bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of the dynamic adsorption and the effect of the presence of different cations and anions on the adsorption of As(V) on GUT‐3
Authors: Zhang Zilong , Chen Zhao , Xiao Yu , Yi Ming , Zheng Xiao , Xie Mingqi , Shen Minglin
Published: May 2021

This study is aimed at understanding the dynamic adsorption and the effect of the presence of different cations and anions on the adsorption of As(V) on GUT‐3 (a new metal–organic framework). The study showed that Zn2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, CO32−, and NO3− promoted the adsorption of As(V) on GUT‐3 at all concentrations and Fe3+ and Cr3+ promoted the adsorption only at 0.5 and 2 mmol/L, respectively, and PO43− and SO42− at 0.5 mmol/L. Fe3+, Cr3+, PO43−, and SO42− inhibited the adsorption at other concentrations. And Zn2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, CO32−, and NO3 promote the adsorption of As(V) on GUT‐3. Fe3+ and Cr3+ at 0.5, 2 mmol/L promote the adsorption of As(V) on GUT‐3. PO43− and SO42− at 0.5 mmol/L promoted the adsorption of As(V) on GUT‐3, whereas PO43− and SO42− at other concentrations inhibited the adsorption of As(V) on GUT‐3. However, K+, irrespective of the concentration, was seen to inhibit the adsorption of As(V) on GUT‐3. The dynamic adsorption study showed that the penetration process of As(V) on GUT‐3 was more in line with the bed depth service time (BDST) model. Dynamic adsorption was mainly chemical in nature and was observed to occur on the surface of the adsorbent.
Evolution of polyacrylonitrile precursor fibers and the effect of stretch profile in wet spinning
Authors: Moskowitz Jeremy D. , Jackson Matthew B. , Tucker Amy , Cook J. Desmond
Published: May 2021

Wet spinning of polyacrylonitrile‐based polymers is a common technique to manufacture carbon fiber precursors. Understanding the role of stretch profile on structural evolution will support efforts to reduce cost and improve process robustness. Fiber stretch generally occurs in three sequential stages: jet stretch, wet stretch (first draw), and hot draw (second draw). In this study, total fiber stretch was kept constant, but distributed differently across the stretch stages yielding three different fiber variants. Samples were collected and analyzed after each stretch stage in order to correlate process parameters to structural information. For all variants, orientation of the ordered phase increases gradually for each stage of stretch while activation energy for the structural relaxation decreases. Alternatively, crystallite size increases substantially during hot draw, which is shown to have the most pronounced effect on cyclization behavior. Given the process conditions, the variant with the lowest jet stretch and highest hot draw demonstrates the highest tenacity and modulus along with the greatest orientation, crystallite size, and highest peak exotherm temperature.
I Alone Can Fix It: Examining interactions between narcissistic leaders and anxious followers on Twitter using a machine learning approach
Authors: Gruda Dritjon , Karanatsiou Dimitra , Mendhekar Kanishka , Golbeck Jennifer , Vakali Athena
Published: May 2021

Due to their confidence and dominance, narcissistic leaders oftentimes can be perceived favorably by followers, in particular during times of uncertainty. In this study, we propose and examine the relationship between narcissistic leaders and followers who are prone to experience uncertainty intensely and frequently in general, namely highly anxious followers. We do so by applying machine learning algorithms to account for personality traits in a large sample of leaders and followers on Twitter. We find that highly anxious followers are more likely to interact with narcissistic leaders in general, and male narcissistic leaders in particular. Finally, we also examined these interactions in the context of highly popular leaders and found that as leaders become more popular, they begin to attract less anxious followers, regardless of leader gender. We interpret and discuss these findings in relation to previous work and outline limitations and future research recommendations based on our approach.
What do we know about business strategy and environmental research? Insights from Business Strategy and the Environment
Authors: Kumar Satish , Sureka Riya , Lim Weng Marc , Kumar Mangla Sachin , Goyal Nisha
Published: May 2021

Business Strategy and the Environment (BSE) is a premier journal dedicated to interdisciplinary research that advances business practice leading to improvements in environmental performance. Using big data analytics, this review examines the intellectual structure and the drivers of research impact of BSE in the scholarly domain. The bibliometric results suggest three major findings. First, the top three countries contributing to BSE are the United Kingdom, the United States, and China. Second, BSE's research manifests through five thematic clusters, namely, business strategy and sustainability; corporate governance and sustainability reporting; green marketing and pro‐environmental behavior; innovation and environmental policy; and environmental management systems. Finally, BSE's research impact in terms of citations is significantly influenced by author affiliation (United States); article age (older), appearance (lead article and special issue), length (longer), and method (mix methods); title length (shorter title); and number of keywords (more keywords) and references (more references). Implications for BSE's readers and future contributors are discussed.
Income loss after a cancer diagnosis in Germany: An analysis based on the socio‐economic panel survey
Authors: Hernandez Diego , Schlander Michael
Published: May 2021

Background and Aims

Cancer treatments often require intensive use of healthcare services and limit patients’ ability to work, potentially causing them to become financially vulnerable. The present study is the first attempt to measure, on the German national level, the magnitude of absolute income loss after a cancer diagnosis.

Methods

This study analyzes data from the Socio‐Economic Panel (SOEP) survey, one of the largest and most comprehensive household surveys in Germany, consisting of approximately 20,000 individuals, who are traced annually. The empirical strategy consists of ordinary least squares (OLS) and multinomial logistic estimators to measure changes in job income, work status, working hours, and pension as a result of reporting a cancer diagnosis for the period between 2009 and 2015. Sample consistency checks were conducted to limit measurement error biases.

Results

Our results show that job incomes dropped between 26% and 28% within the year a cancer diagnosis was reported. The effect persisted for two years after the diagnosis and was no longer observable after four years. The finding was linked to an increased likelihood of unemployment and a reduction of working hours by 24%. Pension levels, on the other hand, were not affected by a cancer diagnosis.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that many cancer patients are exposed to financial hardship in Germany, particularly when the cancer diagnosis occurs during their working age and before requirements to obtain a pension are met. Further research seems warranted to identify particularly vulnerable patient groups.
GRACEfully assessing the timeline for noninfarct‐related artery intervention in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Shah Jay , Levy Michael S.
Published: May 2021

Key Points

A large registry study of ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with multivessel disease and without cardiogenic shock demonstrated that staged in‐hospital intervention of the noninfarct‐related artery was associated with a reduced risk of all‐cause mortality when compared to culprit‐only PCI or immediate multivessel intervention.

A subgroup analysis stratified by the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score, showed a mortality benefit in high‐risk patients (GRACE score > 140) undergoing staged in‐hospital intervention of the noninfarct‐related artery with a median interval between the two procedures of 5 days.

Further large, randomized trials are needed to help clarify appropriate timing for nonculprit staged intervention in STEMI patients.
More energy, more costs
Authors: Balan Prakash , Eng Marvin H.
Published: May 2021

Key Points

Transseptal access has been widely disseminated with a relatively low complication rate.

The VersaCross Transseptal system utilizes radiofrequency energy to facilitate transseptal access enhancing ease and efficiency of procedures.

Rising costs of structural heart interventions may impact resource allocation for medical devices.
Large‐bore vascular closure: Evolution not revolution for now
Authors: Turi Zoltan G.
Published: May 2021

Key Points

Closure technology has expanded modestly since the dawn of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)—most improvements in outcomes have come from evolving techniques, smaller TAVR devices, better operator skills, and lower risk patients.

The MANTA device adapts a well‐established sandwiching of a resorbable anchor and collagen plug to large‐bore closure.

The choice of large‐bore closure devices will remain one of the operator's preference pending a sufficiently powered randomized trial.
Tailwind of transcatheter mitral valve repair pushes forward the treatment of acute mitral regurgitation after myocardial infarction
Authors: Tarantini Giuseppe , Fraccaro Chiara
Published: May 2021

Key Points

Acute mitral regurgitation after myocardial infarction is associated with high mortality and morbidity.

Treatment with the MitraClip is associated with high procedural success and acceptable mortality whether they presented in or out of cardiogenic shock, provided initial hemodynamic stabilization was first achieved before PMVR.

This transcatheter technique represents a valid alternative for selected patients and prospective studies are warranted to inform patient selection and periprocedural management in this acute setting.
Use of Wire Matrix Inserts in Thermosiphon Reboilers in the Lower Operating Range
Authors: Lu Yan , Jasch Katharina , Scholl Stephan
Published: May 2021

Turbulators are applied to increase the thermal efficiency of heat transfer units. The additional pressure drop can be challenging for the self‐circulation of thermosiphon reboilers. Thus, the effects of hiTRAN®‐wire matrix inserts for the boiling of water and a water/glycerol mixture were investigated herein, using the performance of a thermosiphon reboiler with plain tubes as a reference. The reboiler was operated at sub‐atmospheric pressures, small driving temperature differences, and under flooded conditions. Favorable and unfavorable operating conditions for using inserts were specified. Especially for the water/glycerol mixture, significant improvements of self‐circulation and heat transfer up to six times compared to the plain tube reference were observed, allowing an operation of thermosiphon reboilers at smaller driving temperature differences under sub‐atmospheric pressures.
Young Scientists – Juniorprofessor Gregor D. Wehinger stellt sich vor
Authors: Wehinger Gregor D.
Published: May 2021

In diesem Beitrag stellt sich Juniorprofessor Gregor D. Wehinger vom Institut für Chemische und Elektrochemische Verfahrenstechnik der TU Clausthal vor. Neben aktuellen Forschungsarbeiten und Lehraktivitäten gibt er auch einen Überblick darüber, wie er sich in der Community engagiert. Fachlich berichtet er von aktuellen Ergebnissen im Bereich der CFD‐Modellierung von Festbettreaktoren, Redox‐Flow‐Batterien und Mehrphasensystemen. Zudem wird der Einsatz von virtueller Realität in einem aktuellen Lehrprojekt vorgestellt.
A critical review on micro‐ and nanomotors: Application towards wastewater treatment
Authors: Verma Bharti , Gumfekar Sarang P. , Sabapathy Manigandan
Published: May 2021

Micro‐ and nanomotors are synthetic devices that can transform various sources of energy into motion. These devices perform specialized tasks as they propel themselves in response to stimuli. The application of self‐propelled micro‐ and nanomachines in wastewater treatment has been of prime importance in the last decade. Compared to static decontamination systems, micro‐ and nanomachines can remove or degrade water pollutants in a much more rapid way owing to higher diffusion rates and fluxes. The present review focuses on the recent progress of micro‐ and nanomachines in wastewater treatment and provides an overview of their structural features, synthesis procedures, and propulsion mechanisms. We reviewed the applications of micro‐ and nanomachines to remove heavy metals, dyes, and organic pollutants from wastewater. We also discussed the challenges micro‐ and nanomotors face during wastewater treatment, thus providing a holistic approach to the article. This article highlights the shortcomings as well as the opportunities for micro‐ and nanomotors‐based technology in wastewater treatment.
Investigation of local and temporal interfacial shear stress distribution during membrane emulsification
Authors: Wollborn Tobias , Giefer Patrick , Kieserling Helena , Wagemans Anja M. , Drusch Stephan , Fritsching Udo
Published: May 2021

The production of high‐quality liquid/liquid emulsions is a key factor in many industrial processes, such as in food or pharmaceutical industries. The premix emulsification process enables the controlled adjustment of fine and narrow distributed droplet sizes. Furthermore, premix emulsification in porous structures is considered a low‐shear process that enables the usage and formulation of shear sensitive media (e.g., proteins). However, the local and time‐dependent stress conditions and stress residence time at the droplet interface during droplet dispersion in micro‐porous structures are still unknown. In this paper, interfacial stress distributions during droplet dispersion in premix membrane emulsification are numerically (computational fluid dynamics, CFD) investigated. Time‐dependent stress conditions and stress residence times at the interface are calculated. The stress conditions are related to the droplet deformation process to identify the main mechanisms for droplet breakup. The results are compared to experimental analysis of the resulting droplet size distribution during emulsion formulation. It has been found that higher shear stresses occur at the pore wall, but lower shear stresses at the liquid/liquid (disperse/continuous) interface are responsible for the droplet dispersion process. The stress residence time shows that lower stresses are present over a longer time compared to higher stresses. This is relevant for the understanding of the dispersion process, but also for the use of shear sensitive media (e.g., proteins as emulsifier).
A Versatile Crosslinking Strategy on Facile Fabrication of Fluorescent Hydrogels via o‐Phthalaldehyde Ternary Condensation
Authors: Cao Qingchen , Wang Hufei , Wang Xing , Wu Decheng
Published: May 2021

Main observation and conclusion

It is of great significance to develop rapid crosslinking strategies to enrich the functions of hydrogels and simplify the preparation process of hydrogels. Herein, we applied the ternary condensation reaction of o‐phthalaldehyde (OPA) with thiol and amino moieties to construct hydrogel networks with fast gelation rate, excellent mechanical strength, and favorable stability. The obtained hydrogels exhibited rapid gelation transition even at a low solid content. The ternary condensation was traced in the gelation process and demonstrated as a pseudo‐first‐order reaction irrespective of the gelation threshold. Interestingly, the crosslinking sites of these hydrogels were constructed with isoindole rings, endowing the materials with fluorescent functions without an extra chemical grafting process. The OPA ternary condensation reaction was a simple and universal strategy towards fabrication of natural or synthetic polymer gels from polysaccharides, proteins, and synthetic polymers, which is expected to have potential biomedical applications.
Worldwide trend in human papillomavirus–attributable cancer incidence rates between 1990 and 2012 and Bayesian projection to 2030
Authors: Wu Jie , Xiao Fenqiang , Zheng Yang , Lin Yushi , Wang Hong‐Liang
Published: May 2021

Background

There is a paucity of global comparative trend analyses of all human papillomavirus (HPV)–attributable cancers. In addition, most analyses by international sources only describe past trends; few studies have projected the future trend of HPV‐attributable cancers.

Methods

Data were used from the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5plus) database that contains annual incidence by cancer site, age, and sex, as well as corresponding populations. Age‐standardized HPV‐attributable cancer incidence rates were calculated and plotted from 1990 through 2012. A Bayesian age‐period‐cohort model was used to project the HPV‐attributable cancer incidence rates of each country up to 2030.

Results

A significant but small decreasing trend worldwide in the HPV‐attributable cancer incidence rate was observed with an average annual percent change (AAPC) of –0.3 (95% CI, –0.6 to –0.1). Notably, Uganda had a consistently increasing trend of HPV‐attributable cancer incidence rate, with an AAPC of 1.7 (95% CI, 0.6‐2.9). U‐shaped trends were observed in some high‐income countries because of a recent increase in oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. Most countries experience a decreasing or stable trend in HPV‐attributable cancers incidence rates between 1990 and 2030. However, Japan, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Costa Rica, and Uganda will have an increasing trend during the projection period.

Conclusions

Analyses revealed favorable downward trends in HPV‐attributable cancer incidence rates in most of the included countries. However, the persistently increasing trend in HPV‐attributable cancer incidence rates in Uganda and the recent increase in oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer incidence rates in some high‐income countries may present a new challenge for global HPV‐attributable cancer prevention.

Lay Summary

Analyses revealed favorable downward trends in human papillomavirus (HPV)–attributable cancer incidence rates in most of the included countries.

However, the persistently increasing trend in HPV‐attributable cancer incidence rates in Uganda and the recent increase in oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer incidence rates in some high‐income countries may present a new challenge for global HPV‐attributable cancer prevention.
An updated review of the treatment landscape for advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Authors: Patel Shreyaskumar R. , Reichardt Peter
Published: May 2021

Before the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), the overall survival of patients with advanced or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) was 10 to 20 months because of the lack of approved therapies. In the last 20 years, a treatment algorithm for patients with advanced GISTs, which includes imatinib, sunitinib, and regorafenib as first‐, second‐, and third‐line therapies, respectively, has been established. Recently, 2 new TKIs have been approved: ripretinib for fourth‐line therapy and avapritinib as first‐line therapy in patients harboring platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRA) exon 18 D842V mutations. Additionally, there are several experimental therapies under investigation that could advance individualized patient care. All of these therapies have varying efficacies and safety profiles that warrant an updated treatment landscape review. This review article summarizes the efficacy and safety data currently available for conventional TKIs along with recently approved and experimental therapies.
Substance use, substance use disorders, and treatment in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors—Results from a national survey
Authors: Ji Xu , Cummings Janet R. , Mertens Ann C. , Wen Hefei , Effinger Karen E.
Published: May 2021

Background

Substance use can exacerbate cancer‐related morbidity and mortality in adolescent/young adult (AYA) cancer survivors and place them at increased risk for adverse health outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess substance use, misuse, and substance use disorders [SUDs], as well as receipt of treatment for SUDs, among AYA cancer survivors.

Methods

The authors used data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (2015‐2018) to identify a nationally representative sample of AYAs aged 12 to 34 years. Outcomes assessed past‐year tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drug use; misuse of prescription opioids; SUDs; and SUD treatment. Multiple logistic regression was estimated to compare outcomes between 832 AYAs who reported a cancer history (survivors) and 140,826 AYAs who did not, adjusting sequentially for sociodemographic characteristics and health status.

Results

In regressions adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, survivors were more likely than a noncancer comparison group of peers to use alcohol (6% relative increase; P = .048) and illicit drugs (34% relative increase; P = .012), to misuse prescription opioids (59% relative increase; P < .001), and to have a marijuana (67% relative increase; P = .011), illicit drug (77% relative increase; P < .001), or prescription opioid (67% relative increase; P = .048) SUD. When further adjusting for health status, survivors were still 41% more likely (P < .001) to misuse prescription opioids than noncancer peers. Among those with SUDs, survivors were more likely than peers to receive treatment (unadjusted, 21.5% vs 8.0%; adjusted, P < .05).

Conclusions

AYA survivors were as likely as or more likely than noncancer peers to report substance use problems. These findings underscore the importance of interventions to reduce substance use and improve SUD treatment among AYA cancer survivors.

Lay Summary

The authors assessed substance use, misuse, and substance use disorders, as well as the receipt of treatment for substance use disorders, among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors.

In a nationally representative AYA sample, cancer survivors, despite their increased risk for morbidity and early mortality, were as likely as or more likely than peers without cancer to experience substance use problems.

In particular, survivors had a significantly higher rate of prescription opioid misuse than peers.

However, only 1 in 5 AYA survivors who experienced substance use disorders received treatment.

These findings underscore the importance of interventions toward reducing substance use and improving access to treatment among AYA survivors.
A physiologically realistic virtual patient database for the study of arterial haemodynamics
Authors: Jones Gareth , Parr Jim , Nithiarasu Perumal , Pant Sanjay
Published: May 2021

This study creates a physiologically realistic virtual patient database (VPD), representing the human arterial system, for the primary purpose of studying the effects of arterial disease on haemodynamics. A low dimensional representation of an anatomically detailed arterial network is outlined, and a physiologically realistic posterior distribution for its parameters constructed through the use of a Bayesian approach. This approach combines both physiological/geometrical constraints and the available measurements reported in the literature. A key contribution of this work is to present a framework for including all such available information for the creation of virtual patients (VPs). The Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method is used to sample random VPs from this posterior distribution, and the pressure and flow‐rate profiles associated with each VP computed through a physics based model of pulse wave propagation. This combination of the arterial network parameters (representing a virtual patient) and the haemodynamics waveforms of pressure and flow‐rates at various locations (representing functional response and potential measurements that can be acquired in the virtual patient) makes up the VPD. While 75,000 VPs are sampled from the posterior distribution, 10,000 are discarded as the initial burn‐in period of the MCMC sampler. A further 12,857 VPs are subsequently removed due to the presence of negative average flow‐rate, reducing the VPD to 52,143. Due to undesirable behaviour observed in some VPs—asymmetric under‐ and over‐damped pressure and flow‐rate profiles in left and right sides of the arterial system—a filter is proposed to remove VPs showing such behaviour. Post application of the filter, the VPD has 28,868 subjects. It is shown that the methodology is appropriate by comparing the VPD statistics to those reported in literature across real populations. Generally, a good agreement between the two is found while respecting physiological/geometrical constraints.
Causality‐based online streaming feature selection
Authors: Li Longzhu , Lin Yaojin , Zhao Hong , Chen Jinkun , Li Shaozi
Published: May 2021

Online streaming feature selection, as a well‐known and effective preprocessing approach in machine learning, is an eternal topic. Amount of online streaming feature selection algorithms have achieved a great deal of success in classification and prediction tasks. However, most of these existing algorithms only concentrate on the relevance between features and labels, and neglect the causal relationships between them. Discovering the potential causal relationships between features and labels, that is, the Markov blanket (MB) of class label, which can build a more interpretable and robust classification model. In this paper, we put forward a causality‐based online streaming feature selection algorithm with neighborhood conditional mutual information. First, we apply neighborhood symmetrical uncertainty to discover a candidate Markov blanket (CMB) with causal information. Then, neighborhood conditional mutual information instead of conditional independence test is used to delete the false positives in CMB, which can significantly alleviate the computational cost. Moreover, we utilize the updated CMB to choose the true spouses, which may be mistakenly deleted during the process of removing false positives, and then acquire an optimal MB as the online selected feature subset. Finally, causality‐based online streaming feature selection with neighborhood conditional mutual information is compared with four well‐established online streaming feature selection methods on 13 real‐world datasets. Experiment results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms these online streaming feature selection algorithms.
SMOSA: Spider monkey optimization‐based scheduling algorithm for heterogeneous Hadoop
Authors: Zhang Conghui , Guan Shaopeng , Li Yi , Sun Wenwen
Published: May 2021

Hadoop is a typical framework for processing big data. Task scheduling algorithms have a significant impact on the processing performance of Hadoop clusters. Existing scheduling algorithms of Hadoop fail to consider the performance differences between nodes in heterogeneous Hadoop clusters, causing problems such as uneven task allocation and low resource utilization. Aiming to solve this problem, we propose a spider monkey optimization‐based scheduling algorithm (SMOSA) for heterogeneous Hadoop. First, the cluster heartbeat mechanism is used to obtain information such as memories and CPUs of nodes to comprehensively consider the actual load capacity of each node. Then, the spider monkey optimization algorithm is adopted to find the optimal mapping relationship between tasks and resources by taking the task completion time as the objective function and updating the position of the spider monkey. Finally, we calculate the remaining rate of node hardware resources, and according to the task type, the node with the higher remaining rate of resource will give priority to the task. Data are compressed for I/O type tasks to reduce disk operations and increase the speed of task execution. Experimental results show that, compared with existing scheduling algorithms, the SMOSA can effectively reduce task execution time and can significantly improve scheduling efficiency and task execution speed especially in heterogeneous Hadoop clusters. For different types of tasks, the execution time can be reduced by up to 19%.
Lorlatinib Exposure‐Response Analyses for Safety and Efficacy in a Phase I/II Trial to Support Benefit–Risk Assessment in Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Chen Joseph , Ruiz‐Garcia Ana , James Leonard P. , Peltz Gerson , Thurm Holger , Clancy Jill , Hibma Jennifer
Published: May 2021

Lorlatinib is a small molecule inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and c‐ROS oncogene 1 (ROS1) tyrosine kinases and is approved for the treatment of patients with ALK‐positive advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the phase I/II study (NCT01970865), potential exposure‐response (E‐R) relationships between lorlatinib and selected safety and efficacy end points were evaluated in patients with NSCLC. E‐R relationships were assessed for safety end points with incidence > 10% in all treated patients (n = 328). In total, 4 safety end points were assessed: hypercholesterolemia grade ≥ 3, hypertriglyceridemia grade ≥ 3, weight gain grade ≥ 2, and treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) grade ≥ 3. Using logistic regression, significant relationships were identified between lorlatinib plasma exposure and risk of hypercholesterolemia grade ≥ 3 (odds ratio (OR) 5.256) and risk of TEAE grade ≥ 3 (OR 3.214). The covariates baseline cholesterol and time on study prior to the event (TE) were associated with the probability of hypercholesterolemia grade ≥ 3. Baseline cholesterol and TE were found to have a statistically significant correlation with TEAE grade ≥ 3. Exposure‐efficacy relationships were assessed for objective response rate (ORR; n = 197) and intracranial objective response rate (IC‐ORR; n = 132). Lorlatinib plasma exposure was not identified as a statistically significant factor related to either efficacy end point. The only significant E‐R relationships identified for efficacy were between baseline alkaline phosphatase and baseline amylase with IC‐ORR (ORs 0.363 and 1.015, respectively). These findings support the lorlatinib indicated dose and dose modification guidelines regarding the management of lorlatinib‐related AEs.
Retinal imaging demonstrates reduced capillary density in clinically unimpaired APOE ε4 gene carriers
Authors: Elahi Fanny M. , Ashimatey Senyo B. , Bennett Daniel J. , Walters Samantha M. , La Joie Renaud , Jiang Xuejuan , Wolf Amy , Cobigo Yann , Staffaroni Adam M. , Rosen Howie J. , Miller Bruce L. , Rabinovici Gil D. , Kramer Joel H. , Green Ari J. , Kashani Amir H.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4, the strongest non‐Mendelian genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), has been shown to affect brain capillaries in mice, with potential implications for AD‐related neurodegenerative disease. However, human brain capillaries cannot be directly visualized in vivo. We therefore used retinal imaging to test APOE ε4 effects on human central nervous system capillaries.

Methods

We collected retinal optical coherence tomography angiography, cognitive testing, and brain imaging in research participants and built statistical models to test genotype–phenotype associations.

Results

Our analyses demonstrate lower retinal capillary densities in early disease, in cognitively normal APOE ε4 gene carriers. Furthermore, through regression modeling with a measure of brain perfusion (arterial spin labeling), we provide support for the relevance of these findings to cerebral vasculature.

Discussion

These results suggest that APOE ε4 affects capillary health in humans and that retinal capillary measures could serve as surrogates for brain capillaries, providing an opportunity to study microangiopathic contributions to neurodegenerative disorders directly in humans.
Endoscopic ultrasound fine needle biopsy was not more cost‐effective than fine‐needle aspiration with rapid on‐site evaluation in gastrointestinal lesions diagnosis
Authors: Sbeit Wisam , Khoury Tawfik
Published: May 2021

Background and aim

Cost‐effectiveness comparison between endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided acquisition techniques by fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) and fine needle biopsy (FNB) in gastrointestinal lesions is still scarce. EUS‐FNB has been shown to be more cost‐effective than EUS‐FNA, however, when adding rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE) to EUS‐FNA, it is unclear whether EUS‐FNB remains more cost‐effective. Our aim was to assess cost‐efficacy of EUS‐FNB as compared to EUS‐FNA with ROSE in gastrointestinal lesions.

Method

All patients who underwent EUS‐FNA with ROSE or EUS‐FNB at Galilee Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed. Cost‐effectiveness analysis was based on the additional EUS sessions needed and on the average cost expenditure to achieve one final pathological diagnosis.

Results

Seventy‐four cases were included in the final analysis. Of them, 21 patients (28.4%) were in the EUS‐FNB group (group A), as compared to 53 patients (71.6%) who underwent EUS‐FNA with ROSE (group B). Additional EUS sessions needed to achieve one final pathological diagnosis were needed in 14.3% of group A patients vs 9.4% in group B patients (P = .5). and, the average cost for achieving one final pathological diagnosis was similar in both groups (1226 ± 369$ for group A vs 1158 ± 309.6.7$ for group B, P = .2). Notably, even after analyzing pancreatic and non‐pancreatic gastrointestinal lesions separately, there was no cost benefit of EUS‐FNB over EUS‐FNA with ROSE.

Conclusions

Cost‐effectiveness analysis was not different between EUS‐FNB vs EUS‐FNA with ROSE. Thus, the preference of one modality over the other should be based on availability and local expertise.
Plant history and soil history jointly influence the selection environment for plant species in a long‐term grassland biodiversity experiment
Authors: Dietrich Peter , Eisenhauer Nico , Otto Peter , Roscher Christiane
Published: May 2021

Long‐term biodiversity experiments have shown increasing strengths of biodiversity effects on plant productivity over time. However, little is known about rapid evolutionary processes in response to plant community diversity, which could contribute to explaining the strengthening positive relationship. To address this issue, we performed a transplant experiment with offspring of seeds collected from four grass species in a 14‐year‐old biodiversity experiment (Jena Experiment). We used two‐ and six‐species communities and removed the vegetation of the study plots to exclude plant–plant interactions. In a reciprocal design, we transplanted five “home” phytometers (same origin and actual environment), five “away‐same” phytometers (same species richness of origin and actual environment, but different plant composition), and five “away‐different” phytometers (different species richness of origin and actual environment) of the same species in the study plots. In the establishment year, plants transplanted in home soil produced more shoots than plants in away soil indicating that plant populations at low and high diversity developed differently over time depending on their associated soil community and/or conditions. In the second year, offspring of individuals selected at high diversity generally had a higher performance (biomass production and fitness) than offspring of individuals selected at low diversity, regardless of the transplant environment. This suggests that plants at low and high diversity showed rapid evolutionary responses measurable in their phenotype. Our findings provide first empirical evidence that loss of productivity at low diversity is not only caused by changes in abiotic and biotic conditions but also that plants respond to this by a change in their micro‐evolution. Thus, we conclude that eco‐evolutionary feedbacks of plants at low and high diversity are critical to fully understand why the positive influence of diversity on plant productivity is strengthening through time.
New method of isotopic analysis: baseline‐standardized isotope vector analysis shows trophic partitioning in loricariids
Authors: Black Corinthia R. , Armbruster Jonathan W.
Published: May 2021

Stable isotope analyses have refined the study of trophic niche diversity within an ecosystem, yet traditional trophic partitioning methods may not be appropriate to identify variation among groups with similar dietary requirements. By building on vector‐based analyses, we introduce a baseline‐standardized isotopic vector analysis (BaSIVA) to visualize dietary variation while accounting for isotopic discrepancies between locations. To test the effectiveness of our new method, we collected muscle samples from eleven species of Loricarioidea in five assemblages in Northern Peru. Loricarioidea is a large, ecomorphologically diverse superfamily of scraping‐feeding fishes. Most feed on an indistinguishable mix of detritus and algae, but some lineages have specialized diets of wood, seeds, and macroinvertebrates, making them an excellent group to study trophic variation. Isotopic data were collected using mass spectrometric isotope analyses, and communities were standardized by calculating a mean baseline (algae and periphyton) for each location. The entire community was shifted by subtracting the baseline of 15N and 13C from the consumers at each location, which allowed for comparison between assemblages. Incremental differences of 15N and 13C from the baseline were found via vector analysis, and the azimuth and module of each consumer were calculated. Standardization resulted in a significant shift of assemblages within the isotopic biplot, and vector analysis shows three trophic groups primarily described by differences in carbon assimilation. Isotopic variation between species may account for some diversification in jaw shape within the Loricarioidea, but BaSIVA suggests several instances of trophic overlap in different jaw morphologies. Moreover, results from BaSIVA are better able to delineate trophic groups than traditional trophic positioning methods while accounting for variation in basal resources. We suggest a baseline‐standardized vector analysis should be the standard for vector‐based stable isotope analysis in riverine environments with similar baseline resources.
Coastal woody encroachment reduces food quality for basal consumers
Authors: Goeke Janelle A. , Armitage Anna R.
Published: May 2021

Woody plant encroachment (the replacement of grasses and forbs by woody shrubs and trees) is reshaping communities in both terrestrial and coastal environments, but little is known about its effects on basal consumers. We used interactions between fiddler crabs (Uca spp.) and the encroaching mangrove Avicennia germinans in Gulf of Mexico salt marshes to explore trophic interactions between basal consumers and encroaching shrubs. In a series of food preference trials, fiddler crabs consumed over five times more marsh (Spartina alterniflora) plant matter when given a choice between mangrove and marsh diets. In food quality trials, fiddler crabs stored 50% less energy, as measured by hepatopancreas lipid content, when restricted to a mangrove diet. These results demonstrate that mangrove encroachment may have negative consequences for salt marsh basal consumers, which may lead to deleterious population‐level effects and altered ecosystem carbon flows. As fiddler crabs are generalist consumers and mangroves share many physical and chemical characteristics with other encroaching woody species, negative consequences for basal consumers may be widespread in other environments undergoing woody shrub encroachment.
Woody encroachment in grassland elicits complex changes in the functional structure of above‐ and belowground biota
Authors: Sepp Siim‐Kaarel , Davison John , Moora Mari , Neuenkamp Lena , Oja Jane , Roslin Tomas , Vasar Martti , Öpik Maarja , Zobel Martin
Published: May 2021

Woody plant encroachment affects dry grasslands globally. To predict changes in biodiversity and ecosystem processes, it is important to understand how this process affects the functional composition of grassland organism groups. In this context, seminatural wooded meadows represent a form of experimental manipulation—where open grassland and woody patches co‐occur in homogeneous environmental conditions due to human management decisions—which provides an opportunity to address the effect of woody plant encroachment on vegetation and soil biota. We used environmental DNA metabarcoding to address variation in plant, soil fungal, and soil animal communities in parallel. We also addressed functional groups of fungi—animal and plant pathogens, saprotrophs, decomposers, arbuscular mycorrhizal, ectomycorrhizal, endophytic, and other symbiotrophic fungi—and of soil animals—fungivores, bacterivores, litter feeders, root feeders, macro plant feeders, algal/lichen feeders, predators, and parasites. Co‐variation between communities was detected from aboveground vegetation plots and metabarcoding of soil DNA, in terms of estimated richness and compositional patterns. Differences between open and wooded patches were most pronounced among plants and symbiotic fungi, whereas soil animals exhibited less marked differences. For most organisms, mean richness, as well as total richness per habitat type, was higher in open than wooded patches, but ectomycorrhizal fungi exhibited the opposite pattern. The functional structure of the soil biotic community, as characterized by the proportion of DNA sequences attributed to different functional groups, differed significantly between open and wooded grassland patches, with symbiotic fungi (arbuscular mycorrhizal, ectomycorrhizal, and other symbiotrophic [mostly orchid mycorrhizal] fungi) contributing most to the difference. This study supports the notion that a soil DNA‐based metabarcoding approach can provide insights into the diversity and composition of multiple taxonomic groups in natural ecosystems. It also provides a first demonstration of the complex changes to the functional structure of the belowground community that accompany woody plant encroachment in grasslands.
Mechanisms of exTreg induction
Authors: Saxena Vikas , Lakhan Ram , Iyyathurai Jegan , Bromberg Jonathan S.
Published: May 2021

CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs play an important role in the maintenance of the immune system by regulating immune responses and resolving inflammation. Tregs exert their function by suppressing other immune cells and mediating peripheral self‐tolerance. Under homeostatic conditions, Tregs are stable T‐cell populations. However, under inflammatory environments, Tregs are converted to CD4+CD25lowFoxp3low cells. These cells are termed “exTreg” or “exFoxp3” cells. The molecular mechanism of Treg transition to exTregs remains incompletely understood. Uncertainties might be explained by a lack of consensus of biological markers to define Treg subsets in general and exTregs in particular. In this review, we summarize known markers of Tregs and factors responsible for exTreg generation including cytokines, signaling pathways, transcription factors, and epigenetic mechanisms. We also identify studies demonstrating the presence of exTregs in various diseases and sources of exTregs. Understanding the biology of Treg transition to exTregs will help in designing Treg‐based therapeutic approaches.
Schiff Bases as Inspirational Motif for the Production of Ni(II) and Pd(II) Coordination and Novel Non‐Symmetric Ni(II)‐POCOP Pincer Complexes
Authors: Alberto Rosas‐Ortiz Jaime , Pioquinto‐Mendoza J. Roberto , González‐Sebastián Lucero , Hernandez‐Ortega Simon , Flores‐Alamo Marcos , Morales‐Morales David
Published: May 2021

The synthesis of Ni(II) and Pd (II) coordination complexes containing Schiff's bases derived from the condensation of 2,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde with 4‐chloroaniline (L1) or 3,5‐dichloroaniline (L2) is described. The condensation of ligands L1 and L2 with chlorodiisopropylphosphine in the presence of a base produced the corresponding non‐symmetric pincer ligands POCOP‐1 and POCOP‐2 with the unexpected C−P bond formation by a hydrophosphorylation of the imine process. The new C−P bond formation probably occurring by a Kabachnik‐Field mechanism type without the requirement of catalysts or additional reagents. Further treatment of ligands POCOP‐1 or POCOP‐2 with NiCl2 afforded the non‐symmetric pincer complexes Ni(II)‐POCOP‐1 and Ni(II)‐POCOP‐2. The crystal structures of L1, 3, Ni(II)‐POCOP‐1 and Ni(II)‐POCOP‐2 were unequivocally determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. In addition, the metal complexes were used as catalysts in Suzuki‐Miyaura couplings under microwave irradiation, being the Pd(II) derivatives the best catalysts of the series when compared to their Ni(II) analogues under the same reaction conditions.
Spin Crossover and Field‐Induced Single‐Molecule Magnet Behaviour in Co(II) Complexes Based on Terpyridine with Tetrathiafulvalene Analogues
Authors: Tiaouinine Siham , Flores Gonzalez Jessica , Lefeuvre Bertrand , Guizouarn Thierry , Cordier Marie , Dorcet Vincent , Kaboub Lakehmici , Cador Olivier , Pointillart Fabrice
Published: May 2021

Two new TTF‐based ligands involving terpyridine moiety (L1=4‐(4′‐Methyl‐phenyl‐2,2 : 6’,2’’‐terpyridine −4‐ylmethylthio)‐5‐(2‐cyanoethylthio)‐4′,5′‐bis(methylthio)tetrathiafulvene and L2=4‐(4′‐Methyl‐phenyl‐2,2 : 6’,2’’‐terpyridine −4‐ylmethylthio)‐5‐(2‐cyanoethylthio)‐4′,5′‐bis(propylthio)tetrathiafulvene) have been synthesized and seven related mononuclear complexes were isolated as single crystals. The 2 : 1 (ligand : metal) complexes of formula [Co(L1)2](NO3)2 (2) and [Co(L1)2](BF4)2 (3) displayed thermal spin crossover transition while the 1 : 1 complexes of formula [CoCl2(L1)](DMF)2 (4), [CoBr2(L1)] ⋅ (DMF) (5), [CoCl2(L2)] ⋅ (DMF) ⋅ 0.5(Et2O) (6) and [CoBr2(L2)] ⋅ (DMF) (7) displayed slow magnetic relaxation through either Raman or Raman/Direct combination processes. A relationship between the structure and the nature of the magnetic relaxation processes is proposed.
H3CSA: A makespan aware task scheduling technique for cloud environments
Authors: Mishra Ashutosh , Narayan Sahoo Manmath , Satpathy Anurag
Published: May 2021

Task scheduling is essential to enhance the performance of large scale collaborative and distributed e‐business and e‐science applications. A typical such application comprises multiple communicating tasks to be executed on virtualized resources also called as virtual machines (VMs). However, scheduling multiple tasks to VMs is non‐trivial and is proven to be NP‐Complete. The primary agenda of any scheduling technique is to reduce the makespan, which reflects the completion time of the exit task. Focusing on makespan reduction for scheduling multiple tasks across heterogeneous VMs, in this paper, we propose a model called H3CSA based on a meta‐heuristic crow search algorithm (CSA). In order to assess the performance of H3CSA, its performance is compared with baselines such as HEFT‐B, HEFT‐T, HEFT‐L, a genetic algorithm based technique (N‐GA) and particle swarm optimization based technique (PPSO). Simulation results show improved performance of H3CSA with respect to N‐GA and PPSO for smaller applications. However, considering sizeable applications H3CSA shows comparable performance with respect to N‐GA and improved results for PPSO.