bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ideology and the stigma of schizophrenia: Applying the dual‐process motivational model in the French and Greek contexts
Authors: Lampropoulos Dimitrios , Chatzigianni Konstantina , Chryssochoou Xenia , Apostolidis Thémis
Published: January 2021

The authors have underlined the influence of issues of power and ideology on the stigma of schizophrenia. The dual‐process cognitive‐motivational model of ideology and prejudice has shown that for deviant and derogated groups, such as people with schizophrenia, both authoritarianism and social dominance orientation can predict prejudice. However, this model has not been tested in relation to the stigma of schizophrenia. In this paper, we apply the Dual Process Model to the study of stigmatizing attitudes, in two contexts where the model has not been tested before, France (N = 224), and Greece (N = 238). We tested the relation of the model's two pathways (dominance‐competitiveness and authoritarianism‐dangerousness) to stigmatizing attitudes, while making the hypothesis that both would be associated with the latter since people with schizophrenia are perceived as both derogate/subordinate and deviant/threatening. Our results show that the models adequately fit the data and partly confirm the pathways predicted by previous research. However, for the Greek sample, the dominance‐competitiveness component was not significantly associated with stigmatizing attitudes, suggesting that for this sample, people with schizophrenia are mainly stigmatized in terms of deviance/threat. Our results provide evidence for the DPM's application to the study of the stigma of schizophrenia in two contexts where the model has never been applied and underline the importance of ideological and socio‐cognitive factors for community interventions.
Research‐backed insights help support student‐athletes in challenging times
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: January 2021

There's no doubt that college student‐athletes have been facing ongoing challenges and need more support than ever to succeed. But do you know how you can help ensure they're receiving that needed support during these challenging times? To find out, Bill Carter, Founder of Student‐Athlete Insights, conducted research this past fall involving student‐athletes throughout the country and shared his findings during a webinar.
Interventional economics provide a roadmap to better patient care
Authors: Maestas Camila M. , Blankenship James C.
Published: January 2021

Key Points

Costs of percutaneous coronary intervention including the index procedure and care in the subsequent 30 days are increased by half for patients who are readmitted, and increased up to two‐fold for those who have major adverse events during the initial admission.

Many factors “predicting” adverse events and readmission are not modifiable. However, some are modifiable. Interventionalists should focus on those.

In addition to using strategies to avoid adverse events, interventionalists should lead teams to implement strategies to prevent readmission. This will require a new nonprocedural focus for interventionalists.
Clinical impact of calcified nodules in patients with heavily calcified lesions requiring rotational atherectomy
Authors: Krajcer Zvonimir , Costello Briana
Published: January 2021

Key Points

Coronary atherectomy has been around for many years, and the body of evidence for its use in complex calcified lesions has grown.

Calcific coronary disease presents a particularly challenging clinical scenario in PCI, having poorer outcomes than noncalcified lesions.

This study is the first to identify calcified nodules as an independent predictor of worse outcomes after atherectomy and PCI. Continued study of lesion characteristics will improve our understanding of PCI outcomes and help manage patients in the long‐term after PCI and stenting.
Everolimus eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds for infrapopliteal critical limb ischemia: Moving beyond grasping at metal straws
Authors: Winscott John G. , Hillegass William B.
Published: January 2021

Key Points

Consistent and durable patency and clinical benefit after initially successful infrapopliteal percutaneous balloon transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for critical limb ischemia remains an unmet need.

Permanently implanted metallic stents for suboptimal initial infrapopliteal PTA results also have limited patency and clinical results as well as other drawbacks.

In 48 critical limb ischemia patients with infrapopliteal lesions < 50 mm length, everolimus eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (EEBVS) achieved 90% primary patency and freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization at 2 years follow‐up with no late scaffold thrombosis.
Very severe aplastic anemia in an 80‐year‐old man
Authors: Kasinathan Ganesh , Lee Bee Sun , Sathar Jameela
Published: January 2021

Although the patient with very severe aplastic anemia might be a fit elderly receiving standard therapy, there are factors which contribute to an adverse outcome such as severity of pancytopenia, absence of minor paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria clone and infective complications of therapy.
Abscopal effect as part of treatment of oligometastatic head and neck cancer: A case report
Authors: Mazzaschi Giulia , Tommasi Chiara , Pietri Elisabetta , Corcione Luigi , De Giorgi Annamaria , Bini Paola , Bui Simona
Published: January 2021

A 66‐year‐old man with hypopharyngeal carcinoma with a single bone metastasis was treated with definitive chemo/radiotherapy omitting local treatment of the single bone lesion. He remained relapse‐free for 6 years. We have concluded that radiotherapy‐dependent abscopal effect might have allowed to avoid ablative treatment of metastatic site.
Plasma filtration with dialysis for the treatment of capillary leak syndrome occurring secondary to surgery for colon cancer‐related perforating peritonitis
Authors: Suzuki Ginga , Ichibayashi Ryo , Yamamoto Saki , Serizawa Hibiki , Nakamichi Yoshimi , Watanabe Masayuki , Honda Mitsuru
Published: January 2021

The use of plasma filtration with dialysis (PDF) may be considered when treating the acute phase of capillary leak syndrome (CLS). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report using PDF for CLS.
Hydrogenation of Secondary Amides using Phosphane Oxide and Frustrated Lewis Pair Catalysis
Authors: Köring Laura , Sitte Nikolai A. , Bursch Markus , Grimme Stefan , Paradies Jan
Published: January 2021

The metal‐free catalytic hydrogenation of secondary carboxylic acid amides is developed. The reduction is realized by two new catalytic reactions. First, the amide is converted into the imidoyl chloride by triphosgene (CO(OCCl3)2) using novel phosphorus(V) catalysts. Second, the in situ generated imidoyl chlorides are hydrogenated in high yields by an FLP‐catalyst. Mechanistic and quantum mechanical calculations support an autoinduced catalytic cycle for the hydrogenation with chloride acting as unusual Lewis base for FLP‐mediated H2‐activation.
Optimal conditions determination for hydrodeoxygenation of free fatty acids to obtain green diesel
Authors: Durán‐Pérez Fernando J. , Zamora Gregorio E. , Medina Mendoza Ana K. , González‐Brambila Margarita M. , Tapia Carlos , Colín‐Luna Jose A. , García Martínez Julio César
Published: January 2021

In this work, the production of green diesel involving the hydrodeoxygenation reaction of vegetable oil, such as oleic acid, producing CO or CO2 as byproducts, was studied. This reaction takes place under hydrogen saturation to produce stearic acid; subsequently, heptadecane is produced by the decarbonylation and decarboxylation pathways, while octadecane is obtained by the subsequent hydrodeoxygenation of octadecanal. In the formation of octadecane, water is obtained as a byproduct, while the production of heptadecane leads to CO and CO2 as byproducts of the decarbonylation and decarboxylation reactions. When considering the products and reaction routes in the hydrotreatment of triglycerides and free acids, a mathematical model was found to be reliable in determining the minimization of the Gibbs free energy of reaction over a range of reaction temperatures and pressures. This model followed the methods of Marrero‐Gani, Joback‐Reid, and Chen‐Dinivahi‐Jeng for the estimation of thermodynamic properties of the pure components. The fugacity was calculated by considering the partial fugacity coefficients, and the Peng‐Robinson equation of state and the van der Waals mixing rule were used. The mole fractions at equilibrium were estimated by least squares analysis, using MATLAB, in order to account for non‐idealities in reaction thermodynamic properties and to find the equilibrium composition that minimized the total Gibbs free energy. Likewise, the reaction coordinates of the equilibrium reaction were estimated together with the known values of the composition in order to know the effect of pressure and temperature on the aforementioned reactions.
Early life stress in the father can result in brain changes in neonate
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2021

Paternal stress during the early life of the father has an adverse effect on the brain development of a newborn, a small study conducted in Finland has found.
A K‐band high‐gain power amplifier with slow‐wave transmission‐line transformer in 130‐nm RF CMOS
Authors: Hou Haomin , He Jin , Pan Junren , Wang Hao , Chang Sheng , Huang Qijun , Zhu Yinxia
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a K‐band high‐gain Class‐A power amplifier (PA) with the two‐way combining approach in GSMC 130‐nm radio frequency (RF) complementary metal oxide semiconductor (RF CMOS). At the input, a slow‐wave transmission‐line transformer (S‐TLT) matching network is proposed for simultaneously realizing the impedance transformation and the single‐ended RF signal to differential conversion. Transmission‐line transformers (TLTs) are employed between the stages for coupling and inter‐stage matching. To improve the output power and efficiency, the placing and routing of the transistor layout are considered carefully for power stages to reduce the interconnecting and overlapping parasitics significantly. The PA has been fabricated and achieved good matching at 25 GHz, power gain of 17.8 dB, saturated output power of 14.9 dBm, output 1‐dB compression point of 12.4 dBm, and power added efficiency of 13.7% at a supply voltage of 1.5 V.
Targeting AGE‐RAGE signaling pathway by Saxagliptin prevents myocardial injury in isoproterenol challenged diabetic rats
Authors: Kumar Rajiv , Bhargava Poorva , Suchal Kapiil , Bhatia Jagriti , Arya Dharamvir Singh
Published: January 2021

The role of Saxagliptin in diabetes‐associated cardiovascular complications is controversial. This study aimed to investigate whether Saxagliptin could prevent Isoproterenol‐induced myocardial changes in diabetic rats and to identify the possible mechanism as well. The high‐fat diet/low‐dose Streptozotocin‐induced type 2 diabetic rats were divided into 3 groups: the control group (0.25% CMC for 28 days), the Isoproterenol group (85 mg/kg Isoproterenol for the last 2 days plus 0.25% CMC for 28 days), and the treatment group (10 mg/kg Saxagliptin for 28 days plus 85 mg/kg Isoproterenol for the last 2 days). Hemodynamic measurements were performed, and samples were examined for RAGE and NF‐κB expressions, histopathological and ultrastructural changes, AGEs level, myocardial injury markers, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Saxagliptin significantly recovered cardiac function (p < .001), reverted myocardial injury and oxidative stress levels back to the control value (p < .05 to p < .001). Saxagliptin alleviates Isoproterenol‐induced myocardial injury in diabetic rats by suppressing AGE‐RAGE pathway.
Should the Regulation of Research Misconduct Be Integrated with the Ethics Framework Promulgated in The Belmont Report?
Authors: Redman Barbara K. , Caplan Arthur L.
Published: January 2021

The federal research misconduct regulations finalized in 2005 did not incorporate important principles regarding human subjects protections articulated in The Belmont Report, yet research misconduct can involve harms to research subjects and to subsequent patients whose treatments are based on false research findings. Consistency with the Belmont principles would require assuring regular monitoring to detect research misconduct, tracing effects of research misconduct on trial participants and informing them of these effects, and assuring timely correction of published reports of research findings if research misconduct related to the study was subsequently discovered. Research misconduct has historically been viewed as a matter for the scientific community to manage; it is actually a threat to the welfare of human subjects and ethically ought to be treated as such.
The Impact of Ligand Oxidation State and Fold Angle on the Charge Transfer Processes of MoIVO‐Dithione Complexes
Authors: Dille Sara A. , Colston Kyle J. , Mogesa Benjamin , Cassell Joseph , Perera Eranda , Zeller Matthias , Basu Partha
Published: January 2021

We report a series of mononuclear monooxo Mo(IV) complexes possessing either one or two fully oxidized dithiolene ligands; [MoOCl(R2Dt0)2][X], (1 and 2), and MoO(p‐SC6H4Y)2(R2Dt0), (3 and 4), (R=Me, iPr; X=PF6, SbF6, BF4; Y=H, Cl, F, CF3, Me, tBu, OMe). Either four or two quasi‐reversible ligand‐based redox couples are detected depending upon the number of fully oxidized dithiolene ligands present. The molecular structure of 3 and 4 exhibit a large (47° to 70°) fold angle along the S⋅⋅⋅S vector of the dithione ligand. The UV‐Vis spectra of 3 and 4 exhibit a low energy charge transfer band at ∼540 nm that are red‐shifted ∼200 nm compared to the spectra of 1 and 2. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations show that the low energy charge transfer band of 3 and 4 is heavily influenced by ligand fold angle. Reducing the fold angle decreases the charge transfer energy, and the transition becomes more ligand‐based.
Recent Advances in Tris‐Primary Amine Based Organic Imine Cages and Related Amine Macrocycles
Authors: Gayen Krishnanka Shekhar , Das Titiksha , Chatterjee Nirbhik
Published: January 2021

Molecules bearing three primary amine groups are ubiquitous substances in various fields of synthetic chemistry. Some of them are commercially available and the rests are emerged from the designed protocols of synthetic chemists. It has been observed that such aliphatic as well as aromatic triamines are excellent precursors for the design and synthesis of various cage molecules of which organic imine cages (OICs) and related amine macrocycles belong to the category of special interest. These compounds possess unique architectures and already made their marks in the field of supramolecular chemistry, synthetic methodology, and material science. In this review we aimed to consider recent reports that highlighted the syntheses, special features, and applications of primary triamine based OICs and related amine macrocycles.
Photochemical Synthesis of Benzimidazoles from Diamines and Aldehydes
Authors: Skolia Elpida , Apostolopoulou Mary K. , Nikitas Nikolaos F. , Kokotos Christoforos G.
Published: January 2021

An efficient, green, cheap, and metal‐free photochemical protocol for the synthesis of benzimidazoles has been developed. 2,2‐Dimethoxy‐2‐phenylacetophenone was employed as the photoinitiator and CFL lamps were used as the light source, leading to the cyclization of substituted diamines with aldehydes. The corresponding benzimidazoles were obtained in good to high yields. Mechanistic studies were conducted, in order to determine a plausible mechanism for the reaction.
Internet‐delivered acceptance and commitment therapy as microlearning for chronic pain: A randomized controlled trial with 1‐year follow‐up
Authors: Rickardsson Jenny , Gentili Charlotte , Holmström Linda , Zetterqvist Vendela , Andersson Erik , Persson Jan , Lekander Mats , Ljótsson Brjánn , Wicksell Rikard K.
Published: January 2021

Background

Studies of Internet‐delivered acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for chronic pain have shown small to moderate positive effects for pain interference and pain acceptance. Effects on pain intensity, depression, anxiety and quality of life (QoL) have been less favourable, and improvements for values and sleep are lacking. In this randomized controlled trial iACT – a novel format of Internet‐ACT using daily microlearning exercises – was examined for efficacy compared to a waitlist condition.

Methods

Adult participants (mean age 49.5 years, pain duration 18.1 years) with diverse chronic pain conditions were recruited via self‐referral, and randomized to iACT (n = 57) or waitlist (n = 56). The primary outcome was pain interference. The secondary outcomes were QoL, depression, anxiety, insomnia and pain intensity. The process variables included psychological inflexibility and values. Post‐assessments were completed by 88% (n = 100) of participants. Twelve‐month follow‐up assessments were completed by 65% (iACT only, n = 37). Treatment efficacy was analysed using linear mixed models and an intention‐to‐treat‐approach.

Results

Significant improvements in favour of iACT were seen for pain interference, depression, anxiety, pain intensity and insomnia, as well as process variables psychological inflexibility and values. Between‐group effect sizes were large for pain interference (d = 0.99) and pain intensity (d = 1.2), moderate for anxiety and depressive symptoms and small for QoL and insomnia. For the process variables, the between‐group effect size was large for psychological inflexibility (d = 1.0) and moderate for values. All improvements were maintained at 1‐year follow‐up.

Conclusions

Internet‐ACT as microlearning may improve a broad range of outcomes in chronic pain.

Significance

The study evaluates a novel behavioral treatment with positive results on pain interference, mood as well as pain intensity for longtime chronic pain sufferers. The innovative format of a digital ACT intervention delivered in short and experiential daily learnings may be a promising way forward.
UV‐Assisted One‐Step Synthesis of Ternary Graphene/Polypyrrole/Silver Nanocomposites for Supercapacitors
Authors: Liang Chunliu , Yang Chao , Zang Limin , Liu Qifan , Qiu Jianhui , Li Yuqi , Zuo Wusheng , Liu Xin
Published: January 2021

Herein, a simple and convenient one‐step method to prepare ternary graphene/polypyrrole/silver (GE/PPy/Ag) nanocomposites with UV irradiation is demonstrated. The prepared GE/PPy/Ag nanocomposites show the desired design, in which Ag nanoparticles wrapped by a PPy layer are deposited on the surface of GE. Such a structure can combine the advantages of the three components, including the large surface area of GE, high pseudocapacitance of PPy, and superior conductivity of Ag, and overcome the shortcomings of the three components, including restacking of GE, poor cycling stability of PPy, and reunion of Ag nanoparticles. In addition, the Ag nanoparticles can store/release charges via reversible Ag/Ag+ redox to further improve the electrochemical performance of GE/PPy/Ag nanocomposites as supercapacitor electrodes. The GE/PPy/Ag nanocomposite prepared with 90 min UV irradiation exhibits the highest areal capacitance (294.2 mF cm−2), and the symmetric quasi‐solid‐state supercapacitor retains 80.1% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. The GE/PPy/Ag nanocomposite can also be formulated as screen‐printing ink to fabricate planar micro‐supercapacitors by the screen‐printing technique, for applications in flexible energy storage devices.
Mg‐Based System for H2 Sorption from CH4/H2 Gas Mixture
Authors: Woeste Anna-Lena , Balcerzak Mateusz , Urbanczyk Robert , Felderhoff Michael
Published: January 2021

Magnesium is considered as a potential material for the separation of hydrogen from different gas streams (CH4/H2, syngas, natural gas, etc.). Herein, an elemental mixture of Mg and Ni (5 wt%) is used for selective absorption of hydrogen from a CH4/H2 (90:10) mixture at 350 °C. The performed studies (X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and gas chromatography) show that analyzed material absorbs 4.5 wt% of hydrogen from CH4/H2 gas mixture and can be successfully applied for H2 separation. The proposed material may also be a promising system to capture hydrogen transported through natural gas networks.
Short-Term Guideline Values for Chlorine in Freshwaters
Authors: Batley Graeme E. , Adams Merrin S. , Simpson Stuart L.
Published: January 2021

The current Australian and New Zealand default guideline value of 3 µg Cl/L for total residual chlorine in freshwaters is largely based on acute data converted to chronic data using a default acute to chronic ratio of 10, without consideration of chlorine decomposition. Given the rapid decomposition of chlorine, initially as hypochlorite and then as chloramine, it is appropriate to consider a guideline value based on short-term (acute) toxicity rather than one based on longer-term chronic data, as has been recommended for chlorine in marine waters. The literature on the fate of chlorine in drinking water discharged to freshwaters and on the ecotoxicity of total residual chlorine has been reviewed, and on the basis of this, revised default guideline values were derived for both hypochlorite and chloramine in freshwater using a species sensitivity distribution of toxicity data. The values for 95% species protection were 7 and 9 µg Cl/L as total residual chlorine, respectively. The former would apply to any total residual chlorine-containing effluent, but in the case of drinking water where dechlorination has been undertaken, the chloramine-based default guideline value is likely to be more appropriate. Both are likely to be conservative because they were largely based on toxicity testing under continuous flow-through conditions. They will apply at the edge of the mixing zone, and the variable receiving water concentration at this point might best be determined from a time-weighted average total residual chlorine concentration. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1341–1352. © 2021 SETAC
Complexation of β‐lactoglobulin with gum arabic: Effect of heat treatment and enhanced encapsulation efficiency
Authors: Cao Mengna , Gao Jian , Li Yang , Liu Chengzhi , Shi Jieyu , Ni Fangfang , Ren Gerui , Xie Hujun
Published: January 2021

Heat treatment is widely used in food industry. Proteins and polysaccharides as important natural polymers in food, under heat treatment, the interactions between them could mediate the conformation and functional properties of proteins. Thermally induced β‐lactoglobulin‐gum arabic complexes (β‐Lg‐GA) were fabricated, and the effect of heat treatment on physicochemical properties of the complexes was systematically investigated. The average particle size of β‐Lg‐GA complexes decreased with temperature increased, at 85°C, a smaller size of 273 nm was obtained. A saturated adsorption of GA was found when mass ratio of β‐Lg/GA was <1:2. At pH = 4.2–7.0, electrostatic attraction between β‐Lg and GA was low and a fairly constant turbidity was observed, the formed composite particles had good stability to the pH value. Through UV, fluorescence, and FTIR spectroscopy, it was found that formation of the nanoparticles relied on thermal denaturation and aggregation of protein, the electrostatic, hydrophobic, and hydrogen bonding interactions between β‐Lg and GA were also important. Scanning electron microscope further indicated β‐Lg and GA had good compatibility, and the complexes had a spherical core–shell structure at molecular level. In addition, these prepared natural nanoparticles by heat treatment show significantly higher encapsulation efficiency for (‐)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) than that of unheated, thus could be used as a promising carrier for biologically active substances.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms and comorbidity: Associations with dementia progression rate in a memory clinic cohort
Authors: Edwin Trine Holt , Strand Bjørn Heine , Persson Karin , Engedal Knut , Selbæk Geir , Knapskog Anne‐Brita
Published: January 2021

Objectives

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are associated with dementia severity and progression rate. NPS clusters have different neurobiological underpinnings; therefore, their effect on dementia progression may differ. Furthermore, little is known about whether individual comorbidities affect progression rate. We investigated the effect of NPS clusters and individual comorbidities on dementia progression.

Methods

A memory clinic cohort with all‐cause dementia (N = 442) was followed for up to 3 years from diagnosis. Previously, we found trajectory groups of dementia progression in this cohort: one with slow progression and two with rapid progression. In the present study, using principal component analysis, three symptom clusters of NPS were identified on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI‐Q): agitation, affective and psychosis symptom clusters. Data regarding comorbidity were collected by linkage to the Norwegian Patient Registry. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to explore the association between NPS clusters and comorbidity with trajectory‐group membership.

Results

Adjusted for demographics, dementia aetiology, comorbidity and cognition, we found that, at the time of dementia diagnosis, for every point within the psychosis symptom cluster of the NPI‐Q, the risk of rapid progression increased by 53%; for every point within the affective symptom cluster, the risk of rapid progression increased by 29%. A previous diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorders (excluding dementia) decreased the risk of rapid dementia progression by 65%.

Conclusions

Psychosis and affective symptom clusters at the time of diagnosis were associated with rapid progression of dementia. Previous diagnoses of mental and behavioural disorders (excluding dementia) were associated with slow progression.
Surrogates, Chaos, and the Inadequacy of Autonomy
Authors: Chapple Helen Stanton
Published: January 2021

In Speaking for the Dying: Life‐and‐Death Decisions in Intensive Care, Susan Shapiro attempts to penetrate and organize the chaotic communications between physicians and family members who are making medical decisions for people who have lost the capacity to make their own medical decisions. The work is based on observations undertaken by Shapiro and a coresearcher of one thousand encounters between physicians and the family members of two hundred patients too sick to participate. Their ethnographic work, which is both traditional and innovative, leads to stunning findings. They reveal an inadequacy among surrogates that is undeniable, vast, and potentially tragic—if measured by the questionable standard of adhering to the patient's preferences. Further confirming research would be helpful, but what Shapiro has recognized already should shake the foundations of advance care planning.
Reduced thalamic resting‐state functional connectivity and impaired cognition in acute abstinent heroin users
Authors: Zhang Min , Liu Shuang , Wang Shicong , Xu Yan , Chen Longmao , Shao Ziqiang , Wen Xinwen , Yang Wenhan , Liu Jun , Yuan Kai
Published: January 2021

As a critical component of cortico‐striato‐thalamo‐cortical loop in addiction, our understanding of the thalamus in impaired cognition of heroin users (HU) has been limited. Due to the complex thalamic connection with cortical and subcortical regions, thalamus was divided into prefrontal (PFC), occipital (OC), premotor, primary motor, sensory, temporal, and posterior parietal association subregions according to white matter tractography. We adopted seven subregions of bilateral thalamus as regions of interest to systematically study the implications of distinct thalamic nuclei in acute abstinent HU. The volume and resting‐state functional connectivity (RSFC) differences of the thalamus were investigated between age‐, gender‐, and alcohol‐matched 37 HU and 33 healthy controls (HCs). Trail making test‐A (TMT‐A) was adopted to assess cognitive function deficits, which were then correlated with neuroimaging findings. Although no significant different volumes were found, HU group showed decreased RSFC between left PFC_thalamus and middle temporal gyrus as well as between left OC_thalamus and inferior frontal gyrus and supplementary motor area relative to HCs. Meanwhile, the higher TMT‐A scores in HU were negatively correlated with PFC_thalamic RSFC with inferior temporal gyrus, fusiform, and precuneus. Craving scores were negatively correlated with OC_thalamic RSFC with accumbens, hippocampus, and insula. Opiate Withdrawal Scale scores were negatively correlated with left PFC/OC_thalamic RSFC with orbitofrontal cortex and medial PFC. We indicated two thalamus subregions separately involvement in cognitive control and craving to reveal the implications of thalamic subnucleus in pathology of acute abstinent HU.
Longitudinal effects of adjuvant chemotherapy and related neuropathy on health utility in stage II and III colon cancer patients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Jongeneel Gabrielle , Greuter Marjolein J. E. , van Erning Felice N. , Twisk Jos W. R. , Koopman Miriam , Punt Cornelis J. A. , Vink Geraldine R. , Coupé Veerle M. H.
Published: January 2021

Patient's quality of life should be included in clinical decision making regarding the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) in stage II/III colon cancer. Therefore, quality of life, summarized as health utility (HU), was evaluated for patients treated with and without ACT. Furthermore, the role of chemotherapy–induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) on HU was evaluated. Patients diagnosed with stage II/III colon cancer between 2011 and 2019 and participating in the Prospective Dutch ColoRectal Cancer cohort were included (n = 914). HU scores were assessed with the EQ‐5D‐5L at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Patients treated with ACT received mainly capecitabine and oxaliplatin (57%) or capecitabine monotherapy (40%) (average duration: 3.5 months). HU 3 to 18 months after diagnosis (potential ACT period + 12 months follow‐up) was compared between patients treated with and without ACT using a mixed model adjusted for age, sex and education level. Subsequently, the CIPN sensory, motor and autonomy scales, measured using the EORTC QLQ‐CIPN20, were independently included in the model to evaluate the impact of neuropathy. Using a mixed model, a significant difference of −0.039 (95% confidence interval: −0.062; −0.015) in HU was found between patients treated with and without ACT. Including the CIPN sensory, motor and autonomy scales decreased the difference with 0.019, 0.015 and 0.02, respectively. HU 3 to 18 months after diagnosis is significantly lower in patients treated with ACT vs without ACT. This difference is on the boundary of clinical relevance and appears to be partly related to the sensory and motor neuropathy‐related side effects of ACT.
Lead smelting alters wheat flour heavy metal concentrations and health risks
Authors: Li Liping , Zhang Yuqing , Ippolito James A. , Xing Weiqin , Tu Chen
Published: January 2021

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flour consumption may be a major source of human metal intake, especially when wheat is cultivated in metal‐contaminated soils. This work investigated Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn distribution in whole wheat flour, wheat flour, and wheat bran when grown in an area polluted by Pb smelting. Wheat product heavy metal concentrations were analyzed, and the (non)carcinogenic risks were assessed. Mean Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations in whole wheat flour were 0.38, 3.83, 0.48, and 29.3 mg kg–1, respectively; those in flour were only slightly reduced. The ratios between noncarcinogenic average daily dose of whole wheat flour and wheat flour consumption ranged from 1.06 to 3.76, with Pb having the greatest values compared with other metals. For children, the average hazard quotients (HQs) of whole wheat flour consumption of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were 4.19, 1.06, 1.53, and 1.07; those for wheat flour consumption were 3.81, 0.68, 0.70, and 0.98, respectively. The HQs of adults were less than those of children. Overall results indicated that consumption of wheat products may lead to health concerns in the heavy metal contaminated area, yet when wheat flour rather than whole wheat flour is consumed, only the human health risk from Pb ingestion is reduced. Altering or removing human edible crops in the most contaminated areas should be considered.
Ankle fusion and replacement gait similar post‐surgery, but still exhibit differences versus controls regardless of footwear
Authors: Stone Amanda E. , Shofer Jane B. , Stender Christina J. , Whittaker Eric C. , Hahn Michael E. , Sangeorzan Bruce J. , Ledoux William R.
Published: January 2021

Persons with ankle osteoarthritis (AOA) often seek surgical intervention to alleviate pain and restore function; however, recent research has yielded no superior choice between the two primary options: fusion and replacement. One factor yet to be considered is the effect of footwear on biomechanical outcomes. Comparisons of AOA biomechanics to a normative population are also sparse. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine how footwear uniquely affected gait in persons with ankle fusion and replacement and (2) provide context for AOA biomechanics via comparisons to a healthy adult sample. Thirty‐four persons with AOA performed overground walking trials barefoot and shod before surgical intervention and then received either an ankle fusion (n = 14) or replacement (n = 20). Two and/or three years post‐surgery, patients returned for gait analysis. Nineteen controls performed the same gait procedures during a single study visit. Spatiotemporal variables and peak angles, internal moments, powers, and forces were calculated to quantify gait behavior. Overall, the two surgical groups performed similarly to each other but demonstrated marked differences from controls both pre‐ and post‐surgery. No significant differences were detected when examining the effect of footwear. The motion of the midfoot with respect to the hindfoot and forefoot may be instrumental in gait biomechanics following an ankle fusion or replacement and should be considered in future investigations.
Why we can be resilient: We have technology and open standards to thank
Authors: Kasdorf Bill
Published: January 2021

Key points

Many in the information industry are able to work from home thanks to technologies that did not exist not long ago.

The technologies we rely on, even proprietary ones, are built on a foundation of internet and web standards that we take for granted and may not even be aware of.

The progress of technology over the past few decades is a story of ever‐increasing interoperability.

The web standards from the W3C are open; free of cost; free of intellectual property claims; and have been developed to take accessibility, internationalization, security, privacy, and alignment with the W3C Web Technical Architecture into account.

Our pivot to the demands of the post‐COVID era will be enabled by free, open standards and the new tools and technologies that will be based on them.
A lesson in resilience: The abrupt digital transformation of society conferences in 2020
Authors: Iglesias Violaine , Smith Steven Rathgeb , Gibson Dan
Published: January 2021

Key points

The pandemic can be seen as an opportunity to revisit the justification for conferences and how they should be run to avoid elitism, climate impact, and diversity.

2020 saw a wealth of different approaches to events, including financing, technologies, scheduling, and the meaning of the term ‘live’.

Engaging attendees and providing networking opportunities are considered the main obstacle to virtual events, but can social networking lessons help resolve – or even improve – this?

It may take some time for online event programming to achieve the right balance of flexibility versus ‘buzz’ to meet a conference's key objectives: knowledge sharing and peer interaction.

Live broadcasting is on the rise, but the on‐demand video model is gaining popularity as it ensures high‐quality presentation recordings and consistency of experience.

Over time, technical challenges of online meetings will resolve, with competition leading to more reasonable pricing, customers becoming savvier, and vendors learning from experience.
Clinical trials optimizing investigator and self‐collection of buccal cells for RNA yield
Authors: Geiger Jessica L. , Cedars Elizabeth D. , Zang Yan , Normolle Daniel P. , Li Hua , Grandis Jennifer R. , Centuori Sara , Johnson Daniel E. , Bauman Julie E.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Buccal cells are an ideal surrogate tissue for studying biologic effects of carcinogens or drugs, however inherent fragility and salivary RNAses limit RNA yield. We conducted healthy volunteer trials to optimize collection conditions.

Methods

We conducted: (a) a single‐arm crossover study evaluating four test conditions on RNA yield by buccal cytobrush; (b) a single‐arm prospective study evaluating RNA yield by investigator vs self‐collection.

Results

Antecedent toothbrushing, time of day, and number of cytobrush strokes did not significantly impact RNA yield. RNA yield was doubled by using 2 vs 1 cytobrush per buccal surface (P = .0054). Self‐collection of buccal cells for RNA was feasible; 36 of 50 (72%) samples passed quality control.

Conclusion

RNA yield was doubled by using two cytobrushes per buccal surface. Healthy volunteers can self‐collect sufficient buccal RNA for gene expression studies. Techniques from these pragmatic trials could enhance availability of a limited tissue for serial biomarker measurements.

Level of Evidence

1b—Prognosis Study (Individual prospective cohort study).
Automatic plankton image classification—Can capsules and filters help cope with data set shift?
Authors: Plonus Rene‐Marcel , Conradt Jan , Harmer André , Janßen Silke , Floeter Jens
Published: January 2021

The general task of image classification seems to be solved due to the development of modern convolutional neural networks (CNNs). However, the high intraclass variability and interclass similarity of plankton images still prevents the practical identification of morphologically similar organisms. This prevails especially for rare organisms. Every CNN requires a vast amount of manually validated training images which renders it inefficient to train study‐specific classifiers. In most follow‐up studies, the plankton community is different from before and this data set shift (DSS) reduces the correct classification rates. A common solution is to discard all uncertain images and hope that the remains still resemble the true field situation. The intention of this North Sea Video Plankton Recorder (VPR) study is to assess if a combination of a Capsule Neural Network (CapsNet) with probability filters can improve the classification success in applications with DSS. Second, to provide a guideline how to customize automated CNN and CapsNet deep learning image analysis methods according to specific research objectives. In community analyses, our approach achieved a discard of uncertain predictions of only 5%. CapsNet and CNN reach similar precision scores, but the CapsNet has lower recall scores despite similar discard ratios. This is due to a higher discard ratio in rare classes. The recall advantage of the CNN decreases with increasing DSS. We present an alternative method to handle rare classes with a CNN achieving a mean recall of 96% by manually validating an average of 6.5% of the original images.
Synthesis and Properties of Cationic Gradient Brush Copolymers Carrying PEO Side Chains and Catechol Moieties
Authors: Steponaviciute Medeina , Klimkevicius Vaidas , Makuska Ricardas
Published: January 2021

Synthesis and study of brush copolymers carrying long PEO side chains and catechol moieties are reported. Kinetics of reversible‐addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer copolymerization of 2‐(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEOMEMA) is studied by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and 1H NMR spectroscopy, which allow calculating not only copolymerization rate but also the evolution of copolymer composition during copolymerization. Molecular weight Mn and dispersity Ð of the copolymers are determined by SEC with triple detection. Well defined gradient copolymers p(DMAEMA‐co‐PEOMEMA) of various composition with degree of polymerization close to 100 and Ð less than 1.18 are synthesized. For attachment of catechol moieties and introduction of positive charge, DMAEMA units are quaternized with 2‐chloro‐3,4‐dihydroxyacetophenone. The use of tetrahydrofuran as a solvent for that reaction allows obtaining the degree of quaternization close to 100%. Positively charged catechol brush copolymers and their solutions are characterized by 1H NMR, fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, potentiometric titration, and water contact angle measurements, and their properties are compared with those of similar neutral catechol brush copolymers.
On the dimension of self‐similar measures with complicated overlaps
Authors: Bárány Balázs , Szvák Edina
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we investigate the Hausdorff dimension of the invariant measures of the iterated function system (IFS) . We provide an “almost every” type result by a direct application of the results of Feng and Hu [5] and Kamalutdinov and Tetenov [9].
Production and characterization of boron carbide and silicon carbide reinforced copper‐nickel composites by powder metallurgy method
Authors: Akkaş M.
Published: January 2021

In this study, composite samples were produced by reinforcing boron carbide and silicon carbide particles in different rates by weight into copper‐nickel powder mixture using powder metallurgy method. The prepared powder mixtures were cold pressed under 600 MPa pressure and pelletized. The pelletized samples were then sintered in an atmosphere‐controlled furnace. Scanning electron microscopy to determine the microstructure of the produced samples and x‐ray diffraction method analysis to determine the phases forming in the structure of the produced samples were used and microhardness was taken to determine the effect of boron carbide and silicon carbide on hardness. In addition to that, the mechanical properties the transverse rupture strength were investigated using three‐point bending tests. The corrosion tests were performed potentiodynamic polarization curves of the samples in 3.5 % sodium chloride solution. The highest hardness value was measured as 162 HV 0.05 in the sample reinforced with 10 % boron carbide. As the amount of silicon carbide increased, the corrosion resistance of the composite increased. Moreover, as the amount of boron carbide increased, the corrosion resistance of the composite decreased. Load‐contact depth values were examined, copper‐nickel+10 % silicon carbide has the highest peak depth of 48.12.
What coronavirus 3C‐like protease tells us: From structure, substrate selectivity, to inhibitor design
Authors: Xiong Muya , Su Haixia , Zhao Wenfeng , Xie Hang , Shao Qiang , Xu Yechun
Published: January 2021

The emergence of a variety of coronaviruses (CoVs) in the last decades has posed huge threats to human health. Especially, the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has led to more than 70 million infections and over 1.6 million of deaths worldwide in the past few months. None of the efficacious antiviral agents against human CoVs have been approved yet. 3C‐like protease (3CLpro) is an attractive target for antiviral intervention due to its essential role in processing polyproteins translated from viral RNA, and its conserved structural feature and substrate specificity among CoVs in spite of the sequence variation. This review focuses on all available crystal structures of 12 CoV 3CLpros and their inhibitors, and intends to provide a comprehensive understanding of this protease from multiple aspects including its structural features, substrate specificity, inhibitor binding modes, and more importantly, to recapitulate the similarity and diversity among different CoV 3CLpros and the structure–activity relationship of various types of inhibitors. Such an attempt could gain a deep insight into the inhibition mechanisms and drive future structure‐based drug discovery targeting 3CLpros.
Spectral diffusion analysis of kidney intravoxel incoherent motion MRI in healthy volunteers and patients with renal pathologies
Authors: Stabinska Julia , Ljimani Alexandra , Zöllner Helge Jörn , Wilken Enrica , Benkert Thomas , Limberg Juliane , Esposito Irene , Antoch Gerald , Wittsack Hans‐Jörg
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To assess the feasibility of measuring tubular and vascular signal fractions in the human kidney using nonnegative least‐square (NNLS) analysis of intravoxel incoherent motion data collected in healthy volunteers and patients with renal pathologies.

Methods

MR imaging was performed at 3 Tesla in 12 healthy subjects and 3 patients with various kidney pathologies (fibrotic kidney disease, failed renal graft, and renal masses). Relative signal fractions f and mean diffusivities of the diffusion components in the cortex, medulla, and renal lesions were obtained using the regularized NNLS fitting of the intravoxel incoherent motion data. Test–retest repeatability of the NNLS approach was tested in 5 volunteers scanned twice.

Results

In the healthy kidneys, the NNLS method yielded diffusion spectra with 3 distinguishable components that may be linked to the slow tissue water diffusion, intermediate tubular and vascular flow, and fast blood flow in larger vessels with the relative signal fractions, fslow, finterm and ffast, respectively. In the pathological kidneys, the diffusion spectra varied substantially from those acquired in the healthy kidneys. Overall, the renal cyst showed substantially higher finterm and lower fslow, whereas the fibrotic kidney, failed renal graft, and renal cell carcinoma demonstrated the opposite trend.

Conclusion

NNLS‐based intravoxel incoherent motion could potentially become a valuable tool in assessing changes in tubular and vascular volume fractions under pathophysiological conditions.
Measuring129Xe transfer across the blood‐brain barrier using MR spectroscopy
Authors: Rao Madhwesha R. , Norquay Graham , Stewart Neil J. , Wild Jim M.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This study develops a tracer kinetic model of xenon uptake in the human brain to determine the transfer rate of inhaled hyperpolarized129Xe from cerebral blood to gray matter that accounts for the effects of cerebral physiology, perfusion and magnetization dynamics. The129Xe transfer rate is expressed using a tracer transfer coefficient, which estimates the quantity ofhyperpolarized129Xe dissolved in cerebral blood under exchange withdepolarized129Xe dissolved in gray matter under equilibrium of concentration.

Theory and Methods

Time‐resolved MR spectra of hyperpolarized129Xe dissolved in the human brain were acquired from three healthy volunteers. Acquired spectra were numerically fitted with five Lorentzian peaks in accordance with known129Xe brain spectral peaks. The signal dynamics of spectral peaks for gray matter and red blood cells were quantified, and correction for the129XeT1dependence upon blood oxygenation was applied.129Xe transfer dynamics determined from the ratio of the peaks for gray matter and red blood cells was numerically fitted with the developed tracer kinetic model.

Results

For all the acquired NMR spectra, the developed tracer kinetic model fitted the data with tracer transfer coefficients between 0.1 and 0.14.

Conclusion

In this study, a tracer kinetic model was developed and validated that estimates the transfer rate of HP129Xe from cerebral blood to gray matter in the human brain.