Remarkably, a {10 × 10} array of information points is automatically recorded in a bit‐by‐bit mode by a 515 nm femtosecond laser, then decoded by linear continuous scanning, and the emission spectrum between each two information points is detected to realize “0” and “1” in binary information. Hopefully, the present work can push forward practical application of inorganic ETMs in high‐density and super‐speed OIS.
Controlled Alloying of Au@Ag Core–Shell Nanorods Induced by Femtosecond Laser Irradiation
Authors: González‐Rubio Guillermo , Díaz‐Núñez Pablo , Albrecht Wiebke , Manzaneda‐González Vanesa , Bañares Luis , Rivera Antonio , Liz‐Marzán Luis M. , Peña‐Rodríguez Ovidio , Bals Sara , Guerrero‐Martínez Andrés
Published: March 2021

Bimetallic nanoparticles display unique physical and chemical properties, including improved chemical stability, enhanced optical properties, or higher catalytic activity. Here, a synthetic methodology is described to obtain bimetallic heterostructures and alloyed plasmonic nanocrystals through the irradiation of colloidal Au@Ag core–shell nanorods (Au@Ag NRs) with femtosecond laser pulses. Depending on the energy deposited on the Au@Ag NRs, different morphologies and degrees of alloying are obtained, such as hot‐dog‐like and rice‐like (partially alloyed) NRs, as well as fully alloyed nanospheres. By using advanced electron microscopy techniques and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) tomography, both the morphology and the elemental distribution of the irradiated nanoparticles can be disclosed, and correlated to detailed investigations of their optical properties using electromagnetic simulations. The wide variety of bimetallic species provided by the proposed approach is a clear indication of the potential of combining synthetic colloidal methods with fs‐pulsed laser irradiation for the fabrication of unique multielemental nanoparticles. The resulting control over size and composition raises promising prospects for catalytic, plasmonic, and magnetic applications of multimetallic nanocrystals.
A‐Site Cation Engineering in 2D Ruddlesden–Popper (BA)2(MA1‐xAx)2Pb3I10 Perovskite Films
Authors: Ramos‐Terrón Susana , Verdugo‐Escamilla Cristóbal , Camacho Luis , de Miguel Gustavo
Published: March 2021

The partial incorporation of large organic cations into the octahedral sites of 3D perovskites has been widely investigated but few works have reported their addition in 2D Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) perovskites. Here, the gradual substitution of the methylammonium (MA) cation in thin films of 2D RP perovskites (BA)2(MA)2Pb3I10 (BA = n‐butylammonium) by guanidinium (Gua), dimethylammonium (DA), ethylammonium (EA), rubidium (Rb), propylammonium (PA), cesium (Cs) or formamidinium (FA) to synthesize mixed A‐cation (BA)2(MA1‐xAx)2Pb3I10 perovskites has been studied. The limit in the percentage of the A‐site cation at which it is homogeneously incorporated in all n phases without destabilizing the overall structure is determined. It is found that the structural changes in the 2D RP perovskites may lead to modifications of the optoelectronic properties as larger bandgap (EA), blue‐shift of the PL peak position (above the threshold), strong quenching of the PL (Cs) or reduced concentration of trap states (Gua and EA). Solar devices fabricated with the different mixed A‐cation 2D RP display an enhanced performance for those perovskites containing low percentages of Gua or EA cations. This characterization is very valuable to correlate the size and shape of the A‐cation with the changes of the properties of the material.
Triple‐State Invisible Photonic Crystal Pattern Encrypted in Hollow‐Silica/Polyurethane Film for Anticounterfeiting Applications
Authors: Zhang Xin , Fu Qianqian , Ge Jianping
Published: March 2021

An invisible photonic crystal (PC) pattern encrypted at the dry state and decrypted by solvent is a new anticounterfeiting material system, but its diversity and complexity in response are still required to be increased to enhance the anticounterfeiting effect. Herein, a triple‐state invisible pattern encrypted in hollow‐silica/polyurethane (h‐SiO2/PU) film with two decryption mechanisms is developed based on the asymmetric solvent response of h‐SiO2/PU with different SiO2 shell thicknesses. The pattern is printed via etching SiO2 shell in the designed region, which creates an etched “pattern” containing thin‐shell h‐SiO2 particles and an unetched “background” containing thick‐shell particles. Different from the traditional invisible PC patterns, the current system possesses triple states, including a “dry” invisible state composed of two close inverse opal structures, a “wet” invisible state composed of inverse opals filled with water, and an ethanol‐soaking visible state due to the prevention of solvent diffusion by the thicker shell. The invisible patterns are reversibly and randomly switched among these three states, which suggest that they are decrypted from the dry invisible state through selective solvent infiltration or from the wet invisible state through selective extraction. Such increased diversity and complexity make this invisible PC pattern ideal material for anticounterfeiting applications.
Delignified Wood from Understanding the Hierarchically Aligned Cellulosic Structures to Creating Novel Functional Materials: A Review
Authors: Kumar Anuj , Jyske Tuula , Petrič Marko
Published: March 2021

Utilization of hierarchically aligned natural cellulosic structures has become a leading natural template scaffold for a diverse range of functional applications. This natural scaffold derived from wood by partial or full removal of lignin without altering or disturbing the hierarchically aligned cellulosic structure is known as delignified wood (DW). Over the past five years, various types of functional materials for diverse applications have been fabricated using DW. This review aims to highlight the significance of DW in functional material development by discussing the delignification impacts on the wood cell wall properties and review the different strategies used in functional materials fabrication. The first part of this review discusses the fundamental aspects of wood cell wall structure in relation to wood chemistry and lignin biosynthesis. The second part focuses on the different delignification methods used in partial and full lignin removal from wood cell walls and the fundamental properties (i.e., physical, mechanical, and chemical) of DW. The third part of this review discusses the strategies and the detailed current literature regarding the development of diverse functional materials based on DW. A greater understanding of DW provides the potential for further development of DW‐based functional materials for a diverse range of future applications.
Thermodynamic Relations at the Coupling Boundary in Adaptive Resolution Simulations for Open Systems
Authors: Gholami Abbas , Höfling Felix , Klein Rupert , Delle Site Luigi
Published: March 2021

The adaptive resolution simulation (AdResS) technique couples regions with different molecular resolutions and allows the exchange of molecules between different regions in an adaptive fashion. The latest development of the technique allows to abruptly couple the atomistically resolved region with a region of non‐interacting point‐like particles. The abrupt set‐up is derived having in mind the idea of the atomistically resolved region as an open system embedded in a large reservoir at a given macroscopic state. In this work, starting from the idea of open systems, the authors derive thermodynamic relations for AdResS which justify conceptually and numerically the claim of AdResS as a technique for simulating open systems. In particular, the relation between the chemical potential of the AdResS set‐up and that of its reference fully atomistic simulation is derived. The implication of this result is that the grand potential of AdResS can be explicitly written and thus, from a statistical mechanics point of view, the atomistically resolved region of AdResS can be identified with a well‐defined open system.
Electrochemical Compatibility of Solid‐State Electrolytes with Cathodes and Anodes for All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries: A Review
Authors: Chen Xiao , Xie Jian , Zhao Xinbing , Zhu Tiejun
Published: March 2021

All‐solid‐state lithium‐metal batteries (ASSLMBs) are considered promising next‐generation energy‐storage devices for their high safety, high energy density, and long cycle life, where solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) play an essential role in adapting a lithium metal anode to a high‐capacity cathode. However, there are still many obstacles to overcome for SSEs, including the narrow electrochemical window with an oxide cathode and a Li anode, low ionic conductivity, and poor interfacial mechanical property. Herein, the critical issues of electrochemical compatibility between some key SSEs and their adaptive electrode materials are focused on. The adaptation of different SSEs to electrode materials is summarized, recent methods for improving the electrochemical compatibility of SSE/electrode interfaces are highlighted, and the perspective for future development of SSEs is discussed.
Mass Transport Behaviors in Graphene and Polyaniline Heterostructure–Based Microsupercapacitors
Authors: Chen Cheng , Huang Jiaqian , Mishukova Viktoriia , Jiang Kaiyue , Ye Xuanzi , Lu Chenbao , Chen Zhenying , Ke Changchun , Su Yuezeng , Li Jiantong , Zhuang Xiaodong
Published: March 2021

The development of miniaturized energy storage components with high areal performance for emerging electronics depends on scalable fabrication techniques for thick electrodes and an in‐depth understanding of the intrinsic properties of materials. Based on the coprecipitation behavior of electrically exfoliated graphene and reduced graphene oxide–templated polyaniline (PANi) nanoflake, this work develops a simple, green, low‐cost, and scalable drop‐casted technique to easily fabricate uniform thick electrodes (up to 80 μm) on various substrates. Through using a direct laser writing process, planar microsupercapacitors can be readily attained. As‐fabricated flexible all‐solid‐state microsupercapacitors exhibit an ultrahigh areal capacitance of 172 mF cm−2 at 0.1 A cm−2 and excellent cycling stability of 91% capacitance retention over 2000 cycles at a high current density of 1.0 A cm−2. Furthermore, based on the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance research result, the pseudocapacitance contribution is mostly provided by the adsorption/desorption of SO42− anions during the protonation process of PANi. This work offers a simple strategy toward superior‐performance micro‐sized energy devices and a new perspective to understand the origin of the capacitance of composites and heterostructures.
Aicardi‐Goutières syndrome may present with positive newborn screen for X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy
Authors: Tise Christina G. , Morales Jose Andres , Lee Ariel S. , Velez‐Bartolomei Frances , Floyd Brendan J. , Levy Rebecca J. , Cusmano‐Ozog Kristina P. , Feigenbaum Annette S. , Ruzhnikov Maura R. Z. , Lee Chung U. , Enns Gregory M.
Published: March 2021

We report three unrelated probands, two male and one female, diagnosed with Aicardi‐Goutières syndrome (AGS) after screening positive on California newborn screening (CA NBS) for X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X‐ALD) due to elevated C26:0 lysophosphatidylcholine (C26:0‐LPC). Follow‐up evaluation was notable for elevated C26:0, C26:1, and C26:0/C22:0 ratio, and normal red blood cell plasmalogens levels in all three probands. Diagnoses were confirmed by molecular sequencing prior to 12 months of age after clinical evaluation was inconsistent with X‐ALD or suggestive of AGS. For at least one proband, the early diagnosis of AGS enabled candidacy for enrollment into a therapeutic clinical trial. This report demonstrates the importance of including AGS on the differential diagnosis for individuals who screen positive for X‐ALD, particularly infants with abnormal neurological features, as this age of onset would be highly unusual for X‐ALD. While AGS is not included on the Recommended Universal Screening Panel, affected individuals can be identified early through state NBS programs so long as providers are aware of a broader differential that includes AGS. This report is timely, as state NBS algorithms for X‐ALD are actively being established, implemented, and refined.
Exploring the personal, programmatic and market barriers to choice in the NDIS for people with psychosocial disability
Authors: Wilson Erin , Campain Robert , Pollock Sarah , Brophy Lisa , Stratford Anthony
Published: March 2021

The aim of this paper is to inform the design of individualised funding schemes via an examination of discourses and experiences of choice related to people with psychosocial disability. Mind Australia, in partnership with Deakin University, interviewed 22 individuals with psychosocial disability who are recipients of individual funding packages in three National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) trial sites across Australia. This research involved examining the policy and assumptions of choice under the NDIS, as well as the experience of undertaking choice through individualised funding arrangements which position people with psychosocial disability as consumers in a market place of service provision. The findings demonstrate that choice is an ongoing activity and that at every stage personal, programmatic and market barriers impact individuals’ capacity to maximise choice. The intent of government policy to provide choice to individual funding recipients based on an optimally functioning market place with empowered self‐actualising individuals collides with a complex reality where barriers abound at every stage of the choice making process. Enhancing choice making of people with psychosocial disability within the NDIS requires governments and services to explicitly address the personal, programmatic and market‐based barriers to choice.
Solvent extraction process design using deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Plathottam Siby Jose , Richey Blake , Curry Gregory , Cresko Joe , Iloeje Chukwunwike O.
Published: March 2021

Many chemical manufacturing and separations processes like solvent extraction comprise hierarchically complex configurations of functional process units. With increasing complexity, strategies that rely on heuristics become less reliable for design optimization. In this study, we explore deep reinforcement learning for mapping the space of feasible designs to find an optimization strategy that can match or exceed the performance of conventional optimization. To this end, we implement a highly configurable learning environment for the solvent design process to which we can couple state‐of‐the‐art deep reinforcement learning agents. We evaluate the trained agents against the heuristic optimization for the solvent process design tasked to optimize recovery efficiency and product purity. Results demonstrated the agent successfully learned the strategy for predicting comparably optimal solvent extraction process designs for varying combinations of feed compositions.
Citric acid modified waste cigarette filters for adsorptive removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution
Authors: Tehrim Aafia , Dai Min , Wu Xiange , Umair Malik Muhammad , Ali Imran , Amjed Muhammad Ahsan , Rong Rong , Javaid Sheikh Fahad , Peng Changsheng
Published: March 2021

Waste cigarette filters (CFs) were recycled and modified with a nontoxic and low‐cost citric acid (CA). The modified CFs were employed in the adsorptive removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous medium. The influence of pH, contact time, initial dye concentration, and adsorbent dose on adsorption of MB dye was evaluated. The adsorption studies were conducted by employing linear and nonlinear Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The adsorption capacity of CF obtained through linear and nonlinear Langmuir model were 88.02 and 94 mg g−1, which improved up to 163.93 and 168.81 mg g−1, respectively, after the introduction of functional groups in CF‐CA. The adsorption kinetics data were well fitted by pseudo‐second order kinetics with coefficient of regression (R2) closed to unity. The removal efficiency of CF‐CA was 97% at equilibrium time of 4 h. Desorption studies indicated that CF‐CA could be regenerated by using HCl (0.1 M) and desorption efficiency was up to 82% upon second cycle of reusability experiment. This study proposed a green and economical use of recycled CFs in dyes wastewater treatment, simultaneously reducing the negative environmental impact due to their improper disposal.
Negotiating tensions between the high‐performing and socially just college: A consideration of the discursive construction of youth in English college governing boards
Authors: Pennacchia Jodie , Bathmaker Ann‐Marie
Published: March 2021

The English further education (FE) sector caters for young learners who are regularly defined as at risk due to a range of economic and social challenges, as transitions from youth to adulthood become more protracted, and inequalities amongst young people and between generations persist and deepen. At a time when policy places increasing responsibilities on governors and leaders to balance college performance and cost‐effectiveness against FE’s long‐standing social justice mission, this article analyses how this tension plays out through the discursive construction of young learners by two English college governing boards. We use a critical discourse analysis approach to connect how young learners are ‘talked into being’ through the micro‐level processes of governing within the wider context in which college governing operates. We argue that, despite a wider drive for governors to interact with learners, their understanding of learners is dominated by data, through which young learners in particular are constituted as a risk rather than at risk. We explore the discursive constructions of young learners that ensue in this data‐dominated context, and the social practices governing boards use to manage the risks posed by young learners. We highlight the different positionings of governors and college senior managers within these constitutive practices, arguing that the ways young learners are discursively constructed is revealing of a central tension in college governing practices—that between the high‐performing and the socially just college.
Diagnostic value of high‐risk human papillomavirus viral load on cervical lesion assessment and ASCUS triage
Authors: Wang Min , Hou Bo , Wang Xianzhen , Han Lu , Shi Yulin , Zhang Yi , Zhang Lili , Liu Lili , Jin Fen , Zhang Yi
Published: March 2021

This study aims to evaluate HR‐HPV viral load in the cervical lesion assessment and its diagnostic value on the triage of ASCUS. The three‐step protocol for cervical cancer screening was carried out in 5171 patients from June 2017 to August 2019, and 1620 histopathological results were obtained. The positive rate of HR‐HPV and TCT increased with the aggravation of pathological grades of cervical lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of HR‐HPV (DH3) to detect CIN II+ were 91.91% and 84.46%, respectively. In comparison, the corresponding results of the cytology test were 80.51% and 83.12%. HPV16/18 viral load was positively correlated with the grade of cervical lesions (p < 0.001, r = 0.321). The diagnostic efficiency of AUC by applying HPV16/18 viral load was 0.682 for the diagnosis of CIN II+. The optimal HPV16/18 viral load for predicting CIN II+ was 6.80 RLU/CO (relative light units/cut‐off), with corresponding sensitivity of 48.6%, specificity of 79.7%, and Youden index of 0.283. In the ASCUS population, viral loads were statistically different in HPV16/18 and the other 12 HR‐HPV when compared cervicitis group with CIN I group and CIN II+ group (all p < 0.05). Statistical differences were detected concerning HPV16/18 viral load, contact bleeding status, and smoking status when compared cervicitis group with CIN I group and CIN II+ group (p < 0.05), with a corresponding odds ratio of 1.004, 1.533, and 5.513, respectively. Our findings suggest that HR‐HPV viral load can be regarded as a useful tool to predict the grade of cervical lesions for ASCUS triage.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03178136.
Micro‐morphological feature visualization, auto‐classification, and evolution quantitative analysis of tumors by using SR‐PCT
Authors: Wei Gong‐Xiang , Liu Yun‐Yan , Ji Xue‐Wen , Li Qiao‐Xin , Xing Yan , Xue Yan‐Ling , Liu Hui‐Qiang
Published: March 2021

Tissue micro‐morphological abnormalities and interrelated quantitative data can provide immediate evidences for tumorigenesis and metastasis in microenvironment. However, the multiscale three‐dimensional nondestructive pathological visualization, measurement, and quantitative analysis are still a challenging for the medical imaging and diagnosis. In this work, we employed the synchrotron‐based X‐ray phase‐contrast tomography (SR‐PCT) combined with phase‐and‐attenuation duality phase retrieval to reconstruct and extract the volumetric inner‐structural characteristics of tumors in digesting system, helpful for tumor typing and statistic calculation of different tumor specimens. On the basis of the feature set including eight types of tumor micro‐lesions presented by our SR‐PCT reconstruction with high density resolution, the AlexNet‐based deep convolutional neural network model was trained and obtained the 94.21% of average accuracy of auto‐classification for the eight types of tumors in digesting system. The micro‐pathomophological relationship of liver tumor angiogenesis and progression were revealed by quantitatively analyzing the microscopic changes of texture and grayscale features screened by a machine learning method of area under curve and principal component analysis. The results showed the specific path and clinical manifestations of tumor evolution and indicated that these progressions of tumor lesions rely on its inflammation microenvironment. Hence, this high phase‐contrast 3D pathological characteristics and automatic analysis methods exhibited excellent recognizable and classifiable for micro tumor lesions.
4,21‐Secovincanol, a Novel Immunosuppressive Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloid from Kopsia Hainanensis
Authors: Liu Lu , He Ting , Liu Ya‐Ping , Cao Jian‐Xin , Cheng Gui‐Guang
Published: March 2021

4,21‐Secovincanol (1), a novel C‐21/N‐4 cleavage monoterpenoid indole alkaloid, along with four analogs (2–5), were obtained from the aerial parts of Kopsia hainanensis. Structurally, compound 1 might be a derivative of epivincanol (2) via C‐21/N‐4 cleavage. Their structures were confirmed by means of comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with the reported data. All isolates significantly inhibited Con A‐stimulated mice splenocytes proliferation at 10–40 μM in a dose‐dependent manner in vitro. Especially, compound 3 exhibited potent activities comparable to positive control (Dexamethasone, DXM).
Predicting mortality in cardiogenic shock secondary to ACS requiring short‐term mechanical circulatory support: The ACS‐MCS score
Authors: Marashly Qussay , Taleb Iosif , Kyriakopoulos Christos P. , Dranow Elizabeth , Jones Tara L. , Tandar Anwar , Overton Sean D. , Tonna Joseph E. , Stoddard Kathleen , Wever‐Pinzon Omar , Kemeyou Line , Koliopoulou Antigone G. , Shah Kevin S. , Nourian Kimiya , Richins Tyler J. , Burnham Tyson S. , Welt Frederick G. , McKellar Stephen H. , Nativi‐Nicolau Jose , Drakos Stavros G.
Published: March 2021

Objective

To identify predictors of 30‐day all‐cause mortality for patients with cardiogenic shock secondary to acute coronary syndrome (ACS‐CS) who require short‐term mechanical circulatory support (ST‐MCS).

Background

ACS‐CS mortality is high. ST‐MCS is an attractive treatment option for hemodynamic support and stabilization of deteriorating patients. Mortality prediction modeling for ACS‐CS patients requiring ST‐MCS has not been well‐defined.

Methods

The Utah Cardiac Recovery (UCAR) Shock database was used to identify patients admitted with ACS‐CS requiring ST‐MCS devices between May 2008 and August 2018. Pre‐ST‐MCS clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, and angiographic data were collected. The primary endpoint was 30‐day all‐cause mortality. A weighted score comprising of pre‐ST‐MCS variables independently associated with 30‐day all‐cause mortality was derived and internally validated.

Results

A total of 159 patients (mean age, 61 years; 78% male) were included. Thirty‐day all‐cause mortality was 49%. Multivariable analysis resulted in four independent predictors of 30‐day all‐cause mortality: age, lactate, SCAI CS classification, and acute kidney injury. The model had good calibration and discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve 0.80). A predictive score (ranging 0–4) comprised of age ≥ 60 years, pre‐ST‐MCS lactate ≥2.5 mmol/L, AKI at time of ST‐MCS implementation, and SCAI CS stage E effectively risk stratified our patient population.

Conclusion

The ACS‐MCS score is a simple and practical predictive score to risk‐stratify CS secondary to ACS patients based on their mortality risk. Effective mortality risk assessment for ACS‐CS patients could have implications on patient selection for available therapeutic strategy options.
Glass‐rigid foam composite for innovative concrete sandwich elements
Authors: Weimar Thorsten , Hammer Christian , Leutbecher Torsten , Metje Kevin
Published: March 2021

In building envelopes, sandwich elements with facings made of glass currently require either adhesives or mechanical connectors. The avoidance of any connectors seems to be favorable in terms of resource and energy savings both in production and in building envelopes. The present studies are part of the development of a glass‐rigid foam‐concrete sandwich element without additional adhesives and mechanical connectors. This paper reports on the structural bond behavior between polyurethane rigid foam and float glass with different surfaces with or without applying a bonding agent. Tensile bond and shear tests show, that a sandblasted toughened glass surface results in cohesive failure of the insulation layer. The two production‐related surfaces of float glass are defined as atmosphere and tin side. Both surfaces offer an adhesive failure between the insulation layer and glass. Test specimens of glass and insulation layer without bonding agent show no significant differences between the atmosphere and the tin side. Overall, the test specimens with bonding agents achieve higher levels of adhesive tensile bond and shear strength. Light and electron microscopic studies of fractured surfaces show, that the bonding agent has a significant influence on the wetting and pore formation of the liquid polyurethane.
Die salzigen TUKcars kamen und siegten
Authors: Arweiler Justus , Bubel Martin , Eberweiser Simon , Weber Tanja , Schiller Patrick
Published: March 2021

Am 09.11.2020 fand der 15. ChemCar Wettbewerb des VDI im Rahmen des ProcessNet‐Jahrestreffens Prozess‐, Apparat‐, Anlagenbau (PAAT) statt. Der von den kreativen jungen Verfahrensingenieuren (kjVI) organisierte internationale Wettbewerb wurde 2020 trotz al
Silo‐Füllstände digitalisieren
Authors: Huber Stefan
Published: March 2021

Nanolike stellt eine neue Digitalisierungslösung für Silofüllstände für die Lebensmittel‐ und Getränkeindustrie vor. Ziel ist, deren Bestands‐ und Bestellmanagement‐Prozesse zu erleichtern sowie die Lieferprozesse der Roh‐ und Zusatzstoffhersteller und ‐H
Gelöst‐Sauerstoff messen
Authors: Schleicher Manfred
Published: March 2021

Die Sauerstoffkonzentration wird in den unterschiedlichsten Anwendungen gemessen. Die Beispiele reichen von Fischzuchtbetrieben bis zu Kläranlagen. Beide beispielhaften Anwendungen benötigen eine Mindestkonzentration an Sauerstoff. Die Erhöhung der Sauers
Klimafreundlich dicht
Authors: Wassenberg Michaela
Published: March 2021

Gefordert sind neue Technologien, die den Einsatz natürlicher Kältemittel ermöglichen. Dazu zählen insbesondere leistungsfähigere Dichtungsmaterialien, da das Kühlsystem mit natürlichen Kältemitteln deutlich höhere Drücke benötigt, während die Kältemittel
Maximale Härte
Authors: Hermes Christoph
Published: March 2021

Minimale Ausfallzeit und maximale Haltbarkeit: Industriemaschinen unterliegen immer höheren Anforderungen, die Hochleistungsmaterialien erfordern. Die Keramikwerkstoffe von CeramTec‐ETEC zum Schutz vor Verschleiß‐ und Korrosion bieten Unternehmen für eine
Interim analysis of sequential estimation‐adjusted urn models with sample size re‐estimation
Authors: Yu Jun , Lai Dejian
Published: March 2021

Clinical trials usually involve efficient and ethical objectives. Different adaptive designs have been proposed to satisfy these needs. We combine interim analysis, the sequential estimation‐adjusted urn model (SEU), and sample size re‐estimation (SSR) in one clinical trial. We show that the asymptotic distribution, under the null hypothesis, of the proposed sequential statistic follows Brownian motion by simultaneously addressing the three sequential procedures (allocation of patients, urn composition, and sequential parameter estimators) and the sequential statistics with revised information time due to SSR. Therefore, to control the type I error rate, traditional critical values for sequential monitoring based on Brownian motion can be used for the proposed procedure. Numerical studies with three types of urn models demonstrate that our proposed approach can control the type I error rate well and also achieve efficient and ethical objectives.
The impact of the globalization of cancer clinical trials on the enrollment of Black patients
Authors: Tharakan Serena , Zhong Xiaobo , Galsky Matthew D.
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

The enrollment of Black patients in cancer clinical trials continues to trend far below the true prevalence of disease in Black patients in the United States, limiting the generalizability of trial results. A potentially overlooked contributor to the underenrollment of Black patients may be the increasing enrollment of cancer trials in countries outside the United States. However, the impact of the globalization of cancer clinical trials on recruitment of racial minority patients has been understudied.

METHODS

In this study, race and accrual location data for all cancer drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2015 and 2018 were analyzed. A disparity score was calculated for each approval, a metric comparing Black enrollment in clinical trials with the estimated burden of disease in Black patients.

RESULTS

Of 49 global clinical trials supporting 35 FDA drug approvals with race data available, Black patients accounted for 2.5% of enrollment (range, 0%‐10%), with a median disparity score of 0.19 (range, 0.01‐0.98). In 21 clinical trials supporting 18 FDA drug approvals with both race and accrual location data available, 64% patients were enrolled outside the United States (range, 0%‐100%). Black patients accounted for 3.2% of enrollment (range, 0.2%‐10%), and the median disparity score was 0.23 (range, 0.01‐0.98). There was a significant inverse correlation between the proportion of trial patients enrolled outside the United States and the disparity score (Pearson correlation, –0.61; P = .007).

CONCLUSIONS

The globalization of cancer clinical trials is associated with a widening racial enrollment disparity gap in the United States. The impact of global trials on domestic clinical trial generalizability warrants further consideration from a regulatory and policy standpoint.

LAY SUMMARY

Black patients continue to be underrepresented in cancer clinical trials; this disparity has worsened in recent years perhaps because of the globalization of cancer clinical trials.

In an analysis of demographic information from 21 cancer clinical trials leading to US Food and Drug Administration approvals between 2015 and 2018, clinical trials conducted primarily outside the United States were 2‐fold less likely to enroll Black participants than US clinical trials.

Thus, the globalization of cancer clinical trials may have the unintended consequence of further exacerbating existing racial disparities in cancer clinical trial representation and ultimately the generalizability of trial results.
A novel security mechanism using AES cryptography approach in cloud computing
Authors: B Muthulakshmi , M Venkatesulu
Published: March 2021

For a smart cloud computing system, security and privacy are the required factors. In recent days, the evolvement of cloud technology is immense, according to which several cloud service providers (CSPs) evolved. Each CSP has its infrastructure with its security policies. Even though still the security in cloud computing is an existing challenge, it is more important to maintain the trustiness of cloud environment among the cloud users. On this motto, we propose a novel tailored—advanced encryption standard (AES) Cryptographic Algorithm (TCA). AES is one of the popular cryptography algorithms. We indulged in increasing the performance of this algorithm by minimizing the time taken for the cryptography process. Here, the cryptography is processed with AES algorithm. In order to improve the efficiency of AES, a concept of a chunk file system is introduced. The input file is chunked into multiple which facilitates quick and effective encryption. To prove the efficiency of our proposed system, a comparison work is carried out with the existing algorithms lightweight keyword searchable encryption (LFSE) and cloud key management system (CKMS). The comparison work is based on the aspect of time taken during key generation, encryption and decryption. The obtained result is plotted, and comparison output clearly states our TCA's excellence in the aspect of efficiency compared to others.
Surgical interventions for androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Lim Rachel K. , Wambier Carlos G. , Goren Andy
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of progressive hair loss, and current treatments are limited. Consequently, many patients seek nonmedical hair care, including herbal and dietary therapies as well as surgical procedures.

Methods

Relevant articles on surgical hair restoration procedures were retrieved through a selective search of PubMed.

Results

Sufficient donor hair supply is an important criterion for undergoing any type of hair restoration surgery. Men are more likely to be candidates for hair restoration surgery than women. One type of surgical intervention is scalp reduction, in which bald patches are excised and hair‐bearing portions of scalp are moved to cover the excision. In recent years, hair transplantation has eclipsed scalp reduction as the surgical hair restoration procedure of choice. The most popular techniques for obtaining donor hair for transplantation are strip harvesting and follicular unit extraction (FUE). FUE produces better aesthetic results, though hair grafts display higher survival rates in strip harvesting

Discussion

Hair transplantation remains a developing procedure, and no standard recommendations have been put forth yet. Nevertheless, it has become a successful strategy for treating hair loss and is expected to continue to make advances in years to come.
Embryonic staging of bats with special reference to Vespertilio sinensis and its cochlear development
Authors: Nojiri Taro , Fukui Dai , Werneburg Ingmar , Saitoh Takashi , Endo Hideki , Koyabu Daisuke
Published: March 2021

Background

How bats deviate heterochronically from other mammals remains largely unresolved, reflecting the lack of a quantitative staging framework allowing comparison among species. The standard event system (SES) is an embryonic staging system allowing quantitative detection of interspecific developmental variations. Here, the first SES‐based staging system for bats, using Asian parti‐colored bat (Vespertilio sinensis) is introduced. General aspects of normal embryonic development and the three‐dimensional development of the bat cochlea were described for the first time. Recoding the embryonic staging tables of 18 previously reported bat species and Mus musculus into the SES system, quantitative developmental comparisons were performed.

Results

It was found that limb bud development of V. sinensis is relatively late among 19 bat species and late limb development is a shared trait of vespertilionid bats. The inner ear cochlear canal forms before the semicircular canal in V. sinensis while the cochlear canal forms after the semicircular canal in non‐volant mammals.

Conclusions

The present approach using the SES system provides a powerful framework to detect the peculiarities of bat development. Incorporating the timing of gene expression patterns into the SES framework will further contribute to the understanding of the evolution of specialized features in bats.
Eutrophic status influences the impact of pesticide mixtures and predation on Daphnia pulex populations
Authors: Oliveira dos Anjos Talles Bruno , Polazzo Francesco , Arenas‐Sánchez Alba , Cherta Laura , Ascari Roberto , Migliorati Sonia , Vighi Marco , Rico Andreu
Published: March 2021

Pesticides, nutrients, and ecological stressors such as competition or predation co‐occur in freshwater ecosystems impacted by agriculture. The extent to which combinations of these stressors affect aquatic populations and the role of nutrients availability in modulating these responses requires further understanding. In this study, we assessed how pesticides affecting different taxonomic groups and predation influence the response of Daphnia pulex populations under different trophic conditions. An outdoor experiment was designed following a factorial design, with the insecticide chlorpyrifos, the herbicide diuron, and the predation by Notonecta sp. individuals as key stressors. The single impact of each of these stressors, and their binary and tertiary combinations, was evaluated on D. pulex abundance and population structure under mesotrophic and eutrophic conditions for 21 days. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models estimated by means of a novel Bayesian shrinkage technique. Our study shows a significant influence of each of the evaluated stressors on D. pulex abundance; however, the impacts of the herbicide and predation were lower under eutrophic conditions as compared to the mesotrophic ones. We found that binary stressor interactions were generally additive in the mesotrophic scenario, except for the herbicide–predation combination, which resulted in synergistic effects. The impacts of the binary stressor combinations in the eutrophic scenario were classified as antagonistic, except for the insecticide–herbicide combination, which was additive. The tertiary interaction resulted in significant effects on some sampling dates; however, these were rather antagonistic and resembled the most important binary stressor combination in each trophic scenario. Our study shows that the impact of pesticides on freshwater populations depends on the predation pressure, and demonstrates that the combined effect of pesticides and ecological stressors is influenced by the food availability and organism fitness related to the trophic status of freshwater ecosystems.
Declines in occurrence of plants characteristic for a nutrient‐poor meadow habitat are partly explained by their responses to nutrient addition and competition
Authors: Höckendorff Stefanie , Peintinger Markus , Fiedler Felicitas , Stift Marc , van Kleunen Mark
Published: March 2021

Species losses and local extinctions are alarmingly common, frequently as a consequence of habitat destruction. Nevertheless, many intact habitats also face species losses, most likely due to environmental changes. However, the exact drivers, and why they affect some species more than others in apparently intact habitats, are still poorly understood. Addressing these questions requires data on changes in occurrence frequency of many species, and comparisons of the responses of those species to experimental manipulations of the environment. Here, we use historic (1911) and contemporary (2017) data on the presence–absence of 42 plant species in 14 seemingly intactMoliniameadows around Lower Lake Constance to quantify changes in occurrence frequency. Then, we performed a common‐garden experiment to test whether occurrence frequencies in 1911 and changes therein by 2017 could be explained by responses of the 42 species to nutrient addition and competition with the acquisitive generalist grassPoa pratensis. Within the 14 still intactMoliniameadows, 36 of the 42 species had declined since 1911. As expected, nutrient addition generally led to increased biomass production of the 42 target species, and competition withP. pratensishad a negative effect. The latter was stronger at high nutrient availability. The more frequent species were in 1911 and the more they declined in frequency between 1911 and 2017, the less above‐ground biomass they produced in our experiment. Competition withP. pratensismagnified this effect. Our work highlights that environmental change can contribute to local extinction of species in otherwise intact habitat remnants. Specifically, we showed that increased nutrient availability negatively affected formerly widespreadMolinia‐meadow species in competition withP. pratensis. Our study thus identified a likely mechanism for the decline in occurrence frequency of species in the remainingMoliniameadows.