bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association of reactive balance control and spinal curvature under lumbar muscle fatigue
Authors: Zemková Erika , Cepková Alena , Muyor José M.
Published: August 2021

Background

Although low back fatigue is an important intervening factor for physical functioning among sedentary people, little is known about its possible significance in relation to the spinal posture and compensatory postural responses to unpredictable stimuli. This study investigates the effect of lumbar muscle fatigue on spinal curvature and reactive balance control in response to externally induced perturbations.

Methods

A group of 38 young sedentary individuals underwent a perturbation-based balance test by applying a 2 kg load release. Sagittal spinal curvature and pelvic tilt was measured in both a normal and Matthiass standing posture both with and without a hand-held 2 kg load, and before and after the Sørensen fatigue test.

Results

Both the peak anterior and peak posterior center of pressure (CoP) displacements and the corresponding time to peak anterior and peak posterior CoP displacements significantly increased after the Sørensen fatigue test (all at p < 0.001). A lumbar muscle fatigue led to a decrease of the lumbar lordosis in the Matthiass posture while holding a 2 kg load in front of the body when compared to pre-fatigue conditions both without a load (p = 0.011, d = 0.35) and with a 2 kg load (p = 0.000, d = 0.51). Also the sacral inclination in the Matthiass posture with a 2 kg additional load significantly decreased under fatigue when compared to all postures in pre-fatigue conditions (p = 0.01, d = 0.48). Contrary to pre-fatigue conditions, variables of the perturbation-based balance test were closely associated with those of lumbar curvature while standing in the Matthiass posture with a 2 kg additional load after the Sørensen fatigue test (r values in range from −0.520 to −0.631, all at p < 0.05).

Conclusion

These findings indicate that lumbar muscle fatigue causes changes in the lumbar spinal curvature and this is functionally relevant in explaining the impaired ability to maintain balance after externally induced perturbations. This emphasizes the importance for assessing both spinal posture and reactive balance control under fatigue in order to reveal their interrelations in young sedentary adults and predict any significant deterioration in later years.
Resource Use Efficiency and Marginal Value Productivity of Sugarcane Cultivation in Sant Kabir Nagar District, India
Authors: Yadav Bhartendu , Kushwaha R. R. , Choudhri Harendra Pratap Singh , Singh Pavan Kumar , Yadav Vishakha
Published: August 2021

Sugarcane is one of the important commercial crops and plays a crucial role in the agro-industrial economy of India. The present study was undertaken on hundred farmers of sugarcane cultivation in Sant Kabir Nagar district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Based on the nature of data, Cobb-Douglas production function was used for estimation resource use efficiency of sugarcane cultivation. The results revealed that return to scale on marginal, small and medium farms were 0.812, 0.912 and 0.962 respectively which are less than unity. It means, sugarcane cultivation is characterized by decreasing return to scale and the Coefficient of multiple determinations (R2) were 82.50, 84.10 and 87.50 percent the variation of output by dependent variable viz. seed, irrigation, plant protection and manure and fertilizers. The marginal value productivity of seed, irrigation, plant protection and manure and fertilizers measure were considerably high on all size groups of farms except fertilizers and seed on marginal farms. It indicates that positive relation is further scope for increase in the investment to realize more return.
Evaluation of Knowledge Gain through Training Programmes on Scientific Pig Farming
Authors: Chakraborty A. , Pathak P. K. , Nath L. K. , Das J. , Bhuyan S. , Hazarika D. , Dutta J.
Published: August 2021

The present study was conducted with an objective of assessing the knowledge gained by trainees about various aspects of scientific pig farming organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Lakhimpur. A total of 180 numbers of trainees participated in trainings on scientific pig farming over a period during 2019 and 2020 on random selection. The data were collected on pre and post completion of the training with the help of questionnaire which were distributed to the trainees before training. The questionnaire consisted of 13 different aspects on knowledge on Indian and exotic Pig Breeds, knowledge on selection of piglets, castration age of piglets, attainment of puberty in pigs, oestrus period of a sow, heat detection in gilt, gestation period of sow, care of young piglets, deworming in pigs, marketing age of pigs, feeding of lactating sow, knowledge on Vaccination of pigs and common diseases of pigs.

A score of one and zero score was assigned for each correct and incorrect response, respectively for analysis of knowledge gain. It was found that majority of the trainees were youths (52.22%), followed by Middle aged (32.22%) and Old age (15.55%).Majority of the trainees were from ST category (33.88%) followed by OBC (32.77%), General (21.11%) and SC (12.22%). Among those who attended training 32.22% had education till middle school level followed by primary 22.77, 16.11 % were found illiterate whereas 15% completed secondary, 10.55% higher secondary and 3.33 % completed education upto graduate level.

The overall knowledge of trainees on pre training evaluation was found to be 19.17% which ended up on a high note with 93.15% on post training evaluation, which is indicative of the positive impact of training on knowledge gain.

Evaluation of knowledge gain on various aspects of scientific pig farming showed that maximum knowledge was gained on vaccination in pigs (88.89%, Rank I) and minimum gain was in knowledge of gestation period of sow (54.44%, Rank XIII).
Knowledge about the Pest Management Strategies to Improve the Socio-economic Profile of Chawnhu and Thingkah Villages of District Lawngtlai
Authors: Malik Meenakshi , Sehgal Mukesh , Lalfakawma C. , Chander Subhash
Published: August 2021

The present study describes the Socioeconomic Status and Knowledge about the pest management strategies Lawngtlai district, Mizoram. The two villages viz. Chawnhu and Thingkah of this district are selected for the implementation of the research.  A designed questionnaire was designed to collect the information about the targeted objectives. Efforts were made to have one-to-one interaction with the farmers. A total number of fifty farmers have been selected randomly from each village and revealed that the farmers are very poor backward and has very poor knowledge about the pest, natural enemies, and recently developed pest management strategies. There may be very much less expertise about the rural techniques and with no focus on their stepped forward management practices.  But was also felt that the farmers are keen to learn and apply the recently developed strategies which may improve the socio-economic standard moreover, it can be triggered by introducing facilities of modern technology such as Information and communication tools in the management of crop pest.
Awareness and Adoption of Information and Communication Technology Innovations among Secondary School Students in Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Ikwuka Obiageli Ifeoma , Okoye Amaka Charity , Olonikawu Samuel Ade , Igbokwe Innocent Chiawa , Offordile Agatha Adanna , Okoye Chinyere Celina , Udenwa Victoria Chidiebele , Ezejibuaku Amarachukwu Immaculeta
Published: August 2021

Despite the effort of the Federal Government of Nigeria to improve the standard of instructional delivery process in secondary schools via the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) innovations, the attainment of the ICT objectives in secondary schools still remains far-fetched. The study investigated awareness, acceptance and adoption of ICT innovations among secondary school students. Three research questions guided the study and survey research design was adopted. The population of the study consisted of all 7012 students in the 18 public secondary schools in the study area. The sample for the study comprised 360 students obtained through multi-stage sampling procedure. “Awareness of ICT Innovations among Secondary School Students” (Awareness), “Acceptance of ICT Innovations by Secondary School Students” (Acceptance) and “Adoption of ICT Innovations by Secondary School Students” (Adoption) were constructed by the researchers and used for data collection. The instruments were validated by three experts. The findings revealed that secondary school students in Aguata Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State are aware of ICT innovations, and have accepted them for learning. It was further revealed that the said students have adopted ICT innovations for learning to a low extent. In line with the results of the study, it was suggested that State government have to ensure that ICT innovations are made accessible to students to adopt for learning and research purposes.
Gender and Age Differences in COVID-19 in Iraqi Patient Detected By Real-Time PCR
Authors: Abbas Zainab Fadhil , Hasan Baqer J.
Published: August 2021

Since the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic started, it became clear that the impact of the infection incidence and fatality rate were nearly related to the population structure. The outbreak of COVID-19 have severe impacts on the population, lead to different affection in women and men. epidemic in Iraq as elsewhere penetrate rapidly across the country, identifying vulnerable groups and gender analysis and also understanding the communities help to make an effective decisions. Our study Aimed to found the differences of gender and age in Iraqi people from the coronavirus disease 2019. 21545 cases were extracted from Razi Medical center in Baghdad from October 12, 2020 to March 3, 2021, 488 where positive result was according the performance of real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays used to targe different gene of SARS-CoV-2 based on kit manuscript. For each group, we calculated cumulative positive rates stratified age and gender for corresponding risks for men vs. women. the positive 358 patients (73.4 %) were men and 130 patients (26.6%) were women. The major part of cases was in the age group of 40-60 years of old and the male to female ratio was 2.75:1. The findings of the study represented higher positive cases rate in men than women. so Male gender and older age notably associated with the risk of positive COVID-19 patients. paying special attention to male elderly patient one of the most important strategies against spreading COVID-19.
Exposure characterization and risk assessment of ultrafine particles from the blast furnace process in a steelmaking plant
Authors: Gao Xiangjing , Zhou Xingfan , Zou Hua , Wang Qunli , Zhou Zanrong , Chen Rui , Yuan Weiming , Luan Yuqing , Quan Changjian , Zhang Meibian
Published: August 2021

Objectives

This study aimed to clarify the exposure characteristics and risks of ultrafine particles from the blast furnace process and to provide a reasonable control strategy for protecting the health of workers.

Methods

The blast furnace location of a steelmaking plant was selected as a typical investigation site. A membrane-based sampling system was used to collect ultrafine particles to analyze their morphology and elemental compositions. A real-time system was used to monitor the total number concentration (NC), total respirable mass concentration (MC), surface area concentration (SAC), and size distribution by number. The risk level of ultrafine particles was analyzed using the Stoffenmanager-Nano model.

Results

The total NC, total MC, and SAC increased significantly relative to background concentrations after slag releasing started and decreased gradually after the activity stopped. The three highest total concentrations during slag releasing were 3-10 times higher than those of the background or non-activity period. The ultrafine particles were mainly gathered at 10.4 or 40 nm, and presented as lump-like agglomerates. The metal elements (Al and Pt) in the ultrafine particles originated from slag and iron ore. The risk level of the ultrafine particles was high, indicating the existing control measures were insufficient.

Conclusions

The blast furnace workers are at high risk due to exposure to high levels of ultrafine particles associated with working activity and with a bimodal size distribution. The existing control strategies, including engineering control, management control, and personal protection equipment need to be improved.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Deuterium‐Labeled Compounds
Authors: Yang Xiaoli , Ben Haoxi , Ragauskas Arthur J.
Published: August 2021

Deuterium‐labeled compounds are of importance in chemical, environmental, and biological fields. Preparation methods for deuterium‐labeled compounds have been studied extensively in response to increasing demand for these chemicals. In this review, we summarize recent advances in synthetic methods and present a comprehensive overview of diverse routes, including conventional deuteration and hydrogen‐deuterium exchange. Deuteration by the classical process, which starts from appropriate available labeled precursors, is introduced for different reaction types. Key features of hydrogen‐deuterium exchange are elaborated in detail from the perspective of the catalyst and the chemical structure of the substrate. Regioselective deuteration at the target position is discussed because of the role of stereospecific deuterium labeling in medicine. Finally, challenges and future prospects of these processes are discussed to provide a general guideline for the synthesis of deuterium‐labeled compounds.
Nickel Catalyzed Ligand‐ And Base‐Free One‐Pot Diazotization/Cross‐Coupling of Aryl Amine With Aryl Boronic Acid
Authors: Bej Ansuman , Saha Debajyoti
Published: August 2021

A Ni‐catalyzed ligand, acid and base free one‐pot method for the synthesis of unsymmetrical biaryls from anilines has been shown for the first time via an in‐situ diazotization reaction using tert‐butyl nitrite (t‐BuONO). The procedure is convenient and safer since it does not involve the isolation of diazonium salts. This method tolerates a wide range of functionalized anilines and aryl boronic acids with both electron donating and electron withdrawing groups leading to the formation of corresponding biaryl products in moderate to good yields.
Nonenzymatic function of DPP4 in diabetes‐associated mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive impairment
Authors: Sun Cunwei , Xiao Yanhua , Li Jiaxiu , Ge Bo , Chen Xu , Liu Hongbo , Zheng Tianpeng
Published: August 2021

Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP4) has been proven to exert its functions by both enzymatic and nonenzymatic pathways. The nonenzymatic function of DPP4 in diabetes‐associated cognitive impairment remains unexplored. We determined DPP4 protein concentrations or its enzymatic activity in type 2 diabetic patients and db/db mice and tested the impact of the non‐enzymatic function of DPP4 on mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive impairment both in vivo and in vitro. The results show that increased DPP4 activity was an independent risk factor for incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in type 2 diabetic patients. In addition, DPP4 was highly expressed in the hippocampus of db/db mice and contributed to mitochondria dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Mechanistically, DPP4 might bind to PAR2 in the hippocampus and trigger GSK‐3β activation, which downregulates peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha expression and leads to mitochondria dysfunction, thereby promoting cognitive impairment in diabetes. Our findings indicate that the nonenzymatic function of DPP4 might promote mitochondrial dysfunction and cognitive impairment in diabetes.
Luminescent Platinum(II) Complexes with Bidentate Diacetylide Ligands: Structures, Photophysical Properties and Application Studies
Authors: Luo Zaoli , Liu Yungen , Tong Ka‐Chung , Chang Xiao‐Yong , To Wai‐Pong , Che Chi‐Ming
Published: August 2021

A series of platinum(II) complexes supported by terphenyl diacetylide as well as diimine or bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been prepared. The diacetylide ligands adopt a cis coordination mode featuring non‐planar terphenyl moieties as revealed by X‐ray crystallographic analyses. The electrochemical, photophysical and photochemical properties of these platinum(II) complexes have been investigated. These platinum(II) diimine complexes show broad emission with peak maxima from 566 nm to 706 nm, with two of them having emission quantum yields >60% and lifetimes <2 μs in solutions at room temperature, whereas the platinum(II) diacetylide complexes having bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene instead of diimine ligand display photoluminescence with quantum yields of up to 28% in solutions and excited state lifetimes of up to 62 μs at room temperature. Application studies revealed that one of the complexes can catalyze photoinduced aerobic dehydrogenation of alcohols and alkenes, and a relatively non‐toxic water‐soluble Pt(II) complex displays anti‐angiogenic activity.
Targeting of the tumor microenvironment by curcumin
Authors: Fu Xiao , He Yingni , Li Mu , Huang Zezhi , Najafi Masoud
Published: August 2021

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is made up of several cells and molecules that affect the survival of cancer cells. Indeed, certain (immunosuppressive) cells which promote tumors can promote the growth of tumors by stimulating the proliferation of cancer cells and promoting angiogenesis. During tumor growth, antitumoral immunity includes natural killer cells and CD8+ T cells cannot overcome immunosuppressive responses and cancer cell proliferation. In order to achieve the appropriate therapeutic response, we must kill cancer cells and suppress the release of immunosuppressive molecules. The balance between anti‐tumor immunity and immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs), cancer‐associated fibroblasts, tumor‐associated macrophages, and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells plays a key role in the suppression or promotion of cancer cells. Curcumin is a plant‐derived agent that has shown interesting properties for cancer therapy. It has shown that not only directly inhibit the growth of cancer cells, but can also modulate the growth and activity of immunosuppressant and tumor‐promoting cells. In this review, we explain how curcumin modulates interactions within TME in favor of tumor treatment. The potential modulating effects of curcumin on the responses of cancer cells to treatment modalities such as immunotherapy will also be discussed.
How mandatory corporate social responsibility can help governments with development goals
Authors: Sodhi ManMohan S. , Kumar Chitresh , Ganguly Anirban
Published: August 2021

Many governments seek the private sector to meet their development goals. One possible means to enlist this support is to impose mandatory or “hard” corporate social responsibility (CSR) requirements on large companies. To shed light on how mandatory CSR could be helpful in this regard, we study the case of India, where the government has required large companies to spend a fraction of their income toward development as CSR since 2014. We analyzed the expenses of leading Indian companies and found statistically significant similarities among these companies in their spending pattern across the different categories, which we interpret as isomorphism. By looking for the government's motivation and the companies' motivations—both perceive the priorities in unmet social needs—we present a conceptual model to explain this isomorphism in CSR expenditure across different categories. The model suggests that governments may find mandatory CSR helpful to direct corporations in achieving development goals.
The intercondylar fossa—A narrative review
Authors: Hirtler Lena , Kainberger Franz , Röhrich Sebastian
Published: August 2021

The intercondylar fossa (“intercondylar notch,” IN) is a groove at the distal end of the femur, housing important stabilizing structures: cruciate ligaments and meniscofemoral ligaments. As the risk for injury to these structures correlates with changes to the IN, exact knowledge of its morphology, possible physiological and pathological changes and different approaches for evaluating it are important. The divergent ways of assessing the IN and the corresponding measurement methods have led to various descriptions of its possible shapes. Ridges at the medial and lateral wall are considered clinically important because they can help with orientation during arthroscopy, whereas ridges at the osteochondral border could affect the risk of ligament injury. Changes related to aging and sex differences have been documented, further emphasizing the importance of individual assessment of the knee joint. Overall, it is of the utmost importance to remember the interactions between the osseous housing and the structures within.
Reconstruction of the corticorubral tract in the human brain using diffusion tensor tractography
Authors: Jang Sung Ho , Lee Sung Jun
Published: August 2021

The corticorubral tract (CRT) facilitates fine motor coordination. However, no diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) study has been conducted although a few studies have reported on the cortical connection of the red nucleus. In this study, we investigated the DTT reconstruction method and DTT characteristics of the CRT in normal subjects. Thirty‐six right‐handed normal subjects were recruited. Diffusion tensor images were scanned using a 1.5 T MRI scanner. For analysis of the CRT, the seed region of interest (ROI) was placed on the red nucleus of the midbrain, and the target ROI was placed on the primary sensorimotor cortex. Values of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and tract volume (TV) of the CRT were obtained for both hemispheres. Among the 72 cerebral hemispheres of the 36 normal subjects, the neural tract between the red nucleus and the primary sensorimotor cortex was reconstructed in 66 hemispheres (92%). The reconstructed CRT, which originated from the primary sensorimotor cortex, descended through the posterior portion of the centrum semiovale, the corona radiata and posterior limb of the internal capsule, and terminated at the red nucleus. Analysis of the FA, MD, and TV values revealed no significant differences between the right and left hemispheres (p > 0.05). We describe the method of DTT reconstruction and the imaging parameters of the CRT in the brain of normal subjects. We believe that the DTT method and associated parameter results for the CRT in normal subjects will be useful in future neuroscience studies.
The nature of peer‐initiated brand communities on social media platforms
Authors: Wong Amy
Published: August 2021

In the recent years, consumers are increasingly engaging in dynamic interactions with their preferred brands through online brand communities. Although Facebook has been commonly used as the social media platform for online brand communities, less is known with respect to the success factors for these brand communities. This study examines the nature of peer‐initiated brand communities by proposing and testing a conceptual framework that encompasses brand community identity, brand community engagement, brand love, and brand loyalty. The study investigates the dimensions of brand community identity and engagement, namely the affective and cognitive dimensions, and the moderating effect of brand community involvement. A total of 205 respondents were recruited via the Facebook social media platform of a peer‐initiated brand community. The results show that brand community identity affects brand community engagement for both affective and cognitive dimensions, with cognitive engagement predicting brand love. The moderating role of brand community involvement and the positive relationship between brand love and loyalty are confirmed. The findings contribute to knowledge and practice by highlighting the factors that can strengthen a brand's social media presence and consumer‐brand relationships.
Single‐Molecule Enzymology for Diagnostics: Profiling Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Clinical Samples
Authors: Gilboa Tal , Ogata Alana F. , Walt David R.
Published: August 2021

Enzymes can be used as biomarkers for a variety of diseases. However, profiling enzyme activity in clinical samples is challenging due to the heterogeneity in enzyme activity, and the low abundance of the target enzyme in biofluids. Single‐molecule methods can overcome these challenges by providing information on the distribution of enzyme activities in a sample. Here, we describe the concept of using the single‐molecule enzymology (SME) method to analyze enzymatic activity in clinical samples. We present recent work focused on measuring alkaline phosphatase isotypes in serum samples using SME. Future work will involve improving and simplifying this technology, and applying it to other enzymes for diagnostics.
Pregnancy complicated by central diabetes insipidus and oligohydramnios
Authors: Imaizumi Karin , Yasuda Shun , Toba Naoya , Okazaki Takayuki , Fukuda Toma , Murata Tsuyoshi , Kann Aya , Ishibashi Makiho , Kyozuka Hyo , Ito Fumihiro , Yamaguchi Akiko , Fujimori Keiya
Published: August 2021

This is the fourth reported case of central diabetes insipidus with oligohydramnios. Central diabetes insipidus does not adversely affect pregnancy; it can present with oligohydramnios, which can be improved by treating central diabetes insipidus.
Diode laser chairside frenectomy in orthodontics: A case series (DIODE LASER FRENECTOMY: CASE SERIES)
Authors: Sobouti Farhad , Dadgar Sepideh , Salehabadi Negareh , Moallem Savasari Aryousha
Published: August 2021

Offering the whole orthodontic and surgical treatment to the patient as a single package in a one office can save them considerable time and the trouble. Diode laser enables orthodontists to do so while enjoying its benefits over the scalpel.
Charge‐Transfer in Panchromatic Porphyrin‐Tetracyanobuta‐1,3‐Diene‐Donor Conjugates: Switching the Role of Porphyrin in the Charge Separation Process
Authors: Sekaran Bijesh , Dawson Andrew , Jang Youngwoo , MohanSingh Kusum V. , Misra Rajneesh , D'Souza Francis
Published: August 2021

Using a combination of cycloaddition‐retroelectrocyclization reaction, free‐base and zinc porphyrins (H2P and ZnP) are decorated at their β‐pyrrole positions with strong charge transfer complexes, viz., tetracyanobuta‐1,3‐diene (TCBD)‐phenothiazine (3 and 4) or TCBD‐aniline (7 and 8), novel class of push‐pull systems. The physico‐chemical properties of these compounds (MP‐Donor and MP‐TCBD‐Donor) have been investigated using a range of electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical, DFT as well as steady‐state and time‐resolved spectroscopic techniques. Ground‐state charge transfer interactions between the porphyrin and the electron‐withdrawing TCBD directly attached to the porphyrin π‐system extended the absorption features well into the near‐infrared region. To visualize the photo‐events, energy level diagrams with the help of free‐energy calculations have been established. Switching the role of porphyrin from the initial electron acceptor to electron donor was possible to envision. Occurrence of photoinduced charge separation has been established by complementary transient absorption spectral studies followed by global and target data analyses. Better charge stabilization in H2P derived over ZnP derived conjugates, and in phenothiazine derived over aniline derived conjugates has been possible to establish. These findings highlight the importance of the nature of porphyrins and second electron donor in governing the ground and excited state charge transfer events in closely positioned donor‐acceptor conjugates.
Modelling adsorption based on an isoreticular MOF‐series of IFPs—Part II: Dynamic adsorption in fixed beds
Authors: Otter Dirk , Dieler Max , Dänekas Volker , Geitner Christian , Krätz Lorenz , Holdt Hans‐Jürgen , Bart Hans‐Jörg
Published: August 2021

Based on experimental pure component data for the characterization of the isostructural imidazolate framework Potsdam (IFP) series reported in Part I, a model for the simulation of non‐isothermal dynamic adsorption of CO2/CH4‐mixtures in fixed‐bed columns is presented in this Part II. The robustness of the model is examined and validated, by comparison to experimental breakthrough data at different process conditions, such as varying concentration, temperature, and pressure. Thereby, different predictive methods for the estimation of adsorption equilibria of mixtures are compared (RAST, IAST, ML). The results show that ideal behaviour can be assumed with good accuracy for the system under consideration, except for IFP‐2, which shows significant deviations at increased pressures and temperatures. A detailed kinetic analysis reveals that mass transfer is significantly influenced by micropore diffusion. Thus, only for IFP‐1 the dynamic separation of CO2 and CH4 is equilibrium‐driven, while for the remaining IFPs the kinetic regime dominates the process, which in some cases increases the separation efficiency (IFP‐2 to ‐7) but can also inhibit it (IFP‐8). The determined intracrystalline diffusion coefficients show very good agreement with values for metal organic framework (MOF) compounds of similar structure reported in the literature.
Textile Effluent Treatment Using Natural CoagulantOpuntia strictain Comparison with Alum
Authors: Hussain Ghulam , Haydar Sajjad
Published: August 2021

Natural plant‐based coagulants have gained popularity as sustainable and cost‐effective alternatives to chemical coagulants. In this study, a novel plant‐based coagulant,Opuntia stricta(O. stricta), is evaluated in comparison to alum for the treatment of textile wastewater. Response surface methodology is employed to optimize the treatment variables pH and coagulant dose. Efficacy of coagulants are compared based on removal of total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and color. Coagulants are characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and flocs produced are analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Alum shows a maximum removal of 87%, 75.9%, and 79.6% for TSS, COD, and color, respectively (optimum pH 9; dose: 103 mg L−1).O. strictagives a maximum removal of 80.2%, 58.4%, and 77.3% for TSS, COD, and color, respectively (optimum pH 10.3; dose: 162.2 mg L−1). The optimum pH ofO. strictaaligns well with actual pH of textile effluent (i.e. 10.6). Among the target pollutants, removal of COD is more dependent on pH as compared to the dose of coagulants. Coagulation agent in cladodes ofO. strictais postulated to be polysaccharides, which acts through adsorption and interparticle bridging mechanism of coagulation.
What We Learned in 25 Years of Interactive Molecular Design Sessions
Authors: Kuhn Bernd , Haap Wolfgang , Obst‐Sander Ulrike , Kramer Christian , Stahl Martin
Published: August 2021

We retrace Prof. François Diederich's consultancy work for Roche and its impact over the years he worked with us. François Diederich uniquely shaped our approach to molecular design, and interactions with him and his research group at ETH Zurich have created deep insights into molecular recognition. Herein we share how his style and approach continue to inspire us.
Racial differences in survival and response to therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: A secondary analysis of CALGB/SWOG 80405 (Alliance A151931)
Authors: Snyder Rebecca A. , He Jun , Le‐Rademacher Jennifer , Ou Fang‐Shu , Dodge Andrew B. , Zemla Tyler J. , Paskett Electra D. , Chang George J. , Innocenti Federico , Blanke Charles , Lenz Heinz‐Josef , Polite Blasé N. , Venook Alan P.
Published: August 2021

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between self‐identified race and overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and response to therapy among patients enrolled in the randomized Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB)/SWOG 80405 trial.

Methods

Patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer who were enrolled in the CALGB/SWOG 80405 trial were identified by race. On the basis of covariates (treatment arm, KRAS status, sex, age, and body mass index), each Black patient was exact matched with a White patient. The association between race and OS and PFS was examined using a marginal Cox proportional hazard model for matched pairs. The interaction between KRAS status and race was tested in the model. The association between race and response to therapy and adverse events were examined using a marginal logistic regression model.

Results

In total, 392 patients were matched and included in the final data set. No difference in OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73‐1.16), PFS (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.78‐1.20), or response to therapy (odds ratio [OR], 1.00; 95% CI, 0.65‐1.52) was observed between Black and White patients. Patients with KRAS mutant status (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.02‐1.67), a performance statusscore of 1 (reference, a performance status of 0; HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.18‐1.88), or ≥3 metastatic sites (reference, 1 metastatic site; HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.22‐2.28) experienced worse OS. Black patients experienced lower rates and risk of grade ≥3 fatigue (6.6% vs 13.3%; OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.24‐0.91) but were equally likely to be treated with a dose reduction (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.72‐1.65).

Conclusions

No difference in OS, PFS, or response to therapy was observed between Black patients and White patients in an equal treatment setting of the CALGB/SWOG 80405 randomized controlled trial.

Lay Summary

Despite improvements in screening and treatment, studies have demonstrated worse outcomes in Black patients with colorectal cancer.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in cancer‐specific outcomes among Black and White patients receiving equivalent treatment on the CALGB/SWOG 80405 randomized clinical trial.

In this study, there was no difference in overall survival, progression‐free survival, or response to therapy between Black and White patients treated on a clinical trial.

These findings suggest that access to care and differences in treatment may be responsible for racial disparities in colorectal cancer.
Healthy days at home: A population‐based quality measure for cancer patients at the end of life
Authors: Lam Miranda B. , Riley Kristen E. , Zheng Jie , Orav E. John , Jha Ashish K. , Burke Laura G.
Published: August 2021

Background

Healthy Days at Home (HDAH) is a novel population‐based outcome measure. In this study, its use as a potential measure for cancer patients at the end of life (EOL) was explored.

Methods

Patient demographics and health care use among Medicare beneficiaries with cancer who died over the years 2014 to 2017 were identified. The HDAH was calculated by subtracting the following components from 180 days: number of days spent in inpatient and outpatient hospital observation, the emergency room, skilled nursing facilities (SNF), inpatient psychiatry, inpatient rehabilitation, long‐term hospitals, and inpatient hospice. How HDAH and its components varied by beneficiary demographics and health care market were evaluated. A patient‐level linear regression model with HDAH as the outcome, hospital referral region (HRR) random effects, and market fixed effects were specified, as well as beneficiary age, sex, and comorbidities as covariates.

Results

The 294,751 beneficiaries at the EOL showed a mean number of 154.0 HDAH (out of 180 days). Inpatient (10.7 days) and SNF (9.7 days) resulted in the most substantial reductions in HDAH. Males had fewer adjusted HDAH (153.1 vs 155.7, P < .001) than females; Medicaid‐eligible patients had fewer HDAH compared with non‐Medicaid–eligible patients (152.0 vs 154.9; P < .001). Those with hematologic malignancies had the fewest number of HDAH (148.9). Across HRRs, HDAH ranged from 10.8 fewer to 10.9 more days than the national mean. At the HRR‐level, home hospice was associated with greater HDAH, whereas home health was associated with fewer HDAH.

Conclusions

HDAH may be a useful measure to understand, quantify, and improve patient‐centered outcomes for cancer patients at EOL.
Effects by educational attainment of a mammography screening patient decision aid for women aged 75 years and older
Authors: Cadet Tamara , Pinheiro Adlin , Karamourtopoulos Maria , Jacobson Alicia R. , Aliberti Gianna M. , Kistler Christine E. , Davis Roger B. , Schonberg Mara A.
Published: August 2021

Background

To help inform screening decisions, a mammography screening decision aid (DA) for women aged 75 years and older was tested in a cluster randomized clinical trial of 546 women. DA use increased women's knowledge of the benefits and harms of mammography and lowered screening rates. In the current study, the objective was to examine whether participants' views of the DA and/or its effects differed by educational attainment.

Methods

A secondary analysis was conducted of 283 women who received the DA before a personal care provider (PCP) visit during the trial to examine the acceptability of the DA and its effects on knowledge of the benefits and harms of mammography, screening intentions, and receipt of screening by educational attainment. Adjusted analyses accounted for clustering by PCP.

Results

Of the 283 participants, 43% had a college education or less. Regardless of educational attainment, 87.2% found the DA helpful. Women with lower educational attainment were less likely to understand all of the DA's content (46.3% vs 67.5%; P < .001), had less knowledge of the benefits and harms of mammography (adjusted mean ± standard error knowledge score, 7.1 ± 0.3 vs 8.1 ± 0.3; P < .001), and were less likely to lower screening intentions (adjusted percentage, 11.4% vs 19.4%; P = .01). Receipt of screening did not differ by educational attainment.

Conclusions

A mammography DA for women aged 75 years and older was helpful to women regardless of their educational attainment; however, those with a college degree or greater understood the DA and, possibly as a result, lowered their screening intentions. Future studies need to examine how to better support informed decision making around mammography screening in older women with lower educational attainment.

Lay Summary

The authors examined data from a previous study to learn the effects of a mammography decision aid (DA) for women aged 75 years and older according to their level of education.

Overall, women found the DA helpful, but women with lower educational attainment found it harder to understand the benefits and harms of mammography screening and were less likely to lower their screening intentions than women with a college degree.

The findings suggest that women aged 75 years and older who have lower educational attainment may need an even lower literacy DA and/or more support from health care professionals.
Evaluation of programmed death ligand 1 expression in cytology to determine eligibility for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Zhonghua , Williams Michelle , Stewart John , Glisson Bonnie S. , Fuller Clifton , Roy‐Chowdhuri Sinchita
Published: August 2021

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) pathway have recently emerged as a frontline treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The evaluation of PD‐L1 expression by immunohistochemistry in histologic samples is used to determine the eligibility of patients with HNSCC for immunotherapy. Patients with newly diagnosed HNSCC are frequently diagnosed by fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) of lymph nodes with metastatic disease. However, the evaluation of PD‐L1 expression with the proposed combined positive score (CPS) has not been well established in cytology specimens.

Methods

This study retrospectively identified 21 HNSCC patients with a known PD‐L1 status from histologic specimens and matched FNA specimens with tumor cells on cell blocks (CBs). The CB sections were stained with a PD‐L1 antibody (22C3 clone). All cases were scored with CPS and the tumor proportion score (TPS).

Results

The data showed substantial concordance between cytologic and histologic specimens for CPS (agreement, 76.2%; κ = 0.607) and TPS (agreement, 76.2%; κ = 0.607). With histology used as a reference standard, the positive predictive value was 100% for both CPS and TPS, whereas the negative predictive value was 57.1% for CPS assessments and 50% for TPS assessments.

Conclusions

PD‐L1 expression in HNSCC cytology samples has high concordance with paired histologic samples. PD‐L1 CPS evaluation is feasible in HNSCC cytology CBs and can act as a surrogate for determining eligibility for immunotherapy in cases in which a histologic specimen is not readily available.
Private‐encoder: Enforcing privacy in latent space for human face images
Authors: Zhao Yuan , Liu Bo , Zhu Tianqing , Ding Ming , Zhou Wanlei
Published: August 2021

The explosive growth of various computer vision technologies generates a tremendous amount of visual data online every day. In addition to bringing convenience and revolutionizing our daily life, image data also reveal a wide range of sensitive information and pose unprecedented privacy leakage risks. Particularly, in the case of photos contain human faces, people can easily access those face images on social media without any consent, and the misuse of personal information could cause serious privacy violation to individuals. Therefore, it is essential to consider sanitizing people's identity information when using images containing human faces. As a result, there has been rapid development in the area of facial anonymization, also called image de‐identification. However, due to the emergence of numerous deep‐learning based attacks, traditional anonymization methods such as blurring and mosaic are weak and ineffective to protect individual's privacy in face images. To respond to this challenge, this article proposes a novel de‐identification method that utilizes a deep neural network. The proposed framework encompasses two modules: encoder network and generator network. The encoder transforms a face image into a high‐semantic latent vector of codes, which will be de‐identified according to the differential privacy criterion. The generator leverages the unconditional generative adversarial network to synthesize high‐quality images based on the modified latent codes from the encoder. Extensive experimental results indicate that our proposed model can protect image privacy while keeping the processed image visual realistic.
Bis‐(triphenylphosphane) Aluminum Hydride: A Simple Way to Provide, Store, and Use Non‐Polymerized Alane for Synthesis
Authors: Anders Martin , Schwarzer Anke , Brendler Erica , Pollex Rolf , Schumann Erik , Sandig‐Predzymirska Lesia , Kaiser Stefan , Mertens Florian
Published: August 2021

AlH3(PPh3)2 was synthesized as a stable solid being the first known 1 : 2 alane arylphosphane adduct. Although only weakly intra‐molecularly coordinated, it displays as a molecular crystal significant inertness against atmospheric humidity and oxygen due to strong steric screening of the alane unit. The compound readily dissociates PPh3 in solution allowing for its use as a Lewis acidic reducing agent. These features lead to an easy to store, easy to use reducing agent that may enable the quantitative investigation of aluminum hydride chemistry including reduction, complexation and hydroalumination reactions. The structure contains two non‐equivalent penta‐coordinated aluminum centers that despite long Al−P distances of ca. 2.7 Å display unusually high quadrupolar coupling constants CQ of 25.1 and 26.5 in 27Al solid state NMR measurements. The product was also tested as a reducing agent on a small set of selected compounds with various functional groups.
Comparative analysis of morphology, cytology, and mitochondrial transcriptome of sterile male flowers of rubber tree
Authors: Li Fei , Zhang Yuhang , Wang Ying , Gao Heqiong , Zhuang Nansheng
Published: August 2021

Rubber tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex A. Juss.) Müll. Arg.] is the exclusive commercial source of natural rubber. Male‐sterile (MS) germplasm has proven to be valuable for rubber tree hybrid breeding, but its male sterility mechanism remains unclear. Here, morphological observations of a new MS clone Reyan93‐114 showed shriveled anthers, short filaments, and withered male flowers. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the tapetal cells of the anthers were hypertrophic and vacuolated. Microspore protoplasts reduced in size, and the microspore wall had obvious defects: the incomplete intine and the insufficiently deposited exine. Organelles had disappeared in both tapetal cells and microspores. Comparative mitochondrial transcriptome analysis identified three differentially expressed genes in the MS clones: orf126, orf51, and atp8. In particular, orf126 and orf51 were unique insertions in the MS mitochondrial genomes. The former was an unknown open reading frame, and the latter was a fusion gene that contained a portion of atp9. These two genes should be studied as candidate male sterility genes in rubber tree. These results clarified the cytological causes of male sterility and expanded to understand the relationship between mitochondrial genes and male sterility in rubber tree.
Inferring pesticide toxicity to honey bees from a field‐based feeding study using a colony model and Bayesian inference
Authors: Minucci Jeffrey M. , Curry Robert , DeGrandi‐Hoffman Gloria , Douglass Cameron , Garber Kris , Purucker S. Thomas
Published: August 2021

Honey bees are crucial pollinators for agricultural crops but are threatened by a multitude of stressors including exposure to pesticides. Linking our understanding of how pesticides affect individual bees to colony‐level responses is challenging because colonies show emergent properties based on complex internal processes and interactions among individual bees. Agent‐based models that simulate honey bee colony dynamics may be a tool for scaling between individual and colony effects of a pesticide. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are developing the VarroaPop + Pesticide model, which simulates the dynamics of honey bee colonies and how they respond to multiple stressors, including weather, Varroa mites, and pesticides. To evaluate this model, we used Approximate Bayesian Computation to fit field data from an empirical study where honey bee colonies were fed the insecticide clothianidin. This allowed us to reproduce colony feeding study data by simulating colony demography and mortality from ingestion of contaminated food. We found that VarroaPop + Pesticide was able to fit general trends in colony population size and structure and reproduce colony declines from increasing clothianidin exposure. The model underestimated adverse effects at low exposure (36 µg/kg), however, and overestimated recovery at the highest exposure level (140 µg/kg), for the adult and pupa endpoints, suggesting that mechanisms besides oral toxicity‐induced mortality may have played a role in colony declines. The VarroaPop + Pesticide model estimates an adult oral LD50 of 18.9 ng/bee (95% CI 10.1–32.6) based on the simulated feeding study data, which falls just above the 95% confidence intervals of values observed in laboratory toxicology studies on individual bees. Overall, our results demonstrate a novel method for analyzing colony‐level data on pesticide effects on bees and making inferences on pesticide toxicity to individual bees.