bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial and temporal dynamics of space use by free‐ranging domestic dogs Canis familiaris in rural Africa
Authors: Wilson‐Aggarwal Jared K. , Goodwin Cecily E. D. , Moundai Tchonfienet , Sidouin Metinou K. , Swan George J. F. , Léchenne Monique , McDonald Robbie A.
Published: March 2021

Variation in the spatial ecology of animals influences the transmission of infections and so understanding host behavior can improve the control of diseases. Despite the global distribution of free‐ranging domestic dogs Canis familiaris and their role as reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, little is known about the dynamics of their space use. We deployed GPS loggers on owned but free‐ranging dogs from six villages in rural Chad, and tracked the movements of 174 individuals in the dry season and 151 in the wet season. We calculated 95% and core home ranges using auto‐correlated kernel density estimates (AKDE95 and AKDEcore), determined the degree to which their movements were predictable, and identified correlates of movement patterns. The median AKDE95 range in the dry season was 0.54 km2 and in the wet season was 0.31 km2, while the median AKDEcore range in the dry season was 0.08 km2 and in the wet season was 0.04 km2. Seasonal variation was, in part, related to owner activities; dogs from hunting households had ranges that were five times larger in the dry season. At least 70% of individuals were more predictably “at home” (<50 m from the household) throughout the day in the dry season, 80% of dogs demonstrated periodicity in activity levels (speed), and just over half the dogs exhibited periodicity in location (repeated space use). In the wet season, dogs mostly exhibited 24‐h cycles in activity and location, with peaks at midday. In the dry season, dogs exhibited both 12‐ and 24‐h cycles, with either a single peak at midday, or one peak between 06:00 and 12:00 and a second between 18:00 and 22:00. Strategies to control canine‐mediated zoonoses can be improved by tailoring operations to the local spatial ecology of free‐ranging dogs. Interventions using a door‐to‐door strategy in rural Chad would best conduct operations during the dry season, when access to dogs around their household more reliably exceeds 70% throughout the day. Given the importance of use in hunting for explaining variation in dog space‐use, targeting approaches to disease control at the household level on the basis of owner activities offers potential to improve access to dogs.
Antagonistic selection on body size and sword length in a wild population of the swordtail fish, Xiphophorus multilineatus: Potential for intralocus tactical conflict
Authors: Liotta Melissa N. , Abbott Jessica K. , Morris Molly R. , Rios‐Cardenas Oscar
Published: March 2021

Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) have provided valuable insights into how sexual selection and life history trade‐offs can lead to variation within a sex. However, the possibility that tactics may constrain evolution through intralocus tactical conflict (IATC) is rarely considered. In addition, when IATC has been considered, the focus has often been on the genetic correlations between the ARTs, while evidence that the ARTs have different optima for associated traits and that at least one of the tactics is not at its optimum is often missing. Here, we investigate selection on three traits associated with the ARTs in the swordtail fish Xiphophorus multilineatus; body size, body shape, and the sexually selected trait for which these fishes were named, sword length (elongation of the caudal fin). All three traits are tactically dimorphic, with courter males being larger, deeper bodied and having longer swords, and the sneaker males being smaller, more fusiform and having shorter swords. Using measures of reproductive success in a wild population we calculated selection differentials, as well as linear and quadratic gradients. We demonstrated that the tactics have different optima and at least one of the tactics is not at its optimum for body size and sword length. Our results provide the first evidence of selection in the wild on the sword, an iconic trait for sexual selection. In addition, given the high probability that these traits are genetically correlated to some extent between the two tactics, our study suggests that IATC is constraining both body size and the sword from reaching their phenotypic optima. We discuss the importance of considering the role of IATC in the evolution of tactical dimorphism, how this conflict can be present despite tactical dimorphism, and how it is important to consider this conflict when explaining not only variation within a species but differences across species as well.
Measurement and analysis of interspecific spatial associations as a facet of biodiversity
Authors: Keil Petr , Wiegand Thorsten , Tóth Anikó B. , McGlinn Daniel J. , Chase Jonathan M.
Published: March 2021

Interspecific spatial associations (ISA), which include co‐occurrences, segregations, or attractions among two or more species, can provide important insights into the spatial structuring of communities. However, ISA has primarily been examined in the context of understanding interspecific interactions, while other aspects of ISA, including its relations to other biodiversity facets and how it changes in the face of anthropogenic pressures, have been largely neglected. This is likely because it is unclear what makes ISA useful in a biodiversity context, little is known about the theoretical connections between ISA and other biodiversity facets, and there is a confusing variety of approaches to measuring ISA. Here, we first review the metrics of ISA. These include spatially implicit and explicit indices of association for binary, abundance, and point pattern data. We test and compare these approaches on empirical and simulated data, and we provide recommendations for how to use and interpret them in biodiversity science. We argue that measurements of ISA are more informative when they are spatially explicit (i.e., distance dependent). We then review links of ISA to other classical biodiversity facets, such as alpha, beta, and gamma diversity, and show that they mostly fail to reflect changes/variation in ISA, with the exception of average pairwise beta diversity. This underscores the need for a specific focus on ISA in large‐scale biodiversity assessments. Finally, we argue that there are important, and underappreciated, reasons to study ISA that are unrelated to its link to biotic interactions. Specifically, ISA can provide strong tests of biodiversity theories that require multiple patterns to benchmark against, and it can be explored for potentially predictive macroecological patterns.
How mutualisms influence the coexistence of competing species
Authors: Johnson Christopher A.
Published: March 2021

Mutualisms are ubiquitous in nature and are thought to play important roles in the maintenance of biodiversity. For biodiversity to be maintained, however, species must coexist in the face of competitive exclusion. Chesson’s coexistence theory provides a mechanistic framework for evaluating coexistence, yet mutualisms are conspicuously absent from coexistence theory and there are no comparable frameworks for evaluating how mutualisms affect the coexistence of competiting species. To address this conceptual gap, I develop theory predicting how multitrophic mutualisms mediate the coexistence of species competing for mutualistic commodities and other limiting resources using the niche and fitness difference concepts of coexistence theory. I demonstrate that failing to account for mutualisms can lead to erroneous conclusions. For example, species might appear to coexist on resources alone, when the simultaneous incorporation of mutualisms actually drives competitive exclusion, or competitive exclusion might occur under resource competition, when in fact, the incorporation of mutualisms generates coexistence. Existing coexistence theory cannot therefore be applied to mutualisms without explicitly considering the underlying biology of the interactions. By discussing how the metrics derived from coexistence theory can be quantified empirically, I show how this theory can be operationalized to evaluate the coexistence consequences of mutualism in natural communities.
Enantioseparations of polyhalogenated 4,4’‐bipyridines on polysaccharide‐based chiral stationary phases and molecular dynamics simulations of selector–selectand interactions
Authors: Dallocchio Roberto , Sechi Barbara , Dessì Alessandro , Chankvetadze Bezhan , Cossu Sergio , Mamane Victor , Weiss Robin , Pale Patrick , Peluso Paola
Published: March 2021

2’‐(4‐Pyridyl)‐ and 2’‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐TCIBPs (TCIBP = 3,3’,5,5’‐tetrachloro‐2‐iodo‐4,4’‐bipyridyl) are chiral compounds that showed interesting inhibition activity against transthyretin fibrillation in vitro. We became interested in their enantioseparation since we noticed that the M‐stereoisomer is more effective than the P‐enantiomer. Based thereon, we recently reported the enantioseparation of 2’‐substituted TCIBP derivatives with amylose‐based chiral columns. Following this study, herein we describe the comparative enantioseparation of both 2’‐(4‐pyridyl)‐ and 2’‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐TCIBPs on four cellulose phenylcarbamate‐based chiral columns aiming to explore the effect of the polymer backbone, as well as the nature and position of substituents on the side groups on the enantioseparability of these compounds. In the frame of this project, the impact of subtle variations of analyte and polysaccharide structures, and mobile phase (MP) polarity on retention and selectivity was evaluated. The effect of temperature on retention and selectivity was also considered, and overall thermodynamic parameters associated with the analyte adsorption onto the CSP surface were derived from van ’t Hoff plots. Interesting cases of enantiomer elution order (EEO) reversal were observed. In particular, the EEO was shown to be dependent on polysaccharide backbone, the elution sequence of the two analytes being P‐M and M‐P on cellulose and amylose tris(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate), respectively. In this regard, a theoretical investigation based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations was performed by using amylose and cellulose tris(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate) nonamers as virtual models of the polysaccharide‐based selectors. This exploration at the molecular level shed light on the origin of the enantiodiscrimination processes.
Nanofiltration membrane for bio‐separation: Process‐oriented materials innovation
Authors: Cao Yang , Chen Guoqiang , Wan Yinhua , Luo Jianquan
Published: March 2021

Nanofiltration (NF) with advantages of high efficiency and low‐cost has attracted increasing attentions in bio‐separation. However, the large‐scale application is limited by the inferior molecular selectivity, low chemical stability and serious membrane fouling. Many efforts, thus, have been devoted in NF materials design for specific applications to enhance the separation efficiency of bio‐products and increase membrane life‐time, as well as reduce the operating cost. This review summarized the recent progress of NF applications in bio‐separation, discussed various demands for NF membrane in the bio‐products purification and corresponding material innovations, finally proposed several practical suggestions for future research, which provided directions and guidance toward further product development and process industrialization.
NiCo2O4/g‐C3N4 Heterojunction Photocatalyst for Efficient H2 Generation
Authors: Fan Yanyun , Chen Hongmei , Cui Danfeng , Fan Zheng , Xue Chenyang
Published: March 2021

Herein, a novel NiCo2O4/g‐C3N4 heterojunction photocatalyst is synthesized, which shows excellent photocatalytic activity. Photocatalysis studies reveal that the hydrogen generation rate of the 5%‐NiCo2O4/g‐C3N4 composite photocatalyst can reach 1041.9 μmol g−1 h−1. NiCo2O4 and g‐C3N4 form a heterojunction, which enhances the absorption capacity of visible light, promotes the separation of charges, and inhibits the recombination of carriers, consequently, improving the performance of photocatalytic hydrogen generation. The photocatalytic reaction mechanism of the NiCo2O4/g‐C3N4 heterojunction composite is discussed, which provides a method for studying bimetal oxide‐based photocatalysts.
Brain dynamics: Synchronous peaks, functional connectivity, and its temporal variability
Authors: Rolls Edmund T. , Cheng Wei , Feng Jianfeng
Published: March 2021

We describe advances in the understanding of brain dynamics that are important for understanding the operation of the cerebral cortex in health and disease. Peaks in the resting state fMRI BOLD signal in many different brain areas can become synchronized. In data from 1,017 participants from the Human Connectome Project, we show that early visual and connected areas have the highest probability of synchronized peaks. We show that these cortical areas also have low temporal variability of their functional connectivity. We show that there is an approximately reciprocal relation between the probability that a brain region will be involved in synchronized peaks and the temporal variability of the connectivity of a brain region. We show that a high probability of synchronized peaks and a low temporal variability of the connectivity of cortical areas are related to high mean functional connectivity, and provide an account of how these dynamics with some of the properties of avalanches arise. These discoveries help to advance our understanding of cortical operation in health, and in some mental disorders including schizophrenia.
A Prospective Study Evaluating Changes in Histology, Clinical and Virologic Outcomes in HBV‐HIV Co‐infected Adults in North America
Authors: Sterling Richard K. , King Wendy C. , Khalili Mandana , Chung Raymond T. , Sulkowski Mark , Jain Mamta K. , Lisker‐Melman Mauricio , Ghany Marc G. , Wong David K. , Hinerman Amanda S. , Bhan Atul K. , Wahed Abdus S. , Kleiner David E. ,   the HBV‐HIV Cohort Study of the Hepatitis B Research Network
Published: March 2021

Background and Aims

Histological and clinical outcomes in HBV‐HIV coinfection in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) are poorly defined.

Approach and Results

Adult patients co‐infected with HBV‐HIV from eight North American sites were enrolled in this National Institutes of Health (NIH)–funded prospective observational study (n = 139). Demographic, clinical, serological, and virological data were collected at entry and every 24 weeks for ≤ 192 weeks. Paired liver biopsies were obtained at study entry and at ≥ 3 years of follow‐up. Biopsies were assessed by a central pathology committee using the modified Ishak scoring system. Clinical outcome rate and changes in histology are reported. Among participants with follow‐up data (n = 114), median age was 49 years, 91% were male, 51% were non‐Hispanic Black, and 13% had at‐risk alcohol use, with a median infection of 20 years. At entry, 95% were on anti‐HBV cART. Median CD4 count was 562 cells/mm3 and 93% had HIV < 400 copies/mL. HBeAg was positive in 61%, and HBV DNA was below the limit of quantification (< 20 IU/mL) in 61% and < 1,000 IU/mL in 80%. Clinical events were uncommon across follow‐up: one hepatic decompensation, two HCC, no liver transplants, and one HBV‐related deaths, with a composite endpoint rate of 0.61/100 person‐years. Incident cirrhosis (n = 1), alanine aminotransferase flare (n = 2), and HBeAg loss (n = 13) rates were 0.40, 0.65, and 6.86 per 100 person‐years, respectively. No participants had HBsAg loss. Paired biopsy (n = 62; median 3.6 years apart) revealed minimal improvement in Histologic Activity Index (median [interquartile range]: 3 [2‐4] to 3 [1‐3]; P = 0.02) and no significant change in fibrosis score (1 [1‐2] to 1 [0‐3]; P = 0.58).

Conclusions

In a North American cohort of adults with HBV‐HIV on cART with virological suppression, clinical outcomes and worsening histological disease were uncommon.
Responsible Inclusion of Pregnant Individuals in Eradicating HCV
Authors: Jhaveri Ravi , Yee Lynn M. , Antala Swati , Murphy Margaret , Grobman William A. , Shah Seema K.
Published: March 2021

HCV infections have increased in recent years due to injection drug use and the opioid epidemic. Simultaneously, HCV cure has become a reality, with the advent of direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) and expansion of treatment programs. As a result, HCV screening recommendations now include all adults, including pregnant individuals; and many countries have endorsed widespread DAA access as a strategy to achieve HCV eradication. However, almost universally, pregnant individuals have been systematically excluded from HCV clinical research and treatment programs. This omission runs counter to public health strategies focused on elimination of HCV but is consistent with a historical pattern of exclusion of pregnant individuals from research. Our systematic review of publications on HCV treatment with DAAs in pregnancy revealed only one interventional study, which evaluated sofosbuvir/ledipasvir in 8 pregnant individuals. Given the paucity of research on this issue of great public health importance, we aimed to appraise the current landscape of HCV research/treatment and analyze the ethical considerations for responsibly including pregnant individuals. We propose that pregnancy may be an opportune time to offer HCV treatment given improved access, motivation, and other health care monitoring occurring in the antenatal period. Moreover, treatment of pregnant individuals may support the goal of eliminating perinatal HCV transmission and overcome the established challenges with transitioning care after delivery. The exclusion of pregnant individuals without justification denies them and their offspring access to potential health benefits, raising justice concerns considering growing data on DAA safety and global efforts to promote equitable and comprehensive HCV eradication. Finally, we propose a path forward for research and treatment programs during pregnancy to help advance the goal of HCV elimination.
Thermal imaging method to evaluate childhood obesity based on machine learning techniques
Authors: Rashmi Richa , Umapathy Snekhalatha , Krishnan Palani Thanaraj
Published: March 2021

The purposes of the study were (i) to determine the potential of thermal imaging to assess the difference in the thermal pattern in various body regions of studied population; (ii) to compare the performance of feature extraction, feature fusion, feature ranking and feature dimension reduction (PCA) in classification of obese and normal children using different Machine learning algorithms. About 600 thermograms were obtained from various regions such as abdomen, finger bed, forearm, neck, shank and gluteal region for the studied population. Fifteen statistical textual features were extracted from the six regional thermograms followed by implementing feature fusion with SIFT and SURF algorithm. The PCA method provides the best classification accuracy for SVM (98%) followed by Naïve Bayes and Random Forest (97%). Thus, the regional thermography and computer aided diagnostic tool with machine learning classifier could be used as a basic non‐invasive prognostic tool for the evaluation of obesity in children.
Analysis of global and Latin‐American trends in nanotoxicology with a focus on carbon nanomaterials: a scientometric approach
Authors: Geracitano Laura A , Fagan Solange B , Monserrat José M
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

The scientific trends and developments in the field of nanotoxicology were analyzed through a scientometric approach. This study aimed to describe and unravel the main topics on nanomaterials concerning their potential toxicity. It was generated four databases: two for global nanotoxicological papers (Ds1 and Ds2) and two with a Latin‐American focus (LA1 and LA2). Ds2 and LA2 databases were constructed with studies dealing with the toxic effects of carbon nanomaterials. Scientometric analyses were performed using CiteSpace software. The following items were evaluated: frequencies, burst, centrality for co‐citations of Web of Science categories, keywords, references, authors, and countries.

RESULTS

Global analysis resulted in a total of 29 798 papers for Ds1 and 3835 for Ds2. Latin‐American papers resulted in 1397 articles for LA1 and 148 for LA2. Scientometric analyses indicated a specialization of the topics covered over time, ranging from general categories (such as Chemistry) to more specialized ones (such as Genetics or Neurosciences). Nano‐silver prevailed in the nanotoxicological studies and graphene dominated in the field of carbon nanomaterials. In the last 5 years, a prominent growth has been observed in the number of studies that focus on the potential impact of nanomaterials on the environment.

CONCLUSION

The research efforts in nanotoxicology have been mainly concentrated on assays that use nano‐silver; meanwhile, in carbon nanomaterials, the focus has been concentrated on toxicological tests with graphene. Overall, we stress the importance of nanotoxicology as a strategy to obtain scientific information that can aid in the environmental sustainability of nanotechnologies.
Purification and recycling of selenium in wastewater using polyacrylamide capsule containing selenate‐reducing bacterium
Authors: Naga Naofumi , Hiratani Tomoyuki , Kotake Fumiya , Otsuka Osamu , Yamashita Mitsuo
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Rare metals are often used in high‐technology industries and, as a result, their demand has increased in present years. The shortage of some kinds the metals is concerning for the industries in question. The development of technologies to recover metals from wastewater and wastes is necessary for securing a stable supply of these metals. The present physicochemical treatments cannot easily recover metals from wastewater and wastes when they are present in low concentrations. In contrast, biochemical treatments, such as biomineralization, are expected to recover these metals efficiently. Selenium (Se) is one of the indispensable metals used in various products, such as electronics, glass manufacturing, pigments, metallurgical additives, and so on. A selenium reducing bacterium, Pseudomonas stutzeri NT‐I, was isolated previously. This bacterium reduces soluble seleno‐oxyanions to solid elemental selenium efficiently via a bioprocess called biomineralization.

RESULTS

A polyacrylamide capsule (PAC) containing selenate‐reducing bacterium, Pseudomonas stutzeri NT‐I, was prepared by double‐capsulation to recover selenium from wastewater simply and efficiently. The double‐capsulation is inclusion of alginate beads (AB) containing NT‐I by polyacrylamide composed of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)acrylamide (HEAA), N‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]acrylamide (DMAPAA), or (3‐acrylamidopropyl)trimethylammonium chloride (APTAC) cross linked by N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA).

CONCLUSION

The PACs had good stability in NaCl aq. and basic water in comparison with non‐capsulated AB. HEAA‐PAC and APTAC‐PAC showed relatively high water‐retaining capacity under the wet conditions. Selenate reduction tests were conducted in selenate, Se(VI) aq. at 37 °C in the presence of PACs, and APTAC‐PAC was effective in reducing and capturing Se. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Report of a case with ferredoxin reductase (FDXR) gene variants in a Chinese boy exhibiting hearing loss, visual impairment, and motor retardation
Authors: Yang Chengqing , Zhang Ying , Li Jiuwei , Song Zhenfeng , Yi Zhi , Li Fei , Xue Jiao , Zhang Wei , Wang Chunli
Published: March 2021

Ferredoxin reductase (FDXR), located in 17q25.1, encodes for a mitochondrial NADPH: adrenodoxin oxidoreductase or ferredoxin reductase, the sole human ferredoxin reductase involved in the biosynthesis of iron‐sulfur (Fe‐S) clusters and heme formation. Iron‐sulfur (Fe‐S) clusters are involved in enzymatic catalysis, gene expression, and DNA replication and repair. Variants in FDXR lead to sensorial neuropathies, damage optic, and auditory neurons. Here, we report a Chinese boy with hearing loss, visual impairment, and motor retardation, with two novel compound heterozygous variants in FDXR (NM_004110), namely, c.250C > T (p.P84S) and c.634G > C (p.D212H), identified by whole‐exome sequencing. Compared with the reported cases, except hearing loss and visual impairment, the clinical manifestations of this boy were more serious, who also had motor retardation and died in infancy after infection. The present study expands our knowledge of FDXR variants and related phenotypes, and provides new information on the genetic defects associated with this disease for clinical diagnosis.
The “Two‐Step” approach for classifying the severity of acute pancreatitis: A retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Yun , Zhang Cheng , Yu Wen‐Qiao , Wang Zhi‐En , Zhang Jian , Liang Ting‐Bo
Published: March 2021

Background

The Revised Atlanta Classification (RAC) and Determinant‐Based Classification (DBC) are currently two widely adopted systems for evaluating the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP). This study aimed to overcome the inaccuracies and limitations that existed in them.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 298 patients with AP. The “Two‐Step” approach was divided into an early organ failure (OF) assessment: (I) none, (II) transient, (III) single persistent, and (IV) multiple persistent; and a later local complications assessment: (A) none, (B) sterile, and (C) infectious. Patients with AP who died before the second step were classified into category X. The “Two‐Step” approach was then compared to the RAC and DBC.

Results

As the patients’ grades increased (I to IV), organ support treatment rates, intensive care unit lengths of stay, and mortalities increased. Invasive intervention rates displayed increasing trends with local complications aggravated (A to C). Patients in category X were older and had higher Marshall scores with the highest grades of severity.

Conclusions

By combining the early OF grades and the late local complications, the “Two‐Step” approach represents an accurate classification system required for stratified studies of AP, and introduces the category X as the severest forms of AP.
Cannabis and its cannabinoids analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with Cold EI
Authors: Amirav Aviv , Neumark Benny , Margolin Eren Ksenia J. , Fialkov Alexander B. , Tal Noam
Published: March 2021

Cannabis extracts and products were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) with Cold EI for their full content including terpenes, sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpinols, fatty acids, delta 9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), other cannabinoids, hydrocarbons, sterols, diglycerides, triglycerides, and impurities. GC–MS with Cold EI is based on interfacing GC and MS with supersonic molecular beams (SMB) along with electron ionization of vibrationally cold sample compounds in the SMB in a fly‐through ion source (hence the name Cold EI). GC–MS with Cold EI improves all the performance aspects of GC–MS, enables the analysis of Cannabinoids with OH groups without derivatization, while providing enhanced molecular ions for improved identification, and enables internal quantitation without calibration. We found over 50 cannabinoid compounds including a new one with a Cold EI mass spectrum very similar to delta 9‐THC as well as relatively large cannabinoids with molecular weight above m/z = 400. Because the analysis was universal in full scan and not targeted, we found impurities such as bromo CBD and fluticasone propionate and could monitor the formation of oxidized CBD during decarboxylation. In addition, GC–MS with Cold EI enabled nontargeted full analysis of terpenes, sesquiterpenes, and sesquiterpinols in cannabis extracts with good internal quantitation. GC–MS with Cold EI further served with very good sensitivity for the concentration determination of delta 9‐THC in CBD‐related products. Finally, cannabis drugs such as EP‐1 used in Israel for treatment of epilepsy and for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were analyzed for their full cannabinoids content for learning on the entourage effect and for drug activity optimization.
Surgeon‐performed Transoral Ultrasound‐Guided Aspiration of Peritonsillar Abscess
Authors: Todsen Tobias , Stage Mads Georg , Hahn Christoffer Holst
Published: March 2021

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The Phase Aggregation Behavior of the Blend Materials Block Copolymer Polystyrene‐b‐Polycarbonate (PS‐b‐PC) and Homopolymer Polystyrene (PS)
Authors: Liu Weichen , Zhang Libin , Chen Rui , Wu Xin , Yang Shang , Wei Yayi
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the cylindrical structures phase aggregation behavior of the blend materials is explored experimentally. The phase aggregation behavior is a phenomenon in which the cylinder phase aggregates nearby, which occurs after phase separation. With mixing the polystyrene‐b‐polycarbonate with polystyrene, a cylindrical state is first obtained, and then such state is changed to a larger cylinder state. It is found that such state aggregation behavior is the function of annealing time and temperature, while the maximum temperature is less than the molten temperature. First, a cylindrical state with 11–14 nm diameter is obtained, with a 3 nm standard deviation. Then the neighboring cylinders move to aggregate together and the cylinder diameter is enlarged quickly to ≈30 nm and above, with a higher standard deviation. It is also found that the aggregation behavior is consistent over a wide temperature range from 150 to 200 °C. For the blend material used, when cylinder is formed, the free energy of the system is not stable. Then, keeping the annealing temperature constant and the annealing time increasing, the neighboring cylinders aggregate and form large‐diameter cylinders. This dynamic behavior opens a new window of self‐assembly applications by obtaining different structures through process control.
New UV‐Curable Anticorrosion Coatings from Vegetable Oils
Authors: Noè Camilla , Iannucci Leonardo , Malburet Samuel , Graillot Alain , Sangermano Marco , Grassini Sabrina
Published: March 2021

Bio‐based epoxy resins are attracting widespread interest in the field of polymer thermosets as environmentally friendly building block. In the present study, the feasibility of applying UV‐curable epoxidized vegetable oils (EVOs) as anti‐corrosion coating is investigated. Rheological characterization of EVOs is carried out, and their viscosity‐shear relationship is evaluated. The cationic UV‐curing of EVOs successfully gives rise to crosslinked materials with a wide range of thermo‐mechanical properties, evaluated by differential scanning calorimetric analysis and dynamic thermal mechanical analysis. A high epoxy‐group conversion, ranging from 93% to 99%, is always obtained. The thermal stability and surface properties of the bio‐based coatings, such as, pencil hardness, adhesion, solvent resistance, and contact angle, are analyzed. Moreover, the corrosion protection effectiveness of the coatings is characterized by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. In addition, field emission scanning electron microscopy is used to assess the samples morphology after corrosion tests.
On null‐controllability of the heat equation on infinite strips and control cost estimate
Authors: Egidi Michela
Published: March 2021

We consider an infinite strip , , , and study the control problem of the heat equation on with Dirichlet or Neumann boundary conditions, and control set . We provide a sufficient and necessary condition for null‐controllability in any positive time , which is a geometric condition on the control set ω. This is referred to as “thickness with respect to ” and implies that the set ω cannot be concentrated in a particular region of . We compare the thickness condition with a previously known necessity condition for null‐controllability and give a control cost estimate which only shows dependence on the geometric parameters of ω and the time T.
Study examines use of psychedelic therapy in clinical care
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: March 2021

Noting the lack of existing literature on Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI), researchers set out to present a transtheoretical model of PHRI they say can be integrated with a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches and treatment goals, according to a study published March 15 in Frontiers in Psychology.
Clinical Activity and Safety of Cediranib and Olaparib Combination in Patients with Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma without BRCA Mutation
Authors: Kim Joseph W. , Cardin Dana B. , Vaishampayan Ulka N. , Kato Shumei , Grossman Steven R. , Glazer Peter M. , Shyr Yu , Ivy S. Percy , LoRusso Patricia M.
Published: March 2021

Lessons Learned

Background

Cediranib, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor, suppresses expression of BRCA1/2 and RAD51 inducing homologous recombination DNA repair deficiency (HRD) in several cancer cell lines and xenograft models [1]. Olaparib provides a clinical benefit in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) with germline BRCA mutation (gBRCAmt) [2]. We hypothesized that cediranib induces HRD in the absence of gBRCAmt and synergizes with olaparib, resulting in an objective response in patients with mPDAC.

Methods

Patients with mPDAC with at least one prior systemic chemotherapy were enrolled. Patients with known gBRCAmt were excluded. Patients took cediranib 30 mg daily and olaparib 200 mg twice daily, orally. The primary endpoint was objective response (OR) rate.

Results

Nineteen patients received the study drugs. Seven patients came off treatment before the first restaging scan: six because of clinical progression and one because of an adverse event. No OR was observed. Six patients had stable disease (SD) as a best overall response. The median duration of SD was 3.1 months. The median overall survival was 3.4 months. Common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue, hypertension, and diarrhea.

Conclusion

Cediranib and olaparib combination did not result in clinically meaningful activity in patients with mPDAC without gBRCAmt.
Fetal therapy using rapamycin for a rapidly enlarging, obstructive, cervical lymphatic malformation: a case report
Authors: Livingston Joel , Alrowaily Nouf , John Philip , Campisi Paolo , Ranguis Sebastian , Van Mieghem Tim , Carcao Manuel , Ryan Greg
Published: March 2021

Key Points

What's already known about this topic?

Fetal lymphatic malformations (LMs) can be detected on prenatal ultrasound and until recently, therapeutic options were limited. Recently the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor rapamycin has emerged as a safe, effective therapy for children with LMs and multiple studies have demonstrated improved efficacy if started early.

What does this study add?

We report the first in‐utero therapy with rapamycin for a rapidly enlarging, obstructive, fetal cervical LM. Fetal therapy with rapamycin was safe and effective in managing this severe malformation, despite rapamycin being started only in the last 6.5 weeks of pregnancy. We speculate that had rapamycin been commenced earlier, the reduction in mass size might have been even greater.
Use of digital health tools for health promotion in cancer survivors
Authors: Onyeaka Henry K. , Zambrano Juliana , Longley Regina M. , Celano Christopher M. , Naslund John A. , Amonoo Hermioni L.
Published: March 2021

Objective

Although digital health tools (DHTs) are a promising alternative and effective strategy to deliver cancer care and support, their role in health promotion among cancer survivors remains relatively unexplored. We aimed to investigate the acceptability and impact of DHT for health promotion in cancer survivors.

Methods

Data was pooled from cycle three of the fifth edition of the Health Information National Trends Survey. Logistic regressions were conducted to evaluate differences between cancer survivors and the general population regarding ownership, usage, and perceived usefulness of DHT for health management. Regression models were used to identify sociodemographic predictors of DHT usage among cancer survivors.

Results

Overall, cancer survivors were as likely as the general population to own and use DHT (e.g., health apps, wearable devices) for their care and they were likely to find these tools beneficial in tracking their health and communicating with healthcare providers. Cancer survivors who had health applications installed on their mobile device were more likely to meet national recommendations for diet (fruit and vegetable consumption) and strength training than those without health apps. Age, income, and education level were significant sociodemographic predictors of DHT ownership and usage.

Conclusion

Cancer survivors own and use DHT at similarly high rates to the general population, highlighting the potential for utilizing DHT to expand access and continuity of care in the growing and vulnerable oncology population. With increasing use of DHT in healthcare, future research that targets digital access disparities in cancer survivors from low SES is essential.
High‐Performance Rb–Cs0.14FA0.86Pb(BrxI1−x)3 Perovskite Solar Cells Achieved by Regulating the Halogen Exchange in Vapor–Solid Reaction Process
Authors: Niu Cheng , Wang Chang , Zhang Gaojie , Zhao Qianqian , Fang Cheng , Li Wangnan , Huang Fuzhi , Ku Zhiliang , Cheng Yi-bing
Published: March 2021

Despite tremendous progress in efficiency and stability, perovskite solar cells are still facing the challenge of scalability and reproducibility. Vapor–solid reaction methods that derived from the chemical vapor deposition have been regarded as facile approaches to prepare perovskite films with large size. However, different from the precise control of compounding ratio by weighting in the solution process, the perovskite films deposited by vapor–solid reaction methods always suffer from undesired I−/Br− ratio, leading to poor performance of the solar device. Thus, controllable halogen exchange in the vapor–solid reaction process is significant for the further development of this technique. Herein, different alkali‐metal ions (such as Na+, K+, and Rb+) are added into the inorganic CsBr/PbI2 framework, and it is found that the halogen exchange in the vapor–solid reaction process can be regulated by these ions. After optimization, high‐quality Rb‐Cs0.14FA0.86Pb(BrxI1‐x)3 films with proper I−/Br− ratio are successfully obtained. Perovskite solar cells based on the as‐prepared perovskite films exhibit a significant enhancement on Voc and the champion power conversion efficiency reaches 19.6% with a Voc of 1.13 V.
Inverse Hooke's law and complementary strain energy in coupled strain gradient elasticity
Authors: Nazarenko Lidiia , Glüge Rainer , Altenbach Holm
Published: March 2021

The inverse Hooke's law and complementary strain energy density has been examined in the context of the theory of coupled gradient elasticity for second gradient materials. To this end, it was assumed that the potential energy density is a quadratic form of the strain and of the second gradient of displacement. Existence of the coupling term significantly complicates the problem. To avoid this complication the equation for the potential energy density was transformed in order to present it as an uncoupled quadratic form of a modified strain and the second gradient of displacement or of the strain and a modified second gradient of displacement. These transformations, which is in essence a block matrix diagonalization, lead to a decoupling of strains and strain gradient in the potential energy density and makes it possible to determine tensorial relations for the compliance tensors of fourth‐, fifth‐ , and sixth‐rank. Both modifications result in the same compliance tensors and are valid for an arbitrary material symmetry class. In the case of hemitropic materials, the compliance tensors have the same symmetry and the same form as the stiffness tensors and are characterized by eight independent constants, namely the two classical isotropic constants, five constants in the strain gradient part and one constant in the coupling term. Explicit expressions for these eight parameters are obtained from the tensorial relations for the compliance tensors and are compared with the direct solution of a linear system for the compliance's. All three solutions are identical, what we consider as a verification of the presented results.
Biomonitoring of Toxic Metals in Feathers of Birds from North-Eastern Pakistan
Authors: Aziz Bushra , Zubair Muhammad , Irshad Nausheen , Ahmad Khawaja Shafique , Mahmood Majid , Tahir Majid Mahmood , Shah Khizar Hussain , Shaheen Aqeela
Published: March 2021

The current study was designed to determine the concentrations of toxic metals (Ni, Pb and Cr) in feathers of birds collected from four regions of NE Pakistan. Feather samples of birds (House Crow, Common Myna and House Sparrow) were collected from different areas. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine the concentration of metals in feathers. Analysis of the data revealed that concentrations of Pb and Cr were significantly different (p < 0.05) among bird species, whereas no difference (p > 0.05) was detected among bird species (house crow, common myna and house sparrow) for Ni. A significant difference was found for the concentration of Pb and Ni in all the four studied regions. Whereas, non-significant difference was found in all the studied regions for the concentrating of Cr. It was revealed that there is significant rising concentration of metals (Pb, Cr) in feathers of birds in Azad Kashmir.
Latarjet procedure enables 73% to return to play within 8 months depending on preoperative SIRSI and Rowe scores
Authors: Bohu Yoann , Abadie Pierre , van Rooij Floris , Nover Luca ,   Société Française de Traumatologie du Sport, Kany Jean , Colotte Philippe , Kelberine François , Fontes Didier , Thelu Charles Edouard , Sanchez Matthieu , Berhouet Julien , Hardy Alexandre
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Systematic reviews report return to play (RTP) within 5.8 months (range, 3–8) following the Latarjet procedure, but the factors that influence RTP remain unknown. The present study aimed to report the rate and time of return to play (RTP) during the first 8 months following the Latarjet procedure, and to determine the influence of sport type or patient characteristics.

Methods

The authors retrospectively collected the records of patients that underwent Latarjet procedures for anterior shoulder instability between 2015 and 2017. Patients were excluded if they had any concomitant rotator cuff tendon lesions, or previous ipsilateral shoulder surgery. The authors retrieved patient demographics, time from injury to surgery, type of sport practiced (overhead/non-overhead, contact/non-contact), as well as pre- and postoperative Western Ontario Shoulder Instability index (WOSI), Shoulder Instability-Return to Sport After Injury index (SIRSI), and Rowe score.

Results

A total of 217 patients (217 shoulders) were eligible for inclusion, comprising 184 males and 33 females, aged 26.8 ± 7.3 years at index surgery. The main sport practiced prior to surgery involved overhead (n = 173, 80%) and/or contact (n = 152, 70%) activities. By 8 month follow-up, 158 patients (73%) resumed their main sport, at a mean of 5.1 ± 1.5 months. Multivariable analysis revealed that RTP was more likely in patients with higher preoperative Rowe score (OR, 1.02; p = 0.024) and SIRSI score (OR, 1.02; p = 0.008).

Conclusions

By 8 months following the Latarjet procedure, 73% of patients had resumed their main sport. The likelihood of RTP was significantly associated with preoperative Rowe and SIRSI scores, but not with sport type.

Level of evidence

IV.
The impact of procedural and distributive justice on satisfaction and manufacturing performance: a replication of Lindquist (1995) with a focus on the importance of common metrics in experimental design
Authors: Lindquist Tim M. , Rausch Alexandra
Published: March 2021

This paper replicates Lindquist’s (Lindquist, Journal of Management Accounting Research 7:122–147, 1995) seminal research introducing the concepts of justice to the accounting literature. We use organizational justice theory, as did he, to replicate his study and, in doing so, question some findings of partial replications and extensions done over the past 25 years. We do this because work built off his study has challenged some of his findings. These challenges, we believe, have resulted from most researchers using different research metrics than did Lindquist. Many of these extensions have also used a mental-based task, instead of a manual-based one, in their experiments. We believe this constrains the ability to draw inferences and conclusions from this subsequent research. We further believe this constraint extends to much of the experimental research in the social sciences.

In our research we replicate exactly Lindquist’s (Lindquist, Journal of Management Accounting Research 7:122–147, 1995) operationalizations of voice and vote and measure dependent outcomes for four of the same conditions he investigated. In contrast to most of other follow-up studies, we find, as did Lindquist, that having a voice only leads to significantly enhanced satisfaction with high-stretch targets, as compared to having a vote only or no input. We also corroborate Lindquist’s (Lindquist, Journal of Management Accounting Research 7:122–147, 1995) result that having a voice only leads to significantly greater satisfaction with the experimental task, as compared to participants with a vote only or no input. Additionally, unlike Lindquist (Lindquist, Journal of Management Accounting Research 7:122–147, 1995), we find participants allowed only a voice significantly outperform participants with a vote only and no input. We thus support Lindquist’s findings of a fair process effect for voice and perceptions of pseudo-participation related to vote.
An international survey on AI in radiology in 1,041 radiologists and radiology residents part 1: fear of replacement, knowledge, and attitude
Authors: Huisman Merel , Ranschaert Erik , Parker William , Mastrodicasa Domenico , Koci Martin , Pinto de Santos Daniel , Coppola Francesca , Morozov Sergey , Zins Marc , Bohyn Cedric , Koç Ural , Wu Jie , Veean Satyam , Fleischmann Dominik , Leiner Tim , Willemink Martin J
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Radiologists’ perception is likely to influence the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) into clinical practice. We investigated knowledge and attitude towards AI by radiologists and residents in Europe and beyond.

Methods

Between April and July 2019, a survey on fear of replacement, knowledge, and attitude towards AI was accessible to radiologists and residents. The survey was distributed through several radiological societies, author networks, and social media. Independent predictors of fear of replacement and a positive attitude towards AI were assessed using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

The survey was completed by 1,041 respondents from 54 mostly European countries. Most respondents were male (n = 670, 65%), median age was 38 (24–74) years, n = 142 (35%) residents, and n = 471 (45%) worked in an academic center. Basic AI-specific knowledge was associated with fear (adjusted OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.10–2.21, p = 0.01), while intermediate AI-specific knowledge (adjusted OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.20–0.80, p = 0.01) or advanced AI-specific knowledge (adjusted OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.21–0.90, p = 0.03) was inversely associated with fear. A positive attitude towards AI was observed in 48% (n = 501) and was associated with only having heard of AI, intermediate (adjusted OR 11.65, 95% CI 4.25–31.92, p < 0.001), or advanced AI-specific knowledge (adjusted OR 17.65, 95% CI 6.16–50.54, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Limited AI-specific knowledge levels among radiology residents and radiologists are associated with fear, while intermediate to advanced AI-specific knowledge levels are associated with a positive attitude towards AI. Additional training may therefore improve clinical adoption.

Key Points

• Forty-eight percent of radiologists and residents have an open and proactive attitude towards artificial intelligence (AI), while 38% fear of replacement by AI.

• Intermediate and advanced AI-specific knowledge levels may enhance adoption of AI in clinical practice, while rudimentary knowledge levels appear to be inhibitive.

• AI should be incorporated in radiology training curricula to help facilitate its clinical adoption.