bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In situ strain electrical atomic force microscopy study on two‐dimensional ternary transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Ma Li , Chen Rui , Dong Shilian , Yu Ting 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAtomically thin two‐dimensional (2D) alloys have attracted wide interests of study recently due to their potential in flexible electronic and optoelectronic applications. In particular, monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) alloys have emerged as unique 2D semiconductors with tunable bandgaps, by means of alloying. However, response of surface electrical potential and barrier height to strain for 2D TMD alloys–electrode interface is rarely explored. Apparently, revealing such strain‐dependent evolution of electrical properties is crucial for developing advanced 2D TMD based flexible electronics and optoelectronics. Here we performed in situ strain Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and conductive atomic force microscopy (C‐AFM) investigations of monolayer Mo0.4W0.6Se2 on Au coated flexible substrate, where controlled uniaxial tensile strain is applied. Both contact potential difference (CPD) and Schottky barrier heights (SBH) of monolayer Mo0.4W0.6Se2 show obvious decreases with the increase of strain, which is mainly due to the strain‐induced increment of TMD electron affinity. Our in situ strain photoluminescence (PL) measurements also indicate the changes of electronic band structures under strain. We further exploit the substrate effects on CPD by study the monolayer alloy on the mostly used substrates of SiO2/Si and indium tin oxide (ITO)/glass. Our findings could strengthen the foundation for the potential applications of 2D TMD and their alloys in the fields of strain sensors, flexible photodetectors, and other wearable electronic devices.image
Performance‐based contracts in cattle feedlots
Authors: Maples William E. , DeVuyst Eric A. , Wade Brorsen B. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFeeder cattle markets suffer from asymmetric information as sellers have information that buyers do not. Since buyers cannot fully determine the quality of feeder cattle, they pay for an “average” quality that is only adjusted by observable characteristics. A contract design is introduced that allows buyers to differentiate producers by offering a menu of contracts. The offered contracts contain a premium that is paid when a lot of cattle reach a target performance indicator, such as average daily gain. Results suggest the contract can successfully allow buyers to purchase high‐quality cattle, avoiding purchasing low‐quality cattle.
NIR‐II imaging with ICG for identifying perforators, assessing flap status and predicting division timing of pedicled flaps in a porcine model
Authors: Wu Yifan , Yu Yifeng , Wang Zheng , Gao Siqi , Zhang Dong , Yu Aixi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe use of skin flaps to fill large defects is a key surgical technique in reconstructive surgery, effective real‐time in vivo imaging for flap design and use is urgent. Currently, fluorescent imaging in the second NIR window (NIR‐II; 1000‐1700 nm) is characterized by non‐radiation, less expensive and higher resolution in comparisons with the first NIR window (NIR‐I; 700‐900 nm) and other traditional imaging modalities. In this article, we identified the location and numbers of perforators and choke zone via NIR‐II imaging. Then, eight abdominal perforator flaps were established and the perfusion zones were evaluatedat special time points. Finally, after eight pedicled flaps establishment, NIR‐II imaging was used to guide the optimal timing for division of flap pedicle. The results showed that NIR‐II fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) can reliably visualize vascular supply, which makes it to be an accurate and in vivo imaging approach to flap clinical design and use.
Using steered molecular dynamic tension for assessing quality of computational protein structure models
Authors: Monroe Lyman , Kihara Daisuke 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe native structures of proteins, except for notable exceptions of intrinsically disordered proteins, in general take their most stable conformation in the physiological condition to maintain their structural framework so that their biological function can be properly carried out. Experimentally, the stability of a protein can be measured by several means, among which the pulling experiment using the atomic force microscope (AFM) stands as a unique method. AFM directly measures the resistance from unfolding, which can be quantified from the observed force‐extension profile. It has been shown that key features observed in an AFM pulling experiment can be well reproduced by computational molecular dynamics simulations. Here, we applied computational pulling for estimating the accuracy of computational protein structure models under the hypothesis that the structural stability would positively correlated with the accuracy, i.e. the closeness to the native, of a model. We used in total 4929 structure models for 24 target proteins from the Critical Assessment of Techniques of Structure Prediction (CASP) and investigated if the magnitude of the break force, that is, the force required to rearrange the model's structure, from the force profile was sufficient information for selecting near‐native models. We found that near‐native models can be successfully selected by examining their break forces suggesting that high break force indeed indicates high stability of models. On the other hand, there were also near‐native models that had relatively low peak forces. The mechanisms of the stability exhibited by the break forces were explored and discussed.
Interplay mechanisms between progesterone and endocannabinoid receptors in regulating bull sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction
Authors: Mahajan Abhishek , Sharma Pratishtha , Mishra Abhishek K. , Gupta Shashikant , Yadav Sarvajeet , Anand Mukul , Yadav Brijesh , Madan Arun K. , Swain Dilip K. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAfter ejaculation, sperm show a limited capacity for transcription and translation. In the oviduct, most of the signalling in sperm is nongenomic and is mediated through membrane receptors. Studies have shown that the cation channel of sperm (CatSper), cAMP, cGMP, protein kinases, and tyrosine phosphorylation are involved in the nongenomic signalling of progesterone (P4) in sperm. However, it is not known whether there is an interplay between P4 and cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2), transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), CatSper channels, cAMP, inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK); these potential regulators are involved in the regulation of capacitation and the acrosome reaction. In the present study, selective blockers of CB1, CB2, TRPV1, CatSper channels, cAMP, protein kinase A (PKA), IP3R, and MAPK were used to identify their involvement in P4‐mediated bull sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction. Selective blocking of any one of the molecules caused a significant reduction in P4 signalling (p < 0.05). Interestingly, blocking these molecules in combination followed by treatment with P4 resulted in the complete absence of capacitation and the acrosome reaction. Blocking a single receptor was not able to eliminate the P4‐induced capacitation and the acrosome reaction. In addition to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, there may be other signalling pathways that mediate P4 signalling. In conclusion, P4 signalling exhibited interplay with the cannabinoid receptors. The regulation of sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction also involved cAMP, PKA, l‐type and T‐type calcium channels, TRPV1, inositol trisphosphate, and MAPK.
Reductive debromination of bromo‐substituted C2 aliphatics using a biochar–iron(II) composite
Authors: Lindhardt Jonathan H , Lu Changyong , Holm Peter E , Hansen Hans Christian B 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDTribromoethylene (TrBE), dibromoethylenes (DBEs) and 1,2‐dibromoethane (DBA) are widespread, toxic and persistent contaminants found in anaerobic soil and groundwater. The abiotic debromination of TrBE, DBEs and DBA using a layered iron(II)–iron(III) hydroxide (green rust, GR) with biochars acting as electron mediators was studied. A screening of biochar substrates was conducted. Reactive biochars were chosen for debromination of TrBE, DBEs and DBA in deionized water and groundwater. Post‐pyrolysis activation with CO2 was tested for reactivity enhancement.RESULTSBone meal (BM) and shrimp shell (SS) biochars resulted in 60% and 90% debromination of TrBE, respectively. The SS biochar catalyzed debromination by elimination reactions of TrBE and DBEs resulting in formation of acetylene, while DBA was reduced to ethylene. All debrominations in deionized water followed pseudo‐first‐order kinetics with half‐lives t1/2 of 5.1, 1.3, 2.6 and 9.5 h for TrBE, cDBE, tDBE and DBA, respectively. For similar experiments in moderately hard groundwater, removal t1/2 values were on average 2.6 times slower, but still considered fast. Compared to removal t1/2 in deionized water, post‐pyrolysis activation with CO2 of an acid‐treated SS biochar produced a t1/2 11 times shorter for removal of TrBE and two times shorter for DBA.CONCLUSIONSBiochars are efficient mediators of reductive debromination of TrBE, DBEs and DBA. TrBE, DBEs and DBA can be effectively debrominated in deionized water and groundwater samples using a GR–SS biochar composite. The mediating ability of the SS biochar can be further improved by post‐pyrolysis CO2 activation. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Relationship between the prevalence and severity of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and coronary artery disease: Findings from a cross‐sectional study of a referral center in northeast Iran
Authors: Gholoobi Arash , Gifani Mehrnoosh , Gholoobi Aida , Akhlaghi Saeed , Pezeshki Rad Masoud , Baradaran Rahimi Vafa 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackground and AimNon‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, and cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in NAFLD patients. The present study aimed to evaluate the possible relationship between the presence and severity of NAFLD and coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted on 296 patients (122 men and 174 women, with mean age 54.10 ± 9.33 years) referred to the catheterization laboratory of Imam Reza Hospital affiliated to the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, for elective coronary angiography to investigate the presence and severity of CAD. Additionally, all patients underwent abdominal ultrasonography (USG) to detect NAFLD and its severity.ResultsAmong the 296 patients, 187 (63.2%) had CAD and 160 (50.1%) had NAFLD. NAFLD patients had significantly higher prevalence of obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.047, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.002–1.094), hypertension (OR = 1.909, 95% CI = 1.027–3.55), hyperlipidemia (OR = 3.474, 95% CI = 1.862–6.482), and CAD (OR = 2.009, 95% CI = 1.100–3.669). The percentage of patients with normal vessels was higher in the non‐NAFLD group, followed by the group with mild and severe NAFLD (P < 0.001). However, single‐ and multi‐vessel disease incidences among the non‐NAFLD, mild, and severe NAFLD groups were 36.1, 43.1, and 63.7%, respectively. Interestingly, the percentage of patients with two‐vessel stenosis was significantly higher in severe NAFLD patients than mild and non‐NAFLD patients (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe prevalence and severity of NAFLD were independently associated with CAD. Mild NAFLD was primarily observed among patients with normal and non‐obstructive coronary artery patients, while severe NAFLD was more frequent in extensive CAD patients with multi‐vessel disease.
The role of financial inclusion in improving household well‐being
Authors: Sakyi‐Nyarko Carlos , Ahmad Ahmad Hassan , Green Christopher J. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractUsing a nationally representative household survey data collected from Ghana, this paper investigates the relationship between financial inclusion and household well‐being. The paper computes a comprehensive index for financial inclusion incorporating all its dimensions: availability, accessibility, usage and quality. Our econometric analyses employ both discrete and continuous models to produce robust results. The main result indicates that there are significant welfare gains from increased financial inclusion irrespective of its measure and control for endogeneity. The results also suggest that enhanced financial inclusion increases the likelihood of improving food consumption, medical treatment, cash income and school attendance outcomes. Thus, there is a clear policy implication: increasing financial inclusion will significantly contribute to the attainment of some key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Vaccines for Covid‐19: An insight on their effectiveness and adverse effects
Authors: Qamar Naila , Rukh Gul , Khan Sadiq N. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAn era of SARS‐COVID‐19 outbreak with a high contagious percentage around the globe has been the subject of multi‐agency research aimed at generating vaccines for active immunization. Scientists across the world are joining hands for advanced tie‐ups between medical start‐ups and pharmaceutical industries for devices and vaccines development to hinder the progress of this outbreak. Moreover, the questions that need to be answered are how to improve the effectiveness and efficacy of vaccines with reduced side effects and the required doses of vaccines for enhanced surveillance. In this review article, we have discussed the effectiveness and efficacy of different Covid‐19 vaccines.
Rapid identification of the geographic origin of Taiping Houkui green tea using near‐infrared spectroscopy combined with a variable selection method
Authors: Jin Ge , Xu Yifan , Cui Chuanjian , Zhu Yuanyuan , Zong Jianfa , Cai Huimei , Ning Jingming , Wei Chaoling , Hou Ruyan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDMost studies focus on the geographically larger production areas in tea traceability. However, famous high‐quality tea is often produced in a narrow range of origins, which makes traceability a challenge. In this study, Taiping Houkui (TPHK) green tea of narrow geographical origin was rapidly identified using Fourier‐transform near‐infrared (FT‐NIR) spectroscopy.RESULTSFirst, spectral information of 114 TPHK samples from four production areas was acquired. Second, the synthetic minority over‐sampling technique (SMOTE) was used to balance the sample data set, and three different spectral pre‐processing methods were compared. Third, three feature variable selection algorithms were used to obtain the pre‐processed spectral features. Finally, extreme learning machine (ELM) models based on the variables obtained from the selected features were established to trace the TPHK origin. The optimized ELM model achieves 95.35% classification accuracy in the test set.CONCLUSIONThe present study demonstrates that the optimized variable selection method in combination with NIR spectroscopy represents a suitable strategy for tea traceability in narrow regions. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
The anticancer effect of statins in obese esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy
Authors: Abdelfatah Eihab , Kukar Moshim , Mukherjee Sarbajit , Groman Adrienne , Yendamuri Sai 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn addition to treating hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis, statins have demonstrated anti‐inflammatory and antitumor activity in various cancers. We evaluate this effect in esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy.MethodsEsophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center between March 2007 and December 2015 were included. Association between presurgery statin use and relevant variables with overall survival (OS), disease‐specific survival (DSS), and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) was analyzed using Cox hazards. Survival analyses were independently performed for body mass index (BMI)‐based subgroups.ResultsThere was no significant association between statin use and outcomes overall. However, in subgroup analysis, there was significant association between statin use and outcomes in patients with BMI ≥ 30. Multivariable analysis in obese patients demonstrated the association of statins with improved OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.46, p = 0.025), DSS (HR: 0.39, p = 0.015), and RFS (HR: 0.38, p = 0.022). The only other variable significantly associated with all three outcome measures was stage.ConclusionsStatin use is associated with improved OS, DSS, and RFS of obese patients in resected esophageal cancer. BMI could be investigated as a biomarker for adjunctive statin use in future studies.
Side‐to‐end reanastomosis after low‐anterior resection (STELAR): Outcomes, feasibility, and description of procedure performed by a gynecologic oncology service
Authors: Khetan Varun U. , Muderspach Laila I. , Miller Heather A. , Licon Ernesto , Adams Crystal L. , Brunette Laurie L. , Pham Huyen Q. , Yessaian Annie A. , Roman Lynda D. , Matsuo Koji , Ciccone Marcia A. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesLow anterior rectosigmoid resection for a gynecologic disease is usually performed in concert with other procedures and can result in significant morbidity should anastomotic complication occur. This study examined surgical outcomes of side‐to‐end reanastomosis after low anterior resection (STELAR) performed by gynecologic oncology service.MethodsThis is a case series examining consecutive patients who underwent STELAR for gynecologic indications by a single gynecologic oncology group from 2009 to 2018. Prospectively collected institutional surgical database was searched for STELAR, and standard descriptive statistics were used to describe intraoperative and postoperative complications specific to reanastomosis.ResultsA total of 69 women underwent STELAR, with median age and body mass index of 54 years and 24 kg/m2, respectively. 63.8% of patients had ovarian cancer and 84.4% had stage III–IV disease. The median estimated blood loss was 875 ml. Four (5.8%) women underwent protective loop colostomy at the time of STELAR. Postoperatively, there was 1 (1.4%) case of abscess formation within 30 days and 1 (1.4%) case of anastomotic leak 5 weeks after STELAR that required reoperation and diversion. No cases of fistula were clinically identified.ConclusionSide‐to‐end reanastomosis may be a safe and feasible procedure to accomplish low rectosigmoid anastomosis in women with gynecologic disease.
Hepatorenal Index by B‐Mode Ratio Versus Imaging and Fatty Liver Index to Diagnose Steatosis in Alcohol‐Related and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Kjaergaard Maria , Lindvig Katrine Prier , Hansen Camilla Dalby , Detlefsen Sönke , Krag Aleksander , Thiele Maja 
Published: April 2022

ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the hepatorenal index by B‐mode ratio to diagnose hepatic steatosis, compared to ultrasound steatosis score, controlled attenuation parameter, and the fatty liver index using histology as the gold standard.MethodsWe prospectively included participants with alcohol‐related or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease for same‐day noninvasive investigations and liver biopsy.ResultsWe included 137 participants, 72% male, median age 60 years (53–65) and body mass index 32 kg/m2 (28–38). Eighty percent had steatosis (S0/S1/S2/S3 = 20/37/24/19%). B‐mode ratio had moderate diagnostic accuracy for any steatosis (≥S1, area under the receiver operating characteristics curve [AUROC] = 0.79; 95% confidence interval 0.70–0.88), significant steatosis (≥S2, AUROC = 0.76; 0.66–0.85), and severe steatosis (=S3, AUROC = 0.74; 0.62–0.86), independent of disease etiology. The cutoff values to rule‐out and rule‐in any steatosis were 1.09 and 1.45. While B‐mode ratio and controlled attenuation parameter correlated poorly, their diagnostic accuracies were comparable to each other and to ultrasound steatosis scoring. Fatty liver index did not differ from B‐mode ratio in detecting any steatosis but had poor accuracy to detect higher steatosis grades. B‐mode ratio measurements failed in 12% of patients, compared to 1% for ultrasound steatosis scoring and 2% for controlled attenuation parameter.ConclusionThe hepatorenal index by B‐mode ratio diagnose steatosis with moderate accuracy in patients with alcohol‐related or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, comparable to B‐mode ultrasound steatosis scoring and controlled attenuation parameter. However, its clinical use is limited by a high failure rate.
Kinetics and mechanism of antioxidant action of polysubstituted tetrahydroquinolines in liquid‐phase oxidation reactions of organic compounds by oxygen
Authors: Sharipova Gulnaz M. , Safarova Irina V. , Khairullina Veronika R. , Gerchikov Anatoly Ya , Zimin Yuri S. , Savchenko Rimma G. , Limantseva Regina M. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe antioxidant properties of a series of biologically active polysubstituted tetrahydroquinolines containing chromanyl fragments have been experimentally studied in the liquid phase. Probed was the ability of the substrates to kinetically retard the initiator‐induced radical chain oxidation by O2 of the model compounds 1,4‐dioxane or isopropyl alcohol. The oxidation reactions were monitored at 348 K using a manometric technique, measuring under various initial conditions the time‐dependent concentration of oxygen in the gas phase above a reaction mixture containing the radical‐chain initiator azobisisobutylnitrile and the substrates under study. When tetrahydroquinolines were present, the kinetic curves of oxygen absorption exhibited characteristic induction periods (τ) wherein the reaction rate is immeasurably small. The dependence of τ on the initial concentration of the introduced antioxidants has been determined and the results interpreted within the framework of a classical scheme describing the radical‐chain oxidation of organic compounds in the presence of an inhibitor. Values of the stoichiometric coefficient of inhibition, f, which is related to the number of chain propagating radicals destroyed by each antioxidant molecule, is >>2 for all the studied antioxidants. Consistent with the existing literature, it is inferred that the original antioxidant molecule is regenerated from its radical inhibition product during reaction. Previous studies suggest that oxyperoxy radicals play an important role in the inhibitor regeneration process due to their ability to act either as an oxidizer (in chain propagation) or as a reducing agent (in regeneration of the inhibitor from its corresponding radical). In the presently studied systems containing 1,4‐dioxane, it is argued that the source of oxyperoxy radicals is 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐dioxane. A reaction mechanism that includes the stages of inhibitor regeneration and that is quantitatively consistent with the present results has been developed. It is suggested that the high antioxidant capacity of the tetrahydroquinoline derivatives is due to their large chain breaking rate constants in conjunction with regeneration of the inhibitor during chain termination processes. The relationship of the studied chemical structures and their antioxidant capacity is discussed.