bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved Electrochemical Performance of Sodium/Potassium‐Ion Batteries in Ether‐Based Electrolyte: Cases Study of MoS2@C and Fe7S8@C Anodes
Authors: Zhang Chengzhi , Wang Fei , Han Fei , Wu Huang , Zhang Fuquan , Zhang Guanhua , Liu Jinshui
Published: June 2020

Transition‐metal sulfides (TMSs) are extensively investigated as anodes of low‐cost sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) and potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) due to their abundant resources and high theoretical capacity. However, their poor cyclability and low initial coulombic efficiency (ICE) in ester‐based electrolytes severely impede their application in SIBs and KIBs. To overcome these drawbacks, ether‐based electrolytes are considered as alternatives, but its fundamental principle remains rarely reported and poorly understood. Herein, the electrochemical performance of MoS2@C electrodes is explored using both carbonate and ether‐based solvents. The MoS2@C exhibits a higher ICE and Na/K‐ion storage capacity (a reversible specific capacity of 625 mAh g−1 with ICE of 80% for SIBs, and a capacity of 241 mAh g−1 with ICE of 81% for KIBs, respectively) in dimethyl ether (DME) electrolytes than in ethylene carbonate and diethylene carbonate (EC/DEC) electrolytes. Experimental measurements and theoretical calculation show that the DME electrolytes help to optimize the solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) composition, facilitate charge transport, reduce the energy barrier for Na/K‐ions migration and reinforcing geometry architecture, thus endowing excellent electrochemical performance. Importantly, this electrolyte optimization solution can be extended to other TMSs, such as Fe7S8@C anodes, demonstrating an exact match between the TMSs and DME electrolytes.
Extraordinary Mass Transport and Self‐Assembly: A Pathway to Fabricate Luminescent CsPbBr3 and Light‐Emitting Diodes by Vapor‐Phase Deposition
Authors: Dumont Antoine , Ho Kevin , Kung Hao‐Ting , Qiu Chenyue , Li Peicheng , Luo Deying , Zhao Yongbiao , Walker Gilbert , Lu Zheng‐Hong
Published: June 2020

Halide perovskites have been shown to be promising materials in making light‐emitting diodes. At present, almost all of perovskite materials are made by solution‐based synthesis. There are very limited reports on fabricating perovskite LEDs by vapor‐phase deposition (VPD), a method that can be easily scaled up for commercial production. In this paper, dual‐source VPD is used to fabricate stable CsPbBr3 perovskite thin films with excellent luminescent properties. Scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope studies show that CsPbBr3 films, when coated with a thin LiBr overlayer, demonstrate an extraordinary mass transport at room temperature to re‐assemble into well‐defined islands. LiBr is also shown to passivate nonradiative defects and boost photoluminescence performance of the CsPbBr3, improving the intensity by a factor of 11 for a nominal 18 nm perovskite film and leading to extremely narrow photoluminescence peaks (16 nm FWHM). This self‐assembled perovskite LED shows major improvement in the electroluminescence performance, almost tripling the brightness of reference devices. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement shows that surface LiBr improves Cs/Pb chemical stoichiometry, reduces Br vacancies, and shift the Fermi energy level toward conduction band minimum.
Optically Tunable Bifunctional Structures Fabricated by Hybrid Imprint‐Photo Lithography (HIPL)
Authors: Lim Haneol , Park Byeonghak , Choi Se‐Jin , Beak Seungjoon , Kim Tae‐il
Published: June 2020

Optically tunable bifunctional structures are created by hybrid imprint‐photo lithography (HIPL), which is a combination of photolithography and soft lithography via a structured photomask. Prismatic patterns are formed on a flexible photomask, and the structured photomask is exploited as an imprint mold to create two‐layered microstructures that show a tunable refraction property. Fabricated microstructures, such as the perpendicularly aligned cross‐prismatic island (PAC‐PI), show optically dual functionality that originates from each optical property of the upper and lower layers in two‐layered structures with symmetric light collimation in the vertical and horizontal axes along both directions of the upper and lower prismatic layers, whereas a single conventional prismatic film shows only one‐axis collimation. Moreover, tunability of the light collimation, which can be modulated by varying the area ratio of the upper and lower layers from 80% to 20% using optical simulation, is demonstrated. Such optically tunable bifunction on a single sheet could potentially reduce the number of required optical sheets, such as the liquid crystal display backlight unit (LCD BLU). This new hybrid lithography process could provide a potential pathway to construct highly complex optical components, such as planar waveguide, microlight emitting diode, virtual reality/augmented reality, and holographic display devices.
Metal‐to‐Ligand Charge Transfer Chirality Sensing of d‐Glucose Assisted with GOX‐Based Enzymatic Reaction
Authors: Hao Junjie , Li Yiwen , Xu Xiaoqian , Zhao Fenghuan , Pan Ruikun , Li Junzi , Liu Haochen , Wang Kai , Li Jiagen , Zhu Xi , Delville Marie‐Hélène , Zhang Ming , He Tingchao , Cheng Jiaji
Published: June 2020

Chiral transition metal oxides nanoparticles (NPs) with tunable optical properties are widely accepted as promising toolbox for chiral recognition, stereoselective synthesis, and chiroptical devices. Herein, chirality‐based strategy is presented for discrimination of d‐glucose from its enantiomer through a cooperative synergy between chiral cysteine capped MoO2 NPs and the glucose oxidase nanosystem. The valence‐state‐dependent chirality induced by metal‐ligand charge transfer effect is found to be ultrasensitive to its redox environment such as the presence of hydrogen peroxide, which is a key indicator of the stereoselective enzymatic reaction between glucose oxidase and d‐glucose. With this know‐how, glucose enantiomers can be precisely quantified with a limit of detection of 0.446 µm. Such a chiral bio‐nanosystem would be an ideal platform for a rational design of new types of biosensors, photocatalysts, and chirality‐based nanodevices.
Prediction by Convolutional Neural Networks of CO2/N2 Selectivity in Porous Carbons from N2 Adsorption Isotherm at 77 K
Authors: Wang Song , Li Yi , Dai Sheng , Jiang De‐en
Published: June 2020

Porous carbons are an important class of porous materials with many applications, including gas separation. An N2 adsorption isotherm at 77 K is the most widely used approach to characterize porosity. Conventionally, textual properties such as surface area and pore volumes are derived from the N2 adsorption isotherm at 77 K by fitting it to adsorption theory and then correlating it to gas separation performance (uptake and selectivity). Here the N2 isotherm at 77 K was used directly as input (representing feature descriptors for the porosity) to train convolutional neural networks to predict gas separation performance (using CO2/N2 as a test case) for porous carbons. The porosity space for porous carbons was explored for higher CO2/N2 selectivity. Porous carbons with a bimodal pore‐size distribution of well‐separated mesopores (3–7 nm) and micropores (<2 nm) were found to be most promising. This work will be useful in guiding experimental research of porous carbons with the desired porosity for gas separation and other applications.
C7‐Indol‐Amidierung und ‐Alkenylierung durch Ruthenium(II)‐ Katalyse
Authors: Choi Isaac , Messinis Antonis M. , Ackermann Lutz
Published: June 2020

C7‐H‐funktionalisierte Indole sind allgegenwärtige Struktureinheiten in biologischen und pharmazeutischen Verbindungen, die für zahlreiche antivirale Wirkstoffe gegen SARS‐CoV oder HIV‐1 eingesetzt werden. Daher ist das Erreichen einer regioselektiven Funktionalisierung der C7‐H‐Position von Indolen bei gleichzeitiger Unterdrückung anderer C‐H‐Bindungen sehr gefragt. Hier beschreiben wir die regioselektive C7‐H‐Aktivierung von Indolen, die durch Ruthenium(II)‐biscarboxylat‐Katalyse unter milden Bedingungen durchgeführt werden kann. C‐H‐Ruthenierung durch Basen‐unterstützte interne elektrophile Substitution (BIES), unterstützt durch schwache O‐Koordination, ermöglicht die C7‐H‐Funktionalisierung von Indolen und bietet eine große Anwendungsbreite, einschließlich C‐N‐ und C‐C‐Bindungsknüpfungen. Die vielseitige, Ruthenium‐katalysierte C7‐H‐Aktivierung zeichnete sich durch Gramm‐Maßstab‐Synthese und die spurlose Entfernung der dirigierenden Gruppe aus, welche einen einfachen Zugang zu pharmazeutisch relevanten Grundgerüsten liefert. Detaillierte mechanistische Studien mithilfe von spektroskopischen und spektrometrischen Methoden beleuchten die Einzigartigkeit dieser robusten Rutheniumkatalyse für die Funktionalisierungen der C7‐H‐Position von Indolen.
Optimization of Active Sites via Crystal Phase, Composition, and Morphology for Efficient Low‐Iridium Oxygen Evolution Catalysts
Authors: Chen Hui , Shi Lei , Liang Xiao , Wang Lina , Asefa Tewodros , Zou Xiaoxin
Published: June 2020

Reducing the amount of iridium in oxygen evolution electrocatalysts without compromising their catalytic performances is one of the major requirements in proton‐exchange‐membrane water electrolyzers. Herein, with the help of theoretical studies, we show that anatase‐type TiO2‐IrO2 solid solutions possess more active iridium catalytic sites for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) than IrO2, the benchmark OER catalyst. Note that the same is not observed for their rutile‐type counterparts. However, owing to their thermodynamic metastability, anatase‐type TiO2‐IrO2 solid solutions are generally hard to synthesize. Our theoretical studies demonstrate that such catalytically active anatase‐type solid‐solution phases can be created in situ on the surfaces of readily available SrTiO3‐SrIrO3 solid solutions during electrocatalysis in acidic solution as the solution can etch away Sr atoms. We experimentally show this with porous SrTiO3‐SrIrO3 solid‐solution nanotubes synthesized by a facile synthetic route that contain 56 % less iridium than IrO2 yet show an order of magnitude higher apparent catalytic activity for OER in acidic solution.
Discovery of phthalimide derivatives as novel inhibitors of a soluble epoxide hydrolase
Authors: Mahlooji Iman , Shokri Maryam , Manoochehri Rana , Mahboubi‐Rabbani Mohammad , Rezaee Elham , Tabatabai Sayyed Abbas
Published: June 2020

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitors are effective in reducing blood pressure, inflammation, and pain in a number of mammalian disease models. As most classical urea‐based sEH inhibitors suffer from poor solubility and pharmacokinetic properties, the development of novel sEH inhibitors with an improved pharmacokinetic specification has received a great deal of attention. In this study, a series of amide‐based sEH inhibitors bearing a phthalimide ring as the novel secondary pharmacophore (P2) was designed, synthesized, and evaluated. Docking results illustrated that the amide group as the primary pharmacophore (P1) was placed at a suitable distance from the three key amino acids (Tyr383, Tyr466, and Asp335) for an effective hydrogen bonding. In agreement with these findings, most of the newly synthesized compounds demonstrated moderate to high sEH inhibitory activities, relative to 12‐(3‐adamantan‐1‐yl‐ureido)dodecanoic acid as the reference standard. Compound 12e with a 4‐methoxybenzoyl substituent exhibited the highest sEH inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value of 1.06 nM. Moreover, the ADME properties of the compounds were evaluated in silico, and the results revealed appropriate predictions.
Developing Quebec's Water Efficiency Strategy
Authors: Kachani Yannis , Laneuville Mathieu , Jernigan Will
Published: June 2020

Key Takeaways

Launched in 2011 by the Quebec provincial government in partnership with its municipalities, the Quebec Water Efficiency Strategy aims to improve water use efficiency.

The Quebec government now uses the infrastructure leakage index, the ratio of current annual volume of real losses to unavoidable annual volume of real losses, as a key performance indicator.

The Quebec Water Efficiency Strategy will help cities better understand their infrastructure assets to help ensure sustainability of water services in a time of increased pressure on water resources.
Reoperation after antireflux surgery: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Ljungdalh J S , Rubin K H , Durup J , Houlind K C
Published: June 2020

Background

Antireflux surgery for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and/or hiatal hernia is effective. Between 10 and 20 per cent of patients undergo reoperation for recurrent symptoms. Most studies are undertaken in a single centre and possibly underestimate the rate of reoperation. The aim of this nationwide population-based cohort study was to investigate long-term reoperation rates after antireflux surgery.

Methods

This study included patients who underwent antireflux surgery between 2000 and 2017 in Denmark, and were registered in the Danish nationwide health registries. Reoperation rates were calculated for 1, 5, 10 and 15 years after the primary antireflux operation for GORD and/or hiatal hernia. Duration of hospital stay, 30- and 90-day mortality and morbidity, and use of endoscopic pneumatic dilatation were assessed.

Results

This study included a total of 4258 antireflux procedures performed in 3717 patients. Some 3252 patients had only primary antireflux surgery and 465 patients underwent reoperation. The 1-, 5-, 10- and 15-year rates of repeat antireflux surgery were 3·1, 9·3, 11·7 and 12·8 per cent respectively. Thirty- and 90-day mortality rates were similar for primary surgery (0·4 and 0·6 per cent respectively) and reoperations. The complication rate was higher for repeat antireflux surgery (7·0 and 8·3 per cent at 30 and 90 days respectively) than primary operation (3·4 and 4·8 per cent). A total of 391 patients (10·5 per cent of all patients) underwent endoscopic dilatation after primary antireflux surgery, of whom 95 (24·3 per cent) had repeat antireflux surgery.

Conclusion

In this population-based study in Denmark, the reoperation rate 15 years after antireflux surgery was 12·8 per cent. Reoperations were associated with more complications.
Impact of rectal perforation on recurrence during rectal cancer surgery in a national population registry
Authors: Jörgren F , Lydrup M-L , Buchwald P
Published: June 2020

Background

Incidental perforation in rectal cancer surgery is considered a risk factor for poorer oncological outcome. Most studies emanate from the era before total mesorectal excision when staging, neoadjuvant treatment and surgical technique were suboptimal. This study assessed the impact of incidental perforation on oncological outcome in a cohort of patients with optimized management.

Methods

Data from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry for patients undergoing R0 abdominal surgery for TNM stage I–III rectal cancer between 2007 and 2012, with 5-year follow-up, were analysed. Multivariable analysis was performed.

Results

In total, 6176 patients were analysed (208 with and 5968 without perforation). The local recurrence rate was increased after perforation (7·2 per cent (15 of 208) versus 3·2 per cent (188 of 5968); P = 0·001), but there were no differences in rates of distant metastasis (16·3 per cent (34 of 208) versus 19·8 per cent (1183 of 5968); P = 0·215) and overall recurrence (20·7 per cent (43 of 208) versus 21·0 per cent (1256 of 5968); P = 0·897). The 5-year overall survival rate was lower after perforation (66·4 versus 75·5 per cent; P = 0·002), but the 5-year relative survival rate was no different (79·9 versus 88·2 per cent; P = 0·083). In multivariable analysis, perforation was a risk factor for local recurrence (hazard ratio 2·10, 95 per cent c.i. 1·19 to 3·72; P = 0·011), but not for the other outcomes.

Conclusion

Incidental perforation remains a significant risk factor for LR, even with optimized management of rectal cancer. This must be considered when discussing adjuvant treatment and follow-up.
Development and validation of an LC–MS/MS method for the quantitative analysis of the adenosine A2a receptor antagonist NIR178 and its monohydroxy metabolite in human plasma: Application to clinical pharmacokinetics
Authors: Heudi Olivier , Plaud Nathalie , Aumonier Celine , Wu Shari , Hatsis Panos , Hurtado Felipe K. , Picard Franck , Winter Serge , Flarakos Jimmy
Published: June 2020

We report a selective LC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantitative determinations of the adenosine A2a receptor antagonist NIR178 (NIR178) and its major metabolite NJI765 in human plasma. Sample preparation steps involved protein precipitation, sample evaporation and reconstitution using a plasma sample volume of 0.1 ml plasma. Separation was achieved in 10 min on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 1.7 μm, 2.1 × 50 mm column heated at 60°C with a gradient elution at 0.6 ml/min mobile phase made of water and acetonitrile both acidified with 0.1% formic acid. The detection was performed in positive ion mode and quantification based on multiple reaction monitoring. The linear response range was 1.00–1,000 ng/ml using a 1/x2 weighting factor. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracies (bias %) and intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (CV, %) obtained for NIR178 and NJI765 were within the acceptance criteria. The normalized NIR178 and NJI765 matrix factor calculated from six lots of normal, lipemic and hemolyzed plasmas ranged from 0.97 to 1.05. The normalized recoveries of both NIR178 and NJI765 compared with their internal standards were consistent and reproducible with a CV ≤8.0. This method was successfully applied to support pharmacokinetic studies in adult patients with cancer.
Application of hardware‐in‐loop in teaching power electronic course based on a low‐cost platform
Authors: Tang Xin , Xi Yanhui
Published: June 2020

The paper presents a cost‐effective realization of hardware‐in‐the‐loop (HIL) simulation based on a low‐cost platform for power electronics education of undergraduate students, which includes three major parts: the real‐time simulation system based on Simulink, the hardware component, and the communication circuit connecting both. This communication interface replaces expensive signal interfaces with which the traditional HIL platforms of power electronics realize real‐time implementation for research and industry. The communication way will increase a little time consuming but it is acceptable for undergraduate students. Code‐development and download to control boards can be finished in Simulink too. The presented platform supports the experiment of basic conversion circuits of power electronics including AC–DC, DC–DC, DC–AC, and AC–AC. The implementations of two types of converters (DC–AC and DC–DC) with PI controllers show that HIL simulation can assist to familiarize students with the hardware devices, also keeping the flexibility of digital simulation. The students’ response to survey questions indicates that the HIL simulation based on the developed platform is effective and friendly.
The Role of Families in Latinx College Choice
Authors: Olivarez Catherine Prieto
Published: June 2020

This chapter addresses how Latinx students and their families understand the process of going to and choosing to attend a community college.
A Mechanistic and Cautionary Case Study on the Use of Alternating Potential in Electrochemical Reactions
Authors: Wills Alfie G. , Poole Darren L. , Alder Catherine M. , Reid Marc
Published: June 2020

A mechanistic study on use of alternating potential (i. e. electrode polarity switching) in synthetic organic electrochemical method development using the IKA ElectraSyn 2.0 is described. Unexpected product selectivity challenges revealed that alternating potential facilitated direct, rather than mediated, electrochemical benzylic C−H oxidation of toluene derivatives. Whilst constant potential irrespective of the direction of electrode polarity was expected, our in‐depth analysis revealed changes in the magnitude of applied potential with periodic switching of electrode polarity. These findings highlight an equipment engineering concern that is likely to influence and inform optimization strategies for a wide range of synthetic organic electrochemical methods under development.
Estimating pasture species biomass from canopy cover
Authors: Goslee Sarah C.
Published: June 2020

Many tools are available to measure total aboveground plant biomass in pastures, for instance the rising plate meter, but measuring the biomass contribution of individual species requires time‐consuming clipping and sorting. Pasture composition determines forage quality, carbon storage, and other ecosystem services, so an efficient nondestructive method for estimating biomass by species would be of great value. Seasonal allometric coefficients relating canopy cover to aboveground biomass were developed for individual species and for functional groups (grass, large forb, small forb) using ordinary least squares regression on data from a grazed multi‐species experimental pasture in Pennsylvania, and tested on an independent grazed experimental study. The models performed better in autumn than in spring, although performance varied greatly among species. The functional group models were generally more accurate than species‐specific models, even for estimating single species. Total grass and forb biomasses were predicted moderately well regardless of season. Unlike many allometric models, these were developed and tested on multiple years of data from grazed multispecies pastures. Although variability was high, the results have broad applicability in highly fertile mesic pastures, at least for dominant species.
Versatile Visible‐Light‐Driven Synthesis of Asymmetrical Phosphines and Phosphonium Salts
Authors: Arockiam Percia Beatrice , Lennert Ulrich , Graf Christina , Rothfelder Robin , Scott Daniel J. , Fischer Tillmann G. , Zeitler Kirsten , Wolf Robert
Published: June 2020

Asymmetrically substituted tertiary phosphines and quaternary phosphonium salts are used extensively in applications throughout industry and academia. Despite their significance, classical methods to synthesize such compounds often demand either harsh reaction conditions, prefunctionalization of starting materials, highly sensitive organometallic reagents, or expensive transition‐metal catalysts. Mild, practical methods thus remain elusive, despite being of great current interest. Herein, we describe a visible‐light‐driven method to form these products from secondary and primary phosphines. Using an inexpensive organic photocatalyst and blue‐light irradiation, arylphosphines can be both alkylated and arylated using commercially available organohalides. In addition, the same organocatalyst can be used to transform white phosphorus (P4) directly into symmetrical aryl phosphines and phosphonium salts in a single reaction step, which has previously only been possible using precious metal catalysis.
Asymmetric Reactions Catalyzed by Chiral Tertiary Phosphines
Authors: Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: June 2020

Chiral tertiary phosphines are versatile Lewis base catalysts capable of promoting a wide range of asymmetric reactions. In particular, the recent designed chiral phosphines based on the concept of bi‐/multifunctionality have been demonstrated to be effective catalysts for many types of asymmetric reactions such as (aza)‐MBH reaction/RC reaction, cycloaddition reaction, domino reaction, nucleophilic addition reaction,etc. This review summarizes the recent advances in this field and highlights the selected significant achievements.
Cancer attributable to human papillomavirus infection in China: Burden and trends
Authors: Lu Yong , Li Peiyang , Luo Ganfeng , Liu Di , Zou Huachun
Published: June 2020

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with a substantial percentage of cervical cancer, and a significant percentage of anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, oral cavity, oropharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers. Understanding the burden and trends of HPV‐attributable cancers is crucial to HPV prevention strategies. In the current study, the authors estimated the latest burden and trends of HPV‐attributable cancers in China.

Methods

Data from the following sources were used. The number of new cancer cases and cancer deaths in China were estimated based on the China Cancer Registry Annual Report. The population‐attributable fraction was estimated using pooled high‐risk HPV prevalence and biomarker‐positive rates, which were calculated using random effects meta‐analyses. Cancer burden estimates were stratified by anatomic site, sex, and age.

Results

In 2015, a total of 110,650 new cancer cases and 36,714 cancer deaths attributable to HPV infection were estimated to have occurred in China, of which cervical cancer accounted for 85.6% and 78.1%, respectively. The age‐standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age‐standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of HPV‐attributable cancers were 5.63 and 1.81 per 100,000 person‐years, respectively. The ASIR and ASMR both varied by anatomic site, with the highest rates noted for cervical cancer at 4.83 and 1.42 per 100,000 person‐years, respectively. Between 2005 and 2015, the ASIR and ASMR demonstrated significant upward trends for all HPV‐attributable cancers combined.

Conclusions

Between 2005 and 2015, cervical cancer accounted for the vast majority of HPV‐attributable cancers and its incidence and mortality increased rapidly in China. The comprehensive prevention of cervical cancer remains the most important target in the prevention of HPV‐attributable cancers.
A randomized phase 3 study of maintenance therapy with S‐1 plus best supportive care versus best supportive care after induction therapy with carboplatin plus S‐1 for advanced or relapsed squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (WJOG7512L)
Authors: Tanaka Kaoru , Morita Satoshi , Ando Masahiko , Yokoyama Takuma , Nakamura Atsushi , Yoshioka Hiroshige , Ishiguro Takashi , Miura Satoru , Toyozawa Ryo , Oguri Tetsuya , Daga Haruko , Ko Ryo , Bessho Akihiro , Tachihara Motoko , Iwamoto Yasuo , Hirano Katsuya , Nakanishi Yoichi , Nakagawa Kazuhiko , Yamamoto Nobuyuki , Okamoto Isamu
Published: June 2020

Background

A randomized phase 3 study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of maintenance therapy with S‐1 after induction therapy with carboplatin plus S‐1 in patients with advanced squamous non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Chemotherapy‐naive patients with advanced or relapsed squamous NSCLC were treated with carboplatin (area under the curve of 5 on day 1 every 3 weeks) plus S‐1 (40 mg/m2 twice per day on days 1‐14 every 3 weeks) as induction therapy. Patients who did not progress after 4 cycles of induction therapy were randomized to receive either S‐1 plus best supportive care (BSC) or BSC alone. The primary objective of the study was to confirm the superiority of S‐1 plus BSC in comparison with BSC alone with respect to progression‐free survival.

Results

Of the 365 patients enrolled in the study, 347 participated in the induction phase, and 131 of these individuals were randomized to receive S‐1 plus BSC (n = 67) or BSC alone (n = 64). The risk of disease progression was significantly lower for patients in the S‐1 plus BSC arm than those in the BSC‐alone arm (hazard ratio, 0.548; 95% confidence interval, 0.374‐0.802; P = .0019). The most common toxicities during maintenance therapy with S‐1 included anorexia, anemia, and fatigue, but most cases were not severe.

Conclusions

Continued maintenance with S‐1 plus BSC is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment option for patients with advanced squamous NSCLC previously treated with carboplatin plus S‐1.
Abnormal cytology in oropharyngeal brushings and in oral rinses is not associated with HPV infection: The OHMAR study
Authors: Benevolo Maria , Rollo Francesca , Giuliani Massimo , Pichi Barbara , Latini Alessandra , Pellini Raul , Vescio Maria Fenicia , Morrone Aldo , Cristaudo Antonio , Donà Maria Gabriella
Published: June 2020

Background

No screening is available for human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated oropharyngeal cancers. The authors investigated whether cytology may be used as a screening tool and whether oral HPV infection is associated with cytologic abnormalities detected in oropharyngeal brushings and in oral rinse‐and‐gargle specimens from asymptomatic individuals at increased risk for oral HPV infection.

Methods

Specimens were collected from men who have sex with men at 6‐month intervals. Oropharyngeal samples and oral rinse‐and‐gargle specimens were collected using a cytobrush and mouthwash, respectively. Exfoliated cells were dispersed in PreservCyt. Liquid‐based slides were stained with Papanicolaou. An HPV genotyping test using a linear array was used for HPV detection. Associations with abnormal cytology were investigated using logistic regression.

Results

Overall, 631 brushings and 802 rinses collected from 310 individuals were evaluated; of these specimens, 2 brushings (0.3%) and 10 rinses (1.2%) were inadequate for morphologic evaluation. Of the adequate samples, 35 of 629 brushings (5.5%) and 19 of 792 rinses (2.4%) were abnormal. No associations of high‐risk HPVs or HPV‐16 infection with cytologic abnormalities were observed for oropharyngeal brushings (high‐risk HPVs: odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% CI, 0.41‐3.50; P = .75; HPV‐16: OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.10‐5.84; P = .79) or for oral rinses (high‐risk HPVs: OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.26‐4.98; P = .87; HPV‐16: OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.04‐10.60; P = .74). Concurrent moderate/heavy drinking and smoking significantly increased the risk of cytologic abnormalities in the brushings (hazard ratio, 4.84; 95% CI, 1.15‐20.43; P = .03).

Conclusions

Oral HPV infection by high‐risk HPVs and HPV‐16 does not confer an increased risk of cytologic abnormalities in oropharyngeal brushings and oral rinses. Abnormal cytology seems to be associated with smoking and drinking habits.
The zebrafish visual system transmits dimming information via multiple segregated pathways
Authors: Robles Estuardo , Fields Nicholas P. , Baier Herwig
Published: June 2020

Vertebrate retinas contain circuits specialized to encode light level decrements. This information is transmitted to the brain by dimming‐sensitive OFF retinal ganglion cells (OFF‐RGCs) that respond to light decrements with increased firing. It is known that OFF‐RGCs with distinct photosensitivity profiles form parallel visual channels to the vertebrate brain, yet how these channels are processed by first‐ and higher order brain areas has not been well characterized in any species. To address this question in the larval zebrafish visual system, we examined the visual response properties of a genetically identified population of tectal neurons with a defined axonal projection to a second‐order visual area: id2b:gal4‐positive torus longitudinalis projection neurons (TLPNs). TLPNs responded consistently to whole‐field dimming stimuli and exhibited the strongest responses when dimming was preceded by low light levels. Functional characterization of OFF‐RGC terminals in tectum revealed responses that varied in their photosensitivities: (a) low‐sensitivity OFF‐RGCs that selectively respond to large light decrements, (b) high‐sensitivity OFF‐RGCs that selectively encode small decrements, and (c) broad sensitivity OFF‐RGCs that respond to a wide range of light decrements. Diverse photosensitivity profiles were also observed using pan‐neuronal calcium imaging to identify dimming‐responsive neurons in both tectum and torus longitudinalis. Together, these data support a model in which parallel OFF channels generated in the retina remain segregated across three stages of visual processing. Segregated OFF channels with different sensitivities may allow specific aspects of dimming‐evoked behaviors to be modulated by ambient light levels.
APEX2S: A two‐layer machine learning model for discovery of host‐pathogen protein‐protein interactions on cloud‐based multiomics data
Authors: Chen Huaming , Shen Jun , Wang Lei , Chi Chi‐Hung
Published: June 2020

Presented by the avalanche of biological interactions data, computational biology is now facing greater challenges on big data analysis and solicits more studies to mine and integrate cloud‐based multiomics data, especially when the data are related to infectious diseases. Meanwhile, machine learning techniques have recently succeeded in different computational biology tasks. In this article, we have calibrated the focus for host‐pathogen protein‐protein interactions study, aiming to apply the machine learning techniques for learning the interactions data and making predictions. A comprehensive and practical workflow to harness different cloud‐based multiomics data is discussed. In particular, a novel two‐layer machine learning model, namely APEX2S, is proposed for discovery of the protein‐protein interactions data. The results show that our model can better learn and predict from the accumulated host‐pathogen protein‐protein interactions.
Potential Statistical Issues Between Designers and Regulators in Confirmatory Basket, Umbrella, and Platform Trials
Authors: Berry Scott M.
Published: June 2020

Platform and basket trial have the potential to alter the landscape of drug development in many disease areas. Although these trials create many efficiencies compared with simple trials, they also create new statistical challenges for regulators. I highlight some of these new issues and discuss the regulatory challenges emerging from these trials. I highlight some critical points made by Collignon et al.,1 while providing some conflicting views on these statistical challenges.
Do ESG scores effect bank risk taking and value? Evidence from European banks
Authors: Di Tommaso Caterina , Thornton John
Published: June 2020

We examine whether environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores of European banks impact on their risk‐taking behavior and on bank value. We find that high ESG scores are associated with a modest reduction in risk‐taking for banks that are high or low risk‐takers, and that the impact is conditional on executive board characteristics. These findings are consistent with the “stakeholder” view of ESG activities. However, high ESG scores are also associated with a reduction in bank value consistent with the “overinvestment” view of ESG whereby scare resources are diverted from investment. The decline in bank value occurs notwithstanding a positive indirect link between ESG scores and bank value through their impact on risk taking. We conclude that there is a trade‐off between reducing bank risk‐taking and a more stable financial system on the one hand and bank value on the other.
Granular measures of agricultural land use influence lake nitrogen and phosphorus differently at macroscales
Authors: Stachelek Jemma , Weng W. , Carey C. C. , Kemanian A. R. , Cobourn K. M. , Wagner T. , Weathers K. C. , Soranno P. A.
Published: June 2020

Agricultural land use is typically associated with high stream nutrient concentrations and increased nutrient loading to lakes. For lakes, evidence for these associations mostly comes from studies on individual lakes or watersheds that relate concentrations of nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) to aggregate measures of agricultural land use, such as the proportion of land used for agriculture in a lake’s watershed. However, at macroscales (i.e., in hundreds to thousands of lakes across large spatial extents), there is high variability around such relationships and it is unclear whether considering more granular (or detailed) agricultural data, such as fertilizer application, planting of specific crops, or the extent of near‐stream cropping, would improve prediction and inform understanding of lake nutrient drivers. Furthermore, it is unclear whether lake N and P would have different relationships to such measures and whether these relationships would vary by region, since regional variation has been observed in prior studies using aggregate measures of agriculture. To address these knowledge gaps, we examined relationships between granular measures of agricultural activity and lake total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations in 928 lakes and their watersheds in the Northeastern and Midwest U.S. using a Bayesian hierarchical modeling approach. We found that both lake TN and TP concentrations were related to these measures of agriculture, especially near‐stream agriculture. The relationships between measures of agriculture and lake TN concentrations were more regionally variable than those for TP. Conversely, TP concentrations were more strongly related to lake‐specific measures like depth and watershed hydrology relative to TN. Our finding that lake TN and TP concentrations have different relationships with granular measures of agricultural activity has implications for the design of effective and efficient policy approaches to maintain and improve water quality.
Concordance of long‐term shifts with climate warming varies among phenological events and herbaceous species
Authors: Augspurger Carol K. , Zaya David N.
Published: June 2020

Many temperate herbs now flower earlier than a few decades ago. Little is known about other phenological events, despite the importance of life history integration for plant fitness. This study addresses the hypothesis that temporal shifts of multiple phenological events in herbs are concordant with temporal changes in weather. Explicitly showing that changes in timing of annual life cycle events are correlated with changes in weather‐predicting variables provides support for the hypothesis that a phenological shift is concordant with climate change. Observations of six phenological events and five phenophases were made year‐round for 25 yr for herb species in a deciduous forest fragment, Trelease Woods in Illinois, USA. Dates for 43 species were analyzed by linear mixed‐effects models for events and phenophases and were compared to weather data from a nearby station. For early species, emergence was delayed by 1.5 d/decade, while end expansion advanced by 3.8 d/decade and begin dormancy advanced by 2.5 d/decade. For late species, end expansion advanced by 6.7 d/decade, while begin senescence delayed by 17.7 d/decade. Begin flowering and end flowering advanced similarly for both seasonal groups, at 3.8 to 4.2 d/decade. Some events showed no temporal change. Species differed greatly in the degree or direction of change, related to seasonality of event or length of phase. Overall, for a given species, most events are advancing (68.4%) and most durations are shortening (74.4%). In 12 of 13 cases, inter‐annual variation in event date was predicted by a temperature‐event–season combination variable, but in only six cases did both event date shift and weather variable warm through time. This finding supports the hypothesis that climate change is associated with changes in some, but not all, phenological events. This first long‐term, multi‐phase study of a community of temperate herb species indicates little temporal coherence of responses of multiple phases. Changes in date are event specific, phase specific, and species specific. This complexity of responses among species and uneven responses within a species’ integrated annual cycle events has implications for evolutionary responses and more immediate interactions among plant, animal, and microbe species in this community.
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers are not associated with severe COVID‐19 infection in a multi‐site UK acute hospital trust
Authors: Bean Daniel M. , Kraljevic Zeljko , Searle Thomas , Bendayan Rebecca , Kevin O'Gallagher , Pickles Andrew , Folarin Amos , Roguski Lukasz , Noor Kawsar , Shek Anthony , Zakeri Rosita , Shah Ajay M. , Teo James T.H. , Dobson Richard J.B.
Published: June 2020

Aims

The SARS‐CoV‐2 virus binds to the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for cell entry. It has been suggested that angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), which are commonly used in patients with hypertension or diabetes and may raise tissue ACE2 levels, could increase the risk of severe COVID‐19 infection.

Methods and results

We evaluated this hypothesis in a consecutive cohort of 1200 acute inpatients with COVID‐19 at two hospitals with a multi‐ethnic catchment population in London (UK). The mean age was 68 ± 17 years (57% male) and 74% of patients had at least one comorbidity. Overall, 415 patients (34.6%) reached the primary endpoint of death or transfer to a critical care unit for organ support within 21 days of symptom onset. A total of 399 patients (33.3%) were taking ACEi or ARB. Patients on ACEi/ARB were significantly older and had more comorbidities. The odds ratio for the primary endpoint in patients on ACEi and ARB, after adjustment for age, sex and co‐morbidities, was 0.63 (95% confidence interval 0.47–0.84, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

There was no evidence for increased severity of COVID‐19 in hospitalised patients on chronic treatment with ACEi or ARB. A trend towards a beneficial effect of ACEi/ARB requires further evaluation in larger meta‐analyses and randomised clinical trials.
The Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Domino Cross Enyne Metathesis/Ring‐Closing Metathesis in the Synthesis of Enantioenriched Nitrogen‐Containing Heterocycles
Authors: Llobat Alberto , Escorihuela Jorge , Sedgwick Daniel M. , Rodenes Miriam , Román Raquel , Soloshonok Vadim A. , Han Jianlin , Medio‐Simón Mercedes , Fustero Santos
Published: June 2020

The tetrahydropyridine structure is present in a wide variety of natural and synthetic compounds with interesting pharmacological properties. Therefore, the search for new chemical routes capable of yielding this valuable nitrogen‐containing heterocycle is of utmost interest. Herein, we report the use of the ruthenium‐catalyzed ring‐closing enyne metathesis (RCEYM) and cross enyne metathesis/ring‐closing metathesis (CEYM/RCM) reactions of chiral nitrogen‐containing 1,7‐enynes as an efficient route to synthesize a variety of enantioenriched tetrahydropyridine‐based conjugated 1,3‐dienes. The RCEYM presented wide functional group tolerance and took place in moderate to high yields, with no significant differences when carried out on gram scale. These 1,3‐dienes were suitable for further transformations, such as the Diels–Alder reaction, effectively yielding more complex enantioenriched bicyclic structures.
Analysis of DGS filters using π‐circuit model
Authors: Malhotra Sambhav , Hashmi Mohammad
Published: June 2020

The design and analysis of two defected ground structures (DGS)‐based filters have been proposed in this article. The first is a multifrequency bandstop filter (BSF) which utilizes a semi‐H defect in the ground plane. This structure is then prototyped on a Rogers 4350B substrate of overall size 45 mm × 15 mm with an external SMD capacitors employed to control the resonance of the circuit for the stopband frequencies of 433, 700, and 915 MHz. An equivalent π‐circuit is modified to validate this multiband filter. The second filter is a combination of a BSF and bandpass filter in one structure. The filter operating with a controllable passband and stopband frequency is fabricated on Rogers 4350B lossy substrate. Two SMD capacitors are loaded in the filter structure to control the passband and stopband frequencies of the filter with a structure size of 20 mm x 20 mm. Finally, the equivalent circuit from the BSF is modified further to encompass the bandpass and bandstop frequency response of the proposed
work.
Developing ofN‐(4‐methylpyrimidine‐2‐yl)methacrylamideLangmuir–Blodgettthin film chemical sensor via quartz crystal microbalance technique
Authors: Acikbas Yaser , Tetik Gamze D. , Ozkaya Cansu , Bozkurt Selahattin , capan Rifat , Erdogan Matem
Published: June 2020

In the present work, the characterization and gas sensing properties of newly synthesizedN‐(4‐methylpyrimidine‐2‐yl)methacrylamide (N‐MPMA) monomer Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) thin films were investigated. The UV–visible spectroscopy, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and atomic force microscopy were utilized to characterizeN‐MPMALB thin films. The surface behavior ofN‐MPMAmonolayer was stable and allowed an effective transfer at a surface pressure of 14 mN/m. The mass change/unit area value of theN‐MPMALB thin film deposited quartz crystal surfaces was investigated. The amount ofN‐MPMALB thin film deposited on the substrate for bilayer was calculated as 228.72 ng (86.31 ng/mm2) and 12.5 Hz frequency shift was observed for each layer of theN‐MPMAfilm. The kinetic responses ofN‐MPMALB film against chloroform, dichloromethane, benzene, and toluene were measured via QCM system at room temperature.N‐MPMAQCM sensor results displayed that chloroform has the largest frequency shifts compared with the other vapors used in the present work and these results can be illuminating in terms of physical properties of organic vapors.
Pelvic tilt between supine and standing after total hip arthroplasty an RSA up to seven years after the operation
Authors: Shareghi Bita , Mohaddes Maziar , Kärrholm Johan
Published: June 2020

The pose of the prosthetic components after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is commonly evaluated on conventional radiographs. Any change of the pelvic position after the operation in supine and between supine and standing position with time will influence validity of the measurements. We evaluated the changed pelvic tilt angle (PTA) in supine and standing position up to 7 years after operation. The aims of our study were (a) to evaluate if the PTA change over time after THA, (b) to assess any difference in PTA between supine and standing positions, and (c) to investigate whether factors such as gender, the condition of the opposite hip or low‐back pain have any influence on PTA after THA. Repeated radiostereophotogrammetric radiographs of 106 patients were studied. Patients had been examined in the supine position postoperatively, and in both supine and standing positions at 6 months and 7‐year follow‐up. Measurements of supine patients showed an increasing mean posterior pelvic tilt over time. From supine to standing, the pelvis tilted in the opposite direction. At 6 months, the mean anterior tilt was 3.6° ± 3.8° (confidence interval [CI]: 2.8° to 4.3°) which increased to 6.4° ± 3.9° (CI: 5.7° to 7.2°) at 7 years. The mean changes in pelvic rotations around the longitudinal and sagittal axis were less than 1 degree, in both positions. In individual patients, this change reached about 11.0 degrees in supine and 18.0 degrees when standing.
Comparative analysis of 23 synovial fluid biomarkers for hip and knee periprosthetic joint infection detection
Authors: Sharma Katyayini , Ivy Morgan , Block Darci R. , Abdel Matthew P. , Hanssen Arlen D. , Beauchamp Christopher , Perry Kevin I. , Rosemark Christopher L. , Greenwood‐Quaintance Kerryl E. , Mandrekar Jay , Patel Robin
Published: June 2020

There is interest in novel synovial fluid biomarkers for the detection of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Here, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of 23 simple or sophisticated synovial fluid biomarkers for periprosthetic hip or knee infection detection. One hundred seven subjects were studied, 57 of whom had aseptic failure (AF) and 50 PJI. The following synovial fluid biomarkers were tested using spectrophotometric assays, immunoassays, lateral flow tests, or test strips: leukocyte count, monocyte percentage, lymphocyte percentage, neutrophil percentage, C‐reactive protein (CRP), glucose, lactate, granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, interferon‐γ, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12p70, IL‐13, IL‐17A, IL‐23, tumor necrosis factor‐α, α‐defensin, and leukocyte esterase. The best‐performing synovial fluid biomarkers to differentiate PJI from AF—that is, those with highest area under the curve compared to all other biomarkers—were leukocyte count, percent neutrophils and percent monocytes, CRP, and α‐defensin (P < .0001).