bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Assessment of Nutrient Composition of Aquacultured and Wild Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Cross Rivers State Nigeria
Authors: Okonkwo Chibuzor Onyinye , Onyenweaku Eridiong , Uwujibha Jombo Okey
Published: August 2020

Aim: Aquafarming of catfish has become very popular in Nigeria recently, raising concerns about the nutritional benefits of this fish to consumers especially when compared to the wild catfish.

Study Design: Fishes were obtained from Calabar Cross Rivers State Nigeria. A total of 30 catfishes were harvested, 15 aquacultured and 15 wild. The fishes weighed between 150 – 200 g at the time of harvest.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the central laboratory of the University of Calabar, Nigeria and lasted for a period of 6 months.

Methodology: Fishes were cleaned and dried under the sun for a period of 14 days. Dried fishes were eventually ground into fine powder which was used for the nutrient analysis. The proximate, mineral and vitamin contents of aquacultured and wild catfish were investigated. The results revealed that aquacultured catfish contained significantly higher amounts of protein than the wild catfish.

Conclusion: While the aquacultured fish may be preferable for children, young adults and pregnant women who require a lot of protein for body-building, growth and development, the wild catfish may be more suitable for the maintenance of general health, water and electrolyte balance and optimum productivity being richer in most minerals.
Protein-Based Genetic Diversity Assessment of Tilapia guineensis and Sarotherodon melanotheron Populations from South-West Nigerian Coastal Waters
Authors: Ukenye E. A. , Megbowon I. , Akinwale M. M. A. , Fowora M. A. , Chidume I. , Eze N. C. , Adeleke R. O. , Omatah C. C.
Published: August 2020

The present study was carried out to investigate the genetic differences in the Protein banding pattern of Tilapia guineensis and Sarotherodon melanotheron populations in Southwest Nigeria using Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Four populations of Tilapia guineensis and three populations of Sarotherodon melanotheron from Ondo and Lagos states were considered for the study. The sarcoplasmic protein of the studied Cichlid species resolved on 12% SDS-PAGE revealed variations in their genetic diversity indices (number of alleles, shanon information index, heterozygosity and percentage polymorphism). T. guineensis had more proteins and higher genetic diversity as was revealed by the genetic diversity parameters and was found to be more polymorphic with a percentage polymorphism of 78.57% than S. melanotheron (57.14%). The two species had similarity coefficient of 0.82 indicating high genetic similarity between them. UPGMA (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) dendrogram also revealed some level of genetic similarity between the studied populations and among the two species. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) confirmed the low genetic variation among the populations of the cichlid species and demonstrated that genetic variation was mostly within populations in both species. It is established from the study that Tilapia guineensis had higher genetic diversity than Sarotherodon melanotheron and the two species are closely related. Further study involving molecular markers is encouraged to complement this finding.
Measurement and Estimation of Annual Variability of Water Loss at Njuwa Lake Using Class ‘A’ Pan Evaporation Method
Authors: Sadiq A. A.
Published: August 2020

Aim: To measure and estimate the annual variability of water loss at Njuwa Lake using Class ‘A’ Pan Evaporation Method.

Place and Duration of Study: Njuwa Lake in Yola South LGA, Adamawa State Nigeria between November, 2019 and May, 2020.

Methodology: Direct measurements of morphometric characteristics of the lake were adopted using simple bathymetric method. Evaporation rates data and other related weather variable for the periods of ten (2007-2016) years were obtained from Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority located near the lake where the volume of water in the lake and the annual water loss were estimated using FAO estimate of water requirement procedures.

Results: The results revealed that Njuwa Lake has morphometric characteristics of 1, 325 m average length, 180m average width, average depth 3.4 m, 238, 500 m2 of  surface area, 1,445 m shoreline length and 0.834 m shoreline development with an estimated water volume of  810, 900 m3 respectively. Similarly, highest Class ‘A’ Pan evaporation rates were found in the year 2011, 2007 and 2008 with the corresponding total annual values of 2688.06 mm, 2403.64 mm and 2389.63 mm having an estimated values of water lost from the lake of 641, 102.310 m3 (79.07%), 573, 268.140 m3(70.7%) and 569, 926.755 m3 (70.29 %) correspondingly. Conversely, the year 2013,2012 and 2014 were found with the lowest measured Pan evaporation rates (1585.00 mm, 1611.54 mm and 1663.27 mm) with an estimated water lost on the lake of about  378, 022.500 m3 (46.6 %), 384, 352.290 m3 (47.4 %) and 396, 689.895 m3 (48.9 %).

Conclusion: The rate of water loss was through evaporation was estimated to be greater than the stored water in the Lake in most of the years under study which led to untimely drying of the lake thereby affecting the irrigation farming in the area. Valuable strategies of water use efficiency and irrigation scheduling for effective utilization of the limited stored water in the lake for sustainable food production should be therefore adopted. The research work, however, need further work to make a comparison between the class ‘A’ Pan method and other empirical models method to revalidate the reliability.
Coagulation Parameters among Women with Obstetric Complications in Specialist Hospital Sokoto, Nigeria
Authors: Uchechukwu Onuigwe Festus , Tudu Khadija Bello , Osaro Erhabor , Ali Buhari Hauwa , Ibrahim Bagudo Aliyu , Ifechukwudebelu Amilo Grace , Chitogu Ibeh Nancy
Published: August 2020

Background and Aim: Obstetric complications are part of the leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of   complications on the Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and platelet count (PLC). Women with obstetric complications were recruited as subjects). Pregnant women without complications were included as controls.

Study Design: This is a case-control study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study took place in Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Specialist Hospital Sokoto and the duration was six months.

Methodology: Pregnant women aged 18–41 years (mean age 29.5 years) were recruited for the study. The determination of PT and APTT was done by manual methods using commercially prepared Agappe reagent kits, whereas PLC was done by manual methods using a haemocytometer (Improved Neubauer counting chamber). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.

Results: The results of PT and APTT were significantly higher among women with obstetric complications (14.26±0.23 seconds and 31.32±0.70 second) compared to normal pregnant women (13.00 ± 0.13 seconds and 29.66±0.33) (P<0.05). The PLC was significantly lower among women with obstetric complications compared to women without obstetric complications (P< 0.05).Obstetric complications in subject show a significant association when compared with PT and APTT (P< 0.05). The age group of subjects shows a significant association when compared with APTT (P< 0.05).

Conclusion: Findings from this study have shown that obstetric complications causes decrease in platelet count and prolongation in PT and APTT. There is need to assess the PT, APTT and Platelet count routinely for pregnant women to improve the ante-natal care in Specialist Hospital Sokoto.
Soil Fertility Assessment of Semiarid Soils from Nigeria Cropped to Sorghum
Authors: Danmowa Nasiru M. , Kizza Peter Nkedi- , Morgan Kelly T. , Mahmoud Kamal
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study is to characterize the fertility status of the Dingyadi soils from semiarid Northern Nigeria, by using different methods of extraction to assess the potential for soil available macro and micronutrients to the sorghum crop. The study also compared concentrations of extractable nutrients between extractants for ascertaining the possibility of using one method to quantify a variety of plant-available nutrients in soils. Surface (0-15 cm) and sub-surface (15-30 cm) soil samples were collected along a topo-sequence at Dingyadi Sokoto-Nigeria, where sorghum had been grown, to characterize the soil chemical and physical properties that can influence soil fertility for sorghum production. The topo-sequence consisted of valley floor (TLL1), middle (TUP2), and crest (TUP3) positions of the slope. At each position 60 concentrations of each plant nutrient were used for the comparisons.Soil extraction for nutrients was carried out at the Environmental Soil Physics laboratory, Soil and Water Sciences Department, University of Florida, while analysis of aliquots for the elements was carried out at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, Immokalee, Florida. The study was carried out over a period of eight months, in 2016-2017. Soil samples were extracted using different extraction methods (Mehlich-3, Bray-1, Ammonium acetate, and DI-Water). A soil to solution ratio of 1:1 was used across all extraction methods to facilitate comparison between methods. However, a test was carried out to examine the effect of soil to solution ratio of (1:10) on extractable macro nutrients using Mehlich3 for randomly selected soil samples across the topo-sequence. Soil samples were also analyzed for texture, pH, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). All soil soils were sandy, low in organic matter content, and CEC.With respect to sorghum production, the soils had adequate nutrients (Mg, Ca, K, and P) and soil pH. All soil samples contained no exchangeable K. Mehlich3 extracted higher available P than Bray1 in TLL1, but equal amounts in TUP2 and TUP3. Good correlations exist between extracting methods for macro nutrients (Mg, Ca, K, and P). Bray1 method used for available P is not suitable for soils that have pH greater than 7 determined in water. Mehlich3 is more suitable for the semiarid soils of Northern Nigeria that are acidic or alkaline. The Mehlich3 method should be calibrated with yield response of crops to substitute for Bray1 available phosphorus. Also, Mehlich3 method could be used for the multi-nutrient test with a good correlation with other methods like ammonium acetate for exchangeable bases.
Vehicle Detection, Tracking and Counting Using Gaussian Mixture Model and Optical Flow
Authors: Akhtar Muhammad Moin , Li Yong , Zhong Lei , Ansari Ayesha
Published: August 2020

Vehicle detection, tracking, and counting play a significant role in traffic surveillance and are principle applications of the Intelligent Transport System (ITS). Traffic congestion and accidents can be prevented with an adequate solution to problems. In this paper, we implemented different image processing techniques to detect and track the moving vehicle from the videos captured by a stationary camera and count the total number of vehicles passed by. The proposed approach consists of an optical flow method with a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to obtain an absolute shape of particular moving objects which improves the detection performance of moving targets.
Age and Gender Differences in the Pattern of Antiplatelet Agents Prescribing
Authors: Ahmed Nehad J.
Published: August 2020

Aim: There is a scarcity of data regarding gender and age related aspects of antiplatelet drugs utilization in the outpatient setting. Thus, the objective of the present study was to determine the age-and gender-related differences in the outpatient use of antiplatelet drugs in Alkharj.

Methodology: This is a retrospective study that include the assessment of electronic prescriptions in the outpatient setting that include an antiplatelet drug in 2018.

Results: Ticagrelor was prescribed mainly for patients more than 60 years old (84.62%). Clopidogrel was prescribed mainly for patients more than 50 years old (79.76%) and aspirin also was prescribed mainly for patients more than 50 years old (71.67%). Generally, most of the patients who received antiplatelet agents were male (52.76%).

Conclusion: The present study showed that there were differences in prescribing antiplatelet agents between different gender and different ages. So it is important to know the prescribing trends and to give the appropriate drugs based on several factors such as gender and age. It is expected that in the future, antiplatelet therapy may be based on age and on endogenous sex hormone level or genetic female/male differences.
Super Porous Hydrogels: A Review
Authors: Kumari P. V. Kamala , Sharmila M. , Rao Y. Srinivasa
Published: August 2020

Super porous hydrogels (SPHs) basically developed  initially create as a novel drug delivery system to absorb and continue to hold the drugs in the gastric medium which allows absorption  in stomach and upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. These systems get swollen in the stomach instantly and in the harsh stomach environment they maintain their integrity, while the pharmaceutical active ingredient is being released. Instant and fast swelling property of hydrogel  is based on water absorption through open porous structure by capillary force. SPHs have the poor mechanical strength which has got over by developing the second-generation SPH composites (SPHCs) and the third-generation SPH hybrids (SPHHs).  The present review has been focused on the preparation, characterization and application of SPHs.
Genotyping of Canine Distemper Virus Lineage in Clinically Infected Dogs in Puducherry, Southern India
Authors: Abirami Megavarnan , Srinivas Mouttou Vivek , Vasu Jayalakshmi , Antony Prabhakar Xavier , Thanislass Jacob , Muthaiah Muthuraj , Mukhopadhyay Hirak Kumar
Published: August 2020

Aims: This study aimed to determine the Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) lineage circulating in the Puducherry region (Southern India) and how they are genetically and antigenically related to the vaccine and other known CDV lineages around the world.

Study Design: The study involved genetic characterization of the canine distemper virus strains/lineages circulating in the clinically suspected dogs in the field.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Animal Husbandry Department, Private Veterinary Clinics, NGOs like Bark India, People for Animals organization, Puducherry between January 2018 and December 2019.

Methodology: The ocular and nasal swabs were collected from 40 dogs suspected for canine distemper from Puducherry state (Southern India). Following viral RNA Extraction and cDNA synthesis; the cDNAs were screened for virus by targeting the CDV Nucleocapsid (N) gene using Reverse Transcriptase PCR. Further, the N gene positive cDNAs were genetically characterized for sequence analysis of the CDV hemagglutinin (H) gene.

Results: A total of 15 (37.5%) out of 40 ocular/ nasal swabs were found to be CDV positive by RT-PCR targeting the N gene. The sequence analysis of the H gene revealed forty-nine non-synonymous and thirty-three synonymous mutations (out of 356 amino acids) in comparison with vaccine strain. The vaccine virus (Onderstepoort strain), which is related to the America 1 lineage, possessed high level of (30 – 35 i.e. more than 10%) amino acid divergence with the CDV sequences analysed in this study. The Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the present CDV sequences formed a separate monophyletic group with the CDV sequences of other Indian dogs and the Indian wildlife (Lion) and is clustered away from the vaccine strain. The CDV sequences were closer to the CDVs of Africa - 2 lineage than the other Asian lineages.  The Recombination analysis revealed no potential breakpoints and recombination events.

Conclusion: Together, these findings highlighted the possible existence of the novel Indian CDV lineage/s distinct from the vaccine strain and from other known Asian lineages.
Visual Outcome after Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery for Phacolytic Glaucoma
Authors: Noman Shams Mohammad , Karim M. A.
Published: August 2020

Aim: To evaluate the visual outcome after manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) as a treatment of phacolytic glaucoma.

Methods: The study included 43 patients with phacolytic glaucoma treated by manual small incision cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity and intraocular pressure have been recorded and compared at the end of six weeks after surgery.

Results: The mean preoperative intraocular pressure was 36.23 (± 10.86) mm of Hg. There were no significant intraoperative complications such as posterior capsular tear or expulsive hemorrhage. Post operative mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 12.58 (± 3.45) mm Hg. Pre operative visual acuity in all the affected eyes were perception of light with projection of rays in all quadrant. Postoperative best corrected visual acuity was 6/6-6/18 in 27 patients (62.80%), 6/24- 6/36 in 10 patients (23.25%) and ≤ 6/60 in 6 patients (13.95%).

Conclusion: Manual small incision cataract surgery is a safe and effective method of treatment for phacolytic glaucoma and the visual outcome and IOP reduction is satisfactory.
TC‐E 5003, a protein methyltransferase 1 inhibitor, activates the PKA‐dependent thermogenic pathway in primary murine and human subcutaneous adipocytes
Authors: Park Min‐Jung , Liao Jiling , Kim Dong‐il
Published: August 2020

We previously reported the involvement of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) in adipocyte thermogenesis. Here, we investigate the effects of PRMT1 inhibitors on thermogenesis. Unexpectedly, we find that the PRMT1 inhibitor TC‐E 5003 (TC‐E) induces the thermogenic properties of primary murine and human subcutaneous adipocytes. TC‐E treatment upregulates the expression of Ucp1 and Fgf21 significantly and activates protein kinase A signaling and lipolysis in primary subcutaneous adipocytes from both mouse and humans. We further find that the thermogenic effects of TC‐E are independent of PRMT1 and beta‐adrenergic receptors. Our data indicate that TC‐E exerts strong effects on murine and human subcutaneous adipocytes by activating beige adipocytes via PKA signaling.
MYB‐like transcription factor NoPSR1 is crucial for membrane lipid remodeling under phosphate starvation in the oleaginous microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica
Authors: Murakami Hiroki , Kakutani Natsue , Kuroyanagi Yunato , Iwai Masako , Hori Koichi , Shimojima Mie , Ohta Hiroyuki
Published: August 2020

Membrane lipid remodeling under phosphate (Pi) limitation, a process that replaces structural membrane phospholipids with nonphosphorus lipids, is a widely observed adaptive response in plants and algae. Here, we identified the transcription factor phosphorus starvation response 1 (NoPSR1) as an indispensable player for regulating membrane lipid conversion during Pi starvation in the microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica. Knocking out NoPSR1 scarcely perturbed membrane lipid composition under Pi‐sufficient conditions but significantly impaired dynamic alteration in membrane lipids during Pi starvation. In contrast, the absence of NoPSR1 led to no obvious change in cell proliferation or storage lipid accumulation under either nutrient‐sufficient or Pi‐deficient conditions. Our results demonstrate a key factor controlling the membrane lipid profile during the Pi starvation response in N. oceanica.
Association of MAPT subhaplotypes with clinical and demographic features in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Deutschlander Angela B. , Konno Takuya , Soto‐Beasley Alexandra I. , Walton Ronald L. , van Gerpen Jay A. , Uitti Ryan J. , Heckman Michael G. , Wszolek Zbigniew K. , Ross Owen A.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To determine whether distinct microtubule‐associated protein tau MAPT H1 subhaplotypes are associated with clinical and demographic features in Parkinson’s disease.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study included 855 unrelated Caucasian patients with Parkinson’s disease who were seen by Movement Disorder specialists at the Mayo Clinic Florida between 1998 and 2016. The primary outcome measures were specific demographic and clinical features of Parkinson’s disease, including age at onset, disease progression, survival, motor signs, dementia, dystonia, dyskinesia, autonomic dysfunction, impulse control disorder, psychiatric features, REM sleep behavior disorder, restless legs syndrome, and Parkinson’s disease subtype. Specific clinical features were measured at the initial visit and most recent visit. These outcomes were assessed for association with MAPT H1 subhaplotypes, which were defined by six haplotype tagging variants.

Results

Median onset age was 64 years (range: 22‐94 years); 548 (64%) of patients were male. Significant associations (P < 0.0029) were observed between MAPT H1b and orthostatic hypotension (OR = 1.72, P = 0.001); between H1j and rest tremor (OR = 0.15; P < 0.001) as well as REM sleep behavior disorder (OR = 3.87, P < 0.001); between H1r and bradykinesia (OR = 0.11; P < 0.001); and between H1v and restless legs syndrome (OR = 4.02, P = 0.002).

Interpretation

Four MAPT H1 subhaplotypes, but not the H2 haplotype, were significantly associated with specific clinical features in Parkinson’s disease. MAPT haplotypic structure may explain some of the phenotypic variability in disease. Replication of our findings will be critical to fully resolve the Parkinson’s disease risk association signal at Chr17q21.
Trends in Systemic Sclerosis Mortality Over Forty‐Eight Years, 1968–2015: A US Population–Based Study
Authors: Yen Eric Y. , Singh Devanshu R. , Singh Ram R.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To identify secular trends associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc) mortality over a 48‐year period.

Methods

Using national mortality data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Wide‐Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research, and population data from the US Census Bureau, we calculated an age‐standardized mortality rate (ASMR) for SSc and non‐SSc (all other causes), and we also calculated the ratio of the SSc ASMR to the non‐SSc ASMR for each year from 1968 to 2015. We then used a joinpoint regression model to evaluate mortality trends overall and by sex and race.

Results

From 1968 to 2015, there were 46,798 deaths with SSc recorded as the “underlying” cause of death and 106,058,839 non‐SSc deaths. There were an additional 9,063 deaths with SSc recorded as a “contributing” cause of death from 1999 to 2015. Whereas the non‐SSc ASMR decreased throughout the 48‐year time period, the SSc ASMR increased from 1968 to 2000, followed by decreases each year from 2001 to 2015. The SSc ASMR also decreased for deaths where SSc was a contributing cause from 1999 to 2015. Women and Black persons had higher SSc ASMRs and SSc ASMR to non‐SSc ASMR ratios than men and White persons, respectively. Additionally, SSc ASMRs and SSc ASMR to non‐SSc ASMR ratios increased at higher rates in women and White persons than in men and Black persons, respectively, during the initial three decades.

Conclusion

Mortality attributable to SSc increased from 1968 to 2000, followed by a steady decline from 2001 to 2015. However, SSc mortality relative to non‐SSc mortality remains high. SSc mortality has disproportionately changed by sex and race over the 48‐year period assessed in the present study.
Recovery coaching ‘think tank’ convenes, aiming to keep role from being co‐opted
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2020

A new project aimed at raising awareness of the recovery coach role, as well as increasing opportunities for recovery coaches, convened for the first time last week. Called the recovery coaching “think tank,” the purpose of the project is also to focus on professionalism and the practice of recovery coaching, according to Jeff Quamme, executive director of the Connecticut Certification Board, who is acting as administrator for the project.
Treatment CEO on advising patients about consent
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2020

The final rule for 42 CFR Part 2 changes takes effect this week (See “Confidentiality of SUD records: History and final rule analysis from LAC, ADAW August 3, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adaw.32791). For methadone patients, two provisions would change their current status: Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) would now be allowed to input data into the state's prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP), and the central registry, previously for use by OTPs only to prevent patients from enrolling in more than one, would now be open to queries by any of the patient's treating providers. In both cases, however, patients would have to give their written consent before such disclosures could exist. Joe Pritchard, CEO of Pinnacle, which owns OTPs and other treatment providers, believes it is now the responsibility of SUD treatment providers to not only ensure that patients receive good care, but also to help patients navigate through the changes while doing everything in the provider's power to ensure patient privacy at all times. Pritchard went on to say that patients in recovery should be open to discussing their medication status with their treatment providers, and adding that his programs can provide referrals to providers who are friendly to agonist treatment (many doctors do not want to treat patients with addiction).
Post‐Pictet‐Spengler Cyclization (PPSC): A Strategy to Synthesize Polycyclic β‐Carboline‐Derived Natural Products and Biologically Active N‐Heterocycles
Authors: Singh Rahul , Kumar Sunil , Patil Madhuri T. , Sun Chung‐Ming , Salunke Deepak B.
Published: August 2020

Pictet‐Spengler reaction is a typical condensation reaction of β‐arylethylamine or Tryptamine with an aldehyde or ketone followed by ring closure to generate tetrahydroisoquinoline (THIQ) and Tetrahydro‐β‐carboline (THβC), respectively. Both these key skeletons represent huge range of structurally diverse naturally occurring isoquinoline and indole alkaloids. Nature has synthesized structurally complex Reserpine, Ajmalicine as well as other related alkaloids using various biosynthetic pathways via Pictet‐Spengler reaction followed by post‐Pictet‐Spengler cyclization (PPSC) stratergy. This biosynthetic process is the short and reliable method to access diverse range of polycyclic heterocycles. Over the period of last sixty years, several researchers have synthesized complex alkaloids without highlighting the synthetic utility of the post‐Pictet‐Spengler cyclization strategy. We summarized the synthesis of numerous natural products and related natural product inspired heterocyclic scaffolds which follow the PPSC strategy to demonstrate its usefulness for the construction of diverse compound collection.

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Evaluating biological and oil‐based fungicides for dollar spot suppression on turfgrass
Authors: Koch P.L. , Hockemeyer K. , Buczkowski E.
Published: August 2020

Dollar spot (caused by Clarireedia jacksonii) receives more fungicide applications than any other turfgrass disease. Increasing restrictions on fungicide usage and expanding reports of fungicide resistant fungal populations have resulted in renewed interest in biological and plant‐based control of turfgrass diseases. Six commercially available biological fungicides (Actinovate AG, Double Nickel LC, Nortica, Rhapsody, Serende Opti, Zio) and two oil‐based fungicides (Civitas, Timorex Gold) were evaluated for dollar spot control on a creeping bentgrass putting green in Madison, WI, USA in 2017 and 2018. No biological or oil‐based fungicide provided effective full‐season dollar spot control compared to the synthetic fungicide boscalid. However, Civitas mineral oil provided levels of dollar spot control similar to boscalid on 9 of 12 rating dates over both years. The remaining treatments tested provided levels of dollar spot control and turf quality similar to boscalid ranging from 4 to 7 of a possible 12 rating dates. These results indicate that the biological fungicides tested here failed to provide commercially acceptable dollar spot control under moderate disease pressure in the midwestern U.S. The mineral oil Civitas did provide effective suppression under moderate disease pressure, while the tea tree oil Timorex Golf did not. Certain oil‐based fungicides like Civitas can provide effective dollar spot control during periods of low to moderate disease pressure, but more research is needed before biological fungicides can be successfully integrated into a dollar spot management program.
Rapid measurement of gas diffusivity in liquids using a tube‐in‐tube reactor with an unsteady‐state strategy
Authors: Zhou Caijin , Xie Bingqi , Li Shaowei , Zhang Jisong
Published: August 2020

In this work, an unsteady‐state strategy for rapid measurement of gas diffusivity in liquid is proposed, which has a quick perturbation of the liquid flow rate in inner tube for obtaining the change of gas flow rate across the membrane with time. The strategy has taken full advantages of the tube‐in‐tube reactor that possesses a high permeability Teflon AF‐2400 membrane to accelerate the diffusion rate of gas to liquid without direct contact between the two phases. With a developed mathematical model fitting the recorded variation of gas flow rate with time, the gas diffusivity in liquid can be determined within 0.5–3 min compared with the conventional methods of 4–14 hr. In addition, the strategy is demonstrated with several gas–liquid systems (O2‐DMSO, CO2‐[Emim] [NTf2] and CO2‐[Bmim] [BF4]) with varied viscosities and temperatures, showing a good agreement with literature values with less than 10% deviation.
Local and overall gas holdup in an aerated coaxial mixing system containing a non‐Newtonian fluid
Authors: Jamshidzadeh Maryam , Ein‐Mozaffari Farhad , Lohi Ali
Published: August 2020

Gas dispersion in non‐Newtonian fluids is a challenging task due to the formation of large cavities behind the impeller blades, which leads to the generation of very large bubbles. In this study, the effects of impeller speed, impeller type, pumping direction, and CMC concentration on the local and overall gas holdup inside a coaxial mixing tank comprised of two central impellers and an anchor were investigated through tomography, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and response surface methodology (RSM). The results showed that an increase in the fluid apparent viscosity resulted in decreasing the gas holdup except for the pitched blade impeller in upward‐pumping mode. Although the highest overall gas holdup was accomplished for the downward pumping and co‐rotating mode, the local gas holdup data revealed a non‐uniform distribution of gas by this configuration. The lowest gas dispersion efficiency was achieved by a system comprised of two Scaba impellers and an anchor.
Resin distribution along axial and circumferential directions of self‐wiping co‐rotating parallel twin‐screw extruder
Authors: Ohara Masatoshi , Tanifuji Shin‐ichiro , Sasai Yuya , Sugiyama Takemasa , Umemoto Sho , Murata Jun‐ichi , Tsujimura Isao , Kihara Shin‐ichi , Taki Kentaro
Published: August 2020

A self‐wiping co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder (TSE) is operated in a starved state in which the screws are partially filled with resin. Understanding the resin distribution on the screw surface of a TSE in this state is essential for the design, operation, and maintenance of the twin‐screw extrusion process. Accordingly, in this study, the circumferential and axial distribution of resin in a TSE were simulated using a novel method combining the mathematical formulation of Hele–Shaw flow, the finite element method, and a newly developed down‐wind pressure updating scheme. The results of the simulation were found to be in good agreement with experimental measurements. The proposed simulation method enables the detailed visualization of resin distribution in the entire axial and circumferential directions over the length of a TSE, improving the ability to determine both the devolatilization and fiber attrition during the extrusion process.
Desymmetrized Vertex Design toward a Molecular Cage with Unusual Topology
Authors: Zhang Lei , Jin Yinghua , Tao Guo‐Hong , Gong Yu , Hu Yiming , He Ling , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2020

A novel low‐symmetry organic molecular cage with distinctive geometry was successfully synthesized from 5,5′‐(propane‐2,2‐diyl)bis(2‐hydroxyisophthalaldehyde) and 1,2‐cyclohexanediamine building blocks, through the desymmetrized vertex design strategy. Single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic analysis shows that the cage contains asymmetrical and nonplanar windows, exhibiting an unprecedented C2symmetry and an efficient packing. The molecular cage structure was also characterized by FTIR, NMR, and MALDI‐TOF. Quantum chemistry studies show that the cage structure contains rare intramolecular hydrogen‐hydrogen (C−H⋅⋅⋅H−C) bonding interactions. The cage crystals exhibit high iodine vapor uptake (3.78 g g−1), which is among the highest for porous molecular materials. The knowledge gained in this study would open new possibilities for the design and synthesis of molecular cages with novel topologies targeting a broad range of applications.
Zeolite‐Encaged Pd–Mn Nanocatalysts for CO2 Hydrogenation and Formic Acid Dehydrogenation
Authors: Sun Qiming , Chen Benjamin W. J. , Wang Ning , He Qian , Chang Albert , Yang Chia‐Min , Asakura Hiroyuki , Tanaka Tsunehiro , Hülsey Max J. , Wang Chi‐Hwa , Yu Jihong , Yan Ning
Published: August 2020

A CO2‐mediated hydrogen storage energy cycle is a promising way to implement a hydrogen economy, but the exploration of efficient catalysts to achieve this process remains challenging. Herein, sub‐nanometer Pd–Mn clusters were encaged within silicalite‐1 (S‐1) zeolites by a ligand‐protected method under direct hydrothermal conditions. The obtained zeolite‐encaged metallic nanocatalysts exhibited extraordinary catalytic activity and durability in both CO2 hydrogenation into formate and formic acid (FA) dehydrogenation back to CO2 and hydrogen. Thanks to the formation of ultrasmall metal clusters and the synergic effect of bimetallic components, the PdMn0.6@S‐1 catalyst afforded a formate generation rate of 2151 molformate molPd−1 h−1 at 353 K, and an initial turnover frequency of 6860 mol
 molPd−1 h−1 for CO‐free FA decomposition at 333 K without any additive. Both values represent the top levels among state‐of‐the‐art heterogeneous catalysts under similar conditions. This work demonstrates that zeolite‐encaged metallic catalysts hold great promise to realize CO2‐mediated hydrogen energy cycles in the future that feature fast charge and release kinetics.
Total Synthesis of Zephycarinatines via Photocatalytic Reductive Radical ipso‐Cyclization
Authors: Takeuchi Haruka , Inuki Shinsuke , Nakagawa Kohei , Kawabe Takaaki , Ichimura Atsuhiko , Oishi Shinya , Ohno Hiroaki
Published: August 2020

We report herein a nonbiomimetic strategy for the total synthesis of the plicamine‐type alkaloids zephycarinatines C and D. The key feature of the synthesis is a stereoselective reductive radical ipso‐cyclization using visible‐light‐mediated photoredox catalysis. This cyclization enabled the construction of a 6,6‐spirocyclic core structure through the addition of a carbon‐centered radical onto the aromatic ring. Biological evaluation of zephycarinatines and their derivatives revealed that the synthetic derivative with a keto group displays moderate inhibitory activity against LPS‐induced NO production. This approach could offer future opportunities to expand the chemical diversity of plicamine‐type alkaloids as well as providing useful intermediates for their syntheses.
Immobilization of Au nanoparticles on poly(glycidyl methacrylate)‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for enhanced catalytic application in the reduction of nitroarenes and Suzuki reaction
Authors: Pourjavadi Ali , Kohestanian Mohammad , Keshavarzi Nahid
Published: August 2020

We report a novel strategy for the synthesis of magnetic nanocomposite for highly efficient catalysis. Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) chains were grafted to the surface of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) through surface‐initiated reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. Then, the oxirane rings in the PGMA chains were opened with 2,6‐diamino pyridine (DAP) molecules as ligands to prepare the solid support. Finally, this magnetic nanocomposite was used for the immobilization of gold nanoparticles. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, gel permeation chromatography, vibrating sample magnetometry, and atomic absorption spectroscopy were used for characterization of the catalyst. The loading of gold nanoparticles on the solid support was 0.52 mmol/g. The catalytic activity of the prepared catalyst (MNP@PGMA@DAP@Au) was evaluated for the reduction of nitro compounds and C–C coupling reaction in water. The catalyst can be easily recovered and reused seven times without significant loss of catalytic activity.
Effect of cross‐linking degree on proton conductivity of a Schiff‐Base network impregnated with Brønsted acids
Authors: Jie Pengfei , Du Jiarui , Tan Wei , Tang Jiyu , Zhang Feng , Qu Fengyu
Published: August 2020

The cross‐linking degree (crystallinity) and proton sources of conductors strongly impacts proton‐conducting properties, but the attention is still limited, especially for covalent‐organic frameworks. Here, we prepared a couple of cross‐linking degrees of Schiff‐Based Network by solvothermal (high surface specific area, SNW‐S) and microwave‐assisted (low cross‐linking structure, SNW‐M) strategies, respectively; subsequently, Brønsted acids (BAs)‐entrapped Schiff‐Based Network (SNW) composites as fillers are blended into polyvinyl pyrrolidone/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PP) blends to form hybrid membranes. Varied crystalline degrees and microstructures of the SNWs are monitored by XRD, FTIR, and nitrogen adsorption, coupled with relevant conduction measurements like water uptake and proton conductivity (PC) for the composites and hybrid membranes. Structurally, under the aid of “acid–base pairs” between amine groups in Schiff‐Based Network and Brønsted acids as proton carriers, the resulting H2SO4‐incorporated SNW‐M with poor cross‐linking displays the high proton conductivity (4.96 × 10−3 S/cm) with an activation energy of 0.13 eV, whereas H2SO4 and H3PO4‐incorporated SNW‐S appear the relatively lower conductivities, imputable to the differences in the cross‐linking degree of Schiff‐Based Network and interactions between proton carriers and active sites in Schiff‐Based Network. Additionally, the hybrid membranes also show σ values in the identical level of the composites, reaching to 8.02 × 10−3 S/cm at 323 K.
Degradability and biocompatibility of bioglass/poly(amino acid) composites with different surface bioactivity as bone repair materials
Authors: Zheng Heng , Dai Zhenyu , Wei Jie , Li Lin , Peng Haitao , Yang Aiping , Li Hong , Lv Guoyu
Published: August 2020

Bioglass (BG) possesses excellent bioactivity and has been widely used in the manufacture of biomaterials. In this study, a composite with different surface bioactivity was fabricated via in situ melting polymerization by incorporating BG and poly(amino acid) (PAA) at a suitable ratio. The structure of the composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and XRD. The compressive strength of the BG/PAA composites was 139 MPa (BG:PAA = 30:70). The BG/PAA composites were degradable, and higher BG in composite showed higher weight loss after 4 weeks of incubation in simulated body fluid. In addition, the BG/PAA composite maintained adequate residual compressive strength during the degradation period. The SEM results showed the differences in surface bioactivities of the composites directly, and 30BG/PAA composite showed thicker apatite layer and higher Ca/p than 15BG/PAA. in vitro MG‐63 cell culture experiments showed that the composite was noncytotoxic and thus allows cells to adhere, proliferate, and differentiate. This indicates that the composite has good biocompatibility. The implantations in the bone defects of rabbits for 4 and 12 weeks were studied. The composites had good biocompatibility and were capable of guiding new bone formation without causing any inflammation. The composite may be successfully used in the development of bone implants.
Fiji economic survey: Low growth the new normal?
Authors: Gounder Neelesh
Published: August 2020

This article reviews the performance of the Fijian economy from 2015 to 2019. After several years of decent growth (around 5%), GDP growth fell to as low as 0.5% in 2019. Earlier hopes that a ‘new normal’ of GDP growth of around 5% per annum had been established have faded. The principal reason for this, it is argued, is a lack of business confidence, which is associated with the 2018 elections, but more fundamentally with a lack of faith in Fiji's political system [Correction added on 22 April 2021, after first online publication: ‘principle’ has been changed to ‘principal’]. At the same time, the government has also been forced to embark on a course of fiscal consolidation, as announced in the 2019–2020 National Budget, due to disappointing revenue collections and undisciplined expenditure in earlier years. The banking sector is hamstrung by a lack of liquidity. This article is written to understand the Fijian economy pre‐COVID‐19, but with the sharp downturn in economic growth in particular due to the impact of the COVID‐19 virus on tourism—Fiji's most important sector—and no room for fiscal expansion, growth prospects in Fiji are currently not bright. An improved medium‐term outlook will require greater confidence (both political and economic) to increase investment, both foreign and domestic. Reforms to reduce the costs of doing business will also help.
Immobilization studies of a pectinase produced by Aspergillus terreus
Authors: Vaz Raissa Pieroni , Vici Ana Claudia , Teixeira de Moraes Polizeli Maria de Lourdes , Magalhães Pérola Oliveira , Filho Edivaldo Ximenes Ferreira
Published: August 2020

Aspergillus terreus can produce different holocellulose‐degrading enzymes when grown in sugarcane bagasse, with predominant pectinase activity. Thus, pectinase was selected for purification and immobilization studies. Ion exchange and molecular exclusion chromatography studies were performed, after which it was possible to semipurify the enzyme with a yield of 80%. The crude extract pectinase (PECEB) and the partially purified enzyme (PEC2) were immobilized on monoamino‐N‐aminoethyl (MANAE)‐agarose with pectinase activity yields of 66% and 98%, respectively. After immobilization in MANAE‐agarose, the pectinase showed higher activity at acidic pH (pH 4.0) when compared to the nonimmobilized enzyme. It was also found that after the immobilization process, there was a threefold improvement in the enzyme's thermostability. Also, it was possible to reuse the immobilized enzyme for up to five cycles of hydrolysis with effective production of reducing sugars (0.196 mg/g of substrate). The industrial application test revealed a significant decrease in the viscosity of guava juice when the immobilized enzyme was used. PECEB, immobilized on MANAE‐agarose, was the enzyme sample that generated the highest pulp viscosity reduction (approximately 47%). Although additional studies are needed for practical industrial application, the results obtained herein reveal the potential of application of immobilized pectinase in the industry.
A model for human and animal data integration: Weight of evidence strategy
Authors: Wurst Keele E. , Sumner Kelsey M. , Stanislaus Dinesh , Powell Marcy , Cunnington Marianne
Published: August 2020

Background

Integration of animal and human data to assess potential risks of the use of medications in pregnancy is important. A qualitative weight of evidence process enables all available evidence to be considered in a consistent, systematic manner.

Methods

We aim to describe the weight of evidence methodology utilized by the authors, a summary of which was presented at the 59th Annual Meeting of the Teratology Society entitled “Integration of Human and Animal Data to Inform Medication Use in Pregnant Women.” The qualitative weight of evidence process evaluates data that inform on a potential relationship between an adverse pregnancy outcome and a medication exposure. An interdisciplinary panel evaluates all available human and animal data related to the question of interest. Study quality assessments of both human and animal data are incorporated. The evaluation assesses gaps in the data from the following areas: (a) strength, (b) specificity, (c) consistency, (d) dose response relationship, (e) methodological considerations, and (f) biological plausibility for the potential association of interest.

Results

The panel integrates all the information to arrive at an assessment of the evidence and provides recommendations, which may include obtaining more specific information. We provide examples of how the authors apply this process at a pharmaceutical company for evaluation of potential postmarketing safety issues regarding medications and pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions

This weight of evidence method improves the ability to integrate published literature and other data sources to assess the potential risks of medication use in pregnant women and inform future drug safety studies.
Ethnicity and the surgical management of early invasive breast cancer in over 164 000 women
Authors: Gathani T , Chiuri K , Broggio J , Reeves G , Barnes I
Published: August 2020

Background

Limited information is available about patterns of surgical management of early breast cancer by ethnicity of women in England, and any potential inequalities in the treatment received for breast cancer.

Methods

National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service data for women diagnosed with early invasive breast cancer (ICD–10 C50) during 2012–2017 were analysed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent confidence intervals for the risk of mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery by ethnicity (black African, black Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani and white), adjusting for age, region, deprivation, year of diagnosis, co-morbidity and stage at diagnosis.

Results

Data from 164 143 women were included in the analysis. The proportion of women undergoing mastectomy fell by approximately 5 per cent between 2012 and 2017 across all the ethnic groups examined. In unadjusted analyses, each ethnic minority group had a significantly higher odds of mastectomy than white women; however, in the fully adjusted model, there were no significantly increased odds of having mastectomy for women of any ethnic minority group examined. For example, compared with white women, the unadjusted and fully adjusted ORs for mastectomy were 1·14 (95 per cent c.i. 1·05 to 1·20) and 1·04 (0·96 to 1·14) respectively for Indian women, and 1·45 (1·30 to 1·62) and 1·00 (0·89 to 1·13) for black African women. This attenuation in OR by ethnicity was largely due to adjustment for age and stage.

Conclusion

Allowing for different patterns of age and stage at presentation, the surgical management of early breast cancer is similar in all women, regardless of ethnicity.