bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching hands‐only CPR using behavioral skills training
Authors: Aciu Jenny‐Lee A. , Vladescu Jason C. , Marano‐Frezza Kathleen E. , Reeve Kenneth F. , Gravina Nicole
Published: August 2021

The purpose of the present study was to use behavioral skills training (BST) that incorporated feedback through the Quality Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (QCPR) Learners application to teach hands‐only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The QCPR Learners app is an application downloaded to the user's mobile device which is connected to a training manikin via Bluetooth transmission, providing the user with real‐time feedback on performance. A multiple‐baseline design across participants design was used to evaluate the influence of BST on form and chest compressions. The results for five participants demonstrated the acquisition of proper form and appropriate chest compressions following BST. The results extended previous research as they demonstrated the efficacy of BST and feedback technology for teaching hands‐only CPR.
Metabolite Profiling Based on UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS and the Biological Evaluation of Medicinal Plants of Chinese Dichocarpum (Ranunculaceae)
Authors: Li Pei , Shen Jie , Li Yue , Yao Hui , Yu Meng , He Chunnian , Xiao Peigen
Published: August 2021

The genus Dichocarpum is endemic to East Asia, and many species have been used to treat various diseases. However, phytochemical researches of this genus have been limited to date. In the present study, a metabolomic approach based on UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS was used to explore the phytochemical profiles of 10 Chinese Dichocarpum species, and cannabinoid receptor (CB1/CB2) agonistic activities evaluation of these plants was performed. A total of 128 features were putatively annotated, belonging to alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes saponins, phenolic acids, and others. Semi‐quantitative statistics demonstrated that alkaloids and flavonoids were widely distributed, with the former the most abundant, whereas triterpenes saponins were mainly distributed in D. fargesii and D. wuchuanense. The phylogenetic results obtained from DNA sequencing assigned the 10 species to three groups. Further results of in silico annotation revealed three chemical families and helped determine the characteristic features of the three groups. In addition, the plant extracts of nine species from this genus showed agonistic activity on CB2 receptors. This comprehensive analysis revealed the chemotype distribution and pharmacophylogenetic relationship, to provide clues for the prospective resource utilization of the medicinal plants from the genus Dichocarpum.
NAD(H)‐PEG Swing Arms Improve Both the Activities and Stabilities of Modularly‐Assembled Transhydrogenases Designed with Predictable Selectivities
Authors: Massad Nadim , Banta Scott
Published: August 2021

Protein engineering has been used to enhance the activities, selectivities, and stabilities of enzymes. Frequently tradeoffs are observed, where improvements in some features can come at the expense of others. Nature uses modular assembly of active sites for complex, multi‐step reactions, and natural “swing arm” mechanisms have evolved to transfer intermediates between active sites. Biomimetic polyethylene glycol (PEG) swing arms modified with NAD(H) have been explored to introduce synthetic swing arms into fused oxidoreductases. Here we report that increasing NAD(H)‐PEG swing arms can improve the activity of synthetic formate:malate oxidoreductases as well as the thermal and operational stabilities of the biocatalysts. The modular assembly approach enables the KM values of new enzymes to be predictable, based on the parental enzymes. We describe four unique synthetic transhydrogenases that have no native homologs, and this platform could be easily extended for the predictive design of additional synthetic cofactor‐independent transhydrogenases.
S‐Denitrosylase‐Like Activity of Cyclic Diselenides Conjugated with Xaa‐His Dipeptide: Role of Proline Spacer as a Key Activity Booster
Authors: Mikami Rumi , Tsukagoshi Shunsuke , Oda Yoshiki , Arai Kenta
Published: August 2021

This study developed dipeptide‐conjugated 1,2‐diselenan‐4‐amine (1), i. e., 1‐Xaa‐His, as a new class of S‐denitrosylase mimic. The synthesized compounds, especially 1‐Pro‐His, remarkably promoted S‐denitrosylation of nitrosothiols (RSNO) via a catalytic cycle involving the reversible redox reaction between the diselenide and its corresponding diselenol ([SeH,SeH]) form with coexisting reductant thiols (R′SH), during which the [SeH,SeH] form as a key reactive species reduces RSNO to the corresponding thiol (RSH). Structural analyses of 1‐Pro‐His suggested that the peptide backbone of [SeH,SeH] is rigidly bent to form a γ‐turn, possibly including an NH⋅⋅⋅Se hydrogen bond between the imidazole ring of His and selenol group, thus stabilizing the [SeH,SeH] form thermodynamically, and dramatically enhancing the catalytic activity. Furthermore, the synthetic compounds were found to prohibit S‐nitrosylation‐induced protein misfolding in the presence of RSNO, eventually implying their potential as a drug seed for misfolding diseases caused by the dysregulation of the S‐denitrosylation system.
The effect and mechanism of erianin on the reversal of oxaliplatin resistance in human colon cancer cells
Authors: Su Chang , Liu Shaoqun , Ma Xiaoying , Liu Jiajun , Liu Jianwen , Lei Ming , Cao Yiou
Published: August 2021

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the main cause of chemotherapy failure in the treatment of colon cancer and the high expression of drug efflux protein P‐gp is one of the main factors of MDR. P‐gp expression is regulated by the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. In this study, human colon cancer oxaliplatin‐resistant cells were treated with oxaliplatin combined with the natural product erianin. Then, we evaluated the impact of erianin on drug resistance, and explored the relationship between erianin‐related oxaliplatin resistance and the Janus kinase 2/STAT3 signaling pathway in vitro. Our research showed that erianin could significantly inhibit the proliferation of human colon cancer oxaliplatin‐resistant cells, and suppress the cell cycle of oxaliplatin‐resistant cells in the G2/M phase, indicating that erianin could regulate the MDR phenotype of oxaliplatin‐resistant cells, and its mechanism might be the inhibition of STAT3 signaling pathway and the significant reduction of P‐gp expression. However, this study provides a theoretical basis for the clinical application of erianin in platinum‐based chemotherapy for colon cancer.
Ag3PO4‐Supported Magnetic Hydroxyapatite Composite as Green Photocatalyst for the Removal of Cationic and Anionic Dyes from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Pham Xuan Nui , Le Huu-Tai , Nguyen Trung-Tien , Pham Ngan-Thi
Published: August 2021

Eggshells were used as the main source for the synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAp), and the semiconductor material Ag3PO4 was synthesized by the crystal formation process on magnetic HAp. X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, the Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller surface area, and X‐ray photoelectron, Fourier transform infrared, and ultraviolet‐visible light diffuse reflectance spectroscopy were employed to study the phase structure, surface morphology, and optical properties of the composite photocatalyst. The photocatalytic activities of the synthesized composites were explored for the photodegradation of both cationic (Methylene Blue) and anionic (Reactive Red 195) dyes, achieving efficiencies of around 99 % and 96 %, respectively. Vibrating sample magnetometry showed the excellent regenerability of the magnetic composite after five cycles, demonstrating its potential for removing cationic and anionic dyes from aqueous solutions.
Flower‐like Nitrogen‐co‐doped MoS2@RGO Composites with Excellent Stability for Supercapacitors
Authors: Li Min , Addad Ahmed , Zhang Yuan , Barras Alexandre , Roussel Pascal , Amin Mohammed A. , Szunerits Sabine , Boukherroub Rabah
Published: August 2021

Nitrogen‐co‐doped MoS2@rGO composites (named hereafter N‐MoS2@N‐RGO) are prepared by the hydrothermal method using dicyandiamide or hydrazine monohydrate as the nitrogen source. N‐MoS2@rGO is obtained by the hydrothermal reaction of thioacetamide, ammonium molybdate and GO precursors in the presence of dicyandiamide, while N‐MoS2@N‐RGO is synthesized using the same precursors in the presence of hydrazine monohydrate as the nitrogen source. On the one hand, N‐MoS2@RGO displays excellent performance and good capacitance value of 335 F/g acquired at 0.5A/g and improved stability (∼94% of the original capacitance is preserved after 5000 cycles). On the other hand, compared with N‐MoS2@RGO, N‐MoS2@N‐RGO possesses a slightly higher capacitance of 340 F/g recorded at 0.5A/g and better cycling stability (∼98% of its original value after 5000 cycles). Taken together, the results of this investigation clearly indicate that the fabricated composites have application prospect in energy storage devices.
Surface Chemistry Impact on the Light Absorption by Colloidal Quantum Dots
Authors: Giansante Carlo
Published: August 2021

At the size scale at which quantum confinement effects arise in inorganic semiconductors, the materials’ surface‐to‐volume ratio is intrinsically high. This consideration sets surface chemistry as a powerful tool to exert further control on the electronic structure of the inorganic semiconductors. Among the materials that experience the quantum confinement regime, those prepared via colloidal synthetic procedures (the colloidal quantum dots – and wires and wells, too –) are prone to undergo surface reactions in the solution phase and thus represent an ideal framework to study the ensemble impact of surface chemistry on the materials’ electronic structure. It is here discussed such an impact at the ground state by using the absorption spectrum of the colloidal quantum dots as a descriptor. The experiments show that the chemical species (the ligands) at the colloidal quantum dot surface induce changes to the optical band gap, the absorption coefficient at all wavelengths, and the ionization potential. These evidences point to a description of the colloidal quantum dot (the ligand/core adduct) as an indecomposable species, in which the orbitals localized on the ligands and the core mix in each other's electric field. This description goes beyond conventional models that conceive the ligands on the basis of pure electrostatic arguments (i. e., either as a dielectric shell or as electric dipoles) or as a mere potential energy barrier at the core boundaries.
The basophil activation test differentiates between patients with wheat‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis and control subjects using gluten and isolated gluten protein types
Authors: Gabler Angelika Miriam , Gebhard Julia , Eberlein Bernadette , Biedermann Tilo , Scherf Katharina Anne , Brockow Knut
Published: August 2021

Background

Oral food challenge using gluten and cofactors is the gold standard to diagnose wheat‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA), but this procedure puts patients at risk of an anaphylactic reaction. Specific IgE to ω5‐gliadins as major allergens and skin prick tests to wheat may yield negative results. Thus, we designed a proof‐of‐principle study to investigate the utility of the basophil activation test (BAT) for WDEIA diagnosis.

Methods

Different gluten protein types (GPT; α‐, γ‐, ω1,2‐ and ω5‐gliadins, high‐molecular‐weight glutenin subunits [HMW‐GS] and low‐molecular‐weight glutenin subunits [LMW‐GS]) and gluten were used in different concentrations to measure basophil activation in 12 challenge‐confirmed WDEIA patients and 10 control subjects. The results were compared to routine allergy diagnostics. Parameters analyzed include the percentage of CD63+ basophils, the ratio of %CD63+ basophils induced by GPT/gluten to %CD63+ basophils induced by anti‐FcεRI antibody, area under the dose‐response curve and test sensitivity and specificity.

Results

GPT and gluten induced strong basophil activation for %CD63+ basophils and for %CD63+/anti‐FcɛRI ratio in a dose‐dependent manner in patients, but not in controls (p < 0.001, respectively). BAT performance differed from acceptable (0.73 for LMW‐GS) to excellent (0.91 for ω5‐gliadins) depending on the specific GPT as evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Patients showed individual sensitization profiles. After determination of the best cut‐off points, ω5‐gliadins and HMW‐GS showed the best discrimination between patients and controls with a sensitivity/specificity of 100/70 and 75/100, respectively.

Conclusion

This study shows the alternative role of BAT in better defining WDEIA and the causative wheat allergens. The best BAT parameters to distinguish WDEIA patients from controls were %CD63+ basophil values for ω5‐gliadins and HMW‐GS.
Identification and Classification of Technical Lignins by means of Principle Component Analysis and k‐Nearest Neighbor Algorithm
Authors: Fink Friedrich , Emmerling Franziska , Falkenhagen Jana
Published: August 2021

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Dr. Jana Falkenhagen at the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und ‐prüfung in Berlin (Germany). The cover picture shows an artistic map like those found in many novels. The rivers serve as natural borders to separate different types of plants, such as softwood, hardwood, straw and grass. The idea for this abstract illustration comes from the core illustration of the work on which it is based. Read the full text of their Full Paper at 10.1002/cmtd.202100028.
Pancreas cancer and BRCA: A critical subset of patients with improving therapeutic outcomes
Authors: Momtaz Parisa , O’Connor Catherine A. , Chou Joanne F. , Capanu Marinela , Park Wungki , Bandlamudi Chaitanya , Berger Michael F. , Kelsen David P. , Suehnholz Sarah P. , Chakravarty Debyani , Yu Kenneth H. , Varghese Anna M. , Zervoudakis Alice , Li Jia , Ku Geoffrey Y. , Park Jennifer S. , Shcherba Marina , Harding James J. , Goldberg Zoe , Abou‐Alfa Ghassan K. , Salo‐Mullen Erin E. , Stadler Zsofia K. , Iacobuzio‐Donahue Christine A. , O’Reilly Eileen M.
Published: August 2021

Background

Patients with germline/somatic BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations (g/sBRCA1/2) comprise a distinct biologic subgroup of pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods

Institutional databases were queried to identify patients who had PDAC with g/sBRCA1/2. Demographics, clinicopathologic details, genomic data (annotation sBRCA1/2 according to a precision oncology knowledge base for somatic mutations), zygosity, and outcomes were abstracted. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan‐Meier method.

Results

In total, 136 patients with g/sBRCA1/2 were identified between January 2011 and June 2020. Germline BRCA1/2 (gBRCA1/2) mutation was identified in 116 patients (85%). Oncogenic somatic BRCA1/2 (sBRCA1/2) mutation was present in 20 patients (15%). Seventy‐seven patients had biallelic BRCA1/2 mutations (83%), and 16 (17%) had heterozygous mutations. Sixty‐five patients with stage IV disease received frontline platinum therapy, and 52 (80%) had a partial response. The median OS for entire cohort was 27.6 months (95% CI, 24.9‐34.5 months), and the median OS for patients who had stage IV disease was 23 months (95% CI, 19‐26 months). Seventy‐one patients received a poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor (PARPi), and 52 received PARPi monotherapy. For maintenance PARPi, 10 patients (36%) had a partial response, 12 (43%) had stable disease, and 6 (21%) had progression of disease as their best response. Six patients (21%) received maintenance PARPi for >2 years. For those with stage IV disease who received frontline platinum, the median OS was 26 months (95% CI, 20‐52 months) for biallelic patients (n = 39) and 8.66 months (95% CI, 6.2 months to not reached) for heterozygous patients (n = 4). The median OS for those who received PARPi therapy was 26.5 months (95% CI, 24‐53 months) for biallelic patients (n = 25) and 8.66 months (95% CI, 7.23 months to not reached) for heterozygous patients (n = 2).

Conclusions

g/sBRCA1/2 mutations did not appear to have different actionable utility. Platinum and PARPi therapies offer therapeutic benefit, and very durable outcomes are observed in a subset of patients who have g/sBRCA1/2 mutations with biallelic status.
Adolescent and young adult enrollment to a National Cancer Institute–sponsored National Clinical Trials Network Research Group over 25 years
Authors: Unger Joseph M. , Beauchemin Melissa , Hershman Dawn L.
Published: August 2021

Background

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer have not seen the same improvements in survival as younger (pediatric) patients and older patients (adults 40 years old or older). This may be related to their lower participation in clinical trials.

Methods

This study examined AYA patient accrual to SWOG Cancer Research Network phase 1 to 3 clinical treatment trials for 29 cancers over 25 years (January 1996 to December 2020). Trial enrollments for AYA patients (15‐39 years old) were compared with trial enrollments for older patients (40 years old or older) in SWOG and with US AYA cancer population rates derived from US Census and National Cancer Institute/Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data.

Results

In total, 84,219 patients were enrolled in SWOG treatment trials, including 7109 AYA patients (8.4%); in contrast, AYAs constituted 3.8% of the US cancer population. By histology, the highest proportions of AYA patients were in trials for Hodgkin disease (825 of 1220; 67.6%) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (350 of 678; 51.6%), whereas breast cancer trials had the greatest number of AYA patients (3032 of 32,693; 9.3%). SWOG AYA patients were more often female (68.8% vs 58.7%; P < .001), Black (10.1% vs 8.2%; P < .001), and Hispanic (10.6% vs 5.6%; P < .001) than SWOG patients who were 40 years old or older, and they were more often female (68.8% vs 65.1%; P < .001) but less often Black (10.1% vs 11.8%; P < .001) or Hispanic (10.6% vs 12.8%; P < .001) than AYA patients in the US cancer population.

Conclusions

AYA patients with cancer were well represented in SWOG clinical trials in comparison with US cancer population patients with the same cancers. The SWOG AYA population was more racially/ethnically diverse than older SWOG patients, although it was less diverse than the US AYA cancer population.

Lay Summary

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer (aged 15‐39 years) have not seen the same improvements in survival as younger (pediatric) patients and older patients (adults 40 years old or older). This may be related to their lower participation in clinical trials.

This study evaluated the extent to which AYA patients were enrolled in a large, National Cancer Institute–sponsored network group over 25 years (1996‐2020).

Overall, 8.4% of the enrolled patients (7109 of 84,219) were AYAs; this was twice the corresponding rate of 3.8% in the US cancer population.

AYA patients were also more racially/ethnically diverse than older trial patients, although they were less racially/ethnically diverse than the US AYA cancer population.
The RNA‐binding protein and stress granule component ATAXIN‐2 is expressed in mouse and human tissues associated with glaucoma pathogenesis
Authors: Sundberg Chad A. , Lakk Monika , Paul Sharan , P. Figueroa Karla , Scoles Daniel R. , Pulst Stefan M. , Križaj David
Published: August 2021

Polyglutamine repeat expansions in the Ataxin‐2 (ATXN2) gene were first implicated in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2, a disease associated with degeneration of motor neurons and Purkinje cells. Recent studies linked single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene to elevated intraocular pressure in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG); yet, the localization of ATXN2 across glaucoma‐relevant tissues of the vertebrate eye has not been thoroughly examined. This study characterizes ATXN2 expression in the mouse and human retina, and anterior eye, using an antibody validated in ATXN2−/− retinas. ATXN2‐ir was localized to cytosolic sub compartments in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) somata and proximal dendrites in addition to GABAergic, glycinergic, and cholinergic amacrine cells in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) and displaced amacrine cells. Human, but not mouse retinas showed modest immunolabeling of bipolar cells. ATXN2 immunofluorescence was prominent in the trabecular meshwork and pigmented and nonpigmented cells of the ciliary body, with analyses of primary human trabecular meshwork cells confirming the finding. The expression of ATXN2 in key POAG‐relevant ocular tissues supports the potential role in autophagy and stress granule formation in response to ocular hypertension.
Green ambidexterity and environmental performance: The role of green human resources
Authors: Úbeda‐García Mercedes , Marco‐Lajara Bartolome , Zaragoza‐Sáez Patrocinio C. , Manresa‐Marhuenda Encarnación , Poveda‐Pareja Esther
Published: August 2021

Recent literature in the domain of environmental management suggests that employees' behavior is vital to enhance environmental performance. Despite this, little effort has been made to study how human resource management is linked with the environmental performance. Even less attention has been given to a joint consideration of green innovation and green human resources management and their contribution to environmental performance. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the interrelationship between green high performance work system (GPWS) and environmental performance through the mediation of green ambidexterity. A variance‐based structural equation modeling (partial least squares) was applied to a sample of Spanish hotel firms. The results indicate that GHPWS facilitate the development of green ambidexterity, and that this variable contributes to improved environmental performance. The results of this study make several contributions to the GHRM and green ambidexterity literature, as well as practical contributions for managers.
R&D as bridge to sustainable development? Case of Czech Republic and Slovenia
Authors: Hojnik Jana , Prokop Viktor , Stejskal Jan
Published: August 2021

Prior studies revealed that government is key factor influencing firms' decisions about the implementation of environmental innovations and pursuit of sustainable development as well as shaping their environmental orientation. However, the role of firms' R&D within these processes remains unclear. This paper explores the relationship between firms' environmental regulation, R&D, environmental orientation, and environmental outputs to better understand the relationships and dynamics among them. We used the World Bank Enterprise Survey 2019 data on 737 firms from the Czech Republic and Slovenia and employed structural equation modeling. The results indicate that environmental orientation positively influences R&D and environmental outputs. Moreover, environmental regulations spur firms' environmental orientation as well as environmental outputs. On the other hand, the findings reveal that R&D is neither a key factor nor plays a key role as a mediator of environmental regulations and environmental orientation affecting environmental outputs based on the sample of selected countries pertaining to Central and Eastern Europe.
Efficient data uncertainty management for health industrial internet of things using machine learning
Authors: Haseeb Khalid , Saba Tanzila , Rehman Amjad , Ahmed Imran , Lloret Jaime
Published: August 2021

In modern technologies, the industrial internet of things (IIoT) has gained rapid growth in the fields of medical, transportation, and engineering. It consists of a self‐governing configuration and cooperated with sensors to collect, process, and analyze the processes of a real‐time system. In the medical system, healthcare IIoT (HIIoT) provides analytics of a huge amount of data and offers low‐cost storage systems with the collaboration of cloud systems for the monitoring of patient information. However, it faces certain connectivity, nodes failure, and rapid data delivery challenges in the development of e‐health systems. Therefore, to address such concerns, this paper presents an efficient data uncertainty management model for HIIoT using machine learning (EDM‐ML) with declining nodes prone and data irregularity. Its aim is to increase the efficacy for the collection and processing of real‐time data along with smart functionality against anonymous nodes. It developed an algorithm for improving the health services against disruption of network status and overheads. Also, the multi‐objective function decreases the uncertainty in the management of medical data. Furthermore, it expects the routing decisions using a machine learning‐based algorithm and increases the uniformity in health operations by balancing the network resources and trust distribution. Finally, it deals with a security algorithm and established control methods to protect the distributed data in the exposed health industry. Extensive simulations are performed, and their results reveal the significant performance of the proposed model in the context of uncertainty and intelligence than benchmark algorithms.
New topical therapies for psoriasis
Authors: Buechler Connor R. , Veenstra Jesse , Stein Gold Linda
Published: August 2021

Background

Psoriasis is a debilitating autoimmune condition that causes red scaly plaques of the skin with potential to produce systemic inflammation affecting multiple organ systems. While the majority of patients can be managed with topical therapy, no one topical medication is right for everyone, and the therapeutic armamentarium continues to expand with improved delivery vehicles and new active ingredients. This review will discuss recently approved and upcoming topical medications for psoriasis.

Recent advances

The past several years have seen the advent of novel lotion and cream vehicles as well as new options for spray or foam application, fixed‐dose combined medications, and nonsteroidal options. New corticosteroid topical monotherapies in improved vehicles include halobetasol propionate (HP) 0.05% foam, HP 0.01% lotion, clobetasol propionate 0.025% cream, and betamethasone dipropionate (BD) 0.05% spray. Fixed‐dose combination topical therapies include calcipotriene 0.005% plus BD 0.064% (Cal‐BD) foam, Cal‐BD cream, and HP 0.01% plus tazarotene 0.045% lotion. Numerous nonsteroidal offerings are poised to enter the market, most notably tapinarof 1% cream, roflumilast 0.3% cream, and roflumilast 0.3% foam.

Recent advancements in both delivery vehicles and medications available for topical treatment of psoriasis have the potential to allow better control of disease and increase treatment satisfaction among patients.
Method for quick DNA barcode reference library construction
Authors: Liu Yanlei , Xu Chao , Sun Yuzhe , Chen Xun , Dong Wenpan , Yang Xueying , Zhou Shiliang
Published: August 2021

DNA barcoding has become one of the most important techniques in plant species identification. Successful application of this technology is dependent on the availability of reference database of high species coverage. Unfortunately, there are experimental and data processing challenges to construct such a library within a short time. Here, we present our solutions to these challenges. We sequenced six conventional DNA barcode fragments (ITS1, ITS2, matK1, matK2, rbcL1, and rbcL2) of 380 flowering plants on next‐generation sequencing (NGS) platforms (Illumina Hiseq 2500 and Ion Torrent S5) and the Sanger sequencing platform. After comparing the sequencing depths, read lengths, base qualities, and base accuracies, we conclude that Illumina Hiseq2500 PE250 run is suitable for conventional DNA barcoding. We developed a new “Cotu” method to create consensus sequences from NGS reads for longer output sequences and more reliable bases than the other three methods. Step‐by‐step instructions to our method are provided. By using high‐throughput machines (PCR and NGS), labeling PCR, and the Cotu method, it is possible to significantly reduce the cost and labor investments for DNA barcoding. A regional or even global DNA barcoding reference library with high species coverage is likely to be constructed in a few years.
Undergraduate student conceptions of climate change impacts on animals
Authors: Holt Emily A. , Heim Ashley B. , Sexton Julie , Hinerman Krystal
Published: August 2021

Climate change is a critical environmental issue and is a recommended core concept in the Ecological Society of America’s 4‐Dimensional Ecology Education framework. Limited work describes K‐12 students’ conceptions of the biotic impacts of climate change, yet research is lacking to explore undergraduate students’ conceptions on this topic. Our goal was to describe undergraduate student conceptions of the biotic outcomes of climate change, and characterize how these student conceptions of animal responses to climate change align with accepted scientific ideas. We used an interpretive qualitative research design and interviewed 13 undergraduate students who were enrolled in either an introductory biology or general ecology course. Through two independent codings of the same dataset, we separately addressed each of our research goals. Prior to this study, we identified three general biotic outcomes from climate change, which were confirmed by outside experts: changes to an animal’s Growth and Survival, their Reproduction, or their Distribution. Our student interviewees as a whole mentioned all three of these outcomes, and most individuals mentioned all three in their responses. Additionally, we found that most student ideas were aligned with Scientific conceptions, while a third of student ideas contained some scientific conceptions but were incomplete. Only a small percent of conceptions voiced in our sample were identified as alternative conceptions that did not align with accepted scientific ideas. These findings are important for educators who teach climate change, as they suggest that undergraduate students come to our classes with productive resources; however, our findings also identify concepts where students may struggle or enter classrooms with a more incomplete understanding.
Electrochemiluminescence Enhanced by the Synergetic Effect of Porphyrin and Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes for Uric Acid Detection
Authors: Zhang Liying , Zhao Chuanrui , Bai Yujiao , Wang Qian , Ma Pan , Ma Xiaojie , Zhu Peihua
Published: August 2021

The design and exploration of efficient, stable and environmentally compatible organic emitters for an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor is a promising topic. Herein, a novel environmentally‐friendly luminophore, ZnBCBTP@MWCNTs, were fabricated via self‐assembly of porphyrin molecules (ZnBCBTP) onto multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The resulting luminophore ZnBCBTP@MWCNTs displayed not only the highly ECL property and but also the good accelerated electron mobility. Then, a label‐free ECL biosensor based ZnBCBTP@MWCNTs was constructed for the ultrasensitive detection of uric acid. Excitingly, this proposed ECL biosensor performed a good linear relationship in the range of 0–300 μM with a low detection limit of 1.4 μM, thus offering another reliable and feasible sensing platform for clinical bioanalysis with good selectivity, stability, and repeatability.
Synthesis of geopolymers based on mechanically activated low‐calcium iron‐rich fly ash
Authors: Kalinkin Alexander M. , Gurevich Basya I. , Kalinkina Elena V. , Semushin Vasiliy V.
Published: August 2021

In this work, the processes occurring during geopolymerization of low‐calcium iron‐rich (19.3% Fe2О3) fly ash (FA) mechanically activated in a planetary mill were investigated. Sodium hydroxide solution was used as an alkaline agent and curing was at 20 ± 2°C. Analysis of the initial and mechanically activated FA by selective acid dissolution method showed that after mechanical activation (MA) for 180–400 s the total reactive SiО2 and Al2О3 increased by 1%–2% while the total reactive Fe2О3 more than doubled. The compressive strengths of the geopolymers prepared using the FA mechanically activated for 0, 180, and 400 s were 1.8, 15.0, and 14.0 MPa, respectively, after curing for 28 days. Considerably greater compressive strength of the geopolymers based on the mechanically activated FA was explained by the higher reactivity of the FA induced by MA. This was evidenced by analyses of the geopolymers using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. As shown by microprobe analysis, the geopolymers synthesized using the mechanically activated FA were characterized by considerably higher iron oxide content in the aluminosilicate hydrogel than the geopolymers prepared using the initial FA. The advantage of MA was not only to increase the overall reactivity of FA but also to include Fe in the geopolymerization process, which improved the geopolymer strength.
Numerical investigation on sealing performance of drainage pipeline inspection gauge crossing pipeline elbows
Authors: Jiang Jinxu , Zhang Hong , Ji Beilei , Yi Feining , Yan Feng , Liu Xiaoben
Published: August 2021

A pipeline inspection gauge (PIG) is routinely passed throughout the long‐distance oil and gas pipelines by pipeline operators to clean the pipeline. Sealing performance is a significant evaluation index for PIG's safety operation. To comprehensively evaluate the PIG's seal performance, nonlinear finite element models were developed, and parametric analysis was conducted in this study. The accuracy of simulation model was validated from numerical and experimental results reported in the literature. The results show that comparing with the pigging in straight pipes, the sealing rubber cups of PIGs can be more easily detached from the pipe wall when passing through elbows, causing smaller sealing areas. For a typical elbow (with curvature radius equals to six times of pipe diameter) widely used in pipeline industry, the minimum sealing area of rubber cup is only 8.07% during common operation conditions. The sealing ability of rubber cups can be obviously enhanced by increasing the curvature radius for the pigging operation of small curvature elbow. Elbow radius slightly affects the cup's sealing behavior when the curvature radius is over six times of pipe's outer diameter. An increment in sealing cup interference can increase the contact area between cup and pipe wall, and the blockage risk of PIGs will be reduced due to the good sealing ability and sufficient driving force. The minimum interference required for the cups is 4% under a most common operation condition; that is, the sealing cup thickness, fluid pressure difference, and friction coefficient are 35 mm, 0.02 MPa, and 0.3, respectively. A proper decrease in sealing cup thickness will reduce the stiffness of rubber cups, indicating that the cups with a smaller thickness are more prone to deformation. Thus, an increase in differential pressure over PIG can enhance the sealing performance of cups when the cups are separated from pipe wall. A large friction coefficient is risky for a safe pigging due to the decrease in sealing region with the increase in friction coefficient. In engineering practice, proper measures should be taken to reduce friction force. Above all, the results obtained in this study provide a reference for the structural design of PIGs.
Effects on Life-History Traits of Hypogastrura viatica (Collembola) Exposed to Imidacloprid Through Soil or Diet
Authors: Kristiansen Silje Marie , Borgå Katrine , Rundberget Jan Thomas , Leinaas Hans Petter
Published: August 2021

Collembola (springtails) are important members of soil communities worldwide by contributing to degradation of organic matter. In nature, Collembola might be exposed to the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid, which is fairly persistent in soil. We exposed the widespread Hypogastrura viatica to imidacloprid through soil or food and monitored the animals during exposure and a post exposure period. We recorded effects on life-history traits affecting individual fitness, that is, mortality, behavioral activity, several reproduction traits, and molting frequency. Exposure through soil led to a concentration-dependent mortality, while the mortality from dietary exposure possibly reflected reduced feeding activity. The body burden of imidacloprid in the Collembola did not differ between treatments. We found no sign of recovery in behavioral activity following exposure in either experiment. The egg production of H. viatica was not significantly affected by imidacloprid at 0.01 mg/kg dry soil but showed a tendency to reduce number of eggs per batch and reduced hatching success. At higher concentrations, reproduction was close to, or completely, stopped. The molting frequency decreased during exposure, while in the post exposure period, we saw milder effects at the highest concentrations, suggesting elimination through molting or reduced toxic response as a result of reduced feeding activity. Overall, H. viatica was more sensitive to imidacloprid than previously studied Collembola, which highlights the importance of considering species sensitivities when risk-assessing soil environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3111–3122. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

Imidacloprid resulted in different mortality patterns between soil and dietary exposure; it reduced hatching success and inhibited molting at a normal rate.
Smoking behavior and circulating vitamin D levels in adults: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Lu , Zhao Hang , Liu Ke , Wang Yichao , Liu Qianqian , Sun Tiantian , Chen Shuchun , Ren Luping
Published: August 2021

To determine the effect of smoking on circulating vitamin D in adults, we performed a meta‐analysis. Literature before 9 May 2021 was retrieved from electronic literature databases such as EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane. The quality of the included studies was assessed by two researchers against the Newcastle–Ottawa scale and JBI Evidence‐based Health Care Centre criteria. All eligible studies and statistical analyses were performed using STATA 14. Twenty‐four studies with 11,340 participants meeting the criteria were included in the meta‐analysis. The results of meta‐analysis showed that the level of circulating 25(OH)D in smokers was lower than that in nonsmokers. A subgroup analysis based on vitamin D supplement use showed that both smokers who used vitamin D supplements and smokers who did not use vitamin D supplements had lower blood 25(OH)D levels compared with the control group. In addition, subjects were divided into different subgroups according to age for meta‐analysis, and the results showed that the serum 25(OH)D level in each subgroup of smokers was lower than that in the control group. This meta‐analysis revealed differences in circulating vitamin D levels between smokers and nonsmokers, with smokers likely to have lower circulating vitamin D levels.
Impact of type and level of stabilizers and fermentation period on the nutritional, microbiological, and sensory properties of short‐set Yoghurt
Authors: Eze Chinazom Martina , Aremu Kehinde Oludayo , Alamu Emmanuel Oladeji , Okonkwo Thomas Muoneme
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to produce short set yoghurt with different stabilizers at different concentrations and determine the effects of the stabilizers and length of fermentation on the nutritional, microbiological, and sensory properties of short set yoghurt. Stabilized yoghurt samples were produced using 0%, 0.5%, and 1.0% concentrations of carboxyl methylcellulose (CMC), corn starch, and gum acacia with different fermentation periods (1–5 hr), respectively. Samples were analyzed for the proximate, physicochemical, microbial, and sensory properties using standard laboratory methods. Results showed that an increase in stabilizer concentration and fermentation time decreased the moisture content but increased the total solids, protein, fat, ash, sugars, pH level, and total titratable acidity. The viscosity of the yoghurt samples significantly (p < .05) increased with the addition of stabilizers (1.48 ± 0.03 cP to 275.57 ± 4.08 cP), with CMC having the highest increase (p < .05) and gum acacia the least. However, the lactic acid production reduced as the concentration of stabilizers increased but showed an increase with fermentation time. The total viable count (TVC) reduced significantly (p < .05) with an increase in the concentration of stabilizer and fermentation time. Hence, short set yoghurt samples containing CMC yielded highest protein (0.5%), fat (1.0%), and ash contents (1.0%). Yoghurt samples produced with a 1.0% concentration of gum acacia gave an optimum pH (0.5%), TTA, mouthfeel, appearance, flavor, and taste. In contrast, yoghurt produced with corn starch produced the most desirable overall acceptability, viscosity, total solids at 1.0%, and TVC (at 0.5%) concentration.
Optimization of acid gas injection to improve solubility and residual trapping
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Li Qi , Wei Xiaochen
Published: August 2021

In acid gas injection, the solubility and residual trapping of acid gas can be effectively improved by optimizing the acid gas injection, which is important for short‐term storage of acid gas and reducing the risk of acid gas leakage. The current study numerically investigates three different acid gas injection schemes, namely continuous acid gas injection, intermittent acid gas injection, and water alternating gas injection. The results suggest that the continuous acid gas injection with higher injection rate is slightly conducive to the solubility and residual trapping of acid gas. In particular, Continuous injection‐Case1 with a rate of 19 200 Nm3 d−1 reduces mobile acid gas by 1.82% and enhances residual trapping by 1.25%. While the intermittent acid gas injection can hardly improve the solubility and residual trapping of acid gas. Water alternating gas injection scheme shows superior behavior over other schemes. Specially, the Water alternating gas injection‐Case3 with higher water injection rate is the most effective, which can reduce mobile acid gas by 13.66% and enhance solubility trapping by 23.95%. The acid gas plume is funnel‐shaped in the acid gas injection stage. However, in the subsequent water injection stage, the acid gas plume gradually becomes fan shaped. This is because the injected water accelerates the dissolution of the acid gas, causing almost all the rear of the acid gas plume to dissolve in the water. Thus, we conclude that water alternating gas injection scheme can significantly enhance the acid gas trapping and Water alternating gas injection Case 3 is the preferred injection scheme. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Health disparity andCOVID‐19—A retrospective analysis
Authors: Sarkar Sanjay , Taylor Archie , Dutta Pratik , Bajaj Meghna , Nash Justin , Ravola Martha , Ievleva Sofia , Llyod Cardarius , Ola Praise , Jenkins Brenita , Sengupta Bidisha , Roy Debarshi
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 75.7 million confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), a global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS‐CoV‐2), have been reported so far. Researchers are working relentlessly to find effective solutions to this catastrophe, using genomic sequence‐based investigation, immunological analysis, and more. The role of health disparity has also emerged as an intriguing factor that made a huge impact on the lives of people.

Methods

We analyzed various factors that triggered the health disparity in the United States of America along with the rate of COVID‐19 morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, we have also focused on the State of Mississippi, which is suffering from an extreme health disparity. Data have been obtained from publicly available data sources including, Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Mississippi State Department of Health. Correlation analysis of the dataset has been performed using R software.

Results

Our analysis suggested that the COVID‐19 infection rate per 100 000 people is directly correlated with the increasing number of the African American population in the United States. We have found a strong correlation between the obesity and the COVID‐19 cases as well. All the counties in Mississippi demonstrate a strong correlation between a higher number of African American population to COVID‐19 cases and obesity. Our data also indicate that a higher number of African American populations are facing socioeconomic disadvantages, which enhance their chances of becoming vulnerable to pre‐existing ailments such as obesity, type‐2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusion

We proposed a possible explanation of increased COVID‐19 infectivity in the African American population in the United States. This work has highlighted the intriguing factors that increased the health disparity at the time of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and C‐reactive protein in non‐fatal suicidal attempts: A cross‐sectional pilot study in Bangladesh
Authors: Arafat S. M. Yasir , Karim A. K. M. Bazlul , Hossain Md Faruk , Menon Vikas , Shoib Sheikh
Published: August 2021

Background

Precise identification of risk factors for suicide has been found as fundamentally challenging for the stakeholders. In search of that, the determination of potential biological markers of suicide has been scrutinizing in recent days. However, replicative studies across the culture and time are warranted to utilize the biomarkers in decision‐making while considering suicide prevention.

Objectives

We aimed to measure the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) in non‐fatal suicidal attempts.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted from August 2020 to May 2021. Data were collected from 26 hospitalized patients after an immediate non‐fatal suicidal attempt. We collected blood samples and assessed the complete blood count, NLR, and CRP. Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Science version 24.0 and Microsoft Excel software. We performed the independent Mann‐Whitney U test to determine the variations between the groups. A value <.05 was considered as the level of significance.

Results

The mean age of the study population was 24.1 (±7.3), more than half of them (n = 19, 73.1%) were female. The mode of attempt was either hanging (n = 13, 50.0%) or poisoning (n = 13, 50.0%). The previous attempt was noted in 12 (46.2%) cases. The mean CRP level was 16.8 (±30.2) mg/L and the mean NLR level was 8.3 (±6.8) for the total sample. Both the CRP and NLR were significantly higher among those who attempted hanging (P = .019 and .001).

Conclusions

The current study revealed preliminary findings on CRP and NLR among non‐fatal suicides in Bangladesh where both of the parameters were significantly higher in non‐fatal hanging.
Effect of nonlinear thermal radiation on unsteady MHD flow of Maxwell nanoliquid over a porous vertical sheet with chemical reaction
Authors: Ali Farhan , Reddy Cherlacola Srinivas , Summayya Nehad , Ahmed Muhammad Faizan
Published: August 2021

The aim of the current article is to explore the impact of chemical reactions on magnetohydrodynamic mixed convective flow comprising Maxwell nanomaterial over a vertical porous surface with a convectively heated stretched surface. Heat transfers are also accounted for through thermal radiation. The modeled equations are formulated and transmuted into highly nonlinear partial differential equations into ordinary differential equations through suitable alteration, which is settled numerically through the Runge–Kutta method along with the shooting technique. The influences of various physical emerging parameters are plotted graphically for velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles. Friction factor, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number are plotted and discussed numerically. The outcome shows that the influences of fluid parameter lead to less viscosity and also a reduction in temperature as well as concentrations. The result revelas that enhancing Rd and E are esclated the temperature profile. Moreover, the skin friction and Sherwood number are enhanced against various parameters. Finally, the work of previous literature is compared in limiting cases and achieved an excellent agreement.