bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety and Efficacy of Bimekizumab in Patients With Active Ankylosing Spondylitis: Three‐Year Results From a Phase IIb Randomized Controlled Trial and Its Open‐Label Extension Study
Authors: Baraliakos Xenofon , Deodhar Atul , Dougados Maxime , Gensler Lianne S. , Molto Anna , Ramiro Sofia , Kivitz Alan J. , Poddubnyy Denis , Oortgiesen Marga , Vaux Thomas , Fleurinck Carmen , Shepherd‐Smith Julie , de la Loge Christine , de Peyrecave Natasha , van der Heijde Désirée
Published: July 2022

Objective

To assess the long‐term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of bimekizumab in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods

Patients with active AS who completed the dose‐ranging, 48‐week BE AGILE randomized controlled trial were eligible to participate in an open‐label extension (OLE) study, in which patients received 160 mg of bimekizumab every 4 weeks. We present the safety and efficacy results through 156 weeks. Missing efficacy data were imputed using nonresponder imputation analysis for binary outcomes and multiple imputation for continuous outcomes.

Results

From weeks 0–156, 280 of 303 patients (exposure‐adjusted incidence rate 141.0 per 100 patient‐years) experienced ≥1 treatment‐emergent adverse event; the most frequent adverse events were nasopharyngitis (8.1 per 100 patient‐years) and upper respiratory tract infection (5.0 per 100 patient‐years). Additionally, 67 of 303 patients (9.8 per 100 patient‐years) had mild to moderate localized fungal infections (28 of 303 patients had Candida infections [3.7 per 100 patient‐years] and 23 of 303 patients had oral candidiasis [3.0 per 100 patient‐years]), 10 patients had serious infections (1.3 per 100 patient‐years), and no cases of active tuberculosis were reported. Active inflammatory bowel disease (1.1 per 100 patient‐years), anterior uveitis (0.7 per 100 patient‐years), and adjudicated major adverse cardiovascular events (0.3 per 100 patient‐years) were infrequent. The efficacy of bimekizumab treatment demonstrated at week 48 was sustained in the OLE study. At week 156, nonresponder imputation analysis showed that 53.7% of patients (72.6% of observed cases) met the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society criteria for 40% improvement and 28.0% of patients (37.9% of observed cases) achieved partial remission; Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Scores were reduced from baseline (mean ± SEM 3.9 ± 0.1) to week 48 (2.1 ± 0.1) and week 156 (1.9 ± 0.1) (multiple imputation). Patients showed sustained improvements in pain, fatigue, physical function, and health‐related quality of life.

Conclusion

The safety profile of bimekizumab was found to be consistent with previously demonstrated findings, and no new safety signals were identified. The efficacy of bimekizumab in patients with AS was sustained through 3 years of treatment.
Telomere Length and Development of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Wang Xu‐Fan , Xu Wen‐Jing , Wang Fei‐Fei , Leng Rui , Yang Xiao‐Ke , Ling Hua‐Zhi , Fan Yin‐Guang , Tao Jin‐Hui , Shuai Zong‐Wen , Zhang Li , Ye Dong‐Qing , Leng Rui‐Xue
Published: July 2022

Objective

Previous observational studies demonstrated that a subset of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have markedly short telomere length in leukocytes. This study was undertaken to test whether leukocyte telomere length is causally associated with risk of SLE.

Methods

A 2‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to estimate causality of telomere length on SLE in European populations. A replication 2‐sample MR study using Asian genetic data was also conducted. A reverse MR analysis was then performed to test the effects of SLE on telomere length. The autoantibodies targeting telomere‐associated protein (telomeric repeat–binding factor 1 [TERF1] autoantibodies) were detected in patients with SLE, healthy controls, and patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Results

The results of the inverse variance–weighted method (odds ratio [OR] 2.96 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.58–5.55], P < 0.001) showed strong evidence for a causal relationship between longer telomere length and risk of SLE in people with European ancestry. The outcomes of MR‐Egger regression analysis (OR 29.46 [95% CI 3.02–287.60], P = 0.033) and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier analysis (OR 3.62 [95% CI 2.03–6.46], P = 0.002) also showed that longer telomere length was significantly associated with increased risk of SLE in a European population. Sensitivity analyses using different methods and summary data sets showed that the results were still broadly consistent. A replication MR study using Asian genetic data yielded similar findings. However, the reverse MR analysis showed that genetically predicted SLE was not causally associated with telomere length. In addition, we found that TERF1 autoantibodies were present in 2 of 40 SLE patients (5.0%).

Conclusion

In contrast with previous observational studies, MR analyses show that longer telomere length is significantly associated with increased risk of SLE.
Photoluminescent and photochromic smart window from recycled polyester reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals
Authors: Al‐Balakocy Naser G. , Abdelrahman Meram S. , Ahmed Hend , Badawy Abdelrahman A. , Ghanem Ahmed F. , Wassel Ahmed R. , Wen Zhen , Khattab Tawfik A.
Published: July 2022

Smart windows with long‐persistent phosphorescence, ultraviolet (UV) light protection, high transparency, and high rigidity were developed by easily immobilizing varying ratios of lanthanide‐activated aluminate phosphor nanoscale particles within a composite of recycled polyester/cellulose nanocrystals (RPET/CNC). Cellulose nanocrystals were prepared from rice straw waste. Cellulose nanocrystals were used at low concentration as both crosslinker and drier to improve both transparency and hardness. The phosphor nanoscale particles must be distributed into the recycled polyester/cellulose nanocrystals composite bulk without agglomeration to produce transparent RPET/CNC substrates. Photoluminescence characteristics were also studied using spectroscopic profiles of excitation/emission and decay/lifetime. The hardness efficiency was also examined. This transparent recycled polyester waste/cellulose nanocrystals nanocomposite smart window has been shown to change colour under UV light to strong green and to greenish‐yellow when it is dark, as proved by Commission Internationale de l'éclairage (CIE) laboratory colour parameters. It was found that the afterglow RPET/CNC smart window had phosphorescence intensities of 428, 493, and 523 nm upon excitation at 368 nm. There was evidence of improved UV shielding, photostability, and hydrophobic activity. In the presence of a low phosphor ratio, the luminescent RPET/CNC substrates showed quick and reversible fluorescence photochromic activity when exposed to UV radiation.
Excess dopant effect in platinum‐based alloys toward the oxygen electroreduction reaction
Authors: Kabiraz Mrinal Kanti , Kim Hee Jin , Hong Youngmin , Chang Qiaowan , Choi Sang‐Il
Published: July 2022

Doping the PtNi octahedra with trace amount of transition metals has recently been shown to significantly improve the activity and durability of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, the role of excessive amounts of doped elements on ORR performance is unclear. In this work, PtNi octahedra were synthesized with and without excess Mo dopant. Also, spherical PtNi nanoparticles containing excess Co dopant were synthesized. The ORR performance revealed that PtNiMo octahedra and PtNiCo nanoparticles showed inferior ORR activities compared to bimetallic PtNi octahedra. Based on the electrochemical analysis, we found that unfavorable oxygen‐binding strengths of PtNiMo and PtNiCo catalysts decrease the ORR performances.
Syntheses and photovoltaic properties of polythiophene‐based copolymers as polymer matrix of quasi‐solid‐state electrolytes
Authors: Kim Mi‐Ra , Pham Thanh Chung , Yang Hyun‐Seock , Park Sung Heum , Lee Songyi
Published: July 2022

We synthesized the polythiophene‐based copolymers (poly(3‐thiopheneacetic acid‐co‐3‐dodecylthiophene)s [poly(3TA‐co‐3DT)s]) and homopolymer (poly(3‐dodecylthiophene) [P3DT]) as a polymer host to apply on quasi‐solid‐state electrolytes of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). In order to improve their solubility and interface adsorption onto nanoporous TiO2 surface, the poly(3TA‐co‐3DT)s were designed with the chemical structure containing long‐alkyl group and carboxyl group, and the polythiophene‐based homopolymer (P3DT) was synthesized to compare the photovoltaic characteristics according to the presence of the carboxyl group. The quasi‐solid‐state DSSCs using P3DT, poly(3TA‐co‐3DT)‐1, and poly(3TA‐co‐3DT)‐2 have power conversion efficiencies of 2.62%, 2.97%, and 2.90% under photointensity of 100 mW/cm2 at AM1.5, respectively. In particular, the Jsc and power conversion efficiency of DSSC device using poly(3TA‐co‐3DT)‐1 increased up to 16.81 mA/cm2 and 4.45% by the addition of the ionic liquid.
Research and development intensity, environmental performance, and firm value: Unraveling the nexus in the energy sector worldwide
Authors: Uyar Ali , Kuzey Cemil , Gerged Ali Meftah , Karaman Abdullah S.
Published: July 2022

The lack of a focused study on the nexus of research and development (R&D) intensity, eco‐friendly practices, firm value in the energy sector, and the stakeholders' concerns for ecology motivated us to realize this study. The study sample covers the period from 2002 to 2019, resulting in 4016 firm‐year observations affiliated with 43 countries. The data were retrieved from the Thomson Reuters Eikon, and a country‐year fixed‐effects regression analysis was executed. Our empirical findings are threefold. First, the results show that energy firms' R&D intensity spurs eco‐friendly practices in three dimensions, namely, resource consumption reduction, emissions reduction, and eco‐innovation. Second, our study revealed that corporate environmental performance could induce greater firm value, implying a positive shareholders' reaction to the environmental engagement. Third, moderation analysis revealed that while R&D intensity's interaction with eco‐innovation is value‐enhancing, its interaction with resource consumption reduction and emissions reduction is not. The results are largely robust to alternative sampling, endogeneity concerns, and alternative variables measurements. The findings suggest implications for energy firms, R&D activities, and capital markets.
Did the court dismiss applicant's Title VII claim?
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: July 2022

A 52‐year‐old Black man submitted an application for the open position of assistant chief of police at Austin Peay State University. Shortly before he applied, the university modified the qualifications for the position to reduce a previous requirement of five years of experience in university law enforcement. The applicant claimed the university modified the requirement to enable an internal (white) female candidate to qualify for the position. The university ultimately hired the female candidate — despite the applicant's alleged superior qualifications.
Review recent rulings involving qualifying disabilities
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: July 2022

An overview of the key topics faced by campus administrators with citations to noteworthy cases, statutes, regulations, and additional sources.
Global incidence, mortality and temporal trends of cancer in children: A joinpoint regression analysis
Authors: Huang Junjie , Chan Sze Chai , Ngai Chun Ho , Lok Veeleah , Zhang Lin , Lucero‐Prisno Don Eliseo , Xu Wanghong , Zheng Zhi‐Jie , Elcarte Edmar , Withers Mellissa , Wong Martin C. S. ,   NCD Global Health Research Group, Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)
Published: July 2022

Background/Methods

The Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Time Trends, Nordic Cancer Registries, Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results, WHO Mortality databases were assessed to extract the Age‐Standardised Rates (ASR) of cancer incidence and mortality among children aged 0–14 years old. By using the ASRs, the country‐specific Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to determine the epidemiological cancer trend.

Results

In 2020, the highest incidence of childhood cancer was found in countries with higher Human Development Index (HDI) (ASR = 15.7), yet the highest mortality was found in countries with lower HDIs (ASR = 4.8). As for incidence, seven countries had positive AAPC among boys; Slovakia (AAPC2001–2010 = 4.98, 95% CI [1.66–8.40]), Ecuador (AAPC2003–2012 = 4.07, 95% CI [0.67–7.59]) and Thailand (AAPC2003–2012 = 3.69, 95% CI [0.37–7.11]) had the highest AAPC. Among girls, three countries had positive AAPC, which included Belarus (AAPC2003–2012 = 3.18, 95% CI [1.11, 5.29]), Canada (AAPC2003–2012 = 2.83, 95% CI [1.60, 4.07]) and Korea (AAPC2003–2012 = 1.76, 95% CI [0.23–3.32]). There was an overall decreasing trend of mortality. However, increased mortality was observed in two countries: Ecuador for boys (AAPC2007–2016 = 1.72, 95% CI [0.27–3.19]) and Austria for girls (AAPC2008–2017 = 4.11, 95% CI [0.38–7.98]).

Conclusions

The largest mortality and mortality to incidence ratio of childhood cancer were found in low‐income countries. There was a substantial increasing trend of childhood cancer incidence, while overall its mortality has been decreasing over the past decade. More studies are needed to confirm the drivers behind these epidemiologic trends.
OSU‐T315 and doxorubicin synergistically induce apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway in bladder cancer cells
Authors: Li Zhihui , Ren Danhong , Chen Chen , Sun Leiming , Fang Kun
Published: July 2022

Bladder cancer (BC) is a common urological malignancy that still lacks an effective treatment. Doxorubicin (Dox) has been widely used in the treatment of various cancers, including BC. However, chemoresistance often hampers the clinical application of Dox, therefore, it is necessary to develop effective strategies to improve its efficacy. By using high‐throughput screening, we identified OSU‐T315, an integrin‐linked kinase (ILK) inhibitor, that can augment the cytotoxicity of Dox against BC cells. We found that OSU‐T315 and Dox synergistically induce apoptosis of BC cells via mitochondrial pathway in a caspase‐dependent. Mechanically, it was found that OSU‐T315 and Dox synergistically induced activation of Bax which is critical for the induction of apoptosis. Moreover, it was also found that the downregulation of BCL‐2 and MCL‐1 is essential for the activation of BAX induced by OSU‐T315 and Dox. OSU‐T315 was found to downregulate MCL‐1 via the GSK‐3β/FBXW7 axis in BC cells. Our findings suggest that combined treatment with OSU‐T315 and Dox may be a promising strategy to treat BC.
The impact of frailty on adverse outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in older adults: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Dautzenberg Lauren , van Aarle Tessa T. M. , Stella Pieter R. , Emmelot‐Vonk Marielle , Weterman Marcel A. , Koek Huiberdina L.
Published: July 2022

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an effective alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement for patients who are at increased surgical risk. Consequently, frailty is common in patients undergoing TAVR.

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the impact of frailty on outcomes following TAVR.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including all TAVR candidates who visited the geriatric outpatient clinic for preoperative screening. Frailty status was assessed according to the Groningen Frailty Indicator. The primary outcome of the study was defined as the occurrence of postoperative complications, and this was evaluated according to the Clavien–Dindo classification. An additional analysis was performed to assess the impact of frailty on 1‐year all‐cause mortality and complications within 30 days of TAVR according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC‐2) criteria. The VARC‐2 criteria provide harmonized endpoint definitions for TAVR studies.

Results

In total, 431 patients with a mean age of 80.8 ± 6.2 years were included, of whom 56% were female. Frailty was present in 36% of the participants. Frailty was associated with a higher risk of the composite outcome of complications [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.55 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.03–2.34)], 30‐day mortality [adjusted OR: 4.84 (95% CI: 1.62–14.49)], 3‐month mortality [adjusted OR: 2.52 (95% CI: 1.00–6.28)] and 1‐year mortality [adjusted OR: 2.96 (95% CI: 1.46–6.00)].

Conclusions

Frailty is common in TAVR patients and is associated with an increased overall risk of postoperative complications, particularly mortality. Increased optimization of screening and treatment of frailty in the guidelines for valvular heart diseases is recommended.
Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences: A Retrospective Review Using Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Donthu Naveen , Kumar Satish , Pandey Nitesh , Lim Weng Marc , Pilling Bruce
Published: July 2022

This study offers a retrospective review of the Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences (CJAS). Using bibliometric analysis, we analyze the performance (productivity, impact) and intellectual structure (major themes) of CJAS. We find that CJAS has grown in terms of its publications (productivity) and citations (impact), with a majority of its publications coming from Canada and its content being cited by many high‐quality management outlets. We also discover 10 major themes in the intellectual structure of CJAS, which include customer behaviour and organizational strategy; financial and information management; organizational ethics and legitimacy; corporate governance and risk management; organizational behaviour, growth, and development; external environment and organizational responses; organizational capabilities, resources, and performance; leadership and human resource management; international business and operations; and innovation, networks, and technology. Noteworthily, the journal's collaboration network has globally expanded and its thematic diversity has increased over time.
Oxygen scavenging systems for food packaging applications: A review
Authors: Kordjazi Zahra , Ajji Abdellah
Published: July 2022

During the last decades, the food industry has seen several changes in packaging technology and applications because of new consumer demands and market trends. These drivers can be summarized as requirements for high quality, freshness, extended shelf‐life, and security of food products. Oxygen scavengers, as a type of active packaging, absorb the dissolved oxygen or the oxygen in the headspace to protect the oxygen‐sensitive food products against oxidative degradation. In this review, organic and inorganic oxygen scavengers such as iron, ascorbic acid and its derivatives, illumination‐activated scavengers, reducible organic compounds, and unsaturated hydrocarbon‐based scavengers, including polyunsaturated fatty acids and polybutadiene, have been thoroughly discussed, and the mechanism of action of each system is briefly explained. In addition, some of the issues associated with the applied traditional transition metal catalysts to accelerate the oxidation rate in oxygen scavenging systems are listed, and the results from a recent study directed towards addressing those concerns by applying TiO2 photocatalyst are presented.
Extension of the electrolyte Trebble–Bishnoi EOS to mixed‐salt systems, and application to vapour liquid and solid (hydrate) vapour liquid equilibrium calculations
Authors: Clarke Matthew A.
Published: July 2022

This work examines the use of the electrolyte Trebble–Bishnoi equation of state (eTBEOS) in predicting high‐pressure phase equilibria in the presence of aqueous mixed‐salt solutions. The eTBEOS combines the Trebble–Bishnoi equation of state with a Born energy term, a mean spherical approximation term, and a cation solvation term. Shortcomings in the originally regressed set of eTBEOS parameters are identified and discussed, and a new set of equation of state parameters is subsequently regressed for 58 salts. In order to extend the eTBEOS to mixed‐salt systems, two approaches for computing the EOS parameters of the ionic species are investigated. The first approach uses the originally regressed parameter set plus parameter mixing rules, where appropriate, whereas the second approach uses the newly regressed parameters and no mixing rules. In the prediction of osmotic coefficients in mixed‐salt solutions, the maximum relative difference between the experimental and computed values was 5.70%. For the gas solubility predictions, data were available for the solubility of CO2, CH4, and N2 in a small number of mixed electrolyte solutions; the maximum relative difference was 5.79%. Finally, CH4, C2H6, C3H8, and CO2 gas hydrate formation conditions were predicted in a number of mixed‐salt solutions, with a maximum relative difference of 10.76%. Overall, it was seen that both approaches allowed for comparable accuracy in phase equilibrium calculations. However, in the case of solutions made from salt mixtures with common cations, the second approach consistently resulted in improved accuracy.
Numerical simulations of the spread of point‐source liquid spills in inclined and rolling rectangular packed beds
Authors: Iliuta Ion , Larachi Faïçal , Liu Wei , Luo Yong , Taghavi Seyed Mohammad
Published: July 2022

Liquid spreading in thin rectangular vertical/inclined and oscillating porous media was simulated using a two‐fluid dynamic model as a preliminary step in the design of fixed‐bed reactors dedicated to marine applications. The model assessed the influence of capillary pressure and mechanical dispersion forces arising from the spatial inhomogeneity of point‐source liquid injections in packed beds with different particle sizes, liquid and gas flow rates, liquid viscosity, static bed tilts, and rolling amplitudes and periods. In mildly static inclined beds, the lateral gravity force component and the capillary pressure force were the main factors affecting the liquid spreading. However, at considerable bed inclinations, the liquid phase accumulation in the lowermost regions of the packed bed tended to shrink the liquid spreading. Dynamic oscillatory evolutions of the liquid spills in the rolling bed enlarged the liquid spreading length as compared to the static vertical bed due to combined lateral liquid flow and increased liquid residence time.
Experiments and simulations of settling cylinders over a wide range of Archimedes numbers
Authors: Xie Jinghan , Zhang Lijuan , Lu Menghua , Lu Jie , Derksen Jos J.
Published: July 2022

Quantitative visualization experiments and particle‐resolved simulations of rigid cylindrical particles settling in a Newtonian liquid have been conducted. By varying the viscosity of the liquid—a glycerol‐water mixture—as well as the density of the cylinders, we were able to cover an Archimedes number range that spans almost six orders of magnitude in the experiments. The length over diameter aspect ratio of the cylinders ranged from 2.5 to 20. Cylinders were released vertically and rotated to a stable horizontal orientation in most of the lower viscosity solutions. The time required for reaching a horizontal orientation, as well as the Reynolds number at that stage, scale with the Archimedes number and only weakly depend on the aspect ratio. Particle‐resolved numerical simulations based on the lattice‐Boltzmann method complement the experimental study and illustrate the relevance of the experimental data as a benchmark for numerical approaches to solid–liquid flow with non‐spherical particles.
Real‐world effectiveness of lenvatinib monotherapy in previously treated unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma in US clinical practice
Authors: Singal Amit G. , Nagar Saurabh P. , Hitchens Abby , Davis Keith L. , Iyer Shrividya
Published: July 2022

Background

Lenvatinib monotherapy was approved in the United States for first‐line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) in 2018. This study assessed real‐world treatment patterns and outcomes of lenvatinib beyond first‐line systemic treatment in the United States.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted among US adults (≥18 years) with uHCC. Eligible patients initiated lenvatinib monotherapy as second‐ or later‐line systemic therapy (2L‐plus) from August 2018 to September 2019. Clinical outcomes included physician‐reported best response, progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

Of 164 patients who received lenvatinib in 2L‐plus, most (n = 133; 81.1%) received lenvatinib in 2 L. There were 109 patients (66.4%) who initiated lenvatinib after immunotherapy. At lenvatinib initiation, only 31.1% of patients had Child‐Pugh class A, while half (49.4%) had Child‐Pugh class B. Most patients had Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B (23.8%) or C (38.4%) uHCC. Median duration of lenvatinib treatment was 6.9 months, with 42.7% of patients still on treatment at the end of follow‐up. Physician‐reported best response was complete and partial response for 8.5% and 44.5% of patients, respectively. PFS and OS rate estimates from lenvatinib initiation at 12 months were 51.7% and 57.8%, respectively. Among patients treated after immunotherapy, complete and partial responses were 10.1% and 43.1%, respectively, and PFS and OS estimates from lenvatinib initiation at 12 months were 52.8% and 60.0%, respectively.

Conclusion

This retrospective study suggests clinical effectiveness of lenvatinib monotherapy in a real‐world setting among previously treated patients with uHCC, including among those previously treated with immunotherapy.
Pharmacokinetics of Esomeprazole Magnesium After Single Oral Doses in Healthy Subjects: Bioequivalence Study and Food Effects
Authors: Zhong Xue‐Feng , Zhou Gan , Xu Su‐Mei , Li Xiao‐Min , Xu Ying , Liu Wan‐Li , Zhang Yan‐Xin , He Lin‐Cong , Shen Qiu‐Ying , Xu Ping‐Sheng
Published: July 2022

This study was designed to evaluate the bioequivalence of the newly developed delayed‐release oral suspension (test) 40 mg esomeprazole magnesium compared to its marketed counterpart (40 mg; reference) in healthy adult Chinese subjects. We conducted randomized, open‐label, two‐period, single‐dose, two‐way crossover trials over a 7‐day washout period, comprising a fasting trial and a fed trial. The subjects were administered the test or reference products in a 1:1 ratio at random throughout each period. Then, in the next session, they received the alternate products. Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry and WinNonlin software were used to assess the bioequivalence of esomeprazole peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration–time curve (AUC). Overall, 33 subjects participated in the fasting trial and 42 subjects participated in the fed trial. Under both situations, the 90% confidence interval for the ratio of geometric means of Cmax, AUC0‐t, and AUC0‐∞ were within equivalence ranges (80%–125%). In these trials, no severe adverse events or protocol violations were observed. Moreover, when esomeprazole was administered while fed, the tmax was delayed, and both Cmax and AUC were reduced. The results of this research suggest that the test and reference formulations were bioequivalent under fasting and fed states.
Evaluation of the suitability of Gardenia blue pigment derived from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (Rubiaceae) as a dental plaque disclosant
Authors: Jung Im‐hee , Hwang Young Sun
Published: July 2022

Objective

Dental disclosants are used to distinguish the amount and location of dental plaque. Therefore, dental disclosants are useful for dental plaque management and effective in motivating oral care. After reports on the cytotoxicity and carcinogenesis of dental disclosants containing erythrosine, many natural pigments for dental disclosants have been suggested. However, there are insufficient ingredients with proven biocompatibility for human subjects. The purpose of this study was to explore the suitability of Gardenia blue pigment as a dental disclosant.

Materials and Methods

Natural Gardenia blue pigment was used as the dental disclosant experimental group and 2Tone was used as the control group. The homogeneity of the panelists in the groups was identified by measuring the gingivitis index and dental plaque index of the subjects before the experiments. The degree of pigmentation on the tooth surface was observed immediately after coloring and after 1 h. The remaining pigment on the dental surface was also monitored after brushing the teeth. In the panelist test, the taste and sensation of the pigment were examined, and the overall preference for the pigment as a dental disclosant was examined.

Results

After coloration of the tooth surface, neither the natural Gardenia blue pigment nor 2Tone imparted any special taste or sensation. The coloration of dental plaque with Gardenia blue pigment was similar to that of 2Tone, and the difference in the degree of coloration between Gardenia blue pigment and 2Tone was not statistically significant. The residual degree of pigmentation after 1 h of coloring was similar in both groups, but most of it was removed by brushing. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall preference of Gardenia blue pigment over 2Tone.

Conclusions

The results of this study prove that natural Gardenia blue pigment could be a suitable dental disclosant in terms of pigmentation and preference.
Probability density of irradiance for electromagnetic waves propagating through turbulent magnetized plasma
Authors: Shishter Yousef M. , Young Rupert , Ali Falah H.
Published: July 2022

Numerous physical mediums can be modelled as turbulent magnetized plasma, for example, the solar corona, and the ionosphere. Scintillation effects on the intensity of electromagnetic beam wave propagating through magnetized plasma necessitate the introduction of a statistical distribution valid over a large range of scintillation conditions, and incorporating the plasma physical properties. Under some simplifying assumptions, such a theoretical model can be derived based on the Rytov solution, the external magnetic field variation, and the space permeating plasma electron density variation. The resultant wave intensity distribution is compared with the Lognormal, Rician, and the Nakagami distributions for different scintillations conditions. The work presented in this paper is applicable to the analysis and design of optical wireless communication links through the ionosphere and deep space plasma.
The adverse effect of modifiable dementia risk factors on cognition amplifies across the adult lifespan
Authors: LaPlume Annalise A. , McKetton Larissa , Levine Brian , Troyer Angela K. , Anderson Nicole D.
Published: July 2022

Background

Reversible lifestyle behaviors (modifiable risk factors) can reduce dementia risk by 40%, but their prevalence and association with cognition throughout the adult lifespan is less well understood.

Methods

The associations between the number of modifiable risk factors for dementia (low education, hypertension, hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, alcohol or substance abuse, diabetes, smoking, and depression) and cognition were examined in an online sample (N = 22,117, ages 18–89).

Findings

Older adults (ages 66–89) had more risk factors than middle‐aged (ages 45–65) and younger adults (ages 18–44). Polynomial regression revealed that each additional risk factor was associated with lower cognitive performance (equivalent to 3 years of aging), with a larger association as age increased. People with no risk factors in their forties to seventies showed similar cognitive performance to people 10 or 20 years younger with many risk factors.

Interpretation

Modifiable dementia risk factors amplify lifespan age differences in cognitive performance.
Facultative cleaning of spiral‐horned antelope by the African paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis)
Authors: Gijsman Finote
Published: July 2022

In cleaning associations, individuals known as “cleaners” remove and feed on parasites and pests found on, or around, other animals known as “clients.” While best documented in marine environments and as mutualisms, cleaning associations are widespread in terrestrial systems and range along a spectrum of obligate to facultative associations. In African savannas, cleaning associations primarily comprise facultative interactions between mammals and birds that remove attached parasites. Few reports, however, exist on cleaning associations that involve the removal of unattached pests. In this short note, I report a novel facultative bird–ungulate cleaning association involving the removal of unattached pests, between the African paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis) and two species of spiral‐horned antelope (Tragelaphusspp.): greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and Cape bushbuck (Tragelaphus sylvaticus). On multiple occasions, I observed African paradise flycatchers hawking flying insects around greater kudu and a Cape bushbuck during the dry season at the Mpala Research Centre in Laikipia, Kenya. These observations document a rare feeding strategy for the African paradise flycatcher and are among the few records on cleaning interactions involving the removal of unattached pests.
Differences in extracellular fluid volume between acute heart failure patients with and without high systolic blood pressure
Authors: Namba Yusuke , Yunoki Kei , Nakamura Kazufumi , Ejiri Kentaro , Oka Takefumi , Ito Hiroshi
Published: July 2022

Aims

Some reports have suggested that hypertensive acute heart failure (AHF) is caused by intravascular congestion, not interstitial congestion. We evaluated the differences in extracellular fluid volume assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) between AHF patients with and without high systolic blood pressure (sBP).

Methods

This prospective single‐centre study (UMIN000030266) included 178 patients hospitalized due to AHF between September 2017 and August 2018. We calculated extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), total body water (TBW), and ECW‐to‐TBW ratio (oedema index: EI) by BIA and evaluated conventional parameters as follows: weight, N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide values, and echocardiography parameters on admission and before discharge. One‐year outcomes included all‐cause death and re‐admission due to heart failure. We compared patients with sBP > 140 mmHg on admission [clinical scenario 1 (CS1) group] and with sBP of ≤140 mmHg on admission (non‐CS1 group).

Results

The mean age of the patients was 79.5 ± 11.1 years, and 48.9% of the patients were female. EI on admission of 83 patients in the CS1 group was lower than that of 95 patients in the non‐CS1 group. The change in EI from admission to before discharge was no significant in the CS1 group but was significant in the non‐CS1 group. Comparing the changes from admission to before discharge between the CS1 and the non‐CS1 group, delta ECW, delta ICW, delta TBW, and delta EI of the CS1 group were significantly smaller than those of the non‐CS1 group. During the 1‐year follow‐up period after discharge of the 178 patients, the numbers of deaths and re‐admissions due to acute HF were 26 (15%) and 49 (28%), respectively. Patients with high EI before discharge [>0.408 (median)] had significantly more cardiac events than patients with low EI [hazard ratio (HR): 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.30–3.55]. Cox regression analysis revealed that higher EI as a continuous variable was significantly associated with worse outcome in non‐CS1 group (HR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.13–1.87), but not significantly associated with worse outcome in CS1 group (HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 0.98–1.69).

Conclusions

EI on admission in patients with high sBP was not elevated, and changes in ECW, ICW, TBW, and EI in patients with high sBP were smaller than those in patients without high sBP. EI measured by BIA could distinguish AHF with interstitial or intravascular congestion.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Dual Catalytic Synthesis of Heterocycles
Authors: Ballav Tamal , Chakrabortty Rajesh , Das Aniruddha , Ghosh Suman , Ganesh Venkataraman
Published: July 2022

In recent years, synergistic dual catalysis has been in the spotlight as a robust strategy for carbon−carbon and carbon−heteroatom bond formation. This review highlights the unique strategies of dual catalysis achieved in the past two decades, involving Pd‐catalyst combined with various first‐ and second‐row transition metals (like Cr, Fe, Cu, Ru, etc.), Lewis acids (based on Yb, Mg, Ti, Al, etc.) or organocatalysts (like squaramide, CPA, and NHC) to achieve valuable heterocyclic cores. Heterocycles find wide applications in pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Several organocatalysts like chiral phosphoric acid, NHC, squaramide, etc., and metal salts work in synergy with palladium to provide high‐value products taking advantage of the vast development in cross‐coupling reactions. This review is a comprehensive collection of such dual‐catalysis strategies.
Matteson Homologation of Arylboronic Esters
Authors: Kinsinger Thorsten , Kazmaier Uli
Published: July 2022

Commercially available arylboronic acids can easily be converted into chiral boronic esters which can be subjected to Matteson homologations using Grignard reagents. The best results are obtained in one pot protocols without isolation of the α‐chloroboronic ester intermediates. Alkoxides can also be used as nucleophiles, but the corresponding homologated boronic esters are found to be not stable.
Winkler model for predicting the dynamic response of caisson foundations
Authors: Carbonari Sandro , Bordón Jacob D. R. , Padrón Luis A. , Morici Michele , Dezi Francesca , Aznárez Juan J. , Leoni Graziano , Maeso Orlando
Published: July 2022

The paper presents a Winkler‐based numerical model for the analysis of the dynamic response of caisson foundations. The model allows the evaluation of the impedance functions and of the foundation input motion (FIM), which can be used in the framework of the substructure approach to compute inertial soil‐foundation superstructure interaction analyses. In addition, kinematic stress resultants due to seismic shear waves propagating into the soil can be estimated. The caisson is modelled as a Timoshenko beam and the soil‐caisson interaction forces are derived from the analyses of the plane‐strain vibration problem of an annular rigid ring embedded into the soil. The problem solution is obtained in the frequency domain exploiting the finite element approach and generic soil stratigraphies can be considered in the applications. The model, which is characterised by a very low computational effort, is validated by performing a parametric investigation, comparing results with those obtained from more rigorous BEM‐FEM models of the soil‐caissons systems. Finally, some applications to real caisson foundations of offshore wind turbines (OWTs) are shown to demonstrate the model accuracy in capturing the seismic response of the foundations obtained from more rigorous models.
Dynamic restoration and the impact of native versus invasive vegetation on coastal foredune morphodynamics, Lanphere Dunes, California, USA
Authors: Hilgendorf Zach , Walker Ian J. , Pickart Andrea J. , Turner Craig M.
Published: July 2022

The Lanphere Dunes, part of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, has been the focus of foredune restoration efforts since the 1980s. Efforts have centred around removal of an invasive European beach grass species, Ammophila arenaria, introduced in the early 1900s to stabilize the dunes to protect landward communities from coastal flooding and storm surges. Despite effectively stabilizing the foredune, A. arenaria forms monotypic vegetation stands, with highly dense roots, rhizomes, and above‐ground biomass that can lead to pronounced scarping of the seaward slope, alongshore steering of wind and sediment, a lack of landward transfer of sand, and a steeper, more peaked profile.

Effective foredune restoration must consider the coupled interactions between dominant plant type and the geomorphic processes that influence dune form. A 5 ha reach of recently restored foredune was monitored biannually with terrestrial laser scanner and uncrewed aerial systems platforms between 2015 and 2021 to characterize the impacts of dynamic restoration on foredune form and resiliency. This reach included two control plots: (1) native, non‐restored and (2) invasive, and three restored plots revegetated with native species: (3) a native grass (Elymus mollis), (4) a low‐lying herb and subshrub assemblage, and (5) a mixture of the native grass, herbs, and subshrubs.

After five growing seasons, restored plots exhibited distinct geomorphic and sediment budget differences. Natively vegetated plots recovered from extensive scarping 2 years faster than the invasive plot. Restored plots saw foredune height (0.5–0.7 m) and width increase, landward extension (1 m) while maintaining a similar seaward position, and positive lee‐slope sediment budgets that exceeded both control plots (up to 0.015 m3 m−2 month−1). These results suggest that the native vegetation plots allowed increased landward sand transport across the foredune, and increased the capacity of the foredune to recover more quickly following dune scarping.
Bioinspired copper single‐atom nanozyme as a superoxide dismutase‐like antioxidant for sepsis treatment
Authors: Yang Ji , Zhang Ruofei , Zhao Hanqing , Qi Haifeng , Li Jingyun , Li Jian‐Feng , Zhou Xinyao , Wang Aiqin , Fan Kelong , Yan Xiyun , Zhang Tao
Published: July 2022

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome with high morbidity and mortality mediated by infection‐caused oxidative stress. Early antioxidant intervention by removing excessively produced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) is beneficial to the prevention and treatment of sepsis. However, traditional antioxidants have failed to improve patient outcomes due to insufficient activity and sustainability. Herein, by mimicking the electronic and structural characteristics of natural Cu‐only superoxide dismutase (SOD5), a single‐atom nanozyme (SAzyme) featuring coordinately unsaturated and atomically dispersed Cu‐N4 site was synthesized for effective sepsis treatment. The de novo‐designed Cu‐SAzyme exhibits a superior SOD‐like activity to efficiently eliminate O2•−, which is the source of multiple RONS, thus blocking the free radical chain reaction and subsequent inflammatory response in the early stage of sepsis. Moreover, the Cu‐SAzyme effectively harnessed systemic inflammation and multi‐organ injuries in sepsis animal models. These findings indicate that the developed Cu‐SAzyme possesses great potential as therapeutic nanomedicines for the treatment of sepsis.
Impact of ventilation on the fire dynamics of an open‐plan compartment with exposed timber ceiling and columns: CodeRed #02
Authors: Kotsovinos Panagiotis , Christensen Eirik G. , Rackauskaite Egle , Glew Adam , O'Loughlin Eoin , Mitchell Harry , Amin Rikesh , Robert Fabienne , Heidari Mohammad , Barber David , Rein Guillermo , Schulz Judith
Published: July 2022

The desire by developers and architects to build mass timber buildings using cross laminated timber (CLT) and glulam has significantly increased globally in the last decade due to its benefits with regards to sustainability as well as other architectural and commercial drivers. This paper presents novel experimental evidence from CodeRed #02, the second in a series of large scale fire experiments carried out inside a purpose‐built, open‐plan compartment to capture fire dynamics in large compartments with exposed timber. The experiment used a continuous wood crib (6 × 29 m) as a controlled movable fuel load.  The aim of the CodeRed #02 experiment was to study the impact of reduced ventilation on fire dynamics by keeping all other parameters the same as CodeRed #01 (Kotsovinos et al., 2022), with the exception of ventilation area which was reduced by almost half. The reduction in ventilation was found to significantly impact the fire dynamics by slowing the fire spread and burning rate. The reduced ventilation led to an increased fire duration by 4 min 30 s, which corresponds to 20% longer duration compared to CodeRed #01. The reduced ventilation had a greater overall impact on the rate of flame spread across the CLT (−23%) than the crib (−8%) compared to CodeRed #01. While the maximum temperature and incident heat fluxes inside the compartment were approximately the same as in CodeRed #01, their evolution in time and space were significantly different. The external flames were higher than in CodeRed #01 (3–3.5 m compared to 2.5–3 m) and protruded further laterally (up to ~4–5 m compared to ~1 m) outside of the compartment from the large end openings. Unlike CodeRed #01, the external flaming from CodeRed #02 pulsated between visible flames and dark soot with significantly greater frequency. This was caused by the limited ventilation resulting in incomplete combustion in CodeRed #02. The peak heat release rate of CodeRed #02 was estimated to be 16.5% lower than CodeRed #01, despite having the same fuel load. The average char depth in the ceiling, as measured at the end of the experiment, was 28 mm. This was 11% greater than in CodeRed #01 and was likely due to the increased duration of the fire. After the extinction of the flaming, smouldering occurred for CodeRed #02 as it did for CodeRed #01. One of the glulam columns lost its restraint and fell to the ground because smouldering spread through the thickness of the member. The findings from this work can help engineers quantify the hazard and therefore identify appropriate solutions for the fire safety design of exposed mass timber buildings.
Nutritional assessment models for diabetes and aging
Authors: Wen Yuxi , Liu Yuanyuan , Huang Qihui , Farag Mohamed A. , Li Xiaoqing , Wan Xuzhi , Zhao Chao
Published: July 2022

Diabetes is a chronic disease, and its complexity and its various complications complicate studies in diabetes management. Aging is one of the main risk factors for diabetes, and elderly are a high‐risk group for developing the disease. In recent years, increasing evidence has revealed the underlying molecular basis for aging diabetes and its connection to related signal pathways. Several key pathways in the aging process can affect insulin secretion and induce diabetes. In this review, we propose a possible connection between diabetes and aging in terms of development timeline and molecular pathology to better understand this interaction between two diseases, especially aging diabetes. Additionally, cell and animal models associated with diabetes are summarized, as well as a summary of models currently being used to study aging diabetes, and their strengths and limitations are also presented. The explanation of these types of models would help us to better understand the relationship between type 2 diabetes and aging and provide a basis for subsequent research on disease mechanisms and/or drug development.