bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Magneto‐Based Synergetic Therapy for Implant‐Associated Infections via Biofilm Disruption and Innate Immunity Regulation
Authors: Wang Jiaxing , Wang Lingtian , Pan Jiong , Zhao Jinhui , Tang Jin , Jiang Dajun , Hu Ping , Jia Weitao , Shi Jianlin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractImplant‐associated infections (IAIs) are a common cause of orthopedic surgery failure due to microbial biofilm‐induced antibiotic‐resistance and innate immune inactivation. Thus, the destruction of microbial biofilm plays a key role in reducing IAIs. Herein, first, a magneto‐based synergetic therapy (MST) is proposed and demonstrated against IAIs based on biofilm destruction. Under an alternating magnetic field (AMF), CoFe2O4@MnFe2O4 nanoparticles (MNPs), with a rather strong magnetic hyperthermal capacity, can generate sufficient thermal effect to cause dense biofilm dispersal. Loosened biofilms provide channels through which nitrosothiol‐coated MNPs (MNP‐SNOs) can penetrate. Subsequently, thermosensitive nitrosothiols rapidly release nitric oxide (NO) inside biofilms, thus efficiently killing sessile bacteria under the magnetothermal effect of MNPs. More importantly, MNP‐SNOs can trigger macrophage‐related immunity to prevent the relapse of IAIs by exposing the infected foci to a consistent innate immunomodulatory effect. The notable anti‐infection effect of this nanoplatform is also confirmed in a rat IAI model. This work presents the promising potential of combining magnetothermal therapy with immunotherapy, for the effective and durable control and elimination of IAIs.
Advanced Development Strategy of Nano Catalyst and DFT Calculations for Direct Synthesis of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Han Geun‐Ho , Lee Seok‐Ho , Hwang Seong‐Yeon , Lee Kwan‐Young 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHydrogen peroxide is a simple oxidizing agent. Its environmental benignness and effectiveness have led to a continuous increase in its use and production. Anthraquinone autoxidation (the AO process) is generally used to manufacture hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); however, this complex multi‐stage process releases large amounts of organic solvent into the environment and requires significant energy to operate. As a green and energy‐efficient production method, the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (DSHP) from molecular hydrogen and oxygen can overcome the disadvantages of the AO process. However, DSHP has remained challenging until recently as severe mass‐transfer limitations and unavoidable side reactions result in insufficient selectivity for H2O2. However, beyond the conventional development methods for catalysts, recent advances in chemical and engineering fields can appreciably assist in the discovery of a “dream catalyst” for DSHP; high‐end computational methods and the facile surface‐controllable syntheses of nanocatalysts. This review addresses how a combination of density functional theory (DFT) calculations and nanocatalyst synthesis technologies lead to the development of high‐performance catalysts for DSHP, and provides guidelines on efficient methodologies for the development of catalysts through the use of cutting edge technologies.
Active optical sensor measurements and weather variables for predicting winter wheat yield
Authors: Aula Lawrence , Omara Peter , Nambi Eva , Oyebiyi Fikayo B. , Dhillon Jagmandeep , Eickhoff Elizabeth , Carpenter Jonathan , Raun William R. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAccurate winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yield prediction is vital for improving N management decisions. Currently, most N optimization algorithms use in‐season estimated yield (INSEY) as a sole variable for predicting grain yield potential (YP). Although evidence suggests that this works, the yield prediction accuracy could be further improved by including other predictors in the model. The objective of this work was to evaluate INSEY, pre‐plant N rate, total rainfall, and average air temperature from September to December as predictors of winter wheat YP. An 8‐yr (2012–2019) data set for grain yield was obtained from Experiment 502, Lahoma, OK. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block with four replications and N applied at 0, 45, 67, 90, and 112 kg ha–1. Weather data was obtained from the Oklahoma Mesonet (http://mesonet.org). The data were analyzed using R statistical computing platform. The best model was selected using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Root mean square error (RMSE) was obtained using k‐fold cross‐validation. The model selection algorithm produced the full model as the best model for yield prediction with an R2 of .79 and RMSE of 0.54 Mg ha–1. The best one‐variable model – as expected – used INSEY as the predictor and had the highest RMSE of 0.72 Mg ha–1 and an R2 of .62. Mid‐season YP prediction accuracy could be improved by including pre‐plant N rate, mean air temperature, and total rainfall from September to December in a model already containing INSEY.
Investigation of the influence of pancreatic surgery on new‐onset and persistent diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yamada Daisaku , Takahashi Hidenori , Asukai Kei , Hasegawa Shinichiro , Wada Hiroshi , Matsuda Chu , Yasui Masayoshi , Omori Takeshi , Miyata Hiroshi , Sakon Masato 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimThe management of diabetes mellitus (DM) after pancreatic surgery is a long‐standing issue. We aimed to investigate DM concerning pancreatic surgery, including new onset diabetes mellitus (NODM), DM resolution, and the change in insulin excretion before/after pancreatic surgery.MethodsWe retrospectively investigated three different cohorts (total 403 patients) undergoing pancreatectomy. Of those, 275 patients without preoperative DM were investigated for the risk factors of NODM. Fifty‐four patients without preoperative DM of the other cohort were assessed for pre/postoperative 24‐hour urinary C‐peptide excretion (24‐hr CPR). To evaluate the influence of pancreatic surgery on DM treatment in patients with preoperative DM, 74 patients were investigated. In all those patients, the pancreatic volume in pre/postoperative images was assessed to estimate the resected pancreatic volume.ResultsNODM was observed in 60 patients (21%), and a lower ratio of remnant pancreatic volume (RRPV) was the only significant risk factor for NODM. Postoperative 24‐hr CPR was significantly associated with two factors, RRPV and preoperative 24‐hr CPR. Nine of 74 patients with preoperative DM achieved DM resolution after pancreatic surgery, and the presence of gastrointestinal anastomosis was a significant preferable factor for DM resolution.ConclusionsConsidering the management of DM after surgery, both predicting the postoperative pancreatic volume and the presence of gastrointestinal reconstruction are significant. We concluded that the combined assessment of the predicted remnant pancreatic volume and the preoperative 24‐hr CPR value is useful to predict the postoperative pancreatic function.
Working near a supervised injection facility: A qualitative study of perspectives of firefighter‐emergency medical responders
Authors: Pennington Michelle L. , Dupree Jessica , Coe Elizabeth , Ostiguy William , Kimbrel Nathan A. , Meyer Eric C. , Gulliver Suzy B. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundWhile firefighter‐emergency medical responders (FF‐EMR) are important stakeholders in cities considering the implementation of a supervised injection facility (SIF), there is little information on perspectives of first responders who serve these communities. The aim of the present study was to identify FF‐EMR perspectives on working near a SIF.MethodsFF‐EMRs from Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services completed an online survey that queried participant perspectives on working near a SIF.ResultsFour main themes were identified: positive effects, negative effects, duration of assignment, and sense of duty. Similar percentages of first responders reported positive (22.2%) and negative aspects (25.9%) of working near the SIF, while some (18.5%) indicated preference for a short‐term assignment to the SIF area. FF‐EMRs most commonly described a sense of duty (35.2%).ConclusionsTo our knowledge, our study is the first to identify FF‐EMR perspectives related to work near a SIF. Perspectives and concerns of first responders should be considered in policy debates about implementation of new SIFs to guarantee an adequately‐prepared first responder workforce.
COVID‐19 deaths by occupation, Massachusetts, March 1–July 31, 2020
Authors: Hawkins Devan , Davis Letitia , Kriebel David 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundExposure to COVID‐19 is more likely among certain occupations compared with others. This descriptive study seeks to explore occupational differences in mortality due to COVID‐19 among workers in Massachusetts.MethodsDeath certificates of those who died from COVID‐19 in Massachusetts between March 1 and July 31, 2020 were collected. Occupational information was coded and age‐adjusted mortality rates were calculated according to occupation.ResultsThere were 555 deaths among MA residents of age 16–64, with usable occupation information, resulting in an age‐adjusted mortality rate of 16.4 per 100,000 workers. Workers in 11 occupational groups including healthcare support and transportation and material moving had mortality rates higher than that for workers overall. Hispanic and Black workers had age‐adjusted mortality rates more than four times higher than that for White workers overall and also had higher rates than Whites within high‐risk occupation groups.ConclusionEfforts should be made to protect workers in high‐risk occupations identified in this report from COVID‐19 exposure.
Common pathogenesis for sirenomelia, OEIS complex, limb‐body wall defect, and other malformations of caudal structures
Authors: Stevenson Roger E. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDecades of clinical, pathological, and epidemiological study and the recent application of advanced microarray and gene sequencing technologies have led to an understanding of the causes and pathogenesis of most recognized patterns of malformation. Still, there remain a number of patterns of malformation whose pathogenesis has not been established. Six such patterns of malformation are sirenomelia, VACTERL association, OEIS complex, limb‐body wall defect (LBWD), urorectal septum malformation (URSM) sequence, and MURCS association, all of which predominantly affect caudal structures. On the basis of the overlap of the component malformations, the co‐occurrence in individual fetuses, and the findings on fetal examination, a common pathogenesis is proposed for these patterns of malformation. The presence of a single artery in the umbilical cord provides a visible clue to the pathogenesis of all cases of sirenomelia and 30%–50% of cases of VACTERL association, OEIS complex, URSM sequence, and LBWD. The single artery is formed by a coalescence of arteries that supply the yolk sac, arises from the descending aorta high in the abdominal cavity, and redirects blood flow from the developing caudal structures of the embryo to the placenta. This phenomenon during embryogenesis is termed vitelline vascular steal.
Functional variants fine‐mapping and gene function characterization provide insights into the role of ZNF323 in schizophrenia pathogenesis
Authors: Li Shiwu , Li Xiaoyan , Liu Jiewei , Huo Yongxia , Li Long , Wang Junyang , Luo Xiong‐Jian 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSchizophrenia is a severe mental disease characterized with positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive impairments. Although recent genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) have identified over 145 risk loci for schizophrenia, pinpointing the causal variants and genes at the reported loci and elucidating their roles in schizophrenia remain major challenges. Here we identify a functional single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; rs213237) in ZNF323 promoter by using functional fine‐mapping. We found that allelic differences at rs213237 affected the ZNF323 promoter activity significantly. Consistently, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis showed that rs213237 was significantly associated with ZNF323 expression in diverse human brain tissues, suggesting that rs213237 may contribute to schizophrenia risk through regulating ZNF323 expression. Interestingly, we found that ZNF323 protein was localized in the nucleus and knockdown of ZNF323 in macaque neural stem cells (mNSCs) significantly impaired proliferation and survival of mNSCs. We further showed that stable knockdown of ZNF323 in SH‐SY5Y cells resulted in significant decrease of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein expression. Finally, transcriptome analysis revealed that ZNF323 may regulate pivotal schizophrenia risk genes (including VIPR2 and NPY) and schizophrenia‐associated pathways (including PI3K‐AKT and NOTCH signaling pathways), suggesting that ZNF323 may be a major regulator of schizophrenia risk genes. Our study reveals how a genetic variant in ZNF323 promoter contributes to schizophrenia risk through regulating ZNF323 expression. More importantly, our findings demonstrate that ZNF323 may have a pivotal role in schizophrenia pathogenesis through regulating schizophrenia risk genes and schizophrenia‐associated biological processes (including neurodevelopment, PI3K‐AKT, and NOTCH signaling pathways).
Effects of annealing temperature on both radial supporting performance and axial flexibility of poly(L‐lactic acid) braided stents
Authors: Tian Yuan , Liu Muqing , Liu Wentao , Cheng Jie , Wu Gensheng , Han Ting , Zhang Yi , Zhao Gutian , Ni Zhonghua 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this paper, the effects of annealing temperature on both radial supporting performance and axial flexibility of poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) braided stents are studied. Stents are annealed at a series of temperatures ranging from 80 to 160°C for 1 h, then indicators of shaping effect, radial supporting performance, and axial flexibility are compared. Stents not annealed and annealed at 80°C cannot be completely shaped. In contrast, stents annealed at 100 to 160°C are well shaped showing radial shrinkage rate of 1.0 ± 0.2% and almost no axial elongation. The radial compressive force and axial force are gradually increased by 51.2% and 89.2%, respectively with the annealing temperature gradually increasing from 80 to 160°C, indicating that the radial supporting performance is improved but axial flexibility is weakened by a higher annealing temperature. Taken together, PLLA braided stents can be annealed at 100 to 120°C to obtain sufficient radial force and lower axial force simultaneously for clinical applications. Moreover, tensile test, X‐ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry are performed for monofilaments annealed at different temperatures to further explore the effect mechanism of annealing temperature on the mechanical properties of stents. This study may provide helpful suggestions for the manufacture of biodegradable braided stents.
Design and properties of polyarylene ether nitrile copolymers with improved elongation at break
Authors: Liu Shuning , Liu Chenchen , Bai Zhongxiang , Zhang Weixi , Tong Lifen , Liu Xiaobo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPolyarylene ether nitrile (PEN) based on biphenol exhibits a high glass transition temperature of 216°C, a high tensile strength of 110 MPa, and low elongation at break of approximately 4%. A series of PEN random copolymers with improved elongation at break were synthesized using various bisphenol compounds and 2,6‐dichlorobenzonitrile (DCBN). The resulting PEN random copolymers exhibited a high glass transition temperature and thermal stability up to 513°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. PEN copolymers were amorphous and could easily be cast into transparent films with a tensile strength of 97.93–117.88 MPa and tensile modulus of 2187.98–2558.44 MPa. Most importantly, elongation at break of these PEN copolymers was higher than 13%. PEN copolymer films had a dielectric constant of 3.77–3.89 at 1 kHz and extremely low dielectric loss (<0.02). At the same time, the breakdown strength of PEN was in the range of 137.92–198.19 kV/mm and energy storage density was in the range of 0.32–0.68 J/cm3. Excellent mechanical, thermal, and dielectric properties of PEN make it possible to use them as high‐temperature resistant dielectrics to act on high‐temperature resistant insulated cables.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor deficiency aggravates effects of fructose‐enriched diet on lipid metabolism in the mouse liver
Authors: Gligorovska Ljupka , Teofilović Ana , Vojnović Milutinović Danijela , Miladinović Nenad , Kovačević Sanja , Veličković Nataša , Djordjevic Ana 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDietary fructose can disturb hepatic lipid metabolism in a way that leads to lipid accumulation and steatosis, which is often accompanied with low‐grade inflammation. The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine with important role not only in the regulation of inflammation, but also in the modulation of energy metabolism in the liver. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of Mif deficiency in fructose‐induced disturbances of hepatic lipid metabolism and ectopic lipid accumulation. Wild type (WT) and Mif deficient (MIF−/−) C57Bl/6J mice were used to analyze the effects of 9‐week 20% fructose‐enriched diet on hepatic lipid metabolism (both lipogenesis and β‐oxidation) and histology, inflammatory status and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling. The results showed fructose‐induced elevation of lipogenic genes (fatty acid synthase (Fas) and stearoyl‐CoA desaturase‐1 (Scd1) and transcriptional lipogenic regulators (liver X receptor (LXR), sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), and carbohydrate response element‐binding protein (ChREBP)). However, microvesicular fatty changes, accompanied with enhanced inflammation, were observable only in fructose‐fed Mif deficient animals, and were most likely result of GR activation and facilitated uptake and decreased β‐oxidation of FFA, as evidenced by elevated protein level of fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) and decreased carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1) level. In conclusion, the results show that Mif deficiency aggravates the effects of energy‐rich fructose diet on hepatic lipid accumulation, most likely through enhanced inflammation and activation of GR signaling pathway.
The design basis for the integrated and continuous biomanufacturing framework
Authors: Coffman Jon , Bibbo Kenneth , Brower Mark , Forbes Robert , Guros Nicholas , Horowski Brian , Lu Rick , Mahajan Rajiv , Patil Ujwal , Rose Steven , Shultz Joseph 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAn 8 ton per year manufacturing facility is described based on the framework for integrated and continuous bioprocessing (ICB) common to all known biopharmaceutical implementations. While the output of this plant rivals some of the largest fed‐batch plants in the world, the equipment inside the plant is relatively small: the plant consists of four 2000 L single‐use bioreactors and has a maximum flow rate of 13 L/min. The equipment and facility for the ICB framework is described in sufficient detail to allow biopharmaceutical companies, vendors, contract manufacturers to build or buy their own systems. The design will allow the creation of a global ICB ecosystem that will transform biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The design is fully backward compatible with legacy fed‐batch processes. A clinical production scale is described that can produce smaller batch sizes with the same equipment as that used at the commercial scale. The design described allows the production of as little as 10 g to nearly 35 kg of drug substance per day.
Role‐based attention in deep reinforcement learning for games
Authors: Yang Dong , Yang Wenjing , Li Minglong , Yang Qiong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractReinforcement learning method that learns while interacting with the environment, relies heavily on the concept of state as the input to the policy and value function. In the task, the view of agent contains a lot of information, and it is difficult for the agent to learn to ignore the irrelevant information and focus on the key information. Inspired by recent work in attention models for computer vision, we present a role‐based attention model for reinforcement learning. The proposed model uses convolutional neural networks to generate soft attention maps, adding crucial role information in the task, forcing the agent to focus on important features and distinguish task‐related information. To validate the performance in complex problems, the proposed approach is evaluated in a challenging scenario, Football Academy in Google Research Football Environment, a newly released reinforcement learning environment with physics‐based three‐dimensional simulator. The experimental results demonstrate that agents using role‐based attention mechanism can perform better in football games.
Transcatheter valve‐in‐valve implantation versus surgical redo aortic root replacement in patients with degenerated freestyle aortic bioprosthesis
Authors: Vukadinovikj Andrijana , Baumgártner Eva , Bohmann Katja , Härter Denise , Wimmer‐Greinecker Gerhard , Burgdorf Christof 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundTranscatheter aortic valve‐in‐valve implantation (ViV TAVI) represents a new treatment option for patients with degenerated aortic bioprosthesis. Comparative data to redo surgical aortic valve replacement (redo SAVR) are limited.ObjectiveWe investigated feasibility and outcome of ViV TAVI versus redo SAVR in patients with symptomatic degenerated Medtronic Freestyle aortic bioprosthesis (FSB).MethodsBetween January 2002 and February 2020, 25 patients with failed FSB underwent ViV TAVI and 10 patients with failed FSB underwent redo SAVR. Endpoints were defined according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium‐2 (VARC‐2) criteria.ResultsAge and logistic EuroSCORE II were higher in patients with ViV TAVI (75.4 ± 1.7 vs. 62.9 ± 5.1 years, p = .019; 11.5 ± 1.6 vs. 5.6 ± 5.6%, p = .007). Valve implantation was successful in all cases. Mean transvalvular pressure gradients were significantly lower in patients with redo SAVR than ViV TAVI (7.6 ± 1.0 vs. 10.3 ± 0.8 mmHg, p = .037). Aortic valve regurgitation was absent in 91% and 100% of patients with ViV TAVI and redo SAVR, respectively. Thirty‐day mortality rates were 12% in the ViV TAVI cohort versus 0% in the redo SAVR cohort (p = .542). Within the first year after hospital discharge, one patient after ViV TAVI had redo surgical intervention.ConclusionsViV TAVI and redo SAVR lead to excellent functional results in patients with degenerated FSB. Post‐procedural early complications must be considered particularly in patients with ViV TAVI because of higher clinical risk profiles.
Synthetic Approaches to Selenoesters
Authors: Baldassari Lucas L. , Lüdtke Diogo S. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSelenoesters are compounds of great synthetic relevance since they can be used in several types of chemical transformations and mainly due to their great capacity in the formation of acyl radicals. Therefore, the scientific community has been developing several methods for the synthesis of this class of molecules. This review will address the synthesis of these compounds from different starting materials, such as carboxylic acids derivatives (acid chlorides and anhydrides), aldehydes, selenoacetylenes and miscellaneous methods.
Base‐Promoted Formylation and N‐Difluoromethylation of Azaindoles with Ethyl Bromodifluoroacetate as a Carbon Source
Authors: Li Yang , Sun Ning , Zhang Cai‐Lin , Hao Meng 
Published: February 2021

Main observation and conclusionWe reported for the first time that ethyl bromodifluoroacetate directly reacts with azaindole without transition metal catalysis to produce a difluoromethyl protected 5‐aldehyde group product in one step. It is worth mentioning that the reacted aldehyde group is only formed at the 5 position. In addition, this method has good substrate applicability and functional group tolerance. Finally, we also carried out some mechanism auxiliary experiments, which confirmed that the aldehyde‐based carbon comes from ethyl bromo‐ difluoroacetate.