bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To Assess the Utility of BASNEF Model on the Quality of Life among Peri-menopausal Women
Authors: Giri Vishranti Bhagwan , Taksande Vaishali
Published: February 2021

Introduction: Post-menopausal health issues has always been given attention, while only few people are aware the health issues associated with peri-menopause. Symptoms include tremendous fluctuations in hormone levels, irregularities in the menstrual cycle, vasomotor and psychological issues. Aim: The present study is aimed to assess the utility of Belief, Attitude, Subjective Norms, Enabling Factors (BASNEF) model to improve quality of life among perimenopausal women in the rural community setting and to compare the quality of life before and after intervention, the association between the selected demographic variables and the quality of life in the experimental and control groups will be assessed. Materials and Methods: The present interventional analytical quasi-experimental study will be conducted on study population from Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. In this study, two stage cluster sampling technique will be used to select the study participants. Age group of perimenopausal women will be 40-55 years. Study participants will be screened as per inclusion/exclusion criteria and divided into two groups. One group will receive intervention of BASNEF model while another group will be control group. The BASNEF intervention will be divided into five phases for five days, follow-up visits will be conducted at first and third month of phase four. During intervention period and further up to three months, an educational pamphlet based on care during menopause will be provided to the participants and contact number will be provided to ask any doubts during this period. Primary outcome includes assessment of the utility of BASNEF model on quality of life among perimenopausal women. Secondary outcome includes increase in knowledge, change in belief and attitude, to know participation of subjective norms and to make aware about enabling factors. Conclusion: The conclusion will be drawn from the result will be published in peer reviewed journal.
Reversible Temperature‐Sensitive Liquid–Solid Triboelectrification with Polycaprolactone Material for Wetting Monitoring and Temperature Sensing
Authors: Li Xiaojuan , Zhang Liqiang , Feng Yange , Zheng Youbin , Wu Zishuai , Zhang Xiaolong , Wang Nannan , Wang Daoai , Zhou Feng
Published: February 2021

Controlling liquid–solid triboelectrification is highly demanded in a wide range of applications, from electrostatic prevention to energy collection and utilization. Except for traditional unidirectional and irreversible ways, smart approaches are required urgently. Here, a novel temperature response liquid–solid triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is reported on the basis of a polycaprolactone (PCL) covered fluorinated alumina for tunable triboelectrification. The PCL conformation is regulated by temperature to endow the substrate controllable surface component and interfacial wettability to manipulate the liquid–solid triboelectricity flexibly. As the temperature rises from 20 to 40 °C, the short circuit current and the open‐circuit voltage of the PCL‐based TENG are reduced by more than 40 times. When the temperature drops to 20 °C, the electrical output can return to its original level again. Moreover, after one month, the electrical signal is still reversible and stable. In addition to water, the electrical output of organic liquid, such as ethylene glycol, also responds well to temperature. This work initially provides a new strategy for achieving the customizable manipulation of liquid–solid triboelectrification by polymer surface reorganization, gives a new idea for in situ monitoring the interfacial wettability changes, and configures the reconstruction of amphiphilic polymer using triboelectricity.
High Mobility 3D Dirac Semimetal (Cd3As2) for Ultrafast Photoactive Terahertz Photonics
Authors: Dai Zijie , Manjappa Manukumara , Yang Yunkun , Tan Thomas Cai Wei , Qiang Bo , Han Song , Wong Liang Jie , Xiu Faxian , Liu Weiwei , Singh Ranjan
Published: February 2021

The Dirac semimetal cadmium arsenide (Cd3As2), a 3D electronic analog of graphene, has sparked renewed research interests for its novel topological phases and excellent optoelectronic properties. The gapless nature of its 3D electronic band facilitates strong optical nonlinearity and supports Dirac plasmons that are of particular interest to realize high‐performance electronic and photonic devices at terahertz (1 THz = 4.1 meV) frequencies, where the performance of most dynamic materials are limited by the tradeoff between power‐efficiency and switching speed. Here, all‐optical, low‐power, ultrafast broadband modulation of terahertz waves using an ultrathin film (100 nm, λ/3000) of Cd3As2 are experimentally demonstrated through active tailoring of the photoconductivity. The measurements reveal the photosensitive metallic behavior of Cd3As2 with high terahertz electron mobility of 7200 cm2 (Vs)−1. In addition, optical fluence dependent ultrafast charge carrier relaxation (15.5 ps), terahertz mobility, and long momentum scattering time (157 fs) comparable to superconductors that invoke kinetic inductance at terahertz frequencies are demonstrated. These remarkable properties of 3D Dirac topological semimetal envision a new class of power‐efficient, high speed, compact, tunable electronic, and photonic devices.
Pyrazoleamides in Catalytic Asymmetric Reactions: Recent Advances
Authors: Meninno Sara , Franco Francesca , Benaglia Maurizio , Lattanzi Alessandra
Published: February 2021

Pyrazoleamides are a class of compounds which have received significant attention in the last years in asymmetric catalysis as more reactive and practical surrogates of esters or amides. These readily available reagents have served in a variety of diastereo‐ and enantioselective metal‐ and organocatalytic transformations, spanning from simple carbon‐carbon or carbon‐heteroatom bond formation to cascade and rearrangement reactions, to produce valuable classes of heterocyclic compounds. More recently, pyrazoleamides have proved to be pertinent reagents in asymmetric catalysis merged with photoredox catalysis, and in more challenging stereoselective bond‐forming reactions, occurring directly from a visible‐light activated substrate/catalyst complex without any charge separation. Both strategies enable new activation concepts useful for the production of difficult‐to‐access intermediates and pharmaceuticals. In this review, an overview of the progress achieved in asymmetric catalytic reactions of pyrazoleamides from 2015 up to middle 2020, is illustrated.

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Observation of Elemental Inhomogeneity and Its Impact on Ionic Conductivity in Li‐Conducting Garnets Prepared with Different Synthesis Methods
Authors: Weller J. Mark , Dopilka Andrew , Chan Candace K.
Published: February 2021

Tantalum‐doped lithium lanthanum zirconate garnet (Li7−xLa3Zr2−xTaxO12 [LLZTO]) has received interest as a solid electrolyte for solid‐state lithium batteries due to its good electrochemical properties and ionic conductivity. However, the source of discrepancies for reported values of ionic conductivity in nominally or nearly equivalent compositions of LLZTO is not completely clear. Herein, synthesis‐related factors that may contribute to the differences in performance of garnet electrolytes are systematically characterized. The conductivity of samples with composition Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 prepared by various methods including solid‐state reaction (SSR), combustion, and molten salt synthesis is compared. Varying levels of elemental inhomogeneity, comprising a variation in Ta and Zr content on the level of individual LLZTO particles, are identified. The elemental inhomogeneity is found to be largely preserved even after high‐temperature sintering and correlated with reduced ionic conductivity. It is shown that the various synthesis and processing‐related variables in each of the preparation methods play a role in these compositional variations, and that even LLZTO synthesized via conventional, high‐temperature SSR can exhibit substantial variability in local composition. However, by improving reagent mixing and using LLZTO powder with low agglomeration and small particle size distribution, the compositional uniformity, and hence, ionic conductivity, of sintered garnet electrolytes can be improved.
CERES‐Maize model performance under mineral and organic fertilization in nemoral climate conditions
Authors: Žydelis Renaldas , Dechmi Farida , Isla Ramon , Weihermüller Lutz , Lazauskas Sigitas
Published: February 2021

Little information is available regarding the performance of the CERES‐Maize model under nemoral climate conditions. Therefore, this study aims to estimate and compare major soil‐plant N cycle parameters in grain maize (Zea mays L.) crop after application of synthetic and different organic fertilizers solely or in combination in nemoral zone maize production, using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) model. Field experiments carried out during 2015, 2016, and 2017 in Akademija (Lithuania) were considered for model calibration and validation. The model was successfully validated for total aboveground biomass (TAB, R2 = .89), grain yield (GY, R2 = .85), and acceptably for leaf area index (LAI, R2 = .57), total plant N uptake (R2 = .61), and residual soil mineral N (R2 = .64). The lower plant N uptake and soil mineral nitrogen (SMN) observed for the pelletized cattle manure (PCM) and green waste compost (GWC) treatments compared to the fertilization with synthetic ammonium nitrate (AN) were successfully captured by the model. Finally, the model provided reasonable predictions of the temporal dynamics of measured soil water content (SWC) and soil temperature. The validated model was further used to provide N loss estimations during the maize growing seasons via leaching and gaseous emissions. The results showed that the CERES‐Maize model can successfully be used to simulate maize growth under the extreme climatic conditions of the nemoral zone in combination with different N managements. Nevertheless, additional efforts are needed to verify and fine‐tune the model to comprehensively simulate the N cycle, especially losses by drainage water and gaseous emissions.
Bilateral asymmetry in arm anthropometric measurements according to laterality and nutritional status in children and adolescents from 6 to 12 years old
Authors: Salazar‐Preciado Laura Leticia , Vallarta‐Robledo Juan R. , Chávez‐Palencia Clío , Lizárraga‐Corona Elizabeth , Larrosa‐Haro Alfredo
Published: February 2021

Objective

To compare and correlate anthropometric measurements of the left arm versus the right arm and to establish their relation to laterality, sex, and nutritional status in children and adolescents from 6 to 12 years of age.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study included 605 children and adolescents (285 males; 320 females), with a middle socioeconomic status, that attended an urban elementary school. Anthropometric measurements were taken in both arms, along with height and weight, to assess nutritional status. Self‐reported hand preference was recorded.

Results

A total of 49.3% were females and 93% of the subjects were right‐handed (n = 563). The mean comparison of right arm and left arm measurements and areas, according to laterality, showed differences in arm fat measurements, with higher values in the right arm. However, the mean difference in triceps skinfold and upper arm measurements between the right arm and left arm was smaller than the technical error of measurement. Significant differences were observed between arm measurements and areas. Upper arm and total upper arm areas of both arms had the highest regression coefficients, with an adjusted R2 of .98, whereas the arm fat index had the lowest (adjusted R2 of .88). Adjusting the previous differences between the right arm and left arm by age, sex, BMI, and laterality produced similar results.

Conclusions

Statistical but not clinically significant differences were found between some measurements and areas of both arms, discretely modified in models adjusted for age and BMI, so the measurements can be made on either arm.
Household Ozone Disinfector as An Alternative Ozone Generator for Ozonolysis of Alkenes
Authors: Buntasana Supanat , Seankongsuk Pattarakiat , Vilaivan Tirayut , Padungros Panuwat
Published: February 2021

Ozonolysis is an oxidative cleavage reaction of alkenes with ozone that is indispensable and has found many applications in organic synthesis. However, dedicated laboratory ozone generators are quite expensive equipment and may not be affordable by many laboratories. Recently, low‐cost ozone disinfectors have become more common as a household appliance. Herein, we demonstrate the applicability of a household ozone disinfector, which can produce ozone in the order of 10 mmol/h, as alternative equipment for the laboratory scale ozonolysis of alkenes. The ozonolysis of 14 styrene derivatives bearing electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing groups on aromatic rings including those with α‐ and β‐substituents, as well as 8 natural products containing olefinic moieties were investigated. Ozonolysis of these alkenes at millimole scales proceeded to completion within 30–40 minutes and the carbonyl products were obtained in 68% to quantitative yields. Preparative‐scale ozonolysis of 4‐methoxystyrene (6.17 g, 46 mmol) was also demonstrated. The reaction proceeded smoothly to yield 4‐anisaldehyde in 92% yield, which was subsequently converted to p‐anisaldehyde dimethyl acetal in 66% yield. This work presents household ozone disinfector as an affordable, compact size, and practical synthetic equipment that does not require extra modification. Thus, the household ozone disinfector offers convenient access to ozonolysis or other reactions involving ozone for low‐budget laboratories.
Toward a bioarchaeology of urbanization: Demography, health, and behavior in cities in the past
Authors: Betsinger Tracy K. , DeWitte Sharon N.
Published: February 2021

Urbanization is one of the most important settlement shifts in human history and has been the focus of research within bioarchaeology for decades. However, there have been limited attempts to synthesize the results of these studies in order to gain a broader perspective on whether or how urbanization affects the biology, demography, and behavior of humans, and how these potential effects are embodied in the human skeleton. This paper outlines how bioarchaeology is well‐suited to examine urbanization in the past, and we provide an overview and examples of three main ways in which urbanization is studied in bioarchaeological research: comparison of (often contemporaneous) urban and rural sites, synchronic studies of the variation that exists within and between urban sites, and investigations of changes that occur within urban sites over time. Studies of urbanization, both within bioarchaeology and in other fields of study, face a number of limitations, including a lack of a consensus regarding what urban and urbanization mean, the assumed dichotomous nature of urban versus rural settlements, the supposition that urbanization is universally bad for people, and the assumption (at least in practice) of homogeneity within urban and rural populations. Bioarchaeologists can address these limitations by utilizing a wide array of data and methods, and the studies described here collectively demonstrate the complex, nuanced, and highly variable effects of urbanization.
Solar and Visible Light Assisted Peptide Coupling
Authors: Mishra Abhaya K. , Parvari Galit , Santra Sourav K. , Bazylevich Andrii , Dorfman Ortal , Rahamim Jonatan , Eichen Yoav , Szpilman Alex M.
Published: February 2021

Amino acid and peptide couplings are widely used in fields related to pharma and materials. Still, current peptide synthesis continues to rely on the use of expensive, water sensitive, and waste‐generating coupling reagents, which are often prepared in multi‐step sequences and used in excess. Herein is described a peptide coupling reaction design that relies mechanistically on sun‐light activation of a 4‐dimethylamino‐pyridine–alkyl halide charge‐transfer complex to generate a novel coupling reagent in situ. The resulting coupling method is rapid, does not require dry solvents or inert atmosphere, and is compatible with all the most common amino acids and protecting groups. Peptide couplings can be run on gram‐scale, without the use of special equipment. This method has a significantly reduced environmental and financial footprint compared to standard peptide coupling reactions. Experimental and computational studies support the proposed mechanism.
Delayed Linker Addition (DLA) Synthesis for Hybrid SOD ZIFs with Unsubstituted Imidazolate Linkers for Propylene/Propane and n‐Butane/i‐Butane Separations
Authors: Hillman Febrian , Hamid Mohamad Rezi Abdul , Krokidas Panagiotis , Moncho Salvador , Brothers Edward N. , Economou Ioannis G. , Jeong Hae‐Kwon
Published: February 2021

We present a novel synthesis strategy termed delayed linker addition (DLA) to synthesize hybrid zeolitic‐imidazolate frameworks containing unsubstituted imidazolate linkers (Im) with SOD topology (hereafter termed Im/ZIF‐8). Im linker incorporation can create larger voids and apertures, which are important properties for gas storage and separation. To date, there have been only a handful of reports of Im linkers incorporated into ZIF‐8 frameworks, typically requiring arduous and complicated post synthesis approaches. DLA, as reported here, is a simple one‐step synthesis strategy allowing high incorporation of Im linker into the ZIF‐8 framework while still retaining its SOD topology. We fabricated mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs) with 6FDA‐DAM polymer and Im/ZIF‐8 obtained via DLA as a filler. The Im/ZIF‐8‐containing MMMs showed excellent performance for both propylene/propane and n‐butane/i‐butane separation, displaying permeability and ideal selectivity well above the polymer upper bound. Moreover, highly detailed molecular simulations shed light to the aperture size and flexibility response of Im/ZIF‐8 and its improved diffusivity as compared to ZIF‐8.
Wavelength‐Selective Photopolymerization of Hybrid Acrylate‐Oxetane Liquid Crystals
Authors: Hoekstra Davey C. , van der Lubbe Bodine P. A. C. , Bus Tom , Yang Lanti , Grossiord Nadia , Debije Michael G. , Schenning Albert P. H. J.
Published: February 2021

We report on the wavelength‐selective photopolymerization of a hybrid acrylate‐oxetane cholesteric liquid crystal monomer mixture. By controlling the sequence and rate of the orthogonal free‐radical and cationic photopolymerization reactions, it is possible to control the degree of phase separation in the resulting liquid crystal interpenetrating networks. We show that this can be used to tune the reflective color of the structurally colored coatings produced. Conversely, the structural color can be used to monitor the degree of phase separation. Our new photopolymerization procedure allows for structuring liquid crystal networks in three dimensions, which has great potential for fabricating liquid crystal polymer materials with programmable functional properties.
Microstructure and mineral components of the outer dentin of Chimaera phantasma tooth plates
Authors: Iijima Mayumi , Okumura Taiga , Kogure Toshihiro , Suzuki Michio
Published: February 2021

Tooth plates are a unique dental organ found in holocephalan fishes and lungfish. The chimaeroid tooth plates are atypical in terms of biomineralization, due to the hard tissue composition of whitlockite and apatite, while those of lungfish and other vertebrates are composed of apatite. The tooth plates are overlaid by a thin veneer—outer dentin—whose composition and role are not known. We aimed to test whether the outer dentin is composed of whitlockite or apatite, and whether it protects the osteodentin from abrasion and supports its overall strength. For this purpose, the mineral components and microstructure of outer dentin were studied. Our analyses of the outer dentin from the anterior (vomerine) tooth plates of Chimaera phantasma revealed that the mineral component is magnesium‐ and carbonate‐containing calcium‐deficient apatite and that the outer dentin has a three‐zone structure. The main body is sandwiched between thin zones, which are less mineralized than the main body. Furthermore, in the outer zone and the main body, a higher‐order structure was formed in accordance with the organization of wide and narrow fibers. Mineralization made the main body a composite of bundles of fibers and apatite. Transmission electron microscopy showed a structural relationship between apatite and the fibrous component on which the apatite was formed. Such a structure of the main body could be highly effective as a framework to resist abrasion and support the overall strength of the tooth plate.
A Rare 2D Framework Cu(atz)2 with Ferrimagnetic and High Proton Conductivity
Authors: Ruan Zhong‐Yu , Liang Yan‐Bing , Tan Shu‐Lian , Tang Ying‐Xin , Lin Wei‐Quan , Wu Jian‐Zhong , Ou Yong‐Cong
Published: February 2021

Materials combining proton conductivity and magnetism have attracted great attention in recent years due to their intriguing application in sensors and fuel cells. Herein a two‐dimensional metal‐organic framework, [Cu(atz)2(H2O)2]⋅H2O (1) (Hatz=5‐aminotetrazole), has been obtained in a green synthesis method. The single‐crystal structure revealed that the atz− ligands as linkers coordinate with copper ions to sql networks, between which water molecules are immobilized through hydrogen bonds. The resulting complex 1 exhibits a high proton conductivity of 1.11×10−4 and 6.19×10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature and 333 K, respectively, under 98% RH with an activation energy of 0.56 eV. Upon dehydration, the proton conductivity of 1_dg drops by an order of magnitude. Furthermore, the magnetic behavior changes from long‐range ferrimagnetic ordering of 1 to canted antiferromagnetic behaviour of 1_dg.
Chaperones for dancing on chromatin: Role of post‐translational modifications in dynamic damage detection hand‐offs during nucleotide excision repair
Authors: Van Houten Bennett , Schnable Brittani , Kumar Namrata
Published: February 2021

We highlight a recent study exploring the hand‐off of UV damage to several key nucleotide excision repair (NER) proteins in the cascade: UV‐DDB, XPC and TFIIH. The delicate dance of DNA repair proteins is choreographed by the dynamic hand‐off of DNA damage from one recognition complex to another damage verification protein or set of proteins. These DNA transactions on chromatin are strictly chaperoned by post‐translational modifications (PTM). This new study examines the role that ubiquitylation and subsequent DDB2 degradation has during this process. In total, this study suggests an intricate cellular timer mechanism that under normal conditions DDB2 helps recruit and ubiquitylate XPC, stabilizing XPC at damaged sites. If DDB2 persists at damaged sites too long, it is turned over by auto‐ubiquitylation and removed from DNA by the action of VCP/p97 for degradation in the 26S proteosome.
Does biomarker use in oncology improve clinical trial failure risk? A large‐scale analysis
Authors: Parker Jayson L. , Kuzulugil Sebnem S. , Pereverzev Kirill , Mac Stephen , Lopes Gilberto , Shah Zain , Weerasinghe Ashini , Rubinger Daniel , Falconi Adam , Bener Ayse , Caglayan Bora , Tangri Rohan , Mitsakakis Nicholas
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To date there has not been an extensive analysis of the outcomes of biomarker use in oncology.

Methods

Data were pooled across four indications in oncology drawing upon trial outcomes from www.clinicaltrials.gov: breast cancer, non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma and colorectal cancer from 1998 to 2017. We compared the likelihood drugs would progress through the stages of clinical trial testing to approval based on biomarker status. This was done with multi‐state Markov models, tools that describe the stochastic process in which subjects move among a finite number of states.

Results

Over 10000 trials were screened, which yielded 745 drugs. The inclusion of biomarker status as a covariate significantly improved the fit of the Markov model in describing the drug trajectories through clinical trial testing stages. Hazard ratios based on the Markov models revealed the likelihood of drug approval with biomarkers having nearly a fivefold increase for all indications combined. A 12, 8 and 7‐fold hazard ratio was observed for breast cancer, melanoma and NSCLC, respectively. Markov models with exploratory biomarkers outperformed Markov models with no biomarkers.

Conclusion

This is the first systematic statistical evidence that biomarkers clearly increase clinical trial success rates in three different indications in oncology. Also, exploratory biomarkers, long before they are properly validated, appear to improve success rates in oncology. This supports early and aggressive adoption of biomarkers in oncology clinical trials.
Impact of mental illness on end‐of‐life emergency department use in elderly patients with gastrointestinal malignancies
Authors: Kashyap Mehr , Harris Jeremy P. , Chang Daniel T. , Pollom Erqi L.
Published: February 2021

Background

Elderly patients with gastrointestinal cancer and mental illness have significant comorbidities that can impact the quality of their care. We investigated the relationship between mental illness and frequent emergency department (ED) use in the last month of life, an indicator for poor end‐of‐life care quality, among elderly patients with gastrointestinal cancers.

Methods

We used SEER‐Medicare data to identify decedents with gastrointestinal cancers who were diagnosed between 2004 and 2013 and were at least 66 years old at time of diagnosis (median age: 80 years, range: 66–117 years). We evaluated the association between having a diagnosis of depression, bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety, dementia, and/or substance use disorders and ED use in the last 30 days of life using logistic regression models.

Results

Of 160,367 patients included, 54,661 (34.1%) had a mental illness diagnosis between one year prior to cancer diagnosis and death. Patients with mental illness were more likely to have > 1 ED visit in the last 30 days of life (15.6% vs. 13.3%, p < 0.01). ED use was highest among patients with substance use (17.7%), bipolar (16.5%), and anxiety disorders (16.4%). Patients with mental illness who were male, younger, non‐white, residing in lower income areas, and with higher comorbidity were more likely to have multiple end‐of‐life ED visits. Patients who received outpatient treatment from a mental health professional were less likely to have multiple end‐of‐life ED visits (adjusted odds ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.78–0.87).

Conclusions

In elderly patients with gastrointestinal cancers, mental illness is associated with having multiple end‐of‐life ED visits. Increasing access to mental health services may improve quality of end‐of‐life care in this vulnerable population.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 1,3,5‐Trisubstituted 2‐Pyrazolines as Novel Cyclooxygenase‐2 Inhibitors with Antiproliferative Activity
Authors: Vahedpour Teymour , Kaur Jatinder , Hemmati Salar , Hamzeh‐Mivehroud Maryam , Alizadeh Ali Akbar , Wuest Frank , Dastmalchi Siavoush
Published: February 2021

A new series of 1,3,5‐trisubstituted 2‐pyrazolines for the inhibition of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) were synthesized. The designed structures include a COX‐2 pharmacophore SO2CH3 at the para‐position of the phenyl ring located at C‐5 of a pyrazoline scaffold. The synthesized compounds were tested for in vitro COX‐1/COX‐2 inhibition and cell toxicity against human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines HT‐29. The lead compound (4‐chlorophenyl){5‐[4‐(methanesulfonyl)phenyl]‐3‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl}methanone (16) showed significant COX‐2 inhibition (IC50=0.05±0.01 μM), and antiproliferative activity (IC50=5.46±4.71 μM). Molecular docking studies showed that new pyrazoline‐based compounds interact via multiple hydrophobic and hydrogen‐bond interactions with key binding site residues of the COX‐2 enzyme.
A case of plastic bronchitis after mitral valve surgery in an adult
Authors: Ogiwara Masanori , Ichinose Maki , Nishino Yoshifumi , Ozaki Masahiko , Miyahara Takuya
Published: February 2021

Plastic bronchitis is a rare and fatal disease that is characterized by the presence of long dendritic bronchial casts in the airway. It is encountered most frequently in children with congenital heart disease after correction surgery. We reported a case of plastic bronchitis after mitral valve surgery in a 70‐year‐old woman.
Data‐Driven Modeling of Biodiesel Production Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Mogilicharla Anitha , Reddy P. Swapna
Published: February 2021

Data‐driven modeling of biodiesel production was developed by simultaneous transesterification and esterification of rapeseed oil and myristic acid with methanol, without catalyst or with different amounts of sulfated zirconia catalyst. An artificial neural network (ANN)‐based model was created with experimental literature data. The input data, i.e., reaction time, catalyst, temperature, and methanol‐to‐oil ratio, and output data, i.e., total fatty acid methyl ester and oleic acid methyl ester, were considered to develop the model. Multiple input single output (MISO) ANN architecture was taken to predict the above targeted two output parameters. The proposed ANN model is computationally efficient and works reasonably well when tested on biodiesel production for solving the MISO model.
Initiation and adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy among urban, insured American Indian/Alaska Native breast cancer survivors
Authors: Emerson Marc A. , Achacoso Ninah S. , Benefield Halei C. , Troester Melissa A. , Habel Laurel A.
Published: February 2021

Background

It has been shown that racial/ethnic disparities exist with regard to initiation of and adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET). However, the relationship among American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) individuals is poorly understood, particularly among those who reside in urban areas. We evaluated whether AET initiation and adherence were lower among AIAN individuals than those of other races/ethnicities who were enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente of Northern California (KPNC) health system.

Methods

We identified 23,680 patients from the period 1997 to 2014 who were eligible for AET (first primary, stage I‐III, hormone receptor–positive breast cancer) and used KPNC pharmacy records to identify AET prescriptions and refill dates. We assessed AET initiation (≥1 filled prescription within 1 year of diagnosis) and AET adherence (proportion of days covered ≥80%) every year up to 5 years after AET initiation.

Results

At the end of the 5‐year follow‐up period, 83% of patients were AET initiators, and 58% were AET adherent. Compared with other races/ethnicities, AIAN women had the second‐lowest rate of AET initiation (non‐Hispanic Black [NHB], 78.0%; AIAN, 78.6%; Hispanic, 83.0%; non‐Hispanic White [NHW], 82.5%; Asian/Pacific Islander [API], 84.7%), the lowest rate of AET adherence after 1 year and 5 years of follow‐up (70.3% and 50.8%, respectively), and the greatest annual decline in AET adherence during the 4‐ to 5‐year period of follow‐up (a 13.8% decrease in AET adherence [from 64.6% to 50.8%]) after initiation of AET. In adjusted multivariable models, AIAN, Hispanic, and NHB women were less likely than NHW women to be AET adherent. At the end of the 5‐year period, total underutilization (combining initiation and adherence) in AET‐eligible patients was greatest among AIAN (70.6%) patients, followed by NHB (69.6%), Hispanic (63.2%), NHW (58.7%), and API (52.3%) patients, underscoring the AET treatment gap.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that AET initiation and adherence are particularly low for insured AIAN women.
Performance of Tubular Micromotors in Real Sewage for Water Treatment: Towards a Practical Scenario
Authors: Xu Dandan , Yuan Hao , Ma Xing
Published: February 2021

The application of micro/nanomotors as active cleaners for environmental remediation including pollutant degradation has been an ongoing scientific frontier. However, most of previous studies were conducted by using simulated sewage configured in the laboratory rather than real sewage discharged from industries. In this work, we prepared classical bubble‐propelled SiO2−Pt tubular micromotors and for the first time studied their motion behaviours in real sewage. We clarified the effect of the pollutants in sewage on the movement performance of the micromotors. Besides, the SiO2−Pt tubular micromotors were functionalized with Fe3O4 to result in SiO2−Pt−Fe3O4, whose ability to degrade typical pollutant (methylene blue) in sewage solution was accessed. The results show that the degrading ability of the SiO2−Pt−Fe3O4 micromotors in sewage solution is far weaker than that in deionized water. This work will provide an important reference for further exploration on using MNMs for environmental applications in realistic scenarios.
Monitoring radiofrequency therapy‐induced tumor cell dissemination by in vivo flow cytometry
Authors: Zhu Xi , Wei Cong , Zhang Yang , Meng Zheying , Hu Bing , Zhang Fuli , Wei Xunbin , Ying Tao
Published: February 2021

Clinical and experimental findings have disclosed a high recurrence rate after radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which might be due to the dissemination of malignant cells into the vasculature during ablation. Here, we apply in vivo flow cytometry (IVFC) to monitor circulating tumor cells (CTCs) while performing ablation in a real‐time and noninvasive way in an orthotopic model of prostate cancer. We report that CTCs are dramatically increased during RFA. The CTCs induced by ablation eventually translate into enhanced distant metastasis and reduced survival as compared to resection. Immunofluorescence analysis reveals that RFA significantly increases the infiltration of tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) in the lung. Our study thus suggests that the ablative procedure of prostate tumors causes immediate tumor cell dissemination and increases distant metastasis.
Does campus disciplinary authority extend to pandemic‐related conduct issues?
Authors: Porter Michael
Published: February 2021

Although there are exceptions, most institutions’ published disciplinary rules and processes focus only on conduct that occurs on campus or at institution‐related off‐campus events.
Use of angiotensin receptor blocker is associated with improved 1 year mortality in heart failure with mid‐range ejection fraction
Authors: Wang Bin , Zhang Lihua , Hu Shuang , Bai Xueke , Li Xi , Li Jing , Zheng Xin
Published: February 2021

Aims

Current evidence about the effect of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) on the outcome of heart failure with mid‐range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) is lacking. We aim to assess the association between use of ARB and 1 year all‐cause mortality after hospitalization for HFmrEF.

Methods and results

We analysed the data of patients with ejection fraction of 40–49% in China Patient‐centred Evaluative Assessment of Cardiac Events Prospective Heart Failure Study; 4907 patients hospitalized for heart failure from 52 Chinese hospitals were enrolled from August 2016 to May 2018. Use of ARB was determined by prescriptions at discharge. Patients who died during hospitalization or were using angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors at discharge were excluded. The association between the use of ARB and outcome was assessed using stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting‐adjusted Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses. A total of 701 patients with HFmrEF were included for analysis. The mean age was 66.4 ± 12.8 years, and 267 (38.1%) were female. Of them, 244 were treated (34.8%) with ARB. During the 1 year follow‐up period, patients treated with ARB had lower all‐cause mortality compared with untreated patients (11.5% vs. 21.9%, P = 0.0005). Inverse probability of treatment weighting‐adjusted Cox regression analysis showed that use of ARB was associated with significantly reduced all‐cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.44, 95% confidence interval 0.28–0.69, P = 0.0004).

Conclusions

Among patients hospitalized for HFmrEF, the use of ARB was associated with lower 1 year mortality after discharge.
Haemodynamic effects of the nitroxyl donor cimlanod (BMS‐986231) in chronic heart failure: a randomized trial
Authors: Lang Ninian N. , Ahmad Faheem A. , Cleland John G. , O'Connor Christopher M. , Teerlink John R. , Voors Adriaan A. , Taubel Jorg , Hodes Anke R. , Anwar Mohamed , Karra Ravi , Sakata Yasushi , Ishihara Shiro , Senior Roxy , Khemka Abhishek , Prasad Narayana G. , DeSouza Mary M. , Seiffert Dietmar , Ye June Y. , Kessler Paul D. , Borentain Maria , Solomon Scott D. , Felker G. Michael , McMurray John J.V.
Published: February 2021

Aims

Nitroxyl provokes vasodilatation and inotropic and lusitropic effects in animals via post‐translational modification of thiols. We aimed to compare effects of the nitroxyl donor cimlanod (BMS‐986231) with those of nitroglycerin (NTG) or placebo on cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods and results

In a randomized, multicentre, double‐blind, crossover trial, 45 patients with stable HFrEF were given a 5 h intravenous infusion of cimlanod, NTG, or placebo on separate days. Echocardiograms were done at the start and end of each infusion period and read in a core laboratory. The primary endpoint was stroke volume index derived from the left ventricular outflow tract at the end of each infusion period. Stroke volume index with placebo was 30 ± 7 mL/m2 and was lower with cimlanod (29 ± 9 mL/m2; P = 0.03) and NTG (28 ± 8 mL/m2; P = 0.02). Transmitral E‐wave Doppler velocity on cimlanod or NTG was lower than on placebo and, consequently, E/e′ (P = 0.006) and E/A ratio (P = 0.003) were also lower. NTG had similar effects to cimlanod on these measurements. Blood pressure reduction was similar with cimlanod and NTG and greater than with placebo.

Conclusion

In patients with chronic HFrEF, the haemodynamic effects of cimlanod and NTG are similar. The effects of cimlanod may be explained by venodilatation and preload reduction without additional inotropic or lusitropic effects. Ongoing trials of cimlanod will further define its potential role in the treatment of heart failure.
Enhanced Hydrogenation Catalytic Activity of Ruthenium Nanoparticles by Solid‐Solution Alloying with Molybdenum
Authors: Okazoe Shinya , Staiger Lena , Cokoja Mirza , Kusada Kohei , Yamamoto Tomokazu , Toriyama Takaaki , Matsumura Syo , Kitagawa Hiroshi , Fischer Roland A.
Published: February 2021

We report the hydrogenation catalytic activity application of molybdenum–ruthenium (MoRu) solid‐solution alloy nanoparticles (NPs) as catalysts for the hydrogenation of 1‐octene and 1‐octyne. The solid‐solution structure of MoRu NPs was confirmed through scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) measurement. The hydrogenation catalytic activity of these NPs toward 1‐octyne and 1‐octene in tetrahydrofuran (THF) was tested. The hydrogenation catalytic activity of Ru was enhanced by alloying with Mo at the atomic level. An electronic modification of Ru by a charge transfer from Mo to Ru, which could induce the change in the adsorption energy of reactants resulting in enhanced catalytic activity, was observed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Oxoammonium‐Mediated Allylsilane–Ether Coupling Reaction
Authors: Carlet Federica , Bertarini Greta , Broggini Gianluigi , Pradal Alexandre , Poli Giovanni
Published: February 2021

A new C(sp3)−H functionalization reaction consisting of the oxidative α‐allylation of allyl‐ and benzyl‐ methyl ethers has been developed. The C−C coupling could be carried out under mild conditions thanks to the use of cheap and green oxoammonium salts. The scope of the reaction was studied over 27 examples, considering the nature of the substituents on the two coupling partners.
Adding maintaining factors to developmental models of anorexia nervosa: An empirical examination in adolescents
Authors: Moreno‐Encinas Alba , Graell Montserrat , Martínez‐Huertas José Ángel , Faya Mar , Treasure Janet , Sepúlveda Ana Rosa
Published: February 2021

Objective

A biopsychosocial approach has been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa (AN), despite only a few of the existing etiological models having received empirical support. The aim of this study was to empirically investigate Herpertz‐Dahlmann, Seitz, and Konrad (2011, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406‐011‐0246‐y)’s developmental model and to consider if interpersonal reactions to the illness might serve as maintaining factors following the model proposed by Treasure and Schmidt (2013, https://doi.org/10.1186/2050‐2974‐1‐13)

Method

One hundred adolescents and their families were participated in the study: 50 diagnosed with AN, paired by age and parents’ socio‐economic status with 50 adolescents without a pathology. Biological, psychological and familial variables were assessed using ten questionnaires and a blood analysis test. Additionally, structural equation modeling was conducted to assess two hypothetical models.

Results

The fit of both models was good after the addition of two covariate parameters (e.g., Comparative Fit Index > 0.96 and Tucker–Lewis Index > 0.95). Premorbid traits were linked to body dissatisfaction and to the number of stressful life events; this in turn was linked to AN symptoms. Biological and familial consequences reinforced this pathology.

Conclusions

Our findings provide support for both models, suggesting that inter relationships between bio‐psycho‐familial variables can influence the course of AN during adolescence.
Study on characteristics of particulate emission of diesel aftertreatment with reciprocating flow
Authors: Deng Yangbo , Wang Xiaolong , Li Rongrui , Han Zhitao , Wu Hongwei , Dong Jingming , Cui Wenbin , Guo Yang
Published: February 2021

In this article, in order to optimize diesel aftertreatment system with periodically reciprocating flow (PRF), an experimental study is conducted to investigate its characteristics such as pollution emissions, regeneration of diesel particulate filter (DPF), concentration, and size distribution of particulate matter (PM) escaped as well as temperature distribution under unidirectional flow and PRF operating conditions. The effects of reciprocating flow cycle and exhaust gas flow on the performance of aftertreatment system are investigated in detail. The energy efficiency analysis of the aftertreatment system is also carried out. Experimental results show that (a) as the temperature is lower than the light‐off threshold of combustible gas, the aftertreatment system cannot restrain the formation of second particles under the low‐temperature condition of unidirectional flow; and (b) the aftertreatment system demonstrates excellent performance of trapping particles and filter regeneration as the symmetrical temperature distribution is formed. The PM filter efficiency is 92%, and the specific energy consumption β is 124% for symmetrical temperature distribution; (c) the increase in reciprocating flow cycle could lead to the shifting of the temperature profiles, and this would affect the particle size distribution; (d) a certain increase in exhaust gas flow from engine would have insignificant change for the temperature distribution; and (e) the critical energy efficiency of the system could reach 96.61%.
Trophic Transfer of Radioactive Micronutrients in a Shallow Benthic Food Web
Authors: Holmerin Isak , Kiel Jensen Louise , Hevrøy Tanya , Bradshaw Clare
Published: February 2021

The Baltic Sea is one of the most polluted seas in the world, with widespread eutrophication and radionuclide contamination. Using key species of the Baltic Sea, the effects of eutrophication on uptake and trophic transfer of the radioactive micronutrients commonly found in nuclear power plant effluents were investigated experimentally using the brown macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus and the grazers Idotea balthica and Theodoxus fluviatilis in a controlled environment. Rapid uptake of 54Mn, 57Co, and 65Zn from water was observed in all biota; and eutrophication combined with grazing pressure strongly influenced the uptake in F. vesiculosus. Uptake of 54Mn, 57Co, and 65Zn to I. balthica and T. fluviatilis grazing on F. vesiculosus were also observed. The results indicate that ecosystems could be open for further trophic transfer as radionuclides accumulate quickly in the producers and are transferred to primary consumers. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1694–1705. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Some continuous and discontinuous Galerkin methods and structure preservation for incompressible flows
Authors: Chen Xi , Li Yuwen , Drapaca Corina , Cimbala John
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we present consistent and inconsistent discontinuous Galerkin (dG) methods for incompressible Euler and Navier–Stokes equations with the kinematic pressure, Bernoulli function and EMAC function. Semi‐ and fully discrete energy stability of the proposed dG methods are proved in a unified fashion. Conservation of total energy, linear, and angular momentum is discussed with both central and upwind fluxes. Numerical experiments are presented to demonstrate our findings and compare our schemes with conventional schemes in the literature in both unsteady and steady problems. Numerical results show that global conservation of the physical quantities may not be enough to demonstrate the performance of the schemes, and our schemes are competitive and able to capture essential physical features in several benchmark problems.
Project Review Under Canada’s 2012 Fisheries Act: Risky Business for Fisheries Protection
Authors: Third Laura C , Browne David R , Lapointe Nicolas W R
Published: February 2021

Canada’s Fisheries Act provides essential protection for fish and their habitat. To manage thousands of projects a year, Fisheries and Oceans Canada implements a risk-based framework requiring authorization and offsetting for the highest risk projects. Projects considered lower risk proceed via letters of advice. Following changes to the Act in 2012, there were concerns about transparency and cumulative effects of low-risk projects. We used access to information requests to obtain documents and reviewed the department’s 2012–2019 risk-based framework. Projects reviewed in Manitoba in 2016 were examined and the amount of permanent alteration and destruction approved without authorization was quantified (23,881 and 6,768 m2, respectively). The risk-based framework focused reviews and regulatory decisions on project-by-project effects, rather than cumulative risks from multiple projects. Harm from lower risk projects was not tracked or offset. New mechanisms are needed to manage such projects to achieve the conservation purpose of the Act.