bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cellulose triacetate/LUDOX‐SiO2 nanocomposite for synthesis of pervaporation desalination membranes
Authors: Prihatiningtyas Indah , Hartanto Yusak , Ballesteros Maria Sandra Reyes , Van der Bruggen Bart
Published: October 2020

A series of cellulose triacetate/Ludox‐silica nancomposite pervaporation membranes was successfully prepared via solution casting, aiming to improve the performance of cellulose triacetate membranes for desalination. The fabricated nanocomposite membranes were characterized to study the membrane morphology, chemical composition, mechanical properties, and surface hydrophilicity. Furthermore, the desalination performance was investigated as a function of silica (SiO2) loading (ranging from 1 to 4 wt%) and feed concentration at 30 and 60 g/L of sodium chloride (NaCl). Pervaporation experiments showed that incorporating 4 wt% SiO2 into a cellulose triacetate (CTA) membrane increased the water flux by a factor 2.5 compared with pristine CTA (from 2.2 to 6.1 kg m−2 h−1) for a 30 g/L NaCl feed solution at 70°C, while the salt rejection remained above 99%. The CTA/4 wt% SiO2 membrane was found to have only 21% flux reduction when tested with a 60 g/L NaCl feed solution, without changes in membrane selectivity. This suggests that the developed CTA/Ludox‐SiO2 nanocomposite pervaporation membrane is suitable for desalination.
Importance of Counterions in Gold‐hydrogen Bonding Cooperative Catalytic Approach to Spirocyclic Rings: Insights on Mechanism and Origins
Authors: Li Yunhe , Zhao Xiang
Published: October 2020

The detailed mechanism and origins of gold‐catalyzed intramolecular dearomatization of naphthols to spirocarbocycles are systematically studied. Specifically, the hydrogen‐bonding mediated cooperative Brønsted‐acid catalysis mechanism was the most plausible mechanism for dearomatization to spirocarbocycles because of its intricate interplay between hydrogen bonds and conjugated π systems in the spirointermediates. Three activation modes are established, and the important role of counterion via hydrogen bonding in determining the experimentally observed chemoselectivity is well rationalized by our calculations.
An Advanced Apralog with Increased in vitro and in vivo Activity toward Gram‐negative Pathogens and Reduced ex vivo Cochleotoxicity
Authors: Sonousi Amr , Quirke Jonathan C. K. , Waduge Prabuddha , Janusic Tanja , Gysin Marina , Haldimann Klara , Xu Shan , Hobbie Sven N. , Sha Su‐Hua , Schacht Jochen , Chow Christine S. , Vasella Andrea , Böttger Erik C. , Crich David
Published: October 2020

We describe the convergent synthesis of a 5‐O‐β‐D‐ribofuranosyl‐based apramycin derivative (apralog) that displays significantly improved antibacterial activity over the parent apramycin against wild‐type ESKAPE pathogens. In addition, the new apralog retains excellent antibacterial activity in the presence of the only aminoglycoside modifying enzyme (AAC(3)‐IV) acting on the parent, without incurring susceptibility to the APH(3’) mechanism that disables other 5‐O‐β‐D‐ribofuranosyl 2‐deoxystreptamine type aminoglycosides by phosphorylation at the ribose 5‐position. Consistent with this antibacterial activity, the new apralog has excellent 30 nM activity (IC50) for the inhibition of protein synthesis by the bacterial ribosome in a cell‐free translation assay, while retaining the excellent across‐the‐board selectivity of the parent for inhibition of bacterial over eukaryotic ribosomes. Overall, these characteristics translate into excellent in vivo efficacy against E. coli in a mouse thigh infection model and reduced ototoxicity vis à vis the parent in mouse cochlear explants.
Sampling business process event logs using graph‐based ranking model
Authors: Liu Cong , Pei Yulong , Cheng Long , Zeng Qingtian , Duan Hua
Published: October 2020

Modern information systems are continuously collecting and storing large volumes of business process event logs. The analysis of event logs can provide valuable insights for business process re‐engineering and enhancement. Process discovery, as one of the most challenging event log analysis techniques, aims to discover a business process model from an event log. Many process discovery approaches have been proposed in the past two decades, however, most of them suffer from efficiency problem when dealing with large‐scale event logs. Motivated by PageRank, we propose LogRank, a graph‐based ranking model, for event log sampling in this paper. The LogRank is capable of sampling a large‐scale event log to a smaller size that can be efficiently handled by existing discovery approaches. To support real‐life applications, we instantiate the LogRank model for two typical types of event logs, that is, simple event logs and lifecycle event logs. To quantify the quality of a sample log with respect to the original one, we introduce a general evaluation framework that can be instantiated for different quality metrics. The proposed sampling approach has been implemented in the open‐source process mining toolkit ProM. By experiments with both synthetic and real‐life event logs, we demonstrate that the proposed LogRank‐based sampling approach provides an effective means to improve process discovery efficiency as well as guaranteeing high quality of discovered models.
Effects of sinomenine on the proliferation, cytokine production, and regulatory T‐cell frequency in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Xu Wencheng , Chen Shuhe , Wang Xiaoqin , Wu Hongguang , Tahara Koichiro , Tanaka Sachiko , Sugiyama Kentaro , Yamada Haruki , Sawada Tetsuji , Hirano Toshihiko
Published: October 2020

Sinomenine (SN) is a plant‐derived alkaloid isolated from Caulis Sinomenii. It has been approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) nearly 20 years ago. To investigate the anti‐RA mechanism of SN, a lot of scholars reported the immunosuppressive effect of SN on T lymphocytes. We continued to evaluate the suppressive function of SN by using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from RA patients. As the positive control, 10 ng/ml of methylprednisolone (MP) showed the antiproliferation effect on mitogen‐activated PBMCs of RA patients significantly (*p < .05). Meanwhile, MP decreased the frequency of CD4+ CD25+ T cells and suppressed the secretion of inflammatory Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines such as IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐17, IFN‐γ, and TNF‐α. However, SN at concentrations of 0.3–30 μM, showed little suppressive effects on the proliferation of PBMCs of RA patients. We did not observe any suppressive effects of SN on percentages of CD4+ T cells and CD4+ CD25+ T cells in the mitogen‐activated PBMCs of RA patients. The influence of SN on the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells was also limited. Finally, even 30 μM of SN did not influence the secretion of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokine significantly. The present study provided evidence that anti‐RA mechanism of SN seems not to be related with the suppressive effects on peripheral T cells.
Direct and indirect effects of a keystone engineer on a shrubland‐prairie food web
Authors: Duchardt Courtney J. , Porensky Lauren M. , Pearse Ian S.
Published: October 2020

Keystone engineers are critical drivers of biodiversity throughout ecosystems worldwide. Within the North American Great Plains, the black‐tailed prairie dog is an imperiled ecosystem engineer and keystone species with well‐documented impacts on the flora and fauna of rangeland systems. However, because this species affects ecosystem structure and function in myriad ways (i.e., as a consumer, a prey resource, and a disturbance vector), it is unclear which effects are most impactful for any given prairie dog associate. We applied structural equation models (SEM) to disentangle direct and indirect effects of prairie dogs on multiple trophic levels (vegetation, arthropods, and birds) in the Thunder Basin National Grassland. Arthropods did not show any direct response to prairie dog occupation, but multiple bird species and vegetation parameters were directly affected. Surprisingly, the direct impact of prairie dogs on colony‐associated avifauna (Horned Lark [Eremophila alpestris] and Mountain Plover [Charadrius montanus]) had greater support than a mediated effect via vegetation structure, indicating that prairie dog disturbance may be greater than the sum of its parts in terms of impacts on localized vegetation structure. Overall, our models point to a combination of direct and indirect impacts of prairie dogs on associated vegetation, arthropods, and avifauna. The variation in these impacts highlights the importance of examining the various impacts of keystone engineers, as well as highlighting the diverse ways that black‐tailed prairie dogs are critical for the conservation of associated species.
Examining How English Learners Interact With WINSIGHT® Summative Assessment Items: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Lopez Alexis A. , Tolentino Florencia
Published: October 2020

In this study we investigated how English learners (ELs) interacted with WINSIGHT® summative English language arts (ELA) and mathematics items, the embedded online tools, and accessibility features. We focused on how EL students navigated the assessment items; how they selected or constructed their responses; how they interacted with the assessment content; the problems they encountered while completing the items; and the perceptions they had of the items, online tools, and accessibility features. We conducted one‐on‐one cognitive interviews with 44 students, including 29 ELs and 15 non‐EL students and found that EL students were able to complete the items on their own. Our findings suggest that the Winsight ELA and mathematics items are appropriate for ELs and allow them to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
Implementierung und Integration digitaler Lösungen in Prozesse des Spezialtiefbaus
Authors: Bachi Mirna Mamar , Bellato Diego
Published: October 2020

Der Bericht stellt den Stand der Digitalisierung von Bauprozessen und ihres Datenflusses bei der Züblin Spezialtiefbau GmbH vor. Personal und Geräte werden den Projekten effizienter zugewiesen, indem ein parametrisiertes digitales Ressourcenplanungssystem alle in Vorbereitung und Durchführung befindlichen Projekte sowie Beschränkungen bei der Auswahl geeigneter Ressourcen berücksichtigt. Building Information Modeling (BIM) wird in der Ausschreibung nicht nur zur Mengenermittlung, sondern durch Einführung von 4D‐Methoden auch zur Früherkennung von Risiken und zur Planungsoptimierung eingesetzt. BIM wird auch in der Ausführung als Datenbasis verwendet, um verschiedene Datenarten, z. B. Entwurfsdaten, mit den zugehörigen 3D‐Bauteilen zusammenzuführen und deren Status zu verfolgen. Dies verbessert den Überblick über die laufenden Bauarbeiten. Die Herstelldaten werden von den Ausführenden mit Apps gesammelt und in einer Cloud‐Datenbank gespeichert. Sie ermöglichen Soll‐Ist‐Vergleiche und andere Auswertungen, z. B. Leistungsanalysen. Die von den Bohrgeräten erfassten Maschinendaten werden interpretiert, um die Dauer aller Phasen des Bohrvorgangs zu erkennen. Auf dieser Grundlage können Netto‐ und Brutto‐Bohrleistungen bestimmt und ein besserer Einblick in das tatsächliche Bodenprofil gewonnen werden. Die Kombination dieser Lösungen sorgt für Klarheit in Bauplanung und ‐betrieb, eine höhere Zuverlässigkeit und Güte der Daten und ganz allgemein für eine Verbesserung der Bauprozesse.
Adoption of the transoral endoscopic vestibular approach by head and neck surgeons without prior laparoscopic/robotic experience
Authors: Khafif Avi , Cohen Oded , Masalha Muhamed , Yaish Iris , Hod Keren , Assadi Niddal
Published: October 2020

Background

Transoral endoscopic vestibular approach (TOEVA) for thyroidectomy (TOETVA) and parathyroidectomy (TOEPVA) is gaining popularity, yet knowledge is based on a limited number of studies, mostly performed by surgeons experienced in laparoscopic\robotic surgery.

Methods

All patients who underwent TOEVA at our institution between February 2018 and October 2019 were followed prospectively. Main outcomes were ability to accomplish surgery endoscopically (failure defined as conversion to open approach) and complications.

Results

Seventy‐one patients (52 TOETVA and 19 TOEPVA) were included. 98% (51/52) and 100% (19/19) of TOETVA and TOEPVA surgeries were accomplished endoscopically, respectively. Transient vocal cord and mental nerve injuries rates were 8.4% (6/71) and 2.8% (2/71), respectively. Thyroid carcinoma was diagnosed in 27 patients (51.9%), all completely excised with clean margins.

Conclusions

Adoption of the TOEVA suggested framework by head and neck surgeons without prior experience in laparoscopic/robotic techniques is feasible resulting in nearly 100% of surgeries accomplished endoscopically.
Modelling non‐stationary water ages in a tropical rainforest: A preliminary spatially distributed assessment
Authors: Correa Alicia , Birkel Christian , Gutierrez Jason , Dehaspe Joni , Durán‐Quesada Ana María , Soulsby Chris , Sánchez‐Murillo Ricardo
Published: October 2020

Pristine tropical forests play a critical role in regional and global climate systems. For a better understanding of the eco‐hydrology of tropical “evergreen” vegetation, it is essential to know the partitioning of water into transpiration and evaporation, runoff and associated water ages. For this purpose, we evaluated how topography and vegetation influence water flux and age dynamics at high temporal (hourly) and spatial (10 m) resolution using the Spatially Distributed Tracer‐Aided Rainfall‐Runoff model for the tropics (STARRtropics). The model was applied in a tropical rainforest catchment (3.2 km2) where data were collected biweekly to monthly and during intensive monitoring campaigns from January 2013 to July 2018. The STARRtropicsmodel was further developed, incorporating an isotope mass balance for evapotranspiration partitioning into transpiration and evaporation. Results exhibited a rapid streamflow response to rainfall inputs (water and isotopes) with limited mixing and a largely time‐invariant baseflow isotope composition. Simulated soil water storage showed a transient response to rainfall inputs with a seasonal component directly resembling the streamflow dynamics which was independently evaluated using soil water content measurements. High transpiration fluxes (max 7 mm/day) were linked to lower slope gradients, deeper soils and greater leaf area index. Overall water partitioning resulted in 65% of the actual evapotranspiration being driven by vegetation with high transpiration rates over the drier months compared to the wet season. Time scales of water age were highly variable, ranging from hours to a few years. Stream water ages were conceptualized as a mixture of younger soil water and slightly older, deeper soil water and shallow groundwater with a maximum age of roughly 2 years during drought conditions (722 days). The simulated soil water ages ranged from hours to 162 days and for shallow groundwater up to 1,200 days. Despite the model assumptions, experimental challenges and data limitation, this preliminary spatially distributed model study enhances knowledge about the water ages and overall young water dominance in a tropical rainforest with little influence of deeper and older groundwater.
Effective methylation triage of HPV positive women with abnormal cytology in a middle‐income country
Authors: Ramírez Arianis Tatiana , Sánchez Gloria Inés , Nedjai Belinda , Agudelo María Cecilia , Brentnall Adam R. , Cuschieri Kate , Castañeda Kelly Melisa , Cuzick Jack , Lorincz Attila T. ,   ASC‐US‐COL Trial Group
Published: October 2020

The S5‐methylation test, an alternative to cytology and HPV16/18 genotyping to triage high‐risk HPV‐positive (hrHPV+) women, has not been widely validated in low‐middle‐income countries (LMICs). We compared S5 to HPV16/18 and cytology to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia Grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) and CIN3+ in hrHPV+ women selected from a randomized pragmatic trial of 2661 Colombian women with an earlier‐borderline abnormal cytology. We included all hrHPV+ CIN2 and CIN3+ cases (n = 183) age matched to 183 <CIN2 hrHPV+. Baseline specimens were HPV‐genotyped and tested by S5‐methylation, blinded to cytology, histology and initial HPV results. We evaluated the test performance of predefined S5‐classifier (cut‐point 0.8) and a post hoc classifier at a different cut‐point (3.1). S5 sensitivity for CIN2+ was 82% (95% confidence interval [CI] 76.4‐87.5) and for CIN3+ 77.08% (95% CI 65.19‐88.97). S5 sensitivity was higher than HPV16/18 sensitivity (48.1%, 95% CI 40.85‐55.33) or cytology (31.21%, 95% CI 24.50‐37.93) but with lower specificity (35%, 95% CI 28.1‐42). At cut‐point 3.1, S5 sensitivity for CIN2+ (55.2%, 95% CI 48‐62.4) or CIN3+ (64.6%, 95% CI 51.0‐78.1) was also superior to HPV16/18 (P < .05) or cytology (P < .0001). At this cut‐point S5 specificity (76%, 95% CI 69.8‐82.1 for <CIN2) was higher than HPV16/18 (67.21%, 95% CI 60.41‐74.01, P = .0062) and similar to cytology (75.57%, 95% CI 69.34‐81.79, P = 1). HPV16/18 plus cytology sensitivity was similar to S5 for CIN3+, however, false‐positive rate was higher (50.27% vs. 24.04%). High sensitivity is crucial in LMICs, S5‐methylation exceeded HPV16/18 or cytology sensitivity with comparable specificity for CIN2+ and CIN3+ in hrHPV‐positive Colombian women. Furthermore, S5 triage had comparable sensitivity and significantly fewer false positives than cytology and HPV16/18 combination.
Comparison of immediate colposcopy, repeat conventional cytology and high‐risk human papillomavirus testing for the clinical management of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance cytology in routine health services of Medellin, Colombia: The ASCUS‐COL trial
Authors: Baena Armando , Agudelo Maria C. , Lopez Carolina , Ramírez Arianis Tatiana , Castañeda Kelly Melisa , Bedoya Astrid M. , Riveros Marcela , Posada Guadalupe , Borrero Mauricio , Buitrago Carlos A. , Suescun David , Gomez Luis J. , Ochoa Juan C. , Stoler Mark , Gage Julia , Castle Philip E. , Sasieni Peter , Almonte Maribel , Herrero Rolando , Sanchez Gloria I. ,   for the ASCUS‐COL Trial Group
Published: October 2020

In the context of opportunistic cervical cancer screening settings of low‐and‐middle‐income countries, little is known about the benefits of high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing on high‐grade cervical abnormality detection among women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US) cytology in routine clinical practice. We compared the effectiveness of immediate colposcopy (IC), conventional cytology at 6 and 12 months (colposcopy if ≥ASC‐US) (RC) and hrHPV testing (colposcopy if hrHPV‐positive) (HPV) to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more severe diagnoses (CIN2+) among women aged 20 to 69 years with ASC‐US in routine care. Participants (n = 2661) were evenly randomized into three arms (n = 882 IC, n = 890 RC, n = 889 HPV) to receive services by routine healthcare providers and invited to an exit visit 24 months after recruitment. Histopathology was blindly reviewed by a quality‐control external panel (QC). The primary endpoint was the first QC‐diagnosed CIN2+ or CIN3+ detected during three periods: enrolment (≤6 months for IC and HPV, ≤12 months for RC), follow‐up (between enrolment and exit visit) and exit visit. The trial is completed. Colposcopy was done on 88%, 42% and 52% of participants in IC, RC and HPV. Overall, 212 CIN2+ and 52 CIN3+ cases were diagnosed. No differences were observed for CIN2+ detection (P = .821). However, compared to IC, only HPV significantly reduced CIN3+ cases that providers were unable to detect during the 2‐year routine follow‐up (relative proportion 0.35, 95% CI 0.09‐0.87). In this context, hrHPV testing was the most effective and efficient management strategy for women with ASC‐US cytology.
The immunomodulatory effects of mesenchymal stromal cell‐based therapy in human and animal models of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Radmanesh Fereshteh , Mahmoudi Mahmoud , Yazdanpanah Esmaeil , Keyvani Vahideh , Kia Nadia , Nikpoor Amin Reza , Zafari Parisa , Esmaeili Seyed‐Alireza
Published: October 2020

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease with no absolute cure. Although the exact etiopathogenesis of SLE is still enigmatic, it has been well demonstrated that a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors trigger a disturbance in immune responses and thereby participate in the development of this condition. Almost all available therapeutic strategies in SLE are primarily based on the administration of immunosuppressive drugs and are not curative. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a subset of non‐hematopoietic adult stem cells that can be isolated from many adult tissues and are increasingly recognized as immune response modulating agents. MSC‐mediated inhibition of immune responses is a complex mechanism that involves almost every aspect of the immune response. MSCs suppress the maturation of antigen‐presenting cells (DC and MQ), proliferation of T cells (Th1, T17, and Th2), proliferation and immunoglobulin production of B cells, the cytotoxic activity of CTL and NK cells in addition to increasing regulatory cytokines (TGF‐β and IL10), and decreasing inflammatory cytokines (IL17, INF‐ϒ, TNF‐α, and IL12) levels. MSCs have shown encouraging results in the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, in particular SLE. This report aims to review the beneficial and therapeutic properties of MSCs; it also focuses on the results of animal model studies, preclinical studies, and clinical trials of MSC therapy in SLE from the immunoregulatory aspect.
RETRACTED: Two Zn(II)‐based meta‐organic frameworks: Selective detection of antibiotics and treatment activity on age‐related macular degeneration by reducing inflammasome activation
Authors: Zhang Ya , Sun Fei , Liu Hua
Published: October 2020

Via utilizing the mixed‐ligand method, two novel Zn(II)‐containing meta‐organic frameworks with the chemical formula of {[Zn(L)(5‐HIP)]·H2O}n (1) and [Zn(L)(2,6‐NDC)]n (2) were prepared under the solvothermal conditions by applying aromatic dicarboxylic acids ligands (5‐H2HIP = 5‐hydroxyisophthalic acid; 2,6‐H2NDC = 2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylic acid) and 1,4‐bis(benzimidazol‐1‐yl)‐2‐butylene (L). Due to its good water stability as well as the strong luminescent emission around room temperature, complex 2 has the high selectivity and sensibility of fluorescence detection to the ceftriaxone sodium (a kind of antibiotic) with the detection limit up to ppm lever. The treatment activity of the compounds on age‐related macular degeneration was assessed and the specific mechanism was investigated. First of all, the inflammasome activation in the endothelial cells of retina was evaluated with western blot. In addition to this, the down‐stream production of the inflammasome activation was also measured with ELISA detection kit.
Prediction of available phosphorus in soil: Combined use for crop production and water quality protection
Authors: Kristoffersen Annbjørg Øverli , Krogstad Tore , Øgaard Anne Falk
Published: October 2020

Optimizing phosphorus (P) application to agricultural soils is fundamental to crop production and water quality protection. We sought to relate soil P tests and P sorption characteristics to both crop yield response to P application and environmentally critical soil P status. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was grown in pot experiments with 45 soils of different P status. Half the pots were fertilized at 20 kg P ha−1, and half received no P. Soils were extracted with ammonium lactate, sodium bicarbonate (Olsen P), dilute salt (0.0025 M CaCl2), and diffusive gradient in thin films. Soil adsorption coefficients were determined using the Freundlich isotherm equation, and the degree of P saturation was determined from both oxalate and ammonium lactate extracted Fe, Al, and P. All soil P analyses showed a nonlinear and significant relationship with yield response to P application, and all analyses manifested a threshold value above which no P response was observed. For the commonly used ammonium lactate test, inclusion of Al and Fe improved prediction of plant‐available soil P. The threshold for yield response coincided with the environmentally critical values determined from the degree of P saturation. Results support the conclusion that soil P levels for which no P application is needed also have elevated risk of P loss to runoff.
Cardiac MRI Reveals Late Diastolic Changes in Left Ventricular Relaxation Patterns During Healthy Aging
Authors: Lin Kai , Ma Heng , Sarnari Roberto , Li Debiao , Lloyd‐Jones Donald M. , Markl Michael , Carr James C.
Published: October 2020

Background

Cardiac MRI is an emerging modality for evaluating left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), a pathological condition that is prevalent in aging populations. However, there is a lack of reports of MRI‐derived LV diastolic properties in late diastole.

Purpose

To test the hypothesis that cine MRI‐derived motion/deformation indices can be used to characterize age‐related changes on LV relaxation patterns in late diastole.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

In all, 412 participants (72.5 ± 4.6 years old, range 65–84) without a documented history of cardiovascular diseases.

Field Strength/Sequence

Balanced steady‐state free precession(bSSFP) acquired at 1.5T.

Assessment

Participants were divided into younger (65–74 years old, n = 275) and older (75–84 years old, n = 137) groups. Status of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and lipid disorders were recorded for each participant. Cine MRI datasets were analyzed by using heart deformation analysis (HDA). LV motion/deformation indices (displacement, velocity, strain, and strain rate) were measured through 22 phases within a cardiac cycle.

Statistical Tests

The prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk conditions, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), peak LV regional displacement, velocity, and strain rates at early and late diastole were compared between two participant groups using chi‐square tests or t‐tests.

Results

Older participants had a significantly lower peak early radial displacement (0.797 ± 0.249 cm vs. 0.876 ± 0.286 cm), radial velocity (19.3 ± 6.3 mm/s vs. 17.5 ± 5.2 mm/s), and circumferential strain rate (64.6 ± 15.7%/s vs. 70.1 ± 17%/s) but a higher peak late circumferential strain rate (69.8 ± 16.3 %/s vs. 66 ± 15.8 %/s) than their younger counterparts.

Data Conclusion

Cine MRI can be used to characterize age‐related LV relaxation patterns in late diastole.

Level of Evidence

3.

Technical Efficacy Stage

1.
Combined approach consisting of slightly acidic electrolyzed water and chitosan coating to improve the internal quality of eggs during storage
Authors: Sheng Xiaowei , Shu Dengqun , Li Yanjiao , Zhan Zhewen , Yuan Xingyun , Liu Sanfeng , Wu Hongxiang , Bing San , Zang Yitian
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) has been shown to offer a promising alternative for the inactivation of bacteria on egg surfaces, but the cuticle of the egg is damaged during this disinfection process. However, if SAEW disinfection is followed by chitosan (CS) coating treatment, this will construct a new membrane and prevent the loss of moisture and carbon dioxide through the damaged cuticle. Hence, the objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of SAEW disinfection followed by CS coating treatment for improving the internal quality of eggs during 6 weeks of storage at 25 °C.

RESULTS

Scanning electron microscopy revealed that SAEW‐treated eggs had deeper and wider cracks than control eggs stored between 0 and 21 days. Moreover, the depth and width of the cracks in the uncoated eggs increased as storage time increased. However, the CS coating method was successfully used on SAEW‐disinfected eggs to construct a barrier against the negative effects of shell damage. After 6 weeks of storage at 25 °C, the yolk index, albumen pH, Haugh unit value and weight loss value of the SAEW + CS group were 0.31%, 9.01%, 63.72% and 5.35%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A combination of SAEW and CS was more effective at maintaining internal egg quality than SAEW or CS treatments alone during storage. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluating Lymph Node Stiffness to Differentiate Bacterial Cervical Lymphadenitis and Lymph Node–First Presentation of Kawasaki Disease by Shear Wave Elastography
Authors: Qin Qin , Wang Dandan , Xu Lili , Lan Yuxia , Tong Minghui
Published: October 2020

Objectives

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the potential of cervical lymph node shear wave elastography (SWE) to quantify the lymph node stiffness (kilopascals) noninvasively among patients with lymph node–first presentation of Kawasaki disease (NFKD), patients with bacterial cervical lymphadenitis (BCL), and healthy children (HC). We further aimed to investigate the correlation of laboratory data and lymph node stiffness to provide a reference basis for the early diagnosis of NFKD.

Methods

Lymph node stiffness measurements were prospectively performed in 47 patients with NFKD, 56 patients with BCL, and 56 HC using SWE. Cervical SWE was compared in the groups. Factors associated with increased cervical lymph node stiffness were studied.

Results

The mean elasticity of the largest cervical lymph nodes was significantly higher in the BCL group than the NFKD and HC groups (mean elasticity ± SD, 16.37 ± 2.45, 12.22 ± 2.64, and 7.81 ± 1.67 kPa, respectively; P < .01), with a cutoff of 14.55 kPa (area under the curve, 0.885; sensitivity, 89%; and specificity, 76%). In patients with NFKD, interleukin 6 (standardized β = 0.363; P = .01), alanine aminotransferase (standardized β = 0.253; P = .03), aspartate aminotransaminase (standardized β = 0.536; P = .047), and total bilirubin (standardized β = 0.486; P < .01) values were correlated with increased largest cervical lymph node stiffness.

Conclusions

Cervical lymph node stiffness was different between NFKD and BCL. Shear wave elastography is a potential method to identify clinically distinguishable early NFKD.
Unbiased Measure of General Quality of Life in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Reveals Disease Modifiers
Authors: Epperson Madison V. , McCann Adam C. , Phillips Katie M. , Caradonna David S. , Gray Stacey T. , Sedaghat Ahmad R.
Published: October 2020

Introduction

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is associated with a significant decrease in general health‐related quality of life (QOL). The EuroQol 5‐dimensional questionnaire measures general health‐related quality of life through a health utility value (EQ‐5D HUV)—based on five domains reflecting mobility, self‐care, activities of daily life, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression—and an unbiased visual analog scale (EQ‐5D VAS). We sought to identify characteristics of CRS patients with a high EQ‐5D HUV but low EQ‐5D VAS score.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective cross‐sectional study of 300 CRS patients with EQ‐5D HUV equal to 1.0 (reflecting perfect health). All patients completed a 22‐item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22)—from which nasal, sleep, ear/facial discomfort, and emotional subdomain scores were calculated, as well as the EQ‐5D. Low EQ‐5D VAS was defined as a score less than 80.

Results

On multivariate analysis, low EQ‐5D VAS was associated with only the SNOT‐22 sleep subdomain score (odds ratio [OR] = 1.07, 95%CI: 1.02–1.12, P = .003). Comorbid asthma was also associated with lower EQ‐5D VAS (OR = 2.16, 95%CI: 1.02–4.59, P = .045). In contrast, polyps were negatively associated with having a lower EQ‐5D VAS (OR = 0.34, 95%CI: 0.17–0.69, P = .003).

Conclusion

There are patients with perfect general health‐related QOL according to a health utility value‐based methodology (like the EQ‐5D HUV) who report low general health‐related QOL on an unbiased measure like the EQ‐5D VAS. In CRS patients with perfect EQ‐5D HUV, poor sleep and asthma were associated with low QOL on the EQ‐5D VAS, while polyps were negatively associated with low QOL.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 131:1206–1211, 2021
Nutrients influence seasonal metabolic patterns and total productivity of Arctic streams
Authors: Myrstener Maria , Gómez‐Gener Lluís , Rocher‐Ros Gerard , Giesler Reiner , Sponseller Ryan A.
Published: October 2020

The seasonality of gross primary production (GPP) in streams is driven by multiple physical and chemical factors, yet incident light is often thought to be most important. In Arctic tundra streams, however, light is available in saturating amounts throughout the summer, but sharp declines in nutrient supply during the terrestrial growing season may constrain aquatic productivity. Given the opposing seasonality of these drivers, we hypothesized that “shoulder seasons”—spring and autumn—represent critical time windows when light and nutrients align to optimize rates of stream productivity in the Arctic. To test this, we measured annual patterns of GPP and biofilm accumulation in eight streams in Arctic Sweden. We found that the aquatic growing season length differed by 4 months across streams and was determined largely by the timing of ice‐off in spring. During the growing season, temporal variability in GPP for nitrogen (N) poor streams was correlated with inorganic N concentration, while in more N‐rich streams GPP was instead linked to changes in phosphorus and light. Annual GPP varied ninefold among streams and was enhanced by N availability, the length of ice‐free period, and low flood frequency. Finally, network scale estimates of GPP highlight the overall significance of the shoulder seasons, which accounted for 48% of annual productivity. We suggest that the timing of ice off and nutrient supply from land interact to regulate the annual metabolic regimes of nutrient poor, Arctic streams, leading to unexpected peaks in productivity that are offset from the terrestrial growing season.
The limits of the Pourbaix diagram in the interpretation of the kinetics of corrosion and cathodic protection of underground pipelines
Authors: Barthel Jürgen , Deiss Rainer
Published: October 2020

This article deals with the basics of corrosion and corrosion protection, with the focus on equilibrium thermodynamics. Particular attention is paid to the easy‐to‐understand creation of Pourbaix diagrams, their uses, and limitations of this tool. In addition, the basics of electrochemical kinetics are dealt with to provide an overview of the possibilities and the interaction of both methods. Finally, it is argued that the globally recognized and practice‐proven protection potential criteria remain valid.
Depassivation and repassivation of stainless steels by stepwise pH change
Authors: Mujanović Emir , Zajec Bojan , Legat Andraž , Kosec Tadeja , Kovač Janez , Mori Gregor , Hönig Stefan , Zehethofer Gerald
Published: October 2020

Immersion tests with different stainless steels have been performed, while the pH was stepwise decreased and then increased again. During 8.5‐day exposure, the depassivation and repassivation pH values as a function of pitting resistance equivalent number were determined. There is always a gap between both pH values (depassivation and repassivation), indicating that for every steel, there are conditions where an existing passive layer can be maintained but cannot be rebuilt after depassivation. In such environments, the passive layer is thicker, consisting mainly of molybdenum and iron rich oxides, while chromium is dissolved. Usually, depending on conditions, the passive layer is more chromium‐rich, especially the inner layer. This is relevant, for example, for acidizing jobs in oil and gas industry, proving that repassivation after acidizing will happen promptly, when the pH is increased again.
Kinetic Study and Nonlinear Phenomenon during the Copolymerization of CO2 with meso‐Epoxides Catalyzed by Various Bimetallic CoIII Complexes
Authors: Liu Ye , Yu Yan , Bao Yuan‐Ye , Lu Xiao‐Bing
Published: October 2020

The privileged salen ligands coordinated with a metal center have demonstrated their successful applications in many challenging reactions. Moreover, their relatively straightforward preparations and an ease of structural modifications are also very attractive. The CoIII–salen complex has demonstrated to be one of the most efficient catalysts for the copolymerization of CO2 with epoxides. Especially, the elaborate combination of two or more CoIII–salen units into one single molecule may enforce an intramolecular, cooperative reaction pathway, resulting in enhanced reaction rates or/and higher selectivities. Otherwise, the reactivity and/or selectivity will be reduced, or some side reactions may occur. Herein, various bimetallic CoIII complexes based on different linking groups are reported to bridge two salen planes, including flexible and rigid structures, together with their reactivities and selectivities toward copolymerization of CO2 with meso‐epoxides. The asymmetric depletion in copolymerization CO2 with cyclohexene oxide mediated by monometallic CoIII complex 2 is first observed, demonstrating the bimetallic mechanism; especially, the comparative kinetic measurements are performed as a function of reaction temperature to assess the activation barrier for production of copolymers for bi‐ and monometallic CoIII complexes. This study is expected to be instructive and meaningful to design more efficient bimetallic catalyst and to improve the copolymerization selectivity.
The Hantzsch Reaction in Polymer Chemistry: From Synthetic Methods to Applications
Authors: Liu Guoqiang , Pan Ruihao , Wei Yen , Tao Lei
Published: October 2020

The Hantzcsh reaction is a robust four‐component reaction for the efficient generation of 1,4‐dihydropyridine (1,4‐DHP) derivatives. Recently, this reaction has been introduced into polymer chemistry in order to develop polymers having 1,4‐DHP structures in the main and/or side chains. The 1,4‐DHP groups confer new properties/functions to the polymers. This mini‐review summarizes the recent studies on the development of new functional polymers by using the Hantzsch reaction. Several synthetic approaches, including polycondensation, post‐polymerization modification (PPM), monomer to polymer strategy, and one‐pot strategy are introduced; different applications (protein conjugation, formaldehyde detection, drug carrier, and anti‐bacterial adhesion) of the resulting polymers are emphasized. Meanwhile, the future development of the Hantzsch reaction in exploring new functional polymers is also discussed.
Risk factors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A regional United States case‐control study
Authors: Andrew Angeline S. , Bradley Walter G. , Peipert Daniel , Butt Tanya , Amoako Kwadwo , Pioro Erik P. , Tandan Rup , Novak John , Quick Adam , Pugar K. Doug , Sawlani Komal , Katirji Bashar , Hayes Todd A. , Cazzolli Pamela , Gui Jiang , Mehta Paul , Horton D. Kevin , Stommel Elijah W.
Published: October 2020

Most amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases are considered sporadic, without a known genetic basis, and environmental exposures are thought to play a causal role. To learn more about sporadic ALS etiology, we recruited n = 188 ALS patients from northern New England and Ohio and matched controls 2:1 from the general population of the same regions. Questionnaires evaluated the association between a variety of lifestyle, behavioral (ie, hobbies and activities), and occupational factors and the risk of ALS, including the duration of time between exposure and ALS onset, and exposure frequency. Head trauma was associated with increased ALS risk (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.60 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04‐2.45), with significantly greater effects for injuries occurring 10 or more years prior to symptom onset (P = .037). ALS risk was increased for those reporting severe electrical burns (adjusted OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.37‐6.03), with odds ratios highest for burns after age 30 (OR 3.14), and for burns 10 or more years prior to symptom onset (OR 3.09). Hobbies involving lead were the most strongly associated with ALS risk (adjusted OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.45‐5.91). Exposures to lead 20 or more years prior to diagnosis had larger effect sizes compared to those occurring more recently. Holding a job in mechanics, painting, or construction was associated with ALS. The identification of these specific environmental factors associated with ALS highlight the need for future prospective and laboratory studies to assess causality, biological mechanisms, and find prevention or treatment opportunities.
Practices following the death of a loved one reported by adults from 14 countries or cultural/ethnic group
Authors: Hidalgo Ivette , Brooten Dorothy , Youngblut JoAnne M. , Roche Rosa , Li Juanjuan , Hinds Ann Marie
Published: October 2020

Aims

The purpose of this study was to examine the reported ritual practices (dealing with the deceased's remains, wake, funeral, burial and celebration) of White non‐Hispanic, Black non‐Hispanic and Hispanic/Latino adults in their country of origin or ethnic or cultural group in the United States following the death of a loved one.

Design

This descriptive study is a secondary analysis from a longitudinal mixed‐methods study that examined parents' health and functioning following the death of a child.

Methods

Adult parents whose child died in neonatal intensive care units or paediatric intensive care units were recruited from four hospitals and from death records. Data were collected from 61 adult parents at 7 and 13 months postinfant/child death using semi‐structured interviews about the child's death. Only those parents who responded to questions about usual death practices in their country of origin or cultural group were included in the data analysis.

Results

Thirty‐two adults from 14 countries reported practices in their country or cultural group after a loved one's death including keeping the front door closed, walking funeral processions with a band playing, the deceased in a car accompanied by family and friends, fireworks, making home altars for deceased spirits with food and water for adults, toys and candy for children and no TV or radio for sometime.

Relevance to clinical practice

For community health nurses, understanding these practices is important in being sensitive and appropriate around the death. Asking the family about specific practices they hope to carry out and noting this in the family's record will help alert providers to the family's wishes at this challenging time.
The Corruption of Science
Authors: Chabner Bruce A.
Published: October 2020

This editorial focuses on the current state of science and public health in the U.S. during the 2020 presidential election season.
Effect of rigid nanoparticles and preparation techniques on the performances of poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites: A review
Authors: Sanusi Olawale M. , Benelfellah Abdelkibir , Bikiaris Dimitrios N. , Aït Hocine Nourredine
Published: October 2020

The global concern over the environmental protection and bio‐sustainability of plastic waste materials has prompted a vibrant search for renewable and biodegradable polymers in the academia and industrial sectors. Amidst other biopolymers, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is identified as the most promising thermoplastic aliphatic polyester. PLA is derived from agricultural products with unique physical and mechanical properties that are comparable with the conventional petroleum‐derived polymers. Yet, some of the properties are insufficient for advanced materials applications. Rigid nanoparticles are incorporated in the PLA matrix to alleviate its properties for specific high‐performance applications. Here, we report various approaches of preparing functional PLA nanocomposites with emphasis on the strengths and weaknesses of each of the methods, as well as the achieved properties enhancement for a targeted application. Designing high‐performance PLA nanocomposite involves careful selection of the most appropriate nanofillers or combinations of nanofillers, preparation technique and processing parameters. Besides multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) and montmorillonite (MMT) that are prominent as nucleating agents to achieve high thermal and mechanical properties, other nanofillers like silver nanoparticles (AgNP) play critical roles in improving antibacterial and high‐performance properties of PLA.
A Time‐Resolved Cryo‐EM Study of Saccharomyces cerevisiae 80S Ribosome Protein Composition in Response to a Change in Carbon Source
Authors: Sun Ming , Shen Bingxin , Li Wen , Samir Parimal , Browne Christopher M. , Link Andrew J. , Frank Joachim
Published: October 2020

The role of the ribosome in the regulation of gene expression has come into increased focus. It is proposed that ribosomes are catalytic engines capable of changing their protein composition in response to environmental stimuli. Time‐resolved cryo‐electron microscopy (cryo‐EM) techniques are employed to identify quantitative changes in the protein composition and structure of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae 80S ribosomes after shifting the carbon source from glucose to glycerol. Using cryo‐EM combined with the computational classification approach, it is found that a fraction of the yeast cells’ 80S ribosomes lack ribosomal proteins at the entrance and exit sites for tRNAs, including uL16(RPL10), eS1(RPS1), uS11(RPS14A/B), and eS26(RPS26A/B). This fraction increased after a change from glucose to glycerol medium. The quantitative structural analysis supports the hypothesis that ribosomes are dynamic complexes that alter their composition in response to changes in growth or environmental conditions.
Overview and critical survey of polyamide6 structural habits: Misconceptions and controversies
Authors: Seguela Roland
Published: October 2020

Various aspects of the structural habits and associated thermodynamic properties of polyamide6 are critically examined with regard to controversies that appeared in literature mainly due to misconceptions or erroneous/ambiguous interpretations of experimental findings. The structural habits under concern are the crystallization capabilities and chain topology, hydrogen bonds and sheet‐like structure, crystalline polymorphism together with thermodynamic stability. Thermo‐mechanical properties are also discussed for the sake of complementary argumentation. Comparisons are made with polycaprolactone, that is, the polyester homolog of polyamide6 regarding chain structure, in order to evaluate the actual role of the H‐bonds on the structural habits. Additional comparisons with polyethylene and polypropylene are also made at several occasions for the sake of supporting argumentation on the structural behavior of polyamide6. A temperature–time–transformation diagram of polyamide6 is finally proposed from the gathering of plentiful literature data.
Thermally stimulated depolarization current spectra of cross‐linked polyethylene and the influence of cross‐linking byproducts
Authors: Walker Roger C , Hamedi Hossein , Woodward William Hunter , Lanagan Michael
Published: October 2020

Cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) is notable for its use as power cable insulation. Its longevity is limited by space charge buildup linked to impurities such as the byproducts left behind by the cross‐linking agent dicumyl peroxide (DCP). The goal of this work is to determine the impacts of these byproducts on charge trapping and detrapping in XLPE using the thermally stimulated depolarization current technique. XLPE with byproducts has one source of trapped charge, which originates from the byproducts. XLPE that was thermally treated via degassing exhibits two other sources of trapped charge, which are charge injection and dipolar relaxations. Oxidation from degassing was shown to control the trapping from these sources, which is useful knowledge for processing this material prior to its use. Reintroducing acetophenone, one of the major byproducts of DCP, suppresses those two peaks once more, showing that it controls the overall space charge buildup characteristics in XLPE.