bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calibrating Real‐World Evidence Studies Against Randomized Trials: Treatment Effectiveness of Infliximab in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Kirchgesner Julien , Desai Rishi J. , Beaugerie Laurent , Kim Seoyoung C. , Schneeweiss Sebastian
Published: May 2021

Real‐world evidence (RWE) on the effectiveness of treatments in Crohn’s disease (CD) derived from clinical practice data will help fill many evidence gaps left by randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Emulating RCTs with healthcare database studies may calibrate RWE studies in CD. We aimed to emulate the SONIC trial on the effectiveness of infliximab in patients with CD using US and French healthcare claims data. SONIC had shown improved remission with combination therapy (i.e., infliximab plus thiopurines) compared with infliximab monotherapy. Using claims data (2004–2019) from commercially insured patients in the United States (IBM MarketScan and Optum) and France (Système National des Données de Santé (National Healthcare Data System) (SNDS)), we conducted a cohort study of patients with CD who initiated combination therapy and compared them with patients who initiated infliximab alone. The primary outcome was a composite end point of treatment failure including hospitalization or surgery related to CD, treatment switch, or continuation of corticosteroids 26 weeks after infliximab initiation. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated in propensity score (PS)–matched cohorts. We identified 1,437 PS‐matched pairs of combination therapy vs. infliximab monotherapy users. As in SONIC, the risk of treatment failure was decreased with combination therapy in the overall cohort (RR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62–0.82; RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62–0.97 in SONIC). Findings were consistent across MarketScan, Optum, and SNDS databases: RR (95% CI), 0.83 (0.63–1.10), 0.66 (0.46–0.93), and 0.68 (0.57–0.82), as well as component end points. These robust findings highlight opportunities in RWE analysis for studying treatment effectiveness in patients with CD in clinical practice.
Fluorescence activated cell sorting—A selective tool for plant cell isolation and analysis
Authors: Antoniadi Ioanna , Skalický Vladimír , Sun Guiling , Ma Wen , Galbraith David W. , Novák Ondřej , Ljung Karin
Published: May 2021

Instrumentation for flow cytometry and sorting is designed around the assumption that samples are single‐cell suspensions. However, with few exceptions, higher plants comprise complex multicellular tissues and organs, in which the individual cells are held together by shared cell walls. Single‐cell suspensions can be obtained through digestion of the cells walls and release of the so‐called protoplasts (plants without their cell wall). Here we describe best practices for protoplast preparation, and for analysis through flow cytometry and cell sorting. Finally, the numerous downstream applications involving sorted protoplasts are discussed.
The diagnosis of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder in the presence of gastrointestinal disorders: Opportunities to define shared mechanisms of symptom expression
Authors: Nicholas Julia K. , van Tilburg Miranda A. L. , Pilato Ilana , Erwin Savannah , Rivera‐Cancel Alannah M. , Ives Lindsay , Marcus Marsha D. , Zucker Nancy L.
Published: May 2021

Objective

Individuals with a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder often alter their diet to manage GI symptoms, adding complexity to understanding the diverse motivations contributing to food avoidance/restriction. When a GI disorder is present, the DSM‐5 states that Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) can be diagnosed only when eating disturbance exceeds that expected. There is limited guidance to make this determination. This study attempts to address this gap by characterizing the presentation of ARFID in adults with and without a self‐reported GI disorder.

Method

Participants were 2,610 adults ages 18–44 who self‐identified as “picky eaters.” Participants reported on motivations for food avoidance, affective experiences towards food, and perceived impairment. Responses were compared across four groups: GI issues and likely ARFID (L‐ARFID/GI), L‐ARFID‐only, GI‐only, and No‐ARFID/No‐GI.

Results

Groups with a GI disorder (L‐ARFID/GI, GI‐only) reported more fear of aversive consequences of eating than those without a GI disorder, while groups with L‐ARFID (L‐ARFID, L‐ARFID/GI) evidenced significantly greater sensory aversion to food and indifference to food or eating, negative emotional reactions to food and overall disgust sensitivity, and eating related impairment.

Discussion

Consideration of the interplay of a GI disorder with ARFID can add precision to case conceptualization. Food avoidance may be attempts to manage fears of aversive consequences that are augmented by a history of GI symptoms, while sensory aversions and negative emotional reactions towards foods may be more elevated in ARFID. These findings emphasize the need to consider an ARFID diagnosis in patients with GI disorders to optimize care.
Gastrointestinal symptoms from an epidemiological perspective
Authors: Quadflieg Norbert
Published: May 2021

Four manuscripts on gastro‐intestinal problems or disorders of gut‐brain interaction are discussed from an epidemiological perspective. A literature review with strict inclusion criteria pointed out the dearth of evidence‐based knowledge on gastrointestinal symptoms following treatment for anorexia nervosa. An epidemiological follow‐up study showing the relevance of childhood abdominal pain for fasting to control weight in adolescence is used to emphasize the need to refine our approach to risk factor research in eating disorders. Two additional studies highlight the high prevalence of gastro‐intestinal problems in eating disorders underscoring a need for improved consideration of these symptoms in clinical practice and eating disorder research.
Earth‐Abundant CaCO3‐Based Photocatalyst for Enhanced ROS Production, Toxic By‐Product Suppression, and Efficient NO Removal
Authors: Cui Wen , Yang Wenjia , Chen Peng , Chen Lvcun , Li Jieyuan , Sun Yanjuan , Zhou Ying , Dong Fan
Published: May 2021

Photoinduced reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐based pollutant removal is one of the ideal solutions to achieve the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy and thus to address environmental pollution. Here, earth‐abundant CaCO3‐decorated g‐C3N4 (g‐C3N4 labeled as CN, CaCO3‐decorated g‐C3N4 sample labeled as CN‐CCO) has been constructed by a facile thermal polymerization method for safe and efficient photocatalytic NO removal. The decorated CaCO3 as “transit hub” extends the π bonds of CN to deviate from the planes and steers the random charge carriers, which thus provides extra active sites and expedites spatial charge separation to facilitate adsorption/activation of reactants and promote formation of ROS participating in the removal of pollutant. Furthermore, boosted generation of ROS regulates the photocatalytic NO oxidation pathway and thus increases the selectivity of products. NO prefers to be directly oxidized into final product (nitrate) rather than toxic intermediates (NO2), which is well demonstrated by theoretically simulated ROS‐based reaction pathways and experimental characterization. The present work promotes the degradation of pollutant and simultaneously suppresses the formation of toxic by‐product, which paves the way for ROS‐based pollutant removal.
Activating Inert Sites in Cobalt Silicate Hydroxides for Oxygen Evolution through Atomically Doping
Authors: Zhu Jiexin , Xia Lixue , Yang Wenxuan , Yu Ruohan , Zhang Wei , Luo Wen , Dai Yuhang , Wei Wei , Zhou Liang , Zhao Yan , Mai Liqiang
Published: May 2021

Metal silicate hydroxides have been recognized as efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts, yet tailoring of their intrinsic activity remains confused. Herein, Fe had been incorporated into cobalt silicate hydroxide nanosheets and the resulted material achieves a competitive OER catalytic activity. It is found that the doping state obviously affects the electrical transport property. Specifically, highly dispersed Fe atoms (low‐concentration Fe doping) trigger slight electron transfer to Co atoms while serried Fe (high‐concentration Fe doping) attract vast electrons. By introducing 6 at.% Fe doping, partial relatively inert Co sites are activated by atomically dispersed Fe, bearing an optimal metal 3d electronic occupation and adsorption capacity to oxygen intermediate. The introduced Co−O−Fe unit trigger the π‐donation effect and decrease the number of electrons in π*‐antibonding orbitals, which enhance the Fe−O covalency and the structural stability. As a result, the sample delivers a low overpotential of 293 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2. This work clarifies the superiority of atomically dispersed doping state, which is of fundamental interest to the design of doped catalyst.
Intermolecular Photoredox Coupling: Alternative to Norrish Type II Reaction and Yang Cyclization in Ketones with γ‐C−H Bonds
Authors: Hoffmann Heiko , Tausch Michael W.
Published: May 2021

A new reaction pathway for the photoconversion of butyrophenone in acetonitrile was investigated. In addition to the classic intramolecular photoreactivity of ketones with γ‐C−H bonds (Norrish type II fragmentation and Yang cyclization), intermolecular generated species were isolated and characterized: 1,2‐Dibenzoylethane, 2‐phenacylacetonitrile (oxidized species) and pinacols (reduced species). They account for approx. 20 % of the converted starting material, similar to the Yang product. The acetophenone enol intermediate, formed in situ via the Norrish type II reaction, has been identified as an H‐atom donor for the main intermolecular reaction steps, and has been distinguished from other conceivable mechanistic possibilities. Experimental results with analogue compounds suggest that the intermolecular product formation pathway may be of general relevance.
Effects of relay and side information at one encoder on the coverage regions in Gaussian multiple‐access channel
Authors: Etminan Jalil , Mohanna Farahnaz , Abed Hodtani Ghosheh
Published: May 2021

The two‐user multiple‐access relay channel (MARC) is investigated in the presence of side information (SI) available only at the informed transmitter in the present article. First, for the discrete alphabet and memoryless MARC with common and private messages, partial decode and forward strategy at the relay and fixed locations of the nodes, a general achievable rate region is obtained. The SI effect is seen and can be analyzed. Second, we extend the discrete result to a practical communications model: Gaussian multiple‐access relay channel (GMARC), showing previous works as its special cases. Third, the effect of (perfect and nonperfect) SI on the maximum coverage region of GMARC for a fixed rate of the transmitters and a fixed distance between relay and destination is analyzed. It is shown that the SI increases the coverage region of encoders, and consequently, it can improve communication energy efficiency. Finally, mathematical findings are validated numerically by using Matlab.
Pea protein isolate characteristics modulate functional properties of pea protein–cranberry polyphenol particles
Authors: Strauch Renee Cilliers , Lila Mary Ann
Published: May 2021

Plant polyphenols have a natural binding affinity for proteins, and their interaction can be exploited to form diverse aggregate particles. Protein–polyphenol particles utilized as food ingredients allow consumers to incorporate more health‐benefiting plant bioactives into their diets. The functional properties of the protein–polyphenol particles can be influenced by many factors, including complexation conditions and starting material properties. Here, cranberry polyphenols extracted from pomace were complexed with nine pea protein isolate starting materials with different physical (particle size and protein content) and chemical (hydrolyzed and oxidized) properties to investigate the impact of protein characteristics on particle functionality. Chemical differences between proteins affected polyphenol binding; oxidized protein isolate (specifically, VegOtein N) bound 12%–27% more polyphenols than other isolates. Polyphenol binding to proteins decreased digestion rates in vitro, averaging 25% slower gastric (pepsin) digestion and a 35% slower intestinal (pancreatin) digestion. Physical differences in protein starting materials affected digestibility; isolate with the largest particle size (specifically, Nutralys F85G) produced particles with the lowest digestion rate. Solubility was impacted by both the process of forming particles and by polyphenol binding; control particles were 56% less soluble, and protein–polyphenol particles up to 75% less soluble, than unmodified proteins. The solubility of unmodified protein isolate starting materials varied widely according to the manufacturing process, but, after complexation, protein–polyphenol particles produced from all protein sources exhibited a similar depressed level of solubility. The desired functional properties of the protein–polyphenol particle food ingredients will be considerably influenced by the properties of the protein isolate starting material.
The influence of a standardized experimental environment on early diagenetic changes to animal bone
Authors: Lacel Adrianna , Wojtków Magdalena , Tomanik Magdalena , Spiak Zofia , Graczyk Stanisław , Pezowicz Celina
Published: May 2021

We evaluated the dynamics of the diagenetic changes to pig bones incubated for 4, 10, and 31 months in a controlled environment (soil type, moisture and pH, air humidity, and temperature). The criteria for the assessment were as follows: physical parameters (bone weight), biomechanical parameters (compressive strength), bone microstructure (using micro‐computed tomography), and phosphorus and calcium content in the surrounding soil. It was shown that the bone weight decreased the most after 4 months of incubation, whereas the biggest change in the compressive strength was not observed until after 31 months of incubation. Also, the main changes to the bone microstructure were observed in the initial period of degeneration. After 4 months of the experiment, a major drop in the percentage of the thinnest bone trabeculae was noted, whereas a reverse trend was observed for the thickest trabeculae. Moreover, the most significant decrease in the Ca/P ratio in the surrounding soil was observed after the experiment's first 4 months. We conclude that the bioerosion of collagen observed after the initial experimental period was followed by hydroxyapatite chemical decomposition. These results indicate the usefulness of the applied analyses and the feasibility of ensuring a standardized environment for diagenetic research.
Appropriateness of lung ultrasound for the diagnosis of COVID‐19 pneumonia
Authors: Bitar Zouheir Ibrahim , Shamsah Mohammed , Maadarani Ossama Sajeh , Bamasood Omar Mohammed , Al‐foudari Huda
Published: May 2021

Background

Chest radiography (CXR) and computerized tomography (CT) are the standard methods for lung imaging in diagnosing COVID‐19 pneumonia in the intensive care unit (ICU), despite their limitations. This study aimed to assess the performance of bedside lung ultrasound examination by a critical care physician for the diagnosis of COVID‐19 pneumonia during acute admission to the ICU.

Method

This was an observational, prospective, single‐center study conducted in the intensive care unit of Adan General Hospital from April 10, 2020, to May 26, 2020. The study included adults with suspicion of COVID‐19 Infection who were transferred to the ICU. Patients were admitted to the ICU directly from the ED after reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) swabs were sent to the central virology laboratory in Kuwait, and the results were released 16 to 24 hours after the time of admission. A certified intensivist in critical care ultrasound performed the lung ultrasound within 12 hours of the patient's admission to the ICU.

The treating physician confirmed the diagnosis of COVID‐19 pneumonia based on a set of clinical features, inflammatory markers, biochemical profile studies, RT‐PCR test results, and CXR.

Results

Of 77 patients with suspected COVID‐19 pneumonia, 65 (84.4%) were confirmed. The median age of the patients was 48 (31‐68) years, and 51 (71%) were men.

In the group of patients with confirmed COVID‐19 pneumonia, LUS revealed four signs suggestive of COVID‐19 pneumonia in 63 patients (96.9%) (sensitivity 96.9%, CI 85%‐99.5%). Two patients presented with unilateral lobar pneumonia without other ultrasonic signs of COVID‐19 pneumonia but with positive RT‐PCR results. Among patients in the group without COVID‐19 pneumonia who had negative RT‐PCR results, 11 (91.7%) were LUS negative for COVID‐19 pneumonia (specificity 91.7%, 95% CI 58.72%‐99.77%).

Conclusions

During the COVID‐19 outbreak, LUS allows the identification of early signs of interstitial pneumonia. LUS patterns that show a combination of the four major signs offer high sensitivity and specificity compared to nasopharyngeal RT‐PCR.
Development of a specialty intensity score to estimate a patient's need for care coordination across physician specialties
Authors: Hodgson Ashley , Bernardin Thomas , Westermeyer Benjamin , Hagopian Ella , Radtke Tyler , Noman Ahmed
Published: May 2021

Backgrounds and aims

This article develops a Specialty Intensity Score, which uses patient diagnosis codes to estimate the number of specialist physicians a patient will need to access. Conceptually, the score can serve as a proxy for a patient's need for care coordination across doctors. Such a measure may be valuable to researchers studying care coordination practices for complex patients. In contrast with previous comorbidity scores, which focus primarily on mortality and utilization, this comorbidity score approximates the complexity of a patient's the interaction with the health care system.

Methods

We use 2015 inpatient claims data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to model the relationship between a patient's diagnoses and physician specialty usage. We estimate usage of specialist doctors by using a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Poisson model. The Specialty Intensity Score is then constructed using this predicted specialty usage. To validate our score, we test its power to predict the occurrence of patient safety incidents and compare that with the predictive power of the Charlson comorbidity index.

Results

Our model uses 127 of the 279 International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐10‐CM) diagnosis subchapters to predict specialty usage, thus creating the Specialty Intensity Score. This score has significantly greater power in predicting patient safety complications than the widely used Charlson comorbidity index.

Conclusion

The Specialty Intensity Score developed in this article can be used by health services researchers and administrators to approximate a patient's need for care coordination across multiple specialist doctors. It, therefore, can help with evaluation of care coordination practices by allowing researchers to restrict their analysis of outcomes to the patients most impacted by those practices.
Exploring the operational impacts of climate change and glacier loss in the upper Columbia River Basin, Canada
Authors: Tsuruta Kai , Schnorbus Markus A.
Published: May 2021

The mountainous watersheds of western Canada are generally thought to be in a state of transition from snow‐dominated to hybrid regimes. In stream networks that are regulated, the effects of this transition on streamflow can have compelling operational consequences. Seasonal magnitude changes may impact spill‐risk management, while changes in the composition of summer runoff may increase its variability and reduce the forecasting capabilities of state variables like peak snow water equivalent. Though glacier loss can have a considerable impact on summer runoff, few studies explicitly model the ongoing glacier recession in conjunction with other primary hydrological processes. In this study, we incorporate glacier dynamics from a previous run of the Regional Glaciation Model into the University of British Columbia Watershed Model via the Raven modelling framework. We use this modelling system to explore potential changes under Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5 to the hydrology of the Mica Basin, a regulated watershed containing the headwaters of the Columbia River. Our results project statistically significant increases in spring flow in future eras, which may force lower reservoir drafting in late winter, creating potential for energy shortfalls in early spring. We project the coefficient of variation of summer runoff generally goes unchanged in future eras as does the summer runoff forecasting capability of April 1st SWE. Hence, despite modelled glacier loss and reduced snowmelt contribution, our study does not reject the null hypothesis that the predictability of the Mica Basin's summer runoff is unchanged in future eras. We explore these results in detail because they superficially appear to contrast the conventional conceptualization that reduced snowmelt negatively affects the predictive powers of snowpack and glacier loss increases the variability of runoff. We argue that our results' apparent discordance from convention displays the complexities inherent in isolating the effects of changes to a single water balance component when other components are also non‐stationary and highlights the benefits of using modelling to more explicitly explore such implications.
On flag‐transitive imprimitive 2‐designs
Authors: Devillers Alice , Praeger Cheryl E.
Published: May 2021

In 1987, Huw Davies proved that, for a flag‐transitive point‐imprimitive 2‐ design, both the block‐size and the number of points are bounded by functions of , but he did not make these bounds explicit. In this paper we derive explicit polynomial functions of bounding and . For we obtain a list of “numerically feasible” parameter sets together with the number of parts and part‐size of an invariant point‐partition and the size of a nontrivial block‐part intersection. Moreover from these parameter sets we determine all examples with fewer than 100 points. There are exactly 11 such examples, and for one of these designs, a flag‐regular, point‐imprimitive design with automorphism group , there seems to be no construction previously available in the literature.
Evaluation of hematological parameters as an indicator of disease severity in Covid‐19 patients: Pakistan's experience
Authors: Waris Abdul , Din Misbahud , Khalid Atiqa , Abbas Lail Raees , Shaheen Asmat , Khan Nida , Nawaz Mehboob , Baset Abdul , Ahmad Imtiaz , Ali Muhammad
Published: May 2021

Background

The severity of COVID‐19 could be evaluated by examining several blood parameters mainly white blood cell (WBC) count, granulocytes, platelet, and novel hemocytometric markers neutrophils to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte (PLR), and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR). The current study was conducted to investigate alteration in blood parameters and their association with the severity and mortality of COVID‐19 patients.

Methodology

An observational cross‐sectional study was conducted retrospectively, a total of 101 COVID‐19 positive patients were examined: 52 were mild, 24 were moderate, 09 were severe, and 16 were critically diseased patients. We also recorded 16 deaths associated with the critical group. The overall mean age observed in our study was 48.94 years, where the mean age for critical individuals was 62.12 ± 14.35 years.

Results

A significant association between the disease severity and elevation in blood parameters were observed. The WBC's and granulocyte count were significantly increased (p value <0.001) while the mean platelet count (165.0 × 109/L) and red blood cell volume distribution width (RDW) were decreased in the critical group (57.86%) compared to mild group's patients (177.3%) (p = 0.83). The lymphocytes count was decreased in critical patients (1.40 × 109/L) compared to mild patients (1.92 × 109/L) (p = 0.28). A significant association was observed in platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (p < 0.001), Neutrophil‐Lymphocyte ratio (p = <0.001), and Lymphocyte‐Monocyte ratio (0.011).

Conclusion

These blood parameters could be used as a suitable biomarker for the prognosis and severity of COVID‐19. Evaluating novel hemograms NLR, PLR, and LMR can aid clinicians to identify potentially severe cases at early stages, initiate effective management in time, and conduct early triage which may reduce the overall mortality of COVID‐19 patients.
Andrásfai and Vega graphs in Ramsey–Turán theory
Authors: Łuczak Tomasz , Polcyn Joanna , Reiher Christian
Published: May 2021

Given positive integers , we let denote the maximum number of edges in a triangle‐free graph on vertices with . In the early 1960s, Andrásfai conjectured that for the function is piecewise quadratic with critical values at for . We confirm that this is indeed the case whenever is slightly larger than a critical value, thus determining for all and such that , where .
Recognizing graphs close to bipartite graphs with an application to colouring reconfiguration
Authors: Bonamy Marthe , Dabrowski Konrad K. , Feghali Carl , Johnson Matthew , Paulusma Daniël
Published: May 2021

We continue research into a well‐studied family of problems that ask whether the vertices of a given graph can be partitioned into sets and , where is an independent set and induces a graph from some specified graph class . We consider the case where is the class of ‐degenerate graphs. This problem is known to be polynomial‐time solvable if (recognition of bipartite graphs), but ‐complete if (near‐bipartite graphs) even for graphs of maximum degree 4. Yang and Yuan showed that the case is polynomial‐time solvable for graphs of maximum degree 3. This also follows from a result of Catlin and Lai. We study the general case for ‐vertex graphs of maximum degree . We show how to find and in time for , and in time for . Together, these results provide an algorithmic version of a result of Catlin and also provide an algorithmic version of a generalization of Brook's Theorem, proved by Borodin et al. and Matamala. The results also enable us to solve an open problem of Feghali et al. For a given graph and positive integer , the vertex colouring reconfiguration graph of has as its vertex set the set of ‐colourings of and contains an edge between each pair of colourings that differ on exactly on vertex. We complete the complexity classification of the problem of finding a path in the reconfiguration graph between two given ‐colourings of a given graph of maximum degree .
Why people engage in supplemental work: The role of technology, response expectations, and communication persistence
Authors: van Zoonen Ward , Sivunen Anu , Treem Jeffrey W.
Published: May 2021

Supported by various collaboration technologies that allow communication from any place or time, employees increasingly engage in technology‐assisted supplemental work (TASW). Challenges associated with managing work and nonwork time have been further complicated by a global pandemic that has altered traditional work patterns and locations. To date, studies applying a TASW framework have focused mainly on individual uses of technology or connectivity behaviors and not considered the potential team and social pressures underlying these processes. This study provides clarity on the differences between technology use and TASW and sheds light on the drivers of TASW in a work environment characterized by high connectivity and diverse team structures. Specifically, we demonstrate how individual, social, and material pressures concomitantly impact individual work practices in a team context. Drawing on multisource and multilevel data provided by 443 employees nested in 122 teams, this study shows that individual collaboration technology use and team‐level response expectations are independently contributing to TASW. Though the persistence of communication afforded by collaboration technologies mitigates the impact of collaboration technology use on TASW, this persistence is not found to impact the relationship between team‐level response expectations and TASW. We discuss how these findings inform our understanding of TASW.
Improved intraseasonal variability in the initialization of SINTEX‐F2 using a spectral cumulus parameterization
Authors: Baba Yuya
Published: May 2021

A newly developed spectral cumulus parameterization (spectral scheme) was implemented in the Scale Interaction Experiment‐Frontier version 2 (SINTEX‐F2) seasonal prediction system to improve intraseasonal variability in the system initialization. A simple sea surface temperature (SST) nudging scheme using different SST data and restoring times was used to initialize the system, and the initialized atmosphere obtained from both the original convection scheme (Tiedtke scheme) and the new spectral scheme was evaluated against observational data. It was found that that climatology and variability simulated by the spectral scheme were comparable to those simulated by the original scheme. In addition, the intraseasonal variability represented by the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) was better simulated by the spectral scheme than the original scheme. An analysis of the structure of the organized convection revealed the successful simulation of low‐level shallow convection before the peak of the organized convection by the spectral scheme when compared with the observation, a result lacking in the original scheme simulation. In addition to the positive qualitative results, a statistical and quantitative analysis showed that the spectral scheme captured the MJO‐related variability better than the original scheme. In conclusion, the prediction system using the spectral scheme is expected to improve seasonal predictions for seasonal variability whose evolution is affected by intraseasonal variations.
Impact of systemic probiotics as adjuncts to subgingival instrumentation on the oral‐gut microbiota associated with periodontitis: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: de Oliveira Adriana Miranda , Lourenço Talita Gomes Baêta , Colombo Ana Paula Vieira
Published: May 2021

Background

The oral‐gut axis may be a route linking periodontal and systemic diseases. Probiotics could be an alternative for the treatment of microbial dysbiotic conditions, including periodontitis. This randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial evaluated the short‐term efficacy of systemic probiotics adjunctive to subgingival instrumentation (SI) in promoting a better restoration of the oral‐gut microbiotas and greater periodontal clinical outcome.

Methods

Systemically healthy adults with untreated periodontitis were recruited from a Dental School setting and allocated to receive SI plus placebo (n = 24) or probiotics (n = 24), one capsule/day for 30 days. Subgingival biofilm and stool were obtained at baseline and 2‐months post‐therapy for microbiological analyses by checkerboard and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Differences in all parameters between placebo (n = 23) and probiotics (n = 19) groups were assessed by non‐parametric tests.

Results

Most subgingival species and α‐diversity decreased after therapies (P <0.05), whereas gut composition/diversity were slightly or not affected by treatments. In parallel, significant clinical improvement (P <0.05) was similar between groups, although a trend for a higher proportion of poor responders in the placebo (60.8%) than the probiotic group (31.5%) was observed (P = 0.07). Strong correlations between oral and fecal species were found (P <0.01), and distinct species related to poor response for different therapies (P <0.05). Patients were classified into five periodontitis oral‐gut microbial clusters, which correlated differently with attachment loss after therapies (P <0.05).

Conclusion

Systemic probiotics combined with SI did not provide short‐term additional clinical or microbiological benefits in the treatment of periodontitis; however, response to therapies seemed to correlate with distinct oral‐gut microbial profiles.
Stimulus‐Responsive Polyelectrolyte Surfaces: Switching Surface Properties from Polycationic/Antimicrobial to Polyzwitterionic/Protein‐Repellent
Authors: Paschke Stefan , Prediger Richard , Lavaux Valentine , Eickenscheidt Alice , Lienkamp Karen
Published: May 2021

Surfaces coated with polyzwitterions are most well‐known for their ability to resist protein adsorption. In this article, a surface‐attached hydrophobically modified poly(carboxybetaine) is presented. When protonated by changes of the pH of the surrounding medium, this protein‐repellent polyzwitterion switches to a polycationic state in which it is antimicrobially active and protein‐adhesive. The pH range in which these two states exist are recorded by zeta potential measurements. Adsorption studies at different pH values (monitored by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy) confirm that the adhesion of protein is pH dependent and reversible, that is, protein can be released upon a pH change from pH 3 to pH 7.4. At physiological pH, the poly(carboxyzwitterion) is antimicrobially active, presumably because it becomes protonated by bacterial metabolites during the antimicrobial activity assay. Stability studies confirm that the here presented material is storage‐stable, yet hydrolyses after longer incubation in aqueous media.
Magnetically Assembled Photonic Crystal Gels with Wide Thermochromic Range and High Sensitivity
Authors: Jia Zhi‐Han , Xie Rui , Qiu Yue , Lv Xing‐Bin , Ju Xiao‐Jie , Wang Wei , Liu Zhuang , Chu Liang‐Yin
Published: May 2021

Thermochromic poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) photonic crystal gels based on 1D magnetically assembling colloidal nanocrystal clusters have attracted much attention due to its convenient preparation process, striking color response, and good mechanical strength. However, there remain challenges to broaden the thermochromic range and improve the sensitivity for their iridescent color display. Here, a PNIPAM photonic gel with wide thermochromic range and high sensitivity is prepared by using four‐arm star poly(ethylene glycol) acrylamide (PEGAAm) as cross‐linker at appropriately reduced magnetic field strength as well as cross‐linker content. PEGAAm improves the homogeneity of the microstructure in PNIPAM photonic gel and thus maintains the structure colors at a wide temperature range from room temperature to 44 °C. The reduced magnetic field strength of 70 Gs and low cross‐linker content (the molar ratio of monomer to cross‐linker of 300:1) lead to a large initial lattice spacing of the photonic gel and thus wide diffraction wavelength migration of 194 nm. This optimized PNIPAM gel exhibits vivid iridescent colors from orange–red to indigo blue as temperature increases from 20 to 44 °C with satisfactory repeatability. Therefore, it may be an ideal candidate for temperature sensors and displays with utility and accuracy such as low‐temperature burns.
Facile Synthesis of Unimodal Polymethacrylates with Narrow Dispersity via NIR LED Light‐Controlled Bromine–Iodine Transformation Reversible‐Deactivation Radical Polymerization
Authors: Zhao Haitao , Li Haihui , Tian Chun , Zhang Lifen , Cheng Zhenping
Published: May 2021

A facile and clean strategy for synthesizing unimodal polymethacrylates with narrow dispersity (Đ < 1.10) is successfully developed by a near‐infrared (NIR) light‐emitting diode (LED) light (λmax = 740 nm)‐controlled in situ bromine–iodine transformation reversible‐deactivation radical polymerization system without the use of NIR dyes and expensive catalysts. In this system, alkyl iodide ethyl α‐iodophenylacetate (EIPA) initiator is generated in situ by the nucleophilic substitution reaction between an alkyl bromide compound ethyl α‐bromophenylacetate and sodium iodide (NaI). At the same time, excessive NaI is also acted as a highly active catalyst by forming halogen bonds with terminal iodine of the polymer chains in this system to make it capable of precisely synthesizing polymethacrylates with narrow dispersities (Đ = 1.03–1.10). In addition, the strong penetration ability of NIR LED light is illustrated by the successful polymerization even through 11 pieces of A4 paper.
Multi‐echo gradient‐recalled‐echo phase unwrapping using a Nyquist sampled virtual echo train in the presence of high‐field gradients
Authors: Madhusoodhanan Sreekanth , Hagberg Gisela E. , Scheffler Klaus , Paul Joseph Suresh
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To develop a spatio‐temporal approach to accurately unwrap multi‐echo gradient‐recalled echo phase in the presence of high‐field gradients.

Theory and Methods

Using the virtual echo–based Nyquist sampled (VENyS) algorithm, the temporal unwrapping procedure is modified by introduction of one or more virtual echoes between the first lower and the immediate higher echo, so as to reinstate the Nyquist condition at locations with high‐field gradients. An iterative extension of the VENyS algorithm maintains spatial continuity by adjusting the phase rotations to make the neighborhood phase differences less than π. The algorithm is evaluated using simulated data, Gadolinium contrast‐doped phantom, and in vivo brain, abdomen, and chest data sets acquired at 3 T and 9.4 T. The unwrapping performance is compared with the standard temporal unwrapping algorithm used in the morphology‐enabled dipole inversion–QSM pipeline as a benchmark for validation.

Results

Quantitative evaluation using numerical phantom showed significant reduction in unwrapping errors in regions of large field gradients, and the unwrapped phase revealed an exact match with the linear concentration profile of vials in a gadolinium contrast–doped phantom data acquired at 9.4 T. Without the need for additional spatial unwrapping, the iterative VENyS algorithm was able to generate spatially continuous phase images. Application to in vivo data resulted in better unwrapping performance, especially in regions with large susceptibility changes such as the air/tissue interface.

Conclusion

The iterative VENyS algorithm serves as a robust unwrapping method for multi‐echo gradient‐recalled echo phase in the presence of high‐field gradients.
The node cop‐win reliability of unicyclic and bicyclic graphs
Authors: Ahmed Maimoonah , Cameron Ben
Published: May 2021

Various models to quantify the reliability of a network have been studied where certain components of the graph may fail at random and the probability that the remaining graph is connected is the proxy for reliability. We introduce a strengthening of one of these models by considering the probability that the remaining graph is cop‐win. A graph is cop‐win if one cop can win the game Cops and Robber. More precisely, for a graph G with nodes that are operational independently with probability p, the node cop‐win reliability of G, denoted , is the probability that the operational nodes induce a cop‐win subgraph of G. It is then of interest to find graphs G with n nodes and m edges such that for all p ∈ [0, 1] and all graphs H with n nodes and m edges. We show that such graphs exist among unicyclic and bicyclic graphs, respectively.
Sitting Time, Type, and Context Among Long‐Term Weight‐Loss Maintainers
Authors: Roake James , Phelan Suzanne , Alarcon Noemi , Keadle Sarah K. , Rethorst Chad D. , Foster Gary D.
Published: May 2021

Objective

This study aimed to investigate sitting time, the home sedentary environment, and physical activity among weight‐loss maintainers in WW (formerly Weight Watchers).

Methods

Participants were 4,305 weight‐loss maintainers who had maintained ≥9.1 kg of weight loss (24.7 kg on average) for 3.3 years and had an average current BMI of 27.6 kg/m2. A control group of weight‐stable individuals with obesity (n = 619) had an average BMI of 38.9 kg/m2. The Multicontext Sitting Time Questionnaire and Paffenbarger physical activity questionnaire were administered.

Results

Weight‐loss maintainers versus controls spent 3 hours less per day sitting during the week (10.9 vs. 13.9; = 0.039; P = 0.0001) and weekends (9.7 vs. 12.6; = 0.038). Weight‐loss maintainers versus controls spent 1 hour less per day in non–work‐related sitting using a computer or video games during the week (1.4 vs. 2.3; = 0.03; P = 0.0001) and weekends (1.5 vs. 2.5; = 0.03; P = 0.0001). Weight‐loss maintainers versus controls had similar numbers of sedentary‐promoting devices (15.8 vs. 14.8) and expended significantly more calories per week in physical activity (1,835 vs. 785; = 0.036; P = 0.0001).

Conclusions

Weight‐loss maintainers reported less time sitting than weight‐stable individuals with obesity. Future research should test the efficacy of targeting sitting time to help promote long‐term weight‐loss maintenance.
Avoiding Pitfalls in Comparison of Activity and Selectivity of Solid Catalysts for Electrochemical HMF Oxidation
Authors: Wöllner Sebastian , Nowak Timothy , Zhang Gui‐Rong , Rockstroh Nils , Ghanem Hanadi , Rosiwal Stefan , Brückner Angelika , Etzold Bastian J. M.
Published: May 2021

Electrocatalytic oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) offers a renewable approach to produce the value‐added platform chemical 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The key for the economic viability of this approach is to develop active and selective electrocatalysts. Nevertheless, a reliable catalyst evaluation protocol is still missing, leading to elusive conclusions on criteria for a high‐performing catalyst. Herein, we demonstrate that besides the catalyst identity, secondary parameters such as materials of conductive substrates for the working electrode, concentration of the supporting electrolyte, and electrolyzer configurations have profound impact on the catalyst performance and thus need to be optimized before assessing the true activity of a catalyst. Moreover, we highlight the importance of those secondary parameters in suppressing side reactions, which has long been overlooked. The protocol is validated by evaluating the performance of free‐standing Cu‐foam, and CuCoO modified with NaPO2H2 and Ni, which were immobilized on boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. Recommended practices and figure of merits in carefully evaluating the catalyst performance are proposed.
A source‐sink model for water diffusion in an activated carbon fiber/phenolic composite
Authors: Alston Sue , Arnold Cris , Swan Martin , Stone Corinne
Published: May 2021

The moisture absorption behavior of a composite comprising phenolic resin and activated carbon fibers was characterized. The resin starts with a water content from curing and the active fibers both adsorb water on their surface and absorb water in sub‐surface pores, acting as a sink or source of water. Measured data showed that the dependence of this water uptake on the surrounding relative humidity was highly nonlinear, and that the effective diffusion rate through the composite was very dependent on the starting and end conditions. A physically based model has been successfully developed to simulate this behavior. Diffusion was assumed to be Fickian and entirely through the resin, with a linear dependence of resin water content on external humidity. Water movement between resin and fibers was determined so as to maintain equilibrium, based on measured steady‐state water uptake curves across a range of relative humidities. This meant that in mid‐range humidities, most water movement was between fibers and resin rather than through the resin, giving low effective diffusion rates. This model and a simple Arrhenius expression for the diffusion coefficient through the resin enabled measured composite diffusion behavior to be accurately predicted over a range of temperatures and humidity changes.
Identifying and managing migraine in general practice
Authors: Kitson Jenny
Published: May 2021

The GP's role in the diagnosis of the patient who presents with “I've been having headaches doctor” is a very important one. This article provides a guide to the identification and management of migraine in primary care, including recommended investigations, red flag symptoms to look for, and the treatment options available.
Effects of N‐terminal modifications on the stability of antimicrobial peptide SAMP‐A4 analogues against protease degradation
Authors: Li Ruifang , He Songlin , Yin Kedong , Zhang Beibei , Yi Yanjie , Zhang Meng , Pei Nanqi , Huang Liang
Published: May 2021

Infections with multidrug‐resistant (MDR) pathogens are increasingly concerning for public health. Synthesized antimicrobial peptide A4 (SAMP‐A4), a peptide computationally designed by our research team, is a potential drug candidate. However, the antimicrobial peptide SAMP‐A4 is easily degraded in serum. To obtain SAMP‐A4 analogues with high biostability, chemical modifications at its N‐terminus, including fatty acid conjugation, glycosylation and PEGylation, were carried out. The results showed that the introduction of hydrophobic fatty acids at the N‐terminus of SAMP‐A4 is better than hydrophilic glycosylation and PEGylation. With increasing fatty acid chain length, the stability of SAMP‐A4 analogues in serum and trypsin solutions is significantly improved, and the activities against MDR bacteria and Candida are significantly enhanced. There is no obvious change in haemolysis even when hexanoic acid is coupled with SAMP‐A4, so the resulting analogue SAMP‐A4‐C6, SAMP‐A4 conjugated with hexanoic acid, is the most likely of the analogues to become a drug.
Manipulating Single‐Photon Emission from Point Defects in Diamond and Silicon Carbide
Authors: Bathen Marianne Etzelmüller , Vines Lasse
Published: May 2021

Point defects in semiconductors are emerging as an important contender platform for quantum technology (QT) applications, showing potential for quantum computing, communication, and sensing. Indeed, point defects have been employed as nuclear spins for nanoscale sensing and memory in quantum registers, localized electron spins for quantum bits, and emitters of single photons in quantum communication and cryptography. However, to utilize point defects in semiconductors as single‐photon sources for QT, control over the influence of the surrounding environment on the emission process must be first established. Recent works have revealed strong manipulation of emission energies and intensities via coupling of point defect wavefunctions to external factors such as electric fields, strain and photonic devices. This review presents the state‐of‐the‐art on manipulation, tuning, and control of single‐photon emission from point defects focusing on two leading semiconductor materials—diamond and silicon carbide.
Association of adenovirus 36 infection and obesity; An updated meta‐analysis of community‐based studies
Authors: Marjani Arezoo , Khatami Alireza , Saadati Hassan , Asghari Milad , Razizadeh Mohammad Hossein , Abbasi Aida , Zarei Mohammad , Beikzadeh Leila , Soleimani Alireza
Published: May 2021

As a health problem, obesity has several risk factors; it has been suggested that human adenovirus type 36 (HAdV‐36) infections may possibly be associated with obesity. This updated meta‐analysis was designed and conducted with an emphasis on articles published from 2015 to 2020. The PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched up to 1 December 2020. Overall, pooled prevalence and odds ratio of antibodies against HAdV‐36 in people with obesity and controls was assessed among different ages. Case‐control and cohort studies were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of HAdV‐36 infection in obese population was 31% (CI: 0.24%–0.38%) which was 32% in cases and 27% in controls, respectively; a significant association was found between the cases and the controls (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.39–2.43), especially in children younger than 18 years of age (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 1.85–3.22). A significant association between adenovirus infection and obesity was found, especially in adolescents.