bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-economic Determinants of Sugarcane-Soybean Intercropping among Smallholder Farmers in Awendo Sub-County, Kenya
Authors: Ouko Kevin Okoth , Ogola Robert John O. , Oketch Modock Odiwuor , Midamba Dick Chune , Ogweno Peter Oyier , Nyangweso Gaster N. , Mutonyi Jonathan , Ng'ong’a Charles Adino , Muteti Francisca Ndinda
Published: November 2022

Global climate change and decreases in available land are significant challenges humans currently face. Alternative management approaches for sugarcane fields have great potential to help mitigate these problems in Kenya. Intercropping as a crop diversification strategy is a crucial coping mechanism for agriculture's income, production, and marketing risks. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the determinants of sugarcane-soybean intercropping among sugarcane farmers to inform policymakers about policy adjustment. The study used primary data collected from 246 households using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model. Results showed that 63% of the respondents had adopted sugarcane monocropping compared to only 37 % who had adopted sugarcane-soybean intercropping. Specifically, the study found that sugarcane farming experience (p =<0.10), production acreage (p =<0.10), land ownership (p =<0.10), and divorced as marital status ((p =<0.05) had negative and significant effects on sugarcane – soybean intercropping, while farmers' age (p =<0.10) and widowed as a marital status (p =<0.01) depicted a positive and significant association with sugarcane – soybean intercropping.  From the findings, lack of credit for farm operations and the high cost of farm inputs also emerged as barriers to the adoption of sugarcane intercropping systems. Based on the results, the study suggests the need for government to promote the development of agricultural policy that supports the shift from non-diversification to crop diversification through developing guaranteed access to inputs and subsidies on farming input resources with priority given to smallholder farmers.
Urban Sustainability and Management: Critical Evaluation of Garbage Collection and Disposal in Port Harcourt Municipality
Authors: Tari Eyenghe, , Ibama Brown, , Ogechi Wosu, Bobby
Published: November 2022

Garbage management is an organised and systematic channelling of garbage through the pathway to ensure that they are disposed of with good public health and environmental safety. The study aimed to critically evaluate the garbage collection and disposal in Port Harcourt Municipality to achieve urban sustainability and management. The objectives are to identify the methods of garbage collection and disposal in the study area, evaluate the efficiency of the method of garbage collection and disposal in the study area, identify the challenges faced in garbage collection and disposal in the study area, and identify sustainable physical planning measures for the collection and disposal of garbage in the study area. The study employed a Mixed Methods Research (MMR) approach and sequential explanatory design. The study employed stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The study identified 25 neighbourhoods in the study area and was grouped into three strata using a stratified sampling technique (high, medium, and low densities). 1 neighbourhood in each stratum (density) was selected randomly for sampling, including Diobu, D/Line and Old GRA, respectively. Taro Yamane’s formula was applied, and 100 respondents were selected for sampling using a simple random sampling technique. The study found that most garbage generated in the study area was plastic, metal/can, and paper/cartons stored in plastic bags, containers, and metals. The study revealed that garbage is collected by truck pushers/scavengers and government agencies and disposed of in designated authorised dumping sites, bush and burning. The study found that the strategies employed for garbage collection and disposal are efficient. The challenges faced in garbage collection and disposal from the study include indiscriminate dumping of garbage at unauthorised sites, non-compliance to schedule time for garbage disposal, lack of finance, inadequate human resources, and lack of an operational vehicle. Accordingly, the study recommends that; the waste management agency carry out a periodic survey of garbage collected and disposed of in their area of operation. The government should abolish the open dumpsite method of garbage disposal by households and eliminate indiscriminate dumping of garbage along streets. The waste management agency should ultimately adopt a house-to-house garbage collection in the neighbourhoods to achieve resource recovery and recycling and monitoring team that will ensure strict adherence to garbage collection and disposal regulations.
Effectiveness of Psychosocial Intervention in the Management of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome with Poor Marital Adjustment: A Case Report
Authors: Kumar Mayank , Das Riyal , Mukherjee Aniket , Paul Atindra , Chakraborty Banasri
Published: November 2022

Aim: Globally, it has been found that the mean lifetime prevalence of alcohol use is 80% and for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is 8.6%, and AUD has an adverse impact on an individual as well            as on the person’s family. In view of the same, we choose a case of alcohol dependence             syndrome (ADS) to investigate the effect of long-term alcohol use on family dynamics,                   marital adjustment, interpersonal relationship, and motivational level of the individual with ADS, as well as the effectiveness of pre- and post- brief psychosocial intervention in the treatment            outcome of the individual with ADS by involving his family and strengthening his interpersonal relationships.

Presentation of the Case: The client had a history of alcohol use for 22 years. Gradually, his alcohol intake was increased from 100 ml/day to 2-5 litres/day in the last few years. Due to his worsening condition, he was admitted to hospital in 2016 and diagnosed with ADS. He remained abstinent for the next 5–6 months after discharge, but had poor treatment compliance. For the past 2.5 years (2016– 2019), the client again started drinking and the symptoms recurred. He was admitted there again on May 30, 2019. It was found that the prolonged alcohol use of the client had an adverse impact on his spouse’s wellbeing and also on his interpersonal relationships with his parents and siblings. Further, it was found that the client had a lower level of motivation, poor adaptive patterns, inadequate social support, and poor marital adjustment.

Discussion: This study discovered a significant difference between pre- and post-psychosocial intervention in the management of ADS. After our intervention, the client has been doing well. His marital adjustment has increased with his improvement in quality of life, family dynamics, and adaptive patterns.

Conclusion: It was found that psychosocial intervention with the person with alcohol dependence as well as his family is effective and plays a very crucial role in treatment and wellbeing.
Overview of CRISPR-Cas Mediated Genome Engineering
Authors: Bhuvana T. G. , Ranjitha N.
Published: November 2022

Genetic diseases are prevailing in 3-5% of new-born worldwide and estimated to cause around 50% of child deaths. The development of efficient and regulated system for customizing genome modifications to treat such disorders has been the zone of interest. Over time, different editing techniques have emerged based on programmable nucleases such as ZFN or TALENS but among all, CRISPR-Cas has significantly progressed as alteration tool from bench to clinical practices. CRISPR-Cas is an immune system discovered in prokaryotes that enables organism to recognize and destroy any invading genetic elements. This functional property of CRISPR has opened up plethora of applications across different disciplines such as diagnostics, agriculture and therapeutics. So here, the review attempt to discuss origin, mechanisms pertinent to CRISPR and applications along with challenges concerning them.
Gastric Insufflation and Ventilatory Mode during Induction of Anesthesia: A Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Chlouchi Abdellatif , Benakrout Aziz , Andaloussi Mohamed Rabi , Bensghir Mustapha , Baite Abdelouahed
Published: November 2022

Mechanical ventilation is a fundamental tool in daily anesthetic practice.

Several ventilation modes are used for the ventilation of patients during the induction of general anesthesia; the controlled volume mode is most commonly used by anesthesiologists.

Ventilation often causes gastric insufflation, which may be responsible for gastric fluid inhalation, with serious consequences.

The aim of our study was to compare the incidence of gastric insufflation according to the ventilatory mode used during anesthesia induction.

Methods: This was a randomized prospective study carried out in the central operating complex of the Mohamed V Military Teaching Hospital in Rabat for a period of 06 months between January and June 2021.

The patients included in our study were candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Gastric insufflation was assessed using epigastric auscultation. Finally, it is evaluated using the camera.

Results: During the study period, 120 patients were enrolled and divided into three groups of 40 patients according to the ventilation mode used: Group VM (Manual Mode), Group VV (Controlled Volume Mode) and Group VP (controlled pressure Mode).

There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups in terms of hemodynamic and respiratory parameters.

Gastric insufflation rate was lower in the VP group (14%).

The pressure-controlled ventilation mode causes less gastric insufflation without additional hemodynamic or respiratory cost and gives the surgeon greater comfort without the need for a stomach probe.
Meeting notes
Authors: - -
Published: November 2022

Meeting notes for 14 February 1870.
Meeting notes
Authors: - -
Published: November 2022

Meeting notes for 13 January 1879.
Challenges in the implementation of good practices in childbirth care / Desafios na implementação das boas práticas de atenção ao parto
Authors: Dos Santos Bellay Adriele Bruna , Rosseto de Oliveira Rosana , Sant'ana Gasquez Adriana , Fiats Ribeiro Helena , De Andrade Pereira Silva Marcela
Published: November 2022

Objetivo: identificar na literatura científica os fatores que dificultam a implementação das boas práticas de atenção ao parto no Brasil, pela equipe de enfermagem. Método: trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura. Efetuou-se a busca na literatura no mês de junho de 2020, nas bases de dados LILACS, SciELO e BDENF, de produções científicas publicadas entre 2010 e 2019. Resultados: selecionaram-se 15 estudos para compor a revisão integrativa, que possibilitaram identificar fatores que tem dificultado a implementação das boas práticas na atenção ao parto no Brasil, como estrutura inadequada dos serviços de saúde, superlotação, dimensionamento inadequado, descumprimento da lei do acompanhante e falta de protocolos institucionais, postura hegemônica e cultura médica intervencionista, conhecimento e sensibilização deficiente dos profissionais, e despreparo das parturientes para o processo de parto.  Conclusão: É primordial que as boas práticas de atenção ao parto sejam implementadas, como também soluções efetivas dos fatores que dificultam a sua implementação.
Interoperability in a Post-RoeEra
Authors: Walker Daniel M. , Hoffman Sharona , Adler-Milstein Julia
Published: November 2022

This Viewpoint proposes a solution to better safeguard reproductive health information in patient records that are now more complete owing to the interoperability of health information exchange networks.
Implications of the Dobbs Decision for Medical Education
Authors: Mengesha Biftu , Zite Nikki , Steinauer Jody
Published: November 2022

This Viewpoint discusses how states’ restrictions on abortion will affect medical students’ training in providing reproductive health care and also create moral distress by being forced to provide care that may harm patients.
Results from the AAPM Task Group 324 respiratory motion management in radiation oncology survey
Authors: Ball Helen J. , Santanam Lakshmi , Senan Suresh , Tanyi James A. , van Herk Marcel , Keall Paul J.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To quantify the clinical practice of respiratory motion management in radiation oncology.

Methods

A respiratory motion management survey was designed and conducted based on clinician survey guidelines. The survey was administered to American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) members on 17 August 2020 and closed on 13 September 2020.

Results

A total of 527 respondents completed the entire survey and 651 respondents completed part of the survey, with the partially completed surveys included in the analysis. Overall, 84% of survey respondents used deep inspiration breath hold for left‐sided breast cancer. Overall, 83% of respondents perceived respiratory motion management for thoracic and abdominal cancer radiotherapy patients to be either very important or required. Overall, 95% of respondents used respiratory motion management for thoracic and abdominal sites, with 36% of respondents using respiratory motion management for at least 90% of thoracic and abdominal patients. The majority (60%) of respondents used the internal target volume method to treat thoracic and abdominal cancer patients, with 25% using breath hold or abdominal compression and 13% using gating or tracking.

Conclusions

A respiratory motion management survey has been completed by AAPM members. Respiratory motion management is generally considered very important or required and is widely used for breast, thoracic, and abdominal cancer treatments.
Stability of Thin Film Neuromodulation Electrodes under Accelerated Aging Conditions
Authors: Oldroyd Poppy , Gurke Johannes , Malliaras George G.
Published: November 2022

Thin film electrodes are becoming increasingly common for interfacing with tissue. However, their long‐term stability has yet to be proven in neuromodulation applications where electrical stimulation over months to years is desired. Here, the stability of pristine and PEDOT:PSS‐coated Au, as well as pristine PEDOT:PSS microelectrodes are examined over a period of 3 months in an accelerated aging setup where they are exposed to current stimulation, hydrogen peroxide, mechanical agitation, and high temperature. Pristine PEDOT:PSS electrodes show the highest stability, while pristine Au electrodes show the lowest stability. Failure mode analysis reveals that delamination and Au corrosion are the key drivers of electrode degradation. The PEDOT:PSS coating slows down Au corrosion to a degree that depends on the overlap between the two films. The results demonstrate that pristine PEDOT:PSS electrodes represent a promising way forward toward thin film devices for long‐term in vivo neuromodulation applications.
A New Class of Organic Crystals with Extremely Large Hyperpolarizability: Efficient THz Wave Generation with Wide Flat‐Spectral‐Band
Authors: Kim Seung‐Jun , Yu In Cheol , Kim Dong‐Joo , Jazbinsek Mojca , Yoon Woojin , Yun Hoseop , Kim Dongwook , Rotermund Fabian , Kwon O‐Pil
Published: November 2022

In organic π‐conjugated crystals, enhancing molecular optical nonlinearity of chromophores (e.g., first hyperpolarizability β ≥ 300 × 10−30 esu) in most cases unfortunately results in zero macroscopic optical nonlinearity, which is a bottleneck in organic nonlinear optics. In this study, a new class of nonlinear optical organic crystals introducing a chromophore possessing an extremely large first hyperpolarizability is reported. With newly designed 4‐(4‐(4‐(hydroxymethyl)piperidin‐1‐yl)styryl)‐1‐(pyrimidin‐2‐yl)pyridin‐1‐ium (PMPR) chromophore, incorporating a head‐to‐tail cation‐anion OH⋯O hydrogen‐bonding synthon and an optimal selection of molecular anion into crystals results in extremely large macroscopic optical nonlinearity with effective first hyperpolarizability of 335 × 10−30 esu. This is in sharp contrast to zero value for previously reported analogous crystals. An ultrathin PMPR crystal with a thickness of ≈10 µm exhibits excellent terahertz (THz) wave generation performance. Both i) broadband THz wave generation with a wide flat‐spectral‐band in the range of 0.7–3.4 THz defined at −3 dB and high upper cut‐off generation frequency of > 7 THz as well as ii) high‐generation efficiency (5 times higher THz amplitude than ZnTe crystal with a mm‐scale thickness) are simultaneously achieved. Therefore, new PMPR crystals are highly promising materials for diverse applications in nonlinear optics and THz photonics.
High Quality Factor Microcavity for Van der Waals Semiconductor Polaritons Using a Transferrable Mirror
Authors: Paik Eunice Y. , Zhang Long , Hou Shaocong , Zhao Haonan , Chou Yu‐Hsun , Forrest Stephen R. , Deng Hui
Published: November 2022

Semiconductor microcavities with a high quality‐factor are an important component for photonics research and technology, especially in the strong coupling regime. While van der Waals semiconductors have emerged as an interesting platform for photonics due to their strong exciton–photon interaction strength and engineering flexibility, incorporating them in photonic devices requires heterogeneous integration and remains a challenge. This study demonstrates a method to assemble high quality factor microcavities for van der Waals materials, using high reflectance top mirrors which, similar to van der Waals materials themselves, can be nondestructively and reliably peeled off the substrate and transferred onto the rest of the device. Microcavities are created with quality factors consistently above 2000 and up to 11000 ± 800; and the strong coupling regime is demonstrated. The method can be generalized to other types of heterogeneously integrated photonic structures and will facilitate research on cavity quantum electrodynamic and photonic systems using van der Waals materials.
Hole Transport Layer Modification for Highly Efficient Divalent Ion‐Doped Pure Blue Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Li Jing , Zhang Dingshuo , Gao Yun , Wu Xiaohui , Fan Chao , Li Hongjin , Cui Qiaopeng , Dai Xingliang , He Haiping , Ye Zhizhen
Published: November 2022

Divalent ions‐doping has recently been developed as a new approach to blue perovskite light emitting diodes (LEDs) with improved spectral stability. However, the efficiency of these perovskite LEDs, especially in the pure blue region, is still far behind their red‐ and green‐emissive counterparts. Here, a method to improve the device efficiency of strontium ion (Sr2+)‐doped pure blue perovskite LEDs, prominently by modifying the hole transport layer, is reported. Mixing a small amount of poly(9,9‐di‐n‐octylfluorene‐alt‐(1,4‐phenylene‐(4‐sec‐butylphenyl)imino)‐1,4‐phenylene) (TFB) into the hole transport layer poly(9‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) remarkably improves the morphology and reduces the trap states of Sr2+‐doped perovskite films. As a result, a pure blue LED emitting at 470 nm is obtained and shows a high external quantum efficiency of 2.24% with stable electroluminescence spectra under a forward bias of up to 8 V, representing the best performance reported in the divalent ions‐doped pure blue perovskites so far. The work opens up the way for the development of efficient pure blue perovskite LEDs.
A Fast‐Charging and High‐Temperature All‐Organic Rechargeable Potassium Battery
Authors: Qin Kaiqiang , Holguin Kathryn , Huang Jinghao , Mohammadiroudbari Motahareh , Chen Fu , Yang Zhenzhen , Xu Gui‐Liang , Luo Chao
Published: November 2022

Developing fast‐charging, high‐temperature, and sustainable batteries is critical for the large‐scale deployment of energy storage devices in electric vehicles, grid‐scale electrical energy storage, and high temperature regions. Here, a transition metal‐free all‐organic rechargeable potassium battery (RPB) based on abundant and sustainable organic electrode materials (OEMs) and potassium resources for fast‐charging and high‐temperature applications is demonstrated. N‐doped graphene and a 2.8 m potassium hexafluorophosphate (KPF6) in diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (DEGDME) electrolyte are employed to mitigate the dissolution of OEMs, enhance the electrode conductivity, accommodate large volume change, and form stable solid electrolyte interphase in the all‐organic RPB. At room temperature, the RPB delivers a high specific capacity of 188.1 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1 and superior cycle life of 6000 and 50000 cycles at 1 and 5 A g−1, respectively, demonstrating an ultra‐stable and fast‐charging all‐organic battery. The impressive performance at room temperature is extended to high temperatures, where the high‐mass‐loading (6.5 mg cm−2) all‐organic RPB exhibits high‐rate capability up to 2 A g−1 and a long lifetime of 500 cycles at 70–100 °C, demonstrating a superb fast‐charging and high‐temperature battery. The cell configuration demonstrated in this work shows great promise for practical applications of sustainable batteries at extreme conditions.
Quantification of Interdependent Dynamics during Laser Additive Manufacturing Using X‐Ray Imaging Informed Multi‐Physics and Multiphase Simulation
Authors: Leung Chu Lun Alex , Luczyniec Dawid , Guo Enyu , Marussi Sebastian , Atwood Robert C. , Meisnar Martina , Saunders Ben , Lee Peter D.
Published: November 2022

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) can produce high‐value metallic components for many industries; however, its adoption for safety‐critical applications is hampered by the presence of imperfections. The interdependency between imperfections and processing parameters remains unclear. Here, the evolution of porosity and humps during LPBF using X‐ray and electron imaging, and a high‐fidelity multiphase process simulation, is quantified. The pore and keyhole formation mechanisms are driven by the mixing of high temperatures and high metal vapor concentrations in the keyhole is revealed. The irregular pores are formed via keyhole collapse, pore coalescence, and then pore entrapment by the solidification front. The mixing of the fast‐moving vapor plume and molten pool induces a Kelvin–Helmholtz instability at the melt track surface, forming humps. X‐ray imaging and a high‐fidelity model are used to quantify the pore evolution kinetics, pore size distribution, waviness, surface roughness, and melt volume under single layer conditions. This work provides insights on key criteria that govern the formation of imperfections in LPBF and suggest ways to improve process reliability.
Efficient Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells with a Low‐Dimensional Halide/Perovskite Heterostructure
Authors: Zhang Yao , Li Chunyan , Bi Enbing , Wang Tao , Zhang Peng , Yang Xudong , Chen Han
Published: November 2022

The photovoltaic performance of inverted (positive‐intrinsic‐negative) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is predominantly limited by interfacial recombination loss. Here, by constructing a low‐dimensional halide/perovskite heterostructure, non‐radiative recombination pathways at the perovskite/C60 contact are effectively eliminated and a voltage loss of only 370 mV is achieved in inverted PSCs. Through molecular engineering of the organic spacer, a strong electronic coupling is enabled at the heterointerface, which effectively shifts the gap states out of the bandgap and leads to a prolonged carrier lifetime of 4.28 µs. Our strategy enables a power conversion efficiency of 24.09% (certified 23.54%) for inverted PSCs with an open‐circuit voltage of 1204 mV, and an efficiency of 21.89% (certified 21.48%) for centimeter‐scale cells. The devices retain 92% of the initial efficiency after 85 °C thermal aging for over 1400 h, and 95% of the initial efficiency after 1008 h of maximum power point operation under AM1.5G illumination in air.
Electrochemical N‐Centered Radical Addition/Semipinacol Rearrangement Sequence of Alkenyl Cyclobutanols: Synthesis of β‐Amino Cyclic Ketones
Authors: Jang Jihoon , Kim Dae Young
Published: November 2022

The electrochemical N‐centered radical addition/semipinacol rearrangement sequence of alkenyl cyclobutanols with sulfonimides is described. This transformation is an environmentally friendly approach that uses cheap and easily handled sulfonimides as N‐centered radical sources and successfully avoiding the use of stoichiometric amounts of external redox reagents. The β‐amino cyclic ketone derivatives could be synthesized in moderate to high yields from alkenyl cyclobutanol derivatives under mild constant current electrolysis conditions.
Biocultural perspectives on bioarchaeological and paleopathological evidence of past pandemics
Authors: Zuckerman Molly K. , Tribble Anna Grace , Austin Rita M. , DeGaglia Cassandra M. S. , Emery Taylor
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Pandemics have profoundly impacted human societies, but until relatively recently were a minor research focus within biological anthropology, especially within biocultural analyses. Here, we explore research in these fields, including molecular anthropology, that employs biocultural approaches, sometimes integrated with intersectionality and ecosocial and syndemic theory, to unpack relationships between social inequality and pandemics. A case study assesses the 1918 influenza pandemic's impacts on the patient population of the Mississippi State Asylum (MSA).

Materials and Methods

We survey bioarchaeological and paleopathological literature on pandemics and analyze respiratory disease mortality relative to sex, age, and social race amongst patient deaths (N = 2258) between 1912 and 1925. Logistic regression models were used to assess relationships between cause of death and odds of death during the pandemic (1918–1919).

Results

Findings include substantial respiratory mortality during the pandemic, including from influenza and influenza syndemic with pneumonia. Older patients (40–59 years, 60+ years) had lower odds (p < 0.01) of dying from respiratory disease than younger patients, as did female patients compared to males (p < 0.05). Age patterns are broadly consistent with national and state trends, while elevated mortality amongst Black and/or African American patients may reflect intersections between gender roles and race‐based structural violence in the Jim Crow South.

Discussion

Future work in biological anthropology on past pandemics may benefit from explicit incorporation of biocultural frameworks, intersectionality, and ecosocial and syndemic theory. Doing so enables holistic analyses of interactions between social context, social inequality and pandemic outcomes, generating data informative for public health responses and pandemic preparedness.
[3,3]‐Sigmatropic Rearrangements of Naphthyl 1‐Propargyl Ethers: para‐Propargylation and Catalytic Asymmetric Dearomatization
Authors: Wang Lifeng , Zhou Yuqiao , Su Zhishan , Zhang Fengcai , Cao Weidi , Liu Xiaohua , Feng Xiaoming
Published: November 2022

The para‐Claisen rearrangement of aryl 1‐propargyl ethers involves two‐step [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangements and dearomatization process, which has high activation barriers and is of challenge. Here we discovered thermal para‐Claisen rearrangement of naphthyl 1‐propargyl ethers, and it enabled the formation of formal para‐C−H propargylation products upon rearomatization. Chirality transfer occurred if optically active propargyl ethers were employed, leading to the construction of aryl/propargyl‐containing stereogenic centers. Moreover, catalytic asymmetric dearomatization of naphthyl 1‐propargyl ethers with different substitution at para‐position gave access to benzocyclohexenones bearing all‐carbon quaternary stereocenters. The reaction was accelerated by a chiral N,N′‐dioxide/Co(OTf)2 complex catalyst to achieve high yields (up to 98 %) and high enantioselectivities (up to 93 % ee). The DFT calculations and experimental results provided important clues to clarify the para‐Claisen rearrangement process as well as the chiral induction and remote delivery.
Palladium/PC‐Phos‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Heck/Tsuji–Trost Reactions of Amino‐Tethered 1,3‐Cyclohexadiene with Aryl and Alkenyl Halides
Authors: Feng Juan , Shi Jiayi , Wei Lan , Liu Mingqing , Li Zhiming , Xiao Yuanjing , Zhang Junliang
Published: November 2022

Chiral perhydroindoles are found in a number of natural products and biologically active compounds. Therefore, the development of new asymmetric methodology for rapid access to this core is of high importance. Herein, we reported a highly regio‐ and diastereo‐selective palladium/PC‐Phos‐catalyzed asymmetric Heck/Tsuji–Trost reactions of readily available amino tethered 1,3‐cyclohexadienes with aryl and alkenyl halides, delivering various functionalized chiral hexahydroindoles in good yields with high enantioselectivity. The application of this reaction to the concise synthesis of (−)‐α‐Lycorane was demonstrated. DFT computation results indicate that the difference in ΔEdis of two migration insertion transition states determines the enantioselectivity of the reaction.
Highly Enantioselective Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Heyns Rearrangement
Authors: Cao Jin , Su Yu‐Xuan , Zhang Xin‐Yu , Zhu Shou‐Fei
Published: November 2022

Herein we report the first method for highly enantioselective Brønsted acid catalyzed Heyns rearrangements. These reactions, catalyzed by a chiral spiro phosphoric acid, afforded synthetically valuable chiral α‐aryl‐α‐aminoketones which cannot be obtained by means of previously reported Heyns rearrangement methods. This method features low catalyst loadings, high yields and high enantioselectivities, making these reactions highly practical. We used the method to efficiently synthesize various chiral amines, including some biologically active molecules. We experimentally proved that these acid‐catalyzed Heyns rearrangements proceeded via a proton‐transfer process involving an enol intermediate and the stereocontrol was realized during the proton‐transfer step.
Chrysin: A polyedric flavone as a tool to explore new phytotherapeutic applications and drug design
Authors: Falbo Federica , Aiello Francesca
Published: November 2022

In the field of pharmaceutical research, a branch that has become more and more interesting is phytochemistry. Among phytochemicals, flavonoids have been studied a lot over the past 30 years. This review summarizes the chemical characteristics, metabolism, applications, and toxicity of a particular flavonoid, chrysin, recorded in the last 10 years and supported by solid biological assays. Furthermore, this review highlights some derivatives of chrysin investigated to obtain more bioavailable molecules that maintain or improve chrysin's bioactivities, enclosing a chrysin patent section, as well.
Endocannabinoids and related compounds as modulators of angiogenesis: Concepts and clinical significance
Authors: Afshar Shima , Abbasinazari Mohammad , Amin Gholamreza , Farrokhian Amir , Sistanizad Mohammad , Afshar Fariba , Khalili Shayesteh
Published: November 2022

Vasculogenesis (the process of differentiation of angioblasts toward endothelial cells and de novo formation of crude vascular networks) and angiogenesis (the process of harmonized sprouting and dispersal of new capillaries from previously existing ones) are two fundamentally complementary processes, obligatory for maintaining physiological functioning of vascular system. In clinical practice, however, the later one is of more importance as it guarantees correct embryonic nourishment, accelerates wound healing processes, prevents uncontrolled cell growth and tumorigenesis, contributes in supplying nutritional demand following occlusion of coronary vessels and is in direct relation with development of diabetic retinopathy. Hence, discovery of novel molecules capable of modulating angiogenic events are of great clinical importance. Recent studies have demonstrated multiple angio‐regulatory activities for endocannabinoid system modulators and endocannabinoid‐like molecules, as well as their metabolizing enzymes. Hence, in present article, we reviewed the regulatory roles of these molecules on angiogenesis and described molecular mechanisms underlying them.
The effective factors in human‐specific tropism and viral pathogenicity in orthopoxviruses
Authors: Ghabeshi Soad , Ghasemi Sorayya , Mousavizadeh Leila
Published: November 2022

The orthopoxvirus (OPV) genus includes several species that infect humans, including variola, monkeypox, vaccinia, and cowpox. Variola and monkeypox are often life‐threatening diseases, while vaccinia and cowpox are usually associated with local lesions. The epidemic potential for OPVs may be lower than respiratory‐borne viruses or RNA viruses. However, OPVs are notable for their spread and distribution in different environments and among different hosts. The emergence or re‐emergence of OPVs in the human population can also occur in wild or domestic animals as intermediate hosts. More effective and safer vaccines for poxvirus can be developed by understanding how immunity is regulated in poxvirus and vaccines for DNA viruses. Downstream events in cells affected by the virus are regulated functionally by a series of characteristics that are affected by host cell interactions and responses of cells against viral infections, including the interferon pathway and apoptosis. Furthermore, infection outcome is greatly influenced by the distinct selection of host‐range and immune‐modulatory genes that confer the potential for pathogenesis and host‐to‐host transmission and the distinct host‐range properties of each immune‐modulatory gene. The present study reviewed the effective factors in human‐restricted tropism and virus pathogenicity in OPVs.
BAC: A block alliance consensus mechanism for the mine consortium blockchain
Authors: Wang Yingsen , Ma Yulan , Qiang Yan , Zhao Juanjuan , Li Yi , Li Keqin
Published: November 2022

Safety is an important issue in the mining industry and the Internet of Things (IoT) plays an important role to enhance the safety of the underground working environment. The IoT is used to transfer data generated by underground sensors to cloud storage for further processing. However, third‐party platforms are often a target for cyber attacks. Serious mining accidents might occur if the data were tampered with. In the overground scenario, the security of trading data is also an important issue. The Mine Consortium Blockchain (MCB) is proposed to solve the above problems. The MCB avoids the risk of centralized storage and enables data security, provenance and transparency by taking advantage of blockchain technology. The MCB platform ensures that only designated participants can process mineral data. Any violation is immutably recorded in the MCB and is easily traced back by other participants. Classical consensus mechanisms as the core technology of the blockchain cannot be directly and appropriately applied to the mining industry. A Block Alliance Consensus (BAC) mechanism, which is suitable for all consortium blockchain scenarios, is proposed to improve the performance of the MCB. In addition, the block structure of the underground sensor data is optimized: the blocks only contain a hash of the sensor data and the data being stored in the cloud. The efficiency of the BAC is demonstrated by simulation experiments where the performance of the BAC consensus mechanism is compared with with the performance of classical consensus mechanisms. The MCB and the BAC consensus mechanism were also implemented on Hyperledger Fabric. Finally the Hyperledger Caliper evaluation tool was used to evaluate the performance of the system.
The slow de‐implementation of non‐evidence‐based treatments in low back pain hospital care—Trends in treatments using Dutch hospital register data from 1991 to 2018
Authors: Coenen Pieter , de Wind Astrid , van de Ven Peter , de Maaker‐Berkhof Marianne , Koes Bart , Buchbinder Rachelle , Hartvigsen Jan , Anema Johannes (Han) R.
Published: November 2022

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide and has an excessive societal burden. Accumulating evidence has shown that some medical approaches such as imaging in absence of clear indications, medication and some invasive treatments may contribute to the problem rather than alleviating it.

Objectives

To determine the extent of de‐implementation of non‐evidence‐based hospital treatments for LBP care in the Netherlands in the last three decades.

Methods

Using a register‐based population‐level observational study with Dutch hospital data, providing a nearly complete coverage of hospital admissions in the Netherlands in 1991–2018, we assessed five frequently applied non‐evidence‐based hospital treatments for LBP. Time trends in treatment use (absolute and per 100,000 inhabitants) were plotted and analysed using Poisson regression.

Results

The use of bed rest for non‐specific LBP and hernia nuclei pulposi, and discectomy for spinal stenosis decreased 91%, 81% and 86% since the availability of evidence/guidelines, respectively. De‐implementation, beyond 84%, was reached after 18 and 17 years for bed rest for non‐specific LBP and discectomy respectively, while it was not reached after 28 years for bed rest for hernia nuclei pulposi. For spinal fusion and invasive pain treatment, there was an initial increase followed by a reduction. Overall, these treatments reduced by 85% and 75%, respectively.

Conclusions

In the Netherlands, de‐implementation of five non‐recommended hospital LBP treatments, if at all, took several decades. Although de‐implementation was substantial, slow de‐implementation has likely resulted in considerable waste of resources and avoidable harm to many patients in Dutch hospitals.

Significance

Medically intensive approaches to low‐back pain care contribute to the high societal burden of this disease. There have been calls to avoid such care. Using Dutch hospital data, we showed that de‐implementation of five non‐recommended hospital low‐back pain treatments, if at all, took several decades (i.e. ≥17 years) after availability of evidence and guidelines. Slow de‐implementation has likely resulted in considerable waste of resources and avoidable harm to hospital patients; better ways for de‐implementation of non‐evidence‐based care are needed.
Board of director effectiveness and informal institutions: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Solarino Angelo M. , Boyd Brian K.
Published: November 2022

Research Summary

Board independence is central to corporate governance. Numerous theories espouse the value of the monitoring and advice provided by outside board members, and governance codes worldwide call for boards with more independent directors and for separating the roles of chief executive officer and chairman. However, neither original studies nor meta‐analyses have found a substantial link between board independence and firm performance. We adopt an institutional logic perspective to argue that the relations between board independence and firm performance is moderated by the institutions of a country. Our analyses find that the strength of the informal institutions is a more important moderator than that of formal institutions. We employ country‐level institutional moderators and apply meta‐regression to a sample of 86 articles encompassing 40 nations. We offer suggestions for future governance research.

Managerial Summary

Board independence is widely considered to be a hallmark of good governance. However, prior research has been unable to connect independence with a firm's financial performance. We provide practical advice by demonstrating how national institutions shape the consequences of an independent board. Using a multi‐country sample, we show that the effectiveness of the corporate governance practices, such as board independence, depends on the strength of the local institutions and that the strength of the informal institutions is more important in explaining the effectiveness of the board than the strengths of the formal institutions. Stronger informal institutions strengthen the board independence‐ firm performance relationship. We discuss the implication of our findings.
School and electronic bullying among adolescents: Direct and indirect relationships with sadness, sleep, and suicide ideation
Authors: Sutter Claudia C. , Stickl Haugen Jaimie , Campbell Laurie O. , Tinstman Jones Jessica L.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Bullying is an increasing concern for education, health, and policy. Adolescence is a particularly vulnerable period for the development of depressive symptoms and suicidality following exposure to bullying. However, limited research investigating the potential impact of depressive symptoms on the bullying‐suicide relationship exists.

Methods

Using national data (N = 13,677) from the most recent 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence among adolescents' (school/electronic) bullying victimization, depressive symptoms (sadness; sleep), and suicide ideation as well as their associations including direct and indirect relationships including exploring differences by gender and race/ethnicity.

Results

Descriptive results indicated an increase in the prevalence of adolescents being bullied (both on school property and electronically), experiencing feelings of sadness, and hopelessness as well as a decrease in getting more than 8 h of sleep between 2017 and 2019. In 2019, over one‐third of respondents felt sad or hopeless almost every day for 2 weeks or more in a row, which stopped them from doing some usual activities. Structural equation modeling indicated that (school/electronic) bullying was directly associated with feelings of sadness/hopelessness and suicide ideation, with sadness mediating the link between bullying and suicide ideation.

Conclusion

Now more than ever, it is critical to promote the collaboration between educators, mental health specialists, policymakers, and researchers to develop and implement evidence‐based strategies and approaches to preventing and reducing both bullying victimization and the associated psychological distress and mental health outcomes.
Triangle‐free graphs with large chromatic number and no induced wheel
Authors: Davies James
Published: November 2022

A wheel is a graph consisting of an induced cycle of length at least four and a single additional vertex with at least three neighbours on the cycle. We prove that no Burling graph contains an induced wheel. Burling graphs are triangle‐free and have arbitrarily large chromatic number, so this answers a question of Trotignon and disproves a conjecture of Scott and Seymour.
良性の甲状腺腫瘍による気道狭窄で緊急気道確保を要した2症例(Acute airway obstruction due to a benign goiter in the cervical region: a report of two cases)
Authors: 加純 白﨑 , 颯真 宮本 , 正博 後藤 , 修太郎 磯川 , 亨 一二三 , 典生 大谷
Published: November 2022

症例1は46歳の女性。来院当日突然の呼吸困難を自覚し救急要請した。救急隊接触時意識レベルがJCS 100であり，救急隊による補助換気を施行されながら当院へ搬送となった。CT検査にてびまん性に腫大する甲状腺が気管を圧排しており救急外来にてフェンタニルのみ使用し気管挿管，翌日甲状腺全摘術を施行し第6病日に軽快退院となった。症例2は88歳の女性。来院当日突然の呼吸困難を自覚し救急要請した。来院時嗄声とstridorが見られ，上気道狭窄を疑いフェンタニルのみ使用し気管挿管を行った。CT検査にて甲状腺左葉の嚢胞性病変内の出血が穿破し，前頸部血腫により気管が右に圧排されていた。甲状腺部分切除術を施行し第6病日に軽快退院となった。両症例ともに術後の病理診断は腺腫様甲状腺腫であった。良性腫瘍でも致死的な経過をたどる可能性があることを念頭に置き，診療にあたることが重要である。また，本症例のように頸部に巨大な甲状腺腫瘍が存在する場合には解剖学的に外科的気道確保の実施が困難であることが予想される。挿管困難となった場合に備えて，意識下気管挿管を試みるとともにECMOスタンバイ下での気道確保を考慮することが重要である。
A unique case of commensalism: The beaver beetle Platypsyllus castoris (Leiodidae, Coleoptera) and its morphological adaptations
Authors: Yavorskaya Margarita I. , Jałoszyński Paweł , Beutel Rolf G.
Published: November 2022

Platypsyllus castoris is closely associated with beavers and displays a unique set of structural specializations. We document the morphology of adults with modern techniques, and interpret evolutionary changes linked with the specific life style. The small subfamily Platypsyllinae has evolved an entire suite of features correlated with a more or less close association with mammals, for instance a flattened body, a dorsal cephalic shield, flightlessness, eye reduction, and depigmentation. Within this small group, Platypsyllus displays numerous autapomorphic features, correlated with a close association with the beaver. Essential is a combination of mechanical stabilization and firm anchorage on the host, and efficient forward movement in the fur. Exo‐ and endoskeletal structures of the head and thorax are reinforced by vertical cuticular columns and by an array of internal ridges. The antennae are shortened and strongly modified, the mandibles distinctly reduced and flattened, unsuitable for cutting, scraping or grinding. The musculature of the mouthparts is simplified, whereas an enhanced set of prepharyngeal and pharyngeal dilators forms an efficient sucking pump. The prothoracic musculature is strongly developed. In contrast, the pterothoracic muscle system is distinctly simplified, even though leg muscles are strongly developed. Using the legs, the flattened beetles move sideways through the dense fur of the beaver, using posteriorly directed groups of setae and ctenidia to prevent being pushed backwards by the densely arranged hairs. In contrast to the anterior body, the cuticle of the abdomen is thin, and the entire tagma flexible, with thin layers of segmental muscles. The hind gut is not connected with the mid gut. The beetles probably consume liquid, possibly with emulgated minute skin debris. As the morphology of the mouthparts excludes damage to the skin of the host, the association should not be addressed as ectoparasitic but as commensalism.
Effects of Hericium erinaceus Hedgehog mushroom on the endophytic microbial community of the host plant
Authors: Zhang Yizhe , Li Xinwei , Hu Anxin , Wang Landi
Published: November 2022

Hedgehog mushroom is a Hericium erinaceus associated with fagaceae and pinaceae trees in the northern hemisphere. It is still unknown whether this symbiotic relationship will affect the endophytic microbial community of the host plants. In this study, the endophytic microbial communities of different Quercus aliena tissues (root, stem, and leaf) with or without H. erinaceus partner were analyzed by bar‐coded pyrosequencing. About 29,000 clean reads were obtained per sample representing 28 phyla of bacteria and 6 phyla of fungi. A total of 26,838 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of bacteria and 4323 OTUs of fungi were observed at a 97% similarity level. Three bacterial phyla, Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes, and fungal phylum Ascomycota were dominant in all tissues. The relative abundance of these dominant communities showed significantly differences between Q. aliena tissues with or without H. erinaceus. Bacterial genus Pseudomonas and fungal genus Cryptosporiopsis were species‐rich in Q. aliena root infected by H. erinaceus hyphae. This study demonstrated that the endophytic microbial community structure and dominant species varied in Q. aliena mycorrhized with H. erinaceus.
Effectiveness of tacrolimus ointment for dupilumab‐resistant facial erythema
Authors: Fukumoto Takeshi , Nishigori Chikako
Published: November 2022

Some patients treated with dupilumab for atopic dermatitis (AD) develop resistance on their face, despite achieving good response on other body parts. The pathomechanisms of dupilumab‐resistant facial erythema (DRFE) are unclear and its treatment is challenging. We report a case of DRFE resistant to topical corticosteroids and delgocitinib that was successfully treated with tacrolimus ointment. Tacrolimus ointment was not effective for his facial AD before dupilumab initiation but was effective for DRFE, suggesting that DRFE has a different pathomechanism from AD.