bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Renal Dysfunction in Adult Patients with Transfusion Dependent Beta Thalassemia Using Urinary Retinol Binding Protein
Authors: Elkasrawy Said Reda , Elbedawy Tamer Abdelhamid , Shoeib Sarah Mamdouh , Negm Manal Saad
Published: December 2024

Background: Individuals with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) have been found to experience renal impairment, which can range from mild to severe. This trial aimed to assess renal dysfunction in adult individuals with TDT using urinary retinol binding protein (RΒP).
Methods: Fifty adults with a history of TDT diagnosed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as children (Group I) and fifty healthy adults serving as controls (Group II) participated in the research.
Results: The TDT (Group I) group had significantly higher levels of urinary retinol binding protein/creatinine ratio (RBP/Cr), urinary calcium/creatinine ratio (Ca/Cr), urinary uric acid/creatinine ratio (UA/Cr), and albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) compared to the control (Group II) group. The urinary RBP/Cr ratio was positively correlated with the urinary Ca/Cr ratio, the urinary UA/Cr ratio, and ACR, and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The urinary RBP/Cr ratio significantly predicted the urinary Ca/Cr ratio and urinary UA/Cr ratio, with odds ratios of 1.544 and 4.590, respectively, P <0.05.
Conclusions: One way to identify tubular dysfunction in TDT patients at an early stage is to evaluate the urinary RBP/Cr ratio.
Effect of Genotypes, Fertilizer Application & Crop Geometry on Growth, Yield and Yield Attributes in Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.)
Authors: Aswani R. C. , Gathiye G. S. , Tyagi S. K.
Published: December 2024

A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2019-20 & 2020-21 at KNK Horticulture College. Treatments comprised of three crop geometry viz., 20x10 cm (S1), 25x10 cm (S2) and 30x10cm (S3), two fertilizer levels viz., F145:35:35:20 N:P:K:S ha-1, F260:45:45:30 N:P:K:S ha-1 and three genotypes viz., Rcr 41 (V1), Ajmer Coriander ACr-2 (V2) and Pant Haritima as a check (V3). The experiment was laidout in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with factorial concept. Result revealed that application of N:P:K:S 60:45:45:30 (F2) Kg-1 ha with a row spacing of 30x10 cm (S3) significantly improved plant height, number of branches/plant, while minimum days to 50% flowering was recorded in 20x10cm (S1), whereas the highest number of umbels/plant, test weight (g), Umbellates Plant-1, seed yield (kg ha-1), straw yield (kg ha-1), biological yield (kg ha-1), harvest index (%) was recorded in 30x10 cm(S3) Highest No. of nodes (11.20, 11.08 & 11.28) at harvest in S3, F2and V2and primary branches were recorded (8.86, 8.65 & 8.58) in S3, F2 and V2 respectively for growth parameters whereas, maximum No. of umbels and No. of umbellate (39.26,38.20,42.39&139.91,134.66,140.82 )was recorded at harvest  inS3,F2and V2 respectively. Maximum Seed yield (13.22, 12.62, 12.80 & 25.77, 24.57, 24.76) was recorded in S3, F2and V2 respectively (kg ha-1). Ajmer Coriander ACr-1 (V2) recorded an additional net returns of Rs. 89273 and Rs. 82510 over Pant Haritima (V3) and Rcr 41 (V1). Highest B:C ratio was obtained with Ajmer Coriander ACr-1(3.36) as compared to Pant Haritima (3.34) and Rcr 41 (2.93) respectively.
Unravelling the Constraints Associated with Groundnut Marketing: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: R Seevagasinthamani. , A Janaki Rani. , P. P Murugan. , M Senthilkumar. , Sebastian Shibi , R Gangai Selvi.
Published: December 2024

This review identifies and analyzes constraints in groundnut marketing systems, particularly for smallholder farmers in developing regions. It proposes strategies to enhance efficiency, profitability, and sustainability, thereby improving farmers' livelihoods. A comprehensive literature review of academic journals, policy reports, and case studies identifies key constraints in groundnut marketing. The review utilizes a structured conceptual framework that encompasses supply chain structure, market dynamics, institutional and policy environments, socioeconomic factors and draws on theoretical foundations such as Transaction Cost Economics, Value Chain Analysis, Market Structure-Conduct-Performance Paradigm, Rural Livelihoods Framework, and Supply Chain Risk Management. The study also applied economic and supply chain management theories to groundnut marketing, emphasizing the relevance of Transaction Cost Economics, Value Chain Analysis, and the Market Structure-Conduct-Performance Paradigm. This theoretical framework can be adapted for other agricultural commodities facing similar constraints. The review identifies critical constraints in groundnut marketing, including fluctuating market prices, inadequate storage facilities, limited access to credit, lack of market information, and high transaction costs. These are exacerbated by poor infrastructure, fragmented supply chains, and socioeconomic barriers, indicating the need for holistic, context-specific interventions. The review suggests practical interventions including investment in infrastructure development, enhancing market information accessibility through digital platforms, fostering farmer cooperatives, and implementing price stabilization mechanisms. These measures can empower smallholder farmers, improve market access, and increase profitability. Policymakers, development agencies, and private sector stakeholders can leverage these insights to formulate targeted support programs for groundnut farmers.
Biodegradable Polymer with Effective Near‐Infrared‐II Absorption as a Photothermal Agent for Deep Tumor Therapy
Authors: Yu Yingjie , Tang Dongsheng , Liu Chaoyong , Zhang Qi , Tang Lin , Lu Yunfeng , Xiao Haihua
Published: October 2021

Photothermal therapy holds great promise for cancer treatment due to its effective tumor ablation and minimal invasiveness. Herein a new class of biodegradable photothermal agents with effective adsorption in both near‐infrared‐I (NIR‐I) and NIR‐II windows is reported for deep tumor therapy. As demonstrated in a deep‐seated ovarian cancer model, photothermal therapy using 1064 nm irradiation effectively inhibits tumor progression and prolongs survival spans. This work provides a new design of photothermal agents toward a more effective therapy of tumors.
Steering Hole Transfer from the Light Absorber to Oxygen Evolution Sites for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Huang Shuquan , Yi Jianjian , Pan Yichen , Wang Chongtai , Jin Yangxin , Song Yanhua , Xu Yuanguo , Lam Chun Ho , Li Huaming , Xu Hui
Published: October 2021

Harvesting solar energy to realize water splitting into H2 and O2 in 2:1 stoichiometric without using any sacrificial agents and external bias confronts a big challenge. Herein, the authors demonstrate that engineering the hole transfer kinetic by embedding reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in the interface of light absorber (2D carbon nitride, 2D g‐CN) and oxygen evolution cocatalysts (MOx, M = Fe, Co, Ni) can both tune the hole extraction rate and oxygen evolution performance. As a result of breaking the rate‐determining step (i.e., oxygen evolution reaction) in overall water splitting, the optimal Pt/2D g‐CN/rGO‐FeOx photocatalyst can evolve H2 and O2 in pure water with the rates of 14.07 and 7.03 µmol h−1, respectively, showing roughly higher gas evolution rates and also excellent stability compared to the photocatalysts without hole transport engineering. This work reveals the feasibility of overall water splitting by tuning the oxygen evolution dynamic and affords a versatile strategy for designing cocatalyst/photocatalyst systems for efficient photocatalysis.
The Role of Structural Flexibility in Plasmon‐Driven Coupling Reactions: Kinetic Limitations in the Dimerization of Nitro‐Benzenes
Authors: Koopman Wouter , Titov Evgenii , Sarhan Radwan M. , Gaebel Tina , Schürmann Robin , Mostafa Amr , Kogikoski Sergio , Milosavljević Alexandar R. , Stete Felix , Liebig Ferenc , Schmitt Clemens N.Z. , Koetz Joachim , Bald Ilko , Saalfrank Peter , Bargheer Matias
Published: October 2021

The plasmon‐driven dimerization of 4‐nitrothiophenol (4NTP) to 4‐4′‐dimercaptoazobenzene (DMAB) is a testbed for understanding bimolecular photoreactions enhanced by nanoscale metals, in particular, regarding the relevance of electron transfer and heat transfer from the metal to the molecule. By adding a methylene group between the thiol bond and the nitrophenyl, structural flexibility is added to the reactant molecule. Time‐resolved surface‐enhanced Raman‐spectroscopy proves that this (4‐nitrobenzyl)mercaptan (4NBM) molecule has a larger dimerization rate and dimerization yield than 4NTP and higher selectivity toward dimerization. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations show that the electron transfer prefers activation of 4NTP over 4NBM. It is concluded that the rate limiting step of this plasmonic reaction is the dimerization step, which is dramatically enhanced by the additional flexibility of the reactant. This study may serve as an example for using nanoscale metals to simultaneously provide charge carriers for bond activation and localized heat for driving bimolecular reaction steps. The molecular structure of reactants can be tuned to control the reaction kinetics.
Big data, data privacy, and plant and animal disease research using GEMS
Authors: Senay Senait D. , Shurson Gerald C. , Cardona Carol , Silverstein Kevin A.T.
Published: October 2021

One of the major challenges in ensuring global food security is the ever‐changing biotic risk affecting the productivity and efficiency of the global food supply system. Biotic risks that threaten food security include pests and diseases that affect pre‐ and postharvest terrestrial agriculture and aquaculture. Strategies to minimize this risk depend heavily on plant and animal disease research. As data collected at high spatial and temporal resolutions become increasingly available, epidemiological models used to assess and predict biotic risks have become more accurate and, thus, more useful. However, with the advent of Big Data opportunities, a number of challenges have arisen that limit researchers’ access to complex, multi‐sourced, multi‐scaled data collected on pathogens, and their associated environments and hosts. Among these challenges, one of the most limiting factors is data privacy concerns from data owners and collectors. While solutions, such as the use of de‐identifying and anonymizing tools that protect sensitive information are recognized as effective practices for use by plant and animal disease researchers, there are comparatively few platforms that include data privacy by design that are accessible to researchers. We describe how the general thinking and design used for data sharing and analysis platforms can intrinsically address a number of these data privacy‐related challenges that are a barrier to researchers wanting to access data. We also describe how some of the data privacy concerns confronting plant and animal disease researchers are addressed by way of the GEMS informatics platform.
Directionally biased habitat shifts and biogeographically informative cytonuclear discordance in the Hawaiian silversword alliance (Compositae)
Authors: Baldwin Bruce G. , Wood Kenneth R. , Freyman William A.
Published: October 2021

Premise

Expanded phylogenetic analyses of the Hawaiian silversword alliance (Argyroxiphium,Dubautia,Wilkesia; Compositae) were undertaken to assess evolutionary and biogeographic informativeness of cytonuclear discordance and any biases in evolutionary directionality of ecological transitions within this prominent example of adaptive radiation.

Methods

Samples spanning the geographic and ecological distributions of all recognized taxa were included in phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) and cpDNA sequences. Bayesian model testing approaches were used to model ecological evolution and the evolution of nuclear chromosomal arrangements while accounting for phylogenetic uncertainty.

Results

Cytonuclear discordance detected previously appears to reflect chloroplast capture, at least in part, with nrDNA trees being largely congruent with nuclear chromosomal structural data and fine‐scale taxonomy. Comparison of biogeographic histories estimated from the posterior distributions of nrDNA and cpDNA trees, including inferred chloroplast‐capture events, provides additional resolution of dispersal history, including a back‐dispersal to Maui Nui from Hawai‘i. A newly resolved major nrDNA clade of endemic Kaua‘i taxa that mostly were described as new‐to‐science since the 1980s strengthens the earlier hypothesis that diversification on Kaua‘i has not waned since the island began to decline in area through subsidence and erosion. Bias in habitat shifts was estimated, with transitions from dry‐to‐mesic or ‐wet and from wet‐to‐mesic or ‐bog habitats dominating diversification of the silversword alliance from a dry‐adapted tarweed ancestor.

Conclusions

The habitat‐transition biases estimated here may indicate more limited pathways of ecological evolution than proposed previously for an adaptive radiation involving such major ecological shifts.
Herbivory and jasmonate treatment affect reproductive traits in wild Lima bean, but without transgenerational effects
Authors: Bustos‐Segura Carlos , Hernández‐Cumplido Johnattan , Traine Juan , Benrey Betty
Published: October 2021

Premise

Plant responses to herbivores and their elicitors include changes in traits associated with phenology, defense, and reproduction. Induced responses by chewing herbivores are known to be hormonally mediated by the jasmonate pathway and can cascade and affect late‐season seed predators and pollinators. Moreover, herbivore‐induced plant responses can be transmitted to the next generation. Whether herbivore‐induced transgenerational effects also apply to phenological traits is less well understood.

Methods

Here, we explored responses of wild lima bean plants (Phaseolus lunatus) to herbivory and jasmonate treatment and possible transgenerational effects of herbivore‐induced early flowering. In a controlled field experiment, we exposed lima bean plants to herbivory by leaf beetles or methyl jasmonate sprays (MJ). We then compared plant development, phenology, reproductive fitness and seed traits among these treatments and undamaged, untreated control plants.

Results

We found that MJ and leaf herbivory induced similar responses, with treated plants growing less, flowering earlier, and producing fewer seeds than undamaged plants. However, seed size, phenolics and cyanogenic glycosides concentrations did not differ among treatments. Seed germination rates and flowering time of the offspring were similar among maternal treatments.

Conclusions

Overall, the results confirm that responses of lima bean to herbivory by leaf beetles are mediated by jasmonate; however, effects on phenological traits are not transmitted to the next generation. We discuss why transgenerational effects of herbivory might be restricted to traits that directly target herbivores.
A validated instrument measuring students' perceptions on plastinated and three‐dimensional printed anatomy tools
Authors: Chandrasekaran Ramya , Radzi Shairah , Kai Peh Zhen , Rajalingam Preman , Rotgans Jerome , Mogali Sreenivasulu Reddy
Published: October 2021

Due to the modernization of the medical curriculum and technological advancements, anatomy education has evolved beyond cadaveric dissection alone. Plastination techniques, three‐dimensional (3D) modeling, and 3D printing technologies have progressively gained importance. However, there are limited valid and reliable surveys to evaluate students' perceptions of these new anatomy tools. Hence, this study aimed to develop a validated instrument to measure students' learning satisfaction, self‐efficacy, humanistic values, and perceived limitations of plastinated and 3D printed models. A 41‐item survey (five‐point Likert scale, 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree) was administered to Year 1 undergraduate medical students following a randomized controlled crossover study that evaluated plastinated and 3D printed cardiac and neck models. Ninety‐six responses were received, and a factor analysis was performed with the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin sampling adequacy of 0.878. The confirmatory factor analysis yielded a 4‐factor, 19 items model that had a good fit with the latent constructs of2(147) = 211.568,P< 0.001, root mean square error of approximation = 0.068, root mean square residual = 0.064, comparative fit index = 0.946, and Tucker Lewis index = 0.937. The Cronbach's alpha for the individual factors ranged from 0.74 to 0.95, indicating good internal consistency. This demonstrated a psychometrically valid and reliable instrument to measure students' perceptions toward plastinated and 3D printed models.
Factors and outcomes of collaborative information seeking: A mixed studies review with a framework synthesis
Authors: Granikov Vera , El Sherif Reem , Bouthillier France , Pluye Pierre
Published: October 2021

Despite being necessary, keeping up to date with new information and trends remains challenging in many fields due to information overload, time constraints, and insufficient evaluation skills. Collaboration, or sharing the effort among group members, may be a solution, but more knowledge is needed. To guide future research on the potential role of collaboration in keeping up to date, we conducted a systematic literature review with a framework synthesis aimed to adapt the conceptual framework for environmental scanning to a collaborative context. Our specific objectives were to identify the factors and outcomes of collaborative information seeking (CIS) and use them to propose an adapted conceptual framework. Fifty‐one empirical studies were included and synthesized using a hybrid thematic synthesis. The adapted framework includes seven types of influencing factors and five types of outcomes. Our review contributes to the theoretical expansion of knowledge on CIS in general and provides a conceptual framework to study collaboration in keeping up to date. Overall, our findings will be useful to researchers, practitioners, team leaders, and system designers implementing and evaluating collaborative information projects.
A qualitative study on clinicians’ perceptions of Attachment‐Focused eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy
Authors: Kemal Kaptan Safa , Brayne Mark
Published: October 2021

Purpose

First identified and codified in the late 1980s by Dr Francine Shapiro, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is increasingly recommended as a front‐line response to post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As PTSD is itself becoming understood as a consequence not just of single potentially traumatic events (PTEs) but also of experiences of dysfunctional attachment with primary caregivers in earlier childhood, EMDR therapy is starting to embrace attachment theory, and the need to factor an awareness of developmental trauma into therapeutic treatment. A development of the Standard EMDR Protocol, which builds on this understanding, has become known as Attachment‐Focused EMDR (AF‐EMDR). Although increasingly widely used by EMDR therapists, to date there has indeed been no published research into how AF‐EMDR is experienced in practice by qualified and accredited AF‐EMDR‐trained therapists. This paper aims to begin to fill that gap.

Methods

A qualitative approach was employed, analysing semi‐structured online interviews with eight experienced and AF‐EMDR‐trained UK‐based therapists accredited at Consultant level with the EMDR Europe Association. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Three broad themes were generated from thematic analysis, namely perceptions of AF‐EMDR; it is not versus, it is with; and EMDR itself as an innovative approach.

Conclusions

The study found AF‐EMDR to be highly appreciated by therapists trained and experienced in this approach. Considering the nature of developmental trauma, the authors propose that core training and supervision in EMDR should allow more room for an explicit focus, in both case conceptualisation and treatment, on clients’ early‐childhood attachment histories.
A missed medial humeral epicondyle fracture with incarcerated fragment in the elbow joint and ulnar nerve palsy: A rare case report
Authors: Das Subhash Kumar , Bohara Sujan , Bhandari Ravi , Sinha Ritesh , Das Bikash , Karki Samikshya
Published: October 2021

Medial epicondyle fracture associated with incarcerated intra‐articular fragment and ulnar nerve palsy is uncommon and frequently missed. We report a case of 13‐year‐old boy with incarcerated medial epicondyle fracture fragment in ulnohumeral joint and ulnar nerve palsy, which was managed successfully by open reduction internal fixation and ulnar nerve transposition.
Methanol Steam Reforming over ZnO/ZnZrOx: Performance Enhanced with a Cooperative Effect
Authors: Chen Xuelian , Wang Jijie , Han Zhe , Li Chengbin , Tang Chizhou , Zhao Dongyuan , Yang Qihua , Li Can
Published: October 2021

The steam reforming of methanol (SRM) provides an efficient approach for the H2 production, but current SRM catalysts suffer from low activity, selectivity and stability. Herein, we report that ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) supported on ZnZrOx solid solution have excellent catalytic properties for SRM. The systematic studies suggest that ZnO/ZnZrOx catalysts with smaller ZnO domain (1–2 nm) are more selective and active than those with larger ZnO NPs. The existence of cooperative effect between the ZnO NPs (for methanol activation) and ZnZrOx solid solution (for water activation) was verified by the control experiment with ZnO/Al2O3 and ZnZrOx as catalysts. In situ DRIFTS of SRM and TPSR/MS studies suggest that the reaction undergoes through formates pathway over ZnO/ZnZrOx, where ZnO NPs and ZnZrOx work in a cooperative mode to favor the SRM reaction and suppress the side reactions. The optimized ZnO/ZnZrOx catalyst affords 99.7 % methanol conversion with CO selectivity as low as 2.4 % for single‐pass in a fixed bed reactor.
Manganese‐Catalyzed Hydrogenation of Sclareolide to Ambradiol
Authors: Zubar Viktoriia , Lichtenberger Niels , Schelwies Mathias , Oeser Thomas , Hashmi A. Stephen K. , Schaub Thomas
Published: October 2021

The hydrogenation of (+)‐Sclareolide to (−)‐ambradiol catalyzed by a manganese pincer complex is reported. The hydrogenation reaction is performed with an air‐ and moisture‐stable manganese catalyst and proceeds under relatively mild reaction conditions at low manganese and base loadings. A range of other esters could be successfully hydrogenated leading to the corresponding alcohols in good to quantitative yields using this easy‐to‐make catalyst. A scale‐up experiment was performed leading to 99.3 % of the isolated yield of (−)‐Ambradiol.
Borcalein: a Carborane‐Based Analogue of Baicalein with 12‐Lipoxygenase‐Independent Toxicity
Authors: Kuhnert Robert , Kuhnert Lydia , Sárosi Menyhárt‐B. , George Sven , Draca Dijana , Paskas Svetlana , Hofmann Bettina , Steinhilber Dieter , Honscha Walther , Mijatović Sanja , Maksimović‐Ivanić Danijela , Hey‐Hawkins Evamarie
Published: October 2021

12‐Lipoxygenase is crucial for tumour angiogenesis. 5,6,7‐Trihydroxy‐2‐phenyl‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one (baicalein) is a suitable inhibitor for this enzyme but is rapidly metabolised in vivo. Thus, an improvement of the metabolic stability is necessary to enhance the therapeutic efficiency. An emerging approach to enhance metabolic stability of carbon‐based pharmaceuticals is the use of metabolically stable, non‐toxic boron clusters, such as dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12)s (carboranes) as phenyl mimetics. Therefore, the unsubstituted phenyl ring of baicalein was replaced by meta‐carborane, resulting in borcalein, the carborane analogue of baicalein. This substitution resulted in a decreased inhibitory activity toward 12‐lipoxygenase, but led to increased toxicity in melanoma (A375, B16, B16F10) and colon cancer cell lines (SW480, HCT116, CT26CL25) with decreased tumour selectivity in comparison to baicalein. Surprisingly, borcalein displays a different mechanism of cytotoxicity with increased intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and nitric oxide (NO).
A proportional fair scheduling strategy using multiobjective gradient‐based African buffalo optimization algorithm for effective resource allocation and interference minimization
Authors: Kesavan Dhivya , Periyathambi Ezhumalai , Chokkalingam Arun
Published: October 2021

The increased usage of Internet of Things (IoT) applications in several areas, like healthcare, agriculture, and business, has aggravated mobile traffic issues to a large extent. The deployment of 5G technology has resulted in increased traffic globally. These coherent devices, on the other hand, use the internet to fine‐tune the quality of service in order to provide scalability, anonymity, and accessibility. Despite its numerous virtues, it is bound to encounter issues with interference management, fairness, throughput, and computational complexities. In this paper, a novel Multi‐Objective Gradient‐based African Buffalo Optimization (MOGABO) algorithm is developed to handle proportional fairness scheduling, improve interference management, increase throughput, and reduce computational complexities in cellular communication systems, particularly device‐to‐device (D2D) communication. The simulation analysis is done against other approaches such as the Hungarian technique, DDDPG technique, heuristic technique, and SC‐FDMA technique demonstrates that this method has improved system fairness over the existing approaches. Our method maximizes throughput, and for 500 UE, the throughput is 10.4 Mbps, with an average queuing delay of 24 ms. As a result, when compared to the existing method, MOGABO method offers a 1.2% increase in throughput. Thus, our method offers better coverage and throughput for D2D cellular communication with the reduction of computational complexities.
Rationale and design of the Dapagliflozin after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (DapaTAVI) randomized trial
Authors: Amat‐Santos Ignacio J. , Sánchez‐Luna Juan P. , Abu‐Assi Emad , Melendo‐Viu María , Cruz‐Gonzalez Ignacio , Nombela‐Franco Luis , Muñoz‐Garcí Antonio J. , Blas Sergio G. , de la Torre Hernandez Jose M. , Romaguera Rafael , Sánchez‐Recalde Ángel , Diez‐Gil José L. , Lopez‐Otero Diego , Gheorge Livia , Ibáñez Borja , Iñiguez‐Romo Andrés , Raposeiras‐Roubín Sergio ,   the Dapagliflozin after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (DapaTAVI) Investigators
Published: October 2021

Aims

Despite aortic stenosis (AS) relief, patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are at increased risk of developing heart failure (HF) within first months of intervention. Sodium–glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT‐2) inhibitors have been shown to reduce the risk of HF hospitalization in individuals with diabetes mellitus, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and chronic kidney disease. However, the effect of SGLT‐2 inhibitors on outcomes after TAVI is unknown. The Dapagliflozin after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (DapaTAVI) trial is designed to assess the clinical benefit and safety of the SGLT‐2 inhibitor dapagliflozin in patients undergoing TAVI.

Methods

DapaTAVI is an independent pragmatic, controlled, prospective, randomized, open‐label blinded endpoint, multicentre trial conducted in Spain, evaluating the effect of dapagliflozin 10 mg/day on the risk of death and worsening HF in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI. Candidate patients should have prior history of HF admission plus ≥1 of the following criteria: (i) diabetes mellitus, (ii) left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40%, or (iii) estimated glomerular filtration rate between 25 and 75 ml/min/1.73 m2. A total of 1020 patients will be randomized (1:1) to dapagliflozin vs. no dapagliflozin. Key secondary outcomes include: (i) incidence rate of individual components of the primary outcome; (ii) cardiovascular mortality; (iii) the composite of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death; and (iv) total number of HF rehospitalizations.

Conclusion

DapaTAVI will determine the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in a broad spectrum of frail patients after AS relief by TAVI.
Hurdles and recent developments for CdS and chalcogenide‐based electrode in “Solar electro catalytic” hydrogen generation: A review
Authors: Pareek Alka , Borse Pramod H.
Published: October 2021

There are tremendous efforts to realize the idea of employing photoelectrochemical (PEC) technology for generating chemical energy from solar energy. The most important feature of this technology is to coordinate the energetics of an electrochemical reaction with the solar spectrum. So, the photoelectrochemistry of a semiconducting material plays a vital role in this arena. Exploring an efficient and stable semiconductor material for such purpose is an essential prospect. There are several sulfide selenide‐based semiconductors viz. II‐VI (Zn/Cd = S/Se) semiconductors those exhibit high potential in PEC application. Nonetheless, they suffer by certain corrosion issues, which are important to be reviewed and are discussed here. This review highlights the significant role of cadmium chalcogenides among various materials explored in this technology. CdS is the most studied system among all those with perfect band gap and band‐edge position exhibiting material, desired for photoanode in PEC cell. Next, recent progresses achieving enhancement in the performance of CdS photoanodes by doping, modifying the surface, morphology reconstruction, and engraving heterostructure is discussed in detail. The role of the nanostructured techniques, improved photo electrochemistry with redox couples, and advanced interfacial and band gap engineering is explored to overcome the lack of chemical stability of CdS. The review concludes with the bright scope of CdS as an efficient PEC material in the form of combined semiconductor systems with an optimum band gap, bandedge, and their complimentary properties rather than a single component material.
Adaptation of the Missing Scan Task to a touchscreen format for assessing working memory capacity in children
Authors: Renner Elizabeth , Somai Rosyl S. , Van der Stigchel Stefan , Campbell Clare , Kean Donna , Caldwell Christine A.
Published: October 2021

Assessing children's working memory capacity (WMC) can be challenging for a variety of reasons, including the rapid increase in WMC across early childhood. Here, we developed and piloted an adapted WMC task, which involved minimal equipment, could be performed rapidly, and did not rely on verbal production ability (to facilitate the use of the task with younger children). In our adaptation, we portrayed the events of the object‐based Missing Scan Task (creatures hiding in and emerging from a house) in a touchscreen format. In the full experiment, 67 participants aged 23 to 90 months achieved the longest set size (LSS) scores that were distributed across the full range of possible scores. A comparison of these scores with those obtained using object‐based formats indicated general agreement between the versions of the task. Scores were found to increase with child age. We propose this (freely available) touchscreen adaptation as a suitable WMC task for use with children aged 2 to 7 years.
Osteoporosis, Rather Than Sarcopenia, Is the Predominant Musculoskeletal Disease in a Rural South African Community Where Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevalence Is High: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Gregson Celia L. , Madanhire Tafadzwa , Rehman Andrea , Ferrand Rashida A. , Cappola Anne R. , Tollman Steven , Mokoena Tshepiso ,   The ARK Consortium, Micklesfield Lisa K. , Wade Alisha N. , Fabian June
Published: October 2021

The rollout of antiretroviral therapy globally has increased life expectancy across Southern Africa, where 20.6 million people now live with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We aimed to determine the prevalence of age-related osteoporosis and sarcopenia, and investigate the association between HIV, bone mineral density (BMD), muscle strength and lean mass, and gait speed. A cross-sectional community-based study of individuals aged 20–80 years in rural South Africa collected demographic and clinical data, including HIV status, grip strength, gait speed, body composition, and BMD. Sarcopenia was defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) guidelines, and osteoporosis as BMD T-score ≤ −2.5 (if age ≥50 years). The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of 805 black South African participants was 44.6 ± 14.8 years, 547 (68.2%) were female; 34 (13.2%) were men, and 129 (23.6%) women had HIV, with 88% overall taking anti-retroviral therapy. A femoral neck T-score ≤ −2.5, seen in four of 95 (4.2%) men and 39 of 201 (19.4%) women age ≥50 years, was more common in women with than without HIV (13/35 [37.1%] versus 26/166 [15.7%]; p = 0.003). Although no participant had confirmed sarcopenia, probable sarcopenia affected more men than women (30/258 [11.6%] versus 24/547 [4.4%]; p = .001]. Although appendicular lean mass (ALM)/height2 index was lower in both men and women with HIV, there were no differences in grip strength, gait speed, or probable sarcopenia by HIV status. Older age, female sex, lower ALM/height2 index, slower gait speed, and HIV infection were all independently associated with lower femoral neck BMD. In conclusion, osteoporosis rather than sarcopenia is the common musculoskeletal disease of aging in rural South Africa; older women with HIV may experience greater bone losses than women without HIV. Findings raise concerns over future fracture risk in Southern Africa, where HIV clinics should consider routine bone health assessment, particularly in aging women. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
The role of plant functional traits and diversity in soil carbon dynamics within riparian agroforests
Authors: Buchanan Serra Willow , Mafa‐Attoye Tolulope , Dunfield Kari , Thevathasan Naresh V. , Isaac Marney E.
Published: October 2021

Restoration of agricultural riparian buffers with trees (agroforestry) provides an elegant solution to enhance carbon storage while also augmenting local biodiversity. Yet the scope and role of riparian plant community diversity in key soil dynamics remain unresolved. Operationalizing riparian age (young [<10 yr] and mature [>30 yr] since establishment] and forest stand type (coniferous and deciduous dominant) to capture the potential extent of plant diversity, we measured plant functional trait diversity and community weighted mean trait values, microbial composition, abiotic soil conditions, and rates of soil CO2 efflux (mg CO2‐C m–2 h–1). We used piecewise structural equation modeling (SEM) to further refine the role of biotic indices (leaf, root, and microbial characteristics), and abiotic factors (soil physio‐chemical metrics) on soil C cycling processes in riparian systems. We found significantly lower rates of CO2 efflux (F = 8.47; p < .01) over one growing season and higher total soil C (F = 3.46; p = .03) in mature buffers compared with young buffers. Using SEM, we describe influences on soil C content (marginal r2 = 61) and soil CO2 efflux (marginal r2 = 53). Within young buffers, soil C content was significantly predicted by fungal/bacterial ratio and root length density, whereas in mature buffers, tree leaf characteristics were associated with soil C content. Soil CO2 efflux was predicted by soil moisture, soil carbon content, and herbaceous root characteristics. Evidently, leaf and root functional traits in combination with broad soil parameters significantly describe soil C dynamics in the field; however, significant pathways are not the same throughout the life cycle of a riparian agroforest.
Raman spectroscopy of nanomaterials synthesized on the iron meteorites surfaces
Authors: Begunova Anastasia , Pankrushina Elizaveta , Yakovlev Grigory , Kamalov Robert , Grokhovsky Victor
Published: October 2021

Iron meteorites and pallasites contain a set of Fe–Ni alloys with various structural and elemental compositions. They were formed due to a very low cooling rate of about 1–10°/Myr. These alloys can be used as substrates for growing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and hematite nanowires. We used two meteorites: Chinga ataxite and the metal part of Seymchan (pallasite of the main group [PMG]). They contained an α‐(Fe, Ni) alloy with ~7 wt.% Ni, γ‐(Fe, Ni) alloy with ~40% Ni, γ‐(Fe, Ni) alloy with ~25% Ni, and two mixed structures of α‐ and γ‐alloys with micrometer‐sized phases (Seymchan) and consisting from phases 0.05–0.1 μm in size (Chinga). Alloys in meteorites are located close to each other; therefore, the influence of the regions bordering between the alloys on the synthesis of nanomaterials can be observed. We get both MWCNTs and hematite nanowires on the surface of the submicron structure of the Chinga meteorite. We obtain a straight array of hematite nanowires on the surface of the γ‐(Fe, Ni) alloy. The structural composition of the obtained nanomaterials was determined using scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. We measured the Raman spectra of the MWCNT/hematite nanowires composite and the Raman spectra of hematite nanowires.
A novel polynomial reconstruction algorithm‐based 1D convolutional neural network used for transfer learning in Raman spectroscopy application
Authors: Shang Lin‐Wei , Bao Yi‐Lin , Tang Jin‐Lan , Ma Dan‐Ying , Fu Juan‐Juan , Zhao Yuan , Wang Xiao , Yin Jian‐Hua
Published: October 2021

When a convolutional neural network (CNN) model was built, the size and resolution of its input data were fixed. However, Raman spectra collected by different Raman spectrometers usually had different length, intensity range, and wavenumber interval between two adjacent data points, which made the existing CNN model difficult to be applied to a new Raman spectral data set. Therefore, this paper proposed a polynomial reconstruction algorithm as pretreatment method to obtain reconstructed spectra that would be imported into CNN model with consistent length, intensity range, and wavenumber interval. To test the effectiveness of this method, a big data set with 2563 Raman spectra of 831 minerals and synthetic organic pigments samples was constructed from the RRUFF and SOP database to pretrain a one‐dimensional CNN (1D‐CNN) model. The pretraining results showed that polynomial reconstruction algorithm used as pretreatment method was better than SG smoothing combined spline interpolation algorithm. Then two data sets were collected by different Raman spectrometers for evaluating the transfer learning performance of the trained 1D‐CNN model. Both data sets contained 390 Raman spectra from the same 39 samples of inorganic salts, organic compounds, and amino acids. One was used as calibration data to retrain the 1D‐CNN model, while the other was used as test. Based on data augmentation and 75% calibration data for retraining, the transfer learning performances of 1D‐CNN model were clearly shown in the excellent identification accuracies of 99.58%, 99.32%, and 97.69% for training, validation, and test sets, respectively, which were better than those of K‐nearest neighbor classifier. This paper provides a significant way for the wide application of CNN model in Raman spectroscopy with much more advantages in simplicity and rapidity.
Who is listening? Profiles of policymaker engagement with scientific communication
Authors: Pugel Jessica , Long Elizabeth C. , Fernandes Mary A. , Cruz Katherine , Giray Cagla , Crowley D. Max , Scott J. Taylor
Published: October 2021

The evolving science around COVID‐19 made timely digital communication with policymakers increasingly important for all constituencies. This holds true particularly for the scientific community, where evidence‐informed policymaking can influence the effectiveness of public responses. In this context, understanding how to reach policymakers effectively and which policymakers are likely to engage with scientific information delivered through digital mediums is critical. This study provides a novel observational approach to understanding reach with policymakers through science email campaigns. Using a sample of nearly 3000 state policymakers, we assessed data from five digital messaging campaigns. Results indicate four profiles of legislators: those who rarely open and open slowly (Never Openers), those who only opened a couple of emails (Rare Openers), those who open quickly, but do not always open (Intermittent Openers), and those that consistently open quickly (Always Openers). Female legislators and legislators who had served for fewer terms were more likely to be Always Openers or Intermittent Openers, relative to male legislators and legislators who had served more terms. This study reveals patterns of email engagement and indicates science communication efforts may need to adopt more targeted strategies that better reach policymakers who tend to engage less frequently with emailed research content.
Can (S)‐Stereoisomers of Perezone and Its Derivatives Show Similar Activity to Its (R)‐Stereoisomers? A Computational Characterization and Docking Study
Authors: Martínez Joel , Rodríguez Maricarmen Hernández , Ruvalcaba René Miranda , Escobedo‐González René , Nicolás‐Vázquez María Inés
Published: October 2021

Asymmetric synthesis, in particular enantioselectivity, has permitted the assembly of complex molecules; consequently, many clinical trials are going on to compare the efficacy and safety of each pair of enantiomers. In this sense, to envisage the suitability to synthesize the (S)‐stereoisomers (hypothetical) of (R)‐perezone, (R)‐isoperezone and their corresponding sulfur‐derivatives, in this work, their molecular properties (geometrical, electronic, and spectroscopic) and chemical reactivity descriptors at the theoretical level were compared with the results of the previously studied (R)‐stereoisomers, using DFT/B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p), in agreement between both (S/R)‐enantiomers. Concerning the electronic properties, the 6‐isopropylsulfanyl‐(8S)‐perezone (1 a) and 6‐benzylsulfanyl‐(8R)‐perezone (2 c) are hard molecules, in addition (8R)‐isoperezone (4), 3‐benzylsulfanyl‐(8S)‐isoperezone (3 c), and 6‐benzylsulfanyl‐(8S)‐perezone (1 c) displayed comparable features to 6‐benzylsulfanyl‐(8R)‐perezone (2 c). The docking studies showed that (S)‐derivatives exhibited a lower affinity to COX‐2 due to steric hindrance. Thus, 2 c showed the highest affinity to COX‐2 (ΔG=−9.53 kcal/mol). The highest differences in ΔG values were shown between 1 c and 2 c, while the lowest differences in ΔG values were displayed by 3 a and 4 a. Finally, the biological activity prediction for the hypothetic (S)‐compounds revealed anti‐neoplasic activity, consequently their synthesis is recommended.
Rapid Treatment and Reaction Mechanism of Complexation Plating Effluents by Molybdenum Disulfide/Copper Sulfide+Peroxosulfate Process
Authors: Wang Wenyan , Xu Yunlan , Zhong Dengjie , Zhong Nianbing
Published: October 2021

The removal of complexed heavy metals in complexation plating effluents is always a problem. Here molybdenum disulfide/copper sulfide (MoS2/CuS) composite was synthesized to activate peroxosulfate (PMS) to treat complexation nickel simulated plating effluents. MoS2/CuS showed excellent PMS activation effect. The removal efficiency of 50 ppm Ni‐EDTA by MoS2/CuS+PMS process and Ni‐citrate by MoS2/CuS process reached 99.7 % and 100 % for 20 min treatment, respectively. The excellent performance of MoS2/CuS+PMS process for heavy metal complexes removal is attributed to two ways: oxidative degradation and catalytic decomplexation. Oxidative degradation is to degrade complexing agent into small molecules through .SO4− produced by PMS activated directly by the synergy between MoS2, CuS and Ni‐EDTA. Catalytic decomplexation is to replace Ni2+ in Ni‐EDTA by the metal active sites of MoS2/CuS to release Ni2+ and remove it. These two degradation pathways make the MoS2/CuS+PMS process has excellent removal efficiency. In addition, the MoS2/CuS+PMS process eliminates the dependence of the Fenton reaction on iron‐based reagents and avoids the production of iron sludge precipitation. These findings provide new insights for the development of metal sulfide activating PMS to treat complexation plating effluents.
Dual Kinase Inhibition of EGFR/HER2: Design, Synthesis and Molecular Docking of Thiazolylpyrazolyl‐Based Aminoquinoline Derivatives as Anticancer Agents**
Authors: Batran Rasha Z. , El‐Kashak Walaa A. , El‐Daly Sherien M. , Ahmed Eman Y.
Published: October 2021

Two new series of aminoquinoline based derivatives (thiazolyl pyrazolines and pyrazolyl thiazolidinones) were designed and synthesized. The in vitro antiporliferative activity of the target compounds was assessed against two different cancer types; (MCF‐7) breast cancer cell line and (HCT116) colorectal carcinoma cell line, using MTT assay technique. The 4‐methyl thiazolyl pyrazoline derivative 4 b showed potent anticancer activity on HCT116 with IC50 value of 3.07 μM. The promising derivative exhibited dual kinase EGFR/HER2 inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 0.06/0.08 μM versus 0.04/0.05 μM for erlotinib and lapatinib, respectively, as detected by EGFR and HER2 kinase assays. Moreover, the flow cytometry analysis of HCT116 cells treated with 4 b revealed that the derivative was capable of arresting the cell cycle at G1 phase and inducing late cellular apoptosis. Molecular docking of 4 b showed that the synthesized compound exhibited promising binding energy scores of −15.0774 and −16.9040 kcal/mol into EGFR and HER2 active sites, respectively. Finally, the pharmacokinetics and physicochemical parameters of 4 b showed its promising drug‐like properties.
Functional Electrolytes: Game Changers for Smart Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices
Authors: Wang Faxing , Zhang Panpan , Wang Gang , Nia Ali Shaygan , Yu Minghao , Feng Xinliang
Published: October 2021

Electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices integrated with smart functions are highly attractive for powering the next‐generation electronics in the coming era of artificial intelligence. In this regard, exploiting functional electrolytes represents a viable strategy to realize smart functions in EES devices. In this review, recent advances in the development of functional electrolytes for smart EES devices like rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors are presented. Various stimulus‐responsive electrolytes are first summarized, including temperature‐, mechanical force‐, voltage‐, magnetism‐, and light‐responsive electrolytes. Emphasis is placed on the working principles of stimulus‐responsive electrolytes and their specific problem‐solving functions in EES devices. Then, the latest advances in electrochromic and self‐healing electrolytes used for smart EES devices are discussed. Finally, key challenges and research opportunities related to functional electrolyte design and smart EES device development are envisioned, with the goal of accelerating further research in this thriving field.