bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Interaction of Acute-Phase Reaction and Efficacy for Osteoporosis After Zoledronic Acid: HORIZON Pivotal Fracture Trial
Authors: Black Dennis M. , Reid Ian R. , Napoli Nicola , Ewing Susan K. , Shiraki Masataka , Nakamura Toshitaka , Takeuchi Yasuhiro , Schafer Anne L. , Kim Tiffany Y. , Cauley Jane A.
Published: September 2021

Zoledronic acid (ZOL) as a yearly infusion is effective in reducing fracture risk. An acute-phase reaction (APR), consisting of flu-like symptoms within 3 days after infusion, is commonly seen. The objective of this analysis was to investigate whether APR occurrence influences drug efficacy. This analysis uses data from the 3-year randomized clinical trial, Health Outcomes and Reduced Incidence with Zoledronic Acid Once Yearly-Pivotal Fracture Trial (HORIZON-PFT). APRs were identified as adverse events within 3 days of first infusion with higher frequency in ZOL than placebo. To compare mean 3-year change in bone mineral density (BMD) in ZOL versus placebo, among women with and without APR, t tests were used. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between APR occurrence and odds of incident morphometric vertebral fracture. Cox regression was used to determine the risk of nonvertebral and hip fractures for women with versus without APR. Logistic and Cox models were used to determine the risk of incident fracture in ZOL versus placebo for women with and without an APR. The analysis included 3862 women in the ZOL group and 3852 in placebo, with 42.4% in ZOL versus 11.8% in placebo experiencing an APR. The difference in BMD mean change for ZOL versus placebo was similar for women with and without an APR (all p interaction >0.10). Among ZOL women, those with APR had 51% lower vertebral fracture risk than those without (odds ratio [OR] = 0.49, p < 0.001). A similar but nonsignificant trend was observed for nonvertebral and hip fracture (relative hazard [RH] = 0.82, p = 0.10; RH = 0.70, p = 0.22, respectively). There was a greater treatment-related reduction in vertebral fracture risk among women with APR (OR = 0.19) than those without (OR = 0.38) (p interaction = 0.01). Our results suggest that women starting ZOL who experience an APR will have a larger reduction in vertebral fracture risk with ZOL. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Total Hip Bone Mineral Density as an Indicator of Fracture Risk in Bisphosphonate-Treated Patients in a Real-World Setting
Authors: Banefelt Jonas , Timoshanko Jen , Söreskog Emma , Ortsäter Gustaf , Moayyeri Alireza , Åkesson Kristina E. , Spångéus Anna , Libanati Cesar
Published: September 2021

Bone mineral density (BMD) is an established measure used to diagnose patients with osteoporosis. In clinical trials, change in BMD has been shown to provide a reliable estimate of fracture risk reduction, and achieved BMD T-score has been shown to reflect the near-term risk of fracture. We aimed to test the association between BMD T-score and fracture risk in patients treated for osteoporosis in a real-world setting. This retrospective, observational cohort study included Swedish females aged ≥55 years who had a total hip BMD measurement at one of three participating clinics. Patients were separated into two cohorts: bisphosphonate-treated and bisphosphonate-naïve prior to BMD measurement, stratified by age and prior nonvertebral fracture status. The primary outcome was cumulative incidence of clinical fractures within 24 months of BMD measurement, with other fracture types included as secondary outcomes. Associations between T-score and fracture risk were estimated using proportional hazards regression and restricted cubic splines. A total of 15,395 patients were analyzed: 11,973 bisphosphonate-naïve and 3422 bisphosphonate-treated. In the 24 months following BMD measurement, 6.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9–6.7) of bisphosphonate-naïve and 8.4% (95% CI, 7.5–9.4) of bisphosphonate-treated patients experienced a clinical fracture. Strong inverse relationships between BMD T-score and fracture incidence were observed in both cohorts. Among bisphosphonate-naïve patients, this relationship appeared to plateau around T-score −1.5, indicating smaller marginal reductions in fracture risk above this value; bisphosphonate-treated patients showed a more consistent marginal change in fracture risk across the evaluated T-scores (−3.0 to –0.5). Trends remained robust regardless of age and prior fracture status. This real-world demonstration of a BMD–fracture risk association in both bisphosphonate-naïve and bisphosphonate-treated patients extends evidence from clinical trials and recent meta-regressions supporting the suitability of total hip BMD as a meaningful outcome for the clinical management of patients with osteoporosis. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Promoting Pi Day: Consumer Response to Special Day‐Themed Sales Promotions
Authors: Zane Daniel M. , Reczek Rebecca Walker , Haws Kelly L.
Published: September 2021

Many firms now link discounts to “special days”—novel holidays/events not historically associated with promotions (e.g., Pi Day). Using a field study and laboratory studies, we explore consumers’ responses to special day‐themed sales promotions. Specifically, we demonstrate that consumers respond more favorably to a discount celebrating a special day compared to the same discount with no link to the special day. Further, we show that consumers’ increased intentions to use special day‐themed discounts are driven by their perceptions of the marketer’s creativity (both the originality and appropriateness dimensions) through a marketplace metacognition process. Thus, when a given special day‐themed discount becomes commonplace in the marketplace (i.e., originality is low) or when there is low fit between the firm and special day (i.e., appropriateness is low), special day‐themed promotions are no more effective than more traditional types of one‐day sales. Finally, we develop a typology of special day‐themed sales promotions and offer avenues for future research on how consumers respond to such promotional efforts.
Resistance exercise and nutritional interventions for augmenting sarcopenia outcomes in chronic kidney disease: a narrative review
Authors: Noor Hanaa , Reid Joanne , Slee Adrian
Published: September 2021

Sarcopenia is an age‐related progressive muscle disease characterized by loss of muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance with high prevalence in chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD is associated with decreased muscle protein synthesis and muscle breakdown due to a number of factors including, the uremic inflammatory environment of the disease. CKD patients are highly sedentary and at risk of malnutrition which may exacerbate sarcopenia outcomes even further. Short and long‐term exercise and nutritional interventions have been studied and found to have some positive effects on sarcopenia measures in CKD. This narrative review summarized evidence between 2010 and 2020 of resistance exercise (RE) alone or combined with nutritional interventions for improving sarcopenia outcomes in CKD. Due to lack of CKD‐specific sarcopenia measures, the second European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) definition has been used to guide the selection of the studies. The literature search identified 14 resistance exercise‐based studies and 5 nutrition plus RE interventional studies. Muscle strength outcomes were increased with longer intervention duration, intervention supervision, and high participant adherence. Data also suggested that CKD patients may require increased RE intensity and progressive loading to obtain detectable results in muscle mass. Unlike muscle strength and muscle mass, physical performance was readily improved by all types of exercise in long or short‐term interventions. Four studies used RE with high‐protein nutritional supplementation. These showed significant benefits on muscle strength and physical performance in dialysis patients while non‐significant results were found in muscle mass. More research is needed to confirm if a combination of RE and vitamin D supplementation could act synergistically to improve muscle strength in CKD. The current evidence on progressive RE for sarcopenia in CKD is encouraging; however, real‐life applications in clinical settings are still very limited. A multidisciplinary patient‐centred approach with regular follow‐up may be most beneficial due to the complexity of sarcopenia in CKD. Long‐term randomized control trials are needed to verify optimal RE prescription and explore safety and efficacy of other nutritional interventions in CKD.
Improvement of light olefins production over the Co‐Ni‐Mn nano‐catalyst: modeling and optimization of process by RSM
Authors: Arsalanfar Maryam , Abdouss Majid , Abdouss Hamidreza , Nouri Azita
Published: September 2021

The co‐precipitated Co‐Ni‐Mn nano‐catalysts were evaluated for carbon monoxide hydrogenation. The influence of Al2O3, SiO2, Zeolite, Active carbon, MgO supports and then the effect of best chosen support loading on the catalytic behavior and structure of ternary Co‐Ni‐Mn nano‐catalysts were studied. The Co‐Ni‐Mn/20 wt%SiO2 sample has shown highest selectivity toward light olefins production. Furthermore the influence of process conditions was investigated. Evaluation tests were performed under process conditions of P = 1–10 bar, T = 523‐623 K, and H2/CO = 0.67–3. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) method was used for modeling and optimization process and the best conditions for catalyst evaluation were determined (T = 598.16 K, P = 1 atm and H2/CO = 2.19). Under these conditions the highest selectivity of light olefins, higher CO conversion % and lower selectivity toward methane were achieved. Catalysts characteristics were investigated using XRD, BET, TEM, TGA, DSC, SEM, XPS, and TPR techniques. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Pappus and fruit micromorphology and fruit anatomy in some members of the tribe Cardueae (Asteraceae) from Turkey with their contributions to systematics
Authors: Ozcan Melahat , Demir Kadir
Published: September 2021

The present investigation aims to determine pappus and fruit characters of 21 taxa representing 12 different genera from Turkey. For this reason, present data of pappus and cypsela characters as well as previous results from 21 additional Cardueae taxa have been comparatively evaluated, and a total of 42 taxa were grouped by using cluster and MDS analysis methods. The cluster analysis resolved two main clusters, with five taxa having scale or coroniform pappus as the first‐branching group. Considerable variations were observed in the surface sculpture, and the pericarp and testa anatomical structures as well as the pappus characteristics. On the basis of fruit surface sculpture, four major types and two subtypes of ornamentation patterns were discerned, and based on their anatomies three types of testa epidermal structure were recognized. Our results show that Centaurea s.l. taxa do not exhibit clear distinction from the genus level; in some cases the taxa are separated to some extent, in other cases they are combined with Cyanus and Psephellus taxa. Two Klasea species with sclerenchymatous mesocarp exhibit the closest relationship to Centaurea s.l. taxa. Rhaponticum repens displays the nearest neighborhood with Centaurea s.l. and Klasea taxa. A diagnostic key based on the examined characteristics has been given. The taxonomic importance and systematic implications of the results are discussed in the light of the current framework. The evaluated cypsela and pappus characters are useful not only in assessing relationships within this group but also in delimiting genera and species.
Near‐infrared optical spectroscopy for pancreas shrinkage estimation with multi synchrosqueezing transform and multivariate regression model
Authors: S. Indra Priyadharshini , M. Vigilson Prem , K. Suresh
Published: September 2021

In this article, we proposed a method to estimate pancreas shrinkage with pancreas β cell insulin secretion. Theβcells in the pancreas secrete insulin and digestive enzymes after food consumption. Conventionally, the pancreas structure estimation is done with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging techniques. However, the structure of the pancreas changes due to islet cell death. The presence of islet cells is detected through near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy signal acquired from the epigastric region (pancreas) of the abdomen. Subsequently, the NIR spectroscopy signal from the pancreas is analyzed with multi synchrosqueezing transform (MSST); whereas, the β cell insulin secretion varies for diabetic and nondiabetic persons. The existence of β cell and insulin secretion correlates with Root Mean Square (RMS) and kurtosis via a multivariate regression model to evaluate pancreas shrinkage. In terms of numerical results, NIR spectroscopy signal from the pancreas was obtained for about 20 nondiabetic and 20 diabetic persons. The pancreas shrinkage was estimated with 88% accuracy. The results are validated with MRI pancreas images for earlier detection of the apoptotic pancreas. The pancreas shrinkage causes lower insulin emission and unpredictable blood glucose in diabetic patients. Analysis of NIR spectroscopy signals of the pancreas with MSST was done to obtain higher‐order and lower‐order frequency components.
LncRNA SNHG8 sponges miR-449c-5p and regulates the SIRT1/FoxO1 pathway to affect microglia activation and blood-brain barrier permeability in ischemic stroke
Authors: Zhang Duobin , Pan Ning , Jiang Chuan , Hao Maolin
Published: September 2021

Ischemic stroke (IS) can cause disability and death, and microglia as the immune component of the CNS can release inflammatory factors and participate in blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the effects of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG8 on microglia activation and BBB permeability in IS. A rat model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (p-MCAO) and a cell model of oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) in microglia were established, followed by evaluation of neurobehavioral function, BBB permeability, brain edema, and pathologic changes of microglia in brain tissue. The activation status of microglia and expressions of inflammatory factors were detected. Cell viability and integrity of microglia membrane were assessed. The downstream microRNA (miR), gene, and pathway of SNHG8 were analyzed. LncRNA SNHG8 was down-regulated in MCAO rats. Overexpression of SNHG8 improved the neural function defect, reduced brain water content, BBB permeability, brain tissue damage and inflammation, and inhibited microglia activation. In OGD-induced microglia, overexpression of SNHG8 or miR-449c-5p down-regulation increased cell viability and decreased lactate dehydrogenase activity. Moreover, SNHG8 sponged miR-449c-5p to regulate SIRT1. Overexpression of SNHG8 increased the expression of SIRT1 and FoxO1. MiR-449c-5p mimic could annul the effect of SNHG8 overexpression on ischemic microglia. Collectively, SNHG8 inhibits microglia activation and BBB permeability via the miR-449c-5p/SIRT1/FoxO1 pathway, thus eliciting protective effects on ischemic brain injury.
A review of the mechanisms of keratinocytes damage caused byStaphylococcus aureusinfection in patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Tian Xin , Huang Qiongxiao , Liang Jingyao , Wang Jianqin , Zhang Jing , Yang Yan , Ye Qianru , He Suling , Li Junlong , Wu Zhouwei , Liu Yumei
Published: September 2021

The dysregulation of skin microflora in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) has become a research hotspot in recent years. Metagenomic studies have shown that microbial diversity is decreased, whereas the Staphylococcus aureus infection is increased in AD. Keratinocytes are the primary barrier against the invasion of external pathogenic microorganisms. Staphylococcus aureus infection can abnormally activate innate and adaptive immune responses in keratinocytes, resulting in a vicious cycle between Staphylococcus aureus infection and AD. This article reviews the mechanisms of inflammatory damage of keratinocytes induced by Staphylococcus aureus infection in patients with AD, providing a theoretical basis for the study of new targeted drugs. This review also suggests for the management of Staphylococcus aureus infection in patients with AD.
Comprehensive phytochemical profiling of American ginseng in Jilin province of China based on ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Jiao Yufeng , Si Yu , Li Le , Wang Cuizhu , Lin Hongqiang , Liu Junli , Liu Yunhe , Liu Jinping , Li Pingya , Li Zhuo
Published: September 2021

American ginseng (AG), the underground part of Panax quinquefolium L., is composed of four morphological regions, including main root (MR), lateral root (LR), fibrous root (FR), and rhizome (RH). In the clinical, MR is the main medicinal region, other regions are rarely attention. Aiming at revealing the chemical composition of AG and making better use of AG, screening analysis and metabolomic analysis were both performed to profile MR, LR, FR, and RH. First, in the systematical screening analysis, a total of 134 compounds (including 122 shared components) with various structural patterns were identified and tentatively characterized. The results indicated that the phytochemicals with various structural types were rich in MR, LR, FR, and RH. Second, 6, 4, 8, and 11 chemical markers were identified from MR, LR, FR, and RH, respectively. Seven triterpene saponins (protopanaxatriol, quinquenoside R1, ginsenoside Rc, Rk1, Rg1, Re, and vinaginsenoside R1) might be used for rapid differentiation of four morphological regions. This comprehensive profile study of metabolites illustrated the similarities and differences of phytochemicals in four morphological regions of AG. The results could be used for the quality control of AG and furnish a basis for the further development and utilization of AG sources.
Hexokinase 2‐mediated glycolysis promotes receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand expression inPorphyromonas gingivalislipopolysaccharide‐treated osteoblasts
Authors: Yu Yi , Jiang Lishan , Li Jingwen , Lei Lang , Li Houxuan
Published: September 2021

Background

Glucose metabolism plays a pivotal role in sustaining the inflammatory response to microbial stimulation by providing sufficient energy in immune cells. The main purpose of our study was to explore whether hexokinase 2 (HK2)‐mediated glycolysis affected the expression of receptor activator of NF‐κB Ligand (RANKL) inPorphyromonas gingivalislipopolysaccharide (P. gingivalis‐LPS)‐treated osteoblasts and evaluate the potential involvement of the AKT/PI3K pathway activation during HK2‐mediated glycolysis.

Methods

Primary mice osteoblasts were treated with P. gingivalis‐LPS, whereas the HK2 inhibitor (Lonidamine, LND) and small interference RNA were used to restrain HK2 expression. Conditioned medium from osteoblasts was utilized for culturing osteoclast precursors. The mRNA and protein levels of genes involved in glycolysis and bone metabolism including RANKL and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were detected by real‐time PCR and western blotting. HK2 and lactate levels were detected by ELISA. Tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was utilized to assess osteoclast formation. The involvement of the AKT/PI3K pathway in osteoblasts was explored by Western blotting.

Results

P. gingivalis‐LPS enhanced HK2 expression along with rising glycolysis in osteoblasts. LND and HK2‐knockdown decreased RANKL expression and the RANKL/OPG ratio in osteoblasts, leading to less osteoclast formation from osteoclast precursors as evidenced by TRAP staining, while the osteogenic potential and proliferation of osteoblasts were not affected by HK2‐knockdown. Moreover,P. gingivalis‐LPS activated the AKT/PI3K pathway, which could regulate HK2 and RANKL expression in osteoblasts.

Conclusions

HK2‐mediated glycolysis promoted RANKL in osteoblasts and enhanced osteoclast differentiation. Targeting glycolysis may provide novel therapeutic methods for reducing alveolar bone loss.
Linking Chronic Otitis Media and Nasal Obstruction: A CFD Approach
Authors: Burgos Manuel A. , Pardo Alejandro , Rodríguez Rafael , Rodríguez‐Balbuena Beatriz , Castro David , Piqueras Francisco , Esteban Francisco
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To investigate a possible relationship between altered nasal flow and chronic otitis media (COM) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

Retrospective cohort sample of CT scans from patients with COM and controls without COM to compare the results of various nasal airflow parameters determined by CFD between a group of patients with COM (N = 60) and a control group of subjects without any evidence of ear disease (N = 81).

The CT were subjected to various procedures to carry out CFD studies, determining the resistance to nasal flow, the proportion of flow through the right and left nasal cavity, and two nondimensional estimators. The results of CFD studies between patients with COM and controls were compared.

Results

Whereas only 12.3% of the controls had CFD alteration (10 out of 81), 43.3% of the patients suffering COM displayed alterations of our nondimensional parameters (26 out of 60).

Conclusions

According to our results, the incidence of alterations in nasal airflow by studying with CFD is significantly higher in patients with COM than in controls. To our knowledge, this is the first article linking nasal cavity and COM using a CFD approach. Our results support the hypothesis that nasal flow alterations could be implicated in the etiopathogenesis of the COM.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 132:1224–1230, 2022
Plant community change mediated heterotrophic respiration increase explains soil organic carbon loss before moderate degradation of alpine meadow
Authors: Lai Chimin , Li Chengyang , Peng Fei , Xue Xian , You Quangang , Zhang Wenjuan , Ma Shaoxiu
Published: September 2021

Alpine meadows on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP) store a huge amount of plant and soil carbon (C). The degradation of the alpine meadow has led to a significant loss of soil organic C (SOC), which endangers its weak C sink. The change in heterotrophic respiration was hypothesized as one of the primary biological processes for the SOC loss alongside the degradation of alpine meadow. However, little is known about how land degradation impacts Rh due to changes in plant communities and consequent labile organic C inputs. Rh, vegetation productivity, plant community composition, plant lignin concentration, leaf C/N, SOC, and soil labile C (SLC) were measured for alpine meadow grasslands with five degradation levels in 2 years. Our results showed that the SOC of the surface layer (0–10 cm) gradually decreased with land degradation. The plant lignin concentration and C/N ratio gradually increased with land degradation due to the proportion of sedges decreased while that of forbs increased, which consequently led to the soil C quality (SLC) increased before the moderate degradation level (MD) while significantly reduced in severe and very severe degradation levels (SD and VSD). The structural equation modeling result (SEM) revealed that the degradation‐induced change in soil C quality (SLC) due to an alteration in plant community composition relates to the Rh change with grassland degradation, and the Rh (C output) and aboveground biomass (AGB: C input) further mediated the loss of SOC alongside alpine meadow degradation. On average, Rh increased by 49% and 59% from the Intact to slight degradation level (SLD) and MD and reduced by 56% and 69% from MD to SD and VSD. The temperature sensitivity of Rh (Q10) was higher in the SLD (Q10 = 2.84) and MD (Q10 = 2.62) comparing with the Intact (Q10 = 2.58) respectively, but it was lower in SD (Q10 = 2.19) and VSD (Q10 = 1.65). AGB and belowground net primary productivity (BNPP) had no significant change until the MD, while reduced by 60%–90% in SD and VSD. Our results suggest that Rh and its Q10 change moderated by soil C quality alteration due to the plant community shifting could be one mechanism for the soil C loss before MD, but could not be the main pathway for the SOC loss at SD and VSD.
Ecosystem restoration through aerial seeding: Interacting plant–soil microbiome effects on soil multifunctionality
Authors: Liu Qingfu , Zhang Qing , Jarvie Scott , Yan Yongzhi , Han Peng , Liu Tao , Guo Kun , Ren Linjing , Yue Kai , Wu Haiming , Du Jingjing , Niu Jianming , Svenning Jens‐Christian
Published: September 2021

Understanding the driving factors of soil multifunctionality is of great significance for the protection and restoration of degraded terrestrial ecosystems. However, the effects of above‐ and belowground factors are rarely evaluated simultaneously, and the driving mode of both factors on soil multifunctionality is not clear. Here, we evaluated the restoration of mobile dunes threatened by desertification through aerial seeding, that is, the sowing of seeds through aerial devices, from 1983 to 2015 in Mu Us Desert, China, using soil and plant data. The effect of aerial seeding on the restoration of soil multifunctionality, plant diversity, and soil microbial diversity in mobile dunes was significant, which was tested by loess regression. Further, the plant diversity becomes saturated in the later stages of restoration. The effect also leads to the restoration of soil multifunctionality lags behind plant and soil microorganisms. The factors (plant and soil microorganisms) driving soil multifunctionality is not a separate action or a joint action that test by structural equation models (SEMs), but that plants restore first and then indirectly drive soil multifunctionality through soil microorganisms during the restoration process. We also found that bacteria are the main direct indicators of soil multifunctionality, which was tested using Random forests modelling. This study highlights that plants indirectly drive soil multifunctionality through soil microorganisms, and soil microorganisms are key to elucidating the restoration mechanism and process.
Clinical characteristics and pathogens in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy site infection in patients with head and neck cancer: A 16‐year retrospective study
Authors: Oh Jihyu , Park So Yeon , Lee Jin Seo , Park Ji‐Young , Lee Seo Hu
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Wound infection is the most common complication associated with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement, with an incidence between 4% and 30%. In this study, we compared the characteristics of PEG site infection between the head and neck cancer (HNC) group and the non‐HNC group.

Methods

This study was conducted at Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital at the Ilsong Head and Neck Cancer Center. We retrospectively collected and analyzed data on patients who underwent PEG insertion from October 2003 to May 2019 to evaluate the risk factors and microbiological etiologies of PEG site infection.

Results

A total of 316 (HNC group [n = 129] and non‐HNC group [n = 187]) patients undergoing PEG insertion were included in this study. Moreover, 67 episodes of PEG site infection were diagnosed, with an overall prevalence of 21.2%. PEG site infections were significantly higher in the HNC group than in the non‐HNC group (32.6% vs 13.4%, P <.001). Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common pathogen associated with a PEG site infection. Multidrug‐resistant (MDR) P aeruginosa was more frequent in the HNC group than in the non‐HNC group (78.6% vs 25.0%, P = .006).

Conclusions

For appropriate treatment, P aeruginosa, especially MDR P aeruginosa, should be considered when selecting empirical antibiotics for PEG site infection in patients with HNC.

Level of Evidence: 4
THE POWER OF PEOPLE YOU OVERLOOK
Authors: Taylor Johnny C.
Published: September 2021

The author, President and Chief Executive Officer of SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, argues that “Older workers, people with disabilities, immigrants, people with criminal records,” should not be looked upon as workplace liabilities, but as “your future talent pool.” With a declining population in the United States, the talent pool will shrink, and a “survey from McKinsey revealed that while 87 percent of executives expressed concern about a skills gap, fewer than half knew what to do about it.” Among his observations in his words: Retaining talented mature workers—and recruiting new ones—is simply smart for most organizations. Companies that incorporate candidates with disabilities see higher revenue, higher net income, reduced turnover, lower recruiting costs, increased productivity and improved customer outreach. Employers that successfully attract and hire veterans find they often outperform other employees and stay with the organization longer than the median length of service. SHRM helped produce a study revealing that while people with criminal records face additional scrutiny during the hiring process, many employees, managers, and HR professionals are open to working with and hiring them. He concludes that “leaders should do three things: invent, invest, and implement those programs best suited to our culture and communities.”
A Review on Nanocellulose and Its Application in Supercapacitors
Authors: Sezali Nur Atirah Afifah , Ong Hui Lin , Jullok Nora , Villagracia Al Rey , Doong Ruey‐An
Published: September 2021

Commercially available supercapacitors offer very limited advantages over other energy storage devices. Balancing their electrochemical performance such as capacitance, energy density, and cyclability is challenging. Studies have shown that this challenge can be overcome by using light and cheap substrates that are highly stable with solvents, and have high loading capacities and compatibility with nanomaterials. Nanocellulose, derived from wastes or biomass, is a good candidate for integrating with other nanosize conductive materials, such as carbon, conducting polymers, and metal oxides, as active materials or nanocomposites for supercapacitors. This review focuses on the properties and preparation of nanocellulose sourced from wastes (biomass) and bacteria, and extends to emerging materials, such as metal–organic frameworks and MXene, for nanocellulose‐based supercapacitors. Even though supercapacitors are mainly composed of electrodes, electrolytes, and separators, this paper focuses on the overall electrochemical performance of nanocellulose‐based supercapacitors to evaluate the influence of nanocellulose. In addition, the potentials and possible limitations of nanocellulose in supercapacitors are discussed. Overall, the incorporation of waste‐derived nanocellulose into energy storage applications is an initiative that improves the circular economy and supports environmental sustainability.
Start‐ups and entrepreneurial teams
Authors: Yang Hong , Cozzarin Brian Paul , Peng Can , Xu Chun
Published: September 2021

We survey 398 Chinese entrepreneurs within 118 entrepreneurial teams to investigate external social capital's impact on: the decision to start a venture and the mediating role that risk perception plays in that decision. Our results confirm that external social capital has a significant and positive effect on the decision to start a venture, while risk perception partly mediates this relationship. Furthermore, we find that the three dimensions of external social capital drive the decision to start a venture differently. The most important domains of external social capital are commercial social capital, followed by technical social capital and institutional social capital.
Prediction of Reaction Yield for Buchwald‐Hartwig Cross‐coupling Reactions Using Deep Learning
Authors: Sato Akinori , Miyao Tomoyuki , Funatsu Kimito
Published: September 2021

Chemical reaction yield is one of the most important factors for determining reaction conditions. Recently, several machine learning‐based prediction models using high‐throughput experiment (HTE) data sets were reported for the prediction of reaction yield. However, none of them were at a practical level in terms of predictive ability. In this study, we propose a message passing neural network (MPNN) model for chemical yield prediction, focusing on the Buchwald‐Hartwig cross‐coupling HTE data set. As an initial atom embedding in MPNN model, we propose to use the Mol2Vec feature vectors pre‐trained using a large compound database. Predictive ability of the proposed model was higher than that of previously reported five models for the three out of five data sets. Moreover, visualization of important atoms based on self‐attention mechanism was in favor of Mol2Vec as an atom embedding rather than other embeddings including previously employed simple representations.
Design of a novel polarization insensitive pentabandTHzmetamaterial
Authors: Mohanakrishnan Pallath , Suthendran Kannan , Yamini Anish Pon
Published: September 2021

This paper presents the design and characterization of a novel metamaterial with five distinct operating bands for THz applications. The proposed metamaterial is constructed using an ultra‐thin polyimide substrate. The proposed metamaterial has a square geometry with metallic patterns suitably designed to obtain the desired frequency characteristics. The metamaterial operates based on surface plasmon hybridization with stopband characteristics at 0.82, 1.96, 2.77, 3.40 and 4.74 THz. The metamaterial has a small geometry 0.082λo × 0.082λowhereλois wavelength calculated under free‐space conditions at 0.82 THz. The operation of the proposed pentaband metamaterial is described using electric field distributions. The metamaterial reported in this paper has rotational symmetry and hence it is polarization independent. The performance of the metamaterial for various angles of incidence has been evaluated and the results reveal that the proposed metamaterial is stable up to ±70 degrees. The THz metamaterial is appropriate for components like frequency selective surface, sensors and detectors.
Student perceptions towards introductory lessons in R
Authors: Custer Gordon F. , van Diepen Linda T. A. , Seeley Janel
Published: September 2021

Quantitative literacy is necessary to keep pace with the exponentially increasing magnitude of biological data and the complexity of statistical tools. However, statistical programming can cause anxiety in new learners and educators alike. In order to produce graduates that are well‐prepared for quantitative research, overcoming the initial hurdles associated with statistical programming is a must. Often, valuable class time is dedicated to teaching introductory concepts of statistical programming, leaving instructors short on time. Here we present an introductory tutorial to statistical programming in the language R. Our tutorial is easily customizable, self‐paced, and can be used in secondary through graduate level classrooms. Student questionnaire responses suggest that perceptions towards R became generally more favorable following an introduction to the program, with an increased likelihood of returning to R. Similar results were found across multiple formats for introducing statistical programming in R and suggest a tutorial‐style introduction is as effective as a series of lectures and computer exercises for altering student perceptions towards statistical programming for graduate students. Our tutorial provides a self‐paced introduction that covers basic programming in R and offers students an opportunity to learn the basic skills that often act as a roadblock to learning and utilizing more complex quantitative tools, while reserving class time for instruction.
Dual heuristic programming with just‐in‐time modeling for self‐learning fault‐tolerant control of mobile robots
Authors: Zhang Changxin , Xu Xin , Zhang Xinglong
Published: September 2021

The development of autonomous wheeled mobile robots (WMRs) requires designing high‐performance motion controllers under complex dynamical constraints, which has been an important research topic in the fields of control theory and robotics. Considering the faults or disturbances in practice, previous works have designed various stable fault‐tolerant tracking control methods for WMRs. However, it is still challenging to design an optimal or nearly optimal controller in the case of faults. In this article, in order to deal with the changed properties of WMR dynamics, a just‐in‐time learning (JITL) based dual heuristic programming (DHP) algorithm is proposed to optimize the control performance under faults or disturbances. Without knowing the information of faults and the dynamics model, the changing dynamics can be identified online using the data‐driven method, and the control performance is optimized via DHP, which is a class of online reinforcement learning approach. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through fault‐tolerant tracking control simulations of a WMR system under different fault modes. It is shown that the proposed JITL‐based DHP approach has much better performance than previous DHP methods without fault estimation.
Right ventricular outflow tract abnormalities in monochorionic twin pregnancies without twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome: Prenatal course and postnatal long‐term outcomes
Authors: Faiola Stefano , Casati Daniela , Laoreti Arianna , Amendolara Mariella , Consonni Dario , Corti Carla , Mannarino Savina , Lanna Mariano , Rustico Mariangela , Cetin Irene
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Right ventricular outflow tract abnormalities (RVOTA) have been mostly reported in recipient twins (RT) of monochorionic/diamniotic (MC/DA) twin pregnancies with twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). Aim of the study was to describe RVOTA detected in MC/DA pregnancies without TTTS.

Methods

Cases of RVOTA were retrieved from our database among all MC/DA pregnancies without TTTS from 2009 to 2018.

Results

Out of 891 MC/DA twin pregnancies without TTTS, 14 (1.6%) were associated with RVOTA: 10 pulmonary stenosis (PS), one steno‐insufficiency, one insufficiency and two atresia (PA). In 93% of cases (13/14), pregnancy was complicated either by amniotic fluid discrepancy (AFD) or by TAPS or mostly by selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) (11/13: 85%), involving predominantly (10/11: 91%) the large twin, with high incidence (9/11: 82%) of sFGR and AFD coexistence. Eight out of 14 (57%) survived after the perinatal period (7 PS, 1 PA). Five (62%) underwent pulmonary balloon valvuloplasty, whereas 3 children still showed persistent mild PS at cardiac follow up after 1 year of life.

Conclusions

RVOTA can occur in MC/DA pregnancies without TTTS, particularly when other complications coexist. In complicated cases specialized fetal echocardiographic evaluation is recommended during pregnancy; RVOTA cases should be delivered in a tertiary level center, where cardiologists are available.
An insight for the interaction of drugs (acyclovir/ganciclovir) with various ionic liquids: DFT calculations and molecular docking
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Kumari Kamlesh , Raman Anirudh Pratap Singh , Jain Pallavi , Kumar Durgesh , Singh Prashant
Published: September 2021

Since December 2019, the humanity is in trouble due to the huge infection of SARS‐CoV‐2 and caused COVID‐19, named by WHO. Therefore, researchers and health care organizations are using the repurposing drugs against the infection by this new coronavirus. Acyclovir and ganciclovir are the drugs used in the cure of infection due to herpes virus so the impact of these drugs along with the designed ionic liquids individually as well as in combination against the Mpro of nCoV was investigated using molecular docking. The drugs {acyclovir (1) and ganciclovir (2)}, ionic liquids (A, B, and C), and their combinations (1‐A, 1‐B, 1‐C, 2‐A, 2‐B, and 2‐C) were studied using density functional theory (DFT) calculations via determining the different energies. These values are important to understand the formation of 1‐A, 1‐B, 1‐C, 2‐A, 2‐B, and 2‐C and are found to negative. Complexes formed by acyclovir with ILs (B and C) are more favorable due to less value of change in free energy. Further, 1 interacts with IL(C) and 2 interacts well with IL(A), and it is based on the calculated dipole moment of 1‐C and 2‐A, as 17.4 and 27.6, respectively. Therefore, it can be considered as more polar and more water soluble. Results revealed that complex 2‐A found to more stable than 1‐A and showed the best binding energy of −149 kcal/mol against the Mpro of nCoV. It indicates that the drug, ganciclovir (2) in presence of the IL(A) binds effectively with the Mpro of nCoV instead independently.
Mizagliflozin, a selective SGLT1 inhibitor, improves vascular cognitive impairment in a mouse model of small vessel disease
Authors: Ishida Nanae , Saito Maki , Sato Sachiko , Tezuka Yu , Sanbe Atsushi , Taira Eiichi , Hirose Masamichi
Published: September 2021

Previously, we showed that sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) participates in vascular cognitive impairment in small vessel disease. We hypothesized that SGLT1 inhibitors can improve the small vessel disease induced‐vascular cognitive impairment. We examined the effects of mizagliflozin, a selective SGLT1 inhibitor, and phlorizin, a non‐selective SGLT inhibitor, on vascular cognitive impairment in a mouse model of small vessel disease. Small vessel disease was created using a mouse model of asymmetric common carotid artery surgery (ACAS). Two and/or 4 weeks after ACAS, all experiments were performed. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was decreased in ACAS compared with sham‐operated mice. Phlorizin but not mizagliflozin reversed the decreased CBF of ACAS mice. Both mizagliflozin and phlorizin reversed the ACAS‐induced decrease in the latency to fall in a wire hang test of ACAS mice. Moreover, they reversed the ACAS‐induced longer escape latencies in the Morris water maze test of ACAS mice. ACAS increased SGLT1 and proinflammatory cytokine gene expressions in mouse brains and phlorizin but not mizagliflozin normalized all gene expressions in ACAS mice. Hematoxylin/eosin staining demonstrated that they inhibited pyknotic cell death in the ACAS mouse hippocampus. In PC12HS cells, IL‐1β increased SGLT1 expression and decreased survival rates of cells. Both mizagliflozin and phlorizin increased the survival rates of IL‐1β‐treated PC12HS cells. These results suggest that mizagliflozin and phlorizin can improve vascular cognitive impairment through the inhibition of neural SGLT1 and phlorizin also does so through the improvement of CBF in a mouse model of small vessel disease.
Population pharmacokinetics and exposure–response modeling for evinacumab in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Pu Xia , Sale Mark , Yang Feng , Zhang Yi , Davis John D. , Al‐Huniti Nidal
Published: September 2021

Evinacumab, an angiopoietin‐like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) inhibitor, has been shown to significantly reduce low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH). This work characterized the population pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD) of evinacumab using pooled phase III clinical data. Total evinacumab PK were described by a two‐compartment model with combined linear and saturable (Michaelis–Menten) elimination, and first‐order absorption. At clinically relevant concentrations, plasma drug concentrations were mainly influenced by the linear clearance pathway. Although the maximum target‐mediated rate of elimination (Vmax) parameter for the saturable pathway was found to be positively related to baseline ANGPLTL3, variability in body weight contributed more to the variability in evinacumab exposure than variability in ANGPTL3. An effect of HoFH versus healthy volunteers on Vmax was also identified. Weight‐based dosing regimens resulted in consistent evinacumab exposure across weight ranges. An indirect exposure–response model adequately described the relationship between evinacumab and LDL‐C, where drug concentration is assumed to inhibit LDL‐C production. The final population PK/PD model included two nonclinically significant covariates (race and baseline body weight) on the maximum drug‐induced inhibitory effect (Imax) and one (baseline LDL‐C) on the evinacumab concentration inducing 50% of Imax (IC50). A smaller IC50 was observed in patients with higher baseline LDL‐C, suggesting greater sensitivity to treatment. Population exposure–response analysis permitted estimation of derived PD parameters and individual LDL‐C levels over time for patients with HoFH. The model accurately predicted the proportion of patients with HoFH achieving prespecified LDL‐C goals with evinacumab during the ELIPSE HoFH study, further supporting a dosing strategy.
Ensuring exchangeability indata‐basedpriors for a Bayesian analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Lin Junjing , Gamalo‐Siebers Margaret , Tiwari Ram
Published: September 2021

In many orphan diseases and pediatric indications, the randomized controlled trials may be infeasible because of their size, duration, and cost. Leveraging information on the control through a prior can potentially reduce sample size. However, unless an objective prior is used to impose complete ignorance for the parameter being estimated, it results in biased estimates and inflated type‐I error. Hence, it is essential to assess both the confirmatory and supplementary knowledge available during the construction of the prior to avoid “cherry‐picking” advantageous information. For this purpose, propensity score methods are employed to minimize selection bias by weighting supplemental control subjects according to their similarity in terms of pretreatment characteristics to the subjects in the current trial. The latter can be operationalized through a proposed measure of overlap in propensity‐score distributions. In this paper, we consider single experimental arm in the current trial and the control arm is completely borrowed from the supplemental data. The simulation experiments show that the proposed method reduces prior and data conflict and improves the precision of the of the average treatment effect.
Predicting creep lifetime performance in edgewise compression of containerboards and for stacked corrugated board boxes
Authors: Holmvall Martin
Published: September 2021

Predicting how long time a corrugated board box can be stored with a constant load stacked on top of it without failing is an everyday challenge for a box designer. This is a basic step in corrugated board box material design which is usually resolved by utilizing so‐called stacking factors. A stacking factor is the ratio between the compression strength of the box and the stacking load. Higher stacking factors are used to accommodate for longer storing times or high relative humidity conditions. Utilizing stacking factors in the way commonly done today can be a good first approximation. However, this method often neglects or overcompensates for the inherent non‐normal distribution statistical behaviour associated with corrugated board box lifetimes. A higher precision in predicting box lifetimes enables material optimization and, thus, a more efficient use of resources. This work presents a convenient way of predicting lifetimes of both containerboards and corrugated board boxes. The approach additionally introduces the concept of reliability into lifetime prediction. The prediction is made directly from material or structural parameters and the applied load. This is accomplished by relating two different parameter sets for the Weibull distribution. It is shown that lifetime is indeed dependent not only on a stacking factor but also on durability and the variations associated with the material or box.