bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetic profiles of a SARS‐COV‐2 neutralizing antibody BD‐604 in cynomolgus monkeys
Authors: Gao Feng , Zhang Xu
Published: July 2021

Background

Currently, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐COV‐2) has spread worldwide as a severe pandemic and effective therapeutic medications are urgently needed. As reported previously, BD‐604 is a fully human monoclonal antibody with strong in vitro and in vivo neutralizing activity to SARS‐COV‐2.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetic propertie of BD‐604 in cynomolgus monkeys.

Methods

To analyze the concentration of BD‐604 in cynomolgus monkey serum, an ELISA assay was established, and a systemic validation was performed including accuracy and precision, dilution linearity and hook effect, selectivity, specificity, stability, and parallelism tests. Then, six naïve cynomolgus monkeys (3/sex) were administered BD‐604 at a single dose of 10 mg/kg via intravenous infusion (60 min). Blood samples were collected at various time points (0–672 h) and analyzed for serum concentrations of BD‐604.

Results

The data from validation experiments assure the reproducibility and reliability of the established ELISA assay. Then, the validated method was used to measure BD‐604 concentration in cynomolgus monkey serum. The pharmacokinetics parameters including terminal half‐life (t1/2), peak serum concentration (Cmax), area under curve from time zero to last timepoint or infinity (AUClast/AUCinf), apparent volume of distribution (Vz), clearance rate (CL), and mean residence time (MRT) were calculated and reported. BD‐604 showed no marked sex differences at the dose of 10 mg/kg when comparing the AUC0‐last and Cmax between female and male cynomolgus monkeys.

Conclusion

In cynomolgus monkeys, BD‐604 possesses pharmacokinetic properties similar to natural IgGs.
Online Research Participant Communication: Balancing Benefits and Risks
Authors: Gelinas Luke , Morrell Walker , White Sarah A. , Bierer Barbara E.
Published: July 2021

Online communication has emerged as an important vehicle for participant interaction during the course of clinical research. At the same time, such communication has been identified as a source of risks both for participants and the scientific integrity of clinical trials. Although strategies for mitigating these risks have become a focus in the research community, missing from the discussion has been a sustained and sympathetic effort to understand the various benefits of online communication for participants themselves. In this article, we provide a taxonomy of the benefits of online communication for participants and argue that attempts to mitigate the risks of online communication by discouraging or placing limits on such communication are generally unadvisable. Instead, we advance a context‐sensitive approach that emphasizes education and several actionable recommendations for preserving the benefits of online participant communities while mitigating the risks.
Browsing wildlife and heavy grazing indirectly facilitate sapling recruitment in an East African savanna
Authors: LaMalfa Eric M. , Riginos Corinna , Veblen Kari E.
Published: July 2021

Management of tree cover, either to curb bush encroachment or to mitigate losses of woody cover to over‐browsing, is a major concern in savanna ecosystems. Once established, trees are often “trapped” as saplings, since interactions among disturbance, plant competition, and precipitation delay sapling recruitment into adult size classes. Saplings can be directly suppressed by wildlife browsing and competition from adjacent plants, and indirectly facilitated by grazers, such as cattle, which feed on neighboring grasses. Yet few experimental studies have simultaneously quantified the effects of cattle and wildlife on sapling growth, particularly over long time scales. We used a series of replicated 4‐ha herbivore‐manipulation plots to investigate the net effects of wildlife and moderate cattle grazing on Acacia drepanolobium sapling growth over 10 years that encompassed extended wet and dry periods. We also simulated more intense cattle grazing using grass removal treatments (0.5‐m radius around saplings), and we quantified the role of intraspecific tree competition using neighborhood tree surveys (trees within a 3‐m radius). Wildlife, which included elephants, had a positive effect on sapling growth. Wildlife also reduced neighbor tree density during the 10‐yr study, which likely caused the positive effect of wildlife on saplings. Although moderate cattle grazing did not affect sapling growth, grass removal treatments simulating heavy grazing increased sapling growth. Both grass removal and neighbor tree effects on saplings were strongest during above‐average rainfall years following drought. This highlights that livestock‐driven reductions in grass cover and catastrophic wildlife damage to trees during droughts present a need, or an opportunity, for targeted management of sapling growth and woody plant cover during ensuing wet periods.
Do floral and ecogeographic isolation allow the co‐occurrence of two ecotypes ofAnacamptis papilionacea(Orchidaceae)?
Authors: Cozzolino Salvatore , Scopece Giovanni , Lussu Michele , Cortis Pierluigi , Schiestl Florian P.
Published: July 2021

Ecotypes are relatively frequent in flowering plants and considered central in ecological speciation as local adaptation can promote the insurgence of reproductive isolation. Without geographic isolation, gene flow usually homogenizes the allopatrically generated phenotypic and ecological divergences, unless other forms of reproductive isolation keep them separated. Here, we investigated two orchid ecotypes with marked phenotypic floral divergence that coexist in contact zones. We found that the two ecotypes show different ecological habitat preferences with one being more climatically restricted than the other. The ecotypes remain clearly morphologically differentiated both in allopatry and in sympatry and differed in diverse floral traits. Despite only slightly different flowering times, the two ecotypes achieved floral isolation thanks to different pollination strategies. We found that both ecotypes attract a wide range of insects, but the ratio of male/female attracted by the two ecotypes was significantly different, with one ecotype mainly attracts male pollinators, while the other mainly attracts female pollinators. As a potential consequence, the two ecotypes show different pollen transfer efficiency. Experimental plots with pollen staining showed a higher proportion of intra‐ than interecotype movements confirming floral isolation between ecotypes in sympatry while crossing experiments excluded evident postmating barriers. Even if not completely halting the interecotypes pollen flow in sympatry, such incipient switch in pollination strategy between ecotypes may represent a first step on the path toward evolution of sexual mimicry in Orchidinae.
Heterogeneous Mediator Enabling Three‐Dimensional Growth of Lithium Sulfide for High‐Performance Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Tian Da , Song Xueqin , Qiu Yue , Sun Xun , Jiang Bo , Zhao Chenghao , Zhang Yu , Xu Xianzhu , Fan Lishuang , Zhang Naiqing
Published: July 2021

Two‐dimensional (2D) deposition regime of insulating lithium sulfide (Li2S) is a major obstacle to achieve high reversible capacity in the conventional glyme‐based lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries as it leads to rapid loss of active electrode surface and low sulfur utilization. Achieving three‐dimensional (3D) growth of Li2S is therefore considered to be necessary, but the available strategies are mainly based on the electrolyte manipulations, which inevitably lead to added complexity of the electrode–electrolyte compatibility and, in particular, instability of the lithium anode. In this work, we have developed a heterogeneous polysulfide mediator composed of discrete Mo5N6 anchored on graphene, which functions on the cathode side, to regulate the deposition mode of Li2S. Mo5N6 can efficiently boost the formation of Li2S as demonstrated by a series of experimental and computational results. More importantly, the discrete distribution of Mo5N6 nucleants on graphene postpones the merging of adjacent Li2S nuclei to promote their isotropic growth. Thus, 3D deposits of Li2S is guided by the heterogeneous mediator. Benefiting from these unique superiorities, Li–S cells with high rate capability of 954 mAh g−1 at 2 C and long cycle life exceeding 1000 cycles are realized without advanced lithium anode protection.
Structural brain dynamics across reading development: A longitudinal MRI study from kindergarten to grade 5
Authors: Phan Thanh Van , Sima Diana , Smeets Dirk , Ghesquière Pol , Wouters Jan , Vandermosten Maaike
Published: July 2021

Primary education is the incubator for learning academic skills that help children to become a literate, communicative, and independent person. Over this learning period, nonlinear and regional changes in the brain occur, but how these changes relate to academic performance, such as reading ability, is still unclear. In the current study, we analyzed longitudinal T1 MRI data of 41 children in order to investigate typical cortical development during the early reading stage (end of kindergarten–end of grade 2) and advanced reading stage (end of grade 2–middle of grade 5), and to detect putative deviant trajectories in children with dyslexia. The structural brain change was quantified with a reliable measure that directly calculates the local morphological differences between brain images of two time points, while considering the global head growth. When applying this measure to investigate typical cortical development, we observed that left temporal and temporoparietal regions belonging to the reading network exhibited an increase during the early reading stage and stabilized during the advanced reading stage. This suggests that the natural plasticity window for reading is within the first years of primary school, hence earlier than the typical period for reading intervention. Concerning neurotrajectories in children with dyslexia compared to typical readers, we observed no differences in gray matter development of the left reading network, but we found different neurotrajectories in right IFG opercularis (during the early reading stage) and in right isthmus cingulate (during the advanced reading stage), which could reflect compensatory neural mechanisms.
Efficacy and safety of topical spironolactone 5% cream in the treatment of acne: A pilot study
Authors: Ayatollahi Azin , Samadi Ansieh , Bahmanjahromi Ayda , Robati Reza M.
Published: July 2021

Background

Spironolactone is an effective treatment for female patients with acne vulgaris. However, topical spironolactone could be a valuable treatment option in both male and female acne patients due to the less possibility of systemic side effects with its topical formulation.

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5% spironolactone cream in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

Methods

In this pilot clinical trial, topical spironolactone 5% was evaluated to treat patients with mild to moderate acne twice a day for 8 weeks. The rate of improvement as any alterations in the number of open and closed comedones, facial inflammatory papules, and acne global grading scores were assessed. Moreover, skin biometric characteristics including skin hydration, erythema, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), pH, sebum, and Propionibacterium acnes bacteria activity were also assessed following the treatment.

Results

Fifteen patients participated in our study with a mean age of 25 ± 4.87 years old. A total of 66.6% (n = 10) were female and 33.4% (n = 5) were male. The number of acne papules, open and closed comedones, and acne global grading score decreased significantly 4 and 8 weeks after the beginning of treatment (P < .05). No considerable side effect was reported. Moreover, there was no significant difference between the skin hydration, melanin, erythema, TEWL, pH index, sebum, and P acnes bacteria activity before, 4, and 8 weeks after the treatment with topical spironolactone cream (P > .05).

Conclusion

The topical 5% spironolactone cream seems to be an effective and safe treatment of acne vulgaris in both male and female patients.
Use of postpartum contraception during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19): A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Das Kirsten J. H. , Fuerst Megan , Brown Ciara , Lesko Jennifer
Published: July 2021

Objective

To assess how use of postpartum contraception (PPC) changed during the COVID‐19 public health emergency.

Methods

Billing and coding data from a single urban institution (n = 1797) were used to compare use of PPC in patients who delivered from March to June 2020 (COVID Cohort, n = 927) and from March to June 2019 (Comparison Cohort, n = 895). χ2 and multivariable logistic regression models assessed relationships between cohorts, use of contraception, and interactions with postpartum visits and race/ethnicity.

Results

In the COVID Cohort, 585 women (64%) attended postpartum visits (n = 488, 83.4%, via telemedicine) compared to 660 (74.7%, in‐person) in the Comparison Cohort (P < 0.01). Total use of PPC remained similar: 30.4% (n = 261) in the COVID Cohort and 29.6% (n = 278) in the Comparison Cohort (P = 0.69). Compared to in‐person visits in the Comparison Cohort, telemedicine visits in the COVID Cohort had similar odds of insertion of long‐acting reversible contraception (LARC) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78–1.6), but higher odds of inpatient insertion (aOR 6.4, 95% CI 1.7–24.9). Black patients compared to white patients were more likely to initiate inpatient LARC (aOR 7.29, 95% CI 1.81–29.4) compared to the Comparison Cohort (aOR 3.63, 95% CI 0.29–46.19).

Conclusion

Use of PPC remained similar during COVID‐19 with a decrease of in‐person postpartum visits, new adoption of postpartum telemedicine visits, and an increase in inpatient insertion of LARC with higher odds of inpatient placement among black patients.
Double Foley catheter for labor induction: An alternative method
Authors: Obut Mehmet , Balsak Deniz , Sarsmaz Kemal , Tolunay Harun E. , Varlı Erol N. , Şahin Dilek , Yücel Aykan
Published: July 2021

Objective

To introduce a new handmade device, the double Foley catheter (DFC), and compare it with the Foley catheter (FC) and Cook cervical ripening balloon for its effectiveness in labor induction.

Methods

This prospective randomized controlled trial included 222 patients with unfavorable cervices. The patients were randomly allocated to the DFC, FC, and Cook cervical ripening balloon groups (n = 74 patients per group). The outcomes were evaluated using SPSS v. 23.

Results

Bishop scores successfully increased with all three methods (P = 0.000 for all groups), and the rates of vaginal delivery within 24 and 48 h were similar (P = 0.101 and P = 0.390, respectively). The pain scores of the DFC and Cook cervical ripening balloon groups were similar, but were lower than those of the FC group (P = 0.011). The overall maternal satisfaction scores of the DFC and Cook cervical ripening balloon groups were not significantly different but were higher than those of the FC group (P = 0.014).

Conclusion

The maternal safety and success rate of labor induction were comparable between groups. However, the FC group had a higher pain score during catheter insertion and a lower maternal satisfaction rate. Moreover, considering the high cost of the Cook cervical ripening balloon, the DFC has an advantage, especially in low‐resource countries.
The use of thermal ablation in diverse cervical cancer “screen‐and‐treat” service platforms in Zambia
Authors: Mwanahamuntu Mulindi , Kapambwe Sharon , Pinder Leeya F. , Matambo Jane , Chirwa Susan , Chisele Samson , Basu Partha , Prendiville Walter , Sankaranarayanan Rengaswamy , Parham Groesbeck P.
Published: July 2021

Objective

Thermal ablation (TA) was implemented in public sector cervical cancer prevention services in Zambia in 2012. Initially introduced as a treatment modality in primary healthcare clinics, it was later included in mobile outreach campaigns and clinical research trials. We report the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and provider uptake of TA in diverse clinical contexts.

Methods

Screening services based on visual inspection with acetic acid were offered by trained nurses to non‐pregnant women aged 25–59 years. Women with a type 1 transformation zone (TZ) were treated with same‐visit TA. Those with a type 2 or 3 TZ, or suspicious for cancer, were managed with same‐visit electrosurgical excision or punch biopsy, respectively. A provider survey was conducted.

Results

Between 2012 and 2020, 2123 women were treated with TA: primary healthcare clinics, n = 746; mobile outreach clinics, n = 1127; research clinics, n = 250. Of the 996 women treated in primary healthcare and research clinics, 359 (48%) were HIV positive. Mild cramping during treatment was the most common adverse effect. No treatment interruptions occurred. No major complications were reported in the early (6 weeks) follow‐up period. Providers expressed an overwhelming preference for TA over cryotherapy.

Conclusion

TA was feasible, safe, and acceptable in diverse clinical contexts. It was the preferred ablation method of providers when compared with cryotherapy.
Efficacy and toxicity of intraperitoneal chemotherapy as compared to intravenous chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer
Authors: Kim Soyoun Rachel , Maganti Manjula , Bernardini Marcus Q. , Laframboise Stephane , Ferguson Sarah E. , May Taymaa
Published: July 2021

Objective

To assess the efficacy and toxicity of intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy compared to intravenous (IV) chemotherapy.

Methods

Toxicity profiles, recurrence patterns, and long‐term survival outcomes of 271 women with Stage IIIC or IV high‐grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) treated with primary cytoreductive surgery followed by adjuvant IP or IV chemotherapy during 2001–2015 were reviewed.

Results

Women who received IP chemotherapy (n = 91) were more likely to have undergone aggressive and longer surgery with no residual disease compared to the IV arm (n = 180). Chemotherapy‐related toxicities were comparable between the two groups. Extraperitoneal recurrences were more common in the IP arm compared to the IV arm. Five‐year progression‐free survival was 19% versus 18% (P = 0.63) and overall survival was 73% versus 44% (P < 0.01) in the IP versus IV arms, respectively. After adjustment for significant clinicopathologic factors in a multivariable model, use of IP was no longer a statistically significant predictor of overall survival.

Conclusion

IP chemotherapy in advanced HGSC has not been widely adopted due to concerns about toxicity and inconvenience. Use of IP chemotherapy was associated with comparable safety profile and efficacy to IV chemotherapy in women with Stage IIIC/IV HGSC. Recurrences were more likely to be extraperitoneal with IP treatment.
Risk of severe illness of COVID‐19 patients with NAFLD and increased NAFLD fibrosis scores
Authors: Yao Renling , Zhu Li , Wang Jian , Liu Jiacheng , Xue Ruifei , Xue Leyang , Liu Longgen , Li Chunyang , Zhao Haiyan , Cheng Juan , Huang Songping , Li Yang , Zhao Xiang‐an , Zhu Chuanwu , Li Ming , Huang Rui , Wu Chao
Published: July 2021

Background

There is still little knowledge about the association of liver fibrosis with the clinical outcomes of COVID‐19 patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of the study was to determine the association of NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS)–determined liver fibrosis with clinical outcomes of COVID‐19 patients with NAFLD.

Methods

The NAFLD was diagnosed by the Hepatic Steatosis Index (HSI) in the absence of other causes of chronic liver diseases. NFS was used to evaluate the severity of liver fibrosis.

Results

A total of 86 COVID‐19 patients with NAFLD were included. The median age was 43.5 years, and 58.1% of patients were male. Thirty‐eight (44.2%) patients had advanced liver fibrosis according to the NFS. Multivariate analysis indicated that concurrent diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 8.264, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.202–56.830, p = 0.032) and advanced liver fibrosis (OR 11.057, 95% CI 1.193–102.439, p = 0.034) were independent risk factors of severe illness in COVID‐19 patients with NAFLD.

Conclusion

NAFLD patients with NFS‐determined advanced liver fibrosis are at higher risk of severe COVID‐19.
Electrophysiological and ECG Effects of Perhexiline, a Mixed Cardiac Ion Channel Inhibitor, Evaluated in Nonclinical Assays and in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Midei Mark G. , Darpo Borje , Ayers Greg , Brown Randy , Couderc Jean‐Philippe , Daly William , Ferber Georg , Sager Philip T. , Camm A. John
Published: July 2021

Perhexiline has been used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In addition to its effect on carnitine‐palmitoyltransferase‐1, it has mixed ion channel effects through inhibition of several cardiac ion currents. Effects on cardiac ion channels expressed in mammalian cells were assayed using a manual patch‐clamp technique, action potential duration (APD) was measured in ventricular trabeculae of human donor hearts, and electrocardiogram effects were evaluated in healthy subjects in a thorough QT (TQT) study. Perhexiline blocked several cardiac ion currents at concentrations within the therapeutic range (150‐600 ng/mL) with IC50 for hCav1.2 ∼ hERG < late hNav1.5. A significant APD shortening was observed in perhexiline‐treated cardiomyocytes. The TQT study was conducted with a pilot part in 9 subjects to evaluate a dosing schedule that would achieve therapeutic and supratherapeutic perhexiline plasma concentrations on days 4 and 6, respectively. Guided by the results from the pilot, 104 subjects were enrolled in a parallel‐designed part with a nested crossover comparison for the positive control. Perhexiline caused QTc prolongation, with the largest effect on ΔΔQTcF, 14.7 milliseconds at therapeutic concentrations and 25.6 milliseconds at supratherapeutic concentrations and a positive and statistically significant slope of the concentration‐ΔΔQTcF relationship (0.018 milliseconds per ng/mL; 90%CI, 0.0119‐0.0237 milliseconds per ng/mL). In contrast, the JTpeak interval was shortened with a negative concentration‐JTpeak relationship, a pattern consistent with multichannel block. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether this results in a low proarrhythmic risk.
Taxonomic implications of macro and micromorphological characters in the genus Brachythecium (Brachytheciaceae, Bryopsida) from the Western Himalayas: A combined light and scanning electron microscopic analysis
Authors: Khan Aamir Shehzad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Gilani Syed Aneel Ahmad , Zafar Muhammad , Butt Maryam Akram , Lubna  , Birjees Maimoona , Akhtar Wasim , Waheed Abdul , Kaleem Muhammad
Published: July 2021

Brachythecium Schimp. is one of the most complex and diverse genus among the pleurocarpous mosses, having almost 150 species distributed around the world. The current study presents a detailed morphological analysis of the six species of the genus Brachythecium in Western Himalayas, Pakistan. The study reports the first detailed micromorphological investigation of the leaf surfaces (gametophyte) of the studied species because in pleurocarpous mosses, mostly sporophyte micromorphology has been studied. The objective of the study was to present a comparative light (LM) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis to describe the detailed morphology of bryophytes in Pakistan. A systematic method was used in the field as well as in their microscopic studies. Based on these findings, morphological and micromorphological features based on LM and SEM observations, qualitative and quantitative characters, taxonomic keys, distribution and habitat are discussed. The size of the leaf, leaf cells, seta, and other parts were noted, but slight variation was observed when we compare these measurements with the same species collected from different geographical regions. The leaf micromorphology reveals some interesting features like the nature of cell walls, cell shapes, and the surface of the lumen. Because the specimens used for SEM were air‐dried, the cells were mostly constricted and compressed. In almost all species except in Brachythecium garovaglioides, the papillae or cell wall ornamentations were absent. The study will help to contribute to the taxonomy of this genus or its family, especially in relation to the Western Himalayas.
Micro morphological foliar taxonomic studies of genus Paspalum based on scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Shaheen Shabnum , Sharifi‐Rad Javad , Hussain Khadim , Shahid Muhammad Naveed , Shamim Zeeshan , Abbas Moneeza , Ahmad Mushtaq , Sardar Andaleeb Anwar , Sonia Romaisha , Khan Farah
Published: July 2021

Paspalum is one of the 10 largest genera in Poaceae and is considered as a complex and taxonomically difficult genus due to its similar morphological characters within the species which makes it difficult to delimit taxa within the same genus. The current research work establishes the distinction among species of this genus and resolves taxonomic confusions among this genus. And this distinction is done by micro morphological foliar anatomical characterization by light and scanning electron microscopy. Both the abaxial and adaxial epidermal cuticles of three different species of genus Paspalum were studied and their phytoliths were observed through elemental dispersive spectrophotometric analysis by SEM first time in Pakistan. Results showed great variation in studied anatomical features. P. dilatatum Poir. was comprised of macro‐hairs in the intercostal regions only whereas no macro‐hairs were found in P. distichum Linn. and P. scrobiculatum Linn. Beak‐shaped prickles were found in the intercostal regions on adaxial surface only in P. distichum Linn. and P. scrobiculatum Linn. whereas in P. dilatatum Poir., knife‐shaped prickles were present in intercostal regions only on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces of leaf epidermis. No papillae were seen in P. dilatatum Poir whereas in P. distichum Linn. and P. scrobiculatum Linn. papillae were found abundantly. In genus paspalum, P. dilatatum Poir. phytoliths showed lowest mass percentage of silicon as 15.13% whereas P. distichum Linn. phytoliths showed highest mass percentage of silicon as 22.00%. Based on micro morphological foliar characteristics a taxonomic key of studied species is also provided to delimit the taxa.
Oops, I did it (again)! The emotional experience, interpersonal responses, and relational consequences of social gaffes in the workplace
Authors: Puranik Harshad , Vough Heather C. , Pathki Chandra Shekhar
Published: July 2021

In line with the research on how specific episodes affect relationships, we advance workplace social gaffes—work episodes where employees think either their own or others' social behavior unintentionally violated interactional expectations and threatened the actor's relational value—as an event that can shape employees' workplace exchange relationships. Using a sensemaking lens, we explain when and why employees will believe they committed a social gaffe. In so doing, we advance a new definition of a social gaffe that outlines its necessary attributes. We then integrate sensemaking with the research on self‐conscious emotions to theorize that on perceiving their social gaffe, employees can experience embarrassment, or guilt, or shame—based on how they make sense of the social gaffe. These emotions, in turn, are theorized to shape employees' subsequent interpersonal response (repair vs. withdrawal). Moving onto colleagues' reaction, we posit that whether or not colleagues view the initial employee action as a social gaffe will influence their reaction (benign vs. hostile) to employees' interpersonal response. Over time, this employee–colleague interaction pattern is theorized to influence the quality of their exchange relationship. We thus outline how even seemingly minor workplace social gaffes can have complex emotional, interpersonal, and relational consequences.
High particle counts in neonatal parenteral nutrition solutions with added cysteine: Relationship to crystal formation and effect of filtration on cysteine content
Authors: Huston Robert K. , Christensen John Mark , Mohamed Sumeia M. , Minc Leah , Sawyer Teresa , Stout Kim N. , Heisel Carl F.
Published: July 2021

Background

Parenteral nutrition(PN) solutions containing calcium gluconate and cysteine have elevated particle counts when analyzed using laser light obscuration (LO) as recommended by the United States Pharmacopeia. It is unclear whether increased particle formation in these solutions results in decreased availability of cysteine to neonatal patients due to filtration.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to measure cysteine concentrations in neonatal PN solutions before and after filtration as well as analyze precipitates on filters.

Methods

Solutions of PN containing amino acids with and without cysteine that were compounded with calcium chloride or calcium gluconate plus potassium phosphate were analyzed using LO. Concentrations of cysteine were measured before and after filtration. The effect on particle formation of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) and D70 was also evaluated.

Results

Multiple additives including the specific calcium or D70 additive, cysteine, and MgSO4 influenced particle formation of particles detected using LO. There was no significant decrease in cysteine concentration because of filtering and there was no difference in the amount of calcium on filters of various solutions after filtration regardless of LO particle counts. Scanning electron micrographic (SEM) analysis found no significant differences in crystal composition. Light microscopic and SEM examination did not show evidence of high particle counts on filters.

Conclusion

The increased particle counts detected in neonatal PN solutions containing cysteine added at the time of compounding does not appear to result in increased precipitate or crystal formation. It is not associated witha decrease in cysteine delivery to patients.
Determining the geographical origin of flaxseed based on stable isotopes, fatty acids and antioxidant capacity
Authors: Liang Kehong , Zhu Hong , Zhao Shanshan , Liu Haijin , Zhao Yan
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Flaxseed is an economically important oilseed crop whose geographic origin is of significant interest to producers and consumers because every region may exhibit particular quality characteristics. The lipid/fatty acid method of determining the geographic origin of flaxseed has not been found to be adequate.

RESULTS

To improve the discrimination rate and the geographical traceability of this crop, the chemical profiles of the flaxseed samples were characterized via lipids/fatty acids, stable isotopes, and antioxidant capacity. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) were also performed. A satisfactory discrimination rate of 98.6% was obtained after combining fatty acids, stable isotopes, and antioxidant capacity to trace the origin of flaxseed from five regions in northern China.

CONCLUSION

This study provides an effective method for distinguishing the geographic origin of flaxseed. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Renal Resistive Index: Not Only for Kidney Clinics
Authors: Giustiniano Enrico , Pugliese Luca , Calabrò Lorenzo , Nisi Fulvio
Published: July 2021

Renal Resistive Index (RRI) is a measurement of the resistance of the renal blood flow. A value higher than 0.70 is a marker of increased resistance and is correlated with kidney injury and its severity. Additionally, it may be associated with the mortality rate in the post‐surgery population. In COVID‐19 subjects, we found that high RRI has been associated with high levels of serum C‐reactive protein, a marker of systemic inflammatory reaction syndrome. Finally, we propose RRI not only as a marker of kidney injury, but also as a tool to evaluate the course of critical illness.
Anomalous poleward advection facilitates episodic range expansions of pelagic red crabs in the eastern North Pacific
Authors: Cimino Megan A. , Jacox Michael G. , Bograd Steven J. , Brodie Stephanie , Carroll Gemma , Hazen Elliott L. , Lavaniegos Bertha E. , Morales Mark M. , Satterthwaite Erin , Rykaczewski Ryan R.
Published: July 2021

The episodic stranding of millions of pelagic red crabs (Pleuroncodes planipes) along California beaches is a striking and puzzling phenomenon. Pleuroncodes planipes are usually abundant off Baja California, Mexico, and their appearance in central California is thought to coincide with anomalously warm waters and northward advection related to El Niño. This anecdotal association has stimulated many hypotheses, but no hypothesis has gained clear and convincing support. Motivated by an unprecedented number of P. planipes strandings and at‐sea observations in 2015–2019, we compiled 10 P. planipes datasets spanning 1950–2019, tested the anomalous advection hypothesis using a transport analysis from 1981 to 2010, and explored other compelling hypotheses. We found P. planipes presence off central California was related to anomalous advection of waters from Mexico, sometimes but not always associated with El Niño events, with P. planipes likely remaining residents of northern waters for several years without additional anomalous transport but potentially facilitated by warm waters. By identifying a mechanism behind episodic P. planipes range expansions, we show that a source water index could provide an early indicator for anomalous events in the future.
Solute Transport Dependence on 3D Geometry of Hydrogel Networks
Authors: Richbourg Nathan R. , Ravikumar Akhila , Peppas Nicholas A.
Published: July 2021

Hydrogels are used in drug delivery applications, chromatography, and tissue engineering to control the rate of solute transport based on solute size and hydrogel‐solute affinity. Ongoing modeling efforts to quantify the relationship between hydrogel properties, solute properties, and solute transport contribute toward an increasingly efficient hydrogel design process and provide fundamental insight into the mechanisms relating hydrogel structure and function. However, here previous conclusions regarding the use of mesh size in hydrogel transport models are clarified. 3D geometry and hydrogel network visualizations are used to show that mesh size and junction functionality both contribute to the mesh radius, which determines whether a solute can diffuse within a hydrogel. Using mesh radius instead of mesh size to model solute transport in hydrogels will correct junction functionality‐dependent modeling errors, improving hydrogel design predictions and clarifying mechanisms of solute transport in hydrogels.
Environmentally Benign Flame Retardant Polyamide‐6 Filament for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Kolibaba Thomas J. , Nigam Aman , Tai Bruce L. , Grunlan Jaime C.
Published: July 2021

The engineering applications of thermoplastic 3D printing filaments are currently limited by their inherent flammability, especially in fields such as automotive and aerospace, which require high standards for material safety. Polyamide‐6 (PA6) is of particular interest for additive manufacturing but is a very flammable thermoplastic known to spread fires due to its aggressive melt‐dripping. A flame retardant (FR) composite filament composed of PA6, ammonium polyphosphate, and aluminum phosphate is shown to be printable under identical conditions to commercially available PA6. Calorimetry measurements reveal that the composite filament generates a 7000% increase in char yield, along with 47% and 31% decreases in peak heat release rate and total heat release, respectively. Additionally, open flame testing demonstrates a significantly reduced capacity for this filament to spread fire to other nearby combustible materials. This unique FR additive system represents an important step toward improving the safety and utility of 3D printed parts.
Constraint programming approaches for the discretizable molecular distance geometry problem
Authors: MacNeil Moira , Bodur Merve
Published: July 2021

The Distance Geometry Problem (DGP) seeks to find positions for a set of points in geometric space when some distances between pairs of these points are known. The so‐called discretization assumptions allow us to discretize the search space of DGP instances. In this paper, we focus on a key subclass of DGP, namely the Discretizable Molecular DGP, and study its associated graph vertex ordering problem, the Contiguous Trilateration Ordering Problem (CTOP), which helps solve DGP. We propose the first constraint programming formulations for CTOP, as well as a set of checks for proving infeasibility, domain reduction techniques, symmetry breaking constraints, and valid inequalities. Our computational results on random and pseudo‐protein instances indicate that our formulations outperform the state‐of‐the‐art integer programming formulations.
Development and psychometric evaluation of the loneliness inventory for older adults (Lonely): A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Bandari Razieh , Mohammadi Shahboulaghi Farahnaz , Khankeh Hamidreza , Ebadi Abbas , Montazeri Ali
Published: July 2021

Aim

To develop and initially validate the Loneliness Inventory for Older Adults.

Design

Scale development and evaluation.

Methods

This was a two‐phase study. In phase 1, the initial items pool (126 items) was generated based on the concept analysis and literature review. Moreover, content validity was established by geriatric and psychometric experts. Phase 2 evaluated structural validity by performing item analysis, exploratory factor analysis and convergent validity. Reliability was evaluated by examining internal consistency, stability (ICC) and absolute reliability.

Results

Following the development process, 94 items were removed and a provisional version of the questionnaire with 32 items was subjected to psychometric evaluation. Three hundred and seventy older adults completed the questionnaire. After performing factor analysis, overall 3 items were removed due to low loading, and the questionnaire was reduced to 29 items tapping into five factors. The Cronbach's alpha for the instrument was 0.94, and the ICC value was 0.97.
Preparation and characterization of thermosetting wood flour composite material with high biomass content
Authors: Xiao Fang , Weng Fangqing , Guo Duyu , Koranteng Ernest , Zhou Hongbin , Wu Qiangxian
Published: July 2021

Environmentally friendly materials with high biomass content have always attracted attention. In this work, wood flour (WF), a renewable and environmentally friendly substance was modified by castor oil‐based polyurethane prepolymer (COPU) and urea‐formaldehyde resin, respectively, to prepare thermoset composites with high biomass content and excellent interface compatibility. A special intensive mixer designed and produced by our laboratory was used for the first time to mix the biobased composites with high viscosity. The WF biomass content of the composites was as high as 70 wt% and the composites were prepared by melt blending and hot pressing. In effect, 70 wt% of WF biomass and 17.5 wt% of castor oil biomass were used to prepare wood‐plant oil composite with almost 87.5 wt% of biomass. Through infrared spectroscopy (IR), emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermodynamic characterization, it was found that compared to composite materials which were prepared using WF and polypropylene (PP) or deactivated COPU, the interface compatibility and thermal stability of the composite materials obtained by WF and COPU or UF were significantly improved. The mechanical properties of the obtained composite material were attractive, and the bending strength and bending modulus of thermoset composites prepared using WF and COPU were as high as 69.2 MPa and 3765.8 MPa, respectively. The comprehensive results revealed that the WF‐based thermosetting composite material with high biomass content as well as excellent performance and its application in composite panels are worth looking forward to.
Wenn das ewige Eis zerrinnt
Authors: Huss Matthias
Published: July 2021

Gletscher sind ein Symbol für den Klimawandel. Ihr weltweiter Rückgang hat schwerwiegende Konsequenzen für den globalen Wasserkreislauf und den Anstieg des Meeresspiegels. Die vergangene und künftige Entwicklung von Gletschern kann mit modernen Berechnungsverfahren erforscht werden. Diese beschreiben die physikalischen Prozesse auf und im „ewigen“ Eis. Solche Simulationen erlauben es, die rapiden Veränderungen zu verstehen und uns auf eine Welt ohne Gletscher vorzubereiten.
Was sagen uns Änderungen im Erdschwerefeld?
Authors: Flechtner Frank , Börgens Eva , Sasgen Ingo
Published: July 2021

Die zeitlichen Variationen des Schwerefelds der Erde sind einzigartige Beobachtungen, die erst mit GRACE und nun GRACE‐FO ermöglicht wurden. Die Daten eröffnen neue Möglichkeiten für die Untersuchung globaler Massenumverteilungen, wie sie durch vielfältige Prozesse an der Erdoberfläche erzeugt werden. Aus den monatlich global vorliegenden Informationen lassen sich damit wichtige physikalische Informationen für die Geodäsie, Geophysik, Ozeanographie, Glaziologie und Hydrologie gewinnen. Insbesondere ermöglichen die Messdaten ein besseres Verständnis klimarelevanter Prozesse wie Dürren oder Eismassenverluste der großen Eisschilde und des einhergehenden Meeresspiegelanstiegs. Zukünftig sollen weiterentwickelte Missionsarchitekturen wie Doppelpaarmissionen auf tiefen Flugbahnen diese Messungen mit höherer räumlicher und zeitlicher Auflösung und Genauigkeit fortführen. Neben einem besseren wissenschaftlichen Verständnis des Klimawandels wird für zukünftige Missionen eine zunehmende Nutzung der Daten für gesellschaftsrelevante Dienstleistungen erwartet.
Optik mit Materiewellen in Wellenleitern
Authors: von Klitzing Wolf
Published: July 2021

Bose‐Einstein‐Kondensate lassen sich auf ein Vielfaches ihrer Schallgeschwindigkeit beschleunigen und fokussieren, ohne ihre Kohärenz zu zerstören.
Cover Image, Volume 77, Issue 8
Authors: David Michael , Leibowitz Sarah , Lorsbach Beth , Wing Keith
Published: July 2021

The cover image is based on the Editorial Understanding the biological action of insecticides is the key to their continuous improvement by Michael David https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6488. Photo Credit: William Fisher – Hillsborough, North Carolina.

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Facilely Solution‐Processed Lithium Carbonate for Tailoring Electron Injection in High‐Performance Inverted Near‐UV Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Yao Dengli , Wang Jiaxing , Li Dongliang , Yuan Yongfang , Xue Xiaogang , Hu Fangrong , Liu Liming , Yi Zichuan , Zhang Xiaowen
Published: July 2021

Electron injection plays a key role in electron–photon conversion properties of inverted UV–visible organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). Herein, facilely prepared solution‐processed lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) formic acid and boric acid solutions for tailoring electron injection in inverted near‐UV (NUV) OLEDs are studied. Superior film morphology and exceptional electronic properties of spin‐coated Li2CO3 films are examined by atomic force microscopy, X‐ray/ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, current–voltage curves, and impedance spectroscopy. Efficient inverted NUV OLEDs are assembled using wide‐bandgap molecule of 2‐(4‐biphenyl)‐5‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole as emissive layer, showing maximum radiance of 5.24 mW cm−2 (2.28 mW cm−2) and external quantum efficiency of 2.47% (2.17%) with an optimal Li2CO3 formic acid of 3 mg ml−1 (Li2CO3 boric acid of 7 mg ml−1) as electron injection tailoring. The NUV emission shows electroluminescence peaks of 404–406 nm and full width at half maximum of 52–56 nm. The results provide some feasible approaches for enhancing the performance of organic electronic devices, which require strong electron injection/extraction and accelerate industrialization.
Integral form of the cylindrical perfect conductors solution for the dual‐probe heat‐pulse method
Authors: Kluitenberg Gerard J. , Knight John H. , Kamai Tamir
Published: July 2021

The dual‐probe heat‐pulse (DPHP) method is useful for measuring soil thermal properties. Measurements are made with a sensor that has two parallel rods: one for introducing a pulse of heat and one for measuring change in temperature. Thermal properties are obtained by fitting a solution to the temperature data. The cylindrical perfect conductors solution of Knight et al. (https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2011.0112) allows for accurate determination of those properties because it accounts for the finite radius and finite heat capacity of the rods. In this note, we show how their solution can be written in integral form. Specifically, we rearrange their Laplace‐domain solution and perform contour integration in the complex plane to express their solution as the integral of a real function over the positive real axis. This form of their solution is easier to evaluate and thus improves its accessibility for routine use in determining thermal properties with the DPHP method.
Using population crossover trials to improve the decision process regarding treatment individualization in N‐of‐1 trials
Authors: Diaz Francisco J.
Published: July 2021

Healthcare researchers are showing renewed interest in the utilization of N‐of‐1 clinical trials for the individualization of pharmacological treatments. Here, we propose a frequentist approach to conducting treatment individualization in N‐of‐1 trials that we call “partial empirical Bayes.” We infer the most beneficial treatment for the patient from combining the information provided by a previously conducted population crossover trial with individual patient data. We propose a method for estimating an optimal number of treatment cycles and investigate the statistical conditions under which N‐of‐1 trials are more beneficial than traditional clinical approaches. We represent the patient population with a random‐coefficients linear model and calculate estimators of posttreatment individual disease severities. We show the estimators' consistency under the most common N‐of‐1 designs and examine their prediction errors and performance with small numbers of patient's responses. We demonstrate by simulating new patients that our approach is equivalent or superior to both the common clinical practice of recommending the on‐average best treatment for all patients and the common individualization method that simply compares average responses to the tested treatments. We conclude that some situations exist in which individualization with N‐of‐1 trials is highly beneficial while other situations exist in which individualization may be unfruitful.
Seamless phase I/II design for novel anticancer agents with competing disease progression
Authors: Biard Lucie , Lee Shing M. , Cheng Bin
Published: July 2021

Molecularly targeted agents and immunotherapies have prolonged administration and complicated toxicity and efficacy profiles requiring longer toxicity observation windows and the inclusion of efficacy information to identify the optimal dose. Methods have been proposed to either jointly model toxicity and efficacy, or for prolonged observation windows. However, it is inappropriate to address these issues individually in the setting of dose‐finding because longer toxicity windows increase the risk of patients experiencing disease progression and discontinuing the trial, with progression defining a competing event to toxicity, and progression‐free survival being a commonly used efficacy endpoint. No method has been proposed to address this issue in a competing risk framework. We propose a seamless phase I/II design, namely the competing risks continual reassessment method (CR‐CRM). Given an observation window, the objective is to recommend doses that minimize the progression probability, among a set of tolerable doses in terms of toxicity risk. In toxicity‐centered stage of the design, doses are assigned based on toxicity alone, and in optimization stage of the design, doses are assigned integrating both toxicity and progression information. Design operating characteristics were examined in a simulation study compared with benchmark performances, including sensitivity to time‐varying hazards and correlated events. The method performs well in selecting doses with acceptable toxicity risk and minimum progression risk across a wide range of scenarios.