bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Substrates and Container Volume on the Initial Growth of Seedling of Physalis peruviana L
Authors: Oliveira Jeniffer Ribeiro de , Santana Weslley do Rosário , Altoé Jalille Amim , De Souza Joabe Martins , Cavalcante André Caiô , Oliosi Gleison , Da Cruz Gabriel Barbosa
Published: December 2020

The production of Physalis peruviana L. in semi-tropical and tropical regions is an alternative. for medium and small farmers. However technical information aspects like seedling adaption, cultivation and production need attention. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different substrates and container volume in the initial growth of Physalis peruviana L. seedlings. The work was conducted from September to November, 2019, in a greenhouse located at Fazenda Experimental of the Federal University of Espírito Santo. The experiment was conducted in completely randomised design with 6 treatment combinations I.e. (R1 = container with volume of 50 cm3; R2 = container with volume of 280 cm3; and R3 = plastic cup with volume of 500 cm3) and two substrates (S1 = Bioplant® and S2 = Provaso® + soil 1:1) and was replicated four times. After 60 days of experiment, the results demonstrated that the treatment composed by a container with volume of 500 cm3 + substrate Provaso® + soil provided a better seedlings growth and quality.
Impacts of Eating Behaviors of Pregnant and Lactating Women on the Nutritional Status of Children under 6 Months in the Lake-Chad Region
Authors: Mahamat Abdel-Aziz Ousmane , Sop Marie Modestine Kana , Makhlouf Himeda , Mananga Marlyne-Joséphine
Published: December 2020

Background: Malnutrition causes real problems, especially for the survival and growth of children on the one hand and for the health of pregnant and lactating women on the other.

Purpose: The purpose of our study is to evaluate the impact of pregnant and lactating women's eating behaviors on the nutritional status of children under 6 months in the Lake Chad Region.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study of 380 patients including 106 pregnant women 137 lactating women and 137 children under 6 months of age identified in few hospitals and health centers in the Lake Chad Region was conducted from October 1 to November 30, 2017, using a questionnaire administered to pregnant and lactating women after their consent. The 24-hour recall and the frequency of consumption of the food groups allowed us to evaluate the food intake of the surveyed women. The nutritional status of mothers and children was assessed by anthropometric and biochemical measures. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 20 software. The Chi-square test allowed us to establish the correlations between the different variables at a significance level set at 5%.

Results: This study found that only 8.5% and 10.9% of pregnant and lactating women respectively had satisfactory dietary diversity scores. The exclusive breastfeeding rate was 11.7% and the immediate initiation rate for breastfeeding after delivery was 50.4%. The children had 19% wasting, 31.4% stunting, 34.3% underweight and 56.4% anemia. Respectively, 34% and 29% of pregnant and lactating women were malnourished; 17% and 10.2% were at risk of malnutrition, with 60.6 % and 50% prevalence of anemia respectively.

Conclusion: The modifiable factors that significantly influenced the nutritional status of children were: maternal feeding behaviors such as low dietary diversity scores and daily meals lack of hygiene and sanitary follow-up, underweight and presence of children anemia in mothers.
Post Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis Following Treatment with 10 mg/kg of Single Dose AmBisome for Visceral Leishmaniasis in Bihar, India
Authors: Topno Roshan Kamal , Dikhit Manas Ranjan , Kumar Maneesh , Madhukar . , Agrawal Kanhaiya , Ali Vahab , Sahoo Ganesh Chandra , Kumar Rajeev , Sinha Sanjay , Kumar Rishikesh , Bhawana . , Pandey Krishna , Das V. N. R. , Das Pradeep
Published: December 2020

In view of the significant role of Post kala-azar dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) patients in the transmission/recurrence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) outbreaks, control of PKDL is among the priorities. As the Single Dose AmBisome 10 mg/kg (SDA) became the obvious choice for the treatment of VL, therefore, in this study, 896 patients were included to explore the probability of developing PKDL. Among the treated patients, 30 (3.35%) of them found confirmed as PKDL with clinical symptoms. Out of the 30 patients, 53.33% male and 46.67% female patients had macular lesions respectively, with a median time (Interquartile range [IQR]) to development of 13.5 (9–23.5) and 23 (9-17) months following treatment. No, significant associations were established concerning any patient's demographics and clinical characteristics. However, with the patients presenting with confirmed PKDL, females were significantly younger than males. This study suggests the rate of PKDL appearance is directly associated with 10 mg/kg of SDA and therefore there is a need for more concerns regarding doses during treatment.
Response of Micronutrients and Biofertilizers on Yield Attributes and Protein Content under Rice – Chickpea Cropping System in Central Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Kashyap Namrata , Pathak Rajendra , Sacchan A. K. , Dimree S.
Published: December 2020

The present study was conducted to investigate the changes in yield attributes and protein content with the application of zinc and biofertilizers in hybrid rice and chickpea. The experiment was conducted in as a Randomized Block Design (RBD) in Students Instructional Farm, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, during 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The experiment included twelve treatment groups replicated three times in Randomized Block Design. The results revealed that the treatment which received T7 (100 per cent RDN + 25 per cent N FYM + S40 + ZnO + *Azotobacter or **Rhizobium) recorded highest value of all yield attributes and protein content. The mean values of both years of plant height, number of tillers/hill, panicle length, no. of filled grains/panicle, no. of unfilled grains/panicle and total no. of grains/panicle increased up to 96.08 cm, 8.38, 24.29, 181.03, 18.71 and 199.74, respectively in treatment T7 in hybrid rice. Similarly, in case of chickpea the mean values of plant height, no. of branches/hill, no. of pods/plant, no. of seeds/plant, no. of nodules/plant and dry weight of nodules/plant also increased up to 62.60 cm, 5.22, 62.62, 1.88, 17.63 and 2.08, respectively. The protein content was also found to be maximum in Treatment T7 in rice (7.94 and 8.04%) and in chickpea (23.25 and 23.27%) during the years, respectively. Therefore, combination of micronutrients and biofertilizers, as remunerative and beneficial for growth, improved the yield and ultimately productivity of both hybrid rice and chickpea in areas with deficient available micronutrients in soil.
Quantitative Assessment of Hydrolytic Potentials of Fungal Isolates from Crude Oil Impacted Soil Ecosystem in Varied Media Formulations
Authors: Madu J. M. , Ogbonna A. I. , Ogbonna C. I. C.
Published: December 2020

Background of the Study: A quantitative assessment of different enzymes that produce the best of hydrolyses of starch, skim milk, carboxymathlcellulose (CMC) and groundnut oil which were further assessed for the production of extracellular enzyme. 

Aim: The study aimed at assessing some of the fungal isolates for their abilities to produce the following hydrolytic enzymes; amylase, protease, cellulase and lipase using different medium. Material and Methods:  About 19 fungal species associated with crude oil impacted soil ecosystem. Soil parameters taken were pH, organic matter, water holding capacity and moisture content. Analysis of variance were used to test the effects at statistical significance of P ≤ 0. 05 among the treatments and tukey post hoc tests were used to rank the means.

Results: A. fumigatus, A. niger, A.terreus and Basipetospora has the highest frequency of occurrence. A. fumigatus 2 has the highest amylase activity (80mm) while A. clavatus recorded the least (10mm) amylotic activity. A. fumigatus 2 recorded the highest hydrolytic zone of 66.67 mm, followed by A. fumigatus 3 (65 mm) and Curvularialunata which recorded 60mm, respectively. It was revealed that pH of polluted soil sample from the three plots were more acidic than the control (non-polluted soil) 4.81 and 5.72 for plot 1, 5.58 and 6.08 for plot 2 and 5.15 and 6.57 for plot 3 respectively. The water holding capacity, organic matter and moisture content in the polluted soil ranged from 15.02-17.27%, 7.34-8.99 mgkg-1 and 1.23-4.60%, respectively.

Conclusion: It was concluded that aspergillus species exhibited maximum hydrolytic potentials of the fungal isolates using different media formulations and these results could provide basic data for further investigations on molecular characterization of fungal extracellular enzymes.
Source-sink Relationship and Their Influence on Yield Performance of YAU Promising Rice Lines
Authors: Aye Myint , Thu Chan Nyein , Htwe Nyo Mar
Published: December 2020

Fifty YAU promising rice genotypes were used to evaluate source-sink relationship and yield performance in 2017 dry season. The experiment was conducted in the experimental field of Yezin Agricultural University, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The spacing was 20 cm between row and 20 cm between plants in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The data on physiological traits, yield and yield component traits were collected and analyzed by using STAR and R program. Growth duration1 is positively and significantly correlated with the number of grains panicle-1, filled grains percentage, grain yield, panicle weight, dry weight at heading and harvesting, straw weight and LAI at harvesting, and increase of dry weight from heading to harvesting. Significant positive correlation was found between growth duration2 and decrease of LAI from heading to harvesting indicating that these traits are strongly influenced by source before heading. Significant correlations between yield and physiological and yield component traits were observed except LAI at harvesting and 1000-grain weight. Therefore, yield variation among YAU promising rice lines is more related with source size than with sink size. Decrease of LAI from heading to harvesting and dry weight at maturity exhibited positive direct effect on 1000-grain weight, filled grains percentage and grain number m-2 meaning the relative contribution of source components to the sink. The contribution of the decrease of LAI from heading to harvesting to the grain yield was much higher than that of number of grains, panicle weight and 1000-grain weight. This research finding will be useful for the plant breeder to consider the improvement of yield supporting traits in the breeding program.
Influence of Manuring on Growth and Yield of Tomato Varieties in Akure, a Rain Forest Zone of South West Nigeria
Authors: Titilayo Oladitan , Olatunji Oluwasemire , Samuel Agele
Published: December 2020

Tomato a highly nutritious and income relevance crop. The optimum productivity is constrained by a number of factors such as soil fertility management. A field experiment was conducted at Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria between December 2012 to April 2013 (irrigated) and March – August 2013 (rainfed) to investigate the effect manuring on the growth and yield of tomato varieties. Four manuring sources (Organic, Organo-mineral, Urea and No fertilizer) and four tomato varieties (Beske, Ibadan local, Roma and UC) laid out as a randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement and replicated three times. Results showed that manuring influenced on set of flowering in tomato, organic fertilizer prolonged day to anthesis (22.72 day) closely followed by organomineral (22.49 days) while control (no fertilizer) was earliest (20.88 days). Beske significantly showed earliness to flowering, Ibadan local and Roma were delayed but had similar flowering dates (P≤ 0.05). The varieties had distinct fruit yield responses to fertilizer application, fruit produced were in order of Beske, Ibadan local and UC (721.9;626.4) g;(683.6; 696.2) g; (550.0; 463.6) g (384.4; 431.5) g for rainfed and irrigation respectively. Varietal effect was significant on fruit yields for irrigated, Beske recorded heaviest fruit yield (6.03g) followed by Ibadan local (4.72), Roma (2.6) and UC (2.14). Harvested fruit among the varieties in both seasons were (3978.5t/ha;3484.9t/ha;1229.8t/ha and 985.2 t/ha) and (3947.2t/ha; 3452.8t/ha; 1197.8t/ha; 953.2t/ha) for Beske, Ibadan local, Roma and UC respectively. Fertilizer application were significant for both season on harvested fruits weight in magnitude order of Organomineral, organic fertilizer urea and control (3535.9;3503.9t/ha),organic fertilizer (2935.2;2903.2t/ha), Urea (2078.8;2047.4t/ha) and control (1128.0;1096.5t/ha). Beske and Ibadan local varieties performed better in the rainforest zone of Nigeria. Organic fertilizer sources complimented with mineral fertilizer timely applied with good agronomic managements are measures to enhance growth and yield performance of tomato.
Addressing Off-Centered Ball through Solder Paste Material Evaluation
Authors: Bacquian B. C. , Gomez F. R. , Jr. E. Graycochea , Gomez N.
Published: December 2020

Stencil printing using solder paste material is one of the challenging processes in semiconductor assembly manufacturing. During evaluation of a semiconductor device, off-centered ball issue    was encountered. The study aimed to mitigate the off-centered ball issue at stencil printing  process by exploring the effect of different solder paste materials. Both solder paste materials  were cured using the same reflow condition. However, solder paste material 1 (S1) resulted  to cold solder joints while material 2 (S2) showed cured solder paste characteristic. With S2 material used in stencil printing, the off-centered ball occurrence was eventually eliminated. For future works, the solder paste material and configuration could be used for devices with similar requirement.
Effect of Teachers and Students Relationships on the Academic Engagement of Students: A Qualitative Case Study
Authors: Alemu Birhanu Moges , Woldetsadik Dereje Adefris
Published: December 2020

This research examined the effect of teacher and student relationships on the academic engagement of students. The research approach used was the qualitative study employing the interpretive research paradigm which falls in the case study design. The subjects of the study were eight teachers and four students of Adama Science and Technology University. The study used purposive sampling. It employed qualitative data collection tools: interview guides, a focus group discussion guide and observation. The resulting analysis and interpretation provided a description of major themes that developed regarding strong teacher- student relationships, as well as, specific components to the interactions considered essential for the student’s learning environment. Identifying specific factors associated with teacher-student interactions could provide valuable information to an educational learning community. The findings of the study indicated that the factor that affects teachers’ motivational factors in student relationships were the work environment and students’ disciplinary problems. The results showed that the instructors are motivated to teach nevertheless the resources, environment, theories of motivation and goals set influence the quality of the teaching-learning process. The study concluded that these factors should be upheld. Consequently, it is recommended that higher education should improve the working environment and working conditions in the university.
Assessment of Fluoride Release Pattern from Different Fluoride Varnishes – An in vitro Study
Authors: Sidhu Seerat , Thomas Abi M. , Kundra Ruchika , Cherian Joe Mathew
Published: December 2020

Background: Since the time they were introduced, researchers have put in endeavours to better the delivery of the fluoride in the fluoride varnishes. With numerous fluoride varnishes accessible in the market today, each product claims of superior and enhanced properties. In the recent years, significant differences have been reported in these products in terms of cumulative amount as well as the amount of fluoride released.

Aim: To determine the fluoride release pattern of four different calcium-phosphate based 5% sodium fluoride varnishes.

Materials and Methods: This in vitro study was conducted at Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Christian Dental College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India for 6 months. 75 non-carious premolar teeth were randomly divided into five groups and coated with a different coloured nail varnish except for a 3mm X 3mm window on the labial surface of the crown. Four groups received fluoride varnish coating on this window while the fifth group served as the control. The various fluoride varnishes tested included MI VarnishTM(containing CPP-ACP), ClinproTM White Varnish(containing f-TCP), EmbraceTM Varnish(containing xylitol coated calcium and phosphate) and Enamel Pro® Varnish(containing ACP).Thereafter, the 15 teeth of each group were placed together in a plastic container containing 50ml of artificial saliva. After 1 day, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months, the teeth were placed in a new plastic container containing 50ml of fresh artificial saliva while the previous saliva sample was assessed for the fluoride released in it through the SPADNS Method. The data was compiled by using Microsoft Excel 2010 SPSS version (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA).

Results: ClinproTM White Varnish exhibited the greatest cumulative fluoride release while MI VarnishTM exhibited the greatest substantivity at the end of 6 months. Three of the tested varnishes released increasing amounts of fluoride upto 3 months, thereafter, the values began to decline. Meanwhile, EmbraceTM Varnish released increasing amount of fluoride only upto one month, thereafter the values began to decline.

Conclusion: The varying excepient ingredients could be held accountable for the different fluoride release pattern of the studied on calcium phosphate based 5% sodium fluoride varnishes.
Bacteriological Profile of Nosocomial Infections in Visceral Surgery at the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou in Republic of Benin
Authors: Nicolas Aïkou , Theodora A. Ahoyo , Cyriaque Degbe Sah , Amadou Coulibaly Founzégué , Alphonse Sezan , Patrick Edorh A. , Lapo R. A.
Published: December 2020

Wound suppuration is the formation and accumulation of pus in the soft tissue of the wound. As a rule, the natural inflammatory reaction disappears within three to five days and later the wound heals without any character. During this time, in some cases the inflammatory reaction in the wound exceeds the limits of the physiological norm due to the external supply of bacterial germs, which leads to the formation of pus, exaggeratedly prolonging the healing process and in turn leading to serious consequences. This study aims to identify the bacteria involved in these suppurations, to study their antibiotic resistance profiles and to review the role of the nurses taking care of these patients. The study was conducted at the Menontin zone hospital from May 15 to June 21, 2013. Fifty-one patients of all ages and sexes with surgical and traumatic discharge wounds were sampled and 30 hand samples were taken from the nurses' hands before and after dressing. From the results obtained, 76 bacteria were identified, including 35 cocci and 41 bacilli. 29% of the bacteria found were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 28% Staphylococcus aureus, 14% Escherichia coli and others. Hand samples of 10 bacteria were isolated including 4 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 3Staphylococcus DNase-negative 2 Klebsiella spp and 1 Staphylococcus aureus. The strains isolated were particularly resistant to the antibiotics tested more specifically to β-lactam, Gentamycin Erythromycin and Colistin. The majority of strains have good sensitivity to ciprofloxacin and Fosfomycin. In view of these results, it is necessary to draw the attention of patients and nurses to the reality of the existence of these bacteria, the adequate intake of antibiotics preferably after an antibiotic test, hand washing and the use of appropriate sterile materials before and after any dressing.
A Proposed SUSY Alternative (SUSYA) Based on a New Type of Seesaw Mechanism Applicable to All Elementary Particles and Predicting a New Type of Aether Theory
Authors: Drăgoi Andrei-Lucian
Published: December 2020

This paper proposes a potentially viable “out-of-the-box” alternative (called “SUSYA”) to the currently known supersymmetry (SUSY) theory variants: SUSYA essentially proposes a new type of seesaw mechanism (SMEC) applicable to all elementary particles (EPs) and named “Z-SMEC”; Z-SMEC is a new type of charge-based mass symmetry/”conjugation” between EPs which predicts the zero/non-zero rest masses of all known/unknown EPs, EPs that are “conjugated” in boson-fermion pairs sharing the same electromagnetic charge (EMC). Z-SMEC is actually derived from an extended zero-energy hypothesis (eZEH) which is essentially a conservation principle applied on zero-energy (assigned to the ground state of vacuum) that mainly states a general quadratic equation governing a form of ex-nihilo creation and having a pair of conjugate boson-fermion mass solutions for each set of given coefficients. eZEH proposes a general formula for all the rest masses of all EPs from Standard model, also indicating the true existence of the graviton and a possible bijective connection between the three types of neutrinos (all predicted to be actually Majorana fermions) and the massless bosons (photon, gluon and the hypothetical graviton), between the electron/positron and the W boson, predicting at least three generations of leptoquarks (LQs) (defined here as the “mass-conjugates” of the three known generations of quarks) and predicting two distinct types of neutral massless fermions (NMFs) (modelled as mass-conjugates of the Higgs boson and Z boson respectively) which may be plausible constituents for a hypothetical lightest possible (hot fermionic) dark matter (LPDM) or, even more plausible, the main constituents of a superfluid fermionic vacuum/aether, as also proposed by the notorious Superfluid vacuum theory (SVT) (in which the physical vacuum is modeled as a bosonic/fermionic superfluid). SUSYA also predicts two hypothetical bosons defined as the ultra-heavy bosonic mass-conjugates of the muon and tauon called here the “W-muonic boson” (Wmb) and the “W-tauonic boson” (Wtb) respectively: Wmb and Wtb are predicted much heavier than the W boson and the Higgs boson so that Wmb and Wtb can be regarded as ultra-heavy charged Higgs bosons with their huge predicted rest energies defining the energy scale at which the electroweak field (EWF) may be unified with the Higgs field (HF).
Neural networks‐based adaptive finite‐time prescribed performance fault‐tolerant control of switched nonlinear systems
Authors: Wang Xinjun , Niu Ben , Zhao Ping , Song Xinmin
Published: December 2020

In this article, the adaptive finite‐time fault‐tolerant control problem is considered for a class of switched nonlinear systems in nonstrict‐feedback form with actuator fault. The problem of finite‐time fault‐tolerant control is solved by introducing a finite‐time performance function. Meanwhile, the completely unknown nonlinear functions exist in the switched system are identified by the neural networks. Based on the common Lyapunov function method with adaptive backstepping technique, the finite‐time fault‐tolerant controller is designed. The proposed control strategy can guarantee that the tracking error converges to a prescribed zone at a finite‐time and all system variables remain semiglobally practical finite‐time stable. Numerical examples are offered to verify the feasibility of the theoretical result.
Recent Development of Recoverable MacMillan Catalyst in Asymmetric Organic Transformations
Authors: Deepa  , Singh Surendra
Published: December 2020

Chiral imidazolidinone as an organocatalyst was developed by MacMillan and co‐workers in 2000 and they evaluated this organocatalyst originally in the enantioselective Diels‐Alder reaction. Later, this catalyst was used in a number of other asymmetric organic transformations. Chiral organocatalysts are expensive, therefore their recoverability and reusability are highly desirable to make the organic transformation economically viable for industrial application. Hence, the chiral imidazolidinone was modified and attached to different supports for its recoverability and reusability. A number of recoverable imidazolidinones have been reported in asymmetric Diels‐Alder reactions. In this review, we have summarized the reports on reusable and recoverable imidazolidinones (MacMillan catalysts) as organocatalysts in asymmetric organic transformations.

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Asymmetry in fitness‐related traits of later‐generation hybrids between two invasive species
Authors: Li Chengjun , Ohadi Sara , Mesgaran Mohsen B.
Published: December 2020

PREMISE

The importance of hybridization to invasion has been frequently discussed, with most studies focusing on the comparison of fitness‐related traits between F1 hybrids and their parents and the consequences of such fitness differences. However, relatively little attention has been given to late‐generation hybrids. Different fitness landscapes could emerge in later generations after hybrids cross with each other or backcross with their parents, which may play an important role in plant invasion and subsequent speciation.

METHODS

In this study, artificial crosses were conducted to generate multiple generations, including F1, F2, and backcrosses between two invasive species: Cakile edentula (self‐compatible) and C. maritima (self‐incompatible). Putative hybrids were also collected in the sympatric zone and compared with their co‐occurring parents for phenotypic and genetic differences.

RESULTS

Genetic data provided evidence of hybridization happening in the wild, and phenotypic comparisons showed that natural hybrids had intermediate traits between the two species but showed more similarity to C. maritima than to C. edentula. The asymmetry was further identified in artificial generations for several phenotypic characters. Furthermore, backcrosses exhibited different patterns of variation, with backcrosses to C. maritima having higher reproductive output than their counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that hybridization and introgression (backcrossing) in Cakile species is asymmetric and most likely to favor the proliferation of C. maritima genes in the mixed population and thus help its establishment, a finding that could not be predicted by characterizing F1 hybrids.
Cardiovascular disease in the World Trade Center Health Program General Responder Cohort
Authors: Sloan Nancy L. , Shapiro Moshe Z. , Sabra Ahmad , Dasaro Christopher R. , Crane Michael A. , Harrison Denise J. , Luft Benjamin J. , Moline Jacqueline M. , Udasin Iris G. , Todd Andrew C. , Teitelbaum Susan L.
Published: December 2020

Background

Over 90,000 rescue and recovery responders to the September 2001 World Trade Center (WTC) attacks were exposed to toxic materials that can impair cardiac function and increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We examined WTC‐related exposures association with annual and cumulative CVD incidence and risk over 17 years in the WTC Health Program (HP) General Responder Cohort (GRC).

Methods

Post 9/11 first occurrence of CVD was assessed in 37,725 responders from self‐reported physician diagnosis of, or current treatment for, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke and/or congestive heart failure from WTCHP GRC monitoring visits. Kaplan–Meier estimates of CVD incidence used the generalized Wilcoxon test statistic to account for censored data. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses estimated the CVD hazard ratio associated with 9/11/2001 arrival in responders with and without dust cloud exposure, compared with arrival on or after 9/12/2001. Additional analyses adjusted for comorbidities.

Results

To date, 6.3% reported new CVD. In covariate‐adjusted analyses, men's CVD 9/11/2001 arrival risks were 1.40 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.26, 1.56) and 1.43 (95% CI = 1.29, 1.58) and women's were 2.16 (95% CI = 1.49, 3.11) and 1.59 (95% CI = 1.11, 2.27) with and without dust cloud exposure, respectively. Protective service employment on 9/11 had higher CVD risk.

Conclusions

WTCHP GRC members with 9/11/2001 exposures had substantially higher CVD risk than those initiating work afterward, consistent with observations among WTC‐exposed New York City firefighters. Women's risk was greater than that of men's. GRC‐elevated CVD risk may also be occurring at a younger age than in the general population.
NiSn Atomic Pair on an Integrated Electrode for Synergistic Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Xie Wenfu , Li Hao , Cui Guoqing , Li Jianbo , Song Yuke , Li Shijin , Zhang Xin , Lee Jin Yong , Shao Mingfei , Wei Min
Published: December 2020

The development of efficient electrocatalysts for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) remains a challenge. Demonstrated here is a NiSn atomic‐pair electrocatalyst (NiSn‐APC) on a hierarchical integrated electrode, which exhibits a synergistic effect in simultaneously promoting the activity and selectivity of the CO2RR to formate. The NiSn atomic pair consists of adjacent Ni and Sn, each coordinated with four nitrogen atoms (N4‐Ni‐Sn‐N4). The as‐prepared NiSn‐APC displays exceptional activity for the CO2RR to formate with a turnover frequency of 4752 h−1, a formate productivity of 36.7 mol h−1 gSn−1 and an utilization degree of active sites (57.9 %), which are superior to previously reported single‐atomic catalysts. Both experimental data and density‐functional theory calculations verify the electron redistribution of Sn imposed by adjacent Ni, which reduces the energy barrier of the *OCHO intermediate and makes this potential‐determining step thermodynamically spontaneous. This synergistic catalysis provides a successful paradigm for rational design and preparation of atomic‐pair electrocatalysts with enhanced performance.
Four modified sodium alginate/carboxymethylcellulose blends for prednisone delivery
Authors: Silva Kláudia Maria Machado Neves , Costa Bruna Lopes , Nunes Dourado Lays Fernanda , Silva Rummenigge Oliveira , Silva‐Cunha Armando , Santos Anderson Kenedy , Resende Rodrigo Ribeiro , Faria Paulo Eustáquio , Campos Rubio Juan Carlos , Goulart Gisele Assis Castro , Silva‐Caldeira Priscila Pereira
Published: December 2020

Polysaccharides have been widely used for the development of drug delivery systems. These systems can be physicochemically modified to enhance their stabilities and control their drug release profiles. However, such modifications cannot alter their biocompatibility or toxicity. Herein, four structurally modified sodium alginate/carboxymethylcellulose blends are synthesized and loaded with prednisone, and the effects of the modifications on their hydrolytic degradation rates, biocompatibilities, toxicities, and drug release profiles are investigated. All the blends are ionically cross‐linked with Ca2+ and Fe3+. Blend 1 is not modified further, blend 2 is additionally reinforced with 8% w/w of cellulose nanocrystals, blend 3 is treated with epoxidized linseed oil to develop a hydrophobic layer, and blend 4 is chemically cross‐linked with epichlorohydrin. Blends 2 and 4 exhibit similar physicochemical characteristics, appropriate hydrolytic degradation rates and drug release patterns, as well as biocompatibility and non‐toxicity. In‐vitro studies using the osteoblasts and CAM assay demonstrate that blends 2 and 4 are also biocompatible and non‐toxic. In contrast, blend 1 exhibits the highest drug release rate, followed by blend 3.
Negative CG dinucleotide bias: An explanation based on feedback loops between Arginine codon assignments and theoretical minimal RNA rings
Authors: Demongeot Jacques , Moreira Andrés , Seligmann Hervé
Published: December 2020

Theoretical minimal RNA rings are candidate primordial genes evolved for non‐redundant coding of the genetic code's 22 coding signals (one codon per biogenic amino acid, a start and a stop codon) over the shortest possible length: 29520 22‐nucleotide‐long RNA rings solve this min‐max constraint. Numerous RNA ring properties are reminiscent of natural genes. Here we present analyses showing that all RNA rings lack dinucleotide CG (a mutable, chemically instable dinucleotide coding for Arginine), bearing a resemblance to known CG‐depleted genomes. CG in “incomplete” RNA rings (not coding for all coding signals, with only 3–12 nucleotides) gradually decreases towards CG absence in complete, 22‐nucleotide‐long RNA rings. Presumably, feedback loops during RNA ring growth during evolution (when amino acid assignment fixed the genetic code) assigned Arg to codons lacking CG (AGR) to avoid CG. Hence, as a chemical property of base pairs, CG mutability restructured the genetic code, thereby establishing itself as genetically encoded biological information.
Cell‐Free Synthesis of Selenoproteins in High Yield and Purity for Selective Protein Tagging
Authors: Welegedara Adarshi P. , Maleckis Ansis , Bandara Ruchira , Mahawaththa Mithun C. , Dilhani Herath Iresha , Jiun Tan Yi , Giannoulis Angeliki , Goldfarb Daniella , Otting Gottfried , Huber Thomas
Published: December 2020

The selenol group of selenocysteine is much more nucleophilic than the thiol group of cysteine. Selenocysteine residues in proteins thus offer reactive points for rapid post‐translational modification. Herein, we show that selenoproteins can be expressed in high yield and purity by cell‐free protein synthesis by global substitution of cysteine by selenocysteine. Complete alkylation of solvent‐exposed selenocysteine residues was achieved in 10 minutes with 4‐chloromethylene dipicolinic acid (4Cl‐MDPA) under conditions that left cysteine residues unchanged even after overnight incubation. GdIII−GdIII distances measured by double electron–electron resonance (DEER) experiments of maltose binding protein (MBP) containing two selenocysteine residues tagged with 4Cl‐MDPA‐GdIII were indistinguishable from GdIII−GdIII distances measured of MBP containing cysteine reacted with 4Br‐MDPA tags.
N‐(3′,4′‐dimethoxycinnamonyl) anthranilic acid alleviates severe acute pancreatitis by inhibiting intestinal barrier dysfunction and NF‐κB activation
Authors: Zhao Zhicheng , Lu Li , Li Weidong
Published: December 2020

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) can affect intestinal barrier with a high mortality. To date, effective therapies for SAP are still in urgently need. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of anthranilic acid active synthetic derivative, N‐(3′,4′‐dimethoxycinnamonyl) anthranilic acid (3,4‐DAA), in intestinal barrier dysfunction of SAP. In this study, SAP mice model was induced by caerulein combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). SAP mice were pretreated with 3,4‐DAA orally. Histological structures of pancreatic and intestinal tissues were observed via hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining. Pancreas myeloperoxidase (MPO), serum lipase, and amylase were detected using corresponding kits. Western blot analysis and reverse transcription and quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) were employed to determine the levels of inflammatory factors in both pancreatic and intestinal tissues. Moreover, the levels of intestinal barrier‐related proteins, NLRP3 inflammasome and NF‐κB pathway were examined by western blot analysis. Result revealed that 3,4‐DAA significantly attenuated pancreas and intestine damage, inhibited the release of inflammatory factors and intestinal barrier dysfunction. Moreover, the expression of NLRP3 and phospho‐NF‐κB p65 in pancreatic and intestinal tissues was notably suppressed by 3,4‐DAA. To sum up, these results demonstrated that 3,4‐DAA could ameliorate SAP, partly attributing to the inhibition of intestinal barrier dysfunction and the release of inflammatory factors. These findings may provide a new mechanism support for 3,4‐DAA application in the clinical treatment of SAP.
Support pronoun disclosure when students are ready
Authors: Poore‐Pariseau Cindy
Published: December 2020

As a community of professionals, we increasingly recognize the importance of using the pronoun that correctly identifies a person's gender. But how does one know the gender of another person? We could ask. But how do we ask? And when? And where? And what if students we serve are unable or not ready to disclose their pronouns? Those who are questioning, not ready to disclose, or able to disclose only in certain situations are arguably among the most vulnerable populations we, as disability services providers, support. What is the impact on their disability‐related condition(s) if these students are faced, on a regular basis, with the choice to either be less than honest or to disclose their pronouns before they are ready — or feel pressured to disclose their pronouns in environments they deem inappropriate, for a variety of reasons?
Political economy of renewable resource federalism
Authors: Sanchirico James N. , Blackwood Julie C. , Fitzpatrick Ben , Kling David M. , Lenhart Suzanne , Neubert Michael G. , Shea Katriona , Sims Charles B. , Springborn Michael R.
Published: December 2020

The authority to manage natural capital often follows political boundaries rather than ecological. This mismatch can lead to unsustainable outcomes, as spillovers from one management area to the next may create adverse incentives for local decision making, even within a single country. At the same time, one‐size‐fits‐all approaches of federal (centralized) authority can fail to respond to state (decentralized) heterogeneity and can result in inefficient economic or detrimental ecological outcomes. Here we utilize a spatially explicit coupled natural–human system model of a fishery to illuminate trade‐offs posed by the choice between federal vs. state control of renewable resources. We solve for the dynamics of fishing effort and fish stocks that result from different approaches to federal management that vary in terms of flexibility. Adapting numerical methods from engineering, we also solve for the open‐loop Nash equilibrium characterizing state management outcomes, where each state anticipates and responds to the choices of the others. We consider traditional federalism questions (state vs. federal management) as well as more contemporary questions about the economic and ecological impacts of shifting regulatory authority from one level to another. The key mechanisms behind the trade‐offs include whether differences in local conditions are driven by biological or economic mechanisms; degree of flexibility embedded in the federal management; the spatial and temporal distribution of economic returns across states; and the status‐quo management type. While simple rules‐of‐thumb are elusive, our analysis reveals the complex political economy dimensions of renewable resource federalism.
Heart failure after myocardial infarction: incidence and predictors
Authors: Jenča Dominik , Melenovský Vojtěch , Stehlik Josef , Staněk Vladimír , Kettner Jiří , Kautzner Josef , Adámková Věra , Wohlfahrt Peter
Published: December 2020

Aims

The aim of the present paper was to provide an up‐to‐date view on epidemiology and risk factors of heart failure (HF) development after myocardial infarction.

Methods and results

Based on literature review, several clinical risk factors and biochemical, genetic, and imaging biomarkers were identified to predict the risk of HF development after myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

Heart failure is still a frequent complication of myocardial infarction. Timely identification of subjects at risk for HF development using a multimodality approach, and early initiation of guideline‐directed HF therapy in these patients, can decrease the HF burden.
Transition Metal Complexes Supported by N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Based Pincer Platforms: Synthesis, Reactivity and Applications
Authors: Wang Yidan , Zhang Bo , Guo Shuai
Published: December 2020

The combination of NHC (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) and pincer framework has received extensive attention. The relevant transition metal complexes have found manifold applications in various areas spanning from catalysis to optical material chemistry. This minireview focuses on the advances in the synthesis, reactivity study and applications of metal pincer NHCs.
N‐Heterocyclic Silylene Main Group Element Chemistry: Adduct Formation, Insertion into E−X Bonds and Cyclization of Organoazides
Authors: Krahfuss Mirjam J. , Radius Udo
Published: December 2020

Investigations concerning the reactivity of the N‐heterocyclic silylene Dipp2NHSi (1, 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐1,3‐diaza‐2‐silacyclopent‐4‐en‐2‐ylidene) towards selected alanes and boranes, elemental halides X2 (X=Br, I), selected halide containing substrates such as tin chlorides and halocarbons, as well as organoazides are presented. The NHSi adducts Dipp2NHSi⋅AlI3 (2), Dipp2NHSi⋅Al(C6F5)3 (3), and Dipp2NHSi⋅B(C6F5)3 (4) were formed by the reaction of Dipp2NHSi with the corresponding Lewis acids AlI3, Al(C6F5)3 and B(C6F5)3. Adducts 3 and 4 were tested with respect to their ability to activate small organic molecules, but no frustrated Lewis pair reactivity was observed. Reactions of Dipp2NHSi with Br2, I2, Ph2SnCl2 and Me3SnCl led to formation of Dipp2NHSiBr2 (5), Dipp2NHSiI2 (6), Dipp2NHSiCl2 (7) and {(Me3Sn)N(Dipp)CH}2 (8), respectively. The reaction with the halocarbons methyl iodide, benzyl chloride, and benzyl bromide afforded the insertion products Dipp2NHSi(I)(CH3) (9), Dipp2NHSi(Cl)(CH2Ph) (10) and Dipp2NHSi(Br)(CH2Ph) (11). Reaction of Dipp2NHSi with the organoazides Ad‐N3 (Ad=adamantyl) and TMS‐N3 (TMS=trimethylsilyl) led to the formation of 1‐Dipp2NHSi‐2,5‐bis(adamantyl)‐tetrazoline (12) and bis(trimethylsilyl)amido azido silane (13), respectively. For 2,6‐(diphenyl)phenyl‐N3 C−H activation occurs and a cyclosilamine 14 was isolated.
Mechanistic Insights into the Formation of δ‐Lactones by Cerium‐Catalyzed Aerobic Coupling of β‐Oxoesters with Enol Acetates
Authors: Speldrich Jean‐Marico , Christoffers Jens
Published: December 2020

δ‐Valerolactone derivatives are formed by the cerium‐catalyzed, aerobic coupling of β‐oxoesters with enol acetates and dioxygen. The products possess a 1,4‐diketone moiety, thus, the conversion can be regarded as an Umpolung since the β‐oxoesters are oxidized to electrophilic α‐radicals. The transformation has similarities to the Baeyer‐Villiger oxidation (BVO) where the higher substituted residue migrates. An endoperoxidic oxycarbenium ion comparable to the Criegee intermediate in the BVO is proposed as a reaction intermediate in this case of the oxidative C−C coupling reaction, but in contrast to the BVO, the less substituted alkyl residue migrates. It was demonstrated by the conversion of β‐oxoesters with two stereocenters that this 1,2‐alkyl shift proceeds with retention of configuration. A radical chain mechanism of the coupling reaction was furthermore evidenced by the conversion of enol acetates and β‐oxoesters with cyclopropyl substituents. Isolation and characterization of products with opened cyclopropane rings established the constitution of radical intermediates.
A Nanocomposite Containing Carbon Nano‐onions and Polyaniline Nanotubes as a Novel Electrode Material for Electrochemical Sensing of Daidzein
Authors: Olejnik Piotr , Gniadek Marianna , Echegoyen Luis , Plonska‐Brzezinska Marta E.
Published: December 2020

Glassy carbon electrode (GCE) were modified with nanocomposites containing conductive polyaniline nanotubes (PANInt) and carbon nano‐onions (CNOs). Herein we report a simple and sensitive way for daidzein (DA) determination at concentrations between 1 and 10 μM by linear sweep voltammetry using GCE/PANInt/CNOs system. The DA electrochemical behavior was examined in two buffer environments (pH 7.5 and 4.5) using electrodes modified with the oxidized CNOs or their derivatives containing carboxyl and benzylamino functional groups. The direct electrooxidation of DA was observed at +0.65 V and +0.8 V at pH 7.5 and at +0.7 V and +1.1 V vs. Ag/AgCl at pH 4.5.
A survey of the European Reference Network EpiCARE on clinical practice for selected rare epilepsies
Authors: Baumgartner Tobias , Carreño Mar , Rocamora Rodrigo , Bisulli Francesca , Boni Antonella , Brázdil Milan , Horak Ondrej , Craiu Dana , Pereira Cristina , Guerrini Renzo , San Antonio‐Arce Victoria , Schulze‐Bonhage Andreas , Zuberi Sameer M. , Hallböök Tove , Kalviainen Reetta , Lagae Lieven , Nguyen Sylvie , Quintas Sofia , Franco Ana , Cross J. Helen , Walker Matthew , Arzimanoglou Alexis , Rheims Sylvain , Granata Tiziana , Canafoglia Laura , Johannessen Landmark Cecilie , Sen Arjune , Rattihalli Rohini , Nabbout Rima , Tartara Elena , Santos Manuela , Rangel Rui , Krsek Pavel , Marusic Petr , Specchio Nicola , Braun Kees P. J. , Smeyers Patricia , Villanueva Vicente , Kotulska Katarzyna , Surges Rainer
Published: December 2020

Objective

Clinical care of rare and complex epilepsies is challenging, because evidence‐based treatment guidelines are scarce, the experience of many physicians is limited, and interdisciplinary treatment of comorbidities is required. The pathomechanisms of rare epilepsies are, however, increasingly understood, which potentially fosters novel targeted therapies. The objectives of our survey were to obtain an overview of the clinical practice in European tertiary epilepsy centers treating patients with 5 arbitrarily selected rare epilepsies and to get an estimate of potentially available patients for future studies.

Methods

Members of the European Reference Network for rare and complex epilepsies (EpiCARE) were invited to participate in a web‐based survey on clinical practice of patients with Dravet syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), autoimmune encephalitis, and progressive myoclonic epilepsies including Unverricht Lundborg and Unverricht‐like diseases. A consensus‐based questionnaire was generated for each disease.

Results

Twenty‐six of 30 invited epilepsy centers participated. Cohorts were present in most responding centers for TSC (87%), Dravet syndrome (85%), and autoimmune encephalitis (71%). Patients with TSC and Dravet syndrome represented the largest cohorts in these centers. The antiseizure drug treatments were rather consistent across the centers especially with regard to Dravet syndrome, infantile spasms in TSC, and Unverricht Lundborg / Unverricht‐like disease. Available, widely used targeted therapies included everolimus in TSC and immunosuppressive therapies in autoimmune encephalitis. Screening for comorbidities was routinely done, but specific treatment protocols were lacking in most centers.

Significance

The survey summarizes the current clinical practice for selected rare epilepsies in tertiary European epilepsy centers and demonstrates consistency as well as heterogeneity in the treatment, underscoring the need for controlled trials and recommendations. The survey also provides estimates for potential participants of clinical trials recruited via EpiCARE, emphasizing the great potential of Reference Networks for future studies to evaluate new targeted therapies and to identify novel biomarkers.