bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New mercury(II) halide complexes with neutral ferrocene functionalized thiazolidine‐2‐thiones: Crystallographic and computational analyses
Authors: Singh Ayushi , Singh Amita , Kociok‐Köhn Gabriele , Trivedi Manoj , Kumar Abhinav
Published: May 2021

Three new Hg(II) complexes with general formula [Hg(L)X2]2(X = Cl (Hg 1), Br (Hg 2), and I (Hg 3)) have been synthesized using the novel ferrocenyl functionalized ligand 3‐ferrocenyl methyl‐thiazolidine‐2‐thione (L). The ligand (L) and the complexes have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), electronic absorption, photoluminescence spectroscopies, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies indicated thatHg 1andHg 2are centrosymmetric dimers with distorted tetrahedral geometry around the Hg(II) centers generated by the two bridging halides, a terminal halide, and an exocyclic sulfur of ligand.Hg 3possess two monomers with trigonal planar geometries around Hg(II), which are further held by weak Hg⋯I interactions. Variation in geometrical parameters have been attributed to differences in the nature of the halide donors attached to the Hg(II). The cyclic voltammetry experiments for all the compounds suggested their quasi‐reversible redox properties. Also, the photoluminescent investigation forHg 1andHg 2indicated medium strong photoluminescence emission at ~500 nm arising due to metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) transitions of the ferrocenyl moiety. The solid‐state structure of complexes are stabilized by varied interactions, namely, C–H⋯C and bifurcated H⋯Cl⋯H interactions inHg 1, C–H⋯C, C–H⋯S, S⋯C (Cp), and C–H⋯Br interactions inHg 2and C–H⋯C, C–H⋯S, and C⋯S interactions inHg 3. The nature and percentage contribution of all these interactions have been studied by the Hirshfeld surface analyses. The interaction energies for the dimers of all four compounds have been assessed with the help of density functional theory (DFT) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM).
New heterocyclic Schiff base‐metal complex: Synthesis, characterization, density functional theory study, and antimicrobial evaluation
Authors: Hashem Heba E. , Mohamed Eslam A. , Farag Ahmed A. , Negm Nabel A. , Azmy Eman A. M.
Published: May 2021

A new series of heterocyclic Schiff base complexes derived from the condensation of nicotinohydrazide with different heterocyclic aldehyde, followed by metalation with Co (II) and Cu (II) metal ions. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility. The spectral and magnetic data confirmed their chemical structures, furthermore, the geometry of Cu (II) and Co (II) complexes were square‐planar or distorted tetrahedral. X‐ray diffraction measurements supported the crystalline structures of the metal complexes rather than the amorphous form of the parent Schiff bases. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed the upgrading of the thermal stability of metal complexes compared to their Schiff base ligands. Antimicrobial efficacies of the Schiff base ligands and their corresponded metal complexes were screened against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis as Gram‐positive bacteria, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris as Gram‐negative bacteria, and fungi Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans. The antimicrobial inhibitory data revealed higher antimicrobial activities of metal complexes compared to their Schiff base ligands. Density functional theory module by Gaussian 09 W software proved the chemical reactivity of the prepared Schiff base ligands based on the total energy, energy gap, EHOMO, and ELUMO energies.
A rechargeable drug delivery system based on pNIPAM hydrogel for the local release of curcumin
Authors: Ayar Zahra , Shafieian Mehdi , Mahmoodi Narges , Sabzevari Omid , Hassannejad Zahra
Published: May 2021

This study was designed to develop a drug delivery system based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM) hydrogel and a suitable solvent to enhance solubility and local release of curcumin. pNIPAM hydrogel was synthesized by radical polymerization. The chemical, mechanical and physical properties and biocompatibility of pNIPAM hydrogel were investigated as an implantable and rechargeable drug reservoir. Curcumin was loaded within pNIPAM hydrogel during swelling by using two different solvents; methanol, an organic solvent, and low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG200), a polymeric solvent. The results of drug solubility showed that using PEG200 can increase curcumin solubility more than commonly used organic solvents such as methanol. Also, the release profile of drug‐loaded hydrogels demonstrated that PEG200 has a superior effect on the cumulative amount of released curcumin (33.163 ± 0.319 μg/ml) compared to methanol (8.765 ± 0.544 μg/ml) during 1 week. Based on our results, curcumin‐loaded hydrogels did not show any cytotoxicity, and pNIPAM/PEG combination represented an antibacterial effect within 12 hours. Accordingly, it can be concluded that pNIPAM hydrogel in combination with low molecular weight PEG200 could be used as an efficient drug delivery system to preserve and provide sustained release of curcumin as a hydrophobic drug.
Where have all the sawfishes gone? Perspectives on declines of these Critically Endangered species in Sri Lanka
Authors: Tanna Akshay , Fernando Daniel , Gobiraj Ramajeyam , Pathirana Buddhi M. , Thilakaratna Sahan , Jabado Rima W.
Published: May 2021

All five species of sawfishes (family Pristidae) are amongst the most threatened marine fishes in the world, with steep population declines and local extinctions documented across their ranges.

Sawfishes have featured in Sri Lankan species checklists since 1889. However, landing records are extremely rare and little information is available on their status, diversity, and recent occurrences.

Interviews were conducted with 300 fishers and 10 fish traders. Only 39% of fishers (n = 118) could identify sawfishes, 37% had seen sawfishes (although half not since 1992), and only 10.7% had ever caught one. No respondents under 30 years could identify sawfishes. Older respondents (>50 years) were more likely to have caught sawfishes and reported seeing them frequently until 30 years ago, while younger respondents had only seen them at landing sites and, at most, once or twice in their life. Only 10 respondents had seen a sawfish in the last decade, suggesting that sawfishes were relatively abundant in the past but that populations have drastically declined.

Of the 32 respondents who had caught sawfishes, 30 reported declining numbers and attributed it to fishing pressure. These steep declines coincide with the time of increased fishing effort, the development of the aquaculture industry, and resulting degradation of coastal habitats in the 1980–1990s.

Overall, sawfishes had little cultural significance although fishers had specific names for the different species occurring here and rostra were sometimes donated to Catholic churches for ‘good luck’. Landed sawfishes were primarily sold for meat and traders appeared unaware of the high value of fins.

It is likely that sawfishes are now functionally extinct as a component of coastal ecosystems in Sri Lanka. Immediate action including species‐specific legislation and critical habitat protection is urgently needed to provide remaining sawfishes and other sharks and rays with a fighting chance.
Virtual cultural landscapes: Geospatial visualizations of past environments
Authors: Monteleone Kelly , Thompson Amy E. , Prufer Keith M.
Published: May 2021

Recent advances in spatial and remote sensing technology have led to new methods in archaeological site identification and reconstruction, allowing archaeologists to investigate landscapes and sites on multiple scales. These remotely conducted surveys create virtual cultural landscapes and seascapes that archaeologists and the public interact with and experience, often better than traditional maps. Our study examines landscape reconstruction and archaeological site classifications from a phenomenological and human behavioural ecology (HBE) perspective. HBE aims to reconstruct how humans interacted with these places as part of their active and passive decision making. Through temporal reconstructions, archaeologists and others can experience and interpret past landscapes and subtle changes in cultural land‐ and seascapes. Here, we evaluate the use of remotely sensed data (lidar, satellite imagery, sonar, radar, etc.) for developing virtual cultural landscapes while also incorporating Indigenous perspectives. Our study compares two vastly different landscapes and perspectives: a seascape in coastal Alaska, USA, and a neotropical jungle in Belize, Central America. By incorporating ethnographic accounts, oral histories, Indigenous traditional knowledge and community engagement, archaeologists can develop new tools to understand decisions made in the past, especially pertaining to settlement selection and resource procurement. These virtual reconstructions become cognitive images of a possible place that the observer experiences. Virtual cultural landscapes allow archaeologists to reproduce landscapes that may otherwise be invisible and present them to different publics. These processes elucidate how landscapes changed over time based on human behaviours while simultaneously allowing archaeologists to engage with Indigenous communities and the public in the protection of prehistoric and historic sites and sacred spaces through cultural heritage management.
Closed‐form approximated pricing of multivariate derivatives under switching regime models
Authors: Alvarez Alexander , Assadi Atousa , Liu Kai
Published: May 2021

Markov switching regime models have played an increasingly important role in finance and economics, especially for business cycles and long swings in currencies. Regime‐switching models provide a simple way to capture stochastic volatility and thus overcomes the drawback of the classical lognormality assumption characterized by constant volatility. This paper considers multivariate Black and Scholes type models with a Markov regime‐switching mechanism. We show that the pricing of some multivariate derivatives under models where the Markov chain has two or three states, can be approximated accurately in closed‐form, based on linear and quadratic Taylor polynomials. Closed form approximation methods are computationally advantageous as they perform in constant time, compared with alternative methods such as Monte‐Carlo, where the accuracy of the estimation is directly linked to the number of executed simulations.
A randomized controlled trial of structured palliative care versus standard supportive care for patients enrolled in phase 1 clinical trials
Authors: Treasure Michelle , Daly Barbara , Cao Shufen , Fu Pingfu , Hong Augustine , Weinstein Elizabeth , Surdam Jessica , Meropol Neal J. , Dowlati Afshin
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Patients enrolled in Phase 1 clinical trials have typically exhausted standard therapies and often are choosing between a clinical trial and hospice care. Significant symptom burden can result in early trial discontinuation and confound trial outcomes. This study aimed to examine differences in study duration, symptom burden, adverse events (AE), and quality of life (QOL) between those receiving structured palliative care versus usual supportive care.

Patients and methods

Sixty‐eight patients enrolled in phase 1 clinical trials and 39 of their CGs were randomly assigned to receive structured palliative care or usual supportive care. Patient QOL was measured monthly using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy and Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. The Quality of Life in Life‐Threatening Illness–Family Care Version and Caregiver Reaction Assessment were used for CGs. AEs and use of palliative care resources were compared between arms.

Results

Mean duration of the phase 1 study was 142 days in the palliative care arm versus 116 days in the usual care arm (p = 0.55). Although not statistically significant, patients in the palliative care arm experienced fewer AEs and better QOL, as did their CGs, compared to those receiving usual care.

Conclusions

Phase 1 patients and their CGs have physical and psychosocial needs warranting palliative care services. Results suggest that structured palliative care is associated with the increased duration of the study and improved patient and CG QOL.
Retrospective accounts of emotional experiences during personal development groups in qualified counsellors and psychotherapists
Authors: Smith Carole , Burr Viv
Published: May 2021

Personal development (PD) groups are routinely used in the training of counsellors and psychotherapists. Experiences during such group processes are thought to contribute to the development of self‐awareness, a quality seen as crucial for good practice in many therapeutic approaches. However, evidence from trainees suggests that the PD group experience may not be a positive or facilitative one for many. We also do not know how trainees, once qualified, process their PD group experiences over time. This paper reports findings from a qualitative study in which 12 experienced therapists were invited to reflect back upon their PD group experiences during their training. Their experiences of PD groups were invited through semi‐structured interviews and the data analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The findings show that most participants found their PD group experiences to be challenging, and that for some participants this was a welcome and facilitative experience. However, a significant number of participants had negative experiences in their PD groups, which at the time they felt to be damaging and which remained so in their view at the time of interview. Such experiences included feeling re‐traumatised by recalling and sharing old traumas, feeling afraid of the volatility and punitiveness in their group and feeling overlooked or abandoned by the group facilitator. Nevertheless, all participants had made persistent efforts to process these experiences and had drawn from them what they regarded as valuable learning. Recommendations for counselling and psychotherapy training are put forward in the light of these findings.
Single‐view procedural braided hair modeling through braid unit identification
Authors: Sun Chao , Ramachandran Srinivasan , Paquette Eric , Lee Won‐Sook
Published: May 2021

We propose the first approach that can generate procedural three‐dimensional (3D) hair involving braids modeled from a single‐view photograph. Existing single‐view image‐based hair modeling methods fail to handle braided hairstyles. Our approach combines image processing, deep neural networks, as well as two‐dimensional (2D) and 3D geometric algorithms. In order to train our neural network, we create a braid unit data set. Our recognition and segmentation system can successfully segment hair regions, braid and non‐braid regions, using convolutional neural networks. We further process the images to obtain the locations, sizes, and orientations of the braid units. Given these braid units, we perform braid structure analysis to obtain the braid strand curves. The procedural modeling of the 3D braids is represented using 3D helical curves where the parameters are extracted from the 2D image analysis. Furthermore, we extract 2D hair strands from the non‐braid region using the Gabor filter and orientation maps. Then, a 3D hair volume is generated with the hair region silhouette information. We project the 2D hair strands and braids on the 3D hair volume to obtain the 3D hair strands and 3D braids. The strands for the braid and non‐braid regions are used as guides to generate dense hair strands. Dense strands are emitted from the hair root triangle mesh and follow the guide strands. With a sparse set of landmarks, the hair region of the photograph is texture mapped to the 3D hair root mesh and used to color the strands. We successfully tested our approach on photographs showing variations of braid styles and hair color.
Synthesis and Antioxidant Capacity of Some Derivatives of Sesamol at the C‐6 Position
Authors: Buravlev Evgeny V. , Shevchenko Oksana G. , Suponitsky Kyrill Yu.
Published: May 2021

Several synthetic approaches (aminomethylation, alkylation, condensation, etc.) have been used to synthesize derivatives based on the sesamol (1), natural phenol. The set of methods, including the study of antioxidant activity (AOA) by the ability to inhibit the initiated oxidation of animal lipids, radical scavenging activity, Fe2+‐chelation ability, as well as a comparative assessment of membrane‐protective activity under the conditions of H2O2‐induced hemolysis of mice red blood cells (RBCs), was used to analyze the antioxidant potential of the synthesized compounds. The synthesized derivatives have demonstrated different activity in the listed test systems, and we have identified compounds which appear to be most promising for a detailed study of their pharmacological properties.
Prevalence of Diterpenes in Essential Oil of Euphorbia mauritanica L.: Detailed Chemical Profile, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic and Phytotoxic Activities
Authors: Essa Ahmed F. , El‐Hawary Seham S. , Abd‐El Gawad Ahmed M. , Kubacy Tahia M. , A. M. El‐Khrisy Ezz El‐Din , Elshamy Abdelsamed I. , Younis Inas Y.
Published: May 2021

Plants belonging to Euphorbia L. genus are considered very interesting from a medicinal point of view due to their diverse metabolites and bioactivities. The essential oil (EO) of Euphorbia mauritanica L. is not studied up to date. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the chemical profile of this EO and evaluate its antioxidant, cytotoxic, and allelopathic potentialities. The EO was extracted from the whole plant via hydrodistillation and then, analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The correlation of E. mauritanica with the other Euphorbia plants was established using chemometric analysis. The antioxidant activity was determined based on scavenging of the free radical, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS). The anti‐proliferation of the EO on the Hep G2 and MCF‐7 cells was evaluated. Finally the allelopathic activity of the EO was assessed against the two noxious weeds, Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Urospermum picroides. Forty‐one compounds were identified using GC/MS analysis, with an abundance of terpenoids (91.54 %) that were categorized into mono‐ (30.75 %), sesqui‐ (15.23 %), and diterpenes (45.56 %). Interestingly, the results revealed the preponderance of diterpenoid constituents although they are rarely found in the EOs of the plant kingdom. The major compounds were (3E)‐cembrene A (18.66 %), verticiol (17.05 %), limonene (7.91 %), eucalyptol (7.26 %), α‐pinene (5.61 %), neo‐cembrene A (3.52 %), kaur‐16‐ene (3.24 %), and cembrene (3.09 %). The EO showed moderate antioxidant activity where it attained IC50 values of 83.34 and 64.21 μg mL−1 for DPPH and ABTS compared to 23.01 and 19.23 μg mL−1 for ascorbic acid as standard, respectively. The EO exhibited very weak cytotoxic effect on MCF‐7 and Hep G2 cells. The EO showed significant allelopathic activities against the weeds D. aegyptium and U. picroides in a concentration‐dependent manner. EO was found more effective against U. picroides than D. aegyptium with IC50 values of 0.79, 0.45, and 0.67 mg mL−1 and 1.17, 0.55, and 1.08 mg mL−1 for germination, root, and shoot growth, respectively. Due to the high content of diterpenes in E. mauritanica, further study is recommended for more characterization of pure forms of the identified diterpenes as well as evaluating their bioactivity either solely or synergistically.
Acute liver failure precipitated by acute Budd‐Chiari syndrome and complete portal vein thrombosis
Authors: Suzuki Yuji , Suzuki Akiko , Kakisaka Keisuke , Takikawa Yasuhiro
Published: May 2021

Acute Budd‐Chiari syndrome and complete portal vein thrombosis are important features of myeloproliferative neoplasm that may occur simultaneously, resulting in acute liver failure. Liver transplantation could be effective even in such a catastrophic condition without post‐transplant complications.
Extreme Rate Capability Cycling of Porous Silicon Composite Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Dhanabalan Abirami , Song Botao Farren , Biswal Sibani Lisa
Published: May 2021

Silicon‐based anodes have the potential to increase the capacity of lithium‐ion batteries but suffer from irreversible damage due to their volume expansion. Capacity‐controlled cycling has emerged as a promising method for silicon‐based anodes; however, few studies have evaluated how high C‐rates affect cycle life under capacity‐controlled cycling. Here, we examine how a repetitive cycling at high C‐rates and long cycle numbers affects the electrochemical performance. This extreme rate capability test (cycling between C/5 and 8C for 560 cycles) illustrates the robustness of the silicon‐composite anodes and indicates that the anode continues to perform well at C/5 for another 120 cycles after the 560‐cycle‐testing at 8C. When the C‐rate increases, there is a drop in capacity, which can be attributed to an increase in the polarization resistance of the anode, which increases as the cell ages. The superior rate capability of silicon‐composite anodes is promising for applications requiring fast charge‐discharge rates.
Estimating the reliability of predictions in locally weighted partial least‐squares modeling
Authors: Kaneko Hiromasa
Published: May 2021

It is important to predict the reliability of the estimation results given by adaptive soft sensors. In this study, a locally weighted partial least‐squares (LWPLS) method, which is a just‐in‐time‐based adaptive soft sensor, is analyzed, and the reliability of LWPLS modeling is predicted as the standard deviation of the estimated values of an objective variable y. The relationship between the minimum of Euclidean distance (MinED) and the standard deviation of y errors (SDYE) is constructed using training samples, giving the proposed y‐error model. For the test samples, the MinED from a query to the training samples is input into the y‐error model, allowing the SDYE for the query to be predicted. The proposed LWPLS model can estimate the y values with associated error bars, which indicate the reliability of the estimated y values. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through two case studies using datasets from industrial plants.
Device infections related to cardiac resynchronization therapy in clinical practice–An analysis of its prevalence, risk factors and routine surveillance at a single center university hospital
Authors: Ostrowska Bozena , Gkiouzepas Spyridon , Kurland Siri , Blomström‐Lundqvist Carina
Published: May 2021

Background

The implantation rates of cardiac implantable electronic devices have steadily increased, accompanied by a steeper rise of device related infections (DRI).

Hypothesis

The prevalence of DRI for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is higher in clinical practice than reported previously, even at a university hospital, and likely higher than reported to the national device registry.

Methods

Electronic medical records of consecutive patients undergoing a CRT procedure between January 2016 and December 2017 were analyzed. Clinical history, procedure related variables and complications were reviewed by specialists in cardiology and infectious diseases.

Results

A total of 171 patients, mean aged 74 years, 138 males (80.7%) were included. Twelve DRI occurred in 10 patients during mean 2.5 years follow‐up, giving a prevalence of 7% (incidence of 29/1000 person‐years). Reoperation, pocket haematoma, ≥3 procedures, previous device infection and indwelling central venous line were the strongest predictive factors according to univariate analysis. Out of 63/171 (36.8%) major complications, 31(49.2%) were lead‐related. There were 49/171 (28.7%) reoperations and 15/171 (8.8%) minor complications. The number major complications and DRI reported to the national device registry were 7/171 (4.1%) and 2/171 (0.6%), respectively, reflecting a 5‐fold underreporting.

Conclusions

The high rate of CRT device infections is in sharp contrast to those reported by others and to the national device registry. Although a center specific explanation cannot be excluded, the high rates highlight a major issue with registries, reinforcing the need for better surveillance and automatic reporting of device related complications.
Genetics, its role in preventing the pandemic of coronary artery disease
Authors: Roberts Robert , Fair Jacques
Published: May 2021

Epidemiologists have claimed for decades that about 50% of predisposition for coronary artery disease (CAD) is genetic. Advances in technology made possible the discovery of hundreds of genetic risk variants predisposing to CAD. Multiple clinical trials have shown that cardiac events can be prevented by drugs to lower plasma low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C). A major barrier to primary prevention is the lack of markers to identify those individuals at risk prior to the development of symptoms of the disease. Conventional risk factors are age‐dependent, occurring mostly in the sixth or seventh decade, which is less than desirable for early primary prevention. A polygenic risk score, derived from the number of genetic risk variants predisposing to CAD inherited by an individual, has been evaluated in over 1 million individuals. The risk for CAD is stratified into high, intermediate, and low. Polygenic risk scores derived from retrospective genotyping of several clinical trials evaluating the effect of statin therapy or PCSK9 inhibitors show the genetic risk is reduced 40%–50% by decreasing plasma LDL‐C. Prospective randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trials document a 40%–50% reduction in cardiac events in individuals at high genetic risk associated with favorable lifestyle changes and increased physical activity. The polygenic risk score is not age‐dependent and remains the same throughout life. Thus, the GRS is superior to conventional risk factors in identifying asymptomatic individuals at risk for CAD early in life for primary prevention. These results indicate clinical embracement of the GRS in primary prevention would be a paradigm shift in the treatment of the number one killer, CAD.
Influence of coronary artery disease and percutaneous coronary intervention on mid‐term outcomes in patients with aortic valve stenosis treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Kaihara Toshiki , Higuma Takumi , Izumo Masaki , Kotoku Nozomi , Suzuki Tomomi , Kameshima Haruka , Sato Yukio , Kuwata Shingo , Koga Masashi , Mitarai Takanobu , Watanabe Mika , Okuyama Kazuaki , Kamijima Ryo , Ishibashi Yuki , Yoneyama Kihei , Tanabe Yasuhiro , Harada Tomoo , Akashi Yoshihiro J.
Published: May 2021

Background

A high frequency of coronary artery disease (CAD) is reported in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). However, the optimal management of CAD in these patients remains unknown.

Hypothesis

We hypothesis that AS patients with TAVI complicated by CAD have poor prognosis. His study evaluates the prognoses of patients with CAD and severe AS after TAVI.

Methods

We divided 186 patients with severe AS undergoing TAVI into three groups: those with CAD involving the left main coronary (LM) or proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) lesion (the CAD[LADp] group), those with CAD not involving the LM or a LAD proximal lesion (the CAD[non‐LADp] group), and those without CAD (Non‐CAD group). Clinical outcomes were compared among the three groups.

Results

The CAD[LADp] group showed a higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) and all‐cause mortality than the other two groups (log‐rank p = .001 and p = .008, respectively). Even after adjustment for STS score and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before TAVI, CAD[LADp] remained associated with MACCE and all‐cause mortality. However, PCI for an LM or LAD proximal lesion pre‐TAVI did not reduce the risk of these outcomes.

Conclusions

CAD with an LM or LAD proximal lesion is a strong independent predictor of mid‐term MACCEs and all‐cause mortality in patients with severe AS treated with TAVI. PCI before TAVI did not influence the outcomes.
Impact of pathological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy on adjuvant therapy decisions and patient outcomes in gastrointestinal cancers
Authors: Bhalla Sheena , Zhu Huili , Lin Jung‐Yi , Özbek Umut , Wilck Eric J. , Chang Sanders , Chen Xiuxu , Ward Stephen , Harpaz Noam , Polydorides Alexandros D. , Miller William , Fiel Maria Isabel , Modica Ippolito , Fan Wen , Zeizafoun Nebras , Ang Celina
Published: May 2021

Background

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is frequently used in gastrointestinal cancers (GIC), and pathological, radiological, and tumor marker responses are assessed during and after NAC.

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between pathologic, radiologic, tumor marker responses and recurrence‐free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) decisions, and the impact of changing to a different AC regimen after poor response to NAC.

Methods and results

Medical records of GIC patients treated with NAC at Mount Sinai between 1/2012 and 12/2018 were reviewed. One hundred fifty‐six patients (58.3% male, mean age 63 years) were identified. Primary tumor sites were: 43 (27.7%) pancreas, 62 (39.7%) gastroesophageal, and 51 (32.7%) colorectal. After NAC, 31 (19.9%) patients had favorable pathologic response (FPR; defined as College of American Pathologists [CAP] score 0–1). Of 107 patients with radiological data, 59 (55.1%) had an objective response, and of 113 patients with tumor marker data, 61 (54.0%) had a ≥50% reduction post NAC. FPR, but not radiographic or serological responses, was associated with improved RFS (HR 0.28; 95% CI 0.11–0.72) and OS (HR 0.13; 95% CI 0.2–0.94). Changing to a different AC regimen from initial NAC, among all patients and specifically among those with unfavorable pathological response (UPR; defined as CAP score 2–3) after NAC, was not associated with improved RFS or OS.

Conclusions

GIC patients with FPR after NAC experienced significant improvements in RFS and OS. Patients with UPR did not benefit from changing AC. Prospective studies to better understand the role of pathological response in AC decisions and outcomes in GIC patients are needed.
Trends in Postpartum Opioid Prescribing: A Time Series Analysis
Authors: Zipursky Jonathan S. , Pang Andrea , Paterson J. Michael , Austin Peter C. , Mamdani Muhammad , Gomes Tara , Ray Joel G. , Juurlink David N.
Published: May 2021

Opioids are commonly prescribed following childbirth, but data are lacking on trends in postpartum opioid prescribing over time. We examined whether a highly publicized 2006 case report questioning the safety of codeine during lactation was associated with changes in postpartum opioid prescribing. We conducted a cross‐sectional time series analysis of all publicly funded prescriptions for opioids to postpartum women in Ontario, Canada, from April 1, 2000, to March 31, 2017. The intervention was the publication of a case report in 2006 attributing the death of a breastfeeding neonate to maternal codeine use. The primary outcome was the rate of opioid prescribing to postpartum women. Among postpartum women eligible for prescription drug coverage, 17.5% filled an opioid prescription in the third quarter of 2006 (immediately prior to the intervention), with codeine representing 89.8% of all prescriptions. By the fourth quarter of 2010, only 12.2% of postpartum women filled an opioid prescription, representing a decline of 30% (P < 0.01), with codeine representing 71.9% of all prescriptions. During this period, we observed sizeable relative increases in the proportion of opioid prescriptions filled for morphine, hydromorphone, and oxycodone. By 2017, among women prescribed opioids post partum, 39.0% filled a prescription for codeine, while the remainder filled prescriptions for oxycodone (18.6%), morphine (25.5%), and hydromorphone (16.9%). A highly publicized case report questioning the safety of maternal codeine use during breastfeeding was associated with significant changes in opioid prescribing to postpartum women, including a decline in overall opioid prescribing and a shift from codeine to stronger opioids.
Synthesis of Bi2MoO6 and Activating Peroxymonosulfate to Enhance Photocatalytic Activity under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Zhao Qianqian , Long Mingyang , Li Hongmiao , Wang Li , Bai Xiaojuan , Zhang Yujie , Li Di
Published: May 2021

Bi2MoO6 nanoflakes are synthesized via a normal hydrothermal method. Bi2MoO6 photocatalysts show lower photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. In order to further enhance the degradation efficiency, Bi2MoO6 is used to activate the peroxymonosulfate for the degradation of methylene blue under visible light. Bi2MoO6 nanoflakes show excellent degradation efficiency in the Bi2MoO6/Vis/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) system. Moreover, the influences of PMS dosage, pH value, and inorganic anions on photodegradation are evaluated. The mechanism of activating peroxymonosulfate is proved by radical quenching experiment, which reveals that sulfate radicals govern the removal of methylene blue.
Female differential allocation in response to extrapair offspring and social mate attractiveness
Authors: Wilson Kerianne M. , Burley Nancy Tyler
Published: May 2021

Renewed debate over what benefits females might gain from producing extra‐pair offspring emphasizes the possibility that apparent differences in quality between within‐pair and extra‐pair offspring are confounded by greater maternal investment in extra‐pair offspring. Moreover, the attractiveness of a female's social mate can also influence contributions of both partners to a reproductive attempt. Here, we explore the complexities involved in parental investment decisions in response to extra‐pair offspring and mate attractiveness with a focus on the female point of view. Adult zebra finches paired and reproduced in a colony setting. A male's early‐life diet quality and his extra‐pair reproductive success were used as metrics of his mating attractiveness. Females paired with males that achieved extra‐pair success laid heavier eggs than other females and spent less time attending their nests than their mates or other females. Extra‐pair nestlings were fed more protein‐rich hen's egg than within‐pair nestlings. Females producing extra‐pair offspring had more surviving sons than females producing only within‐pair offspring. Collectively, results show that females differentially allocate resources in response to offspring extra‐pair status and their social mate's attractiveness. Females may also obtain fitness benefits through the production of extra‐pair offspring.
Linking behavioral states to landscape features for improved conservation management
Authors: Sur Maitreyi , Woodbridge Brian , Esque Todd C. , Belthoff Jim R. , Bloom Peter H. , Fisher Robert N. , Longshore Kathleen , Nussear Kenneth E. , Tracey Jeff A. , Braham Melissa A. , Katzner Todd E.
Published: May 2021

A central theme for conservation is understanding how animals differentially use, and are affected by change in, the landscapes they inhabit. However, it has been challenging to develop conservation schemes for habitat‐specific behaviors.

Here we use behavioral change point analysis to identify behavioral states of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts of the southwestern United States, and we identify, for each behavioral state, conservation‐relevant habitat associations.

We modeled behavior using 186,859 GPS points from 48 eagles and identified 2,851 distinct segments comprising four behavioral states. Altitude above ground level (AGL) best differentiated behavioral states, with two clusters of short‐distance movement behaviors characterized by low AGL (state 1 AGL = 14 m (median); state 2 AGL = 11 m) and two associated with longer‐distance movement behaviors and characterized by higher AGL (state 3 AGL = 108 m; state 4 AGL = 450 m).

Behaviors such as perching and low‐altitude hunting were associated with short‐distance movements in updraft‐poor environments, at higher elevations, and over steeper and more north‐facing terrain. In contrast, medium‐distance movements such as hunting and transiting were over gentle and south‐facing slopes. Long‐distance transiting occurred over the desert habitats that generate the best updraft.

This information can guide management of this species, and our approach provides a template for behavior‐specific habitat associations for other species of management concern.
Ant community composition and functional traits in new grassland strips within agricultural landscapes
Authors: Scharnhorst Victor Sebastian , Fiedler Konrad , Frank Thomas , Moser Dietmar , Rabl Dominik , Brandl Manuela , Hussain Raja Imran , Walcher Ronnie , Maas Bea
Published: May 2021

Ongoing intensification and fragmentation of European agricultural landscapes dramatically reduce biodiversity and associated functions. Enhancing perennial noncrop areas holds great potential to support ecosystem services such as ant‐mediated pest control.

To study the potential of newly established grassland strips to enhance ant diversity and associated functions, we used hand collection data and predation experiments to investigate differences in (a) ant community composition and (b) biocontrol‐related functional traits, and (c) natural pest control across habitats in cereal fields, old grasslands, and new grassland transects of three years of age.

Ant species diversity was similar between new and old grasslands, but significantly higher in new grasslands than in surrounding cereal fields. Contrary, ant community composition of new grasslands was more similar to cereal fields and distinct from the species pool of old grasslands. The functional trait space covered by the ant communities showed the same distribution between old and new grasslands. Pest control did not differ significantly between habitat types and therefore could not be linked to the prevalence of functional ant traits related to biocontrol services in new grasslands.

Our findings not only show trends of convergence between old and new grasslands, but also indicate that enhancing ant diversity through new grasslands takes longer than three years to provide comparable biodiversity and functionality.

Synthesis and applications: Newly established grasslands can increase ant species richness and abundance and provide a consistent amount of biocontrol services in agroecosystems. However, three years after their establishment, new grasslands were still dominated by common agrobiont ant species and lacked habitat specialists present in old grasslands, which require a constant supply of food resources and long colony establishment times. New grasslands represent a promising measure for enhancing agricultural landscapes but must be preserved in the longer term to promote biodiversity and resilience of associated ecosystem services.
The effect of metabolic phenotype on sociability and social group size preference in a coral reef fish
Authors: Killen Shaun S. , Nadler Lauren E. , Grazioso Kathryn , Cox Amy , McCormick Mark I.
Published: May 2021

Although individuals within social groups experience reduced predation risk and find food patches more consistently, there can be competition for food among groupmates. Individuals with a higher standard metabolic rate (SMR) may be less social, to prioritize food acquisition over defense, while a greater maximum metabolic rate (MMR) may modulate sociability through increased competitive ability. Therefore, in theory, individuals with a higher SMR may prefer smaller groups and those with greater MMR may prefer larger groups. We examined links among metabolic phenotype, sociability, and choice of group size in the redbelly yellowtail fusilierCaesio cuning. Individuals were exposed to three association tests: (a) a choice between two fish or zero fish; (b) a choice between five fish or zero fish; and (c) a choice between two fish and five fish. The first two tests quantified sociability while the third measured relative group size choice. Although there was no link between SMR and sociability, fish with a higher MMR were more social than those individuals with a lower MMR. While no correlation was found between MMR and group size choice, there was weak evidence that, if anything, individuals with a higher SMR preferred larger groups, contrary to our hypothesis. AsC.cuningis an active fish that spends a large proportion of time operating above SMR, this result could suggest that the links between sociability and SMR may shift depending on a species’ routine behavior. Links between sociability and MMR may arise if competitive ability allows individuals to obtain resources within groups. Although metabolic traits had no significant influence on group size choice, variation in food availability or predation risk could alter the effects of metabolism on group size choice.
Enhanced Ethylene Formation from Carbon Dioxide Reduction through Sequential Catalysis on Au Decorated Cubic Cu2O Electrocatalyst
Authors: Cao Xuerui , Cao Guangwei , Li Mei , Zhu Xinli , Han Jinyu , Ge Qingfeng , Wang Hua
Published: May 2021

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to fuels has been recognized as a perspective way to address the environmental and energy issues. Herein, the novel Au decorated Cu2O electrocatalysts were synthesized via the galvanic replacement reaction and the successive pre‐reduction by linear voltammetry (LSV) method. In contrast to Cu2O, CO formation became dominant over HCOOH and H2on AuxCu2O, and a remarkably enhanced selectivity of C2H4was obtained beyond −1.1 V vs. RHE. Among them, Au0.02Cu2O exhibited the highest Faraday efficiency (FE) of C2H4of 24.4 % at −1.3 V vs. RHE, which was as high as 2∼2.5 and 5 times of those on other two AuxCu2O and bare Cu2O, respectively. Meanwhile, it is demonstrated that the optimal ratio of Au/Cu was essential for effective sequential catalysis between Au and Cu2O to enhance C−C coupling. Furthermore, the effect of copper states resulting from different pre‐reduction methods on the selectivity of C2H4was explored. A half decrease of C2H4FE was observed on HPR‐Au0.02Cu2O (high potential reduced) relative to the LSV reduced Au0.02Cu2O, which was ascribed to the different content of Cu0and residual Cu+in two catalysts. Our results demonstrate an effective approach to construct Cu2O based bimetallic catalysts for ethylene formation from CO2.
(Spectro)electrochemical Properties of Anthracene Containing Triarylamine Platinum(II) Acetylides
Authors: Hildebrandt Alexander , Kovalski Eduard , Korb Marcus
Published: May 2021

The synthesis of [Pt{2}2(PPh3)2] (5) (10‐ethinyl‐9‐di(p‐anisyl)aminoanthracene=alkyne 2H) in a cis and trans configuration was achieved. Adsorption of cis‐5 on AlOx as well as electrochemical oxidation led to a reductive elimination of 10,10′‐(buta‐1,3‐diyne‐1,4‐diyl)bis(9‐di(p‐anisyl)amino‐anthracene) (6). The molecular structures of the alkyne intermediate 2H, [Pt{2}Cl(PPh3)2] (4) and butadiyne 6 have been determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Cyclic voltammetry measurements of the platinum‐acetylides trans‐4, and cis‐ and trans‐5 demonstrated, that the back donation from platinum towards the π‐system results in a shift of the triarylamine and anthracene related redox processes towards lower E°′ values, when compared to the SiMe3‐protected alkyne of 2 (=2SiMe3). Both platinum complex trans‐5 and butadiyne 6 demonstrated that the individual arylamine and the respective anthracenyl buildings blocks can be oxidized in four one electron processes. Spectroelectrochemical studies revealed several intense intra‐ligand absorptions in the NIR, demonstrating a high degree of delocalization in the ligand. However, a direct IVCT through the platinum was not observed.
Analyzing environmental‐trait interactions in ecological communities with fourth‐corner latent variable models
Authors: Niku Jenni , Hui Francis K. C. , Taskinen Sara , Warton David I.
Published: May 2021

In ecological community studies it is often of interest to study the effect of species related trait variables on abundances or presence‐absences. Specifically, the interest may lay in the interactions between environmental and trait variables. An increasingly popular approach for studying such interactions is to use the so‐called fourth‐corner model, which explicitly posits a regression model where the mean response of each species is a function of interactions between covariate and trait predictors (among other terms). On the other hand, many of the fourth‐corner models currently applied in the literature are too simplistic to properly account for variation in environmental and trait response and any residual covariation between species. To overcome this problem, we propose a fourth‐corner latent variable model which combines the following three features: latent variables to capture the correlation between species, fourth‐corner terms to account for environment‐trait interactions, and species‐specific random slopes for modeling excess heterogeneity between species in their environmental response. We perform an extensive numerical study comparing a variety of fourth‐corner models available in the literature which account for the aforementioned sources of variation to varying degrees. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed fourth‐corner latent variable models performed well when testing for the fourth‐corner (interaction) coefficients, across both Type I error and power. By comparison, some models that do not full account for all relevant sources of variation suffer from inflated Type I error leading to potentially misleading inference. The proposed method is illustrated by an example on ground beetle data.
Modeling and global optimization of biodiesel synthesis using hybrid response surfacemethodology‐crowsearch algorithm: Case study of papaya seed waste oil utilization
Authors: Hossain S. M. Zakir , Sultana N. , Taher S. , Khan A. , Razzak S. A. , Hossain M. M.
Published: May 2021

Biodiesel is potential renewable and clean energy, which can be produced form wide range of waste materials. This study employs a hybrid response surface methodology (RSM) and crow search algorithm (CSA) as novel tool for global optimization of transesterification reaction parameters to maximize biodiesel synthesis from papaya seed‐derived waste oil. Catalyst (NaOH) dose, methanol to oil molar ratio (M:O), and reaction time were considered independent factors, while biodiesel yield was taken as a dependent variable. The experimentally produced biodiesel was characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The experiments were developed based on RSM with Box–Behnken design matrix, which was subsequently used for modeling, optimization and model validation. Initially, a quadratic regression model was developed following RSM technique, correlating the transesterification reaction parameters and biodiesel yield. Afterward, the CSA coupled with RSM approach was employed to assess the global optimization. A highest biodiesel yield of 99.48% was attained with a catalyst (NaOH) dose of 0.5 wt%, M:O of 8.5:1 at a reaction time of 40 min. The results acquired by RSM‐CSA were also compared with the results achieved by desirability function‐based optimization technique. Further, the optimal set for maximizing biodiesel yield was validated experimentally with an error margin of 2.0%. These observations indicate that the hybrid RSM‐CSA is an efficient and economic approach to optimize the process conditions for biodiesel production from alternative sources.