bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How do pinching and plant density affect industrial hemp produced for cannabinoids in open field conditions?
Authors: da Silva Benevenute Sarah , Freeman Joshua H. , Yang Rui
Published: September 2021

Information regarding agronomic practices for field‐scale industrial hemp (IH) production for cannabinoids is extremely limited. The objective of this study was to investigate how pinching practice (i.e., removing the apical meristem) and varied plant density affect yield and cannabinoid production of IH in open field conditions. A field trial was performed in northern Florida in 2019 and 2020. The pinching study included pinch and non‐pinch treatments evaluated on two commercially available day‐length–sensitive IH cultivars Cherry Blossom (CBL) and Cherry Wine (CW). Four plant densities (3,000, 4,000, 6,000, and 12,000 plants ha–1) were evaluated on CW. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with four blocks. Total flower yield in 2019 was two times greater than in 2020. In 2020, total tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol (CBD) in CBL was significantly greater than in CW. Pinching did not significantly improve flower yield, cannabinoid concentration, or CBD production. Flower yield per plant decreased as plant density increased, but a reversed trend occurred for total flower yield per hectare. Cannabinoid concentration was not affected by plant density, but CBD production increased with increased plant density. Due to the high cost of IH plant material and labor, greater plant density does not always guarantee greater economic return. This study provides valuable information for field‐scale cultivation of IH for cannabinoids and supports the development of a large agricultural industry globally.
Digital vascular lesions detected by transillumination
Authors: Pyeritz Reed E.
Published: September 2021

Abnormalities of the capillaries of the digits in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia can be detected by shining through a narrow beam of light through the dorsal side and visualizing the vasculature on the palmar side, a procedure termed transillumination. This study was performed to determine if this method can detect digital vascular abnormalities in aortopathies and arteriopathies. Transillumination was performed in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS), thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD), vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (vEDS), bicuspid aortic valve with aortopathy, and arteriopathies without aortopathy. Subjects with no known vascular disorders were controls. Digital vascular abnormalities were present in some patients with all of the disorders and were especially frequent in MFS, TAAD, and vEDS. All patients had significantly more digital vascular abnormalities than control subjects. Transillumination can detect vascular abnormalities in digits of patients with a variety of conditions with aortopathy or arteriopathy.
Ruthenium‐Photocatalyzed Synthesis of Borasiloxanes in a One‐Pot Manner from Readily Available Silanes and Pinacolborane
Authors: Wu Wei , Chen Jingchao , Qiao Lulin , Lv Haiping , Zhang Fuqin , Zhu Yuanbin , Wu Shiyuan , Fan Baomin
Published: September 2021

A three‐component reaction of silanes, water and pinacolborane catalyzed by Ru(bpy)3Cl2 has been developed under 20W blue LED irradiation in one‐pot manner. The reaction has offered a convenient and atom economical approach to access the useful borasiloxanes by releasing hydrogen gas as the sole by‐product.
A geometric morphometric assessment of shape variation in adult pelvic morphology
Authors: Cox Samantha L.
Published: September 2021

Objectives

In humans, the pelvis is the most sexually dimorphic skeletal element and is often utilized in aging and sexing remains. The pelvis has become greatly relied upon in anthropological research (e.g., forensics, demographics, obstetrics, evolutionary history); however, pelvis morphology is highly variable, and very little is known about the nature, sources, patterning, and interpretation of this variation. This study aims to quantify pelvis shape variation, document sexual shape variation, and estimate the plasticity of morphology. This will ultimately give greater ability to interpret modern, archaeological, and evolutionary patterns to gain deeper insight into processes which shape human anatomy.

Materials and methods

Using a sample of 129 Medieval Danish skeletons, shape variation is documented in the greater sciatic notch (GSN), iliac crest (IC), arcuate line (AL), and sub‐pubic angle (SPA) using 3D geometric morphometrics. The landmarking method applied here has the advantage of being applicable to fragmentary remains, rather than requiring whole bones. This allows it to be easily applied to archaeological samples and for the interpretation of separate bone features. Differences in shape were statistically analyzed by principle component analysis, linear discriminate analysis, and morphological disparity. Relationships between maximum femur length, body mass, and shape centroid size were also test by allometric regression.

Results

Results quantify the sexual dimorphism and shape variation present in these features. The GSN shape is the most variable, while the AL is the least. Similarly, the IC is the only feature which shows almost no dimorphism in shape, and instead best reflects lifestyle/activity patterns. Evidence of dimorphism in the IC is likely a result of cultural labor patterns rather than genetic and hormonal influence. Finally, the shapes of the GSN, AL, and SPA are more related to body mass than to femur length, such that individuals with increased mass exhibit more classically “male” shapes and those with less mass have more “female” shapes.

Discussion

The results have important implications for the evolution of pelvic anatomy, and sexual dimorphism, but also highlight the plasticity inherent in pelvic morphology. Analyzing pelvis features separately in a clearly defined, relatively genetically homogenous population gives insight into the determinants of bone morphology, which are not readily observable by other means. The relationship between body mass and shape suggests dimorphism in body size and composition may affect bone shape.
Multiphase Microreactors Based on Liquid–Liquid and Gas–Liquid Dispersions Stabilized by Colloidal Catalytic Particles
Authors: Dedovets Dmytro , Li Qingyuan , Leclercq Loïc , Nardello‐Rataj Veronique , Leng Jacques , Zhao Shuangliang , Pera‐Titus Marc
Published: September 2021

Pickering emulsions, foams, bubbles, and marbles are dispersions of two immiscible liquids or of a liquid and a gas stabilized by surface‐active colloidal particles. These systems can be used for engineering liquid–liquid–solid and gas–liquid–solid microreactors for multiphase reactions. They constitute original platforms for reengineering multiphase reactors towards a higher degree of sustainability. This Review provides a systematic overview on the recent progress of liquid–liquid and gas–liquid dispersions stabilized by solid particles as microreactors for engineering eco‐efficient reactions, with emphasis on biobased reagents. Physicochemical driving parameters, challenges, and strategies to (de)stabilize dispersions for product recovery/catalyst recycling are discussed. Advanced concepts such as cascade and continuous flow reactions, compartmentalization of incompatible reagents, and multiscale computational methods for accelerating particle discovery are also addressed.
Anti‐Aromaticity Relief as an Approach to Stabilize Free Radicals
Authors: Zhang Rui , Ellern Arkady , Winter Arthur H.
Published: September 2021

A new strategy to stabilize free radicals electronically is described by conjugating formally antiaromatic substituents to the free radical. With an antiaromatic substituent, the radical acts as an electron sink to allow configuration mixing of a low‐energy zwitterionic state that provides antiaromaticity relief to the substituent. A combination of X‐ray crystallography, VT‐EPR and VT‐UV/Vis spectroscopy, as well as computational analysis, was used to investigate this phenomenon. We find that this strategy of antiaromaticity relief is successful at stabilizing radicals, but only if the antiaromatic substituent is constrained to be planar by synthetically imposed conformational restraints that enable state mixing. This work leads to the counterintuitive finding that increasing the antiaromaticity of the radical substituent leads to greater radical stability, providing proof of concept for a new stereoelectronic approach for stabilizing free radicals.
Luminescent Metal‐Phenolic Networks for Multicolor Particle Labeling
Authors: Lin Zhixing , Zhou Jiajing , Qu Yijiao , Pan Shuaijun , Han Yiyuan , Lafleur René P. M. , Chen Jingqu , Cortez‐Jugo Christina , Richardson Joseph J. , Caruso Frank
Published: September 2021

The development of fluorescence labeling techniques has attracted widespread interest in various fields, including biomedical science as it can facilitate high‐resolution imaging and the spatiotemporal understanding of various biological processes. We report a supramolecular fluorescence labeling strategy using luminescent metal‐phenolic networks (MPNs) constructed from metal ions, phenolic ligands, and common and commercially available dyes. The rapid labeling process (<5 min) produces ultrathin coatings (≈10 nm) on diverse particles (e.g., organic, inorganic, and biological entities) with customized luminescence (e.g., red, blue, multichromatic, and white light) simply through the selection of fluorophores. The fluorescent coatings are stable at pH values from 1 to 8 and in complex biological media owing to the dominant π interactions between the dyes and MPNs. These coatings exhibit negligible cytotoxicity and their strong fluorescence is retained even when internalized into intracellular compartments. This strategy is expected to provide a versatile approach for fluorescence labeling with potential in diverse fields across the physical and life sciences.
Construction of A High‐Flux Protein Transport Channel Inspired by the Nuclear Pore Complex
Authors: Yang Lei , Cheng Ming , Quan Jiaxin , Zhang Siyun , Liu Lu , Johnson Robert P. , Zhang Fan , Li Haibing
Published: September 2021

Inspired by the nuclear pore complex (NPC), herein we have established a biomimetic high‐flux protein delivery system via the ingenious introduction of pillar[5]arene‐based host–guest system into one side of artificial hour‐glass shaped nanochannel. With a transport flux of 660 lysozymes per minute, the system provides efficient high‐flux protein transport at a rate which is significantly higher than that of an unmodified nanochannel and conventional bilateral symmetrical modified nanochannels. In view of these promising results, the use of artificial nanochannel to improve protein transport not only presents a new potential chemical model for biological research and better understanding of protein transport behavior in the living systems, but also provides a high‐flux protein transporter device, which may have applications in the design of protein drug release systems, protein separation systems and microfluidics in the near future.
Extensional flow of stiff‐chain polymer solutions in the semidilute regime
Authors: Romo‐Uribe Angel
Published: September 2021

Stiff‐chain polymers are preponderant in biology as structural components of tissue and living cells. Hence, understanding their solution behavior under different flow histories is fundamental. Here, the extensional flow under capillary breakup of isotropic semidilute solutions of stiff‐chain poly‐n‐butyl isocyanate (PBIC) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) has been studied. PBIC‐chloroform and HPC‐water were studied as the polymer‐solvent interaction tunes the molecular conformation (Romo‐Uribe, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2021, 138, e49712). PBIC in chloroform exhibits a rod‐like conformation, and capillary breakup at constant concentration and temperature initially showed an exponential decay of filament diameter D(t) followed by a sudden decrease of D, and finally slow filament thinning. Increasing the molecular weight by threefold increased the breakup time τb by twofold. HPC in water adopts a semiflexible conformation and the filament thinning also exhibited three stages, however the breakup time was shorter than PBIC. Hence, the extensional viscosity as a function of strain of PBIC and HPC solutions exhibited three regimes, where initial constant extensional viscosity ηE was followed by strain hardening and finally a sudden decrease of extensional viscosity as strain increased. It was found that the filament breakup time τb is a function of the radius of gyration Rg.
Rheology, dispersion, and cure kinetics of epoxy filled with amine‐ and non‐functionalized reduced graphene oxide for composite manufacturing
Authors: Ackermann Annika C. , Carosella Stefan , Rettenmayr Markus , Fox Bronwyn L. , Middendorf Peter
Published: September 2021

This study evaluates the effect of plasma surface functionalization of reduced graphene oxide particles on the processing characteristics and homogeneity of dispersion of a bisphenol A‐(epichlorhydrin) epoxy matrix and amine‐based hardener with varying weight fractions from 0.00 to 1.50 wt%. It was observed that amine‐functionalized reduced graphene oxide leads to a more drastic viscosity increase of up to 18‐fold of the uncured suspensions and that its presence influences the conversion rates of the curing reaction. Optical microscopy of thin sections and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that a more homogeneous dispersion of the particles could be achieved especially at higher weight fractions by using an appropriate surface functionalization. This knowledge can be used to define suitable processing conditions for epoxies with amine‐based hardeners depending on the loading and functionalization of graphene‐related particles.
Mit einem Holzhybrid neue Höhen erreichen
Authors: Hegner‐van Rooden Clementine , Christen Jasmin
Published: September 2021

Für das 60 m hohe Holz‐Beton‐Hybridhochhaus Arbo auf dem Suurstoffi‐Areal in Rotkreuz (CH) zeichneten als Holzbauingenieure die Pirmin Jung Schweiz AG verantwortlich. Sie entwickelten ein Stützen‐Decken‐Kern‐System, das einen klassischen Skelettbau bildet und einen hohen sichtbaren Holzanteil aufweist. Einzig der Kern und das Untergeschoss sind in Beton hergestellt. Weil Holz und Beton verschiedene Materialeigenschaften aufweisen, waren kritische Punkte zu lösen. Ebenso bedingt der Kräftefluss an der Schnittstelle von Holz und Beton komplexe Details – aus bauphysikalischen, statischen und brandschutzspezifischen Gründen –, denn neben dem unterschiedlichen Materialverhalten von Beton, Holz oder ihrem Verbund prallen mit den Gewerken auch unterschiedliche Umgangsformen, verschiedene Toleranzen und ein anderes Handling aufeinander. Arbo ist daher ein Lehrbeispiel, wie ein Holzhybridbau aktuell umsetzbar sein kann und das beispielhaft ist für nachfolgende Bauten in der Schweiz und in Europa. Auch solche in einer reinen Holzkonstruktion.
How does Lewis acid affect the reactivity of mononuclear high‐valent chromium–oxo species? A theoretical study
Authors: Choi Yunhee , Pandey Bhawana , Li Xiao‐Xi , Lee Yong‐Min , Cho Kyung‐Bin , Nam Wonwoo
Published: September 2021

Density functional theory calculations were performed to study the Lewis acid (Sc3+) effects on the reactivity of ultrahigh‐valent chromium‐oxo species toward both CH bond activation and sulfoxidation reactions. Calculations confirm that the oxidizing power of chromium‐oxo species is enhanced by binding Sc3+ ion. In sulfoxidation reactions, especially, binding Sc3+ ion enhances the redox potential of the chromium‐oxo species, whereby the activation barrier is decreased dramatically. The details of the reactions obtained by theory are disclosed in this work.
Fe3O4@THAM‐Pd as a highly efficient magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst for facile one‐pot assembly of substituted imidazoles under solvent‐free conditions
Authors: Sanchooli Tazeh Kazem , Heydari Reza , Fatahpour Maryam
Published: September 2021

The current work has been explored an expeditious tactic toward one‐pot multicomponent synthesis of 1,2,4,5‐tetrasubstituted and 2,4,5‐trisubstituted imidazoles using Fe3O4@THAM‐Pd MNPs as an effective catalyst. With readily accessible benzil, ammonium acetate, anilines, and aromatic aldehydes as the simple starting materials, the condensation is run under solvent‐free conditions to afford the target products in high yields. The other salient features of the present catalytic system are a simple work‐up process, shorter reaction times, ease of preparation and handling of the catalyst, and cleaner reaction profiles. In addition, the sustainability of the methodology was checked by the investigation of the stability and reusability of the catalyst using an external magnet. The results showed that Fe3O4 @THAM‐Pd MNPs can be reused for successive five runs without an appreciable decline in catalytic efficiency.
Does the interaction between the knowledge management process and sustainable development practices boost corporate green innovation?
Authors: Shahzad Mohsin , Qu Ying , Zafar Abaid Ullah , Appolloni Andrea
Published: September 2021

Green innovations are being deployed in manufacturing industries to promote organisational sustainability by embracing sustainable development practices (SDPs). However, little is known about how corporate green innovation (CGI) is influenced by the knowledge management process (KMP). To fill this gap, we have developed a multidimensional framework based on the resource‐based view (RBV) theory that provides a foundation for sculpturing the process by which KMP was observed to capture and sustain CGI through SDPs. Data were collected from 393 respondents of large‐ and medium‐sized manufacturing corporations in Pakistan and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (SEM) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). This study provides several key findings. First, KMP dimensions (acquisition, dissemination and application) significantly improve the SDPs' dimensions (environment, economic and social). Second, SDP dimensions play a significant role in achieving CGI. Third, the implementation of SDPs partially mediates the relationship between the KMP and CGI. Furthermore, the fsQCA results signify the robustness of all integrated constructs. Our results demonstrate that investing in and adopting the latest technologies and sustainable practices are not only valuable for long‐term success but the soft concerns such as managing organisational knowledge are also vital in the current knowledge‐based economy. Finally, in light of our findings, theoretical and managerial implications, with propositions for future studies, have been provided at the end of the paper.
Quinoid‐Aromatic Resonance for Very Small Optical Energy Gaps in Small‐Molecule Organic Semiconductors: A Naphthodithiophenedione‐oligothiophene Triad System
Authors: Kawabata Kohsuke , Takimiya Kazuo
Published: September 2021

Organic semiconductors with very small optical energy gaps have attracted a lot of attention for near‐infrared‐active optoelectronic applications. Herein, we present a series of donor‐acceptor‐donor (D−A−D) organic semiconductors consisting of a highly electron‐deficient naphtho[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]dithiophene‐2,7‐dione quinoidal acceptor and oligothiophene donors that show very small optical energy gaps of down to 0.72 eV in the solid state. Investigation of the physicochemical properties of the D−A−D molecules as well as theoretical calculations of their electronic structures revealed an efficient intramolecular interaction between the quinoidal acceptor and the aromatic oligothiophene donors in the D−A−D molecules; this significantly enhances the backbone resonance and thus reduces the bond length alternation along the π‐conjugated backbones. Despite the very small optical energy gaps, the D−A−D molecules have low‐lying frontier orbital energy levels that give rise to air‐stable ambipolar carrier transport properties with hole and electron mobilities of up to 0.026 and 0.043 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively, in field‐effect transistors.
Association between right ventricular dysfunction and mortality in COVID‐19 patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Diaz‐Arocutipa Carlos , Saucedo‐Chinchay Jose , Argulian Edgar
Published: September 2021

There is limited evidence about the prognostic utility of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). We assessed the association between RVD and mortality in COVID‐19 patients. We searched electronic databases from inception to February 15, 2021. RVD was defined based on the following echocardiographic variables: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), tricuspid S′ peak systolic velocity, fractional area change (FAC), and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS). All meta‐analyses were performed using a random‐effects model. Nineteen cohort studies involving 2307 patients were included. The mean age ranged from 59 to 72 years and 65% of patients were male. TAPSE (mean difference [MD], −3.13 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], −4.08–−2.19), tricuspid S′ peak systolic velocity (MD, −0.88 cm/s; 95% CI, −1.68 to −0.08), FAC (MD, −3.47%; 95% CI, −6.21 to −0.72), and RVFWLS (MD, −5.83%; 95% CI, −7.47–−4.20) were significantly lower in nonsurvivors compared to survivors. Each 1 mm decrease in TAPSE (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.22; 95% CI, 1.08–1.37), 1% decrease in FAC (aHR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.04–1.14), and 1% increase in RVFWLS (aHR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.19–1.48) were independently associated with higher mortality. RVD was significantly associated with higher mortality using unadjusted risk ratio (2.05; 95% CI, 1.27–3.31), unadjusted hazard ratio (3.37; 95% CI, 1.72–6.62), and adjusted hazard ratio (aHR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.52–4.96). Our study shows that echocardiographic parameters of RVD were associated with an increased risk of mortality in COVID‐19 patients.
Successful pregnancy with stage IB2 uterine cervical cancer: A case report
Authors: Nagasawa Saya , Kasahara Makiko , Aoki Yuji , Kusunoki Soshi , Sugimori Yayoi , Matsuoka Shozo , Ogura Kanako , Ogishima Daiki
Published: September 2021

Background

Although cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in pregnancy, its management mainly follows the guidelines for nonpregnant disease state. Within the limited time, patients, and healthcare workers must make difficult decisions to either delay treatment until documented fetal maturity or start immediate treatment based on the disease stage.

Case

The patient was a 37‐year‐old woman: gravida 1, para 0. Her cervical cytology revealed a high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion at 8 weeks' gestation. Moreover, invasive squamous cell carcinoma was suspected based on the findings of uterine cervix biopsy. Cervical conization was performed at 11 weeks' gestation, confirming a histopathological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, pT1b2. Cervical cytology findings continued to be negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy from 2 weeks after conization until 2 weeks before a cesarean section. In addition, we performed abdominal pelvic lymphadenectomy at 16 weeks' gestation to determine whether the patient could continue her pregnancy. No lymph node metastasis or local recurrence was observed. Finally, a cesarean section and modified radical hysterectomy were performed at 35 weeks' gestation. There was no carcinoma invasion or metastasis. A baby girl weighing 2056 g was delivered with 1‐ and 5‐min Apgar scores of 8 and 9, respectively. Five years postoperatively, there was no evidence of cancer recurrence.

Conclusion

Management of cervical cancer during pregnancy by using a combination strategy of deep conization and pelvic lymphadenectomy could be an effective strategy for carefully and safely assessing risks of recurrence and metastasis.
Nearest neighbors algorithm and genetic‐based collaborative filtering
Authors: Houshmand Nanehkaran Farimah , Lajevardi Seyed Mohammadreza , Mahlouji Bidgholi Mahmoud
Published: September 2021

Conventional recommender systems often utilize similarity formulas to identify similarities between active users and others to predict the rating of the unseen items. Existing optimization algorithms seek to find the weights and coefficients affecting these similarities. Our proposed method, implemented in R in the GACFF package, shifts away from this view and directly uses the continuous genetic algorithm to find optimal similarities in big data (e.g., Movielens 1M and Netflix datasets) to improve the performance of user‐based collaborative filtering recommendation systems. First, by identifying the users who are the nearest neighbors along with their number, the number of genes in a chromosome is determined. Each gene represents the similarity between a neighboring user and an active user. This genetic algorithm is independent of the size of the data. Our method provides optimal solutions more quickly by estimating the starting points. Moreover, the genetic metric provides better results and recommendations than previous ones in terms of runtime and quality measures (i.e., mean absolute error, coverage, precision, and recall).
Synthesis of N4‐Methylcytidine (m4C) and N4,N4‐Dimethylcytidine (m42C) Modified RNA
Authors: Zheng Ya Ying , Mao Song , Sheng Jia
Published: September 2021

This article summarizes the protocols for phosphoramidite chemistry and solid phase synthesis of RNA oligonucleotides containing N4‐methylcytidine (m4C) and N4,N4‐dimethylcytidine (m42C) residues for base‐pairing, structural, and enzymatic activity studies. The two key m4C and m42C phosphoramidite building blocks can be synthesized starting from the partially protected cytidine nucleosides, followed by solid‐phase synthesis and HPLC purification of the modified target RNA oligonucleotides. These modified RNA strands are then prepared for base pairing stability, specificity, and structural studies using UV‐melting temperature (Tm) measurements and X‐ray crystallography. Functional studies are performed by reverse transcription assays in primer extension reactions employing different enzymes. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Chemical synthesis of m4C phosphoramidite

Basic Protocol 2: Synthesis of m42C phosphoramidite

Basic Protocol 3: Synthesis and purification of m4C and m42C containing RNA oligonucleotides
Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) in α‐AlOOH (Diaspore)
Authors: Bohatý Ladislav , Lux Oliver , Eichler Hans‐Joachim , Rhee Hanjo , Kaminskii Alexander A. , Becker Petra
Published: September 2021

In single crystals of orthorhombic α‐AlOOH, known also as mineral diaspore, χ(3)‐nonlinear lasing by stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and Raman‐induced four‐wave mixing (RFWM) is investigated. Picosecond pumping at 1.064 µm wavelength produces a broadband Stokes and anti‐Stokes frequency comb with up to 25 SRS‐ and RFWM‐generated emission lines. All observed Stokes and anti‐Stokes lasing components in the visible and near‐IR are identified and attributed to a single SRS‐promoting vibration mode with ωSRS ≈ 445 cm−1. The first Stokes steady‐state Raman gain coefficient in the visible spectral range is estimated to a value not less than 0.36 cm GW−1.
Risk factors and prediction models for incident heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Gaziano Liam , Cho Kelly , Djousse Luc , Schubert Petra , Galloway Ashley , Ho Yuk‐Lam , Kurgansky Katherine , Gagnon David R. , Russo John P. , Di Angelantonio Emanuele , Wood Angela M. , Danesh John , Gaziano John Michael , Butterworth Adam S. , Wilson Peter W.F. , Joseph Jacob
Published: September 2021

Aims

This study aims to develop the first race‐specific and sex‐specific risk prediction models for heart failure with preserved (HFpEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods and results

We created a cohort of 1.8 million individuals who had an outpatient clinic visit between 2002 and 2007 within the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System and obtained information on HFpEF, HFrEF, and several risk factors from electronic health records (EHR). Variables were selected for the risk prediction models in a ‘derivation cohort’ that consisted of individuals with baseline date in 2002, 2003, or 2004 using a forward stepwise selection based on a change in C‐index threshold. Discrimination and calibration were assessed in the remaining participants (internal ‘validation cohort’). A total of 66 831 individuals developed HFpEF, and 92 233 developed HFrEF (52 679 and 71 463 in the derivation cohort) over a median of 11.1 years of follow‐up. The HFpEF risk prediction model included age, diabetes, BMI, COPD, previous MI, antihypertensive treatment, SBP, smoking status, atrial fibrillation, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), while the HFrEF model additionally included previous CAD. For the HFpEF model, C‐indices were 0.74 (SE = 0.002) for white men, 0.76 (0.005) for black men, 0.79 (0.015) for white women, and 0.77 (0.026) for black women, compared with 0.72 (0.002), 0.72 (0.004), 0.77 (0.017), and 0.75 (0.028), respectively, for the HFrEF model. These risk prediction models were generally well calibrated in each race‐specific and sex‐specific stratum of the validation cohort.

Conclusions

Our race‐specific and sex‐specific risk prediction models, which used easily obtainable clinical variables, can be a useful tool to implement preventive strategies or subtype‐specific prevention trials in the nine million users of the VA healthcare system and the general population after external validation.
Quantification of the Lewis Basicities and Nucleophilicities of 1,3,5‐Tris(dialkylamino)benzenes
Authors: Micheletti Gabriele , Mayer Robert J. , Cino Silvia , Boga Carla , Mazzanti Andrea , Ofial Armin R. , Mayr Herbert
Published: September 2021

Equilibrium constants for the formation of Wheland complexes from 1,3,5‐tris(dialkylamino)benzenes and benzhydrylium ions (Ar2CH+) have been determined photometrically in dichloromethane solution at 20 °C. The Lewis basicity of the ring carbons increases in the series trimorpholinobenzene<tripiperidinobenzene<tripyrrolidinobenzene. Wheland complexes, which are formed with equilibrium constants 102<K/M−1<106 in the reactions of triaminobenzenes with carbenium ions, show temperature‐dependent dynamic 1H NMR spectra, due to rapid reverse reactions and recombination at different positions of the triaminobenzenes. Since the rates of the formation of the Wheland complexes are too high to be measured directly, they were calculated as the product of photometrically determined equilibrium constants and the rate constants for the reverse reactions, which were derived from the dynamic 1H NMR spectra. The experimentally determined equilibrium and rate constants were in good agreement with the results of DFT calculations using the SMD solvent model. The calculations show that in all cases the Wheland complexes are thermodynamically more stable than the ammonium ions formed by attack of the benzhydrylium ions at the amino group of the title compounds, which explains the exclusive formation of Wheland complexes in thermodynamically controlled reactions. With nucleophilicity parameters in the range 10<N<15 the triaminobenzenes have comparable nucleophilic reactivities as enamines, silyl ketene acetals as well as stabilized phosphonium and sulfonium ylides.
B(C6F5)3‐Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Aryl Alkynes for the Synthesis of 1,1‐Diaryl and Triaryl Substituted Alkenes
Authors: Chen Hui , Gao Liuzhou , Liu Xueting , Wang Guoqiang , Li Shuhua
Published: September 2021

A new strategy for the synthesis of 1,1‐diaryl and triarylsubstituted alkenes has been developed utilizing B(C6F5)3‐catalyzed hydroarylation of alkynes with phenols. The method provides a direct route to ortho‐alkenylated phenols with both terminal and internal alkynes. The reactions show excellent regioselectivity, and good stereoselectivity was observed for the hydroarylation of internal alkynes. Computational and experimental studies suggest that for the reaction of internal alkynes and phenols, an acid‐catalyzed isomerization mechanism involving two tertiary carbonium ion intermediates is responsible for the formation of Z‐triaryl substituted alkenes.
Recent biopharmaceutical applications of capillary electrophoresis methods on recombinant DNA technology‐based products
Authors: Kaya S. Irem , Cetinkaya Ahmet , Caglayan Mehmet G. , Ozkan Sibel A.
Published: September 2021

Biopharmaceuticals (recombinant technology‐based products, vaccines, whole blood and blood components, gene therapy, cells, tissues, etc.,) are described as biological medical products produced from various living sources such as human, microbial, animal, and so on by manufacturing, extraction, or semi‐synthesis. They are complex molecules having high molecular weights. For their safety and efficacy, their structural, clinical, physicochemical, and chemical features must be carefully controlled, and they must be well characterized by analytical techniques before the approval of the final product. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) having versatile modes can provide valuable safety and efficacy information, such as amino acid sequence, size variants (low and high molecular weight variants), charged variants (acidic and basic impurities), aggregates, N‐linked glycosylation, and O‐linked glycosylation. There are numerous applications of CE in the literature. In this review, the most significant and recent studies on the analysis of recombinant DNA technology‐based products using different CE modes in the last ten years have been overviewed. It was seen that the researches mostly focus on the analysis of mAbs and IgG. In addition, in recent years, researchers have started to prefer CE combined mass spectrometry (MS) techniques to provide a more detailed characterization for protein and peptide fragments.
Dopamine‐Assisted Coral Films of Cobalt as Bifunctional Electrodes for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Doddamani Jyothi S. , Shaikh Sajeeda , Rabinal Mohammad Hussain Kasim
Published: September 2021

Coral‐type cobalt nanostructures are electrodeposited on a dopamine‐modified nickel plate under ordinary conditions. The deposited electrodes are studied for both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as bifunctional electrodes for overall water splitting. These electrodes show overpotentials of 300 and 290 mV for OER and HER respectively, at a benchmark current density of 10 mA cm−2. In case of OER, the absence of dopamine gives higher overpotential and exfoliation of Co coating. In the presence of dopamine, the electrodes show lower overpotential and better long‐term stability for both HER and OER for overall water splitting. Hence, the present Ni−dopamine−Co electrode interface can be a better bifunctional electrode for the overall water splitting reaction.
Increased asymmetry of pit‐over‐peak statistics with landscape smoothing
Authors: Anand Shashank Kumar , Porporato Amilcare
Published: September 2021

The local extremes (i.e., peaks and pits) of the landscape‐elevation field play a critical role in the energy, water, and nutrient distribution of a region, but their statistical distributions in relation to landscape evolution have received limited research attention. In this work, we first explain how the spatial correlation structure of the elevation field affects the counts and frequency distributions of local extremes. We then analyze local extremes statistics for eight mountainous landscapes worldwide with diverse hydroclimatic forcings and geologic histories using 24 digital elevation models and compare them with complex terrain of the Erythraeum Chaos region on Mars. The results reveal that the spherical covariance structure captures the observed spatial correlation in these cases, with the peak frequency distribution agreeing well with the elevation frequency distribution. The ratio of the pit‐over‐peak (POP) count is linked to the degree to which the pit and peak frequency distributions match, and carries the mark of landscape aging. The relationship between the geomorphic development stage (quantified by the reduced fatness of the slope‐distribution tail) and the deviation of POP values from unity in old mountainous landscapes confirms that the evolution towards smoother topographies is atypically accompanied by reduced pit counts distinctive of organized valley and ridge patterns.
The Crisis in Standards of Care
Authors: Kaebnick Gregory E.
Published: September 2021

Since the start of the Covid‐19 pandemic, debates have waged about “crisis standards of care” (“CSC”)—the guidelines for the allocation of resources if those resources are too scarce to meet the needs of all patients. The Hastings Center Report's September‐October 2021 issue features a collection of pieces on this debate. In the lead article, MaryKatherine Gaurke and colleagues object to the idea that the allocation of scarce resources should aim to save the most “life‐years,” arguing instead that the objective should be to save the most lives. Gaurke et al. assert that it is only theorists who have favored the life‐years strategy; the public has not—or at least, there is no good evidence that the public has. This claim is elaborated in the article by Alex Rajczi and colleagues, who argue that identifying and applying the public's will—a process they call “political reasoning”—is the core work in developing CSC. Five commentaries—two coauthored, by Douglas B. White and Bernardo Lo and by Anuj B. Mehta and Matthew K. Wynia, and three solo authored, by Govind Persad, Virginia A. Brown, and Robert D. Truog—offer further arguments about and insights into CSC.
Lessons from Biomedical Innovation during World War II
Authors: Cook‐Deegan Robert
Published: September 2021

The United States developed penicillin and vaccines during World War II. The partnership of government, industry, and academe was crucial. In an essay, Vannevar Bush credited that partnership with the technological achievements that led to winning the war. The policies used to address the Covid‐19 pandemic closely resemble how penicillin was developed, and similarly produced spectacular success in the form of RNA‐based vaccines. But will today's politics of hyperpartisan vitriol and credit‐mongering that pit industry against government and academe prevent carrying that success into the postpandemic era?
Crisis Standards of Care—More Than Just a Thought Experiment?
Authors: Mehta Anuj B. , Wynia Matthew K.
Published: September 2021

As described in two articles in the September‐October 2021 issue of the Hastings Center Report, most crisis standards of care (CSC) plans include triage algorithms to guide the allocation of critical care resources to some patients and not others under conditions of extreme scarcity. The plans also include other important CSC strategies, but it is the notion of rationing scarce resources via triage that especially captured the imaginations of ethicists. Vigorous arguments have arisen over whether triage algorithms should be designed to prioritize patients based on predictions of short‐, near‐, or long‐term survival. Additionally, there are ongoing debates about the ability of current algorithms to estimate patient survival accurately enough to be useful in triage and about the role of values like equity in triage protocols. Relatively few debates have noted, however, that while the development of CSC triage protocols has been based in medicine, public health, and ethics, the activation of CSC plans remains a political decision.
Harmonising insolvency law in the EU: New thoughts on old ideas in the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Ghio Emilie , Boon Gert‐Jan , Ehmke David , Gant Jennifer , Langkjaer Line , Vaccari Eugenio
Published: September 2021

While the harmonisation of insolvency law in the European Union (EU) has been a top priority on the European institutions' agenda in the last decade, it is well known that this endeavour has been slow and has often met resistance from the Member States. The COVID‐19 pandemic revealed that top‐down harmonisation of insolvency (i.e., introduced at EU level) has been temporarily halted. The urgency to control or mitigate the economically and financially destructive effects of the pandemic has, nevertheless, forced European governments to adopt domestic strategies and laws in the area of insolvency. Interestingly, however, such measures show that insolvency and restructuring law responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic, albeit largely uncoordinated, reflect a phenomenon of bottom‐up harmonisation (i.e., introduced by Member States) indicating a convergence towards common approaches. This paper interrogates the insolvency law responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic in six European countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom). It uncovers the inadequacy of the EU's harmonisation language, and the limits of harmonisation strategies in insolvency and restructuring law. Finally, it promotes the formulation of a wider‐encompassing definition of “legal harmonisation”.
Our way of being: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health workforce development in Tennessee
Authors: Morelen Diana , Friday Keena , Otwell‐Dove Rebecca , Paradis Nichole , Webster Angela , Moser Michele , Peak Allison
Published: September 2021

The optimal relational experiences of infants and young children demand a cross‐sector workforce informed by Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) principles and practices. A recent review by the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health, Inc identified seven themes that help define “What makes an IECMH association strong?”: (1) Identity, (2) Cross‐Systems Collaborations, (3) Sound Organizational Structure, (4) Competency‐Informed Training, (5) Reflective Supervision Capacity, (6) Policy, and (7) Higher Education. The present paper documents the story of the Association of Infant Mental Health in Tennessee (AIMHiTN) and the role of the Endorsement for Culturally Sensitive, Relationship‐Focused Practice Promoting IECMH in that growth across those seven themes with the additional themes of (8) Funding and, (9) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. First, foundational literature is reviewed to summarize IECMH‐informed workforce development. Next, AIMHiTN's story of workforce development is mapped onto the nine themes and challenges and lessons learned are summarized. The article aims to serve as a roadmap for other states, provinces, territories, or nations hoping to develop their own Association for Infant Mental Health (AIMH) as well as a guide for those with existing AIMHs for promoting continued growth and sustainability.
Evaluation of fungal contamination and ochratoxin A detection in different types of coffee by HPLC‐based method
Authors: Pakshir Keyvan , Dehghani Andishe , Nouraei Hasti , Zareshahrabadi Zahra , Zomorodian Kamiar
Published: September 2021

Background

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that are produced by some toxigenic fungi on foodstuffs which are poisoning and potentiate for human's health hazards. In coffee samples, ochratoxin A and fungal contamination were examined.

Methods

Immunoaffinity columns were used for treating of all 50 samples from four types of coffee, after that high‐performance liquid chromatography was used for determining the amount of ochratoxin. For the identification of fungi, all coffee samples were cultured in appropriated media.

Results

The results showed that all samples were contaminated by ochratoxin A but only up to 50% of them had toxins higher than acceptable level as detected in black beans (47%), green beans (33.3%), torch (33.3%), and espresso (25%). Black coffee had a higher mean concentration of ochratoxin A than green coffee.

Conclusion

Predominant fungi isolated from coffee samples were Aspergillus species. Finally, careful monitoring of mycotoxins in coffee samples is essential to improve the quality of this favorable beverage in future.
Prolonged SARS‐Cov‐2 shedding with rapid IgG antibody decay in a COVID‐19 patient: A case report
Authors: Huang Jinbao , Lan Changqing , Wang Xinhang , Huang Mingxiang
Published: September 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) epidemic is still spreading rapidly around the world. Recent cases with prolonged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) RNA detection have been successively reported, and the phenomenon of false‐negative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) results of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA or “repositive” was also described in COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

We report a 69‐year‐old female patient with hypertension, suspected lung tumor, and previous history of total hysterectomy for hysteromyoma who presented with moderate COVID‐19 symptoms and was positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA by RT‐PCR when she traveled from the USA to China.

Results

The patient required second and third re‐hospitalizations due to “repositive” SARS‐CoV‐2 throat swab test results during post‐charge solitary isolation and observation, and serum SARS‐CoV‐2‐IgG decayed rapidly before disappearing on illness Day 139 when the throat swab was still positive. The virus shedding lasted for at least 146 days (the last positive throat swab test result was on illness Day 146, and the first true‐negative test result was on illness Day 151) since her initial positive test.

Conclusion

Prolonged SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA viral shedding is prone to occur in an immunocompromised host, wherein changes in the host immune status can lead to repeated positive SARS‐CoV‐2 detection. Moreover, the SARS‐CoV‐2‐IgG may decrease rapidly and disappear before virus removal, indicating there may be certain limitations on the protective effect of the SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody, which deserves clinical attention.
Retracted: Structural measures to prevent radicalism among youth
Authors: Mukhitov Orynbassar M. , Shaukenova Zarema K. , Kabul Oralbay K. , Yeshniyazova Ainur Ch. , Baigabylov Nurlan O.
Published: September 2021

Extremism has an antilegal nature, that is, it denies consensus ways of solving social problems, giving preference to violent methods and methods of achieving various goals, in particular political ones. The spread of radical, intolerant leadership among young people and attempts to involve young people in extremist activities are especially dangerous. The novelty of the research is determined by the fact that the socio‐psychological characteristics inherent in a young person, his superficial and uncritical perception of social life, determine his appeal to protest‐activist methods of increasing his social status and role in public life, which are mostly spontaneous, spontaneous. The authors show that the affective, heightened emotional reactions of young people to social events are based not only on the intrapersonal but also on the irrational element. The propensity for extremist forms of political participation is determined both by the individual psychological characteristics of a young person and by the social conditions of his existence. The latter is based on a complex set of interrelated socioeconomic problems, socio‐political contradictions, socio‐cultural, and spiritual‐ideological factors. The practical significance of the study is determined by the possibility of preventing unlawful acts by young people and reducing the manifestation of extremist sentiments in society as a whole.