bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of and risk factors associated with latent tuberculosis infection in a Latin American region
Authors: Bustamante-Rengifo Javier Andrés , González-Salazar Luz Ángela , Osorio-Certuche Nicole , Bejarano-Lozano Yesica , Tovar Cuevas José Rafael , Astudillo-Hernández Miryam , Crespo-Ortiz Maria del Pilar
Published: August 2020

Tuberculosis (TB) represents a health problem in Colombia, and its control is focused on the search for contacts and treatment of TB cases underscoring the role of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) as a reservoir of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The burden of LTBI in Colombia is unknown. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of LTBI and identify the associated risk factors. In this cross-sectional study, we recruited participants from four health care centers in Cali, Colombia. The participants were eligible if they were aged between 14 and 70 years, and all participants answered a survey evaluating their medical history and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. LTBI status was based on tuberculin skin test (TST) positivity using two thresholds: ≥10 mm (TST-10) and ≥15 mm (TST-15). The magnitude of the associations between independent factors and dependent outcomes (LTBI status and TST induration) were evaluated by logistic regression and generalized linear models, respectively. A total of 589 individuals were included with TST positivity rates of 25.3% (TST-10) and 13.2% (TST-15). Logistic regression showed that being between age 40 and 69 years (OR = 7.28, 95% CI [1.62–32.7]), being male (OR = 1.71, 95% CI [1.04–2.84]), being employed (OR = 1.56, 95% CI [1.02–2.38]), and having a low intake of alcohol (OR = 2.40, 95% CI [1.13–5.11]) were risk factors for TST positivity, while living in the north zone (OR = 0.32, 95% CI [0.18–0.55]), living in the suburb zone (OR = 0.28, 95% CI [0.15–0.52]) and having a secondary education (OR = 0.49 95% CI [0.29–0.83]) lowered the risk of TST positivity. The generalized linear model showed that the previous predictors, as well as a low body mass index, had an effect on TST reaction size. The LTBI prevalence found in the population was moderate, reflecting the continuous transmission of M. tuberculosis. Social factors seem to play a decisive role in the risk of LTBI. Employed males, who are over 40 years of age, are overweight, have a lower level of education and have a low intake of alcohol (50–100 mL, once/week) should be a priority group for prophylactic treatment as a strategy for TB control in this city.
Evaluation of Promising Sugarcane Clones in Plant Cane against Natural Infection of Pokkah Boeng Disease
Authors: Porika Jalender , Yellagoni Swathi , Reddy Eshwara , Gojuri Rakesh , Naguri Swapna
Published: August 2020

Pokkah boeng caused by Fusarium sp is becoming a serious fungal disease on basis of its rapid spread during last few years, posing new threat to sugarcane cultivation. Earlier Pokkah boeng disease was of minor importance but now it has become matter of concern as it is spreading rapidly in sugarcane growing areas having monoculture of single variety. The present investigation entitled “Evaluation of promising sugarcane clones in plant cane against natural infection of pokkah boeng disease” was carried out at Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research station, Rudrur, Nizamabad, Telangana (India) to identify the source of resistance with single series design. Among the ten promising sugarcane clones evaluated in plant cane against Pokkah boeng disease three clones viz., 2014R11, 2010R854 and 83R23 showed resistant reaction.
Ópera e febre amarela no Rio de Janeiro Imperial
Authors: Virmond Marcos , Nogueira Lenita Waldige Mendes
Published: August 2020

A música, particularmente a ópera, foi atividade importante no Rio de Janeiro do século XIX e na política de aproximação da ex-colônia à Europa. A falta de forças locais suficientes, entretanto, fazia a Itália, principalmente, o local de busca por companhias líricas que viessem suprir essa demanda. Nesse contexto, este estudo pretende discutir as relações da vida operística da capital do império, notadamente as companhias líricas italianas, com a epidemia de febre amarela que assolou o Rio entre 1849 e 1853 e suas repercussões na Europa. Mesmo com a morte de muitos integrantes das companhias, os músicos continuavam a participar das temporadas líricas no Rio. Ida Edelvira, Angelo Brunacci, Giuseppina Zecchini e Rosilde Stoltz são alguns dos importantes nomes da lírica italiana que continuaram a frequentar a cena local, mesmo com a vigência da epidemia amarílica. Descreve-se os detalhes desses agenciamentos, o repertório empreendido no Rio, sua repercussão local, o acometimento progressivo de vários membros das companhias pela doença, muitos deles com êxito letal e a percepção da imprensa italiana especializada em teatro sobre esta situação. Conclui-se que o desconsolo com a situação política e social da Itália naquele momento, os ganhos monetários substanciais e a possibilidade de extensas viagens para outros centros da América do Sul prevaleciam sobre o receio da febre amarela.
As formas neobarrocas e neoclássicas nas Bachianas Brasileiras de Villa-Lobos
Authors: Barros José D'Assunção
Published: August 2020

As Bachianas Brasileiras, de Heitor Villa-Lobos, constituem uma das mais famosas séries composicionais do célebre compositor carioca de música erudita. Inseridas em uma fase villa-lobiana que pode ser considerada neoclássica – no sentido de primar para realização de obras musicais bem apoiadas em formas musicais bem definidas, sejam barrocas ou neoclássicas – esta série constitui uma oportunidade exemplar para falar de formas musicais como a das fugas. O objetivo do artigo é simultaneamente apresentar a série das bachianas e algumas das formas por elas encaminhadas
Figurative Language
Authors: Yu Ning
Published: August 2020

This entry presents a cognitive linguistic view of figurative language, with a focus on conceptual metaphor theory (CMT), which distinguishes between conceptual and linguistic metaphors. Conceptual metaphors are concepts linked by metaphorical mappings in our conceptual systems whereas linguistic metaphors manifest metaphorical conceptual mappings in our language. Conceptual metaphors also form hierarchical systems, with primary metaphors at a higher, more schematic level and complex metaphors at a lower, more specific level. Complex metaphors may often be decomposed into primary metaphors in combination with literal cultural beliefs. Conceptual metaphors are grounded in both bodily and cultural experiences, and the interaction between body and culture gives rise to specific metaphors in a particular language and culture.
Language and Mind
Authors: Rumsey Alan
Published: August 2020

Understandings of the relationship between “language” and “mind” depend on how we understand those terms. Linguistic‐anthropological understandings tend to stress their sociocultural dimensions. That emphasis has run in two different directions. The first approach was pioneered by Franz Boas, Edward Sapir, and Benjamin Lee Whorf. It focuses on differences among languages, and associates them with presumed differences in ways of thinking about the world. The second broad range of approaches treats both language and mind more from the viewpoint of their embedding within a world of social action and interaction. I review the foundational work along those lines by G.H. Mead, Lev Vygotsky, and Mikhail Bakhtin, and how it has been drawn upon by linguistic anthropologists. I then review the related philosophical notion of intersubjectivity developed by Edmund Husserl, and how it has been empirically confirmed and extended by recent work in developmental psychology. I discuss the related work by psychologists on the development of children's capacity for understanding of other minds (“theory of mind”). I show how linguistic anthropologists have provided a critical cross‐cultural dimension to that work, and point to the need for more interdisciplinary dialogue along those lines.
Sociophonetics
Authors: Zimman Lal
Published: August 2020

Sociophonetics is an analytic approach that overlaps with, but is also distinct from, related areas of study such as quantitative and variationist sociolinguistics. The distinctive characteristics of sociophonetics include the use of continuous (rather than categorical) variables, an interest in perception as well as production, and the implementation of a range of methods for data collection in both field settings and laboratories. Increasingly, researchers combine sociophonetic approaches with more anthropological approaches, including ethnography, qualitative linguistic analysis, and the prioritization of understudied, Indigenous, and minority languages.
Visualized Real‐Time and Spatial High‐Temperature Sensing in Air‐Stable Organic Films
Authors: Yao Feng , Kong Mengfei , Yan Bohan , Li Ying , Guo Qingyi , Li Jiewei , Wang Shuangqing , Guo Xudong , Hu Rui , Qian Yan , Fan Quli , Yang Guoqiang
Published: August 2020

Large‐area thin‐film thermometers for high‐temperature and wide‐range gradient thermosensing and thermomapping are difficult to realize, although they are crucial for scientific and industrial applications. Most luminophores encounter significant emission quenching at heating, and among them, inorganic metal‐based materials have difficulty forming uniform and large‐area‐compliant films. Herein, a series of heat‐resistant blue luminophores based on carbazolyl–pyrene‐substituted triarylphosphine oxides is developed. At a high temperature of 260 °C, their films still maintain high brightness (up to 79% of the original luminous intensity at –196 °C) due to the thermo‐populating of the bright high‐lying excited states. By hybridizing with a thermosensitive yellow chromophore presenting both excited state intramolecular proton transfer and J‐aggregation characteristics, fast‐responsive ratiometric film thermometers for air‐stable sensitive and spatial measurements in wide and high‐temperature range are realized. A wide sensitive thermo‐detection range of around 50–225 °C above room temperature is achieved with a relative sensitivity (Sr) higher than 1% K−1. The maximum Sr reaches 2.14% K−1 at 168 °C. Moreover, the films exhibit fast‐responsive (50 ms detectable) and large‐area (4 × 4 cm2) naked‐eye thermomapping capabilities, comparable to the infrared thermal imaging results. Double‐proof data encryption applying reversible emission thermo‐tuning is also demonstrated.
A Digital‐to‐Channel Microfluidic Interface via Inkjet Printing of Silver and UV Curing of Thiol–Enes
Authors: Sathyanarayanan Gowtham , Haapala Markus , Dixon Christopher , Wheeler Aaron R. , Sikanen Tiina M.
Published: August 2020

Microfluidic sample manipulation is a key enabler in modern chemical biology research. Both discrete droplet‐based digital microfluidic (DMF) assays and continuous flow in‐channel assays are well established, each featuring unique advantages from the viewpoint of automation and parallelization. However, there are marked differences in the applicable microfabrication materials and methods, which limit the interfacing of DMF sample preparation with in‐channel separation systems, such as the gold standard microchip electrophoresis. Simultaneously, there is an increasing demand for low‐cost and user‐friendly manufacturing techniques to foster the adaptation of microfluidic technology in routine laboratory analyses. This work demonstrates integration of DMF with in‐channel separation systems using only low‐cost and accessible (non‐cleanroom) manufacturing techniques, i.e., inkjet printing of silver for patterning of the driving electrodes and UV curing of off‐stoichiometric thiol–ene (OSTE) polymers both for dielectric coating of the electrode arrays and replica molding of the microchannel network. As a dielectric, OSTE performs similar to Parylene C (a gold standard dielectric in electrowetting), whereas its tunable surface and bulk properties facilitate straightforward bonding of the microchannel with the dielectric layer. In addition, a new chip design that facilitates efficient droplet transfer from the DMF part to the microchannel inlet solely by electrowetting is showcased.
Using prior parameter knowledge in model‐based design of experiments for pharmaceutical production
Authors: Shahmohammadi Ali , McAuley Kimberley B.
Published: August 2020

Sequential model‐based design of experiments (MBDoE) uses information from previous experiments to select new experimental conditions. Computation of MBDoE objective functions can be impossible due to a noninvertible Fisher information matrix (FIM). Previously, we evaluated a leave‐out (LO) approach that designed experiments by removing problematic model parameters from the design process. Unfortunately, the LO approach can be computationally expensive due to its iterative nature. In this study, we propose a simplified Bayesian approach that makes the FIM invertible by accounting for prior parameter information. We compare the proposed simplified Bayesian approach to the LO approach for sequential A‐optimal design. Results from a pharmaceutical case study show that the proposed approach is superior, on average, for design of experiments. We suggest that simplified Bayesian MBDoE should be combined with a subset‐selection‐based approach for parameter estimation. This combined methodology gave the best results on average for the case study.
Expanding the phenotypic spectrum of IFT81: Associated ciliopathy syndrome
Authors: Ashraf Tazeen , Vaina Camelia , Giri Dinesh , Burren Christine P. , James Margaret , Offiah Amaka C. , Overton Timothy , Baptista Julia , Ellard Sian , Smithson Sarah F.
Published: August 2020

Short‐rib polydactyly syndromes are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by narrow thorax with short ribs, polydactyly and often other visceral and skeletal malformations. To date there have only been six reported patients with homozygous and compound heterozygous variants in IFT81, causing a short‐rib thoracic dysplasia, with, or without, polydactyly (SRTD19: OMIM 617895). IFT81 is a protein integral to the core of the intraflagellar transport complex B (IFT‐B), which is involved in anterograde transport in the cilium. We describe the case of a male infant with compound heterozygous variants in IFT81, who presented with short long bones, a narrow thorax, polydactyly, and multiple malformations. Three novel clinical features are reported including complete situs inversus, micropenis, and rectal atresia, which have not previously been associated with variants in IFT81. We reviewed the literature and identified the most consistent clinical features associated with this rare ciliopathy syndrome. We postulate that dolichocephaly and sagittal craniosynostosis may be associated with this condition, and provide a clue to considering IFT81 as the causative gene when deciphering complex ciliopathies.
Roberts syndrome in an Indian patient with humeroradial synostosis, congenital elbow contractures and a novel homozygous splice variant in ESCO2
Authors: Schneeberger Pauline E. , Nayak Shalini S. , Fuchs Sigrid , Kutsche Kerstin , Girisha Katta M.
Published: August 2020

Roberts syndrome (also known as Roberts‐SC phocomelia syndrome) is an autosomal recessive developmental disorder, characterized by pre‐ and postnatal growth retardation, limb malformations including bilateral symmetric tetraphocomelia or mesomelia, and craniofacial dysmorphism. Biallelic loss‐of‐function variants in ESCO2, which codes for establishment of sister chromatid cohesion N‐acetyltransferase 2, cause Roberts syndrome. Phenotypic spectrum among patients is broad, challenging clinical diagnosis in mildly affected individuals. Here we report a 3‐year‐old boy with a mild phenotype of Roberts syndrome with bilateral elbow contractures, humeroradial synostosis, mild lower limb disparity, and facial dysmorphism. Trio whole‐exome sequencing identified the novel biallelic splice variant c.1673+1G>A in ESCO2 in the patient. Aberrant ESCO2 pre‐mRNA splicing, reduced relative ESCO2 mRNA amount, and characteristic cytogenetic defects, such as premature centromere separation, heterochromatin repulsion, and chromosome breaks, in patient cells strongly supported pathogenicity of the ESCO2 variant affecting one of the highly conserved guanine‐thymine dinucleotide of the donor splice site. Our case highlights the difficulty in establishing a clinical diagnosis in individuals with minor clinical features of Roberts syndrome and normal intellectual and social development. However, next‐generation sequencing tools allow for molecular diagnosis in cases presenting with mild developmental defects.
Electrochemical Methods for Pd‐catalyzed C−H Functionalization
Authors: Erchinger Johannes E. , van Gemmeren Manuel
Published: August 2020

The activation and functionalization of C−H bonds using palladium catalysts has become an important part of a modern chemist toolbox, as it enables a range of highly useful transformations to be achieved in a single synthetic step. However, many established protocols for such C−H functionalizations rely on stoichiometric amounts of chemical oxidants, which are often expensive and/or toxic, and lower the atom efficiency. Striving for more sustainable transformations, electrochemistry has re‐emerged as an alternative atomless approach towards oxidation, potentially offering cheap and more user‐friendly methodologies. Herein we discuss recent endeavors to combined electrochemistry and Pd‐catalyzed C−H activation/functionalization, to achieve C−C, C−X, C−O and C−P bond formation.
Photocatalytic active silver organic framework: Ag(I)‐MOF and its hybrids with silver cyanamide
Authors: Song Huihui , Wang Na , Shi Xiatong , Meng Hao , Han Yide , Wu Junbiao , Xu Junli , Xu Yan , Sun Ting , Zhang Xia
Published: August 2020

Probing into the new heterostructure based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and optimizing their photocatalytic efficiency under solar energy irradiation are one of hot topics in extending applications of MOFs in photocatalytic technology. Inspired by the excellent visible‐light responses and photocatalytic activities of inorganic silver salts, in this work, we focused on the construction of hybrid photocatalysts involving Ag‐MOF and silver cyanamide (Ag2NCN). Two opposite in situ synthesis routes were adopted, which are hydrothermally producing Ag‐MOF in the presence of Ag2NCN (route A) or precipitating Ag2NCN in the existence of Ag‐MOF (route B), and the mass ratio of Ag2NCN vs. Ag‐MOF was optimized. The morphology and structure character show that the synthetic routes have no obvious influences on the crystal structure, but change the morphology and size of final hybrid photocatalysts. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B under simulated solar energy has been tested to evaluate the photocatalytic activities for resulting hybrids. Compared to single Ag‐MOF and Ag2NCN, the enhanced photocatalytic rates are represented by the hybrids. The electrochemical analyses and the active species trapping experiments were conducted to clarify the photocatalytic mechanism for resulting hybrids. The good recycling photocatalytic results indicate the prospect applications of Ag‐MOF based hybrid photocatalysts.
Recovery of gallium by silica‐based polymer TBP/SiO2‐P obtained from hydrochloric acid solution
Authors: Meng Jie‐Jie , He Chun‐Lin , Zhou Jie , Fujita Toyohisa , Ning Shun‐Yan , Wei Yue‐Zhou
Published: August 2020

Resin adsorption methods are widely used to recover gallium (Ga) from Bayer liquid. However, when the resin adsorbs Ga(III), a part of vanadium (V), magnesium (Mg), silicon (Si), calcium (Ca), and aluminum (Al) were coextracted with Ga and then was eluted together by using hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution. These impurities would affect the recovery of high‐purity Ga by electrolysis. Ga‐bearing acid eluted solution treatment followed by secondary adsorption was used to purify Ga(III) by a porous silica‐based adsorbent tributyl phosphate (TBP)/SiO2‐P. The adsorption properties of Ga(III) by TBP/SiO2‐P from HCl were investigated. TBP/SiO2‐P exhibits significantly high selectivity toward Ga than other impurities with SFA/B is 3478 in 8 mol/L HCl solution. The adsorption capacity reaches 22.01 mg/g and adsorption equilibrium was obtained within 5 min. Moreover, Ga(III) is easy to be eluted by ultrapure water with a rate of 95.58%. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms of Ga fit well with the pseudo‐first‐order model and Langmuir adsorption model, respectively. TBP/SiO2‐P is an excellent material to recover Ga(III) from HCl solution effectively and efficiently. Moreover, this work provides a potential candidate for purifying Ga from Bayer liquor by the two‐step method (purify and adsorb the desorption liquid containing Ga hydrochloride).

Highlights

A silica‐polymer based adsorbent TBP/SiO2‐P was prepared through a simple vacuum impregnation method and use to purify Ga from Bayer liquor by the two‐step method.

A simple and efficient method for Ga purification was proposed with a high‐adsorption capacity and short equilibrium time.

In the coexisting ions mixed solution, TBP/SiO2‐P has a high‐selective toward Ga(III), Ultrapure water can effectively desorb Ga from adsorbent with the desorption rate of about 95.58%.
Zirconia‐Pillaring in Layered HNb3O8 and HNbMoO6
Authors: Wang Shuo‐Feng , Liu Shu‐Min , Li Bao‐Jun , Guo Xian‐Ji
Published: August 2020

In this work, the pillaring of two layered niobium‐based oxides (HNb3O8 and HNbMoO6) with zirconia was investigated in detail. Two novel zirconia‐pillared layered metal oxides, zirconia‐pillared layered HNb3O8 and zirconia‐pillared layered HNbMoO6, have been successfully prepared. Both pillared products exhibited a higher thermal stability exceeding 673 K. For the pillaring of layered HNb3O8, two different pre‐expanding agents, 1‐dodecanamine and 1,12‐dodecanediamine, were alternatively used, and two kinds of zirconium‐pillaring solutions containing zirconium(IV) polyoxocations obtained through two different ways were employed. The 1,12‐dodecanediamine‐pre‐expanded layered intermediate was applicable and 1‐dodecanamine‐pre‐expanded one was not applicable to the intercalation of zirconium(IV) polyoxocations in interlayer regions of the layered niobium‐based oxides. More interestingly, the zirconium‐pillaring solutions prepared by using an appropriate amount of diethylene glycol as stabilizing agent was advantage for constructing the ordered zirconia‐pillared product, whereas the zirconium‐pillaring solutions obtained in the case of absence of diethylene glycol seemed not to conduct well an ions‐exchange reaction with the alkylamine‐pre‐expanded layered intermediates. The order degree of zirconia‐pillared layered transition metal oxides was closely related to the host sheets. The zirconia‐pillared layered HNb3O8 contained more defects, while the zirconia‐pillared layered HNbMoO6 had fewer defects.
The Surface Chemistry of Thin Lithium Metal Electrodes in Lithium‐Sulfur Cells
Authors: Lee Ming‐Tao , Liu Haidong , Brandell Daniel
Published: August 2020

In this work, we explore the surface chemistry of Li metal electrodes used in Li–S batteries when employing a very thin (30 μm) lithium metal foil. The foil thickness is instrumental for achieving a balanced cell with optimal energy density, but previous work has largely neglected how the change to thinner anodes will influence the critical surface phenomena in the cell. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used as the main characterisation tool to follow the evolution of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the Li electrode, complemented by scanning electron microscopy. Based on the XPS analyses, the premature capacity fading observed for the cell with thin Li metal electrode could be ascribed to changes in the composition of the surface layer on the Li electrode, due to that the resulting rougher surface more rapidly consume the LiNO3 electrolyte additive. This highlights that mitigating the degradation mechanisms at the Li metal surface is of large importance when the Li electrode is scaled down for better cell balancing in Li−S cells.
Optimization of the Synthesis of 18F‐D2‐Deprenyl With Mild 18F‐Fluorination and Minimum Precursor Input for PET Imaging of Neuroinflammation
Authors: Lee Sang Ju , Ko Na Re , Oh Seung Jun
Published: August 2020

Here, we established optimized conditions for a mild 18F‐fluorination to yield 18F‐deprenyl and 18F‐D2‐deprenyl as neuroinflammation imaging agents by fully automatic synthesis. Initially, manual synthesis with 1 mg of precursor and pH = 7.8 KOMs elution buffer yielded 85–92% of 18F‐incorporation yields and showed nondecay corrected yields of 15–17%. Fully automatic synthesis showed a nondecay corrected radiochemical yield of 10.7 ± 0.46%. Owing to low precursor input, the maximum molar activity achieved was 1302.4 ± 26.4 GBq/μmol. Our mild 18F‐fluorination procedure showed higher radiochemical yields and molar activity than those by previously used procedures, even with minimized precursor input.
Dissipation and residue determination of penicillin G and its two metabolites in citrus under field conditions by DSPE/UPLC–MS/MS
Authors: Zhou Jie , An Jiao , Dong Chao , Zhang Yaohai , Zhao Qiyang , Cui Yongliang , Jiao Bining
Published: August 2020

A rapid determination method of residual penicillin G and its two metabolites in citrus was developed and validated by dispersive solid‐phase extraction and ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (DSPE/UPLC–MS/MS). The samples were extracted with 80% acetonitrile and purified with octadecylsilane. High linearity was obtained with correlation coefficients (r2) >0.9981. The limits of quantification were 0.005–0.01 mg/kg. The recoveries of penicillin G and its metabolites spiked in blank citrus were within 76.7–107%, with relative standard deviations of 1.3–9.6%. The dissipation dynamics and distribution of penicillin G in citrus followed first‐order kinetics, with half‐life of 1.7–2.7 days. Penicillin G degraded easily in citrus and the metabolite was mainly penilloic acid, which can exist stably for long time. The terminal residues of penicillin G in pulp, whole citrus and peels were 0.015–0.701, 0.047–7.653 and 0.162–13.376 mg/kg, respectively. The hazard indexes for risk assessment of citrus were significantly <1, suggesting that the health risks to humans after consumption of citrus were insignificant and negligible. These results could provide necessary data for evaluating the safe and proper use of penicillin G in citrus.
Anti‐LGI1, anti‐GABABR, and Anti‐CASPR2 encephalitides in Asia: A systematic review
Authors: Ghimire Prinska , Khanal Ujjwal Prakash , Gajurel Bikram Prasad , Karn Ragesh , Rajbhandari Reema , Paudel Sunanda , Gautam Niraj , Ojha Rajeev
Published: August 2020

Aim

We aim to review the literature to collate and describe features of encephalitides arising from autoantibodies against leucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated 1 (LGI1), gamma aminobutyric acid receptor (GABABR), and contactin‐associated protein‐like 2 (CASPR2) in Asian populations and compare them with findings of Western studies.

Methods

Peer‐reviewed articles published till 24 May 2020 were searched, and original, full‐text studies from Asia with serum/CSF antibody‐based diagnosis and at least 2 patients were selected. Twenty‐four studies with 263 patients (139 anti‐LGI1, 114 anti‐GAGABR, and 10 anti‐CASPR2) were included. Data were pooled to produce descriptive information on demographics, clinical characteristics, diagnostics, treatments, and outcome.

Results

The mean age was 54.2 (anti‐LGI1), 55.2 (anti‐GABABR), and 47.7 years (anti‐CASPR2), with an overall male predominance of 62.0%. Commonest clinical features across all types were seizures (87.5%), memory deficits (80.7%), psychiatric disturbances (75.9%), and altered consciousness (52.9%). Four anti‐LGI1, 40 anti‐GABABR, and 1 anti‐CASPR2 patients had tumors. CSF, MRI, and EEG were abnormal in 33.3%, 54.1%, and 75% patients in anti‐LGI1; 60.0%, 49.6%, and 85.7% in anti‐GABABR; and 50%, 44.4%, and 100% in anti‐CASPR2 patients, respectively. 95.6% patients received first‐line therapy alone (steroids/IVIG/Plasma therapy), and 4.4% received second‐line therapy (rituximab/cyclophosphamide). 91.7%, 63.6%, and 70% of patients had favorable outcomes (modified Rankin Score 0–2) with mortality rates at 2.5%, 23.2%, and 0% in the three types, respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that these disorders present in Asian patients at a relatively young age often with features of seizures, memory deficits, and psychiatric disturbances and usually demonstrate a favorable clinical outcome.
Were coaches responsible for student‐athlete's injuries?
Authors: Eric Lyerly J.D.
Published: August 2020

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against Molloy College, among others, due to injuries he allegedly sustained in an intercollegiate soccer match while a student‐athlete at the school. According to the plaintiff, he sustained a concussion during the first 10 minutes of the match when the soccer ball struck him in the head. Moreover, the plaintiff claimed the school's coaches and trainers allowed him to continue playing until he was replaced by another player in the final minutes of the match. The plaintiff argued he endured increased risk of injury when he was left in the match after suffering his head injury, which he claimed aggravated his injuries beyond the initial concussion.
Pattern and impact of hepatic adverse events encountered during immune checkpoint inhibitors – A territory‐wide cohort study
Authors: Chan Stephen Lam , Yip Terry Cheuk‐Fung , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Tse Yee‐Kit , Yuen Becky Wing‐Yan , Luk Hester Wing‐Sum , Lui Rashid Nok‐Shun , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Mok Tony Shu‐Kam , Wong Grace Lai‐Hung
Published: August 2020

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are increasingly used in the treatment of cancers. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and prognostic impact of hepatic adverse events (AEs) in a territory‐wide cohort of patients who received ICIs.

Methods

Patients were identified from a territory‐wide database who received ICIs in 2014‐2018. Hepatic AEs were defined as any elevation of liver biochemistries including serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), or total bilirubin levels. Hepatic AEs were graded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v5.0.

Results

Total of 1480 patients were identified (mean age 60 years, male 65.5%) and the commonest malignancies being lung cancer (39.6%), liver cancer (16.5%), and gastrointestinal cancer (10.0%). Grade 1‐2 and grade 3‐4 hepatic AEs occurred in 41.3% and 14.9% of patients during ICI treatment, respectively. Patients with liver cancer had the highest rate of hepatic AEs (grade 1‐2:54.1%; grade 3‐4:32.8%). Among 711 patients with hepatic AEs, 383 (53.9%) had raised ALT/AST only, and 328 (46.1%) had concomitant raised ALT/AST and bilirubin levels. In the whole cohort, median overall survival of patients without any hepatic AEs, grade 1‐2 and grade 3‐4 hepatic AEs during ICI treatment was 9.0 months, 7.2 months, and 3.3 months (P < .001), respectively. Similar results on overall survival were obtained among different types of cancers.

Conclusions

Hepatic AEs occur in more than half of patients receiving ICIs for cancer treatment, with approximately 15% being grade 3‐4 AEs. Occurrence of hepatic AEs is associated with worse prognosis.
State of the Art of Hydrogen Production via Pyrolysis of Natural Gas
Authors: Schneider Stefan , Bajohr Siegfried , Graf Frank , Kolb Thomas
Published: August 2020

Fossil fuels have to be substituted by climate neutral fuels to contribute to CO2 reduction in the future energy system. Pyrolysis of natural gas is a well‐known technical process applied for production of, e. g., carbon black. In the future it might contribute to carbon dioxide‐free hydrogen production. Production of hydrogen from natural gas pyrolysis has thus gained interest in research and energy technology in the near past. If the carbon by‐product of this process can be used for material production or can be sequestrated, the produced hydrogen has a low carbon footprint. This article reviews literature on the state of the art of methane / natural gas pyrolysis process developments and attempts to assess the technology readiness level (TRL).
Identification of a novel HEXB Mutation in an Iranian Family with suspected patient to GM2‐gangliosidoses
Authors: Mansouri‐Movahed Fatemeh , Akhoundi Fatemeh , Nikpour Parvaneh , Garshasbi Masoud , Emadi‐Baygi Modjtaba
Published: August 2020

Sandhoff disease is one of the GM2‐gangliosidoses which is caused by a mutation in the HEXB preventing the breakdown of GM2‐ganglioside. We report a novel HEXB variant in a family with a history of a dead girl with Sandhoff disease which was not found in controls.
Silver‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition Approach to Coumarin‐Decorated Tetrazoles
Authors: Liu Xuan‐Yu , Zhai Shi‐Jing , Feng Fang‐Fang , Zhang Fa‐Guang , Ma Jun‐An
Published: August 2020

A silver‐catalyzed regioselective 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition transformation of coumarin‐diazo building blocks with arenediazonium salts was documented. This simple and scalable reaction pattern offers a variety of coumarin‐decorated tetrazoles in good yields with excellent regioselectivities.
Electrostatic Regulation of TEMPO Oxidation by Distal Molecular Charges
Authors: Zhang Long , Ciampi Simone , Gooding J. Justin
Published: August 2020

We define, experimentally, the effect of intramolecular electric fields, generated from the positive charge of ferricenium cations, over the oxidation potential of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperdinyloxy (TEMPO). We synthesized a TEMPO derivative, where the nitroxide is linked to a ferrocene unit. We have used this molecule to study the influence on the electrostatic cross‐talk between positively charged ferriceniums and TEMPO units by solvent dielectric, level of electrolytic support, and Lewis acid/base character of electrolyte ions. The magnitude of thermodynamic anodic shift of the TEMPO oxidation, after the ferrocene unit is converted to a ferricenium cation, increases with decreasing dielectric constant of the solvent, electrolytic concentration, and Lewis basicity strength (i. e. between ferriceniums and electrolyte anions). This work demonstrates an approach to use electrostatic forces, here delivered by intramolecular charged cations, to tune the oxidation energy for nitroxides in ionic solutions.
Chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy: Identifying the research gaps and associated changes to clinical trial design
Authors: St. Germain Diane C. , O’Mara Ann M. , Robinson Jennifer L. , Torres Andrea D. , Minasian Lori M.
Published: August 2020

Background

To the authors' knowledge, the empiric identification of agents and interventions to mitigate chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) has resulted in only 1 agent that modestly mitigates it and no agents or interventions that prevent its development. This speaks to the need for a mechanistic understanding of CIPN to develop effective interventions.

Methods

To understand the extent to which mechanistic understanding of CIPN is being translated into the development of interventions, the National Cancer Institute conducted a review of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)'s portfolio of investigator‐initiated grants, the literature regarding CIPN mechanisms, and the clinical trials listed in the ClinicalTrials.gov database from January 1, 2011, to May 22, 2019.

Results

A total of 69 NIH‐supported grants and 95 published articles were identified that evaluated mechanistic pathways of 7 different chemotherapy agents that cause CIPN. The review also identified 35 clinical trials that investigated agents or devices with which to treat CIPN. Only 3 trials incorporated a mechanistic rationale to support the choice of the intervention.

Conclusions

To the authors' knowledge, very little of the mechanistic understanding of the development of CIPN is being translated into intervention rationale in clinical trials that evaluate interventions to mitigate CIPN. Efforts to incentivize this translation are needed.
How to reduce the impact of cervical cancer worldwide: Gaps and priority areas identified through the essential cancer and primary care packages: An analysis of effective interventions
Authors: Gatti Alessandra , Haruyama Rei , Elit Laurie , Howard Scott C. , Lam Catherine G. , Ilbawi Andre , Angioli Roberto , Cao Xueyuan , Fidarova Elena
Published: August 2020

Background

Cervical cancer is a preventable cancer; therefore, countries should provide strategic, evidence‐based health services to reduce its incidence and impact on their populations. Two packages of health services that group together all the services related to cervical cancer, the Essential Cancer Package (9 interventions) and the Primary Care Package (5 interventions), are defined in this article with the aim of assessing the global status of the availability of health services and their coverage in 194 countries worldwide.

Methods

The study was based on the 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) Noncommunicable Disease Country Capacity Survey. Although the survey covered multiple noncommunicable diseases, this report examined only those results pertaining to cervical cancer in the 194 WHO member states divided by WHO region and World Bank income.

Results

Only 21% of the countries reported providing all 9 interventions of the Essential Cancer Package, with the highest proportions being found in Europe (45.3%) and among high‐income countries (HICs; 54.3%). As for the Primary Care Package, only 19.1% of countries provided all 5 interventions, with the highest proportions being found in Europe (39.6%) and among HICs (45.5%).

Conclusions

The complete development and appropriate coverage of each service listed in both the Essential Cancer Package and the Primary Care Package are essential to reduce the impact of cervical cancer worldwide, and they should be integrated into all cancer control planning efforts.
Fractionability of circuit components
Authors: Sommariva Antonino M.
Published: August 2020

The notion of topologically fractionable circuit components is defined and discussed using the paradigm of the behavioral approach. It sheds new light on the well‐known (but often badly grasped) distinction between multi‐terminal components and multi‐ports, because it places the matter into a much more general and meaningful framework. For the sake of completeness, the notion of electrically fractionable circuit components is also defined and discussed.
An Energy‐Proficient Clustering‐Inspired Routing Protocol using Improved Bkd‐tree for Enhanced Node Stability and Network Lifetime in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Janakiraman Sengathir , M. Deva Priya
Published: August 2020

Energy conservation in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is essential for improving the stability of sensor nodes and network lifetime. An energy‐proficient clustering‐based routing protocol is necessary for efficient cluster formation and Cluster Head (CH) selection to sustain Quality of Service (QoS). In this paper, an Improved Bkd‐Tree‐Inspired Energy‐eFficient Clustering‐based Routing Protocol (IBkd‐Tree‐IEFCRP) is propounded as a potential strategy for guaranteeing significant cluster formation and management. It is proposed as an effective strategy in CH node allocation that handles the impacts of QoS during the process of data dissemination. This IBkd‐Tree‐IEFCRP is proposed to deal with energy saving with respect to data traffic by including a strategy of cluster formation which incorporates the benefits of partition data structure that incorporates an improved Bkd‐tree algorithm. It also concentrates on the process of CH selection by integrating a reactive approach that enhances throughput with minimized energy, delay and jitter. The simulation experiments of the proposed IBkd‐Tree‐IEFCRP confirm a better performance in improving the average throughput by 13.21%, reducing the energy consumptions by 12.96%, minimizing the delay by 11.98% and reducing the jitter by 14.24% when compared to the baseline k‐dimensional tree algorithm (kd‐tree algorithm), Weighting and Parameter Optimization‐based Energy‐Efficient Clustering Routing Protocol (WPO‐EECRP), Improved Clustering by Fast Search and Finding of Density Peaks (ICFSFDP), and Energy‐based Cluster Centered Routing Protocol (ECCRP) taken for comparison. The proposed IBkd‐Tree‐IEFCRP is also identified to reduce delay by 8.42% and jitter by 7.18% and increase throughput by 6.84% when compared to the benchmarked protocols for different number of rounds.
The Paris system of Reporting Urinary Cytology: Strengths and opportunities
Authors: Kurtycz Daniel F.I. , Sundling Kaitlin E. , Barkan Güliz A.
Published: August 2020

The Paris system for reporting urinary cytopathology (TPS) was created to address inherent weaknesses inherent in the practice of urinary cytopathology. While urothelial cytology has always performed well at finding high grade, genetically unstable urothelial carcinoma, it performs poorly when it comes to detecting low‐grade urothelial neoplasia. TPS intends to improve the utility of urothelial cytology by focusing on what is important, high‐grade urothelial carcinoma. This article is a snapshot of the current state of TPS as it heads into its second edition. Successes are described and further developments are considered.
Salt glands of recretohalophyte Tamarix under salinity: Their evolution and adaptation
Authors: Wei Xiaocen , Yan Xin , Yang Zhen , Han Guoliang , Wang Lei , Yuan Fang , Wang Baoshan
Published: August 2020

Here, we studied the evolution of salt glands in 11 species of Tamarix and determined their role in adaptation to saline environments by measuring the effect of NaCl on plant growth and salt gland characteristics. Cluster analysis divided Tamarix species into three types (types I–III) according to salt‐gland characteristics. A phylogenetic tree based on ITS sequences indicated an evolutionary relationship consistent with the geographical distribution of Tamarix. We measured growth under different NaCl conditions (0, 100, 200, and 300 mM) for 40 days in three species (T. gallica, T. ramosissima, and T. laxa) representing the three Tamarix types. With increasing NaCl concentration, the biomass of all species was significantly reduced, especially that of T. gallica. Salt secretion ability and salt‐gland density showed similar trends in three types. The order of salt tolerance was type I > type II > type III. We conclude that during Tamarix adaptation to salinity, salt‐gland evolution followed two directions: one increasing salt‐gland density, and the other increasing salt secretion rate per salt‐gland. This study provides a basis for potential mechanisms of recretohalophyte adaptation to salinity.
Where Am I? Niche constraints due to morphological specialization in two Tanganyikan cichlid fish species
Authors: Widmer Lukas , Indermaur Adrian , Egger Bernd , Salzburger Walter
Published: August 2020

Food resource specialization within novel environments is considered a common axis of diversification in adaptive radiations. Feeding specializations are often coupled with striking morphological adaptations and exemplify the relation between morphology and diet (phenotype–environment correlations), as seen in, for example, Darwin finches, Hawaiian spiders, and the cichlid fish radiations in East African lakes. The cichlids' potential to rapidly exploit and occupy a variety of different habitats has previously been attributed to the variability and adaptability of their trophic structures including the pharyngeal jaw apparatus. Here we report a reciprocal transplant experiment designed to explore the adaptability of the trophic structures in highly specialized cichlid fish species. More specifically, we forced two common but ecologically distinct cichlid species from Lake Tanganyika,Tropheus moorii(rock‐dweller), andXenotilapia boulengeri(sand‐dweller), to live on their preferred as well as on an unpreferred habitat (sand and rock, respectively). We measured their overall performance on the different habitat types and explored whether adaptive phenotypic plasticity is involved in adaptation. We found that, while habitat had no effect on the performance ofX. boulengeri,T. mooriiperformed significantly better in its preferred habitat. Despite an experimental duration of several months, we did not find a shift in the morphology of the lower pharyngeal jaw bone that would be indicative of adaptive phenotypic plasticity in this trait.
Distribution of genetic variation underlying adult migration timing in steelhead of the Columbia River basin
Authors: Collins Erin E. , Hargrove John S. , Delomas Thomas A. , Narum Shawn R.
Published: August 2020

Fish migrations are energetically costly, especially when moving between freshwater and saltwater, but are a viable strategy for Pacific salmon and trout (Oncorhynchus spp.) due to the advantageous resources available at various life stages. Anadromous steelhead (O. mykiss) migrate vast distances and exhibit variation for adult migration phenotypes that have a genetic basis at candidate genes known as greb1L and rock1. We examined the distribution of genetic variation at 13 candidate markers spanning greb1L, intergenic, and rock1 regions versus 226 neutral markers for 113 populations (n = 9,471) of steelhead from inland and coastal lineages in the Columbia River. Patterns of population structure with neutral markers reflected genetic similarity by geographic region as demonstrated in previous studies, but candidate markers clustered populations by genetic variation associated with adult migration timing. Mature alleles for late migration had the highest frequency overall in steelhead populations throughout the Columbia River, with only 9 of 113 populations that had a higher frequency of premature alleles for early migration. While a single haplotype block was evident for the coastal lineage, we identified multiple haplotype blocks for the inland lineage. The inland lineage had one haplotype block that corresponded to candidate markers within the greb1L gene and immediately upstream in the intergenic region, and the second block only contained candidate markers from the intergenic region. Haplotype frequencies had similar patterns of geographic distribution as single markers, but there were distinct differences in frequency between the two haplotype blocks for the inland lineage. This may represent multiple recombination events that differed between lineages where phenotypic differences exist between freshwater entry versus arrival timing as indicated by Micheletti et al. (2018a). Redundancy analyses were used to model environmental effects on allelic frequencies of candidate markers, and significant variables were migration distance, temperature, isothermality, and annual precipitation. This study improves our understanding of the spatial distribution of genetic variation underlying adult migration timing in steelhead as well as associated environmental factors and has direct conservation and management implications.