bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probable haloperidol decanoate-induced fever in an African American with benign ethnic neutropenia: A case report
Authors: Youniss Lara , Thomas Michele , Davis Erica A. K.
Published: September 2021

We present a case in which a patient developed fever and leukocytosis subsequent to each monthly haloperidol decanoate injection, an adverse reaction that does not meet the diagnostic criteria of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) or any previously reported adverse reaction for this medication. A patient being treated with haloperidol decanoate for psychosis experienced a fever within 3 days of injection and leukocytosis along with swelling, pain, and a “knot” feeling at the injection site. This recurred after each injection for several months. Muscle rigidity or changes in vital signs other than temperature were not noted. Temperature and injection site reactions resolved with administration of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. The elevation in temperature was discovered as a result of universal twice daily temperature monitoring implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports of fever with antipsychotics are typically associated with NMS or heat stroke; the details of this case do not meet the clinical criteria for either. Similar reactions are reported for other antipsychotics, such as clozapine and olanzapine, but not for haloperidol. The recommendation was to discontinue use of the medication due to an unclear mechanism of the reaction.
The use of concurrent long-acting injectable antipsychotic therapy with paliperidone palmitate and aripiprazole monohydrate in a patient with schizophrenia
Authors: Evernden Christopher , Giang Irene , Anderson Mariah
Published: September 2021

International schizophrenia guidelines endorse seeking the patient's preference for guiding antipsychotic therapy. There exists a small niche of patients who prefer, or are required to use, long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications due to the adherence benefit. However, they may not be able to achieve adequate symptom reduction prior to experiencing treatment-limiting adverse effects from a single agent. Here, we present a patient case prescribed concurrent long-acting injectable antipsychotic therapy with paliperidone palmitate and aripiprazole monohydrate due to patient preference in the setting of a history of nonadherence to oral medications, treatment-limiting adverse effects to long-acting injectable paliperidone, and failure to achieve adequate symptom reduction with long-acting injectable aripiprazole monotherapy.
Planning and delivery of intensity modulated bolus electron conformal therapy
Authors: Hilliard Elizabeth N. , Carver Robert L. , Chambers Erin L. , Kavanaugh James A. , Erhart Kevin J. , McGuffey Andrew S. , Hogstrom Kenneth R.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Bolus electron conformal therapy (BECT) is a clinically useful, well‐documented, and available technology. The addition of intensity modulation (IM) to BECT reduces volumes of high dose and dose spread in the planning target volume (PTV). This paper demonstrates new techniques for a process that should be suitable for planning and delivering IM‐BECT using passive radiotherapy intensity modulation for electrons (PRIME) devices.

Methods

The IM‐BECT planning and delivery process is an addition to the BECT process that includes intensity modulator design, fabrication, and quality assurance. The intensity modulator (PRIME device) is a hexagonal matrix of small island blocks (tungsten pins of varying diameter) placed inside the patient beam‐defining collimator (cutout). Its design process determines a desirable intensity‐modulated electron beam during the planning process, then determines the island block configuration to deliver that intensity distribution (segmentation). The intensity modulator is fabricated and quality assurance performed at the factory (.decimal, LLC, Sanford, FL). Clinical quality assurance consists of measuring a fluence distribution in a plane perpendicular to the beam in a water or water‐equivalent phantom. This IM‐BECT process is described and demonstrated for two sites, postmastectomy chest wall and temple. Dose plans, intensity distributions, fabricated intensity modulators, and quality assurance results are presented.

Results

IM‐BECT plans showed improved D90‐10 over BECT plans, 6.4% versus 7.3% and 8.4% versus 11.0% for the postmastectomy chest wall and temple, respectively. Their intensity modulators utilized 61 (single diameter) and 246 (five diameters) tungsten pins, respectively. Dose comparisons for clinical quality assurance showed that for doses greater than 10%, measured agreed with calculated dose within 3% or 0.3 cm distance‐to‐agreement (DTA) for 99.9% and 100% of points, respectively.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated the feasibility of translating IM‐BECT to the clinic using the techniques presented for treatment planning, intensity modulator design and fabrication, and quality assurance processes.
Is your memory better than mine? Investigating the mechanisms and determinants of the memory conformity effect using a modified MORI technique
Authors: Kękuś Magdalena , Polczyk Romuald , Ito Hiroshi , Mori Kazuo , Barzykowski Krystian
Published: September 2021

The paper presents the memory conformity effect phenomenon, which assumes that information about the same event that a witness acquires from another witness (misinformation) is incorporated into the first witness' memory of the event (original information). The study has two goals: (1) to verify the existence of people with the memory conformity effect who are aware of discrepancy between original information and misinformation; (2) to determine why they choose misinformation despite the correctness of their own memories. In addition, we examine the relationship between susceptibility to social influence, compliance, suggestibility and memory conformity. Importantly, these relationships will be analyzed in interaction with awareness of discrepancy, which has not yet been examined in previous studies. More precisely, we will apply a new research approach to further investigate the causes of memory conformity. To this end, we will specifically analyze participants' awareness of discrepancies between the details of an observed event and the misinformation presented by another witness. In order to examine the memory conformity effect, we will use the MORI technique, which ensures high ecological validity. The two members of each pair of participants will sit next to each other and each will not be aware that the other watched a different version of the same event. Then, the participants will answer related questions and discuss the contradictory details. Subsequently, the subjects will complete an individual recognition test. Importantly, after the main part of the study (i.e., the MORI procedure), participants will be explicitly informed about the different versions of the event and they will be asked to complete awareness of discrepancy questionnaires. This will allow us to further examine the driving forces underlying the memory conformity effect. We expect the study's results to expand the knowledge on the mechanisms and determinants of the strength of the memory conformity effect and to contribute to the development of effective techniques that reduce the effect of this phenomenon.
ROS‐Catalytic Transition‐Metal‐Based Enzymatic Nanoagents for Tumor and Bacterial Eradication
Authors: Li Ling , Cao Lijian , Xiang Xi , Wu Xizheng , Ma Lang , Chen Fan , Cao Sujiao , Cheng Chong , Deng Dawei , Qiu Li
Published: September 2021

The extensive research into developing new nanomedicines during the past few years has witnessed significant progress in diverse biomedical fields, especially for combating drug resistance in antitumor and antibacterial therapies. Recently, transition‐metal‐based enzymatic nanoagents (TM‐EnzNAs) with catalytic production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been designed and intensively explored, which have become powerful nanoplatforms and exciting research frontiers in constructing next‐generation nanotherapeutics to combat drug‐resistant tumors and bacteria. Here, the focus is on the recent design, fundamental principles, and material chemistries in developing and applications of TM‐EnzNAs. At first, the different ROS‐producing mechanisms and the key factors to enhance ROS level are carefully concluded, and the analytic methods are systematically summarized. Then, the rationally engineered TM‐EnzNAs via different synthetic approaches with high ROS producing efficiencies are comprehensively discussed, especially the catalytic activities, mechanisms, and structure–function relationships. After that, the representative applications of these ROS‐catalytic TM‐EnzNAs for antitumor and bacterial eradication are summarized in detail. Finally, the primary challenges and future perspectives have also been outlined. It is anticipated new therapeutic insights into combating drug‐resistant tumors and bacteria will be provided, and significant new inspiration for designing future enzymatic nanoagents is offered.
Polaron Hopping Induced Giant Room‐Temperature Magnetodielectric Effect in Disordered Rutile NiNb2O6
Authors: Wang Jian , Gao Dandan , Xie Jiyang , Hu Wanbiao
Published: September 2021

A majority of the existing magnetodielectric (MD) effects based on spin‐lattice coupling or magnetic transitions are either too weak or far below room temperature, which challenges the potential applications of MD materials. Here, a giant room‐temperature MD coefficient of −62% at 1 Tesla (T) in disordered rutile NiNb2O6 (r‐NiNb2O6) ceramic in terms of the spin‐dependent polaron hopping is demonstrated. The r‐NiNb2O6 exhibits a near‐room‐temperature dielectric relaxation, which is ascribed to the polaron‐hopping‐induced grain polarization. This dielectric relaxation process, strikingly, can be controlled by the external magnetic field (H = 1 T) at 220 K< T< 310 K, achieving a giant MD coefficient of −62% (at 10k Hz) at 298 K. Further systematic investigations on the magnetic, electrical, and magnetoelectric coupling properties attribute the MD effect in r‐NiNb2O6 to a pure response of the spin‐dependent polaron hopping to applied magnetic field. This clearly reveals that the MD effect is subject to a competition among the polaron hopping activation, spin‐lattice coupling, and spin thermal fluctuation.
Rapid and Label‐Free Detection of 5‐Hydroxymethylcytosine in Genomic DNA Using an Au/ZnO Nanorods Hybrid Nanostructure‐Based Electrochemical Sensor
Authors: Sideeq Bhat Kiesar , Kim Hyejin , Alam Asrar , Ko Myunggon , An Jungeun , Lim Sooman
Published: September 2021

Ten‐eleven‐translocation (TET) proteins modify DNA methylation by oxidizing 5‐methylcytosine (5mC) to 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC). Loss of 5hmC, a widely accepted epigenetic hallmark of cancers, is proposed as a biomarker for early cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Thus, precise quantification of 5hmC holds great potential for diverse clinical applications. DNAs containing 5mC or 5hmC display different adsorption affinity toward the gold surface, thus producing different electrochemical responses. Here a novel, label‐free electrochemical sensor based on gold nanoparticles (Au NPs)/zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) nanostructure for the facile and real‐time detection of 5hmC‐enriched DNAs is reported. The hybrid structure is fabricated by the vertical hydrothermal growth of ZnO NRs onto indium tin oxide glass substrate, followed by the decoration of ZnO NRs with Au NPs via sputtering. Successful fabrication is confirmed by analyzing the morphology and chemical composition of the sensor. By coupling the fabricated sensor with cyclic voltammetry, its functionality in distinguishing genomic DNAs containing different levels of 5hmC is validated. Notably, the sensor device successfully and consistently detects 5hmC loss in primary hepatocellular carcinoma, compared to the normal tissues. Thus, the novel sensing strategy to assess DNA hydroxymethylation will likely find broad applications in early cancer diagnosis and prognosis evaluation.
Acoustic Droplet Printing Tumor Organoids for Modeling Bladder Tumor Immune Microenvironment within a Week
Authors: Gong Zhiyi , Huang Lanxiang , Tang Xuan , Chen Keke , Wu Zhuhao , Zhang Lingling , Sun Yue , Xia Yu , Chen Hui , Wei Yongchang , Wang Fubing , Guo Shishang
Published: September 2021

Current organoid models are limited by the incapability of rapidly fabricating organoids that can mimic the immune microenvironment for a short term. Here, an acoustic droplet‐based platform is presented to facilitate the rapid formation of tumor organoids, which retains the original tumor immune microenvironment and establishes a personalized bladder cancer tumor immunotherapy model. In combination with a hydrophobic substrate, the acoustic droplet printer can yield a large number of homogeneous and highly viable bladder tumor organoids in vitro within a week. The generated organoids consist of all components of bladder tumor, including diverse immune elements and tumor cells. By coculturing tumor organoids with autologous immune cells for 2 days, tumor reactive T cells are induced in vitro. Furthermore, it is also demonstrated that these tumor‐reactive T cells can also enhance the killing efficiency of matched organoids. Because of the easy operation, repeatability, and stability, the proposed acoustic droplet platform will provide a reliable approach for personalized tumor immunotherapy.
Harnessing the Volume Expansion of MoS3 Anode by Structure Engineering to Achieve High Performance Beyond Lithium‐Based Rechargeable Batteries
Authors: Ma Mingze , Zhang Shipeng , Wang Lifeng , Yao Yu , Shao Ruiwen , Shen Lin , Yu Lai , Dai Junyi , Jiang Yu , Cheng Xiaolong , Wu Ying , Wu Xiaojun , Yao Xiayin , Zhang Qiaobao , Yu Yan
Published: September 2021

Beyond‐lithium‐ion storage devices are promising alternatives to lithium‐ion storage devices for low‐cost and large‐scale applications. Nowadays, the most of high‐capacity electrodes are crystal materials. However, these crystal materials with intrinsic anisotropy feature generally suffer from lattice strain and structure pulverization during the electrochemical process. Herein, a 2D heterostructure of amorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoS3) on reduced graphene surface (denoted as MoS3‐on‐rGO), which exhibits low strain and fast reaction kinetics for beyond‐lithium‐ions (Na+, K+, Zn2+) storage is demonstrated. Benefiting from the low volume expansion and small sodiation strain of the MoS3‐on‐rGO, it displays ultralong cycling performance of 40 000 cycles at 10 A g−1 for sodium‐ion batteries. Furthermore, the as‐constructed 2D heterostructure also delivers superior electrochemical performance when used in Na+ full batteries, solid‐state sodium batteries, K+ batteries, Zn2+ batteries and hybrid supercapacitors, demonstrating its excellent application prospect.
Granular activated carbon‐based treatment and mobility of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances in potable reuse for aquifer recharge
Authors: Gonzalez Dana , Thompson Kyle , Quiñones Oscar , Dickenson Eric , Bott Charles
Published: September 2021

Hampton Roads Sanitation District recently initiated an indirect potable reuse project to recharge the Potomac Aquifer in southeastern Virginia, USA. Source control and granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment are employed to minimize per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) content in this water. Final purified water maintained low long‐chain perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs; <8 ppt sum of PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFHxS, PFOS) and moderately low short‐chain PFAAs (<118 ppt of sum PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFBS). High mobility of low concentrations of five PFAS (PFBS, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA) in the Potomac Aquifer was observed. Despite low concentrations relative to current guidelines, PFAS breakthrough and mobility support strict source control and the use of surrogates like total organic carbon to guide GAC operation at the installation.

Article Impact Statement

Source control and granular activated carbon operation targeting 4 mg/L total organic carbon in effluent maintained low per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances concentrations in indirect potable reuse water.
To inorganic nanoparticles via nanoclusters: Nonclassical nucleation and growth pathway
Authors: Chang Hogeun , Bootharaju Megalamane S. , Lee Sanghwa , Kim Jeong Hyun , Kim Byung Hyo , Hyeon Taeghwan
Published: September 2021

Nanoclusters, intermediates in size between atoms and nanoparticles, have been a topic of great interest because of their unique molecular structures and optical properties as compared to those of nanoparticles and bulk counterparts. Recent mechanistic studies have shown that the nanoclusters appear in the initial stages of the nanoparticle growth. The formation of nanoclusters is supported by the nonclassical nucleation theory, revealing that the nanoclusters with extremely large surface areas can be stabilized by the ligands. In this review, we first provide the theoretical background of the classical and nonclassical nucleation mechanisms in the nanoparticle formation, which helps understand the stability of nanoclusters. We then focus on the synthesis and characterization of nanoclusters of noble metals, semiconductors, metal oxides, and their alloys. Furthermore, the potential applications in bioimaging, sensing, optoelectronics, and catalysis, enabled by unique optical and chemical properties of nanoclusters, are discussed.
Personality traits and sexual self‐efficacy in diabetic women: The mediating role of marital satisfaction and sexual function
Authors: Jabbari Masoumeh , Hosseini ‐Tabaghdehi Monirolsadate , Kashi Zahra , Mousavinasab Nouraddin , Shahhosseini Zohreh
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Although the relationship between personality traits and sexual self‐efficacy has received theoretical and empirical support, there is little information on how personality affects the sexual self‐efficacy of diabetic women. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of marital satisfaction and sexual function in the relationship between personality traits and sexual self‐efficacy in diabetic women.

Methods

Using a two‐stage sampling method, 410 reproductive‐aged Iranian women with type 2 diabetes were recruited in this descriptive‐analytical study. The participants completed self‐administered questionnaires, including the Vaziri Sexual Self‐Efficacy Questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index, ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, and the Goldberg's Big Five Questionnaire. To analyze the data, structural equation modeling was employed in Amos software version 24.

Results

Results indicated an acceptable fit of the model to the data. Personality trait of openness to experience was associated with sexual self‐efficacy directly (β = .02, p = .030) and indirectly through the mediators of marital satisfaction (β = .06, p = .009) and sexual function (β = .18, p = .014). Furthermore, sexual function was associated with sexual self‐efficacy directly (β = .50, p = .025) and indirectly through the mediator of marital satisfaction (β = .36, p = .012).

Conclusion

Due to the mediating role of marital satisfaction and sexual function, this study has some practical implications for improving the sexual self‐efficacy of diabetic women with different personality traits.
cN+pN0 disease does not portend a less favorable prognosis compared with cN0pN0 in patients with resected oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lin Chien‐Yu , Lee Li‐Yu , Cheng Nai‐Ming , Lee Shu Ru , Tsai Chi‐Ying , Hsueh Chuen , Fan Kang‐Hsing , Wang Hung‐Ming , Hsieh Chia‐Hsun , Ng Shu‐Hang , Yeh Chih‐Hua , Lin Chih‐Hung , Tsao Chung‐Kan , Fang Tuan‐Jen , Huang Shiang‐Fu , Lee Li‐Ang , Kang Chung‐Jan , Fang Ku‐Hao , Wang Yu‐Chien , Lin Wan‐Ni , Hsin Li‐Jen , Yen Tzu‐Chen , Liao Chun‐Ta
Published: September 2021

Background

We compared the clinical outcomes of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) with cN+pN0 versus cN0pN0 disease.

Methods

A total of 1309 OCSCC patients with pN0 disease were included. Of them, 1019 and 290 cases had cN0pN0 and cN+pN0 disease, respectively. For comparison purposes, we also examined 799 patients with pN+disease (cN0pN+/cN+pN+, n = 239/560). Subgroup analysis was performed in a propensity score‐matched cohort with cN0pN0 and cN+pN0 disease (n = 284 each).

Results

Compared with cN0pN0, patients with cN+pN0 had a higher prevalence of the following variables: betel chewing, pT3−4, depth ≥10 mm, perineural invasion, and treatment with surgery and adjuvant therapy. The prognosis of patients with cN+pN0 (mean: 52 nodes) and cN0pN0 (mean: 39 nodes) disease was similar both in the original cohort and after propensity score matching. However, the 5‐year outcomes were more favorable for cN+pN0/cN0pN0 compared with cN0pN+/cN+pN+ (local control, 88%/88%/83%/81%; neck control, 94%/93%/82%/76%; distant metastases, 4%/3%/13%/31%; disease‐free survival, 84%/83%/68%/52%; disease‐specific survival, 92%/92%/77%/57%; overall survival, 81%/82%/59%/42%; all p values <0.001; cN+pN0 versus cN0pN0, all p values >0.05). cN+pN0 disease (vs. cN0pN0) was not significantly associated with local control, neck control, distant metastases, and survivals either in univariable or multivariable analyses.

Conclusions

Despite a higher risk factor burden, the prognosis of patients with cN+pN0 disease did not differ from that of cases with cN0pN0. The higher nodal yield and the more frequent use of adjuvant therapy in cN+pN0 disease may explain the lack of significant differences in terms of neck control compared with cN0pN0 disease.
Use of Cerebrolysin in combination with high‐dose aspirin antithrombotic treatment of ischemic stroke: A case report
Authors: Borisevich Alexander , Veremeyuk Konstantin
Published: September 2021

This clinical case is an example of a potential synergistic neuroprotective interaction of Cerebrolysin and high doses of aspirin. The case describes the significant recovery of neurological deficits in a patient with moderate ischemic stroke (NIHSS 12 points) caused by right posterior cerebral artery thrombosis (RPCAT) after treatment with Cerebrolysin in combination with high dose of aspirin. Within 7 days after the initiation of the treatment regimen, the NIHSS score improved to 3 points and a control MRI that was performed on the 10th day after stroke, showed a significant decrease of the ischemic area and cerebral edema zone. It further might have an evidence that the combination of Cerebrolysin with high‐dose aspirin is safe and might have a synergistic effect in the treatment of ischemic stroke.
Implementation of Computational Fluid Dynamics and Response Surface Methodology to Study Nanofluid Heat Transfer
Authors: Mirzaee Rasekh Shayan , Karimi Yavar , Miramirkhani Farnoosh , Solaimany Nazar Ali Reza
Published: September 2021

Methods of computational fluid dynamics and design of experiments are implemented in modeling the heat transfer of an Al2O3/water‐ethylene glycol (EG) nanofluid as a coolant in a car radiator system. The main purpose of the study is to propose a model to predict the Nusselt number using the design of computer experiment. The response surface methodology is applied to investigate the effects of the flow rate, the nanoparticle concentration, the water/EG ratio, and the inlet temperature on Nu. Analysis of variance is performed to obtain a suitable correlation that could predict Nu, leading to the elimination of insignificant terms in the initial proposed quadric model and the attainment of a reduced model. Moreover, the reduced model is converted to a simpler linear model using Box‐Cox transformation, which predicts Nu with an accuracy of ±20 %.
Ultrasound‐Assisted Leaching of Vanadium and Yttrium from Coal Ash: Optimization, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Study
Authors: Masoum Hero Ghasemi , Rastegar Seyed Omid , Khamforoush Mehrdad
Published: September 2021

Vanadium (V) and yttrium (Y) were extracted from coal fly ash by a leaching process utilizing sulfuric acid with assistance of ultrasonic and hydrogen peroxide. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize main factors including solid‐to‐liquid (S/L) ratio, H2SO4 percentage, and H2O2 percentage. Under optimal conditions recovery rates for V and Y were 100 % and 97 %, respectively. A modified shrinking core model to study the kinetic leaching showed that the mass diffusion step controlled the reaction rate. The enthalpies for V and Y recovery indicated that the process was endothermic. Gibbs energy for both metals was negative, i.e., the process was spontaneous. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was applied to determine the effects of acid concentration and ultrasound on the surface of coal fly ash. Results demonstrated that the leaching agent could degrade and diffuse to coal ash particles.
Influence of Monomers’ Structure on the Assembly and Material Property of Pillar[5]arene‐Based Supramolecular Polymer Gels
Authors: Liu Juan , Sun Xiao‐Wen , Huang Ting‐Ting , Zhang You‐Ming , Yao Hong , Wei Tai‐Bao , Lin Qi
Published: September 2021

Main observation and conclusion

Pillar[5]arene‐based supramolecular polymer gels (SPGs) show broad application prospects. To investigate the influence of the supramolecular monomers’ structure on the assembly and properties of corresponding pillar[5]arene‐based SPGs, a series of monomers based on different functionalized pillar[5]arene derivatives with various structures were synthesized. There are per‐methylated pillar[5]arene (H1), bromobutane‐functionalized pillar[5]arene (H2), 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde‐functionalized pillar[5]arene (H3), ethyl thioglycolate‐functionalized pillar[5]arene (H4), thioacetylhydrazine‐functionalized pillar[5]arene (H5), bola‐type bis‐pillar[5]arene (H6) and tripodal‐type tri‐pillar[5]arene (H7). Meanwhile, a neutral tripodal‐guest TG was also employed to co‐assemble with these pillar[5]arene‐based monomers by host‐guest interactions. As a result, under the same conditions (10%, DMSO‐H2O, w/v, 10 mg·mL–1 = 1%), H1 and H2 cannot assemble into SPGs with TG. Interestingly, mono‐p[5] derivatives H3—H5 could assemble into SPGs with TG. More importantly, bis‐p[5] H6 and tri‐p[5] H7 could assemble into supramolecular polymer network gel (SPNG) and supramolecular polymer organic framework gel (SOFG) with TG, respectively. These gels all show blue aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) properties. Among these SPGs, the SPNG shows the best viscoelastic behavior and self‐healing properties. The result is attributed to the flexible network structure of SPNGs. In addition, the xerogels of SOFG and SPNG have shown nice adsorption and separation properties for organic dyes in water solution.
UV‐C Activation of Peroxides for Bisphenol A Removal from a Real Water Sample
Authors: Öztürk Pinar , Koba‐Ucun Olga , Arslan‐Alaton Idil
Published: September 2021

The peroxides peracetic acid (PAA) and percarbonate (PC) are applied for UV‐C‐based advanced oxidation of the endocrine disrupting micropollutant bisphenol A (BPA; 2 mg L−1 = 8.76 µm) in pure and tap water. Their performance is compared with the more conventional hydrogen peroxide (HP)‐ and persulfate (PS)‐activated UV‐C treatments. Acidic and neutral pH values, 4 and 7, result in faster BPA removals with HP‐ and PS‐activated UV‐C treatments, respectively, whereas higher BPA removal rates are obtained at acidic and alkaline pH values, 4 and 10, with the PC/UV‐C and PAA/UV‐C treatments, respectively. Increasing the peroxide concentrations enhances BPA removals with the exception of PC/UV‐C treatment where an asymptotic removal rate is ultimately reached due to the inhibitory effect of increasing alkalinity. The order of total organic carbon (TOC) removal for the BPA‐spiked tap water (TW) (TOC ≈ 5 mg L−1 with added BPA) is TOCPAA/UV‐C (16%) < TOCPS/UV‐C (24%) < TOCHP/UV‐C (27%) < TOCPC/UV‐C (35%). BPA removal is most negatively affected for the HP/UV‐C processes, whereas the PC/UV‐C process outperformed the other peroxide/UV‐C treatments in terms of TOC removal due to the differences in the reactivity/selectivity of the in situ formed free radical types that may become important when working with real water. The originally low toxicity toward the marine photobacterium Vibrio fischeri and the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna fluctuated during photochemical treatments.
Assessment of Soil Degradation in a Palustrine Wetland and the Implication on Its Water Purification Potential
Authors: George Maeti , Ngole‐Jeme Veronica M.
Published: September 2021

This study determines the extent of degradation of soils in Khubelu wetland in Lesotho and the impact this may have on its water purification potential. 72 soil samples are collected at different sites and depths around the wetland and characterized for different properties. The values of these properties are then used to determine the chemical degradation index (CDI) of the wetland soils. The soils are non‐saline (electrical conductivity < 0.25 mS cm−1), mostly acidic (4.5 < pH < 5.22) with moderate organic matter content (2.06–3.9%). Soil properties vary with depth and from upstream to downstream of the wetland. Values for soil CDI are 3.42, 3.25, and 3.06 for soils from upstream, midstream, and downstream of the wetland respectively, indicating a decrease in soil degradation from upstream to downstream. The dominance of emergent vegetation in the wetland indicates a potential to get rid of sediments in wetland influents but the soil characteristics may present a challenge in the removal of nutrients and organic and inorganic pollutants from these influents. The characteristics of the soils and the extent of soil degradation present some challenges in the wetland’s ability to filter out nutrients and organic and inorganic pollutants.
Evaluation of the DSSAT‐CANEGRO model for simulating the growth of energy cane (Saccharumspp.), a biofuel feedstock crop
Authors: Pokhrel Pramod , Rajan Nithya , Jifon John , Rooney William , Jessup Russell , da Silva Jorge , Enciso Juan , Attia Ahmed
Published: September 2021

The Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer for sugarcane (DSSAT‐CANEGRO) was evaluated for simulating the growth of energy cane (Saccharumspp. hybrid), a perennial biofuel feedstock crop. Plant growth data collected from a field experiment conducted in the semi‐arid Texas Rolling Plains was used for model calibration and validation. All model performance indicators showed good agreement between simulated and measured biomass accumulation. After calibration, model was used for simulating plant cane and ratoon biomass yield using long‐term (i.e., 33‐year) historic weather data under rainfed and two irrigation levels. The irrigated treatments were a) 300 mm seasonal supplementary irrigation and b) auto‐irrigation to replenish soil water in the profile to field capacity. The long‐term average biomass yield of plant cane (6.4 ± 0.47 Mg ha–1) and ratoon (14.4 ± 0.92 Mg ha–1) were the lowest when simulated under rainfed conditions. Supplemental irrigation with 300 mm irrigation water significantly increased yield of both crops (14.6 ± 0.53 Mg ha–1for plant cane and 29.5 ± 1.33 Mg ha–1for ratoon). The auto‐irrigation option substantially increased the amount of water applied and resulted in an average biomass of 16.7 ± 0.24 Mg ha–1for plant cane and 44.4 ± 0.36 Mg ha–1for ratoon. Biomass water use efficiency was the highest for ratoon due to its longer growing season. This modeling study showed reasonable performance of DSSAT‐CANEGRO for simulating energy cane growth. Irrigation experiments using historical data showed energy cane as a competitive biomass crop in the Texas Rolling Plains region.
Automated identification of maximal differential cell populations in flow cytometry data
Authors: Yue Alice , Chauve Cedric , Libbrecht Maxwell W. , Brinkman Ryan R.
Published: September 2021

We introduce a new cell population score called SpecEnr (specific enrichment) and describe a method that discovers robust and accurate candidate biomarkers from flow cytometry data. Our approach identifies a new class of candidate biomarkers we define as driver cell populations, whose abundance is associated with a sample class (e.g., disease), but not as a result of a change in a related population. We show that the driver cell populations we find are also easily interpretable using a lattice‐based visualization tool. Our method is implemented in the R package flowGraph, freely available on GitHub (github.com/aya49/flowGraph) and on BioConductor.
Timing‐specific associations between income‐to‐needs ratio and hippocampal and amygdala volumes in middle childhood: A preliminary study
Authors: Ramphal Bruce , Pagliaccio David , Dworkin Jordan D. , Herbstman Julie , Noble Kimberly G. , Margolis Amy E.
Published: September 2021

It is well known that financial disadvantage is associated with alterations in brain development in regions critical to socioemotional well‐being such as the hippocampus and the amygdala. Yet little is known about whether family income at different points in development is differentially associated with these structures. Furthermore, little is known about which environmental factors statistically mediate associations between income and subcortical structure. Using a longitudinal birth cohort and linear mixed‐effects models, we identified associations between income‐to‐needs ratio (INR) at 6 timepoints throughout childhood and hippocampal and amygdala volumes at age 7–9 years (n = 41; 236 INR measurements; 41 brain measurements). Mediation analysis identified environmental sequelae of income that statistically accounted for INR–brain associations. Lower INR prior to age 4 was associated with smaller hippocampal volumes, whereas lower INR prior to age 2 was associated with smaller right amygdala volume. These associations were mediated by unmet basic needs (e.g., food, housing). These findings delineate the temporal specificity of associations between income and hippocampal and amygdala structures.
Factors influencing the habitat choice of pangolins (Manisspp.) in low land of Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Arati , Bhattarai Santosh , Shrestha Binod , Koju Narayan Prasad
Published: September 2021

Pangolins in the genusManisare nocturnal, burrowing, insectivorous mammals listed as Critically Endangered or Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Two species of pangolins are found in Nepal: the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) and Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata). Despite having high conservation priority, little attention has been given to conservation interventions of both species of pangolins found in the Terai region (low land) of Nepal. The present study assesses habitat use and factors affecting the habitat choice of pangolins in low land (Terai), Nepal, focusing on Amritdharapani Community Forest of Chitwan district. Pangolin burrows were used as the indirect signs, and opportunistic sampling method was used to record the burrows. After the identification of all occurrence sites (burrows) in the field, random points were generated excluding the points where burrows were recorded for sampling of nonoccurrence sites. A total of thirty‐nine burrows were observed at elevations ranging from 301 to 413 masl. Burrows were frequently associated with northwest aspects, gentle slope (15°–20°), moderate canopy cover (51%–75%), red‐colored soil, and acidic soils with pH 6.5–7. The burrows were most common in areas with weak human disturbance (i.e., 1,500–1,700 m from settlements), 800–1,200 m from roads, and within 300 m from a water source and within 20 m from the nearest termitarium. Distance to settlement, distance to road, soil pH, and canopy cover were found to affect the habitat choice of pangolins in the study area.
Kinetic study on solute permeation at the interface of molecular aggregates by partial filling capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Miyabe Kanji , Nakajima Mari
Published: September 2021

Moment analysis method using partial filling CE was developed for the kinetic study on solute permeation at the interface of spherical molecular aggregates. Moment equations for partial filling CE were developed by classifying CE systems into five categories according to the migration velocities of solute and molecular aggregate. The method was applied to the study on the dissolution of electrically neutral solutes into SDS micelles. Elution peaks were measured by partial filling CE while changing the concentration of SDS and the filling ratio of SDS micellar zone to the capillary (ϕM). Partition equilibrium constants (Kp) and rate constants of interfacial solute permeation of SDS micelles (kin and kout) were determined from the first absolute and second central moments of the elution peaks by using the moment equations. Their values were comparable irrespective of ϕM and were almost the same as those previously measured by complete filling CE. The positive correlation of Kp with the hydrophobicity of the solutes was explained in terms of the change in kin and kout. It was demonstrated that the moment analysis method using partial filling CE is effective for studying solute permeation kinetics at the interface of spherical molecular aggregates.
Continuing Persistence and Biomagnification of DDT and Metabolites in Northern Temperate Fruit Orchard Avian Food Chains
Authors: Kesic Robert , Elliott John E. , Fremlin Kate M. , Gauthier Lewis , Drouillard Kenneth G. , Bishop Christine A.
Published: September 2021

Dichlorodiphenyldichlorethane (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) (DDT) is an organochlorine insecticide that was widely used from the late 1940s to the 1970s in fruit orchards in the Okanagan valley, British Columbia, Canada, and in the process, contaminated American robin (Turdus migratorius) food chains with the parent compound and metabolite dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene) (p,p′-DDE). In the present study, we examined the biological fate of these DDT-related (DDT-r) compounds at the same sites/region 26 years after a previous study by: (1) collecting soil, earthworms, and American robin eggs from apple, cherry, and pear orchards; (2) characterizing the diet and trophic positions of our biota using stable isotope analyses of δ13C and δ15N; and (3) estimating fugacity, biota-soil-accumulation factors (BSAFs), and biomagnification factors (BMFs). Mean p,p′-DDE concentrations (soil: 16.1 µg/g organic carbon-lipid equivalent; earthworms: 96.5 µg/g lipid equivalent; eggs: 568 µg/g lipid equivalent) revealed that contamination is present at elevated levels similar to the 1990s and our average soil DDE:DDT ratio of 1.42 confirmed that DDT is slowly degrading. American robins appeared to feed at similar trophic levels, but on different earthworms as indicated by egg stable isotope values (mean δ15N = 8.51‰ ± 0.25; δ13C = −26.32‰ ± 0.12). Lumbricidae and Aporrectodea worms shared a roughly similar δ15N value; however, Lumbricus terrestris showed a markedly enriched δ13C isotope, suggesting differences in organic matter consumption and physiological bioavailability. Biota-soil-accumulation factors and BMFs ranged over several orders of magnitude and were generally >1 and our fugacity analyses suggested that p,p′-DDE is still thermodynamically biomagnifying in American robin food chains. Our results demonstrate that DDT-r in fruit orchards remains bioavailable to free-living terrestrial passerines and may pose a potential toxicological risk. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3379–3391. © 2021 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC. Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Abstract

American robins nesting in apple, cherry, and pear fruit orchards in the Okanagan valley region of British Columbia, Canada are still being exposed to elevated dichlorodiphenyldichlorethane-related concentrations via a soil-earthworm-egg food chain.
The Sensitivity of a Unionid Mussel (Lampsilis Siliquoidea) to a Permitted Effluent and Elevated Potassium in the Effluent
Authors: Kunz James L. , Wang Ning , Martinez David , Dunn Suzanne , Cleveland Danielle , Steevens Jeffery A.
Published: September 2021

Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of animals in the world and are among the most sensitive species to a variety of chemicals. However, little is known about the sensitivity of freshwater mussels to wastewater effluents. The objectives of the present study were to (1) assess the toxicity of a permitted effluent, which entered the Deep Fork River, Oklahoma (USA), to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) and to two standard test species (cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia; and fathead minnow Pimephales promelas) in short-term 7-day effluent tests; (2) evaluate the relative sensitivities of the three species to potassium (K), an elevated major ion in the effluent, using 7-day toxicity tests with KCl spiked into a Deep Fork River upstream reference water; (3) determine the potential influences of background water characteristics on the acute K toxicity to the mussel (96-h exposures) and cladoceran (48-h exposure) in four reconstituted waters that mimicked the hardness and ionic composition ranges of the Deep Fork River; and (4) determine the potential influence of temperature on acute K toxicity to the mussel. The effluent was found to be toxic to mussels and cladocerans, and it contained elevated concentrations of major cations and anions relative to the upstream Deep Fork River reference water. The K concentration in the effluent was 48-fold greater than in the upstream water. Compared with the standard species, the mussel was more than 4-fold more sensitive to the effluent in the 7-day effluent tests and more than 8-fold more sensitive to K in the 7-day K toxicity tests. The acute K toxicity to the mussel decreased by a factor of 2 when the water hardness was increased from soft (42 mg/L as CaCO3) to very hard (314 mg/L as CaCO3), whereas the acute K toxicity to the cladoceran remained almost the same as hardness increased from 84 to 307 mg/L as CaCO3. Acute K toxicity to the mussel at 23 °C was similar to the toxicity at an elevated temperature of 28 °C. The overall results indicate that the two standard test species may not represent the sensitivity of the tested mussel to both the effluent and K, and the toxicity of K was influenced by the hardness in test waters, but by a limited magnitude. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3410–3420. Published 2021. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Bestimmung der Abrasivität von Festgesteinen mit dem LCPC‐Versuch – Empfehlung Nr. 24 des Arbeitskreises 3.3 – Versuchstechnik Fels – der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geotechnik e. V.
Authors: Käsling Heiko , Düllmann Jan , Plinninger Ralf J.
Published: September 2021

Der Arbeitskreis AK 3.3 „Versuchstechnik Fels“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geotechnik e. V. erarbeitet Empfehlungen für felsmechanische Labor‐ und Feldversuche sowie Messungen im Gebirge und an Bauwerken. Die vorliegende Empfehlung Nr. 24 behandelt den LCPC‐Versuch an Festgesteinen. Es werden die Anforderungen an die Prüfeinrichtung und die Probenaufbereitung sowie die Vorgehensweise für die Durchführung und Auswertung von LCPC‐Versuchen festgelegt.

Der LCPC‐Versuch wurde vom Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussées entwickelt und dient der Klassifizierung der Abrasivität und der Brechbarkeit eines Gesteins. Die vorliegende Empfehlung berücksichtigt die französische Norm NF P 18‐579:2013‐02 [1], geht jedoch hinsichtlich Versuchsdurchführung und ‐auswertung über diese hinaus. Beim LCPC‐Versuch wird ein Indexwert für die Abrasivität und Brechbarkeit eines Festgesteins bestimmt, indem ein definierter Prüfflügel aus Stahl unter vorgegebener Umdrehungsgeschwindigkeit für eine definierte Dauer dem Kontakt mit einer granular aufbereiteten Probe ausgesetzt wird. Als Maß für die Abrasivität des Ausgangsgesteins wird die Abnutzung des Prüfflügels gemessen. Darüber hinaus kann aus der Korngrößenveränderung der Ausgangsprobe ein Indexwert für die Brechbarkeit ermittelt werden.
Clinical predictors of internal carotid artery blowout in patients with radiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Xu Xinni , Ong Yew Kwang , Loh Woei Shyang , Anil Gopinathan , Yap Qai Ven , Loh Kwok Seng
Published: September 2021

Background

The primary objective is to identify clinical predictors of internal carotid artery (ICA) blowout in radiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

Seventeen ICA blowouts, 14 external carotid artery (ECA) bleeds, and 60 controls were identified from January 1, 2007 to July 31, 2020. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to identify features predictive of ICA blowouts.

Results

Headache was significantly more common among ICA blowouts than ECA bleeds and controls (58.8% vs. 7.1% vs. 6.7%, p < 0.001). The petrous skull base and sphenoid sinus lateral wall was eroded in all petrous and cavernous segment blowouts, respectively. Nasoendoscopy showing exposed clivus (OR 20.5, 95%CI 1.3–324.2) and computed tomography demonstrating skull base erosion (OR 17.8, 95%CI 1.0–311.0) were significantly associated with ICA blowouts compared to controls.

Conclusions

Findings of headache and skull base erosion on nasoendoscopy or imaging during NPC surveillance warrants prophylactic intervention to avoid an ICA blowout.
Association between fish oil supplementation and cancer risk according to fatty fish consumption: A large prospective population‐based cohort study using UK Biobank
Authors: Liu Zheran , Luo Yaxin , Ren Jianjun , Yang Lianlian , Li Juejin , Wei Zhigong , He Yan , Wang Jingjing , Li Ruidan , He Ling , Mu Xiaoli , Huang Yan , Song Huan , Hu Xiaolin , Peng Xingchen
Published: September 2021

Whether regular fish oil supplementation is associated with cancer risk is controversial. We aimed to evaluate the association of fish oil supplementation on cancer risk according to fatty fish consumption patterns. From the UK Biobank cohort, 470 804 participants with fish oil supplementation data were included. A total of 147 316 individuals with fish oil supplementation were in the exposed group; the other 323 488 were in the unexposed group. No association was found between self‐report regular fish oil supplementation and overall cancer risk (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.97, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] = 0.95‐1). Stratified by fatty fish consumption level, we found the association between fish oil supplementation and lower cancer risk in participants who consumed fatty fish less than two times per week, with association noted for both overall cancer (HR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.94‐0.99) and some specific cancers (colon cancer: HR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.75‐0.94; hepatobiliary cancer: HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58‐0.96; lung cancer: HR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.78‐0.98). On the contrary, a higher risk of breast cancer was observed (HR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01‐1.32) in participants who consumed fatty fish at least two times per week. In conclusion, our findings underscore the need to refine recommendations for nutritional supplements according to inherent diet habits.