bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emerging Brain‐Pathophysiology‐Mimetic Platforms for Studying Neurodegenerative Diseases: Brain Organoids and Brains‐on‐a‐Chip
Authors: Bang Seokyoung , Lee Songhyun , Choi Nakwon , Kim Hong Nam 
Published: May 2021

AbstractNeurodegenerative diseases are a group of disorders characterized by progressive degeneration of the structural and functional integrity of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Millions of people suffer from degenerative brain diseases worldwide, and the mortality continues to increase every year, causing a growing demand for knowledge of the underlying mechanisms and development of therapeutic targets. Conventional 2D‐based cell culture platforms and animal models cannot fully recapitulate the pathophysiology, and this has limited the capability for estimating drug efficacy. Recently, engineered platforms, including brain organoids and brain‐on‐a‐chip, have emerged. They mimic the physiology of brain tissue and reflect the fundamental pathophysiological signatures of neurodegenerative diseases, such as the accumulation of neurotoxic proteins, structural abnormalities, and functional loss. In this paper, recent advances in brain‐mimetic platforms and their potential for modeling features of neurodegenerative diseases in vitro are reviewed. The development of a physiologically relevant model should help overcome unresolved neurodegenerative diseases.
Rationally Designed, Self‐Assembling, Multifunctional Hydrogel Depot Repairs Severe Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Ye Jingjia , Jin Shuang , Cai Wanxiong , Chen Xiangfeng , Zheng Hanyu , Zhang Tianfang , Lu Wujie , Li Xiaojian , Liang Chengzhen , Chen Qixin , Wang Yaxian , Gu Xiaosong , Yu Bin , Chen Zuobing , Wang Xuhua 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFollowing severe spinal cord injury (SCI), dysregulated neuroinflammation causes neuronal and glial apoptosis, resulting in scar and cystic cavity formation during wound healing and ultimately the formation of an atrophic microenvironment that inhibits nerve regrowth. Because of this complex and dynamic pathophysiology, a systemic solution for scar‐ and cavity‐free wound healing with microenvironment remodeling to promote nerve regrowth has rarely been explored. A one‐step solution is proposed through a self‐assembling, multifunctional hydrogel depot that punctually releases the anti‐inflammatory drug methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) and growth factors (GFs) locally according to pathophysiology to repair severe SCI. Synergistically releasing the anti‐inflammatory drug MPSS and GFs in the hydrogel depot throughout SCI pathophysiology protects spared tissues/axons from secondary injury, promotes scar boundary‐ and cavity‐free wound healing, and results in permissive bridges for remarkable axonal regrowth. Behavioral and electrophysiological studies indicate that remnants of spared axons, not regenerating axons, mediate functional recovery, strongly suggesting that additional interventions are still required to render the rebuilt neuronal circuits functional. These findings pave the way for the development of a systemic solution to treat acute SCI.
Supra‐Binary Polarization in a Ferroelectric Nanowire
Authors: Xu Wentao , Wang Lihua , Yang David ChangMo , Hajibabaei Amir , Lee Yeongjun , Park Cheolmin , Lee Tae‐Woo , Kim Kwang S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe prediction and observation of supra‐binary polarization in a ferroelectric nanowire (FNW) covered with a semicylindrical gate that provides an anisotropic electric field in the FNW are reported. There are gate‐voltage‐driven transitions between four polarization states in the FNW's cross‐section, dubbed vertical‐up, vertical‐down, radial‐in, and radial‐out. They are determined by the interplay between the spatial depolarization energy and the free energy induced by an anisotropic external electric field, in clear distinction from the conventional film‐based binary ferroelectricity. When the FNW is mounted on a biased graphene nanoribbon (GNR), these transitions induce exotic current–voltage hysteresis in the FNW–GNR transistor. This discovery suggests new operating mechanisms of ferroelectric devices. In particular, it enables intrinsic quaternary‐digit information manipulation in parallel to the bit manipulation employed in conventional data storage.
A Facile Way for Acquisition of a Nanoporous Pt–C Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Xie Xianxian , Khalakhan Ivan , Vorokhta Mykhailo , Yakovlev Yurii , Dinhová Thu Ngan , Nováková Jaroslava , Kúš Peter , Dopita Milan , Veltruská Kateřina , Matolínová Iva 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHere, the concept of preferential leaching of cerium oxide on ternary Pt–C–CeO2 compound is demonstrated in order to develop a cost‐effective catalyst for the cathode in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The Pt–C–CeO2 thin film catalyst is prepared by simultaneous magnetron co‐sputtering of Pt, C, and CeO2. The morphology, structure, and composition of the Pt–C–CeO2 layer are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. Both half‐cell and single‐cell tests are performed to determine its activity and durability. During an activation electrochemical cycling procedure, CeO2 is leached from the compound, leaving behind a porous Pt–C matrix which exhibits almost 3 times higher electrochemically active surface area in comparison with pure Pt with identical loading before and even after accelerated degradation tests in the half‐cell. When used as the cathode in a single‐cell membrane electrode assembly, decomposed Pt–C–CeO2 also shows greater power density than pure Pt.
Revising shell adze analysis in Oceania: a multifaceted approach to the study of a Solomon Islands’ collection
Authors: RADCLYFFE CHARLES JAMES TEKARAWA 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTShell adzes, although one of the more common artefacts in the Pacific, have not received nearly the same attention by archaeologists as have stone adzes in the region. Large collections of the latter have been studied in detail for over a century, and researchers have developed consistent methodological approaches, terminology and classification for their analysis. This has not been the case for shell adzes. This paper provides a critical review of this issue and puts forward a multifaceted approach, including a revised set of classificatory criteria, that is applied to the descriptive analysis of two museum collections of shell adzes and other cutting implements from Solomon Islands. The analysis demonstrates that incorporating technological, functional and ecological factors in the description and classification of shell adzes can generate a more insightful understanding of the various ways these cutting implements were made and used in the past.
Finite‐time leader–follower consensus control of multiagent systems with mismatched disturbances
Authors: Gu Lixue , Zhao Zhanshan , Sun Jie , Wang Zhangang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe study the robust finite‐time leader–follower output consensus problems for second‐order multiagent systems (MASs) with mismatched disturbances. For mismatched disturbance, the mismatched disturbance observer is used for each follower to estimate the mismatched disturbance in finite time. Then a backstepping control protocol is constructed via Lyapunov finite‐time stability theorem, and we can prove that the output consensus tracking with strong robustness can be reached for the considered MAS in finite time if the communication topology includes a directed spanning tree, where the leader is the root. Finally, we use two simulation examples to illustrate the correctness of the theoretical results.
Techno‐economic analysis of tannin and briquette co‐production from bark waste: a case study quantifying symbiosis benefits in biorefinery
Authors: Wijeyekoon Suren , Suckling Ian , Fahmy Muthasim , Hall Peter , Bennett Paul 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIncorporating industrial symbiosis benefits into biorefinery opportunities can reduce new investment costs and possibly improve the green credentials of processes. The existing wood‐processing cluster at Kawerau, New Zealand, with easy access to wood‐processing residues, excess on‐site geothermal energy, and on‐site use of products, could provide significant symbiotic benefits for the development of biorefinery opportunities. To quantify the potential benefits of this site symbiosis, we undertook a detailed techno‐economic and risk analysis for co‐production of bark briquettes and tannin adhesive from wood bark in greenfield and in Kawerau scenarios. Kawerau site benefits were quantified and their impacts on opportunity viability were assessed. Symbiotic use of the tannin adhesive produced on site and the use of the geothermal heat available in Kawerau reduced the utility cost by 45% and total capital investment by 56% compared with a greenfield operation. This improved the overall economics significantly, with the internal rate of return increasing from 6 to 22%. Monte Carlo simulations showed that the water : bark ratio and tannin yield have profound effects on process economics. Process improvements show a greater effect on improving the overall economics than price volatilities of input materials. The study findings confirm the significant economic benefits of incorporating industrial symbiosis at existing wood‐processing sites, and help to identify research needs for tannin process improvements. © 2021 Argonne National Laboratory. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Molecular Basis of Selectivity and Activity for the Antimicrobial Peptide Lynronne‐1 Informs Rational Design of Peptide with Improved Activity
Authors: Jayawant Eleanor S. , Hutchinson Jack , Gašparíková Dorota , Lockey Christine , Pruñonosa Lara Lidón , Guy Ciaran , Brooks Rhiannon L. , Dixon Ann M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAntibiotic resistance is a significant threat to human health, with natural products remaining the best source for new antimicrobial compounds. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are natural products with great potential for clinical use as they are small, amenable to customization, and show broad‐spectrum activities. Lynronne‐1 is a promising AMP identified in the rumen microbiome that shows broad‐spectrum activity against pathogens such as methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii. Here we investigated the structure of Lynronne‐1 using solution NMR spectroscopy and identified a 13‐residue amphipathic helix containing all six cationic residues. We used biophysical approaches to observe folding, membrane partitioning and membrane lysis selective to the presence of anionic lipids. We translated our understanding of Lynronne‐1 structure to design peptides which varied in the size of their hydrophobic helical face. These peptides displayed the predicted continuum of membrane‐lysis activities in vitro and in vivo, and yielded a new AMP with 4‐fold improved activity against A. baumannii and 32‐fold improved activity against S. aureus.
Self‐report versus clinician‐ratings in the assessment of aggression in violent offenders
Authors: Berlin Johan , Tärnhäll André , Hofvander Björn , Wallinius Märta 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe construct of aggression is central to work with violent offenders, but it is a broad construct that can be assessed by many different methods and instruments. Its measurement may, however, have profound implications for treatment planning. We need more knowledge about how different methods for assessing aggression relate to each other.AimsOur aims were to investigate, first, the convergence and concordance of two methods of assessing aggression: self‐report and clinical assessment and, second, to determine the degree to which aggression can be discriminated from neighbouring constructs, such as hostility, anger and criminal behaviour.MethodsA nationally representative Swedish cohort of 269 18–25‐year‐old incarcerated violent offenders was recruited. Data were collected through structured self‐reports of aggression, anger and hostility traits (Aggression Questionnaire‐Revised Swedish Version) and clinical assessments of lifetime prevalence of aggressive and antisocial behaviours (Life History of Aggression). Criminal records were retrieved from the Swedish National Crime Register.ResultsSelf‐ratings and clinician‐ratings of aggression were highly convergent and concordant, especially regarding physical aggression. Violent offence records were weakly, if at all, correlated, while self‐reported hostility was weakly, or not at all, correlated with self‐reported or with clinician‐rated aggression. There was an inverse relationship between aggression and criminal records of sexual offences.Conclusions and ImplicationsEven though a combination of self‐reports and clinician‐ratings may provide a better overview of an individual's aggressive behaviours, our results indicate that they yield such similar information that either alone would be sensitive enough. Our results do not, however, support using one of these methods as a proxy for the other since choice of measure and accepted concordance between them depend on the context within which the assessment is conducted. We reconfirmed that official records of violent offending are unlikely to be adequate measures of outcome after interventions to reduce aggressive behaviours.
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast in a young female‐ A rare ailment
Authors: Shrestha Suraj , Shakya Prafulla , Kharel Sanjeev , Dhakal Hari Prasad , Singh Moushami , Shrestha Aagon Krishna 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPrimary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is an extremely rare invasive breast carcinoma with rapid progression and worse prognosis. Careful assessment and diagnosis of the entity should also be considered in a rapidly progressing breast tumor.
Pitfalls and challenges in managing neuroendocrine carcinoma of gynecological origin: A case series and brief review
Authors: Farmer Lauren E. , Goradia Rutmi U. , Lakhi Nisha A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDue to gynecologic tract (gNET) rarity, gynecologists may not have a strong index of suspicion for which to diagnose these tumors ultimately causing misdiagnoses and potential mismanagement. Gynecologists should be wary of diagnostic pitfalls.
Migration of intrauterine device caused asymptomatic acute appendicitis: A case report
Authors: Zamani Bonab Mehrangiz , Anvari Aliabad Roghayeh , Alimohammadi Shohreh 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMissing of IUD is not always due to expulsion. If the patient is sure that it has not got expulsed, further investigations such as abdominal ultrasound and X‐ray should be performed to look for the device before any device‐related complications.
Oxidized MWCNTs as an Oxidizing Agent and Dopant in MWCNT@Polypyrrole Composite Formation**
Authors: Wysocka‐Żołopa Monika , Breczko Joanna , Grądzka Emilia , Basa Anna , Goclon Jakub , Dubis Alina , Winkler Krzysztof 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA new approach to the formation of composites of carbon nanotubes and polypyrrole (PPy) is proposed. Oxidized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (ox‐MWCNTs) are used as oxidation agents in pyrrole polymerization. The polymeric phase is deposited both at the surface of the carbon nanotube to form a core‐shell structure and in the empty spaces of the MWCNT network. Each form of the polypyrrole phase exhibits different electrochemical properties. PPy deposited directly at the carbon nanotube surface as a uniform and dense layer is oxidized at less positive potentials, compared to the polymeric material deposited in the pores of the nanotube network. MWCNTs with anions incorporated into structural defects formed during their oxidation in a piranha solution also act as dopants of the oxidized form of PPy. The polymeric film deposited directly at the ox‐MWCNT surface is in its oxidized state. The redox processes involving this part of the PPy film are accompanied by the transport of cations of the supporting electrolyte. The charge transfer between ox‐MWCNTs and the deposited PPy film is confirmed by the results of the theoretical calculations of the energy states at the carbon nanotube and polypyrrole interface. A neutral PPy film located in layers remote from the surface of the nanotube is oxidized at more positive potentials. The oxidation of PPy located in the pores of the ox‐MWCNT network results in a broad voltammetric peak formation.
Neural network identification of water pipe blockage from smart embedded passive acoustic measurements
Authors: Baronti Luca , Castellani Marco , Hefft Daniel , Alberini Federico 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis study presents a new neural network approach to identify the presence and type of obstruction in pipes from measurements of passive acoustic emissions. Inserts were used in a fluid re‐circulation loop to simulate different types of blockage at various flow rates within the turbulent regime, generating patterns of acoustic emissions. The data were pre‐processed using Fourier analysis, and two candidate sets of statistical descriptors were extracted for each measurement. The first set used average and spread of the Fourier transform amplitudes, the second used data binning to obtain a concise representation of the spectrum of amplitudes. Experimental evidence showed the second set of descriptors was the most suitable to train the neural network to recognize with accuracy the presence and type of blockage. The obtained results compare favourably with the literature, indicating that the approach provides a tool to enhance process monitoring in water supply systems, in particular early detection of upstream blockages.
Calibrating Real‐World Evidence Studies Against Randomized Trials: Treatment Effectiveness of Infliximab in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Kirchgesner Julien , Desai Rishi J. , Beaugerie Laurent , Kim Seoyoung C. , Schneeweiss Sebastian 
Published: May 2021

Real‐world evidence (RWE) on the effectiveness of treatments in Crohn’s disease (CD) derived from clinical practice data will help fill many evidence gaps left by randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Emulating RCTs with healthcare database studies may calibrate RWE studies in CD. We aimed to emulate the SONIC trial on the effectiveness of infliximab in patients with CD using US and French healthcare claims data. SONIC had shown improved remission with combination therapy (i.e., infliximab plus thiopurines) compared with infliximab monotherapy. Using claims data (2004–2019) from commercially insured patients in the United States (IBM MarketScan and Optum) and France (Système National des Données de Santé (National Healthcare Data System) (SNDS)), we conducted a cohort study of patients with CD who initiated combination therapy and compared them with patients who initiated infliximab alone. The primary outcome was a composite end point of treatment failure including hospitalization or surgery related to CD, treatment switch, or continuation of corticosteroids 26 weeks after infliximab initiation. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated in propensity score (PS)–matched cohorts. We identified 1,437 PS‐matched pairs of combination therapy vs. infliximab monotherapy users. As in SONIC, the risk of treatment failure was decreased with combination therapy in the overall cohort (RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62–0.82; RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62–0.97 in SONIC). Findings were consistent across MarketScan, Optum, and SNDS databases: RR (95% CI), 0.83 (0.63–1.10), 0.66 (0.46–0.93), and 0.68 (0.57–0.82), as well as component end points. These robust findings highlight opportunities in RWE analysis for studying treatment effectiveness in patients with CD in clinical practice.
Fluorescence activated cell sorting—A selective tool for plant cell isolation and analysis
Authors: Antoniadi Ioanna , Skalický Vladimír , Sun Guiling , Ma Wen , Galbraith David W. , Novák Ondřej , Ljung Karin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractInstrumentation for flow cytometry and sorting is designed around the assumption that samples are single‐cell suspensions. However, with few exceptions, higher plants comprise complex multicellular tissues and organs, in which the individual cells are held together by shared cell walls. Single‐cell suspensions can be obtained through digestion of the cells walls and release of the so‐called protoplasts (plants without their cell wall). Here we describe best practices for protoplast preparation, and for analysis through flow cytometry and cell sorting. Finally, the numerous downstream applications involving sorted protoplasts are discussed.
The diagnosis of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder in the presence of gastrointestinal disorders: Opportunities to define shared mechanisms of symptom expression
Authors: Nicholas Julia K. , van Tilburg Miranda A. L. , Pilato Ilana , Erwin Savannah , Rivera‐Cancel Alannah M. , Ives Lindsay , Marcus Marsha D. , Zucker Nancy L. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveIndividuals with a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder often alter their diet to manage GI symptoms, adding complexity to understanding the diverse motivations contributing to food avoidance/restriction. When a GI disorder is present, the DSM‐5 states that Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) can be diagnosed only when eating disturbance exceeds that expected. There is limited guidance to make this determination. This study attempts to address this gap by characterizing the presentation of ARFID in adults with and without a self‐reported GI disorder.MethodParticipants were 2,610 adults ages 18–44 who self‐identified as “picky eaters.” Participants reported on motivations for food avoidance, affective experiences towards food, and perceived impairment. Responses were compared across four groups: GI issues and likely ARFID (L‐ARFID/GI), L‐ARFID‐only, GI‐only, and No‐ARFID/No‐GI.ResultsGroups with a GI disorder (L‐ARFID/GI, GI‐only) reported more fear of aversive consequences of eating than those without a GI disorder, while groups with L‐ARFID (L‐ARFID, L‐ARFID/GI) evidenced significantly greater sensory aversion to food and indifference to food or eating, negative emotional reactions to food and overall disgust sensitivity, and eating related impairment.DiscussionConsideration of the interplay of a GI disorder with ARFID can add precision to case conceptualization. Food avoidance may be attempts to manage fears of aversive consequences that are augmented by a history of GI symptoms, while sensory aversions and negative emotional reactions towards foods may be more elevated in ARFID. These findings emphasize the need to consider an ARFID diagnosis in patients with GI disorders to optimize care.
Gastrointestinal symptoms from an epidemiological perspective
Authors: Quadflieg Norbert 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFour manuscripts on gastro‐intestinal problems or disorders of gut‐brain interaction are discussed from an epidemiological perspective. A literature review with strict inclusion criteria pointed out the dearth of evidence‐based knowledge on gastrointestinal symptoms following treatment for anorexia nervosa. An epidemiological follow‐up study showing the relevance of childhood abdominal pain for fasting to control weight in adolescence is used to emphasize the need to refine our approach to risk factor research in eating disorders. Two additional studies highlight the high prevalence of gastro‐intestinal problems in eating disorders underscoring a need for improved consideration of these symptoms in clinical practice and eating disorder research.