bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel imaging findings in pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) deficiency—Results from a nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Savvidou Antri , Ivarsson Liz , Naess Karin , Eklund Erik A. , Lundgren Johan , Dahlin Maria , Frithiof Deborah , Sofou Kalliopi , Darin Niklas 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe vast clinical and radiological spectrum of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc) deficiency continues to pose challenges both in diagnostics and disease monitoring. Prompt diagnosis is important to enable early initiation of ketogenic diet. The patients were recruited from an ongoing population‐based study in Sweden. All patients with a genetically confirmed diagnosis who had been investigated with an MRI of the brain were included. Repeated investigations were assessed to study the evolution of the MRI changes. Sixty‐two MRI investigations had been performed in 34 patients (23 females). The genetic cause was mutations in PDHA1 in 29, PDHX and DLAT in 2 each, and PDHB in 1. The lesions were prenatal developmental in 16, prenatal clastic in 18, and postnatal clastic in 15 individuals. Leigh‐like lesions with predominant involvement of globus pallidus were present in 12, while leukoencephalopathy was present in 6 and stroke‐like lesions in 3 individuals. A combination of prenatal developmental and clastic lesions was present in 15 individuals. In addition, one male with PDHA1 also had postnatal clastic lesions. The most common lesions found in our study were agenesis or hypoplasia of corpus callosum, ventriculomegaly, or Leigh‐like lesions. Furthermore, we describe a broad spectrum of other MRI changes that include leukoencephalopathy and stroke‐like lesions. We argue that a novel important clue, suggesting the possibility of PDHc deficiency on MRI scans, is the simultaneous presence of multiple lesions on MRI that have occurred during different phases of brain development.
A new model for the formation of an Enterococcus faecalis endodontic biofilm with nutritional restriction
Authors: Gutiérrez Diana Marcela , Castillo Yormaris , Ibarra‐Avila Humberto , López Mónica , Orozco Juan C. , Lafaurie Gloria I. , Castillo Diana Marcela 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAn in vitro model for the formation of an Enterococcus faecalis endodontic biofilm under nutritional restriction was established, simulating clinical conditions for the evaluation of antimicrobial substances. Biofilm formation in dentin was standardized using root quarters incubated with E. faecalis ATCC 29212 at 37°C without nutritional changes. Biofilms were evaluated at 7, 14, and 30 days, counting bacterial colony‐forming units using conventional culture and verified scanning electron microscopy. Bacterial viability and biovolume were determined with confocal laser microscopy. Colonization of E. faecalis and biofilm formation on the dentinal surface was confirmed after 7 and 14 days, respectively. Microorganism colonization was homogeneous over the entire root surface at each time point, without significant differences in the viability percentage and biovolume. On the contrary, a decrease in viability and an increase in biovolume were observed when the time was increased. Compared with other incubation times, 14 days was found to be the best time for the establishment of the biofilm in terms of biovolume and bacterial viability. This in vitro model for the formation of endodontic biofilm will allow future evaluation of the efficacy of antimicrobial substances with a more adequate clinical approach.
A Miniature Mixing Device for Polymer Blends Dominated by Biaxial Extensional Deformations
Authors: Yin Xiaochun , Lin Feng , He Guangjian , Feng Yanhong 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA new miniature mixing device called the “vane mixer” dominated by the synergic action of axial and circumferential extensional deformations is developed for polymer blends. The structure and working principle of the vane mixer are introduced in detail. The effects of mixing time and rotational speed on the morphology, mechanical properties, and crystallization behavior of the high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/graphene (GR) composites are comprehensively investigated, revealing that properly increasing mixing time and rotational speed can promote the dispersion of GR in the HDPE matrix, improve mechanical properties, and reduce the degree of crystallinity. The morphology of blends prepared by the vane mixer is compared with those prepared by the Brabender mixer to evaluate the mixing performance. The experimental results show that the new equipment has excellent mixing efficiency and performance.
An analytic element model for highly fractured elastic media
Authors: Strack Otto D.L. , Toller Erik A.L. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe present an analytic formulation for an elastic medium under uniform stress and in plane strain, with a very large number of cracks that are allowed to intersect. The singularities at the tips of the cracks are represented exactly; the solution is written in terms of series expansions of negative powers of a complex variable defined outside the unit circle in a complex reference plane. We modeled an assembly of 10,000 cracks and show stress trajectories both for the whole model and for individual cracks, chosen at random from the assembly.
A procedure for efficient generation and behavioral evaluation of ultra‐packed ellipsoidal particle systems
Authors: Liao Huanyu , Achar P L Sukshitha , Subbarayan Ganesh 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMany engineering applications demand ultra‐packing of particles into a matrix. In general, efficiently simulating the random close packing of non‐spherical particles, and with 60% or greater volume loading remains a challenge. In this article, we describe an efficient procedure that achieves ultra‐packing of ellipsoidal particle systems of the order of – particles on a desktop computer. A significant challenge to ellipsoidal particle packing problem is particle‐particle contact detection. We describe an algebraic intersection detection method for ellipsoidal particles and couple it with a heuristic constructive algorithm to generate densely packed microstructures with ellipsoidal fillers. The effective behavior of the generated microstructures is then numerically estimated using an efficient random‐network model that is valid for high‐contrast particulate composites in near percolation arrangement. Finally, the algorithms are applied to evaluate the effective thermal conductivity of ellipsoidal particle filled composites used as thermal interface materials. Simulations of lognormally distributed particle systems with varying aspect ratios of ellipsoidal fillers are systematically carried out to draw conclusions on impact of particle shapes.
Psychosexual functioning in cancer survivorship: What the pediatric oncologist needs to know
Authors: Frederick Natasha N. , Lehmann Vicky , Ahler Astrid , Carpenter Kristen , Cherven Brooke , Klosky James L. , Nahata Leena , Quinn Gwendolyn P. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSexual health may be disrupted in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) both during and after cancer treatment, irrespective of whether they are diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood. Unfortunately, oncology providers often underestimate the relevance of psychosexual issues for AYAs and underprioritize sexual health throughout treatment and survivorship. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide information on (a) the etiology of psychosexual dysfunction in childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer patients and young adult survivors of childhood cancer; (b) strategies for communicating and evaluating potential sexual health issues of AYA patients/survivors; and (c) guidance for the practicing pediatric oncologist on how to address sexual health concerns with patients.
Biosafety legislation and the regulatory status of the products of precision breeding in the Latin America and the Caribbean region
Authors: Rosado André , Eriksson Dennis 
Published: December 2021

Societal Impact StatementPrecision breeding represents a new challenge for biosafety regulators when applying the legal definition of living modified organisms (LMOs) in accordance with their domestic biosafety legislation. Globally, there is uncertainty whether the products of precision breeding will be considered as LMOs and subject to the corresponding regulatory oversight. This article illustrates current regulatory matters of precision breeding in all Latin American and Caribbean countries, serving as a baseline contributing to further discussions about the potential future regulatory status of precision breeding products and its corresponding socioeconomic and environmental impact in the region.SummaryIt is still uncertain whether the products of precision breeding will be considered and regulated as living modified organisms (LMOs) or not. This article illustrates current regulatory matters of precision breeding in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region and provides recommendations to support the corresponding legal interpretation. This is done by analyzing domestic biosafety legal frameworks of LMOs, together with the results from a survey sent to regulatory officers and public researchers in the region. Previous similar publications have focused on a limited selection of countries in the region, but this is the first time a comprehensive overview of all 33 countries is presented. Our results classify countries in five main groups based on their approach to define LMOs under domestic biosafety legislation. Most notably, the key criterion for the clustering of countries is whether the legislation has adopted the legal definition of LMOs according to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity or not. This article highlights that the lack of clarification on the meaning of major terms, such as “naturally,” “manipulation,” and “a novel combination” of genetic material, can provoke ambiguity when applying the biosafety law in products derived from precision breeding. Also, countries require to adopt administrative procedures to determine the regulatory status of precision breeding products. Finally, this article suggests that the rapid adoption of such procedures relevant to precision breeding is strongly connected to the role of agriculture and biotechnology in the countries and with national economic and political perspectives.
Evidence of western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgiferaLeConte) field‐evolved resistance to Cry3Bb1 + Cry34/35Ab1 maize in Nebraska
Authors: Reinders Jordan D , Reinders Emily E , Robinson Emily A , French Bryan W , Meinke Lance J 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDWestern corn rootworm (WCR; Diabrotica virgifera virgifera) field‐evolved resistance to transgenic maize expressing the Cry3Bb1 protein derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been confirmed across the United States Corn Belt. Although use of pyramided hybrids expressing Cry3Bb1 + Cry34/35Ab1 has increased in recent years to mitigate existing WCR Bt resistance, susceptibility of Nebraska WCR populations to this rootworm–Bt pyramid has not been assessed. Plant‐based bioassays were used to characterize the susceptibility of WCR populations to Cry3Bb1 and Cry3Bb1 + Cry34/35Ab1 maize. Populations were collected from areas of northeastern Nebraska with a history of planting Bt maize that expressed Cry3Bb1 and Cry34/35Ab1.RESULTSSignificant differences in mean corrected survival among populations within Bt hybrids indicated a mosaic of WCR susceptibility to Cry3Bb1 + Cry34/35Ab1 and Cry3Bb1 maize occurred in the landscape. All field populations exhibited some level of resistance to one or both Bt hybrids when compared to susceptible laboratory control populations in bioassays. Most WCR populations exhibited incomplete resistance to Cry3Bb1 + Cry34/35Ab1 maize (92%) and complete resistance to Cry3Bb1 maize (79%).CONCLUSIONThe present study confirms the first cases of field‐evolved resistance to Cry3Bb1 + Cry34/35Ab1 maize in Nebraska and documents a landscape‐wide WCR Cry3Bb1 resistance pattern in areas characterized by long‐term continuous maize production and associated planting of Cry3Bb1 hybrids. Use of a multi‐tactic integrated pest management approach is needed in areas of continuous maize production to slow or mitigate resistance evolution to Bt maize. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Li4EPc: A metallo‐organic electride comprising metal‐nitrogen bonds
Authors: Poddar Arpita , Chattaraj Pratim Kumar 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAn in silico design of a new metallo‐organic electride, containing metal‐nitrogen bonds, namely, Li4EPc, with high non‐linear optical (NLO) properties (βtotal = 6.382 × 104 au) is presented. Density functional theory (DFT)‐based computation has revealed the thermodynamic stability of Li42+ cluster encapsulated in EPc host moiety where EPc is an extended phthalocyanine system. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis is performed to study the bonding nature of the aforementioned species. We have also performed atoms in molecules (AIM) analysis to confirm the presence of an isolated electron at the interstitial tetrahedral hollow formed by three‐dimensional Li42+ cluster attached with EPc ligand. Linear and NLO properties of the designed electride have been analyzed by polarizability () and first hyperpolarizability calculations (βtotal). Frequency dependent first hyperpolarizability, second harmonic generation (SHG), electro‐optic Pockel's effect (EOPE) have also been computed. Furthermore, we report the hydrogen adsorption potential of each Li atom in Li4EPc system. The result shows that two H2 molecules can be adsorbed per lithium atom leading to a total of eight H2 molecules adsorbed by Li42+ cluster through physisorption process. This work provides a new insight into designing a stable metallo‐organic electride (Li4EPc) with high NLO response which also can be used as an efficient hydrogen storage material.
Complement inhibition: A possible therapeutic approach in the fight against Covid‐19
Authors: Deravi Niloofar , Ahsan Elahe , Fathi Mobina , Hosseini Parastoo , Yaghoobpoor Shirin , Lotfi Ramin , Pourbagheri‐Sigaroodi Atieh , Bashash Davood 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe complement system, as a vital part of innate immunity, has an important role in the clearance of pathogens; however, unregulated activation of this system probably has a key role in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury, which is induced by highly pathogenic viruses (i.e. influenza A viruses and severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS] coronavirus). The novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2, which is the causal agent for the ongoing global pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19), has recently been spread to almost all countries around the world. Although most people are immunocompetent to SARS‐CoV‐2, a small group develops hyper‐inflammation that leads to complications like acute respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multi‐organ failure. Emerging evidence demonstrates that the complement system exerts a crucial role in this inflammatory reaction. Additionally, patients with the severe form of Covid‐19 show over‐activation of the complement in their skin, sera, and lungs. This study aims to summarise current knowledge concerning the interaction of SARS‐CoV‐2 with the complement system and to critically appraise complement inhibition as a potential new approach for Covid‐19 treatment.
Transition Metal‐Free Sulfenylation of C−H Bonds for C−S Bond Formation in Recent Years: Mechanistic Approach and Promising Future
Authors: Saroha Mohit , Sindhu Jayant , Kumar Sudhir , Bhasin Kuldip K. , Khurana Jitender M. , Varma Rajender S. , Tomar Deepak 
Published: December 2021

AbstractTransition metal‐free sulfenylation of C−H bonds for C−S bond formation has recently emerged as sustainable protocols for the functionalisation of various molecules. Researchers have extensively developed such protocols for the construction of biologically relevant sulfur scaffolds. There has been a gradual shift from metal‐catalyzed to metal‐free C−S bond formation methodologies, because the latter offer environmentally benign and inherently safe access to novel synthetic routes in organic chemistry. The present review offers a dynamic discussion on recent advances in transition metal‐free C−S bond formation via C−H bond functionalization using different surrogate sulfenylating reagents. The review has comprehensively been devoted to radical and ionic mechanistic approaches. Some simple and eco‐friendly reagents for sulfenylation viz. tertbutyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), iodine/potassium persulphate (I2/K2S2O8), inorganic bases, strong organic acids, iodine, I2/triphenyl phosphine (PPh3), N‐chlorosuccinamide (NCS), N‐bromosuccinamide (NBS), potassium iodate (KIO3), I2/bovine serum albumin (BSA), tetrabutyl ammonium iodide (TBAI)/HBr and graphene oxide along with their mechanistic approach has been detailed in this review. Moreover, modern methods for the C−S bond formation i. e., biocatalyst, electrochemical and visible light induced sulfenylation, and traditional sulfenylation methodologies have also been incorporated.
Wheat‐Flour‐Derived Magnetic Porous Carbons by CaCl2‐Activation and their Application in Cr(VI) Removal
Authors: Zhong Guoyu , Hu Shuyin , Xu Mengjie , Meng Zhen , Wu Jialin , Xu Xiaojun , Xu Shurui , Fu Xiaobo , Liao Wenbo , Zheng Shaona , Xu Yongjun 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMagnetic porous carbons were obtained from wheat flour via simple one‐step pyrolysis employing calcium chloride as activator. A series of wheat flour derived‐magnetic porous carbons (WMCs) with various pyrolysis temperature and precursor were prepared, characterized and applied for Cr(VI) removal. The results show that γ‐FeOOH and Fe3O4 were respectively obtained in the WMCs at pyrolysis temperature above and below 600 °C. While, the calcium chloride enhanced the mesoporous of WMCs and promoted the crystallization of Fe3O4. The optimal sample exhibited super Cr(VI) removal capacities of 15.53 mg g−1 and good reusability after 5 recycles in neutral solution. The Cr(VI) removal of WMCs obeys pseudo‐second‐order adsorption model and Langmuir adsorption isotherms. The enhanced adsorptivity can be attributed to the incorporation of adsorption and reduction reaction between Cr(VI) ions and Fe3O4. The density functional theory calculations also demonstrated that Cr(VI) ions is more favorable and strongly adsorbed onto Fe3O4 surface than γ‐FeOOH.
Nitrogen and Oxygen Co‐Doped Porous Hard Carbon Nanospheres with Core‐Shell Architecture as Anode Materials for Superior Potassium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Chong Shaokun , Yuan Lingling , Li Ting , Shu Chengyong , Qiao Shuangyan , Dong Shihong , Liu Zhengqing , Yang Jing , Liu Hua Kun , Dou Shi Xue , Huang Wei 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe investigation of carbonaceous‐based anode materials will promote the fast application of low‐cost potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs). Here a nitrogen and oxygen co‐doped yolk‐shell carbon sphere (NO‐YS‐CS) is constructed as anode material for K‐ion storage. The novel architecture, featuring with developed porous structure and high surface specific area, is beneficial to achieving excellent electrochemical kinetics behavior and great electrode stability from buffering the large volume expansion. Furthermore, the N/O heteroatoms co‐doping can not only boost the adsorption and intercalation ability of K‐ion but also increase the electron transfer capability. It is also demonstrated by experimental results and DFT calculations that K‐ion insertion/extraction proceeds through both intercalation and surface capacitive adsorption mechanisms. As expected, the NO‐YS‐CS electrodes show high initial charge capacity of 473.7 mAh g−1 at 20 mA g−1, ultralong cycling life over 2500 cycles with the retention of 85.8% at 500 mA g−1, and superior rate performance (183.3 mAh g−1 at 1.0 A g−1). The K‐ion full cell, with a high energy density of 271.4 Wh kg−1 and an excellent cyclic stability over 500 cycles, is successfully fabricated with K2Fe[Fe(CN)6] cathode. This work will provide new insight on the synthesis and mechanism understanding of high‐performance hard carbon anode for PIBs.
AuctionWhisk: Using an auction‐inspired approach for function placement in serverless fog platforms
Authors: Bermbach David , Bader Jonathan , Hasenburg Jonathan , Pfandzelter Tobias , Thamsen Lauritz 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe Function‐as‐a‐Service (FaaS) paradigm has a lot of potential as a computing model for fog environments comprising both cloud and edge nodes, as compute requests can be scheduled across the entire fog continuum in a fine‐grained manner. When the request rate exceeds capacity limits at the resource‐constrained edge, some functions need to be offloaded toward the cloud. In this article, we present an auction‐inspired approach in which application developers bid on resources while fog nodes decide locally which functions to execute and which to offload in order to maximize revenue. Unlike many current approaches to function placement in the fog, our approach can work in an online and decentralized manner. We also present our proof‐of‐concept prototype AuctionWhisk that illustrates how such an approach can be implemented in a real FaaS platform. Through a number of simulation runs and system experiments, we show that revenue for overloaded nodes can be maximized without dropping function requests.
Turtles all the way down: Neogene pig‐nosed turtle fossil from southern Australia reveals cryptic freshwater turtle invasions and extinctions
Authors: Rule James P. , Kool Lesley , Parker William M.G. , Fitzgerald Erich M.G. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe extant pig‐nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta), persisting in far northern Australia and southern New Guinea, is the last surviving member of Carettochelyidae and the only non‐Gondwanan freshwater turtle lineage in Australia. Despite having a global fossil record dating to the Cretaceous, the absence of carettochelyid fossils from Australia has implied a relatively recent colonization of this landmass. Here we report an upper Miocene to lower Pliocene carettochelyid fossil from Beaumaris, Victoria, in south‐eastern Australia. This record is the most southerly occurrence of the clade Carettochelyidae. The presence of carettochelyids in southern Australia, and a discontinuous record of trionychids (soft‐shell turtles) in the Cenozoic of Queensland, suggests at least two colonizations of Australia by Trionychia, pre‐dating the extant pig‐nosed turtle. This cryptic southern history of tropical soft‐shell and pig‐nosed turtles ended before the recent aridification of Australia, leaving the Gondwanan side‐necked turtles as the dominant turtle group in Australian freshwater ecosystems. Therefore, this singular fossil reveals a previously unknown shift in the diversity and evolutionary history of freshwater turtles in Australia.
Science and Environment Education in the Times of the Anthropocene: Some Reflections from India
Authors: Raveendran Aswathy , Srivastava Himanshu 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn this article, we critically discuss the notion of Anthropocene and its sociopolitical implications for science and environmental education. We do so by laying out how the Anthropocene discourse has shaped the debates around development, environment, and technoscience in postcolonial India. Subsequently, we shift to a conversational format wherein each of us deliberate on our engagements as critical science educators, discussing how, in our respective work, we find the official curriculum promoting the Anthropocene discourse. We then discuss ways by which the Anthropocene discourse constitutes student subjectivities in terms of the nature of their values and aspirations. While engaging in this dialogue, we find ourselves reimagining alternatives.